May 17, 2018

Christ, being raised from the dead,
will never die again;
death no longer has dominion over him.
[Romans 6:9]

Dear Friends,
    
    Sunday is the Day of Pentecost and we will witness this day in a new way this year. The story of Pentecost as told in Acts 2 describes how the Holy Spirit touched each of the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. The Spirit made itself known with a sound and fury and changed each of the disciples giving them, among other things, the ability to speak in the language of other people. My question for you is "What language does God call you to speak?"

       In Christ,

[VBS REGISTRATION]
Vacation Bible School will be held June 25-26-27 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Don't wait. Register today!

[LAY READERS NEEDED]
There are a few openings for Lay Readers for the Sanctuary Service. If you are interested please contact Kristy in the church office.

May 20
Day of Pentecost

May 24
10:00 a.m. - Preschool Graduation

June 17
Fathers Day

June 25-27
Vacation Bible School

[NaCoMe Summer Camp]
The NaCoMe Summer Camp schedule is available online. Click here.

An archive of sermons and bulletins
(audio and text) can be viewed here.

  May 14 - Inevitable text | audio
  May 6 - Barriers text | audio
  Apr 29 - I Am the True Vine text | audio
  Apr 22 - A Burr Under the Saddle text | audio
  Apr 8 - Proving Grounds text | audio
  Apr 1 - I Am the Resurrection text | audio

          ...more sermons

• #1 by far - Meals-in-a-can (spaghetti, ravioli, heat & serve shelf meals, soup with meat such as chicken noodle soup, stews, chili)
• Peanut butter
• Peanut butter & jelly mixed
• Canned corn and green beans
• Canned fruit
• Juice boxes
• Packages of crackers, snacks, raisons
• Boxed mac & cheese
• Ramen Noodles
• Individual cereal boxes
• Breakfast bars

• No one likes peas!
• Dried legumes are left alone (bags of various types of beans)
• Anything the least bit strange or holiday specific seems to remain (cranberry sauce, canned pumpkin, artichoke hearts)
• Foods that take significant preparation time (pie fillings, cornbread mix)
• Fresh fruit (apples, bananas)
• Personal hygiene items

Each Sunday the following classes meet—

[ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL]
Faith Builders: A Journey for the 30s and 40s meets upstairs. Led by Jeff and Alice Gossage.
Westminster Class meets in the Sanctuary. Led by Sheridan Henson, this class follows The Present Word curriculum. 8-10 people.
Atypical Adult Research Bible Class meets upstairs. Led by Brenda Thaxton, this class is reading the book God: A Human History by Reza Aslan. 8-10 people.
Women’s Class meets in the Session Room. This female class is reading Ignatiian Examen by Mark Thibodeaux. 12-15 people.
Cross Roads Class in the Library. Led by George Gebhardt. Studying the book The Turquoise Table by Kristin Schell. 12-15 people.

[CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL]
Preschool - First Grade (ages 4 - 6 years) uses the Growing in Grace and Gratitude curriculum and is led by John Foutch and Debbie Harlan.
Elementary Class (2nd grade - 4th grade) uses the Growing in Grace and Gratitude ; Led by Marty Bone and Barbara Howell. Through Biblical stories shared in a variety of ways, children learn in a setting that stimulates their imagination and encourages class participation.
Middle School Class Uses the Connect curriculum.
High School Class Led by Sally Thaxton.

[AMAZON ASSOCIATE]
FPC is an Amazon Associate. When you make a purchase with Amazon (using the church’s special link), 4% or more goes directly to the church. It costs you nothing and costs the church nothing. Use the link to the right. You will need to use the link before every purchase. There is also an Amazon link on the church website.

[WORSHIP LITURGY]
Scripture - Acts 2:1-21
1    When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
2    And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
3    Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.
4    All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5    Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.
6    And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.
7    Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
8    And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?
9    Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10    Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11    Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power."
12    All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"
13    But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."
14    But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.
15    Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning.
16    No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17    ’In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, you poured your Spirit upon gathered disciples creating bold tongues, open ears, and a new community of faith. We confess that we hold back the force of your Spirit among us. We do not listen for your word of grace, speak the good news of your love, Or live as a people made one in Christ. Have mercy on us, O God. Transform our timid lives by the power of your spirit, and fill us with a flaming desire to be your faithful people, doing your will for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.