Midweek News June 25, 2025
June 25, 2025
Announcements and Items of Interest
Celebrating God’s Creation Outdoor Service, Sunday, June 29, 2025. Choir Rehearsal, 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, Sunday School, 10:00 a.m. in the conference room, Worship, 11:00 a.m. Nina Fischesser and her student staff from the May Wildlife Center, Lees-McRae College, will be returning with their animal ambassadors to worship with us in God’s natural cathedral under the canopy of trees in the upper church parking lot area. Please bring your own lawn chair. You can come early and meet the staff and animal ambassadors around 10:15 a.m.
Sunday School has returned on Sundays at 10 a.m.! Mary Noble is leading our Sunday School class in the conference room in the fellowship hall. Mary is using the book, Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit: Tending the Wild Garden by Eugenia Anne Gamble. The class with be reading and discussing the fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is okay to miss a class or two, since each chapter is its own lesson. A great time to learn about how the Spirit is working within you and in our world!
Our Summer Bible study continues today, Wednesday, June 25, 3-4 p.m. We will be sharing in the practice of Lectio Divina, an ancient way of immersing ourselves in the biblical stories and passages. This process allows for a deeper understanding of scripture and how it relates to our lives today. This study will go through July 9. Everyone is invited to participate.
The Craft Group welcomes all who want to work on a craft or just share in fellowship to join in on Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m., in the fellowship hall. They are creating new Chrismons for our Chrismon Tree.
This Thursday, June 26, 4-6 p.m., Women’s Gathering at Jane Sowder’s home, Please carpool and bring your own beverage and something sweet or salty to share. Jane is sharing her home and gardens when the daylilies are in full bloom.
The next event in our Summer Series will be Tuesday July 8, at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Dr, Tim Silver, professor emeritus of history at Appalachian State, will talk about his recent book Death in Briar Bottom: The True Story of Hippies, Mountain Lawmen, and the Search for Justice in the Early 1970s. With a mix of true crime, southern history, and personal storytelling, Dr. Silver will explore the real story behind the killing of Stanley Altland in Yancey County in 1971.
Bobby Taylor and the Jazz Kings played as part of our Summer Series Program of Speakers and Music yesterday evening. There were around 100 in attendance and Bobby and the Kings and Maggie Lauterer were at their best. Thank you Bobby for Making this happen every year.
Last Saturday evening, June 21, our church hosted the Rolling Academy Symposium in our fellowship hall. Students from Avery High School who are part of Mountain Alliance were on a leadership trip in Canada. They gave a wonderful community presentation on their trip experience. We covered the cost of their passports. They wanted us to see the difference our donation has made in making this life-changing trip possible.
Our Sanctuary Roof Project is moving forward. Most of the exterior scaffolding has gone up and soon the old roof cement tiles will be coming down. We are now raising the final $100,000 for the roof project; the cost of supplies has greatly increased due to Hurricane Helene. To date, we have received donations/pledges in the amount of $44,000! We only need $56,000 to meet our goal. Every gift, big or small, helps. If you did not receive a capital campaign letter, please call the church office (828-733-1939) and we will send you a copy.
The CPC Hurricane Relief and Recovery Fund total income = $146,730.62; total expenses = $134,620.23; Balance = $12,110.30. (We will be receiving around $35,000 from Covenant Presbyterian Church to cover 50% of our hurricane fund expenses over the past few months- these funds will go back into our CPC hurricane fund). Covenant Presbyterian Church is also extending Bobbie Willard’s position as the CPC hurricane relief/recovery projects coordinator for three more months. What an amazing gift! Thanks to everyone who has contributed in funds and volunteer support. It has been eight months since Hurricane Helene devastated our mountain communities- much has been accomplished with more yet to do. A report on the current projects we have funded will be shared soon.
The Watauga-Avery-Mitchell-Yancy (WAMY) Community Action Program is sponsoring a BINGO fundraiser at the Land Harbor Recreation Center this Saturday, June 28th . Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for hotdogs and socializing, games begin at 7:00 p.m.. Bingo cards are 3 for $10 and there are some excellent prizes donated by generous community businesses. There will also be raffle and 50/50 drawings and snacks and drinks for purchase. Bring family and friends to support this agency whose mission is to partner with communities and families to provide disadvantaged families the support and tools they need to become self-sufficient.
