the first news · 2018-11-09 · page 1 the first news first presbyterian church november 2018 from...

The First News

First Presbyterian Church

November 2018

From Pastor Taylor

Dear Friends,

A few years ago, my friend Shannon made a decision biblical in nature, which is to say very difficult to do for most people. It was around Christmastime and our church made its annual call for donations towards the Christmas Eve Offering, a collection used to bring an extra boost to two agencies of the church’s choosing. I can’t remember the named causes; all that I can remember is the note Shannon wrote me on notebook paper in perfectly curly-queued third grader handwriting: I want to give all my money to church. She handed it to me after service in the receiving line and felt I had been handed one of the most precious gifts I’d ever seen: a child’s unfettered faith. She meant it, that much was clear. Coins upon coins - all that she had - because she knew the invitation to give and be a part of something beyond herself, something kingdom-like was calling. Who could resist?

As we travel towards Stewardship Sunday, we are invited to do the same: be unfettered in our giving, knowing that the kingdom is calling us to join in its ministry here on earth. Our Stewardship theme this year is Growing in Gener-osity, Rooted in Faith.. Imagine what we will be able to do with your pledge: support the music program and the gifts they use to glorify God, tend to the property we’ve been given and be good stewards of the earth, provide care and nurture for the youngest to the young of heart through Christian Education, feed us and our community with countless meals, make it possible for the staff to do our work for Christ and his people, provide spaces for community groups to meet. And! God is not yet done. The Good News is that the Spirit is always stirring and dreaming, leading us to experiences we can’t even imagine yet. Through your support, we will be able to give more space to the Spirit’s leanings in the year to come.

There is not one among us who cannot deepen our roots or grow in generosity - such is the life of faith. May be it be so in us - may it be overflowing, unfettered, joyful in us!

Peace,

Pastor Taylor

The First News Page 2

The First News

Please join us as we shower Katie & Nick Newell as they await

the arrival of their baby boy.

Sunday, November 18

Right after worship

Everyone is invited

Fielding Russell Room

Light finger foods will be served

Katie & Nick are registered at Target tgt.gifts/BabyNewellStatesboro and Amazon https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/nick-newell-katie-newell-december-2018-statesboro/2CKZGNRH4XOFH.

Poinsettias Beautify Church

Sanctuary and Memorialize/

Honor Loved Ones

Just a few weeks will bring us to the season of Advent.

During this time of year, we traditionally fill the sanc-

tuary with the color of poinsettias.

From now until November 11, you have the opportu-

nity to purchase a poinsettia in honor or memory of a

loved one. The poinsettias will be on display in the

sanctuary through the Sundays of Advent and then

available for you to take home after the Christmas Eve

service.

Poinsettias are $15 each. You can order by using the

insert in your bulletin on Sundays or by calling or

e-mailing the church office.

“Educated” Chronicles Author’s

Triumph Over Adversity

The Book Club for All Seasons will

meet on November 8, at 11:30 am in

the Fielding Russell Room.

November’s selection is, “Educated:

A Memoir” which recounts the au-

thor’s journey to find an education.

Tara Westover was raised in a sur-

vivalist family. She was kept out of

school by her parents and sporadi-

cally home schooled. She left that life and eventually

earned a Ph.D. from Cambridge University.

“Educated” was a New York Times best seller and was

named one of the ten best books of the year by Publisher’s

Weekly.

Everyone is invited to come participate in the discussion.

Be in prayer for our mission team.

They will leave on November 9 for a

three-day mission trip to Thornwell

Home for Children in Clinton, South

Carolina.

http://tgt.gifts/BabyNewellStatesboro

http://tgt.gifts/BabyNewellStatesboro

https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/nick-newell-katie-newell-december-2018-statesboro/2CKZGNRH4XOFH




The First News

Gordon Smith bringing up the next generation of active

church participants.

FPC

Rummage Sale

Saturday, November 3

8 am - Noon

furniture, electronics, household goods,

tools, toys, clothing, holiday décor,

books, old records, antiques and more

Proceeds go to community missions

selling a little bit of everything to do

a lot for others

FPC

Rummage Sale

Elder Gordon Smith Graduates School of the Laity

Elder Gordon Smith is a Fall, 2018 graduate of the Savannah Presbytery School of the Laity.

School of the Laity is an innovative program of the Presbytery created by former Executive Presbyter Dr. J. Richard

Bass, who saw the desire of laypersons to engage in serious study of scripture, theology, and ministry. This is the

20th year of the School.

Students participate in two summer courses taught by college professors. Each session involves eighteen hours of

class time and additional hours of personal study. The courses are: Introduction to the Bible and Introduction to

Reformed Theology. In the final summer, they complete their studies with an in-depth course in Practical Ministry.

Students complete briefer courses in the spring and fall

of two successive years. Savannah Presbytery ministers

lead studies on Old Testament, New Testament, His-

tory, Mission & Polity and Practical Ministry.

Over 250 laypeople have participated in the School of

the Laity, representing two-thirds of the churches of

the presbytery.


The First News

Session Highlights

October 14, 2018

CONSENT AGENDA

Approved the minutes of the September 9, 2018 Stated Meeting of the Session .

Approved the minutes of the Congregational Meeting held on Sunday, September 23, 2018.

Approved and noted the E-VOTE to approve the purchase of a laptop computer for Pastor Taylor.

Approved the modification of the 2018 Church Member Roll approved September 9, 2018 following review

of the archival/hard copy Church Register.

Approved Abby Eichorn as nursery worker.

Approved revised directions for Ushers from the Worship Committee.

Approved revised directions for Liturgists from the Worship Committee.

TREASURER’S REPORT TO SESSION –Total income January -September 2018 was $175,176.88 compared to the

anticipated (budgeted) amount of $183,600.00 ($8,423.12 under budget). Treasurer Linda Kimsey notes: “Thus far in

2018, we have collected less money than expected. We have also had MORE expenses than expected. While these re-

sults are not what we would like to see, roof repair and painting were not in our 2018 budget. They account for the ex-

penses being over budget. Collections continue to be less than budgeted. Now that it is fall, we really need to reverse

this trend.”

FPC LEGACY FUNDS – “Starter amounts” have been donated to establish each of our Planned Giving Program

funds: (1) Capital Facilities Fund, (2) Mission and Benevolence Endowment Fund and (3) Church Ministries Endowment

Fund. The Administration Committee requested “approval to open these three accounts in the “New Covenant Balance

Growth Fund” with the Presbyterian Foundation” AND “authorize Linda Kimsey, Brett Curry and Mike Kennedy to act

as traders on the accounts with the understanding that no withdrawals from or changes to the accounts will be allowable

without explicit approval of Session.”

The First News

Stewardship Sunday Is November 4

A Prayer of Commitment

All that we have and all that we are comes from you, O God.

What abundance and goodness overflows! May we respond to your blessings with thanksgiving, committing our lives

and our priorities to you. May our gifts and your tithes grow our community’s generosity beyond our imagination

and may they root us in a faith that will never let us go.

In the name of the One who gave us abundant and eternal life.

Amen!

With a grateful heart for God's boundless generosity and as an expression of my Chris-

tian stewardship, I/we make this commitment to Christ's church and the ministry of First

Presbyterian Church.

My/our commitment* is: $___________________ per wk mo yr

for a total pledge of $____________________.*

Name(s)_______________________________________ Date_________________

Phone: __________________ Email: ____________________________________

Please return to FPC on or before Commitment Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018

First Presbyterian Church / 1215 Fair Road / Statesboro, GA 30458

* I understand that I may adjust this estimate of giving at any time by contacting the Treasurer

With a grateful heart for God's boundless generosity and as an expres-

sion of my Christian stewardship, I make this commitment of my time

and talent to Christ's church and the ministry of First Presbyterian

Church.

Name: ___________________________________________________

Please return to FPC on or before

Commitment Sunday,

Nov. 4 , 201 8


Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

8 am - Noon PW Rummage Sale

4

All Saints’ Day

10 am Sunday School

11 am Worship and Communion

5

8:15 –9 am Pastor’s Bible Study

6

Election Day

1 pm Pondhouse Circle

3:30 pm Ladies Bible Study

7

5:45 pm Supper

6:15 pm Handbell Ensemble

6:30 pm Celtic Spirituality-Creation

7:30 pm Chancel Choir

8

7 am Men’s 2x4 Bible Study

11:30 am Book Club for All Seasons

9

Mission Trip To Thornwell

10


11

Mission Trip

To Thornwell

10 am Sunday School

11 am Worship

Baptism of Madison Dodge

12


9:30 am Joy Circle

13

11:30 am Rebecca’s Café


14

5:45 pm Supper


6:30 pm Celtic Spirituality-

Friendship


15 16 17

18

10 am Sunday School

11 am Worship

Noon Baby Shower for Katie and

Nick Newell

19

20


21

Church Office Closed

22

Thanksgiving


23


24

25

10 am Sunday School

11 am Worship

26


27


28

5:45 pm Supper


6:30 pm Advent Fair


29 30

Open/Close Elder: Ann Henderson

Liturgists: Nick and Katie Newell

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

8 am - Noon PW Rummage Sale

4

All Saints’ Day

10 am Sunday School

11 am Worship and Communion

5


6

Election Day

1 pm Pondhouse Circle


7

5:45 pm Supper


6:30 pm Celtic Spirituality-Creation


8

7 am Men’s 2x4 Bible Study

11:30 am Book Club for All Seasons

9


10


11

Mission Trip

To Thornwell

10 am Sunday School

11 am Worship

Baptism of Madison Dodge

12


9:30 am Joy Circle

13

11:30 am Rebecca’s Café


14

5:45 pm Supper


6:30 pm Celtic Spirituality-

Friendship


15 16 17

18

10 am Sunday School

11 am Worship

Noon Baby Shower for Katie and

Nick Newell

19

20


21


22

Thanksgiving


23


24

25

10 am Sunday School

11 am Worship

26


27


28

5:45 pm Supper


6:30 pm Advent Fair


29 30


The First News

November

Birthdays

Celtic Spirituality Continues

As Wednesday Night Study

Wednesday Night Supper and Study continues October’s

study of Celtic Spirituality and begins preparations for

Advent.

November 7 Celtic Spirituality—Creation

November 14 Celtic Spirituality—Anam Caras

(Holy Friends)

November 28 Advent Fair

Supper continues to be a delicious beginning to an

evening of learning and fellowship.

Supper begins at 5:45 pm and Study at 6:30 pm.

Doty Dunn 11/20

Ruthie Hartman 11/21

Preston Nevil-Rincon 11/22

Bob Smith 11/23

Grant Boyer 11/24

Lin Roberts 11/26

Ruth Slager 11/26

Charles Dunn 11/29

Patti Moore 11/29

Joe Smallwood 11/29

Jeanne Cauley 11/30

Walter Pease, Jr. 11/30

Katie Newell 11/02

Kevin Works 11/02

Yvette Allen 11/03

Hanna Pease 11/03

Macy Riggs 11/05

Ann Henderson 11/12

Clark Henderson 11/16

Emily Herndon 11/16

Bill Mase 11/16

Chandler Presley 11/17

Milton Futch 11/18

Atticus Garner 11/18

Sophie Strickland 11/18

CE Planning Now For Advent Fair

The season of Advent is coming soon.

The Christian Education Committee is making plans now

for the annual Advent Fair to be held on November 28.

One of the perennial favorites of the Advent Fair is making

an Advent wreath.

Let Susan Parrish know by November 18, if you would like

to make a wreath so that she can begin gathering supplies.

Cost of the wreath is $10.

Placing flowers in worship is a wonderful way to cele-

brate special occasions and to honor or remember loved

ones.

If you would like to reserve a Sunday,

you may do so by signing up on the

flower chart located outside the church

office, or call (912) 681-2053. The cost

of flowers is $50. Please make checks

payable to ’First Presbyterian Church’

and note ’flowers’.

The First News

Monthly Stewardship Update, September, 2018

Month of September

For this month, we collected LESS money than expected. We also had MORE expenses than expected.

The net income for the month was ($4,499.59)

This was lower than planned by $5,170.93

Year to Date

Thus far in 2018, we have collected less money than expected. We have also had MORE expenses than ex-

pected.

Year to date, we have a net loss of ($38,134.61)

This was lower than planned by $27,073.59

While these results are not what we could like to see, roof repair and painting were not in our annual budget.

They account for the expenses being over budget.

Collections are also less than budgeted. Now that it is Fall, we really need to reverse this trend.

Linda Kimsey, Treasurer

UNDER UNDER

Revenue Budget Budget Expenses Budget Budget

$18,777.06 $20,400.00 ($1,622.94) $23,276.65 $19,728.66 ($3,547.99)

UNDER OVER

Revenue Budget Budget Expenses Budget Budget

$175,176.88 $183,600.00 ($8,423.12) $213,311.49 $194,661.02 $18,650.47


The First News

Make Plans Now For Montreat Youth Conference 2019

Who? - Rising 9th graders through graduated seniors; 30

spots available

When? - June 2-8, 2019

Where? - Montreat, NC

Why Now? - A $100 non-refundable deposit is due to

FPC by November 11; make checks pay-

able to FPC Statesboro and note it is for

MYC2019.

What Else? - The balance of $270 is due by March 10, 2019

Scholarships are available to help youth attend

the conference, see Susan Parrish for more information.

MONTREAT

Backpack Buddies

Fulfills Mission To

Feed Children

We are packing backpacks each

week for 35 children at Mill

Creek Elementary School.

Each backpack contains 8-10 items to help a child eat

during weekends and holidays when school lunches are

not available. Most items are ready to eat or require

minimal preparation. If you would like to contribute,

you can place your items in the basket outside the CE

office.

Shopping List

small jars of peanut butter, fruit cups, Chef Boyardee

meals, soups, individual packages of grits and oatmeal,

small boxes of cereal, cereal bars, cups of applesauce,

easy macaroni n’ cheese, noodle packs, Vienna sausages,

100% juice boxes, packs of sandwich crackers, healthy

snacks (raisins, fruit roll-ups, fruit snacks, trail mix,

pudding cups, etc.)

Yvette Allen, Bill Barnes, Sara Bennett, Sterling Bowles

on the death of his grandfather, Milton Futch, Gayle

Gunter, Kathy Gunter, Harriet Hair, Sandy Newell, Del

Presley, Pat Shelburne, Bob Sylwester, Brownee Walton,

Genie Ward, Charles Webb, Service men and women.

Church Staff

Pastor: Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartman

Christian Education Director: Susan Parrish

Music Director: Allen Henderson

Organists: Duke Miles & Glenn Haynes

Office Administrator: June Bryant-Hackle

Youth Director: Alex Gilbert

2018 Ruling Elders

Clerk of Session: Lois Roberts (18)

Administration Committee: Brett Curry (19) & Andrew Allen (20)

Christian Education Committee: Stacey Basquin (20)

Facilities Committee: Brian Feltman (18)

Mission Committee: Gordon Smith (18) & Lynda Webb (20)

Pastoral Care Committee: Frank McDonald (19) & Charlotte Wynn (20)

Worship Committee: Nan LoBue (18) & Ann Henderson (19)

Service Committee: Annette Smith (19)


First Presbyterian Church 1215 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

Find us on facebook!

First Presbyterian Church 1215 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

Phone: 912-681-2053 ~ Fax: 912-681-2399

[email protected] ~ www.fpcstatesboro.org

Mission Statement

The mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Statesboro, Georgia

is to be a Christ-centered family of believers called and committed to worshipping,

growing spiritually, and sharing God’s love and grace.

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