First Presbyterian Church of Fulton
God's People Connecting... July 31-August 6, 2020!
This Week Pastor Aaron Asks: How Do You Respond to Conflict?
How do you respond to conflict? For many of us, our first instinct is to run away. That was certainly how Jacob dealt with his disgruntled relatives, who were angered by his manipulative ways. But in this week's Old Testament Lesson, we learn that Jacob finally learns a new way to deal with conflict. As he traveled toward home to face his brother Esau, Jacob wrestled with a man one night. And when the man demanded that Jacob let him go, Jacob refused to release the man until he offered him his blessing.
When Jacob receives his blessing, he realizes that he has been wrestling with God. And in doing so, he discovers that the blessing that he receives is not the one he wanted, but it is definitely the one he needs. Like Jacob, we also must recognize that whether our conflicts are with our family, a stranger, or even with God, we cannot find resolution by running away. Living in relationship with others means that we sometimes must wrestle together in order to achieve the blessing that we desire.
This Sunday, we'll be reading Genesis 32:22-31 and Matthew 14:13-21. You're encouraged to read these passages in advance of our worship service. As you reflect upon the story from Genesis, consider what your response is to conflict. Do you run from it, wrestle with it, or respond in some other way? Also, consider those times when you have found yourself "wrestling" with God. How has engaging with God helped you to clarify your understanding of what it means to receive blessing? You're welcome to share your reflections in the comments below or by emailing your thoughts to the pastor.
You're welcome to share your reflections by sending an email to the pastor! Send comments to: pastor@fultonpresbyterian.org or give Rev. Aaron a text or phone call at 573-590-3136!
Click below to view the latest "Hear the Word" video!
Worship and Reflection This Week!
Sunday, August 2, 2020 (The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost, Year A – Liturgical Color: Green)
Sacrament of Holy Communion to be Administered
Usher Captain this Week: Tim Baysinger
Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 32:22-31
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 14:13-21
Sermon by: Rev. Aaron White
Introducing God: The Relentless Wrestler!
Jacob is on his way back to the land of Canaan. But he fears that he will not receive a warm welcome. Though twenty years have passed, he still remembers how fiercely his brother’s anger burned against him for manipulating his father into giving to Jacob the blessing that was meant for Esau. As he prepares for the coming reunion with his brother, he develops yet another scheme that will allow him to slip away, should Esau come seeking retribution. But that evening, Jacob found himself engaged in a totally different sort of conflict.
Just as God promised to always be with Jacob, God is also constantly with us. However, we should not make the mistake of thinking that this means that God blindly sides with us in all matters. Just before Jacob’s marathon wrestling session, he had prayed for God to let him slip free of his brother’s grasp. But in wrestling with the man, Jacob comes to understand that his redemption will not be achieved by slipping free, but instead by holding tight and fighting for the blessing that he seeks.
And yet, the blessing that Jacob receives isn’t deliverance from Esau. Instead, having wrestled with this man, Jacob says “I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” Jacob realizes that if he is willing to engage with his adversary, rather than flee from him, God will continue to protect him and to bless him. Like Jacob, we must not run from conflict. Instead, when our impulse might be to flee, we must trust in God who teaches us to hold on tightly!
Additional readings from the Revised Common Lectionary:
Attention to Public Safety Requires Caution as we Join to Worship Together!
CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE FLYER!
The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the separation it has caused have been keenly felt by our entire country. First Presbyterian Church of Fulton is dedicated to protecting public health while continuing to answer God’s call to pray, serve, and act in his name. Your Session continues to meet and stay abreast of emerging COVID-19 news and the changing recommendations from State and County health authorities, and to receive the advice of the Missouri Union Presbytery, PC(USA), and our insurance providers. It is hoped that regular Sunday School classes, and more open use of the building (including the lobby and fellowship hall), will be forthcoming in August.
Would You Like Communion Elements Provided to You for At-Home Worship?
Requests should include the following information:
- Name
- Address
- How many disposable cup & wafer sets needed in the household.
A Special Note About Technology & Growth!
Livestreaming services on social media platforms has required us to upgrade our Internet services to improve speed and quality. We have secured these services, but our provider has had to upgrade some of their connections to the church building. Session has learned that the parts ordered will take another two weeks to arrive. If you would like to join the services online this week, please plan to do so at 1:00 pm on Sunday, or anytime thereafter. We are working very hard to ensure that our entire congregation, visitors, and the public as a whole can join us for Sunday Worship each week.
Thank you for your continuing patience and support.
School Supply and Pentecost Offering Deadlines Approach! Food Pantry & Our House Collections Continue through August!
The Brown Bag in the Pew does more than help us protect public health. The Brown Bag in the Pew helps us live out the Greatest Commandment.
Those wishing to contribute school supplies for the SERVE Back-to-School Fair should place them in one of the Brown Bags in the Pews this Sunday, August 2.
Monetary donations will be collected through the Pentecost Offering through Sunday, August 9. Send checks to: First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 6037, Fulton, MO 65251.Write "Pentecost Offering" in the memo line, or try out the new GIVE+ Online method!
- Just go to: www.fultonpresbyterian.org, click on the Give Online icon, and follow the prompts.
- Be sure to select Pentecost Offering from the menu of destinations for your offering.
Contributions to the SERVE Food Pantry and Our House Shelf Stockers will continue to be collected through the month of August!
Set Up Your GIVE PLUS+ Account Now to Manage Pledges & Offerings Online! Click on the GIVE PLUS+ Logo for a Tutorial!
A Moser's Receipt Update!
On July 1, we received a check for $60.00 from Best Choice CO. $30.00 was from our Best Choice labels. Once a year we are given a bonus of $30.00. So that adds up to the the check
of $60.00.for us. Keep saving and turning in to Nola Garner, in the offering plate or at the office.
Thanks, Nola
Ring! Ring! Your Session is Calling!
"Uh, oh," you think. "It's Bob-Ramona-Arlys-Mary-Tim-Linda-Mark-Vince (insert caller ID name here), what do they want me to do now?"
"Hello," you softly whisper with a sense of tense anticipation.
"Hi!" chirps your friend Bob-Ramona-Arlys-Mary-Tim-Linda-Mark-Vince (insert caller ID name here). "Just wanted to check in with you, Friend. What's happening with you? How can your church stay connected with you today? Just want you to know you are loved."
We're having some fun with this message, but we do want to let you know that your Session members will be spending the next month, and more, reaching out for your input, and to find out what you might need during these unprecedented and challenging times. Most of all, we'll be reaching out to remind you that God's love is not limited to the walls of a building. Whether you are joining us for worship in person, on YouTube, through Facebook or Twitter, or in personal reflection, meditation, and prayer, you are not alone. God is with you. And, so are your friends at FPC.
Click the Picture Below for a Downloadable Copy of the Presbyterian Women's Mid-Summer Newsletter!
Church Family News - August Edition Deadline Approaches!
Share Your Summer Vacation and Staycation Photos!
Please send your events in no later than Monday, August 3rd
to make the Wednesday, August 5 Edition!
Appropriate submissions include:
- Social news, such as birthday-anniversay-graduation celebrations, achievements, wedding & birth announcements, etc.;
- Concerns for sharing with those close to you, such as health updates, requests for assistance, deaths of members who have moved from Fulton, etc.;
- Status updates, such as promotions, retirements, changes in employment, or changes of address and contact information.
All items submitted for inclusion the Church Family News are shared with the pastor and the Congregational Care Committee.
Items for each month, must be submitted no later than the fourth Monday of the month. Submissions that come after will appear in the next month's Church Family News.
Send items by e-mail to:
communications@fultonpresbyterian.org
Send items by USPS to:
First Presbyterian Church
Church Family News - Congregational Care Committee
PO Box 6037
Fulton, MO 65251
Subscribe to the FPC YouTube Channel!
To Subscribe:
- Open any web browser and go to: https://bit.ly/fpcfultonyoutube.
- Subscribe by checking on the red rectangle on the right side of the page.
- Set notifications by clicking on the bell icon.
- Be sure to bookmark this page so you can easily find it in the future.
To enable auto-generated closed captioning:
- Go to the FPC YouTube Channel and select the video you wish to view with closed captions.
- On the menu bar directly beneath the video window, you will see a gear-shaped icon for “Settings.” Clicking on the icon will reveal a series of options, including the ability to turn on “Subtitles/CC.”
- After clicking on this option, you would want to select “English (auto-generated).”
- To view, click on the side arrow to launch play. Once the video begins to play, YouTube will generate closed captioning.
CLICK THE YOUTUBE LOGO TO VIEW A CLOSED CAPTION TUTORIAL!
Virtual Office Hours, Contact Information, & Where to Send Your Offerings & Pledges!
How to Contact Rev. Aaron White
Rev. Aaron White is holding virtual office hours at this time. Please call him on his cell phone, (573) 590-3136 or contact him by email pastor@fultonpresbyterian.org.
How Will I Continue Giving During This Time?
Checks for pledges and offerings, and documents that are normally hand-delivered on Sunday mornings can be mailed to:
First Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 6037, Fulton, MO 65251
If you prefer online giving, use our new GIVE+ Online giving system through the website or the GIVE+ Mobile app.
Our committees Gmail accounts that can be used to email them suggestions, concerns, and thanks. The addresses are:
- Session Clerk, "clerk@fultonpresbyterian.org”
- Administration Committee, "administration@fultonpresbyterian.org”
- Christian Education Committee, "education@fultonpresbyterian.org"
- Fellowship Committee, "fellowship@fultonpresbyterian.org"
- Mission Committee, "mission@fultonpresbyterian.org”
- Congregational Care Committee, "pastoralcare@fultonpresbyterian.org”
- Property Committee, "property@fultonpresbyterian.org”
- Worship Committee, "worship@fultonpresbyterian.org"
- Communications, "communications@fultonpresbyterian.org"
Welcome to Our Church!
First Presbyterian Church is located at 718 Court Street in historic downtown Fulton, Missouri. Worship services, under the direction of Rev. Aaron White, are held each Sunday morning. For more information, go to: www.fultonpresbyterian.org or find us on Facebook or on Twitter @FPCFulton.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel:
https://bit.ly/fpcfultonyoutube
Email: communications@fultonpresbyterian.org
Website: fultonpresbyterian.org
Location: 718 Court Street, Fulton, MO, USA
Phone: 573-642-5541
Facebook: facebook.com/fultonpresbyterian
Twitter: @FPCFulton