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.

Village Friends, Village Values

https://vfv-v.clubexpress.com

Drawing funds from both our Church and Community Fund and Legacy Fund, the Mission Committee was able to financially support this wonderful organization. Village Friends utilizes the skills and services of its volunteers to assist seniors in need of a support system to maintain their independent life style in the Auburn/Opelika community through rides, visits, and assistance of all sorts.

TOTAL GIVING TO VILLAGE FRIENDS IN 2023: $1000

The Community Market of East Alabama

https://foodbankofeastalabama.com/programs/the-community-market/

The Community Market is a very special place to our church family. In addition to the many volunteer hours logged by church members throughout the year and the donations of fresh produce regularly made from our church garden, we also financially support the Community Market through our Church and Community Fund each year.

TOTAL GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY MARKET IN 2023: $6000

(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 ukirk@fpcauburn.org 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. 

Presbyterian Women

We hope that every woman in our congregation will consider joining Presbyterian Women. We currently have three Circles and hope to add more (including either a Sunday morning Circle or evening Circle that would accommodate those who have day-time obligations during the week). Our current Circles meet the second Tuesday of each month, beginning in September and ending in May. It's a wonderful time of fellowship and Bible study. Look for information at our recruitment table that will be set up in the narthex beginning July 9.

Summer at FPC Auburn

It is that time of year when the "summer scatter" happens! Although our lovely village will have few people around this summer, there are still plenty of opportunities to engage in ministry here at First Presbyterian Church. Below you will find a comprehensive list of worship, education, fellowship, and service opportunities. There are also printed copies of this calendar available in the sanctuary narthex and chapel vestibule, or click here to download a copy that also includes important fall kickoff dates for August and September.

Please continue to check your email throughout the summer for additional opportunities that may arise. For specific updates on Youth and Children's activities, please contact Chris Sarkowski at csarkowski@fpcauburn.org to make sure you are receiving his weekly emails!

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 forster306@charter.net) 

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 forster306@charter.net)

For any other questions about volunteering in the garden, please contact Elder Katie Forster at 334-329-9672 or forster306@charter.net.

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 23-29, 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 23 worship

Sunday Parking Map



Children and Youth News

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 23 - Dibba Spears

July 24 - Marsha Bailey, Hannah Herring

July 25 - Richard Patterson

Anniversaries

July 28 - Allen and Susan Patterson

July 29 - Phil and Marilyn Garrett

Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

• Prayers healing and rest for Dan Henry as he prepares for heart surgery today (Friday).
• Prayers of strength for Donna Yeager as she cares for her husband Dan.
• Prayers of healing and rest for Joan Duffet as she navigates some health issues at home after a brief stay at EAMC. 
• 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 comfort for Dorothy Moran as she grieves the sudden death of her sister Sandra.
• 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 of healing and rest for Beth Schwartz as she recovers from successful back surgery. 
• Continued prayers for Jesse Joiner’s mother, Ann Joiner, after her hip surgery.  
• Prayers of healing for Donna Yeager’s mother, Patsy Yeager. Patsy is now home after a brief stay at the hospital. Prayers for Donna as she cares for her mother.
• 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 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 who was recently paralyzed after a routine surgery. Patty is now home; continue to pray for stamina and endurance as she is determined to walk again.
• 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.