First ARP Church of Rock Hill

March 2020 Edition

Sunday, March 29

Featured speakers:

World Witness Missionaries in Madrid, Spain

In this issue... Vacation Bible School

Caterpillars & Butterflies

Pastor’s Message

Committee News

Stop the Bleed Training Class

HOPE Month

Pictorial Directory

Missions Conference

Women’s Ministries News

Youth News

John Revell Tournament

Basketball Banquet

Church Library

Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen

Bag Lunch & Bible Study

HARPs & Friends Outing

Member Birthdays

Ladies’ Book Club

Calendar of Events

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Caterpillars & Butterflies Caterpillars will arrive by Sunday, March 22 and may be

picked up in the connector. Instruction sheets will be

available to care for the caterpillar while it grows and

changes. Children are asked to bring their butterflies to

church Easter morning for the Butterfly Release

following the Flowering of the Cross.

Mark your calendar for

the most exciting week of

the summer!

JUNE 28-JULY 2

Pastor’s Message Barry Dagenhart, Senior Pastor

Did you realize that between the Session and the Diaconate, there are 15 committees at work in the life of the church, not to mention the work of our Women’s Ministries and Just Joy Boards? Elsewhere in this newsletter, you can read about the work of the Preschool and Missions Committees.

But in this article for March, I wanted to talk about one of the Diaconate committees that does a good bit of behind-the-scenes type of work. And that committee is the Technology Committee, comprised of Matt Krinn, Dave Kulbok and William Robbins. The Technology Committee helps with computers, printers, servers and the like, but they also work on anything from cameras and video to software. This committee has been in conversation and study with the staff for several months and is pleased to announce that we are in the process of transitioning to a new church software. In case you were not aware, we have been using our existing software for close to two decades and it is past time for a change. Breeze Church Management Software will help us steward our resources well. Some of the features the staff is looking forward to using include: tracking church membership, birthdays, classes and giving. This software will also have aids to calendar management, communication, mailouts, reports and much more. One feature that most of you will find helpful is that this new software will give us an online directory with an app for your phone where you can retrieve contact information for other members wherever you are. (Don’t worry – we will not retire the paper address directory yet. This means we just won’t have to print as many). One thing we need to accomplish as we transition is to update our records and input that new information into the system. This calls for your help. Beginning in mid-March, there will be an insert in the bulletin as well as an online form which you can complete to help us update your information. We are asking all members to complete either the insert form or the online form even if you think we have all of your information and you believe it to be correct. Again, your help will be needed a few weeks into March, and we hope to have everything up and running by April. Thanks in advance for your help, and we offer our appreciation to the Technology Committee, as well as all of the committees that give of their time and effort so that ministry can be accomplished in this congregation and community. —Barry

Stop the Bleed Training Class

Saturday, March 21 Robinson Hall

The course will be offered twice: 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Led by Dr. Shamly Dhiman, this course teaches how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and respond effectively in an emergency. Sign up to participate in the T-Hall!

All interested members are encouraged to attend.

For more information contact Dr. Walter Revell or visit www.stopthebleed.org.

HOPE Month March is HOPE month!

Please bring non-perishable food items to the blue bin in the connector

for Project Hope of Rock Hill.

SAVE THE DATE for the following photography dates

and stay tuned for sign-up instructions: *Wednesday, April 15: 2-9 p.m.

*Thursday, April 16: 2-9 p.m. *Friday, April 17: 2-9 p.m.

*Saturday, April 18: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

WE NEED YOU… to make our 2020 Pictorial Directory complete!

Contact Sarah Harper if you are interested in volunteering

to help during any of the photography days.

2020 First ARP Missions Conference

Sunday, March 29

10:00 a.m. //Single Worship Service Guest Preacher: Rev. Juan Carlos Bonilla

11:00 a.m. // Lunch in Robinson Hall

11:45 a.m. // Mission Presentation* Ruth & Juan Carlos will share about their ministry

in Madrid, Spain. Children 5th grade and younger will be dismissed to the gym to learn about Spain.

*Nursery will be available

Featured Speakers:

The Bonilla family World Witness Missionaries in Madrid, Spain

by Women’s Ministries Spiritual Life Coordinator: Kathy Barron *see the next page for pictures from the Retreat weekend!*

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A WOMEN’S RETREAT? (Sorry, guys, you’re on your own here). There are camps, conferences, church-wide retreats, Bible studies …But, have you ever gotten away with a bunch of women for a weekend? IF you haven’t, you should! And make it a retreat with a group of Christian women. 12 friends and members of First ARP met in Greenville, SC to retreat. Attendees were: Ginger Smith, Marsha Vogel, Jeanie Alexander, Betsy Dreier, Sarah Dagenhart, Libby Elder, Margaret Coxhead & sister, Patty Anziano, Connie Kiser & friend, Liz Moore, and Kathy Barron & friend, Cindy Bennitt.

There were the expected laughter & tears, food & fatigue, meeting on time & dividing up car seats. But there was SO MUCH MORE! We were there to attend Nancy Guthrie’s Biblical Theology Workshop for Women. Along with close to 400 other women, we learned about gleaning more from the Bible by following Biblical themes from Creation to Revelation in the ever-unfolding plan of our Almighty and Sovereign God—a plan that has remained since before “In the beginning…” and will continue through all eternity. As hard and compacted as the seats were, as tired as we started the weekend, not one of us said we weren’t glad to be there. We were allowed to practice and receive input as we tried to understand this new skill. Now we want EVERYONE to learn about it.

By mid-day Saturday, when the workshop was over, we were able to spend more time in “church-sisters” fellowship (& naps). If you want to hear about dinner Saturday just ask about the meal portions and the size of the desserts! Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday morning, we gathered to consider our experiences, to pray, to praise, and to look at God’s Word with a more eternal perspective. We even had our choir sing—via iPhone recording—our anthem on Sunday. There is a unique presence in these small group encounters. Monday morning I woke up at home, but looking back at Sunday morning, and the words of this hymn were running through my mind, heart, and spirit:

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place; I can see His mighty power and His grace. I can hear the brush of angels’ wings, I see glory on each face; Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. (Music and Text by Lanny Wolfe)

NEXT RETREAT: Catawba Women’s Ministries Retreat at Bonclarken: Feb 26-28, 2021 *Nancy Guthrie’s Biblical Theology Workshop will be in Charlotte in April, 2021

March 11 @ Foundations for the Faith 5:30 p.m.

Featured Speaker:

Suzanne Allers

HISTORY: The Jubilee Birthday celebration and offering were begun in 1925 to commemorate the Jubilee (50th anniversary) of sending out the first ARP foreign missionary. Our current Jubilee Birthday ladies are Shelia Osborne and Rebekah Carson. Offerings received at the Jubilee Birthday celebration will be sent to World Witness for Shelia Osborne, Short-term Ministry & Events Coordinator for World

Witness, and Rebekah Carson, World Witness Missionary in Germany.

Greenville, South Carolina

Middle School Retreat March 27-29 @ Bonclarken Our Middle School Spring Retreat is quickly approach-ing! Student registration packets have been mailed out to all of our students or contact Luke for a digital packet! Please let Luke know if you need extras! Registration: Please register with Luke no later than Sunday, March 8th with a $25 deposit and forms AND T SHIRT size-- The remaining balance of $25 will be due the week of the retreat!

High School Retreat March 6-8 @ Bonclarken: We're so excited for the group of students who have registered for our High School Spring Retreat --- attendees will receive an information email Monday prior to the retreat! Please feel free to reach out to Luke with any questions you may have!

Appalachia Mission July 4-10 It's time for all of our High School students to prayerfully consider being a part of our Appalachia Mission 2020!

Information packets and applications have been mailed out with every bit of information you'll need! Contact Luke with any questions!

February 19-23 First ARP hosted the John Revell Memorial Tournament. Congratulations to Lake Wylie Senior Boys team, this year's champions.

The tournament was well attended, the teams appreciated the opportunity to compete, and

everyone was impressed with our renovated gym! Thank you to the Athletic Committee and other

volunteers who worked and served at tournament.

New in the Church Library…

The church library has purchased several new books for your enjoyment! For those participating in Ladies’ Book Club, the church library has several C.S. Lewis books, including The Great

Divorce, Surprised by Joy, A Grief Observed, Mere Christianity and Screwtape Letters.

Also new are several books recommended by Pastor Jon and used as resources for his Wednesday night series, "Life in A Fallen World":

• Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness // by Edward T. Welch • Putting Your Past in Its Place // by Stephen Viars • Descriptions and Prescriptions // by Michael Emlet • Running Scared – Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest // by Edward Welch • Will Medicine Stop the Pain? // by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Laura Hendrickson

2020 Basketball Banquet

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 5:30 p.m.

Kids vs. adults basketball game following supper!

Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen

A group of faithful volunteers from First ARP volunteer the third

Thursday of each month at Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen. The Soup Kitchen (902 Crawford Road, Rock Hill) serves guests hot lunch six days per week. In addition to providing hot meals Dorothy Day also provides

personal hygiene products and arranges for dental services for those in need. Spending time preparing and serving a meal at Dorothy Day is a rewarding service that is filled with fellowship. Occasionally, not all of

the regular volunteers are available, and there is a great need for volunteers who could fill-in. Even if you are unable to be there the entire time (9:30-1:00) you could still be a great help to this team!

For more information about Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen or to make a food donation visit: dorothydaysoupkitchen.org

Are you willing to help? For more information on serving contact Susan Gardner.

The next First ARP volunteer opportunity is Thursday, March 19!

Bag Lunch & Bible Study Tuesday, March 3

12:00 p.m. Robinson Hall

Everyone is invited to bring your own lunch for a time of fellowship and study of God’s Word. After we eat, Pastor Jon will lead a Lenten devotional and we will close with a season of prayer.

Water, tea, and dessert will be provided.

HARPs & Friends Outing Thursday, March 12

2:00-4:30 p.m. “Down Home Concert: Stories & Folk Music”

at St. John’s United Methodist Church

This event is part of Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival, presented by the York County Library. The free program is recommended for adults and features storytellers Donald Davis and Sheila Arnold along with musician Jeff Robbins.

We will meet in the First ARP parking lot across from St. John’s at 1:30 p.m. and walk over together. Questions? Contact Debbie Turner.

Ladies’ Book Club

Monday, March 16 7:00 p.m. @ the home of Fran Hancock

This month’s book is: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis.

Contact Connie Kiser for more information.

Member Birthdays 1 Jeanie Alexander Starr Lee 4 Bob Harper Lisa Cox Laura Leathers 5 Key Barkley David Helms 6 Kate Ferguson 9 Emma Gilleland Elle Gilleland 10 Johnny Logan 13 Jane Bailey Beth Gettys

14 Linda Neely 15 Sally Ann Catoe Warren Norman 16 Mary Frampton Whitesides 18 Tim Templeton 21 Herb Hamilton Caitlin Roper 25 Mark Golightly 26 April Smith 28 Caris Kulbok Clay Simpson

29 Blake Boone Martin Grant 30 W.C. Kirkpatrick 31 Sally Coleman Curtis Correll

March Calendar of Events Sunday

9:00 a.m. Worship

10:00 a.m. Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Worship

Wednesday Foundations for the Faith

5:30 p.m. Meal in Robinson Hall

6:15 p.m. Children’s Choir &

Youth Activities 6:30 p.m. Adult Study

7:15 p.m. Adult Choir Practice

Just Joy

every 4th Thursday

6:30 p.m. Worship Service

geared toward friends with special needs and their families, but all are welcome to come and participate!

Preschool

Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Contact Tiffany Dagenhart for more info on enrollment: 803-327-2009 or preschooldirector@firstarp.org

SUNDAY, March 1-SUNDAY, March 8 • Family Promise Week MONDAY, March 2 • Circle No. 3

7:00 p.m. TUESDAY, March 3 • Women’s Ministries Bible Study

10:00 a.m., Faith Room • Bag Lunch & Bible Study

12:00 p.m., Robinson Hall WEDNESDAY, March 4 • Preschool Family Chapel

9:00 a.m., Sanctuary • Foundations for the Faith THURSDAY, March 5 • Barry Dagenhart Prayer Team

8:00 a.m., Robinson Hall • Circle No. 2

10:00 a.m., Faith Room • Circle No. 1

7:00 p.m. FRIDAY, March 6– SUNDAY, March 8 • High School Retreat @ Bonclarken SUNDAY, March 8 *Daylight Saving Time begins MONDAY, March 9 • Jeanie Alexander Vision Team Prayer

Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Jeanie’s home TUESDAY, March 10 • Meeting of Catawba Presbytery

Shiloh ARP Church, Lancaster, SC • Women’s Ministries Bible Study

10:00 a.m., Faith Room • Meeting of the Diaconate

6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, March 11 • Jubilee Birthday Celebration

@ Foundations for the Faith THURSDAY, March 12 • Women’s Ministries Bible Study

12:00 p.m., Faith Room • Circle No. 4

7:00 p.m. SATURDAY, March 14 • Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

7:00 a.m., Robinson Hall

MONDAY, March 16 • Meeting of the Session

7:00 p.m. • Ladies’ Book Club

7:00 p.m. @ the home of Fran Hancock TUESDAY, March 17 • Women’s Ministries Bible Study

10:00 a.m., Faith Room WEDNESDAY, March 18 • Basketball Banquet

@ Foundations for the Faith THURSDAY, March 19 • Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen Volunteer

Opportunity, 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. • Women’s Ministries Bible Study

12:00 p.m., Faith Room SATURDAY, March 21 • Stop the Bleed Training

9:30 a.m. & 11 a.m., Robinson Hall TUESDAY, March 24 • Women’s Ministries Bible Study

10:00 a.m., Faith Room WEDNESDAY, March 25 • Foundations for the Faith THURSDAY, March 26 • Women’s Ministries Bible Study

12:00 p.m., Faith Room • Just Joy Worship Service

6:30 p.m., Robinson Hall FRIDAY, March 27-SUNDAY, March 29 • Middle School Retreat @ Bonclarken SUNDAY, March 29 • Missions Conference -10:00 a.m. Single Worship Service -11:00 a.m. Lunch in Robinson Hall -11:45 a.m. Missions Presentation

Don’t be late for church!

Remember to set your clocks

forward one hour before going to

bed on Saturday, March 7.