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MVP Mission Update
January 9, 2014
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Save the Dates
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
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Questions?
Comments?
Corrections?
800.693.1147
330.339.5515
8:00A - 4:30P
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2014 Mission Yearbooks
are now on sale
$15.00 each
Per Capita 2014
GA
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7.02
| Synod | 3.25 | Presbytery | 18.36 |
Total
| 28.63 |
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Entering the Mess
"To be open to the embrace of the Father is necessarily and inevitably
to be open to the whole creation, which is held in his embrace." --
Brother Martin Smith, SSJE
Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose to enter the mess? He didn't have to. He could have kept his distance, looking down from afar upon the crowd who had flocked out to John seeking forgiveness for their sins. He who was without sin could have stood at a distance, not getting caught up in the chaos. Yet on that riverbank, he makes the conscious choice to enter the fullness of our condition.
It is in that precise moment that God's pleasure can no longer be contained: "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 2:22). Take note of the Father's joy as the Son throws away his separateness to enter into our brokenness. He who is without sin becomes one with us in our pain. It is then that the Spirit descends, filling him with an awareness of his true identity as the beloved Son. Only as Jesus heeds God's call to take on our suffering does God flood him with awareness of his unique relationship as the only-begotten Son and anoint him with the Spirit for his mission; not before. It is the same for us. Only as we step out in faith will we receive confirmation of our core identity in Christ and God's call.
When Jesus chose to plunge himself that day into our condition, he revealed that nothing shall separate us from the love of God (see Romans 8:31-39). What a profound moment of truth for us! In his baptism, Jesus embodies God's love for us even as he challenges us to follow him into the mess. From the prophets on, God has called us to seek the Shalom of the cities to which we have been sent in exile (see Jeremiah 29:1-11). Jesus models this with his baptism as he enters into our brokenness.
This is the axis on which the gospel turns. The same movement of surrender that opens us to intimacy with God also opens us up to compassion with all who struggle and are in need. To be open to the Spirit is to be open to humanity in all its brokenness and its ardent yearning for wholeness.
As Brother Martin Smith of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist reminds us: "To be open to the embrace of the Father is necessarily and inevitably to be open to the whole creation, which is held in his embrace."
Debbie Rundlett
General Presbyter
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Holy Habit: Entering the Mess
Read through the four accounts of Jesus baptism: Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-37; John 1:19-34. Do not try to reconcile the differences in the four accounts, receive them for their different perspectives, each offering revelation.
Now, choose one account and read it aloud. Take a moment to ponder the scene again. Where are you on that muddy riverbank? Are you part of the crowd? One of John's disciples? John the Baptist? Jesus, himself? How do you experience Jesus' entry into our condition, our brokenness, our need? How does Jesus' entering into our mess inform God's call to you? In what way is God calling you to enter into the mess of your community to bring healing?
Prayer for the Journey
Come, O Holy Spirit.
Come as Holy Fire and burn in us.
Come as Holy Wind and cleanse us within.
Come as Holy Light and lead us in the darkness.
Come as Holy Truth and dispel our ignorance.
Come as Holy Power and enable our weakness.
Come as Holy Life and dwell in us.
Convict us, convert us, consecrate us,
Until we are set free from the service of ourselves, to be your servants
in the world.
Book of Common Worship
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Where is the 2014 Prayer Partners List?
from Candice McMath
With the coming of the new year, many of you have been emailing or calling the Mission Center to ask, "Where can I find the 2014 Prayer Partners list?" We are currently reviewing the list to make sure it is up-to-date and includes our new members of MVP and other organizations, and it should be ready for publication within the next week.
Thank you for your patience during my transition into the roll of Mission Coordinator! I truly appreciate it. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me at the Mission Center by calling 330-339-5515 or emailing at Candice@MVPJourney.org.
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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. For your convenience, a mailing went out at the end of December to the church. 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.
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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.
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From Rev. Robin Swinsburg
Choir Robes Available
Free for the cost of shipping. 60 choir robes (blue) Only a couple of years old and only worn one year.
If you are interested, please contact The Rev. Robin Swinsburg at 941-748-2848
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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.
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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
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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
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Save the Date: May 1, 2014
Re/Entry: Rebuilding Productive Lives, Post-Incarceration
A Policy Coordination and Training Symposium for Professionals
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Prayer Requests/Updates
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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. (Photo credit/courtesy of Jon Carlisle)
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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
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