Just as we are saved to serve others, we are also saved to be perfected in God’s likeness (Matthew 5:48). As children of God, we are called to immerse ourselves in his living word—the Bible—which is the textbook of our faith in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 to

be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We invite you to grow in weekly Christian education programs, Bible studies and a host of special events such as retreats, seminars and lectures from some of the world’s greatest theologians and scholars.
 

Mondays

MOM’S GROUP
Every other Monday, 10 a.m.–noon (starting September 14)
Contact: April Kuper (210.271.2732, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), Amy Renard (210.999.5323)
Moms of all ages are encouraged to participate in fellowship and Bible study. This fall, we will begin using Mom to Mom Ministry’s Heart Talk curriculum as we grow in our faith and put our hope in the awesome God who entrusted us with his children. In addition to study-based meetings, we meet several times a month for play days with our kids and moms’ nights out (without kids). We also have an occasional Mom’s Night Out. We invite you to come to whatever activities fit in your schedule.

THE FIRE
8 p.m.
University of the Incarnate Word Student Center
Contact: Tim Galligan, Minister of Adult Discipleship (210.271.2713, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
The Fire and The Well are growing communities of college-aged (18–23) young adults, committed to investigating the claims of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Expect nothing less than a community of people who are seeking God through the Bible, and passionate worship focused on Jesus Christ. Put simply, we are thirsting for the living water that is Jesus Christ. Participants can also get involved in other opportunities for ministry including retreats, mission trips, small groups and more.

Tuesdays

TUESDAY WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
9:30–11:30 a.m. (Beginning January 12)
Covenant Hall
Contact: Judy Kruger (210.857.0122)
Breaking Free: The Journey, The Stories by Beth Moore, leads you through a study of the Scriptures to discover the transforming power of Christian freedom. Based on Isaiah 61:1-4, this in-depth Bible study draws parallels between the captive Israelites and today's believers. Beth uses Scripture to help identify spiritual strongholds in your life, no matter how big or small. She explains that anything that hinders us from the benefits of knowing God is bondage. Breaking Free is Beth's life message that she wants to share with you. Participants will meet on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in Covenant Hall (3rd floor). Workbook is available in preparation for weekly small group meetings and video session. Suggested donation for workbook is $16. Child care is available by reservation. Women of all ages are encouraged to attend. If you have questions or to register, call Judy Kruger at (210) 857.0122.
 

Wednesdays

Wednesday Nights at Church at a Glance

TIME	CHILDREN	YOUTH	ADULTS
4:30-5:15 p.m.	Preschool Choir Grades 1-2 Choir Grades 3-5 Homework Labs		Life Groups meet throughout the evening
5 p.m.	First Presbyterian Church Family Dinner until 6 p.m.	First Presbyterian Church Family Dinner until 5:45 p.m.	First Presbyterian Church Family Dinner until 6:15 p.m.
5:45 p.m.	Grades 1-2 Activities Grades 3-5 Choir	LOGOS Youth Choir	Handbells
6-7 p.m.	Tadpoles (Preschool)		Shawl Ministry
6:30 p.m.	The Master's Hands Tadpoles	Games, Small Groups and Closing Worship	Beth Moore Women's Study God's Redeeming Story
7 p.m.	The Master's Hands		Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
7:30 p.m.	Extended Childcare

For program details and locations, see the CHILDREN, YOUTH and MUSIC listings below.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FAMILY DINNER
5–6:15 p.m. (September 16–December 9)
Westminster Hall

Before you head to activities, sit down for a meal together.                     

Adults (full meal deal)	$7
Adults (soup, salad and dessert)	$6
Children (6-11)	$4
Children under 6 free	Free
Family maximum (one household only)	$20
Youth registered for LOGOS	$5 per week/$40 per semester

 

Adults

SANCTUARY HANDBELLS
5:45–6:45 p.m.
Room 309
Director/Contact: Dr. Jae Ha (210.271.2729, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Bell ringing is fun, therapeutic and develops musicianship and teamwork while at the same time adding an exhilarating dimension to worship services. Thirteen bell ringers are needed at all times to be able to utilize all five octaves of handbells. If you are interested in learning more about handbells, please contact Jae Ha or Tom Dooling, Minister of Music, at 210.271.2717, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , for more information.

GOD’S REDEEMING STORY WEDNESDAY NIGHT LECTURE
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Covenant Hall
Contact: Tim Galligan, Minister of Adult Discipleship (210.271.2713, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
For 31 weeks, beginning September 16, 2009 and continuing throughout the fall until June 2010, we will look at the unfolding, grand narrative of the Scriptures in a series called God’s Redeeming Story. On Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings, we will offer a pastor-led lecture on some of the passages that complement the Sunday morning Scriptures from earlier in the week. We want to dive deeply into the pages of Scripture, so join us on Wednesdays as we study and learn together.

WEDNESDAY WOMEN’S BETH MOORE BIBLE STUDY: TO LIVE IS CHRIST
6:30 –8 p.m. (January 13 – March 24)
Room 302
Contact: Sheila Figueroa (210.822.4082)
Join us on a journey into the life and heart of Paul the apostle with Beth Moore’s study, “To Live Is Christ.” Along the way you will get to know the “Apostle to the Gentiles” in a new way. You will discover him to be a man who formed many close friendships with both men and women. He served faithfully and loved heartily. This study will challenge and encourage you. You will gain a new appreciation of servanthood. Get to know the man who said, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) Member workbook is $15. Weekly homework, individual reading. Videos during class.

SANCTUARY CHOIR
7–8:45 p.m.
Choir Room (Room 318)
Director/Contact: Tom Dooling, Minister of Music (210.271.2717, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
If you like to sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord, come each week to be a part of the Sanctuary Choir. The choir sings at the traditional worship services each Sunday morning and also presents special music throughout the year in support of liturgical events such as Christmas, Holy Week and Easter. We’re always seeking new members for active duty! Auditions are not necessary.

SHAWL MINISTRY – EVENING EDITION
6–7:30 p.m.
Room 228
Contact: Jane Ann Temple (210.828.7542, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
If your New Year's Resolutions included learning a new skill or finding new ways to serve those who are going through a crisis, challenge or change, please consider joining members of the Shawl Ministry on Wednesday evenings. Learn to knit or crochet in an environment of warmth and fellowship. The "work of our hands" is a tangible expression of Christ's love. After each shawl is completed, it is passed around the circle and each knitter (or crocheter) lays her hands on the shawl and prays for the recipient. Make a difference. Use your skill and talent to serve others. 
 

Children

NURSERY
Contact: April Kuper, Nursery Coordinator (210.226.2732, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Nursery care available 5–8 p.m.

Nursery 1	0-18 months	Room 101
Nursery 2	18 months-3 years (older toddlers)	Room 120

TADPOLES (Preschoolers)
 6–7 p.m. 
Room 123
Contact: Shelley Craig, Preschool Ministry Director (210.271.2741, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Tadpoles is our mid-week program for preschoolers. We meet after dinner for song time, game time and a story. We encourage comfortable clothes because the children might get messy. Some evenings we will be playing on the playground.

THE MASTER’S HANDS (Grades 1–5)
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Room 124
Contact: Jan Ayers (210.824.9244)
Children have the opportunity to work on basic crafts of woodworking, stained glass, tie-dying, pottery, weaving, and other great projects. They will learn leadership skills and how to work in groups as they weave together biblical lessons from the Sunday sermon series while working on their art projects. Master’s Hands is a special place where faith and life intersect.

CHILDREN’S CHOIRS (*Note new meeting times)
First Presbyterian Church’s children’s choirs are offered to give children opportunities to learn music and biblical truths, sing music appropriate to their age, enjoy music, and learn to worship through music. The choirs rehearse on Wednesday evening and sing during Christmas, Palm Sunday and other worship services during the year.

THE ANGEL CHOIR (3 year olds)
*4:30–5:15 p.m.
(Group activities will be with the Angel and Cherub Choir combined)
Room 125
Director: to be announced

THE CHERUBS (Pre-K and Kinder)
*4:30–5:15 p.m. 
Room 127
Director: Lana McMains

THE MUSIC MAKERS (Grades 1 and 2)
*4:30–5:15 p.m.
Room 128
Director: To be announced

JUBILATE (Grades 3, 4, and 5)
5:45–6:30 p.m.
Room 128
Director: To be announced

JOY MINISTRY
Contact: Carrie Jowers, JOY Ministry Coordinator (210.271.2720, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
This ministry embraces children with special needs and provides a welcoming place for them to attend Sunday morning and Wednesday night activities, where they hear God’s Word and enjoy fellowship. JOY students have special shepherds who work one-on-one with each child.

Youth

LOGOS MINISTRY FOR ALL YOUTH
5-7:30 p.m.
Contacts: Katy Evans (210.271.2722, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
LOGOS, our mid-week gathering for all youth, is back! We meet in Westminster Hall to share a “themed” meal together. Afterwards, we have Youth Choir, large group games and a Bible study. Have your parents pick you up from the New Covenant Building. Bring $5 for dinner. Sign up for the 12-week semester for $40. As always, bring a friend! LOGOS meets weekly for students in grades 6–8. Grades 9–12 will join us on the first Wednesday of every month.

LOGOS Lite
6:30–8 p.m.
Contacts: Coby Cagle (210.271.2724, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
This gathering for students in grades 9–12 is smaller and more intimate than Sunday School. It provides an atmosphere where youth can dig deeper into Scripture and safely discuss life situations. We hang out, have a large group time and break up into gender-based small groups. We base our small group discussions on the sermon Scripture text from the previous Sunday’s worship services. Our location varies, so check the youth website regularly (www.firstpresyouthministry.com) and click the “High School” link on the left side of the page.

LOGOS YOUTH CHOIR (Grades 6-12)
5:45-6:30 p.m.
Choir Room (Room 318)
Director/Contact: Tom Dooling, Minister of Music (210.271.2717, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Starting this year, we have formed a LOGOS Youth Choir that will meet each week to experience the joy of singing praises to our Lord. No prior experience is needed—just a willingness to learn and a desire to worship God through music. The LOGOS Youth Choir will prepare music to sing on a periodic basis in both the traditional and contemporary worship services.

College

THE WELL
8 p.m.
Trinity University Tiger’s Den
Contact: Tim Galligan, Minister of Adult Discipleship (210.271.2713, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
The Well and The Fire are growing communities of college-aged (18–23) young adults, committed to investigating the claims of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Expect nothing less than a community of people who are seeking God through the Bible, and passionate worship focused on Jesus Christ. Put simply, we are thirsting for the living water that is Jesus Christ. Participants can also get involved in other opportunities for ministry including retreats, mission trips, small groups and more.

  Thursdays

EARLY MORNING MEN’S BREAKFAST AND STUDY GROUP
7–8 a.m.
St. Andrew’s Room (2nd floor, just off the Mauzé Lobby)
Contact: Bill Lyons (210.229.1646)
A terrific breakfast greets this group of “early-bird” men for their weekly interactive Bible study. Discover a deeper faith through Bible study as it relates to life—with great fellowship included.

MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST
7:15–8:30 a.m.
Geneva Room (2nd floor, just off the Mauzé Lobby)
Contact: John Seiders, Executive Associate Pastor (210.271.2715, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Men of all ages are invited for Bible study, prayerful support and Christian growth, led by the Rev. John Seiders along with the Revs. Scott Simpson and Tim Galligan. After breakfast, a passage of Scripture is read and discussed. Each man is invited to share his insights on the truth and relevance of the morning’s passage.

CHILDREN’S DAY OUT
9:15 a.m.–2:15 p.m.
Contact: Kitty Lange, Children’s Day Out Director (210.271.2733 or 210.822.6401)
This program is part of First Presbyterian’s ministry to young children and their families. Four classes are available: toddlers, young 2s, older 2s and 3s. The teacher/child ratio is 1:4 for all the younger children, and 1:5 for the 3s. Children hear a Bible story, sing songs, pray, do a creative art project, play outdoors and enjoy learning centers with dramatic play, blocks, manipulative toys and large motor activities. Loving, nurturing teachers strive to create a safe and positive environment for the preschoolers to learn about the Lord Jesus.

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: GOD’S REDEEMING STORY
9:30–10:30 a.m. small group discussions
10:30–11:15 a.m. lecture in Covenant Hall
Contact: Tim Galligan, Minister of Adult Discipleship (210.271.2713, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
The Bible is dominated by story. From beginning to end, God’s redeeming story reveals the great lengths to which God has gone in order to rescue lost and hurting people. That’s what God’s story is all about: the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity. But do we really know and understand God’s story? Even when we think we know the Bible, sometimes we only know parts of it or isolated verses, and miss the larger context of what God is telling us. Sometimes we don’t really know God’s redeeming story because we lose sight of the big picture. For 31 weeks, continuing throughout the fall until June 2010, we look at the unfolding, grand narrative of the Scriptures in a series called God’s Redeeming Story. On Thursday mornings, we will offer a pastor-led lecture on some of the passages that complement the Sunday morning Scriptures from earlier in the week.

Small groups meet 9:30–10:30 a.m.followed by lectures in Covenant Hall by one of the pastors 10:30–11:15 a.m. Fall session ends Thursday, November 19. Spring session resumes Thursday, January 14 and the study ends Thursday, April 22.

Childcare by reservation only. Questions? Contact Ann Smith at 210.822.2440.

Click here to learn more about Thursday Bible Study and download the questions.
 

  Fridays

KEYS ADULTS (Keeping Everyone Young in Spirit)
Contact: Pat McCleary, Senior Adult Ministry Director (210.271.2726, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
KEYS Adults Fellowship is for members and non-members in their second half of life who meet at the church each Friday to experience the abundant life of Christ through a variety of programs and services. As a contributing force in our church, they are encouraged to remain active in all church activities. In addition to participating in regular church activities, KEYS Adults seeks to foster the spiritual, intellectual and social needs of older members and provide resources to enrich their lives. KEYS programs include opportunities for learning, fellowship, travel and service to others.

Weekly Friday programs include fitness class at 9:45 a.m., speaker presentation at 11 a.m. (September–¬June), lunch in Westminster Hall at noon and bridge at 11 a.m. (June, July, August) or 1 p.m. (September–June).

Other KEYS events include tours to places of interest in San Antonio, monthly birthday luncheons at area restaurants, attending plays, chartered bus trips, sponsoring defensive driving classes, flu clinics, health screenings, fall picnic, concerts and movies. Other aspects of this ministry are a continuing ministry to the homebound, volunteer opportunities, sharing awareness of issues and concerns on aging, care and concern and service projects.

FRIDAY SINGERS
9:50 a.m.
Choir Room (Room 318)
Contact: Charlotte Hains (210.828.2048)
This singing group performs at retirement communities in the greater San Antonio area throughout the year, seeking to bring a little extra sunshine into the lives of senior adults. It’s not an easy task at times, but the rewards of smiles and hugs make it worthwhile. The choir rehearses on select Fridays between September and May and then performs at the retirement communities afterwards.

SHAWL MINISTRY
(Third Friday of the Month)
12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.
Room 228
Contact: Jane Ann Temple (828-7542, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Help serve those who are going through a crisis, challenge or change, please consider joining members of the Shawl Ministry. Knit or crochet in an environment of warmth and fellowship. The "work of our hands" is a tangible expression of Christ's love. After each shawl is completed, it is passed around the circle and each knitter (or crocheter) lays her hands on the shawl and prays for the recipient. Make a difference. Use your skill and talent to serve others. For more information contact Jane Ann Temple at 828-7542 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .