Fellowship Presbyterian Church USA 3406 Meridian Street, Huntsville, AL 35811

Office 256.539.2418 Fax 256.539.2492

e-mail:[email protected]

The HAND of Fellowship (Helpful and Nurturing Disciples) Volume 7 Issue 7

July 6, 2014

Youth Leadership Development Conference The Youth Ministry of Fellowship Presbyterian Church and the Huntsville Area Chapter of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus are hosting the Synod of Living Water Youth Leadership Development Conference. The conference will be held on the beautiful campus of Alabama A&M University (AAMU) on July 16-20, 2014. The conference theme is “Equipping Youth to Serve the Present Age: Empowerment, Education and Social Justice.”

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.

The very first Youth Leadership Development Conference was held at AAMU in the early 1990’s. Over the years, the conference was held on the campuses of Mary Holmes, Tougaloo, Stillman, Fisk, North Carolina Central, University of Memphis, University of Louisville, and Prairie View. In addition to the youth participants, all presbytery members are invited to participate in the following events: • July 16 7:15 p.m. Opening Worship Service

Location: Fellowship Presbyterian Church • July 17 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Workshop for Adults: The Update for

General Assembly Presenter: Reverend Terry Newland, Executive for the Synod of Living Waters Location: Arthur Bond Hall - Alabama A&M University • July 17 1:30 p.m. Workshop for Adults: State of African American

Churches Presenter: Reverend Warner Durnell, Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee Location: Arthur Bond Hall - Alabama A&M University • July19

7:00 p.m. Closing Banquet Location: Ernest Knight Reception Center -Alabama A&M University

Banquet tickets are $30.00; see Mrs. Diann Bentley if you wish to attend. Reservations must be made by July 7. Conference T-Shirts – cost $10.00. See Ms. Lauretta Moore to order Tshirts.

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The HAND of Fellowship

STAFF Reverend Gregory Jerome Bentley Pastor

DATES TO REMEMBER July

Mrs. Brenda Davis Director of Music Ministry

Mrs. Antoinette “Toni” Franklin Inspirational Choir Director

Ms. Darlene Richardson Children’s/Youth Choir Director

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

Mr. Ryan Felton Percussionist

Mrs. Wanda Williams 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.) 7:30 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.

2 -Christian Education Ministry Team meeting at 5:30 p.m. 4 - Independence Day 6 - 4th Sunday after Pentecost 7 - Worship Ministry Team meeting at noon 8 - Property & Maintenance meeting at 11:00 a.m. 8 - Witness & Service Team meeting at 5:30 p.m. 12-Evangelism Team meeting at 10:00 a.m. 13 - 5th Sunday after Pentecost 15 - North Alabama Presbytery Stated meeting at 9:00 a.m., Faith Presbyterian Church (registration beginning at 8:15 a.m.) 16 - Food Distribution 17- Stewardship & Finance Team meeting at 5:30 p.m. 16-20 Youth Leadership Development Conference 19 - Usher Board meeting at 10:00 a.m. 20- 6th Sunday after Pentecost 20- Quarterly Diaconate meeting at 9:30 a.m. 24 - Stated Session meeting 6:00 p.m. 26- Presbyterian Men meeting at 8:00 a.m. 27-7th Sunday in ordinary time

Church Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 256.539.2418 [email protected] 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 Mr. Christopher Gaines Dr. and Mrs. James (Gertrude) Hicks

Reverend Gregory J. Bentley will be guest speaker at Phillips CME Church for the Service of Holy Communion. The event is scheduled for Wednesday evening, July 16, at 7:00 p.m. All are invited.

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Presbyterian Women (PW) Hosted Reverend Judy Rich On Sunday afternoon, May 25, the PW hosted Reverend Rich, not as a minister but as a novelist. Reverend Rich talked about the writing process in her two books, Like Sheep and Like a Fox. Her main character, a female Presbyterian teaching elder, has the job of solving problems in a church as its interim pastor. Although the audience was small, those who attended were extremely glad they came. Reverend Rich engaged everyone, including those who had not yet read the novels. Doreatha Ross and Ollie Smith prepared the reception table.

Reverend Bentley’s Quips and Quotes

The HAND of Fellowship

Generous Giving “Father, Creator, everything on earth is yours. We have nothing that can make you richer, for it all comes from you in the first place. But what we have, we bring: the acknowledgement that we live, thanks to you, and that without you we have nothing and can do nothing. Father, Redeemer, everything on earth is doubly yours. Though it belonged to you in the first place, men treated it as theirs, refusing to recognize your rights. But you sent your Son to claim what ought never to have been denied you, and he paid the world’s ransom with his life. Amen” Prayer of the Month Stewardship and Finance Ministry

New Acolyte Miriam Virginia Bentley will be a third grader this fall at the Academy for Academics and Arts. She loves Jesus Christ and his Church. She is excited about being an acolyte, singing in the Children's Choir, and using her gifts and graces to build up the body of Christ. She enjoys reading, science, swimming, playing the violin, and playing gin rummy. Miriam is blessed to be a blessing to the Church and to the world. 

“Because they have not yet found their own light, some people live in reflected light. They have not learned that their light is inside themselves.” Sermon: Abundant Life May 25, 2014

Congregational Meeting June 29, 2014

Mr. Christopher Evans was elected by the congregation to fulfill the unexpired term of Trustee Robert Burton, Class of 2015.

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The HAND of Fellowship

Men’s Day Program The men at Fellowship Presbyterian Church presented its annual Men's Day Program on June 8, 2014, at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The guest speaker was Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, Senior Pastor at Oakwood University. Dr. Byrd is a graduate of Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, with dual degrees, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. He is also a graduate of Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he earned the Master of Business Administration degree, and a graduate of Andrews University in Berrien, Michigan, where he earned both the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. The recipient of numerous honors and achievements, Dr. Byrd received the coveted “Chosen Pastor Award” for Atlanta's Gospel Choice Awards in 2007. He was selected as the Oakwood University Alumnus of the Year for 2008, and in April 2008, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Carlton P. Byrd

L-R:Reverend Bentley, Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, Robert Wilson, President, Presbyterian Men

Dr. Byrd aroused and challenged the congregation present on Men’s Day. The Men’s Day Chorus provided music for the service. Congratulations to Mr. Anthony Thompson for being elected “Man of the Year.” Photo Credit: James Hicks Felix Battle (L) and Robert Burton presented “Man of the Year” plaque to Anthony Thompson.

Men’s Chorus

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Golden Charmers on the Move Evelyn S. Rich, reporter Photo Credit: Gertrude Hicks

of

Fellowship Jeremy Vincent Crummie James Clemens High School Fall: Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana

Demetrius DeShae Davis Lee High School Spring: Alabama A&M University

Wheeler Ogbu Grissom High School Fall: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Keep the Date: August 16 Reverend Dr. John C. Bush will talk about his first published novel, Patriots and Rebels, on August 16, at 10:00 a.m. The event immediately follows the monthly meeting of the Presbyterian Men. Reverend Bush is former interim pastor of Fellowship. Everyone is invited.

On the morning of June 24, 2014, several members of the Golden Charmers and one guest traveled to the historic town of Lynchburg, Tennessee, on the Fellowship Presbyterian Bus with Robert Franklin, Jr. in the driver's seat. Clifton Canady, George Grayson, and Anthony Thompson followed in their personal vehicles with other members on board. To experience the sights and sounds of the town, the group went on a walking tour. They stopped frequently along the way to rest, browse in stores, purchase souvenirs, and lounge in the town's gazebo. Some went to see the Jack Daniels Museum, for which the town is best known. Needless to say all activities were fun. Some of us received free ice cream bars from the Blue Bell Ice Cream distributor. The highlight of the trip was the southern homestyle meal, enjoyed by all, at Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House. The food was served in dishes placed on a huge Lazy Susan at the center of the dining table from which each diner could serve him/ herself. This feature, coupled with a hostess who shared historical facts about the house and town, enhanced the enjoyment of the meal. Following the meal members gathered in front of the house for photos. With our gastronomical proclivities satisfied, we boarded the bus and Robert Wilson drove us back to Huntsville. The logistics for this fun-filled trip was handled by our Vice President, Robert Franklin, Jr.

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Huntsville Spiritual Chorale Presents . . .

Huntsville Hospital recognizes and thanks the Presbyterian Women of Fellowship Presbyterian Church for their magazine donations for the past five years. Recycled magazines provide reading materials for patients and family members during hospital visits at no cost. The magazine donations were started under Mary Mitchell as Circle Leader over five years ago and continues today. Magazine donors for the month are Cheryl Johnson, Gladys Bracy, Joyce Pettis Temple, Gloria Evans, and Lucille Grayson. Other Fellowship members who donate consistently include Geneva Wright, Eddgra Fallin, Lois and Anthony Thompson, Jane and Mattie Ford, and Mary Mitchell.

Brenda Davis and Sandra Daniels.

On Saturday, June 14, at 4:00 p.m., those assembled in the Fellowship sanctuary mi ght have thought themselves temporarily transported to the 19th century—in a good way. They came to hear the Huntsville Spiritual Chorale; they saw men and women dressed in poor folks’ work clothing for the first part of the program titled ‘From Whence We Came.’ They listened to classical spirituals such as “I Don’t Feel

Noways Tired” and “Lord, I Don’ Don’.” Following intermission, those assembled to enjoy the concert were transported to a 19th century church service Linda Burrus, Joyce Pettis Temple, that included “Cert’n’y Gary Whitley Lord,” “Ain ‘-A That Good News,” and “Every Time I Feel the Spirit.” The front of the sanctuary illustrated the ‘times’ from whence African Americans had come through antique quilts, farm implements, and produce. The singers conveyed gratefulness and spirit during the interactive event. Reverend Dr. Henry Bradford, seated in a 19th century rocking chair with a kerosene lamp beside it, lent his eloquence to the Lucille Grayson, Kyla Pitcher, accompanying narrative to Evelyn Rich, Bobby Davis bring “From Whence We Came’ to life alongside the Negro spirituals. Mrs. Nell Lane Bradfod served as musical advisor, and Wallace Lee as accompanist. Fellowship members were well represented in this interdenominational group founded and directed by Fellowship’s own Brenda and Bill Davis. Article and photo credit: Joyce Pettis Temple

Henry Muse, Frank Jones, Hugh Holland

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What is Session Doing? •

Fellowship will host a reception for the Youth Development Conference, July 16, 2014, immediately following the 7:00 p.m. worship service.

2. Print only the current month of flower donors (instead of printing two months of flower donors.) NOTE Justification: Weekly flower donors are also called when it is their Sunday.

•

Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II will be our 2015 church anniversary preacher. Dr. Nelson is the director of the PCUSA Office of Public Witness, Washington, DC.

3. Changes or edits submitted to the church secretary from those authorized to make them should be made by the secretary.

•

Reverend Bentley requested to be away on Sunday, October 26, and session approved. He will be the guest preacher for the centennial celebration of the Bidwell Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA.

Bulletins for Special Program

•

Session established an ad hoc team to review plans for early morning breakfast. Elder Frances Harris, Tonya Gaines, and Jane Ford will serve from session. Two members who attend Early Morning Service and breakfast will be asked to participate.

•

Elder Joyce Pettis Temple was elected commissioner to the July North Alabama Presbytery meeting on July 15.

If there is a special program and a special bulletin, ie Men’s Day or Older Adult Sunday, after the subcommittee for the special program has consulted with the Worship Ministry Team about the Order of Service, the subcommittee should consider its work finished. Under no circumstance should subcommittees for special programs communicate late changes to the church secretary. The Worship Ministry Team, convenor or chairperson has the power of final decision about the Order of Service. Announcements Printed in the Bulletin

•

Elder Joyce Pettis Temple will coordinate Fellowship’s group registration for the Main Event on August 15-16. See additional information on the Main Event in the newsletter on page 8.

•

Session approved the following guidelines for preparing the Sunday bulletin:

Guidelines for Preparation of the Sunday Services Bulletin

1. Priority will be given to announcements received first except (1) an announcement that comes from session through the clerk or Reverend Bentley (2) an announcement for a program that is not immediately forthcoming (ie, two months away) may be precluded by announcements of programs happening very soon 2. Information from the Clerk of Session in the form of an announcement or otherwise should not be altered in any way—format or language—without her/ his consent.

Physical Appearance of the Bulletin 1. The print style and design of the heading on the bulletin will be decided by the Worship Ministry Team and should not be changed by the secretary without specific direction from the Worship Team convenor or chairperson.

3. Solicitations from non-Fellowship organizations will not be printed in the bulletin. Announcements of special programs from other churches, civic groups, or social groups will not be printed in the bulletin. (They may be given to the liturgist for reading (Continued on page 8)

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(Continued from page 7)

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Main Event

and placed on the bulletin board for informing the congregation.) 4. Minimize or eliminate clip art that accompanies announcements in the bulletin. Please note that additional information on the bulletin format was presented to session from the Earth Care Team. The Worship Ministry Team will meet with the Earth Care Team leader for additional recommendations and discussion.

Information Provided to Session •

•

•

Thanks to Elder Clifton Canady and the Property & Maintenance Team for having the windows cleaned and getting estimates for window treatments for sanctuary windows. More information will be forthcoming on estimates for window coverings. Session was updated on the New Member Slide Presentation, which will be used for new members’ orientation, but available for all members. The presentation was developed by Reverend Gregory Bentley, Elders George Grayson, Mary Mitchell, and Joyce Pettis Temple. Calvin Ford made a presentation on online donations to Fellowship. Online giving was referred to the Stewardship & Finance Committee as a recommendation.

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 3rd Friday of the month.

The leadership training event will be held August 15 and 16, 2014, at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. The Main Event is sponsored by both the North Alabama Presbytery and the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. Fellowship has budgeted for registration fees for approximately 8 participants to attend the Main Event’s workshops on August 18. Elder Joyce Pettis Temple is the coordinator for early church registration. Elder Temple will take reservations for the registrants on a first come, first served basis. Please consider traveling on Saturday morning to participate in these very useful workshops. More information is available online, and Elder Temple has information. Information will also be placed on the hall bulletin board. Contact Elder Temple by email or by phone if you have questions or would like to attend. It is anticipated that if a small group travels, we will travel together, possibly traveling on Fellowship’s bus. More details will be forthcoming.

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Martha and Wilbert Cooper Vacation Bible School June 9-13, 2014 Anthony Thompson, Director

Anthony Thompson (L) leading the opening assembly with the children participating.

Tonya and Alexis Gaines (L) teaching craft class.

Bible lesson in Michele Hicks’ class.

Nathaniel Jackson, recreation teacher.

Toni Franklin and Brenda Davis (R), music class teachers.

Photo Credit: Linda Burruss

“God . . . invited you into this wonderful friendship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9, TLB

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Earth Care Congregation Program Schedule of Earth Care Actions (June 20, 2014) Information Item For Session: June 26, 2014 MOTION SENSOR SWITCHES – INSTALLATION SCHEDULE: June, 2014

July, 2014

August, 2014 (Decisions to be made)

Administration Wing -Classroom #1 -Classroom #2 -Files storage room -Children room -Female restroom -Male restroom Kitchen/Fellowship Hall Area -Fellowship Hall/storage room -Kitchen/main entry -Kitchen/pantry -Female restroom -Male restroom Total Cost: $270.00

Administration Wing -Janitor’s closet (3-way switch*) -Pastor’s Office/restroom -Children room/restroom -Secretary Office/work room Kitchen/Fellowship Hall Area -Janitor’s closet (3-way switch*) -Choir Room (3-way switch*) -Choir Room/hallway to pulpit (3-way switch*) *Total estimated cost: $228

Entry doors/Northex Entry door/Admin. Wing/south side Entry door/Admin Wing/east side Entry door/Kitchen Area/north side Drive way/canopy/south side Parking Lots/south & north sides Pavilion Exist & Emergency Lights Total estimated cost: ????

No Actions Proposed on Following: Pastor’s office ANNUAL ENERGY Secretary’s office SAVING: $36.00 during Hallways the life of each product Narthex Sanctuary/Pulpit Area Pavilion FOUR SEASON EARTH CARE BULLETIN BOARD (4’ x 5’) – Estimated cost at Burkett School Supplies: $165.00 RECYCLING BINS – Number to be determined (online purchase vs local purchase) – Estimated cost TBD /s/ Theodore C. Dixie June 20, 2014

Altar Flowers 6 ~ Robert Peagler Family 13 ~ Marvel Foard Family 20 ~ Anthony Thompson Family 27 ~ Shirley Brown Family

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Acolyte Schedule 1 Debra Ford-Willis 1 Loretta Jackson 4 Destine Brown 4 Kyler Grace Evans 5 Rosalie Lane 8 Dorothy B. Johnson 11 Jaylen Rice 12 Jason Peagler 15 William Davis 17 Zyshone Cawthorn 21 Jay Jackson 24 Nathaniel Jackson 25 Charlotte Canady 25 Sarah Ford 25 Kyle Fallin 27 Walter C. Watson 28 Michael Hicks 28 Galik Horton-Burks 30 Dezmyn Coleman

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

July 6 Leyanda Jones and Destiny Canady July 13 Destine' Brown and Dana Bone July 20 Ryan Gordon and Dezmyn Coleman July 27 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 256-5274147, so that I can find a replacement. Thank you in advance for your participation! We sincerely appreciate all the youth at Fellowship Presbyterian Church. Your service to Christ and his church does not go unnoticed.

8 ~ Tonya and Christopher Gaines 9 ~ Sharon and Kenneth King 13 ~ Thelma and Clifton Canady 17 ~ Eulasteen and Henry Muse 21 ~ Lois and Anthony Thompson 24 ~ Ami and Robert Burton 25 ~ Tommie and John Herndon

Checkout Fellowship on the web: www.fpchuntsville.org www.facebook.com/fpchuntsville

Thank you for all the cards, calls, visits, and support during the passing and homegoing service for James Steele. Rennie Steele

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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

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)

In Loving Memory Fellowship William Howard Bradford – 1998 Reevis Beecher Hill – 2010 Earlie Rich – 1991  Family and Friends Jerry Anthony – 1989  Martha Grayson – 1990  Rubin Gaines, Jr. – 1993  Johnnie Mae Gullette – 2004  Willie Lue Grays-White – 2006  Verlillian Gates Evans – 2006 

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)