From the Pastor's Pen 2/8/23

2/8/2022

Dear Friends,

Sometimes I think we get bogged down when we think about our calling to bring the good news of Christ to the world. Especially when we hear Jesus say things to us like, “you are the salt of the Earth,” and “you are the light of the world.” If you are anything like me, sometimes I have to remind myself that when people see me and interact with me they should be seeing Christ. That means that when someone cuts me off in traffic or is rude to me in an encounter and all I want to do is reciprocate, I need to remember who I am in Christ.

As I study the scriptures each week, I like to read them in various translations and paraphrases, and as I read this one in Eugene Peterson’s, The Message, I loved the beautiful imagery that he used:

13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

As I said on Sunday, it’s not that we are supposed to try to be salt and light, or that this is something we can strive to be, rather, this is the truth of who we are in Christ. Our responsibility then is simply to live into that identity, flavoring and lighting up the world around us.

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.

The buzz continues about the Hand-in-Hand Business Center, and as of March 1, we will have have a full-time renters in every room of our former Christian Education Wing! 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.

You will find this week’s Prayer Requests at the bottom of the letter. Use this list to guide you in your prayer time and lift these requests to God. If you have a request (or a praise report) to include, or if a concern you have previously listed should be removed, please let me know.

Upcoming Events:

• 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.
• Presbyterian Pints – March 5 following worship at Big Beach Brewing

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: Deuteronomy 30:15–20; Psalm 119:1–8; 1 Corinthians 3: 1–9; Matthew 5:21–37
• 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