JJ White MemorialPresbyterian Church

    The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love....

Zephaniah 3:17

February 2015 Newsletter

a word from our pastor...

The Reverend Bob Phelps

a word from our pastor...

Among My People

Many of you know that Deanna and I made a quick trip to Kentucky in January to see Kentucky play Vanderbilt in basketball. (That’s that round ball that you dribble up and down the floor for those of you who only know about football and baseball.) We know that in some people’s minds we’re crazy to drive eleven hours to watch a game that lasts two hours from seats so high up that we would certainly have seen more at home on TV. Deanna had reminded me several times recently that she’s the only one of our family who had never been to Rupp Arena to see the Cats play. The boys and I had been. Deanna’s dad had gone with us a couple of times. Blake had been on his own some. But Deanna had not been. Christmas provided opportunity to correct this grievous fault.

The game was fun, a lot closer than the blowout we had hoped to see, but we came away with an eight-point win and a long drive home. The best part of the whole experience was being part of the Big Blue Nation. We didn’t see a soul we knew all night. We got word that some people knew were there, but there were 23,000 of us there, and I’m sure their seats were much better than ours, so we didn’t find them. But we were among a horde of people united by common interest in Kentucky basketball, so we were among our people. It was great.

Then a week or so later, I was our Presbytery’s minister commissioner to the meeting of the Synod of Living Waters in Franklin, TN. Another drive that lasted longer than the event. I got to see a few people I did know there, but the real gift of that meeting is being with other Presbyterians in our region united in common ministry. We learned about exciting things happening at Living Waters for the World. We learned about other ministries in our part of the Church that help people

grow in faith and discipleship. Even though most of the people in the room were strangers to me, there was a feeling of being among my people, people who believe and practice faith as I do. It was great.

I’m glad to be done with some of that traveling for a while. It’s good to be home and to be able to be at home for the foreseeable future. One of the goals the Session set at our recent planning meeting is to focus time and energy on the fellowship and congregational care parts of our ministry. That doesn’t mean we’ll stop doing Christian education or mission or worship or any of the other program areas of our congregation; it just means that we’re going to try to be intentional about being among our people when we’re together. We want there to be something about being part of this community, something that helps people know both who and whose they are. Elders Robbie DeCoux and Margy Wicker have agreed to co-chair a combined Congregational Care and Fellowship Committee. They are already at work on their important work. You’ll hear more and more about it as it develops. Whatever form that works takes, we want you to feel as though you are at home here, at home among people who love you and want good for you, people who are willing to help you know and experience God’s gifts of grace and peace.

We want our church to be a place where people feel they are among their people while they’re here.

I look forward to lots of good things during the year ahead, but most of all, I look forward to being among my people.

Grace and Peace,Bob

Notesfrom Deanna Phelps, Music Director

Music is an important part of our worship experience in every season. For me personally, the music of Lent speaks in particularly meaningful ways. Music that helps me reflect on the lengths to which God was willing to go to make us aware of his love for us helps me be thankful for my faith and all its benefits. The choir is already hard at work on music for the upcoming Lenten season. We look forward to sharing it with you. In particular, I hope you’ll plan to be with us on Maundy Thursday evening, April 1. The choir will lead that service which will focus on the events that led Jesus to the cross. We’ll gather at God’s Table that night, enriched by the music of the evening. Please invite friends to join us for this special time of worship. Of course the joy of Easter is what all these special worship opportunities lead us to. We’ll talk about that next month. New singers are always welcome to join us. We are never so far into our preparation that you can’t catch up.

JJ White MPC 2015 Mission Conference

This year’s Mission Conference will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 13, 14, and 15. The face of mission is changing rapidly. This year we’ll focus on some of those changes and how we can change and adapt our involvement in mission both locally and globally.

Our theme this year is “God’s Children Serving God’s Children” and will focus on ministries and programs that serve children and families here and around the world. Kim Joiner, Director of Children’s Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Franklin, TN will be our resource person. We’ll meet on Friday evening. Then we’ll engage in work sessions on Saturday morning and a workshop time

on Saturday afternoon. The weekend will conclude with worship on Sunday morning. Watch for a full schedule and ways you can be involved in carrying the Gospel into our community and the world.

The season of Lent is a time of preparation for the joy we will experience on Easter morning. Every year, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. This year that falls on Wednesday, February 18. Here is a schedule of some opportunities for worship and reflection during this season:

❖ Ash Wednesday Worship—February 18, 6:30 pm

❖ Wednesday Bible Study for Adults: February 25, March 4, 11, 18, and 25

This year’s midweek study will be called, “What if We Gave Up…..?” and will consider the Lenten practice of giving up something as a means of spiritual growth. Instead of giving up chocolate or soft drinks or some other particular thing, we’ll focus each week on a behavior or attitude that might be hindering our spiritual growth. We’ll talk about topics like: the need to do it myself; narrow thinking; comfortable categories; fear of risk, and focusing on the there and then instead of the here and now. Each week, we’ll consider how we might find growing areas if we gave up the things that hinder us. We’ll meet after supper each Wednesday. Hope you’ll join us. There will be activities for youth and children while we meet.

❖ Sunday Worship During Lent: February 22, March, 1, 8, 15, and 22

The theme for worship during Lent will be Covenant of Grace. We’ll be focusing on Old Testament stories this year including the stories of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jeremiah. We’ll look for ways God has always been graciously inclined toward us as a foundation for our experience of God’s grace in Jesus during Holy Week (March 29, 30, 31, April1, 2, and 3).Plan to be with us each Sunday.

The Season of

Rejoice with those who rejoice...Romans 12:15a

Asher Davenport Baldwin was born on

January 15, 2015. His parents are Victoria

Wood Baldwin and Christian Baldwin of Starkville, Mississippi.

Asher’s maternal grandparents are JJ White

Member, Carol Wood, and Tom Wood. Asher is welcomed by his big brother Mason, age 4, as well as his extended family!

Pictured are Asher and Carol. The expression

on Asher’s face looks as if he is quite pleased to

meet his .grandmother.

Congratulations to this family!

New Members Welcomed to JJWMPC

Asher Davenport Baldwin

Mary Spurgeon and her son, Joseph Spurgeon, were welcomed into the membership of JJ White Memorial Presbyterian Church on Sunday, January 25, during the morning worship service.

Mary, who had been a part of JJ White before she left the area for several years, reinstated her official membership. She states that she has “always felt that JJ White is her home. “

Joseph is new to JJ White, and we are pleased to have him

as a part of our church family.Joseph and Mary Spurgeon are presented as new members by Rev. Phelps

Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of MississippiHold Winter Retreat at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa.

The Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Mississippi held its annual Winter Retreat January 16-17 at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi, The retreat included a workshop - “How Does Your Garden Grow?” based on Matthew 13:10-23 led by Catherine Cook of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi, where she serves as Parish Associate for Spiritual Formation.

Suzi Drummond and Deanna Phelps, from JJ White’s PW group, attended the retreat along with over 40 women from across the presbytery. They enjoyed this opportunity to worship, learn, and fellowship with other Presbyterian women.

Deanna, at left, and Suzi work with another retreat participant (center) to

complete a group project.

PW of JJ White meets on the second Tuesday of each month in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 a.m. The meeting includes a Bible study and a light lunch as well as a time to just visit and enjoy a casual time together. All women are encouraged to come to the next meeting on Tuesday, February 10 (This month PW will meet in the Ewell Martin Room because of a Girl Scout activity in the FH).

Some News From the Session

The Session held its annual planning meeting on Saturday, January 17, at the Church. All members of the Session were present and spent the day giving thanks for God’s goodness to us and making plans to continue to experience that gift. Some decisions made during that meeting include:

✴Reception of New Members:

Dave, Beth, and Andi Alford—on transfer from Ocean Springs Presbyterian Church Daughter, Emily Alford—on profession of faith and baptism (Daughter, Madeline Alford, will participate in an upcoming Confirmation Class.

Joseph Spurgeon—on reaffirmation of faith Mary Spurgeon-------reinstatement of membership

✴ approval of minutes and financial statements.✴ authorized Noggin Wild, Clerk of Session, to work with staff to complete the annual

statistical report.✴ voted to merge the Congregational Care and Fellowship Committees into one and the

Evangelism and Mission Committees into one.✴ approved Committee Leadership for 2015:

Clerk of Session----------------------------------Noggin Wild Treasurer------------------------------------------ Wayne Hutchison Christian Education---------------------------Melisa DeCoux Congregational Care and Fellowship---Robbie DeCoux and Margy Wicker Evangelism and Mission---------------------Bob Arnold and Liz Terrell Finance and Stewardship-------------------Wayne Hutchison Government---------------------------------------Jose’ Simo Property--------------------------------------------Whitney Rawlings (upon installation) Worship----------------------------------------------Noggin Wild

✴ Elected Liz Terrell as delegate and Margy Wicker as alternate to the Spring Meeting of Presbytery in Canton on February 21.

✴ approved participation in two denominational special offerings in 2015: One Great Hour of Sharing during Lent Christmas Joy during Advent/Christmas

✴ heard reports from various committees as they reorganize for the new year. ✴ gave thanks for the end of year Mission Partner disbursements.✴ noted the Elder of the Month schedule for 2015

The Session normally meets monthly. However, the next regular meeting will be on March 8. If you have questions or need additional information, please see Bob or another member of the Session.

Presbytery Meets This MonthThe Presbytery of Mississippi will meet on Saturday, February 21, in Canton. Liz Terrell is the delegate from our Session. Margy Wicker is the alternate. Bob will attend. Others are welcome. Please remember this meeting in your prayers as we meet with Presbyterians across our region to engage in shared ministry.

MEN’S INTERDENOMINATIONAL BREAKFAST GROUP

4 Randy Burris, Tommy Ratcliff11 John Drummond, Randy White18 Phil Terrell, Kennon Singley25 Dale Perdeye, Whit Whittington, Joe Clark

USHERS/GREETERSTommy Ratcliff, CaptainRobbie DeCouxJohn DrummondStacey MoakMark StathamJohnny NancePhil Terrell

ELDER of the MONTH: Bob Arnold

1 Bill Jones8    Carol and Whitney Rawlings15 Vicki and Rusty Brill22 Billie and Johnny Nance

CHILDREN’S CHURCH1 Susan White, India Warshauer8 Carol Rawlings15 Billie Nance, Meredith Singley22 Melisa DeCoux, Marissa Nance

February Schedules and Lists

2 Jennifer Brill 13 Emily Austin 14 Roger Price 20 Donna Smith 20 Susan F. Gibbes 21 Margaret Ann Morgan 21 Sam White 22 Hannah Catchings 28 Hayden Williams 28 Henry Williams

February

SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFAST1 Melisa DeCoux, Alison Allred, and Sara Beth Williams8 Lee Williams15 Kathy Parker22 Mary Ann Ratcliff

4 Judy Deer5 Flo Boyd6 Natalie Simo 8 Jim McElwee11 Charles Ray12 Dolores Duczer15 Angie Simmons Randy White18 Alan Howell23 Betty Penick25 Dixie Fouche’25 Kirk Gibbes25 Mary Regan29 Iddo Enochs29 Karen Sanders

March

FLOWERS

1

9:00 Breakfast9:30 SundaySchool10:30: Worship

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

“Souper Bowl”

2 3 4

7:15 am Men’s Breakfast

5:30 supper ; adult and children’s activities

choir practice

5 6 7

8

9:00 Breakfast9:30 SundaySchool10:30: Worship

Boy Scout Sunday

s

5:30 vespers

6:00 Session

9 10

Presbyterian Women meet 11:30 a.m. in the Ewell Martin Room

(location changed because of G.S. activity in F.H.)

11

7:15 am Men’s Breakfast

5:30 supper ; adult and children’s activities

choir practice

12

Bible Study with Rev. Phelps

10:30 am

Knutty Knitters7:00 PM

13

JJWMPCMissions

ConferenceFri.-Sun

Feb.13-15

14

(Mission Conf. continues)

Valentine’s Day

♥

15

(Mission Conf. continues)9:00 Breakfast9:30 SundaySchool 10:30: Worship

16 17 18

Ash Wednesday Service

6:30 p.m. in Sanctuary

19

Bible Study with Rev. Phelps

10:30 am

Knutty Knitters7:00 PM

Knutty Knitters7:00 PM

20 21

Presbytery Meets in Canton, MS

22

9:00 Breakfast9:30 SundaySchool

10:30: Worship

23 24 25

7:15 am Men’s Breakfast

5:30 supper ; adult and children’s activities

choir practice

26

Bible Study with Rev. Phelps

10:30 am

Knutty Knitters7:00 PM

27 28

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

February 2015We love because he fir! loved us. 1 John 4:19