Ongoing Response to COVID-19

Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2021-03-03

Wednesday, March  3rd, 2021
weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
   
Friends,
 
Here’s the Lenten Devotional from Presbyterian Outlook. May it be a blessing to/for you and those you love. 
 
Wednesday, MARCH 3, 2021
GENESIS 1:1-5, 26-31
Genesis 1 invites us to a cosmic perspective on creation and our place within it. As we have already noted with respect to Psalm 8, the word “dominion” does not mean domination, but rather refers to our role as caretakers of God’s creation, who tend to it as God does. Most important, God beholds the creation and declares it “very good.”
Practice: If possible, prayerfully read this Scripture outdoors (or at
least in proximity to a window) so that you too can behold creation.
Read it three times, contemplating the images that speak to you the
most, aware of God’s sustaining presence in all creation and in your life.
Journal: Note in your journal any movements away from God and
toward God that you discern.
 
* * *

Join us TONIGHT at 7 pm for our mid-week Gathering….
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.

* * *
 
Contact the church office (217.356.7238) to register for in-person worship each week for the following Sunday.  In-person worship is at 10:15 am each Sunday. Please wear a mask.

* * *

CYF will be hosting a Spirituality Center in the church chapel for the season of Lent beginning this Sunday. Open House hours will be Sundays 11am-2:30pm. Come for some quiet reflection time by walking the labyrinth, contemplating scripture, and creating at your own pace. One household will be admitted at a time. Check in and temperature recordings will be necessary as well as face masks while in the building and chapel. Sanitizing wipes will be at each station for further protection between visitors. We hope you will find it a blessing for this season of inward contemplation and examination.
Sunday School continues. Follow this link for a virtual version of the Lenten Spirituality Center Lenten Spirituality Center
 
* * *

Humor (Hard times really need godly laughter): 
 
Who knew that Marilyn Shimkus was a comedienne? Thanks, y’all, for sending me bags of corny jokes. It feels good to laugh.
 
People are making end of the world jokes like there’s no tomorrow.

Whatever you do, always give 100% unless you’re donating blood.

What do you call a sleepwalking nun? Roamin’ Catholic.

What did Snow White say when she came out of the photo booth? Someday my prints will come.

A girl said she recognized me from her vegetarian club but I’d never
met herbivore.

* * *
 
Good Word 
 
Mark 1:21-22 (NRSV)            
21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 
 
(What is Jesus saying to you TODAY with authority?)
 
LET US PRAY 
 
Holy God, Your kin-dom has broken into our beautiful and 
troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of
Your Son. Help us to hear Your word and believe it,
that we might be instruments of Your healing grace
in the world. Forgive us when we act as if Your
power isn’t sufficient enough to sustain us in Your
ministry of healing. Forgive us and grant us 
power to be Jesus’ disciples. AMEN.
 
* * *
 
Much, much love to you all.
  
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church


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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2021-03-02

Lenten Daily Devotion from ‘The Presbyterian Outlook’
Tuesday, MARCH 2, 2021
PSALM 139:1-12
Psalm 139 is a comforting or disquieting text, depending on one’s situation. It can
bring peace to one who is in turmoil (“the darkness is not dark to you”); it can also
unsettle us as we recall unguarded or unkind remarks (“Even before a word is on my
tongue, you know it completely”). God permeates every facet of our lives. The psalm
assures us that we are never cut off from the presence of God; but neither can we get
away from God.
Practice: Read the psalm slowly and prayerfully several times,
mulling over its images and letting them sink into your innermost
being. Stay with the images that resonate with you most and ponder
their significance for you. Reflect on God’s comforting and disquieting
presence that is always with you.
Journal: Note in your journal any movements toward God and away
from God you discern.

* * *

Contact the church office (217.356.7238) to register for in-person worship each week for the following Sunday.  In-person worship is at 10:15 am each Sunday. Please wear a mask.

* * *

CYF will be hosting a Spirituality Center in the church chapel for the season of Lent beginning this Sunday. Open House hours will be Sundays 11am-2:30pm. Come for some quiet reflection time by walking the labyrinth, contemplating scripture, and creating at your own pace. One household will be admitted at a time. Check in and temperature recordings will be necessary as well as face masks while in the building and chapel. Sanitizing wipes will be at each station for further protection between visitors. We hope you will find it a blessing for this season of inward contemplation and examination.
Sunday school continues. Follow this link for a virtual version of the Lenten Spirituality Center Lenten Spirituality Center

 

   
                                                       

 

The Heart of Mission
March 2, 2021
 
You don’t have to be spiritual or religious to help people. Look at this Good Samaritan story sent by a friend that shows love going full circle:

HTTPS://www.youtube.com/embed/ovj5dzMxzmc?autoplay=1

Also, you might be interested to know that this is Opportunity International’s 50th anniversary. There are virtual explorations and other opportunities to participate in this year.  Take a visit to their news/events page for calendar information. https://opportunity.org/news/events/ This April there will be a virtual insight trip to Columbia.

Enjoy this video for information about these trips https://opportunity.org/get-involved/insight-trips/
 
Peace,
 
Rev. Dr. Rachel Matthews, Mission Coordinator
 
Below is the continuation of our Lenten practice from the PC(USA) One Great Hour of Sharing material. The full map and activities can be found at pcusa.org/oghsmap. You might want to have a small coin bank (Fish bank, First Pres bank) to collect small coins as you do these activities. If you cannot give coins, think about acts of service you can do for others.
 
 

 
Wednesday, March 3, Without the right nutrition in the first two years of life, a child’s physical and mental development is compromised. Give a gift for each toddler you know.
 
Thursday, March 4, When roads are closed and electricity is off, going to see a doctor can be hard. Give a gift for each person in your family who has been able to see a doctor in the past year.

Friday, March 5, It is estimated that 1 in 5 kids in the U.S. will experience hunger this year. Give at least one gift if you have not experienced hunger this year.
 
Saturday, March 6, Tomorrow is SDOP (Self Development of People) Sunday! Visit pcusa.org/sdop and identify a community partnership that SDOP has cultivated. Give a generous gift in honor of that partnership. (Small historical fact: Ten Thousand Villages was once a recipient of SDOP funds! I believe DREAAM was once a recipient as well.)
 
Sunday, March 7, Where does your water come from? Many people carry buckets of water long distances to their homes every day. Give a gift for every faucet in your home.
            Prayer of the week: Encourage us Creator, when things get difficult. May we draw creativity and hope from your Spirit, and from our partners along the way. Amen. Lectionary: Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22
 
Monday, March 8, Find Detroit on the OGHS map. What needs is SDOP working to address there? Say a prayer of thanksgiving for those who are helping in Detroit. (See the full map at pcusa.org/oghsmap)
 
Tuesday, March 9, Social barriers are like locked doors that hold people back and keep them from thriving. Gif a gift for every door that can lock in your home.
 
The Refugee Center – Lisa Wilson, Executive Director, shared some of their recent work. Please pray for the staff who are trying to get the last payments out from their rental and utility assistance grant from the IL Department of Human Services. They are grateful but tired.
 
Please pray for a Guatemalan single mother of a young child who recently lost their trailer  and everything to a fire. They are using emergency funds but The Refugee Center is accepting funds earmarked for her and will make sure the funds get to her. She has to pay for demolition before she can even think about a new home.
 
Please pray for two Afghan families which have been devastated with COVID-19 and whose employment was stopped during their sickness. They still have to pay their rent.
 
Camp Carew work day invite –  We received a notice from Camp Carew. They will have their Presbytery wide work days this Spring. If anyone is interested in attending one of these work camps, please let Rachel know and she will get you the information. These dates are: Saturday,  March 6, then April 10 and then May 15, 2021.
 
If you are interested in attending a summer camp at Camp Carew, the brochure is out! Let Mindy know if you are interested.
 
Frontera de Cristo on their Coffee, Conversation and Compassion
 
Frontera de Cristo sent some videos in their recent newsletter regarding last month’s Coffee, Conversation and Compassion zoom Thursdays. If you missed those and would like to know what is going on at the border, Take a look at some of these videos. Information addressing the
Migrant Resource Center partnering with border officials, providing care packages to the community, in-person children enrichment center, as well as the new industrial kitchen that is being built to be able to provide food with their coffee shop as well as provide catering to the community.
 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR1jNTo7YZdftCTK6W39Ypt6L5BB-Wx9CQK-vjzMBJFh81AHviPdTFXaTTQ&v=TUr12yKIiNM&feature=youtu.be
 
If you are interested in the environment, view this 5 minute video to see how our border policies can affect the creation and natural wildlife. Jenea created this video documenting our Pilgrimage of Prayer, Lament, Repentance and Commitment done in solidarity with the Not Another Foot Movement.  It wonderfully captures a bit of the spirit of the border community and you can see both the beauty and the destruction of our borderlands.”
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y_LNakpk9A&feature=emb_logo&fbclid=IwAR3bjUKWRav2G5Fi_sUT0DP7-gLJQxTPjnpHWgNqQMAbDGZ6fTLN6FRnqz4
 
 

 
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

 
 
A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated
 

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

 
   
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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2021-03-01

Monday, March 1st, 2021
weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
  
Friends,
 
Here’s the Lenten Devotional from Presbyterian Outlook. May it be a blessing to/for you and those you love. 

Monday, MARCH 1, 2021
LUKE 15:11-24
The parable of the prodigal son – or, better, the parable of two lost sons – is likely the most familiar and beloved parable in the Gospels, and it is a moving framework for prayer. Using your imagination, enter into this story, noting where you are in this scene. Focus on each of the three main figures, noting what each evokes for you. (Feel free to mix up the genders in the story: you may wish to imagine two lost daughters or sisters, or a compassionate mother.)
Practice: Read the story slowly and prayerfully three times, each time
focusing on a different character in the story. Take a few moments after
each reading to reflect on what surfaced in your awareness.
Journal: Note in your journal what occurred in your three prayers —
be as specific as you can. Write also of any movements toward God or
away from God you discerned.
 
* * * 
 
Humor (Hard times really need godly laughter): 
 
This week I have more than usual humor that has been piling up. Thanks for sending to me!
 
Will Rogers can supply an endless set of jokes: The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets. 
 
What do you get if you play a Country and Western record backwards? You get you dog back. You get your pickup truck back. You get your gal back.
 
(Thanks Bill Gamble)
 
The other day I saw a guy dragging a clam on a leash behind him. I thought it must be hard to walk with a pulled mussel. (Thanks, Judi Geistlinger).
 
Marilyn Shimkus sends this one: A courtroom artist was arrested today for an unknown reason…details are sketchy.
 
And finally these from Bill Marble:
 
Someone complimented my parking today! They left a sweet note on my windshield that said “parking fine.”
 
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. At least it does if you throw it hard enough.
 
Ever since we started quarantining, I’ve only been telling inside jokes.
 
If you’re feeling depressed, try drinking a gallon of water before you go to sleep. It’ll give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
 
* * *
 
Good Word 
 
Proverbs 12:20                      
Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil, but those who counsel peace have joy. 

Let us pray 

 
Jesu, Jesu
Fill us with your Joy
Show us how to serve
Our neighbors we have
From you.
 
AMEN
  
* * *
 
Much, much love to you all. 
 
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church


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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2021-02-26

Friday, February 26th, 2021
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
 
Dear Friends, 
 
We’ve gotten a taste of spring these last few days, yes? Temps in the low fifties. Sunshine. I hardly know what to make of it. 
 
The Psalms end with these words: Let everything that breathes, praise the Lord.
 
Join us for worship on Sunday.
 
PEACE and much love,
 
Matt Matthews
864.386.9138
matt@firstpres.church

* * *

CYF will be hosting a Spirituality Center in the church chapel for the season of Lent beginning this Sunday. Open House hours will be Sundays 11am-2:30pm. Come for some quiet reflection time by walking the labyrinth, contemplating scripture, and creating at your own pace. One household will be admitted at a time. Check in and temperature recordings will be necessary as well as face masks while in the building and chapel. Sanitizing wipes will be at each station for further protection between visitors. We hope you will find it a blessing for this season of inward contemplation and examination.  Sunday School continues. Follow this link for a virtual version of the Lenten Spirituality Center Lenten Spirituality Center

* * *
 
A spring concert:
 
 
Here Comes The Sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQetemT1sWc
 
April She Will Come
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITXBjDTXS90
 
What A Wonderful World….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqhCQZaH4Vs
 
Mr. Blue Sky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nubi_xJJ1Jg
 
Higher Ground
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hGSqqhhokE

 * * *
Lenten Daily Devotions from ‘The Presbyterian Outlook’
Friday, FEBRUARY 26, 2021
MATTHEW 6:7-13
Today’s text is Matthew’s version of the Lord’s Prayer — familiar to every Christian around the world. You probably know it by heart, but you are encouraged to read it slowly and prayerfully, pausing over each line, in order to see and hear it anew.
Practice: Pray this passage slowly several times in the manner we have been practicing. Note phrases and images that shimmer for you, asking how God might be speaking to you through them.
Journal: Note in your journal movements away from God or toward God
that surfaced in your awareness as you prayed this Scripture.

Saturday, FEBRUARY 27, 2021
PSALM 42:1-8
This psalm is rich with imagery for prayer, especially in times of difficulty, distress or even in the midst of aridity — dry spells in our spiritual lives. The
psalm may be especially poignant in the midst of the isolation, social distancing and loneliness we experience in a pandemic stricken world. God, too, may seem distant from us.
Practice: Pray the psalm slowly at least three times, then set your Bible aside and meditate on the images that come to mind, trusting that the images or words that you are most in need of will be present to you.
Journal: Record in your journal what happened in this prayer time. Note especially any images that stood out for you, and what you think they may
convey with respect to movement toward God or away from God in your present experience.

Week 2…
HYMN OF THE WEEK:
 “Amazing Grace”
PRAYER FOCUS: Confession — In what ways have I done those things that I ought not to have done, and left undone those things I ought to have done?
ACTION: Each day, pray “God, send someone into my life whom I can encourage.” Pay attention to how God responds, and how you are called to encourage that person.

“REJOICE WITH ME, FOR I HAVE FOUND MY SHEEP THAT WAS LOST.”

Sunday, FEBRUARY 28, 2021
LUKE 15:1-8
The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin are powerful stories in and of themselves, but the context in which they appear is also important. Jesus tells these parables in response to grumbling about his hospitality to sinners! How might these parables prompt reflection on our own perception
and reception of sinners? How might they bring to our awareness that within each of us that is lost?
Practice: Read one or both of the parables slowly, and using your imagination, place yourself in the story. Where are you in these scenes?
How do you feel about what is happening? Are there questions you
would like to ask of the shepherd or the woman?
Journal: Record in your journal what happened during this prayer time.
Describe movements toward God or away from God that came into view.


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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2021-02-25

Thursday, February 25th, 2021
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
 
Friends,
 
Face to face worship was really different last Sunday. We could see each other, for one thing. We are trickling back into the sanctuary as people feel more comfortable. The “church” isn’t the building; it’s the collection of people gathered together; so, however you do it, do it. In person. On line. We are the family of God. And if you want to join the slow return to the sanctuary, remember to register for in-person worship by calling the church office. For now, we’re keeping numbers limited to 50 souls. When you feel safe, come on back.
 
* * *
 
Last night’s Wednesday conversation about getting stuck in a “single story” was mind-blowing. My whole world got a little bigger. Join us next week: Wednesday 7 p.m. Zoom.
 
* * *
 
If you’d like to join the book study exploring Coates Between the World and Me, please do so. The link is here:
 
Today/Thursday, February 25) at 11 am CST.  
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
 
* * *

CYF will be hosting a Spirituality Center in the church chapel for the season of Lent beginning this Sunday. Open House hours will be Sundays 11 am-2:30 pm. Come for some quiet reflection time by walking the labyrinth, contemplating scripture, and creating at your own pace. One household will be admitted at a time. Check in and temperature recordings will be necessary as well as face masks while in the building and chapel. Sanitizing wipes will be at each station for further protection between visitors. We hope you will find it a blessing for this season of inward contemplation and examination. Sunday School continues. Follow this link for a virtual version of the Lenten Spirituality Center Lenten Spirituality Center

* * *
 
News

Circles meet TODAY, February 25

Circle of Joy 9 am…
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
 
Circle of Faith 1 pm…
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
 
Circle of Peace 7 pm…
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.

* * *

Humor (Hard times really need godly laughter): 
 
I’m getting lots of jokes from you. They’re lining up. I’ll have a joke edition soon. Here’s a great one, and I *think* it’s from Claudia.
 
How to Get Into Heaven
 
A man dies and meets St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. Peter says to the man, “Here’s how it works. You need to have one hundred points to get into heaven. You tell me about all the good things you’ve done. They are all worth a certain number of points. If your total is one hundred or more, you can come in.”
 
“Well,” says the man. “I was happily married to the same woman for 52 years. I never looked at another woman. I was attentive and loved her dearly.”
 
“That’s great,” says St. Peter. “That’ll be two points.”
 
“Hmmm,” says the man. “This is going to be harder than I thought. Well, I attended church regularly, volunteered my time and tithed faithfully.”
 
“Wonderful,” says St. Peter, “That’s worth another point.”
 
“One point!” says the man. “Okay, okay. I was involved with a prison ministry for twenty-five years. I went into the prison, at least monthly, and shared Jesus with them.”
 
“Wow!” says St. Peter. “That’s another two points!”
 
“Only two points!” says the man. “At this rate, it’ll be only by the grace of God that’ll I’ll ever get into this place.”
 
“Bingo!” says St. Peter. “That’s one hundred points! Come on in.”
 
 * * *
 
Good Word 
 
Acts 2:1-12                
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 

Let us pray

 
God you have the WHOLE world in your hands. Thanks for including me. Help me to do a better job of including everybody else.  
 
AMEN.
 
* * *
 
Much, much love to you all.
  
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
 
Lenten Daily Devotion from “The Presbyterian Outlook”
Thursday, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

ROMANS 8:26-35
In this passage from Romans, Paul assures us that even when we do not know how to pray, the Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. Have you ever prayed with audible emotions — groans, deep humming or sighs? We do not necessarily need words when we come before God in prayer.
Practice: Read Romans 8:26-35 slowly and open yourself to become aware of God’s Spirit as it prays for you in the depths of sighs and groans — stay with this awareness for several minutes.
Journal: Note in your journal what surfaced in your awareness during this
prayer time.


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