July 2016 - Demopolis Presbyterian

F I R S T P R E SB Y T E R I A N C H U RC H
N EWS—D EMOPOLIS, A L
Our Vision
Statement:
The First Presbyterian
Church of Demopolis,
Alabama, is a body of
believers in Jesus
Christ, That wants
God’s love to grow in
us and radiate to all
people through us.
To that end,
Our Mission
Statement:
First
Presbyterian
Church of Demopolis,
Alabama is: a fellowship of believers in
Jesus Christ, striving
to glorify God and
enjoy Him forever, by
making disciples for
Christ, in Demopolis
and beyond by:
•
Exalting God in
authentic biblical
worship and prayer;
•
Building up believers
in
knowledge and
faith
through
biblical preaching,
teaching,
discipleship and
fellowship;
•
Evangelizing the
lost by sharing
Christ and living
according to His
example;
•
Extending God’s
mercy through
sacrificial service
to those in need.
Rev. Tommy R. Carr
Pastor
Established 1839
Monday we celebrate the 240th anniversary of
the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which,
as we know now, effectively established the United
States of America as a sovereign nation. The people
who signed the Declaration and many others who supported them didn't know at the time that they were
indeed establishing a sovereign nation. The outcome
of the Revolutionary War was very much in doubt on
July 4, 1776. But in the providence of Almighty God
here we are.
As we celebrate independence there will be a
dark cloud hanging over our celebrations. Almost every
day we hear about a new terrorist attack somewhere
in the world and far too often they are perpetrated on
American soil. And, sadly, we have a government that
seems unable or unwilling to face reality and actually
do something about it because they do not want to
offend certain groups of people, even people who
want to kill Americans and destroy western civilization.
I believe that our current dangerous situation will get
worse before it gets better; political correctness gone
amok. Is there an answer for people like us who are
not wealthy and have no political power? Yes.
On another front; The Presbyterian Church in
America General Assembly concluded its annual conclave last week in Mobile, Alabama. Representatives
from many PCA churches met to consider and take
action on matters before the Assembly. Apparently,
two issues seemed most important; one was a statement confessing the past and present sins of the denomination regarding racism which passed overwhelmingly. This is seen as a first step in assuring minorities (especially African Americans) that the PCA is
no longer racist and as a means of increasing ethnic
diversity in the denomination. While I applaud the ideas behind it, I wonder if I can genuinely confess and
repent for your sins, let alone those of people long
since dead. I understand your confusion if you walk by
the bulletin boards in the hallways where pictures of
our recently completed VBS are posted and notice that
the overwhelming majority of those looking back at
you are African Americans.
The other issue that occupied much attention
at the General Assembly was the question of women
in ministry. The Assembly erected a study committee
to look into the question and report back to the next
Assembly. This question has been studied before by a
committee established by the Assembly. I think the
purpose of those pushing for the study committee is to
find ways to get women more involved in the work of
the church. In our case at FPC Demopolis, if women
were not involved in the work of the church, we wouldn't have a church. The concern of those who were not
in favor of yet another committee studying this issue is
that this is the beginning of a push within our denomination to ordain women to church office (deacons and
elders). And the fear (which I share) is that this is being driven, not by a concern for women being more
300 N. Strawberry Ave. ,Demopolis, AL 36732
334-289-3895
demopres3895@bellsouth.net
www.demopolispresbyterian.com
involved in ministry, but by a desire to accommodate
the culture to make the denomination more appealing
to our "enlightened" society. The PCA has held, since
the beginning of the denomination, that the offices of
elder and deacon are open to men only which has
been the historical position of the Christian churches.
It is not arbitrary but is based on the teaching of Scripture (I Timothy 3, Titus 1, et. al.). Many denominations
that once held to this view, have now turned from it to
ordain women to these offices. It has nothing to do
with the value or ability of women or men, but is a distinction of role ordained by God in his word for the
ordering of the church. In any case, this issue, it
seems, is destined to occupy the PCA for years to
come and could prove to be very divisive.
I have talked about issues involving our nation and our church (denomination) that are cause for
concern, because I think they are related. Much of
what drives our culture and government is the idea of
political correctness; the idea that we are all the same
and to disagree with you is to hate you, so we can't say
anything because we must not offend. For example, I
believe that the Bible teaches that homosexuality is a
sin but to say that out loud is offensive to homosexuals (and many who think it's ok), so the culture tells
me I can't have an opinion that is contrary to what is
culturally approved. And if you do have such an opinion and you speak about it out loud, the culture plays
its version of whack-a-mole to silence you.
I know this is true in the culture at large; it is
also true in much of the church; and I worry that it is
becoming true in our denomination. It is very popular
with the culture to confess and repent of sins committed long ago by people who are long dead. I question
the value of that if we don't confess and repent of our
own sins. But perhaps it has value.
It is also very popular in the culture to remove
any and all distinctions between the genders
(distinctions of value or potential ability should be removed); distinctions of role, that is another question.
Well, these are the issues. What can people like us
who are not wealthy and have no political power do
about them? Pray; but not necessarily for the issues
specifically but for ourselves, that God would make us
over in the image of Christ. "It is strange that, while
praying, we seldom ask for change of character, but
always a change in circumstances." We need a change
in character; then perhaps, we will get the change in
circumstance that we desire. Happy Fourth!
2016
July
2016
Received
through
July 24th
Public Sale Dates: August 31st—September 3rd
Consignors need to register by August 24th.
Applications link found on website or by contacting
the church office: 289-3895 demopres3895@bellsouth.net
Warrior Presbytery
Workers needed August 29th-September 3rd
Ridge Haven Camp
Monday: 3:30-6:00
Tuesday: 3:30-6:00
Wednesday: 3:30-6:00
Thursday: 2:30-6:00
Friday: 2:30-6:00
Saturday: 7:30-2:00 (2 shifts)
Scholarships
Women’s Ministry
Offering used by the Warrior Presbytery Women’s Ministry to offer scholarships to campers within the
Presbytery
4th of July
Cookout/Games/Fireworks
Cook 5:30
Eat: 6:30ish
What to Bring:
•
meat “grill-ready”
•
Side Dish to Share
•
Drinks for your family
There will be Games and Fellowship, then for those who wish — we
will walk or stroll over to the river for the festivities and fireworks at
dark. There is a sign-up sheet in the hallway just so we can have an
idea of who all is coming.
Annual Ladies Church Picnic
Thursday, July 7th - Noon
Home of Joy Mackin
(1611 Marengo Dr.)
There will be sandwich fixings available for $3 or bring your own.
Beverages and desserts provided.
Please sign up on the sheet in hallway and Bring a friend!
July
2016
June 20-24 was a fabulous week for First Presbyterian Demopolis!
God sent us a much prayed for group of children that averaged 47 in
attendance for the week. We had a dedicated, awesome volunteer
staff of more than 23 adults and teens. The theme for the week was
the “Disciples Distinctives.” Students worked to solve the mystery of
what defines disciples of Christ. We discovered that Jesus’ disciples
are called, confronted, committed, changed and commissioned. We
also received an offering of $766.03 to help pay tuition for students at Isaiah 55 ministries in Reynosa, Mexico. Anyone who would
like to, may contribute to this offering through the end of July.
I want to thank everyone who volunteered, prayed, donated, or contributed in any to make VBS 2016 such a great success. Please pray
with us that the gospel seeds that were planted in young hearts will
take root and grow!
To God be the Glory!
Thank you in Jesus’ name,
Paula Bond
Warrior Women’s Ministry
Spiritual Connection Meeting
Saturday, August 6, 2016
First Presbyterian—Demopolis
9:00—noon
Lunch to follow
**local ladies: we will need volunteers for registration foods, help with lunch, preparing the church, decorating, etc… Please see Nadine if you can help.
Watch for sign up sheet for attendance.
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
2
1
Huizinga/Burkhalter
Wedding
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Ladies Picnic
Noon
Mackin’s
Cookout/Games
5:30
See info on page 2
10
11
17
18
14
15
16
Bingo
Bible Study
9:30
P. Bond’s
Diaconate/Session
Meeting 8:30
Communion
13
12
WIC Council
4:00
19
20
21
22
23
26
27
28
29
30
Church Luncheon
Bible Study
9:30
P. Bond’s
Ridge Haven
Presbytery
Offering
25
24
HOP
2:00
Harris’
Bible Study
9:30
P. Bond’s
31
Deacon’s Fund
Offering
2016
Special dates and committees for July
July
2
8
10
Jacob Reeves
Kristy Johnson
Katy Reeves Parten
Claire Coddington
Ansley Basinger
Clay Mackin
Kami Basinger
Scott Kirkpatrick
Makenna McNutt
Riddell Abrams
Merry Coburn
Joey Morgan
Vivi McNutt
11
20
21
23
25
27
28
30
July
3 Patty Kirkpatrick
10 Joy Mackin
17 Andrea Ward
24 Bess Weltin
31 Elaine Carr
Deacons of the Month
July
David Coddington
Keith Yeager
Flowers for July
3
10
17
24
31
Eloise Harris
Open
Open
Open
Open
Nursery Schedule
August
7
Nadine Coddington
14 Joy Mackin
21 Andrea Ward
28 Bess Weltin
July17th
**TJ & Cindy Keasler
Ozzy & Ann Resto
David & Nadine Coddington
August 21st
**Billy & Ruth Symon
Glenn & Katy Basinger
Andrea Ward
July
3
8
12
26
27
28
Joe & Jody McIntier
Josh & Heather Rimes
Mike & Bernice Cork
Parker & Kristy Johnson
Jimmy & Joy Mackin
Daniel & Kristy Atkins
( 9)
(13)
( 8)
(48)
( 9)
Food Ministry for July
HEAD: ** Elaine Carr
FPC News
July
2016
Church Luncheon Committees
and
Food Ministry Chairman List
located on the bulletin board
in the hallway outside office
areas. Please check to see
when you are on the committee and swap if needed.
Please notify the office of any
changes you make.
Tablecloth Policy
•
•
•
Tablecloths MUST be washed and
cleaned of stains after each use.
If a stain cannot be removed - Report it to the church office.
All tablecloths must be rehung after cleaning.
Instant Church Directory Mobile App
Your can view the directory from your iPhone,
iPad, Android or Kindle Fire by downloading
the free Members App. Search for "Instant
Church Directory" in the Apple App Store,
Google Play, or Amazon Appstore, or at this
link:http://www.instantchurchdirectory.com/
app
If your email is listed in the directory, you
should automatically be able to open. But if it
asks for password, please call the church office.
Treasurer’s Report
Total Contributions for May:
Less Total Expenses
$11,840.22
$ 8,810.80
$ 3,029.42
YTD: $49,959.03
$50,270.86
($
311.83 )
FPC News
July 2016
Prayer List
Shut-Ins: Luiza Coburn, Billy Fleming, Betty Krusmark, Frances Lackey Cancer: Betty Jenkins, Nathan Hamilton, Linda Browder, Tom Boggs, Stephen
Gentry, Jody Daughtery, Emily Sawyer, Rita Poole Horton, Varanda Golden, Ava Hunter, Rose Breitling, Luke (Jonah’s son), Kate Carr, Aaron Zapata,
Angela Green, Hope Grace, Angela Green
Illness: Joey Morgan, Billie-Marie Davis, Laura Morgan, Jennie Husbands, Jennifer, William Burke, Joe Bunn, Cohen Sullivan, Sarah (Jonah’s daughter), Marlene Chapman, Glenn Shealy, Horacio, Brian Schrieber, Dennis Smith, Cathy Hand, Stanley Bond, Elizabeth Forehand,
Special Needs/Surgery: Joel, Billy, Doris Kirkpatrick, CJ Golston, RJ Blount, Joe Lashley, Cam Cameron, Hugo, Charlie, Michael Jacks, Melanie Hulsey,
Susan, Sue Entrekin, Carrie Ramey, Michael Woodham, Liz Bond, Louise Strable, Loretta Strickland Expectant Moms: Katie Gill, Heather Rimes, Cassie Coddington, Shannon Carr, Kami Basinger, Abigail Rehbeck Engaged Couples: Josh Huizinga and Kelsey Burkhalter;
All Military Personnel: Ch William Broderick, Kyle Westbrook, Dan Parsons, Sam Brasfield, Ricky Lee, Kyle Newton, Jason Freeman, Steven Mackin,
Gregory Harrington, Jason Johnson, Jimmy Hart, Aaron Thornton, Jonathan Stephens, William R. Horton, Victor Resto Supported Missionaries/
Ministries: Aaron & Leticia Zapata, Guillermo & Jennie Salinas, Robert & Lisa Stewart, Andy & Bev Warren, Clete & Karen Hux, Beth Acton, Sav-A-Life,
Doug & Kelly McNutt, Nathaniel & Alicia Gutierrez, Jimmy & Nadia Dukes, Chris & Katie Gill
Hooked on Prayer List
Allen Joe,
Allgood, Louise
Aoyagi, Towa
Aycock, Chelsea
Barkley, Mack
Beeler, Peggy
Boggs, Ben
Boggs, Tom
Boswell, Davis
Brooker, Chrissy
Brooker, Jan
Brown, Pearl Joy
Burge, Raymond
Busby, Rhae
Calloway, Terry
Cistrunk, Narsis
Coburn, Luiza
Coker, Jean
Coleman, Willie
Collins, Bette
Collins, Brandon
Cook, Darren
Cook, Susan
Copeland, Roy & Judy
Craig, Kaleigh
Crane, Bob
Cross, Margaret
Daughtery, Jody
Davidson, Karen
Davis, Barbara
Denson, Leita
Douglas, Jerry
Duncan, Conner
Dykes, Cory
Eatmon, Megan
Espy, Emily
Etheridge, Brooks
Etheridge, Mary Ellen
Farst, Maria
Finley, Betty
Fleming, Billy
Forte, Tony
Fuqua, Blake
Gentry, Steve
Grace, Hope
Griffin, Gay
Gross, Jane
Hamilton, Nathan
Hart. Sarah Elizabeth
Harvey, John
Heath, Cindy
Hedrick, Gail
Hilbish, Bette
Hogg, Ian
Hollinger, Walter
Holman, Joann
Hudson, Shanna
Huizinga, Carol
Jarvis, Val
Jenkins, Betty
Jennifer
Kelley, Bobbie
Krusmark, Betty
Kyser, Helen
Lackey, Frances
Landerfelt, John
LaRocca, Dominic
Latham, Jeffie
Latham, Whit
Leascher, Chad
Logan, Stevie
Hollingsworth, Lynn
Mahaffey, Larry
Marquis. Alana & Jim
McCraw, Beverly
McDonald, Nelda
McIntier, Jodie
McGee, Emily
McGiver, Logan
McKinley, Pam
Merriweather, Archie
Miller, Tommie
Milsap, Goldie
Morgan, Laura
Mutisya, Cecilia Ndunge
Newberry, Madi
Osburn, Beverly
Parker, Mary
Parten, Ramona
Peacock, Faye
Phillips, Max
Pickerill, Paula
Pickerill, Sharon
Plummer, Kaegan
Radcliff, Cecil
Randall, Rexx
Randall, Ruth
Ray, Brenda
Reynolds, Christy
Sakon, Ethan
Scott, Kay
Sharp, Chris
Sims, Sarah
Snyder, MaryEllen
Stephens, Carol
Stephens, Maxine
Strable, Louise
Stringer, Wilson & Ginny
Taff, Cathy
Tarrence, Polly
Tartt, Tommy
Taylor, David & Marie
TenHaaf, WM
Terry, Pope
Thornton, Alaina
Tierce, Terry
Trayler, Drew
Treadaway, Jean
Trotter, Dottie
Tucker, Sadie
Turnipseed, Stone
Van Austin, Inabell
Walker, Olivia
Walls, Christian
Wellman, Glenna
West, Ruth
Whittington, Judy & Ricky
Williams, Ed
Williams, Ethel
Williams, Jimmy & Joyce
Williams, Keith
Williams, Mary Lynne
Williamson, Trevor
Wilson, Christy
Wise, Winton & Naomi
Womble, Caleb 161
Wrensted, Leah Price
Wright, Hettie
HOP meets
4th Sunday’s only
2:00
Home of
Eloise Harris
1607 Mauvilla Dr.
Lending Library
The Women’s Ministry would like to invite you to participate in the new Lending Library at the church. It is located in the Sunday School classroom across
from the Choir practice room. The idea is to have a place at church where we
can bring fiction and non-fiction books that we own and have read and would like to share
with others at church. There are two forms to be used to participate. One form is for those
who would like to lend books. It provides a place for each of us to record which books we’ve
brought to lend, whether they’re fiction or non-fiction, and whether you’d like to have them
back at some point or if they should be donated at some point to a suitable place. The other
form is for those who’d like to borrow books. It provides a place to record which books have
been borrowed, with a place at the top for your name, as well as a column to record the date
borrowed and the date returned.
We ask that good judgment be used in the books that are brought to be donated. Also, we
ask that books be returned within 2-4 weeks from the date borrowed. The library is for all in
the church to use, men and women, young and “not so young”. You may write your name in
the books you lend, but it’s not a requirement.
First Presbyterian Church
300 N. Strawberry Ave
Demopolis, AL 36732