This Saturday and Sunday, we’re observing All Saints Day (the church’s version of Memorial Day). We need a couple of volunteers to read aloud the new memorials and some youth volunteers to serve as candle lighters. Please let me know if you’re interested.
Online Worship for May 23, 2021
Due to some technical problems and time constraints the perspective is only from one camera.
If you’re having trouble streaming our worship videos, you may want to simply download the entire video to your device and then play it. You can do so with this link.
Our Vimeo page is: vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
If you want to follow along with bulletin you can follow this link or the link in the menu above.
Previous worship services can be found at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
Fun With Flags
In 2020, Velda Becker made twenty flags for our children and youth to wave during the Easter worship service to make it more festive. We didn’t get to use them for Easter 2020, and we didn’t get to use them for Easter 2021 either. But this coming Sunday (May 23, 2021) is Pentecost Sunday and we’re going to have a celebration. We’ll have flags for children, youth, and probably some adults too.
A Note for Those Still Masking
I know that some of you will continue masking because you’re unvaccinated, but others will continue to wear masks even though they are vaccinated. Either way, if you’re wearing a mask, I’ll be wearing a mask with you (except for the sermon and other places where the hard of hearing need to be able to read my lips). We will continue to stream online and broadcast on the radio for those of you who feel safer worshiping from home.
New Mask Policy
The Church Council has approved a new policy for masks. It has three points:
- No masks or social distancing are required for the fully vaccinated. Masks and social distancing are requested of everyone else.
- No official inquiries will be made about vaccination status. (You can still talk about your experiences with friends, etc.)
- There will be no enforcement of this policy.
Doreen Couture Has Died
Doreen Couture passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021. She died in her own home, surrounded by people she loved. She was an introvert, so I imagine this was exactly what she wanted. I was honored to have the opportunity to go and say goodbye and pray with her. There will be no public services.
Online Worship for May 16, 2021
You can listen to the song I mentioned in the sermon, Hard to Get, at this link.
If you’re having trouble streaming our worship videos, you may want to simply download the entire video to your device and then play it. You can do so with this link.
Our Vimeo page is: vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
If you want to follow along with bulletin you can follow this link or the link in the menu above.
Previous worship services can be found at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
Mask Update Being Voted Upon
The Church Council is in the process of voting on a motion to modify our mask policy as follows:
1. No masks or social distancing required for the fully vaccinated, masks and social distancing requested of everyone else.
2. No inquiries to be made about vaccination status.
3. No enforcement.
But the church council is still voting, and I don’t think we’ll have all the votes in by tomorrow. For that reason, it would be best to plan on masking tomorrow if you’re going to attend in person.
Mask Update Under Discussion
Just a quick update to let you know that the Church Council is discussing how to respond to yesterday’s announcement by the CDC that fully vaccinated people no longer need to mask or social distances. I’ll let you know what they decide.
Graduation Sunday
This coming Sunday, May 16, 2021, we’ll be honoring our 2021 High School graduates. Come and join us in celebrating with Mason Cook, Olivia Crist, and Miller Unruh.
Online Worship for May 9, 2021
If you’re having trouble streaming our worship videos, you may want to simply download the entire video to your device and then play it. You can do so with this link.
Our Vimeo page is: vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
If you want to follow along with bulletin you can follow this link or the link in the menu above.
Previous worship services can be found at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
What Does Friendship Mean to You?
This coming Sunday (May 9, 2021), I plan to preach on John 15:9-17. In verses 14-15, Jesus does a remarkable thing: he calls us friends. I looking for some help from all of you. What does friendship (in general, not with Jesus), mean to you. What makes someone a friend?
