CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR WEEK OF 9/24/2023
 
Sunday, September 24             9:15 a.m................................... Adult Handbells 
                                                      9:30 a.m..................................... Sunday School
                                                      9:30 a.m......First Grader Worship Preparation 
                                                     10:15 a.m.......................................Chancel Choir
                                                     10:15 a.m.....Stewardship Campaign Committee
                                                     10:30 a.m................................Coffee Fellowship
                                                     11:00 a.m.................................. Worship Service
                                                      5:00 p.m………....…........................ Youth Music
                                                      6:00 p.m……….…......................... Youth Dinner
                                                      6:30 p.m…………....................... Youth Program
Tuesday, September 26           4:30 p.m................................ Music+Art+Faith
Wednesday, September 27     6:00 p.m....................... Wonderful Wednesday
                                                      7:30 p.m.................................. Choir Rehearsal
Friday, September 29            10:00 a.m................................. Centering Prayer
                                                   10:00 a.m........................ Red Cross Blood Drive
Saturday, September 30        6:00 p.m................. Mission Committee Dinner

NOMINATION FOR CHURCH OFFICER forms are in the bulletin.  After reviewing the qualifications and duties, use the form to nominate a member of First.  Please return the form by Thursday, October 12 via mail, offering plate, or delivery to a member of the Nominating Committee.
 
MONTEFLORES MISSION TRIP to San Juan, Puerto Rico is planned for Monday, November 13 – Sunday, November 19. Email Arnie Correa at asn@bellsouth.net for more information.
 
WORSHIP PREPARATION CLASS FOR FIRST GRADERS Each year, First includes first graders in a series of classes to prepare them for worship.  An important day for first graders will be World Communion Sunday, October 1, when each child will be recognized in worship. Worship Preparation Classes, held on Sundays, September 17, September 24, and October 1 at 9:30 a.m. includes an overview of worship practices, and discussion of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  Starting October 1, first graders will remain throughout worship and will no longer attend Extended Session.
 
MEN’S BOOK STUDY will meet on Tuesday, September 26 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 115.  This month’s book is All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy.  Enjoy fellowship and discussion. Newcomers are always welcome. 
 
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER AND PROGRAM on September 27 at 6:45 p.m. where  Nick Palumbo, 4th District Alderman for the Savannah, presents, “Top Issues Facing City Council.”    The buffet line opens at 6:00 p.m. and features baked rosemary chicken, Asian rice, mixed vegetables, garden salad, rolls, and dessert. $8/adults, $4/children under 12.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE will be held on Friday, September 29, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in Stewart Hall.
 
MISSION COMMITTEE will meet for dinner on Saturday, September 30 at 6:00 p.m. in  Imlay House.                                                        

FACILITIES TASK FORCE will meet on Wednesday, October 4 at 5:00 p.m. in Room 115.
 
FIRST’S DINNER GROUP A highlight of First’s fall programming is the annual Mission Emphasis.  This year’s presenter is Josh Heikkila, a PCUSA mission co-worker in Ghana who also serves as Presbyterian mission liaison for West Africa.  He will be the guest of honor on Monday, October 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the private dining room at the 5 Spot Sandfly.  Space is limited to 28.  Contact Larry Stuber at 912-663-1638 or larrystuber@bellsouth.net.
 
WORSHIP AND MUSIC COMMITTEE meeting will be held on Sunday, October 8 following the service in the John Knox Room.
 
EVANGELISM COMMITTEE will host a lunch on Sunday, October 15 at 12:15 p.m. in Stewart Hall for those who have joined the church in the past six months.  Email mallory@savannahfpc.org for reservations.

FINANCE COMMITTEE will meet on Sunday, October 15 at 5:00 p.m. in the John Knox Room.     
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MUSIC WITH A MISSION’S first concert of the season will be Saturday, October 14 at 7:00 p.m. featuring Justin Addington, Tanner King and Friends singing musicals and operas.
 
WORSHIP SERVICE AND COVERED DISH DINNER is planned with the Savannah Korean Presbyterian Church on Sunday,         October 22 at 5:00 p.m.  More details will follow.
 
KIRKIN’ OF THE TARTANS will be celebrated on Reformation Sunday, October 29 at 11:00 a.m. led by the First Coast Highlanders  Pipe and Drum Corps.

ONLINE GIVING Please consider making a one-time or recurring gift to First using our secure online portal which can be found at www.savannahfpc.org by clicking on the Give Now tab at the top right corner of the home page.
 
FIRST’S MISSION The life of the church is the response of faith and obedience to the call of God in Christ. Gathered: We worship and sing, study and pray.  We enjoy fellowship together.  Forgiven by God, we learn to forgive other people. Sent forth: We serve as leaven, salt and light, to be agents of God’s love in Savannah and the larger world.

​ANNUAL MISSION EMPHASIS
“Spotlight on the Church in West Africa”

presented by

Joshua Heikkila, PCUSA mission co-worker in Ghana
World Communion Sunday, October 1
Breakfast at 9:00 a.m.
Forum at 9:30 a.m.
Service of Worship at 11:00 a.m.
Monday, October 2
Dinner and Program at 5-Spot Restaurant Sandfly at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 3
Program and Luncheon with Presbyterian Women at 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 4 at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner and Program 


The presenter is Joshua Heikkila, who serves on the mission field in Ghana and also has been appointed mission liaison for West Africa by the Presbyterian Mission Agency.   It is a region facing great poverty and instability.  For example, Niger is the poorest country in the world.  Nevertheless, the church is thriving.  Rev. Heikkila is a graduate of Dartmouth University and the University of Chicago Divinity School.  He was ordained in 2004 and joined the Mission Agency in 2009.