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The First ARP Church Newsletter May 2018

National Day of Prayer – A Call to Unity Rev. Dr. Jeff Morrison

“To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.” Billy Graham Did you know that we haven’t always had a National Day of Prayer? In fact, it’s a fairly recent development. It

was on April 17, 1952, that President Harry S. Truman signed a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer. Of course, that’s not to say that prayers hadn’t been offered up to that point, but it was an important development because it was a formal calling together of the nation to cry out to God for His blessing and guidance on our nation and culture.

This year we will keep the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 3 with the focus and theme being “Pray for America – UNITY.” That theme is drawn from Ephesians 4:3 where Paul appeals that the church be, “…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” It’s a timely call and one that Christians across the nation need to whole-heartedly embrace. Here’s just a few reasons why it’s so important that we get on board with this call to stand together in prayer now: 1. It pleases the Father when we are unified. Psalm 133:1 states, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!” telling us two things about our joining together. First, the Lord makes it clear that it is a qualitatively good thing when we are united in the truth. I learned a while ago that if God says that something is good then it is TRULY GOOD! So if our living in a unity founded on the truth is a good thing then how good is it when we are unified in prayer! Second, it is a blessing to us when we are unified in the truth. Isn’t it refreshing and comforting when the people around us are not in our crosshairs and we’re not the objects of their attacks? Part of the pleasantness is that we can focus our prayers on the true enemy of our souls rather than on brothers and sisters who are meant to be our supporters and encouragers! 2. We’re more effective when we stand together in this battle. An incredibly effective but age-old military strategy is simply to divide and conquer. Of course, it’s often been mediated similarly through the quote, “United we stand, divided we fall.” But God had made that statement long before it came on the American scene in 1768. Ecclesiastes 4:12 points out, “…a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” The point is simple: isolated, even in prayer, we are far more vulnerable. If we stand together crying out to God with one voice how much more effective are we for the Kingdom’s sake! 3. It powerfully declares that message of the Gospel is true. Jesus is the master of everything He does; if He does it then He does it to the Father’s standard of perfection. So when Jesus prays we would do well to take notes on the content of His own prayers! In John 17 we have a portion of Jesus’ own high priestly prayer – the Master of Prayer speaking to the Father about the strategy of heaven! In verse 21 our Savior prays for us – those who would be brought from death to life by the ministry of the apostles. He prays, “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Brothers and sisters, when we unite in prayer we are a force beyond what we can fully appreciate or understand. We are pleasing to our Heavenly Father, who calls this unity a GOOD THING. We are blessed in manifold ways as well, certainly not least of which is the fact that we are stronger standing together in crying out to the Father. And finally, when the world sees us standing together in the Gospel, a plurality of people from different races, cultures, languages, and economic backgrounds, Scripture tells us that something amazing happens: people begin to believe the Good News, that Jesus really is the Savior! Now is the time for us to run after these things! Let’s use this national call to prayer not to just get on board for a day or a week or a month. Let’s use this as an opportunity to begin living together in a single, unified spirit of prayer. Start by coming to early morning prayer (7:30 AM on Sundays), intercessory prayer (during the 11:00 AM Sunday worship service), or during the day in the sanctuary on Thursday, May 3 to pray for our nation to turn our hearts back to the Father. Let us pray!

Financial Update (General Operating Fund)

As of 3/31/18 Revenues $ 410,289.94 Expenses 347,942.78 Net Surplus (deficit) $ 62,347.16

Sunday Worship Attendance

8:30 11:00 Total March 25 239 295 534 April 1 (Easter) 341 364 705 plus 60 at Sunrise April 8 226 239 465 April 15 257 264 521 April 22 263 235 498

Pastors’ Prayer Partners Pastors’ Prayer Partners will meet on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 7:30am in the Fellowship Hall. All men are invited to come and help us lift up our pastors in prayer.

Sunday Morning Ushers for May

8:30: Richard Pearson, Truscott McLear, Jim Faulkner, George Belk

10:55: Jack Lear, Scott Farrar, Chris McKay, Zach Stroupe

Sunday Morning Greeters

May (8:30): Rob & Tr icia Parker May 6 & 13 (10:55): Zach & Penelope Stroupe May 20 & 27 (10:55): Audrey Thornton, Lorene Bumgarner

Vespers Service

Come join us on the last Sunday night of every month beginning at 6:00pm for our Vespers Service. This service is similar to a hymn-sing.

Coffee Makers Needed on Sunday Mornings Are you willing to help brew coffee for The Gathering a few times a year? It would take about half an hour of time on Sunday mornings and would certainly benefit this ministry! Please contact Jamee Webb at 980-329-0484 or jpmundo@hotmail.com to volunteer. Thanks!

Emily McEwan—5/1 Anna Kucera—5/2 McKenna Hedrick—5/3 Crocker Barker—5/4 Bennett Henry—5/4 Maria Pearson—5/4 Eric Riley—5/4 Rowena Barker—5/5 Molly Quackenbush—5/5 Gillian Allen—5/6 Vincent Cherry—5/6 Tricia Parker—5/6 Heather Ratchford—5/6 Fadé Lewis—5/7 Charles Merrell—5/7 Rachel Spencer—5/7 Bill Hayes—5/8 Charlie Pearson—5/8 Mary Lou Pearson—5/8 Bill Shuford—5/8 Julie Champion—5/9 Tweet Heavener—5/9 Frances Boyles—5/10 Kyler Hinson—5/10 Lisa Johnson—5/10 Rachel Wages—5/10 Candy Hayes—5/11 William Ratchford—5/11 Rob Shell—5/11 Hilda Toro—5/11 Oscar Whitescarver—5/11 Shanon Widener—5/12 Olivia Forbes—5/13 Judah Harwell—5/13 Ivy Pagels—5/13 Christopher Pearson—5/13 Logan Freeman—5/14 James Kelly—5/14 Bob Hubers—5/15 Mary Ruth Pursley—5/15 Kim Starnes—5/15 Jacob Widener—5/15 Piper Riley—5/16

Brad Wilson—5/16 Jamie Christopher—5/17 Sarah Koehler—5/17 Deb Peck—5/17 Kristi Bostick—5/18 Delsey Brown—5/18 Eden Harwell—5/18 Johnny Holland—5/18 Kathy Parks—5/18 Nancy Wilson—5/18 Meg Fisher—5/19 Pastor Matt Kuiken—5/19 Jon Lacher—5/19 Jean Stewart—5/19 Carolyn Borden—5/20 Julia Greeson—5/20 Dot Schutte—5/20 Tom Summer—5/20 Carolyn Canaday—5/22 Abigail Jarratt—5/22 Joe Painter—5/23 Rick Hodges—5/24 Peggy Smith—5/24 James Anthony—5/25 Spencer Cain—5/25 Tim Daniels—5/25 Mike Foster—5/25 Wanda Henderson—5/25 Estella Vance—5/25 Brady Hubers—5/26 Hayes Kucera—5/26 Olivia Bloomfield—5/27 Lochlan Clark—5/27 Theresa Ewing—5/27 Bill Moss—5/27 Hannah Lear—5/28 Marlene Walls—5/28 Sam Cain—5/29 Tommy Cope—5/29 Bryce Curtis—5/29 Christian Duffie—5/29 Celia Farmer—5/29 Courtney Gebben—5/29 John Powers—5/29 Hank Thomason—5/29 Miriam Connor—5/30 Brenda Garretson—5/30 Moriah Miele—5/30 Billy Israel—5/31

Wes & Kennedy McCall 5/2/15 3 years Tim & Elizabeth Morrow 5/3/08 10 years Tim & Leigh Daniels 5/5/90 28 years Kyle & Debbie Hobson 5/5/79 39 years Ben & Katie Morrow 5/6/72 46 years Russ & Amy Russell 5/8/04 14 years Patrick & Emily Craig 5/9/09 9 years Jonathan & Jenny Dockery 5/12/01 17 years Billy & Jacquelene Israel 5/15/04 14 years Mickey & Peggy Smith 5/15/71 47 years Joel & Gayle Goodrich 5/16/64 54 years William & Julie Ratchford 5/17/08 10 years Scott & Leslie Farrar 5/18/85 33 years Nick & Brooke Sipe 5/19/07 11 years Butch & Ruth Boyd 5/20/83 35 years John & Susan Williams 5/21/88 30 years Daniel & Hope Robinson 5/23/09 9 years Jim & Susan Crisp 5/26/84 34 years Wayne & Candy Hayes 5/26/73 45 years Charles & Frances Boyles 5/27/78 40 years Todd & Dana Friday 5/28/94 24 years John & Linda Powers 5/28/78 40 years Tom & Tari Williamson 5/28/83 35 years

Sunday Morning Coffee Servers

May 6: Joyce & Gary Miller May 13: TBA May 20: Mir iam & Gus Connor May 27: Betsy Smith

Dear Christian Friends at First ARP, we would like to thank all of you for your love and

support during Bob’s recent surgery. Your prayers, visits, get-well cards and other acts of

kindness have meant so very much during this time. He still needs your prayers for strength

and energy but is definitely on the road to recovery. We praise the Lord for His blessings!

Bob & Jo Ann Sytz

We Need Paper Boxes Every year we provide a food box for each family who shops at our Christmas Store. We pack the food in boxes, the kind of box that reams of paper comes in. If we can collect at least 36 boxes from our members (who may work in offices or schools that get their paper in these boxes) we will not have the expense of buying them—which leaves more money to buy merchandise for the store. Please help us collect boxes if you can!! Leave them in the elevator lobby and we will put them up for December! Thanks! Vicki Marsh

Church Book Clubs! May Reads! Morning Club

Monday, May 21—10:00 a.m.—Covenant Village

“The Last Ballad” - A Novel by Wiley Cash

Evening Club

Monday, May 21– 7:00 p.m. Home of Kathy Martin, 5313 Old Town Lane, 28056

“For Such a Time” - Kate Breslin

Church Library We always have new selections!

2018 Scripture Memorization Plan

Week 18—May 6 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. - Romans 12:1 Week 19—May 13 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Week 20—May 20 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. - Romans 13:1 Week 21—May 27 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. - Romans 14:13

Groundbreaking Ceremony - March 11, 2018

A Picture Perfect Day for an Egg Hunt Saturday, March 31—Home of Harold and Betty Stowe

WORLD WITNESS MISSION UPDATE

World Witness, the international mission agency of our denomination, is continuing to respond to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ by sending and supporting missionaries and mobilizing ARP churches to do so. World Witness missionaries proclaim Jesus Christ as the only Savior and Lord through evangelism, discipleship, church planting, Christian education, and works of compassion. Below are some updates regarding World Witness ministries.

We’re opening a new field of ministry in Europe, Bridge Europe. With over 20 million Muslims living in Western Europe as immigrants and refugees, World Witness believes it is critical, as Gospel Messengers, to share the love of Christ with these lost souls. Most of the Muslims living in Europe come from unreached nations where it is almost impossible for missionaries to live. The majority of those missionaries assigned to this new field previously served WW in Turkey, which has almost become a closed country. Missionary names are not listed due to security issues.

World Witness has been instrumental in birthing a new ministry, PAK7, to minister to Muslims in Pakistan. Although not a part of World Witness, PAK7 is a strategic and exciting ministry sharing the Good News of God’s redemptive love with the people of Pakistan, through high-quality Christian television and other media outlets.

Through 4 ARP schools in Pakistan, 700 students (both Christian and Muslim) are receiving a Christian-based education. Child sponsorships are available and constitute 1/3 of operating costs.

The ARP Christian hospital in Pakistan (serving Christians and Muslims) continues to expand its services, which include dialysis, eye surgery, and baby delivery, among others. The hospital also has a nursing school, which just received accreditation to offer a BS Nursing degree. Nursing student scholarships are available. Also available, for the first time, is a scholarship opportunity for deserving, young Pakistani Christians who want to become physicians and desire to practice at CHS.

For further information regarding World Witness, contact Jon Oliphant, Pastor Matt, or Mike Foster.

Parking During Construction

The following parking lots will be available during our building construction.

Old Carothers Funeral Home - Second Ave.

Mullen, Holland & Cooper - Second Ave.

Morrow & Britton, Attorneys at Law – S. Chester St. (across from church)

Lot on and behind the corner of Third Ave.

Anthony Medical Practice - Third Ave.

Rachel Pickard, Attorney at Law - York St. and corner of Third Ave.

We plan to use the church van or bus to transport those who need help from the Carothers lot only.

Please cross only at the light and crosswalk where a uniformed officer is stationed.

World Focus 2018 Have you ever wanted to meet and interact with most of the World Witness missionaries? As First ARP financially supports through Faith Promise many of our denominational missionaries, you will have the opportunity to meet these missionaries at Bonclarken on June 7-8. See flyer below. If you have any questions, contact Mike Foster at the church office (704-864-3468).

URBANA MISSIONS CONFERENCE December 27-31, 2018

College and graduate students (and interested high school seniors) will gather in St. Louis for the biggest student missions conference in North America to discern their place in God’s global mission. First ARP wants to encourage our college/

graduate students as well as high school seniors to attend by assisting with the conference fees. Students must be 17 to attend. If you are interested in attending, the deadline for requesting assistance from First ARP is May 31. Email Pastor Josh if you are interested at jhjemvick@firstarpchurch.org. Visit www.urbana.org to learn more about Urbana.

Elder/Deacon Recommendations

Please turn in your recommendations for elders and deacons by Sunday, May 20. Drop in the

offering plate on Sunday, email to whenderson@firstarpchurch.org, or mail to the church,

Attention: Nominations Committee. Thank you!

Club 45! Monday, May 7!

Let’s Skate! 5:00-7:00 p. m. It’s Christian Music Night!

Meet at Kate’s Skating Rink on Hudson. Pick –Up at Burger King.

(across the parking lot)

Bring $10.00. Respond to: Rebecca Maney

Mother’s Day is May 13!

We have a special gift for

our mothers.

Visit the Conference Table in the First Floor

Lobby and select a package of note cards

with your initial.

“ . . . A woman who fears the Lord is to be

praised.”

Proverbs 31:31b

West Gastonia Birthday Celebration!

Spring Birthdays!

Friday, May 25

4:00-5:00 p.m.

Volunteers Needed and Appreciated!

Contact: Rebecca Maney

“The Fantastic Foursome”

“With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Adventure Camp, Jr.

June 25-28, 2018

9:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m. Ages Two—First Grade

(must have turned two by August 31, 2017)

$30.00 per child, $50.00 per family

Registration Brochures Available Soon!

First A. R. P. Summer Preview!

Adventure Camp, Jr.

June 25-28, 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Summer Book Club

June 10-August 12

Story Hours: July 5,12,19, 26

Summer Adventure Camp

July 23-25, 9:00 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

Merging with R. O. W. week!

Fifth Grade Finale—August 8!

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In God We Trust

First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 317 S. Chester Street, Gastonia, NC 28052 Phone: 704-864-3468, Fax: 704-864-2416

Church email: whenderson@firstarpchurch.org Rev. Matt Kuiken: mkuiken@firstarpchurch.org

Rev. Dr. Jeff Morrison: jmorrison@firstarpchurch.org Rev. Josh Hjemvick: jhjemvick@firstarpchurch.org

www.firstarpchurch.org

Return Service Requested

Music Ministry Update Praise God in His Sanctuary!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise him, all creatures here below, Praise Him above, ye heavenly host Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Thomas Ken, 1674

Our Dear Church Family, We are so very thankful to God for the opportunity to serve Him and His people at First A.R.P. for sixteen years. We have been blessed by this church family in a way that is irreplaceable. Not only did you allow us the opportunity to lead you, but you embraced with warmth and love our entire extended family. You have baptized, taught, and loved our children; welcomed and accepted our parents; your friendships have encouraged, supported, and comforted us; the preaching and teaching has challenged and engaged our minds and hearts; and the opportunities to serve alongside you have stretched us and strengthened our faith. You can be sure that “because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, [we] will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with [us] and everyone else.” (I Corinthians 9:13). We will hold this church family in our hearts and continue to pray for God to pour out His blessings over the ministry and mission of First A.R.P. With joy we will pray for you because of our partnership in the gospel, and we remain confident that God, who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:5,6) To Him be all praise and thanks. With love and appreciation, Heather and Kenney Potter Syl and Calvin

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 2:30—7:00pm

Fellowship Hall Sign up with Vicki Marsh on Sundays in the

breezeway.