Current Worship Practices:
Pandemic guidelines have changed for those who are fully vaccinated (two weeks past their final shot), no longer requiring masks or social distancing. For those who would still like to be more cautious, or who are not vaccinated, here is what we have been doing:
o Sitting only where there is a hymnal on the pew results in a six-feet distance.
o Masking as we enter and exit.
o Singing with masks on, or softly or to oneself.
o Putting offerings in the plates at the rear of the sanctuary.
o Depositing bulletins in the wastebasket at the back as we leave.
Planning is underway for the cooperative Paris Methodist and Presbyterian Churches Vacation Bible School. Dates have been set, for the evenings of July 11 through 15, and the location this year will be Otterbein Methodist Church. Please let your young friends know – age 3 through entering 6th grade. And we will be looking for volunteers to help with VBS.
Our night to prepare and serve a pizza dinner is Monday, July 12, at 5:15. If you can help with any aspect of that (picking up the pizzas, serving carrots and celery, etc), please let Beth Ruff or Rodger Allen know.
We will also present the lesson that evening; let Rodger know if you would like to help with that.
There are also other volunteer opportunities, other evenings; Beth and Rodger have details.
The next planning meeting is Tuesday, June 15 at 5:30 at Otterbein.
NEXT SUNDAY: We will expand the “Father’s Day” holiday a little, and also celebrate “Men of the Church Day,” expressing our appreciation for all the gifts that all men bring to the church. The Deacons will provide a gift to all men (18 and older) in attendance. A special Women’s Choir will give the men of the choir a “day off” (all women are invited to sing!). The Women’s Choir and the whole choir will rehearse this Wednesday June 16 at 4:00.
Thank you to all who contributed to our Presbytery’s Special Offering to Retire Medical Debt of people in need of assistance in southeastern Illinois. The goal was to raise $17,000 by the May 13 Presbytery meeting. By the day of the meeting, over $25,000 had come in!
SPECIAL REQUEST from the Compassionate Clothing Closet (CCC):
Please bring clothing donations on Mondays or Tuesdays during daytime hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). CCC volunteers are available to receive donations on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Currently there has been an increased problem with persons rummaging through donation bags resulting in clothes being taken, scattered on the sidewalk and even taking clothes bags. Thank you for helping us help others.
Happy Birthday!
June 13 Tom Ballard
14 Debra Jipp
17 Paul Ruff
Amber Farris
19 Mabel Benson
In the coming week, please pray for:
© Our church, Yourself,
© Rev. Laurie, Rev. Rodger,
© Alice Sprague, Our nation and her leaders,
© Kenisha Davis, Virginia Collier,
© Camille Foley, Rev. Laurie’s nephew, Brandon,
© Gene Barkley, Levi Chisolm (brain injury),
© School children, teachers, and parents
