PEWSLETTER
WEEKLY
First Presbyterian Church
Lincolnton NC

"Is There Hope For The Rich? "

(Click on Scripture Passage)
So is Luke obsessed with money? Actually he just might be. A commentator recently noted that 1 of every 7 passages in Luke is about money (I didn't check for myself but sounds about right). Luke's Gospel, more than any other, shows a God with a preferential deference to the poor and a harsh word for the rich. But what are we in today's modern times to do with that?

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus
the chasm that existed between the two in their earthly lives is manifested as well in their after lives. Although the rich man apparently made no attempt to relieve the suffering of Lazarus, it’s not that he didn’t know him, or even that Lazarus was invisible to him. After all, in the afterlife he not only recognizes Lazarus but refers to him by name. Moreover, he continues to treat Lazarus as if he were a servant, asking that Abraham send him to bring a drop of water and, failing that, to warn his brothers. The rich man, that is, continues to fail to treat Lazarus as a person, as an equal, as one deserving of compassion and regard.
 
Must we continue to act that way? Might we imagine a different ending to this parable? In fact, given Abraham’s reference to a man rising from the dead, aren’t we invited to? 

Join us for worship on Sunday at 10:30 AM as we consider the found in Jesus Christ for the rich and the poor.

Blessings and peace,
Danny
Children's Choir Practice This Sunday

The Children's Choir will rehearse this Sunday, September 29th, at 9:30 AM in the Choir Room.
Fall Handbell and Children’s Choir Schedules
 


October 6 and 13
Handbells 9:30 AM Choir Room
October 27
Children 9:30 AM Choir Room

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

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

The Church-wide Breakfast Is This Sunday!
9:00 AM - Fellowship Hall

One of the initiatives that emerged from our congregational conversations was to have a monthly fellowship breakfast on Sunday mornings before worship. The first one will be this Sunday September 29 th from 9:00-10:00 am.
Come enjoy breakfast casseroles, fruit, pastries, juice and coffee as we fellowship together and here from some members about outreach opportunities in the community.
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.
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. Classes begin October 3 rd . For more information contact Anne Marie Godfrey (annefgodfrey@yahoo.com).

Our denomination is responding to the devastation in The Bahamas and along the East Coast of the Carolinas.

September 29th

Greeters & Offering
Mort Wadsworth and John Carpenter
Worship Jan Duncan
Joyground Ann Hallman
Children’s Time Danny Trapp
Lockup Chip Crumley
Refreshments Ann Marie Godfrey

October 6

Greeters & Offering
Pam Sipe and Mary Smith
Worship Jamie Hodges
Joyground Adrienne Hodges
Children’s Time Jan Duncan
Lockup Jan Duncan
Refreshments Kathy Robinson
Communion Prep: Betty Beaver
Servers: Kathy Robinson and Judy Roberts

October 13th

Greeters & Offering
Ann and Randy Hallman
Worship Alice Gene Abrams
Joyground Pat Carpenter
Children’s Time Rick Ramseur
Lockup Mort Wadsworth
Refreshments Beth Stevens

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
Judy Holland
Rev. Don Jafvert, Jane Rollin's father
James Johnston, Kim Fitzpatrick’s father
Barbara Jones, Becky Beatty's mother
Ashley & Aaron Knowles & children , Ann Hallman’s niece
Bob Lafferty, John Lafferty’s first cousin
Mary McKee
Julia Moore, friend of Pam Sipe
Bonnie Mullen
Family of Frances Nelson
Simmons and Russ Purdy , Danny Trapp's daughter and son-in-law
Francis, Jacquie and Julia Purdy, Danny Trapp's grandchildren
John Riley
Davis Roberts
Bryan Ross, Jim Ross' son
Mary Sain, Nancy Rudisill’s aunt
Eric Sipe
Debra Smith, Jill Goins' sister-in-law
Keith Talley, friend of Pam Sipe
Brock Weston
David Wulf, friend of John Lafferty
Brenda Yu, friend of Jan Duncan
Memorial Service for Frances Nelson


Long-time church member Frances Nelson passed away on September 21, 2019. The family invites all to a service of remembrance on Saturday, October 5th at 2 pm in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church.

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 1st, we will discuss Genesis 15:1-18 and Luke 12:32-48. Feel free to bring lunch or just come as you are for an hour of fellowship and study. – Danny
Elder Nominations 

It is time again to nominate church members to serve on the session beginning in January 2020. There are 3 openings as follows:
1 – Class of 2020 (1-year term filling the seat held by Davis Roberts who has retired due to health reasons).
2 – Class of 2022 (3-year term replacing Chip Crumley and Jamie Hodges who roll off at the end of this year).
Please prayerfully consider nominations for the leadership of our congregation and contact anyone on the Officer Nominating Ministry Team. Alice Gene Abrams
(alicegeneabrams@gmail.com)
Jim Ross (annuity2079@gmail.com)
Adrienne Hodges (adriennehodges@aol.com).
October Mission Opportunity – Packing Food
 
First Presbyterian Church will be volunteering at Christian Ministry of Lincoln County during the week of October 7th. Disciples from our church will work that week, Monday thru Friday, between the hours of 9:00 am – 1:00 pm to pack boxes of food for distribution to our neighbors in need.

Come enjoy fellowship with church members while providing a vital volunteer service for Christian Ministry. Whether you can work every day or just an hour or two, please volunteer to take part in this mission opportunity. To schedule a time slot or get more information please contact Betty Beaver at 704-735-6818.
August Financial Snapshot
Cash Reserves on August 31, 2019 = $146,017
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