Volume LXVIII, No. 46 | November 18, 2018
Worship at First
Sunday, November 18

Morning Worship
8:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"The Lord's Supper - Sacred Meal"
Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper

Evening Worship
6:00 p.m.
"The New and True Temple"
Dr. Gabriel N.E. Fluhrer
Sanctuary

Bulletins will be available by noon on Fridays.
Wednesday, November 21

Wednesdays@First
12:00 p.m.
Thirteen Lessons the Book of Proverbs Teaches
“Wise Disciples Leave the Bragging to Others"
Rev. Josh Squires
Jackson Hall

Centerpoint
6:00 p.m.
No Wednesday night activities.
The Synod of Dort

It is November 13 as I write, and the 400th anniversary of the day a Synod was convened in Dort (sometimes Dordt or Dortrecht) in 1618. It ended some six months later on May 9, 1619. About a hundred men (mostly pastors/theologians and about a dozen Dutch government representatives) met to deliberate the theological issues raised by Jacob Arminius, who had died a decade or so earlier, but whose views had steadily gained ground. 

In brief compass, Arminius and his followers objected to the theology of John Calvin and his successor, Theodore Beza, and issued what became known as a Remonstrance in 1610. Chiefly, the Arminians objected to the doctrine of predestination, which the Synod of Dort affirmed wholeheartedly as a doctrine taught clearly by Jesus and the entire Scriptures. As Dr. R.C. Sproul once said, in Chosen by God, “We talk about predestination because the Bible talks about predestination. If we desire to build our theology on the Bible, we run head on into this concept. We soon discover that John Calvin did not invent it.” Put at its simplest, predestination insists that God has a plan and is determined to make it happen. I don’t know about you, but I rather like the idea that there’s a plan. 

In my darkest days, I sometimes forget this and think that we are lost in a brutal universe heading to who knows what. But then I remember something Jeremiah wrote: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11). Strange how comforting that is, isn’t it? This can only be true if, well, there’s a plan and a determination to make it happen! So I’m with the Synod of Dort on this one. 

Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas
Senior Minister
Angel Tree 
Sharing Gifts with a Child in Need 

Please help a child of an inmate parent this Christmas and stop by the Angel Tree table in the Atrium or in the Palmer entrance hallway on Sunday, November 18. Take an Angel Tag, buy a gift or two for a child in need, and return your gift-wrapped presents by December 2 at either of the Angel Tree tables. In time for Christmas, the deacons will deliver your gifts to the children, along with an age-appropriate booklet of hope about Jesus.

Every Blessing,
Children’s Outreach Committee
Women of the Church Christmas Coffee 
Tuesday, December 4
at 11:00 a.m. in Jackson Hall 
Fellowship, refreshments, Golden Angel Awards, and White Cross Offering

Sinclair B. Ferguson
Love Came Down at Christmas

Dr. Ferguson’s Daily Readings for Advent has a focus on advent and 1 Corinthians 13. Share the love of the Lord Jesus with your friends. The book is available from the Book Service for $10.00 with a payment envelope.
New Members 
Joined Sunday, November 4:
Edward Able
Mark, Beth and Joshua Baxa
Michelle, Mary Drew, Freeman, and Harrison Bult
Mary Etta Castles
Callie Fluhrer
Ben Jackson
Kevin and Tammy Johnson
Michael and Amy Long
Darryl and Mary Milford
Anne Olmert
Beck Otersen
David and Allison Penwell
Miranda Unthank
Susan Wise
Church Family

Congratulations to :
Casey Shelton and Andrew Hess who were married on November 10.

Amy and TJ Simons on the birth of their daughter, Maggie Eleanor Simons, on November 12. Grateful grandparents are Dixie and Chris Robnett.    

Christian sympathy is extended to:
Susan and Rusty DePass on the death of her mother, Martha Parker, on November 8.

Kira and Luke Stokes on the death of her father, Paul Bemis, on November 8.
 
Items for Church Family or People for Prayer?
Contact Lisa Eargle 803-799-9062, Ext. 244.
November Events at First
Committee meetings this week:
19 - Session Meeting - 5:30 p.m. in P402
18 The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper - During our morning services, we will observe the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. 
18 College Luncheon - 12:30 p.m. in Jackson Hall
19 No Youth Chorus Rehearsal
19 Chancel Choir Rehearsal - 6:00 p.m. in P110
21 No Wednesday Night activities
22 Thanksgiving Day Service - 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
22-23 Thanksgiving Holiday - church office closed
25 No Middle or High School Youth Group
30 Middle School Camping Night
 
December Events at First
4 WOC Board Meeting - 10:00 a.m. in BR201
4 WOC Christmas Coffee - 11:00 a.m. in Jackson Hall. Nursery and preschool childcare available with reservation on the church app and website. 
6 Encouragers’ Christmas Reception - 5:30 p.m. in Jackson Hall
6 College Christmas Party - 6:00 p.m. at the Ridgeways’
7 First Fridays Organ Concert - 12:00 p.m. - lunch in BR125; concert at 12:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
9 Children’s Christmas Program - 10:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center. All Sunday School classes will attend the Christmas Program.
14 Young Professionals’ Christmas Party - 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas’
24 Christmas Eve Services - 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

For more info on upcoming events, visit us at firstprescolumbia.org or our church app
803-799-9062 | email | website | app