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 -- August 2007

Stewardship, tithing, using our time, skills, our gifts, our offerings is or should be all about our relationship with Jesus, our gifts offered as a joyful, cheerful disciplined act of our discipleship; systematic, based on the grace we’ve been given and not perceived as a “must” located in the Law.  Our giving should be koinonia-based coming from fellowship with God and with our neighbors far and wide.   Relationships.  Our giving should be sacrificial, challenging, faith-based, not a rule or regulation from God but an essential part of our relationship.  Giving whether to a family member or an acquaintance is always about a relationship: the birthday gift, watering the flowers when your buddy is off on vacation, helping to build a Habitat house.  So, we ought to see that giving to God is about that relationship.

Our giving of days, dollars, service acts as one measure of what kind of relationship we have with our Savior.  Paul in writing to the Corinthian church shared with them in 8:3-5 of II Corinthians, “For they gave according to their means as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints--- and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.” Let’s notice what came first before the generous out pouring of gifts.  First they gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us.  There’s the essential first…first give to God; this is the preeminent relationship and out of that relationship will flow the giving to our faith family, our community, our world.  Relationships.  Don’t we delight in giving those we love the very best we can do; the very best we can afford?  You are a generous people, and you are engaged in many wonderful ministries demonstrating your love for your God.  However, let each of us in the lazy days of summer remember the essential life-giving and transforming relationship we have and our commitments as disciples.

July 10^th I had the blessing of meeting with the Finance and Personnel Committee of this church.  You have excellent leadership from the women and men who have said “yes” to serving God in this manner.  They carefully discussed the use of the dollars that have been returned to God through your tithes and offerings, evidence of your relationship with your Savior.  You are generous and compassionate and reveal your relationship with others by your support of Hannah’s Place, Habitat for Humanity, Union Mission, just to mention a few.   God’s work is also being supported inside the church: Vacation Bible School, materials for Sunday School, to fight off the invasion of unwelcomed visitors (ask Nancy) and to insure the high caliber of music with which we glorify God each Sunday.  Certainly, what you have given to God is being carefully managed and used to accomplish mission and ministry that does indeed demonstrate your discipleship and the love you bear for your God.  This is exciting for me to see and to share in.

As a part of the discussion of how God’s gifts were being used in the life of this faith-family, we noticed that pledges have temporarily dipped (-$6,482) and while we know it’s more difficult to get that pledge in the mail when the lake, ocean, mountain or family time of  relaxation is calling to you, please don’t take a vacation from your commitment to God through your giving to this church.  We want to challenge you to catch up so that as some of our larger bills come due we won’t have to draw from reserves. We want to challenge you to demonstrate once again the strength of your relationship to God who has given us all.  We want to challenge you in this aspect of your discipleship to “serve the Lord with gladness.”

 In Christ,
 Jane

You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world’s happiness now.  How?  By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged.

Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.

                                                                       Dale Carnegie

I got up early one morning
And  rushed right into the day!
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn’t take time to pray.

Problems just tumbled upon me
And heavier came each task.
“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered
He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I wanted to see joy and beauty
But the day toiled on, grey and bleak,
I wondered why God didn’t show me,
He said, “But you didn’t seek.”

I tried to come into God’s presence;
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
My child, you didn’t knock,”

I woke up early this morning
And paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray.

August 5

August 12

August  19

August 26
 

1
8
9
10
12
21

22
24
 

August Birthdays

Katherine Lee
Alex Bridgers
Jane Walser
Ben Patterson
George Hayes
Henry Bridgers
Riddick Ricks, Jr.
Leila Hegamyer
Josh Barmer
Jeff Dillard

 

August 5 

August 12

August 19 

August 26

 

 Flowers

Available

Available

Available

Available

 

R ally Day
 Coming in September

Watch for Details .

        CHOIR NOTES       

Misconceptions and Truths
For Both Our Congregation and
Current Choir Members

As August approaches and a new school year, Sunday School year, and daily schedule is on the horizon, now is the perfect time to consider joining choir.  The Chancel Choir will be beginning new anthems in preparation for the Fall, Advent, and Christmas seasons.  Much of the music will be new to everyone, so you will feel as comfortable as any veteran choir member.  Following are some possible misconceptions that may have kept you from participating in choir, and some truths about why you should!

 Misconception  “I can’t read music.”
Truth  Many of our choir members are not Music readers. They admit, however, that being in choir has helped their  music skills.

Misconception   “I would have to sing a solo.”
Truth    No one is required to sing a solo!  It  is unfortunate, how ever,  when you praise the Lord in song “so low” that  you cannot be heard.

Misconception  “I cannot commit to choir because of occasional out-of-town obligations.”
Truth  Although committing to a volunteer choir does require dedication and prompt attendance of Wednesday rehearsals and Sunday worship services, your director realizes that  everyone has occasional distractions.  There is a calendar available for listing your  upcoming absences.  (Prior notice is  certain to bring quick forgiveness!)

More Truths

Choir can do more than a single voice! Ranges are expanded, phrases are extended, and dynamic variations are greater when voices join together.  It’s really neat!!  Words combined with music have the power to touch our inner being more than instrumental music, or text alone can.

Choir is fun!    Our choir is filled with some of the most fun-loving folks in our congregation.  It is like a family within our extended  church family.

Choir  is striving for excellence to lift your voice with others in order to   magnify and Praise our Creator, and the Father and Keeper of  our lives and eternity—God Almighty!

Consider praising God with us!  We meet on Wednesday evening, beginning August 8, 7:00—8:15 PM.  We hope to see you there!-

Denise Hackenburg
Choir Director
 

Living Christianity

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one walk with me than merely point the way.
The eye is a better pupil and more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing but an example is always clear.
The test of all the Christians is the ones that live their creed,
For to see the good in action is what everyone needs.
I might understand you and the fine advice you give,
But there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

Carolyn Mercer
Catherine Carter (Mother of Susan Barmer)
Dwight Cranford
George Hayes
Andy Howard
Virginia McCrimmon (Guardian Care,  Rm. #66)
Debbie Overton
Cheryl Thiel
Pauline Perry (Diane Lewis’ mother)
Dorothy Topham (Mother of Nancy Mueller)
Jane Walser
Sallie Ray Warren
Harold Cooley
Mr. & Mrs. R. B. Barnes
Fritz Fansler
Agnes Hubbard

If you have needs or prayer concerns to share with the  congregation, Please contact Margo Allen at 537-7079, Roni Hackenburg at 537-4487.
 

We are planning to have a Share God’s Blessings Food Pantry Drive on the third Sunday of each month.  Please  bring your contributions of canned fruits, meats, vegetables and bottled juices or beverages to church on the third Sunday in August which is the 19th.  Please be sure that all items have a long shelf life and are in  metal or glass containers.

Thank you.

 JUST FOR FUN

My Cajun friend had 3 good arguments that Jesus was a Cajun:
1.   He liked to serve fish to his friends.
2.   He could make his own wine.
3.   And he wasn’t afraid of water.

My Black friend had 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black:
1.   He called everyone “brother.”
2.   He liked Gospel.
3.   He couldn’t get a fair trial.

My Jewish friend had 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish:
1.   He went into His Father’s business.
2.   He lived at home until he was 33.
3.   He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his mother was sure he was God.

My Italian friend gave his 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian:
1.   He talked with his hands.
2.   He had wine with every meal.
3.   He used olive oil.

My California friend also had 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian:
1.   He never cut his hair.
2.   He walked around barefoot all the time.
3.   He started a new religion.

My Irish friend then gave his 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish:
1.   He never got married.
2.   He was always telling stories.
3.   He loved green pastures.

But my women friends have the most compelling evidence of all that Jesus was a woman:
1.   He fed a crowd at a moment’s notice when there was no food.
2.   He kept trying to get a message across to a  to a bunch of men who just didn’t   get it.
3.   And even when he was dead, he had to get up because there was more work to do.

( Submitted by Ellen Bryant)

A Note from the Nominating Committee
Moderator

The Church Officer Nominating Committee is at work and wants suggestions from the congregation.  If you have suggestions for Elders for the 2010 Class, please let me or anyone on the committee know.

Thanks.

Bill Brown, Moderator

Committee Members:  Diana Dillard, Laura Pate, Linda Rice, Bob Patterson

A LETTER FROM THE ORGANIST

These last three years have gone by so quickly.  I have been meeting new people, working with a great choir and choir director, learning new music and even learning to play and like the piano.  But the best part has been planning and providing organ support for the worship services of First Presbyterian Church.  You have shown thru your loving kindness how to live the teachings of Christ.  Now as I look toward the future, with your support and example, I wish to grow in Christ and in my musicianship as your church organist.

As you know, the pipe organ is the major interest and love of my life.  It was the reason that got me here in the first place.  I think of the instrument with all those pipes as my good friend;  A friend that I enjoy spending time with.  For forty-five years your “Casavant” has served your worship services well.  But the time is now ripe (in fact overdue) to upgrade how the organ pipes are controlled by the organist and to complete some of the pipe sets that are incomplete.  There are three main areas to correct.

The first area to look at deals with how the organ works.  When this organ was new in 1963, telephones were radial dial, stereos had turntables and played L.P. records, T.V.’s were black and white and there was no remote.  This is the technology that this organ still uses.  Replacement parts are now hard to find and some parts have stopped working.  Today digitalized electric action is used to play organs.  This will open up many new possibilities of which pipes play when and how quickly changes can be made.  It would eliminate the long time now required to manually change the stops.

Another problem area that we need to deal with concerns the three sets of pipes that are in the attic behind the black screen.  When I first came here the walls that should protect the pipes from heat and also to project the sound out into the building were missing.  That has now been fixed and I am sure that you can hear the difference.  But also missing are the shutters that should open and close to control the volume of sound.  Now fully open, the pipes speak at maximum volume.  This is often a problem when playing with the choir.  Now I  have to use the piano.  Shutters will make the organ more versatile by being able to control the volume level.

The third problem area needing attention concerns missing pipes.  There are seventeen sets of pipes in this organ.  They are called ranks because they are in a row.  One of these is called “the principal” because all others work secondary to it.  The upper half of this set is missing and it is not even hooked up to play with any other pipes except the one set of pedal pipes.  This is why when playing this organ, it is so difficult to find the “correct” sound.  These missing pipes should be completed and hooked up to play with the entire rest of the organ.  The open spaces between the large pipes on either side of the altar window is where they should be.

There are several other technical problems of wear from forty-five years of use.  It is much like changing the oil or filters in a car.  I would like us to make plans to make these additions and upgrades all at one time rather than piecemeal.  When I have information on who can do it, what will be the down time and of course how much will it cost and where will the money come from, I will be in touch.  Please feel free to ask questions or voice concerns about any of these proposals.

The sooner these problems can be addressed, the sooner the music and worship service can have the depth and professionalism that First Presbyterian deserves. It is my prayer that in this and all things that God’s Will be done.

I remain your humble servant in Christ.

Charles Harris

 Note of Thanks

To my Church Family,

     Thank you so much for your calls, cards, visits, And food!  I appreciate your love and kindness in my time of need.

                                           Love,

                                           Cheryl White

 Come Share the Joy & Celebration!!!

It is truly a unique experience in the life of a church for one of its own to respond to God’s call of service and to make the two year commitment to study in the Commission Lay Pastor Program, serving as needed while participating in the program.

In recognition and celebration of his dedicated service to our Lord Jesus Christ and his successful completion of the CLP Program, the members of Stanley White Presbyterian Church would like to recognize

 Wallace S. Spragins. 
You are invited to join with us in this celebration
On Sunday, August 26, 2007
11:15 a.m.
At Stanley White Presbyterian Church
As Wally leads the Worship Service and for a luncheon immediately following the service.

Please R.S.V.P. by August 20th to Tammy Spragins (537-0852)
or  tammyspragins@embarqmail.com