fellowship presbyterian church family recognizes elder

Reverend Gregory J. Bentley, Pastor

Motto The loving place that is Reaching, Growing, and

Sending people with Christ.

Vision

Fellowship is a Christian ministry that glorifies God and transforms humanity by doing justice, living

mercy, and walking humbly with God.

Mission

Fellowship is called to make disciples by leading

people into a personal relationship with God

through Jesus Christ and equipping them for the work of ministry in the

church, community, and world.

3406 Meridian Street, Huntsville, AL 35811 ♦ Office 256.539.2418 ♦ Fax 256.539.2492 ♦ e-mail:[email protected]

On Sunday, December 21, 2014, Elder Dees was recognized for thirty-five years of outstanding service and dedication rendered as the church’s Financial Recorder. Elder Dees announced his retirement from this position, effective January 2015. Elder Dees has served in many capacities, including church treasurer, Chair of the Stewardship and Finance Ministry, and member of the Board of Trustees, just to name a few. Elder Dees indicated that he wishes to continue to serve on the Stewardship and Finance Ministry Team. At the morning service, the church family showed their appreciation and love for Elder Dees as Elder Frances Harris presented him with an acrylic plaque (right). He received a standing ovation in grateful response for the integrity, compassion, faithfulness, and discretion shown throughout the years. Thank you, Elder Dees, for a job well done!

Photo credit: Christopher Gaines

January 2015 Volume 8 Issue 1

Fellowship Presbyterian Church Family Recognizes Elder Earnest Dees

Elder Dees with his sons Gregory (L) and Jeffery (R)

The HAND of Fellowship

STAFF

Reverend Gregory Jerome Bentley Pastor

Mrs. Brenda Davis Director of Music Ministry

Ms. Darlene Richardson Children’s/Youth Choir Director

Mr. Jason Sellers Pianist, Children’s/Youth Choir and

Director, Praise Team

Mr. Ryan Felton Percussionist

Vacant Secretary

Mr. Theodus Friend Sexton

DIRECTORY OF SERVICES Early Morning Service 8:00 a.m. Sunday Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsals Inspirational (Tues.) 6:00 p.m. Chancel (Tues.) 7:15 p.m. Praise Team (Wed.) 6:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study (Wed.) Noon Prayer Service (Wed.) 5:30 p.m. Youth and Children Bible Study (Tues.) 5:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Tues.) 6:30 p.m.

Newsletter Team Dr. Barbara Anthony

Mrs. Pauline Bodiford Mrs. Gladys P. Bracy

Ms. Cheryl K. Johnson Mrs. Mary E. Mitchell

Dr. Joyce Pettis Temple Mrs. Lois N. Thompson

Photographers

Dr. and Mrs. James (Gertrude) Hicks

Checkout Fellowship on the web: www.fpchuntsville.org

www.facebook.com/fpchuntsville

DATES TO REMEMBER January

1 - New Year’s Day 3 - Evangelism Team meets at 10:00 a.m. 5 - Worship Ministry Team meets at noon 7 - Christian Education Team meets at 5:30 p.m. 9-10 - Leadership Retreat 11– Presbyterian Women meet at 5:00 p.m. 13 - Property & Maintenance Team meets at noon 14 - Witness & Service Ministry Team meets at 5:30 p.m. 15 - Stewardship &Finance Ministry Team meets at 5:30 p.m. 17- Presbyterian Men meet at 8:00 a.m. 21- Food Distribution 1:00-3:00 p.m. 22 - Joint stated Session/Deacons/Trustees meet at 6:00 p.m. 25 - Annual Congregational meeting at 10:00 a.m.

beautiful moments, treasured memories, and all the blessings a heart can know.

Wishing You

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“Moving Forward” “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out

to me? Tell the people to go forward.” Exodus 14:15

Thinking about writing this piece, I began to reflect on how God has blessed our ministry over the last three years. I am grateful for:

• Completion of a vision study out of which emerged a new vision, mission, motto, and core practices

• Development of a strategic plan that will be launched this year

• Noon and evening Bible studies on Wednesday

• Annual revivals featuring female and male evangelists

• Institution of early morning service • Institution of a spiritual growth process using

Experiencing God and Discipleship Essentials as key ingredients

• Development of a new members’ orientation • Spiritual and numerical growth • Establishment of our 501c3, The F.A.I.T.H.

Initiative (Fellowship Advocacy Inspiring Transformation and Hope)

• Development of a Praise Team and Children’s Choir

• Celebration of Older Adults Sunday • Annual Kwanzaa celebration • A new church yard sign • Establishment of a social media presence

through a new website and Facebook page • Institution of Children’s Church • An overall increase in the level of excitement

and enthusiasm about and involvement in the mission of The Ship

Yes, Fellowship, we have much to celebrate and to be grateful for. However, let us use our reflection on the past for positive projection into the future. Let’s move forward! How shall we proceed? Here are some things I would like to see happen at The Ship in 2015:

• More people involved in intentional faith

development (Bible study, Sunday School, daily devotion, etc.)

• More people involved in service opportunities that are available through our ministry as well as the development of new opportunities for service

• Increased spiritual and numerical growth • Pulling together in the same direction toward

the same goal of glorifying God and edifying God’s people

Learning from the past, living in the present, and looking to the future, let us move forward in faith, allowing God to work in, through, with, and for us to be the most fruitful and productive ministry that we can be.

Peace and blessings. Gregory J. Bentley

Reverend Gregory J. Bentley

Elder Frances Harris presents annual Christmas gift on behalf of the congregation to an apparently surprised Reverend Gregory Bentley.

Photo credit: Chris Gaines


On behalf of Fellowship Presbyterian Church, the Courtesy Committee, chaired by Dorothy B. Johnson, prepared special food baskets designed to produce a full and nutritious meal. The baskets were delivered to known ‘sick and shut-in’ church members by Thomas McAlpine, Joyce Pettis Temple, and Bob Wilson.

Fellowship Courtesy Committee Prepares Christmas Dinner Baskets

The paper boxes below the decorated baskets contain meats and vegetables.

A Christmas ‘Thank-You’ to Food Distribution Team

The food distribution team is hardworking and gives generously of its time. This fact provided the motivation for a Christmas Thank-You Party held in the fellowship hall December 10. Enoch and

Joyce Pettis Temple (above) were hosts. After Enoch introduced the event and dinner was completed, Elder Joyce recognized and thanked all of the team. These included Felix Battle, Diann, Miriam, and Johari Bentley, Reverend

Gregory Jerome Bentley, Haley Bone, Gladys Bracy, Clif Canady, Jeremy Crummie, Jerita Crummie, Lois Dade, Bill Davis, Brenda Davis, Theodore Dixie Sr., Marvel Foard, Sarah Ford,

Ted Friend, Lucille Grayson, James Gunn, Gertrude Hicks, Michele Hicks, Galik Horton-Burks, Dorothy Johnson, Warren Johnson, Lirse Jones, Johnnie Mae McAlpine,

Thomas McAlpine, Minnie Moore, Moses Obgu, Wheeler Ogbu, Mary Peagler, Robert Peagler, Johnny Reed, Cerisa, Christian, and Jaylen Rice, Evelyn Rich, Doreatha Ross,

Tim Smith, Enoch Temple, Anthony Thompson, Walter Watson, and Bob Wilson. Tim Smith's Catering provided a delicious pre-holiday meal!

L-R: Minnie Moore, Lois Dade

L-R: Mary Peagler, Galik Horton-Burks

L-R: Haley Bone, Gertrude Hicks

L-R: Evelyn Rich, Brenda Davis

Reverend Bentley’s Quips and Quotes

“The powers that be want us to be so entertained that we can't be enlightened.”

Sermon: “An Antidote for Anxious Times,”

November 16, 2014

Volume 8 Issue 1

Children’s Church Ministry Volunteers at Manna House

Linda Burruss On Monday, December 15, the children of Fellowship Presbyterian Church and their parents volunteered at Manna House. The Children’s Church Ministry had collected over 200 health and hygiene items (shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving cream, razors, deodorant, detergent, dryer sheets, wet wipes) and stuffed animals, which were donated and handed out by the children. Johari and Miriam Bentley helped on the food service line and even stayed to sweep. Thanks, Diann Bentley, for the pictures.

L-R: Linda Burruss, Johari and Miriam Bentley

Johari Bentley sweeping the floor.

Dorothy Johnson (right) packing sandwiches.

Linda Burruss

Sunday, December 14 and Monday, December 15, The Lee High Band presented its winter concert. The concert was a spirited and festive celebration of some traditional songs such as “Let it Snow,” “Salvation Created,” “All of Me,” and “The

Christmas Song” and a not-so-traditional emotional version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The Percussion Ensemble was outstanding, playing its own original cadence. Fellowship’s own Destine’ Brown plays the bass guitar and the drum; in fact, as a senior she is section leader in the percussion section. Destine’, Maurice Bone (pictured together), and Dana Bone (above) all played in the band. Maurice and Dana play the alto saxophone. The band really helped its listeners to usher in the Christmas spirit.

Three Musical Siblings

First Piano Recital

Miriam Bentley participated in her first piano recital on Sunday, November 16, 2014. She performed three selections—Thanksgiving Holiday, Autumn Leaves, and Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.

Photo credit: Diann Bentley

Volume 8 Issue 1

Congratulations, Jackson Lanier!

Jackson Lanier (left) is a member of one of the two teams from Heritage Elementary School that qual i f i ed for s ta te competition at the 2014 Regional LEGO Robotics Tournament. The Heritage teams will advance to the Alabama State LEGO Tournament on January 24, 2015, at Grissom High

School. The “15 Percent” team won the first-place Champions Award that encompasses overall excellence and team professionalism, along with the “Best Robot Performance” award. All sixth-graders, members are Jeremy Anderson, Lauren Assaf, Emma Drake, Jackson Lanier, Kaya Lyons and Duke Yeom. Parent volunteers are David and Sydney Assaf. “Each team worked for months to design, construct, and program an autonomous robot to move about a playing field and complete several mission challenges,” Heritage gifted specialist Laura Minor said. “Each mission requires the robot to move in specific ways and allows the team to score points.” “Learning Unleashed” was the tournament theme. “Students were challenged to research how kids learn and innovate or enhance the learning experience in a particular subject,” Minor said. Both Heritage teams chose history/social studies. Jackson is the son of Judise Harris Lanier and the late Curtis Lanier; and the grandson of Frances Harris and the late Judge Harris and Betty Lanier and Everett Lanier, Sr.

Source: The Madison Record, December 2, 2014 Photo credit: Judise H. Lanier

Golden Charmers Christmas Luncheon

December 16, 2014 Bonefish Restaurant

Photo credit: James Hicks

Volume 8 Issue 1

Holiday Fun! Couple’s Ministry

Tonya Gaines

L-R: Roger and Felicia McBride, Diann and Reverend Gregory Bentley

Tonya and Christopher Gaines (far right) with couples from New Jerusalem.

Evangelism Team Spreads Christmas Cheer

Toni Franklin at the keyboard and Tonya Gaines speaking.

Minnie Moore

Nathaniel Otey singing and Toni Franklin playing the

keyboard.

Christopher Gaines and Lauretta Moore

Tonya Gaines

The Evangelism Team of Fellowship, together with New Jerusalem Church, provided Christmas cheer to the residents of Madison Manor on December 13. Fellowship members attending were Tonya and Christopher “Chris” Gaines, Linda Burruss, Diann Bentley, Rosalie Lane, Mary Mitchell, Lois Dade, Nathaniel Otey, Lauretta Moore, Minnie Moore, and Antoinette “Toni” Franklin.

Couples f rom Fel lowship Presbyterian Church joined with New Jerusalem Church on Friday, December 19, 2014, at the home of Brenda and Randall Bunley (left) to enjoy a couples' ministry Christmas party. There was great food, games, and socializing. We

all had a great time and are looking forward to the next event. Tonya and Chris Gaines, Reverend Gregory and Diann Bentley, and Felicia and Roger McBride participated in the holiday gathering.

L-R: Mary Mitchell and Linda Burruss

Volume 8 Issue 1

The Pierre family visited on Sunday, December 14, 2014. Brendan (far right) is stationed in Alaska, and Kadejda (2nd from right) continues to work on completing her degree online.

Photo credit: Linda Burruss

Visit from the Pierre Family

In Loving Memory of Mrs. Antoinette “Toni” Franklin

Fellowship Presbyterian Church Music Ministry

presented

Jesus, The Light of The World

First row: Brenda Davis, Wheeler Ogbu Second row: Demetrius Davis, Destiny Canady Third row: Brenda Davis and Wallace Lee; Wallace Lee and Sarah Ford

Photo credit: James Hicks

Sunrise: January 12, 1945

Sunset January 1, 2015

Photo credit: Gertrude and James Hicks

Volume 8 Issue 1

Fellowship Presbyterian Church Music Ministry presented

Jesus, The Light of The World Sunday, December 21, 2014

The Christmas Choir

Youth and Young Adult Choir Men’s Chorus

Praise Team

Inspirational Choir

Children’s Choir The Singing Pearls of Epsilon Gamma Omega

The Huntsville Spiritual Chorale

Chancel Choir Photo credit: James Hicks

Volume 8 Issue 1

Brenda Davis, Director of Music at Fellowship Presbyterian Church, smiles appreciatively at the Inspirational Choir on third Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Photo credit: Joyce Pettis Temple

What is Session Doing?

Important dates to remember: ⇒ Thursday, January 22, 2015 is the joint

stated session/deacons/trustees meeting at 6:00 p.m.

⇒ Sunday, January 11, 2015: Officers elect will

be installed and/or ordained during the 11:00 a.m. service.

⇒ Sunday, January 25, 2015, is the annual

congregational meeting at 10:00 a.m. The congregation will approve the pastor’s call and the approved budget will be presented.

♦ Session examined officers elect for the class of

2017 and approved ordination/installation. Elders were William Davis, Bettye Dixie, and Lauretta Moore; Deacons were Steve Anderson, Diann Bentley, and Moses Ogbu. Ordination and installation will be January 11, 2015.

♦ Session approved printing ten copies of the

updated Operation Manual to be placed in the Resource Room for members.

♦ The 2015 Church Calendar was approved

pending session’s approval of youth activities. ♦ Session appointed a subcommittee to review a

job description for the position of secretary. Jane Ford, Tonya Gaines, Joyce Pettis Temple, and Robert Peagler will serve on the subcommittee.

♦ Session approved the Discipleship Outreach

Bus Ministry Guidelines presented by the Evangelism Ministry Team as well as job descriptions for a Bus Operator and Discipleship Leader to support the program.

♦ Session approved diverting funds from the

outdoor camera system to use to replace the heating unit for the choir room.

♦ Session accepted the gift of a buffet caddy for use in the serving line for the fellowship hall.

♦ Session approved a $200.00 donation, which is

non-renewable, for a local 501 (c ) 3 organization .

♦ Session reluctantly accepted a letter of

resignation from Dr. Earnest Dees as Financial Recorder and expressed gratitude for his years of service and dedication.

♦ Session approved a Leadership Retreat January

9 - 10, 2015. Only session members will meet on January 9, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. Other leaders will attend the retreat on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at 10:00 a.m.

♦ Session agreed to determine who wanted a

Mission Yearbook prior to making a purchase since the price of the books has increased.

♦ Approval of the 2015 budget is pending. ♦ The Joint Meeting of Session, Trustees, and

Diaconates is January 22, 2015, at 6:00 p.m.

Volume 8 Issue 1

Newsletter Deadline Articles for the newsletter should be submitted

to Mary Mitchell at [email protected] and cc the church secretary at:

[email protected] not later than the third Friday of the month.

2 Arrie Franklin-Patrick 2 Monique Ryan 4 Stefanie Davis 5 Robert Burton 11 Eddgra Fallin 11 W. Charles Watson 12 Stone Grant Anderson 13 Doretha Ross 17 Laura Brown-Anderson 17 Lois Thompson 22 Minnie Moore 23 Robert Wilson 31 Yvette Evans

3 Lula and Lirse Jones 11 Roxanne and Felix Battle 18 Denita and Perry Walker

Parents, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately on their scheduled Sunday!

January 4

Gakari Horton-Burks and Destiny Canady

January 11 Ryan Gordon and Dezmyn Coleman

January 18

Kyler Evans and Leyanda Jones

January 25 Miriam Bentley and Parker Ford

**Please wear black pants or skirts/dress on your

scheduled Sunday** Parents, if your child is not available on his/her scheduled Sunday, please call or text me, Ollie Smith, at 256-527-4147, so that I can find a replacement.

Altar Flowers 4 Congregation Poinsettias 11 Pauline Bodiford Family 18 Felix Battle Family 25 Joseph J. Johnson Family

Magazine Donations

Thanks to Lucille Grayson for her continued support for magazines donated to Huntsville Hospital.

Volume 8 Issue 1

Fellowship Member Sick List

The Prayer of Faith James 5:13-16

“ 13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”

The Jackie Bennett Family (daughter Monica Bennett and twin sons Stephen and Michael Bennett)

Clara Bryant Richard Evans Jonathan Ford

Thelma Gardner Dana Smith

Geneva Wright

Sick List of Family and Friends of Fellowship Members

Fannie Brooks Adams (Aunt of Martha Mullins)

Doris Bradford

(Sister of Haley Bone)

Robert “Larry” Cleveland (Brother-in-law of Bettye Dixie and Carolyn Jackson)

Mary B. Dixie

(Mother of Theodore Dixie, Sr.)

Flossie Henderson (Mother of Barbara Anthony)

Stokley Gardner

(Brother of Lloyd Gardner)

Shielda Yvonne Ross (Sister of Thomas Ross)

Luther Scales

(brother of Geneva Scales Wright)

Fannie P. Thompson (sister of Lois Dade and Eulasteen Muse)

Valerie Thompson

(Sister of Debra Evans)

Hattie Wall (Sister of Charles Penn)

Roderick Wall

(Nephew of Charles Penn)

LaVon White (Son of Thomas and Doretha Ross)

In Loving Memory

Fellowship’s Members Felicia A. Gardner - 1999 Tommie Bradford - 2004

Pearl Moore - 2006 Joseph Dade - 2009

Antoinette “Toni” Franklin - 2015

Edna Simington Hill – 1953 Annie Daniels – 1960

Clinton Porterfield – 1968 Louis Evans, Sr. – 1980

Arthur Kelley, Sr. – 1982 Fred Thompson – 1985 Daniel Braxton – 1986

Eula McMillian-Jones – 1990 Kirbie N. Reeves – 1991

Thessalonia Jones – 1992 Billy Aaron – 1993

Leona Harris – 1996 Robert Dixie – 2006

Evelyn Martin – 2007 Willie Middleton

Mary Friend - 2008 Harriet Scales - 2011

Family and Friends

fellowship presbyterian church family recognizes elder

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