Welcome Guide

Worship

Worship begins at 10:00 am on Sundays. There is a nursery for children up through kindergarten or you can bring them with you into the sanctuary.  We have a children's time in the early part of the service and the children up through kindergarten are then escorted to children's church if you wish.  You will notice children's bulletins with markers by the front entrance which you can encourage your children to use.  Worship will include lots of singing and the use of musical instruments including drums, guitars, keyboard, and other instruments.  We try to sing music with depth and relevance.  We also have a liturgical dance team which helps in the leading of worship. 

The sacrament of Holy Communion is served about once a month and everyone is invited to the table including children.  We sometimes serve by passing plates of bread and juice and sometimes we serve by inviting you to come forward and receive from the pastor and an elder.

Christian Education

All classes start at 11:15 AM.

Adult Christian Education Opportunities

• Encouragers - This class provides relevant and thought-provoking Bible studies.  They meet in the Bigger Room.
• Seekers – Relates Scripture to current topics in the news.  There is no preparation required, you don’t have to know all about the Bible, and we are open to all opinions as we are all in different places in our faith journey.  They meet in the Fellowship Hall. 
• Other Adult Classes – Short term classes are taught throughout the year.  

Youth and Children Christian Education Opportunities

• Youth (Grades 5 - 12) in the Youth Room upstairs to learn the Biblical story and then plan ways to share the story through, video, drama, dance or whatever is effective and faithful to the Biblical story.
• Elementary (K - 4th grades) - rotation-type classes which incorporate drama, computers, art, movies, science, and storytelling.
• PreK - meets in our PreK classroom.
• Nursery (ages 0 -2) - meets in our Nursery.
• Youth groups (6th-12th grades)- meet Sundays for food, fellowship, games and Bible study.

Bluegrass

We host bluegrass concerts every first and third Thursday of the month (except in July).  These concerts feature bands from around the Southeast.  We serve food including hamburgers, hot dogs, and homemade desserts starting at 6:30 pm with the music beginning at 7:00 pm.  These events usually attract hundreds of visitors.  The concerts are free but donations are accepted from the audience to pay the band.  Proceeds from kitchen sales have been used to pay for painting the Family Life Center and to purchase additional bluegrass and kitchen equipment. For more information, visit Allison Creek Bluegrass.

Recreation & Fellowship

Sports Activities:

The Family Life Center is open for volleyball on Mondays at 7:00 p.m.  

A 1/4 mile walking trail originates behind the playground and ends at the cemetary.

Congregational Events:

• A fall retreat in the NC mountains in Montreat
• Covered dish meals, cook outs,  Easter egg hunts, and community activities
• JOY (Just Older Youth) Group meets the first Wednesday of each month for lunch and fellowship

Prayer Shawls

Prayer Shawls are made by several people in the congregation and given to anyone in need of comfort and support.  We have given several to veterans in the VA Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, and others in the community facing difficult times.

Scouts

We host cub scouts on Tuesdays, boy scouts on Mondays, and Venturing on Tuesdays.

Hurricane Katrina Damage

Mission

We care for others by:

• Mission trips. “Hope from the Carolinas” is our long term relief work in Mississippi.
• Habitat for Humanity 
• Participating in the 4 Major Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (USA): One Great Hour of Sharing (Easter), Pentecost, Peacemaking (Oct.), Christmas Joy Offering  
• Collecting Dimes for Hunger quarterly for Providence Presbytery Hunger Program
• Red Cross Bloodmobile twice a year
  

Congregational Care

We send cards to homebound and visit members of the church in the hospital and in their home. We support church members during times of grief, illness and life changes through Care Teams and other visitation. We telephone and email members of the church to inform them of pastoral needs such as death or illness. 

Evangelism

The laity are involved in contacting and visiting with new worshipping families, developing and maintaining a web page, and mailing out information concerning our church.

Building & Grounds

You may participate in workdays to clean gutters, rake leaves, paint, and other general upkeep needs that arise.

Stewardship

The laity are involved in planning and overseeing our financial giving and distribution of funds. We seek to discover the best investment opportunities in order to increase our ministry and mission.

Women’s Ministry

The Women's Bible Study (Circle One) meets the second Tuesday of each month for study, fellowship, prayer, and support. In addition, we reach out into the community through blankets for shut-ins, meals for grieving families, support of national and local offerings. We provide support for one another through our time together.

Men’s Ministry

Our Men’s Group meets the first Sunday of each month for breakfast, devotion and to organize our work projects.

Session

We are governed by elders elected by the congregation.  These men and women serve 3 year terms and oversee the mission, worship, education, care, stewardship, facilities, and outreach of the congregation.