News You Can Use
Mark your calendars!
This Sunday, January 23, we will be celebrating Tommy Hall's retirement during the 11:00 worship service and afterward at a reception in the Session House. The time of fellowship in the Session House will be masked, but there will be some treats to-go. If you are unable to attend worship on Sunday or the reception but would like for us to share your words of congratulations and thanks with Tommy for you, just email anna@firstpresnb.org and your email will be printed out and shared with him.
And then, on Sunday, January 30 will we celebrate Amber Zapfell's ministry with us as she moves on to her career in real estate. We are also planning a reception in the Session House to be held after the 11:00 worship service. Again, if you cannot be there but have something you'd like to share with Amber to say thank you and wish her well, just email me at anna@firstpresnb.org and we will make sure she receives it!
Finally, just a quick note about the weather. If it looks like there is inclement weather headed our way that might impact our ability to gather for worship on Sunday morning, we will generally make that decision by 5:00 P.M. on Saturday evening. If it is decided we need to cancel, we will share that news in an email to the congregation, post to Facebook and the website, and share the decision with WCTI (channel 12).
Isaiah 55:10-12
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 For you shall go out in joy,
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Peace to you-
This Sunday, January 23, we will be celebrating Tommy Hall's retirement during the 11:00 worship service and afterward at a reception in the Session House. The time of fellowship in the Session House will be masked, but there will be some treats to-go. If you are unable to attend worship on Sunday or the reception but would like for us to share your words of congratulations and thanks with Tommy for you, just email anna@firstpresnb.org and your email will be printed out and shared with him.
And then, on Sunday, January 30 will we celebrate Amber Zapfell's ministry with us as she moves on to her career in real estate. We are also planning a reception in the Session House to be held after the 11:00 worship service. Again, if you cannot be there but have something you'd like to share with Amber to say thank you and wish her well, just email me at anna@firstpresnb.org and we will make sure she receives it!
Finally, just a quick note about the weather. If it looks like there is inclement weather headed our way that might impact our ability to gather for worship on Sunday morning, we will generally make that decision by 5:00 P.M. on Saturday evening. If it is decided we need to cancel, we will share that news in an email to the congregation, post to Facebook and the website, and share the decision with WCTI (channel 12).
Isaiah 55:10-12
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 For you shall go out in joy,
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Peace to you-
If you are active on Facebook or Instagram, you might have seen this photo of First Presbyterian Church posted recently. We wanted to know more about it, so we looked into it and found it was taken a few weeks ago by drone photographer Ben Lindemann. Ben was trained in digital photography courses and has recently developed his drone skills in New Bern making aerial films and still photographs of historic sites, landscapes, and waterfront panorama. And, with his permission, we can use this photo here, on our website, and in other First Presbyterian materials. If you are interested in prints or would like to find out more about Ben’s photographs and where you can find them, he can be found on Facebook and Instagram. His email is ben.lindemann77@gmail.co
Hanging of the Greens
Please consider volunteering to help make decorations for the sanctuary and grounds on Friday, December 10th, at 9:00 am.
No experience is necessary! Even if you can’t come, your donations of cypress, cedar, arborvitae, magnolia, boxwood and holly are needed to create the beautiful decorations! Call Jackie Pollock or Janelle Haggard if you have questions.
Please consider volunteering to help make decorations for the sanctuary and grounds on Friday, December 10th, at 9:00 am.
No experience is necessary! Even if you can’t come, your donations of cypress, cedar, arborvitae, magnolia, boxwood and holly are needed to create the beautiful decorations! Call Jackie Pollock or Janelle Haggard if you have questions.
Removing Mask Mandate -Link to the Email
We are a podcast!
If you are already familiar with podcasts, I don’t need to say much more. The First Presbyterian New Bern podcast is already available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and several other platforms! (Can’t find us on the platform you use? Let us know and we’ll figure out how to add it).
The podcast features a few minutes of conversation between the preacher for Sunday and Paul-Scott Schernitzki (First Presbyterian’s wonderful videographer) with the scripture, sermon, anthem, and benediction from Sunday following that conversation. It will be uploaded each week on Sunday evening. We hope that this will be another way to foster faith development and spiritual growth. Listen in the car, on your morning walk, or when you are winding down in the evening. You can listen to the most recent episode here.
The links in different podcast applications
Apple:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-presbyterian-new-bern/id1590248975
Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/first-presbyterian-new-bern
Spotify and others:
https://anchor.fm/first-presbyterian
The more subscriptions we get the better we will be able to add ourselves to other platforms, so we’d love for as many people as possible to subscribe- Thank you in advance for subscribing!
If you aren’t familiar with podcasts, a podcast is an audio program that you can subscribe to on your phone or another device. It sends you, automatically, the new content as it is added – so you don’t have to look for it, it will be ready when you would want to listen.
If you are in worship each Sunday or love the video service (which isn’t going anywhere- the podcast is an addition to our digital offerings) then the podcast might not be your cup of tea. And that’s okay!
Want to give it a try but aren’t sure how to start? Don’t hesitate to ask for help! Every phone and device handles podcast a little bit differently, so we won’t try and give specific instructions here. You probably know someone who does like podcasts and would be happy to help or give us a call in the church office and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.
Finally – if you have feedback or suggestions (what would you like to hear in the opening discussion) we’d love to hear it! We’re learning how to do this as we go, so let us know what you think.
Peace to you-
The podcast features a few minutes of conversation between the preacher for Sunday and Paul-Scott Schernitzki (First Presbyterian’s wonderful videographer) with the scripture, sermon, anthem, and benediction from Sunday following that conversation. It will be uploaded each week on Sunday evening. We hope that this will be another way to foster faith development and spiritual growth. Listen in the car, on your morning walk, or when you are winding down in the evening. You can listen to the most recent episode here.
The links in different podcast applications
Apple:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-presbyterian-new-bern/id1590248975
Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/first-presbyterian-new-bern
Spotify and others:
https://anchor.fm/first-presbyterian
The more subscriptions we get the better we will be able to add ourselves to other platforms, so we’d love for as many people as possible to subscribe- Thank you in advance for subscribing!
If you aren’t familiar with podcasts, a podcast is an audio program that you can subscribe to on your phone or another device. It sends you, automatically, the new content as it is added – so you don’t have to look for it, it will be ready when you would want to listen.
If you are in worship each Sunday or love the video service (which isn’t going anywhere- the podcast is an addition to our digital offerings) then the podcast might not be your cup of tea. And that’s okay!
Want to give it a try but aren’t sure how to start? Don’t hesitate to ask for help! Every phone and device handles podcast a little bit differently, so we won’t try and give specific instructions here. You probably know someone who does like podcasts and would be happy to help or give us a call in the church office and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.
Finally – if you have feedback or suggestions (what would you like to hear in the opening discussion) we’d love to hear it! We’re learning how to do this as we go, so let us know what you think.
Peace to you-
Job Available -
First Presbyterian Church in downtown New Bern, NC is looking for a Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry to support the mission of First Presbyterian Church by developing and nurturing a youth ministry, overseeing children and youth education and creating a family ministry that integrates young families the congregation in a meaningful experience that includes worship, study, fellowship and service to our members and the community.
The salary package is anticipated to be $50,000 and up, depending on the candidate's education and experience. The successful candidate will have experience/education in either education or Christian education.
To get more information or to apply, please email church@firstpresnb.org.
The salary package is anticipated to be $50,000 and up, depending on the candidate's education and experience. The successful candidate will have experience/education in either education or Christian education.
To get more information or to apply, please email church@firstpresnb.org.
Welcoming Tip of the Month
Many First Presbyterians love to sit at the end of the pew, while that middle section often has empty spots. Sometimes latecomers need a seat. When someone taps on your shoulder to get one of those empty seats in the middle, it’s an opportunity for you to offer a warm welcome. You can quickly stand, offer a smile, and make room for that individual. Or…you could even slide over a couple of seats to the middle!
First Presbyterian Church identifies itself as a welcoming community of faith and intends to be an inclusive place of spiritual growth for all people. The Welcoming Committee over the months will be offering you monthly tips to strengthen the hospitality of our congregation.
Many First Presbyterians love to sit at the end of the pew, while that middle section often has empty spots. Sometimes latecomers need a seat. When someone taps on your shoulder to get one of those empty seats in the middle, it’s an opportunity for you to offer a warm welcome. You can quickly stand, offer a smile, and make room for that individual. Or…you could even slide over a couple of seats to the middle!
First Presbyterian Church identifies itself as a welcoming community of faith and intends to be an inclusive place of spiritual growth for all people. The Welcoming Committee over the months will be offering you monthly tips to strengthen the hospitality of our congregation.
Lost & Found
Lost & Found on the Church Campus
Any items found on the church campus will be pictured or listed here. Currently no items have been found.
Any items found on the church campus will be pictured or listed here. Currently no items have been found.
"First Edition" is the name of our First Presbyterian Church monthly newsletter — a great source of information on church events, milestones, and news. If you would like to submit an article for the newsletter, please email it to Cathy Wingfield (cathy@firstpresnb.org) or deliver it to the Church Office to be put in her box. The deadline to submit an article or photo is the 3rd Friday of the month.
