May Together with you in Christ s service, Adult Ed Page 2 Calendar Page 8 Celebrations Page 7

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1 May 2018 Dear friends, What s in a name? We all know names are important. Names are the way we are idenfied. When my mom called out my name, I knew she was looking for me and not one of my brothers or my sister. We can be defined by our name and somemes names carry great symbolism. That was o"en the case with the names given in the Bible, and especially when people are re-named in the Bible. For example, God gave the name Abraham, an extension of the shorter, Abram, which means father of many. God, indeed, made a promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. (Gen. 22:17) And God made good on that promise and it all began with the birth in Abraham s old age of his son, Isaac. Jacob s name means, to grasp the heel. Do you remember the story of his birth in Genesis 25? Go back and take a look. Through his life, he was a bit of a deceiver, seeking to grab that which was not righ4ully his, which is what it meant to grasp the heel. But a day came when God changed his name to Israel which means, to strive with God. (Gen. 32:28) That name change was the result of Jacob asking for and then receiving a blessing. He was a different person from that day on. In the New Testament we find a fisherman named, Simon, who is renamed by Jesus. (Ma;. 16:18) I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. In Greek, Peter (Petros) means rock, and his confession of Jesus as Lord was solid as a rock. And then, there was a persecutor of the church named Saul who had a life changing encounter with the living Christ as he was walking on the road to Damascus. His life was transformed and he went from being a persecutor of the church to an evangelist to the Genles. He transions from the Hebrew, Saul, to the Greek name, Paul, which seemed to be a symbol of the change in his life and a change in his mission in life. As you know, we are being required to go through a name change as a congregaon. As a part of the terms of se;lement with the Presbytery of New Hope, we will no longer be able to carry the name which we have had from the beginning of our existence, Triangle Presbyterian Church. It seems to me there are two ways to react to this requirement. One is to be angry and frustrated at those who are causing us to make this transion. There is no queson that it will be inconvenient and somewhat costly. It seems to me, however, that such an abtude does more harm to us than those who have made this requirement. The alternave is to embrace this change as a fantasc opportunity to step into an excing new future for the church. We get to announce our new name to the community which will give us a chance to let people know who we are and what we are about. GeBng a new sign will increase our visibility in the community and will certainly be more noceable to those who drive down Hwy. 54 and pass our locaon. It could create a level of curiosity on the part of some who might then come on a Sunday morning to check us out. Let s face it. For Abraham and Jacob and Peter and Paul, a name change ended up being a really good thing. Let s pray that it will be so for us. In saying all this I am excited that our Transion/Rebranding Team has made a recommendaon of a new name to the Session which they have unanimously endorsed. So, on May 6 th at the beginning of the Sunday School hour, we will gather in the sanctuary for a congregaonal and corporate meeng, where the new name will be revealed and we will vote to officially adopt it. Together with you in Christ s service, Adult Ed Page 2 Calendar Page 8 Celebrations Page 7 Children s Min Page 3 Fellowship Page 5 Finance Page 7 Outreach Page 4 Small Groups Page 6 Youth Page 6

2 Adult Education JOIN AN ADULT EDUCATION CLASS! On Sundays at 10:00 AM there are a variety of classes open to anyone who is interested. Bible Class: In the Mean(me Locaon: Fellowship A Please join us in the Bible Class for a new series by Andy Stanley titled "In the Meantime." Through video and Q &A we will explore what to do in those difficult times of waiting. When there's nothing we can do. We do not see a way forward and we do not see a way out. Andy Stanley answers the questions, What do I do in the meantime? HomeBuilders Class: The Grave Robber Facilitator: Aaron Messer, Locaon: Room 100 The Home Builders class will be studying through the book, The Grave Robber by Mark Ba;erson. We will watch a series of videos filmed on locaon that reveal the miraculous power of the seven miracles of Christ as explained in the gospel of John. As we examine the miracles of Jesus, we will become aware of the everyday miracles all around us and discover what makes the impossible possible. SALT Ruth Facilitator: Donna Frank, Locaon: Room 101 The book of Ruth recounts a very moving story of a displaced widow in search of a new home and loving husband. Come and dive into this book discovering how our God hears the cries of his people and remains faithful to his promises. Fellowship: "Are We Happy Yet?" Facilitator: Jeannie Phelps, Locaon: Fellowship Hall B This will be a 2 session Biblical study of contentment vs. consumerism. Following that the group will look at "The Goodness of God" a study wri;en by Jack Hayford, founding pastor of Church on the Way in Van Nuys California and acclaimed Chrisan author. This study will last approximately 5 weeks The third study will be Titus: Good Doctrine and Godly Living in which we will examine a le;er from Paul to Titus, his close friend and protégé. At the me, Titus was leading a troubled church on the Island of Crete. This study will last Bible Study The Book of Luke Wednesday Nights at 6:00PM (except Ministry Team Night) Remarkable for its rich detail, precise language, and meculous research, the Gospel of Luke contains insights into the life and ministry of Jesus that only a master historian could have uncovered. Dive into this book and feel the amazement of the people in Luke s gospel as they encountered firsthand the Messiah of Israel. 2

3 Children s Ministry KID LOVERS WANTED! Do you enjoy playing with li;le ones, reading Bible stories and coloring, and/or taking care of sweet and funny babies and toddlers? Maybe you are a grandparent whose grandkids don t live close enough to hang out o"en.... or don t have grandchildren at all, but enjoy the imaginaon, humor and joy kids bring to our lives.... we have spaces in our Sunday morning worship nurseries where you can give the gi" of me AND fulfill the bapsmal promises we make as a congregaon. You will have to complete a background check in order to hang out with our kids, but it s worth it! We also invite you to consider leading or assisng in one of our Children s worship classes. We provide excellent curriculum to those who agree to be scheduled approximately once every 6 weeks. Contact Nancy Holton at nancyholton@trianglepc.org or call her! She ll be happy to meet with you and help you determine the best fit for your gi"s and talents! Hai( Vaca(on Bible School Trip Opportunity: A VBS trip sponsored by Family Health Ministries and led by Nancy Holton and Missy Owen is being planned for July TPC ers Missy Owen, Nancy Holton, and Erika Pawlowski will join with several folks from area churches. You may learn more by checking out the FHM website at h;p:// Click on Mission Travel to learn specifics. Call or Nancy in the office with quesons about the specific inerary, the places we go and the ministry of the people we work with in Hai. You may sign up NOW for VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2018 Register on our Website Monday, June 25 Wednesday, June 27 from 6-8 pm Each evening elementary kids and preschoolers will experience the Bible stories, applicaons, cra"s, games and snacks. The curriculum is entled, Babylon: Daniel s Courage in Capvity. Our key verse will be Hebrews 13:5, For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never abandon you. The main Bible point is, When Things Change, God is with you. We will focus on the ways God worked in Daniel s life as he was capve in a foreign culture, and how Daniel remained faithful to His God. Programming for other ages: Middle School students will have their own team program during the same me frame with interest appropriate acvies. There will be an adult class, with yet to be announced class foci. Nursery and preschool classes are also available for children 2.5 and older. Registraon fees are: Nursery and preschool- $10; elementary and middle school- $15. The family cap for children and youth is $30. Registraon fees for youth and children include cra"s, yummy snacks and other program materials. There will be no T-shirts this year by recommendaon of the Children s team. Interested in helping with VBS, either now or later?? We are inving decorators, camp counselors/ tour guides to let us know if you are interested and available. Adults and senior high students interested in helping as tour guides, cra" team members, or room decorators should contact Nancy at nancyholton@trianglepc.org for informaon with the subject heading VBS volunteer!!! You can also send her a text at Just make sure to idenfy yourself. To parcipate with kids/youth you must have completed a background check. Nancy will be happy to give you the secure, online applicaon form to complete. 3

4 Summer Sunday Club plans: The Children s Ministries Team is planning now for our Summer Sunday Clubs program. This summer we will host a 3 rd -5 th grade group (grade they will enter in the fall of 2018); a Kindergarten - 2 nd grade class and a preschool class. These summer club groups will begin May 27 and run through August 19. Our elementary groups will study a curriculum entled Biblical Answers to Kids Big Quesons About God. Acvies will include Bible skits, age appropriate discussion groups, games and prayer. Interested in learning more or helping with this excing program? Call or Nancy in the office. If you have not led a children s group at TPC you may be paired with a co-leader, provided you have completed our background check process and interviewed with Nancy. We also have opportunies to work with our Preschool Club group. This club will be using our favorite curriculum from Gospel Light! Announcing a Prac(ce Fire Evacua(on for our Children s Program Areas: One of our most important themes in Children s Ministries is keeping each other safe. While we know God IS the ulmate Safekeeper, we have the responsibility as parents and teachers and caregivers, while our li;le ones are with us! Therefore, we are going to hold a pracce FIRE DRILL for all children and their parents, Sunday, May 20th at approximately 10:45 during the Sunday School hour. At that me we will sound an alarm throughout the children's area. Children s class teachers will move the children in an orderly fashion to the designated safe meeng areas. Parents of infants and/or toddlers will move to the nursery. In order to minimize anxiety for the li;le ones we will not move them outside to the front circle but in the event of a fire, that will be the safe place for li;le ones. The officers on duty will remind adult classes where they would go in the event of an emergency. We will provide more detailed informaon to parents a few days before the pracce drill, and post signs at the entrances to the church as a reminder. In preparaon we encourage parents to view the safety video located on our website at Outreach Food Bank Update: Thank you to everyone who has so generously donated to the food bank. It has been a great help to the community and provided so many meals to those who need it. We have decided to stop collecng food items each month, and instead we will focus on our monetary donaons. For every $1 collected, 5 meals can be provided to people in need. We can do so much more with $1 than we can with buying food, even on a great sale! We will connue to collect monthly with the soup cans and donaons can be made at any me. In addion, money collected during Pennies for Hunger will now be used for the Food Bank. A Baby BoCle fundraising campaign benefibng Pregnancy Support Services (PSS) is going on now. Each family will have the opportunity to pick up a baby bo;le in the Narthex, take it home and fill it with silver change. Bills or checks are fine too! If a receipt is desired, a check must be used. All baby bo;les are to be returned to the church on or before May 13th. 4

5 Just Older Youth Thursday, May 10 at 11:30AM Fellowship Come out and have lunch with those of us who are Just Older Youth or who enjoy having lunch with our older members and friends. We normally meet the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Golden Corral on Hwy 55 at 11:30AM. It s a wonderful me of great food and fellowship topped off with a short devoon led by one of the Pastors. Ministry Team Dinner May 2 at 6:00PM On the menu is Teriyaki Chicken, rice, green beans, salad bar, hot dogs and dessert. The cost is $6 per Middle school and up, and $2 per child with a $20 family cap. Sign up today on the sign-up board or on-line! PATHWAYS GROUP: April Events! Pathways: a Chrisan journey through life. Pathways is a place where anyone is welcome. Connue to look for specific informaon in the newsle;er and bullen. 5/11 game night starng at 7 pm - look for for host locaon 5/14 Volleyball at 6:30PM in the FLC 5/20 Volleyball at 6:30PM in the FLC 5/27 Sunday brunch following late 5/28 Volleyball at 6:30PM in the FLC If there are any quesons or you would like to be added to the Pathways , please contact Kelley Crabtree kelleycrabtree@nc.rr.com or call the church office at Caregiver Support Group Small Groups Caregiver Support Group is sponsoring two guest speakers in May and EVERYONE IS INVITED! Mee(ngs are from 3:00-4:30PM in Room 101 May 6 Special Guest Nancy Ruffner, Professional Advocate, NAVIGATE NC Why and what do we need to plan? How do we begin? Nancy Ruffner will teach us how to HAVE THE CONVERSATION about planning, housing opons, medical & cognive consideraons, and safety. Join us for a thought-provoking workshop that is certain to benefit to you and those you love. Learn how to maintain your independence and think about what is important to you. May 20 Special Guest speaker from Duke Hospice & HomeCare : What is Hospice? If you would like more informaon, contact Diane Albert at harrydiane@nc.rr.com or

6 Youth Ministry MLY Major League Youth Middle Schoolers hang out every Sunday night from 3:45-5:30PM at TPC. We al- 8th Grade Retreat May 4-6 College Retreat May The Great Escape 2018 June VBS June Fun in the Son 2018 July 8-13 Varsity High School Youth High Schoolers meet up every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00PM at TPC. We d love for you to come and join in! If you re looking to learn some more stop by our high school Bible study on Wednesday nights from 6:15-7:30 PM at the church. Contact Pastor Jeff for more info on youth activities. jeffspainhour@trianglepc.org. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 6:00PM Ministry Team Dinner & Meengs 3 4 8th Grade Retreat 5 8th Grade Retreat 6 8th Grade Retreat 3:45-5:30PM MLY 6:15-8PM Varsity :30-8PM Varsity Bible Study :30-8PM Varsity Bible Study College Retreat 19 College Retreat 20 College Retreat 3:45-5:30PM MLY 6:15-8PM Varsity :30-8PM Varsity Bible Study :30-8PM Varsity Bible Study 6

7 Finance March Budget Report Pledges Budget Contribuons Expenses Net Gain/Loss $84,750 $98,334 $113,700 $91,306 +$22,394 Year to Date Pledges Budget Contribuons Expenses Net Gain/Loss $254,251 $295,016 $280,961 $280,961 -($9,637) Birthdays 1 Jackson Mercer 3 Pam Norton 4 Cameron MacDougall Leigh Matan 5 Sherri Ellington Karen McIntyre 6 Sarah Cato 7 Van Jackson Lorre Koontz Bill Link 8 Nicholas Min 9 Kent Foerster Michael Owen Reuben White 12 Aireana Goust 13 Julie Anderson Geoff Lloyd 16 Beth Durham 17 Archer White 18 Dan Fuchs Bobby McAdams 19 Mary Godwin Heidi Jo Hetland Lisa Messer 21 Isaac Anderson Gail Nelson John Valgus 22 Natalie Jerkovich 23 George Hunt Anne Nolan 25 Jonathan Marx Meagan Saunders Haley Saunders 26 Diane Albert Betsy Ba;on 27 Jon Palmer 28 Tim Richter Joe Wi; 30 Kapp Ogburn 31 John Min Lesley Woodall Nancy Anne Po;s Anniversaries 16 Pedro & Chrisna Hill Zabala 17 Joe & Gretchen Mauney 18 Tom & Penny Bitsas 20 David & Lesley McAdams 22 Bob & Pam Norton Eric & Melody Rodgman Bert & Lesley Woodall 25 Perry & Elaine Hinkle Mike & Jill Shultz 26 Lucinio & Helene Santos 27 Sco; & Melanie Shadoan 28 Kim & Peggy Anglin 29 Mark & Jodie Lee Ma; & Heather McLaughlin 30 Lee & Beth Murphy 31 Jeremy & Jennifer Mario 7

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