first Congratulations to our new AUGUST 2020press Elders, Deacons, & Trustees. Technology [See pages 7 & 16] improvements update from Pastor Bob Fuller. [See article pages 2-3] Pathways to Hope mental health conference returns virtually in August. [See page 6] Texas awards grant to KRL in recognition of positive community impact. [See article pages 8-9] PASTOR’S ARTICLE the increasingly powerful to a television show. I will never WOAI station enabled Hill’s forget the first time I had to sermons to be heard far preach into a camera while From Airwaves beyond the confines of Texas. standing in the dining room of to Cyberspace (Everett, 83). my home. FPC’s Media ministry began and We have also faced a variety prospered during the radio age. of technical issues as we have But, at the outset of the COVID- climbed the steep learning 19 pandemic, we quickly realized curve of video production. After that serving the needs of our just four months, however, church family, our neighborhood we are beginning to reach a and mission partners, would comfort level with our skills require this radio church and technology. (Please see my to move into the video and article in First Look Email from information age. It was time for July 16 for more details about the Rev. Dr. Bob Fuller us to move from the airwaves production of a live-streaming Senior Pastor into cyberspace. service). inety-seven In January of 2020, we were In addition to our video years ago, First just beginning to dabble in the improvements, we have also Presbyterian platform of live-streaming using used this season to enter Church seized social media like Facebook, into another very popular Nan opportunity to spread the Instagram and YouTube. When communication platform: gospel in a new way, using a new the City of San Antonio shut down podcasting. Podcasting is a technology: Radio. Reverend all public gatherings in March “radio“ style medium produced P.B. Hill was the pioneer who 2020, we had to make some on a computer for broadcast on led FPC’s foray into broadcast quick adjustments. Even though the Internet. During this COVID-19 ministry. Donald E. Everett we had been video-recording crisis, First Presbyterian Church wrote, sermons for years, FPC did not has introduced three new have the tools in place to capture podcasts with approximately WOAI, oldest and strongest of our full worship experience. 400 regular listeners each week. San Antonio radio stations, These podcasts include the began broadcasting the There were both technological Scripture and Song podcast by church’s Sunday morning and human issues to be associate pastor Mitchell Moore services on a regular basis overcome. All of our pastors, and 1102 Worship leader Callan in 1923. Not only did [P.B.] musicians and worship leaders Brown, the Music at First podcast Hill reach many unchurched were trained for in-person produced by our Minister of San Antonians, but his name worship leadership. Leading Music Tom Dooling, and my became familiar to families prayers, songs and preaching to own “No Fear“ podcast. We are living on remote ranches a camera requires a particular also offering all of our worship in the hill country. Known skill set. The transition is like services in the podcast format as “the church in the hills,” moving from a Broadway play as well. 2 FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE We are and will always be a face-to-face community. As one person described FPC, “we are not an online contents church; but, we are a face-to face church with an 4 Stay Connected: online presence.” Thanks to our expanded media Online & In-Person Services, How to Contact capabilities, we are able to maintain connections the Church Offices, Virtually Connect with FPC Ministries - Care & Prayer, Children, with one another to a greater extent than ever before. University, Young Adults, Missions, KEYS, July is ordinarily a low month for worship attendance, Youth, Podcasts but this year the first two Sundays of July were our 5 Save the Date & Serve: highest in years. Last year, our average attendance Sunday School Classes, DiscoverFirst! in July was 472. This year it is 630. Each week we are Classes, Serve as Church Greeter, Have a hearing from members who are joining worship need / Fill A Need Ministry, New GriefShare Session Beginning from ranches, beach houses, mountain homes and Winnebagos. They are checking in from Colorado, 6 Loving the City - Events: Pray on MLK, Montana, New Mexico, Florida, and all over Texas. Pray SA, Pathways to Hope Mental Health Conference We even have groups meeting on Zoom to watch the services together. Whether in quarantine or on 7 Loving One Another: Congratulations Newly vacation, people are logging in to worship together. Elected Church Officers -continued pg 16 The move into live-streaming and broadcast video 8 Loving the City: Congratulations KRL - The production has required three things from the State of Texas Awarded A Grant for Ministry congregation. It has required your patience, your to KRL prayerful encouragement, and your resources. In all three accounts, the congregation has invested 10 Loving the World: Tolle Lege - Presbyterian/ Reformed Christianity in Poland deeply into this ministry. You have faithfully provided financial resources to purchase, install and learn the 11 Loving One Another: KEYS August Update intricate technological systems that will accelerate our communication mission exponentially. You have 12 Loving One Another: Women Of the Church - also patiently endured all of the technical glitches Service to Others and personal bloopers that occur while amateurs learn to be adept and we work to catch-up with other 14 Loving Christ: First Cup Readings churches in San Antonio. Most of all, you have prayed prayers and offered encouragement for the team as 15 Loving Christ: First Cup Prayer List we grow in this area. As the Apostle Paul wrote: 16 Loving One Another: Elected Church Officers I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, Continued from pg 7 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership First Press is published monthly by the First Presbyterian Church San Antonio Communications Team. Deadline to in the gospel from the first day until now. submit content: the 15th of the previous month. (Philippians 1:3-5) Hank Cherry: Director of Communications Dorothy Hecimovich: Graphic Designer Thank you for your partnership in this new ministry! Ross Brown: Media Coordinator Richard Flores: Production Coordinator SOLI DEO GLORIA, Questions? Contact: - REV. DR. BOB FULLER Hank Cherry (210-271-2728/[email protected]) 3 FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE LOVING ONE ANOTHER - STAY CONNECTED Online & In-Person Weekly Services Call the Church Date/time: Beginning Sunday August 2 | 9:00 AM & 11:02 AM We have resumed in-person worship today. Visit fpcsanantonio.org/reunion for (210) 226-0215 reopening guidelines. We will continue streaming the 9:00 AM & 11:02 AM services The Church Offices remain closed live on our webpage fpcsanantonio.org/media. Please refresh your browser at to the public to help maintian a the start of the live service to join in. A recorded version of each service will be healthy and safe environment. available online immediately following the close of service. However, you can still reach us • 9:00 AM - Traditional Service in Sanctuary & Online by calling during our (virtual) • 10:00 AM - Sunday School Hour office hours: Monday - Friday, - Adult & Youth Online & On-campus; Children Online ONLY 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM or by emailing your • 11:02 AM - Contemporary Service in Westminster Hall & Online ministry leader Virtually Connect with FPC's Ministries Ministries are still happening! We want to connect with you and continue to be the body of Christ in this unique time. Care & Prayer Missions Youth • Care and Concern: Call 210-222- • Connect with our FPC Missions • Hang out with us on Instagram CARE (210-222-2273) for current Facebook Page (www.facebook. @fpcsayouth and on Facebook list. Email [email protected] to com/fpcmissions). (www.facebook.com/fpcsayouth) join the email list. • Visit fpcsanantonio.org/global- • Visit our FPC Youth webpage • Request prayer and pray for missions for the most recent fpcsanantonio.org/youth for others online at updates from our partners. additional updates. fpcsanantonio.org/prayerwall. • Join our 9:38 Mission Prayer Text • Email Alex Clary at alexc@ • FPC Virtual Prayer Room meets line to receive weekly prayer fpcsat.org, Emily Yergler at Wednesdays on Zoom from 11:00 updates. Email lindsays@fpcsat. [email protected], Mac at AM - 12:00 PM. Zoom Meeting org with your mobile number to [email protected], or shoot ID: 826 9365 7302 | Password: join. the Youth Ministry a DM to get 727274 • Contact Lindsay Selli at more information. [email protected] for more Children information or to share ideas on Connect Through Podcasts • Parents, contact Rozlyn Miller how to help our community. • FPC will resume releasing at [email protected] for more one episode each week in information or to join the Private KEYS: Older Adults August for Pastor Bob’s No Fear Facebook Group. • Friday Morning Zoom Meetings Podcast. Please listen, subscribe each week at 11:00 AM. Zoom and share God’s promises of University ID 570 618 8075. No Password. strength and comfort. Visit • Email [email protected] if you This will be our weekly online fpcsanantonio.org/podcasts for need anything. meeting whether we have a more information about all of • Connect with us on Instagram & scheduled speaker or not. our podcasts or fpcsanantonio. Twitter @fpc_umin & Facebook • Request to join our private org/no-fear-podcast for links to (www.facebook.com/2TenSATX).