Faith Formation Survey
As we begin to plan for the new year, we’re asking for your input on our faith formation programming. All families with children from birth through eighth grade are encouraged to complete this short survey.
Faith Formation Updates
From the Pastor
This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent and a new liturgical year. Advent is a season of waiting and watching. And this year, our theme will be What Can’t Wait?
We’ll be guided along the way with some wonderful resources from A Sanctified Art, including a beautiful Advent devotional with daily reflections, Scripture readings, poetry, artwork, and action prompts.
A digital version of the devotional is available at www.granpres.org/advent. We have also printed a limited number of hard copies which are available at the entrance to the sanctuary.
I hope you find it helpful in making this Advent season more meaningful.
Grace & Peace—
Wallace
Hey all! The time is here to register for the youth retreat! AKA: 24 hours of youth group fun and the BEST Way to start your winter break!
We’re leaving from the church parking lot at 4pm, going to Kirkmont retreat center, and we’ll return Saturday by 5pm.
Please pay your $50 contribution here: https://onrealm.org/granpres/-/form/give/now, choose Youth Trip from the drop-down menu.
P.S.if you have not done the youth registration... you need to do it for real for real: www.granpres.org/registration
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Complaints? Talk to Kristin.
Starting in December- Children stay in worship First Sunday of the Month
We are making a slight change in the Rest of the Story starting in the month of December. We want to invite children to stay in the worship service just once a month, the Sunday that we do communion. We will still have children’s activity bags for during worship, and there will still be a children’s moment.
Children to sit with families THIS Sunday!
Families! This Sunday is going to be a packed house at First Presbyterian Granville! We’re welcoming the Illuminati Choir this week, and are anticipating quite a crowd. We will not have the prayer ground or any tables this week, so we’re asking for children to sit with families this Sunday only!
Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel’s Messiah
Sunday mornings, beginning November 16, 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM, in the Library
Handel’s oratorio, Messiah, is one of the best-loved musical compositions of all time. Our Chancel Choir will be performing portions of it on Sunday, December 21.
To prepare for this, a four-week series, led by Wallace Bubar and Philip Everingham, will look at the Advent and Christmas portions of the Messiah. It will help us deepen our appreciation of the music, as well as the Scripture passages on which it is based.
Sundays, 9:00 AM, Library or online at
https://v.ringcentral.com/join/574555072
This fall we’re reading and discussing Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff. Goff provides an uplifting perspective for a world where negativity and divisiveness seem to be ever more common.
Sundays, beginning September 14, 9:00 AM, Library or online
We will resume our Sunday morning tradition on September 14, when we will begin reading Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by acclaimed author, speaker, and lawyer Bob Goff. Goff is an interesting fellow who practices what he preaches and provides an uplifting perspective for a world where negativity and divisiveness seem to be ever more common. His book is humorous, inspirational, and really just a "little hard to believe." John Weigand has ordered a number of copies of the book, so let him know if you would like one. The chapters are very readable and should stimulate plenty of discussion. Consider inviting someone to join us either in person or online.
Interested in joining 1st Presbyterian?
Want to know more about the ministries that we partner with? A New Member Info Class will be offered from Sept. 21 to Oct 5, after worship, meeting in the Library. Rsvp to Pastor Wallace.
Thank you for saying encouraging words, sending beautiful cards and surrounding me with heartfelt hugs.
It has been a spirit-filled time, rich with new friendships and relationships. I have loved serving and growing with you. I look forward to what comes next for us in North Carolina, and I will miss you terribly at the same time. Please continue to support Kristin and Ellen as they assume additional responsibilities during this transitional period.
With joy, Jenni
Join the fun and celebration as we "kick off" the new program year this Sunday, Sept. 7th!
Our worship at 10 am will focus on how faith as small as a mustard seed can do GREAT, BIG things! After worship, meet on the side lawn for cake, fellowship, gaga ball, and 4-square! We will have shade tents, tables, and chairs set up for those who prefer to observe the fun.
Tuesday mornings, September 9-October 21, 10:00 to 11:00 AM, in the Library
Join us in a seven-week study of Ecclesiastes, led by Wallace Bubar. The book of Ecclesiastes is one of the most puzzling books in the Bible. The author speaks with a distinctive voice, sometimes wry, sometimes skeptical, and sometimes cynical. It raises a lot of important questions—about faith, about work, about the meaning of life. John C. Purdy writes, “Ecclesiastes belongs in the Bible in the same way that the blues belong in the canon of American music. Who would want to banish the blues and hear only Bach and Beethoven and Bernstein?” Let’s explore it together.
In the baptism of infants and children we bear witness to the truth: God’s love claims people even before they are able to respond in faith.
At Granville First Presbyterian Church, we take seriously our promise to nurture baptized children in the Christian life. One way we make our commitment visible to children as they grow is by providing them with their own printed copy of God’s word. Please pray for our 3rd graders (Jack, Sawyer, Mae, Lily, and Theo); may their faith continue to grow, and may they grow a love of reading God's word.
This Sunday we will "Bless the School Year" during worship.
Each child, youth, college student and school staffer will receive a gift that can be clipped to their backpack.
We will ask for God's blessing and peace to surround our schools and students.
After the Children's Message, we will write sidewalk chalk prayers outside for our community.
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY DINNERS
Beginning September 3, 2025
This year we will meet at Centenary Methodist Church (5:30-6:30 pm). Though our church building is under renovation, we still have the opportunity to be together to break bread, pray, sing praises, and laugh together. HOORAY! Please, please RSVP so we can set a place for you! We welcome helpers for meal planning.
After school on Wednesdays for ages K-6th grade.
We pick the kids up at school, walk to church, and enjoy a snack.
The kids spend 30 minutes in Faith Formation and about 40 minutes in music.
This year we will meet at Centenary Methodist Church. (after school - until 5:25 pm)
STARTS Sept 3 - RSVP to Jenni by Aug. 29
Save these dates in August!
August Faith Formation
Thur. Aug 7 - Massanetta Springs REUNION at Kraus house (6-8pm)
Sun. Aug 17 - Back to School Blessing - 10am
Sun. Aug 24 - Third Grade Bible Presentation
Due to storms, we rescheduled. Join us on Wednesday the 23rd!
The fun starts at 5:30 pm, we will eat around 6pm.
Gaga Ball, Cornhole, Ladder Ball, Euchre, Yahtzee, and Fellowship
Beverages, hot dogs (and vegan dogs), and tableware are provided.
Bring a salad, a potato dish, or a dessert of your choice to share.
Let's connect and have fun together—laugh and make memories. Plus - the kids will be sure to challenge Pastor Wallace to some kind of race. 🙂
WEDNESDAY, July 16—All Ages Picnic at Wildwood Park
The fun starts at 5:30 pm, we will eat around 6pm.
Gaga Ball, Cornhole, Ladder Ball, Euchre, Yahtzee, and Fellowship
Beverages, hot dogs (and vegan dogs), and tableware are provided.
Bring a salad, a potato dish, or a dessert of your choice to share.
Let's connect and have fun together—laugh and make memories. Plus - the kids will be sure to challenge Pastor Wallace to some kind of race. 🙂
The Rest of the Story" (which follows the Children's Message) will meet outside at the Picnic Table this summer.
The children will return to worship during the last hymn.