The Christian Counseling Center Celebration

On October 2, please plan to linger after the evening worship service to rejoice with the staff and board members of The Christian Counseling Center which marked its 25th anniversary on April 1. The Women of the Church have kindly organized a reception for the Counseling Center in Jackson Hall, and your presence will be an encouragement to the counselors who have faithfully done the Lord’s work on our behalf for so many years. 

A public recitation of a special resolution, passed by the Session this summer to commemorate the Center’s 25 years of dedication to spiritual, mental, and emotional health, will be part of the evening’s celebration.

The Session of First Presbyterian Church voiced a need for a counseling ministry in 1991 as pastoral staff were overwhelmed in their efforts to meet counseling needs. By 1997, the church hired Tom Barbian, Ph.D., as the executive director and sole counselor for The Christian Counseling Center. Now, 20 clinical staff members provide services at the Counseling Center’s office on the church campus as well as three satellite locations.

In a quarter of a century, the Counseling Center has assisted more than 25,000 individuals and families, and the need for Biblically-based counseling continues to grow. Because of your generous monetary support, this non-profit organization is able to serve clients regardless of their financial standing.

Countless lives have been changed because of the compassionate work of The Christian Counseling Center, as people who find themselves psychologically or spiritually adrift can find sanctuary behind its doors. Highly trained Christian counselors stand ready to listen, to provide godly advice, and to pray with their clients.

Though Dr. Barbian never imagined that the Lord would increase the Counseling Center’s mission to its current size, he draws our attention to Ephesians 3:20, which says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

I hope to see you on the evening of October 2 in Jackson Hall so that we might collectively show our appreciation to the extraordinary staff of The Christian Counseling Center.

M. Bond Nickles, III 

Chairman of the Board

The Christian Counseling Center of First Presbyterian Church

Elders Emeriti

On Sunday, September 18, the congregation of First Presbyterian Church voted to confer “Elder Emeritus” status upon Mr. William (Randy) Randolph Folks, Jr., and Mr. John (Jack) Harrill Haynes, Jr. The title is a recognition on behalf of our church of the outstanding ministry of care and oversight these men have given to the church as elders over a period of many years. 

We are privileged to have been the beneficiaries of their sacrificial service to First Presbyterian Church. Congratulations to each of these leaders on receiving this sincere expression of the church’s love and appreciation. Please convey your own personal congratulations to each of them as opportunity permits.

First Friday Lunch and Organ Concert

October 7

12:00 p.m. Lunch, Jackson Hall

12:30 p.m. Concert, Sanctuary

First Friday organ concerts return for the 2022-23 season with Thomas Russell playing works of Franck, Vierne, and Rachel Laurin.

The Jimmy Fall 2022 Golf Tournament 

Friday, October 21, at Fort Jackson Golf Club

Cost is $50 per player or $15 per college student. 

Lunch is included. 

Please register on the church website or app.

Seniors Ministry Lifelong Learning Seminar

On Friday, September 30, we will have our first LifeLong Learning Seminar of the fall. The topic will be "Protecting Your Identity and Your Assets from Financial Predators" presented by Sheriff Leon Lott in Wardlaw Auditorium. A selection of beverages and a continental breakfast will be available in the Atrium beginning at 9:00 a.m., with the presentation starting at 10:00 a.m. There is no cost to attend this seminar, but reservations are needed. Guests are welcome to attend. Please register for the seminar on the church app or website. 

October 3-8 is Love Cola Week!

A number of local ministries that our church supports will have special projects to be a blessing to our community. You are encouraged to sign up for one of these exciting opportunities by contacting the person listed below:

• A Moment of Hope – October 8: Prayer Walk and Trash Pickup (10-50 people). Contact Mason Drummond at mason@amoh.org or (803) 394-0430.
• Oliver Gospel – October 8: Painting and clothing closet projects (9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., ages 15 and up with adult supervision). Contact Christian Albertsen at christian.albertsen@olivergospel.org.
• Salvation Army of the Midlands: Collection drive and year-round opportunities. Contact Shannon Chapman at Shannon.Chapman@uss.salvatationarmy.org or (803) 309-3244.
• The Cooperative Ministry: Fall cleaning, seasonal landscaping, clothing bank projects, food drives, or clothing. Contact Rhemie Gantz at rgantz@coopmin.org or (803) 799-0932.

Church Family

Christian sympathy is extended to: 

Scott and Robin Price and family on the death of his mother, Nancy Adams, on September 15.

Kathy and Chuck Davis on the death of her father, Robert Dent Graham, Sr., on September 18. 

Congratulations to: 

Alayna and Matt McFarling on the birth of their son, Bridger Otis McFarling, on September 17.

 Items for Church Family

Please contact Lisa Eargle at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org.

People for Prayer