April  2011

 Pastor's Corner

   Making a Difference Behind the Scenes
    A middle aged man recently talked to a friend of mine, Steve McVey,
about a frustration he was experiencing.  "I want to be part of our growing
church life," he said.  " I want to impact other people's lives with God's love, 
but all I do is pretty much repeat the same routine day after day.  I see other
people making a difference but I don't think I do."
     Have you ever felt like you've been left sitting on the sidelines while God is 
actively blessing others with ministry opportunities that make a difference in the 
Kingdom:  If so, you've fallen into the snare of the enemy
     The way our Father works through each of us varies from person to person.
It's easy to look at other people and compare their strengths to out own weaknesses.
"I wish I were more outgoing.  I wish I knew the Bible better.  I wish I had that kind
of ministry too.   I wish...."  This is not a productive way to live.
     Looking into the Bible, it's easy to see the public ministries of people like the
Apostle Paul, or Peter or others who seemed to find a wide audience who listened
to their teachings.  It's easy to think that the value of a person's ministry can be
measured by the results that can be seen.  That just not true, though.
     Do you remember a man named Andrew?  He was Peter's brother and he
introduced Peter to Jesus.  Andrew appears in Scripture to be a quiet, unassuming
man but by introducing Peter to Jesus, God used him to open the door for the
Gentiles to hear the gospel through his brother.  
     Aquila and Priscilla don't often get top billing in sermons but it seems that much of
Paul's success in his public ministry can be linked to this loving couple who took him
under their wings.  who knows how Paul's ministry may have been diminished had 
god not sent these two to him?
     There are many others whose names don't stand out in lights mentioned in the
New Testament but there is little doubt that their names are well known in heaven.
I sometimes wonder if these won't be the real heroes of heaven.  People who didn't
get the recognition here but who quietly yet zealously shared life and love with others
here, one day at a time.
     Don't think that your life isn't making a big difference.  You aren't in a position to 
know that.  The interaction you have with people in your life on a day to day basis
may seem incidental to you but in the Father's scheme of things, a word you say or
a deed you do toward another may ultimately prove to be monumental to them and to
the kingdom.
     We aren't in a position to judge those sorts of things, so let's don't.  Let's just be
comfortable with who we are and live our lives in the way that fits our personality.  Our
temperment and gifts.  When we get to heaven, we may be surprised to find out just 
how much impact that really had.  

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Kunen 


communion schedule

      April 3
      April 21--Maundy Thursday
      April 24--Easter
      May 1
      June 5
      July 3
      August 7
      September 4
      October 2
      November  27
      December 24
      December 25
      January 1

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Session Report

March Session Report

Session had a presentation prior to the regular meeting to understand the Healing Ministry
that is a feature of the New Hope Church of Pahrump.   A task force is being organized at 
Westminster to consider becoming a “Lighthouse of Prayer” as a mission of the church. 
The church gained 4 new members this month but mourned the death of attendee Shirley 
Broccolino.  Presbytery occurred with the pastor and Melva O’Neill in attendance.  The 
clerk’s membership and minutes record books were reviewed and passed with a couple of 
minor corrections.  All committees reported present and future activities.    Most are the usual 
tasks though two new items were the completion of the church pictorial directory and the purchase 
of new choir robes which will be seen at the Easter Sunday service. 

                                Birthdays in March:                      

                               Pat Kunen          6th
                               Vanessa Hedges 15th
                               Alex Schmidt     21st
                               Randy Thuente  22nd
                               

Scripture for the Month
"...Respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you
in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in
love because of their work.  Be at peace among yourselves.
And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, be patient|
with all of them.  Se that none of you repays evil for evil, but
always seek to do good to one another and to all.  Rejoice 
always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench
the Spirit.  Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything;
hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.  
    May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may
your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will do this.  Beloved, pray for us.  Greet all the brothers and 
sisters with a holy kiss.  I solemnly command you by the Lord that
this letter be read to all of them.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you."

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

April Health Awareness Month by Melvina Donovan
National Cancer Control Month
Alcohol Awareness Month
Irritable bowl Syndrome Awareness Month
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

Cancer Management involves more than treatment.  Rather, it
refers to a spectrum of care tat includes prevention, screening,
detection, diagnosis, counseling, psychosocial support, specific
multidisciplinary therapeutic treatment modalities, rehabilitation,
research and terminal care.
The choice of therapy depends upon the type of cancer, the state
of the disease, the effectiveness of therapy, and the patient's ability
to tolerate a recommended intervention.  Besides specific therapies,
experimental therapies and clinical trials may be an option for some
cancers.

Alcohol Awareness--recognition that continuing to drink occasionally
or continuously, in excessive amounts, resulting in medical/physical, 
occupational, and psychosocial problems, alcoholism exists.  

Irritable Bowel Syndrome--Disorder of the entire digestive tract that
cause abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation and diarrhea, mucus
in the stool.

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention--If another individual tries
to exert control by sexual abuse/assault (forced or coerced sexual activity)
making you have sex when you don't want to, or do things sexually that you
don't want to do, don't make excuses for that person or yourself.  Don't suffer
in silence and don't blame yourself.  Seek help.  Call 911.