Poppy seed chicken, steamed broccoli with peppers and squash, purple hull peas, yeast rolls, green salad service, dessert of choice.
Paleo option: grilled chicken breast & veggies.

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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:

I'll mention this on Sunday, but I'm very excited about our plans for the pulpit for this fall. As you are undoubtedly aware, we have two more sermons in Romans: Gospel Mission from Romans 15:8-33 and Gospel Partnership from Romans 16:1-27. As I consider where we might go next, it occurred to me that we have an opportunity to do something that I've always wanted to try.

Our women will be studying 1 Peter this fall, using materials developed by Jen Wilkin and the Gospel Coalition. They will be starting their study on September 7/8 and I'll be starting a new sermon series on September 11. And so, I've decided to preach through 1 Peter concurrently with the schedule of the women's Bible study. I think there will be a good opportunity for our women to study God's word through the week, hear Jen talk about the text on the DVD in their study, discuss it together, and then hear me preach the same text on Sunday.

But I know that there may be others who want to participate in the women's weekly inductive Bible study who for various reasons can't--some of you may be men and aren't invited (!); others of you have schedules that simply don't fit the offered times when the ladies will be meeting. And so, next week, we will have copies of the study available for you to purchase and use through the fall. While you won't be able to hear Jen Wilkin speak, we hope that the sermons each week will serve to orient you to the Gospel indicatives and imperatives, the Christ-centered hope, of each passage.

I've always wanted to see if this would work--our church studying a particular text during the week on our own and then hearing that text preached on Sunday. I'm praying that God will use this to grow us in grace and knowledge of Jesus and that he will use his Word to transform us. I'm very excited about it and hope you will be too.

In the grip of God's grace,

Sean

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

Missionaries in Focus

From Missions Committee

Lee and Emma have been serving with Arab World Ministries and Mission to the World since 1983. They are now in North Africa and have been having protestant worship services for tourists and Europeans living there. Lee's public role is serving as pastor to expatriates, but his private role is to come alongside local believers to help them grow in their faith. Lee says that the world has not changed since God fulfilled his plan for Jesus to be called a Nazarene. War and political instability cause many people to see a new home where they feel safe. He says that some of these people live near us or have become their neighbors and he prays that they discover in their personal hardship, God has a plan to introduce them to Jesus. Lee says in their area of the world they often talk about "situational awareness" when we are thinking about our personal security. We need to be aware of who is watching us or following us and take appropriate action. After he preached on the love of God he found that those sermons really struck home in the local church where all its members have come out of Islam.

Emma works with many of the ladies teaching them how to quilt, teaching language, as well as helping women who have gone through trauma and teaching Bible studies. They are very grateful for their new team members Drew and Joanne (and baby Madelaine) who arrived in February. Lee asks for prayer for many individual people with whom he works: Sam, Sabrina and Ron, Emma, Esther, Samantha and William, who wants to study the Bible. Pray for Fred, who hosts the International Church and is a real evangelist-it is his passion!! Pray for Drew and Jo as they settle in, become more fluid in Arabic and as they build relationships. Pray for Lee and Emma in a very difficult ministry. Lee and Emma will be with us to tell us more about their ministry on Sunday, October, 16th.

Upcoming Birthdays

August 28 - Melissa Neill

September 1 - Sam Porter, Ron Wiggins, David Shull

September 2 - Mary Lou Poole, Dick Johnson, Anne Love, Curt Childress, Abb Payne

September 3 - Bill Russell, Betty Sugg, Reid Hudson, Winston Hudson

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