Maysville Presbyterian

Covid Policy Update (August 7, 2022)

Covid continues to linger in Maysville, Mays Lick, and surrounding counties. 

The session recommends that members stay up to date on current trends. 

Information is posted weekly on two websites: the Community Levels by County website updates on Friday govstatus.egov.com/kycovid19. 

The Current Incident Rate Map website updates every Monday. kycovid19.ky.gov - KY COVID Data Dashboard (egov.com). The current policy of the church, formulated by the session, is to continue as we have been, leaving mask-wearing and social distancing up to each individual and family. You will find masks and hand sanitizer at the church entrance.

You know the story. Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one, a Samaritan, returns to give thanks. (Luke 17:11-19) What can this story, particularly this Samaritan, teach us about gratitude? First, he can lead us to cultivate a habit of giving thanks. Second, we are reminded not to become complacent and to take God's blessings for granted. And third, we are reminded that giving thanks is the most joyful thing we can do.

Every day we are offered the opportunity to give thanks. Our day can start with a morning prayer. Over breakfast, we say grace, and at lunch and dinner too. At the end of the day, we reflect on what special event most filled us with gratitude. Maybe we had good energy throughout the day. Perhaps, someone offered us a compliment, and we did the same. Our brief end-of the-day prayer before we retire may be as simple as, "help me to appreciate all the experiences of this day."

Such a brief prayer can help us fight complacency. It is possible to take God's blessings for granted. They are so profound and ever-present that they can dull our appreciation for a knockout rose, a stunning sunset, or the beauty of the First Presbyterian's church choir. Then, like the nine lepers who failed to return and give thanks to Jesus, we quickly move on to the next appointment on our calendar. This is the time to remember Naaman, the Syrian commander who felt such gratitude after being healed by Elisha that he converted to Judaism. Lastly, we can turn to our Presbyterian prayers and confessions to be reminded that the most joyful thing we can do is be grateful, express gratitude, and always give thanks. In the Prayer of Great Thanksgiving, we hear, "it is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise." The Heidelberg Catechism of 1563 has this question and response: 

Question: Since then, we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace, through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works? 

Answer: Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit, after his own image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude to God for his blessings, and that he may be praised by us; also, that everyone may be assured in himself of his faith, by the fruits thereof; and that, by our godly conversation, others may be gained to Christ. This year Thanksgiving Day falls on November 24. We have at least one day a year when the nation’s attention is devoted to giving thanks. As Christians, we can claim every day as Thanksgiving Day.

Thanks be to God.

Blessings, 

Pastor Jim

Thanksgiving Facts

Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday on October 3, 1863. Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who wrote “Mary Had A Little Lamb,” convinced Lincoln to make Thanksgiving a national holiday after writing letters for 17 years.

The history of U.S. presidents pardoning turkeys is patchy. Harry Truman is often credited with being the first president to pardon a turkey, but that’s not quite true. He was the first to receive a ceremonial turkey from the National Turkey Federation – and he had it for dinner. John F. Kennedy was the first to let a Thanksgiving turkey go, followed by Richard Nixon who sent his turkey to a petting zoo. George H.W. Bush is the president who formalized the turkey pardoning tradition in 1989.

Multitudes of Angels 2022

Last year, 1st Presbyterian in Maysville decided to celebrate Christmas

with a “Multitude of Angels”. We made 3 giant Angel Parade Puppets. Children, with the help of many

adults, decorated and glitzed up angel wings to wear as the Multitude of Angels in the Christmas          Parade on December 3rd.

We’re doing it again!

Here are the details:

When? The 1st two Saturdays in November - 11/5 & 11/12 from 9:00 - 11:30

We will be updating and repairing the giant puppets and making Angel Wings with the children. A possible 3rd Saturday before Thanksgiving for finishing odds and ends

Where? Fellowship Hall at 1st Presbyterian - 21 W. 3rd St

Church mailing address is 21 W. 3rd St., Maysville, KY 41056.

Offerings: You may mail your checks to 21 W. 3rd St., Maysville, KY 41056, if you wish to mail in your offerings or you may pay by credit or debit card through a link on the church’s website: www.maysvillepresbyterian.org.

Session Meeting will be held on Monday, November 28th at 5:30 p.m.

Community Thanksgiving Service: First Christian Church at 7:00 p.m. with chili supper preceding at 5:30

Limestone Chorale is back to practicing here at First and will be preparing for a lovely Christmas concert on               Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3:00 p.m.

Bible Study . Nov. 2, 16, &30 @ 6:00 p.m.

Presbyterian Women Bible Study, Nov. 9, 2022 at 6 p.m.

Movie Night: November 27 at 5:30 with hotdog dinner with the movie (there may be popcorn, too)

Weekly Activities at FPC

Sunday:

Sunday School @ 9:30 a.m

Worship Service @ 10:45 a.m

Wednesday:

Bible Study @ 6:00 p.m. Nov. 2, 16, & 30

Presbyterian Women @ 6:00 p.m. (9th)

Choir Practice: @ 7:00