Passage to Ponder -   Luke 24:34-35  (NRSV)

 

They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

 

 LabCross

  The Presbytery of Wabash Valley creates, connects and nurtures congregations and other ministries to fulfill Christ's mission.

God Calls
Presbytery of Wabash Valley
PWV Office Hours
 Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4 pm
April 3, 2013
 The Cross
from CRE Jeff Brown, Faith Presbyterian Church Kokomo
 
During this Easter season I have been thinking about what the cross means to me.  And by the cross I mean the symbol of the cross.  I wear one around my neck. It is a one inch Celtic Cross on a cord that I bought at Geneva Center for I think six dollars. I have had it for may years and I wear it daily. 
 
Sometimes when I am pondering a Bible verse I find myself rubbing it between my fingers.  I think of how for protestants, our symbol of the cross is empty while the Catholic cross shows Jesus crucified.  To me the difference between the two is the resurrected Jesus and the crucified Jesus; basically the final victory or the loving act. Both are valid in my view and both are necessary.  I suppose in the way that I look at it, the protestant symbol should be an empty tomb. But that might be a bit harder for other's to recognize, and that is part of the reason we wear the cross.

I think about if I could go back in time to that week, how would I act?  Would I scatter like the disciples and deny knowing Jesus like Peter?  Or would I stand up for him and speak my mind to the Sanhedrin and the governor, realizing it might be the last thing that I do. There is a wonderful song by Jeremy Camp with a refrain that says, "Would you take the place of this man? Would you take the nails from his  hands?"  I would like to think that I would attempt to do so but I know what Jesus would say to me: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

You see without this act and without this wonderful plan, we would not have reconciliation with the Father; we would still be in our depraved state. God came to earth as man in Jesus to show us how to live with each other and with God and he gave himself freely so that we can once again be one with the Father.

Friends, this Easter season think about the cross and what it means to you. Allow it to fill you with the grace of God the Father, the love of Christ Jesus the Son, and allow it to move you to share it with others by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Celebration of Ordination

Thank you for your ministry and your service...

 

  • April 11, 2001 - Rev. Jessica Wietzke, Associate Pastor at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Logansport

 

If you have been omitted or your information is incorrect please accept my apology. Help to update your records by sending your current information to [email protected].   

In This Issue
The Cross
Celebration of Ordination
Prayers of the Presbytery
Record Reviews Dates & Locations
Show Me the Coin
The big tent
2013 Geneva Center Summer Camp
Synod offering Preaching Workshop
Small Church Ministry
Where is Frank
PWV Calendar of Events

Join Our Mailing List!

SAVE THE DATES
2013 COUNCIL
April 23, 2013
June 25, 2013
July 23, 2013
August 27, 2013
October 22, 2013
December 10, 2013
  
2013 ASSEMBLY
May 21, 2013
September 13-14, 2013
November 19, 2013
Quick Links

 

SAVE THE DATE

Friday, September 13 & 

Saturday, September 14

"More Than Being Polite; 

Hospitality for the 21st Century"

Geneva Center

Keynote Speaker - 

Dr. Rodger Nishioka

Watch for Details and Registration Information

 

 

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2013 Youth Triennium  

 

Information is available online at presbyterianyoutriennium.org 

where you can register

  or contact

PWV Registrars  Anna Parkinson, 

[email protected]

and  David Lawrence 

[email protected] 

  

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                    Seasons of Faith                  

           Covenant Gathering 2013           

June 30 - July 5

Michindoh Conference Center

Hillsdale, Michigan

Find more information at www.covenantgathering.com
 


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Resource Center

In Partnership with PWV

Congregational Resource Center

  

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ALBAN WEEKLY 

RESILIENT CONGREGATIONS

by Susan Nienaber

  

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View God Calls Weekly eNews

Past Issues

 
 
EVENTS:

Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church Crawfordsville 
Russian Vocal Ensemble LYRA 
7 PM on Tuesday, April 16 
 

 

OPEN HOUSE

Center for Congregations

Northwest Center

9801 Connecticut Dr., Suite 200

Crown Point, IN 

4-7 pm (CT) April 17th

 
 
Community Presbyterian Church Rochester 
 "Joy Un-Speak-a-Bell!" 
Handbell Soloist Kristine Stout
4 PM on Sunday, April 21
 

 

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Prayers of the Presbytery

LabCross

 

Lord thank you as we reflect once again your sacrifice and victory over sin and death. Christ is risen indeed. Help us on Life's Journey to grow closer to you.

 

We give you thanks for all you have sacrificed for us. Our prayer is that you hold all those who are lonely, or hungry or in need of your grace close to you.

 

We give thanks and praise O God for First Presbyterian Church Rensselaer as they have faithfully served your church since 1847 sharing the good news and reaching out to those in need.  

 

In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

RECORD REVIEW DATES AND LOCATIONS SET

Saturday dates for Clerks' Training and Review of Minutes and Rolls:

  • April 13th at 9:30 a.m. EDT hosted by The Wabash Presbyterian Church, 123 West Hill St, Wabash 46992-3015 (260-563-8881)
  • April 20th at 9:30 a.m. EDT hosted by Central Presbyterian Church, 31 N Seventh St, Lafayette 47901-1423 (765-742-8481)
  • May 4th at 9:30 a.m. CDT hosted by Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 140 W Hwy 30, Schererville 46375 (219-865-2686)
 Click for Registration Information or call 574-223-5678 with any questions you may have.

NOTE: Now that most congregations have budgets in place for this year, it is time to file the Terms of Call report for 2013.  All terms of call are reported annually to the congregations of the Presbytery, i.e. the Assembly.  Please send or email yours to the office addressed to COM by May 1 or let us know when to expect it.  We need to prepare report of Terms of Call for the May Assembly.  Thanks for your timeliness. 

 

If you need a form, check out the new page on our Presbytery website dedicated to Clerks of Session:

Ministerial Excellence
"SHOW ME THE COIN"
 Addressing Financial Issues Facing Our Churches

A gift to all Indiana Presbyteries from the Ministerial Excellence Fund

No cost to attend and expenses will be reimbursed,

including Friday hotel if needed

Friday, April 26, 7:30-9:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 27, 9:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m.

Zionsville Presbyterian Church

4775 West 116th Street, Indianapolis, IN

 

All are invited, especially pastors, church treasurers, finance committee members, and anyone interested in stewardship and other financial concerns in the church. We encourage congregations to send several people per church.

 

To register, go to www.showmethecoin.eventbrite.com 

 

Questions? Contact Martha McDonald, [email protected]  or 317-357-5123. 

               
               

2013 Big Tent

The big Tent event schedule for August 1-3, 2013 is a gathering of Presbyterians to Louisville's Kentucky International Convention Center from around the U.S.A. and elsewhere for fellowship, prayer, praise, worship.  Held in years alternate to the General Assembly, for any one who desires to participate, it is a similar outpouring of faith without the politics, motions and amendments, committee meetings and "business" of the Church.

 

For more details (lodging included) and Registration log on to www.pcusa.org/bigtent or phone 800-728-7228 extension 2417 and ask for The Big Tent Registration Guide and Quick Review Calendar. 

GENEVA CENTER SUMMER CAMP 2013
All Things New 2013HAVE YOU SIGNED UP YET??

 

 Sign-up today... click here camp brochure and application

  

 
 
Positions for Summer Camp Counselors are still available. 
Applications available at  http://www.genevacenter.org/Employment.html 

  Synod Sacred Seasons

PREACHING WORKSHOPS OFFERED ONCE AGAIN for 2013
Rev. Dr. Laura Reason, pastor of First Presbyterian Church Highland will be teaching the "Sacred Seasons" preaching workshop for the ninth time offering continuing education to CRE's.
 
The 2013 workshops are:
May 11 - Pentecost I
August 24 - Pentecost II
November 2 - Advent, Christmas and Epiphany
Classes will be held at Philo Presbyterian Church in Philo, IL from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm (CT). For more information contact Kristi Miller or call 1-800-566-5996. 

 

From April 2013 Presbyterians Today
  • How small churches can use the arts in ministry

    by Helen Taylor Boursier

    A pastor and experienced mixed-media artist offers practical step-by-step ideas to bring the arts alive in your congregation, particularly in the contexts of worship, Christian education, and mission. Read more

     
  • Transformational leaders are dramatic, literally-Valley Presbyterian Church's theater conservatory is creating new leaders in the church and bringing the faithful closer to God. Read more
Rev Frank Feb 2013  
  
 Where is your General Presbyter
        Rev. Frank Vardeman

 

Thursday, April 4

Commission on Ministry

 

Sunday, April 7

Congregational Visit

 

Tuesday, April 9

Lilly Meeting

 

Wednesday-Saturday, April 10-13

Midwest Executives in St. Louis

 

Thursday, April 11

Stewardship Ministry Team

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
  

Thursday, April 4

10 am - Commission on Ministry

 

Friday & Saturday, April 5-6

POSTPONED-Joshua Journey Gathering

 

Wednesday, April 10

Northwest Church Professionals Luncheon Valparaiso First PC (map)

 

Thursday, April 11

10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-To-Meeting)

10 am - Nominating Committee

 

Saturday, April 13

9:30 am - Record Review -  The Wabash Presbyterian Church (map)

 

All meetings posted on the PWV Calendar are eastern time (ET) unless noted otherwise. Please visit http://www.ourpresbytery.org/calendar.htm for more information or call 574-223-5678 with questions or comments.

PWV & Geneva Center Staff Contact Information
Presbytery Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:00 pm

General Presbyter ~ Rev. Frank Vardeman  ~ 574-223-5678 ext 101
Stated Clerk ~ Elder Linda L. Long ~ 219-926-7098
Office Manager ~ Gladys Sargent ~ 574-223-5678 ext 102
Church Relations Coordinator ~ Elder Vicki Dreibelbis ~ 574-223-5678 ext 100
Financial Consultant ~ Elder Eric Herzog ~ 574-223-5678 ext 105
IT Consultant ~ Bonnie Kern ~ 574-223-5678 ext 109
Geneva Center Manager ~ Cathy Adley ~ 574-223-6915 ext 200
Geneva Center Maintenance Director ~ Jeff Winegardener ~ 574-223-6915 ext 204 

Presbytery of Wabash Valley