From the Pastor's Pen 9/5/24

9/05/2024

Dear Friends,

It’s September! I know that the Pastor’s Pen hasn’t been in your email inboxes for a few weeks, but that’s kind of how life goes sometimes. It has been a season of new things in our house, from the addition of our new puppy, Nova, to moving Ty out to his first apartment, junior year of college, and first year at Auburn University. Then, just this past weekend, our dog Felix joined Ty in Auburn. Not to mention sending some of our furniture with Ty and having to replace furniture that we have had since before we had children.

But home isn’t the only place where things are happening. The church is also about the work of God in many ways.

• In August, Lil Elms Christian Care officially opened their doors and it is my great joy to see and hear these little ones in our building every weekday.
• The Session is calling a brief congregational meeting for Sunday, September 22, immediately following worship for the purpose of voting to sell an unused parcel of our property. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.
• Plans are underway for our first joint worship service with Magnolia United Methodist Church (MUMC) on Sunday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m., where we will celebrate one year of sharing space and ministry. The service will be followed by a luncheon where meat and drinks will be provided, (Mike is smoking pork butts for pulled pork!) and attenders are asked to bring a side (hot or cold) or a dessert to share. A sign-up sheet is available in the Narthex, or you and send me an email and let me know what you plan to bring. Also, if you could be on the kitchen team to help during the luncheon, please reach out to me.
• On Saturday, October 5, at 10:00 a.m., FPCGS and MUMC will once again host a blessing of the pets. Invite your friends to bring their animal friends for a blessing and a treat!
• On Saturday, October 26, at 10:00 a.m., the first Partners in Grace Cancer Support Group for Patients and Caregivers will be held in the Fellowship Hall, with a continental breakfast provided. This is a joint venture with MUMC and a much-needed resource in our area. If you know someone who would benefit, please pass the word along to them. Also, if you would like to be involved in helping with this ministry, please reach out to me.
• Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 19, not only will this be the time for our Annual Congregational Meeting, it will also be our opportunity to celebrate Pam Winstead’s 37 years of service to FPC. More details to come!
• Conversations are already happening about further events and ministries coming this fall and winter, so keep your eyes open!

If you are unable to join us in person, Sunday worship is livestreamed and saved on Facebook and YouTube:

• https://www.facebook.com/GulfShoresFirstPresbyterianChurch
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyEBQcAb3quFG16z_vy-4lQ

Coming Events:

• Bible Study – Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.
• Bring a Friend to Church – Every Sunday we want to invite people to join us, but especially on the first Sunday of the month
• Presbyterian Pints – Sunday, October 6, following worship at Big Beach Brewing

Address Change: Please note, especially if you have checks sent through your bank, that the church no longer has a post office box. Our mailing address is now the same as our physical address: 309 E 21st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542.

You may have noticed some new signage around the Hand-in-Hand Business Center. We have done this in an effort to both make the Business Center visible for the businesses located there, and to help direct people to the proper entries for the Business Center and the church. If you are coming to the church during the week, please enter using the doors on 21st Ave, rather than the Business Center doors. This will help maintain a business-like atmosphere for those businesses. The business owners 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.
• When you come to worship, don’t forget to bring your COMPOST! See the attached information for information about what can be composted.
• We have a few little ones joining us for worship, and while they are always welcome to be in the service with us, sometimes it is helpful to the parents to have a little help. That being said, would you be willing to hang out with kiddos in the nursery on an occasional Sunday? Sign-up in the Narthex.
• 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