Dear friends,

Worship this February will focus on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. On February 6, we will hear the story of Jesus calling fishermen to leave behind their livelihoods to join him in witnessing the presence of the God’s kingdom on earth. The following three Sundays will be an exploration of the Sermon on the Plain. (This is Luke’s version of the more famous Sermon on the Mount.) Here Jesus instructs his disciples on what it looks to live and practice Christian faith. I hope we all find an opportunity to put down our nets and listen for God’s call to us to embody graciousness, forgiveness, and unconditional love.

-Michael Isaacs

Session Notes

COVID-19 Update for February

Session is temporarily requiring masks in worship until the next Session meeting on February 22. This decision was made after reviewing a January letter from the City of Middletown Health Department that called on faith communities “to begin practicing or continue practicing every mitigation effort which is available (masking, social distancing, and hand sanitizing) to help minimize infections in our city.” Read the entire letter here. Session recognizes that some of the statistics in the letter are now dated. Masks will be available for those attending worship.

Please keep these COVID-19 provisions in mind as we gather for our worship and ministry:

• Masks are temporarily required in worship.

• Social distancing is enforced in the sanctuary by the use of alternating pews.

• The length of the worship services is forty-five minutes, and worship does not include the passing of any materials.

Worship & Music Notes

Scheduled Scripture Readings

• February 6 – Luke 5:1-11

• February 13 – Luke 6:17-26

• February 20 – Luke 6:27-38

• February 27 – Luke 6:39-49

Note from the Director Music Ministries

“Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds.” Psalm 98:1

 “Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing, / It finds an echo in my soul, / How can I keep from singing?” (Quote from “How Can I Keep from Singing” by “Pauline T” and Robert Lowry). This text is asking us is how can we keep from making music?  The answer is, we can never stop making music. In this topsy-turvy tumultuous time, the Music Ministry Team (both staff and volunteers) have stepped up to continue to praise God with wonderful music each Sunday. We hope and pray that each Sunday there is something in the music and the lyrics that touches each of you in a special way. We will continue to do our best to praise and glorify God and to lift up this congregation with our music. “Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds.” Psalm 98:1

-Joyce Zigler

Christian Education Notes

In-person Nursery Care and Sunday School

The Christian Education Committee continues to prayerfully consider and implement safe practices to support the full participation of all ages, especially since some children still do not have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Two Childcare Workers provide consistent care for our youngest children in the Nursery. We practice physical distancing in Sunday School, and as much as is practical in providing care in the Nursery. Both spaces are equipped with hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, and disposable masks in a variety of sizes. Furthermore, we continue to follow the CDC’s recommendation by requiring universal indoor masking in these classrooms by all individuals (age 2 and older), regardless of vaccination status.    

• Nursery Care is available for infants and children up to 5 years old every Sunday, located next to Room 110. 

• Sunday School (children ages 6-12) is offered most Sundays* in the Godly Play Room. Leaders will escort children to Sunday School. When worship concludes, parents/guardians will need to come to the Godly Play Room to pick up their child(ren). (*Note: In February, Sunday School will meet on 2/13, 2/20, and 2/27. We especially want to include children and youth in special worship celebrations such as Communion, etc.)

Stories of God at Home

We continue to offer resources for you to share Godly Play stories at home! Email Lisa (lisa@fpcmiddletown.com) to borrow a story kit. Story videos are easily accessible online (https://www.storiesofgodathome.come/events).

Prayer Group

Did you know we have a Prayer Group? You're invited to join this informal gathering each first and third Wednesday in the Memorial Room. We share prayer requests, read scripture, and pray together.

Lenten Book Study

During the season of Lent, we will be reading the book, Falling Upward, by Richard Rohr. Copies are available in the main office with a suggested donation of $10. The book is also available in e-reader and audio forms. Stay tuned for more details about how to participate in this read-along.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

Tuesday Morning Bible Study will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Room. We are reading one chapter of the Gospel of Luke each week. We will be reading Luke 9 on February 1, and it is never too late to join us!

Kirkmont Summer Camps

Kirkmont's goal is to provide participants with a renewing camp, outdoor education, or retreat experience. For many years, our church has supported Kirkmont in a variety of ways, including scholarships that enable campers to participate. Scholarship applications are available in the church office, due by April 1. Visit https://www.kirkmontcenter.org or contact Lisa Kaufer for more information.

Odds & Ends

Men’s Monthly Meeting

Men’s Monthly Meeting is an opportunity for the men of the church to get together and socialize over dinner. On Tuesday, February 8, the meeting will be at Wildwood Country Club, 601 Aberdeen, at 5:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Pre-Kindergarten Readiness Program

We have openings! Perhaps you know a child who could benefit from this opportunity. The Pre-Kindergarten Readiness Program of First Presbyterian Church is a licensed early childhood program which is available to children who are four years of age and who will be turning four years old by August 1, 2022. As a mission of the church, it serves those children who do not qualify for any other subsidized early childhood program and whose parents feel that they are unable to pay tuition for a private preschool program. The program is a well-balanced offering of age-appropriate early learning activities - language arts, math, science, music, art - and strives to prepare the children for kindergarten experiences in today’s world. Classes are held in the morning hours (9:00 - noon) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from September through May. Please call the church office for additional information and/or to register your child.

Nominate Elders and Deacons

The Nominating Committee of First Presbyterian Church is working to prepare a slate of officer nominees to be presented to the congregation in March.  Individuals will be nominated to serve three-year-terms as elders and deacons. If there are individuals whose personal faith, commitment to the church, and gifts for ministry suggest to you that they might serve well as a church officer, you may suggest them for the Nominating Committee’s consideration by submitting their names and the office in which you believe they might serve well.  Please place the completed form in the designated boxes in the Gathering Area or the Narthex. 

Expectations of church officers include:

• Faithful attendance at Sunday worship

• Regular participation in study for personal spiritual growth

• Visible involvement in the ministries/programs of the congregation

• Financial support of the congregation’s work

• Regular attendance at board meetings; active participation in committee work

Elders: As there were in the Old Testament elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament Church provided persons with particular gifts to share in governing and ministry.  Elders are chosen by the people.  Together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church as well as the Church at large, including ecumenical relationships.  They shall serve faithfully as members of the session…. Elders should be persons of faith, dedication, and good judgment.  Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel, both within the Church and in the world…. It is the duty of elders, individually and jointly, to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation committed to their charge.  ( Book of Order, G-6.0301-4)

Deacons: The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ.  Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies, and sound judgment should be chosen for this office.  It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress.  (Book of Order, G-6.0401-2)

Online Calendar

The church calendar is now online! Go to https://www.fpcmiddletown.com/calendar.

We give thanks for the life of. . .

• Mary Jo Burns, who died on January 3.