FIRST PRESS NEWS

March 2016

Firs t Presbyter ian Church 153 N. Church Street

Rocky Mount , NC 27804 www.fpcrm.org

252 -446 -9121

We invite you to participate in the many opportunities available that can enrich your life and relationship with Christ during Holy Week at First Presbyterian

and in the community.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE March 20 Palm Sunday

Our Children’s choirs will be singing during worship and will be processing in with palms during our regular 11:00 a.m. service.

March 24 Maundy Thursday A Service of worship will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Join us as we remember Jesus’ last meal with the disciples and celebrate communion. March 25 Good Friday Join with the other Presbyterian Churches of Rocky Mount as we remember the final hours of Christ’s life. The service will be held at West Haven Presbyterian Church (1001 West Haven Blvd.) at noon.

March 27 Resurrection Sunday He is Risen! Join us for worship at 11:00 as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and vic-tory over death. There will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday. We encourage families to enjoy time at home and read the resurrection stories together before

coming to worship. We also encourage folks to arrive around 10:15 with fresh flowers to flower the cross. We will celebrate communion during this service as well.

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Wednesday Night dinner and programming continues in March! Chris Berardi and Mary Kathleen Duncan will continue leading a study by United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton entitled 24 Hours That Changed the World. This study concludes March 16. There will be no Wednesday evening meal or program on March 23. A new study will begin March 30, with more information to come!

Join us each week at 6:00 for a potluck dinner and at 6:45 for our study. Notify the church office if the nursery is needed at 446-9121.

Brown Bag Bible Study meets on Mondays at noon in the Session room. All are welcome to bring

a lunch and join one of our pastors for fellowship and thoughtful biblical discussions!

...with First Presbyterian!

March 21, 2016 12:00 p.m.

Welcome Spring with your Lunch Bunch Friends on Monday, March 21 at noon in the Session Room. We will enjoy barbecue, baked beans and dessert. Let us know you will be there by calling or emailing the church office, or make a note in the Friendship Pad during Sunday worship.

Lunch Bunch is a daytime fellowship group that meets monthly for a luncheon gathering. Delicious meals are prepared and served by the Lunch Bunch Team of volunteers. This fellowship opportunity is supported by the church budget, and guests also “pass the basket,” contributing what they choose to supplement the cost. While the Lunch Bunch is geared toward men and women of re-tirement age and beyond, anyone who would enjoy a time of good fellowship and fun around the table is welcome.

Don’t forget to set your

clocks forward an hour

before going to bed on

Saturday, March 12!

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Our Heritage, Our Mission

Capital Campaign

Update

Total Pledges to date:

$1,158,866.11

Funds Received (through 1/31/16):

$986,967.20

Agape Village

Orphanage

$1000.00 budgeted

www.agapevillagefoundation.org

The Agape Village Foundation is a Christian nonprofit organization with a mission to provide loving care in a Christ-centered environment for orphaned children in Zambia, enabling them to thrive and to eventually become self-supporting adults.

We need your help! There are several pictures stored in the church’s History Room that we would like to identify, sort and organize. If you can assist with planning this project or know someone who would be good at identifying older photos, please join us on Thursday, March 10 at 10:00 in the History Room.

SHARE THE WELL:

GRACIOUS GENEROSITY PLEDGE UPDATE

Pledge Goal: $633,122 Amount pledged through 2/15/16: 580,120 # of contributors: 126

The Session has approved the use of the church van for occasional use by the residents of Covenant Homes. The driver of the van needs to be on the church’s approved list of drivers but does not require a CDL. If this is a ministry you would like to be a part of, please call Linda Amerson for more information.

At its February meeting, your Session:

► Approved the use of the Fellowship Hall for the following: Scouts Blue & Gold Banquet on April 9, 2016, Tar River Academy Graduate Banquet on June 8, 2016

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On Wednesday, February 17, the Parent’s Afternoon Out kids met for a

lesson about Lenten Traditions! A great discussion on the reasons some

folks give up certain things during Lent took place. We also learned how pretzels

are shaped in the form of arms crossed in prayer—a priest first made pretzels and

gave them out to children reminding them to pray during Lent a long, long time ago! After

devouring some snacks, our craft time included a puzzle that the kids could color and keep.

Then, we ventured to the church kitchen and attempted to make pretzels, but it was a hilarious

mess!

Kids—don’t forget to bring your spare change to contribute to the Clean Water

Campaign through Heifer International—while we “worship at the well”, we want to

raise $300 to help others have clean water. The donation well is now located in

the Session Room.

Deep Blue Sunday School for March

Date Lesson Pre-K/K 1st-2nd 3rd-5th

3/6/16 “Jesus Washes Feet” Tricia Vestal Sydney Phillips Kate Tharin

3/13/16 “Jesus Celebrates Passover” Winnie Gaynor Christie Sondergard Elizabeth Rose

3/20/16 “Jesus Enters Jerusalem” Dionne Seale Cindy Feagans Kate Honey

3/27/16 EASTER SUNDAY NO SUNDAY SCHOOL—bring flowers for the cross!

Don’t forget to register online for the Surf Shack VBS at First Presbyterian!

June 13-17, 2016 from 8:45 a.m—noon Ages 3 (& potty–trained) through 5th grade welcome!

More info can be found on page 12….

Mark your calendars: Our next Parent’s Afternoon Out gathering for ages kindergarten—5th grade will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2016 from 4:00-5:30 p.m.

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Senior Highs 3/6

Dinner and Convo on Mission @ Mama’s Pizza Meet in the back room at Mama’s Pizza at 6:00 pm for a time of dinner, fellowship, and some

mission initiatives of our denomination.

3/13 Family Trivia Night

Come and bring one or both of your parents for Trivia Night! We’ll play from 5:00-6:00 and then enjoy dinner from 6:00-6:30. This is for all youth.

3/20

Dinner at the home of Lucy Rose You’re invited to gather at the home of Lucy Rose from 5:30-7:00 for dinner, fellowship,

and a time of devotion led by one of our seniors.

Middle School 3/6

Dinner at the Adams’ Home Randy and Sally Adams are hosting us for dinner at their house this week. We’ll gather from

4:30-6:00 pm for round robin ping pong, a devotion, and delicious dinner!

3/13 Family Trivia Night

Come and bring one or both of your parents for Trivia Night! We’ll play from 5:00-6:00 and then enjoy dinner from 6:00-6:30. This is for all youth.

3/20

Devo at Dunkin Meet your favorite Youth Advisor, Martha Chesnutt, at the Dunkin on Sunset for a time of devotion and fellowship from 4:00-5:00 pm. Please bring money for your treats!

Meeting times for Youth Group @ church Meeting times for Home Gatherings Middle School – 4:30-5:30 pm Middle School – 4:00-5:30 pm Joint Youth Dinner – 5:30-6:00 pm Sr. High – 6:00-7:00 pm Sr. High – 5:30-7:00 pm

Montreat Youth Conference Rising 9th—completed 12th

graders July 17-23, 2016

*Balance due 3/15/16* (Full cost $395.00)

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Volunteers are always welcome!

Contact Kara Cox

for more information.

First Sunday of the Month

The following items are most appreciated and can be brought to the church on the first Sunday or placed in Room 111 (PW Room):

Tar River Academy Tar River Academy is in need of clothes for their students for their June graduation. Items needed include: men’s black pants, white button down shirts, black ties, and black shoes. They need sizes ranging from small to XXL. Girls items that are needed include black dresses and black shoes in a variety of sizes. These donations can be new or “gently” used. A collection container is located in the Session Room closet. Also, be sure to check out the wish list for Tar River Academy on the bulletin board outside the church office describing school supplies, food, hygiene items, and baby supplies needs and non-perishable food items. They are especially in need of hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, washcloths, soap, deodorant, and feminine hygiene supplies.

United Community Ministries #10 size cans (preferred) of either vegetables or canned fruit, and paper products such as paper towels and toilet paper.

Harris Teeter Shoppers: Be sure to link your VIC card to #5443 to benefit the Barium Springs Home for Children (now called Children’s Hope Alliance)!

Please continue to drop off children’s

books, and men’s and women’s clothing for Peacemakers! You may leave books and clothes in Room 111 or in the wooden cabinet located in the Volunteer office.

It’s Prom Closet time again! As you clean closets and find dresses, shoes, jewelry, tuxedos, white shirts, etc. that you no longer need, please donate them to the Presbyterian Women’s Prom Closet. This will provide an opportunity for many of our local students to attend their high school prom. Bring donations

to the church and leave them in the History Room. Volunteers will be needed to help work at the Prom Closet when it opens here the end of March. Please sign up on the PW bulletin board.

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First Presbyterian Scouts Update

Both the Brownies and Girl Scouts are wrap-ping up a successful cookie season and appreciate the support of members of our congregation. The Girl Scouts recently com-pleted the social butterfly badge where they learned tips for hosting and attending parties, setting a table for a three course meal, and making interesting conversation.

“Cheerful Service”. That is one of Scoutmaster Lane’s mantras. Troop 7 will always look to give Cheerful Service. Now to a teenage scout they may not see the cheerfulness in picking up trash or washing dishes, but hopefully they will remember these lessons as they grow up into community leaders one day. This month the troop had the privilege to feed the church for our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper. Twenty eight of our scouts helped serve and clean for this event. Then, on a cold (12 degree wind chill) Saturday, we collected food that supports the Salvation Army, My Sister’s House and United Community Ministries. The Troop collected an estimated 670 pounds of food which was way more than previous years. But our Cub Scout Pack 7 collected over 2,100 pounds!!!!! I guess shivering little Cubbies are cuter than cold teenage Scouts!

Scout Sunday February 21, 2016

We were so blessed by the presence of these wonderful Scouts, Leaders, and their families!

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Presbyterian Women UPCOMING EVENTS

March 7—PW Coordinating Team at 10:30 a.m. in the History Room

March 8—10:30 a.m.—Circle of Joy in the History Room with the Chris Feno leading the Bible Study on “Streams of Mercy-Forgiveness.”

March 9—5:30 p.m.—Circle of Peace (formerly called the Craft Circle) will meet in the Session Room.

March 14—7:00 p.m.—Circle of Friends will be hosted by Mike Braswell-Self and Mary Lou Fountain at Mary Lou’s home. Chris Feno will lead the Bible Study por-tion of the meeting.

Rehearsal Schedule

Wednesdays Cherub Choir & Alleluia Singers(5:30 p.m.)

Handbell Choir (6:30 p.m.) Chancel Choir (7:30 p.m.)

No Chancel Choir or Handbell rehearsal on March 23, however both Childrens’ Choirs will rehearse that evening.

The Chancel Choir only will rehearse immediately following the Maundy Thursday Service on March 24.

The Handcraft Ministry will meet

on Tuesday, March 8, 2016

at 1:30 p.m. in the home of

Joan Radford This wonderful ministry provides prayer shawls, blankets, etc. to those in need of

God’s warmth!

The Advent quilt has been hung with care in the Fellowship Hall. Many thanks to Stephen Chesnutt for all his help!

The Worship Committee is going green! The Sanctuary Flowers Subcommittee has set a goal of utilizing fresh greenery rather than artificial flowers when we have an opening in the flower donation calendar. Do you have evergreens in your yard? Could you put together a simple evergreen arrangement for a Sunday when we do not have a fresh flower arrangement for the sanctuary? Contact Karen Callaway at kgcallaway@icloud.com if you can help us go green.

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“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another

with whatever gift each of you has received.” 1 Peter 4:10

March 6 Head Usher: Steve Rowe Ushers: Roger Seale, Dionne Seale, Lisa Rowe, Laura Durham (Welcome Table) Greeter: Sylvia Phillips Liturgist: Joe Callaway Children’s Sermon: Joe Callaway Acolytes: Mary-Edith Cox, Hunter Nealey Nursery Helpers: Christie Sondergard, Laura Dudley Communion Preparers: Karen Callaway, Joe Brown Communion Servers: Joe Brown, Karen Callaway, Mary Sue Smith, Tim Smith

March 13, 2016 Head Usher: John Feagans Ushers: Roger Seale, Dionne Seale, Lauren Seale, Laura Durham (Welcome Table) Greeter: Sylvia Phillips Liturgist: David Farris Acolytes: Megan Seale, Anna Brooks Gaynor Nursery Helper: Linda Amerson

March 20, 2016 Palm Sunday Head Usher: Tommy Honey Ushers: Joe Brown, Julia Brown, Andy Warner, Laura Rogers (Welcome Table) Greeter: Mike Braswell-Self Liturgist: Tim Smith Acolytes: Ellis Daughtridge, Charlie Warner Nursery Helper: Chrissy Barnhill

March 24, 2016 Maundy Thursday Ushers: Janice Smith, Mary Watson Communion Preparers: Linda Amerson, Ike Amerson Communion Servers: Linda Amerson, Ike Amerson

March 27, 2016 Easter Sunday Head Usher: John Feagans Ushers: Joe Brown, Julia Brown, James Tharin, Laura Rogers (Welcome Table) Greeter: Mike Braswell-Self Liturgist: Winslow Rogers Acolytes: Vivian Rogers, Virginia Feagans Nursery Helper: Christy Outlaw Communion Preparers: Marianne Farris, Kate Tharin, Clif Hayworth Communion Servers: Linda Amerson, Ike Amerson, Lige Daughtridge, Marianne Farris, David Farris, Jay Gardner, Mike Gaynor, Clif Hayworth, Mary Perry, Nancy Richardson, Kate Tharin, Clevie Wiggins

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First Presbyterian Church’s office hours are Monday—Thursday from 9-5:00 p.m. Please contact the church in advance should you need access to the building at other times.

Kindly notify Dionne Seale in the church office at 252-446-9121 or dionne.seale@fpcrm.org of any email, address, or phone number changes so we can keep our database up to date! The church office will be closed on Monday, March 28 for the Easter Holiday.

First Presbyterian Rocky Mount @FPC_RockyMount fpc_rockymount

FOLLOW US!

On January 10th, my sister was called to Heaven to serve with the Lord. I would like to thank everyone for all the prayers, cards, and beautiful flowers that we received from the church. I needed all the support that you gave to me. We are truly BLESSED to have such a supportive family to help when in need. In Christian Love, Edie Reeves

Dear FPC Friends, How blessed I am to have such caring friends! The lap robe from the Handcraft Ministry is beautiful and so warm! All the cards, flowers, visits and food have been so welcomed and good. Thanks again everyone. I am looking forward to getting back to Church soon. Bobbie Lambeth

Tar River Academy just graduated 32 students Friday night (January 15, 2016). First Presbyterian Church has been instrumental in helping these students achieve this goal. Thank you for allowing us the use of the fellowship hall for our banquet, for the clothes for our graduates to wear, the school supplies, the food and most importantly, the prayers. You all are a tremendous blessing! Sincerely, Jeannie Kerr

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THE FOUNTAINS AT THE ALBEMARLE Tarboro

► Tom and Ann Dill

TWIN LAKES RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Burlington

► Liz Cole

ADDITIONAL CONCERNS Jean and Frank Edge

Amine Edwards Anne Etheredge

Cam Fisher (Becky Parks’ sister) John Gessaman Betty Hodges

Greg Hutchins Bobbie Lambeth Nancy Liipfert

Pat Mauldin John McInnis (Mary Perry’s brother)

Stacey Norman (Sydney Phillips’ sister) Susie Park (Fred Park’s Mother)

Fred Payne Blanche Robinson

Evelyn Reese Maida Sessoms Bobbi Weeks

Hassell Weeks

If you would like to honor someone or mark a special occasion in the coming year, please sign up

by the date you prefer on the 2016 flower chart that is posted on the church office bulletin board.

You can also contact Dionne Seale, Church Ministry Coordinator for more information at

446-9121.

Our sympathy is extended to Stephanie Hayworth and Sarah Gooding, and their families, upon the loss of their father, Gary Phillips, on February 1, 2016.

We extend our condolences to Phyllis Parker on the loss of her father, Walter Parker, on February 19, 2016.

Please continue to keep these members and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

2016 Schedule When fresh flowers are used during worship, these special helpers make sure they are transformed into smaller arrangements on Mondays that can brighten someone’s week! If you would like to be added as a substitute to arrange or deliver, please contact Gaye Moore at 459-3634 so she can add you to our list. FIRST MONDAY Arrange: Georgia Mixon; Deliver: Laura Dudley

SECOND MONDAY Arrange: Nancy Proctor; Deliver: Karen Thompson

THIRD MONDAY Arrange: Frances Guerry; Deliver: Bobbi Weeks

FOURTH MONDAY Arrange and Deliver: Laura Durham

FIFTH MONDAY Arrange: Roslyn Gragg; Deliver: Linda Amerson

SUBSTITUTES: Arrange—John Etheredge; Deliver—Linda Amerson

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Join your friends from First Presbyterian, Lakeside Baptist, Church of the Good Shepherd,

West Haven Presbyterian, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal for VBS 2016!

WHEN? June 13-17, 2016 from 8:45 a.m.-noon

WHERE? First Presbyterian Church

HOW? Register children ages 3 (potty-trained) through 5th

grade online at the FPC website or directly at: http://2016.cokesburyvbs.com/fpcrm

Contact Dionne Seale in the church office if you have any questions or if you can volunteer!

It is time to sign-up for Gatekeepers Work Camp 2016! The dates are July 11-15 and this is open to youth who have completed 6th-12th grades, along with any interested adults. We will spend a week repairing homes for those disabled or elderly home-owners who are in need in our community. This is a great week of service and fellowship with other Christians in Rocky Mount. Days begin at 7:30 am and conclude around 3:00 pm – don’t forget about the kick-off cookout on Sunday night, July 10th at 5:00 pm. The cost is $100 and you must sign up by May 1st. Get your money in ASAP because spots are limited. Once you have signed up, Jeanne Shannon will get you the necessary forms to fill out and return by May 1st.

SHROVE TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2016