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First A.R
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1 East W
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Ro
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29
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Insp
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abled
by th
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ly Sp
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is love in
the w
orld
.
RETU
RN
SERV
ICE R
EQU
ESTED
J. Barry Dagenhart, Pastor Philip S. Bunch, Associate Pastor Robert J. Robinson, Pastor Emeritus
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
803.327.2009 803.327.4123 fax www.firstarp.org
January 2015
First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Rock Hill, South Carolina
9 a.m. Acoustic Service • 11 a.m. Traditional Worship Service
10 a.m. Sunday School (all ages)
FIRST CHURCH LIFE
Women’s Ministries Winter Brunch Saturday, January 10 10:00 am
In Robinson Hall “A Woman of High Calling Obeys”
Guest Speaker: Marcy Thomas Marcy will share her testimony– choosing obedience to
God or to the world? She will also be joined by her husband, Marty, to lead us in song. Suggested
donation for the brunch is $8. Childcare available by request; contact the church office by January 7
Catawba Presbytery Women’s Retreat February 27-March 1 at Bonclarken
“Being Content” Speaker: Valerie Shepard As a child, Valerie and her mother Elisabeth served the Auca people in Equator, the same tribe who killed her missionary father, Jim Elliott. Cost for the weekend is
$75; registration deadline is January 15. See Kathy Barron for fliers and registration.
Congratulations to
Evelyn Coffee and Kenneth Large who were united in marriage Saturday, December 13, 2014
in our sanctuary.
Foundations for the Family 2015
Programs resume Wednesday, January 7th
Dinner - 5:30 pm
Elementary Children’s Choir - 6:00 pm
Preschool Music Time - 6:15 pm
Middle School & High School Youth - 6:15 pm
Adult Program “Experiencing God” - 6:30 pm
Adult Choir Rehearsal - 7:15 pm
Welcome New Members Sara Martin was invited to church by her friend Kay McKinney, and soon became active in the Growing in Faith class. A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Sara has recently opened her practice in Fort Mill. She played volleyball for the Wisconsin Badgers, coached at Western Carolina University, and earned her Masters at Pfeiffer University.
Ryan Tinker is a native of Rock Hill, having been part of the Northwestern Trojan Band, where he and Katie Beth met. He graduated from USC and the University of South Florida, earning degrees in Music Education and Performance. Ryan was a member of the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from 2005–2008. A talented trombonist and organist, Ryan currently serves as Associate Director of Bands at Northwestern High School and enjoys listening to music, and traveling.
Did you know? We welcomed 32 new members in 2014!
Flower calendar The 2015 Flower Calendar is available in the
T-hall. Please sign up to honor or remember a loved one or celebrate a special day.
BASKETBALL Practice Schedule
Mondays— 5:30 pm: Junior Boys
Tuesdays— 6:00 pm: Biddy 6 & 7 olds 7:00 pm: Mite Boys A/B
Thursdays—6:00 pm: Mite Girls 7:00 pm: Biddy 8 & 9 year olds
CBA games are scheduled to begin January 2-3, 2015. Each team’s schedule can be found online at
yorkcountycba.blogspot.com
Discipleship Group Weeks:
January 11th & 25th February 8th & 15th March 15th & 22nd April 12th & 26th
Catawba Presbytery Senior High Retreat— March 6-8
Catawba Presbytery Middle School Retreat— March 27-29
Our next Family Chapel will be Wednesday, January 14 at 9:00 am in the Sanctuary. Through singing,
praying, and listening to a short message, we are exposing our youngest students (and their
families) to a worship experience. This is a very brief
service and we would LOVE to have church members attend to help
welcome our preschool families.
I recently had a conversation with a young man that reminded me of
why we’re planting a new church. The young man asked to remain
anonymous, so I’ll call him John; here’s the gist of our conversation.
We started out by sharing our backgrounds. He grew up in Charlotte,
attended high school and joined the Army as a way to see the world. He
shared that his tour of duty in Afghanistan had a hardening effect on
him. He was very open and honest in our conversation.
At one point John said, “I was taught in my military training that it was
either going to be him or me!”
“What do you think that did to your heart?” I asked him.
He had a one word response. “Cold.”
I asked, “Do you think you can change? Is there any hope?”
Looking down at his feet John replied, “Nope, not really.”
I said, “Do you remember the first thing I asked you when we started
talking? I asked what you do these days, and you said that you work at a
retail store in Charlotte. What do you think God does?”
He pondered for a moment. “I don’t know.”
I said, “Well, besides running the entire universe, God is in the business
of taking cold hearts and making them warm. He loves to take hearts
that are cold and turn them towards Himself. Do you know how He
does that, John?”
John said that he had gone to youth group as a teen, he had heard the
Bible, and even “accepted the Lord” when he was in high school.
I said, “John, when you were on the battle field with an adversary, you
understood that it was either him or you, right? Do you realize that Je-
sus looks at you and says, ‘I’ll take John’s bullet!’ Jesus says to you right
now, ‘If it’s either you that will take God’s punishment for your sin or
Me, I’ll take it for you!”
John looked up with hope in his eyes and said, “I’ve never heard it that
way before.”
Continue to pray for our church and for “John” —— David Stover
Communion Sunday—January 4
Preschool Family Chapel—Wednesday, January 7
Foundations for the Family —Wednesday, January 7
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast—Saturday, January 10
Women’s Ministries Brunch—Saturday, January 10
Officer Ordination & Installation—Sunday, January 11
All American Athletes Basketball—Sunday, January 11
Tropical Escape Dance—Saturday, January 24
Summer Missions Luncheon—Sunday, February 8
Ash Wednesday—Wednesday, February 18
Women’s Retreat —February 27-March 1
Do you have trouble “staying in the Word” or having a good “quiet time?” Many people begin the new year with a renewed effort at reading God's Word. In 2015-2016, I will be walking us all through a great 2 year Bible reading program. Join us in a renewed effort to let the Holy Spirit shape us to be more like Jesus, who is the Word. Reading plans are available in the office, and also be available for download from our website. Concurrently with this effort, I will make the weekly devotionals centered around the Scripture that we are reading that week. Now is the time to start . . . everyone can read the Bible! ~Philip
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast Saturday, January 10 7:00 am
$2/suggested donation
Thanks to Mary Alexander Barron, Philip Bunch, Luke
Grigsby, Christopher McKinney, Taylor Madsen,
William Robbins for serving at the Dorothy Day Soup
Kitchen on Thursday, December 18. Would you like to
serve?? Our church is committed to serving on the 3rd Thursday of
each month. Our next serving day is January 15. Contact Susan
Gardner or David Ledbetter to volunteer.
Family Promise Thank you to all who volunteered and served our guests over
Christmas week. Many went over and above to welcome and share
Christmas joy with these families. The families were given Bibles and
Women’s Ministries provided devotional books for the moms.
One of our families left the following note:
“To the entire first ARP church family,
My family and I have been here three times and
every time we have had a blessed time and felt
nothing but love! But THIS week, you have given
me hope to make it through these weekly
commutes, changes, atmospheres and let
downs. You have helped me keep my family
afloat. Nothing but Gods grace (and Santa Claus).
Thanks for everything! As usual, the company and
nightly hosts are awesome, food is greatly
satisfying and the laughter truly genuine.
We love you and god bless you all.” ~
We will host our families again March 29-April 5, 2015.
We have officially
RETIRED THE DEBT!! Thank you to all who contributed to “Retire the
Debt” - the balance has been paid in full!
1 Chuck Cauthen
2 Eddy Coleman
3 Martin Goode
4 Hall Dozier
5 Amy Kulbok
Margaret Coxhead
6 Kelly Clayton
Doug Stokes
7 Kathy Hogue
8 Margaret Harper
Jan Phillips
Amber Graham
9 Helen Cable
Sarah Donohue
11 Susan Barron
Jon Meadows
12 Mary Lynn Loftus
13 Zac Hubbs
Angie Ledford
14 Brooke Dillingham
Jack Lawrence
Jordan McMullan
15 Campbell Warner
16 Walter Revell
Brenda Wilson
17 Robert Lesslie
Jon Wingate
19 Chris Leighton
Marsha Vogel
21 Ren Norman
Pat Smith
22 Nancy Johnson
24 Cindy Wilkerson
26 Joan Barkley
Julie Madsen
27 Jeff Lesslie
Susan Salley
28 Grafton Leach
29 Kelly Williamson
30 Carlisle Putnam
Jamie Russell
31 Jimmy Matthews
If your Birthday
is incorrect or
missing, please
contact Kelly in
the church office.
T he Church Staff would like to thank you for the many kindnesses we received throughout the Christmas season,
especially the very generous bonuses. We appreciate your love shown to us in so many different ways, and continue to be deeply thankful for the opportunity to serve God in your midst.
FIRST ARP COOKBOOK We are beginning to prepare our new cookbook and need your recipes! Suggested categories include Appetizers; Breakfast & Brunch; Soups, Salads & Sandwiches; Side Dishes; Entrees; Breads; Jams, Jellies, Pickles, & Condiments; Sweets; and Healthy Options. Submit your recipes by e-mail, drop them
in the recipe box in the connector, or snail mail them to Ellen Hamilton, Cookbook Chair.
Lots of volunteers are needed to make this a success! If you are interested in serving on the Cookbook Committee, contact Ellen at 328-9393 or [email protected]
Women’s Ministries
Winter/Spring Bible Study
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
“Offering a clear and concise plan to help women go deeper in their study of Scripture, this book will equip you to engage God’s Word
in a way that trains your mind and transforms your heart.”
This study will be offered for all women— three opportunities to learn:
Tuesday Mornings 10:00—11:30 am Tuesday Evenings 6:30-8:00 pm Thursday Lunch 12:00—1:30 pm
Study Books $13.00; also available as an e-book
Invite your friends and neighbors to this wonderful study beginning Tuesday, January 13 and Thursday, January 15.
Please contact Kathy Barron
([email protected] or 803-325-5148) to sign up for your choice of time.
Next Worship Service
Thursday, January 22nd 6:30 p.m.
A Tropical Escape Saturday, January 24
2-4 p.m. in our gym
Our 4th Annual Dance for
"Special Friends with Special Needs"
Put this date on your calendars now and contact
Jeanie Alexander if you would like to volunteer
([email protected] or 367.2146)
The Winter Season of All American Athletes will begin in our gym on Sunday, January
11, 2015 and run for 6 consecutive weeks ending on February 15, 2015. Playing time throughout the season will be 1 hour from 4:00-5:00pm Volunteers are needed to serve in this upcoming season and they may
register to serve online (http://www.firstarp.org/#/just-joy/all-american-athletes). There will be a special training that is mandatory beginning at 2:30pm on Sunday, January 11, 2015. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Jamey Dagenhart ([email protected]) or 517.4893.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
will be observed on January 4th.
1
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
2
3
4 COMMUNION
9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 11:00 am John Gettys Prayer Team
5 Preschool Teacher Workday 7:00 pm Circle #3
6 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool
7 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 4:00 pm Staff Planning Meeting 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir
8 8:00 am Barry Prayer Team 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am Circle #2 7:00 pm Circle #1 7:00 pm Vision Team
9 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool
10 7:00 am Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 10:00 am Women’s Ministries Winter Brunch
11 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship Ordination and Installation of Officers 2:30 pm AAA Training 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball
12 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 9:30 am Jeanie Alexander Prayer Team 6:00 pm CE Committee Meeting 7:00 pm Deacon/Session Meeting
13 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am - 11:30 am WM Bible Study 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WM Bible Study
14 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 9:00 am Preschool Chapel 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir
15 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm WM Bible Study
Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen
16 NO Preschool
17
18 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 12:00 pm Robert Lesslie Prayer Team 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball
19 NO Preschool
20 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am - 11:30 am WM Bible Study 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WM Bible Study
21 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir
22 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm WM Bible Study 6:30 pm Just Joy
23 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool
24 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm A Tropical Escape Dance
25 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball 5:30 pm Sarah Harper Prayer Team
26 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool
27 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am - 11:30 am WM Bible Study 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WM Bible Study 7:00 pm Kay McKinney Prayer Team
28 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir
29 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm WM Bible Study
30 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool
31
Please submit information for the next newsletter by
January 26th at 12:00 noon.
TO SCHEDULE AN EVENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
will be observed on January 4th.
1
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
2
3
4 COMMUNION
9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 11:00 am John Gettys Prayer Team
5 Preschool Teacher Workday 7:00 pm Circle #3
6 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool
7 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 4:00 pm Staff Planning Meeting 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir
8 8:00 am Barry Prayer Team 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am Circle #2 7:00 pm Circle #1 7:00 pm Vision Team
9 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool
10 7:00 am Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 10:00 am Women’s Ministries Winter Brunch
11 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship Ordination and Installation of Officers 2:30 pm AAA Training 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball
12 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 9:30 am Jeanie Alexander Prayer Team 6:00 pm CE Committee Meeting 7:00 pm Deacon/Session Meeting
13 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am - 11:30 am WM Bible Study 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WM Bible Study
14 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 9:00 am Preschool Chapel 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir
15 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm WM Bible Study
Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen
16 NO Preschool
17
18 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 12:00 pm Robert Lesslie Prayer Team 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball
19 NO Preschool
20 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am - 11:30 am WM Bible Study 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WM Bible Study
21 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir
22 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm WM Bible Study 6:30 pm Just Joy
23 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool
24 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm A Tropical Escape Dance
25 9:00 am Acoustic Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm All American Athletes Basketball 5:30 pm Sarah Harper Prayer Team
26 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool
27 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 10:00 am - 11:30 am WM Bible Study 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WM Bible Study 7:00 pm Kay McKinney Prayer Team
28 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 5:30 pm Foundations for the Family - dinner begins 6:00 pm Elementary Choir 6:15 pm Preschool Music 6:30 pm Adult Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir
29 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm WM Bible Study
30 9:00 am–1:00 pm Preschool
31
Additional information about these events may
be found within the newsletter.
TO SCHEDULE AN EVENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH