JULY 2022

WORSHIP IN JULY

July 3 

First reading — Galatians 6:1–16

Second Reading — Luke 10:1–11,16–20

July 10

First reading — Psalm 25:1–10

Second reading — Luke 10:25–37

July 17 

Jody Beth preaching

First reading — Colossians 1:15–28

Second reading — Luke 10:38–42

July 24 

Ordination and installation of Randy LeDrew as deacon at 8 a.m. service

First reading — Psalm 85

Second reading — Luke 11:1–18

July 31

First reading — Psalm 107:1–9,43

Second reading — Luke 12:13–21

A WORD FROM PASTOR MICHAEL

Can you believe that it has been a month since I began work as the interim minister at Swift? Wow, time has flown by! June was filled with wonderful fellowship at church and in the community, working with the session and committees, and working side by side with our food pantry and meeting the neighbors we are blessed to serve. I recently came across this quote from Howard Thurman, an African American theologian, pastor, philosopher, and civil rights activist (he was an early mentor to Dr Martin Luther King Jr) that offered me a challenge and a new perspective on life and ministry.

The hard thing when you get old is to keep your horizons open. The first

part of your life everything is in front of you, all your potential and promise.

But over the years, you make decisions; you carve yourself into a given shape. Then the challenge is to keep discovering the green growing edge.

Thurman’s words often comfort me but sometimes they challenge me. These words offer me an opportunity to reflect as Denise and I walk through this particular season of our own life together. As we walk together through this season in the life of Swift Presbyterian Church, may we discover the green growing edge that the Spirit is waiting to reveal to us!

The session met on June 20 at 6:30 p.m. This was the Rev. Michael Moore’s first meeting as our moderator, and we enjoyed some prayer time and meditation on Exodus 33.

Buildings and grounds is pursuing the following repairs and maintenance:

·       • Replace sanctuary glass where insulation has failed and it fogs up

·       • Add rails to the chapel near ramp

·       • Sanctuary bulbs will be replaced with extension pole recently purchased

·       • Fellowship hall outlets will be repaired/updated.

Missions is going to connect a circuit for food pantry air conditioning (a requirement we have to keep the food at a minimum temperature) and fellowship hall outlets will be repaired/updated.

Randy LeDrew has agreed to go into nomination for deacon class of 2023. We will have a congregational meeting July 10 at 9:50 a.m. to nominate him, plus open the seat for any other nomination. He will be ordained/installed at the 8 a.m. service on July 24.

The church has the following needs:

·   ·   • Trustee — If you able to serve or want to know more about what this is, please contact the church office.

·   ·   • Custodian

·   ·   • Liturgists are needed for several weeks during the summer.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Called congregational meeting — 9:50 a.m.

Sunday, July 10, in the sanctuary

Intercessory prayer group — 9 a.m.

Every Wednesday in the chapel

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

Two or More luncheon will not meet in July.

Butterfly Girls and Guys Night Out

Thursday, July 21, at 6 p.m.

Wolf Bay Lodge

20801 Miflin Road, Foley

We gather once a month for great conversation and fellowship over dinner. Men and women sit separately. If you’ve never come, please consider joining us — it’s a great way to get to know others in the church, and guests are welcome as well. Please RSVP to Mary McNair by text at 251-295-5267 or email at marymcnair@centurylink.net. Please provide the names of all for whom you are making the reservation and indicate any who would like a ride.

Prayer shawl ministry

Wednesday, July 6, at 8:45 a.m.

in the fellowship hall

Please join us for our next prayer shawl ministry gathering. We are gratefully accepting monetary donations in any amount you feel comfortable in giving. These donations will allow this ministry to purchase yarn and continue gifts of God’s unconditional love!  

Food pantry

The food pantry served 206 families and 512 individuals

in July and is open every Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m.

We need more volunteers for the food pantry!

We need at least two volunteers who can lift 50-pound

boxes of food, every other Friday, from 8 to 10 a.m.

            Contact Al Sprouse at 251-744-1944.

If you can volunteer one or two Wednesday mornings each month to distribute food from 9:45 to 11 a.m., please contact Kathy Menk at 251-518-7966.

Prior to our food pantry distribution on June 29, these freezers

were full, plus Publix donations of over 300 pounds.  

Our Swift Food Pantry distribution was well over a ton that day!

Swift financial assistance

If you are in financial need from lack of work, medical bills, or other reasons, please contact Pastor Michael or Pastor Jody Beth for assistance. Your generosity to the pastors’ discretionary fund allows us to provide those in need with financial support. 

Snacks with Susan and Daryl is not meeting during the summer months.

Youth Sunday school is not meeting during the summer months.

ADDRESS CHANGES, UPDATES

A new email address is included in the emailed newsletter.

Co-administrative assistant

Applicants should have good administrative and people skills along with experience using Microsoft applications and the ability to manage the church Facebook page. This position is a job share and requires working 22 hours a week (T, W, Th 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., F 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) every other week. To apply, send a letter of interest and resume to Pastor Michael Moore at swiftpastor@gmail.com or mail to Swift Presbyterian Church, 23208 Swift Church Road, Foley, AL 36535.

PRESCHOOL NEWS

Here we are in July and the summer is halfway over.! We have a lot of fun activities planned for July. We will be having a tie-dye shirt day this month. Please bring in a white shirt on this day so your child can tie-dye their own shirt, we will also be having an ice cream party, and a watermelon picnic. We will be closed on Monday, July 4, to celebrate Independence Day. I hope everyone has a Happy Fourth of July.

Sena Cooper

administrative assistant

swiftpc@gulftel.com

Kathy Menk

volunteer administrative assistant

swiftpc@gulftel.com

Jessica Hammontree

preschool director

Lisa Cardwell

director of music

Jenni Cain

pianist

Church office: 251-943-8367

Church website: www.SwiftChurch.org