The Presbyview. 10 Reasons for Thanks this Thanksgiving Season

Transcription

1 From Pastor Smit s Desk November 2017 The Presbyview 10 Reasons for Thanks this Thanksgiving Season November is the month of Thanksgiving, but Thanksgiving with all of its festivities, fancy food and fanfare should be more than a day of the year. Thanksgiving should be a way of life for the Christian - an attitude and perspective towards all of God s provisions. 1 Thes. 5:18 calls us to continual thanksgiving - give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. What should we be thankful as a church body both this month and all year around? Let give you 10 things that should direct our praise to God: Savior Christ our Savior is our chief delight and blessing. That God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son for sinners such as us. May our lips always be filled with thanks and praise for our salvation in Christ alone. Beautiful World Especially during the changing seasons how often do we see God s wonderful, beautiful creation. From the cooling temperatures to the changing foliage all manifest the glory of God. May we give Him thanks for this world He has given us. Daily Provision Every day we are given what we stand in need of - be it physical provision, emotional strength, or spiritual encouragement. So much so that Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, but know that what is needed this day will be given. Ability to Worship Our salvation is for the purpose of worship. Let us use our freedom to do that which God has created us to do worship him. Privately every day and corporately every Lord s Day with the people of God let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Bible In a world seeking truth we have been given truth in the Holy Scriptures. This solid foundation is what we build our life upon. Truthful, reliant, encouraging, convicting let us come continually to hear from the Lord in the Bible. Church We are not alone in this journey of faith God has given us brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ. What a blessing to share our lives with them and be united together as the Body of Christ. Church-life is a foretaste of our heavenly home. Music No other creature has been given the creativity to sing and make diverse songs. Humans alone have the ability to appreciate music. What a treat that we enjoyed at our Reformation Heritage Concert in October. Jim Ogburn, the choir, and orchestra did a magnificent job of singing and playing God-glorifying music. Children Have you looked around lately and seen all the children that fill our halls and pews and nursery rooms? Children are a blessing from the Lord. What a privilege and responsibility we have been given in them and even if you do not have children or your children are grown these are OUR children. Let us praise God for them! Continues on page 2

2 October 26, 2017 Volume 49 No. 10 Continued Peace of God Life is not always easy but when we remember who are God truly is then we can have the peace of God that transcends all understanding. What a blessing it is to go to Him with our cares and burdens and know that He cares for us. Heaven Our greatest blessing is that which is to come in the life ahead. God has prepared place for us and one day will bring us there. Then we will be able to give him thanks and praise without distraction, pain, or other cares. Even so come quickly Lord Jesus! What else can we thank the Lord for this day? These ten items should set our mind towards an attitude of gratitude. May this season be filled with praise and thanks to our Lord for all He has done. The Session lifted up the church before God s throne in a season of prayer. Jason & Gyimah Whitaker, John & Angi Jerguson, and Bob & Ann Marie Barber were interviewed and received into church membership. The children s ministry committee reported a priority list to the deacons for improvements to the nursery rooms. The Session approved a recommendation from the Missions Committee to support Ben & Heidi Thomas, church planters in Sweden. The Marriage Conference weekend was well received and the recordings are available online. Documents approved for SPC include a personnel structural chart, a Statement of Faith, and a Code of Conduct and job descriptions. The Session & Diaconate will hold a retreat on November 3rd 4th at Lake Lanier. The new rolling gate will be operational soon and will separate the upper and lower parking lots along the Taylor-Brawner side of the church. This will allow access to the parking spaces beyond the portico as you enter the property from Atlanta Road. Copies of the approved, finalized fiscal year budget are available for SPC members in the church office. The deacons are considering placing speed bumps before and/or after the portico on the Atlanta Road entrance to address safety concerns. 2

3 Ministry Opportunities The Sacrament of the LORD s Supper will be administered on November 5th during the morning worship service and on November 19th during the evening worship service. November 6th ~ Sis Howell/Martha Shirley November 13th ~ Martha Shirley/Crystal Katrek November 20th ~ Crystal Katrek/Jean Campbell November 27th ~ Jean Campbell/Maxine Miller December 4th ~ Maxine Miller/Janice Pitts December 11th ~ Janice Pitts/Donna Hall December 18th~ Donna Hall/Pat Barnett December 25th ~ No meals! Christmas Day On Tuesday, November 14th will meet at the O'Charley s on the East West 11:30 a.m. for a time of Bible study, food, and fellowship. Please let Jim Ogburn know as soon as possible if you are able to attend. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 12th for a catered Christmas lunch at the home of the Ogburns beginning at 11:30 a.m. The Mission Committee will meet Sunday, November 12th immediately following the evening worship service in the church conference room. Tuesday, November 7th 10:00 A.M. Love Circle - Will meet in the church parlor. Nursery is provided. Tuesday, November 7th 7:15 P.M. Gentleness Circle - Will meet at the home of Page Whitfield. Thursday, November 2nd 10:00 A.M. Faithfulness Circle Will meet in the church parlor. Saturday, November 11th 8:45 A.M. Kindness Circle - Will meet in the church fellowship hall. WIC Council will meet Wednesday, October 29th at in the conference room. 3 Please keep our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ lifted up in your daily prayers. This month let us remember these countries: Iraq, Kuwait, Laos, Libya MEN OF THE COVENANT The men of Smyrna Presbyterian Church will gather for our Bible study & a season of prayer on Saturday, November 18th at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast will be served.

4 Prayer Shawl Ministry Please join us for our Wednesday night fellowship meal & Bible study on each Wednesday night beginning at 5:45 p.m. We hope to see you there! The Prayer Shawl Ministry will not meet during the months of November & December due to the Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays. We will resume in January 2018! Greeter Schedule November 5th Church Wing Julie Ramsey School Wing Howard & Jean Campbell November 12th Church Wing Wayne & Patty Ramsey School Wing Jill, Gina, & Stella Fogarty November 19th Church Wing Smadja Hart School Wing Chip & Sis Howell November 26th Church Wing Dervon & Joy Douglas School Wing Randy & Page Whitfield December 3rd Church Wing Rose Zang School Wing Jim & Janice Pitts December 10th Church Wing Dan & Donna Hall School Wing David & Gail Stallings December 17th Church Wing Smadja Hart School Wing Crystal & Lucy Katrek December 24th Church Wing Tom & Maxine Miller School Wing Ralph & Evelyn Canup December 31st Church Wing Dervon & Joy Douglas School Wing Randy & Page Whitfield The cost for Wednesday night meal is $4.00 per person with a $12 cap per family. Please sign the sign-up sheet in the Narthex to make your reservation or call the church office by 3 P.M. on Monday. November 1st ~ Regular Meal November 8th ~ Pot Providence Meal November 15th ~ Regular Meal November 22nd ~ No Meal! Thanksgiving November 29th ~ Regular Meal Treasurer Report We need volunteers to assist with meals on wheels for the upcoming season. The meals are already prepared so all that is required is a valid drivers license. Please prayerfully consider volunteering towards this ministry. See Jean Campbell if you have any questions or if you are willing to serve. 4 General Tithes & Offering received in September..$ 33,433 Received from CCS for Lease...$ 9,500 Faith-Giving received in September...$ 230

5 If you have a conflict contact Michele Crooks. We ask that all assigned nursery workers report at 10:30 a.m. to relieve choir members. Sign up sheets will be placed in the Narthex for volunteers for SS and Night Nursery coverage. November 5th Infant Kelly Backer/Leslie Boyd Toddler Jean Campbell/Howard Campbell 2 s & 3 s Marsha Gleason/Michele Crooks Extra Jordan Lee Floater Denise Phan Children s Church Mary MacGregor November 12th Infant Crystal Katrek/Margaret MacGregor Toddler Linda Pruett/John Milberger 2 s & 3 s Shirley Hovey/Danny Powell Extra John Ridings Floater Emma Hovey Children s Church Lily Becker November 19th Infant Hortense Bediam/Ruth O Neal Toddler Ellen Milberger/Jamie Hughes 2 s & 3 s Rose Zang/Scott Crooks Extra Josh Stevenson Floater Lilli Hovey Children s Church Ella Becker November 26th Infant Anh Ton/Evelyn Canup Toddler Julie Ramsey/Dwight Thomas 2 s & 3 s Stefanie Smit/James Wesley Extra Mike Becker Floater Henry Katrek Children s Church Gina Fogarty Happy Birthday to: Catherine MacGregor... 4 Will Stevenson... 7 Adam Crooks... 8 Cannon Crompton... 9 Linda Hunter Chuck Hart Keith Greenway Ed Gleason Lillian Hovey Will Holland Margaret MacGregor Owen Ridings Jim Pitts Robert Shirley, Jr Everly Ogburn Emma Hovey Cooper Stiles Lynette Ostell Susan Holland The church office will be closed on Wednesday, November 22nd - Friday, November 24th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. 5

6 Thank you to all the women of the WIC for their faithful service. Nineteen women participated in a three day retreat at Rock Eagle in Eatonton on October Our teacher was Lynn Reinstra who taught us much about not living in "caves of isolation" but truly reach out "sister to sister" in an authentic relationship that God designed. We, as believers, should desire and take actions to be part of a Christian community in our church. Thank you to all who participated and those who provided leadership for the event. To God Be The Glory! Events to Come: Poinsettia orders should be placed by the end of October. Information has been in the bulletin and placed on the table in the hall. There will be a "Dinner and Bonfire Social" at the home of Ellen Milberger on November 18th at 6:00. This is a great time to relax and fellowship before the holiday responsibilities are on us. If you plan to attend, please contact Ellen. The Annual WIC Christmas Banquet will be held on November 28th at 6:30 p.m. This event will require advance registration and pre-payment. Information will be available beginning November 5th. Susan Hunt will be our speaker. We will be accepting cash donations for MNA Disaster Relief as our project. There will be a wreath making activity on Saturday, December 2nd from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This event is being facilitated by Julie Ramsey and Gail Stallings. There will be a $5 charge for the wreath form or you may reuse a previous form. You will be asked to make wreaths to decorate the church as well as you may make a personal wreath. If there are any questions about any of these activities, please contact Pat Jackson (WIC President) at ptjackson@bellsouth.net. David Owen s Shepherding group will gather for a time of fellowship and Thanksgiving lunch on Sunday, November 12th immediately following the morning worship service. The meat will be provided. Everyone please bring a side dish or dessert to share!! 6

7 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 10:00 a.m. Love 10:00 Circle a.m. Circle 1 & 2 7:15 p.n. Gentleness 7:15 p.m. Circle Circle 3 1 5:45 p.m :45 p.m :00 a.m. Worship Service & Communion Evening Worship 12 11:00 a.m Worship Service 12:30 p.m. Owen Shepherding group fellowship Evening Worship :00 a.m. Worship Service Evening Worship & Communion :00 a.m. Worship Service Evening Worship 8:00 p.m. Men s Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Men s Bible Study 11:30 a.m. Keenagers 6:30 p.m. Session Meeting WIC Christmas Dinner Meal 7:00 p.m. Pot Providence Meal 7:00 p.m. 5:45 p.m. meal 7:00 p.m. No Wednesday Night Meal or Church Office Closed 5:45 p.m. Meal WIC council 7:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. Faithfulness Circle 6:30 p.m. Deacon Meeting Church Office Closed 8:45 a.m. Circle 4 8:45 a.m. Kindness 9:00 a.m. Circle Church wide Workday 8:30 a.m. Men of the Covenant

8 Page 2 Clerk/Deacon Highlights Page 3... WIC/Keenagers Page 3... WIC Circle Meetings Page 4... Greeter Schedule Page 4. Schedule Page 5.. Birthday s & Anniversaries Page 6... Upcoming Events Page 7... Calendar 8 Smyrna Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church In America 3130 Atlanta Road Smyrna, GA (770) ~ Postmaster: Return Service Requested