Thyat i r a P resby te r i an Church a t M i l l B r idge

Emai l : o f f i c e@thya t i rap resby te r i an .o rg Webs i t e : thyat i rap resby te r i an .o rg

O f f i ce : 704 -636-1595 Pas to r S te ck : 704 -245 -8100

PASTOR’S PAGE Who Can’t Use More Good News? A number of years ago when cable television was just getting started, the infamous media mogul Ted Turner decided to devote an hour of prime time on CNN to a news magazine that offered only stories of good news, since most of what passed for news then (and still does!) was bad news of crime, violence, disaster, corruption, and so on. He felt that people were looking for some good news, and thought he could tap that market. I recall that his experiment didn’t last very long, which is surprising since I believe that we really do want to hear good news, and that we need to hear it. I guess we are just not willing to sit down at a specific time of day to get that good news. Maybe it would be more successful as a smartphone app. Pondering such things is important for the church since we too are in the “good news business.” We say we preach the Gospel, and the word we translate in English as Gospel literally means “good news.” That good news takes a variety of forms depending on our context, but when Jesus and the Biblical writers used it, it meant what Jesus announced in Luke 4:

Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

On World Communion Sunday, October 1, we want the eyes of all in Mill Bridge to be fixed upon Thyatira, not because we have the most beautiful church in Rowan County, or because we are the oldest congregation in the area, or even because the food at the covered dish meal will be so mouth-wateringly delicious. No, we want all eyes fixed upon us because we are bringing the same good news that Jesus Christ brought. Because the world wants good news, and needs good news, and we have good news in abundance to share. And who can’t use more good news? Please make EVERY effort to attend church on Sunday, October 1. It’s World Communion Sunday when we celebrate the unity the world so desperately craves. It’s Invite-A-Friend Sunday, and God knows we can’t have too many friends either. Our children are singing and the bells are playing, bringing life to our ears. But most of all, it’s yet another opportunity to proclaim the good news that all the bad news we hear has already been overcome by the Jesus Christ we love and adore. Come, share the good news.

October 2017 Newsletter Volume 40, Number 10

“And to the angel of the church in

Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished

bronze: ‘I know your works—your love, faith, service, and

patient endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first.’”

– Revelation 2:18-19

Celebrating

90 Years!

You are invited to a

90th birthday celebration honoring

Roselind “Ronney” Steele

October 7, 2017

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Oak Park Activity Room

548 White Oaks Drive

Salisbury, NC 28147

No presents, please - Well Wishes Only

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It is amazing to see the power of cooperative

community action when there is a need. We saw one

of the greatest surge of donations that we've had in a

long time after our last plea for corn, beans, and mixed

vegetables. Summer months can be tough because

donations decrease but people continue to struggle.

Thanks to all for pulling together to help us help

others! We couldn't do it without you.

This month, we are especially focused on Men's

Shoes, pillows for the shelter, and a volunteer to fill

our 9:30pm Second Helping Driver position to pick up

food from Panera and Dunkin Donuts. However, we

are dangerously low on all items on this list and

appreciate help in any way!

-Rowan Helping Ministries

September Needs List

Food Pantry: Canned fruit (low sugar/salt preferred),

breakfast foods

Food Pantry-West: Breakfast foods, dish detergent, desserts

Clothing Center: Men’s shoes, children’s clothing, diapers

(size 3 & up)

Jeannie’s Kitchen: Eggs, #10 (large) canned vegetables,

butter

Shelter: Pillows, lotion, adult toothpaste

Volunteers Needed

Second helping driver - Tuesday @ 9:30pm, pick up Panera

& Dunkin Donuts

Laundry - Thursday & Friday from 9am-1pm

Breakfast meal servers - Bring your own food/prepare ours

for shelter guests from 5:15am-7am

Shelter reception desk - Tuesday & Thursday afternoon

Jeannie’s Kitchen Volunteer Coordinator

Brynn Smith

bsmith@rowanhelpingministries.org

(704) 637-6838 x117

Food Pantry Volunteer Coordinator

Lynsey Horn

lhorn@rowanhelpingministries.org

(704) 637-6838 x112

1IN 8 WOMEN WILL FIGHT BREAST CANCER IN THEIR LIFETIME. Join the fight.

Carolinas HealthCare System NorthEast Mobile Mammography Coach is delivering digital

mammography at a location closer to where you work.

Now also providing 3D mammography! Recommended for women with dense breast tissue.

(Check with your insurance company about coverage)

Patterson Farms 3060 Millbridge Road, China Grove

Monday, October 2 - 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

To make an appointment please call 704-403-1729

Appointment Criteria: • Women 35 years and older • Have a Primary Care Physician or OB/GYN • With or without health insurance • Appointment required • Financial assistance is available

Important: Please have physician information available when calling.

Our rotation at Rowan Helping Ministry will be

Thursday, October 26 for the evening meal and Friday,

October 27 for breakfast. I already have the meals

covered, however, if anyone would like to volunteer,

please contact me at melissakluttz@gmail.com or

704-202-3634.

Thank you!

Melissa Kluttz

PRAYER CONCERNS

Brightmoor Nursing Center: Frank Fuller

Lutheran Home: Mullie Varner

C/O George Calhoun: Mary Alice Calhoun

White Oak Manor, Charlotte: Ruby Erwin

At Home: JoAnn Kerr Ted Deal

Bo Deal

• Tom Turner, recovering from back surgery • Joyce Caldwell is recovering from a fall • Kathy Allen, recovering from bone marrow transplant • The birth of Charlotte Swanson, daughter of Michael

and Jessica Swanson • Stacey’s friend, Joe Hunter, recovering from by-pass

surgery • Mary Deal’s sister, Margaret, being treated for an

infection • The mother of a friend of Debbie Edwards • Betty Morgan, sister of Ruth Albright, recovering

after serious car accident • Ruth Albright recovering at home after a fall • Those affected by recent hurricanes and the

earthquakes in Mexico • Alice Sloop’s friend, Nancy, under hospice care • Mike Hawkins’ mother, Elizabeth, in rehab at Liberty

Commons following a stroke • Linda Gaylor’s mother, Barbara • Jay Foster, a nine-year-old with heart issues • Ada Jo Sloop, serving in the Peace Corps • OC Shoaf • A friend of Phares, Cindy Pope, being treated for

some serious health issues • Bill Bergstrom is being treated for leukemia • Sharry Davis is being treated for cancer • Millard Goodnight, undergoing cancer treatment • Nell Fuller’s niece, Mary Jo Wood, is undergoing

cancer treatments • Drema Clemens’ mother, Bertha Warden • Millicent Hoffner’s brother, Joe Kerr • Mike Hawkins who has RA • Former member, Pat Hall • Jimmy’s mother and father, Ernestine & Bill Hoffner • Paul Rogers’ daughter and family in Pakistan • Raymer family serving in Africa

GENEROSITY UPDATE

We exceeded our September goal completing the month at 109% of projection. We are at 96% of the

YTD goal.

LITURGISTS:

1 - Janet Lambert 8 - Leigh Anne Wetmore 15 - Phares Sechler 22 - Melissa Kluttz 29 - Millicent Hoffner

USHERS: Eddie Bell, Ryan Sloop, Jeremy Deal, Richard Luther, Steven Wetmore

NURSERY ATTENDANTS:

1 - Melissa Waller, Ashley Wilkie 8 - Selena Bell 15 - Jada Ware-Guy, Flora Calderón-Steck 22 - Janet Lambert, Lydia Richmond 29 - Debbie Edwards, Dana Milam

OCTOBER SCHEDULES

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1 Aaron Davis

2 Aiden Best

3 Roselind Steele

Griffin Rouse

4 Caroline Waller

5 Phares Sechler

7 Landon Beard

9 Debbie Edwards

Tom Hall

11 Jada Ware Guy

12 Grady King

13 Jonathan Graham

Jaymes Graham

14 Catherine Wolfingbarger

15 James Reber

Jennifer Rouse

16 Laurel Harcum

Chris Rivera

17 Doug Patterson

Brittany Thompson

18 Carol King

19 Michael Connolly

21 Cara Blake Cruz

Candace McKnight

23 Norman Shaver

24 Sharry Davis

Anna Edwards

25 Lisa Armstrong

Ada Jo Sloop

26 Kristy Seaboch

29 Anthony Armstrong

30 Norma Lauder

Mary Hall

October

Birthdays

Discernment Day Follow-up

Many thanks to all who participated in our Discernment Day on September 9. The conversations we shared have provided an excellent starting point to put into words the visions that God has shared.

The Vision Discernment Team will be processing all that information and making recommendations about next steps. In the meantime, please keep praying for this process, especially that we will all recognize the vision as divine when we see it!

The Children’s Choirs are in full swing as we prepare to sing in worship service on October 1 and October 22. We have been listening to Christmas CDs. The children will present their programs December 3 during the 11:00am service.

In addition to taking part in the Sunday morning worship services, the Young Disciples have been working hard on the card ministry. Once a month they make cards to send to the sick and shut-ins in our church and community.

We are in need of old pillowcases for the Christmas Program. If you have any to donate please leave them on the bench in the Education Building. Even though this is for a church function, please leave your “holey” ones at home.

Ms. Millicent

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Sunday, October 1 the men of the church will join together for food and fellowship at 8:00am.

Troop Scoop

Our Troop is back in full swing. Any boys sixth grade and above who would like to join us, contact Greg Hager 980-234-0103.

Life Scout Trevor Mervine has begun working on his Eagle project. His project will feature a food drive for Rowan Helping Ministries in October and cooking at the shelter on October 24 - Thyatira's quarterly turn to serve. We will be accepting monetary donations for the meal if you would like to contribute.

Thank you for your support.

The WOC would like to thank the Girl Scouts, Brian Waller, Luke Waller, Charlie King, and Ed Hall for their help with the fall gathering. We appreciate it so very much!

To our new church family at Thyatira,

Thank you so much for your love, concern, cards, prayers, and meals provided during chemo-therapy. You have made this easier for us. What a blessing to have you in our lives.

I especially appreciate Pastor Stacey’s visits and his Christian guidance.

Please continue praying for us and for healing.

Love In Christ, Sharry Davis

Sunday, October 1 we will have a meeting at 9:00am.

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PARISH NURSE NEWS

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Two negative facts:

• 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her life time.

• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. One positive fact:

• The decrease in hormone therapy treatment, has had a positive effect on the rate of breast cancer in women over 50.

October is an excellent time to review breast cancer risk factors and its prevention. Most of us know at least one woman who has had breast cancer and have seen personally the toll this disease takes on individuals and families.

Most women who develop breast cancer have no identifiable risk factor except age. Many women with one or more risk factors do not develop breast cancer. Even though new information on cancer appears almost daily, it is still impossible to identify who will develop breast cancer and who will not.

Factors which affect a woman's risk of breast cancer include: Age - The strongest risk factor is age. Breast cancer risk increases as a woman grows older. Most women who develop breast cancer are older than 50 years of age. Personal history of breast cancer - Women who have had breast cancer in one breast are more likely to develop it in the other breast. Family history - Having a mother, a sister, or a daughter who has had breast cancer increases a woman's risk. The risk is higher if her family member developed breast cancer before age 40. Risk is also increased if at least one family member on her mother's or father's side of the family had breast cancer. Inheriting certain harmful genes - Inheriting certain harmful mutations to genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, greatly increases the risk of breast cancer. Reproductive history - Beginning your period before age 12 increases breast cancer risk; reaching menopause after age 55 increases breast cancer risk; and never having children or having children after age 30 increases breast cancer risk as well. Taking the hormones estrogen and progestins - Using hormone therapy containing both estrogen and progestins for more than five years increases breast cancer risk. Using birth control pills may slightly increase the cancer risk in current users, but the risk returns to normal over time. Body Weight - The chance of developing breast cancer after menopause is higher in woman who are overweight or obese. Drinking alcohol - The more alcohol a woman drinks, the greater her risk of breast cancer. Taking DES - The drug DES was given to some pregnant women in the United States between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage. (This drug is no longer given to pregnant women.) Women who were given DES during pregnancy may have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer. Physical Activity - Women who are not physically active throughout life may have an increased risk of breast cancer. Strenuous exercise for more than 4 hours per week may help lower breast cancer risk. Race - In the United States, white women have the highest breast cancer rate. Yet, women of all races develop breast cancer.

If you're looking for ways to lower your breast cancer risk, focus your efforts on a healthy lifestyle and have the appropriate tests (mammography and self-checks). Wholesome and well-balanced meals and regular physical exercise can help maintain a healthy weight. Limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day. Whether these steps will protect you from breast cancer is not certain. But, living a healthy lifestyle is a cornerstone of disease prevention. Tests will not prevent breast cancer, but they can provide early detection. A key to length and quality of life of anyone who develops cancer is based on early detection.

Special Health Notes: Flu Season - October to May

Each year the CDC emphasizes the importance of getting an annual flu shot to protect yourself, your family, and others. Unfortunately, many people ignore the importance of getting the flu vaccine. This protection is particularly important for children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions. If you decided not to get a flu shot in the past, and you managed to escape the flu, pneumonia, frequent colds, bronchitis and other associated problems, it might have seemed to be a good decision. But, it's important to realize that flu and its complications still cause deaths. If you have questions or concerns about taking a flu shot, discuss this with your health care provider. They can help you make the best decision for protecting yourself and others.

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Consecration Sunday Is Coming - October 29

Dear Thyatirans,

Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church's mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.

The Session has selected the Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year.

Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship.

Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?” During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world.

Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday. We urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.

We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During morning worship our guest preacher will offer a brief time of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making commitments as a confidential act of worship.

We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events through the Consecration Sunday team and session members. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Sunday events.

Yours Sincerely, Janet Lambert and the rest of the Consecration Team

Invite-A-Friend Is Sunday - October 1

As we prepare for Invite-A-Friend Sunday on October 1, here are a few thoughts on making sure that once our guests arrive, they will want to come back again!

• Come a little early whether with guests or not. Let’s look like we really want to be here instead of arriving just in time!

• Please park as far away from the building so that first time visitors will have an easier time.

• Be intentional about saying Hello and Good Bye, wherever you may be. Be sure to smile and offer a firm handshake.

• If someone needs to know the locations of restrooms, nursery, etc., accompany them rather than just point.

• Wear a nametag!

• Practice the “rule of three” which means avoiding conversation with fellow members the first three minutes immediately after the service.

• Using the “circle of ten,” make an effort to greet everyone within a 10-foot radius of you, both member and non-member alike.

• Let your guests know we would like to introduce first timers, but also let them know that if they prefer not to be introduced, we will honor that too.

• Do your best to remember the names of those you meet, and greet them by name the next time they come.

Thyatira Presbyterian Church At Mill Bridge 220 White Rd. Salisbury, NC 28147-5606 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 100 SALISBURY, NC

October 2017 Newsletter

Two Year Old Classroom: We are still working on making this transition into preschool. This is a slow process, but they are making some progress. They are learning to play together and share. We have sang the ABC’s counted to 10 and did some movement songs to “Wheels on the Bus”, “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”, and “If Your Happy and You Know It”. They made handprint gifts for Grandparents and gave them out after the Grandparents Celebration.

Three Year Old Classroom: What a great start to our preschool year. We began with a unit on "All About Me." We stressed that God made us special and each one of us is different. For 2 weeks we reviewed colors and shapes, making a caterpillar of circles spelling our name and a triangle candy corn craft. We also played shape Bingo. For the letter "A" we painted an Apple. Grandparents were invited to hear the children sing, followed by refreshments and a visit to their grandchild's classroom. Each child had made their grandparents a gift.

Four Year Old Classroom: We began the year with the unit, “I’m so wonderfully Made.” We shared our favorite things, measured height and weight, made handprints, and drew a self-portrait. During the second week of September, we learned about Johnny Appleseed. We made a silly hat, learned the Johnny Appleseed prayer, tasted three different apples and graphed our favorite, and even made an apple mini book. Next, we learned about butterflies and bees. We sang “Baby Bumblebee” and learned the butterfly life cycle. What wonderful creatures God has given us to enjoy! Finally, we studied the letter C and made a caterpillar craft. We also welcomed our Grandparents to school. We sang some songs, shared snacks, and gave them gifts to let them know how much we love them. Faith, Feherty, and Naomi celebrated their 5th birthdays this month. What a wonderful beginning to a great year!