THE SPIRE LIGHT. CELEBRATION OF FAITH Sunday, September 20, 2015, 10:55 AM With Rev. Dr. Steven P. Eason. September 13-October 3, 2015

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1 THE SPIRE LIGHT First Presbyterian Church 100 Silver Creek Road, Morganton, NC September 13-October 3, 2015 September 13, 2015 Kick-Off Sunday Rev. Michael R. Bailey Lectionary Proverbs 1:20-33; Ps. 19 James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38 Greeters Anne Gamble Mary Frances Young September 20, 2015 Celebration of Faith Rev. Dr. Steven P. Eason Lectionary Proverbs 31:10-31; Ps. 1 James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a Mark 9:30-37 Greeters Sam and Laura Aycock Tom and Beth Blanton September 27, 2015 Rev. Michael R. Bailey Lectionary Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 Ps. 124; James 5:13-20 Mark 9:38-50 Greeters Anne Gamble Mary Frances Young September Visitors Table Lisa Antley CELEBRATION OF FAITH Sunday, September 20, 2015, 10:55 AM With Rev. Dr. Steven P. Eason Join us on Sunday, September 20, as Rev. Dr. Steven P. Eason leads us in a Celebration of Faith worship service. Steve was the senior pastor here at First Presbyterian from 1988 until Recently, he served as the senior pastor of the Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC, for thirteen years. Steve has been invited to pulpits in Cuba, Hungary, Malawi, Congo, and El Salvador to preach. He has preached for the NEXT Church, Montreat, Epworth, and Zephyr Point conference centers, presbyteries, colleges, and seminaries. Steve joined the Macedonian Ministry team on July 1, 2015, as Director of Consulting Services. This ministry has inspired pastors and lay leaders of different denominations all over America, and now in Scotland, to find creative and entrepreneurial ways to grow their congregations and to make an impact for Christ in their local communities. Steve and his wife, Catherine, have been married since 1977 and have three adult children and four grandchildren. They reside in the beautiful hill country of Brevard, NC. From your CURRENT Pastor... This is a BIG deal! I am extremely excited to have Steve with us! If you don t know him, he is an amazing preacher. If you know him from his time at FPC, he s gotten even better! Steve will both inspire and challenge us to grow and go deeper. You won t want to miss this Sunday. Be there! Invite a friend! Let s fill the sanctuary as we celebrate our faith! --MRB Elders and Deacons The elders and deacons will meet on Sunday, September 20, 9:30 AM, in the chapel for a special meeting with Steve Eason. Covered Dish Luncheon Following the Celebration of Faith service on September 20, we will have a covered dish luncheon in the fellowship hall. Each family should bring a dish that feeds people. All are welcome! Invite a friend to the service and luncheon!

2 Member Giving Through August 2015 Budgeted Received Budget Shortfall Pledged Giving $354, $326, $27, Non-pledged Giving $37, $21, $15, Total Revenue $402, Total Expenses 422, ($19,321.52) For a detailed analysis of revenues and expenses, please see the financial notebook located in the church library. Kick-Off Sunday Pancake Breakfast! Sunday, September 13, :00-10:30 AM Fellowship Hall Join us on Sunday, September 13, 9:00 AM, in the fellowship hall for our Kick-Off Sunday Pancake Breakfast! You will be able to meet teachers and learn more about the Christian Education opportunities available to your family. This is a wonderful time to invite friends or family to church! Hope to see you there! Cost is free donations are appreciated but not required. Shepherd Program Meeting Sunday, September 13, 2015, 4:30 PM Fellowship Hall This meeting is for all incoming and outgoing shepherds of FPC. Shepherds, please bring your shepherd notebooks with you. Michael with questions or concerns. Thanks! SHEPHERD PROGRAM Primetimers Event Bob Lowry has once again invited us to his Lake James home for our annual outing. We will be remembering his wife, Lois, who was the lead person on the Primetimers Planning Committee at the time of her death on September 18, She always enjoyed hosting this meeting. We will leave the church at 10:30 AM, have a nice lunch at 11:30 AM, and then join in on a time to remember this amazing lady and all the things she accomplished in her life and the lives she touched along the way. Afterwards, you can go for a board ride or simply spend time visiting with friends while enjoying the scenery. We will leave Bob s at 2:30 PM to return to church. Please call the church office ( ) or Lewis Rigsbee ( ) to sign up. Upcoming Events: October 2015 trip to West Jefferson for lunch at Shatley Springs and December 2015 visit to the Cove for lunch and Christmas music. Mission Morganton 2015 The Mission Morganton workday will begin at First Baptist Church on Saturday, September 26, at 8:00 AM. The picnic is on Sunday, September 13, 5:00 PM, at Catawba Meadows. Please visit the sign-up table outside the chapel to see how you can help! Join us in whatever way you can at the picnic, the workday, or prior to the workday with prayer and donations for those in need. Why Help With Mission Morganton? 1. Meet and work with people of different denominations maybe make some new friends. 2. Choose among a great variety of projects, the majority lasting four hours or less. 3. Learn more about local charities and maybe discover one that you'd like to support more frequently. 4. Help even if you won't be around on the workday by donating non-perishable food, recyclable electronics, baby items, and children's clothes.

3 Sunday, September 13, 5:00-7:30 PM Mission Morganton Cookout and Youth Volleyball Tournament Come to Catawba Meadows Park at 5:00 PM to the Mission Morganton Cookout and Prayer Gathering. Please bring $3 to cover the cost of the meal, and wear clothes you can play beach volleyball in we have been challenged to a tournament by First Baptist! Bring it! Student Ministries Rev. Adam Bowling adam@firstpresmorganton.org Sunday, September 20, 1:45-7:45 PM Youth Rally at Montreat Middle and high school students, meet in the church parking lot on Sunday, September 20, 1:45 PM, to travel to Montreat for the PWNC Youth Rally. Bring a friend! Come hear the keynote speaker John Turnbull, sing songs, play games, and have lots of fun in small group! The rally is free, but we ask that you bring $5-7 for dinner on the way back home. We should be back by 7:45 PM. Please RSVP by ing Pastor Adam or leaving him a message on Facebook. Saturday, September 26 Mission Morganton Youth Project Meet at First Baptist church at 8:00 AM for prayer and a ride to our worksite(s). Please eat breakfast before you arrive. We will be working on setting up the new Habitat Restore. Please bring a water bottle. We will have lunch with the wrestling team from Gardner-Webb University around 1:00 PM in the First Baptist Youth Lounge. Please bring $3 to cover the cost of lunch, and bring a snack or drink to share. Sunday, September 27 No PM Youth Read-Me-a-Story Book Drive September 27-October 25 It is time once again to look in bookcases, closets, and attics for gently used or new children s books appropriate for children age Books will be given to the chaplains of Foothills Correctional Institution and the Minimum Custody Unit and SCCW (Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women). Volunteers will help the mothers and fathers record books on CD, and then the books and CD recordings are sent to their children. Place donations in the barrel located across from the fellowship hall. Our prison ministry thanks you for your contributions. If you have any questions, contact Nanette Marranca at Baby Announcement Congratulations to Nicole and Cornelio Juarez on the birth of a daughter, Anna Elaine, on August 22, Cornelio is our church custodian. Thank You Nicole, Anna, and I would like to thank each and every member of this church from our heart. We are very thankful for all the wishes, prayers, and much more you have done for our family! There are no words to really show how much it s all very appreciated! We thank you for being there for us. God bless you. --Cornelio, Nicole, and Anna Juarez First Presbyterian is a connectional church; let us therefore pray for other congregations within our Presbytery: First Presbyterian Church of Asheville, NC New Contact Information Anna Nagy FN Nagy, Melia CPO NNPTC Cir 701 Warren Wilson Rd Goose Creek, SC Swannanoa, NC In Sympathy I am the resurrection and the life. Congregational love and sympathy are extended to the family of Rev. Dr. John McCoy at his death on August 30, Rev. Dr. McCoy served as the minister of First Presbyterian Church, In Prayer Gracious God, grant that we may feel your strength when we are weak and use this strength to help ourselves and others. Amen.

4 Unifour Brass Ensemble Concert September 30, 6:30 PM Kicking off the Wednesday night programming for fall will be the Unifour Brass Ensemble, joined by our own Robert Smith at the organ and piano. The program will be held on Wednesday, September 30, at 6:30 PM. The Unifour Brass Ensemble is heard yearly at First Presbyterian worship services, and its members are looking forward to offering this concert for our church and community. There will be something for everyone plan to attend and invite your family and friends! Grace Ridge residents who would like transportation are asked to RSVP to the church office at no later than noon on Tuesday, September 29. Elective Sunday School Class For the month of October, the Elective Sunday School Class will feature: The Three Kings, led by Lena Kenan. Come GROW with us through FELLOWSHIP and STUDY. Everyone is WELCOME! God's Backyard Bible Club God's Backyard Bible Club will begin Wednesday, October 14. We are looking for individuals who would be willing to volunteer on Wednesday afternoons for this very important afterschool program for children. Please contact Pastor Adam at if you would be able to help. See pages 5-7 below.

5 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CALENDAR Sunday, September 13 Kick-Off Sunday! 9:00 AM Pancake Breakfast 10:55 AM Worship Service 4:30 PM Shepherd Program Meeting Fellowship Hall 5:00 PM Mission Morganton Picnic Catawba Meadows Monday, September 14 3:00 PM Circle 3 Parlor 5:00 PM Sweet Delights Meeting Library 6:30 PM C. E. Committee Meeting Library 7:00 PM Circle 2 Parlor Tuesday, September 15 7:00 AM Men s Breakfast 1:30 PM Staff Meeting Wednesday, September 16 12:00 PM Al-Anon Rm. 200 Thursday, September 17 6:00 PM Session Meeting Saturday, September 19 8:00 PM Al-Anon Rm :00 PM AA Rm. 101 Sunday, September 20 9:30 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Officers Meet with Rev. Eason Chapel 10:55 AM Celebration of Faith Worship Service led by Rev. Dr. Steven P. Eason 12:00 PM Covered Dish Luncheon 1:45 PM Youth Rally Tuesday, September 22 7:00 AM Men s Breakfast 10:30 AM Primetimers Trip 1:30 PM Staff Meeting Wednesday, September 23 12:00 PM Al-Anon Rm :00 PM Nominating Committee Mtg. Library Thursday, September 24 9:00 AM Soup Kitchen Saturday, September 26 8:00 AM Mission Morganton First Baptist 8:00 PM Al-Anon Rm :00 PM AA Rm. 101 Sunday, September 27 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:55 AM Worship Service No PM Youth Monday, September 28 12:00 PM Spire Light Deadline Tuesday, September 29 7:00 AM Men s Breakfast 1:30 PM Staff Meeting Wednesday, September 30 Kick-Off to Wednesday Nights! 10:30 AM Spire Light Volunteers 12:00 PM Al-Anon Rm :15 PM Meal 6:30 PM Unifour Brass Ensemble Concert Thursday, October 1 9:30 AM Primetimer s Board Meeting Rm. 200 Saturday, October 3 8:00 PM Al-Anon Rm :00 PM AA Rm. 101 The Spire Light Deadline The next issue of The Spire Light will cover October 4-24 events. Please submit information to the church office or to lori@firstpresmorganton.org by noon on Monday, September 28.

6 WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGRAMS FALL :15 PM Meal 6:15 PM Scheduled Program September 30: Concert by Unifour Brass Ensemble (6:30 PM) October 7: "Hope For Hurting Hearts" Video Program October 14: Committee Night October 21: Rev. Carol Morgan, J. Iverson Riddle Center Program October 28: FALL FESTIVAL (5:00-7:30 PM) November 4: Healing and Wholeness Worship Service November 11: Committee Night November 18: Hunger Program by the Missions Committee November 25: No Wednesday Night Meal/Program December 2: Chrismon Tree Decorating December 9: Christmas Music Program with Chancel Ringers December 16: Children's Christmas Pageant

7 SESSION NOTES First Presbyterian Church of Morganton, NC Summary for August 20, 2015, Session Meeting Rev. Carol Morgan, Riddle Center Chaplain, met with elders, and together we explored how we can reflect God s valuing of all humanity by discussing how to welcome people with disabilities into worship and fellowship, showing that all belong and can offer their gifts. Administration: The financial statement shows expenses exceed income by about $38,000. Members will have noted the beloved tree to the east of the sanctuary continues its decline, with the central portion now being dead. An arborist inspected the tree and gave recommendations which will help extend for a time the life of the tree. He will treat the tree again, trimming the dead portion and fertilizing. The mulch area will be expanded as well. The washout near the steps to the back parking lot has been fixed, and exterior painting is complete. The committee is examining option to address the continued deterioration of the slate walkways. Christian Education: A September 13 pancake breakfast will kick off the Sunday School year, with classes starting September 20. The Wednesday afternoon children s program resumes in October. Thanks to the 12 teachers who led the adult summer elective class in a study of 12 topics. Congregational Care: The committee continues to minister to all members, and in the temporary absence of Parish Nurse Jean Bolton, 12 volunteers will visit and provide meals to those needing care. Fellowship: Wednesday night programs are being planned, as are the September 13 breakfast and September 20 luncheon welcoming Steve Eason. Good News: Church rolls have been updated and will be examined yearly so they accurately reflect church membership. Mission/Outreach: Habitat hopes to build 4 houses this year. A May 16 mission trip to Malawi is planned. More volunteers are needed for the prison ministry. Mission Morganton is September 26; please sign up to participate. Over $1200 has been raised for Presbytery s Nickel-a-Meal hunger program. Thanks to Greg Carpenter and Lewis Rigsbee for facilitating the transport of Riddle Center residents to worship. The Sweet Delights baking program has concluded a successful summer of baking. Look for a new ministry, the collection of hotel toiletries, which will be distributed to local programs. The Hunger Awareness program will take place mid November. Personnel: Many thanks to all who helped to make the pulpit exchange successful. Parish Nurse Jean Bolton is slowly improving, and while she is ahead of predictions in her progress, she still has a long road ahead. Session approved plan of limited duty medical leave for Rev. Adam Bowling, who is experiencing some of the same health issues that he encountered last year. He will be on limited duty until September 14, at which time reassessment of his situation will occur. As Rev. Michael Bailey balances his job as senior minister, his role as moderator of Presbytery, his added responsibilities from having his two right-hand associates out, his roles of husband and father, and his own personal needs, the Session asks the congregation to offer him support, understanding, and reasonable expectations. Session approved having Rev. Beth Ann Miller preach on days Adam is scheduled this fall and assist with liturgy as needed. Session also approved having Rev. Wyatt Aiken help with pastoral care for up to 15 hours per week. Many thanks to Lori Murray and Robyn Herrera for their hard work, particularly at this time. Stewardship/Planned Giving: Sam Aycock is working on a program focusing on planned giving, and Session approved having Rev. Steve Eason preach on September 20. He will also speak to deacons and elders that morning and will speak at the luncheon following worship. Worship: Problems with the amplifiers in the sanctuary this summer were noted but have since been corrected. Additional hearing devices were ordered. Columbarium: A new sprinkler system, refurbished plaques, and new plantings are in place. The committee is working on a booklet focusing on end of life planning, things that can be put into place in advance. Nominating: The committee will begin work in September. Staff Reports: Please congratulate custodian Cornelio Juarez, who is celebrating the birth of his first child, a daughter, Anna Elaine. Committees will work on goals at their September meetings and present them to Session on September 17. General Assembly action regarding same-sex marriage was discussed, particularly for the benefit of elders new to session this summer. Once again, it was reiterated that we will not be in a rush to take action on this matter. This seems all the more wise with such strain on the staff at the moment. As always, if you have any questions, affirmations, or concerns to express to the Session, please contact any member of the Session. Submitted by Elsie Bartlett, Clerk