2012.06.25 Monday Morning Message

Greetings and warm regards from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

If you could, would you turn the clock back?  A columnist, writing in the Tulsa World, wrote "Maybe while praying for the America we want, we can remember the America we had."  Those words awakened my memory, and I realized that we must not live in the past. We can use the past for guidance and inspiration, but we can't go back.  We must go forward or we perish.  To live is to change.  The one thing that does not change is a fossil, and a fossil has been dead for a long time.  We should not fear change.

• I remember the scourge of tuberculosis and polio epidemics, and I wouldn't want to go back to them.

• I remember when Presbyterians would not ordain women ministers and when anyone who sold alcoholic drinks was barred from membership, and when the Revised Standard Version of the Bible was assailed as heresy, and I wouldn't want to put the clock back for any of that.

To live is to change, and we ought not fear that.

With blessings and in friendship.
Richard

Announcements:

We were blessed to have Brian Dishman and his family  in church yesterday.  He and his wife Motoko and daughter Rina live in Japan.  Rina played a special piano piece for our church service.  Also, Brad, his wife Edith and daughter Madison were in attendance.  We had a pew full of Dishmans.

SUNDAY, July 1
4TH OF JULY POTLUCK
Drinks and meat will be provided.
Bring a side dish and join us for a delicious meal.
Following morning worship at 10:00.

The Reverend Nancy Covington will be here.
All are invited to Communion.
Liz Logan will prepare the communion elements and invite 2 Elders or Deacons to help serve.
Sue Ratcliff is Worship Asst. for July.

2012.06.18 Monday Morning Message

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

"Prayer doesn't work for me," said a friend last week, "and, I've given up praying."  Sound familiar?  A great many people stop praying because they think it doesn't work.  Perhaps they have the wrong idea about praying.

Prayer is not God doing things for us, it is God helping us to do things for ourselves.  Prayer does not change circumstances which face us, but prayer does enable us to confront those circumstances with new strength and courage.  Prayer helps us to meet our difficulties in a new way.

God listens to our prayers at any time of day or night.  Prayer should not be practiced only in times of crisis and emergency, but in our everyday life.  "Help me to help others" is a good prayer to remember.

With blessings and in friendship,

Richard




Kitty sent in this quote from Theodore Roosevelt

"Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care."

2012.03.26 Monday Morning Message

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


We want to KEEP IN TOUCH with our members and friends with our Monday Morning Messages.  We have asked them to send it to their friends, if they find the message worth sharing...that may be the reason you are reading this.

If you write me, with a prayer request, please be assured that I'll personally respond.

With blessings and all good wishes,

Richard

"For want of a nail, the shoe was lost.

For the want of a shoe, the horse was lost..."

and so on.  The loss of the horse led to the 

loss of the rider, the battle, and finally

the kingdom itself.  All for want of a nail.

And, the meaning of this simple poem is

PAY ATTENTION TO LITTLE THINGS!

Little things have triggered great discoveries!

a spider's web and a suspension bridge

a singing tea kettle and a steam engine

a falling apple and the law of gravity.

Little things may have great consequences!

PAY ATTENTION TO THE LITTLE THINGS!

EASTER BRUNCH

FOLLOWING MORNING WORSHIP PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 1

COME AND ENJOY THE FELLOWSHIP

ALL FOOD IS PROVIDED

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering will be taken

2011.8.15 Monday Morning!

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

 

After retiring from a full time pastorate, I served Grace Presbyterian Church, Grove, Oklahoma, as a part time temporary pastor.  One summer, Bruce Lietzke, son of a beloved member of Grace Church, won the U. S. Open Golf Tournament for Seniors.  The entire community was excited and proud.  Bruce is a pro, and one of the best golfers in the country.

 

I have a lot of good friends, whom I like a lot, but they must be among the worst golfers on the planet.  Still they go back to the links time and time again.  WHY?

 

I think I've found the answer:

Even the best golfer can once in awhile play a shot that Bruce Lietske, or even Tiger Woods, would be proud to make.  And so, it seems to me, that even the poorest golfers are upheld by the hope of being NOT what they are at their worst, but what they are at their best.  Isn't that true of life, too?

 

Here is a suggestion to help you grasp the moment when you are at your best. Begin each day, even before popping out of bed, by saying this little prayer: 

LORD, HELP ME TO BE TODAY WHAT I AM AT MY BEST.

 

Don't be satisfied with yourself or with things the way they are.  Aim to be at your best and you'll never lose hope that you can be better.  When you strive to be your best, you'll be an effective instrument of God's love and a source of encouragement to others.

 

Never lose Hope!

Cheers,

Richard

 

   

Pilgrim's Progress, Newsletter for July 2011

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

Voice of the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church

Vinita, Oklahoma

July, 2011

A Pastoral Letter

Dear friends,

We don't always know what's going on inside our bodies.  I was pleased when a recent PET Imaging report read "No cancer in his body."  But, I still felt tired – fatigued.  That, with what I thought was an anxiety attack, forced me one night to go to a nearby Urgent Care Clinic.

I was advised to go to the hospital, which I did.  For the next couple of days I had, what seemed to me, an endless string of tests.  New health problems were disclosed.

A pacemaker was inserted in my chest, and I was send home promising doctors "to take it easy for awhile".   Apparently I'm too weak (or probably too old) for further treatment at the present.

To make a long story short,  Session has granted me a "leave of absence" until mid-September.  At that time our relationships will be evaluated.

I miss you already!  You are a gracious, caring congregation and I am proud and honored to be a part of Pilgrim's extended family.

Please pray for me as I pray for you.  I think of you at the ten o'clock Sunday morning hour as you gather for worship.

With blessings and affectionate regards.

Richard

"PEARL OF VALUE" 

"For freedom, Christ has set us free."

~~Notes from Session~~

Seven member of Session met informally on Sunday, June 26^th.  Terry Brown submitted the May 2011 Treasurer's  Report.

Session approved placing the church manse for sale, and Bow Bailey has agreed to show the property to any prospects.  Session also approved the use of the church on August 6^th or August 13^th for Burroughs Manor activities under the direction of Paula Butcher.

Our Pastor, Richard Evans, has asked to take a leave of absence until Sunday, September 11, 2011. Richard will continue the Monday Morning and Blog ministry during this time.  Session approved Richard's request, and noted that we are looking forward to his return to the pulpit this fall.

Irene Conine, Worship Chairwoman, has been in charge of calling replacement pastors while Richard is away, and Session would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Irene.

The Worship Assistant for July will be Keith Cresap and Communion will be prepared on Sunday, July 10^thby Sarah Bruce.  The Worship Assistant for August will be Joyce Dishman, and Communion will be prepared on Sunday, August 7^th by Shirley Spaulding

Sue Ratcliff

Clerk of Session  

THE PRAYER LIST

            Please remember the following individuals in your daily prayers: Richard Evans, John Burckhalter, Mary Draper, Vera Tresler,  Louise Gullett, John Gullett,  AnnaBelle Mitchell, Patricia Hemphill. Pat Robinson, Joan Dirmyer, Clell Goodpaster. Families of recent tornado tragedies.  Please also remember our service men and women.

AnnaBelle  and Melba are in Heartsworth House. Anna Bell is #114 and Melba #115  821 N. Foreman, Vinita, OK 74301.

       John Burckhalter is returning home July 2 after  eight months therapy in Tulsa.  Continue to keep him and the family in your prayers.

~~Notes from Deacons~~

Deacon's meeting

The Deacons met on June 19^th to make plans for the Potluck Dinner to be held on June 26^th.  Next meeting will the July 17^th.

Next fellowship meal will be  a picnic in August.

Jewell Morgan, reporting

Church birthdays are celebrated on the 2^nd Sunday of the Month – July 10^th – Toni Moore will supply the birthday cake.

           

July 4, Kitty Brown, 5 Jewell Morgan, 7 Madison Kroll, 12 Wally Olson, 14  Pat Boone, Blake and Mox Osburn, 20 Fred York, 22 Walter Rapp, 24 Emily York and Keith Cresap

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

2011.2.21 Monday Morning!

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

In recent conversations, I've found some people have diffiiculty speaking with confidence about the worth of prayer.

To pray is serious business.  Prayer is conversation with God.  To say "I believe in God" and not to pray is, I believe, a denial of God.  It is to live as if God does not exist.

Jesus gave us two modes of prayer.  After an exhausing day he found a place to give himself to communion with God.  We might call this a "prayer of withdrawal."  (Mark 1:35).  It is good to set aside a time to withdraw from the activity of daily life and spend "quiet time" in prayer and meditation.

The second mode of prayer is to practice being in the presence of God while involved in the varying circumstances of life.  This type of prayer is like shooting out a dart whenever one sees a need.  This is a brief prayer, a sentence, a few words.  (Luke 23:34)

Discipleship calls for both unhurried quiet time in prayer and meditation, and short prayers, most often offered in silence, in particular circumstances that prompt it.

Christ has given us patterns for prayer.  Not to pray is a serious condition for all who say that God does exist.

With blessings, and an assurance that I pray for all of you who read these MONDAY MORNING messages.

Richard

2010.03.15 Monday Morning!

Lent can be an instructive time for all of us! When good intentions are forgotten, when ideals once cherished have deteriorated, when sacred responsibilities make us weary or cynical, Lenten devotions help us rediscover energies which form the inner life.

Take time to retreat into the quiet sanctuary of your soul. That special time will bring an expansion of joy and a buoyancy to your spirit.

There is an unfaltering power in prayer, meditation and daily fellowship with God.


Don't allow your soul to dry up!

Cheers! Thumbs up!

Richard


PS: Try writing in a small notebook Bible verses and passages which you remember from childhood and youth. You'll come up with many, but I'm almost willing to guarantee that Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd", will be on your list. Probably Paul's "Love Chapter", I Corinthians 13, will be too. There are "beauty spots" in the Bible never to be forgotten.

2009.09.14 Monday Morning!

Greetings from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

As you begin your work week, I ask that you remember that the Church is a fellowship in which we belong to each other by authentic Christ-like living...

What disturbs me more than the increasing loss of Church membership is the increase of people who say they are Christians but who admit they take little or no time to pray. Many are unable to speak confidently of the worth and power of prayer.

This is a serious condition to be in. "To forget God is more fatal than to deny God" (Maude Petre). Not to pray is to live as if God did not exist.

Our faith is as real or unreal, as strong or weak as our praying is.

Commitment to prayer is a part of our commitment to God.

"Take Ten" daily in your own "upper room" for conversation with God. You'll find that
god will infuse you with new energy!


With blessings and all good wishes,
Richard

2009.05.25 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes on this Memorial Day from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in beautiful Vinita, Oklahoma, the glistening heart of "green country" where we've had almost a month of steady rain.

Years ago, I saw the UN Charter signed in San Francisco. The UN has done many things well, but presently it is failing to keep world peace.

I know we pray for peace, but I fear that is a sentimental prayer, like love your neighbor. God doesn't do anything for us that we can't do for ourselves.

What can we do? War is a human problem that can be overcome only by human solutions. There always will be disagreements and conflict. However, when Oklahoma and Arkansas have conflict over clean water they don't go to war. They enter "conflict resolution" (a comparatively new field), and agree to abide by the judicatory.

It may be an impossible task, but a global effort to include "Peace Studies" in high school, college and university curricula may save us from the last nuclear war staring us in the face.


Peace,
Richard

2009.04.27 Monday Morning!

MONDAY MORNING greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, still located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma. Our Sunday morning services begin at 10 o'clock. Come and worship with us if you can. If you can't, say a little prayer for us! A number of Presbyterians, with second homes on Grand Lake, have found us and we are glad to welcome these friends to Pilgrim Church, "a friendly church of faith".

Hear this urgent message for all of us: we need to learn that speed, and more speed, are NOT solutions to everything!

There are things that cannot be hurried: the acquaintance that deepens into friendship, the mind that seeks knowledge and wisdom, the healing that follows bereavement, the time for memories stored up from a lifetime of experience.

Perhaps this prayer by O.L. Crain will help slow us down:

Remind me each day that the race is not always to the swift and that there is more to life than increasing its speed. Slow me down, God, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values, that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.

In friendship,
Richard

2009.03.30 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning and all good wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church - still located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma! For more than 126 years this congregation has served Christ throughout this area with an "Easter faith" - an all year 'round faith.

Behind this service and good effort lies the power of prayer!

Many people stop praying because they don't have time in their busy lives. Others give up on prayer convinced it does not work. Like anyting else of value, prayer requires intentional practice.

As you practice prayer daily, remember that God will never do anything you can do for yourself. Prayer is not simply unloading our tasks on God. Prayer is the means by which God enables us to do them for ourselves.

Prayer may not change circumstances, but it does change us so we may confront circumstances with new strength and a new ability to cope with them.

Prayer is a powerful means to change our lives. Set aside a time each day to practice it!

Go for it!


Richard