Pro-Life Video

Monthly Fellowship Meal

This Sunday night, Nov. 2nd

at 6:00 p.m.

We will be having Taco Soup.

$3.oo per person or $6.00 per person

This Week at FPCP

• Tuesday Night Women's Bible Study 6:30 pm-8:00 pm at the Church.
• Wednesday, 10 am - 11:30 am at the Pooler Library.
• Wednesday Night Young Couples' Bible Study, 6:30 PM. (Email for more information: FPCPooler@comcast.net)
• Sunday School, 10:00 am. Continuing the study of the Westminster Confession of Faith led by Roger Yancey.
• Sunday Morning Worship- 11 a.m. Sermon: Matthew 20:20-28, "Leadership and the Cup"
• Sunday Evening Worship- 6:00 pm. Monthly Fellowship Meal

Sermon: Do you really understand grace?

Matthew 20: 1-16

This Week at FPCP

• Tuesday Night Women's Bible Study 6:30 pm-8:00 pm at the Church.

• Wednesday, 10 am - 11:30 am at the Pooler Library.

• Wednesday Night Young Couples' Bible Study, 6:30 PM. (Email for more information: FPCPooler@comcast.net)

• Friday Night: Men's Retreat at Ebenezer. 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm

• Sunday School, 10:00 am. Continuing the study of the Westminster Confession of Faith led by Roger Yancey.

• Sunday Morning Worship- 11 a.m. Sermon: Matthew 20:1-16, "Fighting for Their Faith"

• Sunday Evening Worship- 6:00 pm. Adult class will discuss "Evangelicals and Politics"

Sermon: A Wise Investment and a Warning

Based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 19:27-30 To download this video, click here. To listen to or download an MP3 click here.

This Week at FPCP

• Tuesday Night Women's Bible Study 6:30 pm-8:00 pm at the Church.

• Wednesday, 10 am - 11:30 am at the Pooler Park off Rogers Street.

• Wednesday Night Young Couples' Bible Study, 6:30 PM at the home of Ken and Kim Hayes. Email for directions (FPCPooler@comcast.net)

• Session Meeting, Thursday from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Church.

• Sunday School, 10:00 am. Continuing the study of the Westminster Confession of Faith led by Roger Yancey.

• Sunday Morning Worship- 11 a.m. Sermon: Matthew 20:1-16, "Do you really understand grace?"

• Sunday Evening Worship- 6:00 pm. Adult class will conclude the study on C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and the kids will meet in their respective classes.

Taming the Tongue

This is a video put out by Desiring God Ministries called,

"James 3: A Story"

A few candid shots

Recent pictures of kids during Sunday School.

We have classes for all ages and wonderful teachers!

A Great Parable

Sinclair Ferguson is from Scotland and now serving as the Pastor of the First PResbyterian Church of Columbia, SC. In addition, he serves as a Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary.

The Presbyterian view of Baptism

Here is a quote from an article posted on the Tenth Presbyterian Church of Philidelphia website explaining why we baptize infants. The entire article can be found here.

The article is written by Richard Phillips.

We must address the question, “Who should be baptized?” Our church baptizes adults upon profession of faith, and baptizes children presented for baptism by one or more believing members of the church.

Infant baptism is based upon the continuity between New Covenant baptism and the Old Covenant rite of circumcision. A considerable amount of Scripture upholds this continuity. In Romans 4:11, the apostle Paul notes that circumcision was the seal of “the righteousness of faith.” In Colossians 2:11, 12, Paul points to the same spiritual reality (separation from the sinful nature) by means of both circumcision and baptism. Furthermore, the privileges of the New Covenant are hardly less than those of the Old Covenant. The inclusion of children in the covenant is not rescinded under the New Covenant, but is directly affirmed in Jeremiah 31:33 and in Acts 2:38-39. Finally, Gal. 3:27- 29, one of the key texts on baptism, relates baptism to circumcision by rejoicing that not only men but women may receive the covenant sign, not merely Jews but Greeks, etc.

By baptizing infant children of believers, we take seriously the promise at the core of God’s covenant: “I will be your God and the God of your children after you” (Genesis 17:7; Exodus 19:5, 6; Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2; Jeremiah 31:33). We take seriously Jesus’ words regarding the little children, as found in Matthew 19:13, 14: “Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.”

This is not just a story about how Jesus was nice to little children. These are the covenant, circumcised children of Israel (at least the boys were circumcised). And here is the Messiah, the Lord of the Covenant, laying His hands on them for blessing and praying for them to the Father. What an encouragement this is for us to bring our children to receive the blessing of the covenant sign of our Lord.

Along similar lines, we note that children of believers are accountable as members of the covenant. In Ephesians 6:1, 4 and Colossians 3:20, 21, the apostle Paul commands children to obey their parents “in the Lord”. Parents, he says, are to bring their children up “in the training and instruction of the Lord”. Here we find that the children of believers are treated as Christians, to receive the benefits and obligations thereof. Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 7;14, in a passage discussing marriage and divorce, Paul remarks that children of a believing parent are “holy”. Paul is not saying that these children are automatically saved or that they automatically come to faith in Christ; however, he is saying that such children are set apart in God’s sight.

Finally, we take note of the household baptisms seen in the New Testament (Acts 16:15, 33, 34; 1 Corinthians 1:16). Of only twelve actual baptisms recorded in the New Testament, three of them are household baptisms. Scripture does not tell us that infants were baptized in these occasions, nor does it say that all who were baptized believed. Indeed, the clear inference from these household baptisms is that those under the headship of the head of the house received a benefit from his/her belief. That benefit was baptism, and a public identification with the church.

It is because of this biblical data that our church, along with the whole of the Reformed tradition, baptizes infants of believing adults. In so doing we gratefully lay hold of the promise of our God, when he says:
“I will establish my covenant between me and you and your seed after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a god to you and to your seed after you.” Deuteronomy 29:10-13.

Sermon:The Peril of Riches

Based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 19:16-26. Click here to listen to or download an MP3

This Week at FPCP

• Deacon's Meeting, Monday night at 7:00 p.m.

• Tuesday Night Women's Bible Study 6:30 pm-8:00 pm at the Church. Click here for details.

• Wednesday, 10 am - 11:30 am at the Pooler Park off Rogers Street.

• Wednesday Night Young Couples' Bible Study, 6:30 PM at the home of Ken and Kim Hayes. Email for directions (FPCPooler@comcast.net)

• Sunday School, 10:00 am. Discussion of raising Children led by Roger Yancey.

• Sunday Morning Worship- 11 a.m. Sermon: Matthew 19:27-30, "A Wise Investment and a Warning"

• Sunday Evening Worship- 6:00 pm. Adult class will continue the study on C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and the kids will meet in their respective classes.

Men's Retreat

MEN'S RETREAT

Friday, October 24th

5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Ebenezer Retreat Center, Rincon, GA

Rev. Jim Wilkerson and his family

Join us for food, fellowship

and an opportunity to hear:

Rev. Jim Wilkerson, Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Brunswick, GA

He will speak on Leadership in the home and at work

Email the church for details or to sign-up.

The cost is $18.75 which includes a buffet supper.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Here is the link to a great website called the

"Westminster Shorter Catechism Project"

http://www.shortercatechism.com/


You can click on each of the questions and find Biblical support as well as resources to help you study each question further.

Sermon: Jesus and Children, Part 4

"What our children need to know about Jesus" To download this video, click here. To download or listen to an MP3, click here.

Young Couples' Bible Study

Young Couples' Bible Study on Galatians

Starting Wednesday, Oct 1st at 6:30 PM

Taught by Michael Brown.

This study will be initially meeting at the home of Nate and Jill Warfield.

Email the Church at FPCPooler@comcast.net for more information and directions.

This Week at FPCP

• Tuesday Night Women's Bible Study 6:30 pm-8:00 pm at the Church. Click here for details.

• Wednesday, 10 am - 11:30 am at the Pooler Park off Rogers Street.

• Wednesday Night Young Couples' Bible Study, 6:30 PM at the home of Nate and Jill Warfield. Email for directions (FPCPooler@comcast.net)

• Sunday School, 10:00 am. Discussion of raising Children led by Roger Yancey.

• Sunday Morning Worship- 11 a.m. Sermon: Matthew 19:16-26, "The Peril of Riches"

• Sunday Evening Worship- 6:00 pm. Adult class will continue the study on C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and the kids will meet in their respective classes.

October Fellowship Meal

Join us Sunday, Oct 5th at 6:00 p.m.for our

Monthly Fellowship Meal

$3/ person or $6/ family

pay at the door.

This is the usual effect of good Christian fellowship during our monthly meals!!

Two Sermons by Dr. Bryan Chapell

Dr. Chapell is the President of Covenant Theological Seminary.

Between the Fences--Part 1
Knowing God's Will
Bryan Chapell
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Download MP3 Audio

Between the Fences--Part 2
Knowing God's Will
Bryan Chapell
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Download MP3 Audio

Sermon: Jesus and Children, Part 3

"Bringing Our Children to Jesus" To download this video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

This Week at FPCP

• Tuesday Night Women's Bible Study 6:30 pm-8:00 pm at the Church.

• Wednesday, 10 am - 11:30 am at the West Chatham Library in Pooler. Email our Director of Children's Ministry Alison at FPCPchildren@yahoo.com if you have further questions.
• Sunday School, 10:00 am. Discussion of raising Children led by Roger Yancey.
• Sunday Morning Worship- 11 a.m. Sermon Topic "What our Children need to know about Jesus" based off Jesus' teaching in Matthew 19.

• Sunday Evening Worship- 6:00 pm. Adult class will continue the study on C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and the kids will meet in their respective classes.

Sermon: Jesus and Children, Part 2

"Common Mistakes in Bringing Children to Jesus" To download this video, click here. To download the MP3, click here.

Women's Bible Study

Bible Study for Women

Tuesday nights

from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Starting September 23rd.

We will meet at the Church.

The study will last approximately 8 weeks and will be on the book “Spiritual Mothering” by Susan Hunt. This study is for any woman at any age or season of her life. It’s a Titus 2 model for women mentoring other women. The books will cost $12.00. Email Temple at FPCPoffice@yahoo.com to sign up.

Racial Reconciliation

Here is the official adopted position of our denomination, the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA).

RACIAL RECONCILIATION

14. That Overture 20 from Nashville Presbytery ("Racial Reconciliation") be answered by the adoption of the following statement. Adopted.

Whereas, the heinous sins attendant with unbiblical forms of servitude-including oppression, racism, exploitation, manstealing, and chattel slavery-stand in opposition to the Gospel; and,

Whereas, the effects of these sins have created and continue to create barriers between brothers and sisters of different races and/or economic spheres; and

Whereas, the aftereffects of these sins continue to be felt in the economic, cultural, and social affairs of the communities in which we live and minister;

We therefore confess our involvement in these sins. As a people, both we and our fathers, have failed to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the laws God has commanded. We therefore publicly repent of our pride, our complacency, and our complicity. Furthermore, we seek the forgiveness of our brothers and sisters for the reticence of our hearts that have constrained us from acting swiftly in this matter.

We will strive, in a manner consistent with the Gospel imperatives, for the encouragement of racial reconciliation, the establishment of urban and minority congregations, and the enhancement of existing ministries of mercy in our cities, among the poor, and across all social, racial, and economic boundaries, to the glory of God. Amen.

Note:
The Presbyterian Church in America participated in addressing the question of racial reconciliation as early as 1977, through her delegation to the NAPARC conference on race relations, and the resulting statement adopted.

That statement achieved a "consensus on a number of crucial issues" and it began by confessing serious inadequacies with respect to NAPARC member churches concerning race relations in the church:


We are convinced that we, as Reformed Christians, have failed to speak and act boldly in the area of race relations. Our denominational profiles reveal patterns of ethnic and racial homogeneity. We believe that this situation fails to give adequate expression to the saving purposes of our sovereign God, whose covenant extends to all peoples and races. We are convinced that our record in this crucial area is one of racial brokenness and disobedience. In such a situation the credibility of our Reformed witness, piety and doctrinal confession is at stake. We have not lived out the implications of that biblical and confessional heritage which we hold in common with each other, with its emphasis on the sovereignty and freedom of grace, on the absence of human merit in gaining salvation, and on the responsibility to subject all of life to the Lordship of Christ.


The statement continued with a summary of faithful biblical teaching adapted to address the defects confessed above:

Although there are marked distinctions and even divisions among men, including those of race, mankind, according to the teaching of the Bible, has a single origin. Later distinctions and divisions are indeed significant and may not simply be pushed aside; nevertheless, the Bible clearly teaches that the gospel is universal in its offer and its call. All men are created in the image of God and have fallen into sin, and are in need of redemption. All those who are in Christ are united together with Him as their Head in a new humanity, in which the distinctions and divisions that otherwise separate men are transcended in a new unity. True, the distinctions mentioned in the Bible as having been overcome in Christ are not primarily those of race, nor does the Bible think along lines that correspond with the distinctions of race as we understand them today; nevertheless, racial distinctions and divisions as we know and understand them today certainly fall under those things that have been transcended in Christ. How, then, is the new unity in Christ to be expressed in the communion of the church today as it bears on the question of race?

The description of God's people in I Peter 2:9, 10, as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, reveals the church's visible oneness as the community of those separated into the Lord. It is a oneness on the order of the racial, cultic, and national unity of Israel (Exodus 19:6), and it has as its purpose the declaration of the wonderful works of God. Therefore, the church's identity transcends and makes of secondary importance the racial, national and cultic identities of the world.

We see in Revelation 7:9, 10, the chosen race worshiping the Lamb in heaven. They come from different backgrounds, yet worship with one voice. Is not the unity of our worship here on earth to be a copy of that which takes place within the heavenly sanctuary? Should not all those washed in the blood of the Lamb joyously worship together?


In the light of such scriptural teaching, the statement continued in the acknowledgement of sin on the part of the member churches:

In repentance we acknowledge and confess that we have failed effectively to recognize the full humanity of other races and the similarity of their needs, desires, and hopes to ours; and thus we have failed to love our neighbor as ourselves... Within the church, our members have exhibited such attitudes and actions as discourage membership or participation by minority groups... Our churches have not been free from such formal actions as discourage membership or participation by minority groups. They have been guilty of a lack of positive action concerning mission to ethnic groups in their own neighborhoods and to ethnic groups at large. They have practiced a kind of cultural exclusivism, thinking of the church as "our church" rather than Christ's. This involves the sins of pride and idolatry.


Yet the statement was able to acknowledge the work of grace evident in this matter, particularly in the seminaries that serve the PCA:

We commend ... Westminster Theological Seminary for its ministerial institute, which intends to assist inner-city pastors in their continued training in ministry and Covenant Theological. Seminary for its Urban Ministers' Institute....


The statement concluded with a number of exhortations, among which are included:

We encourage congregations to reach out to the entire community around them.

We encourage congregations to rise to meet the challenge of racial diversity in changing neighborhoods.

We encourage members of our congregations to remain in those communities were there are racially changing patterns.

We acknowledge that in order to change our unbiblical profile, we should urge churches in NAPARC to give priority to a vigorous pursuit of evangelism and church planting in racially, economically, and ethnically diverse communities....

In reaffirming the great commission, we recommend ... that cross-cultural evangelism be encouraged in our churches through preaching, modeling, and discipling, through the elders and pastors, beginning with the use of our covenant families and homes, and house-to-house neighborhood outreach.

This Week at FPCP

• Tuesday Night Bible Study on Philippians. 6:30 pm-7:30 pm at the Church. Just bring a Bible. Childcare is available for those who reserve a spot. The study is open to both men and women.

• Wednesday, 10 am - 11:30 am at the West Chatham Library in Pooler. Email our Director of Children's Ministry Alison at FPCPchildren@yahoo.com if you have further questions.

• Sunday School, 10:00 am. Discussion of raising Children led by Roger Yancey.

• Sunday Morning Worship- 11 a.m. Sermon Topic "Bringing our Children to Jesus" based off Jesus' teaching in Matthew 19.

• Sunday Evening Worship- 6:00 pm. Adult class will continue the study on C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and the kids will meet in their respective classes.

A Defense of Calvinism (C.H. Spurgeon)

This is part 1 of 4 based upon the writings of C.H. Spurgeon, one of England's greatest preachers during the 1800's.

Should you read the book "The Shack"?

Pastor Mark Driscoll rightly says "NO"

Sermon: Jesus and Children, Part 1

"The Centrality of the Family in the Spreading of the Gospel" To download this video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

This Week at FPCP

• Tuesday Night Bible Study on Philippians. 6:30 pm-7:30 pm at the Church. Just bring a Bible. Childcare is available for those who reserve a spot. The study is open to both men and women.

• Wednesday, 10 am - 11:30 am at the West Chatham Library in Pooler. Email our Director of Children's Ministry Alison at FPCPchildren@yahoo.com if you have further questions.

• Sunday School, 10:00 am. The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World, watching and discussing a video from the 2006 Desiring God Conference. This week, the second part of "John Piper: The Supremacy of Christ and Joy in a Postmodern World."

• Sunday Morning Worship- 11 a.m. Sermon Topic "Common ways we fail to bring our kids to Jesus" based off Jesus' teaching in Matthew 19.

• Sunday Evening Worship- 6:00 pm. Adult class will continue the study on C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and the kids will meet in their respective classes.

Christ the Only Way

Listen to R.C. Sproul's response to the question, "Why is there only one way to God?"

Cookout at the Lightle Lodge Highlights

Good BBQ Chicken from some skilled cooks!

Our gracious hosts cooling off

Somebody sign that guy up for the US Diving Team!

The Peanut Gallery

(notice the bag of boiled peanuts these onlookers are consuming!)

Everybody loves 4-wheeling

Line up and get your food while it lasts!

What is it about a hay ride that can make kids smile so big?

To see the rest of the pictures from the Cookout, click here.

Reason for God- Dr. Tim Keller

Recently Dr. Keller was invited to speak at Google about his new book, "Reason for God." Here is his lecture at Google.

Online Book

For an online version of this book by R.C. Sproul, click here.

Why Plant Churches?

One of the desires of First Pres. Pooler is to start other Gospel-centered, Bible teaching churches in the area. Our conviction is that the only way to truely reach a community is to have a Church there.

To that end we are currently studying, praying and preparing.

There is an article from PCA Pastor Tim Keller titled "Why Study Churches?" that will be a great aide to you to understand why we would have this conviction. You can download the article through this link:

http://download.redeemer.com/pdf/learn/resources/Why_Plant_Churches-Keller.pdf

Marriage Part 11 "Jesus and Being Single"

To download this video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

New Sermon Series: Jesus and Children

Starting Sunday, Sept. 7th, Pastor Fender will continue his study of Matthew 19. As we come to verses 13-15, we will take up the topic of Jesus and Children. Specific topics will include: “The Centrality of the Home” “Common Mistakes in Raising Children” “Bringing Children to Jesus”

“What our children need to know about Jesus”

The Prosperity Gospel?

Watch this video of Pastor John Piper on his thoughts about the Prosperity Gospel and let me know what you think: fpcpooler@comcast.net

The Church, the Gospel and a Postmodern World

In this conference message (click here) by Mark Driscoll during the 2006 National Desiring God Conference, an attempt is made to exhort the Church to both contend for the faith and contextualize the faith. This dual calling is based upon the incarnation of Jesus and the exaltation of Jesus.


This particular message Driscoll's says, "if you are a true Calvinist, then you will not only contend for the faith, but contextualize for the faith, as Calvin himself did."

Listen and let me know what you think: fpcpooler@comcast.net.

September Fellowship Meal- New Format

Our next Monthly Fellowship Meal is scheduled for

Sunday, Sept. 7th at 6:00 pm.

We will be trying a new format this month. Instead of having families bringing food, we will try having the meal catered and charge a nominal fee of $3.00 per person or $6.00 per familiy.

Volunteers will be recruited to help prepare the meal. See Melissa Miles (miles7@netzero.net) or Jill Warfield (jillwarfield@gmail.com) to help.