February -March 2021 - First Presbyterian Church
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February - March 2021
IN THIS ISSUE / / p. 4: “Womens’ Ministry Update” by Freeland
DUTY OR DESIRE? Bass / / p. 5: “Quarter Notes from Seth” by Seth Stroud
by: Pastor Ryan Dean
What motivates my obedience to God?
It’s a question I’ve been pondering anew
in recent days. I’ve noticed how too often,
as I stir up myself and the Lord’s sheep to
fulfill the duties of discipleship, to pursue
greater conformity to God’s will, I
motivate with a reminder of “should”—
you “should” take seriously the vows of
your church membership, you “should” be
growing in your knowledge of the Word
and the discipline of prayer, you “should”
share the Gospel with others.
I suppose it is better to obey than to
disobey, no matter the motivation, but
the Lord has me impressed upon me the
old truth that mere compliance, check-
the-box fulfillment of duty, is not the
obedience he seeks from his people.
Rather, it is obedience that flows from a
heart in love with God.
The central drama of the Bible is, as
commentator Dan Doriani puts it simply:
“God loves us and we love him in return.” It is easy to allow our love for Jesus to cool
God’s work in sending his Son as Savior the longer we walk with him. Much like a
and the Holy Spirit as Giver of spiritual life marriage of many years, the passion is
is that of a Lover pursuing one prone to wane as we settle into our life in
passionately loved. As all who have loved covenant relationship. And so it’s worth
another deeply know, nothing less than considering: How much are we doing the
the sincere, reciprocated affection of the right things as a matter of mere habit?
beloved will suffice. That affection is How much does our struggle to muster
expressed in obedience to his Word and up the motivation to do what we “should”
commands, yes, but only as the living step from the fact that, frankly speaking,
expression of a heart enraptured with we “abandoned the love we had at first”
him. (Rev. 2:4). (continued on page 2)
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First Presbyterian Newsletter
Let me challenge you as I have challenged The second event is the two Vision
myself—stir up your love for the One who first Town Halls I will host on Facebook
loved you. Think upon his glory and grace Live, March 3 & 10. These are
and the wonder of being caught up (quite in Wednesday nights and we will
spite of yourself) in his purposes of broadcast at 7pm, the time slot of
redemption. Gaze upon his beauty and learn our “Midweek Fellowship” of last
again the delight of his presence. My guess is year. It has been nearly 10 years
that such renewal of the heart will do the since FPC formulated its mission
work of moving us to fulfill our “ought” in a statement: “to live and share the
way that a thousand wagging fingers never ministry of reconciliation…” The
could. intent was for this to be revisited
and kept current and I and the
Also, I want you all to be aware so you can be Session feel that time has come. I
engaged with two events in particular on have some ideas from my thinking
these months’ church calendar. One is and praying I would like to share
Missions Emphasis Sunday (MES), our version you about how our vision might
of a Missions Conference, on February 28. better serve us and about what
From your offerings and through the our actual ministry should look like
leadership of the Outreach Team, FPC post-pandemic. I would like as
supports some 15 outside ministries and much feedback and input into
missionaries, both locally and globally. We these things as possible, since this
feature in rotation those we support in the is not my or the elders’ church but
bulletin and weekly email as the “Supported ours, with Jesus as her Head. The
Ministry of the Week.” MES is our time to first week I will share my thoughts
highlight the work of our supported and the second week I will gather
ministries as a whole. We will have a and report of your input. Please
combined Sunday School class that week plan to tune in to these, whether
that will feature video and in-person updates Live or on Replay (we will also post
from many, and we will highlight others as a on YouTube).
part of worship. I hope becoming more aware
of their work compels us to prayer for them As always, know I am honored to
and a renewed sense of the call the Lord serve the Triune God in the life of
Jesus gives to each of us to be his this church and pray God would
ambassadors in our place. be at work in each of you to help
you know the love of Christ that
surpasses knowledge. Do not
hesitate to let me know specific
ways I can pray for and serve you.
In Christ’s love,
Ryan
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First Presbyterian Newsletter
WORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
SERMON TEXTS
FEB. 21: Genesis 1:1-2 (Ryan Dean)
FEB. 28: Genesis 1:3-2:3 (Ryan Dean)
MARCH 7: Genesis 2:4-25 (Ryan Dean)
MARCH 14: Genesis 3:1-13 (Ryan Dean)
MARCH 21: Genesis 3:14-24 (Mark Webb)
MARCH 28: Palm Sunday Sermon (Ryan
Dean)
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2021 Elder Shepherding Roster
All FPC members are divided up among our active elders, who are charged to keep up with and
pray their “sheep.” Know who your Shepherd is and make his call a delight by welcoming his
interest in you and responding to his calls and messages. Also, actively share your needs with
him so that he can connect to care and resources of the church. Post-pandemic, Shepherds will
open their homes to host their groups for dinner.
Barnes, Dudley: 457-4574 Holt, David: 902-3391
Duff, Nathan (Kinney), & Jackie (non- Barnes, John & Ginny
member) Falls, Buck & Meri (Fisher)
Holt, David & Cindy (non-member), Foster, Alice
Keller, George & Laurel Nicholson, Tay
Lewis, Ben & Staci (Josiah, Nolan, Micah) Ryan, Katelin
Shannon, Frances Stoltman, Chris & Amelia (Lawson, Knox)
Walton, Tommy & Bridgette Stroud, Seth & Liz (non-member) (Anna,
Logan)
Duff, John: 902-7354 Vincent, Nancy
Dean, Ryan & Leslie (Evan, Levi, Olivia) Myrick, Daniel & Kendall
Draper, Benton
Drew, Claire Johnson, Pete: 609-6320
Flowers, Betty Sue Allen, Horace & Kay
Johnson, Pete & Margaret Cooper, Emily
Larson, Johnny & Cyndi Duff, John & Jean
McLain, Cody & Anna Catherine Evans, Peggy
Williamson, Dotty Frazer, Willis, Jr. & Caroline (Lucy, Bowen)
Gallo, Julian & Taylor
Frazer, Willis: 902-7530 Kittle, Hartley & Lynn
Abney, Parker Maclin, Patsy
Brown, Phyllis Phillips, Gramm & Anna Kathryn (Isaac,
Campos, Chris & Amanda Claire Ellie Kate)
Dickinson, Robert Ellis, III Wilson, Bill & Dina (Brett)
Noland, Mark & Cali (Lilla, Kate, Emmie)
Smith, Terry & Susan (Matthew, Olivia) Kittle, Hartley: 645-7368
Steinour, Katie Bass, Hamp, IV, Freeland
Stoltman, John Byrd, Alan & Kristi (Alec, Adam, Aiden,
Anna)
Gerry Grant: 302-0797 Davis, Carolyn
Barnes, Dudley & Claire Fyfe, Charlie & Jerrie Marie (Watkins)
Draper, Neal & Leah (Benton) Fyfe, Charles & Mary Beth
Graves, Lee & Barbara Grant, Gerry & Beverly
Parks, Mary Myers & Andy (non-member) Hood, Howard & Linda
(Toler) Jackson, Cole & Laura (Crawford, Lucy
Pierce, Benjy & Mary Graydon Harris)
Porter, Betty Jones, Kirk
Walhood, Mavis Lott, Kaci and Matt (Poppi Grace, Willow)
Weiss, Cissy
Weiss, Rich & Ann Rene (Elaine, Liz,
Emelia)
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2021 SESSION
Larson, Johnny: 645-4509
Bays, George & Mary Virginia (George Jr.,
Naomi)
Beckham, Peggy
Frazer, Willis & Jodie, (Benjamin) Johnny Larson
Gibbs, Joe & Marilyn
Humber, Linda John Morson
Jackson, Na’Shya (Braylon, Nadalyn)
Peay, Pat & Chanda Hartley Kittle
Webb, Mark & Kandis (Morgan)
Weiss, Ricky & Suzanne Pete Johnson
Werbeck, Hart & Helga
David Holt
Morson, John: 902-4493
Nabors, Lou Anne Gerry Grant
Robertson, Trina
Shannon, Dan & Andrea Willis Frazer
Spinks, Bobby & Michelle (Jackson, Reece,
Wynne) John Duff
Walton, Brandon & Jennifer ( Fowler,
Bennett) Dudley Barnes
Wyatt, Eddie & Jennine
Young, Joey & Hannah (Noah)
2021 DEACONS
Webb, Mark: 901-283-6299
Atibalentja, Josue & Emily Weissman (Ava Chris Stoltman
Amarisa)
Carr, David & Leah (David, Elizabeth) Chris Campos
Evans, Mary (Jgemarriyah Evans, Marque
Evans, Delvin Miller, Johniyah Miller, Daniel Myrick
Johmyron Miller)
McMurchy, Lois Gramm Phillips
Morson, John & Millie (Amelia, Andrew)
Williams, Van & Carnita Bobby Spinks
FPC ORGANIZATIONAL
2020 Ministry Year CHART 2021
SESSION
Moderator: Ryan D.
Clerk: Pete J. DIACONATE
PDS Chair: Chris S.
Chair: Bobby S. Admin Elder: Willis F.
Elder Rep.: David H.
WOMEN’S OUTREACH CHILDREN & YOUTH WORSHIP DISCIPLESHIP
Elder Rep: Gerry G. Elder Rep: Johnny L. Elder Rep: John D. Elder Rep: Dudley Elder Rep/Leader:
Lay Leader: Cali N. Lay Leader: Lois M. Lay Leader: Leslie D. B. Leader: Ryan D. John M.
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