Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church Newsletter 201 Fayetteville Street . Clinton, NC 28328

Phone: 910-592-2677 . Fax: 910-592-3100 . Website: gravesmemorial.org

Email: Steve Wilkins: RevSHW@ymail.com; melissagriffin@embarqmail.com

Please join us for the First Wednesday Fellowship & Covered Dish on February 7th at 6:30 p.m. in the MacQueen Fellowship Hall. This month’s host will be the Memorial Room Sunday School Class. Bring your favorite dishes to share! We thank the Congregational Care Committee, the Memorial Room Sunday School Class and all Volunteers!

Boy Scout Troop 27 and Cub Scout Pack 27 invite you to join them in celebrating Scouting at GMPC. On Scout Sunday, February 11th, the Scouts will be participating in the 11:00 a.m. service, and serving a BBQ lunch with all the fixings following worship in the GMPC Fellowship Hall. Lunch is free, but donations will be accepted and greatly appreciated. You can help by notifying any former troop members you know. We would like to have as many Scouts and leaders here as possible. Your support of scouting here at GMPC is greatly appreciated.

Wednesday Lenten Luncheons at First United Methodist Church will begin on February 14th at Noon (each week through Wed., March 28th). The cost of lunch will be $5.00 per plate. GMPC will host lunch on the 21st of March. We are grateful to FUMC for hosting these meditations and lunches for the community during the Lenten season. Come out and show your support!

Copies of the 2018 Lenten devotional, Jesus and the Prophets, are now available outside the church office and in the narthex. In Jesus and the Prophets, the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, PC(USA) pastor, board trustee for Union Presbyterian Seminary and director of the PC(USA) office of Public Witness in Washington, D.C, has assembled a collection of challenging daily reflections, Scripture and prayers to help us on our Lenten journey in the footsteps of the prophets. The text is accompanied by hauntingly beautiful oil paintings by Steven Burgess, an accomplished artist and member of First United Presbyterian Church of Salem, N.Y. Pick your copy up today!

Please join us on Wednesday, February 14, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. for GMPC’s Ash Wednesday Service, as we begin our journey through the season of Lent.

Presbyterian Penny Pincher Project: A coin collection challenge to the GMPC congregation, for our annual March fundraiser, will begin March 1st. The special penny pincher “collection cup” will be made available soon.

March 2nd is World Day of Prayer. This is a time when we join Christians around the world affirming that prayer and service are inseparable and both have immeasurable influence in the world. If you are interested in helping to prepare for the World Day of Prayer celebration at GMPC, please contact Lee Howard.

Our Annual Congregational Meeting and Pig Picking will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 6:00 PM in the MacQueen Fellowship Hall. The orders of business include: 1) Review of the 2017 Year End Financial and Statistical Report and 2) Election of the 2018 Nominating Committee. This is also the time we look forward to recognizing and introducing all new members received and all babies and children baptized during the past year. *(This Year’s Church Spring Work Day will be held on Saturday, March 24th, beginning at 8:00 a.m.)

Please stop by the Church Office to pick up your families copy of the 2017-2018 GMPC Resident Directory if you have yet to do so. *Remember to update the church office with changes to address/phones/e-mails, etc.

January - February 2018

OUR KNOWN ILL:

Martha Dunn Margaret Register Ted Lockerman Russell Byrd Brooks Barwick Julie Stefanovich

Doc Fields—Southwood; Rm. 109 Margaret Faircloth—MaryGran; Rm. 701

Frances Hubbard– GlenAire

Tink Purcell– The Cardinal at North Hills

Betty Heaton—MaryGran; Rm. 204

Others: Betty Hairr-(Mother of Vickie Pope)

Juaweese Franklin-(Mother of Melissa Nimmo) Joe Butler-(Brother-in-law of Penny Horne)

Christine Stacey-(Mother of Lara Capparuccia)

Joe Kozel-(Father of Kristi Williford)

David Askins-(Former member)

Kathryn Whitley-Jordan-(Former Choir Dir.) Tim Shankweiler-(Former member)

Volume XLI, No. 1

SYMPATHY TO:

Pinckney Heaton and family on the passing of his sister, Mary Frances Heaton Davis.

The congregation is cordially invited to the Installation Service of Dr. Stephen H. Wilkins

Sunday, the fourth of February at four o’clock in the afternoon.

A Reception will follow in the MacQueen Fellowship Hall.

Graves Memorial Presbyter ian Church Newsletter Page 2

PASTORAL PONDERING…“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:16)

Carol and I are overwhelmed by the genuine love and grace with which you have welcomed us to Graves Me-

morial Presbyterian Church, and to Clinton! Truly, our hearts overflow with gratitude for your warmth and kindness.

We are quickly assimilating into the rhythm of life at the church; my, there are a lot of things going on! We are en-

joying meeting you and getting to know you, and we look forward to getting to know you better in the months and

years ahead.

As many of you have already discovered, I have an open-door policy for my office. When I am in the office,

you are welcome to stop by and visit or share concerns. As a general rule, my goal is to be in the office every morn-

ing, reserving the afternoons as time for me to be visiting people in their homes or hospitals. You may also call

ahead of time and schedule an appointment if you wish – that's one way of guaranteeing that I will be at the church

when you come by!

As I write this, the Session is moving toward a concrete plan for the transition to a unicameral structure of gov-

ernment. The details and timeline will be shared early this month. For now, know that the Session is working hard to

balance the tacit understanding communicated in the fall that the unicameral structure will include some form of

merger of the two boards, and also the constitutional requirement that the congregation's right to elect its officers

must be protected. The Session is very sensitive to both issues, and is trying to find a compassionate and responsible

plan of action.

My prayer is that the Spirit of Christ will continue to fill us all, giving us divine discernment and filling us with

trust and mutual concern for one another in this wonderful congregation.

Faithfully, Steve

OUR CHILDREN: Sunday School: Sunday mornings at 9:45

PresbyMusic: Cherub Choir (PreK-1st Grade:1st & 3rd

Wednesdays, 4-4:30 p.m.); Children & Youth Choir/Handbells (2nd-8th Grade: Wednesdays, 5-5:45 p.m.);

PresbyCrew: (2nd & 4th Wednesdays, from 3–5:00 p.m., going with the school calendar, for K – 5th grade) will meet twice in February. February 14th & 28th.

MISSION BUDDIES: (PreK—12th Grade, 3rd Sun-day monthly, as part of Sunday School) Next opportunity: February 18th

It’s not too early to start thinking about GMPC Vacation Bible School 2018 on June 17th - 21st, from 5:30—8:30 p.m. 2018 VBS Director: Tami Warren. Mark Your Calendars Now! Details Coming Soon!

PRESBYTERIAN MEN & PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN NEWS:

The Presbyterian Men’s Breakfast Meeting for February will be on the 11th, 8:15 a.m., at 1st Baptist Church. We graciously extend an invitation for all men to join us in February, for breakfast and fellowship with the men of FUMC, 1st Baptist, and Grove Park Baptist.

February PW Circle Meetings are as follows: (Bible Leader: Linda Williamson)

Circle #1 will meet on the 5th at 3:00 p.m. at the home of Linda Williamson (17 Pond Lane).1

Circle #2 will meet on the 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the Memorial Room.

Circle #3 will meet on the 6th at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Dear Saints at Graves, It has been a few weeks now since we exchanged “see you later” sentiments. Enough time has now passed to reflect a bit on our time together. Enough time has passed to confirm what Linda and I suspected all along and that is that God blessed us while we were at Graves. And so I echo what Paul said to one of his churches after the goodbyes were shared: “Every time I think of you-----and I think of you often------I thank God for every good memory I have of you.” Linda and I will always be uniquely reminded of the welcome you offered us when we first arrived, your support during our time together and your grace as we shared best wishes for the future. The goodbye luncheon will be re-membered as such a splendid way of thanking God for His presence as we worked together to help the church heal and move forward. Your care for us as evidenced by the gifts you shared, the notes you sent us, the meals we en-joyed, the words spoken and the tears shed have left an indelible mark on our hearts as well as our souls. I came to Graves Memorial, in part, because the church was always a great church in my mind. I left no less con-vinced and even more assured that Graves is still a great and powerful witness for our Lord Jesus Christ. The future will be marked no doubt by more promise. And so, Linda and I pray that the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, will be with you all now and forever more. Godspeed, Jerry and Linda Bron

Graves Memorial Presbyter ian Church Newsletter Page 3

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES:

~ CAKES NEEDED for the February 8th First Baptist Soup Kitchen. We ask that all cakes be delivered to the GMPC kitch-en by 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 7th. *Please contact Nita Aiken to sign up/place your name on the February list.

~ The family of Meredith Nordin expresses abundant love and gratitude to all members and friends of Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church for lifting us up in prayer and loving us in innumerable ways during our loss of Meredith. God has blessed us with you, our faithful GMPC family, as you continue to share your love, prayers, and support as constant sources of strength for us. We are blessed with you faithfully walking with us as we continue on our journey. Love, David, Brenda, and John Nordin

~ The Community Service Committee asks that you please consider giving regularly to one or more of the many mission opportunities here at GMPC: Back Pack Buddies (weekly food donations), Clinton Cross-

ings/Courtyard (community garden volunteers & bingo prize donations), Diaper Bank of Sampson County (diaper & wet

wipes donations), First Baptist Church Soup Kitchen (cakes), Helping Hands & Hearts (Wheel Chair Ramp builder volun-teers), Meals on Wheels (meal delivery drivers), Prayer Quilt Ministry, Presbyterian Women’s Projects, Presbyterian

Men’s Projects, Salemburg Food Bank (weekly food donations), Southeastern Carolina Crossroads (new/gently used men’s clothing donations), UCare, Inc. (food, toiletry items & house hold staples donations)

~ MISSIONS: Christian Food Bank of Salemburg, every third Saturday, monthly, bags of food are given to those in need beginning at 9:00 a.m. What you can do to help: Volunteer Your Time! Donate Food Items! *Food drop off container located in the Fellowship Hallway. Next Food Bank: February 17, 2018.

~ GMPC’s Prayer Request Cards are located in the pews for your convenience. If you have a prayer request, simply fill out the prayer request card and place it in the offering plate.

~ Mintz Baptist Church and Mintz Christian Academy invite you to attend their annual Variety Dinner Show performed at Mintz Christian Academy on February 16th, 17th, 23rd & 24th at 7:00 p.m. nightly. Cost: $20.00 per person, Reserved Tables—call early 564-6500 or 564-6221.

Youth 411: *Youth Group (6th-12th grade) meets Sundays at 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Confirmation Class, a ten week study held annually for ninth graders, with Rev. Steve Wilkins & Mr. Boyde Bristow be-gan on January 28th. The study prepares for examination by the session for reception into active membership in the life of the church. We ask that you pray for your fellow youth, Silas Bradley, Tucker Fox, John Barwick, Julian Beaujeu-Dufour, Bailey Spell, and Spencer Westerbeek, as they take this important journey in their life of faith.

Youth at GMPC are "ON THE MOVE!" We would like to include YOU(th) in our "instant updates - what's happening - let's go" group text message! Please send Wanda Coleman a text to join in on the AMAZING fun! #910-590-7453

Looking Ahead: February 4th: 5:00-8:00pm "SOUPer Bowl" Gathering at the Coleman Home, 303 Deer Track Trail. Bring your own SOUP bowl for dinner! Most CREATIVE bowl wins a PRIZE! February 11th: What is YOUR Purpose? February 18th: What is OUR Purpose? February 25th: Preparing for Easter… Jennifer Bradley will work with us to make pottery crosses.

GET INVOLVED SPOTLIGHT: Prayers & Squares, The Prayer Quilt Ministry

*(In an effort to bring awareness to the many mission opportunities here at GMPC we will “spotlight” one mission every month. We ask that you please give regularly to these programs in need of your help.)

GMPC has been part of Prayers & Squares, The Prayer Quilt Ministry, since January 2006. Prayers & Squares is an inter-faith outreach ministry that combines the gift of a hand-tied quilt with the gift of prayer for someone in need. GMPC Prayer Quilt Ministry volunteers meet on the 3

rd Tuesday (Sept., Oct., Jan., Feb., March, April), at 9:30 a.m. in the GMPC Fellow-

ship Hall. A prayer quilt can be requested for any person experiencing physical, emotional, spiritual or other difficulties. Once a quilt is requested, an invitation is extended to the congregation to tie knots into the quilt representing a prayer, love and concern for the recipient. A Prayer Quilt may be requested by anyone, for any GMPC member or non-member and/or their immediate or extended family. Out of respect for privacy, it is the responsibility of the person who initiates the request to obtain the permission or consent directly from the person (or family) for whom the Prayer Quilt is intended. Prayer Quilt requests may be submitted through the church office or through anyone serving on the Prayer Quilt Ministry. What makes each quilt so special is not the pattern, color or workmanship, but the fact that prayer is symbolically tied into each one. These comforters are a statement of faith and a testimony to our belief in God and in the power of prayer.

What you can do to help: Become a member of the Prayer Quilt Ministry. Do not worry if you can not sew, that is only one aspect of creating these prayer filled quilts.

EDUCATIONAL / SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FEBRUARY 2018:

04 11 18 25

Crib/Toddler Nursery: (Nancy & Lauren Perry: 2nd & 4th Sundays, Mary Doyne & Claire Tart: 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays) 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Mary Aycock Erin Spell (Bailey) Anne Faircloth (Julian) Natasha Capparuccia Acolytes: (Brenda Nordin) Rebekah Bryan Walker Spell Connor Johnson Julian Beaujeu-Dufour Trey Bryan Holden Spell Will Johnson Melina Matthews Worship Readiness (Tami Warren): February Leader: Tami Warren Pre-K-2nd Grade Class: (Hollis White) Darby Scott Darby Scott Mission Buddies Najshula Lassiter 3rd & 5th Grade Class: (Hollis White) Hollis White Diane Viser Mission Buddies Lucy Lockamy Sr. & Jr. High Youth Class: (James & Joy Dodson) Joy Dodson Charlotte Harrell Mission Buddies Paul & Diane Viser Memorial Room: (Dorothy Sue Faison) Tommy Newton Ronnie Honeycutt Bill Scott Paul Viser Care Class: (Brenda Nordin) Lee Howard Amelia Surratt Anne Price James Dodson Pathfinders Class: (Lauren Perry) PresbyCrew: (Mariana Sanderson & Myrtle Petty) We always welcome extra volunteers … come any time you can! 02/14 Team 1: Mary Aycock, Bonnie Barr, Penny Horne, Betty Blue Packard, Darby Scott, Jan Tart; Amelia Surratt, Linda Williamson 02/28 Team 2: Mary Doyne, Dorothy Sue Faison, Annette Newton, Nancy Perry, Amelia Surratt, Diane Viser; Joni Fay Fetterman, Susan Fox Snacks: 02/14 Beth Bryan, Jr. & 02/28 Mary Lou Faircloth Meals-on-Wheels: (Anne Price) 02/06 Melissa Griffin & Melissa Fulton 02/20 Anne Price & Barbara Taylor Ushers: (David Brock) Note: A yearly list is posted on the bulletin board outside the office Whit Tart, Ed Carr, Chuck Spell, Jody White, Henry Faison, Mac Purcell, Tommy Newton Lay Readers: TBA Mac Spell TBA Isabella Faison Flower Committee: (Mac Spell) 04 (Communion) 11 SEASONAL FLOWER COMMITTEE 18 Memorial for Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Barwick, Sr., Mrs. Rachel Cozart Barwick and Mrs. “Boo” Graham by Mr. H. B. Barwick, Jr. and family. 25 Memorial for Mr. J. E. Sinclair, Sr., Mrs. Mary Lee Sinclair, and Mrs. Elaine Sinclair Hobbs by the family.

Happy Birthday During February:

01) Ann Johnson; 02) Paulette Wilmot; 03) Allison Brock, Adelaide Monroe; 04) Boyde Bristow; 05) Jan Faison; 08) Pat Rose, May Barwick, Holden Spell; 09) Brad Spell; 10) Mary Doyne, Jack Beckett Newton; 12) Sammy Bristow, Jody White; 13) Noah Tidey; 14) Peggie Lindsay, Diane Westerbeek, Alex Purcell; 15) Edward Johnston, III; 17) Julie Stefanovich; 18) Debbie Martin; 19) Amelia Surratt, Missy Packard, Alexander Morkos; 20) Tammy Honeycutt; 21) Geraldine Caruso, Debbie Owens; 24) Spencer Driver; 25) Grady Broadwell; 26) Carol Wilson, Emma Rosario, Brooke Morkos; 27) Tami Warren, Ed Carr, John Nordin; 28) Melissa Fulton, Houston Bouchard, Payton O’Quinn

Lectionary Text for February:

04) Ps. 147:1-11, 20c; Isa. 40:21-31; 1 Cor. 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39; 11) Ps. 50:1-6; 2 Kings 2:1-12; 2 Cor. 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9; 18) Ps. 25:1-10; Gen. 9:8-17; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15 25) Ps. 22:23-31; Gen. 17:1-7, 15-16; Rom. 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38

Please continue to stop by the bulletin board outside

the church office, for the latest updates/news

from our missionaries, Andy and Ellen Collins in

Chiang Mai Thailand.