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The Chimes Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
SUNDAY Schedule Sunday, September 16 • Prayer breakfast for Homeless persons - 6:30 am, Fifield Hall • Communion Service 8:15 am, Winship Chapel
• The Mustard Seed Bookstore - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm • Worship Service - 9:00 am, Sanctuary • Cherub Choir - 9:30 am, Rm 222 • Youth Choir - 9:30 am, Rm 223 • Sunday School for all ages - 10:05 am • Worship Service - 11:15 am, Sanctuary • Fellowship Hour - 12:15 pm, Fifield Hall
Sunday, September 23 Focus Sunday
• Prayer breakfast for Homeless persons - 6:30 am, Fifield Hall • Communion Service 8:15 am, Winship Chapel
• The Mustard Seed Bookstore - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm • Worship Service - 9:00 am, Sanctuary • Cherub Choir - 9:30 am, Rm 222 • Youth Choir - 9:30 am, Rm 223 • Sunday School for all ages - 10:05 am • Worship Service - 11:15 am, Sanctuary • Fellowship Hour - 12:15 pm, Fifield Hall • Focus Luncheon - 12:15 pm, Reception room
September 16 & 23, 2012 Christ at the Center
W
o r d s . We live in a world of words. Sometimes it seems like they are coming at us relentlessly, especially in this season of political conventions and campaigns. Much September 16 - Rev. Craig of what we hear we Goodrich to preach might characterize as “negative” or at best “argumentative,” words spoken or written against another in an attempt to prove the validity or dominance of one’s position, or one’s party or candidate. But it is not just in our politics, is it? It’s everywhere, including in our own lives. So let me ask you this, do you ever stop to think about not only what you hear, but what you say? Or going even deeper, why you say it? In the letter of James, the writer in speaking about the responsibility of those who teach the faith, cautions his readers on the power of speech and the need to tame the tongue, “How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire….. (Think of the forest fires that have raged out West this summer). He goes on to say “With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not be so.” (James 3: 5, 6, 9-10). What about you? Do you need to tame your tongue? To move from negative to positive, from cursing to blessing? You know, it starts with what is going on in our own hearts and minds. And it starts with the grace and the love of God in Jesus Christ. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. The sermon is entitled, “What Did You Say?” Faithfully Yours,
Craig
A
s we return to our regular fall schedule on September 9, I am looking forward with great anticipation to welcoming all of you back to worship at 9:00 and 11:15 am September 23 - Dr. Oliver in the sanctuary and Thomas to preach another new church year! Our overall and ongoing theme “Christ At The Center” will be focused in a particular way during the months ahead as we seek, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, to “ wait for the Lord”, “to renew our strength” and “to mount up with wings like eagles, to run and not grow weary, to walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting Waiting, renewing, flying, running and on Text walking are all action words which move us forward in our spiritual journey, looking to the Lord to lead us every step of the way! Realizing that this will be my final year here as pastor of this great congregation, I also want everyone to know that I am trusting in God to guide us and provide us with a sense of direction as we set our sails to the winds of transition and change, believing beyond the shadow of a doubt that “in all things, God works together for good for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). So please join with me, our wonderful staff and all of our faithful church officers as we join hearts and hands together in worship, work and witness, and may the Lord grant us joy for the journey that is before us! Faithfully Yours, George B. Wirth