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.
Congratulations to:
- Florian Ceperley who is celebrating his 100th birthday today!
- Charles and Stephanie Clarke on the birth of a daughter, Evelyn Claire Clarke, on April 7. She joins sister Oliva Grace at home. Grandmother is Janet Clarke.
- Blair & Lee Lewis on the birth of a son, Leonardo Rozook Lewis, on April 26. Leo joins brother Michael and sister Sophia at home. Terry & Ron Potesta are the grandparents.
Sympathy of the Congregation is extended to:
- The family of Dorothy (Dot) Holden who died April 17 in Anderson, SC.
- The family of Tyrone Wilson who died April 23.
Next Week’s Sermon is “Forgive Each Other” by Bill McCoy.
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 meet today to study “The Addictive Brain,” in the Dining Room, 4:00-5:30 p.m. Dr. Thad Polk lectures (DVD) on “Stimulants—From Cocaine to Ritalin.” In addition to Cocaine, amphetamine and methamphetamine belong to this class of drugs which are sometimes called “uppers” because they produce a feeling of excitement and euphoria, increase alertness and focus, and decrease fatigue and appetite. They are also considered to be among the most dangerous drugs of abuse available. Everyone is welcome to join us for this learning opportunity and to share in the discussions. For more information, please call the Church Office, 304-343-8961.
The Personnel Division is pleased to announce that at its last meeting, Session approved our recommendation to hire Janet Chambers for the permanent position of Director of Child and Family Ministry. Janet has accepted our offer and continues the role she has filled as an interim. Please congratulate Janet as you see her at church! Session also approved the new position of Director of Membership and Evangelism. This expands the Visitors/New Members position to include existing member outreach. The Personnel Division will begin its search process at our May meeting. We will limit the search to non-First Presby persons. This position is a direct result of our Strategic Plan. Finally, the Associate Pastor Search committee, chaired by Charlie Lorensen, is in full swing. Please pray for our church and its’ leaders as we navigate through these changing waters.
This Weeks Food Pantrys Needs: Cereal
Youth will meet tonight from 6:00-8:30 p.m. in the Dining Room
More About the Music: Below is an excerpt from Glory to God: A Companion about this morning’s final hymn, “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant”: “As often happens in the writing of hymns, the author’s initial stanza jotted down in 1976 was not the present first stanza but what has become the third stanza. That stanza stayed on a scrap of paper in the bottom of Richard Gillard’s guitar case for almost a year until he developed the hymn into essentially its present form. The author has indicated that the primary inspiration for this text was the account of Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet (John 13:2b-17), which had been enlivened for him by ritual reenactments of that event on Maundy Thursday at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Auckland, New Zealand. Also influential were sermons and discussions he had heard there on Christian service and servanthood.” 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!
Presbyterian Coffee Project: Coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolates, raisins, and nuts continue to be available for purchase after worship and the week days 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 14. 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.
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.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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.
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.
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. May 21, Breakfast; June 11, Lunch; July 16, Breakfast; August 20, Lunch.
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.
Church Fellowship Dinner, May 3 6:00 p.m.
Please make reservations by 4:00 p.m. Monday.
Please contact the church office (304-343-8961) for reservations.
Hosts: Session & Sojourners 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: Open Face Roast Beef Sandwiches, Mashed Potatoes, Peas, Salad, Rolls & Dessert
This Week at First Presbyterian
Sunday, 4/30
9:15 Sunday School
9:15 Confirmation Class
10:00 Music Warm-up
10:30 Worship
11:45 Service of Healing
4:00 Lay Academy
6:00 Youth Group
Monday, 5/1
8:30 Aerobics
5:30 First Presby Walkers
Tuesday, 5/2
9:30 Bible Study Group
5:30 FPC Lyres Club
5:30 Christian Education Division
6:00 Knitting/Crocheting Group
7:00 Boy Scouts
Wednesday, 5/3
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
6:45 Board of Deacons
6:45 Personnel Division
6:45 Worship Division
7:00 Lenten Growth-Bob Newman
8:00 Worship Team
Thursday, 5/4
7:30 Shoney’s Group, Downtown
10:00 PW Coordinating Team
11:30 Bible Moderators
5:15 Coordinating Council
5:30 Capella Bells Rehearsal
7:30 Geneva Choir
Friday, 5/5
7:00 Men’s Group
8:30 Aerobics
10:00 Women’s Outreach Bible Study
Saturday, 5/6
11:00 Tyrone Wilson-Memorial Service
DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR MAY, 2017
Monday, May 1
Luke 4:14-30
Tuesday, May 2
Luke 4:31-37
Wednesday, May 3
Luke 4:38-44
Thursday, May 4
Luke 5:1-11
Friday, May 5
Luke 5:12-26
Saturday, May 6
Luke 5:27-39
Sunday, May 7
Matthew 7:15-29
Monday, May 8
Luke 6:1-11
Tuesday, May 9
Luke 6:12-26
Wednesday, May 10
Luke 6:27-38
Thursday, May 11
Luke 6:39-49
Friday, May 12
Luke 7:1-17
Saturday, May 13
Luke 7:18-35
Sunday, May 14
Matthew 7:7-14
Monday, May 15
Luke 7:36-50
Tuesday, May 16
Luke 8:1-15
Wednesday, May 17
Luke 8:16-25
Thursday, May 18
Luke 8:26-39
Friday, May 19
Luke 8:40-56
Saturday, May 20
Luke 9:1-17
Sunday, May 21
Matthew 13:24-34a
Monday, May 22
Luke 9:18-27
Tuesday, May 23
Luke 11:1-13
Wednesday, May 24
Luke 12:22-31
Thursday, May 25
Matthew 28:16-20
Friday, May 26
Luke 9:28-36
Saturday, May 27
Luke 9:37-50
Sunday, May 28
Matthew 10:24-33, 40-42
Monday, May 29
Luke 9:51-62
Tuesday, May 30
Luke 10:1-17
Wednesday, May 31
Luke 10:17-24