Busy Weekend!

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!

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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