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Church mailing address is P O Box 490, Maysville, KY 41056.

The post office will not deliver if addressed to 21 W. 3rd St. 

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"One Year Later"

by Pastor Jim Dougans


To the church members who illuminated me about Paul Prather, thank you. I enjoy reading Paul’s weekly columns in the Lexington Herald-Leader. Rev. Prather is scheduled to speak at First Presbyterian on September 19, 2021, at 4 pm.


Pastor Prather wrote a column a couple of weeks back that encourages me to do the same. He wrote about the year of his church during the Covid pandemic. We have had our ups and downs this past year. Let’s recount them.


Looking at my Presbyterian Planning Calendar I see that our last worship service in the sanctuary was on March 15, 2020. That Sunday we instituted some safety protocols. We didn’t pass an offering plate, we spread out in the sanctuary, we didn’t shake hands and sanitizer placed around the church. It wasn’t enough. The pandemic was gathering steam at that point and the session voted to move to virtual worship only.


On March 22, 2020, we held our first worship service solely on Facebook Live. We broadcast from the chapel. We used my cellphone to capture the sound and images. Kristen Gallenstein played the piano while Nick Denham played the saxophone.


The sanctuary remained closed until June 14, 2020. Pastor Prather notes it took courage to close his church. And I would agree. For three months we were not able to see one another and worship together in person. Facebook Live is a wonderful medium, but we humans were built by God to share close physical proximity.


No doubt, some people in the church were upset about closing the sanctuary, seeing such a move as cowardice or apostasy (the abandonment of our faith). Another question is how would the morale of the church be affected? Would the congregation dry up and fade away? (The short answer is no, the congregation has remained alert and active.)


I am thankful for a session that worked hard to make difficult decisions. I believe the session made the right move to close the church, save lives, and weather this storm.


God is indeed faithful. Through Facebook Live we were able to worship in a meaningful way. The pandemic has been a blessing in that it accelerated our ability to use social media. We now have a presence on the internet that attracts an international audience. We have had people worship with us from England, Mexico, and Canada. People from across the United States have tuned in as well. Potential members can now check us out and decide to take the next step of worshipping in person.


And course there is Zoom. The Wednesday evening Bible study moved to Zoom and didn’t miss a beat. Presbyterian Women began meeting by Zoom in January of 2021. It is great to see members of all ages able to use this meeting software.


The session voted to close the sanctuary again on November 8, 2020. We have been worshipping virtually until now. On Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021, we will resume in-person worship, while continuing to broadcast via Facebook Live. God is good!


Pastor Prather closed his column with these words. “Whatever happens in the future, two facts seem clear right now. First, this past year has been a heckuva ride. Second, the good Lord has brought us through.”


Thanks be to God!

Pastor Jim

Outreach Committee Survey of the Church--Spring 2021

The Outreach Committee of First Presbyterian Church is seeking input for programs in 2021. Please take a few minutes to offer your feedback and suggestions. Thank you!


Question One: In 2019 First Presbyterian sent a team of people to Tikinmul, Mexico to install a water purification system. What should we do in 2021?


____Send another team to Tikinmul, Mexico to make sure the water purification system is working smoothly and to build our relationship with the Presbyterian church in Tikinmul.

____Send a cash donation to the Presbyterian church in Tikinmul.

____Send a team to build a water purification system in eastern Tennessee.

____Other. Please specify:


Question Two: Several counties in eastern Kentucky experienced severe flooding. How should First Presbyterian Church respond?

____Send a donation to the Presbytery of Transylvania assist with flood relief.

____Send a team to help with the clean-up.

____Send a team to restore damaged Presbyterian churches.

____Deliver bottled water and cleaning supplies.

____Other. Please specify:


Question Three: What other projects should the church consider in 2021?

____ Assisting homeless people.

____Tutoring children and/or adults.

____Meal delivery to shut-ins in Maysville.

____Other. Please specify:


Question Four: Are you interested in participating on a team or leading a team?

____I am interested in participating on a team going to Mexico.

____I am interested in participating on a team going to somewhere in the United States.

____I am willing to lead a team going to Mexico.

____I am willing to lead a team going to somewhere in the United States.



CLICK HERE TO PRINT SURVEY!

(Please mail your completed survey to First Presbyterian, PO Box 490, Maysville, KY 41056.)

You Shall be Called Repairers of the Breach (Isaiah 58)

One Great Hour of Sharing

Providing relief from natural disasters, food for the hungry, and support for the poor and oppressed.

One Great Hour of Sharing is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world.


Every book we read changes us in some way. Some books have more of an impact than others. In 1986 I read a book by Francis Moore Lappe called World Hunger, Twelve Myths. I was stunned to read that 40,000 children die every day from hunger and malnutrition. I was shocked to learn the world grows enough food to feed everyone. World hunger is not a problem of production, it is a problem of distribution.


The next year I said goodbye to my position with Rides for Bay Area Commuters. Promoting ridesharing and vanpooling is a worthy endeavor, especially in a congestion choked city like San Francisco. However, I no longer felt called to that work. Instead, I wanted to be part of the anti-hunger community.


I took my first job working for the Church in 1988. I went to work part-time for San Francisco Presbytery as its Hunger Action Enabler or HAE. HAE’s work for the Presbyterian Hunger Program to reduce hunger. Thirty-six percent of what you give to One Great Hour of Sharing goes to support the Presbyterian Hunger Program.


When we moved the next year to Indianapolis, I became the Hunger Action Enabler for Whitewater Valley Presbytery. Part of my job was to promote and interpret the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering.


One Great Hour of Sharing or OGHS has been around since the end of WWII. Every year at Easter the children bring in their coin banks. In 2020 members of First Presbyterian gave $195 to One Great Hour of Sharing. In 2021, we adults can write a check to the church putting OGGS in the memo line. You can also text OGHS to 91999 to give or go on-line to donate at www.presbyterianmission.org/give-oghs

Here is what our denomination has to say about OGHS. “In the wake of the countless domestic and international crises that have only escalated in the world since COVID-19 reached the U.S. in early 2020 — among them, civil unrest, economic injustice and hunger — One Great Hour of Sharing gifts never fail to bring life and hope. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, the three Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing — Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People — provide people with safety, sustenance and support.”

Most recently, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been helping communities in eastern Kentucky recover from the flooding. Affected Presbyterian churches shared in an initial grant of $7,500.

Let us pray.

Savior, do not meet us where we are, but find us where you are instead: with those experiencing injustice, hunger, thirst and great need. Amen.


The Big Bountiful Bouquet Returns


Starting on Sunday, April 18th, please bring some of your posies to church to add to the big bountiful bouquet.


Bring the flowers to the church kitchen and we will add them to the bouquet.


If you are coming to church in person, bring your flowers to the kitchen - a little before the service.


If you are worshiping online, but would like to add your flowers to the bouquet, please get in touch with Gwen Tuel, the church secretary and she will make arrangements.


                                                                                                      The flowers are an extravagant symbol of our togetherness in person and                                                                                                           virtually. Cheers! The Congregational Life Team

CLICK ON PUZZLE TO PRINT

Our facebook site is: www.facebook.com/maysvillepcusa.org


Church mailing address is P O Box 490, Maysville, KY 41056.

The post office will not deliver if addressed to 21 W. 3rd St.



Session Meeting will be held on Monday, April 26th at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom and in-person.


Bible Study on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom on April 7, 21, and 28.


Presbyterian Women Bible Study will meet on Wednesday, April 14 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.


Offerings: You may mail your checks to P O Box 490, Maysville, KY 41056, if you wish to mail in your offerings while we are going through this pandemic or you may pay by credit or debit card through a link on the church’s website: www.maysvillepresbyterian.org.


Pastor Jim will be on vacation from April 5th thru April 18th.


The Older Youth Group will meet on April 25 at 5:30 p.m.


Maundy Thursday Service will be held on April 1st at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary and on Facebook Live.


Community Good Friday Service will be held on April 2nd at 12:05 p.m. via Facebook Live.


Sonrise Service will be held Easter Sunday at 6:45 a.m. at the Cummins Nature Preserve. Drive onequarter mile and go to the picnic pavilion on the your left. Easter Service is at 10:45 a.m. in the sanctuary in-person and on Facebook Live.


For all services we will observe the safety protocols outlined by the state of Kentucky and Transylvania Presbytery. Mask wearing over mouth and nose for all people age 6 and older.

  • Social distancing of six feet from individuals who are not members of the person’s household.
  • Attendance not to exceed 60% of capacity.
  • No congregational singing.
  • Gloves, large and x-large, provided.
  • Greeters will wear gloves and take temperatures.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available.
  • Pews and other surfaces will be properly cleaned.

Virtual Tour of Historic US Presbyterian Churches: Presbyterians have been worshiping in the United States for a long time, long before we became a nation. First Presbyterian Church, Jamaica, Queens was organized over 350 years ago. We will likely tour at least one other historic US Presbyterian church. The next virtual tour will be Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.


One Great Hour of Sharing is Easter Sunday, April 4th. Please put “one great hour” on the memo line of your check. Thank you!


Outreach Committee Survey of the Church: The Outreach Committee of First Presbyterian Church is seeking input for programs in 2021. Please take a few minutes to offer your feedback. By clicking on the link below you will be taken to the on-line survey. There is also a copy of the survey on page 3 of this newsletter as well as copies on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RJ2BSRJ



Places to Call to Get Help:

Assistance Available 24 Hours a Day

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

(800) 273-8255

Crisis Hotline

(Comprehend)

(877) 852-1523

__________________________________

Comprehend

611 Forest Avenue

Maysville, KY 41056

(606) 564-4016

The church continues to worship on Facebook Live

 at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings


Worship Team

Pastor - Jim Dougans

Song Leader and Musician - Nicholas Denham

Pianist - Joey O’Cull

Organist - Kristen Carlson

Organist - Suzan Ross

Videographer - Walker Wood

Assistant Videographer - Drew Wood

Bell Ringers - David Harnish and Mike Denham

Webmaster - Bette Sledd

Secretary/Bookkeeper - Gwen Tuel

CLICK ON CALENDAR TO PRINT ALONG WITH BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES.

There is a basket on the table in the back of the sanctuary with note cards, envelopes, pens, labels and
stamps. These cards will go to people on the prayer list and the homebound.

 If you know someone’s address on this list please give it to Gwen in the office so she can make labels with their name and address for your convenience. Thanks!

Over 200 families are served by the Mason County

Food Bank each month. Please consider a financial

contribution to Limestone Ministries, Inc. and/or the

Mason County Food Bank, because despite regular

food donations from area churches, food still needs to be purchased

each month. Mason County Food Bank is the only one available since the Calvary Baptist Food Bank closed. Any non-perishable item will be accepted, but the most needed items are: spaghetti sauce, boxed spaghetti, macaroni & cheese dinners, dried beans, saltine crackers, cornbread mix, peanut butter, oats, cereal, canned soup, canned vegetables, and canned fruit. Cash donations are welcome also! If you write a check, please make it payable to the First Presbyterian Church and put ‘FOOD BANK’ on the memo line. Or you can sendfunds directly to the Mason County Food Bank,  located at 1679Forest Avenue, Maysville, KY 41056. Food Bank hours are temporarily, Thursday from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. If needed, Rebecca Cartmell can be called and will meet with the individual. Food Bank phone number is 606-375-6863.