Pastor B’s Corner: “Moving with the Wind” · 21 Nick Gerber . 28 Ann Stotler . Clark May...
8
tHE PRESBYtERIAN CHURCHES MIllERSBURg FIRSt PRESBYtERIAN ANd ClARk CoMMUNItY MAY 2017 NEwSlEttER Disclaimer: This “Pastor B’s Corner” is ripe sermon fodder. Don’t be surprised if you hear this later . On Saturday, during my Easter respite week, we took Collin to the Akron Children’s Museum in downtown Akron. The Museum is made up of activities for children to explore science through imaginative play. Collin’s favorite exhibit was one dealing with wind. At the exhibit, there was a table with a large tube in the middle with a fan at the bottom of it, which was activated by a large red button that the children pushed. Behind the table were cubbyholes filled with light scarves of all shapes and colors. The children put the scarves at the bottom over the fan and then pressed the button. As the fan blew up into the tube, the scarves would swirl around and ultimately pop out the top the tube. I don’t know how long James and I stood there with Collin picking up scarves, helping him put just the right number in the tube (too many scarves and the won’t fly), and watching him laugh as they swirled around in the tube and landed on the floor. Watching those scarves move wherever the wind took them, reminded me of John 3:8: “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So, it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” In Hebrew and Greek, the word for wind, means “moved and moving air…breath, wind, probably also storm, and in this sense spirit” (Barth 1963, 53). It is this word that is used in the Bible to describe the Holy Spirit, which, like wind, we cannot see, but can hear and feel moving us. The wind made by that fan blew the scarves wherever it wanted. It moved them and they floated and flowed with it, jumping, swirling, flying. Too often when the Holy Spirit blows upon us we try to fight it the wind—a very futile task. We push against it. We try to take it head on and make it bend to our will, but it never does. We don’t want to change. Moving with the Spirit requires letting go of all that holds us down. Heavy things don’t float in the wind by the wind’s own power. When it comes to the Holy Spirit, we need to be scarves. We need to let the Spirit move us, twirl us, shoot us up into the sky, and pick us up so we can do it all again. We need to allow ourselves to let the Spirit take us where it will, not fight where it is taking us or even try to move before it moves. I love how one of my favorite theologians, Karl Barth described being moved by the Spirit. He said this, “[A person] should be happy if, while brooding over his work, he hears the hidden power rushing, and finds his statements determined and controlled by it. But he does not know “whence it came or whither it goes.” He can only wish to follow its work, not precede it” (Barth 1963, 52). I want to be one of those brightly colored scarves floating on the wind—being moved by the current of the Spirit. I want to dance in the air with it, twirl with it, and beg lifted off this earth to higher places with it. I want it to move me in all that I do, to inspire me in all that write, and to guide all that I say and do. I pray that is what you want, too. One last word from Karl Barth, “Only where the Spirit is sighed, cried, pray for does he become present and newly active” (Barth 1963, 58). If we want the Holy Spirit to blow into our lives and into Pastor B’s Corner: “Moving with the Wind”
Transcript of Pastor B’s Corner: “Moving with the Wind” · 21 Nick Gerber . 28 Ann Stotler . Clark May...
tHE PRESBYtERIAN CHURCHES MIllERSBURg FIRSt PRESBYtERIAN ANd ClARk CoMMUNItY
MAY 2017 NEwSlEttER
Disclaimer: This “Pastor B’s Corner” is ripe sermon fodder. Don’t be surprised if you hear this later 😊😊. On Saturday, during my Easter respite week, we took Collin to the Akron Children’s Museum in downtown Akron. The Museum is made up of activities for children to explore science through imaginative play. Collin’s favorite exhibit was one dealing with wind. At the exhibit, there was a table with a large tube in the middle with a fan at the bottom of it, which was activated by a large red button that the children pushed. Behind the table were cubbyholes filled with light scarves of all shapes and colors. The children put the scarves at the bottom over the fan and then pressed the button. As the fan blew up into the tube, the scarves would swirl around and ultimately pop out the top the tube. I don’t know how long James and I stood there with Collin picking up scarves, helping him put just the right number in the tube (too many scarves and the won’t fly), and watching him laugh as they swirled around in the tube and landed on the floor. Watching those scarves move wherever the wind took them, reminded me of John 3:8: “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So, it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” In Hebrew and Greek, the word for wind, means “moved and moving air…breath, wind, probably also storm, and in this sense spirit” (Barth 1963, 53). It is this word that is used in the Bible to describe the Holy Spirit, which, like wind, we cannot see, but can hear and feel moving us. The wind made by that fan blew the scarves wherever it wanted. It moved them and they floated and flowed with it, jumping, swirling, flying. Too often when the Holy Spirit blows upon us we try to fight it the wind—a very futile task. We push against it. We try to take it head on and make it bend to our will, but it never does. We don’t want to change. Moving with the Spirit requires letting go of all that holds us down. Heavy things don’t float in the wind by the wind’s own power. When it comes to the Holy Spirit, we need to be scarves. We need to let the Spirit move us, twirl us, shoot us up into the sky, and pick us up so we can do it all again. We need to allow ourselves to let the Spirit take us where it will, not fight where it is taking us or even try to move before it moves. I love how one of my favorite theologians, Karl Barth described being moved by the Spirit. He said this, “[A person] should be happy if, while brooding over his work, he hears the hidden power rushing, and finds his statements determined and controlled by it. But he does not know “whence it came or whither it goes.” He can only wish to follow its work, not precede it” (Barth 1963, 52). I want to be one of those brightly colored scarves floating on the wind—being moved by the current of the Spirit. I want to dance in the air with it, twirl with it, and beg lifted off this earth to higher places with it. I want it to move me in all that I do, to inspire me in all that write, and to guide all that I say and do. I pray that is what you want, too. One last word from Karl Barth, “Only where the Spirit is sighed, cried, pray for does he become present and newly active” (Barth 1963, 58). If we want the Holy Spirit to blow into our lives and into
Pastor B’s Corner: “Moving with the Wind”
the life of our church then we need to pray for the Spirit to come. We need to pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, Come.” On June 4, we will celebrate Pentecost, the day that the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in wind and fire. From now until Pentecost, I ask that we pray each day for the coming of the Holy Spirit into each of our lives and into the life of our congregations. Let us pray with our whole heart the ancient prayer, “Come, Holy Spirit, Come.” Let us pray not to fight against the Spirit and its movement. Let us pray to become scarves blown by the Spirit—dancing, twirling, flying with our God.
Works Cited Barth, Karl. Evangelical Theology: An Introduction. Translated by Grover Foley. Grand Rapids, MI:
William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1963.
Church News for Millersburg First and Clark Community Presbyterian Churches
PASTOR BURNETTA IS HEADING SOUTH MAY 7TH (AFTER CHURCH) TO MAY 14TH: On May 7th (following worship at Millersburg First) Pastor Burnetta, James, and Collin will be heading down south to attend her brother’s graduation from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he will be receiving his Masters in Counseling. The Honorably Retired Reverend Chris Stewart will be covering any pastoral emergencies that week. His number is (330) 567-3210. JOINT SESSION MEETING: There will be a joint session meeting of the Sessions of Millersburg First and Clark Community Presbyterian Churches. This meeting is NOT optional. ALL session members of both congregations are required to attend. We will meet at Millersburg First Presbyterian on May 16th at 6:30 PM. Refreshments will be provided. PENTECOST: On June 4, we will be celebrating Pentecost. Please dress in the colors of flames (reds, yellows, oranges, or other colors associated with fire).
@ Millersburg May 7th (After Church)-May 14th: Pastor Burnetta and family will be down South for her brother’s graduation May 13-20: Church secretary on vacation May 13th: Antiques in the Alley (come and support our MOM Committee) May 16 @ 6:30 PM: Joint Session Meeting at Millersburg First Presbyterian May 20 @ 5:00 PM: “Hats Off to Mothers:” Mother-Daughter Banquet June 4: Pentecost Sunday (Wear red, orange, yellow, or other colors associated with flames)
Millersburg Participants for May May Liturgist Nursery Ushers
7 Tim Fair Vicki Wile Ruth & Kevin Vaughn 14 Carole Norman Tom & Laurie Vaughn Garrett Roach, Tim Allison 21 Sam Steimel Ruth & Kevin Vaughn Tom Vaughn, Jr. Vaughn 28 Richard Haun (Volunteer needed) Kate & Dave Findley
19 Delani Brooke Vaughn 20 Jake Bowman 21 Everett Tuitama 23 Bonnie Trubee 23 Jessica Vaughn 24 Mark Baserman Jr. 25 Rachel Baird 25 Miriam Casey 26 Wyatt Conner 29 Donald Goudy 29 Richard Algeo 30 Roger Estill 30 Kyle Polen 30 Aaron Patton
Millersburg May Birthdays 1 Karen Buzzard 1 Allen Casey 1 Barb McClelland 5 Jeremiah Haun 5 Carol Ittner 5 Vicki Wile 10 Daniel Baird 10 Sue Fair 10 Deborah Miller 12 Johnna Goudy 13 Ronald Schie 16 Megge Boals 18 Chloe Roach 19 Sean Boley 19 Paul Money
Dear Church Family, Deacons, & Friends: Thank-you so much for your thoughts and prayers during our time of loss. Thank-you for the delicious meal and beautiful flower arrangement. We sincerely appreciate your love and kindness during this sad time. God’s Blessing! Jed, Laurie, & Family
May 7th (After Church)-May 14th: Pastor Burnetta and family will be down South for her brother’s graduation May 13-20: Church secretary on vacation May 16 @ 6:30 PM: Joint Session Meeting at Millersburg First Presbyterian June 4: Pentecost Sunday (Wear red, orange, yellow, or other colors associated with flames)
@ Clark
Clark May Liturgists 7 Becky Baker 14 Sandy Wagers 21 Nick Gerber 28 Ann Stotler
Clark May Birthdays
2 Sophie Robb 6 Becky Baker 7 Samantha Tish 17 Evelyn Lowe 21 Wanda Goerz 28 Shirley Starker 29 Brock Bucklew
to Evelyn Lowe on May 17. This is 101 and she would love to
hear from you. Evelyn’s address is 1405 Wooster Road Millersburg, Ohio
44654
Happy “Sweet 16” to Sami Tish on May 7th
MOM COMMITTEE NEWS
ANTIQUES IN THE ALLEY – We will once again participate in Antiques in the Alley, Saturday, May 13th. Please drop off any items you feel would sell. We will price them ( Please no clothes or books) If you need items picked up contact Kate (330 231-9662) Drop off items in the Sunday School room in the basement by Thursday, May 11th. Thank you from the MOM Committee.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 Al-Anon 7:30 p
3 C–QUILTERS 8-11 C- CHOIR 7 P M – CHOIR 5:15
4 M - CARD FELLOWHIP M—Bible Study
5 M - AA 7:00 p.
6
7 WORSHIP CLARK 9:30 AM ADULT SS 9:30 AM MILLERSBURG 11:00
8 9 Al-Anon 7:30 p
10 C–QUILTERS 8-11 C- CHOIR 7 P M – CHOIR 5:15
11 M - CARD FELLOWHIP M—Bible Study
12 M - AA 7:00 p.
13 M- ANTIQUES IN THE ALLEY
14 WORSHIP CLARK 9:30 AM ADULT SS 9:30 AM MILLERSBURG 11:00
15
16 Al-Anon 7:30 p M – JOINT SESSION 6:30 P
17 C–QUILTERS 8-11 C- CHOIR 7 P M – CHOIR 5:15
18 M - CARD FELLOWHIP M—Bible Study
19 M - AA 7:00 p.
20 M – MOTHER/ DAUGHTER BANQUET 5 PM
21 WORSHIP CLARK 9:30 AM ADULT SS 9:30 AM MILLERSBURG 11:00
22 23 Al-Anon 7:30 p
25 C–QUILTERS 8-11 C- CHOIR 7 P M – CHOIR 5:15
25 M - CARD FELLOWHIP M—Bible Study
26
M - AA 7:00 p. 27
28 WORSHIP CLARK 9:30 AM ADULT SS 9:30 AM MILLERSBURG 11:00
29
30 Al-Anon 7:30 p
31 C–QUILTERS 8-11 C- CHOIR 7 P M – CHOIR 5:15
CONGRATULATIONS – to KAITLYNN TISH! Kaitlynn will be graduating from West Holmes on May 27th. While at West Holmes, she was in band & marching band, choir and concert choir, soccer, and softball. She is also a member of the Coshocton Community Choir and the Clark church choir. After graduation, Kaitlynn will be studying Architectural Engineering at the Coshocton Campus of Central Ohio Technical College. We wish Kaitlynn the best and pray for God’s blessings on her future.
Kaitlynn’s graduation celebration will be at the Miley Center on June 10th from 4-7.
Clark Community Presbyterian Church Millersburg First Presbyterian Church 90 South Clay Street Millersburg, Ohio 44654 330 674-1566 Email: [email protected] Website: millersburgfirst.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
US POSTAGE PAID Non-Profit Organization Permit No. 46 Millersburg, OH 44654
Please deliver to:
