News to Use

Dear Friends,  

We hope that everyone is healthy and safe. Our lives have changed drastically in the last several weeks. We have stepped up in new and different ways to bring worship to you. We recognize that change is scary by itself, but compounded with the current pandemic, it can be overwhelming. Let us lean on each other during these uncertain times. Bolstering one another chases away the fears and loneliness. Take a deep breath and breathe in some fresh air and the serenity that only God can provide. We are brothers and sisters in Christ.

We have several points of interest in this week’s Blitz:

1. Worship Services: We will be broadcasting our Sunday worship service at 10:00 a.m. on Facebook “Live” this week, April 5, 2020, at www.facebook.com/thepresbyofhamilton/videos. Note: Be sure to scroll down to reveal more of The Presbyterian worship and inspiration videos. The service will be posted to our website, wwwthepresby.org, later Sunday afternoon. Email your prayer requests to We will be offering Communion during this week’s worship service. Please prepare your communion service beforehand.
    
2. Your Church Staff is working very hard to learn how to do ministry in the virtual world. Everyone has been working hard to overcome hurdles to provide worship experiences online. Easter is naturally a very busy time but compounded with the additional stress of the pandemic; it has been extremely challenging.  We continue to provide pastoral, clerical, mechanical, and custodial services, both on-site and at home, as able. We are making every effort to be in the church office, Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. If you need anything, please contact us. All staff members are available by phone at 513-867-5411. Messages are being retrieved remotely if no one is available in the church office. Please allow 24 – 48 hours for us to respond. We will make every attempt to answer your request before the 24 – 48-hour time frame. Emails are being monitored frequently, as well.
    
3. Giving: Thank you to everyone that has supported our ministry during this difficult and challenging time. We ask for your ongoing support to keep providing ministry services here at The Presbyterian Church. Your financial support is vital, and you may give online via our website, www.thepresby.org, and clicking on the “Giving” icon on the website’s homepage. Another option is to go directly to the giving link, www.shelbygiving.com/App/Giving/thepresby, and follow the prompts to make your donations. You may also mail in your offering at The Presbyterian Church, 23 South Front St., Hamilton, OH  45011.
    
4. 2020 Graduates: If you know of someone who will graduate from High School or College this year, please be aware that there are scholarships available through the church. If you would like more information or are interested in submitting a scholarship request, please contact Linda Bonham at or by phone at 513-867-5411.  
    
5. The Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for April 4, 2020, with a rain date of April 11, 2020, has been canceled for the safety of all participants.
    
6. Maundy Thursday, on April 9, 2020, is being reformatted to an online service at 7:30 p.m. You may view this service on Facebook “Live.” It will be uploaded to the church website as soon as possible. Share this with our friends by sending them this link, www.facebook.com/thepresbyofhamilton/videos.
    
7. Way of the Cross on Good Friday, April 10, 2020, is being reformatted to an online service at noon. Everyone is invited to view this service on the church’s Facebook page. It will be uploaded to the church website as soon as possible. Share this with our friends by sending them this link, www.facebook.com/thepresbyofhamilton/videos.
    
8. Easter Sunday Worship Services: Because of the demands on time to film, edit, produce worship services, and live stream each event, we may have to make the call to combine or cut one or two of six services we typically enjoy each Easter. We are staying very vigilant to observe the new social distancing recommendations to pull together all elements of these services and will have a better idea of what Easter Services will look like by Wednesday, April 8, 2020. We will have online Easter worship, April 12, 2020! We will pass along this information as soon as we can. Please keep the staff in your prayers as we face challenges ahead of us.
9. Small Groups: We are highly encouraging all small groups (choir, praise team, Sunday School classes, Presby Think Tank, Kidzone, Youth, Shared Thoughts, and other groups) to move to a digital format for meetings. We ask that you continue to pray for one another and find a non-physical place to meet; phone, text, Facebook, Zoom Video, Uber phone, Go-to-Meeting, etc.
    
10. Kirkmont Center: The camp needs your prayers and gifts to help provide services throughout the rest of this year. The camp is making this plea because they have canceled meetings that generate income for camp operations. Your gifts are appreciated.
     
11. Blood Drive: The Community Blood Center is still having the scheduled Blood Drive on Thursday, April 16, 2020, at Zion Lutheran Church, 212 South Front St., from noon – 6:00 p.m. They will be practicing physical distancing. We need you to donate! Appointments are encouraged and can be made by visiting www.donortime.com or by calling 1-800-388-4483. Be sure to use sponsor code #171.

We love you, and we are continuing to pray for God’s protection over you in these difficult times. Stay safe! Stay healthy! We are stronger together! 

Pastor John & Staff

The Presbyterian Church
23 S Front St.
Hamilton, OH 45011
513-867-5411