The First Presbyterian Church 133 South Main Street Post Office Box 687 Mount Holly, North Carolina 28120 704 827-0521 704 827-2351 (Fax) Email: fpcmth@aol.com Website: fpcmountholly.org

MARCH 2018………………...NEWSLETTER……..……..…John and I are still discovering new things about our new home, the most recent of which is a small cluster of narcissus and tulips that are starting to emerge to the call of longer days and from the warming earth. Though the official first day of Spring is not until March 20, creation is stirring and moving and leafing out and preparing for new life.

So, too, are we in the Church, preparing to celebrate new life. The word “Lent” means “Spring,” and is connected to the lengthening of days. Lent has its origins in the early church and is a time during which Christians prepare to observe the death of Jesus on Good Friday before the celebration of his resurrection on Easter.

The concept of “journey” is a good way to look at Lent, because we start in one place and end up in another. In scripture we follow Jesus’ path as he teaches, heals, prays and eventually comes to his death, which we observe on Good Friday. Marcus Borg, in “The Last Week,” provides some explanation about the naming of this most solemn day of the Christian year: “In Greek Christianity it is called “the Holy and Great Friday,” in Romance languages, “Holy Friday,” and in German, “Sorrowful Friday.” In the English-speaking world, it is, of course “Good Friday.” The origin of the English designation is uncertain; it may derive from “God’s’ Friday.” However we name it, it is a day to take to heart God’s great love for us in Jesus Christ, and it is Jesus’ journey toward the cross that we reflect upon as we journey through the Lenten season.

The good news, of course, is that God raises Jesus from the dead, and thus we rejoice come Easter morning. But for this month, let us journey with Jesus on a path of self-reflection, penitence, service and prayer, ever grateful for God’s amazing grace and love. Blessings, Janet

CALENDAR OF EVENTSSunday, March 4 -- 11:00 AM Morning Worship Service Noon Lenten Lunch and Lenten Reflections

Monday, March 5 -- 11:00 AM Circle 3 meeting at the Church

Tuesday, March 6 -- 7:00 PM Circle 5 meeting the Church

Wednesday, March 7 -- 10:00 AM Circle 6 meeting at the Church

Wednesday, March 7, 14, 21, 28 -- 6:00 PM Handbell Practice 7:00 PM Adult Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, March 11 -- 11:00 AM Morning Worship Service/CRO Offering 12:15 PM Session Meeting **Note: No Lenten Lunch or Lenten Reflections

Saturday, March 17 -- 9:00 AM Church Clean Up Day

Sunday, March 18 -- 11:00 AM Morning Worship Service

Noon Lenten Lunch and Lenten Reflections

Sunday, March 25 -- 11:00 AM Morning Worship Service/Palm Sunday/5 Cents A Meal Offering 4:00 PM Community Easter Egg Hunt

Thursday, March 29 -- 7:00 PM Maundy Thursday Communion Service

USHER FOR MARCHChairperson: Kathryn Williamson/Jeff Kaylor

PRAYER CHURCHESMarch 4 -- Jack’s Creek (Burnsville)March 11 -- John Knox (Shelby)March 18 -- Kenilworth (Asheville)March 25 -- King Mountain First

And don’t forget to pray for our Partner Church in Palin, Guatemala.

Let’s keep in our prayers all who are ill or facing challenges, as well as our homebound members. Let us pray for peace in the world.

Rev. Janet DeWater can be reached at the church during the week. Her home phone number is 704 820 8185 or her cell number 425 864 3838 if you need to reach her after hours.

" Facing Racism " Class and Discussion Continues!

"Because of our biblical understanding of who God is and what God intends for humanity, the PC(USA) must stand against, speak against, and work against racism.  Anti-racist effort is not optional for Christians.  It is an essential aspect of Christian discipleship, without which we fail to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ."  (PCUSA) Anti-racism Policy"

The Facing Racism Class will meet on March 6 and 13 to conclude its study. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall and hope you will join in the discussion!

Daylight Saving Time Begins On Sunday, March 11

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

At the February meeting Session:

Examined and discussed our church’s mission statement as it applies to inclusiveness and providing a welcoming environment for all people.

Approved the 2018 Statistical Report.

Received an estimate on the cost of an elevator and handicap accessible bathroom. Funding sources were also discussed.

Discussed reinstating home Communion for shut-ins and those unable to attend church.

Reported that the carpet replacement project in the children’s area is completed.

Approved participating in the “One Great Hour of Sharing” offering on Easter Sunday, April 1, during morning worship.

Approved a motion to observe Communion during the Ash Wednesday meal and worship service on February 14, at 6:00 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall.

Approved the sale of two of the chandeliers that were formerly in the Sanctuary.

Approving removing Keitha Zittle from our membership rosters.

Received a budget update from the Stewardship and Finance Committee.Received the following reports from the Worship Committee:

-The purchase of 24 additional “Glory to God” hymnals (purple).-Extending the contract of Jonathan

Brackett to assist in morning worship.

Designated Sunday, April 8, as “Holy Humor Sunday”. This service will include fun hymns, and add a touch of humor to our morning worship experience.. --Brenda McKinney, Clerk of Session

End of Year Budget ReportThe Stewardship and Finance Committee is pleased to report that our congregation ended 2017 in good financial shape.  Due to increased and strong giving, what had been projected to be a very large deficit budget, in actuality resulted in a much smaller shortfall of $5,289.88.  Thank you, all, for your faithful giving!

THE LENTEN SEASON ATFIRST PRESBYTERIAN

Sunday Lenten LunchesAs we journey through Lent, please plan to come together for lunch and Lenten reflections in the Fellowship Hall right after worship. Sandwiches will be provided. (Please note that lunch will not be served on Sunday, March 11.)

Palm Sunday – March 2511:00 Morning Worship Service with special music

Maundy Thursday Service – March 29We will worship in the sanctuary at 7:00

Easter Sunday- April 1Easter Morning Sunrise service at 7:00 and a breakfast to follow11:00 Easter Morning Worship Service with special music

ELEVATOR UPDATEIn January, 2017, our Session began to discuss ways of making our building more handicap accessible. An elevator committee was formed in July, 2017. The committee began discussing a variety of designs and placement options for an elevator and a handicap accessible bathroom. Our consulting architect prepared a drawing of an elevator and bathroom addition. He submitted the drawings to two general contractors for bids. Both construction bids were more costly than we had anticipated. We have money available for this construction from a restricted Endowment account, but the money available would not cover the cost of the project. The committee decided that construction of the elevator is not feasible at this time. Hopefully, we will be able to build the elevator when additional funds are available. We will, however, explore the option of adding the handicap accessible bathroom. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask any of the committee members:

Jayn Cox, Henry Pigg, Donna Love, Paul Solomon.

Sunday, March 254:00 – 6:00

Arts/Crafts, Dinner and Eggs

During the last two weeks of January and the first two weeks of February, Tina Jessen Springs led a Monday afternoon program for kindergarten through fifth-grade children called Kid Connections. In each session, a group of about a dozen children created a piece of art into which Tina incorporated a lesson about God. Children from our church, as well as some from the community, met in the Activity Room (across from the Fellowship Hall).On the first Monday, children created a linked series of snowflake paintings. They learned that each person is a unique creation of God, just as each snowflake is unique. On the second, they created a set of snowman mugs and learned that, “Snowbody loves us like Jesus.” On the third, they created a painting of paper birch tree trunks, while they learned about being “rooted in Christ.” On the fourth, they created heart designs embossed on tin while they worked on a group acrostic naming attributes of God based on the word Valentine.The Christian Education Committee would like to thank Tina, who generously volunteered her time for this first series of Kid Connections programs. I would also like to thank the adult volunteers who assisted Tina and the young artists: Jayn Cox, Harrison Faith, Nancy Jessen, Brenda McKinney, Susan Nalley, and Frances Springs. Special thanks to Rev. Janet DeWater for her help, and for pinch-hitting for Tina one week when Tina was out with the flu (she’s fine now).Another Kid Connections series is planned on Monday afternoons starting on April 16 and meeting on Mondays from 4 to 5:15 through May 7. The next series will be science-focused but also connect kids to God. Contact the church office or Donna Love if you are interested in bringing a child. There is a registration fee of $5. Scholarships are available. -Donna Love Chair, Christian Education Committee

Saturday, March 17 at 9:00 AM

Janet will bring donuts!Everyone’s help is needed!!

BIBLE READINGSFOR MARCH

March 1 – Judges 17-21 (History)March 2 – Psalms 24-26 (Psalms)March 3 – Job 17-18 (Wisdom)March 4 – Isaiah 45-50 (ProphecyMarch 5 – Matthew 23-25 (Gospels)March 6 – I Corinthians 3-4 (Epistles)March 7 – Genesis 36-39 (The Law)March 8 – Ruth (History)March 9 – Psalms 27-29 (Psalms)March 10 – Job 19-20 (Wisdom)March 11 – Isaiah 51-55 (Prophecy)March 12 – Matthew 26-28 (Gospels)March 13 – I Corinthians 5-6 (Epistles)March 14 – Genesis 40-43 (The Law)March 15 – I Samuel 1-5 (History)March 16 – Psalms 30-32 (Psalms)March 17 – Job 01-22 (Wisdom)March 18 – Isaiah 56-61 (Prophecy)March 19 – Mark 1-2 (Gospels)March 20 – I Corinthians 7-8 (Epistles)March 21 – Genesis 44-47 (The Law)March 22 – I Samuel 6-10 (History)March 23 – Psalms 33-35 (Psalms)March 24 – Job 23-24 (Wisdom)March 25 – Isaiah 62-66 (Prophecy)March 26 – Mark 3-4 (Gospels)March 27 – I Corinthians 9-10 (Epistles)March 28 – Genesis 48-50 (The Law)March 29 – I Samuel 11-15 (History)March 30 –Psalms 36-38 (Psalms)March 31 – Job 25-26 (Wisdom)

First Presbyterian Church133 South Main StreetP. O. Box 687Mount Holly, NC 28120

BIRTHDAYSFOR MARCH

Yvonne Webb 1Bailey Kaylor 1Brenda McKinney 6Diana Faust 15John Reynolds 16Harrison Faith 18Sylvia Groner 19Shannon Lineberger 29Dianne Bumgarner 30Nicole Zonin 31

APRIL BIRTHDAYSAlex Faith 1Amanda Matz 2Yates Springs 5April Jessen 6Becky Lineberger 7Warren Rhinehart 7