Stuart Pres Press. Stuart Presbyterian Church...a healing place

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Stuart Pres Press Stuart Presbyterian Church...a healing place On July 2, SPC youth and leaders headed out for our mission trip to Seymour, TN.

Each evening we returned to camp for showers, dinner, and evening worship.

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Is. 9:6). We received a little "Christmas in July" each evening as we were challenged to consider what each of the names of Jesus mean to us.

In my estimate, those days were as hot and exhausting as our work days; but a ton of fun.

We are truly blessed to have some of the best youth on the planet; and I can't say enough about our youth leaders and their hearts for our youth.

1 Stuart Pres Press Stuart Presbyterian Church...a healing place On July 2, SPC youth and leaders headed out for our mission trip to Seymour, TN. We had the privilege this summer of working on a pastor's home. We painted the home and began the process of framing a new deck. It was hot; but the work was rewarding. Each evening we returned to camp for showers, dinner, and evening worship. The theme verse for the week was: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Is. 9:6). We received a little "Christmas in July" each evening as we were challenged to consider what each of the names of Jesus mean to us. We also had free time Thursday afternoon to join a mass of humanity sight-seeing in Gatlinburg; and Friday, we enjoyed the thrills of Dolly Wood. In my estimate, those days were as hot and exhausting as our work days; but a ton of fun. The work was rewarding, the worship a blessing; the free days were fun; but my fondest memory is hanging out with our youth and leaders. We are truly blessed to have some of the best youth on the planet; and I can't say enough about our youth leaders and their hearts for our youth. I cannot describe how much these youth and leaders encourage me each year. I cannot put into words how much their joy and laughter and even their pranks refresh my soul. I give praise to God for our youth and leaders; it is such an honor to work and play alongside them at mission camp and throughout the year. And on behalf of the youth and leaders, we thank you, Church, for supporting the youth ministry and sending us on these trips! In Christ, Danny INSIDE THIS ISSUE SPC VBS 8/5 2 Called to Serve 2 Acts Bible Study 3 Budget Note 3 Sunday School 3 College Students 3 EPC Statistics from 3 General Assembly Change My Heart, 4 Oh God Openings for 4 Sanctuary Flowers Nursery Wkrs. 4 Calendar 5 & Birthdays Coming Events 6 Scripture for August For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try m and know my thoughts! Psalm 139:14-16, 23, ESV

2 Stuart Pres VBS is Diggin' It! Stuart Presbyterian Church will be conducting a half day, 9 AM 1 PM, VBS on August 5 th. The theme is Digging for Treasure and we will be digging into 2 parables Jesus taught: The Parable of the Lost Sheep and The Parable of the Lost Coin. (Luke 15: 1-10). We'll have treasure hunts, crafts, music, skits, surprises and great lessons as we learn about redemption and God's love. The day will close with lunch for the students and their parents at noon. All parents are encouraged to attend the lunch! Please take the opportunity to pre-register your child(children) by going to the following website: Please click on Checkout at the bottom of page 1 of the site in order to enter child s name, contact information, etc. Called to Serve This December will mark the end of my term as a member of the Session of Stuart Presbyterian Church. Serving as an elder and member of the Session has been the highest calling of my life; it's also been the most humbling. I am grateful for the many experiences I have had serving our church family. This position forced me out of my comfort zone many times and required me to focus on God's plans for His church and to trust Him; to know that He is always in control. I am thankful for the leadership skills and people skills that I developed through the patient guidance, encouragement and prayers of our pastor, Danny Redman. Danny is able to articulate all sides of an issue, mention available options...making sure the session knows as many details as possible about questions that need to be decided. Thankfully, I also grew spiritually and my faith increased while serving. Through serving on several committees I was able to meet and work with folks that I probably would otherwise only know from seeing them on Sunday mornings. This opened up opportunities to really get to know people; to learn their concerns, their challenges, their hopes. Serving holy communion to our home bound members is an honor and a pleasure. This holy sacrament is so appreciated by those folks who have difficulty leaving their homes or long term care residences. Perhaps you've noticed the operative word in this essay is serving. Serving God is one of the most important principles of the Christian faith, as believers we are expected to serve the church with a joyful spirit. 1 Samuel 12:24 tells us But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. The nominating committee will soon start meeting to select the next slate of church leaders. Should the committee call on you, please seriously and prayerfully consider this unique opportunity to offer servant leadership to our congregation and experience spiritual growth yourself. Ann McConnell Elder Page 2 Stuart Pres Press

ACTS BIBLE STUDY KEEP OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN YOUR PRAYERS: Ted Alt, Cari Goins, Abby Hutchens, Julia Hutchens, Sarah Sheppard, Anna Shough, Beth Williams, Rachel Williams, Gracen Witt, Noah Wolfe

3 ACTS BIBLE STUDY KEEP OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN YOUR PRAYERS: Ted Alt, Cari Goins, Abby Hutchens, Julia Hutchens, Sarah Sheppard, Anna Shough, Beth Williams, Rachel Williams, Gracen Witt, Noah Wolfe The Acts Bible Study WILL NOT MEET IN AUGUST (Betty L Martin is the leader.) EPC STATISTICS FROM 2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY SPC Budget Note YTD Income: $110, YTD Expense: $110, Surplus YTD (through June): $ Ellen Renegar, Treasurer SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:00 AM Children 3 years and under: Sidney and Andrea Kirk Pre K-1st grade: Ruthann Russell, Susan Tabor 2nd-5th grade: Terri Birkett 6-12th grade: Derrick Williams Young Adult Class: Rebecca Renegar Adult Contemporary Studies: Kelly and Beth Witt Adults: Gary Birkett Breakfast snacks and drinks available at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday morning. Come and join us! Sunday School is not the only component of Christian Education. Other events include Youth Group meetings and outings, Vacation Bible School for children, Bible Study groups, full length movies, Men's Ministry and fellowship, the Acts Bible Study taught by Betty Martin, and Women s Ministry. The EPC experienced another year of growth in 2016, adding 26 churches and 967 members during the year. The denomination also increased its worship attendance by more than By the end of 2016, there were 150,042 members. Total churches increased from 576 in 2015 to 602 by the end May 22, 2017, for an increase of 26 churches. An increase in worship attendance was also reported for a total of 95,904 in Of the newly added churches, five of these were in our Presbytery of the Mid-Atlantic: Bensalem Presbyterian Church, Eagle Springs, NC Elon Presbyterian Church, Madison Heights, VA Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, Rockingham, NC Pineland Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, NC Wayside Presbyterian Church, Cameron, NC For more information about the recent General Assemby meeting and its work, you may look up various training workshops, etc. at look under EPC Connection. Leadership Workshop Page 3 Stuart Pres Press

4 CHANGE MY HEART, OH GOD Composer: EDDIE ESPINOSA. Eddie has had a rich experience in worship leading, songwriting and recording with the Maranatha Praise Bands and with the Anaheim Vineyard. He writes: "Change My Heart Oh God" is a heart cry song that came to me after a time of being in the presence of God during a private time of worship. The experience that I had was very similar to that of Isaiah, chapter 6 (1-7). During my time of being in God s presence, sin and attitudes of the heart were suddenly glaring me in the face. I realized that in order for me to walk uprightly before the Lord, I needed a heart transplant. I desperately needed for God to change my heart in order to love the things that He loves and to hate the things that He hates. I also was aware that only He could change me! The hymn and music were written in It is #654 in The Celebration Hymnal (our current one). Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 Make it ever true; May I be like You. Make it ever true; May I be like You You are the Potter, I am the clay; Mold me and make me, This is what I pray Make it ever true; May I be like You. (chorus) Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your Lambs Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your Lambs O let the Son of God enfold You With His Spirit and His love Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul O let Him have those things that hold You And His Spirit like a dove Will descend upon your life And make you whole. OPENINGS FOR SANCTUARY FLOWERS September 3 and 24 October 29 November 26 If you would like to put flowers in the sanctuary on one of these Sundays, please sign-up on the Flower Chart which is located in the Walk of Faith. (just off the vestibule). August, 2017 Date 8/6 8/13 8/20 8/27 9/6 Nursery Tim and Leatha Hutchens Angela Rose Lisa Williams Rob and Angela Harris Kyle and Lindsey Puckett, Nik Tabor April Harris Samantha Harris K-Grade 1 Need Volunteer! Wren and Britt Williams Need Volunteer! Susan Tabor Need Volunteer! Page 4 Stuart Pres Press

5 August Ushers Ann McConnell 1 6:00 PM Session Mtg :00 AM - 1:00 PM Vacation Bible School 6 9:00 AM Deacons Meeting 10:00 AM Sunday School Worship Communion :00 AM Sunday School Worship :00 AM Sunday School Worship :00 Sunday School Worship If your birthday is missing below, please contact Geneva in the office. 2 Bucky Hunsicker, Peggy Ayers 4 Tristan Moore, Barbara Pendleton 6 Mo Lyon 7 Lee McDaniel 8 John T Johnson, Korbin Puckett 10 Samuel Anderson, Julia Hutchens 11 Sue Forrest 12 Lisa Goins, Haley Rakes 16 Danny Redman, Charlie Handy 17 April Harris 20 Jesse Slate 21 Anna Marie Clark 22 Jimmy Stowe 24 Angela Hiatt 25 Dean Thrasher 26 Susan Slate 30 Janet Moore Stuart Press Page 5

Stuart Presbyterian P.O. Box 944 309 Staples Avenue Stuart, VA 24171 276-694-4628 Office E-mail: stuartpresbyterian @embarqmail.com Pastor s E-mail: sppastor @embarqmail.

6 Stuart Presbyterian P.O. Box Staples Avenue Stuart, VA Office Pastor s The Little Church With a Big Vision COMING EVENTS Tuesday, August 1 6:00 PM, Session Meeting Saturday, August 5 9:00 AM-1:00 PM, Vacation Bible School Lunch at noon for Parents and Children Sunday, August 6 9:00 AM, Deacons Meeting Communion Monday, August 7 My Friend s Reopens Website:

Stuart Pres Press. YOUTH SUNDAY May 13, 11:00 AM. Stuart Presbyterian Church...a healing place. Finding Your Life's Purpose: Created, Called, Crowned

Stuart Pres Press. YOUTH SUNDAY May 13, 11:00 AM. Stuart Presbyterian Church...a healing place. Finding Your Life's Purpose: Created, Called, Crowned Stuart Pres Press Stuart Presbyterian Church...a healing place Finding Your Life's Purpose: Created, Called, Crowned Life is a series of seasons. During challenging seasons from unique phases of life and