NEW THIS WEEK
EVENTS &  INFORMATION
April 18, 2021
 
FEFC This Week
ONLINE Women's CONNECT
Tomorrow Morning 8:30am!
Topic: CONNECT Breakfast
Time: Saturday April 17, 2021 08:30 AM 
Join Zoom Meeting, information in Friday announcements email

Intergenerational Moms (Moms of all ages)
Mondays, 7:30-9:30pm, Apr. 26, May 24
 
7:30-8:00pm   optional open conversation – join when you can
8:00-9:00pm   main topic discussion
9:00-9:30pm   optional extended conversation – leave when it’s best for you
 
Read these articles:
“The Grace of Comparison” by Abigail Dodds (November 30, 2020)
https://www.risenmotherhood.com/blog/the-grace-of-comparison
“When You Don’t Measure Up” by Laura Hardin (January 17, 2019)
https://www.risenmotherhood.com/blog/when-you-dont-measure-up
 
Monday, April 26, discussion led by Kathy Johnson
Join Zoom Meeting, information in Friday announcements email.

Updated Boards and Committees Preliminary Nominating Slate
The preliminary nominating slate for board and committee members for the 2021-2022 ministry year has been updated. It is posted at the church. It is also available in the Friday announcements email for your review. These positions will be voted on at the May congregational meeting.  This is the preliminary ballot, if you have other suggestions, please contact Pastor Brad. The final slate will be posted in early May.

Treasured VBC 2021!
 








VBC is only 3 months away! We have LOTS of campers who want to come but our capacity depends on how many volunteers we have so please sign up now!
Volunteer descriptions and more information are available on our volunteer form.
See Friday announcement email for link.

Spring Photo Directory
The church directory is being updated this month. If you have updates to your information: moved to a new address, email changes, photo updates, please email them to the office as soon as possible. Deadline is April 25th.  Thank you.

Save the Dates
Retirement Celebration for Brad and Kathy
June 13th after the second service. Watch for future details.

100th Anniversary Celebration
REMINDER: We have tentatively rescheduled our 100th anniversary celebration for September 17-19, 2021. Please reserve these dates on your calendar now.

Sunday April 18th Schedule
8:15-9:30am Indoor Service
As of this morning, there is room to sign up for in person worship at the 8:15am service this Sunday. Go here to SIGN UP. 

9:45-10:30am Adult and Teen Sunday School
Class Zoom Information provided in the Friday announcements email.

CHILDREN'S CHURCH (age 4 to grade 3) provided during the sermon

11am-12:15pm Indoor/Livestream Service at FEFC
As of this morning, there is room to sign up for in person worship at the 11am service this Sunday. Go here to SIGN UP.

6:00-7:30pm ReaLife Night (7th-12th Grades)

ReaLife 7th -12th Grades
ReaLife Teen & Parent Special Topic
Sunday, April 25, 6-7:30pm. 
Pastor Christian has asked Pastor Dan to discuss the issue of self harm and ways to help address it in the lives of teens and others. We feel this would be appropriate for all parents, high schoolers, as well as at least some junior highers. We encourage parents of all ages to come. And parents can use their discretion concerning which of their teens should attend.
 

LIFE Church Worship
Due to the inclement weather over this weekend, we chose to continue our worship service online again.  Please pray for good weather on weekends so we can worship in-person at Hidden Park until we locate an indoor location to gather together safely. Additionally, Life Church is having a clean-up day in Ayer on Saturday, April 24. Please pray for us this week as we work out the details with the town and work to help keep Ayer clean and healthy. Thank you!

Weekly LIFE Church Services via Zoom
Livestreamed on our website: https://www.lifechurchayer.com/ 
Or, contact lifechurch.ayer@gmail.com or actonfaithefc@gmail.com for specific Zoom link information.
 

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
 

Acton Food Pantry Donations
The month of April is time for our church to make its quarterly donations to the Acton Food Pantry. Normally, we collect items for the food pantry here at the church; however, due to the COVID-19 guidelines we are asking you to make your donations directly to the food pantry. They are accepting donations at their Acton grocery store sites (Donelan's, Roche Brothers, Stop and Shop), the Main post office as well as at their location on Summer Road in Boxborough. Please see their website for further drop off locations and information https://www.actonfoodpantry.org/food as well as suggested items needed for donating.
 

REMINDERS
EVENTS &  INFORMATION
 

Adult Sunday School Classes
Zoom Link Information in Friday Announcements Email
Women of the Bible, Sally Abbott
Sunday, 9:45am EDT

Cat and Dog Theology, Steve Ezzy
Sunday, 9:45am EDT
Overflow room OR Zoom

New Testament Survey, Pastor Brad Johnson, Chris Coughlin
Sunday, 9:45am EDT

Jesus' Upper Room Discourse, Mike Young
Sunday, 9:45am EDT
Adult Classroom (across from library) OR Zoom

Online Youth Sunday School
Sundays, 9:45-10:30
Zoom link information is in Friday announcements email
7th-8th Grade - The current JH series is about the life and ministry of Jesus.

9th-12th Grade - This year's focus for HS class is an overview of the New Testament. Youth Room OR Zoom 

Livestream Information
To view the livestream of the 11am worship service go to:

FEFC Safety Standards and Practices
The document linked (here) is our church's up to date COVID-19 safety standards and practices. Our goal is to worship in person while guarding the safety of those who attend. Please contact an elder if you have any questions.

Online Disclosure
Due to FEFC's increased online ministry through website, Facebook, and YouTube and the video of the 2019 Journey to Bethlehem, please note that it is possible that pictures of those attending or participating may appear online without any name attached. 

Online Giving Available for Tithes and Offerings
For those interested in online donations to the church, we have enabled the Tithe.ly Giving app (green icon). Download it from your app store. The first time you open it you will need to create an account. With location enabled on your phone, select FEFC, Acton. From that point, you can begin making donations. You will be given the opportunity to select which fund or funds you would like to donate to.

Church Building Notes
The church building remains closed at this time to all activities except the FEFC ministries and elder approved activities. We are continuing to host the Korean and Brazilian church congregations.

NOTE: The office is closed on Monday, April 19th in observance of Patriot's Day.