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Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
SUNDAY Schedule Sunday, October 16 • Prayer breakfast for Homeless persons - 6:30 am, Fifield Hall • Communion Service 8:30 am, Winship Chapel • The Mustard Seed Bookstore 9:00 am - 1:00 pm • Cherub Choir - 9:30 am • Worship Service - 9:00 am, Sanctuary • Sunday School - 10:05 am • Worship Service - 11:15 am, Sanctuary • Fall Festival and Picnic - 12:15 pm, Parking Lot and Playground • Excelsis Choir - 1:00 pm
Sunday, October 23 • Prayer breakfast for Homeless persons - 6:30 am, Fifield Hall • Communion Service 8:30 am, Winship Chapel • The Mustard Seed Bookstore 9:00 am - 1:00 pm • Cherub Choir - 9:30 am • Worship Service - 9:00 am, Sanctuary • Sunday School - 10:05 am • Worship Service - 11:15 am, Sanctuary • Fellowship Hour - 12:15 am, Fifield Hall • Excelsis Choir - 1:00 pm • Book Club - 2:00 pm, Home of Caroline Hardin
October 16 & 23, 2011 Christ at the Center
October 16, “Make Today Count” “A California preacher who foretold of the world’s end only to see the appointed day (May 21) pass with October 16 & 23 - no extraordinarily George Wirth to preach cataclysmic event has revised his apocalyptic prophecy, saying he was off by five months and the Earth will actually be obliterated on October 21” (from an article “Apocalypse Later: Oct. 21” by Garance Burke, Associated Press and page A13 of the AJC on May 25, 2011). This article from the Atlanta JournalConstitution last spring has me wondering whether or not the October 21 “End Of The World” prediction by radio evangelist Harold Camping will stir up as much commotion as did his May 21 debacle. I also wonder why so many people spend so much time and energy on these predictions, especially when Jesus told His first disciples and all of still today not to do it (read Acts 1:6-11). That will be the focus of our sermon on October 16, “Make Today Count,” as we talk together about the time of our lives as Christians and how we are all called to focus on the present, instead of regretting the past and worrying about or trying to predict the future. The sermon text is taken from these familiar words in Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” That is what I look forward to doing with you in the sanctuary on Sunday morning at 9:00 and 11:15 - so please join us and invite your family and friends to come on along as well!
October 23, “Ammendment 10A and The Presbyterian Church USA” When the General Assembly of the PCUSA met in June 2010 and voted to change the Book of Order regarding sexuality and ordination, some congregations and individual members rejoiced and voiced their approval while others lamented and resolved to resist the change. Since then, most of us have been trying to understand what the GA decision means for all of our local churches. That will be the theme of our sermon on October 23, “Ammendment 10A and the PCUSA”. I plan to summarize the helpful report shared with the Session in September by the Rev. Dr. Joan Gray, former PCUSA Moderator and FPC staff member here. In addition, we will explore the guidance of scripture from Romans 12 which will hopefully set the tone not only for the sermon, but also for the way that our congregation deals with this divisive issue. So please pray to God for guidance as FPC seeks His direction in the days and months ahead, and lift up your prayers also for all of our Presbyterian sisters and brothers who seek to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives, who desire to be faithful to the truth and authority of the Bible, and who are committed to the peace, unity and purity of the Presbyterian Church USA. I look forward to worshipping with you all on Sunday morning, and to engaging in an ongoing dialogue about these important issues. And please remember these words from Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (with one another). Faithfully Yours, George B. Wirth