FPC Weekly Bulletin                               
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Updated 7/15/07  

Welcome to The First Presbyterian Church of Sparta.  If you are attending for the first time, please let the ushers know.  We have something for you to take home.  Also, please complete the yellow card which accompanies the gift and return in collection plate or give to an usher. Receivers for the hearing-impaired are available from the ushers.
You are invited to stay after the conclusion of each worship service for individual prayer at the front of the Sanctuary. 
Refreshments and fellowship are available from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. in the Courtyard (weather permitting) or the Community Room.  Please join us. May God bless you as you seek His heart.

FAMILY ALTAR: The hymn writer says of prayer: “Blest are the pure in heart, for they shall see our God; the secret of the Lord is theirs; their soul is Christ’s abode.”  Pray that Christ might be the presence for those who are sick, recuperating or otherwise in need of support:  Cathy Lloyd (Rath’s daughter), Natalie Manz, Marilyn Hunter, James S., Maryann B., Olene M., Grace Olsen, Bunny Scott, Victor, Phyllis, David Aaronson, K.C., Tippy, Zach, Michaela, Michael, Andrew, Steve, Chris, Mike, Ted, Bill Shawger, Madeline S., Bruce M., Dan M., Ruth M., Terry M., Bobby P., Megan L., Mark C., Kathleen DeAngelo, Joel K., Connie Sue.
(Also see Prayer Beeper Ministry list on back of bulletin.)
Prayers of sympathy to Victor Zywicki and family on the recent loss of Victor’s father.

. More information on the the Prayer Vine.  Be sure to pray for our military wherever they may be.

Every Week    weekly calendar | monthly calendar | Bible Studies  |  Small Groups | Sunday School

  • Small Groups, Prayer, & Bible Studies We have quite a few... more (updated 9/30/07)
  • Special Needs church service 9 a.m. on Sunday more  

July Sparta Notes for July  

  • soldiers.
    COMFORTING ARMS MEMORIAL GARDEN
    Take a look at the garden as the new plantings are now in bloom and the first memorial pavers are in place. 

    Remember, this memorial is not limited to our church family.  If you know of anyone who might benefit from this step towards closure after abortion, miscarriage or stillbirth, have them contact the Church Office.

  • FAMILY NIGHT AT SKYHAWK’S BALLPARK
    Thursday, July 31  Game time 6:35 p.m.
    Join in the fun as the church family gathers for a night of baseball.
    Evening will be capped with Fireworks!
    All tickets $8.
    (Everyone, including children above the age of 3, occupying a seat must have a ticket.)
    Night of the game, meet Keith Keoppel near the entrance to get your tickets.

    Make your reservations now so we can be assured of having enough tickets to be seated together. 
    Please pre-pay, check payable to FPC; use special offering envelope in pew rack, write “SKYHAWKS” on outside of envelope & place in collection plate with completed form below or leave in the Church Office.

  • SPEAKERS ARE NEEDED to join us in presenting STRAIGHT TALK & STRAIGHT TALK, Jr. in our local public middle & high schools.  These are interactive, easy to learn scripts to encourage teens to choose abstinence until marriage.  Would YOU be available a few afternoons to present one of these programs in our local schools?  Speaker trainings for both programs will be held on Saturday, June 28th or Saturday, August 2, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.  Call Today’s Choice Pregnancy Resource Center, 973-579-2272to register.

 

Information     Areas To Serve | Youth Info | Loving Arms | A Soul Cafe | Make a Donation

  • Blessed Beginnings has openings for the following positions:

    •   Lunch Bunch Pre-school aide—every Monday & Friday, 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m.;
    •   Lunch-Kindergarten aide—Monday-Friday, 11:15-12:45;
    •   Aftercare-Kindergarten aide—Monday-Friday-2:15-3:45 p.m.

    . For more information, contact Sandy Poots (726-7513).

  • Do we have your email address?  We’d like to stay in touch with you with little email messages.  Also, let me know if you’d rather have your Sparta Notes emailed.  It would save us paper & postage costs.  Email me at
    fpcchurc@fpcsparta.org. Thanks.  Diane

  • NEEDED BY TEEN CHALLENGE GIRLS
    Teen Challenge has a real need for small portable tape players which they use for their school work.  If you have one you are not using or if you would like to donate one, please contact Barbara Kosa in the Church Office. 

  • HELP SUPPORT THE TROOPS.  | more | just in - a letter from Dan Forrester!


  • Families with young children: If your children are too active for you to enjoy your worship experience in church with them, you may bring them to our Nursery (located downstairs from the Sanctuary).  Or if you’d like to remain close to them you can stay and view the service on TV in the Nursery or with other families in the Music Room next to the Nursery.
  • HOMELESS MEN You may recall the unfortunate death last winter of a homeless man who sought shelter in a rug outside the Sparta Athletic Club.  FPCS is represented on a task force which is exploring, both long and short range solutions for the plight of the single homeless men.  IHN provides shelter only to families or women.  Samaritan Inn is our first line of defense for this population by providing motel rooms.  In the event that their funds for such stays are depleted, however, we will have the following plan in place: 

    Churches throughout the county are being asked to take turns in establishing a shelter on a weekly basis, somewhat similar to IHN, but this would be for single men only.  It will operate on a “demand” basis from 9pm to 7am daily under the super-vision of male volunteers. 

    FPCS has responded by making our facilities available.  Now all we need are the volunteers to help man it!  Please contact Keith if you are led to help in this ministry.  You may also help by designating contributions to FPCS, noting “Sam. Inn Men” on the special offering envelope found in the pew racks. 

  • CANCER SUPPORT MINISTRY
    For anyone whose life has been touched by cancer (survivor, patient, caregiver, friend)  a support ministry is available which meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Christian Faith Fellowship Church, 3188 Rte. 94, Franklin, NJ  We will be ministering through God’s Word and use of the study book “Christ the Healer” by F.F. Bosworth.  For more info call: Jeannie @ 875-7708 or JoAnn 729-2933.

  • EASY WAY TO SUPPORT TONY LOEFFLER & THE SHOOTING STARS PRISON MINISTRY
    There is a new and exciting and innovative way of financially supporting prison ministry.  All you need to do is purchase your books and music, personal, and even business supplies on-line through Shooting Stars “Shopping Mall”.  You will not only find attractive pricing, but a portion of each sale—up to 10% -- will go to the prison ministry.  Try it!  www.supportthisministry,com/shootingstars

  • Mission Card Shop

    The Mission Card Shop has special frames for 25th & 50th anniversaries, pretty glass bluebirds for special occasions, and 2 small dolls for that granddaughter having a July birthday.  Other miscellaneous items are featured on our gift table.  Check it out after you have coffee in the courtyard.  All donations go to missions. 
                                                                                     Thank you!  Nancy Claus

  • TO SAVE ON COSTS OF PAPER & POSTAGE, the Church Office would like to offer you the option to receive your Sparta Notes by email.  If you would rather receive yours by email, please let Diane know at fpcchurc@fpcsparta.org or fill out the form below and place in the Offering Plate.  Sparta notes is also available on our website Sparta Notes