Messenger: The Newsletter of WPC & WUPC
 

Volume No. 143 Issue No. 11 for 2011

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Vince's View

Dear Family and Friends of Walhalla Presbyterian Church,

In this month of THANKSGIVING, I invite you to consider this meditation from Thomas Merton's Thoughts In Solitude:

"To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us--
and He has given us everything.
Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace,
for it brings with it immense graces from Him.
Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive,
is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God.
For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience.
And that is what makes all the difference...
Gratitude is therefore the heart of the solitary life, as it is the heart of the Christian life...
We live in constant dependence upon this merciful kindness of the Father,
and thus our whole life is a life of gratitude—a constant response to His help which comes to us at every moment."

God has given us everything in the Good News Who is Jesus Christ. Our gratitude can powerfully convey this Good News to the culture around us so steeped in the confusion of materialism.  Central to our understanding and effective proclamation of the Christian Gospel today is to see God’s  absolute life more clearly;  and to live with gratitude for how the physical and material cosmos is a gift overflowing to us from the absolute life of Almighty God.

God has revealed to us that He is full of joy. God’s joy is deeper than mere happiness. Joy is the absolute essence out of which happiness is sometimes briefly and fleetingly experienced by us humans. But Joy is eternal, never ending,  constant, and abiding. Joy is part of God’s very nature. God is full of joy. The abundance of His love and and generosity is inseparable from God’s infinite joy. All of the good and beautiful things from which we occasionally drink tiny droplets of soul-exhilarating joy, God continuously experiences in all their breadth and depth and richness. 

Jesus Himself was and is a joyous, creative Person. He does not allow us to think of our heavenly Father Who fills and overflows space as a morose and miserable monarch, a frustrated and petty parent, or a policeman on the prowl. We simply cannot think of God in such ways while confronting Jesus’ proclamation: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father,” because one of the most outstanding features of Jesus’ personality is precisely His abundance of overflowing joy. 

This is the marvelous inheritance Jesus gives to all of us when He promises: “ I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11) Here is one of the deepest truths of true Kingdom living! The steady joy of Jesus Christ is  never ruled out by His, or our, very real experiences of sorrow and grief.

Thanksgiving to God is about the absolute value of the whole of the Christian life God has given us in Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving to God is about Kingdom living with an attitude of deep gratitude in all things according to the absolute values of the King.  William Temple,  the archbishop of Canterbury wrote:

The spiritually minded person does not differ from the materially minded person chiefly in thinking about different things,  but rather in thinking about the same things differently.  
It is possible to think materially about God,  and to think spiritually about money [and everything else].

This THANKSGIVING season, live in the Joy of gratitude to God for Who He is. "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) When others see the freedom of your abiding gratitude and peace, they will be drawn to Jesus.

Grateful for your partnership in the gospel,

Vince Alig

What In the WORLD
Are We Doing?

Walhalla Presbyterian Church supports world wide missions.

One of these is Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship 

Mission News
From Ethiopia:  

Superlatives of praise are certainly in order! It’s hard to believe how
much Kingdom progress has come to the Afar people of Ethiopia
in the brief ten years of our work among them. I remember the
cries I heard 12 years ago when I first ventured out into what National
Geographic calls “The Cruelest Place on Earth.” The Afar described
themselves as “the Forgotten People” and as “backward.”  “Please come
help us,” was their plea.   

From our end, it started with a call from the Presbyterian Frontier
Fellowship to reach those who’ve never heard. We spent a year praying
and searching. In God’s perfect time we heard about the Afar from
Bill Young, now the PFF Executive Director. He had received a request
from the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), asking
for help in bringing the Gospel to the Muslim Afar. Never had the Afar
enjoyed a sustained witness to Jesus. For untold generations the Afar
people have moved about the eastern desert of Ethiopia in search
of water. Cattle, sheep, goats and camels are the backbone of their
economy and their major food source.   

For ten years we’ve collaborated with the Mekane Yesus Church, World Vision
Ethiopia and about a dozen churches in the USA, building three health clinics,
seven schools, numerous wells, and many miles of irrigation ditches that bring
water to backyard farms for over a hundred newly trained Afar farmers. We’ve
built several bridges, trained several dozen midwives, and offered medicines and
support to dozens of HIV/AIDS patients. An EECMY evangelist told us that he has
baptized 50 Afar who now meet quietly with him, learning about Jesus. The Afar
desert is blooming, and the Afar people are blooming. All praise to God! 
New partners are needed to assist with expanding and encouraging the Afar.
*  About the author:  Tom Theriault is Associate Pastor for Outreach at Solana
Beach Presbyterian Church, www.solanapres.org, Solana Beach, CA. He is the
President of the Association of Presbyterian Mission Promoters. Tom also served for
many years on the Board of Directors of Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship.

If you would like to learn more about what God is doing in Ethiopia and all around the world, please contact our office at 800.720.4733.

We Also Support:  Medical Benevolence Foundation

3100 South Gessner, Suite 210, Houston, TX 77063

MBF 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
Care Center

1449 Blue Ridge Boulevard
Seneca, SC 29672

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.
Nose pressed against the window as endless scenery passed before your eyes. It may
change as you enter new regions but it is all somewhat the same. Your mind begins
to numb as you encounter miles of asphalt and trees flashing before your eyes. You
try to contain it…you know the reaction it will evoke but still you cannot help your
self and then before you know it the phrase has crossed your lips…are we there yet?
The past two years have felt that way. I don’t know how many times I have asked
Father…are we there yet? With great patience He tolerates me and my uncertainty.
As challenges have risen…and they have during the conversion to be a medical facility 
offering ultrasounds...God has been so faithful to remind me He is driving the vehicle
as we are on this journey and our destination is secure. And now by Him alone, we
have reached the end of this journey. FPCC is now a fully functioning medical office
with an ultrasound machine!  Praise be to God!! 

As you sit in your home, or wherever you are, I want to say something to you. I want
you to feel this in your heart and know it so well…I appreciate you. Thank you for
going on this journey with me. Thank you for praying for FPCC. Thank you for supporting FPCC. Thank you for your kindness and the compassion you have for our community. 

But thank you most of all for responding to a call…a voice that is often overlooked…a
presence that is ignored and that is of unborn children. You have responded to a call
by our Heavenly Father to protect those who come after us…the least among us…His
handcrafted masterpieces. Our theme verse this year is Job 12:10, “In His hand is the
life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Now thanks to you so many more
will have a chance at life…a chance to fulfill the plan of God for their lives. 

Please know that although this journey is complete…a new one is beginning. We must
Continued next page... sustain this new medical service and continue to expand our services. Medical services need to be offered 5-6 days a week. The abortion clinic is open 6 days a week so then should we that protect life. Increased hours and increased staff is needed to meet the cries of our community. 

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!
In His hands, Marly Ellenberg

For more information contact FPCC at (864) 882-8796 

.

Tamassee DAR School

P.O. Box 8
1925 Bumgardner Drive
Tamassee, SC 29686

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.
    
These clients have come to us with a number of personal issues including unemployment, addictions, legal problems, mental instabilities, physical health problems, no or little legal documentation, disabilities, abuse issues, minimal education and overall lack of life skills.
    
Our Daily Rest has been able to provide for their tangible needs of shelter, food, clothing, transportations, and counseling.  More importantly, Our Daily Rest has provided many additional needs such as safety, structure, productive routines, accountability toward goals, self confidence, caring and respect for others, as well as a new direction for their lives.
    
While residing at Our Daily Rest and with the help of a small but effective staff, 50% of our clients have been able to transition to independent living.  Other clients have been able to establish a foundation to improve their lives.
    
Our Daily Rest depends on financial donations from local businesses, churches and private individuals to maintain our operation.  I hope that you will consider supporting Our Daily Rest during 2012 in order for us to continue this much needed ministry within the framework of the local community.

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.

 Choosing Teams
    Becoming a Christian is like choosing a new team to play for. By default, we are automatically born playing for the Opposition, also known as the Kingdom of Darkness. However, the Coach of the Other Team, the Kingdom of Light, calls us to switch sides, and even sent His Son to pay the price to buy us back from the losing team. Once we accept that invitation, we become part of a new Team and submit to our new Coach. We train and build our skills, and do what we can to make sure that our Team is advanced.

 However, that brings me to the next topic I’ve been thinking a lot about: turnovers.  

 Turnovers
    Today’s game of basketball is so fast-paced, that turning over the ball is inevitable. Virtually every player who gets in on the game is likely to cause a turnover at least once. I have been thinking lately about the Team I play for, and how many times I “turn over the ball”. Fortunately, God can teach us through modern parables such as basketball, so here is what I’ve learned. 

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. 

11:00am—A program consisting of the combined musical gifts of the church will follow the Christmas party, and will take place during the usual worship hour. Anyone still interested in sharing a musical gift during this program may talk with Diane Vore. 
  

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,
contact Pastor Vince on this email link.

 

The FIVE LONG-RANGE VISION GOALS of WPC

Approved By Unanimous Congregational Vote
In an historic Called Congregational Meeting on September 14th, 2008.

 

The WPC congregation completed our year-long season of discernment by unanimously approving the following Five long-range vision goals:
(These goals are listed in the order of the averaged chronological priorities indicated by those present at the Called Congregational Meeting)

Launch an intentional Evangelism Outreach Ministry
1. Aim for at least 10% increase in New Members per year
2. Personal outreach to Church Visitors and New Residents
3. Increased advertising/visibility/publicity
4. Special Community Events
5. Begin Evangelism Small Groups (like Alpha) for unchurched people.

Launch New Spiritual Formation, Discipleship, & Fellowship ministries.
1. Network of Small (Home) Groups for Prayer & Bible Study
2. Discipleship and Spiritual Formation Training
3. Enhance every member's spiritual growth in Christ and personal connection with one another.

Start a NEW Children's & Families Youth program
1. Add a new full-time staff person to implement this.
2. Utilize additional interns from local colleges to assist staff person.

Launch a "Bridging Ministry" to meet Local Needs
1.To be decided: Examples: After School Program; ESOL; Family Ministry, etc.

Improve and Update Physical Facilities
1. Use earlier Proposed New Construction Ideas as starting point
2. Consider purchase of adjacent real estate property
Every member of the WPC & WUC family has an important role to play in the realization of these exciting new goals for the spiritual growth of our church. Keep these goals in prayer. Seek God's direction.

To which of these goals may the Lord of the Harvest be calling you?

 

Current WPC elders:

(Click on underlined names to email elders who have email addresses)

Clerk of Session: Rosemary Bailes 

Class of 2011:  Annette Morrah, Doug Keel, Gene Nix, and Sam Rochester.

Class of 2012:  Lynda Alexander, Lamar Bailes, John Palmer, Harry Silsby

Class of 2013: Donald Manly, Susan Neal, Tim Wooten, and  Deb Wickliffe

Your Session cares about you. You are encouraged to share your questions and concerns about the church to any of the elders or the pastor. We are here to love and serve you in the name of our Lord. Please remember to pray for the Session!

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESBYTERIANS IN THE KITCHEN

10 medium red potatoes, scrubbed clean
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:

Recipe Title
Name of Contributor
Ingredients
(Please double-check ingredients and measurements for accuracy.)

Procedures-Be sure to include dish or pan size, oven temperature, and length of cooking time.

Any personal comments or suggestions to help readers prepare your recipe.

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
Submitted by: Doug Keel

Because He Lives
1971

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."








 

"I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving."
Psalm 69:30