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 Doug Jenkins.
Sympathy of the Congregation is extended to:
- Family of Carolyn Derenburger on her death May 17.
- Naomi Krieg on the death of her grandson, William “Wiley” Krieg, IV on May 10.
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 Lay Academy continues to study “The Addictive Brain,” today from 4:00-5:30 p.m., in the dining room. Dr. Thad Polk lectures on “Are Junk Food, Pornography, and Video Games Addictions?” Science discovers how basically good human necessities, Healthy Food, Human Sexuality, and Competitive Sports/Hunting can move from use to abuse, craving, and pathological dependency. These addictions arise not from ingested drugs, of course, but from social environment. Since this is the final class in this series, we shall discuss how all of our learning fits together to enable us to understand and serve the needs of addicted persons who are often our friends and neighbors. Discussion leaders will include Jesse Johnson, Steve Logan, and Dr. Bill Mullett. For more information, please contact the Church Office, 304-343-8961.
Vacation Bible School – Planet Earth Passport: First Presby Vacation Bible School in collaboration with Bream Presbyterian Church and Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, and hosted by Bream will be held Friday, June 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Bream Presbyterian Church and Sunday, June 11 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Coonskin Park. To sign up for this intergenerational mission experience, please contact Janet Chambers at janet@firstpresby.com or 304-343-8961.
Barefoot Sunday is June 11! This is the day that you are invited to come to church in bare feet to walk in solidarity with those who daily have to walk with no covering or protection for their feet. This is also the day that you bring an offering of shoes in support of those who do not have shoes. This year, First Presby is partnering with Free Your Footwear, a branch of Bridge Ministries, Inc. that is working with domestic and international organizations to help collect, refurbish and distribute gently used or new shoes to those in need worldwide. Millions of people worldwide go without basic needs every day, like footwear. Having this lack of shoes can lead to feelings of rejection and worthlessness and also exposes the individual to tremendous health risks. Receiving a gift of shoes is a way to signify importance and a feeling of being loved. Be one of the first to stop by the bulletin board in our church hallway to select your Barefoot card and commit to purchase a new pair of shoes for a child in need. Or select a card to make a financial donation to support the work of Free Your Footwear. Instructions for participation are on the bulletin board or contact Sue Webster for more information.
This Week’s Food Pantry Needs: Meal Starters
Cents-Ability Offering is received next Sunday, May 28: “To allow the hungry to remain hungry would be blasphemy against God and one’s neighbor, for what is nearest to God is precisely the need of one’s neighbor. It is for the love of Christ, which belongs a much to the hungry as to myself, that I share my bread. If the hungry do not attain to faith, then the fault falls on those who refused them bread. To provide the hungry with bread is to prepare the way for the coming of grace.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Please be mindful as to how you will give to the Cents-Ability offering.
Bells and Bars Music Academy will take place Tuesday-Friday, May 30-June 2 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and Sunday morning, June 4. All students who have completed Kindergarten and older are invited to participate. We will learn music for chimes, hand-bells, Orff instruments and drums, and we will lead worship with our instruments on Pentecost, Sunday, June 4. Register online on the First Presby website, or fill out one of the registration forms on the table in the hallway. The materials fee is $30, with a family maximum of $75, and scholarships are available. All the music will be custom-written for each student, so let us know as soon as you decide to join us!
More About the Music: Below is an excerpt from “Glory to God: A Companion” about the tune of this 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.
PW Study Books for 2017-2018: Orders are being taken for the Study book to be studied “Cloud of Witnesses”: The Community of Christ in Hebrews. Cost: $10.00. Tell your Circle Leader, or call Alice Abernethy at 304-342-0074.
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.
Walking Community! Join us for a weekly walk on Mondays at 5:30 pm. We meet in the parking lot by the activities building for a one hour walk and time of fellowship. If the weather is good we walk outside, and if it is poor we 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.
Are You Expecting? If you are expecting a child, we want to know! We have an ongoing maternity prayer list. Please email Kay Propst at kayp@firstpresby.com or call the church office 304-343-8961.
First Presby Work Days-June 9 & 10-Charlie Ferrell Home, 219 Garrison Avenue, Charleston
This project will help repair the home of a decorated Vietnam-era Marine who was awarded 10 commendations throughout his career. He has spent his entire life taking care of others including being an active volunteer in the local Toys for Tots Program. He is currently waiting for a lung transplant and while he has been waiting his home has become uninhabitable. Several organizations/churches are involved but they need more help. Skilled and unskilled labor is needed-a few examples: lawn care, cleaning, painting, kitchen installation, flooring, insulation, pressure washing. Volunteers needed to prepare and provide lunch. Please consider giving some of your time on June 9 and/or 10 to help. You can sign up to help in the hallway Sunday, May 28 and Sunday, June 4, or call Sue Webster at the church, 304-343-8961. To read more about this project check these out: http://www.wsaz.com/contenet/news/Charleston-police-and-volunteer-rebuilding-decorated-veterans-home-410949533.html https://www.gofundme.com/charlieferrellproject
This Week at First Presbyterian
Sunday, 5/21
PW Sunday
8:30 Breakfast
9:15 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
4:00 Lay Academy
Monday, 5/22
8:30 Aerobics
5:30 First Presby Walkers
Tuesday, 5/23
7:00 Boy Scouts
Wednesday, 5/24
8:00 Wednesday Work Crew
8:30 Aerobics
7:00 Worship Music Team
Thursday, 5/25
7:30 Shoney’s Group, Downtown
Friday, 5/26
8:30 Aerobics
10:00 Women’s Outreach Bible Study
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.
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. Starts Memorial Day Weekend Sunday.