The Sanctuary Choir leads hymn singing last June.

Dear friends,

We have all seen decades worth of change in the last two and a half years. It is exhausting. You should know that there is nothing wrong if you feel fatigue, uninspired, or even sad. Please be open about that so that we may all support each in the church.

Last week, I reviewed with Session the important visioning work that the congregation was faithfully engaging before the pandemic. We all agreed that so much has changed since then. I encouraged people to think about how we can engage our creativity and imagination now.

We need your help. Beginning on September 11, you will see four easels in the Gathering Area. We would like you to write your responses to these four questions:

• What have we learned?

• What we have lost?

• What have we gained?

• What new possibilities can we imagine?

Your responses to these prompts will be helpful for us as we try lead our ministry with energy, imagination, intelligence, and love.

Gratefully,

Michael Isaacs

Sunday Mornings

Upcoming Worship schedule

• September 4 - Communion; Luke 14:25-33

• September 11 - Luke 15:1-10

• September 18 - Luke 16:1-13

• September 25 - Luke 16:19-31

Fellowship Hour

Join us for Fellowship Hour in the Gathering Area before or after the worship service on Sunday, stop by for fellowship and refreshments and snacks.

Weekdays

Monday Walk & Talk

On Mondays, starting September 12, at 10:00 a.m., join the Pastor for a causal one mile walk around the neighborhood. We will try to do two half mile loops in case anyone needs to work up to one mile. This is an experiment for the month of Spetember.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

Join us in the Youth Room at 10:00 a.m. for Bible Study.

Wednesday Fellowship and Knitting

An informal group of people from the church knit at Triple Moon around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays.

Wednesday Prayer

Meet in the Memorial Room at 1:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays for prayer.

Worship & Music Notes

Note from Director of Music Ministries Joyce Zigler

The choir season is just getting started, so it is time to consider joining our wonderful musical family. What a great way to serve our church and our Lord! There are so many exciting services coming our way including Kirkin’ of the Tartans, Advent and Christmas celebrations. Please prayerfully consider singing or ringing or both. You won’t miss want to miss out on any of the fun and excitement.

We have an exciting musical season lined up to enhance our worship experiences. Keep watching the bulletin and PresbyNews for announcements so you don’t miss any inspiring worship experiences.

Sanctuary Choir & Renaissance Ringers Rehearsals

The Sanctuary Choir is offered to all adults and teens who love to sing. The rehearsals are each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room.

The Renaissance Ringers Handbell Choir is open to teens and adults who are able to read music notes and rhythms. Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the Handbell Room.

Instrumentalists are youth and adults who would loke to play solos, play in ensembles, or would like to accompany the choir. Anyone who is interested should contact Joyce Zigler at 513-422-6365.

Sound Techs Needed

Our sound tech team is doing a great job of producing sound for all of our services and creating the streaming version of our services. We need our team to grow!! If you or someone you know would be great at sound or would like to learn, please contact 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. We continue to require 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. Two childcare workers, Monique Watkins and Ingrid Cuadra, provide exceptional care for which we are grateful.

• Sunday School (children ages 6-12) is offered most Sundays* in the Godly Play Room following the Circle Time for Young Disciples portion of worship at which time 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 September, Sunday School will meet on 9/11, 9/18, and 9/25. We especially want to include children and youth in special worship celebrations such as Communion, Kirkin’ of the Tartans, etc.)

Forever Grateful

Thank you to everyone who contributed notecards and cheer-filled pictures to affirm and encourage the staff at Atrium Medical Center. These gifts will be delivered to Atrium’s staff Respite Room in early September. We are grateful for their ongoing dedication and care for our community!

Playology: Experiencing God through the art of play

Playology is a play-filled retreat for individuals, families, and ministry leaders. All are welcome on Saturday, September 24 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Kirkmont Center in Zanesfield, Ohio. For more information or to register, contact Lisa Kaufer at lisa@fpcmiddletown.com.

Playology is chock-full of interactive training and practical resources to integrate recreation and play into your ministry. The day kicks off with some mix and mingle activities, a morning workshop, lunch and discussion on the Theology of Recreation, an afternoon workshop choice, and ends with Closing Worship. This event is a great resource for pastors, committee leadership, teens, worship leaders, VBS and camp counselors, educators, recreation leaders, volunteers, children and youth leaders, and more!

Also, save the dates for these opportunities sponsored by the Presbytery of the Miami Valley

• PYC Retreat at Kirkmont: April 14-16, 2023

• Women’s Spiritual Nurture Retreat at Kirkmont: April 21-23, 2023.

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, September 13, the meeting will be at Wildwood Golf Club, 601 Aberdeen, at 5:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Share the date!

Links will take you to the Facebook event.

• October 23 - Kirkin’ of the Tartans

• November 11 - Festival of Organ Music

• November 13 - Central State Choir in the Worship Service

COVID-19 Response

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

• Masks are optional in the Sanctuary and Gathering Area.

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

• Worship does not include the passing of any materials.

We give thanks to God for the life of. . .

. . .Marilyn Barton, who died on August 25.

Online Calendar

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