Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) Jonesville, LA ...March+Trinity+News.pdf · - Trinity’s...
6
1 | Page “Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’” – Matthew 17:4 Leave it to Peter to ask bluntly what we ourselves might reserve to say or only give a fleeting consideration. He was present with the other disciples when Christ was transfigured and then was immediately in the presence of Moses and Elijah! Think about that for a minute. This was not the world of special effects or of conspiracy theorists. No, this was a genuine moment of awe. While others remained speechless, Peter, ever the problem solver, first recognizes the event and then immediately shifts into high gear by processing the most practical solution as perceived by him. ‘Jesus, do you want me to gather some material and build three tents so you each have a nice, cozy, comfortable reunion around the campfire tonight?’ Peter missed it. What did he miss? He missed what was really happening in that moment. He moved from follower to creator. He attempted to solve God’s problems f rom his personal point of view. In that moment, he lost focus of what truly mattered in the eyes of God and instead embraced the world and met his own personal needs. We are a lot like Peter. Most of the time we might see a problem from our point of view and immediately offer up a practical solution for the world around us to consider. Sometimes we offer it up in words like Peter asking for permission, other times we may impose that solution on others without even asking. The problem is this. We were not given the role of the Creator. That was already taken as Peter found out. We have been given the opportunity to be transformed by the one who created all things. Sometimes, that means taking that moment presented to each and every one of us in the presence of God to listen rather than impose our will upon the world around us. Ask yourself this question as we begin the Lenten journey this year, Am I being led and transformed by Christ in what I do and say in all areas of my life or do I reserve the right to go my own way when I need or want to do so? Friends, if we answer the latter part of that question in the affirmative then we are attempting the impossible. Christ came into this world to reorder the relationship between Creator and ourselves that it may be restored. To attempt the role of creator is a futile endeavor. Rather let us be transformed by the work of the one who created each of us. We can’t solve all of our problems or even the world’s problems of our own volition. We need to keep God first in all that we do and say and live our lives following the example that Christ gave first to his disciples and by extension to us. Let us prepare our hearts and minds during our Lenten journey to find the very next thing God is calling each of us to do. See you at church! – Pastor John Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) Jonesville, LA March 2017 Trinity News Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856
Transcript of Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) Jonesville, LA ...March+Trinity+News.pdf · - Trinity’s...
1 | P a g e
“Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’” – Matthew 17:4
Leave it to Peter to ask bluntly what we ourselves might reserve to say or only give a fleeting
consideration. He was present with the other disciples when Christ was transfigured and then was
immediately in the presence of Moses and Elijah! Think about that for a minute. This was not the world
of special effects or of conspiracy theorists. No, this was a genuine moment of awe. While others
remained speechless, Peter, ever the problem solver, first recognizes the event and then immediately
shifts into high gear by processing the most practical solution as perceived by him. ‘Jesus, do you
want me to gather some material and build three tents so you each have a nice, cozy, comfortable
reunion around the campfire tonight?’
Peter missed it. What did he miss? He missed what was really happening in that moment. He moved
from follower to creator. He attempted to solve God’s problems from his personal point of view. In that
moment, he lost focus of what truly mattered in the eyes of God and instead embraced the world and
met his own personal needs.
We are a lot like Peter. Most of the time we might see a problem from our point of view and immediately
offer up a practical solution for the world around us to consider. Sometimes we offer it up in words like
Peter asking for permission, other times we may impose that solution on others without even asking.
The problem is this. We were not given the role of the Creator. That was already taken as Peter found
out. We have been given the opportunity to be transformed by the one who created all things.
Sometimes, that means taking that moment presented to each and every one of us in the presence of
God to listen rather than impose our will upon the world around us.
Ask yourself this question as we begin the Lenten journey this year, Am I being led and transformed
by Christ in what I do and say in all areas of my life or do I reserve the right to go my own way when I
need or want to do so?
Friends, if we answer the latter part of that question in the affirmative then we are attempting the
impossible. Christ came into this world to reorder the relationship between Creator and ourselves that
it may be restored. To attempt the role of creator is a futile endeavor. Rather let us be transformed by
the work of the one who created each of us.
We can’t solve all of our problems or even the world’s problems of our own volition. We need to keep
God first in all that we do and say and live our lives following the example that Christ gave first to his
disciples and by extension to us.
Let us prepare our hearts and minds during our Lenten journey to find the very next thing God is calling
each of us to do. See you at church! – Pastor John
Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) Jonesville, LA
March 2017
Trinity News
Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856
2 | P a g e
Ash Wednesday Service, March 1 We invite you to join us for a special Ash Wednesday evening service at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Plan to come early for our Soup Supper at 5:30 PM for a time of Christian fellowship.
Lenten Soup Suppers - Wednesdays at 5:30 PM Please join us during Lent as we consider “The very next thing God is calling each of us to do.” At each Lenten Soup Supper we will first share in the hospitality gifts and fellowship offered by the meal followed by guest speakers sharing their ministry gifts.
Easter Flowers The Session has determined that “Spring Flowering Plants” may be brought to the church in memory or in honor of others for Easter Sunday this year. Flowers can be brought to the church during Holy Week and placed in the Fellowship Hall.
2017 Holy Week Schedule Sunday, April 9 11:00 AM Palm Sunday Service - Communion 12:00 PM Church Dinner & Spring Festival Thursday, April 13 5:30 PM Soup Supper 6:00 PM Maundy Thursday Service Sunday, April 16 7:00 AM Sunrise Service – Trinity Park 11:00 AM Easter Service – Communion Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at Catahoula’s Cafe Calling all men. We are meeting for breakfast at 7 AM on Tuesday, March 14th. Join us at the Catahoula’s Café for a time of Men’s Fellowship.
Theology in Movies - Afternoon Matinees Join us as we ponder questions of faith as they play out in the movies we see at our 2nd and 4th Fridays at 12 PM. Just come and join in. We will have popcorn & plenty of sweet tea ready to go.
Yamaha Clavinova Update Currently the majority of the hymns that we sing have been recorded on the Clavinova. I have also recorded an array of Preludes, Meditations, Offertories, and other worship pieces. We are now in the process of teaching various church members how to play the recorded music during a church service when there is no organist available. If you would like to be included in this group, please contact me for a lesson. Dot L.
Session Update - Alma Womack and Ronnie Swayze were
installed as Ruling Elders at January 8 Meeting.
- 2017 Communion schedule was ordered. - Martha Brallier was designated as Elder
Commissioner to Presbytery on February 11.
- Trinity’s Manual of Operations was updated with Book of Order changes on February 12.
- Martha Brallier presented changes in Presbytery operations as information.
- 2015-2016 Church Financial audits were ordered. Donna Tiser, Clerk of Session
Presbyterian Women (PW) Presbyterian Women met on January 17th, and February 1st at the church. Martha Brallier moderated lessons 8 and 9 respectively. Discussion Items were:
- New circle Lesson book - PW Birthday Offering - PW Reports from Synod of the Sun and
Presbytery of the Pines Women were read by Martha Brallier.
- Least Coin Offering was collected with prayer.
- Group was adjourned with the recitation of the Mitzvah.
- Next Meeting: March 21 at 10 AM Dot Lazarus, PW Secretary
Souper Bowl of Caring On February 5th Trinity collected the Souper Bowl Caring offering benefitting the Breadcrumb of Jonesville. This effort was part of a larger collection nationwide to address the needs of hunger in our communities. Trinity collected 42 items of food and $100 dollars donated to help purchase a new food scale. We thank you for your support for this collection.
3 | P a g e
Missionaries Presentation On February 1, we were visited by Les and Cindy Morgan who were also recently recommissioned by the Presbytery of the Pines to continue their Medical Mission work in Bangladesh. After a Soup supper, they shared a multimedia presentation that included pictures, a video and samples of items from the culture of the peoples they serve in Southeast Asia. At the close
we gathered and prayed for Les and Cindy as they prepare to return to their call for another three years beginning in May of 2017. Please keep Les and Cindy in your prayers. If you would like to correspond with them: Email: [email protected] [email protected] Christian Mission Hospital G.P.O. Box 25 Rajshahi 6000 Bangladesh
To give to their mission ministry go online to: www.Presbyterianmission.org/donate/E200389
Notes of Love and Thanks I want to thank the following for thinking of me during the Christmas season: Martha Brallier and Margaret Hill for planting bulbs in my yard; Margaret and her son who brought me a load of firewood and a Christmas Cactus, and the Presbyterian Women for sending me a gift card. I love all of you and am so appreciative. - Joyce McDonald
Trinity Church, Concordia PAWS wants to express our deepest appreciation for the donations we recently received from you. The dog and cat food and cat litter, the dog toys, the cleaning supplies and so many more items that we requested on our angel tree are things we always need. Thank you for helping us help our sweet, precious fur babies. We appreciate you so very much. Concordia PAWS members, Carol Webber, Secretary
Extra News at Trinity Seven-year-old Evie Martinez, daughter of Ginny Hammett Martinez and Pete Martinez, granddaughter of Susan and Bryant Hammett, and great granddaughter of Dot and Willie Lazarus, was awarded the Principal’s Award at St. Aloysius Catholic School in Baton Rouge on January 10th.
Katlyn Cotton, who will graduate from the University of Pennsylvania with a Master’s Degree in Historical Preservation in May, will travel next week to Penza, Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage City in the Tuscany region, as part of a school class trip. While there, the students will help the people develop strategies for managing tourism and help to balance other forms of economic development. March Birthdays:
5 - Mickie Brown 6 - Cobby White 7 - Raymond Nicholson 8 - Burch Pierce 11 - Leslie Bean, 18 - Buddy Pierce Trinity Prayer Concerns: Lucille Barnes; Susie Barnes; Pat Bearden; Stephen Baker; Carol & Elton Bebe; Jack Bonner; Larry Book; Phyllis Boothe; Ashley Bordelon; Ruth Chevallier; Hannah Cotton; Glenda Edwards; Jeddy Hamilton; O’Dare Hammett; Susan Hammett; Evan Hennings; Cub Hudnall; Jameson Johns; Rachel Johniece; Ray King; Rick Krahn; Willie Lazarus; Casey Lipsey; Kaye Lipsey; Lannie Lipsey; Jodi Marra; Georgia Marx; Bob McBride; Layla McCall; Mason Nations; Liam Ogden; Rebekah Perkins; John Ross; Pam Ryan; Frank Sheppard; Aiden Taunton; Kristen Upchurch; Kyle Watson; Gwen Webber; Nikki Wiley; Roscoe Wilson; & Roger Young Missionaries: Les & Cindy Morgan In Sympathy: Prayers for the families of Joy Allen, R.J.
Bordelon, Camille Harvey, Darrell White Sr., Lillie Mae Cagle, Delbert Wood, and the families that had a loved one pass from this life in the past month.
4 | P a g e
5 | P a g e
6 | P a g e
Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) 401 Third Street, Jonesville, LA 71343
Distribution: Dot Lazarus, Catherine Jones Editing: Adrian White, Dot Lazarus, Rev. John Scott
Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856
For more information related to articles and submissions in the church newsletter please contact: Mrs. Dot Lazarus 318-339-9842 Email: [email protected] Pastor John Scott 318-403-9512 Email: [email protected]
Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) Jonesville, LA
July - August 2015
Trinity News
Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856
Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) 401 Third Street, Jonesville, LA 71343
Distribution: Dot Lazarus, Catherine Jones Editing: Adrian White, Dot Lazarus, Rev. John Scott
Address Label
Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856
For more information related to articles and submissions in the church newsletter please contact: Mrs. Dot Lazarus 318-339-9842 Email: [email protected] Pastor John Scott 318-403-9512 Email: [email protected]
Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) Jonesville, LA
March 2017
Trinity News
Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856
