World Communion Sunday - October 1

“Communion of Empty Hands” to Support the Food Bank of East Alabama*

On October 1, as we celebrate World Communion Sunday, we are mindful of the hunger that exists in the 7-county region served by East Alabama Food Bank (EAFB). The Psalmist asks, “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:12) On this particular Sunday, members are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to place in a basket before receiving communion – nourishing others as we are nourished by the sacrament of communion.  

Peace and Global Witness Offering

On October 1, 2023, we will also receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering, which enables the church to advocate for peace, justice, and reconciliation in cultures of violence.

Our congregation retains 25% of this offering to assist the Domestic Violence Intervention Center in eliminating violence in the lives of men, women, and children. Serving community members in five counties, (Chambers, Lee, Macon, Randolph, Tallapoosa), the DVIC provides survivors direct services such as shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and transportation so they may achieve self-sufficiency and be less likely to return to their abusers. 

You may give to the 2023 Peace & Global Witness Offering by visiting FPCAuburn.org/give and choosing “Special Offering” or by mailing a check to the church office, or by giving your offering on Sunday, October 1. 

*a collection bin will be available at the church throughout the month of October to collect non-perishable food items for the Food Bank of East Alabama

The Congregational Life Committee is planning to create a new pictorial directory. Starting this Sunday, sign up in the church narthex for dates in October to have your picture taken for the directory. If you have any questions please contact Nick Reed.

Flu Clinic - October 8

As we move into Fall I want to alert you to our annual Flu Clinic on Sunday, October 8 from 9:30 to 12:30 or until everyone is seen. As we have successfully done the last couple of years, the Clinic will be a drive-by event in the parking lot by the overhang area. Janie Fisher has graciously agreed to oversee the clinic along with me. Many of you have commented on how easy this makes flu prevention available for families with several children. Others have told me that having the flu vaccine available in a convenient location makes it easy.

For those who may be new to our clinic, you can walk up to the table under the overhang or you can drive up and put your arm out the window. If you have already participated in this clinic last year, your insurance information is already known unless you have changed companies. If you are new, just bring your insurance card.  

Your Parish Nurse,

Jan Widell

Sanctuary Flower Sign-up

There are many available Sundays in October and November for sponsoring flowers for our Sanctuary! The sign-up sheet is located outside of the receptionist’s office in the main church office building.

If you are unable to sign up in person, you may also contact Sarah Wolak at 334-728-7853 to sign up for a date. You are welcome to split the cost with another family-- just be sure to write both names on the line. The cost of the flowers is $50 per arrangement, not including tax and delivery fee. As before, you are welcome to bring the arrangements home after the service, or to leave them to be delivered to other members of the congregation.

We Need Head Usher Volunteers! 

If you are willing to serve as a head usher on Sunday morning, please add your name to our Sign-Up Genius page. We are asking that folks try to take on a whole month; however, there are 2 slots available for each month. Please specify in the comments whether you can do the whole month or only a few dates. Any remaining dates can be filled by the person signing up for the second slot. If you are willing to be head usher but have never done it before, you can also request some help from an experienced head usher during your first week (and, there are written instructions in the narthex to provide reminders in case you're worried about forgetting some details!).

Please sign up at the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4EACA622A6FA7-44673551-head

This Week at FPC

October 1-7, 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 with Communion (Sanctuary)

Bulletin for October 1 worship

Sunday Parking Map

3:00 PM - 1st Sunday Children's Fellowship

4:00 PM - Confirmation Class

5:00 PM - Youth Dinner & Fellowship (Baird)

7:00 PM - UKirk Dinner and Bible Study (Student Center)

Children and Youth News

Game Day Parking: Saturday is an AU football home game and our youth will be parking cars in our lot as a fundraiser for future retreats. The lot will open at 8:00 a.m., and parking is $40/car and first-come first-served, closing when the lot is full.

Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. vs. UGA.

Children Pre-K through 5th grade

• First Sunday Fellowship for children Pre-k through 5th grade this Sunday from 3-4 in Baird Hall.
• There is no Godly Play or Worship Readiness this Sunday. The children will stay in worship for Communion.
• Acolytes! 3rd – 5th grade parents, click the link to sign your child up!
• Worship bags are available for all children during worship.

Jr. and Sr. High Youth

• Confirmation Class meets this Sunday from 4-5pm upstairs in the youth lounge.
• Jr./Sr. High Youth 1st Wednesday Fellowship meets this Wednesday from 7-8pm.
• Jr./Sr. High Presbytery Retreat to Living River registration is now open on the presbytery website. http://pslpcusa.org/retreats/ Cost is $60 and can be paid at the time of registration through the presbytery website.
• Jr. and Sr. High Youth will meet this Sunday for dinner in Baird Hall at 5 and Youth Group in the Youth Lounge from 5:30-6:30.
• Jr/Sr High parents, if you haven’t yet, click the link below to volunteer to help park cars for one of the AU Football home games. The money raised helps to keep the cost of our summer retreats/conferences reasonable.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d44ada82faaf85-aufootball#/

Coming Soon - Mark Your Calendars!

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

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

Birthdays 

Oct. 2 - Becky Buchanan, Alden Wolak

Oct. 5 - Joan Duffett

Oct. 7 - Donine Cooper, Victor Lane

Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

• Prayers of healing and wholeness for Matthew Wolak’s father who is now receiving hospice care. Prayers for Matthew and his family as they care for him.

• Prayers of healing for Elizabeth White’s brother Joe, who has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and is seeking other ways of treatment. Prayers for Elizabeth as she cares for her brother from afar.

• Prayers of healing for Brian Bourne. Brian, who works for the church handling all our facility repairs, had scheduled shoulder this past week. He is now home recovering. 

• Prayers for the Rev. Caroline Barnett as she moves from Auburn. We will miss her and are so grateful for all the time, energy, and pastoral gifts she has shared with this congregation. We will have a reception after the 11am worship service to celebrate her ministry at FPC Auburn.

• Prayers of healing and rest for Beth Schwartz as she recovers at home from successful surgery.

• Prayers for Jim Foil and his family as they continue to manage Jim’s health.

• Prayers of healing and rest for Graves Lovell’s mother as she recovers from successful hip surgery. Prayers for Graves as he cares for his mother.

• Prayers of comfort for Katie Lee as she grieves the death of her aunt.

• Prayers of healing for Phil Garrett as he navigates health issues at home.

• Prayers of healing for Donna Yeager as she navigates significant back pain.

• 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.

• Prayers of healing for Joan Duffet as she navigates some health issues.

• Prayers of healing for Doug Klinkenborg as he recovers from successful surgery.

• Prayers of healing for Daniel Johnson and his mother as they recover at home after successful kidney donation. 

• Prayers of healing and rest for Donna Yeager’s mother, Patsy Yeager, as she navigates health issues.

• 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.

• 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. 

• 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. 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 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.