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THE
Link
The First ARP Church Newsletter November 2018
When Worlds Collide By Rev. Matt Kuiken
This is a place where worlds collide. Here we have a picture of
the Jezreel Valley viewed from Megiddo in Northern Israel. Many
historians think that there has been more bloodshed throughout
history on this stretch of land than anywhere else on earth. Think
about that. It is a very sobering idea. Why all the bloodshed here?
It is because of the strategic importance of this location. In the
ancient world, Megiddo and the Jezreel Valley sat at the
intersection of the world superpowers. There was Persia, Assyria,
and Babylon to the North and East. There was Egypt to the South.
And because of the surrounding desert, the only road to connect
these world powers ran through Megiddo. In fact, there was an
ancient road called the Via Maris that still exists today that ran
right through this area. To control this road and this area meant
to control much of the economic and political power in the ancient
world. Hence all the bloodshed; a place where worlds collide. In
the middle of this intersection sat Israel. It is interesting that
God placed his people here. He didn’t pick a spot safely removed
from the hostile world. It was here, surrounded by constant threats
and temptations, that Israel was to learn to trust and obey the one
true God. It was here that they were to model for the world what it
meant to live in relationship with the LORD. The same is true for
us today. God has strategically placed His Church, you and me, to
minister to the world. In His sermon on the mount Jesus says, “You
are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a
stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let
your light shine before others, so that they may see your good
works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Mt.
5:14-16). This teaches us that Jesus has strategically placed us to
live in the world and for the world. As individuals, families, and
churches we have been given a great mission: to live (continued on
last page)
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Financial Update (General Operating Fund)
As of 9/30/18 Revenues $1,068,528.06 Expenses 1,021,513.37 Net
Surplus (deficit) $ 47,014.69
Sunday Worship Attendance
8:30 11:00 Total Sep. 30 263 254 517 Oct. 07 264 209 473 Oct. 14
228 230 458 Oct. 21 185 213 456
Pastors’ Prayer Partners
Pastors’ Prayer Partners will meet on Saturday, November 3, 2018
at 7:30am in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday Morning Ushers for November
8:30: Rob Parker, Richard Pearson, Mark Forbes, Mikell
Jarrett
10:55: Tom Balsom, David Jennings, Chris McKay
Sunday Morning Greeters
Nov. (8:30): Allen & Becky Waters Nov. 4 & 11 (10:55):
Bill & Deb Peck Nov. 18 & 25 (10:55): Bill & Debbi
McCall
Sunday Morning Coffee Servers
Nov. 04: Leigh & Conner Daniels Nov. 11: Jo Anne Parker Nov.
18: Leigh & Conner Daniels Nov. 25: Betsy Smith
Recovery At The Crossroads
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle
and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my
yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Those words of Jesus are
especially precious to those who fight a hard battle with
addiction. Do you (or someone you know) long to trade your heavy
burden for the light one Jesus has for you? Then consider joining
Recovery at the Crossroads as we look to God’s Word for the keys to
living the life Christ has for us! Meetings are on Tuesdays
evenings from 7:00 to 8:30pm in Classroom #201.
Cora Kuiken—11/1 Elizabeth Morrow—11/1 Ann Barrett—11/2 Greta
Phillips—11/2 Carlos Garcia—11/2 Bonnie McCall—11/3 John David
Morris—11/3 Madison Duffie—11/4 Rachel Morrow—11/5 Fred
Caldwell—11/6 Ian Morrison—11/6 Bet Pearson—11/6 Jacob Shell—11/6
Patty Birt—11/7 Tammy Hubbard—11/7 Mac Crouch—11/8 William
Kirkpatrick—11/8 Catie Wysor—11/8 Paisley McKay—11/9 Tari
Williamson—11/9 Gretchen Best—11/10 Leonard Walls—11/10 Kaylee
Bostick—11/11 Rhonda Craig—11/11 Chuck Duncan—11/11 Gwynne
Blair—11/12 Betty Martin—11/13 Ben Beasley—11/14 Locke Bigger—11/14
Richie Fretz—11/14 Robert Heussy—11/14 Jim Lovell—11/14 Sam
McDaniel—11/14 Daniel Willis—11/14 Tom Campbell—11/15
Greg Christopher—11/15 Donna Craig—11/15 Lin Hollowell—11/15
Maddy McKinley—11/15 Jim Poag—11/15 Brett Keever—11/16 Andrew
Cherry—11/17 Reis Clark—11/17 Danny Wilson—11/17 Robert Adams—11/18
William McHenry—11/18 Russ Moore—11/18 Lil Summerville—11/19 Luke
Bomgaars—11/20 Mary Ann Lore—11/20 Joe Pearson—11/20 David
Jennings—11/21 Alex Keipper—11/21 Linda Trefz—11/22 Benjamin
Kelly—11/23 Ann Lovell—11/23 Jayne Ratchford—11/23 Drew
Wharton—11/24 Steve Buchanan—11/25 Lisa Hovis—11/25 Julie
Anderson—11/26 Trey McKeown—11/26 Greg Starnes—11/26 Wallace
Garrett—11/27 John Kelly—11/27 Grayson Moss—11/27 Bob Fanter—11/28
Carol Hayes—11/28 Ashley Jacobs—11/28 Sarah Cerilli—11/29 Lilly
Friday—11/29 Jeanette Houser—11/29 Joyce McCallister—11/29 Bootie
Morrow—11/29 Dana Friday—11/30
Lillian Stowe Smith & Matthew 11/4/17 1 year
Mary Katherine Keiser Timbers & Joey 11/4/17 1 year
Brice & Rebecca Maney 11/7/92 26 years
Joey & Kristen Hedrick 11/8/97 21 years
Charlie & Loretta Horne 11/12/62 56 years
Dale & Debra Starnes 11/13/82 36 years
John & Kelly Davidson 11/15/03 15 years
Jason & Denice Eckler 11/15/14 4 years
Zack & Penelope Stroupe 11/19/94 24 years
Eric & Libby Riley 11/20/99 19 years
Greg & Jamie Christopher 11/27/82 36 years
Brice & Norma Jean Huffstetler 11/27/65 53 years
Quint & Beth Wysor 11/29/08 10 years
Thanksgiving Service - November 18, 2018
Our Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, November 18, at
6:00pm in the Sanctuary! Please make childcare reservations for
children ages 4 and younger by contacting Leslie Farrar
([email protected]).
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Music Ministry Update
“Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with
music and song.” Psalm 95:2
We welcome all to join in the Music Ministry of our church.
Children’s Choirs meet on Wednesday nights.
Youth Choir (Middle and High School) meets on Sunday mornings at
9:40am.
Chancel Choir meets on Wednesday nights at 7:00pm.
We are thankful for your service in leading music and worship in
our church. If you would like to join us, please come to the
rehearsal for your group! If you have questions, please see Trip
McGill or email him at [email protected].
Welcome Phil Biedenbender, our new Chancel Choir Director
It is a great privilege to announce that First ARP Church of
Gastonia has hired Mr. Phillip Biedenbender to serve as Chancel
Choir Director. A native of New Ulm, Minnesota, Phil is a recipient
of the Richard Hillert Award in Student composition from the
Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and the Center for Church
Music at Concordia University, Chicago. As a pianist, he has
collaborated with numerous ensembles and organizations including
the St. Olaf Choir, the Florida State University Chamber Choir, and
the College Light Opera Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in
theory/composition from St. Olaf College and a master’ degree in
choral conducting from Florida State University. Phil is also the
new choral director at Ashbrook high School here in Gastonia! But
most importantly, Phil is a servant of the Lord who sees music as
an important avenue of ministry. We are thankful that God has led
Phil to us. We look forward to worshipping and serving together
with him for years to come.
Sunday Night – November 11th - 6:00pm – First ARP Sanctuary
George Fields – Exciting Night of Fun, Fellowship and Faith at
First ARP!
Come join us for a special night of entertainment with America’s
Musical Humorist, George Fields. George is from Louisville,
Kentucky and is no stranger to the ARP denomination. Having met
Jack and Anne Alexander and Buddy Whitesides from our church in the
late 1970’s, Anne Alexander quickly realized George would be a
great hit at Bonclarken and booked him for the Junior High
Conference (known as Quest now) to be the music leader. George did
music for Junior High and Senior High Conferences at Bonclarken and
in 1980, when Camp Joy held the first session, George was asked to
be the music leader and has led music at Camp Joy for every session
of camp since 1980. You will not want to miss this time of
fellowship, entertainment and a short message from George. He is a
former college athlete, has been active in Fellowship of Christian
Athletes (where Dr. Whitesides met him), a former church youth
leader and musical entertainer and national speaker. George’s
program will be appropriate for all ages (children through adults).
Please plan to join us on Sunday Night, November 11th in our church
sanctuary at 6:00pm for this special night.
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Welcome Conner Daniels, Our New Youth Ministry Assistant
Our Session recently approved the hire of a youth ministry
assistant who will focus on investing in relationships with our
middle and high school girls. Please join me in welcoming Conner
Daniels to our youth ministry team by greeting her when you see her
around! Conner will begin in this new role on November 1, 2018.
Please see below for a note from Conner! Pastor Josh
I have been a member of First ARP for 9 years. When my family
joined the church, I was a middle school student. Through the
remainder of middle school and high school, the First ARP Youth
Group played a major role in shaping my faith. I am very excited to
begin building meaningful relationships with our Youth and their
families in the same ministry that had such a large impact on my
faith. -Conner Daniels
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Church Directory Changes
Gary Miller—delete his preferred email-send all correspondence
to his business email [email protected]
Heather Ratchford—Change Address-900 Oates Road, Bessemer City,
NC 28016-emaill address [email protected] preferred phone
number 704-691-8794.
Steve Heavener—change email address - [email protected]
Tim Daniels—change email preferred - [email protected] - Change
business number 704-471-
5616 - make his cell number preferred Leigh Daniels—change
business number - 704-866-5161 - make her cell number preferred
Hunter Heavener—change email address - [email protected]
Josh and Sarah Valentine—add new family member: Virginia Anne
Valentine, born September 20,
2018 David Jennings, II —Change of Address: 742 Garden District
Drive, Charlotte, NC 28202 Joyce Miller — add email address:
[email protected] also her cell number is 704-691-4321 Linda
Powers — add email address: [email protected]
Children’s Ministry Updates!
Haiti Smile Banks!
What are those dollars doing?
If you send $1.00 per week to Sunday School with your children,
you may
wonder where those dollars have gone this fall.
We sent three children to school for the year, and have enough
left over to
purchase 30 cases of food for needy families, which provide 216
meals per case—
enough to feed a family of 6 for one month!
Keep sending those dollars! They do make a difference!
Come Celebrate!
Fall Birthday Party—West Gastonia
Boys and Girls Club!
Friday, November 16—4:00-5:00 p.m.
Want to Volunteer?
Contact: Rebecca Maney
Winter Quarter Volunteer Orientation
Sunday, November 11
Choice of times: 12:00 or 5:00 p. m.
We look forward to welcoming our incoming volunteers into
ministry!
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Have Extra Cardboard Shoe Boxes? We are making shoe box nativity
scenes on
November 14 and could use your extras!
Evening Thanksgiving Service on November 18!
Please make childcare reservations for children ages 4 and
younger
by contacting Leslie Farrar.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:address-%[email protected]:[email protected]
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Sowing Life-Giving Seeds By Sebastien and Patti Benicourt
I make my way to the market for a couple of hours to distribute
the Gospels of John in French and New Testaments in Turkish and
Arabic. Though I know this area well and love contact with the
people, I’m always somewhat apprehensive when I head to my spot
near the tree, at the edge of the market.
As I approach, the area is already full of people - guys seated
across from me are drinking. I pray quietly, asking the Lord for
love, courage, and boldness. This area is surrounded by buildings,
allowing my voice to travel quite nicely, as I begin speaking about
the God who is love, who sent a Savior (Jesus of Nazareth) who,
through His cross, came to set us free and give living water to the
thirsty. Typically, the national French are not very responsive,
but people from other ethnic backgrounds are much more open,
including Muslims.
For example, as I spoke, a covered lady with her daughter and
young son walked nearby. Her veil was tied the Turkish way. I
continued to speak in Turkish. They stopped to chat. I learned that
earlier they were unable to get a New Testament at a nearby church.
That day, they left with one New Testament in Turkish and one in
French!
Sometimes I am heckled. This day, when I ran out of material, I
went over to my heckling friends to chat, thanked them for being
there, and told them of God’s love for them. I left praising God
for the chance to meet these folks and for all who got books or
came within earshot of a few gospel words. In terms of sowing the
life-giving seed of the Word of God, there is truly no greater joy
for me than stepping out in faith. When you do, the Lord is there
to meet you. And, my friend, it is a risk worth taking!
This article came from the Sept/Oct 2018 issue of CONNECT, the
World Witness newsletter. To subscribe to CONNECT, contact Shelia
Osborne at [email protected] or 864-233-5226.
Find Out What’s Happening Read the ARP Magazine
If you are not familiar with the ARP Magazine, let me introduce
you! It is published 6 times a year and is full of information
about our denomination, events, women’s ministries, and there is
even a section for children. There is usually a copy of it in the
elevator lobby but you can subscribe and get it at your home! A
digital copy is available free of charge, just contact Susan Tanner
at the ARP Magazine and she will get you “connected”. If you prefer
a hardcopy, many of us do, a year’s subscription is @16.50—that is
a group rate if several of our members order a subscription. Not
only does this help to support our denomination’s magazine, but you
have access to the latest information about what is happening in
our denomination. Don’t delay, sign up today!! Thanks! Vicki Marsh
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Mark Your Calendars for December 12!
Be sure that you have this date reserved for the Christmas
Store. If you have never helped with the store, you will enjoy
it—if you have worked with it, you know what a great event it is!!
Many helpers are needed! We will be setting up the store starting
on December 8th. We work for the next week to get the store ready.
Our shoppers will have the merchandise ready. Courtney “and
Friends” will buy the food and pack it in boxes for each family.
Volunteers will be
needed to help in the store on December 12th. If you do not have
a store T-shirt and want one, see Rebecca—she has a limited number
of shirts for $5 each. And don’t forget there will be a Birthday
Party for Jesus in the Fellowship Hall during the store times.
Rebecca will need volunteers as well. What else can you do? Our
Angel Tree will go up November 14th. Take an angel (or two) from
the tree and turn in money to Tammy Baker or diapers and sports
equipment to the tree. Remember, it is better to give than to
receive!! Vicki Marsh
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IT’S NOT TOO LATE . . . . (To make your reservation for the
First Presbyterial Retreat!) November 2-3 is the date for the
next First Presbyterial Retreat and Annual Meeting. It starts at
7:00 on Friday night and will be over around 3:00 on Saturday
afternoon. The retreat is a time for fellowship, fun, good
speakers, good food, etc. It is held at Bonclarken and the cost is
$100 which covers room, meals, and everything else! For more
information, contact Betsy Forbes for registration information, but
don’t wait too long!!! You don’t want to miss this!!
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Women's Ministries Fall
Fellowship and
Life Membership Award
Congratulations to Nancy Wilson who received the Life Membership
Award at the Women's Ministries Fall Fellowship. Click
HERE to see more photos.
https://firstarpchurch.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=02d1c48b9db090295135079d1&id=91c2cf2cdb&e=1131d2f8cb
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Primetimers Bag Lunch Bible Study
Bring your lunch and join us on Wednesdays at 12 noon in Room
#201 as Pastor Jeff leads us in weekly Bible Study. Everyone is
welcome!
First ARP Community Groups
Are you looking for an opportunity to connect with other
believers in Christ in meaningful community? Our goal this fall is
to begin 10 new community groups at First ARP. Community Groups are
small groups of 8-12 people who meet in homes at least twice a
month for spiritual encouragement and growth. If you are interested
in joining an existing group or leading a group of your own, please
contact Nancy Peeler in the church office at
[email protected].
Men’s Basketball!
First ARP Church is joining the Triumphant League, a newly
formed league, which seeks to unite churches through the sport of
basketball. If interested, sign up with Courtney by November 3. The
cost has been reduced to $50 per player. For more info on games,
visit https://triumphantleague.com.
Music Staff Search Team
Please pray for our Music Staff Search Team as they search for
qualified candidates to fill the part-time positions of Children’s
Music Ministry Director and 8:30 Worship Team Leader. We
have been blessed in the past to fill these positions with
outstanding staff and we trust that God will provide going
forward! Below is a list of those who have agreed to serve on
this search team. Please pray for them to have wisdom and
direction!
Music Staff Search Team Phil Painter, Ben Morrow, Russ
McAllister, Sarah L. Fink, Carole
Lee Ferguson, Milette Oden, Jo Henry
Job descriptions are posted on our website:
http://www.firstarpchurch.org/service/. All interested should
send a resume and cover letter to
[email protected].
What Are You Reading?
Join a Book Club and Read With Us in November!
“Ethan Frome” by Edith Wharton
Morning Book Club Selection
“The Mark of the King” by Jocelyn Green
Evening Book Club Selection
Both Clubs Meet on Monday, November 26 10:00 a.m. and 7:00
p.m.
(Morning Club at Covenant Village, Evening Club at the home of
Kathy Martin)
Orphan Sunday Weekend!
Saturday, November 10, Parkwood Baptist Church is hosting Dr.
Rick Morton, Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-centered Adoption and
Orphan Care and the author of KnowOrphans: Mobilizing the Church
for Global Orphanology. He will be speaking on “Caring for
Vulnerable Children.” Parkwood is offering a free dinner and
childcare for all who attend. Contact Court at
[email protected] for more details. Register online at
https://parkwoodonline.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/171109
Orphan Sunday is November 11. First ARP will have
representatives from various orphan care agencies and ministries
during The Gathering from 9:45-10:00am. Everyone is invited to
attend Sunday School in the Fellowship Hall to hear from each of
the agencies on God’s view of orphan care.
Got Heart? All individuals participating in Got Heart?, our
annual fall service day, please show up to the Fellowship Hall on
Saturday, Nov. 3 by 8:00AM. Please mark any tools you may
bring.
Free Hymnal
We began using our new hymnals on Sunday, October 28. If you
would like a personal copy of “Sing Joyfully”, our old hymnal, pick
one up in the Fellowship Hall. They will be there for two weeks. We
plan to donate those left to a church that needs them.
Gaston Symphonic Band Concert
The Gaston Symphonic Ban will be performing A Salute to Veterans
on Friday, November 2, at 7:30pm. Charlotte’s Northside Baptist
Church Choir will be featured. This concert will be held at First
Assembly, located at 777 South Myrtle School Road. Admission is
FREE!
Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
The church office will be closed on November 22nd and 23rd for
Thanksgiving.
http://www.firstarpchurch.org/servicemailto:[email protected]
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Israel Trip Members, In Jesus’ hometown where He showed everyone
so much love, I can never thank you enough for the love you showed
to me. You gave me your hand to help walk up, you gave me a barrier
in front when I was coming down in case I fell. You saw when I was
tired and rested with me. As Jesus told us to give Him our burdens,
you carried mine. When you knew that I would not be able to
continue carrying my bag you took it from
me. Your smiles, your pats on the back, and your love, as only
brothers and sisters in Christ could give, made my trip a double
blessing. I not only walked where our Jesus walked, but I got to do
it with each of you. I will remember each of you in my prayers. May
Jesus bless you as you blessed me. In Christ’s Love, David Oakes
Dear Church Family, We can never express adequately how humbled we
have been by all the calls, texts, cards, visits, and yummy food
that have been bestowed on us since Daniel’s injury and surgery.
There is nothing quite like being part of such a loving, supportive
community of believers, and we are so thankful for our church
family. Please know that you have touched our hearts and we
consider you such a blessing to our family! Thank you so much,
Todd, Dana, Jeff, Daniel, Evan and Lilly Friday Dear First ARP
Family, Thank you for your love and support for my children and me.
We love you. God Bless, Amy Hueitt To First ARP Women’s Ministries
Members, The Fall Fellowship meeting on Tuesday, October 16th was
certainly a very special evening for me. I was presented the A.R.
Presbyterian Life Membership Award. Please accept my most humble
thanks that you chose me to receive this annual badge of praise at
First A.R.P. Church. Thank you too for the beautiful floral
arrangement of lovely fall colors. I am so honored to have been
given this special recognition. I Remain in Service to our Lord and
Master, Jesus Christ. Gratefully yours, Nancy Ingle Wilson Knit One
Pray One Ministry, Wes and I wanted to thank the Knit One Pray One
Ministry for the absolutely precious lovey sent for Imogen! It is
so special to us for Imogen to have a hand-knit reminder of her
loving church family. We really appreciate the work and, of course,
the prayers that went into making this for our sweet baby girl.
Much love and thanks, Wes and Kennedy McCall Dear Church Family, I
want to thank all of you for your prayers, cards and visits during
my procedure. Our church has many kind and caring people and I love
you all. Sincerely, Ann Cain Dear Matt, Please express CAM’s thanks
to the folks at First ARP for the food collected for CAM. The
amount of food provided made a tremendous impact on our pantry.
Shelves that were missing items in many spots are now completely
filled! The amount of food collected made such an impact that we
cancelled a planned appeal to our partner congregations for World
Food Day. Your congregation always responds generously to CAM and
we know that we can count on First ARP to help us have the
resources that we need. We appreciate the efforts of the many
people and groups in your congregation that it takes to accomplish
this annual food drive for CAM. Because of the commitment of CAM’s
partner congregations, our food pantry is better stocked and offers
a wider variety of food than other food pantries in the Gastonia
area. Thanks for all that your congregation does to make our
ministry possible and for answering God’s call to care for others.
We are grateful for the opportunity to work with you to meet the
needs of the poor in our community. Many Blessings, Cathy W. Howell
Executive Director Crisis Assistance Ministry
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M
eeti
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m, R
oom
2
01
8
Jo A
nn
Gri
ffit
h C
ircl
e 8
:45am
, L
adie
s’ P
arlo
r M
oth
er’s
Hea
rt B
ible
S
tud
y,
10am
, R
oom
313
B
ecau
se H
e L
oves
Me
1:1
5p
m,
Room
31
3
Wid
ow
’s G
rief
Gro
up
6
pm
, P
arlo
r S
essi
on
Mtg
., 7
pm
, F
H
9
Mid
dle
Sch
ool
Ret
reat
at
Bon
clar
ken
N
ov.
9-1
1
10
11
T
he
Lo
rd’s
Sup
per
8
:30 &
10
:55 s
ervic
es
Win
ter
Qtr
. C
.M.
Volu
nte
er O
rien
tati
on
, 1
2p
m, C
on
f. R
oom
O
rph
an S
un
day
N
o Y
ou
th G
rou
p
Geo
rge
Fie
lds
- S
pec
ial
Nig
ht
of
Ente
rtai
nm
ent
6:0
0p
m—
San
ctuar
y
12
Eth
eld
a H
anna
Cir
cle
10am
, F
H
Kat
e D
ale
Cir
cle,
10
am
Jan
et W
hit
e/M
innie
A
lexan
der
Cir
cle,
3p
m
FH
Ju
anit
a G
arri
son C
ircl
e 6
:30p
m,
FH
13
R
ebek
ah C
arso
n C
ircl
e 1
2:3
0p
m
Su
zann
e A
ller
s C
ircl
e,
2p
m,
Par
lor
Lil
lian
Wh
ites
ides
C
ircl
e, 6
:30p
m
14
W
edn
esd
ay N
igh
t M
inis
trie
s, 6
:30
pm
wit
h
Piz
za S
up
per a
t 5
:30
pm
Je
an W
hit
e S
tew
art
Cir
cle,
6:3
0p
m, O
ffic
e L
ob
by
Dea
con
’s M
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ng,
7:3
0p
m,
Con
fere
nce
Rm
15
Moth
er’s
Hea
rt B
ible
S
tud
y,
10am
, R
oom
313
B
ecau
se H
e L
oves
Me
1:1
5p
m,
Room
31
3
Wid
ow
’s G
rief
Gro
up
6
pm
, P
arlo
r D
ec.
Lin
k a
rtic
les
DU
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to W
anda
Hen
der
son
at
whend
erso
n@
firs
tarp
churc
h.o
rg
16
Wes
t G
asto
nia
Boys
&
Gir
ls C
lub
, 4
pm
17
18
Pra
yer
fo
r P
aren
ts
of
Coll
ege
Stu
den
ts,
10am
, P
arlo
r N
ew M
emb
er
Lu
nch
eon
, 1
2p
m,
FH
N
o Y
ou
th G
rou
p
Th
ank
sgiv
ing S
ervic
e 6
:00p
m—
San
ctuar
y
OC
C B
oxes
Du
e
19
Par
ty G
irls
, 1
0:3
0am
M
issi
on
Com
mit
tee
Mee
tin
g, 7p
m, R
oom
2
01
20
Sin
gle
Sai
nts
, 11
:30
am
Ole
Car
oli
na
BB
Q
21
NO
Pri
met
imer
s B
ag
Lu
nch
& B
ible
Stu
dy
22
Th
ank
sgiv
ing D
ay
Ch
urc
h O
ffic
e C
lose
d
23
Ch
urc
h O
ffic
e C
lose
d
24
25
Even
Son
g S
ervic
e,
6p
m
No Y
ou
th G
rou
p
26
Morn
ing B
ook
Clu
b,
10am
, C
oven
ant
Vil
lage
Even
ing B
ook
Clu
b,
7p
m
27
28
29
Ad
ven
t C
eleb
rati
on
, 1
0am
, F
H
Bec
ause
He
Lo
ves
Me
1:1
5p
m,
Room
31
3
30
-
In God We Trust
First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 317 S. Chester
Street, Gastonia, NC 28052 Phone: 704-864-3468, Fax:
704-864-2416
Church email: [email protected] Rev. Matt Kuiken:
[email protected]
Rev. Dr. Jeff Morrison: [email protected] Rev. Josh
Hjemvick: [email protected]
www.firstarpchurch.org
Return Service Requested
(continued from first page) “When Worlds Collide” By Rev. Matt
Kuiken faithfully for Christ before the world. We must always
remember that we don’t exist for ourselves but for God, and for the
world in need of the gospel. How does your life demonstrate that
you don’t exist for yourself but for God? As we make progress on
our building project at church – these facilities won’t exist for
us but for God and His purposes.
But there is another lesson to learn from Megiddo as well. This
place is mentioned again in Revelation 16:16 as a place where the
kings of the world gather for battle against the Lord at the end of
the world. It will be a place where worlds collide. Here the place
is called Armageddon, which means “Mount Megiddo”. Now scholars
debate the significance of this physical place, but at the very
least, it represents a place where world powers fight for control
of the world. At the end of time, worlds will collide. But this
time the conflict will be between the Kingdom of God and the
Kingdom of Man for control of the world. It is here, where worlds
collide, that Jesus will have the final victory.
So which side of the battle will you be on? How does your life
acknowledge the reality that there is a great battle already raging
between good and evil, light and darkness, God and Man? This is a
great time to be the Church of Jesus Christ. Much progress has been
made and much work remains to be done. I look forward to what God
will do in and through us even when and where worlds collide.
