Presbyterian ‘Connection’€¦ · 1 Presbyterian ‘Connection’ March 2014 Volume 21 Issue 3...

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1 Presbyterian ‘Connection’ March 2014 Volume 21 Issue 3 FORGIVENESS After telling us in Colossians 3:12 to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, in verse 13 Paul says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you”. Let’s take a good look at the word forgiveness. It encompasses many feelings, attitudes, and actions. For someone who has been convicted of a crime, to be pardoned is a much desired action on the part of the governor or president. It wipes away the penalty for what one has done. When we forgive like the Lord, we free the offender of guilt for how that person has treated us. What have we given in order to forgive someone who has offended, abused, or hurt us? Remember singing the hymn “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” He gave his all to forgive our sins. To forgive like Jesus means to absolve others of their actions that have frustrated and angered us. It means that we think no more of it. We bury the hatchet as the old saying goes. Paul emphasizes forgiveness in this passage of scripture by using three different Greek words that express facets of forgiveness whereas we use one. When we reflect on the Christian characteristics above, we see that they fit right into the spirit of forgiveness. The first one he used has the thrust of enduring patiently. It urges bearing with one another, even suffering in the sense of tolerating. The other word translated forgiveness embodies the attitude of being graceful. It is rooted in the word that we translate as charisma. We might push it a bit and say that Paul is urging us to be charismatic. Some Christian groups use “charismatic” as being filled with the Holy Spirit. When it comes to being forgiving as the Lord has forgiven us, we need to be filled with the Spirit of Christ. The third word he used is derived from the same root as charisma, “be graceful.” The challenge for us is to reflect the character, the Spirit of Christ in our relationships with one another. We strive not to make an adversary of a brother or sister in Christ. We are challenged not to be mean- spirited. We are challenged to leave behind us the old attitude “I don’t just get even. I get back.” Remember to FORGIVE, FORGIVE, FORGIVE!!! FORGIVE AS THE LORD HAS FORGIVEN YOU.” God Bless! Fred Lord, fill us with your Spirit of Grace and Love.

Transcript of Presbyterian ‘Connection’€¦ · 1 Presbyterian ‘Connection’ March 2014 Volume 21 Issue 3...

Page 1: Presbyterian ‘Connection’€¦ · 1 Presbyterian ‘Connection’ March 2014 Volume 21 Issue 3 FORGIVENESS After telling us in Colossians 3:12 to clothe ourselves with compassion,

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Presbyterian ‘Connection’ March 2014 Volume 21 Issue 3

FORGIVENESS

After telling us in Colossians 3:12 to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,

gentleness, and patience, in verse 13 Paul says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances

you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you”. Let’s take a good look at the

word forgiveness. It encompasses many feelings, attitudes, and actions. For someone who has been

convicted of a crime, to be pardoned is a much desired action on the part of the governor or president.

It wipes away the penalty for what one has done. When we forgive like the Lord, we free the offender

of guilt for how that person has treated us. What have we given in order to forgive someone who has

offended, abused, or hurt us? Remember singing the hymn “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but

the blood of Jesus.” He gave his all to forgive our sins. To forgive like Jesus means to absolve others

of their actions that have frustrated and angered us. It means that we think no more of it. We bury the

hatchet as the old saying goes. Paul emphasizes forgiveness in this passage of scripture by using three different Greek words that

express facets of forgiveness whereas we use one. When we reflect on the Christian characteristics

above, we see that they fit right into the spirit of forgiveness. The first one he used has the thrust of

enduring patiently. It urges bearing with one another, even suffering in the sense of tolerating. The

other word translated forgiveness embodies the attitude of being graceful. It is rooted in the word that

we translate as charisma. We might push it a bit and say that Paul is urging us to be charismatic. Some

Christian groups use “charismatic” as being filled with the Holy Spirit. When it comes to being

forgiving as the Lord has forgiven us, we need to be filled with the Spirit of Christ. The third word he

used is derived from the same root as charisma, “be graceful.”

The challenge for us is to reflect the character, the Spirit of Christ in our relationships with one another.

We strive not to make an adversary of a brother or sister in Christ. We are challenged not to be mean-

spirited. We are challenged to leave behind us the old attitude “I don’t just get even. I get back.”

Remember to FORGIVE, FORGIVE, FORGIVE!!! FORGIVE AS THE LORD HAS FORGIVEN

YOU.”

God Bless! Fred

Lord, fill us with your Spirit of Grace and Love.

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Our church face book page

https://www.facebook.com/presbyterian.shoals

Our church email address

[email protected]

Connection Online

If you would like to read the “Connection” newsletter

online, go to our website;

http://www.presbyterianchurchofbullshoals

Click on the ‘Info Center’ tab at the top, then on the drop-

down menu, click on “Presbyterian Connection”, then

choose the month of the newsletter you would like to

read. The most recent newsletter will be at the top.

To Our Family in Christ

Thank you so much - For your prayers for Mama, “Marilyn Jane Anderson,” for her healing &

comfort. Thank you for all the lovely cards and wonderful visits to cheer her & make our days

bearable! She is thriving on your love! Me too!

Love in Christ,

Amy Johnson

Coffee & Fellowship

Be sure to drop in for coffee, maybe a

Danish or cookies and wonderful fellowship on

Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in Memorial

Hall!

January Income - $4,355.56

January Expenses - $5,843.34

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WORSHIP IN MARCH

MARCH 2nd Transfiguration of the Lord

Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2

2 Peter 1:16-21 & Matthew 17:1-9

COMMUNION —————

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5th

Ash Wednesday Service at 6:00 p.m. ————-

MARCH 9th 1st Sunday in Lent

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32 Romans 5:12-19 & Matthew 4:1-11

POTLUCK ————-

MARCH 16th 2nd Sunday in Lent

Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 & John 3:1-17

BLESSING OF THE FOOD PANTRY ————-

MARCH 23rd 3rd Sunday in Lent

Exodus 17:1-7: Psalm 95

Romans 5:1-11 & John 4:5-42 ————-

MARCH 30th 4th Sunday in Lent

1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23

Ephesians 5:8-14 & John 9:1-41

MINUTE FOR MISSION

“Fifth Sunday Sing” at 6:00 p.m.

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CHURCH USHERS/GREETERS COMMUNION SERVERS

March 2 - Steve Broskovak & Ken Hobart Ed & Peni Lloyd

March 9 - Linda Allensworth & Irene Bere

March 16 - Bill & Mary Kerr

March 23 - Amy Johnson & Sandy Erickson

March 30 - Faye Brackett & Sandy Erickson

PRAYER LIST FOR CONGREGATIONS, PRESBYTERY OF AR.- 2014

March 2 - Woodlands, Hot Springs Village Holiday Island Church

March 9 - Second, Little Rock First, Yellville

March 16 - Walnut Grove, Farmington First, Mena

March 23 - First United, Fayetteville West Fork Church, West Fork

March 30 - First, Harrison First, North Little Rock

PLEASE NOTIFY PAT ERLEWINE IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO SHOULD BE ON OUR PRAYER LIST.

BIRTHDAYS March April March 3 - Dick Sass April 6 - Mary Ann Smith March 10 - Allen Althof April 10 - Betty Craig March 20 - Betty Perrin April 11 - Darcy Burghard March 22 - Pat Erlewine April 18 - Vivian Meyers March 28 - Betty Aaron April 19 - Garrett Carpenter March 30 - Jini Sass April 22 - Don Miller

ANNIVERSARIES

March 12 - Bob & Arabella Richardson

March 18 - Dr. Roger & Meg Simons

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LIBRARY LINES MARCH 2014

A children’s book entitled AUDREY BUNNY was donated to the library in memory of Virginia Hoefer by her granddaughter, Breezy Brookshire, who is also the illustrator for the book.. The book is written by Angie Smith. Take

some time and enjoy this lovely book that is not just for children.

Two other fiction books have been donated to the library which will appeal to our male readers as well as our ladies. The first book is entitled TRINITY by Ronie Kendig. The following is a short synopsis: “Military intelligence officer Darci Kintz is captured and the geological survey team she’s covertly embedded with is killed while secretly tracking the Taliban in the beautiful but brutal Hindu Kush. It’s clear only one dog can handle the extreme conditions to save her. And only one man can handle Trinity. Time is running out on the

greatest--and most dangerous--mission of their lives.”

The second book is entitled THE DEFECTOR by Daniel Silva and a short

synopsis follows:

“Grigori Bulganov once saved Gabriel Allon's life in Moscow-and Allon always repays his debts. So when the former Russian intelligence officer vanishes, Allon gathers his team of operatives to go after those responsible. But, in a running battle that rages across the globe, Allon soon realizes that his enemy may already hold the key to victory. And that if he continues, it will cost him

more than he can bear…”

We also have the following new fiction books:

LOVE’S SWEET BEGINNING by Ann Shorey, MINDING MOLLY, by Leslie Gould, THE KISSING BRIDGE by Tricia Goyer, FRONTIER BRIDES by Colleen Reece, KANSAS BRIDES by Denise Hunter, MIRIAM’S QUILT by Jennifer Beckstrand.

Thanks to all who donate to the library. All donations are very much

appreciated. Enjoy the books.

Faye Brackett, Librarian

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MISSION MINUTE

MARCH-2014

“We stood staring silently into an abyss of trash. The hillside slid steeply downward; mountains of garbage sat piled below. Dozens of black buzzards circled overhead, searching for anything salvageable. Looking farther we saw people everywhere, scavenging just like the birds. For them, the garbage was a different type of lifeline: salvaged items are cleaned, repaired, and resold to provide income for their families. Often, it’s all they receive.

This is the Guatemala City dump--one of the largest in Central America and a place that over 1,000 people call home. I was there with a group of university students who had come for a week of learning and immersion, but even after spending six months here as a Young Adult Volunteer, I felt as though my eyes were being opened anew. Staring into the dump, I realized that I had become accustomed and blind to many of the injustices like this that are woven into daily realities in Guatemala. By his grace, God let me see with new eyes how his people are suffering and how this is unacceptable.

In our lectionary readings, we see God’s heart for justice in his commandments in Leviticus 19 and in the radical new system of justice and love that Jesus calls us to in Matthew 5. Psalm 119 celebrates the beauty of God’s word and commandments, and 1 Corinthians 3 speaks of how we are all temples of the Holy Spirit. Temples should no be found living among trash, invisible. We are loved and dignified children of God and should not live oblivious to our brothers and sisters.”

-Annie Aeschbacher, Young Adult Volunteer, Guatemala, 2012-13

Submitted by the Mission Committee

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“TILL WE SPEAK AGAIN”

Question: It is wrong to think of other things during the church

service?

Answer: And it’s not a good idea to sleep through it either! Wouldn’t that

be like going to a fancy restaurant and getting fast food in paper take-out

wrappers? You need to relax, pay attention and enjoy the experience if you

expect to glean any meaningful knowledge out of it. Unless you are there only

to take up pew space, see who else is there, and to hear what is going on.

To become a mature Christian takes time and effort. You must listen to the

minister, read God’s written word, and speak to God in prayer often. You only

get out of any experience what you are willing to put into it... this is no

different. There is no instant gratification or quick fixes. You also must gather

together and work together with other church members for the good of the

church as a whole, despite your own preferences. Be willing to compromise,

that’s the key!

Children and teens always prefer fast food restaurants because they want

instant gratification and are not willing to wait for a more pleasant dining

experience with a better quality of food. So too, must we savor our time in

worship with the Lord, and not make it something to be rushed through. Is

one hour a week too much time to devote to God?

I do hope this has answered your question!

Luv, Millie aka-Meg

Thought for the day: For a change, ask what you can do for

God instead of what God can do for you!

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MARCH PUZZLE

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PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

This morning as I was walking down our driveway to get the morning paper, the little blue

birds were making their soft good morning chirps, and the beautiful cardinals were also

making their loud whistles. The trees are starting to bud and the daffodils are peeking up

out of the ground. That’s a sure sign that God is busy getting everything ready for a

beautiful Spring after a very cold winter. The first day of Spring is Thursday, March 20th.

Oh - let’s not forget that day light savings time is also Sunday, March 9th… Spring

forward!

With that being said, it’s time we start our first meeting of this year for the Presbyterian

Women. We will meet Monday, March 3rd at 9:30 a.m. at the Village Wheel. All Ladies are

welcome and please bring some new ideas with you.

The officers for 2014 are;

Mary Kerr - Moderator & Treasurer

Amy Johnson - Vice-Moderator & Secretary

Vicky Bair - Publicity

Ada Jeffrey - In charge of our box-top program

Betty Aaron - Will help with Missions.

As we close for now, I wish you all a very “Happy Spring”, and hope to you on Monday,

March 3rd.

God Bless,

Mary Kerr - Moderator

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RECIPES

Oven-Fried Chicken Chimichangas

Prep Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 45 mins Yield: 6 Chimichangas

About This Recipe "A fast and healthier way to serve Chimichangas than the traditional deep fried. These are very good, and you may dress them up to you own preference. I like to serve with green chile sauce sometimes instead of the picante sauce."

Ingredients 2/3 cup picante sauce or 2/3 cup your favorite salsa 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, chopped 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 green onions, chopped with some tops ( about 1/4 cup) 6 (8 inch) flour tortillas 2 tablespoons margarine, melted shredded cheddar cheese, for serving chopped green onion, for serving picante sauce, for serving sliced avocado for serving

Directions 1. Mix chicken, picante sauce or salsa, cumin, oregano, cheese and onions. 2. Place about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture in the center of each tortilla. 3. Fold opposite sides over filling. 4. Roll up from bottom and place seam-side down on a baking sheet. 5. Brush with melted margarine. 6. Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes or until golden. Garnish with additional cheese, sliced avacodo and green onion and serve salsa on the side.

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THIS WE BELIEVE for MARCH

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.“

“Colossians 3:13”

~MISSION STATEMENT~

“We will be scripture-based to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ

and spiritually led to guide all people to be active doers of the Word”

Approved by Session on November 16, 2007

CHURCH STAFF

Clerk of Session: Vicky Bair, Church Treasurer: Ken Hobart, Secretary: Christi Partee

Financial Secretary: Dick Sass, Asst. Financial Secretary: Elaine Miller

DEACONS

Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016

Dot Pitts Pam Hobart Sandy Erickson

Amy Johnson Dick Sass Pat Erlewine

ELDERS

Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016

Meg Simons Ken Hobart Vicky Bair

Peni Lloyd Steve Broskovak Jini Sass

Presbyterian Church of Bull Shoals

P.O. Box 305

Bull Shoals, AR. 72619