JJ White Memorial Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
April 2014 Newsletter
at the corner of Delaware and Third
McComb, Mississippiwww.jjwhitememorial.org
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.John 3:16 NRSV
a word from our pastor...
The Reverend Bob Phelps
a word from our pastor...
If winter comes...
Boy, did it ever! This year winter did not just come, it stayed—and stayed! Now that we are surely on the cusp of spring, we look back on a winter that everyone tells me is unusual in these parts (I sure hope so!) and are thankful it will soon be gone. We’re in the midst of an Azalea Festival with few azaleas. Some folks have jumped the gun and planted things in the yard that will likely get nipped this week. After a long and dreary winter we are all ready for something different, something warm and filled with sunshine.
Percy Shelley was one of those 19th century Romantic poets we read in school and for the most part forgot about. He’s the one who penned the line, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” His intention is to be hopeful, to assure us that when the chilly west wind blows in fall and winter, it will not last forever, that spring will bring warmth and hope in due time. Like all poets, he was thinking about things beyond the obvious. His poem also prompts us to think in broader terms: when life brings adversity or uncertainty, those things won’t last forever, either.
The season of Lent means many things to different people. For some, it’s six long weeks of reminders of the darker side of ourselves and the lengths to which God was willing to go to save us from them. For some, Lent is a time of quiet reflection, a time when our music is somber and meditative, when we ponder the mystery of God’s love for us and our unworthiness. Sometimes the weight of the season becomes burdensome. We want to rush ahead to Easter joy, just like we want to plant those beautiful blooming things before it’s time. Just about the time we grow weary, we observe Holy Week, and the mood becomes even more somber.
All this is for a purpose. We’ll see fruit from these dark days on Easter and the glorious days that follow it. I look forward to finishing our Lenten journey together. I hope you’ll be with us for Holy Week worship and prayers. When we have been to the cross together, we will be fully prepared for Easter joy.
I’m as ready for winter to be gone as anyone I know. But I’m thankful that whatever comes our way, there is joy to come after. Thanks be to God!
Holy Week at JJ White
We’re planning a week of special opportunities for worship and prayer during Holy Week this year. You’ll want to participate and invite friends to join us
as we celebrate the central events in our faith.
Sunday, April 13-Palm SundayWe’ll begin our worship outdoors (weather permitting) and then process into worship waving palm branches and singing Hosanna!
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, April 14, 15, and 16 We will offer several self-guided opportunities for meditation and prayer any time the church is open on these days. Please stop by and spend a few minutes in prayer giving thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Instructions will be available.
Thursday, April 17-Maundy Thursday—A Service of Shadows at 6:30 pm Mark your calendars now and invite friends to join us for this special celebration of the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples. The choir will provide several special pieces to guide our reflection, and we will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion together.
Friday, April 18-Good Friday-A Service of Solemn Remembrance at 6:30 pm Good Friday takes us to the cross with Jesus. Plan to join us for this time to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation.
Easter Sunday, April 20-Two Worship Opportunities‣6:30 am Sunrise Worship (outdoors behind the Shroeder House, weather permitting) We’ll celebrate the Resurrection early in the morning and then enjoy breakfast together in the Fellowship Hall. ‣10:30 am worship. Our morning worship on Easter will be filled with joy and Alleluia’s.
Notes from Music Director, Deanna Phelps
A Musical Holy Week
Instead of an Easter cantata this year, the choir invites you to two special worship opportunities during Holy Week. The choir is working hard to prepare for both of them.
On Maundy Thursday, April 17, we will remember the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples, the night he instituted the Sacrament of Communion which we continue to celebrate today. The service will include several special pieces by the choir designed to enhance our experience around God’s Table. Since most people we know will be in worship in their own churches or with family and friends on Easter, this Thursday service is a good opportunity to invite friends and newcomers to join us for worship. Worship on Good Friday, April 18, will include special music from the choir, too, and of course, there will be joyful song on Easter morning. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship will be at 6:30 pm. We’ll worship twice on Easter: Sunrise worship at 6:30 am and morning worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am.
Remember the choir in your prayers as they prepare to lead us in these important worship times.
Hey Kids,Mark your calendars for
JJ White’s Annual
Saturday, April 19, 2014, at 10:30 a.m.at the home of Billie and Johnny Nance
Parents- Please contact Billie to find out
how to help with the event or for more information.
Easter-a time to honor and remember... Forms will be available in the Sunday bulletins on
March 30, April 6, and April 13, to order Easter lilies or to make a monetary gift
to JJWMPC in memory of or in honor of family members or friends.
Lilies are $10 each.
An Invitation to Young Adults...(You know who you are!)
Melisa and Andrew DeCoux invite the young adults to join them for a night of
fellowship at the home of Wayne Hutchison, 1073 Brandon Drive, McComb
Friday, April 4th, from 6:00-8:00
PLEASE bring a friend!Nursery and playroom will be open.
Meet This Year’s Confirmation Class...We are happy to have four of our young people participating in this year’s Confirmation Class. Confirmation provides an opportunity for young people to consider making their profession of faith and becoming members of the church. During this year’s class we’re working on issues such as: Discipleship: What Is It, and What’s It Got to Do With Me: Presbyterians: Christlike, Connected, and Committed; A Survey of the Bible; How We Get Things Done in the Presbyterian Church; Worship and the Sacraments; and The Mission of the Church and How I Fit In. At the end of the class, the kids will decide if they are ready to take the next steps on their journey of faith.
Please pray for this year’s Confirmation participants:
Steven Allred is the son/stepson of Howard and Alison Allred. He is a freshman at Enterprise Attendance Center in Lincoln County. He divides his time between his mom and dad’s homes, but he considers J. J. White his church home and enjoys participating in activities here.
Phillip Nance is the son/stepson of Hunter and Marissa Nance and the grandson of Johnny and Billie Nance. Phillip is home schooled and is in sixth grade. He’s a whiz at video games and likes science. Phillip is at least a fourth-generation J. J. White participant and enjoys being part of this family.
Thaddeus Russell is the son of Gary and Jackie Russell. He is a sixth grader at North Pike Middle School. He likes cars, hunting, and fishing, all things outdoors and Florida Gator sports. He likes Wednesdays better than Sundays at church because they’re not so early.
Gracie Senner is the daughter/stepdaughter of Sara Beth and John David Williams. She is in sixth grade at Parklane School where she just made the cheerleading squad. Three generations of her family worship and serve with Gracie here at J.J. White, and she is faithful to bring friends with her to Wednesday night activities and other special events at the church.
Steven
Phillip
Thaddeus
Gracie
Carol Wood, Deanna Phelps, and Suzi Drummond from JJ White’s Presbyterian Women and Carolyn Ray from PW of Magnolia Presbyterian Church attended the 26th Annual PW Gathering at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi, on Saturday, March 22. Dick Swayze (JJ White former pastor) and his wife Bibby are members of Briarwood and the group from McComb enjoyed seeing Bibby at the gathering. Over 80 women from churches throughout the Presbytery of Mississippi attended this meeting for the purposes of making f r i endsh ip connect ions w i th women o f the denomination, to install new officers, and to conduct other business of the organization. The Briarwood women provided a delicious lunch and made all feel welcome at their church. Susan (Lusk) Bostwick, former McComb resident, is Moderator of the Briarwood PW and will serve as leader of the PW Cluster which includes JJ White.
Please contact Suzi if you want to participate in JJ White’s PW. All women are encouraged to be involved, and it would be great for someone to initiate an evening circle for women who are unable to attend the existing circle on the first Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m.
Carol Wood (left), Bibby Swayze, Suzi Drummond, Deanna Phelps, and Carolyn Ray
Women from JJ Whiteʼs PW Attend Annual Gathering In Jackson
“Gumbo to Go-Go” The tickets have been sold and Ann Jackson and crew are busy
stirring the gumbo pot.Don’t forget to pick up your
pints or quarts ofpre-ordered gumbo on Friday, March 28,
from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. by driving through the church alley
(west to east)Merci Beaucoup!
Girl Scouts Sponsored by JJWMPC Attend Morning Service
for Girl Scout Sunday, March 22
Wow! The whole middle section was filled with girls on Girl Scout Sunday recently. The organization expressed thanks to JJ White for sponsoring their activities and providing a meeting place. We thanked them for the privilege of doing so! They are invited back for the morning service whenever they can come!
News From the Session
The Session held its regular meeting for March on the 9th at 6:00 pm. Elder Randy White was excused. All other members were present. Actions taken at the meeting include:
‣approval of minutes and financial statements
‣approved a transfer of membership for Don and Shelly Wickens to the Magnolia Presbyterian Church.
‣received a letter of appreciation from MICA for our 2013 contributions.
‣approved the baptism of Kristen Allred, daughter of Howard and Allison. Kristen’s baptism will be scheduled this spring.
‣approved the participation in two of the four annual denominational offerings this year. We will collect the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on Palm Sunday and the Christmas Gift Offering on a Sunday in Advent.
‣heard a report from the February meeting of Presbytery from Bill Mitchell and Bob, who attended.
‣heard reports from the Christian Education, Evangelism, Fellowship, Missions, and Property, and Worship committees.
‣Christian Education noted the new Bible study group, approved dates for intergenerational Sunday School events this summer, set Vacation Bible School for the week of July 14, noted the schedule for this year’s Confirmation Class, and approved mid-week and Young Adult planning.
‣Missions recommended a renewed emphasis on mission support and allocated funding from this year’s Mission Conference pledges to various causes. Watch for more information about ways we can all become involved in mission in our own community and beyond.
‣Property is making progress toward repairs to the roof and other ongoing projects.
The Session meets monthly. The April meeting will be on Sunday, the 13th, at 6:00 pm. Please keep our Session in your prayers as they guide the ministry of our congregation.
May
1 Vicki Brill2 Pat Randall3 Lil Lamkin (#100!)5! Liz Terrell7! Helen Ray8! Janell Herring12! Haleigh Estes
Will Ratcliff13! Kathy Parker14! Andrea Simo′18! (Howard Allred)21! Katie Walman Howell24! Jay Johnson!30! Mike Belote
MEN’S INTERDENOMINATIONAL BREAKFAST GROUP
2 Dale Perdeye, Whit Whittington, Joe Clark9 Steve Blue, Noggin Wild16 Bob Phelps, Kit Stovall23 Renan Richmond, Rick Penick30 Jimmy Carroll Robertson, Whitney Rawlings
USHERS/GREETERSTommy Ratcliff, CaptainRobbie DeCouxJohn DrummondStacey MoakMark StathamJohnny NancePhil Terrell
ELDER of the MONTH: Jose Simo
FLOWERS6 Ann Jackson13 Ralph Brock20 Easter Sunday (Lilies)27 Jackson Jones
April
1 Dominic Cotton Meredith Singley3 James Whitney Rawlings
! Sue White10! Heather Ray16! Kay Robinson17! Tommy Catchings18 ! Bill Catchings, Jr.19! Lee Williams20! Kennon Singley21! Kathleen Harbour23! Nicky Barr27! Tom Warren Wild
SUNDAY BREAKFAST 6 Sharon White
13 Mary Ann Ratcliff20 ☀Breakfast in FH
after Sunrise Service27 Libby Simo
CHILDREN’S CHURCH6 Sara Beth Williams, Alison Allred13 Libby Simo, Lee Williams20 Susan White, India Warshauer27 Billie Nance, Meredith Singley
April Schedules and Lists
1
Presbyterian Women
Noon Bible Study
11:30 am FH
2 7:15 am Men’s Breakfast
5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)6:00 Adult Study
3
10:30 amBible Study (Matthew) led by Rev. Phelps
Knutty Knitters7:00 PM
4
Young Adults
hosted by Andrew and Melisa DeCoux at home of Wayne Hutchison
5
Girl Scouts host special prom
6
9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship and Sacrament of Communion
7 8 9
7:15 am Men’s Breakfast 5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)6:00 Adult Study
10
Knutty Knitters7:00 PM
11 12
13
9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday SchoolPalm Sunday10:30: Worship
6:00 Session
s
5:30 vespers
6:00 Session
14 15 16
7:15 am Men’s Breakfast 5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)6:00 Adult Study
17
Maundy Thursday
Service 6:30
18
Good Friday
Service 6:30
19
Easter Egg Hunt
at the Nance home.
20
Easter SundayServices at 6:30 am
and 10:30 am
21
Church officeclosed
22 23 7:15 am Men’s Breakfast5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)6:00 Adult Study
24
Knutty Knitters7:00 PM
25 26
27
MICA Sunday
9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School
10:30: Worship
3:00 Wedding
28 29 307:15 am Men’s Breakfast
5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)6:00 Adult Study
Knutty Knitters7:00 PM
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
April 2014Every April, God rewrites the book of Genesis.
(Author Unknown)
The church is open for self-directed meditation and prayer April 14-16 during business hours-
