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FIRST PRESSThe Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville
Volume 30, Issue 6 April 1, 2018
Our Lives Rest on an Empty Tomb
The wonderful challenge of Easter is its invitation to us to make something out of nothing.
You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. (Mark 16:6)Christmas is a full holiday
– full of social obligations, family customs, Santa Claus and beyond all of that the presence of the baby Jesus in our nativity scenes and Christmas Eve services. Easter is an empty holiday. Apart from the Easter Bunny and a basket of candy there’s not much to distract us from the obvious – all the fuss is about an empty tomb.
No one was more clear-eyed about the empty tomb than the Apostle Paul. To those asking questions about an absent Jesus in the church at Corinth he wrote:
If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. (1 Cor. 15:4)He is not here and that changes everything.
What shall we make of the Easter absence of Jesus Christ? Like his, our deaths are either a wall or a doorway, and the Christian faith calls us to make a decision and to live accordingly. Easter is the celebration of the doorway, our anticipation of the resurrection to eternal life, and a way of life now that displays the hope that is ours.
Perhaps we can make Paul’s Easter affirmation our own:
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Cor. 15:20) What is true for Jesus will be true for us!
In that great gospel truth may you find comfort in your grief, courage in your living, purpose for your life, and stubborn hope in a God-given future. He is risen! He is risen, indeed!
Blessings,
Dr. Mike Garrett, Pastor
From The Pastor Easter Services
Note: No activities are planned at the church after the 11 a.m. service. The church office will be closed Monday, April 2, for the holiday.
Sunrise Service
Church Services
When: 6:30 a.m. Where: Cross Creek Park (Ann Street side
near the Lafayette statue)Preacher: Dr. Mike Garrett of First
Presbyterian ChurchMessage: “Listen”
Scripture: John 20:1-18Music: The Highland Brass Quintet.
When: 8:30 and 11 a.m. Where: The SanctuaryPreacher: Dr. Mike Garrett
Sermon: “See Something? Say Something!”
Scripture: Mark 16:1-8Music: The First Prez Orchestra
Church members are encouraged to bring a handful of fresh flowers on Easter Sunday to put on the outdoor wire cross. Watch as the plain cross transforms into a beautiful reminder of our Savior!
Help Build the Cross of Flowers
Outdoor seating limited. Participants may bring lawn chairs.
CHILD CAREChild care is available Sundays for infants, toddlers, twos, and threes during Sunday Services, Wednesday evening ministries, and other occasions as needed. Child care at First Presbyterian is always nurturing. Children explore the truths of God’s Word.
CongREgAtIonAL CAREBe reminded that Prayer Request Cards are available in the pews. If you, a family member, or a friend has a special need to be remembered in prayer, fill out this request card and drop it in the offering plate. Many things are wrought through prayer, and your church wants to help.
EmERgEnCy PAstoRAL ConCERns
If you’re hospitalized, seriously ill or having surgery... please notify the church office at 483-0121. Your pastors want to minister to you whenever you are ill, and they can do that only if you inform us.
PRAyER tEAmsFour prayer teams are committed to praying for the concerns of members and friends of First Pres-byterian Church – three e-mail prayer chains and one phone chain. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, contact Joy Keys at 483-0121 or e-mail [email protected].
PRAyERs & symPAtHyThe Prayers and Sympathy of the congregation are extended to the family of Fannie Longley Thomason, who died Tuesday, March 27, 2018.
NEWS FIRST@and other special events
first things first
AdultsQuesters - Dr. Garrett ....................Room 203
The class considers the sermon of the day.G.I.F.T. Class ..........................Activity Room
Studying the Bible in detail.“Lessons on Lessons: The Parables” - Bill McFadyen ..........................Room 405Fellowship Class .........................The ChapelCovenant Class .............................Room 416Friendship Class ............................Room 413Calvin Class ........................Rankin BuildingYouthMiddle & High School ................Room 228 Applying Christian values to real life. Begins in Room 228, separates by age.
ChildrenPreschool Studies ..........................Room 118Elementary Studies (K-5) .............Room 208NurseryFor infants .....................................Room 128
Spring Sunday School(9:45-10:45 a.m.)
Information & DirectoryWorship Services
Services are held at 8:30 a.m. in the Chapel and at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
EntrancesThe main business entrance to the church is now through the double doors under the porte cochere. Other church entrances will be open for Sunday services and other events.
FellowshipEller Hall will be the gathering place for fel-lowship after each service.
First Press 2 www.firstprez.com
The fund aids the Fayetteville Urban Ministry and the “House of Moses” Crisis Nursery in Lusaka, Zambia.
The Two Cents Offering on Sunday, March 25, 2018, was $640.99. The total to date is $2,134.23. The next offering is Sunday, April 29, 2018.
The Two Cents Offering
APRIL MEETINGSAPRIL 9
10:00a PW Coordinating Team - Room 207 6:00p Witness Committee - Room 225
APRIL 10 4:30p VBS meeting - Room 207
APRIL 11 12:00p Personnel Committee - Room 413 4:30p Congregational Care - McQueen Room
APRIL 12 4:45p Food Service Committee - Eller Hall
APRIL 15 12:00p Newcomers’ lunch - Fellowship Hall
APRIL 16 12:00p Finance Committee - Room 225
APRIL 17 5:15p Children’s Ministry - Room 207 6:00p Joint meeting of officers - Activity Room
PW NominationsThe Presbyterian Women are accepting nom-inations for their Service and Life Member-ship awards from the women of the church. Turn in written and signed nominations at the church office or in the mailboxes of Melanie Strickland, Ann Eller, or Mel Kankelfritz.
Person Street UMC Missions includes Martha’s Table, Mary’s Closet and the food bank. Please donate clothing, household goods, toiletries, empty pill bottles and nonperishable foods. Special needs now are men’s clothing and food but they will be happy to accept all donations. Bring donations to the volunteer desk or deposit them in the upstairs bin near the elevator.
Presbyterian Women April Service Project
The calendar below is an effort to keep you informed of the events at First Presbyterian Church. For a complete listing of activities, refer to our website at www.firstprez.com.SUNdAy, APRIL 1 6:30a Sunrise Service - Cross Creek Park 8:30a Worship - Sanctuary 9:45a Sunday School 10:45a Session meeting - Parlor 11:00a Worship - SanctuaryMONdAy, APRIL 2Church office closed. Reopens Tuesday.TUESdAy, APRIL 3 8:30a SALT breakfast - JK’s Deli 7:00p Men’s basketball - Fellowship HallTHURSdAy, APRIL 5 7:30p Ben Crews recital - ChapelFRIdAy & SATURdAy, APRIL 6-7Handbell Festival in Hampton, Va.
EAGLE CEREMONY – An Eagle Court of Hon-or for Andrew Reid and Theodore Schwamm will be held on Sunday, April 15, at 4 p.m. in the Chapel. A reception will follow. Please RSVP by April 9 to Margaret Reid at [email protected] or 323-4815 or to Alice Ann Campbell at [email protected] or 423-2554.
Prayer Room NeedsThe church is creating a room for prayer and quiet meditation in Room 414 on the second floor. It’s not ready yet, and could use one floor lamp, and 2 or 3 large/oversized floor pillows. For more information, contact Leslie DeSessa or Diane Regensburger.
Club 543
Lunch will be served at this regular meeting of Club 543. The club promotes discipleship, friendship and fellow-ship for children in grades 3-5.
APRIL 812:00 PM
RooM 210
Stephen Ministry expands the care First Presbyterian Church can offer the congregation. Your trained Stephen Ministers are
here to listen when you are struggling with loss, hospitalization, or any event. If you need a Stephen Minister, call the office at 483-0121.
Stephen Ministry
First Press 3 www.firstprez.com
Children’s Corner
YOUTH NEWS
•CHILdREN’S CHURCH is for kin-dergarten and first graders during the 11 a.m. service. There will be no children’s church for the Easter service. It will re-turn for services on Sunday, April 8.
•VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is June 18-22. Adult and youth volunteers should contact the church or Britany Spivey at [email protected]. Chil-dren’s registration (and volunteer sign-up) can be found at www.firstprez.com.
SALTSEASONED ADULTS LEARNING TOGETHER
“Beauty and the Beast”
April 26 • 10:45 AMTemple Theatre in Sanford
The classic French fairy tales comes to the stage in Sanford. Tickets are $27, paid in advance. Leave the church at 10:45 a.m. Lunch will be at Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia Room prior to the show. Make reservations with Melanie Strickland at 484-5905 by April 2, 2018.
SALTSEASONED ADULTS LEARNING TOGETHER
Home and Garden Tour
April 14 • 8:30 AM-5:30 PMSouthern Pines
Tour the most beautiful gardens and homes of the area, as well as the Pine-hurst Resort greenhouse and buy plants from the Southern Pines Garden Club. Lunch at the Longleaf Country Club (in addition to the tour cost). Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 day of tour. Contact Sandra Joyce at [email protected] or 308-5271 by April 9.
YOUTH SUNDAY – Youth should sign up for the May 6th event and choose their role in the service. Go to www.firstprez.com under “Youth Ministry.” Click here.FOOTBALL GAME – The youth visit the Crown to see the Cape Fear Heroes in ac-tion on Saturday, April 21, at 7 p.m. Meet at the church at 6:30. Tickets are free. Please register online by Wednesday, April 18.
First Presbyterian Church welcomes these new members, who joined the church on Sunday, March 25, 2018.
Welcome NeW memberS!
Edwin Lewis Mason and Stacy Tatum Pritchett
Paul John Haddow-Green and Page Mahaffey Haddow-Green
Steven “Steve” Clay McRae, Ann Macon McRae, and children (left to right) Flora Haddock McRae, Scott Macon McRae, and Bruce Clay McRae
Music Ministry NewsBEN CREWS RECITAL – The senior recital by Ben Crews will be Thursday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m., in the Chapel. Crews has been a choral scholar with the Celebration Choir for the past four years. His recital will fulfill his Methodist University graduation requirements. Everyone is welcome to attend. A reception follows.HANDBELL FESTIVAL – Members of the Can-ticle Ringers will travel to Hampton, Va., for the Area III Handbell Festival on April 6-7.
The Canticle Ringers have performed music for the festival in worship and the last selec-tion – “For the Beauty of the Earth” – will be performed on May 20. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL PRAISE TEAM REHEARSALS begin April 12th. If you are in-terested in helping out, please contact Dr. Mar-cia Heirman Mervin. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Choir Room.
ORGAN RECITAL AND DINNER – The Ameri-can Guild of Organists Fayetteville-Sandhills Chapter will be performing a “progressive” recital on April 13 from 6-8 p.m. A 20-minute recital at three Southern Pines churches will be followed by dinner. The concerts begin at First Baptist Church, followed by Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church and ending at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. The event and catered dinner costs $25 per person.
DaviD’s Mighty Men
Monday, April 16 • 6 PMThe Men’s Ministry’s regular meeting in
the Activity Room.
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Meeting the Universe On Tuesday, March 6th, Nicks Eakes arrived from Chapel Hill and set up the Morehead Mobile Planetarium in the Fellowship Hall. First School children gathered in groups to learn things about our solar system inside the “big blueberry.” Everyone agreed it was a fun learning experience.
Children RecognizedStudents who completed the worship-preparedness class “Get Ready! Get Set! Worship!” were singled out for recognition during the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, March 11, 2018.
Easter Egg HuntAs part of the Easter Celebration on March 25, Palm Sunday, children scoured the classroom building for eggs for their baskets after services.
They’re ReadyChildren in the “Get Ready! Get Set! Worship!” program were recognized for completion of the classes at the 11 a.m. church service on March 11th.
First Press 5 www.firstprez.com
MEN’S BASKETBALL7 PM • Fellowship Building
Working up a sweat every Tuesday evening
MINISTRy dr. Michael Garrett, Senior Pastor [email protected] The Rev. Jonathan West, Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adult Ministry – [email protected] dr. donna Fowler-Marchant, Minister of Pastoral Care – [email protected] PROGRAM STAFF dr. Marcia Heirman Mervin, Director of Music Ministry/Organist – [email protected] Britany Spivey, Director of Children’s Ministry – [email protected] Wanda Ussery, Nursery Supervisor [email protected] AdMINISTRATION Joan daughtry, Operations Director [email protected] Joy Keys, Administrative Assistant [email protected] Connie Burry, Program Secretary [email protected] Jim Blaine, Publications Coordinator [email protected] Julie MacRae, First School Director [email protected] MISSIONARIESLeon & Jacky dorleans: HaitiCharles & diane Wonnenberg:
Native Americans (South Dakota)George & Gail McBane: PakistanBill & Nancy Warlick: At-LargeTed & Sue Wright: Southern Africadon & Marta Wehmeyer: Merida, MexicoAlan & Ellen Smith: Russia
First Presbyterian staFF
CONTACT US:Phone: 910-483-0121
Web: www.firstprez.comFirstSchool: 910-483-0146
Email: [email protected]: www.facebook.com/1stprez
Children in VBS should be in preK 3 through 5th grade.
Registration has begun! Go to www.firstprez.
com
Get on Board VBS!
June 18-22, 2018
Call for volunteers!The church is now casting about for adult and youth volunteers. Contact the
church or Britany Spivey directly at britany@firstprez.
com
Arena Football at the Crown
Saturday, April 14 • 7 PMWe will meet at the Crown. Both box and floor tickets are available and the tickets are free. Parents are welcome to bring their children, but no child-care will be offered.
Register online at www.firstprez.com by Wednesday, April 11
FELLOWSHIP OF YOUNG ADULTS/FAMILIES
April 11thMexican Night
Taco BarThe church provides the seasoned beef, chicken strips, and roasted veggies. You bring the side dishes, desserts, and fix-ings for the taco bar such as tortillas, taco shells, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, guaca-mole, sour cream, etc. Sign up by 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 8.
Wednesday Together on Break
Wednesday Together is on break April 4. No meal or classes.
Fellowship returns April 11th.
Tapestry has started the study Kelly Minter’s Ne-hemiah (A Heart That Can Break). New students in this women’s Bible study are always welcome.
Tapestry A Women’s Bible Study
Thursdays9:30 AM • Activity Room
BreakfastSALTSEASONED ADULTS LEARNING TOGETHER
April 3 • 8:30 A.M. • JK’S DELISALT members and friends meet at the Owen
Drive restaurant for their regular 1st-Tuesday-of-the-month meeting.
Ben Crews Recital
Thursday, April 57:30-8:30 PM
The recital will be held in the Chapel. Crews has been a choral scholar with the Celebration Choir for the past four years. His recital will fulfill his graduation requirements as a music major at Methodist University. Everyone is welcome to attend. A reception follows in Eller Hall.
CommunionApril 8, 2018 • Both Services The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is cel-
ebrated at the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services of worship on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
All baptized persons are invited to par-ticipate.
Click here to sign up
for meals
