Dear friends,

This is a difficult letter to write because of my affection for this church. This past week, I submitted my resignation to the Session in order to accept the call as Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This was an agonizing decision we made with much prayer and counsel. While we are overjoyed by this new opportunity, we are sad to say goodbye to all of you.

For the past three and a half years, this congregation has truly been our church home. You have borne patiently with my many shortcomings and helped me grow as a Christian, a father, a husband, and a minister. You have welcomed our family and blessed us in so many ways. Words cannot express our gratitude!

We will miss so many things about this church, from the warm fellowship to the infectious zeal this body has for the word of God. We will miss the amazing staff, who so tirelessly give of themselves to minister to all of us. And we will miss the ministry of Dr. Thomas, who has so faithfully pastored our family and countless others. I have always been humbled by the legacy of this church’s ministers. From Dr. Thomas and Dr. Ferguson to Dr. de Witt and Dr. Knecht, God has richly blessed First Presbyterian with some of the finest preachers in the modern era. Our family will miss the ministry of the word here.

We will also miss Columbia, a city that has played such a central part in our story. It’s difficult to imagine a more significant place in my life because this is where I met the most important person in my life, Callie. We always had fond memories of our time at Carolina. Now we can add to those memories the unforgettable times we have enjoyed here at this marvelous church!

Be assured of our prayers in the coming weeks, months, and years. We would ask for your prayers, too, as we make the transition to Chattanooga. May the Lord allow our paths to cross many times in the years to come, is the prayer of,

Your fellow debtor to grace,

Gabe

Thank you to all who have given generously to the Easter Special Offering. Contributions can still be made in person or online.

Children’s Church is now available during the 11:15 a.m. service. This program is for K4 and K5 children who are dismissed from the worship service following the Doxology. The Children's Church teachers will meet K4 & K5 children in the narthex and then accompany them to the Education Building Room 103 where they will have a Bible lesson and craft. Parents can pick up their children in Room 103 after the worship service.

We will be having VBS 2021 in person at First Presbyterian this summer. Online registration will open in May. There will be more details coming soon!

Join us for prayer on Wednesday nights this summer from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. in Jackson Hall. Dinner and fellowship will follow the prayer time. There will be no children's or nursery activities.

On the second Wednesday of May, June, July, and August, we will have a special Summer Social. This will be a time of casual fellowship with dinner and children's activities. A nursery will also be available. We encourage you to invite friends and family to attend with you. More details are available on the website and app. 

May 9 is Baccalaureate Sunday when we recognize our graduates for the year. Please visit the church website or app, under EVENTS, to fill out our submission form for those graduating from high school, college, or advanced degrees. The deadline for submission is Monday, April 26.

The Women of the Church will hold its annual Jubilee Birthday luncheon on Tuesday, April 20, at 12 noon in the Family Life Center. The guest speaker will be Lauren Goodman, missionary to Wales. Cost is $8.00 per person. Nursery is available by registration. Register for the event on the church website, app, or in your circle.

The Woodlands Golf & Country Club

Cost is $42.00/player or $15.00/college student. A box lunch is included.

If you have moved, changed phone numbers (home, work, or mobile), changed employers, or have a new email address, please let us know so we can update our records. Please send your changes by email to Lisa Eargle at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org or call 799-9062, Ext. 244.

Phyllis Sweatt and family on the death of her sister’s (Bessie) husband, Jerry Conyers, on March 30.

Kerry and Ashley Brewer on the death of his father, Welborn Asbury Brewer, on April 6.

Brooks and Mary Kenyon Jones on the death of his mother, Betty Halford Jones, on April 7.

Cathy and Rick Kennedy on the death of her father, Eugene M. Hood, Sr., on April 10.

Beth and Will McMaster on the birth of their grandson, William “Will” Gourdin McMaster III, on April 9.

Grateful parents are Emily and William McMaster. Grateful great-grandparents are Emma and Tucker Laffitte.

Items for Church Family

Contact Lisa Eargle at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org.