Murray
Presbyterian Messenger
February 2009
Dear Church Family,
We live
in an era when many in our society want Christians to privatize their
faith. Some of these people will say
its ok to have faith, but only if its something done on Sunday in the friendly
confines of the church sanctuary.
Christian faith is increasingly treated like smoking is—you can have
faith, but just don’t do it in public.
This modern view of faith is completely contrary to Christ’s commands
and what the scriptures require of us.
As
Christians we are called to take seriously our individual service and
ministry. Most of us who have been in
the church for many years realize that serving others is a significant aspect
of our faith. This form of Christian
ministry starts in our home. We are
called to have a loving, supportive, stable, and enriching family life. Each one of us has a God given
responsibility to care for other members of our family. But our ministry must not end there.
The second place where
Christian ministry should be conducted is in the workplace. Sharing our faith is one aspect of our
ministry in the office, but what we need is a more developed Christian
philosophy of work. God created us in
His image and thus he has made us creative workers. In Genesis 1 God represents himself as a “thoughtful, creative,
diligent, and conscientious worker.” Reminding ourselves that we are like God
when we are working adds dignity to our labors. Our work is important because it helps us benefit others. By making money we are able to provide for
our families and help those who are less fortunate.
Christian ministry in our
church is another important place where we are called to serve. By giving generously to the church and
Christian missions we are able to tell others about Christ and show His love
and compassion. In our church there are
many of you who perform various volunteer tasks. All of the voluntary jobs that are performed in the church are
vital to the smooth running of the church.
But our ministry must extend beyond our specific tasks in the
church. It should extend to our
neighborhoods and beyond. Our Christian faith requires that we share our faith
when the right opportunity presents itself.
In the sixteenth century the founder of our
denomination—John Calvin—chained the doors of the church after Sunday worship
to make the point that Christians need to be in the world. We are all called to some form of
ministry. Let us go forth into the
world and effectively conduct the different ministries that we have! To God be the glory.
In Christ,
Jeff
Charlotte
Mars: Prayers for Charlotte and
her family as they mourn Paul’s passing. (1918 Beaver Lake Blvd.- Beaver Lake,
NE 68048)
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 12th Street – Murray NE 68409)
Additional
Prayer Concerns:
Cathy
Balfour
as she battles cancer.
(11509
A Street-Avoca, NE 68307)
Nickey
Johnson: Prayers for her parents, especially her Mom.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Thoughts & Prayers for our
shut
ins:
Lottie
Johnson: continual prayers.
(1750 S. 20th Street-Lincoln, NE 68502)
Mildred
Moritz: continual prayers.
(1300 Avenue D-Plattsmouth, NE 68048)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
*Remember
the members of our Armed Forces, who are serving overseas and stateside. *Philmore Williams
*******************************
Continued
Prayers of comfort for:
The
Family of Charlotte Mars
MEMBERSHIP CLASSES
If you are
interested in attending a Membership Class - Pastor Jeff McDonald will be glad
to talk to you! Please call (402)
682-1439
********************************************************************************
Join
the Women’s Circle every month, on
the second Wednesday, at the
church at 7pm!
This Month: February 11th
********************************************************************************
FOOD PANTRY for February
Join
the “Sack Attack!”
Help
take a bite out of the need to help the hungry of Cass County!!
Remember
to fill your sack with food and return it to church
as soon
as you are able!!
If you
do not have a sack, they are available at church ~
the
suggested items list is in each sack.
*********************************************
Praise Worship Night!!
Please come and join your family and friends
for contemporary worship fellowship and music ~
Sunday, February 15th at 6:30 pm
****************************************************
*Denise Ayers is always looking for Liturgists. If you are interested, please let her
know. If she asks you – please
participate and know that your service to the church is appreciated. A special Thank You to all who have done so
in the past.
********************************************************************************************
******Volunteer Opportunity******
Facilitator for Adult Bible Study - Potential for learning, unmatched!
You will be studying with excellent people and have the opportunity for amazing
insights. Job available 1/4/09.
**********************************************************
Winter address for Marci and Rich Wordekemper
Butterfield RV Resort
251 South Ocotillo Ave. #88
Benson, AZ 85602
***********************************************
~~New Church Directory~~
We are getting ready to update our church directory!!
A list will be placed on the table at the back of the church for
you to
verify your address and phone number next week (2/8) ~
Those who are not able to make it to church to do this will be
receiving a phone call.
************************************
Dare-to-Share
If your teenagers are interested in attending Dare-to-Share on
February 21st in Lincoln, please call the church office at 235-2754
or see Denise Ayers.
Anniversaries
Happy
Anniversary to:
Rich and Marci Wordekemper February 17th
Dean and Julie Nickels February 28th
Birthdays
Happy Birthday to:
Bonnie Block 2/3
Drew
Froistad 2/4
Terry
Buresh 2/11
Kimberly
Clawson 2/15
Mike
Simpson 2/17
Lois
Froistad 2/18
Lottie
Johnson 2/20
Samantha
Cook 2/21
Jonathan
Lombardi 2/27
Lindsey
Eldred 2/28
Krista
McDonald 2/28
If
you know of anyone who would enjoy reading
our
newsletter, please call or write the church
and
let us know their e-mail or “snail mail” address.
Church
phone number: 235-2754. Church address:
P. O. Box 196 – Murray, NE 68409
Where we’ve been in the Bible: Study Guide
(Paul’s Letters)
2 Corinthians (written about AD. 56)
-Corinth, Greece—major ancient commercial
center. Corinth has been referred to as
the Las Vegas of the ancient world.
-Paul defends his ministry against false
teachers—Judaizers.
-In 2 Corinthians Paul focuses on the centrality of
the cross.
-Paul encourages the Corinthian Christians to be
generous.
-Paul trusts in God for strength when he is weak
and things are difficult.
Philippians (written about A.D. 61)
-Philippi, Macedonia (Northern, Greece). Military retirement community.
-Very generous in their giving.
-Paul calls the Philippians to imitate Christ’s
humility.
-He also instructs them to not put confidence in
ritual, but rather in Jesus Christ.
-The quarrel between Eudia and Syntyche. Paul pleads with them to agree with each
other in the Lord.
-Paul tells the church at Philippi to put into
practice whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and
praiseworthy.
Colossians (written about A.D. 61)
-Colosse—located in what is today southwestern
Turkey.
-Small town.
Various cults have an extremely strong presence in the community.
-Paul stresses that Christ is the Supreme creator
and ruler of the universe.
-He teaches that Jesus is not just a way to
God—Jesus is God.
-True fullness is to be found in Jesus Christ and
not human traditions—festivals, religious diets, etc.
-Paul urges the Christians in Colosse to pray
constantly and share their faith.
Philemon (written about A.D. 61)
-Paul wrote this letter to a wealthy man in Colosse
named Philemon.
-Paul writes a very warm and appreciative letter to
Philemon asking him to welcome back a slave named Onesimus.
-Onesimus had apparently stole money from Philemon
and then ran away.
-Onesimus had a life changing
conversion to God and somehow became friends with Paul in Rome. Now Paul wants Philemon to welcome back
Onesimus as a brother in Christ.
1 Thessalonians (written about A.D. 50)
-Thessalonica, Macedonia (Northern Greece).
-Thessalonica was a large commercial center and a
major seaport.
-Earlier Paul had started a riot there when he
visited the town and preached the “Good News.”
(Acts 17)
-Paul gives thanks for the Thessalonian Christian’s
faith, defends his own ministry there, and rejoices that the Thessalonian
Christians have accepted the word of God as it truly is the word of God (ch. 1
& 2). These believers are doing a
great job of sharing the faith.
-Thessalonian Christians are being persecuted by
unbelievers and tempted by Satan, but their faith is remaining strong (ch. 3).
-Paul gives instructions in Christian living—live a
quite life, work, earn respect from outsiders by how you live (ch. 4). Avoid immorality and love each other
-Paul explains what will happen to believers—both
the living and the dead—at the time of the second coming of Jesus (ch. 5). Encourage one another and build each other
up.
Submitting Information ForThe Bulletin Or Newsletter
If you
have information that needs to be put in the Congregational Life or Newsletter,
please send an email to the church address, which is murraypresbyterian@windstream.net