Volume 13 Issue 1 January 2020

Fellowship Presbyterian Church USA

Our Purpose Fellowship is called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to make disciples by REACHing, GROWing,

and SENDing people with Christ to do justice, to live mercy, and to walk humbly with God.

Our Motto

The loving place that is Reaching, Growing, and Sending people with Christ.

L.-R. Pauline Bodiford, Gladys Bracy, Mary Mitchell Lois Thompson, Joyce Pettis Temple and Cheryl Johnson. Missing: Barbara Anthony, James and Gertrude Hicks.

The Hand of Fellowship staff wishes all of our readers a Happy New Year.

Photo Credit: Chris Gaines

On December 15, 2019, Fellowship's youth and youth leaders stand together after the presentation of “God's Christmas Gifts.”

Matthew Gardner, Fellowship Presbyterian Church USA member and graduate with an M.A. degree in music is the new Director of Music at Austin High School (AHS). During his high school years, Matthew was an active member of the FPC youth group, known as the Fellowship 5 (and sometimes 6), under the direction of youth music director Mrs. Janet Poles. Along with Matthew, Jeremy Crummie, Demetrius Davis, Galik Horton-Burke, Wheeler Ogbu, and Brendan Pierre comprised the group that always delighted the congregation with its spot-on harmony. Fellowship is proud of Demetrius Davis and Galik Horton-Burke (Alabama A & M University Choir singers) who continued their involvement in music, and of Matthew’s degrees in music.

On Sunday, December 9, Matthew directed the

AHS Chamber Choir and the AHS Show Choir, three selections per group, at the school’s choral winter concert titled All is Calm: A Celebration of

Holiday Carols from Around the World. Bettye Dixie, pictured with Matthew, attended from Fellowship. The concert was held at the Austin

High School Auditorium, Decatur, AL.

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God, Grant that I may pass through the coming year with a faithful heart. There will be much to test me and make weak my strength before the year ends. In my confusion I shall often say the word that is not true and do the thing of which I am ashamed. There will be errors in the mind and great inaccuracies of judgment... In seeking the light, I shall again and again find myself walking in the darkness. I shall mistake my light for Your light and I shall drink from the responsibility of the choice I make. Nevertheless, grant that I may pass through the coming year with a faithful heart. May I never give the approval of my heart to error, to falseness, to vanity, to sin. Though my days be marked with failures, stumblings, fallings, let my spirit be free so that You may take it and redeem my moments in all the ways my needs reveal. Give me the quiet assurance of Your Love and Presence. Grant that I may pass through the coming year with a faithful heart.

(Meditations Of The Heart)

A Prayer For The New Year by Howard Thurman

Former Fellowship 5 Member Now a Director of Music

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Hanging of the Greens 2019

The Season of Advent is an anticipated period for Christians. It’s the time in the liturgical year of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming. Many churches conservatively prepare the building using greenery and other symbols of Advent. On Sunday, December 1, “Come

Thou Long Expected Jesus” as opening hymn set the tone for the Hanging of the Greens ritual. The church’s youth, always the central actors in this event, were narrators in presenting the meaning of the service, explaining the changing of paraments, positioning poinsettias to adorn the sanctuary, telling about the Chrismons (with which the congregation adorns the tree), and lighting the first advent candle. The men hung the wreaths on each side of the sanctuary, their traditional role. With explanations made, parament colors changed to purple, poinsettias and wreaths in place, and Chrismons dotting the tree, the tree lights were turned on. The ritual concluded with the lighting of the first advent candle and prayer. Thereafter, until Christmas, an additional candle was lit following a youth’s explanation about that Sunday’s candle.

Youth participants were Miriam Bentley, Johari Bentley, Aria Fykes, Maya Fykes, and Kaylin Houston. Mrs. Ollie Smith turned on the tree lights. Mrs. Rhonda Fykes, Chairperson of the Personal Faith and Family

Life Committee within the Presbyterian Women’s organization, supervised The

Hanging of the Greens program. She was assisted by Sarah Ford, Diann Bentley, and Jerita Crummie.

Photo credit: Joyce Pettis Temple

Golden Charmers Hosted

Annual Christmas Lunch

Christmas sweaters or tops, many in the color red, were clearly visible as the Golden Charmers hosted its annual Christmas Lunch on December 10 in the Dorothy B. Johnson Fellowship Hall. The event proved as festive as the attendees’ attire. An ‘ice breaker’ to kickstart the lunch resulted in randomly pairing attendees who had to sing “The Twelve Days of Christmas” according to the images they held, for example, the line “Five golden rings.” Jokes, Bingo with prizes for winners, gifts for every-one, warm fellowship, and, of course, a delicious lunch prepared by Tim Smith’s Catering completed the event. Several visitors were present, including Fellowship’s pastor emeritus Reverend Dr. John Herndon and Mrs. Tommie Herndon. The Golden Charmers organization is open to all retired members of Fellowship

Presbyterian Church. New membership begins in January of each year.

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Immediately after worship on Sunday, December 8, the Presbyterian Women (PW) assembled in the Dorothy B. Johnson Fellowship Hall for Lesson 4 in the study book Love Carved in Stone, an examination of the Ten Commandments, written by Reverend Eugenia Gamble. Diann Bentley (standing first, left) was the teacher. Following the lesson, the ladies enjoyed an early

Christmas lunch prepared by Tim Smith’s Catering, and a Christmas-inspired game directed by Mary Peagler. Take-out lunches were prepared for delivery to the sick

and shut-in.

Presbyterian Women Hold December Study Circle

Fellowship Members Participate in Service to Madison Manor

Residents

On December 7, 2019, a few members of Fellowship PC USA participated in ministering to the residents of Madison Manor. Brenda Davis and Tonya and Christopher Gaines joined with members of New Jerusalem Church for its annual Christmas ministry. Tonya read “The True Story of the 12 Days of Christmas,” (the story that Chris presented during Fellowship worship on Sunday, December 22) to the assembled residents. Brenda and Chris provided some of the music offered during the event. It has been a tradition of the Evangelism Ministry Team of Fellowship to periodically visit and serve the residents of Madison Manor throughout the year.

(Photo submitted by Christopher Gaines.)

Quips and Quotes

“If we’re going to sing a freedom song, we have to be connected to our ancestors. . . . We have to be connected to our past.”

Sermon: “A Freedom Song” December 15, 2019

Preserve your family, church, or organization’s history. When: Saturday, January 25, 2020 Time: 10:00 a.m. Where: Fellowship Presbyterian Church Workshop facilitator: Beverly Burton Warren The workshop is free. Presbyterian Women are busy documenting their history. Presbyterian Men, you are encouraged to attend.

Scrapbooking Workshop

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Johari Bentley, along with her jazz class, performed in the dance

production Rudolph at Academy for Academics and Arts. The class tap danced to the song “For the Love of

Money” by The O’Jays.

The Youth Choir was featured on Sunday, December 22, 2019. They sang “Emmanuel” by Norman Hutchins and

“A Gift To You,” played and directed by Dennis Baptiste.

Miriam Bentley, along with Dennis Baptiste, performed “Angels We

Have Heard on High” and “Minuet in G Major” at the Allegro Music Academy recital, December 08, 2019.

The Youth Ministry Team volunteered to Christmas shop for underserved children who volunteer at the Manna House and

needed gifts for Christmas. This effort at Fellowship PC USA was overseen by Witness and Service convener Jackie Bennett, Dorothy Johnson, longtime volunteer at the Manna

House, and Jerita Crummie.

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What is Session doing?

Session met on Thursday, December 19, at 6:00 p.m.

Approved: • The church officers for 2022 for ordination and/or

installation on Sunday, January 12, 2020, during worship service.

• Extending an invitation to the Triple AAA Choir to sing on Sunday, February 16, 2020, during worship service.

• Renewing our membership with the National Black Presbyterian Caucus for 2020.

• Adding power to parking lot lighting near Meridian Street and sensors for outdoor lighting.

• Going paperless (regarding bulletins) beginning January 5, 2020.

For information: • Reverend Bentley and Elder Lauretta Moore met

with the Habitat for Humanity Director and Executive Director regarding the 31 houses being built on Meridian Street across from the Chevron Station. Once Reverend Bentley receives more information on how the church can assist/minister the families, he will share with the ministry teams.

• Session thanked Elder Robert Peagler for his years of service on Session and serving as treasurer.

In 2012, the Session of FPC, initiated formation of the FAITH Initiative as a mission extension of the church. After due process, the Internal Revenue Service accorded nonprofit status to the organization. FAITH Initiative, Incorporated, announces eight $1,000 scholarships to be awarded spring 2020. The scholarships are open to deserving students from the Tennessee Valley who have been accepted to an accredited university or technical school and who demonstrate the potential to become a productive member of the community. Recipients are not required to be enrolled or accepted in an institution of higher learning in Alabama to receive the scholarships. Applications and requirements have been mailed to area high school counselors, community colleges, and local churches. However, your assistance is requested in getting this announcement to high school seniors. The awards will be formally presented at the organization’s fundraising event on May 16, 2020. Information on the annual fundraiser will be announced. In addition to the eight scholarships awarded in the spring, The Henderson and Anthony Family Scholarship for Choral Performance is established to provide a scholarship of $500 per semester ($1,000 per year) to two sophomore, junior, or senior singers per semester enrolled in a college or university music program or singing in the choir. (This is two $1,000 scholarships.) The scholarship pays the students to sing in the Fellowship Presbyterian Church’s major choir as a soprano, alto, ten-or, or bass. Applications for the Henderson and Anthony Family Scholarship for Choral Performance are due by December 18, 2019. This scholarship will be active in February 2020. All scholarship applications may be obtained from the FAITH Initiative organization at faithinitiativenon-profk0it@gmail.com or call 256-714 -9399. Applications must be received not later than April 12, 2020. Date excludes the Henderson and Anthony Family Scholarship.

1 - New Year’s Day 6 - Epiphany of the Lord 7 - Property and Maintenance Ministry Team meets at noon 12 - Christian Education Ministry Team meets after service 12 - Baptism of the Lord 12-15 Food Distribution Prep 15 – Food Distribution 18 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins 20 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday 23 - Stated Session Meeting at 6:00 p.m. 26 - Congregational Meeting after worship service 26 - Presbyterian Women Circle meets after worship service

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2020 Altar Flowers List

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2020 Altar Flowers List

Staff

Reverend Gregory J. Bentley Pastor

Email: bentleyGJ@aol.com

Mr. Dennis Baptiste, Jr. Director of Music Ministry

Mr. Ryan Felton Percussionist

Mrs. Yvonne Jones Secretary

Email: fpcsecretary1@gmail.com

Mr. Theodus Friend Sexton

Church Office Hours 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Directory of Services Sunday School 9:00a.m. Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study (Wed.) Noon Adult Bible Study (Wed.) 6:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsals (Thurs.) 6:00 p.m.

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Parents, please make sure your child is dressed

appropriately on their scheduled Sunday!

January 5 Parker Ford and Miriam Bentley

January 12

Maya Fykes and Johari Bentley

January 19 Kaylin Houston and Kimberlee Thompson

January 26

Maya Fykes and Johari Bentley

♦♦ Please wear black pants or skirts/dress on your scheduled Sunday, and please arrive at least 15 minutes

early ♦♦ If there is a problem with the schedule, please contact Ollie Smith at 256.527.4147 or Sarah Ford at 256.509.8066 or Diann Bentley at 205-233-2140 Thank you in advance for your participation! We sincerely appreciate all the youth at Fellowship Presbyterian Church. Your service to Christ and His church does not go unnoticed.

Again, thank you, Ollie Smith, Acolyte Coordinator

3 Lula and Lirse Jones 11 Roxanne and Felix Battle

2 Arrie Franklin-Patrick 4 Stefanie Davis 5 Robert Burton 11 Eddgra Fallin 11 W. Charles Watson 15 Doretha Ross 17 Lois Thompson 22 Minnie Moore 23 Robert Wilson 30 John Reed 31 Yvette Evans

5 Congregation Poinsettias 12 Pauline Bodiford Family 19 Felix Battle Family 26 Joseph Johnson Family

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Sick List of Family and Friends of Fellowship Members

Benjamin Andrews Uncle of Yvette Evans

Doris Bradford Sister of Haley Bone

Polly Brown Cousin of Gloria Evans

Deaunna Campbel Daughter of Beverly and Henry Warren

Dorothy Franklin Mother of Robert Franklin

Lila and Alvin Grayson Sister-in-law and brother of George Grayson

LaChauna Headen Daughter of Beverly and Henry Warren

Gussie Jackson Mother of Arinize Steele

Roosevelt Johnson Uncle of Yvette Evans

Horace Mitchell Husband of Mary Mitchell

Ailean King Peoples Mother of Kenneth King

Mitchell Pearl Purdy Cousin of Gloria Evans

Shielda Yvonne Ross Sister of Thomas Ross

Ann Thomas Aunt of Yvette Evans

Fannie P. Thompson Sister of Lois Dade and Eulasteen Muse

Valerie Thompson

Sister of Debra Evans

Roderick Wall Nephew of Charles Penn

LaVon White Son of Doretha and Thomas Ross

Lewis G. White Brother and Brother-in-law of Doretha and Thomas Ross

Dorleen and James Witchard Sister and Brother-in-Law of Doretha and

Thomas Ross

Fellowship Member Sick List

The Prayer of Faith James 5:13-16

“ 13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray

over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”

Barbara Anthony Michael Bennett

Clif Canady Bill Davis

Richard Evans Mattie Ford James Hicks

Dorothy B. Johnson Lula Jones

Eulasteen Muse Henry Muse Charles Penn Evelyn Rich Dana Smith

In Memory of Fellowship’s Members

Antoinette Franklin -2015 Lloyd Gardner – 2015

Felicia A. Gardner – 1999 Pearl Moore - 2006

Please email Cheryl Johnson (cheryljohnson05@comcast.net) with any changes to your address, email, and/or telephone number by January 31, 2020.

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