Forest Hills Presbyterian, in partnership with other churches in Martinsville & Eden, will be offering a virtual at-home Vacation Bible School program this summer. Although we are sad to not have our in-person VBS or Camp Peaks programs this year, we are excited to offer this unique opportunity.
Who’s Invited? Compassion Camp will be available to participants, preschoolers-rising 6th graders, July 27-31. While each day’s session will be sent out via email each morning, you will be able to complete each session at your leisure. This event is FREE so invite your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors!
Materials & Supplies: The supplies you will need are items you will likely have readily available in your household. A list of supplies can be found HERE
Registration: You can find more information & register your children HERE or please contact VBS director, Sam Smith at sfsmith@mail.roanoke.edu or 276-224-2811 OR Sandy Martin at leeredtruck@aol.com or 276-358-1368 if you have any questions.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Church Is Open and Operating in New Ways. 
We are worshiping and doing ministry online 
until further notice.

Click on the picture above
for this week's service
premiering at 6 a.m Sunday
and use this bulletin as you worship.

​You can participate in the service anytime from 6 a.m. Sunday on.
We normally worship at 11 so if you'd like to keep up that schedule,
know many of us will be worshiping in our homes then.


All of our online worship services are available
on our 
Forest Hills Presbyterian Martinsville VA YouTube Channel. 
If you've found us before the upcoming service premieres, 
​go to our YouTube page to watch the previous Sunday's worship.

JULY 12, 2020
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
"GOOD SOIL"

SUMMER SERIES
Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

THEME
Let the Word of God Take Root in Your Heart

FOCUS SCRIPTURE
“Consider then the parable of the farmer.”  (Matthew 13:18)
 

Rev. Cheryl Peeples, Pastor
Betsy Haskins, Music
John Peeples, Videographer

PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Lord, nourish the soil of our lives with goodness, courage,
hope, and love that we may grow in your word and in your way. AMEN.

FIRST LESSON
Psalm 65:9-13 (CEB)
9 You visit the earth and make it abundant,
    enriching it greatly
        by God’s stream, full of water.
You provide people with grain
    because that is what you’ve decided.
10 Drenching the earth’s furrows,
        leveling its ridges,
    you soften it with rain showers;
        you bless its growth.
11 You crown the year with your goodness;
    your paths overflow with rich food.
12 Even the desert pastures drip with it,
    and the hills are dressed in pure joy.
13 The meadowlands are covered with flocks,
    the valleys decked out in grain--
        they shout for joy;
        they break out in song!

SECOND LESSON
Matthew 13:1-9  (CEB)
Setting for the Parables
13 That day Jesus went out of the house and sat down beside the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he climbed into a boat and sat down. The whole crowd was standing on the shore.
Parable of the Soils
3 He said many things to them in parables: “A farmer went out to scatter seed. 4 As he was scattering seed, some fell on the path, and birds came and ate it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately because the soil wasn’t deep. 6 But when the sun came up, it scorched the plants, and they dried up because they had no roots. 7 Other seed fell among thorny plants. The thorny plants grew and choked them. 8 Other seed fell on good soil and bore fruit, in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one. 9 Everyone who has ears should pay attention.”
 
Matthew 13:18-23 Common English Bible (CEB)
Explanation of the Parable of the Farmer
18 “Consider then the parable of the farmer. 19 Whenever people hear the word about the kingdom and don’t understand it, the evil one comes and carries off what was planted in their hearts. This is the seed that was sown on the path. 20 As for the seed that was spread on rocky ground, this refers to people who hear the word and immediately receive it joyfully. 21 Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away. 22 As for the seed that was spread among thorny plants, this refers to those who hear the word, but the worries of this life and the false appeal of wealth choke the word, and it bears no fruit. 23 As for what was planted on good soil, this refers to those who hear and understand, and bear fruit and produce—in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one.”
 
HYMNS WE WILL SING
HYMN #482  (vs. 1,3) 
“Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty”   LOBE DEN HERRE
HYMN #391 (vs. 1,6)
“Take My Life”  HENDON
HYMN #466 (vs. 1,4)
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”  AZMON
  (CCLI License #2792846)

******************************************************

Office hours will be cancelled during this time and our staff who are able to do so
will be working from home. You can  reach Pastor Cheryl at CherylRPeeples@gmail.com and Janet Roetken, Office Manager, at foresthillspcoffice@gmail.com.
​Please check our website, Facebook, and email for updates.

We are the church together, wherever we may be, so let us take care of each other by following the best guidelines available at this time of how to do so. 
Whatever comes, Jesus has promised,
“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
 
Many blessings to you – Pastor Cheryl Peeples
 

​******************************************************
​For all other requests and information,
including receiving the Herald, our weekly email newsletter,
please contact our office manager via email at foresthillspcoffice@gmail.com.   

Who are we?

We are the body of Christ, in mission and vision, in our staff, and our history.. and Most of all: In Our Future. 

We do... 

We do People... and Relationships... and Connections...  in regular programs and events.

Find us.

Click above to find us on FACEBOOK, or for CONTACT INFORMATION and a MAP.