First Presbyterian Church of Rome
December 2017

Christmas Food Baskets
This annual outreach is a wonderful opportunity for our church family to get involved in a hands-on project to help our neighbors. A donation of $35 provides one basket to brighten a family's Christmas. Please make your check payable to First Presbyterian and note "Food Baskets" in the lower left corner. Any amount is appreciated. Trucks will be unloaded on Saturday, December 16th, beginning at 9 am - 1pm. Boxes will be packed on Sunday, December 17th, 6 pm - 8:30 pm. Boxes will be distributed on Monday, December 21st beginning at 7 am.


The purpose of this forum is to help equip God's people for the work of ministry in an ever-changing cultural landscape.

There are many ways in our day and age where the cultural values of society collide with the deep convictions of the Christian faith. Instead of seeing this as a threat to the Christian mission, we believe this to be an opportunity for greater engagement in the mission. Our call as followers of Christ is to be separate from culture but not isolated from it. Our hope is that believers in the 21st century will be radically different and radically identifiable as they seek to impact the world around them with the good news of the Gospel.

The theme for this year's forum is
"Life and Faith in the Digital Age: Grasping Opportunities, Discerning Risks"

* Using technology to advance God's Kingdom
* Understanding how technology is changing us and our children
Forum Schedule
January 10th - guest speaker, TBA, discussing using technology to advance the Kingdom of God
January 17th - Panel Discussion, members of First Presbyterian Church
January 24th - Walt Mueller, Founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, discussing how immersion in technology is affecting our children and how we can address this
January 31st - Small Group Discussion

WHO WILL GO????? As you consider your plans for 2018, please begin to ask God if HE might be calling you to give a week of your time to serve in Tijuana, Mexico. The 2018 mission trip will be July 7th to the 15th. This opportunity is for families, individuals, youth, college, and senior adults. Be watching for more information about the first meeting in late January. In the meantime, if you have questions, contact Kirsten McClain (706)676-1249 or burchamk@bellsouth.net


Why?  40-50% of Students from good youth groups and families will drift from the Church after High School.

In fact, research shows that adult believers are crucial in passing on faith to the next generation.

And whom better to invoke to work in the hearts of our students than the one and true, living God.

In light of these studies, the Pray for Me Campaign (PfMC) was launched

What?  "Rallying the Church around the Next Generation"

PfMC is a movement designed to naturally create multi-generational relationships through prayer.

Three adult believers from three different generations pray for one student for one year.

What are you committing to?
1. Sign up via Church Office
2. Purchase a Prayer Guide for $10
3. Attend our launch event after church services on February 4, 2018 (Meal will be provided)
4. By following the Prayer Guide, pray for your student for one year.

Will you join the movement?



As we celebrate the seasons of Advent and Christmas we will combine our worship services throughout December:
- December 3, 10, 17 & 24 in the Sanctuary
- December 31 in King Hall
Our services will include congregational participation with several of our newest member families lighting the Advent Candles each week. We will also include a variety of music leadership from our Chancel Choir and our Convergent Worship Team from week to week.
Our 4:30 pm Candlelight Christmas Eve service will be held in King Hall; and the 6:00 pm service will be held in the Sanctuary.

Missions Spotlight: Travis & Stephanie Hill
Travis and Stephanie Hill have called First Presbyterian their church home for many years.  FPC had the privilege of partnering with them as they served the Lord as missionaries to Thailand (2003-2005) and China (2005-2009).  Upon moving back to Rome, Travis enrolled in graduate school and earned his license in Marriage and Family Counseling.  He is employed by Battlefield Ministries Inc. and Focus on the Family.  
At the end of October, the Hills, with others, led a conference for 17 missionary couples in Chiang Mai, Thailand,  sponsored by Battlefield and WinShape. Sex tourism is a thriving industry in Thailand.  Prostitution, as an occupation, is legal at age 15.  However, many parents sell their children, illegally, into sex trafficking.  The 17 missionary couples are focused on rescuing young girls, who become pregnant, through an organization called Zoe International (http://gozoe.org/). As stated on their website, "ZOE" is the Greek word for life.  "As an organization, ZOE International seeks to bring life to others by offering them the hope of Jesus Christ, and providing children who've been victimized by human trafficking true healing and restoration in the name of Jesus."  They create a safe place for the young girls to grow up, learn how to parent their baby, and seek gainful employment.  The missionary couples are deeply affected by daily encountering these egregious acts inflicted upon helpless children. The conference offered biblical counsel in the areas of secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, self-care, and marriage.
 
If you would like be a part of ZOE's efforts in impacting and changing children's lives this holiday season, please visit GoZOE.org/Christmas.  

November 2017
Monthly Budget
Monthly Actual
YTD Budget
YTD Actual
Income
$190,932.09
$176,365.95
$2,100,252.91
$1,882,509.72
Expenses
$190,932.16
$151,869.93
$2,100,252.84
$1,854,097.93
Net Balance
($0.07)
$24,496.02
$0.07
($ 31,588.21)