Murray Presbyterian Messenger

August 2008

 

Dear Church Family,

 

The Session has asked me to write to you and share with you some very special and important news.  At our July 13 worship service John Meeske—our co-treasurer—announced that our church had received a generous gift from a longtime friend of the church and a former member, Dr. John E. Gilmore, who passed away on October 18, 2007.  Our church has received from Dr. Gilmore a gift totaling in excess of $600,000.  There will also be a final payment made in the near future.  What an amazing gift! 

                   The Session is handling this gift with care and is looking into how best to deal with it.  The Session would appreciate any ideas or suggestions you have on how this generous gift should be maintained and used.  Please do not be afraid to share your thoughts!  One of the conditions of the gift is that the principle is to remain untouched so that all interest can be used for the ministry of Murray Presbyterian Church.

 This gift is a tremendous blessing to our church.  Just as Dr. Gilmore considered it his responsibility to give, so to, each one of us has an individual responsibility to support the ministry of the church.  Your financial support of the church is an essential part of being a disciple.  As Christians we are called to serve Christ with our time, service, and monies. 

        It is important that we use Dr. Gilmore’s gift to enhance the ministry that the church already has.  In other words, we do not want to start relying on the money for the expenses we currently have.  The gift is not a call for us to do less, but a call to do more!  Dr. Gilmore’s gift is a challenge to our entire congregation.      

Our church needs to continue to reach out and show the compassion of Jesus Christ to the world in which we live.  We must remain committed to being a “Great Commission” church that seeks to make disciples not only here in our own area, but also nationally and internationally. We as a congregation need to be focused on sharing the Gospel and becoming stronger in our faith, deeper in our spiritual lives, and growing in our knowledge. 

Dr. Gilmore’s gift represents an opportunity for our church to do some amazing things.  Please join me in praying for God’s wisdom as we seek to be good stewards of this gift.  To God be the Glory!

 

                                                           In Christ,            

 

                                                                                       Jeff

 

Prayer Concerns

 

 

Don Loftin:  Prayers for healing & strength. (9500 Milford Rd.-Beaver Lake, NE  68048)

 

Dave, Jenny, Samantha & Ella Cook:  Prayers of strength for the family & healing for Ella.

(9923 12^th Street – Murray NE  68409)

 

Jane Pool:  (Julie Nickels sister) Prayers for strength & healing. A few cards or notes would help lift her spirit.

(328 Auburn Way – Coppell, TX  75019)

 

Grace Weisz:  Prayers for healing from pneumonia.  (2600 Adventureland Drive – Altoona, IA  50009-9610)

Additional Prayer Concerns:

 

Steve Burg’s Dad as he deals with the after affects from the accident.

 

Barb Koester’s niece, Marcia McKay and her son-in-law, Phil Bridges.

 

Cathy Balfour as she battles cancer.   (11509 A Street-Avoca, NE  68307)

 

Nickey Johnson:  Prayers for her parents, especially her Mom.

 

 

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Thoughts & Prayers for our shut ins:

Lottie Johnson:  continual prayers.

(1750 S. 20^th Street-Lincoln, NE  68502)

Mildred Moritz:  continual prayers.

(1300 Avenue D-Plattsmouth, NE  68048)

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*Remember the members of our Armed Forces, who are serving overseas and stateside.  We   especially pray for those stationed in the Middle East.

 

*Philmore Williams – Stationed in Germany

 

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Continued Prayers of Comfort for:

 

The Family of Charles Spangler

The Family of Haley Eldred

The Family of Barbara Wohlfarth

The Family of Rick Riekemann

The Family of Char Gochenour