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Passage to Ponder - Philippians 3:7-9 The Message (MSG)
(Transformation Ministry Team 2013 Bible Reading and Reflection)
"The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash-along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant-dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ-God's righteousness."
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The Presbytery of Wabash Valley creates, connects and nurtures congregations and other ministries to fulfill Christ's mission. |
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God Calls
Presbytery of Wabash Valley PWV Summer Office Hours Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 4 pm
Friday 8:00 am - NOON June 12, 2013 |
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Monthly Communion Progresses Into Weekly Worship at Assisted Living Community
| by Rev. Jody Noble, Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Schererville
In May, Rev. Jody Noble was contacted by the Activities Coordinator of The Residences at Deer Creek, a newly opened assisted living community about one mile east of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Schererville. The initial request was to ask if Jody would come once per month to provide Communion to Deer Creek's protestant residents, most of whom had not received the sacrament since moving to the community.
Jody and her husband Mike, spent time in prayer about the request and determined that God was inviting them to do something more. They took an idea to IPC's Worship Committee...to have the church start a second service at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday at The Residences at Deer Creek that would include the provision of Communion. The committee agreed that the service addressed a number of issues they had been discussing for the past year including how/when to begin a second service and meeting the worship needs of families whose children play many sports on Sunday mornings.
With excited confirmation that the Deer Creek residents would like to have a weekly worship service on site, IPC's Session voted unanimously to approve the second service at Deer Creek noting that it also addresses a part of the church's action statement previously unmet: to help provide older community members with opportunities to grow in their faith.
And so on Sunday, June 2nd, Immanuel Presbyterian Church partnered with The Residences at Deer Creek to launch its second service at 1:30 pm with 20 people in attendance ...7 residents of the Deer Creek community, a daughter of a Deer Creek resident, and 12 members of Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Feedback from residents to the Activities Coordinator following the service was so positive that she has moved the service on June 9th to a larger room to accommodate the number of residents who have told her they want to begin attending the service. Members of IPC in attendance for the service shared that it was a deeply moving worship experience for them and many IPC members have expressed an interest in attending future services. |
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Service is worship
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Church World Service
KATHRYN GOLDSMITH
Director of Communications,
Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church Dallas
One year ago, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church here launched a concept called "Micro Mission Trip." The idea was simple - engage more members in service by offering short service opportunities during the typical Sunday worship time slot four times a year.
The idea of worshiping and serving simultaneously was born in a Community Outreach Council meeting. "Since Saturdays are so crazy for many people, we thought about Sundays," said the Rev. Elizabeth McLean, Preston Hollow's associate pastor of mission and evangelism. "Then I remembered that the word in Hebrew for 'worship' also means 'service.'"
The Micro Mission Trips have been a huge hit among families, and the fourth was successfully completed on Sunday, May 26. Approximately 200 worshipers gathered at the church to stock cleanup buckets for Church World Service via Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).
This activity was planned before the devastating  tornadoes that struck the southern United States in late May. The tragedy that befell Granbury, Texas, May 15 energized the May 26 buckets assembly Micro Mission Trip. For the congregation, this tragedy hit so close to home - just 75 miles from Dallas.
Sue Suneson, director of children's ministries at Preston Hollow Church, shared a reflection of her experiences serving on May 26:
"With the memory of tornado destruction still fresh, our mission was to fill buckets with cleaning supplies, to help families affected by disaster," she said. "So, what is a Micro Mission Trip experience like? There was conversation and laughter as we gathered, and dress was casual. Children inspected the numbered tables with cleaning supplies that were arrayed around the room. We traded sitting in pews for sitting on the upturned buckets we were about to fill, and registered our attendance by signing a poster board taped to the wall."
Pastor Paul Seelman led the worship of liturgy, Scripture reading, prayer and work.
"The task felt like a scavenger hunt, as we moved from station to station, collecting the needed items," Suneson said. "Children of all ages delighted in searching out the table that held the next item on their list. In a remarkably short time, 200 buckets were filled, the buckets were loaded for delivery, and then we received the benediction."
Kathryn Goldsmith is Director of Communications for Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. |
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SAVE THE DATES
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2013 COUNCIL
June 25, 2013
July 23, 2013
August 27, 2013
October 22, 2013
December 10, 2013
2013 ASSEMBLY
September 13-14, 2013
November 19, 2013
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Quick Links
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Presbytery Pastoral Care Network
14th Annual Conference
Sabbath & Sabbaticals in Challenging Times
July 31 - August 1
Louisville, KY
*****
Heidelberg Catechism
The Rev. Dr. Neal D. Presa, Moderator of the 220th General Assembly
Journey to Detroit and
#GA221 via Heidelberg
Beginning Sunday, June 16, 2013 (Father's Day) for 52 weekends leading up to the convening of the 221st General Assembly on June 14, 2014, join me here as we reflect together on the Heidelberg Catechism and comb the riches of our Reformed Christian faith.
****** Resource Center In Partnership with PWV Congregational Resource Center ****** ALBAN WEEKLY THE PRACTICE OF TESTIMONY by Lillian Daniel ****** |
Congregational Events
Thorntown Presbyterian Church
180th Anniversary Celebration
June 15-16, 2013
Call 317-341-2211 for information
Highlights:
The Thorntown Jammers,
musical comedian Greg Strange, Praise band - Focus
Click Here and then select June 15th 180th Anniversary for more details. Congregation holding an event open to the public? Forward the details to vicki@ourpresbytery.org so we can include in God Calls. 
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Prayers of the Presbytery
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Thank you Lord for the wisdom you give leaders for guidance and encouragement in their spiritual development for others. May Jesus transform us to help others in the journey reflecting a heart of God.
We give thanks that Debbie Cover, wife of Rev. Jeff Cover, Central Presbyterian Church Lafayette, is recovering from a successful knee surgery.
Prayers are needed for Rev. Ron & Ellen Elly, Earl Park Presbyterian Church, as Ron recovers from a stem-cell transplant. Cards and well wishes may be sent to: IU Hospital 550 N University Blvd. (BMT unit) Indianapolis, IN 46202 or visit online at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ronelly.
We give thanks for First Presbyterian Church Michigan City as they have faithfully served your church since 1871. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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Celebration of Ordination
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- June 13, 2010 - Rev. Nelda Seger, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church Winamac
- June 15, 1979 - Rev. John Everett, Pastor of Rossville Presbyterian Church
- June 15, 1982 - Rev. Frank Vardeman, General Presbyter of Presbytery Wabash Valley
- June 16, 1959 - Rev. Richard Craig, Honorably Retired
- June 18, 1970 - Rev. Doug Mankell, Pastor of 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 vicki@ourpresbytery.org.
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Geneva Center Summer Camp
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 We hope you'll be joining us this year! Come enjoy the outdoors, make new friends, and grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in a safe, nurturing, and God-centered environment. 
You & Me Ages 6 & up 1st Timers ~ Grade 2-5
June 26-29 or June 30-July 2 June 26-29 or June 30-July 2
Ignition ~ Grades 4-6 Jr. High ~ Grade 6-8
June 16-21 June 16-21 ~ Adventure ~ MAD
Sr. High ~ Grades 9-12 Juniors, Seniors, 1st Year College Students June 16-21 ~ Adventure June 26-29 ~ CIT (Counselors in Training)!! ~ MAD For registration information | |
Jr & Sr High Classic Summer Campers settling-into cabin...
playing games...building relationships...
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Compassion, Peace and Justice Conference; Evangelism and Church Growth Conference; Healthy Ministry Conference; National Elders Conference; National Multicultural Church Conference; Presbyterian Communicators Network Conference; Racial Ethnic and Immigrants Convocation; Seminary Support Network Conference; Theology, Worship, & Education Conference; World Mission Conference; Church Leadership Connection; 2013 National Black Presbyterian Caucus Convention; Iraq Mission Network; ZZM Mission Network; Presbyterian Pastoral Care Network; National Asian Presbyterian Council; Mid Council Consultation; National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus; Presbyterian Cross-Cultural Young Adult Network Pre-conferences and Other Activities - Black Pastors Gathering Equipping Black Pastors for Transformational Leadership in Evangelism and Social Justice
- Asian Leadership Study Program The Reformed Tradition: The Emergence of a Public Church
- Ghana Mission Network Meeting
- Rwanda Mission Network
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The Welcoming Church
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Will your church be ready for guests this summer and fall?
Summer is the perfect time to put a hospitality plan in place.
Henry Brinton's book "The Welcoming Congregation: Roots and Fruits of Christian Hospitality" blends the "how to" and the "why to" of Christian hospitality, presents the best practices of welcoming congregations across the theological spectrum, and offers concrete action plans for congregations.
Click here for more information
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Heidi Vardeman Seeking Opinions Regarding the Lord's Supper
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Heidi Vardeman, interim pastor at St. John's United in Chesterton, invites all ministers and others in the presbytery to send her stories and opinions about the Lord's Supper: Here is her request:
Dear sisters and brothers,
This summer I am finishing up my D.Min. thesis on the topic of the theological ramifications of encouraging those who are not baptized to partake of the Lord's Supper.
Although traditionally the Supper has been reserved for the baptized (as an example of the communion of the faithful), in contemporary society with more and more people not baptized as infants, many churches are offering an invitation to all to partake, regardless of church membership or baptismal status.
A very good paper about this, called "Invitation to Christ" was published by the Worship and Theology unit of the denominational headquarters in Louisville a few years ago if you are interested.
I have several questions for anyone who wishes to respond:
- When your congregation celebrates the Lord's Supper, is it stated that the meal is for the baptized only?
- Does your church just assume everyone is baptized and thus may partake?
- In the worship service, are any conditions laid out in spoken or written form to indicate who may partake (that they believe in God, seek to follow Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, truly believe, etc.)? If so, what are the conditions?
- Do you know of cases when someone has moved from table (the Lord's Supper) to font (baptism) rather than the traditional sequence font to table? If you have any examples or stories, please send them to me!
- Do you see any problems or possibilities in welcoming the unbaptized to the Supper? Or, conversely, to do you see problems or possibilities in asking them to wait and prepare for baptism first?
- Do you have any opinions or thoughts about this subject that you can send me?
Please send answers, stories, comments, or anything else to me at hvardeman@gmail.com. If you'd rather just call me (and I can easily take down your comments), please call 612.296.7878.
This is a project for the D.Min. program at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities where I am working with historical theologian Paul E. Capetz.
Thank you very much.
Heidi
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Where is your General Presbyter
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Monday, June 3 - Thursday, June 13Vacation Thursday, June 13 Stewardship Ministry Team Thursday, June 20 Commission on Ministry Leadership Monday, June 24 Congregational Visit Tuesday, June 25 Council
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS & MEETINGS
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Thursday, June 13
CANCELLED - Commission on Ministry
CANCELLED - Nominating Committee
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-to-meeting)
Tuesday, June 18
CANCELLED - Commission on Preparation for Ministry
CANCELLED - Geneva Center Ministry Team
Thursday, June 20
10 am - Commission on Ministry Leadership (Conference Call)
5:30 pm - University Church Board Meeting University Church West Lafayette (map)
Tuesday, June 25
10 am - Council
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 regarding meetings and events or call 574-223-5678.
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PWV & Geneva Center Staff Contact Information
Presbytery Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:00 pm
Financial Consultant ~ Elder Eric Herzog ~ 574-223-5678 ext 105
Geneva Center Manager ~ Cathy Adley ~ 574-223-6915 ext 200
Geneva Center Maintenance Director ~ Jeff Winegardener ~ 574-223-6915 ext 204 |
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