A P R I L 3 , 2 0 1 9

ST P R E S S

First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia, NC

1 CONGREGATIONAL

CARES

BIRTHS:

To Diane and Dick

Belton on the birth of their grandson Andrew

Michael O'Neal born March 7, 2019

CONDOLENCES:

To Elizabeth Morgan-

Medina, Bill Morgan

and Tommy Dixon on

the death of Elizabeth

and Bill's mother and

Tommy's wife Olivia

Morgan Dixon on

March 8, 2019

To Lynne and Claude Hathcock on the death of Lynn's mother Bobbie Blanton Baldwin on March 1, 2019.

To Emily and Hu Craig upon the death of Emily's father William Graham ("Bill") Craig, March 16, 2019.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

1621 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia NC 28054

Phone: 704-864-2651

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS TO:

communications@fpcgastonia.org

Next Deadline: April 25, 2019

Volume: 24

Faith Alive

Holy Week and Easter Opportunities

Palm/Passion Sunday, April 14

9:00 a.m. Thrive, Fellowship Hall

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship with the Carolina Brass, Sanctuary

Children’s Egg Hunt following the 11:00 a.m. service (gather in the Memorial Gallery about 12:00 p.m.)

Wednesday, April 17

Lenten Lunch at Holy Trinity Lutheran, 12:00 p.m. Rev. Lauren Sease Vanacore, Minister

Meal at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall;

Stations will begin at 6:15 p.m. from the Fellowship Hall Maundy Thursday, April 18

Drop-in Communion, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 6:00-7:30 p.m. (Gather in the Session Room first; groups will be escorted into the Sanctuary) Good Friday, April 19

7:00 p.m. Tenebrae Worship, Sanctuary

Easter Sunday, April 21 (on Easter Day, please bring a live floral stem to adorn our “Flowering Cross” outside the sanctuary entrance)

Sunrise Service, 6:45 a.m., Columbarium

Thrive, 9:00 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Sunday School, 10:00 a.m.

Festive Easter Worship, 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary

Welcome Rev. Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Benz!

FPC looks forward to welcoming our Interim Senior Minister, Rev. Dr. Cindy

Benz, and her husband, Steve, at our worship services on Sunday, April 14 th.

Dr. Benz will participate in worship Easter Sunday, April 21 th, and will preach

her first sermon on Sunday, April 28 th.

2

Presbyterian Women News

Monday April 8th: Circle 1 10:00 a.m. Church Parlor Hostesses: Gloria Hickson, Rose Stanley Circle 2 10:30 .a.m. Covenant Village Living Room Hostesses: Betsy Burleson, Mary Ann Brown Circle 3 2:00 p.m. Covenant Village Card Room No Hostess Circle 5 Meeting details TBA Circle 6 6:30 p.m. Church Parlor Hostesses: Sylvia Seawell, Teresa Morris

Tuesday April 9th: Circle 4 11:30 a.m. Church Parlor Hostesses: Judy Planer, Beverly Sumner, Susan Blair

Casserole Care April: Circle 6 May: Circle A

Prayer Lunch April: Circle 1 May: Circle 2

After successful bake sales during the last two years, memorial gifts and generous pledg-es, the Presbyterian women were in a financial position to make some one-time grants to-taling $20,000. The process began last November and recently completed. In all there were 22 grant applications, totaling almost $75,000. Unfortunately, all the needs could not be addressed. After lengthy heartfelt discussion the Women’s Council voted to approve 7 grant requests based on recommendation from a committee consisting of Bev Bryant, Gloria Hickson, Mandy Coffey, Lynne Hathcock, Sharon Lanier, Margaret Mackie, Esther Nelson, Mary Sumner, Barbara Voorhees, Kim Witherell and Barbara Yarbrough. The grant recipients were announced on March 10 at Women’s Sunday and representatives from several of the organizations attended and were recognized. The grants were award-ed to the following: Crisis Assistance Ministry, $1800 to purchase freezers to allow the agency to safely store donated food. Destiny Lives On, $2500, to provide support for transplant donor and recipient families. Family Promise, $3700 for supplies and moving expenses for families moving towards independence Gaston Skills, $1000 to purchase equipment for their clients use at their facility Least of These Carolinas, $2500 to provide training and support for foster parents caring for children in DSS custody The Lighthouse Children’s Advocacy Center, $7500 to support construction of a new center. The CAC provides a vital service to child victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse and human traffick-ing, by providing a painless interview process, therapy and more.

(L-R) Barbara Yarbrough, Tonia Grimes,

and Royce Robinson, Family Promise

The Bake Sale total to date: $6,857.85. A few frozen casseroles from our Women’s Bake Sale are still available. They are stored in two freezers in the Sewing Room with a list of the casseroles on the top of each freezer. Each item is priced. If you need a quick nightly meal, or need to remember someone ; this is an easy way to do it. Please record the items taken and close the freezer tightly! Take payments to Donna’s desk. Happy Eating! Kay, Dianne and Kelly

3

Missions Ministry

We took a missionary trip to Guatemala with our pres-

bytery to discover more about the Presbyterian Wom-

en’s Microloan Project. We observed firsthand the

project’s impact on families and communities. FPC

has supported the project since it began in 2013

through prayer partners, contributions and selling the

greeting cards.

Our commissioning was Sunday, February 3 and we

felt the love, prayers and support of our church family

throughout the entire trip. The following day we joined six other North Carolina ladies on our journey to vari-

ous areas of Guatemala. Two staff members of the nonprofit organization ADEHGUA travelled with us. We

met many of the 101 women and heard how the project impacted their lives. We will always remember how

they took nothing for granted and gave all the glory to God - not themselves. “If God wills it, I will…” We

witnessed their amazing faith and deep desire to care for their chil-

dren with a great emphasis on their education rather than things for

themselves.

Loans from the project average $125 each. Women can apply for

them as a means to improve their way of living and help their fami-

lies. Commercial Loans are unavailable to them because of the low

value women have in Guatemala. The loans must be paid back in six

months with a 2.5% interest. Since 2013, the program has granted

365 loans totaling $68,885 and a repayment history of $78,619! Re-

payments are placed into a pool for the next cycle.

Each woman commits to repaying her loan back as well as that of

another group member if she’s unable to pay. Their businesses are varied. Some raise pigs or chickens

while others make crafts they sell from their homes. One lady operates a beauty shop and another helps

women with legal papers to those who are victims of domestic abuse. The program staff also offers work-

shops for building businesses, improving skills and self-esteem. Other programs include team building and

hygiene/nutrition instruction.

Leticia is an example of a program participant. She sells jewelry, lotions, and other items in her community.

The program has taught her business skills, and she is now able to feed her children three meals a day

instead of one or two. She is now taking a course to improve her business skills and has been awarded

an “entrepreneur” loan of $388 to buy products for her Christmas gift sale. With the support of the staff and

her determination, she has developed a good self-esteem which is invaluable.

You be the judge. “Can a Little Do a Lot”? These small loans change the lives of women, their families,

communities, and hopefully the future of Guatemala. We were blessed to have the opportunity to go on this

trip and will forever see life differently because of the strength and faith of these 101 women. Please con-

tinue to pray for them and may God bless them.

Blessings, Lil and Gloria

Can a Little Do a Lot?

Blood Drive—thanks for 16 units!

4

Presbyterian Weekday School

April 2019

Coming Up at PWS

April 1st: Schiele Museum Brings Gem Mining to PWS

April 8 – 11th: Usborne Book Fair – Fellowship Hall Atrium

April 9th: Chapel in Sanctuary

April 13th: Community Foundation Run – Rotary Pavilion

April 16th: Easter celebration

April 19th – 26

th: Spring break

April 29th: Teacher workday to prepare for report cards

April 30th: Chapel in Sanctuary

May 6th

Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences (No School)

May 6th - 9

th Teacher Appreciation Week

May 8th PWS Teacher Appreciation Luncheon by the PTO; Parlor

PWS Lenten Project

For our Lenten Project this year, the Presbyterian Weekday school is collecting sup-

plies for The Cathy Mabry Cloninger Center - A Domestic Violence Shelter. Families

who escape domestic violence sometimes leave home with only the clothes on their

back. If you would like to participate, here is the wish list from the center:

Black or white women’s socks Diapers of any size but size 5 is needed most now. Blankets New bedding for twin, queen or king size beds – white preferred Gently used Pack n Play cribs Washable stuffed animals for children Hygiene supplies:

o Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash o Soap o Washcloths o Combs, brushes, shampoo

Come Run with Us!!

It is Community Foundation Run time again. We appreciate all who contributed to

PWS last year. Please consider giving again to support our mission and ministry to

serve all families who want to learn and grow in mind, body and spirit. The fund

goes toward providing for families who experience hardship during the school year.

5

Join us for an out-of-world

experience

June 17th – 20th 5:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

Dinner included

Rising K – Rising 5th Grade

SAVE THE DATES

Volunteers Needed

Contact Jill Kimbirl

jkimbirl@fpcgastonia.org

ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES JOIN US!

As we celebrate New Life

Sunday, April 14th

11:15 a.m.

Memorial Gallery

Don’t forget to bring your baskets!

Vacation Bible Spectacular!

Children’s Committee Needs Help!

A new security system is being introduced for the

nursery and pre-school. Volunteers are needed for 15

minutes prior to services and Sunday School to help

parents sign in. Please come and be trained on Sun-

day, April 7th—12:30 p.m. in the nursery area.

6

Things to know! Lenten Food Drive

Please contribute non-perishable food items now through Easter Day, April 21th as we minister to alleviate hunger in our Community. Food may be dropped off at the Recep-tionist desk area. All food contributions will fill the shelves at S.O.C.K.S.

Community Lenten Lunch Series

Meal served at noon for $6.00. Worship begins at 12:30 p.m. A love offering will be received each Wednesday to benefit CAM and The Resource Connection Gate-way. The bus will leave from the Chapel side of FPC each week at 11:30 a.m. for those who would like to ride together.

April 10 Location: First Baptist Preacher: Juston Smith, First Methodist Church

April 17 Location: Holy Trinity Lutheran—Minister: Lauren Sease Vanacore, First Presbyterian Church

Free

Skin

Screening

Event

May is skin cancer awareness month!

First Presbyterian Church, Garrison Blvd.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

There is a waiting list.

Please call church office for information

Meals on Wheels

Volunteers needed for first Thursday monthly FPC Route

Contact Betsy Summer—704-865-6116 or betsysummer@yahoo.com

Family Promise—April 28th—May 5th

We need volunteers—Pleases sign up On Line at FPC

7

FPC Youth

Tori Patterson tpatterson@fpcgastonia.org

Sunday School

High School meets in the PAD at 10:00 a.m. The Buchanan's are teaching how we can be anchored in Christ. It is a wonderful opportunity for you to get to know them and hear their lessons. See you there!

FPC Adults

RoadRunners Trip Reminder

RoadRunners trip to the Penland School of

Crafts. April 17th. Bus will leave the parking

lot at 9:00 a.m.

How are YOU observing Lent?

During the Lenten Season there are many oppor-

tunities to cultivate our faith. How you personally

observe Lent is an individual choice. Some decide

to remove something from their daily routine or add

spiritual components, while others do a combina-

tion. Regardless of your personal preference, the

Christian Education/ Adult Ministries Committee

has made available a 2019 Lenten Devotional ti-

tled “Cultivating and Letting Go”.

This is an intergenerational Lenten devotion for the

entire congregation with two components. A devo-

tional booklet offers scripture, poetry, reflection

and journaling. The second is the coloring page.

This is an ideal way to involve youth and incorpo-

rate art into your expression of Lent.

The goal of these materials is to help all embrace

the Lenten Season with a renewed desire to expe-

rience your faith as we dig deeper into our shared

experience. If you need a booklet and/or coloring

page contact Jill at 704-864-2651 ext.106.

Faith and Fiction will meet on Sunday,

April 5, at 5:00 p.m. at Covenant Village

in the Card Room. We will be discussing The Last Child by John Hart. The host-esses will be Lenise Melton and Pat Sud-derth. Please note the time change back to 5:00 p.m.

This Sunday April 7th

Worship Stations - Join us as we par-ticipate in Worship stations to get in the

right mindset for Easter.

Middle School- 5:30 p.m.

Dinner All- 6:30 p.m.

High School- 7:00 p.m.

Looking Ahead

April 14th- Easter Drama at Stanley

Pentecostal Holiness

*We will meet at the FPC at 5:00 p.m. to drive over together on the bus. If your high school student wants to drive and meet us at the church, they can do that as well. The program doors will open at 6:00 p.m. If you can chaperone this event, please let me know.*

April 21st- NO Youth Meetings due to Easter Sunday

April 28th- "Shark Attack Survivor- From ‘Tragedy to Testimony". This event is for ALL members of the congregation and we will be attending. The event will be in the fellowship hall at FPC. A snack supper will be served at 5:00 p.m. and the speaker will begin at 5:30 p.m.. Please tell me the num-ber of family members who plan to attend, so our Parish Nurse can plan ahead.

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1621 E. Garrison Blvd. Gastonia, NC 28054

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One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering

HUNGER* DISASTER*DEVELOPMENT

During the Lenten Season, we join with other Presbyterians to

transform lives through One Great Hour of Sharing. Let’s

make a special effort to support this offering for sharing love

with our neighbors in need around the world by providing relief

from natural disasters, food and hunger, and support for the

poor and oppressed.

Date 11::00 a.m. Thrive

3/3 163 76

3/10 241 COMBINED

3/17 147 95

3/24 124 90

3/31 130 101

Worship Attendance

March, 2019

Children help with One

Great Hour of Sharing filling

the fish!