The Session met in constituted court Monday, 16 November with all members present.
After constituting the court for devotions the elders discussed their answers to the questions found in the first section of A Manual for Elders, “The Elder’s walk with God.” The study of this Manual will be the focus of the elder’s devotions.
Several items were brought before the Session by Elder Tim McClain, session’s liaison to the Deacon Board. The session is thankful that Townsend Construction will be installing chair lifts where appropriate and remodeling the restrooms by the multipurpose room to be handicap-accessible. Suggestions from the Session for the 2010 budget will be presented to the deacons before their December meeting.
Matt will make an explanation of the Fresno Challenge on behalf of RP Global Missions at the Thankoffering.
Tim informed the Session of the request he received from the RP Home that he prayerfully consider preaching one Lord’s Day morning per month beginning in January 2010 at the Home. The Session encouraged Tim to accept this invitation if the Lord so leads him.
The Session is considering attending the “Renewal for Pastors: Who’s Responsible?” conference being held at Southside Indianapolis RPC May 14-15, 2010.
Words To Live By
I will allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.
I will allow no circumstance to rob me of my peace by making me complain.
I will allow no thought to destroy the love in my heart by making me judge or gossip about another.
I will allow no temptation to sink my integrity by drowning myself in compromise or rationalization.
THE ATHEIST AND THE BEAR
Author Unknown
What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" an atheist said to himself.
As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling
in the bushes behind him. He turned to look. He saw a 7-foot
grizzly charge towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path.
He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing in.
He ran even faster, so scared that tears were coming to his eyes.
He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer.
His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster.
He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up, but saw the bear, right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him.
At that instant the atheist cried out "Oh my God!"
Time stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.
Even the river stopped moving.
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky,
"You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"
The atheist looked directly into the light. "It would be hypocritical to ask to be a Christian after all these years, but perhaps... could you make the bear a Christian?"
"Very well," said the voice.
The light went out.
The river ran again.
And the sounds of the forest resumed.
And then the bear dropped his right paw...
brought both paws together, bowed his head and spoke:
"Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful."
LET'S RUN THROUGH THE RAIN
Submitted by: Tracy Hurst
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mom let's run through the rain," she said.
"What?" Mom asked.
"Lets run through the rain!" she repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated, "Mom, let's run through the rain."
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'"
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently.
No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If God let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN...
GOD'S WIFE
Submitted by: Marjie Smyth-Martin
On a cold day in December some years ago, a little boy about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the road way, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.
A lady approached the young boy and said, "My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!"
"I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes," was the boy's reply.
The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes.
She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, "No doubt, you will be more comfortable now"
As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face with tears in his eyes, asked her, "Are you God's wife?"
First Reformed Presbyterian Church
Inspirational Stories and Poems
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Social Page
A WOMAN GOES TO HEAVEN
Author Unknown
A ninety-one year old woman died after living a long dignified life. When she met God she asked him something that had long bothered her.
If Man was created in God's image, and if all men are created equal, why do people treat each other so badly?
God replied that each person who enters our life has a unique lesson to teach us. And it is only through these lessons that we learn about life, people, relationships and God.
This confused the woman, so God began to explain.
When someone lies to you it teaches you that things are not always as they seem.
The truth is often far beneath the surface. Look beyond the masks people wear if you want to know their heart. And remove your own masks to let people know yours.
When someone steals from you it teaches you that nothing is forever.
Always appreciate what you have, for you never know when you might lose it. And never, ever take your friends and family for granted because today is the only guarantee you have.
When someone inflicts an injury upon you it teaches you that the human state is a fragile one.
Protect and take care of your body as best you can, it's the only thing you are sure to have forever.
When someone mocks you it teaches you that no two people are alike.
When you encounter people who are different from you, don't judge them by how they look or act; instead base your opinion on the contents of their heart.
When someone breaks your heart it teaches you that loving someone does not always mean that person will love you back.
But don't turn your back on love because when you find the right person, the joy that one person brings will make up for all the past hurts put together. Times ten!
When someone holds a grudge against you it teaches you that everyone makes mistakes.
When you are wronged, the most virtuous thing you can do is forgive the offender without pretence. Forgiving those who have hurt us is the most difficult and courageous thing Man can do.
When a loved one is unfaithful to you it teaches you that resisting temptation is Man's greatest challenge.
Be vigilant in your resistance against all temptation. By doing so you will be rewarded with an enduring sense of satisfaction far greater than the temporary pleasure by which you were tempted.
When someone cheats you, it teaches you that greed is the root of all evil.
Aspire to make your dreams come true, no matter how lofty they may be. Do not feel guilty about your success, but never let an obsession with achieving your goals lead you to engage in malevolent activities.
When someone ridicules you it teaches you that nobody is perfect.
Accept people for their merits and be tolerant of their flaws. Do not ever reject someone for imperfections over which they have no control.
Upon hearing the Lord's wisdom, the old woman became concerned that there were no lessons to be learned from Man's good deeds.
God replied that Man's capacity to love is the greatest gift he has. At the root of all kindness is love, and each act of love also teaches us a lesson.
The woman's curiosity deepening, God once again began to explain.
When someone loves us it teaches us that love, kindness, charity, honesty, humility, forgiveness and acceptance can counteract all the evil in the world.
For every good deed, there is one less evil deed. Man alone has the power to control the balance between good and evil, but because the lessons of love are not taught often enough, the power is too often abused.
When you enter someone's life, whether by plan, chance or coincidence, consider what your lesson will be. Will you teach love or a harsh lesson of reality?
When you die will your life have resulted in more loving or hurting? More comfort or pain? More joy or sadness?
Each one of us has power over the balance of love in the world. Use it wisely. Don't miss an opportunity to nudge the world's scale in the right direction.
THE MOST CARING CHILD
Leo Buscaglia
The Most Caring Child Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge.
The purpose of the contest was to find the
"most caring child".
The winner was a four-year-old child whose
next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman
who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."
HIS NAME IS BILL
Author Unknown
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.
He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.
One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.
Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.
Now the deacon is in his eighties, and has silver-gray hair and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane, and as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?
It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.
The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.
And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion.
When the minister gains control, he says,
"What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read."
MY THOUGHTS
Submitted by: Debra S. Black
First, my car broke down
I was very late for work
But I missed that awful accident
Was that your handiwork?
I found a house I loved
But others got there first
I was angry, then relieved
When I heard the pipes had burst!
Yesterday, I found the perfect dress
But the color was too pale
Today, I found the dress in red
Would you believe, it was on sale!
I know you're watching over me
And I'm feeling truly blessed
For no matter what I pray for
you always know what's best!
THE TWO WOLVES
Author Unknown
An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice. "Let me tell you a story..."
"I too, at times, have felt great hate for those who have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It's like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times."
"It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way."
"But ... the other wolf ... ah! The littlest thing will send him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all of the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing."
"Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather ?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
TRY NOT TO CRY, ALBERT...
AN OLD MAN WAS GROCERY SHOPPING WITH HIS GRANDSON...THE TODDLER WAS CRYING AND AT TIMES SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS.
AS THE OLD GENTLEMAN WALKED UP AND DOWN THE AISLES, PEOPLE COULD HEAR HIM SPEAKING IN A SOFT VOICE... "WE ARE ALMOST DONE, ALBERT...TRY NOT TO CRY, ALBERT...LIFE WILL GET BETTER, ALBERT..."
AS HE APPROACHED THE CHECKOUT STAND, HE CAREFULLY BRUSHED THE TODDLER'S TEARS FROM HIS EYES AND SAID AGAIN, "TRY NOT TO CRY, ALBERT...WE WILL BE HOME SOON, ALBERT..."
AS HE WAS PAYING THE CASHIER, THE TODDLER CONTINUED TO CRY AS A YOUNG WOMAN IN LINE BEHIND HIM SAID, "SIR, I THINK IT IS WONDERFUL HOW SWEET YOU ARE BEING TO YOUR LITTLE ALBERT."
THE OLD GENTLEMAN BLINKED HIS EYES A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE SAYING, "MISS, MY GRANDSON'S NAME IS JOHN. I'M ALBERT."
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OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES
Submitted By: Claire Lloyd
While I sat in the reception area of my doctor's office, a woman rolled an elderly man in a wheelchair into the room.
As she went to the receptionist's desk, the man sat there, alone and silent.
Just as I was thinking I should make small talk with him, a little boy slipped off his mother's lap and walked over to the wheelchair.
Placing his hand on the man's, he said,
"I know how you feel. My mom makes me ride in the stroller too."
What Makes A Dad?
Author Unknown
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it... Dad
C.A.S.T.
(Churches Are Serving Together)
CAST invites...
All congregations in Beaver County are invited to join in partnership through CAST. The requirements of a participating church include:
1) A monthly collection of money, nonperishable food items, soap and paper products;
2) Attendance by a representative to the Advisory Board, and
3) Provision of volunteers who receive training and help when needed. As we know from Scripture, “A house divided cannot stand,” and by banding together in an alliance such as Churches Are Serving Together, Inc. (CAST) with pooled talents and resources, we can address the needs and be a support system for people to possibly make permanent changes.
CAST is...
...a nonprofit interfaith organization seeking to bring all churches in Beaver County in unity to serve the needs of people who come to the participating churches. This united approach has been established to help families and individuals in crisis through a variety of services. CAST has received a 501(c)3 designation as a charitable organization and all contributions are tax deductible. CAST is a United Way Donor option organization (code 9345).
CAST provides...
OUTREACH ACTIVITY
Emergency food; Tangible assistance
SMART CHANGES CLASSES
Two classes are held every year in the spring and fall, lasting 10 weeks in duration on money management, grocery shopping, goal setting resources other than money, etc. This program takes place in our office. The student receives folders of information, a bag of groceries or paper products each week, and play money if they show up on time and make suggestions. They can spend their play money at an auction at the end of the 10 weeks of classes. We put four new items on a table each week.
GRADUATE PROGRAM
In 1997, a graduate class was added, made up of the people who attended the 15-week course. They meet with the teacher 8 times a year to help them stay on the budgets they have set up and to learn new things that will help them manage their lives. In 2000, the group started to put together a cookbook and to plan an outing together.
BACK TO SCHOOL PROJECT
In August 2007, 329 children ages 4-18 received a new school outfit, backpack, school supplies and a shoe certificate. This was the sixth year for this project. It has grown each year since its inception, with almost 3,900 children receiving help.
G.E.D. CLASSES
In January 1998 CAST became a G.E.D. site in connection with Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Labor Management Committee (SPALMC). A teacher is provided from SPALMC twice a week for a total of 6 hours and volunteers from our participating churches help with tutoring the students.
To date, 92 people have taken classes, with everyone at least moving up grade levels, and 21 have received their G.E.D.s.
S.E.L.F.
In March 1998 a gardening program called Take Good Care of Your S.E.L.F. was started for people with low incomes to grow gardens. Penn State Extension Agricultural Master Gardener Program, through director Lee Miller, provides the piece of ground. The instruction for gardening is provided by Jim Irwin, a Master Gardener and volunteer. Donations and volunteers provide the seeds, tools, and transportation. The participants need only to labor to produce the abundance of vegetables.
SATURDAY FIX BRIGADE
The Fix-It Brigade is a program in conjunction with First Presbyterian Church (Beaver) done on one Saturday a month, running from April to September. Volunteers from both First Presbyterian and other churches are asked to do simple jobs around the homes of elderly, disabled, frail, people living on a fixed income.
HOLIDAY OUTREACH
Easter baskets for children, Thanksgiving food provided, Christmas presents and groceries provided.
See the entryway table for complete brochures, which include information on how you can help and give to this ministry.
The Master Carpenter's Work
Submitted by: Betsy Winstead
My mother's father worked as a carpenter. On this particular day, he was building some crates for the clothes his church was sending to orphanages in China. On his way home, he reached into his shirt pocket to find his glasses, but they were gone When he mentally replayed his earlier actions, he realized what had happened; the glasses had slipped out of his pocket unnoticed and fallen into one of the crates, which he had nailed shut. His brand new glasses were heading for China!
The Great Depression was at its height and Grandpa had six children. He had spent $20 for those glasses that very morning. He was upset by the thought of having to buy another pair. It's not fair, he told God as he drove home in frustration. I've been very faithful in giving of my time and money to your work, and now this.
Months later, the director of the orphanage was on furlough in the United States. He wanted to visit all the churches that supported him in China, so he came to speak one Sunday at my grandfather's small church in Chicago. The missionary began by thanking the people for their faithfulness in supporting him.
"But most of all," he said, "I must thank you for the glasses you sent last. You see, the Communists had just swept through the orphanage, destroying everything, including my glasses. I was desperate. Even if I had the money, there was simply no way of replacing those glasses. Along with not being able to see well, I experienced headaches every day, so my coworkers and I were much in prayer about this. Then your crates arrived. When my staff removed the covers, they found a pair of glasses lying on top."
The missionary paused long enough to let his words sink in. Then, still gripped with the wonder of it all, he continued, "Folks, when I tried on the glasses, it was as though they had been custom made just for me! I want to thank you for being a part of that."
The people listened, happy for the miraculous glasses. But the missionary surely must have confused their church with another, they thought. There were no glasses on their list of items to be sent overseas. But sitting quietly in the back, with tears streaming down his face, an ordinary carpenter realized the Master Carpenter had used him in an extraordinary way.
There are times we want to blame God instead of thanking him! Perhaps we ought to try to thank Him more often.
to learn more about
C.A.S.T. (Churches Are Serving Together)
See the entryway table for complete brochures, which include information on how you can help and give to this ministry.
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List To Live By
The most destructive habit....................................................Worry
The greatest Joy....................................................................Giving
The greatest loss...................................................................Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work......................................................Helping others
The ugliest personality trait..................................................Selfishness
The most endangered species...........................................Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource.............................................Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"............................................Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome...................................Fear
The most effective sleeping pill.........................................Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease....................................Excuses
The most powerful force in life...........................................Love
The most dangerous pariah..............................................A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer.............................The brain
The worst thing to be without.... .....................................Hope
The deadliest weapon......................................................The tongue
The two most power-filled words...................................."I Can"
The greatest asset.............................................................Faith
The most worthless emotion............................................Self-pity
The most beautiful attire...................................................SMILE!
The most prized possession............................................Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication...............Prayer
The most contagious spirit..............................................Enthusiasm
The Folks in Heaven
I was shocked, confused, bewildered As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all, Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners, The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal? I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here? God must've made a mistake.
'And why's everyone so quiet, So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock. No one thought they'd be seeing you.'
JUDGE NOT.
Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian
any more than standing in your garage makes you a car. (Freddie Gage)
Every saint has a PAST.... Every sinner has a FUTURE!
Glenn Aley
graciously gave of his time and photography skills to provide us with
Photos & Videos
of this years VBS.
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View pictures from this year's
VBS!
What's Going On Now:
Attention, Precentors and Greeters! To help facilitate assigning precentors and greeters, there is a volunteer sheet posted on the bulletin board in the entrance hall. If you are willing to precent or greet, please sign up for a month at a time and you will be scheduled for the month you indicate your availability. Thank you.
Share and Save: A “coupon sharing” box has been placed in the entryway. Feel free to take coupons or bring in your unwanted coupons to share.
The Deacon Board wants to hear from you about what projects (small or big) you would like to see performed in the next year or two. We realize our opinions might be different from those of the congregation at large. We want to keep your wishes in mind as we prioritize our list of projects for the next few years. Please place all recommendations in the Deacon mail slot (on the other side of the hall from Pastor Bruce’s office). Please include your name so that the Deacon board can contact you if they need clarification.
Take Note:
