2012.03.19 Monday Morning Message

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

Today, I want to share with you an old Chinese story about a woman whose only son died.  In her grief, she went to a holy man and said:

"What prayers do you have for me?  I am filled with resentment.  I cannot accept this bereavement."

Instead of sending her away with pious words, or trying to reason with her, he gave her something to do.  He said:

"Fetch me a mustard seed from a house that has never known sorrow.  We will use it to drive the sorrow out of your life."

The woman set off at once in search of that magical mustard seed. She came first to a mansion, knocked at the door and said:

"I am looking for a home that has never known sorrow.  Is this such a place?  It is very important to me."

They told her, 

"You've certainly come to the wrong place..."

and they began to describe all the tragic things that had befallen them.

The woman said to herself, 

"Who is better to help these unfortunate people than I?"

She stayed to comfort them, then she went on her search for a home that had never known sorrow.  But wherever she turned, she found one tale after another of sadness and misfortune.

Ultimately, she became so involved in ministering to other people's grief that she forgot about the quest for the magical mustard seed, never realizing that it had in fact eased the sorrow of her life.

What do you make of this ancient story?

For me, Rabbi Marc Gafni in his book Soul Prints (which I highly recommend) is on target when he wrote:

"When we pursue happiness, it always runs away from us.  Instead, we must pursue goals other than happiness, and as a natural by product of that pursuit we will be happy."

Joy, Serenity are available when we actively seek something else - they are not the primary goals.

With blessings and in friendship.
Richard  

Jeff Francis will be in the pulpit on Sunday March 25.

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 you

learned the lesson

The FUTURE is where you

apply the lesson.

Don't give up the Middle!"

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.

2011.4.25 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, Vinita, Oklahoma.  I hope you had a blessed Easter at worship and with family and friends.
 
I've a story today about a 13 year old Timothy.  He saved his pennies, nickels and dimes to buy a big red kite which he had spotted in a neighborhood store.
 
The happiest boy in the world, Timothy went to a playing field where he let out a little string at a time until you couldn't see the kite anymore.
 
A jogger saw Timothy running, holding string, and asked "What are you doing?
Timothy replied,  "Flying my kite."  The jogger thought the kid was pulling his leg and laughed,  saying, "I don't see any kite.  How do you know there's a kite up there?"
 
And Timothy answered,  "I can feel the tug!"
 
That simple story has a profound meaning.  Isn't it the message of Easter faith?  We can't see the Risen Christ, we can't prove the Resurrection of our Lord.  But, as a Christian, don't you feel the irresistible tug of Christ on your life?
 
I feel the tug of Christ at work through you and other friends and family members who have given me comfort and encouragement since the death of Helen, my beloved wife of more than 60 years.
 
Thank you for your support.  Don't ever lose the Tug of Christ on your life.
 
With blessings and in friendship,
Richard
 
P. S.  We had 104 in attendance at church yesterday.  What a blessing!
 
  www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com/
 

2011.4.11 Monday Morning

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
 
Early in the morning of April 5, 2011, Helen, my wife and best friend for more than 60 years, died peacefully in her sleep.  Today, I share with you a poem and words from St. Paul (Romans 8:38-39).
 
The poem, "Closing Prayer", was written by Jean W. Wood, a member of the Jermain Memorial Presbyterian Church, Watervliet, N. Y., where I served as pastor in the 1960's.
 
Closing Prayer
 
Consummate quietude
Unadorned silence
Soft Darkness
Tranquil light
Serenity
Stillness
Simplicity
Solitude
Soul-soothing peace -
my prayer
my gift
for you
for me
for all of us.
    Amen
 
And, from St. Paul these words of Easter faith:
                    "Nothing will be able to separate us
                      from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
 
With fond regards and in friendship,
 
Richard
 
www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com
 

2011.3.28 Monday Morning!

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

In the last three months our family has mourned the sudden deaths of two dear friends.  Both friends gave their hearts to Jesus Christ.  By their kind, gracious lives they declared and demonstrated Christ as a living power.

Their wholly unexpected deaths remind me of the impermanence of life.  As pilgrims on a journey, none of us is assured of tomorrow.  We live to the rhythm of life and death, of sorrow and joy.

The Tulsa World, a daily newspaper, devotes a page which is called "Our Lives."  On that page notices of birth and deaths, marriages and divorces are reported.  Behind each notice their is a case of human sorrow and human joy.

No one can escape from this rhythm of life.  Know that we are not permanent residents on earth, but pilgrims of eternity.

Know, too, that Christ is with us on our pilgrimage.  Christ gives us his life, his spirit, his love, joy and peace.

With blessings and in friendship,
Richard

2009.05.04 Monday Morning!

For some of you who at one time lived in the Vinita area, and who are now scattered across the country and overseas, I send special greetings from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church this MONDAY MORNING. Memories are important, and I want you to know we remember you.

An ancient Greek legend came to mind as I prepared to share in a funeral service for a dear young friend. The legend speaks of a woman who arrived at the River Styx, where Charon, a gentle ferryman, stood ready to take her to the realm of departed spirits.

Charon told her she could drink of the water and completely forget what she was leaving behind. She thought about that, and asked questions: Shall I forget how I've suffered? Shall I forget my failures and how I've been hurt? The ferryman said yes, and then reminded her that she would also forget her victories, her successes, her happy times. And she would forget how she had been loved.

The legend concludes by saying that she did not drink of the water.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all God's benefits." 

Memories are the stuff of life.

And that's why we send you MONDAY MORNING!  We want to keep in touch!


Richard

2009.04.13 Monday Morning!

Easter Monday greetings from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.

I hope you had an enjoyable Easter! I underline that word "enjoyable" because God intends us to enjoy this life and live it to the hilt.

Much is being written about life after death, and I do believe that life does not end at the grave. But survival is an empty victory unless it is based on what is enjoyable, virtuous and responsible here and now.

Get your priorities in order. Your life is of inestimable value. Rage against anything that shrivels your soul or withers your spirit.

How's this for a Pearl of Value from Ruther Rendell, a mystery writer: 

"Happiness makes so much difference to people. It doesn't just make them happy, it makes them more intelligent, more aware, more alert, while unhappiness deadens, dulls and stupefies."

Read Matthew 5:3-11 again, and substitute "happy" for the world "blessed".  Does that little change make more sense to you?


Cheers,
Richard

2009.04.06 Monday Morning!

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

This is Monday of Holy Week, the most significant week of our Christian calendar. It is a week of joy (Palm Sunday), sorrow (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday) and triumph (Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of our Lord).

Life is like that: joy, sorrow, mixed feelings and triumph...bittersweet!

Our granddaughter was born in Holy Week. Our family was overjoyed; she was the first grandchild. In the midst of our joy, another family was gathered nearby in the waiting room experiencing the grief of life slipping away for their year old child.

Jesus knows the ups and downs of human feelings and emotions. Life, bittersweet as it is, beckons us to move forward into an unknown future certain that our Resurrected Lord is God with us. That is central to our year 'round Easter faith.

A blessed, Happy Easter to you and your loved ones near and far.
Richard