SEPTEMBER
FIRST PRESS
Pontiac certainly has been experiencing tough times recently.
Like a line of falling dominos, economic downturn, foreclosures,
lowered city income, layoffs and reduced services have created
crisis after crisis for Pontiac and its residents. While all of
our members do not live in Pontiac, the health and well being
of the city affects the health and well being of our church. As
we hear of one problem after another, we may well feel powerless
to do much to create positive change.
But the fact is that we have the most powerful of all resources
available to us. God has granted us the privilege of prayer. In
fact, God has demanded that we use prayer to bless our surroundings.
When God dispersed the people of Israel during the exile He told
them, "Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which
I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because
if it prospers, you too will prosper." (Jeremiah 29:7)
Have you done that for Pontiac? I confess that I have not prayed
for its peace and prosperity nearly as often as I should have.
As I reflect on God's call, I can easily build a prayer list of
specific concerns that should be on my lips every day. They include:
Peace and cooperation among the elected officials and city staff
Safety and effectiveness for city police and fire fighters
A balanced budget that includes all necessary city services
An end to violence
Peaceful, productive schools that have all the resources needed
to educate our children
Stable families which provide a loving home base for children
and adults
Productive work with a living wage for all who need it
A spiritual climate where people can come to know and follow Jesus
Christ
My list is hardly complete. You can probably think of several
more items to add to it. But I wonder what will happen if all
of us begin to pray for the peace and prosperity of Pontiac every
day? I believe that God will change the city and change us in
the process. Wouldn't that be great?
What's stopping us from beginning today?
Yours in Christ,
Roy Langwig
Sunday Worship
Traditional 10:00 a.m.
Contemporary 11:30 a.m.
Communion at both
services, September 7
Adult Sunday Study
Beginning September 7
8:30 a.m.
Fall Sunday Schooll
Regular Classes begin September 14
10:00 a.m.
Sunday Movie Matinee
September 14
2:00 p.m.
Adult Wednesnday Study
Beginning September 17
10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
"HisWord, Her Hands"
Bible study for women, Wednesdays beginning September 17 at 7:00
p.m.
Presbyterian Women
Bible Study & Luncheon
September 19, 11:00 a.m.
Christian Education News
We managed to make it through another busy and exciting summer.
Our church school students did an amazing job learning their lines
and singing for us at the Pirate Party. I'd like to send out great
big thanks to Rosemarie Owen and Marsha Bartlett for all of the
work they did with the kids over the summer, to Steve Keith for
his musical accompaniment at the party and to Ted Owen for his
help in the kitchen.
We will return to our full schedule of classes on Sunday, September
14. As our children are progressing, we are in need of some help
in the church school. Carol Squicciarini could use someone to
help out with her elementary class and we still need someone to
assist with our nursery two Sundays a month. If you are willing
to help even one Sunday a month, please see me after church one
day or call me here at the office. You will find spending time
with our great bunch of children very rewarding.
Peace & Joy,
Julie Smith
Adult Christian Education
Adult Christian Education
One of the best ways to keep your relationship with the Lord fresh
and growing is to take some time each week to delve into His word
to you. This fall we have three excellent opportunities to keep
our Spiritual lives going and growing. You can call the church
office to register for any of the following:
· "You've Got Mail" a study of the letters of
James, Peter, and John led by JoAnn Van Tassel on Sunday mornings
at 8:30 a.m. beginning September 7
· "God Is Closer Than You Think" six video and
discussion sessions by John Ortberg on experiencing the presence
of God, led by Roy Langwig on Wednesdays, 10.30 a.m. and 7:00
p.m. beginning September 17.
· "His Word, Her Hands", a women's Bible study
and crafting group led by Julie Smith Wednesday evenings 7:00
p.m. beginning September 17. They will be using the book "He
Still Moves Stones" by Max Lucado. Location rotates among
members' homes. See Julie Smith for details.
Home Communion
If you are unable to come to church for communion, the pastors
will be glad to bring communion to your home. Call the pastors
or the church office to arrange for a convenient time.
Movies That Move Us
We believe that a good movie is even better when we have a chance
to discuss the truths it reveals. This fall we are planning a
series of movies that revolve around the theme of faith in action.
Our first event will be Sunday afternoon, September 14 beginning
at 2 p.m. We will watch "Amazing Grace" a historical
drama that shows an ordinary Christian accomplishing extraordinary
things because of his beliefs. After the movie we will have refreshments
and discussion. Mark your calendars now!
Seeing God's Love in Action
We have noticed God's love flowing in the following
ways recently:
Throughout the Summer our children have been receiving loving
nurture from our Sunday School staff, and the fruit of their labors
was on display as the children showed us what they learned during
the Veggie Tale Pirate Party on August 24.
Fixing a toilet, turning the lights off, and keeping the kitchen
clean are not very glamorous jobs, but they are tangible ways
of loving everyone who comes into our building. The Property Management
Committee and others are always at work to provide us a great
place to gather for worship, education, and fellowship.
Opportunities to Put God's Love into Action
Do you love children? See Julie Smith about the
ways you can use your gifts in the Christian Education program.
Do you have a heart for the community? Dan Cassidy would love
to have you join the invitation team as they go out on Saturday
mornings to invite people to worship with us.
Do you love to worship through music? Fall is a great time to
join Chancel Choir, or Heritage Ringers. Contact Carolyn Thibideau
for more information.
August Solos
7, Audley Bailey - Solo
14, "Now Let us All Praise God and Sing" G. Young
21,"God of Great and God of Small" N. Sleeth
28, His Eye is On the Sparrow" Arr: Schram
Bible Reading for September
If you are reading through the Bible in a year the
assignment for this month is easy to remember: Psalms 51-75, Isaiah,
and Acts.
September Contemporary Speakers
7 JanLangwig
14 Tom Duffield
21 Roy Langwig
28 Jan Langwig
Email
Our previous email address(1stprespont@sbcglobal.net) is no longer
valid. Please use the following addresses to contact church staff:
General Messages:
church@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Roy Langwig: rlangwig@gmail.com or
roy@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Jan Langwig: jan@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Julie Smith: julie@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Carolyn Thibideau:
carolyn@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Steve Keith: steve@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Our Vision
We are a regional congregation dedicated to developing followers
of Jesus Christ who experience the joy of God's love moving through
their lives every day.
