If you can’t attend worship, the sermons will be posted on the church website www.swiftchurch.org/. There are written, audio and video copies available when you are absent.

Beginner handbells and Joyful Tones begin rehearsals on Sunday, Nov. 3. Beginner bells will rehearse immediately after worship at 11:10 in the sanctuary, and Joyful Tones will meet in the choir room at 12:10.

These choirs as well as chancel choir and Wednesday night handbell choir will be preparing for the Swift Christmas program on Sunday, Dec. 15. The final run-through rehearsal is Saturday, Dec. 14, at 9 a.m.

We are looking for soloists, small ensembles, and readers to participate in the program. If you are interested, please let me know.

We will start off the month on Nov. 3 with a celebration of the conclusion of our stewardship campaign. We also will celebrate the Lord’s Supper by intinction at both services. All Saints Day is that day, too. A bell will toll as each name is read of people who have departed since this time last year.

Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour before you go to bed Saturday night, Nov. 2. Daylight-saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday.

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Thanksgiving Day is coming up on Nov. 24, so now is a good time to express thanks to God for the love, care and amazing grace that He extends to us all — and for all that he provides. Everything we have comes from God.

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“Christian worship joyfully ascribes all praise and honor, glory and power to the triune God. In worship, the people of God acknowledge God present in the world and in their lives. As they respond to God’s claim and redemptive action in Jesus Christ, believers are transformed and renewed. In worship, the faithful offer themselves to God and are equipped for God service in the world.”

— From Book of Order, “Directory for Worship,” Presbyterian Church (USA) W-1.1000

Jesus is the head of the church, and most people would say worshiping our triune God is at the heart of the church. In many places in the Bible, God tells us He wants us to worship Him. Worship brings us closer to the Lord.

Your tithes and offerings to Swift Church fund the many facets of passionate worship at our two weekly Sunday morning services, for a service once a month at Live Oak, and for other special occasions, such as Holy Week, Christmas Eve, The Longest Night, and the service at Art in the Park.

These are some other positive impacts your tithes and offerings have on our church family.

■ Pastors — Providing salaries to our worship leaders and giving them opportunities for continuing education

■ Music — Supporting the efforts of the chancel choir, handbell and tone-chime choirs through the purchase of instruments and music and paying our music director and our pianist

■ Blessing of the backpacks — Covering the cost for tags to remind our students and teachers how much God loves them and their church family loves and supports them

■ Supplies — Your financial support allows us to buy necessary worship supplies including candles and occasional gifts for special events, such as Mother’s Day.

Thank you for supporting worship at Swift Presbyterian Church.

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Pastor appreciation — On Oct. 27, your worship elder celebrated the ministry of our church and presented tokens of the church family’s love and appreciation to Pastor Keith, Pastor Jody Beth and Music Director Lisa. Church officers decided to give them gift certificates to Tanger Outlets so they could choose where to use them.

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Please let me know if you or your child would like to serve as a worship helper. And I would like to compile a list of people who are willing to read the prayer of illumination and the Scripture that precedes the sermon at 10:00 worship.

‘TWO OR MORE’ FELLOWSHIP LUNCH
Thursday, Oct. 7 • 11:30 a.m.
O’Charley’s — 3060 S. McKenzie St., Foley

Everyone is welcome and invited to join us for Christian fellowship and lunch.
Please contact Lee Mansell, 251-232-4775, if you know you are coming.

BUTTERFLY GIRLS/GUYS NIGHT OUT
Thursday, Nov. 21 • 6:30 p.m.
El Rey Mexican and Greek Restaurant
23529 Alabama Highway 59, Robertsdale

The next Butterfly Girls and Guys Night Out will be Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at El Rey Mexican and Greek Restaurant in Robertsdale (23529 Alabama Highway 59, on the left at the next traffic light to the north of Highway 90).

To view their menu, visit https://www.menuwithprice.com/menu/el-rey-mexican-restaurant/.

Please confirm with Mary McNair by phone or text (251-295-5267) or by e-mail (marymcnair@centurylink.net) by noon that day, but sooner is greatly appreciated. A head count is needed to reserve the necessary tables, but a few extra spots are also reserved, so come anyway even if knowing at the last second.

Come join the fellowship over a meal, then help us decide where we’ll go next month. Also, this is an easy way to practice radical hospitality, so please bring other family and friends.

Couples or singles are welcome.

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

✓ Swift Church session met Monday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. After prayer we received the financial report and heard from the Swift Safety Team.

✓ We approved written reports and minutes.

✓ Heard about the work of the deacons and communion served at Live Oak Assisted Living on Oct. 6.

✓ We discussed interest in repairing and updating the chapel and fellowship hall.

✓ We discussed completion of the driveway paving. Both are being looked into.

✓ Reviewed church membership.

✓ Approved Blakely Hastings’ baptism for Nov. 17.

✓ Closed with prayer.

Food pantry
Our Swift Food Pantry served 51 families that included 112 individuals on Oct. 9. That is a new high for the number of families and individuals served. Word is out that Swift Presbyterian Church can show its love in a tangible fashion. On Oct. 23, our food pantry served 24 families with a total of 51 individuals within those families. We appreciate the hard work and devotion from all of the volunteers at our food pantry.

It is now time for our food pantry to make preparations for Thanksgiving. The following items need to be donated on or preferably before Nov. 24. To help make someone’s Thanksgiving, consider sharing canned ham, small frozen turkey, frozen chicken, box of dressing, cream of mushroom soup, cranberry sauce, canned yams, canned green beans, instant mashed potatoes, gravy mix, canned vegetables, cake mix, frosting, brownie mix, and/or cookie mix.

Elberta Elementary School
It has become a special mission to serve EES with their needs for the children that are less privileged in our community. Swift Presbyterian Church has continued to restock the school’s need for more snacks. Our “two cents a meal” donations support this mission.

Alabama Sheriffs Boys Ranch
Don’t forget that we have extended an invitation to the Alabama Sheriffs Boys Ranch to join our Swift family for worship on Nov. 17. Everyone is encouraged to attend and share a warm heart with youth that have been temporarily relocated due to circumstances beyond their control. Mark Melton, fellowship elder, has offered to host lunch after the 10 a.m. service with the attendees from the Alabama Sheriffs Boys Ranch as our guests of honor. Donations for the luncheon will be shared with the Alabama Sheriffs Boys Ranch.

Our support to the Alabama Sheriffs Boys Ranch can be extended in other ways, also. They are looking for a Christian, mission-minded couple to join their staff as relief house-parents with some light maintenance duties. This is a full-time, live-in position with benefits. If you know of anyone that could be interested, have them call (251) 989-6392.

WE APPRECIATE OUR NOVEMBER VOLUNTEERS

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“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10

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GREETER/USHER TEAMS
Nov. 3 — Greg McNair
Nov. 10 — Norm and Debbie Schmidt
Nov. 17 — Sue Ann Lay, Lynda Walden
Nov. 24 — Susie Alexander, Janelle Armbruster

ACOLYTES
Nov. 3 — Cadi Cardwell, McCoy Cooper
Nov. 10 — Sully Curry
Nov. 17 — ZoeyLynn and Zadie Grace Barnwell
Nov. 24 — Lainey Thomas

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS (if needed)
Nov. 3 — Tracy Akins
Nov. 10 — Jane King, Carlie Sims
Nov. 17 — Ginny Kleinschmidt, Tara Morrow
Nov. 24 — Pate and Brett Cardwell

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
Nov. 3 — Cathy Rogers
Nov. 10 — Lynn Aspray
Nov. 17 — Pate Cardwell
Nov. 24 — Judy Walker

CHILDREN’S CHURCH
Nov. 3 — none/communion Sunday
Nov. 10 — Debbie Schmidt, Megan Curry
Nov. 17 — Jane King, Carlie Sims
Nov. 24 — Tracy and Olivia Akins

ELDER OF THE WEEK
Nov. 3 — Pate Cardwell
Nov. 10 — Greg McNair
Nov. 17 — Andrew King
Nov. 24 — Al Sprouse

PROJECTIONIST
Andrew King

 CHILDREN AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES
 Brett Cardwell | elder/children • Tara  Morrow | elder/youth 

Sunday school every week at 9 in the annex
Grades K–4 in room 3; grades 5–12 in room 4 

SWAG (Saved With Amazing Grace)
GfyG (Glori-fy-ing God)
Refuel for youth

SWAG is for children in kindergarten through fourth grade.

GɸG and Refuel are for youth in fifth through 12th grades.

■ Refuel will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m.

■ SWAG and GfyG will meet on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the annex. Hope to see you there! The groups gather for a light meal, Bible lesson, games and fellowship. All school-age children are invited and encouraged to attend; you may bring a friend or friends.

Please contact Brett Cardwell or Tara Morrow if you are interested in providing food, doing cleanup, or helping to teach a lesson.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
 Cheryl Jensen | leader 

The class meets from 9 to 9:45 a.m. in room 2 in the annex. We are studying the New Testament in chronological order, led by Cheryl Jensen.

Our class continues studying Paul’s journey to churches in Asia and Rome. “All stand guilty before the Lord” are Paul’s words as we venture into Romans, the book of God’s grace. We have room for you and the welcome mat is out.

YOUNGER ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
 Andrew King | leader, adult Christian education elder 

A younger adult Sunday school class meets in the chapel at 9 a.m. and is led by Andrew King. The class is studying Paul’s letters to the churches. All are welcome to come and be a part of this new class.

SNACKS WITH SUSAN AND DARYL
 Susan and Daryl Pichoff | leaders 

The class meets in the fellowship hall on Sundays from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and is led by Susan and Daryl Pichoff.

If you have been thinking about joining an adult class, come and check us out! We gather to have a bite to eat and discuss a video series that lasts several weeks, then move on to a new topic.

We value all opinions as we discuss the material and appreciate hearing from all who join us.

Starting Nov. 24, the class will begin an Advent study focused on Joseph. We know a lot about Jesus and Mary from Scripture, but Joseph? Join us for some conversation and reflection in this four-week session.

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

A 12-week Bible study has begun but you are welcome to join at any time. This study is based on the Gospel of Matthew, using the Bible and a study book as materials. Pastor Jody Beth and Elder Philip Melton will facilitate. The study book is Six Themes in Matthew Everyone Should Know. The cost of the study book is $12 and scholarships are available.

The class meets in room 2 in the annex on Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. through Dec. 12 but taking Thanksgiving off.

Come for study and fellowship. Contact Pastor Jody Beth for more information and to sign up, jodybeth7@yahoo.com, 213-6625.

BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP 
FOR ADULTS AT A GLANCE

We are blessed to have so many people who would like to be part of Bible study and fellowship at Swift Church. Here is a listing of the groups that are meeting. All of them are open to people visiting and/or joining the group, whether you are a member of Swift Church or not. For more information, contact the leaders or the church office.

Weekly:

• Thursdays, 10 to 11:30, Bible study, room 2 in the annex, through Dec. 12 with Thanksgiving off. This study is based on the Gospel of Matthew, using the Bible and a study book as materials. Pastor Jody Beth and Elder Philip Melton will facilitate. The study book is Six Themes in Matthew Everyone Should Know. The cost will be about $12 and scholarships are available.

• Sundays, 9 to 9:45 a.m., younger adult Sunday school class, in the historic chapel; led by Andrew King. This class is studying Paul’s letters to the churches.

• Sundays, 9 to 9:45 a.m., adult Sunday school class, room 2 in the annex, continuing a chronolgical study of the New Testament. Led by Cheryl Jensen

• Sundays, 9 to 9:45 a.m., Snacks with Susan and Daryl, fellowship hall, led by Susan and Daryl Pichoff; topic varies. The class usually watches a DVD and discusses informative topics.

• Thursdays (first Thursday of month), 11:30 a.m., “Two or More” fellowship lunch at O’Charley’s in Foley on South McKenzie Street. Contact is Lee Mansell.

• Thursdays (third Thursday of month), 6:30 p.m., Butterfly Girls and Guys Night Out fellowship dinner at area restaurants, different place each month.

SANCTUARY FLOWER SCHEDULING
Please contact Susie Alexander to reserve your date.

Flowers can be offered for a special occasion, birthday, anniversary, in memory of someone special, or just because you want to. They don’t have to be an expensive bouquet or arrangement, but something out of your own garden can be just as beautiful. We keep a calendar in the office so that you can check to see if your date is available.

To reserve your date(s), you can contact Susie Alexander at 251-943-4145 or sign up on one of the charts in the narthex or the back of the chapel.

ABOUT ONLINE GIVING . . .

You may have noticed this box in your bulletin. Using your “smart phone” and this box you can connect to the church’s online giving page. You can set up for automatic donations of your tithes or one-time gifts to a number of funds benefiting ministries of Swift Church. Use this by either entering your credit/debit card information or your checking account information. Of course, this is a secure website.

You can also do the same thing by clicking a donation link on the church’s website.

“I want to help defray the cost of sending the monthly church bulletins. They keep me connected to a faith source Gerri and I enjoyed for many years. Next month marks four years in her passing this life to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Time marches on. I pray God will keep you all in His blessings and guidance.”

— Bob Kinblom [Oct. 1, 2019]

(Bob and his wife, Gerri, were members who worshiped here at the 8:00 service. Gerri died of Alzheimer’s. Bob now lives in Hinckley, Minnesota.)