FPC MINISTRY UPDATES
WORSHIP
NEXT SUNDAY’S WORSHIP SERVICES
On December 11th, The Third Sunday of Advent, we will have one COMBINED worship service at 11am in King Hall. The Sacrament of Communion will be celebrated. may we use this week to prepare our hearts and minds to receive this gift of God rightly. The Elders will distribute the elements as we remain in our seats.
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated this Sunday, December 4th in the worship service, as we welcome Dr. and Mrs. Hunter and Hunter Edwards, as they present their daughter Jane Campbell Edwards to be marked with this sign of the covenant.
LESSONS AND CAROLS SERVICE
Please join us for our Service of Lessons and Carols Thursday, December 8th at 7PM in the Sanctuary. Scripture readings will be paired with choral anthems and congregational carols tracing the miracle of the incarnation. This service will feature the Chancel Choir, soloists, organ, piano, and brass quintet and a special message from Pastor Jonathan Schwartz. Please come, and invite members of the community as well.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN EARLY GIFT
Please prayerfully consider an early gift to the capital campaign as a way to help fund the early phases of the project. You may want to check with your tax professional about the benefits of year-end giving as we approach the end of 2022. If you would like to make a 2022 gift towards the capital campaign, please note "Capital Campaign" on the memo line of your check.
FPC WOMEN'S MINISTRY
"BIRTH OF A MIRACLE" - FPC Women's Christmas Dinner, December 7th at 6PM in King Hall.
We will have a special Christmas message by Joni Pittman and our special guest will be Haven Health Clinic.**A special offering will b taken for Haven Health that night. Cost for the dinner is $15. Reservation for Dinner and Nursery are due by Monday December 5th. Come and bring a friend. Looking forward to seeing you there! Register at www.fpcrome.org/women.
PIPS CHRISTMAS DINNER
The PIPS will have their annual Christmas dinner on Tuesday, December 13th at 5:30PM in King Hall. A delicious traditional Christmas dinner will be served. Dr. Timothy Renner will play some Christmas music and we'll join in and sing a few traditional carols. The cost is $15. You may sign up by calling the church office.
FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11TH
The Congregational Life team would like to invite all adults and children to a light breakfast in Fellowship Hall at 9:30AM before our Sunday studies. Come enjoy some food and time with your church family. If you have any questions please contact Pastor Ken.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS - COST $10
You may purchase a poinsettia online here or use the red cards placed around the church campus. On December 18, the bulletin will list who the poinsettia is in memory or honor of and name the person(s) giving the poinsettia. Purchased poinsettia may be picked up after each Christmas Eve service or the following Sunday, December 25th.
CHRISTMAS FOOD BOXES
Christmas Food Box weekend is fast approaching! This wonderful ministry to our community could not happen with the hands and feet of our congregation. We need your help unloading and passing out boxes. Give $35 for each Christmas box that you and your family donate to a needy family to brighten their Christmas! Mark your calendars!
Unload and Unwrap Food - Saturday December 17th from 8am-12pm (Breakfast provided)
Pack Boxes- Sunday December 18th @ 6pm (Pizza dinner provided)
Pass out Boxes - Monday December 19th from 6am-10pm
ADVENT SEASON VENUE AND WORSHIP TIMES
| DECEMBER 11th | 3rd Sunday of Advent | 11am in King Hall |
| DECEMBER 18TH | 4th Sunday of Advent | 11am in the Sanctuary, over flow in the Crossing |
| DECEMBER 24TH | Christmas Eve Candlelight Service | 4:30pm in King Hall, 6pm in the Sanctuary |
| DECEMBER 25TH | Christmas Day Service | 11am in King Hall |
| JANUARY 1ST | New Year Day Service | 11am in King Hall |
STUDENT MINISTRY UPDATES
Christmas Parties 12/04: Our Student Ministry Christmas Parties will be Sunday 12/04!
- JRHI party: 5-6pm; games and a gift swap (bring a gift under $10)
- Dinner: 6-6:30pm; JR & SRHI together
- SRHI party: 6:30-8pm; traditional sock swap (bring a wrapped pair of new socks)
Bonus Sunday Lunch 12/11: Casey and Greg Garrett have graciously offered to open up Duffy's Deli just for us from 12:30-1:30PM. Students will be responsible for purchasing their meal.
Joni and Friends Christmas Deliveries 12/12: We will be delivering Christmas gifts and visiting with members of our church and community impacted by disability. The more carolers the better and all ages are welcomed! Please text or email Jordan Orr if you are interested 770.546.9703 or . We will meet at the Crossing at 5pm and should return by 8:30pm.
2nd Annual College Christmas Dinner 12/20: We will again be hosting a potluck dinner for our current college students on Tuesday 12/20 from 6-8pm in the Crossing! College students, please join us for a time of fellowship and yummy homemade food. If you would like to provide food for this meal, please visit the Student Ministry Page to let us know what you will bring!
PRAYERFULLY REFLECTING UPON OUR CALL TO GIVE
Thanks be to God for all of those who have submitted their 2023 General Fund Commitment Cards. It is likely that several families were out of town over the past couple of weeks. If you have not submitted your Commitment Card, or if you have misplaced it, there are extras in both the Sanctuary and in King Hall, or you may use the QR code to access our online Commitment Card.
Our Stewardship and Finance Ministry Team uses the information we receive from Commitment Cards in developing our church budget for the coming year. Our budget planning process for 2023 has begun and will continue through the end of this year. Every gift is important as we make plans for ministry at First Presbyterian Church.
CONNECT WITH US
If you are visiting with us today, we would love to have the opportunity to answer any questions you may have about our church. Please visit our Connections table after worship to talk with a volunteer and to receive a gift cross. Or you may visit our church website, click on the link at the top for the Connect Form, and a member of our Connections team will contact you. We look forward to connecting with you.
PART TIME MINISTRY POSITION OPENING
The Children’s Ministry is searching for a Children’s Ministry Coordinator. It is a 24 hour per week position. If you feel called to serve in our church’s ministry to children and families, then contact Pastor Ken ( ) or our Director of Children’s Ministry, Andrea Sartorato ( ).
OUR SUNDAY STUDIES—FOR ALL AGES
Our Sunday School hour is 10:10 am – 10:45 am. For more details on each ministry, click the bolded headers.
ADULT SUNDAY STUDIES -
ENCOUNTER-- “Faith Victorious: A study of Hebrews 11”: Join us for an Encounter with Faith. What does faith look like in the practical everyday sense? How can I strengthen my faith?
ENCOUNTER – “Encounter God’s Word”: A community for college students at FPC to listen and learn about God’s Word.
EMBRACE--“That’s My King!”: This yearlong study of the Gospel of Matthew will walk us through the authority of the Messiah.
EQUIP--“How We Got the Bible“: Hey Christian, where did the Bible come from? Is it real? Would you tell me more about it?” Be equipped with solid answers to fortify your heart, soul and mind while being equipped to teach others.
CHILDREN: Our children will continue their studies in the “Show Me Jesus” curriculum in Education Bldg. 1st floor
2 years to 4th Grade in Education Bldg. 2nd floor
Girls 5th & 6th grade in King Hall Bldg. Room 210
Boys 5th & 6th grade in King Hall Bldg. Room 209
NURSERY: 8 weeks to 1 year in the Education Bldg. 1st floor
STUDENTS: Our students will be journeying through the OT Prophetic books from September through January 2023.
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS @ FPC - RESUMES JANUARY 2023
Our Wednesday night meal is from 5:15-6pm followed by our program 6:15-7:15pm. We will resume Wednesday Night Gatherings in January 2023. Reservations for the meal are required and due no later than 3pm on Monday. You may make reservations by email to , call the church office at 706-291-6033, or at the link below. Cost: Adults $10.00 – Students and Children $5.00 (Family Max $30.00)
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES ~ SERVE PROFILE
The Bible teaches us that all Christians were “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). Our church has created a Serve Profile that helps you discover how God has gifted you for His service and shows you potential areas of service in the church and community. This Serve Profile does not automatically sign you up to serve anywhere! It opens the door for a ministry leader to contact you and discuss ways you may feel called to serve FPC and our surrounding community when opportunities are presented. You may visit fpcrome.org/serve and click on the SERVE PROFILE button. It is accessible from all mobile devices takes about 7 minutes to complete. If you prefer a paper copy, contact the church office at 706-291-6033.
SERVING AND CARING FOR OTHERS
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you would like to be kept informed of the church’s prayer needs, email LeAnn McDaniel at
to receive updated prayer requests. If you would like to submit a Prayer Request for you or someone you know that is in need, you may do so on our website at http://www.fpcrome.org/prayer
Do you know someone who is a non-believer? The Evangelism Ministry Team would love to pray for them. You may email your specific requests to Pastor Jonathan Schwartz at
.