Just a few inspired words about what I see God doing at FPC … Rev. Susan

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He

who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Separation Ethics Because the Presbytery, the Session, and the departing pastor are all three responsible for communi-cating Separation Ethics, I am sharing with you an excerpt from my final sermon on April 15, 2018 that

addresses this important facet of our relationship.

From years of experience, Presbyterian policy makers have created what they call “separation ethics” that must be followed for everyone’s health and happiness. There’s a whole packet of material, but it all boils down to about three imperatives. 1) The pastor shall not perform any pastoral duties except by invitation of the session moderator. So, if you want me to come and do a “blessing of the animals” next spring, I have to be invited. 2) There shall be a period of no contact between pastor and congregation for one year, except for pre-arranged services. So, when the Ferncliff Counselors bring Day Camp to us for a week in June, it’s okay for the counselors to bunk at the Arnold house because we’ve already ar-ranged that. And this November, you are still Ruth’s church family when she gets married here in Tex-arkana. 3) All future contact between pastor and congregation shall be as friends only. As friends only? What does that mean? This imperative seems the most difficult to maneuver because it’s so nebulous. During Jesus’ last meal with his disciples in the gospel of John, as he’s preparing to leave, he tells them a lot of stuff (2 chapters’ worth). One of the things he tells them is, Whatever else we’ve been to each other, tonight “. . . I call you friends, . . . Everything my father has told me I have told you.” In essence, he’s saying – my job, my calling, with you this side of heaven is about to be complete, and our relation-ship is about to change. And that change looks like us not being rabbi to student, lord to disciple, but friend to friend. “And I tell you all these things,” says Jesus, “so that your joy may be full.” That it may be complete, whole. The pastor whose sermon inspired me, said it this way, and it holds for me too. “After today, I won’t be in a position to provide pastoral care or talk about church business or perform baptisms or preach, teach and serve with you anymore.” I won’t be able to answer questions about family camp logistics, find teaching resources for you, or help you talk through strategic plans for ministry. After working with you for nine ½ years, shifting out of that role will be difficult for both of us.” We’ve been pastor/parishioner/friends for 9 ½ years. Today we become friends only. Today our relationship changes. And, as I said in that last sermon, I am grateful to you for the honor and opportunity to serve you these past 9 ½ years. So, “Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen.”

OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS TO SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST,

TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO SERVE, AND TO GLORIFY GOD.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH May 2018

We are asking for more volun-teers for July 1, 2018. Please

contact the church office or Pat Davitt at 870.773.7883.

Randy Sams’ Mission The 1st Sunday night of each month a dinner is served for the shelter. Below is the schedule of volunteers in charge of these dinners.

May 6 *Cynthia & John Wesley Sheila & Marshall Moore, Margie Rhodes, Dean & Bob Ransdell

June 3 *Becky & Kevin Thompson Betty Anthony, Beth & Dee Dee McHenry-Pope

(*Denotes Group Coordinator)

Additional volunteers would be help-ful for these months. Please contact the team coordinator to offer assis-tance.

First Presbyterian Church

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BLESSED DAY Ryan Boyles, son of Dan & Kathy, and Ashley Grimes were mar-ried on Saturday, April 7 in a small family wedding at Susan and David Boyles' ranch in Marble Falls, Texas. It was 44 degrees and overcast, but the wedding was perfect! (Pictured)

James Robert Lacy, son of Randy and Carla Lacy, married Bailey Grissom, daughter of Phil and Diana Kirkland and the late Lanny Grissom, on April 7 in Conway, AR. After a trip to Antigua the cou-ple will live In Greenbrier, AR. James works for State Farm Insur-ance in Conway, AR and Bailey works for Pediatrics Plus in Con-way, AR.

Family Camp It’s that time of year again! Family Camp will be held June 22-24 at Jan-Kay Ranch in Detroit, Texas. The approximate cost for ages 13-up; $115, ages 9-12; $86.25, ages 3-8; $57.50 and

2 & under; free, which includes 2 nights lodging and 5 meals along with lots of activities to choose from like miniature golf, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, basketball, hiking, canoeing, horse-shoes and more. Deadline to register is June 5th . Please contact Betty Anthony to sign up today!

Thank you from the Tower Bell Ringers!

Many thanks to our church family for helping with hospitality for our guests during the Seven Towers Festival in April. There were 34 ringers in attend-

ance, and all were most appreciative of the warm welcomes, the tasty snacks and drinks, and the delicious meals and desserts that were pre-pared for them. Thanks to all who cooked and all who brought food and drinks! Martha Nell Richards did a great job getting all the snacks and

meals organized. Sallie Dill, Val Buster, Betty Anthony, Stephanie Jackson, and Martha Nell ran the kitchen for four days! And Nancy and Charles Jack-son were invaluable hosts and "waiters" both at church and for Friday and Saturday evening meals. Church staff members Rebecca, Ron, and John all pulled extra duty as needed. Each of you helped to make this Festival a

success! With deepest appreciation, Remica

CHEERS TO OUR GRADUATES

John T. Veon Graduation date: May 12, 2018

Institution: Hendrix College Degree: B.A. in Biology with a minor in Psychology

John will remain in Conway, Arkansas upon graduation where he will be working toward gaining admittance to Medical School.

Kristina Ellis Graduation: December 2017

Associates Degree in Criminal Justice Texarkana College Kristina will be attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the

Fall.

The Presbyterian

Women of FPC invite

you all to the 2018

Birthday Offering

Luncheon after wor-

ship on Sunday, May

20th! It's also Pente-

cost Sunday, so

please wear red and

come with an appetite

and a giving spirit.

Recipients for this

year's offering

are: Cottage Village, a Tiny-house Com-munity for Low-

income Residents in Cottage Grove, Oregon will provide quality, affordable housing and a safe, structured social community for individuals and families with low or very low incomes. This Birthday Offering grant will be used to help build 13 tiny houses and a central shared-use area that will serve as a compassionate and protective com-munity for vulnerable rural citizens. Village of Grace Center for Physical and Spiritual

Health in Tegucigalpa, Honduras will make it possible

for the Presbytery of Honduras to purchase the Village of

Grace Center for Physical and Spiritual Health near Te-

gucigalpa. Originally established by Presbyterian mis-

sion co-workers, the retreat center will be managed by

Presbyterian women in Honduras. It will offer interna-

tional hospitality for retreats, workshops and mission

teams from the PC(USA), Solar Under the Sun and

Living Waters for the World.

The Dwelling Place in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Min-

nesota was established in 1998 to provide for the physi-

cal, emotional and spiritual needs of women and their

children following their escape from a violent partner.

Transitional housing, education, food, clothing, trauma-

informed support services, programming and mentoring

for women are all part of the mission of The Dwelling

Place. This Birthday Offering grant will help The Dwell-

ing Place purchase a vacant lot where they will construct

a multi-use building with spaces suitable for large and

small group programming, one-on-one case manage-

ment, safe living space and staff offices. With the addi-

tional building, The Dwelling Place will be able to serve

even more women and children who are seeking safety.

Presbyterian Women Meetings May 2018

MARK THESE DATES ON YOUR

CALENDAR!

Beck/Greisser Circle Spring Luncheon -May

8 at 10:30 a.m. at June Owen’s Home

Zelle Moore Circle - May 10 at 6:00 p.m. in

the Annex

PW Coordinating - May 14 at 4:00 p.m. in the

Library

May 20 - PW Birthday Offering Luncheon

12:00 p.m. (After Worship)

First Presbyterian Church

I Am a Church Member

FPC is finishing a 6-week study entitled "I Am A Church Member" written by Thom S. Rani-er. It is an easy read but packed full with valua-ble lessons on what our responsibilities are as members of the body of Christ within our own Church family. We have the books available for

purchase here at the church for $3.50. The study is be-ing presented by various members of our congrega-tion. The schedule is as follows:

May 2: I Will Lead My Family to Be Healthy Church Members -

Sue Ellen Hall. May 9: I Will Treasure Church Membership as a Gift -

Linda Cogbill.

We hope you will join us for this simple yet profound study!

First Presbyterian Church

WEEKLY EVENTS SUNDAY 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 11:00 a.m. Worship 6:00 p.m. Sunday Night Worship 6:30 p.m. Youth Group 6:30 p.m. Adult Discipleship Class

MONDAY 6:00 p.m. Boy Scouts - Annex

TUESDAY 9:00 a.m. Staff Meeting

WEDNESDAY 10:00 a.m. Card Ministry Team 6:00 p.m. Family Night Supper 6:30 p.m. CLICK 6:30 p.m. Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Godly Play - Evergreen Residents 6:30 p.m. Youth Group 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY 9:00 a.m. Angel Quilts 12:05 p.m. Brown Bag Bible Study

SPECIAL EVENTS

TUESDAY, May 1 7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast THURSDAY, May 3

10:00 a.m. Sharing Place SUNDAY, May 6 10:30 a.m. Around the Coffee Pot 12:15 p.m. Christian Education Meeting - Library 6:00 p.m. Dinner for Randy Sams’ TUESDAY, May 8 10:30 a.m. Beck/Greisser PW Spring Luncheon- June Owen’s Home

WEDNESDAY, May 9 5:00 p.m. Diaconate Meeting THURSDAY, May 10 6:00 p.m. PW Zelle Moore Meeting - Annex SUNDAY, May 13 Mother’s Day No Sunday Evening Activities MONDAY, May 14 2:00 p.m. Federal Retirees Meeting 4:00 a.m. PW Coordinating Meeting - Annex

TUESDAY, May 15 7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast WEDNESDAY, May 16 5:00 p.m. Evangelism Meeting - Library 5:00 p.m. Worship Committee Meeting THURSDAY, May 17 10:00 a.m. Sharing Place 5:00 p.m. Session Meeting SUNDAY, May 20 Pentecost Sunday - Wear Red 12:00 p.m. PW Birthday Luncheon SUNDAY, May 27 No Sunday Night Activities MONDAY, May 28 Office Closed - Memorial Day MONDAY, May 29 7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast

MAY CALENDAR

ANNIVERSERIES

1 Alivia Flowers 3 Gene Cogbill 4 Ryan Boyles 6 Ethan Jackson 6 Mary Helen Solomon 11 William Boyles 11 Sarah Emerson 12 Michael Folse 13 Lonnie Siebel 15 Conner Humphrey 16 Cynthia Wesley

16 Nick Johns 20 Lilly Teague

20 Kristen Gibson 20 Billy Lavender 21 Sarah Propps 22 Anthony Emerson 25 Bob Letterman 28 Courtland Olivet-Smith 29 Dian Acruman

15 Andee & John Trice Parks 23 Mona & Mark Fomby 24 Carey & Jason Morgan 25 Ruth & Buddy Bell

First Presbyterian Church

A HUGE THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone that helped decorate, supplied food/candy and volunteered

the day of the Easter egg hunt. It was a whole lot of fun for the kids and adults! We all had a blast and folks are still talking about the fun times. Thank you to the families

that took time out of their day and participated, and the Youth group that helped with the many activities that were planned.

We are truly blessed! Thank you,

Your FPC Diaconate

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY PROGRAMMING

Christian Education Committee NEEDS VOLUNTEERS to present programs following Family Night Sup-pers. Would you be willing to share your testimony; or do you have a favorite lesson, study, hobby, craft, speaker or group you would like to share on a Wednesday night? We are currently studying “I Am A Church Member” by

Thom Ranier through May 9, 2018, but need volunteers after that. Please use the sign-up sheet on the round table outside the Fellowship Hall to pick your Wednesday. Otherwise, you might be listening to numer-ous Godly Play stories! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR BEING WILLING TO FILL THIS GAP IN THE ABSENCE OF A PREACHER!!

First Presbyterian Church

Register Early for

CAMP-2-YOU

Join Us for a Week of Fun! In partnership with Ferncliff, our church, along with Trinity Presbyterian and St. James, is sponsoring an exciting opportunity for Christian growth through Bible stories, worship, arts and crafts, recreation and much more. It is a day camp program called Camp-2-You. The theme this year is “A New Leaf” which is all about God’s beautiful creation and how God is constantly renewing us. Spaces are limited, so please, register early!!

June 11th – June 15th

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

4 years old – 6th Grade

Go to www.firstprestexarkana.org to register.

Please contact Chris Walraven or the Church Office for more Information.

Monthly Financial Highlights - April 2018

March March YTD YTD

Actual Budget Actual Budget

Income $ 16,114 $ 21,500 $ 70,849 $ 64,500

Expense $ 23,836 $ 26,452 $ 82,552 $ 78,772

Net Gain (Loss) $ (7,722) $ (4,952) $ (11,703) $ (14,272)

Texas Presbyterian Foundation Funds Initial Amount Invested $ 166,356.41

Income Earned Since Inception $ 32,857.50

Subtotal $ 199,213.91

Unrealized Gains Since Inception $ 41,902.42

Total Value of TPF Funds $ 241,116.33

as of March 31, 2018

DOORWAYS HOME PROGRAM CONTINUED FPC has committed to 20 kits by the end of May and each kit costs around $50.00. If you

are willing to donate money or supplies, please contact the church office or the following committee

members; Aimee and Michael Gilliland, Betty Anthony or Sue Ellen Hall.

First Presbyterian Church

Wear your RED on Pentecost! On Sunday, May 20th, our church will celebrate the Christian holiday of Pentecost. This seventh Sunday after

Easter commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while

they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks.

– In the Book of Acts, the story is told:

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there

came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there ap-

peared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and

began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout

men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confound-

ed, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

It is a custom in many churches for the people in the congregation to wear RED on the Day of Pentecost. Join us as we wear

RED to remind us of the fire of the Spirt.

A lot has been happening FPC over the last month! Bell tower ringers from the UK came and rang the bells for us an entire morning.

We also hosted the 7 Towers Festival and had a great group of ringers that joined in the fun.

___________________________________________________________

With great sadness, our church family had to say goodbye to our much beloved pastor during a luncheon hosted by the PW women, Rev. Dr. Su-san Arnold. We all wish her and her family much love and best wishes for

the future.

U.K. Bell Tower Ringers

Rev. Susan’s Luncheon Rev. Susan’s Luncheon

7 Towers Festival

7 Towers Festival

Rev. Susan’s Luncheon

7 Towers Festival

Rev. Susan’s Luncheon Rev. Susan’s Luncheon

Rev. Susan’s Luncheon

Church Staff

Reverend Dr. Susan M. Arnold, Pastor

Cell: (903) 908-5487

Leah Doughty, Christian Ed. Consultant

Cell: (260) 224-8776

Rebecca Johnson, Administrative Assistant

Ron Cantu, Custodian

John Arnold, Technology Support

Sheila Moore, Clerk of Session

Beth McHenry-Pope, Moderator of Diaconate

Maggie Morgan, Church Treasurer

FIRST

PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH

516 Pecan Street Texarkana, AR 71854

(870) 774-6453

www.firstprestexarkana.org pastor@firstprestexarkana.org music@firstprestexarkana.org office@firstprestexarkana.org CE Consultant leahodoughty@gmail.com

May Worship & Study Schedule

Sunday-11:00 a.m. Worship

Sunday-6:30 p.m. Study

Wednesday-6:00 p.m. Family Night Supper

Thursday Brown Bag Study

I Am a Church Member 2 Facilitator: Sue Ellen Hall

The Screwtape Letters 3 Author: C.S. Lewis

“In Remembrance” 6 Exodus 12:1-13 & Luke 22:19 Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Terry Land

Communion Sunday

Strategic Discipleship 6 Facilitator: M. Gilliland

I Am a Church Member 9 Facilitator: Linda Cogbill

The Screwtape Letters 10 Author: C.S. Lewis

“Prepared For Worship” 13 Exodus 3:4-14 Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Terry Land

No Sunday Evening 13 Activities

TBA 16

The Screwtape Letters 17 Author: C.S. Lewis

“Making Us Weak” 20 Exodus 14:13-28 Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Terry Land

Strategic Discipleship 20 Facilitator: M. Gilliland

TBA 23

The Screwtape Letters 24 Author: C.S. Lewis

“Dealing With Idolatry” 27 Exodus 32:1-14 Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Terry Land

No Sunday Evening 27 Activities

TBA 30

The Screwtape Letters 31 Author: C.S. Lewis