The First News First Presbyterian Church
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The First News First Presbyterian Church May, 2018 From Your Pastor It’s hard to believe, but another school year is drawing to a close and summer is approaching. Many in our church family will be celebrating graduations, wed- dings and other transitions. Co-mingled with all of the celebrations is a bit of wistfulness… each celebration acknowledges the successful completion of one chapter, and as such, there is a bit of loss involved. Graduates will often be leaving home to go to college, start a new life, or a new job. Brides and grooms will be starting their own families that are connected to us, yet distinct in their own right. Transitions like these mean that everyone’s roles change a bit, and that can be frightening. But be of good courage: Life is a journey, and Jesus reminds us that “behold, I am with you…” He goes before us to prepare the way, and as our Good Shepherd, will find us and bring us back when we have gone astray. I pray that all of us who are facing significant times of transition will allow ourselves to feel the joy, the sadness and the anxiety that changes bring, AND that we can rest in the comfort of God’s presence in all, through all and beyond all that life can throw at us. Shalom, Pastor Rebecca VBS Looking For “Shipwrecked” Decorations We need some decorations to make VBS special for our children. Do you have any of the items below that we could borrow? If so, drop off to Susan anytime between now and May 11. Label any items with your name so we can make sure they are returned. *wooden crates/ “cargo look” boxes *greenery, artificial or live, ferns, palms, etc. *tiki torches *raffia *ship’s wheel *fish nets *other “shipwrecked” decor Page 1 Christian Education Get “Shipwrecked” VBS 2018 It’s not Gilligan’s Island. It’s not Tom Hanks talking to a volleyball. It’s not Robinson Crusoe. It’s Shipwrecked, Serve . Love . Reccued by Jesus, Vacation Bible School, June 10-13, 6-8 pm. Registration is going on now for children from pre-k to 5th grade. A nursery will be provided for children under age 4. As always, volunteers are what makes VBS a success. Children from 6th grade up and adults are always needed. Registration forms are available at the church office. Starting May 27th, the children’s Sunday School classes, ummer nursery and Rooted Sunday School class will take a summer sabbatical. unday May 20th will be the last day for these classes until classes resume on Sept. 9. chool “With so many people out of town or travelling during the summer we hope this gives everyone a chance to relax, and come back in September with renewed energy,” said CE abbatical Director Susan Parrish Adult Sunday School classes will continue to meet at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings through the summer. May Book Club Read Inspired By True WWII Story The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is the May read for the Book Club for All Seasons. It tells the story of two sisters during World War II, and their struggle to survive and resist the German occupation of France. It was inspired by the story of a Belgian woman, Andrée de Jongh, who helped downed Allied pilots to escape Nazi territory. The book sold well, earned places on several bestseller lists, and was optioned for a screen adapta- tion by TriStar Pictures. The Book Club will meet Monday, May 21 at 11:30 am in the Fielding Russell Room. Patti Moore will lead the discussion. Everyone is invited to join in. Page 2 2 The First News Christian Education Class of 2018 High School Graduates Alyssa Allen, daughter of Andrew & Yvette Allen, will graduate with honors from Bulloch Academy. Alyssa is a member of the National Honor Society. She has participated in Drama; Robotics Club; CLP & CLP Band (Christian Learning Program); FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes); Beta Club; Tennis; GISA One Act Play Competition and GISA Literary Competition. Alyssa will attend the University of Georgia in the fall. John Desiderio, son of Jennifer Stocking and Francis Desiderio, will graduate with honors from Statesboro High School. John will attend the University of Georgia this fall. Clark Henderson, son of Allen and Ann Henderson, will graduate with honors from Statesboro High School. Clark served as President of the freshman and sophomore classes and treasurer of the senior class. He is a member of Beta Club and the National Honor Society. He ran cross country and was a member of the swim and tennis teams. The SHS Tennis Team was region champs for 2017 and 2018 and in 2017 made it to the Elite Eight in the state playoffs. Clark is also an Eagle Scout. He will attend the University of Georgia this fall, majoring in Political Science. Javier Molina, son of Virna Troillo, will graduate with honors from Statesboro High School. Javier was a member of the cross country and tennis teams for two years and he still enjoys pursuing these activities. Javier will be spending some time in New Zealand after graduation for both work and travel. David Olson, son of Katie and Dave Olson, will graduate with honors from Statesboro High School. David placed first for the 2017-2018 season with the Ogeechee River Scholastic Chess Association where he was un- defeated. David is also an Eagle Scout. He will attend Georgia Southern University this fall, majoring in either Logistics or Computer Engineering. Haley Parrish, daughter of Leo & Susan Parrish and granddaughter of Charles & Suzanne Dunn and Leo & Marti Parrish, will graduate with honors from Southeast Bulloch High School. Haley is graduating as Valedic- torian of her class. She has served as the President of FCCLA for the past two years and Student Council Treasurer for three years. Haley is a member of the Beta Club, the National Society of High School Scholars and she is graduate of Youth Leadership Bulloch. Haley has trained in classical ballet, tap and jazz for the past 14 years at Statesboro School of Dance. Haley will attend the University of Georgia this fall, majoring in Ex- ercise Science with plans to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy. (more graduates on page 4) Page 3 Christian Education Class of 2018 Chandler Wynn Presley, son of Edwin and Traci Presley and grandson of Del and Beverly Presley, will graduate from Statesboro High School. He is a member of the SHS Marching band as a percussionist. He is a member of the Statesboro Steel Drums and the Bulloch Blues Marching Band. He also is a part of Young Life Christian Ministry of Statesboro. He has been accepted to University of Massachusetts Boston, majoring in Biology with a minor in Chem- istry to study Forensic Science. Will Presley, son of Worth & Lori Presley and grandson of Del & Beverly Presley, will graduate from Portal High School. Will was a member of the Portal High football team where he was named offensive player of the year in his senior year. Will is also a member of FFA. He will attend Ogeechee Technical College this fall and major in Logis- tics. Katherine Tuggle, daughter of Jon and Mary Ann Tuggle and Still Time granddaughter of Durelle Tuggle, will graduate with honors from Johns Creek High School in Alpharetta. Katherine will attend To Samford University in the fall. Register College Graduates Brandi Hawkins will graduate from Georgia Southern Univer- Savannah Presbytery sity with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in Psy- Summer Camp chology. She will soon take her NCLEX to become a registered nurse. She hope to get a job pediatrics as her interest is pediatric June 17-23 oncology. At GSU Brandi was a part of the University Honors Program and completed a research project looking at mental Camp New Ebenezer, Rincon, GA health stigma on the college campus. New This Year! Caroline Henderson, graduated from the University of Michi- gan on April 28 with a Master of Social Work degree. During Overnight @ Ebenezer– A Family her two years in Michigan she has been active is social justice causes and most recently worked with the Prison Creative Arts Experience Project in Michigan. She has a BA in English and Human Brochures and registration forms available on Rights from Barnard College and worked in New York City line at SavannahPresbytery.org prior to entering graduate school. She hopes to return to the South and work in the social work field. Early Bird Registration Ends (more graduates on page 5) May 11 Page 4 4 The First News Stewardship Update Monthly Stewardship Update, April 2018 Revenue Budget OVER Expenses Budget UNDER Budget Budget $26,741.00 $20,400.00 $6,441.00 $19,685.98 $19,728.66 -$42.68 (est) For April, we were $6,441.00 Over Budget for Revenue. This is a favorable difference. Expenses were $42.68 Under Budget. Overall, for the month of April, we brought in $7,055.14 more than we spent. April 30, 2018 Year to Date Revenue Budget OVER Expenses Budget OVER Budget Budget $82,318.44 $81,600.00 $718.44 $103,957.22 $88,914.72 $15,042.50 (est) Year To Date we are $718.44 Over Budget for Revenue. This is a favorable difference. We are $15,042.50 Over Budget for Expenses. Year To Date we have spent $21638.78 more than we have brought in. This puts us $14,324.06 behind Year To Date budget. Anyone seeking more information or more detailed informa- tion may contact me at [email protected] Class of 2018 Elizabeth Henderson graduated from Georgia Tech December 2017, with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design.