The Messenger - June 11, 2010 - The Three R's

Pastor's Corner

Recognition, Restoration, and Renewal

Summer is probably my favorite time of the year. First we get to celebrate the accomplishments of our children, teens, and adults who complete a season of commitment in school, choir, sports, and extra-curricular programs. Then, teachers, directors, coaches, and other volunteer leaders earn a well-deserved rest. Then, after a number of weeks have passed, those of us whom God has called to leadership begin to glimpse new visions of worship, service, study, and fellowship in the months to come.

This year, we'll begin the Summer season by thanking two of our Missionaries, David and Kim Beiene, who have served God's church faithfully in Nepal. David works for Wycliffe, an organization that translates Scripture into every language of the world, and Kim is a Medical doctor. They'll be telling us about this journey at a lunch held after worship on June 13. Next, on June 20, "Music Celebration Sunday," we will recognize those musicians who have served our church so faithfully in one of many choirs. We'll also recognize all church fathers on that day. Finally, on June 27, we'll recognize students and teachers who participated faithfully in Sunday School during the last school year, and we'll recognize the High School Graduates of our church. It's so much fun to acknowledge them.

During the "resting" phase, which occupies mid-summer, we'll give the kid's choirs a break and the teachers, too, as summer staff directs our kids in "Summer Celebration", a creative, multi-aged fellowship. Chancel choir will be replaced with "Summer Choir," which requires no Thursday practice. Then, summer choir will break for soloists 5 weeks after that. During this "resting" phase, some of us will be traveling to visit relatives, while others of us plan to see some great new sights. It truly is a blessing to take a break like that.

Both of these phases are similar to years past. But the "renewal" phase of summer, where new dreams are grasped and new plans are made, has traditionally been a solo task for church members and church staff. We never want to discourage that, but we do want to enhance it in the summer of 2010. That's why the Acts 16:5 group and the Mission Facilitation Team are planning a number of small group gatherings to build fellowship and foster creativity for the year ahead. These groups will consist of 15-20 people who share stories, food, and insight into God's work with them. Then, they'll share ideas for the years to come. Each church member is invited to attend at least 1 of these groups, and several will be scheduled before the Summer ends. Then, we'll take the dreams presented that seem to have real "umph" and find a group to run with them.

I always enjoy the Summer here at First Presbyterian Church, and I believe that these new efforts could make this summer one of our best. I'll see you in church!

Weekly Calendar
Jun. 12
Saturday	2:00 PM			McAfee Memorial
Sunday	8:30 AM			Adult Sunday School
	9:30 AM			Worship
				Sermon: "Neither life nor death..."
				Scripture: Romans 8:28-39
				Preacher: Pastor Neal
	11:00 AM			Student Ministries Hot Dog Lunch
	11:00 AM			Mission Commission Presentation
Monday	7:00 PM			Women's Bible Study
	7:00 PM			Stewardship Meeting
	7:30 PM			Nar-anon
Tuesday	7:30 PM			Session Meeting
Wednesday	7:00 AM			Bible Study at Carrow's
	4:00 PM			NO AWANA
	4:00 PM			Gospel Gang & Cherubs rehearse at church
	4:30 PM			Angel Choir rehearse at church
	5:00 PM			Children's Choirs Picnic at Averill Park
	5:30 PM			King's Chorus
	6:30 PM			Cub Scouts
	6:30 PM			JR High Fellowship
	7:00 PM			Chapel Bells
	7:00 PM			Prayer Group
Thursday	11:30 AM			Forever Young Luncheon
	7:30 PM			Chancel Choir

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SAVE THE DATE! Invite your friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, etc. to this special MUSIC CELEBRATION SUNDAY on

June 20th during the worship service.

Let the Glory of GOD be heard!

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Editor's Corner

A Deck of Cards

It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn't been heard. The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week. As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk.

Just then an army sergeant came in and said, "Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?"

The soldier replied, "I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord."

The sergeant said, "Looks to me like you're going to play cards."

The soldier said, "No, sir. You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards."

The sergeant asked in disbelief, "How will you do that?"

The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments.

The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The Five is for the five virgins there were ten but only five of them were glorified.

The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.

The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation.

The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives -- the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth.

The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.

The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.

The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God's first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal hell.

The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary.

The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.

When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year...

There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week - 52 weeks in a year.

The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Each suit has thirteen cards -- there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.

So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for."

The sergeant just stood there. After a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, "Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?"

Until next time!

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