We hope you find this weekly newsletter informative on the many happenings at The First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg.

We hope each day, you will learn the power of grace to transform lives, families and communities.

We invite you not only to worship with us on Sunday as we seek to learn more the glory, joy and Word of God, but also to serve with us around our city and around the world.

-The First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Grace Transforms
From Dr. Sean Michael Lucas, Senior Minister

My dear friends:

Next week, our Wednesday night activities start again. Elsewhere in this e-newsletter, you'll find the description of the adult electives and activities. In addition, our student ministry has one of their main teaching times and our children's ministry engages in children's choirs and catechism training. While I can't point to a place in the Bible that mandates participating in Wednesday night, I do believe that Wednesdays at First can prove to be extremely useful to you and your family's continued growth in Christ and connection to our church.

In addition, our Wednesday night activities prove to be the place where we most obviously serve one another. While our Sunday school and VBS programs are volunteer-intensive, our Wednesday night program really involves so many serving so many. From those who lead our children and who are participating in our student ministry small groups, to the deacons and others who assist with Wednesday night suppers, there really are a tremendous number of folks who are serving one another.

And so, one of the key ways we live out the communion of saints together is on Wednesday night. As a result, I hope that you will participate as we look forward to what God is going to do in our midst this fall!

In the grip of God's grace,

Sean

Wednesday Nights at First
From Dr. Sean Michael Lucas, Senior Minister

Our Wednesday night programs begin again on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. We have dinner starting at 5:30p and then programs for all ages that begin around 6:15p (for children) and 6:30p (for everyone else). It is wonderful for us to be together as a church family at this midweek gathering, renewing friendships and being strengthened in God's Word.

For adults, we have three Bible studies/ministry opportunities:

The King and His Kingdom: The Sermon on the Mount, led by Dr. David Jussely. Join us for this DVD-based study in which Dr. Sinclair Ferguson explains how the sermon on the mount equips us to live a kingdom life in a fallen world. He highlights Christ's exhortations to live countercultural, to examine the deeper implications of God's law, and to rest in the knowledge of God as Father for the cure of all our anxieties.
Grace for the Hurting, led by Rev. Knox Baird. There are so many events that enter into our lives that create pain and sorrow and that causes us to wonder where God is. As we examine Scripture, we find the Gospel meets us right at that intersection of grief and pain and God uses our sorrows to lead us to himself.
Connections Ministry. Since 2008-09, we have had the opportunity to disciple a number of children through Jack Kennedy's United Christian Ministries. We would love to have men and women to come and partner with us in reaching these young people for Christ. If you have questions, contact Rob Jackson or Knox Baird.

Hope For Hattiesburg 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk on October 15
From Bobby Blass

Please mark your calendars to participate in the H4H "Run For Literacy" on October 15 at the Longleaf Trace Gateway at USM. Proceeds from this event will benefit the literacy program at Grace Christian Elementary School (HPSD).

See HopeForHattiesburg.org/run for more details
Online registration will be available soon
Business sponsors and event day volunteers are needed. Contact Bobby Blass at 770-315-2356 or rlblass@gmail.com

Women's Ministry News
From Caroline Grubbs, Women's Ministry President


	Nancy Guthrie

The Presbyterian Church in America Transformed Conference is being hosted by Briarwood Presbyterian Church (2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham, AL, phone 205-776-5200) on September 9 - 10. Session 1 on Friday, September 9, from 7 - 9 pm and Session 2 on Saturday, September 10, from 9 am to 2 pm will be a Bible study led by Nancy Guthrie. There are at least 3 hotels in close proximity to Briarwood that have offered discounted rates for the conference. Those hotels are the following: Springhill Suites, 3850 Colonnade Parkway, phone 1-205-969-8099 for reservations; Courtyard Birmingham Homewood, 500 Shades Creek Parkway, phone 1-800-393-7928 for reservations; and Hilton Birmingham Perimeter Park, 8 Perimeter Park South, phone 205-967-2700 for reservations. When making reservations at these hotels, be sure to ask for the PCA Birmingham Transformed Conference group block. Each of the rooms in the reserved block is a double rooms and range in price from $99/night (plus tax) to $109/night (plus tax).

The Transformed Conference registration is $100. Both the group block rates and Conference registration closes on August 26. The Saturday session includes two mini conferences and a luncheon. The website gives the details of the choices of mini conference topics and the bios of the speakers. If you are interested in attending the conference, please go online at pcacdm.org. This website contains a wealth of information as well as the registration form.

The Women's Ministry at First Presbyterian Church has used Nancy Guthrie's Bible studies in the past, and the Women who have read and studied her books can attest that Nancy has an enthusiasm and love for God's promises in the Scriptures. She shares her thoughts and insights of God's Word with passion and insight! Don't let this opportunity pass you by! Get a group together, make your plans, and expect to be excited that you attended.

Missionaries in Focus

From Missions Committee

Josh and Emily Kines are serving as church planters in Lafayette, LA. Josh is a graduate of William Carey, RTS Jackson and was on staff at Madison Heights Church as an intern and assistant pastor. They moved to Lafayette in June, 2015 and began work on planting Parish Church. Josh says that early on after they "hit the ground" in Lafayette, the Lord provided a place to meet; a ministry partner(Alec Moyer(wife, Rosie,)who is half way through his Mdiv at RTS, Charlotte and who will finish his degree via distance education while he interns at the church plant); and a musician/worship leader(Marshall Brooks, who is pursuing his Masters in Worship Leadership) Josh began last fall by hosting several families in their home who were very interested in a church plant. In January, 2016, they started weekly meetings to build a "launch" team. Since then they have been having weekly Bible studies and several members of the launch team are pitching in to find inroads into the community for matters like meeting places and networking. They are pleased about their worship facility in a central part of the city and have been meeting on Sunday mornings beginning in mid-July. They officially launched Sunday morning Worship services August 7. Josh said they are very thankful for the way God has provided in the early days of the church plant and he covets our PRAYERS above all. Their website is: ourparishchurch.com. Be praying for Josh, Emily and their 6 children as well as for the Parish Church.

Upcoming Birthdays

August 14 - Stephanie Williams, Angela Johnson, Jackson Benton

August 15 - Olivia Shook

August 16 - Benji Shaw

August 17 - Caroline Rhett

August 18 - Michael Chatham, Maggie Hickman, Amelia Wicht

August 19 - Ben Shaw, Daisy Hickman

August 20 - Susan Revels, Bettye Tyner, Wes Curry

The First Presbyterian Church

The First Presbyterian Church proclaims and practices the Gospel of God's transforming grace for God's glory alone. We invite you to join us on Sunday mornings in seeking truth from the Word in Sunday School at 9:45 and in worship at 8:30 and 11:00.

The First Presbyterian Church
4901 Hardy Street
Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39402
Office: 601-268-0303

Fax: 601-268-0778