Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours: 8 - 4 Monday - Friday 
December 17, 2014 

God  
Calls 
Rensselaer First Presbyterian Church
Passage to Ponder... Ephesians 3:20-21 (NRSV)

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

(from the Presbytery of Wabash Valley  2014 Monthly Bible Study  Reading and Reflection)


Peace on Earth!

One of the most beautiful scenes from the story of Jesus' birth is the announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20. I remember participating in the Christmas pageant at church as a child, and-as a good little angel-crying out with enthusiasm: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" At the time, I did not understand the meaning of the words "peace on earth," and I think there are still many people who have problems with thinking about peace in concrete terms. Usually thinking about peace involves thinking about white doves, songs, or white flags. We think of abstractions-of symbols and statements-but do not think about concrete situations.

What would be a concrete image of peace for you? I once read that a Christian leader in the Philippines, when asked this question, gave a very concrete example: she thought of a child, playing outside, without fear. To her, this was a concrete image of peace for her context. At present, using more or less the same image, I think peace is a young black or Latino man, walking down the street without the fear of being pre-judged or violated for the color of his skin. I think of families that can stay together without the fear of deportation hanging over their heads. And I think of living our lives without the fear of staring down the barrel of the multitude of guns that seem to be present without much control in the streets of this country and many other countries in the world.

In the Bible, we can find a concrete picture of peace on earth: "The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them." This is the description of the "peaceable kingdom," the kingdom of God here on earth, which comes to its fullest expression with the arrival of Jesus Christ. I pray that, as a church, we can continue to work to build up concrete images of peace all around us, shouting "Peace on earth" from the rooftops as a beautiful proclamation of faith and hope. Happy Advent! Merry Christmas!

This resource, in Spanish and English, looks to support the ministry of churches that have Spanish-language or bilingual worship services. These helps are not prescriptive. They are simply suggestions and links to find other resources to supplement the worship service of your church. More Resources from the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

STAY CONNECTED


In This Issue
Peace on Earth
Join us on Facebook
Save the Dates
Ordination Anniversary Celebration
Prayers of the Presbytery
221st GA Moderator Heath Rada-PC(USA) Advent
Article Headline
Benefit of Statistical Reports
Save the Date 2015 Confirmation Retreat
Educational Opportunities
Free Robes and other Worship Cloths
PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORIES
Save the Dates

2015 COUNCIL
January 20
March 17
April 14
June 23

2015 ASSEMBLY
February 24
May 19
September 18-19
November 17


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The Greatest Gift

by Fiona Soltes  

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Thank you for your ministry and your service... 
  • December 18, 1994 - Rev. Bobbi Tobin, Lafayette Bethany Presbyterian Church
  • December 21, 2003 - Rev. Dr. Ericka Kilbourne, Michigan City, First Presbyterian Church
  • December 27, 1987 - Rev. Dr. Paul Myhre, Associate Director, Wabash College

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

PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
Heavenly Father, open our hearts to the silent presence of the spirit of your son. Lead us into that mysterious silence where your love is revealed to all who call on you.

Please lift those listed below in prayer:
  • Rev. Jack Hess, Honorably Retired, as he continues to struggle with health concerns.
  • Carolyn Scarborough, previous presbytery moderator and member of Kouts Presbyterian Church, and family as they deal with health issues.
  • The people of Pakistan following the attack on the school in Peshawar. 
  • Those who suffer during the holidays from loneliness, depression and loss
  • All of our Mission co-workers
We pray for and with Rensselaer, First Presbyterian Church who has faithfully served their community and followed you Lord since 1847.

In your holy and precious name we pray. Amen.

 

          Hope for the future:  

a service of witness to the resurrection
Sunday, December 28 at 2:00pm   

Closing worship service  

Thorntown Presbyterian Church
301 W Main St
Thorntown, IN 46071 
Ten Reasons to Celebrate the PC(U.S.A.) this Advent Season
from Heath K. Rada, Moderator of the 221st General Assembly
  1. I celebrate the PC(USA) as a denomination that unequivocally affirms the Lordship of Jesus Christ as our Savior. Each new member, when joining the church, confesses that she or he accepts Jesus as their personal Savior. In fact, they could not be members if they do not confess that as their position. Do we state that everyone has to be a Christian to be saved? I thank God that I am not called upon to provide God's answer to that question, for only God can give the answer. God is the judge; that is God's job. But I do know that all members of the PC(USA) say they believe Jesus is the mandated key to salvation, and for that I celebrate our denomination.
 


Share the love of Christ this season.

 
It's Statistics Season

Office of the General Assembly

Kris Valerius



The reasons why, tool to benefit your congregation and importance of keeping your congregation's records up-to-date by submitting your statistical reports.
Learn More

2015 Confirmation Retreat

Plans are underway for the next Confirmation Retreat that will be held at Geneva Center on February 6-8, 2015. Please watch for registration details after the first of the year. Questions before then, pleases contact: Rev. Dr. Justin I. Schlesinger-Devlin, Memorial Presbyterian Church Dayton - 765-296-3199

 


Columbia Theological Seminary

Center for Lifelong Learning

Application Deadline Extended to January 9, 2015 

Spiritual Pioneers: The Challenges, Risks and Blessings of Church Development (Thompson Scholars)  

April 21-24, 2015 

Click here for complete event information and application link.

 

Winter/Spring 2015  


January 20-23 Lectionary Studies Seminar: Lent B to Christmas C 

This seminar will provide a fresh look at lectionary passages (RCL) from Lent B to Christmas C AND time to polish your worship and preaching plans for the coming liturgical year. Read more. 

 

Feb. 12-15 A Dwelling Place For God: Discerning Anew The Relations Between Creation, Eschatology, And Ecology

This course is especially for those who wish to rediscover a Christian spirituality rooted in creation, worship, justice, and hope. Leader:  Stan Saunders. Read More.  

 

Feb. 23-25 Seven Concepts that Will Change Your Teaching  

Has your teaching become routine? Do you want to be more effective in your teaching? Israel Galindo will introduce seven big ideas that will inspire and invigorate. Read More.  

 

March 19-22 Exploring the Non-Dominant Divine (with Marjorie Thompson)

Two thousand years of Christian history and doctrine have taught a theology of God's dominion, strongly associated with a masculine naming of the Divine. Yet the Incarnation challenges our notions of domination and dominance. Read More. 

 

Don't Miss the Inaugural Courses in the New Certificate Program in Older Adult Ministry April 13-15 The Process of Aging and Implications for Ministry with Mary Ann Johnson.

     

April 16-18 Teaching for Transformation with Joyce MacKichan Walker

 

 

Last Call for Miscellaneous Choir Robes and Other Worship Items

6- Yellow Robes
4- Ivory Robes
28- Gray Robes
47 Burgundy Robes
2 - Handmade Banners
Miscellaneous Table Runners & Scarves

Please call the Presbytery office at 574-223-5678 or email [email protected] by Friday, December 19th with your interest.
Where is your General Presbyter Rev. Frank Vardeman
                                                                             
Frank Vardeman
Tuesday, December 23

- Presbytery Office
Sunday, December 28
- Congregational Visit


Upcoming Events and Meetings
 
Thursday, December 18 
CANCELLED - Commission on Ministry (Go-to-Meeting) 
 
Sunday, December 28 
2:00 pm - Closing Worship Service - Thorntown Presbyterian Church (map)

Wednesday, December 24 thru Friday, January 2
PRESBYTERY OFFICE CLOSED
MERRY CHRISTMAS

Tuesday, January 6 
10 am - Staff Meeting
10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team
10 am - Confirmation Retreat Leadership (Conference Call)

Thursday, January 8
10 am - Commission on Ministry
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry 
 
All meetings & events 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.
 
God Calls will not be published on December 24th or 31st. May you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 
                  
 
Every week, we publish this eNewsletter to hundreds of Wabash Valley and PC(USA) members and also post online!  The Church Relations Coordinator  accepts articles for entry and is actively seeking new and original content sharing how your congregation is engaged in ministry. We would especially like to share photo's and stories of your confirmands, new members, VBS,  mission trips and other special ministries that are occurring in your congregation and community. Please forward your stories and photos to [email protected], due each Friday.

 


Presbytery of Wabash Valley & Geneva Center Contact Information

Board of Pensions Liaison ~ Rev. John Ritchie ~ 260-356-8680
General Presbyter ~ Rev. Frank Vardeman ~ 574-223-5678 ext 101
Stated Clerk ~ Elder Linda Long ~ 219-926-7098
Office Manager ~ Gladys Sargent ~ 574-223-5678 ext 102
Financial Consultant ~ Eric Herzog ~ 574-223-5678 ext 105
Church Relations Coordinator ~ Elder Vicki Dreibelbis ~ 574-223-5678 ext 100
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
Nourished by the living waters of Jesus Christ,

we awaken, enliven and enhance worshiping communities

to courageously extend their branches  

and bear new fruit in the Spirit.

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