First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Rapids, NC
16 East Fifth Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC   27870
252-537-4018,  252-537-9041(Fax),  office@fpcrr.com

In Touch -- February 2006

Because There is a God

We’ll always have another dawn
When morning ends the night.
We’ll always know this world of ours
Will somehow turn out right.
A peace will strangely fill our hearts
When weary work is done,
And though the is long and rough,
A bright new day will come.
Because there is a God, I’m sure
We’ll always have a smile,
And somehow we will find a way
To make each day worthwhile.
A friend will bring us endless joy
And love will live through all.
We’ll have a Winter wonderland
Where snowflakes softly fall.



 

From the Pioneers…

In November 2005, First Presbyterian Church sent 37 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to be delivered to children all over the world by Franklin Graham and Samaritan’s Purse. The Pioneers are extending a challenge to the congregation in 2006.

WE WANT TO PACK
AT LEAST 100 SHOEBOXES THIS YEAR!

In order to do this, we need to get started now. Each month, the Pioneers will be seeking donations of specific items to pack in the shoeboxes we hope to send this November. Can we count on you to help with this mission project?

February’s items are:
Plastic shoeboxes with lids

In many of the countries where our gifts are delivered, homes don’t have places to store food so that critters can’t get into it. The parents of the children who get the boxes are as happy with the sturdy plastic shoeboxes as their children are with the gifts inside.

New toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste

If you will, please drop your donations off in the box just inside the office building or bring it to church and give it to any Pioneer or their leaders and we’ll take care of them!!

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP WITH THIS PROJECT!!

"Make A Joyful Noise Unto The Lord"
Children's Choir is for children between 3 1/2 years old and 2nd or 3rd grade.
We meet each Sunday evening from 6-7pm in the Loy Building.
Each time we meet we sing songs, have a Bible lesson, eat a small snack.
Sometimes we do fun arts and crafts activities. Church members and non-
church members are welcome to join us.  If you have any questions, call
Ellen Bryant (535-5957) or Judy Oglesby (326-3930).



Pioneers Meetings

Feb 5th No Meeting for Superbowl.
Feb 11th— Meet at Church for visit o Humane Society—10:30a.m.
Feb 19th—(Youth Supper) 6-7p.m.


 

Children's Choir Snack Schedule

February 12th Jackson and Ellen Gowen
February 19th Youth Supper
February 26th Trace and Melanie Oglesby
March 5th Mary Braswell Kiger


 

Nuns in the Country

Two nuns were driving down a country road when they ran out of gas. They walked to a farmhouse and a farmer gave them some gasoline; but the only container he had was an old bedpan. The nuns were happy to take whatever they were offered and returned to their car.

As they were pouring the gasoline from the bedpan into the tank of their car, a minister drove by. He stopped, rolled down his window and said, “Excuse me, Sisters. I’m not of your religion, but I couldn’t help admiring your faith!”

First Presbyterian Church Aids in Hurricane Relief

Thanks to the generous contributions of the members of FPC and the matching funds from the session, we were able to send $2836.00. to directly assist the Gautier Presbyterian Church of Gautier, MS. These funds are being used to rebuild from the damage sustained from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina to their church, as well as its members.

In an effort to get the collected funds directly to a congregation in need, Julia Ann Fitts contacted Frank Covington, the previous minister of FPC, who was able to get us directly to a church in need.

Reverend Chris Bullock of, Gautier Presbyterian Church, reports “We are hosting work crews continually and they are working all over the city. They are also blessing our congregation, bringing the hope of Christ to our Worship in new ways, and ministering to us with their love and concern.”

There is a special need, along all their work crews for teams that have skills in sheet rocking/flooring/light-plumbing and electrical. They also put in place an “adopt a family program”. Reverend Bullock writes in his email journal “ I want every congregation to please prayerfully consider adopting one family in Gautier to support/help rebuild/provide spiritual care. I think this program of adoptions can be a wonderful way for a church to offer one family long term support and spiritual care and for all of us to better minister to those in need in this community.”

He reports that his office and the Session room look great, primarily due to the gifts from various churches. And while not all the way there, the sanctuary is looking much better these days. One of the other things that have happened in the last few weeks, is that Mid Kentucky came down and built showers and a building for our washer/dryer. They now have 4 showers and the washer/dryer for their volunteers.”

In an effort to keep all informed of the continued progress, a “journal” is being sent via email to those who request it. To receive this “journal” just place the word “email” in the subject box and place your email address in the text area to revchris@gautierpresby.com. You also may view pictures of the devastation, view their newsletter and recovery efforts at http://www.gautierpresby.com.

Witness Committee
 

From Christian Education Committee

WOW!! The members of the 2006 Christian Education Committee came out in force and were quite busy at our first meeting of the year! We got a great deal done on January 9 and will have lots of dates for you to put on your calendar in the months ahead. Keep an eye on this spot in the newsletter for “Big Goings-On” at First Presbyterian!! We’re looking forward to a GREAT year and want you to be a part of it!

Speaking of being a part of something big—Vacation Bible School time is going to be here before we know it. Our tentative dates (pending session approval) are Sunday, June 25-Thursday, June 29. Everyone loves Bible School and rightly so! It’s always so much fun and (soooo delicious!) Remember, though, that VBS doesn’t just happen. It takes the commitment of many folks to do the Lord’s work. Please begin praying about how God can use your talents and gifts for the furthering of His Kingdom; and when a member of the Christian Education Committee calls on you to help—please do! Better yet, why not give us a call and tell us how you can help! Invite your friends. This is a great opportunity to witness about God’s love.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14


Susan Ferguson
Moderator
 

Eagle Scout Ceremony 11:00am: John Bryant

parlor

Loy Bldg.

6:00-
11:00pm

Supper 6:00

Supper/Hymn Sing Loy Bldg. /4:30

Tuesday Evening Circle
The time for the Tuesday evening circle has changed to 7:00 PM social time and program beginning at 7:30 PM


INVITATIONS

No. 1 The Presbyseniors extends a cordial invitation to all “fiftyish and over” members of our congregation who are free at noon time to attend our meetings on the second Tuesday of each month in the Loy Memorial Building. It is stressed that you do not have to be in your “eighties” to be qualified to attend. Just bring your sandwich, or whatever; beverages and desert will be provided. We take turns among ourselves being hostess and providing the beverages and desert. We sometime have a program, but not always; sometime we just socialize and enjoy each others company. Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 14, and we will have Christina Gordon, the executive director of the Canal Museum, as our quest speaker. It should be an interesting program. Hope we will see you there. If anyone who needs transportation, that can be arranged. Just contact Fritz Fansler.

No. 2 Anyone interested in good Bible study are invited to join the Covenant Adult Sunday School class on Sunday morning at 9:45 AM in the Parlor of the Walker Building. Our minister, David McDonald, leads the class and uses the Lectionary Texts for the day as the subject. We have very lively and interesting discussions along with wonderful fellowship. It is also wonderful preparation for the morning worship service. There are no attendance requirements; just show up!!!
 

How Blessed We Are!!!

News of Interest

Beginning with this issue of In Touch, the newsletter will no longer be mailed. Copies will be in the narthex on Sundays and the church office during the week. Members of the congregation are encouraged to check the newsletter box often. If a friend or neighbor has not picked up their copy, please take it to them. Reducing our mailing expense is another effort to conserve our resources. In the past, thirty to thirty-five newsletters have been mailed monthly. The session approved this action. We are updating the In Touch birthday list. If you or members of your family have not been included in the monthly listing, please make the church office aware of birthday months.

Faye Brown



*************************

At the October meeting of New Hope Presbytery five-year ordination anniversaries of ministers and elders are printed in the docket.

At the 66^th Stated Meeting of New Hope Presbytery in New Bern on October 15, 2005, the Rev. Richard Hildebrandt was recognized as having served the Presbyterian Church for fifty years. His ordination date was May 31, 1955, at Bethlehem Church in Mebane. Dick served our congregation as Interim Pastor from April 1, 1997 to March 31, 1998. I am thankful we were able to share part of that journey with him.

Elders in our church recognized on the five-year ordination anniversary were:

Five Years Fifteen Years Twenty Years

Bill Graham 1/2/00, John Anderson 1/7/90, Faye Brown 1/6/85, Hugh Horne 1/7/90

Thirty Years Thirty-Five Years

Billie Fansler 1/5/75, Jay Crawford 1/3/70


Pennies for Hunger receipts from January 1, 2005 to September 23, 2005 were reported as $488.96. Our 2005 total was $955.46.


 

The following is a news item from the Opelika-Auburn News that will be of interest to many in the congregation as it concerns our former minister, Frank Covington:


Auburn church awarded Lilly Endowment grant

First Presbyterian Church of Auburn has received a grant of $31,400 to enable its minister, Dr. W. Frank Covington, to participate in the 2005 National Clergy Renewal Program funded by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment, Inc. It is one of 124 congregations across the country that will support their ministers in the program, which allows pastors to step back from their busy lives and renew their spirits for the sake of the on-going ministries.

Now in its sixth year, the program invites congregations and ministers to consider a period of “intentional reflection and renewal.” It provides a time for ministers to take a break from their daily obligations and gain the fresh perspective and renewed energy that a carefully considered “sabbath time” of travel, study, rest and prayer can provide.

Each congregation is eligible to apply for a grant of up to $45,000. Up to $15,000 of that amount can be used to fulfill pastoral duties during the minister’s absence and for expenses related to the congregation’s own renewal. The 124 grants this year total nearly $5 million.

Covington will begin his sabbatical leave on Aug. 2, 2006. First, he will study Presbyterian church history in Scotland, where he will spend a week in retreat, travel to sites of historical and theological significance and spend time with “kirks” and pastors of the Church of Scotland, including the Auburn church’s sister church, the High Kirk at Dunoon.

Upon returning to the United States, Covington will spend a week at Columbia Theological Seminary, reading, reflecting and writing. Following that, he will tour several American churches that, like his Auburn church, are committed to strong university ministries, including churches in Seattle, Wash., Lincoln, Neb., Chapel Hill, N. C., and Gainesville, Fla. He will discuss with their clergy and lay leaders their views of their mission to university students and how they fulfill it; he will also worship with them and observe their university ministry programs. To end his leave, he will spend a re-entry week in Auburn.

Covington’s wife, Carole, will accompany him to three of his destinations, including Scotland.”


Faye Brown

Line Item

Description

2005 Actual

2006 Budget

310

143,169

134,374

311

7,361

7,044

312

3,978

3,980

314

603

600

316

775

800

317

1,100

1,125

320

5,264

4,590

162,250

152,513

Benevolences

401

1,752

1,601

402

5,040

4,617

404

600

600

406

96

96

408

96

96

410

96

96

412

1,008

923

414

48

48

416

48

48

418

230

420

420

48

48

422

0

0

425

48

48

426

64

75

9,174

8,716

Education & Fellowship

508

20

72

510

1,359

1,250

512

488

400

514

239

400

516

998

800

518

0

60

520

0

100

521

631

600

524

45

250

526

0

0

527

0

0

528

0

270

529

345

350

530

572

500

531

0

100

4,697

5,152

450

70,607

64,377

451

10,370

8,979

452

6,004

5,671

453

546

473

454

1,217

1,217

455

220

220

456

1,872

0

457

4,188

3,781

458

3,120

3,000

460

1,053

1,083

462

1,515

1,310

464

9,010

8,900

470

173

525

109,895

99,534

550

4,314

4,750

552

8,016

10,843

554

509

439

556

2,956

2,450

558

2,465

3,300

559

0

0

560

436

555

562

0

0

564

190

850

568

0

0

570

6,724

6,624

572

732

1,100

574

318

309

576

240

150

578

4,370

4,333

580

2,635

2,608

581

544

600

582

299

200

34,748

39,111

712

0

159,226

152,513

2005

2006

Description

Actual

Budget

27,852

26,077

22,956

21,180

1,872

0

52,680

47,257

10,370

8,979

6,004

5,671

546

473

3,120

3,000

4,188

3,781

220

220

1,217

1,217

0.08

78,345

70,597

13,079

10,400

6,720

6,720

0

1,515

1,310

1,053

1,083

9,010

8,900

173

525

109,895

99,534