ENews - February 16, 2012
Dear FPC family and friends,
And now there is Jeremy Lin. It is somewhat sad that most of my metaphors and examples in these enews emanate from the sports world. But have you heard about this guy? He graduated from Harvard, wasn’t drafted into the NBA but tried out anyway, made a team, got cut from a team, and then joined the best basketball franchise on the face of this planet, the New York Knickerbockers. So what? Well, he started his last 7 games and he scored more points as a first time starter than anyone else has in the last 40 years, the Knicks are undefeated in these games, he is the only player in the pros from Chinese/Taiwanese descent, and, most importantly, as CNN stated: “On top of his athletic and academic abilities, Lin is also drawing fans for his public devotion to Christianity who are thinking about the role model he’ll be for their children. Lin has said he was raised in the church and became a Christian in high school. After beating the Lakers on Friday, he said, “I just give all the praise to God.” He also said in an interview in 2010 that he wants to be a pastor post-NBA.” Not a bad goal.
Tebow, Lin, who else is going to be coming down the road that will turn the sporting world, which is arguably the most powerful demographic group in this country, to the eyes of our Savior? The intersection of culture and faith is such a tricky proposition that we here at First Presbyterian Church have decided that we have to plunge right in and see where it leads us.
Two years ago we made that decision and hired on a contractual basis Connor Patterson to help us explore how we could do “contemporary” worship in such a way that it would draw those from within our culture who in the past would never have stepped foot into First Presbyterian. >From periodic one time excursions into both of our services, to complete worship services monthly during the summer, to the final transition of weekly services at our 10:45 slot he has led us to a place where I don’t believe any of us thought we could have reached.
Now, we haven’t arrived just yet, but it goes without saying, or maybe we should say it, that this could not have been done without his persistence, his patience (yes, I did say patience), his devotion and dedication to his Savior, and his unbound enthusiasm and visions. Let’s be honest and realize that he didn’t always have all of our support, mine included. Some would chalk that off as youthful exuberance and others would just say that all artists are the same, they live in their own world (some say preachers do as well). My take is that for such a time as this God provided us with Connor to take us where we needed to go. Please celebrate his impact upon the church as we honor him on March 4 during our regular coffee hour time.
As Ecclesiastes tells us to every time there is a season. This past season was prepared for us by Connor to tear down some walls that were present, and recognize that there are still others that need to be torn down. But the season which we now face is one which is equally God induced and blessed. It is a season where once the service is established we are to lead the community and the congregation forward in reaching even more for Jesus Christ.
Karen Blanchard comes to us with an incredible body of experience doing just that. The enthusiasm and energy which we have felt recently in this church is a result of each one of you being excited for what God has in store for FPC. We now feel that it is time to turn potential into reality and move forward with determination and conviction with Karen on board. We look forward to her first Sunday on March 11th where you will be able to meet her and welcome her to the First Presbyterian family.
But, having said all that, the church needs to continue to seek out direction and guidance and not just assume that we are following the path that He has laid out for us without listening to Him. This Saturday we will be following through on our called day of prayer of fasting. It will be a day of listening to God’s stirrings within our hearts as we move together into the future. This moving together is not limited to our physical plant, but also to our spiritual health. Without our eyes set upon our Savior our decisions will result in much less than what we want or expect. If we seek our Lord then I am convinced that we will be surprised by what God can do for us if we would only let Him.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Bob
FEBRUARY 18: A DAY CALLED FOR PRAYER AND FASTING –
Who fasted? Here are some people in Scripture who fasted. I encourage you to read these Scriptures and ask yourself the question: If they did it, why don’t I? Moses (Deuteronomy 9:9), David and Elijah (I Kings 19:8), Esther (4:16), Daniel (the whole book basically), Anna (Luke 2:37), Paul (Acts 9:9) and of course Jesus (Matthew 4). All the great reformers fasted: Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Knox, Edwards…
What is the purpose of fasting? With the weakening of our flesh our desire for God strengthens. It prepares us for prayer. It becomes a testimony to ourselves of our humility before God. All fasting must be accompanied by prayer. We fast for a specific purpose. We must fast with a single specific purpose in mind that we want God to accomplish. Look at Esther 4:15-17 and you can see the reason for why she fasts, so that the King would receive her. Look at Jonah 3 and you can see that the entire population of Nineveh fasted (even the animals!) in order to “change God’s mind” on destroying their population. God heard their prayers and did not destroy them. Their prayers were answered and fasting was a crucial element of that. This would be a great point for kids if you are helping them understand this concept of fasting. It is not missing a meal or two, it is to stay focused and prayerful as we seek God’s face and beseech our creator for a common purpose.
How do we fast? Saturday, February 18 eat your lunch at a normal hour, but do not have a huge lunch. Go ahead and eat that meal, mindful that it will be your last until lunch on the next day, Sunday. That evening you can have some water, but don’t have any snacks or dinner. In the morning you can have some water (no coffee!!), don’t eat anything that morning. Make sure you drink plenty of water, but come to church without having any meal or food except for your Saturday lunch. With session approval we will celebrate communion together on that Sunday to break our fast.
At every moment that you would have normally eaten, dinner on Saturday night, breakfast on Sunday, take time to go to God in prayer. Below I will tell you the purpose of this fast and what to pray about and how to pray. If you have children make sure you include them in this. I guarantee you that they can do it and they will absolutely remember it as a time in their life that mom and dad fasted for their church. What a great witness.
Caution: For any of you on medication if you have to eat then you are not to take part in this fast. Please pray for First Presbyterian during your meal times in a much more deliberate and purposeful way, but don’t put your health in jeopardy for this time of fasting.
What is our purpose for fasting? The purpose of this fast is for us as a congregation to be of one heart, mind, and soul (Acts 2:43-47) as we decide on whether or not to purchase the property on Funk Street. It is such an important decision that unity and harmony of our family is essential to discerning the will of God. While you pray lift up the session members, pray that the discussion during the congregational meeting will be fruitful and helpful to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ through FPC, pray that God will honor our fasting and will accomplish all of His purposes through this time. Pray for unity in our congregation. Pray that the future of this church would more and more reflect God’s desires and heart. Pray that those people who are searching for a church home would see FPC as a welcoming and loving place to worship. Pray for that property, for wisdom on how it could best be used. Pray for the trustees as they continue to carry out their responsibilities with the properties of the church. Pray especially for those who will be directly affected by the church decision which includes the neighbors in that area (of which I am one).
The key to fasting: Fasting must be wedded with prayer. Fasting by itself is useless, doesn’t serve a purpose, unless it is accompanied with prayer, purposeful and directed prayer.
FPC NEWS:
Gathering of all the boards took place on February 15: Last night we had over 50 people gathered to worship God, eat desert and then break off for their respective meetings for elders, deacons, and trustees. Thanks to Ron McVey for being the catalyst for this gathering, for all the outgoing officers for their scrumptious deserts which they made, and for the officers for being willing to try something old again.
Video system being installed next week: Beginning on Monday of next week we will be installing a projector behind the main speaker, a screen above the choir loft, and a computer to drive it all back by the soundboard. Thanks to the ad-hoc committee for working so diligently to make it happen.
Congregational Meeting to take place after worship on the 19th of February: After our prayer and fasting we will be taking communion at both services to prepare ourselves for the congregational meeting that will take place this coming Sunday. Please make it a point to be present for that meeting. The agenda will be the decision to buy or not to buy the property at 6 Funk street.
Devotional: Thank you to all who signed up and have submitted a devotion. Today will be the last day that we will be receiving them. The booklet will be printed tomorrow and given out on Sunday in time for Ash Wednesday. Thanks again for being willing to be a part of this.
Interested in joining First Presbyterian?: Beginning on March 4 at 4pm we will be having a new member’s class. All who are wondering if this could be your new church home are welcome to attend, even if you are still wondering and not sure.
New Wednesday evening study for seekers and all who want to learn about the basics of our faith: You can find the details at this site – http://www.straspres.org/future-events#Faith 101. Just click on it and it will lead you to the site. You can then also look around FPC on this site.
Upcoming Lenten services:
LENTENT SERVICES held at First Presbyterian:
February 22: Ash Wednesday
12 noon sponsored by St. Michael’s Lutheran Church
7pm: Ash Wednesday service
February 29: 12 noon sponsored by First Presbyterian
March 7: 12 noon sponsored by High View Church of Christ
March 14: 12 noon sponsored by Strasburg Assembly of God
March 21: 12 noon sponsored by Strasburg Mennonite Church
March 28: 12 noon sponsored by Wesley United Methodist Church
April 5: Maundy Thursday
7pm: Maundy Thursday service with communion
April 6: Good Friday
7pm: Community wide Good Friday service held at First Presbyterian
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY MINISTRY: If you are someone who struggles month to month and are never sure why you are in financial difficulties, this class is for you. If you are someone who would appreciate some insight and guidance on financial matters, whether you are in a crisis or not, this class is for you. If you are someone who wants to know what the Bible has to say about how we deal with our personal finances, this class is for you. It begins February 19 from 3-5pm and childcare will be provided. Contact Karen Cooper in the church office if you are interested by sending an email to kcooper@straspres.org.
