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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
OF HIGHLANDS
FOOD FOR FUEL……..………..2
EMPTY BOWLS………..............3 CHURCH HAPPENINGS............4
SYMPATHIES………………...5 BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES……….....…..6 LECTIONARIES………….…….8
OCTOBER 2015
FROM THE PASTORS
H ere at the beginning of October we
have finally received much needed rain!
Thanks be to God! A severe drought with as
much as a 24 inch deficit had afflicted us!
However, the rains have given us some relief
from the drought which we all greatly
appreciate. Another benefit of the rains are
spectacular waterfalls!
With the arrival of the rain, though,
the streams and rivers have swollen. So much
so that we’ve been under some flood watch
advisories. I imagine quite a few people have
crossed bridges with wonder at the rushing of
water, if not also with a bit of fear!
The swollen rivers and the crossing of
bridges reminds me a proverb: “Don’t cross
the bridge until you come to it.” Literally, that
statement makes no sense, but as a proverb or
a metaphor, it does make sense. The words,
“until you come to it,” is a metaphor that
directs us to wait before trying to solve or
overcome a problem. I myself have at times
advised people, “wait to worry” –who knows
what will change before the actual event is at
hand. There is much wisdom in heeding this
advice not to cross the bridge until you come
to it. We seldom have much control over
problems until we actually find ourselves
facing them.
Jesus actually counseled such wisdom
in his Sermon on the Mount. “Therefore, I tell
you, do not worry about your life, what you
shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about
your body, what you shall put on. Is not life
more than food, and the body more than
clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they
neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are
you not of more value than they? And which
of you by being anxious can add one cubit to
his span of life?” Jesus was speaking about
our tendency to worry, to focus upon our
fears, forgetting about God’s providence.
The Heidelberg Catechism asks,
“What do you understand by the providence
of God?” The answer is direct: “The almighty
and ever-present power of God whereby he
still upholds, as it were by his own hand,
heaven and earth together with all creatures,
and rules in such a way that leaves and grass,
rain and drought, fruitful and unfruitful years,
food and drink, health and sickness, riches
and poverty, and everything else, come to us
not by chance but by God’s fatherly hand.”
The Catechism then asks, “What advantage
comes from acknowledging God’s creation
and providence?” “We learn that we are to be
patient in the midst of adversity, grateful in
the midst of blessing, and to trust our faithful
God and Father for the future, assured that no
creature shall separate us from his love, since
all creatures are so completely in his hand that
without his will they cannot even move.”
Remembering that God provides is
one way for believers to deal with worry.
How often have we worried about tomorrows
that never actually materialized, robbing
ourselves of life and joy by so doing? Jesus
finally concludes, “So do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of
its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Never cross the bridge until you get to it! And
when you do get to the bridge, cross it with
the providence of God’s love and grace.
Emily and Curtis
PAGE 2
WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT YOU?
With the school year in full swing, the Sonshine School has been teeming with students and activities. Sadly, one of our
directors, Mona Humphries, was unable to return to help lead the students this year. A new director, Judy Mouchet, will
begin working with the children in October. We are so grateful for the volunteers who have stepped in to assist Mozelle
Edwards and Rita Paoletti for the interim weeks: Delaine Mehder, Lisa Richards, Gena Smith, Kay Smith, Janice
Topping, and Gerri Tulley- what would we (and our beloved children!) do without you?! We also raise up a huge
thanks to volunteers from the Mountaintop Rotary Club and the Highlands Emergency Council who worked alongside
Joel and the Congregational Care Ministry Team for a delicious and generous Food for Fuel Luncheon.
FOOD FOR FUEL
The annual "Food for Fuel" luncheon was held in Coleman Hall on Sunday, September 6th after the worship
service. The luncheon, sponsored jointly by First Presbyterian Church Mission Ministry Team and Congregational
Care Ministry Team with volunteers from the Mountaintop Rotary Club, was open to the public and accepted "love
donations" for the Highlands Emergency Council’s Fuel Program. The program provides fuel in the winter months
to residents struggling financially who might otherwise not be able to afford heat.
PAGE 3
OCTOBER 4TH EMPTY BOWLS
E mpty Bowls is an international grass roots effort to fight hunger using the symbol
of an empty bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. In
communities all across this country and many other countries, potters make bowls and
donate them to be sold at a simple meal of bread and soup donated by local chefs. The
funds raised support food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens. In Highlands The
Bascom Center for the Visual Arts initiated the first Empty Bowls event four years
ago. They invited both amateur and professional potters to create hundreds of hand
thrown bowls to raise funds for the Highlands Food Pantry and Fishes and Loaves
Pantry in Cashiers. Our church enthusiastically agreed to host the Highlands events in
Coleman Hall. Local chefs donated delicious soups, bread, and cookies. Many
volunteers from our church, Mountaintop Rotary, and the Food Pantry worked
tirelessly to make each of the annual events a wonderful success. Empty Bowls has
raised substantial funds for the Food Pantry and also raised community awareness of
the hunger and food insecurity right here in our town.
The Highlands Food Pantry was opened in 2005 as a joint mission of the
International Friendship Center and Highlands United Methodist Church. It is open to
anyone in need whose income falls below federal poverty guidelines. It is set up like a
grocery store with clients choosing the food they need. The amount allowed is based
on family size. The Pantry strives to provide nutritious food including fresh produce
and eggs, bread, and meat. Some of this food is salvage purchased from Manna
FoodBank in Asheville. Local churches donate some of the food and there is an
occasional food drive. The US Department of Agriculture provides a small quarterly
allotment also. However, much of the food must be purchased from retail and
wholesale sources. Most clients work hard for wages too low to provide all the
necessities. Seasonal workers have very few resources to make it through the winter.
Several clients had good jobs but lost them with the down turn in the economy. Some
are disabled. Some are living on social security only. Funds raised by Empty Bowls
help these people to meet their food needs.
On October 4th this church will again host the Empty Bowls luncheon from
11:30 to 1:30 in Coleman Hall. Potters at The Bascom have been making bowls all
year and in August the Bascom invited regional professional potters to a two day event
to create bowls. As a result they are contributing 400 beautiful hand thrown bowls.
Please come; be a part of this rewarding effort to help those in need. Tickets are $20
and include a bowl of your choice and the soup luncheon. The bowls are to be kept as
a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world and your part in helping to fill them.
PAGE 4
CHURCH HAPPENINGS
The Sacred Sounds Handbell Choir, augmented by members of the Mountaintop Ringers of
Highlands United Methodist Church, rang a musical offering on Sunday, August 30.
Garrett Whipkey, recent WCU graduate and Chancel Choir
intern, "delighted" the congregation on September 6th with
his saxophone, playing a jazzy medley of "When the Saints
Go Marching In" and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" with
Angie Jenkins at the piano.
"Charles Wood and Friends" -- from left, Jim Yoder,
Dakota Waddell, Charles Wood, and Lee Ladensack, were
congregation-pleasers at the worship service on
September 20, giving us a worship offering of
several wonderful bluegrass gospel tunes.
The August 26 Interlude, the last one for 2015, featured the instrumental group "Trio Carolina" with internationally
renowned bass-baritone Oral Moses. The Trio, composed of Tacy Edwards, Kelly O'Dell and Rosalyn Floyd, performed
a variety of pieces for flute, oboe and piano. Dr. Moses, Professor Emeritus at Kennesaw State University,
had the audience singing and clapping along with his resounding rendition of several Negro Spirituals.
PAGE 5
SYMPATHIES
The First Presbyterian Church family extends prayers and sympathy to the following
during their time of loss: Kay Holland on the death of her mother, Jenny Robinson, who died on
September 22, and Wayne Coleman on the death of his wife, Annette Coleman, who died on
September 24.
“We are convinced that neither death… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38
HALLOWEEN IS COMING! Curtis and Emily will be handing out
candy again this year to all the ghosts, goblins, princesses, and
Superheroes that make their way through the Highlands Halloween
crowd. If you would like to add to the fun, bring an unopened bag of
candy by the church office any time before October 31st. Trick or treat!
TRICK OF TREAT
We welcomed Pebblebrook High School's Pheoenix Vocal Ensemble, directed by Dr. Katie Woolf, on Sunday,
September 6th. Pebblebrook High is home to the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts, a
Mableton, GA magnet program. Phoenix is considered Pebblebrook's most selective choral ensemble.
Davis and Anna White presented their son Jeremiah, who had previously been baptized,
to be blessed on September 6th.
PAGE 6
WOMEN’S STUDIES
The Morning Study Group We will meet in the library Wednesday, October 7th at 10:15. We will study the 4th lesson in " Growing Older and Wiser". Bring a sandwich and something to share for lunch. All ladies and friends of the church are welcome. The Thursday Circle of Friends will resume November 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm in the church parlor. From Come to the Waters we will discuss Lessons 2 and 3, “Life-giving Waters--Baptism” and “Absence of Water—Thirst and Longing.” All ladies of the church are invited!
BIRTHDAYS
&
A
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R
S
A
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S
NOTICE TO OUR CONGREGATION
In order for us to keep better records, please call the church office (828-526-3175) and let us know the
dates when you plan to return home and plan on returning to
Highlands.
Please let the church office know if you would prefer to receive your
newsletter via e-mail.
AUGUST 2015 TREASURER’S REPORT
Budget Actual
Operating Income and Expenses
YTD Income 616,900.00 501,266.00
YTD Expenses 658,778.00 660,944.00
Net Income (41,878.00) (159,678.00)
PLEASE KEEP YOUR PLEDGES CURRENT!
The Fourth Thursday Potluck/
Covered Dish dinner will be
held on October 22 in
Coleman Hall at 6:00
P.M. Surprise entertainment
will be the brief program
following the fellowship meal.
TO PROVIDE FLOWERS FOR A LOVED ONE, PLEASE FILL
OUT A FLOWER LEAFLET LOCATED UPSTAIRS NEXT
TO THE FLOWER CALENDAR OR DOWNSTAIRS
LOCATED AT THE RECEPTIONIST’S DESK.
October Birthdays
Oct. 1 Tom Joyner
Oct. 3 Judy Tindel
Oct. 5 Bill Gahagan
Oct. 6 Carol Strunk
Oct. 7 Betty Fugate
Oct. 8 Sue Ann Glenn
Chad Lucas
Oct. 9 Jackie Hughes
Oct. 10 Kathryn Holland
Mary Anna McClendon
Oct. 13 Martha Spruill
Oct. 15 Tom Graves
Oct. 16 John Greene
Julia Grumbles
Oct. 17 Jimmy Sherard
Oct. 19 Hines Brannan
Scott McDuff
Oct. 20 Bev Quin
Oct. 23 Don Mullen
Oct. 26 Lyda White
Oct. 29 Donna Laird
Oct. 31 William Creswell
Ann Greenlee
Karin Potts
October Anniversaries
Oct. 9 Kitty & Pat Moore
Oct. 18 Gay Graves & Boyd Letcher
Mary & David Jellison
Judy & Terry Tindel
November Birthdays
Nov. 3 Delaine Mehder
Skip Taylor
Nov. 6 Patsy Mullen
Nov. 8 Larry Fuller
Terry Potts
Nov. 9 Katelin Cochran-Smith
Duncan Greenlee
Nov. 10 Bruce Berryhill
Molly Gahagan
Jim Herbert
Nov. 12 Sid Nurkin
Nov. 13 Fran Young
Nov. 14 Lee Byers
Nov. 16 Bob Holt
Nov. 18 Kathryn Dohn
Nov. 20 Bummie Nurkin
Nov. 24 Dave Jellison
Nov. 25 Carrie Jean Gilbert
Nov. 26 Elizabeth Bryant
Sally Copeland
Mary Anne Creswell
Nov. 28 Herb Morgan
Nov. 30 Mae Potts
November Anniversaries
Nov. 1 Carol & Bill Strunk
Nov. 12 Janet & Ralph Thomas
Nov. 16 Betsi & Joe McLure
Nov. 17 Beverly & Harry Howell
Jackie & Vincent Hughes
Nov. 28 Lil & Don Harting
Nov. 28 Jane & Alan Lewis
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PAGE 8
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
OF
HIGHLANDS
828-526-3175
FAX: 828-526-0784
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB PAGE: FPCHIGHLANDS.ORG
471 MAIN STREET
P. O. BOX 548
HIGHLANDS, NC 28741
Sanctuary hours for meditation are 9:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Office hours are 9:00 to 4:30 Monday—Friday
Church Sunday School 9:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. Church Services
June through Labor Day weekend Communion served every Sunday
11:00 a.m. Communion served the first Sunday of every month
Session
Class of 2015 Congregational Care, Sally Copeland
Worship, Kathy Evans Finance, Stewart Manning
Personnel, Obie Oakley Membership/Outreach, Donna Woods
Class of 2016 Children’s Ministry, Delaine Mehder
Mission, Ann Greenlee Clerk of Session, Claude Sullivan
Class of 2017 Vision 20/20, Tom Joyner
Adult Education, Chad Lucas Property, Bob Tietze Elder of the Month
Stewart Manning Ministers
The Congregation
Staff Jennifer Creswell, Administrative Manager Raychael Evans, Administrative Assistant
Steve Mehder, Church Treasurer Michael Lancaster, Director of Worship/
Music Angie Jenkins, Organist/
Music Coordinator Joel Porter, Food Coordinator Kyle Clark, Property Manager
Janice Mathis & Keri Raby, Nursery Assistants
Mozelle Edwards and Rita Paoletti,
Sonshine School Directors Briana Jenkins, Sonshine Assistant
Pastors Curtis Fussell
Emily Wilmarth
Lectionary Texts for October
As you prepare to come to worship, here are the scripture texts that will make up the services during the month of October:
October 4 Job. 1:1; 2:1-10 World Communion Sunday Ps. 26 Heb. 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16 October 11 Job. 23:1-9, 16-17 20th Sunday After Pentecost Ps. 22:1-15 Heb. 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31 October 18 Job 38:1-7 (34-41) 21st Sunday After Pentecost Ps. 104:1-9, 24, 35c Heb. 5:1-10 Mark 10:35-45 October 25 Job. 42:1-6, 10-17 22nd Sunday After Pentecost Ps. 34:1—8 (19-22) Heb. 7:23-28 Mark 10:46-52
Please keep in your prayers
these members and friends of the congregation:
Judith Bobo, Kitty Byers, Ed Dietrich, George M. Dowdle (Nancy Lowe’s brother),
Beverly & Harry Howell, Madaline Huie, Bob Kerry (Pud Brogan’s brother-in-law),
Don Paulk, Veda & Jimmy Sherard, Martha Spruill, Veronica Vogt,
Margaret Winkler, Tom Wise, Kay Holland and the Robinson family
upon the death of Jenny Robinson and the Coleman family
upon the death of Annette Coleman.
Please keep in your prayers
these members in the community and beyond:
Yancy Bartlett, Hugh Clark, Pete Farrer, Frank Jemison,
Cherry Martin, Jim Shearon, Sandra Simmons,
Ben Straughn (Greta & Dick Decourcy’s grandson),
Janis Wilson, and King Young.