This Week at FPC

 
SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

We are now following our summer schedule of worship, which is one full service at 10:00 AM.

A TIME OF PRAYER & COMMUNION

Sundays at 11:00 • Price Chapel
Every Sunday immediately following the 10:00 AM service, we offer an opportunity to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion and experience a time of healing prayer. Come to Price Chapel, where one of our pastors, together with members of the Order of St. Luke, stand ready to minister to your needs. (Note: The Sacrament of Holy Communion will not be offered on those Sundays when it is a part of the morning worship service.)

CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIES
Wednesday Night is "Family Night"

September 8 - October 6 • 6:00-7:30 PM
This season, First Church is presenting a collaborative effort by our Children and Family Ministries, Student Ministries and Women’s Ministries to provide a “Family Night” on Wednesdays. Programs will be available for children, middle school and high school students, and parents in 5-week sessions beginning September 8. So bring the whole family! Our NEON KIDS programs for children age 3 through 5th grade feature age-appropriate games, crafts and Bible lessons. While the youth attend Basic Training, adults are invited to the parents’ class. Childcare will be provided for children under 3.

For Children...

Lil’ K for Preschoolers-Kindergartners (ages 3–6) In Big, kids learn that even though they are small, they can do big things with God’s help! In fact, they can do all things through Christ, because He gives them strength.

KIDMO for 1st–5th Graders

Calling all Change Agents! The secret agency known as A.I.M. (Agents In Motion) needs your help to change the world! As an agent-in-training, you will follow the clues to learn how to cause positive change in your family, your church, your friends, your community, and even the world. Don’t miss out on this exciting and important mission!

Registration forms for the NEON KIDS Wednesday night programs are available at the Children’s Check-In Desk. You may also contact Amanda Zaengle ( or 239-992-3233).

For Students...

BASIC TRAINING for Middle School & High School Students All Christians must be well grounded in the basics of the Christian faith in order for them to grow into maturity. Basic Training gives a concise explanation of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity in the Apostles’ Creed.
Jordan Donini will facilitate this DVD series by Dr. R.C. Sproul. (No registration needed.)

For Parents...

5 THINGS GOD USES TO GROW YOUR FAITH Imagine how different your outlook on life would be if you had absolute confidence that God was with you? Imagine how differently you would respond to difficulties, temptations, and even good things if you knew with certainty that God was in all of it and was planning to leverage it for good. In other words, imagine what it would be like to have PERFECT faith.
Dan Oedy will facilitate this Andy Stanley DVD series, as we strive to learn why our personal faith is so important to God. (No registration needed.)

COMMUNITY SERVANTS RECOGNITION

Sunday, September 12, 10:00 AM
On the second Sunday of September each year First Church honors those in our community who serve and protect us. Representatives of local fire departments, police departments and emergency medical services are invited to attend our morning worship service on Sunday, September 12, to be publicly honored. You are invited to help us thank those individuals in our community on whom we depend in times of need:

Invite your friends and neighbors... especially those who are active or retired law enforcement officers, firefighters or paramedic/EMTs to come to church with you for the 10 AM service on September 12.

Express your personal thanks by signing one of the giant “Thank You” cards created by our Sunday school children. They will be located in the Narthex after worship on September 5 and 12.

Express your gratitude to the Community Servants attending worship with us. During First Stop, be sure to shake hands with a local firefighter who serves our own neighborhood. They will appreciate your words of encouragement!

Participate in the Cookie Shower being organized by our Deacons. You are invited to bring a special batch of homebaked items to church on the morning of September 12. Deliver your contribution to the Lightner Conference Room (on the north side of McClure Hall). This could be a dozen or more of your family’s favorite cookies, homemade muffins or cupcakes, or even a tin of store-bought candies. (Please avoid pies, cakes, or anything that would need refrigeration.) We invite you to be creative in your presentation – just remember to double wrap. These goodies will be delivered by our Deacons along with the giant “Thank You” cards to our local heroes on September 12.

MEMBERSHIP CLASS

Sunday, October 17 • 11:15 AM
Pastor Pratt and the Membership Committee invite you to the next New Member Class. Topics include what it means to be a Christian, what it means to be Presbyterian and what it means to be a member of First Church. The various options for membership are also explained. There is no obligation to join. Questions? Stop by the Welcome Desk on Sunday or contact Beth Higbee at 591-1788.

FIRST ACADEMY OF MUSIC

Fall Semester begins
August 23 marked the start of our fall semester. It's "back to school" at the First Academy of Music, now in its 13th year. A faculty of 15 (which includes professional educators, church musicians, symphony players and active performers) offers individual instruction in piano, voice, guitar, string, woodwind and brass instruments. Classes are held on the campus of First Church. As a National Guild member, First Academy of Music is committed to making high quality arts education accessible to all.

Call the music office at 992-3410 for more information or to register. You can also visit our website at firstacademyofmusic.org.

HOLY LAND TRIP PLANNED

March 8-19, 2010
FPC is organizing a “Land of the Bible” cruise for 2011 to be led by Pastor Steven and Nanette Grant. Destinations include: Athens, Cairo, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Mount of the Beatitudes, Capernaum, the River Jordan, Cyprus, Rhodes, Corinth and Ephesus – with worship, devotions and Bible lessons along the way. Prices include air fare, cruise for 9 nights including all meals, plus a stay at a 4-star hotel in Athens the last night; port charges, airport transfers, shore excursions, and cancellation/medical insurance. Total price depends on the cabin category you select. Deposits of $1000 per person are required with your reservation, no later than September 15, with balances due by November 30, 2010.

For details and brochures, see Pat Hazen at the TRAVEL kiosk at First Stop on Sundays, or contact Pat at Pelican Landing Travel, 239-948-1000 or 888-553-8687.

MILITARY CARE PACKAGES

The Deacons of First Church have adopted a program encouraging members and friends to send "care packages" to those soldiers known to us who are deployed on active duty overseas. If you're interested in helping out, stop at the Military Care Packages table on Sunday; there you can pick up the name and address of one of our soldiers, along with instructions, Flat Rate boxes, labels, customs forms and tape. Postage is $11.95 per box.
Questions regarding this ministry may be addressed to .

THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
A Year in the Bible

Many of our members have taken up the challenge to read through the Bible in 2010, and are following the One Year Bible/One Year Bible Reading Plan to do so. Daily Bible reading offers the opportunity to listen and respond to what God may be saying to us through His Word. As we've progressed through the Old Testament, we've seen over and over again how the nation of Israel fell away from its worship of the one true God. Our suggested memory verse for August is a petition to God for the cleansing and renewal only He can give.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

Our New Testament readings this week are in Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. This letter covers a wide range of topics, from the spiritual to the practical, and from the eternal (facing death as a Christian) to the temporal (the reasons why Christians should tithe to support the Lord’s work). The full scope of Paul’s pastoral care and love for this congregation are demonstrated.

In this weekend’s readings Paul is weaving together images from the pagan Roman culture of his day (the triumphal procession of a conquering Caesar described in chapter 2) and from the ancient Hebrew stories (the Covenant and the Law given to Moses, as recounted in chapter 3). The Apostle’s consistent message is that Christ has made all things new. His dramatic statement in chapter 5 will summarize it: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.” As you read Paul’s insights into the Christian life, give thanks to God that you have become new in Him.

Copies of the One Year Bible and its corresponding Reading Plan are available in the FPC Book Center.

WOMEN'S MINISTRY

Our Women’s Ministry begins three new programs this week! We hope you can attend one or all of them. For information on all our studies and events, stop by the Women’s Ministry kiosk on Sundays or contact Director of Women’s Ministry .

WOMEN’S PRAYER GROUP

Mondays • 8:00 AM • Sanctuary
Women are invited to participate in this weekly time of prayer in a small group environment.

Working Women's Fellowship

Tuesdays • 7:00-8:30 PM • Price Hall Parlor
Women of all ages are invited to join WWF at any time. This ongoing study group is currently reading and discussing Listening for God by Marilyn Hontz. This book is available for purchase at the FPC Book Center.

FIRST LOVE: Solomon’s Song of Songs

Wednesdays • 9:30-11:00 AM • Price Hall Parlor
This new 4-week study, led by Nancy Heche, is a beautiful love story that all women may soon consider one of their favorites!

SOUL TALK: Praying God’s Word

Thursdays • 7:30-8:30 AM • Price Hall Parlor
Join us for a continental breakfast and an intimate study based on Beth Moore’s book, Praying God’s Word, led by Nancy Heche. This book is available for purchase at the FPC Book Center.

BOOKS FOR LIFE: A Weekly Book Club

Fridays • 12:00-1:00 PM • Lightner Conference Room
For those who love to talk about books... what could be better! Bring your own lunch, too. Our discussion this week will be on Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson.

Questions on Women's Ministry events? Contact Director of Women's Ministries or Women's Ministries Chair .

MEN'S MINISTRY

Fall Schedule starts next week!
On September 9, we kick off our fall schedule... meeting weekly at the church at 7:29 AM (or earlier if you like) for a continental breakfast (only $2) and fellowship followed by our Bible study and discussion led by Pastor Doug Pratt.

Questions? Contact Chuck Vogt at 948-9230.

GRIEFSHARE

Tuesdays • 1:30–3:00 PM • Price Parlor
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who are looking for encouragement and help to recover from their loss. Each self-contained weekly session begins with a brief video, and concludes with informal discussion. Facilitators include Associate Pastor Steven Grant, Elder Marietta Bala (MSW/therapist) and Parish Nurse Stephanie Stec. Please contact at 992-3233 X296 if you have any questions.

NOTE: GriefShare is currently on a summer recess and will resume weekly meetings on Tuesday, September 14.

MONTHLY GREAT BANQUET GATHERING

Thursday, September 9 • 7:00 PM • Price Chapel
The Great Banquet Gathering is celebrated on the second Thursday of every month. This informal service includes a meditation by one of our pastors, the sacrament of Holy Communion, songs of praise, and a time for prayer concerns in a relaxed atmosphere of worship and fellowship. All are welcome to attend ... even if you have not yet participated in a Great Banquet weekend. Please join us on Thursday, September 9!

HELPING LOCAL FAMILIES
Back to School Sale at First Thrift Shop

First Thrift Shop needs donations of gently used children’s clothing and school uniforms for the annual Back to School Sale, which is now underway. This sale is an important part of our ministry, providing local families an opportunity to purchase school clothes at reduced prices. If you would like to donate outgrown clothing for children from ages 3 and up, please drop your items off at the shop during our shop hours (Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM; Saturdays, 10 AM to 1 PM).

First Thrift is located on the southeast corner of the church campus.

IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS

Please remember the following in your prayers this week.

In Need of Special Prayers
Ron McMahon Dick Moore Claire O'Dell

THOSE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES

Special prayers are requested for the following loved ones currently serving in our country's armed forces (names marked with an asterisk identify those presently deployed):

Nick Abey* Zachary K. Acon Steve Adams Alexis Alvarado Kyle Barnes Steven Bourdon Andrew Bryant John Bryant Matt Byington Sean Casey Amy Nesbitt Copeland Steven C. Copeland Justin Cramer Andrew Crawford John Cuddy Dave Cullen Andy Dalton Matthew Edmunds Brian Eifler	John Elofson Stephen Fox Peter W. Fritz David Gatoude David Gilliland Seth Guy* Kent C. Hay Michael Heath Travis Hilgers Jarrett Hon Michael Kim Dave Landymore John Quincy Lawton* Xavier Maldonado Lee Moffett* Martin Nichetta John D. Petro Timothy J. Petty	Mark Potter David Rhodes Nicholas E. Richardson* Evan A. Scott Kimberly Ann Scott Sean B. Scott* Dylan Sipos Kyle Sisco* Nathan Sitterley Logan Spachtholz* Thayne Stahlacker Trevor S. Thrasher Kurt Vollmer Aaron Wasliewski Brian Wilson Jonathan Wise Deisy Wolfe Matthew Wolfe Kyle York

Members and friends of First Church are welcome to submit names and APO addresses of loved ones serving in the military. We can add them to our prayer list and also to our military care package program. Please call or email the church with new information.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY

We express our Christian sympathy to:

• Norma Fagan on the death of her husband, Maurice Fagan, on August 23
• Muriel Kermode on the death of her husband, Fred Kermode, on August 23
• The family and friends of Margaret (Margie) Tippit who died on August 20 in Ohio
• The family and friends of Marian Kampfer, who died on August 10
• Jim Elder and family, on the death of his wife, Jane, on July 30
• Margaret Wise and family, on the death of her husband, John (Jack), on July 27
• The family and friends of Roland Wood, who died July 9