UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS/ NEWS:

GMPC Summer Concert Series (Sunday’s at 4:00 p.m.): July 8th: Bach, Brahms, & Beethoven with Ian Parker and friends. Organist Ian Parker will be joined by Lara Capparrucia, piano and organ, and Robert Nosow, cello, for an afternoon of music. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for our 2nd Annual Summer Concert Series for the Clinton community. Refreshments will be served following each concert. *Remaining Dates: August 12th: Instrumental Ensembles (Brass & Winds), & September 9th: Strings.

GMPC’s Wednesday Night Summer Picnics (Covered Dish) are always a delightful treat! Bring your favorite dishes - enough for your family plus one. Dates are as follows (all at 6:30 p.m.): July 11th, chairs: Mary Aycock & Jan Tart; July 25th w/ Missionaries, Andy & Ellen Collins, chairs: Mac Spell & Peggie Lindsay; August 8th, chairs: Ann Johnson & Allison Brock.

A GMPC Young@Heart meeting will be held at Noon, on Thursday, July 12th. Research ideas, invite your friends, pack a brown bag lunch, and join us as we discuss and plan future opportunities. If you are unable to make the meeting, but are interested in being a part of the Young@Heart group, please contact Bill Aiken or the church office.

We look forward to welcoming Missionaries, Andy and Ellen Collins to GMPC on Wednesday, July 25th, at Summer Picnic #3. The Collins family (Andy, Ellen, Christopher & Jonathan) has been serving on the mission field in Thailand since 2006. Andy and Ellen work with the Christian Communications Institute (CCI), a Thai ministry that shares the Christian faith through Thai music, dance and drama. This summer they are here to report to supporting churches about the work they have been doing over the past 2-year term, and the ways in which Christ's love is becoming known throughout Thailand. They are sorry that this time the Thai performing troupe is not accompanying them!

It’s Time to Update Annual Directories/Service Lists … NOW THROUGH JULY 31st. (PW Yearbook): Any changes/request for the social committees should be made to the church office, for flower assignments contact Mac Spell/592-8838, and for PW Circles contact the Moderators: Circle No. 1 Linda Williamson/592-2391, Circle No. 2 Nancy Perry/592-8686, Circle No. 3 Mac Spell/592-8838, through July 31st. (Church Directory): Submit updates to address, phone, email, etc., to the church office through July 31st; (Nurseries and Educational Opportunities Lists): Any changes/request will be received through July 31st. Thank you for your support and commitments to the ministries of our church!

GMPC SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: (Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m., June 10th thru September 2nd)

Adults: Rev. Steve Wilkins will lead a discussion of the book, The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, by Tim Keller, in the Fellowship Hall. This study will help us unpack the depth of meaning in the parable that most of us have never considered. Please come and join in the discussion! Youth: PYC members Holly Weaver & Will Dodson will lead a small group discussion on The Gospel According to Star Wars: Faith, Hope, & the Force, by John C. McDowell, in the Youth Room.

K-2nd & 3rd-5th: Faith Builders 2.0: Building Faith Brick by Brick, through creative play with LEGO bricks.

Calling all Men! The Graves Memorial Men's Chorus will be singing during worship on August 26th. Rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays, August 1st, 15th, & 22nd, 7:00-7:30 p.m. Please consider lending your voices to the Chorus for this event. See Sean or Lara Capparuccia after worship if you are interested and would like more info.

Volume XLI, No. 6

Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church Newsletter 201 Fayetteville Street . Clinton, NC 28328

Phone: 910-592-2677 . Fax: 910-592-3100 . Website: gravesmemorial.org

Email: Steve Wilkins: RevSHW@ymail.com; melissagriffin@embarqmail.com

OUR KNOWN ILL:

Martha Dunn Margaret Register Julie Stefanovich Ted Lockerman Annabelle Fetterman Erma Faircloth

Doc Fields- Southwood; Rm. 109

Frances Hubbard- GlenAire Margaret Faircloth- MaryGran; Rm. 701

Tink Purcell- The Cardinal at North Hills

Betty Heaton- MaryGran; Rm. 204

Others: Betty Hairr-(Mother of Vickie Pope)

Juaweese Franklin-(Mother of Melissa Nimmo) Christine Stacey-(Mother of Lara Capparuccia)

Joe Kozel-(Father of Kristi Williford)

Kathryn Whitley-Jordan-(Former Choir Dir.) Hewitt Fulton-(Father of Bill Fulton) Bobby Stanley-(Brother-in-Law of Ted Qualls)

Hank Waters-(Father of Carol Wilkins)

Chris Rose-(Brother-in-Law of Lara Capparuccia)

Joni Baker-(Cousin of Lara Capparuccia)

Vivian Someliana-Lauer Laurie Ladet-(Daughter of Juanita Cantrell)

Becky Hughes-(Sister of Bill Scott)

Joan Bartlett-(Sister of Annette Newton)

June - July, 2018

Graves Memorial Presbyter ian Church Newsletter Page 2

FOR OUR CHILDREN: PresbyCrew is taking the Summer off but we will be back in September.

~ What an ASTRONOMICAL time we had at GMPC’s VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2018: GALACTIC STARVEYORS – Discovering the God of the Universe – Searching the Visible, Discovering the Invisible! Our telescopes became a portal through which we encountered amazing and wonderful things designed by a Creator who is even bigger than the vastness of His creation. We learned that the God who created everything there is—the knowable and the unknowable, the visible and the invisible—wants us to have a special relationship with him. GOD’S SO AMAZING! To each of the 40 plus stellar children who participated, all of the extraordinary volunteers, and our wonderful Director, Tami Warren, we THANK YOU for an OUT OF THIS WORLD VBS experience!

~ Don’t forget Summer Sunday School every Sunday Morning at 9:45 a.m. Our children’s classes, ages K-2nd grade & 3rd-5th grade will combine for this year’s unique Summer Sunday School, Faith Builders 2.0, Building Faith Brick by Brick. We will experience the wonder and adventure of the bible as we learn about God’s Word through creative play with LEGO bricks. Invite your friends to join us!

~ Worship Readiness will not meet June—August. *Children will remain for worship w/ their parents.

~ MISSION BUDDIES: (PreK—12th Grade, as part of Sunday School) *Mission Buddies will not meet during July.

August 12th Mission: BACK TO SCHOOL BACK PACKS! (Please submit supplies by Friday, August 10, 2018.) ITEMS NEEDED: Pencils (Ticonderoga are the best), Erasers for Pencils, Pink Erasers, Colored Pencils, Zipper Pen-

cil Pouches, Pens, Highlighters, Markers, Expo Markers (big and skinny), Crayons, Children’s Scissors, Glue Sticks, Single Subject Notebooks, 3 Subject Notebooks w/ Plastic Covers, Composition Books, Large Ruled Paper, Post-It Notes, Index Cards, Plastic Pocket Folders, 1.5” Binders, Back Packs, Earbuds, Boxes of Tissue, Monetary Dona-tions. *A Mission Buddies donation bin is located in the fellowship hall.

GMPC is seeking a part-time employee to work in the crib/toddler nursery.

This individual would work the 1st, 3rd, & 5th Sundays monthly; 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., beginning August 19th. Please submit a letter of interest to the church office for consideration by July 22, 2018.

PASTORAL PONDERING… “Light is shed upon the righteous, and joy on the upright in heart.” Psalm 97:11

Dear Friends,

Every once in a while I just have to laugh. Really, I just have to laugh! Life is full of humor, and we need to

pause and recognize it when it comes our way. We can all use a good laugh every now and then.

Normally I try to reserve this space for something serious, maybe even profound. But this month I want to keep

things light. So here are a few bloopers taken from church bulletins. Enjoy a good laugh!

• The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight of the congregation.

• The Pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, 'Break forth into Joy'.

• Don't miss this Saturday's exhibition of Christian Martian Arts.

• Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble

sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Nelson's sermons.

• Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in

their school days.

• The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs.

Julius Belzer.

• The choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.

• Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7-8:30 p.m. Please use the back door.

• Please remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

Have a fun and safe July. Stop by the church when you’re in town, and join me for a cup of coffee. We’re also

open on Sunday mornings! May the joy of the Lord fill your heart!

Faithfully, Steve Wilkins

*See page 5 for a Summer Parable.

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OTHER NEWS AND NOTES:

~ Copies of These Days (July - September) are available in the narthex and outside the church office.

~ La Leche League of Sampson County: Breastfeeding? Or pregnant and planning ahead? Join us the 1st Thursday of every month, in the GMPC Nursery, at 10:00 a.m. The La Leche League of Sampson County, led by Lucy Lockamy, will offer valuable breastfeeding support and information for all women within our community. Next Date: July 5, 2018

~ 2018 Summer Camp Information: Please visit the following links for camp details/dates: Camp Kirkwood: http://www.campkirkwoodnc.org/summer-camps.html (336)409-7938 or Monroe Camp & Retreat Center: http://www.monroecamp.org/ (910)276-1654.

~ A “Lost and Found” Dishes Box is located in the Ice Room here at GMPC. Please stop by and check it regularly for any of your dishes that you may have left behind.

~ Mintz Baptist Church invites you to attend their 19th annual Dinner Theater, “A Cricket County Old Folks’ Christmas” on July 27th & 28th and August 3rd & 4th at 7:00 p.m. and August 5th at 5:00 p.m. Cost: $20.00 per person. Reservations required. For more info. please visit: www.mintzbaptist.com or call (910)564-6500.

~ PICTURES NEEDED! If you see a special moment here at GMPC, take a picture and e-mail it to the church office, or print it and add it to the “Watch Us GROW” bulletin board in the Education Building hallway. We thank you in advance for participating in this project.

~ Backpack Buddies Program: Volunteers will not meet during the summer (May 22nd—August 14th). GMPC will continue to collect food items (canned soups, juice boxes, raisins, fruit cups, pudding cups, granola bars, pop tarts, trail mix & individual cereal boxes) throughout the summer in preparation of the 2018-2019 school year. *A collection bin is located in the fellowship hallway.

~ First Baptist Soup Kitchen is on “summer break”, and will resume on September 6th. ~ MISSION OPPORTUNITY: Christian Food Bank of Salemburg, every third Saturday, monthly, bags of food are given to those in need beginning at 9:00 a.m. What you can do to help: Volunteer Your Time! Donate Food Items Throughout the Year! *(Donated food is also given to those who stop by the church in need of something to eat. Please help to keep the box supplied. Thank you.) Next Food Bank: July 21, 2018

PRESBYTERIAN MEN (PM) AND PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN (PW) NEWS:

~We are always so appreciative of the PW Committees and the assistance of the PM for our social events. The remaining Wednesday Night Summer Picnics @ 6:30 p.m. are as follows:

July 11th (Chairs: Mary Aycock & Jan Tart), Sharon Funderburk, Robin Sink, Susan Bristow, Robin Palmer, Lauren Perry, Edna Faye Boone, Susan Tucker, Kathryn Jackson, Lisa Green, Allison Driver, Beth Stewart, Ann MacGill, Betty Heaton, Linda Carr, Brenda Nordin; July 25th (Chairs: Mac Spell & Peggie Lindsay), Doris Hollingsworth, Geneva Matthis, Joni Fay Fetterman, Janie Faircloth, Amelia Surratt, Erma Faircloth, Nita Aiken, Charlotte Harrell, Betty Blue Packard, Glenice Webster, Alice Lockerman, Sallie Adams, Wanda Coleman, Carol Wilson; August 8th (Chairs: Ann Johnson & Allison Brock), Debbie Sinclair, Diane Westerbeek, Lisa Spell, Hollis White, Mariana Sanderson, Debbie Martin, Melissa Nimmo, Joan Lee, Shannon Sinclair, Natalie Sanderson-Sutton, Mary David Morris, Joan Carr, Susan Westerbeek, Mary Carol Todd.

Youth Group Info. Montreat Youth Conference 2018, “Lift Every Voice”, July 29th – August 4th. We

ask that you please keep GMPC’s Youth & Leaders in your prayers as they plan and prepare for this year’s con-ference. Our youth thank each of you for your generous support in making this annual trip possible .

GET INVOLVED SPOTLIGHT: Diaper Bank of Sampson County *(We ask that you please give regularly to these outreach mission programs in need of your help.) The Diaper Bank of Sampson County is a local unincorporated nonprofit organization that collects donations of diapers (all brands and sizes, to include adult diapers), diaper wipes and diaper rash cream to assist local families who are in need. Diapers are wrapped in packs of 25 and distributed by the Sampson County Health Department every Wednes-day from 12 – 1 p.m. at the county complex. One pack of diapers is given per child, per month, to those who qualify.

*A collection bin is located in the GMPC fellowship hallway throughout the year for your convenience.

EDUCATIONAL / SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR JULY 2018:

01 08 15 22 29

Crib/Toddler Nursery: (Nancy & Lauren Perry: 2nd & 4th Sundays, Mary Doyne & Claire Tart: 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays) 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Lucy Lockamy Darby Scott Natasha Capparuccia Brenda Nordin Lee Howard Acolytes: (Brenda Nordin) Jewell Carr Eli Faison Holden Spell Connor Johnson Jase Westerbeek Will Johnson Trey Bryan Walker Spell Anna Perry Sinclair Melina Matthews NO Worship Readiness: (Tami Warren) *Summer Break. To resume September 9th.

Kindergarten—2nd Grade & 3rd—5th Grade Combined Summer Sunday School Class: (Hollis White) Darby Scott Diane Viser Diane Viser TBA Lucy Lockamy Jr. & Sr. High Youth Summer Sunday School Class: (James Dodson) Leaders: Holly Weaver & Will Dodson

Adult Combined Summer Sunday School Class: (Rev. Steve Wilkins)

Meals-on-Wheels: 1st, 3rd, & 5th Tuesdays, Pickup Between 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. (Anne Price) 07/03 John & Amelia Surratt; 07/17 Diane Viser & Delores Murphrey; 07/31 Carol Wilson & Mary Doyne Meals-on-Wheels Summer Route: Thursday & Friday, Route 4, Pickup Between 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. (Anne Price) July 5: Linda Williamson; July 6: Lee Howard; July 12: Dale Purcell; July 13: Nancy Heath; July 19: Melissa Fulton; July 20: Anne Price; July 26: Joan Carr; July 27: Mary Doyne Ushers: (Stan Mertz) Note: A yearly list is posted on the bulletin board outside the office Charlotte Harrell, Mark Harrell, Curtis Lindsay, Tim Howard, Lucy Lockamy Lay Readers: Bill Scott Anne Price Stan Mertz Diane Westerbeek Carl Barr

Flower Committees: (Mac Spell) 07/01 (Communion) 07/08 Memorial for Mr. Harold S. Carr, Sr. and Mr. Harold S. Carr, Jr. by the family 07/15 Memorial for Minson and Lucille Sessoms, and Diana Kaye Sessoms by Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wayne Hall and family 07/22 Memorial for William Timothy “Little Bud” Matthis and Tim Matthis by Mrs. William T. Matthis, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Hampton, and Mr. and Mrs. Don Hollingsworth, and Dr. Keith Hollingsworth 07/29 In loving memory of Katherine McMillan Fulton, Richard Warren Tanner & Matthew Tanner Fulton by the family

Happy Birthday During July: 01) Mariana Sanderson, Sara Rosario, Alexandra Cowand;

03) Addie Sessoms; 04) Michael Bradley, Ashley Webster, Stephanie Prestage, Benjamin Bristow; 05) Melvin Weaver; 06) Crystal Faison, Ashleigh Johns; 07) Betty Heaton, Anne Faircloth; 08) Bill Scott; 09) James Register; 11) Tyler Jania; 13) Michelle Dunn, Field Palmer; 14) Donnie Dudley, Chris Aman; 15) Louis Held; 16) Joshua Combs; 18) Kermit Williamson, Art Apolinario, Margaret Register; 19) Bill Register; 20) Joan Lee, Scott Martin; 21) Ty Williamson; 23) Steve Stefanovich, 24) Bailey Spell; 25) Brad Webster; 27) Hunter Dalby; 28) Cecil Martin, Amy Lamb; 30) Jane Langston; 31) Mary Stephenson, Jonathan Surratt

Lectionary Text for July:

01) Ps. 130; 2 Sam. 1:1, 17-27; 2 Cor. 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43; 08) Ps. 48; 2 Sam. 5:1-5, 9-10; 2 Cor. 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13; 15) Ps. 24; 2 Sam. 6:1-5, 12b-19; Eph. 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29; 22) Ps. 89:20-37; 2 Sam. 7:1-14a; Eph. 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56; 29) Ps. 14; 2 Sam. 11:1-15; Eph. 3:14-21; John 6:1-21

I will be loyal to GMPC and support it with:

My Gifts: June 24, 2018 Year-To-Date Tithes and Offerings $140,486.96 Building Fund Offerings $ 20,996.00

Needed for Budget: Year-To-Date Operating Budget $148,550.00 Building Fund $ 16,500.00

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Michael & Michala Woodring on the birth of their son, Jaxton Daniel Woodring, born May 14, 2018. Great-Grandparents are Stan & Kathy Mertz.

Nathan & Elizabeth Anderson, on the birth of their daughter, Caroline Woodlief Anderson, born May 30, 2018. Grandparents are Jack & Nancy Perry.

Jeremy & Calan Faulker on the birth of their son, Lane David Faulker, born June 6, 2018. Grandmother is Juanita Cantrell.

A Summer Parable

Please note that while the following story should be read with tongue firmly planted in cheek, the reminder

remains valid, namely, that the church operations and expenses continue even while people are taking their

summer vacations. So, by all means enjoy your vacations; but please, do not forget the church!

Now it came to pass that as the time of vacation drew near, a certain member of the church bethought

him of cool streams where fish were abundant, and his children thought of sandy beaches by the sea, and his

wife thought of mountains. And this church member lifted up his eyes on the hills and spoke saying, “Lo, the

hot days cometh and even now are at hand. My work lieth heavy upon me. Come, let us depart and go to the

north country where fishes do bite and cool winds bring refreshment and pleasant scenes await.”

“Thou speakest wisely,” said his wife. “Yet three, nay, even four, things must we do ere we go.”

“Three things I can think of, but not a fourth,” said her husband, “that we ask our neighbor to minis-

ter to our flowers, our lawn to be mowed and watered, and also our mail forwarded; but no other thing

cometh to my mind.”

“The fourth is like unto the other three, but greater than all,” said his spouse, “even this, that thou dig

into thy purse and pay the church pledge, in order that the Lord’s work not be hindered, the good name of

our congregation preserved, that the heart of the elders be made glad, and that it may be well with thee. For

verily I say unto thee, thou hast more money now than thou shalt have when thou will return.”

The husband replied, “Verily, thou art noble and wise among women,” and he did pay his pledge for

the summer; he seemed to enjoy his vacation all the more, and the elders rejoiced exceedingly, saying, “Of a

truth, there are those who care for the good of the church. Praise the Lord!”

And it was so.

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