AN EPISTLE FROM PHILIP SHOWERS OF BLESSING When I was a boy and my father prayed, he would often pray for good health for our family. At the time I did not have the wisdom of my father, and I questioned why he prayed for our good health because I was young and healthy. I assumed that I would always be in good health. So, I took my good health for granted. Now, that I have grown older and have more aches and pains, I see how foolish I was particularly at this time as I face open heart surgery as most of you know. The key words here is assume and taking for granted. How many times do we make assumptions only to find out how foolish we have been to have made those assumptions. How many times have we taken things for granted only to find one day a deep black whole in our lives because we lost what we assumed we had or had taken for granted what we once had. When we lose that which we had taken for granted, the floor often drops out beneath us because we are now deprived of what we had once counted on and had been so central and important to our lives. This can often make us lonely and desperate wondering what we should do or where should we go. The most effective way to keep this from ever happening to us is to daily give thanks for God s many blessings, beginning with God Himself. In fact, how many times do we take God for granted? How many times do we fail to build our personal relationship with Jesus who is our friend and who sustains us and draws near to us in our hour of need. Do we seek Jesus in our daily lives as Jesus seeks you and me? What about our personal relationships. Do we give thanks for our family, friends, church family and even our work as well as serving our community? Each of these things are blessings from God who sustains us, gives us strength, and has give us salvation through our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Do we daily give thanks for each and every one of these blessings in our lives? Yes, the wonderful hymn, Showers of Blessings, certainly rings true (cont. next pg)
AN EPISTLE FROM PHILIP SHOWERS OF BLESSING There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love; There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above. Refrain: Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need: Mercy-drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead. There shall be showers of blessing, Precious reviving again; Over the hills and the valleys, Sound of abundance of rain. There shall be showers of blessing; Send them upon us, O Lord; Grant to us now a refreshing, Come, and now honor Thy Word. There shall be showers of blessing: Oh, that today they might fall, Now as to God we re confessing, Now as on Jesus we call! There shall be showers of blessing, If we but trust and obey; There shall be seasons refreshing, If we let God have His way. (cont. next pg)
AN EPISTLE FROM PHILIP SHOWERS OF BLESSING We rarely sing this hymn anymore. It has become lost and forgotten among the many other hymns. Maybe we need to clip theses verses out, and use them in our daily devotions. For how can God bless us if we do not remember and rejoice in the many blessings we have already received? My friends in Christ, let us never take God or our Savior Jesus, or the blessings we receive daily through our family, friends, church family, or neighbors for granted. It is in giving thanks and living thankful lives each and every day that you and I will truly be showered with God s many blessings. Let us not assume or take God s blessings for granted. Let us live thankful lives for the greatest blessing of all His Son Jesus and the gift of His salvation and saving grace. May the peace and blessing of God in Jesus Christ be with you all. Philip
AUGUST ANNOUNCEMENTS LITURGISTS Aug. 5 th Carrie Johnson Aug. 12 th Sue Martin Aug. 19 th Linda Faris Aug. 26 th Murray Claycomb ELDER OF THE WEEK Aug. 5 th Jane Harris Aug. 12 th Baker Johnson Aug. 19 th Maribeth Frazer Aug. 26 th Judy Adams CCC BOARD MEETING MONDAY AUGUST 27th AT 5 P.M. Pat Newton s Carrie Johnson s Allana & Clint Horn s Anniversary Mary Helen & Harry Lee McCaskill s Anniversary Rivers Hope Frazier s Bob Milton s Robert Milton s CCC Board Meeting 5pm Fufa Fullerton s
PHILIP S PASTORAL CARE & MINISTRY TO THE CHURCH FAMILY Church Family, here is how I served our Lord and our church family this last month. Led 8 out of 10 worship services: May 20 th 30; 27 th 24; June 3 rd 17; 10 th 26; 17 th 26; 24 th 22; July 1 st 20; 8 th 22; 15 th 35. July 22 nd 29; Avg. 26 I prepared reports for Session Meeting I prepared newsletter Attended CCC Board Meeting Linda and I do devotions at Senior Center Having devotions on Wednesdays at Human Develop Center Continue to fellowship with some of church family after worship at Molly s. Did my rotation as hospital chaplain at BCMC Linda and I continue to have story time with CCC children. Visited Willie Belle at Grand Manor Visited Irma Jefferson (Rickey s mother) Kept in touch about Troy Pritt and visited him in hospital Gave message at Irma Jefferson s funeral Officiated Troy Pritt s funeral I assisted people with gasoline and food and some medical expenses Continue to serve those in need through our compassion fund. Continue to try to arrange special music for worship services Thank you church family, for the privilege of serving our Lord and you this past two months.
First Presbyterian Child Care Center Announcements - First day of the ABC Program and EHS program are August 13th - Open house will be August 10th at 6:00, be sure to come and meet your child s teacher and get a tour of the center that evening. - Daycare spots are limited, if you are expecting please remember to call and out your child on the waiting list. - Reminder: as of JUNE 4TH, tuition increased $5 a week per child. ***If you have any questions regarding any of the above information, please feel free to contact the daycare office at 870-226-2277
First Presbyterian Church Stated Session Meeting Session Room May 20, 2018 The Session of First Presbyterian Church of Warren, AR met in the Session Room at 6:00 p.m. Elders present were: Fullerton, Adams, C. Johnson, B. Johnson, Harris and Frazer. Also attending were Moderator Rev. Philip Faris. A quorum was declared, and the meeting was opened with prayer by Moderator Faris. Minutes The motion was made by Elder Adams and seconded to approve the minutes from the March 26th and April 22nd meetings. Moderator s Report the Moderator s report was received as information Communications no report Committee Reports Administration and Finance Treasurer s Report Elder Harris distributed her report, which was approved and accepted as information Christian Education/CCC Elder Johnson reported that the Child Care Center graduation is to be held on Thursday, May 24th at 10:00 am in the sanctuary Compassion Ministry Elder Adams reported sending five get well cards and five birthday cards Hospitality Elder Harris announced that the Fifth Sunday Pot Luck Lunch is set for July Worship Elder C Johnson noted the upcoming Mother s Day and Father s Day when recognition will be made House and Grounds No report Personnel No report Old Business Rev. Faris gave an update on the church directory New Business Elder Adams was nominated by Elder Fullerton, seconded and elected to attend the Presbytery Meeting in Monticello on June 9th Adjournment There being no further business, the motion by Elder Frazer was seconded and approved to adjourn with prayer