First Christian Church P.O. Box 2702

207 Tarboro Street NE, Wilson NC 27894

Website: www.fccwilson.org

Email: firstchristian@fccwilson.org

Church Office: 252-237-4125

Volume 63, Issue 7 The Church Bell July 1, 2019

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Sounds of Summer Concert Series 12:05 p.m. FCC Sanctuary

July 10 Chris Pharo, organist July 24 Craven Bass Quintet

August 5 - 8 and Sunday, August 11 - VBS Monday – Thursday, Aug. 5-6-7-8, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

Kids Ages: Pre-school, Kindergarten, 1st – 5th grades Sign up by July 31

Registration available at www.fccwilson.org/vbs.

Volunteers! Volunteers! Volunteers! Please see the volunteer form page 6. We need your help!

See pages 6, 7 and 8 for all the VBS information!

Red Cross Blood Drive - July 17 FCC Fellowship Hall - 2:00pm-7:00pm

Please visit redcrossblood.org and enter: “First CC” to schedule an appointment

Summer Food Drive Update We got off to a great start, going over 2,000 points during and right after our rather soggy cookout/kick-off. But a couple weeks have slipped by and we have not boosted our count much. This summer when you come to church, remember to bring a food offering to drop off. Cash and checks are welcome as well and will be split between CHEW, Hope Station and the Soup Kitchen unless designated for one of these programs.

And the Summer Sermon Suggestions are in Gary’s summer preaching will be taking us where you have led. See his Wanderings on page two for the full details, but be sure to catch some of these sermons which are being build on the suggestions of our church members.

The Arc of Wilson’s Camp Sunshine FCC is home to Camp Sunshine this summer for five weeks. The Arc of Wilson provides this day camp experience for children and youth who are differently-abled, and we are delighted to be able to provide space for these wonderful children and youth and the adults who are counseling with them.

Save the Date! Music for Hope 2019 Friday, August 23 at 7PM

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Wanderings . . .

So, I put the idea out there: Suggestions for Summer Sermons. I am thinking, give the people what they want. For a few weeks this summer, I will preach on topics of your choosing. Anything you ever wanted to know about God, Jesus, church or faith, and I am going to show up for you. I think I mentioned that I tried this one summer when we were in Macon, Georgia . . . crashed and burned. One fellow wanted to hear a Disciple minister preach about hell, and another guy requested a sermon about some obscure biblical character (like one verse in Hebrew scripture) whose name had been foisted on his father. So, it has taken me some three decades to work up the courage to try this again. So, let’s see what we got this time around from the dozen or so folks who turned in a card.

Job was blameless, what about us? – you are not. Maybe this will be easier than I thought. A couple of requests to preach on forgiveness – okay, I can see that. Ezekiel 25:17 – what, I have to look up something? You people think I have every chapter

and verse memorized? I want to learn more about women in the Bible – knock it off, Linda. Is there an afterlife? – any volunteers to find out and check back with us before the end of

August? Tell us about the theology in popular hymns – now this seems like it might have an ulterior

motive, like a way to kill those new-fangled praise hymns. (I will assign Casey to preach this one.)

Similarly, someone wants to know why we do the things we do in worship – so do I. The Trinity, what does it mean – this has to be one of the clergy in the congregation

because no one has been asking about the Trinity since the Council of Nicea in the fourth century.

There was a smattering of other requests, but I think there is enough here to get us close to Labor Day. So, I have come up with a plan. Well, not exactly a plan in the sense of something that has been well thought-out and carefully crafted, but I have come up with a plan in the sense that I am going to start on the second Sunday in July and keep going until I get distracted or the Elders intervene. I think we are going to start with that request to explore the theology of some of our popular hymns. I am getting Casey to help. We haven’t come up with an exact format, but I am thinking about having her play a verse of a hymn, popular or otherwise, and I will tell you how wrong she was to play it. Or some variation of that approach. As I said, we don’t have an exact strategy yet. So, come on in and worship with me this summer and we will see what happens. I think we could have some fun and maybe even learn something. If not, well, you have only yourselves to blame. Blessings and Peace Gary

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FCC Music Ministry Happenings | July 2019 On Pentecost afternoon {June 9th} FCC’s Chalice Ringers loaded up all of their equipment after ringing in worship and set out for the Veteran’s Home in Kinston, NC. For the first time ever, they presented a full concert. Members of the VA sang along, clapped and were very receiving. The Chalice Ringers were accompanied by Farmville First Christian’s Director of Music, BJ Lawrence as he sang the lyrics to, “Who’ll Be a Witness”, “Steal Away” and “Let It Be”. David Scott also played alto saxophone! If you would like an audio copy of this concert on CD, please contact me!

Some people in life can’t see to work alongside each other to better the Kingdom, but this is NOT the case with Wilson church musicians. The week of June 17th was a blur as I ran tirelessly from station to station at the Music & Arts Camp at First Presbyterian. What originally started as a handbell camp at First Presbyterian years ago merged into an instrument & bells camp involving First Baptist last year. This year, it merged further into a Creative Arts & Music camp involving a 3rd facet, First Christian Church. The numbers were around 5-7 last year and held at 21 kids this year. We came together to offer a morning camp from 9-12 each day. 30 minute tracks included a devotion, handchimes, Orff instruments, playtime, arts & drama and instrumental study. We allowed kids to realize that they could serve God in so many creative ways. It could involve playing an instrument, singing, creating worshipful artwork or creating a skit that told a biblical story. I ran the Arts & Drama track and had a WONDERUFL time! Luke Webb attended from First Christian and Sydney Webb was an incredible assistant! Soli deo Gloria, Casey

Sounds of Summer NOON Series Continues!

July 10 Chris Pharo organist

LUKE!

July 24 Craven Brass Quintet

Worship Highlights in July

July 7 - Woodwind Duet July 14 - All Church Choir! July 21 - Brady DelVecchio, tenor July 28 - Todd Brame, baritone

A Novel Idea Book Club Tuesday, July 16, 5:30 p.m.

King Peggy Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman

King Peggy is the memoir of an American secretary who suddenly learns she has been chosen the next king of Otuam, Ghana, an impoverished fishing village of 7,000 people on the west coast of Africa. A native of Ghana and a naturalized American citizen, Peggielene Bartels becomes Nana Amuah-Afenyi VI when the reigning king -- her uncle Joseph -- dies. This real-life tale documents how a deeply traditional African town is uplifted by the ambitions of its decidedly modern female king and how Peggy is transformed into the heart and hope of her community.

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Thursday, July 18, 11:30 am

Join us at Something Different for fun and fellowship!

Sign up outside the church office!

FCC Groups, Activities and Announcements

Camp Caroline

The dates for camps offered this summer at Camp Caroline are listed. Go online to https://ncdisciples.org/summer-camps/ to fill out the form. FCC will pay 50%! Please turn in your receipt if you make your payment online.

CAMP CAROLINE 3398 Janiero Road, Arapahoe, NC 28510

July 14-20 Created to Be Me for Grade 8 - $465 July 21-26 Delta Camp for Grades 6-7 - $390 July 28-Aug. 2 Alpha Camp for Grades 1-3 - $390 July 28-Aug. 2 Beta Camp for Grades 3-5 - $390

FCC Financial Report Treasurer’s Report – YTD May 31st, 2019 Tim Sharp / June 17, 2019

For the month ended May 31st, 2019, FCC had YTD total income of $161,109 and YTD total expenses of $143,263 resulting in a YTD surplus of $17,846.

1/1/2019 – 5/31/2019 – YTD Operating Budget Actual Budget Variance Income $161,109 $157,256 $3,853

Expenses $143,263 $157,256 ($13,993) Actual YTD Surplus/(Deficit) $ 17,846 (All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar)

Month of May - Operating Budget Actual Budget Variance Income $27,458 $31,451 ($ 3,993) Expenses $27,278 $31,451 ($ 4,173) Month of May Surplus/(Deficit) $ 180 (All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar) YTD income includes $9,798.55 from our Operating Reserve account ($1,959.71 per month) that was included to balance the 2019 operating budget.

Nurture & Growth Committee – July 2019 Vacation Bible School – Join us & invite kids! Monday – Thursday, Aug. 5-6-7-8, 6:00 – 8:30 pm Kids Ages: Pre-school, Kindergarten, 1st – 5th grades

Sunday Celebration & Hot Dog Luncheon – August 11th All of the VBS children, their families and FCC members will worship together in the Fellowship Hall as we celebrate the week of VBS. Children will help lead in worship and share songs and experiences from the week. We will remain after worship for a relaxed and casual hot dog luncheon.

Invitation & Registration Open – Please help us reach out to the community. Share the VBS flyer with your friends, family & neighbors. Registrations due by Wed., July 31, but the sooner the better!

TOP Volunteer NEEDs: K & 1st Grades – Group Leader & Assistant

2nd & 3rd Grades – Group Assistant 4th & 5th Grades – Group Assistant

Arts & Crafts Station – Leader & Assistant Worship Station - Leader & Assistant

God Squad – Safety Patrol Leader & Security monitors

Cooks for Volunteer meals Monday – Thursday, meal for about 30 volunteers, prep time 4-5 pm, serve 5-6 pm

Sunday Hotdog Lunch – Planning Leader & meal team

VBS Volunteer Meeting – Sunday, July 7, 12:30 pm, lunch provided To join the team – contact Theresa Mathis (252-205-2704), Casey Childers or Kathy in the FCC office.

Sunday Small Group ADDING a Movie Night The Sunday morning Small Group reflection time during the summer has gone great so far! Members are enjoying the time to review & expand thoughts regarding the morning worship service, scriptures, sermon, prayers and songs. For July and August, we are adding a movie night! Come out on Wednesday, July 10 at 7 pm to watch Pleasantville in a comfy room upstairs. Or, you can watch the movie on your own and then join us for discussion on Sunday morning, July 14 at 11:15 am. The August movie will be Gandhi.

Both the Disciples Sunday School Class, FCC Rocks outreach and the Prayer Shawl Ministry will continue meeting throughout the summer at 11:15 am.

Nursery will continue for infants-preschool. Older children will need to remain with their families during worship – you may use the activity bags and book bin to keep young hands occupied. The nursery will not be available as child care for older kids. Our care givers need to remain focused on the little ones.

PARENT REMINDER: Children’s Programs Restart in September The Sunday morning children’s programming will not be held over the summer. They will restart after school starts back. Both Sunday School and Worship and Wonder will restart on Sunday, September 8th. Family nights will restart on Wednesday, September 11th.

Christian Nurture & Growth Team - July 2019

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Christian Nurture & Growth Team - VBS

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Vacation Bible School August 5 - 6 - 7 - 8, 2019 Monday – Thursday • 6:00 – 8:30 pm & Sunday Worship, Aug. 11

Volunteer Sign Up!

Name:__________________________________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________________________

Email: _________________________________________________________

Yes! I would like to help with Vacation Bible School in the areas marked below:

TOP Volunteer NEEDs:

K & 1st Grades Group Leader / Assistant

2nd & 3rd Grades Group Assistant

4th & 5th Grader Group Assistant

Arts & Crafts Station Leader / Assistant

Worship Station Leader / Assistant

God Squad – Security Leader / Assistant

Worship Station - Leader/Assistant

Snack Station Leader / Assistant

Sunday Hotdog Lunch – Planning Leader & meal team

Cooks for Volunteer meal, ready to serve 5 - 6 pm prepare & serve a simple dinner for 30+ VBS volunteers

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Additional Volunteer help: We always need extra hands in these areas...

Nursery Snacks

Check In Arts & Crafts

Security Outreach

Questions? Contact Theresa Mathis, Casey Childers or Kathy Hudson in the office.

Christian Nurture & Growth Team - VBS

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Christian Nurture & Growth Team - VBS Form

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Our Church Family Please notify the church office at (252) 237-4125 if someone’s

birthday needs to be added and/or if you have some news to share.

Prayer Concerns

Christian Boyce-Inscoe, George Brinson (Katie Brinson’s great uncle), Wanda Brown’s father and brother, Sheldon Campbell, John Hall Daniels, Melissa Duncan’s dad, Jeff Flowers’ parents, Judi Glover, Robert Gray, Bryan Jobe’s father, Rodney Kearney (Charles Cauley’s brother-in-law), Wade Leary, Valerie Lewis, Maggie Peterson (Allan Daniell’s niece), Billy Raper (Libby Daniell’s brother-in-law), Kathy Sandifer, Bill Smith, Keri Wetherington, Carolyn Wiggins (Gilda Cauley & Celia Avery’s sister)

Sympathy

We extend condolences:

To Sue Newcomb and her family on the passing of her nephew, Jack McLean, Sunday, June 9.

To Pat Campbell and her family on the death of her sister, Judy Gott, Monday, June 3.

To Jeff Flowers and his family on the passing of his sister-in-law, Vickie Flowers, Saturday, June 15.

To the Hemby family on the passing of Joan Hemby on Monday, June 17.

To the family of Barry Page on the death of his father, Charlie Edgar Page on Saturday, June 22.

July 1 Griffin Brown

July 2 Tammi Barnes

July 5 Libby Daniell

July 6 Blake Powell

Sue Stott July 7

Jack Clifford Connie Farris Angie Hackett

July 9 Ava Ashurst Pat Forbes

Susan Oakley July 10

Simon Gray Casey Childers

July 25 Lori Quick

Katie Brinson July 26

Anna Jane Whitley July 28

John Beland July 31

Jane Bridgers Ridge Hamre Yvette Jobe

July 11 Dawn Lamm

July 14 Tommie Dildy

Charlotte Sutton July 17

Melissa Boyce-Inscoe July 19

Susan Plesha July 21

Robert Kendall July 22

Hannah Hackett July 23

Elaine Hanna Micheala Howell

Blair Kite

Congratulations!

Wishing all the best to Allie Wells and Graham Coggins who were married June 1 at The Pavilion at Carriage Farm in

Raleigh. Congratulations to the parents of the bride, Wendy and Robert Wells and the grandparents, Bobbie and Marion Griffin.

Congratulations to Savannah Flowers and Shane Tripp who were married June 22 in our sanctuary. The parents of the bride are Mandy and Jeff Flowers and the grandparents are Bobbie and Marion Griffin. Wishing all the best to the bride and groom.

To my FCC family— I am overwhelmed by the love and support I received from all my friends at First Christian Church during my recent fall, hip surgery and recovery. Your visits, calls, the delicious food, and the cards were very thoughtful. Thank you also to the “servant subs” who filled in for me. I am grateful for so many blessings!

Sincerely, A.J. Walston

Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for your prayers, calls, cards and flowers during the recent death

of my sister and Sheldon’s hospitalization. Being blessed with such a loving and caring family has made a difficult time much better. God bless each and everyone. In Christian love, Sheldon and Pat

Mandy Harris, Kendra Howell,

Kathleen Ujlaki & Diane Chambers

joined on 6/9/2019!

Welcome them to the FCC Family!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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Kathy - vacation

6:00 PM Facilities & Maintenance

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Kathy - vacation

11:00 AM Staff Meeting

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Kathy - vacation

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Office Closed

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7

10:00 AM Worship

11:15 AM Disciples Class/Prayer Shawl Ministry/Small Group

12:30 PM VBS Volunteer Meeting

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

11:00 AM Staff Meeting

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

12:05 PM Sounds of Summer Concert/Chris Pharo, organist

3:00 PM Parlor Reserved/J. Mansell 7:00 PM Small Group Movie Night - T. Mathis

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

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14

10:00 AM Worship

11:15 AM Disciples Class/Prayer Shawl Ministry/Small Group

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

Casey - vacation

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

11:00 AM Staff Meeting

5:30 PM A Novel Idea Book Club

Casey - vacation

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

2:00 PM - 7:00 PM Red Cross Blood Drive at FCC

Casey - vacation

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

11:30 AM Young At Heart at Something Different

7:00 PM Elders’ Meeting Casey - vacation

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC Casey - vacation

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21

10:00 AM Worship

11:15 AM Disciples Class/Prayer Shawl Ministry/Small Group

Casey - vacation

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

Deadline for August 2019 Bell Articles

Casey - vacation

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

11:00 AM Staff Meeting

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

12:05 PM Sounds of Summer Concert/Craven Brass Quintet

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

7:00 PM Elders’ Meeting

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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ARC at FCC

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10:00 AM Worship

11:15 AM Disciples Class/Prayer Shawl Ministry/Small Group

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11:00 AM Staff Meeting

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Deadline for VBS Sign Up

J u l y 2 0 1 9

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Elder of the Month Jeannette Etheridge (252-237-5564)

Servant’s List - July 2019

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July 7 10am Worship Service

Elder Wendy Wingrove

Deacons Laurie Tyson (C) Amy Watson Ricky Brown Wanda Brown Norma Faye Etheridge Dennis Daniels (Sub) Christina Terdik (Sub)

Greeter George Mount

Ushers Cathy Mount Jennifer McHarg

Stewards Andrew Whitley Allan Daniell

Worship Leader Andrew Whitley

Children’s Moment Jeannette Etheridge

July 14 10am Worship Service

Elder Theresa Mathis

Deacons LuAnn Wooten (C) Christy Webb Melissa Whitley Steven Winstead Gay Cook Glenn Etheridge (Sub) Davis Wooten (Sub)

Greeter Paul Brewer

Ushers Betsy Brewer Julia Floars

Stewards Bob Kendall Jennifer McHarg

Worship Leader Tim Sharp

Children’s Moment Jeannette Etheridge

July 21 10am Worship Service

Elder A.J. Walston

Deacons Kathy Werline (C) Leslie Kendall Jeff Flowers Marion Griffin Wanda Sutton Katie Brinson (Sub)

Greeter Ricky Brown

Ushers Wanda Brown John Glover

Stewards Tim Sharp George Mount

Worship Leader Todd Brame

Children’s Moment Jeannette Etheridge

Homebound Communion July - Team 1

Gilda Cauley, Jeannette Etheridge, Carol Steffa, A.J. Walston, William Wooten

Sunday Worship Attendance

June 2: Worship - 93 June 9: Worship - 95

June 16: Worship - 74 June 23: Worship - 78

July 28 10am Worship Service

Elder Andrew Whitley

Deacons Andrew Childers (C) Faye Boykin Curtis Ray Jordan Ray Sue Ray Julia Floars (Sub)

Greeter Ray Vaughan

Ushers Kristin Lamond Norma Faye Etheridge

Stewards A.J. Walston Patsy Ferrell

Worship Leader A. J. Walston

Children’s Moment Jeannette Etheridge

Altar Flowers

If you would like to provide flowers for the

sanctuary, please contact the church office to check availability at

252-237-4125.

Elder of the Month Jeannette Etheridge (252-237-5564)