From the Pastor's Pen 1/31/23

1/31/2022

Dear Friends,

What a wonderful time we had on Sunday, as we welcomed Regional Presbyter Bob Madsen, who brought the message during our worship service, and joined us, along with his wife, Linda, for a delicious lunch of good food and the joyful fellowship as we gathered around tables together!

Rev. Madsen preached from the fifth chapter of Matthew, the beginning of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, and talked with us about the idea of blessing as presented in the Beatitudes. As we continue looking at the Sermon on the Mount in the coming weeks, let us keep in mind this starting point that laid the foundation for the upside down nature of the Kingdom of God.

For those unable to join us in-person, Sunday morning worship is livestreamed on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/GulfShoresFirstPresbyterianChurch. The service airs each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and will be available to watch after that as well.

Contribution Statements for 2023 have been available at the church for the last two Sundays. If you have not yet picked yours up, it will be mailed this week.

This Sunday, February 5, after worship, we will gather at Big Beach Brewing for our monthly Presbyterian Pints. If you wish to bring food to share, feel free!

The buzz continues about the Hand-in-Hand Business Center, and as of February 1, we have a full-time renter in the space that previously housed the church library. There are also continuing discussions about the former yoga room and how best it can be used to serve artists in the area. We continue to work on ways in which we can create spaces to support small businesses in our community.

Don’t forget:

• If you know of those who need a place to park during their visit to Gulf Shores and they would like to use our parking lot, here is the link to share: https://www.premiumparking.com/P2658. You can also pick up postcards at the church to pass on to those who might be interested.
• Keep collecting that loose change and bring it every week to add to the collection! All of the loose change will go toward the ongoing ministry of the church, as we continue to spread the life-changing good news of God’s love.
• We have received word that at the end of February, Amazon Smile will no longer be available. But until then, you can still help the church just by doing your normal Amazon shopping at https://smile.amazon.com/ch/63-0859397.
• The church can now receive donations through Facebook, either by clicking on the “Donate” button on our Facebook Page, or through Fundraisers you can host on your own Facebook page.
• If you have more ideas about how we can creatively fund the ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores, reach out and let me know!
• For safety reasons, at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday, all the doors of the building will be locked EXCEPT the north door that leads into the narthex. If you find yourself running behind, just remember to park up front by that door and enter there.
• Bring your Blessing Box donations (non-perishable items) to church on Sundays or drop them off at the box during the week.

Upcoming Events:

• Presbyterian Pints – February 5 following worship at Big Beach Brewing
• GCAA Art Market – February 11, 2023, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Red Cross Blood Drive – February 14, 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
• Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Combined Choir Concert – February 23, 6:30 p.m.

Weekly Events:

• Dinner and Discussion – Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall – bring a dish to share
• Chair Yoga led by Donna Holmes – Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
• Bible Study – Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. both in-person and on Zoom.
  • Join the in-person group in the church Fellowship Hall
  • Join the Zoom meeting at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81951398375?pwd=S0FBSEFxRmhhUWt2QnN3WERUY1dOUT09, entering the meeting ID and password below, if prompted.
  • Meeting ID: 819 5139 8375; Passcode: 846358
  • This week’s scriptures: Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 112:1-10; I Corinthians 2:1-16; Matthew 5:13-20
• Craft ‘n’ Chat – Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. in the Parlor – bring something you enjoy doing (yarn crafts, jewelry making, coloring, or anything else) and hang out with Pastor Chrisy for open conversation and creative time together.

As always, you are welcome to reach out to me via email, text or phone with any needs or just to chat!

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
 
Rev. Chrisy Ennen
gsfpcpastor@outlook.com, (618) 980-9899
"Let all that you do be done in love.”
I Corinthians 16:14