Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church Newsletter 201 Fayetteville Street . Clinton, N.C. 28328

Phone: 910-592-2677 . Fax: 910-592-3100 . Website: gravesmemorial.org

Email: Steve Wilkins: RevSHW@ymail.com; melissagriffin@embarqmail.com

UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS:

We need a few families to assist with the Lighting of the Advent Candles during the Advent season. (December 2nd, 16th & 23rd during morning worship). Please contact the Church Office to share your family’s willingness to serve on one of the dates listed above. Thank you.

A Young@Heart Luncheon, hosted at the Honeycutt Manse by Dr. Steve and Carol Wilkins, will be held on Sunday, December 2, following worship. The Wilkins will provide chicken spaghetti and ask that you bring a vegetable dish, a salad, or a dessert. We ask that you please RSVP. A sign-up sheet is located in the fellowship hall or you may contact Carol Wilkins.

First Wednesday Fellowship & Covered Dish Meals will take a break in December. Our next meal is scheduled for January 9, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. *(Please note this is the 2nd Wednesday due to the holidays.) January hosts: K—5th Sunday School & Friends in Faith Groups 1 & 2.

The Christmas Joy Offering will be received on December 9, 2018, during the morning worship service and at our 6:00 p.m. Christmas Joy Program. The Christmas Joy Offering is a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. Because Advent and Christmas shine a light not only on our world’s greatest hope but also on our world’s greatest need, the PC(USA) provides this timely opportunity for congregations to support causes specifically designed to bring Good News of Great Joy to the poor in circumstance or spirit. Alongside the message of promise and fulfillment in Luke’s Gospel, we also hear the clear call to God’s people to respond in faith as Christ calls us: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded” (Luke 12:48).

GMPC’s Christmas Joy Program, “A Donkey’s Tale”, written by Susan Bristow, is scheduled for December 9, 2018, at 6:00 p.m., in the GMPC Fellowship Hall. This years celebration of the birth of Jesus will be one you will not want to miss! Refreshments will follow. Please extend an invitation to your friends and neighbors to join us. *Remaining Rehearsals: December 2nd, 4:00–6:00 p.m. & December 8th, following the Clinton Christmas Parade: Lunch will be served. Please contact Susan Bristow for more info., cell #990-5405.

GMPC’s 2018-2019 Resident Directory is available in the Fellowship Hall. Please stop by to pick up your family’s copy if you have yet to do so.

Brown Bag Lunch Bible Studies: will conclude for the fall on Monday, December 10, 2018 as we prepare for the Season of Advent and will resume on Monday, January 14, 2019, at Noon.

On Sunday, December 23, 2018, 11:00 a.m. Worship Service, the GMPC Chancel choir will present "Morning Star," a Christmas cantata celebrating the everlasting Light of Christmas, by Lloyd Larson. Mr. Larson states, "I pray that you will find hope in it's message and encouragement in the unconditional love of God. Hold fast to the promise that even in the darkest of nights, the Morning Star will rise! 'Arise, shine for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.' (Isaiah 60:1)."

GMPC’s annual Service of Lessons/Carols/Bells, a traditional program of scripture and music to ring in the Christmas season, will be held on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. Make plans to attend. Invite your friends and neighbors.

December 2018

OUR KNOWN ILL: Martha Dunn Lynne Pridgen Julie Stefanovich Annabelle Fetterman Erma Faircloth Diane Westerbeek

Doc Fields- Southwood; Rm. 109

Frances Hubbard- GlenAire Margaret Faircloth- MaryGran; Rm. 701

Tink Purcell- The Cardinal at North Hills

Betty Heaton- MaryGran; Rm. 204 Ted Lockerman- MaryGran; Rm. 106

Betty Hairr-(Mother of Vickie Pope)

Juaweese Franklin-(Mother of Melissa Nimmo) Christine Stacey-(Mother of Lara Capparuccia)

Joe Kozel-(Father of Kristi Williford)

Hewitt Fulton-(Father of Bill Fulton) Becky Hughes-(Sister of Bill Scott)

Joan Bartlett-(Sister of Annette Newton)

Doug Shaw-(GMPC Flautist)

Warren Newton-(Brother of Tommy Newton)

Joyce & Landon Autry-(Tammy Honeycutt)

Smiley Funderburk-(Uncle of Sharon Funderburk)

P. Jones Lockerman-(Brother of Ted Lockerman) Savannah & Charity-(Friends of Deana Weaver)

Ralph Godbold-(Friend of Linda Carr)

Volume XLI, No. 11

SYMPATHY TO:

Susan Bristow & family on the passing of her father, Millard “Frank” Franklin Thornton.

Graves Memorial Presbyter ian Church Newsletter Page 2

PASTORAL PONDERING… Come, Lord Jesus! 1 Corinthians 16:22

Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe that the season of Advent is upon us once again. Advent marks the beginning of the Christian

year in the Church. The first Sunday of Advent (December 2 this year) is, for all intents and purposes, New Year’s

Day in the cycle of our liturgical year. Consisting of the four Sundays before Christmas, Advent has as its emphasis

the hope of redemption, the fulfillment of redemption in Christ, and the final ushering in of the Kingdom of God. Of

course, the climactic celebration comes as we commemorate the birth of our Savior.

The cry that is oft repeated during the season in various forms is Come, Lord Jesus! That phrase is the English

translation of a one-word Greek transliteration of the Aramaic word, maranatha. Interestingly enough, in the Arama-

ic the word may be written as “marana tha”, which means “Come, Our Lord,” or “maran atha”, which means, “Our

Lord has come.” So what does it mean? Which is it--“Come, our Lord,” or “Our Lord has come?”

Can you sense a similar tension in the way we observe Advent, for isn’t it true that we are waiting for the One

who has already come? During Advent we acknowledge that God has acted to redeem a sinful humanity, yet still we

look ahead to the final fulfillment of that redemption.

I came across an article that highlights this tension very well, and I would like to share an extended quote with

you. It comes from The Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Louisville: Geneva Press, 2003):

“In Advent we expectantly wait for the One who has already come. We anticipate the promised justice

of God’s new world, yet we praise God who raised the ‘righteous branch’ to rule with justice and right-

eousness. We hope for the restoration of the afflicted, the tormented, and the grieving, yet we delight

that healing has come in Christ. We long for the beating of swords into plowshares, yet we rejoice that

the Prince of Peace has appeared. We yearn for the barren deserts of our inner cities to flourish, yet we

laud the desert Rose that has bloomed. We dream of the land where the lions and lambs live in harmony,

yet we acclaim the child born to lead us into the promised land. Christ has come! Christ has risen! Christ

will come again! In Advent we are living between the first and the second coming of the Lord.” (p. 96)

It is an already-but-not-yet paradox of our faith.

“Come, Lord Jesus” is the most complete prayer that we can offer as we recognize our alienation from God and

our desperate need for redemption. On the other hand, to declare with confident faith, “Our Lord has come” is to

look back on God’s redeeming activity in Jesus Christ and thus fill us with the hope that what God has begun He

will bring to final fulfillment.

Come, Lord Jesus! Our Lord has come! Let us experience the paradox together.

Faithfully, Steve Wilkins

OUR CHILDREN:

Sunday School: Sunday mornings at 9:45

PresbyCrew: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, from 3–5:00 p.m. for K – 5th grade.

MISSION BUDDIES: (All Children—12th Grade, 3rd Sunday’s monthly, as part of Sunday School)

December 9th Mission: Children's Bags *Please submit supplies by Friday, December 7, 2018. ITEMS NEEDED: Children’s Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Children’s Socks, Small Bottles of Water, Single Serve Drink Mixes (lemonade, peach, etc.), Nabs, Candy, Small Unused Toys, Washcloths to Make Teddy Bears, as well as Monetary Donations. *A Mission Buddies bin is in the fellowship hall.

The Stewardship Committee and the Treasurer are thankful for everyone who has already supplied a pledge card during this stewardship season. The Stewardship Committee is working hard to formulate a budget based on this year’s pledge cards. The cash on hand in our operating account is our balancing mechanism, so more pledges allow us the freedom to increase our spending on programs and missions. Ideally we would love to receive pledge cards from all 120 giving units/families, so it’s not too late for those of you who still wish to do so. The Lord loves a thankful giver! Please prayerfully consider completing and mailing your pledge cards at this time.

Graves Memorial Presbyter ian Church Newsletter Page 3

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES:

~ Thank you to everyone who helped make our Kirkin O' the Tartans service such a joyful Sunday. For those, who

would like to tap into your inner Scots and join us in 2020, it's never too soon to start ordering your regalia. Here are two links to companies that can hook you up with all the gear: DUNEDIN SCOTTISH | eBay Stores, Tartan Fabrics Kilts Ties Blanket

Scarves Scottish Gifts. Gratefully, Anne Faircloth and Jennifer Bradley

~ Our Thanks to everyone for the great response to the Annual Community Food Drive and for donations throughout the

year, both in support of the Christian Food Bank, and for your continued support of UCare, Backpack Buddies & The Diaper

Bank. These local organizations are very appreciative of the constant support from this church and the community.

~ We thank everyone who participated in this year’s Feed the Community Day, held at First Baptist Church (900 Col-

lege Street), on November 21st. Your donated cakes and/or pies were greatly appreciated. A special thank you to coordinator,

Monie Sue Spell and our youth and adult volunteers that were on hand to help serve this year’s meal. THANK YOU!

~ Neill and Susan Westerbeek and Boy Scout Troop 80 cordially invite you to attend the Eagle Scout Court of

Honor for Spencer Westerbeek on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Graves Memorial Presbyterian

Church. Reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

~ MUSIC NOTES: We need you! Are you looking for an opportunity to serve? We are in need of stand-by or fill-in ringers for

the Handbell Choir. If you have experience playing handbells, or are willing to learn, and would be willing to be a substitute

ringer, please contact Sean or Lara Capparuccia.

~ The Memorial Room Sunday School Class invites you to take part in their 2018 Christmas Project. As in years past, they

will focus on providing items for local individuals in need. Monetary donations should be made to: Memorial Room Christmas

Fund and submitted to the church office. We thank you in advance for your generosity.

~ Grove Park Baptist Church invites you to join them on December 8, 2018, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 p.m., in their fellowship hall,

for their Goodie Gala. Select your favorite homemade cookies, candy & other assorted goodies to fill your box ($7/LB). Pro-ceeds to go to their Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions.

~ The First United Methodist Women invite you to participate in their Christmas Tour of Homes on Sunday, De-

cember 9, 2018, from 2—5:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 each and available at FUMC (208 Sampson St.) and The Atrium Florist.

~ The Property Sub-Ministry is excited to announce that we have new tenants in the MacQueen Manse (112 N.

Chestnutt Street). Please welcome Tracie and Jay Cheseldine to our community. Tracie and Jay moved into the MacQueen

Manse at the end of August 2018. We hope they will be with us for at least 1 year.

GMPC YOUTH FUNDRAISER: Please join us and support the GMPC Youth

by purchasing their handmade Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix and/or Five Bean Soup Mix Jars

of Goodness for $10 each. They are perfect for Christmas gifts or your holiday baking.

*JARS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR PURCHASE.

PRESBYTERIAN MEN OR PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN NEWS:

~There will be NO Men’s Breakfast in December. The next meeting will be on January 13th, at 8:15 a.m., at Grove Park Baptist Church. We hope all men will join us for breakfast and fellowship with the men of FUMC, 1st Baptist, & Grove Park Baptist. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.

~ December Presbyterian Women (PW) Circle Meetings are as follows: (Bible Leader: Anne Price) Circle #1 will meet on the 3rd at NOON at the home of Linda Williamson for a salad luncheon. Circle #2 will meet on the 3rd at 6:00 p.m. at the Honeycutt Manse. Circle #3 will meet on the 4th at 10:00 a.m. in the Memorial Room.

~ We are always so appreciative of the PW committees and the assistance of the PM for our social activities. The PW Committee for the Christmas Program Reception following the Christmas Joy Program on December 9th is as follows: Co-Chairs: Tami Warren & Sara Rosario, Glenda Underwood, Linda Lamb, Michelle Dunn, Dale Purcell, Jessica Coombs, Jennifer Bradley, Faye Carr, Nancy Perry, Anne Wicke, Ashleigh Johns, Kathy Mertz, Dorothy Sue Faison, Mary Doyne, Anne Faircloth, Delores Murphrey, Beatrice Gray.

~ Seasonal Flower Committee: We ask that you please submit your annual dues at this time if you have not already done so. (Please refer to your 2018-2019 Presbyterian Women’s Book for a list of Committee members. If you have yet to receive your P.W. Book, please stop by the church office to pick up a copy.) Thank you!

EDUCATIONAL / SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DECEMBER 2018:

02 09 16 23 30

Crib/Toddler Nursery: 9:30 am–12:30pm (Nancy Perry & Gabriel Capparuccia: 2nd & 4th Sundays, Lizzy Tart & Natasha Capparuccia: 1st & 3rd Sundays, 5th Sunday: Lizzy Tart) Lucy Lockamy Darby Scott Jennifer Bradley Brenda Nordin Lee Howard Acolytes: (Brenda Nordin) Walker Spell Anna Perry Sinclair Rebekah Bryan Elias Faison Jewell Carr Worship Readiness: December Leader: Tami Warren (NO Worship Readiness December 23rd)

Pre-K—2nd Grade Class: Darby Scott MISSION BUDDIES Ann Johnson Linda Giehls TBA 3rd—5th Grade Class: Carol Wilkins MISSION BUDDIES Diane Viser Lucy Lockamy Hollis White Sr. & Jr. High Youth Class: Joy Dodson MISSION BUDDIES Bonnie Barr Bonnie Barr James Dodson Memorial Room: (Dorothy Sue Faison) Ronnie Honeycutt Boyde Bristow James Dodson Paul Viser Fifth Sunday Care Class: (Brenda Nordin) Linda Williamson Melvin Weaver Tommy Newton Lee Howard Anne Price Pathfinders Class: (Lauren Perry) Lauren Perry Lauren Perry Lauren Perry Lauren Perry Lauren Perry

PresbyCrew: (Annette Newton & Darby Scott) *We always welcome extra volunteers…come any time you can! 12/12 Team 1: Mary Aycock, Bonnie Barr, Gabriel Capparuccia, Betty Blue Packard, Jan Tart; ENRICHMENT: Lizzy Tart Snacks: 12/12 Glenda Underwood Meals-on-Wheels: (Anne Price) 12/04 Linda Williamson & Dale Purcell; 12/18 Whit & Jan Tart Ushers: (David Brock) Note: A yearly list is posted on the bulletin board outside the office Brooks Barwick, Wesley Cowand, IV, Wes Cowand, Lisa Green, Sim Green, Lisa Spell Lay Readers: Lauren Perry Diane Viser Carl Barr Jewell Carr David Nordin Flower Committees: (Mac Spell) 12/02-12/25 Seasonal Flower Committee

Happy Birthday During December: 1) Cora Lockamy; 2) Joan Carr;

03) Danny Aycock; 05) Trey Aycock, III; 06) Silas Bradley; 09) Patrick Aiken; 10) Susan Tucker, Matthew Bristow; 11) Edward Faircloth; 12) Will Johnson; 14) Eliza Jaskot; 16) Jeff Warren, Billy Peterson; 17) Lawton Eure, Annie Stefanovich-Jaskot, John Fox, IV; 18) Lisa Green; 21) Hope Jania; Allie Green; 22) Jessica Coombs; 24) Dorothy Sue Faison; 25) Nancy Beaujeu-Dufour; 26) Mike Carter, Suzi Matthews, Art Miller, 25) Margaret Coleman; 28) Annette Newton; 30) Olivia Williford

Lectionary Text for December:

02) Ps. 25:1-10; Jer. 33:14-16; 1 Thess. 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36; 09) Luke 1:68-79; Mal. 3:1-4; Phil. 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6; 16) Isa. 12:2-6; Zeph. 3:14-20; Phil. 4:4-7; Luke 3:17-18;

23) Ps. 80:1-7 or Luke 1:46b-55; Micah 5:2-5a; Heb.10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (46-55); 30) Ps. 148; 1 Sam. 2:18-20, 26; Col. 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52

Copies of the GMPC Cookbook- More Delectable Blessings, are available for purchase in the church office. $12.00 each

or 2 for $20.00. They make wonderful Christmas gifts!

I will be loyal to GMPC and support it with:

My Gifts: Nov. 18, 2018 Year-To-Date Tithes and Offerings $276,596.56 Building Fund Offerings $ 53,271.00

Needed for Budget: Year-To-Date Operating Budget $273,332.00 Building Fund $ 30,360.00