Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours:  Monday - Friday 8 - 4 

September 16, 2015   
God Calls
Garrett Presbyterian Church
Passage to Ponder... John 2: 6-7

Now there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them to the brim.

(from the Presbytery of Wabash Valley  2015 Monthly Bible Study) 

Small Things, Big Love
 
by Rev. Jonathan Cornell, Wabash Presbyterian Church
 
Have you recently dug through your couch looking for loose change, hoping to find enough to tip the pizza guy?

There might be more there than you think.

According to a report on MSNBC, more than $15 billion in loose change is currently stranded underneath American cushions, stuck in sock drawers, marooned in vehicle cup holders, hiding in pants pockets, or gathering dust on nightstands.

That could buy a lot of pizza.

Small things can add up to very big things.

Mother Teresa said, "None of us, even me, do great things. But we can all do small things with great love, and together we can do something wonderful."

Throughout the last few months, the Session and I have gone through a book together entitled Becoming a Blessed Church by Graham Standish. Now, in general, I am a little leery of leadership books that promise the 10 simple steps to stability and vitality. Every church is unique, and also different.

However, what we discovered was that the key to Blessedness (as Standish says) is simple, yet profound-- open ourselves to the purpose, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit may not be sending you to serve the poor and outcasts of Calcutta, but He may be inviting you to pay a visit to your shut-in neighbor. The Holy Spirit may not be inviting you to dig wells in sub-Saharan Africa, but He may be inviting you to clean-up your neighbor's leaves or shovel their walk.  The Holy Spirit may not be calling you to preach, but He may be inviting you to offer a smile and kind word to someone at the grocery store.

If we choose together to do small things with great love, we can indeed do something wonderful.

 
PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
Lord God, hear our prayer that You might give us a heart of wisdom. That we will  make wise choices; and when two paths seem to be equal, You will help us to trust You even as we make decisions. Give us a heart that is willing to obey You, to respond in faith to the wisdom You give to us.

We pray for presbyters that they might have a heart of wisdom. Keep them from ungodly counsel that seems good, but which will, in the end, be destructive. Keep them from following the path of least resistance, and from friends who would lead them astray. Teach us that the wise path is often the most difficult path, but in the end, it's the most rewarding. Direct our paths, O Lord, for we are like sheep who are prone to stray.

Please hold those listed below in prayer...
  • TE Rebecca Kuiken, Elkhart, First Presbyterian Church, who is spending time in the hospital as the doctors run tests and seek answers to her on going illness.
  • TE Bill Kleymann, Rochester, Community Presbyterian Church, who will be having a back fusion at St Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette on Monday, September 21 at 7:00 am.
  • TE David Detamore, Honorably Retired, who is recovering from a recent surgery.
  • TE Stanley Wilson, Honorably Retired, who had a bad fall and broke his right heel.
We thank you Lord for Garrett Presbyterian Church who has served their community since 1925 and continue to faithfully serve.

In Jesus' name, Amen. 
STAY CONNECTED

In This Issue
Save the Dates

2015 COUNCIL
October 20
December 8

2015 ASSEMBLY
September 18-19
Please download your documents to your device, bring paper copies or call the PWV Office to have a copy available for you. There will be NO wireless internet access this weekend.

November 17
The Presbyterian Church of Wabash


Ministry Quick Links


PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY

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The Congregational Resource Guide (CRG) is a web-based service that helps congregations find and use the best resources for the challenges they identify

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     PDA     
Center for Congregations 
Helping Indiana Congregations find and use resources
 
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CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS

Jane's Organ Concert
Sunday, October 11, 3 - 4 pm
The Presbyterian Church
123 W Hill St., Wabash, IN 46992

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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
  • September 18, 2010 - CRE Rick Ryan, Lafayette, Elston Presbyterian Church
  • September 22, 1996 - TE Ruby Kleymann, Rossville Presbyterian Church
  • September 23, 2006 - CRE Jene McVay, Crawfordsville, Milligan Memorial Presbyterian Church
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].

Donations Accepted
Some Items Available in the Big Room during Assembly:
  • Choir Robes, varieties of colors and sizes
  • Multiple Communion Trays & Bread plates
  • Gold Collection Plates
  • Paraments and Hanging Liturgical Cloths
  • 3 - Apple Computers
  • 4 - Printers
  • 2 - WII Boxes
  • 2 - WII Guitars
  • XBox 360
  • Dance Mat
  • Misc WII Accessories
  • Netgear 16 port Switch
  • Other Miscellaneous items
 
Faith in the Streets
Mission Magnified Conference

Join Presbyterian World Mission at Heartland Conference Center in Kansas City, Missouri, November 19-21, to connect with mission leaders across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Come for worship and reflection, connection and community, and practical tools for use in your local, regional, and international mission work.

Register Now 

 
The Church Network's E-learning Lab

The Church Network's E-learning Lab is designed to provide "just in time" learning for all areas of church management. From pastors, lay leaders, executive pastors, church administrators, to general church staff, the association's lab is focused on answers that build professional competences. They have an ever-growing catalog of online courses available for free and for purchase.                 
Learn more �

 

Plan now for Evangelism Sunday
Scriptural Theme centered at the core of what God is about- SENDING

Evangelism Sunday, September 27, 2015. Our scriptural theme from John 20:21 is centered in the words of Jesus, "As the Father has sent me... so I send you."

Free materials include an introduction, a free sample from our Engage Mission curriculum, and worship and liturgy materials to help you engage with those outside the church.                                                       Read More

BOUNDARIES and ETHICS TRAINING
"A Time to Reflect on Ministry and Professional Boundaries"
Monday, October 12, 2015
Community Presbyterian Church, 530 Jefferson St., Rochester
Monday, October 19, 2015
Indianapolis Interchurch Center, 1100 West 42nd St., Indianapolis
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (EDT)

 Geneva Center 
Expressions In Glass Workshop 
Explore the Nearly Lost Art of Stained Glass Making
October 5-8, 2015
Registration Information

Upcoming Events and Meetings


Thursday, September 17
CANCELLED - Commission on Ministry (Go-To-Meeting)

Friday, September 18 & Saturday, September 19
5 pm - Assembly Retreat to Noon on Saturday  (Registration Information)

Friday, September 25 
Presbytery Office Closed

Wednesday, September 30
10 am - Geneva Center Transition Team

Thursday, October 1
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.
                  
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 always actively seeking new and original content sharing how your congregation is engaged in ministry. We would especially like to share photos 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

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
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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