Newsletter "First Things": August 2007

Dear Members and Friends of First Church:

As we have been sharing in previous editions of First Things the Session has claimed 2007 as THE YEAR OF DISCIPLESHIP. As the summer months move on and I have time to think about my own Christian discipleship, I want to invite you to give some thought to yours as well.

As I reflect back on my own life, I think of the times of growth and the times I have felt as though I have been in the desert. Did my “desert experiences” stop me from pursuing God and turning away from Him? Sometimes, but not for a sustained period of time. As a matter of fact, it has been in the “desert experiences” that I have been drawn closer to Him. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ certainly is a journey with its ups and downs, victories and defeats, joys and sorrows. But through it all there is hope to be found in Christ. Jesus said in Revelation 1:17-18, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore…”

What is a disciple? I was re-reading a portion of Juan Carlos Ortiz book, Disciple and here is what he had to say about being a disciple of Christ. “A disciple is one who follows Jesus Christ. But because we are Christians does not necessarily mean we are His disciples, even though we are members of His Kingdom. Following Christ means acknowledging Him as Lord; it means serving Him as a slave. It also means loving and praising.”

As I think about my own Christian discipleship, I know that I need to be held accountable or, at times, it just doesn’t happen. I mean if I don’t try and run a few times a week and definitely once a week with a friend, it is easy to make excuses as to why I need to do other things instead of taking care of my body. The same is true with my spiritual life? Do you have someone or some ones who can help hold you spiritually accountable? If not, wouldn’t it help?

We all are broken people living in a broken world, desperately in need of Jesus. I heard someone once say that living out this earthly life as a disciple is like one beggar telling another beggar where to get a piece of bread. And scripture tells us that Jesus is the “Bread of Life.” For He truly is our example that we should try and emulate, follow and serve.

Speaking of accountability…the other day I read about a book written by Gordon MacDonald (pastor, author, chair of World Relief) entitled Rebuilding Your Broken World. In this book Gordon suggests questions to help us in our earthly walk. If we truly desire to grow in our walk with Christ we need to submit ourselves to another person or persons and answer these questions honestly. Let me share some of the questions he asks us to consider:

1. How is your relationship with God right now?

2. What have you read in the Bible in the past week?

3. What has God said to you in this reading?

4. Where do you find yourself resisting Him these days?

5. What specific things are you praying for in regard to yourself?

6. What are the specific tasks facing you right now that you consider incomplete?

7. What habits intimidate you?

8. What have you done to play?

9. How are you doing with your spouse? Kids?

10. Are you sensing spiritual attacks from the enemy right now?

11. If Satan were to try to invalidate you as a person or as a servant of the Lord, how might he do it?

12. What is the state of your sexual perspective? Tempted? Dealing with fantasies? Entertainment?

13. Where are you financially? (Things under control? Under anxiety? In great debt?)
14. Are there any unresolved conflicts in your circle of relationships right now?
15. What would you say are your fears at this present time?
16. What things are you most thankful for?
17. Do you like yourself at this point in your pilgrimage?
18. What challenges do you think you’re going to face in the coming week? Month?
19. What would you say are your fears at this present time?

Wow. I know there are a lot of questions but I would say that in asking the “right” questions we can get in touch with ourselves, with others and especially with God.

Have a great rest of the summer. I am praying for you as you seek to be a disciple of Christ. See U in CH_RCH.

Yours in Christ,

Come one, come all to the All Church Picnic on August 11th (rain or shine) at Turkeyfoot Recreation Area anytime after noon. Dinner will be at 5 pm.

There are areas for Swimming, Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball and Tennis. There is also a playground for children. Children’s games will begin at 4:00 pm. If your children are going to participate in the games, you may want to bring an extra set of clothing.

Children's Communion Class

According to the Presbyterian Church USA Book of Order:

“Baptized Children who are being nurtured and instructed in the significance of the invitation to the Table and the meaning of their response are invited to receive the Lord’s Supper recognizing that their understanding of participation will vary according to their maturity.”

Therefore, we invite children who are ready to being receiving Communion and their parent(s) or guardian(s) to an introductory meeting on Sunday, September 2, 2007 at 9:00 am in Pastor Mark’s office. If a young person has not been baptized, Pastor Mark will be happy to discuss this as well. Please call the church office or fill out the form in the weekly bulletin if your child is interested in taking part in this class.

Food Pantry

The Deacons’ Food Pantry served 525 families in the month of June. A total of 1913 people were served. We also served about 250 people at the Concert in the Lot. Thank you for your generous contributions that make this possible.

Grade School End of Summer Bash

When: Sunday, August 19, 2007   Directly after the church service - 2:00 p.m.
Where: Room 205 & 206
Who: All children entering Kindergarten - 5th grade

Come and have a blast at our End of the Summer Bash. We plan to have good food, neat crafts and fun games. There may even be some prizes. Make sure to put this date down on your calendar so you don’t forget it. Hope to see you there.

Acolyte Training

If your child is entering into 1st grade - 5th grade this school year he or she can be an Acolyte. There will be a brief training in the sanctuary after church on September 9th for any new child who is interested in becoming an Acolyte. Please see Ann McCord by September 2nd if your child will be attending this brief training.

Fall/Winter Hours Starting Soon!

Don’t miss out on anything when the Fall/Winter Hours start on September 9, 2007. Sunday School will be at 9:30 and Worship will begin at 10:45.

The next meeting of the Loss Support Group will be on August 6th at 7:00 in the parlor. This group is for those who have experienced a type of loss - the death of a loved one or a friend or animal, a change in a relationship, the loss of a job, etc. All are welcome to join our group that meets once a month.