As Spring leads into Summer, the time has come yet again, when many of us turn our attention to our yards and gardens. While I cannot speak for all of you, I find that gardening becomes a spiritual practice for me. Time and time again, I discover the Holy Spirit whispering to me as I dig in the dirt and cultivate the life that I've planted there. It makes sense that God would use gardening to speak to my heart. After all, many of the parables Jesus told involved agricultural themes. If nothing else, I believe gardening will enhance your understanding of Scripture!

A couple weeks ago, just as the nice, warm weather was returning, I took my compost bin out to the garden. One shovel full at a time, I mixed an entire six months' worth of fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells, and yard waste into the freshly tilled garden soil. While using my garden rake to break up any remaining clumps and make sure the nutrient - rich compost was mixing evenly with the soil, it occurred to me that there is a spiritual lesson to be learned from composting. So this month, I want to invite you to reflect with me about spiritual compost.

Basically, compost is made up of bits and pieces of refuse. Before we began composting, this stuff would have wound up in the landfill or the sewer (via the garbage disposal). Instead, by composting, we turn this seemingly useless stuff into helpful nourishment for our garden and other plants.

It seems to me there are many experiences in life that we treat as trash, or "throw away moments." Sure, there are standout events like birth, baptism, confirmation, getting the driver's license, graduation, marriage, and death. Those are just some of the "snapshot moments" that we treasure and hold as precious in our memories. What about the rest of our life experiences? What if, instead of treating every day experiences as "throw away moments," we intentionally paid attention to them and set them aside as "life's compost," to be used for nourishment later on?

On some level, this may seem like an overly abstract practice, but it doesn't have to be. I think it has some incredibly practical implications. While we remember those "snapshot moments," it is most often the "throw away moments" that shape and form us. For example, I helped my grandfather on his farm throughout my teenage years. There were
times when I would forget to do something, or even felt lazy and just chose not to do something as well as I could have. Yet time and time again, my grandfather exercised patience and forgiveness. My most mundane experiences from the farm do not make great "snap shots", but they were some of the most formative moments in my life. Instead of making them "throw away moments," I choose to remember them and incorporate them into my present life as "compost." Those moments contain lessons that have grown more potent over the years, and now enrich my life.

So how can we be intentional about creating "life's compost"? Here's a few ideas:
For people of every age, Summer is filled with potential "throw away moments." This year, I hope you will find a way to turn them into "Life's Compost" instead.

SAVE THE DATES

Quick Links

Get up to date information on
PDA response

Sign-up for PDA-RIN - Share in the Presbyterian response to national and international emergencies by signing up for the PDA Rapid Information Network. Receive bulletins about relief efforts delivered to your email inbox.

Subscribe to the RIN  

 

 

 ******

 

PC(USA) marriage study available for download 

The study was referred to the Office of Theology and Worship by the 220th General Assembly (2012)

  

 

******  

 

 

Pray for Military Chaplains and Personnel on July 4  

Together, through our prayers and gifts, we can make a difference to those whose ministries touch so many.


******

 

 

Congregational Events & Celebrations offered to the public

Westminster Presbyterian Church  117th Anniversary Celebration
Heritage Day
Sunday, June 30th
beginning with Worship at 10 am & an Ice Cream Social immediately following worship at
1501 Cleveland Rd. South Bend, IN

Lord, hear us as we individually bow before you in silent words of gratitude. We are thankful for the many opportunities of Vacation Bible Schools and camps available for the eager children that participate. 

 

Please pray for Rev. Bobbi Tobin, Bethany Presbyterian Church Lafayette who is having pain and difficulty related to cellulitis in her foot.  Please pray that she is made to feel better and recovers soon.  

 

Please continue to pray for Rev. Ron & Ellen Elly, Earl Park Presbyterian Church, as Ron has had some setbacks in his recovery from a stem-cell treatment. Please pray for his recovery and pray also for his strength to return.  Please pray also for Ellen, Bethany Presbyterian Church Lafayette that she might be given strength and peace in an exhausting and anxious time. 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 Lake Prairie Presbyterian Church Lowell as they faithfully serve your church and minister to their community.
 

In Jesus' name. Amen.   

by Rev. Robert Shaw,     

Christ Presbyterian Church Winfield

 

All God's creatures 

had a place in the choir at Christ Presbyterian Church, Winfield on Sunday, June 23rd.

 

Once each quarter we hold an Invite-A-Friend Sunday, each with a different theme. Recognizing that many of our regular participants and members have pets, our worship team chose to include a pet blessing in our June Invite-A-Friend Sunday. For three weeks before this event we distributed invitations and promoted it on Facebook, Twitter, and our website. The Deacons supported this event by hosting a meal after worship and promoted the Porter County Animal Shelter as their mission of the month. Our youth group leading the congregation in singing "All God's Creatures Have a Place in the Choir."  We also moved worship to our front lawn.

 

God blessed us with a pleasant breeze and clear skies and a few people who visited after seeing the event announced on our sign board. Thus our worship attendance doubled on this Sunday from what we would expect on typical Sunday in June, in addition to 20 dogs and cats.

  

Wednesday, June 26

Pastoral Visit

Tuesday, July 2

Pastoral Visits