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Striving to become living expressions of God’s extravagant grace and love.
onnection
The newsletter of First Reformed United Church of Christ, Burlington, NC
April
2015
www.firstreformeducc.org
Maundy Thursday Service
Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Inside this issue:
Desiderata—Words for
Life
2
Scholarship Applications
due April 30
3
Safe Church training to be
offered April 12
3
Consistory Notes
4
Home Repair Ministry
4
Adult learning opportunities
4
Finance Report
5
Memorial Day Lunch
6
Birthdays
7
The Upper Room Experience
as shared by Peter
Young Musicians of Alamance
insert
Calendar
insert
Easter Sunday Service
Sunday, April 5
Breakfast - 9:00 a.m.
Resurrection Service - 11:00 a.m.
Christ Indeed Is Risen Today!
Anthem
The Ragman
A Modern Parable
Page 2
Connection
Desiderata - Words for Life
by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons
than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Keep interested in your own career,
however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of
time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your
soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Submitted by Ray and Amy Deal
April
Page 3
Scholarship applications due
April 30
Safe Church training to be
offered April 12
If you are a high school senior or a current college student seeking scholarship money, First Reformed UCC offers three scholarships. Any church
member (or active participant) currently attending or
planning to attend an institution of higher education
is eligible to apply. Applications are available in the
church office and should be submitted no later than
April 30.
During two sessions held February 22 and
March 1, twenty-seven people received Safe Church
training. What a wonderful turnout!
We will be offering another training session on
Sunday, April 12, at 12:30 p.m. for those who couldn’t make it to the previous two. Anyone who is currently serving on Consistory, serving as a Trustee,
serving in the nursery, or serving as a Sunday
School roamer MUST attend a training session. The
event takes approximately 45 minutes with a few
more minutes for completing the necessary forms.
You can be in and out in less than one hour!
We would love to have everyone in the church
attend a session, even if you are not serving in one
of these capacities, just so that you can know what
is being done to protect those involved in our children’s and youth ministries.
Tethered to God...
“The daring young man on the flying trapeze … ”
Those lyrics to a popular 19th-century song come to
mind when I picture aerial artists. A performer called
the flyer leaps off a bar, swings a couple of times
from a trapeze, then lets go to sail through the air
before connecting with another swinging performer,
the catcher.
Life sometimes seems like a circus act, though
we don’t always feel so daring. Especially during
transitions, we often must let go of one thing before
we’re secure with another. We may feel as if we’re
flailing through the air during a move or job change,
while awaiting medical test results or just walking
along the path of faith.
Thankfully, God is our dependable “catcher.” As
we sail through life, wondering whether there’s a
safety net, we needn’t worry about our ability to connect with and cling to God. Instead, he catches us
and holds on for dear life — our earthly life and our
heavenly one.
If you have any questions, please contact Amy Deal
(584-3612) or Carol Burnett (226-7346).
Church Office Hours
—Heidi Mann
MWF - 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and
weakness and despair to strength and beauty and
happiness.
—Floyd W. Tomkins
TT - 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Page 4
Connection
Consistory Notes
The Consistory of First Reformed UCC met Sunday, March 8, immediately after worship. Nine members and Phil Myers were in attendance.
The books have officially closed for 2013 and
2014 and $12,000 was transferred from the Memorial Fund in order to bring the Current Fund to a $0
balance to begin 2015. Currently we have $29,000
in checking. The financial report was approved.
Phil reviewed his written report and the church
calendar.
Steve shared that the Fellowship Committee was
working on May Fellowship for the afternoon of May
31 and looking toward the Fall for the Carnival. They
are also working on the Easter Breakfast.
Bev shared that the Worship Committee also
has a meeting scheduled.
Phil shared some of the research that Carol had
done around church on-line giving. After discussion,
Home Repair Ministry
The Mission and Outreach Team is currently investigating two potential service projects:
• Replacing and painting the siding on a trailer
home, and
• Building a handicap ramp for one of the Meals on
Wheels recipients.
Although specific dates have not yet been set for
addressing these needs, we are probably looking at
one or more Saturday’s in late April and/or early
May.
If you have any interest in participating in either
of these projects, please contact either Nora Foust
or JoAnne Croy. They’ll then notify everyone when
the work is ready to proceed.
it was approved that we empower Carol to set up
Paypal for online church giving.
Young Musicians of Alamance is progressing
and violins have been purchased. Phil is working on
a dedication service in memory of Marvin and Eva
Clapp.
A new sign has been purchased for the sign box
at the front of the church.
We approved the moving of the April 12 meeting
to April 19. We will join the Circle #4 lunch and then
meet. Amy will let Madeline know.
We also approved the moving of the May 10
meeting to May 17.
Respectfully submitted,
Nora Foust
Consistory Secretary
Adult learning opportunities
The Adult Sunday School Class will begin a new
unit of lessons on April 5. “The Community of Beloved Disciples” is a five-session study for the Easter
season. The scriptures under consideration draw
from 1, 2, and 3 John. These letters provide a window into the work of the Holy Spirit in the community
of faith.
The Tuesday Bible Study will NOT meet on April 7
since it is the week after Easter. The group will resume its discussion of “The Kingdom Within” on
Tuesday, April 14.
April
Page 5
OPERATING BUDGET
1
February
YTD
Budget
%
INCOME
2
Contributions
6,578
14,613
134,510
0.11
3
Other Income
113
482
7,960
0.06
4
Endowment
-
23,145
92,579
0.25
5
Total Income
6,691
38,240
235,049
0.16
9,235
18,706
145,519
0.13
120
150
8,070
0.02
5,538
9,243
69,150
0.13
6
EXPENSES
7
Administration
8
Benevolence
9
Operations
10
Other Expenses
707
1,334
12,100
0.11
11
Total Expenses
15,600
29,434
234,839
0.13
(8,909)
8,806
12
Net Total
Narrative Summary
For the month of February
a. Congregational giving totaled $6,578 - $4,631 less than what is needed each month.
b. Total income for the month was $6,691.
c. Total expenses for the month totaled $15,600 - nearly $4,000 less than what was budgeted.
d. For the month, we experienced a net loss of $8,909.
Year to Date
e. Congregational giving for the year totaled $14,613 - $7,805 less than what was needed.
f.
Total income for the year was $38,249 - $935 less than what was needed.
g. Total expenses for the year totaled $29,434 - nearly $10,000 less than what was budgeted.
h. For the year, we have a net gain of $8,806.
We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does.
Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.
—Dwight L. Moody
Page 6
Publications available for
the congregation
Connection
Save the Date
If you haven’t picked up one of these three
church publications over the last few months, you
are encouraged to do so the next time you attend a
service or program.
Membership Directory
Contains the names, addresses and phone numbers for members of the church. If you notice any
inaccurate information, please contact the church
office.
Images of Faith
Published for the church’s 125th Anniversary, this
booklet showcases all the art and architecture found
within, and around the building.
2015 Yearbook
Distributed at the end of February, this resource
contains a wealth of information on the church’s programs and ministries. Contents include:
• Mission Statement and Ministry Initiatives,
• 2015 Calendar,
• Dreams for the Next 125 Years,
• Listing of Staff and Volunteer Leaders,
• Mission Opportunities,
• Small Group Opportunities,
• Congregational Statistics,
• Budget Reports,
• Endowment Fund Reports.
May 31
on the
church lawn
Memorial Day Lunch
125 Acts of Intentional Kindness
On holidays throughout the year, the Good
Shepherd Community Kitchen closes in order to give
some much needed rest to its employees. To ensure
that meals are still available to persons who rely upon this service, several different churches fill in for
the kitchen. For at least the last 20-30 years, the
members of FRUCC have taken responsibility for
preparing and serving meals on both Memorial Day
and Labor Day.
So….
If you are in town for Memorial Day (May 25),
please consider helping us serve lunch for those in
our community who are less fortunate. This is a
wonderful opportunity for service and a great way to
make new friends.
Want to help? Please contact Nora Foust or JoAnne Croy, cochairs of the Mission and Outreach Team. And
even if you aren’t
in town that day,
please consider
donating a drink
or dessert.
April
Page 7
Birthdays
Worship Helpers
3 Judy Thomas
5 Parker Radabaugh
Amelia Burgess
7 Tom Kivett
Amy Nicholson
11 Mike Wilder
Josh Green
12 Ray Deal
Allen Black
Joseph Smedberg
16 Maci Baker
18 Josh Chappell
19 Melissa Kakavas
22 Alan Balog
Michael Canada
24 Amy Smedberg
25 Cindy Dimont
27 Brittany Loomis
Sara Beth Puckett
30 Mike Beamon
Grace Witham
Greeters:
5 Jackie Allen, Nancy Long
12 Mike and Nora Foust
19 Chuck and Stephanie Terrell
26 Cathy Byrd, Joanne Croy
Worship Nursery:
5 TBA
12 Grace Witham
19 Janice Burgess
26 JoAnn Oakes
Liturgists:
5 Jackie Allen
12 Larry Small
19 Karen Small
26 Emily Daniels
Ushers:
Brad Widerman, Bill Hindman, Nancy Burgess,
Janice Burgess
Trustee on Call:
Wally Shearin
Mission Statement for First Reformed United Church of Christ
Striving to become living expressions
of God’s extravagant grace and love.
We seek to accomplish this by…
1. Welcoming all persons with a warmth and hospitality that will help them realize that God loves them
beyond imagination and that they are of extreme value.
2. Gathering in moments of worship and celebration characterized by authenticity, vitality, and creativity
– where one may experience and share the life-changing presence of God in a multitude of ways.
3. Offering a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth, faith development, and supportive fellowship.
4. Helping persons to explore and develop their own individual gifts for ministry and inviting them to
share generously of their time, talents and resources.
5. Engaging in acts of service and love that will express the compassion, mercy, and justice of Christ in
the world.
Connection is published monthly by
Striving to become living expressions of God’s extravagant grace and love.
First Reformed United Church of Christ.
513 West Front Street
Burlington, NC 27215
(336)226-7346
e-mail: frucc@bellsouth.net
Web address: firstreformeducc.org
Pastor
Phillip Myers
Ministry Assistant/Editor
Carol Burnett
Choir Director
Ariel Perez
Organist
Margaret Ann Fambrough
Chime Choir Director
Beverly Pugh
onnection
First Reformed United Church of Christ
513 West Front Street
Burlington, NC 27215
(336)226-7346
Suggestions and contributions for our newsletter
are welcomed and encouraged.
The deadline for each issue is
the 15th of each month.
Sunday Services
9:45 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Sunday School
Fellowship Time
Worship
All are welcome!
Jesus didn’t reject people. Neither do we.
Circle #4
will sponsor a
Salad and Baked Potato
Lunch
Sunday, April 19
immediately after worship