Welcoming Pastor Jon and His Family
Pastor Jon’s first Sunday with us will be August 21, 2022. The worship service will begin at 10:00 AM, and we will have a buffet luncheon in the fellowship hall afterward to welcome Pastor Jon and his family to our church family. If you plan to join us for lunch, please let us know by contacting Jeanna in the church office (336-248-2140 or office@fpclexnc.com) by August 14.
Volunteers Needed for Grace Sunday Lunches in August 2022
The month of August provides us an opportunity to spread God’s love by volunteering to help ‘Feed His sheep.’
During the month of August, our congregation helps Grace Episcopal serve a hot lunch every Sunday to those in need. Lately, anywhere from 80-100 hungry souls are fed each Sunday. Our volunteers work with the Grace team to setup, serve, and share the blessings of service in His name. Safety protocols are observed with regard to masks, gloves, and temperature checks. The meal is served to the client at the door of the fellowship hall/undercroft, and picnic tables are provided outside, just a few steps from where the meal is presented.
If you are interested in serving or would like to learn more about this ministry, please contact David Durrell. Service in His name is the greatest blessing.
Community Worship Service
On Sunday, July 31st, there will be a community worship service at 4:00 PM in the Breeden Insurance Amphitheater. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket, and plan to stay for fellowship afterward. The service is sponsored by 2CFAR (Crucial Conversations on Faith and Race). Several of our members are involved in this community organization.
This will be another wonderful way for people of all races to gather together in fellowship and worship. Speak with Bill Keesler, Walt Rouse, or Ken Davis for more information. Everyone is welcome.
New Pastor Elected!
At our congregational meeting on Sunday, June 26, Rev. Jon E. Martin was elected by unanimous vote, 99-0, to serve as the next pastor of First Presbyterian Church.
Originally from northern California, Rev. Martin comes to us by way of Abingdon, Virginia. He and his wife Susanne, who is also a Presbyterian minister, have two grown children, Katherine, a college graduate who is working as a video game artist in Los Angeles, and Jonah, who will be a sophomore at UNC-Charlotte. They also have a golden retriever.
In 2019, Rev. Martin was commissioned in the United States Navy Reserve and presently serves as the Chaplain to a Marine Reserve Battalion based in Pasadena, California. He started his working life as an aerospace engineer just out of college, but has been a pastor for twenty-four years.
Rev. Martin has worked with every age group in the church and has been very actively involved in the ministry and life of the church as he has served. He has both led and stepped back to allow others to lead. In his profile, he notes, “Young adults are spiritual, and I want to understand how they value faith and service. God has a place for them in the church, and I want to discover how the church can be a place for them to thrive. I appreciate that they have much to teach me, as they take a greater leadership role in the leadership of the church.”
We are looking forward to learning, working, and ministering alongside our new pastor! His first Sunday with us will be August 21st. If you were not able to be present for the congregational meeting and wish to know more about Rev. Martin, you may pick up a copy of his profile at the church office, or you may contact the office (336-248-2140 or office@fpclexnc.com) to have one mailed to you.
Called Congregational Meeting June 26, 2022
The Session has called a special congregational meeting for Sunday, June 26 following worship, for the purpose of acting upon a report from our Pastor Nominating Committee. Plan now to attend this important meeting in the life of our congregation.
Special Service Time on June 5, 2022!
On Sunday, June 5, our Sunday worship hour will begin at 9 a.m. so that we can send off our wonderful Acts Alive group on their summer work camp mission trip by showing the support of our entire FPC church family. We are so glad that these young people will have the opportunity to travel to Pennsylvania to offer their services in Christian mission after a two year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic.
The June 5 service will be held in the sanctuary with a special blessing for our Acts Alive members and their advisors as they begin their journey. This special event is intended to recognize and consecrate their commitment to the service of Christ in the world. Following this special commissioning and blessing, our regular worship service will continue until 10 a.m. in the sanctuary.
Please make a note on your calendar and plan to join us on Sunday, June 5 at 9 a.m!
New Officers Elected
At our Congregational Meeting on May 1, the congregation elected the following slate of officers:
Class of 2024 – Karen Carrickhoff, Katie Kennedy, Amy McNeill, Bill McMurray, Walt Rouse, Celia Stalvey, Jennifer Turlington, Ken Vander Schaaf, and Justin Wheeles.
Class of 2023 (to fill two unexpired terms) – Meredith Andrews and Jim Beall Graham.
The congregation also elected the following as at-large members of the 2022-2023 Nominating Committee: Margaret King, Rebecca Sullivan, Birke McNeill, and Mike Kiefer.
Many thanks to the 2021-2022 Nominating Committee for their diligent work, and to all of the above folks for their commitment, dedication, and willingness to serve.
Cookout to Honor Veterans and Active Military Personnel
We will be honoring active military personnel as well as Veterans as we gather Sunday, May 22 at 5:30 PM on the church grounds for an outdoor cookout. Hamburgers, hot dogs, beans, potato salad, plus a southern tradition – banana pudding – will be served. Wes Walser will again be providing all of the goodies! The Crossroads Praise Band will provide entertainment for the evening, and we have invited members of Shady Side Presbyterian and St. Stephen UMC to be our guests and celebrate with us.
We hope you will join us for fellowship and an early Memorial Day celebration! You may sign up for the cookout by filling out a blue card by Sunday, May 8, or you may contact the church office (336-248-2140 or office@fpclexnc.com).
An Update from the Worship and Music Ministry Team
Your Worship and Music Ministry Team is pleased to announce some exciting adjustments to worship for the time being, effective May 1st:
* Communion – Our monthly celebration of Communion will now be offered to congregants as they come forward and will utilize a choice of actual bread and juice (presented by masked, gloved Session members) or prepackaged elements. Communion elements will be brought to individuals as requested, who remain seated.
* Bulletins – Our bulletins will now be stapled in book format (two staples on the left, opening to allow viewing two pages at once). Continuing the 8.5″ x 11″ format is necessary to enable online viewers to follow along and/or print their own copy more easily.
Our team hopes you find these changes both helpful and meaningful. The change in Communion will particularly necessitate additional volunteer help, and we look forward to your response. Contact Phyllis McGee to be added to our volunteer list.
Graduation Sunday and Youth Sunday 2022
We will combine Youth Sunday and Graduation Sunday and will celebrate both on Sunday, May 15. There will be a single service at 11 AM on this day. We will honor our graduating high school seniors, and our high school youth will lead the service. We hope you will plan to worship with us on this special day. Seniors, please get your picture and information for the bulletin insert to Jeanna by May 5.
