UPCOMING SERVICES

ALL SAINTS’ DAY

Nov. 1 of each year is All Saints’ Day. We recognize that day on the first Sunday of November. This year, Nov. 4, we will ring a bell for each saint who has died since last All Saints’ Day. Please turn in the names of people for us to recognize during Nov. 4 worship.
  

FREE PRAYER, FOLEY

Of course, prayer is free. But sometimes people need an invitation to pray, or someone offering to pray with and for them.

In September, Pastor Keith started hanging out at local gathering spots offering “free prayer.” Days, times and locations will vary. There will be notification on the “Free Prayer, Foley” Facebook page that will be shared on the church page and Pastor Keith’s personal page.

While anyone is welcome to come for prayer, this is intended for people who might be uncertain or uncomfortable asking for prayer. Sometimes, without a church or religious connection, people don’t know who to ask to pray for them.

Pastor Keith will be in public places with a sign offering “Free Prayer.” He will be there for an hour, more if there’s significant interest on any particular day. He will listen to people’s concerns, pray with them and make available, if they desire, basic information about Swift Church.

How can you be part of this ministry? You can share the weekly location and time. You can pray for Pastor Keith as he meets and prays with others. You can provide location possibilities to Pastor Keith.
  

WORSHIP REPORT
 Kim Whitchard and Greg McNair, elders 

Fall is here (and football!). As we swing back into a busier schedule, Greg and I want to thank everyone for your commitment to Swift Church and for volunteering your time and talents.

There have been some changes in the volunteer schedule, and we are in desperate need for acolytes and ushers. We are trying to get the rotation to the point that you would only have to be available once every five or six weeks (the more people willing to volunteer means that there is less frequency of needing to be available). If you have been thinking of how you can get more involved in church, this may be for you. Please prayerfully consider helping.

It seems that the congregation has been busy getting back into the routines of the fall — school, work and church — so it has been a quiet time at Swift. We want, though, to alert you to some events on the church calendar:

Oct. 7: We will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper by intinction at both services. This is World Communion Sunday.

Oct. 28: Reformation Sunday. Pastor Jody Beth will preach.

Reformation Day is a Protestant holiday that commemorates the Reformation movement started by Martin Luther in the 16th century. On Halloween of 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg Church. These 95 Theses expressed his concerns over corruption found in the Catholic church. One of his primary concerns was the church selling “indulgences” to people in order to release them from having to serve penitence for their sins. He considered this to be people trying to buy their way into heaven. This act opened up a debate with religious scholars of the time that eventually led to the Protestant Reformation. Reformation Day is an important day that allows Protestants to not only reflect on the history of their religion, but also one that is important in honoring the core belief system of Protestantism. (Just a little history lesson)

Nov. 4: All Saints’ Sunday. Once again we will toll a bell for each saint of the church who has died since Nov. 1, 2017. Please turn in names to the office so they can be included in the All Saints bell toll at each worship service.

We hope you had a great summer and are transitioning to fall with ease. Again, if you are feeling called to assist with any part of worship, please see Greg or myself. The tasks are very simple. Thank you to all who have already given your time and talents.
  

MUSIC NOTES
 Lisa Cardwell, music director 

The handbell choir is looking forward to playing at Live Oak during the Swift Church service on Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. We will lead the residents and friends in singing hymns and playing an anthem.

The chancel choir is rehearsing on Tuesday nights at 5:45 p.m. We welcome new members. We lead worship weekly with anthems and leading the congregation in singing hymns. We will sing a new anthem on Oct. 28 called “Be in Our Gathering.”

Coming up: On Nov. 4, our chime choir will play for the 8:00 service, and the handbell choir will play for the 10:00 service to celebrate Stewardship Sunday. Since this is also All Saints’ Day, we will be continuing our tradition of recognizing those saints who have died since the last All Saints’ Day. A bell will be rung after each saint’s name is read. Please turn in names of loved ones who have died since Nov. 1, 2017, so that we can honor them during this service.

Our Christmas celebration will be Sunday, Dec. 16, during the 10:00 service. Last year we had a great variety of musical offerings, from chime choir, handbell choirs (including a new beginner handbell choir), chancel choir, and several soloists. We need people who are willing to share their musical gifts to be a part of this service this year so that we can honor the birth of our Savior. Swift Church has been blessed by musical talent and we want to celebrate this talent by lifting up joyful praise and worship at this special time of the year. Please see Lisa if you are interested in participating.
  

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 thfairynfoley@gmail.com.
Dates available: all of October
  

‘TWO OR MORE’ FELLOWSHIP LUNCH
Thursday, Oct. 4 • 11:30 a.m.
Gulf Bowl, Captain’s Choice Grill — Juniper Street, Foley
Couples, singles, men, women, first-timers, old-timers — everyone is invited and welcome.
Delicious food, reasonable prices and great conversation. Come and meet new friends.
 

BUTTERFLY GIRLS • GUYS’ NIGHT OUT
Thursday, Oct. 18 • 6:30 p.m.
Trattoria at Owa, Foley

Join us as we go to this brand-new Italian restaurant in Owa. It can be reached by the second entrance in the “downtown” district or in the shuttle bus turn-around area. It has red awnings outside and red-and-white tablecloths inside. It is across from the Cinnabon location. In Italian, restaurante stands for a fancier place to dine, but Trattoria means a neighborhood, more-relaxed place to dine and to bring friends. They serve delicious pizzas and other Italian meals. Another Trattoria is in Spanish Fort.

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.
  

STEWARDSHIP TAILGATE PARTY
Sunday, Nov. 4, after 10:00 worship
 Betty Carneal, finance committee 

In October you will receive a pamphlet in the mail for our stewardship campaign.

Nov. 4 is Stewardship Sunday. Please wear your game shirt for your favorite team. After the 10:00 service, we will have a tailgate party in the fellowship hall. Check your recipes now for what sides you might like to bring along — cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans or a family favorite, and of course … desserts. We are suggesting that people with last names beginning with A–O bring a side, and P–Z bring a dessert. But as always, anything you are able to provide will be greatly appreciated. For questions on the fellowship event, contact Pastor Jody Beth, 251-213-6625.

Stewardship Sunday is also communion Sunday. When you finish taking communion and go back to your seat, there will be two baskets — one on each side of the sanctuary/chapel. Please drop your pledge card in the basket. We hope you will join us in celebration for the life of God’s church. Any questions, please call Betty at 251-979-1273.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION REPORT
 Teresa Thomas, elder, children • Tara Morrow, elder, youth 

■ SWAG (formerly Kids’ Club) will resume in October for children in grades K–4.

■ GɸG is our youth group for ages fifth grade through high school. We meet at the church and have a lesson, games and a small meal.

■ REFUEL is our Wednesday night youth group meeting. They will meet Oct. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. You are encouraged to invite your school friends, neighbors, etc.

■ If anyone would like to prepare a meal, please let Teresa Thomas or Tara Morrow know. 

■ The following are the dates for both SWAG and GɸG:

Oct. 28 — 4 to 6 p.m.
Nov. 25 — 4 to 6 p.m.
Jan. 20 — 4 to 6 p.m.
Feb. 17 — 4 to 6 p.m.
March 17 — 4 to 6 p.m.
April — to be determined
May — to be determined
  

SNACKS WITH SUSAN AND DARYL
 Susan and Daryl Pichoff, leaders 

The class is discussing Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Amy-Jill Levine. This is a six-week look at some familiar stories in a not-so-familiar way. This time we have a book that goes along with the video series ($10; if cost is an issue, we can work it out) and I’ll try to get those out as soon as they are received. If you were thinking about joining a class, this is a great place to start. If I can answer any questions, please let me know and I hope you’ll join us. Contact Susan at tabfanatic@gmail.com or 251-233-9486 (phone or text).
  

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
 Cheryl Jensen, teacher 

The class is studying the New Testament in Chronological Order with powerful insights and personal application. The study is by Ron Rhodes and the class is led by Cheryl Jensen. We will soon be studying the book of Acts. Each week there is a lot to learn. Come and be a part of “growing in Christ” as we study His word. We meet at 9:00 on Sunday mornings in the room 2 in the annex. Come and be a part of “Growing in Christ” as we study His Word.

There are changes in the air. It is with sadness I am announcing Anthony’s decision to retire from his teaching position. He will be missed but promises to visit occasionally. He deserves a huge hug for his 19 years of service to Swift Presbyterian Church. He was so instrumental in praying and teaching Rick the last few years of his life. For that I will forever be grateful … you will be missed, my friend. — Cheryl Jensen 
   

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES ON BOOK OF GENESIS
Sunday evenings, Thursday mornings

Sunday evening and Thursday morning Bible study groups will begin a Genesis weekly study, starting Oct. 4 and 7. “Invitation to Genesis,” a disciple Bible study, includes a DVD, a leader’s guide, and participant books. The study books are $15 and as always, scholarships are available. Please let facilitators Pastor Jody Beth and Philip Melton know if you will be able to be a part of this group; 251-213-6625 and 251-213-6505.

Times are: Sundays, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.; and Thursdays, 10 to 11:30 a.m. (11:15 on the first Thursday of each month so that participants may attend the “Two or More” fellowship lunch).
  

BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
FOR ADULTS AT A GLANCE

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

• Sundays, 9 to 9:45 a.m., Snacks with Susan and Daryl, fellowship hall, led by Daryl and Susan Pichoff; topic varies. The class usually watches a DVD and discusses informative topics.

• Sunday evening (5:30 to 6:15) and Thursday morning (10 to 11:30) Bible study groups meet weekly, starting Oct. 4 and 7. They are studying the book of Genesis. Contacts are 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 (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 Susan Pichoff.

PASTOR TO RIDE IN 30-MILE CHALLENGE

It’s that time of year again. Two years ago, Pastor Keith rode the 100-mile Children’s Home Challenge. Last year, the ride was canceled due to cold and rainy weather. This year’s ride is scheduled for Oct. 27. Pastor Keith is registered to ride the 30-mile ride this year. Swift Church supports Presbyterian Home for Children with our special offerings during December.

The Children’s Home Challenge is being held to raise funds to support the ministries provided to homeless children and families at the Presbyterian Home for Children. Alabama ranks worst in the nation for child homelessness. One hundred percent of your registration fee will be used to fund our programs for homeless children and families.
  

PASTOR KEITH’S VACATION

Pastor Keith returned from time off in September. He spent two days on vacation visiting his mother in Pell City. For three days, he attended a continuing education class at Columbia Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, near Atlanta.

He will take a full week of vacation Oct. 22–28. Part of that time will be working around the house, part final preparations for the Children’s Home Challenge, and part traveling to Talladega for the cycling event.
  

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

Swift Church session met on Monday, Sept. 17.

✔ The evening began with a time of sharing prayer concerns and celebrations, followed by prayer.

✔ The business agenda was light so the reports were quickly received and approved.

✔ About an hour was spent talking about the drop in attendance, especially since the beginning of summer. (We’ve dropped an average of 26 per week since June versus January–May.) We talked of what we know and what we think is going on. We shared comments expressed to us by others regarding Swift Church.

✔ This was the beginning conversation of a longer time of:

■ Identifying our strengths and bright spots.

■ Gaining clarity — Who are we? What do we do best? Where is God leading us?

■ Creating a plan — a road map for moving forward

■ Developing adaptive skills and strategies to address challenges facing Swift.

✔ The time was closed with prayer.
  

MISSION REPORT
 Cathy Rogers and Al Sprouse, elders 

Swift Church was notified by Presbyterian World Mission that John and Glenda Fletcher have ended their service as missionaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo as of June 30. World Mission is actively recruiting missionaries to take the Fletchers’ place in the Congo. They are grateful for our prayers, encouragement and gifts. Please be in prayer for the Fletchers during their transition and for replacements to be found.

Our September mission for the Santa Foundation was a huge success. As you are reading this newsletter, our congregation has offered $1,115 which exceeds our goal of $1,000. Santa Foundation is a local organization that provides Christmas gifts, school uniforms and even beds for the children in our community whose families are living at the poverty level. School personnel identify these families. Many thanks to all who donated toward this worthy mission that will bring Christmas joy to hundreds of local children.

Our special mission for October will be to stock up our food pantry, which serves 20 to 25 families at each distribution. Mary Ard is our new food pantry coordinator and Tina Sprouse is the assistant coordinator. We have some new volunteers who have come forward to pick up groceries at Catholic Social Services and grocery shoppers including Tresa Melton, Vina Tanner, Marci Larsen and Georgette Haupt. There are several volunteers who work at the distributions, but we can always use more. It takes many hands to make the food pantry function. We do appreciate our youth who shopped for the food pantry in September. There will soon be a schedule go out to volunteers very soon. Thanks to all who make the food pantry a mission so needed in our community.

There will be inserts in your service bulletins during October so that you know what items are needed for the food pantry. There will also be certain items for which to shop depending on the first letter of your last name. This way we can have an even distribution of items. We ask that you deliver your items to the front of the chapel and sanctuary so that we can watch our giving grow. You can bring groceries any Sunday in October.

We continue to collect “two cents a meal” on the third Sunday of the month for Living Waters for the World.

The November mission will be preparing Thanksgiving food baskets, and in December we will support the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega with donations.

Thank you very much for your loving generosity and your prayers.
  

Swift Presbyterian Church
October food pantry shopping list

WE APPRECIATE OUR OCTOBER 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
Oct. 7 — Jane King, Judy Walker, Kim Whitchard
Oct. 14 — Danny and Paula Brewer, Lee Mansell, Greg McNair
Oct. 21 — Norm and Debbie Schmidt, Janelle Armbruster, Kim Whitchard
Oct. 28 — Susie Alexander, Elinor Gartman, Sue Ann Lay, Lynda Walden

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
Oct. 7 — Cathy Rogers
Oct. 14 —
Oct. 21 — Judy Walker
Oct. 28 — Pastor Keith

CHILDREN’S CHURCH
Oct. 7 — None; communion will be served
Oct. 14 — Megan Curry and Debbie Schmidt
Oct. 21 — Lezli and Kenny Thomason
Oct. 28 — Tracy Akins and Olivia Akins

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS
Oct. 7 — Jane King and Carlie Sims
Oct. 14 — Bridgit Gosa
Oct. 21 — Ginny Kleinschmidt and Tara Morrow
Oct. 28 — Tracy Akins and Lisa Turner

FELLOWSHIP DEACONS
Oct. 7 — Brett Cardwell
Oct. 14 — Marlene Hastings
Oct. 21 — Tosha Thomas
Oct. 28 — Brett Cardwell

ACOLYTES
Oct. 7 — Jon Devery and Lainey Thomas
Oct. 14 — Diya Patterson and Saylor Morrow
Oct. 21 — Sully Curry, Tristan Walker
Oct. 28 — Jon Devery and Lainey Thomas
  

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.