From the Pastor Gerald Egger

Transcription

1 OCEAN Views OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 From the Pastor Gerald Egger The last Sunday in October each year is designated Reformation Sunday. It occurs on October 30 in 2016 the fifth Sunday of the month, so we will also offer a Service for Wholeness and Healing later that afternoon. Next year, 2017, Presbyterians will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the occasion in 1517 when Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. But a year earlier, in Switzerland, a book was published that helped Martin Luther to declare the Protestant Reformation. The year 2016 marks the 500th anniversary of the first printed (thus mass-produced) edition of the New Testament in its original language, koine Greek. Therefore, my Pastor s Message this month honors the author of that landmark publication, Desiderius Erasmus. Gerald Egger Reformation of the Bible On March 7, 1516, Desiderius Erasmus ( ) wrote to a friend with great relief that the printing of his New Testament, the Novum Instrumentum omne, was complete. The research of a decade and the labor of nearly a year had produced the first published version of the New Testament in Greek, the common language of the early church. A printed Greek New Testament meant that what had been available only to a few was now available to many: the Gospel in its original language. Portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam Erasmus Renaissance humanist, Catholic reformer, and Dutch educator had long seen the need for a reliable print edition of the Greek text. Many had been promised but none delivered. In 1514, Swiss printer Johann Froben offered him a chance to publish his own, and Erasmus moved to Basel to oversee the work. The first edition featured Greek text, based on manuscripts available to Erasmus in Basel and corrected through his own research, alongside a lightly edited version of the Latin translation that had been used in the Western church for centuries.

2 OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 PAGE!2 In his title Erasmus used the Latin word instrumentum (a written document that establishes the terms of an agreement) in place of the traditional testamentum (an unwritten will or covenant). He reasoned the Old Testament was based on an unwritten covenant of God with Israel, but the New Testament was the terms of a covenant made by Christ with the church in the Lord's Supper. Froben set the title-page type in the shape of a chalice to emphasize this point. Erasmus s volume received attention across Europe. He issued a second, corrected edition in 1519 that reverted to the traditional testamentum title and replaced the Latin text with his own fresh translation. This was the edition Martin Luther used to translate the New Testament into German in Englishlanguage Bibles such as the Geneva (1560) and King James (1611) were also strongly influenced by Erasmus. The reformation of the church began with the reformation of the Bible. Source: Presbyterian Historical Society Ocean View Presbyterian Church 67 Central Avenue Ocean View, DE Service Sunday, 9:30 A.M. Interim Gerald Egger Church Office Website ovpc.org Session Don Bailey Bob Wolf Jennifer Read Mike Quinn Bruce Hobler Elsie Young Karen Colwill (Clerk of Session) Deacons Earlene DeFazio Betsy Henifin Bill Colwill Cindy Benjamin Ollie Robling Sue Baer Newsletter Editors Lorie and Jim Hartsig

3 OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 PAGE!3 Christian Education Bev Bailey CE Class for October: Gary Baer will lead a class called Civility on October 16 and 23 after worship in Fellowship Centre. This class has come about because of Gary s interest in Political Science, and the upcoming election and the fact that the world is becoming a less civil place to live. The first class will be Civility and Scripture, followed by Civility and Culture. Don t miss this timely opportunity. Healing Service On October 30 at 4 pm. Pastor Jerry will conduct the last healing service of the year. Come for a service of beautiful music, silence scripture, laying on of hands, and anointing in the sanctuary. November: Don Benjamin will offer more classes called Tell Me A Story: Favorite Biblical Tales. Classes will be held in Fellowship Centre on October 30, November 6 and 20. This class may become a regular for the month of November. (Please note: There will be no classes on 2 nd Sundays because of the fellowship nature of our coffee hours). Advent Study: Names for the Messiah. This small study book written by Walter Bruggemann will be taught by different members of the CE Committee during the 4 weeks of Advent beginning on November 27. The classes will look at the names for the Messiah found in Isaiah 9: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Books may be purchased in the office for $8.50, and there will be a sign-up sheet in the back of the sanctuary so we ll know how many books to purchase. Prayer Time will be on hiatus during the months we offer regular classes. No class in Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec. Coming up in January, a winter book study on Grace and Aging. At the beach, life is different. Time doesn t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun.

4 OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 PAGE!4 Session Report Karen Colwill Clerk of Session The Session of OVPC met on Monday, September 12, 2016, at the home of Elsie Young. The Rev. Jerry Egger opened with prayer and devotions at 7:00 P.M. Approved MOTION to accept the minutes of the August 8, 2016 Session Meeting. Approved MOTION to accept the Treasurer s Report for August We met with prospective members, Peggy and Bill Wivel, They are requesting membership on Reaffirmation of Faith. Peggy and Bill attended St Matthew s Church in Silver Spring, Maryland with Elsie and George Young and Easton Presbyterian Church in Easton, Maryland with Marti Somer. Approved MOTION to accept into membership, Peggy and Bill Wivel. They will join during worship on September 25, Welcome Peggy and Bill! Session met with the Facilities Use Committee and the Mission Advocacy Team. New Castle Presbytery Committee on Ministry approved the new ministry contract for Rev. J. Gerald Egger Leadership Training has been scheduled for the evening of January 20 th and the morning and afternoon of Saturday 21 st. More information will follow. The Church Nominating Committee is working to fill all open leadership positions. As a show of solidarity to the We Choose Welcome PCUSA program that extends a welcome to all refugees, after worship on October 2 nd, the Session asks all members to gather at the steps of the sanctuary for a picture. We will post the We Choose Welcome picture on our web site and in the newsletter. Approved MOTION to be the back-up location for the CCC First Responders Service on September 27 th. From the Personnel Committee - Approved MOTION to remunerate the Organist for the addition service (Christmas Eve 2016). From the Building and Grounds Committee - Approved MOTION to install new gutters by the office entrance. The Rev. Jerry Egger adjourned the meeting with prayer at 9:33 P.M.

5 OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 PAGE!5 Nick Schwartz Oct. 2 Carole Trent Oct. 7 Janet Anderson Oct. 9 Elsie Young Oct. 9 Carol Kratch Oct. 12 Charlotte Wheatley Oct. 14 Lorie Hartsig Oct. 20 Olie Robling Oct. 25 Bob Turner Oct. 27 Sandy and Dave White Oct. 3rd 52 years Nancy and Bob Turner Oct. 7th 49 years Earlene and Al Defazio Oct 23th 45 years Note: The November newsletter will be published sometime in the first week of November, delayed because the editors will be traveling during October. Deadline remains October 20th. Advent Devotional Elsie Young Members and Friends of OVPC write the daily readings we use for devotions during the Advent Season. Lists of the Lectionary Readings are available in the narthex. When you select a day, please let me know so that the your date can be confirmed. Elsie Young

6 OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 PAGE!6 Fall Jumble OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CENTRAL AVE JUST NORTH OF RT 26 SATURDAY, Saturday, October OCTOBER 8, 12, AM TO 12 PM 9 AM to 12 PM Books Bake Sale Plants Linens White Elephant TO DONATE ITEMS CONTACT: Kathy Kathy Sheetz Sheetz ( ), Amy Amy Peoples Peoples ( ), Liz Hobler or ( ) the Church or office the Church office ( ) ALL PROCEEDS GO TO LOCAL MISSIONS

7 OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 PAGE!7 Deacons Report Betsy Henifin Ollie Robling will replace Betsy Henifin as chair of Deacons starting in January. The Deacons discussed organizations they would like to support this coming year and heard from Bruce Hobler about plans for the House of Mercy. We will give this more thought at our next meeting. Meet our newest members: Peggy and Bill Wivel I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it. Lee Maynard YARN...You Are Ready to Needle....Knit or crochet or just watch and learn. Join us in Fellowship Center the first Monday of the month from 10 am-2 pm... bring your lunch. See you on October 3rd

8 OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 PAGE!8 Operation Seas The Day Cindy Benjamin Thank you OVPC for being a huge part of our VIFs (very important families) during Operation Seas the Day. There is no way to put into words the blessing it was for Don and I to be a host family. Prayers that Jesus would walk in front of us, allowed us to sit back and let it happen. We were on "sacred ground". Eric, our warrior, explained it best by naming our experiences "small winds". There were times he looked at me and smiled knowing there was yet another angel in front of us. Please continue to pray for Eric, Erin, Easton and Everett Gouldthorpe as they continue Eric's treatment at Walter Reed. From the editors: our contribution to Operation Seas the Day was in photographing some of the events our town put on for the Wounded Warriors. We are so proud of the generous and gracious efforts put forth the entire week by our Bethany Beach neighbors! Getting to know the families personally was a spiritual high for us. Their faith has made them strong even in the face of the adversity they have suffered, and we are sure they take meaningful memories home with them.

9 OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 PAGE!9 A Great Way to Serve! We still need folks to fill our Greeter/Usher schedule. You can volunteer for a week at a time or a month or any other combination you like. Don t worry if you are signing up as a single we will be happy to pair you up with someone. Please contact Elaine Wolf if you are interested in serving or have any questions or need a list of the duties or you can just sign up. The schedule is on the bulletin board in the back of the church. We are asking that our Greeters wear name tags since they are the first people our visitors will see please let Elaine know if you need a new name tag. Mission Forum Friday October 14th The Mission Advocacy Team, on behalf of the Session, will host the first Mission Forum at OVPC. The date is Friday, October 14. We will meet at 5:30 in Memorial Hall, and the evening will include: looking at why we do mission, a report from the Deacons and the Women s Sewing Circle on what they do for mission at OVPC, a dinner of subs, chips, and dessert; table talk, thinking of ways our church can reach out into the community and the world, helping those in need. Are you wondering who and what the Mission Advocacy Team is?? Come find out and have fellowship with your community of faith. Please add your name on the sign up sheet at the back of the sanctuary so that we may know how many will be joining us for dinner. Questions?? Ask a member of MAT: Bev Bailey, Karen Rubin Hamilton Lorie Hartsig, Mike Quinn, Jen Read, Ollie Robling,

10 OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 PAGE!1 0 Friday Night At The Movies Our October movie will be held at the Wolf s home on Friday October 7 th and will be hosted by Nancy and Bob Turner as we help them celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary! We will be enjoying a meal centered on a spiral cut ham so bring you favorite sides to share! For our feature, we will be watching the 2014 film 5 Flights Up starring Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton. Forty years ago, artist Alex Carver (Morgan Freeman) bought a run-down apartment in a sketchy part of Brooklyn with his wife, schoolteacher Ruth (Diane Keaton). Today, their neighborhood is now very hip and their apartment worth a small fortune. The now- retired Ruth and Alex have let Ruth s niece Lily, a real estate agent, list their property to see what the market might bear. On the eve of their open house, the Brooklyn Bridge is rumored to be under a terrorist attack, sending the media into a frenzy as well as people s attitudes about living in New York. Closer to home, Dorothy, the Carver s beloved dog, is suddenly having trouble walking. As the world around them seems to mirror their own chaos and confusion, Ruth and Alex realize the same bond of love that has kept them together all these years just might allow them to see their way through this crazy weekend as well. If you are interested in hosting movie night, or have a special movie request, please contact Bob Wolf. Remember that you can be a host without having the movie at your home --- OCEAN VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 67 Central Ave Ocean View, DE 19970