From the Pastor's Pen 1/7/25

1/07/2025

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!!! I hope that your holiday season has been filled with love and that you are moving into 2025 with anticipation of what is to come this year.

Last January, we were invited to participate in receiving “star words.” These words were an invitation to see the ways in which God breaks into our own world. On Sunday, we once again had this opportunity and I suggested that that we see how this word might impact how we share the light of Christ with the world in the new year.

If you were unable to join us in person for worship this week, and would like me to pull a star word for you that you can either pick up at the church, or I can drop in the mail, just reach out and let me know. I would be happy to do that.

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

Don’t forget these upcoming events:

• Bible Study – Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. Each week we will be studying the Revised Common Lectionary texts for the upcoming Sunday. These texts can be found at https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu if you would like to read them ahead of time.
• Snowbird Welcome Dinner – Wednesday, January 15, at 6:00 p.m. all are invited to a spaghetti dinner in the Fellowship Hall to welcome our snowbirds back to their winter homes. This event is a joint event with Magnolia United Methodist Church. If you wish, donations will be accepted to help cover the cost of the food.
• Mid-Week Potluck – Beginning TUESDAY, January 21, for the months of January and February, we will be having TUESDAY evening potlucks at 6:00 p.m. All are welcome to come and bring a dish to share.
• Annual Congregational Meeting for the purpose of presenting the 2025 budget and voting on the terms of call for the Pastor will be held on Sunday, January 19, immediately following worship.
• Celebrating Pam Winstead’s 37 years of Service to First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores – Sunday, January 19, we will celebrate Pam and all the ways in which she has served this church over the years. A reception will be held following worship. All are invited to attend.
• 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, February 2, following worship at Big Beach Brewing

 
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