Looking Toward Sunday

Dear Rumple Family,

It has been a busy week on Main St. in Blowing Rock. Did you know that last weekend the Rumple frescoes had over 330 visitors- just on Friday and Saturday?

A busy week will be followed by a busy Sunday at Rumple. On Sunday we will continue our summer sermon series on the Old Testament and explore some of my favorite books- the Hebrew prophets. We’ll read texts from Amos 5 and Zechariah 7 (can you find those in your bible easily??) but we will discuss the prophets’ message in general. The online resource sheet will include information about the “major” and “minor” prophets as well as some of the early prophets for Israel (Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha.)  The prophets often served as the conscience of the people of Israel and were constantly reminding the people of how God called them to live and how they were failing to do so. The prophets were not often popular as people did not want to hear their challenging messages. Who are prophets among us today? What are they challenging us to do differently?  How are we falling short of how God in Jesus has called us to live?

In worship we’ll explore the prophets while also celebrating both a baptism (11:00 worship only) and the Lord’s Supper. And, this Sunday we’ll welcome back Dave McCollum, our Minister of Music, who has been on sabbatical since mid-June. A huge thank you to member Evalyn Sudderth who has capably led our music program throughout the summer!  Please thank her when you see her.

On Sunday we are also all invited to see images and hear stories from the June mission team who traveled with Mission Emanuel to the Dominican Republic. They will be sharing in the Gathering Space at 9:45 on Sunday.  

Don’t forget Coffee and Conversation in that same Gathering Space from 9:45-10:45. Thank you to Circle 5, our hosts for August.

And, one final note. If you have not yet signed up for a Listening Session being hosted by the current Strategic Planning Team, please do so. The first sessions begin next week. We need the participation of as many folks as possible. Details are just below in this Slate and Stone. If you can’t sign up online, please contact the church office for help.

I look forward to worshiping with you in the sanctuary or online this Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Kathy

Please keep in your prayers:

Sarah Parker, her husband Liam and their newborn son Clay; Jim Ruff, recovering from surgery; David Baskin; Kim Rogers; Renada, sister of Evalyn Sudderth; Cathie Wiggins, Barbara Leon's friend; Pat and Charles Coley; Bill Daugherty’s sister Karen; Emily McCulley; Lucy Aldridge; Cullie Tarleton; Sarah Settlemyer’s friend Theresa; Walt Baggstrom’s brother Bob; and Sylvia Kiker.

If you would like to be added to the prayer chain email list or add a prayer to that list, please email Margaret Headrick.

First Strategic Planning Sessions Coming Up!

You're invited to take part in Rumple’s Strategic Planning Listening Sessions. The Strategic Planning Team wants to hear from you—members and friends of Rumple. Come share your thoughts on Rumple’s strengths, opportunities, challenges, and areas for growth. Your voice matters in shaping the future of our church!

In-person and Virtual Listening Sessions  

• Virtual Listening Session Zoom Link

Tuesday, August 5, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

• In-person Listening Session @ Rumple

Wednesday, August 6, 11:00-12:00 p.m. 

• In-person Listening Session @ Rumple

Wednesday, August 6, 4:00-5:00 p.m. 

• In-person Listening Session @ Rumple

Sunday, August 17, 9:30-10:45 a.m. 

• In-person Listening Session @ Rumple

Thursday, August 21, 2:00-3:00 p.m. 

• Virtual Listening Session Zoom Link

Thursday, August 21, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Please sign up here. We will notify you by email confirming your requested time and provide a link for the virtual sessions.

New Date - Annual Churchwide Picnic

Sunday, August 17th is the new date for this annual fellowship event. It will take place immediately following 11:00 a.m. service.

We hope you will join us for this years annual picnic. Chicken and drinks will be provided. We ask that you bring a side dish to share (6-8 people). Please bring all side dishes to the Gathering Space before 11:00 worhsip. All are welcome!

Coffee and Conversation

Coffee and Conversation begins at 9:45 a.m. (after the early service) and continues until 10:45 a.m. each Sunday. Everyone is welcome to stop by the Gathering Space and enjoy coffee, lemonade, breakfast goodies, and great fellowship. Thank you to the members of Circle 5 for hosting in August.

Pastor on the Porch

Come say hello! Pastor Kathy will be on the porch outside the Gathering Space this Monday, August 4th, from 2:00 - 3:00p.m. Drop by for a chat, no appointment needed.

Join Rumple for Worship

Sunday, August 3rd, at 8:45 and 11:00 a.m.

The 11:00 a.m. service will be live-streamed online. To join worship online and to view the worship bulletin, please visit the Online Worship page on our website. The worship video will be posted to the Rumple website and on Facebook each week.

Find all previous online worship services on YouTube.

Next Outside Worship, Sunday, August 10th

Bring your chair, dress in casual clothing, and join the Rumple family on the south lawn (BRAHM side) for 8:45 a.m. worship on Sunday, August 10th. This more casual summer service is child friendly and welcome to all. We'll enjoy the great bluegrass music of Strictly Clean and Decent and celebrate Rumple's over 110 years in partnership with Children's Hope Alliance (formerly Grandfather Home for Children.) 

Kirkin of the Tartan

Rumple will celebrate our second annual Kirkin of the Tartan this year on Sunday, October 26th. If you are interested in purchasing a tartan flag for your family, it is not too early to order one. Most come from Scotland and take some time to arrive. You can find details here. To learn more about this special worship service you may want to watch this video created by Cliff Wiggins in 2024.

Summer Parking

Parking is at a premium in Blowing Rock in the summer months! In order to be sure there is plenty of space for visitors and guests, please consider attending the 8:45 a.m. service this summer and only driving one vehicle per household to Rumple.

Fresco Ministry Docents Needed

The Frescoes have been very popular this summer, thanks to PBS, Southern Living, Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, and those that continue to spread the word. Because of this popularity, we are in need of additional docents! You will receive training before you are scheduled. Please contact John Green if you want to sign up or if you have any questions.

Our Journey to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Join the DR mission trip team this Sunday, August 3rd at 9:45 a.m. in the Gathering Space to hear about their journey and the meaningful service work they completed while in the Dominican Republic. You'll hear stories and see pictures from their travels. They look forward to sharing all they've learned! 

Children's Hope Alliance (Grandfather Home) Sunday

Rumple's annual Children's Hope Alliance Sunday (formerly Grandfather Home Sunday) will be Sunday, August 10th. We will celebrate our 110 year connection with Grandfather Home/Children's Hope Alliance at both worship services. We will be joined by staff from CHA who will share updates about their current mission. And, we'll have a special bluegrass worship service, as we have in recent years, with musical guests Strictly Clean and Decent. Rumple will also receive a special offering for CHA in both services.

Back2School Festival

Saturday, August 9th

We’re in the heart of summer, and preparations are in full swing. This incredible event wouldn’t be possible without the help of nearly 500 volunteers, and they are counting on your time and support to make it a success.

If you would like to donate college and wide ruled composition notebooks, a collection bin has been placed in the Gathering Space hallway. We will collect notebooks until Thursday, August 7th. If you would like to volunteer the day of the festival, sign up here. You have to be 18+years old and not currently a WHS student. 2025 Back2School Festival

The Bible Tells Me So – Summer Sermon Series

Dr. Davis Hankins will lead is last summer sermon series on the Old Testament, scheduled for Wednesday, August 6th, at 9:30 a.m. in room 5 of the Cannon Education Building. If you’re unable to attend in person, please join us via Zoom.

Online Resource Guide for Sermon Series

Kathy and Davis Hankins have created a resource guide for the summer sermon series and accompanying bible study classes. You can find that resource here.

Save The Date: Visiting Scholar

The Visiting Scholar Committee invites you to save the date for this year's scholar, The Reverend Doctor Margaret Aymer, who will be with us on Sunday, September 21 at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and Monday, September 22 at 9:30 a.m.. Dr. Rev. Margaret Aymer earned a BA (US History) from Harvard University and a MDiv and PhD (New Testament and Early Christianity) from Union Theological Seminary (New York). She has published four books, one being, James: Diaspora Rhetorics of a Friend of God (Sheffield Publishing, 2014). She serves as the Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Watch this video for a brief introduction to Dr. Aymer and her topic for her weekend with Rumple.

Joint Bible Study with Area Churches

Love one another,” Jesus commanded in John 13:34. 

In a world defined by political differences, those words challenge us. Where do Christians find common ground? How can we be Christ’s ambassadors in a polarized society? 

If you’re struggling with these concerns, we invite you to join with folks from several local churches who are gathering to seek out a Biblical perspective, with pastoral guidance from Boone UMC and Rumple Presbyterian. The book of study is “One Anothering,” developed by the Colossians Forum.

The group meets monthly, on Thursdays. The fourth gathering, open to anyone, is Thursday, August 14th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Boone UMC. Dinner will be served at the church each night. Click here to sign up.

Circle 5 Monthly Meeting

Join other Rumple women for a bible study and fellowship on the first Wednesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon, in room 4 of the Cannon Education Building. Please join us on Wednesday, August 6th.

For questions, please contact Kathy Earley

Church Tour

Interested in learning more about Rumple? Would you like to know where all of the staircases lead? Join long time members of Rumple on Sunday, August 10th, for a tour of the Rumple campus along with stories of the church's life over the years and today. No need to RSVP. Just meet in the Gathering Space at 9:45 a.m.

Men's Lunch

Thursday, August 21st at noon

Town Tavern

All men are welcome to join for food and fellowship! Men's Lunch

meets the third Thursday of every month. Contact Dave Henry to

RSVP or for more information.