Purpose: To continue to engage our senior adults in the covenant community as they age, by ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ both to them and with them, and by facilitating connections with church and community resources.
Programs
Seniors Ministry Newsletter
Click or tap here to read the latest Seniors Ministry Newsletter.
View the 2022 May/June issue by clicking or tapping here.
View the 2022 Mar/April issue by clicking or tapping here.
View the 2022 Jan/Feb issue by clicking or tapping here.
View the 2021 Oct/Nov/Dec issue by clicking or tapping here.
View the 2021 July/Aug/Sept issue by clicking or tapping here.
View the 2021 April/May/June issue by clicking or tapping here.
View the 2021 Jan/Feb/March issue by clicking or tapping here.
SeniorConnect Podcast
Click or tap here to listen to the SeniorConnect podcast.
Fitness Walking
Click or tap here to register for the Fitness Walking Sessions.
Encouragers
Encouragers group is comprised of single adults age 50 and older, who meet regularly for fellowship, prayer, and service opportunities. If you are single and over 50, you are warmly welcomed to participate.
Couples In Action
Our Couples in Action (CIA) group is comprised of married couples age 50 and older, who meet regularly for fellowship, prayer, and service opportunities. Any married couples over 50 are warmly welcomed to participate.
During the Spring months of 2022, 40 couples (who signed-up to do so) met in homes (and sometimes in restaurants) for a meal. Because we received much positive feedback about the benefits afforded by these times together, we decided to extend into Fall 2022!
Registration for Fall 2022 is now closed. Please contact Janet Altman at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Regular Events
Lifelong Learning Series
In response to expressed needs and desires of our seniors, we periodically offer seminars on topics germane to the challenges and opportunities of aging.
The seminar featuring Chris Hadley, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Central SC and Charleston, is available to watch by clicking or tapping here.
The seminar Elder Law Panel: Planning for Living, Planning for Dying, Planning a Legacy is available to watch by clicking or tapping here. Please contact Janet Altman if you would like a printed copy of the PowerPoint slides. Click or tap here to view the PowerPoint slides. To view the Order of the Day, including the panel speakers' names, please click or tap here.
Encouragers’ Breakfasts
Encouragers meet in Jackson Hall for a delicious hot breakfast on the first Saturday of each month at 9 am. Breakfast is followed by a brief devotional time in God’s word and the singing of a hymn.
Encouragers’ Outings
Once a month, Encouragers enjoy a local outing. Recent outings have included: enjoying local cuisine, visiting the State Fair, and exploring museum exhibits.
Encouragers Adventures
Encouragers venture beyond the greater Columbia area to take in one of the many attractions the Southeast has to offer. A sampling of adventures includes trips to Savannah, Camden, and Bonclarken.
Special Events
Senior Connect Day
March 19, 2021: “Our Timeless Means of Grace”
Dr. Mark E. Ross 9:30 a.m. Message “God’s Gracious Means of Working in Us” (click or tap here to listen)
Dr. Mark E. Ross 1:30 p.m. Message “Confirmed With an Oath” (click or tap here to listen)
Seminar presented by Rev. Mark Miller: “A Beautiful Inheritance: Past and Present Blessings of the ARP Tradition” (click or tap here to watch)
Panel Discussion Moderated by Pastor Bryan Bult: Dr. Bruce Easterling, Christie Unthank, Alana Dietrich, Charlton Law (click or tap here to listen)
March 13, 2020: "Finishing Strong: How the Gospel Enriches Our Later Years"
Dr. D. Ralph Davis 9:30 a.m. Message "One Liners to Live By" (click or tap here to listen)
Dr. D. Ralph Davis 1:30 p.m. Message "What Have You Got?" (click or tap here to listen)
Patriotic Dinner
During the week of July 4, Encouragers and CIA gather for a celebration of our nation’s birthday, featuring a delicious All-American meal, as we offer thanks to God for the blessings and freedoms we enjoy. Anyone 50 and over is welcome!
Old-Fashioned Christmas
In mid-December, Encouragers and CIA gather in Jackson Hall for a festive, Christ-centered celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus, featuring carols, holiday beverages, and culinary delights. Anyone 50 and over is welcome!
Spaghetti Soiree
In mid-February, Encouragers and CIA enjoy an evening of intergenerational fellowship with our middle school and high school youth. Our youth serve, provide entertainment for, and get to know our seniors over a delightful spaghetti feast.
Ministries
Our seniors are integrally involved in a variety of ministries at First Presbyterian including, but not limited to: visitation, Care Teams, assisting at the Foster Care Closet, knitting prayer groups, circle meetings, and local and international missions. We aspire to assist seniors in discerning their spiritual gifts, cultivating those gifts, and using those gifts to build up the Body of Christ. If you need assistance in discerning your giftedness, please contact Rev. Bryan Bult.
Barnabas Ministry
For seniors who sense they are gifted in the lost art of letter writing, Barnabas Ministry team convenes regularly to pray for members of the congregation who have asked for prayer and need encouragement. Ministry team members then write notes to remind them of God’s precious promises that make persevering worth the effort.
Services
Transportation- We are happy to arrange transportation for any senior adult who needs assistance getting to any church event. If you require assistance, please contact Janet B. Altman.
Click or tap here to email Janet B. Altman, to request an audio link to a sermon, devotional, or podcast.
IT assistance/troubleshooting – If you need technical support or assistance with one of your devices (phone, tablet, laptop), contact Gabe Hurst.
To learn more about using our church app, click here.
Staff
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David Lauten Senior Associate, Minister of Congregational Care (803) 799-9062, Ext. 225 |
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Bryan Bult Associate Minister to Seniors (803) 799-9062, Ext. 229 |
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Josh Squires Associate Minister of Counseling (803) 799-9062, Ext. 501 |
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Barbara Diller Congregational Nurse (803) 799-9062, Ext. 530 |
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Janet B. Altman Seniors Ministry Coordinator (803) 799-9062, Ext. 550 |
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Lisa Eargle Administrative Assistant to Pastoral Care & Membership (803) 799-9062, Ext. 244 |