From the Pastor's Pen 2/15/23

2/15/2022

Dear Friends,

I want to start by saying thank you for all the hugs, prayers and kind words given to me in regards to my recent breast cancer diagnosis. Your love and care means so much to my family and I. I truly trust that all will be well, regardless of what comes. For now, we are waiting for some test results in order to inform the process for moving forward.

Sunday morning we continued through the Sermon on the Mount looking at a number of things about which Jesus said, “You have heard…But I say...”

Jesus himself had just told his listeners that he didn’t come to abolish or even change the law of God given to Moses on Mount Sinai, but rather to fulfill it, or to bring it to it’s fullest and truest form for the furthering of God’s Kingdom.

Through his teaching, Jesus was showing that moral behavior simply for the sake of individually following the letter of the law, wasn’t God’s best for humanity. Instead, Jesus was communicating the importance of living in such a way as to benefit the community and larger world.

I think it is easy to get caught up in our own personal piety in order to ensure our own personal salvation. But God created us as part of the whole of creation, and we miss something of great importance when we fail to see and understand that whether we realize it or not, the way we live our lives affects the world around us in myriad ways.

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.

Upcoming Events:

• UPDATE: Red Cross Blood Drive – February 16, 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
  • Next week’s scriptures: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Psalm 32; Matthew 4:1-11.
• 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