Scottsdale Presbyterian Church The...
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Scottsdale Presbyterian Church The Messenger April, 2015 Vol. 35 Issue 4 Since 1958 “And I am surely with you always…” Matthew 28:20 In His service, Pastor Bruce “In that day,” declares the LORD, "I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.” Micah 4:6-7 The death of Jesus is not the end of the story. The Lord is risen indeed! The promise of Easter is that God can bring life from death, wholeness from brokenness, and hope from despair. With God, nothing is impossible. It is a message I have been hearing repeated from so many of my pastor friends in the last few days. One of them, Bill Good who pastors the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, send me this quote by John Calvin from his Commentary on Micah 4:6. Although the church is at present time hardly to be distinguished from a dead or at best sick man, there is no reason for despair, for the Lord raises up his own suddenly, as he walked the dead from the grave. This we must clearly remember, lest, when the church fails to shine forth, we conclude too quickly that her light has died utterly away. But the church in the world is so preserved that she rises suddenly from the dead. Her very preservation through the days is due to a secession of such miracles. Let us cling to the remembrance that she is not without her resurrection, or rather, not without her many resurrections.” In the coming days, as we receive many visitors and old friends to worship for Palm Sunday and Easter, it is important that we “shine forth.” We already have the love of Jesus in our hearts, so smile. Speak kind words to strangers. Greet visitors warmly. Wear a name tag and introduce yourself. Help them find their way to the sanctuary, the restrooms, the nursery, etc. Be a gracious host or hostess. Then let us pray that God would speak to the hearts of all who gather together with us during Holy Week: men and women, girls and boys. May God continue bringing life from death, wholeness from brokenness, and hope from despair.
Transcript of Scottsdale Presbyterian Church The...
“ A nd surely I am with you always… ” page 1
Scottsdale Presbyterian Church
The Messenger April, 2015 Vol. 35 Issue 4 S ince 1958
““““AAAAnnnndddd IIII aaaammmm ssssuuuurrrreeeellllyyyy wwwwiiiitttthhhh yyyyoooouuuu aaaallllwwwwaaaayyyyssss…………”””” MMMMaaaatttttttthhhheeeewwww 22228888::::22220000
In His service,
Pastor Bruce
“In that day,” declares the LORD, "I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.” Micah 4:6-7
The death of Jesus is not the end of the story. The Lord is risen indeed! The promise of Easter is that God can bring life from death, wholeness from brokenness, and hope from despair. With God, nothing is impossible. It is a message I have been hearing repeated from so many of my pastor friends in the last few days. One of them, Bill Good who pastors the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, send me this quote by John Calvin from his Commentary on Micah 4:6.
Although the church is at present time hardly to be distinguished from a dead or at best sick man, there is no reason for despair, for the Lord raises up his own suddenly, as he walked the dead from the grave. This we must clearly remember, lest, when the church fails to shine forth, we conclude too quickly that her light has died utterly away. But the church in the world is so preserved that she rises suddenly from the dead. Her very preservation through the days is due to a secession of such miracles. Let us cling to the remembrance that she is not without her resurrection, or rather, not without her many resurrections.”
In the coming days, as we receive many visitors and old friends to worship for Palm Sunday and Easter, it is important that we “shine forth.” We already have the love of Jesus in our hearts, so smile. Speak kind words to strangers. Greet visitors warmly. Wear a name tag and introduce yourself. Help them find their way to the sanctuary, the restrooms, the nursery, etc. Be a gracious host or hostess. Then let us pray that God would speak to the hearts of all who gather together with us during Holy Week: men and women, girls and boys. May God continue bringing life from death, wholeness from brokenness, and hope from despair.
I have always been inspired with this text and the inspiration
which comes with the reality of the very first Christian
missionaries who were the first to share that Jesus was not dead,
but alive. They were loving and caring women and in the culture in which they lived, the scriptures
indicate there may have been very little respect shown to their
words. All of us at times are ignored or made to feel less than what Jesus means for us to be. Along with the Mary who bore Jesus and these 2 women, we can try to live their example in
spite of whether we are respected or not. May God bless your Easter and give you a very special reminder of His
living presence in your life.
“Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
from your friends in the SPC Music Ministry
Carol Petersen, Director of Music
“ A nd surely I am with you always… ” page 3
Prayer Requests
Our prayer chain consists of people who would be happy to pray for you,
your loved ones, and for any other praises or concerns you may have.
Please call Pat Reynolds 480-947-9091 or email [email protected] to
have your requests added to the prayer chain.
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April 5
Preaching Schedule
John 20:1-18 The First Taste 1 John 1:1-10 The Enlightened Life 1 John 2:15-29 Not Smarter than Jesus
Goodness and Love
April 19
April 12
April 26
Holy Week Schedule
March 29 Palm Sunday Worship @ 9:30 AM
April 2 Maundy Thursday Meal and Communion @ 5:30 PM in Fellowship Hall
April 3 Good Friday Prayer Service @ 12:00 noon
April 5 Easter Sunday Worship @ 9:30 AM
1 John 3:7-24
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Wagon NeededOur Deacons are in need of a wagon to carry things between Fellowship Hall and the Lounge.The current carts have small direction wheels that make this difficult.If you have a wagon you would like to donate, or would like to contribute to the purchase of one, please contact Ginny Mountain.
a network of churches and leaders called together to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by growing in Christ's likeness,living by God's Word, and joining in God's mission in the world.
Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We have reached a moment of change in the PC(USA) which some celebrate and others mourn. The redefinition of marriage has now been approved by a majority of the presbyteries. Beginning in June, the Directory for Worship will permit the marriage of two people of the same gender. This change is both profound and expected.
By approving this change we are disregarding the clear teaching of Scripture, the wisdom of those who have lived and died for the faith before us, and the continuing consensus of the contemporary church around the world. To do this is both disobedient and unwise. We know this particular change was intended by its proponents to extend the grace and the good news of Jesus Christ, and to further the witness of his Kingdom. We believe it accomplishes neither. Our objection to the passage of this redefinition is no way anti-gay. Our concern is that the church is capitulating to the culture and, in so doing, is misrepresenting Scripture.
We reaffirm that the language of this amendment does not require participation in services of marriage with which we disagree. It remains up to each Session and Teaching Elder to determine what is and is not faithful for themselves and for their congregation.
We continue to face great challenges to our witness as a denomination and, more importantly, to our personal faithfulness. It is not enough for us to simply be for or against something. We who believe this change in the definition of marriage does not extend the grace and good news of Jesus Christ, nor further the witness of the Kingdom must now ask: What would, and how can we accomplish this?
Many of our neighbors do not know the Savior. Will we find a way to build relationships with them and introduce them to Jesus without
reinterpreting biblical teaching? We believe, by God's grace, we can. But we must be committed to listening carefully and without judgment to their questions and their needs, and to responding with sincerity and with humility as those who have experienced the forgiveness and persistent grace of Jesus.
Our culture is marked by increasing hopelessness and isolation, yet we who follow Jesus are being nurtured daily in the community of the Trinity. Can we find a way to extend this community without compromising its foundational teachings? We believe, by Gods' grace, we can. But we must be willing to go to the darkest and loneliest places with the compassion, conviction, and hope of the Good News we profess.
Joining in God's mission in this culture and leading others in this time of profound change is difficult. Yet God has called and equipped us for his mission. Accepting that call-growing in Christ's likeness, living by God's Word, and joining in God's mission in the world-cannot be done alone. You are not alone. We have created The Fellowship Community to offer encouragement and accountability; spurring one another on to the type of love and good works that will fulfill our mutual calling.
Find more resources and encouragement on our website, and join us at First Presbyterian Church in San Diego, August 18-20, and in our regional conversations for a first-hand experience of Community.
Helping Families
in Crisis Change is usually difficult. The process of
divorce or separation is especially stressful for
families because the legal and financial aspects of it
are not well understood. On Tuesday, April 7th, a
free one-hour seminar is being offered on the legal
aspects of divorce and separation in Maricopa
County. Presented by Robert C. Howard, Jr., an
experienced family law attorney, the evening will
also include brief accounts from people who have
made it through the experience of divorce, and
volunteers who will be available to listen or pray
with participants. Parents or other interested family
members and friend are welcomed to attend with
you.
Reservations are not required, but if you
plan to attend, please call us at 480-946-4207 so
that we can know approximately how many will be
in attendance.
April 7th
7:00-8:00 PM Scottsdale Presbyterian Church 3421 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (NE Corner of Hayden & Osborn Roads)
Please understand that the advice given will be of a general nature and that the attorney
cannot answer specific questions related to your particular fact situation. No attorney
client relationship is intended to be formed by attendance at the seminar.
Free Childcare is available by calling 480-946-4207.
Free General Legal Advice
for People in the Process of
Divorce or Separation
www.scottsdalchurch.com [email protected]
“ A nd surely I am with you always… ” page 9
Please keep the following people in your prayers this month:
President Barack Obama, Governor Doug Ducey and Mayor Jim Lane.
Prayers that our Youth will be filled with the Holy Spirit and God will do mighty things in their lives.
For our church: That we will love God, one another and our neighborhood. Pastor, Staff, Elders and Deacons, Vision Team.
For those receiving medical care and for homebound/long-term care: Okyere “OB” Beyenipaden,
Mel Giesaking, Kim Giesaking, Albert & Esther Van Beek, Pat Reynolds, Helen Miller,
Bettye Brannon, Bill Norton, Jan Boole, Donna Beggs, Louise Mattson, Arlene Dawson.
For our Deacons: Nellie Schwartz, Hal Koontz, Natallie Day, Pat Reynolds, Patti Otto, Gail Widner, Heather George, Pat Cook, Sherry Blanchard, Nan Shene andGinny Mountain.For Our Elders: Jay Hinds, Liz McKinnon, Jef f Barton, Judy Davis, Tina Sedlock,
Terry Linnig, Liz Hill, Bob Dresher, and Okyere Beyenipaden.
For our Vision Team: Pastor Bruce Johnson, Carol Petersen, Bob Howard, Bob Dresher, Rick Widner, Jeff Barton and Liz Hill
Be in prayer for our troops, as well as their families, who are serving abroad for our freedom. Please be in additional prayer for PC(USA) Missionaries Greg and Chris Callison, Carolyn Kurtz, Dorothy Hanson, and Pastor Tazera Belachew.
…and Give a Prayer and Praise…and Give a Prayer and Praise…and Give a Prayer and Praise…and Give a Prayer and Praise
And last but not least:
Vista Del Camino needs your help. Donation items for April are: Rice and Pinto Beans
Birthdays for April: 4/1 HelenMiller, 4/4 Bill Luffy, 4/15 Billie Anderson,4/19 Nancy Mueke-Magura, 4/24 Elizabeth McKinnon, 4/29 Sherry Blanchard
Tuesday Bible study continues in the lounge. We are reading/studying the book of Isaiah.
Thursday Prayer gathering is at 3 pm in the Church office. See Craig Reynolds for more information.
Women's Bible Study continues on Thursday evenings at 7pm in the Church Lounge.
“ A nd surely I am with you always… ” page 10
April 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 4
5
Vision Team 8:30 am
7 9 10
Café Justo
Available
11
12
Deacon Meeting
2 pm
13 14 15 16 Men’s
Breakfast 7:30—8:30
am Randy’s Café Chaparral and Hayden
18
19
Session
Meeting
Newsletter articles due
21 23 25
26 28
22
7 pm
Praise Band 8 am Worship 9:30 am
Sunday School 10:45 am
Handbell Practice
Handbell Practice
Choir Practice
6 pm
Choir Practice
7 pm
7 pm
6 pm
Handbell Practice
6 pmChoir Practice
7 pm
6
20
17
27
3
Bible Study 10 am
24
29 30 31
10:45 am Sunday School 9:30 amWorship
Bible Study 10 am
Maundy Thursday
5:30 pm Dinner & Worship Fellowship Hall
Bible Study 10 amSunday School 10:45 am
Worship 9:30 amPraise Band 8 am
Sunday School 10:45 am
Worship 9:30 am
Praise Band 8 am
Handbell Practice
6 pmChoir Practice
7 pm
Women's Bible Study 7 pm
Women's Bible Study 7 pm
Women's Bible Study 7 pm
8
Good FridayWorship at 12 Noon
EASTER
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“ A nd surely I am with you always… ” page 11
Scottsdale Presbyterian Church
Vol. 35 Issue 4April, , 2015Since 1958The Messenger is published monthly by Scottsdale Presbyterian Church —USPS 4860000
Periodical postage paid at Scottsdale, AZ. Postmaster send address changes to:
3421 N. Hayden Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 946-4207 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.scottsdalechurch.com
Our Mission Statement Our Mission Statement Our Mission Statement Our Mission Statement
Scottsdale Presbyterian Church joyfully follows the Lord Jesus Christ. Moved by His power, Motivated by His love, Equipped for His ministry, So that our community and our world, Will know His grace.
CHURCH STAFF
Pastor Bruce Johnson
Director of Music Carol Petersen
Office Manager Vicki Susan Carr
Sexton Emily Wolf
Nursery Care AttendantEmily Wolf
Church Office Hours Monday-Friday
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Church e-mail [email protected]
Website www.scottsdalechurch.com
Newsletter Editor Liz Hill
Mission Statement
Scottsdale Presbyterian Church joyfully follows the Lord Jesus Christ,
Moved by His power,
Motivated by His love,
Equipped for His ministry,
So that our community and our world,
will know His grace.
