Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
The New York Giants took home the "Lombardi Trophy" after winning the Super Bowl. It is a coveted trophy named after Vince Lombardi, who coached the Green Bay Packers years ago. Coach Lombardi is a sort of a legend in my home state of Wisconsin.
Lombardi loved the game of football. Even before he made a name for himself in football, he was offered lucrative jobs in firms not connected with the game, but he chose to stay with football.
He had a way of working with players! He sought the best from his players, calling for personal
discipline, stressing the need of practice, practice, practice.
He was a great coach, but above all he was a man of God. A Roman Catholic, he attended church daily. He had his priorities right! God was number one; obedience to God meant everything to him. He preached to his players, God, family and the Green Bay Packers in that order.
When we think of the game of football, we can find many similarities to life. Some teams are
content to rest on past performances, satisfied with the status quo. Some teams allow set backs to break their spirit soon arguing with team mates and criticizing the play of others. Some players expect more reward, more praise.
Football carries with it parallels to life. Life is such that we shall always make "wrong plays". When Lombardi reviewed "wrong plays" with his team, he worked hard to correct them, and to
encourage his players to move ahead, facing new challenges without the baggage of past mistakes.
God does not stop loving us every time we do something wrong. Neither should we stop loving ourselves and each other for being less than perfect.
Best Wishes, Cheers,
Richard
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Our Journey Through Lent
Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council
Monday, February 20, 2012
2012.02.20 Monday Morning Message
Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
If you are in our area on a Sunday morning, come and worship with us. If you are nowhere near Vinita, please say a prayer for us at 10:00 a.m., when our Sunday service begins.
If you are in our area on a Sunday morning, come and worship with us. If you are nowhere near Vinita, please say a prayer for us at 10:00 a.m., when our Sunday service begins.
One of Bernard Shaw's characters said, "It's easy to be respectable with nobody offering you a chance to be anything else."
Temptations visit all of us, and are the conflicting urges and drives that compel us to make choices between ideals and inclinations. The Devil is a symbol of our human tendency toward evil, and while I do not believe in the existence of a personal devil, I do believe all of us live in a state of tension between impulses for good and impulses for evil. God has endowed us with freedom of will. Therefore, we must make choices!
I suspect our culture and environment have as much to do with the way we handle temptation as does our character and temperament. For me, this means I must take care when I feel moved to be censorious about others. Not having experienced their temptations, I need to be more understanding of them as they struggle with their moral and ethical temptations.
With blessings and friendship,
Richard
A PEARL OF VALUE
"THE SIN OF THE WORLD EXISTS NOT BECAUSE OF A FEW PEOPLE ARE SPECTACULARLY SINFUL, BUT BECAUSE MOST OF US ARE AS GOOD AS WE ARE AND NO BETTER."
WILLIAM TEMPLE, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
DR. JEFF FRANCIS WILL FILL THE PULPIT SUNDAY, FEB. 28. SARAH BRUCE IS WORSHIP ASST. JOYCE DISHMAN, ORGANIST
Monday, February 13, 2012
2012.02.13 Monday Morning Message
Greetings from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.
I hope the messages are a welcome start to the new week. Several email friends have asked for prayers. Be assured that any and all communication, including prayer requests, will get a personal reply.
I hope the messages are a welcome start to the new week. Several email friends have asked for prayers. Be assured that any and all communication, including prayer requests, will get a personal reply.
With blessings and all good wishes,
Richard Evans
One of the convicted co-conspirators in the Watergate scandal made this remarkable confession:
"I have lived 50 years of my life without ever coming to grips with the very basic questions of what is and what is not important to me; What is and what is not right and wrong; What is and what is not valuable and worthwhile."
We might ask ourselves in pursuit of taking a good, hard look at ourselves some useful questions.
Have I grown more caring or more callous?
Have I become more forgiving or more vengeful?
Have I become more tolerant or more critical?
Have I become more generous or more self-centered?
Have I tried to become better or only better off?
Have I change for the better or for the worse?
Have I grown as a person or have I become smaller?
TAKE A GOOD, HARD LOOK AT YOURSELF!
A NOTE FOR THE LOCALS:
St. John's Episcopal has invited Pilgrim Presbyterian to a salad luncheon following morning worship Sunday, February 19. Their church is over about 11:30 and we have Session and Deacons meetings at 11:00 so it should work out great. Please let the church know if you plan to attend. It is a privilege to have them prepare a luncheon for us so please try to participate.
Call the church office and leave a message 918-256-2258 or email pilgrimpresby@sbcglobal.net.
THEY DO NEED AN APPROXIMATE COUNT.
SESSION AND DEACONS MEET FOLLOWING MORNING WORSHIP SUNDAY, FEB. 19
THE REV. RAY HICKMAN WILL CONDUCT MORNING WORSHIP AND MODERATE SESSION
Sunday, February 5, 2012
2012.02.06 Monday Morning Message
Greetings and best wishes from all of us at Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, Vinita, Oklahoma.
It may be a sign of old age, but I know that life's arithmetic means that for every new year we celebrate, we can subtract a year from our life.
That sounds pessimistic, but what I mean to say is don't wait too long to do what you want to do.
In too many simple things we wait too long to do them.
- Don't wait too long to show kindness.
- Don't wait too long to speak or write a word of encouragement.
- Don't wait too long to express your love and thanks to elderly relatives.
- Don't wait too long to love and enjoy your children and grandchildren.
- Don't wait too long to read the books and listen to the music that enlarges your mind.
- And of course, don't wait too long to practice a daily quiet time when you strengthen your inner spirits.
Life goes by quickly. Don't wait too long to do the things you want to do!
With blessings and in friendship,
Richard
"The PAST is where youlearned the lessonThe FUTURE is where youapply the lesson.Don't give up the Middle!"
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS February 2012
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
Voice of the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church
Vinita, Oklahoma February, 2012
A Pastoral Letter
Dear friends,
Greetings and best wishes from all of us at Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, Vinita, Oklahoma. We are a congregation with a big heart overflowing with loving care and concern. I know this to be true from personal experience. Because of poor health, I have had to resign as part time pastor. Friends in the congregation have overwhelmed me with their kindness.
So...this is "Thanksgiving time for me"...KUDOS to Jewell Morgan, church secretary at Pilgrim Church, and Brian Dishman, editor of the Pilgrim Church Blog. They have kept our "on site, on line" ministry on track.
...Thanks to each of you who have sent cards and notes. Each one has buoyed my spirit.
...Thanks for the food, for the thoughts and prayers, which have helped me regain strength.
...The attractive, unique album you have given me is filled with beautiful words from cover to cover. Sentiments in the album are humbling, especially those I know to be a little exaggeration.
And, I am thankful to friends in Grace Presbyterian Church, Grove, where I served for six years as a part-time minister, and to members of John Knox Church, Tulsa, where I was pastor for more than ten years, for comfort and concern.
I shall always cherish the friendship of each of you.
With blessings and affectionate regard,
Richard
With thanks we acknowledge the following for their gifts of poinsettias during this Advent-Christmas:
Jim Shelton - In memory of Bill Shelton and sisters Jill and Jody.
Jeanne Cowley - in memory of Don Cowley and Kent Cowley
Irene Conine - in honor of children and grandchildren
Toni Moore - in memory of Francis & Mildred Goodpaster and Charles Moore and in honor of children.
Fred & Janie York - in memory of Nena York, Margaret & Bill York and in honor of AnnaBelle Mitchell and John & Louise Gullett.
Jewelll Morgan - in memory of James & Ruth Humble, Jeane Humble Martin and Bill Morgan.
Sue Ratcliff in memory of Hugh & Ruth Ratcliff, Bobby Ratc liff, Howard & Florence Nichols.
Sarah Bruce - in memory of Claude & Ella Ruth Sledd and James Kennedy Kerr.
Victoria Vazquez - in memory of Bob Mitchell, Clay Mitchell and Nena Mitchell York and in honor of AnnaBelle Mitchell.
Pilgrim Church - in memory of Helen Evans
ON THE PRAYER LIST
Please remember the following individuals in your daily prayers:
Richard Evans – Our minister
Dilys Evans – Richard's daughter
Mary Draper – Church member
AnnaBelle Mitchell – Church member
John and Louise Gullett – Janie's parents
Patricia Hemphill – Friend of the Church
Dave Hennigan – Friend of the Noggles
Joan Dirmyer – Relative of the Noggles
Dee Ann George – friend of the Rapps
Larry Skaggs – Friend of Todd Mariner
Carolyn Ratcliff Cook – Jim Ratcliff's sister
Men and women serving in the military forces, and their families
AnnaBelle Mitchell was moved to skilled nursing after surgery.
Her new address is Parks Edge Nursing & Rehab, 515 E. 51st St., Room 101F, Tulsa, OK 74135.
She has a phone in her room. 918-610-3850. She loves receiving mail.
As a congregation, we have been praying for the family of Brett Forbes for the past year.
Brett is married to the former Kristi Davis. They have two children Tanner and Kenzi. Brett is with the 1st Cavalry and was stationed at Ford Hood. He just returned from his 3rd tour in Iraq. This is part of the email we received from Kristi.
---Thank you to everyone. All the prayers that everyone has been saying are what has gotten our family through the last two deployments. It is only by God’s grace that we have been made a stronger family through the distance of this deployment. We have gone through 2 deployments in the past 3 years and some people may think that is just the worst thing ever, but to us, it has been a gift that God has given to us. He has allowed us to grow as a family and to grow as individuals. But most importantly He has brought us closer to Him. Brett was originally supposed to return home after the New Year and then, due to the government agreement with Iraq, his unit was to be back before Dec. 31. Due to the job he holds, he was to be one of the last people out of Iraq, but he was surrounded by God’s angels throughout the entire deployment and one of them made sure he was back for Christmas. Brett returned home on Christmas Eve, which next to the birth of our Saviour, is probably the best gift that our family has ever been given, I will never be able to thank everyone who has kept us in their prayers throughout the past few years but please know that it really makes me feel loved.
Thank you and I wish you all the best.
Love,
Kristi (Davis) Forbes
*********************************
*MISSION STATEMENT*
To glorify God through worship, service, and prayer.
To know God's redeeming love and forgiveness
To nurture each other through fellowship and education
********************************
A PEARL OF VALUE
"Write it on your heart, everyday
is the best day of the year."
Emerson
**********************************
Pilgrim Management Board
Jim Shelton 2012
Sue Ratcliff 2013
Irene Conine 2014
Burroughs Manor Board
Joyce Dishman 2012
Fred York 2013
Sarah Bruce 2014
Burroughs Manor Trustees
Wally Olson 2012
Keith Cresap 2013
Kitty Brown 2014
*********************************
CHURCH OFFICERS
Session Members Deacons
(Class of ’12) (Class of ’12)
Joyce Dishman Jim Dishman
Wally Olson Dianne Rapp
Jim Shelton
(Class of '13) (Class of '13)
Keith Cresap Jeanne Cowley
Fred York Toni Moore
Sue Ratcliff Jan Clark-Haney
(Class of ’14) (Class of ’14)
Irene Conine Liz Logan
Kitty Brown Shirley Spaulding
Church email:
Church blog:
*******************
The Reverend Fran Callaway has been appointed Moderator of our Session by the Committee on Ministry of Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery.
Birthdays
This Month
11 - Olivia Given
16 - Toni Moore
17 - Linda Burger
22 - Lindsey (Olson) Wells
+++++++++++++++++++++
Richard seems to be doing better and has written the above pastoral letter and has sent Monday Morning Messages.
His address is Dr. Richard Evans,
5123 S. Hudson Place, Tulsa 74135.
Mary Draper’s address is:
St. Simeon’s, 3701 N. Cincinnati, Tulsa, 74106.
*************************************
Sunday, February 12 - “Bring your Favorite Side Dish” meal. Meat, dessert, bread and drinks are provided by the Deacons. Sunday is also Birthday Sunday.
Organ Recital
A dedicatory organ recital featuring Bill Flannery, adjunct professor or organ at NEO will be held at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 2:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. Mr. Flannery will be playing the new three-manual digital Allen organ recently installed at the Catholic Church. He comes to Vinita weekly to instruct five Vinita organists; Linda Burger, Joyce Dishman, Carole Castor, Dorene Logan and Kay Zapt. The public is cordially invited to this event.
Notes from the Session:
Session met on Sunday, Jan. 22nd with 8 Elders, Treasurer Terry Brown, and Moderator Judy Henderson. Terry reported the following Treasurer's report for December: Beginning Balance was $2,083.99, Total Receipts were $57,353.86, Expenditures were $3,340.32, and the Closing Balance was $56,097.53.
The Clerk reported the marriage of Paige Sutton to Caleb Joseph Archambo with Lindey Leforce presiding on January 7, 2012. Also, Elders Kitty Brown, Sarah Bruce, and Irene Conine were installed for 2nd terms on Session. Shirley Spauling was installed for a 2nd term as Deacon, and Liz Logan was ordained and installed as a Deacon. The lists of Lay Assistants and the Elders and Deacons who will be preparing Communion were distributed.
Irene reported for the Worship Committee that Session will plan to rotate ministers to fill the pulpit for the next few months. Joyce Dishman gave the year-end Mission report during the Congregational Meeting. Our church doubled the $2,780.00 budgeted for Missions.
Elders have been meeting with Jewell during January to update the Active and Inactive Rolls. Session hopes to have a new Directory ready for distribution in February.
Two new exercise classes are now meeting in the church basement: Tamala Swartzentruber's Aerobics and Zumba classes from 5 to 6:30 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and Debbie's Exercise classes on Tuesday and Thursday at the same time.
Reverend Judy Henderson announced a new Malawi Twinning project which will include Pilgrim Church with Msongwee congregation in Mzuzu South Africa.
Session elected the following officers: Sue Ratcliff, Clerk, Terry Brown, Treasurer, Kitty Brown, Trustee, Irene Conine, Pilgrim Management Board, and Sarah Bruce, Burroughs Manor Board. Sarah Bruce and Irene Conine will serve as Commissioners to Presbytery.
The Worship Assistant for February will be Sarah Bruce, and Communion will be prepared on Sunday, February 5th by Toni Moore. The next Session meeting will be held on Sunday, February 19th.
The Deacons met on Jan 22 with 7 Deacons present.
They planned the first dinner to be on Feb. 12. This is a “Bring Your Favorite Side Dish” Dinner. Meat and bread will be furnished. Two more meals are in the planning stage, One on April 1st (Palm Sunday) which will be a breakfast brunch. Then on July 1st a Pot Luck Meal.
Pam Noggle and Joyce Dishman will have the February Birthday Sunday and after church treats. Dianne Rapp and Shirley Spaulding will do the treats in March. If you don’t want to do a whole month, find a partner and share the month. The fellowship time is so important and enjoyed by all.
Bingo at Burroughs was discussed. The residents are really enjoying playing and seeing some new faces. Three to four Pilgrims are needed each month for this. Bingo is on the 3rd Sat of the month from 2 - 3 p.m. We also serve cookies following bingo and store bought cookies are fine. Anna Restucher was winner of of lap robe made by Pam Noggle.
Toni Moore, reporting
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