First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1505 Fort Bragg Road

Fayetteville, NC 28305 (910) 484-2962

Email: fccfayettevillenc@gmail.com

Pastor: Rev. Clay Boyd kilmarnock01@yahoo.com

(910) 885-1670

Admin Assistant: Ms. Jane Green

Music Director: Ms. Sarah Cessna Board Chair: Mr. Lorenzo Quilloin

April 2017

The Salvador Dali painting of the Last Supper, represented above, is quite different from the more familiar depiction by Leonardo da Vinci. The transparency of Jesus and his presence with the disciples as well as represented in bread and cup is set beneath a divine Jesus above—at least, that’s how some see it. As Lent concludes with the celebration of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter Sunday, we want to remember the eternal presence of Christ who was, who is, and who will be. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, a roadmap to being one with God. Through his life and message, Jesus shows us God’s love for us and how we can find eternal life through him. We pray that all may come to a fuller understanding of God’s reconciling love for you this Easter season.

Easter schedule: April 09 11:00 Palm Sunday with Cantata April 13 7:00 PM Maundy Thursday (foot washing, communion) April 16 11:00 Easter Sunday (Hallelujah!!)

The

Fayetteville

Disciple

Perhaps this is the message we need to be spreading to those who don’t believe. Some of us don’t have much hope. If we’re disabled, uneducated, poor, or lonely, we have the hope of wholeness in Jesus Christ. Sometimes we are saddened by the events of our world, but remember the words of Jesus from Matthew 23:11, “The poor will be with you always…” I believe the broader implication of that is that some things in this world of the flesh can’t be changed completely. Perhaps one day, but not immediately. Our ultimate hope is in the world to come. As in Jesus’ day, here we may have poverty, oppression, war, slavery, injustice, and all the other human imperfections, but in the world to come, we can have hope in a better way. That hope gives perspective on our current world situation. Sometimes, it’s like the weather here in North Carolina; if you don’t like what’s happening, give it a while, it will change. But for all the difficulties of our lives today, we can look at our new life in Christ, the life that is yet to come. As it is said in Matthew 28...

“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; he is risen.’”

Peace, Clay

From the Pastor’s Pen . . .

New Life in Christ Like most creatures of the flesh, caterpillars crawl along, doing what most of us do. They eat, drink, sleep and exist. Most are not particularly beautiful and we think little of them until … After living about two weeks as a caterpillar, they enter a cocoon-like pupa where they transform over a two week period into the magnificent winged creatures we call butterflies. The creature of the earth and flesh becomes something of a spirit that flies through the air. Jesus did something like that when his physical body died and was placed in the tomb. But he emerged in a new body, a body that was perhaps spirit and flesh at the same time. Like Dali’s painting, Jesus seemed to be a transcendent person who was present in the room with his disciples, but everywhere present as well. I like to think of that as our fate as well. When we’ve welcomed Jesus into our hearts and meet the end of our earthly lives, we too, transform. We enter the spirit world and live eternally in God’s presence. That is truly the “Good News!” Yes, Jesus saves us from out sins, but the really incredible gift is eternal life. I, for one, am happy that doesn’t mean growing REALLY old here on planet Earth. My bones ache enough as it is. But imagine! An eternal life with no aches and pains. An existence in spirit where there is no anger and hate, no color or religion, no politics or war, no crime or violence. We will truly know the love of God and the peace of Jesus Christ.

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CAF Yard Sale The Christian Adult Fellowship had their annual Yard Sale Saturday, April 1st. It was a great success! Proceeds will help send underprivileged kids to Camp . Their monthly breakfasts are going well and they encourage everyone to join them.

Please join us on Saturday, April 8th at 9:00 for Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall.

The meal will be followed by a short meeting.

Jean Jackson Malcolm and Janie King Margie Rose Billy McGirt Elke Shelly Wright Family

Monica Stephenson by Rob Gates O’Steins Family, by Star Lockamy Mary Boone, sister-in-law of Eleanor Manning Felicia Okeagu, wife of Jonas Okeagu Larry Epsiey, by Paul Rollizo, Sr. Daisy Pilkington, sister of Jim Lockamy Charles Covington, husband of Margo Covington Erika Loeschmann, sister of Trudi Bedelis Jerry Faris, friend of Trudi Bedelis Steven McAdam, brother of Susan Jackson Alvin Watson, by Trudi Bedelis Tom Phillips, by Jeff and Donna Kieft Stacey Freeman, sister of Monique McMillan Marvin Jackson, father of Monique McMillan Carolyn Berrie, sister of William Wright

Our sincere sympathies are extended to Eleanor Manning and her family on the death of her brother, Alton Boone who passed away Friday, March 30. The funeral will be Monday, April 3rd

at 2:00 and will be held at Edwards Funeral Home in Kinston, NC ( 702 N. Queen Street). If you get lost, call the funeral home at (252) 527-1123. Visitation will be one hour before, starting at 1:00 PM. If you’re looking for the obituary, try

www.legacy.com. We also pray for our service men and women, serving far from home and family. May they come safely home again.

Please Remember These in Your Prayers

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Camp Caroline

Give your kid the experience of a lifetime. Send them to Camp this summer. Please see Clay for more infor-

Summer Camp Registrations

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Notes on the Regional Assembly

We will be meeting our new Interim Regional Minister

Registration of $35 includes lunch. Deadline is April 21st.

Registration opens at 8:00 AM on April 29th and closing worship will be at 3:45 PM at First Christian Church in Wilson, NC

Opening worship at 9:00 AM

Business Session at 3:00 PM

Resolution for the Regional Assembly

Therefore, the Regional Board puts forward the following resolution:

Be it resolved that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina shall sell its Regional Office Building and the property on which the building is located to Barton College with the following terms of sale: The total purchase price is $125,000.00.

Workshops:

Cultivating Cultural Awareness

Mental Health Survival Guide

Envision a Future for the Region of North Carolina

Navigating through the Commission of Ministry

WORSHIP UPDATE Sunday evening’s worship will include not only the election of the new General Minister and President, but also the opportunity to sing, pray and hear meditations from three folks you may not have been introduced to just yet. Scheduled to speak are Jae Young Rhee, a pastor from Ohio; Jen Garbin, regional minister for Canada; and Henry Brewer-Calvert, student at Brite Divinity School (Texas). You will want to be there, so register now! After 12 years of leadership, the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins will reach the end of her second term as General Minister and President at the 2017 General Assembly. Tickets are now on sale through the registration system for the banquet to be held in her honor on Saturday, July 8. Well wishers may also attend a reception after worship Saturday evening.

Crop walk 2017 - Saturday, April 22, 9:00 AM. Put it on your calendar

Let Mary Kay Hennessey know if you are interested in helping with this event or walking.

We Walk because They Walk

Please help us again this year to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, that all may

know that God’s love is active through His Church. If you do not wish to walk, please

support our walkers. Contributions may be made out to First Christian Church and

designated for an individual walker or all our walkers. Walkers have a choice between a

three mile or one mile walk. We will be meeting for the walk at Evans Metropolitan AME

Zion Church, located at 301 N. Cool Spring St, Fayetteville. The actual walk begins at

10:00 AM. Come in from the Grove (bridge out from the south).

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Preparing Deacon Star Lockamy

Elders Ernestine Barnes Ed Barnes

Serving Deacons Paul Rollizo, Jr. Jonas Okeagu

Worship Leader Donna Kieft

Greeter Star Lockamy

Nursery Attendant Brenda Handelman

Acolyte Taylor Wright

Sound Board/Video Joe Hennessey Jeff Kieft

Serving Schedule for March

April Anniversaries

12 — Janie & Malcolm King

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April Birthdays 1 — Le’Naysia Jackson — Jonas Okeagu 2 — Barbie Howard 4 — Brian Rice 9 — Star Lockamy 10 — Emily Knowles 11 — Serenity Scott — Shirley Tharrington 13 — Landon Ervine 16 — Aiden Burd 17 — Helen Tucker 19 — Frank Richie 20 — Chelsie Smith — Corinnia McBride Wyble 23 — Jean Jackson 25 — Roxanne Jackson 30 — Clay Boyd May 1— Elke Shelly

Minister’s Info:

Clayton (Clay) Boyd, BA, MDiv Address: 5870 Pettigrew Dr. 28314

Note to All Committees Please attempt to have regular meetings. The Board Chair and Minister are both ex-

officio members of ALL committees. Please invite them to your committee meetings. This helps coordinate the activities of the church and its other organizations and they may have information your committee needs. Ex-Officio does not mean optional.

As we are close to a new church year, please make sure you have a turn-over file for the next committee.

Stewardship and Finance Committee On February 12, 2017, the General Board approved the replacement of unit one (of two) units, of the heating and air-conditioning system for the sanctuary with the actual unit being installed on February 22, 2017. We request each family make an additional donation of $60 for such an emergency. Should you elect to make a greater donation, it would be greatly appreciated. Please mark your check “H/A” in the memo line.

Thank you!!

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New Bible Study

This week, at our usual times (as listed below), we will embark on a new study of the Bible. We will be studying all four gospels in parallel. This week, we will be looking at the first three chapters in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We’ll look at how each writer started his story and what they had to say about Jesus’ birth. It will be exciting and the pastor can’t wait to dive in. Please join us.

Wednesday at 5:30 PM

Thursdays at 10:00 AM

NOTE: The document on pages 10 and 11 is provided at the request of some of our members attending the Board meeting on March 19th as a reminder of the ethical commitment made by our membership in 2008. You may see the original document hanging on the back wall of the sanctuary, an appropriate place for such a momentous document. It is recommended that we review it. Our pastor also has a ‘code of ethics’ which may appear in next month’s newsletter.

Sunday School

We are going to have a Sunday School starting April 2nd! There will be three youth classes and the nursery available. We’ll start at 10:00 AM on Sundays of course. If you have youth, please bring them so they can learn the stories of our faith and history. We’re excited about this new effort from our Education Department. If we have adults come, then we’ll also have an adult class. If you’d like to help out, let the office know. Please join us.

MEETINGS: Worship - Wednesday, April 5, 1:00 PM PRC - TBA

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We, the members of this congregation, following much prayer and discussion of our attitudes and practices in the light of the life and teachings of Jesus, hereby resolve to follow the ethical

principles delineated in the New Testament. The following Ethical Guidelines for Congregational Conduct, while not to be construed as a set of rules or law, will help us to make specific

application of our New Testament faith to our practices as a congregation. May God guide us and give us strength and

determination as we endeavor to understand and to fulfill the resolves mentioned in these guidelines.

OUR RELATIONSHIP AS MEMBERS

TO ONE ANOTHER A. We will treat one another with courtesy and kindness. We

will endeavor to maintain an attitude of Christian love in all our relationships.

B. We will welcome the expression of differing viewpoints and will seek to create an atmosphere of trust and confidence that will encourage free discussion.

C. We will seek to keep confidences and will refrain from gossip. We will seek in all we do and say to strengthen character and dignify personality.

D. We will remember that our personal conduct gives evidence of our sincerity and reflects upon the good name of the Church, the Body of Christ.

E. We will reaffirm this document at least triennially and review these guidelines whenever we are in the process of calling new pastoral leadership.

F. We will work within the framework of the constitution and by-laws of this congregation. These guidelines will not supersede our own church's constitution and by-laws but may be helpful in their revision.

G. We will establish and follow a policy on receiving and using special gifts, memorials, trusts, and endowed funds in such a way as to be consistent with Christian stewardship. Reception of the gift entails a consideration of its appropriateness. The policy should also give consideration to when an item outlasts its usefulness.

OUR RELATIONSHIP AS MEMBERS TO OUR

CHURCH OFFICERS AND LEADERS A. We will select our officers intentionally and impartially on

the basis of their commitment, competence, compassion and maturity in the faith. We are committed to having men, women and youth serve in the various responsibilities of the congregation.

B. We will endeavor to distribute our offices among many persons and be appreciative of the services of every member.

C. We will provide them opportunities for training, skill development and faith formation. We will provide the resources needed for each to be an effective leader.

D. We will nurture through encouragement and prayer our officers, committees, classes, auxiliary groups and the board of the congregation.

E. We will expect our officers to manifest Christian principles in their conduct.

F. We will offer constructive support and feedback to our officers and leaders.

OUR RELATIONSHIP AS MEMBERS TO OUR MINISTER(S)

A. When seeking a minister, we will follow our denominational guidelines, work through the Regional Office , and will conduct all negotiations with integrity, courtesy and orderly procedure, without unfair discrimi-nation with regard to marital status, sex, age or race.

B. We will keep informed on how ministers are compensated in our denomination through information supplied by the Pension Fund of the Christian Church and by the regional office, and will support our ministers with salary, housing, a pension plan, health insurance, necessary expense funds, vacation, and the time and financial means for continuing education consistent with the demands and resources of our congregation.

C. We will provide our minister with necessary facilities and equipment for his or her work and will respect study hours. We will be considerate of the need for rest and relaxation and will be sensitive to the need for time with family.

D. We will respect the time and talents of members of the minister's family and will have no greater expectations of them than of other lay people.

E. We will grant our minister responsible freedom of the pulpit and the right to present Christian convictions without fear.

F. We will respect and cooperate with our minister's spiritual and intellectual leadership.

G. We will call on our present minister for weddings, funerals and other special services. Our former ministers or others unconnected with the congregation may be invited to participate in such services only when appropriate and at the present minister's invitation.

H. We will cooperate with our minister to best utilize our congregation's talents in fulfilling the mission of the church.

I. We will keep our minister informed when pastoral services are needed.

J. We will support our minister's reasonable participation in ... District, Regional, and/or General activities of the denomination, as well as civic and ecumenical activities.

K. We will encourage and assist our minister through constructive feedback, appropriate praise, constant prayer and faithful participation with him or her in ministry.

L. Because the congregation is a priesthood of believers that minister to one another (pastor to the congregation and congregation to the pastor), our relationships in the church will be covenantal as well as contractual, and we will maintain and conclude all pastoral relationships in a spirit of Christian love.

M. The church will be sensitive and will voluntarily find specific ways to go the second mile in ministry with love, compassion and trust in the event of personal and/or family crisis, illness of the minister or minister's family, a death in the family, psychological or emotional difficulties or other extenuating circumstances.

N. We will have an active Pastoral Relations Committee or a corresponding body to continually monitor the relationship between our minister and the congregation, and we will call on the assistance of the regional staff before a conflict situation grows into a crisis.

O. We will observe similar appropriate principles with all other professional staff of our congregation.

ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR CONGREGATIONAL CONDUCT CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

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OUR RELATIONSHIP AS MEMBERS TO OUR COMMUNITY AND/OR COUNTRY

A. We accept our missional responsibility for the moral and spiritual development of our community. We agree to live in a manner consistent with our Christian convictions.

B. Because our Christian convictions set the standard for our citizenship, our faith will lead us to be informed, to respect law, to vote our conscience and to influence government officials in working toward a just and morally responsible community.

C. We will be attentive to the moral and ethical implications of every project we are asked to support.

D. We will maintain a good credit standing in the community. We will expect our staff to do the same.

E. We will respect the rights and privileges of persons living near the church and will endeavor not to inconvenience our neighbors nor harm their property.

F. We will establish no barriers that might prevent anyone from worshiping with us.

G. We will work in a complementary way with community service agencies and organizations to most effectively serve and improve our community.

OUR RELATIONSHIP AS MEMBERS TO THE

CHURCHES IN OUR COMMUNITY

A. We will seek to understand the beliefs and practices of others. While we may be constructively critical of their doctrine, we will refrain from unkind remarks about people who differ from us.

B. We will encourage unity and harmony among the various communions of Christian peoples and will give evidence of our sincerity through participation at appropriate local, state/province, national and/or world levels.

C. We will not be part of proselytizing members from other congregations in our community, nor will we exploit the problems or crises of other congregations. We will present the witness of our congregation in a manner not injurious to others.

D. We will respect the privilege of borrowing from other congregations.

E. We will consider sharing our facilities according to the necessities of the community and the purpose for

which they are needed. OUR RELATIONSHIP AS MEMBERS TO

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

A. We will seek to know and to understand the various points of view within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and will respect the opinions of those whose interpretations differ from our own.

B. We will recognize our covenantal relationship with the Disciples and will give generous and prayerful support to our programs at home and overseas.

C. We will endeavor to know, claim and live our identity as set forth in the Preamble for the Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and be knowledgeable about the actions of the Chair/Moderator of the Board Cluster, Area, District, Regional, and General Assemblies.

D. Mission gifts received by our congregation will be used for their intended purpose(s). Budget

commitments for world outreach causes are as binding as those secured for our local obligations.

E. We will encourage our minister(s) and our members to serve beyond the local congregation in the Cluster, Area, District, Regional and/or General manifestations of Disciple work.

OUR RELATIONSHIP AS MEMBERS TO THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL

A. With the church universal we proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of the world, in his name and by his grace we accept our mission of witness and service to all people.

B. We are bound to God and one another through covenant, and through baptism we are made one with the whole people of God.

C. We are called to express the unity God bestows by ecumenical study, dialogue, cooperation and expression.

D. Because all Christians in the church universal have the obligation to uphold the Christian life in the face of the evil forces of our day, we will cooperate with other church bodies in living the Christian witness.

E. We will support acceptable agencies of Christian cooperation in local, national and global manifestations of the Church's life.

F. So as to establish no barriers that might prevent any of Jesus' followers from communing with us; we will remember that our Lord invites his believers to the Lord's Table in the spirit of Christian love and unity.

WE THE MEMBERS OF

First Christian Church of Fayetteville, North Carolina

on the 20th day of July, 2008 ,

DESIRE TO UPHOLD THE COVENANTAL RELATIONSHIPS WE SHARE WITH ONE

ANOTHER, OUR CHURCH OFFICERS AND LEADERS, OUR MINISTER(S), OUR

COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY, THE CHURCHES IN OUR COMMUNITY, THE

CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST), AND THE CHURCH

UNIVERSAL REGARDING THESE GUIDELINES.

Signed on behalf of the Congregation by:

Mary Wright

(Board Chair)

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First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1505 Fort Bragg Road Fayetteville, NC 28305 (910) 484-2962

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Group Events in the Life of FCC Fayetteville

Elders Meeting: Sunday, April 9th at 9:00 AM This is an opportunity for our Elders to gather and discuss the needs of the Congregation and its mem-bership. They also send out cards to those for whom they pray. See Mary Morgan for further infor-mation.

Dorcas Friends will meet Saturday, April 1st at 9:00 AM This group is a fellowship group for women who have suffered the loss of their spouse. They meet for breakfast and fellowship. They send cards to those who need a pick-me-up. See Eleanor Manning for further information.

Christian Adult Fellowship will meet Saturday, April 8th at 9:00 AM This is a group for adults, though the term, ‘adult’ is not defined. It is open to both men and women and their primary purpose is fellowship. The group is led by Billy McGirt.

Weekly Prayer Group meets every Thursday at 9:00 AM. This group grew out of our last Bible Study and meets to pray for members, families and friends of our congregation. They also send cards to those in need of a smile. They invite anyone and everyone to join them, young and old, male and female. See Isabelle Jackson for more details.

Bible Study meets every Wednesday evening at 5:30 PM and Thursday mornings at 10:00 AM. We are beginning a study of the 4 Gospels in parallel.

Chancel Choir each Wednesday, 7:00 PM, The choir is open to all who have a desire to sing. Knowing how to sing is optional. See Sarah Cessna should you have a question.

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