Stewardship Campaign Starts!

"For Everything There Is a Season ” is the theme of our Stewardship Campaign this year. Actually, Stewardship is a year ‘round endeavor. “Stewardship is how we use our talents, our time, and our treasure. Stewardship is the way we use all our resources to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world.” 1 Once a year, however, we evaluate what our responsibilities and commitments will be for the coming year. This is THAT season!

As our church’s “journey continues…” (to borrow a phrase of Dr. Denise Hall’s initial sermon), we will need to be supplied not only with the “tools of the Scriptures and the Sacraments,” but with the willing efforts of our membership in terms of time, talent, and finances.

We are, indeed, blessed to have a new pastor on board. We must all support her leadership and the work of our church in every way we can, so that we may journey on to meet the challenges that lie ahead with anticipation and excitement.

As you fill in the enclosed forms, please note that there are forms for the children and youth again this year. Please have them consider prayerfully their responses as well as your own.

A word about “Undesignated Funds”: Please be aware that these funds supply not only the basic expenses of running the church, but included in the budget are mission and outreach endeavors which aid local charities and projects. Money from “Undesignated Funds” – can, and often does – supply these needs as well. “Benevolent Funds” go only to benevolences. This fund provides shared resources for local, state, national, and international mission projects.

During this Commitment Season, as we prayerfully consider our stewardship for the coming year, let us remember “Stewardship is how we live out our calling as followers of Christ. Stewardship is what we do after we say that we believe.” 2

Please bring your pledge cards to church on Commitment Sunday, October 15 th (or mail them to the church by October 25 th if you are unable to attend).

In His Service,
Amy McClung, Chair
Stewardship Committee

The Pastor’s Ponderings

It’s starting to feel like home - the boxes are unpacked, things are mostly put away, and I’m learning my way around to visit with folks.

I’ve had two Sundays with you now in worship. Maybe you’ve noticed some changes to the order of worship; maybe not. There are two specific things I incorporate into a worship service that I want to share with you.

Let me begin by giving you some background information. Years ago I read an article written by the Rev. Frederick Buechner (pronounced “BEEKnur”), a Presbyterian minister and prolific author. In the article Buechner was lamenting the lack of grace he observed in our worship services. Specifically, he wondered what it says about us when the first prayer in worship is the “Prayer of Confession.”

I confess to you that I was deeply moved by Buechner’s observations. So you’ve probably noticed that after the Prelude (a time to prepare our hearts to worship God) and the Chimes, I begin by saying: “Grace, mercy, and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The first word I want you to hear is a word of grace. It’s a phrase that sort of sounds like something the apostle Paul said: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Eph 1:2: Phil 1:2; Col 1:2 and others).

The other thing we do as part of our worship has to do with prayer. The first prayer is one that offers praise to God. It is a prayer where we bring our worship to the One who created us and loves us. Later we then offer our prayers of confession seeking God’s forgiveness.

“Grace, mercy and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Faithfully,
Denise

November Mission Trip

As of September 1 st our mission team to New Orleans consists of six members-Jack and Margaret Thompson, Dianne Haberland, Cindy Reid, Anne Somerville, and Gene Whitaker. More are welcome! Contact Carole Sue Graves for all the details.

The team plans to depart from Orange on Saturday November 12 th and return on Sunday November 19 th . They will be staying in one of the villages sponsored by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and working on a rebuilding project in the area. We will have more specific information by the next newsletter.

Our team will stay in the village for six nights. The cost per night per person to stay in the Village is $20 and this includes the three meals for the day. Our team will take two days to travel to New Orleans, and two days to travel home. Expenses will include two nights in motels, and meals for those four travel days, plus gasoline for two cars. The cost to send one team member excluding the cost of gas is estimated to be $270. It is estimated that it will cost $700 in gasoline for the trip.

Please pray for our team as preparations for this trip begin.

World Communion Sunday

Join us on October 1, 200 6 as we celebrate World Communion Sunday and receive the Peacemaking Offering.

On this day we join with Christians around the world to celebrate the unity that we find at the Table of the Lord. We also receive the Peacemaking Offering to support the efforts of our congregation, our Synod, our Presbytery, and our denomination to spread the peace of Christ.

Lynne Clements

Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Clements and family

Lynn Clements

Susan Clore