FPC MINISTRY UPDATES
WORSHIP
NEXT SUNDAY'S WORSHIP SERVICES
On August 7, we will have two separate worship services: 9am in the Sanctuary and 11am in King Hall.
August Worship
August 14th 10 am Sanctuary 11 am PICNIC!!
August 21st 9 am Sanctuary 11 am King Hall
August 28th 9 am Sanctuary 11 am King Hall
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
The Session has called a meeting of the congregation Sunday, August 14 to elect this year’s Officer Nominating Committee. The meeting will be held immediately following our 10am combined worship service in the Sanctuary, which will then be followed by our church picnic. The committee consists of seven members, with a slate of members being presented by Session for election by the congregation. By policy, the Officer Nominating Committee includes two active Ruling Elders appointed by Session (including the ONC chairman), two active Deacons appointed by Diaconate leadership, and three members of the congregation. Congregation members are free to place other names in nomination in one of these three categories as well, as long as the person is willing to serve.
FPC'S ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC - AUGUST 14
Join us immediately following our combined 10am Worship and the Congregational Meeting on August 14 in the Sanctuary. We will have a block party style picnic with water activities for children (of all ages), along with food and fun for everybody. Make sure to bring your child’s swimsuit and towel for all the water activities. Indoor seating will also be available.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
SUMMER STUDY FOR ADULTS CONTINUES THROUGH AUGUST 7 IN KING HALL
The Gospel Promised: A Relentless Journey to the Heart of God - Adults of all ages are welcome to this journey through the Old Testament. During the summer, all FPC Adult Sunday studies are combined. Contact Rob Davis
for more information or questions.
CHILDREN'S SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL CONTINUES
During the summer Children's Sunday School classes are combined in the Education Building as follows:
- 1st through 5th Grades in Room 201 and God's Garden- Bounce Back: With God's Love, You Can Find RESILIENCE. Then you can choose to get back up when something gets you down.
- 2 and 3 Years in Room 207 - God's People
- 4 and 5 Years in Room 206 - God Keeps His Promises
Note - Children's and Student Ministries will promote students to their new classes beginning September 11.
FALL SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES
September 11 is the Sunday that all Sunday School programs will begin their Fall Bible studies. We will have a short break between ending the Summer and beginning the Fall. No Sunday School for any age August 14 through September 4. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a lot going on for our FPC family!
LAUNCHING OUR MINISTRY FOCUS
On Sunday, August 21st, during the Sunday School hour (10:10 am – 10:45 am), all adults will gather in King Hall. This “Corporate Launch” will provide us with information and guidance on how all FPC ministries will incorporate our FPC ministry focus into their respective ministries. One of our Ministry Team Chairmen will lead this special time. We will also receive an FPC Ministry Guidebook containing key information about our ministries.... be sure to get your copy!
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
WE NEED TEACHERS TO TEACH GOD’S CHILDREN THIS FALL
Psalm 78:4 “We will not hide them from their children, but tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”
Come join us in pursuing CM Vision for the Discipleship of the next generation; God centered, Gospel focused teaching. Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Please contact Mrs. Andrea if you feel led by the Lord to teach in Children’s Ministry this Fall.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY ANNUAL SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS MEETING will be held on August 28 immediately following the 11am worship service.
STUDENT MINISTRIES
PRAY FOR ME LAUNCH
Student Ministries will be relaunching the Pray For Me Campaign Sunday, August 28 from 10-10:45am in the Crossing. Students 7th-12th grade, please register to be prayed for and plan to attend the launch to meet your prayer champion! Adults of all ages, please register to be a prayer champion and plan to attend the launch to meet the student you will be praying over throughout the year! Registration and more information can be found at www.fpcrome.org/students/
WOMEN'S MINISTRY
WOMEN’S FALL BIBLE STUDY
Join us for a study of the book of Galatians beginning September 6, Tuesday morning at 10am, Tuesday evening at 7pm or after supper on Wednesday nights (September 7). We are privileged to have Joni Pittman and Amanda Davidson lead this women's only study about the letter written by the Apostle Paul to the churches in Galatia as a bold exhortation and reminder that believers are justified through faith and not by works of the law. This letter calls on the churches to stand firm in the truth, with both courage in love and dependence on the Holy Spirit, seeking God’s approval rather than that of man. This 11-week study will celebrate the remarkable grace offered through Jesus Christ and the life changing gospel that transforms all those who believe. Please call the church office before August 19 to sign up.
Nursery will be provided through 4 years old for Tuesday morning and Wednesday night only.
WOMEN’S LUNCHEON
Ladies, join us on Sunday, August 21 after the 11am worship service in Fellowship Hall for lunch, fellowship and information about the coming year for Women’s Ministry. Nursery will not be provided. Please sign up by August 12 at www.fpcrome.org/womensministry.
PIPS (PRESBYTERIANS IN OUR PRIME
PIPS DINNER AND CONCERT
Please join the Pips for Dinner and a Concert on Saturday, August 20. We’ll meet at Provino’s at 5pm for dinner (a room is reserved) and then go to the City Auditorium for a concert. The concert is the “Clock Tower Jazz Ensemble” presents “Indra Thomas sings Jazz.” Tickets can be purchased at Kroger or at the door for $20. Please contact the church office if you plan to join us at Provino’s.
PIPS THURSDAY LUNCH
On August 25, our PIPS lunch will feature our new choir director, Dr. Tim Renner. We’re excited to hear Tim’s story and his vision for our FPC Choir. Our program begins at 11am in Fellowship Hall followed by a delicious lunch catered by Duffy’s Deli for just $5. Besides our great programs and lunches, we have a great time of Christian Fellowship. Please sign up with the church office and invite a friend.
MISSIONARY DINNER
Our Missions Ministry Team, the Men and Women’s Councils, and Mary Ann and King Askew will be hosting a time with Robert and Rima Burch, missionaries to Haifa, Israel. The Burch’s will be speaking at the complimentary dinner at the church on Tuesday, August 16 at 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall. Please contact the church office to attend.
Message from King and Mary Ann Askew: Robert and Rima Burch are missionaries in Haifa, Israel which is one and a half hours from Jerusalem. God put on my heart to support a missionary from Israel. One of our church’s missionaries with Operation Mobilization found Robert and Rima and put me in touch with them. Their home church is Cedar Springs in Knoxville TN (EPC). Sounds like a God thing to me! King and I have had the wonderful opportunity of contributing to their ministry and being updated by their monthly newsletter. Our Missions Ministry Team, the Men and Women’s Councils and others are looking forward to hearing from this couple speak at our church on Tuesday, August 16 at 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall. The Burch’s are driving from Knoxville, TN. We are praying God will touch hearts to come and listen about their ministry. Robert and Rima are here this summer looking for prayer support for the work they do in Israel: regular intentional evangelism, following up seekers, and house Church network among both Jews and Arabs. There are dozens of scriptures where God says that we should pray for the peace of Israel. In Romans 10:1, “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” Please pray about attending to hear from the Burch’s about Israel and enjoy a light supper. - King and Mary Ann Askew
STAYING CONNECTED
It is here!!! Our refreshed FPC Website is live at www.fpcrome.org. Our website is the central hub for ‘all things FPC’ and will be updated weekly with key information. Our prayer is that you will find these changes informative and easier to navigate. Please check it out and let us know what you think!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PRESBYTERY MEETING HOSTED BY FPC
On September 30 and October 1, our church is hosting the 117th Presbytery Meeting here at FPC. We are excited to host and are in need of volunteers. We would love to have our members present to help provide a safe and welcoming environment for partcipants.
Ways you can serve on the evening of Friday, September 30 are: greeting at entrances, directing traffic in the parking lot, registration, directing folks to meeting rooms, providing desserts, plating desserts, setting up dinner tables in King Hall, restocking snacks and drinks in Fellowship Hall.
Ways you can serve on the morning of Saturday, October 1 are: greeting at entrances, directing traffic in the parking lot, registration, directing folks to meeting rooms, restocking breakfast/snacks/drinks in Fellowship Hall.
Please call Tracy at the church office for more information and to add your name to our list of volunteers. Thank you for your willingness to serve!
SERVING AND CARING FOR OTHERS
PRAYER REQUESTS: If you would like to be kept informed of the church’s prayer needs, email Tracy 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/resources/personalprayer-requests/.
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
.
COMMUNITY KITCHEN
Dear FPC folks, our church will be hosting the Community Kitchen this week, AUGUST 8 - 12. For us to serve our community partner more efficiently, we will be seeking volunteers earlier each month. Please contact the church office to determine which days volunteers are needed. Thank you for your continued dedication and service to this worthy cause! Please note - Individuals may sign up for more than one time slot and more than one day. A volunteer sign-up link may be found at fpcrome.org.
Please remember that the new Community Kitchen guidelines require that all volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and 16-17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult. Also, we are excited to announce that Community Kitchen is now resuming the original practice of allowing clients to eat together around tables in their dining hall.
GATHERING GUIDELINES
As always, we will continue to evaluate our current context related to COVID concerns. During the 9am worship service in the Sanctuary, the balcony will be seating for those preferring a bit of physical distancing. During the 11am worship service, the track seating will be reserved for those preferring a bit of physical distancing. Masks are optional in all services and all locations.