September 7, 2014

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Periodicals Postage Paid at Columbia, SC

Associate Reformed Synod 1324 Marion Street Columbia, South Carolina 29201 (803) 799-9062 Fax: (803) 799-9172 FIRST THINGS (USPS 198-100): Published each week except Christmas week by First Presbyterian Church. Periodical postage paid at Columbia, SC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to First Things, First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC, 29201.

8:30 & 11:15 a.m. MARK this: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK “Bread and Yeast” Mark 7:31-8:21 Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas The Sacrament of Baptism (8:30) 6:00 p.m. CHRIST ABOVE ALL “When the Gospel Comes to Town” Colossians 1:3-8 Dr. D. Ralph Davis Children’s Sermon

Wednesdays@First Wednesday, September 10 Sunday, September 7 8:30 a.m.Worship Service* - Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages - Church Campus 10:00 a.m. Inquirers Class - Small Dining Room 10:50 a.m. Fellowship Time* - Jackson Hall 11:15 a.m. Worship Service* - Sanctuary 4:00 p.m. Laurel Crest Service - Laurel Crest 4:30 p.m. Middle School Youth Group - Family Life Center 4:30 p.m. Cate Memorial Handbell Choir Rehearsal - P107 5:00 p.m. Church-Wide Prayer - T301 6:00 p.m. Evening Service* - Sanctuary 6:00 p.m. Friendship Club - T201, T214 6:15 p.m. Cherub Choir Rehearsal - T102 6:15 p.m. The Club (1st -5th grades) - T213 7:15 p.m. Sunday Supper - Jackson Hall 7:30 p.m. High School Youth Group - Thornwell - 2nd floor Monday, September 8 12:00 p.m. Recorder Ensemble - P107 6:00 p.m. American Heritage Girls - Thornwell 6:00 p.m. Trail Life USA Meeting - Jackson Hall Tuesday, September 9 7:30 a.m. Men’s Prayer - P303 8:30 a.m. Staff Prayer - P402 9:30 a.m. Ministry Staff Meeting - P402 5:30 p.m. Administration Committee - P402 7:30 p.m. Brass Ensemble Rehearsal - P110

Wednesday, September 10 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays@First* - Jackson Hall 4:00 p.m. Junior Choir Rehearsal - T201 4:00 p.m. Primary Choir Rehearsal - T207 4:00 p.m. Youth Chorus Rehearsal - P110 5:15 p.m. Centerpoint: Dinner - Jackson Hall 6:00 p.m. Centerpoint Nursery (Birth -3 years) - T106, T 112 6:15 p.m. Centerpoint Kids Cat echi sm Cl ub (K4 -2 nd grad e) T102, T103, T107 6:15 p.m. Centerpoint Kids M i ss i on s C lu b (3rd -5th grade ) - T202 6:15 p.m. Middle School & High School Bible Study - Thornwell 6:15 p.m. Centerpoint - School of Theology - Jackson Hall 6:15 p.m. Centerpoint - A Friend in Need: Counseling 101 - Thornwell Auditorium 6:15 p.m. Centerpoint - Future Leadership - T305/T306 6:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal - P110 7:05 p.m. Centerpoint: Prayer - Jackson Hall Thursday, September 11 6:45 a.m. Thursday Morning Men’s Bible Fellowship - Quail Lane 7:30 a.m. Men’s Discipleship Bible Study - Blue Marlin, Vista Room Friday, September 12 6:00 p.m. New Covenant Sunday School Gathering - Family Life Center Saturday, September 13 9:00 a.m. Encouragers’ Breakfast - Laurel Crest 11:30 a.m. Encouragers’ - State House Tour - Off site * Childcare is available from birth to four years.

If, at any time, you have an emergency, please call 513-7931 to contact a pastor.

A DOZEN PROVERBS “Revenge” Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. Program begins at 12:15 p.m. Jackson Hall  Wednesday, September 10 SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY “Union with Christ” Jackson Hall A FRIEND IN NEED: COUNSELING 101 “Depression” Wardlaw Auditorium FUTURE LEADERSHIP “What Is a Church?” Thornwell 305/306 Supper begins at 5:15 p.m. Program begins at 6:15 p.m.

Vol. LXIV, No. 36 September 7, 2014 audio streaming at www.firstprescolumbia.org [email protected] Worship Service - Broadcast WISW 1320 AM at 11:00 a.m.

Pockets of Prayer "There are many other occasions in the life of our large family when we can gather for a time of prayer with our brothers and sisters, but Wednesday evening remains a fixed time in our busy schedule to pray for one another." This was one of Dr. Thomas' comments two weeks ago as he wrote about our Wednesday evenings this fall and the several pieces that make up Centerpoint. Wednesday evening prayer (7:00 - 7:30 p.m.) is the centerpiece of corporate prayer in the weekly life of our church. But, as Dr. Thomas gave reference to, we are a large family with busy schedules. In other words, not everyone can make it on Wednesday evenings. This leads us to encourage you to find some setting to pray with others. It could be one of the other prayer gatherings that are listed on our weekly church calendar. There is Men's Prayer at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday mornings in Palmer 402A. There is Elders’ Prayer on Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. in the Palmer Building Session room. There is also Church-Wide Prayer at 5:00 p.m. on Sundays in Room 301 of the Thornwell Building. These are the prayer gatherings woven into the church calendar, but there are other ways that prayer can be and, in some ways already is, woven into the life of the church. These might be called "pockets of prayer." By this I am referring to prayer gatherings that spring up out of any one of a number of circumstances. An example from the Book of Acts captures the principle. In chapter 16 we read about Paul and Silas being put in prison in Philippi. Then in verse 25 we read, "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God..." Paul and Silas created a little "pocket of prayer" in response to their circumstances. The account goes on to record what the Lord brought to pass — an earthquake that freed them from prison and the conversion of the jailor along with some of his family members. Is there a set of circumstances in which you find yourself that might be just the setting for a pocket of prayer? There are already examples of this among us. For instance, every first Wednesday of the month, following Wednesday@First, there is a group who gather in Laffitte Parlor to pray for men and women of the military. Most who attend have a personal or family connection with military personnel. Another example, on the Wednesdays before the Sunday college lunches, those interested in college students gather for prayer prior to the teaching time for Centerpoint (if interested contact Jeremiah Thomas — [email protected]). Over the years there have been parents of children (often teenagers) who have gathered for prayer drawn together by a shared burden for their children during what can be a challenging season in life. There are more examples among us. The account in Acts 16 shows us Paul and Silas responding to their circumstance by having a prayer gathering. Our circumstances are likely not as severe as being thrust into a prison. However, they are, for us, very real shared circumstances that have caused our paths to providentially connect with others. We would challenge you to consider those circumstances. Is it a setting where you might join brothers and/or sisters to create another "pocket of prayer"?

Neal Mathias Minister of Missions

Search Committee for Associate Minister to Young Adults and Christian Education Chair: Louie Cason-elder David Baxley-elder Jimmy Herlong-elder Paula Hill

Kristi Rollins Greg Bajan John Reading Sarah Patane

Search Committee for Associate Minister of Counseling and Congregational Care Chair: David Hodges-elder Joe Walker-elder Tom Gottshall-elder Chris Kneisley

Margaret Stubbs Marshall Ridgeway Thomas Arthur Michael Littlejohn

The Session has called a congregational meeting to take place Sunday, September 7, for the purpose of hearing and acting upon a report from the Church Officer Nominating Committee and any other business. The meeting will begin immediately following the 8:30 a.m. worship service. After members of First Presbyterian Church who attend that service have had an opportunity to cast their ballots, the meeting will recess until immediately following the 11:15 a.m. service, when those who attend that service will be able to vote.

Circles Resume

Time Location 10:00 a.m. Carol Lashley 1401 Ivy Lane, 29204

The Lord’s Supper

2

Mon/8

10:00 a.m. Mason Williams 5121 Quail Lane, 29206

Next Sunday, September 14, during our 8:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. worship services, we will observe the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. The week ahead of us, therefore, is one in which we prepare for a joyful gathering at the table of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3

Mon/8

10:00 a.m. Laffitte Parlor, Jackson Hall

4

Tues/9

7:00 p.m.

Young Women Andrea Cavanaugh 6309 Olde Knight Parkway, 29209

5

Mon/8

5:30 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church Palmer 107

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Tues/9

10:00 a.m. Charlene Wells 953 Hampton Hill Road, 29209

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Wed/10 10:00 AM Young Mothers Wardlaw Parlor, Thornwell

Sunday Night Kids’ Club – Sunday, September 7 at 6:15 p.m. 1st-5th graders are welcome to join us for the start of our new Club year. Children’s Church – Sundays during the 11:15 a.m. Service Children’s Church will be continuing this year during the 11:15 a.m. service for all K4 and K5 children.

Childcare by reservation only. Contact Beth Grider ([email protected])

8

Wed/10 10:15 a.m. Laffitte Parlor, Jackson Hall

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Tues/9

10:00 a.m. Hannah House Hannah House

10 Tues/9

10:00 a.m. Heart & Hand Palmer 107

11 Tues/9

12:00 p.m. Lunch Fellowship Small Dining Room

Operation Christmas Child Imagine a child’s smile dawning upon accepting Jesus into her or his heart! And all from a shoebox of humble gifts! Come to the Atrium to get your empty boxes… then fill them with love!

Thanks Giving for Missions Luncheon Tuesday, September 23

Lunch provided

12 Tues/9

6:30 p.m.

Evening Fellowship Heath Building, Fairgrounds 1200 Rosewood Drive, 29201

13 Tues/9

10:00 a.m. Jane Jefferson 14 Regatta Court, 29212

14 Mon/8

7:00 p.m.

15 Mon/8

10:30 a.m. Laurel Crest Living Room, Laurel Crest

Rosemary Thomas 220 Shallow Brook Drive, 29223

Christian sympathy is extended to:

12 noon in Jackson Hall Cost: $8.00 Guest Speaker: Rhonda Conroy, Wycliff Missionary to the Philippines

Marla Strickland on the death of her mother, Winifred Lowe, on Tuesday, August 26.

For lunch reservations, please sign up at your Circle meeting or call the reservation line: 799-9062, Ext. 295. Make checks payable to “First Presbyterian Church” and give to Circle leader, mail to church, or drop off at church office.

Items for Church Family? Contact Julie Dever at 799-9062, Ext. 244; [email protected].

All reservations and payment must be made by Tuesday, September 16. For nursery reservations, contact: Beth Grider (799-9062, Ext. 233; [email protected])

September Circle Meeting Times No. Date 1 Mon/8

Children’s Ministry Schedules

Church Family

Congregational Meeting

Trail Life USA Troop Starting Up First Presbyterian Church is launching a Trail Life USA troop this fall for boys. The K-12 program centers on outdoor experiences to:  build a young man’s skills and allow him to grow on a personal level  become a role model  develop leadership skills Kick-off meeting with pizza and drinks:  Monday, September 8 at 6:00 p.m. in Jackson Hall for all boys interested in Trail Life USA.  For more information, contact Ed Schooler at 730-6183, or Eric Wenger at the church office 799-9062, Ext. 601. Living the Trail Life is a journey established on timeless values derived from the Bible. Come to our meeting to learn more!

Circle Invitation Women of the Church - please consider joining one of our circles which are starting up again next week. (See schedule, opposite page.) This year we will be studying the book of Titus and would love to have you join us. For more information contact: Diane Kirchner, General Circle Chair, at [email protected] or 520-8061.

Good New Clubs This after-school ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship often partners with local churches. Clubs typically meet weekly, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., starting in mid-September for six weeks with a second semester starting in January. Opportunities for service through CEF Good News Club:  Volunteer to be a member of the Logan Elementary Good News Club team. Volunteers have differing responsibilities based on interests - some teach, some bring snacks; all love children and want to express Jesus’ love by being with the children.  Offer other occasional practical support to the Good News Club team.  Pray for the First Presbyterian Church team members, the children in the schools and the staff of the schools with which we partner. For more information contact Liz Stonecypher at [email protected].

High School Fall Retreat September 19-21 at Bonclarken Conference Center Cost: $50.00 Sign-up deadline: September 7 Register online at www.firstprescolumbia.org/ youthregistration.

Saturday, September 13 Breakfast at Laurel Crest — 9:00 a.m., $2.00 100 Joseph Walker Drive, West Columbia Tour of the State House — 11:30 a.m., Free Meet at the Palmer Bldg. parking lot to car pool, or park on Sumter St. in front of Trinity Cathedral and enter the State House under steps facing tall buildings on Main St. Reservations needed by Thursday noon, September 11. Call Julie Dever, 799-9062, Ext. 244

Parents’ Night Out Friday, September 26 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Birth to Fifth Grade Reservations deadline: Tuesday, September 23 Contact Beth Grider at [email protected] or 799-9062 Ext. 233.

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