We all God First May, 2020images.acswebnetworks.com/1/2968/May2020Newsletter.pdf · fade into the...
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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
Transcript of We all God First May, 2020images.acswebnetworks.com/1/2968/May2020Newsletter.pdf · fade into the...
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.
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—[email protected] 803-818-1863
Joanne—[email protected] 803-487-0770
Jackie—[email protected] 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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Page 3
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: [email protected]
• 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 [email protected]. You can also contact the church office (328-2467; [email protected]) 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 [email protected]).
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 ~ ([email protected]).
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 - [email protected] Bev Keely - [email protected]
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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.
[email protected] (Joanne) 803-487-0770
[email protected] 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 [email protected] (803) 818-1863 [cell] Rev. Dr. Craig C. Butler Marriage and Family Minister [email protected] (803) 366-5445 [cell]
Dr. Donald M. Rogers Director of Music [email protected]
Janet Miller Organist [email protected] Will Read Cherub Choir Director [email protected]
Mickey Johnson Handbell Choir Director [email protected] Joanne Stogner Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Jackie Johnson Financial Secretary [email protected]
