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Outer Banks
Presbyterian Church
Newsletter
November 2024
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In This Issue:
- A Word from our Pastor
- Community Conversations
- November birthdays and anniversaries
- November Service Participants
- November Calendar
- Blessing of the Animals
- Thanksgiving Luncheon
- Decorating the Chrismon Tree
- Hanging of the Greens
- Poinsettia Orders
- Advent Devotionals
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- Thanksgiving Baskets
- Scouts Fundraiser
- Scouts Flag Retirement
- Scouts Award
- Coffee Hour
- Evangelism Committee
- Ushers
- 45th Anniversary Celebration
- Angel Tree
- Rickers Scholarship
- Adult Sunday School
- Save the Date!
- Room in the Inn Fundraiser
- Ruthie's Kitchen
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A Word from Our Pastor
While I am in the midst of officer training for our new elder elects for the class of 2028, I have spent a bit more time these past weeks overviewing our Book of Order, which is a part of our PCUSA Constitution.
Our Book of Order is composed of four sections:
The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity
Form of Government
Directory for Worship
Church Discipline
While all are important to our Constitution, my favorite section has always been the Directory for Worship. It weaves together all the best of what we believe and are called to do – our theology, our discipleship, our worship, our mission and service. As I was meditating this week, I was drawn to the following section regarding compassion.
W-5.0303 Compassion
God sends the Church to show compassion in the world: feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, visiting prisoners, freeing captives, sheltering the homeless, welcoming strangers, comforting those who mourn, and being present with all who are in need.
These acts of compassion, done corporately or individually, are the work of the Church as the body of Christ. We are called to minister directly to people’s immediate hurts and needs. We are also called to confront and challenge systems that perpetuate human misery. We participate in Christ’s compassionate ministry through local acts of witness and advocacy, through the programs of the larger church, and in cooperation with other agencies and organizations committed to human welfare.
In the Service for the Lord’s Day, God’s call to compassion is proclaimed in the Word and enacted through the Sacraments. We confess our complicity in oppressive structures, pray for those who are hurting, offer our resources to alleviate suffering, and commit our time and energy to care for those in need. Following the example of Jesus Christ, we pledge that we will respect the dignity of all, reach out to those judged undeserving, receive as well as give, and even risk our lives to show Christ’s love.
This has always been the charge for the people of God, to act with compassion. In these challenging times, as we continue to lean into our future together as a community of faith, may the Spirit nudge us even further down the good pathway of compassionate
love.
Blessings,
Jeff Sockwell
Interim Minister
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Community Conversations
In the coming weeks, we will be asking for your engagement in a series of gatherings that will continue our journey of transition together.
There will be two series of open community conversations. Each series will cover different topics. The session asks that you attend one date in each series. The session has scheduled these conversations to be held in the fellowship hall for the following dates:
Series 1: Sunday, November 10 after worship or Wednesday, November 13 at 4:00 pm
Series 2: Sunday, November 17 after worship or Wednesday, November 20 at 4:00 pm
We are asking that you make every effort to attend these important gatherings as we seek to continue our discernment together. Plan to attend one session of your choice on either November 10 or November 13, and then attend one session on November 17 or November 20.
These are exciting times for our community as we seek to be open to the Spirit of God as we consider the future of the Outer Banks Presbyterian Church. Keep our community in your prayers, as we share from the heart in kindness our hopes, our dreams, our concerns, and our wonder at the generosity that God has gifted us with as we seek the way of the faithful.
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Blessing of the Animals
OBPC’s second Blessing of the Animals held on October 13th was a success! Thank you to all who made it possible – the Worship Committee for the vision and the Session for approving. We had many humans and fur babies. There were treats for all in attendance – both 2 paws and 4 paws.
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Thanksgiving Luncheon
November 24
Please join us for our potluck Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, November 24th. Bring your favorite dish and your appetite. We also need volunteers to help set up and clean up you can sign up for that too!!
Please plan to join us for delicious food and special fellowship.
Thank you
Evelyn Webb Co-Moderator Fellowship
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Decorating the Chrismon Tree
On Sunday, December 1st, during the 10:00 am worship service, the whole congregation will be involved in decorating the Chrismon Tree. The ornaments will be on display in the Gathering Space. Please pick up one, two, or more as you come in. During the service, you will come forward and place your ornaments on the tree. A beautiful way to begin the Advent Season!
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Hanging of the Greens
Tuesday, December 3rd
10:00 am
There are lots of wreaths and garlands to be hung throughout the church to decorate for the Birthday of the King!
Please join us on Tuesday, December 3rd at 10 am to help us decorate the Sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Cider and donuts for all!
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The time to order Christmas Poinsettias is coming soon! Plants will be $15 each and order forms will soon be available in the Gathering Space. You may also mail your order to the church office. Make checks payable to OBPC, and indicate how many poinsettias you are ordering, and of whom they are given in honor or memory. The last Sunday to order will be December 8.
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Advent Devotionals
There will be two Advent Devotional Booklets to choose from:
The first is “Let Your Light Shine – Daily Prayers for Advent” by Sandi Geis. Lights shine everywhere this time of year, bringing beauty and joy to the Advent season. Yet, looming in the shadows are all the troubles of this world that often darken our spirits. The daily Advent prayers in this booklet by Sandi Geis help us look to Jesus, the Light of the World, who overcomes all darkness with his gifts of hope, peace, joy and love.
The second is geared towards devotions shared as a family. It is “Just Add Jesus – Reflection, Remembrance (and Recipes!) for Holiday Gatherings” by Ben Kupiszewski, David Mead and Mark Zimmermann
As we enter into the season for gathering, it is good for us to savor the many moments we have together and remember that Jesus makes each gathering special. The happy memories, classic food traditions and treasured heirloom recipes shared in this booklet help to celebrate a Savior and a Friend who always has a place at the table each time we meet and eat in his holy name for the holidays.
The booklets will be available in the Gathering Space this month.
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Scouts Krispy Kreme Fundraiser
The Cub/Boy Scouts will be selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts until November 22 with orders arriving on November 23. Please contact Blair and Marion Seifferman to order.
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Scout Achievement
Three Scouts from Troop 116 recently competed in the District Scout Skills Competition where they won 1st place!
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Coffee Hour
Beginning the first Sunday in 2025, we will have coffee time after service each Sunday. This is a great opportunity to socialize and enjoy fellowship together.
We are seeking volunteers to host each Sunday. This can be a committee, family, single, couple, or any combination! Service includes a pot of coffee, something cold to drink, and a pastry of some kind. There is a sign-up sheet in the church office or you can email Phil Parker for the Sunday you wish to sign up.
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Evangelism Committee
The Evangelism Committee is responsible for sharing the good news of our church and faith to visitors and the community. We have a lively group however we need more people on the committee. Current committee members are Linda McGee, Bev Jones, Tanta Luckhardt-Hendricks, Jim Perry, and Phil Parker. We have several active projects starting and need more people. Please talk to any committee member with questions.
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Ushers
We have expanded our ushering role to include greeting people before the service and passing out the Sunday morning worship bulletin. We want to be a welcoming congregation!
We are recruiting more people to participate as ushers. Families, singles, couples, and any combination of these are welcome. Please add your name to the signup sheet in the church office.
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45th Anniversary Celebration
On October 27th, Outer Banks Presbyterian Church celebrated its 45th anniversary! The Fellowship Committee provided a lovely meal from Kelly's Catering and the Worship Committee provided a cake. Fun and fellowship was had by all!
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Rev. John Calvin Rickers Scholarship
The OBPC is invited to donate to this scholarship for a seminary student at the Calvin Seminary in honor of our own beloved church colleague, Rev. John Calvin Rickers.
Donations may be made:
By check to:
Calvin Seminary
Attn: Development Office
3233 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
**Please make sure the name of the scholarship is on the memo line.
By credit card:
Go to the website https://calvinseminary.edu/
Note in the comments section the name of the scholarship.
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Save the Date!
Presbyterian Women
The next meeting of PW will be Thursday, November 14th at 11:00 a.m. at the church. All ladies are welcome to join for study and fellowship!
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Christmas Concert
The Outer Banks Presbyterian Christmas Concert will be held Friday, December 6th at 6:00 p.m. Please watch upcoming bulletins and the December newsletter for more details.
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OUTER BANKS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION:
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
It is time to relax after our busy election season - Forums, Rally, Tabling, Postcarding, you name it the League was empowering voters and defending democracy.
Join us on Tuesday, November 19 at the College of the Albemarle in Manteo for a Lunch & Learn beginning at 11:30 am. Please bring a guest.
Chris Sawin, Outer Banks Community Foundation President and CEO will be our speaker. Chris will speak to the Foundation's pillars as well as new programs.
Please RSVP by November 14, 2024 at: https://lwvdarenc.org/lunch-learn/
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Ruthie's Kitchen
On Tuesday, November 19th we will prepare 85 meals for the hungry of Dare County through Ruthie's Community Kitchen. Since 2009 Ruthie's Kitchen has provided this weekly meal service. You may check out Ruthiescommunitykitchen.com for more information.
Our members have already committed to donating almost all of the food needed this month. We do still need 1 package of rolls and some cookies. We also need volunteers to help assemble the meals at 3:00 on the 19th. Many hands make light work! Please drop off your items labeled with your name and RK in the church kitchen before the service on November 17th. Contact Ann Smith if you have any questions or see where your help may be needed ruthiesobpc@outerbankspresbyterian.org
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