First Presbyterian Church of Rome
August 2018
Fall Preview Sunday
September 2nd at 9:15 am King Hall

All adults are urged to join us at 9:15am to hear all about our Adult Sunday Morning Communities which begin on September 9. These communities are unique in their dynamics and teaching topics, yet all provide a connecting point for us as a people of God. They will enable us to connect with people through fellowship and community, to connect with God's Word through the teaching of His Word, and to connect with our mission and service opportunities here at FPC.

Mark your calendar August 26
at 9:15 am in King Hall

As we approach the beginning of our new year for FPC's Women in Ministry, we look forward to a fun and informational kick-off event. On Sunday, August 26, during the Sunday School hour, the ladies of FPC will gather together in King Hall. There will be time for fellowship and the opportunity to meet our Women's Council and learn how you can be more involved and know more about upcoming Women's Bible studies opportunities. The members of the Women's Council look forward to serving you!

August 26 
at 9:15 am in Fellowship Hall

Hopefully you have heard by now that there has been an effort through a newly formed Men's Ministry Council to develop an updated vision, mission and action ministry plan for the men of the church. We are excited to reveal and discuss those plans with you on the morning of August 26, 2018 at 9:15 in the Fellowship Hall.  Our men's ministry will be centered on a three-tiered program structure, Events/Conferences, Leadership Small Groups and Missions/Service. Please  join us as we discuss opportunities to increase our spiritual development as leaders and men of faith!


Christmas is only a few months away so it is not too early to be thinking about Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Thank you for your donations this summer. THIS MONTH we will collect SMALL STUFFED ANIMALS. Please put your items in the OCC collection box in the atrium of the Christian Life Center


Our study this Fall will focus on the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus as we hear the message of the Gospel in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Our semester begins August 29th and lasts for 12 weeks (our last class will be November 14th). We meet each Wednesday from 10:00am till 12noon in the Fellowship Hall. We will set the stage and context for our study of the New Testament during our first two lessons. We will review the history of the intertestamental period and discuss how the New Testament writings came together. If you are interested in studying the Bible in a structured and systematic way, then this is the class for you! Our Bethel Discipleship community is a diverse group of learners encompassing adults of all ages. To sign up for this semester, please contact Phyllis Pemerton (ppemerton@bellsouth.net) or contact the Church Office.


PIPS
All of you are invited to the pips lunch Thursday August 23 at 11:30 in our Fellowship Hall. Our guest speaker will be Andrea Sartorato, director of children's ministry at FPC.  Our meal will be catered by Duffy's Deli. Contact the church office to make a reservation. Please join us for great food, fun and fellowship .
Begins Wednesday, September 5
  Watch for more information to come!
FPC's Annual Church Picnic will be held Sunday, August 19 outside the church right after our combined 10:30 am worship service in the Sanctuary. We will have a block party style picnic. There will be games and water activities for kids, along with food and fun for everybody. Make sure to bring your swimsuit and towel, or change of clothes for all the water activities.  There is no charge for the meal, though donations will be accepted to help cover costs which are estimated to be approximately $8 per person.

Missions Spotlight:
Joni & Friends
This summer our High School students partnered with a ministry called Joni and Friends founded by Joni Earekson Tada. Joni and Friends is an intentional para-church ministry that communicates the Gospel and equips Christ-honoring Churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by special needs. Though Joni and Friends provides several ministries, our students joined 200 more volunteers for one week for an event called Family Retreat. 
Family Retreat offers a haven for families, both unbelieving and believing, affected by special needs. At Family Retreat, families are cared for, encouraged, and rejuvenated in a Christ centered, fully accessible camp environment. There are many locations around the US for these retreats, but we partnered with the Jackson, MS office which takes place at Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, AL. 
After one and half days of training, volunteers are assigned a job for the week. Each job is strategic in playing a role that will  cul
tivate meaningful connections for families who understand the challenges of life with disability. 
Each student from FPC was assigned to be a buddy for a camper with special needs. When families arrive, they are welcomed by all volunteers cheering each car onto camp. As the week begins, there are a variety of programs provided which are grouped by nursery, children, youth, and adults. Each afternoon, families are back together for intentional family fun. Then each evening an event is provided: cook out, date night, and talent show. 
Though the week is full of excitement, it does not go without challenges. Life with a disability does not take a break. Yet, while at Family Retreat, the body of Christ walks hand in hand through these challenges. 
As the week came to a close, we heard testimony of families who experienced fellowship, acceptance, and love motivated by a Savior who left his seat for ours.  For many families affected by special needs, a reality that awaits them at home is isolation, rejection, and contempt. But as the Church, we do not leave the mission of Christ at camp. It is our desire, that our students return home with a deeper understanding of how to love and welcome more families with special needs into our church. May the body of Christ always be accessible, as the Kingdom of God is fully accessible through Jesus Christ. 
 
For more information about Joni and Friends Family Retreat please contact Morgan Walker at morganwalker0526@gmail.com