The Church at Hemlock Farms Newsletter

Transcription

1 The Church at Hemlock Farms Newsletter March 2018 Pastor's Message Rev. Dr. Billy Graham A Couple of Lasting Impressions I remember a number of things about Billy Graham. One of them was a comment he made many years ago about wanting to play baseball for the Yankees in Yankee Stadium. Instead, he was called to proclaim the good news of the Gospel. Another was his reflection on how he handled the media after his interview with President Harry Truman. He said he would never repeat the lesson learned that day and he never did. A third was his strength of voice after his body was weakened by Parkinson s and just walking had become a challenge. There are many other cherished memories, but these are not the lasting impressions. Let me share two of them with you. The first is Dr. Graham s unwavering confidence in the saving power of the Gospel. Even now I can hear his voice when I read the Apostle Peter s words, There is no other name under heaven [than the name of Jesus Christ] by which we are saved. (Acts 4:12) On the day of Pentecost, Peter had declared, Be assured of this: God had made this Jesus [whom we have crucified] both Lord and Christ. And again, Peter says Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. These words and others like them would be repeated frequently over his career calling people to the confidence he had in the Gospel. The second is Dr. Graham s commitment to the Bible as the written Word of God. The simple phrase, The Bible says can hardly be stated with the rich intonation of Dr. Graham s voice ringing in my ears. Dr. Graham was wise enough to focus on the central teaching of Scripture, namely, how faith in the Lord Jesus establishes a relationship with the Father that everyone who believes can enjoy. Jesus came for sinners, he would insist. The central question for human life was a relationship with the God who had created us and for that relationship human beings would need a change of heart. He would quote the Prophet Jeremiah, The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9) Fortunately, the message which begins with this understanding of the human heart continued to what God can do as people turn to God. As King David prayed, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me, so can anyone pray who trusts in God. The Gospel of John puts it, You must be born again! So also writes the Apostle Paul, Set your hearts on things above [And] let the peace of God rule in your hearts. (Colossians 3:1, 15)

2 It was this peace of Christ that brought joy to Dr. Graham and created the second lasting impression for me. There are, to be sure, yet other impressions that will be lasting for me. I share these two because I have found them to be true and pray that those who hear these words of Scripture would also turn to the Lord and find the joy the believers share. I close with one other comment from the Apostle Paul s letter to the Colossians. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:16-17 Pastor Herb Join us for Worship 10:00 a.m. Worship / Sunday School / Nursery 11:00 a.m. Fellowship & Refreshments 1493 Hemlock Farms, Lords Valley PA Office Corner of Lookout & Willow Drives chfoff@ptd.net (Office) chfnews@ptd.net (Newsletter) Mission Statement of the Church at Hemlock Farms Our Mission is to nurture the Church Family in Christian Life; to exalt Jesus Christ through Worship, Prayer and Teaching Scripture; to share the Good News of God's Love and Grace through Service and Witness. Los Angeles Tent Revival, 1949 Houston Crusade, 1965 Last Crusade,

3 Worship Services March 4 10 a.m. Service of Holy Communion A House of Prayer John 2:13-22 The Light of Heaven John 3:11-21 Walking by Day John 11:7-19 March a.m. March a.m. Raising Palm Branches John 12:27-36 John 12:27-36 March a.m. March 29 8 p.m. March 30 Noon John 12:20-26 April 1 Easter Sunrise Service 7 a.m. Worship Service 10 a.m. Healing Service 6 p.m.

4 Questions That Hurt It wasn t until my early twenties that I realized that Lent is a time of introspection and questioning. Yes, asking myself how my life reflects my love for Christ. Sometimes there are questions that hurt or perhaps may not be easy to answer. When Peter was asked three times the question, Do you love Me? we are told in John s Gospel that Jesus, upon asking, knew that Peter was hurt. Perhaps it is safe to add that the hurt was accompanied by embarrassment and shame I find it both comforting and enlightening that Jesus, in His wisdom, gently, yet persistently, prodded Peter to think and to answer the question with confidence. Ultimately, the pain of a hurtful question strengthened his relationship with his Lord. His answer was Yes, my Lord. You know I love you. Each of us, I m sure, can relate to this hurtful circumstance a time when we made the wrong decision or said the wrong thing. Somehow, we could sense almost immediately a weakening in the relationship we cherish so much. But perhaps, even now, you are being asked a hurtful question. It may not be Do you love Me? but something like, Do you trust Me? Perhaps something like Do you believe in Me? Or, something even more difficult like, Do you find joy in Me? Take time not only to hear what God may be asking you, but also how to answer Him. Though this process can be painful, it can lead to a strengthened and deeper relationship with God. Try it! But remember, for Peter the directive following his answer was Feed My sheep. In answering the question God has for you, be prepared not only to answer it, but also to make a commitment demonstrating your willingness to obey the directive God has for you. Phyllis WHAT QUESTION IS GOD ASKING YOU THIS LENTEN SEASON? 2

5 2 John Motzko 3 Dawn Sansevero 4 Virginia Nehrings Susan Ferguson 6 Sue Cosenza Larry Knoepfler 7 Lorna Cuevas 8 Jean Zerilli 10 Robert Little 12 Michael Pelino 13 Helen Yale 14 Paul Theesfeld 15 Marie Gettel Daniel Wahnon 19 Marjorie Mullin Clair Jones 20 Candace Hartman Johnson 21 Jim Angus 28 Larry Manning 30 Alyssa Hannel Abbey Schroder 1 Glenroy and Eileen Riley 21 years 3 Christopher and Kimberly Igel 11 years 11 Robert and Dolores Little 62 years 21 Walter and Ruth Ding 54 years Do you have an urgent need for prayer? Contact Linda Polizzi ( ) to start our phone prayer chain. Or call the church office. ( ) We have a Prayer Journal, located in the Narthex (entryway into the church). Please feel free to write down people or any on-going concerns that need prayer, including those who are shut in, in nursing homes, as well as friends of people in the congregation. The Journal is placed on the altar during our service each Sunday. Please make use of the Prayer Journal, and call out the names of those for whom you pray, during the Prayers of the Church. Prayer Concerns: Cass Stockage, Derwent Cartmell, Paul Thompson, Arvid Thorsland, Ray Ditman, Pete Vehstedt, Lena Bryan, Eileen Hazard, Bill Stem, Sarah MacEntee (granddaughter of Millie Diefenbach), Karen Diefenbach, Christopher McCoy (Dot s nephew), Bernice Falzon, Linda Lansing, Ginger Nehrings, The Buddy Magie Family, Ed Townsend, Linda Polizzi Praises: Richard Harford PTL! We also wish to include in our prayers: The Victims and their families of the Florida School violence, those members who are homebound, all who are on our phone prayer chain and in our Prayer Journal. The Sympathy of the Congregation is extended to: The Family of the Rev. Dr. Billy Graham; The Family of Anna Curtin; The Family of Ruth Tompkins; The Family Leanne Kirk; The Family of Howard Hyde; The Family of John Henneforth Choir rehearsals are starting up again! If you are interested in joining us, rehearsals will be on Wednesdays, at 1:00 p.m. We really enjoy ourselves at practice and we rehearse each of the parts separately as well as together. Plus, you get extra stars! Any questions, ask Phyllis J. or Susan F. 3

6 Treasurer's Report January 1 thru January 31, 2018 Operating Fund Income $ 14,733. Operating Fund Expenses 13,300. Net Income or Loss $ 1,433. Available Balances as of January 31, 2018 Building Fund $ 6,750 Contingency Fund* * $ 19,991. *Current Income (or Deficit) and Unfunded Liabilities are reflected in the Contingency Fund. For further details, see the Budget Overview and Balance Sheets, which are posted in the Fellowship Hall or talk to any member of the Finance Committee or Church Board. Easter Flowers Orders for Easter flowers are being taken! This year, the offerings include: Special Meetings We have been trying to do some reorganizing of our different committees and groups that are a big part of our church. To that end, we met with Board members, committee members and church members last Sunday at 5 p.m. to discuss the committees that fall directly under the Church Board. The committees discussed last week were: Building and Grounds; Finance and Administration; Missions; Christian Education; Worship and Spiritual Life; Nominating; Stewardship. Each of these groups of church members has a Board liaison and a chairperson. We are confident that they will continue to do the good work that they have done in the past. ON SUNDAY, MARCH 11 AT 5:00 P.M.: We will be meeting with everyone who is interested in helping in any capacity with Trifles and Treasures. Please don t stay home this night! We need ALL of your input to make this fund raiser a viable and profitable group. Realize that T&T has changed over the years as has the community which we live in. Bring new ideas. Help us to bring this back to life. And be ready to work together, please. Also, as stated in last month s newsletter, just as Board meetings are open to each church member, so are all committee meetings. I will try my best to include all meetings in the monthly calendar so you are aware of them. Lilies - $ Pink or Lavender Tulips - $ 9.50 Large Daffodils - $ 9.50 Mini Daffodils - $6.00 If you are interested in purchasing a plant, please either fill out an order form (in your bulletin at church next week) or let Barb know what you want in person OR send your order in to the church. (Address at bottom of Pastor s article.) They can be in MEMORY of someone or in HONOR of someone, as well, so if you are sending in your order, please include that information as well. DEADLINE FOR ORDERS: 22, March 4 In last months newsletter, the organization of the Souper Bowl Sunday was incorrectly credited to Dawn Sansevero. Linda Schaller was in charge and organized this function.

7 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 Food Distribution (4 6 p.m.) Holy Communion/ Family Sunday 10:00 Worship 5 6 OFFICE 7 7:00 Bible Study 8 10:00 Finance & Admin. Comm. Mtg :00 Meeting re: Men s and Women s Ministries 11 10:00 Worship/Sunday School OFFICE :00 Meeting re: T & T 18 10:00 Worship/Sunday School 11:15 Christian Ed. Mtg OFFICE 7:00 Board Mtg. 21 7:00 Bible Study :00 Worship/Sunday School OFFICE :00 Maundy Thursday Service with Communion 30 Service at Noon With Communion 31