Jeff s thots on living the Faith

Transcription

1 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 7100 Harvard Hills Rd. P.O. Box 846Harvard, IL Office Phone Jeff s Home April 2016 CHIMES Upcoming Communion Dates April 9th & 10th May 7th & 8th June 11th & 12th July 9th & 10th Aug 13th & 14th Sept 10th & 11th Oct 1st & 2nd Nov 5th & 6th, 26th & 27th Dec 3rd & 4th, 10th & 11th 17th & 18th, 24th & 25th Jeff s thots on living the Faith In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash began to reign; he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all his days, because the priest Jehoiada instructed him. 2 Kings 12:1-2 As we turn to the next month s readings in our 50 Weeks Through the Bible, we come to the section of the Old Testament that records the history of the Kings of Judah and Israel. Shortly after King Solomon s son succeeds him there is a civil war in the land and the kingdom that Saul and David had established gets broken up into two countries. The Northern Kingdom known as Israel and the Southern Kingdom known as Judah. As many times as I have read these chapters I find myself paging back and forth to keep track of who is who. But there is one consistent theme in these chapters. The author of Kings will make a simple evaluation of the ruler over Israel or Judah with the simple phrase He did what was right in the sight of the Lord OR He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. Sadly, most of the time we are told the king did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. Over and over again the king leads his nation into sin and rebellion against God. But for me the critical lesson is not so much whether the king did good or evil. For me the most important part of the record is the simple, easily overlooked phrase IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD. It didn t matter whether or not the King was doing what he thought was right. It wasn t important whether or not the king was following his dream. The historian of the Book of Kings didn t care a bit if the King was trusting his feelings. The only thing that counted was whether or not the King did what was right in the sight of the Lord. We have gotten awfully confused about that. In the case of Jehoash he didn t trust his own point of view. He relied upon the objective direction from God that was provided by a man of God. As we study the scriptures we get direct, objective knowledge of what is right in the sight of the Lord. To keep us balanced with what we are learning it is always good to check out the conclusions we have made with other spiritually mature Christians. There is much to be learned in a study of history. And this study of God s people can be especially illuminating. May these lessons give you the grace to better discern what is right in the sight of the Lord. Shalom, Rev. Jeff

2 2 Daily scripture readings for weeks of Reading Through the Bible in 50 Weeks Week 14 Apriil 3-9 Day 1 1 Kings & Psalm 80 The nation is divided by civil war Day 2 1 Kings & Psalm 81 Ahab begins his battles with Elijah Day 3 1 Kings & Psalm 82 Elijah s victory over the Prophets of Baal Day 4 1 Kings 21-2 Kings 2 & Psalm 83 Elijah passes on his mantle Day 5 2 Kings 3-6 & Psalm 84 Elisha and the chariots of fire Day 6 2 Kings 7-10 & Psalm 85 Jehu returns the nation to YaWeH Week 15 April Day 1 2 Kings & Psalm 86 Joash the child king is advised by Jehoiada Day 2 2 Kings & Psalm 87 Israel is destroyed because of its sins Day 3 2 Kings & Psalm 88 Good king Hezekiah Day 4 2 Kings & Psalm 89 The evil Manasseh and the good Josiah Day 5 2 Kings & Psalm 90 The last days Day 6 1 Chronicles 1-4 & Psalm 91 A different perspective on the kings of Israel Week 16 April Day 1 1 Chronicles 5-8 & Psalm 92 The history of the clans of Jacob Day 2 1 Chronicles 9-12 & Psalm 93 The beginning of David s reign Day 3 1 Chronicles & Psalm 94 David brings the Ark to Jerusalem Day 4 1 Chronicles & Psalm 95 David s victories Day 5 1 Chronicles & Psalm 96 David charges Solomon to build the Temple Day 6 1 Chronicles & Psalm 97 The organization of the temple Week 17 April Day 1 2 Chronicles 1-4 & Psalm 98 Solomon prays for wisdom Day 2 2 Chronicles 5-8 & Psalm 99 Solomon dedicates the temple Day 3 2 Chronicles 9-12 & Psalm 100 The civil war divides the nation Day 4 2 Chronicles & Psalm 101 Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord Day 5 2 Chronicles & Psalm 102 Jehoshaphat is a righteous king Day 6 2 Chronicles & Psalm 103 Jehoram dies to no ones regret Week 18 May 1-7 Day 1 2 Chronicles & Psalm 104 Evil Ahaz gets it all wrong Day 2 2 Chronicles & Psalm 105 The restoration of the Passover feast Day 3 2 Chronicles & Psalm 106 The Book of Deuteronomy is discovered Day 4 Ezra 1-3 & Psalm 107 The exiles return to Judah Day 5 Ezra 4-6 & Psalm 108 A new Temple is built Day 6 Ezra 7-10 & Psalm 109 The returning exiles trust in God for protection

3 3 KITCHEN INSPECTOR for the month of April Is Florence Spesard A kitchen inspector s job is to check the kitchen and the parlor once a week during your month. Inspect the refrigerator for spills, old food and beverages which should be thrown out because of being expired. Please also take home any dish towels that need washing and return them the following week. If you are unable to inspect for your month please get a fill in for you. Thank you for your help!!!! CHIMES, SCREEN AND BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT DEADLINES Bulletin and screen announcements MUST be in by 9 am the Wednesday morning before that Sunday. For the CHIMES you must have your signed article in by 9 am the morning of the 21st [Disclaimer: All articles will be printed as is as content/spelling is responsibility of submitted author] IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR CHIMES ARTICLES: We follow guidelines for non profit organizations bulk mailing restrictions. These restrictions relate to the type of advertisements allowed: the advertisement of a product, service or announcement of an activity must substantially contribute to one or more of the purposes on which our organization is authorized. Restrictions also apply to cooperative mailings, credit, debit, charge or similar financial instruments, or advertisements. These restrictions became effective on October 1, CHIMES usually available on-line on church s website after the 26th of each month. There will be paper copies of the CHIMES available in the Narthex after its completion each month

4 4 APRIL BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARY Anniversaries Apr 06 M/M Thomas G. Jones Apr 07 M/M James Yates Apr 10 M/M John L. Beetstra Apr 13 M/M Joe Anderson Apr 13 M/M Craig Gleason Apr 16 M/MAndrew Sieck Apr 17 M/M Pete McDevitt Apr 22 M/M Gerald Kohel Apr 24 M/M Jim Gesselle Apr 28 M/M Dennis Bowe Birthdays Apr 02 Landon Dolgach Apr 03 John Barton, Alexandra Wood Apr 04 Scott Thomas Apr 05 Gordy Ballweg Apr 07 Meghan Vermett, Zac Greco, Makalyn Peterson Apr 08 Mabel Hoey Apr 10 Kevin Williams Apr 11 Brian Robinson Apr 12 Coda Coffer Apr 13 Kim Krause, Pat Towne Apr 16 Nancy Clinnin, Rachael Hayes, Emma Finfrock Apr 17 Justin Grivna, Benjamin Woodcock Apr 18 Mallory Davis Apr 19 Thom Dapper, Anna Block Apr 21 Michael Jesski, Emma Sieck, Michael Davies Apr 23 Patrick Towne Apr 24 Noah Harvey, Jacob Walters Apr 26 Jeffrey Lenz, Carla Sipe, Kaleb Dapper Apr 27 Samantha Perales, Dan Olbrich Apr 28 Karen Kruckenberg Apr 29 Cody Salzman POP TOP COLLECTION PROGRAM: Little things can make a big difference. You can help the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago by saving the little tabs you pull to open soda, soup or other aluminum can. The funds generated from recycling these aluminum gems help offset the House s expenses. You can help by bringing your tabs to the church and placing them in the box by the door of the work room. Thank you, Florence Spesard

5 5 CHURCH FUNDRAISERS Sentry Funds for Friends: Shop at Sentry in Walworth, and save your cash register receipts, A DATE MUST APPEAR ON EACH GROCERY RECEIPT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GIVE US CREDIT, please do not cut off the date on the receipts. GROCERY RECEIPTS CAN NOT BE SUBMITTED IF THEY ARE MORE THAN 4 MONTHS OLD. Return your receipts as soon as possible to the church with a Funds for Friends Sticker on the back and place them in the container in the Narthex under our bulletin board. Shop on line at to sign up. Enter your cause as First Presbyterian Church of Harvard to earn us a % of your purchase for any of over 900 popular online sites. Many of the sites are linked to igive.com, so once signed up, when you make a normal purchase we will receive the donation automatically. You also can browse the participating sites at igive.com and see the related % of giving through each retailer. Direct your questions to Mike Engle. WE ARE NO LONGER COLLECTING USED INK CARTRIDGES CIRCLE IV will meet on Thursday, April 14 at 1 pm With Gladys hosting. You may sign up to receive your copy of the monthly CHIMES via your by filling out a yellow form available in the Narthex by the bulletin board for Jeff s weekly blog and return to the church office. HARVARD FOOD PANTRY NEWS Food Pantry Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of each month but you can bring in donations anytime and place in our grocery cart in the hallway. Perishable items are purchased from cash donations to the Pantry. NO Presbyterian Work Day for April Contact Florence if you are able to help.

6 6 Sympathies to the Families of: Tom Davidson, Steve Vermett, Pat Moore Whom we lost last month. ICE CREAM SUNDAES!!!!!!! Hosted by our Senior High Youth to benefit their Mission Trip this year. Saturday, April 16th and Sunday, April 17th Go to the church website And see the church s calendar and also upcoming events.

7 7 Mission in the Works.

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