July 2015 A VIEW FROM THE PEW

Transcription

1 July 2015 A VIEW FROM THE PEW In the year 1776, the Declaration of Independence from tyranny of a distant despotic King was issued. July 4th will mark the 239th anniversary for the founding of the United States of America. Lest we think that this was purely a secular event, Scripture notes that God moves nations for His purposes. Those were perilous times for those who placed their names on the document; great were the sacrifices of the signers. The nation was conceived with the concept of liberty and justice for all although freedom for all has been left for later decades to become reality. Freedom from tyranny was obtained. Government by the people and for the people was instituted. But another influence was foundational in the molding of this new nation. The country grew as individual states banded together as one nation, under God. The birth of the nation was difficult; the War of Revolution was costly in lives sacrificed and hardships endured. Heroes were made in liberating strife by those who more than their country loved, and mercy more than life! With Heaven s help, what they did ignited the fire that beamed freedom s holy light. At this, another Independence Holiday, it is fitting to pause and reflect on what has been achieved. It is honorable to pay homage and respect to those who have gone on before. We may invest this time, lest we forget, and take our heritage for granted. Let us appreciate the patriotic sacrifices that so many have given to maintain and preserve this nation. After the Revolutionary War, many perils followed the birth of the new nation. They continue. The power of evil still stalks the planet, seeking whom he may devour. Wickedness at many levels infiltrates the hearts of men. It frequently erupts. The struggle continues with perils from within and without. And the price of liberty is eternal vigilance. Perfect freedom and peace await the coming Judgment Day of the Lord and the universal reign of the Prince of Peace. Until then will trouble continue. In the past few days national tranquility was disturbed when 9 Christians were murdered while worshiping in the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. They entered the Heroes Hall of Faith by simply attending church to pray. They will be eulogized and, likely, memorials will be made to their memory. This tragic event will be remembered here in these States. But from reports of believer persecution from distant continents many have been executed simply because they believed in Jesus. Perhaps we may reflect on these unsung heroes of the faith with righteous recognition of their value as they gave the last full measure of their devotion for the kingdom of God. Certainly they gain heavenly recognition, for precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants. Much discussion has been in the news on how to prevent such tragedies as happened at the Mother Emanuel Church. Debate about further forms of gun control legislation is increasing. Notably the first murder (Cain to Able) was committed without a gun. Because the evil intent of this crime does not reside in the weapon, the hope is for change in the hearts of man. When all their hearts sing of Jesus love, then will killings stop. The hope for the future is the church with the message of redemption thru Jesus. Then will weapons cease nations will turn their swords into plow shears and their spears into pruning hooks. Elder Dr. David Ciliberto Greetings from the Evangelism, Growth, and Communications Committee. As we begin the summer months, it is important to attend church services. We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful Minister of God's Word to learn from each Sunday. I encourage everyone to invite a visitor to church. Potential visitors include neighbors, co-workers, and especially family members. A few years ago I had the privilege of listening to a sermon given by the Reverend Dr. Mickey Efird. Reverend Efird is Professor Emeritus of the Duke Divinity School. I used to joke to people that Mickey was one of the few Presbyterian Ministers that could preach like a Baptist. Well, Reverend Efird's sermon was about our obligation as Christians. He basically stated that we Christians are obligated to those that came before us to carry on their efforts to witness to others by informing others of the Good News of Jesus Christ. In doing so, we current Christians of Buffalo Presbyterian Church, have to do such things as maintain and upgrade the church building, give our time and money to help the poor and sick, and most importantly make a concerted effort to bring others to know Christ. It's evident that we at Buffalo do a wonderful job when it comes to maintaining and upgrading the church building. We are also a very giving congregation when it comes to tithes and offerings. The one area that we need to improve upon is consistently encouraging others outside our church family to become a member of our church family. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't think there is another church in our community that makes a person feel more like a beloved family member than the members of the Buffalo Presbyterian Church family! We have the facilities, the preacher, and the giving spirit; let's get to work on new members. Jeff Cashion, Chairman Evangelism/Growth/Communications

2 J W & MARY MEMORIES NEPHEW LEE WITH HIS WIFE PAT MARY FEEDS J W CAKE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW ALLISON AND DAUGHTER SUSAN REV. MCDOWELL AND PAT J W FEEDS MARY CAKE GRANDCHILDREN CAMAN, BANDON, & AMANDA PAT AND PAT

3 CONTINUED BETTY, DR. CILIBERTO, AND LARRY THERESA, JAN, KEVIN, JIM, AND SARAH LARRY, ANNE, SCOTT, TERRY GERI, & DR. CILIBERTO SARAH, JIM, FRANK, BETTY, & REV. MCDOWELL KATHY AND NELSON CHARLENE AND CHRIS KEVIN, ANNE, REV. MCDOWELL, & JIM KAREN AND TIM

4 Remember with love and prayer: CHURCH MEMBERS: Vialee Cashion, Nellie Cox, Roy Cox, Greg Deck, Barbara Jo Glass, Clay Ingram, Sandie Lemons, Lisa C. Moore, and Bill Shermer FAMILY OF CHURCH MEMBERS: Chelsie Brown, David Brown, Linda Crompton, MacKenzie Deck, Marcus Freeman, Michael Holt, Terry Johnson, Taylor Jones, David Key, Elaine McBryde, Sam McClearen, Jacob Monson, Carson Setzer, Louise Stewart, Edward Wilberg, and Janice Winchester FRIENDS OF CHURCH MEMBERS: Jennifer Avent, Gail Bridges, Frank Foushee, Frank Gaddy, Carol Haines, Will Kirkland, Judy Lloyd, Lynda Lohr, Rebecca Mansfield, Scott Mays, Glenn McDuffie, Melissa Miles, Megan Nelson, Parker Normann, Dr. Michele Roberson, Lisa Rubinosky, Allison Upchurch Smith, Tracy Spivey, and Frank Tibbett WEEKLY OFFERING TOTALS June 07, 2015 $ June 14, 2015 $ June 21, 2015 $ June 28, 2015 $ Scholarship Fund Offering $ Gifts to the Church In Memory of Tammy Hammer Lynda Dowdy Smith After a full season of accomplishments, the PW CT voted to take the summer off! The next scheduled meeting will be in September, but please feel free to contact any of the officers if you have need of them. Moderator, Co- Moderator, and Search Committee Chair positions are open. Please be in prayer for the Team. Mary Lou Campbell Circle will continue studying II Corinthians and the Apostle Paul for Lessons 8 (July) and 9 (Sept.). Traditionally, the ladies enjoy a lunch excursion in August. The discussion period of June's meeting touched on many current issues from the booming population to pollution, with mounting evidence that humans are changing the world around them. And while the eventual conclusion doesn t look very good, all present praised God, who is constant and unchanging in his love for us. Hallelujah! Sunshine Circle will be wrapping up their study of Elizabeth George's '23rd Psalm... and are considering a Horizons text for the year. 'Welcome' to Anne Collins as newly appointed Chair of Sunshine. We know the circle will continue to thrive under her leadership. And, 'job well done' to retiring Chair, Jean Wilberg. You may not know that these ladies share a meal as they study. Start time is 6:30 p.m. June 18-21, The 2015 Church wide Gathering of Presbyterian woman was held in Minneapolis, MN. As reported in this past issue of "These Days," Christian women - plus a few men - came together from all parts of the U.S. and around the world to celebrate "One Body, One Spirit" as they worshipped, learned, fellowshipped, greeted old friends and met new. In fact the entire month of June issue was written by Presbyterian Women from the States and Canada. We women of Coastal Carolina Presbytery will have a similar, if smaller, opportunity to do the same in August by attending the PW Annual Fall Gathering at Galatia PC in Fayetteville. Members of the Coordinating Team of Presbytery's PW are hard at work this moment drafting programs for the occasion. We should take a moment to remember, in thanks, that all these happenings are put together by volunteers in service to our Lord and our World. It seems like just a few days ago at a PW CT meeting when the suggestion of permanent, matching benches at the entrance to the Fellowship Hall was put forward. And now the lovely black metal seating is in place, thanks to the generosity of the Setzer Family in remembrance of Becky Setzer and the Wilberg Family as they remember Peter Wilberg. In all things, giving thanks, Betty Robinson PW CT Moderator DID YOU KNOW? What a fantastic response from you all in the pews to Karen Johnson s request for medication bottles to be shipped to Africa the need, sadly, continues. When Karen s coworkers asked how she came by so many, she smiled and suggested, Try going to church. Good answer, Karen! Please remember to reach out to our Christian Brothers and Sisters of Charleston, with a note or card: Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church, 110 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC Members Present: J.W. Bailes, Mary Bailes, Geri Hales, and Jan Renwick J.W. opened the meeting with prayer and we prayed for the people on the prayer list. We are going to send cards to our members who were hospitalized this week. Jan closed the meeting with prayer. J.W. Bailes, Chairman Congregational Care & Fellowship

5 BUFFALO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1333 Carthage Street Sanford, NC Men, don t forget the men s meetings for the summer. We have a lot of good cooks. Hope to see you there! Lee Setzer, President Presbyterian Men HAPPY BIRTHDAY July 01st Peggy Sineath July 19th Rick Bridges July 09th Kyle Cashion July 19th Kay Davis July 11th Blake Wilson July 21st Valerie Godfrey July 16th Mark Ciliberto July 22nd Pam McDonald July 17th Floyd Brown July 22nd Jim Monson July 27th Jean Wilberg July 21st July 27th WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES John and Sandie Lemons James and Jan Tart Greeting Elders for July July 05th Pat Setzer July 12th J. W. Bailes July 19th Jeff Cashion July 26th David Ciliberto Congregational Greeter s for July July 05th Kay Davis July 12th Pat Setzer July 19th Geri Hales July 26th Karen Johnson Session Corner Highlights from Stated Meeting held June 16, 2015 Committees reporting were Worship, Congregational Care, and Evangelism/Growth/Communications. Planning is in progress for our church to participate in the National Night Out event on August 4, There will be a fire truck, the police mobile unit, a police spokesperson, food, etc. Discussed the status of interim pastor. There was a consensus among the members that we appreciate the pastoral preaching of Rev. Gilbert McDowell and this may continue at his pleasure. An inquiry will be made to the Presbytery as to the lifting of the restriction on this Baptist minister to offer the communion sacrament in this Presbyterian Church. Dr. David Ciliberto Vice Clerk of Session The Adult Sunday School Class meets from 9:45 10:45 a.m. For the month of June, lessons covered will be the call for justice a study of the prophet Micah: July 05th No Rest for the Wicked Micah 2:4-11 July 12th No Tolerance for Corrupt Leaders and Prophets Micah 3: 5-12 July 19th Justice, Love and Humility Micah 6: 3-8 July 26th God Shows Clemency Micah 7: Come to participate. Dr. David Ciliberto, Chairman Christian Education Committee