First

May, 2020

Announcements & Celebrations p. 2 Reminders p. 3 Nurture p. 4 Teach p. 5

Worship p. 5 Fellowship p. 6 Serve p. 7 Directory p. 8

As a diverse family of believers in Jesus Christ, our mission is to glorify God

by celebrating and sharing God’s renewing and transforming love as:

We worship the living God with joy and thanksgiving.

We teach the Word of God to deepen our faith and to grow in

our love for Jesus Christ.

We serve others through sharing the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

We fellowship to enrich and energize our life together as a congregation.

We nurture and embrace all God’s children.

“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance pro-duces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us...” Romans 5:3-5a I have been thinking a lot about endurance this week. As you will hear on Sunday, it’s kind of a theme in one of Peter’s letters to the early church. Honestly, it was a theme in almost every letter to the early church. Time and again the message was be patient, support one another, share with one another, love one another, offer your prayers to God, and...endure. Their endurance, unfortunately, was the man-made type. With an established religion that considered them blasphemous on one end and an Empire that did not want the church to exist on the other, Christians were caught in the squeeze. So they endured, for generations; and they did so peacefully. As alluring as power and might can be, it was Christian love and patience that won the long game. Rome is dead, but Christ is alive! And, the evidence is you and me - His body - the Church. By now, this whole pandemic is starting to settle in. The initial wave of pulling together to “fight this thing” is starting to fade into the reality that we are in it for the long haul. The hardest part is understanding what this will look like in the coming months. I honestly cannot imagine what it must be like to endure this without my job or with the loss of a loved one. I am starting to feel blessed just to say I am stuck in the house, or I cannot worship with my church. Regardless, I believe this is where the ancient values of our faith kick in: endurance, patience, compassion, support, and prayer. Some things never change, even when our circumstances do. My only ask is that you pray for those who are suffering in this time - whether physically or financially - and consider how you might help those in need. For now, as a leadership group, the Session has made the decision to continue with our church and office closure until May 12th. This coincides with the Governor’s Emergency order that is in effect until that date. As a Session, we are meeting on May 6th to review all the information at hand and talk about the path forward. In the meantime, Don, Janet, and I are work-ing on a video worship service from the sanctuary for this Sunday. It will not be live, but it will involve music, hymns, liturgy, and communion. It will be a virtual one, and instructions will be forthcoming, but we are excited to get out of the house, dust off our robes, and offer you something more than my scraggly mug on your computer screen this Sunday. In the meantime, beloved, lets count our blessings and consider those who are suffering. And, if you are growing weary of this pandemic...endure.

Peace - Richard

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Welcome Kara Wheeler

Director of Family Ministries

Kara and her family will be moving to Rock Hill later this month. She will start her new position with FPC on June 1st.

Feel free to connect with Kara and her family by email, facebook or Instagram.

kwheelerfpcrh@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/karab

Instagram, @karabwheeler

Contact Information If you have a new address, phone

number, or email address please

let us know. We would like to

update your information in

Realm.

Richard W. Carr, IV Northwestern High School

James Preston Burnette Westminister Catawba Christian School Riley Elston Lee Goodner Evan Hicklin Sara Jurado Hans Michael Lengers

—————————————————————————————————

The Church and COVID-19 Update The Session has voted to extend our church closure until May 12th to coincide with the Gover-

nor's extension of the State of Emergency in South Carolina. We are watching developments

closely, and will be meeting again prior to the 12th to put together a plan on how we might

safely move forward with activities and when. Our focus will be on Worship first, but we will

also consider Sunday School and VBS. At this time, we ask for your patience as we work

through the various streams of information. This is an incredibly unique and challenging situa-

tion, and I can assure you that our current leadership will be thoughtful, careful, and prayerful

in any decisions we make.

In the meantime, the Church office will remain closed physically, but we are all available re-

motely. You may call or email us at the following:

Rev Carr—rcarr1024@gmail.com 803-818-1863

Joanne—firstpresrh@gmail.com 803-487-0770

Jackie—jjohnsonfirstpres@gmail.com 803-389-8999

Worship—Sunday, May 3rd Worship for the first Sunday in May will be a recording closer to an actual worship service in

the Sanctuary. It will include music, hymns, liturgy, and communion. As usual, an email will be

sent with instructions on how to view, but it will also include a printable order of worship,

scanned copies of the hymns, and instructions on how to participate in communion. Look for

this email by Friday evening.

For Sunday School we are trying something new. A video lesson for both the Children and the

Youth will be recorded by one of their teachers and posted on the church Vimeo and Facebook

page. An email link to each lesson, along with any supporting materials, will be sent out Satur-

day. For adult Sunday School will include a scan of The Present Word, and we hope to have a

video lesson the following Sunday.

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2 Cathy Abernathy

Tom Allen

Almeda Stearns

3 Cheryl Thompson

4 Stephen Ruger

6 Doris Duncan

8 Nicole Runyon

9 Joyce Walton

Kinch Edwards

10 Rob Green

13 Mary Hemleb

Sam Alexander

14 Ashton Anthony

15 Sheryl Smith

Rick Bridges

Michael Green

17 Sarah Hensley

18 Jay Sanford

19 Rev Richard Carr, III

20 Mikki Rentschler

21 Judi Hardy

Melanie Walton

23 Elizabeth Briggs

David Caughman

24 Ellis Williams

Steve Anthony

28 Thomas Green

LuAnne Hawkins

Elizabeth Sturgis

29 Mallory Fast

30 Dixon Murdoch

Linda Bradshaw

Michelle Elston

Eddie Gainey

July Library Fun

The Isabel Jurado Children’s Library plans to offer our Library Fun program again this summer for ages 4 though 10. We hope you will begin thinking about joining us for learning and lots of fun, including a devotion time, reading, songs, quiet games, library usage and even learning a few words of Hebrew!

More to come soon.

Watch for details and updates!

SC Primary—June 9th Several have asked what type of PPE

will be provided at the polls on Election

Day. Here is a statement from the South

Carolina Election Commission:

“The SEC and county election offi-

cials will be doing everything we

can to help make polling places as

safe as possible for voters and poll

managers, including: providing

masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, sani-

tizing wipes, and disposable cotton

swabs for making touchscreen se-

lections.”

Many of you may not be comforta-

ble in crowds during this time.

With that in mind, you may consid-

er voting by mail for this election.

Absentee applications and addition-

al information can be requested by:

• Email: elections@yorkcountygov.com

• Phone: 803-684-1242 or 803-909-7194

• Online: www.scvotes.org

Deacons on Call for

May

Dave Keely Teresa Bradley Faye Ballard

The Worship Committee would like to thank Barry Goodner for refinishing the tops to our plant stands used in the sanctuary., and also the second candle holder he made for our new Advent liquid candles in the sacristy.

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for all the cards, calls, emails, texts and meals following James Allen’s birth last month. We are so appreciative of the love and support as we adjust to life as a family of four We hope that we will be able to introduce James Allen to our church family soon.

Love,

Janelle, David,

Taylor, and James Allen Chubb

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PRAYER LIST

Please keep these members of our congregation in your prayers:

Health Concerns (Members): Beth Easley, Worth Kendall, Mary Tice, Audrey Moore, Debbie Norwood, Jane Williams, and Ann Dahlin.

Friends and Family Members to keep in our prayers:

Carol Hines - (Susan Demchak's friend) 1106 Christopher Circle, RHSC

29730

Keira Esposito (Sanfilipppo Syndrome)

746 Quicksilver Trail

Fort Mill, SC 29708-6548

Charlie Brewer-Brother of Suzie Price (colon cancer) 150 Panilla Ct., Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

Dennis Hopkins-Joe and Lena Hopkins’ son (ALS-Lou Gehrigs Disease) 4120 Marshall Rd, 29730

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Please keep the following mem-bers of the military in your prayers:

Stephen “Anthony” Bradley (Teresa Bradley’s son & Jean Horton's grandson) Navy: Stephen Bradley, 515 Chesterfield Rd Hampton, VA 23661 Matthew Blackwelder Blackwelder, Matthew B. Navy: Matt, Kellie and Jackson Black-welder 120 Kenneth Cr Newport News, VA 23602 Major and Mrs. Ryan Middle-ton (Laura Keely) 9190 Brenahm Court Montgomery, AL 36117

Taylor Ferguson- (Phyllis Fer-guson’s grandson) Army: Capt. Taylor Ferguson 7653 Kesler Dr Fort Benning, Ga 31905

If you or someone you know has a pastoral need, please contact Richard at 803-818-1863 or through email at rcarr1024@gmail.com. You can also contact the church office (328-2467; firstpresrh@gmail.com) or one of the deacons on call.

Our Prayer Ministry is now accepting prayer requests. This very important ministry is for all of our church members and extended families. You may provide as much or as little information as you wish and know that prayers will be offered at a moment’s notice. This is a confidential group and your request will be treated as such. Please contact Jane Williams (366-3834 or wjlcwilliams@aol.com).

God has a message! Can you hear it?

Join us as we learn about hearing and

responding to God's call in our lives.

Save the Date for Vacation Bible School

*Monday, June 22nd – Thursday, June 25th

Dinner at 5:15 with programming at 6:00

*(Dates are tentative, may be adjusted)

Our Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans service will be on October 25. Several people

have expressed interest in purchasing a tartan. We hope to order enough

fabric from the woolen shop in Scotland for at least five flags that will fill the

new oak holder(s) that Barry Goodner will build.

Deadline for paid orders is June 1.

If we do not have at least five orders we will offer this again next year.

Bev Keely can walk you through the selection process ~ (bevkeely@gmail.com).

Montreat Family Weekend-October 2 - 4

If you would like to make reservations, email Bev Keely or Michelle Elston. Deposits will be handled at a later date.

Michelle Elston - michelletelston@gmail.com Bev Keely - Bevkeely@gmail.com

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Women’s

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PRESBYTERIAN COMMUNITIES BENEVOLENT CARE OFFERING

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina is a Christian ministry to seniors in which our church shares a commitment. Approximately 950 residents in six retire-ment communities around the state are currently being served with love, skilled care and compassion. As seniors are living longer, residents sometimes outlive their per-sonal resources and need our assistance to be able to continue to live out their days with dignity.

Mother’s Day is a time we set aside to remember and thank the mothers and other special ladies who have given so much to us. We at First Presbyterian Rock Hill have a strong history of making a difference in the lives of these seniors at PCSC. Please prayerfully consider a generous gift to the Presbyterian Communities Charitable Care Offering on Mother’s Day, May 10th. You may send your check to FPC (PO Box 1011 RHSC 29731) or donate online at https://www.prescommunities.org/make-a-gift. If desired, please complete the form below and turn it in with your check or send it to the church office if you make an online gift. Your gift will directly touch the lives of those needing assistance and assure them that they can continue to call Presbyterian Communities their “home”.

Linder Tucker and Karen Holt Presbyterian Community Ambassadors

To all of our

mothers and other

special ladies

who have given so

much to us.

We serve others through sharing the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Yarns of Love – The group of ladies who routinely

meet on Thursday afternoons in the parlor to make

prayer shawls and lapghans have been separated in

isolation for over a month; but that has not stopped

their ministry! Even though apart, they have continued

making these pieces to be received by the patients of

Hospice & Community Care. Observing social

distancing, the shawls/lapghans were collected with a porch drop and then a

delivery was made curbside to HCC. During this time apart, the ladies made 27

pieces which included 20 lapghans and 7 shawls. (See the attached photo.) Of

the lapghans, six were patriotic made in red/white/ blue yarn which will go to

veterans near the end of life during a special pinning ceremony of honor. The

ladies who participate in this ministry all agree that they receive a blessing by

being able to make and contribute these shawls/lapghans with prayer and love.

Help for HOPE – During the month of May, please consider

donating cans of vegetables to benefit the clients of Project

HOPE. Any brand and any variety (peas, green beans, corn,

tomatoes, etc.) is needed and appreciated. Please bring the

vegetables and put the cans in the box in the narthex by

Sunday, May 17. The donated vegetables will be delivered to the pantry of

Project Hope to benefit those most in need. During this time of so many without

employment in the area, these contributions are especially needed and

appreciated. Please accept a heartfelt thank you from the Mission Outreach

Committee and the clients who will receive our donations.

Help for HOPE: Your kind and generous donations of canned

fruit during the month of April resulted in 61 cans/jars/pkgs.

Thank you from the clients of Project HOPE and the Mission

Outreach Committee.

Pledges

Online giving is available through Realm. If you need help setting it up,

contact Joanne or Jackie. You may also mail your pledge or drop it by the

church and put it in Jackie’s box outside the office.

firstpresrh@gmail.com (Joanne) 803-487-0770

jjohnsonfirstpres@gmail.com 803-389-8999 First Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 1011 Rock Hill, SC, 29731

We Worship the Liv-ing God with Joy and

Thanksgiving

HOP

(Hunger Outreach Program)

On the 4th Tuesday of each

month our church participates

in the “Hunger Outreach Pro-

gram”. We are a member of a

consortium of several churches

who meet and prepare approxi-

mately 240 meals, which are

bagged and delivered to the

hungry and needy in our com-

munity. Our next HOP meet-

ing will be May 26th. You

are invited to join us at 3:00

p.m. to assist in this effort. If

you are unable to come and

help, you may assist by writing

a check to First Presbyterian

Church and marking it for

“HOP”.

Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen

Ladies will meet on Thurs-

day, May 28th from 10:00

a.m. - 1:00 p.m. We help cook

for the Soup Kitchen on Craw-

ford Road. Anyone interested

should call Wendy Blanchard

at (704) 616-7021 or Christy

Goodner (to volunteer.

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Return Service Requested

The Officers of First Presbyterian Church

Members of the Session

Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Class of 2022

Bob Barrett Matt Goodner Barry Goodner Peggy Casey Jimmy Jurado Cynthia Johnson Paul Horne Laura Lengers Joanne Lehman Kathy James Susan Roberson Robert Pender Julia Nichols George White, Clerk Sheryl Smith

Members of the Diaconate

Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Class of 2022

Susannah Hayes Gene Black Lindsey Skinner Dave Keely Teresa Bradley, Moderator Ellie Dawson Joan Musselwhite Michelle Elston Faye Ballard Eric Park Traci Jackson Steve Mullinax Jane Williams Leslie Jurado Diane Bailey

First Presbyterian Church 234 East Main Street POST OFFICE BOX 1011 ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA 29730

Staff Contact Information:

Church Office: (803) 328-2467

Rev. Richard W. Carr, III Minister rcarr1024@gmail.com (803) 818-1863 [cell] Rev. Dr. Craig C. Butler Marriage and Family Minister butlerc@comporium.net (803) 366-5445 [cell]

Dr. Donald M. Rogers Director of Music rogersdm@comporium.net

Janet Miller Organist nljemiller@carolina.rr.com Will Read Cherub Choir Director wread@comporium.net

Mickey Johnson Handbell Choir Director bellman@comporium.net Joanne Stogner Administrative Assistant firstpresrh@gmail.com

Jackie Johnson Financial Secretary jjohnsonfirstpres@gmail.com