707 Main St. - PO Box 225 - Rochester, IN 46975 Phone: 574-223-5678 www.ourpresbytery.org Fax: 888-215-6219
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8-12 & 1-5 Closed Friday
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Dear Mom and Dad
by Rev. Dr. John C. Van Nuys, Crawfordsville Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church
When I was a child, every school day began with prayer. A pastor regularly addressed our school assemblies. On Sundays most stores were closed. There were zero Sunday youth sports leagues. Most families attended church. Growing up then, you could "catch" Christianity from the wider culture. For better or worse, those days are gone.
Parenting children today, rearing them in the faith, is much harder -- and even more important. The cultural container for Christianity is gone. That means that if your child is going to get the faith it is up to you to make sure they do.
Speaking as a parent, I know today's pressures are tremendous. Nonetheless, making sure your child is religiously educated is at least as important as making sure your child is academically educated. Probably more.
The statistics are sobering: 50% of all our children will get married only to be divorced. 41% of them will be diagnosed with cancer. And 100% of our children, like us, will one day pass away.
That is why you need to spiritually prepare them by making sure they regularly get to Sunday school and Sunday worship. By doing this, you will be packing them a parachute. You will be preparing them to weather the storms of this life. And you will stand them in good stead to one day stand before their Maker to give an account of their life and, by grace, to rely on Jesus Christ to enter into his heavenly life and love.
After their sporting years are long gone and the artistic endeavors of youth have been laid aside, your children will need to have the faith on which to stand and live and triumph.
"But my child doesn't like going to church."
Your child probably doesn't like school all the time either. But none of us let them skip. Because what is at stake is too important. A mind is important, but someone's soul needs even more care. Especially a child. Your child.
I write this not to shame or blame or heap more pressure upon you, but to encourage you. Get your children to church so that your child can to become who God created them to be: A loving, forgiving, compassionate, prayerful, and faith-filled child of God.
We are all children of God, but not all of us live lives fully and accurately described by those adjectives. Now that it is fall, get your children and your family and yourself back into the habit of regular Sunday school and Sunday worship attendance. As you do, God will bless your children -- and your children sooner or later will be grateful for the parachute your actions will pack for them.
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Nourished by the living waters of Jesus Christ, we awaken, enliven and enhance worshipping communities to courageously extend their branches and bear new fruit in the spirit.
-The Mission Statement of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley
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Save the Dates
2016 COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 6 - Rochester, Community PC
2016 ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, November 15 -
Elkhart, First Presbyterian Church
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Ministry Quick Links
PC(USA) RESOURCES
Double the impact of your gift.
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Grow your Stewardship Program
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YAV
Young Adult Volunteer Program Application Dates
December 1, 2016
February 1, 2017
April 1, 2017
June 1, 2017
Learn More
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Presbytery of Wabash Valley Pulpit Supply List
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Presbytery of Wabash Valley 2016 Monthly Bible Study
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Will This Work Make Me Sick?
Asking about the physical sustainability of ministry
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Commissioned to Validated Ministry Available to
Serve Communion
Jill Kitowski
(219) 325-0039 jill2536@comcast.net
David Abbott
(574) 234-2414
Carrie Munson
(574) 721-5225 Michael Shurn (574) 946-3851 judge66@pulaskicounty.in.gov |
2016 PER CAPITA
$39.38 total
General Assembly - $7.12
Synod of Lincoln Trails - $3.81
Presbytery of Wabash Valley - $28.45
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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 Eternal God, We pray for those who serve you far from home. For missionaries and peacekeepers, for members of the armed services and those who serve the outcasts and the oppressed and the victims of unjust systems and governments. We pray for the many troubled places in our world today. As we have done so often before, we pray for peace. Let your healing flow among the people of this troubled world. We pray that peace and freedom and justice might become a part of our life together as your children. That each day might bring us closer to the day when all people gather together at your heavenly banquet in peace and love. Through Christ our Lord, Amen
- Prayer from Rev. Nancy Becker, Honorably Retired
Please pray for.... - Monticello First Presbyterian Church
- CRE Barb Wirt, South Bend Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, as she recovers from hip replacement surgery
- The Rev. Lloyd Sewdin, Ogden Dunes Community Church,
- The Rev. Jamie Miller, South Bend Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, as he recovers from knee replacement surgery
- The Rev. Jack Hess, Honorably Retired, as he continues to struggle with health concerns and other major life changes.
- Those suffering in silence...
AMEN!
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Thank you for your ministry and your service... - October 21, 1979 - The Rev. Lucy Rupe, Honorably Retired
- October 22, 1989 - The Rev. William Emrich, Honorably Retired
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 vicki@ourpresbytery.org.
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Congregational Highlights
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Photo Provided by Rev. John Van Nuys
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When the Bicentennial Torch Relay passed through Montgomery County on Thursday 10/13, five Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church members and friends were honored: Chris Amidon, who was named the 2009 Indiana School Nurse of the Year; Bill Doemel, who led the way in founding the county's free health and dental clinic; David Hadley, who has taught and worked tirelessly in Indiana politics for decades; Whitman Horton, who was one of three 4th graders in the county selected to read his bicentennial essay at the celebration; and Bill Placher (posthumously) who was named the best teacher in the nation in 2002 by the American Academy of Religion. Bill also served on the drafting committee and was the primary writer of "A Brief Statement of Faith of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)" which is in the Book of Confessions. Included in the picture from left to right are torchbearers Bill Doemel, Chris Amidon, and John Van Nuys, who carried the torch for his teacher Bill Placher.
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MISSION WORK OPPORTUNITY CLOSE TO HOME
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Help Rebuild Kokomo Saturday, November 5
 FAITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1608 KIRK ROW
KOKOMO, IN 46902
on
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2016
10:00 AM
There is a special need for persons with experience in using a chain saw; primarily from a bucket truck.
Please contact Jeff if you have this particular skill and are able to help.
If you aren't able to help out on November 5th but would like to assist in some way please give generously.
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RETREATS
WORKSHOPS
WEBINARS
AND EVENTS
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Tuesday, October 2510 am - 2 pm - Coffee Office Hours with Jennifer - Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe 11 N Court St., Crown Point (map)Thursday, October 272 pm - Commissioned Ruling Elder Gathering - Bob Evans 1631 Pilgrim Ln., Plymouth (map)Thursday, November 310 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry - Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 5588 N SR 25, Logansport (map)10 am - Commission on Ministry - Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 5588 N SR 25, Logansport (map)Saturday, November 510 am - Rebuild of Kokomo - Faith Presbyterian Church 1608 Kirk Row, Kokomo (map) All meetings & events posted on the PWV Calendar are eastern time (EDT) unless noted otherwise. Please call 574-223-5678 or visit http://www.ourpresbytery.org/calendar.htm for more information regarding meetings and events.
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Coffee Office Hours with Jennifer...
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 Stop by and connect with Jennifer at convenient coffee shops all over the presbytery: Coffee office hours for October: - Tuesday, October 25: 10am- 2:00 p.m. (central) - Sip Coffee House 11 N. Court St., Crown Point
And know that you can always set another time to get together. Feel free to contact Jennifer at Jennifer@ourpresbytery.org or 574-653-1003.
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2017 Confirmation Retreat
A great way to support, supplement or complement your church's own confirmation program!
Friday evening February 3 - Sunday noon February 5
at Geneva Center
This weekend is filled with interactive discussions and hands-on workshops that engage youth as they learn foundational Reformed theological beliefs of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and experience what it means to be a member of a connectional church, helping each other to listen to Christ's loving, life-changing call in our lives even today in this world. Time is also set aside for ice breaker games, time for fellowship, and other fun activities. The weekend is designed as an "all in one" confirmation experience or, for congregations with a longer confirmation process, the retreat can serve as a kick-off or capstone anchoring event. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending this annual event made possible with the assistance of Wabash Valley Presbytery. If you would like to participate in planning or leading the retreat, please contact John Van Nuys: 765-362-5812, jcvchurch@att.net
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 Register Today For 2016 Events at Geneva Center Inc.
- October 28-30, 2016 - Knitting/Crochet UFO Retreat - Gather your supplies and join other knitters and crocheters as we work on those UnFinished Objects and gifts for the upcoming holidays. Learn from other enthusiasts, enjoy the freedom from distractions and pick up a few new skills. More information is located on our website. Please register online by October 14th.
- Oct. 30, 2016 4-7 pm- Fall Harvest Celebration - For all ages. Youth Groups welcome.$5.00 per person. Join us for a hayride, pumpkin bowling, hotdogs, s'mores, games and more! Please sign up online or call our main office to let us know how many people you will be bringing by October 23rd.
If you have any questions please call our main office at 574-223-6915 or |
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Thinking as Stewards
Do not be envious when some become rich, or when the grandeur of their house increases; for they will carry nothing away at their death, nor will their  grandeur follow them. Psalm 49:16-17
The grace in the psalmist's exhortation to refrain from envy or fear when "some become rich" is found in naming an uncomfortable truth-we worry about the wealth of others. Indeed, the corrupting influences of wealth and power appear to validate our fears. Still, it is hard to know whether we fear the wealthy or simply wish we were walking around in their fancy, custom-fit shoes! The psalmist confronts us with the sin of always wanting more. After all, it is not just the ones we call rich who "carry nothing away." The same is true of all of us.
Every day I find myself motivated by things I cannot carry away. Rather than despise those moments, I have come to thank God for the opportunity to refocus my heart. It is true grace to be called back to the goodness of God. Saint Augustine liked to say that even our awareness that we have wandered off the path is a gift we could not have possessed without God. May we find and thank God for such awareness today and may that awareness inform our choices in what we do with our resources, life, and love. From Forward Day by Day
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Wabash Valley Officers, Staff and Consultant Contact Information
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