Midweek Newsletter: Wednesday, July 26th, 2023.
From:
The News Desk
To: First
Presbyterian Church
July 26th, 2023
Your Weekly Edition of Narthex News is here!
Hello Church! Welcome to the
weekly edition of the Narthex News. Today’s installment will share with you:
·
REMINDERS
·
GOURMET SEEKERS THIS FRIDAY!
·
CARING SUNDAY EXTENDED
·
MUSIC NOTES
·
CELEBRATIONS
·
BICYCLES TO SHARE?
·
NO TRICYCLE EVENT
·
WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL
·
PRAYER ROOM
Reminders:
Liturgists!
Liturgist for July is Bess Wilkes.
Live & Learn! No Live & Learn for July, since Pastor Je will be out of town. First weekend in August, Live & Learn may start up again; more info on that yet to come.
Treats! Do you like treats?
Do you like to spend time with your friends
after service on a Sunday? There is something about a plate of cookies or some
other fun, pleasantly arranged selection of tasty treats that lends an air of
welcome to a room. There is something about a pot of coffee and an offering of
goodies that invites one to stay a while, say hello, lend a smile or an ear
and, generally, be a friend.
We recognize that binging a treat to share is
a sacrifice of your time, your attentions, and your resources. We also
recognize it is a gift. We thank you for sharing that gift – the gift of your
time and talents as well as the gift of
yourself.
Would you consider sharing a treat on Sundays,
to contribute towards fellowship time? Please let Gretel know in the office if
you are interested: gretel@lebanonfpc.org
July 30th: “Heavenly Chocolate”; “Divine Donuts”; “Summer Fun Cookies”
In addition to basic food staples, The Caring Center are always in need of basic household items which help in setting up housekeeping, such as: small kitchen appliances; pots & pans; dishes, glasses/cups; coffee makers; microwaves; crock pots & electric skillets; vacuums; towels & washcloths. If your contribution(s) do not fit in the box provided, please leave them near the box in the lobby and someone from the church will see that the items are delivered to The Caring Center
Can you sing, play an
instrument, are you dramatic (in a good way)? We need you! I'm looking
for members who would like to sing, play an instrument, or provide monologues
or dramatic readings in our July and August services. Please email me or let me
know at church if you are one of these people, I know you are out there!
Celebrations:
Happy birthday to Janet Landon,
8/1!
May the gift of God’s grace
strengthen you,
Bicycles to Share? Do you have any bicycles you are not using and wish to part with? I have learned of a ministry that could use them. Contact Gretel in the office for more details.
No Tricycle Event: While we’re talking about cycles, here is another reminder that the tricycle event that was scheduled for August has been canceled.
Weekly Devotional: “So I will be with you”
“.
. . as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor
forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)
Companion. Friend. Footsteps along the
path right beside yours. A Counselor on call 24/7. Need an ear to listen? A shoulder
to lean on? Need to cry unchecked with someone who will simply support with
comforting presence? We have all this and more through the presence of the Holy
Spirit.
In the above passage from the book of Joshua, God promised
to be with Joshua as He was with Moses. This is an incredible promise. Moses
knew God as no one else had. Moses’ relationship with God was unique and Joshua’s
relationship with God would be unique as well. However, God’s presence with Moses
was not a one-time thing, solely reserved for him. God was going to be with
Joshua as well. Joshua’s instructions were to get up and go (1:2), but he would
not be going alone. Joshua had a huge task ahead of him: a nation to lead, a
land to conquer, enemies to subdue, challenges with his people that had yet to
present themselves but would certainly arise. Those are just a few of the
hurdles Joshua would need to overcome. But along with the big job ahead of him,
Joshua had an even bigger God. God spoke directly to Joshua and assured him of
His faithful and Holy-committed presence. How especially comforting this would
have been to Joshua at this time, as Moses had just recently died. (1:2)
Moments before Jesus ascended to be with His Heavenly
Father, Jesus told His disciples that they would “receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you”. (Acts 1:8) The Holy Spirit did come and Jesus’
disciples were filled with power. But the presence of the Holy Spirit was not
reserved just for them. Jesus left a promise for all of us that He would give “another
Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world
cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him,
for He dwells with you and will be in
you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18) A
little further on, Jesus elaborated even more about the Holy Spirit: “But the
Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach
you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
(John 14:26)
Earlier this year, a dear companion of mine died. To
some, he may have been just a kitty. To me, he was my best friend, a source of
comfort, consolation, encouragement, and joy. Every day I recognize his absence.
Though I may someday have another kitty friend, no one will ever be able to
fill the place my Butterscotch left behind. Now let me tell you, I have a sweet
hallelujah, joyous sunshine in my soul, when I think upon the gracious fact
that I have another Friend who will never die. He is a forever companion. He is
the greatest source of comfort, consolation, encouragement and joy. Yes, He
challenges and convicts. Yes, there are times when He says, “arise and go”, and
I know there is a big task ahead of me. But, as Joshua was not left to tackle
his problems alone, neither am I. I am not alone and neither are you. Today,
God says to you: “So I will be with you.” May you find joy and strength in this,
my friend.
Prayer Room:
Here at FPC, prayer is important to us. Are you
interested in joining the prayer chain?
Would you like to learn more about the role of prayer in our lives? Please
contact Phyllis Duff, Prayer Coordinator, at (765)482-1485/ raduff2@att.net.
The following
prayer is based on the worship song “I Love You, Lord” by the Maranatha Praise
Band:
Dear
Heavenly Father, “I love You, Lord, and I lift my
voice to worship You – Oh my soul, rejoice! Take joy, my King, in what You hear;
may it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.” Amen.
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