Newsletter

Vol. 44 November 9, 2016 No. 42

From the Pastor: Dear Congregation,

The stack of Operation Christmas Child boxes in the Fellowship Hall is growing! Last I counted, we have 49 boxes ready to go to some place across the globe and warm a little one’s heart.

Last month during the Sunday School hour, our guest from Samartian’s Purse, Betty Stevens, gave us a wonderful presentation on how our Christmas shoeboxes are a blessing around the world.

She also challenged us in a few specific ways:

1-Do one more box this year than you did last year. Our congregation gathered 83 boxes in 2015. Maybe we could hit the 100 mark this year?

2-Consider giving more than the standard $7 donation when you place your check into the box you prepare. Samaritan’s Purse not only does work in the Operation Christmas Child area, but also serves as a significant relief agency around the world. I can remember the $7 fee has been the same for many years and I would suspect that it does not cover the cost of shipping a box across the globe and into a local town.

3-Make your shoebox shopping a year-round activity. Shop seasonally and smart, making purchases when drastic sales are on. For examples, in August, school supplies are often sold on bargains. After Christmas sales are often a time when stores are clearing stock before the new year arrives.

Operation Christmas Child boxes are due by Sunday, November 20. Feel free to bring in your boxes now and store them in the Fellowship Hall. If you need help or have questions contact Joyce Payne 336-222-1133.

The Session, following Chapter 8 of our Form of Government, is seeking your recommendations for Elder and Deacon. A brochure will be available this Sunday in the common areas of the church. Included is information regarding our Form of Government procedure, biblical standards for office and a form for you to use in recommending someone to an office. Boxes for your completed forms will be in the Narthexes and the Session requests all forms to be turned in by 6 PM on Sunday, November 27 at 6 PM. Additionally, according to Chapter 3 of our Form of Government, the congregation has the privilege of electing for one-year terms each a Congregational Chair and at least one Congregational Treasurer. We historically have had only one Treasurer, however, more than one is allowed. Finally, according to our Church By-Laws, we must elect one Trustee to serve the congregation for a four-year term. Our Session has called a Congregational Meeting after worship on Sunday, December 11 for the purpose of holding elections and adopting a 2017 Budget.

Copies of the proposed 2017 Church Budget will be distributed in advance of the meeting. You may review the budget, ask questions in advance, pray over the matter and be prepared to support, amend or not support the proposed budget at the Congregational Meeting.

On Sunday, our study of Hebrews 13:7-16 leads us through several things Christians can do in order to honor God and safely make it home to heaven. Our final evening study will be the Fruit of the Spirit is…Self-Control.

See you in the Lord’s house on the Lord’s day with the Lord’s people!

2250 Saddle Club Road, Burlington, NC 27215 Online: firstarpburlington.org | www.facebook.com/FirstARPBurlington | Office Phone: 336-584-6929

Admin Office: gloria@firstarpburlington.org | Finance Office: finance@firstarpburlington.org |Pastor: pastor@firstarpburlington.org

Nursery: Nov 13: Carol Erb & Macon Baird Nov 20: Fran Haynes & John Robinson

Counter: Nov 13: Bill Haynes Nov 20: Glenn Owens

Deacon Duty: Nov 13: Stephen Robinson Nov 20: Glenn Owens

BIRTHDAYS Caleb Sneed 11/1

Phillip Beaman 11/3 Natalie Wright 11/3 Fran Haynes 11/4 Jean Cathey 11/5 Ann Dobbins 11/5 Chip Wright 11/8 Pat Montgomery 11/10 Jack Snow 11/10 David Newton 11/12 Martha Ann Crotts 11/13 Stephanie Payne 11/14 Sandy Childrey 11/15 Laurene Howington 11/20 Martha Alexander 11/22 Ellen Huffman 11/24 Audrey Turner 11/24 Laura Nicholson 11/27

ANNIVERSARIES

Russ & Joyce Payne (37) 11/3 William & Jill Roy (35) 11/7 Randall & Libby Cobb (30) 11/8 Jim & Carolyn Christopher (46) 11/21 Chuck & Mary Renegar (64) 11/22 Steve & Sue Walton 11/27

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT FIRST ARP

November 3 Men’s Evening Gathering 4-5 Women’s Ministry - First Presbytery 109th Annual Meeting & Retreat 5 Workday 6 Lord’s Supper Daylight Saving Ends 7 Men’s Lunch 9 Women’s Bible Study 16 Women’s Bible Study 17 Stated Session Meeting

December 3 Hanging of the Greens 4 Lessons and Carols 5 Men’s Lunch 6 Young at Heart Luncheon 11 Annual Congregational Meeting 15 Men’s Evening Gathering 18 Treat Bags and Christmas Caroling 24 Christmas Eve Service 25 Christmas Day

NOVEMBERWOMEN’S BIBLE/BOOK STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday Ladies Weekly Bible Study meets in the Conference Room at 11 AM to study Galatians for You by Timothy Keller.

NOVEMBER OPPORTUNITIES!

Stated Session. The session will meet on November 17. Denominational Offering. Each year at Thanksgiving time the ARP Church collects a special offering to support some of the ministries of our denomination. You will find an insert and envelope in your bulletin on Sunday, November 20. This offering will be collected through Sunday, December 4. Operation Christmas Child boxes are due by November 20. Feel free to bring in your boxes now and store them in the Fellowship Hall. Suggestion: try to create one more box than you did last year. $7 postage is due for each box.  If you need help or have questions contact Joyce Payne 222-1133.

YOUNG AT HEART

Young At Heart will be Tuesday December 6 at 11:45. Turkey, dressing and gravy will be furnished.  Please bring vegetables, fruits, salads and desserts. Tim and Lynn Robinson will present the program.

Christmas Poinsettias An insert will be in your bulletin this Sunday, November 13 for placing your request of a memorial/honorarium poinsettia to be placed in the sanctuary. The last day for turning the form in is December 4. The cost will be $8 per plant.