Grace and peace to all of you during this challenging time. Our faith insists that the Spirit binds us together as the body of Christ, even when we cannot be together. We might find comfort in the letters of Paul, who often wrote to the early churches from a distance with words like we find in the opening verses of Philippians: “I thank my God every time and remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you” and “how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.” Please know that you all are in our prayers at Setauket Presbyterian Church. If you would like us to pray specifically for you or someone else, please email Pastor Kate at kate.jonescalone@setauketpresbyterian.org. The SPC session will be meeting each Wednesday night and will pray for each person on our prayer list on behalf of the entire congregation. And though it will feel especially hard not to be together for Holy Week, we will gather virtually to share Christ’s story and our own stories in several different ways. Please read through this entire email for important information about worship services and fellowship opportunities during this special time in the Christian calendar. Thursday, April 9, 7:30PM Maundy Thursday Zoom Dinner Service We will gather for worship to remember the Last Supper, share communion, and reflect together. All are invited to have a meal, or some bread and juice, ready for our time of communion. Do not feel confined to our usual elements – we welcome you to use whatever you on hand for this time of sharing. We will be able to see each other around our own tables on this holy night when we walk with Jesus on his journey to the cross. This service will not be livestreamed, so please either log on to Zoom or call in to share this time together using the link or dial-in number listed above. Please contact the church office for Zoom information. Friday, April 10, 8:00PM Good Friday Tenebrae Service
This traditional service that moves from light to darkness will be available both in our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/setauketpresbychurch/) and on our website (www.setauketpresbyterian.org). Sunday, April 12, 6:30AM Easter Sunrise Join Kate and Ashley for a brief time of morning devotions as we encounter the surprise of the empty tomb, accessible in our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/setauketpresbychurch/) and on our website (www.setauketpresbyterian.org). Sunday, April 12, 10:00AM Easter Service We will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the certain hope and promise of resurrection for all creation. This service will be accessible in our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/setauketpresbychurch/) and on our website (www.setauketpresbyterian.org).
Opportunities to help with pandemic relief:
SPC Emergency Assistance Fund Thank you so much to everyone who has already supported this fund! In just one week we have ordered food for the Grace Food pantry, provided diapers to various families, delivered hygiene supplies, sent grocery gift cards to people in need. The purpose of the fund is to provide immediate, short term assistance to individuals/families impacted by disruption related to the Covid-19 pandemic and to the Grace Presbyterian Food Pantry. Each donation will be matched by the Gillespie fund up to $2500. Donations can be made online at our website by selecting “Other” on our giving page (https://bit.ly/3aS3C04) and designating “Emergency Assistance Fund” in the comments, or by sending a check to the church (please indicate Emergency Assistance Fund in the memo line). If you or anyone you know is in need of assistance please reach out to Pat McCumber (pm74@optonline.net), Linda Obernauer (nscounsel2@aol.com) , or Pastor Ashley (ashley.mcfaul-erwin@setauketpresbyterian.org). One Great Hour of Sharing Offering This special offering is collected this time of year, and supports the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Self Development of People, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance programs of our denomination. For information about how Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is responding to the pandemic crisis, visit: https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/covid-19/. Please consider giving online via the SPC website or a check mailed to the church with “OGHS” in the memo line.