April 2009 Phone: 704-588-1211 Fax: 704-588-1461 From the Pastors Pen Where in the world is Spring? I keep thinking that it s just around the corner, but then another cold snap comes and reminds me that Old Man Winter isn t ready to leave just yet. Of course, ask me in a few months, and I will be ready for Old Man Winter to come make another visit. Or, I ll essentially make the same pitch around the middle of September, when I keep thinking that fall is just around the corner. Life often treats us like that. If you re going through a hard time, it may never seem to end. We got in a discussion recently in the Bible study that we did based off The Shack. For those of you who haven t read it, The Shack is about a man s reconciliation with God after his six-year-old daughter was murdered. He calls his mourning period The Great Sadness, which in the book stayed with him for five or six years. We got in a hypothetical discussion during the last night of the Bible study about how we would cope with such a devastating loss. For one of the ladies there, though, it wasn t hypothetical. She had lost her son, too, and, even after thirty years, she said that The Great Sadness never leaves. It is a season in which the end never comes. I write all this to say that we re in a bit of pickle right now. Some economists say that we may have turned the corner on this economic recession that has wreaked such havoc lately. Most, however, seem to suggest otherwise. This economic slow-down may turn out to occupy a very long season. The Church is also in some perilous times. It s not just the Presbyterian Church, either. Protestant Christianity has been the dominant religion for our country s entire history. That dominance is rapidly fading, and nobody knows where it will lead or what it will mean. On top of all that, we have our own personal problems. Maybe the recession has meant more than just a series of discouraging newspaper editorials. Some of you have lost your retirements. Some of you have lost your jobs. I know you must be worried sick. Some of you have gotten some discouraging reports from your doctors lately. Some of you have someone you love who is very sick, and they likely will not get better. And some of you, like me, have two beautiful yet demanding babies who have permanently moved in with you lately. God may have blessed you recently with some children, but you have no earthly idea as to how to raise them. Unfortunately, children don t come with user manuals, so we often learn by trial and error. So let s face it, as great as life is, it can be brutally hard and unforgiving at times. Yet in the midst of our anxieties this month, we also celebrate a God who refuses to let life get the best of us. Make no mistake: there is most certainly a crucifixion. There is most certainly pain, suffering, and loss. God has been through some dark times himself. But that s not the end of the story. The tomb is empty. Jesus lives. God lives. Absolutely nothing in life or even death can erase that hope. So be sure to get involved in all that we are doing here at Central over Holy Week as we celebrate the single most important event in human history. The schedule is in this newsletter. So, hang in there. Spring really is just around the corner. These things I have spoken to you that you might have peace. In the world, you shall have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
True Treasures By: Martha Sigmon CENTRAL STEELE CREEK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Phone: 704-588-1211 Fax: 704-588-1461 CHURCH E-MAIL Pastor: revmaybry@bellsouth.net Church: cscpreschurch@bellsouth.net Preschool: cscpcpreschool@bellsouth.net Custodian: custodiancscpc@bellsouth.net Rev. Luke H. Maybry Sheila Fetner Tom Schmutzler Rebecca Treadaway Peggy Blaine Sandy Hart Grant Applewhite Bob Sikes Donna Young Diane Price Ellie Bostick Mike Burrell Wray Moxley Sunday School Sunday Worship CHURCH WEBSITE www.cscpc.org Pastor Director of Music Associate Director of Music Preschool Director Secretary Clerk of Session Treasurer Financial Secretary Moderator, Deacons Moderator, Presbyterian Women Vice Moderator, Presbyterian Women WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE DEADLINES: May Newsletter: April 20,2008 Sunday Bulletins: Thursdays before 10:00am (Articles received after deadlines will be included in next issue.) Sunday School Superintendent Custodian 9:15 AM 10:30 AM The young person in the spotlight this month has had a busy background. You need a camera with a fast frame to keep him in focus. A member of our Church since birth, he started swimming lessons at 3 ½ months and progressed to jumping off the diving board at age two. At age four he announced during Children s Church that there was no soap at his house so taking a bath was out of the question. Wishful thinking and quite an ambitious thought. Moving along in age he was quite a challenge for Joy Cheek, Mary Deal and Phyllis Burrell in Preschool and Sunday School. He moved on up to the Youth Group and tried to straighten out the Barbees and the Hunters. By the way, they are still here and all of them still have hair. Isn t it amazing this young man is now one of the Youth leaders and assumed leadership responsibility for the trips he used to go on as a member? Not forgetting his education, he started at Steele Creek Elementary to Barringer Elementary to Marie G. Davis Middle School to Harding University High School where he played the quads (four drums) in the marching band. As he continued to grow and expand his interests he received his Eagle Scout Award in 2002. This was not only an accomplishment for him, but also his leaders and his family. Lessons learned in Scouting are leadership lessons you use for the remainder of your life. I m sure by now you know our treasure is MILES SHEPARD. A major accomplishment for Miles, his family and our Church is he was the first young Elder at Central Steele Creek Presbyterian. He has also been on several Mission Trips: To the Ukraine (with his grandfather), to Yucatan, Mexico (twice with CSCPS), and he took our youth on a Katrina relief mission in 2007 and also to Gary, West Virginia. Miles is a Staff Sergeant in the North Carolina National Guard. His Guard Unit relays broadband and other signals all around the world via mobile ground-based equipment and satellites. The mission of the 263 rd Combat Communications Squadron is to provide theater communications for the Commander of the United States Central Command. The squadron is equipped with state-of-the-art communications equipment that provides the supported commander with a variety of voice and data communications capabilities. At this time in pursuing his career he is close to finishing up both a Mechanical Engineering degree and a Physics degree at UNCC and he works part-time as an engineer at a local company. His sideline activities, whenever he has time, let me catch my breath and I will tell you: Riding his motorcycle in warm weather, snowboarding in cold weather and playing intramural soccer at UNCC and sometimes with a local adult soccer league. Congratulations and applause to Miles. I look forward to the rest of the story. I m out of ink.
Lenten Events and Services: There will be many occasions to worship our Lord and to prepare our hearts to receive God s mercy and love during the Lenten season. Please be sure to mark your calendars and try to attend some of these opportunities for worship. April: Final 12:00 Noon Lenten Worship Service April 1 @ Big Steele Creek (Rev. Luke Maybry) w/ lunch to follow worship April 5 - Palm Sunday 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary - Children waving palm branches Hosanna in the highest! April 9 - Maundy Thursday -6:00 PM Covered dish supper& family style service in FLC April 10 - Tenebrae Service 7 PM Somber & reflective service in the Sanctuary April 12 - Easter Sunday 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary Celebrate the living Lord!! Please bring some of your beautiful spring flowers from your yard to add to the Easter cross which will be in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. You can add your flowers to the cross anytime before, during or immediately after Sunday school. Covered Dish Luncheon April 19th You are cordially invited and definitely needed at the church-wide work day on Saturday, April 4th. If you are there at 7:30, you'll get the "David Hunter Breakfast Special"! Then at 8:00 we start to work on various projects in and around our facilities. Lunch will be provided along the way and we'll see how much we can accomplish before we wrap things up about 2 o'clock or so. C o n t a c t R i c k A y e r s (rayers@carolina.rr.com) for details. The Building & Grounds Team In honor of our 2009 PW birthday celebration, the entire congregation is invited this year for a covered dish luncheon immediately following the worship service on Sunday, April 19. We d love to have everyone join us; just bring your favorite dish to the Family Life Center before church, then come back later to feast on a delicious meal prepared by the wonderful cooks at Central! There is no charge for lunch, but donations to the PW birthday offering will be graciously accepted. Sneak Preview: The Central Trio will be performing for us! For more information, contact Portia Weatherly, 704-552- 2863. The Steele Creek Historical and Genealogical Society will meet on Monday April 27, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Steele Creek Library. The speaker will be Ms. Leslie Kesler from the Charlotte Museum of History. Ms. Kesler will be talking about the new exhibits and events coming in the near future to the museum. One exhibit of particular interest to Steele Creek will be "Charlotte Stories: Our Collections, Your Treasures" which includes the Isaac Price sword. Anyone interested in hearing about our local history is welcome to attend.
MISSION NEWS Just as Jesus showed love and compassion to those in need around him, we also should look to share God's love and compassion with those in need today. Every year at this time the Presbyterian Church emphasizes missions through the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. We pool our resources to help individuals, families and communities, both locally and all around the world, as they struggle through dire circumstances which most of us have never faced. As you prayerfully consider your gift, remember that even in these tough economic times we have far more than most of the others with whom we share this world. You can use the OGHS envelope in your box of envelopes or use the envelope that will be provided Easter Sunday. But either way, your generous gift will bring relief and hope to those who so desperately need help. The Mission Team John Calvin (1509-1564) This year we celebrate the 500 birthday of John Calvin one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church. Born in France he fled to Switzerland when violence broke out against protestants. Trained as a lawyer, he organized the reformed church into four categories: pastors, teachers, lay elders and deacons. Although the Presbyterian Church has changed a lot since the 1500 s, we are thankful to Mr. Calvin for his leadership. Happy Birthday, Mr. Calvin. What a guy! Submitted by the Christian Education Committee The Mission Team has been sponsoring a monthly program for food donations for Loaves & Fishes. There is a large and growing number of families in the Charlotte area who simply don t have enough food to eat, and we can help by donating cans or packages of the requested food item each month. A box will be left in the narthex to collect the food each Sunday. THE FOOD FOR APRIlL IS CANNED MEAT. Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church is having their annual golf tournament on April 25th. It will be at the Tega Cay Golf course, tee off at 1pm. Contact the Pleasant Hill Church office for registration info. Let's try to support our neighboring church, and we can use it as a warm-up to the Central Steele Creek golf outing which will be the following month- May 16th! Let's get our foursomes ready for the annual Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Golf Outing. This year it be played at the Waterford Golf Club in Rock Hill SC on May 16th. Tee off at 1pm, but arrive at 12 noon so you can hit the free range balls and eat lunchwhich is included in the fee. The entry fee per person will be $75 this year. We always have plenty of prizes and lots of fun, please try to participate in this event, whether you play or volunteer to help. The money raised is always put back in to the community by way of assistance to those who need it during the holidays. Contact Kelly Caudle at 704 617-8010, or Ann Mozingo at 803 831-1568. Thank you for your support!
TREASURERS REPORT Year-to-Date Period Ending February 28, 2009 Total Income $51,277 Total Expenses $46,091 Our contributions to date are right on budget. Our expenses to date are 10% under budget.* Avg. weekly income $6,409 Avg. weekly actual expenses $5,121 *Expenses were lower than anticipated as budgeted repair and maintenance costs will not be paid until March. The next newsletter will have a more detailed report of expenditures for the quarter ending March 31st. Our BUILDING FUND status is as follows: Family Life Center Balance $129,361 Owed to Bank $588,084 Please remember to check the box in our Communications Hallway if you are due reimbursement. Please direct any questions to the Finance Committee or Session members. PRESCHOOL NEWS We ve had enough snow to be aggravating but not enough to play very much and we re all about play. Time is running out and those trees in bloom do look beautiful, so I guess we will have trust God with the weather once again. At this point, Spring sounds really good. We hope you are looking forward to it as much as we are. As I write this, we are in the midst of Registration for the 2009 2010 Preschool year and it will be special one for us our 25 th. God has certainly blessed in all these years and we re sure that bad economy will not stop Him now. We do covet your prayers for our children, teachers and parents during this difficult time. If you know a child who needs to register for our preschool, please have them call me at 704-588-9542 or cscpcpreschool@bellsouth.net. Rebecca Treadaway VIP MEETING - APRIL Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, April, 22, 2009 at 10:00am for a spirited fun time. THE CAROLINA COPY CATS lip-sync to old-time favorite songs. This entertaining senior group enhances their performance with costumes and props. Lunch will at the Fish Fare Express on Hwy 21 (Carowinds Blvd), Fort Mill, SC. The restaurant is diagonally across from the Bloom Food Store. Menu choices include salads, sandwiches, steak and chicken in addition to all the fish choices. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the meeting and for lunch. Marge Central Steele Creek Church Scholarship (In Memory of Marion Blackwelder) Attention High School Seniors and College Students!! Applications are available in the church office for this year s scholarship. Any church member (must be a member) attending an institution of higher learning in the coming year is urged to submit an application. The scholarship is awarded on a yearly basis, so past recipients and other sophomores, etc. must reapply again this year. Applications will be accepted through May 10, 2009. This year s recipient will be announced on Graduate Sunday. If you have any questions, please call Mike Brown at 704-588-4805.
WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY Rick and Pam Murphy Vic and Noell Duran 14332 Crown Harbor Dr., Charlotte, NC 28278 7547 Thorncliff Dr., Charlotte, NC 28210 704-587-9670 704-553-1399 Rick and Pam have moved to Charlotte from Califor- Vic and Noell are both retired and settled in the Star- nia. They have four sons and grandchildren in mount area of Charlotte. They have 3 children and 5 Texas and California. They have joined by reaf- grandchildren. They have joined by reaffirmation of firmation of faith faith. Jim Patterson Jack and Susan Killian 17929 New Mark Ave., Charlotte, NC 28278 14115 Montecastillo Pl., Charlotte, NC 28278 704-588-0576 704-910-0512 Jim is rejoining our church by transfer from Unity Pres- Jack and Susan moved to the Palisades in Charlotte byterian Church in Ft. Mill. His wife, Kay and two from New York and are joining the church by reaf- sons, Will and Carter are current members. They firmation of faith. They have two daughters, one who have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. will be married here on September 12th.
April 1 Anna Eargle 1 Ray Morrison 3 Cindy Shepard 4 Beverly Cheek 4 Stan Morris 5 Emily Cheek 5 Debbie Neely 5 Chase Ramsey 5 Allen Youngblood 10 Robin Hunter 10 Cathy Applewhite 10 Will Choate 11 Wray Moxley 11 Calista Presley 12 Dawn Shelton 12 David Osborne 12 Lauren Stikeleather 13 Anthony Melendez 14 David Dietz 19 David Abernathy, Jr. 19 Jessica Smith 20 Richard Koster 20 Charles Blackwelder 21 Mary English 21 Briana Jacobs 21 Evelyn Ervin 24 Dawn Glover 25 Mary L. Choate 26 Charles Winter 27 Roy Youngblood 30 Kristen Emmons 30 Meighan Daniel 30 Mark Fraedrich In honor of Mae Austin, her family has donated a gardenia bush to our church. They planted it near the curb, not too far from where the church vans are normally parked. We look forward to its growth and beauty, knowing that its flowers and sweet fragrance will remind us all of this dear, sweet lady. B&G Team Thank you for all the prayers, cards, phone calls, visits and my Prayer Bear (with strategically placed Band-Aids) I received during this last week following my accident. It is a blessing to be a member of this church family. Ken Price Contributions to the Building Fund have been received: In memory of Chester Blaylock (brother in law of Pauline Shaney): by Toni and Greta Lambert In memory of Carl and Mary Miller: by Henry and Jane Hilker In memory of John Mack Johnston, Jr.: by Betty W. Helton, the Griffin family, the Brinton family, and the Jenkins family In honor of John and Vicky Tsoulos (John s Family Restaurant): by Paul and Martha Sigmon In honor of Buck Newsom: by Paul and Martha Sigmon by Frank and Mary Montabana Polly Gallant Lester Youngblood Mary Rhyne Buck Newsom Martha Choate Barbara McGrath Peggy Youngblood Charles Blackwelder Bill Young Charles Joy Mildred Beach Pete and Betty Helton Caring Board Huntersville Oaks Nursing Home Sharon Towers Westminster Towers, Rock Hill The Court, 5326 Park Road Atria-Merrywood The Laurels, Pineville, NC Lake Wylie Retirement Center Coelle and Miriam Snyder To Florida with children Jean Price Maude Pratt Lake Wylie Retirement Center Sharon Towers Note: Martha Choate has moved to a new home. She is now at The Court, 5326 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209. She always appreciates any cards from our church family.
April Save this page for the 1 COMMUNITY LENT SERVICE 12noon Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 5 PALM SUNDAY 9:15 Sunday School Calendar Disciples 5:45 7:00 Chancel Choir 7:15-8:30 Boy Scouts meet (differentiate church events 10:30 Worship 11:30 am Guest Outreach Team, Rm 2 6 Hand Bell Choir 6-7:15pm 7 Circle #1 10am Room 300 Outreach Team Mtg. 5:30 Rm 2 from outside groups Youth Group 6-7:30pm 12 EASTER SUNDAY 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Please bring some of your beautiful spring flowers from your yard to add to the Easter cross. 13 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED Hand Bell Choir 6-7:15pm Cub Scouts 7:00 8:30 pm FH ie. italics) 14 Cub Scouts meet FH Deborah Circle, 7:00 pm, Parlor 8 Disciples 5:45 7:00 Chancel Choir 7:15-8:30 Boy Scouts meet FH 15 Disciples 5:45 7:00 Chancel Choir 7:15-8:30 Boy Scouts meet 2 3 4 PW Meeting Rm 300, 9am 9 MAUNDY THURSDAY 6:00 PM Covered dish supper& family style service in FLC 10 GOOD FRIDAY 7:00 PM Tenebrae Service Somber & reflective service in the Sanctuary 16 17 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE Circle of Friends Room 300 10am-12pm CHURCH WORK DAY 7:30-2:00pm 11 11:00 am Easter Egg Hunt, Ages 2-7 18 19 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship PW Birthday Luncheon, Covered Dish following Service, FLC Deacons meet, 11:30am Youth Group 6-7:30pm 26 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Session Meets 11:30 am Congregational Life Survey Youth Group 6-7:30pm 20 Highlights of the November 25, 2007 Session Meeting Personnel Team 4:30 pm, Rm 2 Hand Bell Choir 6-7:15pm 2` Cub Scouts meet FH 22 VIP s 10am in Fellowship Hall Disciples 5:45 7:00 Chancel Choir 7:15-8:30 Boy Scouts meet 23 Finance Team 6-8 pm in Room 300 27 28 29 30 24 25 YMCA Yard Sale
April, 2009 Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church 9401 S. Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28273 Our congregation is joining over 1,200 congregations across the country to participate in the U.S. Congregational Life Survey. Every worshiper age 15 and up will get to take part. The survey will ask about your faith background and beliefs, involvement in the congregation, community involvement, and views about congregational priorities. Time will be set aside at the conclusion of worship on Sunday, April 26, for worshipers to fill out the survey. COME TO OUR EASTER EGG HUNT AND MEET THE EASTER BUNNY TOO Who? Children ages 2 thru 7 When? Saturday, April 11 from 11:00-1:00 Where? CSCPC Fellowship Hall Our annual Easter egg hunt will include a parade this year. So bring your favorite set of wheels (tricycle, wagon, etc.) and join in the fun 5 Cents a Meal The donations to 5 cents a meal for March was $285.00. All of this money goes to feed hungry people in our Presbytery. Thanks for your participation in this important ministry!