Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Worship is broadcast at 11:00 a.m. on WCHS-580AM
304-343-8961
Next Week’s Sermon will be given by Bill McCoy.
Financial Report for 2016: The past year saw many challenges for our church and West Virginia, the most significant being the June floods. Our congregation stepped up with great generosity as it has historically in times of need. And while contributions for the year were generous, they fell short of First Presby’s ministries by approximately $58,000. If you made a pledge for 2016 and have not yet fulfilled it, please consider doing so if your circumstances allow. Even a partial amount will help the church in going forward with our ministries and programs this year. God loves a Cheerful Giver! Thank you for your support in 2016.
Many ways to support our ministries: In addition to traditional cash and checks in the offering plate, you can give on our website firstpresby.com via your computer or smart phone, through our mobile app “Church Life” (you must first set up a user profile on our website to use the Church Life app.) or by texting 73256 and typing “firstpresby” in the message line. Use the QR code card in your pew rack to go directly to our giving page. God loves a Cheerful Giver.
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.
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING – RECEIVED NEXT SUNDAY: On Sunday February 5, millions of Americans will tune in to the Super Bowl football game! There will be parties with abundant food, friendship and fellowship. At the same time, there will be people worrying about staying warm, finding shelter and a warm meal. Please join the youth of First Presby as they demonstrate God’s love by loving their neighbors through the Souper Bowl of Caring. It’s a simple, yet significant act of caring for others. Our youth will be standing at sanctuary doors following worship to receive your financial donations. There will also be receptacles at the entrances of the sanctuary to receive your donations of soup and crackers. Those who need help may not know that you cared, but God will, and our young people are developing hearts for giving that can last a lifetime. Please support their efforts. The Boy Scouts will post the colors for the service and receive the offering.
Manna Meal Sandwich Making Next Sunday: The Elementary Sunday School Children will be making 200 sandwiches next Sunday, February 5, during the Sunday School Hour. Adults are always welcome to assist with this project and to help deliver the sandwiches and fruit to Manna Meal. Meet in the chapel at 9:15 a.m.
This Week’s Food Pantry Needs: Cereal and Peanut Butter
Date Night: Fellowship and Rec is hosting a game and movie night from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 11.Child care will be provided for children in grades K-12. If you have any questions email Payne at youth@firstpresby.com or call him at the church. Thanks to all who helped and attended the winter breakfast! If you missed the breakfast, we hope to see you at the next one.
Youth: LOGOS and Youth Group have started back up for the semester. Please join us from 5:00-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00-8:30 p.m. on Sundays.
The Youth are looking to raise money for activities (Mission Trips, Retreats, Triennium, etc.). If you need help with shoveling show, spreading mulch or other chores around your house, please email Payne at youth@firstpresby.com, or call the Church office. All we ask for is a donation to help us reach our goals and expand the opportunities for our youth to attend these events.
Youth Service Day-The Presbytery is hosting a youth service day on Saturday, February 4. All youth grades 6-12 that want to participate need to contact Payne by e-mailing youth@firstpresby.com or calling the church.
Middle School Retreat: Registration is open for the Presbytery Middle School Retreat. Contact Payne.
More about the music: Below is an excerpt from Glory to God: A Companion about this morning’s final hymn, “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past”:
“As originally conceived, this text [by Isaac Watts] was a reassurance to the non-established English churches (known as Independents or Dissenters) in reaction to the Schism Act of 1714, which forbade those churches from operating schools like the Nonconformist academy at Stoke Newington that Watts himself had attended. The ‘Our God, our help’ of the opening line reflects the hope of an apprehensive minority that they would be spared from the increased persecutions this act implied would be forthcoming. The political slant of this paraphrase [of Psalm 90] is made especially obvious in the second stanza, which introduces an image of sovereignty (‘thy throne’) not found in the standard translations; in short, God is the only monarch we can trust. “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.
Sojourners’ Class begins a new series of studies on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.., in Room 411 in the Education Building. This new study series is called “Painting the Stars” and explores the promise of evolutionary Christian spirituality, investigating how our faith can grow when we are open and willing to listen for new wisdom and guidance from the Spirit who invites us to step out into new surprising and exciting dimensions of love for God and each other. These lessons will help us to support the work of our Session’s Strategic Planning Group. Everyone is invited and welcome to share these learning experiences.
Preschool Enrollment: Enrollment forms for weekday preschool classes are now available for the 2017-2018 school year beginning in August. Brochures are in the hall or on our website www.firstpresby.com. If you know of a child that may benefit from preschool classes, please have their parents go to the website or have them call the preschool office at 304-343-8961 ext. 128 for enrollment information.
Friends of Bluestone Benefit: “A Heart Day’s Night”. Singers from Dr. Mark Hornbakers Music Academy will present favorite love songs from the past 40 years on Saturday, February 11, 6:00 p.m. with dinner at the First Presbyterian Church, South Charleston. Dinner and concert are free but you can make a donation to benefit Bluestone Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center. Make reservations by February 10 by calling Doug Calderwood, 304-382-1380 or graydoug55@yahoo.com.
Lenten Growth Groups: First Presby has offered study groups to its community during Lent as a preparation time before Easter, to better appreciate faith and our connection to Christ. During Lent 2017 (Ash Wednesday, March 1 through Maundy Thursday, April 13) First Presby will again offer small group opportunities to stretch our spiritual and theological souls, improve our appreciation of art in prayer, and guided challenges to improve our ministry and marketing. Some will be classes held 4 to 6 times once a week. Some may only be a one-day workshop. Here are some efforts in the planning stages. If you would like to participate in leading one of these, please contact Rev. Doug Jenkins in the church office at 304 343-8961 or doug@firstpresby.com
Committed to Christ, by Bob Crossman – A DVD program investigating financial stewardship, and how it leads to other ministry and completes our responsibility to God.
When Christians Get It Wrong, by Adam Hamilton – What does it mean to be a Pretender? Hamilton asks this of Christians when we turn others, or even ourselves AWAY from God.
Coloring your Prayer – Adult coloring book improves your prayer life? I’m green with envy!
Young People at First Presby: A How To. Leaders: Student Chaplains from D&E College. – Meet with leaders who are gathering new flocks for Christ, with new worship, new efforts.
Just Walk Across the Room, by Bill Hybels – Evangelism in 4 DVD sessions, following Jesus’ approach.
You’ll Get Through This, by Max Lucado – No matter what you are facing, God will see you through. DVD based 6 sessions.
Stuck, by Jennie Allen – The places we get stuck and the God who sets us free.
Death’s Divide –Leader: Rev. Doug Jenkins – While we are on this side of Death, how do we prepare? How should a Christian celebrate the resurrection promised? If you don’t plan your funeral/memorial, someone else will. This will include a visit to Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home’s facilities.
Church Family Style Dinner, February 1 6:00 p.m.
Please make reservations by 4:00 p.m. Monday.
Please contact the church office (304-343-8961) for reservations.
(Those registered for LOGOS have a standing reservation and do not need to call.)
THEME: Super Hero Night
Hosts: Mission Division
First-time visitor, be our guest—no charge!
PRICE FOR DINNER
Adult/$7; Child 12-under/$3; Child under 3 is free
LOGOS Menu: Corn Dogs, Potato Wedges, Fresh Veggies & Ranch Dip, Rice Crispy Treats
Church Supper Menu: Baked Pork Chop Casserole, Vegetable, Salad, Roll and Dessert
This Week at First Presbyterian
Sunday, 1/29
9:15 Sunday School
10:00 Music Warm-up
10:30 Worship/Communion
11:45 Service of Healing
6:00 Youth Group
Monday, 1/30
8:30 Aerobics
Tuesday, 1/31
9:30 Bible Study Group
5:30 FPC Lyres Club
7:00 Boy Scouts
Wednesday, 2/1
8:00 Wednesday Work Crew
8:30 Aerobics
11:45 Wednesday Men’s Group
5:00 LOGOS
5:15 Property Division
6:00 Church Fellowship Dinner
6:45 Board of Deacons
6:45 Personnel Division
7:15 Worship Division
8:00 Worship Praise Team
Thursday, 2/2
7:30 Shoney’s Group, Downtown
10:00 PW Coordinating Team
11:30 Bible Moderators
5:15 Coordinating Council
5:30 Capella Bells Rehearsal
7:30 Geneva Choir
Friday, 2/3
7:00 Men’s Group
8:30 Aerobics
10:00 Women’s Outreach Bible Study
Saturday, 2/4
10:00 Archery
Daily Scripture Schedule for February 2016:
Wednesday, February 1
Mark 8:11-26
Thursday, February 2
Mark 8:27-9:1
Friday, February 3
Mark 9:2-13
Saturday, February 4
Mark 9:14-29
Sunday, February 5
John 7:37-46
Monday, February 6
Mark 9:30-41
Tuesday, February 7
Mark 9:42-50
Wednesday, February 8
Mark 10:1-16
Thursday, February 9
Mark 10-17-31
Friday, February 10
Mark 10:32-45
Saturday, February 11
Mark 10:46-52
Sunday, February 12
John 8:12-19
Monday, February 13
Mark 11:1-11
Tuesday, February 14
Mark 11:12-26
Wednesday, February 15
Mark 11:27-12:12
Thursday, February 16
Mark 12:13-27
Friday, February 17
Mark 12:28-34
Saturday, February 18
Mark 12:35-44
Sunday, February 19
John 10:7-16
Monday, February 20
Matthew 5:1-12
Tuesday, February 21
Matthew 5:13-20
Wednesday, February 22
Matthew 5:21-26
Thursday, February 23
Matthew 5:27-37
Friday, February 24
Matthew 5:38-48
Saturday, February 25
Matthew 6:1-6
Sunday, February 26
John 12:27-36a
Monday, February 27
John 1:1-18
Tuesday, February 28
John 1:19-28