Swift Creek Presbyterian Church. Living Waters. Volume 18, Issue 9 September 2009

Transcription

1 September 2009 Jesus proclaimed, If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-38 Living Waters Swift Creek Presbyterian Church Living Waters Volume 18, Issue 9 September 2009 Page From the pastor Dear Swift Creek Family, Our Nominating Committee has been hard at work. They have one of the most important jobs in the life of our church; listening to God, listening to one another and to you and trying to identify those God is calling to give leadership to the rest of us as Elders, Deacons and Trustees. Leadership in the church is a high calling and is also essential to the health and growth of the church. Serving in any of these capacities is a significant commitment that requires much time and sacrifice but that also carries with it its own reward. Recently, I ran across the following devotional from E. Stanley Ott and thought that it was particularly good. I have asked and received permission to reprint it here for you. When and if the Nominating Committee calls, I hope you will keep some of these thoughts in mind and that they will be a help to you in your decision making: I imagine you have had the experience of being called to serve and had mixed feelings about saying, yes here I am willing to do your bidding! When God calls people throughout the Scripture we see them respond with the Hebrew word hinnainee Here I am but at times with little certainty. When God called Moses from the burning bush his first reaction was hinnainee, here I am. But then God said, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt. Exodus 3:10 Moses hesitates. Suddenly the hinnainee of Moses turns into a hinnai-no, a no-way Lord! Moses replies, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh? Exodus 3:11 and O my Lord, please send someone else. Exodus 4:13 Clearly Moses is nervous. God often calls people who have second thoughts about serving. In the case of Moses God said, I will be with you. Exodus 3:12 Moses finally goes. When God calls you and surely God does call you to minor and major tasks through God s Word in Scripture, through an inner conviction within your heart, through the invitation of a person in your home or place of work or church who ask you to do something you always have a choice! Hinnainee here I am, send me! Or hinnai-no, I am not going to do it. Yet, hinnainee is the word of the servant. The humility of Jesus is embedded in your decision to declare yes and not no for as Jesus came to serve and not to be served may it be with you. Here I am, Lord. Send me! If you would like, you may subscribe to this devotional e-letter at I highly recommend it. Grace, Tuck

2 Page 2 Living Waters September 2009 FALL KICK-OFF begins September 13 It s that time again! Time for the kids to head back to school, for the college students to head to campus and time for that great American pastime to begin - football! Folks eagerly anticipate the upcoming games, exhibit team spirit and team colors and can t wait for the tailgate parties. This fall our Swift Creek Family will have our own kick-off, complete with tailgate party! As we get back to our fall schedules, we will be kicking off a Season of Praise. Like good football players, we will practice our faith, improve our strength and knowledge of the Word and joyfully praise our Creator God. Join us on Sunday, September 13 for the big Kick-Off celebration, complete with a special tailgate party in the afternoon that will rival even the parties at Virginia Tech! The tailgate will take place in the picnic pavilion at 4:30 p.m. Plan on joining us for this fun KICK-OFF! Details: We re adding a new twist to our picnic this fall. In lieu of our traditional hamburger/hotdog only picnic, we ll set up our tents and bring our favorite tailgate dishes from home. Please invite your friends & neighbors to join us for a tailgate style picnic and outdoor games (Punt, Pass and Kick competition, flag football game, etc.). It will be fun for all ages! Don t forget: Sunday, September 4:30 p.m. Look for sign-up sheets in the commons beginning August 30. Questions? Contact Kim Hilton A Season of Praise Psalm 150 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his Sanctuary; Praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; Praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; Praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; Praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; Praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Welcome to a new season at SCPC A Season of Praise! Join together with your church family and learn about true Biblical praise, praise that is refreshing, unifying and transforming. When we as God s children turn our eyes and hearts to Him in praise and worship, we will be changed! Fall more in Love with our Lord Jesus Christ during your private devotional time, during public worship time and during small-group time. The Adult Ed team has been looking for ways each of you can connect to our fall theme. Watch for upcoming brochures and opportunities to share in the new season - The Season of Praise. -Your Adult Ed Team

3 September 2009 Living Waters Page 3 GOD IS STILL IN THE MIRACLE BUSINESS Almost 2 ½ years ago the Piper Project Team took a lesson from the Experiencing God study See where God is working and join Him there. Seeing how God was using Don Piper to bring hope and healing to others encouraged us to join in. On Friday August 7, after much prayer and planning, Don Piper walked across the stage before 900 expectant guests at Cosby High School to testify to God s miracles in his life. Relaying his story of suffering and pain, he inspired us with his life lessons we can choose to be bitter or better, choose to focus on our mess or choose God s message. If we are willing to listen God will show us how to turn our test into a testimony which serves others and glorifies Him. He also shared his 90-minute glimpse of Heaven glowing colors, incredible peace, choruses of praise, the rhythm of angels wings and a welcoming committee of precious friends and family. Don encouraged us to not wait to accept God s gift of salvation, but to live joyfully now with the assurance of eternity in Heaven later and to share that promise with others. God is STILL IN the miracle business! We were able to seat all who came with or without tickets. Over 20 people came forward for prayer, including several who received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Many more submitted prayer requests on the response cards. After speaking for over an hour, Don graciously talked with guests and signed books for another two hours. God is STILL IN the miracle business! In the midst of a struggling economy, He provided sponsors and more than enough money to fund the event. We were privileged to lead over 100 SCPC volunteers who worked behind the scenes and onsite to prepare and present this event. God is STILL IN the miracle business! Don Piper Ministries operates on faith. Don agreed to come for a guarantee of expenses only. Those attending blessed him with a love offering of $4,400. God is STILL IN the miracle business! The event is over, but our ministry has just begun. Watch carefully He will present you with opportunities to share this message of hope, healing and Heaven throughout our community and beyond! -The Piper Project Team "God Is Still In The Miracle Business!" For a limited time, you may purchase an 80-min. CD of Don Piper's message from August 7. We will take orders through Sunday, September 13 and then do one bulk duplication for all SCPC orders. You must prepay when you order - $3 each, cash or check (made out to SCPC, memo Piper CD). Once the CDs are made, you may pick them up at church, no CDs will be mailed. See Bettiejoe Gentry or Nancy Glasscock for questions and to order and pick up your CD. (This is a courtesy Don Piper Ministries extends to us as hosts of the event; the price is our cost. You may order extras for friends and family but we will not offer them online to the general public. Don's website includes CDs and DVDs available for purchase.)

4 Page 4 Living Waters September 2009 Fall Classes INQUIRER S CLASS COMING IN SEPTEMBER: Considering joining the church? Our next Inquirer s class will meet during the Sunday school hour for six sessions beginning September 20. Join us to get to know our pastor, learn more about the Christian faith, Swift Creek Church and the membership process. Taking the class does not obligate you to join. You may make that decision at the end of the class. To register or for further information, please contact Liza Seibert in the church office at or via at lseibert@scpcva.org. Alpha Class A new class begins on Wednesday, September 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. We will show the introductory video during Sunday school on September 13. Anyone interested can contact Bettsie Wrenn. The class is open to church members and non-church members, so bring your neighbors & friends! Coming this fall... Financial Peace University As Dave Ramsey asks, Do you have too much month left at the end of the money? Are you struggling to make ends meet? Not sure how you will pay for the kid s college or if you will have a nest egg for retirement? These are all very real and relevant questions, and questions that all of us must answer. Don t despair and don t struggle alone because real help is available. Join us for Dave Ramsey s Financial Peace University (FPU) beginning on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m. This 13-week course will provide you with a path forward to achieve your family s financial goals. The cost per family is $99.00 for the FPU member s kit. Is it a get rich quick scheme? NO! It is a common sense approach to your finances, and will set you on a life-long path to financial peace. Please contact either C.C. Purks or Dave Lenti for additional information.

5 September 2009 Living Waters Page 5 Let s Get Back to Sunday School! This fall as children board the buses for school and our routines return to normal, let s all make plans to engage in the adult Sunday School program. We have a wonderful upcoming class schedule one of these classes is sure to pique your interest and nurture your Christian walk. Plan to make the 10 o clock Sunday School hour a key part of your faith development and spend rewarding time with other Christians in a small group atmosphere. A class on Revelation will be offered by Roger Tuttle beginning September 20. Many church members have asked for a study of this magnitude and Roger has prayerfully studied and prepared. This class will run 27 weeks with an introduction to the series and then a chapter per week. Please join Roger for an in-depth study of this interesting and challenging book of the New Testament. In keeping with our Season of Praise, Bob Seibert plans a six week class inspired by the book, Praying the Names of God. He will look closely at how praising and recognizing the power of God can defeat the effects of stress, loneliness, worry, economic struggles, envy and poor health in our lives. Join Bob for this important class on personal growth and discipleship. From September 20 through October 25, Andrew Fuller, a long time friend of SCPC and director of World Horizons Ministry, joins us for a five week Sunday School series titled Missions in the 21 st Century Methods, Martyrs and Motivation. Andrew is a seasoned missionary with a heart for global missions work. Although he has spoken from our pulpit, this is the first time we have had the privilege of Andrew teaching a Sunday School series. Inquirers Class will also be held from September 20 through October 25 for any visitors who are interested in learning more about church membership. Special Events on Sunday, September 13 During the Sunday School hour Alison Compton is back home at SCPC. Don t miss this one and only opportunity to hear an update on her mission work in Tanzania and plans for her future work with Wycliffe! Alpha is a video based, small group experience designed to explore basics of the Christian faith. Learn more about the fall offering of this program through promotional video and testimony about the Alpha experience! Financial Peace University - Want to learn more about Christian principles for money management? Take advantage of this opportunity to view promotional videos and learn details about the fall course offering at SCPC.

6 Page 6 Living Waters September 2009 Friends Feeding Friends Volunteers Suzanne Lindholm Crissie, Alex and Audrey Nicklow Dave and Carol Lenti Dave and DeAnna Edwards Brian McCutcheon Bill Dennis Kid$ and Ca$h participants Thank You! Dear Swift Creek Family, Thank you so much for your prayers, cards and emotional support during my mother's illness and death. It means so much to be part of such a caring fellowship With Love, Liza for the Seiberts New mailing address for Pam and Dave Umstead: PO Box 216 Somerset, TX Pam ; pam@umstx.net Dave ; du@umstx.net Dear Swift Creek Presbyterian Vegetable Garden Growers, I came in this morning to help serve our Food Closet customers and was overwhelmed by the harvest from the garden I saw a few weeks ago! What beautiful and abundant vegetables you have grown. The families who received those vegetables today were absolutely thrilled when they saw them. We are so grateful that you are growing such a lovely garden, that you are sharing with our Food Closet and that there are some caring and generous grown-ups who are willing to drive the harvest to our church. God bless you all. Sincerely, Shelly Murray Thank you from the Larson's While it has been almost three years since we left our SCPC church family, we feel blessed that we still have such close ties with so many of you. We were overwhelmed by the number of sympathy cards that awaited us upon our return to Pennsylvania after a month s absence due to ensuing travels involved in the death of Jim s mother on July 15. Jessie Long Larson Wachtman was a very special mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother. We want to thank all of you for the cards, prayers and s of support as we traveled from here to Minnesota, on to Oregon and back. We were very thankful to have been able to fulfill her wish of being returned to Oregon for interment next to Jim s father who departed from us 41 years ago. Many of you helped us celebrate her 90 th birthday by participating in a card shower for that event this past March. She treasured her time among us and lived a long, full and interesting life. Her pioneer spirit will be hard to match and/or forget. She especially appreciated the prayers of all of us when her health declined so rapidly during her final month. She felt she was a part of this church s extended family, too, and for that all the Larson's sincerely thank you. Jim & Tam Larson Eric & Diane Larson

7 September 2009 Living Waters Page 7 Session Highlights Some notes from the August Session meeting: There were 4-5 calls on the security alarm during the last 3-4 weeks due to door(s) being left unlocked or opened. The Trustees are recommending that a programmable thermostat be installed for the Worship Room so that the temperature in the Worship Room could be efficiently pre-programmed for various events as well as for those times when it is not being used. The next class of Financial Peace University is being planned for Wednesday nights (no childcare will be offered), starting September 23, 2009 and the next ALPHA class is also planned to start in September. Pam & Dave Umstead updated the Session on the Don Piper Event that was held on August 7 at Cosby High School from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The Session thanked the Umsteads and their small group for all of their planning, organizing and execution of this event. The financial report dated June 30, 2009, prepared by John Chamberlain, showed the Operating Fund balance was $181,428, including $24,076 of restricted funds. Payables were $60,799, resulting in an unrestricted cash balance of $96,552 as of June 30, Revenues received in June were $46,081 (vs. budget of $39,167) and expenses were $31,678 (vs. budget of $39,167). John's report also showed a net cash increase in year-to-date actual revenues of $26,431. A motion was approved to allocate $1,080 towards a new projector for the Worship Room. This amount is over and above the budget for Worship by the same amount. The Session discussed the possibility of having more than one person perform the tasks associated with the position of Treasurer. The position, if broken down into individual tasks and responsibilities, would include the following: payroll needs to be done twice a month; end-ofmonth reports need to be prepared; bookkeeping responsibility of journal entries; annual closing of the books. Hogie Harrell and Ken MacDonald will perform the audit of the records. The Nominating Committee is seeking names and asking for suggestions and prayers for filling the soon-to-be-vacated positions. SCPC Financial Update Gifts and tithes year to date (as of July 31): $270,523 (budgeted $274,167) Expenses year to date (as of July 31): $254,971 (budgeted $274,167)

8 Page 8 Living Waters September 2009 Fall Retreats Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see Growing older can be an adventure. Yes, it brings its challenges and its losses. But it also brings new experiences of God s grace. Join us at Camp Hanover Thursday, October 8, 2009 for a program entitled Gifts of Grace for the Golden Years, featuring The Rev. Jane Sigloh, Author of Like Trees Walking In the Second Half of Life Our own Todd Acker will be part of a panel and discussion group at the morning session The retreat is from 9:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m. Registration cost of $14 includes lunch. All ages are welcome to attend. After all, we re all growing older! Look for registration forms at the Information corner in the commons or contact Jackie Greenwalt. If transportation is needed, we may be able to find someone to drive. Sponsored by the Presbytery s Older Adult Ministry. Men's Fall Retreat October For the last few years we have joined several hundred men from across the mid-atlantic states for the annual Rockbridge Men's Retreat. The facilities and the setting are outstanding, the schedule is geared for relaxation and fellowship and the speaker is always excellent. This year, we are excited to hear from Bill Paige who was a NYC cop for over 20 years and is a gifted, in-demand conference speaker. Conference brochures are in the Commons. Let Tuck know if you are going. Cost is $130 if you sign up by September 15, $140 after.

9 September 2009 Living Waters Page 9 HEALTH MINISTRY REMINDER! Mark your calendar. Saturday, October 24, Virginia Blood Services will run their blood drive at SCPC. Hope to see many of you there. The Bridal Fashion Show sponsored by Women's Ministry is coming up quickly. All women of the church are invited to this special event on Saturday, November 7, in the afternoon. Bring your mothers, sisters, daughters and girlfriends to enjoy this lovely day. Dress up as you would if you were going to a wedding because you will be treated to see and hear about the very special wedding days of some of our members. Our youth will be modeling the fashions from years past. Oh, and you all will be invited to the reception, too! Look for more information in next month's newsletter. Invitations will be handed out in church in October. College and Career Ministry Recruitment The month of September means school is back in session. For those going to college, most have been in classes for a week already. College is a wonderful time. Many have the privilege of being able to live away from home to experience new things, new people and to be exposed to new challenges. Independence is amazing and frightening at the same time. Many students can function on their own, while others will miss Mom waking them up in the morning to get to class on time. We know that parents and families of each college student will be praying for them; for their safety, for their ability to learn and be successful, for their discernment in meeting new friends and making good decisions. The members of College and Career Ministry understands this. We feel that the church body can help too by becoming specific prayer partners to these young people. Just think of what God can do for these college students if not only their parents are praying for them, but a special person from church is specifically praying for them too? As a student, it is nice to know that others besides your family care enough about you to be willing to pray for you. College and Career Ministry is asking all men and women to search their heart to see if they would be willing to be a prayer partner for one of the 47 college students from Swift Creek this year. All you have to commit to is: 1) to pray for the specific student every day, and 2) to send them a little "love package" on Valentine's Day. Anything extra you want to do is up to you. We ll give you the name, address and address of your student. You may contact the student and develop a relationship with them if you choose. The students won't know who you are, unless you choose to identify yourself. If you choose to, you can send cards, letters or s of encouragement around exam times, for instance. Many people have been prayer partners for years and have enjoyed it so much. We want our college kids to know their church loves them and misses them, by praying for them. Please examine your heart and think about becoming a prayer partner. Contact Alexis Kennett or Sue Cummings if you have questions or would like to pray for one of these fine young people.

10 Page 10 Living Waters September 2009 The Parent Page Take charge of your schedules School bells bring super-sized family calendars. Even busy toddlers now seem to need their own social secretaries. We hear a lot lately about children who are hurried, harried and overscheduled. Research shows that kids and families are paying the price for always being busy. Now there s a renewed emphasis to provide plenty of free time and just let kids be kids. My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Luke 10:41-42 It s possible to grow your children s talents and give them lots of opportunities without injecting extra stress. This newsletter explores ideas for keeping a healthy balance between busyness and rest. Here are a few to spark your thinking: Sign up with care Now is the time to limit activities, before you dive into too many. Be realistic about how many activities your family can handle and about the amount of homework time and sleep that each child needs. Evaluate talents Ask each child about his or her preferences. Which sport or activity means the most to each? Which are they willing to cut? Of course, parents make the final decision. Kids can t decide to skip a church activity that you ve decided is non-negotiable. Schedule family time Block this out on your calendar, just like you would other important obligations. Plan at least a couple of hours a week for together time and don t let other duties interfere. Make Family Mealtimes a Priority In a five-year study conducted at the University of Minnesota, researchers found that in families who ate meals together at least five times a week, teenage girls were much less likely to smoke, drink or use drugs. Kids who eat more meals with their families also report significantly better academic and mental health than those kids who don t eat with their families. Study author Marla Eisenberg writes that even when other factors are statistically controlled, eating meals as a family has benefits for young people above and beyond their general sense of connection to family members. Ask God: To help you wisely manage your family s time To help your children learn to set priorities To protect your family from busyness and stress and to help family members cherish time spent with one another Slow Down Your Kids David Elkind, author of The Hurried Child, warns that too-busy kids miss important childhood experiences. These include: Open-ended playtime Unstructured time offers children a chance to play in natural ways. This builds their creativity and helps develop their personalities. Relationships with extended family Packed schedules make it harder for children to build a network of social support. Contact with extended family gives kids a sense of who they are. Self-awareness Activities such as reading, drawing, dreaming and building help kids explore their interests. Too many programmed activities can limit vital experiments in self-discovery. Group Publishing Parent Link Wanda White, Children s Director wwhite@swiftcreekpresbyterian.org

11 September 2009 Living Waters Page 11 Calling all children! Do you sing, dance or have the gift of drama? Come on out for Children s Choir! We meet on Sunday afternoons in the sanctuary. We ll start practice in September for our Christmas pageant so make room in your schedule for children s choir this year! If you have questions please feel free to contact Janet Taylor. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord FAVORITE HYMN SUNDAY Every third Sunday of the month at the Traditional Service Watch for a special form in your bulletin in September Contact: Nancy Crenshaw SCPC COED SOCCER TEAM FORMING If you are interested in playing in a COED Social soccer league at RISE this upcoming late autumn, then please contact Craig Amis or Joey Robinson. There will also be a sign-up in the commons. All skills and abilities welcome.

12 Page 12 Living Waters September 2009 LIKE TO SING? We have a place for YOU! Our adult choir will begin practice on Thursday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the worship center and we would love to have you join us. We practice every Thursday evening and participate in worship many Sundays from September through June. Please prayerfully consider using your voice to help our choir glorify God. Questions? Contact Nancy Crenshaw Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. S e p t e m b e r B i r t h d a y s 1 Greg Steel 2 Bill Nicklow 3 Robert Cook Mac Davis Katie DeSimone 4 Mike Harding Sarah Snowa Luke Owens 6 Liz Matthews 8 Tom Haring 11 Hugh Strickland Matthew Debes 13 Denise Dennis 14 Nancy Glasscock Mary Carruth 15 Joey D Orazio Spencer Dunlap 16 Daniel Seibert 18 Ginny Watts Traci Wakefield Kristen Ruch Ryan Spencer 19 Trey Anderson Brock Burch Maddie Gardiner 21 Warren Wakefield 22 Kevin Benson 23 Bill Dennis Drew McMahon 26 Charlene McCutcheon 27 Wanda White Craig Amis Josh Rymer 28 Susan Osborne Debbie Purks Elise Bell 29 Dick Ebert Bruce Bullington Joe Siggia 30 Carroll Foster

13 September 2009 Living Waters Page 13 Men's Breakfast Fall Kickoff: Hey guys, our monthly men's breakfast is reloading for the fall with a refreshed lineup of speakers. Delegate Sam Nixon will join us on Saturday morning September 12. Sam will give his testimony and will also be willing to interact with us during a Q&A time on a whole range of things including politics. Save the date and come on out for a good time with the fellas as well as a hearty mansized breakfast! We start at 8:00 a.m. and we're done by 9:00 a.m. Next Newsletter Deadline Thursday, September 17 Please submit articles to Amy Perriello Articles for the newsletter may be placed in the newsletter box located in the church office or ed to Amy Swift Creek Swift Creek Presbyterian Church 5900 Woolridge Road Moseley, Virginia Phone: Fax: Worship 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Church School 10:10 a.m. Open to All Ages See the most current CHURCH CALENDAR, along with other contents, on the church website: If you see something that needs to be updated, please send the correct information to: webmaster@scpcva.org.