The Good News JULY 2016 The Pastor s Pen Dear Friends, I was having lunch with a couple of friends today, who happen to be pastors like myself. One of them has a group of kids from the church assisting in some of the cleanup work in West Virginia following last weekend s storms and severe flooding. My friend, Bob, will be going there tomorrow night to speak to the kids and possibly some community members. The devastation left behind is difficult for any of us to comprehend unless, of course, we have lived through a similar event ourselves. The loss of homes, livelihood, and most of all the loss of over twenty lives against the fury of nature reminds us of our frailty and weakness. In each of our lives we are confronted by our inability to handle even what would be considered minor problems compared to the events the floods in West Virginia or, as Gil Polcen reminded us last Sunday, the fires in the southern end of the Sierra Nevada range that have destroyed 50 square miles of land and hundreds of homes. The Apostle Paul in Second Corinthians knew of his own tendency to want to draw attention to what great spiritual encounters with the Lord he d had. And yet he was kept from such things. He boasted not about the great experiences but rather God s faithfulness to him in the midst of his weaknesses. He wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7, So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. So, instead of taking away the struggle, God gave him more of Himself. Three times Paul pleaded with the Lord to take away the thorn. But the response from the Lord was My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9) Paul learned dependence on God, not from his great successes and experiences in life, but rather in his suffering and struggles. It was in these times that he recognized his deepest needs and the One who would meet him with grace. God uses all of life s hurts and brokenness to strengthen our faith and at the same time to build His kingdom. Paul understood this fully and this is why he could also write to the Christians at Rome, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28) So, lesson one, from this tragedy in West Virginia is that God will accomplish His purposes and use the events to transform our lives and faith and mold us into the men and women He desires for us to become. That is, God will use all of life to restore in us the image and His Son, Jesus, There is a second lesson that comes out of the first, but takes us to the very beginning of this second letter to the Church at Corinth. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Cor. 1:3,4) If we are indeed becoming more and more like Christ as a result of our sufferings in all of life, then our lives will be lived out like Jesus. We have been ultimately comforted through the forgiveness of our sins at the cross of Jesus when we receive the gift by faith. Now we are called to love and comfort others as we have been loved and comforted. The more Christ-like we become the more comfort we have to give in the midst of the greatest tragedies of life today. Have you experienced His comfort? If so, where are you comforting others? In His Grip, Art Helin
NEW SECURITY MEASURES Due to some recent security concerns and recommendations from several Day Care agency standards and the Sagamore Hills police, Session has determined that we need to begin keeping the front door locked during the week. We will be tying into the Day Care s system and adding a camera and door buzzer system to the front door. In the meantime, we will be keeping the front door locked. You will need to bring your cell phone and call the office for Ellen or Art to come down and let you in. If you do not have a cell phone, call the church before you leave the house, give us a head s up on time and we will be on the lookout for you from my camera feed in the office. We are posting a sign on the door with information on access. Sunday access will not be limited nor times when something is going on in the church like VBS, etc. We apologize for the inconvenience. The cell phone method should just be a temporary means until the buzzer system can be installed. UNVEIL WALK/RUN HIGHLIGHTS On Saturday, June 18th, many members and friends of NPC joined the Northfield Baptist Church sponsored Unveil Walk/Run to combat Human Trafficking. Here are some pictures of participants and helpers at the event. Northfield Presbyterian Church provided corporate sponsorship also. Thanks to all who helped make this event successful. Seventy five people participated and the total raised by the event was still being determined, but approximately $1500-2000.
Buildings and Grounds Update - Work Planned Several large projects are in the works for the summer months here at NPC. Our Capital Improvements fund will be tapped for the funding: New cement on entrance apron to parking lot and several broken sidewalk pieces. July 7-11 (approximate). Entrance to parking lot during work will be from Cranberry Trail. Roof work to replace weak areas. Possible parking lot repairs - no specific plans yet Upgrade one of the furnaces before the winter As noted on page 2 - Security upgrades to entrance area In addition, the Day Care supported Eagle Scout Casey Tuzziano in his efforts to replace the picket fence around the toddler and baby play areas as his special project. It looks great! Little projects are always ongoing. Check with Gil Polcen or Keith Miller to see if you can help out with any. Those who like to weed gardens are always welcome in the front landscaping! We ve had some secret weeders come by already. For those who notice such things our Killdeer bird family has been back, but they stay closer to the driveway now. Watch out for them. Zachary Harber Jessica Russo Jack Peters Kerry Buddie Cheryl Emch Emily Brooks Joe Russo Kenzie Tartaglione Nathan Geshke Austin Scott Mike Satola Claire Kremyar` Erin Satola 2-Jul 3-Jul 4-Jul 5-Jul 5-Jul 8-Jul 8-Jul 15-Jul 17-Jul 25-Jul 25-Jul 26-Jul 30-Jul Stewardship Report We appreciate your keeping up with your pledges during the summer months. June INCOME: $ 13,824 EXPENSES: $ 17,746 Year to date INCOME: $ 97,528 EXPENSES: $ 104019
We re heading to Vacation Camp, And God is calling YOU July 11 15th 6:30 pm 8:00 pm Bible Boot Camp The Armor of God is based on Ephesians 6:11-18, showing children how to use the tools God has given us to fight a spiritual battle. During this week we will build our armor and learn how to be a warrior for God! Monday - Belt of Truth Tuesday - Breastplate of Righteousness and Shoes of the Gospel of Peace Wednesday - Shield of Faith Thursday - Helmet of Salvation Friday - short gathering armored up and picnic REGISTRATION Registration forms are available in the Narthex or on the church website: www.northfieldpreschurch.com Pantry Items Needed The Women s Association will continue to collect food items for the Macedonia Emergency Center. They need dry, boxed nonperishable food items such as: Spaghetti noodles and all other types of pasta either in a box or bags as well as rice, instant potatoes, cereal, hamburger or tuna helper, crackers jellies and Jams. There is a container in the narthex where church families can drop off their donations on Sundays or any other day they are in the building. We will continue to collect them as long as they are being donated. Thank You!
JULY 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Wedding 3 COMMUNION 4 4th of July! Office & Day Care Closed 4 6 7 7pm Choir 8 9 8am Men s Bible 10 1 pm Combined Session Deacon picnic at Williamsons 11 12 13 9:45 am DC Chapel Time 14 15 & Picnic 16 17 11:30 AntiTrafficking Team Mtg. 18 7pm Boys Scouts 19 20 9:45 am DC Chapel Time 7pm VBC Prayer 21 7pm Choir 22 5:30 p.m. Community Meal 23 8am Men s Bible 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 7pm Boys Scouts 9:45 am DC Chapel Time 6-8 pm Day Care Class 7pm Choir Wedding
Rahab House - Room Sponsorship Thank you to all who contributed time, items and finances for the decorating of a bedroom at Rahab s newly acquired safe house. The house will provide a safe haven for women at risk who have been enslaved against their will and desperately want to turn their lives around. We received enough items to fully decorate the room. The donated funds were used to purchase a new bed and bedding. Below are a couple pictures of the newly decorated room. Special thanks to Rick Patz, Pat Spagnola and Margaret Anderson for hauling furniture, painting and setting up the room. Please pray that those who stay in the room will feel safe and begin to heal from all that has happened to them. Northfield Presbyterian Church 7755 S. Boyden Rd. Northfield, OH 44067 npc7755@roadrunner.com www.northfieldpreschurch.com