Our Youth Chorus had a five-day retreat to Florida last month. Though initially planned as a consolation trip (our missions trip to Spain was sadly postponed), it turned into a very, very memorable retreat for all of us.  

Praise the Lord, we made it there and back safely, with no complications. We were well loved and cared for by the saints at First Presbyterian Lake Wales, where we sang for morning worship. We were further blessed by our hosts at St. Andrew’s Chapel, after singing for their evening worship.

Besides singing in worship, the retreat included morning and evening devotions, meals together, an intense game of kickball, topped off by a very full day at Universal Studios! It served as a beautiful reminder and encouragement of the joy that comes from being an active participant in the fellowship of God’s people where we worship together, pray together, break bread together, and enjoy one another’s company, all to the glory of God.  

The most memorable moments, at least for me, occurred inside the 15-passenger buses while driving to and from our various destinations. Sometimes the young women of the choir would spontaneously sing the music learned for the trip. But they also sang pieces that they had learned in Youth Chorus several years ago, remembering the words, notes, phrasing—everything! They had learned the deep and abiding joy of delighting in the Lord in song and in praise.

And this is the goal of our choir ministry here at First Presbyterian Church. We invest countless hours and resources into our children and adult members, teaching them how to sing, how to read music, how to listen, tune, form vowels, support the tone, phrase, shape, etc., all in the hope that they will fall in love with the act of worshiping our Lord and Savior, and that you, too, will be blessed by their ministry of praise.

This Sunday, you can learn more about our children’s, youth, and adult choirs at our display table in the Atrium between Jackson Hall and the Education Building. Choir directors will be on hand to answer questions, and registration information will be available as well.

Come join us!

Daniel Cole

We are looking for two volunteers each Sunday to help with our college breakfast during the Sunday School hour. If you are willing to help, please sign up at firstprescolumbia.org/college, or contact Nate Cesky for more information at [email protected]. 

It that’s time of year when we host the IFM Welcome Back Banquet. FPC has been hosting this event for over 30 years. This annual event is held at the beginning of the school year to welcome international students to the Columbia area. It will be held Friday, August 26, in the Family Life Center beginning at 6:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed to host tables and serve food. If you are interested in helping, please register at the Local Ministry Table (see below announcement) or you can register on the church website. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Eargle at [email protected].  

A Local Ministry table will be set up on Sundays in the Atrium for the congregation to see the opportunities for getting involved in local outreach. The ministries that will be displayed in the month of August are Child Evangelism Fellowship, International Friendship Ministry, and Young Life. Stop by and learn more about these great ministries that First Presbyterian Church supports. 

All First Presbyterian Church members are welcome to audit these classes at no cost. For additional information or to register, please contact Crystal Tolbert at [email protected] or (803) 771-6180.

14 Stewardship Sunday during Sunday School

28 College Lunch following the 11:15 a.m. worship service in Jackson Hall

Youth Group begins at 4:30 p.m. Middle School meets in the Family Life Center, High School meets in The Bridge basement.

For more information on any upcoming events, please check our website at firstprescolumbia.org or our church app.

The family of former member, Barbara Austin, who passed away on July 24.

Kathy and Alan Lord on the death of her father, J. Lee Tinney, on July 28.

Neal and Faith Myers on the death of his mother, Louise Wren Myers, on July 28.

Logan and Jimmy Fowles on the birth of their son, Julian Helms Fowles, on July 29. Grateful grandparents are Nora and James Fowles.  

 Items for Church Family

Please contact Lisa Eargle at [email protected].