THE VIEW FROM Presbyterian Hill We View Life Through the Cross November 2018 Volume XV Issue XI Inside this Issue PNC News 1 Session Report 2 Presbyterian Men 2 Presbyterian Women 2 Missions News 3 Choir in the Community 3 Thanks Dinner 3 Stewardship 2019 4 Things I learned in Sunday School 4 Birthdays 5 Events at FPC 5 Calendar 6 Flowers 7 PNC NEWS The PNC is currently working on formulating interview questions and establishing procedures we will follow when we start receiving Pastor Information Forms (PIF s). Due to hurricane Michael, the Committee On Ministry (COM), of the Northeast Georgia Presbytery had to cancel their October 11 meeting. We were informed that we had made excellent progress with our Ministry Information Form (MIF) and their priority at the present time was to find us an interim pastor. They will be reviewing, and we believe approving, our MIF at their next meeting, Thursday, November 8, 2018. I would like to state as the new chairman of our PNC: I am humble and proud to be working with such Godly people who are truly searching to discern God s will for our church. We really feel that the Holy Spirit will make apparent the next Pastor of Cleveland First Presbyterian Church. Our request as a committee is to please keep us and our church in your daily prayers. By: Phil Baughman We are excited about the next pastor that God has called to lead us into our next vision!!!! World Communion Sunday 7 Communications News 7 Education News 8 Church Info 10 P A S T O R N O M I N A T I N G C O M M I T T E E Phil Baughman, Chair Miriam Risher, COM Liaison Bernice Rogers Hugh Walters Bruce Morgan Betty Smith Elaine Wiegert Adele Page Celeste Sumner FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CLEVELAND 147 N. Main Street, Cleveland, GA 30528 (706)865-6499
At the October meeting, your session: Heard reports from standing committees that included Building and Grounds projects, live streaming on Facebook from Communications, the Nellis family home in Panama City from Congregational Care, request for budget inputs from Finance, review of the rolls from Membership, and children s sermon plans from Worship, Updated the status of the security plan from the task force, Elected a committee to approve pulpit supply ministers until an interim is selected and will use the same committee to search for a new interim, Elected Lindalee Walters to be a commissioner to the next presbytery meeting, Reviewed the upcoming special events at the church, Prayed for needs of the congregation and Scheduled the next meeting for November 18th. PRESBYTERIAN MEN The Presbyterian Men's monthly dinner and fellowship will be on Tuesday, November 13th at 6:00. We will be going to Clayton on Saturday, November 10th to visit a couple of agribusinesses that are producing valuable products from nature. Please sign up to go on the "Front Porch". Please join in the fellowship in one or both of these opportunities. By: Bruce Morgan PW CALENDAR Knit and Stitch - Wednesday, November 7, 14 and 28-3:30 p.m. Women's Bible Study - November 8-10 a.m. Our second lesson is entitled, "God with us in our uncertainty". Elaine Wiegert will be the leader and Becky Clark will be the hostess. Men s Dinner - November dinner will be provided by Judy Winski and Elaine Wiegert. Annual Thank Service - November 14th CT Meeting - None this month - Thank Dinner - 5:30 p.m. - Thank Service - 6:30 p.m. Christmas Marketplace - November 30 and December 1 - PW creations for sale at North Hall Community Center Save the Date - December 13th - Presbyterian Women Christmas Luncheon 2 Item of the Month Our item that we are collecting this month for the local schools will be underwear for boys and girls, size 6 to adult small.
MISSIONS NEWS The Missions Team would like to remind folks of the upcoming Packing and Pizza Party for Operation Christmas Child. This will be held Wednesday, November 7th. Dinner is at 5:30 and the packing will begin soon after. Come dressed in your festive holiday attire and let's all get in the Christmas Spirit as we share God's love around the world. By: Nanette Baughman CHOIR IN THE COMMUNITY The FPC Choir has a busy schedule ahead in November and December. On November 3 rd in Roosevelt Square, Gainesville, at 1:00 pm and on November 11 th at First United Methodist Church, Gainesville at 3:00 By: David Arvold pm., our choir will join other area groups, forming a combined choir of about 80 voices, accompanied by The Believers Concert Band, directed by David Arvold. Both of these events will feature well-loved patriotic songs including The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Please try to attend! Practice has begun for the Christmas Cantata which will be presented at FPC Cleveland on Sunday, December 16, at 11:00 a.m. This year, the title is Go Sing it on the Mountain, written by Pepper Choplin. It offers a mixture of mountain melodies, folk hymns, spirituals, familiar carols, and original music that is sure to surprise and delight. Go Sing It on the Mountain proclaims the good news from the prophet Isaiah s proclamation, Comfort, O comfort my people, to the final exuberant celebration: Joy to the World! Christ is Born! Musicians will join the choir for this special presentation. ATTENTION EVERYONE Service of Thanksgiving Sponsored by FPC Presbyterian Women Wednesday - November 14, 2018 At 6:30 After a Thanksgiving meal at 5:30 in the Fellowship Hall of turkey and trimmings. Please sign up for the dinner in the upper narthex ASAP and join us For a Service of Thanksgiving. 3
STEWARDSHIP 2019 Stewardship 2019 indicates we are a healthy church with a giving congregation. Our annual stewardship season ended on October 21 with Consecration Sunday when we dedicated our commitment of financial, as well as time and talent, support of First Presbyterian in 2019. Over 76% of those pledging this year dedicated their pledges for 2019 with 48% of those reflecting an increase in giving. Pledges of giving estimates were also dedicated by several for the first time. When the remainder of the giving estimates are received, your session will begin to finalize the 2019 budget figures. The time and talent our congregation is willing to share is always amazing. This information will be shared with the appropriate elders who are eager to involve you in their ministries. Following the service, the Finance Team served a spaghetti dinner for all. Thank you FPC and my team for a job well done. We find the way to Life and Living is not in Keeping, but in Giving! Helen Steiner Rice By: Judy Winski THE THINGS I LEARNED IN SUNDAY SCHOOL Public Speaking in Jesus Time I, for one, am always nervous speaking in front of people; practicing what I m going to say and often relying on notes or visuals. Think about how hard it must have been to attract and keep the attention of crowds back in Jesus time. No microphone, no teleprompter, no slide show, no comfortable auditorium with great acoustics. When he taught, Jesus spoke extemporaneously. He was: Arresting (immediately) Appealing (universally) Understandable (immediately) Memorable (permanently) Jesus relied on the strength of his voice, his personality and, most importantly, his message. 4 By: Jean Kelly
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOD BLESS YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU November BIRTHDAYS November 1 Rob Patrick November 2 Hugh Johnson EVENTS AT FPC Truckload of Love On Monday, October 22nd, FPC sent loads of love and prayers to Panama City Beach along with essential supplies. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Church family members Sandy and Gary Nellis are so appreciative of your efforts to help them as they deal with the damage to their Panama City Beach home from Hurricane Michael. Prayers were with Hugh and Wes as they drove down to PCB to help Gary and his neighbors. November 5 Dave Rades November 5 Jim Hiers November 8 Jodi Maddox November 8 Melanie Buchanan November 9 Carolyn Brooks November 15 Paul Scott Abbott November 16 Howard Miller November 16 Charles Massingale November 17 Bonnie Frost November 17 David Ciriello November 19 Wes Clonts November 22 Ross DeMeritt November 25 Dennis Pardue November 25 Sally Kaltenbach November 25 Garry George November 25 Richard Frost November 26 Gary Nellis November 29 Cees dewaart Please accept our apologies if we missed your birthday this month. Please notify the church office so we will remember next year. GAME NIGHT will be Friday, November 2nd, at 6 p.m. There will be a soup and sandwich supper followed by games and fellowship. Please sign up in the Upper Narthex. 5
First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland Calendar November 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 9:30AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship 11 9:30AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship 18 9:30AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship 12:15PM Session Mtg 25 9:30AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship 5 6 12PM Rotary 7PM Nar-Anon 12 6:30PM Lion s Club 13 12PM Rotary 6PM Pres. Men 7PM Nar-Anon 19 20 No School 12PM Rotary 7PM Nar-Anon 26 6:30PM Lion s Club 27 11AM Rotary Board Mtg 12PM Rotary 7PM Nar-Anon 7 3:30PM Knit and Stitch 3:30PM Kids 1st 5:30PM Shoebox Packing Party 7:30PM Choir 14 3:30PM Knit and Stitch 3:30PM Kids 1st 5:30PM Pres. Women Thank Dinner and Service 7:30PM Choir 21 No School 28 3:30PM Knit and Stitch 3:30PM Kids 1st 5:30PM Dinner for all ages 6:20PM Adult Study 7:30PM Choir 1 8PM NA 8 10:00AM PW Bible Study 5:15PM Free Community Clinic 8PM NA 15 8PM NA 22 HAPPY THANKS- GIVING! No School Office Closed 29 8PM NA 2 9AM PNC 6PM Game Night 7PM NA 9 9AM PNC 7PM NA 16 9AM PNC 7PM NA 23 9AM PNC 3:30-5:00PM Yonah Pickers 7PM NA 30 9AM PNC Pres. Women at the Christmas Marketplace 7PM NA 3 10 Pres. Men Trip to Clayton 17 24 THE VIEW from Presbyterian Hill November 2018 6
These beautiful flower arrangements were on display during worship in October. Please sign up in the Narthex to provide flowers for upcoming Sunday services. WORLD COMMUNIION SUNDAY October 7, 2018 The beautiful communion service included loaves of bread representing countries around the world. Bread was baked by FPC member Bonnie Frost. COMMUNICATIONS NEWS: DIGITAL DISCIPLES How did Wheaton Street Church in Atlanta increase Sunday Service from 59 to 300 in a little more than two years? The congregation embraced using social media to increase its presence in the community and beyond. Now, the 300 attendees in the sanctuary each Sunday are joined by more than 300 visitors to the live stream of the service on Facebook. By: Kim Ciriello and Elaine Wiegert The Session approved our participation in a program called Digital Disciples. The Digital Disciples program is funded by a grant from the Synod of the South Atlantic. The Presbyteries involved are Cherokee, Flint River, and Northeast Georgia. Recently we attended a Digital Disciples workshop at Columbia Theological Seminary. Many of you may have viewed and hopefully liked Kim s post from the workshop. There we learned that many of the churches in our Presbytery participating in the program have increased the number of new visitors to their worship services, their digital presence in the community and accepted new members. John Fong, a consultant hired by the grant, will be working with the Communications, Membership and Worship Committees of our church for the next year to help us use Facebook and Facebook Live more effectively. If you will not be able to attend church on October 28 th, please check our Facebook page. We will be live streaming the Kirkin of the Tartans and you won t want to miss that. Very soon, you ll be receiving more information on how you can help. If you use Facebook on your phone, make sure to bring your phone to church! @fpccleveland.org 7
EDUCATION NEWS This is my 4th semester as a mama and I continue to be impressed and honored to be a tiny part of this small but incredibly nurturing family. The rules and structure at The Preschool are so important for providing stabilization in these young lives. Several of the children have recently moved to the area, changing houses and schools, some of them are expecting to welcome a younger sibling in the coming months and will be dealing with a very changed dynamic in their home lives, and By: Lindsey McGrath ALL of them are testing and pushing through boundaries and learning the consequences! - as is normal and expected for 2 and 3 year olds. But at The the rules are always constant, the consequences are always known and enforced with a kind but firm hand and snack time always includes juice and water no need to ask! - with a yummy snack followed by a story or two. Those of us who are members of First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland should be so proud to say that we open our doors three days a week to this rock in the lives of these precious children. No matter your age, the world is full of drama and distractions, conflict and difficult decisions. But in that bright and sunny corner room these children are learning to navigate the winding roads of negotiation, respectful listening, and conflict resolution. Imagine how different our social landscape would be if we could all be as willing as these youngsters to say I m sorry and heal our conflict with a hug! 8
THE GROWING PLACE PRESCHOOL STUDENT OF THE MONTH Education Upcoming Events November 8th Picture Day at The November 22nd-26th Thanksgiving Break Please contact Melody Thomason, Celeste Sumner or Lindsey McGrath if you have any questions or would like to volunteer for any of these events. 9
First Presbyterian Church 147 N. Main Street Cleveland, GA 30528 Phone: 706-865-6499 Fax: 706-865-5362 E-mail: info@fpccleveland.org Website: www.fpccleveland.org @fpccleveland.org Chairperson & Editor Jean Kelly Publisher Lindsey McGrath Committee Members Bruce Morgan Kim Ciriello Bonnie Frost Dick Frost THE SESSION Jim Hiers, Clerk of Session Debbie Wessely, Assistant Clerk of Session Rev. Dr. Gary Bagley, Moderator Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Jim Crawford Melody Thomason Nanette Baughman Building & Grounds Education Mission Jean Kelly Lindalee Walters Becky Clark Communications Membership Worship Bruce Morgan Judy Winski DeWayne Nix Administration Stewardship & Finance Congregational Care THE DIACONATE Betty Smith, Moderator DeWayne Nix, Session Liaison Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Rachel Romfo Betty Royds Kim Cirello Carolyn Brooks Betty Smith Tony Clark Gail Rollins Hugh Walters