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Pastor's
Message:
Dear Friends,
Early on in my Christian life, a
Sunday School teacher taught me that
there are three ways God answers
our prayers: yes, no or wait. She
suggested that one way to
remember this truth is to think of a traffic
signal; Green for go, Red for
stop and Yellow for wait. It may be
simplistic, but over the
years--especially when I had to learn to wait
patiently on the Lord for the
answer that would come in God's own
time--not mine.
Several years ago, Country
superstar Garth Brooks made famous a
song that includes the
words, "Sometimes God's greatest gifts are
unanswered
prayers." The song addresses the reality that sometimes
we think we know what is
best for our lives. We storm heaven with
our prayers only to have
God answer with a no, a closed door, a lost
opportunity. At the
time it hurts and we feel disappointed and confused.
" Why not, God? Why
can't I have this job? Why can't I have this
relationship: Why
can't this problem be resolved:" It is only in hind-
sight that we realize the
sovereign God who loves us dearly did not
give what we wanted,
because God had something much better in mind.
Perhaps
you are familiar to the poem attributed to an anonymous
confederate soldier: I
asked God for strength that I might achieve
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men, most richly blessed.
When our
prayers are answered with a no or a wait, our faith is tested,
There are times we must
trust that God has a better plan we cannot
yet see. Though
God may not grant us all we want, God will supply
our needs. The
Apostles Paul confirms this promise in Philippians 4:19,
"And my God
will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his
riches in glory in Christ
Jesus." What a powerful promise! As I
reflect on my own life, I
can affirm its truth.
When our
prayers are not immediately answered as we would choose,
let us rest in God's
loving promise to satisfy our needs. Let us
anticipate how God
might be at work preparing something even
greater than we can
imagine. Our faithfulness in uncertainty and
our unwavering trust
in the goodness of our God will result in the
riches of
blessings.
Yours in Christian
love, Pastor Hilda Pecoraro.
communion schedule
September
5
October
3
November
7
November
28 (ADVENT)
December
24 (Christmas
Eve)
January
2, 2011
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Session Report
Committees are active with Fall
planning:
The choir has begun rehearsals 9 am Sunday mornings and will sing the second
Sunday of September. Mission Interpretation has an ongoing book sale
to benefit
the library. The Thursday morning group has commenced with the study
of "Enough"
by the Rev. Adan Hamilton. The Thursday evening group is
continuing.. Both
welcome participants. Melva O'Neill will represent Westminster at
Presbytery in
Bishop, Ca. Family Promise will have families staying at the church
from the 19th
through the 25th.
Vacation Bible School ran the end of August with 19 kids and 5 adult
participants.
It was reported that the songs were the most popular feature for kids.
A.D. Hopkins
was pleased to have so many dedicated volunteers. He is in the process
of obtaining
a large banner to hang from the front of the church.
The picnic in the mountains brought rain as usual (and even hail) but a
least people
managed to eat before the downpour started. (See photos in the
gallery).
Sharon Hallberg, chair of the Administration Committee, has promised to
ascertain
that the Policies and Procedures Manual is current and available to all
officers. A
work party was held in August and expects to get more done with the onset
of
cooler weather. The committee is looking at enhancing the sanctuary
lighting.
The Pastor Nominating Committee has been busy checking out their finalist
candidates.
Some of these same elders serve on the Nominating Committee to find elders
and
deacons. There will be a combined meeting of elders and deacons on
Friday the 17th
at 6 pm.
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Financial
Report
In July we received $9,302 in the
operating fund.
Expenditures for the month totaled
$7,920. Our
income was $1,382 more than our
expenditures. The
insurance company paid $3400 from claims made
for
items taken and damage from the recent
break-in. The
Thai congregation contributed $500 toward
expenses
from their July conference. Session
voted to reimburse
the capital fund $3200 that was still owed
with $5000
was borrowed to meet expenses a few years
ago. The
expenses of bringing in and interviewing for
a pastor
will show up in the next month.
The deacons are having to cut funding for the
food pantry
since costs have near doubled in recent
months. For an
average of $600 they spent $1000 in May,
another $1000
in June and $1400 in July! The needs
are great so help as
you are able both the church and toward food
for the deacons.
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Birthdays for the Month of SEPTEMBER
Sarah Borders 1st
Doris Schworer 13th
Ralph Sabey 16th
Robert Thomas 23rd
Kaylee Womack 23rd
Daniela Stege 25th
Chimene Buckner 27th
Anniversary
Ron and Kathie Slaughter
September 11
Scripture
for SEPTEMBER
"Do not fear, O Zion:
do not let your hands grow weak.
The lord, your God, is in your midst,
A warrior who gives victory:
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will renew you in His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing
as on a day of festival." Zephaniah 3: 16-18
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