|
|
|
MVP Mission Update
December 19, 2013
Third Sunday of Advent
|
|
|
Save the Dates
Tuesday
December 3rd
9a - 4p
The Presbytery
Gathers Stated
Presbytery Meeting
Advent Worship, Update from the Commissions, and Vote on the 2014 Budget
The Presbyterian Church
142 N. Fourth St.
Coshocton, 43812
-------------
Saturday
January 11, 2014
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
The Journey
Discovery 2:
Where Am I Now?
Faith Christian Church
2012 Pleasant Valley Road NE
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
-------------
Questions?
Comments?
Corrections?
800.693.1147
330.339.5515
8:00A - 4:30P
|
|
2014 Mission Yearbooks
are now on sale
$15.00 each
Per Capita 2013
|
GA
|
6.87
| |
Synod
|
3.25
| |
Presbytery
|
18.36
| |
Total
| 28.48 |
Per Capita 2014
|
GA
|
7.02
| | Synod | 3.25 | | Presbytery | 18.36 | |
Total
| 28.63 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annunciation
Told of God's favor, told of God's purpose, Mary said yes...
Told of Christ Jesus, told of the Spirit,
can we say yes as Mary said yes?
Leach
Mary said yes. There are those who will argue that the angel wasn't asking, the angel was telling, but we are told that Gabriel waited for Mary's response. The angel (or rather, God through Gabriel) honored Mary's right to choose. It seems hard to imagine saying no to God, but if we're honest, we do it all the tim, in big and little ways (mostly little, I think): the moments when we fail to acknowledge the movement of the Spirit within us, the times when we say no to bear Christ through word and deed, choosing instead to care for self, never realizing the damage we do to self and others.
Will we say yes to God? Before Christ can be formed in us, we must say yes. For many, this will involve a redefining of what it means to be a Christian: from passive recipient to active partner in the redemption of the world. We do well to ponder the challenge of 14the century mystic Meister Eckhart: "What good is it to me if the eternal birth of the Divine Son, takes place unceasingly but does not take place within myself? And what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace if I am not also full of grace? What good is it for the Creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and my culture? This then is the fullness of time, when the Son of God is begotten in us!"
In the words of Alan Hirsh and Michael Frost in The Shaping of Things to Come, an incarnational faith calls for acknowledgement of "the fact that in God's economy our actions do have eternal impact. We do extend the kingdom of God in daily affairs and activities and actions done in the name of Jesus." Annunciation announces God's in breaking into the world... through us! It is the proclamation of God's intent that Christ be formed in us... for the reconciliation of the world!
This then is the fullness of time, when the Son of God is begotten in us!
Will you say yes?
Advent blessings,
 Debbie Rundlett General Presbyter |
|
Holy Habit: Interspersed Prayer
Any journey begins with saying yes. Given that, it is important that you understand to what you are saying yes. Take some time to prayerfully ponder the invitation of God. Below is a prayer that intersperses the Annunciation with some suggestions for prayer and meditation. Allow yourself over this next week time for silence and solitude that the Word might enter and take root in you. Journey blessings as Christ is formed in you!
Before you begin, take a deep breath... and release. Now take another... and again release. Release any tension that you are carrying in your body. Release any expectation of what "should" happen in this time of prayer and yield yourself to God. Breathe... and release!
Greetings, O favored one! The Lord is with you! (1:28)
How does it feel to be favored in God's sight? What does it mean to know that the Lord is with you?
Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth (1:30-31).
What in the angel's greeting causes you fear? How do you receive these words of promise and assurance? In what way is God calling you to conceive and give birth to Emmanuel?
How will this be? (1:34)
What is your question of God?
The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you... For no word from God will ever fail (1:35; 37).
Are you ready to yield to God, to surrender to the power of the Most High? What will it mean for God's Word to be born through you?
I am the Lord's servant... May it be to me according to your word (1:38). Are you ready to say yes to God? If so, how will you embody this commitment in your life and living? If no, what stands in the way of your saying yes to God? What must you release or surrender in order to say yes?
|
|
2014 Updated Terms of Call Forms
Can Now Be Submitted!
It's that time of year again! 2014 Updated Terms of Call forms can now be submitted to the Mission Center. A mailing will go out this week to the churches with the 2014 forms to be completed and returned to us no later than February 15, 2014. Many thanks in advance for your timely response!
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact Candice at the Mission Center by calling 330-339-5515 or emailing at Candice@MVPJourney.org.
|
|
Attention MVP Clerks of Session:
2013 Session Statistical Report and Clerk's Annual Questionnaire are now available!
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" And for the Clerks of Session of MVP's congregations, this means that it's time for 2013 reports to be prepared and filed with denominational staff in Louisville.
A software issue that had threatened to delay the opening of the online filing system into January has been fixed and is now open. The 2013 statistical report form and accompanying instructions can be downloaded from the website of the Office of the General Assembly (http://oga.pcusa.org/stats).
Both experienced and new session clerks should read through the instructions and the new FAQ section before starting to fill in the form. This will help answer most if not all of the questions about completion and submission of the statistical report. Additional help is available by contacting MVP Mission Coordinator Candice McMath here at the MVP Mission Center (330-339-5515).
Please remember that since this annual statistical report is a report of the session, the completed report cannot be filed before it has been reviewed and approved by the session (not the congregation), as soon as possible after December 31, 2013.
The Clerk's Annual Questionnaire is available on the same web site as listed above and provides important information for the denominational research staff. This is does not need to be approved by the session or congregation before it is submitted. Again, questions about this form can be answered by contacting Candice.
Copies of the completed Session Statistical Report and Clerk's Annual Questionnaire should be retained as part of the congregation's records. It is not necessary that copies be filed with the MVP Mission Center. For those session clerks who do not have internet access, draft reports and questionnaires can be mailed to the MVP Mission Center and will be filed on their behalf.
Last year there was considerable confusion about the completion and submission of these important reports and questionnaires. We apologize for this and anticipate a much smoother process this time. Our goal is a 100% completion / filing rate this year. Although no prizes will be awarded, we ask for the cooperation of every session clerk in our presbytery in this reporting process.
|
|
From the General Assembly
Statement regarding Wisconsin Minister Housing Case
|
|
From the General Assembly
Regarding Nominations for Elected Service to the GA
Dear Presbytery Colleagues,
I am writing to you on behalf of the GA Nominating Committee. The GA Nominating Committee will soon make new nominations to thirty boards, commissions, committees, and councils; we need your help in identifying persons who may feel called to serve the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in elected service at the General Assembly level.
The deadline for new nominations has been extended to January 2, 2014.
Peace,
Valerie Kiriishi Small (Ruling Elder)
Assistant Stated Clerk, Coordinator for GA Nominations
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
|
|
From Massillon Central Presbyterian Church
Seeking an Organist
Central Presbyterian Church of Massillon has an immediate opening for a quarter-time organist and accompanist. Instruments are a 2002 Allen Renaissance 80-stop, 3-manual digital organ with MIDI and a Steinway six-foot grand piano. The individual filling the position will be responsible for one Sunday morning worship service, weekly rehearsal (September-May) with a twenty-five voice chancel choir, special liturgical services, weddings, and in-church funeral services.
Position reports to the Director of Music Ministries. Compensation will be negotiated and based upon commensurate experience. A full position description is available upon request.
Interested persons are asked to contact Larry Lalama at 330-832-7455 or cpcp@sssnet.com.
|
|
From Lynn Thompson Bryant
Orwell North Presbyterian Church Seeking a Pastor
The Orwell North Presbyterian Church, a spirit filled, "country" church, is looking for a full-time covenant pastor. Our church is located in the Village of Orwell in southern Ashtabula County Ohio. The church was established in 1831. It has a membership of 110 members.
We are looking for a pastor who reflects God's abiding love and the peace and joy that following Him brings. If you feel that our church would be a good fit for you please contact us with your information and we will provide our pastoral information form in its entirety. We look forward with great anticipation and joy to meeting the new pastor God has chosen for our church.
Orwell North Presbyterian Church
135 N. Maple Ave.
Orwell, OH 44076
(440) 437-6677
|
|
From Mary Ann Borland, FPC Minerva
Craft Supplies Available
For anyone that accepts greeting cards to be
recycled into crafts, a member here at Minerva has about a half bushel she wants to donate. If you are interested, please contact the church at fpcsecretary@frontier.com or 330-868-5230.
Thanks,
Mary Ann Borland
Clerk of Session, FPC Minerva
|
|
From Jerry Norton, Christ Church
1990 Hymnals available
Due to a recent upgrade, the 1990 version of the hymnals previous used at Christ Church are available for churches in need.
- Regular Hymnals (with music): 470
- Large Print Hymnals (words only): 120
All the hymnals are in good condition, as Christ Church got them in 1999, so they have only been used for 14 years. They are boxed and available to ship immediately on a first come- first served basis.
Contact information is below:
David Kienzle- Director of Music:
Jerry Norton- Chair, Music Ministry:
(the fourth character in that e-mail address is a lower case "L")
In Thanksgiving for our Lord on this Christ the King Sunday,
Jerry Norton
|
|
Save the Date: May 1, 2014
Re/Entry: Rebuilding Productive Lives, Post-Incarceration
A Policy Coordination and Training Symposium for Professionals
|
|
From Alice Phillips, Creston Presbyterian
Seeking an Organist/Pianist
The Creston Presbyterian Church is seeking an organist or pianist for their church. The church is located at 13070 Cleveland Rd., Creston, OH 44217.
or 330-345-9265.
|
|
From Rick Hastings, Barlow Presbyterian
Seeking Hymnals
Barlow Presbyterian is looking for 50-75 copies of "The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration." If your congregation has any to spare, please email Pastor Rick Hastings or call 740-336-0111. Thanks and blessings!
|
We are happy to post news and requests from your church in this section of the MVP Update. Just email Candice or call 330-339-5515 to relay your news. Please also let us know the "expiration date" on the news item so that we can keep this section current.
|
| | |
Prayer Requests/Updates
-
A Call to Prayer for the Philippines: The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) deeply grieves the devastation and loss in the Republic of the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Typhoon Yolanda). The denomination is actively responding through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and its partners, and also is calling for prayer. Click on the link above to access the PCUSA website for specific prayers and disaster assistance.
-
It is with heavy hearts that we request prayers for the Cureton family, and announce the passing of Mary Cureton. Mary went to be with her Savior yesterday, December 17, 2013. She was the wife of Rev. Charles Cureton (HR) and they attended First Presbyterian Church of Wooster, where Charles continues to serve as parish associate.
A memorial service has been scheduled for 11:00 am on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church in Wooster. All are invited to attend.
- Please remember Pleasant Hill Outdoor Camp in your prayers. This prayer request is for clear direction and wisdom from the Lord as they move forward with preparations to build a home for the director and his family and as they prepare for 2014 summer camps.
If you or someone you know has a prayer request,
please send them to Candice at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Journeying with Jesus to touch the world...
Empowered by the Spirit to:
Make Disciples, Nurture Our Faith, and Serve the Needs of the Community!
Candice McMath, Mission Coordinator
Muskingum Valley Presbytery
109 Stonecreek Road NW
New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
330.339.5515
1.800.693.1147
Fax: 330.339.6225
Visit our website: www.MVPJourney.org
Regular Office hours
Monday - Thursday
8:00A to 4:30P
|
|
|
