As an elder of our church, I often have the wonderful experience of interviewing candidates for membership in our church. During these meetings, it is not unusual for folks to ask, “How can we get involved in ministry?”

If you are looking for a ministry opportunity, you should know about Love Cola. First Presbyterian Church has recently joined ranks with many local churches in a concerted effort to reach our community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This collaboration is known as The Cola Network, and its mission can best be summed up in its tag line: “One city. One church. One mission.” 

A major initiative of the Cola Network is their annual Love Cola Week. This year, Love Cola Week will take place October 4-11. Member churches will serve local community ministry partners through a variety of service projects. On Saturday, October 9, First Presbyterian Church members are scheduled to assist The Salvation Army at its Family Store on Millwood Avenue. Volunteers are needed to work two-hour shifts from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The project includes receiving, sorting, packing, and display of clothing and other goods which the store has to sell to its customers.

Our Love Cola Saturday event is a chance for you to work alongside (and perhaps meet for the first time) fellow church members. And you will experience the joy of assisting our ministry partner, The Salvation Army. When we think about The Salvation Army, most of us have a vision of the bell ringers at Christmas time. But this organization goes well beyond the volunteers who greet you at the doors of retail establishments during the holiday shopping season. 

Did you know that The Salvation Army is a church? Its primary purpose is to share the gospel. But its ministry goes beyond talking, as important as that is. In his New Testament book, James encourages us to be doers as well as hearers of the Word. Well, The Salvation Army is “doing the most good” with so many programs including disaster relief, feeding and clothing those in need, and reading and after-school programs for children…just to name a few.

Here is our chance to get involved. Volunteers are needed, and all church members aged six and above are encouraged to sign up for a shift (children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult). To sign up, go to www.firstprescolumbia.org/lovecola. Your willingness to serve is most appreciated, and I can guarantee that you will be blessed by this experience.

Dan Cannon

Save the Date

Fort Jackson Golf Club

Registration will open soon!

12:00 p.m. - Lunch in Jackson Hall

12:30 p.m. - Concert in the Sanctuary

First Presbyterian Church’s own Dr. Justin Robinson joins Thomas Russell for an eclectic program of works for solo trumpet and organ. 

“Dementia 101” 

Friday, October 15, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. in Jackson Hall

Presented by Janet Altman

There is no cost to attend this seminar, but reservations are needed. Reservations can be made on the church website or app. Please contact Janet Altman with any questions at jaltman@firstprescolumbia.org. 

The following officers were elected at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, September 19, 2021:

James R. Augustine, Arthur Rikard Best, William Hammond Cason II, Edward Samuel Clarke, Dan D’Alberto, Christopher James Daniels, Clarence S. Davis III, Marion Hill Davis, David J. Van De Water, Joseph Walker II, Evan Wilson, and John F. Windley

Wilson Wrenshall Farrell

R. Davis (Dave) Howser

Carl Blackstone, Lee Blatt, Nathaniel Hurd Bocock, Kyle D. Boyce, Walter Hammond Cartin, Andrew Cheatham, Robert Alan Drummond, Susan Davis Gibson, Aldon Garrett Givens, Harris Vernon (Buck) Gore III, Frank Marion Hahn, Miriam Olga Hair, William Charles Kinney, Sr., Lauren Elizabeth Kozlik, Ann B. Lonon, Samuel John Orr, Cyril Berwyn (Tripp) Rush III, and Jonathan W. Yarborough

T. Joseph Chiles

Joseph Mark Eller

Barbara (Bibs) Sheorn Hurt

Cecilia Hallman and Steve Wade on the death of her mother, Lillie Mae Hallman, on September 2.

Beck Otersen on the death of his grandfather, Rev. Wilson Porter Rhoton, Jr., on September 12.

Ken and Cathy Wingate and Vicki and Craig Wilkes and family on the death of their father, Jack Wingate, on September 17. 

Items for Church Family

Contact Lisa Eargle at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org.