Hi First Presbyterian Church,

It’s time for our Mid-Week Meet-Up! I’ll be back to work next week, but I'm out on study leave this week.

In the meantime, I want to give you the inside scoop on the article I wrote for the church newsletter being published later this month. The article is about some very exciting events planned for worship in September, and so I wanted you to get the news as soon as possible. Here’s your advance copy of my newsletter article!

After a long day of work, it can be very comforting to pull into your driveway, step out of your car, and walk into your house. It is a joy to be greeted by your loved ones, to pet your animals, or to just take in the familiar sounds and smells. At its best, home is about family, and coming home is good.

One thing that I love about the church is that, from its very beginning, its members have viewed each other as family. In those early years, converting to Christianity was controversial and, sometimes, converts were forced to choose between either their families or the church. Often, they chose the church, leading to being rejected by their families, making the church the only family they had. It’s no wonder the church was called the “household of faith” (Galatians 6:10), and early Christians called themselves “brothers” and “sisters” (Colossians 1:2), Christ their “brother” (Hebrews 2:11), and God their “father” (Galatians 4:6). This way of talking about the church has stuck over the centuries, because, when it is healthy, the church is where we have our most important relationships. The church is a family, and First Presbyterian Church is our household within that family.

Right now, approximately half of our congregation worships together in-person and the other half worships remotely. COVID is not behind us yet, and some of you have serious and legitimate reasons to continue worshiping remotely. However, I have also heard from many of you who have said that these past two years of COVID have put you out of the habit of attending worship in-person. You would like to begin worshiping in-person again, but it’s difficult restarting a broken habit. That’s why, in September, the Worship & Music Committee will be hosting a three-week “Homecoming” event. The purpose of the “Homecoming” will be to encourage us to see the church as a family, and home is where our family is.

On September 11, we will be having our annual Kickoff Sunday, including the church picnic that follows the 10:00 service. “Family’s have fun together!” On September 18, we will be having a blessing of the animals service at the 10:00 service. The entire service will take place on our Church Street lawn, because you will have the opportunity to bring your pets to church so they can be prayed for and blessed during worship. “Our families include our animals!” Then, on September 25, our worship at both services will be a hymn-sing. In the weeks leading up to that service, you will have the opportunity to tell us what your favorite hymn is and why. Then, we will incorporate those hymns into our service. There will be lots of singing and music that day! “Families sing together, and these are our songs!”

There will be more information coming to you about these services as the dates get closer. For now, mark your calendars and, if you can, make plans to come home to see your church family!

The newsletter will also include a full-page insert promoting the Homecoming events for you to put on your refrigerator. I hope to see you there!

Peace to you,
Pastor Aaron