Worship This Week
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Text: Matthew 25:31-46
Fifth Sunday in Lent
This Sunday –
Narrative Lectionary
Week 27
This week we hear our final parable from Matthew, which is also the last parable Jesus tells before his final hours in Jerusalem. Part of the reading may be familiar to you–the affirmation that when we care for the least among us (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked,visiting the prisoner, etc.) we are actually caring for Jesus himself. What may not be familiar is the setting–the second coming of Christ and the final sorting of the nations into the sheep and the goats and judgment against those who don’t do God’s will. There is so much here. Join us as we unpack and dig deeper into this important parable.
Find this week’s bulletin online here
Paper bulletins are available in the sanctuary.
Find Our Worship Online
Join us on Facebook or YouTube beginning at 9:20 (to enjoy the prelude; service begins at 9:30) for a LIVE stream of the service!
To find us on Facebook, search “First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon, Iowa.”
To find us on YouTube, search “FirstPresMV” to find our channel, then click on LIVE. 
SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS SUNDAY
Children PreK and older are invited to head to Sunday School with their teachers following Discovery Time.
COOPERATIVE YOUTH GROUP – ROOTED
Youth Grades 6 and older are invited to join us for this cooperative youth ministry led by First Pres MV, Seeds of Faith Lutheran and the MV United Methodist Church.
Wednesday, March 29, 6:30-8:00pm at the UMC for Food, Fellowship, Fun and Faith!
PALM TO PASSION SUNDAY NEXT WEEK
Next Sunday, April 2 is Palm Sunday! Our service will include a palm processional (using fair trade palm branches), the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper*, and reading through the Passion narrative according to the Gospel of Matthew.
*Please make us aware if you need a gluten free option or have other dietary restrictions so that we can welcome you safely to the Lord’s table!
QUARTERLY CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATION NEXT SUNDAY
Following worship next Sunday, all are invited to remain in the sanctuary for a time of conversation about various things happening in the church, including the AV System, our involvement with the MVL Child Care Solutions, potential fundraising activities, and other upcoming events.
NEW MEMBERS’ CLASS COMING SOON
We have several people interested in becoming members of First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon. If this is something you would like more information about, please let Pastor Lori Wunder know ([email protected] or 319-431-2227).
EASTER FLOWER SIGN UP
Are you are interested in purchasing flowering plants (i.e.: African Violets, Lilies, Kalanchoe, etc.) for the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday? The cost is $10. Please get payment to the church by March 31 with the following information:
- Your name
- Number of flowering plants you would like to purchase
- Name of person the plant is in honor or memory of
- Will you take plant home after Easter worship or would you like them taken to shut-ins?
CAMP WYOMING–REGISTER FOR SUMMER FUN!
Registration for summer programs for elementary, middle, and high school youth is open! Click here to check out what Camp Wyoming has to offer your kids this summer. Our congregation believes so much in this Christian camp experience that we will pay your child’s way.
MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR APRIL
The month of April is our congregation’s turn to provide volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels to neighbors in Mount Vernon. Monday through Friday, volunteers are needed to pick up the meals and delivery list from Southeast Linn Community Center at 11:10am, make the deliveries, then return the insulated bags to SELCC.
To sign up, click here.
HEALING WITH SOUND & VIBRATION EXPERIENCE
Thursday, March 30 in the Community Room
6:30-7:30pm
Experience deep relaxation, surrender, Oneness, and inner peace through singing bowls by candlelight. Dress in layers and bring yoga mats, blankets, bolsters, etc. to create a nest of comfort to receive the healing sounds and vibrations. Donation of $20 requested. Click here for more information and to register. Prayerfully offered by Rev. Catherine Quehl-Engel.
FIRST PRES MV & MVL CHILD CARE SOLUTIONS
If you don’t have young children in your life, you may not be aware that there is a challenging shortage of childcare options in our communities. Community stakeholders met about this crisis last fall and various committees are exploring all the options, including the possibility of using our nursery to provide childcare for infants. Pastor Lori and Carol Daly are looking into whether our space meets the state’s requirements. the MVL Child Care Solutions work group is looking for an entrepreneur to run a daycare. The goal is not to provide income for our church, but to be of service to our community. We will keep you posted as things develop.
PER CAPITA PAYMENT
Each Presbyterian congregation contributes financially to support the work of the wider denomination at the presbytery, synod and national level. This support is called Per Capita, an amount per member apportioned by the member presbytery (in our case, the Presbytery of East Iowa). Our congregation’s per capita is $40.70 per member, or $5403 total. We invite you to consider contributing $40.70 per member of your family to help cover this expense. Thank you!
CHURCH CALENDAR
Sunday, March 26 – Fifth Sunday in Lent
8:15am – Choir rehearsal in Community Room
9:15am – Nursery care is available
9:30am – Worship in the Sanctuary & Online
Sunday School for PreK and older during worship
10:30am – Coffee Hour in Social Hall
Tuesday, March 28
1:00-3:00pm – Church Office Hours
6:30pm – MVL Childcare Solutions Meeting
Wednesday, March 29
6:30-8:00pm – Youth Group at UMC
Thursday, March 30
6:30-7:30pm – Healing with Sound and Vibrations in Community Room
Friday, March 31
9:00am-12:00pm – Church Office Hours
Sunday, April 2 – Palm Sunday
8:15am – Choir rehearsal in Community Room
9:15am – Nursery care is available
9:30am – Worship in the Sanctuary & Online
Sunday School for PreK and older during worship
10:30am – Coffee Hour in Social Hall
10:30am – Quarterly Congregational Conversation