January 7, 2001 was the first Sunday of the new year. The worship and communion service was led by Dr. Graham McChesney. There were 60 in attendance, of which 7 were in the choir. Kathy Webb was the organist/music director.
The year began with the busyness of the church members which included many committee and planning meetings during January.
On January 21, during the morning worship service, the Ordination and Installation of the elders (Class of 2003) took place.
In February, the Youth Group sponsored a “Potato Bar” as a fund raiser;
The Fellowship Committee with Retta Currin, chairperson, hosted a Valentine’s Day luncheon for the senior citizens; and the annual Congregational/Corporate meeting was held. A covered dish luncheon followed the meeting.
The first Missions program for the year was held on March 4. For this occasion, the “Sanders Family” of the playSmoke on the Mountain performed their singing of the old time gospel hymns. A covered dish luncheon preceded the program.
March 18 began the Lenten Bible Studies led by Graham McChesney. These lessons on the Gospel of Mark were held for four consecutive Sunday evenings, followed by the traditional soup suppers.
On March 25, the Youth Group and leaders went to Greensboro to watch a Harlem Globetrotters game.
On April 12, we had the joint worship of the Maundy Thursday Service with Timothy Darling and the county churches: Hebron, Geneva, and Oak Hill. The choir gave an outstanding performance of Song of the Shadows, directed by Ms. Kathy Webb.
Easter Sunday, April 15, began with a Sunrise Service at 6:30, followed by breakfast prepared and served by Terry Hobgood. The worship service was at 11 o’clock, with 90 in attendance. Dr. McChesney led the worship for each service.
The second Missions program and meal of the year was held on April 22 with Nancy Darden of Creedmoor (Ruth House founder) being the guest speaker.
On April 22, Daniel Eric Overton, son of Renee’ Overton, was baptized by the Reverend Dr. Graham C. McChesney, during the morning worship service.
On April 29, the Youth led the worship as we celebrated Youth Sunday. Following the service, they sponsored their second “Potato Bar” of the year.
The wedding of Cobb Huggins and Brad Jackson was held in the church on May 5. It was one of those rare occasions when the church was filled to every nook and cranny. The reception was held at the home of Cobb’s mother, Sue Huggins, with all church members invited.
On May 6, Randy Thomas Britt, son of Tommy and Tina Newell Britt, grandson of Elder John and Pat Newell, was baptized by the Reverend Dr. Graham C. McChesney during the morning worship service.
The third Missions program was held on the evening of May 6 with Lars Bergstrom of the Episcopal Church in Oxford presenting the program.
On May 20, we celebrated our third annual Presbyterian Women’s Day with all activities led by women. We again invited Dr. McChesney to preach for us, considering his position as “honorary woman” bestowed on him in the past. On this day, Ellen Gould, Moderator, presented to the graduating seniors the gifts of Bibles from Presbyterian Women.
During this service, Doris McFarland, Past Moderator of PW and Historian of the OPC, presented a history of the church in memory of Edith Howell Wheeler, and displayed the albums of history she had compiled over the years.
(Those albums can be viewed in the Historical Room.)
At 4 p.m. on the 20th, the Presbyterian Women hosted their annual Birthday Offering Party, with Moderator, Ellen Gould and Creative Ministries Chairperson, Rebekah Jennings, in charge of the program.
The Vacation Bible School, under the leadership of the Christian Education Committee and director, Dottie Price, was held from June 3rd to June 7th. There were approximately 40 - 45 in attendance each evening. The adults were included and were led in Bible studies on the Gospel of Mark by Dr. Graham McChesney.
Sadness came upon this church family in June at the deaths of two of our members. Frank Powell Fox, Sr., World War II veteran, passed away on June 24. A memorial service was held at the church on June 26 by Dr. Graham McChesney; burial was in Elmwood Cemetery. On June 27, Lucy King Williams departed this earth after a long illness. The funeral for her was held on June 30 by the Reverend Norman MacDowell; burial was in Elmwood Cemetery.
Dr. & Mrs. Graham C. McChesney were honored with a fiftieth wedding anniversary reception by their children on June 30 at St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. Many members of OPC attended this special occasion.
During July , the Reverends Norman MacDowell and Robert (Bob) Borland conducted the worship services as supply pastors while Dr. McChesney was away.
Also this month, the Youth presented the missions program by relating their experiences, adventures and testimonies of their mission trip to Hendersonville, NC in June.
On July 27, John Junius Cash, long-time (though inactive) member, passed away. Dr. McChesney participated in the funeral at Eakes Funeral Home Chapel; burial was in South Granville Cemetery.
During August, several events took place that are worth noting:
* the Children’s Group, led by Sue Hinman and Dottie Price, were treated to an outing by the Youth Group at Adventure Island in Henderson.
* a missions program was presented by Keith and Linda Gould, brother and sister-in-law of Walter Gould. They showed slides and told about their mission trip to Mexico.
* the annual General Meeting of Presbyterian Women was held with new officers installed; and Rally Day was held to begin the new Sunday School year.
On September 2, communion was served by all women elders. This has not happened before, at least not in memory.
On September 11, our country was attacked and shocked by acts of terrorism in New York City and Washington, D.C. President Bush called on the nation to pray for all involved and for wisdom and direction of our leaders to make proper decisions concerning retalliation. As churches everywhere met for prayers and services, OPC, too, held a special prayer service on the following evening. Dr. McChesney and Howard Herring, Commissioned Lay Pastor atTimothy Darling, led the service. There were many in attendance, including friends in the community.
Other September events:
*the annual “Growing Together” workshop in Smithfield with four OPC members in attendance (while there, Dotty Beach fell and broke her foot).
* the second annual picnic supper was held on the church grounds.
*we were honored when the choir of the St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, NC, came to share their music during our worship service. In addition to their anthems, rendered A Capella, John Jordan, Organist and Director, closed the service with J.S. Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in D Major on the organ. There was a total of 160 worshipers that Sunday. Betty Rusher, daughter of Lucy F. Baird and the late Joe M. Baird, was a member of the choir.
* the Session approved the purchase of a 15 passenger 1995 Chevrolet Van for church use, with the funds from the Memorial Fund, S.B. Legacy and the General Fund supplying the coverage of the cost.
* Session approval of the use of the church Fellowship Hall as a meeting place for a Brownie Troop under the leadership of Tina Riggan.
In October:
* the Presbyterian Youth Fellowship held a yard sale as a fund raiser event.
*World Communion was observed on the 7th, with 80 in attendance. One of the guests was John Cerquiera, friend of Julie Davis, whose parents, Jim and Janice Davis are members of this church. John was one of the recognized heroes who helped a distressed woman out of the World Trade Center just before it collapsed on September 11, 2001.
* the elders for the Class of 2004 were nominated: Carol Barnes, Sue Hinman and Terry Hobgood.
*On Monday, the 8th, one of our Youth members, William Charles (Will) Henley left to enter the U.S. Navy. Will is the son of Renee Overton.
*The Pulpit Exchange Sunday was held on the 14th with Howard Herring, of Timothy Darling Presbyterian Church, leading the worship at OPC, while Dr. Graham McChesney, our interim pastor, served at Timothy Darling. This is an annual event sponsored by the Granville County Human Relations Committee.
*This month’s mission meal and program was presented immediately following the worship service on the 21st. Lunch was covered dish and the introduction of this year’s “shoe box” ministry of Samaritan’s Purse was introduced and explained by elders Ellen Gould and Delores Johnson. More boxes than any of the past were taken by those present. As a result, 56 boxes were filled and delivered to Raleigh by Sue Hinman and Vivian Oney on November 19.
*A Newcomers Class was begun on the 28th with 19 enrolled. This class was led by Dr. McChesney and lasted for four Sundays.
Because the Missions Committee had not done a fund raiser project for Habitat for Humanity this year, they decided to serve a “Brunswick Stew Supper” to the community in January. The committee continued their missions of “Pennies for Hunger” every third Sunday of the month; ACIM food collections every fifth Sunday in the year, and at Thanksgiving. The “Angel Tree” was again a project with nine families on the tree. These gifts were delivered just before school closed for Christmas vacation.
The committee still sponsors two children in Mozambique, Africa, through World Vision. The funds for this are supplied through the Sunday School collections.
On November 11, Veterans Day, a bulletin insert listed the names of all past and present veterans who were and are members of this church. An aura of patriotism has settled over our nation since the September disaster, and this recognition seemed the fitting thing to do on this particular day. The flag has been on display in the sanctuary since that fateful day, but because it was not in good condition, the Session approved the purchase of a new flag set. The cost was funded by the “Memorial Fund” in memory of William (Bill) Ison, World War II veteran. The set, consisting of flag, gold cord, stand, pole and Eagle emblem, is to be dedicated as a memorial to Bill Ison in early 2002.
The goal for the Thanksgiving food collections for ACIM was 300, but this was surpassed by almost 400 items.
This year’s annual Christmas Joy Offering Program was held on December 9. The play, An All-American Christmas, was written and directed by Ellen Gould, with the Children’s and Adult Choirs and Girls’ Chorus under the direction of Kathy Webb. The Joy Gift offering was received at this time.
More than forty poinsettias enhanced our sanctuary, placed in memory and in honor of loved ones. Carol Barnes and the members of the Flower Committee do a great job each year decorating the church with wreaths and garlands for the Advent and Christmas Season.
At the morning worship service on December 16, eleven new members were added to our membership by baptism, letters of transfer and affirmation of faith.
On the evening of the 16th, a group of 38 children, youth and adults went to the rest homes and retirement center in town and sang Christmas carols to the residents.
On Christmas Eve, a joint service with the Timothy Darling Presbyterian Church was observed with approximately 65 in attendance. Howard Herring (Timothy Darling), Elder Jim Davis and Mark Colgrove of OPC, led the service. The combined choirs rendered the joyous sounds of the traditional carols, all the Advent Wreath candles were lit, and the live tree which had graced our sanctuary for two weeks was glowing with the lights of the season.
On December 30, the last worship service for the year, led by Dr. Graham McChesney, there were 68 members and visitors in attendance.