The Presbyview. From Pastor Smit s Desk May 2018

Transcription

1 From Pastor Smit s Desk May 2018 The Presbyview How to Listen to Preaching Recently my wife and I had a rare opportunity to go out to eat. Wanting to make the most of it, I chose a restaurant that I knew had a good reputation and made reservations. Before getting there, I went to their online menu to see my dinner options. So, before I sat down, I already knew what I was going to have in fact, I had been thinking about it all day. That little amount of planning and preparation allowed me to enjoy my meal and time with my wife that much more. I m sure you have had done the same. However, I wonder if we give the same effort and attention to the preached word as it is served up in the local church? Can we say that week by week we have fed upon the Word of God as fully as we might? Or could all of use a little more diligence in this area and improve our spiritual appetite? While I absolutely agree it is incumbent upon the pastor to, Preach the word in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2), there is an equal duty upon the hearer to hear what is preached. Jesus statement, He who has ears let him hear (Mt. 11:15) has much more meaning to it than having the auditory ability to hear. So how can we be better hearers of the Word of God? This is the subject of Westminster Larger Catechism question #160, What is required of those that hear the Word?. We can break down the answer into three parts before, during, and after the word is preached. Let s take a look at each one: Before the Word Preached Most churchgoers believe they are doing well if they show up, let alone doing anything before the word is preached. However, the catechism says that it is required to attend upon [the preached word] with diligence, preparation, and prayer. In other words, there should be a holy expectation for what will occur in and through the preached word and worship service. Just like I had an eager expectation for the meal at the restaurant, or you might have excitement for an upcoming event, so the believer should have an expectation for what the Spirit of God will do through the Word before it is given and have made preparations to receive it. What type of preparation? Like arranging your schedule so that you can be in attendance, and free of other work and distractions; being in prayer for yourself, those attending, and the pastor as he prepares and then delivers the message; reading the Scripture passage beforehand so as to already have your mind set upon it. This last one is easy to since we preach sequential expository sermons, but even if you forget, our bulletins are posted on our website every Friday. During the Word Preached While listening may seem like a passive activity, being a good listener takes a lot of active effort. This is especially true while the word is preached and why the catechism calls for two actions examining and receiving. The hearer of the word must, examine what they hear by the scriptures. This calls for discernment and being a Berean (Acts 17:11) to know that what is being said is the truth of God. If it is, then it is not the preacher s words, but it is God s word to His people and therefore should be received as such. That preached truth is therefore to be received, with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the word of God. In other words, the hearer is to allow the word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit to deeply penetrate his or her heart, mind, and life. To bring to bear the full comfort and conviction of God s living and active word through that preached word (Heb. 4:12). After the Word Preached Even when the sermon is over the requirements are not done. In reality the catechism seems to place the greatest emphasis on the work to be done after the sermon is preached, as it calls to, meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives. The truth of God s word should stick with us in our hearts and mind. We should bring it to thought throughout the week and ponder on it some more. Notice this is not to be just an individual task, but a corporate one. That is what it means when it says to confer of it to discuss it with others. This conferring should take place in the family - both immediate family and church family as well as to those outside of the church as we proclaim to the world the good news of what we have heard. Continued on page 2

2 April 26, 2018 Volume 50 No. 5 Furthermore, the truth of that preached word should find root in our hearts and minds, and by the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit bring forth evidence of it in our lives. As one pastor, when complemented at the back doors on a good sermon, replied, It has only been preached, it has yet to be lived, so too sermons should go far beyond the final amen. Whereas I have shelves of books on how to preach, I have only one book on how to listen to sermons. This wonderful Catechism question helps to correct the misnomer that preaching is only upon the preacher. All of us as the Body of Christ have a part to play when it comes to the preached word and having the ears to hear. Let us therefore give greater diligence to the requirements of the word preached for our individual and corporate good. Ken Ramsey, Expository Listening (Kress Biblical Resources; Woodlands, TX, 2010) is an excellent resource and speaks to this topic in a biblical and practical manner. Highly recommend it. CM2 is calling out and SPC is heading back to the hills to answer the call! We will leave Smyrna on July 22 nd and return July 28 th. Registration is open now for those interested in attending. Information is available in the Narthex or contact Joy Douglas at joysachon@gmail.com for details. Offerings to support the effort can be noted as Missions-CM2. Deadline for registration is May 6, We will be heading back to Camp Bridgemont the week of Sunday, July 1st through Friday, July 6th. We will depart from the church on Sunday, July 1st at 10:00 a.m. and will return Friday, July 6th around 8:00 p.m. all children will need money for lunch on the way to camp and dinner on the way home. The cost for each child will be based on the number of attendees this year. The estimated cost for each camper will be $ please contact john ridings if you need additional information at or ridings.j.l@gmail.com. Deadline to sign-up is June 17th. Please submit applications & payment to the church office. We are fast approaching the end of the 2017/18 school year. With your contributions, SPC families received a generous supplement to their CCS tuition this past year. The leadership of SPC stands behind the ministry and work of CCS and greatly desires to continue to assist families seeking a Christ-centered education right here in our facility. As we prepare for the 2018/19 school year, we pray that you will continue to support this effort for our SPC families to have an affordable Christian education. If you desire to make a contribution, please do so by May 20 th. If you would like to know more about why Christian education is so vitally important to our children, please contact Buddy Kelly at buddy.kelly@att.net. 2

3 Ministry Opportunities The Sacrament of the LORD s Supper will be administered on Sunday, May 6th during the morning worship service and on May 20th during the evening worship service. May 14th ~ Martha Shirley May 28th ~ No Meals! Memorial Day The activity for May is yet to be determined at this time. Please be on the lookout for an upcoming event in the Sunday bulletins. This will be our last event before the summer break. Thank you all Keenagers for another wonderful and blessed year of fellowship events. We will resume with our normal activities in September 2018! Everyone enjoy your summer break. June 11th ~ Jean Campbell June 25th ~ Crystal Katrek The Mission Committee will meet Sunday, May 13th immediately following the evening worship service in the church conference room. Tuesday, May 1st 10:00 A.M. Love Circle - Will meet in the church parlor. Nursery is provided. Tuesday, May 1st 7:15 P.M. Gentleness Circle - Will meet at the home of Page Whitfield. The men's Bible study will be held Monday, May 14th at the home of Matt Hammond. Thursday, May 3rd 10:00 A.M. Faithfulness Circle Will meet in the church parlor. Saturday, May 12th 8:45 A.M. Kindness Circle - Will meet in the church fellowship hall. WIC Council will meet Wednesday, May 30th at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room. MEN OF THE COVENANT The men of Smyrna Presbyterian Church will gather for our Bible study & a season of prayer on Saturday, May 19th at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast will be served. 3

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 meet on Thursday, May 24th at 10:00 a.m. in the church parlor. We hope to see you there. Contact Donna Hall with any questions. Greeter Schedule May 6th Church Wing Jim & Janice Pitts School Wing Howard & Jean Campbell May 13th Church Wing Jill, Gina & Stella Fogarty School Wing Smadja Hart May 20th Church Wing Chip & Sis Howell School Wing Dervon Douglas May 27th Church Wing Randy & Page Whitfield School Wing Rose Zang June 3rd Church Wing Dan & Donna Hall School Wing David & Gail Stallings June 10th Church Wing Smadja Hart School Wing Crystal & Lucy Katrek June 17th Church Wing Tom & Maxine Miller School Wing Ralph & Evelyn Canup June 24th Church Wing Julie Ramsey School Wing Howard & Jean Campbell 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. May 2nd ~ Regular Meal May 9th ~ Regular Meal May 16th ~ Regular Meal May 23rd ~ Regular Meal This will be the last meal before summer break! June 4 th - June 8 th 9:00 a.m. ~ 12:00 p.m. Preschool: Ages 3 and 4 years old Elementary: K5-5 th Grade Needed: Adult and Youth Volunteers (Contact Lisa Ogburn for details) 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 Go to for registration. Questions: Contact Lisa Ogburn lbogburn@gmail.com or Stuart Ogburn stuartogburn@gmail.com

5 If you have a conflict contact Joy Douglas. 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. May 6th Infant Evelyn Canup/Leslie Boyd Toddler Linda Pruett/Dwight Thomas 2 s & 3 s Leah Thomas/Michele Crooks Extra James Wesley Floater Adam Crooks Children s Church Henry Katrek May 13th Infant Hortense Bediam/Ruth O Neal Toddler Jean Campbell/Howard Campbell 2 s & 3 s Marsha Gleason/Julie Ramsey Extra Max Thelen Floater Ella Becker Children s Church Mary MacGregor May 20th Infant Amy Stiles/Page Whitfield Toddler Britta Lee/Kelly Becker 2 s & 3 s Rose Zang/Jordan Lee Extra Buddy Kelly Floater Emma Hovey Children s Church Lily Becker May 27th Infant Crystal Katrek/Margaret MacGregor Toddler Smadja Hart/Mike Becker 2 s & 3 s Gail Stallings/Amanda Stevenson Extra Scott Crooks Floater Denise Phan Children s Church Eryn Ridings Dear SPC Family, Many thanks for the meals, prayers, love, and generosity shown to our family. We have been so blessed to be among a loving and caring church family here at SPC. Your many acts of kindness have been a demonstration of God s Love. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. ~ 1 John 4:7 ~ In Christ Love, The Smit Family 5 Happy Birthday to: Tori Hines... 1 Jill Ramsey... 2 Bob Snelson... 2 Jack Boyd... 5 Amanda Levis... 5 Paul Nyemeck Beverly Schmidt Catherine Nyemeck Braxton Bohannon Martha Shirley Jonathan Funk Penny DeHaas Bill Pettas Dot Turner Julien Nyemeck Donna Hall Evelyn Canup What is the PRCC? Here is the link pcamna.org/chaplain-ministries SPC will be hosting the 2018 PRCC Chaplain Training on June 9th June 12th. This events allows Chaplains and their families to come together for prayer, breakout sessions, worship services to hear speakers and a time to shepherd and support one another. This is also a ministry of MNA. This ministry supports our Chaplains that serve with our servicemen, hospitals, and prisons. We will be needed volunteers for meals and childcare. This is a great opportunity to serve those who have dedicated their lives in serving others. Please see Rob Hines or Joy Douglas for more details or if you are interested in being a volunteer.

6 Thank you to all of the women who work tirelessly to promote the message of God's love in our homes, church and community. A special thank you to the Kindness Circle under the leadership of Ann Marie Kelly for the wonderful Mother and Child Carnival that was held in March. With the snow cones, cotton candy, hotdogs, games and Bible story time, the children had a wonderful time - the Moms did too! I would also like to thank the four circles for their donations of themed baskets for the Covenant Christian School Silent Auction. The WIC Council also approved the donation of $500 to "Raise the Roof" the SPC Missions Committee project to support Project Nehemiah of Samaritan's Purse. Our next activities with be the Daughters of The King Afternoon Tea on Saturday, May 5th from 2:00-4:00 in the fellowship hall. Please feel free to wear your Spring hat if you have one. This will be a time to kick off our annual baby shower for First Care Women's Clinic (former Cobb Pregnancy Services). There will be a sign up sheet in the hall. All women in the church are invited. We are so blessed to have opportunities to serve. To God be the Glory! Coffee House/Cake Auction Saturday, May 12th 6:00 8:00 pm Smyrna Presbyterian Fellowship Hall Join us for a coffee house event on Saturday, May 12 from 6 8 p.m. Invite your family, friends and neighbors. Kelly Becker and friends will be entertaining us on guitar with music. Never been to a coffee house? It is a relaxed atmosphere with church friends and family where you can listen to some good music in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy some coffee and treats. There will also be a cake auction with dessert donations from some of SPC s best dessert cooks. Bring your money to bid on these desserts! All proceeds benefit Project Nehemiah. We will be collecting donations for Project Nehemiah Raise the Roof project. If you cannot donate, that is okay. Just come by and enjoy some fellowship time with your church friends. 6

7 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :00 a.m. Love 10:00 Circle a.m. Circle 1 & 2 7:15 p.m. Gentleness 7:15 p.m. Circle Circle :00 a.m. Worship Service & Communion Evening Worship 13 11:00 a.m Worship Service Evening Worship 7:30 p.m. Mission Committee meeting :45 p.m :00 a.m. Worship Service Evening Worship & Communion 8:00 p.m. Men s Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Session Meeting 5:45 p.m. meal 7:00 p.m. Activities Meal 7:00 p.m. Activities :00 a.m. Worship Service Evening Worship Office closed 5:45 p.m. meal 7:00 p.m. Activities 5:45 p.m. Meal 7:00 p.m. Activities CCS Last Day of School WIC council 10:00 a.m. Faithfulness Circle 6:30 p.m. Deacon Meeting 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl meeting 8:45 a.m. 2:00 Circle p.m. 4 Daughters of the 9:00 King a.m. Tea Church wide Workday 8:45 a.m. Kindness Circle Coffee House/ Cake Auction 8:30 a.m. Men of the Covenant

8 Page 2... Announcements Page 3...Keenagers/MOC Page 3... WIC Circle Meetings Page 4... Greeter Schedule Page 4. Schedule Page 5... Birthday s & Nursery 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