Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So

As we celebrated in this season of homecoming with our sisters and brothers in Christ through anointed worship and praise led by Buchanon Unity ministering in music with us last Sunday, I am continuing to be filled, basking in the afterglow of the Holy Spirit's blessing upon our offering as the Lord leads us anew in the journey of faith. One of the sayings we shared in song together was the saying, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…" Having sung and said that, let me say a thing or two here about "sayings" so….

 
 

Have you ever stopped and wondered how often certain witty sayings may come to mind given various situations one may encounter on a given day?

 
 

In my own experience, the thought was brought on recently upon noting John Wooden's 99th birthday as reported by the L.A. Times in which one article listed 99 things about this former UCLA basketball coach. A significant portion of the Twitter-verse (as the universe of Twitter is sometimes referred to) was, on that day last week, all a-Twitter with many a wise quote shared by fans and admirers of this legendary man. Even now, a week or so later, a search on Twitter reveals many social media network users sharing their favorite quotes of his with one another and a whole world of other followers.

 
 

It is worth noting here that our own C.L.A.S.S. (Christian Living At Sunday School) offering on Sunday mornings at First Presbyterian Church includes a group led by John Lansinger in gleaning from John Wooden's life as they read through his book, "A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court" together. His lifetime of observations and reflections are not only to be applicable in the game of basketball, but they hold treasures of wisdom and insight to be savored beyond the world of sports, with lessons to be learned and applied for his whole life to be lived well. And not just for himself, but for others' lives as well.

 
 

All this got me thinking further this week as we approach the sometimes so-called "Stewardship season" and how that kind of language reflecting a particular sort of narrowed mindset is in need of reformation. How we refer to certain notions of living faithfully in the world can reveal a lack of understanding on our part of the bigger picture, showing an aspect of our lived theology that is in need of correction.

 
 

The following two corrective sayings come to mind: "Stewardship is not a Sunday. It's a lifestyle." "Reformation is not only for a time. It's an ongoing process." That is, stewardship is a transformative way of living from day to day. It is, in effect, responding with love and care for others, in gratitude of heart, for and by the grace we have abundantly and extravagantly been given in Christ. And reformation is, really, a continual changing of heart and mind to become more and more like Jesus. As the Latin saying goes from the time of the great reformation, "reformata et semper reformanda". We are, as Christians in the Reformed tradition, reformed and always reforming according to the Word of God.

 
 

The last Sunday of October is marked on our church calendar as a time when we celebrate, recognize and observe the Reformation. As I shared with our confirmation class a few weeks ago, this year is especially significant in that we are remembering the 500th birthday of the one regarded as the father of Presbyterianism, the venerable reformer, John Calvin. Let us celebrate well by continually, ever more so, living into the lives God has called us to live with one another. Not just for ourselves, but for the world around us in desperate need of the sure hope we have in the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 
 

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so in new ways with sayings that reflect God's glory and which effect His redeeming grace in Christ for the world. Amen. --Pastor Rex

Revive at 6:15!

Come to worship Wednesday night!

Join us in this Homecoming season as we

sing to the Lord at our midweek Revive! service of prayer and praise on

October 14 at 6:15 p.m.

 

 

Come join with us on Wednesday evenings!

for

A Fall Festival of Celebrations in Praise and Worship

NEW TIME - 6:15 p.m.

 

Inserted from <http://newcastlefpc.org>

PC(USA) - General Assembly Mission Council - October 2, 2009, letter from the Executive Director

 
 

 
 

Home > General Assembly Mission Council > Letters from the Executive Director > October 2, 2009

 
 

October 2, 2009

Give, act and pray

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Anytime a disaster hits, whether it leaves a home burned, a community flooded or an entire island flattened, full recovery is a long-term process.  We ask you now for churchwide call to prayer for all those affected by disasters, especially for those who — in just the past two weeks — have experienced flooding in the southeastern United States, a typhoon in the Philippines, earthquakes in Indonesia or earthquakes compounded by a tsunami in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, using funds from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, has already begun to respond, either directly to the presbyteries here in the United States or through our mission partners around the world.

This week alone two earthquakes rocked areas of Indonesia.  In West Sumatra, more than 10,000 homes and businesses have been affected and 1,000 lives lost, with this count expected to rise. PDA has been in contact with our PC(USA) mission co-worker in Indonesia, Rebecca Young. Becca works with the Jakarta Theological Seminary and is also a PDA liaison for disaster situations that strike the region. PDA is also working with our partners Yayasan Tanggul Bencana di Indonesia, Yakkumm Emergency Unit, Church World Service and Action by Churches Together (ACT). Once assessments of the damage are reported, we will have a better understanding of the funding needed for long-term recovery.

Typhoon Ketsana hit the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam just days ago, with the Philippines being the worst affected. Mandatory evacuations have been issued, as a second typhoon is expected in a matter of days.  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance will be supporting relief efforts through our mission partners, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, and through a broader appeal by ACT.

A tsunami triggered by a massive earthquake has devastated Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga. More than 32,000 people are displaced, with the death toll rising daily. PDA has been in communication with CWS, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency as it relates to American Samoa. Once assessments begin to be reported, PDA will be ready to respond with funding.

And let us remember our brothers and sisters here in the Southeast that experienced massive flooding last week.  PDA is responding to needs in three  presbyteries — Cherokee, Greater Atlanta and Northeast Georgia.  Six PDA National Response Team members responded, and five are still on the ground assessing the damage and assisting with response coordination. Twelve churches in Greater Atlanta Presbytery have requested assistance.  PDA has responded by sending $40,000: $10,000 to support the initial response by the presbytery for needs in the community and $30,000 as a fund for the presbytery to use in support of the 12 effected churches.  In addition, $10,000 has been sent to Cherokee Presbytery to help with immediate relief and $10,000 is being sent to Northeast Georgia Presbytery.  All of these funds have come from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.  We take this opportunity to thank you for those gifts.  PDA will continue to be in communication with these presbyteries and is prepared to respond to further requests.

We encourage you to pray for all those suffering from these tremendous natural disasters.  We anticipate large appeals for funding.  If you are called to give, please do so through PDA account number DR000148.

Almighty and everlasting God, You are strength to those who suffer and comfort to those who grieve. Let the prayers of your children who are in trouble rise to you.

We claim your promises of wholeness as we pray for those who are ill or are suffering loss and long for your healing touch.

Make the weak strong, the sick healthy, the broken whole, and confirm those who serve them as agents of your love.

Yours in Christ,

Linda Valentine, executive director, General Assembly Mission Council

Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator of the 218th General Assembly

 
 

Inserted from <http://www.pcusa.org/gamc/letters/100209.htm>