Nashua Presbyterian Church Weekly Announcements for Sunday, February 28, 2021 Welcoming Hearts - Growing in Faith and Service
MOVING TOWARD HYBRID WORSHIP Hybrid Worship it the name begin given to the new way most churches will be worshiping in the future. It will be a combination of in person and online worship. For us it will mean that some folks can be in the sanctuary while others can be at home - or traveling - and still be in worship. In the next two months, the Zoom Team will practice on how we can do that. In March, Pastor Sally will begin leading worship from the Sanctuary again while you all continue to join her on Zoom. Our hope is that we will be able to open the church up for some others to join her in the Sanctuary (following all social distancing rules) beginning in May.
A REMINDER: GETTING INTO THE CHURCH As you know, the church has been alarmed ever since the robbery in the fall of 2019. If you need to get into the church, please don't hesitate to ask. Either Pastor Sally or Doug can turn off the alarm remotely from wherever we are (our cell phone numbers are posted on the church door). If you don't have a key, Doug would be happy to meet you at the church and let you in. Lenten devotionals are just inside the front door if you would like to come and pick one up. Please remember to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
EVENTS THIS WEEK (all on Zoom) SUNDAY Worship at 10 AM Sunday School at Noon New England Glow at 7 PM - Movie Night 'Soul' MONDAY Reopening Team at 7:30 PM TUESDAY Nurture Working Group 6 PM WEDNESDAY Table Talk at 7 PM 'Trinity' SATURDAY PNNE Meeting at 915 AM
LENT Lenten Devotionals are available inside the front door of the church. AND there is a free online Lenten Devotional from Presbyterians Today available at: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/today/lent2021/ Holy Week will be March 28-April 4
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper which is also called Communion will be celebrated on the first Sunday of every month even while we continue to worship on Zoom. Please have a small cracker or piece of bread and a cup of juice for each person who plans to participate.
This Week's Scripture: Psalm 72: 2-4,12-14, 7; James 2:1-6a, 14-17; Mark 6:35-44; Proverbs 14:21, 31; 21:13; 22:16, 22-23; 31: 8-9
MANY MISSION OPPORTUNITIES more info about our many missions opportunities and updates about their work can be found on the Missions page of our website: http://www.nashuapresbyterian.org/missions.html
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Our special offering for Easter. Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People, all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. Your gift makes a difference! Learn more at: OGHS
EASTER BASKETS Last year, we contributed 51 Easter baskets to the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter (NSKS). A basket is given, one per family, to interested clientele of the NSKS. We are aiming for 55-60 baskets this year. Your help will bring Easter joy to the children of Nashua! Please bring new or used baskets, candy, small stuffed animals, crayons & coloring books, stickers, bubbles, or anything else you’d like to find in an Easter basket. The candy must be individually wrapped and contain NO PEANUTS. If you’d prefer to contribute by check to the church, please write “Easter Baskets” on the notation line. The Deacons Fund will be used to purchase the grass, cellophane, and ribbon as well as any remaining supplies needed to completely fill the baskets. You can drop off your donations at the church. We will assemble and fill the baskets on Palm Sunday, March 28. This is a project of the Deacons’ Community Service Working Group.
YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR MINISTRYTOGETHER Gifts to our Special Offerings, the Deacon's Ministry, our Missions, and to our Operating Budget can be sent to the church at: 1010 West Hollis St, Nashua NH 03062 Please be sure to note in the memo line of your check how you would like your gift to be used.
OTHER CHURCH GATHERINGS on Zoom
TABLE TALK Wednesdays at 7-8 PM. This week we'll be exploring the deeper meaning of some our Lenten hymns.
SUNDAY SCHOOL for our elementary age children is held at Noon every Sunday. Contact MaryAnn if you have children who would like to participate.
OUR YOUTH GROUP participates in the New England youth group : NEW ENGLAND GLOW! [the link is the same for all meetings) Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88291922819?pwd=Y2QvSW1PTTQvSHdwZ0VXc0dIdDArdz09 Meeting ID: 882 9192 2819 Passcode: 077555 Sunday February 28 at 7 PM is Faith Talks! We will be exploring Environmental Justice and begin discussing a recorded Earth Day Service. All events organized by the GLOW planning team are open to all youth (middle and high school students) no matter what stage of their faith or life journey they are on and no matter of their church affiliation (or non-affiliation).
BELONGING TO GOD: A FIRST CATECHISM Approved by the 210th General Assembly (1998) of the PC(U.S.A.) For the coming year we will post one or two of the catechism questions each week. Question 8. What is special about human beings? God made us, male and female, in the image of God.
WORSHIP is on Zoom Worship will continue to be via Zoom. The Session is following advice from CDC, the State of NH, our denomination, and our insurance company in making decisions about when and how to open the building up again. CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE LINK TO JOIN US ON ZOOM. [npc-c@hotmail.com or (603) 889-1170]
Our Sunday Zoom time opens up at 9:30 AM -- so come early and say ‘hi’ to folks. At 9:50 the Prelude begins and we have a time for prayer before worship begins at 10 AM. Immediately after the service you will be offered a chance to join a small group for conversation or to stay with the pastor and others in a larger group. Worship will continue to be via Zoom The Session is following advice from CDC, the State of NH, our denomination, and our insurance company in making decisions about when and how to open the building up again. The building is still closed to all outside groups.
REOPENING TEAM Some of you have noticed that there is a ‘Reopening Team’ meeting scheduled on the weekly calendar. This team was created by the Session last June to consider the recommendations and rules of The State of NH PCUSA and our PNNE presbytery CDC and our insurance company regarding gathering during COVID. They presented their findings to the Session which now allows committees of 6 or fewer people to meet at the church if they follow our COVID protocols. This same Team is working on establishing guidelines for when and how we will be able to gather in the church for worship again. We already know that there will be severe restrictions including NO singing or unison prayers/responses and NO gathering for informal visiting. We will need to still wear masks and socially distance even if we have had the vaccine.
MEETINGS at the Church Building during COVID even as we pray for healing and health for all God's children. The Session has approved a set of protocols for church committees of six people or less to meet in person, if they wish. No committee is to require members to come in person and must make provision for others to participate on Zoom if they wish. Any committee wishing to meet at the church must contact Pastor Sally at least 48 hours ahead of time so that the meeting can be put on the schedule and that the building may be prepared for the meeting.