JOIN US FOR WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP

Sunday School 9:45am

Worship Service 11:00am

CHURCH CURRENTS First Presbyterian Church 210 S. Wayne Street

Milledgeville, GA 31061

phone: 478-452-9394

fpchurch@windstream.net

www.fpchurch.org “like” us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/First.Presbyterian.Church.Milledgeville.GA

We seek to glorify God through:

Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth,

Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice

and environmental stewardship.

January 2019

We are on the radio Our worship service is broadcast on WKZR

(102.3 FM.) every Sunday morning at 11:00am and Live

on Facebook

ONLINE GIVING

www.fpchurch.org

VBS 2018

Coord. of Children &

Youth Ministries:

Gloria Burns

Issue No. 272 January 2019

First Presbyterian Church

Organists:

Kate Phillips

Jenny Moore

Director of Music:

Dr. Jennifer Flory

Admin. Asst.:

Amy Snowden

Child Care Providers: Morgan Martin, Raeven Rodney, Andaysha Taylor

Pastor:

Rev. Susan

Balfour

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Christ, and Happy New Year! As always, I give thanks to God for you, and for our ministry together. I continue to be inspired by your generous hearts and faithful service, as you bear witness to God’s love and grace in this time and place. On the first Sunday of the new year, we will celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord, when we commemorate the visit of the Magi to the newborn Christ child. We will also dedicate our new hymnals! Many of you purchased the new Glory to God hymnal for our church in memory or honor of a loved one. Thank you for your help in bringing the next era of sacred music into our worship! With the dedication of these hymnals, we also celebrate a shared milestone. We have proven to ourselves that we can come together to further and enrich our shared life. These new hymnals will enhance our worship experience, allowing us to glorify God with our old favorite hymns, as well as with a newer and broader hymnology, deepening our connection with other Christians throughout the world. These new hymnals also show our dedication to this congregation and its work and worship, and are a harbinger of things to come. As you know, we have set some ambitious goals for ourselves in the next few years. In meeting these goals, we will better equip ourselves for ministry and mission. I hope you will see the things we’ve accomplished thus far, and the journey we’ve been on, as evidence that we can do all things through Christ, and that God will guide and sustain us as we seek to faithfully fulfill our calling. And I hope that you are as excited about what we are capable of as I am. I hope also that you will join me in the new year in a renewed commitment to prayer and spiritual growth. Our individual and collective connection to God is vital to the pursuit of our goals, and I encourage you to engage in activities that will deepen that connection. Check out the book offerings at Cokesbury and the Thoughtful Christian; make an effort to include more prayers of praise and thanksgiving in your prayer life; make time to be quiet and still each day; balance each uncharitable thought by looking for God at work in the moment. Corporately, join a Sunday School class; engage in service opportunities like the food pantry and Prison Family Lunch; participate in fellowship activities; get involved in our congregational leadership. All of these things will strengthen our ties to God and to one another, enabling us to do great things in the name of Christ in our community. I look forward to another year of learning and growth with you! We are indeed traveling a marvelous journey together! And may you all experience God’s richest blessings in the new year!

In Christ,

Rev. Susan

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP

JOIN US FOR STUDY & WORSHIP

Sunday School 9:45AM Potluck Wednesday 6:30PM

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00AM Bible/Book Study 7:15PM

NURSERY SCHEDULE: January 6 Jackie Northington January 13 Joel Burns January 20 Doris Moody January 27 Elizabeth Baarda

Blessings to all in the new year!! If you are willing to serve in the nursery, let us know! Anne Smart (asmart@johnmilledge.com).

FPC Book Club

Despite our icy topic - Alaska - the book group received a warm welcome at the home of Arlene and Dick Mueller for our December meeting. Holiday treats and a festive setting made our book discussion even more fun and interesting than usual!

Mark Adams’ book, Tip of the Iceberg: My 3,000-Mile Journey Around Wild Alaska, the Last Great American Frontier was the book of choice for the month. Adams told of an 1899 Alaska expedition undertaken by railroad magnate Edward Harriman that included American scientist and writers, among them the famous anti-capitalist eco-prophet John Muir. The tales of Ad-ams’ own adventure in our largest state, contrasted with the records of the historical excursion, highlighted the area’s environ-

mental challenges and encounters with the hardy residents who survive in often harsh conditions. Several members told of their own visits to Alaska, ranging from sightseeing cruises to wilder adventures involving bears, fishing, and float planes. We

agreed on the need for wild, natural places in our world, and considered the historical exploitation of Alaska’s natural re-sources, including furs, gold, and oil. Thanks to the Muellers for hosting our December get-together!

The January book selection is Educated - A Memoir by Tara Westover. Westover was raised in a survivalist, isolated home in Idaho. She never set foot in a classroom, never saw a doctor or nurse, until her late teens. Her story of her ultimately success-ful entry into the larger world has won awards and been named to many “best of 2018” lists. “This is a daughter’s story of how

she grew into herself and came to understand her home,” wrote one reviewer.

We are planning ahead! Our February choice is Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy. We are looking forward to reading Becoming by Michelle Obama for March.

Sermons are now available as a podcast

on the Anchor App. “Under the Palm” is

the name of the podcast.

TREASURER'S CORNER Last January I reported that “We have not grown enough to offset the losses we had from death and other things. We have had to pare our budget down to the bone.” I am glad to report that this January we are not having to take the same drastic steps that we did last year. Due to this community's dedication we have turned a corner and are beginning to replace red ink with black. Unfortunately, our world is still in chaos. It needs even more a message of peace, love and kindness. The needs of Milledgeville and Baldwin County are daunting. Our Samaritan's ministry and Food Pantry are under constant strain. The government seems uncaring. You may have heard that the new requirements for S.N.A.P. have caused over 8,000 people a month to lose their food benefits in Georgia during 2018. These challenges put our commitment to the test. Let us show the love of Jesus Christ to all by our example. As I said last year: “Give that little bit extra, volunteer in the mission.” God can use all of us. ~ Joel D. Burns October November 2018 YTD Contributions $14,128 $14,323 $165,484 Other Income 742 745 14,127 Total Income $14,870 $15,068 $179,591

Budgeted Expenses $15,853 $19,990 $191,359 Net (Loss) ($983) ($4,922) ($11,768)

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Joy Gift Program Chili Cook-off

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Food Pantry~ 2nd Tuesday of the month

9:30-10:30am ~ January 8th!!

The food pantry has served over 25 families almost every month during 2018. Thank you for your regular first

Sunday donations and for all the funds directed to this ministry. We always have enough for the day, however

many bags we need to prepare. Thank you to all who have come on second Tuesdays to help make up bags and distrib-

ute them. We would like to begin to prepare the bags on second Monday each month to cut down the recipients' wait time. This was tried in December and really made distribu-tion day much smoother. If you can volunteer a little time on Jan. 12 to work on this, please contact me by e-mail at gautierdonna@gmail.com or by text message at 454-8139. Then we can set a time at our mutual convenience to work on bags. If January is too busy, choose another Monday

before second Tuesday and we will get you scheduled. Thanks in advance!

Samaritan Ministry This ministry offers limited utility assistance to

struggling families in our community. We are able to help keep the lights on, the heat/air

(sometimes oxygen) running, and shelter from the storms! This fund is extremely low at the present time!! Please give if you are able!! We will be as-sisting this month on January 15 at 9:15 am . Participants will need a valid picture ID and the bill with matching address on both items. Fifth Sunday loose offerings will go

towards Samaritan Fund!!

Help for the Hopeless, Peace for the Restless, and a Way for the Lost...

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was, and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him.”

Luke 10:33-34

Prison Family Luncheon ~ Every Third Saturday 11:00am~1:00pm

As is our tradition, Session hosted the December Prison Family Lunch; my thanks to all who assisted! We

welcomed a room full of visitors, including Murphy Davis and Ed Loring, and all enjoyed a ham dinner and joyous fellowship. Your contributions to the Teddy Bear tree all found loving arms and new homes. Thank you for your

generosity! We will next serve on January 19, as always a holiday weekend for some, but we hope you will put it on your

calendar now if you can plan to join us. Menu and a call for helpers will go out by e-mail before too long, so be alert. Thank you for all the time and talents you have shared in this ministry during the past year. We are truly blessed,

you all do know how to share that blessing

SHOP AND SUPPORT!! If you shop Amazon, we invite you to use the Smile platform; .05% of purchases made on smile.amazon.com will go to your designated charity. Using Amazon Smile is an easy and convenient way to help our church. Go to smile.amazon.com; look for the “Supporting” link at the top of the page, which you can use to set your chosen charity to First Presbyterian Church of Milledgeville, EIN 58-0637019. Then just shop as you normally would, and Amazon will donate .05% of your total purchase to the church! If you need help setting this up, ask Rev. Susan.

Come get your FREE Bridge Lessons !! Sandra Balfour is offering her card savvy knowledge to ANY and ALL who

may be interested in learning the basic skills and then some to play a great game of BRIDGE! Lessons will be held

every Thursday at 1:00pm in FPC’s Fellowship hall beginning on January 3rd!!

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

Visually Impaired Person’s Groups A Christmas Story

Sylvia Puckett, a member of the VIP group, was the December speaker. She recently toured the Holy

Land and got a first hand look at Jerusalem and Bethlehem. She related what she saw and learned to

what we know about the Christmas story. For example, in Jerusalem, King Herod’s palace dominated

the landscape and symbolized his enormous power in the area. She identified some of the myths

surrounding many beliefs about the events around the birth of Christ. She started by telling us Mary

probably did not ride a donkey to Bethlehem but probably walked the rocky and hilly distance; the

donkey carried their supplies. She also said Jesus was most likely born in a nearby cave not in a

manger. The three wise men perhaps bought the gold and spices in the Holy Land, rather than traveling

with the gifts. When they informed Herod of the impending birth of the Jewish Messiah and Herod

ordered the slaughter of the Jewish male babies, the number killed was much less than the hundreds we

commonly picture as the population was much smaller. Another myth concerns the date of Jesus’ birth.

Some Biblical references indicate the time was likely in September around the Feast of the Tabernacles.

Mrs. Puckett helped the group have a good understanding of the landscape through photos of the area.

She also shared pictures of ruins of Herod’s palace, the old city of Jerusalem, and the Garden of

Gesthesame. At the end of the talk Sylvia presented each member a necklace containing a shell from the

Sea of Galilee.

Our next meeting will be January 16th, 2019 at 10:30 am. In 2019 the group will begin meeting on a

quarterly basis, so the 2nd meeting will be in March 2019.

Thank You FPC Family!! You

made an incredible difference

in the lives of thirty children.

You Angel Tree gifts assured

ten families would awake on

Christmas Day to the joyous

sounds of excited children

giggling and laughing as they

opened presents they had

wished for, but could only

hope to receive. So to all who

bought gifts, and to Catherine

Dean and Amy Snowden who

brought organization and

effort to what seemed an end-

less task.....Thank You!

Thank You! Thank You!

An

niv

ersa

ries

Limited Mobility: Mary Carlton

Martha Chappell

Helen Danuser

Polly Morrison

Charlotte Owens

Gloria Smith

Church Family: Harry Beck, chemotherapy

Gloria Smith, recovering from a fall at home Extended Family: Charley, Marion Robinson’s friend, throat cancer

Murphy Davis, Open Door Community, cancer, multiple health concerns

Judy deGrandcourt, Sandra Balfour’s sister, advanced MS

Kyle Dennis, Anne’s husband, Multiple Myeloma, kidney issues

Russell & Kathleen Edwards, Marianne’s parents, numerous health problems

Joellen Gonsauley, Nancy Miller’s sister, health concerns

Charley Harper, Cissy Lane’s friend, undergoing treatment for cancer

Dee Hartmann, Sandra Balfour’s sister-in-law, health issues

Leigh Humphrey, Will & Becky Humphrey’s son, recovering

Arthur & Julie Montemayor, Becky Henderson’s parents, ongoing health concerns

Polly Morrison, stroke, recovering in rehabilitation

Jack Murphy, Kathy Carroll’s father, stroke

Tom Murphy, Kathy Carroll’s brother, colon cancer

Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman’s son, under care of kidney specialist

Spencer Scott, Laura Burns Scott’s husband, health concerns

Suzy Smith, Lois Callender’s mother, prayers for improved physical & mental health

Tom Waller, Sandra Worsham’s brother-in-law, bladder cancer

Frances Williams, Johnny Williams’ wife, pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Sue York, cancer treatment

In Assisted Living: Jane Carroll, Fellowship Home at Meriwether, 10 Meriwether Place

Bryan Dempster, Green Acres, 313 Allen Memorial Drive

Bob & Eloise Lamb, Fellowship Home at Meriwether, 10 Meriwether Place

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women’s Study meets every month to study in God’s Promise ~ I Am With You by Amy Poling Suth-

erlun. Join us on the 2nd Sunday (January 13) at 5:00pm in the FPC Parlor or the 2nd Tuesday

(January 8) at 11:00am in the FPC Parlor If you are interested or have any questions please contact

Rosemary Begemann (leader of the pack) at rbegemann@windstream.net.

January 1 ~ John Lousbury

Nan Rogers

January 2 ~ Haywood Edwards

January 3 ~ Elizabeth Wells January 7 ~ Grace Anne Azahar

January 9 ~ Nancy Holbrook January 11 ~ Harry Beck

January 21 ~ Frida Ituka

Mike Tenold January 24 ~ Ruby Werts

January 31 ~ Rosemary Begemann

January 14 ~ Jimmy & Mary Jordan

January 29 ~ Dudley & Anne

Weathers

Bir

thd

ays

Communion for the Infirm and Homebound Our FPC Worship Committee would like to make Communion available to those members of our congregation

who are unable to attend our church worship services. They will do so by bringing the communion elements to homes, hospital rooms, and nursing facilities. To request this service, please call the church office at

(478) 452-9394 and leave your contact information.

Every generous act of giving... is from above. ~ James 1:17

1

HAPPY NEW

YEAR!! OPEN

YOUR ARMS

WIDE FOR 2019!!

2

No Wednesday

services

3 4 5

6

EPIPHANY

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship Service

w/Communion & Food

Offering Rec’d Hymnal

Dedication

7 8

9:30~10:30 FOOD

PANTRY

11:00 Presbyterian

Women Study

12:00 Kiwanis Club

Luncheon

2:00 Mourning

After Group

9

6:30 Potluck

Gathering

7:15 Bible/Book

Study & Discussion

10

1:00 Afternoon

Bridge Club &

Lessons

2:00 FPC Book

Club

5:30 Finance

Committee

6:30 In Our Best

Interest

7:00 Choir Practice

11 12

10:00 Remove the

greens from the

Church

13

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship Service

12:00 Congregational

Meeting

3:00 S.T.A.R.S. &

Youth Ministry

5:00 Presbyterian

Women Study

14

12:00~1:00

Daughters of the

American

Revolution Chapter

Meeting

15

9:15 Samaritan

Ministry

12:00 Kiwanis Club

Luncheon

16

10:30 Visually

Impaired Person’s

Group

6:30 Potluck

Gathering

7:15 Bible/Book

Study & Discussion

17

1:00 Afternoon

Bridge Club &

Lessons

2:00 Learning in

Retirement Reading

3:00 Learning in

Retirement Writing

5:30 Worship

Committee

7:00 Choir Practice

18 19

11:00~1:00

PRISON FAMILY

LUNCHEON

20

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship Service

Officer Installation

3:00 S.T.A.R.S. &

Youth Ministry

21

MLK Jr. Day!

OFFICE

CLOSED!!

22

12:00 Kiwanis Club

Luncheon

23

6:30 Potluck

Gathering

7:15 Bible/Book

Study & Discussion

24

1:00 Afternoon

Bridge Club &

Lessons

6:30 In Our Best

Interest

7:00 Choir Practice

25 26

2019 SESSION

RETREAT!!

27

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship Service

3:00 S.T.A.R.S. &

Youth Ministry

28

6:00~8:00 Girl

Scout Leaders

29

12:00 Kiwanis Club

Luncheon

30

6:30 Potluck

Gathering

7:15 Bible/Book

Study & Discussion

31

1:00 Afternoon

Bridge Club &

Lessons

7:00 Choir Practice

1 2

January