Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Worship is broadcast at 11:00 a.m. on WCHS-580AM
304-343-8961
Sympathy of the Congregation is extended to Eric Nelson and family on the death of his father, Eric Nelson, Sr. on April 16.
Next Week’s Sermon is “Instruct One Another” by Bill McCoy. Bible Lesson: Romans 15:14-22.
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.
The Cents-Ability Offering is Received Today: Perhaps one of your New Year’s resolutions was not to forget to be thankful for each meal the Lord provides you – at least a few cents’ worth of thankfulness. This is a New Year’s resolution well worth keeping throughout the year. Your habit of showing gratitude to THE one who gives us our daily bread, goes a long way to help feed those who struggle to have enough to eat.
The Lay Academy continues to study “The Addictive Brain,” today from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in the dining room. Dr. Thad Polk lectures (DVD) on “The Science of Marijuana,” the most widely used illegal drug in the world. This psychoactive drug, milder than most, can be both harmless, positive in medical applications, and yet dangerous, because it can be addictive and lead to harder drugs. Sargent Paul Perdue, Charleston Police Department, Human Resources Division,uman Resources H will lead discussions, and be joined by Mr. Jesse Johnson, State Executive Director of WV Normal, and Chair of the WV Mountain Party, who will discuss the national movement for reform of marijuana laws. Everyone is welcome to this Public Forum. Bring a friend or neighbor. For more information, please call the Church Office, 304-343-8961.
Open Date for Flowers. If you would like to place flowers in the Sanctuary in memory or honor of a loved one, Sunday, May 28, is an open date. Please call the church office for additional information.
Youth is meeting tonight from 6:00-8:30 p.m. and on Wednesday night from 5:00-7:30 p.m. Please come and join us.
Summer Events Lunch: Join us in fellowship for a lunch today after worship. We will be highlighting all of the events, camps, ministries, and mission projects that the church will be offering or involved in this summer.
This Week’s Food Pantry Needs: Cereal and Canned or Powdered Milk.
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 Mission Trip: A high school mission trip in West Virginia is planned for July 30-August 3. A $50 deposit towards the total trip cost of $260 is due with your reservation. Contact Payne for more information and to reserve your spot on this work and fun-filled trip for rising ninth graders through graduating seniors.
Attention Graduating Seniors & College Graduates: High school seniors, college graduates, and post graduate students will be honored in worship on Sunday, May 14th. If a member of your family will be graduating this spring or summer, please send a current picture, their school of graduation and degree if applicable, and their future plans if known, to Payne Warner at youth@firstpresby.com. Deadline to be included in the bulletin is May 8.
The First Presby Walkers are continuing to meet on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. in the church parking lot. Please join us as we walk around town.
Opportunity to Serve: Van or Bus drivers are needed for a collaborative effort to benefit children and youth on the West Side of Charleston. Your time of 3-4 hours, 3-4 times per year is needed to make cultural experiences and live art performances available to children who may never otherwise get that experience. This is a collaborative effort with St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church. Other churches are being asked to participate as well. The van or bus will be provided by St. Christopher’s. Will you please give consideration to being a vital part of bringing fun and worthwhile experiences to the lives of children who will benefit greatly by your service. If interested and for more details, please call Sue Webster at 304-343-8961 Ext. 139 or sue@firstpresby.com.
More About the Music: Below is an excerpt from Glory to God: A Companion about this morning’s final hymn of “O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing”: “As in many hymnals, the text here is divided into two hymns, one for Easter Day (number 235) and one for the following Sunday (number 255). The tradition of reading this Gospel lesson on the Second Sunday of Easter is an ancient one. This is one of the rare instances where the liturgical calendar re-creates a time interval indicated in Scripture, in which the risen Christ appears to Thomas one week after the Resurrection.” 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!
Tremendous Blessings!: The offerings received from our congregation members will bless the lives of many locally and globally! The donations received for the Children’s For Chicks Challenge totaled $1,884,83 – this equates to 377 chicks or 75 families of chicks to be given by PC(USA) to families in need of sustainable sources of nutrition. The Cents-Ability offerings for March totaled $791.41 – these funds are used for hunger relief locally and globally. The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering totaled $2,375.00 – these funds will benefit disaster assistance, hunger, and self-development of people programs throughout the world! Your VERY generous giving makes a world of difference in so many ways and in so many lives!
This Week at First Presbyterian
Sunday, 4/23
Cents-Ability
9:15 Sunday School
9:15 Confirmation Class
10:00 Music Warm-up
10:30 Worship
11:45 Church Lunch
4:00 Lay Academy
6:00 Youth Group
Monday, 4/24
8:30 Aerobics
5:30 First Presby Walkers
Tuesday, 4/25
9:30 Bible Study Group
5:15 Strategic Planning Group
5:30 FPC Lyres Club
7:00 Boy Scouts
Wednesday, 4/26
8:00 Wednesday Work Crew
8:30 Aerobics
11:45 Wednesday Men’s Group
5:00 Youth Group
5:15 Property Division
6:00 Church Fellowship Dinner
7:00 Worship Team
7:00 Lenten Growth-Bob Newman
Thursday, 4/27
7:30 Shoney’s Group, Downtown
5:30 Capella Bells Rehearsal
7:30 Geneva Choir
Friday, 4/28
7:00 Men’s Group
8:30 Aerobics
10:00 Women’s Outreach Bible Study
Saturday, 4/29
Church Fellowship Dinner, April 26
Please make reservations by 4:00 p.m. Monday, 6:00 p.m.
Please contact the church office (304-343-8961) for reservations.
Hosts: Fellowship & Recreation & Christian Education Committees
Return the tear-off portion below for your dinner reservation.
Wednesday Dinner –April 26, 2017– 6:00 p.m.
First-time visitor, be our guest—no charge!
PRICE FOR DINNER
Adult/$7; Child 12-under/$3; Child under 3 is free
Menu: Baked Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, Dessert
SUMMER ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR FIRST PRESBY
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Bells & Bars Music Academy
May 30-June 4 Bells and Bars Music Academy is a fun-filled week of bell playing, chime ringing, Orff playing, drumming and fellowship for children who have completed Kindergarten through youth in 12th grade.
Vacation Bible School
June 9-June 11 As we have the last few years, we join with our neighboring Presbyterian churches for a VBS to remember. This year we will be hosted by Bream Memorial Presbyterian at their church. Mission focus this year is the environment and nature that surround us.
Art Camps
Three different Weeks
Week 1 Ages 4 years to grade 5 June 12-June 15
Week 2 Youth, grades 6-12 June 26-June 29
Week 3 Adults July 17-July 20
All camps have a $20 supply fee due at registration.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES
Flood Relief Mission Trip
July 30-August 3 Flood Relief Mission Trip to the Webster Springs area restoring and repair homes with some fun activities also planned
Youth Group Activities Keep your eyes and ears open for more exciting activities for Youth as the summer draws closer.
Bluestone Camps The Camps at Bluestone run weekly from June 11 through July.
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
Barefoot Sunday
June 11 Each year we partner with an organization to provide shoes for those in need. This year our mission partner is “Free Your Footwear” under the umbrella of Bridge Ministries.
Tasty Tuesday
During the summer we choose a Tuesday to prepare and serve a free community meal to all who stop by. This summer Tasty Tuesdays are: June 20, July 18 and August 15.
Mission Work Days
Stay tuned for details of our congregation-wide Community Mission Weekend. We will work under the direction of the organization West Invest to refurbish a home/homes on the West Side.
FELLOWSHIP AND RECREATION
All Church Breakfasts & Lunches Meet a friend-share a meal. Alternating months, you are invited to the Dining Room for either a Sunday breakfast or lunch.
April 23, Lunch; May 21, Breakfast; June 11, Lunch; July 16, Breakfast; August 20, Lunch
Ruffner Room Refreshments You are invited for lemonade, tea and coffee in the Ruffner Room following worship on Sunday mornings when there is not a Fellowship Lunch scheduled.