John Calvin Newsletter Online
~for August 2008~
Here you will find most of our monthly newsletter articles. If you would like to receive the newsletter via US Mail, please contact us.
Written by Deborah Bruce, research manager of Research Services for the General Assembly Council of the PC(USA). Reprinted from the June/July 2008 issue of Presbyterians Today.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, all of us are called to be part of God’s mission. In response many Presbyterians are involved in social service & social justice work—caring for the hurt and needy among us, and working to make our communities a better place to live.
Presbyterians, in particular, are good neighbors and good citizens. Many are involved in service through their congregations—perhaps running a food pantry, sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity build, or working to fight injustice in the community.
Yet congregations are sometimes unaware of the extent to which their worshipers are involved in service apart from their congregations.
Whether they are tutoring at-risk children, coaching youth sports teams, participating in arts and cultural groups, supporting environmental action efforts, or serving on local boards and councils, Presbyterians live out their faith in their daily lives.
It’s a myth that worshipers who are deeply involved in their congregations aren’t very active in their communities. Rather, most Presbyterians give to their communities in many ways.
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MUSINGS
by the Rev. Malcolm McQueen
In John’s gospel is the great story of Jesus and Nicodemus. You remember the situation: Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night (so as not to be seen by his fellow Pharisees and Sadducees) to discover who Jesus really is. The two have an exchange about being born again. Then Jesus speaks about the Spirit – “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3: 8). For me, discerning the work of the Holy Spirit is never easy. Wouldn’t it be great if God simply sent an email telling us what His will is for us and for JCPC? Then, we could get on the business of carrying it out. But, of course, God doesn’t work that way. One main reason is because of the importance of faith. If God simply spelled everything out, we would walk by sight, not by faith; we would not have a dependence of God; we would not have a continual focus of God. But learning, developing and practicing faith is a key component for living with God.
So the wind of the Spirit blows in many directions and we keep seeking to pay attention. As we move into late summer and early fall, we are discerning some signs of the Spirit’s work among us:
- In June, each ministry of the Session was in “Upper Room” prayer – praying and waiting for the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Now, for this month and next, each ministry is putting together a ministry plan as it relates to their part of our JCPC purpose. Each ministry will present their plans at the August meeting of Session.
- Eliza Cramer, our new associate pastor, will begin ministry in August.
- The Session 2007-2008 annual report will be completed later this month. Be looking for it as it provides a very good overview of what God has been doing through JCPC.
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Traditionally, the summer months afford a time of rest, vacation and a slower ministry pace. It’s a time a Sabbath. The purpose of Sabbath, however, is to come before the Lord, pray, and see where God is moving so that we can join in. After all, the wind is still blowing!
Malcolm
Leslie McQueen
Christian Education
by Christian Education Chair, Cindy Law
Christian Education & Youth Ministry has been very busy, and so have our youth.
July was busy at the beginning of the month for our youth. The youth had a burger bash to celebrate all their hard work in June. About 12 youth and adults spent a Saturday in the sun paintballing and enjoying each other’s company.
Unfortunately July also brought Molly’s departure. On July 13th, the congregation met in the Hospitality Hall with Molly and Jimmy to offer “God Speed” to Norman, OK. The youth, children and members of the congregation were able to share their lasting memories of the Rambur’s time with us. Molly has promised to keep in touch and to come back when she can for visits. Molly and Jimmy will be missed.
Summer Disciple-Making classes are in full swing. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, go ahead and give it a try.
As August is upon us, our ministry is already looking ahead to fall Disciple-Making classes. We are all praying as to how Christ will lead us. We are always looking for individuals to lead/co-lead a class whether it is adult, youth or children. We currently have possibly four adult DMC leader teams, we could always use another. We are still in need of team leaders for the youth and children. If you are interested, please contact Lisa McDougle, Chris Deitch or myself.
We are also looking to develop a few much needed, small groups. We know there is a need, but we need your help. We are always looking for suggestions for small groups. Small groups are for couples, men only, women only, college students, 20 somethings, 30 somethings, singles, moms with small children, seekers, new members, survivors’, and anything and everything in between. If you are looking to focus on the “meat” rather than the “milk” of God’s Word, there’s a group for you. If you are looking for in-depth bible study, there’s a group for you. Some group ideas are: Bible reading “seeker” group, women’s tea time “seeker” group, men’s accountability group, outdoor adventure group, midday video study group, caring for our parents, family groups, and scrapbooking. We have saved a seat for you! If you are interested in becoming a member of a small group or starting one of your own, please feel free to contact Lynn Catalina, myself or any member of Christian education ministry.
Keep your eyes and ears open for all the exciting things coming from the Christian Education and Youth ministry.
With the Christian Education and Youth Ministry mission of moving forward in sharing God’s Word with each other, our community and the world, I would like to share and excerpt from Sam Shoemaker’s poem “I Stand by the Door”