Beautiful weather helped make for a lovely outdoor congregational meeting. We elected new elders and received new members during the service which also included communion.
The Session has voted and we will resume in-person worship in our sanctuary this Sunday, October 18th! A letter has been mailed which includes all of the details, but here are a few important facts:
· In-person worship will be held at 10:00 AM on Sundays.
· Ushers will be on hand to help us maintain social distancing.
· Masks and social distancing will be required.
· Hand sanitizer is available for use upon arriving and departing.
We will closely monitor the number of folks who attend to ensure we are observing appropriate social distancing. If our numbers exceed social distancing requirements, overflow seating will be available in Fellowship Hall, where we will live stream the service. We will be aware of our numbers and will move to two services if necessary.
Please do not feel obligated to attend in-person worship just because the doors are open! We want everyone to worship in the manner that best fits their needs. Online worship will continue as usual. If you feel uncomfortable attending in-person worship or if you are unable or prefer not to wear a mask, we encourage you to join us online. Of course, if you are not feeling well, please remain home for the safety and well-being of everyone.
We look forward to worshipping with you all, in-person and online, this Sunday, October 18th!
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” Psalm 95:6
The plight of food insecurity has only been heightened during this season of job loss in our community. The work of People Helping People is always to provide fresh, healthy food to our hungry neighbors, usually on a monthly basis for each registered household. However, during this season of increased need, PHP has stepped up giving. Serving 125-150 households every week, PHP has been able to keep the food pantry going throughout the pandemic season, only closing down for one day during February to organize the new method of drive-through distribution and close down the resale shop and other entrances to limit contact. Three days a week they distribute food from 12-3.
The all-volunteer staff arrives early to pack bags of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, bread and canned/boxed items for each family. These are the items purchased from Tarrant Area Food Bank at a nominal cost and delivered to Granbury once a week. PHP buys between 6 and 7 thousand pounds of food each week from the food bank and transports it on pallets. HEB and Walmart donate day old and close date food for free pickup. ( From time to time, FPC has been asked to donate food when the supply runs low, and we have been generous in our giving.)
FPC now has two members on the board of People Helping People and we have been impressed by the dedication, skill and efficiency of the staff in caring for the needy among us. Because of some generous donations, there have been some property improvements in the past year, including a new walk-in freezer, an outside covered area to protect workers from sun and rain, and a new sign. If you haven’t been by the facility in awhile, drive by and take a look. Also, the aging volunteer staff has been depleted by this pandemic so there is a need for some more help.
As a small but effective ministry focused on one essential goal, PHP is a treasure in the Granbury community, effectively addressing Jesus’ words in Matt.25:35 “..for I was hungry and you gave me food.”
Join Us for “Carmunion” on World Communion Sunday, October 4, 6 o’clock in the evening. We’ll gather in the large parking lot and you may remain in your car or bring lawn chairs to sit outside. A brief service of scripture and prayer will provide our liturgy for the evening. The elements will be carefully prepared in a sanitized manner and delivered to each worshipper in individual containers.
Come gather at the table with Christians around the world.
We will be sharing communion during online worship that morning so gather your elements for “home communion.”
The FUN Circle met yesterday to create Christmas cards that our overseas troops can send home to their families. Thanks to Gloria Mitchell for organizing this event.
