Happenings

NEWS & EVENTS

Holy Week

Maundy Thursday, March 28, 4:00-6:00

The congregation is invited to come to the Parlor anytime between 4:00-6:00pm. From the Parlor, worshipers will be ushered into the Sanctuary where we will take communion in small groups of 12. We remember the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples. Once a group has taken communion together, they are free to leave. Casual dress is welcome. Nursery provided.

Good Friday, March 29, 6:00pm

Join us in the sanctuary or on live stream for worship focusing on the traditional Seven Last Words of Christ. The service leaves us in the darkness of Christ’s death and betrayal, reminding us of how much we need the Resurrection! Nursery provided.

Easter Sunday, March 31

Sunrise Service, 7:00am, in the Church Parlor (no nursery)

Coffee Bar, 9:00 – Come early before worship to share fellowship and a cup of coffee on Easter Morning in the Connecting Point Lobby!

Worship in Sanctuary, 10:00 - Dark curtains are drawn back as the Easter story is read. Easter worship is the center of the Christian faith. Come and worship with us and bring a friend to celebrate the Good News! Christ is our Light!

Understanding Anxiety: The Emotional, Mental, and Physical Components

Sunday, April 14 at 5:00 PM (Fellowship hall)

Anxiety among children and parents is a concern for many. Join us for a presentation on anxiety from Sarah Smith, a licensed counselor at Live Oak Counseling Center. This is open to the following groups:
  • Elementary school parents
  • Middle school parents and students
  • High school parents and students

Register here.

Caring for the Caregiver with Leeza's Care Connection

Wednesday, April 17 at 6:00 PM (Fellowship hall)

The FLPC Board of Deacons welcomes Ellen Hinsch from Leeza’s Care Connection to speak about how we can support caregivers and learn more about Leeza’s Care Connection.

Leeza’s Care Connection’s mission is to create resourceful and resilient family caregivers through innovative programs that offer education, support, and wellness.

Register here.

Gills Creek Cleanup

Saturday, April 6, 9:00-11:00am

Please join us for the Gills Creek Cleanup part of Forest Acres' "Sweep the Acres" city-wide cleanup day, in conjunction with Keep the Midlands Beautiful.
We will meet at 9:00 in the Lowe's Foods parking lot and receive supplies, then drive to the creek for cleanup. However, if you can't make it at 9:00, feel free to meet us by the bridge behind Schianos (on Forest Drive) starting around 9:30. You'll have the chance to see the new Forest Acres Park! Bring your own gloves and a grabber if you have one. At 11:00 we are invited to return to the Lowes Foods parking lot for a free cookout and to receive a free tee shirt.
Call or email Julie Lott with any questions or to let her know you'll be there, 803-315-0149.

Is God Calling You to Serve as a Church Leader?

The Congregational Nominating Committee is seeking recommendations for church members who may be called to serve as an elder or deacon. People recommended should be: active in the church; possess the gift of leadership; mature in their faith; and willing to serve to the glory of God.

Church members are encouraged to suggest names to the nominating committee by March 20th. The nominating committee will prayerfully select four people to be nominated as elders and four as deacons, based on the needs of spiritual gifts for the current session and diaconate and on the requirements of the Book of Order. The committee will then contact these candidates to ask if they’re willing to serve.

Suggestion Form

Suggestion forms are also available at the downstairs lobby desk, the narthex, the Connecting Point lobby and the church office. You can place completed forms in the Nomination Suggestion boxes, in the offering plate on Sundays, or you can give them to a member of the nominating committee: Ray Nix (chair), Stephen McCrae, Emma Behymer, Peggy Carey, Adriane Radeker, Jennifer Catoe, Dave Fancher, and Rebecca Krueger.

Daytrippers - Hampton Preston House and Garden Tour

April 23, 10:00

Join us for a tour of the Historic Columbia Hampton-Preston House and Gardens followed by lunch at Pawleys Front Porch. We'll meet at church at 9:30. The cost is $11 for the tour, plus the cost of your lunch. Call the church office to register, space is limited.

Decker Collective Partnership Meeting

April 30, 4:30

Join us for the next planning meeting for the Decker Collective at the Serve and Connect offices, 8131 Brookfield Rd.  All are welcome and encouraged to be part of our next steps in planning. Come help us build trust and strengthen connections in the Woodfield community!

FLPC Endowment - Help Us Help the Community!

Know a great non-profit that needs money for its mission? Local non-profits, whose mission is consistent with Christ’s mission, are encouraged to apply for grants from the FLPC Endowment Fund. Click here for the application.

The purpose of the FLPC Endowment Fund is “to expand and enrich the mission of the Church.” Help us get this word to local non-profits who carry out Christ’s mission of mercy and justice in our community. More information here. The application deadline is April 2, 2024.

Men's Prayer Breakfast

Ongoing

There are two opportunities for men of the church to meet weekly for devotion, discussion and breakfast. Tuesday mornings, 7:30, Fellowship Hall at church and Thursday mornings 6:30 at Bruegger's Bagels, Forest Dr.

Congregational Retreat - Come Away: Listening for God and Finding Community

April 12-14, 2024, Montreat, NC

If you feel overwhelmed by life and far from God; if you are tired of the yelling and fighting and long for quiet peace; if you feel lonely and disconnected and want to be seen and heard...
Come away with us to Montreat for a weekend! In the beautiful setting of the Montreat Conference Center, we will listen to Scripture and to each other in search of connection, peace, and community. Please go here for more information and registration. Questions, please contact Jodi Beckham. Register by January 7 before the price increases!

OA Meeting

Overeaters Anonymous meets for one hour at 7:30 am on Fridays in the Community Room.

All are welcome.

FLPC PODCASTS!!?

The FLPC Education Ministry has made it possible for FLPC to begin to experiment with podcasts to get the Good News out into the world beyond our walls.  Ed and Ellen are working on two separate podcasts!  See below for descriptions and how to find them. We hope you will listen and subscribe to these two podcasts! Let us know what you think. Stay tuned!

TRANSFORMING FAITH

FLPC’s podcast is where we are invited to talk frankly about what needs to change in us, in the Church and in the world, even as we follow and worship a God who doesn’t change.  We say that our Church’s purpose is “transforming head, heart, and hands in the service of Jesus Christ!”  What does this transformation look like?  On Spotify.com or Google Podcasts, search for “Forest Lake Presbyterian Church” or “Transforming Faith.”  Or click this link:  https://open.spotify.com/show/2M8f8qPl5voN2YWA2tTEVn

ABRAHAM’S TABLE

Ellen Skidmore, Rabbi Jonathan Case, and Imam Omar Shaheed have joined forces to continue our tradition of interfaith conversations in creating a second podcast series.  The Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faith all share Abraham as a father of our faith, and we invite you to a lively and respectful interfaith discussion. We do not always agree, but we all love God, and we recognize that every human being is made in God’s image.  Join us as we talk about issues that affect our everyday lives.  From spiritual disciplines and Scriptural instructions for living, to discussions of immigration and mental health, please join us at Abraham’s Table.  On Spotify.com or Apple Podcasts search for “Abraham’s Table”.   Or click this link:  https://open.spotify.com/show/6GOlaVIBFa0z6JfAfKH1N8

Now Collecting:

Non-perishable Food - We have an ongoing collection of non-perishable food for Rehoboth United Methodist Food Pantry. Pasta, mac and cheese are always needed, but any meal/pantry staple is greatly appreciated. There is a collection box downstairs at church.

Pet Supplies for Final Victory Animal Shelter and Columbia Animal Services - Supplies needed:  sheets, towels, blankets, pet food (can be opened), cat litter, laundry detergent, pet toys (new or GENTLY used), leashes, collars, carriers and crates. The collection box is located downstairs in the welcome area.

Feminine Hygiene Products, Women's Leggings and Men's Deodorant for Richland Northeast High School. The collection box is downstairs at church.

Recycling - Our Environmental Stewardship team keeps this church focused on the ways we can take care of God's Creation.

The following items can be recycled in our recycling closet found downstairs on the right before the library.

  • Dental hygiene items - Please make sure they are clean: used toothbrushes, empty dental floss containers, empty toothpaste tubes, toothbrush and toothpaste outer packaging.
  • Razor blades, razors and their plastic packaging of any brand.
  • Socks - Old clothing is a huge portion of landfill space, so socks are an easy way to reduce what we send to landfills!  These can be used knee socks, sport socks/footies, or other socks of any fabric. The only exception is tights/stockings/panty hose which are not accepted. They do not need to paired up, and holey socks are fine - just submit them clean and dry, please!
  • Ink jet cartridges (no toner cartridges please). These are donated to Fellowship Camp and Conference Center.

Café Justo Coffee

You can order Café Justo coffee locally! This coffee cooperative is supported by our mission partner, Frontera de Cristo. Café Justo is a Grower owned Coffee Cooperative based in southern Chiapas Mexico, formed to address the poverty and migration from Mexico to the U.S.A. By supporting this coffee cooperative, you bring more money to the coffee farmers of Mexico - even more than Fair Trade!

Coffee can be purchase locally from Rowena Nylund.  This organic coffee is available in whole bean or ground and your choice of Arabica Decaf, 100% Arabica mild roast, 50% Arabica 50% Robusta, 100% Robusta (strongest), and 50% Arabica Decaf and 50% Arabica. If you want to reduce your caffeine intake, try the half decaf and half Arabica!

The coffee is $11 per bag for the 100% and $12 per bag for 50/50 and decaf. Gift certificates are also available.