From the Pastor October 30, 2011

Transcription

1 From the Pastor October 30, 2011 In recent days the news media has been full of articles about Steve Jobs. He has been compared to Einstein, Edison and Ford in that his creativity and innovation helped shape the course of daily living for people all over the world. From what I can see in the offices and homes all over the world and what I can hear in my own I-Pod Shuffle as I work out, all the praise and honor he has been given seems well-founded. One of the articles I read seemed to indicate that doing something big; what we have often called making a name for yourself, is one of the goals in life. Very few of us will ever do anything close to creating a company called Apple, but achievement is a universally accepted marker of a successful life. Another way we say this is with a question: How will I be remembered? Or even more profoundly, Will anyone except my family remember me 20 years after I am gone? Each Sunday when I stand in the narthex greeting people after church I can see the row of pictures on the south wall. Pictures of past ministers who I think sometimes are saying to me, You are just one more Steve, others will come after you. In the church we have a tendency to remember people by naming things after them, Sunday School Classes, buildings, fellowship halls. Members who have been here for some time will refer to moments in the past by saying, That happened when Rev. Craig was here, or He was the pastor when we built the CMB. The pictures in the narthex remind me that one day I will be remembered. As will you. When that day comes will the remembering be about me, you or about God? The Apostle Paul wrote to the congregation that met at Philippi these words: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians. Paul understood that that whether our lives are marked by great achievement that are recognized by everyone, or whether our lives are lived more discreetly, our lives, our manner of living should point to Christ. Rev. Clay Oglesbee, a Methodist Minister in Minnesota says it like this: If we live, serve, pray, grieve and die as people who wear our reputations and achievements like billboards trying to persuade the world of how kind and how virtuous we are, or to convince God of how much we deserve salvation, then we are without hope. If instead we exist as those whose final way of living and dying is a message of faith, hope and love in Christ, then we are getting close to the heart of things. I am thankful for the Steve Jobs of the world and they inspire me to go big. I am also thankful for those who will never be mentioned in Time magazine, the ones who day in and out do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. That I believe is our hope, a grace filled and generous life. Steve

2 I. The Apostles' Creed Question 9. What comfort do you receive from this truth? This powerful and loving God is the one whose promises I may trust in all the circumstances of my life, and to whom I belong in life and in death. Ps. 12:6 "The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." Rom. 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Question 10. Do you make this confession by yourself? No. With all those before me who have loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and with all who serve him on earth here and now, I confess my faith in this loving and powerful God. Heb. 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." Rom. 1:12 "So that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." Question 11. When the creed speaks of "God the Father," does it mean that God is male? No. Only creatures having bodies can be either male or female. But God has no body, since by nature God is Spirit. Holy Scripture reveals God as a living God beyond all sexual distinctions. Scripture uses diverse images for God, female as well as male. Is. 49:15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you." Is. 66:13 "As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem." Matt. 23:37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" Question 12. Why then does the creed speak of God the Father? Because God is identified in the New Testament as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 1:7 "To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." John 14:9-10 "Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works." John 17:24 "Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world." John 1:12 "To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God." Gal. 4:6 "Because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!'"

3 Second Pres Serving In Faith Section Being the Hands and Feet of Christ Presbyterian Women Thank Offering Accepting contribution for this Special Offering Sunday November 20, 2011 What is the Thank Offering? The Thank Offering is a PW offering collected in the fall of each year that gives women a tangible way to express their gratitude for the special blessings in their lives. The offering funds projects such as agricultural development, child care, community organization, criminal justice, drug counseling, economic justice, elderly care, employment training, homelessness, literacy, violence and women s concerns. At least 40 percent of this offering supports health ministries throughout the world. The remaining 60 percent funds new creative ideas for missions. Give to the Thank Offering PW in the Congregations typically collect the Thank Offering in the fall and dedicate their offerings in the fall. No giving guidelines are suggested other than give as you are blessed. Member who contribute to the Offering should make their donation payable to PW Second Presbyterian Church. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:37-39 Foil Brown Sugar Aluminum Pans Canned Milk Crisco Shortening Vanilla Flavoring Lemon Flavoring Sage Raisins Hams Turkeys Cranberry Sauce Potatoes (white or sweet) Pickles (sweet) Pimentos Cheese Dish Detergent Regular dish towels and dish rags Black pepper Salt Sugar Garlic powder

4 KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY Fall, 2011 Fall Retreat, November 3-6, 2011 Tyger River Correctional Institution Enoree, South Carolina The 42 volunteer team members for this retreat are in the final stages of training, and Chaplain Edmiston has selected the 30 inmates that will attend this 4-day weekend. We again ask for the support of 2 nd Presbyterian Church. Congregation members can assist us in several ways: 1. Prayer is the foundation of the Kairos weekend retreats. We have placed 72-hour Prayer Vigil forms at various locations in our church facilities. You may select a time that you will be in prayer for us. The vigil starts at 6:00 PM Thursday, November 3 and ends at 6:00 PM Sunday, November Cookies are delivered by volunteers to each of the 1400 inmates during the weekend. Normally about 3,000 dozen cookies are consumed. The accompanying information sheet provides details about cookie preparation and delivery. 3. Financial support is another option. You can purchase an inmate meal for $5.00. Cards are placed at the inmates table setting indicating that the meal has been provided by (church or first name of contributor). 4. We need assistance preparing weekend meals. The meals are prepared by volunteers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 4-6, at Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Spartanburg. The prepared meals are then delivered to the prison by volunteers runners. If you would like to assist with a meal preparation please contact MaryAnne or myself. ( , maragab@chesnet,net). COOKIES FOR KAIROS TYGER RIVER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION November 3-6, 2011 Tyger River Correctional Institution is located in southern Spartanburg county, about 4 miles north of Cross Anchor on Highway 56. At Tyger River, about 3,000 dozen cookies are needed for a Kairos Prison Ministry 4-day weekend retreat. At the end of each of the first two days the residents and volunteers participating in the Kairos weekend take a bag of homemade cookies to each person in their dorm, cottage, or cellblock. Residents who have already experienced a Kairos weekend bag the cookies each day and enclose a scripture verse in each bag. These cookies tell the residents that someone who doesn t know them still cares enough to give a part of their life the time it takes to bake the cookies without wanting something in return. Such selflessness is often a unique experience for them. It teaches them to trust. They learn we mean it when we say they will get more the next day. Most inmates in our prison system are takers, not givers. This brief experience of sharing something of value often with those they do not like has a powerful effect. Suggestions for Cookie Preparation The cookies can be dropped cookies, rolled cookies, or bar cookies. Small cookies do not break as easily so please keep the dropped or rolled cookies less than 2 inches in diameter. Also, oatmeal and peanut butter cookies do not break as easily as other kinds. Please use no raisins, powdered sugar or frostings. Let the cookies cool completely and bag in ziplock bags. You can make the cookies ahead of time and freeze them, once cooled, in zip-lock bags. While you are preparing the cookies, we ask that you pray for the people who will eat them. Please bring your cookies to church on Sunday, October 30, We will have boxes in Price Hall to accommodate your cookie contributions. Kairos volunteers will transport the cookies to Holy Communion Lutheran church in Spartanburg for delivery to Tyger River Correctional on November 3. Gabe Stoeppler: Home Office gstoeppler@limestone.edu maragab@chesnet.net

5 A Word From Elizabeth A W o r d F r o m E l i z a b e t h Second Sundays Join us November 13 th directly after church as we travel to downtown Greenville to find the Mice on Main. Bring a bag lunch. Please let Miss Elizabeth know by Nov 9 th if you plan to attend. PC Youth Day Join us Saturday November 19 th as we travel to Presbyterian College for youth day. We will take a tour of PC, play games, eat lunch, and go to the PC vs. Charleston Southern. We will leave the church at 8:30 a.m. and arrive back at the church around 4 p.m. Cost is $15. Let Elizabeth know by Oct 30 th if you plan to attend.

6 SHOWER Haven Shower GOD S CHILDREN WITH L O V E In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:34-36 During the month of October, we will be collecting much needed items for the Haven and ask for your help in making this project successful. Upon speaking with Cindi Gooden to assess their specific needs, we found that the type of items needed at this time include: Bath Towels (they desperately need more of these) Wash cloths Socks (men, women and children) Undergarments (primarily for women and children - any size) Standard size pillows/pillow cases Cleaning supplies for the bathrooms and kitchen Specially marked boxes will be placed near the Baby Nursery, near Price Hall/Upper Room and in the lobby near the elevator for your donations. Please give generously for this most worthwhile cause in our community. Really Now! Ain t That Funny!!

7 2011 SECOND PRESBYTERIAN STEWARSHIP CAMPAIGN The earth is the Lord s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. Psalm 24:1-2 to support the work of Christ s ministries. In 2011, Second Presbyterian Church will be celebrating a significant milestone in our church s history; it will be our 120th anniversary and possibly our 120 Stewardship campaign What is stewardship? It has been said, Stewardship is everything you do after you say I believe. At the very least stewardship is our thankful response to God s grace and goodness. It requires a deliberation of how our choices affect us and others in our congregation and community, of how we can be good caretakers of the created world and of how we can best serve God as Disciples of Christ. Second Presbyterian Church is a place where we can share resources which help us individually and corporately to make the choices that make us the best stewards we can be of our skills and financial resources.

8 This page was created by Amy Moxley

9 Flower Calendar Don t forget to sign up for the Flower Calendar. In doing so, be sure that you let Sharon know so the honorary mention can be put in the Newsletter. Dear Second Pres Family, You are a blessing! Thank you for the cards and kind words regarding my recent trauma drama. All brain and heart test results were good and the final diagnosis was a severe allergic reaction to Niacin. I am on the mend and currently displaying more colors on my chin than the autumn leaves! Most of all, thank you for your prayers they have helped sustain me this past week. Glory to God! Judy Rhodes New Addresses JR and Kristen Smith 137 Bristow Lane Spartanburg, SC Bryan and Carolyn Coates 117 Fernridge Drive Spartanburg, SC Alexis Deal 260 Dogwood Drive Pacolet, SC New Members Krystal and Manley Christian Tyler, Caleb, Madelyn 321 Indian Summer Lane Boiling Springs, SC Thank you to our wonderful church family for the cards, calls and prayers during the recent back to back illnesses and deaths of Sam s brother and their mother. Your love and support has been a true blessing to us. Sam and Susan Coakley

10 November Circle Meetings Circle #1 Tuesday, November 8 Circle #2 Monday, November 14 Circle #3 Tuesday, November 8 Circle #4 Monday, November 14 Please note: The THANK OFFERINGS will be taken up in the November Circle Meetings.

11 SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF OCT 30 th NOV 5 th SUNDAY October 30 th 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship Service MONDAY October 31 st 9:00 am Ladies Bible Study TUESDAY November 1 st 6:00 pm Family, You Can t Beat Them 7:00 pm AA Men, Closed Meeting WEDNESDAY November 2 nd 5:45 pm Church Supper 6:15 pm Royal Ringers 6:15 pm WOW 6:30 pm Bible Study 7:15 pm Choir Practice THURSDAY November 3 rd 6:00 pm Family You Can t Beat Them FRIDAY November 4 th 7:00 am Men s Breakfast and Bible Study 10:00 am Family, You Can t Beat Them SATURDAY November 5 th 7:00 p.m. AA Men, Open Meeting Ushers for October Carole and Tommy Tillotson, Bruce Tillotson Jim and Holly Hartell, Janice Greene Ushers for November Richard Faust, Ron Fine, Skip Frye, Bill Mitchell, Paul and Elaine Pruitt, George and Dale Wenger Elder on Call for the week of October 30 th Allen Hinson. He can be reached at: (H) (C) October Nursery Checkers October 30 th Sarah Hinson / Barbara Darwin November Nursery Checkers Nov 6 Katy Ballard / Reynolds Atkinson Nov 13 Kristen Smith / Holly Hartell Nov 20 Elizabeth Tinga / Beverly Reynolds Nov 27 Betty Pryor / Martha Waters Offering Team for October Paul Pruitt / Joe Corpening Offering Team for November Danny Rhodes / Jared Young People with Special Needs to Pray For: Dawn Lowe, Bryant Reeves, Payton Dominick, Margie Goodwin, Mary Lee Hayes, Willie Hill, Pat Miller, Anslie Waters, Ava & Garrison Williams (grandchildren of JoAnn & Roy Bishop), Sheila Cowen, Jeannette Cannon (Cal s mother), Juanita Smith, Buck & Edna Joyner, Robert Cason, Phyllis Dellenbarger (March Moody's mother), Loree George, Judy Rhodes. In Assisted Living or Nursing Home: Eden Terrace Martha Wharton Fountainview Center, Atlanta, GA Eva Veal Mountainview Nursing Home Janet Baker (Loree George s sister-in-law) Presbyterian Home Jackie Parris (Clinton) Skylyn Place Mattie Allen (Assisted Living) Skylyn Place Rachel Hart (Assisted Living) White Oak Manor Beth Bradley (Emily Reid s Sister) At-home Members: Marjorie Allison, Lena Bryson Laura Fowler, Roy Hall Nell McPherson, Betty Sims Everett Tillotson, Fay Tillotson Grady Towery Paul Atkinson Adam Patterson (Bess Jones son) Write to our soldiers! They need to hear from home!

12 November 2 Lasagna Garden salad Garlic Bread Dessert November 9 Pulled BBQ w/bun Baked Beans Cole Slaw Dessert November 16 Holiday Ham Sweet Potato Casserole Green Beans Biscuit Dessert November 23 Holiday Closed for Thanksgiving November 30 Roasted pork Loin Hashbrown Casserole Green Beans Roll Dessert The caterer needs to have a firm head count of attendees each Monday so please contact Sharon in at the church office ( ) or fill in a reservation form and leave it in one of the boxes placed in the church for your convenience by NOON on MONDAY if you plan to join us for dinner on Wednesday. Cost: $6.00 per adult / $4.00 per child (12 and under) / $15.00 per family We look forward to sharing this special time together please plan to join us!

13 2 Cathy Martin 3 Nikki Allison Nathan Reynolds 5 Velma Atkinson 8 Haley Blanton 10 Joy Hoyle 11 Bryan Coates 12 Dennis Regnier 13 JoAnn Bishop 15 Chantey Hannon 17 Eden Young 18 Patrick Anderson Kaysie Brady 18 Patrick Anders 19 Matthew Lee 21 Juanita Smith Patrick Greene Mary Beth White 22 Judy McKinney Kelley Reeves 23 Martha Wharton Sandra Sweet Molly Atkinson 24 Sherry McGarity 25 Brenda Killian 26 Doris Smith Brian Gregory 28 Jo Anne Ballenger 30 - Frank Waters Matthew Goodman

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