C h u r c h S c h o o l : 9 : 1 5 a . m . S u n d a y W o r s h i p : 1 0 : 4 5 a . m . 110 North Adams Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Phone (850) 222-4504 Fax (850) 222-2215

email: office@oldfirstchurch.org w e b s i t e : w w w . o l d fi r s t c h u r c h . o r g

www.facebook.com/oldfirstchurch Pastor’s Blog: b r a n t c o p e l a n d . c o m

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: 9:00 AM—12:30 PM AND 1:30PM—5:00PM, Monday—Friday

Two Cents-a-Meal Reminder

The elementary Sunday School class will be out front Sunday, May 5, to receive your

money for the last time this school year. We say a great big thank you to them and to their

teachers for their service.

Food First May 5

In addition to your side dish for the church picnic,

don't forget to bring a bag of nonperishable items for our neighbors who will not be able to enjoy our fried chicken with us. Jon Hinkle and his staff at ECHO

will be grateful for our donations this month. We are approaching summertime when children are out of

school; so, many food-insecure folks in our area will need to fill their cupboards in preparation.

Thank you.

Here are some suggested items you may include in your bag: peanut butter; canned tuna, canned vegetables or fruit;

boxed mac and cheese; cereal; soups.

Our meal team provides meals for members and their families during times of celebration and challenge. Please know that special dietary needs are not a problem as long as we know about them! Let us know if you are aware of any situation where a meal would be wel-come. We use the Lotsa Helping Hands website to coordinate most meal requests, and you can access that through the First Presbyterian home page. The Lotsa Helping Hands website is password-protected, meaning we cannot simply forward a link to the meal calendar. We chose this option for the privacy of members of the congregation. This means you need a user name and password for both the church website and the Lotsa Helping Hands website. However, once you have created your user name and logged on, you will get email notifica-tions about meal needs. If your email address has changed it is a good idea to visit the Lotsa Helping Hands website to make sure we are using your most current information. For assistance with any problems, or for more information about the meal ministry, please contact Barbara Busharis (bbusharis@hotmail.com).

MEAL MINISTRY

BIRTHDAY OFFERING

Launched in 1922, this Offering has funded

over 200 mission projects. Some of this year’s mission projects include: $119,000 to improve the lives of nursing center residents in the Appalachian region of Ken-tucky; $120,000 to Wings of Refuge, Iowa Falls, Iowa that provides a healing place for women victimized by human trafficking and prepares them for transition into independent living; $100,000 to Effingham Illinois Child Develop-ment Center that serves children of differing abilities and is paving the way for all kids to learn and play together.

We ask that you give as you have been

blessed, generously and as led by the Holy Spirit.

Birthday Offering envelopes will be in your

pews until May 19.

Submit items for publication to: newsletter@oldfirstchurch.org

no later than noon on the

Monday of publication.

Lectionary Readings

For Sunday, May 5

Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:1-20

Psalm 30 Revelations 5:11-14

John 21:1-19

You might need to wear your sunglasses the next time you come to church. The exteriors of all of our buildings were pressure-washed last week with brilliant results. Although the white does not meet the Biblical standard of “dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them,” they’re pretty white!

If all goes according to plan, the concrete platform for the columbarium niches will be poured this week. Ann Riccardi is organizing the landscaping according to her master plan for the courtyard renovation. We received official notice last week that the niches will arrive on Thurs-day, May 16 at 1:00 p.m. A crane will lift the 16,000 pound edifice above the oak trees on Ad-ams Street and set it down on the platform inside the courtyard. It ought to be quite a show.

We plan to dedicate the columbarium just three days later on Sunday, May 19, during the Lord’s Day Service. Incorporated into the dedication service will be the committal of the cre-mated remains of ten members of First Church. Committal services for two other members will take place at a later date when family members can be present.

In former days, many churches had a “churchyard” adjacent to the house of worship. I think of the columbarium as a modern version of the traditional churchyard. Instead of having to pile into cars and drive to the cemetery for the committal, we can include the committal of ashes in the Service of Witness to the Resurrection. We will be enacting a “new” approach which is ac-tually very, very old.

Gifts for landscaping and to the Columbarium Endowment are very much welcome. I am very grateful to Ann Riccardi for her leadership with this multi-year project.

Pastor’s Column by Brant S. Copeland

The courtyard renovation is under way and we are looking for sponsors or contributions for the following: 4 Carolina jasmine $25 each 2 urns $300 each 1 benches $150 each Bedding flats $20 each Please make your checks out to First Presbyterian with a note that it is for the courtyard. Your name and how the donation is to be used will be placed in a book that is kept in the church office.

Thanks for your support of this project.

May 5, 2019 9:15 a.m.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

Adult Bible Study Class

Calvin Room (across from the church office)

We will read and begin to discuss the book of Jonah. Each Sunday we read the Bible verses and discuss

their meaning for our lives today. Visitors are always welcome to join us!

Hearing the Word

Room 205 This class meets to discuss articles, books, and

essays of the class members’ choosing that relate to faith experiences and serving in the world.

Inquirers’ Class Westminster Room 208

Inquirers’ Class, Westminster Room #208 The Inquirers continue with Living the Questions 2.0

(about). The provocative theological discourse—among progressive theologians featured in the vide-

os and among class participants—will make you think. Newcomers welcome; each session in the se-ries stands on its own. This week’s program is titled, “Embracing Mystery.” Our background reading is pp.

62-67 in “LTQ2c-Call-To-Covenant.PDF” (John emailed copies on March 13—if you did not get

yours, please contact the church office).

Our nursery and preschool rooms are staffed by childcare provid-

ers from the Heavenly Helpers Agency. These childcare profes-

sionals are background checked and trained in infant/child first aid

and CPR. They are present in both rooms from 9:00 a.m. – Noon

each Sunday.

Main Floor Nursery: Our nursery is for infants and toddlers up to

two years old. Parents can drop children off beginning at 9:00 a.m.

and children will be cared for through the worship hour. There is a

sign in sheet for parents to list who will be picking their child up,

an emergency phone number and any particular needs the child

may have while in the church’s care. Children should come with a

bottle or sippy cup, preferred snack and diapers. Diaper wipes and

additional snacks are available.

Preschool Care: Beginning at age two, children go to the third floor

preschool room. Drop-off begins at 9:00 a.m. and children are

cared for through the worship hour. There is a sign in sheet for

parents. Snacks are provided.

.

.

YOUTH GROUP

May 5, 2019 6:00-7:30 p.m. @ First Presbyterian

The education coordinator from Big Bend Cares will be with us to talk further about healthy sexuality and relationships.

Lydia Circle will have our final meeting of the year

on May 12 at 4 p.m. at Westminster Oaks.

Peggy West will lead our study of Lessons 8 and 9.

Theresa Heiker will be our hostess. We look forward to seeing you there!

Rebekah Circle will meet on Tuesday, May 14

th

at 10:00 am. in the lower level Theater Room at Westminster Oaks.

Bo Elzie will lead our Bible study.

First Presbyterian CHURCH PICNIC

YOU’RE INVITED!

May 5th following worship

at J. Lee Vause Park

Chicken, side dishes, desserts, and beverages

will be provided.

Please bring a side dish to share.

$3/person with a $10 family cap

New members and visitors are our guests.

Last Call! Contact the Church Office (222-4504) by 4pm on Thursday, May 2.

Directions from First Presbyterian

Head north on N Adams St toward E Call St

Turn right onto E Tennessee St Take the 1st left onto N Monroe St Turn right onto Old Bainbridge Rd

The park will be on the right 6024 Old Bainbridge Road 32303

SPECIAL ANNOUCEMENT: “Friends of the Earth,” Summer Reading Academy

Grace Mission is gearing up for the summer “Friends of the Earth,” Reading Academy occurring June 17th-June 21st!

Come SOAR high with elementary school students for an exciting literacy week focused on environmental awareness and steward-

ship. Field trips, reading labs, games, arts, crafts, learning labs focused on environment will be presented throughout the week.

We are in need of strong, committed volunteer support for the week. Various opportunities available. WE NEED YOU! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Dawn Adams,

Grace Mission at dawngracemission@gmail.com or by phone/text at 850-320-2233.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Genesis 1:1; “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” And Psalm 24 1:1; “The earth is the Lord’s, and the ful-ness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” This tells me God made this planet for every living being that inhabits it. All creatures whether on the earth or in the waters build a habi-tat to live in. We love and defend our lives, our family, our homes and our communities. We work hard to maintain them. In doing so, we teach our children to do the same, one genera-tion to the next. Creatures of the lesser animal kingdom also work to protect their habitat, but we humans have dominion over them. They are at our mercy and so are future generations. I believe it is only fair and right that we do our best to protect and preserve our God’s earth.

I agree with the first two lines in the song ‘Greatest Love of All’ most noticeably sung by Whitney Houston are “I believe the chil-dren are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way”. The Compassion and Social Justice team supports our church initiatives to be good stewards of our planet and because of this, we encourage you, if possible, to support the Grace Mis-sion summer “Friends of the Earth,” Reading Academy.

Compassion and Social Justice Team

DeniseBirch@aol.com

First Presbyterian Church Calendar for May 2019

Date Time Event Location Comments

Sunday

Schedule 9:00 AM Nursery Opens

Education Bldg.

Care for children last through the worship hour

10:45 AM Lord's Day Service Sanctuary All are welcome

Wednesdays 7:30 PM Choir Practice FPC Choir Room The Adult Choir meets each

Wednesday

Sunday, 5 10:45 Food First

2 Cents a Meal Sanctuary

Noon Church Picnic J.Lee Vause Park

It’s not too late to sign-up!

Call 222-4504 by 4 p.m. on

Thursday, May 2nd

Sunday, 12 6:00 P.M. “Tea for Two” Westminster Room Annual Mother’s Day Social

Monday, 13 6:00 P.M. Ministry Night Education Bldg. Please Join Us for Dinner &

Team Meetings

Thursday, 16 7:00 P.M. Voces Angelorum Sanctuary A Celebration of Women in Music

Sunday, 19 9:15 A.M. Christian Education

Volunteer Breakfast Westminster

Room Everyone is Invited

10:45 A.M. Installation of

PW Officers Sanctuary PW Birthday Offering

Columbarium

Dedication Courtyard

If you have not already signed up for camp or made oth-er Summer Camp plans, this is your wake-up call! You can explore and register for student summer camp here Dogwood Acres Summer Camp Registration. You can sign up now with a $50 Deposit.

At beautiful Dogwood Acres, children and youth meet peers from across the Florida Panhandle (and beyond). As they make new friends, nature and nurture come together to help them learn about growing in faith, guided by role models who walk and talk it every day. Campers flourish in this wholesome, technology-free atmosphere that encourages them to actively explore life through a wide variety of guided opportunities. Dogwood Acres is an exciting, nurturing gift from God that offers a safe, beautiful, faith-filled setting in which campers can swim, fish, laugh, worship, sing, learn ar-chery and crafts, help each other on the Challenge course, and create lifelong memories while doing it all!

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