Information about Sunday Service (5/3/2020)

April 30, 2020

Dear Church Family,

Last week when the session met and decided to open church to those who felt comfortable attending, there were no cases in Mason. As of yesterday there are 14 confirmed Covid 19 cases in Mason. I spoke to all of the elders yesterday by phone. On Sunday May 3rd we will have worship at 11 AM following the guidelines set out by the Governor. If you are concerned at all, please stay home. Many of our church members fall into the higher risk category and we expect that you will do what is best for your health. We will also continue to stream live on Facebook and put the recorded service on YouTube.

CHECKLIST FOR CHURCHES/PLACES OF WORSHIP

1. Strongly encourage the at-risk population to watch or participate in the service remotely.
2. Designate an area inside the facility reserved for the at-risk population, or offer a service for at-risk population attendees only.
3. Ensure proper spacing between attendees.
4. Keep at least two empty seats (or six feet separation) between parties in any row, except as follows: Two or more members of the same household can sit adjacent to one another, with two seats (or six feet separation) empty on either side.
5. At-risk population are those who are 65 or older, especially those with chronic lung disease; moderate to severe asthma; chronic heart disease; severe obesity; diabetes; chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis; liver disease; or weakened immune system
6. Two individuals who are not members of the same household but who are attending together can sit adjacent to one another, with two seats (or six feet separation) empty on either side.
7. Alternate rows between attendees (every other row left empty)

We will have every other row of pews roped off to keep us spaced out. Masks will be available for those who want one and the doors will remain propped open so no one has to use door handles. The offering plate will be left in the back of the church, we will not be passing the plate. We will also have hand sanitizer available.

The church is doing everything it can to make the sanctuary safe; however, we need your cooperation. If you have any symptoms or feel that you might have been exposed in anyway please stay home for the safety of others. While you are at church please maintain six feet of social distance. Please no shaking hands or hugs. We know that this is hard and goes against our natural inclinations but in this time it is important.

Please know that you are loved and if you feel like it is not yet time for you to return to church we understand. Please call us if you need anything.

Jim and Laurie

May 2020 Newsletter

Click on the link below to view the latest newsletter.

May 2020 Newsletter

Have a great day!
~ Carmen

Sunday Worship Service (04/26/2020)

Click on the link to view the worship service from Sunday, April 26, 2020.

FPCJ & HPC Worship 04262020

Letter to the Congregation

Greetings Church Family,

Tuesday the Elders of our church met for our regular meeting. A motion was made that we begin to open the doors of the church Sunday May 3rd for those who want to attend. This coming Sunday April 26th will still be online only. It will be live streamed on Facebook at 11am and later available on YouTube.

Here is the motion that was unanimously approved.
Since some members cannot attend weekly worship services due to lack of remote capabilities and we feel a need to accommodate all members, and since there are no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 in Kimble County or within our church membership, I make the following two motions:

That the First Presbyterian Church of Junction notify its membership that the doors will be open beginning on May 3, 2020 for members who wish to attend in person, and that services will continue to be broadcast live and on YouTube until further notice.  For members who choose to attend in person, it is requested that you follow CDC and State guidelines and

(1)   Not attend services if sick,
(2)   Practice social distancing by maintaining appropriate distance between people;
(3)   Maintain good hygiene by washing your hands frequently, using hand sanitizer, using your elbow to cover coughs, and not touching your face; and
(4)   Cleaning and disinfecting work areas frequently.

Secondly, that Reverend Barker will discuss our plans with other churches in the community and will make the final determination on whether or not to initiate the first motion through member notification. This motion is made in the spirit of community cooperation and in the desire that we not be viewed as a renegade church or one which is bucking a cooperative effort among the churches.  Should this be the case, he will notify the Session.

With that, if you are concerned at all please stay home. Many of our church members fall into the higher risk category and we expect that you will do what is best for your health. If you are showing any signs or symptoms, fever, cough or shortness of breath please stay home from church for the benefit of others. If you come to worship please refrain from shaking hands or hugging. I know that this is hard for many of us but it is best for now. When you sit in the pews please spread out.

I encourage you to continually lift each other in prayer. Pray for our medical professionals and our first responders. Pray for those who continue to address the needs in this community in the face of this illness. Pray for the vulnerable. Love and serve one another and Christ loves and serves us. And remember that our blessings far outnumber our troubles.


First Presbyterian Church
Jim and Laurie Barker
P.O. Box 898 | Junction, TX 76849

Church 325-446-2165
Jim's Cell 325-215-9017
Laurie's Cell 325-446-7950
Church Blog http://fpcjunction.blogspot.com/

Sunday Worship Service (04/19/2020)

Click on the link to view the worship service from Sunday, April 19, 2020.

FPCJ & HPC Worship 04192020

Holy Week Schedule

Maundy Thursday Service @ 7 PM.  We will be celebrating the Lord's Supper virtually. We encourage you to have bread and juice/wine at home to celebrate along side us.
  FPCJ & HPC Maundy Thursday 04092020 Service

Friday Tenebrae Service @ 7 PM (Service of Shadows)
  FPCJ & HPC Good Friday 04102020 Service

Starting Saturday morning, the flower cross will be placed outside the church for you to come by and place flowers on the cross.  This cross will be a symbol of hope for our community.

Sunday Easter Service @ 11 AM
Come to the church and take a family picture with the flower cross.  Please maintain social distancing and do not mingle.

All services will be LIVE on Facebook and then posted to YouTube afterward.

Online Links, Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/5/2020)

Links for Online Worship Service:
We will be on Facebook Live again this Sunday at 11 AM. If you are on Facebook please join us!
 After the service, I will post the video on my YouTube channel.
        FPCJ & HPC Palm Sunday 04052020

Scripture

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)  

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. [12] Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. [13] You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart,  

1 Peter 1:3-9 (ESV)  

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, [5] who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, [7] so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, [9] obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Questions for Reflection

1.    Complete this sentence any way you’d like: I hope that . . . 

2.    To what do people often turn in times of sorrow or suffering? 

3.    What had God given Peter and his readers? (1:3) 

4.    Into what kind of inheritance did Peter say his readers had been born? (1:4) 

5.    By what are believers shielded? For how long? (1:5) 

6.    What did Peter tell his readers they may have to suffer? (1:6) 

7.    Why had trials come to Peter’s audience? (1:7) 

8.    What benefit is there in suffering? (1:7) 

9.    What had Peter’s readers done even though they had not seen Jesus? (1:8) 

10. What did Peter say was the goal of their faith? (1:9) 

11. What trials are you or have you suffered recently? 

12. How have the trials you’ve been through strengthened and refined your faith? 

13. What fills you with joy in life? 

14. What is the goal of your faith? 

15. How do you need to adjust your attitude about the trials in your life?