Keeping in touch with God & each other

 

 

 

Weekly Sendout

 

First Presbyterian Church

 

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

 

Shine!

 

One of my favorite songs on Christian radio is a song by the Newsboys called “Shine.”  When I realized that Rally Day was coming up this Sunday, the refrain started running through my head:

 

Shine, make ‘em wonder what you got/Make ‘em wish that they were not/on the outside lookin’ on,

Shine, let ‘s shine before all men/ let ‘em see good works and then/let ‘em glorify the Lord!

 

That, in a nutshell, is what Sunday school is all about: learning how to shine for the Lord in such a way as to draw other people into the church. Oh, our classes are interesting, and we learn the Bible and about topics that affect Christians in their daily lives. Yet the primary purposes are to deepen our discipleship and to help us share what we have with others. The good news of Jesus Christ is just too good to keep to ourselves!

 

This Sunday we will begin our Sunday school time with a continental breakfast at 9:30 AM, a short opening ceremony, and then we will begin as usual at 9:45 AM. Come and join us as we begin our school year—and shine!

 

This week’s Scriptures are

Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 and Luke 8: 16-18. 

Take a look!

 

 

The Beginnings of Sunday School

 

Englishman Robert Raikes, born in 1735, was a Christian layman who was pained to see unschooled children working six days a week in factories or mines. On Sundays, children roamed the streets, often getting into trouble. Most didn’t know how to read or write and knew nothing about Christ or the Church.

 

As Raikes labored to reform England’s prison system, he noticed that many children were imprisoned, stirring him to action on their behalf. He arranged for halls and homes to be used for educational purposes on Sundays, the one day children didn’t have to work. He found volunteers to teach reading, writing and math, as well as the Bible and Christian beliefs.

 

The first Sunday school class was held in July 1780. Amazingly, by 1788 some 250,000 children were attending such schools. This occurred despite some people’s opposition to the education of lower-class children.

 

Countless boys and girls have attended Sunday school classes since then, thanks to Raikes, who brought Christ’s light and love to children around the world.

 

 

Reminders:

 

  • The annual Leadership School and Learning Fair is coming up on Saturday, September 18 at Robeson Community College in Lumberton. There is also a day camp for young people from Kindergarten through 5th grade. For more information, go to www.presbycc.org. or call the church office at 910-455-2434. This is a great opportunity—don’t miss it! There will probably be carpools.

 

  • Friday Night Life resumes this Friday at 6: 30 PM in the Fellowship Hall for children from kindergarten through 5th grade.  We will begin with games and songs, and then we will move to story time and crafts.   Come on down—and bring a friend!

 

  • Next Sunday is Rally Day. Back in the "old days" it was a big deal in the life of Sunday School, and the Christian Education Committee wants to revive the tradition. Just this once we'll meet at 9:30 for a short program, to celebrate the beginning of the Sunday School year. The program will be aimed primarily at the children, and we’ll share a light breakfast. Then our classes will adjourn to their regular places. Please plan to come and to participate. It will be a nice beginning for our Sunday in both Sunday School and Worship

 

 

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