BUILDING COMMUNITY. TRANSFORMING LIVES. ENGAGING THE WORLD. | | | | |
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It’s there at the beginning of the bulletin- every week.
Building Community ~ Transforming Lives ~ Engaging the World
It what we strive to be and do as disciples of Jesus Christ. And this Lent, in our Lenten Lunches, we’re going to talk about Transformation.
Paul wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)
Lent often brings with it a focus on repentance, defined as turning away from sin and towards Christ. Transformation is similar, but the word here is metamorphoó, which is less about turning and more about changing and developing.
We've invited some of our strongest partners in the community to talk about transformation at our Lenten Lunches; how they have seen, experienced, and are working to encourage it.
What are the Lenten Lunches? They are hour-long gatherings (12:00 - 1:00 pm) each Tuesday in Lent that happen in the Session House. During that hour we have a brief worship service, welcome a guest speaker, and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the Presbyterian Women. There is no charge and you do not need to RSVP, just show up ready to eat, worship, and savor the gift of learning and fellowship.
Even if you can't be at one of the Lenten Lunches, I invite you to include transformation in your own prayer life this Lent. Where are you seeing faithful transformation in these days? Where are you experiencing it? Where do you believe God desires us to see transformation, and what transformation do you believe God desires to see in you?
Lenten Lunch Schedule
March 11: Religious Community Services
March 18: Coastal Carolina Disaster Resiliency Agency
March 25: Craven County Hospice
April 1: Backpack Blessings
April 8: Interfaith Refugee Ministry
April 15: Craven Literacy Council
| P.S. There are other words we put at the top of the bulletin every week. It’s worth reading and pondering those, too. How are we living in ways that show our commitment to this belief? | | | | |
MARCH 4 | 5:30 pm
Fellowship Dinner / Shrove Tuesday
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Join us for our Fellowship Dinner on March 4.
This is also Shrove Tuesday, and we'll have Breakfast for Dinner! As noted in Little Way's Lent Guide: "Pancake Tuesday: Feasting on pancakes the night before Ash Wednesday dates back to 16th century Britain when Christians would make pancakes to get rid of all the sugar, eggs, butter, and indulgent foods before fasting." Bring a friend and join us for this fun tradition.
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MARCH 5 | 7:00 pm
Ash Wednesday Worship
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Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season in the church year known as Lent. On Wednesday, March 5, we will gather for Ash Wednesday worship that includes communion and the imposition of ashes. | | | | |
MARCH 9 SESSION III BEGINS
Adult Education: Faith Formation
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A new session of adult education classes begins next week!
Join us for The Present Word (Session House Parlor) taught by George Evans, and a new class called Famous Last Words: An 11-Week Exploration of the Book of Revelation (Lighthouse) led by Patrick Ryan.
To learn more about these classes and other Faith Formation opportunities, visit the Adult Education page or pick up a printed brochure in the narthex.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 23 | 2:00 PM
Rothermel Lecture:
"Loving the World that God Loves"
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Norman Wirzba
Director of Research in the Office of Climate and Sustainability, Duke University
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The widespread assumption that planet Earth will soon become uninhabitable, and that we will therefore have to move to other planets, signals profound despair about our world. Christians are not immune to this despair. In fact, many think the goal of their faith is for the soul to escape Earth and live with God somewhere far, far away. This presentation will develop several scriptural passages to show why this other-worldly spirituality is a mistake. God loves precisely this created world and wants us to love it too. What that means and what it spiritually and practically entails will be our primary focus.
Please join us on Sunday, March 23rd, at 2pm to learn more about loving this world that God loves.
Rothermel Foundation presentations are free to the public and last approximately 1 hour followed by a short question-and-answer session with the presenter.
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WENDY MOELLER
William Lee Hawkins Library
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This month the Library section of our newsletter has guest columnists. Carol Hale and Catherine Campbell are reporting in on the exciting news about the recent spiffing up of the children’s hallway. Please visit it with your children soon, if you haven’t already.
They will be followed by a little teaser from Kim Crum who will give a preview of our March Rothermel speaker and some of his books in her role as a member of First Presbyterian’s Creation Care Committee. Look for those books on the big table in the Library on the second floor of the Ministry Center for the month of March. And look forward to more from Kim next month also!
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CHILDREN'S LIBRARY UPDATES
From Carol Hale and Catherine Campbell
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Welcome 2025! As this new year has arrived, you may have noticed a fun new look in the Children’s Library on the second floor of the Ministry Center.
The space comes equipped with some comfortable seating and a table for activities! The books are no longer organized alphabetically, but rather they have been placed into bins by category. Each of the books have a color-coded label to match each category! (For example: Purple labels have the Old Testament, New Testament, Easter and Christmas books.)
Please stop by and grab a comfy chair and enjoying reading and then take a book home for later.
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ROTHERMEL SPEAKER'S BOOKS
From Kim Crum
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Dr. Norman Wirzba, the Director of Research for the Office of Climate and Sustainability at Duke University, will be our Rothermel speaker on March 23rd at 2:00 pm in our sanctuary. His address is titled “Loving the World that God Loves.”
Our own Hawkins Library has three of the books written by Dr. Wirzba – “Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating”; “From Nature to Creation”; and “Living the Sabbath.” If you are interested in learning more about any of these topics, the books will be on the main table in the library through April.
With our congregation’s recent pledge to become a certified Earth Care Congregation and our April celebration of Earth Day, there is no topic more appropriate!
Dr. Wirzba also has a series of interesting podcasts available!
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STACEY GRIFFITH
Backpack Blessings February Build
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For our February event, over 5,500 snack packs were built for distribution to our 3 county elementary, middle and high school kids. We are currently serving over 950 children in this immediate area.
As always, we experienced fabulous support from our First Presbyterian members with a special thanks to our First Pres participants... Stas and Brenda Humienny (Stas went twice!), Kirsten Sonstegard, Gwen Lessard, Jane Dail, and myself. Several of our members contacted me to say they were unable to get slots as everything was taken when they went to sign up. WHEN this happens, contact me by phone or email and I'll ask Ruth Powers for additional slots. She accomodated several folks that way.
And things wouldn't come together without the dedication of our Backpack Blessings Board Member and delivery fairy, Jane Dail, who worked as a co-ordinator and 'table captain' insuring we were able to put together our build's 1800 snack allocations in record time. As always, thank you Jane for representing First Pres and the kids of our counties so well. We were also joined by groups from an elementary school and a middle school here in New Bern. So those participants were a big help in getting this HUGE quantity of snack packs ready to go for all the surrounding schools. Thank you to each and every one of you! This was the second snack pack build for 2025 with the next one scheduled for April 7th and 8th, so mark your calendars now.
As always, a special thanks to the wonderful staff at First Pres who support this work and our congregation who provide the willing hands and hearts, as well as Outreach funding support, for this important ministry.
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In February we received new members.
Welcome to First Presbyterian Church!
Welbourne Fred Bronaugh, III comes to FPC by Profession of Faith. Born in Charleston, SC, Fred moved with his family growing up (he is the son of Navy Captain Fred Bronaugh) and as an adult spent 15 years serving in the Air Force. Fred moved to New Bern a couple of years ago to help his Mom, Lynda, and also works in the deli department at the Carolina Colors Harris Teeter.
John Hogan comes to FPC by Reaffirmation of Faith. John and his wife, Shannon Fagan Hogan (Shannon grew up at FPC and is already a member) met when they were both nurses at Duke in Durham, NC. John is in the process of completing his doctorate in Nursing Practice (he will be a Nurse Practitioner) and is currently on the faculty of Craven Community College as he looks for a position that will put his new degree to use. John and Shannon expect to welcome their first child this coming July!
Susan Lovett comes to FPC by Reaffirmation of Faith. A native of the Catskills, Sue is a veteran of the Air Force and is retired from the United States Postal Service. She moved to New Bern eight years ago with her husband, Larry.
Cameron and Katherine Moury come to FPC by Reaffirmation of Faith. Cameron grew up in Annapolis, Maryland (a few doors down from the Elliott family) and Katherine grew up in Richmond. They met in Japan and moved to New Bern when Cameron was stationed as a Marine. Cameron is now a pilot with American Airlines and Katherine is the family CEO. Their daughter, Harper, was baptized on February 16.
Caroline Peterson comes to FPC by Reaffirmation of Faith. Caroline grew up in New Bern and moved back just last year with her husband Alex (Alex grew up at FPC and is already a member) and their daughter Charlotte. Caroline works as the Senior Director of National Events for the National MS Society. And, just a week after joining FPC, they welcomed Lawrence Evelyn to their family!
Kathy Polk comes to FPC by Profession of Faith. Kathy was born at Cherry Point, grew up in New Bern, and was married at First Presbyterian Church, New Bern. A retired CPA, she moved back to New Bern a couple of years ago and is looking to develop friends and community, which she has already started by being a part of the FPC Pickleball group.
Philip Swain comes to FPC by Transfer of his Membership. In 1963 Philip moved to West Lafayette, Indiana to attend graduate school at Purdue University. He ended up staying there not only for additional degrees but for his entire career, serving as a professor, administrator, and researcher. While there he was an active member and Elder at Central Presbyterian Church. Philip moved to New Bern in 2006 and five years ago married Janet Benrey, currently an elder at FPC. Philip made the decision to return to his Presbyterian roots grateful that he and Janet can now be a part of the same church community.
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CATHERINE CAMPBELL
Children, Youth, and Family Ministries
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Youth Sunday is March 16! This year's theme is "Covenant People: God's Promises Shine Bright." Mark your calendars and join us in worship at 8:30am and 11:00am as we celebrate the leadership and faith of our young people! | | | | |
PAT KERR ROWLETT
♫ Music Notes
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This cold and snowy winter has meant cancellation of some rehearsals, but the music program goes on! The Sanctuary and Daybreak Choirs know a lot of music, so we are able to continue even without rehearsing.
A few weeks ago we sang “Lord of the Dance” arranged by John Ferguson, and as soon as the service was over, I had texts from two members who had watched the livestream and wanted to tell me how much they enjoyed the anthem. I am grateful for their input!
Daniel Sansone will present his spring organ concert at 7:00 pm Friday, March 28. You won’t want to miss it! Our Concert Series has been a joy to all who have attended. The video of Lauren Blackerby’s oboe concert is now available on our YouTube channel. If you missed it you will want to watch.
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MARCH 21-23 | REGISTER TODAY
ANNUAL RETREAT
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The Presbyterian Women of Presbytery of New Hope will have such an opportunity for a weekend get-away March 21st - 23rd at the Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia, NC. The theme for this retreat is "Be Still and Know that I am God."
To register, either get a registration form from a PW member, from the registrar, Carole Koi, or click below to download the form.
Registration ends today, March 1!
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OUTREACH PROJECT
Presbyterian Women Collect Infant Items
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Presbyterian Women’s January outreach project was collection of infant items for CarolinaEast Medical Center.
On behalf of PW, Sue Spiker recently delivered our donated baby items to the hospital. Pictured is Sue (right) with Angela Paschal, Assistant Manager for the Women's and Children's Unit, showing the nice collection of items.
The Circles stepped up to fulfill the nursery's wish list of diapers, newborn take-home clothing, and money for infant car seats. We collected 86 dozen diapers, 31 dozen wipes, 24 newborn take-home outfits, 6 caps, 4 bibs, 2 blankets, 2 tubes of Desitin diaper rash ointment, and $800 for the purchase of car seats. Thanks to all of the ladies for their efforts. It is much appreciated.
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COMMUNION
Upcoming Dates for the Celebration of the
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
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March 2 - Transfiguration
March 5 - Ash Wednesday
April 13 - Palm/Passion Sunday
April 17 - Maundy Thursday
June 8 - Pentecost
June 15 - Trinity Sunday
August 3 - Summer Communion
October 5 - Worldwide Communion
November 2 - All Saints Day Observance
November 23 - Reign of Christ
December 24, 7:00 pm - Christmas Eve
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HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR ONLINE CONTRIBUTIONS
Realm Updates
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Did you know you can give online?
Are you wondering how to increase your monthly contribution, or set up a new monthly contribution?
Visit our new helpful guide on the website to learn more about Online Contributions with Realm.
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First Presbyterian Church, New Bern Staff
Anna Pinckney Straight - Pastor
anna@firstpresnb.org
Patrick Ryan - Associate Pastor
patrick@firstpresnb.org
Catherine Campbell - Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
catherine@firstpresnb.org
Pat K. Rowlett - Director of Music
pat@firstpresnb.org
Daniel Sansone - Associate Director of Music & Organist
daniel@firstpresnb.org
Susan Mabie
Director of Resurrection Singers
Tim Elliott - Facilities Manager
property@firstpresnb.org
Dawn Inglis - Office Administrator
church@firstpresnb.org
Kerri Wheeler - Preschool Director
kerri@firstpresnb.org
Summer Hough - Financial Administrator
summer@firstpresnb.org
Communications
comms@firstpresnb.org
Louis Foye - Sexton
Richard Colflesh - Maintenance
property@firstpresnb.org
Stephen Ministry
stephenministry@firstpresnb.org
pastoroncall@firstpresnb.org
After office hours or on the weekend,
a good way to reach a pastor is to
email the pastor on call.
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Share your News!
Have an article for the newsletter? Want an announcement placed in the bulletin? See something we should post on social media? Have photos of a church event to share? Email comms@firstpresnb.org to get your news shared!
Bulletin Deadline:
Mondays at 12:00 pm
Weekly Word Deadline:
Mondays at 12:00 pm
First Edition/Monthly Newsletter Deadline:
the 20th of the month at 12:00 pm
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Physical Address
400 New Street,
New Bern, NC 28560
Mailing Address
PO Box 1069,
New Bern, NC 28563
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Church Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
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