Murray Presbyterian Church

Murray Presbyterian Messenger

June 2008

A Message from Pastor Jeff……….

Dear Church Family,

Have you ever felt like you have been a failure at something? Are you going through some difficult circumstances and feel depressed because of poor choices? I think it is safe to assume that many of us have had these feelings. Perhaps you have those feelings right now. As followers of Christ we sometimes think that God is doing his best work in us when we are on a spiritual high. When our life is going well that’s when God is closest to us—we think. Yet I want to suggest to you that God does some of his best work in our lives when we are in the ‘cave of failure.’

Pastor John Ortberg has written that when we experience failure we tend to ask ourselves whether or not God has lost track of us. We ask ourselves did he forget his promises? Does he remember where I am? Ortberg notes,

The cave [of failure] is where God does some of his best work in molding and shaping our lives. Sometimes, when all the props and crutches in your life get stripped away and you find you only have God, you discover that God is enough. Sometimes, when your worst fears of inadequacy are confirmed and you discover that you really are out of your league, you experience the liberation of realizing that it is okay to be inadequate and that God wants his power to flow through your weakness.[1]

When dealing with failure the first thing we need to do is to honestly deal with and recognize our discouragement. Also, we need to take our complaints about our problems to God. The most popular type of psalms in the book of Psalms are laments—psalms of complaining. And this doesn’t bother God at all and he even encourages it. God doesn’t want you to hold to your discouragements and dwell on them!

One of the most important things to remember is that our God is not a God of discouragement. We may experience pain, suffering, and conviction over sin, setbacks, or bad situations. But we always need to remember that God doesn’t bring discouragement. He is the one whose help and guidance leads to motivation and true life.

The most important way of dealing with failure is to take action. Whatever situation you maybe in take the steps necessary to deal with past failure and while you do it trust in God. Also, try to learn from your failures and be willing to fail. And in those times when you feel like there is no way out of the failure remember that you can find refuge in God. It is these circumstances that he can do some of his best work in your life.

In Christ,

Jeff McDonald

Prayer Concerns

Karen Waters: Prayers for continued strength.

(909 Beaver Lake Blvd. – Plattsmouth, NE 68048)

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

Cindy Rueth: (Julie Nickels cousin) Prayers for healing & strength.

Kris Johnson: (Joyce’s daughter) Prayers for strength & healing.

(5901 Doe Circle-Lincoln, NE 68516)

Shawn Kliegl: Prayers for continued strength.

(917 Oak Court – Plattsmouth NE 68048)

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

(9923 12^th Street – Murray NE 68409

Rich Wordekemper: Prayer for continued recovery & strength.

(8411 Auburn Court-Plattsmouth NE 68048)

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)

Additional Prayer Concerns:

The Parents of Steve Burg.

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.

Diann Gochenour: Prayers for her grandsons, Tyler & Hunter Gochenour.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thoughts & Prayers for our

Shut ins:

Lottie Johnson: continual prayers.

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

Mildred Moritz: Prayers for adjustment.

(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

Continued Prayers of Comfort for:

The Family of Charles Spangler

The Family of Ivan Craft

The Family of Haley Eldred

The Family of Barbara Wohlfarth

The Family of Rick Riekemann

The Family of Char Gochenour

To Dennis Gochenour and Family as Charlene Gochenour went home to be with the Lord on May 24^th.

To the Family of Estelle “Stella” Smith who also went home to the Lord in May.

We extend our sympathy to Dixie Craft and her family. Ivan’s father, Forest Craft, passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2008 in Fairbury, NE. He was 92.

If you are interested in attending Membership Class - Pastor Jeff McDonald will be glad to talk to you!

FOOD PANTRY for June

GOD’s BIG BACK YARD

Is a wonderful and exciting theme that starts in your own backyard and gets bigger each day as kids take the love of Jesus into their neighborhoods and communities. In God’s Big Backyard each day the kids will learn how rewarding it can be to serve family, serve friends, serve neighbors & serve community.

There will be recycle bins available for the week – which is June 9 to 13 – 2008. The items we can recycle are:

Note: If you have “Greeting Cards” to recycle they will be used at the Christian Church for a craft project.

We are looking for volunteers to help decorate for VBS the week of June 2^nd to June 6^th in the evenings from 6-8:30 pm. Please let Lori or Sherrill know if you can help.

VBS Friday night bash at Murray Christian Church on June 13^th at 6:30 pm. There will be a backyard picnic with songs, square dancing, backyard games and a bounce house!

Becoming a Contagious Christian

This is an exciting six-session study that the adult Sunday School completed and Pastor Jeff and Marci Wordekemper are setting up another time so that more people can participate in these wonderful lessons. There are inserts on the back table @ church – If you have any questions please see Pastor Jeff or Marci! Thanks! J

Denise Ayers is 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 done so in the past.

If you have an interest in sending your child to Camp Calvin Crest this year – we have the information in the office and there are scholarships available.

Is out for the summer and will resume after Labor Day in September. Thank you to the “faithful” children and their parents who attended on a regular basis.

The Dundee Church have purchased new choir robes and have donated their old ones to a worthy cause - US!

So, when the choir once again starts making a “joyful noise” to the Lord they will do so in beautiful new choir robes!

Helen Worthan picked up 20 of the “newest” ones – including a director’s robe – and they are ready for the choir members to take them for a sing!

The Nehawka Methodist Church Women’s “Guest Day” is Friday, June 20^th at the Nehawka Community Center starting @ noon.

Our church “ladies” are all invited for the Program, lunch and fellowship.

immediately after worship. Please see the sign up sheet in the back of the church. If you cannot attend and wish to donate, they need cleaning supplies and numerous other items. See Pastor Jeff with any questions.

See Pastor Jeff or Denise Ayers for more details. PYF members and friends of all ages are invited to attend.

Baby Kits & Clean Up Buckets

All items should be new. Wrap Items inside one of the receiving blankets & secure with both diaper pins. (Approximate Value: $39.00)

15. One 6-14 oz bottle of insect repellent (drops or lotion – not aerosol)

Please purchase all liquids in plastic bottles. Send only new, unopened materials. Put all items in plastic bucket – packing securely to avoid damage during shipment, and seal lid with packing tape.

If you are unable to do the shopping and would like to contribute money towards these kits, please let me know as I would be happy to purchase the items and put the kits together. The information I received did not state where these kits were needed but in light of the devastation in China & Burma recently, it would be nice to help with something.

If you have information that needs to be put in the Bulletin or Newsletter, please contact Karen Savage by calling her at 402-227-2031 or emailing her at tksavage@alltel.net. You can also leave a note in her mailbox in the storage room, which is tag less at the moment, or send an email to the church address, which is murraypresbyterian@windstream.net, Thank you!