First Edition FPC 2021 First Presbyterian Church Post Office Box 1069 New Bern, NC 28563  Phone (252)637-3270 Email: church@firstpresnb.org Website: www.firstpresnb.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/firstpresnb Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 5 pm Friday: 9 am-1 pm Worship Service 8:30 am & 11:00 am in-person & Virtual 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.

Building Community * Transforming Lives * Engaging the World

Trusting that God's grace embraces and makes a 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. WORSHIP

We are so excited! The time is finally here. The Reverend Doctor Anna Pinckney Straight will deliver her first sermon from the pulpit on July 4th. A reception to welcome her to First Presbyterian Church and meet the congregation will follow the 8:30 am and the 11:00 am service.

Sermons videos available on the website www.firstpresnb.org/worship then click "archives." Sermon manuscripts are available by request and can be emailed to you by contacting: church@firstpresnb.org.

EDUCATION

Read This Book Summer 2021 JOIN US for Read This Book on Sundays in July! 9:30-10:30 am on Zoom and in-person (in the Ministry Center in the large central classroom on the second floor). Each week a different person will present a book that informed, challenged, or inspired them, and connected with their faith. You don't have to attend every week to participate in the class, and friends and family are welcome to attend! To be included on the email list for the class, please contact Maren (maren@firstpresnb.org) Here is the schedule of presenters for July: July 4 No Class! July 11 Stacey Griffith "Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels" by Ken Bailey July 18 Anna Straight "Finding God in the Waves: How I Lost My Faith and Found It Again Through Science" by Mike McHargue July 25 Wendy Moeller "Hope In Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter" by Timothy Keller

The Present Word George Evans is leading "The Present Word" class. The class meets Sunday morning in person at 9:40 am in the Session House parlor. Please contact George Evans (gkevans4@gmail.com) if you have any questions. The book is available in the church office.

PILGRIMAGE OUTFITTERS “Equipping pilgrims for the spiritual journey” July 2021   September Pilgrimage to Iona, Scotland canceled. Continuing restrictions on international travel have forced us to cancel plans for a pilgrimage to Iona, Scotland in September. A mandatory 10-day quarantine upon entering England or Scotland and a 14-day quarantine upon returning to the United States make the 10-day pilgrimage impractical. Other groups who were planning to go in October are also canceling their plans as well. To delay our decision longer would jeopardize more of the funds already invested in this trip. Our group of 24 bonded during the two years of preparation for this adventure, and we make this decision with much disappointment.   Travel Guide, Lloyd

ADMINISTRATION

Sanctuary Flowers Have you thought about ordering flowers in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a loved one? Thanks to everyone who signed up for the Sundays in July! Other dates are available throughout the year. Please see the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

Contribution Notes and Tips      First Presbyterian Church offers many options for contributing to the funds that you prefer. You can always contribute in-person at the church or by mail, but there are also options to contribute online, by text, or by bill payments through your own bank. We also wanted you to know that we change the online giving options throughout the season for those who prefer to donate through the church's website. If you need help with any of these options or ever have any questions about giving, please feel free to reach out to the church’s Financial Administrator, Amber Zapffel. She can be reached by email at amber@firstpresnb.org, or directly at 252-637-3270 ext. 105. A few reminders if you mail your contributions: Make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church Do not mail cash or coins Do not write or sign your checks with a pencil or erasable pen Remember to sign and date your checks Mail checks to the church’s mailing address: First Presbyterian Church ATTN: Financial Administrator PO Box 1069 New Bern, NC 28563

Lost & Found on the Church Campus Recently found in the Ministry Center and can be picked up at the reception desk during office hours. (wrist brace)

OUTREACH

Gifts from the Heart Ministry   It's time to start thinking about the three ministries that our church will support for our Gifts from the Heart ministry. This is your chance to make suggestions. All suggestions will be reviewed by the Outreach Commission and three will be selected. Please email Julia Speight (juliawcs23@gmail.com) or Kim Avolis (kkavolis@yahoo.com) with your suggestions by July 30th.   What is First Presbyterian's Gifts from the Heart ministry? In 2014 our church started the Gifts from the Heart alternative giving program. December you will have the opportunity to purchase cards with envelopes to give as gifts during the Christmas season.  Your donations will go directly to the ministry you choose. It is your opportunity to give a gift of a donation in someone's name instead of giving a store-bought gift. Cards will sell for $10.00 each. Children may purchase cards for $5.00 each. Some of the ministries that we have supported in the past include Merci Clinic, Coastal Women's Shelter, Backpack Blessings, Heifer International, Craven Literacy, and Camp Albemarle. Last year FPC raised over $3,000 for our selected ministries.  ​

Arts to End Genocide (ATEG) Presents an African Jewelry Making Workshop Saturday, August 21, 2021 Location: J. Murphy Smith Center, 508 Middle Street 2 Sessions (limit 125 each) – 12:30 to 2:00 and 2:30 to 4:00 Reservations recommended to 252-481-4772 Workshop participants will receive a FREE packet of beads and materials to make a bracelet and/or earrings. Additional packets and/or individual beads will be available for purchase. This event is a benefit to help fund the relocation of 500 children out of a garbage dump in Bamako, Mali, West Africa to a safer and healthier location.   Arts to End Genocide (ATEG) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in New Bern. For more information, please go to www.artstoendgenocide.org

CARE

Food 4 You   Our Food 4 You program has been restarted and is ready to go. The only thing we need is food FROM you! Food 4 You is (will be) available to be picked up anytime for your family or someone you know who needs it. There is a freezer in the Session House kitchen and containers are in the pantry. Take a container home for the next time you have extra soup, casserole, or whatever and bring it in. Labels are also provided. Thank you for thinking of and caring for each other in this way! Questions? Call Polly Frank, 703-927-4626.

Retirement Centers: McCarthy Court (252)637-7133 1321 McCarthy Blvd. New Bern, NC 28562 Don Bailey, Apt. 208 Morag Cheesman, Apt. 209 Flo Jones, Apt. 303 Betty Elcan Apt. 314 McCarthy Court II 1325 McCarthy Blvd. New Bern, NC 28562 Jean Hoffman, Apt. 39 Dean & Mary Ann Carzoo Apt. 11 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 South Glenburnie Rd New Bern, NC 28652-2624 Kenny Baxter, Apt. 206 Joyce Krumnacher, Apt. 302 Riverpoint Crest (252)637-4730 2600 Old Cherry Point Rd. New Bern, NC 28560 Barbara Bell, Apt. 108 Lane Mitterling Rm 505

New Baby: Bill and Deb Klein are grandparents. William Charles Johnson Klein was born June 20 to Jordan and Andrea Klein in Silver Springs, MD. Thank you: My 90th birthday reminded me of the bountiful joy and love I have always received from you, my church family. I am so grateful for the beautiful flowers and the many cards and well wishes. My cup runneth over. Peace and Grace, Marge Shelton Happy Birthday - Jane Studstill will be turning 90 on July 5th.

FELLOWSHIP

Reception following both worship services on July 4th to welcome the Rev. Dr. Anna Pinckney Straight to First Presbyterian Church!

CHURCH LEADERSHIP & STAFF

Pastoral & Program Staff The Rev. Dr. Anna Pinckney Straight, Pastor The Rev. Dr. Maren Sonstegard- Spray, Designated Associate Pastor The Rev. Lloyd Griffith, Parish Associate Marianna Dunn, High School Youth Coordinator

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

Office & Support Staff Tommy Hall, Facilities Supervisor Marcy Latteman, Office Administrator Cathy Wingfield, Communications Facilitator Amber Zapffel, Financial Administrator Kerri Wheeler, Children's Worship & Director of Preschool Louis Foye, Sexton James Briley, Jr., Treasurer

Session Moderators: Rev. Dr. Anna Pinckney Straight & Rev. Dr. Maren Sonstegard-Spray Karen Reed, Clerk Chair of the Commission is underlined

ADMINISTRATION Marc Finlayson ’22 Phoebe Briley ’23 Jim Findley ’21 Julia Speight ‘22 EDUCATION Gayle Hardy ’21 Addie Cheek ’23 Madison Crum ’22 Beth Paul ‘23 OUTREACH Bruce Pollock ’21 Peggy Clark ’21   Mark Moeller ’23

CARE  Patti Fleming ‘22  Margaret Cooper ‘22  Margaret Pritchett ‘23 FELLOWSHIP Kevin Avolis ‘22 Beth Foley ‘21 Middleton Hinckley ‘23 WORSHIP Janelle Haggard ‘21 George Moore ‘21 Mike Newman ‘23 Hal Vandersea ‘22

2021 CALENDAR for July

Bulletin Insert deadline Wednesdays 5 pm America's Birthday, July 4 Rev. Dr. Anna Pinckney Straight's First Sermon, July 4 Reception for Anna following both Worship Services, July 4 Newsletter Article deadline, July 16