SWIFT  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH

A Church That Practices Fruitful Living

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 RADICAL  HOSPITALITY 

‘TWO OR MORE’ FELLOWSHIP LUNCH
Thursday, July 5, at the Gulf Bowl, Captain’s Choice Grill, at 11:30 a.m.
Delicious food, reasonable prices and great conversation. Come and meet new friends.
 

BUTTERFLY GIRLS • GUYS’ NIGHT OUT
Thursday, July 19 • 6:30 p.m.
L.A. Barbecue — Alabama Highway 59, Summerdale

Please call or text Mary at 251-295-5267 by 4 p.m. that day if you know you’re coming so adequate table space can be reserved. (A few extra chairs will be reserved for any last-minute deciders.) Our group is growing ever since the girls and guys meet at the same place, although we sit and visit together separately.

Come join us this month. Couples or singles are welcome.

Join us and suggest new places for us to try.

 INTENTIONAL  FAITH  DEVELOPMENT 

MONTREAT YOUTH CONFERENCE

The youth who attended Montreat this year had a wonderful time. They look forward to sharing their experience with you on July 1 at 10 a.m. where they will be leading the worship service.

We were short this year for funding Montreat; the presbytery generously gave us a grant/scholarship in the amount of $800. We will take a special offering on July 1 to help cover the remaining balance of $637. Any donations received after we reach that amount will go toward Montreat 2019. Thank you for your support with Montreat.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
A chronological study of the New Testament
Meets 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Sundays in room 2 in the annex

Anthony Kaiser and I extend an invitation to our Sunday school class as we take a look at the New Testament chronologically. We are studying parables and the last week of Jesus’ life. We welcome you to our class.

— Cheryl Jensen   

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Rolling River Rampage is July 27 and 28
Adults, are you willing to help?

As you may or may not know, VBS is scheduled for July 27 and 28, which is Friday night and Saturday. This is different from what we are used to, but I hope it will prove to be a fun time of learning about God and fellowship with one another. The time will be 5:15 to 8:30 on Friday night with dinner being served. Saturday will be 9:00-3:00 with lunch and snacks being served. The age group, if we get enough volunteers, will be pre-K3 through 5th grade (completed). We will have a waterslide at the end of the day on Saturday to close our VBS so everyone will need to bring their swimsuits and a towel on Saturday.

This is where I need help. I need a director, a teacher for the pre-K3-to-4-year-old class, and one more storyteller. Hannah Melton will be heading up decorating and crafts and will need help decorating (the more the merrier) and two or three people to assist with crafts and three or four to do recreation. I am hoping that by only having two days you will be led and excited to help. Lisa and Tara will work together on music. Please let me know if there is a part that you feel led to assist with. Time is running out, so if you could please let me know as soon as possible that would be great. You may contact the church office (251-943-8367 or swiftpc@gulftel.com) or Teresa Thomas (251-609-2209 or teecee1955@gmail.com) if you would be willing to assist in some capacity.

The registration form is attached so please pass it on, fill out and return to the church office. Copies are also available in the back of both churches. You can register on the church website, too.
 

BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
FOR ADULTS AT SWIFT CHURCH

We are blessed to have so many people who would like to be part of Bible study and fellowship at Swift Church. Here is a listing of the groups currently meeting. All of them are open to people visiting and/or joining the group, whether you are a member of Swift Church or not. For more information, contact the leaders or the church office.

Weekly:

• Sundays, 9 to 9:45 a.m., adult Sunday School class, room 2 in the annex, a chronological study of the New Testament, led by Cheryl Jensen and Anthony Kaiser

• Sundays, 9 to 9:45 a.m., Snacks with Susan and Daryl, fellowship hall, led by Daryl and Susan Pichoff; topic varies. The class is taking a summer hiatus. It will resume in the September with new topics.
 

Monthly:

• Thursdays (first Thursday of month), 11:30 a.m., “Two or More” fellowship lunch at Captain’s Choice Grill at the Gulf Bowl in Foley on Juniper Street. Contact is Lee Mansell.

• Thursdays (second Thursday of month), 1 p.m., Swift Fourth Day, fellowship hall. Bring your own sack lunch and enjoy Christian conversation. This is a new group, started by six people who attended Cursillo #36, and is open to everyone. Contact is Sue Johnson. The group is taking a summer break and will resume in September.

• Thursdays (third Thursday of month), 6:30 p.m., Butterfly Girls and Guys’ Night Out fellowship dinner at area restaurants, different place each month. Sometimes men and women eat at same restaurant at separate tables, sometimes two restaurants near one another. Contacts are Mary McNair and Daryl and Susan Pichoff.
  

Summer Bible study miniseries on faith, hope and love:

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:13

Two more separate one-session studies will be offered once each month on a Sunday and a Thursday. All are welcome. Bring your own Bible, or use one at the church, and materials will be provided at each session.

Thursdays 10 to 11:30 a.m. and/or Sundays 5 to 6:30 p.m.
The first sessions in June were on faith. Still to come:
■ July 26 and Aug. 5 (note change in date) — Hope
■ Aug. 23 and 26 — Love
  

ALABAMA PRESBYTERIAN CURSILLO #37
Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 20–Sept. 23
Camp Beckwith, Fairhope

What is Cursillo?

■ a three-day retreat intended to revive the spirit and renew the participant
■ an invitation to encounter Jesus Christ
■ a process to deepen the participant’s Christian commitment
■ a call to the conscious and deliberate living of the Christian faith
■ an invitation to join with Christians and broaden the community of believers
■ all within the framework of Reformed Theology and consistent with the Book of Common Worship of the PCUSA.

Application forms for pilgrims and staff are located in the back of both the chapel and the sanctuary. Anyone interested in more information, please contact Kathy Menk in the church office or at 251-971-6509.

 MISSION  AND  SERVICE 

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
Sue Ann Lay, clerk of session

Swift Church Session met on Monday, June 18, 2018. Pastor Keith Cardwell opened the meeting with prayer concerns followed by prayer. Afterward:

✔ The pastor talked to the session about The Rev. Rachael Knoll’s recent resignation as regional presbyter and that Al Thompson is temporarily filling that position on a part-time schedule.

✔ Received a report on home communion being served on June 3 to the Dombrowskis by Al and Tina Sprouse.

✔ Received and approved previous minutes and reports from worship, missions, preschool, finance and Christian education.

✔ Reviewed the church finances.

✔ An oral and visual report was provided regarding the driveway widening. The drive width will be doubled down to the sanctuary. The crumbled parking at the very southern end will be repaired in a way that will support the garbage truck. The patched potholes will be cut out and refilled. The whole parking lot will be seal-coated and restriped. Two bids have been received. We are waiting on additional bids. Some bidders are 3–4 months out before being able to do the work.

✔ Cathy Rogers and Teresa Thomas are the elder members of nominating committee.

✔ Approved July 1 at 9:50 a.m. for the congregational meeting to elect the four at-large members of the nominating committee.

✔ Will elect a commissioner to the August presbytery meeting at the July meeting.

✔ Approved July 1 to be Montreat Sunday. Youth will lead worship (only one worship service that day). Using the permission allowed by Book of Order, w-3.0414: “Ordinarily ruling elders, deacons, and ministers of the Word and Sacrament serve the bread and cup; the session may authorize other church members to do so.” Session authorized a one-time permission for the Montreat youth to serve communion on July 1.

✔ Heard that the Montreat youth are short on paying for the 2018 trip. Session authorized a special offering on July 1 to make up the shortfall.

✔ With no additional business, the meeting was adjourned with prayer by Clerk of Session Sue Ann Lay.
  

MISSION REPORT
Cathy Rogers and Al Sprouse, elders

The food pantry has been serving an average of 20 families on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Please continue to donate food items whenever you can.

The Pentecost Offering amounted to $545 that was donated to Ukirk of South Alabama. Thanks to all who made this gift possible.

“Two cents a meal” is being collected on the third Sunday of each month for Living Waters for the World. An average of $200 is collected each month.

The next special offering will be in August for the local Santa Foundation.
  

GRIEFSHARE MINISTRY
Danny and Paula Brewer, facilitators

GriefShare support group will meet each Tuesday in July from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 2 in the annex. Here are the topics and some of the questions we will be discussing:

■ Session 5 — Grief and Your Relationships
■ Session 6 — Why?
■ Session 7 — Anger
■ Session 8 — Complicating Factors
■ Session 9 — Stuck

How has your loved one’s death affected your relationships with others?

What are some of the “why” questions you are dealing with regarding your loved one’s death?

Are you angry? Whom is your anger directed toward?

Do you feel like you’ve had the opportunity to share how your loved one’s death has uniquely affected you? 

Do you think you’re stuck in grief? Why or why not? 

We are never prepared, no matter the circumstances, for the intensity of the pain we feel when someone we love dies. We may feel that we can’t live through the pain or that nobody understands our pain and we feel alone. We forget things and wonder if we are going crazy. All of these things are normal when you are grieving. Sometimes it helps to hear what other people are experiencing as they go down the path of grief. The GriefShare support group offers you the opportunity to be around others who are going through the same things you are.

Danny and I have walked the path of grief for quite a few years now and have struggled with (and still struggle with sometimes) the whys and what-ifs. The GriefShare program is one of the big factors in our healing process that has led us to facilitate the ministry. We have benefited in so many ways from this program. Not just in our healing but, God working through us, we have had the opportunity to walk alongside others on their grief journey and offer them hope. In some ways grief is a solitary journey because each one grieves differently. But being able to share our experiences with others and hearing about their struggles and their healing moments can bring us comfort in knowing that we are not the only ones going through these things.

During each session, we discuss our concerns, talk about our loved ones and watch and discuss a DVD that features experts on grief as well as individuals who have walked through grief themselves. The program offers tools and advise that help you navigate the grief path. Grief is one of the most difficult things you can ever experience and during this time it is very important to take care of yourself. Seeking help is a very courageous first step. There is no time limit on grief, so it doesn’t matter when your loss was, who you lost or why you feel you are struggling, please know that we are here to walk with you.

For more information on GriefShare, go to www.griefshare.org. While you are on the site, sign up for the daily devotionals.

Know that you can always go to the Lord with your struggles. When the grief begins to overcome you, let it have its time. Putting it off does not make it go away. Take a moment to be still and silent, talk to God, and remember to “just breathe!”

— Paula   

GriefShare schedule
Tuesdays through Aug. 27
Each meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the room 2 in the annex.
Pre-registration is recommended but not required.
 

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Charlie Hastings, elder

If you are interested in joining the church driveway committee, please contact Charlie Hastings or Chuck Carneal. We are looking for anyone who is interested in helping coordinate and plan activities involving the widening of the entrance from Swift Church Road.
 

 EXTRAVAGANT  GENEROSITY 

WE APPRECIATE OUR JULY VOLUNTEERS

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“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

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GREETER/USHER TEAMS
July 1 — Paula/Danny Brewer, Lee Mansell, Greg McNair
July 8 — Janelle Armbruster, Debbie and Norm Schmidt, Kim Whitchard
July 15 — Susie Alexander, Elinor Gartman, Sue Ann Lay, Lynda Walden
July 22 — Lynn/Mike Barnwell, Willard Penfold, Eunice Ray
July 29 — Jane King, Judy Walker, Kim Whitchard

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
July 1 — Cathy Rogers
July 8 — Tess Helton
July 15 — Judy Walker
July 22 — Pastor Keith
July 29 — Teresa Thomas

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS
July 1 — Ginny and Sarah Kleinschmidt
July 8 — Tracy Akins and Lisa Turner
July 15 — Brett and Pate Cardwell
July 22 — Kathy Menk and Tara Morrow
July 29 — Lyndsey and Aaron Ward

FELLOWSHIP DEACONS
July 1 — Brett Cardwell
July 8 — Marlene Hastings
July 15 — Tosha Thomas
July 22 — Brett Cardwell
July 29 — Marlene Hastings

ACOLYTES
July 1 — Diya Patterson and Saylor Morrow
July 8 — Sully Curry and Tristan Walker
July 15 — Jon Devery and Lainey Thomas
July 22 — Zadie Grace and Zoeylynn Barnwell
July 29 — Cadi Cardwell and McCoy Cooper
 

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.