News at Paw Creek December 20, 2017 Office Information Rev. Elliott Hipp, Pastor deh46@columbia.edu Kim Whittington, Administrative Assistant/ Webmaster office@pawcreekpc.org Sherry Blevins, Music Director sherrybsings@aol.com Mark Burleson, Pianist markaburleson@gmail.com Clint Shaw, Coordinator of Videography cwshaw2009@yahoo.com Website: www.pawcreekpc.org Physical Address: (no mail received here) 7400 Mt. Holly Rd. Charlotte, NC 28214 Hours: Monday thru Thursday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Telephone: (704) 392-0329 Fax: (704) 392-4625 Email: office@pawcreekpc.org Dear Friends, From the Pastor... I heard the comment from many of you this past weekend that 2017 has been a year that seems to have been marked by loss for our church family. For many of you, it has been your own dear loved ones whose lives we have remembered with appreciation, and whose passing we have marked with sadness. We can remind ourselves of Paul s words: death has been swallowed up in victory, but even the Gospel rings hollow in the emptiness that we feel. For those who mourn, this Christmas season can seem to be the final insult that a cruel year has to offer; an expectation to be merry no matter the cost. But of course there is nothing merry" about the Christmas stories. If we can read from Matthew and Luke with unclouded eyes, what we see instead is so many other emotions. The anxiety of Mary and Joseph as they travel long distances towards the birth of a child whose future is unclear. The befuddlement of the shepherds over the meaning of the message they are given. The determination of the Magi to make their trip, no matter the cost, only to be met on arrival by the sheer evil they see on the face of King Herod. For them, there is are no reasons to be jolly, and yet as the stories end, each one is gripped by the awe of God s glory that overpowers their fear and confusion. The truth that runs through these stories has nothing to do with a jollity that we conjure up by the force of our own determination. Rather, that truth that runs through these stories points to God, for he is the one who transforms fear into courage, and confusion into strength. If this has been a year of mourning for you, or if past losses seem to return in this season, then I urge you to embrace the story of Christmas. The God who becomes flesh with us does so for the very purpose of transformation. That is his plan for our sorrow, and surely it will come to pass. Bless you throughout these days, Elliott Offerings & Attendance Offerings: December 10 - $16,212.29 December 17 - $7,445.00 S/S Attendance: December 10-52 December 17-75 Worship Attendance: December 10-98 December 17-201 The Church office will be closed on Monday, December 25th through Tuesday, January 2nd for Christmas and New Year. If you have an emergency, you may contact Rev. Elliott Hipp at 704-502-2143 or deh46@columbia.edu Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ~Kim
P a ge 2 Prayer Concerns & Celebrations Prayer Concerns: Christmas can be hard for those who have recently lost loved ones - pray for these families: Andy Harrington dies on Tuesday, December 12th, and memorial was held at Paw Creek on Saturday, December 16th. Samantha Corlew, daughter of our Scoutmaster, Ronnie Murphy, died unexpectedly this week, leaving a husband and five young children. A GoFundMe page has been set up, as they are in need of funds for a funeral and burial. Celebrations: Tyler Cobb has become the 50th Eagle Scout of our Boy Scout Troop. Austin Edwards was released from the hospital in time to Duke Medical Center on Thursday of this past week and there is encouragement for his future treatment. Keep in Your Prayers: Hoyt & Jean Johnston Mary Frances Lail Flora Mae Love Dave Reames Marlene Thames Sue Love Caregivers Count Team: Team Leaders: Gene Hall & Leslie Joy Team: Grady & Karen Cathey, Victoria Krebs, Tim Sudderth & Barbara Ullem Ushers: Team Leaders: Toni Torrence & Amy McGee Team: Paw Creek Youth Greeters: Narthex: Dany McClure & Joy Tyler East Wing: Teresa Painter West Wing: David Padgett Service Assignments Prayer Team: 12/24 Tim & Celia Gray 12/31 Janie Scott & Amy McGee CD Delivery (Mondays): 12/26 Linda Riggins 1/2 Linda Riggins Nursery - Crib Room: 12/24 Leslie Joy 12/31 TBD Nursery - Toddler Room: 12/24 Bailie Joy 12/31 TBD Visitation Schedule
P a ge 3 Happy Birthday to Those Celebrating in January! January 2 Jeremy Chapman Mark Muller January 4 Debbie McCord January 5 Eric Cathey Todd Joy Mary Frances Lail January 6 Susan Gustafson Vickie Joy Jon Kenley January 8 Bob Love January 11 Phillip McCord January 13 Todd Miller Tucker Torrence January 16 Tim Boysworth January 17 Brian Gross January 18 Joyce Joy Jessica Kincaid Kaitlyn Revalee January 19 Tori Caudill January 24 Bill Faust Cameron Fortier January 25 Eddie McArver Toni Torrence January 26 Savannah Reel January 27 Scott Brenner January 30 Ken Smith January 31 Stephanie Sudderth If we don t have your birthday listed, please let us know. You may call the office at 704-392- 0329 or email your information to office@pawcreekpc.org. Thank you! ~Kim Donations To The Social Service Fund In Lieu Of Poinsettias BY: IN MEMORY OF: BY: IN HONOR OF: Virginia McGranahan & Ginny Haas James A. McGranahan, Jr. Eric & Patty Burns Richard & Barbara Rumple Her Family Betty Litaker Her Family Margie Caudill Tommy & Ann Cashion Kelley Longshore, Jillian Cashion Stephanie Alexander Grady & Shelby Alexander Sarah Cox Don Cox, Sr., Don Cox, Jr. Shelby & Grady Alexander Flora Mae Love Eric & Patty Burns Gary Bryant John & Linda Riggins Special Friends Their Family Blair & Elizabeth Cathey Gene & Donna Hall Our children, grandchildren & His Family Harold Caudill great grandson Kathryn McCulloh Martha (Nanny) Jenkins Amy McGee Susan Nan Kenley, Nicholas, Bob Rudisill Kay Rudisill Kelly, Morgan & Jordan Stan & Belinda Springs James & Mary Painter Jim Stogner Libby Stogner Anne & Tommy Miller Mary Margaret Riggins Skip, Susan & Carolyn & Families Mr. & Mrs. Robert Joel Todd, Sr. Gail Bryant Gary L. Bryant Larry & Vicki Ramsey Frank Kapelar, Phyllis & Gene Ramsey Frances Lyerly Gary Bryant Margaret White Joe White Barbara Ullem David Ullem Amy McGee Ronald Paw Kenley Ginny Haas Richard A. Lucey, Tim L. Brown Eddie & Jane McArver Glen & Lorene Hawkins, Bill & Lib McArver David & Karen Turner Chuck & Peg Overbeck, Herman & Margie Turner Bill & Joy Tyler Robert Lamb, Doris Sisk, Clyde & Juanita Tyler, Mateo Tyler Melvin & Angie Ross Evans & Lillie Johnston, Hugh & Burrell Ross Emily Adkins Joe Adkins, John & Flossie Adkins, Evans & Lillie Johnston Donna Timberman Betty W. Timberman, Patty Johnson, Jennie Mae Wilkie, Ed Ray Wilkie, Amy F. Timberman, Doris W. Johnson *Congregational Care would like to thank everyone who donated to the Social Service Fund during this Christmas season. This is just one way to pay forward all the goodness and blessings the Lord has given us.
P a ge 4 Weekly Bible Study Identical discussion classes will meet on Wednesdays at 10:00am and Thursdays at 5:30pm. Each week we will study the Scripture reading for the following Sunday in worship. Everyone is welcome to come give it a try. We will be delighted to have you! Schedule for Bible Study December 20/21 Christmas Break December 27/28 Christmas Break January 3/4 Matthew 2: 1-12 January 10/11 Mark 1: 14-20 January 17/18 The Story of Jonah January 24/25 Mark 1: 21-28 Faith Filled Fun Do you like to have fun? Would you like to try new things? Would you like to spend time getting to know other people of faith? Would you like to explore new/different ways of studying God's word? This group is based on getting closer to God as we explore activities, restaurants, games, and missions in our local area, all while engaging in fellowship with one another. We are open to new ideas and are curious about new opportunities. We hope to have some fun loving, energetic people join us in the new year! Here is what we have planned (so far) for January: 1/5-7:00 - Bible lesson and fellowship in the new game room 1/14-2:00 - Ice skating at the Speedpark at Concord Mills ($12/person) 1/19-7:00 - Bible lesson and fellowship in the new game room We would also like to visit members (especially those who may not be getting to church as often as they would like) while we are on our outings. If you or someone you know would like a visit, please let us know! Contact Victoria Krebs (704) 421-4909 or Alexis Tyler (704) 840-9280 Mark Your Calendar For These PW Events Circle Meetings - 10:00am and 7:15pm - Parlor January 2nd, February 6th, March 6th, April 3rd, May 1st Interested in playing BUNCO in 2018? Once we see if there is enough interest we will schedule the 1st game night sometime in January. Contact Amy McGee amyskmcgee@gmail.com 704-578-3908 cell if interested.
P a ge 5 Brick Pavers Order your brick paver for The Reverend Gary Bryant Memorial Prayer Garden located at the front of the church. Make sure your family is represented Perfect gift for someone special for Christmas Celebrate accomplishments, births, weddings, families, groups Remember and honor loved ones Each brick paver cost $40 Order forms are available in the narthex and the Church Office. The Rev. Gary Bryant Memorial Prayer Garden Dedication Sunday, January 14th (Immediately following worship) Ribbon cutting, hot chocolate, coffee and sweets Happy Hearts Senior Group Next meeting - January 10th @11:00am Visit the Holy Land in the Spring Friends, prior to coming Paw Creek, I had been invited to participate in a trip to Israel with members of Trinity and Doby s Bridge Presbyterian Churches. We will travel April 23 - May 2, 2018 and see important sites in Galilee and Jerusalem (the areas where Jesus spent most of his life). I will offering lectures and discussions throughout the trip to help tour members place the sites and history within the larger Biblical story. There are still some spots available, and we would be delighted to have interested folks from Paw Creek join us. The cost will be $3,798 round-trip from Charlotte, double occupancy. If you want more information, please check with me for a flyer. ~Elliott Combined Sunday School /Fellowship Breakfast December 31st at 9:00 - light breakfast in CFC 9:45 - Sunday school in CFC Please join us for our joint Sunday School as we remember events of 2017 and we look ahead to 2018. Rev. Elliott Hipp will be leading the Sunday School lesson. Offering Envelopes Please be sure to pick up your Offering envelopes in the Narthex after worship.
Paw Creek Presbyterian Church P.O.BOX 64 Paw Creek, NC 28130-0064 Seek... Matthew 6:33 Serve...1 Samuel 12:24 Praise... Psalm 111:1 Love Christ!... 1 John 4:12 Lord, we thank you for... Have a Prayer Request? To put someone on our prayer chain, obtain permission from the person or family involved, then call: Judy Smith (704) 392-2892 -or- Kay Scearce (704) 825-4446 Know someone Who Needs a Visit? Please contact the Church Office or Rev. Hipp (704) 392-0329 Each Week... Sunday 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Service 12:15pm Children s Choir Practice Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 3:00pm Church Office Hours Monday Friday 11:30am Senior Lunch Program Monday 7:00pm Girl Scouts Tuesday 6:30am Men s Bible Study 9:00am Cardio Fitness 7:00pm Boy Scouts Wednesday 12:00pm Bulletin Deadline 6:00pm MS/HS Youth Group 6:00pm Children Connecting w/christ (CCC) 7:00pm Cub Scouts Thursday 9:00am Cardio Fitness 6:30pm Chancel Choir Practice Sunday, December 24 - Morning The Lord is With You Luke 1: 26-38 Sunday, December 24 - Evening - 8pm The Christmas Story Luke 2:1-20 Sunday, December 31 Glory John 1: 1-18 Church Calendar Future Happenings... Wednesday, December 20 ***No Adult Bible Study*** 12:00pm Bulletin Deadline for 12/24 & 12/31 ***No Youth / CCC*** Thursday, December 21 ***No Adult Bible Study*** Monday, December 25 ***Church Office Closed*** Merry Christmas!!! Tuesday, December 26 ***Church Office Closed*** 7:00pm Stitches for Missions - Parlor Wednesday, December 27 ***Church Office Closed*** ***No Adult Bible Study, Youth or CCC*** Thursday, December 28 ***Church Office Closed*** ***No Adult Bible Study*** Sunday, December 31 9:00am Fellowship Breakfast - CFC 9:45am Combined Sunday School - CFC Monday, January 1 ***Church Office Closed*** Happy New Year!! Sunday, January 7 The Kings Come Matthew 2: 1-12 Sunday, January 14 They Left Their Nets Mark 1: 14-20 Sunday, January 21 Fish Story The Story of Jonah Tuesday, January 2 10:00am PW Grow & Go Circle 7:15pm PW Life Seekers Circle Wednesday, January 3 10:00am Adult Bible Study 12:00pm Bulletin Deadline 6:00pm Youth / CCC Thursday, January 4 5:30pm Adult Bible Study Sunday, January 7 11:00am Lord s Supper / 10 Hunger 12:00pm Christian Ed Meeting Monday, January 8 12:00pm Newsletter Deadline Wednesday, January 10 10:00am Adult Bible Study 11:00am Happy Hearts 12:00pm Bulletin Deadline 6:00pm Youth / CCC Thursday, January 11 5:30pm Adult Bible Study