Newsletter First Presbyterian Church Terrell, Texas February 2015 Thoughts from Angus Friends, I have been struggling these past weeks with a number of thoughts, not least of which has been what to write for the newsletter. I wrestled so hard with finding that perfect thought, that ideal balance between theological, quirky, and sage advice that the whole month of January passed me by. You see, I have an affliction that many of us have in common and one that the church at large suffers from also, and that is procrastination. If you are not prone to procrastination and don’t know what I’m talking about then I’ll fill you in on the pros and cons of this condition during one newsletter sometime later this year….maybe. The earliest disciples of Jesus didn’t appear to procrastinate in the early chapters of the gospels. Over the past two weeks in worship, we have heard how Jesus gathered his first disciples. In the gospel according to John, Jesus asked Philip to follow him and immediately Philip called his friend Nathanael to “Come and see” the one promised by God through the prophets. In Mark’s gospel Jesus called out to Simon Peter and Andrew, and then John and James, “Follow me”, and they did…immediately…no dithering about or wondering what might be the best course of action,…they just followed. In the coming months…no! This month, I encourage you to experiment with a little early gospel impulsiveness. You will notice the prayer in our newsletter this month is asking God to use us to ask people to “Come and see” how we praise and give thanks to God at FPC Terrell, to “Come and see” and experience the embrace of God’s loving presence through, God’s welcoming and accepting good people that you are. You see, when we spend our time trying to find that perfect moment, that perfect balance of theologically political correctness and social opportunity, we often miss out on the simplicity and immediacy of God with us. Look…see…sense God moving you to ask that person to “Come and see.” Maybe they’ll have to think about it a while, maybe they’ll dismiss you out of hand, or maybe they’ll come…immediately. No matter what, they will have been loved by God in that moment through you. Your friend and brother in Christ, 1 Lay Leaders for February Feb. 1 Ray Harris Pastor's Prayer Corner: Feb 8 Linda Austin Feb 15 Terry Turner "Almighty God, creator of all that Feb 22 Jason Jones is, seen and unseen, and all that is good in me, grant me clarity of my senses and the wisdom to respond when you call upon me to reach out to your people. Reveal a person to me with whom I might Please remember your Box Tops for Education. A list of these products is on the office door. share the good news of your love present among us. Empower me to ask "come and see." Help me be their guide to life at FPC We are still collecting items for the Texas State Hospital residents. They need socks, gloves, sweatshirts and sweatpants, brushes, combs and most any personal item. There is also a need for small suitcases. Terrell if that be your divine desire. Each and every moment of every day allow me to give you thanks and praise in Jesus' name." than ourselves in this season of giving. Amen. from thoughts About God Don’t forget your food donations for the Terrell Share Center. We collect nonperishables on the first Sunday of each month. These are delivered on the following Thursday to the Share Center Keep in your Prayers Charles Gann, Martha and Ron Wilkins, Bettye Borchardt, Norma and Charles Jandrew, Vi Howrie, Terry Turner, Bob and Patty Madison, Tilly Young 2 First Presbyterian Church Terrell February Sun 2015 Mon 1 Tues 2 Communion Wed 3 Thu 4 Office hours Office hours 10 a.m. to 4 pm 10 a.m. to 4 pm Fri Sat 5 6 7 12 13 14 Bring Share Center Food 8 9 After Worship Luncheon 10 11 Office hours Office hours 10 a.m. to 4 pm 10 a.m. to 4 pm Church Cleaning 2 pm Session meeting 4 p.m. 15 16 22 17 18 Office hours Office hours 10 a.m. to 4 pm 10 a.m. to 4 pm 23 24 25 19 20 21 26 27 28 Newsletter Office hours Office hours Church Submission 10 a.m. to 4 pm 10 a.m. to 4 pm Cleaning 2 pm Deadline 3 February Birthdays Angie West Feb 3 Ron Wilkins Feb. 5 Frances Harris Feb. 10 Lance Burke Feb. 11 Stephanie Rodriquez Feb 21 Jan Armstrong Feb. 22 Michael Lee Feb 24 W. A. Locke Feb.25 Cambren Ivy Feb 26 February Anniversaries J.F and Margaret Pruitt Feb. 17 Thank You During Christmas, we, 1st Presbyterian Church, adopted two families to care for during this special time. Children’s gifts, grocery gift cards and turkeys were distributed the week before Christmas Day. These families want to express their gratitude for all the love and care. They are most appreciative. 4 From the Presbyterian Outlook Magazine Excerpted from an article by Heidi Husted, interim pastor in the Northwest Heidi talked about all the things Christians have disagreed about through the centuries right up to today. She quotes the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:1 "Knowledge puffs up; but love builds up". Like it's not enough to be in the know. Apparently, you can be right in the wrong way - when you gloat or give up on others. So the challenge remains: how do we disagree - without demonizing or dismissing our opponents? And not simply tolerating them, but building them up in love? Then to her theologically conservative friends who have jumped ship believing the PCUSA is adrift, she says "I still believe the witness of the larger church is hindered by your departure, now the challenge is not to demonize you, but to let you go, to bless you, to wish you well, even to celebrate any "success" you have." Then she says "to my theologically conservative friends who are saddened by the recent actions of the GA, may I say: We will get through this theologically challenging time - all of us together - if we refuse to become what amounts to practical atheists. Because God's got this. Jesus is with us. This is church. So no whining or pining. As much as our job is discerning truth, more importantly we must not turn away from those disagreeing and even disagreeable others. Let's commit to build up others in love early and often." In Jesus Christ, the rain of God's grace falls on the just and the unjust, including the person I think is wrong and want to write off. Thought for the day When a bird is alive it eats ants. When the bird is dead ants eat the bird Time and circumstances can change at anytime. Don't devalue or hurt anyone in life. You may be powerful today but remember time is more powerful than you! One tree makes a million match sticks. Only one match stick needed to burn a million trees. SO BE GOOD AND DO GOOD 5 February Recipe Shrimp Rotini Ingredients 1 bag Rotini noodles, cooked 4 oz. bottled capers 4 green onions, chopped 4 oz. Caesar salad dressing 1 one lb. bag cocktail shrimp Parmesan cheese to taste 1 small can sliced black olives Croutons Directions Cook and drain noodles. Defrost shrimp in boiling water and drain. Mix all ingredients except croutons. Refrigerate Add croutons before serving Serve with garlic bread 6