FAKE NEWS vs. GOOD NEWS

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Evangelical Presbyterian Church 2580 Panorama Dr. Elkton, VA 22827 APRIL / MAY 2017 540-298-2120 www.epcelkton.org FAKE NEWS vs. GOOD NEWS Rev.

It s all over social media and major news outlets will even address it on occasion.

appeals to emotion and personal belief (oxforddictionaries.com). The Word of the Year is described as a word or expression chosen to reflect the passing year in language.

1 Evangelical Presbyterian Church 2580 Panorama Dr. Elkton, VA APRIL / MAY FAKE NEWS vs. GOOD NEWS Rev. Adam Snow You don t have to be a news junky to have heard about all the fake news that is going around. We hear or read about the idea of fake news frequently these days. It s all over social media and major news outlets will even address it on occasion. Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year in 2016 was post-truth which is defined as, relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential is shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief (oxforddictionaries.com). The Word of the Year is described as a word or expression chosen to reflect the passing year in language. Wow so 2016 will be remembered as the year of post-truth which basically means facts don t matter as much as emotion or personal belief when it comes to public opinion. That s a sad commentary on But there is some Good News that is not fake news specifically related to the Christian faith and that Good News is the message of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ which is celebrated every Sunday in churches, and is the specific focus of Easter. Take a brief look at the Good News message Peter shared in Acts 10:34-37, So Peter opened his mouth and said: Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed. Peter goes on to share about how through the ministry of Jesus people were healed, how Jesus was eventually put to death, being crucified, and how Jesus left that tomb empty, gaining victory over death. Peter then concludes by reminding his audience, and us today, that those who believe in Jesus, those who believe the Good News, receive forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. That really is Good News. As we quickly approach the Easter season, look for opportunities to invite someone to church, look for opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus, look for opportunities to dispel the fake news related to Christianity often times what people think about the Christian faith isn t the truth. The reality of the Christian faith is not based on public opinion, emotion, or even personal belief. The reality of the Christian faith is based on objective facts. It is a fact that Jesus lived about 2000 years ago. It is a fact that He was crucified and His body laid in a cold, dark tomb. It is a fact that three days after His crucifixion the tomb was found empty. It is a fact that His resurrection changed the lives of His first followers. And it is a fact that Jesus is the way of salvation. Let s all take a look at the facts this Easter and not allow any fake news to influence our witness for Jesus. Fake news (or any news for that matter) really pales in comparison to the Good News and that really is good news. Proclaiming the truth, Pastor Adam Page 1 of 6

Worshipping God with our Tithes & Offerings February Budget TOTAL Giving $27,267.04 Projected Budget TOTAL Expenses $27,246.67 Projected Expenses 35,025.00 28,482.

We continue to maintain a solid financial position and by God s gracious hand of provision, and through your faithful and generous giving, we will be completing a number of projects in the coming

2 Worshipping God with our Tithes & Offerings February Budget TOTAL Giving $27, Projected Budget TOTAL Expenses $27, Projected Expenses 35, , As you can see from the above numbers, our giving and our expenses remain relatively close. We continue to maintain a solid financial position and by God s gracious hand of provision, and through your faithful and generous giving, we will be completing a number of projects in the coming weeks/months. We will be finishing the downstairs area, including an exciting new Jr. Church/Kid Ministry room and an additional classroom. We will also be upgrading our Powerpoint system in the Sanctuary and re-arranging our A/V set-up. These changes will help us continue to fulfill what God is calling us to be. How, you ask? Great question. The Sanctuary upgrades will assist in our worship of God by allowing for more freedom related to our Sunday morning worship service and the completion of the downstairs will give us the much needed room to continue to grow. May God continue to lead us as we seek to fulfill and manage all that He has given us. Thank you for partnering with EPC Elkton in the work of the gospel. To God be all the glory for what He has given us and for what He continues to do in and through our church. Sticking By The Stuff In First Samuel 25:13, the Bible records that David took about four hundred men girded with their swords to battle and about two hundred abode by the stuff. In First Samuel 30:24, David stated that as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff; they shall part alike. This was a statute and an ordinance for Israel that was not to be altered. One cannot read this account and not think of our greater David and that He would not do any differently. Children s Bible Ministries of Virginia There were those soldiers who were on the front line with their swords, and there were those who were by the stuff who were safe-guarding through their prayers and support. Yes, it takes both to accomplish the mission. Note: If David and his 400 men had lost their stuff, how then would they have been equipped for battle? Thank you, our supporters, for sticking by the stuff. With much appreciation, Wendell Lamb SPOTLIGHT ON MISSIONS Prayer Needs Please continue to pray for: Wisdom for the CBM of VA Board An Area Director for CBM of Virginia The staff and volunteers needed for Camp Red Arrow this summer. Completion of the office renovation before camp begins. Page 2 of 6

Seeking to Represent the Mind of Christ The Elders spent Saturday, March 18 together at EMU for a time of reflection, evaluation, and looking to the future.

3 Seeking to Represent the Mind of Christ The Elders spent Saturday, March 18 together at EMU for a time of reflection, evaluation, and looking to the future. The EPC Book of Government says that the first duty of an elder is to represent the mind of Christ. As the Elders gathered on that Saturday, representing Christ well was at the top of our priority list. There were a number of decisions that needed to be made as the Elders prayerfully came before the Lord seeking His wisdom. The monthly business was tended to as the Elders discussed the current projects that are underway including the Junior Church/ Children s Ministry area, the upgrades to the Sanctuary A/V components, and the completion of the downstairs area. After the monthly business was concluded, the Elders spent a considerable amount of time discussing the future of EPC Elkton. One of the items we discussed was related to EPC Elkton s overall mission, vision and values. Rest assured that our mission stays the same our mission is that of every church and is based on Jesus words known as the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, which basically calls us to love God and love others. As our church goes through a season of transition, the vision, the way in which we accomplish the mission, may evolve. Know that we, the Elders of EPC, are continuing to seek the Lord for His leading as we move through this season of transition. As always, the Elders thank you for your prayers and support. UPCOMING SERMON SERIES In April we celebrate Easter Jesus victory over death. Jesus walked this earth about 2000 years ago, then He was crucified, His lifeless body placed in a cold, dark tomb. That wasn t the end of the story though. Three days later Jesus left that tomb empty, conquering death and making salvation possible for all who call on His name. We will celebrate this event with a sunrise service on Easter morning (7:00 a.m. with breakfast following), then our normal worship service at 11:00 a.m. But what happened after the resurrection of Jesus Christ? That will be the focus of our next sermon series. We are going to spend May and June looking at selected passages from Acts which offer us insight into how the New Testament Church was born. This will be an exciting sermon series as we see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and witness the early church being the Church and by God s grace and mercy, we will see how the Church today should represent Christ well. Easter Services Apr 9 Palm Sunday The Triumphal Entry John 12:12-19 April 23 The Promise and Ascension Acts 1:1-11 April 30 The Church is Born Acts 2: 14-24; May 7 Jumping Leaping & Praising God (Lanny Burt) Acts 3 May 14 Be Bold Acts 4:5-22 May 21 Special Guest Rev. Dr. Samuel Hosain Lamarti Apr 13 Apr 16 Maundy Thursday 7 pm Communion Service Easter 7 am Sunrise He is Not Here Mark Breakfast Following - No Sunday School 11 am Worship The Resurrection John 20:1-10 May 28 Acts 5 June 4 Acts 6 June 11 Acts 7 June 18 Acts 9 June 25 Acts 10 Page 3 of 6

I grew up in the church - my roots deep in the Church of the Brethren with prayer bonnets and feet washing. That's where my relationship with Jesus all began.

4 Roots, Wings and New Directions April Queen and her husband, Matthew, attend EPC with their sons Oliver and Archer. She has recently accepted the position of Ministry Director for EPC and will begin her work here on April 8, I grew up in the church - my roots deep in the Church of the Brethren with prayer bonnets and feet washing. That's where my relationship with Jesus all began. I first came to EPC in the early 2000s with my then boyfriend, now husband, Matthew. His love for praise music rubbed off on me and I quickly fell in love with the services EPC had to offer - the old hymns my Brethren roots yearned for, combined with the new contemporary praise songs my heart's wings needed. Who says you can't have both roots and wings? Shortly after Matthew and I married, I completed my bachelor's degree in chemistry and worked a number of years in the innovation industry. My most recent adventure had me working as a Food Technologist creating new recipes for a number of baby food brands. That's when God called me to take a dramatic turn and join this ministry at our church. Chances are, you've already seen my face in a little bit of everything CONNECTING GROUPS around here. But I'm anxious to learn more and dig deeper in all areas of our church. I'm here to serve - first and foremost our God and Savior - but also our congregation that I deeply love. My door is always open (once I get moved into my office of course!) and I'm always up for a cup of coffee. I look forward to following God's lead with you! Blessings, April These home groups meet twice a month from May through August for Bible Study and a time of fellowship. They are for the entire family - children & adults. They provide opportunity to grow your faith and for families to socialize together. Connecting Sunday to Monday Taking lessons from Sunday and applying them to the rest of the week. Connecting One to Another There are over 50 one another statements in the Bible - serve one another, encourage one another - they show us the importance of connecting with one another. These groups help us do that outside of Sunday morning. Growing Together How to Sign Up - Fill out the form! (in bulletins Apr 9, 16 & 23) - From your Phone or Mobile Device Go to the EPC App and click on Connect - Go to our website - look for the Connecting Groups button Page 4 of 6 Got Grads? Please let the church office know if your family has a high school or college 2017 graduate! Send an to bonnieburt@epcelkton.org. Then, plan to join us on Sunday, June 4th as we recognize our grads during Morning Worship at 11 am.

5 EPC Elkton installed Rev. Adam Snow as our pastor on February 12, We welcomed Chris Robbins as our Facility Manager in January, April Queen will begin her work as Ministry Director beginning in April, The 252 Youth Group enjoyed a fun day of puttputt golf and doughnuts at Krispy Kreme. Page 5 of 6

6 Evangelical Presbyterian Church 2580 Panorama Drive Elkton, VA Page 6 of 6

March 2016 N E W S L E T T E R

March 2016 N E W S L E T T E R...I CAME THAT YOU MAY HAVE LIFE During the month of March we are walking through the gospel of John on Sunday mornings learning about who Jesus is and the relationship He