2018 CLIFTON FORGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 November 2018 CLIFTON FORGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 544 Church St., Clifton Forge, VA # cfpc@ntelos.net MISSION STATEMENT We are a Family in Christ, Prayerfully seeking through the spirit, to serve God, grow in faith and share the good news. ***************************************************************************************** From the PASTOR ************************************************************************************************************ THE BLESSING OF THE BREAD Bread is a physical symbol of God s goodness to all creatures of the world. Bread fills our stomachs and gives us strength to go about our daily work. We ask for daily bread in the Lord s Prayer and we are reminded that the bread refers to all our physical needs. Daily bread is a gracious gift from God and we are to receive these gifts with thanksgiving. The lack of bread can lead us to temptation and sin, causing us to be jealous, discontent and unhappy. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he said, Turn these stones into bread, if you are truly the Son of God. Although Jesus had been without food for forty days, he responded, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God. Jesus reminds us as he speaks to the crowds gathered around him and to the disciples, the bread that God give is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. I am the bread of Life. He who comes to me will never be hungry I am the living bread that comes down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread he will live forever. Thus bread is a spiritual symbol of Jesus, who feeds us with the Word, providing us with nourishment of our souls and strength to live Christian lives as children of the heavenly Father. On Thanksgiving, as we remember all of God s blessings to us, let us also give thanks for Christ, the Bread of Life. With these loaves of bread, lets us extend our worship and out thanksgiving into our homes as we sit around the family table. As we share the bread, let it be a sign and symbol of bounty, love, compassion and thanks. That this bread may be blessed for this purpose as we pray: O God, give us bread. Give us bread to nourish our bodies and in Christ, give us the bread of eternal life that we may grow, strengthen and serve. Bless this bread and as we share its nourishment around our tables, may it remind us of your constant care and the bond of friendship that exists among us. We pray this in the name of Christ, the Bread of Life from heaven. Amen. (The above comes from Michael Card). Rev. Pastor Paul

2 November 2018 Pastor Paul s Sermons November 4, 2018 November 18, 2018 Overcoming The World Support & Opposition Psalms Samuel 21: John 5: John 1:1-13 November 2018 November 25, 2018 Walking In Truth And Love My Kingdom Is Not Of This World Psalm 127 Psalms 132: John 1:1-12 John 18:33-37 ********************************************************************************************* Every Sunday Morning Every Monday 9:30 Sunday school Bible Study 10:30- Coffee Fellowship Nettie Paul Room 6:30 pm 11:00 Nursery Opens Every Tuesday 11:00 Worship Boy 7:00 Men s Prayer Hardee s Every Sat. Morning Last day for December Tidings is November, 16, 2018 if you want to put something in the Tidings. ********************************************************************************************** Snooper Sez. We are moving back inside the basement where it is warmer. We will be having Thanksgiving dinner, bring your kind of food and we will provide the cheese and all are welcome! The Church Mouse ******************************************************************************************** Sympathy - We would like to express our deepest sympathy to Louise Campbell s family. May you find Peace in this time of sadness.

3 GOLDEN LIVING CENTER Charlotte Dillon VA. VETERNS CENTER Charles Hall MEMBERS AT HOME Virginia McDowell, Barbara Rice, Isaac Vest, Robert Brown. BRIAN CENTER Peggy Knick MISSION/WITNESS NEWS from Mark & Miriam Adams our missionaries is posted on the bulletin board across from the Church Office, for your information. CLIFTON FORGE FOOD PANTRY Whether you said a prayer, gave food, clothing or household items, or monetary gifts, we at the Clifton Forge Food Pantry would like to say thank you. For the month of August 2018, we served 312 individuals representing 886 family members. Without your help this wouldn t have been possible. We are still collecting food items here at the Church. We especially need boxed mac & cheese and boxed spaghetti dinners. Please donate what you can. Thank you We are in great need of Macaroni & Cheese or any other boxed meals. Any help you can give will be appreciated. (LUNCH TIME) 11:30 12:00 JESUS SAID FEED MY SHEEP. MEALS ON - WHEELS Thank You - Cecille McDowell, Ed & Carol Jones, Sandra Porter, Jenny Harlow, Debbie Darcus & Brenda Siple, Carol & Chuck Almarez for delivering Meals-On-Wheels, October 1 October 5. Please volunteer, one day a week, one week a month. No Holidays deliveries. COMMITTEE S Amanda Tomasek - Building & Grounds. Gordon James Treasurer/Music & Worship. Jenny Irvine Clerk of Session/Fellowship. Sam Clark Stewardship/Personnel. Damon Reynolds Christian Ed/Youth. Jenny Harlow Mission/ Witness. WOMEN OF THE CHURCH the officers of The Women of the Church: Moderator - Virginia Harlow Vice Moderator - Irene Booze Secretary - Carol Jones Treasurer Virginia Irvine. CIRCLE Will meet monthly on the 2 nd 2:00 in the Nettie Paul Room. SESSION Will meet November 15, 5:45. CLOTHING CLOSET Will be open on November 7th and 21st. PLEASE COME TO BIBLE 6:30 p.m. COMMUNITY PRYER MEETING November 19, 2018 Christmas Baskets Beginning on Nov. 4th and continuing until Dec. 9th, the Mission/Witness Committee will be collecting donations of nonperishable items such as corn, peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, boxed macaroni and cheese, instant potatoes and dressing for families in need in our community. Boxes for the collections will be placed throughout the church. Monetary donations to defray the cost of turkeys may be turned in during Worship services or to the church office. Please make sure they are clearly marked Christmas Baskets. We plan to have families pick up their baskets on Dec.15th from 9:00 11:00 and will need volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please call Jenny Harlow at or the Church office at Please help us make Christmas special for these families by giving what you can. If you know of someone who could use one of these baskets and is not receiving one from another organization, please let us know. Thank you! Breakfast with Santa will be December 15 9:00 A.M. Decorating the Church will be November 24 9:00 A.M. Cantata will be on December 16th.

4 November November Greeters 11/ 2 Nancy Nicely 11/4 Robert & Cecille McDowell 11/ 3 Mildred Wilson 11/11 Robert & Cecille McDowell Stacy Harrison 11/18 Jean & Maggie May Persinger 11/4 Regina Nicely 11/25 Maggie May & Lisa Deisher 11/5 Ed Jones William Deisher Chris Fisher 11/6 Sandi Smith 11/7 Christie Hardbarger 11/9 Marilyn Woods 11/10 Matthew Booze 11/11 Joe Cash, Jr. 11/13 Connor Fisher Michele Nicely 11/15 Robert L. McDowell 11/ 17 Anne Koethcke 11/ 18 Kathy Brown Dobson 11/21 Josephine Dellinger 11/28 James Michael Boothe November Anniversary November 11/3 Chuck & Brenda Bartocci Nursery Workers 11/6 - Ed & Carol Jones 11/4 Brenda Bartocci 11/18-Brent&CindyMaccentelli 11/11 Brenda Bartocci 11/18 Jenny Harlow 11/25 Cindy Maccentelli CFPC PRAYER CHAIN Cindy Brokaw Rene Clark Virginia Harlow Barbara James Sandra Porter Loretha Stinespring If you have need for prayer, please contact one of the members listed The following people were called out for intercessory prayer in October 2018 Jenny & Carl Brinkley, Jeff Atz, Tommy Tucker, Bobby Taylor, Rose Fisher, Betty Anderson. Pray for Students/Teachers, Family of Phyllis Carter (Sister of Mary Sue Smith,) Alice Paxton. Berlin Heighter. Family of KathyTucker, Andrew Pauley, Kathy Gusler. Jerry Kraft, Skip Burnham, Brennan Knighton, Betty Bowen, Denny Bell, Cathy Bordens, Debbie Henderson, Kathie Helms, Halen Puckett, Stacey Gibson. Family of Linda Holsinger, Gavin Via, Betty Walthall, Greg Dodd, Rev. Dodd, Doris Clark, Bill Hardbarger, Darryl Combs, Robert Harlow, Alma Watts, Blackie Payne. Family of Marion Nicely, Evan Raynes.

5 CLIFTON FORGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CLOTHING CLOSET REPORT May, June, July, August 2018 People Served 56 Pieces Given Out 650 Shoes 48 pairs Socks 39 pairs Underwear 30 pairs Coats 14 Extras: 90- Dishes, pots and pans, belts, plates hats, books, blankets, drinking glasses & pictures. Golden Living Center - Sweaters, Coats, Shirts and 4 bags of clothing - to the Salvation Army Thrift Shop in Covington. New Things for Children: Girls: 18 Pairs of socks and 22 pairs of underwear. Boys: 22 pairs of Briefs and 24 Pairs of socks. Workers Carolyn Hixon, Kathie Helms, Mickey McMillion. WELCOME TO THE MIND OF CHRIST THREE STAGES IN DEVELOPING THE MIND OF CHRIST Beginning stage The Will Principle Set your mind on things above. Growing stage. The River Principle Allow God to renew your mind. Qualified stage The Readiness Principle Gird up your mind for action.the Will Principle the first verb, or the beginning of the process, is found in Colossians 3:2: Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth (NASB). A similar idea occurs in Philippians 4:8: Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things (NASB). We call this stage the Will Principle. You must set your mind. You must decide, choose, or determine the focus of your mind. That is where you start in developing the mind of Christ. The opposite of will is instinct or unwilled reactions. Decision making is not a problem with animals. But with human beings the will is the part of your mind over which you have control. The will enables you to obey in spite of your feelings or intuitions. Often you cannot control your emotions, but you always have control over your will. Your goal is to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5, NASB). Giving God your will is the first step in having the mind of Christ.

6 In the Beginning Stage you set your mind on Christ. You give your will to God and seek His will as your own. Christ repeatedly identified His will with that of His Father. In the last week of His earthly life, as He faced the cross, Jesus said, Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name (John 12:27-28). Jesus openly confessed that His emotions were one place, but His will was in another. This decision to let His will rule over His emotions or feelings is also seen in Christ s plea in Gethsemane: Father, take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt (Mark 14:36). Jesus performance was flawless because He set His will from the beginning. Jesus mind was given to God. Therefore, His actions worked out the implications of a blameless mind. Jesus mind was set on things above. I was once asked to take a position that would involve tremendous personal sacrifice as well as a huge salary cut. It also offered an opportunity to expand God s kingdom in a way nothing else offered. My feelings said no, but my will chose the will of God. Only the will can choose beyond feelings. The River Principle Our second verb is renew. In Romans 12:2 Paul said, Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. A Christian lives in a constant state of renewal! After you give your will to God, you must continue to allow your mind to be changed (transformed) by a renewing process. This part of the process is a time of growth. We call this middle or growing stage of the process the River Principle. Jesus said, He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water (John 7:38, NASB). Fresh, living water flows in and washes out the old and the dead. Most of us do not work on the River Principle. We work on the Pond Principle! Ponds become stagnant, but rivers flow. Ponds become puddles, but rivers become oceans. You are to grow spiritually, and your growth in Christ is ultimately to be enormous. Your body grows by producing new cells. As long as life continues, your body constantly produces new cells. That newness is a sign of life. Failure to produce newness is a sign of death. The spiritual life is also to be characterized by constant renewal. Lack of renewal or growth is a sign of death. I have learned to expect spiritual newness and not to be surprised at what form the newness takes. Sometimes the newness comes in the shape of new insights, previously unknown. Sometimes it comes in the form of spiritual energy. At times it is a new and deeper meaning applied to an old, familiar verse. Newness may occur as you move into a new and deeper relationship to the body of Christ or to another Christian. Newness may involve a new commitment. At times newness takes the form of new strength or a new way to resist temptation. Newness is the way of progress as you move from one glory to another (see 2 Cor. 3:18). Qualified Stage Gird up your mind for action. 1 PETER 1:13 GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND, BE SOBER, AND HOPE TO THE END FOR THE GRACE THAT IS TO BE BROUGHT UNTO YOU AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. Allow God to renew your mind in the Growing Stage. Do you see the contrast between the River and the Pond Principles? Renewal brings newness, new insights, and fresh spiritual energy. Christ s life demonstrated progress and growth: Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered (Heb. 5:8, NASB). If you are to have the mind of Christ, you must expect newness. That is the way of growth. That is renewal. The Readiness Principle Our third verb associated with the mind takes us to the climax of the process. We are to gird up our minds for action (see 1 Pet. 1:13). The reference is to the long, flowing robes people wore in the first century. People could not run or move quickly in such dress. To do anything athletic, a person had to lift the edge of the robe and tuck it under the belt to free the lower legs for action. This was called girding up the robe. In this command is the Readiness Principle. Your mind is to be prepared for action. In the Qualified Stage you prepare your mind for action by girding it up. Jesus was alert, or ready, as various groups attempted to trap Him with trick questions in Luke 20: The scribes and the chief priests asked whether Jews should pay taxes to the foreign Roman government. Their trap failed when Jesus answered that they should give both God and Caesar their just due. When the Sadducees questioned Him about resurrection, Jesus skillfully corrected their wrong ideas about the nature of the future life. Jesus demonstrated a mental readiness at all times. Readiness means being qualified for service. If your will is set and your mind has grown through constant renewal, you will be qualified for any test God allows to come your way. Be alert and ready. SOURCE: THE MIND OF CHRIST by T.W. Hunt and Claude V. King TO BE CONTINUED IN DECEMBER

7 November Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 EAMA 9:00 3 M.P.B. 2 4 Communion 5 Bible Study 6:30 pm 6 Cluster Lunch 12:30 7 Choir 7:00 pm 8 Session 5: M.P.B. Clothing Closet 9:00 12:00 Boy Scouts 7: Bible Study 6:30 pm 13 Men of Mission Women s Circle 2:00 Boy Scouts 7:00 14 Choir 7:00 pm M.P.B Bible Study 6:30 pm Choir 7:00 pm M.P.B. Boy Scouts 7:00 Clothing Closet 9:00 12: Bible Study 6:30 pm Choir 7:00 pm Boy Scouts 7:00

8 Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church 544 Church Street Clifton Forge VA TIDINGS TO November