BUILDING COMMUNITY. TRANSFORMING LIVES. ENGAGING THE WORLD. | |
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So often, on any given Sunday, we get to hear a snippet of someone’s story from the Bible. Sometimes, those few verses are all that the Bible tells us. Other times, it is a part of a much larger story that, when we look at the whole thing, helps us understand both them and God in new ways. We are all more than what happens on our worst day. We are all more than what happens on our best day.
This summer, we’re going to take a step back and look at the larger story of some of the most interesting people in the Bible, because there’s so much more than Jacob’s ladder, David’s battle with Goliath, Sarah’s laughter, Peter’s denial of Jesus, John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. What we learn about them - both their strengths and their weaknesses – can teach us about our own journey with God.
Come and worship: There’s more to the story!
June 2 Abraham
June 9, Sarah
June 16, Hagar
June 23, Jacob
June 30, Miriam
July 7, David
July 14, Solomon
July 21, John the Baptist
July 28, Mary Magdalene
August 4, Judas
August 11, John
August 18, Priscilla
August 25, Peter
September 1, Paul
Peace,
Anna Pinckney Straight
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Over the summer, we're going to let the First Edition newsletter take a vacation for the month of July, but the Weekly Word will continue to go out each Thursday afternoon.
And, starting in June, we are combining our email lists! You might not know it, but we have a separate email list for the Monthly Newsletter and the Weekly Word/Urgent Congregational Updates. The lists are more than 90% identical, so it makes sense that we combine them. If you have any questions about this, please get in touch with the church office!
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William Lee Hawkins Library News | |
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More Revised Common Lectionary library suggestions, now for the month of June -- The primary passages in the lectionary this month come from the Old Testament book of First Samuel and from the New Testament book of Second Corinthians. I have not talked to Anna nor Patrick about their June sermons yet, but my guess is they may be highlighting the Second Corinthians passages instead of those from First Samuel, so I will go with Samuel for our library recommendations. A good starting point for anyone wishing to become more familiar with the Samuels (First and Second) would be the Interpretation Bible Studies [222 IBS HES] edition by David Hester. That text provides a good lay of the land - Hannah’s infertility, her son (the prophet Samuel) and his apprenticeship with Eli the priest, which get us going, leading next to Samuel’s critical role in the kingship of Saul, King Saul’s doomed reign, the discovery of David, and all of the rest of the stories along the rocky road that was ancient Israel’s monarchy.
Our second highlighted book is David’s Truth in Israel’s Imagination and Memory [222.3 BRU] by Walter Brueggemann, one of the most respected Old Testament scholars of the last couple generations. Brueggemann explores from several different sides the very complicated person the Bible portrays in King David.
And, finally, because I am working hard to cover fictional selections also, an old book by Joseph Heller, the Nobel Prize in Literature nominee who some may recall authored the novel Catch 22, wrote the screenplay for the first James Bond movie Casino Royale, and scripts for the classic TV show of the 1960’s, McHale’s Navy. Are you curious yet as to why his book God Knows [FIC HEL] is in our church library? Heller was raised in a Jewish family, lived his life as an agnostic, and apparently grappled with the faith of his tradition, resulting in the book God Knows, a fictional reportage by King David of his life, a very imaginative retelling in which he complains that First and Second Samuel were named after Samuel and not himself (one of those complicated aspects of his personality mentioned above) and even critiques Michelangelo’s famous marble David sculpture in Florence, Italy. A brief scanning earlier this week has me thoroughly intrigued. I will resist the urge to check it out myself until you all have had ready access to it on the big table in the William Lee Hawkins Library on the second floor of the Ministry Center (room 2.27) for the entire month of June. If you get to it before me, please report in! Another exercise in “holy imagining” as we mentioned last month.
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The choirs here at First Presbyterian Church have had parties to celebrate the end of a very successful year. On Children’s Sabbath on May 5 the Covenant Choir sang and rang chimes. Daniel Sansone presented a bravura performance on his May 3 Spring Recital. As his page turner I even got to play a few notes on the rag! What fun!
The Daybreak and Sanctuary Choirs and the Resurrection Singers are working hard to learn all their summer music so that we do not have to rehearse midweek! I am so grateful for all the singers and leaders who bring us wonderful worship music every Sunday. We wish you a happy summer!
Yours in Christ,
Pat Kerr Rowlett
Director of Music
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Piano Lessons with Daniel Sansone
Have you always wanted to know more about the piano but have never asked? Have you always wanted to take piano lessons?
Here’s an offer you cannot refuse!
Daniel J. Sansone, Associate Director of Music and Organist here at First Presbyterian Church will be offering private piano instruction for all ages.
If you are interested and would like to learn more, please contact Daniel at: daniel@firstpresnb.org, or call the church office.
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Organ Recital with Daniel Sansone on May 3 | |
Daniel Sansone's Spring Organ Recital on May 3 was a musical delight. The Sanctuary was filled with carefully selected pieces for Daniel to share with the New Bern community, including pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, sonatas by Felix Mendelssohn, and even a ragtime piece by William Albright! Thank you to our Associate Music Director, Daniel, for sharing his talent and joy with us. If you happened to miss the wonderful evening, please enjoy the video below and follow along with the recital program. | |
Stephen Ministry Program Relaunch | |
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First Presbyterian Church is relaunching the Stephen Ministry program.
Under the direction and guidance of Anna Pinckney Straight, and the team of 6 Stephen Ministers, this ministry is returning to FPC NB. The team will be commissioned on Sunday June 9th at 10:00 am.
Below is a brief introduction to this ministry and ways that you can be involved.
We are called to ‘Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2)” and such this ministry is one of the ways that, as a congregation, we can walk this out.
What is Stephen Ministry: Stephen Ministry is a confidential, equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. Those who are hurting receive love and support through one-to-one caring relationships.
Having someone to walk with, to care, to listen, to share God’s love is what Stephen Ministry is all about. Stephen Ministers provide this Christian care giving to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps ministers enhance caring ministry by ensuring that quality follow-up care is available for as long as it is needed.
For more information on Stephen Ministry, please visit the Stephen Ministry page on our First Pres NB Website.
To contact a Stephen Minister, please call the church office, or send an email to stephenministry@firstpresnb.org
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On Saturday, April 20th the Presbyterian Women of New Hope came together as one for the all-area Spring Gathering. The wonderful team at West Haven Presbyterian Church, Rocky Mount welcomed the group with a delicious spread of treats and drinks to start off the morning. Former PWP Moderator and Area 7 Rep, Brenda Brown, shared her excellent guidance on how we can manage the difficulties or “lemons” that confront us each day to help prevent them from bringing a permanent bitterness to life. Other business of the Presbytery was also conducted. | |
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PW 1: Our own First Presbyterian Women, Moderator Janet Bryan and Carole Koi, were among the attendees at the PW Spring Gathering.
PW 2: Search Committee Chair, Carol Koi leads the new Officer Installation.
Pictured from L-R: Scholarship Committee Chair, Carol Koi; Banner, Janice Smith; Moderator, Roxann Porter; Moderator Elect, Marsha Harris; Historian/Spiritual Enrichment, Sharon Godard, Area 4 Rep Lee Johnson; Area 7 Rep Brenda Brown
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New Circle Opportunity for Women:
In order to meet the needs of our younger women in the congregation, Meredith Edmister has taken the lead in forming a new Women’s Circle which will begin in September 2024. Meetings will be held one time per month from September to May. For those with young children, child care will be provided during the meeting. If you are looking for an opportunity to nurture your faith through prayer and Bible Study as well as a time for fellowship, please contact the church office to connect with Meredith.
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Summer Sunday School Classes | |
Present Word - The Present Word meets throughout the year and is an in-depth Bible study for adults that dives deep into God's Word. The goals of The Present Word curriculum are to engage in a serious study of Scripture to discover its deeper meaning and how it is relevant today. In the Spring quarter, we explore the fullness of faith as a response to God's desire to be in a relationship with us. It meets in the Session House Parlor from 8:40 am - 9:40 am. | |
Vacation Bible School - June 10-14 | |
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“Who Do YOU Say I Am?” is a Vacation Bible School curriculum that examines 5 of Jesus’s “I am” statements found in the Gospel of John. Using the theme of detective work and mystery-solving, children will embark on daily “missions” during which they will gather clues and attempt to decipher the phrases Jesus uses to describe himself in Scripture. Learning is combined with play in STREAM activities (Science, Technology, wRiting, Engineering, Art, and Math), mission projects, and movement.
Registration is open for Vacation Bible School happening June 10-14 from 9:00am-12:00pm. You can use the button below to register grades K-5, Youth Volunteers, and Adult Volunteers. Please select your completed grade.
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Global Citizenship Music Festival - July 20 | |
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This summer, Arts To End Genocide (ATEG), a New Bern based not-for-profit, in partnership with Faith Connection, will host a unique event in our community. The Global Citizenship Music Festival will present music from many cultures including a diverse mix of artists. There will be local singers, local church choirs, singers from the Montagnard community from Vietnam, singers from the Burmese community, and ECU student performers from many African nations. The theme running throughout this inspiring program is brotherhood. As people from all backgrounds in our community gather to sing together, they will have an opportunity to appreciate our shared humanity and role as global citizens. Music has the power to bring people together and bridge cultural divides in a way that very few things can. It can transcend language barriers and connect people from different backgrounds and cultures through a universal language. The event will conclude with everyone joining to sing We Are the World.
This event is a benefit to support ATEG’s programs to help marginalized women and children in Africa. Our current focus is the women and children living in the Faladje IDP Camp in Bamako, Mali. ATEG programs provide basic medical care and food. We also provided Sewing Skills Training for the women, have helped them form a Women’s Cooperative, and built a facility for them to work in. Some of their items are available at the Tryon Palace Museum Gift Shop. ATEG received a grant from the P&G Alumni Foundation to expand this program to include additional women, additional skills training programs, and an additional IDP Camp. We also offer children’s dance and life skills workshops. In 2023, we began a Childhood Education program which allowed 30 children to enter first grade.
The Global Citizen Music Festival will be held at Union Point Park on Saturday July 20, 2024, from 5:30-8:30 PM. The festival will go on rain or shine. Please bring your own seating or blankets. There will be food trucks and you may also purchase wine and beer. The event is free to the public and made possible through the generosity of our sponsors. At-Will donations during the event will be gratefully accepted. Sponsorships are available for businesses, organizations, or individuals by going to our website at www.artstoendgenocide.org.
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If you are interested in a detailed calendar of upcoming Children, Youth, and Family Ministry opportunities, or volunteering, please reach out to
Catherine Campbell, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry: catherine@firstpresnb.org
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First Presbyterian Church, New Bern Staff
Anna Pinckney Straight - Pastor
anna@firstpresnb.org
Patrick Ryan - Associate Pastor
patrick@firstpresnb.org
Catherine Campbell - Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
catherine@firstpresnb.org
Pat K. Rowlett - Director of Music
pat@firstpresnb.org
Daniel Sansone - Associate Director of Music & Organist
daniel@firstpresnb.org
Susan Mabie
Director of Resurrection Singers
Tim Elliott - Facilities Manager
property@firstpresnb.org
Dawn Inglis - Office Administrator
church@firstpresnb.org
Kerri Wheeler - Preschool Director
kerri@firstpresnb.org
Summer Hough - Financial Administrator
summer@firstpresnb.org
Sarah Ross - Director of Communications
comms@firstpresnb.org
Louis Foye - Sexton
Richard Colflesh - Maintenance
property@firstpresnb.org
Stephen Ministry
stephenministry@firstpresnb.org
pastoroncall@firstpresnb.org
After office hours or on the weekend,
a good way to reach a pastor is to
email the pastor on call.
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Share your News!
Have an article for the newsletter? Want an announcement placed in the bulletin? See something we should post on social media? Have photos of a church event to share? Email comms@firstpresnb.org to get your news shared!
Bulletin Deadline:
Mondays at 12:00 pm
Weekly Word Deadline:
Mondays at 12:00 pm
First Edition/Monthly Newsletter Deadline:
the 15th of the month at 12:00 pm
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Physical Address
400 New Street,
New Bern, NC 28560
Mailing Address
PO Box 1069,
New Bern, NC 28563
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Church Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
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