The Crossroads. 351 Morrow Road Pastor Fax: July 2008

Transcription

1 The Crossroads Philadelphia Presbyterian Church Dr. Spencer R. Frye, Pastor 351 Morrow Road Pastor Forest Park, GA Secretary Phone: Website: ppc-usa.org Fax: July 2008 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 NIV History tells us that in 1787 during the United States Constitutional Convention, the founding fathers of America were struggling. After a few months, 55 delegates were at an impasse that threatened to derail the whole democratic process. That is when a speaker took the podium and said: Gentlemen, I have lived a long time and am convinced that God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? I move that prayer imploring the assistance of Heaven be held every morning before we proceed to business. And with prayer, all the political struggling and impasses meted away as me was replaced by us and emerged into the America we have today. So when is a good time to talk with God about the impasses in my life? In time of HAPPY moments, PRAISE God. In time of DIFFICULT moments, SEEK God. In time of QUIET moments, WORSHIP God. In time of PAINFUL moments, TRUST God. In time of EVERY moment, THANK God. Just as Benjamin Franklin more than 220 years ago addressed the Constitutional Convention and trusted God to lead and direct the decisions of the new nation how can we do any less. Prayer: Father, I surrender every impasse in my life to your care and direction. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen! BIRTHDAYS 3 Buck Maxwell 3 Brad Mack 3 Max Trammell 5 Demester Dunaway 6 Rachel Rohrbach 8 Judy Baird 8 Joan Murphy 8 Christine Jefferson 12 Cathy Morris 12 Fred Rohrbach 13 Wallace Dunn 19 Ed Murphy 20 Louise Etheridge 21 Spencer Frye 24 Michael Moore 24 Tori Moore 25 Nancy Maxwell 26 Beverly Johnson 26 Cameron LaFoy 26 Will Simpson 31 Clyde Maxwell 31 Rick Pierce ANNIVERSARIES 4 Anand & Zareen Nevrekar 5 Cecil & Evelyn Murdock 12 Henry & Betty Brock 15 Tom & Joyce Smith 16 Rick & Kathie Pierce 21 John & Pat Randolph (50 th ) From Christian-Cyber-Ministries.

2 2 THE CROSSROADS JULY 2008 MESSAGES TO OUR MEMBERS My horse Banjo wasn t chosen to be a therapeutic riding horse at Chastain Horse Park. They said he was too strong for the leaders and riders. He had to stand staunch still for riders to mount and dismount, and he had trouble doing that. He was good in the arena, but not out of it. So, he s going back to Fairplay in Douglas County. Also, I was so sorry to hear of Herbert and Louise s daughter, Sheryl, passing away! I certainly understand how they feel and have been keeping them in my prayers. Cathy Morris Dear Philadelphia Family, Words cannot express our thanks and appreciation for all your prayers, food, calls, cards and visits. We don t know how much our church family means to us until something like this happens. Without you and our faith in God, we could not make it. Love in Christ, Herbert & Louise Etheridge and Family We face new challenges this summer as Randall temporarily relocates to California to do on-site campus work for the Jewish Studies Master s Degree. The degree work is already helping him discuss philosophy and history with various Jewish men. Mr. M loves to debate Randall regarding creation, evolution and intelligent design. Recently, Mr. M s wife joined us for a meal and movie. We had a blast and scored an invitation to join them for a big New York cooking event. Randall s friend told him, I have so many interests and demands on my mind, I feel scattered and overwhelmed. I don t know what to do with myself. Please pray for Mr. M to seriously consider the claims of Jesus. After six years in New York City, Randall finally finished his accounting job. This seemed a necessary step to balance our lives and family. Unrelated to Randall s resignation, two faithful supporting churches wrote us to say they can no longer support us because of pressing needs at home. We feel this is a test. We know God can make up the income. We can hardly believe our next trip to Israel will be in August! After several years of no travel outside the United States, in 2008 we will have been in Israel twice! We love seeing our friends and family. Our hearts focused on the south Tel Aviv area, where there is little work among Bukharan Jews, just as in New York. Viewing it from a worldwide perspective, God seems to be calling us to change the culture as a whole whether in New York, Austria, Israel or some other country reaching the entire people group for the Lord. The challenge sometimes seems daunting, but God is blessing us with many interested individuals who are listening about the Messiah. In New York, a rare Bukharan murder case moved to trial in May. Our community was shaken by this bitter child custody related murder trial. The accused murderer is a doctor. Her ex-husband was an orthodontist. Incidents like these show us how fragile our lives are and how much we need Jesus. Without the Lord, education and success cannot change our hearts. Thank you again for your friendship and prayer, Randall & Luda Ford [Editorial Note: The above letter states, Mr. M loves to debate Randall regarding creation, evolution and intelligent design. Well, they should be on the lookout for the movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, just as churches around the country are being encouraged to do. According to online newsletter Christian Response: The movie, starring Ben Stein, follows his journey around the globe where he discovers that scientists, educators and philosophers are being persecuted in a modern day witch hunt because they dare to go against the theory of evolution. These pillars of education are being fired, ridiculed and ostracized for merely challenging Darwin s theory; proposing that life on this planet could be a part of some intelligent design and not random chance.] Dear congregation, Thank you for the books. I look forward to reading them and am sure that the advice and messages in them will be useful to me in college. Thanks again. Elizabeth Clayton

3 3 THE CROSSROADS JULY 2008 Thank you, 2008 Hunger Walkers! Walkers and Runners from churches in the presbytery raised over $5,000 for PATH. They also earned credit at the Atlanta Community Food Bank for food purchases for area food pantries and soup kitchens. Hunger Walk funds raised this year will be used to support the startup of food cooperatives in low-income neighborhoods in Metropolitan Atlanta. Thank you! Sarah Humphrey, PATH Director encouragement to have friends who remember those less fortunate and who are happy to share with them. Please know that you help to continue the mission of The Duvall Home. May God bless you, the giver, and the gift you provided. Respectfully, Dixie Gilbert-Holt Director of Communications & Travel Our deepest appreciation for your prayers, cards, calls and other expressions of love and sympathy following the death of Arnold s mother. We take comfort in knowing that Grandma knew whose she was and where she was going, even witnessing to some of the nurses during her last hospital stay. Nevertheless, she will be missed. Thanks also for remembering our neighbor Terri Renn Bailey in prayer the past weeks following the death of her son Tyler. Lynn & Arnold Vandiver My Dearest PPC Family and Friends in Christ, Kenneth and I are totally overwhelmed by all the cards, calls, expressions of love and concern, prayers and even financial assistance in our behalf. Simply saying Thank you again seems so very inadequate, but I am completely at a loss as to what else to do. I ll gladly accept suggestions! In the meantime, just know that these words of gratitude come from the depths of my heart and soul. It is difficult for me to speak or write them without becoming extremely emotional. My heart overflows with love for each and every one of you. I recently read, In your deepest distress, you are often covered by angel s wings on every side. I know these words to be true, for you are my angels. I feel surrounded and supported by your love, which is priceless to me. Janice B. Lockhart Dear Friends, On behalf of the residents of The Duvall Presbyterian Home, we deeply appreciate the cancelled stamps, labels and used cards that you donated to our Home. Every gift is appreciated and it is a great Hi dear sponsors from the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, How are you doing? Is everything well? This is your sponsored child Fernanda Ferreira Garcia Vaz writing to you. My family and I are doing great, thanks to our good God. Sponsors, now I am going to tell you how I am doing at school. Thanks to our good God I am doing well and having difficulties only in mathematics, but God willing I am going to get over it. Sponsors, thanks to our good God my family and I are doing very well and the Lord has blessed us greatly. Sponsors, I have a little cousin, who is two years old and she is very saucy. She likes to shout for my grandmother! She is going to be 3 years old on June the 5 th and she is doing well and quite grown up already. Sponsors, thank you very much for the Easter card you sent me and I really enjoyed it. I am going to end this letter with a final point and until my next letter, God willing. I love all of you. Fernanda Ferreira Garcia Vaz NEW MEMBER We take great joy in announcing the addition of Anthony David Kitchen to the Philadelphia congregation. Tony united with the church on Sunday, June 22 by reaffirmation of faith. His address is 120 Spring Valley Way, Stockbridge, GA and he may be reached by phone at Please give Tony a warm Philadelphia greeting when you meet.

4 4 THE CROSSROADS JULY 2008 THE GOOD SHEPHERD EXPANSION Open since 2000, The Good Shepherd Clinic provides health care to those who can t afford it. The volunteering doctors and staff have been working out of a remodeled 800-square-foot house, yet still provided medical care for 1,180 people last year. The board of directors (which includes Clyde Maxwell, Jim Phillips and Kroger Card volunteer L.C. Thomas) began looking at ways to expand. With help from the City of Morrow (including Councilman Bob Huie), the solution came in the form of a donated 1,200-square-foot house, moved for free from Stockbridge to the clinic s site, with remodeling to combine the two houses already in the works. Construction is due to be completed by August 2 so the ribbon cutting can take place during the clinic s annual Tomato Sandwich Party fund-raiser. For the complete story, see the Clayton News Daily article on the bulletin board. Want to show your support for The Good Shepherd Clinic? Purchase a Kroger Card, which can be used at any Kroger store. You receive the full face value ($20, $50 or $100), and The Good Shepherd Clinic receives 5% of each purchase. For every $1 the clinic receives, they are able to provide $10 in medical care. To obtain a Kroger card, see Janice Lockhart, Emory Pearce or Jim Phillips, and make your check payable to The Good Shepherd Clinic. GOOD NEWS TO SHARE Keep up those prayers! They really do make a difference. Barbara Gibson s cast has been removed and she is once again worshiping with us on Sundays. While hospitalized, Doris Ellis slipped into a coma but 8 hours later, she miraculously awoke. She states that she was not strong enough for rehab on the 3rd floor, but was too well for telemetry on the 4th floor, so she was moved to the 5th floor. Dorothy Harris, Dot Pearce s sister-in-law, is doing well following radiation for breast cancer. Again this year, we will support Kinship Care Resource Center (grandparents raising grandchildren). Since school begins in early August, we will need to donate school supplies in July so they can be distributed before school starts. The following list represents some of the items they need. You may leave your donation in the narthex. Nancy Kemper, Community Missions Suggested school supplies are listed below: large book bags (for high school students) clear book bags 3-ring binders (1-inch to 3-inch) 5-tab divider sets pens (blue, black and red) highlighters mechanical pencils and refill pencil lead colored folders (with and without prongs) calculators (for high school students) hand santizer tissues (small packets) crayons (24-count only) wooden pencils & pencil sharpeners rulers, compasses and protractors spiral notebooks (1-subject mainly, also 3- and 5-) notebook paper index cards (3x5; ruled; white and colored) colored pencils staplers and staples markers (10-pack) tape A LATE NOTE Dear PPC Fammily, During the Patriotic Celebration, I hope I am once again able to be in your midst. I have missed you all so very much. But even when absent, I have felt wrapped in your warm embrace. Your attendance at the memorial service, cards, calls and other acts of kindness are constant reminders that I have been uplifted in your thoughts and prayers. And your physical, mental, inspirational and financial assistance have kept me moving forward, even if the pace has often been only one slow step at a time. Through this most tragic period in my life, I truly could not make it without the love and support of my family and friends. Soon I hope to be back with you full time. But in the meantime, I thank you for being there for me. May God bless you. Janice Lockhart

5 5 THE CROSSROADS JULY 2008 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ODDS & ENDS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE SMALLEST FRYE now has a full name: Ruby Lucille Frye. And it goes without saying, she s a precious little gem! INDEPENDENCE DAY In honor of this national day of celebration, the church office will be closed Friday, July 4. Here s hoping you have a great 4th! CONTACT INFO: G Martin Ebbesen, Arbor Terrace Assisted Living, 9051 Cross Park Drive, Knoxville, TN According to daughter Nancy Barlow, Martin is in good health. G Mary Jordan, Brookdale Place, #237, 2815 Carl T. Jones Drive, SE, Huntsville, AL 35802; Phone: ; Cell: G Janice Lockhart, 1189 Rock Cut Road, Forest Park, GA 30297; Phone: G Linda Harvey Shepherd, 41 Robin Road, Ethelsville, AL 35461; Phone: We extend our love and deepest Christian sympathy to Beth Moore at the death of her father, Edward J. Henry; to Janice Lockhart at the death of her husband (and our member) Kenneth Lockhart; to Linda Harvey Shepherd at the death of her niece, Mollie Whitehead; to Nell Cates at the death of her nephew, Larry Greene; to Jennie Jennings and Kathy Vandiver at the death of their friend, Tania Burgbacher; to Clyde and Nancy Maxwell at the death of their friend, Dr. Herman Spivey; to James Ray at the death of his sister, Corine Knight; and to Barbara Gibson at the death of her cousin, John Mattoon. MISSION OUTREACH A child recently asked of a grandparent, What do they do with the money you put in the envelope? and a discussion followed about the basic needs of a church - salaries, utilities, maintenance, etc. And the grandparent continued by telling the child that the greater use of the money went to help people in need or in difficult circumstances. You might be interested in the various missions your contributions to Philadelphia help support. They are as follows: Calvary Refuge Center* One Great Hour of Sharing (Easter)*** Samaritans Together for Clayton County* Christian Children s Fund (PW)* Presbyterian Homes*** Securus House (PW)*** Christmas Joy Offering*** Presbyterian Answer To Hunger (PATH)** Session & PW Misc. Benevolences* Columbia Friendship Circle (PW)** PW Birthday Objective** Shared Mission - PC (USA)* Good Shepherd Clinic* PW Blessing Boxes** Souper Bowl of Caring** Kinship Care Resource Center** PW Least Coin** The Gideons International** Local Benevolences (Pastor s Discretion)* PW Presbyterian Mission Pledge* Thank Offering (PW)* Mission Haven (PW)* Randall & Luda Ford* Thornwell*** Witness Season Offering* Although we may be a small congregation, your faithful contributions have a far reaching effect and are greatly appreciated. *Budgeted **Contributions from the Congregation ***Budgeted + Contributions from the Congregation

6 6 THE CROSSROADS JULY 2008 TO BE REMEMBERED IN PRAYER AND WITH CARDS Please notify us concerning updates. Inquiring minds and prayerful hearts want to know! (Based on June s bulletins. New info in bold.) TO REMEMBERED IN PRAYER AND WITH CARDS (new info in bold) Please notify us concerning updates. Inquiring minds and prayerful hearts want to know! Beth Moore and the family of Edward Henry Janice Lockhart and the family of Kenneth Lockhart Linda Harvey Shepherd and the family of Mollie Whitehead Nell Cates and the family of Larry Greene Jennie Jennings, Kathy Vandiver and the family of Tania Burgbacher Clyde & Nancy Maxwell and the family of Dr. Herman Spivey James & Jean Ray and the family of Corine Knight Barbara Gibson and the family of John Mattoon Lee Allen (prostate cancer) Linda Ashmore (Buddy Ashmore s sister-in-law - lumpectomy; results to come) Melanie Barnes (wife of Keith at Berean - multiple sclerosis) Abby Blackburn (Barbara Gibson s friend s daughter - awake; has spoken & moved arms/legs) Jamie Brady (Joyce Smith s niece - has Cushing s disease in spite of brain tumor surgery) Tammy Burroughs (Jennifer Rohrbach s principal - stage 2 cancer of breast/lymph nodes) George Carter (Bob & Becky Huie s friend - prostate cancer) Jenny Chambers (Becky Huie s sister-in-law - Spalding Regional; blood transfusions) David Chapman (Emory Pearce s friend - deployed to Iraq) Beryl Chown (Jim & Nancy Phillips friend - ovarian cancer; chemo) Nora Cordova (the Fryes friend - breast cancer; radical mastectomy) Don Curlee (Karen Kelly-Nelson s friend - hospitalized; blood clot & infection) Gail Downing (Judy Baird s sister - pulmonary fibrosis; enlarged spleen; weight loss) Freddie Dunn (Nella Ree Dunn s daughter-in-law - cancer has returned) Nella Ree Dunn (in-home nursing care twice a week) Doris Ellis (Southern Regional, Rm. 575; fell; hit head; surgery for broken hip) Spencer Fyre (knee replacement surgery 07/01) Mary Lou Fuller (the Dunaways friend - cancer in remission; pain & mobility problems) Elouise Hanes (Opal Seeby s sister - Southern Regional, Rm. 577; shingles; dehydrated) Kim Harpe (Diane LaFoy s co-worker/friend - cancer has spread) Pat Henry (Beth Moore s mother - on dialysis; hospitalized since 06/06) Trege Hinkle (Nell Cates nephew - recovering from gunshot wound) Elizabeth Hollandsworth (Judy Baird s friend - inoperable liver cancer) Cindy Hopkins (Pam Langley s close friend - incurable lung cancer; radiation, then chemo) Alice James (abdominal aortic aneurysm; if stress test is OK, then surgery to come) Alisa Kirk (recovering from surgery for kidney stones) Robert & Jean Makarevich (Andrew Durden s roommate s parents - laid off from his job) Janine Montgomery (Gwen Steele s friend - ICU; final stages of emphysema) Greg & Scott Montgomery (Gwen Steele s friends - accept God s decision for their mom) Carmen Orr (Tom & Joyce Smith s neighbor in her 90s - constant in-home care) Lisa Page (acting administrator for The Good Shepherd Clinic - double mastectomy) Regina Page (Dot Dunn s friend - awaiting a liver transplant) Rory Patrick (Barbara Barlow request - has regained some hearing lost by Iraqi IED) Crissy Powell (Cathy Morris daughter - degenerative disc disease; major back surgery)

7 7 THE CROSSROADS JULY 2008 Lucius Power (the Fryes friend with 2 little boys - inoperable brain cancer) Erin Randolph (facial spasms with severe pain; worst attacks every 6 to 7 weeks) Nevaeh Robinson (Christine Jefferson s granddaughter - feeding tube surgery to come) Opal Seeby (retaining fluid again; beginning injections in knees) June Shannon (Ashbury Acres, E-14, 2648 Sevierville Road, Maryville, TN 37804) Marsha Silva (knee replacement surgery 07/01) Lou Smith (Karen Kelly-Nelson request - treatment for ovarian cancer) Wayne Smith (friend of Buddy Ashmore - stomach cancer) Aurora Staats (hydrocephaly - spinal fluid pooling; postponing shunt as long as possible) Ron Taylor (the Fryes friend - wheelchair bound from post polio syndrome) Elijah Thompson (Doris Ellis great-grandson - injured spleen; months of bed rest required) Arlene Tolleson (Nella Ree Dunn s friend - colon cancer) Mitchell Trotter (Joyce Smith s brother - 9th stent; already had bypass surgery) Jim Turner (Joyce Smith s brother-in-law - bypass surgery) Jerry Tomasello (pulmonary fibrosis progressively worse; confined to a wheelchair) Harold Westbrook (liver cancer; P.O. Box 1324, Villa Rica, GA 30180) Louise Wilkerson (Hal & Kathy Banke s neighbor - bladder cancer) Loretta Wilson (Janice Lockhart s cousin - on morphine; liver shutting down; toxins building) L.M. York (the Morgans & Ralph Kelly s friend - lymphoma; completed radiation treatments) Our Homebound: Virginia Billington (The Heritage, Rm. 229, 3039 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta, GA 30066; Phone: ) Joan Cushing (6184 San Juan Street, Forest Park, GA 30297; Phone: ) Ed Huie (Jonesboro Rehab, Rm. 128, 2650 Hwy. 138 SE, Jonesboro, GA 30236) Belle Lawrence (1210 Lochshyre Way, Lawrenceville, GA 30043; Phone: ) JoAnn Tatzel (Lafayette Nursing Home, Rm. 404, 110 Brandywine Blvd., Fayetteville, GA 30214) Grover Tharp (275 N. Victoria Court, Ellenwood, GA 30294; Phone: Kenneth E. Lockhart December 17, June 11, 2008 Jesus said... I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.