1 st NEWS October 11, 2011 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 520 Washington Avenue

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1 1 st NEWS October 11, 2011 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 520 Washington Avenue Savannah, Georgia Nonprofit Organization U. S. Postage Paid Address Service Requested Savannah, Georgia Permit 665 I will be their God and they shall be my people SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 at 11:00 A.M. SERMON: Giving to God TEXT: Matthew 22:15-22 William Shelburne, Sr., preaching SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE SEEKS YOUR SUPPORT What single characteristic of this congregation would you use to describe us to someone you were inviting to attend? When I asked this question at one of our Sunday church lunches, those sitting at my table offered several responses. We are a warm and friendly church. Someone else spoke of our impressive outreach ministries leading Bible study at the county jail, caring for families who are homeless, serving breakfast at Emmaus house, providing backpacks of food for children on weekends. Another person mentioned the quality of our Presbyterian-style worship service and the quiet dignity of our beautiful sanctuary. Most everyone lifted up the twin themes of friendliness and mission that are crucial qualities for this servant church. In the next weeks you will be hearing from the Stewardship Campaign Committee as its members seek to interpret an ambitious budget for 2012 and outline the wide ranging ministry that your contributions will provide. Chaired by Josh Brooks, the committee will be preparing mailings, presenting talks and programs, and generally reminding us about the privilege of Christian stewardship. First needs to be a place where people are welcomed and made part of the community of faith; then those who are part of the church need to express our faith through ministries of compassion and mercy. And this takes our financial commitment. A church with features of friendliness and mission does not just happen. Through energy, time, money, Bible study and prayer, a church becomes warm and caring a place of invitation and outreach in the name of Jesus. This year s theme, Strength for Today, Bright Hope for Tomorrow is a line from that beloved hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness. The life of faith is anchored in the good promises of God. We rely on God in the present, trusting in Jesus Christ. And we are confident that the future will hold nothing that will finally defeat us, because we have God as our ally and reinforcement. We respond to this gospel of grace by welcoming visitors, attending church events, taking part in mission projects, and financially supporting the church. As we dedicate our lives in service to Jesus Christ, we discover an authentic and faithful means of sharing our love. Stewardship is the discipline and practice of sharing. It does not happen by chance. It is by choice that we offer ourselves and our gifts. When the Stewardship Campaign Committee asks for our support, we are being offered opportunities to make our church a stronger and more vital witness to the gospel. I hope each of us will respond generously with our time, money, enthusiasm, and faithfulness to strengthen the life and work of our church. --SCW

2 Sunday, October 16 Monday, October 17 Tuesday, October 18 Wednesday, October 19 Thursday, October 20 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 9:00 a.m.... Prayer Ministry 9:30 a.m.... Sunday School 10:30 a.m.... Coffee Fellowship 11:00 a.m.... Worship Service 12:15 p.m.... Hand Bell Choir, Congregational Care Committee in Church Library 4:46 p.m.... Junior and Senior High Fellowships 5:00 p.m....chapel Choir 6:00 p.m.... Youth Supper, Finance Committee in Church Library 6:30 p.m.... Junior Low Fellowship, Youth Ensemble 7:30 a.m.... Men s Breakfast 10:30 a.m.... Knitting Prayer Shawls in the Church Library 7:00 p.m.... Session Meeting 8:00 a.m.... Morning Missions at Emmaus House 4:00 p.m.... Jail Ministry 5:00 p.m.... Staff Meeting 5:30 p.m.... Loaves and Fishes, Tiger Cub and Cub Scout Pack 6:00 p.m....wonderful Wednesday Supper 6:45 p.m.... Congregational Program 7:30 p.m.... Chancel Choir 6:30 p.m.... Grace and Joy Circle 7:00 p.m.... Boy Scouts RECORD OF OUR FAITHFULNESS, PRAYER CONCERNS, ETC. October 9: offering received: $9,066; Peacemaking Offering: $50; Building for the Future Campaign: $5,020; attendance at worship: 153; visitors: 18 Memorials received: in memory of Pat Knight by Mrs. Dorothy Henderson Even though last weekend was a three-day holiday for many families with children in school, there was plenty of excitement around the church with two weddings. During morning worship, Tess Stuber gave a Minute for Mission about teaching English at Suwon University in Seoul, South Korea and four new members were received into membership The youth fellowship spent part of a recent Sunday evening making sandwiches for Emmaus House. The timing was perfect because the next day when the sandwiches were distributed, there was record attendance at Emmaus House, and their kitchen ran short on breakfast Thanks to the following who babysat at Mickve Israel during the High Holy Days: Carter Eagle, Stacy Prather (coordinator), Angie Bond, Ann Glendenning, Claire Williams, Becky Rowden and Daniel Parrott, Lisa Team, Pam Stewart and Mark Jackovich, Rozella Rimes, Annie Adams, Bertha and Datie Rogers. Alan Henderson, First's former director of music, will sing the baritone solos in the Savannah Philharmonic's performance of Brahms' German Requiem on October 21 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The Requiem uses biblical texts to express the sorrow of death and comfort in life everlasting. Visit for tickets. FIRST TO HOST INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK OCTOBER IHN provides shelter, meals, assistance, and compassion to families who are temporarily homeless. Volunteers are needed to help with meals, serve as evening hosts, or sleep overnight at the church. Contact Kim Tate, who serves as our coordinator, at tatehouse@comcast.net. NEWS FROM PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Grace and Joy Circle will meet on Thursday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Kim Tate, 3 Marsh Harbor Drive. Peggy Gilpin will co-host, and Allison Johnson will lead a study of Lesson Three, Greatly Honored are the Humbled, from Margaret Aymer s Confessing the Beatitudes. Cookbook Recipes Needed Please place your recipes for the Savannah Presbytery Presbyterian Women s Cookbook in the PW mailbox in our receptionist office. The deadline is October 21. Categories include soups, salads, appetizers, beverages, main dishes, breads and rolls, desserts, cookies and candy, vegetables, and side dishes. Please use the forms that include all directions, located in the receptionist s office. Call Charlotte Keenoy at with questions. Thank Offering This offering of Presbyterian Women has a huge impact in the USA and around the world. The denomination s goal is $1 million. Circles will collect the offering through October. If you have questions, contact: Eliza Brooks, Agape Circle; Carol Booker, Grace and Joy Circle; Dottie Floyd-Weller, Jubilee Circle; Charlotte Keenoy, PW moderator. Santa Claus Express is coming soon in November. Details will follow.

3 Strength for Today Bright Hope for Tomorrow This year s Stewardship theme, Strength for Today, Bright Hope for Tomorrow, is from the third verse of Thomas A. Chisolm s beautiful hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness. It is a lyrical reminder of God s boundless love and forgiveness despite our sinful nature. When I was 10 years old, I traveled by train with my family from Atlanta to New York City to a Billy Graham crusade at Yankee Stadium. Even though it was more than a half-century ago, I vividly remember the power of Rev. Graham s message and the incredible voice of George Beverly Shea as he sang this beloved hymn. I remember Rev. Graham s message of God s love and acceptance of all who called upon God for forgiveness. That message has been repeated countless times in churches I have attended over the years. It is a message of hope for all believers. But I also believe it is a message that calls us to service as a visible expression of God s love in the world. We live in a time when many people are hurting, lost and alone. They are searching for acceptance and love. They need, just as we do, to hear that God gives us strength to get through difficult days and hope for better tomorrows. We, as God s witnesses, need to deliver that message in words and deeds. We are presented with opportunities every day to share God s love in a hurting world. We are called to give of our time, our talents and our financial resources to support God s work in the world. I know that every time I meet a family through Interfaith Hospitality Network, I see mothers and fathers who want the same things for their children as we want for ours a safe environment in which to live; an opportunity to work to support their families; and a bright future. God presents us with an opportunity to share time with a family we might not otherwise meet; to understand their fears about tomorrow; and to offer them hospitality within the walls of God s house. What greater way to show our appreciation for God s generosity to us than to share our blessings with others. --Linda Wittish Prime Timers will tour the Thunderbolt Museum and then enjoy lunch at Tubby s Tank House on Thursday, October 13. Meet at the church for carpooling at 11:00 a.m., or meet at the museum at 11:15 a.m. Men s Breakfast Men of the church are invited for breakfast on Monday, October 17, from 7:30 8:15 a.m. at the Holland House, 601 East 68 th Street, just off Paulsen. Don Stuber will lead the lesson. Visitors are always welcome. Wonderful Wednesday, October 19 Beginning at 6:45 p.m., Jackie Ogden, Chatham County Extension Service Director, will discuss UGA cooperative extension MARK YOUR CALENDARS programs in Chatham County. The serving line begins at 6:00 p.m. and features meat loaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, cheese biscuits, and dessert $6/adult, $2/child. Church Cleanup Day Don your overalls and grab your paintbrush, the fall cleanup day is coming! We need painters, pruners, cleaners, organizers, scrubbers, dusters, and repairers for our fall cleanup day which is on Saturday, October 29, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. If you have tools you would like to bring, we ll put them to good use. The Property Committee sponsors this event. LITTLE LAMBS SALE HELD ON OCTOBER 14 AND 15 Our preschool s fall fundraiser the Little Lambs Children s Consignment Sale is right around the corner! Mark the dates: Friday, October 14 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 15 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Please support us by volunteering, shopping, donating, and helping us spread the word to others. Your prayers for a successful sale are greatly appreciated. We feel this is a ministry to parents, children, the community, and to our preschool.

4 YOUTH FELLOWSHIPS AND CHOIRS WILL MEET SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 Youth Supper will be prepared by Pam and Chris Daly Junior Lows 5:00 p.m., Chapel Choir; 6:00 p.m., supper; 6:30 p.m., Movie Night... Junior and Senior Highs 4:46 p.m., Ultimate Frisbee; 6:00 p.m., supper; 6:30 p.m., Youth Ensemble. FIRST DINNER GROUPS HOST LOBSTER BOIL The year-end Lobster Boil will be held on Saturday, November 12, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 1709 Inlet Avenue, Tybee Island. Sunset on the Back River will be at 5:26 p.m. We ll eat at 6:00 p.m. and clean up from 7:30 until 8:00 p.m. The Lobster Boil costs about $20-25 per person, and the money will be collected at the event. The cost is subject to the price of Maine lobsters when Ellen and Lew Tate order them 2-3 days prior to the event. There will be grilled hot dogs/hamburgers for those not eating lobster. Lobsters will be served with boiled potatoes, corn on the cob, asparagus, and iced tea. Please bring other desired refreshments. We have 20 reservations as of October 3. For those who have not sent an RSVP, please do so as soon as possible, but no later than November 9, to Larry Stuber or phone him at A Gracious Christmas 2011 Volunteer Sign Up A Gracious Christmas takes place on Thursday, December 1, 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. NAME PHONE PREFERENCE: Set up (day and evening before) Greeter/Guest assistance Registration Raffle Lunch Demonstrations Sales Booths Cleanup I will have lunch with other volunteers at the volunteer table ($20). I cannot stay for lunch, but will attend demonstrations as my duties permit (no charge). I need child care on the morning of the event. Number of children and ages: Please return this form, with your check, to the church office or give it to

5 Volunteer Coordinators Rosie Donnelly or Lindsay Norman. Thank you!