From the Pastor September 29, 2013

Fear the LORD

“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD

your God with all your heart and with all

your soul, and to observe the LORD'S commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” Deuteronomy 10:12-13

The phrase, ‘Fear of the Lord’ has been used in many ways over the centuries but I believe misused too often. This misuse has allowed many to come to actually ‘fear’ the Lord, as in being

afraid. I think the process starts in childhood and usually without intention. Later the idea is reinforced when preaching or teaching leans toward the powerful, demanding, uncompromising nature of God. There are certainly scriptures, that if read alone or out of context could make God

someone to be afraid of. Stories like Sodom and Gomorrah, Ananias and Sapphira, Gideon’s rout of the Philistines.

I want to suggest to you that there is another, more complete way to understand this idea of the fear of the Lord: Submission. The writer of Deuteronomy asks: what does the Lord require,

answer – to fear the Lord your God. Now listen to the definition of fear: - To walk in all God’s ways

- To love God - To serve the Lord with all your heart and soul - To observe the Lord’s commands

Then the writer ends saying all of this is for your own good. When I read this over again this

morning I thought of Jesus who when asked what is the greatest commandment (in other words, how do I fear the Lord) he says something very much the same: love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.

Here is a prayer by St Ignatius of Loyola:

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory,

My understanding, and my entire will. All I have and call my own.

Whatever I have or hold, you have given me.

I return it all to you and surrender it wholly To be governed by your will.

Give me only your love and your grace And I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.

Yes, when we submit our lives to the Lord…we do indeed fear the Lord.

Steve P.S. More to Follow this Sunday!

Help!!

The children’s department needs a volunteer teacher for grades 3-5 on a two week rotation basis. If you would like to serve God in this manner and be a blessing to our children, please let Ashley Lowry know.

Come and join Hannah ,

Catherine and Suzanna on

Wednesday nights at 6:15

for a time of fun and learning

about God’s Word!

Discovers (2-3)

Anglers (K4-2nd)

Explorers (3rd-5th)

GREEN EGGS AND HAM

Make scrambles eggs and

add green food coloring.

Serve with ham and enjoy!

September 29th Youth Meeting 5:30 pm

Look for October details in next week’s newsletter!

Our amazing Mid and Senior highs lived out Jesus invitation to share the Gospel in both word and deed at the Soup Kitchen last Sunday morning! Thanks to Manley and Crystal and

Caroline for being there to support our youth.

WELCOME BACK TO WEDNESDAY NIGHTS!

After a brief summer hiatus, our Wednesday night programs will resume on

Wednesday, September 4, at 5:30 p.m. We are excited about our plans for new

study programs and activities and encourage all of you to attend!

A catered meal is available for those who would like to join us for dinner and a

period of sharing prior to the programs.

Cost: $6.00Adults / $4.00 Children / $15.00 Family (includes parents with children 12 and

under).

IMPORTANT: RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE CATERED DINNER AND

MUST BE MADE NO LATER THAN 12:00 NOON ON MONDAYS, SEPTEMBER 2nd

.

Please call Sharon at the church office (583-6696, Ext. 10) prior to the Monday deadline to be

included. The after-dinner programs will begin at 6:15 p.m.

As the women of the church come together whether it is in a small group Bible study or other events, we try to keep in mind the purpose of the Presbyterian Women: Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves :

To nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study To support the mission of the church worldwide To work for justice and peace To build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church

(U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of Gods’ kingdom.

Women of Second Presbyterian online! Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/SecondPresWomen/

An Evening of 1950s Fun to Benefit InDwellings

More than 3,000 adults with special needs live with a primary caregiver over the age of 55 in South Carolina. The SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs serves roughly 27,000 people, but only maintains approximately 2,400 residential placements. InDwellings, an Upstate non-profit and ministry of the Foothills Presbytery, will help families who are waiting anxiously for a home for their adult children with developmental disabilities. Our first major fundraiser, "The Blueberry Hill Bash," A 1950s Thrill at the Thornblade Club, is November 7th from 6:30-10:00 p.m.!

You'll have a big night in store, with 1950s food, a classic car show, live music, carnival games, and live and silent auctions. Come in business casual, or 1950s clothing if you choose. The evening's emcee is WYFF 4's Michael Cogdill, with a live auction by Jake Ohlinger, the "Stuttering Auctioneer." And our live entertainment is the dueling pianos of Jack n’ Diane’s!

Tickets are on sale now by calling 864.283.6080, and are $50.00 per person.

Be there, or be square -- and make a huge difference in the life of someone with a disability.

2013 Peacemaking Offering

World Communion Sunday October 6, 2013

The Peacemaking Offering supports the peacemaking efforts of the church at every governing body level and provides an opportunity to witness to God's gift of peace in the world. Gifts given to the Peacemaking Offering through a congregation are divided in the following manner - twenty-five percent retained by congregations for support of their own peacemaking ministry; 25 percent used to support presbytery and synod peacemaking efforts; and 50 percent forwarded to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program of the Presbyterian Mission Agency so that it can continue to provide assistance and resources for congregations and other bodies of the PC(USA)

No Child Should be Without a Place to Sleep

How will my donation help? Thanks, in part, to the Peacemaking Offering, Jessica Collins, a young girl in Kentucky is proving she can change the world and move hearts – for other children and teenagers.

What can a young girl do to change the world? When Jessica Collins was just 10 she saw “The Blind Side” – a movie about a family helping a young man living in poor conditions. What he didn’t have moved Jessica the most – a bed. She couldn’t imagine the pain of not having her own place to sleep. She wanted to give somebody a bed who doesn’t have one, so we asked the school if anyone needed help, and they handed us a list of six kids.” - Lynn Whittaker, Jessica’s grandmother Founded in 2009, Jessica started “A Place to Sleep” – a program helping young people in Shelby county, Kentucky, by giving them a bed of their own. Now at age 13, she has helped 167 kids with the support of her congregation through the Peacemaking Offering.

Your congregation keeps 25 percent of what’s given and First Presbyterian church of Shelbyville, Kentucky, used their funds to help Jessica purchase beds and bed bug treatment to keep kids healthy.

To give, visit presbyterianmission.org/give/peacemaking-offering. Text PEACE to 20222 to give $10.

The Haven was founded in 1983 as an outreach of Second Presbyterian Church. We continue our close relationship and support. Twice a year the Women of Second Presbyterian organize a shower. We hope you will join us in our mission of providing them with the items needed. Each item you contribute to the Haven will help others. Alone it can seem meaningless, but combined with others it can be part of something big and help supply a full pantry. When we participate in the Haven Shower, we help give hope to families. Our congregation can take part in sharing the love of Jesus Christ by caring for those in need. Please take time to read the list and know that your support is welcomed and appreciated. To learn more about the mission of The Haven, please go to their website: www.thehavenshelter.com Thanking you for your generous consideration!

The PW of Second Presbyterian Per Cindi, The Haven's greatest needs are in these areas:

Cleaning supplies (Clorox based or antimicrobial) spray surface cleaners, wipes and jugs of Clorox

Paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates and Kleenex tissues bath towels and washcloths (big need here) antibiotic cream, band-aids, Ibuprophen and Tylenol for adults, children and infants, Rolaids

Thank you for ALL you do for The Haven Cindi Goodin Executive Director, The Haven

New Address

Joanne Ballenger 175 Buckstone Lane

Spartanburg SC 29307

1. While we call this season ‘fall’, the

British call it ‘autumn’. Both words date

from around the same period in the 16th

century. Before these terms came into

use, this period was called ‘harvest’.

There is a

BANANA

hidden

in the

Newsletter.

Can you

find it?

October 1st Dinner

Chicken Supreme over rice Glazed Carrots

Roll Dessert

October Birthdays 2nd - Sarah Cannon

Laurel Greene

4th – Mark Cowen

7th – Marlene Towery

10th – Alice Helms

Ruby Haynie

13th – Caleb Cowen

14th – Warren Atkinson

19th – Richard Jones

Kevin Fine

20th – Bobby Harmon

Joan Nohra

21st – Manley Christian

22nd – Johnny Goodwin

22nd – Taylor Moody

23rd – Molly Atkinson

24th – Clay Helms

Emma Greene

25th – Christine Fowler

Scott Lowe

26th – Reece Plempel

27th – Jan Goodman

Jackson White

28th – Joan Turnage

Cody Frye

Meredith Frye

29th – Tom Lathan

30th – Reynolds Atkinson

Paul Atkinson Adam Patterson

September Liturgists

29th – Michael Bennett

October Liturgists

6th - Cal Cannon

13th - Sterling Anderson

20th - Paul Pruitt

27th - Jim Hartell

Ushers for October

Patrick Greene, Vernon Atkinson

Charles Baxter, Mark Cowen, Charles and Mary

Lee Hayes, Gabe and Maryanne Stoeppler, Steve

Reese, Jimmy Turnage

Offering Team for October

Cal Cannon / Jared Young

Elder on call for the week of Sept 29th

Gabe Stoeppler. He can be reached at:

703-4101 (H)

September Nursery Volunteers

29th – Eden Young

October Nursery Volunteers

6th – Ashley Blackwelder / Nan Lake

13th – Beverly Reynolds / Barbara Darwin

20th – Holly Hartell / Reynolds Atkinson 27th – Margaret Ann Cunningham / Alex Wall

SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF Sept 29th – Oct 5th

SUNDAY – September 29th

9:45 am – Sunday School

11:00 am – Worship Service

5:30 pm – Youth Meeting

MONDAY – September 30th

9:00 am – Ladies Bible Study

6:00 pm – FYCBT

TUESDAY – October 1st

5:30 pm – UKIRK College Outreach

7:00 pm – AA Closed Meeting

WEDNESDAY – October 2nd

5:30 pm – Dinner in Price Hall

6:15 pm – Bible Studies

6:15 pm – Junction Kids

6:15 pm – Royal Ringers

7:30 pm – Choir Practice

THURSDAY – October 3rd

6:00 pm – FYCBT

7:00 pm - Session Meeting

FRIDAY – October 4th

7:00 am – Men’s Breakfast

9:30 / 11:00 am – FYCBT SATURDAY – October 5th

Second Presbyterian Church Contact Information

Ph: 864-583-6696 Fax: 864-585-8828 www.secondspartanburg.org

The prayer room is always open. Bring your burdens and

your praises. God will meet you

there!

People with Special Needs to Pray For: Dawn Lowe, Payton Dominick, Margie Goodwin, Mary

Lee Hayes, Pat Miller, Anslie Waters, Ava & Garrison

Williams (grandchildren of JoAnn & Roy Bishop), Juanita

Smith, Rachel Hart, Loree George, Sandra Sweet,

Marlene Towery, Pat Stephens, Betty Taylor (Jan

Sumeral’s Mother), Ellen Davis, Agnes McElrath, Fay

Tillotson, Baby Royce, Chris Frye, Beverly Reynolds, Bill

Pryor, Marjorie Goodwin, Betty Deal, Joan Baxter

In Assisted Living or Nursing Home: Eden Terrace – Martha Wharton

Eden Terrace – Pat Stephens

Maranatha Manor – Marlene Towery

Presbyterian Home – Jackie Parris (Clinton)

Skylyn Place – Rachel Hart – Health Center

Summit Hills – Sandra Sweet

White Oak Assisted Living – Grady Towery

At-home Members: Marjorie Allison, Agnes McElrath, Roy Hall, Everett

Tillotson, Willie and Jimmy Hill, Fay Tillotson, Juanita

Smith