UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS:

GMPC will honor our longtime Choir Director, Ellen Knox Tew, on her upcoming retirement during the May 4th First Wednesday Fellowship and Covered Dish Dinner at 6:30 p.m, hosted by the Care Sunday School Class. We invite you all to join us as we gather for a time of celebration and fellowship. This will be the last meal of the program season … but Summer Picnics are coming soon and they are always a delight! We appreciate the Care Sunday School Class and all of the volunteers who took charge of the set-up and clean-up duties this month, and through out the year!

We invite everyone to take part in the Community Garden Workday sponsored by GMPC, located at 105 Royal Lane, on Saturday, May 7th beginning at 4:30 p.m. See you at the garden!

Youth Sunday - Our Youth will lead us in worship on May 8th as they focus on the Journey to the Cross. Youth Sunday is also Mother’s Day. What a wonderful gift to have our youth share their faith as they lead worship. We hope that everyone will make a special effort to be here. We ask that you please keep them in your prayers as they plan and prepare for this special day.

Looking Ahead … Our high school graduates will be honored

during worship on Sunday, June 5th, 2016.

GMPC Vacation Bible School 2016: June 20th -23rd: Deep Sea Discovery—GOD IS WITH ME WHEREVER I GO... Mark Your Calendars Now! Our Vacation Bible School will end with a covered dish dinner, Picnic #1, at 6:30 p.m. on the 23rd to celebrate all the children have learned.

Graduation Time is approaching…Don’t forget to call the church office to share the news! We love announcing all high school, college and graduate school scholars.

Volume XXXIX, No. 4

SYMPATHY TO:

Stan Mertz and family on the pass-ing of his brother, Kurt C. L. Mertz.

Jeff Heath and family on the pass-ing of his father, Roland Douglas Heath.

Jan Faison and family on the pass-ing of her mother, Janice Harrelson Pope.

Noelle Apolinario, Art Apolinario and family on the passing of her son, his former stepson, Matthew Jacob Pruyn.

Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church Newsletter 201 Fayetteville Street . Clinton, NC 28328

Phone: 910-592-2677 . Fax: 910-592-3100

Website: gravesmemorial.org

jamoran@embarqmail.com; loujohnson@embarqmail.com; melissagriffin@embarqmail.com; LNTOO@embarqmail.com

OUR KNOWN ILL:

Barbara Kerr Bill Miller Frances Hubbard Brenda Nordin Connie Williamson Jean Parker Ann MacGill

Doc Fields—Southwood; Rm. 109 Fay Gaddy—Rolling Ridge, Newton Grove

Others: Angie Prucha -(Daughter of Edwin Danford)

Billy Kerr-(Brother-in-law of Dorothy Faison)

Joan Bartlett -(sister of Annette Newton)

Lucille Sessoms-(Mother of Deborah Hall)

April - May, 2016 CONGRATULATIONS … to the following young adults who recently completed confirmation by reaffirming their Baptismal covenant and publicly professing their faith: Elizabeth Watkins Coleman, John Wesley Cowand, IV, Ella Darlese Faison, Richard Simpson Green & Sarah Elizabeth Tart.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Tripp & Lizzie Williamson on the birth of their son

Raleigh James Williamson born March 31, 2016.

Grandparents are Burl & Connie Williamson.

———————————————————————--

Trey & Megan Deans on the birth of their son

Douglas Britt Deans born April 5, 2016.

Grandmother is Betty Blue Packard.

UNITY, STRENGTH, BELONGING, PARTNERSHIP, ENTHUSIASM, COMMITMENT: That's what 100 percent participation looks like! Be our guest at the Derby Days Pledge Luncheon on Sunday, May 1, 2016 in the GMPC Fellowship Hall following Wor-ship. This is the first step in reaching the Stewardship Committee's goal of 100 percent participation in the Race to the Finish campaign to retire the building fund debt. Join your fellow GMPC members to build a winning team! Together we can! Derby Attire Encouraged!

Graves Memorial Presbyter ian Church Newsletter Page 2

WORDS FROM DR. JIM MORAN:

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Some twenty-three years ago GMPC’s music program went through a transition and hired a talented Choir Director, who had taught music with the children of Clinton in Kerr School. For almost a quarter of a century Ms. Ellen Knox Tew has glorified God with her mu-sical talents at Graves Memorial. Our church has been blessed with her gifts and faithful-ness to our Lord. Not only that, Ellen has worked with our children in music for Presbycrew and Vacation Bible School. Ellen, thank you for your generous, loving Spirit that has blessed all of us. I have enjoyed your captivating and mesmerizing the Presbycrew children with fun in learning joyous music from the smallest to the largest group. Thank you! You had full charge of your Chancel Choir with a gift for putting together special ser-vices like Maundy Thursday, Christmas Eve, and Graduation Sunday. Each Sunday you and your choir have provided quality, uplifting anthems and worship leadership. Your excellent, consistent, strong, and caring leadership with the choir and the church staff has been a won-derful blessing to the staff, the church, and me. We look forward to your ongoing superb leadership with our Hand Bell Choir. I have a feeling you will have a continuing influence on the worship and music of our church, be able to spend more time with your son and grand-son in Georgia, keep the backrow bunch in worship straight (watch out Henry and Cecil), and be the opening act of our next Talent Show. I wish you the peace, joy, and love of God in your retirement from being GMPC’s Choir Director, your continuing service as Director of our Hand Bell Choir, and your having more time to be grandmother.

With deep gratitude and love, Jim

OUR CHILDREN: Hard to believe we have come to the end of another PresbyCrew season.

There are so many folks to thank for their participation, Co-Directors: Mariana Sanderson & Myrtle Petty, Team 1 & Team 2 Volunteers: Mary Aycock, Joan Carr, Annette Newton, Betty Blue Packard, Nancy Perry, Darby Scott, Amelia Surratt, Jan Tart & Diane Viser, Station Activity Volunteers: Kara & Adrian Donatelli, Lee Howard, Mary Doyne, Diane Barwick, Jennifer Bradley, Dale Purcell, Anne Price, Lucy Lockamy, Susan Fox, Claire & Lizzie Tart, Tammy Honeycutt, Joni Fay Fetterman, Crystal Faison, Kristi Williford, Iva Miller, Amelia Sur-ratt, Linda Williamson, Charlotte Harrell & Mac Spell, Transportation Coordinators: Kristi Williford & Mary Carol Todd, Snack Volunteers: Myrtle Petty, Ann Johnson, Crystal Faison, Kristi Williford, Diane Westerbeek, P.W. Cir-cle #1 & #3, Mary Lou Faircloth, Beth Bryan, Sr., Linda Jewell Carr, Hollis White & Nancy Perry, Music Director: Ellen Tew, our Extraordinary PresbyCrew Children, and all other volunteers! THANK YOU! What a wonderful time we have had. Your make this program the success it is. September will be here soon and we hope we can have the same level of participation. This was a wonderful season and we hope to duplicate it again next fall.

That said, in a month it will be time for Vacation Bible School.

***** 2016 Vacation Bible School Registration is OPEN ***** (for Children Age 4 thru entering 5th grade ) ...

VBS is June 20th – 23rd - 9:00 to Noon...Deep Sea Discovery – GOD IS WITH ME WHEREVER I GO… is designed to help kids reach the life-changing message of God’s love. God loves us so much that He’s promised to be with us wherever we go! Kids will KNOW God is always with them, EXPLORE God’s presence in their lives, and SERVE God by serving others. You can sign-up your children by emailing Lou Johnson at loujohnson@embarqmail.com or you may pick up a registration form in the church office.

~~~~~~ DON’T FORGET SUNDAY SCHOOL EACH SUNDAY AT 9:45 a.m. ~~~~~~

Graves Memorial Presbyter ian Church Newsletter Page 3

Stop by the bulletin board outside the church office to view recent Infor-mation and News from Our Presby-tery Office. You can also sign up to receive weekly updates at your email address: http://www.presbycc.org/

Youth News and Happenings…Youth Sunday is May 8th!

April 24th – 12:15 p.m. Youth Sunday Preparation & Lunch April 24th - 5:00 p.m. Youth are invited to eat dinner with the Collins and Troupe from Thailand April 24th – 7:00 p.m. Missionary program with the Collins and Dance Troupe in Fellowship Hall May 1st – 5:00 p.m. Final preparations for Youth Sunday May 7th – 6:00 p.m. Concessions for Suzi Matthew’s dance recital May 8th – 11:00 a.m. Youth Sunday with No Youth tonight May 15th – Regular youth group meetings resume May 22nd – Youth group meeting – Special event (TBA) May 29th – No youth meeting due to Memorial Day weekend

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES:

~ CAKES NEEDED for the May 12th First Baptist Soup Kitchen. We ask that all cakes be delivered to the GMPC kitchen by

2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 11th. Please contact Jan Tart to sign up/place your name on the list. We thank you in advance.

~ Penny Pinchers 2016: Working together we collected $506.58 in coins this years to go towards the GMPC Building Fund.

~ BIBLE STUDY: Wednesdays, as the schedule allows, with Dr. Moran. The 10:30 a.m. study will continue to focus on

the lectionary. The 7:00 p.m. study will be on “The Gospel of Luke: Good News for All,” a kerygma study. Bible Study w ill

conclude on May 25th.

~ 2015 Summer Camp Information: Please visit the following links for camp details/dates:

Camp Kirkwood: http://www.campkirkwoodnc.org/summer-camps.html (910)251-9622, ext. 223 or Monroe Camp & Retreat Center: http://www.monroecamp.org/ (910)276-1654.

~ Backpack Buddies Program: Volunteers meet each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at Sunset Avenue School to pack food bags

for over 250 “food insecure” Clinton City School children, ages Pre K - 8th grade. What you can do to help: Volunteer Your Time! Donate Food Items! (canned soups, juice boxes, raisins, fruit cups, pudding cups, granola bars, pop tarts, trail mix & individual cereal boxes) *Food drop off container located in the Fellowship Hallway.

~ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED at First Baptist Soup Kitchen (408 College Street) on Thursdays, Weekly from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

*11:00 – 3:00: Cooking, 3:00 – 5:00: Deliveries, 5:00 – 7:00 Serving. (Volunteer for the whole day or as your schedule allows.)

~ Mission Opportunity: Diaper Bank of Sampson County. Donations of diapers (all brands and sizes, to include adult

diapers), diaper wipes and diaper rash cream are collected. A collection bin is located in the GMPC fellowship hallway for your

convenience. Diaper Distribution Totals: Since supplying the Sampson County Health Dept. with diapers, 20,450 packs of diapers have

been distributed to 836 families in need. The Diaper Bank appreciates your generous support. Working together we are mak-ing a positive impact on our community. *For more info. contact Chris Driver: cdriver82@gmail.com, cell #990-7436. IMMEDIATE NEED: Size 4, 5 & 6 diapers & diaper wipes.

~ MISSIONS: Christian Food Bank of Salemburg, every third Saturday, monthly, bags of food are given to those in need

beginning at 9:00 a.m. What you can do to help: Volunteer Your Time! Donate Food Items! *Food drop off container located

in the Fellowship Hallway.

PRESBYTERIAN MEN AND PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN NEWS:

The last Presbyterian Men’s Breakfast Meeting before summer break will be on Sunday, May 15th at 8:15 a.m. at First Baptist Church (*Please note change of location.) All men are invited, please join us! *(Please note this is the 3rd Sunday, due to Mother’s Day.)

April PW Circle Meetings: Bible Leader: Diane Viser Circle #1 will meet on the 2nd at Noon at the home of Linda Williamson for a Salad Luncheon. (Everyone is asked to please bring a salad to share.) Circle #2 will meet on the 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in the Memorial Room. Circle #3 will meet on the 3rd at 10:00 a.m. in the Memorial Room.

A “Lost and Found” Dishes Box is located in the Ice Room

here at GMPC.

Please stop by and check it regularly for any of your dishes that you may have left behind.

EDUCATIONAL / SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAY 2016:

01 08 15 22 29 Crib Nursery: (Nancy & Lauren Perry, Sarah Day) 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Annette Newton Jennifer Bradley Mac Spell Diane Barwick Deanna Weaver Olivia Sessoms Ella Faison Lizzie Tart Claire Tart Holly Weaver Toddler Nursery: (Mary Doyne) 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Acolytes: (Brenda Nordin) Bailey Spell Will Dodson Anna Perry Sinclair Silas Bradley Walker Spell Melina Matthews Spencer Westerbeek Connor Johnson Shawn Matthews John Barwick Worship Readiness: (Hollis Martin) Mary Carol Todd NO Worship Readiness TBA TBA TBA Pre-K—2nd Grade Class: Computer Lab Mac Spell Hollis White Lucy Lockamy Diane Viser 3rd—5th Grade Class: Mary Lou Faircloth Computer Lab Kristi Williford Lou Johnson Mary Lou Faircloth Sr. & Jr. High Youth: (Bonnie Barr) Memorial Room: (Dorothy Sue Faison) Jim Wall Ronnie Honeycutt Bill Scott Ellen Tew Fifth Sunday Care Class: (Brenda Nordin) Amelia Surratt Paul Viser Boyde Bristow Lee Howard Fifth Sunday Cornerstone Class: (James Dodson) Anthony Sessoms TBA James Dodson Melvin Weaver Pat O’Neal New Class: (Denise Moran) Meals-on-Wheels: (Anne Price) 05/03 Bill & Tamara Peterson 05/17 John & Amelia Surratt 05/31 Melissa Griffin & Jan Tart Ushers: (Richard Bryan) Note: A yearly list is posted on the bulletin board outside the office Matt Johnson, Mark Harrell, Henry Faison, John Fox, III, John Fox, IV, Jeffrey Howard, Mac Purcell, Billy Prestage Flower Committees: (Mac Spell) 05/01 (Communion) 05/08 Memorial for Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Bristow, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Kennedy, Sr., Mr. A. E. Kennedy, Jr., Aaron E. Kennedy, III and in loving memory of Mr. Monte B. Bristow, Sr. and Mrs. Floriedel Kennedy Bristow by Mr. and Mrs. Boyde Bristow, Mrs. Mary Dudley, Miss Christy Bristow and families 05/15 Memorial for Mr. and Mrs. Frank Warren and Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Baughn by Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Warren and family 05/22 Upon remembering and celebrating the life of Dr. Lewis M. Fetterman, Jr., given in loving memory by his family, Joni Fay, Trey, Charlotte and Mark 05/29 In loving memory of Glen Wilson “Pete” Lovell and Myrtle June Lovell by Glenda Lovell Underwood and family

Happy Birthday During May:

02) Janie Faircloth; 03) Patrick O’Quinn; 04) Linda Lamb, Greyson Miller, Maddox White; 08) Pieter Westerbeek, Sr., Gib Palmer; 09) Kristi Williford, Will Newton, Elias Faison, Walker Spell; 10) Bill Miller, Anthony Sessoms; 12) Abigail How-ard; 13) Lisa Spell; 14) Sarah Lane, Charlotte Harrell, Joanna Carlton; 15) Lauren Perry; 17) Bill Peterson, Silas Lock-amy; 18) Cebron Fussell, Tim Pope, Alex Vreugdenhil; 19) Mary David Morris, Myrtle Petty, Wes Cowand, Katherine Harrington; 21) Leah Palmer, Anneyston Miller; 22) Kathy Wall, Elizabeth Oglesby, Julian Beaujeu-Dufour; 23) Jinx Foushee; 25) Darren Harrington; 27) Jennifer Bradley; 28) Eli Bradley; 29) Robin Palmer; 30) Carolyn Danford, 31) Jett Combs

Lectionary Text for May:

01) Ps. 67; Acts 16:9-15; Rev. 21:10; 21:22-25:5; John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9;

08) Ps. 97; Acts 16:16-34; Rev. 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26;

15) Ps. 104:24-34, 35b; Acts 2:1-21 or Gen. 11:1-9; Rom. 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17 (25-27);

22) Ps. 8; Prov. 8:1-4, 22-31; Rom. 5:1-5; John 16:12-15;

29) Ps. 96; 1 Kings; 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39; Gal. 1:1-12; Luke 7:1-10

We invite you all to attend the CENTRAL COMMUNITY GATHERING on June 4, 2016, 10:00 a.m.—

2:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2505 Village Drive, Fayetteville, N.C. We are excited to be living out Coastal Carolina’s fresh vision from the Sandhills of N.C. as we gather to do things differently… Discovering more ways to do mission

together, awakening spiritual imagination and congregational vitality, strengthening our relationships… You can look forward to lots of discussion time, very little business, much laughter, quality interaction, and unique worship.

Call the church office to sign-up. Carpooling will be arranged.