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First Presbyterian Church Library
The mission of the Guntersville First Presbyterian Church library is to connect people with the Word of God through Holy Scripture, inspire people to study and grow in their Christian faith, and provide quality Christ-centered media for individual and family enjoyment. The library is located behind the first door to the right in the fellowship building. Contact Shannon Griggs if you would like to donate new materials to help build a quality collection or volunteer your time and talents. If you would like to "double donate" books for the library, one copy will remain with us and I will send the other copy to our PCUSA Readers Service in New York state where items will be shipped overseas. What an exciting way to support overseas mission work and Christian literacy both locally and world-wide!
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Amazing Grace: You Should See It and Hear It
If you haven't seen the new Amazing Grace movie based on the history behind the hymn and abolition of slavery in England, you should rent it today. Better yet, go ahead and buy your own copy because I guarantee you will want it in your video collection. Did you know the original hymn has been added to throughout time as additional uplifting verses offer hope to those in despair. My favorite verse, for example, was not one of the originals. It was first recorded in print in Uncle Tom's Cabin. The hymn was also the anthem of the Cherokee as it was sung repeatedly on the Trail of Tears. The most contemporary arrangement is breathing a new life into this well-loved hymn for a whole new generation of young Christians, and it is a favorite during our early, informal worship service at 9 a.m. each Sunday. See you there, and remember, "Your chains are gone; you've been set free; Your God, your savior, has ransomed thee!"
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Archiving Our Church History
I am currently working to preserve documents and images that serve as a record of the history of the First Presbyterian Church of Guntersville and the earlier Creek Path Mission. I am digitizing the materials so that copies can be enjoyed, shared and reproduced in a variety of formats. The originals will be preserved and archived in an acid-free manner for safekeeping. Please contact Shannon if you have additional materials that would enhance this historical collection or you would like digitized. I have met with historian Larry Smith and pulled resources from the former Montreat Historical Center, Oklahoma Historical Society, Cherokee Heritage Center, existing church records, and other primary sources to compile a complete history of the Creek Path Mission. Research includes information where the current history ends, with a record of the fate of the missionaries and baptized Cherokee members of the church after Indian Removal in 1838. I promise you will benefit from reading about the spiritual church that grew in Guntersville and traveled West in the hearts of the Cherokee families and missionaries on the Trail of Tears where the First Presbyterian Church of Talequah, Oklahoma, was established! I would love to hear from you if you have post-1838 information on the ill-fated families of the Creek Path Mission, there removal West, and their descendents.
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About the Librarian
Hi! I'm Shannon Griggs. I volunteer as the church librarian, archivist, and web administrator for the First Presbyterian Church of Guntersville, Alabama. I am married to Shay Griggs who serves on the 2008 Session for the church. Our children benefit from involvement in the youth program and the loving attention of the entire church family who helps raise them in faith. I hope my work through the church library and web site serves to connect people with Jesus Christ and inform them of the opportunities to worship and serve Him through our church and in their daily lives.
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Copyright 2005 Guntersville First Presbyterian Church Web Designer and Administrator sgriggs@otelco.net
04/14/08 |
