From the Pastor's Pen 2/6/24

2/6/2024

Dear Friends,

Good Tuesday morning to all of you! It is a beautiful sunshine-y day here on the Gulf Coast, so I hope you are able to enjoy at least a few minutes of time outside basking in the beauty of God’s creation.

On Sunday, we were blessed to have Rev. Bob Madsen, Regional Presbyter for the Presbytery of South Alabama, share God’s word with us, serve the Lord’s Supper, and then join us (along with his lovely wife) at Presbyterian Pints. He reminded us of the good news of God’s love for us as found in Isaiah 40.

Sunday worship service airs each week at 11:00 a.m. on Facebook and remains on our page for those who wish to watch at a later time. Find it here: https://www.facebook.com/GulfShoresFirstPresbyterianChurch.

There is much happening around here, and many ways for you to be involved in the life of the church.

Coming Events:

• Chair Yoga with Donna Holmes – Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
• Wednesday Evening Gathering & Potluck – 5:30 p.m. – Fellowship Hall
• Ash Wednesday Service (with MUMC), Wednesday, February 14 – 6:00 p.m. – Sanctuary (This will be in place of the normal Wednesday evening gathering)
• Lent – During Lent, we will have the opportunity to participate in a devotional journey together. This Sunday, devotion booklets will be available for you to pick up and take home for use in your daily devotions. In addition, on Sundays in Lent, our theme will be Pause and we will focus in on the Psalms. If you would like an electronic copy of the devotional booklet, please let me know.
• Red Cross Blood Drive – Tuesday February 20, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. – register at redcrossblood.org
• We are in need of hosts/hostesses for the blood drives held in our facility. If you could serve in this way, please let me know.
• Pancake Dinner (with MUMC), Wednesday, February 21 – 5:30 p.m. – Fellowship Hall (This will be in place of the normal Wednesday evening gathering)
• Now that I am finished with treatment, I want to get Bible Study up and running again. Here’s where you come in. Can you go https://forms.gle/XuSACRqJdQ8Pa1797 and fill out a quick survey about what time of day/week works best for you?
• Choir Concert (with MUMC, and Orange Beach Presbyterian) – Tuesday, March 5, 6:30 p.m. – Sanctuary

I am done with radiation!!! I am so grateful for your prayers and support. Now I have a couple of months until my next surgery, which will be in early April. I will continue to post updates here as test results come in and surgery time nears: https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/V5A7Q4H/care-for-chrisy.

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:

• 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 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