Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Worship is broadcast at 11:00 a.m. on WCHS-580AM
304-343-8961
Reminder: The Church Office and Buildings will close at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, and be closed through November 25 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Also note Hope Village will close at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23.
Next Week’s Sermon is “ANCIENT WORDS: Incarnation”, by Bill McCoy. Gospel Lesson: Luke 23:33-43.
Thanksgiving Offering: Today our church has an opportunity to give to a special Thanksgiving Offering to benefit Davis-Stuart, Inc., which is a Presbyterian Therapeutic Residential Center for Adolescents based in Lewisburg, WV. This special offering supports the Chaplaincy Program offered at Davis Stuart. The Chaplaincy Program seeks to promote the awareness of our heritage of the Christian faith and that necessary knowledge which makes Christian choices and decision possible. Many youth who reside at Davis-Stuart have never been involved in spiritual teachings. Out of thankful hearts, please give to benefit the lives of at-risk youth as they seek to grow in their knowledge and love of Christ.
Decorating for Christmas! The Worship Division invites you to stay for a few minutes after worship this morning to help assemble the Christmas trees that adorn our chancel during Christmas and Advent. You’re also invited to join in decorating the rest of the sanctuary after the Church Fellowship Dinner on Wednesday, November 30, at 6:45 p.m. Everyone is welcome!
Hope Village is open for all of your Christmas shopping needs. Stop by our newly expanded store in the Susie Early room to see all of the stunning products. Clothing, household goods, jewelry, baskets, nativity sets, olive oil, purses, scarves, the list goes on and on! You really must see all of the merchandise to believe how beautiful it is. Every single item has a story behind it–a story of how lives are being transformed and hope is provided by your purchase. Hope Village is a mission outreach of First Presby-100% of the proceeds go back to the artisans. Share the good news of what First Presby is doing to provide help and hope throughout this world. Store hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. and after worship on Sunday. Come on in, we have a story to tell!
The Lay Academy of Religion continues to study “Science and Religion” today, 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Room 201 in the Activities Building. Dr. Andrew Newberg lectures on “Reality and Beyond” (DVD), continuing his investigation of “The Spiritual Brain: Science and Religious Experience.” Leading discussion will be our colleague Chuck Daugherty. Dr. Daugherty grew up in Brazil, studied at Davidson College and Georgetown University where he earned his Ph.D. degree in Government, or Political Science. He served as a Professor at Morris Harvey College/University of Charleston and as Executive Director of The West Virginia Humanities Council. For more information, please contact the Church Office, (304) 343-8961.
Sojourners’ Class continues to study “Jesus and His Jewish Influences,” on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. in Room 411 in the Education Building. Dr. Jodi Magness delivers her eighteenth lecture on “Pontius Pilate: A Roman Prefect” (DVD). Everyone welcome to join us for learning and lively discussion.
This Week’s Food Pantry Needs: Peanut Butter
Are you an attorney whose practice includes employment law? The Personnel Division is looking for an individual to volunteer to review our Employee Handbook. If you are willing to do this, please contact Jackie in the office to receive an electronic copy of the Handbook. jackie@firstpresby.com
Alternative Gifts for this Christmas Season: In addition to the wonderful Hope Village and Presbyterian Coffee Project items that you can purchase for those on your Christmas list, Alternative Gift opportunities will also be available this year through the Presbyterian Giving Catalog. This catalog, located in the main church hallway, features over 40 items to choose from–like livestock, garden wells, and emergency relief supplies. These items translate into real and positive impact for thousands of people throughout this world. Give the gifts that keep on giving!! If you have any questions, please contact Sue Webster.
Healthy Living for your Brain and Body: For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. Now science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join the class on Sunday, December 4, at 9:15 a.m. in Room 201 in the Activities Building.
Children’s Bible Study: Following Time with Young Disciples and the Passing of the Peace, all children in grades one-five are invited to join us for Bible Study in Room 113 in the Education Building. Janet Chambers will walk the children to their classroom. If this is your child’s first time visiting Children’s Bible Study, please accompany them to the room so that you can sign them in and get acquainted with our teachers.
You are invited to Thanksgiving Dinner! David and Sandy Campbell enjoy opening their house for Thanksgiving dinner, so please join them at their home on Thanksgiving Day at 4:00 p.m. The address is 2100 Kanawha Avenue (near UC). Call 304-543-6553 to let them know that you’re coming. You are welcome to bring a friend.
More about the Music: Below is an excerpt from Glory to God: A Companion about this morning’s final hymn, “Now Thank We All Our God:” This is one of the best-known German hymns, not only in its original language but in many English-language hymnals. For people in the United States it is often associated with Thanksgiving Day services or with large public gatherings. Its origins were on a thoroughly different scale: the author intended it for a table prayer. As recently as the latter part of the 19th century, one of Rinkardt’s descendants owned the now-lost original manuscript of the hymn which bore an annotation that it was written on June 24, 1630, for his children to sing… This very likely dating means that it would have been written in the context of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), far from the circumstances of peace and plenty that it may suggest to singers today. There is much more gratitude here for much less than the benefits enjoyed by many people who now sing this hymn nonchalantly. For more tidbits about our music and hymn texts, visit a church copy of Glory to God: A Companion by Reverend Carl P. Daw, Jr. M.A., M.Div., Ph.D in our church library, or look through the copy on the piano at the front of the sanctuary after worship.
Geneva Choir for youth and adult’s welcomes sopranos, altos, tenors, basses, and everyone in between. No prior musical experience is required; just a servant heart and a sense of humor. We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Choir Room at the top of the stairs above the Susie Early Room. Come sing with us!
Thanks to Our Child Care Volunteers 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.
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. Baskets Are Needed to be used to create gift baskets for holiday gifts, using items from the Presbyterian Coffee Project. Also needed is tissue paper, all colors, new and used. Items can be left in church office.
Passing the Peace: As cold and flu season approaches, please be aware that friends with depressed immune systems may welcome a greeting of a warm smile, a pat on the shoulder, etc., rather than a hand-shake. Please be attentive as you share the loving hospitality of Christ’s peace with each other.
Please pray for the Session and for the members of the Strategic Planning Task Force as they seek God’s will and direction for the future of our church. Members of the Strategic Planning Task Force are Mike Graney, Kristen Harrison, Charlie Lorensen, Nikki Moses, Dave Nolan, Sandy Zando, and Bill McCoy (ex-officio).
Please pray for the members of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee as they seek to identify the person God is preparing to serve as our new associate pastor. Members of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee are Mike Graney, Charlie Lorensen, Tom Marchio, Dave Nolan, Sarah Smith, Carol Susman, Sandy Zando, and Bill McCoy (ex-officio).
Advent Workshop: On Wednesday, November 30, the Advent Workshop with arts and crafts will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by a dinner menu of pizza at 6:00 p.m. Cost is Adult/$7; Child 12-under/$3; Child under 3 free; Family max $20. THIS IS NOT A LOGOS NIGHT, and reservations must be made for dinner by 4 p.m. Monday, November 28. After dinner, LOGOS children and youth will rehearse for Lessons and Carols, while adults decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. Come join us! After the holidays, LOGOS will resume on January 11, with “Police Appreciation” night including special guests. LOGOS will conclude with a celebration on April 5.
Pine branches are needed for the Advent workshop. We are asking for donations of pine branches and holly for wreath making during Advent Workshop. Contact Janet Chambers if you have any questions.
“Oh the weather outside is frightful…” these lyrics have little meaning to us in mid-November. Although sometimes it does get quite cold in November, we’ve not had frightful weather yet this year…it is coming! We are inviting you now to think of the many children right here in Charleston, West Virginia that do not have mittens, hats and scarves to keep warm. We are asking each family to bring a new pair of mittens or gloves, of any size (especially bright colorful ones!). We will be hanging these gifts of love on a Christmas tree outside the Preschool Office so that everyone can share in the warmth of giving and pride they will display. All of the mittens, gloves, hats and scarves benefit local children. We thank you for your participation in this project. It is our hope that through this cooperative venture between the Preschool and home, the concept of sharing through giving will be modeled. Help us fill the tree …with love!
Bad Weather Policy for Church Activities: If Kanawha County Schools are closed due to weather, all meetings and activities in the church are canceled. If public schools close early due to weather, all meetings and activities in the church are canceled for that evening. Please do not come out if it puts you at risk for injury. Worship Services will always be held!
Act of Faith: We are reminded that all we have comes from God. Please remember to name the First Presbyterian Church as a beneficiary of your will, your retirement plan or of a life insurance policy in order that we may carry out God’s wishes and continue his work in our community and in the world.
Youth Group will not meet tonight. We are going to do a game night or movie night next Sunday, November 27, and return to our normal schedule on December 4.
Holiday Movie Night: Fellowship & Recreation is hosting a holiday movie night on Friday, December 9 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. We will show two movies. The early showing will be geared towards children, and the later showing will be geared towards youth. There will be a popcorn bar, seasonal snacks, and a drinks provided. Please join us for holiday fellowship and good cheer!
This Week at First Presbyterian
Sunday, 11/20
9:15 Sunday School
10:00 Music Warm-up
10:30 Worship
11:30 Put up Christmas Trees
11:30-12:30 Hope Village Open
3:00 Youth Return from Retreat
5:30 Lay Academy
Monday, 11/21
8:30 Aerobics
Tuesday, 11/22
9:30 Bible Study
5:15 Strategic Planning Task Force
5:30 Lyres Club
Wednesday, 11/23
10-12 Hope Village Open
12:00 Church Buildings Close
Thursday, 11/24
THANKSGIVING DAY
Church Buildings Closed
Friday, 11/25
Church Buildings Closed
Saturday, 11/26
10-2 Hope Village Open
No Church Wednesday Dinner This Week