Obituary of Ray Herbert Ballenger

Mr. Ray H Ballenger, 82, of High Point NC passed away Monday August 26, 2019 in Boone, NC after a long battle with Alzheimer's.

He was born to Joseph Eugene and Edna Farrior Ballenger on July 1, 1937. He married Anne Hathaway, his wife of 62 years after a lifelong friendship in Wilson, NC. He graduated from N.C. State College in 1959 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He started his career in Baltimore, MD at Bethehem Steel. Later he relocated back to Wilson, NC to help with the family business, J.E. Ballenger Refrigeration Service. There he found his calling for Commercial Heating and Air Conditioning design and installation. Ray wanted to advance in HVAC , thus, continued his work at several design contractors including Stahl Rider, Comfort Engineers, Environmental Air Systems, Benner and Fields and NOVA Engineering until he retired in 2008. Ray was very active in his Church, as an elder, deacon, choir member, Sunday School Teacher and in various leadership roles. He also enjoyed participating in Jaycees, Boy Scouts, and local choral groups. He was particularly fond of Classical, Choral and Pipe Organ music.

He loved his church and his community, however, his greatest joys were spending time with his wife and family. He enjoyed boating, hiking, backpacking and going on family picnics. He was a very caring person and never met a stranger. He was always willing to help anyone in need.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday August 31, 2019 at 2:00pm at Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New Market Blvd, Boone NC 28607

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ashe Assisted Living /Memory Care

182 Chattyrob Lane, West Jefferson, NC 28694 OR to Caldwell Hospice,

902 Kirkwood Street NW, Lenoir, NC 28645

Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Ballenger family.

The monthly meeting will be September 16th at normal time.

Camp Agape

This year we had 30 campers from economically challenged or broken homes.  The children were given a church camp experience through the love and generosity of Christian Churches in the Central District of the region.  Our campers had a wonderful time thanks to the gifts of the churches which chose to participate by sending money, campers, clothing and other necessary items.  The 30 campers who had completed the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades shared this camp experience with 6 counselors.  We continue to have some counselors who were former Camp Agape Campers.  This year a work camp from FCC Shelbyville, Indiana presented early morning devotions and led group building games and crafts.  Thanks to the following churches that sent campers: Antioch Christian (3), Salem Fork, Dobson (8), and Winston-Salem, First (19).  A special thank you to everyone that made arrangements for our campers to come this year, and thanks to Connie and Charlie Hance, Hazel Wilmoth, and Phil Royall who drove campers to and from camp.  Be sure to check out pictures from this year's camp at www.facebook.com/campagape.christmount.

Fall Craft Show - September 28, 2019

Crisis Control Ministry

Dear Friends!

New Initiative For New Communion

Our New Communion Mobile Market And Pantry is tasked with providing food for bodies and love and compassion for souls. Now we would like to provide nourishment and nurture for young minds!

We will begin right away to collect children's books to give away to little ones who accompany adults to our distribution events. Donations ranging from baby board books to chapter books for older children will be much appreciated. Collection boxes will be located in the Education Wing between the restrooms as you enter the building and also in the narthex of the sanctuary. Please contribute new or gently used volumes and help to foster literacy and bring joy to a child!

We can arrange to pick up books if you are unable to get them to the church. Just call the church office at 336-722-2714 or comment on this post, and pickup will be arranged. Also, if you know of a source for free and/or inexpensive children's books, that Info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for your support of this new project.

DWM/CWF Day Group to Resume Meeting in August

Come join us on Monday, August 19th, at 3:00 p.m. in the church library as we continue studying the book, "Bad Girls of the Bible", by Liz Curtis Higgs. This month's study will focus on "The Woman at the Well" and the Gospel of John, Chapter 4:4-30. All church women are invited to join us!

In a few weeks I will be moving to Dogwood Terrace in Richmond, Va. I am writing to thank you for the care and love you have given me in so many ways -- phone calls, visits, flowers, cards, food and etc! You made me feel wanted even though physically I have not been able to participate for some years. You hear of special congregations, and I want you to know you are a member of one of the best! The way you have managed the challenges of the past some years has made me proud just to say I know you. You have pulled together under some topnotch leadership and have overcome many challenging situations that have destroyed other congregations. The level of trust and faith has been exemplary. I pray for each of you that your spiritual journey as part of this congregation will influence and guide you as much as it has me since 1962. When we joined the church, the leadership was in the hands of the folks who slaved and worked to build this building. Almost all of them are gone now, but the church is continuing on. I learned many things from them -- things I didn't know that I did not know. The one I remember most came from Mrs. Johnson, Ralph Johnson's mother, 

"God doesn't have any grandchildren!"

-Myrna Law (myrnalaw70@gmail.com)

PINC

1. Your level of interest
2. Evenings that you Cannot meet
3. Types of activities that interest you

You will find a black book for members and visitors alike to sign.  Please complete your information and pass it along to the person next to you. If you are the last person to sign the book on the row, pass it back to the beginning. The first person who signed will remove the sheet and place it in the offering plate .

If you didn't turn in your pledge card and need one you may print one off  HERE , find one on the table in the sanctuary, see Jesse in the church office, or send an email to admin@disciplesofchrist.com if you would like one emailed or mailed.

You can listen to sermons online here: www.sermoncloud.com/firstchristian. A big thanks to Andy Askew for recording the sermon audio every Sunday!

The shelter has a year-round list of needs that are always appreciated. They especially have shortages of men's deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, and socks.  Food items are canned meats and #10 size canned fruits, vegetables and applesauce. Please place your items next to the white bin in the foyer outside the office or in the church office.