First Presbyterian Church Faithfully serving Jesus Christ in Seminole county and the world since 1898 and still growing!

October, 2022

On June 16, 1858, as the newly nominated Republican candidate for the US Senate from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided Speech” which highlighted the tension between various factions in America regarding slavery. It caused a stir among Lincoln’s friends and foes. Lincoln felt it was important to use the “house divided” figure of speech that Jesus used in Matthew 12:25 because it was widely known and simply expressed. He used this metaphor “so it would strike home to the minds of men in order to rouse them to the peril of the times.”
While a divided house can’t stand, the implied opposition can — an undivided house stands unified. In principle, that’s what the household of God is designed to be (Ephesians 2:19). Though made up of people from various backgrounds, together we’ve been reconciled to God (and each other) through Jesus’ death on the cross. In view of this truth, Paul offers this instruction to believers in Jesus, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
While we are a caring and compassionate church, caring for and praying for the needs of one another, we will never be in the same paragraph; I do know we need to be on the same page. As a church our size, our attendance in worship is above average. Our Adult Sunday School is woefully lacking. Our Youth continues to grow and our new Young Adult Class has started.
For us to be the church that we want to be and God intends us to be, we need to as the disciples in the Upper Room came to one accord as the Pentecost scriptures tell us. The one accord they all agreed on was Jesus is Lord first and foremost! As we see the early church had their differences but agreed on the essentials.
Today, with heightened tension threatening and actually dividing people in church, families, cultural government, and life selection in general, our prayer must be that God would give us the wisdom and strength needed to keep unity with one another through the Spirit. This will cause us to be a light in a dark world.
Grace and Peace,
Brother Stephen

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
Mary Goodwin Vicki Ausbel
Van Ponder Heidi Miller
LTJG Charles Register, US Navy Beth & Charlie Yates
Captain Warren Youmans, US Air Force Nick Joanos
Margaret Breedlove Misty Hayes
Abbie Ware Marlon James
Susan Hicks Allen LeGrone
Our church and all churches Polly Miller
Laney Walker The family of Lavon Chandler
The family of Larry & Relda King The Betty Mims family
The Sandra Frith family

Youth News
We have been studying the character and actions of Jesus over the last month. We have had 12-15 on Wednesday nights which is very encouraging!

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The lovely bride-elect of Jay Palmer, Ava Styles, is modeling the beautiful, white shawl crocheted by Mrs. Ellen Carter and presented to her by the Ladies of Threads of Love represented by Becky Grantham. This group presents new brides with a white shawl and prays a prayer of blessing for their upcoming marriage.

Operation Christmas Child
We are planning a packing party on Wednesday night, October 19, for shoeboxes we will send for OCC. Please contact Gloria Fain with your donations ASAP of the following; soccer balls, other small balls, pencils, and coloring books.
We are also going to plan to travel up to Atlanta to work in the OCC facility next year in November 2023.

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Trunk or Treat
Our Christian Education committee has decided to join Friendship United Methodist Church for our joint Trunk or Treat celebration on October 26, beginning at 6:00 pm. Our dinner for our FPC families will follow in our fellowship hall. Be sure and let Kyla Smith know if you are going to provide a trunk
(229-220-1323).

Thankful to all that Serve Our Community!
On September 11, we held a fellowship meal honoring our first responders. We enjoyed good fun and good fellowship! Thank you!

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6th Mary Hunt 19th Hudson Hanna 27th Martha Register
7th Jack Palmer David & Myrvin Fain Vince Kelley
10th Ricky Hunt Stephen Scott 29th Chloi Miller
13th Libby Register 22nd Abigail Grantham
14th Carl & Lynn Whittle Will Fain
16th Anna Trawick Sesame Robinson
Warren Youmans 23rd Patricia McLeod
17th Rendy Godwin

Budget Update
General Account
through 9/25/2022
Revenue: $ 17,624.00
Expenses: - 23,376.63
Difference: $ ( 5,752.63)
Building Fund
Revenue: $ 300.00

Threads of Love
These are pics from Heritage Day at SCES last Friday. Threads of Love Group participated sharing presentations on making blankets, sewing, and crocheting.
Come and join our group! You don’t have to sew to participate and we’d love to see you on Tuesdays at 10:00.

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Upcoming dates to remember
Seminole Co fall break October 10-14
Men of the Church October 17; 7 pm
SGA fall break October 20-24
Ladies High Tea with speaker on October 23 at 6 pm (The Trinity Center)
Trunk or Treat October 26

Mission Statement
The mission of our church family is to worship God in spirit and in truth;
to grow as followers of Jesus Christ; and to be led by the Holy Spirit
as we seek to be faithful in sharing the gospel with all!

First Presbyterian church
Po box 1026 Donalsonville, Georgia 39845 phone:229-524-5138 email:dvillefpc@gmail.com Return service requested

Manna Food Drop
October 15 8 AM
Friendship United Methodist Church

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