May 2016 - Faith Presbyterian Church EPC

F a it h P re sb yt e r ian Ch urc h ( EPC)
Faith Speaks
V o l um e 20 16 , Is s ue 5
May
C h ur c h S t aff
Interim Pastor
Walter Turner
Financial Secretary
“Shepherd the flock
of God that is among
you, exercising oversight,
not under compulsion,
but willingly, as God
would have you; not for
shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over
those in your charge, but
being examples to the
flock.”
~ 1 Peter 5:2-3
Those who are truly
sent by God are marked
by the fact that they are
faithful to the message
of the Gospel, exalting
the Lord Jesus Christ,
proclaiming to men the
good news of salvation
through Him, and bidding men to turn from
their sins and come to
Christ as Savior and
Lord. They back all of
their proclamations by
the authority of the
Bible, the Word of God,
and they call Christians
to lives of holiness while
they themselves are
living examples of holiness. Unless a man is
divinely sent to preach
the Word, his ministry
will be ineffective to
produce faith and life in
those to whom he ministers. God must do the
sending. I always tell
young men who ask me
about entering the ministry that they should
never become ministers
if they can possibly help
it. If a man could be
satisfied as president of
the United States, as
president of a bank or a
college, as a pitcher for
a big-league ball team,
or in another position
of honor or distinction,
he has not been called
to the ministry. God has
not sent him. When
God sends a man there
is a yearning, churning,
burning inside him. Like
Paul he must cry, “Woe
is unto me, if I preach
not the gospel” (1 Cor.
9:16). This must be the
heart feeling of everyone who has been sent
with the Gospel.
By: Donald Grey Barnhouse
Reference: God's Covenants:
Romans 9:1-11:36: Expositions of
Bible Doctrines Taking the Epistle
to the Romans as the Point of
Departure, Eerdmans, 1963, p. 9192.
Wylene Eason
Treasurer
Jim Allsobrooks
Pianist
Nancy Lowry
“Obey your leaders
and submit to them, for
they are keeping watch
over your souls, as those
who will have to give an
account. Let them do
this with joy and not
with groaning, for that
would be of no advantage
to you.”
~ Hebrews 13:17
You have been called to
speak into the confusion
with gospel clarity and
authority. You have
been called to give glory
bound hope to those
who have become
hopeless. You are called
to speak liberating
truths to those who
have become deceived.
You have been called to
plead with disloyal children to once again be
reconciled to their
heavenly Father. You
have been called to give
glorious motivation to
those who have given
up. You have been
I nsi d e thi s i ssu e:
Building News
5
Choir News
8
Fellowship News
3
Financial News
4
General News
6
Prayer and Praise
2
Missionary News
7
Session News
4
2 01 6
Ses s i o n Me mbe rs
Moderator
Susan Norton
(Christian Education)
Steve Norton
(Clerk of Session)
Mark McClelland
(Outreach)
Matthew Echols
(Administration)
Bob Smith
(Worship)
Gray Brannan
(Congregational Nurture)
(Continue on pg. 5)
Pa ge 2
V ol u me 201 6 , I ssu e 5
Prayer Needs and Praise News
Lydia Ham Allen
Herman Miller
Roger Allen
Jeff Miller
Delores Anderson
Leslie Miller
Mark Miller’s son, Paul
Nelle Baggett
Nancy Beck
Kayla Blockmon & family
Jenny Bogan
Karlye Boyd
Jeff Braid
Gray Brannan
Nellie Brennen
Catherine Bruce
Andy Burch
Betty Burch
Keesha Coggins
Jerry Colby
Jimmy Cook
Allison Davis
Johnny Davis
Ronnie Davis family
Kendra Dew family
Jake Dibel
Carson Dodd
Taylor Dominy
Wayne Dowda
Debbie Duffy
Dyer family
Beverly Echols
Jere Echols
June Echols
Tom Edwards
Cheryl Elleweyan
Stan Evans
Fred Fletcher
Greg Fowler
Nolan Greene
Dr. John Harsch family
Bo Hatchett
Kerri Hensley
Pat (Wayne) Hightower
Jim Horn
Randy Huddleston
Cohen Hurley
Andy Johnson
Maggie Lake
Jack Lindler
Corrie Lovern
Brian Lowe
Nancy Lowry
Ron Manley
Rose Miller
Rudy & Patricia Miller
Harper Kate & Camden Mills
Jason & Rachel Minter & family—new pastor!
Rachel Minter
John Morris
Amanda Ocherbauer
Barrett Pilcher
Junior & Lisa Pippin
Kathy Rewerts
Don Roper
Brad Rowland
Pat Ryle
Nathan Sexton
Amanda Smith
Peg Smith
Rick & Aiden Stancel
Doug Strickland
- Gary and Jackie Burnett
- Chris and Debbie Gibson
- Keith and Rachel Keller
-Our new missionaries going to Southeast Asia
- Reflections Ministries - Bill and Margaret Frisbee
Copies of the May
Prayer and Praise handout
are available on the table at
the entrance to the sanctuary.
Adel Thalos
Dorothy Toal
Walter (Margaret) Turner - interim pastor
Chris Turner
Margaret Turner
Everyone is invited Wednesday nights for our weekly
prayer meeting at 6:10 at
Faith Presbyterian Church.
Helen Van Eaton family (Rachel Keller’s mom)
Foster Veazey
Larry Wadsworth, Jr.
Jimmy Wages
Mike Wallace
Lester Waters
Tyler Weeks
Janet Williams
Beverly Wills
Tim Wilson family
Don Winberg
“Now faith is the assurance of things
hoped for, the conviction of things not
seen. 2 For by it the people of old received
their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the
word of God, so that what is seen was not
made out of things that are visible.”
~ Hebrews 11:1-3
Edith Wood
Mike Woods
Eddie Young
Joleta Zerban
Victims of domestic violence
Body of Faith EPC
Members of Providence Reformed Presbyterian
Church & Pastor Wayne Rogers
Faith’s pastor search committee
Faith’s building committee
Military families
Al & Claudia Middlebrooks
- Phil and Diane Thrash
Kim Sweat
Ed McCallum
Matt Mayfield
* Please keep the following missionaries in your prayers:
Elizabeth Rubiez
Jeanette McClure
Mike McCormick
* As a part of our Armor Bearers ministry,
please continue to pray daily for our Elders on Session: Matthew Echols, Steve
Norton, Mark McClelland, Bob Smith,
and Gray Brannan.
Children in foster care
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
CLASSES
Bob Smith’s adult Sunday
School Class meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. Bring your Bible and
come join us. There’s a cup of
coffee waiting for you.
Pa ge 3
F ai th Sp eaks
Book News
Fellowship News
Preparing Your
Teens for College:
Faith, Friends,
Finances, and
Much More by
Alex Chediak
values perpetual adolescence and the
avoidance of responsibility.
****
All men are invited to our Men’s Group
which meets each Sunday morning at 8:30
a.m. They are beginning a new study C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. Come
join us. There’s an open seat and a cup of
coffee waiting for you.
Will my teens' faith be
strong enough to withstand the tests of college? Will they focus on their studies or
squander their free time? Will they form
healthy friendships or join the wrong crowd?
Dr. Chediak has watched too many college students flounder over these and
other issues. Sadly, 45 percent of those
who start off at a four-year college will
not complete their degree. At a time
when college has never been more expensive, too many of our children are
failing. What makes the difference? Character, a strong faith, and a willingness to
delay gratification. And where are those
traits learned? Ideally, at home. Prepare
your teens to thrive at college and beyond.
Thriving at College by Alex Chediak
Filled with wisdom
and practical advice
from a seasoned
college professor
and student mentor,
Thriving at College
covers the ten most common mistakes
that college students make and how to
avoid them! Alex leaves no stone unturned - he discusses everything from
choosing a major and discerning one’s
vocation to balancing academics and fun,
from cultivating relationships with peers
and professors to helping students figure
out what to do with their summers. Most
importantly, this book will help students
not only keep their faith but build a vibrant faith and become the person God
created them to be. In a nutshell, the
book is about how college students can
launch into responsible, fruitful adulthood
for the glory of God against the backdrop of a young adult culture that often
The Smith Community fellowship
group will meet on Monday, May 9th
at 6:30 p.m. The group will meet at the
home of Keith and Janice Lovern.
*****
Girlfriends in Faith
“Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let
your reasonableness be known
to everyone. The Lord is at
hand; 6 do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests
be made known to God. 7 And
the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.”
Faith’s “Girlfriends” met for a wonderful
brunch on Saturday, April 23rd at the
church. It was a special time of great food
and fellowship. We were especially honored to have Margaret Turner share an
inspirational devotion with us. A quote she
shared with us, “Results are not my business; my business is obedience,” left us all
feeling challenged. Thank you, Margaret,
for being so special to us all. Our next
gathering has been set for May 23rd at 6:30
pm. It will be held at the home of Teresa
Harvey. Cool salads and sandwiches are
on the menu. Please contact Teresa Harvey or Vicky Rodgers with your plans.
Thank you again, ladies, for making these
gathering so special.
~ Philippians 4:4-7
“Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous. Do
not be frightened, and do not be
dismayed, for the LORD your
God is with you wherever you
go.”
~ Joshua 1:9
*********
New Adult Sunday School Class
If you’ve never tried Sunday School,
now is a great time to start. The “Choir
Room” class is viewing and discussing a
DVD series by James McDonald entitled
“The Vertical Church.” Join us at 9:30 am
on Sunday mornings in the room to the
right of the choir loft. If you have any
questions, contact David and Vicky Rodgers.
BOOK NOOK
We have lots of excellent books for sale on display in the sanctuary.
If you would like to purchase one, simply put the money in the bowl
on the display. Prices start at $1.00 and go up.
Pa ge 4
V ol u me 201 6 , I ssu e 5
Session News
Highlights
Financial News - April, 2016
Stated Session Meeting
Donations: $ 20,538
Faith Presbyterian EPC
Expenses: $ 14,817
April 17, 2016
Present: Mark McClelland, Steve Norton,
Walter Turner, Gray Brannan, Matthew
Echols
Devotion: Walter Turner - Acts 13
Old Business:
Pastoral Search Committee:
Pastor has
been found! Walter Turner submitted a
gracious letter to the session.
Building Committee:
No report
New Business:
 Christian Ed. - Mark McClelland requested
current status of CE committee guidelines.
Matthew Echols reported next meeting in one
day hopes to finalize.
Ministry Committee Reports
Psalm 105:1-6
Building Fund
to date: $ 211, 634
“Oh give thanks to
the LORD; call upon
his name;
make known his
deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to him, sing
praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
3 Glory in his holy
name;
let the hearts of
those who seek the
LORD rejoice!
4 Seek the LORD and
his strength;
seek his presence
continually!
5 Remember the wondrous works that he
has done,
his miracles, and the
judgments he uttered,
6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob,
his chosen ones!”
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who
gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be
given him. 6 But let him ask
in faith, with no doubting,
for the one who doubts is
like a wave of the sea that is
driven and tossed by the
wind.”
~ James 1:5-6
 Congregational Nurture - Gray Brannan no report
 Outreach:
Mark McClelland - Easter egg
hunt went well despite the weather. Getting
ready for Kids Camp. Volunteers needed.
Projected to have more kids this year.
Administration - Matthew Echols - no report.
Worship: Bob Smith (absent) - no report
Christian Education - Matthew Echols/Gray
Brannan - Committee meeting to be held
4/18/16.
We have been so honored to have Walter
and Margaret Turner as a part of Faith EPC
for this interim period. They have graciously provided their phone numbers, email addresses, and home address for us.
Let’s keep in touch with them!
Walter - 404-697-6654
walter.turner@beulah.edu
Margaret - 404-697-6655
The Session reviewed prayer requests that
had been received by members during the
Shepherding calls made to the congregation.
Calendar




April 17
May 8
mgtmuslu@gmail.com
Their address is: 20 Dawn Drive SE
Cartersville, GA
Congregational meeting
Lord’s Supper
May 22
Outreach hosting Burnetts
for Sunday School and Moment for
Missions.
June 26 Outreach to host Pregnancy
Center in Moment for Missions.
30121
“Create in me a clean heart,
O God, and renew a right spirit
within me.
11
Cast me not away from your
presence, and take not your
Holy Spirit from me.
12
Restore to me the joy of your
salvation, and uphold me with
a willing spirit.”
~Psalm 51:10-12
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Norton, Clerk of Session
Pa ge 5
F ai th Sp eaks
Building News
“Pay careful attention
to yourselves and to all
the flock, in which the
Holy Spirit has made you
overseers, to care for the
church of God, which he
obtained with his own
blood.”
~ Acts 20:28
~Philippians 2:1-11
By: Paul David Tripp
Reference: Mediocrity by Paul David Tripp taken
from Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp
copyright 2012, Crossway Books, a division of
Good News Publishers, Wheaton Illinois 60187,
www.crosswaybooks.org, p. 141.
Everyone is invited to attend the
“Meet and Greet” for Pastor Jason,
his wife Rachel, and their daughters,
Emma, Avery, Noel, Norah, and
Addison Minter. It will be at the
church on Saturday, May 21st at
7:00 pm. Desserts and beverages will
be served. For anyone who would like
to provide a dessert, a sign up sheet
will be on the bulletin board. Also, if
anyone would like a ride, please contact Gray or Laurie Brannan. They
will coordinate any transportation that
is needed. We hope that everyone will
be able to attend.
“O LORD, you have searched me
and known me!
2
You know when I sit down and when I
rise up;
Continued from pg. 1
called to shine the light of the glory of God into hearts that have
been made dark by looking for life
in all the wrong places. You have
been called to offer the filling glories of grace to those who are
empty and malnourished. You have
been called to represent a glorious
King, who alone is able to rescue,
heal, redeem, transform, forgive,
deliver, and satisfy. You have been
called.
Meet and Greet
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ,
any comfort from love, any participation in the
Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete
my joy by being of the same mind, having the
same love, being in full accord and of one
mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or
conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you
look not only to his own interests, but also to
the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among
yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who,
though he was in the form of God, did not
count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a
servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8
And being found in human form, he humbled
himself by becoming obedient to the point of
death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God
has highly exalted him and bestowed on him
the name that is above every name, 10 so that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3
You search out my path and my lying
down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4
New Address
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5
Mary Keagle has a new address! You
can send her a card or letter at:
Welcome
Michael Wright joined Faith Presbyterian Church on April 17th.
Michael and Lily Wright live at
1118 Kramden Court
McDonough, GA 30252
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6
Mary Keagle
Joshua Arms, Apt. 403
1315 Rowell Ave.
Joliet, Illinois 60432
Even before a word is on my tongue,
Such knowledge is too wonderful
for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.”
~ Psalm 139:1-6
Pa ge 6
V ol u me 201 6 , I ssu e 5
General News
Listen to R.C. Sproul’s daily 30 minute broadcast at www.ligonier.org. It’s a great source
of teaching and food for the soul. While
you’re there, check out a wealth of online
resources that will deepen your faith and
walk with Christ.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things
present nor things to come,
nor powers, 39 nor height
nor depth, nor anything
else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from
the love of God in Christ
Jesus our Lord.”
Outreach News
Youth News - continued :
May Events:
Updates to come throughout the month
via announcements and email.
Kid’s Camp is coming in
June! The fun will begin June
6, 13, 20, 27, and July 11, &
18th. Contact Amy McClelland with any questions.
YOUTH NEWS
********
There will be a group going to Jesus’
Place on May 1st.. Please feel free to
join in on this inspirational visit. Speak
with Steve Norton or Janice Baggett for
details.
lbrannan@co.henry.ga.us (work)
graybrannan@yahoo.com (home)
“Two are better than one, because
they have a good reward for their toil.
10
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.
But woe to him who is alone when he
falls and has not another to lift him up!
11
Again, if two lie together, they keep
warm, but how can one keep warm
alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will
withstand him—a threefold cord is not
quickly broken.”
~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
American Heritage Girls and Trail Life
for Boys meets Sundays from 6:00 pm
to 8:00 pm with dinner being served at
6:00. Please pray that we will be able to
reach our community. Please contact
Amy or Mark McClelland at 678-8186635 with any questions.
We will be collecting donations for the
Baby Bottle Offering. Please take a
bottle from the table near the church
door, fill with loose change or bills and
return by Mother’s Day, May 8th.
We are in need of volunteers to provide
refreshments (simple cookies/juice nothing fancy) for our fellowship time
between Sunday School and worship.
Please speak to or email Laurie Brannan
if you have any questions. The sign up
sheet is posted on the bulletin board by
the hall doorway.
~ Romans 8:38-39
Wednesday nights are set aside
for “Youth Fellowship Bible
Study” with fellowship, snacks,
games beginning at 6pm. The
Youth will be beginning Catechism classes with the curriculum geared towards they're age
group. Come enjoy this great
time and bring a friend!
Our Mission of the Month for May:
Pregnancy Resource Center of
Henry County. (www.prchc.org)
On the bulletin board in the
back of the sanctuary is a flip
chart with emergency phone
numbers. Please consult it if
there is an emergency or problem at the church.
“Fear not, for I am with
you; be not dismayed, for
I am your God; I will
strengthen you, I will help
you, I will uphold you with
my righteous right hand.”
~Isaiah 41:10
Pa ge 7
F ai th Sp eaks
The Kellers:
Thank you for serving with us in
prayer and support!
This past Saturday (April 16) was Helen
Van Eaton’s memorial service. Rachel's
family and church friends did an amazing
job of honoring their mom’s love for the
Lord. I was reminded of the verse in
Proverbs: “Her children rise up and call
her blessed; her husband also, and he
praises her.” - Proverbs 31:28
Watching Rachel's dad serve and love
Helen faithfully and tenderly over these
past two years of sickness has been a
huge example to me of grace and love
during the hardest of times. I'm thankful
for them and thankful for the opportunity
to travel back with Rachel for the service.
I'm also thankful for the teachers and
friends here in Prague that stepped up
and helped the boys while we were on
the other side of the ocean. It was a
blessing to go with full confidence that
our boys were taken care of so well.
Rachel will re-join us back in Prague in
May. Pray for her time with her dad over
the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, back in Prague… There are
now three guys in Discovery Bible Study
for the next few weeks. We are doing a
three-week taste of DBS and then inviting them to the full process. Please pray
that these three guys will continue after
the initial introduction. Their names are
Peter, Libor and Pavel.
The first week two of the guys had many
questions that were answered in the
broader passage, but not in the verses
we had printed. We gave them each a
Bible and showed them where to find the
“I am” statement in John that we had
discussed. I had to go set up for English
club, and when I came back into the
room they were still there reading with
strong curiosity.
One of them said that he didn't know the
Bible was like this. He said that he assumed everything was positive and everyone in the Bible believed. He said,
“These people are just like me, they don't
believe Jesus and they care more about
their physical needs than their spiritual
needs which is keeping them from understanding what Jesus is really saying.”
Great insight! Please pray that they will see
their spiritual need and have ears to understand.
Kristin, (our teammate) has 3 girls who have
each committed to DBS but they are having a
hard time getting their schedules to coordinate. Each week something comes up to keep
them from meeting. Please pray that they find
the time. The enemy, I believe is hunting each
of them. Their names are Gabby, Petra and
Natalia.
This weekend Eli turns 17. Once your jaw is
off the floor, would you pray that I would do a
good job of hosting his friends, making cookies, and honoring Eli without Rachel here? I
am proud of the man he is turning into!
Thank you for praying for us, Rachel’s family
and for the ministry here in Prague to start
new communities of disciple-makers.
By His Grace,
For His Glory,
The Kellers
From My Heart:
Although my South Africa trip was cut short it
was still fruitful for me personally and I believe
for those that I met there. Part of my spiritual
growth over the past two years has been
through the work of the ministries of the Wellspring Group and the team who work with
Deep Community. It was an honor to serve
with them to invite others into my own process
of drawing deeper into the fellowship Jesus
prays to the Father for us in John 17.
The greatest measure of spiritual transformation is how we show up in the lives of others as we move toward them with the fruit of
the Spirit on display. Do I relate to Rachel, the
boys, my teammates in team meetings, and
others in a way that gives them a taste of the
Trinity’s love and draws them to Him? The
work of Larry Crabb, The Wellspring Group,
and Deep Community has called me to greater
repentance, surrendered worship, and deeper
engagement with others.
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are
asleep, that you may not grieve as others do
who have no hope.
14
For since we believe
that Jesus died and rose again, even so,
through Jesus, God will bring with him those
who have fallen asleep.
15
For this we de-
clare to you by a word from the Lord, that
we who are alive, who are left until the coming
of the Lord, will not precede those who have
fallen asleep.
16
For the Lord himself will
descend from heaven with a cry of command,
with the voice of an archangel, and with the
sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead
in Christ will rise first.
17
Then we who are
alive, who are left, will be caught up together
with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in
the air, and so we will always be with the
Lord.
18
Therefore encourage one another
with these words.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
“And if you faithfully obey the voice of
the LORD your God, being careful to do
all his commandments that I command
you today, the LORD your God will set
you high above all the nations of the
earth. 2 And all these blessings shall
come upon you and overtake you, if you
obey the voice of the LORD your God.
3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and
blessed shall you be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb
and the fruit of your ground and the fruit
of your cattle, the increase of your herds
and the young of your flock. 5 Blessed
shall be your basket and your kneading
bowl. 6 Blessed shall you be when you
come in, and blessed shall you be when
you go out.”
~Deuteronomy 28:1-6
Happy
May
Birthdays!!
Tina Smith
5/5
Jim Allsobrooks
5/16
David Rodgers
5/17
Marion Stanton
Ollie Conley
Choir News
Pam Dennis
5/22
5/23
5/23
Note from Nancy…
Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song
in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our
God. Many will see and fear the
To the glory of God, Faith
Presbyterian Church has been
called together to faithfully
proclaim the Gospel, to make
Lord and put their trust in him.”
May our church be a group of worshippers, declaring the greatness of
our God.
and equip disciples for Christ,
“Watch and pray that you
and to advance God’s
may not enter into temptation.
Kingdom in our families,
The spirit indeed is willing,
community, and world.
Our church’s website:
www.faithpresbyterianepc.org
Faith Presbyterian Church, EPC
5916 East Lake Parkway, Suite 250
McDonough, GA 30253
but the flesh is weak.”
~ Matthew 26:41
Please join us for a beautiful time of
praise and worship through music. The
Choir rehearses Wednesday evenings,
7:15-8:30 pm.
“May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and
peace in believing, so that
by the power of the Holy
Spirit you may abound in
hope.”
~ Romans 15:13
Church Membership
Faith Presbyterian Church is a
congregation of the Evangelical
Presbyterian Church (www.epc.org)
and the Presbytery of the Southeast
(www.epcsoutheast.org).
If you are interested in joining Faith Presbyterian Church (EPC), you may do so
by a profession of your faith in Jesus Christ, by a re-affirmation of your faith, or
by a transfer of your membership from another church. Please speak with the
Pastor or an Elder concerning your desire.