Your Pastor’s Epistle

Dear Church Family,

The Lord seems to have been knocking on my door of my head and heart.  “Make disciples!” In survey after survey, people in the pews say that one of their highest priorities is “spiritual growth.” So it is the desire of the session to embark upon a path that will lead to some spiritual growth and our growth as disciples.

 Some leaders of five denominations have put together a couple of discipleship studies. They are not perfect, but they are very helpful.  These studies can be found (where else) online!  OPENING DOORS TO DISCIPLESHIP  a.k.a. OD2D

“Go and make disciples …”  This great commission is also an invitation, a command, to become disciples, to grow in our discipleship.  This fall, we are undertaking a discipleship training series.  It consists of three parts:  a study guided by online material, sermons that parallel the studies, and a Sunday evening experience that reinforces what we have learned. 

To begin, you must sign up for the online course.  Go to www.openingdoorstodiscipleship.com and bookmark it as OD2D.  Click on “register” in top right corner.  Fill out the form that pops up.  Your user name will be your email address.  Choose a password.  Our denomination is Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and our “Denominational Login Number” is 31627.  They want to know which of the five churches is making use of these studies.

Once you have submitted your registration form, you can click on “Course C” on the left side of the page.  A list of the 12 classes will drop down.  Choose your session with a click.  We will be studying 10 of the 12 lessons from September 13 to November 15.  On Sunday evenings at 6 PM, we will gather in Fellowship Hall for no more than an hour for further study and small group discussion.  Do not expect to be lectured to.  It will be a casual gathering who will take the study an additional step.  Lessons number 8 and 12 will probably not be discussed or preached about, yet they are valuable for you to study at home.

This is an opportunity for us to respond to the great commission:  to become disciples in order to make disciples!  I hope you will join us for these adventures in discipleship.

In the Lord’s Service,

Gabe

DAISY’S DIARY

The Tide Washes Away

This last month I have spent a great deal of time on the beach. Sand Castles grew in all forms at my feet. Different aged grandchildren created different styles of “castles” at my feet. Some were made with drips and some with buckets. I even saw some real art works on the beach. It was obvious that someone spent a long time and much effort to construct the edifice in the sand. The interesting thing is that on the next day there were no signs of all that work. The tide washed away all of that hard labor or someone else had delighted in demolishing all that was done.

It was a reminder of my age. No matter how hard we try, all we own here on this earth will soon be gone. If our treasures are found in things made with our hands, it will eventually be washed away without a trace. If what use are riches in eternity? However, if you have used your life and riches for God, it spreads and grows and brings things and people to life.

Ministry is:
· Giving when you feel like keeping
· Praying for others when your soul is hungry
· Hurting with others when you own hurt can’t be spoken.
· Keeping your word when it is not convenient.
· Being faithful when you soul wants to run away.
                       (author unknown)

Blessings,
Daisy

IF YOU OFFER IT-THEY WILL COME

Yes, as a matter of fact, this fall  is a good time for you to think about some adult Christian education experiences. I may be a little bit prejudiced, but I think you'll enjoy two of the classes I'll be leading or partnering-to-lead this fall, (not to mention the great class Gabe is leading on Sunday nights at 6 p.m. in which I'll be participating, and occasionally leading-see his article about that one).

The Disciples class will be reconvening at 9:45 am, (upstairs, last door on the left in the new wing), on September 13th.  We've had a long summer break and it will be a great time to come in fresh.  Nancy will co-lead.  How's this for an intriguing series title?:-TEN QUESTIONS MINISTERS MOST DREAD. This class is based on a book by that name and does the author ever know himself and his fellow preachers!

The other class I'll be leading on Wednesday night is for everybody, but, especially, for those who can't come on Sunday morning because they attend the contemporary service. It is on the historical events described in the book of Joshua and how they may or may not  relate to the many issues still very much at work in the Palastinian/Arab/Iraeli situation today.  Some Bible study, some theology, some reflection, and some current events-what a deal, huh?  Here we have a nine week course full of information that will wow your friends around the water cooler with how well informed you are on the origins and issues of what many people believe is the thorniest problem of our times.

FOR THE ESPECIALLY MISSION MINDED:
FATHER’S HOUSE WARES - We have an immediate and desperate need for, baby beds/bassinets, baby car carriers, and all kinds of beds for those we serve in Our Father's House Wares Ministry,  
(it seems like every enlisted man at the base is becoming a dad this fall!).

FAMILY PROMISE - If you believe in what we're trying to do about transitional housing for temporarily homeless families by our participation in FAMILY PROMISE and if you would enjoy a pleasant evening of entertainment with your spouse or significant other,
ask me about tickets to the 'MUSIC OF HOPE' concert Family Promise is sponsoring as a fund raiser on September 25th.
Look for the advertisements posted around the church.

THE PEACE OFFERING, one of the four major mission offerings we take up each year, will be held Sunday, October 4th.

The CROP WALK is scheduled for Sunday November 15th.  Many sponsors and walkers are needed. Why not make it a 'family thing'?  A pleasant walk on the beach for the cause of world hunger teaches our kids something about caring and gives them some nice mom & pop time, too.

Shalom and Agape,

Peyton

 

School News

Another year of ministry together through your weekday school began with the CPPK staff participation in the Teacher Commissioning Service on August 30.  The theme of Get Connected
applies to the relationship between the congregation and school.  The bond we share is vital to our ministry here on the corner of Sherry and Sturdivant. Celebrating our individual gifts and particular ministries affirms our calling and sharpens our focus as together we serve children and their families in Jesus’ name.

I have been reading Too Small to Ignore by Dr. Wess Stafford this summer.  Dr. Stafford reminds us of the importance of laying the foundation for a relationship with Christ in a child’s formative years.  Missiological research indicates that almost two-thirds of the people who give their lives to Christ do so before the age of eighteen. Furthermore, researchers tell us that if people have not accepted Christ by age twenty-one, the probability that they ever will is only 23%.  He calls the church to a paradigm shift to realize that fully half of the world’s people are children and teenagers.  Your support of CPPK demonstrates your recognition of the
importance of children.

Please consider enabling deserving children to attend our program by donating to our preschool/kindergarten Scholarship Fund by registering with Office Depot - Request a link to CPPK at check out

Target - Call 1-800-316-6142 to link your Target credit card to CPPK

These companies return a portion of your total purchase to our school if you take a moment to let them know you’d like to donate.  We also receive monetary donations for turning in General Mills Box Tops for Education and for recycling used ink cartridges.  Collection boxes for these items are in the school and church administration buildings.

We are rejoicing in God’s bounty as we are very near capacity.  We have 135 children enrolled.  Home visits, school visits, parent orientations and the beginning of classes started us on solid ground.  We covet your prayerful support as we launch a new year.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve with you.

Building His kingdom together,
Barbara