March 2015 LINK Newsletter

15
  Pastor ............ ............ ................ Andy Gans Visitation Pastor (Ret.) .......... .. Tom McNei l Music Director ............ ............ .. Rick Roberts Executive Assistant ........... ........ Pat Brown Nursery Attendant .......... .......... Tammy Keeslar Proofreaders.............................. Susan M. Jensen and  Joh n S tewa rt Contributors ........... ............ ........ Members o f Ft. King Assembling ........... ............ .......... Phyllis Altonn, Bobbie Burns, Sue Chancey, Kay Dahlen, Joyce Gauntt, Eleanor Hayesmore, Donna Johnson, Pat Merrill, Roselle Pringle, Alice Reffner, Judith Simonin, Jean Winkler, Aileen Zimmerman Bulk Mail Handling ................... John Stewart Office: (352) 694 Office: (352) 694 Office: (352) 694 Office: (352) 694- - - -4121 4121 4121 4121 F F F FA A A AX X X X: : : : ( ( ( (3 3 3 35 5 5 52 2 2 2) ) ) ) 6 6 6 69 9 9 94 4 4 4-5 5 52 2 2 22 2 2 26 6 6 13 NE 36TH AVENUE 13 NE 36TH AVENUE 13 NE 36TH AVENUE 13 NE 36TH AVENUE O O OC C C CA A A AL L L LA A A A, , , F F FL L L LO O O OR R R RI I ID D D DA A A A 3 3 3 34 4 4 44 4 4 47 7 7 70 0 0 0 www.fortking.org www.fortking.org www.fortking.org www.fortking.org f f fo or r rt t t tk k ki i in n n ng g g g@ @ @e e ea ar r r rt th h h hl l li i ink k k k. .ne e e et t t Worship: Sundays 10:30 a.m. Worship: Sundays 10:30 a.m. Worship: Sundays 10:30 a.m. Worship: Sundays 10:30 a.m. PASTOR’S LETTER Lenten greetings, As many of you know I was in the Holy Land this past January with twenty other pastors. The purpose of this pilgrimage was to offer mid-career pastors the opportunity to renew and refresh their calling into ordained ministry. As I walked the areas where Jesus walked I thought about my renewal as well as our congregations. As I prayed about our re- newal, God delivered the answer on our last Sunday morning in Jerusalem while I attended worship at St. Andrew’s Church. I saw a large cross hanging over the pulpit area. The cross looked as if it were made out of tongues of fire. I remembered that fire is a cause of renewal. It is also is started by a spark. This would be my Lenten series. Lent should be a time of renewal; it should be a time that we seek ways to spark our faith in the One who showed us how to live with each other, and paid the ultimate price for seeking justice and offering mercy to ALL of God’s people. This Lenten season my preaching, and Wednesday evening studies, will center on igniting our faith. Our Wednesday evening studies will look at some of the main bibli- cal stories that are part of our Lenten lec- tionary. We will ask the question, How do  you account for / explain the different ver- sions of the same event? To what extent does it matter in your understanding and experience of Jesus that the details that de- scribe such a fundamental event in his life are not an agreed Gospel record across Mark, Matthew and Luke? Why did John ignore all the details of the baptism of Je- sus? I hope you will join us in the Session room at 6:00pm as we seek to answer these questions throughout Lent. Below is the schedule for our study. Wednesday, March 4: Mark 8: 31 - 38  Jesus F oretells His Death and Resurrection Wednesday, March 11:  John 2: 13 - 22  Jesus Cleanses the T emple: once or twice? Wednesday, March 18:  John 3:14 - 21 For God so loved the world: one of the most out of co ntext and misquoted verses in the whole of the Christian Testament W edne sday, Marc h 25:  John 12:20 - 35 Passi ontide and John's Gospel Please join us as we seek to ignite our faith this Lenten season. Blessings,

description

The LINK is Fort King’s monthly newsletter designed to inform our congregation about news happening both in our church and our community.

Transcript of March 2015 LINK Newsletter

Music Director ............ ............ .. Rick Roberts
Executive Assistant ........... ........ Pat Brown
Nursery Attendant .......... .......... Tammy Keeslar
 John Stewart
Assembling ........... ............ .......... Phyllis Altonn, Bobbie
Eleanor Hayesmore, Donna Johnson, Pat Merrill,
Roselle Pringle, Alice Reffner, Judith Simonin, Jean
Winkler, Aileen Zimmerman
Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694----4121412141214121
FFFFAAAAXXXX:::: ((((333355552222)))) 666699994444----5555222222226666
13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE
OOOOCCCCAAAALLLLAAAA,,,, FFFFLLLLOOOORRRRIIIIDDDDAAAA 33334444444477770000
PASTOR’S LETTER Lenten greetings,
As many of you know I was in the Holy Land this past January with twenty other pastors. The purpose of this pilgrimage was to offer mid-career pastors the opportunity to renew and refresh their calling into ordained ministry.
As I walked the areas where Jesus walked I thought about my renewal as well as our congregations. As I prayed about our re- newal, God delivered the answer on our last Sunday morning in Jerusalem while I attended worship at St. Andrew’s Church. I saw a large cross hanging over the pulpit area. The cross looked as if it were made out of tongues of fire. I remembered that fire is a cause of renewal. It is also is started by a spark. This would be my Lenten series.
Lent should be a time of renewal; it should be a time that we seek ways to spark our faith in the One who showed us how to live with each other, and paid the ultimate price for seeking justice and offering mercy to ALL of God’s people.
This Lenten season my preaching, and Wednesday evening studies, will center on igniting our faith. Our Wednesday evening studies will look at some of the main bibli- cal stories that are part of our Lenten lec- tionary. We will ask the question, How do
 you account for / explain the different ver- sions of the same event? To what extent does it matter in your understanding and experience of Jesus that the details that de- scribe such a fundamental event in his life are not an agreed Gospel record across Mark, Matthew and Luke? Why did John ignore all the details of the baptism of Je- sus?
I hope you will join us in the Session room at 6:00pm as we seek to answer these questions throughout Lent. Below is the schedule for our study.  Wednesday, March 4:
Mark 8: 31 - 38  Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
Wednesday, March 11:  John 2: 13 - 22
 Jesus Cleanses the Temple: once or twice? Wednesday, March 18:
 John 3:14 - 21 For God so loved the world: one of the most out of context and misquoted verses in the whole of the Christian Testament
Wednesday, March 25:  John 12:20 - 35
Passiontide and John's Gospel
Please join us as we seek to ignite our faith this Lenten season.
Blessings,
Our financial results are in for January and we are off to a great start! Our Estimates of Giving (pledges) exceeded budget by $3,693.87$3,693.87$3,693.87$3,693.87 and our Members Gifts (members who haven't pledged) exceeded budget by $1,968.87.$1,968.87.$1,968.87.$1,968.87. This equates to a Total Offering of $5,581.19 over budget!$5,581.19 over budget!$5,581.19 over budget!$5,581.19 over budget!
Our expenses are in line so we are indeed off to a great beginning in 2015!
The Finance/Admin MinistryFinance/Admin MinistryFinance/Admin MinistryFinance/Admin Ministry is in need of new members. You do not need to be a financial expert. An understanding of basic math and an interest in helping FKPCFKPCFKPCFKPC maintain its relevance through financial planning and stability are the only requirements. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 6pm. If interested you can contact any of our members (Steve Layendecker, David Mac- Kay, Carole DeLucian or Bob Henry) or Pastor Andy Gans. If you join I promise to bring chocolate!
Steve Layendecker
The Quiet Corner Prayer Shawl Ministry
Comfort…healing…friendship…kinship. These are some of the words that express what the knitters feel while working on their shawls. As we sit in our circles and knit, we find that the more we knit, the more we want to knit. It becomes a healing and comforting gift not only to the receivers but also to the givers.
As we knit we pray that our eyes can be open to the needs of others, that God will grant divine healing to the sick, comfort to the bereaved, friendship to the lonely and abundance to those in need.
In 2014 our knitters completed 35 shawls for a total of 169 since the inception of this Ministry in October 2010. Our 2014 knitters included Kathy Bohner, Roberta Burns, Sue Chancey, Cheryl Gans, Joyce-Ellen Horne, Onalee Mease, Judy O’Hern, Helen Reed, Louise Scott, and the late Ruth Sibley.
 
 
DISCIPLESHIP - YOUTH
The Scouting program at Fort King is more than just an activity for our youth to learn about the outdoors. Scouting provides fun, fellowship, and training to our youth as well as youth in our community. It emphasizes honesty, self-reliance, and respect. Through a year-round program, it affects character, citizenship, and personal fitness. But the success of our Scouting depends on our volunteers who serve in a variety of leadership roles so that our  young people may benefit from our Scouting ministry. As the Boy Scouts of America celebrates its anniversary, we salute the splendid volunteers who serve as Cub- masters, Scoutmasters, and Venturing Advisors, and in other positions of leadership.
"I think the Gospel is a very powerful, yet a very simple message. It is a message of love, respect, and respon- sibility. Scouting is all of that." —Pastor Peter Paine, Waukegan, Illinois "It (the God and Country program) really made me think about my relationship with God and made me evaluate it." —Scout Robert Lalley, Princeton, New Jersey "When you look at the Scout Law and the principles which Scouting teaches young people, all those things are basically biblical principles." —Pastor Robert Cushman, Princeton, New Jersey "I've seen him study the Bible more in preparation to do devotions, that all the boys participate in . ..." —Elinor Dalene, Parent, Wyckoff, New Jersey "It is our troop, we can really build it the way we want, we can determine those factors that are important to us to build into the program, just as God would have us to do." —Pastor Don James, Wyckoff, New Jersey
Many volunteers give their time so Scouting's members will be involved in a quality program. Merit badge coun- selors help Scouts learn more about vocations and hobbies. Volunteers see that the Scout camps of the North Florida Council have the necessary physical facilities and that all camp activities meet the high health and safe- ty standards of the national organization. Volunteers serve behind the scenes on committees so that community organizations using the Scouting program can find the best leadership possible for the youth related to their organizations. Volunteers, too, provide train- ing for these leaders and offer a continuing service to every Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, and Venturing crew. Many men and women offer their services to Scouting, but more volunteers are always needed to serve as lead- ers or share their special skills with young people and other adults. All these people experience a special sense of achievement through their work in Scouting. We congratulate all the volunteers who are active in Scouting throughout Ocala and want to offer a special prayer and word of the thanks to the leaders of Troop 196 chartered to our congregation.
Sunday Adult Class
Peter Messmore will lead a series of classes, entitled: "Saul/Paul of Tarsus: Six Lessons Based on the Bible and Scholarly Interpretation of One of the Most Significant Men Who Ever Lived." All are welcome to come join the discussions about Paul at 9:15 a.m. for six Sundays, February 22nd through March 29th.
Lenten Wednesday Studies February 25th through March 25th
6 p.m. in the Session room
 
 
Tai Chi Classes Begin Again
Tai Chi classes meet on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We hope that you can join us! ~Donna Lavery and Mary Beth Neely
Presbyterian Women
All women of Fort King are Presbyterian Women and are invited to participate in all activi- ties of Presbyterian Women.
Circle Meetings for March: Esther Circle will meet at 7:00 p.m. on March 9th, at the home of Heidi Lawson. Deborah Circle will meet at 10:00 a.m. on March 17th, in the Session Room of the church.
The Coordinating Team will meet on Wednesday, March 4th, at 10:00 a.m. in the Session Room.
Men’s Night Out
Men’s Night Out will be held on Monday, March 9th at 6:30 p.m. hosted by Jim Johnson. We will meet at Bob Henry’s house. Please call Jim at 694-6449 to R.S.V.P.
Crafty Ladies
Crafty Ladies meet every Thursday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We hope to see all of you there. If you would like to join our group, come for a visit and see what we are doing and how you can help. We welcome new people and new talents!
Card Making Ministry
Card Making Ministry will meet on the second Friday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Please call Prudence Pritz if you would like to join.
Sassy Seniors
All widows and single ladies are welcome to join Sassy Seniors on Wednesday, March 11th at 1:00 p.m. March’s luncheon will take place at The Ivy House on Silver Springs Boulevard. The phone number is 622-5550. Come join us!
Poetry Connections
 
 
MISSION MINISTRY
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV)
Sign-up for Interfaith Meals
It is time once again to sign up for Interfaith Meals. On the 4th  Wednesday of each month Ft King Presbyterian Church provides a meal for families staying at the Interfaith residences. Between 25-30 women, infants, children and men are in need of a nourishing meal and fellowship. This year as you sign up please try to include at least one new per- son from the congregation to join hands in this heartfelt mission.
Habitat for Humanity
Thank you to Bill Reed, his brother-in-law Melvin Mosher, Bob and Sheena Schlegel, Rhea Forman, George Fuller and Carole DeLucian for helping with Habitat for Hu- manity on January 24th. We soaked, scraped off, shoveled and swept up the popcorn ceiling throughout the house in preparation for future painting. Walls were torn down, a bathroom demolished and a doorway constructed. All in all it was hard work, but more importantly an opportunity to join in fellowship with the young woman who would one day own this home and the fellow volunteers from Bank of America. Our next Mission Day will be scheduled sometime in May. Please make plans to join us.
Ward-Highland Elementary School
 
 
At its February 17, 2015 meeting, the Session heard/voted:
•••• After interviewing one prospective member and after questions/discussions with her, the following new mem- ber was approved by a motion, duly made and seconded, to be received into the membership of this church: Anna McChesney, who comes by letter of transfer from the Presbyterian Church at Reddick, Florida.
• From the Presbytery meeting of February 7th: The First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville was dismissed to the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians and Pastor Gans noted that the church was unwilling to discuss the matter as part of the dismissal process. Their written reasoning was identical to that of the prior leaving churches, such as the Mandarin church, it was reported.
The Presbytery voted “yes” on all seven proposed amendments to the Book of Order (BoO), including the marriage amendment proposal.
• 50th Anniversary - Larry Bush, Buddy MacKay and the Pastor are working with the Worship and Connec- tions Ministries to have a celebratory dinner – most likely in the fall – to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this church.
• The PCUSA’s Investment and Loan Program, Inc., which holds the mortgage on the church, has offered a reduction to a 3.50 % interest rate and, upon recommendation of the finance ministry, the Session voted to accept it. The Balance is $71,204.69(as of 1/28/15) and is expected to be paid off in the next 3-1/2 years.
• The Session voted to approve the design and sale of a church 50th Anniversary mug as a fundraiser for the  youth group.
• Pat Brown has been hired as the new Executive Assistant. As a member of another local PCUSA church, Pat is familiar with “Prebyterianism” and brings to us her many other qualifications.
• It was decided to move the “Elder Down Front” elder to the “Elder in the Narthex” elder by the welcoming table as possibly being more potential/new member friendly.
• Columbia Theological Seminary students will be preaching in area churches and the Session voted to allow one to preach here on March 15, 2015. The Pastor will vet the student’s sermon in so far as practical.
• Cheryl Gans will be called as part – time stated supply at Marion Oaks PC and therefore is ready for exami- nation and ordination – hurrah!
WORSHIP
 Join The Worship Ministry Team
We are looking for people who might be willing to serve on the Worship Ministry. You do not have to be a member. We meet the first Wednesday of each month for about an hour to an hour and a half. Contact Kathy Kuhns at 622-4073.
Volunteer Opportunity Available - Sound Board Operator
 
WHAT ARE YOU GIVING UP FOR LENT?
At the time of this writing, we were just a few days away from Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. I’ve heard some folks are giving up chocolate (I wonder who that is), wine or cocktails, cutting back on their TV time, and other things. I was asked what I was giving up for Lent and I guess I had a stunning reply because the look on the questioner’s face was one of confusion and bewilderment. I told the person “Me.” What do  you think of that?
One of my favorite hymns we sing, especially during Lent, is “Alas and Did My Savior Bleed.” It was written by Isaac Watts in 1707 and set to music by John Newton. It is a beautiful song that directly ties the agony and death of our beloved Savior to us as individuals.
Alas! and did my Savior bleed?Alas! and did my Savior bleed?Alas! and did my Savior bleed?Alas! and did my Savior bleed? And did my Sov’reign die,And did my Sov’reign die,And did my Sov’reign die,And did my Sov’reign die,
Would He devote that sacred headWould He devote that sacred headWould He devote that sacred headWould He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I?For such a worm as I?For such a worm as I?For such a worm as I?
Notice the first verse demonstrates our knowing that our Savior suffered, bled and died. For the propitiation of our sins, he gave himself for us. And the word “worm” speaks of the lowliest creature on earth. Why would he do this?
Was it for sins that I had doneWas it for sins that I had doneWas it for sins that I had doneWas it for sins that I had done He groaned upon the tree?He groaned upon the tree?He groaned upon the tree?He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!Amazing pity! grace unknown!Amazing pity! grace unknown!Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!And love beyond degree!And love beyond degree!And love beyond degree!
We might ask the question “was it for sins that I had done?” As Christians, we already know the answer. When I was a child and did something wrong (it did happen occasionally) and got caught by my Mom or Dad, I knew I was in trouble. But Praise the Lord, I had understanding parents and they usually took pity on me. After a little scolding and talking to me, they “let me off the hook.” That was love. The Savior took not just pity but “amazing pity,” “ grace” (underserved love), and a “love beyond degree!” That is powerful.
Well might the sun in darkness hide,Well might the sun in darkness hide,Well might the sun in darkness hide,Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in,And shut his glories in,And shut his glories in,And shut his glories in,
When God the Mighty Maker diedWhen God the Mighty Maker diedWhen God the Mighty Maker diedWhen God the Mighty Maker died For man, His creature’s sin.For man, His creature’s sin.For man, His creature’s sin.For man, His creature’s sin.
What a tremendous description of the scene that day! Can you imagine the entire earth covered in darkness? I can close my eyes and view the scene as if I was Peter or John or any other of the people gathered on Golgo- tha’s Hill that day. I am terrified – “Well might the sun in darkness hide.” I am confused – “And shut his glo- ries in.” I am deeply mourning and tears are streaming down my face as I realize “God the Mighty Maker died.” And I am especially saddened because it was for me “For man, His creature’s sin.”
Thus might I hide my blushing faceThus might I hide my blushing faceThus might I hide my blushing faceThus might I hide my blushing face While His dear cross appearsWhile His dear cross appearsWhile His dear cross appearsWhile His dear cross appears
 
 
WORSHIP (continued)
Like the sun, I should “hide my blushing face” because my friend, my Lord and my Savior laid down his life for me. I think of this every time I see “His dear cross appear.” I weep inside because of His sacrifice. He didn’t want to do this. Recall that just hours earlier, He prayed “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Thine be done.” But He did. I am filed with hope, promise and it “dissolves my heart in thankfulness.”
But drops of grief can ne’er repayBut drops of grief can ne’er repayBut drops of grief can ne’er repayBut drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of love I owe;The debt of love I owe;The debt of love I owe;The debt of love I owe;
I can’t cry enough. I can’t give enough. I can’t be remorseful enough. I can’t do anything to “repay the debt of love I owe.” My parents, my friends, and you, my beloved church family, have done so much for me and there is no way I could ever repay that love.
Now we get to the answer I gave to the person that asked me what I was giving up for Lent: ““““ME!ME!ME!ME!””””
Here Lord, I give myself away:Here Lord, I give myself away:Here Lord, I give myself away:Here Lord, I give myself away: ’Tis all that I can do.’Tis all that I can do.’Tis all that I can do.’Tis all that I can do.
There you go.
Another great hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, was moved to write about an experience she had while this hymn was being sung at the Thirtieth Street Methodist Church in New York in 1850. She was 30 years old. She had accepted Christ as her Savior many years before, but never received the peace she so longed for. She writes “It seemed to me that the light must indeed come then or never. I arose and went to the altar alone. After a prayer was offered, the congregation began to sing ‘Alas, and Did My Savior bleed.’ And when they reached the 3rd line of the final stanza, ‘Here Lord, I give myself away,’ my very soul was flooded with a celes- tial light. I sprang to my feet, shouting ‘Hallelujah’ and then for the first time I realized that I had been try-I had been try-I had been try-I had been try- ing to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.ing to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.ing to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.ing to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.”
Now that you know the love of this story, what are you “giving up for Lent?” I encourage you to set aside a few minutes and re-read this heavenly inspired hymn. Grab a tissue – it will likely bring tears to your eyes. Ask yourself, “Tis all that I can do?”“Tis all that I can do?”“Tis all that I can do?”“Tis all that I can do?” 
With a song in my heart,
Rick
Exodus 20:2-20
If we could only develop a “lawlawlawlaw” for society with which everyone would agree and to which all would be obedient! Why, we’d have a UtopiaUtopiaUtopiaUtopia, a “heaven-on-earth,” “peace for all,” etc. Well, the Ten Com- Ten Com- Ten Com- Ten Com- 
mandments mandments mandments mandments  have been presented as not only the foundation for American society but for Western Civilizations. They’ve even been engraved on a block of granite, placed in a courthouse – and moved! – as a standard for “justice” in society!
This is how they’ve been interpreted by some people; but was this their original intention? How is the “Ten Commandments ” “Law”? Let’s look at them from their own perspective as indicated by their form of address and content.
After the ProloguePrologueProloguePrologue of Exodus 20:2, there are four (4) distinct sections of the Ten WordsTen WordsTen WordsTen Words: A. Man’s relation to/with God/Yahweh.God/Yahweh.God/Yahweh.God/Yahweh. 
1. No other gods (Elohim) “in my face.” 2. No images of Yahweh/God. 3. No use Yahweh’s name as magic and/or for purposes that misrepresent
Yahweh/God. B. Man’s relation to his “work.” “work.” “work.” “work.”  
4. Shabbat/ Shabbat/ Shabbat/ Shabbat/ Sabbath means to “cease,”  to take the time to “stop”  one’s “work” to “dominate the earth .” To evaluate critically what I am doing.
C. Man’s relation to the Past.Past.Past.Past. 5. To “Honor” “Honor” “Honor” “Honor”  one’s parents, ancestors.
D. Man’s relation to/with “fellow“fellow“fellow“fellow----human beings” = “human beings” = “human beings” = “human beings” = “neighbor.neighbor.neighbor.neighbor.”””” 6. No killNo killNo killNo kill, i.e. murder by malicious intent to deprive another of life.life.life.life.
7. No commit adultery,No commit adultery,No commit adultery,No commit adultery, i.e. a violation of a husband-wife life life life life-commitment . 8. No steal,No steal,No steal,No steal, i.e. taking from another what has been earned/gained by the effort
of one’s life.life.life.life.
9. No testify falselyNo testify falselyNo testify falselyNo testify falsely, i.e. to misrepresent the life life life life of another person. 10. No covetNo covetNo covetNo covet, i.e. the desire to dispossessdispossessdispossessdispossess one’s neighbor from his life.life.life.life. 
 
 
WORSHIP (continued)
In a nutshell, the commandments focus on a living relationshipa living relationshipa living relationshipa living relationship between each “you”  and life alllife alllife alllife all around:around:around:around: Yahweh/God, one’s “work,” one’s ancestors, one’s neighbors! Each person addressed by the Ten WordsTen WordsTen WordsTen Words must make the choice of his/her life as to how he/she relates to the life-expressions of the Other and what that means historically; and each must be unequivocally responsible for the choices one makes! No one can respond for me, or take my place.
Note Again:Note Again:Note Again:Note Again: We are not asked to BelieveBelieveBelieveBelieve anything by the Ten Words.Ten Words.Ten Words.Ten Words. “The just man (i.e. generic “person”) is the one who measures up to the particular claims which a relationship lays upon
him” (G. von Rad 1962 Old Testament Theology I 372): this isisisis Justice Justice Justice Justice historically.
“Justice”“Justice”“Justice”“Justice” is not an abstract word in the Old Testament, because it refers to a responsible living relationship between human beings and all other expressions of life around them. The Ten WordsTen WordsTen WordsTen Words set forth the meaning of justice  justice  justice  justice  as liberation fromliberation fromliberation fromliberation from artificial social rules and regulations to liberationliberationliberationliberation forforforfor thethethethe humanizationhumanizationhumanizationhumanization of ourselves and all others in the living relationships we each have. Justice  Justice  Justice  Justice, in this sense, can be a “saving act” for/with another person!
The Ten WordsTen WordsTen WordsTen Words provides an Ethic for the Other,Ethic for the Other,Ethic for the Other,Ethic for the Other, a starting point, a point of departure. To choose to live in terms of the Ten Words is an Act of Faith,Act of Faith,Act of Faith,Act of Faith, not of belief. Therefore,
- instead of talking about what I/we believewhat I/we believewhat I/we believewhat I/we believe or not believe, e.g. the Apostle’s Creed,
- we can use the YouYouYouYou----EthicEthicEthicEthic of the Ten WordsTen WordsTen WordsTen Words to think and share critically about how “I”/”we” live our lives in relation to the Other: * God * Work * Parents * Neighbor
It is only within this context that we may understand Leviticus 19:18Leviticus 19:18Leviticus 19:18Leviticus 19:18 “Love your neighbor as your- 
self” and Jesus’ Jesus’ Jesus’ Jesus’ “Love your enemies ” (Matt. 5:44a//Luke 6:27a). So let’s talk about the Decalogue’sDecalogue’sDecalogue’sDecalogue’s vision of Justice!vision of Justice!vision of Justice!vision of Justice! Let’s begin. More next time.
Shalom,
Tom
WORSHIP (continued)
Flower Calendar
PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to commemorate a special event/occasion/memory
etc. for a specific date, please call me as soon as possible. It is never too early to select
your chosen date. Please don’t hesitate to call me if there is a Sunday you would like to
commemorate by sharing with the church some type of flowers or plant of your choice.
(The flowers or plant could be from your yard, a supermarket, a florist, etc.) Thank you.
Nancy Hall 694 Nancy Hall 694 Nancy Hall 694 Nancy Hall 694- -- -3221 3221 3221 3221
Thank you to these people as they share in donating the flowers for the following worship services:
March 1, 2015 In memory of John H. Hankinson, Sr. from his wife, Shirley and his children, John Jr.,  Jimmy, Margaret and Mary.
March 8, 2015 From Bobbie Burns to all the loved ones who are gone.
March 15, 2015 Happy Birthday, Michael Spontak!
March 22, 2015 From Jean Brown, Hal, Douglas, Bruce, and Lynn in loving memory of husband and father, Halowell E. Brown
March 29, 2015 In celebration of our 35th wedding anniversary from Donna and Brian Lavery. (Palm Sunday)
April 5, 2015 “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” - 1 Corinthians 15:17. In memory of those who have gone before us.
(Easter) (the church will not be soliciting Easter lilies for the sanctuary)(Easter) (the church will not be soliciting Easter lilies for the sanctuary)(Easter) (the church will not be soliciting Easter lilies for the sanctuary)(Easter) (the church will not be soliciting Easter lilies for the sanctuary)
April 12, 2015 In celebration of Trent and Liesha Herron’s 30th wedding anniversary.
April 19, 2015 In loving memory of Ray Chancey from Sue, Laura, and Elaine.
April 26, 2015 OPEN
May 3, 2015 From Nancy Stephenson in loving memory of her parents, Ted and Violet Wikary.
May 10, 2015 From Sherry Pritchett in loving memory of my mother, Edna Hanson.
May 17, 2015 From John and Jean Stewart in celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary.
May 24, 2015 In loving memory of Andy from the Harshman family.
May 31, 2015 In celebration of our 60th anniversary from Pat and Jerry Merrill.
 June 7, 2015 In memory of our parents, Aleta, Max, and Robert, from the Repp family.
 June 14, 2015 From Bernice and Bob Henry in celebration of their 55th wedding anniversary.
 June 21, 2015 OPEN (Father’s Day)
 
 
(off-site)
Practice
 
Boy Scout Fundraiser