The Weekly Newsletter of Saint Marys FPC

In Loving Memory

Former pastor, The Reverend Donald Stiens passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2011 following a brief illness. He served the congregation here in Saint Marys from 1986-1993. Don recently retired from the Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery after serving the Kingston Presbyterian Church in Conway, South Carolina since 1993. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday,October 25th at 1:00 at the Kingston Presbyterian Church. Please keep the Stiens family in your prayers.

Montreat Lovers Return… Today we welcome our group home from the annual fall trip to Montreat, North Carolina. Attending this year: Jimmy and Audrey Clark, Flem and Peggy Hall, Carol Surrency, Coral Zebrowski, Jean Vernon, Pastor Ben Beasley, and Pastor Rick Douylliez. Chimney Rock, the Grove Park Inn, and a performance of the Buddy Holly Story at the Flatrock Playhouse Theatre were among the highlights of this year’s adventure. The group also met up with Jacob Douylliez and fiancé Catherine Hinesley who were engaged on Monday.

Thank You! The Building and Grounds Committee wishes to extend special thanks to those who showed up yesterday for the church-wide workday. The entire church campus looks beautiful! The Committee is also interested in securing a professional lawn service. Referrals should be submitted to Elder Chuck Fulton (729-8184) or cfulton1@tds.net.

FPC Youth Group to Sponsor Outreach Program!
Today our youth will present a “Minute for Mission” for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. This annual outreach involves thousands and provides more than a million children world-wide with a personal gift at Christmas time. It is also an opportunity to share the light of Christ. In the next few weeks we will be reminded how a simple shoe box can make a big difference in the life of a child of God in a poverty stricken region of our world.

$tewardship Reminder… Is your annual financial commitment to the church up-to-date? Our community of faith here at First Presbyterian depends on your faithful stewardship to provide funding for a very wide spectrum of ministries. Thank you for being good stewards!

Deck the Halls… Beautiful Christmas holiday evergreens can be ordered TODAY following both worship services. In the spirit of the season, please give your support to Presbyterian Women in their only fundraiser of the year.

Presbytery News… The Savannah Presbytery will convene this Tuesday, October 25th at the First Presbyterian Church in Waycross, Georgia. Clerk of Session Ann Barackman and Pastor Rick Douylliez will represent our congregation. A highlight of Tuesday’s meeting will be the reception of The Reverend Mark George who has been called to serve the Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church in Dublin, Geor

It’s Our Turn! Next Saturday, October 29th in the midst of all of the Florida-Georgia football festivities, our church will prepare and serve a meal to the residents of the Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless. We will leave the church at 9:00 a.m.

Congratulations! Elder Chuck Trader was recently selected as Camden County’s Teacher of the Year after being honored with the same distinction at Saint Marys Middle School. Jeremy Douylliez was selected this week by the Georgia Theatre Conference to attend and audition for summer stock theatre at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chatanooga, TN March 2012.

Congregational Meeting and Supper… Next Sunday, October 30th, a congregational meeting has been called to elect two members to the Nominating Committee and to establish a quorum for all subsequent meetings pursuant to the new form of government which went into effect on July 11, 2011. The meeting will begin immediately following a covered dish supper at 5:30 p.m. Bring a dish (or two) to share and help bring our two worshiping congregations together for fellowship and important business.

Connect Worship and Education at the Holy Grounds Café
The biblical lectionary text that is explored and proclaimed each Lord’s Day is also what is being served up each Sunday morning during the Sunday School hour. Come and join us over a cup of coffee! The group meets in the living room at the manse at 10:00 a.m.