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 -- September 2007

Message from Our Interim-Minister

DID YOU KNOW?

There’s a Transition Team!!  Mike Knudson, Jim Allen, Cheryl White, Glen Lee, and Grace Fishel are the members of a group of folks who are offering me their feedback, friendly suggestions, and a constructive critique of the steps we’re taking to get ready for the next part of the journey for this faith community.  If you have a concern, comment or question, let a Session or team member know.

You have probably noticed in late August we’ve started hearing personal stories in worship where the individuals shared some of God’s glorious deeds in this church; in the first transition workshop, BACK TO THE FUTURE, we want to give everyone the opportunity to share their memories of great joy and success and of failure and grief in life of this congregation.

In order to move confidently into God’s future, it is essential for a congregation to come to terms with its past.  “Remember the days when we had so many people that it was hard to find a seat?”  This question, or one like it, is heard countless times across the Presbyterian landscape.  The past was wonderful.  The past deserves to be remembered and celebrated.  Without our past, congregations would not exist today….   Yet we cannot live in the past.  Nor can the past be recreated in exactly the same form that it was.  The world has moved on.  Some people say, “If only things could be like they were before, then everything would be fine.” If only we would do things the way we used to, all our problems would be solved.” 

Yet we know we cannot return to the past.  We are aware of the “Seven Last Words of the Church: We’ve  always done it that way before.”

One definition states that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.”  If all the things that we had been doing for so many years still worked, why are we experiencing some problems today?  How can we celebrate the past without being held captive by it? (Five Dynamics…Watley and Smith)

Memory is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. Properly used, memory enables a person or a community to become whole, to mature, and to make wise use of the lessons of experience.  Scripture is full of stories to emphasize the importance of remembering history for generations.  The earliest generations of Christian churches were inspired by the retelling of the stories of the heroes of the faith.(Gripe, p.40-41).  When we gather together on September 16^th for lunch and sharing our memories, we are allowing God to use the stories of this generation and those of the immediate past to teach us from our mistakes and encourage us from our faithful actions.  Let us look back together to ready ourselves for the exciting dreams and visions God will give which will lead into a faithful future.  Be persistent in prayer that our first workshop will allow us to listen to one another, to forgive, to celebrate, to be thankful and to be open as the Holy Spirit brings fresh wind and fire for the future.

 Jane

“Seasons of the Spirit”

Seasons of the Spirit is the name of the literature that will be used at First Presbyterian for the coming year.  It promises to be a new and exciting approach for our Sunday school.  All of our classes will be studying the same subject matter each Sunday.  We plan for all classes to meet in the Loy Building during the Sunday school time on several Sunday’s in the coming months.  We will share our thoughts in music, skits, in missions and other various ways in our time together.  There will be a class for all ages of youth and two adult classes.

And we plan to precede our studies with coffee, juice, donuts or muffins at 9:30 on Sunday mornings.  This will give us fellowship together before going to our individual classes.

Please note the symbolism of the “Seasons of the Spirit” logo on the cover of this newsletter. This was printed in black and white, but there will be colored posters of this logo on our bulletin boards.

Seasons of the Spirit is a lectionary-based resource created by an international team of writers and editors representing denominations from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, and the UK.
 

TTheological Foundations
 

Our vision is to provide God's people with lectionary-based, ecumenical resources that empower all ages to be transformed in Christ as they:

•  explore meaning and mystery in the Bible;

•  celebrate in worship, sacraments, education, and service;

•  engage in ministries of love, justice, and witness;

•    and live in inclusive communities of faith, shaped and led by the Holy Spirit

                  Lelia Frazier for Christian Education Committee

Dinner 4 Six

 What do you think of the idea of forming a “Supper Club” for First Presbyterian?  It has been suggested if would be fun and a good chance to get to know each other by having such a group.  The rules won’t be strict, but the plan suggested is that among the people interested that we would meet in groups of six for a three months.  Then we would have a “fruit basket turnover” for the next three months and on from there.  This would be for anyone interested.  We can have couples and singles.   The singles can join as a pair or we can match two members together.  We want to start in October so please let us know by the 15^th of September.

R ally Day
September 9, 2007
Seasons of the Spirit

 Summer is over and it is time to Rally with the Seasons of the Spirit.  Join us for food, fellowship, music, fun and much more at 9:45 on the 9^th.  Come and get excited about the new things in store for the coming year.

* * *

Golf on the 8^th at 8
Rally Day Tournament

Join “the good and the not so good” golfers for a round of fun at Chockoyotte Country Club on September 8^{th at} 8 a.m.  Surely you can fit in one of these groups!!!  It has been several years since we’ve played together so dust off your clubs and join the group.  Call Bob Patterson at 533-0353 if you plan to play.  Bring a friend.

Youth Leaders

I wish that all of you could have been in church on August 19^th to hear Susan Fergerson give us encouragement to join in and do our part in giving our youth the Christian education that they deserve.  We need a Sunday school teacher to help Tanya Glasgow with the pre-k thru 2^nd grade class.  And all three youth groups need leaders.  This is a perfect situation for some team teaching.  Join with someone that you respect and feel could help lead our kids.  Jane reminded us that when a child is baptized in our church that the congregation as a whole assumes responsibility for nurturing the baptized person in the Christian life.  Please pray about this and give our needs your careful consideration.  You will be the one that is rewarded as you get to work with and to know the young people of our church. 

Lelia Frazier

Moderator for Christian Education

Dear Church Family,

     One of our greatest blessings has always been the love and fellowship of First Presbyterian Church.  Dennis and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for the many prayers, visits, food and cards sent to us this past summer after my surgery and when Dennis’ Dad died.

     God’s love is reflected in your many kindnesses.  Thanks for everything and may God bless each of you!

     Much love,
     Susan and Dennis Gaylor                    

JOYS:  Jane Walser, Bayberry

            Will Ricks

             Nancy  & Bill Mueller’s Mothers

             Birth of daughter to Edward and Elizabeth Hubbard Stack           

CONCERNS:

Terry Tomlinson

Mr. & Mrs. R. B. Barnes                                         

Dwight Cranford                                                

Andy Howard

Sallie Ray Warren

Catherine Carter (Mother of Susan Barmer)

Pauline Perry Family

Chris Borrell (Duke Hospital; Friend of Alicia Grimes)

Beth Walton (Sister of Joe Hagan)

Debbie Overton (Niece of Becky Hux)

Fritz Fansler                                      

Agnes Hubbard

Knudson Family in the death of Noreen’s father, Ben Jones

Virginia Day’s Family in loss of her son, Thomas Wilson

Cheryl Thiel

The Griffin & Thompson Families in the loss of their son-in-law & nephew,

     Dr. Michael Fiedler

If you have needs or prayer concerns to share with the congregation,

please contact Margo Allen at 537-7079 or Roni Hackenburg at  537-4487.

Nursery

Birthdays

Flowers

Sept. 3

5
 9

13
15
17

19
20
22

 

9

16

23

30

 

LOST & FOUND

Found:  A  Bible and a pair of  sunglasses.  If  these may be yours,  please check in the office.

BACK TO THE FUTURE: TRANSITION WORKSHOP 1

         When?     September 16, 2007  after  worship

         Where?   Loy Memorial  - Fellowship Hall

         Who?      ALL OF YOU!!

         What?     Lunch  together and sharing your stories of

                           God’s glorious deeds here at FPCRR.

* * *

DICIPLESHIP CHALLENGES

1. Be persistent in prayer.  Remember to pray for this church everyday at lunch: in thanksgiving for the faithful foundation of those in the past; in expectation for God’s vision for the future; and in faithfulness for the new leadership both pastoral and lay.

2. Remember your baptismal vows to those who are growing up in their faith in your midst.  Please prayerfully consider how God might use you to be a part of encouraging them.

3. Consider your community and ask where God might be calling this congregation to support, to supply needs, to fight for justice, to work for the Kingdom to draw near.  Share your ideas with each other, with Session members, with me.

4. Answer the question for yourself:  What claim does Jesus Christ have on me personally?

5. Share your answer with one other person in this church.  Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all.”  Practice sharing your joy  in Christ with others.

* * *

Check our website @ www.fpcrr.com and view the old timey picture of our church  or you may see it in the church office.  Perhaps you can tell us the approximate date it was taken.  Photo compliments of  Marvin Allen.                                                                                   Bob Pearce

      No Bake Blueberry Pie  

 Ingredients:   2     cups blueberries

                     1     cup chopped pecans

                     1     can sweetened condensed milk

                     1/4  cup melted margarine

                     1/3  cup lemon juice

                     1     16 oz. container Cool Whip

                     2      graham cracker pie shells

Combine milk, blueberries, nuts and margarine.  Add lemon juice. Gradually fold in cool whip. (Save small amount for topping)  Poor into pie shells and top with saved cool whip.  Let chill for two hours.  Makes two pies.  ENJOY!

WINNING WORDS

God loves us the way we are but He loves us too much to leave us that way.                                                                Leighton Ford

Do not have your concert first and tune your instruments afterwards.  Begin the day with God.
                                                                           James Hudson Taylor

Attention:  Committee Chairpersons

Please be reminded that newsletter information is due on the 20th of the month.  We can’t put it information in the newsletter if we haven’t heard from your committee.  Let us know what’s happening in your committee,your plans and anything else of interest to our congregation.

We would also like to have input from our individual church family members in your excitement of life’s events as well as  in your sorrows.

* * *

 Looking for Jesus

 Matthew 25:37-40:  Then the righteous will answer Him, saying “Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink?  And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked and clothe You?  And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?  And the King will say to them, “Truly, I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these of Mine, even the least of these, you did it to Me.

 Last Sunday you brought 33 back packs to your God; and you contributed $ 67 dollars toward the purchase of more.**  I met with Marsha Brown our liaison from the Department of Social Services on Sunday afternoon with 60 back packs and we joyfully filled her trunk, back seat and front seat with all those “book bags.”   As she loaded up her car, even the rain couldn’t dampen our excitement as we thought about the next day distribution of the packs to the children in the community.  What joy we know when we look for Jesus in our community and find ways of giving to Him.  LOOK FOR JESUS wherever you go and let Session or Jane know if you see Jesus in need so we can respond.

 **  If  you didn’t have the opportunity to contribute to getting the backpacks to those in need and would like, please feel free drop a check in the collection plate marked “Backpacks.”