Dear Friends, 
 
Notice today’s date.
 
My Grandmother Matthews, whom I hardly remember, called Friday the 13^th Billy’s Day. Her second-born son, my dad, was repatriated from a German POW camp on Friday the 13^th of April, 1945, at the end of WWII. It was, for my grandmother, a day a remembrance and bittersweet gladness. Both of her sons lost so much in that war.
 
Today is Billy’s Day. 
 
Cheers to you, Dad. 
 
And thanks. 
 
Your only son still misses you.
 
 * * *
 
Bring More of
What I Dream
Ted Loder
 
O God,
who out of nothing
            brought everything that is,
out of what I am
            bring more of what I dream
                        but haven’t dared;
direct my power and passion
            to creating life
                        where there is death,
            to putting flesh of action
                        on bare-boned intentions,
            to lighting fires
                        against the midnight of indifference,
            to throwing bridges of care
                        across canyons of loneliness;
so I can look on creation,
            together with you,
                        and, behold,
                                    call it very good;
through Jesus Christ my Lord.
 
* * *
 
Pay attention to God’s activity in the world around you. Be amazed. Tell somebody.
 
See you on Sunday, FirstPres.Live
 
PEACE,
 
Matt Matthews
864.386.9138
 
* * *

Streaming Worship Service
The last two Sundays, we’ve had a bit of tech difficulty with our streaming worship service. We apologize for those challenges, and ask you to give it another try this Sunday at 9 AM.  Going to http://firstpres.live will always give you the latest information, so remember to check that out if something isn’t working.  You can also be part of the worship service at any time after 9 AM on Sundays, also by visiting http://firstpres.live.  All worship services are archived and viewable anytime after premiering at 9 AM, though we do love the sense of community that we have when we are worshipping together online at the same time.  If you haven’t joined in yet, we invite you to do so this Sunday.  Just visit http://firstpres.live for all details.  If you have any questions, email eric@firstpres.church.

* * *

Presbyterian Writers Guild Poetry Slam
Time: Nov 15, 2020 04:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86137308761?pwd=QnBnS3pGZVV5UDZHMmh2LzlVTnhldz09
 
Meeting ID: 861 3730 8761
Passcode: 003997
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,86137308761#,,,,,,0#,,003997# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,86137308761#,,,,,,0#,,003997# US (New York)

* * *

From your Nurture Team — Linda Peterson was the first to recognize last week’s photo of Sallie Hutton (with Brandi Lowe very close behind.) 

  
Here’s this week’s photo.

Visit http://fb.com/groups/firstpreschampaign to make your guesses, or email them to photos@firstpres.church.  
 
Please join in the fun!  We would like you to select a photo from your younger years (grade school, high school or early adulthood). Photos need not be professional. Candid shots are welcome. Please send your photos to photos@firstpres.church.

* * *

Autumn Concert (You’re going to feel like you’re floating):
 
Heavenly Music from The Augustana Choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syd8KSCZB5A&feature=youtu.be