Fellowship Presbyterian Church

Transcription

1 Fellowship Presbyterian Church 3406 Meridian Street, Huntsville, AL Office Fax Volume 5 Issue 3 (Helpful and Nurturing Disciples) March 4, 2012 From the Pastor s Desk Reverend Gregory Jerome Bentley Reality 4 from Experiencing God Back in November 2011, after I was elected as the fifth pastor of Fellowship, I communicated to the congregation that I wanted to meet with each and every member. I am happy to report that that process has begun, and by the time you read this article, I will have visited at least five families within the congregation. I want to have a conversation with you about the past, present, and most importantly, the future of Fellowship. This conversation is a critical component of the visioning process that is well underway, which includes three Experiencing GOD classes and two Bible studies on Wednesday, at noon and 6 p.m. respectively. If you are not currently participating in either one of these activities, I encourage and invite you to join us. We need your voice and insight at the table of fellowship and discernment. The reason we need your voice and one of the Holy Conversations God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal God s self, God s purposes, and God s ways. main reasons I am visiting every member is because God speaks through you, the church, the body of Christ. No one person has the whole picture because God speaks through us individually and collectively. When we engage in collective discernment through study, prayer, and conversation, we get a richer and fuller picture of what God is doing and where God is leading us. This process is so crucial because it will produce the foundation and guiding principles of our work going forward, especially the strategic plan. Your input and insight are very important. Thanks to those who are already engaged in the Experiencing GOD classes and/or Bible Study and, to those who are not, please prayerfully consider joining us. We need what you have to offer to help move us to where and what God wants us to be. Peace and blessings. In His Service, Gregory J. Bentley

2 Page 2 STAFF Reverend Gregory J. Bentley Pastor Mrs. Brenda Davis Director of Music Ministry Mrs. Antoinette Toni Franklin Director Inspiration/Gospel Choir Mrs. Janet Poles Children s/youth Choir Director Ms. Darlene Richardson Assistant Children s/youth Choir Director Mr. Theodus Friend Sexton DATES TO REMEMBER March 2 - World day of prayer 4-2 nd Sunday in Lent 5 - Worship ministry team meeting at Noon 7 - Christian Education ministry team meeting at 5:30 p.m Evangelism ministry team meeting at 2:00 p.m Women s weekend activities 11-3 rd Sunday in Lent 11 - Daylight Saving Time begins 12 - Golden Charmers meet at Noon 13 - Property and Maintenance meeting at Noon 14 - Witness & Service ministry team meeting at 5:30 p.m Presbyterian Men meeting at 8:00 a.m th Sunday in Lent 21 - Fellowship s food distribution 22 - Stated Session meeting at 6:00 p.m Spiritual Chorale Grand concert Annual Concert of Spirituals I Want Jesus to Walk with Me and This Little Light of Mine are just two of the classic Negro spirituals that The Huntsville Spiritual Chorale will sing during its annual grand concert on Saturday afternoon, March 31, at 5:00 p.m. This interdenominational group, dedicated to the performance and preservation of the Negro spiritual, will be pumped up! They will have Dr. James Abbington just completed a two-day workshop on interpreting and singing the spirituals, and will be joined by numerous local guests, who, too, have been in the workshop. The workshop leader and guest conductor is Dr. James Abbington, Associate Professor of Church Music and Worship at the Chandler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta. In 2001 Brenda and William Davis founded the group, and they are its directors. Free to the public (donations accepted), the concert will be held at Fellowship Presbyterian Church. Please come support the group and bring many friends! Prepare to be blessed by the power of this music. Submitted by Joyce Pettis Temple Women s Day Guest Speaker March 11, 2012, 11:00 p.m. Calendar Updates Vacation Bible School June 11-15, 2012 Fall Revival October 14-17, 2012 Session Meetings 4 th Thursday, Monthly Property & Maintenance 2 nd Tuesday, Monthly Reverend Doctor Rhashell Hunter

3 Volume 5 Issue 3 Luncheon for Mrs. Diann Bentley L-R: Elders Rosalie Lane and Pauline Bodiford, Mrs. Diann Bentley, and Elder Mary Mitchell The women on Session entertained Mrs. Bentley at a luncheon on February 10, Lunch actually lasted four hours. What a meal! What is Your Session Doing? Page 3 In the annual joint meeting of Session and Diaconates, session concurred with deacons serving communion. Details will be worked out with the pastor. Installation services for Reverend Bentley will be April 1, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at Fellowship. Reverend Bentley reported that Ms. Linda Burruss accepted the call as Director of Children s Church. Reverend Bentley attended the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference in Chicago, Illinois, February 6-9, Members will be asked to attend the conference in Dallas, Texas in On March 4, 2012, the Sunday School class will start the study, Experiencing GOD by Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King. Reverend Bentley will teach the first class. The session, diaconates, and the youth are already studying Experiencing GOD. Efforts are ongoing to start the study for young adults (20-40 age groups). The goal is to have the entire congregation participating in the study this year. (See schedule on page 8 to find an existing class or make-up session if you missed a unit.) L-R: Elders Joyce Pettis Temple and Rosalie Lane Humor A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. Reverend, said the young man, I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip. The minister chuckled, I know what you mean. It's the same in my business. Fall Revival is scheduled for October 14-17, The guest evangelist will be Reverend Antoyne Greene of New Life Church, Athens, Alabama. Vacation Bible School (VBS) is scheduled for June 11-15, Mr. Anthony Thompson is the VBS Director. The youth are planning a Black History Program on March 17, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. at The Place (formerly Whitesburg Baptist Church), 3911 Pulaski Pike North, Huntsville. (Continued on page 6)

4 Page 4 Enchanted Parisian Debutante Tea honoring `twxåé áxääx f xüüt ]tv~áéç and `twxåé áxääx ^tà{ç bzuâ On Sunday, February 19, 2012, the Fellowship Hall was transformed into a Parisian Tea Room using pink, black and white colors, Eiffel Tower centerpieces, pink hydrangeas, scenes from Paris, and hat boxes. Matthew Gardner presided over the program and introduced prospective debutante, Sierra and her family. Wheeler Ogbu introduced his sister, Kathy and their family. Attendees enjoyed the homemade cupcakes, pastries, brownies, cream puffs, assorted miniature cheesecakes, and candies. The tea was sponsored by the Fellowship usher board. Special thanks to Jerita Crummie, Cheryl K. Johnson, Dorothy B. Johnson, and Joyce Pettis Temple for their assistance in making this occasion a success. Sierra and Kathy were presented on Friday, February 24, 2012, at the 54th Annual Debutante Presentation and Ball sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated-Epsilon Gamma Omega Chapter. L. to r. Galik Horton-Burks, Jeremy Crummie, Wheeler Obgu and Lucille Grayson Refreshment tables Scenes from Paris L. to r. Dana Battle, Chairman, Deb Ball; Yvette and Kyler Evans, Teddy Dixie, and Felicia Jones, Co-chairman, Deb Ball Kathy Ogbu and her guest Matthew Gardner, presiding L. to r. Mary Peagler, Haley Bone, and Linda Burruss Sierra Ford and Calvin Ford at the refreshment table Photo credit: Gertrude Hicks Constance Dees serving punch

5 Volume 5 Issue 3 Page 5 Kyler Evans performs a liturgical dance Black History Presentation by the Children Photo credit: Gertrude Hicks Youth Black History Program Acolyte Schedule for March March 4 Jeremy Crummie and Demetrius Davis March 11 Kyler Evans and Gakari Horton-Burks March 18 Wheeler Ogbu and Destine Brown March 25 Alexis Gaines and Destiny Canady If there is a problem with the schedule for the month of March, please contact Jerita Crummie at or jerita@me.com. Thank you in advance for your participation!!!!!!!!! We sincerely appreciate all the youth at Fellowship Presbyterian Church. Your service to Christ and His church does not go unnoticed. Ollie Smith The Black History program sponsored by the Youth Ministry will be held on March 17, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. at The Place (formerly Whitesburg Baptist Church). The theme is I See the Rhythm. The program will feature youth and adult members of Fellowship as well as others from the Huntsville community. Come and witness African American history unfold from our beginnings, Africa, to our present, Magazine Donations to Huntsville Hospital Thanks to Geneva Wright for her contribution of magazines for February. DIRECTORY OF SERVICES Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsals Inspirational (Tues) 6:00 p.m. Chancel (Tues) 7:30 p.m. Adult Bible Study (Wed) Noon and 6:00 p.m. Youth and Children Bible Study (Thurs.) 5:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 6:30 p.m.

6 Page 6 Dancing with the President and First Lady of AAMU What is Your Session Doing? (Continued from page 3) Monica Dillihunt and Theodore Dixie, Jr. Couples competed in a spectacular evening of dancing on Friday, February 10, 2012, at the Ernest Knight Reception Center. Dancing with the President and First Lady featured couples performing diverse dance routines in a manner similar to the popular ABC Dancing with the Stars format. Session approved requests/recommendations from Property and Maintenance Committee to: pay youth of the church to operate the sound system for Sunday Worship Service. The recommendation from the committee is to pay them between $10.00 $15.00, not to exceed $20.00 per service. replace the heating/cooling unit for Fellowship Hall since the heat exchange has already been replaced once. (Note: the gas fumes in/around the church are coming from the unit.) Our very own church members--brenda and Bill Davis and Theodore "Teddy" Dixie, Jr. (Monica Dillihunt) -- participated in the fun competition. At the end of the evening, Brenda and Bill Davis were announced third place winners. The Administration Committee is exploring companies who perform risk mitigation services. A background check will be required before hiring a secretary. A committee continues to work on guidelines for bus usage. Session approved extending the current Officer Nomination Committee until October s Congregation Meeting to accommodate training planned by the pastor. (NOTE: No member of the committee has served more than two years.) Session meetings will now be held on the 4 th Thursday of the month. Congregation members will be asked to assist as committee members for the pastor s installation services. Congratulations to Brenda and Bill! Photo credit: Stefanie Davis REMEMBER The AARP Driving Class for seniors is March 14 and 15, 2012, at Fellowship.

7 Volume 5 Issue 3 Page 7 Please Remember to Pray for... Ezekiel Bell Stephen Bennett Clara Bryant Wilbert Cooper Constance Dees Carmon Jackson Elston Antoinette Franklin Mattie Ford Tonya Franklin Gaines Thelma Gardner Flossie Henderson Carolyn Jackson Margaret Jackson Rosalie Lane Martha Mullins Thomas Ross Luther Scales Dana Smith Arinzie Steele Denita Gardner Walker Magnell Williams Lou Helen Williams Prentice Happy Anniversary 9 Pearl and Charles Watson 27 Pauline and Bob Bodiford Altar Flowers Donors for the Month of March 4 The Clifton Canady Family 11 The Presbyterian Women 18 The Martha Mullins Family 25 The Lois Dade Family 3 Yvonne M. McDonald 4 Diedre Davis 6 Karla Fallin Lee 6 Terrence D. Fletcher 8 Dr. John Bush 9 Charles Penn 10 Xavier James Hicks 10 Carl Gardner 10 Robert C. Burton 10 Bob Bodiford 11 Christopher Gaines 11 Kohl E. Fallin 12 Marvin Jackson 14 Joyce Pettis Temple 16 Debra Evans 17 Clara Bryant 18 Christian Rice 18 Kanika McAlpine Singelton 20 Pauline Bodiford 21 Carl Jones 24 Robert Peagler 29 Robert V. Franklin, Jr. Pray for Those Who Mourn We ask your prayers and expressions of Christian love for the Harris and Canady families. Mrs. Marian J. Sis Thomas, sister of Frances Harris and Thelma (Clifton) Canady, passed away on Thursday, February 23, Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at the Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Let us keep Frances and Thelma and their families in our prayers. Invite a friend to church. Newsletter Deadline Articles for the newsletter should be submitted to Mary Mitchell at mitchell623100@bellsouth.net and cc the church secretary at: fpsecretary@hotmail.com not later than the 3 rd Friday of the month.

8 Page 8 Deacon s Study Schedule Experiencing GOD Knowing and Doing the Will of God Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King Time: 9:30 a.m. Location: Resource Room Unit Title Date Facilitator 1 God s Will and Your Life February 12, 2012 Reverend Bentley 2 Looking to God February 19, 2012 Reverend Bentley 3 God Pursues a Love Relationship February 26, 2012 Reverend Bentley 4 Love and God s Invitation March 4, 2012 Elder McAlpine 5 God Speaks, Part 1 March 11, 2012 Elder Bodiford 6 God Speaks, Part 2 March 18, 2012 Elder Pettis Temple 7 The Crisis of Belief March 25, 2012 Elder Mitchell 8 Adjusting Your Life to God April 1, 2012 Elder Canady 9 Experiencing God Through April 8, 2012 Elder Lane Obedience 10 God s Will and the Church April 15, 2012 Elder Harris 11 Kingdom People April 22, 2012 Elder Ford 12 Experiencing God in Your Daily Life April 29, 2012 Reverend Bentley Sunday School Study Schedule Experiencing GOD Knowing and Doing the Will of God Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King Time: 9:45 a.m. Location: Fellowship Hall Unit Title Date Facilitator 1 God s Will and Your Life March 4, 2012 Reverend Bentley 2 Looking to God March 11, 2012 Clifton Canady 3 God Pursues a Love Relationship March 18, 2012 George Grayson 4 Love and God s Invitation March 25, 2012 Felix Battle 5 God Speaks, Part 1 April 1, 2012 Theodore Dixie, Sr. 6 God Speaks, Part 2 April 8, 2012 Linda Burruss 7 The Crisis of Belief April 15, 2012 Teddy Dixie Jr. 8 Adjusting Your Life to God April 22, 2012 Robert Peagler 9 Experiencing God Through April 29, 2012 Robert Burton Obedience 10 God s Will and the Church May 6, 2012 Joyce Pettis Temple 11 Kingdom People May 13, 2012 James Steele 12 Experiencing God in Your Daily Life May 20, 2012 Enoch Temple