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.

2012.05.28 Monday Morning Message

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

Last Monday I wrote about loneliness in our American society.  Sixty million Americans are unhappy with their lives because of l.

Being alone is not necessarily being lonely.  We all need time to be alone.  Jesus often took time to be alone to refresh his spirit, to relax his body, before returning to engagement with people.

It is when we sever connections with others that loneliness grips us.  To move from being alone to connection with God and people is to overcome loneliness.

It is interesting that in the Genesis account of creation God said "It is good" after each act. (Read Genesis chapter 1)  It is after God created a man (Adam) that God for the time time said "it is not good"...it is not good that a person live without connection.

How can we overcome loneliness?  By being connected with people and causes that are important.  The by-product of connections is happiness and loneliness runs away.

Rabbi Gafni, in his book Soul Prints, reminds us that happiness cannot be pursued for its own sake.  We must pursue goals other than happiness and as a by-product of our pursuit, we will be happy and loneliness will dissolve.

How much time do you spend exchanging your deepest thoughts and aspirations with another person?  How much time do you give in sharing your talents with others?  

With blessings and in friendship,

Richard

Church email: pilgrimpresby@sbcglobal.net

On Sunday, June 3 join us for a family meal following morning worship.    Ken Bailey will be our guest minister.  Ken is the brother of Bow Bailey.  He and his wife Jeannie will be here to share our meal. 

Red Morris is barbecuing pulled pork and the congregation is asked to bring salads and desserts.

2012.05.14 Monday Morning Message

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

Bible wisdom asserts that people have powerful hungers that will not be satisfied by bread alone.  (Deuteronomy 8:3).  We, human beings have other hungers.  Be be aware of them, and to act upon them, makes life rich and splendid.

What are those hungers, you might ask?

Well, don't you have a hunger for love and affection?  Without them you"ll shrivel and die in spirit.

And, there are other hungers which make us fully human.  We hunger to be needed, to be useful and vital in some life other than our own  That hunger tells us that we need to perform some tasks that enrich our church, our community, our circle of friends.

I wish more people experienced a hunger for contributing a little kindness and goodness.  That would renew faith and go a long way toward increasing tolerance and civility.

While it is important to be aware of the millions of people who don't get enough to eat, it is important to nourish our souls with that which has imperishable meaning, and which gives us dignity and self-respect.

With blessings and in friendship,

Richard

Announcements:

Bingo at Burroughs Manor Sat. May 19 - 2:00 - 3:00

Helpers are needed.

Next Sunday is Birthday Sunday.  We celebrate Lawrence Noggle, Jan Clark, Mark Curnutte and Jim Ratcliff.

Session and Deacons meet after worship and birthday cake.

Fran Callaway, our Moderator will conduct the Morning Worship and Session meeting.

I will be out of the office Tues-Thurs and will return on Fri.

Jewell

2012.05.7 Monday Morning Message

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

Last week I recommended a book, Soul Prints*(See note Below), by Rabbi Marc Gafni and quoted his word about happiness. Today, I share a story from Soul Prints*. I hope you'll feel "the tug" of its meaning for your life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

"It was Timothy's twelfth birthday. He had saved up enough money to buy himself a present...a big red kite. The happiest kid in the world, he went out and began to fly his new kite.

"There were great winds that day, and he let out some string, and a little more string, and a little more, until the kite was so high and far away you couldn't even see it anymore. When you looked at the boy, all you could see was a happy kid running with a string in his hand.

"A very respectable and rational looking man in a business suit came upon the boy and stopped him. 'Son, what are you doing?' he asked.

"What do you mean, sir?" Timothy asked. "I'm flying a kite!"

"Flying a kite? What do you mean? I don't see a kite. You don't see a kite. How do you know there's a kite?"

Timothy looked at the man very gravely. "I know there's a kite, sir - because I can feel the tug."

Do you feel the tug of Christ?

With blessings and in friendship.

Richard

Next Sunday, May 13 is Mother's Day. We will celebrate all Mothers and the graduation of Madison Kroll and Caitlyn Spurgeon with cake and punch in the church kitchen. Craig Kilgour will be here to conduct the morning worship service. He is the pastor from New Zealand. Please plan to attend and help us celebrate.

-------------------

Notes:

* If you are interested in more information on this book, please follow the link below. It is the personal web site of Rabbi Marc Gafni. It has a lot of information on Self Development!

Also as an avid fan of audio books, I have included a link to the Audio Book of Soul Prints below as well. It is read by the author and includes some of the songs he sings. This is something you can't get from the print edition! Enjoy both!


-Brian

Link To Soul Prints Web Site of Marc Gafni

Soul Prints available at Audible

2012.04.30 Monday Morning Message

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

In the 1990's, my wife, Helen and I lived in the Lake Chapala area of Mexico, where I served as a "volunteer in mission" at an English speaking congregation, "The Little Chapel".

One Sunday morning I met a couple from North Carolina, snowbirds" as winter visitors were called.  Two weeks later I received a book from the couple, Soul Prints, by Rabbi Marc Gafney, an American living in Jerusalem.

I don't expect that I'll ever see this couple, but I'll be thankful as long as I live for their gracious gift.  

Soul Prints is a book which I highly recommend.

If, as I believe, most people do what they do in hope of finding happiness, in finding some sense of well being described by the word happiness.

Rabbi Gafney struck a deep chord in me when he wrote "happiness cannot be pursued...happiness is only achievable as a by-product of the pursuit of important goals - goals other than happiness itself."

Reading this, I remembered a line from Robert Burns that goes something like this:

"Believe me, happiness is shy,  And comes not aye when sought, man."

There are two pearls of wisdom for you to think about today.

If all we do is done for ourselves and our own, life becomes increasingly empty.

With blessings and in friendship,

Richard

The Reverend Nancy Covington will be in the pulpit this Sunday, May 6.  Communion will be served.

Keith Cresap is Worship Assistant.    The following Sunday, May 13 we celebrate the high school graduations of Madison Kroll land Caitlyn Spurgeon.  Also, we celebrate Mother's Day.

2012.04.02 Monday Morning Message

Greetings and all good wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.

Holy Week, which began yesterday, is the most significant week of the Christian calendar.  It is a drama that portrays life in three acts:

• Act 1 - Palm Sunday, a carnival mood of exuberance and joy.
• Act 2 - Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, a mood of grief, sorrow, tears.
• Act 3 - Easter, a mood of victory

Life is a whole.  It swings from laughter to tears, from carnival to Calvary.  There are things that can't be greeted with joy or dismissed with a chuckle.  There are things when life stands still, when the landscape is dark and barren.

But Act 3 is different!  If you choose to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, your life will be encompassed by Easter love.  You will know that your life is lived in God's presence, and that you are literally never alone.

The Easter faith is the faith in which Christians live here and now, and in the eternal life after we did.

"I'm sure that neither death, nor life...will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (Romans 8:38-39)

Thanks be to God.

Richard

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

Next Sunday, Easter Sunday, Ray Hickman will fill the pulpit.  Suzie will sing and the Children's Bell Choir will perform.  Please come join us to worship God.

　

2012.01.23 Monday Morning Message

Message from the archives of Richard Evans:

2009.06.22 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
It's strange to me how intelligent people can believe our every moment is predestined by God. Such fatalism ought be wiped from the mind. God has established laws within creation, and one is the law of cause and effect. An airplane crash, in which more than 200 people are killed, is not the purposeful will of God.

We need only reread the book of Job, who asked: "Shall we receive good at the hand of God and bless him for that good...and then turn around and blame God for the bad things that come upon us?"

Job, who at times prospered and was blessed with a loving wife and children, at other times suffered more than anyone ought to endure, was prepared to live with unanswered questions.

There was one thing Job could affirm and that is that nothing can separate all creation, and that includes you and me, from the love of God.

Faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.


Richard

 

2012.01.03 Monday Morning Message

From the Archives of Richard Evans...

In this first Monday Morning message of the New Year, I offer you one of the greatest phrases in the Bible: "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord." (Proverbs 20:27)

Within yourself there is a divine capacity which, when brought forth, can enrich your life and the lives of others. To discover that something within yourself, read and re-read Luke and Acts. You'll be amazed how these two books will bring forth hidden strength and enable you to see the full range of human possibilities.

You are a child of God and by kindling the flame of God within you others who may be spiritually barren and bankrupt can begin to see their own divine capacity.

I have found new meaning and reason for Christ's words, "you are the light of the world". (Matthew 5:14), as I reflect on that great, simple phrase - "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord."

Resolve now, at the start of 2012, to discover what you may become! Don't set a limit on what you may be.

Richard

 

Richard is still ill.  Please keep him in your prayers. 

Also keep AnnaBelle Mitchell in your prayers.

2011.12.12 Monday Morning

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma, at America's crossroads, on historic Route 66.

 

My Christmas message is simple and direct:  your life in Christ, and Christ's life in you, will change your very being for the better!

 

It is this affirmation that Dickens, in A Christmas Carol, wrote a classic story that is a favorite around the world.  It is beloved because it is a story of hope.

 

You may remember that Ebenezer Scrooge is pictured as a wealthy man who employs his nephew, Fred, at pitiful poor wages, supported a joyful, closely bonded family, including a handicapped son.

 

By every reasonable standard Scrooge should have been on top of the world.  He wasn't!  And, the clerk's family should have been miserable.  They were not!

 

Dickens implied that faith makes the difference.  Faith has its own ability to change a person for the better.  In this dramatic story, Scrooge was confronted with two facts:

1. The fact of Christmas - the fact that God has come to dwell with us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth;
   
2. and the fact of his own selfishness. 

Scrooge had to choose which of those two facts he was going to embrace.  After intense struggle, Ebenezer scrooge consciously chose to embrace the fact of Christmas - God with us.  The result of that choice was a remarkable, dramatic change in his life.

 

Jesus - God with us - does change lives.  What are some of the enduring changes we cherish as Christians?

The power of compassion, the healing of forgiveness, the transforming power of love, the energizing power of prayer and the sustaining power of faith.

 

With fond regards and all good wishes for a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

Richard

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.

2011.12.05 Monday Morning

Pilgrim Presbyterians in Vinita, Oklahoma send greetings and best wishes as you make your Advent journey to the Cradle of the Christ child.

 

Announcing the birth of Jesus, an angel said "I bring you good tidings of great joy"  (Luke 2:10).  Today, the good tidings are communicated by you, and people like you, who are aglow in faith, strong in hope, love and kindness.

 

Often the good tidings are communicated by people who see themselves as co-workers with God in our secular world.  Do you remember Pogo, or Peanuts, or Mr. Rogers?  They were full of good tidings.

 

I remember once when Charlie Brown and Lucy were leaning against a tree, and Lucy asked, "What do you think security is, Chuck?"

 

He replied, "Security is sleeping in the back seat of the car when you're a little kid and you've been somewhere with your Mom and Dad, and it's night.  You're riding and you can sleep without worrying about anything.  Your Mom and Dad are in the front seat, and they've done all the worrying.  They take care of everything."

 

Lucy smiled and said, "That's really neat!"  But a serious look came over Charlie's face and he said:  "But it doesn't always last.  Suddenly you've grown up, and it can never be that way again.  Suddenly it's over and you'll never go to sleep in the back seat.  Never!"

 

Lucy got a scared look and said, "Never?"  And Charlie who got scared himself with a terrible truth said "Never!"

 

In the last picture Lucy, aware of the real world, reaches over to Charlie and said, "Hold my hand, Chuck.  Hold my hand."

 

The good tidings - the gospel of Jesus Christ - tells us that we can hold one another's hand in the midst of discomfort - with love and support, for Christ has come to dwell in us and we are his co-workers in life's adventure.

 

With blessings and in friendship,

 

Richard

2011.11.21 Monday Morning

Greetings from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

 

In the U. S. Thursday, November 24, is a day of National Thanksgiving.  FOR WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL?

 

In my long ministry, I can reduce reasons people have for thankfulness under three general headings.

        1st - Thanksgiving by comparison.

        2nd - Thanksgiving for specific reasons.

        3rd - Thanksgiving as an attitude.

 

At some time or other we exhibit all three.

 

My attention was drawn to the first, thanksgiving by comparison, while visiting a parishioner in the hospital.  She said, "I certainly am sick, but I'm thankful that I'm not as bad off as the man down the hall who moaned all night."  It's hardly ethical to be thankful by comparison- though often we slip into that mode without thought.

 

Second, it is good and reasonable to give thanks for specific reasons.  We should give thanks for our blessings, one by one.  But, be careful.  If we are thankful for only specific reasons we may one day lose one or more of those blessings and become angry and bitter.

 

The third type of thanksgiving is one of attitude for all life.  Can we learn to pray "I am thankful for who I am"?  That is the absolute character of thanksgiving.  An attitude of appreciation for our unique life and for all creation.

 

Shakespeare captured the truth of a genuine attitude of thanksgiving in Henry VI:

 

                    "O Lord that lends me life,

                     Lend me a heart full with thanksgiving."

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Richard

       

P. S.  You may want to read Psalm 100 at your Thanksgiving Day table.

2011.10.31 Monday Morning

 

Special warm greetings to all of you from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, in Vinita, Oklahoma, where we celebrate the 129th anniversary of Pilgrim Church.  

For six years at Pilgrim Church, I always sensed a feeling of thrill and humility to preach, and to serve Communion, as the congregation celebrated its birth on the Sunday nearest All Saints Day (Nov. 1, 2011).

 

To be in the company of an unseen cloud of Christians (Hebrews 12:1) who risked everything by leaving the comforts of their homes in the east to cross a hostile terrain to Oklahoma, with the good news of Jesus Christ, makes me feel very humble.

 

Humbling, yes, but it is also challenging to have entered into their labors.  Each generation is a link in a chain of Christian discipleship.  We must see to it that ours is not a weak link!

 

Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.  In that way we will be true to them, and to our Lord, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.  (Hebrews 13:8)

 

God is with you!

 

With blessings and in friendship,

Richard

 

Pilgrims Progress Newsletter October 2011

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

Voice of the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church
Vinita, Oklahoma October, 2011

A Pastoral Letter

Dear friends,

Death in the midst of life hits us all sooner or later. Most of us have met it in the loss of someone close to us. In bereavement, faith can soften the feeling of desolation, but can do little to make less natural human grief.

Blessed are those with a family circle to which they can turn in bereavement. But often children may have moved and are not readily accessible. And, there are many who have no children.

One source of healing in bereavement is the use of memory. There is a justifiable form 'of living in the past'. To remember incidents that provoke laughter or evoke a quiet smile of happiness are part of the gift of loving and being loved.

Memory, of course, causes us to recall the bad with the good, missed opportunities, hurtful words, silly mistakes. Thankfully, God's mercy does forgive our blindness and wrong doing.

There is one other helpful source of strength in bereavement. That is the Christian hope of life beyond death. Read Romans 8:35, 37-39. This throws grieving back upon the vitality of a person's faith in God.

To know God in Jesus Christ is to possess the power to meet bereavement victoriously.

With affectionate regards to a wonderful congregation, and in friendship,

Richard



"The Church is essentially a fellowship"

www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com/

Church email:pilgrimpresby@sbcglobal.net


THE PRAYER LIST

Please remember the following individuals in your daily prayers: 
Richard Evans, John Burckhalter, Mary Draper, Vera Tresler, Louise Gullett, John Gullett, Patricia Hemphill. Pat Robinson, Dee Ann George, Joan Dirmyer, Dee Ann George, Adele Davis, Clell Goodpaster Brett Forbes family serving in the military. Please also remember all service men and women.

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.

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

Church birthdays are celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of the Month 
– October 9th – Linda Burger will supply the birthday cake.

4 – Sue Ratcliff
7 – Ryder Vazquez
12 – Carter Given
15 – Cynthia Boatright
16 – John Turner
16 – AnnaBelle Mitchell
17 – Melba Shelton
19 – Chris Conine
28 – Jim Dishman


You may pick up your copy of
"These Days" in the Narthex.


WORLD WIDE COMMUNION
Will be observed Sunday, October 2 at 10:00 a.m.
The Reverend Judy Henderson will serve Communion.

~~Notes from Session~~

The stated Session meeting opened at 11:15 a.m. on September 18, 2011 with prayer by Moderator Ann Wasson. Present were: Irene Conine, Keith Cresap, Joyce Dishman, Wally Olson, Sue Ratcliff, and Jim Shelton. Kitty Brown, Sarah Bruce, and Fred York were excused. Minutes of the August 21st minutes were approved.

Keith Cresap gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of August 2011. Beginning Balance was $7,309.95, Receipts were $2,243.77, Expenditures were $3,731.20, and the Closing Balance was $5,822.52. The Treasurer’s Report was approved by common consent.

Also under the Treasurer’s Report was receipt of the EOP Report for Pilgrim Church , the 2012 Mission Pledge Form, and a letter to all Stewardship/Mission Committees, Sessions, and Pastors in EOP dated July 21, 2011.   Joyce Dishman will compile the figures for Mission giving during 2011.

Under the Pastor’s Report, Session received Richard’s resignation letter dated September 7, 2011. After further consultation with Session members, Richard withdrew his resignation on September 13, 2011. Wally Olson moved that Session approve Richard’s decision, there was a 2nd, and the motion carried.

Under the Clerk’s Report was a letter from EOP dated July 20, 2011, regarding the change in ordination standards in the Book of Order. EOP also included a copy of the Policies and Procedures Guide for the Work of the Session.

Under the Trustees’ Report, after some discussion, Wally Olson moved that the church manse be offered for sale to member Walter Rapp for $55,000.00, Irene Conine 2nd, and the motion carried.

Under Committee Reports, Irene is planning for special music during the Holiday Season. Under Mission and Outreach, Joyce reported that she had delivered the donations for Bundles for Babies and Blue Star Mothers. Joyce also noted that the Salvation Army food panty is very low and could use food and money donations. Wally Olson will be donating two beefs to the pantry in the near future.

Under New Business, Session approved the use of the church by member Jim Shelton on Friday, November 11th, and Saturday, November 12th, for the rehearsal dinner and wedding of Mary Kate Shelton and James Craven.

Session conducted the annual review of the composition of Session, Deacons, and Trustees regarding ethnicity, age, sex, and disabilities with regard to the make-up of the congregation. This information is useful for the Nominating Committee.

The Nominating Committee includes Sarah Bruce, Irene Conine, Jewell Morgan, Todd Mariner, and Walter Rapp. The committee will report to Session at the October 16th meeting.

Under Other Business, the Worship Assistant for October is Sue Ratcliff, and Communion will be prepared on Sunday, October 2nd, by Toni Moore.

The next Session meeting will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2011.

Ann Wasson, Moderator Sue Ratcliff, Clerk of Session

Thank you to:

• Irene, Dianne, Shirley, Sarah, and Jewell for taking food to "Bridges Out of Poverty" student and leader participants.
• Pam for her donations of "Blankets for Babies"
• Irene for making sure we have a minister each Sunday.

~~Notes from Deacons~~

Bingo at Burroughs
We resumed our monthly bingo games at Burroughs Manor on Sat. Sept. 17th. A good crowd was on hand and a good time had by all. Jean Cowley and Diane Rapp shared calling the numbers. Walter Rapp, Jewell Morgan, Toni Moore were also in attendance. Cookies were served and everyone looking forward to next month when bingo will be on Sat. Oct 15th.

Next Deacons meeting will be October 16

CHURCH     OFFICERS
Session Members                    Deacons

(Class of ’11)                       (Class of ’11)
Sarah Bruce                         Jewell Morgan
Irene Conine                      Shirley Spaulding
Kitty Brown

(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

              2011                                 2011
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS           COMM. PREPARERS
October – Sue Racliff           Oct – Toni Moore
November- Jim Shelton        Nov – Wally Olson
December – Elders Share     Dec – Keith Cresap


The PPC mouse observed ----------
•Someone putting up a new curtain in the Pastor's restroom.  Could it have been Toni?
•Beautiful fall decorations appearing.   Was it Sarah?
•Cookies at the last minute.  Thanks Dianne.

2011.9.19 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.

In tennis "love" stands for zero, no score. According to ASK OXFORD, the use of the word "love" originated from the phrase "love of the game."  Win or lose, tennis is played for the love of it.

In his definitive love chapter (1 Corinthians 13), Paul writes "love keeps no score of wrongs."  Isn't that wonderful? Love is not a system of book keeping.  Too many people keep a list of wrongs, imagined or real, and in a fit of anger unload the whole list on an unsuspecting spouse, family member or friend, none of whom realize that their words and actions were being documented.

Tension is part of every relationship, but tension can be good if it moves people into dialogue with one thoughts break open boundaries we may have placed on love.

We are not required to like everyone.  We may disagree with one another, but genuine love keeps no score of wrongs.   Play for the love of the game and live for the love of life.

Cheers and best wishes,

Richard

-

2011.8.8 Monday Morning!

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

Today, I want to put in a good word for the gift of receiving.  It is commonly said that it is more blessed to give than to receive, but I've learned there is virtue in receiving as well as in giving.

We praise people for doing good things for others, but who refuse to take any credit, any gift, any reward, for doing so.  People like that should give others a chance to say thank you and show their gratitude.  It is a fine thing to give, but it can be a mark of pride to refuse to receive thanks for acts of kindness.

Jesus received a boy's picnic lunch, and with it worked a miracle.  (John 6:1-14).  And He received the offer of the use of a room by some anonymous friend in Jerusalem, and used that room to institute "The Last Supper".

There is a courtesy in receiving as well as in giving.  When the two meet, who knows what 'miracle' will follow?

With blessings and in friendship,
Richard

"A PEARL OF VALUE"
We're taught that it is more blessed
to give than to receive, but receiving
is also important in the development
of our soul.

2011.8.1 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

Ancient Jewish teachers often strung together power packed thoughts and ideas without commentary.  Good examples of this teaching pattern are found in the Beatitudes,  Matthew 5:1-11, and Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, as well as throughout the
book of Proverbs.

This method had a certain appeal to me, and several years ago I began collecting short statements for motivation or inspiration, or both.  I call them 'Pearls of Value', and I've been stringing each 'Pearl' on a  make-believe necklace which hangs in my study, and to which I add 'Pearls' discovered in my reading.

Here are a few of my 'Pearls'.  Perhaps you'll begin collecting your own 'Pearls' and sharing them with me.  Together we ought to have a wonderful collection of motivation and inspiration!

        "Time can be either an ally or an antagonist.  It depends on
          how we look upon time and how we use it."

        "Not one who has much is rich, but one who gives much..."

        "It often takes a serious threat to our blessings to make us
         aware of them.  And, sadly, sometimes we do not value
         them until they are gone before retrieving."

Understanding/interpretation of each 'Pearl' depends on the reader/listener.

Cheers and all the best,
Richard

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

Richard has recently spent some time in the hospital for more than one reason.  Please keep Richard in your prayers...

Peace and Love,

Brian

The Following is a Pastoral Letter taken from the June 2011 Pilgrim's Progress...

Dear friends,

How is your "Bible I. Q."?  Have you ever wished it was higher?

Since last fall, a group of between sixteen and twenty people have attended an adult study – "To Know My Bible – 101".  The Class will wind down on June 12, but will reconvene in September.

If you are satisfied with your "Bible I. Q." this basic course isn't for you.  Try this little quiz to see if you qualify to attend a '101' course:

1. Which Gospel was the first to be written?
2. Who wrote the two biggest books in the New Testament?
3. Who was the first known martyr among early Christians?  (Acts 7:54-60)
4. Who became a follower of Jesus after his conversion on the road to Damascus? (Acts, chapter 9)
5. At which Jewish Festival were the followers of Jesus "filled with the Holy Spirit"? (Acts 2:1-4)

If you qualify, and if you desire to improve your "Bible I.Q.", prepare to attend the Class by reading the four Gospels and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.

Ours is not a Bible reading ages, and the result is spiritual malnutrition.  That's a disease you can avoid IF you desire to learn more about the most wonderful, influential Book in the world.

With best wishes and fond regards,

Richard

PEARL OF VALUE

"For freedom, Christ has set us free."

2011.5.23 Monday Morning!

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

Today I have a request! Will you read the 15th Chapter of Luke? In this chapter there is a trinity of incomparable parables about a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son.

In each case "lostness" means inability to function as intended. The lost sheep wasn't a bad sheep, it simply had strayed from the flock. The lost coin was niether counterfeit nor defaced, it was unable to fulfill its intended function . The son was lost because bad choices separated him from family.

In each case the tragedy is the same! WASTE!

When a person does not live according to God's intended purpose - and the purpose is to live for the well being of all creation - that person wastes life.

To be saved from "lostness", from a wasted life, be consistent in a daily practice of prayer and devotion. 

My practice of prayer begins with a short prayer upon awakening in the morning and longer "Quiet Time" before going to bed a night. Set a schedule that best suits you, but be consistent. You will find your communion with God will improve your attitudes, and will help you to live a useful, caring life.

Don't waste your life, at best it is brief.

Fond regards,

Richard

2011.4.18 Monday Morning

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
 
If you were on vacation in July or August and went to a nearby church on Sunday morning you might be surprised to hear the congregation singing "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today."
 
Yet, if we believe that Jesus Christ is risen and living then every Sunday commemorates the Resurrection of our Lord, and all of our life is lived in his presence.  That's Easter faith!
 
Easter faith is living in close companionship with Jesus. It is a faith of action more than words, of deeds rather than doctrines.  It is not restricted to one Sunday a year.
 
For me, at least, there are two high-water marks in the Bible that sum up an authentic Easter faith!
 
   First, Micah 6:8.  The prophet asks

"What does God require?"

Answering his own question, he says:

"to be just...to love kindness...to walk humbly with God."

   
    Second, Mark 12:28-34:  Jesus said

"You shall love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

    We may not like all our 'neighbors', but we are to love even those whom
    we dislike - we are to do them no harm.
 
Peace and goodwill,
Richard