CHRISTIAN HERALD WASHINGTON · PRESBYTERIAN

February 2018 Number 176 FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

ENERGETIU YOUNG SCHOlARS The parents of 5-year-old Jaylin Key, on the left, and 6-year-old Jordan Johnson are making certain that they will be successful in school. They send them to the Enrichment Center, which oper­ates on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Washington Presbyterian Church. Jaylin is a kindergarten student at Lauers Park Elementary School, and Jordan is a 1st grader at 16th and Hawk Elementary School. They enthusiastically use the computer to master the basic skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Assisting them in their scholarly pursuits is Alexis Green a tutor for the Enrichment Center, a Sunday school teacher, and a member of the · church.

CHURCH Rev. Laddie J. Benton, Pastor

From the Pastor's Desk The Rev. Laddie J. Benton, Pastor

JESUS IS LORD

... thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15: 57 -New Revised Standard Version)

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH

Dear members and friends of Washington Presbyterian Church (USA),

The month of February for several decades has been a time set aside for the observance of African American History Month. During this time, music, dance, art, poetry, and speeches are used to celebrate the many contributions that African Americans have made to America and the world.

One of the most troubling aspects, to me, is that the heritage of African Americans and their achievements does not seem to be reaching the young people of today. I have met young African Americans who do not even know who Harriett Tubman was. Most do not recognize the names of some of the greatest educators this country has produced i.e. Mary Mcleod Bethune, W.E.B. DuBois or Booker T. Washington.

Since African American History is often slighted within the various school districts ... How are the young people to learn of the great achievements of their people? One way is for the African American church to open its doors to the young people and set up studies of African American History. It is incumbent on the churches to continue teaching the Bible, but also to encourage them (by teaching African American History to give them hope for the present and future by building on the foundation laid by those who came before.

''Great God: with justice you watch over the ways of all people, and in love know each one by name. Lift those who are put down by poverty, hurt by war, or scorned by neighbors. Do not let us forget people you remember; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Your Br&t_6 Christ, Rev. LP'. Benton, Pastor

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

STAND UP FOR JESUS! STAND UP FOR WPC!

SICK, SHUT-INS AND BEREAVED FAMILIES Joan Marshall, Teondre Morrison-Cooper, Claudette Carter, Justin Johnson, Kevin Hening, Joyce Beckett, Linda Hobbs (Pastor's sister), Marie (Flood) Rhodes, Monica Fruit (Joan Reppert's granddaughter), Maurice Alexander, LaKeshia Green & Family, Aimy McKnight, Ethel Kinkaid, Will Kinkaid (Tremont Rehab.), Cherie Spillane, Mrs. Thelma Winfrey, Derric Burden, Shirley Wilson, Shania Hunter (Janice's niece), Vickie Bowers (Pennside), Connie Lantz (Vickie's mother), Kiara Delgado (Penny's granddaughter), Katrina Boykin, Eric George, Henry Jolmson, Dale Brown, Valerie Phelps, Kenneth Randall, Sabrina (Alex's friend), Sandy (Renwick) Martin, Oliver & Freida Carter, Nancy Kerper, Jimmy McKee, Rose Fletcher, Sharon Good (April's sister-in-law), Richard Newkirk, Marty & David Banks, Eddie Ramos, Jean Pingatore, Tommy Ridley, Nora Hartford, Mrs. Mrujorie McNeill, Paulette Amprey's family, Nicholas (Amber's client), Kim Scott, Evelyn Morrison, Gary Patience (Kbadri Saboor), Earl and Marilyn Hoch, Robert Nelson, Melba Stamm, Keith Stamm, Paul Lucia, William "Tune" Davis, Margret Joyce Randall, Thelma Jeanette Randall, Frederick Benton, Tomishia Johnson, Ava Marie Johnson (2 years old), Gail Scott, Hazel Kochel, Joan Reppert, Genease Brown, Alicia Lee, Linda Benton, Agnes Snead, Janice Johnson (Pauline's daughter), Penny Templin and Ella Jackson­Weathers (Harold's sister).

PRAYFORTHEBEREAVED The families of Daisy Patience; Leo Cheek (brother) and Willard Cheek (iirSt cousin) of Mrs. Linda Benton and Sarah (Betty) Barnes (Harold Jackson's cousin).

SCRIPTURES February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25

Isaiah 40:21-31 2 Kings 2:1-12 Genesis 9:8-17 Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Psalm 147:1-11, ZOe Psalm 50:1-6 Psalm 25:1-10 Psalm 22:23-31

I Corinthians 9:16-23 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 I Peter 3:18-22 Romans 4:13-25

STANDING COMMITTEES BffiLE STUDY- Wednesday 6:30P.M. Christian Concerns - April Coleman Christian Education- Alexis Green LECTIONARY READINGS Evangelism- Yvonne Lewis Mark 1:29-39 Finance- Alexis Green Mark 9:2-9 Property- Stephen Greer Mark 1 :9-15 Stewardship - Sharon Davis/Yvonne Lewis Mark 8:31-38 Worship Committee-Pauline Johnson/ Alexis Green/LaKeshia Green

SESSION ORGANIZATION

Pastor- Rev. Laddie J. Benton Clerk of Session - Barbara Davis Church Treasurer - Alexis Green Benevolence Treasurer - Sharon Davis Club Fund Treasurer - Winnie J. Burden Sunday School - Sharon Davis

CHOIR REHEARSAL Senior Choir - Thursday, 1 :00 PM

Men's Fellowship - Oliver Carter Pastor' s Aid - Toni A. Brooks/Winnie Burden Personnel - Stephen Greer Presbyterian Women -Alexis Green/LaKeshia Green

WASHINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WILL ACCEPT DONATIONS FROM ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH OUR MISSIONS.

WPC WEB PAGE: WPC1823.COM

"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." (Psalm 105:4)

February 2018 * Denotes Birthdays AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

February 1 2 3 Senior Choir Rehearsal

1:00PM

Newsletter Committee Meets

4 s 6 7 8 9 10 Bible Study-6:30PM Senior Choir Rehearsal

I Souper Bowl of 1:00PM

Caring Elijah Marshall * I

Chaplains Sunday Alex (AJ) Auston * Communion

I l 0:00 AM Sunday

Service ll 12 13 14 15 16 17

I Health Awareness Bible Study-6:30PM Senior Choir Rehearsal and Day of Prayer Alinci & Damien 1:00PM Transfiguration of Porcher"' Lindsay Matthews *

the Lord Mardi Gras Communion Valentine's Day

10:00 AM Sunday Worship Committee Service Lincoln's Birthday Meets- 9:00 AM Ash Wednesday

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Praise Dancers Dible Study - 6:30PM Senior Choir Rehearsal

Perform 1:00PM LaKeshia Green *

11t Sunday in Lent

Presidents' Day

10:00 AM Sunday Service Session Meets Washington's

Joash Chest 6:30PM Birthday 25 26 27 28

Bible Study-6:30PM John Foster

Performs Yusuf Benton *

2"11 Sunday In Lent 10:00 AM Sunday

'----- - Service - --

HealthyYou

GAMING PAIN

TheAnti­IuOaJJJJJJation Checklist Chronic inflammation can strike almost anywhere. Discover some of its common targets-and quiclc ways to put a damper on it By STEPHEN PERRINE

TBEROSCLEROSIS. Diabetes. Arthritis. Obesity. Psoriasis, Asthma. Reflux. Chronic fatigue. Gum disease. Ten­dinitis. They're as different as ailments can be, and they

strike literally from head to toe. Yet all these varied conditions have one common symp­tom: inflammation.

"Inflammation drives the aging P!"OCess fast­er than any other biomarker," says physician Tasneem Bhatia, ~uthor of The 21-Day Belly Fix. ·~.we get older, inflammation increases, in part because our bodies are less adept at digesting and processing the nutrients we need to regu­late it.'' It's that growing inflammatory process that plays a role in so many diseases of aging.

Inflammation is our body's natural response to physical and microbial attack. "When you injure a muscle or a tendon, red and white blood cells migrate to the part of the body that's injured to help heal it,'' says Jordan D. Met:Zl, a sports medicine physician and au­thor of Dr. Jordan Metzl's Workout Prescrip­tion. But chronic inflammation occurs when our bodies perceive that they're under threat,

· putting our immune system in a perpetual state of attack; this dramatically increases our risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Check out some of the common places inflammation shows up and how you can fight the fire.

AARP THE; MAGAZINE / Peal Possibiliti es

BRAIN ALZHEIMER'S hDJII#i'"1 ·Load up on healthy fats Inflammation can be seen in the brains of people prone to Alzhei­mer's disease as much as 20 years before the onset of symptoms. Protect your brain w ith fat and fat- · soluble vitamins such as A. C, E and K. Bhatia says. Nuts, avocados and greens dressed with olive oil are all great options.

MIND DEPRESSION lof•••=•10.1 Consider taking a prescription anti­inflammatory About a third of people who are resistant to antidepres­sants show evidence of inflammation; prescription anti-inflammatories have been shown to help.

( eYES CHRONIC FATIGUE lfill#llil Swap your coffee for green tea If you never feel com­pletely awake, even after a solid night's sleep, It might be due t o chronic, low-level inflammation. Green tea nutrients called poly­phenols can help.

MOUTH PERIODONTAL DISEASE UX.liDWI Try an aloe vera rinse While brushing and flossing are the two keys to managing inflamed 'gums, a recent study found that using an aloe vera mouth rinse or gel can help by killing off the bacteria that collect in hard-to-reach pockets of the gums.

THROAT COMMON COLD I•XeMI#IL.1 Embrace meditation Although stress can cause inflam­mation, making cold symptoms worse, a UCLA study of stressed­out caregivers found that 12 minutes of daily med­itation for eight weeks reduced their inflamma­tion levels.

LUNGS ASTHMA ll!fdCI5.• Swap out wine for a cocktail Alcohol can worsen asthma symptoms by increasing inflamma­tion. Wine, in particular, is most likely. to trigger' an onset within one hour of drinking it, due to vine's sulfates. Simply switching from wine to a cocktail may be a solution.

BREAST CANCER

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l•f!WIIII.1 i.ose weight, and add vitamin D Inflammation and weight gain are both associated with greater breast cancer risk. But one study of over­weight, postmenopausal women showed that those who lost weight while also taking vitamin D-an anti­cancer double whammy­had the .biggest reduction in inflammation.

lEGS PSORIASIS e.IeMII!5.1 Pop a fish oil pill Those who have psoriasis who were given high doses of anti­inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids saw reduc­tions in redness, scaling and thickening.

HANDS ARTHRITIS • Wave off the

bread plate Arthritis, an inflammation of the joints, can be aggravated by sev­eral factors. One may be diet: A family of proteins found in wheat has been linked to an increase in inflammation and may worsen the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, plus those of asthma and in­flammatory bowel disease.

BELLY IRRITABLE BOWELS AND BLOATING r.teMI#IL.i Cut emulsifiers Most processed foods contain emulsifiers: You'll find them on a food label as lecithin. mono- and diglycerides, polysorbates or various·terms that include the word "esters." A recent animal study sug­gests that emulsifiers may alter gut bacteda, causing low-grade inflammation that leads to colitis.

HEART HEART DISEASE

• Eat more nuts According to researchers who have studied why nuts help lower heart disease risk, people who consumed five or more servings of nuts per week had lower levels of certain inflammation markers.

ANKLES ACHILLES TENDINITIS ~ • Stretch it out

Extend your Achilles ten­don to reduce inflamma­tion risk. One way to do it:

, Sit on the floor with your left leg straight in front of you. Place a towel under the ·ball of your left foot and gently pull the ball of the toot toward you with the ends of the towel. Hold for 20.,seconds, then switch legs.

DECEMBER 2017 / JANUARY 2018

SAFE IN ms PRESENCE

Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ? John 4:29, R.S.V.

This woman's invitation to her friends becomes very startling when we recaU just what it was that Jesus had told her about her past life. She was only a few moments into a conversation With this total Stranger when He was telling her that she bad gone through five husbands and was working on her sixth. ·

Let's admit it, even with intimate friends, one is usually very reluctant to become so vulnerable as to discuss the fallures of a single marriage. But to admit to a whole string of failures to a stranger? Either she was pretty caUoused or there was something about this particular Stranger that invited confidence.

We can be sure it was the latter, because she went back home to her friends and invited them to come and stand in the presence of this same Man, running the risk that He might weD be able to tell them, too, everything that they had ever done.

She suspected that He was the Christ and named as her evidence His ability to reveal her past. But she was eager to teD her friends about Him because of what he did with that sordid information. Be saw it not as a barrier, threatening to His unsullied purity, but as a portrayal of her needs. And Be got right to the point of meeting those needs.

Our God isn't just some sanctified palm reader. He holds insights into our past failings, not so that He can shame us into submission or use guilt manipulation to entice us to goodness. His only goal is to heal. In His presence we can crawl out from behind our embarrassment, lift up our tenderest nerves for His healing toucla, and even invite other injured sinners to join us.

At times we are inclined to hold a dim view of the work of the recording angels. Perhaps we just aren't sure what God will do with the information that He will get from them. But when we see that His every act is to bring healing, to open the door for self-honesty, our fears diminish.

Some people pay large sums of money to sit in the presence of a professional counselor who, by his accepting manner, makes it easier for them to face painful truths about themselves.

WOULDN'T KNEELING IN THE SAFE PRESENCE OF JESUS ACCOMPLISH THE SAME THING?

THE FORUM C-E-L-L~L-L-E-B-R-A-T-I-0-N- UH-HUH-195 YEARS

(1823- 2018)

We have come a long way! Where did it start? Can you imagine the humble beginnings in the Spring of 1823 in 2 log cabins on the comer of Washington and Mulberry Streets? The site was purchased by the Pastor and his wife of First Presbyterian Church (FPC) of Reading. The premises were to be used as a place of worship for "colored folks" who had no home church in which to worship. They did worship at FPC, but were forced to sit in a segregated section of the church. Thus the First African Presbyterian Church (F APC) was born and given breath to move on. Though the breathing may have been hard and tough at times, by the Grace of God, we have been resuscitated to continue ow· mission as the present day Washington Presbyterian Church (WPC) to serve the community. Yes, we have come a long way and should now look forward to the celebration of our 2001h Anniversary in the year 2023. We should start to leave a legacy for those members.

Hwnan Interest Congratulations to Ms. Alexis Green, who already has a "lot on her plate," for taking that giant

step to undertake the task and title of CHURCH TREASURER succeeding our present Treasurer who did a masterful job over the years. I know Ms. Green will do the same. She is already very active in the church as a Ruling Elder member of Session, as well as serving on the Standing Committees of Worship and Christian Education, as well as a member of Presbyterian Women. She also spends days on end sorting and selling an assortment of items at local flea markets and bazaars to aid the church. Ms. Green is retired from Met-Ed as a Customer Service Representative. In her retirement she also serves on the Youth of Yesterday Organization, "cooking the books" for them. Where does she get the time? Alexis, schedule your time ·efficiently. Ms. Green is married to Harold Green who is a retiree from the former Bethlehem Steel Company in Bethlehem, PA. They have a daughter, Brianna, who lives in the Kutztown, P A area and is a kidney dialysis technician.

"Lexie" has been receiving some very good OJT (on-the-job training) from Ms. Brooks. I am sw·e she will do a great job as Treasurer. Just be sure to do it effectively and as the cliche goes "Don't let anyone turn you around" to their way of doing "the books." Good luck "Lexie" and do not be afraid to ask questions. We all need help from time to time. Good luck again and we at WPC are grateful and thankful for you taking on this administrative duty. Right on girl!

Victory In The Courts There is a somewhat benign victory in the ongoing litigation between the Administrative

Commission (AC) of Lehigh Presbytery and First Presbyterian Bethlehem (FPB) on who holds title to both real and personal property, held and owned by FPB. The Judge ruled that FPB property is held in trust for the Lehigh Presbytery, PC USA. Although it is the feeling FPB will appeal the ruling, Lehigh Presbytery will move forward on reconciliation in this faith community.

BITS -PIECES- STATISTICS • After many repairs, and ''patching" together materials, it is time WPC considers the conversion

and installation of a new gas heating unit in the Annex. This could ensure that no more "freeze-ups" occur in the coming winter years. Cost for the conversion should be modest and the church could use this as a "project" worthwhile to pursue. ·

• Talk up the coming events during Black History Month and also the Wednesday night Lenten Services and the partaking of soup and bread.

• A new Commissioner is needed by WPC for representation at Presbytery. • Congregational Meeting- Sunday, February 11, 2018 after services. Snow~ February 18,

2018.

lfyou see something suspicious say something. Dial911. Ref: History of WPC

4-2K18-2

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AD~YTHOUGHTTOPONDER

Verse ofus the Month For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more

exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Corinthians 4:17 There's a still small voice saying to me: Closer, closer, grow closer to Me; In a whispered tone never leaves me alone, Closer, closer grow closer to Him. Oh I want to hear ev'ry message clear, Yes I want ev'ry word to come through. For if I make it in, I must walk close to Him, Closer. closer, grow closer to Him. GOD'S GREAT LOVE FOR US PSALM 103:1~14 1 Praise the Lord. 0 my soul: all my inmost, being, praise His holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits-3 Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from the pits and crowns you with love and compassion. 5 Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for the oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people Israel:

God's law was given first to Moses and the people of Israel. God's law presents a clear picture of God's nature and will. It was God's training manual to prepare His people to serve Him and to follow His ways. Review the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and the history of how they were given, and ask God to show you His w ill and His wa¥s through them. NIVLASB 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious slow to anger. abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor his anger forever;

10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniguities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him: 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. East and west can never meet. This is a symbol ic portrait of God's forgiveness-when He [orgives sin, He separates it from us and doesn't even remember it. We need never wallow in the past, for God forg ives and for,gets. We tend to dredge up the ugly past, but God has wiged our record dean. If we follow God w e must model His forgiveness. When we fom ive others, we must also for,give the sin. Otherwise we have not truly forgiven. NIVLASB 13 As a father has compassion for his children. so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him: 14 For He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. We are fragile, God's care is eternal. To often we focus on God as Judge and Lawg iver. God examines our lives, He remembers our human comdition. Our weakness should never be used as a justification tor sin. His mercy ti,!kes even th inq into account. God will deal with you compassionately. Trust Him. NIVt:a.SB OUR HEAVENLY DWELUNG 2 CORINTHIANS 5:6-10

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away form the Lord.

7 We live by faith and not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord

Paul w as not afraid to die, because he was confident of spending eternity with Christ. Of course, facing t he unknown may cause us anxiety, and leaving loved ones hurts deeply but we must believe in Jesus Christ. For those who believe in Christ, death is only a prelude to eternal live with God. We will continue to live. Let this hope give you confidence and ins,Pire you to faithful service. NIVLASB

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

9 So we make it our goal to please Him. whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

While eternal life is a free giO; given on the basis of God's g race (Ephesians 2:8-9) each of us w ill still be iudqed by Christ. This i udgment will reward us for how we have lived. God's gfjJcious gift of Salvation ~oes not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience. All Christians must g.ive account for how they hved. (See Matthew 16:27; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15). THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES JOHN 5:1~8 1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. Christ is the vine and God is the gardener who cares for the branches to make them fruitfyj. The branches are aU those who claim to be followers of Christ. The fruitful branches are true believers who by the1ir living union with Christ produce much fruit. But those who become unproductive-those who turn back from folloy.ting Christ after making superficial commitment-will be separated. from the vine. Unproductive followers are as good as dead and will be cut off and tossed aside. NIVLASB 2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

GOD'S LOVE As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion

for those who fear Him. For He knows how we are made; He remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:13-14 (NRSV)

I have heard people claim that the God of the Old Testament is a God of wrath and vengeance while the God of the New Testament is a God of love and mercy. But there is only one God in the Bible.

Psalm 103 gives a beautiful description of grace. God's love for me Is like my love for my children, only deeper and more perfect. When my children were young, I told them, "I love you this much" and spread my arms as wide apart as I could. In a similar way, God shows love for us, holding us in one hand and our sins far from us in the other. This loving forgiveness is an undeserved gift.

Our Creator knows our limitations. While desiring our best, God is not surprised or thwarted when we fail to live up to the divine hope for us. God's love for us is even more abundant and unconditional than parents' love for their children.

PraJjer: Thank you, God, for your grace and mercy that come to us through Jesus Christ Amen

Thought for the Day

God's love extends from everlasting to everlasting

Mike Macdonald From the Upper Room