Volume No. 142 Issue No. 3 for 2010
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Vince's
View 
New on the Walhalla Presbyterian Website
There
is always something new on this website!
Go to the About Us link to see the missions we support. There are links to Local, Regional, National and International missions.
Also click on the Staff link where you can now listen to recorded sermons.
As always, you can always read the Messenger from your computer, but now, you can download a copy of the Messenger or Calendar.
Dear Family & Friends of West Union Chapel & Walhalla Presbyterian Church,
Eugene
Peterson translates Jesus' words from John 15 in this way, "I am the
Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me
that doesn't bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he
prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by
the message I have spoken." (John 15 The Message)
The
image of God that emerges from the Bible is that of a Divine Farmer who
has taken upon Himself the project of developing a farm from which good
fruits will grow in abundance.
Like God, we too are
farmers. Consider the hopes, the dreams, and the passions that most
parents have for their children. A parent invests a lot of energy,
love, labor, money, and prayers in raising a child. You hope to give a
child roots in Jesus Christ, and to nurture her life so that she may
grow, prosper, and bear fruit in her own life.
Life
is always a risk. There are no guarantees of a smooth sail . The vines
you have planted and labored over may break your heart. This may keep
you from even trying. I know people who are so afraid of either failing
or succeeding that they refuse to do anything in order to avoid the
risk of pain. It's risky to be a farmer, a lover, a parent, or a
disciple of Jesus Christ and member of His Body. The Church is God's
most risky project. Listen to Paul's words to Corinth,
"I
planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. The one who plants
and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive
wages according to the labor of each. For we are God's servants,
working together...."
Growing & building the
Walhalla Presbyterian church & West Union Chapel is a work into
which we have all poured ourselves. And we long to see the fruits of
our labors. Sometimes we do, and other times we don't.
In
Paul's letter to the Galatian Church in which he listed the fruit of
the Spirit, he had first to warn the Galatians about the works of the
flesh that were threatening to destroy their fellowship. Nevertheless,
Paul went on as any good builder would and listed the fruit of the
Spirit he hoped to see blossom in their life together. The fruit of the
Spirit is: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5)
We
are called to devote our lives to nurturing this tree called the
Church. We nurture the mission even when the tree seems dead; and even
when we have no guarantees that we will see in our lifetime a bountiful
harvest of the Spirit's fruit. We may or may not see the church bear
abundant fruit in our generation. We may or may not see the reign of
God manifested more fully in our day. But we must not give up hope that
God will do what God has promised to do.
One might
wonder if God's farming project has been successful. To be sure, there
have been setbacks. There has been much pruning. But think for a moment
about the growth of the church in human history. What began in the back
waters of the Greco-Roman world with no more than a few hundred
followers of Jesus, soon began to grow. Those few disciples in
Jerusalem turned the empire upside down. In the 4th century A.D.
Christianity was proclaimed by Constantine to be the official religion
of the Roman Empire. Who could have thought it possible?
At
the beginning of the Third Millennium there are now over 2 billion
human persons who name themselves as followers of Christ. They live in
nations around the globe. They speak many different languages, have
different colored skin, have developed different political and economic
systems, and worship God with different styles of music. What we have
in common is that we have come to believe and to confess that Jesus
Christ is our Lord and Savior.
We are part of the
one apostolic church, the Body of Christ. Literally, we are the new
humanity, reconciled in Christ, and sharing in God's farming mission.
Think for a moment what the past two thousand years would have been
like without the fruit of the Spirit at work in human society through
the faithful labor of His gardeners who are the Church.
I
believe that the Word and Spirit of Christ have created at the heart of
our congregation the awareness that we are God's vineyard. We are being
pruned so that we may bear more fruit. And having been planted in
Walhalla and West Union, we are one of God's great gifts to this
neighborhood.
With trust in God to grow us,
Vince
Alig
What In the WORLD
Are We Doing?
Walhalla Presbyterian Church supports world wide missions. One of these is Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) enables
congregations and mission partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)
to witness to the healing love of Christ through caring for communities
adversely affected by crisis and catastrophic events.
Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance (PDA) is the emergency and refugee program of the
Presbyterian Church U.S.A. The core budget, including staff and
administrative costs, is funded through the One Great Hour of Sharing,
and its program work is additionally funded through designated gifts.
Haiti
February 2010 – PDA continues to respond to humanitarian needs following the January 12 earthquake. Read reports and find resources.
Chile
March 2010 –PDA will work with partners in Chile to respond to the February earthquake.
A LOCAL MISSION WE SUPPORT
The Local Pro-Life Ministry of:
Foothills
Pregnancy
Care Center
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).
For more information contact FPCC at (864) 882-8796 or on their website
at www.foothillscarecenter.org.
Our 2010 Xpujil, Mexico MISSION TRIP is scheduled for
APRIL 5-11, 2010
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE TEAM: Alan Houtzer, James Houtzer, Laura Dyer, Anna Alig, Don Rumer, Lamar Bailes and Fred Marcinak.
Our 2009 Xpujil, Mexico MISSION TRIP: February 25-March 4th, 2009 was greatly blessed by the Lord. Thanks for your prayers and support!
To see what happened on this trip, see the link below:Thanks to Alan Houtzer for this "web journal" of our recent mission trip to serve with Missionary Todd Luke. Just click on this link to see the journal for both 2008 & 2009: http://homepage.mac.com/ahoutzer/Xpujil
West Union Chapel
By Ed Bryant
Our Bible Study group has enlarged and we continue to have a very informative study. We continue to meet at 4:30pm each Sunday afternoon. We have a great group and the study is filled with discussions of the lesson. Come and join us, we have a great time of study.
Our Sunday School lesson is taught by several people under the close observation and guidance of Alan. We need more to attend and we do have more chairs tables when they are needed. We begin at 9:45am and finish at 10:45am. This gives time to travel back to one’s Church if they would wish to do so. Everyone would be welcomed to stay for Sunday Worship should they choose.
We continue with the “Old Joe Breakfast” at the Kountry Kupboard at 7:50am on Friday mornings. Come join in this, the food is great and the conversation and fellowship is great.
When the wind blows it sows seeds far and wide,
Over woodland, field, and over the land of ocean tide.
The wind cannot know just where the seeds fall,
But new life springs forth, at spring time’s call.
The earth springs alive, from wind sown seed,
For many find a place to grow and feed.
When we spread the word of our God to all,
We know not where this word will fall.
Let us be like the wind, sow seed to many,
And fill our churches and welcome any.
Let’s sow the word of Christ to cover all,
And welcome them in who answer the call.
Small Groups for
Spiritual Formation and Fellowship
are starting at WPC!
If you are interested in WPC's Small
Groups Ministry,
contact Pastor Vince on this email
link.
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?
From Your Session
Who are the Elders (members of the Session) of WPC? What
are the basics of their role in the Presbyterian Church (USA)?
As described in the Book of Order of the PC(USA):
“elders are chosen by the people. Together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church as well as the church at large... It is the duty of elders, individually and jointly, to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation committed to their charge. Together with the pastor, they should encourage the people in the worship and service of God, equip and renew them for their tasks within the church and for their mission in the world, visit and comfort and care for the people, with special attention to the poor, the sick, the lonely, and those who are oppressed. They should inform the pastor and session of those persons and structures which may need special attention. They should assist in worship….”
Elders are elected during an annual congregational meeting, following nomination by a Nominating Team or from the floor during the meeting. According to the Book of Order, an elder is elected for a term of three years and may be re-elected but may not serve more than six consecutive years. Once elected, the elder takes vows of ordination for service.
Current WPC elders:
(Click on underlined names to email elders who have email addresses)
Class of 2010: Rosemary Bailes,
John Lay, Bob
Tinsley, and Deb Wickliffe;
Class of 2011: John Hostetler,
Annette Morrah, Gene Nix,
and Sam Rochester.
Class of 2012: Lynda Alexander, Lamar Bailes, John Palmer, Harry Silsby
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!
More History...
by Annie Brown
Because of his years of service, Calhoun’s political views were well known, and he had supporters from all parts of the country. Wiltse writes that from the beginning, Calhoun knew he did not have the votes to win the election out right, but he thought the election might go to the House of Representatives. If that happened, Calhoun would be the logical “compromise choice.” [3] Thus, Calhoun was being careful to position himself in case the election had to be decided in the House. As for the other candidates, John Q. Adams had a strong following in the North where many voters felt it was time for a president from their part of the country. Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson were the favorite candidates in the West, and William Crawford had many followers in the South. Although Calhoun’s appeal was to middle class voters, it was not to the “politicians of the villages and the rabble of the cities where Jackson’s strength lay.” [4] Nor did Calhoun attract the New England voters who liked him personally, but rejected his candidacy because he was born in the South. By 1823, it was clear to John C. Calhoun that he had to “choose between withdrawal” {from the election} or risk splitting “the anti-Crawford forces and thus giving the election to the Radicals. He did not hesitate over the choice, but withdrew from the contest.” [5]
For a time following his withdrawal from the presidential race, John C. Calhoun pondered his own position. He considered Adams “temperamentally unfit for party leadership, and Jackson too precipitate and headstrong to be entrusted with executive power; yet it was clear that if Crawford was to be defeated it must be at the hands of one of these two. He …was reluctant to ally himself with either.” [6] Calhoun did not want to support a losing candidate or to serve in an unsuccessful administration. Calhoun’s decision was to run as the vice president on both tickets without actually endorsing either candidate.
The election proved that Calhoun was truly the most nationally respected candidate. In his run for vice president, he received 182 electoral votes, only one less than the combined presidential votes that Adams and Jackson received. (Jackson- 99, Adams- 84, Crawford- 41, and Clay- 37) As no presidential candidate received a majority, the final choice went to the House of Representatives. [7] On February 9, 1825, the names of Jackson, Adams, and Crawford were presented to the House for a vote. Although much maneuvering and deal-making preceded the vote, John C. Calhoun tried to remain neutral. Henry Clay used his influence to convince the representatives of twelve states to vote for Adams. When the representatives of New York also voted for Adams, the election was over, and Adams was declared President. Both Adams and Calhoun were sworn in on March 4, 1825. As one might imagine, anger and the talk of corruption swept across the nation. Jackson insisted that Clay had delivered the election for Adams in return for a prominent position in the administration and support in the next election. [8] Jackson’s accusations appeared to be true when Clay was named Secretary of State by President Adams. According to Wiltse, the appointment of Clay “was to most minds the barefaced sealing of an unholy bargain, which could only mean one thing: a union of Northern and Western interests for a higher tariff, with the inevitable consequence of ruin for the agricultural South.” [9]
Across the country, many voters considered the election of 1824 to be corrupt. Adams had received less than one third of the popular vote, but many important decisions had to be made. The country was changing rapidly, and the direction it would move had important consequences for the future. In March of 1825, John C. Calhoun wrote to General Swift that “the voices and the power of the people have been set at naught, and the result has been a President elected not by them, but by a few ambitious men with a view to their own interest.” [10] Calhoun went on to tell Swift that the election and the deal between Adams and Clay was “the most dangerous stab, which the liberty of this country has ever received. I will not be on that side. I am with the people and shall remain so.” [11] For better or worse, this meant that John C. Calhoun had to join forces with Andrew Jackson. Within days of the end of the 1824 presidential campaign, contenders were already jockeying for position in the 1828 election. Would Calhoun stand a chance of winning in 1828? President Adams was determined Calhoun would not succeed. From the beginning of his term as Vice President, Calhoun could do nothing that pleased President Adams. Yet, Calhoun did not express any public or private criticism of Adams. He was willing to give the president a chance to prove himself. It was the political process that had upset Calhoun. He felt that unless an amendment was made to the Constitution, elections would regularly end up in the House of Representatives where they would essentially be sold to the highest bidder. Calhoun thought this an unacceptable result that must not be allowed to happen. Before beginning the hard work of correcting election abuses and starting another presidential campaign, Calhoun returned to South Carolina where he was praised and feted by his friends and family.
Next time…How Calhoun survived the pressures of political life with the help of his home, his family, and his faith…
Want Even More History? The Old Pickens Presbyterian Church is open to visitors on Sunday afternoons from 2:30pm-5:00pm during the spring and summer. Docents will be there to answer any questions. Please stop by for a visit.
PRESBYTERIANS IN THE KITCHEN
submitted by Becky Sobeck
1—Philsbury Pie Crust
or substitute with your own favorite pie crust
Filling:
12 ounces uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
1/4 cup (2 ounces) fat free or reg cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup eggs or egg substitute, divided
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 cup evaporated fat-free or regular evaporated milk
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Havarti or fontina cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1/8 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 375°.
To prepare filling, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray.
Add the shrimp; cook 1 minute or until shrimp turn pink. Remove from heat.
Combine cream cheese and 1/4 cup egg in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended.
Add 2 teaspoons flour; beat 1 more minute.
Beat in remaining egg and milk.
Add shrimp, Havarti cheese, dill, and 1/8 teaspoon salt, stirring well.
Pour shrimp mixture into prepared crust. Bake at 375° for 40 minutes or until set.
Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes before serving.
“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
Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee
1300 A.D.
In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world John 16:33
When Bernard (c. 1090-1153), a sickly youth in Dijon, France, was unable to fulfill military service, he became a monk. So successful was he that he eventually founded the famous monastery in nearby Clairvaux. In time almost 170 other monasteries sprang from Bernard’s leadership. He became the most powerful preacher of his era, and is remembered as a pious man, a deeply contemplative mystic, the “honey-tongued doctor.” Martin Luther called Bernard “The best monk that ever lived, whom I admire beyond all the rest put together.”
He wasn’t a perfect man, as seen in his support for the Second Crusade to liberate the Holy Land from Muslim control. But for 800 years, his words have been read and sung, and his good work has continued.
If you’ve never read Bernard, here are some excerpts from his writings and sermons:
How do we know that Christ has really overcome death? Precisely in that he, who did not deserve it, underwent it… But what kind of justice is this, you may say, that the innocent should die for the guilty? It is not justice, but mercy.
I was made a sinner by deriving my being from Adam; I am made righteous by being washed in the blood of Christ.
You will never have real mercy for the failings of another until you know and realize that you have the same failings in your soul.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your kindness in uniting us to the church you so dearly love, not merely that we may be endowed with the gift of faith, but that, like brides, we may be one with you…, beholding with unveiled faces that glory which is yours in union with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
You wish me to tell you why and how God should be loved. My answer is t hat God Himself is the reason He is to be loved.
Several well-known hymns are attributed to St. Bernard: “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee,” “O Sacred Head Now Wounded,” and a lesser-known hymn entitled “Open Wide are Thine Hands,” the second verse of which says:
Give me the soul transforming joy for which I seek Thy Face
Jesus began to show his disciples that He must go to Jerusalem
and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes,
and be killed,
and on the third day be raised.
Then Jesus told his disciples,
If anyone would come after Me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:21 & 24
