Rocky River Presbyterian Church

7940 Rocky River Road

Concord, NC 28025

Phone: 704-455-2479

Email: secretary@RockyRiver.org

www.RockyRiver.org

For over 250 years, our predecessors invested

the fruits of their labor to build and strengthen the focal

point of our community. Rocky River Presbyterian is a

testament to their devotion and a legacy passed to

successive generations. Now, we have the opportunity to

continue the tradition of our forefathers and expand upon

their vision.

Proverbs 3:9 shares, “Honor the Lord with

substance and with the first fruits of your produce.” As

you prayerfully consider your contribution to the

expansion of Rocky River’s facilities, please also be

mindful of the ongoing ministries of the church. Your

stewardship provides us with a place of worship and a

learned pastor in the pulpit. We share the bounty of your

gifts through community outreach and missions far and

near. And, the fruits of your labor are invested in the

spiritual foundation of our newest generation.

The finance committee thanks you for your past

and current giving to the mission of our church. Please

include the ongoing needs of our ministries in your

prayer deliberations about the capital campaign.

Glenn Jones, Church Finance Chairman

A message from Campaign Co-Director – Joe Novobilski

Several years ago a canvas of our congregation revealed many needs for upgrades to our facilities. The most overwhelming needs cited were a larger fellowship hall and more

Sunday school rooms. These were followed by space for growth of programs and activities (both existing and old), accessibility to all floors, storage, and others. I suppose that several times over the life of Rocky River, the congregations have felt the same way we do today. The time has arrived to address these space concerns. We need more space to grow. “Growing God’s Table” has really helped me focus my own vision of what we are doing and why. Our heritage is deep. The area around our church is fertile for us to invite new members to join us as we journey towards God’s table. Just as others enlarged the table for us, it is now our time to enlarge the table for others. Perhaps a better way to say this is what I heard this past Sunday when it was said: “We have been fed. It is our time now to prepare the feast”. We have had a dedicated group of many members work tirelessly formulating a plan for new facilities to meet our needs. We have launched a Capital Campaign to provide funding for this construction. On February 24, we will be given the opportunity to pledge our financial commitments to this project. When I use the word “opportunity” I do not do so lightly. It will truly be an opportunity to test and demonstrate our own faith like

those who came before us. Over the years, I have heard the message repeatedly that when we give, we are only returning to God that which he gave us. Of this, I have no doubts. Will there be challenges to what is proposed? Are there answers for everything? Will our pledges meet our needs? While questions may abound, we have seen what the faith of others over the past 262 years has meant to Rocky River. Together, sharing our faith, sharing our blessings, we can step out with confidence that we are truly Growing God’s Table. Joining you in faith, Joe Novobilski

Newsletter No. 3

Growing God’s Table

NonProfit Org.

U.S. Postage PAID

Permit No. 31

Harrisburg, NC 28075

RETURN REQUESTED

Finance Committee Moment

Rocky River Presbyterian Church● Concord, North Carolina

Campaign Calendar

February 9 Time of Prayer in church

sanctuary, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

February 10 Challenge Sunday

Ministry Fair in Fellowship Hall

10-10:45 a.m. and after 11 a.m.

worship

February 17 Challenge Sunday

February 24 Challenge Sunday

Commitment Sunday – Come

prepared to make your

commitment to RRPC’s 2013

Operating Budget and your

commitment to the 2013-2016

Capital Campaign

February 27 Capital Campaign Celebration

Event at Bellefonte Presbyterian

Church’s fellowship hall at

6:00 p.m.

March 10 First Fruits Sunday

Now to Him who is able to

do immeasurably more than

all we ask or imagine,

according to His power that

is at work within us, to Him

be glory in the church and

in Christ Jesus throughout

all generations, forever and

ever! Amen.

~ Ephesians 3:20

Church Fellowship

Now and in the Future Ramblers, Scramblers, Jugglers and Chairs? Oh

My! – Our church has so many great opportunities for

fellowship. Some are outside activities, such as the

Ramblers, Scramblers, and Jugglers. But many of our

fellowship opportunities happen inside our building, and

require chairs (and tables). At the center of these

activities is our Wednesday Night Fellowship.

These dinners are designed with no agenda other

than a time for pure fellowship, and a chance for

fundraising for the groups that sponsor and prepare the

meals. Think of how much more enjoyable conversations

will be at our new round tables! And, we’ll have plenty

of room to seat even more people. Our cooks will have a

much larger and better equipped kitchen. We

Presbyterians certainly know how to cook and eat!

These groups have sponsored our meals: Girl

Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts, Rocky River Pre-

school and Rocky River youth. Other groups are

welcome to participate and everyone is invited to come

and eat. Meals are served at $5.00 per person, or a

maximum of $12.00 per family. Mary Beth Eubanks, our

Director of Christian Education, provides a children’s

program to allow parents to have some free time for

fellowship. Start time is 6:30 pm. Jerry Clark, Teri

Stafford and Jeff Thomas lead the team that coordinates

these events. We are grateful for their efforts and the

hard work of all who help with our events.

Jesus spent much of His ministry at table with

His disciples. Our capital campaign is dedicated to

Growing God’s Table for His mission here at Rocky

River.

--Jerry Clark, Wednesday Night Fellowship Leader

Children’s Ministry in Our New

Building

On a recent Sunday morning, our children

had a firsthand example of “crowding”. Krista Eason

demonstrated how a large group of children couldn’t

all fit on a small piece of paper, but if more of the

paper were rolled out, there was plenty of room for

everyone to sit and maybe even some more. On any

given Sunday we are blessed to have a large group of

young people up front for our children’s message

during worship. Their answers show what they’ve

learned, what they observe and what they think. On

occasion, they may also reveal some family moments

Mom and Dad weren’t expecting to hear!

Our Wednesday Night Fellowship, Sunday

school, Vacation Bible School and Christmas

programs bring our children into a meaningful

understanding of our Christian faith.

Our new facility will be especially helpful for

our growing children’s programs. For example, on

Wednesday nights, the children have to play in the

hallways, or move the furniture in the choir room to

play games. These space constraints make it a bit

unsafe for the children to run around in a large group.

Think of the energy they could burn off in a larger,

more open space!

We’ll have more space for Sunday School

classes should we need to divide some of our

combined classes, either in the new or existing

building. We can foresee doing some Godly Play

activities for older children if space permitted.

During Vacation Bible School, we’ll be able

to feed everyone inside on those hot summer nights!

We’ll also be able to get the children outfitted with

their costumes without disturbing the adult Sunday

school classes during VBS and Christmas pageant

rehearsals.

We are truly blessed to have this “problem”

of needing more space for our children! It is a

problem that we are now prepared to solve together,

with God’s help.

--Mary Beth, Director of Christian Education

Yes. In 2008, a committee surveyed the congregation and reported on the facility needs. Meetings were also held in 2012 to gather information from the congregation concerning needs and wishes. The findings were used in planning the new building. Overall it adds 19,500 square feet or approximately 6500 square feet per floor. The start date has not been determined. Once started, it is projected to take about nine months to complete. It will be on the right side of the current educational building, opposite from the sanctuary.

Every effort was made to make the design pleasing while meeting code requirements. Other than the grove, this was the only suitable location.

Located on the main floor, it will be a large rectangular room with no columns. It will have a high ceiling and will be approximately three times larger than our current fellowship hall, seating 192 comfortably at round tables. The kitchen will be located through the back of the fellowship hall and will include a serving window.

Classrooms will be located on the top floor. Refurbishment of the current building or finishing the new basement could allow for rooms designed specifically for younger children. Provisions for future wiring needs have been included. Stay Plugged into Growing God's Table on

the Web!

Visit the Church’s website at www.rockyriver.org or

scan the QR Code with your smart phone. It has

been updated to include a section about the

Growing God's Table Capital Campaign. Just click

where it says "Capital Campaign" in order to access

the campaign video, Frequently Asked Questions

document, weekly campaign newsletters and other

pertinent information.

Another way to stay up-to-the-minute on capital

campaign news and activities is to join us on the

Growing God's Table page on Facebook.

Ministry Highlights

Frequently Asked Questions ~ Building Specifications ~

1. Do the plans reflect the current desires of the congregation?

2. What is the size of the new building?

3. What are the start and finish dates?

4. Where will the building be located?

5. Why was this location chosen?

7. Will the new building have adequate facilities for nursery and young children?

6. What will the new fellowship hall be like?

8. Will the new building be wired for technology?

Biblical Principles

The Stewardship Principle Stewardship is the recognition that God owns all

that we possess. It acknowledges that our Lord provides

the resources for our life and, through us, the resources

for Godly work and for the church. We are managers or

overseers of what God has provided for our lives. Our

giving is an expression of our love and gratitude.

The Voluntary Principle Paul stated the voluntary principle when he said,

“For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable

according to what one has – not according to what one

does not have.” (2 Corinthians 8:12)

He also said, “Each of you must give as you

have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under

compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2

Corinthians 9:7)

No one should determine the amount of another

person’s commitment. Each person and household is

challenged to seek God’s will in determining a personal

giving commitment.

The Sacrificial Principle In the Old Testament people came to worship

with a sacrifice in hand. The word “sacrifice” can be

defined as “to set apart” or “to make holy.” Sacrificial

giving is the act of making sacred, or setting apart, our

financial resources for God. Jesus chose those who gave

sacrificially as models for giving. The widow who gave

two mites, the boy who gave his lunch, and the woman

who gave her alabaster box of perfume are prime

examples.

The Scriptures make clear that God measures the

gift, not in relationship to others, but in relationship to

one’s resources and in what is left over after the gift.

Jesus said, “From everyone to whom much has been

given, much will be required.” (Luke 12:48)

From the Congregation on Rocky River, by Thomas

Spence, page 76-78:

In writing about the Rev. Daniel Penick's challenge to

build the current sanctuary, Dr. Spence wrote, "His

people answered with their hearts, their hands, and their

purses; and the present church building is the

embodiment of that response." In 1860, members of the

congregation pledged to pay for "the new brick church"

one-third when the contract was let, one-third six months

later, and the remainder upon completion of the work.

The total cost was just over $6,000 and the sanctuary

was dedicated on May 2, 1861 -- right after the start of

the Civil War.

Creative Ideas for Giving

Most often when we think of making gifts to

Rocky River Presbyterian Church and others, we naturally

think of giving from our income. However, as we

prayerfully consider sacrificial giving to help Rocky River

during this capital campaign and beyond, we have an

opportunity to reflect on other sources of giving as well.

Other types of outright gifts include publicly

traded securities, closely-held stock, personal property, real

estate, gifts-in-kind, paid-up life insurance policies, and

charitable lead trusts.

Campaign Co-Director Lindy Linenberger made

us aware of an article from The Wall Street Journal on

January 6, 2013. It read in part: “As part of the ‘fiscal cliff’

deal, Congress has resurrected a popular tax-law provision

known as the ‘IRA charitable rollover’ that had expired at

the end of 2011. The rule allows many investors 70½ years

old or older to transfer as much as $100,000 a year from an

individual retirement account directly to a qualified charity

without having to count any of that transfer as taxable

income. The transfer, if done properly, counts toward the

taxpayer’s required minimum distribution for that year.”

The entire article can be found by searching “article IRA

Charitable Rollover” at www.wsj.com. Interested

individuals should contact their financial or tax advisor.

If you are considering making provision for the church

in your will or making any gift as outlined above, please

contact Glenn Jones, Chairman of the Finance Committee,

to discuss your plans. He can be reached via e-mail at

glenn.jones@bankofamerica.com.

Creative Ideas for Giving

Most often when we think of making gifts to

Rocky River Presbyterian Church and others, we naturally

think of giving from our income. However, as we

prayerfully consider sacrificial giving to help Rocky River

during this capital campaign and beyond, we have an

opportunity to reflect on other sources of giving as well.

Other types of outright gifts include publicly

traded securities, closely-held stock, personal property, real

estate, gifts-in-kind, paid-up life insurance policies, and

charitable lead trusts.

Campaign Co-Director Lindy Linenberger made

us aware of an article from The Wall Street Journal on

January 6, 2013. It read in part: “As part of the ‘fiscal cliff’

deal, Congress has resurrected a popular tax-law provision

known as the ‘IRA charitable rollover’ that had expired at

the end of 2011. The rule allows many investors 70½ years

old or older to transfer as much as $100,000 a year from an

individual retirement account directly to a qualified charity

without having to count any of that transfer as taxable

income. The transfer, if done properly, counts toward the

taxpayer’s required minimum distribution for that year.”

The entire article can be found by searching “article IRA

Charitable Rollover” at www.wsj.com. Interested

individuals should contact their financial or tax advisor.

If you are considering making provision for the church

in your will or making any gift as outlined above, please

contact Glenn Jones, Chairman of the Finance Committee,

to discuss your plans. He can be reached via e-mail at

glenn.jones@bankofamerica.com.

A Message from J.D. McNutt, Youth Director

Imagine walking into a room of the church and you

suddenly see 25, 30, 40, perhaps more than 50 youth

in the room. Perhaps they are singing a song and

worshipping, or playing ping pong or playing “Do you

love your neighbor?” Or perhaps they are simply in

small groups sharing their faith with one another. Oh,

and imagine it is a Monday or Friday or Saturday.

I think it is wonderful that our church is building

additional space and that we are considering how this

will benefit the youth. Rather than saying “In 10 or 15

years you will be valuable members of our

congregation,” we are sending a beautiful message to

the youth that our church values them as members of

God’s family now.

So how can additional space at Rocky River benefit

the youth? It offers space for:

small groups to get together to build their faith

youth meetings to gather and grow together

more space for Sunday School classes

more opportunities for them to hang out in a

safe place

It sends a message to the community that we

support and believe in our teenagers. It says that our

youth, children and people of all ages are vibrant and

growing.

I commend you all for Growing God’s Table, so

that at His table there are adults, children and

teenagers all celebrating a feast in the presence of

God.

--J.D. McNutt, Youth Director

Artist rendering of new building

ROCKY RIVER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA

Levels of Giving Needed to Produce $550,000* (3-Year Pledges)

No. of Gifts at Level

Gift Level Total at Level Cumulative Total

1 2 7

$ 50,000 25,000 15,000

$ 50,000 50,000 105,000

$ 50,000 100,000

205,000

10 Gifts = $205,000 / 37% of Total

15 20

$10,000 5,000

$150,000 100,000

$ 355,000 455,000

35 Gifts = $250,000 / 45% of Total

20 24

$ 3,000 1,500

$ 60,000 36,000

$ 515,000 551,000

44 Gifts = $96,000 / 18% of Total

TOTAL: 89 Gifts = $550,000 / 100% of Total

*The Levels of Giving chart reflects the kinds of gifts necessary for a church the size of RRPC to raise $550,000. The capital feasibility study said RRPC had the capability or raising, at the upper limit, $550,000. That's where the $550,000 figure came from. The giving levels are not reflective of actual pledges in hand, but give a "snapshot" of what we've learned about RRPC through the feasibility study.

Commitment: A Statement from the Heart

Many of us are asked, even expected to make

commitments in our lives. To commit means to pledge or

make a promise to undertake a particular course of action.

We make a commitment when we agree to take on a

marriage, family, friendship, career, or education. We

commit to invest our time, energy, and money to those

things we hold dear – those things we set as priorities in

our lives.

So it is with our church as we begin the building

of additional classrooms and a new fellowship hall. Our

willingness to financially commit to the future of Rocky

River Presbyterian Church speaks volumes about our

priorities as we wrestle with what the church means to

each of us.

Jesus expressed this truth about the nature of

commitment when He said, “For where your treasure is,

there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

May each of us arrive at a financial commitment

that faithfully reflects our hearts!

Commitment: A Process of the Heart

As you consider your own part in making a financial

commitment to the capital campaign, these steps may

assist you:

Pray for guidance in reaching a giving decision

that will be right for you and for the church.

Allow faith to become part of your decision.

Leave room for God’s help, and He will aid you

with the decision you need to make.

Consider sacrifice as a way to set apart a portion

of what you have, to give something you

personally value as a way of expressing your love

for God and Rocky River Presbyterian Church.

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

~ Psalm 127:1a