Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Worship is broadcast at 11:00 a.m. on WCHS-580AM
304-343-8961
Next Week’s Sermon is “Peak Performance” by Doug Jenkins.
Congratulations to Kaitlyn and Craig Bryant on the birth of their daughter, Eleanor Louise, on February 14. Grandparents are Bill and Marsha Bone.
Sympathy of the Congregation is extended to:
- Naomi Krieg and family on the death of her grandson, James Chadwick on February 13.
- Cheryl Hall and family on the death of her brother, Jack Saladini, on February 8, in Wilmington, Delaware.
- Michael Neese and family on the death of his mother, Charlene Neese, on January 22.
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.
Meet Our Peru Partners: First Presby members and friends have the wonderful opportunity to host Mariela Clark, founder of Casa Luz Orphanage in Ayacucho, Peru and Ashely Hentrich, First Presby’s Vision Trust Relationship Director. This provides us with a time to gather together and learn more about our partnership with Vision Trust, receive updates, and learn about our sponsored children. Mariela Clark will share with us her very compelling and inspirational life story that led her to open the Casa Luz Orphanage. In addition to running the orphanage, Mariela is involved with the daily operations of the Gethsemane Learning Center. Mariela and Ashley will be with us on February 27 and 28. If you are interested in meeting them, please contact Sue Webster.
Lay Academy: Mr. Ed Rabel, internationally known news analyst and commentator, will serve as guest speaker today as a case study on “Cuba: Land of Change and Opportunity.” Panel Moderator is Dr. Timothy Spears. Additional panel members include Jose Prazos and Joel Watts. The class kicks off the spring Lay Academy studies of “How Shall We Love Our Neighbor As Ourself?” This class meets on Sundays from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in the dining room. For more information, please contact the Church office, (304) 343-8961.
This Week’s Food Pantry Needs: Peanut Butter and Canned Beans (not green beans)
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.
Youth: Youth Group will NOT meet tonight.
The Presbytery Middle School Retreat deadline is this weekend. If you haven’t contacted Payne to sign up, please do so. The retreat is March 3-5 at Cedar Lakes in Ripley.
New Walking Community! Join us for a weekly walk on Mondays at 5:30 pm. We’ll meet in the parking lot by the activities building for a one hour walk and time of fellowship. If the weather is good we will walk outside, and if it is poor we will walk in the Activities Building. This is a great way to jump start your week with some exercise and time for reflection. But we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. Micah 4:5.
More about the music: Below is an excerpt from Glory to God: A Companion about this morning’s concluding hymn, “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”: “Palmer wrote this poem as a private reflection in six stanzas during 1830-31, while he was teaching in a girls’ school in New York City. A year or so later, he chanced to encounter Lowell Mason on a street in Boston, and Mason inquired whether he had any texts Mason could use in a forthcoming collection. Palmer showed him a copy of this poem in a pocket notebook, and Mason had him step into a nearby shop and copy it down. Upon returning home, Mason quickly wrote the tune used here. When he met Palmer again a few days later, Mason said to him, ‘Mr. Palmer, you may live many years and do many good things, but I think you will be best known to posterity as the author of “My Faith Looks Up to Thee.” That prediction has indeed proved true. This hymn appears in nearly all English-language hymnals and has been translated into several other languages.” 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 has begun 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. 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 can be found in the information 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.
Lenten Growth Groups
Scheduled from March 1, Ash Wednesday, through April 9, Palm Sunday
Pray and Color
Leader: Jackie Taylor
11:00 a.m. March 8,15, & 22 in Art Room
Peter, His Pre and Post Resurrection Life
Leader: Mary McLaughlin
Wednesday, 10:00-11:00 a.m. A-201
Bible Journaling, an Easter journey
Leader: Kim Lemons
Saturday’s 11a.m. March 4 – April 8
Bible in which to write, draw and color.
Death’s Divide (Are we prepared for our death and funeral?)
Leader: Doug Jenkins, Thursday 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. beginning March 9
Painting the Stars,
Investigating how our faith can grow when we are open and willing to listen to new listen to the Spirit.
Leaders: Bob Newman and Lyle Sattes, Sunday 9:15 a.m.
John, The Gospel of Light and Life by Adam Hamilton
Leader: Jim McCain, The Class, Room A -201, February 26 – April 9, 9:15-10:15 a.m.
You’ll Get through This by Max Lucado
Leader: Joann Daley, Ruffner Room, Sunday afternoon
Hope and Help for your turbulent times. Church Family Style Dinner, February 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Please contact the church office to make reservations by 4:00 p.m. Monday.
(Those registered for LOGOS have a standing reservation and do not need to call.)
THEME: United Nations
Hosts: Fellowship & Rec & Christian Education
Wednesday Dinner – February 22, 2017– 6:00 p.m.
First-time visitor, be our guest—no charge!
PRICE FOR DINNER
Adult/$7; Child 3-12/$3; Child under 3/free
LOGOS and Church Family Menu:Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad, Fruit, Cheesy Bread, Cookies
Volunteers needed! On Saturday morning, February 25, the Presbytery of West Virginia will hold their meeting here at First Presby, and we’ll need people to direct cars through our parking lots, help with the registration table, serve lunch, and provide other support during the day. By offering as little as one hour of your time, you can help our guests feel welcome on this important day. To give your gift of time, call the church office at 304-343-8961.
Save the dates! World Day of Prayer is coming up on Friday, March 3. This year, each of us at First Presby is invited to dedicate a portion of our weekend to spending time with God in prayer. From noon on Friday, March 3 through worship on Sunday, March 5, we’ll join with one another and with other Christians around the world for a weekend of intentional, focused prayer. You can pray for our church, for the city of Charleston, for our city/state/country/world leaders, for healing of broken relationships, for those who are grieving, or for whatever God lays on your heart. The command to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) can only be obeyed in community. We must take turns, because we all need to eat and sleep, too! You can participate in First Presby’s Prayer Weekend in your home, at your workplace, here at church, or wherever you are. We’ll be encouraging one another throughout the weekend using social media and email, #fpcprayerweekend. Look for the sign-up poster in the hallway to join the community of First Presby’s Praying People!
Cents-Ability Offering is received next Sunday, February 26: Hopefully we will not wait until Lent to start saving our coins to help alleviate hunger in our community. Thank you from those who will eat better during Lent because of your caring and sharing through Cents-Ability.
This Week at First Presbyterian
Sunday, 2/19
9:15 Sunday School
10:00 Music Warm-up
10:30 Worship
4:00 Lay Academy
Monday, 2/20
8:30 Aerobics
Tuesday, 2/21
9:30 Bible Study Group
10:00 Knitting/Crocheting Group
5:30 Fellowship & Rec
5:30 FPC Lyres Club
7:00 Boy Scouts
Wednesday, 2/22
8:00 Wednesday Work Crew
8:30 Aerobics
11:45 Wednesday Men’s Group
5:00 LOGOS
5:15 Finance Division
6:00 Rebecca Dinner Circle
6:00 Church Fellowship Dinner
7:30 Worship Team
Thursday, 2/23
7:30 Shoney’s Group, Downtown
5:30 Capella Bells Rehearsal
7:30 Geneva Choir
Friday, 2/24
7:00 Men’s Group
8:30 Aerobics
10:00 Women’s Outreach Bible Study
Saturday, 2/25
8:00 Presbytery Meeting