Thyat i r a P resby te r i an Church a t M i l l B r idge

Emai l : o f f i c e@thya t i rap resby te r i an .o rg Webs i t e : thyat i rap resby te r i an .o rg

O f f i ce : 704 -636-1595 Pas to r S te ck : 704 -245 -8100

PASTOR’S PAGE

Good News in the New Year: A Vision for the Church at Thyatira

“Who can’t use more good news?” may just be the greatest rhetorical question ever asked. Maybe that’s why it is one of

the only questions never asked on the Internet. If you do a Google search of it, you will only find it in my sermons, a fact

hard to believe considering how simple a phrase it is, and how much data is available to search.

As unasked as it may be, it’s also a question that strikes at the heart of the ministry to which Jesus has called us. His own

very first public words were quoting the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has

anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” Bringing good news was the very purpose of Jesus’ incarnation, the

coming in the manger we just celebrated last Sunday.

In case you missed it at the Christmas Eve Candlelight service, I shared the good news that following more than a year of

discernment, the Session has approved a statement that captures the vision God has given us: to be the Good News

Capital of Western Rowan County.

In short, this means that our ministries will relentlessly generate, distribute and facilitate good news. If someone needs

good news, we’ve got some for them. If someone wants to celebrate good news, we want to hear it and share it. If

someone needs help making good news, we’re their partner. And so on. This good news can be religious, economic,

justice, academic, healing, building, and on and on. As the rhetorical question implies, there will never not be a need for

more good news.

Input from the Congregation, through our Remembering Our Past Sunday in March, 2017 and Discernment Day in

September, 2017, was the primary data that helped the Vision Discernment Team generate this statement. The Team

believes that this vision fulfills some basic requirements for a useful vision statement for a church:

• Utterly consistent with the Mission Statement,

• Audacious, almost beyond belief, but

• Quantifiable, at least in abstract terms, and

• Achievable, or believed to be achievable, and

• Pictureable, so that it quickly engages the imagination of the hearer/reader

Not only does it meet these criteria, but it is sufficiently broad to be able to give direction to a diverse range of ministries.

We’ll explore the vision statement together during the season of Epiphany between now and Ash Wednesday, and then

begin making more concrete plans for how to make the dream a reality. Stay tuned for the opportunities to learn and

contribute that will be coming your way.

In the meantime, let me invite you to be thinking about what you think “good news” looks like in your own life, the

church, the Mill Bridge Community and beyond. That’s information we’ll need as we seek to prioritize the ministries and

resources God has entrusted to us for this important work.

Finally, many thanks go to the members of the Vision Discernment Team: Jada Ware-Guy, Bill Hall, Jr., Carly Moore,

and Greg Hager. They put in many hours learning together, thinking together, and planning together to help us arrive at

this point. Their hard work will give shape to many years of amazing ministry as we continue together the living legacy

of love, faith, service, and patient endurance that have always characterized the church at Thyatira.

I look forward to working with each of you to bring God’s dream to life in our community!

January 2018 Newsletter Volume 41, Number 1

PRAYER CONCERNS

Lutheran Home: Mullie Varner

C/O George Calhoun: Mary Alice Calhoun

White Oak Manor, Charlotte: Ruby Erwin

At Home: JoAnn Kerr Ted Deal

• Tom Wilson, nephew of Brenda Ward, suffering from blood clots following knee surgery

• Joyce Caldwell, facing health challenges • David Grimes, being treated for brain cancer • Julie, a co-worker of Jada, recently diagnosed with

cancer • Chris, facing health challenges • Monique's family, following the death of her mother • Kitty Harris, dealing with health issues • Thelma Walton in rehab at Liberty Commons • Phares Sechler, recovering from surgery on her

hand • Barbara, in rehab at a nursing facility • Carol King, receiving cancer treatment • Evaun Bulman, friend of Sharry Davis, undergoing

cancer treatment • Bill Hall • The situation in Puerto Rico following the hurricane • A friend of Keith Townsend, being treated for cancer • Betty Morgan, sister of Ruth Albright, recovering

after serious car accident • Alice Sloop’s friend, Nancy, under hospice care • Mike Hawkins’ mother, Elizabeth, now at Genesis • Linda Gaylor’s mother, Barbara • Jay Foster, a nine-year-old with heart issues • Ada Jo Sloop, serving in the Peace Corps • OC Shoaf • A friend of Phares, Cindy Pope, being treated for

some serious health issues • Bill Bergstrom is being treated for leukemia • Sharry Davis is being treated for cancer • Drema Clemens’ mother, Bertha Warden • Millicent Hoffner’s brother, Joe Kerr • Mike Hawkins who has RA • Jimmy’s mother and father, Ernestine & Bill Hoffner • Paul Rogers’ daughter and family in Pakistan • The Raymer family serving in Tanzania, Africa

GENEROSITY UPDATE

With one Sunday left in December, we are at 87% of the monthly projection.

95% of the yearly goal.

Liturgists:

7 - Doug Patterson 14 - Melissa Kluttz 21 - Leigh Anne Wetmore 28 - Millicent Hoffner Nursery Attendants:

7 - Ashlie Wilkie,

Melissa Kluttz 14 - Alice Sloop,

Robin Luther 21 - Carly Moore,

Michelle Patterson

28 - Abby Covington, Karen Townsend

Ushers: Eddie Bell (Captain) Ryan Sloop Jeremy Deal Mike Hawkins Steven Wetmore

Sunday School

Volunteers (2’s, 3’s, Preschool)

7 - Leigh Anne Wetmore

14 - Abby Covington 21 - Selena Bell 28 - Aaron Richmond

JANUARY SCHEDULES

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1 Janet Lambert 2 Carly Moore Josh Daniels 7 Paul Gaylor Lauren Luther 8 Raymond Harcum 9 Alexandria Bouk 12 Michelle Patterson 13 Ryan Sloop 14 Linda Gaylor Melissa Waller Mark Seaboch 23 Mariah Watts 24 John Cocca 25 Belinda Raymer 26 Glenn McCorkle Jon McCachren Ashley M. Wilkie 27 Jennifer Parish

January Birthdays

Children's Choir will resume January 14, preschoolers @ 9:50 until further notice.

Many thanks for those who stopped by and made Christmas cards to send to Texas. All the creativity will certainly bring some smiles on Texan faces. The Young Disciples will continue their card ministry for our local shut-ins and our Texas card ministry. Continued thanks go to John Knox in Houston, TX in assisting with this important project. I encourage everyone to participate by dropping cards off at the office or see Millicent directly.

I am challenging all Young Disciples to memorize the Lord's Prayer. Two have already recited it. Certificates will be handed out in January.

I'm ready to begin with some fun music in 2018.

Ms. Millicent

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Sunday, January 7 we will have a meeting at 9:00am.

Anchor yourself in Jesus for the New Year! All Women of Thyatira are invited to a special women’s retreat on Saturday, January 20th from 10am-2pm. Join us for fellowship, workshops on reflexology and skin care, lunch, and Bible Study. Look for invites in your mail!

Breakfast

Sunday, January 7 the men of the church will join together for food and fellowship at 8:00am. Hurricane Matthew Relief Efforts Update

In early December, a small but dedicated group of men traveled to Lumberton, NC to aid in recovery efforts needed to address the vast damage caused in September 2016 by hurricane Matthew. The Lumber River, normally about 30 feet wide, runs thru the middle of town. Lumberton is in a fairly flat area on NC. Matthew dropped around 25 inches of rain over couple of days, causing extreme flooding that lasted for weeks. Hundreds of homes where flooded, usually water was three feet deep.

Since then many groups of volunteers have descended on the Lumberton area to aid the efforts to get residents back in their homes. Some of these groups are Mennonites, Baptists, Muslims, Methodists, and numerous volunteer groups. One such group of guys work for Petty Enterprises in Mooresville.

Our group partnered with the Methodist Aid folks who have a very well-organized effort there to get folks back into their homes. The local Methodist Church housed us, provided cooking facilities, etc., and directed us to projects where our talents and time where best needed. We helped FINISH two homes and rebuilt a garage on a third.

Tentative plans are developing for another mission trip to Lumberton after the holidays. Anyone interested should contact David Hall.

BATTERY RECYCLING

You may bring used household batteries to the church office to be recycled. Please place batteries in the basket labeled for battery recycling. (Single use alkaline, lithium, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, and small sealed lead acid batteries only.)

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The Session of Thyatira Presbyterian Church met on December 10 and 17 and took the following actions:

• Approved the Vision Discernment Team’s proposed Vision Statement and recommendations

• Approved the 2018 Budget

• Approved giving a “Thank You” gift to the congregation for its extraordinary cooperation in 2017

• Set the Annual Meeting of the Congregation for Sunday, January 28 following worship

• Examined and approved for ordination and installation new elders and deacons

Wednesday Evening Prayer, Song & Study

All are invited Wednesday evenings at 6:30 to engage in an hour in prayer, song, and study. We’ll gather in the Sanctuary to

give thanks to God for giving us Jesus Christ, the light of the world, to pray for the joys and concerns of our hearts and the world, and to reflect on a passage of Scripture. Please join us! For more information, please contact Pastor Stacey at 704-636-1595.

Opportunities to Serve...

After all, the book of James makes a very good point...

How is God Calling You to Serve in 2018?

Thyatira is a wonderfully active church, serving many people within the church and

community.

All of these activities require thought, participation and energy to bring to life.

Could you be part of one of these

committees that make our service possible?

WORSHIP CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

WITNESS CONGREGATIONAL CARE

NEW MEMBER PERSONNEL FELLOWSHIP

STEWARDSHIP FINANCE

Please consider how God might be calling

you to this important and meaningful ministry, and contact Pastor Stacey at 704-636-1595 to indicate your interest.

RAYS ADDRESS:

If you would like to send a card or note of encouragement to Jody, Rebecca, Isaac, Josiah & Caleb Ray serving in Pakistan, you may send them to:

The Ray Family Shikarpur Christian Hospital

New Faujdari Road Shikarpur, Sindh 78100

Pakistan

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Presbyterian Giving Catalog

The Lost Sheep Sunday School Class would like to thank everyone who picked an ornament off the tree and donated to the Presbyterian Giving Catalog. We received $1043.00 through the church office and additional gifts were given online directly to presbyteriangifts.org.

In Memory Of: Given By:

Tricia Barber Vaughan Keith Vaughan Gift: Rainwater Catchment System

Talbott (Dutch) Himes Phares Sechler Gift: Supplies for Displaced Students

Murray & Peggy McConnall The Edwards Gift: Young Adult Volunteer Faith Development

EK Graham Jr Emory & Susan Graham Gift: Cow (2/share) and Farming Tools

Ted Luther Dot Luther Gift: Educate a Child

Grandpa Graham Luke, Sarah, Mary &

Gift: Farm Tools Anna Waller

Carl Patterson Randall & Nora Patterson

Gift: Livestock Doug & Michelle Patterson

Ted Luther Mark & Leigh Anne Gift: Water Filter Wetmore

In Honor Of: Given By:

Wilson, Hampton, & Phifer Families Connolly Family Gift: Linens and Blankets

Jim & Kathy Mullet Corrie Connolly Gift: Peace Camp

Paul Rogers Linda Rogers Gift: Winter Heating Fuel for Refugees

Jerri Seaboch Janet Lambert Gift: Jerry Cans

Our Preschool & Preschool Teachers Luke, Sarah, Mary &

Gift: Educate a Child Anna Waller

Our Sunday School Teachers Luke, Sarah, Mary & & Youth Advisors Anna Waller Gift: Family of Chickens

Phyllis Patterson Randall & Nora Patterson

Gift: Livestock Doug & Michelle Patterson Gift: School Uniform Aaron & Lydia Richmond Gift: Shared Grants & Emergency Carolyn Wilson Gift: Bag of Native Seeds Rouse Family Gift: Piglet Addy & McGuire Moore

Things to do... • Please stop

by outside the church office to pickup your gift bags from Session and 2018 offering envelopes. If you need them mailed to you please call the church office to have that arranged.

• Please check the 2017 Directory

located on the bulletin board outside the office. If there has been a change in your address or phone number please make changes by writing them on the directory or calling the church office to have it corrected.

Christmastime Thank You to:

• Juanita Turner for coordinating the Ugly Christmas Sweater Fellowship meal

• The Carolers who brought musical joy to our community

• Millicent Hoffner and the Young Disciples for sharing the Gospel in song

• Angela Moore, Ron Mercer, and the Adult Choir for bringing us beautiful music throughout the Advent and Christmas season.

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Thyatira Presbyterian Church At Mill Bridge 220 White Rd. Salisbury, NC 28147-5606 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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January 2018 Newsletter

Two Year Old Classroom: This month the class has been very busy Celebrating Christmas! We have talked about Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus, read several Christmas books (bible story and funny ones). These little ones have made nativity scenes, ornaments, wreaths, and special gifts for their parents. The Christmas program was on Thursday the 14th and ALL the children did wonderful. We ended our month with a class Christmas party that included “Moms” making ornaments and decorating cookies with their child! Everyone enjoyed cookies and a special snack. What fun they had and LOTS of laughter!! Wishes to everyone a Merry and Blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Three Year Old Classroom: Way to go to all the children in our preschool for a great performance of "Christmas Step by Step". All their practice paid off and thank you to parents for playing the CD of songs. The children made a gift for their family, a jingle bell necklace, a nativity door hanger and painted a wreath. They listened to stories about baby Jesus (the real meaning of Christmas) and also stories of Santa. Our wish for everyone is to have a very Happy New Year.

Four Year Old Classroom: December was filled with the sights and sounds of the Christmas Season. The class made ornaments, reindeer hats, reindeer chow, handprint Santas, and beautiful gingerbread houses. We proclaimed the birth of Jesus with our Christmas program on the 14th. Everyone did such a great job singing and acting out their parts. What a joy-filled day! We read stories and sang songs about Santa and the reindeer, but focused our attention on the real meaning of Christmas - Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. We celebrated this most important event with a Happy Birthday Jesus party on the 19th. We look forward to restful & joyous Christmas break.