Due to efforts to contain coronavirus, all First Presbyterian Church worship and activities will be canceled through Wednesday, June 10. Worship services are available on Facebook and Youtube, broadcast live from the sanctuary at 10:00 am on Sundays. 

Our Food Pantry will remain open Monday and Thursday of each week.  To stay in the loop, everyone is encouraged to sign up to receive emails at stauntonfirst@gmail.com. 

Current Activities:

- Sunday Morning Meditation at 10:00 am on Pastor Karen's Facebook page (Karen Henn Allamon)
- Nightly Story Time at 7:00 on Pastor Karen's Facebook page
- Weekly Bible Study Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am via Zoom - please notify Pastor Karen if you would like to join
- Also, feel free to contact Pastor Karen at any time.

We will update everyone as new information becomes available. 

You're invited! Please join us via Zoom (invitation and instructions provided via email blast) or Facebook (First Presbyterian Church Staunton) for a Maundy Thursday somber service including communion. The service will take place this Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 pm.  When you enter the zoom room, please mute your microphones.  We will gather in silence as best as we are able.

All are welcome. To take part in this service, in front of you on the table, please have a bowl of water and a white or light colored small towel.  Please also have a roll, slice of bread or cracker, and a glass of juice, wine, or HiC.

The liturgy will be sent to you on Wednesday, April 8.

Easter Sunday live will start with coffee hour at 9:30 on Zoom (invitation and instructions provided via email blast) so you can have conversations with each other.  We will worship at 10:00 am.  We will also leave our zoom room open after worship for fellowship.  

Easter Sunday will also stream live on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am - First Presbyterian Church Staunton. We hope you can join us for these upcoming events!
Weddings
Interested in having your wedding at First Presbyterian Church?  Please see our updated guidelines here.

Sunday Worship
Book Study Class: 9:45 am (snacks at 9:30 am) - Library
Adult Sunday School  10:00-10:45 am (now meeting in church parlor)
Youth Sunday School  10:00-10:45 am
Elementary Sunday School  10:00-10:45
Church Nursery: 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Chancel Choir Rehearsal: 10:30 am 
Morning Worship: 11:00 am
Youth Group 12-2 pm (alternates with Youth Sunday School, please call to check times)
 
Wednesdays 
Bible Study: Wednesdays at 10:00 am in the Library 
Chancel Choir Rehearsal: 7:30 pm 
 
This week's Bulletin-> Click here

This month's Newsletter -> Click here

Visit the Shenandoah Presbytery Website -> http://shenpres.org/

Visit the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Website - > http://www.synatlantic.org/

This month's birthdays - > Click here


FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
STEWARDSHIP 2020 
THANK YOU

THANK YOU to all who have made financial commitments to the Glory of God and to the work and worship of First Presbyterian for 2020.

As of October 18th, our financial commitments total $175,390.00, with 31 households submitting pledges for 2020.  We have achieved 78% of our goal,
or we can consider we are 22% away from our goal of $224,000.00.

THANK YOU to those who have made commitments and re-commitments of time, talent, and energy to the work and worship of First Presbyterian for 2020.

We have received 12 individual Time, Talent, and Energy Commitment cards.
All have committed to prayers.  Commitments for service in mission/outreach, music and worship, and in leadership have been received and are being shared with appropriate programs for acknowledgement and follow-up.

THANK YOU to those who attended and participated in our Stewardship Commitment Luncheon and THANK YOU to those who helped prepare, serve, and clean up. 

Our Stewardship Commitment Luncheon on Sunday, Oct.13th, was a time of fellowship and an opportunity for questions and answers for the 35 in attendance.  The discussion was helpful for those of us tasked with the development and monitoring of the budget, and hopefully helpful to all those in attendance.

THANK YOU to those who are continuing to pray for guidance in the way they are called to be a part of the work and worship of First Presbyterian now and in the year 2020.

Our Stewardship season continues.  What wondrous works we can achieve when we join together as good stewards of our time, talent, and treasure to carry out the work and worship of First Presbyterian in this community and beyond.    

 THANK YOU


 
Pastor's Letter

April 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     Last month at this time, we had no idea how radically life would change, or how quickly.  
     Sunday the 1st of March was the First Sunday in Lent.  We gathered and the Spirit led us into the wilderness with Jesus.  Only this year, it wasn’t just a reading. As some have said, “We had no idea how much we would really be giving up for Lent.”  
     March 14 we closed down group church activities for a conservative “at least two weeks”.  Presbyterian pastors concur, “This is the most lenty Lent we have ever lented.”
     Then the Governor’s Office issued a Stay-at-Home order effective until June 10.  It’s not just a bad dream, is it. It is very weird.  Very.  Everything is very not normal.  
     But while the practice of our faith may have been upended, our faith, dear ones, has not.  We have come virtually, every week, to remember the sabbath and keep it holy.  We have gathered via Zoom for Bible Study and meetings.  We have read books to the children.  We have kept the doors of our Food Pantry open, because if there’s anything worse than a Stay-at-Home order, it’s a Stay-at-Home order with no groceries.  There are regular devotionals, emails, calls and prayers from your elders.
     It will not always be like this, but it is now.  And so now we will work diligently to keep the faith even as we practice social distancing.  We will work to save lives by encouraging that everyone follow the stay home order.  And we will work in anticipation of that day when recovery from the pandemic is certain, and we come back to church, embracing each other with hearts grateful to God.  

Blessings as you negotiate this time, 

Pastor Karen