Saturday, May 30, 2009

A Word from Your Pastor: June and July Newsletter

We are the Church Together

2000 years ago, the early church was just forming. Believers mostly gathered in house churches to worship and have fellowship (including food of course!) Preachers would stand on the street corners and crowds would gather to hear a Word. The body of Christ is just that. We gather to hear a Word, we share a Word, and we recommit to be Christ’s witness in the world. And we do it together. As I begin a new adventure, embarking on a Doctor of Ministry Program in Preaching, I ask for your prayers and your support. Come to church. Support First Presbyterian and Diane Oswald, Ed Duris, and our guest Matt Curry. They are ready to bring the Word, and I know you are ready to be Christ’s witness in the world. So…what are we waiting for?

Soak in these words:

Ephesians 1:15 “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason
16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.
17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him,
18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.” (Emphasis added)

All my love in Christ,

Lucia

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

A Word from Your Pastor

CONGRATULATIONS!

April found us celebrating so much: Easter, Confirmation, two wedding announcements, and winter’s gray becoming spring’s sunshine! Congratulations to the Confirmation Class of 2009. You will find in this newsletter our newest members’ faith statements. Read them, and let their words soak in. You have helped shape these young people. The words they speak are a thank you to each of you. Trust me, I know. My middle school Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Weston, shaped me by her belief in me and by her Biblical centering that she gave so seamlessly. THANK YOU somehow falls short, but it is all I know to say. Love in Christ, Lucia

Keaton Harveson
"I believe that God is my creator. He loves me as he does all creations. I believe God is the Holy Ghost."

Emily Harveson
"God is important to me because without Him we would not know right from wrong. God's important because if Jesus did not love him he would never have died for God. So, we need to be more like Jesus: love God and do what he wants us to do. That is why God is important to me."Katie McCoy
"I believe in the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. I thank God for all that I am and all that I will be.
I praise His name for all the good and bad, for the Lord only allows me to withstand what I can."

Katie McCoy
"I believe in the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. I thank the Lord for all that I am and all that will be.
I praise his name for all good and bad, for the Lord only allows me to withstand what I can."

Claire Workman
"I believe that there is one God who takes three forms, God the Creator, God the man, and God the Holy Spirit.
I believe that God is the father who created everything, and that He has a place in heaven for everyone, but you have to be a Christian, and have a good relationship with him to take your place.
I believe that Jesus came to save us from our sins, and that we are forgiven as long as we believe that he died for us.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is our communicator to God, the Father, and He is always with us.
And I believe that the church is where we praise God, learn about Jesus, and pray together."

Ken Workman
"I believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one person and that if we accept him into our hearts, we will go to heaven and all of our sins will be forgiven. I believe that Jesus is the human version of God who came to earth to teach us about God and that the Spirit is like God's mailman. He takes our prayers to God and takes God's words to us. I believe that God always offers his love to us. We just have to accept it. My relationship with God is one of praise and respect. In my life, Jesus is my teacher and an example of how God the Father wanted us to live our lives. To me, the Holy Spirit helps me make decisions on things God would want me to do."

A Word from Your Pastor

We are the Church Together

2000 years ago, the early church was just forming. Believers mostly gathered in house churches to worship and have fellowship (including food of course!) Preachers would stand on the street corners and crowds would gather to hear a Word. The body of Christ is just that. We gather to hear a Word, we share a Word, and we recommit to be Christ’s witness in the world. And we do it together. As I begin a new adventure, embarking on a Doctor of Ministry Program in Preaching, I ask for your prayers and your support. Come to church. Support First Presbyterian and Diane Oswald, Ed Duris, and our guest Matt Curry. They are ready to bring the Word, and I know you are ready to be Christ’s witness in the world. So…what are we waiting for?

Soak in these words:

Ephesians 1:15 “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason
16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.
17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him,
18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.” (Emphasis added)

All my love in Christ,

Lucia