The Carillon A P R I L 2 0 1 9 V O L U M E 3 3 I S S U E 4

A Publication of

First Presbyterian

Church

2101 N. Herritage St.

Kinston, NC 28501

252-522-1921

(phone)

252-522-1922 (fax)

info@fpckinston.org

www.fpckinston.org

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Pastor’s Page 2

Session

Highlights 3

Worship in April

3

Children/Youth

4/5

Presbyterian Women

6

Library News 6

VIP 7

Handymen 7

VBS 8

Church Calendar

9

Prayer Requests

10

Leadership & News

11

Matthew 2:1-12

They Saw

They followed

They worshipped

April 14—Palm Sunday

11:00 a.m. Worship (lunch following worship to bid farewell to Rev. Bellis)

April 15-April 18—Services each day at noon at Queen Street United Methodist Church (Sponsored by AOC)

April 18—Maundy Thursday 7:00 p.m. Worship at FPC

April 19—Good Friday Noon—Worship at FPC

April 21—Easter Sunday

Resurrection of the Lord 7:00 a.m.—Sunrise Service at FPC with White Rock Presbyterian Church followed by breakfast in Hamilton Hall 11:00 a.m.—Worship with celebration of The Lord’s Supper, an orchestra, and Hallejuh Chorus.

P A G E 2

T H E C A R I L L O N

From Your Pastor Carol Burnett used to tug on her earlobe as she sang her "good-bye" at the end of each show. Walter Cronkite closed out each broadcast with his signature, "And that's the way it was." The Huntley-Brinkley Report concluded each night with, "Good night, Chet," "Good night, David." All things must end and so all of us are faced with figuring out how to say good-bye. After almost two years and nearly one hundred sermons, I must bid you good-bye. Since my announcement, the question that has occupied my mind is, “now to do so.”

The past two years are memories I will forever cherish. Although I have served God in the church in many different shapes and forms since 1994, Kinston is where I served as your Interim Pastor. I am grateful to God for such a wonderful congregation like First Presbyterian to serve. We grew together and enjoyed many moments of ministering God’s Word in the world.

Leaving a congregation that has become dear is not easy as I am writing, I am thinking of the different faces and places where we’ve come together. My heart is at the same time both happy and sad. On the one hand, my heart is full of joy with the memories and grieves because I will miss each of you. Yet, saying “Goodbye” is important, for we are asking “God to be with Ye” in how we say farewell. I will miss you, and I hope you know that I love each of you with all my heart. God has new plans for First Presbyterian and me. I know you will welcome your new pastor with the same warmth and love that enveloped Jordan and me when I arrived as a stranger among you.

Our presbytery is experienced in saying “Goodbye” between a pastor (including interim pastor) and congregation. Experience teaches that when a pastorate is ended, the responsibility of leadership and care must end as well. On presbytery’s wisdom and counsel, I may not involve or insert myself in any part of the life of First Presbyterian. This change is for my sake and for you to build bonds with a new permanent pastor. Trust in God and the wisdom of the presbytery to guide us through this time of transition.

After so many sermons here, I cannot help but repeat certain points and illustrations. One thing I mentioned before this newsletter article is the observation that our modern word “good-bye” is a smashed-together version of the traditional words of parting, “God Be with Ye.” Whether we know it or not, each time we say “good-bye”, we mean no less than “God Be with You.” Christians never really say good-bye. Instead we wish one another the abiding presence of God so that we may continue in the gospel’s ongoing work of doxological living. Faith determines how we see things in this world. We start with grace and end with it as we peer out into a world starving for just such grace and the hope it offers.

So, my friends at First Presbyterian Church, like Carol Burnet I must tug on my ear as we continue to press on and run our race. Good-bye for now! God be with you. In all that you do and say, may the Word of Christ dwell in each of you richly. Amen.

Shalom,

Rev. Edward Bellis, Interim Pastor

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 3 3 I S S U E 4

Worship in April

Greetings! On behalf of the session, let

me thank you for your devotion to our church and to Christ’s ministry.

March will see our season change from Winter to Spring (I believe I am not alone when I say I am looking forward to warmer weather). With it, our church will see many changes as well in the near future. Change is inevitable in life and with it naturally comes uncertainty. Personally, it brings to mind a comforting verse from Jeremiah. “For I know the plans I have for you” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. How exciting it is to know that as individuals and as a church that our Lord loves us enough to lay out our future with and through Him. The session met on February 25 to discuss several items including approval of a wedding and baptism, visiting missionary groups utilizing the church as they complete their work, and finally discussed church finances. Highlights for the immediate future include our Lenten program on Revelation, Confirmation of several of our youth, celebration of several of our graduates, and on to Vacation Bible School in June. We are excited for these plans and hope you will join in with us as we celebrate the Lenten season, Easter, and beyond.

R. Scott Spence II

April 7—5th Sunday in Lent Scripture: John 11:17-37 Sermon: “In All Things Christ”

April 14—Palm Sunday Scripture: John 12:12-17 Sermon: “Are We Following the Will of God?”

April 18 Maundy Thursday Communion Service 7:00 p.m.

April 19 Good Friday Service of Shadows Noon

Sunrise Service, 7 a.m.

with White Rock Presbyterian Church, breakfast to follow

11:00 a.m. Worship with celebration of The Lord’s Supper, Hallelujah Chorus,

and Orchestra Scripture: John 20:19-31 Sermon: “Our Easter Hearts”

April 28—2nd Sunday of Easter Scripture: John 20:19-31 Pastor: Gary Wires, Commissioned Pastor

P A G E 4

T H E C A R I L L O N

On behalf of our FPC youth, many thanks to all who helped make our Chili Cook-off Fundraiser a

big success! Together we raised over $1100 for our Carolina Cross Connection Youth Mission

Team. We are grateful to God for your generosity, for our time of fellowship, and for the opportunity to share God’s love with our

neighbors this summer.

V O L U M E 3 3 I S S U E 4 P A G E 5

Saturday, April 20 – 10:00-11:00am

In an effort to share God’s love and the joy of the resurrection, we are inviting EVERYONE to our Egg Hunt that has a BIG twist! Instead of looking for eggs filled with candy, children will hunt for eggs and then trade them in to create a blessing for someone else! It’ll be lots of fun and an amazing way to put our faith into action! NEW THIS YEAR, we’ll also have crafts and other activities! Invite your friends, family, neighbors, and classmates to join us! See details below about our blessing project and ways to be involved.

Ways to help:

Donate supplies for our blessing project. Details and a complete list of supplies needed will be available SOON!

Pick up a postcard invitation from the narthex to share with a friend!

In early April, pick up a yard sign from Rachel and place it in your yard or a visible spot around town (be sure to have permission!).

Sign up to serve on the set-up team. Arrive by 8:45am to hide eggs, set out mission project supplies, etc.

Sign up to help with the event. Arrive by 9:45am for your assignment.

We’ll need lots of hands to help! If you can spare 1-2 hours of your time, it would be MUCH appreciated! Sign up sheets are in the narthex by the sanctuary or contact Rachel at rbenton@fpckinston.org

Upcoming Dates for Children & Youth:

Sunday, April 7

11:00am – Children’s Choir sings

12:00-2:00pm – PYC for 6th-12th graders – Topic: Busyness & God

4:00-5:30pm – Kids’ Club for Preschool-5th graders – Topic: We are Loved

Saturday, April 20

10:00-11:00am – Easter Egg Hunt with a Twist

Sunday, April 28

12:00-2:00pm – PYC for 6th-12th graders – Topic: God’s Love

4:00-5:30pm – Kids’ Club for Preschool-5th graders – Topic: We share good news

P A G E 6

T H E C A R I L L O N

Circle 1—2nd & 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. (April 8 and 22 at 2112 Michelle Drive) Leader: Katherine Harper (252-525-8845 or KatherineQHarper@hotmail.com

Circle 2—Mon., April 1 at FPC Conference Room, 2:30 p.m. Leader: Janice Hendrix (252-522-4843)

Circle 3—Mon., April 1 at Queen Street Deli, 11:30 a.m. Leader: Patricia Noble (252-526-1437)

Circle 4—Wed., April 3 at Queen Street Deli, 11:30 a.m. Leader: Cathy Swann (252-522-1193)

Circle 5—Tues., April 2 at Queen Street Deli, 11:30 a.m. Leader: Linda Brown (252-522-2365)

Circle Meetings in April:

Five Easter Books

Two beautiful books for children are in the library. One Morning in Joseph’s Garden, an Easter Story by Barbara Younger and Lisa Flinn is written for young children. It is “a gentle retelling of the Resurrection story that children will want to hear again and again” in telling how the small animals

and insects in the garden of Joseph of Arimathea saw something wonderful. A Child’s Story of Easter by Fulton Oursler and gently illustrated by artist Helen Caswell is for older children and follows the events from Palm Sunday to the Ascension. Adults will enjoy The Easter Story by Felix R. McKnight in which McKnight retells “with simple reverence… the immortal story of Easter Week.” Another choice offering food for thought is The Road to the Cross by Herbert F. Stevenson. This book explores the drama of Golgotha as “the focal point of a divine ‘plan of salvation’ comprehending all eternity.” A third choice is A Treasure of Easter Religious Art, an Ideals publication, which shows the last days of Jesus with the illustrations lovers of Ideals will recognize. These five books offer the whole family enhanced understanding and enrichment for the observation of Easter. Come in and check out one or more.

Brenda Woodley, Education and Nurture Committee

Coordinating Team Meeting: April 23, at 4:00 p.m.

V O L U M E 3 I S S U E 4 P A G E 7

When Earl & I felt we weren’t happy with the church we had attended for several years, we decided to “church shop.” The plan was that I would attend three Sundays & if I still liked where I had attended, Earl would come with me on the fourth Sunday. I came home after the first visit, and when Earl asked me how it was, I told him that I really liked it, & the music was “wonderful.” Same story happened on the second visit, and Earl knew I had just about signed in blood, so he didn’t wait for the fourth Sunday, but went with me on the third Sunday.

From the minute I began to sing in the choir, from the Handymen Club finding Earl (a match made in heaven), to the wonderful, friendly people, to the much-felt spirit of the

Lord, we knew we had found the right place to worship. I have truly loved the music program (thank you J.O.B & J.C.C), and the open discussions in my Circle 4 group.

I can’t begin to tell you how much I have felt the prayers from this loving congregation during various health problems, and especially during the four months that my son was nearing the end of his battle with lung cancer. I always thought people were a bit “looney” when they said they could feel the prayers, but I know now exactly what they were expressing.

About all I can say in summary, is a big thank you to First Presbyterian Church Kinston, and a much bigger thank you to the Lord for bringing us here. Ruthie & Earl Stroud

Earl and Ruthie Stroud

The Handymen of FPC

traveled to Camp

Albemarle on the

Bogue Sound the week

of March 25 to build a

storage shed, make

some teepee platforms

and repairs in other

areas of the camp. The

men schedule a trip to

complete projects at

Camp Albemarle each

year in the Spring to

help as they prepare for

the summer season.

P A G E 8

T H E C A R I L L O N

All children, ages 3 (potty-trained) through completed 5th grade are welcome! As always, lots of youth and adult volunteers are needed for

this faith-filled community event.

If you'd like to help or learn more, please visit vbspro.events/p/8755a2 or contact Rachel at rbenton@fpckinston.org.

June 10-14

9am-Noon at

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

V O L U M E 3 3 I S S U E 4 P A G E 9

T H E C A R I L L O N

P A G E 1 0

In Kinston:

Spring Arbor Nancy Cherry Jim Marshall Max Tabory

Harmony Hall Jeanette Marshall

State Veterans Home Fred Antonowich

In Greenville:

Cypress Glen Gertrude Dalzell

In Hendersonville:

Carolina Reserve of Laurel Park Clara Manning

In Connecticut:

Windham Falls Estates Helen Rackley

Members Becky Barbee Ralph Clark Honey Fuller Hope Shackelford

Wyatt Benton Bill Jernigan Pamela Williams

Family & Friends Jimmy Fields Linda Jenkins Kiser Jewel Rider

Kirk Fuller Wayne Malone Herman Spence III

Ella Grace Carter Bill Gay Shannon Moore Sarah Waida

Ronnie Civils Holly Hill Edith O’Brien Glenwood Waters

Chris Cooper Peggy Holliday Shelia O’Neil Joseph Whitaker

Hilda Cranfield Shawn Jernigan L. B. “Skip” Palmer Billy Wright

Sympathy and Prayers to:

Catherine Sheppard and family in the death of her son-in-law, Joe Stark, on March 4, 2019.

Cindy Angel and family in the death of her nephew on March 7, 2019.

Cindy Angel and family in the death of her brother-in-law, Phillip Scercy, on March 11, 2019.

June Cummings and family in the death of her brother, Doug Shaw, on March 17, 2019.

Mary Neal Mills and family in the death of her grandson, Kevin Mills, on March 17, 2019.

V O L U M E 3 3 I S S U E 4 P A G E 1 1

at Chick-fil-a

ALL MEN ARE WELCOME!

NOTE: Date Change!

Stated Session Meeting

Monday, April 15, 6:00 p.m.

Year-to-Date Budgeted

Amount Difference

$119,819.21 119,969.12 ($149.91)

Date Attendance Offering

Feb. 24 66 $13,352

March 3 100 $12,625

March 10 140 $3,367

March 17 76 $4,449.71

March 24 87 $9,732.61

Serving in

April 7 14 21 28

Greeters Cathy Wooten Jason Cherry David Mills Frank Hall

Acolytes Grace Williams Emily Angel Hayden Blizzard Killen Harper

Lay Leaders Ned Manning George Jenkins Mitch Cooper Cindy Archie

Lock-up Ted Berry John Hendrix John Erwin TBD

Steward John McPhaul John McPhaul John McPhaul John McPhaul

2 Aaron Dale 8 Alan Murray

3 Jeff Minges 13 Anneliese Hunneke

5 Bryant Lee Cox 13 Tommy Pressly

5 Paul Williams 15 Caroline Perry

7 June Cummings 16 Ann Telford

16 Lucy Manning 27 Rick Landis

16 Mary Scott Manning 29 Ely Perry

18 Jone Sugg 29 Reilly Holleran

20 Michele Nix 30 Betty Lou Brown

23 Cathy Swann

PLEASE NOTE: Beginning in April, we will not collect the monthly food for ICOR. Food will be collected at advertised times during the year. Watch your newsletter for these dates. The Bucket Brigade for hunger will continue to be collected on the first Sunday of each month.

To share a specific prayer concern or make known a particular concern or suggestion, please see any of the members of Session listed below who comprise the elected leadership of our church.

The Session

Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Class of 2021

Jason Cherry Cindy Angel Sidney Baker Frank Hall June Cummings David Mills Janice Hendrix David Fillippeli Patricia Noble Bill Jackson George Jenkins Joy Shortell Jenks Jenkins Michael Martin Ray Soctt Spence Steve Jefferson Cathy Wooten Scott Williams Laura Pressly Clerk: George Jenkins

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Edward Bellis IV, Inter im Pastor

Rachel D. Benton, Coordinator for Children/Youth

John O’Brien, Director of Music/Organist

J. C. Carraway, Assistant Choirmaster /Organist

Linda Johnson, Financial Administrator

Shelly Sparrow, Office Administrator

Jeff & Christi Boyd, Missionar ies to Cameroon

News Around FPC’s World First Presbyterian Church

2101 N. Herritage Street

Kinston, NC 28501-2221

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Join us after worship on Palm Sunday,

April 14, for lunch to bid farewell to Rev.

Bellis. He will be preaching his last

sermon at FPC/Kinston on Sunday, April

21. Rev. Bellis has taken an interim

position at FPC/Greenville.

Join us after worship on Sunday, April 28,

for a reception to honor our newest

members, Bill and Dixie Jernigan. Please

stop by and welcome them to our church.