Due to the “Queen City Mischief and Magic” schedule, street closures, and expected crowds, First, Second, and Third Presbyterian Churches will be worshiping together on Sunday, September 30th at Third Presbyterian Church, 1313 Barterbrook Rd. at 11:00 am.  Plenty of parking, fully accessible.

Rev. Evan Smith, Rev. Jacob Singleton, and Pastor Karen will lead the service together, followed by fellowship. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Weddings
Interested in having your wedding at First Presbyterian Church?  Please see our updated guidelines here.

Sunday Worship
Adult Sunday School  10:00-10:45 am (now meeting in church parlor)
Youth Sunday School  10:00-10:45 am
Elementary Sunday School  10:00-10:45
Church Nursery: 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Chancel Choir Rehearsal: 10:30 am 
Morning Worship: 11:00 am
Youth Group 12-2 pm (alternates with Youth Sunday School, please call to check times)
 
Wednesdays 
Bible Study: Wednesdays at 10:00 am in the Library 
Chancel Choir Rehearsal: 7:30 pm 
 
This week's Bulletin-> Click here 

This month's Newsletter -> Click here

Visit the Shenandoah Presbytery Website -> http://shenpres.org/

Visit the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Website - > http://www.synatlantic.org/

This month's birthdays - > Click here

 
September 2018

Pastor's Letter
    
And Jesus said to Martha, “Mary has chosen the right thing, and it shall not be taken from her.”  (Luke 10:42)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
    Why do you think Jesus affirmed Mary’s decision instead of all the other things she could have, or “should” have been doing?  She elected to sit at Jesus’ feet to learn.  Lifelong commitment to the “right thing” is one of the marks of discipleship.  “What is the chief end of man?” “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism of 1647)
    On the path of discipleship, we are expected to “move up” just like kids at school!  This side of heaven, there is not a time when one has “arrived.”  As the old saying goes, “You’re either green and growing or ripe and rotting.”
    One of the ways the PC(USA) encourages on this path is with a deliberate consideration of our membership – of our belonging to the body of Christ.  You don’t hold membership in the church like you would in a civic or social club.  One doesn’t simply pay their dues (or not) and then attend *MY* club when one feels like it – because your kid is debuting in society, or this is the day they have the fun dinner, or because it’s traditional to attend the Christmas ball.
    Membership in the church is active discipleship. “The triune God, incarnate in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, gives to the Church not only its mission but also its understanding of membership.” (Book of Order G-1.0301)
     And so the church tells us that “an ACTIVE member shall regularly, after prayerful consideration, recommit themselves to the disciplines and responsibilities of membership (G – 1.0402).”  Here are the expectations of Membership:
    “Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a joy and a privilege.  It is also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission.  A faithful member bears witness to God’s love and grace and promises to be involved responsibly in the ministry of Christ’s Church.  Such involvement includes:
  • Proclaiming the good news in word and deed,
  • Taking part in the common life and worship of a congregation,
  • Lifting one another up in prayer, mutual concern, and active support, 
  • Studying Scripture and the issues of Christian faith and life, 
  • Supporting the ministry of the church through the giving of money, time and talents,
  • Demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church, 
  • Responding to God’s activity in the world through service to others,
  • Living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, 
  • political, cultural, and social relationships of life,
  • Working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment, 
  • Participating in the governing responsibilities of the church, and
  • Reviewing and evaluating regularly the integrity of one’s membership, considering ways in which one’s participation in the worship and service of the church may be increased and made more meaningful.”  
    I invite you, beloved disciples, to once again choose the right thing.  Pray to our Lord, review your faithfulness to your membership vows, and renew your commitment to the Way of the Lord.

Your sister in the journey,

Pastor Karen