Stewardship Dedication Sunday
♦ We celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
Matthew 25:1–13
Matthew 25:34–46
Christ the King Sunday
A celebration of the church year
First Sunday of Advent God’s Faithfulness • We celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
One service only — 10:00 Christmas variety show
God’s Faithfulness Gives Us Hope
God’s Faithfulness Gives Us Joy
One morning service only — 10:00
God’s Faithfulness Gives Us Love
Christmas Eve
6 p.m.
Candlelight communion service
Pastor Jody Beth Melton preaches.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Preparations for the Swift Church Christmas program are underway. This will be during 10:00 worship on Dec. 10. This year bells ring, choirs sing but we also want all ages to celebrate the season through a variety of talents.
You plan what you’d like to do. You individually. You as a family. You, a group of friends. You plan. You costume, if needed. You rehearse. Let Lisa and Pastor Keith know what you are doing. If you need ideas, see Lisa or Pastor Keith for Scripture readings, songs, skits or recitations.
All this variety of talent will then be combined into a worship service with a single rehearsal on Saturday, Dec. 9, bringing everything together.
Mark your calendar now for Dec. 10. One worship service only for that Sunday.
SANCTUARY FLOWER SCHEDULING
Susie Alexander schedules our Sunday flower donations. Please call her to reserve your date.
You can reach Susie at 251-943-4145 or thfairy6@centurylink.net.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT Greg McNair and Kim Whitchard, elders
Thanksgiving is coming up Nov. 23, so now is an appropriate time to start thinking about the many things we at Swift Presbyterian Church have to be thankful for.
We are thankful to have a God-loving, Christ-centered, caring, generous and helpful church family. Your worship elders are thankful for all those who help in any way in the passionate worship at Swift. What is worship? As Pastor Keith said in his “time with the children” and sermon on worship Oct. 22, it is all about gathering to praise God, to honor Him and to thank Him for our blessings — and to try to understand His Word and His desires for us.
At our church, we are thankful to have dedicated, compassionate and caring pastors such as Keith and Jody Beth. We are fortunate to have Lisa, an energetic and talented music director, and our various wonderful choirs that add so much to our 10:00 worship experience with their voices, bells and chimes. Pianist Jenni Cain is another Swift worship treasure.
We greatly appreciate all of our worship helpers. We won’t try to mention them all by name here for fear of leaving someone out. Of course, there are those who serve as ushers and greeters. Our Scripture readers and liturgists — and our acolytes, our fine young people who bring in the light at 10:00 and carry it out at the end of the worship service.
At 10:00, folks in the balcony serve as sound technicians and projectionists to enhance the worship experience. There are many worship-related touches you may not have thought much about. Somebody has to fold the bulletins and announcements, keep an eye on the candles and replace them as needed, schedule the flowers, collect pew registry sheets, make sure there are pencils, prayer-request cards, tissue boxes and other items in the pews, and stock the welcome bags for visitors worshiping with us. Those tasks are important, and we thank all of the special people who carry them out.
If you have ideas to share, please let Kim, Greg or other committee members know. The pastors appreciate comments on their sermons, whether they are shared personally or through the church website. In addition to the pastors and us, the worship planning team includes music director Lisa and Judy Walker. And if you would like to help in some way as a volunteer, please contact us.
We will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper on Nov. 5. All are invited to the table.
MUSIC NOTES Lisa Cardwell, music director
Rehearsals begin this Sunday, Nov. 5, for two groups:
• Beginner handbell choir: 11:15 a.m. in the sanctuary
• Joyful Tones (Chime) Choir: 12:15 p.m. in the music room
Rehearsals for these groups will be every Sunday in November and Dec. 3.
The handbell choir (that rehearses Wednesday evenings) will play in worship this Sunday, Nov. 5. They will accompany the congregation’s hymn singing, “All Creatures of Our God and King” and “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee.” They are also working on a variety of Christmas music for Dec. 10 and the Dec. 24 evening service. We will even have a handbell quartet on Christmas Eve.
The chancel choir is also working on anthems for the Dec. 10 variety show. Included will be a new arrangement of “O Come, Little Children.” They continue to work hard to lead music weekly during the 10:00 services. Thank you so much.
We are having a hymn sing on Nov. 19 at both services. Come a few minutes early to select your hymn from our hymnal and write the title and hymn number on the paper provided in the pews.
On Nov. 26, Christ the King Sunday, we will have a service of celebrating the church year. We will be singing hymns and songs from each season of the church year. The chancel choir will be singing a powerful anthem from this year’s Maundy Thursday service, “Awake, Alone at Gethsemane.”
And ... don’t forget about our Christmas variety show on Dec. 10 during our 10:00 service. We still need readers and any actors and actresses willing to act out a skit or a Christmas reading. Please let Keith or me know if you are interested.
For all who are involved in the Dec. 10 service, we will have a run-through rehearsal on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 9 a.m. We will need you there.
RADICAL HOSPITALITY
“TWO OR MORE” LUNCH
Will meet Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Gulf Bowl, Captain’s Choice Grill, Juniper Street, Foley, at 11:30 a.m.
Delicious food, reasonable prices and great conversation. Come and meet new friends.
Please RSVP if you know in advance you will be joining us — but if you don’t, we always have
room for more at the table. Contact Lee Mansell.
BUTTERFLY GIRLS • GUYS’ NIGHT OUT
Thursday, Nov. 16 • 6:30 p.m.
Both the girls and the guys will meet at Wahlburgers in the Park at Owa.
Contacts are Daryl and Susan Pichoff.
INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT
SWIFT CHURCH CONFIRMATION CLASS Inspiring, resilient faith
Students explore what it means to be Presbyterian and how to live out their confirmation promises.
The Swift Church confirmation class meets on Sunday mornings at 9. They are using a brand-new material — CoLabOrate. Each week they will look either at Presbyterian history and doctrine or an overview of the Old Testament. These classes will continue each Sunday into the spring. Pray for them and encourage them in their work.
YOUTH CHRISTIAN EDUCATION REPORT Tara Morrow, elder
Youth activities this month are:
● Confirmation class: every Sunday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. in the youth room ● Refuel: Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. (location to be announced) ● GɸG: Sunday, Nov. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the youth room
BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
FOR ADULTS AT SWIFT CHURCH
We are so 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, Andy Lay room, a chronological study of the New Testament, led by Cheryl Jensen and Anthony Kaiser.
•Sundays, 9 to 9:45 a.m., Coffee with Keith class, fellowship hall, studying spiritual disciplines using the book Flunking Sainthood, led by Pastor Keith Cardwell.
•Sundays, 5:30 to 6:45, Sunday night Bible study, Andy Lay room, studying Jeremiah, led by Pastor Jody Beth and Philip Melton, 251-213-6625.
•Thursdays, 10 to 11:30, Thursday morning Bible study, Andy Lay room, studying Jeremiah, led by Pastor Jody Beth and Philip Melton, 251-213-6625.
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., Sack Lunch and Fellowship, 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.
•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 Daryl and Susan Pichoff..
MISSION AND SERVICE
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
Swift Church Session met on Oct. 16.
● After a time of prayer concerns and celebrations, Pastor Keith led the group in prayer.
● We received the deacons report
● Also learned the Lord’s Supper was served at worship at Live Oak to 14 people on Oct. 1.
● Received the financial report.
● Approved committee reports.
● Heard final report on the nominating committee’s work.
● Approved use of the church for the Melton-Guidroz wedding in July with the Rev. Bert Tuggle and Pastor Jody Beth Melton presiding.
● Closed with prayer.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS Charlie Hastings, elder
I would like to thank everyone who came out to the fall work day last month. The entire north and east sides of the church were cleaned and pressure-washed along with the entranceway and sidewalks. New flowers were planted by the Swift Church sign on County Road 20 and the front entrance of the sanctuary building. There is always work to be done around the church, so if you feel you would like to help in any way, please contact Pastor Keith or Charlie Hastings. Our next workday will be in March. Help keep Swift Church beautiful.
OFFICER TRAINING
The training of newly elected church officers will be Nov. 8 through Dec. 6 (Thanksgiving week off). They have their materials and are already hard at work in preparation for the classes. Pray for them during this training period.
MISSION REPORT Cathy Rogers and Philip Melton, elders
The last special offering was in October for the Presbyterian Peace and Global Witness which amounted to a total of $141. The missions committee decided not to set a goal for this offering since there had been such an outpouring of giving to hurricane victims. Our congregation can keep 25% of this offering, which amounts to $35.25, and the missions committee will discuss how to use this amount.
The food pantry served 19 families at the last distribution, which is a bit down from August and September. Phil has worked up a plan for Thanksgiving baskets. You will see the list of Thanksgiving needs below.
With the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, the food pantry would like to prepare special bags of food to pass out on Wednesday, Nov. 22.
Let’s give thanks to God by providing a holiday meal to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Please consider giving these food items or donating an entire bag containing all items. Drop off your donations at the church by Sunday, Nov. 19.
3-pound canned ham, canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, bag or box of stuffing, instant potatoes, canned yams, canned fruit, desserts (for example, boxed cake mixes and/or pies).
On the third Sunday of the month, we continue to collect our “two cents a meal” offering, which is collected for Living Waters for the World. The amount collected in October was $294.55.
Our Doc McDuffie Road Mission has begun again on Fridays at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. This is an English as a Second Language class that targets mothers and preschool children using the New Testament and stories about Jesus. It is a very non-threatening and loving group-taught by South Baldwin Literacy Council’s ESL coordinator, Esther Tillmon. Please pray about attending this class on Fridays to represent Swift Presbyterian and show the love that we have for our Hispanic community.
Our next special offering will be for our Alabama Presbyterian Home for Children. That will begin at the end of November and continue through Christmas Eve. The mission committee will have a visual display to encourage giving.
CELEBRATING VETERANS DAY — SATURDAY, NOV. 11
We will place flags in the cemetery for the veterans who are buried there.
If you know of someone who needs to be added to our veteran registry, please contact the church office this week.
GRIEFSHARE Paula Brewer
If you or someone you know has lost a loved one to death and need to be with others who are dealing with the same issues as you are, please join us on Saturday mornings from 10 until noon in the Andy Lay room. You are not alone.
If you would like additional information, please call me or send me an email. God bless you. — Danny and Paula Brewer
P.S. — Is helping others on their grief journey something you feel that God is leading you to do? Danny and I would love to talk to you about what it means to be a part of the GriefShare ministry team.
WE APPRECIATE OUR NOVEMBER 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
Nov. 5 — Paula and Danny Brewer, Debbie and Norm Schmidt
Nov. 12 — Susie Alexander, Elinor Gartman, Sue Ann Lay, Lynda Walden
Nov. 19 — Lynn and Mike Barnwell, Willard Penfold, Eunice Ray
Nov. 26 — Jane King, Judy Walker, Kim and Tony Whitchard
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS
Nov. 5 — Ginny and Sarah Kleinschmidt
Nov. 12 — Tracy Akins and Lisa Turner
Nov. 19 — Tess Helton and Kathy Menk
Nov. 26 — Brett and Pate Cardwell
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
Nov. 5 — Cathy Rogers
Nov. 12 — Tess Helton
Nov. 19 — Judy Walker
Nov. 26 — Pastor Keith
ACOLYTES
Nov. 5 — Saylor Morrow and Diya Patterson
Nov. 12 –Gracie Helton and Saylor Morrow
Nov. 19 — Cadi Cardwell and McCoy Cooper
Nov. 26 — Zadie Grace and Zoeylynn Barnwell
EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY
STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
Betty Carneal mailed stewardship letters to the congregation on Oct. 20. Stewardship Commitment Sunday is Nov. 5. Each committee elder presented their program to the congregation during October in order to emphasize the need for tithing so that our church can develop a budget for the coming year. In order to carry on our many programs of worship, mission and Christian education, we need everyone to prayerfully commit to tithing. Please return your pledge card on that Sunday or mail to the church office.
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.
SWIFT CHURCH PRESCHOOL
There are openings in the 2- and 4-year-old classes.