1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

March 18, 2015
Title: First Press
Edition: 183
When: Monthly
Published by: First Presbyterian Church,
237 2nd St NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Non-Profit Org.
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FIRST PRESS
APRIL 2015
Dear Friends,
EVENT
HIGHLIGHTS
CHURCH NEWS
SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Dr. Whit [email protected]
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Rev. Heather Wood [email protected]
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES
Katherine Mull…[email protected]
DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRIES
Kris [email protected]
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Rev. Dr. Steven Mowery… [email protected]
MISSION STATEMENT
“We, the First Presbyterian
Church of Hickory, NC, affirm
that we are disciples of Jesus
Christ, sinners saved by the
grace of God. We seek to
glorify God and grow in faith
through worship, study, service,
and witness. Led by the Spirit,
we strive to be obedient to
God’s Word as we reach out to
each other, our community and
the world.”
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Carlos [email protected]
DIRECTOR OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC MINISTRIES
Carol Anne [email protected]
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
237 2nd Street NW
Hickory, NC 28601
PH: 828-322-6343
FX: 828-485-2173
www.hickoryfpc.org
SPOTLIGHT ON
GUATEMALA:
Signing the
Covenant
A SECOND
FROM OUR
SESSION
YOUTH SALAD
LUNCHEON
GLOW IN THE
DARK EGG
HUNT
HOLY WEEK
OBSERVANCES
My, how the Holy Spirit works in both mysterious and amazing
ways! After much prayer, thought and discernment it is with
great excitement and a heart for youth ministry that I have
accepted the call to be the Director of Youth Ministries at FPC.
I was born a Presbyterian (my parents boast that my brother and
I are eighth generation Presbyterians!) and both the Lord and the
church have been the foundation of my being for quite literally
as far back as I can remember. Growing up in the church I was
active in Sunday School, Wednesday night programs, handbells
and choir, VBS, youth group, youth conferences, and mission
trips. As a Senior High youth I served as the moderator of my
presbytery’s Youth Council and worked alongside other youth
and adults to plan and lead presbytery-wide events. It was during this time that I began to feel that
perhaps God was leading me on a path towards youth ministry, despite my best efforts as a
preacher’s kid to avoid going into ministry altogether.
I began my freshman year at Presbyterian College as a Christian education major, but fell in love with
history after taking an intro class that same year and ultimately graduated with a BA in history.
Shortly after college, I attended graduate school at the University of South Carolina and received a
Master of Public Administration with the intent of working in the non-profit sector. Upon
graduating, marrying and moving to Hickory in 2010, I was offered a position as a legal assistant here
and have been in the legal field until now. Little did I know that God still had plans for me to be in
youth ministry--my path had just included a few turns and forks before I got there. I’m telling you,
mysterious and amazing!
My husband, Stuart, and I first became active in FPC’s youth program shortly after moving to Hickory.
We served as advisors and Huddle leaders for the Senior Highs for several years and have had the
great privilege to get to know and grow in the faith with many of our youth. I am still pinching myself
that it is now my job to get to work with them on a full-time basis, as the youth of this church are
truly a blessing to both me and to our congregation.
When I’m not at church, you can most likely find me crawling around with our nearly nine month old
son Henry, in the mountains, or working on our fixer-upper of a home (please let me know if and
when I have paint or baby food in my hair).
I look forward to being in ministry with FPC’s youth, parents, staff and congregation. I hope that
you’ll join us in the sanctuary at 11:00 AM on what will be my first Sunday, March 22, 2015, but
which is more importantly known in the life of this church as the Senior High Youth Service!
Peace,
APRIL 2015
Sunday
USHERS
Monday
Tuesday
1
12:30p Stephen
Ministers’ Meeting
5:30p Supper
5:30p Jr. High WWF
6p Sanctuary Bells
6:30p Sr. Hi Huddle
6:30p Glow In The
Dark Egg Hunt
7p Chancel Choir
PRAYER REQUESTS
CHURCH LIST FROM PRESBYTERY
MARCH 22
Senior High Youth
MARCH 29
Karl Thomason will
recruit volunteers.
Week of March 22
Week of March 29
Week of April 5
Week of April 12
Week of April 19
Wee Kirk Presbyterian, Linville
West Asheville Presbyterian
Westminster Presbyterian, Asheville
Arbor Dale Presbyterian, Banner Elk
First Presbyterian, Asheville
5
EASTER
Communion
One Great Hour of
Sharing Offering
“A SECOND FROM OUR SESSION”
APRIL 5
Mickey Craft, captain
Bryant Kirkland
David Persinger
9:30a Kairos Easter
Service
10:30a Fellowship Time
11a Traditional Easter
Service
1p Bagpipe Rehearsal
12
9:45a Church School
APRIL 12
Elizabeth Lane,
captain
Darrell & Amelia
Stafford
Andrew Pitts
APRIL 19
Karl Thomason,
captain
Jason White
Eric Pritchard
Weekday
Preschool Closed 7:30a Men’s Gathering
10:30a P. W. Coordinating Team Meeting
6p Worship Committee
Meeting
7p Personnel Committee
4-10p Warming
Meeting
Center
10:30a P.W. Circle 7
Meeting
5:30p Jr. High WWF
26
Confirmation Sunday
9:45a Senior High Special
Breakfast
9:45a Confirmation
Breakfast
9:45a Church School
10a Chancel Choir
11a One Worship Service
(Sanctuary)
1p Bagpipe Rehearsal
7p Stated Session Meeting
27
9:30a Intercessory
Prayer
9:30a Quilt Class
4-10p Warming
Center
6:30p Bible In
Depth Study
7p Cub Scouts
28
7:30a Men’s Gathering
9a Presbytery of WNC
Meeting at the Montreat
Conference Center
7p Boy Scouts
4
9:30a Art Class
7p Worship
Service
9:30a Art Class
22
5:30p Supper
6:30p Bible In
12p Heritage Luncheon
Depth Study
6:30p Finance
Committee Meeting 7p Boy Scouts
7p Cub Scouts
3
GOOD FRIDAY
16
8:45a Literary
Group Meeting
21
7:30a Men’s Gathering
11a Staff Meeting
2
MAUNDY
THURSDAY
15
4:30p Congregational
Care Committee Mtg.
20
9:30a Intercessory
Prayer
4-10p Warming
Center
Saturday
6:30p Stitch Night
19
8:30a Traditional
Worship
9:45a Church School
10a Chancel Choir
11a Traditional Worship
11a Kairos Worship
1p Bagpipe Rehearsal
1-6p Senior High Event
4-6p Junior High
Fellowship
5p Stephen Ministry
11a Staff Meeting
11:30a Congregations &
Communities Meeting
Friday
6p Mission
Committee Meeting
6:30p New Member
Committee Meeting
7p Boy Scouts
Adult Mission Team
Returns Home
9:45 a P.W. Circle 6
Meeting
Thursday
8
9
Adult Mission Trip to
Adult Mission
Baltimore Continues Trip to Baltimore
Continues
Weekday
Preschool Closed
Weekday
Preschool Closed
No Wednesday
Night Supper
9:30a Art Class
5:30p Supper
5:30p Jr. High WWF
6p Sanctuary Bell
Choir
6:30p Sr. Hi Huddle
7p Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
1:30p Bagpipe Rehearsal
Thank you notes received from Roy, Donna Lane and family, Margaret
Glaze, and Jay Crane are posted on the bulletin board.
Church Office
Closed
7
Adult Mission Team
Leaves for Baltimore
Weekday
Preschool Closed
14
7:30a Men’s Gathering
12:30p Sabbath Soup
THANK YOU NOTES
6
13
9:30a Intercessory
Prayer
9:30a Quilt Class
11a P.W. Circle 2
Meeting
5:30p Family Ministry Committee Mtg.
6:30p Bible In
Depth Study
7p Cub Scouts
11a Worship
Session approved the use of our Fellowship Hall for the Grandfather
Mountain Highlanders Bagpipe Band to practice when they need to get out of
the elements. They will practice on Sunday afternoons and anyone is
welcome to listen to them play. They have 2 groups – a beginners group and
the more experienced players. They’ve even offered to let kids from our
church have free lessons and to occasionally play at our services!
Wednesday
6p Sanctuary Bell
Choir
6:30p Sr. Hi Huddle
6:30p Kairos Band
Rehearsal
11a Weekday
Preschool
Art In The Park
10
Adult Mission Trip
to Baltimore
Continues
6:30a Young Men’s
Bible Study
7a Pilgrimage
Reunion
Weekday
Preschool Closed
Family Mission
Team Leaves for
Camp Grier
17
11
Adult
Mission
Trip to
Baltimore
Continues
Family
Mission
Trip to
Camp Grier
18
6:30a Young Men’s
Bible Study
7a Pilgrimage
Reunion
6:30p Kairos Band
Rehearsal
23
9:30a Art Class
24
25
6:30a Young Men’s
Bible Study
7a Pilgrimage
6:30p Kairos Band Reunion
Rehearsal
5:30p
Underdown/
Wedding Rehearsal Cantwell
Wedding
7p Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
29
5:30p Supper
5:30p Jr. High WWF
6p Sanctuary Bell
Choir
6:30p Sr. Hi Huddle
7p Chancel Choir
7:30p Senior High
Service Project
6:30a Young Men’s
Bible Study
7a Pilgrimage
Reunion
Weekday
Preschool Closed
30
9:30a Art Class
6:30p Kairos Band
Rehearsal
MISSION: OUR GUATEMALAN PARTNERSHIP
Spotlight on Guatemala
Signing the Covenant
What a privilege it was for Ben Hill and me to be commissioned by this
church and the Presbytery of Western North Carolina to participate in the
signing of a new covenant between our sister church, Monte Hebron, and
First Presbyterian Church - celebrating 20 years of partnership!
At the Sunday Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Partnership, the pews were packed.
Osmundo, the pastor, invited Brian, our interpreter, Ben, and me to the front to help serve
communion. The hymns were sung with “gusto” and many individual prayers could be heard as the
minister led the corporate worship. After communion, the two churches exchanged greetings,
officially signed the new Covenants and shared gifts. First Presbyterian was given a plaque of
Recognition for the Partnership and artwork created by Jose Miguel Angel Garcia Cuyuch – a 7th
grade student whose passion for painting and weaving has been supported by the Educational
Scholarships provided by FPC. I shared with the Monte Hebron congregation a painting by Morgan
Honeycutt.
Afterwards, children from Monte Hebron lined up and came down the aisle to receive cards from
the children at First Presbyterian followed by the women who received words of encouragement
and faith from our Stephen Ministers. The smiles, hugs, words of faith and gratitude, filled my
heart. Osmundo had told me before the service of the joy in walking alongside these Christians and
I could see and experience that joy and light radiating from these generous and loving people. By
signing a renewal of the covenant with Monte Hebron, we agreed to “pray, communicate, listen,
learn from, work with, stand in solidarity, and witness to God’s reconciling work of love with each
other.”
On Sunday, March 22, 2015 in our fellowship hall from 4-6 pm you are invited to the “First
Ambassadors in Training” Program sponsored by our Presbytery to “equip members of the PWNC
churches to engage in local and international ministry through the Guatemala Partnership.” What a
unique opportunity to explore ways to strengthen our partnership with Monte Hebron. Hope you
can join us!
-Anne Evans
Delegation Member
There is no cost to attend, but we will welcome
donations to support our youth efforts.
PALM SUNDAY-MARCH 29
THREE SERVICES (8:30, 11:00 Traditional, 11:00 Kairos)
MAUNDY THURSDAY-APRIL 2
Communion and Tenebrae
7 PM (Sanctuary)
SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST SERVICE
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
NOON UNTIL 3 PM
St. Albans Episcopal Church
EASTER-APRIL 5
9:30 AM Kairos Service (Fellowship Hall)
10:30 AM Fellowship Time (Fellowship Hall)
11:00 AM Traditional Service (Sanctuary)
WHAT IS SABBATH SOUP?
Why?
To do the Father’s will; to serve; for “the least of these”; to spread the gospel; to seek Jesus in our
brothers and sisters; to share our blessings.
What?
A hot meal on Sunday – a Sunday soup kitchen as none other is provided.
When?
Served Sundays from 12:30 to 1:30
Where?
All Presbyterian Women are invited to our P.W.
Birthday Celebration, “A Garden Party for All
Seasons,” on Tuesday, May 12 at 11:30 a.m. in the
Fellowship Hall. Please come and enjoy great food
and wonderful fellowship. Before the luncheon
begins, we will celebrate and honor this year’s
Honorary Life Membership recipients. Our own Chris
Gantt will be baking a delicious dessert for us!
The cost of the lunch will be $7. Prayerfully consider
supporting P.W.’s Missions by making a contribution
to the P.W. Birthday Offering. Envelopes will be
available on the tables.
R.S.V.P. is due on or before May 5 and can be made
by calling Kim Brookman at the church office (828322-6343) or by email: [email protected].
At First Presbyterian in the Fellowship Hall on the second Sunday of each month. There are 5
downtown churches in the program, one for each Sunday. Ours is the second of the month.
Who?
We serve the elderly, children, needy, homeless, and those who work but need help making ends
meet. How could we let anyone go hungry on God’s Sabbath?
How?
First Pres has 4 teams, each with team leaders who organize the menu and shop for the food. Each
team serves 3 Sundays per year. Work is usually from 9:30 to 2:00. Anyone who can wash a potato,
make a salad, serve food onto a plate, give a friendly greeting, cook a casserole is welcome. Many
hands do make light work, so the more the merrier.
We need your help!
We are looking for 10 – 15 people to help fill in our teams. Any age can join in. This means 3 Sundays a
year. 15 hours out of 8,760 a year.
This sounds great! How do I get involved?
Contact Bob Smith. 828 855 6982. [email protected]
-Penny Cantoni and Bob Smith
Grab your flash lights and head lamps
And join us for a
GLOW in the DARK EGG HUNT.
Children will search in the dark for
glowing eggs to connect the idea that
Jesus is the light of the world.
Meet in the Fellowship hall at 6:30
And don’t forget your Easter basket!