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December 07, 2006

Looking for a gift this Christmas for a current or former member of First Presbyterian?

Look no further. Place your order for one of the few remaining copies of A History of the First Presbyterian Church of Rocky Mount. Copies are available through the church office (446-9121) or by e-mail to fpcoffice@earthlink.net. The price is $25.00 per book.  Please add $5.00 for postage and handling if desired.

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Looking for a gift this Christmas for a current or former member of First Presbyterian?

Look no further. Place your order for one of the few remaining copies of A History of the First Presbyterian Church of Rocky Mount. Copies are available through the church office (446-9121) or by e-mail to fpcoffice@earthlink.net. The price is $25.00 per book.  Please add $5.00 for postage and handling if desired.

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November 21, 2006

Messiah, Part One Sunday, December 10

Messiah

 

I did think I did see all heaven before me and the great God Himself. Handel.

 

Composer George Frideric Handel was experiencing a low spot in his career in England. Music critics of 1741 were often just as harsh then as they are in the present century, and the public was certainly no less demanding in their tastes and preferences in music. When a friend approached Handel about composing an oratorio based upon a compilation of scriptures he had arranged, Handel reluctantly agreed. The result of his twenty-four day burst of inspiration and almost non-stop writing produced his immortal Messiah, quite possibly the most renowned religious musical composition the world has ever known.

 

 

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Music & Fellowship at FPC

The Alleluia Singers, Cherub Choir, and Handbell Choir will present a Christmas Celebration on our final Wednesday evening of the year following the fellowship dinner. The Children’s Choirs will present various carols and readings telling of the Nativity.

 

At the conclusion of the December 13 Christmas Celebration, there will be a brief party/reception for all of our music ensemble participants and their families. The children will be able to spend their “music bucks” that they have been earning over the semester during children’s choir. If you are interested in helping with food, drinks, and other party goods, contact Jeremy Jones at the church or at home 252-758-9004. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

We have several great musical opportunities to share with our church members, family, friends, and surrounding community members. You are all encouraged to attend and invite others to see Handel’s Messiah as well as the Christmas Celebration presented by our Children’s Choirs to enjoy the gift that God has given us in music. Hope to see you there!

 

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October 22, 2006

Stewardship Luncheon and Fair

All are invited to attend next Sunday, October 29 immediately following worship.

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September 26, 2006

World Communion Sunday

World Peace Offering 2006October 1 is World Communion Sunday, the day the Peacemaking Offering is usually received by Presbyterian churches.

The theme, “Swords into Plowshares: Living the Ways of Peace,” is taken from the great vision of peace found in Isaiah 2:2–4, when the peoples of the world stream to the mountain of the Lord and learn from God how to live in peace. What they learn from God leads them to action: they change swords and spears, instruments of war that are no longer needed, into plowshares and pruning hooks, implements used in the peaceful work of producing food for people.

http://pcusa.org/peacemakingoffering/

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September 19, 2006

Annual Congregational Meeting

The congregation is called to convene for its Annual Meeting on Sunday, September 24th at the close of the worship hour for the purpose of electing its officers and to receive the annual report of the Administrative Division of the Session.
 

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May 07, 2006

Katrina Relief Mission - Organizational Meeting

A New Venture in Mission to the USA'S Deep South

BE A PART OF FPC'S KATRINA RELIEF VENTURE TO GULF PORT/BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

We will leave following worship on Sunday, June 11 and return Sunday, June 18. Be a part of a great re-building venture and ministry of encouragement. An organizational meeting of all who would like to take part will be held on Monday, May the 8th at 7:00 p.m. in the Session Room.

For additional information: Email: fpcoffice@earthlink.net or call 252-446-9121

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April 29, 2006

FPC Chancel Choir and Tar River Children's Chorus FPC Sanctuary

FPC Chancel Choir and Tar River Children's Chorus FPC Sanctuary April 30, 2006 - 5:00 P.M.

The Tar River Children's Chorus, directed by Patsy Gilliland, is comprised of about 60 voices and includes both a full-size group and a smaller advanced chorus. The children range in age from 4th through the 10th grades. The Children's Chorus had its national debut on the CBS Morning Show, and has performed at Bruton Parish in Colonial Williamsburg and at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The Chorus participated in the Heritage Choral Festival in New York City in April, 2001. Patsy Gilliland is beginning her ninth year as conductor of the Tar River Children's Chorus. Under her direction, the Chorus has performed such ambitious works as Benjamin Britten's opera Noye's Fludde and excerpts from Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel with the Tar River Orchestra. Gilliland received her Bachelor of Music degree from Meredith College and Master of Music from Indiana University. She has performed in operas, oratorio, musicals, concerts, radio and television in the U.S., Europe, Africa, and the Far East. While living in England, she was a frequent soloist for the BBC and sang in concert at Royal Festival Hall. She is a former Miss North Carolina and talent award winner in the Miss America Pageant. She has taught voice for 26 years. For more information about the Tar River Choral and Orchestral Programs, visit their website at http://www.abouttroc.org/

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March 19, 2006

KATRINA RELIEF MISSION IN THE MAKING

For six years following Hurricane Floyd’s destructive visit to Rocky Mount, congregations from across many states and denominational lines came-a-callin’ to offer assistance in the rebuilding of our community. Throughout those years our presbytery gratefully hosted many hundreds of those workers in the Edgemont facility on Tarboro Street. In addition, First Pres. was privileged to host a number of groups, which spent many a night on the floors of our Youth Center and cooked many a meal on the ovens in our kitchen. We have been generously blessed by so many strangers who have ventured to Rocky Mount for the sole purpose of being good neighbors to us.
As a grateful response to the love and goodness that has been so generously and faithfully poured out upon us, FPC is now gearing up for a mission venture of its own to our southern neighbors, who were hard hit last year by Katrina. Adult members and friends who would like to be a part of our mission venture to Mississippi in 2006 are invited to meet with Elder Jeff Herrin, Chairman of Outreach, immediately following worship on Sunday, March 5th at the front of the sanctuary. This will be our initial meeting to discern interest, to coordinate our activities, and to begin to develop our plans. (If you are unable to be with us at that time but would like to be a part of this mission, please notify the church office (446-9121 or fpcoffice@earthlink.net) of your interest, and you’ll be kept informed of plans as they develop.)

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Sping Concert Series

Peace College Chamber Singers and Salem Academy Girls Chorus Collaborative Concert FPC Sanctuary April 2, 2006 – 4:00 PM

The Peace College Chamber Singers are the College’s premier vocal ensemble. Students are selected for the group through auditions held at the beginning of each academic year. The ensemble performs music from all style periods, from 10th century Gregorian chant to Bach cantatas accompanied by orchestra to arrangements of popular songs of today. Serving as ambassadors for Peace College, the students present numerous performances throughout the state and region, appearing in schools, churches, and for civic organizations. On average each year, they reach a total audience of 4,000-6,000 listeners.
The Chamber Singers’ performances are not limited to North Carolina audiences. In the spring of 2003, they performed at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and were also invited to present a concert as a part of the Candlelight Concert Series at Bruton Parish in Colonial Williamsburg. During the last two weeks of May, 2004, the Chamber Singers represented Peace College to international audiences during their sixth European Concert Tour, presenting performances at historic Canterbury Cathedral and Christ Church in Oxford, in addition to concerts in Paris and Bruges, Belgium. In March of 2005 the group concertized in New York City. The ensemble will tour in the Charleston, S. C. area this spring, and will return to Europe for their seventh tour in May of 2007. One of the highlights of this spring semester will be a concert on the Peace campus with internationally known saxophonist Branford Marsalis.
Jim Smith, Associate Professor of Music, conducts the ensemble, and Virginia Vance, Associate Professor of Music, serves as accompanist.The Salem Academy Glee Club is a forty-voice choir of young women in grades 10-12. Under the direction of Caron Daley, this group performs regularly at Salem Academy and College and throughout the Winston Salem area. These talented young singers perform a broad array of choral repertoire, including classical, sacred, gospel and world music. Caron Daley is Director of Music at Salem Academy, where she conducts the Chorus, Glee Club and Spirit ensembles. She also teaches voice at the Salem College Community Music School and directs the Tar River Chorus in Rocky Mount. A native of Nova Scotia, Caron came to the United States to pursue a Masters in Choral Conducting and Vocal Pedagogy at The Ohio State University. She has enjoyed three years of wonderful music-making in NorthCarolina!

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February 23, 2006

Spring Concert Series

The Music Ministry of First Presbyterian Church is pleased to announce a new and exciting Spring Concert Series!

We have three wonderful concerts scheduled in the months coming and we encourage you to take note. The first concert will feature our own Jennie Vance on Sunday, March 5 at 4:00 p.m.

On April 2, we are fortunate to have in a collaborative concert the Salem Academy Women’s Choir and the Peace Chamber Singers. The Spring Concert Series will conclude on April 30 with a tribute to the 250th Anniversary of Mozart featuring the FPC Chancel Choir, orchestra, soloists, and the Tar River Children’s Chorus.

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February 14, 2006

Youth Notes

The Middle School and Senior High youth groups have been quite busy over the past few weeks.

The Senior High Youth Group helped to answer a small family’s Christmas wishes through a service project involving the Bassett Center. The Senior Highs got together at a local discount center, made out lists and shopped diligently for requested items. Using their own money, they picked out presents designed to help the family with their wants and needs. The group wrapped the presents and presented them to the Basset Center for distribution.

The Middle School Youth Group worked with The Tar River Mental Health Association in their annual Operation Santa Claus campaign. The group wrapped presents, sent cards, sorted donations and had fun at the same time. Their work benefits the residents of mental health agencies in the area. The group was so hard-working and efficient that the staff of TRMHA had to scramble to keep them busy. Much was accomplished in just a few hours.

Both groups, out of a sense of appreciation, found ways to give back to the congregation. Members of the Middle School group designed and made Christmas cards for members of the church. Members of the Senior High group served refreshments to attendees of the Longest Night service that was held in our sanctuary.

The church was well represented by the members of both youth groups as they participated in the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. On the last night of the drive youth group members, their advisors and their parents were stationed at both entrances of Harris Teeter to collect donations. It was cold, but over twenty-five willing volunteers braved the elements to help those in need. It was a great night. Many thanks to the congregation for supporting our youth and this great cause.

Both groups, having done a lot to help others, took time to celebrate the season with each other. The Middle School group’s Christmas party included great food and an entertaining “white elephant” gift exchange. The Senior High group celebrated with a home-cooked meal and a time of reflection on the year and the meaning of Christmas.

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December 14, 2005

Christmas concert on Wednesday, December 14 at 6:45 p.m.


The Alleluia Singers are enjoying a wonderful experience in choir this semester under the direction of Kenneth Tice. They recently shared their musical talents with us in worship on October 30. Well done!
Currently, the Alleluia Singers are preparing several Christmas songs to present on a Christmas concert on Wednesday, December 14 at 6:45 p.m. in the sanctuary.

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December 13, 2005

Adopt-A-Family

The Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church have adopted a family from My Sister's House for Christmas. The family consists of the mother, a 13 year old boy, and two girls 8 and 12 years old. Please call Mary Watson from more information. Cash donations can be made to Presbyterian Women with the notation "Adopt-a-Family".

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November 07, 2005

Dedication Sunday: November 6th

Each year on Dedication Sunday we present together as an act of worship our monetary pledges and our offerings of Time and Talent in support of our church’s ministries for the coming year.

Why do we go about pledging as we do? Where do you find such a practice in the Bible?
In Biblical times human economies were vastly different from those of today. Few personal or family economies today are quite so tied to the land as they were then. What was clearly a spiritual discipline for believers in biblical times was the offering of the first and very best fruits of their labors. In their giving believers were intentional, purposeful and generous in their response to God’s providence. In our day most of our labors typically generate far more in terms of monetary results than they generate in terms of grains, fruits and/or livestock. As a result, the giving of our substance is typically done monetarily. The practice of pledging is a self-discipline that helps us to be no less intentional, purposeful and generous than our spiritual forbearers were in their response to God’s grace and goodness. In that respect it is very much a continuation of a deep-seated and time-honored practice of faithful stewardship that glorifies God and leads us toward ever greater faithfulness.
Wouldn’t it be better for us spiritually just to “operate on faith” than to go through this process of budgeting and pledging every year?
The last time I checked, the person who prayerfully placed a generous heartfelt pledge on the Lord’s Table or mailed into the church office what represented a significant portion of his or her anticipated yield for the coming year was operating on faith, was motivated by hope and trust, was acting in faith in a way that was leading them on to an even higher dimension of faithfulness. By budgeting our resources and by pledging, we are not being less faithful but are rather engaged in a process that is calling for us repeatedly to re-examine our relationship to God and our priorities based on that relationship. We are seeking to be responsible as well as generous. We are very much acting in faith when our annual pledge in support of the work of Christ’s Church is at a level appropriate to the measure of God’s benevolence toward us.
Be among the folks of First Pres on Nov. 6th as we joyously and gratefully dedicate our pledges as well as our offerings of “Time and Talent” to the work that is ours together in Christ in 2006.
Best to you,

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October 20, 2005

OPERATION SANTA CLAUS

As our Presbyterian Women have done in many years past, they are once again asking for donations for OPERATION SANTA CLAUS. This is an annual Holiday Drive sponsored by the Tar River Mental Health Association to provide a gift for local mental health consumers in programs, group homes and our area residents in Cherry Hospital.

Ways we can help:
Collect Holiday Gift Items from the wish list:


Bedroom shoes, socks, puzzles, wallets, umbrellas, board games, gloves, ties, blouses/slacks*, shampoo, checkers, toothpaste and brushes, denture creams, hair dryers, raincoats, soap, radios, belts*, brushes, stuffed animals, electronic games, playing cards, blankets, shaving cream, pajamas*, miscellaneous personal care items, costume jewelry, mirrors, sport shirts*, slacks*, cologne, perfume, watches, hair clasps, lotion, sweatshirts/pants*, coloring books, books, razors, robes*.
*Larger clothes items are always needed.

Make a financial donation to our Consumer Support Fund:
Make your tax-deductible gift to: Tar River MHA, P.O. Box 8773, Rocky Mount, 27804.
Items and donations will be collected until December 13th.

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October 07, 2005

CALLING ALL CHILDREN


Summer vacation and those warm, lazy days have come to a halt as we have began a new school year. At First Presbyterian Church, everyone is extremely excited about beginning a year of a great children’s choir music program. We hope and encourage all children to become involved in the ministry of children’s music. All parents are welcome to come in and visit the choir rehearsals to see the impact music plays in the enrichment of a child’s life.

All children should have the opportunity to participate and learn with first hand experience what music is and how we praise God’s name with the beautiful and glorious sound of our voices. Everyone can sing, so do not have any worries or apprehensions if your child may be uncertain about his or her ability to be involved in music because of difficulty in reading music, matching pitch, or any other reason. Choir is a time to learn these aspects of music and how we can improve and make ourselves better musicians in service of the Lord.

Furthermore, music education enhances other subjects in curriculum and transmits history and culture from past generations to allow us to better understand and appreciate the world we are apart of. The repertoire that will be chosen for children’s choir will be balanced according to age level and will allow the students to grow spiritually and intellectually. In selecting music for the choir, the text must stand alone as quality literature, have a careful wedding of text and music, have a good translation, be appealing, and acceptable and appropriate for spiritual growth.

Remember, every child should experience music and understand the important role it has in worship and praise for the Lord. We encourage all parents to sign your children up for choir this year and help the music ministry grow to spread the word of Jesus Christ through First Presbyterian Church and our community.

In Christ,
Jeremy D. Jones

Cherub Choir Ages 3-5
Brenda Crocker, Director
Wed. 6:30-6:45 p.m. in the Adult Choir Room

Alleluia Singers Grades 1-5
Kenneth Tice, director
Wed. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in Room 204


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FPC INVOLVED IN HOUSE MAKE-OVER

On a recent weekend, more than fifteen people from the Senior High Youth Group, the staff and the Diaconate took an afternoon to transform the yard of our adopted family’s new house at 735 Marigold Street. The crew used trimmers, edgers, shovels, rakes, a lawnmower and a good deal of effort to bring the landscape back to life. The Senior Highs and members of the Service to Community Division plan to return soon in order to clean and repair the interior of the house. Furniture and appliances will then need to be collected and moved soon after. Through the efforts of many, the house on Marigold is beginning to look more and more like a home. Stay tuned for updates on this and other families who have relocated to the greater Rocky Mount area. Thanks to everyone for your time and energy.

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September 07, 2005

KATRINA—HOW IS OUR CHURCH RESPONDING?

First, a word about our response as Presbyterians across the republic.

During the past week Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has taken the following steps towards the long-term recovery needs related to Hurricane Katrina.
PDA has established a call center at the Ferncliff (Ark.) Camp and Conference Center to coordinate volunteer recruitment and assignment. Groups wishing to volunteer for active field duty throughout the Gulf area should call 1-866-732-6121.
On its web site (www.pcusa.org/katrina) PDA has established a reconnect bulletin board for church members trying to locate displaced individuals and for evacuees who want to advise family and friends of their new location.
Up to 15 self-sufficient staging camps are being created in the Gulf region to support relief teams for service throughout the most-damaged areas. Erected and supplied at a cost of approximately $150,000 each, the camps include dormitories, shower facilities and mess tents for up to 150 volunteers.

PDA has made an initial commitment of $10,000 to help pay crew salaries on the three Carnival cruise ships docked in Galveston, Tex. and Mobile, Ala. PDA is also coordinating the services of health care professionals who specialize in the needs of the 7000 elderly and special needs evacuees expected to be housed on the ships.
Working with the Norwegian Church Aid organization it partnered with in relief efforts to areas impacted by the south Asian tsunami, PDA is coordinating the importation from Norway of site engineering technology and expertise for advanced water purification. The team currently is located in Jackson, Miss.

A warehouse has been set up in Houston to distribute personal hygiene kits and "Hope in a Box" kits for children. The warehouse will serve evacuees at Texas relocation sites. A second warehouse operation is being made operational in Atlanta.
PDA has accelerated development of a disaster relief equipment and supply warehouse in Little Rock, Ark. Originally planned to serve future relief needs in the Gulf region and tornado alley, the facility is being fast-tracked to be operational for the Katrina response.
Debris-clearing teams created by Presbyterian church members are being coordinated and supported throughout the storm damage area.

In addition to its Hurricane Katrina response, PDA has disaster relief programs on-going in Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Malawi, Niger, Sudan and the tsunami region.
The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) website has forms that offer various ways that Presbyterians can be involved in helping with the Hurricane Katrina response, and have been overwhelmed with your offers of help. “Thank you for your generosity and compassion for people living in this desperate situation. PDA is creating a database of people who have homes to share, materials to donate, and time to volunteer. We will be sending acknowledgements to more than 2,000 offers within the next week.”

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