Volume LXIX, No. 48 | December 1, 2019
Worship at First
Sunday, December 1

Morning Worship
8:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas

Evening Worship
6:00 p.m.
"Family Reunion"
Dr. Gabriel N.E. Fluhrer
Sanctuary

Bulletins will be available by noon on Fridays.

Wednesday, December 4

Wednesdays@First
Wednesdays at Noon
Jackson Hall
"Justification"
Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas


Centerpoint
6:00 p.m.
Jackson Hall
To All the Saints: Short Studies in Philippians
"Prayer Partners"
Mr. Beck Otersen



A Second Adam to the Rescue Came

A. N. Whitehead, philosopher and mathematician, once made the comment that most European philosophy was just a series of footnotes on Plato. In similar fashion, most of the Bible is a series of footnotes on Genesis 3:15.
 
When Adam and Eve fell, God pronounced a curse upon them both, but added a note of Gospel, redemptive, hope: from Eve would come a “seed” that would bruise the serpent’s head. Paul is probably reflecting on this announcement when he writes in Galatians that Jesus was “born of a woman” (an otherwise self-evident comment). Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of Genesis 3:15. As John summarized concerning the purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). 

The Christmas story has cosmic implications. We live in a supernatural world where Satan is the “prince and power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). On the cross, Jesus “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15). 

John Henry Newman, a nineteenth century Episcopalian priest who defected to Roman Catholicism, was recently declared a “saint” (presumably after 120 years in purgatory according to Catholic dogma). Scripture, on the other hand, declares everyone who has faith in Jesus a “saint!” In 1865, Newman wrote a magnificent hymn (part of a larger work known as The Dream of Gerontius, and set to music by Sir Edward Elgar). The hymn’s first line is “Praise to the Holiest in the height” and was later incorporated into most hymn books. It contains the stanza:

O loving wisdom of our God!
When all was sin and shame,
A second Adam to the fight
And to the rescue came.

The child asleep in the Bethlehem manger was the “second Adam” who had come to do battle with the Prince of Darkness. 

And he won!

Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas
Senior Minister

Angel Tree - Gift Return Reminder
Reminder to those who took tags from the Angel Tree that the gifts should be returned to the Angel Trees by Sunday, December 1.
Children’s Christmas Program
Sunday, December 8, at 10:00 a.m.
Family Life Center
All Sunday School classes will meet in the Family Life Center to enjoy the Children’s Christmas Program.
Christmas Concert: Bach Magnificat and Vivaldi Gloria
Friday, December 6, 2019, 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

The Chancel Choir, orchestra, and soloists present two of the best known and best loved choral works from the 18th century: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Magnificat and Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria.
Nursery will be provided for those who pre-register their children by Tuesday, December 3, ages birth to K5, through the website or app. A reception will follow in Jackson Hall.
Directory Photos
Directory photos may be picked up at the reception area on the third floor of The Bridge. 
Christmas Ornaments
We are again offering the beautiful Christmas ornaments featuring the sanctuary for your gift giving this Christmas season. The price remains at $10.00, and envelopes will be available in the ornament baskets which are located in The Bridge in the Library (2nd floor) and reception area (3rd floor).
Church Family

Congratulations to:
Janet and Robby Kerr on the birth of their granddaughter, Reagan Ruth Kerr, on November 9.

Janet and Robby Kerr on the birth of their granddaughter, Hannah Ruth Hall, on November 22. Proud parents are Mandy and Tim Hall.
 
Christian sympathy is extended to:
 Ryan and Marcia Drinkwalter on the death of his father, Neil Drinkwalter, on November 20.


Items for Church Family?
Contact Lisa Eargle at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org.

December Events at First
Committee Meetings:
              2        Christian Growth & Nurture - 5:00 p.m. in BR327
                        Deacon Chairs - 5:00 p.m. in BR001
                        Diaconate - 5:30 p.m. in BR201
                        Worship, Music, & Sacraments - 5:30 p.m. in P402A
              3        Seniors Ministry - 10:00 a.m. in BR327
                        Pastoral Care - 4:30 p.m. in P402A
3   WOC Christmas Coffee - 11:00 a.m. in Jackson Hall
Young Professionals Christmas Party - 6:30 p.m. off-site
4 Bible Moderators - 10:30 a.m. in T301
5   College Christmas Party - 6:00 p.m. off-site
6  Chancel Choir Christmas Concert - 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Nursery, for children ages birth-K5, will be provided for those who pre-register their children by Tuesday, December 3. Register on the church website or app.
7   Encouragers’ Breakfast - 9:00 a.m. in Jackson Hall
8   Children’s Christmas Program - 10:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center. All Sunday School classes will join the Christmas Program.
9-11 WOC Circle Meetings
13 Parents Night Out - 6:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Register on the church app or website by Tuesday, December 10.
17 Encouragers and AIA Old Fashioned Christmas Reception - 5:30 p.m. in Jackson Hall
24 Christmas Eve Worship Services - 3:00 and 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
25 Church offices are closed.
 

For more information on any upcoming events, please check our website at firstprescolumbia.org or our church app.
803-799-9062 | email | website | app