Murray Presbyterian Messenger

May 2008

 

A Message from Pastor Jeff……….

 

Dear Church Family,

  

What does it mean to be a Presbyterian Christian?  Where did we come from?  Our church comes out of the Calvinist wing of the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation.  A French lawyer named John Calvin was opposed to the Roman Catholic theology of the day and to the Catholic hierarchy.  He denounced the Catholic Church’s teaching of salvation through good works.  For the Calvinists salvation was not something that was earned, but rather they believed it was a free gift from God for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. 

The word “Presbyterian” refers to Calvinists from the British Isles.  The Calvinist faith became the official Church of Scotland in the sixteenth century.  Murray Presbyterian Church has its origins in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.  Presbyterian tradition has always regarded theology as extremely important to the life of the church.  What we believe and teach is important!  So what are the basic beliefs of Presbyterian Christians? 

We worship the living God of the Bible-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  God is most fully revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  We believe that the Bible is historically trustworthy, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the church’s first and final authority in all areas of faith and life.  

Presbyterians also stress the sinfulness of humanity and thus our need for a relationship with Christ.  There is a radical brokenness and corruption in human nature that is the result of sin.  We believe that Jesus’ death on the cross was the atoning sacrifice for sin.  Jesus came to earth to pay the penalty for our sins.  We also believe that God is in control of the world—He is sovereign. 

Another distinctive belief of Presbyterians is that we stress that our faith should be integrated into our daily lives.  Presbyterians are to try and think Christianly about all of life’s topics.  Our faith should NOT be separated from our work, our family life, or from any area of our life.  Whatever our occupation is we are supposed to think of it as a ministry. 

As we move forward as Presbyterian Christians seeking to make a difference in the world we need to be calling and equipping people to be devoted followers of Jesus Christ.  Let us seek to be united and growing in worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism.  We must also be committed to sharing the Good News through missions locally, nationally, and throughout the world.  Our Presbyterian ancestors handed on the faith to us and now we need to hand it on to others. 

    

                                                                                                   In Christ,   

 

                                                                                                   Jeff McDonald

                                                                     

                       

 

 Prayer Concerns

 

Charlene Gochenour:  Prayers for strength.

(414 N. Elm Street – Weeping Water, NE  68463)

 

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)

 

Julie Nickels: Prayers for continued strength.

 5312 12^th Avenue – Murray, NE  68409

 

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)

 

Mike Simpson:  Prayers for strength.

(10507 24^th Street-Murray, NE  68409)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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