First Presbyterian Church 100 Silver Creek Rd.

Morganton, NC 28655 828-437-1811

www.fpcmorganton.org

July 8-August 4, 2018

THE SPIRE LIGHT

Bed Linens/Sheets Collection for Youth Mission Trip Migrant workers and refugees on Abaco Island are in need of bed linens and sheets for all bed sizes. They are expensive and hard to get on the island, so our Youth Mission Team will take some on their trip. We are collecting new sheets in very good condition through Sunday, July 8. Please place your sheets in the bin outside the fellowship hall. Any extra sheets we unable to transport will be donated to worthy local ministries.

FUN IN THE SON CONFERENCE HILTON HEAD, SC July 8-13, 2018

Please pray for these conference attendees:

BAHAMAS MISSION TRIP ABACO ISLAND July 16-23, 2018 Please pray for our Youth Mission Team:

Adult Males: Rev. Adam Bowling (trip leader) Scott Davis (bus driver) Adult Females: Molly Franklin

Youth Males: Seth Hembree (college) Ryan LeGoullon (12) Jade Riles (college)

Youth Females: Dana Decker (college) Mattie Genoe (12) Hope Hembree (11) Victoria Kirby (college) Gracie Mitchell (10) Chelsea Newton (college) Annie Odom (college) Amber Opp (college) Nevaeh Williams (12)

Adult Males: Rev. Adam Bowling (trip leader) Jonathan Lowry Adult Females: Molly Franklin Melissa Streppa Rev. Lynn Webber

Youth Males: James Collett (11) John Collett (8) Nicholas Corn (10) Adam Davis (12) Kai Hawkins (10) Vance Jones (9) Gabriel Maksoud (9) Jared Maksoud (9) Owen Streppa (9)

Youth Females: Gabriella Brazinski (10) Mary Margaret Collett (10) Isabella Gialluca (10) Madison Lowry (9) Faith Maksoud (9) Amber Opp (college) Elizabeth Patteson (9) Olivia Redman (12) Sara Grace Vinay (college) Nevaeh Williams (12)

RALEIGH YOUTH MISSION TRIP Please pray for Happy Nagy, who is volunteering with Raleigh Youth Mission on this

Presbytery of Western North Carolina trip on July 15-20, 2018.

Sometimes we think replacing pastors should be like replacing coaches, that we should just go out and immediately get another person. In December of 2002, the head football coach at East Carolina University stepped down from his position. Thirteen days later a press conference was held to announce the next head coach. When my husband went to serve as senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church, one block over from the ECU football stadium, that new coach was starting his first season. He lasted two seasons. By the time my husband retired from his position 14 1/2 years later, the university had hired four differ-ent head coaches and spent several hundreds of thousands of dollars on buyouts, trying to find the right coach.

This congregation has a history of strong pastorates. Your Pastor Nominating Committee is approaching their task diligently and prayerfully with a commitment to find God’s person for your next chapter in ministry and mission. This important work cannot be done in a hurry. Please lift prayers of support for your PNC and for their families.

With appreciation for their work, I share the following report on candidates considered: Adam: Good man, but wife Eve has a history of temptation with fruit. Also one reference told of how his wife and he enjoy walking nude in the woods. Methuselah: Too old, WAY too old! Noah: Former pastorate of 120 years with no converts. Prone to unrealistic building projects. Abraham: A man of deep faith, but has a habit of breaking into tears or laughter at odd times. Joseph: A big thinker, but a braggart, believes in dream-interpreting, and has a prison record. Moses: A modest and meek man, but poor communicator, even stuttering at times. Sometimes blows his stack and acts rashly. Some say he left an earlier position over a murder charge. David: The most promising leader of all, until we discovered the incident with his neighbor's wife. Solomon: Great preacher, but housing needs too great to accommodate so many wives. Elijah: Prone to despair and melancholy; collapses under pressure. Elisha: Reported to have lived with a single widow while at his former church. Hosea: A tender and loving pastor but our people could never handle his wife's occupation. Deborah: Strong leader and seems to be anointed, but she is female. Jeremiah: Emotionally unstable, alarmist, negative, always lamenting things, and reported to have taken a long trip to bury his underwear on the bank of a foreign river. Isaiah: On the fringe? Claims to have seen angels in church. Jonah: Refused God's call into ministry until he was forced to obey by getting swallowed up by a great fish. He told us the fish later spit him out on the shore near here. We hung up. Amos: Too backward and unpolished. With some seminary training he might have promise, but has issues with people of means. Might fit in better in a poorer congregation. John: Reported to be a Baptist. Has slept in the outdoors for months on end, has a weird diet, and provokes de-nominational leaders. James and John: Package deal preacher and associate seemed good at first, but found out they have an ego prob-lem regarding fellow workers and seating positions. Peter: Has a bad temper, even has been known to curse. Had a big run-in with Paul in Antioch. Can be a loose cannon. Paul: Powerful CEO-type leader and fascinating preacher. However, short on tact, unforgiving with younger ministers, and has been known to preach all night. Timothy: Too young. Jesus: Has had popular times, but once when his church grew to 5000 he managed to offend them all and the church dwindled down to twelve people. Seldom stays in one place very long. And, of course, he's single. Judas: His references are solid. A steady plodder. Good connections. Knows how to handle money. We may go to hear him preach this Sunday. Possibilities here.

With thanks and prayers for our hard-working PNC, Wanda Neely, Interim Pastor (mobile: 828-929-5001)

“I am the resurrection and the life.” Congregational love and sympathy are extended to:

-Velma Sanders and family at the death of her sister, Beverly Bryant, on June 10, 2018.

-Maxine Spangler and family at the death of her husband, Tom Spangler, on June 18, 2018.

-Linda and Bryant Lindsey and family at the death of Linda’s aunt, Helen McGaha, on June 23, 2018.

-Robert and Ada Smith and family at the death of Ada’s brother, John Lewis Smith, on June 29, 2018.

Congratulations to Charles and Nanette Marranca at the birth of their granddaughter, Isla Brynn Lawrence, on June 1, 2018.

Isla’s parents are Melissa and Philippe Lawrence.

Congratulations to Amy and Logan Fry on the birth of a son, Sirius Woodrow Fry, on June 14, 2018.

Dionte Code is Sirius’ big brother.

Trolley Ministry The Trolley Ministry is a collaborative transportation program between First United Methodist Church of Morganton (FUMCM) and Burke United Christian Ministries (BUCM). FUMCM is allowing the use of their church van to provide transportation for BUCM clients to needed community services such as medical appointments, social services, employment security commission, etc. We need volunteers who are able to drive one morning per month for approximately four hours. Currently, drivers are needed for Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. To volunteer, please call David Burleson at 828-433-8075 or Dennis Stamper at 828-580-5143.

Habitat Workday First Presbyterian will have a Habitat workday on August 11. Please contact Ted Restel at 584-9330 or threstel@att.net if you are interested in helping.

Fresh Garden Vegetables This summer, we have placed a table in the narthex Welcome Center for the sharing of fresh garden vegetables. Please take for your use or share with others who may not have access to fresh produce. If you have a garden, you are invited to bring from your bounty to share. We thank Dick Peck, our master gardener, assisted by Susan Vernon and Roy Garrett, for their labors in producing a bountiful harvest that is serving so many.

God's Backyard Bible Camp: Shipwrecked! July 30-August 3; 9:00 AM-3:00 PM (doors open 8:30 AM)

for ages 3 ½ (toilet trained) to rising 6th graders Registration is full, but we need volunteers!

Please call Pastor Adam at 828-448-8914 if you can help. Pick up t-shirt and group assignment on July 29, 9:30 AM or 2:00-4:00 PM, in the church fellowship hall!

Invitation From Presbyterian Women Presbyterian Women would like to invite all adult women to join one of our circles. If you join before July 15, your contact information can be included in the 2018-2019 PW Directory before it is printed. Circles provide important services to our congregation and community. At our meetings, we engage in Bible study, fellowship and mission work. Circles meet once a month from September to May. Please contact the following leaders if you are interested in joining: -Circle 1, led by Rosemary Enos (828-433-8905), meets the first Monday, 10:30 AM, at Grace Ridge. -Circle 2, led by Elsie Bartlett (828-879-2459), meets the first Monday, 7:00 PM, in the church parlor. -Circle 3, led by Anne Wilson (828-433-0846), meets the first Tuesday, 7:00 PM, in the church parlor.

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

July 8, 2018 Rev. Dr. Wanda Neely

Scripture Lessons II Sam. 5:1-5, 9-10; Ps. 48

II Cor. 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13

Greeters Chuck & Marj Powell

Ed Ware

Nursery Janet Leissner

Grace Ridge Bus Driver Ken Corn

Usher Captains Scott Coley, Hugh Lowe

Visitors Table Krista Davis

Summer Social Hosts Laura Aycock, Jean Hawes

July 15, 2018 Rev. Dr. Wanda Neely

Scripture Lessons II Sam. 6:1-5, 12b-19; Ps. 24 Eph. 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29

Greeters Dave & Pam Daniel; Jane Tate

Nursery Amber & John Gantt

Grace Ridge Bus Driver Scott Davis

Usher Captains Dick Peck, John Port

Visitors Table Krista Davis

Summer Social Hosts Amber & John Gantt

Lori & Barry Stock

July 22, 2018 Rev. Dr. Wanda Neely

Scripture Lessons II Sam. 7:1-14a; Ps. 89:20-37

Eph. 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Greeters Carolyn Atwell, Bob Lowry

Nursery Amanda Peck

Grace Ridge Bus Driver Eric LeGoullon

Usher Captains Greg Carpenter, Lisa Roller

Visitors Table Krista Davis

Summer Social Hosts Sweet and Savory Delights

July 29, 2018 Rev. Dr. Wanda Neely

Scripture Lessons II Sam. 11:1-15; Ps. 14

Eph. 3:14-21; John 6:1-21

Greeters Karen Achilles, LaNelle

Jennings; the Restels

Nursery Joy Anderson, Adam Davis

Grace Ridge Bus Driver Lisa Roller

Usher Captains Roy Garrett, Ron Kendrick

Visitors Table Krista Davis

Summer Sunday Social Hosts Needed!

The next newsletter covers August 5-25 events. Please submit your church news to the church office by noon on Monday, July 30.

Elective Adult Sunday School Class—9:30 AM in Room 102 Downstairs July 8—A Radical Vision: Brian McLaren is a leading and prolific voice in contemporary progressive Christian thought. Louis Vinay will lead the class as we look at McLaren’s book, The Great Spiritual Migration, which summarizes a lifetime of study, self-examination, and activism. McLaren believes Christianity has become broken and must “move on” if it is to survive. His views are often provocative and even controversial, but they are always interesting and worthy of study.

July 15—A Radical Vision: Louis Vinay will again lead the class as we continue to look at Brian McLaren’s book, The Great Spiritual Migration. Please see description above.

July 22—Falling Towers: Beth Blanton will lead the class as we look at Luke 13:1-9 and discuss what Jesus is saying about the question “Why do bad things happen to people?”

July 29—What in the World Is a Communion Token? Early in John Calvin’s reforming work, he was concerned that those coming to the Lord’s Supper would partake of the elements in a worthy manner as determined by examination. In one parish, it was decreed that such persons should be able to repeat the Shorter Catechism. In this class, led by Anne Wilson, we will talk about the origin of the communion token and the scripture Calvin referenced for initiating this practice.

Summer Sunday Socials This summer after worship, please join others for a brief time of fellowship and refreshments in the breezeway. Volunteer hosts are still needed for July 29, August 5, and August 12. See the sign-up poster in the narthex Welcome Center or contact the church office at 828-437-1811. (If you wish to host in honor of a special occasion, let the church office know.) Volunteer hosts do the following: Divide responsibilities with other volunteers for your day(s). Bring enough cookies or other small pick-up food items for 75-100 people (about two items each). Small and

simple please; store-bought is fine. Prepare ice water and a sweet drink for serving. Leave worship service in time to put out food items and fill some cups with drinks. Serve and replenish items during fellowship. Afterwards, put inside any items that might blow away before Cornelio (our custodian) arrives.

Summer Sunday School for Children and Youth Giovanni Santiago will be teaching Summer Sunday School in room 212 to rising 1st grade through rising 6th grade students. Rising kindergarten and below will have Sunday school in the church nursery. Rising 7th grade and above can assist with the elementary Sunday school class or attend an adult Sunday school class.

Christmas Celebration on July 22 Join us Sunday, July 22, for Christmas in July. Wear your Christmas clothes! At the Summer Sunday Social, the congregation can sample an array of tasty treats made by the Sweet and Savory Delights Bakery. Please come prepared to make a “Christmas gift” donation to this important mission of the church. Write checks out to “Sweet and Savory Delights Bakery.”

Summer Worship Schedule Sunday, July 8: Commissioning of Fun in the Son and Raleigh Youth Mission Participants

Sunday, July 15: Commissioning of Bahamas Mission Team; Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Sunday, July 22: Christmas in July Celebration

Sunday, July 29: Kick-Off for Vacation Bible Camp

Wednesday Summer Bible Study in Room 200 5:30 PM—Simple supper ($5/person); sign up on friendship pad or call church office by 10:00 AM Tuesdays. 6:00 PM—45-minute Bible study on text(s) for upcoming Sunday

Schedule and Leadership: July 11—Lynn Webber, Ephesians 1:3-14 July 18—Jan Krouskop, Ephesians 2:11-22 July 25—Rick Leissner, Ephesians 3:14-21

August 1—Lynn Webber, Ephesians 4:1-6 August 8—No Bible Study (Ministry Teams Meet) August 15—Jan Krouskop, Ephesians 5:15-20

THANK YOU Dear church family, The deaths of Ken’s mother & brother within three weeks of each other left us confronted with intense sorrow & overwhelming grief. Opening the mail each day for the last five weeks has proven to be such a meaningful & healing experience. Our church family responded with an outpouring of thoughtful cards filled with encouraging words, supportive prayers, & daily reminders that we are not alone on our grief journey. Please accept our heartfelt gratitude for helping us through this very difficult time. Catharine & Ken Corn

To our family of faith, the Samuel McD. Tate family would like to share our praise & gratitude for your ever-present support & ongoing encouragement during the recent losses of mother Mary & brother David. Our families are sustained by your presence in our lives. Sharing the journey of faith & hope, we feel the love of your witness in this time of celebratory loss. We are blessed. In His love we are yours, Jane, John, Susan, & Martha P.S. Sam & Mary would have been married 68 years on July 15. We look forward to seeing you as Sam & Jane greet on that date.

Words of thanks do not begin to express the joy of having a church family who cares & prays together even before a touching comfort need arises. Recently, your gentle prayers, cards, calls, visits, & those who read Pieter’s obituary on Facebook eased my sorrow at his death. I was not able to go to Michigan for his memorials—military & a gathering—yet all families there knew this “mom” joined them in loving spirit, thanks to you, my dear friends, here at First Presbyterian. Hugs & blessings, Patti Matthias

To the church that raised me, The cat is out of the bag. I’ve been called to be the Associate for Youth & Mission at St. Simons PC in GA. I wouldn’t have made it or been able to hear & follow this call to ministry without you. Thank you for living out that baptismal promise to nurture me in the Christian faith that you made some 27 years ago. Thank you for teaching me that I am a beloved child of God. Thank you for letting me stand on the pews when I was too small to see. Thank you for Sunday school teachers that taught me my faith by sharing theirs. Thank you for Vacation Bible School where I was taught & first had the opportunity to teach those younger than me what it means to be a beloved child of God. Thank you for grieving with me when my grandfathers died. Thank you for youth group, youth advisors, & friends that prayed & played with me in middle school & high school. Thank you for associate pastors & Adam Bowling, who shared Montreat with me & first put the ordained ministry seed in my ear. Thank you for Youth Sunday & for the chance to share how God was moving in my world from behind the pulpit. Thank you for praying for me as I became an inquirer & then a candidate for ministry. Thank you for the care packages & the “you can do it” notes. Thank you for teaching me that I am a beloved child of God & continuing to teach others they are beloved children of God. Thanks be to God for FPC Morganton. Annie Franklin Arvin

Sunday, July 8 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Chancel Choir 10:55 AM Worship Service 12:00 PM Summer Sunday Social!

Monday, July 9 10:00 AM Mind, Body, Spirit

Tuesday, July 10 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 9:00 AM Soup Kitchen 1:30 PM Staff Meeting

Wednesday, July 11 5:30 PM Simple Meal 6:00 PM Bible Study

Friday, July 13 8:30 AM Administration Ministry Team Meeting

Sunday, July 15 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Chancel Choir 10:55 AM Worship Service 12:00 PM Summer Sunday Social!

Monday, July 16 10:00 AM Mind, Body, Spirit 11:00 AM Grace Ridge Communion 11:30 AM Grace Ridge Luncheon

Tuesday, July 17 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 1:30 PM Staff Meeting

Wednesday, July 18 5:30 PM Simple Meal 6:00 PM Bible Study

Sunday, July 22 Christmas in July! 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Chancel Choir 10:55 AM Worship Service 12:00 PM Summer Sunday Social!

Monday, July 23 10:00 AM Mind, Body, Spirit

Tuesday, July 24 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast

Wednesday, July 25 5:30 PM Simple Meal 6:00 PM Bible Study

Thursday, July 26 9:00 AM Soup Kitchen

Vacation Bible Camp! July 30-August 3

9:00 AM-3:00 PM

Sunday, July 29 9:30 AM VBC T-shirt Pick Up 10:00 AM Chancel Choir 10:55 AM Worship Service 12:00 PM Summer Sunday Social! 2:00 PM VBC T-shirt Pick Up

Monday, July 30 12:00 PM Spire Light Deadline

Tuesday, July 31 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 1:30 PM Staff Meeting

Wednesday, August 1 10:30 AM Spire Light Mailing 5:30 PM Simple Meal 6:00 PM Bible Study

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CALENDAR