Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Worship is broadcast at 11:00 a.m. on WCHS-580AM
304-343-8961
The cross on the chancel is made from three Christmas trees. It symbolizes the connection between cradle and cross as we celebrate the gift of God’s Son and His sacrifice for our salvation.
Next Week’s Sermon is “Pray for Each Other”, by Bill McCoy. Epistle Lesson is James 5:13-18.
Sympathy of the Congregation is extended to Paul Kinneberg on the death of his brother, Pete, on February 24 in Ohio.
Turn your Clocks Forward one hour next Saturday night, March 11, before you go to bed so you won’t be late for church on Sunday!
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.
Lay Academy continues to study “The Addictive Brain” today at 4:00 p.m. in the Dining Room. Today we welcome Senator Shelly Moore Capito as our Keynote Speaker. She will address our problem of what we should do about the severe Opioid Epidemic we are facing. West Virginia has the highest per capita rate of drug addiction and the most deaths due to overdose among all fifty states. We are privileged to have Senator Capito’s knowledge and perspectives on this crisis as persons who seek to heal and cure, reflecting our love for God and each other. There will be time for questions and answers. For more information, please contact the church office at 304-343-8961.
Celtic Hymn Sing: Please join us today at 4:00 p.m., for a Celtic Hymn Sing at First Presbyterian Church as part of Charleston’s Celtic Calling (www.celticcalling.org) weekend. Come and raise your voice in singing great Welsh, Scottish, Irish, and English hymns amid solos and duets arranged for organ and bagpipe solo. This is a time to experience a Celtic sound like never before in a sacred space surrounded by Celtic readings and prayers. A unique combination of music and talent. Joe Marchio will be here on First Presby’s magnificent pipe organs and will be joined by his wife Sarah on the great Highland bagpipe.
Lenten Memorials: Envelopes are in the pew racks for contributions to our Worship Memorial Fund in honor or memory of loved ones. Names will be printed in a special insert for the Easter worship bulletins. The deadline for submission is April 16. These Lenten Memorials are given to enrich worship at the church.
Youth: No Youth Group Meetings tonight.
This Weeks Food Pantry Needs: Peanut Butter & Toilet Tissue
Festival of Faith: Mark your calendar for the Festival of Faith on Saturday, April 1, here at First Presby. The Keynote Speaker will be Jessica Tate, Director of NEXT Church. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Complete workshop information can be found at www.wvpresbytery.org.
More About The Music: As we come to the end of our weekend of intense, focused prayer together, this morning’s middle hymn is especially appropriate. Below is an excerpt from Glory to God: A Companion about the origins of “Open the Eyes of My Heart”; “This text emerged as a sung prayer one day while the author was leading worship. His recollection is that he initially sang it in the plural (“our hearts,” etc. ), but the singular version is what has become popularized. The petition itself is based on the imagery of Ephesians 1:18, which he had been studying and praying over. The second part of the song recalls the vision of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-5). None of this was planned, so he would not have been able to recover the song if his sound engineer had not been recording the service. That prayer of the moment has found a sympathetic response from many people who understand this song as a prayer for an authentic and transformative encounter with God. In contrast with the religious songs of some other eras, this prayer does not try to bring God down to a human level. Instead, it asks for an experience like Isaiah’s, being present to God “shining in the light of your glory.” 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 adults’ 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. 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.
Student Pharmacists from the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy will be in the Cablish room immediately following worship. They will be providing information for Script Your Future, a campaign regarding safe medication practices and pledging to take your medications correctly. In addition, blood pressure screenings will be offered.
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.
Church Breakfast! Please join the Fellowship & Recreation, Mission, and Christian Education Divisions for a farm breakfast on March 19 to celebrate and learn about Children for Chicks. During the Season of Lent the Covenant Kids are collecting money in order to purchase chickens for families in need. We will have a farm themed breakfast and hear ways that we can support this Lenten Mission. Breakfast will be served in the dining room from 8:30-9:15 a.m.
Manna Meal Sandwich Making Thanks: Thanks to the Elementary Sunday School Children and adult helpers who made 200 sandwiches during the Sunday School Hour this morning. The sandwiches and fruit were delivered to Manna Meal by the students.
It’s Charleston Trash Bag pick-up time again. If you have more bags than you can use, please donate them to the church. Please note you can bring your Trash Bag Voucher to the church if you can’t use the bags, and we will pick up the bags for the church. Each year we save over $700 by using your donated bags. Thank you!
Lenten Growth Groups
Sign Up Sheets are on the Table in the Church Hallway
Bible Journaling, An Easter Journey
- Saturdays, March 4- April 8–11:00 a.m./location pending
Kim Lemons - Peter, His Pre and Post Resurrection Life
Wednesdays, March 8-29-10:00 a.m.- A-201
Mary McLaughlin - You’ll Get Through This
Sundays, March 5-April 9-3:00 p.m.-Ruffner Room Joann Daley
- John, the Gospel of Light and Life
Sundays, Feb. 26-April 9-9:15 a.m.-A-201 (the class)
Jim McCain - Pray and Color
Wednesdays, March 8, 15, 22-11:00 a.m. E-301 (Art Room)
Jackie Taylor - Death’s Divide
Thursdays, March 9-April 6- 7 p.m. -E-219
Doug Jenkins - Painting the StarsSundays, March 5-April 9-9:15 a.m. Sojourner’s Class
Also: Wednesdays: March 8: 7 p.m.-A- 203Bob Newman and Lyle Sattes
- The Addictive Brain, Lay Academy
Sundays, March 5-May 21-4:00 p.m.-Dining Room
Bob Newman - Who is Christ?
Tuesdays, March 14-April 11-9:30 a.m.-A-203
Kay Lamb
Ongoing Studies: Wednesday Men’s Group, 11:45 a.m. at Bistro; Friday Men’s Group, 7:00 a.m., Church Dining Room: Bible Study of the Sunday Sermon Text; Thursday, 7:30-8:30 a.m. at Shoneys.
This Week at First Presbyterian
Sunday, 3/5
1st Sunday in Lent/Communion
9:15 Sunday School
9:15 Manna Meal Sandwich-Making
10:00 Music Warm-up
10:30 Worship
4:00 Celtic Festival
4:00 Lay Academy
6:00 Youth Group
Monday, 3/6
8:30 Aerobics
5:30 First Presby Walkers
Tuesday, 3/7
9:00 PW/Peruvian Coffee
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, 3/8
8:00 Wednesday Work Crew
8:30 Aerobics
11:45 Wednesday Men’s Group
5:00 LOGOS
5:15 Finance Division
6:00 Church Family Style Dinner
6:00 Rebecca Dinner Circle
6:45 Session Meeting
Thursday, 3/9
7:30 Shoney’s Group, Downtown
12:00 Martha Circle
5:30 Capella Bells Rehearsal
7:30 Geneva Choir
Friday, 3/10
7:00 Men’s Group
8:30 Aerobics
10:00 Women’s Outreach Bible Study
Saturday, 3/11
10:00 Confirmation Retreat
Church Family Style Dinner, March 8
Please make reservations by 4:00 p.m. Monday.
Please complete the form below or contact the church office (304-343-8961) for reservations.
(Those registered for LOGOS do not have to call for reservation)
Theme: Dr. Seuss Night
Hosts: Worship & Discovery Sunday School Class
Return the tear-off portion below for your dinner reservations
Wednesday Dinner –March 8, 2017– 6:00 p.m.
First-time visitor, be our guest—no charge!
NAME_______________________________________PHONE______________________________
______Adults _______Children 3 through 12 _______Children 2 and under
PRICE FOR DINNER
Adult/$7; Child 12-under/$3; Child under 3 is free
MENU: Breakfast: French Toast Sticks, Bacon, Mixed Fruit, Scrambled Eggs