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Sunday, June 21
Morning Worship
10:00 a.m.
Locked Up With Nowhere to Go
"Jesus: The Silence of the Lamb"
Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas
Evening Worship
6:00 p.m.
Thy Kingdom Come: Studies in the Gospel of Matthew
“The Light of Grace in the Darkness of Life”
Dr. Gabriel N. E. Fluhrer
at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
For those who do not have internet capabilities, the morning sermon is also broadcast on 1320 AM radio at 11:00 a.m.
Bulletins will be available by noon on Fridays.
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We are opening!
By now, most, if not all of you, have heard that the Session has agreed to restart in-person worship services at First Presbyterian Church on June 28. I won’t repeat all that I have communicated to you here. Please visit the website or the church app for the details. Let us be vigilant in prayer for the Lord’s hand of protection and blessing as we gather again. It has been a long and difficult season.
What have I missed most of all in this strange season? Worship with actual people present, of course. But it’s more than that; it is people I miss. We were made for fellowship. As image bearers of God, we were created (and re-created) for fellowship with God and fellowship with each other. Younger folk tend not to use the word “fellowship” and employ “community” instead. In the New Testament, koinonía (translated “fellowship”) signifies having a share in something, or sharing with someone in something, or you could say participation in something or with someone. And, of course, we can do that to some extent virtually. But it is not the same. We are meant to share things together — a meal, a conversation, a word of encouragement, or a prayer.
When the office-bearers met last Thursday evening for a trial run to iron out some wrinkles in the procedures that will now be in place, what was memorable was not the service as such. Frankly, the restrictions make things a little awkward. But afterwards, when several gathered to talk outside, someone commented, “It really is so good to see everyone again.” They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. And, in this instance, I think it is so true. We have learned just how much we miss one another and long to be back with one another again. I, for one, can’t wait! Some will not be ready just yet, and our dear church family will need to find inventive ways of reaching out to them and ensuring that they are not neglected.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27). And we might add, “and reaching out to COVID-19 quarantine victims.” Call someone you haven’t seen for a while.
Derek Thomas
Senior Minister
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2020 Thornwell Lectures
Named in honor of James Henley Thornwell, one of the most distinguished theologians of the nineteenth century as well as minister of First Presbyterian Church, the Thornwell Memorial Lectures are given each Sunday during the months of June, July, and early August. Because of the restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not hold the lectures in person.
Instead, they will be pre-recorded and made available to view on our website at 9:00 a.m. on the Sunday the lecture was to be delivered.
Our speaker for June 21 is Dr. Steve Lawson is President and founder of OnePassion Ministries, a ministry designed to equip biblical expositors to bring about a new reformation in the church. He is also a Teaching Fellow for Ligonier Ministries, where he serves on its board. Dr. Lawson has served as a pastor for 34 years; most recently, he was Senior Pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University (B.B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Reformed Theological Seminary (D.Min.). Dr. Lawson’s most recent books are The Cost and Philippians For You. He and his wife, Anne, have three sons. Dr. Lawson will be speaking on “What is Jesus Doing Today with Preaching?”
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Intergenerational Ministry Opportunity
If you would like to participate in an intergenerational ministry by assisting senior adults with parking and mobility as needed from their car to the Sanctuary or Family Life Center and back to their car at the end of the service, please contact Janet B. Altman, Seniors Ministry Coordinator, at
jaltman@firstprescolumbia.org or 799-9062, Ext. 550. In some cases, volunteers will assist with mobility devices such as walkers or wheelchairs.
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The Flowers in the Sanctuary
Are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Rikard Best by Mr. and Mrs. Rick Best and the Gray Howard family.
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Church Family
Christian sympathy is extended to:
Mark and Whitney Scriven on the death of his father, James Dexter Scriven, on June 5.
Charlton and Linda Law upon the death of his brother, John A. Law, on June 8.
Congratulations to:
Aimee and J.R. Murphy on the birth of their grandson, Timothy “Beaux” Crowson, on June 9. Grateful parents are Melissa and Erich Crowson. Grateful great-grandparents are Mary Anne and Buddy DuBose.
Items for Church Family?
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