Inside this issue

Anniversaries 9

Birthdays 10

Church Family News 7/8

Deacon’s Fund 7

Food Drive 9

Pastor’s Message 3-6

Web site 2,11

Worship on-line 2

SUMMER 2020 SPECIAL EDITION

✞ ✞ ✞

Until further notice,

all in-person meetings

and activities are

discontinued.

✞ ✞ ✞

Contact and other

information details are

available on page 2.

First Presbyterian Church is an exciting place

with a whole array of ministries, including early childhood

programs and after school care. In everything we do and

are, we strive to be God's good news to a world in need.

We hope that you will take time to browse our Web Site;

and if you are in our area, please come visit us.

SEE PAGE 3 FOR

FULL INFORMATION ON OUR

VIRTUAL WORSHIP EXPERIENCE,

ZOOM BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER TIME, and

WAUMBA WORSHIP EXPERIENCE.

First Church Monthly E-News Issue 8 Vol. 6

First Presbyterian Church

Hollywood FL (USA)

Good

News

Invited, Welcomed, and Loved!

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TAKE-AWAY INFORMATION SHEET TO ACCESS FIRST CHURCH ON-LINE. (as of 5/27/20)

A hard copy of the worship bulletin is available on our website: fpcoh.org

Go to “Worship;” click on “Sermon & Worship;” on right side of screen click on “download

this week’s church bulletin.”

✞ ✞ ✞

Facebook Live! — Broadcast at Noon, each Monday through Friday

✞ ✞ ✞

Pastor Kennedy: kennedym@fpcoh.org 954-257-6751

Church office: 954-923-8209 (Call-forwarding will be on if Lynn is working from home.)

✞ ✞ ✞

To keep up-to-date on changes to the schedule, check out: website: fpcoh.org

Facebook: facebook.com/fpcoh

WaumbaLand: text waumba 555888

Learning Centers - Follow us on Twitter @LearningCntrs

Learning Center — Ms. Fatima: fmarin@fpcoh.org 954-922-8558

Early Learning Center — Ms. Jacqui: jcarbonell@fpcoh.org 954-929-8233

✞ ✞ ✞

Each Sunday morning at 11 AM, Pastor Kennedy’s Zoom meeting Bible study and prayer time. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/762642399?pwd=R2NmZ2NiSERIcWRrRzEwL1pLL21SUT09

And if they ask for a password, it will always be - Invited.

(Since Zoom might feel a little intimidating, included is a link with a brief and super helpful

video that will tell you all you need to know about joining a zoom meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=9isp3qPeQ0E - if you watch this, you’ll be Zoom ready. As the narrator of the video explains, Zoom is a great way to

stay connected in these

days of Covid 19. Take the Zoom plunge and join us!

✞ ✞ ✞

Donations in support of the ministries of First Presbyterian Church

may be made on-line through our website: FPCOH

Simply click on and through this link to give directly to the church. https://tithe.ly/give?c=1447307

You may also mail a check to

First Presbyterian Church, 1530 Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida 33020

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Dear Sisters and Brothers,

As Broward re-opens, I wanted to share with you some thoughts on what your elders and deacons have

been discussing as what church will look like when that day comes. So below this note, you will find

the guidelines that have been and are being developed that will guide our physically gathering together. These

guidelines have been developed in conjunction with guidelines from the CDC, our own Presbytery, and also

Church United South Florida. But in putting these guidelines out there, I want to help you understand why are

we putting them in place.

In the letter that Paul wrote to the church in Rome, Paul gave counsel on a controversial issue in that

church, over food sacrificed to idols. In those days, a division had developed over those who felt that God had

given them freedom to eat whatever, including food sacrificed to idols, and on the other hand, a group that

felt that eating such food brought offense to God. Paul agreed with the group that felt free to eat anything,

calling them the stronger folks, and those who felt different, he called the weaker. But even so, Paul asked

those who were “stronger” to not eat the food sacrificed to idols, so as to not hurt the faith of their

“weaker” sisters and brothers. In other words, Paul said, that in Christian community, at times, you will need

to limit your freedom in order to show care for other members of the family.

And in these days of Covid 19, this wise counsel from scripture has particular resonance. In our case,

weaker and stronger has nothing to do with some theological position, but with an objective reality.

Certain members of our community are more vulnerable to this virus than others. For some of us, if

we get this virus, yes, we might be miserably sick for a few weeks, but we will more than likely survive.

But for others, catching this virus could very well end their life. And part of our being stewards or

caretakers of one another means that we limit our freedom in order to show care for those “weaker”

members. That is part of loving our neighbors as ourselves. And interestingly enough, wearing masks

is a powerful illustration of just that command. After all, a mask doesn’t protect you. The virus can get

through most masks. But it does protect others from you. So if you carry the virus (something you can

do, and have no symptoms – in fact I have a colleague for whom that was the case), wearing your mask

Kennedy M. McGowan, Pastor

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First Church Monthly E-News Issue 8.6

helps you from spreading it to your neighbor. The mask prevents the virus from going far enough from

you to affect anyone else. And if we all wear masks, then we are all protected. In others, in wearing a

mask, you are literally loving your neighbors as yourself.

And these guidelines are put in place in order that we might as effectively as possible love our

neighbors, even if that means some discomfort, some limitation of freedom on our part. And of course,

with Covid, while we know that folks in certain age groups and certain conditions are definitely at risk, that

doesn’t mean that those outside of those categories are not at risk as well. We simply don’t know enough

about this virus and how it manifests itself in our bodies to be certain how it will interact. For example,

years ago, when I got an unusually high white blood count, I went through some further testing from a

hematologist. I discovered that I had a very robust immune system. It’s why I almost never get sick. Yet,

the hematologist said that this immune system, as I got older might develop into an auto-immune disorder,

such as arthritis. And with Covid, my robust immune system could protect me or it could react so strongly

to the virus that it kills me in what is called a “cytokine storm.” In this virus, no one can be sure where

they fall on the weaker or stronger spectrum. And that means it is even more imperative that we do all

that we can to protect each other. That is what it means to be inviting, welcoming and loving in these days

of Covid-19. That means we will be waiting at least another month until we re-open. A date that has been

floated among churches in Fort Lauderdale is June 21st, but that could change depending on conditions and

guidance from health officials; but at this point, this looks to be the earliest possible date for re-opening.

And as noted below in our guidelines, we encourage those in the most vulnerable groups to stay at

home. We have ordered the equipment that will enable us to do a live stream service that will be as close

to being there physically as we can in a virtual way, and hope to have that ready to go for when we re-

open. And for those who choose to attend, we are working to make sure that our facilities are Covid-free,

including purchasing wipes that you can use so if you need to use the restroom you can wipe down any

surface you touch. As we prepare to open, we will need your help. If you are able and willing to serve on

our re-opening team (working as an usher or in some other capacity), please contact Lynn so that we can

be in touch with you as we move forward with the plan you see below. And please know that the mission

continues on. Our Learning Centers have re-opened with limited capacities, and we are working to

re-configure all our Learning Center spaces so they can conform to all the new safety guidelines. We are

even exploring the possibility of an expansion of our ministries in conjunction with St. James in the Hills

Episcopal Church in Hollywood Hills. And here at First Church, my daily labyrinth walks continue, along

with our two virtual worship gatherings. But beyond these walls, we know that you are living out the

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First Church Monthly E-News Issue 8.6

mission of this church in so many ways, as you invite, welcome and love even in these socially distanced

days. Thank you for all the ways you are being the church out there!

Please stay safe, and know that your family at First Church remains there for you for whatever you

might need. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 954-923-8209; or you can reach me directly via my

email kennedym@fpcoh.org or my mobile at 954-257-6751 or even with a message on Facebook or

What’s App. And please keep your leaders in your prayers as we prepare for what it means to be

inviting, welcoming and loving in these challenging days. And finally thank you for all your gifts to the

church; your gifts have been a huge help in enabling us to weather the financial challenges of these days

and continue forward with the mission God has given us of inviting and welcoming everyone into God’s

amazing love. While you can always send a gift in the mail, here is the link if you wish to make a gift

electronically as well: https://tithe.ly/give?c=1447307.

And please share with us, too, your thoughts on these guidelines, and any suggestions that you have on

what would make them better. We want to work with you to make our physical spaces as safe and, at

the same time, as inviting as we can.

Grace and peace always,

Kennedy

(See below for the guidelines and next page.)

RE-OPENING PLAN FOR

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HOLLYWOOD

WHEN RE-OPENING WILL HAPPEN:

Re-opening can occur when Broward County moves to Phase 3 in the re-opening process, and

groups of 50 and under are permitted to gather. At that point, in consultation with the Presbytery, the

Session will set a date for resuming in-person worship.

Those who find themselves in a vulnerable population (over 60 or with a health condition with

particularly dangerous interactions with the virus) will be discouraged from attending, and instead to join

us virtually through the worship simulcast on YouTube Live.

PREPARATION OF SPACE:

Each Saturday, the fan will be run for 24 hours prior to circulate and filter air in the sanctuary.

The sanctuary will be cleaned with CDC certified products, with particular attention to the top

of pews and any other surface likely to be touched prior to each worship gathering.

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First Church Monthly E-News Issue 8.6

GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION FOR IN PERSON ATTENDANCE

Masks will be required of all attendees. (The worship leaders will remain unmasked but

can go no further than the baptismal font and will leave through the back immediately upon the end of

worship after which they will put on masks. The front pews will be blocked to reduce any possibility of

virus transmission from those leading worship.)

All attendees will only be seated in previously marked social distancing places in the pews and

will be escorted to that seating by ushers.

Only the front doors will be opened, and they will remain open for 15 minutes after the

beginning of worship and opened by ushers immediately before worship ends along with two doors to

the patio area.

All other doors, including bathroom doors, will remain open during worship to reduce any

possibility of virus transmission on surfaces.

Cleaning wipes will be provided for those who need to use the restroom, and those using

the bathroom will be asked to use them to wipe down all surfaces they touch prior to leaving.

Attendees will be asked to print their bulletins and bring them, to avoid virus transmission.

No bulletins will be available at the in-person worship.

In-Person Attendees will have their attendance recorded along with a request for contact

information (if we do not have it) in case it is needed for contact tracing.

During Passing of the Peace, people will be asked to great each other in a socially distanced

way.

No offering will be taken. People can give electronically or place their offering in an offering

plate located on a table in the back.

After the close of worship, you will be dismissed by the ushers in sections in order to

maintain social distancing.

There will be no coffee or food served after worship though people can feel free to gather

masked and socially distanced on the patio after worship.

At this point there will be no children’s ministries or nursery care available.

On Sundays when Communion is served, it will be shared through individual wrapped packets

that will be distributed in an appropriately socially distanced way (possibly set in the pews or on a table

near the entrance).

THESE GUIDELINES WILL APPLY TO ALL GROUPS USING THE SANCTUARY

BUILDING SO WE CAN ENSURE A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.

The leadership of the church will review these guidelines and make adjustments as needed based

on the advice and guidance of public health officials as conditions either improve or not.

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Issue 8.6

Our family in Prayer

Each month we include several of our First Presbyterian families in our daily prayers to

sustain them in Christian love and support. We will gladly add friends of the church to

this list. To be included, please call Lynn in the church office.

June: 1st week the Lewis family, the Lopez family, the Mackway family

2nd week the Mason family, the Maughan family, the Meyer family

3rd week the Miller family, the Mohan family, the Mozo family

4th week the Myers family, the Paquette family, the Parker family

July: 1st week the Phares family, the Richel family, the Roddy family

2nd week the Silvestro family, the Snatchko family, the Springer family

3rd week the Treece family, the Tyahla family, the Wade family

4th week the Walker family, the Williams family, the Yamrick family

August: 1st week the Young family, the Zackson family, the Anderson family

2nd week the Benoit family, the Beutner family, the Black family

3rd week the Bongo-Fonseca family, the Borstein family, the Brown family

4th week the Burleson family, the Cady family, the Carlisle family

5th week the Charles/Humphrey family, the Cohen family, the Crockett family

Board of Deacons - Alice Carlisle, Moderator

Deacon’s Fund offering (June 7th, July 5th, August 2nd)

These gifts will go to help members of our church and community when they face financial distress,

or to help folks in need who God places in our path. While you can always send a gift in the mail,

here is the link if you wish to make a gift electronically as well: https://tithe.ly/give?c=1447307.

Just a reminder, we continue to collect non-perishable food items, hygiene supplies and gently used

or new sneakers and blue jeans for the Jubilee Center. You may place these items in the narthex area.

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Issue 8.6

Please keep in your prayers........

Kenny Akins, Banaszak family, Barbara Benoit, Ted Beutner, Helen Brown, Virginia

Elizabeth Burleson, Calvin Chin, Barbara Crockett, Paula Cronin, Ed Curtis, Ann

Danielson, Dusica (Bianca’s sister), Felicia Hart, Hester family, Karl Hupp, Jayne

Huston, Bill Huston, Jennifer Huston, Renata Jennings, Elsie Johns, Paul Lewis, Maggie

Lopez, Argentina Mackway, Marlene, Cherry Mason, Yvonne Mathews, Betty Lou

Miller, Mohan family, Andrea Mulack, Wilma Paquette, Phyllis Phares, our Project

Papillon family, Richard Quadracci, the Quinn family, Katelyn Santisi, Schoel family,

Bobby Snatchko, Becky McGowan Spooner, Bonnie Springer, Bob Walker, Rosemary

Welton, Worman family, John Patrick Young, Leslie Young, Neil Zackson, Darlene

Zackson’s family.

The victims and families of all who are ill with the Covid19 virus.

Pray for us all to be healthy, to follow safety guidelines, and to remain calm.

Stay safe. Be well.

~ ~ ~

Our love and prayers go to Argentina Mackway and her family,

following the passing of her brother-in-law, Mr. Quinn, from COVID-19.

Our love and prayers go to Leslie Young and her family,

following the April 29th passing of Leslie’s father, Jerry Brogan.

✞ ✞ ✞

CONGRATULATIONS TO DANIEL WILLIAMS,

who was recently selected

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

at Avant Garde Academy of Broward.

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First Church Monthly E-News Issue 8.6

ANNIVERSARIES

JUNE June 29 Richard & Renata Jennings, 65 years

JULY July 27 Andrew & Sacha Neunie, 14 years

AUGUST August 14 Kennedy & Chantal, 10 years

August 30 Dave & Pam Landen, 50 years

Cub Scout Troop 420 (Grades 1-5)

September - May

Tuesdays @ 6:30 p.m.

Hollywood Central Elementary School

Boy Scout Troop 420 (Grades 6-12)

Mondays @ 7:00 p.m.

2nd floor of Education building

DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS AND CLOSING OF SCHOOLS,

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THE SCOUTS

WILL NOT BE MEETING.

Contact Scout Leaders for updates.

FOOD DRIVE

Jubilee Center is in need of dried food goods (rice, pasta, cereal, etc.), and all

forms of protein. Any type of food donated to the pantry would be appreciated.

You may drop off your food donations at the church office

(1530 Hollywood Boulevard) Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

If the office is closed, please leave your donation on the steps, to the left of the

door. (Please do not block the doorway!)

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BIRTHDAYS

JUNE June 14 Floyd Gavette

June 15 Darlene Zackson

June 18 Phyllis Phares (100 years old)

June 26 Srdjan Lasica

June 27 Linda Cady

JULY July 3 James Causey

July 4 Maria Fonseca

July 4 Susan Huff

July 6 Richard Jennings

July 9 Kelly Wade

July 10 Jacqui Carbonell

July 11 Andrew Neunie

July 12 Denise Borstein

July 17 Leslie Young

July 25 Bobby Snatchko

July 27 Fatima Marin

July 28 Kathy Maughan

AUGUST

August 1 Rich Ferrara

August 4 Kennedy McGowan

August 5 Jahdia Dayes

August 5 Daniel Wade

August 8 Barbara Hogan

August 9 Carol Holaves

August 10 Bob Roddy

August 12 Mary Silvestro

August 13 Judy Gensel

August 14 E.C. Burleson

August 14 Linda Ellis

August 20 Barbara Benoit

August 20 David Landen

August 22 Steve Ellis

August 22 Polly Jennesse

August 26 Nia Neunie

August 27 Orlando Fonseca

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

for the September 2020 issue: August 15th

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Join us on ......

A printer-friendly version of this newsletter is available on our website: fpcoh.org

Text waumba 555888

Did you know you can download the newsletter to your I-pad or tablet?

If you haven't already, please take a minute to "Like" our Facebook page and to share

it with members, friends and family!

Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/fpcoh

ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE:

Sunday’s worship bulletin, written & audio copies of Rev. McGowan’s sermons,

information about our Learning Centers and other ministries, access to

Tropical Florida Presbytery & Presbyterian Church (USA)

Has you address changed???

Please don’t forget to notify Lynn in the church office.

If you or anyone you know (family member, church member, or a friend of

First Presbyterian) are ill, in the hospital, in a nursing home,

PLEASE don’t assume the church office knows. Give us a call

at 954-923-8209.

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Reverend Dr. Daris Bultena, General Presbyter, Presbytery of Tropical Florida

Reverend Geoffrey J. McLean, Associate General Presbyter

John Dieubon, our partner in Haiti at The Project Papillion orphanage

CLASS OF 2020 CLASS OF 2021 CLASS OF 2022

THE SESSION

Clerk: Jason Charles

Helen Cohen Judy Gensel Jason Charles

Susan Huff Cynthia Silvestro Joseph Moniz

Mary Silvestro Steven Silvestro Robert E. Roddy

THE BOARD OF DEACONS

Moderator: Alice Carlisle

Barbara Benoit Alice Carlisle Louise Hardenburg

Darlene Zackson Kathleen Hinman Leslie Young

TEAM OF CHAIRS

Children and Youth: Jason Charles

Church Evolution: Mary Silvestro

Facilities: Robert E. Roddy

Finance: Joseph Moniz

Learning Center Board: Helen Cohen

Treasurer: Steven Silvestro

Worship: Cynthia Silvestro, Judy Gensel

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The Good News

—published monthly—

Deadline for articles: 15th of the month

First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood

1530 Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood, Florida 33020-5240

954-923-8209

FAX: 954-923-8200

E-mail: landerson@fpcoh.org

Website: fpcoh.org

If you would like to receive a copy of our E-newsletter, or information about becoming

a member of our church, please call the church office.

By God’s grace, may we be transforming

families with the Love of Jesus in

Hollywood and beyond

through

becoming a transformed and

transforming family of faith,

meeting families where they are

with the love of Jesus and

connecting families to the

transforming power of the Gospel.

Lord Jesus,

give us your grace and love to live into this

vision more and more every day.

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Goods New — SUMMER 2020

First Presbyterian Church

1530 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood, FL 33020-5240

“Being God’s Good News” Website: fpcoh.org

Church: Office Hours: M-F, 9am-4pm Phone: 954-923-8209 FAX: 954-923-8200 E-mail: firstpres@fpcoh.org STAFF DIRECTORY Church Pastor: Kennedy M. McGowan kennedym@fpcoh.org Music Director: Jerry Myers jerryontheisland@aol.com Office Manager: Lynn Anderson landerson@fpcoh.org Bookkeeper: James Causey james@fpcoh.org Custodian Bianca Lasica Learning Center Phone: 954-922-8558 FAX: 954-922-4101 Director: Fatima Marin fmarin@fpcoh.org Administrative Assistant Rebecca Ortiz rortiz@fpcoh.org Bookkeeper James Causey james@fpcoh.org

Early Learning Center Phone: 954-929-8233 FAX: 954-922-4101 Director: Jacqueline Carbonell jcarbonell@fpcoh.org Aftercare Phone: 954-922-8558 FAX: 954-922-4101