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| MVP Mission Update
May 22, 2014
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Comments?
Corrections?
800.693.1147
330.339.5515
8:00A - 4:30P
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2014 Mission Yearbooks
are available for
$15.00 each
2014-2015 Planning Calendars
are now on sale
$9.00 each
(Bulk order through Mission Center
due May 16, 2014)
Per Capita 2014
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GA
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7.02
| | Synod | 3.25 | | Presbytery | 18.36 | |
Total
| 28.63 |
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Now Thank We All Our God
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices,
Who from our mothers' arms, hath blessed us on our way,
With countless gifts of love and still is ours today.
--Martin Rinkart
It was 1636, in the midst of the darkness of the Thirty Years War. A German pastor, Martin Rinkart, is said to have buried five thousand parishioners in that one year. This was an average of fifteen funerals a day. His parish was ravaged by war, death, and economic disaster. In the heart of that darkness, with the cries of fear outside his window, he sat down and wrote this table grace for his children:
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices; Who, from our mother's arms, hath led us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
Here was a man who knew thanksgiving comes from love of God, and not from outward circumstances. Just fifteen years earlier the Pilgrims had celebrated the first Thanksgiving. They, also, were acknowledging their gratitude to God for God's "countless gifts of love." Whether expressed in the joy of plenty or in times of economic challenge, it is a good thing to give thanks to God. Giving thanks is evidence of faith. Thanksgiving reveals the depth of our fellowship.
Clearly God's people have evidenced deep thanksgiving through the centuries, both in times of plenty and want. But, are we truly thankful? Do we practice thanksgiving not only in the good times but also in the hard times? Do we take time to thank God when it is easy? Are we able to thank Him when it is hard? Do we understand what our forebears instinctively knew: that there is no scarcity except in our souls and that gratitude is the heart's memory?
Apparently, the disciples needed a reminder. And so, Jesus took a boy's simple offering of five fish and two loaves, gave thanks to God and all were fed with the leftovers filling twelve baskets.
We who are daily besieged with the insidious disease of scarcity-of not having enough-we who find ourselves enslaved to the stuff of our lives would do well to remember who and whose we are. We were created for a purpose. We are not our own, as the apostle Paul reminds us.
An old French proverb reminds us that gratitude is the heart's memory. What is your heart's memory?
With joy,
Debbie Rundlett
General Presbyter
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Holy Habit: Count Your Blessings... One by One!
Over the next week, keep a gratitude journal. It can be as simple as a nightly list of those things for which you are thankful. Take note of the little things. Pay close attention to how God is at work in your life. And add to the list each day. As the list grows, offer God thanks and consider what gift of your time, talent and treasure you might offer in return.
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Adjusted Mission Center Office Hours
Regular office hours (8:00 am - 4:30 pm) will be observed on Thursday, May 22.
Monday, May 26: the Mission Center will be CLOSED in observance of Memorial Day.
Reduced office hours (call before arriving) will be observed Tuesday, May 27 - Thursday, May 29, as the staff attend the ACS Technologies Ideas to Impact Conference in Nashville, TN.
Normal office hours (Monday - Thursday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm) will resume Monday, June 2.
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The Synod Announces the Annual Multicultural Youth Conference
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Announcing: "Through the Beautiful Gate - A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land"
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Announcing Healthy Congregations Facilitator Training - Summer 2014!
Information is now available for the summer 2014 offering of Healthy Congregations Facilitator training:
- When: June 17-19, 2014
- Where: MVP Mission Center.
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Announcing the 2014 Fall Cohort for Commissioned Ruling Elder Training!
We will be launching another cohort of Commissioned Ruling Elder training beginning September 2014. More information (including the CRE application packet and other necessary forms) are found on the MVP website. Questions regarding the training can be directed to Ron Walker or Candice McMath.
Click here for more information!
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Tax-Advantaged Plans Can Save Employees Money
Be sure to view Board University's latest Web module, Tax-Advantaged Plans, to learn how employing organizations can offer plans that help employees save money on healthcare and dependent care expenses.
These tax savings are possible under Sections 125, 105 of the Internal Revenue Code. The four types of tax-advantaged plans reviewed in the module are
- Healthcare Dues-Only Plan (Section 125 plan);
- Health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) (Section 125 plans);
- Dependent care flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) (Section 125 plans);
- Health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) (Section 105 plans); and
- Wrap Plans.
Along with a general overview of each type of plan, the module covers how the plans can work together, how employers can implement the plans, and Board-provided resources.
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Presbyterian Hymnals Available!
From Carly Jones
Wooster Westminster Presbyterian Church has Presbyterian Hymnals that they no longer need. They are now using the Glory to God Hymnals and are looking to recycle or redistribute the old hymnals. They are in good shape if there is another congregation that can use them.
For further information, contact Carly Jones at the church (info below) or via email.
353 E. Pine Street
Wooster, Ohio 44691
Phone: (330) 263-2398
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Updated RMMG Calendar is now available on the MVP Website!
for the Retreat Ministry Mission Group.
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Used Paraments Available!
First Presbyterian in Plymouth has a set of used paraments available. They are in good condition. If interested, contact Linda Kaufman at
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Seeking an Organist/Pianist
New Concord Westminster Presbyterian Church
Westminster Presbyterian Church is looking for a new organist or pianist for Sunday morning worship, beginning in June. We would like to have someone who is willing to play each Sunday (10:30 worship), lead a small choir (we are extremely compliant and pleasant!) and do occasional extra services as needed. Our starting pay is $35 per worship service, with evaluation and raise to $50 as per performance. It would be ideal for a college student or a resident of New Concord.
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2014 PW Gathering: "Radical Hospitality"
From the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Covenant
The PW in the Synod of the Covenant wish to announce their 2014 Gathering, "Radical Hospitality."
- Date: July 18-19, 2014
- Location: Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 5151 W Lennon Rd, Flint Township, MI 48507
Details on breakout sessions, cost, and speakers can be found in this brochure.
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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
- Prayers and congratulations to Jen Baer (New Harrisburg), who gave birth to Calvin Andrew Baer ("Cal") May 14, 2014. Mother are child are doing well, but Cal is currently staying in the hospital nursery to stabilize his breathing and blood sugar. Blessings to the new family, with father John and sister Natalie!
- If you or someone you know has a prayer request, please send them to Candice at
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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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