Murray
Presbyterian Messenger
March 2009
Dear Church Family,
Last month I wrote about the
need for Christians to live out their faith daily. Refusing to compartmentalize our faith
wherever we go is vitally important for the church’s witness in the world and
in our community. Many of us have
opportunities to share our faith with others.
Yet sometimes we don’t know quite what to say. We understand the gospel message of salvation
through faith in Jesus Christ, but we’re not sure exactly how to share this
good news with our friends, co-workers, and family members.
Let me make a few practical
suggestions that may help us as we seek to be God’s disciples in the workplace,
in our homes, and wherever we find ourselves.
First we need to listen to people and understand were they are coming
from. Making friends with people is
critical and will give us the opportunity to share our own faith journey with
them. Be sure to explain exactly what it
was that helped you come to faith. It is
also helpful if you can tell them about the difference that God has made
in your life after coming to faith. If
the person isn’t ready to trust in Christ don’t force them. Be sure to keep loving them and sharing and
praying.
At a recent conference I
attended there was a discussion about how to share the gospel. In order to help people explain the gospel
message the leaders of the event developed an acronym for the
word “gospel”:
God created us to be with
Him.
Our sin separates us from
God.
Sins cannot be removed by
good deeds.
Paying the price for sin
Jesus died and rose again.
Everyone who trusts in Him
alone has eternal life.
Life that’s eternal means we
will be with Jesus forever.
I hope you find this acronym helpful as you talk with
people and share you faith. This is a clear and concise way of explaining the
gospel message. 1 Peter 3:15 reads
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who
asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and
respect…” As Christians we are a people
of hope. We have hope because of what
Christ has done for us.
As you live your Christian
faith in the world may you find creative ways to share your faith journey,
remember the GOSPEL, and be prepared to give an answer to the hope you have in
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In His Love,
Jeff
Peggy Etherington:
Prayers for Peggy and her family as they mourn Gary’s passing. (2518 Overlook Cir. Beaver Lake, NE 68048)
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
# 118-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
The
Family of Peggy Etherington
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: March 11th
********************************************************************************
To My Murray
Presbyterian Church Family:
Thank you so much
for your prayers and support during Paul’s illness and passing –
Your many kindnesses meant more than you know.
God bless you
- Charlotte Mars
******************************************************************************
Apportionment
Please prayerfully
consider assisting the church with apportionment this year ($26.94) Thank you.
***************************************************************
FOOD PANTRY for March
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, March ??? 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.
********************************************************************************************
Winter address for Marci and Rich Wordekemper
Butterfield RV Resort
251 South Ocotillo Ave. #88
Benson, AZ 85602
***********************************************
~~New Church Directory~~
We are updating our church directory!!
A list of addresses has been placed on the table at the back
of the
church for you to
verify your address and phone number.
Those who are not able to make it to church to do this will be
receiving a phone call or e-mail.
************************************
Spaghetti Feed & Silent Auction
Sunday, March 8th
Please
come to a “free-will donation” Spaghetti feed & silent auction following
the church service!!! Many nice items
have been donated for the auction! All
proceeds will go to the manse kitchen remodel.
************************************************************************************
Please come and
join
“The Group”
for a taco dinner and fellowship on
Sunday, March 15th at 5:30pm
Kirk and Lois Froistad’s home:
1102 Belgrade Court
Beaver Lake (235-3467)
Please take a side dish, dessert, or drinks to share.
Childcare will be provided at the church. [$5/child will cover
dinner and
babysitter for the kids – no more than
$15/family]
************************************************************************************
Anniversaries
Happy
Anniversary to:
Dave and Jenny Cook March 5th
Jim and Nickey Johnson March 24th
Tim and Karen Savage March 25th
Dave and Patty Clawson March 29th
Jeff and Krista McDonald March 29th
Birthdays
Happy Birthday to:
Lois
Meeske 3/1
Bruce Weisz 3/1
Bruce
Heylmun 3/5
Jerry
Heylmun 3/5
Larry
Swedlund 3/6
Drew
Swedlund 3/8
Jill
Worthan 3/9
Donna
Tritsch 3/10
Marci
Wordekemper 3/11
Madison
Vershchoor 3/12
Dixie
Craft 3/12
Savannah
Miner 3/15
Joyce
McCaulla 3/16
Karen
Gregerson 3/25
Gracie
Kliegl 3/27
Cindy
Loftin 3/30
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
