May 29, 2016
Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Worship is broadcast at 11:00 a.m. on WCHS-580AM
304-343-8961
Dear First Presby Members and Visitors,
We are transforming the way we communicate our news and announcements for the summer as an experiment. For this experiment, we will be using a larger “Green Sheet” and it will still be called “Weekly News”. Since we are expanding your weekly intake of all things First Presby, we will be cutting back on the Monthly Newsletter, and making them periodical review newsletters.
For current events, you may reference this new “Green Sheet” and for reviews of things past, you may reference the new “First Presby Review”. We hope you like it!
Love and Blessings,
The First Presby Staff
Please remember that the church buildings will be closed on Monday, May 30, for Memorial Day.
Next Week’s Sermon– “Ancient Words: Justification” by Rev. Bill McCoy
Condolences of the congregation are extended to the family and friends of Tom Boyd, who passed through the gates of Heaven on May 21, 2016 and to the family and friends of Ken Bailey, who left this earth on May 23. Ken was our guest speaker for Benfield-Vick Weekend in 2009.
Prayer Service for Healing and Wholeness will be held following our worship service today in the Chapel.
Thank You: The total giving for the Cents-a-bility Offering last Sunday was $617.80.
“On the Green” Family Sign-ups- We are trying something new for our “Fellowship on the Green” after worship this summer. Our usual small groups–classes and divisions–will cover fewer Sundays for bringing refreshments. This will allow 2 or 3 families to participate together on a Sunday of their choice. Sign up on the poster in the hall or call the office to share being the hosts of “On the Green” this summer. Instructions are included. Open Sundays are June 19, June 26, July 3, July 17, August 28, September 4, and September 11. Please take advantage of this new opportunity to share in the hospitality of First Presby this summer. The hosts for “On the Green” for today, May 29 are Deacons, Worship Division, Covenant and Discovery Classes.
Lay Academy of Religion- We will meet today, May 29, in the Activities Building, room 201 at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Andrew Newberg’s lecture (DVD) is “Near Death Experiences and the Brain.” This is the last meeting in this series until fall, when we shall continue the remaining lectures. Everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the church office, (304)343-8961.
Volunteers Needed! We are looking for volunteers for Vacation Bible School. Our schedule is different every night, so even if you only have limited availability, we can use you! Call Janet Chambers for more details,
304-343-8961.
Thanks to Our Child Care Volunteers today in our nursery, toddler and preschool rooms. All child care rooms are equipped with live video feeds of the worship service. Do you love children and babies? Call the church office,304-343-8961, to volunteer in this special ministry.
Summer Activities Registration- Starting this week, we have several great summer programs that are taking place. We now have the option for you to register your children online! Its as simple as 1,2,3. We have active registration forms for Vacation Bible School an Art Camp right now. Go to www.firstpresby.com/children to find all of our camps. Register today!
Stuffing Needed- We are continuing with our Vacation Bible School theme of Intentional Acts of Kindness. Again this year, we are making teddy bears for the Kanawha Valley Ambulence Authority to hand out to children on their calls out. We need donations of bags of stuffing for the bears. You can take your donation to the front office or give it to Janet Chambers or Sue Webster. Thank you for helping our children grow as they learn to help others!
Second Hour Bible Study- After Time with Young Disciples and the Passing of the Peace, all children in grades 1-5 are invited to join us for Bible Study in room E-113. Look for Janet Chamber. She will walk the children to their classroom. If this is your child’s first time visiting Second Hour Bible Study, please accompany them to the room so that you can sign them in and get acquainted with our teachers.
Congratulations! The Personnel Division is pleased to announce that on May 4, the Session approved the hiring of Payne Warner as our permanent Director of Youth Ministry, Fellowship and Recreation. He will begin his new duties September 1, 2016. Payne has been serving as the part time interim since last August and based on our observation and feedback from a good cross section of parents and youth, has done a wonderful job. Please note that we have included the Fellowship and Recreation functions, formerly handled by the Buckalews, in Payne’s new job description. This is how duties were traditionally handled prior to Jim Buckalew’s involvement and we think this will give Payne even more opportunities for youth outreach. We also believe it is efficient and a prudent use of our monetary resources. The Personnel Division and Session would like to thank the search committee, who diligently performed a nationwide search, for their service to First Presby.
Traveling this summer?- Keep in touch with your church family several ways. You can participate in Sunday worship – the service is broadcast on the WCHS 580AM radio website at 11:00AM. Check out our website, http://firstpresby.com/ to read the weekly announcements and the bulletin, download past sermons to listen at your convenience. You can log-in to the website as a member and set up a recurring gift directly from your checking account or credit card to continue supporting your church ministries while away. Members can also find contact info for other church family members in the member portal. Find us on facebook at www.facebook.com/FirstPresbyCharleston to see photos of the latest happenings. Stay in touch this summer- we’ll miss you when you’re not here!
Are you receiving the weekly announcements in your e-mail? If not, call the church office to update your e-mail address. In addition to the once a week announcement sheet, we will e-mail you only with very special or late-breaking news. We won’t “spam” your inbox. We promise.
Youth- During the worship service, the youth are invited to sit with director Payne Warner in the rear gallery. Youth Group will continue to meet on 6:00 p.m.Sunday evenings and at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer.
Barefoot Sunday is next Sunday, June 5. Thank you to everyone who has already chosen your footprint or grocery bag from the church hallway bulletin board signifying your commitment to purchase a pair of shoes or make a financial contribution for the purchase of shoes for children who reside at the WV Davis Child’s Shelter or at Davis, Stuart, Inc. There are still several footprints and many grocery bags to choose, so you still have an opportunity for all whom would like to participate! Next Sunday, your offering of new shoes or financial gift will be received during worship after the plate offering. Please include the footprint you chose from the bulletin board in the new box of shoes. If you will not be in worship service next Sunday please bring your offering of shoes or financial gift to the church office. All shoes will be represented in the service and a special blessing will be said over them all. Your offerings will have a tremendous impact on children who for some, this may be the first pair of new shoes that they have ever received. Thank you for your love and compassion extended to these children and youth. We encourage you to come to church barefooted on Barefoot Sunday if you would like!
Manna Meal Sandwich Making Next Sunday- The Elementary Sunday School Children will be making 200 sandwiches next Sunday during the Sunday School Hour. Adults are always welcome to help with this project and to help deliver the sandwiches and fruit to Manna Meal. Meet in the chapel at 9:15 a.m.
Work and Build Day- Save the Date- June 18: Dust off your hammers and saws and come help those in need of basic home repairs. We will partner with WV Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps, Inc, (WVMAW) for our first workday this year on Saturday, June 18, to do some hands-on work. The mission of WVMAW is: “to offer the opportunities for discipleship by partnering with those in need whose lives have been devastated by natural disasters or by the disaster of poverty in areas of West Virginia. Work hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (approx.). To learn more or volunteer please contact Sue Webster at sue@firstpresby.com or
304-343-8961, Extension 139.
Electronic Giving- Did you know that we can easily set-up a recurring gift to the church directly from your checking or savings account? This can easily be done on our church website. Also you can offer your financial gift to God electronically by scanning the QR code on the laminated card in the pew racks. These cards can also be placed in the offering plate as a sign of your faith and trust in God, if you already give electronically through your checking account or credit card.
Are You a Kroger Community Rewards Customer? Kroger Plus Card Shopper?- The Kroger Company will make a contribution to First Presby each time you use your Kroger Plus card, when you designate the church as your choice of charity. (Participation does not affect your gas point total). To enroll your card, go to www.kroger.com/communityrewards and select First Presby as your church. If you need help, stop by the church office during the week, with your Kroger Plus Card and we will be happy to register it for you.
Strategic Planning Meeting: You are invited to a gathering on Sunday, June 12, after worship in the dining room. Coffee and tea will be available. Reservations are not needed. This is an opportunity to share ideas related to the recent church wide survey. Child care will be available. Please let us know by June 8, if you will need child care by phoning the church office at 304-343-8961. We hope you can join us as we prepare for our future ministry together.
Presbyterian Coffee Project– Coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolates, raisins, and nuts continue to be available for purchase after worship and during the week during church business hours.
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS: Cereal , Canned & Dry Milk
This week at First Presby–
Sunday 5/29:
9:15 Covenant Class
Sojourners Class
10:30 Worship
11:30 First Fellowship “On the Green”
11:45 Service of Healing, Chapel
5:30 Lay Academy
6:00 Youth Group
Monday 5/30:
Buildings Closed
Memorial Day
Tuesday 5/31:
4:00 Bells and Bars Camp
5:30 FPC Lyres Club
Wednesday 6/1:
8:00 Wed. Work Crew
8:30 Aerobics
3:00 Bro. of Senior Basketball
4:00 Bells and Bars Camp
5:00 Youth Group
7:00 Worship Team
Thursday 6/2:
7:30 Shoney’s Bible Study, Downtown
4:00 Bells and Bars Camp
Friday 6/3:
8:30 Aerobics
1:00 Bells and Bars Camp
3:00 Bro. of Senior Basketball
Saturday 6/4:
No Scheduled Events
Mission Co-Workers
Rev. Jed and Jenny Koball, Peru
Rev. Bob and Kristi Rice, Congo
Rev. Renee and Justin Sundberg, Nicaragua
Rev. Kate Taber, Israel/ Palestine
Missions
Firelight Foundation, Africa
Hope for Children, Slovakia
Westminster Foundation, WV
WVMAW Work Camps, WV
Prayer Partners Near and Far
West Virginia
Church of Our Savior, Clarksburg
Clothier Presbyterian Church
Enslow Park Presbyterian Church, Huntington
Kenya
Church- Muruguru
(moh-roh-GOR’OH)
Parish- Kagumo