THOUGHTS FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER
I share these things not to overwhelm you or highlight any problems. I actually am excited about each of these things and the reality that our church is moving forward after a long time of feeling like we were spinning our wheels. I hope you are as excited about our future as I am. However, I also recognize that all these things being in transition can produce anxiety and worry about our navigation of these unknowns.
If you are feeling anxious, you are in good company throughout the history of our faith. The Bible is filled with stories of individuals who, despite their faith, encountered moments of fear, doubt, and uncertainty. In these moments, they turned to God for strength and found solace in the comfort that God is always present with us and we are not alone. I thought I would highlight a few examples:
- David: From Shepherd to King (Psalm 23) David, a man after God's own heart, faced numerous trials, including the constant threat of enemies and the responsibilities of leading a nation. In Psalm 23, David reflects on God as his shepherd, finding peace in the midst of adversity. This psalm serves as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest valleys, God's presence brings comfort.
- Hagar: A Mother in the Wilderness (Genesis 16) Hagar, the maidservant of Sarah, experienced great anxiety when she found herself alone in the wilderness, pregnant and unsure of her future. In Genesis 16, God sees Hagar in her distress and provides for her needs. Hagar's story teaches us that even in our moments of despair, God sees us, hears our cries, and offers a way forward.
- Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophet (Jeremiah 1:4-10) Jeremiah faced anxiety as he was called to deliver difficult messages to a rebellious nation. Despite his initial fears and feelings of inadequacy, God assured Jeremiah of His presence and empowered him for the task ahead. Jeremiah's story reminds us that God equips us for the challenges He calls us to, and we can trust God’s guidance.
- Elijah: Triumph on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) and the Valley of Despair (1 Kings 19) Elijah experienced the highs of triumph on Mount Carmel and the lows of despair when threatened by Queen Jezebel. In 1 Kings 19, we see Elijah struggling with anxiety and fatigue, but God meets him in a gentle whisper, providing encouragement and renewed strength. Elijah's journey illustrates that even the most faithful may face moments of vulnerability, but God remains our source of strength.
- Paul: A Thorn in the Flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) The Apostle Paul, despite his unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, grappled with a "thorn in the flesh." In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul recounts how he pleaded with God to remove this source of anxiety, but God's response was a promise: "My grace is sufficient for you." Paul's experience teaches us that God's strength is made perfect in our weaknesses, and grace sustains us through every trial.
Peace Always,
Rev. David Clifford
Gratitude – What a Difference it Can Make
By Carolyn Dorsey
The FCC Ministry Team has been discussing Gratitude and doing exercises to reflect on things they are grateful for. A report was given to the Board on the ministry team efforts, and we discussed how we might be able to get the whole congregation involved in this exercise of focusing on gratitude. After the meeting, I went home and began thinking….we need to do more than just talk about expressing gratitude and how important it is. We need to actually do something.
I did a personal Bible study in 2019 called 100 Days of Grace and Gratitude. Each lesson had several Bible verses and a devotion and on the opposite page, there was a prayer and a large space to reflect or draw or write about something we were grateful for that related to the subject. It was a wonderful exercise in reflection and focus on being grateful, rather than to focus on problems. With each lesson I would use drawings, stickers, pictures, and then also write a paragraph about what I was grateful for at the moment. I did this for 100 days straight…and it made a huge difference in my life. Life was not easy for Roy and I from 2015-2021. He was so weak and sick, and was not able to care for himself and do all the things he loved. It was a tough time that could have just wiped us out…but instead, we focused on the good things in our lives. We talked about those things, and wrote them down, and it changed our lives from miserable to joyful.
This is what I would like to see for each of you… this feeling of getting up every morning and going to bed every night focusing on being Grateful. I talked to David about perhaps we could give each person a Gratitude Journal that could be used to reflect and write down things we are grateful for each day. Each issue of the Spirit will have journal prompts to help us to focus our thinking, David will offer prompts in his messages, and before we know it, we will be expressing our gratitude to God for all the blessings all day every day, no matter what else may be going on. I hope you will join in on this exercise as we move into 2024, our FCC Year of Gratitude, and just see if it doesn’t make a difference in our lives and our church.
We have designed a Gratitude Journal for your private use, and they will be available to each member and friends of FCC. They will be available in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings and also in the church office. Please take one and place it where you will be reminded to use it. I promise it will make a difference….it has truly made a difference in my life and also my attitude about the church and all the things we are faced with as a congregation, personally and as friends in Christ. Thanks for listening and God bless each of you! With love, Carolyn Dorsey
“Our N
Welcome to our Sunday Bible School for teens, where Bible study meets camaraderie. We aim to blend scripture exploration, interactive games, and relationship-building every Sunday. Teens engage in discussions over scripture, applying it to their daily lives. We also throw in a weekly game or activity to keep things fun. Our class structure aligns with the themes of gratitude and relationship-building, central to FCC Henderson. Join us on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. (started 12/21/2023) as we navigate this journey together. In the pictures: Maddie Swift, Ellie Swift, Hollan-Monroe Clifford, Henson Clifford, Rachel Womack
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Teen Youth Group meets on Sundays @ 9:30 a.m. prior to worship.
Leadership Training: On Saturday, February 3, Kentucky Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Don Gillett, and his wife, Dr. Charisse Gillett, president of Lexington Theological Seminary, will be at our church presenting a leadership training from 2 to 4 pm. This is open to all, but we are encouraging all Board/Ministry Team members, Elders, and Deacons to attend.
Sunday, February 4, 8:30 a.m. the CMF will have their “All Church Breakfast”. This will be followed by special guest Rev. Dr. Donald Gillett; our Regional Minister from Christian Church in Kentucky preaching.
The CWF will have their General Meeting @ 11:00 Tuesday, February 6.
On February 11 we will have a Congregation meeting right after worship and review the budget.
The Outreach/ prayer group will meet on Mondays February 12, 19 and 26 @ 9:30 a.m.
The Ash Wednesday Service will be here at FCCH on Wednesday, February 14 at 6:00 p.m. Community Baptist Church will join us.
Senior Saints will meet on Tuesday, February 20 at 11:30 a.m. Homeplace will host and provide lunch. Please let Evina or the church office know if you plan to attend.
The First Lenten Service & Luncheon will be at First Presbyterian Church at noon on February 21. FCCH will host the following week, February 28 at noon.
Weekly Bible Study for Adults-(on Psalms) and Youth Group Activities begin on Wednesday, Feb.21st from 6-7 pm.
Office Hours: The church office is now open from 9 a.m-2 p.m. Monday thru Thursday.
The year end contributions for 2023 have been sent out. If you have questions, please call the church office.
HENDERSON MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: Lenten Schedule
February 21 12:00 p.m. Presbyterian Church of Henderson
February 28 12:00 p.m. First Christian Church of Henderson
March 6 12:00 p.m. Community Baptist Church
March 13 12:00 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
March 20 12:00 p.m. First United Methodist Church
Good Friday March 29 12:00 p.m. Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church
Easter Sunrise Service 6:00 a.m. Great Norris Chapel
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