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First Presbyterian Church Charlottesville invites you to a transformative weekend featuring a workshop, a presentation, worship, and fellowship with two of the leading voices in theological education, Tom and Kim Long. Whether you're seeking to deepen your faith, expand your biblical understanding, or simply enjoy a day of community, this weekend promises something special for everyone.
Sunday, October 6: Worship Service & Fall Picnic
Schedule for Sunday, October 6:
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10:00 a.m.: Single Worship Service
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11:00 a.m.: Annual Fall Picnic (outside, weather permitting)
Worship Service
Following Saturday’s presentation First Presbyterian Church Charlottesville is holding a special single worship service on Sunday, October 6. Tom Long will deliver a compelling sermon titled “Is It Too Late?”. Drawing from Luke 16:19-31, Tom will delve deeper into the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, inviting us to consider its provocative questions and timeless truths. Kim Long will serve as Liturgist, guiding us through a meaningful time of worship.
Fall Picnic
After the service, we will welcome our new members and invite everyone to join us for our Annual Fall Picnic, a time-honored tradition of fellowship and fun. To celebrate those joining the church gather with friends old and new over a delicious meal featuring local favorite, Brown’s fried chicken. Of course, there will be lots of classic side dishes and cake for dessert.
Don’t miss this chance to enrich your biblical understanding, experience growth in your spiritual journey, and enjoy meaningful fellowship.
And the Journey Continues:
Join Us Sunday for Worship and Our Fall Picnic!
Saturday, October 5:
Faith Development Opportunity
On Saturday, October 5, First Presbyterian Church Charlottesville is hosting a dynamic workshop and presentation led by Tom and Kim Long, renowned authors, professors, and ministers. An invitation is open to all.
Schedule for Saturday, October 5:
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10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Workshop by Kim Long in the Chapel
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12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch (Registration required; $10)
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1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Presentation by Tom Long in Agape Classroom/Hall
Kimberly Bracken Long
Kimberly Bracken Long is a minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a former professor of worship at Columbia Theological Seminary. She co-edited the 2018 Book of Common Worship and served as editor of Call to Worship for ten years. Long has held various roles in worship leadership, including Associate for Worship for the denomination and pastor of congregations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She is the author and editor of several books on worship, including From This Day Forward, The Worshiping Body, and the Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. She holds a Ph.D. in Liturgical Studies from Drew University, an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and degrees in voice performance.
Tom Long
Thomas G. Long is the Bandy Professor of Preaching Emeritus at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. A Presbyterian minister, he has served churches in Georgia and New Jersey and taught preaching for over 40 years at several seminaries, including Princeton, Columbia, and Candler. Dr. Long has been president of the Academy of Homiletics and a senior homiletics editor for the New Interpreter’s Bible. He has authored numerous works on preaching, worship, and biblical commentary, including Preaching from Memory to Hope and Proclaiming the Parables. His teaching excellence has been recognized with multiple awards, including Emory University’s highest faculty honor in 2015.
Seen and Heard: The Gift of Children in Worship
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Workshop by Kim Long in the Chapel
We’ve all heard that it’s good for children to be in worship. It’s good for the rest of us, too! Children come to God in such a unique way and are filled with curiosity. They challenge us to use our imagination to ask hard questions and embrace a child-like faith when we approach God. This workshop will equip participants with strategies and resources for engaging children in meaningful worship experiences.
Join in a conversation with liturgist, author, and pastor Kim Long about the “How’s” and “Why’s” of children’s participation in worship.
Puzzles and Paradoxes: The Strange and Wonderful Parables of Jesus
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Presentation by Tom Long in Agape Classroom
Jesus’ favorite method of teaching was with parables. These stories seem so simple and beautiful, and yet each has an unexpected twist (one scholar calls them “curve balls”). In this presentation, we will explore what a parable is and how parables work to create their profound impact. We will see how the Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, and Luke incorporated Jesus’ parables into their Gospels in their own ways. And most of all, we will seek to discover the challenges and promises in Jesus’ parables for our own lives of faith.
This is a great opportunity to enhance your biblical understanding with professor, author, and pastor Tom Long, one of the foremost voices in theological education today.