2012.06.11 Monday Morning Message

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma

I've got a question for you.  Have you ever heard the word "NONES"?  It is a new word for me describing people who say 'None' when asked their religious identity.  This group, (now 15% of Americans, up from 8% in 1990) opts out of traditional religious groups, according to a new American Religious Identification Survey.  (ARIS)

Are there any 'Nones' in your family?  There are in mine.

What is the reason for the rapid growth of the 'Nones'?  There are many reasons, I'm sure, but let me suggest a few.

First, most of us, and our families, have heard the Bible stories so often that there is a deadening influence of familiarity in them.  The cutting edge is gone.  Can this be changed?

Yes, it can be changed by new methods of presentation and communication. Too often churches are dying of dignity and some noble but ancient human crafted creeds and doctrines.

Second, new methods of presentation and communication are not ends in themselves.  They are means toward an awakened consciousness of what the Gospel means in the real, ever changing world.

For me, the test of the Gospel is the kind of life it produces.  I was asked by a "Nones' which were my favorite Bible texts and I replied 'that is too difficult to give a complete answer'  but these two are basic to my life and faith:

Micah 6:6-8 

Luke 10:25-28 and continuing through verse 37

Good reading.

With Blessings and in Friendship,

Richard

Announcements:

BINGO AT BURROUGHS MANOR - Saturday, June 1 - 2:00 - 3:00 - Volunteers are needed

Session and Deacons meet this Sunday, June 17

Jeff Francis will preach and moderate Session

FATHER'S DAY - JUNE 17

Craig Kilgour will be here the following Sunday, June 24

Regarding Richard:

Please keep Richard in your prayers as he has more tests to see if he can qualify for the new valve replacement procedure, then makes a decision to proceed with the surgery.  He says he is taking a step at a time and knows that God will lead him in the right decision.

2012.03.12 Monday Morning Message

Greetings and all good wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, Vinita, Oklahoma.

Christianity is profoundly inward, but at the same time outreaching and social.  It brings enlarged vision and it stirs deepest emotions, but it also moves the will to action.  It calls all aspects of a person into full function.

Jesus put a strong emphasis upon "wholeness of life".  "Do you desire to be made whole?"  is a basic question addressed not to one solitary person, but to everybody.  His gospel aims at nothing less than an integral wholeness of life, a harmony of the outer and inner self.

The kingdom of God, of which he persistently  speaks, begins as an attitude of the soul, as an inner experience of God.  "The kingdom of God" is within you.

We do not discover the full richness of the inner life until we take in terms of the love which he expects of us.  "You are to love", Jesus said, "even as I have loved you."  These words are demanding and at the same time they are words which reveal an immense faith in the inner possibilities of everybody.

Never neglect your fellowship with the unseen Lord of your life.  Always nurture and appreciate the richness and abundance of your inner life.

Hear the words of the prayer of St. Patrick, and make it your own prayer:

Christ within me, Christ beside me,

Christ before me, Christ to guide me,

Christ in my rising, Christ in my sleeping,

Christ in working, Christ in speaking.

Christ in the heart of all who love me,

Christ in the mouth of neighbors near me,

Christ in the eye of all who see me,

Christ in the ear of all who hear me.

With blessings that Christ bring to an expansion of joy!

Richard

Bingo at Burroughs Manor, Saturday, March 17 - 2:00 - 3:00

There will be a free screening of the Tar Creek documentary created and directed by Vinita native Matt Myers,

Monday, March 12 at Vinita High School cafeteria  sponsored by Vinnie Ream Cultural Center.

If you have not seen this movie, or would like to see it again this film shows what happened

in the Tar Creek area over the last century.

Tar Creek is located near Picher, Oklahoma.

2011 December PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

Voice of the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church

Vinita, Oklahoma

December, 2011

"A Letter from the Sidelines"

Dear friends,

It's December already and I hope you are making a meaningful personal journey through Advent to the Cradle of the Christ child.

There are many Bible passages to read during Advent, but I hope you won't miss these:

Isaiah 9:2-7; 40:1-11; 53:1-6

Luke, chapter 1, especially note verses 46-55, the Magnificat 

And, of course, on Christmas, Luke 2:7-14

Christmas is a strange season!  We cut an evergreen tree and bring it into our living room.  We hang stockings in a conspicuous spot in our home.  Strange behavior!  But, wasn't the first Christmas strange, too?

God nudged unsophisticated shepherds to look up to see a star, and then he nudged them to look down to see a child in a stable.

Who is this God who nudges us still?  God is the high and mighty one who inhabits eternity.  Lift up your head and behold the star!

Who is this God who nudges us still?  God is the one who is self-revealed in a stable.  Lift up your spirit this Advent season and look within to the one who dwells with you.  (John 1:1-14)

God nudges us to move from star to stable, from stable to star.  The mysterious other is God with us.  That is what makes this season of Christmas a strange, hallowed, gracious time.

In an age notorious for dashing hopes, lift up your head that the child who was born in a stable may yet be re-born in you.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

In friendship,

Richard

Church email:pilgrimpresby@sbcglobal.net

THE PRAYER LIST

Please remember the following individuals in your daily prayers: Richard Evans, Vera Tresler, Mary Draper, John and Louise Gullett , John Burckhalter – illness - Friend of the Church, Patricia Hemphill, Pat Robinson, Joan Dirmyer, Dee Ann George, Adele Davis, Larry Skaggs, family of Eleanor Lewis. Brett Forbes family – Serving in the military

Men and women serving in the military forces, and their families

We light the Peace Candle each Sunday and pray for all men and women currently serving in the military and their families, as well as for all who are suffering from war, persecution and terrorism.

*********************

Bill Dirmyer, brother of Pam Noggle passed away in New York.  Please keep the family in your prayers.

Church Birthdays

are celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of the Month – December 11 – same Sunday as holiday meal.

December 19 – Mary Draper

                  27 – Terry Brown

~~Notes from Session~~

The Session met November 20, 2011 and opened with prayer by Moderator Judy Henderson.   There was a quorum present including the following elders: Kitty Brown, Sarah Bruce, Keith Cresap, Joyce Dishman, Wally Olson, and Sue Ratcliff.   Excused were Irene Conine, Jim Shelton, and Fred York.  The October 9th and October 16th minutes were  approved by common consent.

Under the Treasurer’s Report for October 2011, the Beginning Balance was $5,135.19, Receipts were $2,684.55,  Expenditures were $4,634.21, and the Closing Balance was $3,185.53  The annual Stewardship letter will be mailed to members in November.  Session approved continuing the $1800.00 budgeted to send  annually to Presbytery.  The motion was made by Kitty Brown, there was a 2nd, and the motion carried.

After some discussion on the proposed 2012 Budget, Wally Olson moved to authorize the Treasurer to make the necessary changes to the Budget advised by Session, there was a 2nd, and the motion carried.  

The Clerk’s report included approval of the Annual Review of Session Minutes on October 31, 2011.  The Clerk also noted Session’s acceptance of Richard Evans’ resignation and that notification was sent to Presbytery.  There was no annual Necrology Report.   

Under the Trustees’ Report Keith Cresap reported that he has not received the abstract for the church manse so that final papers can be signed.   Keith also reported on an Allensworth property which was given to the church and will work with the Trustees to come up with a sale price. 

Irene reported for the Worship Committee that ministers and music are in place for the Holiday Season.  Joyce Dishman’s report on our annual Mission giving will be included in the January Session and Congregational meetings.

Sarah Bruce reported for the Sanctuary Guild that Christmas decorations are being planned along with poinsettias which members will be asked to contribute.

Under Old Business in order to update the Active and Inactive Rolls the Clerk is planning to meet with one or two Elders at a time during the month of January either on Sunday after church services or on Monday mornings to work on the rolls and plan a new Church Directory. 

Under New Business Session set the Congregational Meeting date for January 15, 2012.  Items to be included will be the Financial Report, Mission Giving Report, and the election of the 2012 Church Nominating Committee.  Session also set the date of January 15, 2012,  to hold the Ordination and Installation of Elders and Deacons.  Judy Hendersonhas offered to instruct and examine the Elders and Deacons if Presbytery has not appointed a Moderator for our church.

Under Other Business the following Elders will serve as Lay Assistants during December:  Sarah Bruce - December 4th, Kitty Brown - December 11th, Keith Cresap  - December 18th, and Jim Shelton - December 25th.  Communion will be prepared on Sunday, December 4th by Sue Ratcliff.  The worship Assistant for January is Kitty Brown, and Communion will  be prepared on Sunday, January 8th by Joyce Dishman.  

The next Session Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2012, subject to change if a new Moderator is appointed.  

The meeting was closed at 12:15 p.m. with prayer by Moderator Judy Henderson.

Reverend Judy Henderson, Moderator

Sue Ratcliff, Clerk of Session

The next Session meeting will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2012.

Thank you to:

• Irene for making arrangements for special music during the Advent and Christmas season and Sue and Irene  for making sure we have a minister each Sunday.
  
• Toni for cookies and birthday cake this month.
  
• Annette our custodian for the nice clean windows in the kitchen.
  
• Irene, Sarah and Toni  for the beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the church.
  
• Sarah for the extra serving spoons she donated for the kitchen.
  

~~Notes from Deacons~~

Deacons met November 20, 2011 with the following present:  Jim Dishman, Shirley Spaulding, Toni Moore, Jeanne Cowley, Dianne Rapp, Jan Clark, Jewell Morgan, Liz Logan.  Plans were made for the Holiday Meal on December 11th.  Burroughs Manor is invited and several parishioners from the Grove church plan to attend since Dr. Richard Evans will be here.  The schedule is A-G salad; H-O vegetable; P-Z dessert.

The meat, bread and drinks will be provided by the church. Set up is Saturday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. We are planning for 50-60 people.

December cookies and birthday cake assignment is Toni.  Birthday Sunday is same day as Holiday Meal.

There will be no Bingo at Burroughs Manor in December.  Next Bingo will be January 21st.

Jewell Morgan reporting

Next Deacons meeting will be January 15th

Bingo prizes needed for January: Small lotions, small aftershaves, easy puzzle books, tuna and chicken salad packages, small packs of cookies, crackers, paper products, toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels, small candy bars, small kitchen towels, any candy.  

Congratulations to Mary Kate Shelton and James Craven who were married in our church on November 12.  Mary Kate is the youngest daughter of Jim and Sarah Shelton, granddaughter of Melba Shelton and Mike and Jane Snedden and James is the son of Jim and Vicki Craven and nephew of Debbi Myers.  The beautiful reception was held at the Shelton ranch in the barn and tents that were set up near the home.

The Bruce family is thankful for the use of the kitchen and fellowship hall for their Thanksgiving dinner .The Bruce's are currently remodeling their kitchen.  Sister Robin and her family were able to enjoy our new facility that their uncle James Kerr donated to our church.

□□   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

Sue Ratcliff Jan Haney

Fred York Toni Moore

(Class of ’14) (Class of ’14)

Sarah Bruce Liz Logan

Irene Conine Shirley Spaulding

Kitty Brown

    

HOLIDAY MEAL 

– December 11 immediately following morning worship.

The turkey, ham, bread, drinks will be provided.  Please bring a covered dish.  

If your last name begins with:

A-G   salad

H-O   vegetable

P-Z    dessert

Richard plans to be here.  

Burroughs Manor residents are invited and a few from the Grove church where Richard was interim for 6 years plan to attend.  Please bring your family and celebrate the holidays with us.

              2011-12                                  2011-12

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS         COMM.  PREPARERS      

December – Elders Share  Dec – Sue Ratcliff

January – Kitty Brown     Jan – Joyce Dishman

St. John's Episcopal Women are hosting a Wine and Cheese/Silent Auction Saturday, December 10 from 4:00 – 6:00 to benefit the Backpack Program and other charities.

The cost is $8.00.

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

Voice of the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church

Vinita, Oklahoma   November, 2011

"A Letter from the Sidelines"

Dear friends,

Six years ago, by inviting me to be your part time pastor, you gave me responsibilities and duties which have been a continuous privilege.

I may have fallen short to do my best, but with reliance on God I have tried to declare and demonstrate that a Christian expresses and determines one's attitude toward life as a whole.

Since early June my health has been running down hill.  Following more tests and exams that I knew existed, the heart doctor I consulted told me "it's time to retire."  By now most of you know that Session has accepted my resignation.  At the same time, Session has asked that I continue to write a letter for Pilgrim's Progress, the MONDAY MORNING messages for email and the Church BLOG, and notes and cards to members and friends of the congregation.  I can do that, and I'll continue to do that, "from the sidelines", until you invite my replacement as your part time pastor.

I have great appreciation for Pilgrim Church.  I miss being with you every weekend, and I miss our "Monday at Ten" gathering at Burroughs Manor.

I cherish your friendship, and I ask that you continue to be involved in effective ministry of Pilgrim Church, and that you pray for me as I pray for you.

With blessings, affection, and all good wishes,

                                                                        and in Friendship,

             Richard

"Religion is primarily, and at the heart, the spiritual meeting of the soul with God"

 HYPERLINK "http://www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com/" www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com/

             

           Church email: HYPERLINK "mailto:pilgrimpresby@sbcglobal.net" pilgrimpresby@sbcglobal.net

2010.04.26 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

With six to eight members of Pilgrim Church, I spend an hour Monday morning with residents at Burroughs Manor, a retirement home next door to the Church. We call our gathering Monday at Ten. It is a wonderful hour - a "happy hour" - spent in good conversation, singing, a brief message and a closing prayer.

My present intent is to encourage those attending to write their life story. We have unique fingerprints and DNA, but they don't identify us completely. We also have our own soul print. By writing "my story" one shapes ones soul print with loved ones, and it will be cherished for years to come.

Have you written your own story? If you have not, try doing it. Ask yourself "where the meaning of your life lies"? By answering that question I believe you'll remember small things as well as big events.

Here are some tips to get you started: Who were your early childhood friends? What games did you play? Did you take music lessons? What books did you enjoy reading? What school did you attend - rural, town or city?

Did your family have a car? What make? What year? Do you have an idea of the cost of the car? Comparing costs in the past with costs today will be interesting. What did an ice cream cone cost? How much did it take to get into a double feature movie?

What were your favorite radio programs before TV? What's new in the world since your youth? Computers? Cell phones? What else?

Your story will be interesting because it is unique. What a treasure it will be to your descendants. It will be well worth your efforts. Try it!

Richard

2009.02.23 Monday Morning!

From this small congregation with a big heart, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma, Pilgrim Presbyterian Church sends greetings and best wishes to each of you.

This congregation, which has been around for 126 years, is a good model for all small congregations. Its outreach, in cooperation with another small church in Vinita, St. John's Episcopal, and its ministry to Burroughs Manor, a retirement home for people who can't afford the costs of most high-flying retirement havens, is as close to the heart of the gospel that any "church family" can get.

Congregations that don't squabble can do ordinary things in extraordinary ways. That is why these "Pilgrims" in Vinita are so effective in their ministry inside and outside the walls of their beautiful sanctuary.

Well done you good and faithful disciples of our Master.


With a thankful heart,
Richard