Ongoing Response to COVID-19

Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2021-04-15

Thursday April 15th 2021
A Weekday Emailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
 
Dear Friends,
 
I can’t wait for you to meet Janice Harrington. She’s a local poet, U of I professor, children’s book writer, and generally cool person.
 
She’ll be joining us for a Wednesday night zoom in May. I’ll give you plenty of warning. Here’s one of her poems that I’ve shared before (in a sermon, and in these mailers). It’s worth experiencing again:
 
REVIVAL
Janice Harrington
 
Through the cooling dark,
they walk, Lillian, Webster, Riley, Anna,
MacArthur and Eurel, returning
from Heavenly Father and Yes, Jesus!,
from paper fans with little brown
girls in Sunday bonnets “M-hmmmm”
from the communion of sour juice and crackers,
ah weh-lll, from church mothers in nurses’ 
uniforms and rills of sweat spilling from black brows.
Have mercy on us, Father.
Look down upon us, Father, and give us
your blessing, in Jesus’ name . . .
Above a darkened bough, a wing
beats, and in the pitchy shadows crickets
shrill, and a frog repeats, repeats,
repeats. Maybe Anna holds her father’s
hand. Maybe the boys tussle and pitch
stones into darkness while their mother
watches, humming and holding
her Bible more firmly than an ax handle,
or maybe they go weary on and quiet.
It is only their steps you hear, only shifting sand.
 
On a rural route, a family walks
while the night begins its long sermon, 
and the miles go by, and the miles go by.
If an owl calls from that darkness,
then someone will die. If a hound keens
one long, longing vowel, they will shudder.
If a star plummets, that too will have meaning.
This is faith, the road that takes them home.
 
 * * *
 
News:
 
Have you registered to come to church this Sunday?  If not, contact the church office by noon on Friday.  We would love to see you!

Sundays in the Park resume this week but this time at West Side Park.
Join us this Sunday, April 18th and again April 25th from 11:15-Noon.  Starting in May it will be the 2nd and 4th Sundays, same time. Masks will be required.  And yes, Westside park so in-person worshipers can just walk over and join us. 

* * *
 
Humor
 
Thank you, George Carlin: Only in America do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.
 
 * * *
 
Good Word:
 
(another angle on) Psalm 22
 
 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?

11 Do not be far from me,
    for trouble is near
    and there is no one to help.
 
14 I am poured out like water,
    and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
    it is melted within my breast;

My hands and feet have shriveled;[b]
17 I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my clothes among themselves,
    and for my clothing they cast lots.
 
24 For he did not despise or abhor
    the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me, 
    but heard when I cried to him.
 
Let us pray
 
For me, be it Christ/
be it Christ hence to live/
If Jordan above me shall roll/
No pang shall be mine/
for in death as in life/
Thou wilt whisper/
Thy peace to my soul.
 
Much love to you all.
 
PEACE,
 
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church


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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2021-04-14

Wednesday April 14th 2021
A Weekday Emailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois

Dear Friends,
 
Our Wednesday Night Zooms are an opportunity for fellowship, chuckles, prayer, and learning. Tonight, our Spiritual Formation Teams leads a discussion about a Rachel Held Evans talk. She says that some of the biggest mountains are those of our own making that we put in God’s way of getting to people. In this video she comments on the roles of women in churches and how God participates in times of suffering.  Join us? Here’s the Zoom link: 
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
 
* * * 
 
News:
 
Sundays in the Park resume this week but this time at West Side Park.
Join us April 18th and 25th from 11:15-Noon.  Starting in May it will be the 2nd and 4th Sundays, same time. Masks will be required.  And yes, Westside park so in-person worshipers can just walk over and join us. 
 
* * *

Humor
 
Bill Gamble reminds of that Will Rogers said,  “An onion can make people cry, but there has never been a vegetable invented to make people laugh.”
 
 * * *
  
Good Word:
 
(More from) Psalm 22
 
 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
    and by night, but find no rest.
Yet you are holy,
    enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted;
    they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried, and were saved;
    in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.
  
Let us pray
 
Just for today,
what does it matter, 
O Lord, 
if the future is dark? 
To pray now for tomorrow 
I am not able.
Keep my heart 
only for today,
grant me your light—
just for today. 
Amen. 
[Teresa of Lisieux (1873–1897)] 
 
Much love to you all. 
 
PEACE,
 
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church


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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2021-04-13


 

 

 
The Heart of Mission
April 13, 2021
 
Silence is praise to you,
            Zion-dwelling God,
And also obedience,.
            You hear prayer in it all…..
 
Oh, visit the earth,
            Ask her to join the dance!
Deck her out in spring showers,
            Fill the God-River with living water.
Paint the wheat fields golden.
            Creation was made for this!
Drench the plowed fields,
            Soak the dirt clods
With rainfall as harrow and rake
            Bring her blossom and fruit.
Snow-crown the peaks with splendor,
            Scatter rose petals down your paths,
All through the wild meadows, rose petals.
            Set the hills to dancing.
Dress the canyon walls with live sheep,
            A drape of flax across the valleys.
Let them shout, and shout, and shout!
            Oh, oh, let them sing!
– Psalm 65, selected verses (The Message)

 
The photo is from my recent walk at the Japan House gardens! It was truly inspiring. Spring is here! As Earth Day approaches, find a moment to thank God for this bountiful gift that we have in the Earth. Below you will find a schedule for Earth Week culminating on Earth Sunday. Also, take a look at the Annual Cuba Forum weekend schedule and the opportunities there. You cannot talk about Spring without remembering our wonderful trips to Cuba and the wonderful hospitality of our sister church in Luyano.  We want to give you plenty of time to put it on your calendar. We will be joining the hills in virtual dancing among other things! And, as always, pray for our mission partners at work in the world.
 
Peace,
 
Rev. Dr. Rachel Matthews, Mission Coordinator
 

Planting the Story Garden in 2019
 
Environmental Stewardship Committee –  (reprinted from April’s newsletter)
 
April is the month we celebrate the gift of God’s great Earth.
 
Saturday, April 17, 8 AM join others for a cleanup of litter along State Street.
 
Thursday, April 22, is the 51st Earth Day. The evening zoom gathering on Wednesday, April 21, at 7 PM will focus on this.
 
Saturday, April 24, Styrofoam Collection from 9 to 11.
 
Sunday, April 25, the worship service will celebrate Earth Day with words and song.
 
(And after Earth Week, you are invited for a few more stewardship of the Earth opportunities.)
 
Monday, April 26, register for the Clean Energy Advocacy Day with Faith in Place.
Wednesday, April 28, register for the Green Transportation webinar. Registration can be done on the Faith in Place website, www.faithinplace.org
 
Sunday, May 2, at 8 AM Grand Prairie Friends online Plant Sale. You can access their plant catalog at https://www.grandprairiefriends.org First year plants in 4″ pots are $4 each. Buy 18, and receive 3 free (get $72 value for $60).

 

Salt and Light: Curbside online grocery at Salt & Light Urbana. Order Here: https://shop.saltandlightministry.org/shop
 
CU at Home:  I will share just a piece of this week’s newsletter from Rick Williams, CU at Home’s Ministry Development Assistant:
 
The coming of Spring also means our C-U at Work program has kicked off its second season partnering with the City of Champaign Township and Prosperity Gardens to bring fresh produce to local markets! A new crew went through orientation this week and set right to work filling new raised planter boxes with fresh, rich soil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwffi5ylzec). Seeds for “cold crops” like lettuce, radishes, and chard are ready to go in in the east plots!

You can learn more about volunteer opportunities, the C-U at Work program, and weekly Bible studies at our website. THANK YOU, as always, for your prayers and support

Let us keep all our mission partners in our prayers, those who are waiting to go back to their place of ministry and those who are able to work where they are. Listen for God’s call to you in their ministry.
 
Our PC(USA) Mission CoWorkers:
 
Mark Adams and Miriam Maidonado Escobar (Mexico)
Farsijanna Adeney-Risakotta (Indonesia)
Jeff and Christi Boyd (Central Africa)
Bob and Kristi Rice (South Sudan)
 
Our regional and global mission partners:
 
Kemmerer Village (and Camp Carew)
Lifeline Pilots
Marion Medical Mission
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Opportunity International
Friends of Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan Presbyterian Cuba Partnership
Special Offerings of the PC(USA)
Theological Education Fund
Young Adult Volunteers
 
Here in Champaign – Urbana:
 
CU at Home
CANAAN S.A.F.E. HOUSE
CANTEEN RUN
COURAGE CONNECTION
DREAAM
eMPTY TOMB, INC
FAITH IN ACTION
JESUS IS THE WAY PRISON MINISTRY
THE REFUGEE CENTER
RESTORATION URBAN MINISTRY
SALT & LIGHT
 
Here at First Presbyterian Church
 
FPCC Amateur Preachers
FPCC Environmental Committee working with Faith in Place
FPCC Presbyterian Women
FPCC ESL
FPCC Children, Youth and Families
FPCC Mission Possible/Go and Serve
FPCC Mission Team, World Mission and Community Mission Deacons

 
 
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  302 W. Church Street
  Champaign, IL 61820
  217-356-7238
  info@firstpres.church


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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2021-04-12

Monday April 12th 2021
A Weekday Emailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois

Dear Friends,
 
God, you print the name of Christ upon our spirit.
You lead our walk through hills and ocean sand.
You will each one of us a heritage of riches.
You hold all life inside a healing hand.
 
Help us to be your church. 
Equip us to follow,
to live into our high calling.
Guide our earnest steps and
catch us in our falling,

* * * 
 
News:
 
Sundays in the Park resume this week but this time at West Side Park.
Join us April 18th and 25th from 11:15-Noon.
Starting in May it will be the 2nd and 4th Sundays, same time. Masks will be required.
And yes, Westside park so in-person worshipers can just walk over and join us. 
 
* * *
Humor
 
Tom Gilmore writes: Why did the man name his dogs Timex and Rolex? Because they were watchdogs.
 
These are from Marilyn Shimkus:
 
I’ve finally told my suitcases there will be no holiday this year. Now
I’m dealing with the emotional baggage.

If you’re not supposed to eat at night, why is there a light bulb in
the refrigerator?

My dad died when we couldn’t remember his blood type. As he died, he
kept insisting “be positive,” but it’s hard without him.

Don’t let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started
out as a basket case.
 
 * * *

Good Word:
 
Psalm 22
 
 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
    and by night, but find no rest.
Yet you are holy,
    enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted;
    they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried, and were saved;
    in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.
But I am a worm, and not human;
    scorned by others, and despised by the people.
All who see me mock at me;
    they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
“Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver—
    let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”
Yet it was you who took me from the womb;
    you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.
10 On you I was cast from my birth,
    and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
11 Do not be far from me,
    for trouble is near
    and there is no one to help.
12 Many bulls encircle me,
    strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
    like a ravening and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water,
    and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
    it is melted within my breast;
15 my mouth[a] is dried up like a potsherd,
    and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
    you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs are all around me;
    a company of evildoers encircles me.
My hands and feet have shriveled;[b]
17 I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my clothes among themselves,
    and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O Lord, do not be far away!
    O my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
    my life[c] from the power of the dog!
21     Save me from the mouth of the lion!
 
From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued[d] me.
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;[e]
    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!
    All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
    stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he did not despise or abhor
    the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me,[f]
    but heard when I[g] cried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
    my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
26 The poor[h] shall eat and be satisfied;
    those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
    May your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
    and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations
    shall worship before him.[i]
28 For dominion belongs to the Lord,
    and he rules over the nations.
29 To him,[j] indeed, shall all who sleep in[k] the earth bow down;
    before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
    and I shall live for him.[l]
30 Posterity will serve him;
    future generations will be told about the Lord,
31 and[m] proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,
    saying that he has done it.
 
Let us pray
 
Write your blessed name, 
O Lord, upon my heart,
there to remain so indelibly 
engraven, that no prosperity, 
no adversity,
shall ever move me from your love.
Be to me a strong tower of defense,
a comforter in tribulation,
a deliverer in distress,
a very present help in trouble,
and a guide to heaven
through the many temptations and dangers of this life. 
 
[Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471)] 
 
Much love to you all.
 
PEACE,
 
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church


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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2021-04-09

Friday, April 9th, 2021
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
 
Friends,
 
This week’s sermon is drawn from this text. Jesus appears to his disciples after the resurrection like this:  “When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord (John 20:19-20).
 
Notice the distance between what Jesus said and what he did. I’ll be exploring that on Sunday.
 
We all carry wounds. All of us bear scars. Jesus did, too.
 
He’ll be with us in worship on Sunday. I hope to “see” you there. 
 
Remember: FirstPres.Live for on-line, and 302 West Church Street, big green doors, for in-person.
 
PEACE,
 
Matt Matthews
864.386.9138
 
 
What is a strong congregation? Strong congregations are places where people (1) are growing spiritually, (2) engage in meaningful worship (where notions of “joy” and “awe” are not alien themes), (3) are active in the work of the congregation, (4) have a sense of belonging (“Relationship, Relationship Relationship”), (5) care for children and youth, (6) focus on the community (“Mission, Mission, Mission”), (7) share their faith, (8) welcome new people, (9) are challenged to use their gifts in ministry (“empowering leadership”), and (10) look to the future. (Cynthia Woolever & Deborah Bruce, Beyond the Ordinary: Ten Strengths of U.S. Congregations.)
 
Last movement, Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0Px44IuVKM
 
 
Jesus is the Great Physician
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0GhjlmlEwQ
 
Doctor, my eyes have seen the years
And the slow parade of fears without crying
Now I want to understand
I have done all that I could
To see the evil and the good without hiding
You must help me if you can
Doctor, my eyes
Tell me what is wrong
Was I unwise to leave them open for so long?
‘Cause I have wandered through this world
And as each moment has unfurled
I’ve been waiting to awaken from these dreams
People go just where they will
I never noticed them until I got this feeling
That it’s later than it seems
Doctor, my eyes
Tell me what you see
I hear their cries
Just say if it’s too late for me
Doctor, my eyes
They cannot see the sky
Is this the prize
For having learned how not to cry?
 
* * *

From your Nurture Team — the photo challenge is back from a little break.
Here’s this week’s photo.   

Visit http://fb.com/groups/firstpreschampaign to make your guesses, or email them to photos@firstpres.church.  
 
We are running low on photos, so please join in the fun!  We would like you to select a photo from your younger years (grade school, high school or early adulthood). Photos need not be professional. Candid shots are welcome. Please send your photos to photos@firstpres.church.


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