The
Somerset Christian
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF First Christian ChurchMarch 2021
First Christian Church
139 E. Main St., Somerset, PA. 15501
Phone: 814-445-8112
Office email: fccsomerset@comcast.net
Pastor Brent’s email: Brent@somersetfirstchristian.org
Website: www.somersetfirstchristian.org
Get involved. Let your God given talents shine. Share your blessings with our church and others. Whether your talents are teaching, singing, playing an instrument, organization, ministries, leadership or financial blessings, we all have something to give back.
Since Pastor Brent came on board at FCC we have had more YouTube services than in person services. He has had a very difficult year to say the least. He and the staff have done a fantastic job of keeping us together and on track. Along with that, Victor Correa joined our church staff as the Children & Youth Director just a few months ago.
God has plotted out a new course for us. A new beginning. We need to be rejuvenated and inspired at this opportunity. Get excited and let’s run with it. GET INVOLVED.
The Elders March is somewhat of an anniversary. No, not in
a good way. Last year at this time we were just starting to hear and be affected by a thing called Covid-19. Looking back, who would’ve ever predicted the turmoil this microscopic virus would have on the world. It surely wouldn’t cause any problem here, not in rural Somerset county. But here we are, one year later, numerous closings and openings of the church, cancellations of many in person events, ministries, and activities. Many of our congregation has experienced it first-hand. Some not so serious and some very serious. It has tested us all.
Sir Francis Bacon stated that knowledge is power. The elders and staff have been dealing with this on a day to day basis and making the best decisions possible with the information available. Our first concern, after our Lord, is our congregation and its safety. Our faith has been tested this past year. Satan is truly at work. God has given all of us free will and we are told to have faith above all, but we have been advised about false prophets and not be foolish.
James 1:12 says: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” John 16:33 tells us, “I have said these things to you, that in me you have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
This past year has been an extreme burden on the church’s resources, both financial and voluntary. First Christian Church has been very blessed spiritually and financially but we need continual support throughout the year in all these areas.
The Loop
Life does not always go as we plan. The Apostle Paul was a man of vision. Before he was stuck in prison for several years, he wrote a letter to the church in Rome and made plans to visit them. “I pray that now at last by God’s will, the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (Romans 1:10-12) He then planned to go on to Spain. It didn’t work out that way. He was arrested in Jerusalem and it took years before he reached Rome and then it was in chains. Yet, Paul did make it to Rome. It is good to have a vision, even though it doesn’t always happen as we imagine.
In this last year we have faced many setbacks and hardships. I did not expect these things just like Paul did not expect to go to Rome years later in chains. But God is faithful. I believe God will bring us through this pandemic and we will “get to Rome” in his timing. Even though so many things are still up in the air, it is important to have some plans.
We are planning on having a wonderful Good Friday service and a marvelous Easter service on April 4. (Last year we didn’t even have in-person services for three months.) We are planning on the church rebuilding our ministries when the virus lets up. Last month, in the February Newsletter, I described a vision for the church. In part two of that vision, I wrote: We will rebuild a balanced, healthy church with six main parts: 1. Worship 2. Fellowship 3. Evangelism 4. Christian Education 5. Compassion (meet needs) and 6. Prayer. At some point I would like to have the small groups meet in a six-week series to do a biblical study of these six topics. We will have special events to connect to non-Christians and draw people to Christ.
But for right now, we are still limited. So, I encourage you to do what you can. Like Paul in prison, he wrote letters. He witnessed to the guards. The church isn’t just waiting. On February 17 we had a Red Cross Blood Drive. This was a big success, and we had a wonderful response even though at this time we are hindered by COVID-19. On February 4, fifty people went snow tubing. Sunday school for all ages continues at 9am. Small groups via Zoom continue. Victor is planning a Youth Retreat in March. Even if you are limited to your house, you can grow deeper in your prayer life and in your Bible study knowledge. You can find ways to reach out to others on the phone or email. Don’t waste a single day. Listen to the Lord direct your every step. Put down deep spiritual roots during these days.
Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers. In Egypt he spent years in prison. But all of those experiences prepared him to become a leader of the Egyptian Empire during the famine. Moses wanted to help his Hebrew brothers and even killed an Egyptian slave driver. But when his action was discovered, he had to run for his life. He then spent 40 years in a distant country. That time was preparation. God called him, at age eighty, to bring the Hebrew people out of slavery. Our plans do not always work out the way we think, but God knows what he is doing. God has his own timing. I wanted to be a missionary in
Thailand, but it fell through. Years later, when I thought that dream of living overseas was forever dead, God opened up a door for my family to minister in Guatemala. God had a better idea for me. David was anointed by Samuel to be the new king, but David had to wait for years before the dream came true. He had to run for his life and go through many difficulties. Again, God was preparing him. God is preparing our church for fruitful ministry in the years to come. Make this time count. God has a plan and a purpose and the right timing for our church family. In his time, God’s ideas will come to pass.
CHILDREN & YOUTH EVENTS
Kids Sunday school: Grades K-6 meet in the youth wing. 9:00am Sundays
Youth Sunday school: Grades 7-12 Meet in the youth room on the 3rd floor. 9:00am
Topic: Biblical Interpretation
Youth Volunteer Meeting: March 14th after church in the fellowship hall. Lunch provided. Youth Winter Retreat: March 12-14th. Paradise Lake Retreat. Sign up online on the youth
page. Consent forms and schedule to be sent via email.
Pool Party: for children and youth. March 27th. 1-3pm at Linda’s Dance Studio. Sign up
online on the events tab.
Time Management
Let me ask you a question; do you ever feel like you don’t have time to read your Bible, or to pray, or to fellowship through the week? Do you tell yourself that you are going to take time to be with God but it doesn’t end up happening? Well, you are not alone my friends. I too sometimes struggle with actually carving out time to spend with God and it can be hard sometimes when you are dealing with difficulties in your life like family, kids, work, whatever it is, it can keep us from spending time with God. Have you ever wanted to start something that you wanted to make a habit and then it just didn’t work out a few weeks later? Let me tell you, it’s not easy. When I was in college, I was a part of a tutoring program that helped us reach our academic goals throughout the semester. At the beginning of each semester, they would give you a big sheet of paper with the semester calendar on it and you had to go through your syllabus and write in all your assignments on the corresponding due dates. Needless to say, I would write in the first two or three assignments and I would quit there and then. One semester, one of the mentors showed me how to import my syllabus electronically to my phone and my computer calendar. That worked for a little while but I still ended up not really using it
too much. What really helped me was the fact that I was doing my assignments little by little each day and I would put the finishing touches on it before it was due. Now, I will admit that this didn’t always happen but I tried my best to make sure that it did. Any way that you try to spend time with the Lord, make it intentional, make it sacred, make it so that it doesn’t feel like a chore but so that it is something that you are excited to do every day. But what do you mean by spending time with the Lord? Well, I am glad you asked.
Spending time with God is worship and worship is a lifestyle. What we do each and every day should be pointing back to God. Do we succeed in this? Of course we don’t, we are not perfect. But when we are
intentional about praying, reading our Bible, being in community with others, singing songs of praise, and using our skills and talents to bring others to Christ, we are in worship and we build the kingdom of God. I know that was a lot of church and
theological talk there but the premise is simple, Love Him and Love Others.
(Matthew 22:37-40). I also encourage you to continue to grow your knowledge of God and the Bible. Ask questions, read books, read a study Bible, watch videos and begin a journey of continuing to learn more of the God that we believe in and the God we serve.
SHEBREWS WOMEN’S DEVOTION TIME Join Judi Mickey at 7:15am on Zoom Monday’s. ID:974 082 327. Password: 318358
MOVIE: SARAH’S CHOICE
Review by Brent Williams
We are going to show a Pro-life video on Sunday, March 7 at 12 noon. You are
encouraged to grab your own lunch and eat it in the Fellowship Hall after the service and before the movie starts. The fictional story is about Sarah Collins (played by Rebecca St. James) who is on the elevator of success, poised to attain her dream of an executive corner office. There’s only one thing that’s going to keep her from getting it, an unexpected pregnancy. Sarah is faced with a moral and potentially career ending choice. She is torn between keeping the life growing inside her and her legal right to abort the baby. In the midst of her turmoil, a mysterious stranger foretells the coming of three visions that will challenge her thoughts. With financial pressures mounting and her dream career at stake, what will Sarah choose?
I first saw this movie when it was showing only in selected churches across the nation. Rebecca St. James was there and introduced the movie telling how acting in it transformed her mind and inspired a passion. This production is first class and has a powerful message that brings to life this very difficult subject that is at the forefront of our culture. Because of the subject matter, the video is not appropriate for children. Please bring people and join us on March 7 at 12 noon in the Fellowship Hall.
The Loop
SANCTUARY FLOWERS
3/7 None ordered 3/14 None ordered
3/21 In honor of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ (2 vases).
3/28 In honor of Goldie Weimer by Mildred Will.
To order flowers on March 7th or 14th contact the office at fccsomerset@comcast.net. Cost is $20 per vase.
EASTER FLOWERS
Order form located on the last page of this newsletter. Drop your order and payment in the mail or the offering plate by March 21st. You can
take the flowers home Easter Sunday after service.
MONTHLY LEADERSHIP MEETING Tuesday, March 9th at 6:00pm.
MONTHLY ELDERS PRAYER MEETING Tuesday, March 23rd at 6:00pm
WOMEN’S MINISTRY
The March events have been cancelled. THURSDAY SMALL GROUP ON ZOOM Join them on Zoom at 7:00pm.
Meeting ID: 894 6967 4902. Password: study GMMS LAUNDRY SOAP PROJECT
Donations are being collected to help defray the cost of laundry detergent at Grundy Mountain Mission School. Send a donation to the church with GMMS Laundry in the memo or you can donate on at www.somersetfirstchristian.org by clicking on the online giving link and donating to GMMS Laundry Project.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDRENS TEAM (Age 4 – Grade 5) Mar. Becky K.
CHURCH NURSERY 3/7 Lisa & George P. 3/14 Lori M., Jana W. 3/21 Jen M., Teresa B. 3/28 Tom & Tammy M.
JUNIOR CHURCH TEAM (Age 4 – Grade 5) 3/7 Rick M.
3/14 Christy H. 3/21 Mary & Steve G. 3/28 Matt & Sarah R. JUNIOR CHURCH TEAM
3/7 Rick M. 3/14 Christy H. 3/21 Jesse & John L. 3/28 Christy H. SERVING AT THE TABLE
Offering Communion 3/7 Tom M. Matt R. 3/14 Karl S. Tom M. 3/21 Shane L. Karl S. 3/28 Volunteer needed Shane L. COMMUNION PREPARATION 3/7 Joan G. 3/14 Ginger D. 3/21 Jeff H. 3/28 April M. PRAYER TEAM 3/7 Anne W. 3/14 Anne W. 3/21 Matt & Sarah R. 3/28 Anne W., Dane C. MEDITATIONS 3/7 Angie S. 3/14 Noah G. 3/21 Karl S. 3/28 Shane L.
KIDS CLASS: For grades K – 6 meet in the Youth wing behind the baptistry.
YOUTH CLASS: For grades 7-12 meets on the third floor above the sanctuary. Topic: Biblical Interpretation. Teacher: Victor Correa
GOLDEN ACHIEVERS CLASS: For adults meets in the classroom in front of the café. Topic: Ephesians. Teacher: Pastor Brent
99 & UNDER CLASS: Ids for anyone age 99 & Under. They are currently studying a series called, “Encounters With Jesus.” In this series Dane is focusing on the various encounters that
different people had with Jesus, and how those encounters changed them. Hopefully, this study will help you have your own encounter! We have plenty of space to maintain safe distancing. Come study the Bible with everyone and get better acquainted with the Scriptures! The class meets downstairs in the fellowship hall.
WOMEN’S CLASS: We will begin a book study titled The Life of Paul (Rose Visual Bible
Study). Books will be available at church for $5. See Anne Williams if you would like a book. The Women meet in the classroom above the café.
Plants Color Price Quantity Amount EASTER LILY
Single White $11.00
Double White $21.00
Triple White $30.00
TULIP* White, Pink, Purple, Red, Yellow, Orange
6" $11.00
8" $21.00
10" $30.00
HYACINTH* White, Pink, Blue
6" $11.00 8" $21.00 10" $30.00 Total Name: In Honor of: In Memory of:
DROP PAYMENTS WITH ORDER IN THE OFFERING PLATE BY MARCH 21
Make checks Payable to: FCC
In the memo note: EASTER FLOWERS
(All orders are due by Sun. March 21)
*Please specify color on Tulip and Hyacinth
Drop payments and order forms in the offering plate or send them in the mail to 139 E. Main St., Somerset PA 15501 by Sunday
