In-Person Worship Returns Palm Sunday at 10 a.m.
Session reports approval of Team C-19’s recommendation to reopen the church for in-person worship on Palm Sunday, March 29, at the traditional time of 10 a.m. First Pres will remain open for in-person worship each Sunday thereafter until further notice. COVID-19 protocols approved by Session last summer will be in effect until further notice.
Please review the COVID-19 Protocols to refresh your memory (copy of protocols is at the end of the FYI). As a reminder:
- Masks are required at all times (limited exemption for podcast team during service).
- Social distancing will be practiced.
- Hand washing and hand sanitizer should be used regularly.
If you are unable to wear a mask during the time you are in the church building and maintain a 6’ distance between you and others who are not members of your immediate family, we suggest you consider continuing to worship with us virtually via live-stream until you are comfortable following the protocols or at such time as the protocols are no longer needed.
WE ARE REQUIRING ADVANCE REGISTRATION VIA SIGNUP GENIUS FOR PALM SUNDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH CAPACITY LIMITS.
PLEASE USE THIS LINK FOR PALM SUNDAY: http://bit.ly/PalmSunday2021
USE THIS LINK FOR EASTER SUNDAY: http://bit.ly/FPCF-Easter2021
or call the church office for assistance in registering.
Windows in the sanctuary will be opened to provide necessary air circulation and the service will last approximately 45 minutes in order to respect air circulation protocols. You will want to dress warmly – wear scarfs, hats, gloves and perhaps bring a blanket to help you stay warm.
Ushers, greeters, liturgists, communion servers and sextons are needed. If you are returning to worship at this time and are willing to serve in one, or more, of these capacities please contact:
• Deborah Draper (ushers/greeters)
• Pam Jusino (liturgists)
• Eddie Matteson (communion)
• Chris Davis (sextons)
Please let them know you are ready to return so they may place you on a schedule. If you have not served in this manner in the past now may be a time to give it a try – training will be provided.
A Note on Church Room Usage
In accordance with approved protocols, rooms in the church remain available for restricted use under occupancy and COVID sanitation protocols approved by Session in 2020. If you want to use a room, contact the church office to determine if there is one that suits your needs and schedule. If you need training, or a refresher course, on use of the electrostatic sprayer for sanitizing, contact Paul Floreno or Ron Prieskorn. All requests for room usage start with a call to the office. Karen Spica maintains the church calendar and schedules all requests.
Starting with Palm Sunday and continuing through Easter day, follow the path of Jesus through a series of church services, each unique, and each an opportunity to go deeper in faith.
Holy Week Services
Sunday, March 28 – Passion / Palm Sunday Drama @ 10:00 a.m. Music, dramatic scripture readings, to enrich and enhance the reception of Scripture, story pageantry are interwoven. The beginning of Holy Week and Jesus’ final journey to the cross. This 10:00 a.m. worship service will be both in-person and livestreamed.
Maundy Thursday, April 1 – Tenebrae-Service of the Shadows @7:00 p.m. Tenebrae is a prolonged meditation on Christ’s anguish. Readings trace the story of Christ’s passion, and the power of silence and darkness suggests the drama of this momentous day. Through word and music, this service dramatizes the suffering, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. As lights are extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death. This Maundy Thursday service will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. This 7:00 p.m. worship service will be both in-person and livestreamed.
Friday, April 2 – Good Friday – Pre-recorded worship available anytime 12 Noon Friday to 12 Noon Saturday.
Sunday, April 4 – Easter/Resurrection Day and the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion @ 10:00 a.m. Easter gives us the ability to keep our feet amid the tremors and enables us not just to persevere but even to flourish when life is difficult. Courage is precisely what Easter is about. This 10:00 a.m. worship service will be both in-person and livestreamed.
April 2021 FYI Deadline: Friday, March 19
Community Service News
Church families receive Lenten Devotional packages
Leslie Moyna, Ann Collins Carey and Kim Kucharski delivered Lenten devotions for the FPCF families with preschool and elementary school children. Deb Jackson Lum provided a sweet snack for families to share the Valentine’s Day spirit! Each family also was gifted a Children’s Bible to use with their Lenten weekly lesson about giving. Ava is already delighting in her Bible! And Brynn and Jack are enjoying their treats.
Men’s Group DOUBLES Support for Wells in Africa!
Charlie Lum started the FPCF Men’s Group several years ago, and the group has delighted in getting together on Tuesday mornings every week, whether it’s at Leo’s Coney Island, or via a group Zoom (ably hosted by Tom Neal). After hearing about the terrific mission and accomplishments of Marian Medical Mission helping very remote villages in Africa (Malawi and Tanzania) build freshwater wells, we were very motivated to contribute to that cause.The men’s group (along with generous help from Missions) joined in contributing enough last year to fund two wells, one in Tanzania and one in Malawi. The Wells Program not only provides safe drinking water, but also the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to manage and maintain the protected water source, so that safe drinking water continues in future years. Where wells have been built, water-borne diseases are eliminated.
We were sent pictures of the joyous folks gathered around their new community wells; it was emotional and inspiring. And it continues to inspire us, realizing the wonder of fresh water that surrounds us here in Michigan, and considering the effect of not having safe drinking water for our children.
The men decided to go after it again this year, and they jumped in with gusto. Next, the Mission Committee informed us that they would fund one whole well themselves ($450), which they have done (Bless them). With Missions generous contribution and the Men’s group member contributions, we have just hit the goal of funding a total of 4 wells in Africa! Thanks to all those good men, (and some wonderful women too) who have joined in such a worthwhile effort. Bless them all!
Rob Kirsten (Cap’t Well Digger)
Rebuilding Together: April 24, 2021
Please join the First Pres crew for this year’s workday in Farmington. All work projects will be taking place on the house’s exterior. There will be two more events this year: June 5 and October 23. Mark your calendar and keep a watch out for more details.
Mission Team Sponsors Spring Clean-Up Drive-Up – March 20
Saturday March 20 is the first day of spring. What better way to celebrate a new season than to gather up some items for the latest Mission drive-thru-donation! We are collecting cleaning products, detergents, soaps, paper towels and toilet paper. Donations will go to CARES, Neighborhood House and other local agencies. There is also an ongoing need for diapers and wipes.
Please drop off your donations on Saturday, March 20 from 10am-1pm. Pop open your trunk and we will handle your donations from there. Thank you for your generous giving. ~Your Mission Team
Mission Winter Clothing Drive
Warm Hearts + Warm Clothes = Big Success!
If success is measured in quantity, then you have to say the recent Mission Winter Clothing Drive-thru-Donation was a smashing success! People from our congregation and from the community arrived with anywhere from one bag to a full carload of warm clothing to pass along to others in need. In turn, we drove several cars packed with the clothing to Lighthouse, Foster Closet, Salvation Army and more.Many people in our community will now be warmer due to the generosity of so many. Thanks to Chris Ely and Alvine Cooper, who happened to stop by church for other purposes and stayed to give us a hand with the sorting. Thank you! ~ Your Mission Team
Highlights of Our Annual Congregational Meeting – Feb. 7, 2021
The purpose of the Annual Congregational Meeting was to receive the 2020 reports of the Session officers and committees, the Board of Deacons and other organizations of the congregation, to review the 2021 Terms of Call for the Pastor, to conduct the annual meeting of the Corporation, and to address other appropriate congregation business.
Sixty-five people attended the Zoom meeting, well over the required quorum. While an overview of the 2020 highlights was provided, members are invited to read the entire impressive 2020 Annual Report which can be accessed on the church website. Covid-19 did not stop church activities during 2020! The 2021 Terms of Call were approved for Pastor Eddie. Due to significant budget challenges, unfortunately, it was necessary to reduce the salary and/or work hours for the staff this year. President Sally Kirsten presided over the meeting of the corporation and reviewed the 2020 budget against the actual expenses as well as the church assets and liabilities. She also presented the 2021 budget and responded to questions from the floor. Most areas of the 2021 budget were largely reduced from 2020 due to significant budget challenges. The Capital Campaign Loan was received at the end of the year, which is being used to fund the list of major projects that have already started or been completed.
Kim Kucharski, Family & Children Ministry Coordinator, provided an overview of 2020 activities. Unfortunately, Kim left this position in mid-February for personal reasons, but will remain in her position with the Preschool.
Larry Gage provided good news regarding the Church Endowment Fund’s growth, which enables 4% of the assets ($10,663) to be directed to the church for additional support of various ministries and programs as determined by the Session.
Session meeting highlights
Here are the highlights from the February 24, 2021 Session Meeting:
We met our 2021 Committee on Ministry (COM) Liaison, Rev. Michelle James, who is the Pastor at Faith Community Presbyterian Church in Novi. This is a new program in the Detroit Presbytery and Rev. James will be available as a central contact for different areas of the presbytery such as training, pastoral ministry, etc. We will learn more about this position over time.
Session approved re-opening the church building for in-person Worship Services starting on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021. This will be dependent upon the COVID-19 numbers continuing to go down and the church being ready following the approved church usage protocols. More on this will be communicated as it is available.
Session approved the usage of funds for the Property Committee to install new LED emergency exit light fixtures. This will replace some non-working units and bring the emergency lighting up to building code.
The next Session Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Dorothy Tait, Clerk of Session
2021 Per Capita Apportionment is $31
The Presbyterian Church is a “connectional” church where we interact through the Presbytery of Detroit, the Synod of the Covenant and the General Assembly. These councils are funded by the “Per Capita” on each of our active members. For 2021, the Per Capita amount is the same as last year. (Of that, $8.95 supports the General Assembly; $3.25 supports the Synod of the Covenant; and $18.35 is for the Presbytery of Detroit.) As a church, we will be paying a total of $8,279.05. We ask that you contribute $31 for each member of your household confirmation age and above to help offset this amount. Checks may be made payable to the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington; please note “Per Capita on the memo line.”
Choose a Lenten Study! (contact church office for info)
The Way to Shalom: A Lenten Journey to Peace and Wholeness, A Daily Lenten Devotional
This devotional invites you to reflect upon the gift of shalom, the Hebrew word with a host of meanings: peace, security, well-being, health, completeness. Our spiritual goal: exploring how can we receive this gift of shalom and, in turn, bestow it upon the world.
Reflections on Giving: An Illustrated Lent for Families, A Weekly Lenten Devotional
This weekly devotional invites families to focus intentionally on the spiritual discipline of giving. By exploring Gospel passages about giving, families will reflect on why we give, what we give, and the power of our gifts. Starting with Ash Wednesday and going through Easter, each week explores a different form of giving and the impact our gifts have on those around us through scripture readings, reflections, discussion questions, activities, coloring sheets, and prayers.
He Chose the Nails: Pastor’s Lenten Bible Study
The wood. The thorns. The nails. Christ’s sacrifice has defined the very essence of mankind’s faith for the past 2000 years. And now, Max Lucado invites you to examine the cross, contemplate its purpose, and celebrate its significance with He Chose the Nails. Join Pastor Eddie for a video-based virtual Bible Study each Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. through March 23. Contact the church office to register and learn how to obtain a copy of the book.
Lent of Liberation: Lenten Study & Discussion
Lent of Liberation: Confronting the Legacy of American Slavery, by Cheri L. Mills, is a Lenten daily devotional. The book invites readers to learn more about the brutal institution of slavery and its impact on Black people in America and examine how its evolution and legacy continue to harm their descendants in the United States today. Reflecting on Lenten themes of exodus, redemption, discipline, and repentance, readers will be empowered for the work of racial justice. The hour-long study is on Sunday evenings starting at 7 p.m. and runs through March 28. Contact Deb Lum to register and learn how to obtain your copy of the book.
BREAKING, BLESSING, BUILDING: A Call For The Common Good
PC(USA) NEXT Church Virtual National Gathering, March 5-7, 2021
NEXT Church is a network of leaders — church members, ruling elders, youth leaders, educators, pastors, seminarians and professors — across the Presbyterian Church (USA) who believe the church of the future will be more relational, more diverse, more collaborative, more hopeful and more agile.
There is NO COST to participate in the live-stream event, and EVERYONE is encouraged to participate as schedules permit. If you would like more information, please contact Deb Jackson Lum. In addition to real-time participation, Deb will have access to the full content after the event. A series of Zoom sessions will be scheduled so that participants can share what they have learned with anyone who is interested.
The Wired Word – Applying the Bible to the Headlines – Join us!
Consider joining our Adult Discussion Class as we apply the Bible to stories in the headlines. It makes for some lively, interesting, and insightful discussions among friends. The class is led by Tom Neal and Rev. Craig Aue. We meet every Sunday from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Contact Tom Neal at [email protected] for more details and the Zoom link. Many of us join early just to chat and catch up. Join us! All are welcome!
Connect & Chat – Zoom Coffee Hour March 17
It’s an enjoyable hour! Join in the fun and catch up with your fellow First Pres friends on Wednesday, March 17 at 4:00 p.m. – you’ll be glad you did! Call the church office at 248 474-1670 to sign up and receive Zoom connection details. Mark your calendar now for all the upcoming Connect & Chat sessions: April 21, May 19 and June 16.
Why are we always nagging you about the “Like” Button?
Today’s Internet communications are dependent on algorithms. Tech giants like Facebook and Google (who owns YouTube) use complicated formulas to determine whether or not they will recommend content. To do that, they try to figure out if people have enjoyed the post or video.
They do that by calculating how many people liked, commented on, or shared that content!
Please help us broaden our ministries by clicking on that thumbs up button wherever you see it—worship video or Facebook post. To give it even more of a boost, post a comment and share it with a friend.
Your Communications and Technology Committee
Online Giving via PayPal is now available on our website
A number of persons have begun making secure payments, gifts, and/or pledge donations to the church using PayPal. All of those payments / donations have a service fee subtracted from the amount intended. The fee is 2.2% plus $0.30 per transaction, which results in the church receiving less than the intended payment and part of the donation must be booked as a bank fee and cannot be used for the mission work of the church.
Some payment services ask the sender if they want to absorb the fee, others do not. Please be aware, if you are paying toward a pledge, the amount received for that pledge will not agree with the yearend statements if a service fee is assessed.
Sincerely, Jerry Scheel, Financial Secretary
Even if you live far away, you can now make a one-time or memorial gift to the church via PayPal, which provides secure processing of your credit card. Because First Presbyterian incurs a small fee from PayPal (2.2% + $0.30 per transaction), we recommend an epayment through your checking account or a check made out to First Presbyterian Church of Farmington for recurring payments or large gifts.
If you’re making a memorial donation, please email [email protected] to make sure it’s properly attributed. Go to our Online Donation Page: (https://farmington-pres.org/online-donation/).
Congregational Concerns
We keep in our prayers…
Though we keep our prayers off of our electronic newsletter to protect the privacy of members, we ask you to join us in our prayers of healing and comfort, celebration of joys, and for safety of our first responders and those serving in the military.
Directory Update: Jerry Custer asks that you please use this email: [email protected].
Thank you notes
I want to let you all know how thankful I am to have you and your help and concern for our family during this difficult time of losing Bob. The choir members and Jerry who sang at Bob’s funeral service were so appreciated. The Deacons who were bringing food and offering help were always there. That was so comforting. I am so thankful to all of you and your kindness. June Lymperis
Thank you for believing in the work we do! It is a privilege to partner with you in bringing our vision to life. Elizabeth Longley, Executive Director, Baldwin Center
Thank you for your donation to First Presbyterian Church, Lake Charles for hurricane relief. This year has been a difficult year for our community. Many members of our church family were directly impacted by Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta and some sustained significant damages to their homes. Many more within our community were affected even more significantly. We will use the funds you provided to help those in need within our church family and the community. Thank you not only for your support, but for continuing to pray for continued support and encouragement in this “marathon” of recovery and renewal. It will most certainly not be a “sprint.” Pastor Chan & Congregation, First Presbyterian Church, Lake Charles, LA
The following is a copy of a thank you email sent from the pastor of an Oregon Presbyterian Church. The Mission group wanted to reach out to an area of our country which was devastated by wildfires this past year. We know how hard it was to cope with a pandemic but could not fathom the additional trauma of also surviving the destructive wildfires.
Nancy Prieskorn, Mission Committee
Dear First Presbyterian Church of Farmington,
I apologize for the tardiness of this response. Between Advent and some stricter COVID protocols here in Oregon that started in December, I am just seeing a copy of your surprise letter and very generous contribution to our Fire Fund. What a blessing that your Mission and Outreach board was listening to the work of the Spirit and your willingness to respond with such a kind letter and donation.
As you saw in the news, the fires that ignited throughout Oregon during a very unusual and extended summer East Wind event caused significant damage just 30 minutes from our city center. While we had over a dozen congregants that were evacuated from the fire zone (and two that lost their homes), there were also some amazing stories of grace and God’s miraculous hand as well. Our sister church in the Santiam Valley, Mill City Presbyterian (only 34 members), lost almost the entire city but the church came out untouched! We filled up our basement with homeless who needed to get out of the oppressive smoke for over a week and let travel trailers of evacuees stay in our parking lot, while we were blessed with an abundance of emergency food and water donations that kept everyone fed and hydrated until the fire and smoke calmed down.
Many of the people that reside in the Santiam Valley were fixed or limited income, having found a beautiful and more affordable place to live, so the fire was especially devastating to those amazing people. We already have teams of volunteers that have been going into the valley to help with clean-up efforts and help prepare properties for rebuilding. Our church is now in discussions with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to see if our church can help organize and host fire rebuilding teams from around the country starting this summer. There will be a lot of tools and supplies that will need to be purchased for this extended work, so please know that your generous contribution will have a positive hands-on impact in the Santiam Valley rebuilding effort in the coming months.
We pray God is continuing to keep your congregation safe during this COVID pandemic, and preparing your congregation for an exciting new chapter of post-pandemic Kingdom work in Farmington Hills and the surrounding Detroit metro area. We will be keeping your congregation in our prayers, and ask God to richly bless your work in honor of your sacrificial stewardship to others. Blessings!
Pastor Brian Craker, Salem First Presbyterian Church
2021 Easter Flowers Order Form
All orders are due by Wed., March 31
Place your order for Easter lilies, tulips, and/or azaleas (all in 6-inch pots with foil cover) by completing this form and returning it to the Church Office along with your payment. Plants may be taken after the 10:00 a.m. Easter worship service or left for delivery to a homebound member.
I / We wish to donate the following plant(s) for decorating the church on Easter Sunday, April 4. Please use the following recognition in the Easter bulletin:
____ In honor of _______________________________________________________________
name of person(s)
____ In memory of _____________________________________________________________
name of person(s)
Ordered by ___________________________________________________________________
I / We would like to order the following number of plants:
____ Red Tulip plant – $10 each _____ Pink Azalea plant – $21 each
____ Easter Lily plant – $11 each Total due $ _______ ___ Payment included with order
Name: _______________________________________ Phone: (_____)__________________
