News to Use

Dear Friends,  

Good morning. We hope that everyone is doing well. The Task Force for Resuming In-Person Worship met Monday and decided that for now, we will continue to conduct worship service online in light of the continuing uptick in COVID-19 cases. The next meeting will be Monday, September 14, 2020. If new information comes up before the next meeting, the group will meet sooner. The Trustees are working hard to update the current Building Use Policy with guidelines for COVID-19, and we hope to share that information as quickly as possible. Staff continues to develop online and other opportunities to meet safely and stay connected. Please lift all of these groups in your prayers as they weigh every aspect connected to reopening in Phase II worship and other church events.  If you need anything, please call the church office, 513-867-5411. We would be honored to help. Your teams are working hard to help get us back to in-person activities when we can do so safely.

Pastor John, Pastor Kim, Linda Bonham, and Mark Provart are working on an opportunity to begin safely distanced and masked small group gatherings. The Green Space Group Gathering is an opportunity for us to assemble together as believers in small groups. We hope to move us closer to returning to other in-person activities in the future. Linda Bonham and Mark Provart will be contacting members of the congregation to help us test this small group concept. We ask your continued patience as we seek new ways to gather safely during these difficult times.

ONLINE WORSHIP CONTINUES THIS WEEK with Pastor John Lewis continuing his Sermon Series, on “Our Purpose.”  His second of three sermons on purpose is, “Looking for Lost Things” Pastor John's sermon this week comes from Luke 15:1-10. The Traditional Worship Service will be streamed live on Facebook at 9:30 a.m. The Contemporary Worship Service will be broadcasted at 10:45 a.m. Did you know that you can watch our services 24/7 by visiting our website or the video section of the Church’s Facebook page? 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.

REMINDER: NEW ONLINE BIBLE STUDY Committed Couples continues on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. and runs until September 16, 2020. The study is based on the book “Cherish” by Gary Thomas & Beth Graybill and is facilitated by Mark & Kelli Provart. If you are interested in joining this study, please call the church office.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE NEW FALL ONLINE WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: This September, we will take a trip into “The Quest” by Beth Moore. Pack your bags! The study will focus on our intimacy with God, which promises to turn our embers into flames and take each person on step further into the realization that all the earthly treasures cannot compare to time spent with Jesus. This online study will begin on Tuesday, September 29, and we offer two different times for you to join us 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Linda Bonham and Trish Reynolds will facilitate this study and hope that you can join us. Reserve your spot by emailing or by calling the church office, 513-867-5411. You will need to register so that we can email you the Zoom study details. You will need to purchase your study guide. You can do so by ordering your guide at Christianbook.com by clicking here or at Amazon.com by clicking here. Both vendors have the book for $14.99. You can begin signing up now for this opportunity.

ONLINE MEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Mark Provart is working on options for the Men’s Fall Bible Study, slated to start the week of September 28, 2020. More programming information will be shared in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more details.

COMMUNITY PROJECT OPPORTUNITY: Do you want to exercise your physical and spiritual muscles? Mark Provart is partnering with Lauren Marsh in connection with the Community Mission Center Hospitality Network to rehab a home on Seventh Street in Hamilton. After the rehab is complete, it will be used to benefit the community. They will be working each Saturday at 9:00 a.m. For more information, please contact Mark Provart at 513-867-5411, or email him at  

THE CONSULTANT PROCESS: PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE AT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: The staff continues exploring demographic trends, lifestyle diversity, life concerns, and program priorities as they fill out their surveys. Beginning in October 2020, church committees and groups will start filling out other surveys covering foundations of trust, life-shaping worship, education, and training, just to name a few areas.  Because of the pandemic, the consultation process is expected to last until October 21, 2021. Please be in prayer as we work our way through the consultation process and a way forward. If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to email them to , and they will be forwarded to Greg Eyler or the appropriate person to answer your questions.

We know that this time of physical separation has not been easy on any of us. The phone calls and cards help to keep us connected. We love hearing from you and hope that you are benefitting from our online worship services and Bible Studies.  

 Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

 
We hope that this scripture reference encourages you today and every day. We miss you, and you are in our prayers. If you have a particular scripture reference you would like to share, please let us know. Let’s encourage each other! Thank you for your continued support during this challenging time.  We are staying connected in Christ!. Stay safe! Stay healthy!

Pastor John & Staff

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