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Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church Newsletter 201 Fayetteville Street . Clinton, N.C. 28328
Phone: 910-592-2677 . Fax: 910-592-3100 . Website: gravesmemorial.org
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS:
The 2016-17 Nominating Committee would like to thank the congregation for your prayerful consideration in making nominations for the officer elections. Your dedication is greatly appreciated.
The Congregational Meeting for the election of six Elders to the Class of 2019 & one Elder to the Class of 2017 took place on Sunday, November 6th, with the following being elected: Bill Aiken, Brooks Barwick, III, James Dodson, Stan Mertz, Anthony Sessoms, Diane Westerbeek & David Nordin (2017).
The Congregational Meeting for the election of six Deacons to the Class of 2019 took place on Sunday, November 6th, with the following being elected:
Beth Bryan, Sr., Edwin Danford, Joy Dodson, Lauren Perry, Whit Tart & Jeff Warren.
The Stewardship Committee and the Treasurer greatly appreciates everyone’s prompt response to the 2017 Budget of GMPC and your continued support of the GMPC Building Fund. The Stewardship Committee is working very hard to formulate a budget based solely on this year’s response cards. Therefore it is critical that we receive responses from all 120 giving units/families. If you have yet to submit your 2017 financial commitment to the Annual Operating Budget we ask that you consider doing so by Sunday, December 2, 2016.
First Wednesday Fellowship and Covered Dish Meals will take a break in December. Our next meal is scheduled for January 4th at 6:30 p.m. and will be hosted by the K - 5th Sunday School Class.
A Joint Meeting of the Session & Diaconate (for all current and newly elected officers) and the Examination of the class of 2019 Will be held on Sunday, December 4th at 7:00 p.m.
The Christmas Joy Offering will be received on December 11th during the morning worship service and at our 1:00 p.m. Christmas 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 Program is scheduled for December 11, 2016 following worship. A light lunch will be served, in the GMPC fellowship hall, prior to the program beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Our children and youth will perform "A Candlelight Christmas Garden", a musical compiled by Ruth Elaine Schram, that will explore some of the symbols of the Christmas season. The music will feature the Children's Choir and Handbells.
*Final Rehearsals: Dec. 3rd
from 2 – 3:30 p.m. & Dec. 10th following the Clinton Christmas Parade: Lunch will be served.
This year’s Christmas Program will highlight seasonal customs and the history of Christmas flowers and greens from around the world. Santa Lucia will be wearing an evergreen crown and carrying candles in the Swedish tradition. We will light seasonal candles, encircled by holly in the ancient Roman tradition, as we recall the prophecies of Isaiah. Christmas roses bloom throughout Europe as the angel Gabriel appears to Mary, announcing God’s good news. In Mexico, the poinsettia leaves turn from green to red as a special gift to the Christ Child. And in the United States children place white and gold ornaments and Chrismons upon the Christmas tree, reflecting the purity and majesty of God’s son. Please plan to join us for this special presentation by the children and youth of our church.
November - December 2016
OUR KNOWN ILL: AT HOME
Barbara Kerr Martha Dunn Tink Purcell Margaret Register Diane Westerbeek John Surratt
Doc Fields—Southwood; Rm. 109 Jean Parker-Southwood; Rm. 100 Fay Gaddy—Rolling Ridge, Newton Grove
Frances Hubbard– GlenAire
Others: Angie Prucha -(Daughter of Edwin Danford)
Lucille Sessoms-(Mother of Deborah Hall)
Brad Campbell-(Nephew of Debbie Martin)
Volume XXXIX, No. 11
SYMPATHY TO:
Michael Tew & family on the pass-ing of his mother and GMPC mem-ber, Ellen Knox Tew.
The Carlton family on the passing of their mother and GMPC member, Dixie Elizabeth Kornegay Carlton.
Sharon Funderburk & family on the passing of her mother, Phyllis Marian Simpson Funderburk.
Graves Memorial Presbyter ian Church Newsletter Page 2
Youth Happenings:
December 4th – Youth will meet at 3:30 p.m. to go play Frisbee golf. December 11th – Youth & young families will meet at 3:30 p.m. to go Christmas Caroling (more details to come) December 18th – Youth Christmas Party & progressive meal --- more details to come. December 25th – Youth will not meet due to Christmas Vacation January 1st – Youth will not meet due to Christmas Vacation
Words From Dr. Jim Moran: My friends in Christ, “Patient endurance” are two words that describe the early church and us as we wait for the coming of Jesus. Advent is the season we celebrate today to remind us of the coming of Jesus. We tend to think of it solely as getting ready for Christmas another year, but every year Advent is the season of prepara-tion for the return of Jesus to set us and the world right with God. Now, I understand everyone will be get-ting ready for Christmas by shopping for gifts, hosting and attending Christmas office and family parties, preparing gift boxes for people in need, decorating, worshipping, and travelling. Patient endurance may also describe getting ready for Christmas! The author of the letter of James reminds the early church and us about the posture of waiting for Jesus: “Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient.” (5:7-8a) The early church was under some persecution at the time of the letter; therefore, James talks the blessedness of those showing patient endurance and even the endurance of Job. Pa-tient endurance is a good quality to have when you are suffering and waiting. During Advent, there are a number of people who are suffering, grieving, taking treatments, recovering from surgery, seeking em-ployment, searching for food and shelter, needing emotional support, etc. Patient endurance is their life. We may be one of those. We need one another. We must remember we do not wait alone. We have a community of Christians who are known for their love for one another and for God. As the farmer relies on God to send the needed rain at the proper time, the faithful Christian must rely on God. “Patience derives from that certainty about God’s protection.” (24, Texts for Preaching, Year A) No matter what is happening in our lives, we must trust in the God who did not forsake the very Son of God and will not forsake us, even in the most difficult of times. As Christians, and therefore saints, we persevere, because we know that “God never goes back on (God’s) call to us and never disappoints us in (God’s) promise that ‘we shall’ persevere to the end.” (Ronald Wallace, Calvin’s Doctrine of the Christian Life, 335) Our patient endurance is totally dependent on God Almighty. May we celebrate Ad-vent and Christmas with the knowledge that God Almighty is with us. May the love of God be with you all, Jim
We hope you will join us for our annual: * Lessons, Carols and Bells Service to be held on December 18th at 11:00 a.m.
* Christmas Eve Communion Service to be held on December 24th at 5:00 p.m. * Christmas Day Service on December 25th at 11:00 a.m. (No Sunday School/Worship Readiness on the 25th.)
MUSIC NOTES: As we begin a new Church year with the Season of Advent, the service music that we sing
each week will change. (This will serve to provide a bit of musical variety and to more thoroughly use the won-derful resources in our new hymnal.) The musical settings for the "Kyrie Eleison," "Gloria Patri," and "Doxology" will be a bit more solemn during the seasons of Advent and Lent, more upbeat during Christmastide and Eastertide, and more familiar during ordinary time. Please enjoy learning these new settings of our foundational texts.
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Josh and Jessica Coombs, on the birth of their son
Jax Wyatt Coombs, born November 24, 2016.
Graves Memorial Presbyter ian Church Newsletter Page 3
OTHER NEWS AND NOTES:
~ We need a few families to assist with the Lighting of the Advent Candles during the Advent season (December 24th
& 25th). Please contact the Church Office to share your families willingness to serve on one of the remaining dates listed above.
~ NEW: High School Bible Study for Mothers & Daughters, led by Lee Howard & Amelia Surratt, will be held on Wednes-
day, December 7th & 14th from 5 - 6:00 p.m., in the Youth Room. Grandmothers are welcome to participate with their grand-
daughters if mothers cannot come. Invite your friends & their mothers and join us as we gather to grow, fellowship & learn as a community of faith.
~ COMING SOON: Friends & Faith Ministry (formerly Shepherding Families) to begin in January. If you are interest-
ed in serving as part of this new ministry, please contact Brenda Nordin for more information or to share your willingness.
~ The GMPC Community Service Committee ask that you keep those less fortunate in your thoughts and prayers
this season of Advent and throughout the year. Please consider giving regularly to one or more of the many mis-
sion opportunities here at GMPC: Back Pack Buddies (weekly food donations), Clinton Crossings/Courtyard (community
garden volunteers & bingo prize donations), Diaper Bank of Sampson County (diaper & wet wipes donations), First Baptist
Church Soup Kitchen (cakes), Helping Hands & Hearts (Wheel Chair Ramp builder volunteers), Meals on Wheels (meal delivery drivers), Prayer Quilt Ministry, Presbyterian Women’s Projects, Presbyterian Men’s Projects, Salemburg Food Bank
(weekly food donations), Southeastern Carolina Crossroads (new/gently used men’s clothing donations), UCare, Inc. (food, toilet-ry items & house hold staples donations)
~ Adult Fall Bible Study will resume on January 11, 2017.
~ Don’t forget that the church still has copies of the GMPC Cookbook available- More Delectable Blessings .
They make wonderful Christmas gifts!
~ It’s hard to believe that it has been eight years since we began our E-Newsletters via the Church Web-site
(gravesmemorial.org). *Remember to update the church office on email address changes ~ we don’t want to miss anyone!
PRESBYTERIAN MEN OR PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN NEWS:
~There will be NO Presbyterian Men’s Breakfast Meeting in December. The next meeting will be on January 8th, at 8:15 a.m., at 1st Baptist Church. We hope all men will join us for breakfast and fellowship with the men of FUMC & 1st Baptist! Please mark your calendars and plan to be in attendance.
~ December PW Circle Meetings are as follows: (December Bible Leader: Glenda Underwood) Circle #1 will meet on the 5th at NOON at the home of Amelia Surratt for a salad luncheon; Circle #2 will meet on the 14th at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Ann Johnson for a Christmas gathering. (Bring a finger food to share.) *E-mail instructions/reminders will be sent out soon about our Christmas & “School Clothing Closet” projects . Circle #3 will meet on the 6th 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 Luncheon following worship on December 11th is as follows: Tami Warren & Sara Rosario: Co-Chairs; Glenda Underwood, Tamara Peterson, Michelle Dunn, Dale Purcell, Jessica Coombs, Iva Miller, Linda Lamb, Anne Wicke, Faye Carr, Nancy Perry, Denise Moran, Ashleigh Johns, Kathy Mertz, Julie Stefanovich, Beatrice Gray, Dorothy Sue Faison, Mary Doyne, Anne Faircloth, Delores Mur-phrey, Brenda Nordin, Jennifer Bradley
* Seasonal Flower Committee: We ask that you please submit your annual dues at this time if you have not al-ready done so. (Please refer to your 2016-2017 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!
GMPC Prayer Quilt Ministry- Can you sew? Can you pray? Can you laugh? Can you do any of the
three? Come to the Church on the Third Tuesday of every month at 9:30 a.m. *(Next meeting: January 17, 2017)
The idea behind these quilts is simple, yet powerful. As each knot is tied, a silent prayer is offered and symboli-cally tied into each quilt. Each “comforter” is a gift of love, a statement of faith and a testimony to our belief in God and the power of prayer. Do not worry if you cannot sew, that is only one aspect of creating these quilts. There are plenty of other things that require assistance in making this ministry a success. A Prayer Quilt may be requested by anyone, for any GMPC member or non-member and/or their immediate or extended family. Out of respect for privacy, it is the responsibility of the person who initiates the request to obtain the permission or consent directly from the person (or family) for whom the Prayer Quilt is intended. Prayer Quilt requests may be submitted through the church office or through anyone serving on the Prayer Quilt Ministry.
EDUCATIONAL / SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DECEMBER 2016:
04 11 18 25
Crib/Toddler Nursery: (Nancy Perry & Lauren Perry, Mary Doyne, Sarah Day) 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Acolytes: (Brenda Nordin) Jase Westerbeek Bailey Spell Silas Bradley Christmas Day: Ushers Spencer Westerbeek Melina Matthews Connor Johnson Christmas Day: Ushers Worship Readiness: December Leader: Lou Johnson (NO Worship Readiness Dec. 18th & 25th) Kindergarten—2nd Grade Class: Hollis White Darby Scott Penny Horne NO Sunday School 3rd—5th Grade Class: Computer Lab-Linda Carr Kristi Williford Diane Viser NO Sunday School Sr. & Jr. High Youth Class: Diane Viser James Dodson Lou Johnson NO Sunday School Memorial Room: (Dorothy Sue Faison) Boyde Bristow Anthony Sessoms Tommy Newton NO Sunday School Care Class: (Brenda Nordin) Linda Williamson Melvin Weaver Paul Viser NO Sunday School Corner Stone Class: (James Dodson) Anthony Sessoms James Dodson Melvin Weaver NO Sunday School Literature Class: (Denise Moran) PresbyCrew:(Lou Johnson) We always welcome extra volunteers…come any time you can! 12/14 Team 2: Annette Newton, Betty Blue Packard, Nancy Perry, Amelia Surratt, Claire Tart, Lizzy Tart, Diane Viser & Kara & Ethan Donatelli Snacks: 12/14 Diane Westerbeek Meals-on-Wheels: (Anne Price) 12/06 Beth Bryan, Sr. & Joan Carr; 12/20 NO Meals on Wheels Ushers: (Richard Bryan) Note: A yearly list is posted on the bulletin board outside the office Brad Spell, Anthony Sessoms, Wes Cowand, Tim Howard, Stan Mertz, Scott Prestage, Paul Viser Flower Committees: (Mac Spell) 11/27-12/25 Seasonal Flower Committee
Happy Birthday During December:
2) Joan Carr, Don Wilson; 03) Danny Aycock; 05) Trey Aycock, III; 06) Silas Bradley; 09) Patrick Aiken; 10) Susan Tucker, Matthew Bristow; 11) Edward Faircloth; 12) Will Johnson; 16) Jeff Warren, Billy Peterson; 17) Lawton Eure, Annie Stefanovich-Jaskot, John Fox, IV; 18) Lisa Green; Barbara Kerr, 21) Hope Jania; Allie Green; 22) Jessica Coombs 24) Dorothy Sue Faison; 25) Nancy Beaujeu-Dufour; 26) Mike Carter, Suzi Matthews, Art Miller, Margaret Coleman; 28) Annette Newton; 30) Olivia Williford
~ Sunday, November 20, 2016 ~
I will be loyal to GMPC and support it with …
My Presence: Sunday School Attendance 41 Worship Attendance 84
My Gifts: Weekly Year-To-Date Tithes and Offerings $2,081.00 $287,050.57 Building Fund Offerings $2,130.00 $ 79,642.31
Lectionary Text for December:
04) Ps. 72:1-7, 18-19; Isa. 11:1-10; Rom. 15:4-13; Matt. 3:1-12; 11) Ps. 146:5-10 or Luke 1:46b-55; Isa. 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; Matt. 11:2-11; 18) Ps. 80:1-7, 17-19; Isa. 7:10-16; Rom. 1:1-7; Matt. 1:18-25;
25) Ps. 98; Isa. 52:7-10; Heb. 1:1-4 (5-12); John 1:1-14
Stop by the bulletin board outside the church office to view recent information and news from our
Presbytery Office and/or visit the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina website at http://presbycc.org/
December 12th: All are welcome to join us for a Christmas gathering at noon in the GMPC Fellowship Hall. We will have a light
lunch followed by Glenda Underwood playing the piano and all singing along to our favorite Christmas Carols of the Season.
* Contact Lou Johnson for more information or to sign up.
