THE SPIRE LIGHT First Presbyterian Church

100 Silver Creek Road, Morganton, NC 28655 828-437-1811

www.fpcmorganton.org

January 17-

February 6, 2016

January 17, 2016 Rev. Adam C. Bowling

Lectionary Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 36:5-10

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11

Greeters Rick and Janet Leissner Lewis and Jane Rigsbee

January 24, 2016 Rev. Michael R. Bailey

Lectionary Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Psalm 19 I Corinthians 12:12-31a

Luke 4:14-21

Greeters Ken and Catharine Corn Seth and Kelly Hawkins

January 31, 2016 Rev. Michael R. Bailey

Lectionary Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6

I Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30

Greeters Ed and Ruth Bonomo

Eric and Shari LeGoullon

February Visitors’ Table Posie George

2016 Souper Bowl of Caring The Youth of First Presbyterian, First Baptist, and First United Methodist churches of Mor-ganton invite you to be a part of a little friendly competition—they are competing to see which church can donate the most food and money to Burke United Christian Minis-tries by February 7, 2016! This national youth-led food and ser-vice drive is called the Souper Bowl of Caring.

In 2015, the youth, advisors, and parents from these three churches raised a total of $7,990.86 and 3,954 pounds of food

for the hungry in Burke County! This year they want to break that record, but they can't do it with-out your help.

Please drop off your canned goods and non-perishable food at First Presbyterian Church on Sundays or during office hours now until February 7. Donation checks can

be made out to "First Presbyterian Church." Please put "Youth Souper Bowl" in the memo line.

Help our youth keep the

Souper Bowl Trophy at FPC!

Previous Winners

2015: First Presbyterian Church 2014: First Baptist Church

2013: First Presbyterian Church 2012: First United Methodist Church

Thank You! The Worship Committee would like to offer its sincere thanks to our church staff and the many members of the congregation who so graciously contributed their time and tal-ents during the Christmas season to the cele-bration of our Savior’s birth. What a bless-ing it is to have so many faithful members serving in this most special season of the year. To God be the glory!

Many thanks to all who blessed us with Christmas cards, gifts, and goodies! What a privilege and a joy it is to be working for and with such a supportive, thoughtful community of believ-ers. We wish you all God’s blessings in 2016! --The FPC Church Staff

Samples of Suds The folks of First Presbyterian Church, in keeping with our heritage, like to save things—little thing, big things, useful things, and other things. “Waste Not, Want Not,” we say. Those of us who travel may have saved unused hotel toilet-ries; let’s put them to good use! Bring them to church and place in the buckets located outside the fellowship hall and in the narthex. These donated items will then be distributed to those in need through ministries such as BUCM, Options, and prison ministry. If you can donate personal toiletry items, you can help our neighbors have one less thing to buy as they try to get back on their feet. Thank you from the Mission and Outreach Committee!

2016 Malawi Mission Trip The Malawi Mission Trip of the Presbytery of West-ern North Carolina is scheduled for May 16-June 1, 2016. Applications forms are located on the Missions bulletin board located across from the church office. Application, deposit, and letter of endorsement are due by February 29. Valid passport and visa are re-quired. You may contact Tom Kilgore at 438-0844 or at ckpaints@bellsouth.net for more information.

Did You Know? “Eighty-two percent of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited. Only two percent of church members invite an unchurched person to church. Ninety-eighty percent of church-goers never extend an invi-tation in a given year.” --Dr Thom Rainer, The Unchurched Next Door “A study including more than 15,000 adults revealed that about two-thirds are willing to receive information about a local church from a family member and 56 percent from a friend or neighbor. The message is clear that the unchurched are open to conversations about church.” --Philip Nation, LifeWay Research

Whom can you invite to First Presbyterian Church?

The “State of the Church” Congregational Meeting The “State of the Church” Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 7, following an ab-breviated worship service, to inform the congregation of the business and ministry of First Presbyterian Church. If you are unable to attend, information packets will be available in the church office.

Wednesday Night Meals and Programs Kick-off Wednesday night meals will begin again on Wednesday, February 3, at 5:15 PM in the fellow-ship hall. Please RSVP on the friendship pads in the sanctuary or by calling the church office at 437-1811 by noon on Mondays. Following the meal on February 3, Cara Conway will pre-sent a flute concert accompanied by Robert Smith. Cara is a senior at Appalachian State Uni-versity studying flute performance and planning to study abroad this May in Ireland.

First Presbyterian is a connectional church; let us therefore pray for other congregations within our Presbytery:

Black Mountain Presbyterian Church

Prayer O God, heal our world, that all people

may live in the love of your Son and that all creation may sing your praise. Amen.

Sunday, January 17, 3:30-7:00 PM—Racial Reconciliation/Souper Bowl Planning All youth and adults are encouraged to join us for a special Morganton Area Racial Reconciliation Worship. We will meet at church at 3:30 PM to travel to Gaston Chapel. When we return, we will work on our Souper Bowl of Caring Food Drive preparations. Bring $3 to pay for your meal. Please RSVP via Facebook or email Pas-tor Adam today—hope to see you there!

Sunday, January 24, 6:00-8:00 PM—Summer Trips Info Meetings All youth and parents are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn more about summer opportunities for youth. We will discuss the Raleigh Youth Mission and Vacation Bible Camp at 6:00 PM, dismiss the rising 7th and 8th graders/parents at 7:00 PM, and then talk about Triennium and Fun in the Son for high schoolers. There is no meal. Following are the dates for 2016 youth summer trips/events:

• Raleigh Youth Mission, June 26-July 1: for rising 7th graders through graduating seniors • Fun in the Son Conference, July 10-15: for rising 9th graders through graduating seniors • Presbyterian Youth Triennium, July 19-23: for rising 9th graders through graduating seniors • Vacation Bible Camp Volunteer Week, July 25-29: for rising 7th graders through adults

Friday, January 29-Sunday, January 31—Winter Retreat to Winterplace, WV Registered participants are asked to meet at First Baptist Church in Morganton, packed and ready to go, at 3:30 PM on Friday, January 29! Remember to pack layers, your ski clothes and equipment (if you aren’t renting), a swim suit (for indoor pool), and spending money for two meals, snacks, and souvenirs ($25-50). Please contact Pastor Adam with questions or concerns.

Sunday, January 31—No PM Youth (Winter Retreat participants return approximately 4:30 PM.)

Souper Bowl of Caring, 12:00-4:00 PM—Sunday, February 7 Help collect canned goods and donations after worship on February 7. Then, we’ll head to First Baptist for lunch with other area youth. After lunch, we will participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring Food Drive. Like last year, we will compete against other youth groups to collect the most donations. Bring a change of clothes, a coat, and $3 for lunch. We need adults who are willing to drive teams around town. Contact Pastor Adam if you can help!

Student Student Student Student MinistriesMinistriesMinistriesMinistries

Rev. Adam Bowling 828-448-8914

adam@firstpresmorganton.org

In Sympathy

“I am the resurrection and the life.”

Congregational love and sympathy are extended to Grace Swann and Debbie Wellmon and their families at the death their brother and uncle, Aldine Patton, on December 9, 2015.

Congregational love and sympathy are extended to Nadine Fisher and family at the death of her husband, Harold Fisher, on December 10, 2015.

Congregational love and sympathy are extended to Laurie Hopkins and family at the death of her mother, Joyce Burdon, on December 14, 2015.

Congregational love and sympathy are extended to Rosemary Enos, Libby Norvell, and Elizabeth Norvell and their families at the death of their husband, father, and grandfather, Jerry Enos, on December 16, 2015.

Congregational love and sympathy are extended to Bill Harris and family at the death of his sister, Nancy Harris Porter, on December 31, 2015.

Congregational love and sympathy are extended to Linda Wilson and family at the death of her brother-in-law, Corwin (Corky) Wherrett, on January 2, 2016.

Save the dates for God’s Backyard Bible Camp!

Deep Sea Discovery July 25-29, 2016

9:00 AM-3:00 PM (Doors open at 8:30 AM)

for ages 3 1/2 (toilet trained) to rising 6th graders

Contact a co-director to volunteer today!

Erin Bowling: erinkbowling@gmail.com, 828-448-8913

Teresa Carpenter: teresacarpen@aol.com, 828-443-7727

See pages 5-6 below.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CALENDAR

The Spire Light Deadline The next issue of The Spire Light will cover February 7-27 events. Please submit information to the church office or email to lori@firstpresmorganton.org by noon on Monday, February 1.

Sunday, January 17

9:30 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Chancel Choir

10:55 AM Worship Service

3:30 PM Youth Racial

Reconciliation Worship and

Souper Bowl Preparation

Monday, January 18

Church Office Closed

Tuesday, January 19 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 1:30 PM Staff Meeting Wednesday, January 20 12:00 PM Al-Anon—Rm. 200 5:00 PM Chancel Ringers No Program/Meal 6:00 PM Personnel Meeting 7:15 PM Chancel Choir Thursday, January 21 6:00 PM Session Meeting 7:00 PM Ladies Bible Study— Parlor Saturday, January 23 8:00 PM Al-Anon—Rm. 200 8:00 PM AA—Rm. 101

Sunday, January 24

9:30 AM Sunday School

10:00 AM Chancel Choir

10:55 AM Worship Service

6:00 PM Youth Summer Trips

Meetings

Monday, January 25

7:00 PM PW Coordinating

Team Meeting—Rm. 200

Tuesday, January 26

7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast

1:30 PM Staff Meeting

Wednesday, January 27

12:00 PM Al-Anon—Rm. 200

5:00 PM Chancel Ringers

6:00 PM Scholarship Cmte.

Meeting—Library

No Program/Meals

7:15 PM Chancel Choir

Thursday, January 28

9:00 AM Soup Kitchen

Friday, January 29

3:30 PM Youth Leave for

Winter Retreat

Saturday, January 30

8:00 PM Al-Anon—Rm. 200

8:00 PM AA—Rm. 101

Sunday, January 31

9:30 AM Sunday School

10:00 AM Chancel Choir

10:55 AM Worship Service

4:30 PM Youth Return from

Winter Retreat

Monday, February 1

11:00 AM Circle 1—Grace Ridge

12:00 PM Spire Light Deadline

7:00 PM Circle 2—Parlor

Tuesday, February 2

7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast

1:30 PM Staff Meeting

7:00 PM Circle 6—Parlor

Wednesday, February 3

10:30 AM Spire Light

Volunteers

12:00 PM Al-Anon—Rm. 200

5:15 PM Meal

6:30 PM Flute Concert

7:15 PM Chancel Choir

Thursday, February 4

9:30 AM Primetimers Board

Meeting

7:00 PM Ladies Bible Study—

Parlor

Saturday, February 6

8:00 PM Al-Anon—Rm. 200

8:00 PM AA—Rm. 101

Christian Education News. . .

Please RSVP for Nursery Care on Wednesday Nights

We now ask that parents please RSVP for nursery care for Wednesday night programs starting February 3 and thereafter by using the friendship pads in the sanctuary on Sundays or by calling the church office at 437-1811 by noon on Mondays. Our dedicated nursery staff is ready and look-ing forward to caring for your children (infants-kindergarten) on Wednesday nights. We need your RSVP so we can have the appropriate staffing levels for your wee ones! Thanks!

God's Backyard Bible Club Begins on Wednesday, February 10 We are looking for volunteers to help with God's Backyard Bible Club this spring on Wednesdays from 3:00-5:30 PM. We plan to start our program on Wednesday, February 10, and it will con-tinue through Wednesday April 27, taking a break for Holy Week and Spring Break. Please con-tact Pastor Adam today if you can help out in any way!

God’s Backyard Bible Club Spring Curriculum

Parents of College and Boarding School Students If you have a child away at college or boarding school, please call the church office with their ad-dress or go to the college and boarding school students info form on our church website to fill out the online form by January 25. This information will help ministries at FPC reach out to the stu-dents with care packages and cards while they are away from home.

Wednesday, February 10-Wednesday, March 16: Bible Club participants will experience Bible Science: “Experiments In Faith” that point them back to our loving Creator. Experiments include: Soda Geyser, Lava Lamp Magnetic Slime, Exploding Lunch Bag, Balancing Act, and Potato Battery.

Wednesday, April 6-Wednesday, April 27: In “How To Train Your Attitude,” Campers will learn that keeping our attitude in check can sometimes be as difficult as herding dragons. But with the word of God as our guide, we can learn to train ourselves to have the right attitude in all situations. Lessons include: Words, Gratitude, Compassion, and Obedience.