SWIFT  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH

A Church That Practices Fruitful Living

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 MUSIC  NOTES 

by Lisa Cardwell, music director

Thank you to all who were involved in the “Sounds of Hope” Christmas program on Dec. 18, whether you were a part of the program, or brought food for the wonderful reception afterward. We appreciated all those who were in attendance.

Now the chancel choir begins work on our music for Baptism of the Lord Sunday (Jan. 8), Ordination Sunday (Jan. 15), and beyond. Preparation for upcoming worship services never ends for the music department. Rehearsals reconvene on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 5:45 p.m.

The handbell choir will begin rehearsals again on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 5:30 p.m. This choir will be preparing for worship participation on Jan. 29.

And, plans will be made for our Joyful Tones’ next appearance.

It’s so exciting to know that so many people are dedicated to bring music to our worship services. We are excited to see what God does in our midst.

 

 WORSHIP  REPORT 

Kim Whitchard, worship elder

The year 2016 has proved to be a great one. However, while some of us have had excitement with new births, weddings, birthdays and anniversaries, others have experienced pain and grief of the loss of loved ones — and illness and trauma.

The only constant in our lives as Christians is our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are ending 2016 celebrating His birth and the hope that His birth brings to us once again as we await the new year — and His Second Coming.

The year was so fulfilling for me as your worship elder. Again, I am very excited to introduce you to Greg McNair as your second worship elder. Having two worship elders indicates how important the experience of worship is. Greg and I will dedicate ourselves to making sure that your worship experience is passionate and we will strive to deepen your connection to the Lord and your fellow members.

We have enjoyed so many creative activities to hopefully provide that passion. We began with Easter, and Pentecost Sunday where the choir enjoyed processing with the red banners. We had the joy of the T-shirt drive and I truly enjoy wearing my “I Love My Church” T-shirt. (I think we should dedicate one Sunday a quarter to wearing our T-shirts.) We moved into summer with the “take-out church” so that families could enjoy church while on vacation. We had fun with Father’s Day and the tradition of Hawaiian shirts. I wonder what fun tradition we can create for Mother’s Day. We have also experienced the blessings of Advent with our blessing cups.

I hope these innovative activities have deepened your connection not only with God but also your family.

We have experienced so many blessings this year, and I want to thank each of you for your help with your time, talents and treasures in the renovation of the fellowship hall, and I look forward to many gatherings in there and becoming closer as a church family.

The New Year’s Day service will start off the year with continued creativity as we will be having the service in the fellowship hall and having a non-traditional worship service. I’m looking forward to breaking bread around the table, perhaps as Jesus broke bread with his disciples.

I look forward to the blessings that 2017 will bring to our Swift Church family. May everyone be blessed in this new year.

 RADICAL  HOSPITALITY 

Two or More Lunch

Thursday, Jan. 5, at 11:30 a.m. at the Captain’s Choice Grill at the Gulf Bowl.
Please contact Lee Mansell at 251-232-4775 to make a reservation or just show up.

Butterfly Girls and Guys’ Night Out

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m.

It’s time to make a New Year’s resolution. No, not one of those boring ones like eat more broccoli or take the stairs, but one that is really fun. Make a resolution to join us at Butterfly Girls or Guys’ Night Out this year. This month the ladies will be at Mamma Mia Pizzeria at the corner of Highway 98 and Pine Street in Foley. The gents will be at Fish River Grill No. 2 at 608 S. McKenzie in Foley.

Come for conversation and a night out with friends new and old.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Pastor Jody Beth Melton: 251-213-6625.

 

 INTENTIONAL  FAITH  DEVELOPMENT 

Coffee with Keith

The 9:00 class Coffee with Keith resumes on Jan. 8 in the fellowship hall. We will look at the “animate” introductory DVD and then discuss the topic. This series is on practices.

Jan. 8             “Prayer: Oriented Toward God”
Jan. 15           “Food: Eating with Jesus”
Jan. 22           “Worship: Seeking God’s Presence”
Jan. 29           “Sacraments: Tapestry of Traditions”
Feb. 5             “Money: The Joy of Sharing”
Feb. 12           “Service: The Needs Right Around You”
Feb. 19           “Community: An Unexpected Family”

Daniel Bible Study

A Bible study on the book of Daniel is being offered both Sunday nights, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Thursday mornings, 10 to 11:30 a.m. People are welcome to join this group at any time. They will resume their regular schedule on Thursday, Jan. 5, and Sunday, Jan. 8.

Please contact Elder Lee Mansell at 232-4775 for more information.

  

 MISSION  AND  SERVICE 

Cathy Rogers and Philip Melton, mission elders

The Swift Presbyterian congregation continues to support our missions generously. Our food pantry remains active as we continue to serve 25 families at each distribution. Our food pantry has a new home in the fellowship hall that allows for easy access and for us to serve families in that building. Thanks to all who support this mission and who volunteer on distribution days.

We continue to support Living Waters for the World on the third Sunday of the month with “two cents a meal.” Thanks to the faithful donors to this important mission that brings clean water where there is none.

The response to our Advent mission for Alabama’s Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega has been nothing short of amazing. Our hope board continued to increase in brightness every week in December as your offerings lit up lights. As of Dec. 27, our congregation has generously offered $4,525 for this mission. Initially our goal was $1,250, and we have greatly surpassed that. Perhaps we will be able to send PHC a check for $5,000 early in the new year. This would bring tremendous hope to the organization that gives hope to those families who need it most.

Put Feb. 5 on your calendar as this will be our Souper Bowl Sunday. After the 10:00 service, we will have a wide variety of soups and desserts for your Sunday dinner. A Joy Offering will be taken to support our food pantry throughout the year.
 

JANUARY VOLUNTEERS

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10

GREETER/USHER TEAMS
Jan. 1 — Moe and Kathy Menk
Jan. 8 — Donna Donald, Willard Penfold, Lynn and Mike Barnwell
Jan. 15 — Kim and Tony Whitchard, Lynn Aspray, Jane King
Jan. 22 — Bridget Gosa, Jessica Gosa, Lee Mansell and Greg McNair
Jan. 29 — Norm and Debbie Schmidt; Danny and Paula Brewer

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS
Jan. 1 — no nursery
Jan. 8 — Megan Curry and Cassie Woodall
Jan. 15 — Pate and Brett Cardwell
Jan. 22 — Bobby and Karely Kleinschmidt
Jan. 29 — Jane King and Carlie Sims

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
Jan. 1 — none
Jan. 8 — Cathy Rogers
Jan. 15 — Teresa Thomas
Jan. 22 — Jane King
Jan. 29 — volunteer needed

CHILDREN’S CHURCH
Jan. 1 — no children’s church
Jan. 8 — Tracy Akins and Jenni Aspray
Jan. 15 — Megan Curry and Debbie Schmidt
Jan. 22 — Jane King and Carlie Sims
Jan. 29 — Lezli and Kenny Thomason

FELLOWSHIP DEACONS
Jan. 1 — none
Jan. 8 — Tosha Thomas
Jan. 15 —Tresa Melton
Jan. 22 — Brett Cardwell
Jan. 29 — Tosha Thomas

 

 EXTRAVAGANT  GENEROSITY  

The stewardship campaign resulted in 60 pledges totaling $180,000. There were 91 non-responses. The 2017 budget is $271,185.84.

We encourage those who have not responded to consider doing so.
 

ABOUT ONLINE GIVING . . .

You may have noticed this box in your bulletin. Using your “smart phone” and this box you can connect to the church’s online giving page. You can set up for automatic donations of your tithes or one-time gifts to a number of funds benefiting ministries of Swift Church. Use this by either entering your credit/debit card information or your checking account information. Of course, this is a secure website. You can also do the same thing by clicking the donation link on the church’s website, www.swiftchurch.org