SEVEN: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

SUMMER BOOK STUDY:

"Seven"

A conversation about the "too much" in our lives.

Ladies....change your plans, mark your calendars, grab this book and invite a friend!!  This summer, together, we will be diving into the provocative, challenging, powerful and funny diary of Jen Hatmaker's experiment with reducing the excess in the life of she and her family.  'Seven' is the "discovery of a greatly increased God-a call toward Christ-like simplicity and generosity that transcends a social experiment to become a radically better existence."  Join us as we read, discuss and challenge each other (guilt-free) this summer.  

Book excerpt:

 Seven months, seven areas, reduced to seven simple choices.  I'm embarking on a journey of less.  It's time to purge the junk and pare down to what is necessary, what is noble.  7 will be an exercise in simplicity with one goal: to create space for God's kingdom to break through.

 -Jen Hatmaker

 DATES:

June 13, 20, 27

July 11, 18, 25

9:30am-11:30am

Faith Presbyterian Church

 

Nursery and kids activities available. 

REGISTER YOUR KIDDOS:

Ages 0-3: monicamerrill@bellsouth.net 
Grades (rising) K4-6: shood@faith-pca.org

*weekly nursery/kids sign-in will begin @ 9:15am.  

Books will be ordered soon.  To reserve your copy, 
 contact Amy Henry. 

Questions? Contact Meg Trammell or Amy Henry

TEAM FAITH: 5K @ Veteran's Park. JOIN US!!

A group of us will be running, jogging and walking in the Autism Awareness run on Saturday, April 28, 2012.  There is a 5K timed race, as well as a 2-mile walk.  If you are interested in joining Team Faith, please contact Amy Henry for more information.  This will be a great opportunity to fellowship, get some exercise together, and be active in our own community.  There will be activities for the entire family.  It's not too late to get registered!!

Race to Solve the Puzzle @ Veteran's Park

River Day Getaway

FPC Ladies' River Day Getaway is just around the corner. We will be heading to a beautiful spot on the Warrior River for a wonderful day of teaching, fellowship, and of course...eating! The Strickland's have graciously offered to host this event at their river house and can't wait to welcome all of you. 

DATE: Saturday, April 14, 2012

TIMES: 8:00 a.m. (we will meet and carpool) until 4:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Stricklands' river house (maps & directions available)

SPEAKER: Kelly Buck

ADDITIONAL INFO:

• We will be asking for snack and lunch contributions, so let us know if you are willing to help. Please bring either a salad, something sweet, or something salty (appetizer). Drinks will be provided.
• You may want to bring a Bible and something to take notes on.
• Don't worry about who to ride with. We will meet and carpool from designated locations.

TWO LOCATIONS:
Choose which location is more convenient and meet there at 8 a.m.: 

1. 8 a.m.: Faith Presbyterian lower parking lot
2. 8 a.m.: Brookwood Mall back upper parking lot behind Macy's

Ladies, this is a great opportunity to invite a friend, neighbor, or a church visitor/newcomer. Invite someone to ride with you as we journey to the river!

Sign-ups will begin Sunday, April 1, in KC classes. Watch for the clipboard...

Questions? Contact Meg Trammell.

Women's Stone Soup Fellowship

January 23 at 6:30 

Soup for us and soup for Brother Bryan! Join us for a dinner of soup and salad. We'll hear about women's Bible studies, and Pam Caldwell will encourage us as women of Faith in a new year of ministry. Don't miss the fun and fellowship! Sign up here!
 

We'll also collect ingredients for a soup supper at Brother Bryan Mission.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Summer Drop-In Bible Study

Ladies’ Summer Bible Study 

This is a great opportunity to get into the Word with your sisters at Faith. Come on three Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30. There will be a different speaker each week, and refreshments too. All women are welcome! Nursery and kids’ activities are available. Contact Aimee Jackson (amcgeeverj@hotmail.com).

July 13

 July 20 

July 27

In His Steps

Rev. Henry Maxwell, speaking slowly and determinedly, repeated his astounding proposition, "I want volunteers from First Church who will pledge themselves, earnestly and honestly, for an entire year; not to do anything without first asking the question, 'What would Jesus do?'" Maxwell never dreamed that among those who responded would be the most influential members of his congregation. Together they pledged themselves to a new step of faith that would change, not just a handful of people, but an entire town-for good."

Christian Classic?

     Admittedly, I waited a rather long time before searching for this summer's book club selection. I've read a lot of great stuff lately, but nothing seemed right for a book club. Some titles were too long. Some too serious. Some too sad. My search for "thee book" led me to research the top ten Christian fiction books of all time. I wasn't surprised to see many of C.S. Lewis' titles listed in addition to Bunyan's beloved Pilgrim's Progress. There were also some titles by Hannah Hurnard and GK Chesterton. And then there was Charles Sheldon's novel In His Steps. Never heard of it. Again and again, the book appeared on lists of Christian classics and it boasted some 30 million copies sold since its publication in 1896. Perhaps this was worth reading. My curiosity peaked, I ordered a copy.
    The book directly fits into a topic that I've been reading quite a bit about lately. What does it truly mean to be a disciple of Christ? This question is hardly a new one. Dietrich Bonhoeffer answered this question in his 1937 book, The Cost of Discipleship. More recently, David Platt revisited the question in his instant-hit, Radical, which is still sweeping the country. However, it is Sheldon's novel that is credited with asking the question that created both a witness tool and a fashion phenomenon--What Would Jesus Do? WWDJ?
Unlike Bonhoeffer or Platt, Sheldon uses fiction as a framework and his characters answer the WWDJ question by responding to a bold challenge---to make no decisions whatsoever for one full year without first asking the WWJD question and then obeying no matter the cost. The result is a quietly interesting read.
   Though antiquated, the book is surprisingly relevant and within a few pages, you forget that it's over 100 years old. The language is a little dated, but not distracting. The characters are charming and easy to identify with. It's not a flashy page-turner, but rather a thought-provoking book that leads you page by page on this year long experiment with seven very different characters. But (and it's a big but) the book has the potential for heavy criticism and debate. What are its strengths and weaknesses? Should it be revered as a Christian classic? Should the title be cited with the likes of C.S. Lewis as being top-ten worthy?     
   Put the beach reading down for a little while and read along with me. You be the critic. Will the WWJD question take on a whole new meaning for you after reading this book or will it just be another bumper sticker; another short-lived trend in American culture?

* Read Chapters 1-15 for June 22nd and the remaining chapters for June 29th.

* The book is available via Amazon for around $9.37. For the Kindle carriers, it's available for free. Due to a defective copy-right that was discovered in 1933, the book is available for download all over the internet also and it's perfectly legal (if you can read off of a computer screen or spend $1,000 in ink to print it).

SEE BELOW FOR TIMES & LOCATION.

BRING A FRIEND & COME READ WITH US!!!

for more info, contact Kerry Cobb.