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.
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING – RECEIVED TODAY: Today, 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 today to receive your financial donations. There will also be receptacles at the entrances to the sanctuary to receive your donations of soup and crackers. Please contribute what you can. Those who need help may not know that you cared, but God will. The Boy Scouts will post the colors for the service and receive the offering. And our young people are developing hearts for giving that can last a lifetime. Please support their efforts.
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 an during the week during church business hours.
Preschool Enrollment: Enrollment forms for weekday preschool classes are now available for the 2017-2018 school year beginning in August. Brochures can be found on the table in the hall or on our website www.firstpresby.com. If you know of a child that may benefit from preschool classes, please direct their parents 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 featuring singers from Dr. Mark Hornbakers Music Academy will be singing favorite love songs from the past 40 years, Saturday, February 11, 6 p.m. with dinner at the First Presbyterian Church, South Charleston. Dinner and concert are free, but you can make a donation to benefir Bluestone Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center. Make reservations by February 10 by calling Doug Calderwood, 304-382-1380 or graydoug55@yahoo.com.
Date Night: Fellowship and Recreation is hosting a game and movie night on Saturday, February 11 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Child care will be provided for children in grades K-12. If you have any questions, contact Payne, youth@firstpresby.com or call the church office at 304-343-8961.
This Weeks Food Pantry Needs: 1 lb boxes of Spaghetti
Youth: Youth Group has 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.
Middle School Retreat: Registration is open for the Presbytery Middle School Retreat. Contact Payne.
The Youth are looking to raise money for various different activities (Mission Trips, Retreats, Triennium, etc.). If you need help with any tasks around your house, please email Payne at youth@firstpresby.com with your contact information, or call the Church office. We are willing to shovel snow, spread mulch, or help with other tasks. All we ask for is a donation to help us reach our goals and expand the opportunities for our youth to attend these events.
More About the Music: Below is an excerpt from Glory to God: A Companion about the tune for morning’s final hymn, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”: “This tune, reportedly written when the composer was twenty years old, appeared with about forty other of his tunes in the collection [Select Hymns: with Tunes Annext (London,1761)]. It was sung with a variety of texts in Wales but seems not to have been known in England until it was included in the Wesleyan Conference Methodist Hymn-Book (London, 1904). Much more use and appreciation followed its appearance in the English Hymnal, where it was provided as the setting for two texts, ‘Alleluia, Sing to Jesus’ and James Russell Lowell’s ‘Once to Every Man and Nation.’ The Welsh tune name, pronounced huv-rud-ol, is variously translated as ‘melodious, delightful, pleasant.’ ” 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!
Sojourners’ Class begins a new series of studies on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m, 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.
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 us 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 8 at 6 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: Founding Fathers Night
Hosts: Worship Division & Discovery Sunday School Class
First-time visitor, be our guest—no charge!
PRICE FOR DINNER
Adult/$7; Child 12-under/$3; Child under 3 is free
Menu: Rotisserie Chicken, Fried Potatoes, Carrots, Apple Surprise
The February Luncheon of Presbyterian Women will be at noon Thursday, February 16, in the church dining room. The program is a special presentation – co-sponsored by the WV Humanities Council – “Julia Child” will speaker. Please invite a friend to attend with you. Deadline for reservations is Monday, February 13. Call your Circle Leader or the church office at 304-343-8961. ALL Presbyterian Women are invited.
Clothing Closet Needs: The clothing closet at St. Marks Methodist church has a desperate need for the following: Coats: women: L, XL, 2X; men: XL, 2X: Shoes: women: all sizes; men: boots 10-13, shoes 9-14, men’s tennis shoes – 9-14: Hoodies for men and women: X to 2X: Jeans: women – all sizes; men – waist 30 and up, length 32 and up: Underwear: men – 30-42; men’s white socks; women’s socks: Work bib overalls.Gloves and scarves for men, women and children – all sizes.
This Week at First Presbyterian
Sunday, 2/5
Souper Bowl of Caring/Scout Sunday
9:15 Sunday School
9:15 Manna Meal Sandwich Making
10:00 Music Warm-up
10:30 Worship
Monday, 2/6
8:30 Aerobics
Tuesday, 2/7
9:30 Bible Study Group
5:30 Christian Education Division
5:30 FPC Lyres Club
6:00 Knitting/Crocheting Group
7:00 Boy Scouts
Wednesday, 2/8
8:00 Wednesday Work Crew
8:30 Aerobics
11:45 Wednesday Men’s Group
4:00 Trustee Meeting
5:00 LOGOS
5:15 Finance Division
6:00 Rebecca Dinner Circle
6:00 Church Fellowship Dinner
6:45 Session Meeting
Thursday, 2/9
7:30 Shoney’s Group, Downtown
12:00 PW Martha Circle
5:30 Capella Bells Rehearsal
7:30 Geneva Choir
Friday, 2/10
7:00 Men’s Group
8:30 Aerobics
10:00 Women’s Outreach Bible Study
Saturday, 2/11
6:00 Date Night