A Joint Newsletter from the Ministries of The Presbyterian Church of Prospect and The Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church. February 2018

Transcription

1 Volume 1 No. 3 A Joint Newsletter from the Ministries of The Presbyterian Church of Prospect and The Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church February 2018 Sovereign Love What Is It? Lot s of people have different ideas about what is love. Consider these quotes: Love is never having to say you re sorry. Love is an ice cream sundae with all the marvelous coverings. Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. (The last quote is from Yogi Berra) I think this one is closer to reality: True love is like ghosts, which everyone talks about and few have seen. (Francois de la Rochefoucauld) Continued on Page 3

2 Page 2 The Presbyterian Church Of Prospect And The Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Directory ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Office, FAX, , tpcp@zoominternet.net Website: tpcp.net and tpcp.net/nebo/ Rev. Steve Cort, Pastor Cathy Johnson, Office Administrator Beverly O Hara, Presbyterian Church of Prospect Clerk of Session Randy Bieber, Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Clerk of Session The Presbyterian Church of Prospect Church Leaders Elders Deacons Trustees Mary Fisher Carrie Chapman Rick Brain Lisa Holland Sandy Duncan Jerry Osborne Mark Johnson Betty Herold Jack Sigmund Leslie Raisley Beverly Lotz Al Timms Beverly O Hara Shirley Warburton Jerry Vanater Don Weaver Elders Sue Weaver *********************************************** Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Leaders Trustees Randy Bieber Jason Rush Ben Patton Ella Heathcote Mary Rush Kathy Wolabaugh Diana Peters Kathy Wolabaugh Jeff Kennedy Please continue to pray for our country, for those affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, war and in other desperate situations.

3 Page 3 Sovereign Love Continued from Page 1 Most of us would agree that love is emotion, but much more than that. It s action, self-less action, and sometimes it doesn t make sense in a logical kind of way. Love is an attitude and a mindset. Mother Theresa was on to something when she said, The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. Unfortunately, a lot that passes for love is not very nourishing or healthy. Modern love is often selfish, weak, short-lived, and unholy. But God s love is different because it is in his nature. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1John 4:8 Since God and love exist together, Psalm 136 says, His love endures forever. There is no human love that can last beyond this life. Our best love is inconsistent and impure. But God s love is holy and eternal; it cannot be stopped, compromised, or contaminated. God s love remains pure and certain because God is sovereign. The sovereignty of God means the supreme authority of God (All-in-One Bible Reference Guide). When we read about and pray to God Almighty we re testifying to his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Easton's Bible Dictionary). That may sound like a lot of theological mumbo jumbo but it basically means that God alone is able to accomplish what he desires because he alone is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of the world. The good news in this is that God s pure love is also supreme and absolute. There is nothing that can alter it or prevent it from accomplishing his plan. That makes it all the more wonderful and hopeful when we hear and believe these familiar words: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Continued on Page 4

4 Page 4 Sovereign Love Continued from Page 3 In this month of heart-shaped candy, pink cards, and flowers, I hope you find your joy, your acceptance, your strength, and your peace in God s amazing and sovereign love. Love in Christ, Pastor Steve Continued on Page 5

5 February Sermons Page 5 We will continue to reflect on the practical wisdom of Ephesians 4:29-5:2. The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, tells us to take off ways that no longer help us and to put on ways that encourage and demonstrate a new kind of life. 4 th Replacing the Foot Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 11 th Laments of the Holy Spirit And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 18 th Stop and Start Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you 25 th Forgive and Live Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

6 Page 6 Ministry Highlights & Events At The Presbyterian Church of Prospect Pages 6 9 Men s Breakfast February 10, am Good food, Good Study and Discussion Plan to join us. Pastor Steve leads our study on the life of Joseph. FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 4 Steve Cort 27 Mary Fisher 17 Andrew Hudak 28 Dick McCandless 17 John Snyder 19 Helen Boyer 28 Bob Fisher 28 Joyce Cranmer ANNIVERSARIES 26 Tom & Maxine Myers TPCP Willing Workers Willing Workers is a group of people from TPCP who help to serve meals to the needy people in the city of Butler. The meals are served at St. Andrew s Presbyterian Church on the corner of N. McKean St. and Jefferson St. Our church has helped to serve their people for many years. Willing Workers assist serving the meal every other month on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 4:30 to 6:15 pm. If you would like to help serve a meal, please contact Leslie Raisley,

7 Page 7 Ministry Highlights & Events At The Presbyterian Church of Prospect Pages 6 9 After a few years of reprieve, winter has definitely found us! Our students have been very excited about the snow we have gotten this year. It is something they have not experienced a great deal of in their short lives. We have kept ourselves very busy making snowmen, snowflakes, and even bringing real snow into our classroom! Our theme for February will be Animals Around Us. We will learn about all different types of animals while continuing to focus on our ABC s and 123 s. Parent / teacher conferences will be held at the end of this month. We will also experience God s love in our room as we celebrate Valentine s Day with classroom parties. It is hard to believe that we are halfway through our school year already! We hope the groundhog doesn t see his shadow and that spring is right around the corner! Happy February! Heather & Christina

8 Page 8 Ministry Highlights & Events At The Presbyterian Church of Prospect Pages 6 9 Prayer Concerns Please call the Prayer Chain Team Captains with your Prayer Requests. Remember, if you place someone on the Prayer Chain, please call the Team Captains with updates of conditions and situations. Team Captains: Diane Kemper Dolly Hays Mary Harmon Mary Fisher Next month s Prayer Walk (Sit in) is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 pm will be at TPCP. Mark your calendar and plan to join with us in prayer. February at TPCP 3rd Officer Training at Mt. Nebo, 9 am noon 4th Communion Sunday 7th Cup of Friendship, 10 am 10th Men s Breakfast, 8 am 11th Congregational Meeting after worship 13th Pancake Supper, 5 pm 14th Ash Wednesday Service, 7 pm 18th Scout Sunday 25th New Members Seminar at Mt. Nebo, 12:30 2 pm 26th 1st Lenten Bible Study, 11:30 am and 6:30 pm TPCP Financial Summary as of Dec Income: $118,592 Expenses: $107,012.

9 Page 9 Ministry Highlights & Events At The Presbyterian Church of Prospect Pages 6 9 We would like to thank everyone for their prayer s, calls and cards we received during our day s of sickness. A special thank you for our Prayer Chain members and for Beverly O Hara and Mary Harmon for covering my call s. We are praying no one catches this bug! Pray for spring. Thank you all and God Bless you. - Regis & Diane Kemper We welcome the following newly reinstalled members, Sandy Benninger, Helen Boyer and Karen Hilliard. We extend our sympathy to the family of Ruby Kniess on her passing. A Memorial Service will be held at TPCP on Saturday, March 3, 2018 From the Board of Deacons - We are blessed by each one of you who worship with us. The Deacons are starting a Day of Blessing. Every month a name will be chosen from those who worship with us to receive a special prayer and words of encouragement. Without each one of you we would not have the blessings God provides for us, through our church family. Cup Of Friendship Women s Fellowship First Wednesday of every month. 10 am Next gathering February 7th February 13th at TPCP 5 7 pm Everyone is invited!

10 Page 10 Calendar Legend MN-Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church (Bold Italics) TPCP-The Presbyterian Church of Prospect Shared activities F E B R U Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesd 4 Communion Sunday 8 am MN Men s Breakfast 9:30 am MN Worship 10 am MN Sunday School 10 am TPCP Sunday School 11 am TPCP Worship Fellowship Meal 11 9:30 am MN Worship 10 am MN Sunday School 2:30 pm MN Movie Time 10 am TPCP Sunday School 11 am TPCP Worship Congregational Meeting 5 6 6:30 pm Prayer Walk at The Presbyterian Church of Prospect pm Pancake Supper at TPCP 7 10 am Cup of Friends TPCP Choir MN-8 pm-choir 14 7 pm Ash Wednesday Service at TPCP MN-8 pm-choir 18 9:30 am MN Worship 10 am MN Sunday School 10 am TPCP Sunday School 11 am TPCP Worship Scout Sunday Fellowship Meal 19 President s Day Church office is closed :30 am MN Worship 10 am MN Sunday School 10 am TPCP Sunday School 11 am TPCP Worship 12:30 pm New Members Seminar at Mt. Nebo 26 11:30 am and 6:30 pm Lenten Bible Study at TPCP 27 28

11 U A R Y Page 11 esday Thursday Friday Saturday noon Officer Training held at Mt. Nebo Church p of endship hoir 8 7 pm TPCP Session Mtg am Men s Breakfast sday PCP hoir 15 7 pm MN Session Mtg

12 Page 12 Ministry Highlights & Events At Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Pages Movie Time at Mt. Nebo February 11, :30 pm Bring a snack to share Everyone is invited. Join us! Mt. Nebo Church Directory Addition Mt. Nebo Friends Tom McGregor 126 Country Lane Rd Butler, Pa Annual Meeting Report. January 28th was the Mt. Nebo Tureen Dinner and Annual Meeting. The food like always was great. While going over the budget a few items came up and over the next few months will be explained. Youth & Family Camp Budget line. This item has an allowance of $400. and is available to members of Mt. Nebo attending church camp programs. This can be for youth or adult programs. Just present your request to session. Sympathy is extended to the Elmer Colteryahn family on his passing. Special thanks to all who helped with the Colteryahn funeral dinner.

13 Page 13 Ministry Highlights & Events At Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Pages CLOSE THE GATE (A final tribute to a faithful farmer) For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head, Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed. Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended, Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended. You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son, Hang up your shovel inside of the barn; your work here on earth is done. A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way, The sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day. Your love of God s soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine, Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time. You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow, Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now. Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait, Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate. Nancy Kraayenhof

14 Page 14 Ministry Highlights & Events At Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Pages PRAYER CONCERNS If you need prayer the Mt. Nebo Prayer Chain is there for you. Mary Rush Marge Cornetti Pauline Winchell Shirley Bieber Bev McKinney Virlinda Bieber Kathy Wolabaugh Lynnette Patton Ella Heathcote FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 4 Steve Cort 27 Dillion Fassinger 6 Ralph Dambaugh 28 Rebecca Frazier 23 Bud Sloan 28 Tim Bieber

15 Ministry Highlights & Events At Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Pages Page 15 Mt. Nebo Men s Breakfast Sunday, February 4, am All men are invited. Join us! Great food & good conversation. February at Mt. Nebo 3rd Officer Training at Mt. Nebo 4th Men s Breakfast/Communion 13th Pancake Supper at TPCP 14th Ash Wednesday Service at TPCP 25th New Members Seminar begins at MN

16 Page 16 SHARED MINISTRY EVENTS The Presbyterian Church of Prospect AND Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Why did Jesus have to die? When did God plan to save us through his Son? Was anyone saved before Jesus was born? How do we know the resurrection really happened? Continued on Page 17

17 Page 17 SHARED MINISTRY EVENTS The Presbyterian Church of Prospect AND Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Lenten Bible Study: continued from page 16 These are good questions. The answer to every one of them begins in the Old Testament. Easter is not just a New Testament event. The promise of victory over sin began in the Garden of Eden. Preparations for Calvary can be seen in the life of Abraham, in the great rescue through Moses, and in the words of the prophets. There is much more to Easter than simply saying, Jesus died and rose again. Would you like to discover the depth of God s salvation? Are you interested in seeing Jesus in the Old Testament? Do you want more reasons to be amazed and grateful for God s grace? Join us for the LENTEN BIBLE STUDY at Prospect Presbyterian Church, meeting every Monday at 11:30am and 6:30pm, beginning February 26 th. Choose whichever class time best suits you. Each session lasts approximately an hour. We learn together by reading and discussing Scripture. Refreshments are provided, and the meetings are open to all. Come and grow in the Good News of God s Word. Ash Wednesday Service at TPCP 7 pm Worship with us

18 Page 18 SHARED MINISTRY EVENTS The Presbyterian Church of Prospect AND Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church In his article, Membership Matters: 3 Reasons for Church Membership, Ed Stetzer writes, We recognize biblical membership matters because people need it. People need membership commitment because they need to be connected to a Christian community. This is not just for the sake of the faith community, but also for the sake of the individual. Individualist Christianity is a myth and a damaging pursuit. At the end of the day we re redeemed. We re placed in the body. The Bible specifically says he has redeemed us. He has transferred us, Colossians 1 says, from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of the Son he loves. A kingdom has a king. The king has subjects and his kingdom has a community together where we function as God s people. Continued on page 19

19 Page 19 SHARED MINISTRY EVENTS The Presbyterian Church of Prospect AND Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Church Membership continued from page 18 There are lots of reasons why people don t join a local congregation. In spite of those reasons, God desires his people to give, receive, and learn his love in a community of forgiven and incomplete people, known as the Church. Is God calling you to membership at either Mt. Nebo or Prospect Presbyterian church? Are you interested in learning more about what it means to be part of Christ s Body? Do you wonder what Presbyterians think and do that s different from Methodists, Roman Catholics, and Baptists? If so, the Enquirers Seminar is for you. For five Sundays we will gather after worship, beginning on Feb. 25 th at 12:30 and ending at 2:00. The first meeting will be at Mt. Nebo and the second at Prospect, and so forth, leading up to Easter. Lunch will be provided, followed by a time of fellowship, looking at the Scriptures, and discussing various topics, ranging from the basics of Christian faith and belief to the ways Presbyterians elect their leaders and serve in mission to Christ. There s no obligation to become a member afterwards, but this is the best way to consider what it means. Interested persons are asked to contact the church office to register, so preparations for meals and materials can be made. We hope you will be part of this special gathering.

20 The Presbyterian Church of Prospect and Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Office location: 115 Church Street Prospect, Pennsylvania NON PROFIT ORG. U S POSTAGE P A I D BUTLER, PA. PERMIT NO. 123 Worship & Grow with us! Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church of Prospect 9:30 am Worship 9:45 am Sunday School 10:30 and Sunday 11 am Worship School 1236 Prospect Road 115 Church Street Prospect, Pa Prospect, Pa us at tpcp@zoominternet. tpcp.net Or tpcp.net/nebo/ New Website: Check us out!