First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Rapids, NC

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

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In Touch -- April 2006

A Note From the Pastor

Source: Book of Common Worship, p. 824
Prayers For Family and Personal Life
Written By: Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace given us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow;
for the health, the work, the food, and the bright skies
that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth.
Give us courage and gaiety and the quiet mind.
Spare to us our friends, soften to us our enemies.
Bless us, if it may be, in all our innocent endeavors;
if it may not, give us the strength
to endure that which is to come;
that we may be brave in peril,
constant in tribulation,
temperate in wrath and in all changes of fortune
and down to the gates of death,
loyal and loving to one another.
As the clay to the potter,
as the windmill to the wind,
as children of their parent,
we beseech of you this help and mercy
for Christ's sake. Amen.

As the Easter story unfolds in the Gospels I am struck by the fact that the apostles had become like family to Jesus. They traveled together, ate meals in common, and prayed together. To be sure, Judas would betray Jesus into the hands of the authorities, but like some families the most grievous injury is suffered at the hands of a family member. Jesus chooses to celebrate his last meal with the apostles. They had become like brothers to him and at the cross he would entrust the welfare of his mother into the hands of a beloved disciple. Who can forget that powerful moment in the Gospel of John when Jesus looks down from the cross in agony and speaks to his mother and the beloved disciple saying:

“’Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.” (NRSV John 19: 26b – 27)

We are members of the body of Christ and therefore adopted into the Lord’s family. In difficult times, in moments of tragedy, in moments of loneliness as well as in those occasions of celebration and joy, the congregation is to become like a family. We are to pray for one another, encourage one another, listen to one another, and minister to the needs of one another.

In gathering for those special services of the season, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter Sunday we affirm that, as a family, worship is essential to our health and unity of purpose. These are occasions when we take time from individual responsibilities and set aside time to be together, to fellowship, to worship, to pray, and to reflect upon the gracious mercy of our heavenly Father and the amazing sacrifice of Jesus Christ his son, our brother. Truly, the Gospel story is good news for our time and all time.

Happy Easter!
David McDonald
Minister

Worship Committee

Please mark these dates on your Calendar:

April 5th- Lenten Service and Lucheon—1st Presbyterian. This will be the last of our Lenten Services to be held before Easter. The speaker will be Rev. Tommy Sweeley, pastor Rosemary Methodist Church. The Lenten Luncheon Committee, led by Grace Fishel and Julia Ann Fitts, is working very hard to arrange for a nice meal.

April 9th– Palm Sunday
The Children’s Choir, led by Ellen Bryant, will be partici pating in the worship service by waving palms as they process into the sanctuary with the adult choir. They will also sing during the worship service.

April 13th– Maundy Thursday Communion Service
This Service is in recognition of the death and des pair of Jesus. After the communion, “The Seven Last Words of Jesus” will be read by candlelight. By the end of the service, all the candles will be extinguished and the congregation will leave in th darkness and silence to underscore the solemnity of the night of Christ’s betrayal.

The communion table used for this service will be an old communion table used in the sanctuary at the time of the sanctuary fire in 1961. The table has been refinished, but some of the damage received in the fire is still visible.

April 14th– Good Friday.
The Sanctuary will be open for meditation and scripture reading.

April 16th- Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of Our Lord Com munion Service.

Please make every effort to attend these special services during this Season Of Lent.

Lee Cranford , Worship Committee Moderator

Newsworthy Notes
From
Christian Education Committee

Sunday School: Sunday, March 19 was a delicious morning to be in Sunday School! Pet Spears (on behalf of CE) teamed up with the Men of the Church to provide breakfast and recognition of our COMMITTED Sunday School teachers. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR YOUR “VERY-MUCH-APPRECIATED” CONTRIBUTION TO OUR CHURCH! J Following breakfast and the recognition portion of the program, we began viewing a video about Peter and Paul. This video program continued on March 26 and will conclude on April 2.

The Youth of FPC-RR are busy! The Pioneers are in the process of planning a yard sale to raise money for their chosen charity-Halifax Humane Society. The tentative date for the sale (pending session’s approval) is Saturday, April 29 from 8-10 AM on the Roanoke Avenue side of the church. We need your help with any donations that you may have. You may call Karen or Freddie Silva, Cheryl White or Susan Ferguson with questions. If you have large items, we ask that you hold onto them, as we don’t have storage space for large items. Again, call one of the above folks and we’ll “pick up” your donations if you need us to!

The Senior High group is working hard on plans for Youth Sunday. More information will be forthcoming!

All youth are invited and encouraged to explore the fun of summer camp!! Camp Albemarle in Newport is currently accepting applications. Access information at www.campalbemarle.org Camp Albemarle has programs for youth in grades (rising) 1^st-12^th. They even offer a mini camp for first time campers or those who just want to try a short stay! Be sure to note the discount available for us since we’re in the New Hope Presbytery!!

VBS plans are taking shape—Here’s a hint—Pack your bags! We’re headed around the world!! You won’t want to miss VBS this year! Mark your calendar for June 25-29!! We are going to sing some rockin’ songs, play some active games, make some “fun”tastic crafts, eat some SUPER food and most importantly—learn some AWESOME Bible stories and truths. Bring your friends! We want EVERYONE to know that JESUS LOVES US ALL!!

Our Library has received a precious donation of Pink Slip Memories written by our own Billie Fansler!!! You learn something new everyday about someone in this church!! I never knew that Mrs. Fansler was a published author. I guess I’ll need to add her to my requested list of guest speakers for school! (You might be sorry you let this “cat out of the bag,” Mrs. Fansler! J) It is a WONDERFUL collection of stories that have been recorded for her family and for us!

Please take the time to use the valuable resources in our library. It is conveniently located in the old choir room located right off our sanctuary. We have something for everyone.

Congratulation to David and Yvonne McDonald
on the birth of a grandson,
Jacob Alexander Cox born March 22,2006.
Congratulation to the proud parents
Abraham and Christiana Cox
of Rocky Mount, NC

Preschool News:

There are a few spots open in the afternoon preschool class. This class is held Tues and Thurs. 830-1100. For any one who is interested please contact the Church Office.

Readers for the Maundy Thursday Service:
Practice will be on April 3rd at 7 p.m in the Sanctuary.

Liturgist

2nd– Grace Fishel
9th– Angie Silva
16th- Gary Hackenburg
23rd- Josh Dillard
30th- Mike Knudson

Flowers

2- Susan & Mike Ferguson
9- Bobbie Scott
16- Julia Ann Fitts
23- Roni Hackenburg
30– Elizabeth & Ed Stack

Acolyte: Alex Bridgers

Nursery Schedule

2- Faye Brown, Beth Brewer
9- Julia Ann Fitts, Sandi Bridgers
16-Nancy Crowe, Debbie Powell
23- Dee Landen, Pet Spears
30– Linda Brewer, Beth Brewer

Ushers:
Ben White
Linda Rice
Faye Brown
Bill Graham
Pet Spears
James White

April 2006

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
						1
25th Sunday in LentDaylight savings	3Christian Education 7:30;	AM Circle9:45 AM Circle in Parlor PM Circle– 6:30	5 Lenten LuncheonFirst Presbyterian Tom Supplee	Evening Circle7:30pm @ Marie Anderson	7	8
Palm SundaySession 7:00pm	10	11 PresbySeniors12NoonFinance & Personnel 7:30pm	12 LOY Building Rented for Retirement Party	13 Maundy Thrus. Communion- “The Seven Last Days of Christ”	Good FridaySanctuary open at Noon for Meditation	15
Easter Sunday-Communion	17	18	19	20	21	22Earth Day
23Youth Supper 6pChildren’s Choir 6pMay Newsletter Articles Due	24	25	26	27 Boy Scout Troop 411 700-830	28	29
Rural Life DayChildren’s Choir 6pPioneer’s 6:30-7:30

Don’t forget our
Operation Christmas Child
goal of 100 boxes this year!

April’s requested items are:
Combs/Brushes/Bars of soap

We are asking that you drop off any donations at the church office. We’re taking them upstairs where we’ll have working space to assemble all these boxes that we know FPCRR will provide for.

Attn: Lenten Lucheon Committee

Will you please be at the Loy Bldg. on Wed., Apr. 5th by 10:00 a.m. in order to help with the setting up of food on tables and any other duties involved with the Luncheon. Committee members are: Margo and Jim Allen, Linda Boyer, Ellen Burnett, Kathryn Carraway, Lee Cranford, Carolyn Crawford, Billie and Fritz Fansler, Faye Graham, Roni Hackenburg, Betty Keyes, Linda Rice, Sally Ray Warren.

If You cannot come, please cal Grace, 537-2847, or Julia Ann, 537-9234.

Grace will be in the kitchen at 7:00 a.m. for thoses who would like to bring their food early.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering

Mark Your calendars! April 29th

PW Spring Gathering will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Durham on Sat., April 29th. Grace will be driving and would like to fill her car with our women. She will leave from our church parking lot at 7:30a.m. and return at approximately 5:00 p/m. Theme: “It’s Time” It will be a grand time to meet, worship with, and share experiences with our other women of the presbytery.

Please call Grace, 537-2847, ASAP, to make your reservation. Box lunches will be served ($7.00), and she will be glad to send in your reservation—by April 15th.

“Family” is not just people who are related to -
It’s people who you care for.
And, People Who Care For You!

Roni

Pioneer Meeting Schedule

April 2nd- 6:30– 7:30
April 9th– Youth Supper—6:00-7:00
April 16th –No Meeting
April 23rd- No Meeting
April 30th- 6:30-7:30
May 5th- Lock in at Church
May 21st- 6:30-7:30
May 28th- No Meeting Memorial Day

April Birthdays

4 James Brewer
7 Ed Burnett
8 Ruth Shell
9 Virginia Day
10 JoAnne Hodges
14 Bill Pruden
17 Jacob Hackenburg
Becky Hux
19 Hayes Boone

20 Lelia Frazier
22 Charles Harris
     Alice Ricks
24 Susan Hodges
     Bob Pearce
25 Yvonne McDonald
26 Margo Allen
     Evans Godwin
27 Harry Fishel
29 Elizabeth McDonald
30 Bonnie Boone
     Sam Johnson

Financial Report

		MONTH	YTD	YTD
RECEIPTS		ACTUAL	ACTUAL	BUDGET	VARIANCE
	Estimates of Giving	16,095	36,189	32,200	3,989
	Non-pledgers, loose offering, and Sunday School	1,214	2,738	2,454	284
	Designated contributions, pre-school contribution, and miscellaneous	893	1,819	1,145	674
	TOTAL RECEIPTS	18,202	40,745	35,799	4,946


DISBURSEMENTS
	Benevolences	647	1,294	1,469	175
	Education and Fellowship	179	777	658	(119)
	Salaries & Related Expenses	8,790	17,237	16,812	(425)
	Property & Operating Expenses	4,207	8,182	7,252	(930)

	TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS	13,823	27,490	26,192	(1,298)

SPECIAL OFFERINGS		MONTH	YTD
	Joy	0	142
	Scholarship	553	553
	Humane Society	78	78
	Total Special Offerings	631	773

COMMENTS:
	February was another good month regarding receipts, as actual was $988
	favorable to budget and year-to-date is now $3,989 favorable.

	Year-to-date disbursements are $1,299 over budget
	Adult choir is over budget by $415;
	Total salaries and related expenses is over budget by $425;
	Gas and electricity are over budget by $1,011;
	Organ/piano maintenance is over budget by $183;
	Computer & printer supplies is over budget by $109.
	Offsetting gains to budget are: Total Benevolences - $175;
	Total of all youth groups and youth choirs - $295
	Available funds at the end of February were $13,030.
	Available funds is defined as: Operating Fund Money Market - $4,894 plus Operating Funds
	checking account - $9,092 minus Operating Funds Payables - (obligations) - $956.
	This is the best monetary position that we have been in for many months.

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Last Updated
July 07, 2007