First Presbyterian Church of Woodburn
An Active Part of the Woodburn Community
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
We wish everyone a Blessed New Year,
confident that our God loves us and walks with us by the Holy Spirit.
Celebration of Epiphany and the New Year and Soup Lunch
Sunday, January 5 at 11:30 am
Classic carols for the season, The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supperand Rev. Cynthia’s message, “Arise, Shine!”
Bring food to share! You can check with Johanna if you want to know if we need more soup. Star Word gifts for everyone who attends.(What is a star word? It is a paper star with a special word to encourage you throughout the year.)
Dear Church,
Many thanks to Debi and the Silvertones for presenting a joyful Christmas season program last Sunday, and kudos to Vickie Gonzales for her excellence, reverence and warmth in leading the service. Michael and I had a wonderful time with our daughters and appreciated the time off.
This Sunday is Epiphany, which is, with Christmas and Easter, one of the three oldest festival days of the Christian Church. It commemorates, according to tradition, “the first manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.” That is, the magi (wise men) from the East who followed the star were the first people outside the Jewish faith to visit the child born in Bethlehem.
You may have experienced “epiphanies” in your life, such as a vision or manifestation of the divine, or a sudden insight. These are gifts of God and worth paying attention to.
As we recognize the light of the world, may we be a light to others as we share the good news with all people. I look forward to living in this light with you this Sunday and throughout 2025.
Love,
Cynthia 503-962-9186
Coming Events
Sunday, January 12 at 11:30 amOfficial Visit of our Transitional Executive Presbyter, Rev. Dr. Brian Craker
(rhymes with baker)
The Annual meeting of the Congregation will be held Sunday, February 2, after worship.
Special prayers
Healing, strength and peace for Nancy Piper.
Remembering Marian Piper, who went to be with the Lord last night, January 1. Service will be held in a couple of months.
Please pray for the family of Brad Shelley (Aurora congregation). Brad, an elder and former church Treasurer, went to be with the Lord this morning, January 2.
Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pm Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Choir Rehearsal — Wednesdays at 2 pm. Join us in the new year and let the music move you.
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Merry Christmas from First Presbyterian Church
My bush light design is a start—and could use some improvement. (See: Grotto.) Let me know now if you are interested in helping next year.
Thanks to Adan from the Sunday afternoon congregation for putting up the roof lights. It has been nice to brighten up this major corner of our city!
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service today, December 24, at 4 pm
Lessons and carols and a Christmas message
Greeters: Lucien and Sally Klein. Reader: Johanna Samson. The Sunday After Christmas with the SilvertonesSunday, December 29 at 11:30 am
Carols and cheer with Debra Huddleston and the Silvertones chorus.Greeters: Mike Hankins and Hillary Hankins
Reader: Vickie Gonzales
Celebration of Epiphany and the New Year with the Salem Madrigal Singers and Soup LunchSunday, January 5 at 11:30 am
Greeter: Michele Gardner
Reader: Marilyn Plowman.
Rev. Cynthia’s message for the new year, “Arise! Shine!”The Sacrament of the Lord’s SupperSalem Madrigal Singers directed by Debra Huddleston
“We Three Kings” and Star Word gifts for everyone who attends.(What is a star word? It is a paper star with a special word to encourage you throughout the year.) Talk with Johanna to find out what to bring for the lunch.
Official Visit of our Executive Presbyter, Rev. Dr. Brian Craker Sunday, January 12 at 11:30 am
Don’t miss your chance to meet Dr. Craker (rhymes with baker), the Transitional Executive Presbyter for the Presbytery of the Cascades, as he brings an inspirational sermon from 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, “Spirit-Filled Wisdom,” and the good news about what God is doing in our area. Brian is a long-time friend and colleague. Michael and I are excited to introduce him to you!
Church information for you
Through our very merry and thoughtful Mission Committee (aka Marcy Sterling), we were able to provide gift cards to our Family Building Blocks families, as well as additional Christmas gifts to the Head Start students. Thank you for your generous support.
2024 Annual Reports are due January 5. If you are on the Session, lead a ministry, or have something to report, or you have great photos, send them to Cynthia by January 5. Include any challenges or accomplishments, and the names of people who were involved in your ministry or project.
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held after church Sunday, February 2, followed by a soup lunch. (Is that the day of the Super Bowl? No it is not.)
Per Capita is $50 for 2025
Per Capita (“per member”) is the amount our church pays each January to support the administration of the higher governing bodies of the Presbyterian Church. It is based on our number of official members and is not optional. Please help by contributing your portion to the church. It is $50 per member and will be divided between the local Presbytery of the Cascades, the Synod of the Pacific, and the General Assembly. Make a check out to FPC and indicate “per capita” in the memo line. Or you can submit cash in an envelope or give online, just let us know who it’s from and what it’s for. Thanks for helping! 
Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pm — every Monday except Dec 30. January 6 is TBA.Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Choir Rehearsal — Wednesdays at 2 pm. Debi has been teaching us to sing for over 25 years! That’s why we sound so good, and you can, too. Join us in the new year and let the music move you. Choir begins Wednesday January 8.
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage, resuming January 8. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
including last Sunday’s choir cantata, “What Sweeter Music.”
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
This Sunday, December 22, 11:30 am, join us for worship on the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
Greeter: Patty Anderson
Special Event — bring your friends!
Choral Cantata:
What Sweeter Music A Festival of Carols by Mark Hayes
Debra Huddleston, music director and pianist
Narrators Kathy Figley, Lori Welch
Soprano Julie Moore, Cynthia O’Brien, Marilyn Plowman,
Bethany Staats (soloist), Suzy Thrasher
Alto Joanne Hanson, Allison Knotts (soloist), Pat Lawson,
Marcy Sterling, Paula Wolcott
Tenor/Bass Gayle Rastorfer, Jim Rastorfer, Mark Sterling
Trumpet Joan Paddock
Flute Sandy Duffy Norman
Percussion Joseph Craighead
I’m very excited about the beautiful festival of carols, “What Sweeter Music” this Sunday. Come early and bring friends!
In this week’s Gospel reading, we hear the words of the virgin Mary in response to the angel’s announcement:“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Known as the Magnificat, this passage is a powerful declaration of God’s justice, as Mary praises God for lifting up the poor and lowly. It is a message that is just as relevant today as it was for people living under the Roman Empire.
May you be blessed this Christmas and in the new year, and may you be a blessing to those God wants to lift up.
Love
Cynthia
Candlelight Christmas Eve service with choir
Tuesday, December 24 at 4 pm.
Greeters: Lucien and Sally Klein. Reader: Johanna Samson.
The Sunday After Christmas with the SilvertonesSunday, December 29 at 11:30 am
Carols and cheer with Debra Huddleston and the Silvertones chorus.
Greeters: Mike Hankins and Hillary Hankins
Reader: Vickie Gonzales
Celebration of Epiphany and the New Year with Soup Lunch Sunday, January 5 at 11:30 am“We Three Kings” and Star Word gifts for everyone who attends.(What is a star word? It is a paper star with a special word to encourage you throughout the year.) Talk with Johanna to find out what to bring for the lunch.
Official Visit of our Executive Presbyter, Rev. Dr. Brian Craker
(rhymes with baker)Sunday, January 12 at 11:30 am
Special prayers
Healing, strength and peace for Nancy Piper
Marian Piper fell and is in Emmanuel Hospital.
Pat Love is moving to Molalla Manor this week. When we have the address and phone, we will let you know.
We are updating the Church Directory! Let Julie know if anything is incorrect or needs an update.
Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pm — every Monday except Dec 23 and 30Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066
Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Choir Rehearsal — Wednesdays at 2 pm. Debi has been teaching us to sing for over 25 years! That’s why we sound so good, and you can, too.
Join us in the new year and let the music move you. 
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage, breaking for the holidays, resuming January 8. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
Where do you go when you need encouragement? Who do you listen to when you need to get your life back on track?This week’s Gospel text is from Luke 3, where people go out to the wilderness to hear the message of John the Baptist.In Scripture, the “wilderness” is a place where people in need find God’s provision. What is their need? What are they feeling? Are they afraid of the Romans? Discouraged by their own failures? Unhappy with their quality of life? Or do they just sense that this prophet has something important to say?John’s message is not just that the Messiah is coming. It is also a practical message with advice for daily living – actions you can take that will get you back on the right path while also helping those around you. It is advice that is still relevant today.Where have you gone, physically or spiritually, to try to hear God’s message for you? What do you need today?I look forward to exploring God’s Word with you on Sunday as we continue in the season of hope, joy and peace.
Love
Cynthia
P.S. The Christmas season is not too busy for me to be available if you have needs that I can help with. Feel free to call or text 503-962-9186. Also, if you’ve been thinking you could use some pastoral care in the new year, we can make a January appointment now. God bless you!
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Special prayers
Healing, strength and peace for Nancy Piper
Pat Love is still in Silverton Hospital and looking for the next place to live. 
Events
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 3:15 pm — Session meeting
Sunday, Dec. 22, 11:30 am — Choir Christmas Cantata with guest vocalists and instrumentalists. Arrive early for pre-service music!
Candlelight Christmas Eve service Dec. 24 at 4 pm. Ask your friends and neighbors if they have plans for Christmas Eve. Our 4 pm service is perfect if you have a family dinner event.
We have invited members of Immanuel Lutheran Church to join us.
December 29 – All music service with Debi and the Silvertones
January 5 – Epiphany, Star Gifts for everyone, Soup Lunch, Salem Madrigal Singers. Happy New Year!Music to begin worship
Come into the sanctuary early to listen to gathering music from Debi starting at 11:20 am.
The service will begin when Mike reads the Scripture:
A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
Then the Prelude is our first act of worship. Many thanks to Debi for her inspiring music.
Are you sending Christmas cards?
Remember our homebound members. If you need a directory, let Julie know.
We are updating the Church Directory! Let Julie know if anything is incorrect or needs an update. Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pm — every Monday except Dec 23 and 30Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Choir Rehearsal — Wednesdays at 2 pm. Debi has been teaching us to sing for over 25 years! That’s why we sound so good, and you can, too. Join us in the new year and let the music move you.
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
c
Dear Church,
Yesterday our friend Adan, from Iglesia Dios de Pactos (the Sunday/Monday/Friday church), did me a huge favor. He went up on the roof to hang the string of white lights I bought, securing them with zip ties. Then, when we realized I had planned it wrong (the power outlet is in the middle of the line, not the end), he cut the zip ties and moved the whole string around to the front. I’ll give him more lights on Sunday and hopefully it will be all lit next week.
“The best laid plans…” right? Sometimes you think you’ve got it figured out, but it only gets there 90 percent of the way (or less) and you have more work. Rats. Those are the times that we need strength to keep going.
Do you have an unfinished project? A relationship that needs attention? A birthday card languishing on your desk for want of a stamp? Here’s your encouragement:
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6
How does this good work continue in us? Here is one perspective, again from Philippians, for this week’s sermon:
And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what really matters, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
May the beautiful lights on our church bring joy to our community, and may all know the healing light of Christ.
See you Sunday!
Love,
Cynthia
503-962-9186
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Worship note: Time to Listen
Remember when the pastor used to read a scripture sentence to let you know that Debi was going to start the Prelude and it was time to quiet our hearts and prepare for worship? We are bringing it back. This week, Marcy will read, “The Lord is in his holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before him.” That’s our signal to pay attention.
Come into the sanctuary early to listen to “gathering music “from Debi starting at 11:20 am.
Events
Wednesday, Dec. 11 — Christmas Caroling home visits in the Estates. Meet at Roger and Vickie’s house at 5:30 pm.
Sunday, Dec. 22, 11:30 am — Choir Christmas Cantata with guest vocalists and instrumentalists. Arrive early!
Christmas Eve service Dec. 24 at 4 pm. Invite a friend!
December 29 – All music service with Debi and the Silvertones
January 5 – Epiphany, Salem Madrigal Singers
Are you sending Christmas cards?
Remember our homebound members. If you need a directory, let Julie know.
We are updating the Church Directory! Let Julie know if anything is incorrect or needs an update. Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pm — every Monday except Dec 23 and 30Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Soup lunch at 12:30. Check with Johanna about bringing soup; otherwise bring a complementary side.
Reader: Lori Welch
Greeter: Ann Austin
The Kyrie, Gloria and Doxology change seasonally, and for Advent we will include a verse of “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” which is a haunting medieval melody that Debi and I are very moved by. Listen here, and pay attention to the beautiful phrasing. Read more about the hymn on Wikipedia.
Thankful
Dear Church,
All of us here at First Presbyterian Church wish you a very happy Thanksgiving, and we echo the sentiment of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians:
I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, for all of you are my partners in God’s grace.
We have a wonderful Advent and Christmas season ahead of us. I look forward to being with you Sunday, December 1, for inspiring music and a message on “Faith, Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.”
Feel free to respond to this email, or call or text to let me know how you are doing. I really want to hear from you. I find you fascinating and I’m thankful for you!
In the meantime, here is a prayer for the season.
Love,
Cynthia
503-962-9186
| Thanksgiving Prayer “O God, when I have food,help me to remember the hungry;When I have work,help me to remember the jobless;When I have a home,help me to remember those who have no home;When I am without pain,help me to remember those who suffer,And remembering,help me to destroy my complacency;bestir my compassion,and be concerned enough to helpthose who cry out for what we take for granted.Amen.”-Samuel F. Pugh |
Prayers, please
Pat Love is in Silverton Hospital and will not be able to live in her Mount Angel home anymore. Her friend Ginger is helping her find a new place to live. Debi visited her, and I talked with her on the phone. She says hi to everyone and wants you to know she is OK.Stewardship season!
Thanks to Marilyn, Isa, Joyce, Vickie and Julie for working in the office today to send out the fall stewardship mailing. In it you will find an inspiring letter from Mike Hachquet, a flyer by Vickie about all the Christmas events, and a form to help you make a special year-end gift to the church. If you don’t receive one in the mail, pick up one at the office. We’re thankful for your continued support!
EVENTS
Tuesday Dec. 3 (11-1) and Thursday Dec 4 (6-9 pm)– Gift Wrapping events at Aurora Presbyterian Church.
Wednesday, Dec. 4 — Christmas caroling home visits. Meet at church at 5 pm and dress warm!
Also save Wednesday, Dec. 11 for caroling. Meet at Roger and Vickie’s at 5:30 pm.
Sunday, Dec. 22 is the Choir Christmas Cantata with guest vocalists and instrumentalists.
Christmas Eve service will be at 4 pm. Invite a friend! Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pm — every Monday except Dec 23 and 30Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
(Know someone who doesn’t get or read email? Do you have a friend who might enjoy one of these events? Please share this information!)
Dear Church,
Join us this Sunday at 11:30 am (come early!) for worship featuring the Augustana Jazz Quartet, congregational hymns led by Debi Huddleston, and an inspirational message to help us seek God’s kingdom and not worry (Matthew 6:25-33).
Read more about Marilyn and the quartet at the end of this email.
Dear Church,
I am happy to say that our church is doing very well! We had a wonderful Session meeting this past week, and we are looking forward to a beautiful Advent and Christmas season.
Let me give you an overview of the events, services and celebrations our church is offering to our members and the community, as well as some special fun events in Aurora. Who will you invite?
Sunday, November 24 — Jazz worshipAlso Sunday, Nov 24 at 4 pm — Solo organ concert by Debra Huddleston at Peace Lutheran Church in Salem
Also Sunday, Nov. 24 at 3 pm — Community Thanksgiving service at Hoodview Church of God on 214, featuring a come one / come all choir at 1:30.
Friday, November 29 at 6 pm — Aurora City Christmas Tree Lighting in the Aurora City Park on Liberty Street, with four choirs, band and carols for all (arrive early – music is from 6:00 to 6:25, then the tree is lit at 6:30, with hot chocolate and merriment)
Sunday, December 1 —First Sunday of Advent and Soup Lunch.
If you’ve been wanting to go to the Grotto Festival of Lights, I’ll be there Sunday night to hear the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir at 5 pm and I’m happy to meet you there. (arrive 4:45, gates open at 5, admission is $16.50 plus a can of food )
Tuesday, December 3 — 11 am to 1 pm community gift wrapping eventin the Aurora Presbyterian fellowship hall with Kim Ositis. All supplies provided, $20 suggested donation (plus you can bring wrapping stuff to swap)
Thursday, December 5th-– 6-9 pm community gift wrapping again at APC!
Wednesday, December 4 and 11 — Join the choir for Christmas Caroling! On December 4, we meet at the church at 5 pm. On December 11, we will probably start at 5:30 at Roger and Vickie’s house.
Sunday, December 8 — worship
Sunday, December 15 — worship with candle lighting prayers.
Afternoon outing to the Oregon Symphony. This Sunday is the last day to sign up and pay (1/2 price tickets = $23). Call Kim Ositis at 206-229-7948.
Wednesday, December 18 — Tentative – visit Pat Love in Mt. Angel
Sunday, December 22, 11:30 am — Choral Christmas Cantata, “What Sweeter Music” with guest singers and instrumentalists.
Tuesday, December 24 at 4 pm — Candlelight Christmas Eve service.
Sunday, January 5 at 11:30 am — Epiphany and New Year’s service with a Star Word gift for everyone who attends.
Call, text or email any time and let me know what you’re doing this Christmas and how your church can support you.
Love,
Cynthia
503-962-9186
Volunteers needed … for Meals on Wheels, here at the church.
We need in-house volunteers and drivers. Even one day a week is a big help. The program runs Monday through Thursday. Call 503-981-3470 or email volunteer@nwsds.org, or talk to Cynthia. Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pm — every Monday except Dec 23 and 30Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066 Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09 Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
More about the Augustana Jazz Quartet, leading worship this Sunday
Marilyn T. Keller, 2016 Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame Inductee, is a 40-year veteran of music and stage performance in Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Pop, Blues, and theater. She started her jazz training at Mt Hood Community College and now can be seen frequently at clubs, restaurants, festivals and holiday events. Since 1991 she has been Music Director for the Gospel Jazz Worship at Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland, where George, Kevin and Ron also play.
George Mitchell recently returned from touring with Diana Ross. He has played for presidents at the White House, for England’s royal family, and worldwide, as well as on TV shows such as Oprah, The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, and the TODAY Show. He was at the pianoduring thunderstorms at Miss Ross’ famous 1983 Live in Central Park mega concert before a massive crowd of 400,000 fans.
On any given night of the week, bassist Kevin Deitz can be found performing in a jazz trio, big band, backing a vocalist, playing in a symphony, opera, chamber or Broadway pit orchestra. Origin Arts Records just released Kevin’s debut recording of all original music, featuring many Portland jazz greats.
Drummer Ron Steen has had an ongoing jam session since 1980 and currently has five weekly jam sessions in the Portland area, including a Vocalist Session at Wilfs. He is a member of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and the Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame, and was named the 2020 Portland Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists Association.
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
This Sunday’s texts are from 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2. Take a few minutes, open your Bible and read these two chapters to prepare for the message.
It is the story of Hannah, a woman in crisis, who cried out to God in desperation because she was unable to have children. Infertility was a major crisis for women in ancient times. Today, infertility is just as painful for those who want to have children.
Hannah’s story is a very personal one which also has a historic outcome, as you will understand when you hear the name of the baby God gave her.
Not only did her child (spoiler alert: Samuel!) influence the course of Old Testament history, but Hannah’s prayer of gratitude has global implications, foreshadowing the virgin Mary’s equally far-reaching statement, the Magnificat. Try reading Hannah’s prayer and Mary’s song (Luke 1:46-55) side by side.
– How do you act during the most intimate crisis in your personal health or family?
– How does God want us to pray?
– What are the more far-reaching implications for our role in a world where people’s health is compromised by systems we could change?
I look forward to spending time with you as we seek the Lord’s wisdom and support each other. As always, I’d be glad to hear your thoughts on this or any other matter.
Love,
Cynthia
Welcome our new members received November 10, Ann and Michele!
Special event this Saturday!
Saturday, November 16 at 2 pm for about an hour
“Friends Singing for Friends”
Join Debi and Cynthia in the fellowship hall for an informal recital with some of our favorite singers including members of the Salem Madrigals and students of C. McGladrey.
Debi says,
“It’ll be fun. There are solos and duets, and a duo recorder sonata. All genres.”
This Sunday, November 17, join us for worship at 11:30 with prayers and candle lighting, followed by coffee fellowship.
Next Sunday, November 24 — 11:30 am — Jazz worship returns! featuring Marilyn Keller and friends.
Also Sunday, Nov 24 at 4 pm — Solo organ concert by Debra Huddleston at Peace Lutheran Church in Salem
Volunteers needed … for Meals on Wheels, here at the church.
We need in-house volunteers and drivers. Even one day a week is a big help. The program runs Monday through Thursday. Call 503-981-3470 or email volunteer@nwsds.org, or talk to Cynthia.
Our kitchen floor is being replaced this week! Check it out. Thanks to the Building Committee and everyone who is working to improve our kitchen for church use and Meals on Wheels. Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pm Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833 Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams Looking ahead / for your calendar
Sunday, November 24 — Jazz worship returns! featuring Marilyn Keller and friends.
Sunday, Nov 24 at 4 pm — Solo organ concert by Debra Huddleston at Peace Lutheran Church in Salem
Advent and Christmas, save the dates now!
December 1 — first Sunday of Advent
Wednesdays, December 4 and 11 at 5 pm — Christmas Caroling
December 15 — field trip with Aurora folks — Oregon Symphony Gospel Christmas
December 22 — Sunday morning – Christmas Celebration, “What Sweeter Music” with Choir and Guest Musicians
December 24 — Christmas Eve service at 4 pm
Group outing: Oregon Symphony “Gospel Christmas”We are going to the concert on Sunday, December 15 at 4 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway.
Tickets are $23 for adults or $10 for students. Note that this pricing is only for tickets purchased by Kim Ositis using her staff discount. Contact Kim directly (kaositis@gmail.com 206-229-7948). Need a ride? We will circulate a carpool sign-up sheet closer to the day of the concert.
Deadline to reserve tickets with Kim: Monday, November 25.
Deadline to submit payment (cash, check or via Venmo) to Kim: December 2
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
Last Sunday, we spent time in church remembering those who have gone before us. The same day, I came upon a simple one-page daily prayer calendar called “Rejoicing in God’s Saints.” I will have some for you on Sunday.
The idea is that every day, you are prompted to give thanks to God for a now-departed saint who has influenced your life. It doesn’t have to be someone you knew personally. Here are some prompts to help you remember someone who…
These people, with wisdom and love, helped make us who we are today. As our country prepares for a new presidential term, many people are elated, and many others are fearful. What to do now?
May we call upon “the better angels of our nature” … to reach across divides, acknowledging the inherent value of each person we meet, to work together to protect the most vulnerable among us, and to build a more perfect Union where all can thrive.
God has placed us in a community that needs us.
How will you, having been shaped and inspired by those who went before you, follow our Lord to do God’s work? What needs are tugging at your heart? How can your church support you?
I want to hear your thoughts. Email me back, or text/call 503-962-9186.
Love
Cynthia
This Sunday, November 10
This Sunday, we are receiving new members! Ann Austin and her daughter, Michele Gardner, are receiving Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant and are becoming members of First Presbyterian Church. We are delighted to welcome them officially!
Monday is Veterans Day. We will recognize veterans who are present in worship this Sunday.
Volunteers needed … for Meals on Wheels, here at the church.
We need in-house volunteers and drivers. Even one day a week is a big help. The program runs Monday through Thursday. Call 503-981-3470 or email volunteer@nwsds.org, or talk to Cynthia. Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pm – No study November 11, Veterans DayMeeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833 Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams Looking ahead / for your calendar
Sunday, November 24 — Jazz worship returns! featuring Marilyn Keller and friends.
Sunday, Nov 24 at 4 pm — Solo organ concert by Debra Huddleston at Peace Lutheran Church in Salem
Advent and Christmas, save the dates now!
December 1 — first Sunday of Advent
Wednesdays, December 4 and 11 at 5 pm — Christmas Caroling
December 15 — field trip with Aurora folks — Oregon Symphony Gospel Christmas
December 22 — Sunday morning – Christmas Celebration, “What Sweeter Music” with Choir and Guest Musicians
December 24 — Christmas Eve service at 4 pm
Group outing: Oregon Symphony “Gospel Christmas”We are going to the concert on Sunday, December 15 at 4 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway.
Tickets are $23 for adults or $10 for students. Note that this pricing is only for tickets purchased by Kim Ositis using her staff discount. Contact Kim directly (kaositis@gmail.com 206-229-7948). Need a ride? We will circulate a carpool sign-up sheet closer to the day of the concert.
Deadline to reserve tickets with Kim: Monday, November 25.
Deadline to submit payment (cash, check or via Venmo) to Kim: December 2
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
Last Sunday, in the third of my four sermons on Job, we considered God’s response to Job’s accusations of injustice. How is it that God could allow Job, a righteous man, to suffer?
God does not answer his question, but rather reframes it. God explains to Job that the universe necessarily contains chaos within it. Life is unpredictable, and that is not evil. The unpredictability of life is not evidence of God’s disorder or failures.This is a mystery. It is not explained or defended; God merely asserts it. The world is full of beauty and creativity and danger, and it’s not just about us. The story is bigger than us. God offers Job a new way to see the world. In this world, our grief is not the end or the entirety of the story. Before this confrontation with God, Job’s world view was very small. His faith, his belief system, his moral perspective was based on his village and his family. He had very little understanding of the cosmic chaos of our universe. God shows Job that the whole creation is complex and that we are just a part of it. God is not limited by our ideas or perceptions. God is bigger than Job’s understanding, and God’s justice is beyond Job’s personal experiences. Can this possibly be a comfort to us when we suffer, or when we see another person in pain? We do not know the mysteries of God. But God did not abandon Job, and we pray that this God who is greater than our understanding will not abandon us.
May God be with you and your loved ones, especially in hard times. Remember your church is here for you. Please email, call me or text any time. I’m always glad to hear from you.
This Sunday, October 27
Readings from Psalm 34 and Job 42 – “Life After Suffering”
Reformation Sunday hymn — “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Choir — “At the Riverside”
Psalm 34 — “Taste and See” by Marty Haugen (listen here)
The following Sunday, November 3 — All Saints Service of Remembrance and soup lunch — Bring a photo of a loved one who has died for our ofrenda (altar / memorial) display. You can bring the photo this Sunday, during the week, or that morning. Maybe you have a friend who would appreciate participating, and having lunch after.
We are putting together a Fall newsletter. If you have anything you’d like to include, let Cynthia and Vickie know… things to report and celebrate, or things coming up.
Support Love INC in Woodburn
The Love INC auction is Saturday, November 2, at the Woodburn Estates, and the church is sponsoring a table. Talk to Marcy or Kathy Figley if you would like to attend. The silent auction begins at 4 pm and dinner is at 6. Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pmMeeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833 Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
(after we get it fixed)
Group outing: Oregon Symphony “Gospel Christmas”Kim Ositis, elder in the Aurora Presbyterian Church (APC), is a Development Director for the Oregon Symphony and will get discount tickets for “Gospel Christmas” on Sunday, December 15 at 4 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway.
Feel the spirit of the holiday season with the 25th annual performance of this beloved concert, featuring the region’s premier gospel singers alongside your Oregon Symphony. Experience the joy and uplift of gospel music, performed with passion and feeling by some of the finest musicians in the region. APC’s own Nat Ositis will be singing in the 80-member mass chorus along with the full Oregon Symphony orchestra!
Tickets are $23 for adults or $10 for students. Note that this pricing is only for tickets purchased by Kim Ositis using her staff discount. Contact Kim directly (kaositis@gmail.com 206-229-7948). Need a ride? We will circulate a carpool sign-up sheet closer to the day of the concert.
Deadline to reserve tickets with Kim: Monday, November 25
Deadline to submit payment (cash, check or via Venmo) to Kim: Monday, December 2 Looking ahead / for your calendar
Sunday, November 3 — All Saints Service of Remembrance and soup lunch — bring a photo of a loved one who has died for our ofrenda (altar / memorial) display.
Sunday, November 24 — Jazz worship returns! featuring Marilyn Keller and friends.
December 1 — first Sunday of Advent
Wednesdays, December 4 and 11 at 5 pm — Christmas Caroling
December 15 — field trip with Aurora folks — Oregon Symphony Gospel Christmas
December 24 — Christmas Eve service at 4 pm
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
We heard the story last week of how Job’s friends came to comfort him. They did a lot of things right — they came in person, stayed with him, and didn’t speak for seven days. But then (in 30 chapters of literary poetic discourse) they try to explain why they thought God might be punishing him. That wasn’t so helpful.
In our church, we are constantly learning how to accept each other and support each other. If you feel unsupported, or if something is not right between you and another person, remember that Jesus taught us to go to that person and clear the air, and if you need help, ask another person to go with you. Read what Jesus said in Matthew 18:15 “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If you are listened to, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you … If two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Learning the ways of Jesus here in our fellowship, we can then be a comfort and help to others beyond our church, in our families, neighborhoods, with people wherever we go.
So, join me this Sunday as we follow our Lord by practicing real love for one another.
Prayers: Thank you for your prayers for my dad, Gary. He died on Tuesday at age 89 after a swift decline. He is now free from pain. I was glad to visit him last month and we had a nice time together. A memorial gathering will be held in California on his birthday in January.
Lucien and Sally ask for prayers for their great granddaughter, Jade, 14, who is having surgery on Wednesday.
I always like to hear from you. Email me, or for urgent needs, call or text 503-962-9186.
Love
Cynthia
This Sunday, October 20
Readings from Psalm 91 and Job 38 — “The Mystery and Majesty of God”
Candle lighting prayers
Debi and Julie return from their European tour.
Our Live Streaming is not working at this time. Mark, Cynthia and Michael are working to fix the laptop which became locked by an encryption program that we were not using but was probably triggered by an automatic update. We have learned a lot about BitLocker, restoring my Microsoft account, recovering BitKeys, and we un-encrypted the hard drive (Ta-DAH!) but still cannot get it to boot up. We expect it to be restored soon by rebooting, exorcism, or just wiping the whole computer clean and re-installing the live streaming system.
We are putting together a Fall newsletter. If you have anything you’d like to include, let Cynthia and Vickie know… things to report and celebrate, or things coming up.
The Love INC auction is November 2. Talk to Marcy or Kathy Figley for more information. Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pmMeeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies into eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
(after we get it fixed)
Help our sister congregation in AuroraThe Aurora Presbyterian Church is experiencing financial challenges, and they would like to make the church available for rentals during the week, like we do. There is the sanctuary with piano, organ and sound system upstairs, and the fellowship hall with a kitchen downstairs. There is a small lift / elevator. If you know of a group that is looking for a place for regular dinners, rehearsals, lessons or meetings, please let Cynthia know. Detailed information is on the APC website: https://aurorapres.church/rentals/
Looking ahead / for your calendar
Wednesday, October 23 — Session at 3:15 pm
Sunday, November 24 — Jazz worship returns! featuring Marilyn Keller and friends.
December 1 — first Sunday of Advent
TBA — Christmas caroling!
December 15 — field trip with Aurora folks — Oregon Symphony Gospel Christmas
December 24 — Christmas Eve service at 4 pm
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear church,
As the election draws near, and I hear people on both right and left talk disparagingly about their not-favorite presidential candidate, I am encouraged that I am not hearing so much vitriol towards fellow voters. There is more curiosity than hatred.
Movements like Braver Angels, partnering with Presbyterians and other believers, are successfully bringing family members and neighbors back together to understand each other, even when we disagree strongly. We are also doing this in Congress. We are making a difference.
Be part of the solution! I’m excited to share one of my favorite workshops, Skills for Disagreeing Better, this Tuesday in our very own church! Join me from 2:30 to 5 pm in the Fellowship Hall and bring a friend. Many people in Woodburn should have heard about it by now, and it was mentioned in the News and Views, so it should be an easy invitation. We had the workshop today in Aurora, and it was very well received.
Here are some questions we will cover in this free workshop, created by Braver Angels:
Do you know what conservatives tend to value most? What are their core values?
Do you know what liberals tend to value most? What are their core values?
What are the core concerns of each side?
How can I get that person to listen to my point of view?
How can we make enough peace to have a loving family gathering this holiday?
This Sunday, October 13, we look at a really interesting part of the story of Job — his three friends who come to comfort and console him. Do they, though? And how can we truly be a friend in need? There’s lots to learn.
I always like to hear from you. Email pastor@aurorapres.church, or for urgent needs, call or text 503-962-9186.
Love
Cynthia
Special Events and AnnouncementsWould you like to learn more about becoming a member of First Presbyterian Church?
Talk to Cynthia about the next class starting soon so we can schedule it at a mutually agreeable time.
Supporting teachers at French Prairie Middle School
On Monday, October 14, Sam will lead a team with Johanna, Cynthia and Vickie to provide lunch for the teachers at French Prairie on their Professional Development day.
Can you help with food preparation, delivery, serving, or clean up? Talk to Sam or Cynthia. We are in partnership with the Woodburn Christian Church, who started a special ministry to French Prairie this school year.
Free Workshop – “How to Disagree Better” – in personSign up now for Braver Angels Workshops in Woodburn and Aurora!“Skills for Disagreeing Better” with Cynthia O’BrienTuesday, October 15, 2:30-5 pm at First Presbyterian WoodburnRegister here: Skills Workshop in Woodburn
Learn to listen to people who disagree with you — neighbors, family — in such a way that they will feel heard. AND learn to speak so that your words get across. Bring a friend!
Let Rev. Cynthia know if you need help registering online.
Learning Opportunities
Wednesday, October 16 @ 7:00 pm
On the Oregon Ballot! What is Ranked Choice Voting and what are the pros and cons? Civic Dialogue. Register here to get the zoom link.
Thursday, October 17 at 5 pm: Cynthia chairs a national online debate: “If elected, will Donald Trump stand up to entrenched elites?” Register here to get the zoom link.
Thursday, October 24 at 5 pm: Cynthia helps staff a national online debate: “If elected, will Kamala Harris preserve democratic norms?” Register here to get the zoom link for October 24.
Just added! Wednesday, October 23: Cynthia will chair an in-person debate “Should Oregon elections use ranked choice voting?” at the Bipartisan Cafe in Portland. Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pmMeeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833 Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
In the Garden with Andy…
Can you help pull a few weeds or pick vegetables? For ten minutes, or an hour? Andy is in the garden pretty much every day starting around 7 am, sometimes til noon. Come on over.
Looking ahead / for your calendar
No Choir October 16
Monday, October 14 — help wanted! Help Cynthia and Sam serve lunch to the teachers at French Prairie Middle School
Wednesday, October 23 — Session at 3:15 pm
Sunday, November 24 — Jazz worship returns! featuring Marilyn Keller and friends.
December 1 — first Sunday of Advent
TBA — Christmas caroling!
December 15 — field trip with Aurora folks — Oregon Symphony Gospel Christmas
December 24 — Christmas Eve service at 4 pm
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
Enjoying the beauty of these fall days, it’s easy to be grateful for all that we have. I hope you are continuing our exercise of gratitude. To recap: You have a list of five (or more) specific things you are grateful for. Each day, spend one minute reflecting on each one, so that’s a total of five minutes a day. See what effect it has on your mental well being.
Living in safety here in the Northwest, it can be hard to grasp the devastation many are experiencing after Hurricane Helene. We can focus our gratitude on the people that are helping, like Tryon Presbyterian Church in Tryon, North Carolina, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Every day this week, the Tryon church folks have cooked pancake breakfasts on the outdoor grill, providing breakfast, coffee and wifi for people who have lost power at their homes. People come to use wifi for work and to connect with friends and family. Chainsaws and battery cubes were distributed to people up the valley and other places of need. “It was good to see some reunions,” said one member. “UPS guy dropped by and said he lives in Asheville, so we loaded him up with items for his friends and neighbors. We still have no power but are depending on gifted gas and a generator .”There are many hubs in the hollers around the county, ” the church member continued. “We drove to Lake Adger to check on some folks and saw many roadside places where goods were being distributed for free from homes, village centers and churches. “They are currently working with the town on a place for a shower trailer from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. The Tryon Presbyterian choir came to the church to rehearse in the natural light.
Here in Woodburn, as we gather for worship and coffee, let’s give thanks for the people of Tryon and other Presbyterian churches who are doing what they can. May we also be strengthened by God to serve our neighbors in time of need. See you Sunday for World Communion and a message from the story of Job.
Love
Cynthia
503-962-9186 call or text
Tryone Presbyterian members making pancakes for those who have lost power
Join us for World Communion this Sunday with guest pianist Honey Wilson.
A soup lunch will be held after worship in the Fellowship Hall. Thanks to those who are bringing soup; the rest of us can bring something else tasty to share, and bring a friend!
Are you still practicing daily gratitude, spending one minute reflecting on each blessing on the list? October 6 is when we mark five weeks of this exercise, and we’d like to hear how that has affected you.
Special Events and AnnouncementsSupporting teachers at French Prairie Middle School
On Monday, October 14, Sam will lead a team with Johanna, Cynthia and Vickie to provide lunch for the teachers at French Prairie on their Professional Development day.
Can you help with food preparation, delivery, serving, or clean up? Talk to Sam or Cynthia. We are in partnership with the Woodburn Christian Church, who started a special ministry to French Prairie this school year.
Free Workshop – “How to Disagree Better” – in person
Sign up now for Braver Angels Workshops in Woodburn and Aurora!”Skills for Disagreeing Better” with Cynthia O’BrienTuesday, October 15, 2:30-5 pm at First Presbyterian WoodburnRegister here: Skills Workshop in Woodburn
Or if you can’t make it that day, come to Aurora the previous SaturdaySaturday, October 12, 10 am – 12:30 pm at Aurora PresbyterianRegister here: Skills Workshop in Aurora
Learn to listen to people who disagree with you — neighbors, family — in such a way that they will feel heard. AND learn to speak so that your words get across. Bring a friend! www.braverangels.org
Let Rev. Cynthia know if you need help registering online.
Learning Opportunities
Wednesday, October 16 @ 7:00 pm
On the Oregon Ballot! What is Ranked Choice Voting and what are the pros and cons? Civic Dialogue. Register here to get the zoom link.
Thursday, October 17 at 5 pm: Cynthia chairs a national online debate: “If elected, will Donald Trump stand up to entrenched elites?” Register here to get the zoom link.
Just added! Wednesday, October 23: Cynthia will chair an in-person debate “Should Oregon elections use ranked choice voting?” at the Bipartisan Cafe in Portland. Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study at 2 pm Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833 Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
In the Garden with Andy…
Can you help pull a few weeds or pick vegetables? For ten minutes, or an hour? Andy is in the garden pretty much every day starting around 7 am, sometimes til noon. Come on over.
Looking ahead / for your calendar
No Choir October 9, 16
Sundays, October 6 and 13 – Guest pianist Honey Wilson
Monday, October 14 — help wanted! Help Cynthia and Sam serve lunch to the teachers at French Prairie Middle School
Wednesday, October 23 — Session at 3:15 pm
Sunday, November 24 — Jazz worship returns! featuring Marilyn Keller and friends.
December 1 — first Sunday of Advent
December 15 — field trip with Aurora folks — Oregon Symphony Gospel Christmas
December 24 — Christmas Eve service at 4 pm
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear church,
It is said that “shared joy is double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.”
Is that true for you? How has the support of your church helped you?
Our Sunday mornings, we share our joys with each other, and we ask for support and prayer for our concerns. God is present with us … as we share, as we affirm by saying, “Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer,” and then as we join in the Lord’s Prayer.
This mutual support in the Holy Spirit continues in hugs and conversations after the service, and in the coffee time, in phone calls during the week, texts and emails. Sometimes we go and make a special visit to a person who’s hurting, or we take them out to a meal to celebrate a joy. We send cards.
There is a next level of prayer for healing, and we find it in James chapter 5. It is a special calling of leaders in the church to offer prayers for healing. “The prayer of the righteous,” says James, “is powerful and effective.” We will learn more about it this Sunday, and there will be prayers for healing. Come if you need healing, and bring a friend who may also need healing of body, mind or spirit. I look forward to seeing you then. Feel free to contact me between now and then for any special needs. I always like hearing from you.
Love
Cynthia
503-962-9186 call or text
What you need to know for this Sunday –
new music, special prayers for healing
Join us for worship at 11:30 am (music begins early) when we have special guests!
Dr. Lisa Neher is an award-winning composer, mezzo-soprano, and actress on a mission to transform audiences through sound, story, and vulnerability. Described as a “maestro of beautifully wacky noises” (Oregon ArtsWatch) and a composer of “varied and imitable” vocal lines (Contemporary Classical), Lisa writes music inspired by female athleticism, the tender love of friends, the ambiguities of death, and the eerie mystery of deep ocean life. Praised as “a small woman with a very big voice” and “especially alive” (Oregon ArtsWatch), Lisa captivates audiences as a performer with her electrifying dramatic commitment and unforgettable vocal colors. She is President of New Wave Opera, a contemporary opera company based in Portland, OR.
Martin Sobelman has been the conductor of the Beaverton Community Band since 2014, and a member and guest conductor of the Northwest Wind Symphony since 2010 playing soprano, alto and bass clarinets. He was a Music Specialist for the University Salem-Keizer School District, teaching elementary general music, elementary choirs, and elementary and secondary band, retiring in July 2012. Prior, he performed and taught in New Zealand for three years and in California for 21 years, and was an active church and theater musician. He maintains a private studio for clarinet, saxophone, recorder and bassoon students, and is an active performer in chamber, orchestral, windand, big band and theater music in the Pacific Northwest.
The sermon this Sunday is from James chapter 5 — “The Prayer of the Righteous is Powerful and Effective”
Candle lighting, prayers for healing
If you would like someone to pray with you individually during the candle lighting, come sit at a table in the fellowship hall where one of us will pray for you.
There are new songs for us to sing this Sunday!
The easy ones:
The Kyrie and Gloria musical responses change with the seasons. For the fall, we will sing O Lord, Hear My Prayer from the Taize community. Taize songs are simple, short, and reflective. Traditionally, they are sung many times for a time of meditation and prayer. You can listen here: O Lord, Hear My Prayer.
We are bringing back a traditional response, the Gloria Patri. “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen, amen.” Listen here: Gloria Patri
The deeply beautiful one, our opening hymn
We sang “O Christ the Healer” earlier this year, and it sets the stage for this Sunday’s service. To help us focus on the text, the congregation will sing verses 1, 3, 5 and the soloists will do 2 and 4 while we follow along. Listen here: O Christ the Healer
The next lunch after church is Sunday, October 6, in the Fellowship Hall. Talk to Johanna if you can be one of the soup-providers, otherwise, bring something else tasty to share, and bring a friend!
October 6 is World Communion Sunday.
Are you still practicing daily gratitude, spending one minute reflecting on each blessing on the list? October 6 is when we mark five weeks of this exercise, and we’d like to hear how that has affected you.
Special Church Events and Announcements
Free Workshop – “How to Disagree Better” – in personSign up now for Braver Angels Workshops in Woodburn and Aurora!“Skills for Disagreeing Better” with Cynthia O’BrienTuesday, October 15, 2:30-5 pm at First Presbyterian WoodburnRegister here: Skills Workshop in Woodburn
Or if you can’t make it that day, come to Aurora the previous SaturdaySaturday, October 12, 10 am – 12:30 pm at Aurora PresbyterianRegister here: Skills Workshop in Aurora
Learn to listen to people who disagree with you — neighbors, family — in such a way that they will feel heard. AND learn to speak so that your words get across. Bring a friend! www.braverangels.org
Let Rev. Cynthia know if you need help registering online.
Online Learning Opportunity
On the Ballot! What is Ranked Choice Voting and what are the pros and cons?
Civic Dialogue
Wednesday, October 16 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PDT online
Join us for an engaging evening focused on Ranked Choice Voting for Federal and State Elections, on the November ballot in Oregon. Hear directly from our elected officials as they present their statements in favor of and opposed to the adoption of Ranked Choice Voting. This event offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of the measure through respectful and informative discourse.
This Braver Angels event is online. Register here to get the zoom link.
Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible Study will not meet at 2 pm September 30. Stay tuned for a possible alternate time.Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833 Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
In the Garden with Andy…
Can you help pull a few weeds or pick vegetables? For ten minutes, or an hour? Andy is in the garden pretty much every day starting around 7 am, sometimes til noon. Come on over.
Watch out for SCAMS. Get information at AARP – https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/
Looking ahead / for your calendar
No Choir October 2, 9, 16
Sundays, October 6 and 13 – Guest pianist Honey Wilson
Monday, October 14 — help wanted! Help Cynthia and Sam serve lunch to the teachers at French Prairie Middle School
Wednesday, October 23 — Session at 3:15 pm
Sunday, November 24 — Jazz worship returns! featuring Marilyn Keller and friends.
December 1 — first Sunday of Advent
December 15 — field trip with Aurora folks — Oregon Symphony Gospel Christmas
December 24 — Christmas Eve service at 4 pm
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
Yesterday I spoke with a global religion reporter for the Associated Press who is doing a story on faith communities and the election. She wanted to know about the workshops and debates that I lead, and what guidance I give my congregations to better deal with the tensions around this election.
My impression of both my congregations is that we are a peaceful, merry band of fellow travelers on this earth, supporting each other and striving to be a light to our community. Making peace is our calling as followers of Christ.
Certainly we don’t all vote the same, but we don’t demonize each other for having different views on political candidates or government policy. We love each other and treat one another with respect. I try to be humble about any positions I take, recognizing that on a given issue I may be wrong, and maybe someone else’s perspective is also grounded in a value I share.
The workshop I’m teaching in a couple of weeks, sponsored by Braver Angels and the Presbytery of the Cascades, is not political. It’s not even religious (so you can invite anyone at all, and this is a wonderful outreach event to expose people to our church). I teach the skills that enable you to have a civil conversation with someone – a friend, neighbor or loved one – who holds different views. People who have come to my workshops say that they feel better equipped for conversations with family that they’ve been cut off from. They also express more hope for reconciliation and harmony as well as for our country.
Register online for this free workshop by clicking one of these links:
In Aurora “Skills for Disagreeing Better” Saturday, October 12, 10 am at Aurora Presbyterian Church in Aurora
or here at our church in Woodburn,
“Skills for Disagreeing Better” Tuesday, October 15, 2:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Woodburn, 950 N. Boones Ferry Rd.Love,Cynthia503-962-9186This Sunday – worship at 11:30 am
Proverbs 31 and James 4 — The Wisdom that Comes from God
Christmas Lights after church with Marcy this SundayAbout once a month, we test and package donated holiday lights as a service for Ray of Hope Community Thrift Store.
Project Kindness Update
Last Wednesday, a full cart of about 12 bags of personal care items was delivered to Family Building Blocks. They were very happy to receive our gifts and got to work right away sorting things to deliver to families as needed. We are making a difference because of your generosity and kindness.
Thank you very much.
-Marcy
The Picnic was a success!
Thanks to everyone, especially Andy and Heather Brophy! Thanks to all those who set up, cleaned up, and to Joanne for inviting her friend Wayne to play accordion. A grand time was had by all. The next lunch is Sunday, October 6, in the Fellowship Hall.
Talk to Johanna if you can be one of the soup-providers.
Volunteer Opportunity for those who like to sit in the back row:
Many people who can’t come to church count on being able to watch the live stream of our service or watch the service on YouTube later. We need a couple more people to learn to run the video live stream during the service. Mark says, “If I can do it, anyone can do it.” Talk to Mark before or after church and let him show you what is involved.
Special Church Events and Announcements
Sign up now for Braver Angels Workshops in Woodburn and Aurora!”Skills for Disagreeing Better” with Cynthia O’BrienTuesday, October 15, 2:30-5 pm at First Presbyterian WoodburnRegister here: Skills Workshop in Woodburn
Or if you can’t make it that day, come to Aurora the previous SaturdaySaturday, October 12, 10 am – 12:30 pm at Aurora PresbyterianRegister here: Skills Workshop in Aurora
Learn to listen to people who disagree with you — neighbors, family — in such a way that they will feel heard. AND learn to speak so that your words get across. Bring a friend! www.braverangels.org
Let Rev. Cynthia know if you need help registering online.
Concert tomorrow
Saturday, October 21 at 3:00 pm
The Karen Carpenter Tribute Band
Woodburn United Methodist Church, 700 N. Cascade Dr.
Freewill offering
Online Learning Opportunity
On the Ballot! What is Ranked Choice Voting and what are the pros and cons? Civic Dialogue
Wednesday, October 16 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PDT online
Join us for an engaging evening focused on Ranked Choice Voting for Federal and State Elections, on the November ballot in Oregon. Hear directly from our elected officials as they present their statements in favor of and opposed to the adoption of Ranked Choice Voting. This event offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of the measure through respectful and informative discourse.
This Braver Angels event is online. Register here to get a link.
Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible StudyMeeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833 Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
In the Garden with Andy…
Can you help pull a few weeds or pick vegetables? For ten minutes, or an hour? Andy is in the garden pretty much every day starting around 7 am, sometimes til noon. Come on over.
Rev. Cynthia is on vacation this week and asked me (Vickie) to send out the email. Let’s keep her in our prayers for safe travels.
We had a great time at the Church Picnic last Sunday and appreciate the wonderful time thanks to Andy and Heather Brophy and Johanna!
This week we welcome Rev. David Morelli as our guest preacher, and musical guests Joan Dr. Rebecca Fromherz, soprano, and Dr. Joan Haaland Paddock, trumpet.
Special Church Events and Announcements
Sign up now for Braver Angels Workshops in Woodburn and Aurora!”Skills for Disagreeing Better” with Cynthia O’BrienTuesday, October 15, 2:30-5 pm at First Presbyterian WoodburnRegister here: Skills Workshop in Woodburn
Or if you can’t make it that day, come to Aurora the previous Saturday
Saturday, October 12, 10 am – 12:30 pm at Aurora PresbyterianRegister here: Skills Workshop in Aurora
Learn to listen to people who disagree with you — neighbors, family — in such a way that they will feel heard. AND learn to speak so that your words get across. Bring a friend! www.braverangels.org
Let Rev. Cynthia know if you need help registering online.
September 22 — Christmas Lights after church with Marcy
About once a month, we test and package donated holiday lights as a service for Ray of Hope Community Thrift Store.
Regular church meetings and announcements
Monday Bible StudyMeeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
In the Garden with Andy…
Can you help pull a few weeds or pick vegetables? For ten minutes, or an hour? Andy is in the garden pretty much every day starting around 7 am, sometimes til noon. Come on over.
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Sunday, September 8 — Church picnic! in our Community Garden
The weather is cooling off and there will be plenty of shade. We will have tables and chairs; you can also bring your favorite camp chair if you prefer. Andy and Heather, along with Johanna, are preparing a beautiful garden luncheon for us! 9:30 am – Set up team starts bringing tables and chairs outside
11:30 am – Worship in the sanctuary with CHOIR
12:30 pm – Picnic in the front of our community garden with music by accordion player Wayne Tiusanen
1:30 pm – Help with dishwashing and putting away tables is appreciated.
MENU:
Cherry Tomato Appetizers (from the garden)
Cabbage Salad (from the garden)
Squash / Onion casserole (from the garden)
Grilled Tri-Tip and Chicken (from Mt Angel Meats)
Zucchini (Carrot) Cake (from the garden)
Black Chocolate zucchini cake (Johanna, garden)
Water
Sunday, September 15 — welcome Rev. David Morelli and musical guests Dr. Rebecca Fromherz, soprano, and Dr. Joan Haaland Paddock, trumpet.
Special Church Events and Announcements
Sign up now for Braver Angels Workshops in Woodburn and Aurora!
“Skills for Disagreeing Better” with Cynthia O’BrienTuesday, October 15, 2:30-5 pm at First Presbyterian Woodburn
Register here: Skills Workshop in Woodburn
Or if you can’t make it that day, come to Aurora the previous Saturday
Saturday, October 12, 10 am – 12:30 pm at Aurora PresbyterianRegister here: Skills Workshop in Aurora
Learn to listen to people who disagree with you — neighbors, family — in such a way that they will feel heard. AND learn to speak so that your words get across. Bring a friend! www.braverangels.org
Let me know if you need help registering online.
Job Opening at LOVE INC
Love INC (In the Name of Christ) is hiring a full time receptionist. Must be bilingual. $17./hour. Email Cynthia for a copy of the job description, or contact Rosetta Wangerin at 503-989-5312.
Family Building Blocks
Family Building Blocks has 16 children in the classroom this fall,30 families that we regularly visit at home60 families on the waiting list that we also visitWe are collecting personal care products to help out these families —toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc.
ALSO, if you happen to already have the Chick-fil-A app and an account with them, use that app for good by voting for Family Building Blocks to receive a $200,000 grant. We are a regional finalist!! Voting is in the app under the “For You” tab.
Mystery toys?? –– Someone left some boxes of old toys and an infant bouncer in the nursery room in the back of the sanctuary. Since we don’t keep toys in that room (the mothers are directed to bring along their own toys), they have been temporarily moved to the choral library room and will be disposed of next week. Talk to Cynthia if they are yours. We are working to fix and renovate that space to make it comfortable for mothers and infants/toddlers.
September 22 — Christmas Lights after church with MarcyAbout once a month, we test and package donated holiday lights as a service for Ray of Hope Community Thrift Store.
Regular church meetings and announcements
No Monday Bible Study September 9. Cynthia will be away Sept 9-15.
For future reference:Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
In the Garden with Andy…
Can you help pull a few weeds or pick vegetables? For ten minutes, or an hour? Andy is in the garden pretty much every day starting around 7 am, sometimes til noon. Come on over.
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
In just a week and a half… Sunday, September 8 — Church picnic! Andy and Heather, along with Johanna, are preparing a beautiful garden luncheon for us! Special meats on the grill, fresh-from-the-garden vegetable casseroles and delicious desserts.
9:30 am – Set up team starts bringing tables and chairs outside
11:30 am – Worship in the sanctuary with special musicians Nat and Kim
12:30 pm – Picnic in the front of our community garden with music by accordion player Wayne Tiusanen
This Sunday, September 1, service at 11:30 am – “Every Perfect Gift” Communion (regular coffee hour, no salad lunch today)
The letter of James says, Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
What does it mean to you, that God is the source of every gift? How did you become generous? Who has been generous to you?
A gift I have really enjoyed giving is writing calligraphy for others. I haven’t done it much in recent years, so I’m excited to be demonstrating with the Portland Society for Calligraphy on Monday at Art in the Pearl. 10 am – 12:30 pm, at the corner of NW Park and Flanders. For those who might venture into NW Portland for this special art event, come see me!
Now — What is a gift that you offer to your family, your friends, your community?
Love
Cynthia
503-962-9186 P.S. I will have no cell service or email for the next couple of days. See you Sunday.
Choir rehearsals with Debi resume Wednesday, September 4, 2:00-3:00 pm
Is this your year to join us? Good music, excellent musical instruction and spiritual benefits!
JUST SCHEDULED Braver Angels Workshops in Woodburn and Aurora!
“Skills for Disagreeing Better” with Cynthia O’Brien
Saturday, October 12, 10 am – 12:30 pm at Aurora Presbyterian
Tuesday, October 15, 2:30-5 pm at First Presbyterian Woodburn
Learn to listen to people who disagree with you — neighbors, family — in such a way that they will feel heard. AND learn to speak so that your words get across. Bring a friend! www.braverangels.org
No Monday Bible Study September 2 or 9.
For future reference:Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09
Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Family Building Blocks has 16 children in the classroom this fall,
30 families that we regularly visit at home60 families on the waiting list that we also visit
We are collecting personal care products to help out these families —toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc.
September 22 — Christmas Lights after church with MarcyAbout once a month, we test and package donated holiday lights as a service for Ray of Hope Community Thrift Store.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
In the Garden with Andy…
Can you help pull a few weeds or pick vegetables? For ten minutes, or an hour? Andy is in the garden pretty much every day starting around 7 am, sometimes til noon. Come on over.
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, September 8 — Church picnic! (no salad lunch September 1)
Worship Sunday, August 25, service at 11:30 am – “Be Strong” Prayers and candle lighting
Paul told the Ephesians to make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. He told them to live wisely. This week, we hear him saying, “Be strong in the Lord and put on the armor of God.”
Soldiers don’t go into battle alone. They are sent out with their fellow soldiers, people they have trained with, people they must trust with their very lives. Neither do we attempt this life of faith alone — we have others who have walked the same path and who have been through the same challenges. None of us needs to go it alone. So come back to church and surround yourself with wise and humble people who will help you “be strong in the Lord.” And if you can’t get here, call.
Love
Cynthia
503-962-9186
This Sunday – August 25 — The Silvertones return!
This community choir, led by Debi, has been together over 25 years. They practice on Friday mornings at the Silverton United Methodist Church and perform uplifting and inspirational music.
Also August 25 and September 22 — Christmas Lights after church
About once a month, we test and package donated holiday lights as a service for Ray of Hope Community Thrift Store. After you have your coffee, stop in next door in the Fireside Room to help out.
Monday Bible Study continues on Zoom Mondays at 2 pm.
This Monday, we will review yesterday’s sermon and look at the passages for next Sunday. Open to all. No Bible study on September 2 or 9.
Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
In the Garden…
Can you help pull a few weeds or pick vegetables? For ten minutes, or an hour? Andy is in the garden pretty much every day starting around 7 am, sometimes til noon. Come on over.
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
It was so good for so many of our members to be in church at the same time last Sunday! A few were missing, darn it, but the turnout was impressive. With so many of us retired and traveling, attendance can vary widely. (And I’m sincerely excited for you when you have a trip or are spending precious time with your children and grandchildren.)
Whenever you are in town, it is important and beneficial to be in church. Scripture advises us, “Do not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encourage each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, September 8 — Church picnic! (no salad lunch September 1)
Now, thinking ahead to this week’s message.
Sunday, August 18, service at 11:30 am – Be Wise
When Solomon became king (1 Kings 3), the Lord came to him in a dream and said, “Ask what I shall give you.”
Answering the Lord, Solomon acknowledged God’s faithfulness to Solomon’s father, King David, and demonstrated humility at having been chosen to rule. He said, “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this great people of yours?”
Solomon knew that he did not have the innate ability to rule effectively over the people. So he asked for wisdom, understanding, and a clear mind to discern between good and evil. The Lord was pleased and gave Solomon “a wise and discerning mind.” In the very next chapter, Solomon demonstrated his exceptional wisdom when judging a dispute between two mothers.
Those who rule over others, whether as teachers, parents, elected public servants or kings, need wisdom to govern well. How do we know if someone is wise? And how do we access this wisdom ourselves? We will explore this on Sunday. I look forward to seeing you then.
Love
Cynthia
503-962-9186
In one week — August 25 — The Silvertones return!
This community choir, led by Debi, has been together over 25 years. They practice on Friday mornings at the Silverton United Methodist Church and perform uplifting and inspirational music. They normally visit our church twice a year, in the summer and after Christmas.
Also August 25 and September 22 — Christmas Lights after church
About once a month, we test and package donated holiday lights as a service for Ray of Hope Community Thrift Store. After you have your coffee, stop in next door in the Fireside Room to help out.
Monday Bible Study continues on Zoom Mondays at 2 pm.This Monday, we will review yesterday’s sermon and look at the passages for next Sunday. Open to all. No Bible study on September 2, Labor Day.
Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Monday, September 2 — Art in the Pearl fine arts in the North Park Blocks.
Cynthia will be doing a hands-on calligraphy demonstration writing people’s names on Monday, September 2, from 10 am to 12:30 pm at the Portland Society for Calligraphy booth, in the Demonstration Area.The Festival is FREE and requires no tickets for entry. Art In The Pearl has been named one of the top 10 Arts and Crafts Festivals in the country with art, theater, music, and hands-on activities for people of all ages.
https://artinthepearl.com/ Located between NW 8th and NW Park at NW Flanders.
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
In the Garden…
Can you help pull a few weeds? For ten minutes, or an hour? Andy is in the garden pretty much every day starting around 7 am, sometimes til noon. Come on over.
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
Remember that song Ella Fitzgerald made famous?
How much do I love you? I’ll tell you no lie
How deep is the ocean? How high is the sky?
Irving Berlin was not the first to use that imagery. This Sunday we read Psalm 103, which attempts to describe the love of God:
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him…
Sunday by Sunday, year by year, we try to understand and live in this love, and to share it with others. This means embracing the abundant life of faith and being a light to others.
One way we do that is to try to avoid behaviors that undermine our life and light. In Ephesians 4, Paul gives a concise list of “Don’t do that; do this instead” that is pretty great. It includes the admonition “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” Let’s explore. I look forward to being with you.
Love,
Cynthia
503-962-9186
This Sunday, August 11 — Music and Christmas Lights!
MUSIC Welcome the Salem Madrigal Singers! Always a delight.
LIGHTS Marcy is leading a mission project to help Ray of Hope Community Thrift Store. We test and package donated Christmas lights for sale. This means they don’t have to pay a staff member for hours to do it.
Plan to stay for a while after coffee to help. Is there any easier way to serve? I think this is pretty easy, and it does make a difference.
This Saturday — Art on the Patio at Debi’s House
Acrylics and watercolors by Dave and Terisa Huddleston
Music by Debi Huddleston
Playing and painting on the patio with snacks and drinks
Saturday, August 10, 1-5 pm
Special Music in August!
August 11 — Salem Madrigal Singers
August 18 — Clarinet DuoAugust 25 — Silvertones
Monday Bible Study continues on Zoom Mondays at 2 pm.This Monday, we will review yesterday’s sermon and look at the passages for next Sunday. Open to all.
Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
In the Garden…
Can you help pull a few weeds? For ten minutes, or an hour? Andy is in the garden pretty much every day starting around 7 am, sometimes til noon. Come on over.
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
In this email:- Everybody! Help with Salad Lunch this Sunday-
This Monday – 2:00 Bible study, hybrid in person at church and on zoom-
Also this Monday – 3:30 Collage art workshop-
Spiritual encouragement – the bond of peace-
Wonderful events and activities
This Sunday, August 4 — Salad Lunch. Bring a salad!Lunch Sundays are the best. Bring a hearty salad, sides or sweets, and plan to help out, as several of our regular folks (Johanna, Mark, Marcy, Kathy, Sam, Lucien, Sally, Michael) will be away. Vickie and Joyce are coordinating the lunch. Help is needed with setup, drinks, serving and cleanup, as well as putting away the worship service items and communion. Please call Vickie or Joyce to reassure them that they have assistance either before or after the service. I’m on the cleanup crew.
NOTE: Covid is going around. Be smart, be safe, and stay home if you feel sick. Pray for Sally and Lucien and others who are at home and not feeling well.
Encouragement from your pastor – The Bond of PeaceIn Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul writes from his imprisonment to the church…
I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Peace is work. Peace takes effort. In the two thousand years since Paul wrote this letter, humans still have not accomplished total peace.
I’ve been reading up on happiness, which I would define as one’s sense of well-being, as one lives a life of pleasure and purpose regardless of the circumstances. And I realized that I can be happy in the midst of political strife and polarization in our country.
Why? Because I work for peace actively with two groups of people who are making the effort to maintain unity and peace. These two groups are the Church www.pcusa.org and Braver Angels. www.braverangels.org. Working for peace with these people — my friends, parishoners and colleagues — gives me a high degree of satisfaction and hope. We shall talk about this more on Sunday. Invite a friend who may be discouraged with all of it.
May you find peace and happiness always.
Love
Cynthia
503-962-9186
P.S. For an exciting and hopeful look at peace through debates on college campuses, listen to my friend Monica’s podcast, A Braver Way, this week. This episode made me happy. Click here: How to Keep Speech Free (and Fun) on Campus
In the Community Garden… Andy will be here this Sunday to give us an update on the garden. Can you spend an hour weeding or harvesting? Andy is in the garden daily around 7 am.
Monday, August 5, Art Workshop, 3:30 pm
Cynthia will lead a collage art workshop at the church. Bring a friend who might enjoy it. No experience is needed. It is a time to reflect, pick up pictures that you find on the tables or in magazines, and create a piece of art. Feel free to bring along any pictures or images that make you happy. 1:00 — Set up time. (Let Cynthia know if you would like to help.)
2:00 — Zoom Bible study — Meet in the Community Room or zoom online as usual.3:00 – Get an early start, looking at pictures and spreading them out on tables3:30 – Official workshop start time, guidance and inspiration.
5:20 – share our collages with each other.
5:30 – clean up.
Free of charge. All materials provided. Donations are welcome.
Art on the Patio at Debi’s House
Acrylics and watercolors by Dave and Terisa Huddleston
Music by Debi Huddleston
Playing and painting on the patio with snacks and drinks
Saturday, August 10, 1-5 pm
Special Music in August!
August 11 — Salem Madrigal SingersAugust 18 — Clarinet DuoAugust 25 — Silvertones
Monday Bible Study continues on Zoom Mondays at 2 pm.This Monday, we will review yesterday’s sermon and look at the passages for next Sunday. Open to all.
Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
An invitation for instrumentalists from Aurora…
Saturday, August 10 is “Aurora Colony Days.” The APC band, plus friends, will form a pick-up band to ride on a flatbed truck and play in the Aurora parade starting at 10 am. If you play an instrument and would like to join, contact GB Burgin at gburgincanby@gmail.com for information about music and rehearsal.
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
The other day, as I arrived home from work, an Amazon driver pulled up in front of our house. I had just enough time to grab a cold bottle of water from the refrigerator to give to her as she stepped onto the porch. It’s the least I can do for someone who has a fast-moving, stressful job. The physical act of handing refreshment to another person is a human connection that is becoming rarer as people become more isolated. We stay in our living room for movies. We order groceries and supplies online. We work from home. So, it takes increasingly more effort and intention to make these human connections that are necessary for our well-being. Here are some ideas to consider.
Intention: On a hot day, I’m going to give something to a person I see begging at a freeway offramp.
Preparation: Pack a small cooler with a freezer pack and a couple of water bottles, a nice, cold apple or granola bars. Set it on my passenger seat within easy reach.
Intention: I am going to do the work to comfort friends from church who aren’t feeling well.
Preparation: When I hear a prayer request for someone, I’ll set an alarm on my phone to call him later. I will enter my church friends’ numbers into my phone or keep the church directory on my desk. I’ll keep cards and stamps there, too.
Concern: I heard on the news that the State of Oregon is considering a policy that harms people more than it helps.
Intention: I’ll do my part to address injustice.
Preparation: Keep the names of my state senator and representative on my desk along with envelopes and stamps so that I can write a persuasive letter when I read or hear something that concerns me. Click here for the name and contact information for your legislators.
These are some examples of small actions that add up to the happiness we’ve been talking about, living with purpose to improve others’ lives and increase our own sense of well-being. What are some things that you do?
Love,
Cynthia
This Sunday, July 28
Worship at 11:30 am — “Rooted and Grounded in Love” from Ephesians 3 and the story of the feeding of the 5000.
Sunday August 4, Salad lunch after church Bring your best salad or bread to share. Friends are always welcome.
Monday, August 5, Art Workshop, 3:30 pm Cynthia will lead a collage art workshop at the church. Bring a friend who might enjoy it. No experience is needed. It is a time to reflect, pick up pictures that you find on the tables or in magazines, and create a piece of art. Feel free to bring along any pictures or images that make you happy. 1:00 — Set up time. Let us know if you would like to help.2:00 — Zoom Bible study — Meet in the Community Room or zoom online as usual.3:00 – Get an early start, looking at pictures and spreading them out on tables3:30 – Official workshop start time, guidance and inspiration.
5:20 – share our collages with each other.
5:30 – clean up.
Free of charge. All materials provided. Donations are welcome.
See and share the attached beautiful flyer by Vickie. Please let Cynthia know that you are coming so we can set up appropriately.
Art on the Patio at Debi’s House
Acrylics and watercolors by Dave and Terisa Huddleston
Music by Debi Huddleston
Playing and painting on the patio with snacks and drinks
Saturday, August 10, 1-5 pm
1
Special Music in August!August 11 — Salem Madrigal SingersAugust 18 — Clarinet DuoAugust 25 — Silvertones
Monday Bible Study continues on Zoom Mondays at 2 pm.This Monday, we will review yesterday’s sermon and look at the passages for next Sunday. Open to all.
Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168Password: 721066Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Juliets (just us ladies into eating together) have breakfast at 9:30. Romeos (real old men eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
An invitation for instrumentalists from Aurora…
Saturday, August 10 is “Aurora Colony Days.” The APC band, plus friends, will form a pick-up band to ride on a flatbed truck and play in the Aurora parade starting at 10 am. If you play an instrument and would like to join, contact GB Burgin at gburgincanby@gmail.com for information about music and rehearsal.
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Hopefully you received our summer newsletter in your postal mail this week. Extra copies are available at church. Thanks to our newsletter editor Vickie Gonzales, her Communications Team, and the flock of Juliets who copied and mailed it this week. You’re all the best.
Join us this Sunday July 21 when the theme is “Peace to Far and Near”
Even Jesus went away and rested. Where and how do you get away to rest? How do you balance your rest with the compassion you have for others’ needs?
This is part of our summer series…
“The Art of True Happiness” with Rev. Cynthia O’Brien
Sundays in July and August at 11:30 am
Inquire at church about related book clubs, discussion groups and individual counseling.
Salad Lunch
Sunday, August 4, after church. Bring salads and/or bread, and invite a friend to join you. Enjoy good food and lively conversation!
Collage Art workshop “Happiness” theme — Bring a friend!
Monday, August 5, 3:30-5:30 in the Fellowship Hall
Instruction and materials provided.
See and share the attached beautiful flyer by Vickie. Please let Cynthia know that you are coming so we can set up appropriately.Special Music in August!
August 11 — Salem Madrigal Singers
August 18 — Clarinet Duo
August 25 — Silvertones
Monday Bible Study continues on Zoom Mondays at 2 pm.
This Monday, we will review yesterday’s sermon and look at the passages for next Sunday. Open to all.
Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168
Password: 721066
Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09
Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833
Romeos and Juliets
meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend.
Juliets (just us ladies into eating together) have breakfast at 9:30.
Romeos (real old mean eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
Love,
Cynthia
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
Are you happy?Would you say you are “not too happy” or “very happy”?
The national trend is that more Americans are reporting being “not too happy” than “very happy.” An annual poll by Marist reported that, in 2021, only 49 percent of Americans were more optimistic than pessimistic about the state of the world. This is the lowest percent since the survey began in 2009.
That’s not just random data. I know plenty of people who are not too happy. Life is hard, health is failing, relationships are fraught, the economy, work, loneliness and daily struggles all put pressure on us. I get gloomy sometimes, even though I have the best churches in the world.
Since I care about you, and would like to be of help to you and yours, this is how I want to spend our summer together. We are going to spend some time considering just what it means to be happy.
Recently I’ve been reading up on happiness – the science and the art of our sense of well-being. I’d like to share what I am learning with you. So, this summer, when I will be here every Sunday (EVERY Sunday!), my sermons will focus on the Art of Happiness.
Come and learn more about what makes us truly happy, in whatever circumstances we are in. We will draw wisdom from the Scriptures and also from the wisest social scientists. Bring a friend who could use some Happy.
Do you like to read articles or books? Interested in reading more on the subject? Join one of our discussion groups either in person or online throughout the summer. Find out more this Sunday.
Love,
Cynthia
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUNDAYS IN JULY AND AUGUST at 11:30 am
“The Art of True Happiness” with Rev. Cynthia O’Brien
Inquire at church about related book clubs, discussion groups and individual counseling. Art Give Away!
As we have been cleaning, refreshing and updating our church facility, there are several pieces of art that need new homes. They are leaning against the west wall of the Fireside Room next to the Fellowship Hall. There are several of Jesus praying, one of ancient music, the Last Supper, landscapes, large scenic photos of Oregon, cross stitch angel, calligraphy quotes. Some are old; some are quite beautiful; they all have stories.
Please look at them either before or after church. Is there special meaning for any of these pieces for you? Would you like to take one home with you? If you see something that you love and want, feel free to take it.
Also, if you have art at your house that you are no longer displaying and you’d like to give it away, you can bring it to church (this Sunday only, otherwise take it elsewhere).
The pieces that are not taken will go to Ray of Hope Community Thrift Store next week so they can find a new home.Christmas Lights mission project!
We have an ongoing project to help Ray of Hope Community Thrift Store – testing and packaging Christmas lights! Doing this as volunteers is saving Ray of Hope money since they don’t have to pay staff to do it. Share the Christmas cheer and help when you can.
The next Christmas Lights work day will be this Sunday, July 14 from 1:00-2:00 in our air-conditioned Fireside Room.
For your calendar:
Wednesday, July 17, 3:15 Building and grounds meeting, all welcome
Monday, August 5, 3:30-5:30 Collage workshop “Happiness” themeMonday Bible Study
continues on Zoom Mondays at 2 pm.
This Monday, we will review yesterday’s sermon and look at the passages for July 21 including Mark 6:30-34,53-56
Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168
Password: 721066
Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09
Connect by telephone: +1 669 900 6833Romeos and Juliets
meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend.
Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating and talking) have breakfast at 9:30.
Romeos (real old mean eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
Ever felt like your heart was “closed”? Or that someone else’s heart was closed to you?
What would it mean to open our hearts? How good could that be?
This Sunday’s text from 2 Corinthians finds Paul describing the many trials and sufferings he has endured, and pleading with the Corinthians – with whom he’s had a lot of trouble — to remember the gospel that they all believed in. He says,
“We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections but only in yours. In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.”
No matter how difficult the people are, Paul and his companions continue to be open to them, even while the people cause them distress.
Have you experienced this in your own relationships? Are you the difficult person, or the one in distress? Or maybe both? What would it mean to open our hearts?
Love,
Cynthia
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday, June 23
10:30 Bible Study on the Psalms with Rev. Dr. Kathleen Erion
11:30 Worship
2:30 Concert at Aurora Presbyterian Church
Concert!
This Sunday at 2:30 pm at Aurora Presbyterian Church
The choir’s favorite anthems from this year, plus vocal solos and instrumentals. Should be about an hour.
GB Burgin, Music Director.
Cookies after. Freewill offering.
Please come!
Marilyn Keller is singing at the Taste of Woodburn this Sunday from 12-2:30 pm, in case you happen to be at the Taste of Woodburn instead of the concert at Aurora. She sends her best regards and looks forward to singing for us in worship again this fall!
Monday Bible Study continues on Zoom Mondays at 2 pm
Email Rev. Cynthia for link.
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend.
Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating and talking) have breakfast at 9:30.
Romeos (real old mean eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@firstpresbyterianchurchwoo276/streams
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
Have you ever looked at the world situation – war, hunger, politics, technology – and thought, “There’s not much I can do.” Or, “I’m not going to be around to see things get better.”
“If we’re doomed and there is nothing we can do about it,” my colleague Jill Duffield wrote, “why bother getting engaged, giving resources, working for change?”
But God’s message to us in Scripture is one of hope. For example, this Sunday’s text from 2 Corinthians 5. It says: We walk by faith and not by sight. We are always confident. The love of Christ urges us on. We don’t live for ourselves. We regard no one from a human point of view. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.
And our text from Mark 4 says that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, tiny, insignificant, vulnerable, useless from all outward appearances, but explosive with potential and the promise to nurture, shade, hide, protect and give respite to all.
So we do not give up, ever. There is a small mustard seed of faith that will not die. Come to church Sunday and let your faith be nourished. Ask me about opportunities to do things that may be small but have great impact. And Happy Father’s Day!
Love,
Cynthia
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday, June 16
10:30 Bible Study on the Psalms with Rev. Dr. Kathleen Erion
11:30 Worship with Candle Lighting
Tuesday, June 18
2:00 pm – Nancy Hankins memorial at First Presbyterian Church of Woodburn. Music by Debra Huddleston, organ and piano, and Sandy Duffy Norman, flute. Reception following.
Monday Bible Study continues on Zoom Mondays at 2 pm
Email Rev. Cynthia for link.
Romeos and Juliets meet on Wednesdays at Country Cottage. All are welcome. Bring a friend.
Juliets (just us ladies interested in eating and talking) have breakfast at 9:30.
Romeos (real old mean eating out) have lunch at 11:30.
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@first presbyterian church wood 276/streams
A Visit to Pat Love
A group of us went to visit Pat Love at her home in Mt Angel for her 95th birthday. Pat spends most of the day in bed listening to the classical station. She is looking for someone who can come in the mornings for a couple of hours as paid help. If you are interested or know someone, call Pat or Cynthia. Pat sends her love to everyone and says she misses church and choir. Happy birthday, Pat!
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Top o’ the Mornin’, Church! (and the rest of the day to yourself!)
Pray — Please keep Hillary Hankins in your prayers. She is in the hospital after having had surgery on her neck. Michael Hankins says she is doing well. Also pray for Hope, who had a brief hospital stay this week and is feeling much better.
This Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day! We have actual writings from Patrick, who lived in the 5th century. I will use some of his prayers.
You might enjoy watching a movie about Patrick, like St. Patrick: the Irish Legend (2000) starring Patrick Bergin and Malcolm McDowell (available to stream on Prime video).
Or, look up one of his prayers, since we actually have his writings. A famous prayer of his, St Patrick’s Breastplate, begins with these powerful words, with which you could start your day:
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
It is also Pie Sunday in honor of Pi Day. Thanks, Johanna!
Bible study class at 10:30 am will focus on Revelation this Sunday.
Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. Text 503-962-9186 or email.
Love
Cynthia
NEW MEMBERS will join the church on March 31. Would you like to join the church? Talk to Cynthia. All that is required is to meet with the Session (March 26), profess faith in Jesus Christ and be active in the life of the congregation.
CALENDAR
Sundays,
Bible study at 10:30. This Sunday, Dennis teaches on Revelation! Not to be missed! The last one in this series will be on Palm Sunday, March 24, and it will be about Holy Week. All are welcome. There is coffee.
Worship is at 11:30 am followed by lunch on the First Sunday, coffee fellowship the other Sundays.
Monday Zoom Small Group at 2 pm
Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168
Password: 721066
Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09
Wednesdays: Juliets have breakfast Wednesdays at 9:30 at Country Cottage. All women are invited and you can bring a friend.
Romeos have lunch Wednesdays at 11:30 at Country Cottage. All men are invited and you can bring a friend.
Choir is at 2 pm Wednesdays.
Looking ahead…
Sunday, March 24, Palm Sunday with the Passion narrative read by the choir
Tuesday, March 26 at 6 pm — Session meeting, new members visit at 6:00
Thursday, March 28, Maundy Thursday service 7 pm “Love One Another” with Aurora people and combined choirs at Aurora Presbyterian Church, followed by spiritual fellowship at the Aurora Colony Pub.
Sunday, March 31 —
7 am Sunrise service at the Tulip Farm with Cynthia preaching
9:30 til about 11 am — Easter Breakfast at church
11:30 Easter service
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@firstpresbyterianchurchwoo276/streams
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear church,
SPRING FORWARD this Saturday night — Set your clocks forward and don’t be late to church!
This Sunday, the sermon is “Made Whole” and the theme is “God so loved the world” from John 3:16-17. In our zoom Bible study on Monday, we wrestled with some of the words in the passage, and Kathy (M.Div, Ph.D.) told us about the meanings of two of the Greek words. The next day, Caroline and I looked up those words in the Greek and found something extremely interesting! Come this Sunday and hear the Good News!
Rosetta Wangerin will visit and share about Love INC.
After church, some of us are headed to the Aurora Colony Museum for the Spinning Wheel Showcase to see GB and Jim demonstrate spinning and weaving! Open til 4 pm.
Looking ahead to March 17:
St Patrick’s Day is still a week away, but this O’Brien lass would like to get a head start on the festivities and teach you an old Irish greeting (not really used in Ireland any more, but still nice).
Greeting: “Top o’ the mornin’ to you!” (It means “the best of the morning,” like how cream rises to the top)
Proper response: “And the rest of the day to yourself!”
or “And the rest of the day to you!”
Practice it.
Our friend, flutist Sandy Norman, will be with us on March 17 for a service featuring beautiful Irish music. And more choir music. Bring a friend!
If you are an early riser and you REALLY want to hear Pastor Mark from the Pukalani Nazarene Church talk about relief efforts after the Maui fires, he will be speaking only at Aurora March 17 at 9:30 am. His nephew, my friend Ray, the burrito pastor, will be there as well. NEWSNEW MEMBERS will join the church on March 31. There are four people, so far! Would you like to join the church? Talk to Cynthia. All that is required is to meet with the Session (March 26), profess faith in Jesus Christ and be active in the life of the congregation.
CALENDAR
Sundays, Bible study at 10:30, worship at 11:30 am followed by lunch on the First Sunday, coffee fellowship the other Sundays.
Monday Zoom Small Group at 2 pm
Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168
Password: 721066
Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09
Wednesdays: Juliets have breakfast Wednesdays at 9:30 at Country Cottage. All women are invited.
Romeos have lunch Wednesdays at 11:30 at Country Cottage. All men are invited.
Looking ahead…
Sunday, March 24, Palm Sunday
Tuesday, March 26 at 6 pm — Session meeting, new members visit at 6:00
Thursday, March 28, Maundy Thursday service 7 pm “Love One Another” with Aurora people and combined choirs at Aurora Presbyterian Church, followed by spiritual fellowship at the Aurora Colony Pub.
Sunday, March 31 —
7 am Sunrise service at the Tulip Farm with Cynthia preaching
9:30- about 11 am — Easter Breakfast at church
11:30 Easter service
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@firstpresbyterianchurchwoo276/streams
Much love to you all, keep in touch and let me know how you’re doing.
Cynthia
M
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
This Sunday, March 3, we are delighted to ordain and install our new class of elders. Joyce Griffiths will be ordained and serve on a Session for the first time. Congratulations, Joyce! Elders who have previously served, who will be installed for the class of 2026, are Walt Mangerich (continuing from last term) and Joanne Hanson. We are grateful for their willingness to serve, and can’t wait to see what they do.
Bible study is at 10:30, worship with communion is at 11:30, and there’s soup lunch after church.NEW MEMBERS will join the church on March 31. Would you like to join the church? Talk to Cynthia. All that is required is to meet with the Session (March 26), profess faith in Jesus Christ and to be active in the life of the congregation.
CALENDAR
Sundays, Bible study at 10:30, worship at 11:30 am followed by lunch on the First Sunday, coffee fellowship the other Sundays.
Monday Zoom Small Group at 2 pm
Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168
Password: 721066
Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09
Wednesdays: Juliets have breakfast Wednesdays at 9:30 at Country Cottage. All women are invited.
Romeos have lunch Wednesdays at 11:30 at Country Cottage. All men are invited.
Home Communions
This Wednesday, Johanna and I will take home communion to Marian, Roberta and Hope.
Looking ahead…
Sunday, March 10, the service will include a visit from Rosetta Wangerin of Love INC.
Wednesday, March 13 at 1:00 — Yarn ministry at Aurora. Come and bring your knitting or crochet.
Sunday, March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day and the wearin’ of the green!
Sunday, March 24, Palm Sunday
Thursday, March 28, Maundy Thursday service 7 pm with Aurora at Aurora Presbyterian Church, followed by spiritual fellowship at the Aurora Colony Pub.
Sunday, March 31 —
7 am Sunrise service at the Tulip Farm with Cynthia preaching
10 am or thereabouts — Easter Breakfast at church
11:30 Easter service
Watch our Sunday services live or later at:
https://www.youtube.com/@firstpresbyterianchurchwoo276/streams
Love to all,
Cynthia
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
This Sunday, February 25, is our congregational meeting, where we will receive the Annual Report, look at the financial report and the 2024 budget, and, best of all, elect elders for the class of 2026!
We will also elect a member of the congregation to serve on the Nominating Committee; that’s one or two meetings in the fall to nominate elders for the coming term. If you can do that, please let me know.
By the way: Everyone is encouraged to stay for the annual meeting. Only members can vote and hold office. If you’d like to become a member of First Presbyterian Church, please see me. The next class of new members will meet with the Session March 26 and be received in church on March 31.
The annual meeting is usually around 20 minutes, and then there will be coffee fellowship.
After being elected, our new elders will be ordained and installed the following Sunday, March 3.
Scripture says that there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different roles in the church, and people who fill the three ordained roles (elder, deacon, minister) take the same vows, which our new elders will answer at the Ordination and Installation service on March 3. We call these “the constitutional questions,” and they ask about our belief in Jesus Christ, our trust in our church’s historic beliefs, and our willingness to serve.
The most delightful question, and a famous one among Presbyterians, is:
“Will you seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination and love?”
As I consider our elders, past and present, I see people engaged with all of these qualities. With which do you most resonate? Energy? Intelligence? Imagination? Love? Which one do you most appreciate in your leaders?
See you Sunday. You are all in my prayers. Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. You can email me directly by responding to this email, or call/text 503-962-9186.
Love,
Cynthia
503-962-9186
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our church ROOF is being replaced. Drive by during the week on dry days, and you will see the workers up there.
CALENDAR
Sunday, worship at 11:30 am followed by the Annual Meeting
Monday Zoom Small Group at 2 pm
Meeting ID: 881 1968 0168
Password: 721066
Connect by computer/smartphone/tablet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88119680168?pwd=cUw1dUszMVdtOGZMVXIzbThPa2M5QT09
Juliets have breakfast Wednesdays at 9:30 at Country Cottage. All women are invited.
Romeos have lunch Wednesdays at 11:30 at Country Cottage. All men are invited.
Looking ahead…
Sunday, March 3 — Ordination and Installation of Elders and Deacons, communion and Soup Lunch.
Message from Rev. Cynthia:
Dear Church,
We are now in the season of Lent, the six weeks leading to Holy Week and Easter, and this Sunday, we hear the story in Genesis 9 where God tells Noah that God is making a covenant (promise) with Noah and his descendents, and also with every living creature, that God will never again destroy the earth by flood. The “bow” in the sky is a reminder of that covenant.
Some theologians call this passage “the beginning of life under covenants,” and we will look at those covenants during Lent. First God’s covenant with Noah, then with Abraham (Feb. 25), then Moses (March 3) and so forth.
My sermon will be “A Promise for All Creation.” I look forward to seeing you then.
Love,
Cynthia
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Do you ever wish you had a chance to get the melody of a less familiar hymn? I’m giving it to you. Listen to two of the hymns we will be singing this Sunday.
The Glory of These Forty Days (click here for a recording) is a traditional hymn for the first Sunday of Lent, written by Gregory the Great (540-604). That’s over a thousand years ago. We will sing this each Sunday in Lent at the time of the offering.
The Kyrie for Lent is in our Sing the Faith songbook. It is based on a theme from Dvorak’s New World Symphony. Here is a recording of a choir singing it.
CALENDAR
No Zoom Bible Study Monday. President’s Day. Read Genesis 17:1-7 and 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31, Romans 4:13-25, and Mark 8:31-38
Session meets Tuesday at 6 pm.
The Woodburn Ministers are meeting at our church this Wednesday morning, with School Superintendent Juan Larios.
Juliets have breakfast Wednesdays at 9:30 at Country Cottage. All women are invited.
Romeos have lunch Wednesdays at 11:30 at Country Cottage. All men are invited.
From the Presbytery: A movie discussion
Building the Beloved Community: Conversation on the Movie Hidden Figures
The Presbytery’s Committee on Representation (COR) will be hosting a discussion on the movie, HIDDEN FIGURES. Those interested are encouraged to watch the movie on their own, and then join Linda Jackson-Shaw and Rev. Kris Voss Rothmeier as they lead the conversation. February 28 at 6 p.m. via Zoom
They would like people to register by tomorrow, Friday, February 16.
CLICK HERE to Register.
Cynthia is planning to go. Her friends Linda and Kris are leading it.
Looking ahead…
Sunday, Feb. 25 — Annual Congregational Meeting after church to elect elders for the class of 2026 and receive the Annual Report from the Session.
Sunday, March 3 — Ordination and Installation of Elders and Deacons, communion and Soup Lunch.
This Sunday, February 4, Purple Hymnal, Steve Parker and Soup Lunch! The same church that gave us our black grand piano also gave us their collection of purple “Glory to God” hymnals. We will use them on February 4, so pick one up on your way in. We will welcome Rev. Steve Parker as our guest preacher and communion presider. Steve has helped us with our sound system and our live streaming. He retired from being the pastor in Grants Pass, served as technology staff for the Presbytery, and now lives in Newberg.
Come to our new adult Bible study at 10:30 every Sunday morning with coffee in the Fireside Room. Dennis Griffiths leads a discussion on “A Historical and Chronological Review of the New Testament,” generally based on the book “Evolution Of The Word” by Marcus J. Borg. All are welcome; feel free to drop in when you can.
The annual meeting of the congregation has been postponed to February, probably Feb. 25, due to weather and other delays. At that time, we will receive the 2023 Annual Report and the 2024 Budget, and to elect elders for the class of 2026.
Weekly gatherings for all:
Sundays – We have lunch once a month on the first Sunday with soups or salads
Monday – Bible Study on Zoom – We read and discuss the scriptures for the next Sunday (no study January 29.)
Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. – Juliets (Just us ladies interested in eating and talking) at Country Cottage
Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. – Romeos (Real old men eating out) at Country Cottage
Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. – Choir practice
Watch our services online live or later on the church’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@firstpresbyterianchurchwoo276/streams
Message from Rev. Cynthia,
Dear Church,
There’s lots of info here and a cute photo at the end; please read.
A big thank you to everyone who led and supported our service last Sunday when I was iced in. I was glad to watch it online. The spirit of joy and camaraderie came shining through! Special thanks to Paula and Johanna and Debi for their leadership.
This Sunday’s theme is “Follow me.” In Mark chapter 1, Jesus started recruiting the first followers who would be his disciples. Walking along the sea of Galilee, he called some fishermen: Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew, then James and John. They all left their nets and followed him. He said, “I will make you fishers of people.”
What does that mean for us today, to (1) follow Christ and (2) to be fishers of people? I assure you; it means something different to me now than it did 40 years ago, in terms of ministerial calling, theology, and my general approach to life. What has it meant to you in the past, and what does it mean now?
We will sing some beautiful songs. You can check them out online and get familiar with them.
Hymn: Two Fishermen, a lively sea shanty! — listen and follow lyrics here
Hymn: The Summons — listen and follow lyrics to The Summons here
Choir anthem: “Anthem” by Tom Conry (“We are called, we are chosen”) Here is a video with lyrics and images of people helping other people in disasters.
HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY, PAXTON! January 29.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday. No ice this week!
Love,
Cynthia
P.S. Please send your prayers to the Aurora church. Three beloved men have died recently:
Jan 16 – Duane Bergevid, 87, new member, memorial service last Sunday;
Jan 21 – Rev. Fred Magley, 99, Presbyterian minister, memorial service tomorrow;
Jan 26 – Ralph Kruse, current elder on the Session, 87, service TBA.
And there’s a flood watch for Aurora and the Pudding River tomorrow.
+ + +
Come to our new adult Bible study at 10:30 every Sunday morning with coffee in the Fireside Room. Dennis Griffiths leads a discussion on “A Historical and Chronological Review of the New Testament,” generally based on the book “Evolution Of The Word” by Marcus J. Borg. All are welcome; feel free to drop in when you can.
Sunday, February 4, Purple Hymnal, Steve Parker and Soup Lunch! The same church that gave us our black grand piano also gave us their collection of purple “Glory to God” hymnals. We will use them on February 4, so pick one up on your way in.
We will welcome Rev. Steve Parker as our guest preacher and communion presider. Steve has helped us with our sound system and our live streaming. He retired from being the pastor in Grants Pass, served as technology staff for the Presbytery, and now lives in Newberg.
The annual meeting of the congregation will be in February, probably Feb. 25, instead of tomorrow, due to weather and other delays. At that time, we will receive the 2023 Annual Report and the 2024 Budget, and to elect elders for the class of 2026.
Weekly gatherings for all:
Sundays – We have lunch once a month on the first Sunday with soups or salads
Monday – Bible Study on Zoom – We read and discuss the scriptures for the next Sunday (no study January 29.)
Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. – Juliets (Just us ladies interested in eating and talking) at Country Cottage
Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. – Romeos (Real old men eating out) at Country Cottage
Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. – Choir practice
Watch our services online live or later on the church’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@firstpresbyterianchurchwoo276/streams
Pastor’s message
Note from Dennis about tomorrow’s new Bible study, YAY!
Calendar items you need to know
The ice situation on Gresham Butte
Dear Church,
Come to worship tomorrow, January 21, with bible study at 10:30 and worship at 11:30.
I am excited to tell you that we are starting a new adult Bible study tomorrow. It will be held before church, at 10:30 am until 11:15 am in the Fireside Room, which is the other dining room next to the Fellowship Hall. Come on, people, you can get there by 10:25.
ireside Room, which is the other dining room next to the Fellowship Hall. Come on, people, you can get there by 10:25.
There will be coffee, of course and a wonderful discussion led by historian and Bible teacher Dennis Griffiths on the CHRONOLOGICAL New Testament. Fascinating. Attached are two documents that he has written which introduce the course. Later in this email is a message from Dennis with more information.
The worship theme tomorrow is “Come and See,” with the beautiful hymns “Open My Eyes That I May See” and “Here I Am, Lord.”
So think about this. When Philip told Nathanael “We have found the (promised one) Jesus, who is from Nazareth,” Philip retorted, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said, “Come and see.”
Honestly, these days, if you told someone, “I have found the real meaning of life and I’m experiencing it at my church,” you might get the response, “Can anything good happen in a church?” Our society is that jaded, and some people have a very good reason to feel that way. Perhaps our best response is, “Come and see!”
Can you think of a time when someone said to you, “Come and see” and you found something good? Like they invited you to a bridge club or a service project or a restaurant or a church? I’d like to hear about your experience. Think it over. Email me! And talk to each other about it tomorrow.
Be warm and safe.
Love,
Cynthia
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Dennis Griffiths <dennis.v.griffiths@gmail.com>
The subject of discussion will be an Historical and Chronological Review of The New Testament. The sessions will be generally based on the book “Evolution Of The Word” by Marcus J. Borg. There will be open discussion during these sessions.
(Borg was a professor of religious studies at Oregon State University, a past professor at a seminary and past Lutheran Pastor. He passed away just a few years ago shortly after retiring from OSU.)Attached is a chart of the chronology of the writing of the New Testament and an essay for discussion for the first session.
There are several sources for copies of Borg’s book including used paperbacks on Amazon for as little as $2.99 each. You don’t need the book to be part of the class.
Hope you’ll come to the sessions – should be very interesting.
Dennis
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Here are calendar items you need to know.
Sunday January 21, and every Sunday through March: 10:30 Bible study and 11:30 worship
Monday 2 pm – Zoom Bible study on the texts for the upcoming Sunday. Email me to get the zoom link.
Canceled –> Wed. Jan 24 collage workshop. Postponed,
Sunday, January 28 — Bible study + worship + Annual congregational meeting and election of elders immediately after church
Sunday, February 4 — SOUP lunch, communion, and guest preacher 
Rev. Steve Parker, a wonderful retired minister who has been helping us with our video and sound
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Watch our services live or later at https://www.youtube.com/@firstpresbyterianchurchwoo276/streams
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Michael and I have not left our house in nine days. The power was out for two days, which was very very cold but we are OK and it’s back on. There is still a solid sheet of ice on our driveway and on the streets up here on Gresham Butte. Freezing rain is falling in east Gresham. We have been doing everything we can think of, to get out safely, but if we can’t, you are in good hands and you will have a wonderful Sunday morning class and worship,
Love
Cynthia
News from Rev. Cynthia:
First, the weather! I hope we can have church this Sunday. (UPDATE: IT WAS CANCELED). We will be watching how things develop on Saturday. Stay warm and don’t hesitate to call each other if you could use some help.
This Sunday, January 14, the theme is “Come and See.”
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
********************Exciting Upcoming Events! ********************************
January 21
A new adult Bible study begins next Sunday, January 21, at 10:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Dennis Griffiths will lead a discussion on “A Historical and Chronological Review of the New Testament.”
The sessions will be generally based on the book “Evolution Of The Word” by Marcus J. Borg. Let us know if you’d like a copy. There will be open discussion during these sessions.
(Borg was a professor of religious studies at Oregon State University, a past professor at a seminary and past Lutheran Pastor. He passed away just a few years ago shortly after retiring from OSU.)
January 28
A congregational meeting will be held Sunday, January 28, immediately following the worship service, to receive the Annual Report and the 2024 Budget, and to elect elders for the class of 2026.
Weekly gatherings for all:
Sundays – We have lunch once a month on the first Sunday with soups or salads
Monday – Bible Study on Zoom – We read and discuss the scriptures for the next Sunday
(no study tomorrow, Jan 15, MLK holiday)
Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. – Juliets (Just us ladies interested in eating and talking) at Country Cottage
Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. – Romeos (Real old men eating out) at Country Cottage
Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. – Choir practice
Happy New Year!
News from Rev. Cynthia:
Salem Madrigal Singers return this Sunday with music of the season of all eras. Join us for worship at 11:30 (come early to hear the Madrigals).
SOUP lunch after church! Bring soup or sides. Please let Sam know if you’re bringing soup so that we can have the right amount of soups.
Session meeting Tuesday, January 9 (rescheduled)
New Year’s Collage Workshop, Wednesday, January 24, 3-5 pm — January is a great time to be inside with a warm cup of something, doing art as a spiritual practice as we reflect on what we’re grateful for, and look with hope to the year ahead.
A prayer for the new year
God of our past, present and future:
As we reflect on the year we leave behind, we begin with gratitude for the moments and the milestones in which we experienced your presence.
As we look to the year ahead, we start with hope for a kinder, more just, lavishly loving world. Help us, God, to be the people you create and call us to be. Comfort us in times of sadness, loss and grief. Guide us all the days of this new year. Amen.
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I am here for prayer and conversation. Contact me if I can help you in any way.
Love
Cynthia
We will have cake during coffee hour on Sunday, December 31, to celebrate Rev. Cynthia’s milestone birthday.
News from Rev. Cynthia:
This Sunday, December 31, is the First Sunday of Christmas and also our observance of Epiphany, since January 6 falls during the week. The message is “My Eyes Have Seen.” What have you seen this year? Debi will be back with the Silvertones!
About Silvertones
The Silvertones Community Chorus is a non-auditioned group of mostly senior citizens who love to sing a wide variety of music. The members come from the greater Silverton area, including Marquam, Sublimity, Salem, Scotts Mills, and Mt. Angel. We have selections for all holidays, from the Renaissance to the 20th century, including opera choruses and Broadway to the Beatles and the Carpenters. Directed by Debra Huddleston.
Looking ahead…
Sunday, January 7, 11:30 am – Debi directs the Salem Madrigal Singers, I’ll bring a message for the new year, and you bring something for SOUP LUNCH! Perfect time to bring a friend and get to know a Madrigal Singer.
Tuesday, January 9, 6 pm — Session meeting (rescheduled)
TBA — New Year’s Collage Workshop — January is a great time to be inside with a warm cup of something, doing art as a spiritual practice as we reflect on what we’re grateful for, and look with hope to the year ahead.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED in participating and helping with either setup or cleanup, let me know so that I can schedule at a time you can come. Possible dates are Tuesday Jan. 23, 2-4, Wednesday Jan. 17 or 24, 3-5 pm.
No Monday Bible study on January 1.
We will have our Christmas Eve service at 11:30 a.m. as Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday. We will not have an evening service this year. We hope you will join us.
“Skills for Bridging the Divide” A Braver Angels Workshop—November 14, 2023
Click here to register!
Starting this Wednesday, March 1, we will join Aurora for Lent suppers at 6 pm at the Aurora Presbyterian Church, 21553 Liberty Street NE, Aurora. Supper is provided for you; donations are appreciated.
This will be a five-week series called “Nooma Nights.” March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
Nooma (like “pneuma” which is Greek for “spirit”) is a series of very short films by Rob Bell, a pastor who attended the same seminary as I did. Each film is an engaging look at a particular topic with a faith perspective. It’s designed for people who don’t necessarily go to church, but church folk also find them insightful.
Please arrive right at 6 pm. Soup will be served right away. Get your supper, find a place to sit, and we will have social time. Around 6:30 or so, we will watch the Nooma film. It’s about 15 minutes. Then we’ll have discussion around the tables and I will lead a short discussion with the whole group.
Now is the time to invite a friend to come with you. I’ll ask for a show of hands Sunday for who’s coming. You might enjoy carpooling; I would!
Here is a trailer to watch and share this with friends. The first film is called “Store” and it talks about what to do with our anger. Can’t wait to share this time with you.
Picture your future. Collage, the art of choosing and arranging images and mixed media, helps us access a different part of the brain and the spirit. Join one of two workshops March 14.
Collage Workshop: “Spring Forward”
Tuesday, March 14
First Presbyterian Church of Woodburn, 950 N. Boones Ferry Rd, Woodburn.
Two sessions, same day: Choose 2-4 pm or 6:30-8:30 pm … or both.
Spring is around the corner! Longer days, THE SUN, greenery, flowers and new life. Join Cynthia O’Brien for a fun workshop using pictures and images to envision our renewing future.
No experience needed. All materials are provided, including magazines, a table full of pictures/images already cut out of magazines, scissors and glue. Feel free to ask for assistance with layout, themes, or ways to express yourself in collage.
Suggested donation: $20.
To register, kindly send an email to revcynthiaobrien@gmail.com, indicate which session (afternoon or evening) and you’ll be on the list for updates about this project.
You can start now, if you like.
– Take some quiet time for yourself, writing about where you are at right now and how you’re feeling about things.
– List some of your goals, hopes and dreams for one or more areas of your life.
– Look through magazines for images that “speak” to you or resonate with you.
What to bring:
– Suggested donation $20, cash or check to FPC.
– Any images you’ve already found in magazines, internet or photos of yourself or friends/family that you might like to include in your collage.
This is not a religious event. Everyone is invited to be who they are and find inspiration wherever they feel led.
Re Covid: This is an indoor fellowship hall with another dining room adjacent for increased social distancing if you so desire. Masks are welcome and optional. Please stay home if ill or exposed to Covid; we’ll be happy to have you come another time.
Want more information or just want to talk? Contact Cynthia. That’s what she’s here for. revcynthiaobrien@gmail.com
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