What's Going on at FPC-H?

Many thanks!

2009-10-05T21:35:00.001-07:00

This last Sunda, along with so many events in the past 14 months, were history making! We welcomed our friends from Cotton Memorial Presby. Church to be with us in worshiping God on world-wide Communion Sunday.

Then we joined together in the Fellowship Hall, and for the first time ever, we broke bread together and ate together.

Thank you, one and all, for a beautiful going away reception. Your love and faith were truly on display.

This is my last blog posting. Hard to believe!

God speed!

Peace!

Your former interim pastor,

The Rev. Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell

Welcome Rev. Walter Fauntroy!

2009-09-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

I've never been here for the Royster Series before, though I know quite a few of the past speakers/preachers personally, so this is my first and only time of aiding in the program portion of the series. That being said/written, let me say what a joy and privilege it has been to welcome Rev. Walter Fauntroy of Washington, D.C. to the pulpit of First Presbyterian Church of Henderson. While there are other Baptist preachers who have been behind the pulpit of the Church, this has been an historic event, because Rev. Fauntroy is the first African American speaker in all the years of the series.

If you have not had a chance to hear this honorable gentleman preach, please do come tonight (Monday, Sept. 28th), and hear this awesome preacher bring the Word of God to the people of Henderson and Vance County.

Peace!

Pastor Brett

Congregational Meeting: Calling Keith Benze!

2009-09-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

The PNC did a wonderful job on Sunday, Sept. 20th, 2009, in presenting the news of the next called minister of FPC: Mr. Keith Benze. He and his wife, Cheryl, are from the Raleigh area. This is Keith's first called ministry, so his ordination is going to be on Sunday, Oct. 18th, at First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC.

Welcome, Keith, to First Presbyterian Church!

Peace,

Pastor Brett!

Along with School, the Church Goes Into Full Swing Programmatically...

2009-09-14T05:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday said it all: Rally Day!

I've come to understand in the South that Rally Day is the day Sunday school officially starts off with a "Bang!"

S.O.M.E. followed later that day, with people lining up at the door by 11:30, and the Boy Scout troop helping in the act of feeding those who were hungry.

And the Royster Series parts are all coming together.

"Ready, Set...Go!"

Peace,

Pastor Brett

The coming Royster Series preparation work is in full swing!

2009-09-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

During my writing sabbatical last week, and then again this week, I've been busy with the preparation work for the upcoming Royster series, featuring the Rev. Walter Fauntroy.

This is all quite exciting.

Elder Raynah Adams is the main person in charge. He is constant contact with Rev. Fauntroy. And like years past, Elder Phil Hanny is working hard on posters to be distributed around the area next week.

Choirs are getting lined up for singing, soloists are excited, hosts for dinners and lunches are in place...this is going to be an historic event, right at First Presbyterian Church of Henderson, NC!

Let us pray for God to continue to do amazing things...do I hear an AMEN?

Peace,

Pastor Brett

The Emergency Men's Shelter

2009-08-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

I write this blog entry from my desk at St. Benedict's Monastery. I've been reflecting upon the good and right action of the Church in welcoming the space that was formerly known as the Boy Scouts' room into the emergency men's shelter of Vance County. The room is currently a mess from not being used, and will be easy to clean up. It is prime for this new service project and outreach of the Church: providing shelter for the strangers who will come our way, looking for a room in the "inn," this time the "inn" being the Church.

It was said at one of the community meetings with ministers and town-leaders that we are always sending our youth "out" to do mission projects. Henderson has, itself, enough possible projects going on that we should be welcoming others to help us in being Christ in the world in providing food, shelter, and clothes.

There is more in the way of empty, unused rooms in the Church, and there are more needs of the people of Henderson and Vance County.

May our work in being Christ in the world lead us to do more from the bounty that God has given us.

Following Christ with you, the People of First Presby. Church...

Pastor Brett

Emergency Men's Shelter and FPC! A New Outreach Ministry

2009-08-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

FPC, along with the Ministers Community Partnership and the town of Henderson, are officially set to open up an emergency men's shelter in the old Boy Scouts' room at FPC on November 1, 2009. Session gave its approval during our last Session meeting on Monday, August 17, 2009, to open the shelter to the wider community. The vote had a considerable amount of enthusiasm as well, because people understood how much this new ministerial outreach would be meeting the needs of others in the Henderson-Vance-Granville community.

Now the real work begins. In the coming weeks and months, people from all the surrounding churches will be asked to provide volunteer help in working overnight at the shelter, provide financial means for the shelter's operation, provide food daily, and meet other requests. The shelter will be in operation for 180 days of the year, usually during the coldest period of the year.

We praise God for this opportunity to meet the needs of others. For it is in meeting the needs of the stranger among us that we meet and serve Christ.

Peace!

Pastor Brett

Elder Phil Hanny, the Rev. Paul Baxley, Joel Rice on WIZS Radio Show Today

2009-08-06T14:54:00.000-07:00

Phil Hanny was on WIZS's "Town Talk" today, talking about hunger, homelessness, and especially the need of an emergency men's shelter in the area.

The Session of the FPC-H gave its o.k. in exploring the possibility of the shelter and the community is considering the placement of the emergency men's shelter underneath Fellowship Hall of our church, but supported by the community of Henderson and Vance County.

Go to www.wizs.com by clicking here. Then go to "town talk," and go onto the "town talk audio 08-06-09"

The work of Christ goes onward!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

A Prayer for Peace: Hiroshima, 64 Years Later

2009-08-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I had the opportunity to be in Japan on this date: August 6th, 1945. Sixty four years ago we, the USA, dropped a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.

We followed this bomb with a nuclear bomb on Nagasaki, Japan on Aug. 9th.

Countless lives were loss at the initial bombing, followed by years of people dying from sickness related to the after-effects of the bombing.

The world changed as well.

What Einstein thought was a marvel to producing energy was--and he was well aware of it--a possible source of horrors.

Let us lift up prayers for those whose lives were lost, for the lives of those effected, and pray that a nuclear bomb will never be detonated again.

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Moving Congregation

2009-08-04T10:21:00.001-07:00

We are a congregation on the move at FPC-H...literally!

A week ago, before we began singing the Gloria Patri, I asked the congregation to move down front since most of the congregation gathered on the upper left hand corner (stage left) of the sanctuary. Reluctantly people moved.

Imagine my surprise and joy and humor when I walked into church before worship, and as I strode forward before stopping at the Lord's Supper table to give thanks to God for the opportunity to worship, the congregation had ALL moved to the left side (stage left) of the sanctuary. I laughed outwardly and inwardly.

A church that moves together stays together...yes?

Peace!

Pastor Brett

Holy Communion

2009-08-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

It was a busy week at FPC-H, especially with our work in figuring out how to open an emergency men's shelter, providing for the community.

In the middle of the business of the Church came the celebration of Holy Communion. This is what was fun today: celebrating Holy Communion both at FPC, and then at Cotton Memorial Presbyterian Church.

What was instructive was this: we are both reliant upon the bread of life for our work, for our lives. We share Christ in common, and so much more.

Thanks be to God!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

A Busy Weekend

2009-07-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

What a week and weekend of interesting events in the life of the church. First, the Mission Trip folks came back to Henderson with lots of stories to tell and re-live with the Church. We look forward to hearing about all that you did, said, and learned on this trip!

Secondly, Kathy Gerber and I found ourselves in the Emergency Rooms of two different hospital systems. I spent Thursday morning being treated for a snake bite (copperhead) at the UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, and Kathy spent Thursday afternoon being treated for a broken arm (left arm) at Maria Parham. Both of us are on the mend, but ouch!

Let's stay healthy out there!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Claiming Calvin, Claiming our Roots

2009-07-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a great day to re-learn what makes us "unique" as people of the Reformed and reforming tradition of which we are part of as Presbyterians. Starting with the call to worship, itself a Psalm--and Calvin and Calvinists understood the centrality of Psalms in worship--and then singing "I Greet Thee ,Who My Sure Redeemer Art," followed by Mike McKoon's children's sermon that focused on John Calvin, complete with Calvin masks and all, gave us a kind reminder of our roots. We Presbyterians, like so many other churches shaped in and by the Reformed tradition, are inheritors of the work of John Calvin.

Hope everyone enjoyed the lessons throughout the day of our Calvin forbears.

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Happy Birthday Dear John!

2009-07-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

Today is the day of celebrating John Calvin's birth.

An interesting article caught a little bit of the man in the NYT.com today, suggesting the following about Calvin's calling, which is similar to the Apostle Paul:

Although he confessed these failings, his best efforts at correction and reconciliation never extirpated them. What always came first was his conviction of a calling, the calling of a prophet, in his case modeled on Paul, the evangelist, the interpreter, the planter of churches, the negotiator of differences, the disciplinarian of congregations.

Today, such single-mindedness, especially if religious, seems unbalanced or baffling. It can be appreciated only when it drives a political, artistic or intellectual rebel struggling against long odds.

That is the special value of Professor Gordon’s detailed portrait of Calvin as a man in constant motion, beleaguered by political and religious turmoil, a leader who “never controlled his agenda.” The political independence of a militarily weak Geneva was always precarious. Factions within the city were rife. European Protestantism was disunited, torn by bitter quarrels over the meaning of the Lord’s Supper and threatened by the revived power of the Catholic Hapsburgs.

Click here for more.

Happy Birthday, John!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

John Calvin's Birthday is This Friday

2009-07-07T08:33:00.001-07:00

In honor of the founder or Presbyterianism, who believed in the full diversity and inclusion of all in the Church, these profound words of Calvin seem to be pertinent to our mission at FPC-H:

"It is the common habit of mankind that the more closely men are bound together by the ties of kinship, of acquaintanceship, or of neighborhood, the more responsibilities for one another they share. This does not offend God; for his providence, as it were, leads us to it. But I say: we ought to embrace the whole human race without exception in a single feeling of love; here there is no distinction between barbarian and Greek, worthy and unworthy, friend and enemy, since all should be contemplated in God, not in themselves. When we turn aside from such contemplation, it is no wonder we become entangled in many errors. Therefore, if we rightly direct our love, we must first turn our eyes not to man, the sight of whom would more often engender hate than love, but to God, who bids us extend to all men the love we bear to him, that this may be an unchanging principle: Whatever the character of the man, we must yet love him because we love God," - John Calvin, whose 500th birthday is this coming Friday.

Peace,

Pastor Brett

The Spirit at Worship

2009-07-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

The Spirit of God was moving--and is moving--in the lives of the people of Cotton Memorial and First Presbyterian Church, both of Henderson, NC. We witnessed to the love of God for all the people of God, regardless of race, gender, age, or sexual orientation.

The sermon was about the importance of the prophetic Jesus! And then the twist was focusing on the prophets among us today.

Thank God for times of worship like this.

Peace,

Pastor Brett

A BIG Thank You to One and All!

2009-06-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

On Sunday afternoon, we started yet one more new annual (hopefully) event: cleaning up the Church. After worship and a super potluck--First Presbyterian Church knows how to do potlucks--14-20 of the parishioners stayed to clean up the place in which the people of God gather to worship, to learn, to fellowship, and to serve one another. One team tackled the kitchen, another team tackled the lounge and library, yet one more group clipped the bushes in the back near the entry way to the choir room, a cluster of people tackled the weeds near the columbarium, and still yet one more horde of people cut back and cleaned up the very front of the Church grounds itself. We worked for around 90 min. to 2 hours before the sun got the best of us...after all, it was the latter part of June.

What was novel about this whole enterprise was the recognition of how much we created a sense of community together in our cleaning, pruning, clipping, and weeding. It was the people of Christ gathered working, laughing, gossiping, commiserating, cajoling, and smiling together.

A BIG thank you to all who came and helped out.

And for those who couldn't because of time constraints, don't worry: I think another one of these gatherings will be planned for the fall.

Peace!

Pastor Brett

Who We Are, Where We Are, and Whose We Are

2009-06-17T21:08:00.001-07:00

The last two mid-month meals have been "most excellent," a witty phrase and popular term in the vernacular of this contemporary age. In other words, I heard it on t.v. somewhere.

In May, we talked about the survey the Church took in November 2008. While much has changed in the Church since November, it was helpful to talk about the survey results in great depth and detail. Reading surveys is a tricky business. Even with a Ph.D. in education, and a year's worth of statistics under my belt, I am in awe of the science of statistics and surveys.

What did we learn? Well, for example, there was a sharp break between those who want contemporary worship, and those who don't: 126% believe we need more emphasis on contemporary worship styles, music and language, while 33% are satisfied, and another 26% thinks it receives too much attention (p. 7). Likewise, on p. 2 there were 9% who thought contemporary worship should be strengthened. What does this mean? There is a large group in the Church who want contemporary worship while there is an equally large group who struggle with it. That's important! We probably should include more contemporary worship styles and music.

Likewise, there was an indication that issues regarding "spirituality" should be increased and strengthened (20% on p. 2). That is significant! Since the survey, we've included Midday Prayers during Lent and Eastertide, and will have a healing worship service in July.

Likewise, a resounding 83% believe that the pastor should "prepare and preach inspiring sermons" (p. 5). I'm trying my best to provide this.

There were more interesting insights into the life of our Church in the survey, and I'd be glad to go over those with anyone who is interested. Gary Daeke (Elder) and I had a great time discussing the statistics, and see it as helpful in where the Church is going in the future.

Tonight we talked about Henderson and Vance County, and talked about the strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the area. There were several lessons we learned today after watching a rose-colored glass DVD of Henderson, produced by the Chamber of Commerce of Henderson:

1. we are becoming a "browner" community: more people who speak Spanish as their first language are moving into the area, and they are not all Catholic, but include non-denominational Protestants as well;

2. 60% of the homes in the area are rented. This is very large compared to other towns and cities our size;

3. We are "importing poverty" into the area, with many people who are poor moving into the area because of housing (rental) possibilities, along with access to federal and state programs for food, medical care, and other resources;

4. no new industries are moving into the area in the near future, even though we are part of Triangle North, modeled on RDU;

5. drop out rate in high school is high, as is crime in this area.

6. many people have moved out of the area because of the quality of the schools, even though they work in the area. For example, many of the professionals at the nearby hospital live in Durham or Raleigh or Chapel Hill and commute each and every day;

7. We have a lot of retirees around Kerr Lake, and Kerr Lake is a positive draw.

So what does that tell us about our church?

1. people who are moving into the area, and will most likely be part of our church family will be from Central or South America, speaking Spanish as their first tongue;

2. poverty in Vance County is a reality and something we will have to address, and many of those who are poor are African American, and they are our neighbors;

3. we will have to be creative in figuring out how we will grow numerically in an area in which there is little to no growth of those who would have come to FPC-H in the past.

4. Preaching, writing newsletter columns, and other points of references in the life of the Church will change slightly as we become a more racially diverse body;

5. there is still a community of people with developmental disabilities and others with mental illness who need our assistance and who wish to come and be part of our worship.

As I looked around the room of 22 people last night I realized that few if any of us live in a house or apartment right around the corner or a block away from the church building. It dawned on me then: We are not necessarily a community or neighborhood church. We are a downtown church that many of us drive a good distance to come to, and then leave when worship or an activity is over.

So what would the congregation of FPC-H look like were it a neighborhood church?

My hunch? It would look slightly different than we look today.

Thanks to Elder Gary Daeke for his sharing his expertise in this area.

Our eyes, ears, hearts, minds, senses are open. We are aware of the opportunities and threats to Henderson and Vance County at large, and our Church in particular. I see this all as an opportunity to open wide the doors of the Church in welcoming all who desire to follow Jesus, especially our neighbors right around the corner and down the street.

What do you think?

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Returning Home

2009-06-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

It is good to be back at FPC-H! My Continuing Education time in the desert of New Mexico was enriching in many ways. One Elder asked me if I came back with some new insights? Answering "Yes," he said "Then it was a good Continuing Education experience."

And what new insight did I have from my 120+ mile pilgrimage in northern New Mexico? A new found appreciation for how each of us pilgrims walk in following Jesus, the Pilgrim God. On the pilgrimage, I came to know who was in front of me by the very stride or strut in their walk. Some people walk with a real saunter, while others simply gallop. There was a sway in some people's walk--a kind of elegance--while others were more military in their footsteps, simply soldiering on as we would do 17-20 miles each day.

On our pilgrimage of faith at FPC-H, I am coming to appreciate each person's style of being a pilgrim in the roadway of life. Some people strut in their walk of faith, while others saunter along the way, simply smelling the roses. Some walk arm in arm with others in faith, inviting others to come along and be with them on the pilgrimage.

Learning to be mindful, and respectful, of each other's walk is part of the ministry of our Church. And people who come and visit us are watching to see if they can simply walk--or roll--with us forward unto the kingdom of God.

Peace!

Pastor Brett

Empathy

2009-05-04T22:44:00.001-07:00

A long time a go I came to understand the difference between sympathy and empathy: while sympathy has a more romantic tinge to it, empathy has a sense of standing in solidarity with each other.

What I experience at First Presby. Church is empathy.

And it is at funerals and amid the news of sudden death we are often our best.

We empathize with each other, stand or sit in solidarity with each other.

And that is a gift of grace, to be with each other in joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health (to use a line from a wedding).

Thank you, First Presbyterian Church for this gift.

Peace, Pastor Brett

p.s., I will be off on vacation for a week. Thank you!

Midday Prayer Midweek: A Still Point in a Turning World

2009-04-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

One of the parts of life that I truly like about our Church is Midday prayer midweek--Wednesday--in the sanctuary. Using the Midday Prayer order in the Book of Common Worship, 6-10 of us gather for 20 minutes to pray, using the words of Scripture and usually a reading from a book by my friend Henri Nouwen as our guide. The meal afterward continues the sense of community that has begun to surround our gathering.

An invitation: if you are free on Wed. afternoon, please come to Midday prayer! Take 20 min. of your day and discover what Eliot called the "still point of our turning world."

Peace!

Pastor Brett

An Active Church

2009-04-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

On Wed. night, we were one open, active, lively church! We gathered for great Middle Eastern food in the Fellowship Hall and watched a slide show of pictures taken from my latest foray into the Holy Land. The food was great! And the audience super! Thank you all!

And downstairs we had the ESL gathering, with 19 children who showed up.

Meanwhile, over in the sanctuary there were hand bells ringing and choir rehearsing.

We are an active, open, lively church. It is great fun to see all the lights burning, the rooms being used, and ministry happening!

It is also the Church alive when all the lights are off and we are busy in the neighborhoods surrounding the Church building. That too is a sign of life.

We are an alive, open, welcoming, and active Church!

Praise God!

Pastor Brett

Easter Monday

2009-04-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

We have now entered the next 50 days of Eastertide. Like Advent, Christmas, and Lent, this is a "tide" of days, commonly referred to in the church as Eastertide.

And on this Monday of Eastertide, I must admit I am humbled by the awesome people we are surrounded by at First Presbyterian Church.

* A big shout out to the Church staff: Kathy, Kristy, and Clifton! Thanks for all your help in the last week or so.
* A big shout out to Elder Phil Hanny, Karen Hanny, and Peggy Stocks for their incredible work and artistry.
* A big shout out to Elders Raynah Adams and Mike McKoon for great worship, as well as Karen and the choirs!

Thanks for the wonderful memories of Holy Week, which will continue to set us on an incredible course on our pilgrimage through Eastertide!

Peace!

Pastor Brett

Amazing Palm Sunday

2009-04-06T10:27:00.001-07:00

There was a lot of planning and preparation that went into Palm Sunday this week, and it seems to have paid off in people's experience of worshiping God:
* Karen Hanny made a beautiful new banner and pendants that adorned the wall where Christmas wreaths usually hang during Advent;
* the hand bell choir, children's voices, and adult choir were wonderful during the anthem;
* Karen Reardon played beautiful music in spite of our soloist calling in ill at 7 this morning;
* Rev. Marshall preached a fiery Palm Sunday sermon;
* Holy Communion was shared by all...

Praise God!

Now we are on our pilgrimage path, following the Pilgrim God to Maundy Thursday, to Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday!

Peace!

Pastor Brett

Busy Sunday

2009-03-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

I was amazed at all the activities we had going on concurrently at First Presbyterian Church of Henderson this past Sunday:
* in the sanctuary we were worshipping God;
* downstairs, the young children were having their own program of activities;
* in the kitchen, people were preparing for the upcoming covered-dish luncheon;
* at Camp Don Lee, Mike McKoon and Jonathan Care were with a group of our middle-school aged young people for a retreat!

We are a very busy church, doing the work of God in all kinds of ways.

Keep it going!

Peace!

Pastor Brett

The Power of the Spaghetti...Or Was It the Dessert?

2009-03-23T10:39:00.001-07:00

Yesterday's worship was quite beautiful and powerful. Focusing on the nature of the cross, a symbol of death in the ancient world that is transformed by God's love into a symbol of new life, reveals the power of what God is doing in our world.

And yet, what can I say about the (spaghetti) and DESSERT AUCTION! Oh-my-goodness! It was great fun welcoming some members we've not seen for awhile, as well as the adults and young people engaged in selling, buying, auctioning, screaming, shouting, laughing, and eating tasty wares.

Well done, people of Henderson!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Moving toward Jerusalem

2009-03-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

There is a sense of movement toward Easter in our worship together. Our Lenten pilgrimage continues without a place to stop along the way.

Our Session last night voted to include an Easter sunrise worship to our list of what is going on in the life of the Church on Holy Week. Our Midday prayers continue to be moving and meaningful.

Holy Week is sizing up to include Holy Communion on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday with Holy Communion, and Easter sunrise at 6 A.M. by the columbarium, followed by a traditional Easter worship at 11:00 A.M. Throughout the week, various churches may also gather to remember the movement of Jesus life in his final week of his earthly ministry.

And so we move toward Jerusalem!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

John Calvin's Birthday!

2009-03-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here's an historic milestone I don't want to miss: John Calvin's Birthday! He was born on July 10, 1509, and died on May 27, 1564.

As many of us know full well, Calvin is the pioneer and forbear of our denominational heritage.

Around the world, much will be made of this wonderful occasion.

Happy birthday, John!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Making a Move Inward

2009-03-02T04:35:00.000-08:00

Last Wed., Ash Wednesday, we celebrated this holy day with the spreading of ashes upon our foreheads, prayers, and hymns. The darkened sanctuary was beautiful in the simplicity of decoration, giving us an opportunity to focus upon the symbolism of the evening: the beginning of our Lenten trek.

Along with worship on Sunday, celebrating Eucharist--a reminder of Jesus' last supper--we will gather Wed. at noon for a simple Mid-day prayer and a bare but healthy meal of rice and beans, with a cup of water. Our focus in these Mid-day prayers and meals will be simply Jesus and his trek during these forty days as he draws closer to Golgotha.

Ashes on the forehead, the cup and bread, a meal of rice and beans, prayers, hymns, silence...join us in our Lenten devotion.

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Busy Weekend!

2009-02-23T07:24:00.000-08:00

There was a lot going on in the life of FPC-H! There were 25 people--young and old(er) alike--who went up to the mountains to go skiing and playing in the snow, drink hot toddies, sleeping in...ahh! There was a meeting last Tue. of 70 clergypersons, laity, and members of the town leadership talking about hunger, poverty, and homelessness in Henderson; we celebrated Holy Communion during our worship on Transfiguration Sunday. And we had our annual Congregational Meeting, reporting on all the activities that are going on at FPC-H!

To top it all off, Phil Hanny and I represented the Church at the latest Presbytery meeting on Sat., fulfilling our vows to be active in the local church and Presbytery level.

We are a church engaged in fun!

We are a church engaged in modern issues facing our community!

We are a church engaged in the acts of the wider Church and world!

Thanks be to God!

Peace, Pastor Brett

p.s., see you on Ash Wed., 7:30 P.M.!

The Pastor Nominating Committee!

2009-02-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday the congregation voted for a slate of candidates for the Pastor Nominating Committee. Last Thursday they had their first meeting with a member from the Committee on Ministry.

Thank you, all, who came for the vote! Thank you, all, who are serving on the Nominating Committee and made all this possible.

And thank you to all who agreed to serve on the PNC. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Peace!

Pastor Brett

The Young People of FPC Are Awesome!

2009-02-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

A note today about the awesome young people of FPC-H! Yes, they told me that the Baptists at First Baptists currently have the designation of being where most of the youth go to for youth group activities (that's what they told me during b'fast at Sunrise Biscuit the other Sunday), but we have the designation of being where the youth are doing the most for the greater community of Henderson, NC.

A case in point; SOME! While I would like them all to be in worship every Sunday of the month, I amazed at their turn-out for feeding and being with those who come to the church fellowship hall once a month for a meal. I have witnessed their joy in preparing meals in the kitchen, their sincerity in being with others as they take plates and drinks out to the tables, and their efforts in cleaning up after the meal.

Awesome!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Mendelssohn's Birthday

2009-02-03T14:04:00.000-08:00

What a treat to welcome so many Girl and Boy Scouts to worship on Sunday morning! The Scouts and their parents, siblings, and extended family members and friends filled the pews, and a joyous sounds of praise came forth on Sunday!

And today is Felix Mendelssohn's 20oth Birthday Celebration. Not only do we sing some hymn, like "Hymn of Praise," but Herr Felix's music comes forth whenever we hear the "traditional" wedding march in a recessional air.

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Welcome, Elders!

2009-01-26T06:03:00.000-08:00

Sunday was memorable for us at FPC-H:

* Mike McKoon was installed as an active Elder on Session during worship;

* the final training class of oncoming Elders was held after our scrumptious lunch;

* Elders are going to now help in leading parts of our worship, along with the young people of the Church.

FPC-H is a church that has depended upon the goodness of its Elders and lay members in the past. This is a great legacy...and a legacy we hope to continue with in the days, months, and years to come.

Life is good at FPC-H!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

FPC-H: A Chosen People Who Turn

2009-01-25T04:39:00.001-08:00

One of the themes from last week's reading in worship, and this week's Scripture reading, we are reminded that part of our pilgrimage, is that we are a people who turn toward God. Some times on pilgrimage the issue is not necessarily moving forward but being headed in the right direction. In other words, some times we simply need to be turned the right direction.

In the reading this morning from Jonah, Jonah and the people of Nineveh had to turn. They had to repent, which literally means "to turn."

We are God's turning people!

Praise God!

Pastor Brett

Baptism, Ordination, and Installation!

2009-01-13T18:43:00.000-08:00

What a marvelous worship we experienced on Sunday! The high point was the sacrament of baptism, with Allison Jones-Gerber being baptized. It was marvelous to welcome this child of God into the body of Christ publicly and with great celebration! She was incredibly forgiving with water being poured over her head, letting me carry her down the aisle, and smiling and cooing with the best of them. Hearing the congregation sing "He's Got the Whole World" was wonderful.

What was also fascinating was that the child we baptized is distantly related to "Chris" Christopher, whose memorial and celebration of his life we all participated in this past Thursday. The circle of life--life and death and life ever lasting--was witnessed by us all this past week.

With the honoring of the Elders rotating off, and the ordination and installation of Elders, we participated in and witnessed what it means to live into our baptismal vows. We all have been called to use the gifts, services, and talents, and some have been called to be Elders. It is awesome, amazing to bless those who are being ordained as Elders, making them part of the ruling body of the body of Christ.

God is doing amazing things at First Presbyterian Church of Henderson! We have much to thank God for, including the sacrament of baptism, witnessing the life everlasting, and the ordination and installation of Elders! Thanks be to God!

Peace, Brett

Happy Epiphany!

2009-01-07T06:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Epiphany!

This is the day (Jan. 6) that Christmastide ends (12 days long), and Epiphany is celebrated, a day that focuses on the Wisemen, the Magi, arriving to the celebrated manger scene. Matt. 2:1-11 is the one reference we have to this mysterious scene where the first set of Outsiders arrive at the Holy scene, with the shepherds, animals, Mary, and Joseph huddled around the newborn child.

We at First Presbyterian Church welcome all strangers, outsiders, people who may have been branded by others in society as different. Our model for welcoming those who are marginalized in society is none other than the Christ who sat with not only the rich and powerful, but those who were deemed outsiders to the powerful rulers of his day.

Happy Epiphany!

Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Praising God as One People

2009-01-05T07:23:00.001-08:00

What a marvelous way to start off the new year--2009--with combined worship with Cotton Memorial Presby. Church. As you all know Henderson better than I do, though the churches are only a few yards away from one another, it takes some intentional planning for the churches to come together to worship. I am glad that we continue the tradition, celebrating worship with Holy Communion three times a year. Black and white, women and men, young and old, rich and poor: all of us gathered under one roof to sing songs of praise, prayed prayers of hope and change, all in this wondrous, mysterious time of Christmastide and Epiphany.

Thanks to one and all who make our worship together possible!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Beauty of Holy Spaces

2008-12-29T08:28:00.000-08:00

I am smitten by the beauty of First Presby. Church's sanctuary during both Advent and Christmas. The large Christmas tree, the simple wreath for Advent, the Christmas wreaths and garlands, poinsettias, the fantastic banners by Karen Hanny and Peggy Stocks, along with Christmas greens throughout the rest of the sanctuary, all "worked" in our sanctuary of worship. Thank you to ALL who participated in planning and putting up this marvelous display of craftspersonship, and for ALL those who are taking it down as I write this.

There are many in this world who do not have a place for holy worship like we do. There are Christians who meet under trees for worship in Africa and South America, others who gather in school buildings, prison cafeterias, and others who meet in store front churches. What make all of these places holy sanctuaries are the people who gather in God's name. It all goes back to the words of Jesus, "Wherever two or three gather in my name, Lo, I am there."

Come let us adore him in sanctuaries of rare beauty like ours, under trees, under tin roofs, and in the wide open spaces of Godly splendor!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

St. Stephen Day, King Wenceslas, and Boxing Days: Church Holy Days

2008-12-26T18:54:00.001-08:00

As many of the members of First Presbyterian Church-Henderson (FPC-H) are now realizing, I am in awe of the holy days in the life of the Church universal: whether Catholic, Protestant, Greek or Russian Orthodox (Western and Eastern Orthodox Churches). We've celebrated All Saints' Day, Christ the King Sunday, all four Sundays of Advent, and are now in the 12 days of Christmastide, followed by Epiphany and the Sunday of Jesus' baptism.

What's is the importance of these days? They are reminders/markers/sign posts of telling us which way we are headed, and which way we are going: toward God's realm of love, which is also inbreaking.

Today is Boxing Day in England, otherwise known as St. Stephen's Feast Day. This is a day of remembering to be charitable. Employers would give the "help" a gift in boxes that people used on Christmas day, or a parent would give a gift to a child. St. Stephen is remembered as the first Christian martyr, who was stoned by a crowd who were roused by Saul of Tarsus, a.k.a., St. Paul.

Judith Flanders wrote a fascinating column/op-ed in the New York Times today, focusing on Boxing Day and arguing for us to try it in the States:

Instead Boxing Day could return as a day of giving. Not necessarily cash — and not material to make uniforms — but rather one day a year to donate skills or effort, a day for sharing something of value in the larger community. Help someone whose first language isn’t English fill out driver’s license forms. Load an old lady’s iPod with Rogers and Hammerstein. Teach the boy next door to throw overhand, so the other kids stop teasing him.

What we really need to do is put down the punch bowl and pick up on what Punch magazine wrote more than 150 years ago: Don’t just keep “the Christmas of the belly: keep you the Christmas of the heart. Give — give.”

Click here for more.

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Christmastide! Finally! Phew!

2008-12-25T11:01:00.000-08:00

Reports from my family in Oregon is that it is down-right cold and chilly. Reports from friends in New Zealand: cooler than usual! Reports from friends in Bethlehem: wet!

Reports from church last night for a series of "Lessons and Carols": beautiful! Following in the tradition of this church, we worshiped last night following a series of lessons, of Scripture verses, that remind us of the downs and ups of the human story: from Genesis and the dislocation of the couple of newbies, Adam and Eve, to Abraham and Sarah being told of the greatness of God's people, born from a once-barren womb, to Micah's and Isaiah's words reminding us of who was born in one of Israel's darkest periods of life: namely, the Christ child. We read stories of Christ's birth, from Luke and Matthew, with shepherds and wise men. I'm always struck by the passage in John 1, in which the entire Gospel is summed up in the first 14 verses.

The church was 3/4th full, which was wonderful. Candles were lit and held high as we sang "Silent Night, Holy Night!" The night was warm. Mist enveloped the ground. The church sanctuary was bedecked in red and green. A new banner hung in the sanctuary designed and constructed by Peggy Stock, and the choir sang beautifully.

For the last four weeks, we were building up to Christmastide. While the world around us understands Christmas as one day, we Christians know better: it is a season of 12 days, ending with Epiphany, or in the South, "Old Christmas."

I look forward to celebrating all days of Christmas with you, dear members of FPC-H!

Merry Christmastide!

Pastor Brett

Beethoven's Birthday!

2008-12-17T08:45:00.001-08:00

Urgh!

Yesterday was an important birthday for us to remember: Beethoven's birthday! We all seem to enjoy singing that wonderful hymn "Joyful, joyful we adore thee God of glory, Lord of love..." This hymn, that comes from the choral refrain from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, is a grand hymn to open worship with.

Here's to you, Ludwig!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Doing Things Decently and in Order...and in the Book of Order

2008-12-15T13:22:00.000-08:00

One of the fun parts--and yes, I mean fun--of going through Elder training is re-reading parts of the Book of Confession (Part I) and Book of Order (Part II), which comprises our Constitution as a denomination. These are rather lengthy documents, and I giggle when realizing that the United Kingdom has no Constitution while we Presbyterians keep adding and subtracting and refining our Constitution.

What is key for us as a church is the part of the Director of Worship. There has been much discussion in the church over the changes in the Order of Worship, which Session changed some months ago. We looked at the PCUSA's BOOK OF COMMON WORSHIP, as well as followed the "Service of the Lord's Day" under "Appropriate Actions in our Book of Order, W-3.3000 and W-3.3200. The order of actions, of worship is as follows:
1. Gathering around the Word: call, confession, and assurance;
2. Proclaiming the Word: the reading of Scripture and preaching;
3. Responding to the Word: the offertory, prayers of the people, and Lord's prayer;
4. The Sealing of the Word: the sacraments;
5. Bearing and following the Word into the world: charge and benediction.

When I came to First Presby. Church, we were not following this very traditional Presbyterian way of worship, but were following some other order of worship that was not rooted in the Presbyterian tradition. With some simple shuffling around, we kept all the elements of worship we had before, and added some new ones in the way of responsive readings so that the congregation is more active in worship. Thus worship is less the choir and preacher/pastor performing, but more of the people of God engaged in worship.

Thanks for the opportunity to teach Elders, and re-learn why we do what we do!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

2nd Sunday of Advent: Peace...with John the Baptizer as Guide

2008-12-07T18:19:00.001-08:00

Today's worship was memorable in many ways: the "children's sermon" became a family sermon, with two families playing tug of war vs. tug of peace. It is always interesting to see who competitive we can be, and how odd, how strange, how weird building consensus can be, whether in a church, a family, or a neighborhood.

John the Baptizer was the focus of today' sermon. He heralds well the coming of the Christ!

I particularly enjoyed singing a song that "John the Baptizer" would heartily approve: "Go Tell it On the Mountain," with the congregation singing along and clapping to this wondrous African American spiritual!

With two Sundays of Advent "down," our Season of waiting continues. There is a challenge before us to focus on Advent as Christians while so many of groups in the rest of the world around us has already jumped ahead to the Season of Christmas. But the four weeks of waiting
is well worth it when we enter the season of Christmas.

Peace!

Brett

First Sunday of Advent

2008-12-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

This was my first Advent celebration at First Presbyterian Church-Henderson, and I must say that it was powerful, even for the pastor. The sanctuary itself is beautiful beyond words: the wreaths, the garlands, the mixture or red and green, purple and white, were eye catching. The music by the choir was beautiful. And the readings by young and old families and couples, explaining the meaningfulness of the season seemed to set the right tone for the Advent season.

Hope that others will be able to join us in the great waiting for the coming of the Christ child.

Peace,

Brett

Dead Sea Scrolls Visit

2008-11-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

Thirteen members of First Presbyterian Church of Henderson traveled in our own pilgrimage caravan of cars from Henderson to Raleigh to take in the exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the North Carolina Museum of Science. The exhibit gives us all a rare look not only at the fragments of the Scrolls themselves--fragments from Genesis, Isaiah, Deuteronomy, and the rules of the Essenes community--but of the very Essenes community that lived in Qumran on the northern shore of the Dead Sea in Israel. We both considered the recent journeys of the Scrolls since its discovery in the 1940s, but the story of this religious community itself and how it lived and thrived in its Dead Sea area. The exhibit showed how they found water and brought it up to their community, the pottery collection, and the scrolls themselves.

What was important for us to consider not only how the Scrolls were found today, but to ask the question: what is the Bible, the historic and sacred texts to not only Christians but Jews as well? Is there "the Bible" that is real, and everything else is a variation of a theme? How doe we understand the creation of this sacred texts from the oral tradition from which it was born?

We all left amazed and wondering!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

SOME and Dabney Dr. Restaurant!

2008-11-12T06:07:00.000-08:00

We are a church that likes to eat, whether we are serving up the food or enjoying it at a nearby restaurant! On Sunday, the youth of the church served some of the people in the area who are not able to able to provide food on their own tables. The number of those coming to SOME has risen to around 45 people this past Sunday. Economic times are hard throughout this land, let alone Henderson and Vance County. We are providing a much needed resource in our community.

Likewise, a good time was had by all at Dabney Dr. Restaurant on Sunday after worship. Kathy and I were able to share with those who gathered together many of the exciting projects going on around the church, including updating websites and newsletters, Thursday's new "Shout Out" to those who use computers, in which we inform the congregation of all that is going on in our church in the upcoming days. These lunch times with the pastor and staff will continue throughout the rest of my tenure at the church, so come and join us.

In reading the past blogs and newsletter, I find myself writing a great deal about food. This is O.K.! After all, we see Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding feast, we see a few loaves of bread and some fish become enough to feed 5,000 men, and an equal number of women and children, Jesus was made known to the two disciples running to Emmaus when he simply broke bread with his friends, and we have Passover and the Last Supper as a reminder of the presence of the Christ in our lives today, and the life to come!

Eat up! Christ is with us!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

Lunch with Pastor Brett!

2008-11-09T20:36:00.001-08:00

A good time was had by all who came to Dabney Dr. Restaurant after worship to talk with me. A good time was had by all as we sat around the Dabney Dr. Restaurant chatting with each other about our lives and the life of the Church.

I look forward to more good times like this with the Church!

Peace, Brett

Session, Stewardship, and Supper on Sunday!

2008-11-03T06:05:00.000-08:00

A full weekend was had by many of us this past weekend at Church. On Sat., the Session members of FPC-H met from 10-2:30, discussing the past, the present, and the future of the Church. We met in the Henderson library board room, and from our vantage point we saw the Church in the near distance, giving us a great perspective to look outside the church but nearby, having a little perspective that we wouldn't have were we meeting in the Church building itself. The retreat gave us space and time to reflect upon our collective past, consider the present joys and struggles, and consider carefully where we are being led by God.

On Sunday, worship was made memorable because of the celebration of All Saints' Day and those who have already departed from us yet still are present as part of that cloud of unknowing witness.

Right after worship, we feasted on food cooked by Fred Lemmond as our Stewardship Kick-off Luncheon called us all together to enjoy good food and great company. Our new t-shirts ($10!) and window decals give us new ways to evangelize in the community, along with our nifty new book marks.

Then on Sunday night, the youth group sponsored a Fall Festival, with plenty of games, food, and fun for people of all ages!

It is Monday morning...phew! Hope everyone has a great day and week!

And don't forget to vote tomorrow, Nov. 4th!

Peace,

Pastor Brett

A Church on the Move

2008-10-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

I opened up our November 2008 calendar of activities and felt "Whew! There's a lot going on here!" Trying to keep track of when all our fellowship meals are happening on Wednesdays, following the ESL activities that also happen on Wednesdays, along with choir practice, not to mention the fellowship meals after worship from time to time, near the Women's Circles and the Men's gatherings, not to mention Sunday school, youth group outings to the NC State Fair, and worship...we are a busy, active church!

And the root of this busyness?

Well, we Christians know that in fellowship activities we often discover Jesus! After all, as Scripture says "Wherever two or three are gathered in my name," said Jesus.

But the Benedictines have a wonderful phrase "ora et labora," which means "prayer and work," and the balancing act between the two.

Jesus doesn't want us to only or always to be busy. Jesus wants us to also take time to "smell the roses" though they are waning, behold the beauty of an autumn day as the leaves change, the air grows cooler, and the day light grows shorter. This is all of God's good creation. It is here we witness the Artist God at work and play.

Enjoy a breath of fresh cool air on Jesus!

Peace, Brett

Church's Potluck: Yum!

2008-10-27T10:04:00.000-07:00

When I was in Israel last week I was surprised to find no mention of Jesus ever attending a synagogue pot-luck affair. Maybe they came about in the early Church! But even after investigating that possibility, I found no evidence of the early Church holding church-wide potlucks.

On wikipedia.com, it states that the derivation of the term comes from (of all places) Native American gatherings called "pot latches," which means "food given away to guests," which also can mean "whatever food one is lucky enough to find in the pot."

Regardless, the food and the conviviality of the Church potluck yesterday was something to treasure. To see so many tables filled with plates filled with delicious food, listening to the ongoing conversation revealed how God's Spirit is moving among us as God's people. After all, is this not food that came from the Creator, with a little creativity of God's creatures?

Bon appetite!

Peace,

Pastor Brett