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INSPIRE SEPTEMBER 2016
A lot is going on at First Presbyterian Church these days. Some of it is the normal rou ne of beginning again that happens in August and September each year:
The carpool line for Day School has begun,
Wednesday evening programs for adults and children will start up on September 7,
Sunday School classes will begin a new cycle on September 11,
Newly elected officers will be ordained and installed in the worship service on September 11, and
New Second Graders will be presented Bibles on September 18.
But even though we expect these ac vi es each year, this year they will be a li le different. Truth is each me we begin again something is differ-ent – namely you and me. We are all a year old-er. Some who were here last year are not this year – that is, people relocate for all sorts of rea-sons. And some who we love and long for have died. Then again, this is the first me in the cycle for others. New folks have joined in this community. And there have been several births since we last
observed these occasions. So each me we gather, things are different. Moreover, this year, some things are happening in our midst that are not part of our rou ne star ng over cycle:
28 stained glass windows in the sanctuary building are being removed. In the 124 years since they were installed they have never been removed – and this act of care is to make sure they won’t have to be repaired for another century and a quarter;
On Sunday, September 11, from 3-6 pm we’ll celebrate Church Family Day in the City – there will be barbecue, fellowship, games and a good me!
Also, on September 11, the Chapel will be opened all day for a devo on and reflec on as we acknowledge the 15th Anniversary of the September 11 horror.
A lot is going on at First Presbyterian in September. I hope and pray that in all the things happening – the weekly rou nes and those that are special occasions – you will find something that nourishes your faith in Jesus Christ and pro-vides encouragement for your spirit.
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Visit our website: www.columbusfpc.org. From the homepage chose NEWS from the
header then from the dropdown menu choose the “restora on project.” This page will be
updated as the progress con nues.
c o f f e e c h a t b i b l e s t u d y Join us for coffee, fellowship, prayer, and though ul discussion as we study, Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God by Margaret Feinberg. “Do you ever feel like you're going through the mo ons of faith? Some mes we do and say the right things, but our hearts are far from God. We lose our sense of holy awe. In Wonderstruck, Margaret Feinberg invites you to toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life God intended.” In this 7-session Bible study, you will be reminded what it means to awaken to wonder every day by learning to:
Develop a renewed passion for God
Iden fy what's holding you back in prayer
Find extraordinary moments on ordinary days
Discover peace in knowing you're wildly loved
Recognize the presence of God in the midst of your rou ne
Coffee Chat meets on Thursdays at 9:15 a.m. in the parlor. We will begin Thursday, September 15. If you are interested in joining, please call Kimberly, 706.322.4523. Please purchase a par cipant book before class starts at Lifeway.
15th Anniversary
Remembrance
WE WILL NEVER
FORGET SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
Prayer Station in the Chapel
Sunday, September 11
from 9:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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What does true spiritual life really look like? What keeps you from living such a life? How can you pursue it?
If you’re red of status quo – if you suspect there’s more to Chris anity than what you’ve experienced – John Ortberg invites you to join him on a road to transforma on and spiritu-al vigor that anyone can take. The Life You’ve Always Wanted guides you down the ancient path of the spiritual disciplines.
Cul vate new in macy and confidence in prayer. Discover the freedom of secrecy. Taste the benefits of slowing life’s frene c pace. Learn how to be guided by the Holy Spirit...and more.
This study will take place on Wednesday evenings following Church Family Supper from September 14 through October 19.
Church Family Suppers Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
September 7 Earl Nichols, Pastoral Ins tute
and cer fied story-teller
September 14 The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg
“It’s Morphing Time”
September 21 The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg
“Slowing Down and Celebra ng”
September 28 The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg
“Praying and Confessing”
October 5 The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg “Medita ng on Scripture and Seeking Guidance”
October 12 The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg “Prac cing Servanthood, Finding Freedom”
October 19 The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg “Going the Distance with a Well-Oriented Heart”
October 26 Trunk or Treat Fall Fes val
Week 1: A New Look at the Garden Week 2: Job the Loyal Servant Week 3: Hosea Fidelity Week 4: Back to the Garden
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September 3 Labor Day – No School
September 21
9:30 a.m. Sing Peace Around the World
Children from across the planet will come together to sing for peace on this day to celebrate the United Na on's Day of Peace. The singing will commence on the shores of New Zealand and con nue from country to country un l it reaches the shores of the Hawaiian Islands 24 hours later. This event will become one of the largest United Na on's Day of Peace celebra ons on record. In 2009, "Sing Peace" involved over 65,000 children from some 35 different countries. We hope to reach 100,000 children singing for the 2016 event.
Children signed up to sing as of August 29…
69,870!
September youth activities
September 11
The youth will collect money for the Souper Bowl of Caring following the 8:45 & 11 a.m. worship services.
10 a.m. Sunday School (grades 6-12)
3 - 6 p.m. Family Day in the City Youth will help with the games.
September 18
10 a.m. Sunday School (grades 6-12)
5:15 p.m. Youth Choir 6 p.m. Youth Supper
6:30 p.m. Sack Lunch Packing 7:30 p.m. Parent Pick up
September 25
10 a.m. Sunday School (grades 6-12)
3 p.m. Indoor Rock Climbing at Treadstone with Trinity Episcopal youth.
5:15 p.m. Youth Choir 6 p.m. Youth Supper
6:30 p.m. Parent Pick-up at church
Children’s Wednesday Night Schedule
5:00 p.m. Cherub Choir (ages 3 and 4) meets in the Chapel Children Recrea on (grades K-5) in the Gym
5:30 p.m.
Church Family Supper in the Fellowship Hall
6:15 p.m. Junior Choir (grades 3-5) meet in Adult Choir Room
Grades K-2 Ac vity Time in the Gym
6:50 p.m. Primary Choir (grades K-2) meet in Children’s Choir Room
Grades 3-5 Ac vity Time in the Gym
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Operation Christmas Child
Here at FPC, we will have a chance to delight children across the world with the gi s in our Opera on Christmas Child shoeboxes this fall! Every gi is an opportunity to spread the Gospel. Many boys and girls also par cipate in the 12-lesson discipleship course, The Greatest Journey, where they learn how to faithfully follow Christ and share Him with others.
Watch for the Opera on Christmas Child table in the recep on hall in early October where you can pick up a box to fill and a pamphlet on how to pack your box. In the mean me, start thinking about what you will pack: A quality “WOW” item such as a doll, soccer ball and pump, stuffed animal, other fun toys, hygiene items and school supplies are all great. (Backpacks are great items too and should be on clearance soon with school supplies!)
Disciple: Invitation to Genesis This class will be offered on Wednesday nights following Church Family Supper led by Rev. Joel Alvis and Mary Bruce. The study will begin on September 14 at 6:30 and will conclude at 7:30 in the Intercessory Prayer Room. This study takes groups into the rich “tapestry of Genesis exploring the interac on between God and very human people - pride, family rela onships, conflict and journey all showcase the best known stories of Crea on, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Rebekah and Joseph.” The video reflects the drama of the Genesis stories, first with selected text drama zed by an actor, and then study writer, Peter Enns, interview a scholar to help unpack the meaning and the mystery in the stories. The ten sessions will run through November 16. Material will be distributed on September 7.
Disciple: Fast Track This fall we will start Disciple “Fast Track.” Disciple Fast Track maintains the integrity and principles of the original 34-week study, but its modifica ons can be er meet the needs of a hec c world. Par cipants s ll receive a thorough introduc on to the Bible, but in almost a third less me. Fast Track is not a replacement for the original; it is simply a prac cal op on.
Fast Track works by using the same Disciple study manual, but the class me and course length have been adjusted for a busy lifestyle. Addi onal print and video materials, which are extremely easy to use, give par cipants the tools to absorb and retain what they learn in this shortened format.
Classes will meet for a total of 24 weeks and each group session is 75 minutes. The 12 fall Old Testament sessions will meet Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and conclude November 30. The 12 New Testament sessions will begin in January 2017 and conclude mid-March. If you are interested in more informa on or to signup, please contact Rev. Jones Doughton, 706.322.4523 or [email protected].
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Boy Scout News
Life Scout, Ben Sellers, of Troop 169, the son of Terry and Deb Sellers, appeared before the Eagle Scout Board of Review on August 11. He performed very well by proficiently answering all of the Board’s ques ons and quickly proved himself worthy of the Eagle Scout rank. Congratula ons to Ben on becoming an Eagle Scout!
Troop 24 “Good News”
I wish to announce some special Troop 24 "Good News!” Eagle Scout Ma hew Laney, our 11th Eagle to take flight in 1988, le his previous job at CNN in May. He is now Senior Director of Service Support for News, Sports and Technical Infrastructure for Turner Broadcas ng Systems (TBS), Inc. Ma says, "I lead teams that are responsible for Service Opera on and Transi on for the News (CNN) and Sports (Turner Sports) file-based media produc-on and news informa on systems, and for the en re service
around the general IT infrastructure (servers, storage, networking, virtualiza on, automa on, monitoring, security) used by the broadcast realm of Turner. The teams consist large-ly of systems and network engineers, broadcast engineers, data-base administrators, quality assurance professionals and developers who design, install, configure, test and maintain IT-leaning file and metadata systems for video ingest, edit, play-back and archive purposes. Our infrastructure layer underpins most of Turner's other broadcast systems, including produc on control rooms, master control, content supply chain, content delivery and graphics."
Wow! For an old guy, a lot of Ma 's explana on went right over my head, but it certainly tells me that he has a lot of responsibil-ity in that new job. I remember Ma as a bright, gruff-talking boy who used to camp with our troop on monthly campouts. Even a er he earned his Eagle, he remained with the troop un l high school gradua on, providing necessary youth leadership to the younger scouts. I specifically recall a gathering
of scouts and families in the spring of 1991 in an amphithea-ter at old BSA Camp McKenzie, when we called upon The Great Spirit to bring us fire to begin our campfire, and Ma magically made fire appear out of nowhere and completely mys fied the crowd. He's apparently s ll both a leader and a showman. Ma is a graduate of Hardaway High School and The University of the South at Sewanee. He is the son of Ruthie Laney and the late David Laney. He is also the nephew of John and Weesie Laney. We're so proud of you, Ma , and of what you have accomplished so far in life.
Wri en by Bud Paepcke
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If your birthday or anniversary is this month, but is not listed, please contact the church office so we can add it to your member profile.
September Anniversaries and Birthdays
1 Leonard Buce, Jr. Cathy Driver Bob Hinson III
2 Zachary Wright
3 Tom Flournoy
4 Ralph & Emily Johnson Ann Purvis Allie Johnson
5 John & Margaret Page Grace Hemmings
6 Perk Swi
8 Bill Heard, Jr. Wendy Ellio Thomas Kemp III
9 Chuck Williams Vandy Middleton
10 Heather Stanley Georgia Barton Rylee Bath Ta Middleton, Jr.
11 Clare Bowles Kimberly Moseley Ellie Daffin
12 Be y Lawrence Cathy Franklin
13 Chris ne Moye
15 Michael & Kay Harris Kinn Loomis Tim Bauler Clay Miller Rachel Hemmings Kathleen Sway
16 Jeanne Dickey Zak McCall
17 Rose e Miller Mary Casey Powers
18 Mildred Buie Joe Blackmon Casey Orlando
19 Tom George, Jr.
20 Jake & Ann Purvis Dick Stone Emily Johnson Beverly Yarbrough
22 Will Hadden
23 Sara Hatcher
24 June Veenstra Kim Adams Eleanor Turner Hwa Young Coffin Pete Pease, Jr.
26 Hwa Young Coffin Pete Pease, Jr.
27 Cliff Bath IV
28 Josh Hancock
29 Kevin & Amanda Herri Margaret McCall Heather McLeod Stewart Quinn
30 Mo ne Welch Glenn Johnston
1100 First Avenue
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Phone: 706.322.4523
Fax: 706.596.8531
Web: www.columbusfpc.org
Share God’s Love: First Presbyterian, a historic church located in uptown Columbus, Georgia, seeks to minister to all people in Christ’s name through an inclusive, caring, and faithful community that joyfully shares the gi of salva on from a loving and forgiving God.
INTER IM PASTOR
The Reverend Joel L. Alvis, Jr., PhD
ASSOC IATE PASTOR
The Reverend E. Jones Doughton, D. Min.
CH ILDREN’S MIN ISTRY DIRECTOR
Mrs. Debbie Spear
CHURCH ADMIN ISTRATOR
Ms. Suzanne McCary
ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER
Mr. Thomas H. George, Jr.
