THE SPIRE LIGHT First Presbyterian Church 100 Silver Creek Road, Morganton, NC

Transcription

1 THE SPIRE LIGHT First Presbyterian Church 100 Silver Creek Road, Morganton, NC April 30-May 20, 2017 Worship with us on Sundays! 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:55 AM Worship Service April 30, 2017 Rev. Adam C. Bowling Lectionary Acts 2:14a, Psalm 116:1-4, I Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35 Greeters Sandra Morton Michael Streppa and sons Visitors Table Kim Brown May 7, 2017 Rev. Dr. Wanda Neely Lectionary Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23 I Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 Greeters Chuck and Marj Powell Visitors Table Casey Kilgore May 14, 2017 Rev. Dr. Bill Neely Lectionary Acts 7:55-60 Psalm 31:1-5, I Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14 Greeters David and Betsy Rader LeRoy and Barbara Wall Visitors Table Casey Kilgore Wednesday Night Programs Spring :00 PM Chancel Ringers 5:15 PM Meal Line opens for reservations only 5:40 PM Line opens for folks without reservations 6:15 PM Bible Study/Special Event 7:15 PM Chancel Choir May 3: Committee Night May 10: Special Bible Club Children s Showcase May 17: Mission Study Input Night May 24: Fair Trade Coffeehouse Concert by Butterbeans (local musical trio) May 31: Final Celebration with the Freedom High School Chamber Singers: A Broadway Revue Volunteers Needed! Please contact Ken Clough (cloughcrew@yahoo.com) or Leon Lewis (lelewis@compascable.net) if you would be willing to help serve the Wednesday night meal, clean up after the meal, or pray. You can also sign up on the clipboards in the fellowship hall. A Further Look at First Presbyterian Church Sunday, April 30, 12:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall Visitors are invited to a luncheon on Sunday, April 30, after the worship service to learn more about the church and what membership means. Child care is available by request. FPC members, if you know persons to invite, please share information with the church office or the pastors.

2 Congregational Meeting The Session has called a meeting of the congregation for Sunday, April 30, 10:55 AM, for the following purposes: To consider a recommendation from the Session to add the following sentence to the church Manual of Administrative Operations under the heading Deacons : The Congregation can also annually elect up to two youth deacons to serve one-year terms. To hear a report from the 2017 Officer Nominating Committee. Names will be placed in nomination to serve as elders (5) and deacons (4), class of 2020, and youth elder (1), class of The following names will also be placed in nomination for the Officer Nominating Committee Class of 2020: Robert Clark and Holly Restel. Session designee for Class of 2018: Bob Ervin. See insert for names that will be placed in nomination for elders and deacons. Special Opportunity for Donation The Session has approved raising funds for the new Presbyterian hymnals and updated larger print pew Bibles. As of this week, $6,740 is needed for 337 hymnals ($20 each), and $2,860 is needed for 143 pew Bibles ($20 each). We hope to have the hymnals and bibles in time for a dedication at the church s 220th anniversary this fall. If you can help with this project, please contact Rev. Dr. Wanda Neely, Interim Pastor, at wanda@firstpresmorganton.org or or submit your donation to the church office. Church Survey Please participate in the Church Survey for Mission Study. Go to the link on the church website at or pick up a printed copy in the office or at an entrance table. Deadline is April 30. Girl Scout Gold Project The last day to sign up to help with Carly Carpenter's Girl Scout Gold Project leading the afternoon clubs during Vacation Bible Camp (1:30-3:00 PM) is Sunday, April 30. There is a sign-up board in the narthex with volunteer opportunities. More volunteers are needed to assist with baking, gardening and sports clubs. Volunteers for one day or all five days are needed/welcomed. St. John s Bible Presentation The public is cordially invited to a special presentation of the St. John s Bible at First Presbyterian Church of Newton, 701 N. Main Ave., Newton, NC, on Sunday, May 7, 2017, 2:30-4:00 PM, in the fellowship hall. The Rev. Dr. Ann Laird Jones, PC(USA) minister and director of Arts Ministries at Montreat Conference Center,will present a program on the creation of the Bible and its significance to the world. For more information, visit Presbyterian Women News Circle 3 will have a covered-dish dinner on Tuesday, May 2, 6:00 PM, at the home of Posie George, 191 Oakdale Drive, Morganton. Please join the Presbyterian Women in the chapel on Sunday, May 7, 3:00 PM, for the Annual Women of the Church Birthday Celebration, the presentation of the Honorary Life Membership to Mary Hewat, and the installation of officers for the coming year. Following the service, refreshments will be served in the parlor. The 2017 Summer Gathering will be June at Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center in Harrisonburg, VA. Brochures and registration forms are available at church; registration is due by May 2. FPC Text Message Updates To sign up for the FPC Morganton group text, please to This will be used for important announcements and reminders such as cancellations due to inclement weather. You can unsubscribe at any time.

3 Sunday, April 30, 3:30-5:00 PM Liturgical Dance Any youth interested in being a part of the Youth Sunday Liturgical Dance should come to this practice or contact Dance Captain Elizabeth Norvell. Sunday, April 30, 5:00-8:00 PM Dinner and Youth Sunday Planning Meeting Youth, come to the fellowship hall on Sunday, April 30, 5:00 PM, with ideas for Youth Sunday May 21! We will eat dinner ($3) and then start working on plans. Student Ministries Rev. Adam Bowling adam@firstpresmorganton.org Sunday, May 7, 3:30-5:00 PM Liturgical Dance Sunday, May 7, 5:00-8:00 PM Dinner and Youth Sunday Planning Meeting Saturday, May 13, 9:30-10:30 AM Liturgical Dance Sunday, May 14 No PM Youth Group (Mother's Day) Saturday, May 20, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Youth Sunday Practice Join us on Saturday, May 20, in the sanctuary, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, to practice for Youth Sunday (which is Sunday, May 21). At noon, please have your parental units pick you up at church! Note: No meal provided. Sunday, May 21 Crossing Boundaries Youth Sunday! Youth please plan to arrive at 8:30 AM (yes, in the morning!) for a final run through and for breakfast. Again, that is 8:30 AM!! Parents Volunteers Needed! We need some parents to help with breakfast on Youth Sunday. We plan to eat around 10:00 AM in the fellowship hall. If you would be willing to help feed the youth, please contact Pastor Adam ASAP! Thanks! Primetimers Outing Our next Primetimer outing will be on Monday, May 8, 11:00 AM, at the home of Ken and Susan Duckworth: 2158 Goodman Lake Road, Morganton. We will take the church bus, but there are some who plan to drive. The bus will leave the church at 10:30 AM. We will probably spend a little time touring before lunch which will be held at 11:45 AM; cost of lunch is $9.00 and will be catered by Butch's. Then we will continue our tour and return to the church around 3:00 PM. If you have not signed up and want to go, please call the church office at or Lewis Rigsbee at Thank you. House of Refuge The Morganton House of Refuge, an independent Christian shelter for men, needs our help. It offers two meals a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year to sixteen homeless men. They are requesting donations of meat. How can you help? You can give money or meat. If you are a hunter or fisherman, think about donating a portion of your harvest to the shelter. Look for sales in our local grocery stores. Suggestion: pick a day each month and take your money or meat items to the House of Refuge after 4:00 PM. If you have questions, please contact Nanette or Charles Marranca or call the House of Refuge at Calling All Gardeners If you enjoy flowers and gardening, then you know this is the time of year to freshen up flower beds with warm weather plants. Perhaps you have visited our lovely Columbarium and noticed that it will soon be time to replace the cool weather plants which survived the winter with warm weather annuals which thrive in the summer heat. If you'd like to get your hands dirty one afternoon or assist in another way, contact Pam Daniel at We also need assistance with weed control in the church labyrinth. Contact the church office at if you can serve in that way. Community Garden If you are interested in starting a community garden here at First Presbyterian Church, please contact Dick Peck at

4 The Future of Christian Education at FPC All parents, adults, and youth are encouraged to come to room 102 downstairs on Sunday, April 30, at 9:30 AM to talk about the future of Christian education and faith formation at First Presbyterian. We will have coffee and continental breakfast items available for all who attend. Children will have a special program in room 212, and nursery will be available. Come tell us what you want your kids to learn. What do you think is important to offer as educational opportunities for children, youth, and adults? What resources, model, and/or sequence would help you disciple your family into faithful followers of Jesus Christ? How can the church help you along the journey? Come to listen, learn, and share! Elective Sunday School Class 9:30 AM, Downstairs in Room 102 April 30: The Future of Christian Education at FPC See above article for more information. May 7, 15: Christianity, Current Events, and Politics Oh My! Overview and discussion about how we, as Reformed Christians, can relate to and engage in politics. Expect lively discussion and multiple viewpoints check all weapons at the door! Week 1: some recent relevant PCUSA General Assembly statements; Week 2: broader Christian perspectives on politics. Rick Leissner will facilitate. Everyone is invited and celebrated as we grow together in our faith! Graduation Recognition Are you graduating this year from high school, college, grad school, or special program, or are you the parent/grandparent of a graduate? Contact Robyn, robyn@firstpresmorganton.org, no later than Monday, May 8, with the following: full name of graduate, program completed, school attended, plans for future (school/program planning to attend if applicable), and if the graduate will be in worship on May 21 (Youth Sunday). The next newsletter covers May 21-June 10 events. Please submit your church news to the church office by noon on Monday, May 15. Please see pages 5-8 below.

5 Fifteen dedicated members of First Presbyterian are working during this interim year as a Mission Study Committee. Their purpose: to help the congregation identify who they are apart from their pastors, address challenges, decide what God is calling them to do in the future, and discern what characteristics in a pastor/head of staff would best serve the congregation s mission. Note that the task of the committee is first to discern who God is calling First Presbyterian to be in mission and ministry as a congregation. Whom God leads the congregation to call as pastor will follow that work through the leadership of a Pastor Nominating Committee. It is the goal of the Mission Study Committee to have you ready to elect that PNC this fall. To do their work, the committee has been working in the following teams to collect information: Area Demographics, Survey of Congregation, Church Facilities Audit, and Church History Review. Another team for Congregational Gatherings is now organizing Cottage Meetings for you to hear reports from the information gathered and share your thoughts and reflections. Twenty years ago at the church s 200th anniversary, Senior Pastor Rev. Steve Eason wrote, We must find new ways to be the Church while holding onto that which makes us the Church. Our history says we have been able to do that in the past. God s grace will empower us to do it in the future. The church indeed met that challenge for these twenty years. Now it is time to plan for the next chapter. It is a privilege to be a part of your discernment and preparation. Wanda Neely You are encouraged to participate in the Cottage Meeting that relates to you: Monday, May 15, 11:30 AM: Wednesday, May 17, 6:30 PM: (following supper) Sunday, May 21, 6:00 PM: Thursday, June 1, 7:00 PM: Sunday, June 4, 4:30 PM: Target group: Grace Ridge residents GR residents, watch for a postcard with more details. Location: Grace Ridge private dining room Target groups: any ages, any members and friends of the church Location: Church Target groups: college students and young adults Location: Friday Friends Restaurant Target group: lake residents Location: DeAugustinis home, 2690 Lakeridge Court, Nebo Target groups: mid and senior high students Location: Lake James, exact location TBA Another Cottage Meeting in town will be scheduled and announced later. Thank You The Worship Committee would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to all who helped in any way with the Lent/Holy Week services. It was an amazing time. He is Risen! First Presbyterian is a connectional church; let us therefore pray for other congregations within our Presbytery: First Presbyterian Church of Forest City, NC

6 Sunday, April 30 9:00 AM Chancel Ringers 9:30 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM The Future of C.E. 9:30 AM Special Children s Program 10:00 AM Chancel Choir 10:55 AM Congregational Meeting and Worship Service 12:00 PM Children s Choir 12:15 PM A Further Look at FPC 3:30 PM Liturgical Dancers 5:00 PM Youth Group Monday, May 1 10:00 AM Deadline for Meal RSVP 10:15 AM Mind, Body, Spirit Class 10:30 AM Circle 1 Grace Ridge 6:30 PM C.E./Bible Camp Meeting 7:00 PM Circle 2 Parlor Tuesday, May 2 7:00 AM Men s Breakfast 1:30 PM Staff Meeting 6:00 PM Circle 3 Covered Dish Posie George s Home Wednesday, May 3 3:15 PM Backyard Bible Club 5:15 PM Meal 6:15 PM Committee Night 7:15 PM Chancel Choir Thursday, May 4 9:30 AM Primetimers Meeting Friday, May 5 4:00 PM Officer Training Retreat Begins Montreat FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CALENDAR Sunday, May 7 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Chancel Choir 10:55 AM Worship Service 2:30 PM Presentation of St. John s Bible FPC of Newton, NC 12:00 PM Children s Choir 3:00 PM PW Celebration Tea 3:30 PM Liturgical Dancers 5:00 PM Youth Group Monday, May 8 10:00 AM Deadline for Meal RSVP 10:30 AM Primetimers Outing 6:00 PM Mission Study Meeting Tuesday, May 9 7:00 AM Men s Breakfast 9:00 AM Soup Kitchen 1:30 PM Staff Meeting Wednesday, May 10 3:15 PM Backyard Bible Club 5:15 PM Meal 6:30 PM Special Bible Club Children s Showcase 7:15 PM Chancel Choir Thursday, May 11 6:30 PM Scholarship Committee Friday, May 12 8:30 AM Administration Committee Meeting Room 200 Saturday, May 13 9:30 AM Liturgical Dancers Sunday, May 14 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Chancel Choir 10:55 AM Worship Service 12:00 PM Children s Choir No PM Youth Monday, May 15 10:00 AM Deadline for Meal RSVP 10:15 AM Mind, Body, Spirit Class 11:00 AM Grace Ridge Communion 11:30 AM Grace Ridge Luncheon with Cottage Meeting 12:00 PM Spire Light Deadline Tuesday, May 16 7:00 AM Men s Breakfast 1:30 PM Staff Meeting Wednesday, May 17 10:30 AM Spire Light Volunteers 3:15 PM Backyard Bible Club 5:15 PM Meal 6:30 PM Mission Study Input Night Church Cottage Meeting 7:15 PM Chancel Choir Thursday, May 18 6:00 PM Session Meeting with Examination of New Officers Saturday, May 20 9:00 AM Youth Sunday Practice Wednesday Night Meals Policy Adults: $7 Child: $5 Family Cap: $20 Each individual/family must sign up weekly via the friendship pad, the church website, or calling the church office at by 10:00 AM on Monday. Reservations may be left on the church answering machine. If a child wants the adult meal, they must pay the adult price of $7. If you reserve a meal, we ask that you pay for it whether or not you attend, as the church must pay for those meals. All individuals and volunteers are required to pay for their meals. Folks without reservations will be asked to wait until 5:40 PM to go through the line, to make sure there is enough food for folks that have reservations. Vacation Bible Camp 2017: HERO CENTRAL Discover Your Strength in God! July 17-21, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM Age 3 ½ (toilet trained) to rising 6th graders Co-directors: Erin Bowling: erinkbowling@gmail.com; Teresa Carpenter: teresacarpen@aol.com; Carly Carpenter: carlycarpentergold@gmail.com;

7 FOR ELDER: Officer Nominees for the Class of 2020 John Gantt Although not a native, I settled in Morganton in 1986 with a very stable, blended family, consisting of my mom, a new dad, and two new brothers. We joined FPC, where I spent my formative years of Christian growth under Revs. Steve Eason and Donovan Drake. My favorite memories were of Sunday school, the variety of teachers and faith perspectives, mission trips, and the many lifelong friends I made. Following my strong Christian childhood, my life was productive but spiritually unstable. After college and graduate school, I worked at NC State as a research analyst/lab manager and then made a big career switch to physician assistant. I experienced a long-term relationship, marriage, and divorce without any consistent spiritual or religious participation. During this difficult time, I maintained the good old times perspective, reflecting upon my past while avoiding the present. At age 36, I was given the opportunity to rejoin my family in Morganton. I say, given, because I truly believe this opportunity was given to me as a gift from God. I have been blessed with a wonderful career as a physician assistant, the ability to raise a family of my own with my ever-loving fiancée, and the opportunity to be involved in my home church. I m excited to give back to the church that gave me so much! Eric LeGoullon I was raised in western Pennsylvania. I have been married to my beautiful wife, Shari, for thirty-two years. We have two wonderful children: Amber, twenty-one; Ryan, sixteen. We joined First Presbyterian Church of Morganton in I was previously on the Worship Committee, co-chair of the ushers for eighteen years, and also on the Building and Grounds Committee. Currently, I volunteer to drive the church bus once a month to transport Grace Ridge residents to and from the Sunday worship service. I look forward to serving in the church again as an elder in whatever capacity is needed. Helen Sheppard Having been a Christian since birth, I realize there were so many people that helped me learn, grow, and go in my faith. From Sunday School teachers to music leaders, ministers to deacons, church members gave of their time and funds to support my growth from birth to present. I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve a second term here as elder. Through the years, I have served in several capacities and currently enjoy singing in the choir and participating in the Shepherd Program with my husband, Brent. Our daughters, Martha and Anna, grew up here and had the privilege of serving as youth elders. Brent and I are grateful to First Presbyterian for all the love and support our girls received while growing up. I am looking forward to the next three years, praying that I will be able to help others grow and go. Doug Veazey I grew up in Durham, NC, in the Methodist faith. I attended UNC-CH for undergraduate and dental school. Gwen and I moved to Morganton in 1978 and joined First Presbyterian Church in I served as Dental Director at Broughton Hospital until my retirement in 2009; I have also been a dental volunteer at Good Samaritan Clinic for fifteen plus years. I presently serve on the Personnel Committee and help out with the building and grounds work crew and Vacation Bible Camp. I am a returning elder, having served on two occasions in the past. It is an honor to serve the church, and I look forward to Growing and Going deeper in my faith. Anne Wilson I was baptized, confirmed, and married in First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City, TN. I was blessed to have committed Christian parents. John and I joined First Presbyterian Church of Morganton when we moved here fifty years ago this coming June. Our three children were fortunate to grow up in this remarkably supportive church family. I have been able to participate in the life of this church in a variety of ways. Serving as a youth adviser for a number of years when we first moved here and teaching many of the children of the church in fourth grade at Forest Hill have been a special joy. I look forward to serving again as an elder during this important time in the life of our church.

8 Carly Carpenter, Youth Elder I was born and raised here in Morganton, NC, along with my sister, Peyton, by my parents, Greg and Teresa. I am currently a junior at Burke Middle College, earning my high school diploma along with my associates degree. I participate in Girl Scouts here at FPC, and I am a part of the Presbyterian Youth Council. Also, I am earning my Girl Scout Gold Award by creating a new format for the afternoon portion of our Backyard Bible Camp. I have done many events with our youth group, including CROSS, Fun in the Son, and the mission trip to Belize. The youth group here at FPC has been such a blessing for me, providing me with friendships, fellowship, and a lot of laughter. FOR DEACON: Ann Bergelin My developing years were spent in the small town of Elkin, NC. Raised by Christian parents, I was active in youth activities at First Baptist Church. A career in teaching exceptional children and regular education classes offered an opportunity to encourage, teach, and influence young children to recognize their gifts and individual worth. While teaching part-time in Winston Salem, NC, I attended a Moravian church in which I realized growth through their views of unity and love. A childhood friend of mine introduced Chris Bergelin and myself five years ago. Much change has resulted from our marriage of (almost) four years! I have a new town, new friends, and a new church First Presbyterian. I am deeply humbled by being asked to assume deaconship. I look forward to the spiritual growth this will offer! Scott Davis I was born in Chicago, IL, to Wayne and Karen Davis. My family moved to Pompano Beach, FL, when I was two years old, and at age fifteen, we moved to Asheville, NC, where I was active in the youth program at Grace United Methodist. After graduating from ASU with a BSBA in finance and real estate, I moved to Morganton and became partners with the late Jim Billings at Radio Shack. On July 4, 1991, my sister set me up with her roommate where we set off our own fireworks. After a year of dating, Krista and I were married in Krista s home church in Boone, and five years later, we started our family when Andrew Scott Davis was born. This life-changing event caused us to focus on finding a church to raise our family in a Christian setting, and we immediately felt at home at First Pres. I have been active here as elder, usher captain, and Sunday school teacher, and by serving on the Elder Nominating Committee, Scholarship Committee, and Fellowship Committee. I have also been part of civic organizations such as the Men s Club, Elks Lodge, Masons, and Recreation Advisory Committee. I look forward to Growing and Going Deeper in Faith by serving again as elder at First Presbyterian. Kelly Hawkins Although I was raised in a United Methodist Church and have attended many different types of churches during my life, Seth and I joined First Presbyterian Church when we moved to Morganton in All three of our boys have been baptized here, and this church family has meant so much to our family. I have held positions on committees, taught Sunday School, volunteered for Vacation Bible Camp and youth group, and worked in the kitchen on Wednesdays. I am honored to have been nominated to serve you for the next term as deacon. Richard Turner I am from Concord, NC, where I was a member of Central Methodist Church until I joined the United States Marine Corps. Later, my employment took me to Charlotte, NC, where I was a member of Sardis Presbyterian Church. I am a retired airline captain living on Lake James. My interests are my three Llewelyn setters, fly fishing, and smoking barbeque. I am honored to be considered in serving as a deacon in First Presbyterian Church. OFFICER NOMINATING COMMITTEE NOMINEES CLASS OF 2020: Robert Clark, Holly Restel SESSION DESIGNEE FOR 2018: Bob Ervin