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First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Georgia October 2012
I saw one of the saddest things I’ve seen in awhile on NBCNews.com: A story Jesus told comes to mind. In Luke 12, someone in the crowd asked Jesus to help in the division of the family inheritance between brothers. His response was a parable about a rich man who built bigger barns to lay up his wealth so he could take it easy and “eat, drink and be merry.” God then spoke to the rich man saying, “You fool! This very night your soul is required of you.” Jesus ends the parable saying, “So is the man who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God.” (Luke 12:13-21)
The tragic story of Mr. Samaszko is a modern day illustration of Jesus’ teaching and offers many lessons on many levels for each of us. Take aways and points to ponder: – It is true we can’t take it with us. – Where our treasure is there will our heart be also. – Relationships with others are eternal. – God has given us material and spiritual blessings to use and share. – It is more blessed to give than to receive. – There are desperately lonely people in our neighborhoods. – How am I expressing my gratitude for God’s blessings? – How am I using the blessings/treasures God has given me? – Am I honoring God with my wealth? – Am I investing in eternal things? – Where is my treasure? My heart? October marks our Annual Stewardship Campaign. Our theme “We Are Called…” (see details on Sunday Steak Dinner on page 2) reminds us God’s awesome call is upon our blessed lives and church. We respond to His call then respond as faithful and gracious people who share the Good News and reach out to those in need. I ask you to prayerfully consider how God has blessed you and how God is calling you to respond.
Gratefully,
“When Walter Samaszko, Jr. died at his home in Carson City, Nevada, he had $200 in a bank account. But as officials later discovered, Samaszko had about $7 million stored neatly around his home, the Nevada Appeal reported. In late June, neighbors called authorities because of a smell emanating from Samaszko’s home. He was a recluse...it had been awhile since they had seen him. According to the coroner, Samaszko, 69, had been dead for at least a month. He died of heart problems, the Las Vegas Sun reported. In came the cleanup crews, which discovered boxes of gold in the garage. They found gold coins and bullion, tiny dos-pesos, $20 gold pieces, Austrian ducats, Kruggerrands and English Sovereigns dating to the 1840s – enough gold to fill two wheelbarrows. Samaszko and his mother had lived in the three-bedroom home since the 1970s...the two kept detailed records of the gold they had purchased. As for who can lay claim to the riches – Alan Glover, Carson City Court Reporter, said the Internal Revenue Service will take a sizable amount in taxes – about $750,000 – and that the rest will likely go to a first cousin, a substitute teacher in San Rafael, California, who is Samaszko’s only relative as far as authorities can tell. The Las Vegas Sun reported that Glover’s office found her using a list of people who had attended Samaszko’s mother’s funeral.”
Collegiate ministry is world‐changing, tear‐jerking, life‐altering. It is where students can pray, ask,
respond, listen, laugh, cry, wonder, and be who God made them to be. It is for skeptics, Christians,
atheists, doubters, and wanderers. It reminds us that we are not alone, that we are not forgotten,
that we are loved, that we matter. It’s where we, Christ’s body, are called to be. And so, we, the
Church, will walk alongside students as they come to know and seek to understand Jesus as Lord.
INSPIRE Page 2
Presbyterian churches around the country have redoubled their efforts of campus ministry through
the formation of a new network of college ministries called UKirk (meaning University Church). In
their description of what campus ministry is, they said this:
This couldn’t be more true for the ways in which First Presbyterian Church is involved in ministry to students at CSU.
Your ministry with these students powerfully communicates that they are not forgotten, that they are loved, and that
God calls them to live as the people God created them to be. Thanks be to God for the many people in this church who
are passionate for and involved in campus ministry.
—Jason Micheli, Campus Pastor, Abbey Fellowship
2013 Stewardship Campaign
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,
in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called you
out of darkness into His marvelous light.
I Peter 2:9
October 7 We Are Called…to be God’s People (World Communion)
October 14 We Are Called...to Teach
October 21 We Are Called...to Serve
October 28 We Are Called...to Go and Give
November 4 We Are Called...to Worship (Dedication Sunday)
There will be a special Sunday “We Are Called…” Steak Dinner on
October 28th at noon for you and your family. Along with a delicious steak
and ice cream sundae bar, there will be fun skits, compelling stories, and
exciting presentations about plans in store for 2013.
Following the meal, join us for a Sunday Stroll along the River Walk for a
great time of fellowship and an opportunity to walk off those extra calories!
For anyone not joining us on the stroll, you can head home to take a nap.
Make reservations by calling 706.322.4523 or emailing [email protected],
by Wednesday, October 24th. All ages are invited and encouraged to attend. A nursery will be
provided. Don’t miss out! This is an important event in the life of our church!
INSPIRE Page 3
Center for Christian Studies The Center for Christian Studies Term 2 begins
Sunday, October 14, through Sunday, November
11. These classes meet in Room 303 A & B.
“HEIDELBERG CATECHISM” October 14 – November 11
Taught by: Rev. Doughton
The Heidelberg Catechism is largely a commentary on three things: Apostle’s Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer. Like a road map, the Catechism can help show us the main attractions in the Bible and lead us to the best, most important truths of our faith. Core statements of Reformed/Presbyterian belief can strategically focus our understanding of who God is, what He calls us to know, and what He calls us to do.
CCS LUNCH AND LEARN SERIES: “ISLAM 101” Thursday, October 25
Taught by: Rev. Sasan Tavassoli Rev. Tavassoli, a former Shi’ite Muslim who came to Christ in 1985, will give us an overview of Islam from his unique perspective. As an ordained minister in the Synod of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Iran (partnered with PC(USA)), Rev. Tavassoli works with Iranian believers and seekers in The Dias‐pora and elsewhere.
October 10
Jason Robertson Author of “Rice to Grits”
October 17
“We Are Called” Stewardship Emphasis
October 24
Sasan Tavassoli The Christian Mission to Iranians
in the Diaspora
October 31
No Church Family Supper Due to Halloween
November 7
Parenting Your Parents Pastoral Institute
New Young Adult Sunday School Class
Begins Sunday, October 7
The class is geared to those 25
to 35 single, married, and mar‐
ried with small children. The
class begins with Tim Keller’s
study “Gospel in Life.” Team
teachers for this class include:
Rev. Jason Micheli, Donna and
Mike Terry, Lowry Reid, Rev.
Chuck Hasty, and Rev. Jones
Doughton.
Power Lunch October 18
Noon in the Parlor Guest Speaker:
Cecil Cheves Sharing insights from his faith on winning at work
and at home.
Men’s Life Tuesdays @ 6:30 a.m.
in the Lodge
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Thursdays @ 7:15 a.m. in the Parlor
Women of the Word Bible Study
Meets every Wednesday
10 a.m. to noon in Room 305
Coffee Chat Women’s Bible Study
Meets every Thursday
9:15 to 10:15 in Room 305
Wednesday, October 3 FX2:42 October 5-6 Fall Youth Overnight Sunday, October 7 End of Fall Youth Overnight No SNL! (family time) Wednesday, October 10 Youth/Yada Yada (6:30 p.m.) Sunday, October 14 Youth Choir (4-5 p.m.); SNL! (5-7 p.m.) Wednesday, October 17 Youth/Yada Yada (6:30 p.m.)
Sunday, October 21 Youth Choir (4-5 p.m.); SNL! (5-7 p.m.)
Wednesday, October 24 Youth/Yada Yada (6:30 p.m.) Sunday, October 28 Youth Choir (4-5 p.m.); SNL! (5-7 p.m.)
MAKING
WITH GOD
October’s Emphasis is on
DISCOVERING THE GIFTS GOD GAVE YOU SO YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
INSPIRE Page 4
OCTOBER 12: NO SCHOOL– Parent/Teacher Conferences
OCTOBER 16: School‐wide trip to Jack‐O‐Lantern Lane
Pumpkin Patch
OCTOBER 31: Halloween Parade and Trick‐or‐Treating
Footwear – it is a basic need that most of us take for granted every day. While most of the world does not have one adequate pair of shoes, Americans have an abundance of foot‐wear sitting idle in our closets. Your considera‐tion of simply cleaning out your closets can make a significant difference in the quality of life of someone in need.
The Day School will be collecting “gently worn” footwear during the month of October as their monthly service project. Donations will be accepted in Robyn’s office during the week. All types of shoes, including heels, are acceptable as long as they have been gently worn.
For more information about Soles4Souls and their mission to change the world, visit www.soles4souls.org.
Even in a big universe, God wants to make CONTACT with us! Join us in Children’s Church as we Climb on board and launch into God’s universe by learning about His attributes and how we can apply them to our lives. We will learn that God is all knowing, everywhere, King and ruler of all, eter‐nal and He is holy and perfect.
Page 5 INSPIRE
Cecil Whitaker is a Macon native, where he was baptized as a child at the Vineville Baptist Church. A retired physi‐cian, he did his under‐graduate work and met his wife, Terry, at Duke then returned to his
home state for medical school and resi‐dency at the Medical College of Geor‐gia in Augusta. While there they joined Reid Memorial Presbyterian. In the interim he served a two‐year stint with the U.S. Navy. The family, by then numbering five, moved to Columbus and joined First Presbyterian in 1969. Besides his career at Obstetric and Gy‐necologic Associates of Columbus, Ce‐cil has served here as an elder, deacon and choir soloist. Terry and Cecil treas‐ure their family gatherings with the three children and their spouses, Betsy Covington here in Columbus and Susan Charron and Frank Whitaker in Atlanta, who have two children each. Retire‐ment has been busy for Cecil with his community interests and his consum‐mate enjoyment of hunting, fishing, fly‐tying, reading and other hobbies.
Cecil Whitaker Evaluation & Planning
a teacher, who he had met while work‐ing at Montreat during college sum‐mers. They moved to Columbus in 1970 to teach in the Muscogee County School District. Bill earned MEd and EdS degrees from Georgia State Uni‐versity and spent the last thirty years of his career as principal of St. Elmo, Richards Middle, Midland Middle, and Brookstone Middle schools. Bill and Sherry have two children, Blake (40) and Heather (38) and five grandchil‐dren. Bill has been a member of First Presbyterian since 1983 and has previ‐ously served as a Deacon and an Elder. A member of the David Buie Commit‐ment Sunday School Class, Bill delivers meals for the Break Bread program and serves at the Food Pantry.
Bill Arrington Operations
Tom Flowers grew up in Columbus, attended public schools and graduated from Emory in 1976. He and his wife, Loretta, were married in 1981 and have three daughters, Eleanor F. Brocato (Tyler) of Denver, Colo‐rado, Grace F. Carroll
(Wilson) of Lakeside, Montana, and Mary Frances Flowers, a senior at Wof‐ford College. Tom is the owner of Flow‐ers‐Lewis & Associates, an employee benefits consulting and brokerage firm. He has served in several community or‐ganizations including Rotary, Columbus Regional HealthCare System, St. Francis Hospital, American Heart Association and The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Tom and Loretta joined FPC in 1985 and both have served as officers. Tom will serve as an Elder for a two‐year term, after having just completed a three‐year term.
Tom Flowers Evaluation & Planning
During the Ignite@9 Service on
Sunday, September 16, they wel‐
comed their new Music Coordi‐
nator, Sam Creswell, to the mu‐
sic team. Sam comes to First
Presbyterian Church as a sea‐
soned worship leader, having led
several bands in the Columbus
area. He is an experienced gui‐
tarist, drummer, and singer. Sam
is currently working on a degree
at Columbus State University as
a jazz guitarist. Perhaps the
most notable characteristic of
Sam is his strong faith and pas‐
sion for worship. Come and see
for yourself!
Bill Arrington is a native of Clarksville, Tennessee. He graduated from Austin Peay State College in 1967 and began a teaching career in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. In 1969 he married Sherry Scott, also
Page 6 INSPIRE
What is a Prayer Ministry? A group of committed church members who:
Individually pray daily for the church, its pastors, staff, officers, ministries, finances, governing bodies, and the needs of individual members,
Meet weekly to pray together for each other and for the needs of the church.
What is the challenge? “God is looking for people who will totally and passion‐ately seek Him, who are determined that every thought and action will be pleasing in His sight. For such a person or group, God will prove Himself mighty! His power will explode on their behalf! Will you and your church be such people?” (When God’s People Pray, by Jim Cymbala, Pas‐tor of Brooklyn Tabernacle)
“Great things will happen as we pray, seek to make our church a house of prayer, and allow God to pour out fresh grace and blessing to us.” (Cymbala)
What should I pray? Praise God for His unchanging character.
Ask God to purge you of sin, to fill you with His Spirit, and to draw you closer to Himself.
Thank God for His commitment to keep His promises and to hear and answer our prayers.
Ask God to give you wisdom in applying what we have learned about prayer in your home and in our church.
Call on God to show you how He can use you to strengthen the prayer life of First Presbyterian.
Ask Him if He is calling you to be a part of the prayer ministry at FPC.
Answering the call… If you feel, after prayerful consideration, that God is calling you to this ministry, please contact Ida Page at 706.327.7748 or [email protected]. We meet Thursdays at 11 a.m. in Room 108.
Becoming a House
of Prayer
“For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. “
Isaiah 56:7
Jim, Judi, Katheryn & Bobby Livingston Gene and Lisa Steger
Page 7 INSPIRE
26 Wes & Cathy Driver Larry Stephens Daniel Moseley 27 Sarah Sheilds Gia Borawski 29 Tom Carlisle Elyse Sway 30 Quan Zheng
Rex Whiddon Frost Hudson
Hampton Bishop Grace Straus 31 Jenifer McCoy Loretta Flowers
1 Martha Stanford Mary Speed Bob Swygert Dickie Straus, Sr. Connie Philips Paul Hostetter Robin Barber Robert Kyser 2 James & Martha Venable Christina Owens Anna Pennington 3 Cary & Jenifer McCoy Andrew Perez Kane O’Bryan A.C. Chancellor 4 Julie Hinson Pam Scheible Scott Barton Adam Borneman 5 Evaleigh Tommey 6 Tillman Heard, IV 7 Jimmy Jarrell Tootie Bickerstaff Caroline Heard Elle Crafton 9 Steve & Nancy Gunby Dean & Vivian Haulton Dan & Virginia Snavely Nell Anglin Anne Brewer Fred Kaeserman Bill Arrington Juhudi Agumbi 10 Frank Etheridge, III Tracy Daffin 11 Hudson & Barbara Downing Sherry Singley
12 Elizabeth Hassenplug 13 Eleanore Gunby
Russ Pearson, III Mary Bruce
14 Heath & Carter Schondelmayer Bet Leachman M Middleton 15 Ann Marshall
Tray Dykes, III Bennett Doughton
16 Jarrett & Leah Cudd 17 Rita Boyd
Philip Badcock, Jr. Cameron Saunders
18 Lisa Cowart Matthew Adams 19 Linda Wallman Walker Borneman 20 Judy Nail Ida Mendez‐Vigo Bill Hardegree, Jr Julie Hobbs Julia Harbison 21 Bob & Wendy Elliott 23 Robert Bickerstaff Cathy Williams Nancy Carlisle Alison Cripe Fred Franklin 24 Gary & Jane Bayer Cas Mendez‐Vigo Mimi Childs 25 Robert Hinson, Jr.
October Anniversaries and Birthdays
If your birthday or anniversary is this month, but is not listed, please contact the church office so we can add it to your member profile.
Share God’s Love
First Presbyterian, a historic church located in uptown Columbus, Georgia, seeks to minister to all people in Christ’s name through an inclusive, caring, and faithful community that joyfully shares the gift of salvation from a loving and forgiving God.
1100 First Avenue
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Phone: 706.322.4523
Fax: 706.596‐8531
Web: www.columbusfpc.org
First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church Mission Statement
To opt out of receiving the Inspire Newsletter by mail, please contact JoAnna Williams at 706.322.4523 or [email protected].
Come to one of the open forums listed below. Enjoy fellowship with fellow church members and conversation with our Senior Pastor. Make a reservation so Cynthia knows how many light lunches to prepare. Come “Talk with Chuck!”
Wednesday, October 24 4 to 5 p.m.
Monday, October 29 Noon to 1 p.m.*
Thursday, November 1 Noon to 1 p.m.*
For reservations, call 706.322.4523 or email [email protected].