First Presbyterian Church of Statesville, NC

06/14/2026

The arrangement provided by the Sharp Family for the Rev. Grant Sharp’s funeral was so large and lovely, some of the FPCS ladies divided it to take bouquets to our shut-in community. Over twelve arrangements were made and provided with love—a legacy of our Pastor emeritus’s continued ministry. May they bring great joy to those who receive them.

Photo credit: Jan Ambrose

06/08/2026

The Service of Witness to the Resurrection for the Reverend Grant M. Sharp will take place this Saturday, 13 June 2026 at 2pm at the FPC Sanctuary (125 N. Meeting Street). Following the service, the Congregational Care Committee will host a reception where you are invited to speak with the family and share your sentiments and expressions of condolence.

Please find the link to Grant's obituary, provided by the Troutman Funeral Home, here:

View Reverend Grant McGuffin Sharp's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/07/2026

Our Pastor emeritus, the Reverend Grant McGuffin Sharp has died.
 
I (Pastor Jeremy) write this to you the way he and I discussed several years ago. Grant told me he didn’t want us to use the phrase, “He passed away,” when communicating this moment. In his words: “I lived. I died. I had a good life.”
 
Of the many titles one may earn, “Pastor” is perhaps one of the most honorable. Pastors earn their titles not by the learning and education they have achieved, nor does the title come simply because of an ordination. It arrives to a special individual when the congregation they serve recognizes the unique bond and relationship that unites a congregant to the one called by God to serve. No number of accolades merits this title to God’s servant; it comes simply from each one who has felt and received love from the person whose role it is to shepherd a community and family.
 
Grant was our Pastor. Now, God has given him rest and peace after many years of ministry, decades of being father to Emily and Dan, and a lifetime of loving his wife, Carolyn. He was surrounded by them in his own home, as had been his wish.
 
A minister of Christ Jesus, a mentor to those entrusted to him, and a friend of all, the Rev. Sharp completed his baptism in the Lord and now—we pray—resides in the promise toward which his life and ministry faithfully pointed. May God receive his spirit into eternal love.
 
We welcome you to come to the church 9am-3pm this week to sign a book and leave your sentiments, condolences, and memories.
 
At this time, the family deserves our prayers and time to rest. I ask that we give them that time, as we are able.
 
I will always remind us that because of the work God has done for humanity in Christ, love never ends. Please pray for Carolyn, Emily, Dan, and all of Grant’s family. But I must also end with the assurance Grant has poured into our hearts across his ministry: “We are an Easter people.”
 
Today, by God’s will, our Pastor has become one of Easter’s newest and eternal residents.
 
God loves you, and so do I.

05/25/2026

Each year for Memorial Day, the Young Men’s Bible Class dedicates flowers for the church Sanctuary during Sunday service along with two white roses, given in memory of Audrey Barringer, Jr. and Murray Mosley who both were very active in the FPC Youth Group in the 1960s and were killed in service to this country during the conflict in Vietnam. Following this service, the two roses are placed on the Iredell County War Memorial.

The family and friends of the FPC, Statesville honor the memories of these soldiers and all who have given the ultimate sacrifice that we might live in a land and country with the liberties we enjoy. May their memories be blessed to be a blessing.

Photo credit: Nate Neely

05/15/2026

And like that, the FPC Preschool has sent new graduates into Statesville with our joy and hope for them. This was a phenomenal class of students, led by some of the kindest and most loving teachers in our midst. May God bless them all and their families, and may they always shine their light for all the world to see.

05/10/2026

On this Mother’s Day, the FPCS members were privileged to give a Certificate of Appreciation to Hattie in recognition for her Girl Scout National Medal of Honor for having taken the steps necessary to provide First Aid and comfort to her grandmother during a moment of need in February. Though Hattie couldn’t be there to receive her recognition in person, she received her award through her mother and Girl Scout Troop 13084 leader, Sarah Bowman. We are all very proud of Hattie and all the Scouts—past and present— our congregation has had the privilege to charter.

Photo credit:

05/02/2026

Earlier this week, the staff was finally able to retreat from the office for a well-deserved opportunity to express our own thanks to Clare for her commitment and service to the church and her dedication and collegiality among us. We are very grateful to celebrate her for Administrative Professional’s Day, whether on the day or a week late, and we thank everyone who shared their gratitude for her presence amongst us.

04/28/2026

With springtime comes one of Statesville’s finest art exhibitions with the FPC Preschool’s annual “Art in the Park.” It is always such a joy to see how the children express their creativity across the year, and even the weather cooperated to allow our resident artists the occasion to show off their masterpieces.

04/26/2026

There are moments when a pastor is pastored. Today, I (Pastor Jeremy) was gifted the privilege to see our FPC Youth lead the congregation in worship through words and leadership that left me in awe and filled with pride. The gift of their faiths shone throughout the service in all the prayers they helped write, the liturgy they crafted, and the messages from Jeremiah and Philippians we received. Here, MaryMac Goforth and West Miller are shone ad they spoke words about community formation and God’s work of making us. We are equally thankful to the leadership of the Reverend Lynn Kunkle, Jonna Sears, Dr. Hanna Lee, Cate Tuck, and all the Youth and volunteers who made today’s service so remarkable.

For those unable to witness today’s live stream, we are aware that our video service failed us. We will work diligently to gather pictures and video clips from today to place on our church page so that everybody can have an opportunity to share in our joy and pride.

04/17/2026

This evening, more than fifty of our Clinker friends came to the Manse for an evening of food and fellowship. It was a most wonderful evening to regather for our “emptynester” time together.