First Edition
FPC November 2020
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First Presbyterian Church
Post Office Box 1069
New Bern, NC 28563
Phone (252)637-3270
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9 - Noon
or by appointment
Worship Service 10:00 Sunday & Online
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First Presbyterian Church is a welcoming community of faith where Jesus Christ transforms lives: through worship, as we praise and glorify God; through outreach, as we embody God's love in service to the world; through education, as we listen for God's Word; through giving, as we express gratitude to God; through caring, as we invite all to join in God's work; through fellowship as we share our lives and faith together.
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Building Community * Transforming Lives * Engaging the World
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Trusting that God's grace embraces and makes covenant with all believers,
First Presbyterian Church intends to be an inclusive place of spiritual growth for all people. All persons are welcomed into this fellowship and membership regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic or racial identity, economic or educational status, or political affiliation.
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Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love the sights, sounds, and smells. We remember that the roots of this country came from a group of immigrants traveling to a new land on ships, their hearts filled with hope and promise. Soon that dream became difficult as they struggled to make it in this new land. As aliens in and strangers to a foreign land, they were fortunate to meet Somerset and other natives to America. After the harvest was complete, they gathered to give God thanks for being with them, even in their serious struggles. One important lesson is the Pilgrims’ focus on living in the power of thanksgiving.
Their history is a reminder for us. Living in the moment and being thankful is difficult for us to do, but it is still quite possible. Imagine waking up tomorrow, and with intention, recognizing the possibility that something good will happen today! Think about seeing each day as an exciting gift. Before our feet hit the ground, and as we are actively looking for the good, what if we “practiced the pause?” In that pause moment, imagine choosing to live like the pilgrims and not allowing the good to be swallowed up by the daily grind of meetings, errands, and interruptions. In our practicing the pause, we get to live in the moment, and to give thanks that we have this day as a gift.
When I was in college, I worked in the summers at Camp Albemarle. I worked with several sons and daughters of FPC New Bern: Stephanie Truesdale, Sandy Woods and her sister Mindy, Betsy Boyd and her sister Joanna, and Kevin Brunk and his sister Shannon. I enjoyed my time at camp and the good memories. Particularly with Camp Director Mike Burcher, each day we “practiced the pause” through song. Often in the morning we sang a song based on Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” The song would lift my heart, ground me in the present, and remind me of the grace of God.
The song “This is the day” reminds me that God made this day, this moment, right now! Whatever moment I am breathing in, God made it! When times are fantastic or when life seems beyond my control, something about THIS DAY is good because God made it. That song focuses my attention in the moment.
I love the words of Psalm 118:24. They remind me to pause to give thanks and consider for a moment a life lived with intention. I am not saying that practicing the pause will keep away the busy day’s schedule. But each day that we wake up, the pause gives us an opportunity to step out of a comfortable routine that may be limiting our potential, to get unstuck from the things that are binding us, and to intentionally live for something that is important. The pilgrims took a pause in their Thanksgiving meal to give thanks for God’s presence, even in their darkest moments of trial. Join me in singing “This is the day that the Lord has made” and let our hearts rejoice and be glad in it.
God, help us to see the changes we need to make in our lives, the risks we need to take, the things we need to let go. Thank for you for giving us THIS DAY and each new day as a gift. In the powerful and strong name of Jesus, your precious Son! Amen.
Shalom,
Edward Bellis, Interim Pastor
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Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC)
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“It’s a Long and Winding Road…that Leads to Your Door…” – Paul McCartney
Not sure if the former Beatle was thinking about the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) process when he wrote those words, but it is an accurate assessment. “Decently and In Order” is part of our DNA around here, so “Yes, Virginia. There is a process.” But, Be of Good Cheer – we are underway and working toward completion of our Ministry Information Form (MIF). We’ll be presenting that to Session and then to the Presbytery Committee on Ministry for review. Our hope is to do this in the next 30-60 days. We will keep you posted as we tread along this path. Please continue your prayers for this group, your Pastor Nominating Committee.
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Gifts From The Heart 2020, 2021
(Coming soon to FPC)
Gifts From The Heart is a way to honor someone you love with a gift that keeps on giving to those in need. Each year three agencies are chosen as recipients of your gifts and this year those will be Camp Albemarle, Coastal Women’s Shelter and MERCI Clinic.
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Each year, Camp Albemarle strives to serve children and families without regard to their financial ability. This year, Gifts From the Heart's goal is to help fund those scholarships for campers who desire to participate but whose family financial situation does not allow it.
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Coastal Women’s Shelter offers intervention and assistance to the many victims of domestic
violence. Your gifts to CWS will help support the running of the Shelter Home. Many victims leave a threatening situation with only the clothes they are wearing. Your sponsorship will help fund the purchase of those necessary items for the residents of the shelter.
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MERCI Clinic provides free medical, dental and pharmaceutical assistance to the medically uninsured of three counties-Craven, Jones and Pamlico. Like other agencies, the funding has decreased while the need for services has increased. Your gifts provide the dollars that fund those services. For every dollar that is donated, MERCI Clinic can provide $10 worth of care.
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Backpack Blessings
Exciting news! We are planning a small community build to pack weekend food bags on Thursday, November 5, Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7!! Yay! We are so excited to get our community and church partners together again to serve the kids in our area!
Our packing event will be COVID friendly. . . I will be setting up a website (sign up genius) that we have used in the past for Summer Blessings. ALL participants must sign up on the website in order to participate and ALL participants must wear masks for the entire time they are volunteering. No walk ins will be allowed so that we can control the number of folks who are in our building. (We don't want this to be a superspreader event!!)
There will be 36 slots on Thursday night, 36 on Friday night, and 36 on Saturday morning for a total of 108 people. I apologize in advance that it will not be possible for everyone who wants to come to participate.😕
I will be sending you the link on Tuesday evening to send out to your churches. Please be on the lookout for the email, so that we can all send it at the same time.
Please let me know if you have any questions!! Looking forward to seeing 108 of you in November!!
THANK YOU for your faithfulness to this ministry!!
Ruth Powers
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The Present Word
George Evans will lead the fall quarter of " The Present Word class: Studying Love for One Another." The class meets online Sunday morning at 10 am using Zoom. Please contact George Evans ( gkevans4@gmail.com) to receive a meeting room ID and password. Book is available in the church office.
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Women's Monday Night Bible Study
Leaders: Wendy Moeller & Marice DeBruhl
Began: September 14th
Meets: Monday 7 pm
Location: on Zoom
Text: Never let it be said that the honorable First Presbyterian women of the Monday Evening Bible Study stood up Dr. Luke and his Gospel, nor The Right Reverend Professor NT Wright, for that matter! We are came back (virtually) for our second attempt at LUKE FOR EVERYONE and started Monday, September 14th, instead of mid-March as we had originally planned until Covid, that “Great Disturber”, arrived. For access to the book and the accompanying study guide, order on Amazon, and then plan on joining us, pajamas or otherwise, on Zoom Monday evenings from 7:00-8:30. General questions: call Wendy Moeller 252-876-7259 or Marice Debruhl 252-637-5468. Please contact: Cathy Wingfield ( cathy@firstpresnb.org) to be added to the email list and to get Meeting ID and password or for Zoom specific questions.
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Welcome to Theology
Leaders: Maren Sonstegard-Spray & Eddie Bellis
Began: September 13
Location: Via Zoom from 8:30 - 9:30 am Sunday
Text Referenced: Christian Doctrine by Shirley Guthrie
Join Maren and Eddie as we journey together through the great teachings of the church and study the beliefs that lie behind words like "incarnation" and "predestination" and "atonement." We will be using Shirley Guthrie's book "Christian Doctrine" as our guide. There is no obligation to purchase or read the book (unless you want to!). The class will meet by Zoom on Sunday mornings 8:30-9:30 am and started September 13th. Feel free to join us even if you can't make every class. All are welcome, and special attention will be given to the challenges of those of us trying to understand our own faith and impart that faith to children and grandchildren (epsecially pre-teens and teenagers).
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Kerygma Class
Leader: Eddie Bellis
Runs: September - December
Meets: Wednesday Nights at 7:00 pm
Location: Via Zoom
November 4 - The Journeys
November 11 - The Proclamation
November 18 - The Church
November 25 - NO Class (Thanksgiving)
December 2 - The New Life
December 9 - The Hope
December 16 - The Goal
December 23- Optional Class
“It wouldn’t be enough to say that the Bible is the record of our search for God… It is much closer to the truth to say that the Bible is the record of God’s search for us. Throughout the Bible people seem bent on trying to escape from God. And in spite of this, God continues to seek after those same people, refusing to give up, continuing the pursuit in spite of countless rebuffs and evasions… The search culminates in the New Testament, where the claim is made that God so desired fellowship with us that finally, not just emissaries or ambassadors or prophets or representatives have been sent – God has come in Jesus Christ! It is the most astounding word that has ever been spoken. It is the most stupendous claim that has ever been made. If anything is ‘unexpected news,’ this is. But there is more to it even than that. The Bible not only tells how God sought a people in the past; it is also a means by which we ourselves are sought out today.”
Robert McAfee Brown, The Bible Speaks to You, pp.15-16
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Thursday Morning Women's Bible Study
Every Thursday
Location: on Zoom
Text:Back to the Well: Encounters with Jesus in the Gospel
Exploring six Gospel texts in which women encounter Jesus, Frances Taylor Gench encourages us to view these stories anew through the eyes of contemporary biblical scholarship. Summarizing and making accessible the work of a diversity of feminist scholars while also engaging many of the more traditional voices of the past, she examines each story's language, structure, and literary and socio-cultural context, and recounts many traditional and contemporary interpretations. In the process, she opens up new possibilities for reading these texts. Includes helpful questions for discussion. Ms Gench will be the Biblical leader at Montreat next summer when our group plans to attend.
The Thursday Women's Bible Study started the new book on Thursday, October 15 and running for 6 weeks and end on November 19. (don't worry if you can't make every meeting). Friends, family, neighbors welcome!! Book can be purchased on Amazon.
Please contact: Rev. Dr. Maren Sonstegard-Spray (Maren@firstpresnb.org) to join and get on the mailing list for reading assignments and zoom meeting ID and password.
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PILGRIMAGE OUTFITTERS
Equipping Us for the Spiritual Journey
November 2020
In this weird time many of us are thirsty for the support of others in such treacherous waters. Centering Prayer and Contemplative Worship are both available in-person each week in the Koinonia Classroom above the café in the Ministry Center. Precautions are being taken to minimize risks: masks are required; six feet separation is respected; there is no singing or unison prayers, chairs are sanitized after each service, and separate entrances and exits are observed. As you prepare yourselves spiritually for Thanksgiving and Christmas here are two “in-person” possibilities:
Centering Prayer on Wednesdays at Noon: We are studying Thomas Keating’s Open Mind Open Heart as our step by step introduction to this practice of prayer. This prayer discipline leads us into a spiritual domain where God is present and active in all we do.
Contemplative Worship on Wednesdays at 5:00 PM: This half-hour service of quiet meditation is focused on the Biblical passage chosen as the preaching text for the coming Sunday. There is time to hear the passage and reflect on its meaning together.
Come and bring a friend.
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Youth Wreath Fundraiser Update!
If you have not yet ordered a wreath from Vermont Center Wreath through our Youth Group, you’re not too late! But time is running out. Any orders made through one of our youth members or directly through Marianna need to be made no later than THIS Sunday November 1st. Online ordering through their website will still be available through December 1st.
Youth Family Night - Scavenger Hunt Food Drive
In conjunction with our fellowship dinner, we will be having another Youth Family Night, this time with a Scavenger Hunt Food Drive! More details will be coming out this week!
Youth Family Contact
If you are not receiving Youth email updates and would like to, please contact Marianna at marianna@firstpres.org so we can get you added to our list!
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Necrology
All Saints’ Observance 2020
Archie Portis, Sr. December 12, 2019
Oliver Gray Wheeler, Jr March 29, 2020
Edna Ruth Watjen April 22, 2020
Donna Fleck June 25, 2020
Hattie Lane May August 3, 2020
Richard Taber September 18, 2020
Joyce Riggs September 26, 2020
Debbie Wellington October 5, 2020
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Veterans Day – 2020
On Veteran’s Day, we honor all American men and women veterans of all wars, past and present, for their courage, loyalty and dedication, and especially those who made the supreme sacrifice by giving their lives. We hope you take the opportunity to express to all of them and their families, and to those presently on active duty, that we are thankful for their service in the defense of our nation.
Name Branch
Anderson, Lucas Army
Avery, Pat USMC & USAF
Avolis, Kevin Navy
Bailey, Donald Army
Ballard, Mack Army
Betts, Richard (Dick) USAF
Bishop, John Army
Blackerby, Nick Army Medical Corps
Bogue, Hardy Army
Bradley, Skip Army
Brown, Jim, USAF
Brunk, Thomas USMC
Byrant, C. Woodrow USAF
Callahan, Ray USAF
Chagnon, Chip Army
Clark, William Navy
Cooper, Larry USMC
Crabtree, Charles Army
Crum, Madison USMC
Crum, Mason Navy
Dixon, Winston USAF
Dodd, Denton USAF
Doty, Ed USAF
Elliott, Jerry Army
Evans, George Navy
Fagan, Brian USMC
Falkenberg, Marshall Army
Foley, Mike Army
Hale, David USAF
Harke, Dennis USMC
Hawk, Roy Navy
Harris, William USAF
Henderson, Chris Army
Hillhouse, Bill Army
Inserra, Paul USMC
Kelso, Christopher Navy
Knox, Henry Army
Krielow, Gene Navy
Lifer, Richard Navy
McAden, James G. Army
McMath, Carl USMC
Meekins, Bettina, MD Navy
Meekins, Charles Navy
Morra, Albert E. Army
Newman, Mike Navy
Parker, David Coast Guard
Patchett, Ron USAF
Peele, Gene USAF
Quay, Bert Navy
Richardson, Terry Army
Rowe, O.V. Navy, Coast Guard
Runser, George USAF
Shuck, Robert USMC
Skinner, Jessica USN
Starr, Monte Army
Sturman, John P. Army Air Force
Thornton, Craig Army
Triplett, Mitchell T USMC
Vandersea, Hal Navy Medical Corp
Watson, Tom USAF
Willey, Joshua Army
Wingfield, Dale Navy
Yeager, Frank Army
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Retirement Centers:
McCarthy Court
(252)637-7133
1321 McCarthy Blvd.
New Bern, NC 28563
Don Bailey, Apt. 208
Morag Cheesman, Apt. 209
Flo Jones, Apt. 303
Barbara Williford Apt. 310
McCarthy Court II
1325 McCarthy Blvd.
New Bern, NC 28563
Jean Hoffman, Apt. 39
Edna Harkins Apt. 34
Assisted Living Facilities:
Courtyards at Berne Village
(252)633-1779
2701 Amhurst Blvd.
New Bern, NC 28562
Mary Olstad, Villa #9
Brookdale
(252)558-1291
1336 S. Glenburnie Rd
New Bern, NC 28653
Kenny Baxter, Apt. 206
Joyce Krumnacher, Apt. 302
Carl McMath, Apt. 708
Riverpoint Crest
(252)637-4730
2600 Old Cherry Point Rd.
New Bern, NC 28560
Barbara Bell, Apt. 108
Ray Henderson, Apt. 20
Croatan Village
(252)634-9066
4522 Old Cherry Point Rd.
New Bern, NC 28560
Lane Mitterling Rm 311
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Dr. Nick Blackerby will celebrate his 90th birthday on November 11, 2020
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New Baby: Kevin and Kim Avolis have their first grandchild! Born 10/14/2020
Kari and Nick Loeber gave birth to a healthy little boy, Luke Alexander Loeber
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New Baby: Dale and Cathy Wingfield have a new granddaughter: Isabella Grace Wingfield born 10/15/2020 in Kailua, HI to their son Joshua and his wife Terri.
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Fellowship Meal Sunday, November 1st
Make reservations to pick up your dinner at the rear of the
Fellowship center from 5:30 pm-6:15 pm
Menu:
"Thanksgiving Things!"
Turkey
Ham
Steamed veggies
Baked potato
Cranberry sauce
Green salad
Roll
Dessert
prepared in our own remodeled Fellowship kitchen by FPC talented cooks.
You MUST order your meal by Wednesday, October 28th!
Just email priscilla@firstpresnb.org to reserve the number you would like to pick up on Sunday or call the church office 252-637-3270.
As always donations for your meals will be accepted when you pick up.
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First Presbyterian Church Campus
In July, the Session brought us back together for in-person worship. We developed a plan and sent out a Session statement which concluded with the sentence, “We will do all we can to provide a safe worship environment for our members and friends. However, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 during our worship services. By attending a worship service, you are assuming the risk that you may be exposed to COVID-19 and that such exposure could result in personal injury, illness, disability, or death.” As we move into Fall and then the Advent Season, we want you to know how much we value this community of faith. If you wish to seek joining us for worship services, we are averaging about 50 per Sunday and can hold approximately 100 in our sanctuary safely. If you have some medical concern please consult a medical professional and use your best judgment in returning, but please know that we continue to monitor and improve our safety process.
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- Bill Lessard and Gwen Walston were received into membership through re-affirmation of faith
- September Adult Sunday School averaged 34 and Children/Youth averaged 4. (all over zoom)
- Fellowship served 64 to-go plates to the Care commission list as well as youth. Next Fellowship Dinner will be Sunday, Nov.1.
- Final disbursement of funds will be made at the October Outreach meeting.
- The music suite in the education center will be renamed the Pat Kerr Rowlett Music Center, in recognition of Pat's 40 years of dedicated service to First Presbyterian.
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CHURCH LEADERSHIP & STAFF
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Pastoral & Program Staff
The Rev. Edward (Eddie) Bellis, Interim Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Maren Sonstegard-Spray, Designated Associate Pastor
The Rev. Lloyd Griffith, Parish Associate
Marianna Dunn, High School Youth Coordinator
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Music Program Staff
Pat K. Rowlett, Director of Music
Vance Harper Jones, Organist
Susan Mabie, Director Resurrection Singers
Cindy Sutton, Assistant Organist & Pianist
Dru Wilkins, Music Assistant
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Office & Support Staff
Tommy Hall, Facilities Supervisor
Priscilla Miller, Office Administrator
Cathy Wingfield, Communications Facilitator
Amber Zapffel, Financial Administrator
Kerri Wheeler, Children's Worship & Director of Preschool
Louis Foye, Sexton
Cindi DeVoe, Nursery
Missy Dixon, Nursery
Lisa Wood, Nursery Coordinator
James Briley, Jr., Treasurer
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Session
Moderators, Rev. Edward Bellis, Dr. Rev. Maren Sonstegard-Spray
Karen Reed, Clerk
Chair of the Commission is underlined
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Administration
Betsy Conzelman '20
Jim Findley '21
Marc Finlayson '22
Trudy Martin '20
Outreach
Peggy Clark '21
Bruce Pollock '21
Julia Speight '22
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Care
Patti Fleming '22
Polly Frank '20
Margaret Cooper '22
Education
Janet Bryan '20
Madison Crum '22
David Hale '20
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Fellowship
Kevin Avolis '22
Beth Foley '21
Peter Moeller '20
Cathy Warren '20
Worship
Janelle Haggard '21
Gayle Hardy '21
George Moore '21
Hal Vandersea '22
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2020 CALENDAR for November
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- Bulletin & News deadline Wednesdays 5 pm
- Newsletter deadline 3rd Friday
- Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday, November 1st
- Communion Sunday, November 1st (All Saints Day)
- Fellowship Meal @5:30 Sunday, November 1st
- Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd
- Stewardship Information mailed, Monday, November 9th
- Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11th
- Communion Sunday, November 22nd (Christ the King, Dedication Sunday)
- Thanksgiving Thursday, November 26th
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