C h u r c h S c h o o l : 9 : 1 5 a. m. S u n d a y W o r s h i p : 1 0 : 4 5 a. m. 110 North Adams Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Phone (850) 222-4504 Fax (850) 222-2215 email: office@oldfirstchurch.org w e b s i t e : w w w. o l d fi r s t c h u r c h. o r g www.facebook.com/oldfirstchurch Pastor s Blog: b r a n t c o p e l a n d. c o m CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: 9:00 AM 12:30 PM AND 1:30PM 5:00PM, Monday Friday A special thanks to everyone who participated in our fire drill on Sunday, November 11th! The sanctuary was evacuated in 2:21, which was a very good Food First Sunday December 2, 2018 Mark your calendars now to bring a bag of nonperishable items with you to worship on that day and leave it in the narthex. Here are some suggested items you may include in your bag: peanut butter; canned tuna, canned vegetables or fruit, boxed mac and cheese, cereal, or soups. PRAYER MINISTRY Did you know...we have two separate prayer ministries, and invite you to participate in either, or both. You are not limited to asking for prayers for yourself, but when the prayer requests involves another individual, please get permission from the person concerned before submitting his or her name. To have a prayer concern read aloud during worship, you can call the office during the week (850-222-4504), speak to Brant before worship, or speak directly to the person who will be reading prayer concerns on any given Sunday just look for the person holding a clipboard. You can ask for the concern to be shared just once, or it can repeat from week to week as long as it is needed. In addition to the weekly prayer list, we have a separate prayer chain that responds privately to specific needs at any time. Debbie Gibson (gibsond1207@gmail.com) coordinates this ministry. You are invited to contact Debbie whenever there is a specific need and desire for prayer. It might be for someone who is anticipating surgery or recovering from illness; it might be for someone preparing for a job interview; it might be thanksgiving for the birth of a child or an anniversary; it could be that you're simply going through a tough time. Once Debbie knows of a need, it will be relayed to the prayer chain for the volunteers in that ministry to hold up the specific concerns or celebrations in prayer for as long as is needed. A request for the prayer chain can also be read aloud in worship, but we'll only add it to the Sunday morning list if you let us know that's what you want.
Pastor s Column by Brant S. Copeland Childcare at FPC on Sunday Mornings Our plans for worship in Advent depart somewhat from previous years. Our Advent Lessons and Carols service will take place in morning worship on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 9. In past years, we have held this service in the evening. We hope that this will give more people the opportunity to experience a service of Lessons and Carols, and will take a little pressure off choir members and others in this busy season. On Christmas Eve this year we will have one service at 5:00 p.m. We are calling this a service of Lessons, Carols, and Holy Communion. And for those who might be anxious, we could also add Candles to the title. The attendance at last year s late service was sparse, to put it tactfully, but interest in the late afternoon service seems not to have abated. I m hoping that this adjustment in Advent and Christmas services will serve the needs of our community. I will be out this week attending a CREDO conference. This is a conference offered by the Presbyterian Board of Pensions for clergy who, shall we say, are of a certain age. I m looking forward to the experience, although I wish it were offered in a less busy time of year. The season of Advent offers Christians ways to focus on the fuller meaning of the Christ event. Advent means coming. In Advent we look forward to Christ s coming to bring in the fullness of God s realm. This puts the coming of Christ as the babe of Bethlehem into perspective. Although we celebrate Christ s birth as the mark of the incarnation, we also look forward to the Our nursery and preschool rooms are staffed by childcare providers from the Heavenly Helpers Agency. These childcare professionals are background checked and trained in infant/child first aid and CPR. They are present in both rooms from 9:00 a.m. Noon each Sunday. Main Floor Nursery: Our nursery is for infants and toddlers up to two years old. Parents can drop children off beginning at 9:00 a.m. and children will be cared for through the worship hour. There is a sign in sheet for parents to list who will be picking their child up, an emergency phone number and any particular needs the child may have while in the church s care. Children should come with a bottle or sippy cup, preferred snack and diapers. Diaper wipes and additional snacks are available. Preschool Care: Beginning at age two, children go to the third floor preschool room. Drop-off begins at 9:00 a.m. and children are cared for through the worship hour. There is a sign in sheet for parents. Snacks are provided. Lectionary Readings December 2, 2018 1st Sunday of Advent Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-10 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 Dorcas Circle will meet, at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 4th in the Specialty House at Oaks. Study Leader: Jane Hughes Hostess: Pat Johnson Submit items for publication to: newsletter@oldfirstchurch.org no later than noon on the Monday of publication.
Thanks for your donations! 850-Tally-Ho Annual Night of Service On November 18, youth from Christ, 1st Quincy, 1st Tally, Fellowship and Faith Presbyterian Churches met together at Faith Presbyterian to donate, pack, roll, cut and bag items for local agencies. By the end of the evening youth made countless study bags of candy and trail mix for UKirk Tallahassee; 130 weekend snack packs for Sealey Elem School (a nearby Title 1 school); cut, tied and created 35 Rags to Bags for use at Manna on Meridian; prepped 40 Turkey boxes for distribution to local families in need; double bagged over 200 bags for Manna on Meridian; and put together hundreds of socktoiletry bags for the Kearney Center. (Photos below.) Your donations helped us serve others in the community! YOUTH GROUP Dec 2, 2018 6-7:30 p.m. @ First Presbyterian Church On the first Sunday of Advent we will focus on the HOPE that comes with the birth of Jesus and look ahead to what the holiday means for us and how we might offer HOPE to others.
December 2, 2018 9:15 a.m. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES Adult Bible Study Class Calvin (across from the church office) The Adult Bible Class is continuing with our study of the Book of Acts the story of the birth of the church. We will continue where we left off at Chapter 16:35. We read through the scripture and then discuss its meaning for us today. Visitors are always welcome! Hearing the Word 205 This class meets to discuss articles, books, and essays of the class members choosing that relate to faith experiences and serving in the world. Inquirers Class, #208 The Inquirers continue our six-week exploration of the life and times of Martin Luther and how we can embrace Reformation in the church and in our personal lives. We will use a new book and DVD by Rob Fuquay, A New Reformation: From Luther's World to Ours. Reading the book is not necessary for engaging meaningfully in class discussions, but if you would like to purchase a copy to read along/read ahead, it is available from Amazon. Content for this week's discussion is Chapter 2. Letters @ First Class 206 Join us as we gather to write cards and notes to our college students, shut-ins and folks in our community who might benefit from a cheery letter. Grab your coffee and head to room 206 where there will be plenty of stationery and cards as well as Advent schedules to include in our envelopes. Don t have the gift of written gab? We need folks to address envelopes too! This is an extension of our ministry of care come be part of our merry group of writers. Advent Poinsettias - The Worship Team will be placing poinsettias in the sanctuary during Advent. Members and friends are invited to purchase a poinsettia. You may designate your poinsettia in memory or honor of a friend or loved one. We encourage you to take your poinsettia home after either of the Christmas Eve services, or on the following Sunday morning (Dec. 30.) If you would like to purchase a poinsettia, please send a check with the information below to Norma Meier (908 Waverly Rd, 32312), Mary Kutter (2804 Woodside Dr., 32312) or the church office (110 N. Adams St., 32301). I would like to purchase poinsettia plant(s) to be used in the sanctuary during Advent. This donation is in memory (or honor) of. Name Please make checks in the amount of $9.50 per poinsettia payable to First Presbyterian Church with "Poinsettia" in the memo/for line.
Advent Service & Supper Mid-Weeks, December 5, 12 & 19 6:00 p.m. Worship in the *Worship is very active and accessible for all ages, but for those parents who feel their child would be better off playing in the nursery, there will be a babysitter. 6:30 p.m. Supper catered by St. John s Café in the During the season of Advent, we want everyone in our church family to have the opportunity to center themselves with worship and enjoy church fellowship. So that everyone can participate easily, these dinners are free. But, we do ask that you sign up for the meal so we are sure to have enough food. You may sign up using this link. Gifts for HOPE The youth group has spent the fall of 2018 finding ways to partner with HOPE community. HOPE Community is a residential facility that provides support services to homeless families with children as well as homeless single women. They provide food and shelter for up to 140 people at a time, giving residents the option to stay for up to six months, while working on individual goals to work their way into stable housing. This month the youth group is adopting a family at HOPE. The family consists of a mother, 14 year old son, 12 year old son, 11 year old daughter and 5 year old son. By adopting a HOPE Community family we are committing to provide each child in the family with a new winter outfit (i.e. a coat, a good pair of shoes (sneakers), pants, underwear and socks) and at least one toy. We will also be providing a gift for their parent. If you are not assisting the Presbyterian Women with their holiday gift giving, and you are looking for a way to provide a better Christmas for others in our community, please contact Molly Kennedy, moopster2000@gmail.com, for ways you might assist us in our efforts. If you are a great sale shopper, you might also help us in locating the best deals on some warm coats and quality sneakers. Molly Kennedy is serving as our liaison with HOPE, so please contact her. It is not too late to submit your 2019 Pledge to the ministry of First Presbyterian Church. You may complete the Pledge Card and drop in the weekly offering plate, bring it to the Church Office or mail the Pledge Card to the Church at 110 N. Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Another option would be to pledge online by clicking the link on our website at www.oldfirstchurch.org. Please contact Jim Davis, Financial Administrator, at jim@oldfirstchurch.org if you have any questions. Two Cents-a-Meal Reminder Sunday, Dec. 2, is Two Cents-a-Meal Sunday. Please remember to bring your money with you to worship.
First Presbyterian Church Calendar for December 2018 Date Time Event Location Comments Sunday Schedule 9:00 AM Nursery Opens Education Building Care for children last through the worship hour 10:45 AM Lord's Day Service All are welcome Wednesdays 7:30 PM Choir Practice FPC Choir The Adult Choir meets each Wednesday Wednesday, 5th Sunday, 9th 6:00 P.M. 10:45 A.M. Wednesday, 12th 6:00 P.M. Sunday, 16th 12:15 P.M. Wednesday, 19th 6:00 P.M. Monday, 24th Sunday, 30th 5:00 P.M. 10:00 A.M. Advent Vespers & Midweek Dinner Advent Lessons & Carols Advent Vespers & Midweek Dinner Chili Lunch & Caroling Advent Vespers & Midweek Dinner Christmas Eve Service No Sunday School Classes Advent Vespers 6:00 P.M. Midweek Dinner 6:30 P.M. Advent Vespers 6:00 P.M. Midweek Dinner 6:30 P.M. Please join us after worship for a chili lunch and then out for caroling! Advent Vespers 6:00 P.M. Midweek Dinner 6:30 P.M. Service of Candles, Carols, & Holy Communion Nursery Opens at 10:00 A.M. First Presbyterian Preschool has note cards for sale again this year. Each pack contains 8 cards with a child's original art work. We have both all-occasion cards and Christmas cards. $10 per pack. You can buy packs of cards following worship on Sunday December 2nd and December 9th. These are very beautiful cards and your purchase supports the work of the Preschool. Please look for the table in the courtyard following worship. Thank you. Welcome New Member Rosemary Colson