SWIFT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
A Church That Practices Fruitful Living
PASSIONATE WORSHIP
Lent in a Bag
On the first Sunday of Lent (February 14) individuals and families will receive small bags with 6 symbols (one for each week) of the Lenten season. Each symbol is related to the scripture and sermon of the week. This will assist you in practicing Lent at home. Along with each item there will be instructions, and reflections to go with each item for family conversation and devotion.
February 7 Transfiguration Sunday
Communion
Pastor Keith and Lisa at Live Oak Assisted Living 1pm
February 10 Ash Wednesday, 6:00pm
Imposition of Ashes
February 14 Luke 4:1-13
Gwenda and John Fletcher speak at both services
First Sunday of Lent
February 21 Luke 13:31-35
February 28 Luke 13:1-9
March 6 Luke 15:11-32 Communion
March 13 John 12:1-8
March 20 Luke 19:28-40
The Journey to Easter
March 24 Maundy Thursday, 6:00pm
March 25 Good Friday, 6:00pm
March 27 Easter Sunday Luke 24:1-12 Communion
MUSIC NOTES
Lisa Cardwell
After a very brief break, our singers and ringers are back at it. They don't stop! Their enthusiasm for what they do encourages me to keep looking for new music selections and reviewing previous selections. The chancel choir will sing "In the Silence of This Moment" on Feb 7th, which is based on a beautiful Welsh folk tune called "Suo-Gan". They will also be leading worship on Ash Wednesday, Feb 10th, with "Turn to the Living God".
Our Handbell choir will be leading worship on Feb 14th by playing "My Life Is in You, Lord" and "Bound for the Kingdom".
Looking ahead, we are planning a Holy Week that will be special, and more challenging for the Music Department at Swift than ever before! We are calling it "The Journey to Easter".
We are planning a tone chime choir for both nights, and are opening up this opportunity for the congregation. Remember, no music reading experience is necessary! Just a willingness to play a simple instrument, and play as part of a team. Those who have joined us in the past have provided positive feedback for their participation in the two tone chime groups that have played. We will be playing some old favorites appropriate for the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. We will begin rehearsals on Feb 21 after the 10:00 service. Contact me if you are interested in joining us. Don't miss out on "The Journey to Easter"!
GETTING INVOLVED IN WORSHIP AT SWIFT CHURCH
We are pleased to offer specific training for those of you who are interested in participating in the Ministry and Spiritual growth of our children! Sunday, January 31st (11:45) we are offering training on how to conduct a Children's Sermon and Acolyte training for Children 2nd grade and up. This is such a CRITICAL part to the growth and development of our children so we hope that you will come learn how you can influence the young lives in our church.
RADICAL HOSPITALITY
Swift Presbyterian Church’s “Two or More” Lunch Group
“Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
Thursday, February 4th at the Cracker Barrel
“Two or More” is a monthly ecumenical fellowship luncheon, open to all. They meet once a month, on the first Thursday of each month, at 11:30 am. This year they are meeting at Cracker Barrel in Foley. People who are able to attend are encouraged to invite and bring along someone who may not be able to get out as easily — someone who doesn’t drive for example – so that “two or more” will gather! Men, women, family, friends, co-workers, neighbors — are all welcome. Please RSVP to Lee Mansell, 251-232-4775 or the church office at 251-943-8367 to make a reservation. February being the month of Valentine’s Day, everyone is encouraged to wear either red or a Swift “I Love My Church” T-shirt.
Butterfly Girls and Guys Night Out
Butterfly Girls and Guys Night Out are opportunities for us
to gather for a meal and fellowship, with no agenda and no commitments.
ALL ladies are invited to Butterfly Girls,
and ALL men are invited to Guys Night Out.
Our next gathering is Thursday, February 18th at 6:30pm
Butterfly Girls will meet at Portabella’s Restaurant and
Guys Night Out will meet at Fish River Grill #2,
both in Foley on Hwy 59, a few blocks south of the intersection of 59 & 98.
Please RSVP by Call or Text to Susan or Daryl Pichoff at 251-233-9486.
INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Christian Education
Christian Education Youth News: February 2016
Submitted by Ginny Kleinschmidt
Wow!!! What a great year we have already had and it truly has only begun! We finally got the youth room painted! Shout out to youth, who gave up their out of school holiday, January 18th, to paint. That would be Jessica Gosa, Sarah Kleinschmidt, Olivia Akins, Ella Thomas, Landon Merchant, William Vanbrimmer, Hailey Vanbrimmer and Maycie Ulrich!!! And Tracy Akins and Mike Barnwell!!! It looks great. If you get the chance come by and see.
In the month of January we have had two wonderful meetings for the youth. We had Refuel on Wednesday, Jan 20th at the Menks’ home. Great turn out…10 youth were there! And we had our GɸG meeting on Sunday, Jan 24th at the church with another good turnout of 6 youth and a wonderful meal provided by Vicki and Doug Elsler!
The youth are doing a fundraiser on January 31st providing a Spaghetti dinner for members of our church which includes to-go boxes for those who attend the 8:00 service and dinner in fellowship hall for 10:00 attenders. We thank you for your donations and support!
In February we plan to go to Winter Jam on Thursday, February 4th, in Mobile at the Mitchell Center. We will meet for Refuel on Wednesday, February 10th, in the Youth Room following Ash Wednesday Service at 6:00 pm which we will attend together. And GɸG meeting will be February 28th at the church 4 – 6 pm.
Our next big project is our outside fire pit. If you are interested in helping out please let me or one of our youth know. Extra hands make light work! We also plan to help Lynn Barnwell with her vision of the Outdoor Chapel. More details to come on that later.
Please be in prayer for our youth and their faith journey. Be in prayer for our Youth Group Leaders and parents who work so hard for this ministry. Thank you for being a church our children are learning to call their own and for planting the seed of faith in each one of them!
Adult Sunday School Classes
Our Adult Sunday School classes meet on Sunday mornings 9:00-9:45 in the Annex.
“Coffee with Keith” meets in the Library and they discuss topics of interest to the participants.
“Live with Anthony and Norman” meets in the Andy Lay room. They are studying the book of Esther.
You’re Invited to the Thursday Morning Bible Study for Men and Ladies
“Ecclesiastes: Looking for the Answer to the Meaning of Life” Bible Study meets
on Thursdays from 9:30-11:00am in the Swift Church Library using the Bible, study books
by Dr. Warren Wiersbe, and lots of discussion. There are 8-10 people each week.
Prayerfully consider if God is leading you to join us.
Contact Pastor Jody Beth for more information, 213-6625.
Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God
A Small Group Study on Tuesdays from 2:45-4:30pm
Submitted by Kathy Menk
I don’t know about you, but I do not remember a time in my childhood or youth that I did not go to church. I never knew “not going to church” was an option. I grew up knowing all about God – I knew God created the universe; I knew God gave us His only Son so that if I believed in Him, I would have eternal life; I knew Jesus was born in a manger on Christmas Day; and I knew that He died on a cross on Easter, and we all got new clothes (sometimes new shoes) and pretty white gloves to wear to church that day. I knew all ABOUT God, but I didn’t know God. Through my adult years, I continued to attend church on most Sundays and then go out into the world the other 6 1/2 days a week and live MY life the way I wanted to live it. And, boy o boy, could I ever get myself into some real messes, living MY life MY way!
Not until I attended Cursillo and then, a few years later, participated in an “Experiencing God” study, did I realize that there is a much better way to live than my way. I learned through both groups that God loves me unconditionally, He has a plan for my life that is at least a gazillion times better than my plan, and there is nothing I have to do, or can do, to earn this better life except trust Him and love Him back. You see, just as we want what is best for our children, no matter how they misbehave sometimes, and just as we crave an intimate and personal relationship with our children, God wants the same with us. In fact, He created us just for that purpose – to love Him and be in relationship with Him.
I feel as though I have been given the most wonderful Gift of all times – the Gift of the Holy Spirit living in me, leading me, forgiving me, teaching me, equipping me to seek and do His work, and I invite you to share this Gift with me. I invite you to “Experiencing God.”
“Experiencing God” is a 13-week course in which participants will learn how to have a meaningful and personal relationship with God and to know His will in their lives. God is at work around you. Will you join Him?
God will lead and I will facilitate this course in the Andy Lay room of Swift Church beginning Tuesday, February 23rd from 2:45-3:30. The class will continue to meet on Tuesdays, 2:45-4:30, through May 17th. Cost is $20 for the workbook. Scholarships are available. This course requires a significant time commitment on the part of the class members, but the rewards are potentially eternal.
I will be out of touch for all of February, but my good friend and former “Experiencing God” classmate, Joan Moore will be taking calls for me. For more information or to register, please call her at 943-6309. She will then order the books and meet with you on 2/23/16 to collect your $20 and hand out your books and your first homework assignment. Then I will be back for our first class meeting on 3/1/16 to discuss Unit 1. I will be praying for you to hear God’s call either to this class or to some other experience in which you will learn to know God’s abundant peace and unconditional love. Lee Mansell has also taken this class and could answer any questions you might have.
Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering
Dear Ladies of Swift,
We miss you. While you may not have a Presbyterian Women organization there, you are still our sisters-in-Christ and we miss seeing you. The PW Spring Gathering will be at Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 12. Registration forms have been mailed to your church office. On behalf of the entire Presbytery Coordinating Team, I want to extend our deepest desire to have you share the day with us. Come and share a day of fellowship, learning and worship with your friends from around the Presbytery.
Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions, concerns or just to visit.
Yours in Christ,
Judy Persons
Moderator, PW of South Alabama
jpcreate@yahoo.com
Note: Judy will join us for worship on February 28th to provide more information about PW and the Spring Gathering. Also, Pastors Keith and Jody Beth are 2 of the 3 workshop leaders for the Spring Gathering.
College and Adult Education Students
Several adult members of our congregation are furthering their education through college and other adult education studies. We can support them with our prayers, and perhaps you feel called to do something special for one or more of them. Maybe sending an encouraging card? Or a care package? Making a meal for a family whose mom or dad is studying? Providing restaurant gift cards for students living away from home? Or gas cards for a student traveling back and forth to classes frequently? How about offering child care during exam time?
Here is a list of those who we know are students. If you know of someone else, or if you are one of the ones taking classes, please let us know so we can include all students in our prayers.
Pate Cardwell, Columbia Southern University, On Line Bachelor of Applied Science in Fire Administration program
Rene Guidroz, University of South Alabama
Tessie Helton-Carrel, Faulkner State Community College, Culinary Arts Program
Tracy King, Bossier City Community College
Karely Kleinschmidt, Faulkner State Community College
Tara Morrow, Pensacola State College, Physical Therapist Assistant program to earn Associates Degree in Applied Science.
Philip Melton, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, On Line Christian Leadership Program.
Zach Melton, Central Alabama Community College
Karleigh Neese, University of South Alabama
Tanya Vetrano, Faulkner State Community College, Criminal Justice
MISSION AND SERVICE
2016 Deacon Ministry
Brett Cooper, Linda Runtz, Tosha Thomas (2018)
Don Aspray, Lisa Cardwell, Tresa Melton, Judy Walker (2017)
Beth Brewer, Kathy Menk, Teresa Neese, Jack Williams (2016)
Fellowship Time
Beth Brewer 747-3847
Brett Cooper 747-4036
Tosha Thomas 747-0924
Jack Williams 978-6814
Congregational Care
Judy Walker 943-9613 BC, I
Linda Runtz 923-8821 EF, QR, YZ & Williams & Turner
Don Aspray 424-2816 D, GH, UV
Tresa Melton 747-0990 JK, NOP
Teresa Neese 747-2134 LM
Marlene Hastings 752-9875 ST & Runtz
Lisa Cardwell 767-0777 A, WX
Kathy Menk 971-6509 8:00 Service
