Pastor’s Update:
FPC Responds to COVID-19
Be not afraid, my sisters and brothers. Fear, not the coronavirus, is our enemy. The Lord reigns! Let us rejoice, give thanks and live for him. Pastor Stuart Spencer
Prior to attending an approved Worship Service, meeting, small group, rehearsal or any gathering on the church campus we are asking each of our members and visitors to complete ONE waiver form and ONE health screening questionnaire for EACH member or visitor. You may find online and printable forms here…
COVID-19 MESSAGE FOR YOU
Through prayer and careful action we all have been putting our collective safety first, yet now we find ourselves in a continuing time of caution as this pandemic seems to be taking hold again in our country.
We have a general rule at FPC Moorestown to share with you to guide our actions as we interact with each other during worship service, Sunday school or on campus meetings — any symptom during a pandemic that is part of the litany of symptoms is COVID-19 until proven otherwise. What this means is that we have to be responsible for ourselves. If you aren’t feeling well, feel out of it, have the sniffles, be cautious. What used to be “just a common deal with it” situation is now required to be taken seriously as it could literally mean life or death for us, our family or friends. If you have any doubt, STAY HOME. Yes, we have taken as many precautions as possible, but one casual encounter can really set us back. Now is not the time to be complacent, or to feel that we have this under control. It is not under control. The good news is that soon we will have a vaccine that will protect us all. We just have to be patient and do the right thing a little while longer.
Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24
Current Approved Guidelines:
1. Our buildings are currently closed to all inside meetings.
2. With Session approval, groups may meet on the grounds of our church, with no more than 500 people in attendance.
3. We ask that anyone who comes to a church event wear a mask while on our property, including outdoors, and practice physical and social distancing (a minimum of six feet apart).
4. Meals are not allowed to be served.
5. Bathrooms are not available.
6. Those who attend meetings must complete a registration form, a health guide and should check in upon arrival.
7. Meeting should last around an hour and no longer than 90 minutes.
8. Those who exhibit any COVID symptoms—like a fever or a cough—shouldn’t attend the event.
Pastor Update, Coronavirus Letter 14Christmas Eve schedule offers meaningful, safe worship opportunities
December 18, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of FPC Moorestown,
Planning for Christmas Eve in the middle of a pandemic, like nearly everything else we’ve faced this year, isn’t easy. Consider that Christmas Eve is the night when everyone goes to church. Not this year. Most churches are planning for pre-recorded or live stream services with no in-person participants.
But at FPC Moorestown, after planning and adjusting, we are able to offer both in-person and live stream Christmas celebrations. NOTE: There is a possibility our services will move to Wednesday, December 23 due to predicted weather. Watch for updates from Facebook, eblasts and our website.
Outdoor Christmas Eve Worship on Wednesday, December 23 at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm
I’m delighted that we have a way to gather safely on this holy and beautiful night by offering two unique outdoor services on Christmas Eve! We’re preparing the courtyard next to the sanctuary with luminarias, fire pits, and other decorations. Everyone who joins us receives a battery-operated candle. These brief services feature a lot of carol singing, Scripture, prayer and I will deliver a Christmas message.
If you attend, please wear your mask from the time you leave your car until the time you return to your car following worship. Practice physical distancing with our members and friends. Rejoice, for we get to join the shepherds who were outside at night when they heard the announcement of Jesus’ birth. We’ll be in the right place at the right time on Christmas Eve!
Live Stream Lessons and Carols on Thursday, December 24 at 4:00 pm (no in-person attendance)
We’ll live stream one indoor Christmas Eve service, with Communion and an abbreviated order of Lessons and Carols. Some of our choirs sing that evening. I’ll preach and celebrate the Lord’s Supper with the virtual congregation. If you join us online for this service, have a communion serving and a candle ready at the start of worship. After we gather around the Lord’s Table, Kelly LePenske will invite you to light your candle at home as we sing “Silent Night, Holy Night.” Someone asked me if the singers will lift their candles with every stanza and they will. We’re planning to offer special pre-recorded Christmas music from our choirs before the start of this service. Check our website and watch for an e-blast on Christmas Eve day for the start time for this musical offering.
Celebrating Christmas
Remember that Christmas is a season and should be celebrated longer than a day. On Christmas Eve, after the conclusion of our 4:00 pm service, videos from some of our Christmas Eve services from 2019 will be posted on our website for your viewing. On Sunday, December 27th, we gather for in-person worship as we have since the start of November. Worship remains at 9:30 am and I look forward to preaching a sermon called, “The Mouse, the Sink, and the Bowl.”
Finally, I want to thank you for your incredible financial support of our ministry and mission. Thank you for all the ways you’ve supported our staff too. Our faithful God is seeing us through this difficult year. So, good Christian friends rejoice, with heart and soul and voice!
Yours in Christ,
Stuart Spencer, Pastor
Resources
Giving in this Era of COVID-19Although we won’t be together for a time due to the highly contagious COVID-19, please continue to support FPC Moorestown financially. Like many others, we still have ongoing expenses and mission commitments, and deeply desire to support families who are stretched especially thin right now.
The CDC recommends that you wear masks in public settings around people who don’t live in your household and when you can’t stay 6 feet away from others. Masks help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others.
- Wear masks with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19
- Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Masks should be worn by people two years and older
- Masks should NOT be worn by children younger than two, people who have trouble breathing, or people who cannot remove the mask without assistance
- Do NOT wear masks intended for healthcare workers, for example, N95 respirators
- CDC does not recommend the use of gaiters or face shields. Evaluation of these face covers is on-going but effectiveness is unknown at this time.
Pastor Spencer has shared uplifting and heartfelt messages with us over the term of this pandemic.
Pastor Update, Coronavirus Letter 13Our faith has been on display in a year that has tested us like none other.
December 2, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of FPC Moorestown,
As we come to the end of 2020, a year that is testing us like none other, let me remind you that following Jesus as a disciple requires making choices for Him. READ MORE…
Pastor Update, Coronavirus Letter 12It will be a wonderfully powerful moment when we’re gathered together. Safely.
October 30, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of FPC Moorestown,
Someone at some time taught you how to go to church. Most likely, your parents were the ones who showed you the ropes READ MORE…
Pastor Update, Coronavirus Letter 11Session Approves Indoor Worship to Begin November 1; Limited Indoor Gatherings
October 16, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of FPC Moorestown,
“When they said, ‘Let’s go to the house of God,’ my heart leaped for joy. And now we’re here …” (Psalm 122: 1)
As of last Sunday, it’s been 34 weeks since we’ve gathered indoors for worship. That’s well over a half a year. For some of us, it’s felt like forever. READ MORE…
Pastor Update, Coronavirus Letter 10Joan Van Camp Porch
October 4, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of FPC Moorestown,
I’m delighted to share with you the opening of the Joan Van Camp Porch. Joan, a long time faithful member of our church, left a generous gift to the church last year.
Pastor UpdateFall Kickoff and Ministry Fair
September 11, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of FPC Moorestown,
Once a group of maintenance workers at a state park had grown upset with the park management. Management was dissatisfied with how the workers were cleaning the camp sites after campers left for home.
Pastor UpdateSession Approves Recommendation for Outdoor Worship Gathering
July 31, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of FPC Moorestown,
For months, I’ve carried a vision in my mind of a time when we can return to our sanctuary and Miller Commons to worship God together. READ MORE…
Pastor Update“We’ll leave the light on for you … “
July 3, 2020
Dear Members or Friends of FPC Moorestown,
You may remember the old ad from Motel 6: We’ll leave the light on for you. A light left on is a silent sign of welcome and care — at a hotel, home, or a church. A light on means that you’re in someone’s mind and heart. READ MORE…
Pastor UpdateMay 29, 2020
Dear Beloved Members and Friends of FPC Moorestown,
It feels like forever since I last saw you in person. I carry you in my heart and I lift you before the Lord in prayer. READ MORE…
Pastor UpdateMay 8, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of FPC Moorestown,
“Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.” (2 Corinthians 8: 7) READ MORE…
Pastor UpdateFriday, April 24, 2020
“And now the word of the Lord is ringing out …”
Dear Members and Friends of FPC Moorestown:
A blessed and joyous Easter to you! If you’ve forgotten that we’re still in the season of Easter, then allow me to remind you. In reflecting on this season, author Joan Chittister writes,
Pastor UpdateThursday, April 2, 2020
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, As we prepare for a Holy Week unlike any other we’ve experienced, I want to share a wonderful observation from The Rev. Dr. Emily C. Heath. She noted, “The first Easter didn’t happen at a church. It happened outside an empty tomb, while all the disciples were sequestered at home, grief-stricken and wondering what was going on. So, we’re going to be keeping things pretty Biblical this Easter.” READ MORE…
Pastor UpdateWednesday, April 1, 2020
91 x 91: Praying Psalm 91 for 91 days
As one of our partners, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that is hitting all of us, and may wreak havoc in the urban poor communities where we serve[1], we would love to invite you and those in the Moorestown Presbyterian Church Community that you think would be interested, to join us in a prayer campaign that we´ve named “91×91”. READ MORE…
Pastor UpdateWednesday, March 18, 2020
Friends,
As so many of the letters written to the early church begin, “Grace and peace to you from the Lord Jesus Christ!” Now that life has shifted so suddenly and with such uncertainty, we’re seeking the Lord as we haven’t sought him before. I’m grateful for the opportunity to trust God more deeply, serve God more energetically and live for God with greater love and joy. READ MORE..
Pastor Update
Friday, March 13, 2020
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As you know, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly contagious flu-like virus that is spreading rapidly throughout the world and the United States. While the risk of becoming seriously ill or dying from the virus is very low, for some people — especially the elderly and those who are already fragile — it is potentially deadly. READ MORE…
