The HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE will serve coffee and pastries in the narthex after the worship service.   Stop by and enjoy a few moments of fellowship.  

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH is a congregation dedicated to Living God’s Word and Sharing God’s Love.   With a variety of opportunities for Christian education, worship, spiritual growth, Christian fellowship and outreach ministry, we hope you will find your church home here. Experience the community of faith at FPC. Our hearts, our minds and our doors are open.

Fellowship in the Christian Church is a blessing and a gift from God. 
Worship is also a blessing and is our response to God’s gracious love.  
During the Sunday service, it is important to have time to prepare spiritually for the worship of God.   Worship begins with the Chiming of the HolyTrinity; the congregation is asked to prepare for worship silently and reverently during the Organ Prelude.    What a joy to worship God in spirit and in truth!   

TO GOD BE THE GLORY.  The flowers that grace the chancel are given to the Glory of God and in celebration of our Thornwell Preaching Ministry.

THORNWELL TEACHING and PREACHING MINISTRY.   Sunday, September 23rd Reverend Richard Boyce, Academic Dean of Union Presbyterian Seminary will join us for this special day.   He will teach a joint Sunday School class, to which all are welcome and then he will preach at morning worship.  Following worship enjoy a catered meal.   We look forward to this wonderful opportunity to share in God’s word.  

Our SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES are extended to the family of Louise Eller following her passing on September 11th.    We pray for God to extend comfort to all that loved Mrs. Eller.

Our SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES are extended to the family of
Fran Thomas following her passing on April 9th.     Our prayers are with her family.

MISSION OFFERING. During the month of September we will show our support of DIMES FOR HUNGER.  Everyone was encouraged to contribute a dime for every meal to help feed families across the five counties of Providence Presbytery and in Central America and Africa.   You may contribute your gifts at any time for this annual special offering, which will be dedicated Sunday, October 7th during morning worship.  When we share our resources and our love with people who are hungry, we help provide not only nourishment but also hope to those who feel hopeless.  


Our FELLOWSHIP LUNCH is back on.  We look forward to seeing everyone September 26th at Noon. $4 each.  Please sign up outside the church office.
   
The Fellowship Dessert and Carols was held December 10th what a great turn out and such a wonderful sing-a-long.

THE BIBLE STUDY GROUP hopes to see everyone October 8th at 11:00am in the Georgie Beckham Memorial Library.   All are welcome!

STEWARDSHIP.  Our annual stewardship luncheon and celebration was October 15th. We celebrated the mission and ministries of our congregation and learned how you can help our congregation to move forward in service to Christ in 2018.

NEW MEMBER.  As a church family we welcome Cheryl Wiggins as a new member to our congregation.  Please pray for God's blessing on Cheryl during her journey of faith at FPC.   Welcome! 

The PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY is available for your prayer requests.  Please ask the person's permission before adding the request.  To place a request email Donna Connors at donna.connors60@yahoo.com.  Email request are perferred, but if you do not email call Donna at 803-804-6166.   Also, if you would like to receive prayer chain requests contact Donna.

THE 2018 BUDGET.  Copies of the 2018 Budget when finally determined by the Session at the January meeting will be available for distrubition and then will be on the table outside the church office.

SAINTS ALIVE.  For members of our church family who are sixty years of age and older, FPC will cover the cost of transportation, admission to events  and meals for trips to be taken each quarter.    The trips have been to the
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and Nellie's Southern Kitchen in Belmont, NC.  Also, Presbyterian College, Thornwell Home for Children and Old Salem in
Winston Salem, NC.     Our last trip was February 1st to the SC State Museum in Columbia to tour the Charlie Duke Exhibit (Lancaster Native and Astronaut - Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 16 in 1972.   Mr. Duke became the tenth and youngest person to walk on the Moon.) 

SAINTS ALIVE is a ministry of travel, learning and fellowship for folks in our congregation who are 60 and up.  Our next trip is Wednesday, October 3rd.   The plan is to visit the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, the ministry support arm of Wycliffe Bible Translators.   Steve and Sonia Dettweiler have serve with Wycliffe Bible Translators  and will accompany us on the tour.  Please meet at the church at 8:45am.  We will have lunch in the center cafeteria.   We may visit the Alphabet museum (if time permits) and should return to the church by 2:30pm.    The tour does require some walking, but nothing strenuous.   Please sign up outside the church office.  

READ IN OR TAKE OUT.  You are invited to explore and enjoy the wealth of material offered in the Georgia Beckham Memorial Library.  Stop in and use the resources that are available and provided for you.  (Remember, when checking out material, please sign the card and leave in the basket.)

WE NEED RINGERS!  If you are called to this ministry, please contact Marsha Roberts or the church office.  We will prepare a place for you!  The rehearsals are on Wednesdays, beginning at 6:00 pm.  All that is required: the love of bells, the ability to count to 4 and the willingness to serve God through music.  Come join us!  You will make a valued contribution!

WANTED: NEW MEMBERS to join the FPC MUSIC MINISTRY.  Weekly practices are held on Wednesday, with Jubilant Ringers starting at 6:00pm and          Chancel Choir following at 7:15pm.     Make a joyful noise!   

HOPE IN LANCASTER.  Our congregation is asked to support HOPE. Monetary donations and unexpired, nonperishable food items are welcomed.  Items needed include:  canned goods (meat/tuna/chicken/beans/cream soups/tomatoes), mayonnaise and peanut butter.  Please place all food items in the wooden box located inside the back entrance of the church.  Thanks!

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TROOP #720 meets each Monday beginning at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.  We welcome these young men and their leaders to First Presbyterian Church.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS.  The church office will be open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.

MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST.  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday,
September 24th beginning just before 7:00 am.  See you there!

PLEASE HELP US STAY IN TOUCH.  We need to keep our data base up to date.  Please notify Susan of any address, phone number or email changes.

THESE DAYS devotional guides are available in the narthex and on the console at the back of the church.                              

The FLOWER CALENDAR is on the bulletin board in the hallway across from the church office.  Please take a moment to sign up to place flowers in the sanctuary  or call the church office to reserve a date.

FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE.  The Fellowship Committee is looking for new members to serve on the committee and also volunteers to help with functions during the year.  Come join the group and get in on all the excitement and fellowship.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART TO HELP WITH OUR RECYCLING PROGRAM!  There are bins located in the narthex, kitchen, office and choir room.  Approved items are paper, glass, water bottles, cans and cardboard.  Kindly remove lids and make sure no food is left in any container.  Bottle caps cannot be recycled.  DO NOT put trash in any recycle cart or bin.  Thanks!

FUNERAL TRADITION.  Keeping with our tradition for funerals, The Bible Study Group  will hold a reception consisting of tea sandwiches, cookies and punch in the Fellowship Hall for the congregation following a memorial service.

PRAYER LISTS:  We add people to our Prayer Lists when we know they are going through a difficult situation or have an on-going reason for special supplication.  If you know of people on the Prayer Lists who no longer need such special supplication, please let the church office know.  Thanks.

 

BIRTHDAYS:   23   Marsha Roberts       26   Andy Harper                                    
                                    28   Karen Neely           29   Mike Spaugh
ANNIVERSARIES:                

                                                    OUR GIVING REPORT

                                      09/16/2018                          Year to Date
Amount Budgeted   $   3,894.00                     $        144,078.00
Amount Received          7,313.00                               150,860.66
Over/(Under)            $    3,419.00                   $              6,782.66


     
Sept 16 
     11am -  no service     Sunday School -        Men's Prayer Breakfast - 26

Chancel:  Casey Ballard
Greeters: Cindy Williams/Mary Jo Yarborough
Ushers: Tom Syfan 
Count Team:  Donna Connors/Max Clyburn