Volume LXVIII, No. 41 | October 14, 2018
Worship at First
Morning Worship
Sanctuary
Sunday, October 14

8:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Who, Me?"
Rev. David Lauten


Evening Worship
6:00 p.m.
UNCHANGING GRACE FOR UNCERTAIN TIMES
"Power in the Blood"
Dr. Gabriel N.E. Fluhrer

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper


Wednesday, October 17

Wednesdays@First
12:00 p.m.
THIRTEEN LESSONS
“Wise Disciples Don't Put Money First"
Mr. Ken Wingate
Jackson Hall

Centerpoint
6:00 p.m.
WHAT GOD HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER
"Skillful Recovery"
Rev. Josh Squires
Jackson Hall

Dr. John R. de Witt - A Personal Remembrance
 
Our esteemed former Senior Minister, Dr. John R. de Witt, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 30, 2018. He will be greatly missed, not least by the Men’s Bible Class in which Dr. de Witt continued to faithfully teach each week to the very end. 

I first met Dr. de Witt in 1976. He was one of the featured speakers at the Banner of Truth Conference in Leicester, England. Along with him was Dr. Sam Patterson, the president of the newly created Reformed Theological Seminary which, at that time, was situated in only one location—Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. de Witt was the newly appointed Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology. And I was looking for a seminary—a seminary unapologetically committed to the historic truths of the Reformation and post-Reformation. Dr. de Witt spoke, I remember, on his assigned topic, “The Judgment Seat of Christ,” and did so with a passion and conviction that immediately appealed to me. Here was a man of sound biblical, Reformed convictions. And he was obviously more than a fine teacher; he was also a distinguished and thrilling preacher. A few months later, I married Rosemary and, nineteen days later, we left the United Kingdom for Jackson, Mississippi!

My experience of seminary was enormously positive, largely due to the classes I took with Dr. de Witt. A towering intellect combined with an almost flawless recall ensured that his classes were captivating. I still have the notes I took from his classes. In what has been an extraordinary set of providences, I have succeeded him, both to the professorial role at Reformed Theological Seminary as well as, of course, the role of the Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church, Columbia. But, he always remained “my teacher.” That, in part, was the reason I never called him by his first name. He was, and will always remain, Dr. de Witt—a mentor on so many levels. I will miss him greatly.

Derek W.H. Thomas
Senior Minister
 
New Inquirers Class

A new seven-week Inquirers Class will begin on Sunday, October 21, during the Sunday School hour in the Small Dining Room. For more information, please contact Lisa Eargle at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org. 

Youth Golf Clinic
Saturday, October 20, 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Ft. Jackson Golf Course
Ages 6+, Price: $6.00, Hot dog dinner included.
 
Fall Golf Tournament 
Friday, October 26, 11:30 a.m.
Ft. Jackson Golf Course
$48.00/player ($25.00/college students)
Josh Squires will be speaking and it will be a Captains’ Choice tournament.

Registration is available online and on the church app.
The Rev. Dr. John R. de Witt

Book Service offerings include:  Amazing Love: The Parable of the Prodigal Son; What is the Reformed Faith?; Truth’s Victory Over Error: A Commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith (edited and transcribed by Dr. de Witt). On order:  Jus Divinum: The Westminster Assembly and the Divine Right of Church Government written by Dr. de Witt.
Thanksgiving for Missions
The World at Your Doorstep

Ladies, come join us for an evening of international cuisine, fellowship, and encouragement!
Tuesday, October 23 in Jackson Hall. 
6:00 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres; 6:30 p.m. dinner and program. Cost is $10.00.
Reserve online, on the app, at your circle, or by calling 799-9062, Ext. 295.
Nursery reservations can be made online or on the app. Reservation deadline is October 18.

October Events at First
Committee Meetings this week: 
15 - Session Meeting - 5:30 p.m. in P402
17 -  No College Small Groups
20 -  Youth Golf Clinic - 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. at Fort Jackson Golf Course
23 -  WOC Thanksgiving for Missions - 6:00 p.m. in Jackson Hall
26 -  Fall Golf Tournament - 11:30 a.m. at Fort Jackson Golf Course

November Events at First
2-4 - College Women’s Fall Retreat - off-site. Cost: $40.00. Deadline to register is October 29.
2-4 - Middle School Fall Retreat - Bonclarken Conference Center. Cost: $60.00. Deadline to register is October 15.
2 -     First Fridays Organ Concert - 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be in The Bridge at 12:00 p.m., followed by an organ concert in the Sanctuary.
3 - Encouragers’ Trip to Billy Graham Library - Meet at 8:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center parking lot. No charge for the tour. Participants are responsible for their own lunch; returning to the church at 3:30 p.m. Sign up deadline is Monday, October 29. Contact Lisa Eargle to sign up at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org .
3 - Young Professionals Tailgate Party - Time and details to be announced. Sign up for information on Young Professionals Ministry at rmilford@firstprescolumbia.org .
9-11 - College Men’s Fall Retreat - off-site. Deadline to register is November 5.
   
For more information on any upcoming events, please visit our website at firstprescolumbia.org or download our church app .
Church Family

Congratulations to:
Alice and David Tubley on the birth of their grandson, Grant Michael Tubley, on October 3. Grateful parents are Jen and Peter Tubley. 

Hadyn and Bryan Gause on the birth of their son, Brandon Scott Gause, on October 3. Grateful grandparents are Peggy and Jimmy Stands and Diane and Frank Gause. 

Whitney and Todd Hagins on the birth of their son, Patrick Alister Hagins, on October 9.

Christian sympathy is extended to:
The family of Dr. Robert “Bob” Philp on his death on October 5. 

Billy Wells, Sr. and his family on the death of his brother, Dr. John A. Wells, Jr., on October 8. 

The family of Richard “Dick” Howle on his death on October 8.

Items for Church Family or People for Prayer?
Contact Lisa Eargle at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org
or 799-9062, Ext. 244.

First Presbyterian Church | 803-799-9062 | info@firstprescolumbia.org | firstprescolumbia.org