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INSPIRE NOVEMBER 2016
“You are the light of the world," Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. "…Let your light shine be‐fore people in such a way that they will see your good ac ons and glori‐fy your Father in heaven.” (Ma hew 5:14, 16). First Presbyterian Church has been a beacon of God's light since it was founded in 1830. The church moved to its permanent home on the corner of First Avenue and Eleventh Street in the early 1860s. During those turbulent mes, the congre‐ga on faithfully constructed a build‐ing regarded as one of the “largest and most stately edifices for religious worship” in the South. On Sunday, November 29, 1891, a devasta ng fire destroyed the church. Although the exterior walls were saved, the main ceiling
collapsed over the organ and flames burst through the windows. Within hours, church members rallied to‐gether and planned a new sanctuary to be "a source of pride to the pre‐sent genera on" and "to stand for all mes as an ornament." During the rebuilding, stained glass windows were added to replace the original clear ones. These stained glass windows, combined with other architectural features, create a place of awe‐inspiring beauty for the worship of God. Since their installa on almost one hundred and twenty‐five years ago, care has been given to the maintenance of the stained glass windows. During the major church renova on of 2008–2010, extensive deteriora on was discovered and repairs were made. However, problems con n‐ued and in 2015, experts concluded that complete restora on would be necessary. The Opera ons Ministry carefully searched for the best cra smen to complete the project, and Lynchburg Stained Glass was selected. The approximate cost for the detailed work on the twenty‐four windows in the sanctuary and the two towers is $750,000.00. This monumental project needs the support of every member of First Presbyterian Church. Please prayer‐fully consider a financial dona on which can be pledged over a two‐year period. Dona ons, regardless of the amount, will be accepted with gra tude. The names of all contributors will be listed in a com‐
memora ve book that will become a permanent part of the church his‐tory. The Session has approved the naming of the ten tall windows in the Sanctuary in honor or in memory of an individual, family or group. Individuals or groups who contribute $50,000, the approxi‐mate cost of the repair work per window, may choose an appropri‐ate inscrip on for a 4" x 10" pane to be affixed to the window glass. At the back of the Sanctuary and in the two towers, there are an addi onal fourteen windows that can be named for a dona on of $5,000 to $37,500. Thank you for your considera on of this oppor‐tunity to support the legacy of our forebears and to glorify God in this place. For addi onal informa on, please contact Rex Whiddon, who is chairing this special project cam‐paign at 706.507.8430 or by email, [email protected]. Visit www.columbusfpc.org, click on “News” then select “Stained Glass Window Restora on Project” from the drop down menu to follow the updates on this project.
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Church Family Suppers
Wednesdays in the Fellowship Hall
5:30 p.m. Dinner 6:30 p.m. Program
November 9 Veteran’s Recogni on
November 16 Concert by CSU Students
November 23 Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy this me with your family.
November 30 Advent Program
Rev. Megan Johnson, Women’s Pastor North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Atlanta
Doing Something Different for the Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ
It’s October – and you are probably wondering: Where is the Stewardship Program?
For 2017 the approach taken by your Stewardship and Finance Ministry is a bit different. This fall we are drilling down into how we are doing the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ at First Presbyterian Church. We are crea ng a Ministry Ac on Plan to share with the congrega on. Because of the ming of the upcoming holidays and the end of the year, Dedica on Sunday will be in January of 2017.
In the mean me, we encourage you to support the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ through First Presbyterian Church for the remainder of this year – and to begin considering how you will do that in 2017.
The Center for Chris an Studies presents
“BUDDHISM, CONFUCIANISM, AND CHRISTIANITY FROM KOREAN CONTEXT”
Sundays, November 13 and 20 Taught By: Dr. Jong Ha
Dr. Ha is a faculty member of CSU, a recent graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary, a Ruling Elder in the PC(USA), and one of our new members.
Descrip on: Dr. Ha grew up in Korea as a Buddhist and a Confucianist before he turned to Christ. As he tells us his story we will learn more about Buddhism and Confucianism. We will also learn more about the spread of Chris anity in Korea.
“THE STORY BEHIND BELOVED HYMNS AND CAROLS
OF THE SEASON” Sundays, November 27 and
December 4 and 11
Taught By: Rev. Dr. Jones Doughton
A na ve of North Carolina, Rev. Doughton previously served Southside Virginia. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA, 1986) and Columbia Theological Seminary (M. Div., 1993), he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Samford University in 2007. He married the former Mary Lee Ward in 2004. They are the proud parents of Benne and Mary Claire.
Descrip on: Rev. Doughton will share with us the stories behind many favorite hymns of the Thanksgiv‐ing, Advent, and Christmas Seasons.
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November 3 Early Release at 1 p.m.
November 11 Veteran’s Day – No School
November 17 Thankful Feast
November 21‐25 Thanksgiving Break –
No School
November Youth Calendar
Every Sunday (unless otherwise indicated
in the Sunday bulletin)
10 a.m. Sunday School 5:15 Youth Choir
6:00 Youth Supper 6:30 Youth Program
7:30 Parent Pickup
November 6: Game Night
November 13: Shop for Thanksgiving Meal
November 20: “Third Sunday”
Check the Sunday bulletin for additional details about this event
November 27: Thanksgiving Break
Children’s Sunday School
Sunday Mornings in
November at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Evening, October 9th
Our youth enjoying
a dinner of PIZZA
with visitors from
Beaufort, SC!
What Happens A er the Opera on Christmas Child Shoebox is Delivered?
The Greatest Gi : In addi on to hearing the Gospel before they receive their shoebox gi , children also receive The Greatest Gi , a storybook that shares the message of salva on. Children take this home to share with family and friends. It is translated in more than 80 languages.
The Greatest Journey: A er receiving shoebox gi s, many chil‐dren par cipate in the discipleship program, The Greatest Jour‐ney. During this 12‐lesson course, children come to know Christ, grow in faith, and learn how to share the Gospel with others. A er comple ng The Greatest Journey, children a end a gradua on celebra on and receive a cer ficate. Most im‐portantly, they are given a New Testament Bible in their own language.
The Gospel Mul plies: As children hear the Gospel at shoebox outreach events and go on to par cipate in the Great‐est Journey, they share their faith with friends and family who also share and disciple others. God is growing and mul ‐plying the body of Christ all over the world!
It all starts with a shoebox gi !
Have you packed your shoebox gi yet? There is s ll me! If you would like to par cipate but are not a shopper, donate toward shipping costs to send the boxes the youth and children are packing. Make your check to First Presby‐terian with “OCC Shipping” in the memo line. Visit www.samaritanspurse.org/ooc to Build a Shoebox Online!
Important Dates:
Sunday, November 13: Deadline for returning filled shoeboxes at First Presbyterian. The Drop‐Off carton is in the recep on hall.
Tuesday, November 22 AND Tuesday, November 29 Come on a bus trip to Opera on Christmas Child Processing Center in Atlanta! We will inspect and process shoeboxes in prepara on for shipping. This is a great way to learn more about Opera on Christmas Child. Our friend and former FPC member, Lisa Steger, will be the Floor Supervisor! Please email Cathy Driver ([email protected]) or Kimberly Moseley ([email protected]) to reserve your spot now.
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A Look Back: September Bus Trip
In September, the Church Bus Trip was to Quail Hollow Garden in Notasulga, AL to tour Pat Dye's Japanese maples. Here are a few pictures from the trip.
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Presbytery‐Wide Meal Packing Event
Sunday, October 2, members of First Presbyterian joined representa ves of seven area Presbyterian churches to pack 10,152 meals! About 50 volunteers achieved this task in just under two hours. First Presbyterian Youth joined with the Youth of Edgewood to serve together. They had some me to fellowship a er the event. Our youngest First Church volunteer was just seven years old!
Stop Hunger Now is driven by the vision of a world without hunger. Our mission is to end hunger in our life me by providing food and life‐changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable and to create a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources.
Based in Raleigh, NC, they operate meal packaging programs in 20 ci es in the U.S. and in South Africa, Malaysia, India, Italy, Peru, and the Philippines.
They have engaged over 500,000 corporate, student, civic and faith‐based volunteers in meal packaging. They distribute meals through feeding programs operated by partner organiza ons in developing countries that promote educa on, encourage children to a end school, improve students’ health and nutri on, address gender inequali es, s mulate economic growth, and fight child labor. All of these endeavors are crucial to addressing global issues.
30 Year Anniversary
Congratula ons to First Presbyterian mem‐ber, John Laney, on his 30th Anniversary as a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge in the Middle District of Georgia. The October 22nd edi on of the Ledger‐Enquirer included an ar cle about Judge Laney’s calling and commitment to his posi on. This church is proud of you and of the ways in which you manage this job with fairness and integrity. Thank you, Judge Laney!
This publica on, the Inspire Newsle er, is in need of some roving reporters for contribu on ar cles, photos, and interes ng dbits about our church and congrega on. Reporters of any age are welcome. This could also be an opportunity to gain community service hours. If you are interested, please contact JoAnna Williams, 706.322.4523 or [email protected] for details.
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If your birthday or anniversary is this month, but is not listed, please contact the church office so we can add it to your member profile.
November Anniversaries and Birthdays
1 Barschall & Diane Andrews Cathy Smith Isabelle Powers Melanie McElroy
2 Barbara Peebles
3 Billy Tuner Phoebe Haney Wade Weekley Rob Flournoy
5 Lauren McDonald
6 Sally Hatcher
7 Bob & Mary Jane Galer Jeanne Galloway Chris ne Jones
8 David & Jaime Lemieux Mary Jarre
9 Lois Johnston George Lawrence
10 Jessica Shipp
11 John Avant Kenny Bath
12 David & Nan Bufogle Ted & Emma Neumeister Rev. Joel Alvis Martha Hatcher Sasa Bruce
15 Colin & Kelley McElroy Charlo e Gunby Jonah Conklin Zoe Ogburn
16 John Franklin Paul Cowart William Iddins
17 Daron & JoAnna Williams Ralph Johnson Walker Flowers, Jr.
18 Chris Peebles Sam Cudd
19 Collier & Erin Tro er Andrea Heath Amelia Barton
20 Ann Reid Charles McCall Robyn Moore Gene Steger
22 Jeff Adams Kathryn Roberts Meg Harris
23 John &Weesie Laney
25 Jim & Charlo e Gunby
26 Madden & Sally Hatcher
29 Rita O’Bryan Nicholas Manago
30 Suzanne McCary Katharine Flory Shujaa Mililer
1100 First Avenue
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Phone: 706.322.4523
Fax: 706.596.8531
Web: www.columbusfpc.org
Share God’s Love: First Presbyterian, a historic church located in uptown Columbus, Georgia, seeks to minister to all people in Christ’s name through an inclusive, caring, and faithful community that joyfully shares the gi of salva on from a loving and forgiving God.
INTER IM PASTOR
The Reverend Joel L. Alvis, Jr., PhD
ASSOC IATE PASTOR
The Reverend E. Jones Doughton, D. Min.
CH ILDREN’S MIN ISTRY DIRECTOR
Mrs. Debbie Spear
CHURCH ADMIN ISTRATOR
Ms. Suzanne McCary
ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER
Mr. Thomas H. George, Jr.