For the next several weeks we will feature several local and international organizations our Mission Committee has discerned share in our mission to be a church "that loves God and loves our fellow human beings as we love ourselves, giving special attention to those whom Jesus called the least of these – the poor, hungry, sick, lonely, imprisoned, and oppressed." A complete list of our Mission giving is included below.

R.E.A.C.H. Community Respite 

https://www.aumc.net/ministries/reach/

A founding ecumenical member of the REACH program, our Church and Community funds support this ministry that cares for and support persons with early to moderate memory issues. REACH also offers support and education to caregivers of loved ones with memory issues.

TOTAL GIVING TO REACH IN 2023: $2000

Presbyterian Community Ministry

https://pcm-al.org

Founded by our church in 1968, Presbyterian Community Ministry (PCM) offers interest-free loans and grants to those in our community who need assistance with utility and rent payments or repairs to their homes. In addition to financial support, we also provide leadership and office space for this ministry.

TOTAL GIVING TO PCM IN 2023: $26,000

(Please note: this list does not include other discretionary funds that are given to individuals and communities facing emergency needs.) 

Presbyterian Campus Ministry is getting excited to welcome back our returning students and meet new ones next month! If you know someone who may be interested, you can send their contact info to [email protected] and they’ll receive an invite to our kickoff event. 

It won't be long before all of our music ministries settle back into their fall rehearsal schedules. If you are interested in learning more about adult choir, handbell choir, or our plans for a fall children's choir and Advent program, please contact the designated staff person to learn more about how you can share your musical gifts with these very special communities within our congregation. 

Help Our Garden Grow

The FPC Community Garden is an important part of our church’s mission in “loving God and our fellow human beings.” We build community and relationships among each other and work to serve the community at large through our bountiful harvests - every bit of food we harvest is donated to the Community Market!

OTHER NEEDS:

Sign Up for a Weekly Weeding Party Date

“Start at the Garden” - Gather friends or family to pull weeds at the garden. Bring gloves and tools. Then go do something fun together!  

Daily Morning Waterings

Volunteers are needed to water on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Watering needs to happen before 10:00 a.m. and can be skipped if it rains. (Contact Katie Forster [email protected]) 

Weekly Harvest and Deliver to Community Market  

(Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday mornings) 

The Community Market is open for deliveries on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday mornings. Plastic bags or bins can be used to take in produce. It is helpful if this person has knowledge about what/when to harvest. (Contact Katie Forster [email protected])

For any other questions about volunteering in the garden, please contact Elder Katie Forster at 334-329-9672 or [email protected]t.

Punch on the Lawn! You may sign up to serve by clicking the Sign-up Genius link. Please contact Holly Mitchell with any questions.

This Week at FPC

July 30 - August 5, 2023

Sunday

9:00 AM - Worship Service with Weekly Communion (Chapel)

9:30 AM - Coffee and Fellowship (Baird Hall)

9:45 AM - Sunday School for All Ages

11:00 AM - Worship Service (Sanctuary)

Bulletin for July 30 worship

Sunday Parking Map



Wednesday

8:00 AM - Men's Bible Study (Library)

7:00 PM - First Wednesday Youth Fellowship

Children and Youth News

Rally Day will be August 13! Join us for food and fellowship in Baird Hall at 9:30 and then meet your new Sunday school teachers!

Children Pre-K through 5th grade

• Children's Church: After the Word to Grow By (at 11 a.m. worship), children ages 4 to 2nd grade will go to the Godly Play room to worship together for the remainder of the worship service.
• Worship bags are also available for all children during worship.

Jr. and Sr. High Youth

• No youth group for Jr. and Sr. High Youth, who will take a break until September.

Coming Soon - Mark Your Calendars!

Jr. and Sr. High Youth will meet Wednesday, August 2 for 1st Wednesday Fellowship.

Children Pre-K through 5th Grade will meet Sunday, August 6 for 1st Sunday Fellowship

Blessing of the Backpacks – Sunday, August 6

Fall Kickoff Cookout – Sunday, August 13

Fall Presbytery Retreat for Youth at Living River– October 7-8

Winter Children’s Retreat at Living River – November 9–11

Birthdays

July 30 - Jeff Shaffer

Aug. 2 - Copeland Anderson, Wia Fergus

Aug. 4 - Christy Cochran

Aug. 5 - Don Ball, Joy Elam

Anniversaries

July 30 - Bob and Karen Cochran (40th!)

Aug. 1 - Dan Henry and Donna Yeager

Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

• Prayers healing and rest for Dan Henry as he recovers at home after successful heart surgery. Continued prayers for Donna Yeager as she cares for her husband Dan.
• Prayers of healing and rest for Joan Duffet as she navigates some health issues.
• Prayers of healing for Doug Klinkenborg as he recovers from successful surgery.
• Prayers of healing and comfort for Shirley Helmke as she recovers from surgery. At this time there is no need for phones calls, but cards are welcome.
• Prayers of healing for Daniel Johnson and his mother as they recover at home after successful kidney donation. 
• Prayers healing and comfort for Sarah Wolak’s mother, Susan French. Prayers of comfort and strength for Sarah and all her family as they care for her mother.
• Please continue to pray for many members of our church who are dealing with illness, significant health issues, grief, and difficult circumstances but at this time do not wish to be mentioned by name. Prayers of healing, wholeness, and comfort for many in our congregation.
• Continued prayers of healing for Chris Greer. We especially pray for good healing and rest as Chris recovers from successful treatments. We continue to rejoice with Chris because the latest scans show no sign of cancer. We are so grateful the chemotherapy treatments have been successful. Chris will continue a plan of treatment for the upcoming months. 
• Continued prayers for Jesse Joiner’s mother, Ann Joiner, after her hip surgery.  
• Prayers of comfort for Dorothy Moran as she grieves the sudden death of her sister Sandra.
• Prayers of healing for Lane Sauser’s mother, Mary Davis, who is now receiving long term care at Arbor Springs.
• Continued prayers of healing for Susan Stanley’s sister Ginger Hester. Ginger has been receiving treatments for health issues. Prayers for healing for Ginger and prayers of thanksgiving for all those who are caring for her. Prayers for Susan as she cares for her sister.
• Prayers of thanksgiving for Amy Wells’ family friend Hannah and her new born baby! So glad everyone is well.
• Prayers for Brooke Myers as she cares for her father, Charlie Myers. Charlie is recovering from a fall and has moved to Morningside.
• Prayers of healing for Todd White’s sister in law Patty. Patty is improving and walking.
• Prayers of healing for Debbie Duin’s friend Ann Suttles who is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
• Prayers of healing for Carolyn William’s sister Beverly Huey as she navigates health issues. Prayers for Carolyn as she cares for her sister.
• Prayers of healing for Kay Recknor’s friends the Rev. Mitzi Lesher-Thomas and her husband, the Rev. Troy Thomas. Mitzi has glioblastoma brain cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy.
• Prayers for Amy Kilner and her family (daughter-in-law of Dorothy Moran). Amy is in need of a kidney transplant and is currently looking for a donor.
• Prayers of healing for Jason Banks (Margaret Brinkley’s neighbor). Jason is now back at work. However is recovering from successful shoulder surgery.