Jonah:
"Faith Evolving
"
(Click on Scripture Passage)
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Who does God like? Everybody you say? Then why don't we, made in the image of God, like everybody as well? These are questions that, spending 4 weeks in the Book of Jonah, are hard to avoid.
In our final episode of this parabolic saga we see God acting just like God and Jonah acting just like...well...us. We good, church-going Christians jump through a lot of hoops to show God (and the world) our love and devotion. For God to not play favorites just doesn't seem fair.
But God does play favorites. The poor, the widows, the orphans, the hungry, the captives, the blind, the lame, the immigrant, etc. etc. etc. We get the point. God wants us to stop worrying so much about who doesn't deserve his grace and mercy (in our ever so humble opinions) and to concern ourselves with those to whom God consistently shows preference. That list.
Join us for worship on Sunday at 10:30 AM as we conclude our month with Jonah and consider the fable's application to our lives and the life of the Church.
Blessings and peace,
Danny
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Sunday Is Five Cents A Meal
During Sunday's offering please consider coming to the front of the sanctuary with a donation to 5 Cents A Meal. This ministry of the Presbytery of Western NC returns funds collected throughout the year to local communities in the form of grants to hunger focused ministries.
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Children's Book Shower for Scottie and Danny -
All Welcome To This Church-wide Event
Come Celebrate with the newest grandparents-to-be at First Presbyterian Church! Everyone is invited to stay after worship this Sunday, August 25th, for a light lunch provided by the ladies of the church. We want everyone to “shower” Danny and Scottie Trapp with children’s books to read to their precious grand babies when they come for a visit!
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August Focus On Jonah
Sunday is the 4
th
and final installment of our August focus on the Book of Jonah. What do we do when it seems obvious that God likes people that we don't? What can the lack of a neat and tidy ending to the story tell us about the people of Israel and our own journey with a forgiving and merciful God?
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Thank you to everyone for the great turnout for both meetings the past 2 Tuesdays. The session meets next week and will work on planning and communication coming out of those meetings.
A few key highlights:
- Energy around the acronym L.I.F.E – Love, Inclusion, Fellowship, Engagement.
- Special emphasis on inclusion – beginning within but moving beyond our doors.
- Desire to identify needs in the community not already being met.
- Starting a monthly Sunday morning breakfast beginning in September – starting with congregation but growing to include friends and community. Free of charge. Will feature conversation and information around community needs and ministry opportunities.
- Affirming that thriving congregations are fearless and especially not afraid of failure.
A process of continued and expanded communication on these endeavors and others will be developed to further emphasize the inclusive atmosphere we desire. Everyone at First Presbyterian Church should be affirmed in what you do and what you want to do.
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July and YTD Financial Picture
The chart below shows income and expenses for the month of July as well as the year-to-date totals and comparisons to last year. The income number was bolstered by some large gifts in memory of Tom Bowen. Cash reserves at July 31 were $149,212.
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Preschool To Begin In Temporary Classrooms
Work has begun to get the preschool ready for parent orientation on August 28
th. This includes carpet removal and painting upstairs, cleaning and rearranging the nursery room and temporary rolling walls to create a classroom atmosphere in the fellowship hall. Please keep the staff, teachers, students and parents in prayer as they adapt to this temporary environment.
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August 25th
Greeters & Offering
Randy and Ann Hallman
Worship Kathy Robinson
Joyground Adrienne Hodges
Children’s Time Jan Duncan
Lockup John Carpenter
September 1st
Greeters & Offering
John and Pat Carpenter
Worship Jan Duncan
Joyground Pat Carpenter
Children’s Time Rick Ramseur
Lockup Pam Sipe
Refreshments Alice Gene Abrams
Communion:
Preparation Mary Smith
Servers Jan Duncan and Joe Morgan
September 8th
Greeters & Offering
Rick and Myra Ramseur
Worship Sandy Eldridge
Joyground Mary Smith
Children’s Time Kathy Robinson
Lockup Mort Wadsworth
Refreshments Christine Thomas
I
f
you cannot serve, please find your own replacement and notify the office of the change.
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Mark Eldridge
Helen Fox,
Evelyn Ross' mother
Ralph Freeman
Ann Haire
Judy Holland
Rev. Don Jafvert,
Jane Rollin's father
James Johnston,
Kim Fitzpatrick’s father
Bob Lafferty,
John Lafferty’s first cousin
Mary McKee
Bonnie Mullen
Simmons and Russ Purdy,
Danny Trapp's daughter
John Riley
Davis Roberts
Bryan Ross,
Jim Ross' son
Mona Scronce,
friend of Pam Sipe
Eric Sipe
Keith Talley,
friend of Pam Sipe
Brock Weston
David Wulf,
friend of John Lafferty
Brenda Yu,
friend of Jan Duncan
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Remember to keep students, teachers and parents in your prayers as they begin another year of school. May God bless them with wisdom, patience, perseverance and safety.
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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, August 27th, we will discuss Jeremiah 2:4-13 and Luke 14:1, 7-14. Feel free to bring lunch or just come as you are for an hour of fellowship and study. – Danny
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Do You Share The Pewsletter Weekly?
Forwarding this weekly email to friends and neighbors is a great way to let people know about the life of our church. Anyone who wants to receive it is welcome to subscribe. Get the word out!
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Have You Considered a Planned Legacy Gift?
Planned giving is simply giving that requires a little extra planning to accomplish. Typically, a planned gift is structured to be completed in the future – describing a gift in a will or trust document, creating a charitable gift annuity, or naming the church as a beneficiary of an IRA.
A major planned gift can be the culmination of a lifetime of faithful discipleship for the giver – and a true legacy that will bear ministry fruitfulness far into the future.
Please Remember First Presbyterian Church in your estate plans.
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