So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service,

so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith... Ephesians 4:11-13a

JJ White MemorialPresbyterian Church

SeptemBer 2013 Newsletter

The Reverend Bob Phelps

a word from our pastor...

Spending a Month with LukeSpending a whole month doing almost anything is not something most of us have the luxury of experiencing. As much as we think we’d love to have a month off about now to spend at the beach, on the mountains, or on the golf course, most of us would probably be ready to get back to our routine before the month was over.

If you’re like me and can’t plan a month-long getaway in September, then I’ll invite you to join me as we plan to spend a month with Luke in worship. Following the lectionary as a guide for worship planning gives us many options. As I was planning for this month’s worship, I’m not sure I set out to focus on Gospel texts every Sunday, but it worked out that we will. Luke’s Gospel is a wonderful place to spend a month. Introducing his work to the one for whom he wrote it, Luke says that his goal was to provide an “orderly account” of the story of Jesus so that his reader could “know the truth.”

The texts we’ll be reading and thinking about this month are not necessarily easy ones. They ask us to think about important issues: the people with whom we spend time, the role of discipleship in our life, and what our faith might require of us. If Luke says he wrote to reveal the truth, then that truth is what we’ll seek to find in his writing as we gather around it in worship. Of course we’ll also sing and pray and give and recommit ourselves to ministry together each week as we gather for worship. I hope you’ll be here as we journey toward

truth together. We’ve added a page to the church website called “Worship This Week.” There you’ll find the texts we’ll be reading and the title for the sermon for that week. I hope you’ll take time to read and think about those texts before you arrive. You are a very engaging and affirming congregation. I hope you know how much it means to those of us who have the privilege of leading you in worship that you’re paying attention.

I know there are several other things that need your attention this month, too. Football season is back. Choir has resumed rehearsal. Wednesday night activities require time and effort from both leaders and participants. Sunday School is in full swing. Even with all those things clamoring for our attention, something wonderful happens when we gather with friends, family, visitors, and newcomers, young and old and all points in between to worship as a community of faith. I look forward to spending a month with Luke—and with you. See you in worship!!

Grace and Peace,Bob

Get to Know Deanna... Our Newest Member!

Calling a new pastor is a big step for a congregation. More often than not, that pastor does not arrive alone. Most of you have had an opportunity to get to know Bob, our new pastor, who arrived

in July. We thought we’d give you an opportunity to get to know Deanna, who joins him in ministry here at J. J. White.

Bob and Deanna have been married since 1974. They both started out as teachers. Deanna was an elementary music teacher in Elizabethtown, KY, and has worked in several other schools and settings through the years. She graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College and Western Kentucky University with degrees in piano performance and music education. She has taught piano to children and young people in several communities where they have lived. She also served as choir director in several churches where they served together. In the new church for which Bob served as Organizing Pastor in Huntsville, AL, Deanna worked as Music Director, Director of Christian Education, and Church Secretary. She often reminded Bob that she had three jobs while he only had one! Music

has always been an important part of Deanna’s life. She has also served as a leader for Sunday School and other children’s ministries. She served on the Presbyterial Board of Christian Education in Alabama and helped to staff summer camp and mission trip experiences for children and youth.

Outside the church, Deanna enjoys spending time with her family. She and Bob have two sons, Blake and Kyle. Her parents, her sister, and her family live in Indiana. She also enjoys reading, yard work, and walking.

She looks forward to settling into the McComb community and finding places to serve here. She is enjoying getting to know more about the Excel by 5 program and other opportunities in our community. Meaningful and sustaining relationships with friends in churches in several places are very important to her, and she looks forward to building and nurturing those relationships with new friends here at J. J. White.

Deanna Phelps was welcomed as JJ White MPC’s newest member on Sunday, August 18.

Schantz Organ When the current building was built in 1921, a Moeller Organ was installed .An “Echo Organ” was added in 1930, and this arrangement served the congregation well until 1984. By this time, there became an increasing number of problems and needed repairs to the organ, and  the Session authorized an Organ Committee to research necessary repairs or complete replacement with a new organ..  An independent organ specialist was asked to check the current organ and advise us of our options.  Part of his inspection was the leather seals under the bass pipes and the first one he inspected showed almost complete deterioration of the leather. Total correction of all problems was estimated to cost between $100,000 and$200.000.  I was one of five persons asked to inspect organs in other churches. Two people dropped out at the last minute, so our current organist, William Schoenfeld, his wife Tia and I went together to see and hear large organs in Opelousas, Alexandria and Pineville, Louisiana.  In my mind, I thought a new organ could not be obtained for less than $250,000, but Bill Schoenfeld proved me wrong when he found an Organ at the Schantz Organ Company of Orville, Ohio, that met our needs for $94,000. This included relocating the console from behind to the front of the choir and retaining the old bass pipes for their appearance but be non-functioning.  I was Finance Chairman to raise funds to pay for the organ, but my job was made easier because Ruth Holmes had left $68,000 to be used for a new organ.  Part of the balance was obtained by “selling individual pipes” of the new organ.  I have a certificate for “mine” and it is “B-natural note in the Pedal Division, 8-foot Principal Section”. The organ was dedicated at a special Worship Service at 3:00 PM on Sunday, April 28, 1985, and included a special concert by Mr. Schoenfeld.

                 

JJ White Memorial Presbyterian Church... Backstories

_____________________Dr. Ralph Brock_____

View before wood casework and facade pipes were added Current view with wood casework and

facade pipes in place

JJ White MPC News

Bob Jones grew up in JJ White, and now we welcome him back as our interim choir director. Bob has had an interesting music career. He earned a degree in music with an emphasis in vocal from Ole Miss where he performed with the popular group known as the Ole Miss Downbeats. His music has taken him to a variety of venues. He was a part of a folk music group playing in New Orleans for several years. From there he returned to McComb and taught choral music and theater for nine years at McComb High School. Next he managed shows at Opryland in Tennessee for

three years, and at some point in all of this he played the sax for Elvis Presley and opened for Bob Hope! Following this he came back to McComb and worked in local radio, with the Arts Council, and at JJ White for a time. He has worked with school band programs in Walthall County and at South Pike for fifteen years. Bob has directed choirs at several local churches. We are fortunate to have him working with our choir at this time and are sure to enjoy his time with us. He began practice with the choir on August 21. We have been delighted and inspired by the special music scheduled by Beth Wild, but will be glad to have our choir back in place. If you are interested in being a part of the choir contact Bob J. or any choir member. Your voice is needed in making “a joyful noise” to our Lord.

Bob Jones

Thank you to Roger Price, JJ White MPC organist and pianist, and to Jennifer Sanders, a frequent guest pianist, for the beautiful music they perform individually and as duets of piano and organ. Our worship is made more meaningful and uplifting because of their talents.

It is always a pleasure to welcome Becky Rials, Robbie Cox, and Steve Cox (pictured l.to r) to our worship service. This summer they have provided special music for us. Each time we were blessed by their performance and hope they will return again and again to JJ White.

Jennifer Sanders, pianist, and Roger Price, JJ White MPC organist

The Best of Bess’s Best Bess Simmons, columnist for the Enterprise Journal and longtime JJ White member, is now adding author to her list of accomplishments. The Enterprise Journal held a book signing for Bess recently and the public was invited to come by to visit with the author and purchase a signed copy of her book The Best of Bess’s Best. Many friends and fans of her column attended. Pictured above at this event are (l. to r.): Van Simmons, Bess’s son; Bess with a copy of her book; Nell and Gary Fuller, Bess’s daughter and son-in-law; with friends John Drummond and Rose Ann Johnson.

Operation Christmas Child-Shoebox Ministry! It seems as if November and December are a long way off, but it is definitely not

too early to begin buying items for the shoeboxes we fill and contribute to Operation Christmas Child. School supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, combs, brushes, gum and hard candy, small books, coloring books and safe toys are all items that you can begin to gather for this mission project. For complete info visit the website http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ or contact Kay Robinson, the chair of this project at JJ White.

... Got an idea for a mission project for JJ White? Contact Carol Wood, chair of the Session’s Missions Committee.

Your input is welcomed.

Blessing of the Backpacks

Blessing of the Backpacks

God of Wisdom and Learning, God who is with us always: these backpacks filled with books and supplies and personal things and all kinds of other things remind us that a new school year has begun.

We pray for your blessing on these students who are dear to us and on all who learn with them as they journey through this school year.

We asked your blessings too, O God, on teachers, administrators, and all who work to provide educational opportunity for our children.

Gracious God, let each child feel this love and support of this congregation this school year, and equip us as a family of faith to support them with our prayers and presence both here and away. Amen

JJ White MPC children and Sunday School teachers participate as Reverend Phelps blesses the childrenʼs school backpacks. Below is an excerpt from this blessing.

ELDER OF THE MONTH: Suzi Drummond

CHILDREN’S CHURCH 1 Melisa DeCoux, Marissa Estes 8 Joanna Barr, Brandi Dyess 15 Sara Beth Williams, Alison Allred 22 Libby Simo, Lee Williams 29 Susan White, India Warshauer

FLOWERS 1 Mrs. Newton James and Family

8 Janell Herring15 Margy Wicker22 Lee and Stephen Williams29 Pat Randall

FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST 1 Lee Williams 8 Singley/Rawlings 15 Libby and Jose ′ Simo 22 29

MEN’S INTERDENOMINATIONAL BREAKFAST GROUP

4 Dale Perdeye, Whit Whittington, Joe Clark 11 Steve Blue, Noggin Wild 18 Jacob Ray, Bob Phelps 25 Renan Richmond, Rick Penick

USHERS/GREETERSTommy Ratcliff, CaptainRobbie DeCouxJohn Drummond

Stacey MoakMark StathamJohnny NancePhil Terrell

September Schedules and Lists

September Birthdays1 Noggin Wild Lily Estes3 Bryan Travis Margy Wicker

Stephen Williams4 Andrew DeCoux 5 Gracie Senner6 Pattie Brabham 7 Sara Beth Williams10 Darrell Smith13 Mary Ann Ratcliff17 Rose Ann Johnson19 Wayne Hutchison

Shep Ray20 (Carolyn Statham McKay)27 Barbara Hebert

Ed Wolff28 Dottie Burt

Stacey Moak29 Berde Nickerson

October Birthdays 2 Evan Parker

5 Bill MitchellJohnny Nance

8 Melisa DeCoux9 Carson Simmons 14 Maxine Brock15 Anna Roberts Susan White22 Robbie DeCoux 25 (Rusty Brill) Whitney Rawlings29 Kent Williford

David Feldman

Happy Birthday to...

1

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30 WorshipCommunion

2

Labor Day

OfficeClosed

3

Women’s

Bible Study 11:15-12:30

4

7:15 am Men’s Breakfast

5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship

(all ages)

5 6 7

8

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

6:00 Session

9 10 11

7:15 am Men’s Breakfast

5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)

12

Knutty Knitters

7:00 PM

13 14

Estes/NanceWedding

15

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30: Worship Guest Preacher

s

16 17 18

7:15 am Men’s Breakfast

5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship

(all ages)

19

Knutty Knitters

7:00 PM

20 21

22 Fall Equinox

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30: Worship

23

Nursing Home

Visitation

3:00 PM

24 25

7:15 am Men’s Breakfast

5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship

(all ages)

26

Knutty Knitters 7:00 PM

27 28

29

MICA

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30: Worship

30 31

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

September 2013