Greetings Everyone
Greetings Everyone.
As some of you know, I regularly read articles from “The Institute for Family Studies.” This is a conservative journal that presents academic research on what makes for strong families. Sometimes their findings become part of the national dialogue but often their findings are passed over because it does not fit the desired narrative on family life within our secular culture. The most recent journal posted the following titles:
Family and Economics
Marriage, Happiness, and Free Time
Fairness for Stay-at-Home Parents
The Power of Praying Families
In general, the research shows that the family is the cornerstone of society. The better we equip young adults for marriage and family, the better support we give them in their early years of family life, the more guidance we can provide to help them succeed, the better laws we can generate as a nation that encourages family strength, the more stable and successful our society will be.
As a church, we can play a significant role in the support of families. One of my Alma Maters, Fuller Theological Seminary, has pioneered Fuller Youth Institute. From part of their research they developed a program called “Sticky Faith,” a tool to help young people prepare for a Christian life in a secular world. Fuller Seminary believes that home and church can be partners in raising our children in the faith.
This Sunday, our prayer theme will focus on children. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs” Mark 10:14. I believe that we, as adults, should regularly pray for the children in our church. I believe that we as Christian adults should pray for the children in our neighborhoods. When we see kids at various activities in the community, if we attend a sporting event, if we observe children walking the streets on Halloween, if we see children on the Christmas Stroll, in our Spirit we can be lifting those children to the Lord.
And how might we pray when we may not know any specifics of that child’s life or their home? Jesus said, “No one comes unto me unless the Father draws them” John 6:44. One prayer we can certainly offer is “Father, draw this child and their parents to you.” We believe there is power in prayer and you never know how your prayer is impacting the unseen world through the movement of God’s Spirit.
As we “Pave the Way into the Future through Prayer,” let’s make praying for children and their families intentional parts of our conversation with God.
“And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the request made of him.” 1 John 5:14-15
Moving forward with you and the Children of God.
Pastor Paul
News & Events
Sunday, November 12th:
9:00 a.m. Bible Study in the Chapel, Acts 21
Monday, November 13th:
5:30 p.m. Handbell Practice
7:00 p.m. Choir Practice
Tuesday, November 14th:
7:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study and Breakfast
1:00 p.m. Presbyterian Women meet in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, November 15th:
10:00 a.m. L.A.M.B.S. will meet in Fellowship Hall
Thursday, November 16th:
10:00 a.m. Bible Babes will meet in Fellowship Hall.
Sunday, November 19th:
Harvest Dinner following worship service. See below for details.
*Please note L.A.M.B.S. will not meet on Wednesday, November 22nd.
Check out the Events Calendar for more upcoming events.
Hayden’s Slide Show
Lots of folks have asked us when we are going to show some slides from our walk this past September. This Sunday, November 12, at 11:30…the end of Fellowship Time, Terri and I will be showing slides and talking about our experience for anyone who wants to come. The presentation will last between 30 and 45 minutes depending on your questions, comments and whether Terri preaches another sermon…Lol. We are looking forward to sharing. Pastor Paul
Christian Ed. Update 
*Thank you to all who participated in the Halloween Trick- or-Treat Street and to those who donated candy.
* We are still looking for a classroom assistant for Jim Ramlow. See details below.
*A Sunday School assistant is needed for Prek -4th grade. This will be during worship service when the children are dismissed to Sunday School. A sign up sheet will circulate during service the next 2 weeks.
Pastor Fund Campaign
Thank you to all who have contributed to raising money for our Pastor Fund Campaign. We needed $50,000 by October 31 and by October 29 we had $53,350! Such a blessing. With the matching funds that puts us at $106,700. Please keep this campaign in your prayers and heart, we are 1/3 of the way to our goal of $300,000 by September 2024. If you want to give or know of anyone that would like to give you can donate easily via our online link here.
Presbyterian Women
PW will meet in Fellowship Hall Tuesday, November 14th at 1:00 p.m. Marlene Barmes will present the program on the Thank Offering. Also, please note the Christmas Party will be on Tuesday, December 12th at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We hope you can all attend. If you have questions or need transportation, please call Susan Tate
Harvest Dinner
The Fellowship Committee will be hosting a Harvest Dinner immediately following our church service Sunday, November 19th in Fellowship Hall. Your committee is providing an entree of turkey and smoked ham and is asking the congregation to bring side dishes such as dressing, gravy, bean casseroles, sweet potatoes, potato salads, etc. to compliment a Thanksgiving dinner with desserts. Please come with an appetite and let’s celebrate what we all should be thankful for.
WE NEED YOU!
Sunday School assistants are needed for our 9:00 a.m. middle school class. Jim Ramlow leads the class. All you have to do is sit in and help out where needed. If you’re looking for a way to ease in to being involved in the life of our church this is it! Join Jim and the middle school class as they work their way through C.S Lewis’ book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, along with the gospel of Mark.
Prayers for the Life of My Church
Over the next several weeks our congregation will be receiving a prayer during worship service with the idea that we will all be praying for the same thing on the same day. This Sunday you will be given our first prayer with a ring attached. As we work our way through the next several weeks, we will be adding prayers to our rings. If you would like the prayers via email or snail mail, please contact the church office.
(406)862-2802
