The Grapevine May 2012 Congratulations to our College and High School Graduates! Haley Fedukovich CPCC Paralegal Studies Degree Brooke Michael Mangum East Carolina University Masters in Health Education Rachel N. Stroup Charlotte School of Law Juris Doctorate Christopher Chris Tench CPCC Mechatronic Engineering Degree Walker Reese East Gaston HS Stephen Sparrow Allison Tench East Lincoln HS Tori Thomas South Point HS Austin Smith West Iredell HS New Covenant United Methodist Church Corner THOUGHTS OF THE PASTOR The month of May will be a time of looking back and looking behind at New Covenant Church. On the first Sunday in May, we will kick off the month with Youth Sunday at both worship services. Parents, grandparents, and adults alike will find themselves seeing a youth reading scripture, singing, or other worship tasks at the moment but in their mind looking back to when those youth were toddlers in our midst. On the second Sunday in May, we will observe Mother s Day. We look back and remember the myriad of acts of selfless love of the Mothers among us and the Mothers that have gone on to glory but who are ever close in our hearts. Later in May, we will recognize the members of the class of 2012 of our congregation. As we recognize their achievements as they graduate from high schools, colleges, and universities, many will look back and remember the day when they headed to kindergarten for the first time. Pastor s During this month of May, let us look back but let us also look ahead. Let us look ahead to the promise we see in our youth and graduates as they become leaders of our church and world. As we remember our Moms, let us look ahead to the challenge of being the Mothers and Fathers of the children and grandchildren entrusted to our care. I am reminded of the words of Philippians 3:12-14 which say, 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. God bless our youth, our graduates, and our Mothers. -- Pastor Randy Wall We will be recognizing our college and high school graduates on Sunday, May 20th, during the worship services! Congrats graduates!
Greetings New Covenant Family. As you read this, the youth will be finishing up their preparations for Youth Sunday. I ask for everyone to come out and support them Sunday, May 6th, for both services. I am so proud of them and how hard they are working together. This year no leaders or myself have had any input in the service. We want it to be 100% theirs as they follow God s leading. We all should be proud of them for we have a special group of young people at NCUMC. May is an exciting month this year, not only do we have Youth Sunday the first weekend in May, but the second is all of our favorites, Mother s Day. So we like to pass on to all the moms that we love you and thank you for all the hard work and the unconditional love you show. Also, the following weekend will be Graduate Sunday, May 20th, where we will recognize all HS and College Graduates. And at Youth on May 20th we are having New Youth/Parents orientation and Family Fun Day: The Rematch. This day we ask all Youth and Parents to come out for another Youth vs. Parents day, where again we will challenge the youth verses the adults in different games. And, we also invite any youth that is going to be 11, or if you are an older youth and have never attended Youth, this is the time to jump in and join us. Lastly, I want to remind and invite everyone to the Youth Car Wash on May 19th. This will be a fundraiser to help raise money to send youth to mission camps this summer. Last year we had a great turn out and hope for even more this year. Thank you and God bless, Todd Guest Since my father s passing on April 19th, my family has been truly blessed by the New Covenant church family. We have received phone calls, visits, cards, plants, food and so many expressions of love. My father will truly be missed but we take comfort that he is in heaven with our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We feel surrounded by your love and comfort and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love each and every one of you. Sincerely, The Stroup Family, Mike, Linda, Rachel & Zack, Megan & Seth & Laney and Sarah. Coming beginning Sunday, May 6: New Covenant Church 101, a four week class for those that want to know more about New Covenant Church and its history more about the United Methodist Church and ways to get involved and serve at New Covenant Church. The class will meet on May 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 10 am. Space is LIMITED. Contact the church office or Pastor Randy to sign up. New Church Directory New Covenant will be creating a new pictorial family directory through Lifetouch. Visit our website at www.newcovenantumc.org or call the church office at 704-827-4468 so that we can assist you in scheduling your appointment. You can also sign up on Sunday s in the narthex and FLC. Photography dates will be May 31st, 2:30 to 9:00 p.m.; June 1st, 2:30 to 9:00 p.m. and June 2nd, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Questions, see Bryan Abernathy or Linda Stroup. Matt Silver & Family RM 101 Park Village Hannam-Dong Yongsan-goo Seoul, Korea 657-167 9:00 a.m. Service 11:00 a.m. Service UMYF William Hamilton 98-1359 Koaheache Pl. A-131 Pear City, HI 96782 PFC Jayson Carson PO Box 1333 Fort Campbell, KY 42223 UMYF
Visitation Teams for May May 6th Gregg & Cindy Ganous May 13th Marvin & Matt Hinson May 20th Johnny Stewart & Sam Price May 27th Bobby & Jane Riggins Mother s Day Video If you would like a picture included in the Mother s Day video to be presented on Mother s Day, please send it to WendySellersPhotography@gmail.com. All mothers and grandmothers both past and present are welcome. If you do not have a digital image, please contact Wendy Sellers. Thank you! Happy Anniversary! David & Tara Moore 3 Terry & Terri Hallman 4 Donnie & Robin Lanham 9 Ashley & Natalie Price 13 John & Dannette Carson 13 Bob & Carolyn Lazevnick 15 Curtis & Courtney Deskus 16 Robert & Della Dionne 16 Dean & Gail Foster 17 Dennis & Valerie Barnes 24 Jesse & Wendy Sellers, Jr. 25 Vic & Christy Beatty 30 OOPS... Did we miss your birthday or anniversary? Please let us know! Drop a note off by the office so that our records can be updated. Happy Birthday! Talmadge McInnis 1 Ethan Adams 3 Doug Hyche 3 Dennis Hawkins 5 Mary Moore 7 Peggy Phifer 7 Lesa Collins 8 Peggy Beatty 9 Samantha Bennett 9 Sherry Azali 10 Amy Pacitto 11 McKain Parker 11 Steve Michael 16 Sam Price 16 Christian Thomas 16 Brittany Ballard 17 Web Hatley 17 Chris Adams 19 Jobe Bradham 19 Jonah Bradham 19 John Carpenter 20 Nathan Howard 21 Steve Hinson 22 Mike Miller 22 Lewis Phifer 22 Seth Moore 23 Lori Towe 23 Chuck Granger 24 Marshall Silver 24 Cody Hastings 25 Megan Sholar 27 Dotty Bennett 28 Joshua Lamm 28 Jennifer Price 29 Chase Quick 29 Delene Cummings 30 Carter Goodling 31
Important Dates/Activities Fellowship Meal Please join us for our Fellowship Meal on Wednesday, May 2nd, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Food for the tummy and friends for the soul! The UMM will be sponsoring this meal. The menu will hot dogs, hamburgers and all the fixings. We will need desserts and beverages. All proceeds will go to the Building Fund. UMM Breakfast The UMM breakfast will take place on Sunday, May 6th, at 7:00 a.m., in the FLC. Room in the Inn Planning Meeting There will be a Room In the Inn Planning meeting on May 6th at 3:00 p.m. Everyone who wants to help plan for the 2012-2013 RITI season is invited to attend. If you would like to be included in the New Covenant email group, please contact Kim Reese at kimreese@newcovenantumc.org. Angel Thompson Ruth Allen, Hannah Martin Troops, Clergy, Government The Lost Paul Henkel, Steve & Karen Carter Gail Foster, Joe Wagner Gary King & Family, Ken Beam Knieran Family, Sandy Cox Peggy Brockenbrough, Sam Hunter Ginger Owens, Bill Willard Chloe Dietrich, Lou Ann Simmons Ann Crocker, Michelle Stroupe Aloma Dougherty, Lawrence Blackley Debbie & Gary Travis, Taylor Hudson Casterline Family, Trisha Shaw Firefighters, Police & Teachers Floyd Brown, Jr. Travis Iris Carpenter, Baby Isabella Kelly Hawkins, Tom Godley Family Web Hatley, Bass Family Chifen Parker, Barbara Trull Ronda Lambert, Danielle Hutchison Keri McIntyre Strong Marriages Johnny Godley Lura Hoffman Allan Mark Kristina Sellers Walter Somerville Betty McLeod Gary Bechtel Family Rollan Calhoun Thomas Luciano Family Mike Untz, Mary Lou Wayne Family Unspoken Lisa Howie, Bert Wayne Sue Wickersham Donnie Perry, Linda Vaught Nancy Grimes, General Conference Smith & Crawford Families Shirley Potter, Jeremy Toler Families affected by Addiction Janet & the Choir Mary Burch, Charlotte Doby Cynthia Stickle, Jeremiah Zechariah Edith Cranfield, Holbrook Mary Sipes, Bethany & William Lorene Macemore Sue Miller Corson Hicks Sam Owens Wilt Family Rene Lewis Lynn Wingate Tip Silvers Travelers Rose Mast Anne Presutti Weston Bastos Eric Riggins Revonda Styles Emma Stowe Nancy Grimes Donnie Perry Remember those who cannot be a part of our fellowship on a regular basis: Ruth Allen Terrace Ridge Assisted Living 1251 East Hudson Blvd. Gastonia, NC 28054 (704) 864-8948 Gerald Carroll 321 Winding Trl. Stanley, NC 28164 (704) 263-9021 Jane Waldroop Woodlawn Haven Rest Home 301 Craig St., Room B4 Mt. Holly, NC 28120 (704) 827-1573 ext. 283 If there is someone you would like to put on this list, please call the church office.
Join us for VBS July 8th-12th 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. We need volunteers! Our first planning meeting will be held on May 8th at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to volunteer, please attend the meeting or see Crystal Abernathy or Amy Overbay! Volunteer forms are available in the narthex. New Covenant would like to introduce Lee Bobien & Delene Cummings. Lee & Dee joined our church family on Sunday, April 1st. Welcome to the New Covenant family! New Covenant would like to introduce Aprill Quick, Allison McClure and their families. Aprill joined our church family on Sunday, March 4th and Allison joined on March 25th. Welcome to the New Covenant family! May Nursery Schedule 9:00 11:00 May 6, 2012 Linda & Sarah Stroup Cheryl Smith & Brittany Hutchison Marjorie & David Goodling May 13, 2012 Cindy & Cameron Ganous Robin & Lauren Lanham Bryan & Crystal Abernathy Michelle Stroupe & Steve & Missy Michael Christy McInnis Carol & Christian Kelly Hawkins & May 27, 2012 Sam & Judy Price Thomas Wayne Beatty Thank you for helping with our nurseries! If you can t make your assigned Sunday, please contact Wanda Parker & Luann Elliot for 9:00 a.m. and Marjorie Goodling & Dannette Carson for 11:00 a.m.. May 20, 2012 John & Kelly Carpenter
UMW Morning Circle Please join the UMW Morning Circle on Thursday, May 10th, at 10:00 a.m., at the church. All ladies are invited to attend. May Special Mission Offering Our May Special Mission Offering will go towards adult missions. Jane Riggins granddaughter, Olivia Riggins, will be going to Dublin, Ireland on a mission trip in June. Her mission team will be working with a church in Ireland that will be establishing an after-school ministry where the local children can come experience the love of God. Our New Covenant adults will also be participating in the Hope for Gaston Service project on Saturday, May 5th at 8:00 a.m. We will provide home repairs for a needy family. There will be work for all skill levels. Meet at the project house Saturday morning: 102 N. Dalton Street, Gastonia. Please call or email Adam Overbay (704-524- 9290) or aoverbay@hazenandsawyer.com if you will be participating. Please let Adam know if you can bring tools or a ladder. Donnie Lanham will be preparing lunch at the house and will need volunteers to help with lunch preparation. This month s mission offering will help Olivia Riggins, Hope for Gaston and other adult mission projects and will be received on May 6th during both worship services. Dear Friends, Michael and I can t begin to express what your generous gift meant to our family after a tornado destroyed our home last month. It was most definitely helpful and was put to extremely good use. But more than the monetary value, we so greatly appreciate the countless prayers that were behind your very generous gift. For that, we especially thank you! This time of rebuilding after the tornado destroyed our home is difficult, at best! But knowing that we have friends like you supporting us eases our burden. Please know that we won t forget your kind gesture! Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts. Michael & Julia Carroll. Acolytes for May May 6th Kevin Sellers May 13th Christian Thomas May 20th Bailey Canady May 27th Ginny Overbay There will be a meeting of all NCUMC lay speakers on Sunday, May 6th, at 4:30 p.m. The Parade of Tables Committee will meet on Thursday, May 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. UMW Morning Circle Volunteer at Mt. Holly Adult Day Care On the second Tuesday of every month, the UMW Morning Circle will volunteer at the Mt. Holly Adult Day Care. They will be leaving the church at 9:30 a.m. to go to the day care center. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please see Carol Thomas or Lynda Sims. UMW Hart Circle The UMW Hart Circle will meet on Thursday, May 10th, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Diane Hinson. Group 3 will provide refreshments. Luann Elliott will continue our study of Duty or Delight. All ladies are invited to attend. A big shout out goes to the United Methodist Women for making a monetary donation to the General Fund. Thanks UMW for helping decrease our deficit!
Church Staff Ministry Team Rev. Randy Wall Pastor Todd Guest Director of Youth Ministry At New Covenant Sunday through Thursday Linda Stroup Church Secretary At New Covenant Monday through Thursday Janet Hinson Director of Music At New Covenant Wednesday and Sunday Church Office Hours Monday Thursday 8:00 AM 3:00 PM 704-827-4468 newcovenantumc@bellsouth.net NEW COVENANT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 14514 Lucia-Riverbend Hwy. Mt. Holly, NC 28120 Phone: 704-827-4468 Fax: 704-827-9083 The Body of Christ: Going in Faith, Growing in Love, and Serving Others