124 Trott Road Richlands, NC 28574

910.324.4690 fccrichlands.org

office@fccrichlands.org

Pastor Keith Mackey

Interim Minister

Kay Payne Director of Music

Mallorie Adkins Secretary

office@fccrichlands.org

Gwen Morton Custodian

Church Office Hours

Monday—Friday 9 a.m.—1 p.m.

CMF Meeting Monday, August 4

7 p.m.

Elders’ Meeting Sunday, August 11

5 p.m.

Board Meeting Monday, August 12

7 p.m.

CWF Meeting Tuesday, July 16

7 p.m.

Office Closed Monday, August 5

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, August 18

Worship One—Love All

A Word For the Church Pastor Keith

This past Saturday (July 28, 2019) I began a season of fasting and prayer. After all, as First Christian Church continues in this time of transition what better time than now to do this. This was just going to be my little secret, but it occurred to me that we all should be involved. Over the years I have been surprised to discover how many people fast and pray on occasion. However, most I’ve talked to are a bit put off by the notion. Sounds uncomfortable! It doesn’t have to be that hard. Jesus said this about it:

Matthew 6:16-18 16 “And whenever you fast, do not become sad-faced like the hypocrites, for they neglect their faces to make their fasting evident to men. Amen, I tell you, they have their reward in full! 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting won’t be evident to men, but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will re-ward you.

Fasting can take any number of forms. For instance, my health precludes me from a total absence of food for days at a time. Therefore, I fast from solid food from sundown to sunup. During the night hours is when I really get the munchies. Liquids (water, tea, pop etc) are fine. In fact, during any fast you should drink lots of water and mind your health. If you encounter health issues, stop! We might consider treating a season of fasting and prayer like Lent: give up something you love for the time period. Reminder: no fair giving up broccoli or brussels sprouts for your fast!! Actually, I like both. But you catch the drift. During this period of transition, now more than ever, it is critical that we seek the Holy Spirit to guide us and there is no more sure way of doing that than a season of prayer and fasting. I would that all who are able to join me in this, as some have already done. And while we’re fasting, don’t forget to pray! We have a specific item to pray about, which is our transition. When this is accomplished, our season of prayer and fasting will be complete.

A monthly publication of First Christian Church

CHALICE NEWS Volume 39 | Issue 08| August 2019

Chalice News Page 2 | August 2019

Christian Women’s Fellowship Mary Ann, Secretary

On July 16, at 7 pm, our ladies met in the church fellowship hall. After prayer praises and con-cerns were shared, Peggy gave the devotion, “Priorities” with Phil. 2:3 as her scripture. Prayer followed.

We signed more all-occasion cards to be sent as needed. Tammy gave an update on the menu and price for our Christmas Party. Tina Baysden offers 2 meats, 2 vegetables, rolls, dessert and tea for $12.50 per person. The CWF will furnish the paper products and pay the tip. We all agreed on Tina being our cater-er. Shirley will purchase the paper products.

For our new business, we will feed a family or families when needed. We also planned the menu for the dance scheduled for Sept. 6 at 6:30 pm in the CLC. The menu will be hamburgers, rolls, chips, finger desserts, sodas, bottled water and condiments. The price is $8 per person. We will make further plans for the Oct. 12 craft show at our August meeting.

The treasurer gave our treasury report. Brenda Pike reported on our Christmas box. For our service project, we gave monetary gifts to two families. We are continuing to give $40 to Worship and Wonder each month.

We also wrote scriptures or favorable comments on the Christmas cards for Samaritan Shoeboxes. We pre-pared several cards for mailing to shut ins or other recipients.

On Aug. 13, our next meeting is scheduled with Carol Tripp as our hostess. We encourage all ladies to join us at our next meeting.

After delicious refreshments, Kristy closed with prayer.

Christian Men’s Fellowship Dennis Jones, Reporter

The CMF held its regular monthly meeting on July 1 with eleven men in attendance. Church Board Chairman Steve Rogers updated the group regarding the church’s current policy regarding how we handle church emer-gencies. He informed the men that a Security Committee is currently working on upgrading means of improv-ing our ability to handle emergencies quickly. Rev. Keith Mackey shared aspects of a current policy used at a church he previously attended.

Edward Williams shared a devotion based on Psalm 121, entitled “Where Does Your Help Come From?” He remind-ed us that the LORD’s care for us is constant, close to us, and is continuing. God’s promise is to do what it takes to keep us safe for eternal life with him, regardless of whatever challenges and dangerous endeavors we may face daily.

Our gathering concluded with some delicious refreshments provided by Ben Black. Mike Bennetch will pro-vide both the program and refreshments for our next monthly meeting on Monday, August 5 at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, July 20, thirteen men gathered at Angie’s Restaurant in Jacksonville for our monthly birthday breakfast. We were fortunate to have four of our July birthday “boys” to join us to celebrate in good Christian fellowship: Charles Whitaker (29), Ken Brown (16), Brian (25) and Cameron Jones (31). Other birthdays among our church men for July included John Tripp (2), Jonathan Adkins (3), Austin Rogers (5), Mark Lunce-ford (7), Gabriel Adkins (12), Allen Barbee (18), Taylor Bostic (21), Devan Murphy (25), Richard Quirk (27), and Richard Barbee (31). July was a busy birthday month! We gather once again on Saturday, August 17 at 7:15 a.m. at Angie’s for our August birthday celebrations! All men of the church are cordially welcomed to join us!

Men of God, we would love to have you join us with our CMF gatherings and endeavors! Please think serious-ly about doing such!!

Chalice News Page 3 | August 2019

Donate Your Christmas Cards

If you would like to donate the front of any Christmas cards received this year; our Shoebox ministry can use them for special messages next year! You can bring them to Church office or give to Brenda Huffman. Thank you.

Property Maintenance Volunteers Needed

We are in need of a few more things to be done around the church. If you are interested in helping with one or more of the following tasks, please call the church office and let Mallorie know. Need to change out barn door (Used one is fine) Pressure wash the steeple. Install outdoor light on barn

Outreach

The week of August 4 – August 9. A mission team from Waverly, VA (Gary & Jacky Edens) will be housed in our CLC and working in the Onslow County Area. We will have supper for them on Wednesday, August 7.

If you are able and would like to join the mission group for the week or for a day please contact Jane Ander-son 910-358-9956. This is a great opportunity to work in our own community with great folks and have the

Social Breakfast

Come fellowship with us during break-fast on Sunday, August 11. The Social Committee will be preparing a deli-cious breakfast of bacon, sausage, pan-cakes, and fruit. This is such a fun time

between the two Worship Services to join together before Sunday School. Breakfast will be served at 9:30am. We hope to have you join us.

Sunday, August 11

5PM

Sunday, August 4 at 9:45am, during

Sunday School! Come play and win

school supplies!!!

Congregational Meeting The General Board of First Christian Church approved the recommendation of Pastor Mark Reid for our next Senior Minister. The Congregation will meet on August 18th, 2019 to vote on the recommendation of the General Board. The Congregation Meeting will be held after both services. The Search Committee has worked for over a year in their quest for the Senior Minister, reviewing resumes and applications, interviewing po-tential candidates, calling references and been in constant prayer for just this moment. Please attend the Con-gregational Meeting and if you have any concerns or questions, please contact the church office and we will be glad to get those answered for you.

Chalice News Page 4| August 2019

Samaritan’s Shoebox Brenda Huffman

Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has collected more than 168 million shoeboxes packed with toys and other fun items by people like you, and delivered them to boys and girls in need around the world in partnership with local churches.

Many boys and girls who receive shoebox gifts also enroll in The Greatest Journey, our 12-lesson follow-up discipleship program, where they learn to follow Christ and share Him with others. Millions of boys and girls have participated in this dynamic course so far.

How can you get involved?? Our church has many ways to be involved in this children’s global ministry. A guide is provided each month in the bulletin, requesting specific donated items such as hygiene or toy items that will be placed in boxes. Volunteers are also needed to help pack boxes in November, and deliver to a larg-er shipping site in our area. We invite everyone to make packing a box a family activity, just remember to fol-low the safety guidelines found on the Samaritan’s Shoebox web page. Lastly, donations of money are always welcomed to cover the $9 shipping fee, or to help purchase remaining items.

Choir Rehearsal Resumes

Choir Rehearsal will resume Wednesday, August 14 at 7PM. If you are interested in making a joyful noise with us, please come attend our rehears-al. Help us lift our voices to

praise the Lord. We are hoping to grow our choir, to see some new faces, and hear new voices.

Pool Party & Picnic

Our annual pool party and picnic is scheduled for Sun-day, August 18 at 6PM. This is a great time to get together before summer ends and school begins, when life be-comes so busy again. Join us for a dip in the pool and a picnic. We encourage you to bring a friend!

Children’s Committee News

We had a really great turn out for the Kids’ Water Day event. They had a huge slip n slide, water balloon fight, wa-ter guns, and tye-dyed some t-shirts. We had 13 kids show up, along with parents that hung out and we were able to spend a little time with Pastor Mark Reid and his family during this event, as well.

We will now be able to offer nursery every Sunday. Thank you to those that volunteered to be Nursery Attendants, to make this possible.

Starting August, 28

Supper 5:45 p.m. Bible Study 6:30-7:30 p.m.

S.T.A.R.S. (55yrs or older)

Take me out to the ball game! We are planning a trip to see the Wood Ducks play! August 20, the tickets are BOGO (Buy One Get One). The game will is at 6pm and we plan on leaving the Church at 5pm. The van is reserved for this event. Please sign up in advance so we can plan accordingly. You may sign up in the vestibule, across from the office,

Friday, August 30 7pm

We invite the children/youth and their families to a back to

school cookout and movie.

Chalice News Page 5 | August 2019

Serving in August

Audio/Video—8:30 Worship August 4— Will Holley, Ralph Murphy August 11—Tom Barbee August 18— Ben Black August 25—Will Holley, Ralph Murphy

Audio/Video—11:00 Worship Ken Brown, Cindy Lunceford

Communion Set Up & Pick Up—8:30 Worship August 4-Peggy Jarman, Terry Jarman August 11-Susan Barbee, Tom Barbee August 18-Mike Gurganus, Tammy Gurganus August 25-Donna Muller, Terry Jarman

Communion Set & Pick Up—11:00 Worship August 4-Debbie Rogers August 11-Jodi Paul, Juli Paul, Vicki Paul August 18-Angela Bostic August 25-Rosolyn Jones, Leny Silva

Diaconate August 4-John Anderson, Richard Quirk, Jessica Killough August 11-Roy Metts, Kristy Cottle, Marshall Byrne, Lexi Byrne August 18-Ralph Murphy, Donald Morton, Jonathan Ad-kins, Bailey Brown August 25-Edward Williams, Mike Bennetch, Colton Metts, Devan Murphy

Elders Serving at the Lord’s Table August 4-Vicki Paul, Mac Tucker August 11-April Jones, Ray Randall August 18-Ben Black, Kim Metts August 25-Vicki Paul, Mac Tucker

Serving at the Heritage August 4-Ben Black August 11-Mac Tucker August 18-Vicki Paul August 25-April Jones

Greeters—8:30 Worship August 4-Valerie Padgett August 11-Brenda Whitaker, Charles Whitaker August 18-Betty Apodaca, Jane Horne August 25-Mike Gurganus, Tammy Gurganus

Greeters—11:00 Worship August 4-Valerie Padgett August 11-Jane Anderson, John Anderson August 18-Krystal Metts, Mary Ann Metts, Roy Metts August 25-Terry Jarman

Nursery August 4-Ashley Brown, Jese Brown August 11-Mallorie Adkins, Mara Adkins August 18-Jennifer Murphy, Juli Paul August 25-Randall Jones, Shannon Jones

Worship & Wonder

Will Resume in the Fall

Organist—11:00 Worship: Janet Bryan

Pianist—8:30 Worship: Kim McGowan, Kay Payne

Pianist—11:00 Worship: Kay Payne

2 Wendy Carter 3 Kristen Huffman 4 Leo Dumphy 8 Josh McGowan, Debi Phillips 10 Beverly Taylor 11 Edith Smither 13 MacKenzie Metts, Faith Melendez 14 Brandon Bristow 16 Sylvia Hall 18 Shirley Woodard 19 Tim Huffman, Tammy Gurganus 21 Chris Muller 28 Linda Lewis

29 Dianne Causey, Von Jar-man, Edward WIlliams 31 Rita Bradley

If your birthday is not listed, please contact the Church office so we can update our files.

Chalice News Page 6 | August 2019