Sweet counsel: 12.29.08
This is the first in what may become a weekly series of reminders and wandering thoughts about what is going on at FPC Kosciusko. It will be available at fpckosciusko.org and at sweetdropper.com. A print edition will be available for non-computer folks. If it helps you, let me know via blog comment or in person. The aim is to improve communication, comment on church events, and help everyone stay better connected with each other and more focused on our mission.
REMIND
Christmas decorations will be coming down soon, and 2009 is right upon us. We’re having a New Year’s Eve soup supper and service Wednesday, beginning at 5:15 pm. Please bring your favorite soup. FPC will provide drinks and dessert. At 6 pm we will meet in the sanctuary for a service of remembrance of the Lord’s mercies in 2008 and pursuit of his blessings in 2009. This service has quickly become a favorite to many. Don’t miss it.
Officer nominations are open during January. A healthy church requires outstanding, God-given, committed and qualified leaders to serve as deacons and elders. This year we are asking members to return to the church office a simple nomination form for each nominee. Forms are found where you pick up church bulletins; they include a list of qualifications and duties. Please note that you must obtain the signature of the nominee indicating his acceptance of the nomination. NOTE: If you are nominated and are unsure about your qualifications or sense of calling, talk with me about that. It is good to serve as an elder or a deacon. But it is not easy work. No one should rush into the process without reflection; but neither should anyone run from or take lightly the church’s recognition of gifts and graces.
COMMENT
What a full Lord’s Day we just had! Well-attended Morning Worship, the reception for Ramon and Snooks Jackson in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary, the lovely memorial service for Kate Hughes in the old church building, and Evening Worship. I know some were worn out from the afternoon events and did not come to Evening Worship. If you missed it, you missed some hearty singing and a solid sermon on John 4:1-26 from Joe on the centrality of worship in all that the Church is and does.
Speaking of the memorial service, Preston and Ann Hughes and their children put together a lovely time of remembrance, hymn-singing and Scripture reading in memory of Kate. There was a great deal of laughter, especially when Kathryn revealed some of the secrets of Kate’s disdain for cooking! Mrs. Catherine Carr-Esters gave a touching account of how much Kate meant to her. I wish it had been recorded. Four months have passed since Kate has left our presence, and I still expect her bright and attentive face to be there to my right as I lead worship and preach.
Preachers like compliments, but need encouragement. Kate was an encourager. When greeting me after worship, she would often thank me for the sermon and then specify exactly what was instructive or meaningful to her about it. Her one-sentence encouragement was usually more direct and pointed than the actual point I had made during the sermon. More than once I remember thinking, “Wow, I wish I had said it that way. We would have finished earlier too!” That’s one of many things that I will miss about Kate, who was a great mother in Israel.
This Sunday during Morning Worship Joe Holland will give the congregation a report on the work he is undertaking in Culpeper, Virginia. Next week in this space I’ll outline for you the transition plan that Session has approved regarding Joe Holland’s launch of his church planting efforts and the final months of his ministerial labors among us.
PLAN
Jan. 4 Communion service, pm
Jan. 10 GriefShare training for leaders
Jan. 15 GriefShare begins, 6:30 pm
Jan. 28 MIC-WIC night, 6 pm
Jan. 30 Mid-South Men’s Rally at First, Jackson
Feb. 3 FPC hosts Mississippi Valley Presbytery
MEANDER
I hope that the daily Bible reading plans that were included in last Sunday’s bulletin will be put to use. If you need any accountability, i.e., someone to ask you how you are keeping up and progressing, go ahead and ask someone. Ask me if you want. Above all, read the Scriptures!
Our friends at Reformation21 have assembled a plan for daily reading through John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion during the year 2009, which marks the 500th anniversary of Calvin’s birth. Talk to one of the FPC ministers or log on to http://www.reformation21.org/calvin/ for more info.
Last week I heard someone comment that the best way to ensure that winter passes by quickly is to take out a loan that is due in the spring.
