Blog Archives

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

12/27/2023

Dear Fellow Travelers,

Welcome to the New Year! The church’s new year began last month with Advent. 2024 will begin with Baptism of the Lord Sunday on January 7th. I think 2024 will be very exciting. The Preschool starts meeting here this month. We have our new Musical Accompanist, Katherine, who I am delighted to welcome.

We will start new member classes in February. There are two meetings, some homework, and we will receive new members during out Easter Service on March 31st. Please plan ahead. If you are interested in joining, please contact me and I will give you all the information.

Our Bible Study on Acts continues. Join us after worship in person or Tuesday at 10 AM on Zoom. We are using Scot McKnight’s “Acts.” There are free copies on the back table at church. It is also available on Kindle.

Men’s Group happens 9 AM on Saturday Mornings. We share in music, bible study, and discussion. Women’s Association meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month with lunch. Get involved in their mission and outreach activities.

Please tell your friends and family about our Online Streaming Worship. Please go to the www.epc-pcusa.org website for the latest links.

This is what I am planning for worship in January.

Sunday, January 7th. For Baptism of the Lord Sunday, I will preach “Apollos’s Education.” Apollos is a fascinating figure in Acts 18 & 19. He was very charismatic and on fire, but he needed some education to be more effective. He received it from Priscilla, one of the most important women in the Bible.

Sunday, January 14th. Ordinary Time begins again, but rather than being just ordinary, we will talk about what it means for Jesus to be from Galilee in “Anything Good Out of Nazareth.” Paul said all things are lawful but not all things are beneficial in 1 Corinthians. Jesus frees us to follow the law of love and acceptance.

Sunday, January 21st. I will explore one of the most interesting things about God’s action in the Old Testament in “God Changes.” To some this seems like it is not write, but God changed his mind several times in scripture. What did that mean for the ancient Hebrews and what does it mean for us?

Sunday, January 28th. Deuteronomy talks about “The Coming Prophet.” Is this prophet Jesus? Will he be the one to cast out demons and save Israel? Or will he be the one cast out by his own townspeople? According to Paul, Jesus gave us liberty from the law and from fear. Why doesn’t everyone see Jesus that way?

It is a joy to serve God with you! I look forward to worshiping with you in January!
Grace and Peace, Pastor Rob

0 Comments

MISSION NEWS

12/27/2023

0 Comments

CHRISTMAS FAMILY
The congregation gave $507 for the Christmas family. The deacons donated $93 so we were able to give the mother two $75 gift cards as well as two for each child. As the family’s requested, one $75 Walmart gift card was given to each person. A $150 gift card from Walmart was given to the family for groceries. Each person also received a $75 gift card from Target. The gift cards, along with a Christmas card for each person, were delivered to Pathways on December 7th. Our family was a mother, a boy age 8, and a girl age 2.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
The Christmas Joy Offering was collected on December 17th, but if you were not able to give on that day, you can still give an offering up through January 14 th. You can use the Christmas joy envelope, or any envelope if it is clearly marked for the Christmas Joy offering. It is also a good idea to write “Christmas Joy” on the memo line if you are using a check. Amy Clippinger, Dave Orvis and Ruth Roberts each read an article about people who were helped by past Christmas Joy offerings.
Fifty percent of the offering goes to help present and retired pastors and church workers with critical financial needs. The other fifty percent goes to help students of color who attend Presbyterian-related schools and colleges.

EAGLE WINGS disABILITY MINISTRIES
Eagle Wings disAbilities Ministries aims to build relationships for people who have physical and mental challenges, their families and caregivers. Social events for people with disAbilities are held during the year to provide physically and mentally challenged people with a safe and enjoyable chance to have some fun. Volunteer pen-pals send cards and encouraging notes to shut-ins. Families and care-givers can receive help with various needs for their loved-ones. The spelling “disABILITY ” is intentional. Their ministry believes everyone has abilities, they are just not all the same.
Our $100 mission allocation for December went to EAGLE WING’S disABILITIES MINISTRIES.

0 Comments