E-News for August 18, 2016

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:

As you know, I love to read. And one of my favorite things to read is Sherlock Holmes. Every night before I fall asleep, I read a Sherlock Holmes story. Right now, I'm working my way through the Annotated Sherlock Holmes, which has been fascinating--having the notes to describe various contextual issues or to raise points that other Sherlockians have debated makes great fun each night.

But probably, truth be told, the reason I love Sherlock Holmes stories is that even though there is a mystery involved, by the end of every story, the mystery is resolved. Holmes has figured out the problem, sometimes by amazing deductive processes, brought the criminal to justice, and resolved all my questions. And really, I think I like these stories because all too often, I long to have the mysteries and problems and questions that I experience resolved in one final solution.

Life doesn't work that way. Instead, we feel as though we are in the midst of intractable problems that have no solutions, mysteries without resolutions. We don't understand why people are acting the way they are, why we feel the way we do, why our money doesn't seem to last--all despite our best efforts.

When we turn our hearts to the Bible, we find that God doesn't resolve all the mysteries or give us the solution. Rather, he tells us to trust him. He says, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psa 46:10). He says, "I am for you" (Psa 56:9). He says, "I know the end from the beginning" (Isa 46:10). He says, "Come to me and I'll give you rest" (Matt 11:28).

And so, while I wish I had the answers to the mysteries that I experience all the time, I'll content myself with reading Sherlock Holmes each time. Because in the end, the God whom I trust will take care of my heart, my life, my family, my future--and he will give me rest.

In the grip of God's grace,

Sean

First Presbyterian Church and Presbyterian Christian School

From Arrington Rhett

PCS recently celebrated its 40th year of providing an excellent Christian education to children in our community. First Presbyterian Church has been instrumental in the growth and success of PCS through the years.

Our church provides PCS with board representation, monthly financial support, and scholarship assistance for church members. In 2009, First Presbyterian Preschool became part of the PCS family, with classes for 3- and 4-year old Kindergarten students meeting at the church beginning this week.

First Pres is well-represented in the PCS family, with 108 of our children enrolled for the new school year and 15 church members serving on the school's staff: Ann Cole, Jaime Griffin, Ben Griffith, Ruth Lewis, Teresa Mangum, Whitney Middleton, Suzan Newman, Barbara Parsons, Arrington Rhett, Audie Shook, Brian Smith, Maria Smith, Nathan Starns, Betty Sugg, and Matthew Wiggins.

Thanks to the members, officers, and staff of First Presbyterian Church for your continuing support of Presbyterian Christian School!

Thank You Note

from Grace Presbytery Women's Ministry of South Mississippi

Gone are the Disaster Buckets that many of you put together during the time from Oct. 2014 until the present time. They were loaded last Sunday and sent to the flood area in LA. You put cleaning supplies in them, from a list recommended by Sherry Lanier, MNA Disaster Response Facilitator. Sherry is in charge of all communications, volunteer immobilization; and materials and supplies distribution. She said to give everyone a big thank you also and to let all know that every single bucket stored has been sent and used for this emergency.

This is a project started by (GracePresWIC) for their Annual Grace Gift; and is intended to be ongoing, especially in view of our current coastal flooding. The ladies of Grace Presbytery Churches have joined together across South Mississippi to meet this need. Many, many buckets have already been given to and used by Sherry Lanier and her teams across the PCA.

Bettye Tyner is MNA Chairman (Mission to North America) for GracePresWIC. She has placed lists of needed cleaning supplies on the table in the hall by the Fellowship room. Disaster Response is requesting more buckets which will be put in a central location for pick up from Disaster Response teams across the PCA.

A big thank you to those at FPC who made up the buckets being used by flood victims as you read this. We pray that we can depend on you and others again!!!

Women's Ministry Bible Studies

From Caroline Grubbs, Women's Ministry President

The Women's Ministry Bible Studies begin in September! Mark your calendars and plan to participate in these opportunities to study God's Word and to enjoy wonderful fellowship! The Weekly Bible study begins on September 8 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The study is I Peter by Jen Wilkins. The study will last for nine weeks, and Sara Lucas is the leader for the study. The Monthly Morning Bible Study will begin on September 13 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The study is Unlike Heroes which is written by Dr. Daniel Lockwood and is based on Hebrews 11. Melissa Neill, Christian Growth Chairman for the Women's Ministry, will teach the lesson in September which includes an introduction to Unlikely Heroes as well as a study on Abel and Enoch. The Evening Monthly Bible Study is scheduled for Monday evening, September 19, at 6:00 p.m. in the Loft of Currie Hall. Debra Baird will lead the study on the Life of Peter which will be taken from a collection of sermons by Dr. James Baird.

Child care is provided for all Bible studies. However, the evening Bible study will require a reservation. Please email Kathy Young, kyoung@fpcpca.net, to let her know that you are requesting Child Care. This reservation should be made by Friday, September 16.

PCA Women's Bible Conference

From Caroline Grubbs, Women's Ministry President


	Nancy Guthrie

August 26 is the deadline to register for the Presbyterian Church in America Women's Bible Conference, Transformed. The conference site for our geographical location is Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. The conference will begin on Friday evening, September 9, at 7 p.m. and will conclude on Saturday afternoon, September 10, at 2:00 p.m. The registration and lodging information can be found online at pcacdm.org/transformed2016. Nancy Guthrie is the Bible leader which will focus on Romans 11:33 - 12:2. Nancy has an enthusiasm and love for God's Word that will encourage and enlighten you! "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..." Romans 12:2

Hope For Hattiesburg 5K - Online registration available

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 including online or mail in registration
Please register early and help spread the word!
Business sponsors and event day volunteers are needed. Contact Bobby Blass at 770-315-2356 or rlblass@gmail.com

Pantry for the Needy

From Caroline Grubbs, Women's Ministry President

Each year as the calendar turns to August, our Pantry for the Needy runs low on some of the food items. Currently, the pantry needs spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, chunky soup, rice, macaroni and cheese, packets of grits, packets of oatmeal, and breakfast bars. Please bring these items to any Women's Ministry Bible study, to the counter outside the Fellowship Hall kitchen, to the pantry behind the Sanctuary, or to the church office. As always, thank you for your help with the Pantry for the Needy ministry!

Missionaries in Focus

From Missions Committee

First Pres. will now be supporting an organization called Beginning Again in Christ, Inc. Dr. Sal Pellicano is the Executive Director. BAIC is a prison ministry and was started in 1975 by Odell Fish, who was an ex-offender. The organization has been active in Mississippi for 40 years. BAIC counsels inmates and their families and ex-offenders and their families. Dr. Pellicano has been a chaplain in six different penal institutions in four states and has advanced degrees in Psychology and a bachelor's degree in Theology. BAIC is in state prisons, detentions centers, work centers or county jails in MS approximately 45 times each month. They strive to reach everyone they can with the gospel and hopes to effect long term generational changes in the lives of inmates and ex-offenders. One of their most important assets is volunteers from local churches who minister to those who are incarcerated. Dr. Pellicano sees the fear of God diminishing and he believ es that mankind has reached its zenith; the technological advances of man are equaled or perhaps surpassed by our callous disregard for our neighbor and our God. Be praying for Dr. Pellicano and his very difficult ministry, as well as for the many volunteers who labor with him.

Upcoming Birthdays

August 23 - Ben Griffith

August 24 - Tom Giles, Dews Jussely, Wilson Harwell

August 25 - John Knox

August 26 - Clifton Wade, Louis Benton, Lauren Russell, Henry Tims, Russ Middleton, Thomas Bellew

August 27 - Kelley Mangum

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