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Messenger: The Newsletter of WPC & WUPC |
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Volume No. 143 Issue No. 11 for 2011 Click here to DOWNLOAD a Calendar Click here to DOWNLOAD a Newsletter Vince's
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In this month of THANKSGIVING, I invite you to consider this meditation from Thomas Merton's Thoughts In Solitude: What In the WORLD Walhalla Presbyterian Church supports world wide missions. One of these is Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship Mission News Superlatives of praise are certainly in order! It’s hard to believe how From our end, it started with a call from the Presbyterian Frontier For ten years we’ve collaborated with the Mekane Yesus Church, World Vision We Also Support: Medical Benevolence Foundation 3100 South Gessner, Suite 210, Houston, TX 77063MBF gift helps keep Malawi hospital running at critical time November 3, 2011 Nkhoma Hospital in Malawi, one of MBF/PC(USA)’s partner hospitals, had been without power for sixteen hours when they received word of a funding gift from the Medical Benevolence Foundation. “Thank you so, so much,” writes David Morton, the deputy Medical Director of the hospital. “This comes at a critical time for us.” It’s a critical time for all of Malawi. The state-owned Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Ltd. (ESCOM) already had power cuts in place when a storm this week blew down the main electrical wires from the nearest town to the hospital. The present government is almost out of funding and the IMF has devalued Malawi’s currency to a third of its 1994 value. When a hospital is without power it means, among other things, that patients needing oxygen go without it, instruments cannot be sterilized, care of patients at night is jeopardized. The hospital’s generator can provide emergency power, but depends on fuel that is in short supply in town where it must be purchased and costs of that fuel have risen to exorbitant levels. “We only have enough fuel left for 26 more hours,” David Morton writes, “and then no power for the hospital unless ESCOM fixes the problem . . . This gift is an answer to prayer.” MBF thanks those donors who made it possible to send this critically needed gift to Malawi. For more information, call 800-547-7627 or see their website: http://www.mbfoundation.org LOCAL MISSIONS WE SUPPORT Foothills
Pregnancy 1449 Blue Ridge Boulevard MISSION STATEMENT: Foothills Pregnancy Care Center exists to uphold the sanctity of human life: by sharing Christ’s love with those facing a pregnancy related crisis through spiritual, physical, and emotional support, and by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, Who is the source of all life. Foothills Pregnancy Care Center is always in need of disposable diapers and every sort of baby care item that young moms would need to care for their babies. YOU are also needed as a mentor and personal support person for both young moms (women mentors needed) and young dads (men mentors needed). HERE ARE SOME THOUGHTS from FPCC Director, Marly Ellenberg: I remember going on long trips as a child. Who doesn’t? We all remember those trips. As you sit in your home, or wherever you are, I want to say something to you. I want But thank you most of all for responding to a call…a voice that is often overlooked…a Please know that although this journey is complete…a new one is beginning. We must Abstinence programs are needed as we continue to see 13 year old mothers. Post Abortion services are much needed as many suffer in silence unaware that there is hope…there is healing. Much still remains to be done but two things I have learned on this journey…God never fails and there are caring, compassionate people in this community that will roll up their sleeves to help. You
know the best thing about coming to the end of the journey? You reach
your destination! At our destination is a promise fulfilled…the Lord
established this ministry over 21 years ago to see hearts changed and
lives saved. And just wait until you hear the testimonies we will have
to share. Please know that as you are reading that newsletter to come,
hearing a speaker from FPCC speak or at our banquet next April and you
hear the amazing testimonies, know you are a part of that miracle! . P.O. Box 8 Tamassee DAR School is a private 501-c(3) non-profit children’s home and family service organization offering multi-faceted programs to serve children and families with a variety of needs. Year round services are provided for up to 56 children in residence and 54 children in Day Care. Our programs and services include 7 on-campus child care homes that can house up to 8-10 children, middle-school academy for day and residential students, individual and group counseling, enrichment and recreational activities, and a college/after care program. In November of 1914, the South Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution proposed to "establish a school in the dark corner of South Carolina, remote but accessible where the need was greatest." In November of 1919, Tamassee DAR School enrolled her first students. For more information contact Tamassee DAR School at (864) 944-1390 or on their website at http://www.tdarschool.org/ Our Daily Rest Homeless Shelter in Seneca, SC Our
Daily Rest, Oconee County’s only homeless shelter, has been open since
September 2009. Due to the generosity of Oconee County
Neighbors like you, we have been able to serve over hundreds of persons
in need from
our community. Matthew 25:35
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me." CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS From Diane Vore, Student Ministries Director HOOP IT UP! Last
time, I wrote about baseball, but being from Kentucky, I can’t give
basketball short shrift. Basketball season is descending upon us, and
Kentuckians are coming out of hibernation. We sleep through football
season, but wake up for basketball. So I’ve been thinking a lot
recently about two different aspects of the game of basketball as being
symbolic of our Christian walk. First of all, I’ve been thinking about
choosing teams, and secondly, I’ve been thinking about turnovers. When a basketball player turns over the ball, there is no arguing that the other team is benefited. Often the turnover results not only in a missed opportunity for that player’s team to score, but also in points being scored by the opposing team. There is no argument that causing a turnover is never classified as a good thing. However, it is important to remember that causing a turnover does not mean that the player has switched the team that he plays for. Yes, he may have accidentally benefited the other team, but he did not switch his loyalty or his contract to them. Considering this has helped me gain a new perspective regarding how many times in my Christian walk I cause turnovers that help the Other Team. In daily life, in the heat of battle, there are many forces that come against us and try to “knock the ball out of our hands”. The Enemy is not going to let us score points unopposed. But just because I cause a turnover, even though it results in missed opportunities for my Team, and likely some advancement of the Other Team, it does not mean that I have switched my loyalty and suddenly belong to the Opposite Team. I simply need to listen to my Coach, and practice the skills that will keep me from making the same mistake in future encounters. If a teammate of mine causes a turnover, I need to remember that negative responses from me and other team members will not buy back the lost points or opportunities, nor will they strengthen and train the player for the future. Turnovers are never a good thing, but we need to remember that when we turn the ball over, even if it because of carelessness on our part, we do not suddenly belong to the Opposite Team. We still know Whom we play for, and in learning from our mistakes we can become stronger players who advance our Team in future confrontations. So while we ideally seek to avoid all turnovers (unless of course they are apple or cherry), we need to keep them in proper perspective when they do happen, so that we can grow and learn, and encourage our Team. See you at practice on Sunday, Diane Christmas Party and Program Sunday, December 11th 9:45am—All are welcome to the church-wide Christmas Party that will replace the usual Sunday School hour. Breakfast will be served, and a time of fun and fellowship will follow. Our 2010 Xpujil, Mexico MISSION TRIP APRIL 5-11, 2010 was blessed by the Lord. Thanks for your prayers & support! THE TEAM: Alan Houtzer, James Houtzer, Laura Dyer, Anna Alig, Don Rumer, Lamar Bailes and Fred Marcinak. To see what this mission is about, see the link below: Thanks to Alan Houtzer for his "web journal" of our mission trips to serve with Missionary Todd Luke. Just click on this link to see the journal: http://homepage.mac.com/ahoutzer/Xpujil
Small Groups for Spiritual Formation and Fellowship have started up at WPC! If you are interested in WPC's Small
Groups Ministry,
The FIVE LONG-RANGE VISION GOALS of WPC
The WPC congregation completed our year-long season of discernment by
unanimously approving the following Five long-range vision goals:
(Click on underlined names to email elders who have email addresses)
Class of 2012: Lynda Alexander, Lamar Bailes, John Palmer, Harry Silsby Class of 2013: Donald Manly, Susan Neal, Tim Wooten, and Deb Wickliffe
NOTES FROM OUR CLERK, ROSEMARY BAILES: As your Session clerk, I am taking advantage of this space to begin an informational series about one of the great cornerstones of the Presbyterian Church, The Westminster Confession. All text has been excerpted from The Book of Confessions which, along with The Book of Order, makes up the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA).In 1647, the Scottish General Assembly adopted the Westminster Standards for use in the kirk (the church), replacing the Scots Confession of 1560 and the Heidelberg Catechism. (Ed. Note: A catechism is a handbook of questions and answers for teaching the principles of a religion.) The standards came to New England with the Puritans (Independents) and to the Middle Atlantic states with the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. In 1729 the standards were adopted as the confessional position of the newly organized Presbytery synod in the colonies and have played a formative role in American Presbyterianism ever since. The standards lift up the truth and authority of the Scriptures, as immediately inspired in Hebrew and Greek, kept pure in all ages, and known through the internal witness of the Holy Spirit. In appealing to Scripture to formulate a covenant theology, the standards had important implications for political thought and practice, reminding both ruler and people of their duties to God and to each other. The Westminster Confession gave rise to The Larger Catechism (designed for pubic exposition from the pulpit) and The Shorter Catechism (written for the education of children). Both catechisms deal with questions of God, Christ, the Christian life, the Ten Commandments, the sacraments, and the Lord's Prayer. This column will end with the first question and answer of the Shorter Catechism; future editions of the Messenger will offer more of the 107 question/answer items in the Shorter Catechism. Our readers who grew up as children in Walhalla Presbyterian Church will recall learning these questions and answers as part of their spiritual training, with "Grandmother Long" or Norma Love as their teacher. Q. 1. What is the chief end of man? A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
German Potato Salad 10 medium red potatoes, scrubbed cleansubmitted by Rosemary Bailes This
recipe came from Bobbie Wilhite, a member of St. Luke Methodist
Church. Bobbie's potato salad appears at many events each year
during Oktoberfest season. Try it; you'll like it! 1/4 lb. bacon, diced (or fried in strips and crumbled) 1 medium onion, chopped 1/3 cup vinegar 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine salt and pepper to taste green onions or chives for garnish (optional) Directions Slice potatoes thin, leaving peel on if you wish. Boil until tender, but do not overcook; drain. Cook bacon in a large frying pan; drain well and set aside, reserving drippings in pan. Sauté onion in bacon drippings until soft. To onions, add vinegar, butter, and crumbled bacon. Salt and pepper potatoes to taste and add to mixture in frying pan. Simmer slowly and stir until well mixed. Sprinkle chopped green onion tops or chives on top. Serve warm. Serves 6 to 8. Note: This salad keeps well and can be reheated. The flavor actually seems to improve the next day! “Presbyterians in the Kitchen” has been a popular section of The Messenger for a number of years. Readers gather ideas for great dishes, salads, and desserts and also learn a bit about fellow church goers. For this feature to continue, we need your help - ladies and men. Please send one of your favorites via e-mail to secretarywpc@earthlink.net or drop it by the church office. We would appreciate your using the
following format: Finally, we would love to have a short paragraph of biographical information to help us know you better (how long you've lived in our area, how long you have been a member or a friend of WPC or WUC, where you lived previously, work experience, family members, pets or hobbies, etc.).
Hymn of the Month Because He Lives There is hope in your future, says the Lord. Jeremiah 31:17 As I prepared this volume of hymn stories, Gloria Gaither graciously shared with me the background for this beloved song: "When Bill and I started our family in the sixties, racial tensions were tearing the country apart. Civil rights activists had suffered and some had been killed. The Vietnam conflict was claiming thousands of lives, and tensions boiled over on university campuses. Many young people were growing disillusioned and “dropping out.” In this climate, Bill and I sought to write songs with lasting answers to the turmoil of the human spirit. But in the fall of 1969, several things happened to test the reality of our own convictions. We realized we were expecting another baby. Though we had always intended to have another child, we weren’t planning a baby so soon. My body hadn’t quite recovered from the last pregnancy. Making matters worse, Bill contracted mononucleosis, which left him exhausted and depressed. This combination of national turmoil and personal trouble discouraged us,, and we occasionally asked each other, “If the world is like this now, what will it be in fifteen or sixteen years for our baby? What will this child face?” While pondering and praying about these things, we came to realize anew that our courage doesn’t come from a stable world, for the world has never been stable. Jesus Himself was born in the cruelest of times. No, we have babies, raise families, and risk living because the Resurrection is true! Our baby arrived safe and sound, and we named him Benjamin, which means “most beloved son.” A few weeks later “Because He Lives” was born in our hearts and poured from our souls: How sweet to hold our newborn baby And feel the pride and joy he gives; But greater still, the calm assurance— This child can face uncertain days because He lives. Over the years this song has reassured us that our Lord’s Resurrection is the central truth of life. He lives, we can face tomorrow. Many times since, as our children grew, our business-life changed, our fortunes shifted, or our direction clouded, our family has found assurance in this very personal song. It’s “our song,” but we’re grateful others have loved it, too."
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