FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

OF HIGHLANDS

FOOD FOR FUEL……..………..2

EMPTY BOWLS………..............3 CHURCH HAPPENINGS............4

SYMPATHIES………………...5 BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES……….....…..6 LECTIONARIES………….…….8

OCTOBER 2015

FROM THE PASTORS

H ere at the beginning of October we

have finally received much needed rain!

Thanks be to God! A severe drought with as

much as a 24 inch deficit had afflicted us!

However, the rains have given us some relief

from the drought which we all greatly

appreciate. Another benefit of the rains are

spectacular waterfalls!

With the arrival of the rain, though,

the streams and rivers have swollen. So much

so that we’ve been under some flood watch

advisories. I imagine quite a few people have

crossed bridges with wonder at the rushing of

water, if not also with a bit of fear!

The swollen rivers and the crossing of

bridges reminds me a proverb: “Don’t cross

the bridge until you come to it.” Literally, that

statement makes no sense, but as a proverb or

a metaphor, it does make sense. The words,

“until you come to it,” is a metaphor that

directs us to wait before trying to solve or

overcome a problem. I myself have at times

advised people, “wait to worry” –who knows

what will change before the actual event is at

hand. There is much wisdom in heeding this

advice not to cross the bridge until you come

to it. We seldom have much control over

problems until we actually find ourselves

facing them.

Jesus actually counseled such wisdom

in his Sermon on the Mount. “Therefore, I tell

you, do not worry about your life, what you

shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about

your body, what you shall put on. Is not life

more than food, and the body more than

clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they

neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are

you not of more value than they? And which

of you by being anxious can add one cubit to

his span of life?” Jesus was speaking about

our tendency to worry, to focus upon our

fears, forgetting about God’s providence.

The Heidelberg Catechism asks,

“What do you understand by the providence

of God?” The answer is direct: “The almighty

and ever-present power of God whereby he

still upholds, as it were by his own hand,

heaven and earth together with all creatures,

and rules in such a way that leaves and grass,

rain and drought, fruitful and unfruitful years,

food and drink, health and sickness, riches

and poverty, and everything else, come to us

not by chance but by God’s fatherly hand.”

The Catechism then asks, “What advantage

comes from acknowledging God’s creation

and providence?” “We learn that we are to be

patient in the midst of adversity, grateful in

the midst of blessing, and to trust our faithful

God and Father for the future, assured that no

creature shall separate us from his love, since

all creatures are so completely in his hand that

without his will they cannot even move.”

Remembering that God provides is

one way for believers to deal with worry.

How often have we worried about tomorrows

that never actually materialized, robbing

ourselves of life and joy by so doing? Jesus

finally concludes, “So do not worry about

tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of

its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Never cross the bridge until you get to it! And

when you do get to the bridge, cross it with

the providence of God’s love and grace.

Emily and Curtis

PAGE 2

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT YOU?

With the school year in full swing, the Sonshine School has been teeming with students and activities. Sadly, one of our

directors, Mona Humphries, was unable to return to help lead the students this year. A new director, Judy Mouchet, will

begin working with the children in October. We are so grateful for the volunteers who have stepped in to assist Mozelle

Edwards and Rita Paoletti for the interim weeks: Delaine Mehder, Lisa Richards, Gena Smith, Kay Smith, Janice

Topping, and Gerri Tulley- what would we (and our beloved children!) do without you?! We also raise up a huge

thanks to volunteers from the Mountaintop Rotary Club and the Highlands Emergency Council who worked alongside

Joel and the Congregational Care Ministry Team for a delicious and generous Food for Fuel Luncheon.

FOOD FOR FUEL

The annual "Food for Fuel" luncheon was held in Coleman Hall on Sunday, September 6th after the worship

service. The luncheon, sponsored jointly by First Presbyterian Church Mission Ministry Team and Congregational

Care Ministry Team with volunteers from the Mountaintop Rotary Club, was open to the public and accepted "love

donations" for the Highlands Emergency Council’s Fuel Program. The program provides fuel in the winter months

to residents struggling financially who might otherwise not be able to afford heat.

PAGE 3

OCTOBER 4TH EMPTY BOWLS

E mpty Bowls is an international grass roots effort to fight hunger using the symbol

of an empty bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. In

communities all across this country and many other countries, potters make bowls and

donate them to be sold at a simple meal of bread and soup donated by local chefs. The

funds raised support food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens. In Highlands The

Bascom Center for the Visual Arts initiated the first Empty Bowls event four years

ago. They invited both amateur and professional potters to create hundreds of hand

thrown bowls to raise funds for the Highlands Food Pantry and Fishes and Loaves

Pantry in Cashiers. Our church enthusiastically agreed to host the Highlands events in

Coleman Hall. Local chefs donated delicious soups, bread, and cookies. Many

volunteers from our church, Mountaintop Rotary, and the Food Pantry worked

tirelessly to make each of the annual events a wonderful success. Empty Bowls has

raised substantial funds for the Food Pantry and also raised community awareness of

the hunger and food insecurity right here in our town.

The Highlands Food Pantry was opened in 2005 as a joint mission of the

International Friendship Center and Highlands United Methodist Church. It is open to

anyone in need whose income falls below federal poverty guidelines. It is set up like a

grocery store with clients choosing the food they need. The amount allowed is based

on family size. The Pantry strives to provide nutritious food including fresh produce

and eggs, bread, and meat. Some of this food is salvage purchased from Manna

FoodBank in Asheville. Local churches donate some of the food and there is an

occasional food drive. The US Department of Agriculture provides a small quarterly

allotment also. However, much of the food must be purchased from retail and

wholesale sources. Most clients work hard for wages too low to provide all the

necessities. Seasonal workers have very few resources to make it through the winter.

Several clients had good jobs but lost them with the down turn in the economy. Some

are disabled. Some are living on social security only. Funds raised by Empty Bowls

help these people to meet their food needs.

On October 4th this church will again host the Empty Bowls luncheon from

11:30 to 1:30 in Coleman Hall. Potters at The Bascom have been making bowls all

year and in August the Bascom invited regional professional potters to a two day event

to create bowls. As a result they are contributing 400 beautiful hand thrown bowls.

Please come; be a part of this rewarding effort to help those in need. Tickets are $20

and include a bowl of your choice and the soup luncheon. The bowls are to be kept as

a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world and your part in helping to fill them.

PAGE 4

CHURCH HAPPENINGS

The Sacred Sounds Handbell Choir, augmented by members of the Mountaintop Ringers of

Highlands United Methodist Church, rang a musical offering on Sunday, August 30.

Garrett Whipkey, recent WCU graduate and Chancel Choir

intern, "delighted" the congregation on September 6th with

his saxophone, playing a jazzy medley of "When the Saints

Go Marching In" and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" with

Angie Jenkins at the piano.

"Charles Wood and Friends" -- from left, Jim Yoder,

Dakota Waddell, Charles Wood, and Lee Ladensack, were

congregation-pleasers at the worship service on

September 20, giving us a worship offering of

several wonderful bluegrass gospel tunes.

The August 26 Interlude, the last one for 2015, featured the instrumental group "Trio Carolina" with internationally

renowned bass-baritone Oral Moses. The Trio, composed of Tacy Edwards, Kelly O'Dell and Rosalyn Floyd, performed

a variety of pieces for flute, oboe and piano. Dr. Moses, Professor Emeritus at Kennesaw State University,

had the audience singing and clapping along with his resounding rendition of several Negro Spirituals.

PAGE 5

SYMPATHIES

The First Presbyterian Church family extends prayers and sympathy to the following

during their time of loss: Kay Holland on the death of her mother, Jenny Robinson, who died on

September 22, and Wayne Coleman on the death of his wife, Annette Coleman, who died on

September 24.

“We are convinced that neither death… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to

separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38

HALLOWEEN IS COMING! Curtis and Emily will be handing out

candy again this year to all the ghosts, goblins, princesses, and

Superheroes that make their way through the Highlands Halloween

crowd. If you would like to add to the fun, bring an unopened bag of

candy by the church office any time before October 31st. Trick or treat!

TRICK OF TREAT

We welcomed Pebblebrook High School's Pheoenix Vocal Ensemble, directed by Dr. Katie Woolf, on Sunday,

September 6th. Pebblebrook High is home to the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts, a

Mableton, GA magnet program. Phoenix is considered Pebblebrook's most selective choral ensemble.

Davis and Anna White presented their son Jeremiah, who had previously been baptized,

to be blessed on September 6th.

PAGE 6

WOMEN’S STUDIES

The Morning Study Group We will meet in the library Wednesday, October 7th at 10:15. We will study the 4th lesson in " Growing Older and Wiser". Bring a sandwich and something to share for lunch. All ladies and friends of the church are welcome. The Thursday Circle of Friends will resume November 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm in the church parlor. From Come to the Waters we will discuss Lessons 2 and 3, “Life-giving Waters--Baptism” and “Absence of Water—Thirst and Longing.” All ladies of the church are invited!

BIRTHDAYS

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NOTICE TO OUR CONGREGATION

In order for us to keep better records, please call the church office (828-526-3175) and let us know the

dates when you plan to return home and plan on returning to

Highlands.

Please let the church office know if you would prefer to receive your

newsletter via e-mail.

AUGUST 2015 TREASURER’S REPORT

Budget Actual

Operating Income and Expenses

YTD Income 616,900.00 501,266.00

YTD Expenses 658,778.00 660,944.00

Net Income (41,878.00) (159,678.00)

PLEASE KEEP YOUR PLEDGES CURRENT!

The Fourth Thursday Potluck/

Covered Dish dinner will be

held on October 22 in

Coleman Hall at 6:00

P.M. Surprise entertainment

will be the brief program

following the fellowship meal.

TO PROVIDE FLOWERS FOR A LOVED ONE, PLEASE FILL

OUT A FLOWER LEAFLET LOCATED UPSTAIRS NEXT

TO THE FLOWER CALENDAR OR DOWNSTAIRS

LOCATED AT THE RECEPTIONIST’S DESK.

October Birthdays

Oct. 1 Tom Joyner

Oct. 3 Judy Tindel

Oct. 5 Bill Gahagan

Oct. 6 Carol Strunk

Oct. 7 Betty Fugate

Oct. 8 Sue Ann Glenn

Chad Lucas

Oct. 9 Jackie Hughes

Oct. 10 Kathryn Holland

Mary Anna McClendon

Oct. 13 Martha Spruill

Oct. 15 Tom Graves

Oct. 16 John Greene

Julia Grumbles

Oct. 17 Jimmy Sherard

Oct. 19 Hines Brannan

Scott McDuff

Oct. 20 Bev Quin

Oct. 23 Don Mullen

Oct. 26 Lyda White

Oct. 29 Donna Laird

Oct. 31 William Creswell

Ann Greenlee

Karin Potts

October Anniversaries

Oct. 9 Kitty & Pat Moore

Oct. 18 Gay Graves & Boyd Letcher

Mary & David Jellison

Judy & Terry Tindel

November Birthdays

Nov. 3 Delaine Mehder

Skip Taylor

Nov. 6 Patsy Mullen

Nov. 8 Larry Fuller

Terry Potts

Nov. 9 Katelin Cochran-Smith

Duncan Greenlee

Nov. 10 Bruce Berryhill

Molly Gahagan

Jim Herbert

Nov. 12 Sid Nurkin

Nov. 13 Fran Young

Nov. 14 Lee Byers

Nov. 16 Bob Holt

Nov. 18 Kathryn Dohn

Nov. 20 Bummie Nurkin

Nov. 24 Dave Jellison

Nov. 25 Carrie Jean Gilbert

Nov. 26 Elizabeth Bryant

Sally Copeland

Mary Anne Creswell

Nov. 28 Herb Morgan

Nov. 30 Mae Potts

November Anniversaries

Nov. 1 Carol & Bill Strunk

Nov. 12 Janet & Ralph Thomas

Nov. 16 Betsi & Joe McLure

Nov. 17 Beverly & Harry Howell

Jackie & Vincent Hughes

Nov. 28 Lil & Don Harting

Nov. 28 Jane & Alan Lewis

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PAGE 8

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH

OF

HIGHLANDS

828-526-3175

FAX: 828-526-0784

E-MAIL: FPCH@FRONTIER.COM

WEB PAGE: FPCHIGHLANDS.ORG

471 MAIN STREET

P. O. BOX 548

HIGHLANDS, NC 28741

Sanctuary hours for meditation are 9:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Office hours are 9:00 to 4:30 Monday—Friday

Church Sunday School 9:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. Church Services

June through Labor Day weekend Communion served every Sunday

11:00 a.m. Communion served the first Sunday of every month

Session

Class of 2015 Congregational Care, Sally Copeland

Worship, Kathy Evans Finance, Stewart Manning

Personnel, Obie Oakley Membership/Outreach, Donna Woods

Class of 2016 Children’s Ministry, Delaine Mehder

Mission, Ann Greenlee Clerk of Session, Claude Sullivan

Class of 2017 Vision 20/20, Tom Joyner

Adult Education, Chad Lucas Property, Bob Tietze Elder of the Month

Stewart Manning Ministers

The Congregation

Staff Jennifer Creswell, Administrative Manager Raychael Evans, Administrative Assistant

Steve Mehder, Church Treasurer Michael Lancaster, Director of Worship/

Music Angie Jenkins, Organist/

Music Coordinator Joel Porter, Food Coordinator Kyle Clark, Property Manager

Janice Mathis & Keri Raby, Nursery Assistants

Mozelle Edwards and Rita Paoletti,

Sonshine School Directors Briana Jenkins, Sonshine Assistant

Pastors Curtis Fussell

Emily Wilmarth

Lectionary Texts for October

As you prepare to come to worship, here are the scripture texts that will make up the services during the month of October:

October 4 Job. 1:1; 2:1-10 World Communion Sunday Ps. 26 Heb. 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16 October 11 Job. 23:1-9, 16-17 20th Sunday After Pentecost Ps. 22:1-15 Heb. 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31 October 18 Job 38:1-7 (34-41) 21st Sunday After Pentecost Ps. 104:1-9, 24, 35c Heb. 5:1-10 Mark 10:35-45 October 25 Job. 42:1-6, 10-17 22nd Sunday After Pentecost Ps. 34:1—8 (19-22) Heb. 7:23-28 Mark 10:46-52

Please keep in your prayers

these members and friends of the congregation:

Judith Bobo, Kitty Byers, Ed Dietrich, George M. Dowdle (Nancy Lowe’s brother),

Beverly & Harry Howell, Madaline Huie, Bob Kerry (Pud Brogan’s brother-in-law),

Don Paulk, Veda & Jimmy Sherard, Martha Spruill, Veronica Vogt,

Margaret Winkler, Tom Wise, Kay Holland and the Robinson family

upon the death of Jenny Robinson and the Coleman family

upon the death of Annette Coleman.

Please keep in your prayers

these members in the community and beyond:

Yancy Bartlett, Hugh Clark, Pete Farrer, Frank Jemison,

Cherry Martin, Jim Shearon, Sandra Simmons,

Ben Straughn (Greta & Dick Decourcy’s grandson),

Janis Wilson, and King Young.