smith hall. at this luncheon, we hope to announce the offering...
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NON-PROFIT
U.S.POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 109
Peachtree City, GA
30269
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
206 Willow Bend Rd
Peachtree City GA 30269
Telephone: 770-487-7757
FAX: 770-631-8886
Kindergarten/Preschool:
770-487-3699
www.firstpresptc.org
An open and affirming congregation of grace and welcome
where we celebrate God’s unconditional love
through joyous worship, authentic relationships, and loving outreach.
SESSION
The Reverend Morgan Morse Hay, Moderator
Alice Hamilton, Clerk of Session
Amanda DeBuc, Treasurer
ELDERS
Phil Hamilton, [email protected]
Dale Phenicie, [email protected]
Cliff Isaacson, [email protected] * Adele Moore, [email protected] Carolyn Gulick, [email protected] * Brandon McCuin, [email protected]
DEACONS
Ted Mack, Moderator, [email protected]
Anne Perry, Secretary, [email protected]
Bob Rogers, [email protected] * Bill Hawthorne, [email protected]
Kim Diffey, [email protected] * Larry Haynes, [email protected]
STAFF
Morgan Morse Hay, Pastor, [email protected], 404-213-3752
Alana Vines, Manager Church Operations, [email protected], 678-300-6334
Pam Weir, Administrative Assistant, [email protected], 770-487-1061
Christy Utt, Children’s Ministry, [email protected], 770-487-7757
David Stivers, Music Director, [email protected], 770-880-7693
Bill Pasch, Organist; Composer in Residence * Susan Scheuer, Pianist
If you would like to know about:
Preschool Ministry, Susan Gilbert 770-487-3699
Education Ministries, Adele Moore 770-631-3579
Youth Ministry, Mary Hiltzheimer 404-804-4735
Stephen Ministry, Lorabeth Stroup 770-486-8913
Martha Ministry, Mary Holland 678-364-1708
Worship Coordinator, Dale Phenicie 770-487-7585
Weddings, Iola Snow 404-403-2448
Library, Sally Lee 770-487-7592 Cathy Olson 678-438-3577
Missions, Sheryl Watford 678-338-1430
Shelvis & Nancy Smith-Mather, South Sudan
General Assembly Global Missions ● Disaster Relief
Thornwell Children’s Home
Presbyterian Homes ● Calvin Center
Welcome House ● Promise Place
Fayette Samaritans ● Fayette Care Clinic
Healing Bridge Clinic
Retired Clergy
The Reverend Dr. Donald W. Smith
The Reverend Robert “Bob” Veley
The Reverend Dr. Richard A. Dodds
The Reverend Robert “Bob” Allman
Volume 13 Issue 2
Apr - Jun 2016
www.f
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First
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The First. Faithful. Forever. Campaign is now well underway. I never imagined a capital campaign could be so energizing and inspiring, but it has been both and so much more! From having liturgical art creat-ed before our very eyes in worship to liturgical dance as we brought our pledge cards forward, our worship has been moving and engaging. I am so thankful to all of you that shared your testimonies, in cardboard, on video, and in person during worship and at home gatherings. Most of all, I am thankful for all of your prayers, as we prayed together, “Lord, what do You want to do through me?”
The First Fruits Offering and Celebration Potluck will be on Sun-day, April 17. On this Sunday, we will receive our first official offering of the campaign and then celebrate with a potluck lunch after worship in Smith Hall. At this luncheon, we hope to announce the offering totals from the campaign. The final pledge total will be announced in worship on Sunday, April 24.
At this point, we have already exceeded our First Step and Chal-lenge Benchmarks! If you have not yet turned in a pledge card, please do so as soon as possible so we will have that information when we an-nounce the total amount pledged towards the First. Faithful. Forever. Campaign. If everyone in our church works together, we can reach our Celebration Benchmark! All of the money we raise will help us fund the mission and ministry to which God calls us!
I am so blessed to serve such a faithful and committed church family. I am so excited about the future to which God is calling us! It is an exciting time in the life of First Presbyterian and I am thankful to be a part of it! Thank you all so much for the ways you have made this cam-paign such a success and the ways you daily live out your call to be disci-ples of Jesus Christ. I am grateful to you all and overwhelmed by your generosity and faithfulness.
As we live into this Easter season, may we be an Easter people, remembering that like Mary Magdalene, we have seen the Lord!
Grace and Peace,
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WED THURS FRIDAY SAT
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Newsletter
Articles Due!
July 2
No Dinner
No Bell Rehearsal
Chancel Choir
6:30 thru Aug
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Dinner
Program
Choirs
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Program
Choirs
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Choirs
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Choirs
Chu
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Off
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The Presbyterian Women’s Circles hosted a St. Patrick’s Day party for Capernaum. This group of young people meet at the church twice a month for their CLUB. Capernaum, a part of Young Life, is for young adults with special needs. Over 75 people attended the party, including the Capernaum members, adult leaders, PW volunteers, and their families. An evening of dinner, ice cream sundaes, and cupcakes was followed by dancing the night away with the Limbo, Chicken Dance, Macarena, and other favorites. Smith Hall was transformed into St. Patrick's Room with green decorations, green lemonade, hats, necklaces, and more. A wonderful evening was had by all! We look forward to hosting this group again
next year!
The Mission Committee of First Presbyterian has been hard at work to further our com-mitments to serving the local and global missions we have chosen to support in 2016. The Committee has adopted the following Mission Statement: To raise awareness and support local and global missions for the Glory of God. In trying to achieve our goals, the Com-mittee would like the congregation to know what we are planning in hopes you will be excited to
be an active participant in our future projects. First and foremost, Thank You for all the generous food and financial donations to the Fayette Samaritans March Food
Drive. The need is great and your donations will go a long way to help the hungry in our area. We are also in discussions with the Midwest Area Food Bank to have a group of First Pres volunteers go to the Food Bank one evening to help with their work in providing food to those in need.
Instead of a Golf Tournament in 2016, we are planning to hold a “Harvest Moon Dance” in September to raise funds for Mission projects. The location and date will be determined soon and will include either a silent auction and or a live auction as well. It promises to be a Gala event that you won’t want to miss.
Lastly, we will soon be giving you more information about the possibility of forming a group of interested volunteers who were moved by the talk given to us at a Wednesday night dinner about helping refuges settle into our area.
We of course will be keeping you informed through the usual methods of communications our church does so well. If anyone is interested in joining the Mission Committee, please let Kathy Allgeier or Sheryl Watford know. We would love to discuss it with you. We look forward to your support and participation in 2016!
With much gratitude, your Mission Committee: Sheryl Watford, Beth Dawkins, Carol Bryant, Susan Piraino, Sharon Brickell, Bob Morris, Toni Dyer, and Kathy Allgeier
FPC organist and composer-in-residence Bill Pasch's newest anthem publi-cation was released on March 3 by Augsburg Fortress Press. The Christ-mas piece, titled Miracle in Mystery, was premiered at First Presbyterian Church in December 2014 and was accompanied by string quartet and oboe (at the suggestion of FPC music director David Stivers). More infor-mation about the anthem, plus a sound recording, is available at
http://store.augsburgfortress.org/store/product/22044/Miracle-in-Mystery?c=285835.
LIFE LINE SCREENING – Protect your health. Learn your risk of having a stroke by participating in the Life Line Cardiovas-cular Screening at First Presbyterian June 15. Through ultrasound, the carotid arteries can be evaluated for the buildup of fatty plaque, which is the leading cause of stroke. Register today for the Stroke, Vascular & Heart Rhythm package by either calling the special Helping Hands registration number (800-324-9458) or by signing up thru the provided registration sheet (at the Welcome Cen-ter). You may also sign up online: www.helpinghandsforhealth.com. By signing up for this health event, not only will you receive $10 off any package of $149 or more, but First Pres will also receive a $10 donation for everyone who signs up and attends this Life Line Screening event. The Stroke, Vascular & Heart Rhythm Package includes four screenings: carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease, and atrial fibrillation. Join in the fight against vascular disease!
Come, join us for cof-fee, study, and lively
discussion, 9:30-10:30 Sunday morning. Our current study is the Gospel accord-ing to John. The challenge to us as Christians in the 21st century is to dis-cern what the scripture tells us about God, our relationship to God, and our relationships with our fellow human be-ings. We hope you will come join us as we find new discoveries each and every Sunday.
Spring is here and lots of new books have found a home in our church library. Thanks to all who donated these wonderful books:
The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg (donated by Fred and Carol Bryant) This book will help you discover spiritual vitality like never before as you learn to “live in the flow of the spirit.”
Killing Jesus by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard (Fred and Carol Bryant) Killing Jesus takes readers inside Jesus’ life, re-counting the seismic political and historical events that made his death inevitable – and changed the world forever.
Do I Know God? by Tullian Tchividjian (Fred and Carol Bryant) As the grandson of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham, Tullian Tchividjian grew up hearing the Christian faith preached to millions. Yet he struggled to come to faith personally. His first book, Do I Know God? captures the sincerity and intensity of his own spiritual quest, and shows the way for a new generation of seekers.
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb (Cathy and Dave Olson) I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.
Tablets of the Heart by Jane Westmoreland (Sharon Brickell) Tablets of the Heart is a collection of true stories about faith and forgiveness, most of which are set in the author's hometown of Griffin, Georgia.
A Child’s Book of Grace by Wendy Wax (Sally and Barry Lee) This is a beautiful book of Bible verses, stories, and Christian songs for children of all ages and also for adults, especially those who share it with the younger ones.
Thankful Together by Holly Davis (Sally and Barry Lee) Cuddle up with your child and enjoy the sweet rhymes and cozy pic-tures that celebrate everyday times to be thankful together.
Jesus and His Times Reader’s Digest (Sally and Barry Lee) Jesus and His Times' evocative text and captions place the read-er in the middle of the action of the most famous story in history. More than 400 photographs, drawings, and reconstructions, most in full color.
Many of you toured First Presbyterian during the Capital Campaign’s Saturday Prayer Event and visited our church library, many for the first time. We hope that you will return and check out a book or two. It’s very simple. Just write your name on the card in the back of the book, put the card in the red box on the desk in the library. You may keep the book as long as you want but when you return it, put the book in the box outside the door to the library. The library is open on Sunday mornings and on Wednesday evenings from 5:00-7:30. Come by and check out some of our new or old books for your reading pleasure.
Thank you, Mary and Edgar, for hosting the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day party. If you missed it, you’ll want to mark your calendars for next year!
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WED THURS FRIDAY SAT
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9
10 11 Rick Perry
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13 14
15 16 Patrick
Greene
17 Judy
Goodart 18 19 Philip
Banks
20 21 22 23
24 David
DeBuc 25
26 Paula
Dougherty 27 Will
Telligman 28 Bob Morris
Andy Powell
29 Cheryl Hall
Robert Hay
30 Wendell
Waggoner James Spears
Carter Spears
Dinner
Program
Choirs
Dinner
Program
Choirs
Dinner
Program
Choirs
First Fruits Offering and Celebration Luncheon
Announcement Sunday
Preschool Spring Break
No Wed
Night
Dinner
Choirs
rehears
as usual
Articles for the Summer newsletter are due by June 24.
Several new names have been added to our church directory. Do you need one? (A directory, not a new name.) See Pam.
Apr 6
SPRING BREAK
NO DINNER
Apr 13
Chicken Brunswick
Stew
Dessert: M-R
All others:
Side or Salad
Apr 20
Roasted Pork Loin
à la Chef Pat
Dessert: S-Z
All others:
Side or Salad
Apr 27
Scalloped Potatoes
and Ham
Dessert: A-F
All others:
Side or Salad
May 4
Shepherd’s Pie
à la Chef Pat
Dessert: G-L
All others:
Side or Salad
May 11
Pizza
Dessert: M-R
All others:
Side or Salad
May 18
Make-Your-Own
Taco Salad Bar
Dessert: S-Z
All others:
Side or Salad
May 25
Last Wed Dinner
until Fall Fried Chicken
Dessert: A-F
All others:
Side or Salad
June 19
Potluck Luncheon
after worship
July 10
Potluck Luncheon
after worship
August 14
Potluck Luncheon
after worship
This is our motto for Wednesday Night Dinners at FPC. The Kitchen Crew invites you to join us at 5:30 on Wednesday nights in Smith Hall for good fun and fellowship. We enjoy plan-ning, preparing, parceling out, and partaking of a scrumptious entrée complimented by a potluck array of sides, salads, and desserts prepared by our fabulous FPC family members. These din-ners are the perfect opportunity for a new game of Mix-It-Up—rules are (1) scope out the new faces and invite them to sit at your table, (2) dine with different people each week and exchange trivial facts about yourself, and (3) share your joys and concerns, then pray for each other for the remainder of the week. There will be no set price for dinner; however, donations to offset the cost of the entrée and kitchen maintenance are always greatly appreciated.
Come and see what homemade happiness at First Presbyterian is all about!
SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM: Although the last day of school seems distant, it will be here before we know it. With that last day of school comes the start of our Summer Lunch Program. We are hopeful that Midwest Food will continue to support the program with their gen-erous donations. Even with their generosity there are still items that have to be pur-chased—always perishables (lunchmeat, vegetables, fruit and sometimes bread) and peanut butter. In order to get the specifics that we need week to week we are re-questing donations of grocery gift cards, checks made out to First Presbyterian with a memo notation that it is for Summer Lunch, or cash. Thank you in advance for your continued support and generosity. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Jo Ann Wright at 770-460-9625 or [email protected].
Spring has sprung and we are filled with boundless enthusiasm! We love warm
weather and sunny skies. Although our school year is winding down, we continue
to be busy, busy, busy! We invite our FPK families and friends to join us on
Thursday, April 21 for our annual Art Show/Open House from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Our hallways and classrooms will be filled with beautiful “masterpieces” that our students have created throughout the
year. Please stop by the children’s wing and tour our artwork. The children are so proud of their work and want to share it
with everyone. Our Spring Program will be May 2 and 3 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Our music teacher, JoBeth Braddy, wil l
lead the children in song and all are welcome! Nothing brightens the soul more than hearing young children sing! Our hardwork-
ing kindergarten class, under the direction of Anne Perry and Errin Gevertz, will graduate on May 13 at 10:00 in the sanctuary.
This sweet ceremony always brings a tear to the eye! School will dismiss for the summer on May 13 and will resume on August
22, but you’ll still see plenty of children in the building throughout the summer months with Summer Fundays and VBS. Thank
you, our dear church family, for your love, prayers, and support throughout the year. We love you!
Children’s Ministry will once again be offering the Summer Fundays program this summer. We have teamed up with our
amazing preschool again so that we may offer 4 one-week options for summer playtime. We will have wonderful themed activities
and lots of fun and games. Registration for church members and current preschool families will open April 11. Community Regis-
tration will open April 25. More details will be available in the Preschool Office and on the board
near the Welcome Center.
Session 1 – May 31-June 3 (shorter session / Memorial Day holiday) Session 2 – June 6-10
Session 3 – July 11-15 Session 4 – July 18-22
Fundays sessions will be Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 1:00pm. Students will bring their
lunch each day. Fundays are open to children who will be 2 years old by September 1 through rising first graders.
Fundays tuition is $125 per session, except for Session 1. Tuition for Session 1 is $100 as it is a shortened week.
Thank you to all who contributed time and/or resources to the Easter Egg Hunt. It
was a lovely evening of fun and fellowship. The children found lots of goodies and
participated in some fun activities.
Thank you to our church family for helping make this event a success.
We are excited to announce our Vacation Bible School 2016, Deep Sea Discovery, is under way! We are preparing for
another wonderful week of learning about Jesus and filling our church with excited children! The past few years of VBS would
not have been possible without the support of our church members. We have had several meetings to plan and discuss our
theme and set up for this year, and now we need your support again to make VBS a success four years in a row. Please take a
moment to see if there is an area of support you are able to provide to be a part of our team.
Donation of Materials: Collecting materials for VBS was so easy last year! This would not have been possible without
your support. This year we need gift cards to Walmart, Kroger, and Michaels Craft Store, so we can shop for materials. If you
are a shopper at Kroger, there are always specials that earn extra fuel points when you buy gift cards.
Donation of Time: We need volunteers to help during VBS. If you are available between 8:30-12:30, June 20-24, we
would love to have you be a part of our team! We are looking for nursery helpers and guides to take our groups of students
from station to station. If you are not able to help during VBS but want to help with the set-up and decorating, please feel
free to join us on one of our workdays: Saturday, June 11, 10-2pm; Monday – Friday, June 13-17, 2-6:00pm; or
Saturday, June 18, 10-2:00 for finishing touches if needed.
Decorating Donations: This year we are deep sea divers. We are looking for anything that would help.
If there is something you think could support our underwater theme, please contact Mary Dawkins. Also, if
you donate items to decorate please label them with your name so we can return items when we finish.
If you have any questions please reach out! [email protected] or 404-804-4735.
June 20-24 9-12:30 p.m. Student Fee: $15 due the 1st day
Registration Open: April 10 – June 10 Register online at:
www.vacationbibleschool.com/firstpresptc
Vacation Bible School 2016
SOME FOLKS First Presbyterian welcomes the following new members to our church family.
We are a richer church with these additions, being blessed with their time, talents, and treasure.
Richard “Dick” and Mary Gebben. Dick is a chemical engineer with Jindal Films Americas in LaGrange, GA. He is involved in the relocation of its US Research and Develop-ment (R&D) Center and its national headquarters to its LaGrange facility in Troup County, Georgia. Mary is a
former teacher of the deaf. Dick and Mary have been married for 36 years and have moved 8 times including a stint in Japan. Dick enjoys read-ing science fiction and puttering around the house. Mary is a former WOC circle leader and a passionate member of the Betsy Tacy Society (betsy-tacysociety.org). Their second daughter, Claire, lives and works in Bellingham, MA, and loves horses.
January brought us three lovely ladies . . .
Edna Potash. Edna moved to Peachtree City two years ago from New Jersey after her home of many years was destroyed in Storm Sandy. Her son, a Delta pilot, bought a home for her in Dover Square and she moved in without ever seeing the place. Edna has enjoyed getting to know her neighbor, Betty Keeney, and joining her for Wednesday night dinners. Edna says that she loves PTC and does not miss the snow in New Jersey at all.
Lauren Ann Wise. Lauren has lived in PTC for 12 years. She volunteers in our FPK Pre-school and operates her own business—LaurenWiseOrganize. Lauren enjoys running, tennis, and early morning boot camp. Lauren has two boys, Ethan (4) and River (2), en-rolled in FPK Preschool.
Julia “Julie” Taylor. Julie is a former member of FPC and returns after a sojourn to Deca-tur and Dahlonega, Georgia. Julie has been a Sunday School teacher, preschool teacher, and VBS teacher at FPC. Julie enjoys cooking and gardening. She has two daughters, Kelsey and Kendall, who grew up at FPC. We are so glad to welcome Julie “home.”
In February, our church family grew with these additions.
Candace “Candy” Carson. Candy moved to Fayette County living many years in Douglasville caring for her parents. After 43 years, Candy retired as an associate registrar at Georgia Tech. However, her retirement didn’t last as she now turns right instead of left off I-85 and works part-time in the Professional Education Department at GA Tech.
Phoebe Taylor. Phoebe also moved to Fayette County from Douglasville after losing her husband a couple of years ago. She has worked as a decora-tor for many years and is now spending time creat-ing a beautiful home for her and Candy to share. (By the way, Phoebe and Candy are members of that special group that several of us belong to—GRITS [Girls Raised In The South]. They also have the distinction of being natives of the Atlanta area. Not too many of us can make that claim.)
Kay Gebben. Kay is a swimmer and participates in Special Olympics competitions. She loves Panda bears and has enjoyed several trips to the Atlanta Zoo to see Yang Yang and Lun Lun. Kay enjoys Girl Scouts, Disney, and the Georgia Aquarium. Kay and her mom, Mary, have had fun exploring the Atlanta area and its attractions since moving to Newnan seven months ago.
With March bursting into bloom, we welcome 4 families to our growing congregation.
YOU’LL WANT TO MEET
David, Ann, Anna Wallace, and Sara Frances Thornton David grew up in Cartersville, GA. He is a civil engineer with Southern Co. (GA Power). Ann is from Montgom-ery, AL, and is a stay-at-home Mom (domestic engi-neer/chauffeur). Both grew up in the Presbyterian Church. David and Ann met at Auburn University. They moved to PTC from Birmingham, AL, last fall. They have two daughters, Anna Wallace (7) and Sara Frances (4). The Thorntons have fallen in love with the cart path system!
Aznar and Wapole Ranza. Aznar and Wap recently moved here from the Phil-ippines. They have been in Fairburn for two months. Aznar graduated from the University of the Philippines with a major in genetics. Wap graduated from Silliman University, which was estab-lished in 1901 as Silliman Institute by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis-sions. She is a physical therapist at Southland Rehab Center. They both love to watch movies and have already joined the First Presbyterian choir.
Jeff, Caroline, Kathryn, and Linden Kirsch. The Kirsch family came to PTC three years ago from Louisiana. Jeff graduated from Texas Tech with a business degree and owns Armstrong McCall in Fayetteville. He enjoys all activities outdoors—golfing, fishing, hunting, etc. Caroline graduated from the University of New Orleans with a science degree and sold x-ray equipment for 10 years. She helps Jeff in the business, but also enjoys a new passion—photography, as well as all things artsy. They have two chil-dren—Kathryn (4) and Linden (8 months). Linden was baptized at First Presbyterian on March 20. This family also loves the cart path system!
Patti Keheley Frieder. Patti is cradle Presbyterian and comes to us from Fayette Presbyterian Church. She has been married to Phil for 27 years and has one son. Patti enjoys quilting and reading.