Pastor’s Page

You have been hearing about the church’s September 23rd event for several months now. The event will include: a show featuring classic tractors and pick-up trucks, a yard sale, a bake sale, face painting, selling BBQ plates ($8.00 per plate) (BBQ and sauce, beans, slaw, roll, chips) and BBQ by the pound, as well as some other fun events. This day will be a lot of fun for us as a church for sure. However, as we come together to have fun that day, I want to remind us all of a few of the higher purposes of the event.

First, to raise money to send 4 church members to Belize (in early March 2018) to share the love of Christ with the local Belize population. The team is: Chris Wiker, Dave Brooks, Andy Welborn, and pastor Stuart Fowler. The money raised will pay for plane tickets, food, lodging, and materials needed for the actual mission work on the ground. Your team is part of a bigger team from two other ARP churches (Boyce Memorial Church – Kings Moun-tain and New Sterling Church – near Statesville, NC).

As you participate in the event that day, keep in mind that what you are actually doing is helping a vital effort to share the life-giving gospel of hope to those in Belize who do not currently have this hope. Missionaries are sent out by churches who support them (that’s you!) and the sending churches are a vital part of the mission effort. Acts 13 states the following about the church at Antioch: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and [Paul] for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:2-3). The Antioch church sent out Barnabas and Paul to other parts of the Mediterranean to do mission work. You are doing the same thing - and your work and participation in this event is a big part of that gospel effort.

The Second higher purpose of the event is to show the love of Christ to our community. There may be many come that do not know the love of Christ personally. You have a golden opportunity to interact with them to witness God’s love to you in Christ through your words and actions. We all have a tendency to cling to those that are familiar to us rather than mingle with those we don’t know. Pray that the Lord will help us all intentionally interact with those we don’t know and not cling to our comfort zones. They need to know the love of Christ and this is a golden opportunity to show them this love through simple kindness and attention.

The Third higher purpose is to expose others to our church. Recently, I was told that our church is “the best kept secret in Gaston county.” Generally, it is good to keep secrets but not in this case. We want to get the word out about CCARP church. To further this, I would encourage you to go ahead now and invite those you know. Dana and I have invited our families and I encourage you to do so also. If we all invite just our immediate circle of friends and family the word will spread fast in an exponential fashion. Melissa can print for you some small flyers to hand out – ask her. Also, they can buy BBQ tickets in advance. Contact Melissa in the office or Dave Brooks to get BBQ tickets to sell.

The Fourth higher purpose is to have fun and grow together as the body of Christ. As we work together to plan and promote this event, and then work the event, the Lord will further our relationships together and meld us more together in Him.

Last (but certainly not least), we seek to glorify Christ through all we do before and during this event. Ultimately, it is about Him. Therefore, please be praying to Christ to work mightily through this event in our own hearts and church, and in the hearts of all we have the privilege of ministering to that day – all for His glory. Please consider how you might help with the effort that day and contact the mission committee to get involved. As you pray in advance, you are already vitally involved and are being a vital part of a greater effort to spread the Good News of Jesus to those in our community and in Belize.

Lovingly in Christ,

Pastor Fowler

Crowders Creek Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church SEPTEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER

Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

A. The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Gen 1:1, John 5:39, John 20:31, Romans 10:17, 2 Tim 3:15, Deuteronomy 10:12-13, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:105, Micah 6:8, 2 Tim 3:16-17

"Why do we do that in Church?"

What does it mean in the Apostle’s Creed that Jesus will “come to judge the quick and the dead?”

The phrase is rooted in Peter’s words in Acts 10:42 where he states that Jesus “commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.” The Bible teaches us in several places that Jesus will return one day and there will be a final judgement where every human being in history will stand face to face with Him and give an account of their life (2 Tim. 4:1; 1 Pet. 4:5). The day

Jesus returns most humans in all history will have already died – these are the “dead” referred to in the Apostle’s Creed. However, some people will not have died – they will be living their normal life. Those still alive are the “quick” ones – an old English term for “living.” What is most important is that we know we trust in Jesus now as our Savior and Lord. Then, when we stand before the Lord, we can look forward with confidence to Him saying to us “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 25:34).

On Sunday, September 17th at 6:00 p.m. we will have our 3rd family movie night sponsored by the Missions Committee. We will watch the 3rd movie segment. The third episode in the award-winning series Dispatches from the Front goes deep into the lands of West Africa - lands broken and bloodied by years of horrific civil war, desperate poverty, and dark religion. For centuries Islam and demon worship have held millions in the grip of fear, violence, and blood-guilt. However, the Gospel is changing all of that! I Once Was Blind opens windows to whole villages turning to Christ as the Gospel breaks through borders and breaks down altars where human sacrifice was once made to Satan. See how fresh wells of water are drawing thirsty sinners to Jesus. Take a front -row seat on the frontlines where a dress rehearsal is underway for the day when the ransomed from every nation, tongue, and tribe will see their Savior and sing for joy and wonder at the reach of such grace! Snacks & Drinks provided.

Sunday Morning Attendance

Aug 6 67

Aug 13 Bonclarken

Aug 20 89

Aug 27 71

2017 Budget Calls For:

$208,000.00

Need through week 35

$140,000.00

Actual through week 35

$130,704.50

Barker Bequest $4,808.06

Bonclarken Fund $7,746.60

Bonclarken Weekend $422..02

Building Fund $5,675.00

Cemetery Fund $6,717.26

Choir Support $275.20

Choir Chimes $403.29

Emergency Fund $12,385.00

Faith Promise $3,974.64

Henry Bequest $50,000.00

Hymnal Fund $227.97

Memorial Fund $4,971.15

Outreach Fund $704.02

Playground Fund $402.41

Van Replacement $12,969.12

Youth Activities $2,553.10

Children’s Ministry for August

Nursery Children’s Church

9/3 Dana Fowler & Wanda Cooper

Amy Mistry & Ava Mauney

9/10 Tommy & Mona Davidson Rick & Chris Oates

9/17 Gavin & Ashley Bell Andy & Phayvanh Welborn

9/24 Felix & Michelle Alpizar Matt & Erin Grigg

9/3 Addison Key

9/10 Ethan Mistry

9/17 Lisa Welborn

9/24 Jonathan Alpizar

Acolyte Schedule

The Missions Committee will

be holding a fundraiser event

on Saturday, September 23rd.

The goal of this fundraiser is

not only to raise necessary

funds for the trip to Belize but

also to reach people in our

local community that may not

have a church home. This is a

great way for all of us to get

involved and contribute in some way. How you can help:

Donations for both the Yard & Bake Sale– Please see the sign-up

sheet in the vestibule or contact the office. Yard Sale items may be

dropped off during normal office hours.

Volunteer to help at the event

Invite friends & family

Register your truck or tractor

Pray for the teams from the 3 churches that will go and the people that

they will come into contact with.

Deacon Schedule

September Wayne McAllister, Bob Grigg,

Josh Grigg & Karen Elliotte

Sept 2nd Andy & Phayvanh Welborn

Sept 11th Doug & Wanda Cooper

Sept 19th Gavin & Ashley Bell

September 1st Phayvanh Welborn

September 2nd Ron Millar

September 4th Richard Anderson

September 5th Cheryl Cook

September 6th Roger Brown

September 7th Kelly Hogue

September 7th Steven Roach

September 11th Becky Nelson

September 11th Susannah R. Haskell

September 13th Lauren Elliotte Beech

September 14th Laura Jones Blakely

September 15th Jimmy Carter

September 21st Jordan Clarke

September 21st Diane Roof

September 22nd Jacob Mauney

September 25th Gloria Stewart

September 27th Zach Ferguson

September 27th Amanda Roach

September 28th John Oates

Can You Find Jesus?

We all seek Jesus each and every day, in prayer, in the scripture, in the spoken word. Now we present you with an exercise to keep your mind sharp and draw your attention to each and every article brought to you in this newsletter. Find the hidden image of Jesus on these pages and let the church office know. We will list those who have in our next issue. These folks found Jesus in the July issue of our newsletter: Nancy Roach, Ethel Mauney, Marilyn Brooks & Cathy Best.

Sunshine Sisters Meeting September 5

Women’s Ministry Meeting September 10

Sunday Night Activities Resume September 10

Historical Committee Meeting September 11

Deacon’s Meeting September 13

ARP Students Day @ Erskine September 16

Family Movie Night September 17

Ladies Bible Study September 19

HARPS Meeting September 20

Session Meeting September 21

Missions BBQ Fundraiser September 23

High School Fall Retreat September 22-24

HARPS will meet for lunch on Wednesday,

September 20th at 11:30 a.m. at the Clover

Station. Anyone that is interested is welcome

to join us for this meeting and time of

fellowship.

EVERY WORD IN THE BIBLE

Every Word in the Bible Track 3 takes you completely through the

Bible, reading every word. Other Bible-reading plans allot only a year for this project, requiring that at least 3 chapters be read each day. But many readers find such a pace to be unrealistic and

discouraging. For this reason, Track 3 assigns only one chapter a day. (Some short chapters have been combined, so occasionally you will read two brief chapters in a day.) In all, the reading plan works out evenly to a three-year total. The Track 3 plan alternates be-tween the Old Testament and New Testament. This mixing provides variety and reduces the fatigue

that may set in from reading long sections of the Old Testament. Time Commitment: Three years Goal: To read all the way through the Bible with understanding

Sept 1 Sept 2 Sept 3 Sept 4 Sept 5 Sept 6 Sept 7

Sept 8 Sept 9 Sept 10 Sept 11 Sept 12 Sept 13 Sept 14 Sept 15

Sept 16 Sept 17 Sept 18 Sept 19 Sept 20 Sept 21 Sept 22

Sept 23 Sept 24

Sept 25 Sept 26 Sept 27 Sept 28 Sept 29 Sept 30

Oct 1 Oct 2

Oct 3 Oct 4 Oct 5 Oct 6 Oct 7 Oct 8 Oct 9 Oct 10

Oct 11 Oct 12 Oct 13 Oct 14 Oct 15 Oct 16 Oct 17 Oct 18

Oct 19 Oct 20 Oct 21 Oct 22 Oct 23

Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30-31

All men are invited and encouraged to attend this

time of great food & fellowship.

Please sign up with the office or on the sign-up

sheet in the vestibule no later than March 20 if you

plan to attend.

2017 MUSIC CON-

FERENCE

Crowders Creek ARP

Church

Thanks to all for the kind phone calls and

cards during my illness. I don't have to tell

you what a great church family we have,

you are it!

~ Rob Elliotte

SUNDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES

Our normal Sunday evening schedule resumes Sept. 10th at 6 p.m. Format as follows:

- Everyone meet together in fellowship hall at 6 p.m. to sing a few hymns/psalms (~15 min.) - Youth then have their lesson in youth room - Smaller children go downstairs for their lesson or catechism - Adults have prayer followed by study in Proverbs - Finish by 7 p.m.

For a few months, one night per month we will have a movie night in lieu of above schedule. Movie is "Dispatches From the Front."

CCARP VBS 2017

Photo’s courtesy of Ashley Bell

The Historical Committee needs your help!

The committee is preparing for our 125th

Anniversary Celebration coming up in October of

this year. The Session has approved holding this

event along with the Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan service.

As usual, there will be a meal after the morning

Worship Service.

We would like to invite as many as possible of our former members and the past friends of Crowders Creek Church

to celebrate this event with us.

Do you know of someone we need to invite? We need addresses as well as names but if you don’t have the address,

we will do the best we can to find them. Just let Melissa know who needs to be invited.

We also need your help in documenting the last 25 years of church history.

Do you have any items of interest about our church or congregation from the last 25 years or so? How about any

home movies showing events in our church life? Recordings of significant sermons? Pictures of past events? If so,

please let Melissa know and we will make arrangements to document it and return it to you if you wish.

Maybe you have a relative with “stories of a general interest” to tell about our church, or maybe you have the “stories

to tell”? We could document those stories for the future. Just let us know who you suggest.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Sunday, October 29th, 2017 and let all your friends and relatives know to do the same.

Photo’s courtesy of Sarah Boyd

The Women’s Ministry will meet Sunday, September 10th following the Worship Service. A light lunch will be provided. We will continue our

study in Galatians. All ladies are invited and encouraged to attend.

The Sunshine Sisters will

meet on Tuesday,

September 5th at 11:30 a.m.

at the Wendy’s on

Union Road. We will enjoy

lunch together before

visiting some of our

shut-in members.

September is CAM month at Crowders Creek.

Crisis Assistance Ministry (CAM) of Christians and Jews of

Greater Gastonia is an organization established in 1976

by the faith community in the Gastonia area. CAM is

dedicated to helping low income families and individuals

in our community with basic life needs. CAM relies on

financial and food support from the faith community. If

you would like to make a monetary donation, please use

the pew envelopes, designate that your donation is for

CAM and put it in the offering plate. There is also a box

in the vestibule if you would like to donate any non-

perishable food items. Both monetary and food

donations will be delivered to CAM at the end of

September. There will be brochures in the vestibule with

information and more ways that you can help support

this organization.

The Ladies Bible Study will resume for the fall on

September 19th. The group meets at the home of

Marilyn Brooks every Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. We will

continue our study in Hebrews. If you were unable

to participate before our summer break, you still

have time to order necessary materials before we

begin. All ladies are invited to attend. Please see

Marilyn Brooks for more details.

Memorials for

George Stowe

Jeffrey & Kellie Pope gave to the Van Replacement Fund

Lewis Hicks gave to the Van Replacement Fund

Steven & Ann Cherry gave to the Van Replacement Fund

Carolyn Adams gave to the General Fund

Frank & Vivian Osborne gave to the Van Replacement Fund

Gerry & Gretchen Best gave to the Van Replacement Fund

Boyd Tire & Appliance gave to the Van Replacement Fund

J. Dean & Jackie Carpenter gave to the Van Replacement

Ann & Todd Morris gave to the Van Replacement Fund

Barbara Ferguson gave to the Van Replacement Fund

Ethel Mauney gave to the Van Replacement Fund

HARPS gave to the Cemetery Fund

Gene & Nancy Jones gave to the Memorial Fund

Rutherford Electric gave to Van Replacement Fund

Charles & Ann Ferguson gave to the Memorial Fund

Jack, Margaret & Will Grier gave to the Memorial Fund

Cathy Best gave to the CCARP Cemetery Endowment Fund

Rev. & Mrs. Bill Parnell gave to the Van Replacement Fund

Virginia Jones & Family gave to the Van Replacement Fund

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

9:30 a.m. Elders meet for prayer 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 5:00 p.m. Choir Practice 6:00 p.m. Sunday Night Activities

7:55 a.m. Men’s Breakfast Fellowship Dixie Diner

1

2

3

4 5:30 a.m. Salvation Army Breakfast

5

11:30 a.m. Sunshine

Sisters meet at the

Wendy’s on Union Road

6

7

8

9

10 Women’s Ministry Meeting

Sunday Night

Activities Resume @6 p.m.

11 7:00 p.m. Historical Committee Meeting

12

13 6:30 p.m. Deacon’s Meeting

14

15

16

17

6:00 p.m. CCARP Movie Night

18

19

20 11:30 a.m. HARPS Meeting @Clover Station

21 7:00 p.m. Session Meeting

22

High School

23 BBQ/Tractor

Show Fall Retreat

24

Sunday Night Activities

HS Retreat

25

26

27 28 29 30

Crowders Creek Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church SEPTEMBER 2017