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Volume XXI, Number 7 July 2015
THE eDisciple ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.’ John 8:31
S H A R O N P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H
Whether or not you volunteered your physical presence on one or more days during VBS Week, you supported our ministry to the families that entrusted their children to us for a week of faith nurture: You nurtured families with children, families from within our congregation and many more families from our larger community.
With your prayers and with your tithes and offerings you, too, were a volunteer in this annual ministry of nurture and outreach, for you provided the publicity, snacks, study materials, crafts, music, video capabilities, the rooms, the fresh cut lawn, the air conditioned comfort and the extra trash pickup to help the volunteers on campus work with 211 children from our church family and from our community. Because of you, increasingly we touch our community in invitation, teaching the gospel, and in service as a spiritual community center.
Oh, by the way, our Minute for Mission speaker on VBS Sunday, she and her family aren’t yet members of our congregation but long time participants in our church life because of our congregation’s deliberate desire to be invitational and welcoming to our community.
Thanks to all of you who volunteered your time and tithes; together we continue to develop a wonderful ministry in South Park.
The Parson’s Page, by Dr. Rob Blumer
You deserve a huge “Thank you” for your work with Vacation Bible School. Not just the 70 adult volunteers and not just the 2 outstanding VBS coordinators – Beth Flordelis and Sarah Brewer. To all of you – the members and other active participants of Sharon Church, “Thank you all.”
The young woman who delivered the Minute for Mission on June 21, VBS Sunday, said it well when she reminded us that each time we baptize a child, the congregation vows to support that child and that child’s family in Christian Nurture.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2015
More photos can be found on the SPC Facebook page.
Page 2 Sharon Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC 704-553-0869
We remember in our prayersGifts to Sharon Presbyterian ChurchGifts in MemoryFlo Ladd, by Cliff and Catherine Deal; by Audrey TaylorU.S. Allee, by Mike and Bonnie BarkerJohn Broadus, by Elizabeth TannerRuth Cottom, by Bryan and Carol Hovey; by Charles and Eleanor LockwoodWincy Sullivan, by James and Cynthia Cook, Elgerine Elliott, Supermarket Systems, Tom and Elizabeth Phillips, Mark and Gail Layne, Bruce Bodt, Freida Caldwell, Clyde Smith, Kingdom Education of Young Scholars, Louise Cranford, Kempsville Presbyterian Church
Celebrating Christ’s gift of salvation, our grateful worship of God guidesthe three-fold mission of Sharon Presbyterian Church: Invite All Seekers,Teach the Gospel, and Serve Human Need.
Congregational Concerns
70293118
8929966
65208 72
57315
Attendance Statistics May 31, 2015Morning Song Worship 10:30 Worship Sunday SchoolJune 7Morning Song Worship 10:30 Worship Sunday SchoolJune 14Morning Song Worship 10:30 Worship Sunday SchoolJune 21Morning Song Worship 10:30 Worship Sunday School 65
Please remember in prayer: recently discharged from the hospital: Richard Graham (Elmcroft); those at home: Sarah Moffat, Nita Baisey, Peggy Graham, Elgerine Elliott, Christine Smith, Barbara Heilig, Art and Beth Parker, Frankie Beaty, Max Rollins, Jane Foard, Betty Howell, Anita Shaw, Earl Ferguson, Chris Price; and our homebound members; additional concerns: Ray Malarkey (Carolyn Raper’s friend), Susan White (Jim and Pat White’s sister-in-law); Frank and Nancy Dimmock (PCUSA Missions Staff); Presbytery of Huanta in Peru; Rusty Edmondson and Sara Armstrong (PCUSA Missions in Peru); serving overseas in military: Lt. Col. John Fortenbery (Trish and Pete Bleynat’s son).The prayer list is reset on the first day of each month. To submit or resubmit a prayer request, please contact the church office.
The prayer list is reset on the first day of each month. To submit orresubmit a prayer request, please contact the church office.
Welcome New MembersMike and Carmen Adams joined Sharon Presbyterian Church on Sunday, June 7, 2015. They have two children: McRae age 7 and Maris age 3.
July, 2015
A Contribution of cakes was received from Polly Godwin for the Sharon meal at the shelters on May 30, 2015 in memory of Wincy Sullivan.
Newly BaptizedDavison Everett Gosney, son of Anna and Wes Gosney, was baptized on Sunday, June 17, 2015.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to Ann Bryant in the death of her mother and to Amy-Leigh Mack in the death of her grandmother, Carol Ethridge, who died on June 22, 2015 in Charlotte, NC.
Register Now for the Fall Foundations Workshop!Want to attend a Foundations in Christ workshop, but the dates never seem to fit? Now is a great time to reserve your spot and set the dates on your calendar (September 11-13 and 25-27, 2015; Fri. 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). In this interactive two-weekend workshop, participants explore core issues of faith in a safe space. Come discover a new awareness of God’s activity in our daily lives! To learn more or register, visit ICSM’s website, www.InChristSupportingMinistries.org, or contact Rev. Sarah Kromer or Melissa Harding at 704-554-2490.
July, 2015 Sharon Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC 704-553-0869 Page 3
News We Can Use
July Birthdays
1 Nancy Gifford, Susan Snippen
2 Elizabeth Davis, Tom Kirkpatrick, Erin Jongbloedt, Bree Spicer
3 Craig Deluca, Jim Harrill, Ashley Schlieper, Beth Setser, Sherrill Suiter, Lauren Wall
4Eddie Blanton, Rock Boyle, Heather Fisher
6
Amanda Ash, Kyle Dilsworth, Bob Harris, Leigh Hawkins, Donnie Hinson
7 McKenna Gifford, Sara Hart, MikeHively, Laney McBride
8 Charles Lockwood, Beverly Pierce,Jeannie Satterfield
9 Cameron Collins, Claire Crocker,Alicia Greene, David Wilson
10 Ray Cannon, Andrew Kromer11 Martha Jane Thomas12 Doug Crocker, Rachael Knepp13 Peggy Brenneis, Margaret Foard,
Charles Murray, Sharon Williamson14 Morgan Greene-Haines15 Bob Utsman16 Jackson Clark, Bill VanDeBogart17 Davis Bashore, Penny Harpootlian,
Max Perry, Scott Sattizahn, Margaret Stanford, Sally Weiss, Danny Wieland 18 Larry Auten, Sarah Hirschy19 Thelma Porter, Kate Willette20 Gigi Stanton
21 Ben Smith22 Nick Bagyi, Nancy Corley,
Brian Dillard, David Hollifield , Jessica Hardin, Reta LeFeber, Anita Shaw, Paige West
23 Rebecca Foard, Carol Howie Mary Miller24 Lucy Brewer, Ben Esposito, Katrin Gordon, Randy Pusser25 Charles Gordon, Henry
Halvorsen, Carolyn Hutton, Vivienne Metzcus, Kathy Micheau
26 Carol Furr, Susan Milkey27 Bob Cottom, Paige Moody28 Rob Bashore, Rebecka Nelli Kristen Smith29 Lillian Cochell, Lee Kromer, Harrison Smith
30 Brian Parker, Don Raper, AudreyYoung
31 Lindsay Appleton, Courtney Evans, JohnMallard, Pam Ward
July Wedding Anniversaries 8 Skip and Janat Schramm 9 Bill and Isabelle Stanfrod15 Steve and Kristen Esposito16 Ron and Carolyn Ledford17 Charles and Mary Jo Alley19 Tom and Martha Fedell20 Joel and Nancy McIntyre23 Mike and Carmen Adams24 David and Nancy Halverson25 Merwyn and Bev Johnson28 Eddie and Kristin Blanton31 Joe and Christ Price
Looking forward
Child Protection trainings will be held August 25 & 26.
August 30th Christian Education Sunday with Covered Dish lunch and WingDing competition
Sunday School Teacher Training for the new curriculum will be September 1 & 2.
New Sunday School classes start September 13.
So Long Summer Fall Festival and Outdoor Worship September 19-20
May we introduce to you our new congregational fellowship program, an evening that will combine a monthly congregational meal for a reasonable price, time for Christian fellowship, educational opportunities, and other
options for all ages.
SUNDAY
NIGHT LIVE!
begins September 13, and thereafter will occur on the 1st Sunday of each month through May. Several choir rehearsals, youth group meetings, a catered meal, and other program options will work together to allow our church family and friends to create new friendships and deepen existing
relationships among multiple generations while enjoying programs that can help strengthen the faith of our congregation.
Details of how you can participate will be released in August.
Save the datesAugust 30, Christian Education Sunday and WingDing cook-off; September 13, Sunday Night Live; September 19, So Long Summer Celebration Weekend; November 6-8, Women’s Retreat
Christmas in July will be celebrated July 19 at the 8:30 and 10:30 worship services. Come for a time to focus on the birth of our Savior without the accompanying
commercialism, busyness, and other distractions that keep us
from fully appreciating God’s gift during our December celebrations.
Charlotte, North Carolina 28210704-553-0869Fax: Fax: Fax: Fax: Fax: 704- 553-0471Email: Email: Email: Email: Email: [email protected]: eb-Site: eb-Site: eb-Site: eb-Site: www.SharonPCUSA.orgOfOfOfOfOffice Hours:fice Hours:fice Hours:fice Hours:fice Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Missionaries supported in part by Sharon Presbyterian
Dr. Rob Blumer, Pastor [email protected]. Ron Nelson, Associate Pastor [email protected] Pruitt, Youth Director [email protected] Vanpelt, Director of Christian Education [email protected] Tang, Director of MusicSandy Breaux, OrganistAllison Schommer, Children’s Choir Director LeighAnn Fresina, Handbell Director Elizabeth Burgess, Admin. Assist.Tawanda Brown, Secretary/Receptionist Scottie Trapp, Finance OfficeBill VanDeBogart, Church SextonCarolyn Adams-Teal, Nursery Caregiver Weekday School, 704-554-0882:
Beth Merchant, Director
Frank and Nancy Dimmock,
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
to Sharon Presbyterian and
clearly earmarked “PCUSA Missionaries Fund: E132192.”
URGENT WORLD MISSIONS NEWS:
On bulletin boards around the church are two important items you will want to read. This information is also available on our denomination’s webpage (www.pcusa.org).
One is a letter from Nancy Dimmock in our PCUSA Mission Connections ministries for April 29, 2015. Nancy reflects on her 30 year assignment to “the ends of the earth” and writes about her new assignment as missionary-in- residence, sharing daring stories of two of our 162 missionaries now serving around the world. Nancy also points out, “Due to shortfalls in giving in 2014, World Missions is facing the tragic prospect of having to recall up to 45 missionaries over the next two years.We simply cannot let this happen.” She asks for our prayers and financial support for our ministries.
In an April PCUSA news article, Hunter Farrell, our director of World Missions, discusses this shortfall. “…based on 2014 receipts, lowered revenue projections will create a gap of $925,000 in funding for mission workers in 2016. This could result in not replacing four retiring missionary co-workers and prematurely ending the service of as many as five mission co-workers in 2016.”
“By 2017, most of World Mission’s gifts for mission workers from prior years will be exhausted and the gap between projected revenue and expenses may be as much as $4.5 million annually and would force World Mission to recall an estimated 40 mission co-workers globally.” Hunter urges us to support mission workers, “over and above anything we’ve done before.” Our mission service has operated for 178 years, building churches, schools, and hospitals. Today, “more than 94 million Christians around the world now belong to churches that were founded or co-founded by PCUSA mission workers.”
We are asked fervently to continue our “… partnership together in God’s mission.” Brave Christians are presently being martyred throughout the globe. We can stand with them with our giving to World Missions! Thanks to your regular giving, our church has been supportive of our mission co-workers, the Dimmock family, and our denomination’s World Missions outreach. If you would like to give to support our denomination’s mission workers above and beyond the church budget, checks may be made payable:
Sharon Presbyterian Church College Scholarship Fund for Mission Partners
Several years ago, the Session approved a Scholarship Fund for Mission Partners. The Serving Committee is responsible for the promotion of the scholarship, the application process, and the selection of a recipient. The Sharing Committee oversees the financial accountability of the fund.
The amount of the scholarship varies depending on the availability of funds and will be determined by the Serving Committee. Scholarship funds awarded to a student will be paid directly to the student’s college account.
The recipient is chosen by the Serving Committee based on the following in order of priority:
• an international student from an economically-challenged family identified through Sharon Presbyterian Church’s mission connections who is enrolled for study at an accredited college or university in the United States;
• a member of Sharon Presbyterian Church who is enrolled in one of the PCUSA’s seminaries;
• a member of Sharon Presbyterian Church who is enrolled at an accredited college or university who is preparing for a church vocation (i.e. Christian Education, Youth Ministry, Church Music, etc.)
• a member of Sharon Presbyterian Church who is enrolled in a college or university affiliated with the PCUSA;
• or a deserving member of Sharon Presbyterian Church who is enrolled for full time study at an accredited college or university.
This award is also based upon: scholarship, community involvement, and strength and determination of character. Those interested in applying may pick up an application and a copy of the approved policy in the Church Office. Please return the completed application to the church office by August 1, 2015. The recipient will be chosen by August 15th.
If you have any questions, please call David Beers, Chairperson of the Serving Committee.
The congregation is encouraged to support this fund by making checks payable to “Sharon Presbyterian Church” and clearly earmarked “Scholarship Fund for Mission Partners.”
Saying “Thank You” after Graduate Sunday just doesn’t seem enough. Our children have been blessed to grow up in this congregation. From the promises that were made at their Baptisms, folks at this church have loved them. Because of you, our boys were offered a year-round calendar of church activities.
In the spring there was the Palm Sunday Celebration and Egg Hunt. Summer, of course, kicked off with VBS songs and crazy skits. When school started so did Sharon on Wednesdays with "Miss Jamie", her guitar and Wednesday Club. November brought the Family Retreat at Bethelwoods where our kids ran around all weekend and we parents relaxed and ate too much – it was wonderful! Christmas came and so did the Pageant –simple but precious as shepherds and angels processed up from the audience and the big rite of passage was which 5 th grade boy and girl got to be Joseph and Mary.
Our boys were blessed to experience Rotation Sunday School where every Sunday the Bible came to life. They were also fortunate enough to have wonderful youth advisors who gave of their time year after year, Sunday after Sunday and summer after summer because they believed in what they did and more importantly they loved our children and the Lord.
Sharing Committee Report May 2015
May 2015 YTDRevenue $95,842 $381,889Expense 89,285 378,462Net Income 6,557 3,427
Our previous YTD loss has turned around and we are showing positive results. Total costs are higher than prior year and budget, however revenues are also higher than prior year and budget.
Please continue to support the Mission and Ministries of Sharon Presbyterian during the summer months. Your generosity allows SPC to Invite, Teach and Serve.
Saying “Thank You” after Graduate Sunday just doesn’t seem enough. Our children have been blessed to grow up in this congregation. From the promises that were made at their Baptisms, folks at this church have loved them. Because of you, our boys were offered a year-round calendar of church activities.
In the spring there was the Palm Sunday Celebration and Egg Hunt. Summer, of course, kicked off with VBS songs and crazy skits. When school started so did Sharon on Wednesdays with "Miss Jamie", her guitar and Wednesday Club. November brought the Family Retreat at Bethelwoods where our kids ran around all weekend and we parents relaxed and ate too much – it was wonderful! Christmas came and so did the Pageant –simple but precious as shepherds and angels processed up from the audience and the big rite of passage was which 5 th grade boy and girl got to be Joseph and Mary.
Our boys were blessed to experience Rotation Sunday School where every Sunday the Bible came to life. They were also fortunate enough to have wonderful youth advisors who gave of their time year after year, Sunday after Sunday and summer after summer because they believed in what they did and more importantly they loved our children and the Lord. So here we are after the Graduate Breakfast—another wonderful Sharon Church Tradition where loving hands prepare breakfast for the graduates and their families.
Our boys have received a strong foundation at Sharon Church. We appreciate your love, prayers, time and talents. So many of you have done so much and for that, we are forever grateful.
Keith and Lisa Mason
Sharon Presbyterian Church recently received a substantial benevolent gift from the estate of Beatrice Kiser Coker to be used to “enhance our worship experience.” Bea Coker worked most of her career for the Charlotte Presbytery, married a Presbyterian minister late in life, and joined Sharon in the 1990’s, while her husband served at Providence Presbyterian. She was a long-time volunteer in our church library. Bea’s estate named Sharon Church as a beneficiary upon the death or confinement to a nursing home of her husband, Roy. Sadly her husband Roy has been recently confined to Sharon Towers, and her niece, Katherine Kiser VanHoy moved quickly to ensure that her Aunt’s wishes were honored. We do not always know how we touch the lives of those we encounter or who come into our presence. We can only trust that we are doing the will of God, and then let God take care of the rest. This benevolent gift has been placed in our church’s Esther Brown Fund, and we are deeply grateful to God for the generosity that has been shown to our congregation.
Clerk of Session
