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 -- March 2006

“Move along there February,
March is always in a hurry;
Hustling, bustling,
Sweeping winter snows away.”
 

Every March those lines come to mind. When I was in the third grade in Camden, South Carolina, we put on a play about the seasons of the year for the entire elementary school. I played the part of March and those were my lines. I may have trouble where I left my cup of coffee in the morning these days, but those lines come back without a second thought. Yet, on the morning that the play was to be given before the school in the auditorium, I woke up speechless. My mouth and throat were so dry that it felt as if they would surely crack if I swallowed.

It took a lot of orange juice to make the feeling go away. That, along with an obvious case of jittery nerves, sent me to the restroom several times that morning before we went to the auditorium. My parents and my grandmother all assured me that everything would be just fine – and it was. As I remember, there were a lot of parents in the auditorium that day whose children were my classmates and we all did just fine.

During March we are celebrating the season of Lent. We focus and reflect on the ministry of Jesus as He makes disciples and prepares them for the cross and the resurrection.


NRSV PSALM 127:1-2 A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.

Christ took great comfort in the world that the Father had built. He was at home in His Father’s house. Though the world was a frightening place and great trials and suffering awaited him in Jerusalem, everything would be just fine, he had the promise of his Father. Jesus gives some advice to his disciples as He prepares them for the days ahead that will be full of dread and anxiety. Indeed, these words are of great comfort for those who follow Jesus in any age:

NRSV MATTHEW 6:33-34
“33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”


May God bless,
David McDonald
Minister
 

Worship Committee

We are entering a very special season of the church year , the 40 day period of repentance and renewal preceding Easter. Please mark your calendars with the following dates:

March 1^st---Ash Wednesday—Lenten Services begin at Rosemary Methodist Church with our pastor as speaker. March 5^th---Communion—Elders, Mike Knudson, Ed Burnett preparing

March 19^th—Children’s Choir will sing and have the Children’s Message

Ellen Bryant’s brother, Laurin Smith, will be participating in the service by playing the violin. Laurin is from Athens Georgia.  He teaches violin and conducts a small orchestra at North Georgia College in Dahlonega Georgia.

April 5^th---- Lenten Service and Luncheon, First Presbyterian.

April 9^th ----Palm Sunday

April 13^th---Maundy Thursday Communion Elder Dennis Gaylor preparing

Part of the service will be the “Seven Last Words of Christ”

April 14^th—Good Friday—Sanctuary will be opened at noon for meditation.

April 16^th----Easter

Congratulations to Meredith Ellis
(granddaughter of Mrs. Eleanor Moose)
on the birth of her son, Bradley Robert Ellis.
Bradley was born Feb. 14th,
on his great grandmother’s,
Eleanor Moose, 94th birthday.
 

From the Pastoral Care Committee

This committee is required to have a session member moderator. This year it’s Margo Allen @ 537-7079. The rest of the committee can be composed of volunteers from the Session and congregation. This committee now has the following volunteers: Roni Hackenburg, Ed Burnett, Linda Brewer, Faye Brown and Susan Ferguson. We encourage anyone interested in serving the pastoral care needs of the congregation to contact the minister @ 537-4018 or Margo Allen.

We currently have an active prayer chain supported by three groups of congregation volunteers and offer prayer support when need it. Just contact the minister, church office, Margo Allen or Roni Hackenburg @ 537-4487.

Just contact us and advise us of your needs regarding occasions of loss or bereavement, broken relationships, transitions and illness or injury.

Basically our committee offers Christian love and support whenever needed, either through prayer or active service.

FYI How can we know when to stand up for hymns?? Watch Denise. And-
We stand when the organist begins the last line of the introductions.
 

Music Presentation

Our organist, Charles Harris, is presenting a full musical program of organ music using the mechanical reed organs of the Historic Whitaker Chapel, Enfield.

This will be at 3o’clock, Sunday March 12. Following the concert, you are also invited to a tour of the 1845 Montgomery Whitaker house, “Delphi”, which Charles has spent the last 26 years restoring. This is a treat worth the drive to Enfield alone.

Whitakers Chapel dates to 1740. This is where the Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1827 and is now restored to its 1880 elegance. Both organs in the church will be used and are original to Halifax County. The Enfield Baptist Church Handbell Choir along with David Winstead and Charles have selected light, enjoyable music such as might have been presented to a “group of country people” in the 19th Century.

Whitakers Chapel is located on the Thirteen Bridges Road, six miles east of Enfield. Delphi is the second house on the right after passing the church. (take US 301 to Enfield. Turn at the Hardee’s on Whitaker Street which becomes 13 Bridges Rd.)

Lenten Lucheon

945 @Parlor

6-7pm

Shoes

I showered and shaved......... I adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat........ In a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in prayer....... As I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own.

I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side...... I thought, "Why
must our soles touch?" It bothered me, his shoe touching mine...
But it didn't bother him much.

 A prayer began: "Our Father".......... I thought, "This
man with the shoes.. has no pride.
They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse,

there are holes on the side!"
"Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on.
The shoe man said....... a quiet "Amen."
 I tried to focus on the prayer.....

But my thoughts were on his shoes again
Aren't we supposed to look our best..

When walking through that door?
"Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought,

Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended........ And the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud......

Sounding proud as he sang.
 His voice lifted the rafters......... His hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear..

The shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering.........

And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out......... What the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft "clink" as when silver hits tin.
The sermon really bored me........ To tears, and that's no lie
It was the same for the shoe man..... For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the service...... As is the custom here
We must greet new visitors.. And show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved somehow........ And wanted to meet the shoe man
So after the closing prayer...... I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess
But I thanked him for coming..... For being our guest.
He said, "My names' Charlie...... I'm glad to meet you, my friend."
There were tears in his eyes... But he had a large, wide grin
"Let me explain," he said...... Wiping tears from his eyes.
"I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.'"
"I know that my appearance....."Is not like all the rest

"But I really do try......"To always look my best."
"I always clean and polish my shoes. "Before my very long walk.
"But by the time I get here....."They're dirty and  dusty, like chalk."
My heart filled with pain..... and I swallowed to hide my tears
As he continued to apologize... For daring to sit so near.
He said, "When I get here......"I know I must look a sight.
"But I thought if I could touch you.." Then maybe our souls might unite."
I was silent for a moment....... Knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head.
"Oh, you've touched me," I said......"And taught me, in part;
"That the best of any man......."Is what is found in his heart."
The rest, I thought,........ This shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am…

That his dirty old shoe touched my soul.
You are special to me and you have made a difference in my
life. I respect you, and truly cherish you.
Read this to your friends,
Remember, everyone needs a friend

 

MONTH

YTD

YTD

ACTUAL

ACTUAL

BUDGET

VARIANCE

20,093

20,093

17,093

3,000

1,524

1,524

1,496

28

926

926

572

354

22,543

22,543

19,161

3,382

647

647

686

39

598

598

328

(270)

8,447

8,447

8,195

(252)

3,975

3,975

2,894

(1,081)

13,667

13,667

12,104

(1,563)

SPECIAL OFFERINGS

MONTH

YTD

142

142

142

142