Issuu

JULY 2021

first press

Check out our Summer events! [See Save the Date Section pages 4-6]

Loving others by going out to the city & the world!

[See Missions articles pages 8-9 & 12-13]

Promotion and Installation of Pastors

[See Pastor's article page 2-3]

175th History Texas Independence & Restoration

[See article pages 14-15]

Vacation Bible School was a Treasured time! [See article pages 10-11]

PASTOR’S ARTICLE

Pastor Alex and Pastor Joe

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. -1 Corinthians 12:4–6

Rev. Dr. Bob Fuller Senior Pastor

t is an honor to announce that the Session has voted to promote and install Alex Solorio and Dr. Joe Moore to the position of Assistant Pastor. For Joe, this promotion is a recognition of the many contributions he has made in the area of Senior Adult ministry and congregational care. Joe joined the staff of FPC five years ago in the Summer of 2016 as the director of the KEYS senior adult ministry. He was also assigned duties in Adult Education. Before Joe and his wife Sandy moved to Texas to be closer to their daughters in Austin, he had a distinguished career as a pastor in the Christian Missionary Alliance. Joe served at Essex Alliance Church for 26 years, 15 as Youth Pastor and 11 as Pastor of Congregational Care. He earned his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Congregation and Family Care from Bethel Seminary in 2010. As soon as he began his work in San Antonio, it became clear that he had a wide variety of gifts and a depth of wisdom. In addition to his ministry with KEYS, he soon began leading worship, teaching adult Sunday school classes and Bible studies, and pitching-in with youth retreats. He served briefly as Director for Missions and helped lead FPC into a new season of engagement with our neighbors and global partners. Alex Solorio arrived at FPC five and a half years ago when he began as University/Young Adult Associate. At the time, Alex was a recent graduate FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE

of Houston Baptist University, having completed a Master of Theology. He packed his car and moved from his beloved “H-town” to San Antonio. Alex served as University/Young Adult Associate until he was promoted to Director of University Ministries. As U.Min. Director, Alex has been a recognized leader in college campuses all over San Antonio. He has worked with ministries like InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, The Porch at St. Phillip’s College, and Young Life. Because of his own experience as a college football player, Alex was able to make contacts and establish important, groundbreaking ministries at Trinity University, St. Mary’s University, and University of the Incarnate Word. Alex is the first Presbyterian leader to serve directly with students at UIW. He has gained the respect of the UIW Football coaching staff and is serving as chaplain for the UIW Football team. Alex is a true evangelist, and has walked with many college students through their faith journey—-from their first introduction to Christ to their first steps toward discipleship. In the Presbyterian Church, the act of ordination is a recognition of a three-fold calling to ministry. It is a confirmation that the Lord has called a person to this office of ministry, that he or she has a calling to particular service in the church (First Presbyterian), and that this calling is recognized by the authority of the broader church through the councils of the denomination (ECO:

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A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians). Having been previously ordained in the Christian Missionary Alliance, received by the Texas Presbytery of ECO and called by the Session of FPC, Joe will be installed as Assistant Pastor. He will continue his ministry with KEYS and in his broader role of providing pastoral care within our congregation and beyond. Alex has completed the threeyear discernment and examination process, has been certified ready for ordination by Texas Presbytery, and has been called by the Session of FPC. Therefore, Alex will be newly ordained and installed as Assistant Pastor. He will continue to serve the University communities while also taking on some new responsibilities to empower him in the use of his many spiritual gifts. Arrangements are being made for Joe’s and Alex’s ordination and installation services. As we celebrate this personal moment for Alex, Joe and their families, I hope we will consider what these

promotions represent for our church family. First Presbyterian Church is dedicated to investment and discipleship at every stage of life. From infancy to maturity, we believe that God the Holy Spirit nurtures his people and endows them with love, gifts and purpose. Alex and Joe are both inspiring examples of Loving Christ, Loving Others and Loving the City. A pastor is a shepherd, and the Lord has blessed both Alex and Joe with extraordinary shepherding gifts: the heart and capacity to gather, lead and guard the flock of God’s people. As the Lord has invested in them, we want to invest in them for the sake of Christ’s Kingdom. To God be the Glory!

Save the Date: RESET Gathering, Sanctuary Choir, Friday Singers, July 5 Church Closure, Prayer Trainings, Virtual Prayer Room, Back to School Prayer, Summer Youth Fellowships, KRL Summer Support, Global Leadership Summit, Pathways to Hope, Children's Ministry Summer Events, Kick Off Sunday

Save the Date: Back to School Prayer at the Flagpole, FPC Mobile App

Loving One Another: Worship and Rejoice, New Hymnal

Loving the World: YPM Continues to Grow, Glorify Christ, and Serve

Loving Christ & Loving Our City: VBS Was a Gem of a Time!

Loving the City: CAM Provides Memorial Service & Dignity for Neighbors

175th History: Texas Independence and Restoration

Loving One Another: KEYS

Loving Christ: First Cup Readings

Loving Christ: First Cup Prayer List

New Covenant Partners & Global Leadership Summit

First Press is published monthly by the First Presbyterian Church San Antonio Communications Team. Deadline to submit content: the 15th of the previous month.

Grace and Peace, Bob Fuller Senior Pastor

Hank Cherry: Director of Communications Dorothy Hecimovich: Graphic Designer Ross Brown: Media Coordinator Questions? Contact: Hank Cherry (210-271-2728, hankc@fpcsat.org)

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SAVE THE DATE

RESET Gathering

Church Offices Closed

Young Adult Community

Date: Monday, July 5

Dates: Mondays, Jul. 26 & Aug. 30 Time: 7:00-8:15 PM Location: Westminster Hall Contact: Rev. Mitchell Moore, mitchellm@fpcsat.org

Church offices will be closed for the day in observance of Independence Day.

Join other Young Adults for a time of worship, Biblical teaching, fellowship, and prayer. The RESET Gathering is a chance for us to reset our hearts, minds, and lives on knowing Jesus personally, following Jesus wholly, worshipping Jesus corporately, and serving Jesus globally. Please come check it out and visit fpcsanantonio. org/reset for more information and to sign up for a small group.

Sanctuary Choir Rehearsals Resume Time: 7:00 PM Dates: Select rehearsals in June, no rehearsals in July Location: Choir Room Contact: Tom Dooling, tomd@fpcsat.org Join us as we seek to glorify God through our Sanctuary Choir this summer. Our regular weekly rehearsals will resume in mid-August.

Friday Singers Resume Time: 9:30 AM Dates: Resumes August 13 Location: Choir Room Contact: Charlotte Hains, 210-710-7173 or charlottehains@gmail.com Friday Singers is an outreach ministry to retirement and rehabilitation communities around our area. All are welcome to our rehearsals. Come if you love to sing!

Prayer Training Opportunity Tuesday, July 13 | 9 AM - 12:00 PM Room 224 Tuesday, August 10 | 6:00 - 9:00 PM Room 224 Connect with God through prayer. Compliments of the Prayer Ministry Committee, learn to pray with and for others effectively with Cayce Harris, Director of ONE Ministries at a training opportunity. Register by emailing Lisa Snow at lisas@fpcsat. org. Visit fpcsanantonio.org/prayerministry for a full calendar of prayer events.

Virtual Prayer Room Wednesdays | July 7 & August 4 11:00 AM | Zoom Meets Monthly on the first Wednesday of the month to pray together for our city and each other. Visit fpcsanantonio.org/virtual-prayerroom to sign up for the Zoom meeting details and to join the email list.

Back to School Prayer Sunday | August 15 5:30 PM | Your School Flagpole We invite you to pray for students, teachers and faculty either at your neighborhood school flagpole or virtually wherever you may be. If you would like to include a particular school and/or lead the prayer at a school, please contact Jeannie (jdullnig@att.net or 210-213-3820). See article on page 6 for more info. FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE

Summer Youth Fellowship Dates: Tuesdays, July 13, July 27, & Sunday, August 22 Times & Locations: TBD Ages: 8th - 12th Grades Contact: Alex Clary, alexc@fpcsat.org, 210-777-2433 Be on the lookout for this fellowship opportunity this summer with our Student Ministry! We will be meeting for a meal and having a socially distanced outdoor gathering with fun fellowship on various Tuesday evenings each month. Check our Instagram, contact Alex for more information or visit fpcsanantonio. org/youth-events.

KRL Summer Support Thank you for your support of The Kingdom Restoration Lab (KRL) at FPC, fpcsanantonio.org/krl. Help fill the food and clothing pantries with necessities for our under-resourced neighbors in their journey to becoming self-sufficient. CURRENT NEEDS: • Men’s and/or Women's underwear (must be new) •

Men's and/or Women's jeans/ casual pants

•

Casual shoes (for both men and women)

•

Wallets, and belts

•

NO food at this time

*Please donate warmer weather clothes, as we do not have storage for out-ofseason clothing. Additional items can be donated by shopping the KRL Resource Room current needs on Amazon at http://tiny.cc/krl-support and are shipped directly to the KRL. If you are interested in volunteering for our KRL ministries, contact Lindsay at lindsays@fpcsat.org.

Global Leadership Summit

Pathways to Hope

Dates: Thurs. & Fri., August 5 - 6 Time: Thurs. | 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM; Friday | 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Location: FPC or Online You have influence, and your leadership matters! On Thursday - Friday, August 5-6, 2021 join a worldwide audience of curious, growth-minded, change-driven men and women like you for the premier leadership event of 2021— The Global Leadership Summit. As a Covenant Partner or attender of First Presbyterian Church, we welcome you to use the exclusive discount code 21HSFAMILY by July 13, 2021 to get your tickets for only $99 and $129 thereafter! Register at GlobalLeadership.org/Summit, select First Presbyterian Church San Antonio as your Host Site and enter the code. See more information in advertisment on back page or contact Wendy Garcia at wendyg@fpcsat.org or 210-271-2716.

Children's Ministry Summer Events JUL

Dates: Fri. & Sat., August 27 - 28 Time: 9:15 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Livestream Online

Sunday, July 4 8:45 AM – 12:00 PM FPC Children's Ministry

The sixth annual Pathways to Hope Virtual Conference, focusing on mental health and including speakers from across the community and nation, will be held online this August. This community wide initative will help us move toward breaking the stigma of mental illness. For more info, or to register, please visit www.pathwaystohope.net.

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Red, White, & Blue Day

Show your spirit as we celebrate the Fourth of July at FPC! Wear red, white and blue and come ready to celebrate!

JUL

Family Scavenger Hunt in San Antonio

Thursday, July 15 9:00 – 11:00 AM Downtown San Antonio

Join other FPC families as we head out on a scavenger hunt exploring our great city of San Antonio! Don’t miss this amazing time of fun and fellowship.

SAVE THE DATE: CONTINUED

BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYER AT THE FLAGPOLE SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2021

This year’s “Back to School Prayer at the Flagpole” will be at 5:30 PM, Sunday, August 15, at schools in our city to pray for students, teachers and staff. You are encouraged and to mark your calendar and participate in this special event, either at your local neighborhood school or

virtually wherever you may be. You may gather at the flagpole at your child’s school or any school you choose, and you are welcome to bring family members, students and friends! It will be an informal gathering with the sole purpose of covering our local schools in prayer, for the protection of the physical buildings as well as all who will enter. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord. He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from

DOWNLOAD THE

FPC Mobile App FEATURING:

• Upcoming Events • Mobile Giving • Media Streaming • Ways to Stay Connected

FPCSANANTONIO.ORG/MOBILE-APP FIRST FIRST PRESS PRESS MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 6 6

the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge.” Psalms 91:1-4 What better way to send the students and faculty of San Antonio back to school than by prayer for all of those involved in education! If you would like more information, please contact Jeannie ( jdullnig@att.net) or 210-213-3820 or visit fpcsanantonio.org/pray-forour-city. JEANNIE DULLNIG

Prayer Ministry Committee

LOVING ONE ANOTHER

TOM DOOLING Minister of Music

WORSHIP & REJOICE CELEBRATING 175 YEARS OF CONGREGATIONAL SINGING WITH A NEW HYMNAL

n February 2020, the FPC Session unanimously approved the adoption of a new hymnal to enrich our congregational singing in traditional worship for decades to come. This was the culmination of an extensive and thoughtful evaluation process that began in April 2019. In January 2019, conversations began about the possibility of examining our aging 1955 Hymnbook currently used in our sanctuary. The three primary reasons for this consideration were: 1. The deteriorating physical condition of the current hymnal with replacements no longer available. 2. The number of significant hymns used in worship, such as “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and “Lift High the Cross,” but missing from the 1955 hymnal. 3. The desire to supplement the rich repertoire of hymns we currently sing with the best of hymns published in the last sixty-five years, as well as those that pre-date the 1955 hymnal but omitted from that resource. Based on these realities, the Worship Committee voted on March 19, 2019, to form a Hymnal Taskforce with the responsibility of evaluating alternatives to our existing 1955 hymnbook. The Taskforce consisted of the following members: •

Ed Moore, then chair of the Worship Committee

•

Jean Rogers Winchell, lifelong member of FPC and member of the Sanctuary Choir

•

Darin George, new member of FPC, Choir member and Trinity University Professor

•

Ashley Jackson, young adult, confirmation teacher and usher for Traditional worship

•

Charlotte Hains, lifelong member of FPC and Director of Friday Singers

•

Tom Dooling, Minister of Music

•

Dr. Jae Ha, Associate Minister of Music and Organist

The Hymnal Taskforce began meeting in April 2019. Over the course of the next nine months, the taskforce embarked on an evaluation process that began looking broadly at the origin and composition of hymns, as well as our hymn usage over the last sixteen years here at FPC. From a list of eighteen possible hymnal options, the list was refined to five possible choices. These five options were examined carefully for five of the nine months, culminating in the selection of two finalists. These two finalists were then evaluated in even greater detail. In total, there were no less than twenty-four different elements of evaluation considered from April through December of 2019. In December 2019, the Taskforce met with Rev. Dr. Bob Fuller, Senior Pastor, to present their final recommendation of the hymnal “Worship and Rejoice” created by Hope Publishing. As a result of that meeting, the Taskforce, with the endorsement of Dr. Fuller, asked to present its findings and recommendation to the Worship Committee for approval. The Worship Committee, chaired by Jane Watson, met on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE7 7

11 a.m. to hear the report, voting to endorse the recommendation of the Taskforce, which was enthusiastically approved by the Session at their February meeting. As you know, a lot has happened in our world since the spring of 2020. With the onset of the Pandemic in March, 2020, we postponed the implementation of the new hymnal as a result of temporarily removing pew Bibles and hymnals from the sanctuary pew racks. With the endorsement of a new plan by the Worship Committee in April of this year, we are now planning to move ahead with implementation to coincide with our on-going celebration of the 175th anniversary of the church. Beginning in August, we will invite the congregation to make donations ‘in memory’ or ‘in honor’ of friends and family as a means of purchasing an adequate supply of the “Worship and Rejoice” hymnal for the church. Acquisition of the hymnals will then occur over the following months with a dedication of the new hymnals occurring sometime in mid to late October. We look forward to many decades of continued hymn singing at FPC using the new “Worship and Rejoice” hymnal!

LOVING THE WORLD

YPM Continues to Grow, Glorify Christ, and Serve

xciting things are going on in Leona Vicario! The crew is pumping water from the well, running it through all of the filters, and out comes pure, clean water! Hip, Hip, Hooray and thanks be to God! He is faithful and he guided us in the same way that he has guided First Pres all these 175 years in service to Missions! It’s been quite a journey… Leona Vicario is a small village in the Yucatan Peninsula, about 50 miles from Cancun. Two of our faithful and dedicated Mission Partners, Wilian and Erly Cen live there in what we now call the compound; only a one room building when they first started in 1990. It is now a secure compound with an air-conditioned, two-story building; containing a dormitory sleeping space (bed or hammock), tiled bathrooms with hot & cold showers, full kitchen, meeting space, and beautiful tropical gardens! For years, the Lord has continued to give Pastor Wilian vision for ministry in the Yucatan. Next to the compound is an accredited university, a high school, and now the latest - a water purification plant which just happens to be down the street from the Compound, and across the street from the schools! After much prayer, road blocks, a pandemic,

and many construction/work trips over 2 years, we are there! Through partnership with YPM and 8-10 churches, the pumps were turned on and filled the first bottle of clean water in March of this year! There was something else that was important about this full bottle of clean water, and the thousands more to come. It is who this water is going to. It just so happens that the majority of the people living in the Yucatan Peninsula are the only remaining Mayan ancestors with direct lineage to the original Maya. There are only approximately 6 million left and they are spread over Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and with the greatest amount being in the Yucatan Peninsula and Honduras. Unfortunately, those in the Yucatan have been ignored as citizens of Mexico and today suffer

FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE

from discrimination, exploitation and poverty. Sadly, they don’t live as they once did but today are marginalized with very little access to education, health care, and the most basic needs like food and water. It is in this region and to these people to which FPC Global Missions felt God was calling them to serve. Even prior to the 1990’s, before the schools and water plant were a vision, FPC was sending a Medical Missions team to the area. It is amazing to see how God has opened so many doors to serve in partnership with YPM! This June, we were able to share how God has been at work in the Yucatan with the children who attended VBS at FPC. One of the Bible verses was Psalm 116:1, “I love the Lord because he hears my

LOVING THE WORLD has called our church into partnership with YPM, to help our friends, the Maya, to have access to clean water and much more. Could this be our next generation getting ready to help this or other areas in need?

voice and my prayer for mercy.” The lesson was about God’s faithfulness even when life gets hard. The children learned about how God hears us and he helps us through hard times, and that sometimes God sends people to help us when we need it. As the children saw a map of Mexico and the Yucatan, they learned about how God

In closing and in honor of the Maya people and their language, Pastor Wilian designed a logo for the water bottles. It has printed on the label Ch’e’en Ja’ which is Maya for well water. Somewhat of a pun, he explained that yes, it is water from the well, but it is also water that is going to make you well! It is certainly not too late for you to be a part of this vibrant ministry! As God continues to call us into partnership with YPM, we invite you to join us in the adventure! For more information about YPM and mission opportunities, please contact missions@fpcsat.org! To God Be the Glory!

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VBS Returns for an In-Person & Online Treasure! After children’s events happen, often times I’m told, “What an amazing event this was, my child had so much fun!” What I pray comes across clearly is that it is equally as fun for myself and our team! I want to express a heartfelt thank you to all the great people of FPC who step up around Children’s Ministry and give of their hearts and time to make things happen. This incredible team work is never displayed more clearly than at VBS! Vacation Bible School is one of the best things our collective church does every year! As a body of believers, the planning over months and the creativity that goes into the event is seen in so many ways. Acts 2:44 tells us. “All the believers were together and had everything in common.” This year our theme was Treasured, discovering you are priceless to God! After working to put a virtual VBS together last year, it was such a blessing to get together in person again this year! Our attendance in children and volunteers was outstanding! Each day on campus we had almost 200 souls joyfully gathered together for one purpose! Thank you to all of our teachers who taught the kids the love of Christ in Bible study. Thank you for all the Volunteers who were willing to step in wherever needed to get the stations rolling! Thank you to Catherine Whitsett and her son Jamey for her amazing creative work and vision to bring the land of VBS alive! Let’s pray that the work that was done in VBS this year will leave a lasting mark on the hearts of the children who heard the gospel! I’m looking forward to the fruit that will grow from this for years to come! Rozlyn Miller Cline Ministry Director to Children and their Families FIRST FIRST PRESSPRESS MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 10 10

L O V I NG T HE C I T Y VBS 2021 Photos by Ross Brown, Amy Delano, and Sam Simpson

FIRSTPRESS PRESSMAGAZINE MAGAZINE 11 FIRST

LOVING THE CITY

MARY ELIZABETH SOTO IS DE AD REV. A. MITCHELL MOORE Associate Pastor for Young Adults & Missions

CAM provides memorial service, dignity for deceased neighbors

ary Elizabeth Soto is dead.

Mary was a mother who fought cancer about 20 years ago and won. Mary had a sister, many friends, and two little dogs for which she cared deeply. But does anyone care Mary is dead? Life difficulties sent Mary to the streets and propelled her into the desperate situation of an unsheltered existence. Mary is one of five homeless neighbors I know of who have died in the past eight months. Mary’s friends say she was the tenth person to die during that time frame. The uncertainty adds power to the question- who cares that Mary, or any of our homeless neighbors, is dead?

God cares. Psalm 116:15 says God sees the death of His saints as “precious.” God sees all the children of humanity (Psalm 33:13) and has created every human with dignity, after His image (Genesis 1:27). Mary had dignity in God’s eyes. Jesus displays God’s

compassion when He weeps in the face of death in this fallen world, even as He Himself is the hope of resurrection (John 11:17-44).

Our partners at CAM care. To honor Mary’s life and the lives of other neighbors who have recently passed away, CAM hosted a memorial service. First Presbyterian Church helped host our neighbors living under the bridge for a time of remembrance, prayer, readings, and reflection.

Many people and organizations care Mary Soto is dead. Grace Lutheran, First Baptist, Church Under the Bridge, and Morgoriee White from the San Antonio Department of Health and Human Services, joined many of our homeless neighbors at CAM in remembering Mary’s life and honoring the lives of those who have recently passed. There is a community that cares!

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LOVING THE CITY

I believe if you are reading this short reflection then you care, too. Mary Elizabeth Soto is dead but there are many others with the same divinely given dignity living in situations of desperation as Mary lived in. These neighbors need to know we care - that God cares and He has compassion for them. Can we empower your care for our neighbors and neighborhood? Flowers and cake accompanied the tears and time together at the memorial service. We all know a flower given during life is far sweeter than a wreath bestowed at a memorial service. Let’s come together to show our neighbors we care, sharing the aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15-17) through our life and love. For information on how to connect your care and compassion with our neighbors and neighborhood please contact MitchellM@ fpcsat.org or LindsayS@fpcsat.org.

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History: The Texas Reformation by David B. West Part 3: Texas Independence and Restoration.

exas won its independence from Mexico, but it did not win recognition as a new nation by the United States because of the issue of slavery. Without U. S. support, the new government of Texas, headed by Houston, faced many challenges, just as Mexico had done after its revolution. Texas’ army consisted of volunteers who had left after the battle of San Jacinto to tend their farms. The government had insufficient tax revenues to run a government. Its printed money became worthless, and a barter system developed. Unable to pay its military, Texas was ill equipped to protect its citizens from further attacks by Mexico or the Comanche. The missionary zeal from the U.S. to Texas never flagged, however. In 1837, the General Assembly’s Board of Domestic Missions commenced work in Texas. Four Presbyterian ministers were commissioned for Texas by the Presbytery of Mississippi. In 1838, a Princeton educated minister from Pennsylvania named John McCullough made his way to New Orleans and then to Galveston. Sponsored by the General Assembly Board in Philadelphia, McCullough became the Chaplain of the Senate of the Texas Congress and began his educational and ministerial work in the nation of Texas.

when he saw “how sadly the people were given over to the forms of religion and lacked the power thereof.” He determined to devote his labors chiefly to the Hispanic population of that city,” and started making arrangements for a replacement at the church in Columbia. McCullough was not the only cleric to assess San Antonio’s need for religious improvement. Fr. John Marie Odin, a French priest, arrived to restore the Catholic faith. The San Fernando Church had burned in 1828 and was ruined further by the war of 1836. Odin found the church “a decrepit ruin infested by swallows and bats and having such a foul odor that it is simply impossible to enter in the morning without feeling like vomiting.” The outlying missions were similarly decayed. One of the two priests was described as “scandalous and concubinous.” Odin sought to restore the credibility of the church among the town’s disaffected Catholics. He dispatched the derelict priests and began to rebuild San Fernando Church.

In 1840, McCullough founded the First Presbyterian Church of Galveston, which was the first Protestant church there. He then moved to Columbia, where he pastored the church and supported himself by starting a school. McCullough had another vision, however. In 1840, he traveled to San Antonio, at that time considered the most dangerous place in Texas. Travel was dangerous due to Mexican snipers and Comanche raids. The tools of a minister included a horse, a saddle, saddle bags, a blanket, a Bible, a hymn book, a long-barreled rifle, a pistol and a Bowie knife. San Antonio had about 1800 inhabitants, 150 Anglos and the rest Hispanic. When McCullough arrived in San Antonio “his righteous soul was vexed over much,” FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE 14

175th Anniversary The restoration of the church did not restore the city. When McCullough returned to San Antonio in 1842, he found it “a miserable, dilapidated place.” Just six years after the fall of the Alamo, much of the town had been destroyed. Comanche raids on San Antonio were frequent. Adventurers and desperados became so common that a vigilante committee was formed. A tree on South Flores Street was the site used to hang horse thieves. Captain Jack Hays and a handful of Texas Rangers camped on Main Plaza provided the only security for the town.

and their clients and took them captive. He also removed many public records, including field notes of the Spanish Grant. Sam Houston, President of the Republic of Texas, responded by organizing a group of volunteers, marched to Laredo (then controlled by Mexico) and captured the town. Woll’s army marched south along the border and Houston refused to launch an attack against Mexico. He disbanded his army and San Antonio’s population dwindled from 1,800 to 800.

In March of 1842, Mexican General Vasquez marched from Mexico with 1400 troops and captured San Antonio. Hays and a group of 100 volunteers were the town’s only defense. They helped the Anglo population escape, in what became known as the “Runaway Scrape of 1842.” Vasquez’ men looted stores and homes for two days, then went back across the border. In response, the government of Texas authorized Hays to increase the size of his force by 50 men, but there were no funds to pay them. In September of 1842, a Mexican expedition under General Woll again entered San Antonio. This time, they took 67 prisoners, being all of the male Anglo citizens in the town. The Circuit Court was meeting in San Antonio that day. Woll seized the judge, the lawyers Sam Houston Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3081166

Next: Texas Statehood and The Second Mission Movement. The Runaway Scrape. Courtesy of the San Jacinto Museum of History. Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.

This is a multi-part series written in connection with the 175th anniversary of First Presbyterian Church. Special thanks to Rick Lane for his knowledge and contributions on this important history.

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LOVING ONE ANOTHER

Learning and living in community: Older Adults Summer REV. DR. JOE MOORE Minister for older adults and congregational care.

M A

ay was a busy month! We learned about Bibliotech, the digital library Bexar Director to Youth and their Families, lex Clary,ofMinistry County, and joined us andthey introduced us to himself and to a game, will be schedulingusing a future tutoring Zoom breakout rooms. We learned how FPC is session to help us get connected. The with a ministry addressing mental moving forward Cox Family presented a Memorial Day health. Of course, we can’t forget our time with King Concert, and we were introduced to Antonio, and Mariachi Las Alternas, and Fiesta Fun along the history of the Urrutia family in with the Margarita Machine. San Antonio. There was an outreach opportunity as we assembled “Snack Here ourHeals, Summer decided on by our Leadership Team: Bags” forisSA to beSchedule distributed to students to carry the • July 2 them through Virtual Fireworks Display weekend. • July Mahjong & Bridge and a Fellowship Time Via June begins our9 shift to the summer Zoom for programming schedule. Bridge, Mahall who are available Jongg,• and July Birthday will con16 Lunches Our first Birthday Lunch to celebrate all the tinue. We are also planning a few spe-we have missed in the past year. birthdays cial outings and service opportunities. JulyLeadership 23 Mahjong & Bridge and Fellowship time Via Zoom As the• KEYS Committee In person works• hardJuly over30 the summer to planLunch and a Movie future• speakers, and Augustevents 6 NOBirthday KEYS - Take advantage of the lunches, we welcome your inputLeadership to Global Summit help us bring a variety of programs • helpful August Mahjong & Bridge & Virtual Fellowship Via Zoom that are and13 informative. BRIDGE MAH20 JONGGStart our New Season of Birthday Lunches • AND August Bridge and Mah Jongg players will • August 27 Mahjong & Bridge, and Virtual Fellowship continue on the second and fourth Via Zoom Fridays of the month, however, for the • September 10 Insummer, Person Kick-off for the New Year game time will be from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Bring a lunch and join in on the fun!! New players are welcome and someone will help you learn the game. If you have other games that we could play, then let us know and we will see that you have a place to play.

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We are looking forward to restarting our in person meetings in September. We are hoping to have a live streaming element so that you can watch the speaker on your computer. If you have recommendations for KEYS speakers please don’t hesitate to email joem@fpcsat.org, text or call 802734-2329. Virtual Fellowship on Zoom Fridays at 11:00 AM Zoom meeting ID 570 618 8075 Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5706188075 No Password Necessary. If you need help with Zoom feel free to contact me @ 802-734-2329 or joem@fpcsat.org. Friday Fitness with Jacqi Crow Jacqueline Crow conducts a Zoom fitness program for us Fridays at 9:30 AM. We received her contact information through Morningside Manor and have enjoyed her teaching. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6199532743?pwd=aHR oaWNZdWtpMXJFa3dHSWVCYkl1UT09 Meeting ID: 619 953 2743 Passcode: Strength Join the Email Mailing List Receive a weekly email update on who is speaking and a link to connect directly to Zoom by sending me, Joe Moore ( joem@fpcsat.org), your email address to be added to our list.

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Keeping EVERYONE Young in Spirit To make your reservation for all KEYS events contact the church receptionist at 210-226-0215: Alice Morales, alicem@fpcsat.org or Ariel Garcia, arielg@fpcsat.org. The cost for meals at FPC is $10. Birthday luncheons are $12 unless otherwise noted.

FIRST CUP READINGS JULY, 2021

Dear Family in Christ, First Cup is designed to assist you in the habit of daily Bible reading and prayer. The name is to remind you that as you reach for your first cup of morning coffee or tea, reach also for your Bible and prayer list. The prayers at the beginning of each week are taken from hymns, sometimes found in obscure hymnals in my library. They are intended to be read as your beginning prayer, to focus your mind on the daily readings that follow. May this spiritual discipline strengthen you as you face each day. Blessings and love in Christ, Sandy Sturch

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.— Psalm 143:8

1 2 3 4

Jeremiah 31:27-34; Romans 11 Lamentations 1; Isaiah 1; 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 Lamentations 2; Matthew 23; 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Lamentations 3:1-36; Matthew 5:39; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Psalm 123

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God, my Father! There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not: As Thou has been Thou forever wilt be. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow—blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! (Hymns for the Family of God, #98) 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Lamentations 3:37-66; Job 30; Psalm 37 Genesis 19:1-29; Lamentations 4; Jeremiah 19:9; Matthew 24:1-35 Lamentations 5; Isaiah 49; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 Luke 1:1-25; John 1:1-34 Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-56; Genesis 17:19; Psalm 132:11-18; Galatians 3:16 Luke 2:1-20; Colossians 1:15-23; Isaiah 43:1-3; 45:22 Leviticus 12; Luke 2:21-40; Isaiah 42:1-9; 8:13-17; John 10:11; Psalm 23

Come, Thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free. From our sins and fears release us; Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of ev’ry nation, Joy of ev’ry longing heart! Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King, Born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne. (Worship in Song, #181) 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Micah 5:1-5; Matthew 2 Luke 2:41-52; Proverbs 3:1-6 Luke 3:1-22; Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:1-11; 16:15-16; Acts 1:5, 2:38-41 Luke 3:23-4:13; Deuteronomy 6:13-19; Hebrews 2:10-18; 4:14-16; 1 Peter 5:5-10 Isaiah 40:1-11; 52:7; 61:1-3; Luke 4:14-21; John 16:13-15 Luke 4:22-30; 10:13-16; John 1:9-14; 15:18-16:4 Luke 4:31-37; Deuteronomy 32:17; Isaiah 14:12-15; Luke 10:18; John 12:27-50

Out in the highways and byways of life, Many are weary and sad. Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, Making the sorrowing glad. Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love; tell of His power to forgive. Others will trust Him if only you prove True every moment you live. Give as ‘twas given to you in your need; Love as the Master loved you. Be to the helpless a helper indeed; unto your mission be true. Make me a blessing: Make me a blessing. Out of my life may Jesus shine. Make me a blessing, O Saviour, I pray. Make me a blessing to someone today. (Worship in Song, #342) 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Luke 4:38-44; Psalm 103 Luke 5:1-11; John 12:20-26; 1 Peter 2:11-15; Psalm 32 Numbers 12; 2 Kings 5; Luke 5:12-26; Psalm 147:3 Luke 5:27-32; John 15:18-27; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; James 4:4; 1 John 3:13-15 Luke 5:33-39; Leviticus 16:29-31; Joel 2:12-14; Nehemiah 9:1-3; Matthew 6:16-18 Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 16; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Matthew 5:17-20; Luke 6:1-11 Psalm 7; Luke 6:12-36; Proverbs 16:7; Romans 12:17-21

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love, and power; He is able, He is able, He is willing; doubt no more. Let not conscience make you linger, nor of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness He requireth is to feel your need of Him: This He gives you, this He gives you; ‘Tis the Spirit’s glimmering beam. Come, ye weary, heavy laden, bruised and mangled by the Fall; If you tarry till you’re better, You will never come at all; Not the righteous, not the righteous; Sinners Jesus came to call. (The Baptist Hymnal, #241) 26

Luke 6:37-45; Romans 2; 14; James 4:11-12; Matthew 18:15-35 27 Luke 6:46-49; James 2:14-26; John 15:1-17 28 1 Kings 17; 2 Kings 4:1-37; Luke 7:1-17; Jeremiah 32:17-27; Psalm 107:20-22 29 Psalm 38; Luke 7:36-50; Psalm 32 30 Luke 8:1-18; Psalm 119:1-16; 89-112; James 1:22-25 31 Psalm 119:33-88; Luke 8:19-21; John 14:15-21

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FIRST CUP PRAYER LIST In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Romans 8:26).

Date

Name of Person

Request

FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE 19

God’s Answer

L O V ING ONE AN OTH E R

NEW CO V ENA NT PA RTNER S

Paul and Marie Smith

Paul and Marie both join by Reaffirmation of Faith. Paul is a physician. They both attended Vanderbilt University. Paul was in Rev. Louis Zbinden’s first confirmation class! Paul is looking forward to being part of a community and Marie is looking forward to having a church “home” again.

1846 - 2021

LOVING CHRIST. LOVING ONE ANOTHER. LOVING THE CITY. 404 N Alamo Street San Antonio, Texas 78205 210-226-0215 fpcsanantonio.org

@fpcsanantonio

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