FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH November 23, 2014 Sermon: Faith in Action Scripture: Matthew 25:31-36 James 2:14-26 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5 What are you thankful for? Next week we will celebrate our national holiday as we do each and every year, but do you really take time to reflect on that which you re thankful for? Is Thanksgiving just another day off of work and an opportunity to eat a big meal and relax while watching football, or is it more than that? Scripture reminds us that in all things we are to give thanks to God for all God has done for us. As you visit with family and friends and as you enjoy some down time, remember to stop and say thank you to the One whose love and faithfulness endures forever. Be thankful and give thanks! Grace and Peace, In Contact A Publication of the First Presbyterian Church of Boone Equipping Ordinary People to Lead Extraordinary Lives in Christ THANKSGIVING CHURCH FAMILY FELLOWSHIP MEAL is THIS Sunday, November 23! CELEBRATING 75 YEARS IN MINISTRY Join your church family and friends starting at 5:00pm... warm up around the fire in the Gathering Space, share your own wonderful home-cooked side dish or dessert, spend time with old friends and new as we share the love of Jesus and give Him thanks! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1 Questions? contact: Mary Linda Dooley at mdooley999@gmail.com or 828-263-0493 or Sue Newell at alltogether@bellsouth.net or 828-268-4179. November 21, 2014 First Light Service - 8:45AM Sunday School 10:00AM Traditional Service - 11:00AM Please remember in prayer Rev. Jeff Smith, the Session, the Diaconate, our staff, and our congregation in preparation for worship. Children s Bulletins by age are available in the Gathering Space.
Page 2 2014 Angel Sharing Tree Thanks to everyone who selected a child on the Angel Tree, or who donated to the Deacon's Fund in support of the Lowe's food cards for the child's family. All children have been adopted. Would the person who selected the child with code PW018 please contact Bob Smith at smithrh999@gmail.com or (828) 297-5147? You forgot to sign the tag out on the sign-out sheets. Thank you, Bob Smith Calling all parents of kids ages birth through 5 th grade! On Sunday, December 7 th, the Children s Ministry Team will hold an important update meeting for you during the Sunday School hour in the Multi-purpose Room. Plan to attend so you can learn all the news about our rapidly growing, disciple-building program and how we are working alongside you in the spiritual formation of your family. First Light Greeter / Ushers November 23 Mike & Kristal Austin Kim Cooper, Carleen Berndt November 30 Greg & Dianne Huffman Sharon, Pastor Jeff, and the Children s Ministry Planning Team THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN Sunday, November 23 8:45 AM First Light 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Service 4:00 PM Diaconate 5:00 PM Thanksgiving Meal Monday, November 24 6:30 PM ESL Tuesday, November 25 7:00 PM Hispanic Bible Study Wednesday, November 26 6:30 AM Men s Bible Study 2:00 PM Women s Prayer Group Thursday, November 27 Church Office Closed Friday, November 28 Church Office Closed There will not be an issue of In Contact next Friday. Deadline for articles - noon on Wednesday. Please email article to jennifer@firstpresboone.net.
Page 3 Volume XXII, Issue 42 FPC KIDS CONNECTION Thanksgiving traditions prepare us for Christ s Coming! Join us for these disciple-building opportunities: Sunday School Preview *Our November K-5 th memory verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank Him because you believe in Jesus Christ, and Bible lessons focus on the virtue gratitude. * Little Rockers and Rocking Tots continue a month of thankfulness for all God has created, singing Father, We Thank Thee, and learning their memory verse, Psalm 111:1, I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. Children s Church Celebrates Thanksgiving *Children are counting our blessings this week. Advent Resource for Families * Get your copy of Manger on a Mantle from Candice Trexler or at the Children s Ministry table in the Gathering Space. * Use this fun, unique resource for families of children 2 years old through 5 th grade as you observe Advent this year. FPC Kids Celebrate Advent in our Worship Services * Using the worship skills they rehearsed during WNL! WOW Worship, children ages 2 years through 5 th grade will take turns participating in our worship services during the Sundays of Advent. * Nov 30 th - The 3 rd -5 th grade Girls Ensemble will sing. Dec 7 th - Rocking Tots and Little Rockers (2-5 yr olds) will sing. Dec 14 th - K-2 nd graders will play Melodee Bells. Dec 21 st - Kids Rock (3 rd -5 th graders) Spoken Chorus will perform along with the Girls Duet. * Please bring your children Sundays so they can prepare to lead worship at both services when their groups are participating. Melodee Bells Invited to Ring at the Moravian Love Feast * On Dec 7 th Kids Rock K-2 nd graders will perform Christmas classics at the Lovefeast. * Students are asked to wear red or white tops (or dresses) and dark pants or skirts, and to be in the K-2 nd grade classroom by 6:00 pm that night. Christmas Caroling Party- December 14 th * All ages are invited to lift your voices and cheer members of our FPC family as we go caroling! * We will meet at the church at 3:00 pm for a moment of fellowship and rehearsal before we get directions and head out. * After caroling some families may choose to meet for dinner at 5:00 pm. *** Ideas? Send them to Sharon at 264-3906, or Email:sharon@firstpresboone.net ***
Page 4 GiGi s and Princesses say thank you to our more experienced Princesses who shared their talents and time last Sunday at the Little Dresses for Africa Sewing party. Our fabulous, fun group of nineteen Daughters of the Greatest King of All made fourteen unique pillowcase dresses. The dresses will be distributed through orphanages, churches and schools in Africa to remind little girls they are worthy royalty too. Thank you to all who participated! Jennifer Woods and Christy Welch Our K-5th Warriors invite all FPC guys to join your FPC family and brothers in Christ for an evening of Appalachian State basketball Monday, Nov. 24, at 6:30 PM, when the Mountaineers open their home schedule against Hampton at the Holmes Dome. We'll have a scripture verse and fellowship at 6:30 PM, before the game, then a meal and refreshments in the Pespi Cafe (located on the concourse; if you enter off Rivers Street it's to the left around the corner). Family is invited to join us for the game. Please contact Rob Robertson concerning tickets or questions ASAP. (Kudos to John Welch for setting this up.) Rob Robertson- Rob@alumni.appstate.edu
An Update from the Logan s Thank you to our First Presbyterian church family here in Boone. This Thanksgiving is most important to my wife and me because as we look back, we realize how very special all of you are to us. In September of last year, I was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. After surgery, I had radiation and chemotherapy. In January 2014, a year-long new series of chemotherapy started. The only thing that makes sense is that God put us into this church family in Watauga County and provided me with excellent medical care that has brought me back to good health. You have driven me to the hospital for radiation treatments and brought us meals. You have prayed with us and for us. Katherine and I could never have gone through what we have endured without you being there for us. I am especially grateful for the support you have given Katherine to help me cope with this illness. My latest MRIs and CAT scans show that the tumor is gone and my blood work indicates that I am in good health. Since this is a type of cancer that can return if not treated long enough, my medical oncologist in Charlotte has kept me on chemotherapy to ensure that all parts of the former cancer are gone. There are only two more months of chemotherapy and then I expect to be finished with all treatments. May our Lord continue to bless you all as He has blessed us with your kindness and love. -Ben & Katherine Logan Page 5 Greening of the Church Yes it is that time once again to hear sleigh bells ringing, carols singing, feet crunching through freshly fallen snow, and to decorate the church for the coming Christmas season. If you would like to participate in the greening of the church, please contact Anna Lehman at 828-964-9055 as there will be several opportunities to decorate the gathering space and sanctuary in the days to come. You can help for just an hour or longer if you have the time. Any assistance is appreciated! This year if you would like to contribute to the greening of our church and the purchase of poinsettias to decorate it, we are doing things a little bit differently. We invite you to contribute any amount that you would like in honor or memory of someone (forms will be available in the Gathering Space or in the Sunday bulletin). The money donated will go to cover the cost of several large poinsettias to decorate the gathering area and sanctuary. You can donate money in honor or memory up until Sunday November 30, 2014. Names of those for whom money is contributed will be listed in a bulletin during the Advent season. Thank you for participating in making our church beautiful to celebrate the birth of our Christ Jesus! Blessings, Anna Lehman
Page 6 Advent Sermon Series Mary, Did You Know? November 30 th Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? John 1:6-13; II Corinthians 5:11-21 December 7 th And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God. John 14:8-14; Colossians 1:15-23 December 14 th The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will rise again. Luke 5:1-11; John 13:34-35 December 21 st Did you know that your baby boy is heaven s perfect Lamb? Isaiah 53:1-7; John 1:29-34 FAIR TRADE CHRISTMAS MARKET Mark Your Calendars Our Annual Moravian Christmas Lovefeast Sunday, December 7 th 6:30 PM. Do your Christmas shopping with us and change the life of an artisan and his family. Our sale will be held on Saturday, December 6 from 9:30-3:30 and Sunday, December 7, from 9:30-1:00 as well as from 6:00-9:00. Our gifts are all Fair Trade items. Available will be jewelry, ornaments, creche's, home goods, scarves, bags, children's instruments, chocolate and food. We will also have Heifer gift cards and Boone Hospitality House Christmas Honor cards (cards are donated by NC artist William Mangnum) so all proceeds go to our local Hospitality House. Support this ministry of our church, these are all gifts that give twice. Help is still needed during sale times. Arlene Steeves 828-297-9212, arlene@thesteeves.org