June 2010
Pastor’s Column
Brothers
and sisters,
As we
pass through Mothers’ Day and prepare to observe Fathers’s Day, it occurs to me
that this would be a really great time to think not only on our personal
parental relationships, but also on the ways in which they point us back to God
the Father and to that portion of His Law that deals with parents and children.
The Lord commands in Exodus 20:12 that
we are to “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the
land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
As we
begin this study of the Fifth Commandment, I am reminded of a classic quote
from celebrated humorist and author Mark Twain who, in the course of an 1874
essay carried in Atlantic Monthly observed that, “When I was a boy of 14, my
father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at
how much he had learned in seven years.”
With
some starts and stops we began looking at the First Commandment last year just
after Father’s Day 2009, and while it may seem that a year is a long time to
linger over just five commandments, I think it is highly significant that we
have this conjunction of dates, times and studies. We noted last year that, rooted in the First
Commandment’s imperative to remember and serve the God who alone redeemed
Israel from Egyptian bondage, was the notion of His eternal Fatherhood over
those whom He has created, claimed as His own and redeemed.
All of
us are fallen individuals mired in our own egos, concerns, desires and
plans. And, as such, all of us are fully
able to become so self-absorbed that “we”
become the measure of all that we see.
When we do so, we lose sight of all else and come to over-value our own
judgments and desires. This is the first
casualty of our sinfulness — our relationship to and with God the Father and
His rightful authority over us.
This
situation is what imbues Twain’s quote with so much of its humor. At some level, most of us recognize our
capacity for navel-gazing self-absorption and self-righteousness. We remember, with both humor and pain, the
ways in which we have blown-off and ignored or rebelled against that
authority. But that knowledge comes only
with experience and self-awareness; experience of a few or many miles stuck in
the mud of our own stubborn pride and sinfulness, and awareness of our inherent
rebelliousness.
God,
too, is supremely aware of this tendency on our part, and addressed it head-on
in what the Apostle Paul calls “the first commandment with a promise” (Eph.
6:1-4). Paul’s rephrasing of the
commandment is particularly apt for us in a day in which we see the unfolding
disaster of family dissolution and dysfunction.
He phrases it this way: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for
this is right. ‘Honor your father and
mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well
with you and that you may live long in the land.’ Fathers, do not provoke your children to
anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
God’s
authority, wisdom, instruction and discipline are designed to be mediated to us
through strong parental relationships.
God is the ultimate Father. He is
the proto-type and standard for all parents, and has created us in such a way
that this bond is the centerpiece of all other relationships. Because of this, parents are supposed to be
the representatives of God to their children, showing love, care, instruction,
compassion, discipline and grace.
Children
are called to honor, value and respect their parents. And when they do so, as St. Paul reminds us,
they are called to do so “in the Lord”.
This means that the honor, respect and value that they show to their
parents is a recognition and reminder of that role that God has in our
lives. It is vitally important to us to
recognize and respect the sheer fact of our own being. God ordained and permitted our parents to be
the agents of our existence. He used
them to bring us into this world and, in a certain derivative sense, we owe
them everything we have and are. Without
them, we would not even exist.
This is
a key lesson to which we should all pay primary attention. We must remember, celebrate and honor this
commandment from our dual perspectives as both children and parents. As children we are called to honor and obey
our own parents “in the Lord.” But, in a
similar fashion, we, as parents, are called to emulate God’s example of
righteous Fatherhood.
As
children we are to listen, learn and produce the fruits of godliness in
thankful answer and duplication of Christ’s example as obedient child. As parents we are to demonstrate that wisdom,
love and grace that have been extended to us by a holy God who not only created
us, but has also redeemed us at high personal cost. This is why St. Paul includes his final
admonition: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up
in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
He knows that there is an inherent balance in the commandment. Parents should not needlessly provoke their
children to rebellion and discontent, but children are still to be respectful
and obedient.
None of
us is exempted from this command. It is
of universal scope and significance.
Whether the best or the most wretched, all parents are still
representatives of God in this regard.
And this is what makes broken familial relationships, child abandonment
and abuse so horrible; they cut directly to the heart of this representative
role and purposefully mar and scar it.
Likewise, deliberate rebellion and disrespect by children towards their
parents is equally destructive and hurtful.
Either
the one or the other make mockery of the God of heaven, His creation and His
work of our redemption. In fact, to
demean, diminish or ignore this commandment is tantamount to deliberately
pulling on that loose thread in a hand-knit garment. All of us
know that pulling that thread will result in the eventual unraveling of
the entire garment.
But, on
the flip-side, there is hope in the midst of the worst of family tragedy and
disaster: God, who is supreme, is our ultimate parent. Yahweh promises us repeatedly that He will
both execute justice and provide for the widow and the orphan and that great
curses will fall upon those who pervert that justice or ignore their suffering
because it is God’s will that they should be provided for and cared for
adequately.
So, in a
day when more and more families are falling apart, when fatherless youth fall
into rebellion, sin, crime and hopelessness or callous disregard, let us
remember that God is not yet finished with us.
He does hear the cries of the broken, crushed, dispossessed and
wayward. Through the finished work of
His Son on the cross, the transforming nature of the Resurrection and the
awakening and illuminating work of the Holy Spirit He provides for our
forgiveness, redemption and restoration.
Once,
this word of command, served only to condemn and crush any of us who failed to
meet its high standard. But on this side
of the cross, it is a powerful statement of hope and purpose. Because God sent His only-begotten Son to die
for us and Raised Him up again to His right hand, we have a hope that our
relationships may be transformed and restored from even the most bleak
circumstances.
As you
study, reflect on and think about this command, take a look at the fantastic
true story of Baltimore Raven Michael Oher and of his foster parents Leigh Anne
and Sean Tuohy which was so lovingly adapted and told in the book and movie The Blind Side. Oher was a functional orphan whose father
deserted the family and whose mother, a crack addict, abandoned him to the
“tender mercies” of Memphis, Tennessee’s foster system and the meanest of her
worst streets. Oher never stopped loving
and respecting his mother –– even in her
most unlovable moments, and God provided to him two loving “parents” who took
seriously their call as believers.
This
story is nothing less than the marvelous outworking of God’s grace to supply
the objective conditions of His command.
And it is the dramatic demonstration of the instruction given to us in
the Heidelberg Catechism’s “Q & A 104” which tell us:
Q 104: What
is God's will for you in the fifth commandment?
A 104: That
I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority
over me; that I obey and submit to them, as is proper, when they correct and
punish me; and also that I be patient with their failings — for through them
God chooses to rule us.
So, as
we remember Mothers’ Day just past, and celebrate this upcoming Fathers’
Day; as we worship, study, pray and act,
let’s look to the nature and purpose of the Fifth Commandment. Let us be instructed anew and refreshed. See you in worship on the Lord’s Day!
Grace
& Peace,
+Pastor
Rusty
News From Around the Kirk
Adventure Club Adventure Club met in April and
May on Tuesday evenings. This spring
Emily Kirk and Gail Hilton led the session.
14 children learned about the Bible through study and song. The session ended with the children praising
God with music on Youth Sunday, May 16th, during the worship
service. Congrats to Emily and Gail for a great session!
Youth Sunday Once a year the Youth of
Highland are handed the task of leading the worship service, including
providing the sermon. This year they did
a great job. They made many people
proud; including family and Youth leaders.
If you have never attended a Youth Sunday, you are really missing an
opportunity to watch our future church leaders in training.
Spaghetti Dinner Approx. 75 people stayed after
the worship service on Youth Sunday to enjoy a spaghetti dinner. The ingredients for the dinner were supplied
by the gracious members of this congregation and Connie Christy cooked the
meal. Dave Schmelzer and Karen Christy
helped in the kitchen. The Youth Group
set up the tables and then cleaned up after the dinner. There was no charge but donations were taken
to benefit the Youth Activity Fund.
Daughter Banquet Approximately 80 daughters of
all ages attended the Daughter Banquet.
The dinner was delicious and there was plenty of it. Once again Al and his crew cooked a great
dinner and Bob and his crew served it up.
After dinner everyone moved to the sanctuary to listen to the music of
Jeff & Daniel Knox. The theme this
year was “An Evening in Paradise”.
Thanks to the Deacons and Mary Sue Steele for providing a wonderful
evening for the ladies.
Confirmation This year one confirmand joined
Highland Church. When you see Jonathon
Regis, son of Don and Cindy Regis, congratulate him on getting through 2 years
of confirmation class and a session interview.
News from Florida Kay Brandon writes: Hi! Just a short note to say “Greetings from
Sunny Fla.” The snowbirds are almost
gone north and the English and French are in for a vacation. The weather is great. Harold and I are doing well. It’s almost a year since I took sick and I
have more good days than not so good days.
I know it’s the prayers that are making my recovery happen. Thank you for your prayers. Sent with love and prayer.
Baby News Andrew Matthew Landa made his
appearance on May 24th. He
joins parents, Joe and Jessie Landa and big brother, Joey.
Father’s Day Picnic
You are invited to a Father’s Day Picnic on Sunday, June 20th immediately following the worship service. Please bring a salad and dessert to share. The hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans and beverage will be provided. If the weather is warm, bring your water guns and dress to get wet! A hose from the manse to the parking lot will be used to fill the guns.
June Events
Sunday, June 6 – Recognition of 2010 Graduates and Sunday School Teachers
Monday, June 7 – Sunday, June 13 – Pastor Rusty on study leave.
Sunday, June 13 – Election of officers
Sunday, June 13 – Ethan Magness, Pastor of Grace Anglican Church, will be our guest preacher.
Sunday, June 20 - Father’s Day picnic after church.
Monday, June 28 – Sunday, July 4 – Pastor Rusty and family will be on vacation.
Save these Dates!
Sunday, July 4 – Greg Vanderveen will be our guest preacher.
Sunday, July 11 – Annual Outdoor Worship Service and Picnic at the Hines Farm. (If you have large tents that we can use please contact the office.)
Monday, August 9 – Friday, August 13 – Community VBS- 9am – noon
Saturday, August 14 – Tureen dinner and Softball game – 6 pm- (the field will be announced later.)
Friday, August 20 – Wiener Roast and camp-out at Hines Farm – 6 pm through 11 am Saturday, August 21
Saturday, August 21 – Session Planning Retreat – 8 am
Men’s Ministry will meet on Thursday, June 3 at 7:00 AM. Please read chapter 5 of “The Faith” by Chuck Colsen. Leon Thompson will be your host. There will be no Men’s Ministry meetings in July or August.
Mission Work Trip
Once again this year the Presbyterian Women are sponsoring a
Church
World Service Mission Work Trip for October 4 – 6.
The motor coach will leave Slippery Rock at 6 am on October 4th and travel to New Windsor with a stop at Harrisburg, where you will tour the Capitol and then have lunch at the Fire House Restaurant. The return trip will leave New Windsor at 4 pm on the 6th and return to Slippery Rock at approx. 11:15 pm.
The cost of the trip is $200.00 a person, which includes: bus fare, seven meals, tip for the driver and room (2 per room/2 beds per room/private bath.) Bring casual clothes and comfortable shoes for walking.
Everyone is responsible for making their own rooming
arrangements. To make rooming
arrangements please call: 410-635-8700 (8 am – 4:30 pm) or 410-635-8710 (4:31
pm – 8 am).
For more information contact Margaret Boyer at 724-794-3533.
Deadline for reservations is August 15, 2010.
Cancellations after Sept. 20 will have $75.00 deducted from refund.
There are registration forms on the table outside the office, when making your reservations please remember to indicate your lunch choice for the Fire House Restaurant.
Lunch Options: Chef Salad w/ choice of dressing; Backdraft (chicken filet grilled and served with sautéed onions,
brie and garlic aioli on a Kaiser roll); Club
Pretzel (Warm ham, turkey, and American cheese with lettuce, tomato, bacon
and mayo on a pretzel roll); Toasted
Prime Rib Sandwich (shaved prime rib with cheddar cheese, coleslaw, fried
onions, and thousand island dressing on grilled rye). All
sandwiches are served with your choice of: fries, tarragon potato salad or
fruit salad.
Christian Ed News
Our
youth did a great job leading and participating in the worship service on Youth
Sunday, May 16th. Seventeen
young people lead various parts of the service with Jacob Regis, Margan Siebka
and Sarah Stuart giving the sermon.
The Adventure Club Kids praised God by
reciting scripture, singing and playing chimes.
Emily Kirk did an excellent job as Adventure Club leader in teaching the
kids more about the Bible. She ended the
Adventure Club part of the service with a series of questions and answers given
to the congregation and kids. All had
the right answers.
A thank you goes to the following teachers
and leaders for their dedicated service to the Lord this past year:
PreK – 5th
– Cindy Regis, Jodi Barrett and Gail Hilton
6th – 8th
– Barb Davis
9th – 12th
– Barb Wiles
Adult Christian Living
– John Powell
Adult Christian Faith
– Brent Hilton
Substitute Teacher –
Darla Siebka
Youth Group – Pastor
Rusty, Don & Cindy Regis
Adventure Club – Darla
Siebka, Emily Kirk
Confirmation & New
Member Classes – Pastor Rusty
Summer Adult S.S. –
Pastor Rusty
We will thank our teachers
and recognize our 2010 graduates on Sunday, June 6th (10 am
service).
Graduates
Dana Mellott Slippery Rock High School
Luke
Osborne Moniteau
High School
Kelsey
Powell Slippery
Rock High School
Jacob
Regis Slippery
Rock High School
Nick
Steele Slippery
Rock High School
Paige
Walter Slippery
Rock High School
Don’t
forget about Vacation Bible School August 9th – 13th. VBS is for kids age 4 – 6th grade
(just completed). Center Presbyterian
Church is taking the lead this year.
v All reports were approved with some additions
v Interviewed and received Jonathon Regis into membership
v Instructed that all building rental fees with the exception of Grace Anglican church be deposited into building fund
v Instructed Treasurer to accelerate the repayment of Inheritance Fund loan so that repayment is completed in May
v Approved Ethan Magness and Greg Vanderveen as guest preachers on June 13 and July 4 respectively
v Approved a congregational wiener roast and campout at the Hines farm on Friday, August 20 – Saturday, August 21
The General Assembly
of the PCUSA takes place in July, please start praying now that the men and
women who will be making the decisions for all of us will work together to discern
God’s will for this denomination.
· Approved Treasurer’s report and minutes from previous month’s meetings
· The Trustees have accepted Mike Hillwig’s offer to paint and repair the windows.
· The Trustees thanked Jesse Hines for hauling and spreading the limestone on the extended parking lot.
· Approved Suburban Insulation to install blown fiberglass and batt insulation in the attic for the price of $3,841.00.
· Approved installing new shrubbery on the Franklin Street side of the church and new shrubbery at the manse to include 3 Norwegian Maple trees.
· Approved having the carpet in the Fellowship Hall and Senior High room cleaned on May 24.
· Approved building use for the Peaser/Evans wedding on July 31, 2010.
Prayer List
(Anonymous concerns are welcomed)
Ida Corbett, Timothy McDeavitt , Ricky Bell, Sylvia McFeaters, Dan Christiani, First Responders/ U.S. and World Leaders/ Service Men and Women, Kay Brandon, Chuck McClure, Kirk Hines, Carolyn Hundertmark, Millicent Lindey, Caroline Conlan, Adele Bitler’s Grandmother, , Marg Colosimo, Maya Turner, Colleen Patterson, Wayne Barry, McConnell Family, Mark Mascella, Dick & Janet Lindey, Tyler Beachem, Dallis (Porter) Bryne, Kathy Garner, Shannon Leary, Jim Morton, John Cush, Debbie (Myers), Stephanie Wiles, Jane Rector, Mara Leary, Ed McGill, Tommy Musguire, Ed Russell, Bob Allison, Holly Tissue-Thompson, Mae Primrose
June Birthdays
1 Dave Schmelzer
2 Dustin Taggart
4 Chuck Davis
6 Jack Allen
10 Al Hogg
12 Aric Beachem
13 Kaitlin Martin
13 Mary Jane Rice
19 Brett Hines
19 Janet Powell
19 Joshua Stahlman
20 Jan Hinchberger
28 Marshall Martin
29 Colleen Patterson
June Anniversary
3 Brad
& Barb Davis
6 Carl & Norma Rodgers
10 Denny
& Cynthia Thompson
11 Don
& Lori Hoffman
13 John
& Janet West
16 DeWitt
& Ella Maxwell
19 Jason
& Rachelle Luckock
21 Brian
& Kristen Allison
21 Mike
& Laura Hillwig
27 Don
& Cindy Regis
Worship Leader for June is Charlotte Clements
Greeters for June June 6 Vernon & Margaret Boyer June 13 Brian
Cratty Family June 20 Al
& Peg Graber June 27 Chris
Gould
Treasurer's
Report General Fund Balance
as of 3/31/10 $14,503.68 Income $10,891.10 Expenses $10,463.43 Balance
as of 4/30/10 $14,931.35