From the Pastor's Pen 10/1/24

10/01/2024

Dear Friends,

What a wonderful day we had on Sunday celebrating one year of shared space and ministry with Magnolia United Methodist Church! I cannot fully express the joy that it brought me to be able to worship, sow seeds, and eat together! Thanks to all of you for your welcoming of our siblings in Christ, and for participating in Sunday’s celebration. The video of the service and pictures from the morning are posted on our Facebook page.

Don’t forget these upcoming events:

• Bible Study – Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.
• 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!
• Bring a Friend to Church – Every Sunday we want to invite people to join us, but especially on the first Sunday of the month
• Nominations – beginning Sunday, October 6, FPC Members will have opportunity to nominate potential members of Session and the Nominating Committee for the upcoming year. Nomination forms will be available on Sunday. If you would prefer to have a Nomination form emailed to you, please let me know.
• Presbyterian Pints – Sunday, October 6, following worship at Big Beach Brewing
• Membership Class – A membership class is being planned for October. If you would like to come hear about what it means to be a member in the PC (USA), let me know!
• 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.
• Elections for Session and Nominating Committee will take place at a Congregational Meeting following worship on Sunday, November 17.
• 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 

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.
 
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.

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.

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