10/10/2023
Dear Friends,
First things first! I want to give an update with GOOD NEWS! Yesterday I got word that the specialized blood test that prior to chemo was highly positive is now NEGATIVE! This is a great indication that the chemotherapy was effective in doing its job. We are so grateful for this positive news, especially since that hasn’t been the norm throughout this journey. Surgery is still necessary, so that is coming up on October 25, and after that it will be determined whether or not radiation will be needed. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I continue to post updates here, as well as opportunities for help: https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/V5A7Q4H/care-for-chrisy.
On Sunday, we talked about the importance of knowing our identity in Christ, and how that impacts our ability to set aside the labels and identities of the world in which we live. Paul said that he counted all of his Jewish pedigree as loss compared to his new identity in Christ, and that the direction of his pursuits changed radically when he embraced his new identity. I closed the sermon with these words:
Put off self. Put on Christ. Put off what the world says defines us. Put on Christ and who He says we are; because His definition of us is the only one that matters. Hear this today and believe it – you are a child of The Living God, joint-heir with Jesus Christ; you are loved by God, forgiven through Christ, and raised with Him to eternal life; you are made in the image of God; and your identity rests solely in God and no one else in this world can change that.
I repeat these words here, because I want each and every one of you to remember this every single day, so that you, like Paul, can press on toward what God has for you in Christ Jesus.
A reminder 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.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, all are invited to meet and hear from Reverend Joel Brown and his family with Living Water Ukraine. He will be in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, October 11, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., to provide information about the current crisis in Ukraine and all that God is doing for refugees in that area through Joel’s ministry. He would love to meet everyone!
Things continue to run smoothly with the Hand-in-Hand Business Center. Please remember that if you enter through the east doors to the building that the people in the Hand-in-Hand Business Center are there to work and do their jobs, so please be quiet and respectful of their time and space. If you need to enter the building and do not have a key, please come to the north entrance near the turquoise picnic tables and ring the bell for the office, rather than disturbing the business center tenants. Thank you for your cooperation.
Don’t forget:
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
Dear Friends,
First things first! I want to give an update with GOOD NEWS! Yesterday I got word that the specialized blood test that prior to chemo was highly positive is now NEGATIVE! This is a great indication that the chemotherapy was effective in doing its job. We are so grateful for this positive news, especially since that hasn’t been the norm throughout this journey. Surgery is still necessary, so that is coming up on October 25, and after that it will be determined whether or not radiation will be needed. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I continue to post updates here, as well as opportunities for help: https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/V5A7Q4H/care-for-chrisy.
On Sunday, we talked about the importance of knowing our identity in Christ, and how that impacts our ability to set aside the labels and identities of the world in which we live. Paul said that he counted all of his Jewish pedigree as loss compared to his new identity in Christ, and that the direction of his pursuits changed radically when he embraced his new identity. I closed the sermon with these words:
Put off self. Put on Christ. Put off what the world says defines us. Put on Christ and who He says we are; because His definition of us is the only one that matters. Hear this today and believe it – you are a child of The Living God, joint-heir with Jesus Christ; you are loved by God, forgiven through Christ, and raised with Him to eternal life; you are made in the image of God; and your identity rests solely in God and no one else in this world can change that.
I repeat these words here, because I want each and every one of you to remember this every single day, so that you, like Paul, can press on toward what God has for you in Christ Jesus.
A reminder 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.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, all are invited to meet and hear from Reverend Joel Brown and his family with Living Water Ukraine. He will be in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, October 11, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., to provide information about the current crisis in Ukraine and all that God is doing for refugees in that area through Joel’s ministry. He would love to meet everyone!
Things continue to run smoothly with the Hand-in-Hand Business Center. Please remember that if you enter through the east doors to the building that the people in the Hand-in-Hand Business Center are there to work and do their jobs, so please be quiet and respectful of their time and space. If you need to enter the building and do not have a key, please come to the north entrance near the turquoise picnic tables and ring the bell for the office, rather than disturbing the business center tenants. Thank you for your cooperation.
Don’t forget:
- NOW is the time to SHARE this information with anyone and everyone who is visiting the area. ALL proceeds from parking are now coming directly to the church, so the more people who park here, the more income we receive. So, 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. If you have contacts at a rental company or a particular condo, feel free to pass this information along to them now that we are headed into busy season.
- 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.
- 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!
- Bring your Blessing Box donations (non-perishable items) to church on Sundays or drop them off at the box during the week.
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
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