First Presbyterian Church, New Bern, North Carolina
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A Hallelujah from Head to Toe
by Bill Hawkins
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The story is told about Charles Dickens attending a meeting of the clergy so terminally dull and lifeless that, out of frustration with the proceedings, the great novelist suggested to the dour ministers of the Gospel that they gather round a table, join hands, and
attempt to commune with the living
. Though I have no idea if this Dickens tale is apocryphal or true, I have no trouble imaging such a meeting of fellow divines. I have attended more than a few. It is tragically ironic that Christians, Christian clergy most especially, might gather, speak and live in a way that so utterly belies the core affirmations of faith they claim.
At the core of our faith are the twin affirmations made by the greatest of our two days - Christmas and Easter. Each day is kept in order to remember, teach, and enjoy the central truths claimed by our faith. The news of Christmas is simply that God is not “out there,” “up there,” or “back then,” but that God is here, with us, “Immanuel,” incarnate in the nitty-gritty of our earthly existence. This is only good news, “tidings of great joy,” as the Christmas angels sang it to the shepherds. It’s nothing to be dour about. The news of Easter is simply that at the end of the day and by the grace of God, life is more powerful than death, love conquers hate, and joy trumps despair. After several of his followers experienced the Risen Christ, John’s Gospel tells us that “in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering…” Again, only good news. Nothing to be dour about.
In my observation of myself and in my experience with fellow ministers, I think that we, along with many non-clergy, are sometimes tempted to assume a grave demeanor because we imagine it bespeaks earnestness and seriousness. Like most mortals, we long to be taken seriously and to appear earnest. But the joyful declarations of Christmas and Easter should remind us that dancing-happy good news can be quite earnest and that joy can be completely serious.
The great fourth century theologian Augustine once said that “a Christian should be an alleluia from head to toe.” Such an alleluia demeanor is no pretense, no manufactured good attitude. It rises from reality, the deepest and highest truths about how things really are, namely that God is with us and that life is stronger than death.
grace & peace,
Bill
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Announcements and Important Dates for December
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Christmas Wreaths ARE IN
If you ordered a wreath during the youth fundraiser, please pick it up from the church office. Office hours are Monday thru Thursday 9:00 - 5:00 and Friday 9:00 - 1:00. Thank you for your support!
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December Fellowship Dinner
When: December 5, 2018
Where: Fellowship Center Gym
What: Famous Brisket, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, & Salad
Reservations: Call 252.637.3270 before December 2nd
A Holiday Craft Table Led/Guided by parents will be available.
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Recently kicked off their 9th year of collecting Jammies for the Coastal Women's Shelter. The goal is to collect "new" pajamas, robes, and booties for mothers and children receiving services from Coastal Women's Shelter. For the children, the sizes needed are: 6 months to 16 for both boys and girls. The women's sizes ranges from 5m - xxl. Collection boxes can be found throughout the community at the following locations: First Presbyterian Church, Epiphany School of Global Studies, First Citizens Bank (downtown), Kitchen on the Trent, Mitchell Hardware and Ward & Smith. The Operation Jammies committee members will be collecting and delivering to the Coastal Women's Shelter from now until December 21st.
As always, "Thank you" for helping to make this worthwhile endeavor a success each year.
Lynn Hand
Operation Jammies Chair
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Christmas Eve Play Practice
Sunday, December 16, 9:40 am
Children (ages 4th — 5th graders) are invited to come to the sanctuary to practice for our Christmas Eve pageant. Performance will be at 5:00 pm Christmas Eve during the family service, the children will be playing roles of various characters in the Christmas story. On Christmas Eve, we ask all children participating to meet in the Sanctuary at 4:15 pm.
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Join us for a special
Candlelight Service
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December 16th at 6:00 pm in the sanctuary.
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2018 Christmas Eve Services
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Family Friendly Service
5:00 pm in the Sanctuary
December 24th
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Communion Service
8:00 pm in the Sanctuary
December 24th
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Each year, the season of thanksgiving and stewardship is followed by the Advent season in which we are awaiting the coming of Christ. As we enter Advent, we are called to prayer and preparation, and indeed, the choirs have been preparing since October. (We got a late start this year!) We must listen for God’s word, for the coming of His Son into our midst…wherever we can find him.
December brings many musical opportunities for our congregation and community. Our Candlelight Service is Sunday, December 16 at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in the Session House.
Monday, Dec. 10 the Craven Messiah Chorus will present the 36th presentation of Handel’s Messiah at Centenary United Methodist Church. The Open Rehearsal is at 3:00 PM and the performance is at 7:30 PM.
Tickets are on sale at Fuller’s Music, 2310 Trent Road, and the Craven Arts Council and Gallery, 317 Middle Street, also by credit card, 252 638-2577. The Open Rehearsal is $15 and the performance is $20. Please phone Pat Rowlett for more information.
I want to thank our volunteer and professional musicians for their joyful participation and their hard work for the upcoming Advent and Christmas seasons. May we celebrate the gifts that we will give, that we already have and that we will be receiving as the Christ comes to earth again in our hearts and minds.
Yours in Christ,
Director of Music
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PILGRIMAGE OUTFITTERS
Equipping pilgrims for the spiritual journey
Sunday School.
“Thin Places” – finding a better way to perceive the light of Christ’s Spirit breaking through the darkness of these turbulent times.
Notwithstanding Hurricane Florence which is only one of many cultural and political tumults we are facing, this class will explore shifting our understanding of faith into a way of living. Using The Great Spiritual Migration by Brian D. McLaren as our study guide, we will investigate spiritual, theological, and missional migrations that lead toward perceiving a closer intimacy with our creator. The class begins on December 2
nd
in the Lighthouse. Books are available in the Church Office.
Adult Spring Retreat – Sign up now!
Our spring contemplative retreat is scheduled to return to one of our favorite places, St. Frances Springs Prayer Center, on April 26 – 28. This is a special time for revitalizing your soul – check it out with Dean Carzoo, Polly Frank, Mimi Dixon, Dave Parker, Cille Griffith, Hal and Marilyn Vandersea. “Letters of Intent” are available at the Receptionist’s Desk in the Ministry Center and on line.
The Lord’s Supper
will be observed during Contemplative Worship on Wednesday, December 19 at 5:00 pm.
Travel well,
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The Present Word
will focus on the theme of God’s love for us and our love for God throughout the Bible. Lessons from Deuteronomy, Joshua, Psalms, Luke, Matthew, Philippians, James, 2 Thessalonians and John will deal with love that begins with God and our response to God’s love through the Advent of Jesus Christ. To enhance our study of how to better love, honor, trust, serve and glorify God we will use Gary Chapman’s book, The Love Languages of God: How to Feel and Reflect Divine Love.
Joan Leibert
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First Pres has an ESL/Citizenship program which provides one-on-one computer-based tutoring in English and citizenship to some of our Montagnard members and other interested Montagnard adults. Last winter, our ESL Committee, which is composed of everyone who helps out in our program, whether tutoring or technical, met to discuss the state of our program. This is a meeting we have periodically. We all agreed that the state of our computers is woeful. They were cobbled together years ago, and keep breaking down. We wondered if there could be a way to get new computers.
Later, talking with Maren, we discovered that New Hope Presbytery offers $5000 partnership grants in Passion-Driven Ministry to churches who have a program which fills a need and partners with another community-based program. This seemed like a great opportunity, so Maren obtained an application and learned what the committee members offering the grant were looking for. She reached out to West New Bern Pres., which has a large Burmese population, to partner with us. Then, she and Polly Frank worked together on the application and sent it off in April.
Recently we learned that our application was accepted: WE GOT THE GRANT! We will be able to buy five new desktop computers with large screens so tutors and students can work together. A key component will be integrating our tutoring with West New Bern. We don’t know what that’s going to look like yet, but we expect two important results from the grant: we will serve more students and we will need more volunteers.
We are extremely grateful to New Hope Presbytery for believing in our program and helping us to grow and expand. We are excited by this opportunity!
What can you do? Consider whether you would like to be a part of this caring and growing ministry. We currently tutor on Saturday mornings from 9:00 – 10:30, but there may be evening opportunities (5:00 – 6:30) in the future. Tutors usually volunteer about two Saturdays a month. Our volunteers are loyal and dedicated; we have fun with our students and they have come to feel like family. We would love to have you join us. For more information you may call Polly Frank at 252-288-5096 or email her at
[email protected]
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Polly Frank
Care Commission
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In 2018 our church received a $54,685 gift from the Agnes P. Johnstone Trust, which was created in 1989 by Agnes Foy Pollock Johnstone, a member of the church. Her grandmother, Agnes Charlotte Paton Foy was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1850, and her grandfather, David Paton, was the architect who designed the North Carolina State Capital Building. Agnes gave the gift in memory of her mother, Agnes Foy Pollock. Our Session has designated $30,000 of the trust to help create the “New Hope Presbyterian Village” at Neuse Forest Presbyterian Church in New Bern, as part of our commitment as a church to the long-term recovery and restoration of our community after Hurricane Florence. For years to come this village will host volunteer teams from around the country who will provide much needed labor and supplies to help with the most serious needs in our community.
Agnes’s gift is a reminder of the importance of “legacy giving.” The church we have today is the fruit of generations of faithful saints, whose generous gifts and love of the church continue to provide for the worship of God, Christian nurture, and community outreach. Jim Briley or Chris Kelso can help If you would like to learn more about including the church in a trust or bequest.
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Session Minutes
- The Administrative Commission recommended and the Session approved the long range use of existing church spaces for Hurricane Florence Relief.
- Preschool and staff will remain in the Ministry Center through May 2019.
- 2018-2019 S.A.L.T. (3rd through 5th grade) had 16 at 10/21 meeting.
- Cathy Wingfield welcomed as new Communications Director.
- Average Sunday worship attendance for October 2018 was 218 as compared to 285 in October 2017.
Karen Reed
Clerk of Session
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December 2018 Daily Lectionary
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Sunday Youth Group Schedule
Dec. 2, 5:30-7:30 pm —
Meet in the Session House for dinner and activities.
Dec. 9, 5:30-7:30 pm —
Meet in the Session House for dinner and activities led by youth leader.
Dec. 16 — NO YOUTH GROUP (6:00 pm Candlelight Service)
Dec. 23 & Dec. 30 — NO YOUTH GROUP
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2019 YOUTH GROUP KEY DATES
Parents, please make a note of the following key events being planned for 2019 for our youth!
There are trips with the necessary number to be met in order for us to attend.
February 3
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Youth Sunday
: Our youth will lead the congregation in worship in both 8:25am & 10:55am services. Our graduating senior will give their senior sermon and other youth will lead various parts of the service. We will be reaching out to families to help provide breakfast (9:30am) for our youth.
March 15-17- New Hope Presbytery High School Retreat:
This annual retreat brings 150 high school youth from our presbytery together for a weekend retreat at Camp Willow Run in Littleton, NC. Cost per youth is expected to be $75. We’ll need at least 3 high school youth to attend.
June 17-21 - Vacation Bible School (tentative)
: We will need adult volunteers in stations such as crafts, music, Bible story, games & snacks. We will also need youth volunteers to lead the groups!
June 25 - 28 - Massanetta Middle School Conference
: Fun middle school conference for those who have completed 6-8th grade. Sign up will be due March 17 with Daewon. The cost is $300 per youth (scholarships available, please talk to Daewon). We will attend if we have at least 3 youth.
July 7-13 or July 14-20 - Montreat High School Conference—
A week long conference for high school youth. It’s an amazing conference attended by thousands of youth each summer. Sign up will be due by March 3 with Daewon. We will attend if we have at least 4 youth. The cost is $450 per youth (scholarships available, please talk to Daewon).
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S.A.L.T.
Serving and Learning Together
Ministry for 3rd thru 5th graders
December S.A.L.T. meeting will be on December 9th, 5:30 - 7:30, in the Ministry Center. We gather with 3rd - 5th grade children for dinner, fellowship, games, service project, and Scripture lesson. Friends are always welcomed! The future meeting dates are: January 20th, February 17th and March 17th, 2019.
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Our youth council girls led a fun Karaoke Night for youth group on October 28th. Many of our youth sang popular songs of today and yester-years. It’s great to see our youth singing together and our high school youth council members leading. There was a comment by one of our youth leaders who said, “My high (something good) is hearing my daughter sing karaoke for the first time, my low (something bad) is hearing my son sing karaoke.” Perhaps we need to send some of our boys to improve their singing with Ms. Pat.
Here are pictures of the fun night!
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Financial Update from our Treasurer (Thru Nov. 30, 2018)
Operating Budget (2018) $748,463 (2017) $765,334
Pennies for Hunger (RCS)(2018) $21,043 (2017) $16,378
Foundation Memorials (2018) $9,685 (2017)$10,575
Bicentennial Fund:
For the Year:(2018) $134,503 (2017) $253,975
Total to Date:(2018) $551,299 (2017)$423,381
(Approx $725,000 pledged/pd)
Special Bequest from the Johnstone Trust
$54,685
Disaster Assistance Funds:
Local Disaster Relief Contributions
$50,574
Presbytery Disaster Assistance Contributions
$10,238
Johnstone Trust designated & paid for New Hope Presbyterian Village (Neuse Forest Presbyterian)
$30,000
Designated Foundation Outreach (as needed)
$19,000
First Citizens Bank Note Payable Balance
(2018)$875,910 (2017)$935,112
If you have any question,s please contact, Jim Briley
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Our known ill, hospitalized & recently released:
Charles Montgomery
Barbara Williford
Helen Zoldos
Ruth John
Brian Fagan
Van Hardison, III
Bill Aber
Congratulations
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Dolly & Harry Ballard on the October 27th marriage of their daughter, Alice Hamilton Ballard to Jeremy Mains in Atlantic Beach, NC.
Meghan O'Daniel Sutta, and her husband Sloan, on the birth of their son, Simon Coley Sutta, born November 21st,
Sympathy of the congregation is extended to:
Stacey Griffith on the November 9th death of her husband, Jack King.
Dr. Ken Wilkins on the November 19th death of his brother, John Snider Wilkins of Raleigh, NC.
The family and friends of one of our members, and sitting elder Bob McCarn, who died, November 23rd.
Thank you!
'A heartfelt thank you for the outpouring of love, support, and comfort our family has received from my church family on my husband Jack King's passing. You have once again carried me and mine through this very difficult time. Love, Stacey'
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Retirement Centers:
McCarthy Court
252-637-7133
1321 McCarthy Blvd.
New Bern, NC 28563
Carol Burgess, Apt. 216
Morag Cheesman, Apt. 209
Flo Jones, Apt. 303
Frank & Arlene Yeager, Apt. 305
Pat Zeleniak, Apt. 103
McCarthy Court II
1325 McCarthy Blvd.
New Bern, NC 28563
Donna Fleck, Apt. 16
Jean Hoffman, Apt. 39
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Assisted Living Facilities
Bayview
252-638-1818
3003 Kensington Park Dr.
New Bern, NC 28563
Ann "Nancy" Howard (Phoebe Moeller's mother) Rm. 5
Courtyards at Berne Village
252-633-1779
2701 Amhurst Blvd.
New Bern, NC 28562
James White, Apt. 3B (Carlotta Gault's father)
Brookdale
252-558-1291
1336 S. Glenburnie Rd
New Bern, NC 28653
Kenny Baxter, Apt. 206
Joyce Krumnacher, Apt. 302
Carl McMath, Apt. 708
Dick Shelley, Apt. 107
Croatan Village
252-634-9066
4522 Old Cherry Point Rd
New Bern, NC 28560
Andy Davies, Apt. 409
Helena Zoldos Apt. 106
Riverpoint Crest
252-637-4730
2600 Old Cherry Point Rd.
New Bern, NC 28560
Barbara Bell, Apt. 108
Ray Henderson, Apt. 207
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Editor's Note: Please provide constructive input on
First Edition. This monthly newsletter is one way our congregation keeps up to date and stays informed. As good stewards of our earth I hope you enjoy the enhancements to the online version. If you would like to see some things added or some things have outlived their usefulness please contact,
[email protected] or call 828-767-0975.
Congrats on reading this whole newsletter,
Cathy
First Presbyterian Church
PO Box 1069
New Bern, NC 28653
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