May Newsletter 2018

West New Bern Presbyterian Church1701 Lucerne Way, New Bern, NC 28560 http://www.westnewbernpc.com Office: (252) 638-1005Email: office@westnewbernpc.com

FROM THE PASTOR

Throughout the next several weeks before Pentecost, we will explore the book of Acts. I don’t typically promote made for TV reenactments of the Bible; however, currently streaming on Netflix is a miniseries called A.D. The show begins after the crucifixion and explores the movement of the disciples and followers of Christ during a time of great uncertainty. Now, like most Bible reenactments, A.D. can be hyperemotional and overdramatic at times; however, it provides a unique insight into a pivotal transition between the work of Christ and the work of the spirit—one that is not often examined or explored in the popular Biblical genre.

What I like about the series is that it’s not necessarily centered around the work of the disciples. We find the early followers isolated and confused, with no clue what to do next. In fact, it’s not until the Spirit comes down and sets their hearts on fire that they even come out of hiding. The church has a tendency to turn the early followers into heroes, especially Peter and Paul (these two are talked about most in the Book of Acts.) Scholars would suggest, however, that focusing on the movement of the Spirit instead of the acts of the apostles is a more accurate interpretation and truer to the writer’s intention.

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May BirthdaysMay 4 – Lee McConnellMay 11 – Hso WahMay 12 – Web SlaughterMay 15 – Monty LamontMay 16 – Terri RandellMay 17 – Lynn LamontMay 28 – Trudy NelsonMay 29 – Richard Evans

AnniversariesMay 30 – Walter & Cheryl Powell

Special DaysMay 1 – PW Council 1:00 pm

May 5 – Buildings & Grounds & Community Garden Workday

May 8 – Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Celebration 6:00 pm Multi-Purpose Room

May 12 – 26th Annual Mail Carriers’ Food Drive

May 13 – Mother’s Day

May 20 – 70th Anniversary Celebration of Church

May 22 – Tuesday, 6:30 Session Meeting

The gospel writer of Luke wrote both the Gospel and the Book of Acts as a two part series: part one is the works of Jesus; part two is the works of the Spirit. When you read the book of Acts, you witness that the work of the Spirit moves well beyond the work of Peter, the rest of the disciples, or even Paul. This holds true to what we know about the historical growth of the early church. Although the disciples did play an important role in spreading the good news that Jesus Christ is alive, the spread of Christianity had much more to do with the word of mouth evangelism that transpired through all the common folk—the workers in the fields, servants in the homes of the elite, those traveling from town to town looking for work. These are the folks who spread the Word. The story of the early church is an awesome example of how the Spirit uses each of us to do the work of God, here on earth as it is in heaven.

For us, the story of Acts reminds us that it doesn’t take a miracle or even a special person or persons to do God’s work here in this community. The Spirit is constantly at work in our lives— working through us, around us, and even despite us. As we explore Acts together, I hope that our study serves as a reminder to trust the work of the Spirit within our own lives and within the lives of each other so that we may remember to listen to each other, to learn from each other, and to build with each other.

May 20 th 10:30 Come Celebrate

with us!!!

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You are invited to come to our 70 th CELEBRATION, where we will be celebrating 70 years of worshipping God and serving our community at West New Bern Presbyterian Church. Please join us on Sunday, May 20th, 2018 for church service at 10:30 AM and for lunch following the service. Janet Stewart, our choir director, invites former choir members to sing in the choir during the service. Invitations have been sent to past pastors and members. We encourage everyone to invite your families near and far— especially those who grew up in the church! Please RSVP anyone outside of the current church membership role no later than (the date provided below). We look forward to worshipping and to celebrating with “old” and new friends on May 20th.

The main course will be provided so we are asking you to bring a dessert to share. 

PLEASE RSVP by May 12th by CALLING, TEXTING or EMALING one of the following:

TRUDY NELSON – phone 252 514-8044 email jacob24@suddenlink.net

LYNN LAMONT - phone 252 229-6770 email w.lamont@suddenlink.net

HEALTH POINTS

With all the wonderful things attributed to exercise, what do we need to know about the subject as we age? In an article titled “Exercise: The Key to Active Aging”, a recent health after 50 publication has some pertinent advice. There are precautions regarding several diagnoses, including osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, low bone density and low back pain. If you have any of these conditions, see the complete article on the Parish Nurse Office door.

This Health Points article will deal with exercises to avoid, also condensed. Further note the special section on knees.

1. If you have joint problems: Avoid the high impact moves that involve twisting motions, extreme neck motions, running. Those with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis should take a break during flares and reduce the level of exercise as needed.

2. If you have low bone density: Avoid exercises that require forward bending, such as abdominal crunches or toe touches. Golf and tennis may involve forceful bending at the waist, not a good idea. Be wary of high impact activities that might increase the risk of fractures. If you don’t yet have osteoporosis, ask your doc about a careful program of weight-lifting, which can increase your bone density. Mine went from abnormal to normal, an increase of 15%, with a minimum of effort.

3. If you have back pain: Avoid heavy weight lifting, sit-ups, and leg lifts. Activities that require leaning forward for long periods, such as cycling, and those that call for excessive bending and twisting can put unwelcome pressure on the spine.

Finally, have the wisdom and common sense to opt out of activity that aggravates your body. There is more good advice in this piece, such as don’t skip the warm-up, vary your activities, watch your form, don’t overdo, balance your muscle groups, listen to your body and don’t forget to stretch. One bit of advice I didn’t expect – don’t ask your fitness instructor what may be causing your chronic pain (!).

Condensed from Health after 50, “Exercise: The Key to Active Aging”, May 2018.

Submitted by Mary B. Slaughter, RN, Parish Nurse

NOAH’S ARK PRESCHOOL

It is almost the end of our school year! The children have been working so hard all year on skills to prepare them for the big time. Whether it is social skills such as sharing and interacting as a group, or academic skills like ABC’s and 123’s, the children at Noah’s Ark

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are learning and growing. The children have visited a real working farm, enjoyed a Fall Festival, Thanksgiving, and visits from Santa Claus. They have had Sports Day and Pajama Day, learned to be a silly leprechaun, and even the true meaning of Easter. They have learned so much and we are all very proud of them.

Noah’s Ark could not function without the support of the church. Donations this year have cut our paper and Snack Time supplies in half. From Lysol Wipes to copy paper, we have been blessed with donations. Those donations have helped the school to purchase supplies for the children in the classroom. Thank you!

Please keep Noah’s Ark in your prayers as we register for the Fall. Refer a friend to our wonderful program! Keep in mind our Graduation and End-of-Year program is on May 25, 2018 in the Sanctuary. We look forward to seeing everyone!

NOTICES

What’s the BUZZ at RCS?  See www.rcsnewbern.comWhat are our needs?            Warehouse/Food – RCS is in need of 1lb bags of rice, spaghetti o’s, canned meat and helpers.

            Volunteers  We are currently looking for both RUNNERS and VOLUNTEERS for           the Neuse River Bridge Run.  Contact Susan Lucas as slucas@rcsnewbern.com

OUTREACH  OPPORTUNITY:  

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY: Thanks to Charlotte McConnell, who was our steward for April. Welcome to Irene Brock will be the steward for the month of May.

BLACK MOUNTAIN HOME needs your help. This wonderful Presbyterian cottage home for at risk kids and adult faces a significant loss of funds, please pray for them. Also write or email your legislators, please. Foster homes are great when they work out but frequently are not available. The “graduates” of Black Mountain have an impressive record. Details are on the Narthex bulletin board, or ask Web Slaughter.

BOOK CLUB: Book Club will meet May 22 at 7 p.m. We are reading Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford.

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FACEBOOK PAGE: We now have an official Facebook page for the church. Check in with the church when you are here for an event or tag photos! You can also share the site with your Facebook friends and invite them to like us, too!

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2018 - 26th Annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive to stamp out hunger will be held on Sat., May 12. All you have to do is put your non-perishable donations in a bag by your mailbox. The mail carriers’ will deliver it to a local food bank for you.

RCS: Every 3rd Saturday each month. On Saturday, May 19 meet at RCS at 6pm to provide a meal to the residents of the homeless shelter at Religious Community Services (RCS). If you would like to assist contact Susan Womble at 252 528-0488.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S Spring Project will be to collect “Spring Cleaning” items for the Coastal Women’s Shelter.

We will collect these items March through May. You may put your donations in the laundry baskets in the Narthex. Thank you for donating to this very worthy cause.

The Birthday Offering of Presbyterian Women celebrates Presbyterian women’s history of mission giving.  We will answer the call this year to offer our prayers and financial support to three projects:  Village of Grace Center for Physical & Spiritual Health in Honduras; The Dwelling Place in Minnesota; and Cottage Village in Oregon.  Over the next few weeks Birthday Offering envelopes will be available in the pews if you would like to donate to these worthy missions.

COMMUNITY GARDEN: Thank you to all of you who came out yesterday! We have another garden workday and demonstration this Saturday, May 5th from 10 a.m.— noon. If you have any tools you no longer need, we are looking for tool donations: shovels, spades, hoes, wheelbarrows and wagons, soaker hoses, etc.

VBS will be July 9-13 from 5:30-8:00!  Our theme this year is “GOD’S GOOD CREATION”.  We will celebrate God’s creation all week long while connecting the theme to our Community Garden.  We would love to have volunteers of all ages to assist in VBS.  If you would like to help out, please contact Charlotte McConnell or Jean Fuentes (404-661-7763).  Thank you!

Mark your calendars for the future:

- VBS July 9-13 from 5:30-8:00pm

-5th Sunday “Hymn Sing” instead of sermons: July 29, Sept 30, Dec 30

-Genealogy Group Meeting dates: Sept 8, Oct 6, Nov 3

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The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (credits: BibleQuizzes.org.uk)Answers from April Newsletter

1. b. Crown of Thorns, 2. a. Clothes, 3. c. 30, 4. c. With a kiss, 5. a. Annas, 6. b. King of the Jews, 7. c. 3 hours, 8. b. Joseph, 9. d. Mary Magdalene, 10. b. Barabbas, 11. d. Purple 12, c. He claimed to be their King, 13. c. Spear, 14. b. Linen, 15. b. Thomas, 16. c. Sea of Tiberias (otherwise known as Sea of Galilee), 17. a. Herod, 18. a. Simon of Cyrene, 19. c. An Angel, 20. c. 40 days.So how did you do and what did you learn?

What the Bible Says about Women/Mothers

1. How old was Sarah when her son Isaac was born? a. 50, b. 90, c. 100, d. 1202. Which two sisters married Jacob? a. Hargar and Kehirah, b. Rebekah and Leah, c. Rachel and Leah, d. Martha and Mary3. Who persuaded Deliliah to betray Samson? a. Benjamites, b. Mother and father, c. Lords of the Philistines, d. Leaders of Assyria4. What was the name of Ruth’s second husband? a. Elimelech, b. Boaz, c. Obed, d. Mahlon5. Why did Peninnah provoke Hannah? a. She was aged, b. She was lame, c. She was blind, d. She was barren6. What was the relationship of Mary (mother of Jesus) to Elizabeth? a. Mother, b, Aunt, c. Cousin, d. daughter7. How does Peter say a husband should treat his wife?

a. With honour, b. As Christ cared for the Church, c. With discipline, d. As he would treat himself.8. Who does Paul say is head of the woman?

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a. God, b. Christ, c. Man, d. No-one9. Who was the first mother mentioned in the bible?

a. Lilith, b. Eve, c. Sarah, d. Rachel10. Whose mother placed him in a ark of bulrushes? a. Joseph, b. Moses, c. Paul, d. David11. Which disciple did Paul commend for having the same faith as his mother did? a. Silas, b. Timothy, c. Luke, d. John Mark12. Whose mother-in-law did Jesus heal? a. Peter, b. James, c. John, d. Matthew13. In the ten commandments, why should we honor our father and mother? a. So that thou receive honour from the angels in heaven, b. So that thy days may be long upon the land which God giveth thee, c. So that thy children shall be blessed accordingly, d. So that thy house will be a blessed place.14. Whose mother drank no wine or strong drink during her pregnancy? a. Joseph, b. Barak, c. Samson, d. Gideon15. Which female judge described herself as “a mother in Israel”? a. Julia, b. Mary, c. Rahab, d. Deborah16. Which Israelite woman had two Moabite daughters-in-law? a. Ruth, b. Naomi, c. Rachel, d. Bathsheba17. Whose mother took him a little coat once a year? a. David, b. Samuel, c. Jesus, d. Joseph18. What did James and John’s mother ask Jesus? a. For her sons to be baptized by Jesus, b. For her sons to sit on Jesus’ right and left hands in the kingdom, c. For her sons to receive Jesus’ blessing, d. For her sons to become great preachers in the land.19. In Ezekiel’s prophecy, who is said to be the mother of Jerusalem? a. A Canaanite, b. A Gibeonite, c. An Amorite, d. A Hittite20. Whose mother got him a wife from Egypt? a. Jacob, b. Esau, c. Ishmael, d. Isaac21. Whose mother does Paul greet in the letter to the Romans?

a. Rufus, b. Hermes, c. Timothy, d. Tychicus

Answers will be in the June newsletter but if you can’t wait… Read your Bible.

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Worship Assistant Schedule

   

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2018 May 6 May 13 May 20 May 27

Elder of the Week Rob Thompson Bob Griffin Beth Doran Tonya

Cedars

Liturgist Jim Slaughter

Rob Thompson

Jim Slaughter

Rob Thompson

Jim Slaughter

Rob Thompson

Jim Slaughter

Rob Thompson

UshersWhit MorganRic EvansEric cedarsLee McConnell

Whit MorganBob GriffinPat MorganTillie Jones

Whit MorganBeth DoranPeggy CuddingtonJane Armstrong

Whit MorganBeth DoranPat MorganBeeBee Ku

Communion Stewards

Al FowlerRob ThompsonBob Griffin Beth DoranTonya Cedars

Acolyte Teresa Wah Aurora Glisson Robert Miller Samuel Ku

May 2018SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDA

Y THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

12 3 4 5

1:00 pm Presbyterian Women’s Counsel

6:00 pm Ministry Night

9:30am Nifty Knitters 7:00pm Choir

Lee McConnell Buildings & Grounds Workday

6 7 8 9 10 11 129:15am Sunday School 10:30am Worship 1:30pm Myanmar Christian Fellowship

6:00 pm Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Celebration

9:30am Nifty Knitters 7:00pm Choir

Hso Wah Web SlaughterRSC mail carriers’ food drive

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

9:15am Sunday School 10:30am Worship 1:30pm Myanmar Christian FellowshipSession MeetingHunger Offering

6:00pm Evening Circle 7:00pm Karate Monty Lamont

12:00 Lunch Group Terri Randell

9:30am Nifty Knitters 7:00pm ChoirLynn Lamont

6:00pm RCS

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

9:15am Sunday School 10:30am Worship 1:30pm Myanmar Christian Fellowship70th Anniversary Celebration of Church

6:30pm Session Meeting 7:00pm Karate

9:30am Nifty Knitters 7:00pm Choir

   

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27 28 29 30 31 1 2

9:15am Sunday School 10:30am Worship1:30pm Myanmar Christian FellowshipJeff Stockwell

Trudy Nelson 7:00pm Karate 7:00pm Book Club Richard Evans

 Anniversary – Walter &

Cheryl Powell

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