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First A.R

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1 East W

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Insp

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RETU

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SERV

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ESTED

J. Barry Dagenhart, Pastor Philip S. Bunch, Associate Pastor Robert J. Robinson, Pastor Emeritus

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

803.327.2009 803.327.4123 fax www.firstarp.org

January 2015

First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Rock Hill, South Carolina

9 a.m. Acoustic Service • 11 a.m. Traditional Worship Service

10 a.m. Sunday School (all ages)

FIRST CHURCH LIFE

Women’s Ministries Winter Brunch Saturday, January 10 10:00 am

In Robinson Hall “A Woman of High Calling Obeys”

Guest Speaker: Marcy Thomas Marcy will share her testimony– choosing obedience to

God or to the world? She will also be joined by her husband, Marty, to lead us in song. Suggested

donation for the brunch is $8. Childcare available by request; contact the church office by January 7

Catawba Presbytery Women’s Retreat February 27-March 1 at Bonclarken

“Being Content” Speaker: Valerie Shepard As a child, Valerie and her mother Elisabeth served the Auca people in Equator, the same tribe who killed her missionary father, Jim Elliott. Cost for the weekend is

$75; registration deadline is January 15. See Kathy Barron for fliers and registration.

Congratulations to

Evelyn Coffee and Kenneth Large who were united in marriage Saturday, December 13, 2014

in our sanctuary.

Foundations for the Family 2015

Programs resume Wednesday, January 7th

Dinner - 5:30 pm

Elementary Children’s Choir - 6:00 pm

Preschool Music Time - 6:15 pm

Middle School & High School Youth - 6:15 pm

Adult Program “Experiencing God” - 6:30 pm

Adult Choir Rehearsal - 7:15 pm

Welcome New Members Sara Martin was invited to church by her friend Kay McKinney, and soon became active in the Growing in Faith class. A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Sara has recently opened her practice in Fort Mill. She played volleyball for the Wisconsin Badgers, coached at Western Carolina University, and earned her Masters at Pfeiffer University.

Ryan Tinker is a native of Rock Hill, having been part of the Northwestern Trojan Band, where he and Katie Beth met. He graduated from USC and the University of South Florida, earning degrees in Music Education and Performance. Ryan was a member of the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from 2005–2008. A talented trombonist and organist, Ryan currently serves as Associate Director of Bands at Northwestern High School and enjoys listening to music, and traveling.

Did you know? We welcomed 32 new members in 2014!

Flower calendar The 2015 Flower Calendar is available in the

T-hall. Please sign up to honor or remember a loved one or celebrate a special day.

BASKETBALL Practice Schedule

Mondays— 5:30 pm: Junior Boys

Tuesdays— 6:00 pm: Biddy 6 & 7 olds 7:00 pm: Mite Boys A/B

Thursdays—6:00 pm: Mite Girls 7:00 pm: Biddy 8 & 9 year olds

CBA games are scheduled to begin January 2-3, 2015. Each team’s schedule can be found online at

yorkcountycba.blogspot.com

Discipleship Group Weeks:

January 11th & 25th February 8th & 15th March 15th & 22nd April 12th & 26th

Catawba Presbytery Senior High Retreat— March 6-8

Catawba Presbytery Middle School Retreat— March 27-29

Our next Family Chapel will be Wednesday, January 14 at 9:00 am in the Sanctuary. Through singing,

praying, and listening to a short message, we are exposing our youngest students (and their

families) to a worship experience. This is a very brief

service and we would LOVE to have church members attend to help

welcome our preschool families.

I recently had a conversation with a young man that reminded me of

why we’re planting a new church. The young man asked to remain

anonymous, so I’ll call him John; here’s the gist of our conversation.

We started out by sharing our backgrounds. He grew up in Charlotte,

attended high school and joined the Army as a way to see the world. He

shared that his tour of duty in Afghanistan had a hardening effect on

him. He was very open and honest in our conversation.

At one point John said, “I was taught in my military training that it was

either going to be him or me!”

“What do you think that did to your heart?” I asked him.

He had a one word response. “Cold.”

I asked, “Do you think you can change? Is there any hope?”

Looking down at his feet John replied, “Nope, not really.”

I said, “Do you remember the first thing I asked you when we started

talking? I asked what you do these days, and you said that you work at a

retail store in Charlotte. What do you think God does?”

He pondered for a moment. “I don’t know.”

I said, “Well, besides running the entire universe, God is in the business

of taking cold hearts and making them warm. He loves to take hearts

that are cold and turn them towards Himself. Do you know how He

does that, John?”

John said that he had gone to youth group as a teen, he had heard the

Bible, and even “accepted the Lord” when he was in high school.

I said, “John, when you were on the battle field with an adversary, you

understood that it was either him or you, right? Do you realize that Je-

sus looks at you and says, ‘I’ll take John’s bullet!’ Jesus says to you right

now, ‘If it’s either you that will take God’s punishment for your sin or

Me, I’ll take it for you!”

John looked up with hope in his eyes and said, “I’ve never heard it that

way before.”

Continue to pray for our church and for “John” —— David Stover

Communion Sunday—January 4

Preschool Family Chapel—Wednesday, January 7

Foundations for the Family —Wednesday, January 7

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast—Saturday, January 10

Women’s Ministries Brunch—Saturday, January 10

Officer Ordination & Installation—Sunday, January 11

All American Athletes Basketball—Sunday, January 11

Tropical Escape Dance—Saturday, January 24

Summer Missions Luncheon—Sunday, February 8

Ash Wednesday—Wednesday, February 18

Women’s Retreat —February 27-March 1

Do you have trouble “staying in the Word” or having a good “quiet time?” Many people begin the new year with a renewed effort at reading God's Word. In 2015-2016, I will be walking us all through a great 2 year Bible reading program. Join us in a renewed effort to let the Holy Spirit shape us to be more like Jesus, who is the Word. Reading plans are available in the office, and also be available for download from our website. Concurrently with this effort, I will make the weekly devotionals centered around the Scripture that we are reading that week. Now is the time to start . . . everyone can read the Bible! ~Philip

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast Saturday, January 10 7:00 am

$2/suggested donation

Thanks to Mary Alexander Barron, Philip Bunch, Luke

Grigsby, Christopher McKinney, Taylor Madsen,

William Robbins for serving at the Dorothy Day Soup

Kitchen on Thursday, December 18. Would you like to

serve?? Our church is committed to serving on the 3rd Thursday of

each month. Our next serving day is January 15. Contact Susan

Gardner or David Ledbetter to volunteer.

Family Promise Thank you to all who volunteered and served our guests over

Christmas week. Many went over and above to welcome and share

Christmas joy with these families. The families were given Bibles and

Women’s Ministries provided devotional books for the moms.

One of our families left the following note:

“To the entire first ARP church family,

My family and I have been here three times and

every time we have had a blessed time and felt

nothing but love! But THIS week, you have given

me hope to make it through these weekly

commutes, changes, atmospheres and let

downs. You have helped me keep my family

afloat. Nothing but Gods grace (and Santa Claus).

Thanks for everything! As usual, the company and

nightly hosts are awesome, food is greatly

satisfying and the laughter truly genuine.

We love you and god bless you all.” ~

We will host our families again March 29-April 5, 2015.

We have officially

RETIRED THE DEBT!! Thank you to all who contributed to “Retire the

Debt” - the balance has been paid in full!

1 Chuck Cauthen

2 Eddy Coleman

3 Martin Goode

4 Hall Dozier

5 Amy Kulbok

Margaret Coxhead

6 Kelly Clayton

Doug Stokes

7 Kathy Hogue

8 Margaret Harper

Jan Phillips

Amber Graham

9 Helen Cable

Sarah Donohue

11 Susan Barron

Jon Meadows

12 Mary Lynn Loftus

13 Zac Hubbs

Angie Ledford

14 Brooke Dillingham

Jack Lawrence

Jordan McMullan

15 Campbell Warner

16 Walter Revell

Brenda Wilson

17 Robert Lesslie

Jon Wingate

19 Chris Leighton

Marsha Vogel

21 Ren Norman

Pat Smith

22 Nancy Johnson

24 Cindy Wilkerson

26 Joan Barkley

Julie Madsen

27 Jeff Lesslie

Susan Salley

28 Grafton Leach

29 Kelly Williamson

30 Carlisle Putnam

Jamie Russell

31 Jimmy Matthews

If your Birthday

is incorrect or

missing, please

contact Kelly in

the church office.

T he Church Staff would like to thank you for the many kindnesses we received throughout the Christmas season,

especially the very generous bonuses. We appreciate your love shown to us in so many different ways, and continue to be deeply thankful for the opportunity to serve God in your midst.

FIRST ARP COOKBOOK We are beginning to prepare our new cookbook and need your recipes! Suggested categories include Appetizers; Breakfast & Brunch; Soups, Salads & Sandwiches; Side Dishes; Entrees; Breads; Jams, Jellies, Pickles, & Condiments; Sweets; and Healthy Options. Submit your recipes by e-mail, drop them

in the recipe box in the connector, or snail mail them to Ellen Hamilton, Cookbook Chair.

Lots of volunteers are needed to make this a success! If you are interested in serving on the Cookbook Committee, contact Ellen at 328-9393 or [email protected]

Women’s Ministries

Winter/Spring Bible Study

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

“Offering a clear and concise plan to help women go deeper in their study of Scripture, this book will equip you to engage God’s Word

in a way that trains your mind and transforms your heart.”

This study will be offered for all women— three opportunities to learn:

Tuesday Mornings 10:00—11:30 am Tuesday Evenings 6:30-8:00 pm Thursday Lunch 12:00—1:30 pm

Study Books $13.00; also available as an e-book

Invite your friends and neighbors to this wonderful study beginning Tuesday, January 13 and Thursday, January 15.

Please contact Kathy Barron

([email protected] or 803-325-5148) to sign up for your choice of time.

Next Worship Service

Thursday, January 22nd 6:30 p.m.

A Tropical Escape Saturday, January 24

2-4 p.m. in our gym

Our 4th Annual Dance for

"Special Friends with Special Needs"

Put this date on your calendars now and contact

Jeanie Alexander if you would like to volunteer

([email protected] or 367.2146)

The Winter Season of All American Athletes will begin in our gym on Sunday, January

11, 2015 and run for 6 consecutive weeks ending on February 15, 2015. Playing time throughout the season will be 1 hour from 4:00-5:00pm Volunteers are needed to serve in this upcoming season and they may

register to serve online (http://www.firstarp.org/#/just-joy/all-american-athletes). There will be a special training that is mandatory beginning at 2:30pm on Sunday, January 11, 2015. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Jamey Dagenhart ([email protected]) or 517.4893.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.firstarp.org/#/just-joy/all-american-athletes

http://www.firstarp.org/#/just-joy/all-american-athletes

mailto:[email protected]

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

will be observed on January 4th.

1

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

2

3

4 COMMUNION

9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 11:00 am John Gettys Prayer Team

5 Preschool Teacher Workday 7:00 pm Circle #3

6 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool

7 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 4:00 pm Staff Planning Meeting 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir

8 8:00 am Barry Prayer Team 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am Circle #2 7:00 pm Circle #1 7:00 pm Vision Team


10 7:00 am Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 10:00 am Women’s Ministries Winter Brunch

11 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship Ordination and Installation of Officers 2:30 pm AAA Training 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball

12 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 9:30 am Jeanie Alexander Prayer Team 6:00 pm CE Committee Meeting 7:00 pm Deacon/Session Meeting

13 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am - 11:30 am WM Bible Study 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WM Bible Study

14 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 9:00 am Preschool Chapel 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir

15 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm WM Bible Study

Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen

16 NO Preschool

17

18 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 12:00 pm Robert Lesslie Prayer Team 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball

19 NO Preschool


21 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir

22 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm WM Bible Study 6:30 pm Just Joy


24 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm A Tropical Escape Dance

25 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball 5:30 pm Sarah Harper Prayer Team


27 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am - 11:30 am WM Bible Study 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WM Bible Study 7:00 pm Kay McKinney Prayer Team




31

Please submit information for the next newsletter by

January 26th at 12:00 noon.

TO SCHEDULE AN EVENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

will be observed on January 4th.

1

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

2

3

4 COMMUNION

9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 11:00 am John Gettys Prayer Team

5 Preschool Teacher Workday 7:00 pm Circle #3


7 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 4:00 pm Staff Planning Meeting 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir

8 8:00 am Barry Prayer Team 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am Circle #2 7:00 pm Circle #1 7:00 pm Vision Team


10 7:00 am Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 10:00 am Women’s Ministries Winter Brunch

11 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship Ordination and Installation of Officers 2:30 pm AAA Training 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball

12 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 9:30 am Jeanie Alexander Prayer Team 6:00 pm CE Committee Meeting 7:00 pm Deacon/Session Meeting


14 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 9:00 am Preschool Chapel 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir


Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen

16 NO Preschool

17

18 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 12:00 pm Robert Lesslie Prayer Team 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball

19 NO Preschool



22 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm WM Bible Study 6:30 pm Just Joy


24 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm A Tropical Escape Dance

25 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball 5:30 pm Sarah Harper Prayer Team


27 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am - 11:30 am WM Bible Study 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WM Bible Study 7:00 pm Kay McKinney Prayer Team




31

Additional information about these events may

be found within the newsletter.

TO SCHEDULE AN EVENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH

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