THE LAMB S KIN. First Presbyterian Church. Devotion for July. Moving forward to continue with our mission and ministry of sharing the Gospel

Transcription

1 First Presbyterian Church Devotion for July N o one should be surprised that they cannot come to believe so long as, in deliberate disobedience, they flee or reject some aspect of Jesus s commandment. You do not want to subject some sinful passion, an enmity, a hope, your life plans, or your reason to Jesus s commandment? Do not be surprised that you do not receive the Holy Spirit, that you cannot pray, that your prayer for faith remains empty! Instead, go and be reconciled with your sister or brother; let go of the sin which keeps you captive; and you will be able to believe again! If you reject God s commanding word, you will not receive God s gracious word. How would you expect to find community while you intentionally withdraw from it at some point? The disobedient cannot believe; only the obedient believe. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Discipleship THE LAMB S KIN July 2015 A message from our Pastor Moving forward to continue with our mission and ministry of sharing the Gospel I am happy to announce that First Presbyterian Church San Angelo, Texas is now the newest member congregation in the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO). A special called meeting of the Presbytery of Tres Rios was held at First Presbyterian Church in Pecos on Thursday, June 25. Following a presentation by the Moderator of the Presbytery, Bart Teeter, and a time for questions and debate, the vote of the majority of commissioners was to dismiss us into ECO. What changes? Nothing and everything. As was announced on Sunday, one of the most visible changes is that all of the blue Presbyterian hymnbooks have been removed from the Sanctuary. This has been done in order to comply with the guidelines of the dismissal process. One of the requirements being that any and every logo of the PC(USA) had to be removed from the church property once we were dismissed into ECO. Therefore, we were instructed we could either remove the hymnbooks from the Sanctuary, or that we could place stickers over the logos of the PC(USA) on the front cover and spine of each hymnbook as well as remove the first 8 pages from each hymnbook due to the references to the PC(USA). The Music and Worship Committee has been reviewing new hymnbooks for our use, and they will soon make a recommendation to Session. In the meantime, during the course of the summer, and on traditional-style Sundays, the hymns we sing will be reproduced in a newly-configured worship bulletin. In like manner, the logo of the PC(USA) that was on the floor of the gym has been removed, as have the logos of the PC(USA) that were on the windows of the Youth Center. The logo has also been removed on the sermon sign board that stands out on the front lawn of the church. What has not and will not change is our commitment to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ within the walls of the church, as well as out in our community and to the world beyond. We still hold fast to the Word of God. We still maintain the same creeds and confessions of the Church and we still seek to fulfill the ministry and mission we believe God is calling us to accomplish. Continued on Page 2

2 P A G E 2 Continued from Page 1 O ur summer schedule of one combined service at 11:00 a.m. continues through August 16, Sunday school begins at 10:00 a.m. Adults are meeting in the Parlor and children are meeting in Room 101. Youth are asked to help with the children s Sunday school. We will resume our normal schedule on August 23, This has been a long process. It is now time to move forward in faith and confidence as we join a denomination that states among its many goals that of baptizing more than we bury, and planting more new congregations than we close. In addition, ECO seeks to enable congregations to work together in such a way that best-practices are shared and encouraged among all of its member churches. Joel and I are very grateful for your prayers, your encouragement, and your support as this process unfolded. We celebrate the fact that the transition is now complete. We have a great future before us as a church. May God be praised! ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians who is in the Presbytery of Texas & Louisiana? Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, Albany * FPC, Amarillo * Westminster Presbyterian, Amarillo * Covenant Presbyterian, Amarillo * Bethany Korean Presbyterian Church, Carrollton * Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Dallas * FPC, Eldorado * West Isle Presbyterian Church, Galveston * The Presbyterian Church, Chapel of Grace, Houston * Grace Presbyterian, Houston * Winwood Presbyterian Church, Houston * FPC, Kingwood * New Life Community Church, Luling, LA * Providence Church, Nederland * FPC, San Angelo * Advent Presbyterian Church, Spring The Presbytery is moderated by the Rev. Bob Bullock, he is the pastor of West Isle Presbyterian Church in Galveston. Raised a Methodist, ordained a Baptist preacher, he saw the light and became Presbyterian while living in Dallas!

3 7/1 Randy Brooks 7/3 Devin Bates, Tim Pucci, Alan Erwin, Wyatt Edwards 7/4 Margaret King, Kathy Newman 7/7 Vivian Meyer, Katie Hooker, Chris Hooker 7/8 Cari Curry 7/9 Jean Heare, Macy Barnett 7/10 Ketch Lee, Amber Smith, Ashley Darby, Reagan Darby 7/11 Susan Little, Richard Rigdon 7/12 Sandy Whittley, Carmen Giesecke P A G E 3 7/13 Sloan Cole 7/14 Thomas Mackie 7/16 Mary Louise Strain, Diane Montgomerie, Landon Neal 7/17 Emily Kilman, Mary Cathryn Darby 7/18 Colleen Hair 7/19 Lesli Uherik 7/20 Cindy Kilman, Adley Wall 7/21 Morgan Mann, Marissa Giesecke 7/22 Shane Hill, Kay Kennemer 7/23 Davis Darby 7/24 Baby Dalton, Bob Ferguson 7/26 Clifford Anderson, Lanee Proctor 7/27 Frank Rose, Bart Pfluger, 7/28 Kay Bates, Chester Bobo 7/29 John C. Olson 7/31 Nancy Granaghan Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 6:45 MBS Church ofc closed in observance of Independence Day :00 Traditional 6 7 HPM Meeting 11:00 CR 8 6:45 MBS-210 5:15 PT- Rehearsal 9 PROPERTY MEETING 5:15 CR :00 Praise & Worship :45 MBS-210 Brownwood/House of Faith-CAMP! MISSION TRIP DEPARTURE! 19 11:00 Traditional :45 MBS-210 5:15 PT-Rehearsal MISSION TRIP ARRI- VAL! 26 11:00 Praise & Worship 27 SOUP KITCHEN :45 MBS

4 P A G E 4 Not going to Guatemala? Consider signing up to pray for those who are going! YOUTH FUN-DAY MONDAY S at the Lake Lodge. Every Monday, July 6 through Aug 17, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. will be Youth Night! We will have fun at the lake with swimming, boating, volleyball, 9- Square, games, music, and supper! Bring your friends to join in the fun! M ission 2015 Prayer Vigil needs you! Not being able to travel with the Mission 2015 team of volunteers does not mean you cannot play an integral role in this summer s mission trip to Guatemala! We need prayer warriors who will sign up for a time slot and pray for the mission team, the people the team will be serving and all involved with Promise Land Ministries. You are welcome to come and pray at church, if the time slot you choose is during office hours, or you can simply pray wherever you find yourself at the time you signed up! It s that easy. The sign-up sheet for Mission 2015 Prayer Vigil will be available on Sunday, July 5 and Sunday, July 12. Or, during the week from 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, or 8:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Cookies wanted to feed hungr y House of Faith campers! E ven if you aren t able to travel with our team of volunteers over to Lake Brownwood, you have an opportunity to help make this year s meal a roaring success! Last year our dessert offering was less than appealing (it was cookies that came in a box), so this year we want to change that by asking all you awesome bakers in our congregation to consider baking homemade cookies, brownies or bars! Any cookie/brownie/bar you d like to make would be welcomed with the exception of cookies containing peanuts or peanut butter. With so many having peanut allergies, it s just best to steer clear of peanuts. If you would like to showcase your baking talents by contributing to the feeding of 350, of which are mostly hungry high school students, please call or Susan at church, or programs.director@fpcsanangelo.org by July 10. You could bring your baked goods with you to church on July 12, if your contribution can survive the freezer or bring to church on Tuesday, July 14 anytime from 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Or, Wednesday, July 15 by 11:30 a.m. Or, call and arrangements could be made for someone to come to your home and pick-up your baked goods! We aim to please and to make serving possible for all.

5 Dear Members of FPC, Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers, May 31st delivered by Beth & Jay Uherik. It was a wonderful surprise and we truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and your prayers. Sincerely, Cynthia & Bill Keel Dear FPC friends, Thank you so much for supporting and praying for our school again this year. We really appreciate all you do for us! Happy Summer! Your friends at Lamar Elementary Dear Deacons & Church, Words cannot adequately express our surprise and joy when our door bell rang and it was a group of deacons, here with their lawn mowers and edgers. Just that one conversation with Joel started it all. Then we were again surprised when Barbara Rogers rang the door bell, and gifted us with food gift cards, plus money. Thank you, thank you. The Lord has worked for us through you and all of the deacons. You have truly blessed us. In Christ, Jane & Tom Warren Dear Friends at FPC, I was really astounded when Deacon Barbara Rogers brought me the lovely flowers from the Sanctuary and said, These are to celebrate your birthday! I have had a lot of birthdays but this gift of love from the church I love was especially meaningful. The flowers were lovely for two full weeks, daily they reminded me how special our congregation is. Thank you! Love and prayers, Pat Attebery FPC, When I came home from church, a beautiful bunch of flowers was at my door! What a nice surprise! My house is now beautifully decorated, and somebody needs a great big kiss! You brightened my day! Gus Thankful Hearts Dear FPC, I would like to thank everyone who sent cards and prayers to David and me while he was ill. Thank you Bill and Joel for your help with Bill Crews, David s brother, who delivered the Eulogy, it was beautiful. I would like to thank everyone who helped with the service on that day. We enjoyed the meal that was served by the deacons. Thank you to all who sent flowers, memorial gifts, and cards. Also, a special thank you to Bob Hamblen for being with us in our time of need. David Crews loved this church and en- P A G E 5 joyed working at the soup kitchen along with all the other volunteers. He also enjoyed bringing donuts every Sunday and he asked me every time if I thought we had enough. I always told him we were not feeding the whole church! With love and appreciation, Phyllis Crews & family This letter is from a recipient of one of our Chemo Care Packages: Dear Rev. Proctor, Please convey my gratitude to all who provide gift bags for cancer patients at Shannon. Those tokens have been a terrific boost to me. This is week #11 of an 18 week protocol to arrest my Stage 4 lymphoma. I feel good. The treatments seem to be working. It is great to be remembered by caring folks. Please tell your dear Presbyterians how much these gifts mean. Peace, Perry Flippin Dear FPCSA Family, Thank you for delivering several meals to our family upon the arrival of our son. It was very generous for church members to go out of their way for us, and so very appreciated. Thank you, Amber & Joe Smith

6 Mary Erwin, Margay & Doug Massey & family on the loss of Manse Erwin, who passed into eternal life on June 25, 2015 The family & friends of Margaret Mallard, who passed into eternal life on June 29, 2015 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. John 14:1-4 Food for the month of July Caned tomatoes of any kind, to include tomato sauce; canned beans of any kind; cereal, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, dry pasta, mac-ncheese, canned meats of any kind, any kind of canned veggies, canned soup, broth, and baby formula Please place your donations in the basket in the Commons. Josie said they are in urgent need of food. The Lamb s Kin is published monthly for the members and friends of First Presbyterian Church. Church office: There will be one combined service at 11:00 a.m. July 5 Polly Brooks Harper, Julie Quam, Cybee & Bob Hamblen, Gabriela Spraggins, Sandy Whittley July 12 Steve Boster, Tom Granaghan, Beth & Jay Uherik, Haylee Perrine, Steve Stephens, Susan Woods, Noma Perrine July 19 Bill Morehead, Allyn Byars, Carter Behrens, Carolyn & Troy Bradley, Evalie & Neal Grigg July 26 Carolyn & Bill Quillen, Renee & Rod Winn, Bette & Don Allison Flower Delivery for July July 5 Gabriela Spraggins, Beth Uherik July 12 Colleen Hair, Kathy Newman July 19 Casey Puckitt, Devin Albert July 26 David Vann, Lane Allison Thank you!