THE Link

The First ARP Church Newsletter December 2018

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…” Gal. 4:4

When I think of the Season I also think of fullness. But I’m afraid it is not the same fullness that Scripture speaks about. I think of fullness of activity, with practically every moment of this season spoken for. Of course, these activities are all good things in and of themselves. But like too many helpings of sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving, irresistible to any sensible person, afterwards I am exhausted and nauseous. I think of fullness of stress. Overwhelmed by shopping lists, cards, school concerts, and family get-togethers, many can’t help looking forward to the end of the holiday season. If you need evidence, just look at the faces of those shopping around you. And without fail, this season brings with it a fullness of stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. Stuff being yanked out of attics to decorate the house inside, outside, upside and downside. Then there is all of the stuff we purchase for others and the stuff others purchase for us. The latest statistics say that Americans spend over 465 billion dollars on Christmas. It can almost seem like the season conspires against us to keep us from experiencing the real joy and meaning of Christmas.

Over a decade ago three pastors found themselves in a similar spot. They decided to participate in an Advent Conspiracy of their own and to seek to bring their families, churches and communities back to the heart of Christmas: The Christ. They share on their website:

For many of us, we were drowning in a sea of financial debt and endless lists of gifts to buy. We struggled to find the connection between our Christmas to-do lists and the story of ’ birth. An overwhelming stress had overtaken worship and celebration. The time of year when focusing on Christ should be the easiest was often the hardest. Somehow, this had become the new normal.

Can you identify? Over the last ten years, thousands of churches from around the world have conspired together to re- discover the joy and significance of Christ’s birth. This season we will join in this Advent Conspiracy. You are invited to participate as we focus on the story of Christ’s birth and the challenge to: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All. Come join us for worship and participate with us in this Advent Conspiracy.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…” (Gal. 4:4) This is the message of Christmas. This is the fullness that we need – the fullness of Christ in the fullness of our lives. The reality is that from the recesses of eternity past God conspired to bring us Jesus and the life, light, and joy that is only found in him. Let’s not settle for less this Advent Season – let’s conspire together to celebrate Christ.

Pastor Matt

Tom Ellington—12/14 Service Nora Sullivan—12/14 Sunday, Dec. 16 at 6pm Lee Taylor—12/14

In the midst of holiday cheer, some of us Doug Love—12/15 Sarah Whitescarver—12/15 mourn the loss of a loved one or feel particularly lonely. Our Blue Christmas Mary Gwynne Cashatt—12/1 John Cashatt—12/16 Daniel Duffie—12/1 Joyce Miller—12/16 Service is a time when we can acknowledge the blue feelings we may have and offer Richard Duffie—12/1 Carrie Rouse—12/16 Rob Wysor—12/1 Russ Cox—12/18 these feelings to God. Join us for this special time of worship and community on Sunday, Dec. 16, at 6pm in the Sanctuary. Lorene Bumgarner—12/2 Carolyn Dewalt—12/18 Fred Chase—12/2 Carole Lee Ferguson—12/18 Hope Robinson—12/2 Bob Barnhill—12/19

Tracey Smith—12/2 Austin Buchanan—12/19 Sandra Crouch—12/3 Bo Stewart—12/19 Services December 24, 2018 Nicole Best—12/4 Mary Katherine Timbers— Madison Butler—12/5 12/19

Come join us for worship on Christmas Cherry—12/5 Ed Anthony—12/20

Eve at 11am, 5pm and 7pm. See Stella Gray—12/5 Mark Forbes—12/20 childcare availability per service below: Seth Hooks—12/5 David Russell—12/21 Amy Hueitt—12/5 Meredith Russell—12/21 11am: Infants and Toddlers only Sophie Bomgaars—12/6 Ashley Westmoreland—12/24 5pm: Infants through 4 years of age Debbie Erwin—12/6 Stefenie Duffie—12/25 7pm: No childcare provided Jacob Mocanu—12/6 Chloe Pearson—12/25 Justin Champion—12/8 Sandra Duffie—12/26 Contact Leslie Farrar for childcare reservations. Beth Wingate—12/8 Chris Smith—12/27 [email protected] Gideon Williams—12/9 Margaret Hargrove—12/28 Huntley Auten—12/10 Reola Hoyle—12/28 Jane Painter—12/10 Hellen Davis—12/29 Sunday Morning Greeters Butch Boyd—12/11 Luke Kelly—12/29 8:30 - Dec.: Russ & Anne McAllister Mary Rose Campbell—12/11 Cindy Lear—12/29 10:55 - Dec. 2 & 9: Ellis & Meg Fisher Dwayne Fink—12/11 Arden Mumford—12/29 10:55 - Dec. 16 & 23: Gene & Kathy Martin Emerson Mumford—12/11 Emily Borden—12/30 10:55 - Dec. 30: Paula Dixon Maurice Canaday—12/12 Karen Willis—12/30 Josh Hjemvick—12/12 Tammy Baker—12/30 Artie Cooper—12/13 Judi Brown—12/31 Sunday Morning Ushers for December Hunter Dixon—12/13 Paula Dixon—12/31

Tyler Dixon—12/13 Diane Eller—12/31 8:30: Chuck Duncan, Todd Friday, Robert Heussy, Doug Jim Kelly—12/13 Spencer Garvin—12/31 Love Thomas Taylor—12/13 Jan Hubers—12/31 10:55: Jack Lear, Tom Balsom, Chris McKay, David Denice Eckler—12/14 Rob Pearson—12/31 Jennings

Sunday Morning Coffee Servers

Dec. 2: Gary & Joyce Miller

Dec. 9: Fred & Vicki Caldwell Dec. 16: Debbi McCall Joe & Joy Woods 12/1/07 11 years Dec. 23: Debbi McCall John & Kathy Connor 12/9/18 52 years Dec. 30: Gayle Cunningham Brian & Jannine Rushing 12/10/94 24 years Jeff & Jane Fawcett 12/11/82 36 years Brent & Jill Farmer 12/13/86 32 years Sunday Worship Attendance Tom & Sue Ellington 12/14/63 55 years

8:30 11:00 Total Justin & Julie Champion 12/15/01 17 years Oct. 28 234 230 464 Dean & Alice Auten 12/17/93 25 years Nov. 4 300 226 526 James & Kristi Bostick 12/19/92 26 years Nov. 11 200 251 451 Doug & Karyn Love 12/19/81 37 years Nov. 18 212 246 458 Timothy & Sharron McPeters 12/21/75 43 years Nov. 25 212 191 403 Forrest & Madison Butler 12/22/12 6 years Dec. 2 234 230 464 Harold & Betty Stowe 12/22/56 62 years Dec. 9 Services canceled - inclement weather Ed & Annie Anthony 12/23/95 23 years Mac & Sandra Crouch 12/24/67 51 years Gene & Anne Hanna 12/25/56 62 years Financial Update Jon & Meagan Lacher 12/27/14 4 years (General Operating Fund)

John & Mary Gwynne Cashatt 12/28/74 44 years

As of 10/31/18 David & Bonnie Jansen 12/28/74 44 years Revenues $1,179,741.81 Jerry & Sandy Miller 12/28/74 44 years Expenses 1,153,838.82 Mike & Cathy Foster 12/29/67 51 years Net Surplus (deficit) $ 25,902.99 Wade & Sherry Huss 12/29/66 52 years

Capital Campaign (Building Recovery at the Crossroads Fund) Pledges & Gifts

Do you (or someone you know) long to trade your As we approach the end of the second year of our 5 year heavy burden of addiction for the light one Jesus Capital Campaign, we want to thank everyone who has has for you? Then consider joining Recovery at the pledged and given to our new Building Project. If you Crossroads as we look to God’s Word for the keys made a pledge, or just want to make a gift before the to living the life Christ has for us! Meetings are on end of the year to the Capital Campaign, this will Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30pm in Room #201. certainly help decrease the future interest costs that we will incur for the construction loan. We thank God for you and your commitment to His work.

Korean Mission Opportunity In early February 2019, First ARP will be partnering with a ministry called Life Together to host 10 Korean youth for two weeks. The purpose is to share the love of Christ with these students from Korean welfare homes. We are trusting God to provide five families from our church who are willing to host two youth each in their home and to share the love of Christ. Sarah Koh, Director of Life Together, is planning to host an informational meeting for anyone interested on Sunday, January 6. If you are interested in participating in any way during our hosting time, please contact Courtney at [email protected] or Sarah Koh at [email protected] for more information.

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This article came from the Nov/Dec issue of CONNECT, the World Witness newsletter. To subscribe, contact Shelia Osborne at [email protected] or 864-233-5226.

Church Directory Changes Rocky & Angela Readling 101 Wyndham Cove

Cherryville, NC 28021 Kim Taylor - Change of address: 7007 Owens Court, Apt. B, Rocky’s cell: 704-616-9841, Angela’s cell: 704-747-0318 Lowell, NC 28098, change of email address: Rocky’s email: [email protected] Angela’s email: [email protected] [email protected]

Child: Flynn Greg Danny & Penny Wilson - change of email address: [email protected] Jeffrey W. & Nancy “Leanne” Stowe Meredith Parks - New address: 4311 Alcove Ave. Apt. 9, 1349 Union New Hope Road Studio City, CA 91604 Gastonia, NC 28056 Home phone: 704-829-5640, Business phone: 704-825-9570 New Members that joined on 11/18/2018 Jeff’s cell: 704-678-2882, Leanne’s cell: 704-678-2883 Email address: [email protected] Edwina Franklin Son: Jeffrey “Bennett” Stowe, cell: 704-898-2867 1120 Stuarts Landing Drive Cramerton, NC 28032 Home phone: 704-879-4270, Cell: 207-730-3545 James and Beth Francis email address: [email protected] 1040 Paramount Circle Gastonia, NC 28052 Andrew Raymond (A. J.) & Anna Williams Beth’s cell: 864-412-9771 310 Linsbury Court James’ cell: 864-977-1282 Gastonia, NC 28056 Email address: [email protected] Home phone: 904-625-3828, Anna’s cell: 904-625-0570 Children: Carrington and William email address: (A. J’s) [email protected] (Anna’s) [email protected] Amy Hueitt - new cell number: 980-989-1013 Children: Christian Andrew, Eliza Corinne, Gideon Seth, Greta Kate Elizabeth Ferguson - new cell number: 704-685-4347. This is her preferred number.

First ARP Community Groups

Are you looking for an opportunity to connect with other believers in Christ in meaningful community? Our goal is to begin 10 new community groups at First ARP. Community Groups are small groups of 8-12 people who meet in homes at least twice a month for spiritual encouragement and growth. If you are interested in joining an existing group or leading a group of your own, please contact Nancy Peeler in the church office at [email protected].

Music Staff Search Team

Please pray for our Music Staff Search Team as they search for qualified candidates to fill the part-time positions of Children’s Music Ministry Director and 8:30 Worship Team Leader. We have been blessed in the past to fill these positions with outstanding staff and we trust that God will provide going forward! Below is a list of those who have agreed to serve on this search team. Please pray for them to have wisdom and direction!

Music Staff Search Team Phil Painter, Ben Morrow, Russ McAllister, Sarah L. Fink, Carole Lee Ferguson, Milette Oden, Jo Henry

Job descriptions are posted on our website: http://www.firstarpchurch.org/service/. All interested should send a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Church Office Closings for Holidays

The church office will be closed on Monday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas and Tuesday, Jan. 1 for New Years.

Kairos Prison Ministry Needs Volunteers First ARP Has New Aprons

Greetings Brothers and Sisters, thanks to so many of The Women of the Church have new you for prayers, cookies and financial support for this aprons! Wanda modeled one for us. ministry. Kairos is a global prison ministry operates in prisons in 37 U.S. states, and 9 countries: Australia, Thanks to Ashley Buchanan for Canada, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, getting them. Third Girl Burrell Honduras, Peru, South Africa, and the United Designs embroidered them and a big Kingdom. Volunteers conduct over 600 Weekends in thank you to Frankie Lewis and prisons and communities annually in the U.S. and worldwide. There are also over 100 prisons worldwide Callie Mason for turning the ends up which want the Kairos program, but we don't have the and making us pockets at the bottom. volunteers or resources to accommodate them at this We will use these for special time. Kairos NC serves 23 prisons. occasions and our bereavement

I am writing to encourage anyone who has interest in meals. We have 23 aprons! serving to contact me. This could be in many ways in addition to prayer, cookies and financial support. These opportunities to serve could be (1) Men going into the prison to serve for the weekend, (2) Men or women to volunteer at base camp with cooking, ALL MOMS… assembling agape. The weekend is February 28th – STAY TUNED FOR…. March 3rd, 2019. If interested in serving please call MOTHER’S HEART, BEGINNING IN me. John Barker 704-481-5560. JANUARY…. Thanks for your support and consideration. DeColores! Information to be announced in the January

John Barker, Jr. SIOR issue of The Link. President & Chief Development Officer

Dear First ARP Church, Thank you, for your support during the healing of my surgery. We appreciate the pastors for prayers and phone calls. Also, to the elders for the uplifting prayers with our family the Sunday before my surgery. Thank you to the New Life Class for all the thoughtful meals. We have a wonderful church family that has prayed, called and sent such lovely cards during my recovery time. Thanks so much and we are so blessed to be a part of the First ARP Church family! William & Julie Ratchford Family

Dear First ARP Church, Rhea and I humbly thank you for the ramp built on Nov. 3. It makes our lives so much easier getting him in and out of the house. We also thank you for prayers and other assistance too! Love & Prayers, Janie Spencer

To all of you at First ARP Church who worked in our yard on Saturday (Got Heart), Just thinking about your kindness brings a smile. Thank you so much! Grace & Bryan Warren

Many thanks to Danny Wilson for the provision of the newly designed pager “houses” on the 1st and 2nd floor of the children’s ministry hallways. We appreciate his attention to detail, master carpentry and mounting them. The units provide improved stability for each individual pager and offer a finished permanent frame that is still user friendly. It’s a great upgrade for this important component of communication with our parents, grandparents and church family. With Gratitude, First ARP Children’s Ministry

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP WITH THE CHRISTMAS STORE?

December 12th is fast approaching! That night, at 5:30, the first shoppers will begin their shopping time for their children. If they have one child, it costs them $10 and if there is more than one child, the cost is $20. When they have finished, they will have several articles of clothing, two toiletries, two games, balls, toys, books, puzzles, or bedding for each child plus a bible and a food box for each family. This event is not possible without a lot of participation from you, the members of First ARP Church! There are MANY ways that you can help. First, take an angel, or two, from the tree and return money to Tammy Baker or diapers and balls to the tree. Our great store shoppers will use that money to stock the store with everything needed in the store. Our store set up times will be December 6, 7, 10, 11, and 12 from 9-12 and 2-5 each day on the third floor of the Educational building. You can let me know that you want to help during these times or just show up!! There is always something that needs to be done and I cannot do it all by myself! On the night of the store, we will meet around 5:00 to be ready when the shoppers arrive. Volunteers are needed in each department and as a shopper's helper (walk thru the departments with the shopper holding the bag for the child that they are shopping for and making sure that they get to every department). In addition, we have people to give out food boxes, check in the shoppers, check out the shoppers, and our "bagmen". Bagmen carry the finished bags to the shopper's car and make sure that they get a food box on the way. . There will be a 20 minute meeting Sunday, December 9 after the 8:30 service and another after the 11:00 service for store volunteers--come to the one that suits you best! Also, don't forget that Rebecca will be holding a Birthday Party for Jesus in the Fellowship Hall for the children while their parents are shopping and they may need help too! See Rebecca if you would rather help with that part of the store. With all of you helping in whatever way that you can, this year's store will be the best ever!! Thanks for your help!! Vicki Marsh

SAT

15

1 8 22 29 Pastors’ Prayer Partners Partners Prayer Pastors’ FH 7:30am,

FRI

11

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7 14 21 28 Retreat School Middle Bonclarken at 9 Nov.

THU

6 13 20 27 FH 7pm, Mtg., Session

Chapel

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WED

5 12 19 26 Advent Celebration Advent 12:15pm Team WM Leadership Room 5pm, Meeting, 201 Worship Advent Chapel 12:15pm Christmas Community Party and Birthday Store 5:30pm Jesus, for Meeting, Deacon’s Rm Conference 7:30pm, Worship Advent Chapel 12:15pm, Christmas 23/45 Club Party Bag Lunch Primetimers Study Bible and 201 Room 12pm,

TUE

12:30pm

4 11 18 25 Circle Griffith Ann Jo Circle, Allers Suzanne 2pm, Parlor Whitesides Lillian 6:30pm Circle, 11:30am Saints, Single Carolina BBQ Ole Closed Office Church

MON

3 10 17 24 31 Circle Hanna Ethelda FH 10am, 10am Circle, Dale Kate Janet White/Minnie 3pm Circle, Alexander FH 10:30am Girls, Party Circle Juanita Garrison FH 6:30pm, Committee Mission Room 7pm, Meeting, 201 Services Eve Christmas 7pm & 5pm 11am, Closed Office Church Eve Year’s New

SUN

Third Sun. Third of Advent Sun. Fourth of Advent

First Sun. of First Advent

Second Sun. Second of Advent

2 9 16 23 30 Congregational Meeting Carols & Lessons 6:00pm Supper Lord’s The services 10:55 & 8:30 Christmas Blue 6pm, Service, Sanctuary

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FH

Conf. Rm. Conf.

of Lobby

—

Room 201 Room

—

Home of of Home

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Sunday Morning Prayer Prayer Morning Sunday Chapel Worship Blended Room Choir Choir, Youth Gathering The School Sunday Worship Traditional Dinner Youth Group Youth HS MS & (One Service EvenSong month) per Sunday Time Prayer Intercessory Room Prayer Meeting AA Building Education Bojangles Breakfast, HS Meeting Staff GriefShare Williamson & Tari Tom at the Recovery #201 Room Crossroads, Bag Lunch Primetimers Study Bible Ringers Celebration Ministry Children’s Choir Early Electives Youth Electives Adult Choir Adult Choir Chancel at Group Men’s Panera Bread Panera Breakfast Prayer Men’s Partners Prayer Pastor’s month) ea. (1st of Sat. FH

Weekly Events Weekly

7:30am 8:30am 9:40am 9:45am 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 7:30pm 6:30am 6:30pm 7:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 6:30am 6:30am 7:30am

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 10:00am 10:55am 11:30am 10:00am 12:00pm

First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 317 S. Chester Street, Gastonia, NC 28052

Phone: 704-864-3468, Fax: 704-864-2416 Church email: [email protected] Rev. Matt Kuiken: [email protected] Rev. Dr. Jeff Morrison: [email protected] Rev. Josh Hjemvick: [email protected] www.firstarpchurch.org In God We Trust Return Service Requested

Merry Christmas to our First ARP Family! In this season when we celebrate of all, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, we give thanks for each and every one of you. May God bless each and every one of you, along with your families.

Joy to the World, Pastor Matt, Sabrina, Cora, Cooper and Leona