● WHAT IS A PRESBYTERIAN “INTERIM PASTOR?” This person is a temporary minister who is to lead a congregation between its “installed pastors.” The Interim Minister will manage weekly worship, preach, teach, provide pastoral care, administer the Sacraments, work with the Session and its committees, and among other items, the Interim Pastor will help the church prepare for its next installed minister. First Church’s “Interim Pastor Search Committee” has worked (and prayed) tirelessly in its search for the “right person” for this very important position. There is good news! The Search Committee has found an outstanding person to serve as your “Interim Pastor.” Very soon these devoted folks with share with his name and information about his career in ministry. Your “Interim Pastor” will begin his work with you on October 1, 2026.

● RALLY DAY is Sunday, September 13, 2026. Rally Day is the beginning of a new Christian Education year with Sunday School as its heart! Sunday School at First Church is about Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and self-giving. It helps your church to make “more and better disciples!” RALLY DAY will be an exciting celebration, beginning with a marvelous breakfast for the entire congregation at 10:00 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall. Make plans to be present!

● THE COKERS HAVE BEEN GREATLY BLESSED by our time with you. We love the wonderful people of First Church. Your faith is inspiring. Your vision for the church’s future is exciting. But especially we have been touched by your love for Christ and each other. We will complete our ministry with you at the end of September. We will leave with many wonderful memories from our four months with you in Whiteville. This fall, we will move to “River Landing,” a magnificent retirement community in Colfax, NC. We hope you will visit with us! Be sure of our continued prayers. We will follow your progress in the days to come with great interest and much love. May these words guide you: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”(Proverbs 3:5,6).
Yours in Christ,

Jay Coker