Greetings Everyone
Greetings Everyone…
The Old Testament lesson for this coming Sunday is a wonderful lesson found in 1 Samuel 3. It is the story of young Samuel being awakened as he slept in the Temple. It seems God was working to get young Samuel’s attention. Samuel, not being familiar with the voice of the Lord, thought it was the priest Eli calling him. But it was not. After three occasions of the call, Eli finally recognized what was happening and told Samuel it was the voice of the Lord and the next time he was to say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
I don’t know about you, but there have been times I believe I have heard the voice of the Lord. I have never heard an audible voice. It has been much more like an impression upon my soul or a thought that has leapt into my mind. When the “voice” comes, it is very clear. What it says is usually very short and always on point. Usually, it communicates to me something I should do or reveals an attitude or behavior to which I need to pay attention.
In the case of young Samuel, when he finally responded to the voice, acknowledging that he now knew the One who was speaking, the voice said,
See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.
I love that idea of God doing something that is going to make everyone’s ears “tingle.” They will hear about it and it will get their attention. They will hear about it and it will affirm in their hearts that God is alive and well. They will hear about it and wonder what bigger thing God might be up to. It will make their ears tingle.
I wonder what God is wanting to do in the life of First Presbyterian that will make everyone’s ears tingle inside the church and outside in the larger community. If you could answer those two questions:
What Does God want to do IN us at FPC?
What does God want to do THROUGH us at FPC?
What would your answer be? Think about it. Pray about it. And, if you feel led, write out your thoughts to me or the Board of Elders. We would love to hear what God is saying to you.
I believe that God is always wanting to do something in us and through us. The question always arises: are we listening and are we willing to act.
May the Lord continue to bless and guide us.
Pastor Paul
News & Events
Sunday, January 14th
9:00 a.m. Bible Study in the Chapel
10:00 a.m. Worship Service with Pastor Paul Hayden
Monday, January 15th
5:30 p.m. Handbell Choir
7:00 p.m. Choir Practice
Tuesday, January 16th
7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study
Wednesday, January 17th
10 a.m. Ladies AM Bible Study (LAMBS)
6:00 p.m. FPC Youth Group meets in Fellowship Hall
Thursday, January 18th
10 a.m. Bible Babes bible study
Sunday, February 4th
Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Check out the Events Calendar for more upcoming events.
As many of you know, the late Rev. Dudley Rose served as interim pastor here about 10 years ago. If you would like to send correspondence to his wife the address is as follows: Dorothy Ann Rose, 3010 Bradford Sta, McDonough, GA 30253-2225
Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women will meet in Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 16th at 1:00 p.m. Mary Ellen Barr and Marlene Barns will host the meeting. We invite you to join us for a time of fellowship and dessert. We will be discussing our agenda for 2024.
FPC Youth Group is meeting next Wednesday, Jan. 17th, 6 p.m.
4th – 8th grade students join us the first and third Wednesdays of every month, from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm. Our gatherings begin with a shared dinner, setting the stage for fellowship and connection through an intentional topic for the evening that will be introduced, applied to our daily lives, supported by scripture, and experienced in a fun-loving atmosphere. Meetings will take place in Fellowship Hall. Enter the glass doors on 3rd Street and take the stairs up.
