The chancel choir has been faithful in providing anthems during most of the summer. They will provide leadership on Sept. 4, and then, because we will have different music leadership during the rest of September, they will have a break. However, we will begin rehearsals on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 5:45 p.m. to begin working on October anthems, and looking ahead to Christmas program anthems. We welcome new singers to help our team continue providing musical leadership during our 10:00 services.
Our intergenerational tone-chime choir has begun rehearsals. We will be leading worship on Sept. 25. Look for some new chimers in our group. We will also be having a hymn sing that day.
The Swift handbell choir began rehearsals on Aug. 17. Nine handbell ringers will be attending a “Back to Bells ’16” workshop on Sept. 10 at Christ Episcopal Church, Pensacola. We are preparing for leading worship during the Presbyterian Women’s Fall Gathering at Swift on Oct. 1. We will also be playing for Swift’s 10:00 worship service on World Communion Sunday, Oct. 2.
Lisa is also looking at starting a children’s handbell group. This will be for kindergarten through second grade. They will be using KidsPlay handbells, which are color-coded and easy for small hands to play. No music reading necessary. They do need to know their colors. I will be contacting parents and grandparents soon.
Plans are being made for the Swift Music Department’s Christmas program. This year we will be doing our own program on Sunday, Dec 18, at 3 p.m. in our sanctuary. We will be providing a variety show: chancel choir, handbell choir, Joyful Tones (tone-chime choir), ladies ensemble, and congregation participation in singing Christmas carols. Other suggestions for groups or solos are welcomed. With our beautiful Christmas scene murals in our sanctuary we will have a beautiful visual and auditory presentation to enjoy. Please mark your calendars and invite your family and friends.
Montreat/Youth Worship Service
Sept. 11
Our youth will lead worship at 10:00 on Sept. 11, and the focus will be on what the youth experienced during our Montreat Conference this summer. We want to thank all who support this conference for our youth. Hopefully you will be able to attend worship that day and hear the testimonies of Jessica Gosa, Sarah Kleinschmidt, Logan Curry, William Vanbrimmer and Shane Zook, who attended this conference. Please come — hear from their experiences, rejoice in their path — and commit to what we as a congregation promised to uphold in their baptism, to help and fulfill their walk with Christ, our Lord.
We want to thank Rev. Lauren Peters for her time with us. We have grown in our youth ministry under her guidance. And hopefully we will continue to grow with the program she helped set in place. On a lighter note: She is cool and the youth will really, really miss her. So will the youth ministry team. We wish her blessings in all the Lord is calling her to do. We love you, Lauren. Come visit us whenever you can.
Fall — a new season, a new beginning. So looking forward to the blessings we may receive.
Worship Committee Report
Worship Elder Kim Whitchard
I cannot believe summer is gone. The kids are back in school and we sent them off with the blessing of the backpacks. I hope that the backpack tags (thank you, Jody Beth) will support, encourage, and remind them that God is with them everywhere they go and in any circumstance.
The worship committee has partnered with building and grounds to help with the renovations on the fellowship hall and chapel which are moving along. The 8:00 service was able to worship in the chapel on Aug. 21 — as Pastor Keith had promised. It was a race to the end but we made it, thanks to Kevin Barnwell, Devery Thomas, Ken Kleinschmidt and Charlie McVea!
We are moving forward on completing renovations. The painter began on Wednesday, Aug. 31. He has agreed to repair sheetrock, spray ceilings, paint all walls and trim, and the chapel interior for $3,900. I know it may initially sound like a lot of money but, considering the scope of his work and the time and detail, I believe it is a very good and fair estimate. Having said that, we still do not have the money to pay for all of these necessary repairs.
PLEASE NOTE: These are not “frivolous” decorating indulgences. All of these repairs are necessary to allow us to enjoy our chapel and fellowship hall again and commune as a community of God’s people. I have seen our Swift congregation in action, and we are such a giving, compassionate people when it comes to giving to “others/outside” organizations. “Well done, my true and faithful servant” — by giving over $1,500 to the Santa Foundation. (Thank you, Cathy Rogers and Phil Melton, for your mission.) It is time to provide for our family — our home.
John Kennedy’s inaugural speech ended with “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” We should all be asking that of ourselves and our service to Swift Church. We are here to serve, not to be served.
A few months ago we all celebrated “I Love My Church” — if that is so, then please open your hearts and prayerfully consider donating to the repairs that will bring our “Little Church in the Pines” back to life. Please mark your check, tithing envelope or online donation as “Building and Grounds.” May God bless you for your generosity. I have prayerfully committed to donating $500 to the repairs. Who is with me?
Pastor Keith’s Vacation
Pastor Keith and Lisa will be on vacation Sept. 13–19. They will be in Michigan visiting family. Please contact your deacon, an elder or Pastor Jody Beth with pastoral care concerns.
RADICAL HOSPITALITY
Swift Presbyterian Church’s ‘Two or More’ Lunch Group
Lunch for “Two or More” will be Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, 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
Come join us at the next Butterfly Girls or Guys’ Night Out dinner.
Mark your calendar for Thursday, Sept. 15, at 6:30 p.m. We will dine together at Kravers Seafood Restaurant, 25965 Highway 181, Daphne.
Kravers is a new destination for us. Their seafood is fresh caught and comes highly recommended by a few folks in the group. If you have not joined us before, why not try it this time? Don’t want to drive? Let us know and we’ll figure out a carpool plan. Contact Susan or Daryl Pichoff at 251-233-9486.
Check out the website at: http://www.kraversrestaurant.com.
Presbyterian Women Reflections — and Direction — and Fall Gathering
Pastor Jody Beth
Many women were active in the Swift Presbyterian Women’s group when I first moved to Alabama. Women were gathering regularly for PW circle meetings in which they carried out the responsibilities of several leadership roles. The women met for Bible studies, supported one another and larger missions, collected a “birthday offering,” had a solace committee, and, among so many other things, they did a much appreciated deep cleaning of the kitchen and sprucing up of the fellowship hall annually.
Thank you to all of you who were “Presbyterian Women” at Swift! Times changed, the role of women in society changed, and a few years after I came to Swift, as the number of women who were still able to meet regularly voted to dissolve the Swift PW Group.
But PW did not dissolve! That is, PW as the larger group of Presbyterians who are women, has continued to exist. Circles meet, Bible studies take place, and local, regional and national gatherings still meet.
As Judy Persons, our moderator of PW of South Alabama, is fond of saying, “If you are a Presbyterian, and you are a woman, you are part of Presbyterian Women!”
‘Connected Through God’s Creation’
Presbyterian Women of South Alabama Fall Gathering
Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Swift Presbyterian Church
Registration 9:30 to 10 a.m.; Gathering 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Come and join our Sisters in Christ for a day of learning, sharing, and fellowship. A few highlights of the day are:
● Pastor Kim Vanbrimmer, interim pastor at Orange Beach Presbyterian Church, will be the keynote speaker.
● The Swift handbell choir will be playing during worship.
● Pastors Kim and Jody Beth will preside over Communion.
WOMEN
Pre-registration is recommended.
Registration forms are available in the back of the sanctuary or you can print out the information below and mail it in.
Name__________________________________________________
Phone Number___________________________________________
Home Church____________________________________________
• Registrations received before Sept. 21 — $10 [Mail to:] Mary Jenkins
• Registrations received after Sept. 21 — $15 1203 Mixon Ave.
• Includes lunch Bay Minette, AL 36507
Women from Swift will be serving as hosts.
You can be a greeter, make beverages (the PW Coordinating Team is providing lunch, including dessert), help set up on Friday afternoon/evening, or be available as needed throughout the Gathering.
Women, please contact Pastor Jody Beth for details; 251-213-6625.
MEN OF SWIFT
Men, will you consider helping out so the ladies can fully participate in the event?
We need men to set up Friday afternoon/evening, and to serve and clean up on Saturday.
We will be serving coffee and juice for registration, setting tables, paper goods, and beverages for lunch, and cleaning up.
Jim Runtz has offered to coordinate, so please contact him if you are able to help.
MISSION AND SERVICE
Building and Grounds
Kevin Barnwell
The fellowship hall repair is still ongoing. We have started laying the new floor and we have a new layout for the kitchen area. We also had the air conditioning repaired in the chapel. The new air-conditioning unit was installed in the sanctuary on Aug. 30. We still have a lot of work left to complete the project (painting, carpentry work, etc.) If you would like to help out, please call Kevin Barnwell, 979-7001, or Kim Whitchard, 979-5538.
Mission Report
Mission elders Cathy Rogers and Philip Melton
The focus of missions for the month of August has been the Santa Foundation. This is a local non-profit organization that not only provides toys for needy children at Christmas but also provides for other needs for children such as school uniforms and shoes. Our congregation has been very generous in their giving to this mission and has raised more than $1,500 toward this worthy mission. Your gifts are much appreciated and will light up the lives of many children in our community.
The Peace and Global Witness offering will be collected on Oct. 2. A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice across the world. Individual congregations are encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this offering to connect with the global witness of Christ’s peace. Mid-councils retain an additional 25% for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness.
Pastor Keith will be riding in the Presbyterian Children’s Home of Alabama’s Challenge on Oct. 15. He will be riding 100 miles and has begun his training. The Children’s Home Challenge is being held to raise funds to support the ministries provided to homeless children & families at the Presbyterian Home for Children. (See more below under “Extravagant Generosity.”) The missions committee would also like to put a team of Swift volunteers together to assist with this event. Jim Runtz is working on this, so let Jim know if you are interested in going to PCH to work at the event. In addition to this event, the home is need of gently used clothes and shoes for children of all ages and their mothers. They will be taken to PCH in October.
The mission focus for December will be the Presbyterian Children’s Home. This offering will be taken on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, 11, 18 and 24.
September 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
ELDER OF THE MONTH — Lee Mansell
PROJECTIONIST — 10:00 service — Bridgit Gosa
SOUND TECHNICIAN — 10:00 service — Marvin King
GREETER/USHER TEAMS
Sept. 4 — Jessica Gosa, Lee Mansell and Kim Whitchard
Sept. 11 — Norm and Debbie Schmidt; Danny and Paula Brewer
Sept. 18 — Lynda Walden, Sue Ann Lay and Susie Alexander
Sept. 25 — Donna Donald, Willard Penfold, Lynn and Mike Barnwell
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS
Sept. 4 — Megan Curry and Cassie Woodall
Sept. 11 — Pate and Brett Cardwell
Sept. 18 — Donna Donald and Kathy Menk
Sept. 25 — Jane King and Carlie Sims
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
Sept. 4 — Teresa Thomas
Sept. 11 — Cathy Rogers
Sept. 18 — Jane King
Sept. 25 — We are still looking for one more person; please prayerfully consider if God is calling you to this ministry.
Contact Kim Whitchard, 979-5538.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH
Sept. 18 — Jenni Aspray and Tracy Akins; Sept. 25 — Megan Curry and Debbie Schmidt
FELLOWSHIP DEACONS
Sept. 4 — Tosha Thomas; Sept. 11 — Beth Brewer;
Sept. 18 — Brett Cardwell; Sept. 25 — Tosha Thomas
INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Christian Education Youth Ministry (grades 6–12)
Ginny Kleinschmidt
We are beginning our new year. Sunday School begins Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. in the youth room. Come and bring a friend! We are hanging our canvas pictures and will be working on more to decorate the walls.
Refuel, our Wednesday night program, 6 to 8 p.m., will begin Sept. 14 at the home of Kathy and Moe Menk. This is your time to bring topics you wish to talk about with leaders and other youth. Games and dinner. Please bring friends.
GΦG is set for Sept. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. We will have fellowship time, games, dinner and a Bible study. This will be held in the youth room at church. Again, come and bring friends.
Coffee with Keith
The conversational class, “Coffee with Keith,” returns this fall on Sept. 25. Led by Pastor Keith, the class will feature a Christian leader opening the discussion via DVD. Then the class will comment on and discuss the topic.
● Sept. 25 Canon: Mining for the Word
● Oct. 2 History: Parchment to Pixel
● Oct. 9 Testaments: One Story, Two Parts
● Oct. 16 Gospels: Unexpected Good News
● Oct. 23 Genre: Rhythm of the Text
● Oct. 30 Interpretation: Scripture Reads Us
● Nov. 6 Grace: Love Is the Bottom Line
‘Daniel: Determining To Go God’s Direction’
Attend either Sunday evenings or Thursday mornings
A weekly Bible study on the book of Daniel will be offered beginning in September. You can attend either Sunday evenings, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 11, or Thursday mornings, 10 to 11:30 (11:15 on “Two or More” luncheon days), beginning Sept. 8.
“Today’s society is a good deal like the one Daniel lived in centuries ago. The world still wants God’s people to conform to its standards and follow its practices. ‘Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold’ is the way J.B. Phillips translates Romans 12:2, and Daniel and his friends obeyed that admonition.
“As we study the book of Daniel, we’ll meet Daniel’s God, the Sovereign Lord who rules in the kingdom of men and who confidently announces things to come. In Daniel’s life and ministry we see how true believers live in the light of biblical prophecy — how they relate to the Sovereign Lord and accomplish His good, acceptable, and perfect will.” — From the study book author, Warren W. Wiersbe
The study will be facilitated by Pastor Jody Beth and Philip Melton. We will be using study materials by Warren W. Wiersbe that can be ordered on Amazon directly, or you can contact Sue Ann Lay through the church office (943-8367) and she will place a group order.
‘Love To Stay’
Tuesdays — Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 — 6 p.m.
Please join us for our study of Adam Hamilton’s “Love To Stay” DVD/book. Drawing upon a survey of thousands of couples and singles, interviews with relationship and marriage therapists, the latest research in the field, and wisdom from the Bible, “Love To Stay” looks at what it takes to create and sustain healthy, meaningful romantic relationships across the course of a lifetime. The class is limited to 10 couples.
The “Love To Stay” class will meet at:
Swift Church Annex Building
23208 Swift Church Road
Foley, AL
251-943-8367
Please fill out the registration below and send to us before the Sept. 12 deadline. Or register online at www.swiftchurch.org
We hope to see you there!
Also, use one of these links to order your copy of “Love To Stay.”
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Stay-Sex-Grace-Commitment/dp/1426759517
https://www.cokesbury.com/forms/DynamicContent.aspx?id=276&pageid=1054
——— Registration for ‘Love To Stay’ ———
Names: ______________________________________________________________________
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Address(es) ___________________________________________________________________
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email(s): ______________________________________________________________________
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Phone number(s) _______________________________________________________________
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EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY
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, 
