PEWSLETTER
WEEKLY
First Presbyterian Church
Lincolnton NC

" Nevertheless, She Persisted... "

(Click on Scripture Passage)
I'm grateful. In my sermon last Sunday I encouraged everyone to experiment with expressing gratitude by answering simple rote greetings with the response "I'm grateful." Southerner's have the (sometimes annoying) habit of greeting people by saying "how are you?" or "how ya doin'?" instead of simply saying hello.

Our pre-programmed answer to this is usually "fine" or "good." Sometimes we might say "great!" If we are doing anything other than good, fine or great we typically do not say so, and if we did say something like "it's a really bad day" it can make for an awkward interaction. The idea for the response "I'm grateful" stems from the gratitude expressed to Jesus by the Samaritan who was the only one of the 10 healed lepers who turned back to praise God and thank Jesus.

It's is difficult to alter your muscle memory and I have slipped up several times this week saying "good" or "great" in response to a friendly "how are you." But I have remembered to say it just as much and it feels good. It gets a positive reaction from folks. It can lead to deeper dialogue. And it is a reminder to me that I am indeed grateful, something I don't reflect on nearly enough.

I hope many of you have tried to do this and have had some success. It takes time and I suggested last week we try this through the end of October. Not as a test to see who can make it and then go back to "fine" and "good" on November 1st but in hopes that 3 weeks of "I'm grateful" will be enough to alter our muscle memory and turn us into disciples of Jesus expressing our gratitude like the healed Samaritan leper.

If you were not at church last Sunday or have forgotten about our "homework," I suggest you give it a try. Answer the routine greeting of "How are you?" with "I'm grateful." You may be surprised to learn just how grateful you really are.

This week we turn our attention to persistently wrestling with God and each other in pursuit of justice and faith.

Join us for worship on Sunday at 10:30 AM as we look to Jacob and a persistent widow for clues to the kingdom of God that is within and among us.

Blessings and peace,
Danny
Fall Handbell and Children’s Choir Schedules
 



There will be no Children’s Choir rehearsal on October 20th

October 27 Children    9:30 AM     Choir Room

Nov. 3 and 10 Handbells 9:30 AM Choir Room
Nov. 17 and 24 Children 9:30 AM  Choir Room

The typical schedule through December will continue to be:
Handbells – 1st and 2nd Sunday
Children’s Choir 3rd and 4th Sunday

Next Churchwide Breakfast is October 27th
Make plans to attend breakfast next Sunday October 27 th in the fellowship hall at 9 am. As part of our time together we will hear about a special opportunity for discipleship engagement with Battleground Elementary School. No need to bring food if you have not been asked to do so. 
Breakfast Dates Set For Remainder Of The Year
The following church-wide breakfast dates have been set for 2019.
October 27
November 24
December 22
They will be from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM in the fellowship hall.
October 20th

Greeters & Offering
Davis and Judy Roberts
Worship Adrienne Hodges
Joyground Mary Smith
Children’s Time Kathy Robinson
Lockup John Carpenter
Refreshments Pat Carpenter

October 27th

Greeters & Offering
Adrienne and Jamie Hodges
Worship Olivia Hodges
Joyground Anna Gilbert
Children’s Time Christine Thomas
Lockup Pam Sipe
Refreshments Anna Gilbert

I f you cannot serve, please find your own replacement and notify the office of the change.
Mark Eldridge
Becky Forester, Friend of Pam Sipe
Helen Fox, Evelyn Ross' mother
Ralph Freeman
Ann Haire
Phillip Hicks, father of preschooler Bentley Hicks
Judy Holland
Rev. Don Jafvert, Jane Rollin's father
James Johnston, Kim Fitzpatrick’s father
Barbara Jones, Becky Beatty's mother
The Lafferty Family
Carolyn Lee, on the death of her son Jack
Julia Moore, friend of Pam Sipe
Bonnie Mullen
Simmons and Russ Purdy , Danny Trapp's daughter and son-in-law
Francis, Jacquie and Julia Purdy, Danny Trapp's grandchildren
Family of John Riley
Bryan Ross, Jim Ross' son
Eric Sipe
Keith Talley, friend of Pam Sipe
Brenda Yu, friend of Jan Duncan
Pastor’s Bible Study – Looking Toward Sunday

Join me downstairs in the Choir Room on Tuesdays at 12:30 pm for a study of the Scripture texts for the following Sunday. This Tuesday, October 22nd, we will discuss Joel 2:23-32 and Luke 18:9-14. Feel free to bring lunch or just come as you are for an hour of fellowship and study. – Danny
Elder Nominations 

Thank you for your response in recommending members to serve as elders. Keep the Nominating Committee in prayer as they work to discern God's call to leadership at FPCL
Christian Ministry Needs

Christian Ministry of Lincolnton is in need of the following items:

  • toilet paper
  • bar soap
  • toothpaste
  • laundry detergent

Please bring to church and place on the pew by the office or drop them off yourself at Christian Ministry.
Join Drawing Class on Thursday Mornings

Do you have artistic talent that needs some direction? Have you always wanted to learn how to draw? Join Anne Marie Godfrey on Thursday mornings at 10 AM in the Apple Classroom as she leads a class on the basics of drawing and sketching. For more information contact Anne Marie Godfrey (annefgodfrey@yahoo.com).
September Financial Snapshot
Cash Reserves on September 30, 2019 = $146,758
Serve the Lord with gladness...
Psalm 100:2
"Working Hand in Hand With The Lord"


Emergency Services
Soup Kitchen
LINC Meals
Nursing Home Ministry
Amazing Race Against Hunger (replaces Hunger Walk)
Christmas Ministry
Souper Bowl of Caring


2019 Soup Kitchen Dates
Sign-up sheet on refreshment table.


First Presbyterian Church is hosting lunch at the Christian Ministry Soup Kitchen on the following Saturdays in 2019

December 7th

Please sign up on the sheet located on the refreshment table in the sanctuary or contact Pam Sipe.
REACH TEACH FEED LOVE
Church Staff
Rev. Danny Trapp, Pastor   dtrapp@carolina.rr.com (cell—704-654-1319)
Rebecca Beatty Director of Music, Organist becbea50@gmail.com
Jill Goins   Administrative Assistant admin@fpclincolnton.org
Kristen Willis  Preschool Director  preschool@fpclincolnton.org
Nancy Rudisill  Sexton     admin@fpclincolnton.org