THE PRESBYTERIAN NEWS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 408 N. Jefferson Avenue Office: (540) 980-2131; Fax: (540) 980-3000 Pulaski, VA 24301 E-mail: firstprespulaski@verizon.net Web Site: firstpresbyterianpulaski.org Editor & Layout: Doreen Latimer Pastor: Melissa McNair-King NO. 572 MAY 2015 **** Dear Friends, First Presbyterian Church is blessed to have a faithful, talented, loving group of teenagers. I am always impressed by their dedication to their faith: their honest questions, their willingness to lend a hand, their kindness among peers. One of my great joys is getting to spend several Sunday evenings and special occasions with them in Bible study and fellowship (not to mention regular Sunday worship and Wednesday nights). All this is to say, you are in for a very special treat on Sunday, May 10! This talented group of youth will be leading us the congregation in Sunday worship! They are hard at work preparing ways to bring God s Word to life for us. They will lead us in prayer and praise to God. It s a Sunday you won t want to miss. Please make special plans to join us on the 10 th not just to support these great youth but to worship our Lord together, as one family of faith. In Christ, Melissa McNair-King Page One
NEWS FROM PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN From Day Circle by Phyllis Vice: Church Women United will be observing May Friendship Day on Friday, May 1st. New Life Church of the Nazarene at 95 S. Jefferson Ave. will be hosting. The theme is Journey of the Caregiver. Guest speaker(s) will be from the Council on Aging. This is an evening meeting starting at 7 p.m. with refreshments following. All are invited to come. Day Circle will meet on Monday, May 11th, at 11 a.m. in the Manse. We will be on lesson eight of Reconciling Paul: Power, Authority and Honor Are Not Always What We Might Expect. Scripture for this lesson is 2 Corinthians 11:1-32. Bring a sack lunch and stay for fellowship after the meeting. In April, PW gave $50 to the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley. All are welcome. From Night Circle by Dianne Wallace: ******************************************** Night Circle will meet on Monday, May 11th, at 6:15 p.m. in the Manse. We will continue Women Who Dare To Believe led by Phyllis Vice. Please read lesson ten, The Persian Pulse, National Beauty Contest and Today's Heroine: Esther, the Queen of Understanding. Our May service project will be to bring items needed by The Warming Station to help folks formerly staying there but now setting up their own apartments. Kitchen items such as pots, pans, dishes and utensils are needed. The May breakfast meal will be prepared by the following: Spinach and Egg Casserole - Mardia Long Breakfast Casserole - Martha Moody Potato Casserole - Melissa McNair-King Cinnamon Rolls - Phyllis Vice Fruit Compote - Dianne Wallace Orange Juice and Decaf. Coffee - Kim Webster Presbyterian Women Praying, Studying, Loving, Serving Page Two
PW Birthday Offering Presbyterian Women have a long tradition of caring for others and helping those in need. Ever since Hallie Paxson Winsborough, in 1922, challenged each member of the Women's Auxiliary of the PCUSA to give a penny for each year of her life as a "birthday gift" for Miss Dowd's School for Girls in Japan, Presbyterian Women's Birthday Offering has helped fund mission projects that improve the lives of women and children around the world. While the projects and donation amounts have changed, Presbyterian Women's commitment to improving the lives of others has not. For 2015, Presbyterian Women's Birthday Offering will be divided between the Community of St. Therese of Lisieux (CSTL) and the Bethesda Christian Community Center. The Community of St. Therese of Lisieux is a nonprofit, two-year residential community in Memphis, Tennessee, specifically created to address the needs of women seeking to learn a new way of life after surviving prostitution, human trafficking and addiction. Its ecumenical, community-based project, Breaking Free, provides support and education for these women, helping them live lives of productive service to themselves and others. CSTL provides food, clothing and shelter to the women it serves, coordinates various types of medical care for them and works with them to transition to independence. Your gift to the Birthday Offering on May 10, will allow CSTL to purchase and renovate the property it is currently leasing and buy equipment for training and vocational skills development. Your gift will improve the lives of the increased number of women the program will serve, their families and the community. Oxford Presbyterian Church in Ohio and its sister church in Barranquilla, Columbia -- Seventh Presbyterian -- want to improve the lives of displaced and abused women and children who live in the impoverished neighborhood of El Por Fin in Barranquilla. Your gift to the Birthday Offering will help Seventh Presbyterian Church build a new community center to replace the inadequate structure that the church currently uses for its programs. The mission of Bethesda Christian Community Center is to promote social change in the lives of the women and children fleeing brutality related to the drug trade. Many take up residence in this area where they live in abject poverty. Your gift will also support expanded programs in tutoring, sports, culture and Bible study, and help build a kitchen and storeroom so that the community center can provide meals to more women and children. The PW of First Presbyterian invites you to join us in supporting these missions by giving to the Birthday Offering on May 10. Special envelopes will be provided. Page Three
RECIPES EASTER NOODLE PUDDING submitted by Dianne Wallace: Prep: 1 hr. 20 min. Bake: 45 min. Serves: 40 5 12oz. wide egg noodles 35 large eggs 5 cups sugar 5 cups milk 5 cups cheese 20 Tbsp. (2 ½ sticks) butter, melted and cooled 5 tsp. vanilla extract 5 tsp. salt Preheat oven to 350F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook noodles until done, 7 to 8 min. or as package label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool. Drain again. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, milk, butter, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Stir in noodles. Mist a large baking dish with cooking spray and pour in noodle mixture, spreading evenly. Bake, uncovered, until top is golden brown and center is set, about 45 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. LOADED CAULIFLOWER Ingredients: 1 large head of cauliflower cut into bite size pieces (approx. 6 cups) 6-8 strips of bacon cooked and crumbled (cooked in oven at 400 degrees for 20 mins.) 6 Tbs. chopped chives 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup sour cream 2 cups Colby jack cheese (may use cheddar) 8 oz. container sliced mushrooms (optional) Directions: preheat oven to 425 degrees In a large pot boil water and cook cauliflower for 8-10 minutes, drain and let cool. In a large bowl combine sour cream, mayo, 1/2 of crumbled bacon, 3 tbs. chives, 1 cup of cheese, mushrooms and cauliflower and mix well...place in baking dish and cover with remaining 1 cup of cheese and rest of bacon crumbles. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted. Top with remaining 3 T chives and serve. Page Four
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND HAPPENINGS WE WELCOME TO THE WORLD Clark Thomas Latimer born on March 26, 2015 to Andrew and Sarah Latimer. The proud grandparents are Larry and Doreen Latimer. BAPTISM: Nora Elizabeth Woods, daughter of Luther and Jessie Woods, was baptized on April 26, 2015. CHURCH WOMEN UNITED Friendship Day will be on Friday, May 1st. The program will be at 7 p.m. at New Life Church of the Nazarene. The theme is Journey of the Caregiver. Everyone is welcome to attend this world wide observance. RELAY FOR LIFE: The next fund-raising event will be a spaghetti lunch after the service on Sunday, May 3rd. Please come and join us. WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS: Mark your calendar! On Wednesday, May 6th, at 6 p.m., there will be a picnic at Randolph Park to celebrate the year end of Wonderful Wednesdays. The Fellowship Committee will provide paper goods, drinks and chicken tenders. Please bring a side dish or a dessert. Hope to see you there! YOUTH NEWS: Sunday, May 3, 5:30-7:00 PM: This week, we ll meet in the Fellowship Hall! After dinner together, we ll put the finishing touches on our Youth Sunday service, and practice in the sanctuary. Sunday, May 10 YOUTH SUNDAY! Meet in the sanctuary at 10:00. We will briefly run through the service together before leading the congregation in worship of our Lord. Sunday, May 24, 5:30-7:00 PM: We will again meet in the Fellowship Hall for our end-of-the-year celebration and church games! CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: The session has called a congregational meeting following worship on Sunday, May 17. The purpose of the meeting is to take action on session s recommendation to gradually reduce the size of the session, from 15 to 12 members. This recommendation comes after much prayer and discussion from the current session. The size of session has stood at 15 members for many years. In light of a smaller active membership, the session believes that 12 members can adequately serve the congregation and provide for leadership on church committees. If the congregation agrees with this recommendation, succeeding classes of session will be comprised of four members, rather than five. Remember that decisions of this nature are never permanent. Should the congregation grow and find it necessary to call on more elders who can serve, the congregation has the power to change the size of session again. Please prayerfully consider this potential change within our church leadership. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to speak with Melissa or with any member of session. PLEASE SUBMIT ITEMS to the church office for the June newsletter no later than Monday, May 18th. PRE-SCHOOL graduation will be held in the sanctuary on Friday, May 22nd, at 10 a.m. Page Five
COMMUNION will be served on Pentecost Sunday, May 24th. CHURCH OFFICE will be closed on Monday, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day. SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES will be suspended during the summer months. Starting May 31st, there will be no Sunday School and worship will be at 10 a.m. The first Sunday of fellowship gatherings following worship at 10 a.m. will be June 7th. LARGE PRINT bulletins with hymns are available. They are in four notebooks located on the table in the vestibule at the back of the sanctuary. CHECK IT OUT! Everyone knows Mother's Day is in May. Most of us know Pentecost comes in May depending on when Easter fell. Some of us know Church Women United celebrate Friendship Day on the first Friday in May. How many of you know that May 7th is National Day of Prayer? Do you start your day with prayer? Pray only at church? Feel that you need prayer in your life? The following books will be on display in the church parlor through the month of May. Check them out! 242 POW Footprints: Scripture with reflections inspired by the best-loved poem by Margaret Fishback Powers. In this book each line from the poem "Footprints" has been paired with Scripture verses from the NIV Bible. 242 RUS Meditations for Men by Daniel Russell 242.64 HOL I've Got to Talk to Somebody, God: A Woman's Conversation with God by Marjorie Holmes 242.72 WIL The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking through to the blessed life by Bruce Willinson. Discover how the remarkable prayer of a little-known Bible hero can release God's favor, power and protection. 248 BAI A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie 248 SAV Pocket Prayers: 777 Bible Ways to Pray by Robert Savage 248.3 BAR A Book of Everyday Prayers by William Barclay 248.3 FOS The Meaning of Prayer by Harry Emerson Fosdick 248.3 MAR Adventures in Prayer by Catherine Marshall 248.3 OSB Prayer and You by Cecil G. Osborne 248.32 LUC Before Amen by Max Lucado: We aren't the first to struggle with prayer. The first followers of Jesus needed prayer guidance, too. Jesus gave them a prayer. Not a lecture. Not the doctrine of prayer. He gave them a quotable, repeatable, portable prayer. Couidn't we use the same? If there is a book you would like to read from our church library but are unable to get it, give Phyllis Vice a call (980-3106) and she will be happy to get the book to you. To check out a book write your name and the date you are taking the book on the card that is in the pocket in the back of the book. Place the card on the black and white spotted box (the card catalog) on the shelf nearest to the windows. Page Six
Montreat Worship and Music Conference June 21 to 26, 2015 Come and Join Us! Come and join us for a week of fellowship and relaxation in the mountains of western North Carolina! For over 20 years our church has rented the Hickory Lodge in Montreat, NC for the 1 st week of the annual Montreat Worship and Music Conference. This lodge is located in very close proximity to the Anderson Auditorium, where daily worship services are held during the conference. The Lodge is about a 5 minute walk to the Anderson Auditorium and all choir classes and other seminar lectures and classes which are in nearby buildings. We now have about eleven persons planning to attend this conference. Most have registered to participate in choir and other classes, but you do not have to register to enjoy the conference and some good fellowship. The daily worship services are open to all in Montreat. This year's conference theme is - You are My Beloved Baptism to Transfiguration. The conference concludes with a Friday evening concert which the adult choir (typically over 600 members) and the children's, middler and senior high school choirs participate along with several hand- bell choirs. A Tuesday evening talent show, Wednesday evening hymn sing, and Thursday evening performance by the adult and high school Chamber choirs are highlights of the week at Montreat. (All of these events do not require registration to attend.) We have the lodge rented for Sunday night, June 21 through Friday night June 26, returning to Pulaski on Saturday, June 27. But, you do not need to stay for the entire week if you would like to come to Montreat for a shorter visit. The group takes turns preparing the evening meals and we eat very well all week for less than $30 per person (including breakfast and lunch each day). Beds are available in two person rooms for about $160 for the entire week. Please contact Mardia Long or Phyllis Vice for more information about this year s Montreat Worship and Music conference. For many who return each year, Montreat is a special place where their faith is strengthened and their spirit is renewed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Relay For Life Update - May 2015 Thanks to all for attending our first five after-church American Cancer Society Relay for Life benefit dinners over the past six months. Thus far the First Presbyterian Church Relay for Life Team has received over $2,100 in donations. This includes $250 donated for the breakfast brunch on March 8. Our team captain, Martha Moody, has also raised an additional $100 for this great cause bringing the total to just over $2,200. Martha is doing well and now receiving out-patient radiation treatment for cancer at the Pulaski Hospital. Please keep Martha in your prayers. The Relay team took a break in April, but we are planning another after church dinner on Sunday, May 3rd. This will be another spaghetti lunch. Mark your calendars and join the Relay Team for some good food and fellowship. The Relay for Life team encourages sign up for team membership which is $10 per person. We have already signed up ten folks to join the team! The team will also be receiving $10 donations for luminaria to honor those who have battled cancer or as a memorial to those who have passed away. These will be displayed at the annual Pulaski County Relay Event which will be held at the Pulaski County High School and is scheduled this year for Saturday, June 27, 2015. This year s Relay event will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday morning and will be completed early Sunday morning around 2 a.m. Thanks again to all for supporting the Relay for Life. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Please contact Martha Moody or Barry Long if you would like to sign up for the team. Page Seven
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY APRIL 8, 2015 Page Eight
DATE: LAY READERS: CHILDREN IN WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS: 5/3/15 Gene Holt Dianne Wallace 5/10/15 Youth Sunday Jeanne Whitman 5/17/15 Allison Hunter Mary Catherine Williams 5/24/15 Larry Latimer Bernice Brown 5/31/15 Barry Long Dot Cash Page Nine