*Sunday, November 5: All Saint's Day

• Sermon: Rev. Dr. Fritz Ritsch
• Worship Leader: Shevaun O'Connell
• Scripture Reader: Shevaun O'Connell
• Head Usher: Gene Rees
• Side Usher: Mark Brown
• Flowers: Gray & Sandra Parker
• Pennies for Hunger collected
• Women's Fellowship luncheon following worship

Tuesday, November 7: noon: Bible Study

*Sunday, November 12

• Sermon: Rev. Dr. Fritz Ritsch
• Worship Leader:
• Scripture Reader:
• Head Usher: Gene Rees
• Side Usher: Mark Brown
• Flowers: Gene & Peggy Rees

Tuesday, November 14: noon: Bible Study

*Sunday, November 19

• Sermon: Rev. Dr. Fritz Ritsch
• Worship Leader: Valerie Parker
• Scripture Reader: Valerie Parker
• Head Usher: Gene Rees
• Side Usher: Mark Brown
• Flowers: Kathy Moody
• Thanksgiving lunch after worship: see Transition Team article below and RSVP
• Assemble Thanksgiving Meal Kits: 5pm

Tuesday, November 21: noon: Bible Study

Wednesday, November 23: distribute meal kits

*Sunday, November 26

• Sermon: Rev. Dr. Vicki Jones-Johnson
• Worship Leader: needed
• Scripture Reader: needed
• Head Usher: Gene Rees
• Side Usher: Mark Brown
• Flowers: poinsettias

Tuesday, November 28: noon: Bible Study

Pennies For Hunger: Nov. 5

The first Sunday of the month we pass around yellow buckets for our Pennies for Hunger offering. You can also give to this fund through the Realm app.(click here) Just go to the giving tab and select the fund "HUNGER"

Prayer List

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

Bob Keck, Sheila Gifford, Larry Watson, Melissa Wilkins, Ann Yokeley, Jordan Tucker, Bill Rountree, Jean Arrington, Pam Church, Kathryn Benfer, Wendy Byrd, Mariah Tate, Katherine Heath

The sympathy of the congregation is extended to the family of Terri Keck, who passed away on October 30th. Terri was a longtime church member and choir member. She was the wife of Bob Keck, our clerk of sessions. 

The sympathy of the congregation is extended to Jillian Roach and Eve Trotter following the death of their grandmother, Frances Gillespie, who passed away on October 27th. 



If you have a prayer request, contact Anna in the church office or email office@fpcma.com.

Our office administrator, Anna Bush, will be out of the office until November 10th. If you need to contact the church office, someone will be checking messages and returning calls during this time that she is away. She will also be working remotely and can be reached by email at office@fpcma.com, anna@fpcma.com, or you may contact Fritz at fritz@fpcma.com.

You can click on the blue wording to open up documents related to Session meetings.

Agendas: Stated 10.16.2023 Agenda

Minutes from previous meetings:

9.18.23 Stated Meeting

10.15.23 Called Meeting (Confirmands)

In October, our total revenues came to $12,589, and our total expenses came to $13,301.68. We have received $104,526.50 in pledges for the year to date, which is 59% of our total pledges for the year. As we approach the final months of the year, please make sure your pledge is current so that we are able to make our budget for 2023. 

Statement of Activities

Generosity Campaign 2024

First Presbyterian's annual Generosity Campaign has begun! You should have received pledge materials in the mail this week, including the draft 2024 budget. Though the budget represents an 18% increase over this year's to cover salary increases and possible expenses in the search for the pastor, we are only asking that you prayerfully consider a 5% increase in your giving. We ask that you return your pledge card to the church by next Sunday, November 12. 

The Transition Team will be hosting a Heritage Event and Thanksgiving meal after worship on Nov. 19. We will hear about our history and share stories from our past. The meal will be catered, so please RSVP using the button below.

Worship Volunteers Needed:

There are lots of ways to get involved during Sunday morning worship. We need scripture readers, flowers for the sanctuary, greeters, nursery helpers and Little Church helpers. There are sign-up sheets in the foyer, click the button below, or contact Anna at office@fpcma.com

Children meet with Loida Slate in the Scout Hut every Tuesday in November for an hour of Bible stories, games, crafts, and a snack.

The Godly Play group (ages 3 to 1st grade) will meet from 4-5pm.

Faith Friends (2nd to 5th grade) will meet from 5-6pm.

Beacon News:

Youth in middle school and high school meet every Sunday from 5-7pm, in the Scout Hut for Bible study and fellowship. A light supper is usually provided.

Please consider providing a meal for the Beacons one Sunday this fall.

Women's Fellowship Luncheon Sunday, November 5

Ladies, lets get together for a covered dish lunch after our worship service on November 5 in the Fellowship Hall. We will elect officers and make plans for 2024.

To order the Horizons Magazine and/or devotions book for 2024, CLICK HERE.

Use button to RSVP and sign up to bring something, etc.

Music News:

The adult choir will be meeting on Saturday, November 18th at the church for our annual fall retreat! We will begin with a soup and sandwich lunch in the fellowship hall at noon, followed by a practice in the sanctuary with guest clinician, Ellen Brown. The retreat will last from approximately 12-3, and everyone is encouraged to dress in your favorite Christmas sweaters. 

Thanksgiving Meal Kits

This year the Missions Ministry Team is expanding our efforts to feed our neighbors in need. by providing Thanksgiving meal kits. We will still be providing kits to families referred to us by Salvation Army, but will also assist Helping Hands in putting together and distributing their 100+ kits. (We are helping them contact other churches and organizations to fund their kits.)

A $40 donation provides a meal for a family of four. Any amount is appreciated. You can drop a check in the offering plate with "Thanksgiving Meals" in the memo line or donate online using Realm by clicking the "Donate Online" button.

We will be assembling the kits on Sunday, Nov. 19 and distributing them on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Please sign up to volunteer using the "Volunteer" button.

2023 Poinsettia Orders

It’s the time of year when we take orders for poinsettias to decorate our sanctuary for the advent season. This year will be extra special, because our church will be one of the stops on the Mount Airy Restoration Foundation's Holiday House Tour on Saturday and Sunday, December 2nd and 3rd! Please help us make the church look fantastic by purchasing poinsettias either in honor (color will be red) or in memory (color will be white) of a loved one this year. Cost is $13.00 each, and order forms can be placed in the offering plate or you may purchase online through Realm by selecting the fund “Poinsettia/Easter Lily”. The deadline for placing an order will be Monday, November 20.

Thursday, Nov. 30: Advent wreath making event in the fellowship hall at 7pm. Bring your own greenery and ribbons. The frame, foam, and candles will be provided. Refreshments will be served. 

Dec. 2-3:Mount Airy Restoration Foundation's Holiday House Tour Be watching for the sign up link and sheets coming out soon.

Sunday, Dec. 3: First Sunday of Advent

Wednesday, Dec. 6: Candy Houses

This popular event will be in the fellowship hall at 6pm. A meal will be served, and we will need a headcount in advance. Sign up link and sheet coming soon.

Sunday, Dec. 10: Second Sunday of Advent

Sunday, Dec. 17: Third Sunday of Advent Lessons and Carols Service 

Sunday, Dec. 24: Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve

Communion served at one of the services TBD Children's pageant

Sunday, Dec. 31: First Sunday of Christmas

Support Our Area Charities 

Baskets are located in the foyer for donations of non-perishable food for both agencies.

November's special requests are:

Yokefellow:  Tuna and mayonnaise 

Shepherd's House: Toilet bowl cleaner

Helping Hands: Non-perishable food items, paper products and toiletries.

To Receive Realm Messages by Text:

Never miss a message on Realm! Text the word "START" (in all caps) to 910-469-4825 to Opt-In to receive text notifications when we post communications on Realm. You should already be getting emails and push notifications from the app whenever we post something, but this will also allow you to receive the message by text. 

The Children’s Center is partnering with Belk for the upcoming Belk Charity Days: November 3-5.If anyone is interested in a $5 coupon, please reach out to Valerie Parker.

Adult Sunday School:

Odds and Ends: This is our longest established class and it meets every Sunday at 10am in the classroom located at the end of the long hallway upstairs.

Lunchtime Bible Study

Every Tuesday, Dr Ritsch offers an hour long Bible study starting at noon.

We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark.

Bring a lunch if you’d like as we discuss what both scholarship and our hearts tell us as we study God’s word.

Free at-home COVID-19 tests

Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests.

www.covid.gov

Find Local Services by Calling 2-1-1

NC 211 is a free, confidential, and multilingual health and human services information and referral system, available 24 hours a day in all 100 North Carolina counties. Managed by United Way of North Carolina and supported by many local United Ways across the state, NC 211 has continuously gained recognition as a trusted resource in the State and serves as a key member of the State Emergency Response Team.

North Carolinians can find help by dialing 2-1-1 (or 1-888-892-1162) or by visiting nc211.org.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

9-8-8 is the new three-digit dialing code to reach help for suicide and crisis help across the United States. Please help to spread the word about this very important topic, and encourage anyone you know who may need help to dial 9-8-8. Texting is also an option.

Session Members

Moderator: Dr. Rev. Frederick "Fritz" Ritsch

Clerk of the Session: Bob Keck

Elders:

Class of 2023:

Margaret Cockerell, Beth Pequeno, Mike Branch, Mark Brown, and Taylor Pike (youth elder)

Class of 2024:

Lydia Taylor, David Rives, Gene Rees and Steve Yokely

Class of 2025:

Kelley Jackson, Thomas Reisinger, Laura East and Jane Tesh