The Historic First Presbyterian Church of Saint Marys Georgia: From Your Pastor

Friday, May 6, 2011

From Your Pastor

In light of Osama bin Laden’s death on May 1, Christians across the globe have had reason to reflect anew about their thoughts regarding terrorism, war and the continuing call for peace.

The Reverend Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), encouraged the offices of Theology, Worship and Compassion to share resources with our denomination this week. The following is a prayer written by a member of our General Assembly Staff.

A Prayer for the Reign of Peace:
Almighty, all-merciful God, through Christ Jesus you have taught us to love one another, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and even to love our enemies. In times of violence and fear, let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, so that we may not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good. Help us to see each person in light of the love and grace you have shown us in Christ. Put away the nightmares of terror and awaken us to the dawning of your new creation. Establish among us a future where peace reigns, justice is done with mercy, and all are reconciled. We ask these things in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

Relevant Scripture:

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when they stumble.” — Proverbs 24:17

“Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head’ [Prov. 25: 21-2]. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:17-21

“For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain. It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrong-doer.” — Romans 13:4

“As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.’” — Luke 19:41-2

May we continue to pray for peace and unite our hearts and minds with those in distant lands and in our own communities who are fighting forms of oppression day after day.
Rick

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WELCOME!!

Members and friends of FPC St. Marys,

Welcome to the historic First Presbyterian Church where Christians have gathered for more than 200 years. We are a vibrant and active congregation of the Presbyterian Church USA. This blog will serve as our website for the remainder of 2010. The FPC Staff will be posting "church stuff" and personal musings and reflections that are directly related to our ministry at FPC (yet another way to help keep us all better informed). Feel free to tell us what you think about the site and please offer your suggestions by e-mailing us at firstpresby@tds.net and as always, we hope to see you soon at worship!

Tough week? We're open on Sundays! Know that a warm welcome awaits you and your family!

FPC Reaching Out to Others!

Stephen Ministry - a one-to-one care-giving ministry began in our church earlier this year. Other important outreach in our church includes: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - Family to Family Program, Camden House (domestic violence shelter) Habitat for Humanity of Camden County, Caring Hearts, Helping Hands Food Pantry, I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, Kairos Prison Ministry, Camden County Department of Children and Family Services, St. Marys Senior Center, Magnolia Manor, The Mews, St. Marys Convalescent Center, SOUPER Bowl, One Great Hour of Sharing, Presbyterian Homes of Georgia, Thornwell Home for Children, Heifer International, Christmas Joy Gift Offering. WATCH FOR A NEW MINISTRY TO BEGIN THIS FALL FOR FAMILIES WITH ALTZEIMER'S DISEASE!

A Ministry of Caring for Those Who are Hurting

Our church now joins over 10,000 congregations and over 500,000 Stephen Ministers across the world in providing ministry for people who are hurting due to all circumstances of life. Please pray for our Stephen Ministers as they reach out to people in need of one-on-one Christian care: Paul Cosenza, Susie Cooper, Ann Gardner, Kathy Cade, Wayne Burton, Carol Surrency, Chris Thomas, Judy Southern, Julie Banks and Pastor Rick Douylliez. - Training our Stephen Ministers are Cathy Douylliez and Emmy Morrissey. Stephen Minister Kathy Cade has recently returned form Leadership Training in Orlando, Florida and is now a member of the Leadership Team. A new class of Stephen Ministers is about to convene as early as January 2011. If you are interested, please see one of our Stephen Ministers for more information or call Cathy Douylliez at 882-1209 or Emmy Morrissey at 673-1368.

Youth Ministry at FPC

Are you in the 6th grade - 12th grade? First Presbyterian Church is the place to be! This summer is full of opportunities for youth of all ages. We hope you can join us at worship soon to discover where you might fit in!

"GOD STRONG" is our motto in the youth group at First Presbyterian Church, Saint Marys, GA.

The youth have traveled to Ichetucknee Springs this summer and have attended the Gathering Place on Saint Simons Island. A recent back to school fling was held at Summer Waves on Jekyll Island. Another trip to Ichetucknee is being planned before the weather gets cooler. Watch the HOLY COW for details or listen for the announcement soon at worship!

It's Back This Fall - The fun begins on Wednesday September 1.

One of the most fun things we do at FPC each is BIG MESSY ART! Have you ever painted with a mop or broom? If not, you need to sign your kids up AND YOURSELF for an exciting time! This annual program is held in the fall and followed up in the spring with additional opportunities for little hands to be CREATIVE. This fall the program will last for FOUR WEEKS and then our Kingdom Kids will begin rehearsals for the STRANGER IN THE MANGER, this year's Christmas play. Always lots of fun here at First Presbyterian Church! Below in this same bar, you will find pictures of the 2009 Christmas play. If anyone has pictures of the 2010 Spring Musical Down by the Creek Bank, please see Pastor Rick asap so that we can get some of those on this site. Thanks! For more information concerning the children's ministry at FPC please contact Elder Susan Hill at 576-3918 or409--5824.

An Exciting Travel Adventure

WHAT A GREAT TIME WE HAD AS PILGRIMS TO THE HOLY LAND! April 12-21, 2010 - Spiritual Pilgrimage to northern and southern Israel. Our group returned in the spring (see article in main body of this blog) and we spent four days in Tiberias and took day trips to such places as Nazareth, The Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, and other pilgrimage sites. While in Jerusalem we will took day trips to The Dead Sea, Masada and spent plenty of time in and around Old Jerusalem. Those attending the trip were: Richard and Martha Blocker, Cliff and Debbie Davenport, Chuck and Dianne Hasbrouck, Jim and Lorna Gant, Alex and Lois Brough, Jack and Vivian Davidson, Bob and Elizabeth Thomas, Kay Westberry, Ann Barackman, Tom Cade, Lee Lyons, Barbarar Roemmele and Pastor Rick Douylliez. Our pilgrims will gather on Saturday August 28 to evaluate and reflect on their journey together. REMINDER: Join us in late spring-early summer 2011 for the JOURNEYS OF PAUL TRIP - We will travel to Istanbul Turkey and cruise the Greek Islands visiting the historic sites where the Apostle Paul walked, and preached the Good News!

Join a small group ministry at FPC!

Weavings is a quarterly publication by Upper Room Ministries and an opportunity for adults to gather in small groups to discuss these spiritual writings from various Christian authors. The Weavings groups meet in homes bi-monthly for approximately 90 minutes enjoying light refreshments and great fellowship! Copies of Weavings can be found in the narthex. Call the church office if you are interested in joining a small group. MEN'S THURSDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY meets at 7:00 p.m. in the new educational building (former manse). The group will soon be studying the book TWELVE ORDINARY MEN by John McArthur.

A Brief History of First Presbyterian Church

On April 2, 1807, $1,823.50 was raised by public subscription "for for the promotion of divine worship and for the building of a small but convenient church for that purpose." Later subscriptions brought the total to $3,442.00. The building was completed in 1808. The church was non-denominational until a young Presbyterian missionary The Reverend Horace S. Pratt from the presbytery of New Brunswick, New Jersey came to St. Marys in 1821. In 1822 Pratt was ordained as the church's first pastor. First Presbyterian Church St. Marys is the oldest Presbyterian church building in the state of Georgia and has the distinction of being the oldest building in Georgia that has been in continuous use as a church since it was built in 1808. Today it is a thriving, vibrant congregation and the church home for more than 300 men, women and children. It is a member church of the Savannah Presbytery, a cluster of 42 churches in southeastern Georgia and the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Worship at FPC

A warm welcome awaits you as you prepare to worship with us at the historic First Presbyterian Church of Saint Marys, Georgia. We hope this commentary will acquaint you with our order of worship and help you understand the meaning of what we are doing when we come together in the presence of the Risen Lord on the day that weekly commemorates His resurrection.

Our worship gatherings are built around scripture, preaching, sacrament, and the faith community — the ways Jesus Christ is present among us when "two or three are gathered" in his name. Our time together usually includes lessons from both testaments, and other portions of biblical texts that give shape and form to the service. Often, the hymns and anthems are also interpretations of the selected biblical texts which are ordinarily based on the Revised Common Lectionary.

The order of worship is called a liturgy, a compound of two Greek words — laos and ergon — which quite literally means “work of the people.” What we do together in prayer and praise, listening for and responding to God, proclaiming and confessing our faith, and engaging in forms of self-offering during this time of worship, is our work in this service. This is service in a twofold sense: as we serve God in this liturgy, God also serves us — speaking to us with words of comfort, challenge and encouragement, and strengthening us to continue our work as Christ’s people in the world. Our work is strengthened by your presence as you join us in this worship gathering.

We believe that children bring many gifts that are important to our worship experience and they are always strongly encouraged to participate . Because they are able to do several things at one time, we provide a children’s bulletin, colored pencils or crayons for their use during the service. The children's bulletin is usually structured around the worship themes for the day and are another means of helping them understand what is happening during each phase of the service. Following a Time With The Younger Church, the youngest (through first grade) are welcome to return to the pews with their parents, or leave with a worship assistant, to continue worshiping in a manner and place more accommodating to their needs for movement and conversation. Children who are second graders and up are encouraged to remain in the ssanctuary with their family or other adults. The Children’s Church class continues in the educational building or Fellowship Hall. During the last hymn following the sermon (11:00 a.m.) the children return to the sanctuary occasionally to present special music by the infamous Kingdom Kids Handbell Choir!

Congregational Life at FPC

Fellowship at FPC allows us to build relationships that enrich and support one another as we live and minister in this wonderful yet challenging world. Social activities for all ages are coordinated throughout the year including senior adult fellowship, The Prime Timers, a young disciple group Kingdom Kids, and a very active youth group Presbyterian Youth Fellowship (PYF). Presbyterian Women meet monthly September - May. Two small group ministries Weavings and the Thursday Night Men's Bible Study also provide opportunities for fellowship and the sharing of faith journeys and our growing spiritual practices.

Opportunities abound for the entire congregation to enjoy fellowship around coffee pots in all of our buildings on Sunday morning, at covered dish suppers each last Sunday of the month, at a weekly catered meal Wednesday Night Live, (September-May), at our summer Dinner at Six excursions and at other special events held throughout the year. Additionally, many members enjoy singing with the Chancel Choir or playing in the Bells of St. Marys Handbell Choir.

Our pastor is available for spiritual counseling or consultation, and is always on call for illnesses and emergencies.

Christian Education

Ongoing education for all ages is an important aspect of FPC's congregational life—helping us grow in our faith and discovery of how it relates to our everyday lives. Sunday morning classes include two adult classes which address a variety of topics, ranging from introductory courses in the Bible to theological discussions on contemporary issues. All classes are taught by distinguished leaders from the congregation and the larger community. Biblically based, age-appropriate curriculum for children through senior high is offered in our church's Sunday School. Midweek Christian Education programs are also offered September - May for all ages at our most popular event Wednesday Night Live!

Presbyterian 101 classes for new and old members alike are offered three or four times a year and are designed to explore what it means to confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and what its like to be a Presbyterian in the 21st century. Discussions focus on the Reformed tradition and its emphasis on Word, Sacrament and living a Christian life in a post-modern world. Time is also dedicated to the review of church history and church's confessional statements. Classes conclude with an introduction to the many programs and opportunities available for ministry and service at FPC and an invitation to unite with the church if one has not already done so. There are several way in which one can join the Presbyterian Church USA.The pastor will help you determine which of the various means of joining is appropriate for you. If you have not been baptized, we will schedule a date for your baptism and include additional time for you to talk with one of the pastors for baptismal preparation. You will then be ready to be received into church membership upon your first public profession of faith and baptism. If you are baptized but never confirmed, we will welcome you upon your first pubic profession of faith. If you have been baptized and confirmed but have not been active in a congregation for some time, we will receive you into membership by your reaffirmation of faith. If you have been an active member in another church, we will receive you by transfer of membership from another congregation. In this instance, we will write the appropriate letters necessary to complete that transfer. In preparation for being formally received into membership, we will invite you to meet with members of the church’s governing body (the Session) on a Sunday morning prior to being welcomed into membership during one of the morning worship services.