Piping Along News of Interest

NOVEMBER 2019

THE PIPER

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I’ve been going through a marriage course this fall on Monday nights along with my spouse and ten other cou-ples. It has been a tremendous blessing to our marriage. Since the course began, Avery and I have prayed more together, encouraged one another, and communicated better. Our group has bonded together, and we have been praying for each other’s marriages on a daily basis. It is powerful. It is transforming. Last spring we had eight couples from our church go through this experience to-gether, and this fall there are ten couples going through the course. My desire is to see every married couple in our church, if possible, go through this transforming expe-rience at some point in the next five years. It will change families. It will affect generations to come. It will make our church stronger. I am a believer in how God uses this time together for the enrichment of our marriages, fills us with His Spirit, and helps us use our marriages for His glory. This is true for couples whether they’ve been mar-ried for less than one year, or for over 40 years. We have had couples from all stages of life participate. It is so important that we invest in our marriages, spend time together receiving tools for greater communication, and encourage one another. Our plan is to offer this class a few different times in 2020. If you are interested in par-ticipating, please reach out to me and let me know when would be a good time for you to make a weekly commit-ment. You can call, text, or email. We are excited to see God at work as couples strengthen their marriages and grow together in Him.

In Christ, Pastor Billy

First Pres Welcomes Emma Oliver as our new Children’s Ministry Assistant. She is a senior at James Madison University and will graduate in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies and a minor in Inclusive Early Childhood Education. Em-ma will continue her education at JMU next fall and com-plete a Masters of Education in May 2021. Emma calls Montross, Virginia home while she is not attending JMU. She enjoys spending time with family and friends there. Emma started her journey at First Pres. as a nursery worker about a year and a half ago. She became a supervisor in the nursery, a JAM intern, and is now excited to serve in this new role.

Prayer and Remembrance Service Sunday, November 17, 2:30pm

If you’ve lost a loved one this year, we invite you to participate in this special service of worship, prayer, and remembrance as a way to honor and remember

your loved one’s life.

Surviving the Holidays Saturday, November 2

9:30am - 11am, Fellowship Hall No matter how long it’s been since your loved one died, grief can make the holidays a painful time. Join us for an encouraging seminar that will help you survive the

holidays and discover new reasons to enjoy them. Contact Pastor Scott (540) 434-6551;

sthayer@firstpreshbg.org.

Stewardship Campaign 2020

November is stewardship season at First Pres. Our theme this year, “Providence” is based on Philippians 4:19 (NIV): And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. God provides for our needs (not wants), and our stewardship is based on our trust in that truth. Psalm 24:1 tells us, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” A fundamental principle of biblical stewardship is that God owns everything. God provides each of us with personal gifts, talents, and material possessions. We are the managers acting on his behalf, and thus, we are to be obedient to God by committing ourselves and our possessions to His service. We are all accountable to God as the rightful owner regarding how well we did as man-agers of all that He entrusted to us. Stewardship is looking at all that you have and giving a tithe back to God. By making a pledge to First Pres, you allow the church to make commitments to support local and global missions and church programs that help fulfill our mission of “Loving Jesus Christ, boldly proclaiming truth, serving our neighbor, and growing God’s Kingdom” and maintain our facilities. The Administration and Finance Committee is hosting this year’s stewardship campaign. The Committee’s campaign letter to partners includes details about the campaign. This year we are asking partners to consider increasing their pledge for 2020 by 8% or more to help close the gap between our giving and the funds required for our annual budget. Giving this year has exceeded what we budgeted based on last year’s pledges, and the gap to a balanced budget gets closer each year. Prior to this year, an anonymous partner gave an additional $20,000 each year for three years to offset some of the costs of pastor’s salaries. This year, we were blessed with a bequest from Dorothy Arehart that gave money to local and global missions and $22,950 to the general budget. We are very close to covering all expenses with giving. Commitment Sunday is November 17. Each pledge should be a spiritual expression of gratitude and love to God for all you have received. The Administration and Finance Committee sincerely appreciates and thanks you for your continued financial support of First Pres. 2020 will be another exciting year!

Amelia Powers—New Covenant Partner Amelia is a JMU student studying special education. She learned about First Pres via the webpage. She lives off campus in the neighborhood of Pheasant Run Townhomes. When asked about her faith, Amelia said, “It wasn’t until I was a junior in high school when I first really felt connected with God and the Holy Spirit, even though I've been a Christian my entire life. Now in college that connection gets stronger everyday.” Amelia enjoys singing and being around animals. Favorite scripture: “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ran-som, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:1-7

Save the Date Kitchen Clean-up Work Day

Saturday, November 16th, 9am—12pm

The kitchen is used often by different groups and needs some serious TLC. All willing hands are needed for a

morning of work and fellowship. Supplies will be provided. If you have questions, call Ann Pace, 564-0769.

Midweek Ministry for Children

Our Midweek Ministry called JAM (Jesus and Me), is up and running for the new school year! You may think that JAM is just for children; however, it’s re-ally an opportunity for children, youth helpers, college students, young adults, parents, church staff, empty nesters, and grandparents to interact in Christian community each week. You may think the goal of JAM is to study the Bible and package that with music, fun games and crafts; however, the goal is really for all generations to come together to learn and grow in faith. This is modeled in the early church in Acts 2:42, “The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their pray-ers” (CEB). Mission projects are also an important part of JAM. Preparing the children to be worship leaders through music, art, or drama, happens every week. And of course, we have a lot of fun too!

How can you be a part of JAM? Pray for the leaders and the children; volunteer to help with mission projects; or shop for snacks. For more information speak to Betsy Dishman or Mary Sease.

United Marriage Seminar Helps Couples Uncover Breakthroughs By Bradley Long

“I’m too tired!” Jessica, my wife, had just said what I was feeling too. I’d asked her if she wanted to do the United Marriage program at church. I had only asked because Billy had been asking me, and I promised I’d ask Jessica.

I felt relieved. She was tired too, so it was settled - we might do it next time. It sounded like a great program – meet-ing with a group for around eight weeks while working through a workbook together with your spouse at home. Who doesn’t want to strengthen their marriage, right? It would be great for us when we had more time. Next time.

There was just one problem: Billy! He asked again a week or two later so we decided we should at least pray about it. So we prayed, and then we agreed. We would do it, reluctantly.

It turns out we were glad, glad that we were willing to pause and pray and glad that someone was persistent enough to nudge us in that direction. United Marriage - especially our leaders and group - helped us get to the heart of issues we’d been dealing with for our entire marriage. We were given a process for connecting, for disarming the sticking points in our relationship that always seem to lead to disagreements and hurt feelings.

The reality is, we are always tired. Kids – two of them under five years old – seem to keep us that way. I’ve believed for a long time that the best thing we can do for our kids is strengthen our marriage. And yet, I was still resistant to a practical way to do just that. Thankfully, God is gracious enough to use a sliver of openness, a simple pause just long enough to pray.

FPC Vision Statement

Spirit-empowered disciples mobilized to engage our neighbors

with Jesus.

November 8—Jim and Sallie Nelson celebrate 61 years November 9—Jeff and Brenda Lenhart celebrate 28 years November 10—Bill and Kathy Hancock celebrate 35 years November 13—Mike and Kathryn Hendricksen celebrate 15 years November 17—Russ and Jennifer Ford celebrate 19 years November 20—Vince and Barb Harkins celebrate 37 years November 23—Lanny and Phyllis Branner celebrate 51 years November 24—Magdiel and Arlenys celebrate 18 years November 25—Ed and Betty Chappell celebrate 52 years November 27—Mike and Margie Robison celebrate 44 years

We Express our Sympathy to: Cherylen Martin in the loss of her husband, Tom Martin.

Rich and Trish Ours in the loss of her father, Fred Shifflett, on October 28th.

Thank you to my church family for making me the TLC Person of the week and making my days brighter! Charlotte Cole

Thank you for the TLC cards, flowers, and prayers. Carolyn Wetsel

I thank everyone for the cards when I was TLC person of the week. Ronnie Landes

Thank you for warm and uplifting cards, notes, and cheerful flowers. I am blessed to be part of this giving church family. In Thankfulness, Totsie Zirkle

November 1 – Ron McCoy, Jack Broaddus, Brent Godfrey November 2 – Bill Conklin, Mac Davis November 5 – Mal Lane, Megan Sarian, Matthew Knicely November 6 – Sue Smith November 7 – Jim Dye, Nancy Nichols, Gannon Irons, Amy Nichols November 8 – Trish Ours November 9 – Steve Remson, Donna Shiflet, J.B. Rosson, Drew Meyerhoeffer November 10 – Donna Williams, Stan Gray, Leisa Evick November 11 – Gary Edlind, Jr. November 12 – Jeff Martin, Heather Lam November 13 – Lucile Cook, Jim Bradshaw, Charles Evick, Cynthia Hill November 14 – Jackie Buchanan, Anne Zumbro, Mike Houston, Paige Green November 15 – Dot Saum, Burns Earle, Jennifer Sowers, Sarah Richardson, Sydney Whetzel, Anna Campillo, Anna Gonzalez November 17 – Chuck Barker, Mike Miller November 18 – Lo Palmer, Jeria Robinson November 19 – Walt Wine, Billy Craig, Andrew Moomaw November 20 – Al DeCicco, Marcia Ball November 21 – Ann Siciliano, Lourdes Rhodes, Ryan Briggman November 22 – Nancy Deputy November 23 – Curtis Long, Terry Rhodes, Mary Broaddus, Steve Nutter, David Grayson, Randy Kubler November 24 – Heather Ange, Ashley Landes November 25 – Esther Boyd, Brian Shull November 26 – Paula Thompson, Billy Robinson, Sarah Kaylor November 27 – Cheri Smith, Will Grayson, Tanner Campbell November 28 – Anne DePoy November 29 – Betty Hedrick, Virginia Flatgaard, Rob Landes November 30 – Lisa Grayson, Carla Meyerhoeffer December 1 – Audrey Bierly, Owen Houston, Jed Gorby December 2 – Sarah Earle December 3 – Jean Simmons, Mary Scott, Bill Meyerhoeffer, Steve Pence, Katie Hylton, Thomas Lam December 4 – Price Lineweaver, Sam Stickley, Stuart Hill, Emily Werner, Courtney Landes

How is God moving in your heart and life? Any recent “God moments” or praises?

Submit your story to the Piper! Contact Emily Huffman

ehuffman@firstpreshbg.org

You can now access birthdays and anniversaries in the online directory!

www.instantchurchdirectory.com