Exciting New Summer Sports Ministries

In my last article for First Things, we had just completed a successful Christian Youth Basketball League (CYBL) season, our busiest season. Now we are gearing up for our second busiest season, summer basketball, which serves our church and the surrounding community in many ways. I wanted to share with you what we have planned for the summer.

Our Sports Ministry's oldest and most popular summer program is the CYBL Summer Camps. These camps are for children between rising 2nd and 7th grade and run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We have three camps scheduled for this summer: one at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, June 10-13; one at First Presbyterian Church, July 8-11; and one at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, July 29- August 1. In addition, we are introducing a new CYBL Summer Camp for rising 8th to 12th graders at First Presbyterian Church from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. during the same week as the younger camp.

We are also starting a new weekly event called Basketball and Bible for rising 9th to 12th grade boys. The purpose of this event is to help twelve young men develop their basketball skills and deepen their walk with the Lord. We will meet every Thursday from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., starting June 6 and finishing July 25.

We are also working on a new sports ministry project, the Christian Men's Summer League (CMSL). This will be a basketball league structured similar to CYBL, with a devotion before every game. While the CYBL had over 1,800 participants last season, the CMSL will be limited to only 60 men. This is intentional as it allows for a stronger evangelical component and a narrower focus on discipleship. 

If you are interested in registering or learning more about any of the summer ministries or weekly events such as pickleball or pick-up basketball, please visit the Sports Ministry page on the church app or website for more details.  

Joseph Yi

Director of Sports Ministry

2024 Contribution Statements 

We are now able to electronically deliver your church contribution statement via the email address we have on record. Delivering statements in this way will promote good stewardship of our church resources. Your annual first quarter contribution statement will be emailed in the coming weeks. Earlier this week, an email was sent with details. If you did not receive the email and would like to receive your statement electronically, please email info@firstprescolumbia.org.

Cuba Missions Team Report

Please join the Missions Sunday School class on Sunday, April 28, during the Sunday School hour to hear from the Cuba Team about their recent mission trip and what the Lord is doing in Cuba. The class meets in the Frank C. Hill Missions Center on the first floor of the Ministry Building, room 100. 

A New Song: a Concert of Psalms for the 21st Century 

The Music Ministry will offer a spring concert of contemporary Psalm settings on Wednesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The concert will be presented by the Chancel Choir, Chamber Choir, Youth Chorus, Junior Choir, and Primary Choir. Childcare will be available by reservation via the church website or app. Dinner will be served in Jackson Hall beginning at 5:00 p.m. ($6 for adults, $3 for children).

WOC Salad Day Luncheon

Please join the Women of the Church for the annual General Meeting & Salad Day Luncheon on Tuesday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. in Smith Chapel. Dr. Neil C. Stewart will be concluding the study in Malachi. Following the meeting, a luncheon in Jackson Hall will be held at noon. Please visit the church website or app to register. Childcare is available by registration. 

Local Ministry Supported Events

• Christian Medical and Dental Association Oath Ceremony on Tuesday, April 30, at 6:00 p.m. in The Bridge, room 125. Dr. Neil Stewart will be our guest speaker. Please contact Bruce Easterling if you are interested in attending.

• Daybreak LifeCare Center’s annual banquet will be held Thursday, May 16, at 6:00 p.m. at the Pastides Alumni Center. Dr. Albert Mohler, Jr., will be the guest speaker. Visit daybreakcola.org/get-involved for more information.

May Calendar

3 First Fridays Organ Concert - 11:45 a.m. lunch in Jackson Hall, 12:30 p.m. concert in the Sanctuary. This month's concert will be presented by the Organ Scholars performing a variety of repertoire at the culmination of their year of study.

14 WOC General Meeting and Salad Day Luncheon - 10:30 a.m. meeting in Smith Chapel followed by lunch at 12:00 p.m. in Jackson Hall.

15 Spring Concert - 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary: “A New Song: A Concert of Psalms for the 21st Century”

18 Father/Daughter Outing - 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Margaret & Carl Cease’s Farm

For more information on any upcoming events, please check our website at firstprescolumbia.org or our church app.

Church Family

Christian sympathy is extended to:

The Knecht family on the death of Dr. Glen Knecht, former Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church, who passed away on April 23. 

Items for Church Family

Please contact Lisa Eargle at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org.