Scripture for the Week

"For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light." Ephesians 5:8

In the Interim . . .

Dear Church Family,
I have a tradition of saying every year on Ash Wednesday, “A lot can happen in 6 weeks,” referring to the amount of time of Lent from then until Easter Sunday. These days I am thinking “A lot can happen in 1 week, even in 1 day.” We are now in an intense period for the spread of COVID-19. Know that Bill and I are praying for you and all of this world, as you pray also. At the end of this column please find updates from our church.

Devotion for Today:
In the Wednesday Lenten Study broadcast, I mistakenly gave credit for a poem to Maya Angelou. The poem, “When I Say Am a Christian,” was actually written by Carol Wimmer in 1988 and first published by Hi-Call Gospel Magazine in 1992. With that credit correction, I share it with you here.

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost sometimes
That’s why I chose this way”
When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble –
needing God to be my guide.

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught.

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it.

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek God’s name.

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved.

During this time of challenge, heartache and pain, may you seek God’s name and know you are loved.

Wanda Neely, Virtual Pastor
828-929-5001

For Your Information

Church Updates:

All Services and Gatherings: Suspended at least through March. Sunday worship (11 AM) and Wednesday Lenten Study (5:30 PM) are being broadcast through the church Facebook page. Some individuals have shared they are having difficulty accessing. We have worked on that and hope the broadcasts will now be easier to find through the church FB page. Link to Sunday Worship. Our broadcasts thus far are archived there. Warning: They are a bit sloppy. We are working on that also, but at least you know they are authentic!

Work continues on the hookups for live streaming from the sanctuary. When that is complete, we will make some broadcasts from the sanctuary, including the organ and piano.

Wednesday Lenten Study: If you wish to watch the videos we are using, or any others on faith development, Link for Lenten Study. The ones we are using are listed under “New Members.” You can also download worksheets there.

Daily Devotions and Prayer Chain Updates during Lent: Will be posted through this Constant Contact email list. Please share prayer concerns/updates/requests with Kathy Brendle, Email, 828-442-6082 or Wanda Neely, Email, 828-929-5001.

Important Commitments to Keep
The church Session has chosen to pay this month the regular compensations of our staff members, even though church gatherings are curtailed. This includes staff who are part-time and paid by hourly wages. Therefore, it is crucial that we of the church family continue our regular church contributions so that expenses can be met, payroll, utilities and all other regular monthly costs. Please mail your checks to First Presbyterian Church to: 79 Academy Street, Marion NC 28752.

During this time of social distancing, let's send cards to some of our church family who would appreciate getting a note from us.

Here is a start of a list, but if you know of others please let the church office know.

Walton & Catherine Clapp,
606 Rutherford Road, Marion, NC 28752

William & Dorothy Lael,
136 Virginia Avenue, Marion, NC 28752

Grace Greenlee,
250 Grace Greenlee Road, Marion, NC 28752

Margaret Gourley,
PO Box 716, Marion, NC 28752

Mike Lucas,
6151 Lake James Road, Marion, NC 28752

Bill Rowe,
Rose Hill Retirement, PO Box 69, Marion, NC 28752

Charlotte Hartley,
Rose Hill Retirement, PO Box 69, Marion, NC 28752

Ethel McGarr,
Room 303, Autumn Care, 1264 Airport Road
Marion NC 28752

Sharing Church Stories as We Celebrate 175 Years

Over the last 30 years, with the help of boaters past and present, youth directors who were willing to get wet and many unsung volunteers, the teens of First Presbyterian spent a lot of great times on Lake James.

Here are some happenings: growing courage - jumping off the Green’s dock, trying to waterski or wakeboard, bumping on a jetski, speeding down the river on a tube; spiritual - examining Scripture at the picnic table under the shed, seeing the Lord’s amazing beauty from Gurley’s hill; humor – flipping the jetski then uprighting it, losing a bathing suit bottom, “swimming” the boat (full of kids) to shore thinking the engine was broken (It wasn’t), getting the church van stuck in a gully, honestly believing that Bigfoot’s blood was smeared on the trees by the shed (surveyor’s paint); love - hugging exhausted, happy kids as they piled into the van.

We thank Kathy Brendle for sharing this remembrance. While you are at home, take time to write some church memories and send by email: Email for Remembrances

Prayer Concerns

Church Family - Mike Lucas, Walton Clapp, Grace Greenlee, Ethel McGarr, Jonelle Daniels

Extended Church Family & Friends - Mary Teaster (cousin of Karen Denniston), Mary Styles (mother of Deb Leazer)