Volume LXIX, No. 16 | April 21, 2019
Worship at First
Sunday, April 21

Morning Worship
8:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"He is Risen!"
Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas

Evening Worship
6:00 p.m.
"Leadership by Grace Alone"
Dr. Gabriel N.E. Fluhrer
Sanctuary

Bulletins will be available by noon on Fridays.
Wednesday, April 24

Wednesdays@First
12:00 p.m.
Everyday Sayings that are in the Bible
"A Drop in the Bucket"
Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas
Jackson Hall

Centerpoint
6:00 p.m.
Westminster Confession of Faith
"Church Censures"
Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas
Jackson Hall





Empty Space that Changed the World

When the tomb in which the body of Jesus had been carefully laid was later discovered to be empty, his enemies concocted an unbelievable explanation that his disciples had taken the body and hidden it. That these same disciples would be prepared to die knowing that he had not risen is ludicrous. And when Jesus appeared everything changed. From that point onward, a phenomenon came into being—Christianity, the church, a new holy day. The only possible explanation for the rise of Christianity and the shape that it took is that the Jesus they had buried was dead and is now, three days later, very much alive. Only the literal truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus can account for what happened afterwards. 

I said, “literal truth of the bodily resurrection,” and I meant it. What they saw and heard and touched was a physical body. The first thing he asked for when he arrived at the place where the frightened disciples were hiding behind locked doors was that he might have something to eat (Luke 24:41-42)! And Thomas was urged to put his finger in Jesus’ side. Despite the fact that they were well aware of what an apparition might look like (then as now), they did not describe it as an apparition—the appearance of something ghostly. On the contrary, he looked so “ordinary” that the two on the Emmaus Road initially thought he was a pilgrim returning after Passover. Nor are the Easter stories in Scripture projections of what people thought would occur. The fact is they were not expecting a resurrection like the one Jesus experienced. (some did believe in the resurrection of everyone at the end of the age).
 
Most people still think of heaven (where the body of Jesus is right now) as something non-physical. We have Plato to blame for that. But he was wrong. What Easter tells us is that the beginning of the new creation has begun. And Jesus’ body is the prototype of our resurrected bodies. And a million questions now arise which we cannot answer. 

Derek W.H. Thomas
Senior Minister


Youth Golf Clinic
Saturday, April 27
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Ft. Jackson Golf Course
Ages 5+
Price: $10.00
Lunch included
 
Spring Golf Tournament
Friday, May 10
11:30 a.m. - finish
Ft Jackson Golf Course
$48.00/player or
$25.00/college students
Lunch included
Church Parking Notice

Beginning Sunday, May 1, the parking lot next to the Lofts Apartments will be unavailable for church parking. The lot is marked stating it is reserved for residents, and towing will be enforced. Please do not use this parking lot in the future. Thank you for your cooperation.
Baccalaureate Sunday

May 12 is Baccalaureate Sunday when we recognize our graduates for the year. Please contact Rebecca Milford at rmilford@firstprescolumbia.org by Monday, April 29, with the full name of the student, the name of the school, and the degree to be received.

Easter Flower Cross

The Special Friends Sunday School class will be flowering a cross and placing it in Jackson Hall during Sunday School on April 21. It will remain there through dinner on Sunday evening. Please stop by and enjoy it.

Howard Missionary Retirement

Andy and Nannette Howard, after 25 years of service with World Witness, have recently retired. Sunday, May 5, will be a day we say “thank you” to them for their service. During the World Mission Sunday School class in the Frank C. Hill Mission Center they will give an overview of their years of service; then following the 11:15 service, a luncheon will be held in Jackson Hall in their honor. Please contact Neal Mathias if you would like to attend at nmathias@firstprescolumbia.org or 799-9062, Ext. 227.
Church Family

Congratulations to:
Dale Eichelberger on the birth of her grandson, Monroe Arthur Collins, on April 10. Grateful parents are Kristi and Nolan Collins.

Meredith and Danny Myers on the birth of their son, William “Liam” Silas Myers, on April 12.  

Mary and Mac McFadden on the birth of their granddaughter, Mary Oliver Wilson, on April 14. Grateful parents are Mary Mac and Cooper Wilson. 
 
Christian Sympathy is extended to:
Theodore “Ted” Hayne on the death of his brother, Isaac Hayne, Jr., on April 9.
 

Items for Church Family or People for Prayer?
Contact Lisa Eargle at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org 
or 799-9062, Ext. 244.
April Events at First
Committee Meetings:
  23 - Local Missions Committee - 4:00 p.m. in BR327
- World Missions Committee - 5:00 p.m. in the Frank C. Hill Missions Center
23 Women’s Foundry Celebration - 7:00 p.m. in Jackson Hall
25 Men’s Foundry Closeout - 6:30 p.m. off-site
25 Young Professionals’ Men’s Night - 8:00 p.m. off-site
27 Youth Golf Clinic - 10:00 a.m. at the Fort Jackson Golf Club
28 Churchyard Tour - 10:00 a.m. Tom Gottshall will conduct the Men’s Bible Class Churchyard Tour. All are welcome. 
28 College End-of-Year Party - 1:00 p.m. off-site
28 Next Step Luncheon & Communion Service - Lunch at 12:30 p.m. in Jackson Hall followed by the Communion Service at 1:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

May Events at First
2 Children’s Choirs Spring Concert - 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
3 First Fridays Organ Concert - 12:00 p.m. - Lunch in Jackson Hall, 12:30 p.m. - Organ Concert in the Sanctuary. Cost is $5.00 for lunch.
4 Encouragers’ Breakfast - 9:00 a.m. in the Small Dining Room
7 Young Professionals’ Gathering - 6:30 p.m. off-site
9 High School Senior Dinner - 6:00 p.m. in Jackson Hall. Contact Rebecca Milford for more information.
10 Spring Golf Tournament - 11:30 a.m. at Fort Jackson
13-15 WOC Circles Meet
18 Youth Soccer Clinic - 11:00 a.m. at Segra Park, for ages 5+. Cost is $10.00. Register online
19 Church Picnic - 3:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center

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