From the Pastor:  FRIDAY MORNING, September 17, 2010

 STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART 

It is hard to believe the summer is over and we are already half-way through the month of September.  A new program ministry year has begun with Sunday School classes back in session, the beginning of a new Visitors-Inquirers-New Members Class on September 19, and the kickoff of all our singing choirs as well as our special Sunday evening and mid-week programs for children (JAM and WOW) and Youth.

Additionally, our Weekday School Day School, Preschool and Afterschool programs are in full swing along with the resumption of all our Scout Groups for boys (Pack 62, Troop 62) and girls (Brownie Troop 125, Junior Troops 214 and 940, and Cadette Troops 256 and 293).  

With the beginning of a new program ministry year, work is also continuing to move forward with our new Capital Campaign Building Project.  The Weekday School Young Tots Playground is almost complete and construction is about to begin on the Road along Greenwood Cemetery connecting the primary Church Parking Lot to Main Street.  The Fellowship Hall Kitchen is in full operation by our Weekday School and major progress is being made on the New Building connecting the Sanctuary and Education Buildings.  I am told plans are being made to provide tours of the New Building following Worship on Sunday in mid-October and I hope many in our congregation take advantage of this opportunity to see the new construction underway.

As I am sure everyone has noticed, current construction on the new building addition has temporarily eliminated use of the Choir Loft/Balcony so that primary musical accompaniment during Worship is from the Chancel grand piano rather than the Sanctuary organ.  This has become especially challenging now that the Sanctuary Choir has returned to Worship leadership on Sunday mornings.  In order to avoid unnecessary confusion until a smooth transition can be accomplished back to the Choir Loft/Balcony when the New Building is completed, the Sanctuary Choir will sit with their families during Worship and then assemble in the Narthex during the Children’s Sermon in order to process to the front Chancel steps after the Children’s Sermon to sing their weekly anthem.  This is certainly not ideal, but it is the only way to avoid further confusion and change during Worship.  I appreciate so much your patience in this regard. 

Finally, the Sunday Morning Schedule has NOT changed from the Summer Schedule.  At its August 15 Stated Meeting, the Session decided to continue the Summer Schedule indefinitely into the future because of such a favorable response by so many in our congregation.  We are continuing to begin Worship promptly at 10:30 and include announcements “within” The Service for the Lord’s Day.  Our Sunday Morning Schedule this fall will be Morning Prayer (9:00), Sunday School (9:30) and Worship (10:30).

In the words of that old hymn Abide with Me, “change and decay in all the world I see; O Thou who changest not abide with me.”  Surely change is happening in our church and world just about everywhere!  Yet thank goodness “Jesus Christ is same yesterday, today and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).  May we be comforted by this great truth as we continue to give thanks to God for entrusting so much “challenge and change” in our common life as First Presbyterian Church during these days of renovation and construction!

God's Grace and Peace to You!

Samuel P. Warner, Pastor

First Presbyterian Church