News to Use

Dear Friends,  

Hello.  We hope that you have been enjoying the summer weather. On July 16, we mailed everyone a note with a dog with sunglasses and a self-address stamped envelope. We hope that everyone received it. Some responses have been returned. In the letter, we asked what your greatest challenge during the pandemic has been? And asked if there was anything we can do to help? You are welcome to return your answers by mailing them in the self-address stamped envelope, email ( ,) or by calling the office (513-867-5411.) We’d love to hear from you. We have lots of things to share with you this week!

THE TASK FORCE on Resuming Worship and Reopening Our Building met this week. Because of the forecast of a continual uptick in COVID-19 spread from local, state, and national officials, we have chosen to continue with our online worship services. Upon the recommendation of the Trustees, no one is allowed in the building, with the exception of staff and our tenants. If you have something that you need from the building, please call ahead to make arrangements. This will allow time for the item(s) to be retrieved and be given to you at the door. We are saddened to take this step, but we hope that it will keep our family, friends, staff, and tenants as safe as possible during this pandemic. The Trustees are working on updating to current Building Use Policy and Procedure to give more concise details. When the go-ahead to reopen has been given, we will let everyone know as soon as possible.

ONLINE WORSHIP CONTINUES THIS WEEK with our final segment of four-part sermon series on Ruth, God’s Invisible Hand. Pastor John and the team are once again down on the farm this week.  We hope you can stream our services on Facebook or our website. The Traditional Worship Service will be streamed live on Facebook at 9:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. The Contemporary Worship Service will be broadcasted at 10:45 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., & 6 p.m. All services can be found on our Facebook at www.facebook.com/thepresbyofhamilton or by clicking on our “Sermons” icon on our website at www.thepresby.org.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE: On June 11, 2020, we shared with you that our Consecration Sunday Celebration Luncheon at the Fitton Center would be on October 11, 2020. For the safety of all, we have chosen not to have our in-person Celebration Luncheon this year. Instead, we will conduct our Stewardship program a little differently this year. We will be sending a letter with more Stewardship details on September 14, 2020. We recognize that Stewardship is an act of worship, and we will continue to have Consecration Sunday on October 11, 2020, so mark your calendar for this important date. We appreciate your continued commitment to the ministry programs here at The Presbyterian Church.

REMINDER: NEW ONLINE BIBLE STUDY - Committed Couples: If you are like many of us, you find yourselves going through the motions or gritting your teeth and holding on at times to make it through the day! A Bible study is now being formed that will dig into how we can start cherishing each other daily and how that can have a powerful effect on our relationship. This Online Bible Study is a six-week Bible Study program that meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. and runs from August 12, 2020 - September 16, 2020. The study is based on the book Cherish by Gary Thomas & Beth Graybill and will be facilitated by Mark & Kelli Provart. Please email info@thepresby to let us know if you want to be part of this exciting new option. Registration is required. We will need to email you the Zoom meeting specifics for you to join us.  You must purchase your study guide. Study guides can be found on Amazon.com for $10.89 for paperback or $4.99 for the Kindle version. SIGN UP NOW!

PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE: Over the last several months, church leadership has been planning our way forward for The Presbyterian Church. We wanted to share with you some of the insights as we move forward with a Consultant Project. In the past, we have utilized consultants to help steer our church through other challenging times. The last two consultations that our church participated in was in 1997 and 2008. Session has pondered this process and has approved the hiring of a consultant to help guide the church into the future. They are taking this step to help align the church to continue its mission in light of changes we are facing due to COVID-19 and the challenges the church was facing before the current pandemic. We have risen to the challenges of previous years and wholeheartedly feel that we can rise to the new challenges that we now face. Please be in prayer for our church’s future.

THE COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2020, from noon until 6:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 212 S. Front St. Because of health concerns and social distancing restrictions, all blood donors must make an appointment. They are unable to take walk-ins at this time. To make an appointment, visit https://www.donortime.com/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/54519 or call 1-800-388-GIVE to schedule a time. Be sure to use the sponsor code #171 when making your appointment.

RETURN TO WORSHIP INFORMATION: Listed below are some more details you need to keep in mind when the call is made to return to Phase II in-person worship. Each week we will share more information to help us prepare for that time.   

• When we return to in-person worship, the service will be dismissed by rows to limit close contacts. Please do not congregate inside the building and practice social distancing outside of the buildings.
• In Phase II worship, it is highly recommended that you do not return to worship if you have a compromised immune system or if you are at high risk, if you or a member of your household is ill, feeling ill, or has been sick within the last week.
• In Phase II worship, if you do not feel comfortable being around groups of 50 or more, it is recommended that you delay returning to worship.

Please know that we miss you, and you are in our prayers. Thank you for your continued support during this challenging time. We have shared a lot of information with you today, and we are making forward progress. It may not be what we want, but we will get there united in Christ and together. Stay safe! Stay healthy!

Pastor John & Staff

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