From ftp@acca.nmsu.eduWed Jun 5 17:08:19 1996 Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 00:37:55 -0600 From: ftp@acca.nmsu.edu Reply to: Revdavis@aol.com Subject: Sermon and Crossroads [This message was sent through the www-email gateway.] -- Hey man, Here is the stuff from Sundays sermon and from Crossroads. How are tests and projects going? When are you finished? I am copying it from clipboard because I was not sure how to attach it in this system (Netscape) I hope it works.NORTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CROSS ROADS MAY 5, 1996 Fred's Forum Do you know how to spell Presbyterian? That is the title of a book for communicant's classes. But it is also a reasonable question of most of us. We belong to a denomination that is as complex in its makeup, government and heritage as its name is hard to spell. Many of the members of our congregation are members, not because of which denomination our church happens to be related to, but because of the warmth and friendliness of the people, the opportunities for service that exists, its proximity to home, a Sunday School teacher or some other special person, or even the building in which we worship. The word Presbyterian comes from a Greek word which means "elder" or "overseer." We are, fundamentally, a church that governs itself through a system of representative leadership. From among the members of the congregation, Elders are chosen to lead the local church as our representatives. They are chosen because they are people of good reputation and of strong, mature spiritual character. We ordain them to serve in this capacity and is not a right or privilege as much as it is an awesome responsibility. Our Session (12 elders who serve as the Board) sends Elders to represent us at Presbytery. Presbytery sends Elder delegates to Synod and to the General Assembly. This summer, the 209th General Assembly (dating back to 1789) will be meeting in Albuquerque. The Reverend John Poling from First Presbyterian Church in Las Cruces is a candidate for Moderator of this years assembly. Among the many weighty issues that will be decided is the question of who can and should be ordained to the offices of Elder, Deacon, and Minister. In particular, the controversial subject of ones sexual practice, either practicing homosexual behavior or adulterous heterosexual behavior in relation to ordination will be in view. (The discussion revolves around behavior and not orientation). The Scriptures clearly and repeatedly point to the lifetime relationship between one man and one woman as the God-given model for the expression of our sexuality. This has not only been the affirmation of Church since the First Century but has been the definitive guidance within the Presbyterian Church since its beginning as well. While we have always been a church that is diverse and tolerant of others and a church which affirms that we are all sinners in need of God's grace, the ordination to office sets a person aside and demands a way of life that is above reproach and controversy. Paul suggests that anyone who aspires to this office also commit themselves to a life that is on a higher plane because such a person will be held in stricter judgement as Christ's representative in the church. Ordination is not a right which belongs to every Christian. Therefore, we may accept and love those whose way of life is different than our own. But we should remain true to the highest standards when selecting t hose who rule over us and teach us. As your Pastor, I am painfully aware of my own shortcomings. I know my life is in the "fishbowl" for others to see. But more importantly, I know God sees how I live and God wants me to live as pure and righteous a life as I can because ultimately I must answer to God and no one else. I hope you will join me in praying for the General Assembly. This controversy over ordination is critical to the future peace and effectiveness of our great denomination. As a congregation it is imperative that we continue to labor faithfully here in Las Cruces and not lose sight of who we are as a local church. But as we seek to understand who we are as part of a larger church and a marvelous heritage that is complex., may we pray that the historic standards of the Scriptures, the Confessions and the Church's History be held to the Glory of God the Father and His Precious Son, Jesus. Faithfully, with you in Christ's Service, Fred GRADUATES Please let us know if any member of your family or a friend is graduating this year, either from high school, college, or grad school. We would like to honor them on Sunday, MAY 19th. Please fill out a form (available in the church lobby) with pertinent information. THANKS!! USHERS -GREETERS May 5 Gordon & Dorothy Hopper Len & Judy Traina May 12 Dorothy Lambert & Megan Barton Mal & Lila Gould May 19 Wil & Toni Essary Eileen Roberts & Mary Luckie May 26 Bruce & Laurie Porter Bill & Joanne Kersting Memorial Day, Sunday May 26, summer hours begin with one Worship Service @ 9:30 a.m. Flock Talk Well, another year has come and gone and it's almost time to install the new Deacons. Your new Deacons are Brenda Seevers, Jean Wiebe, Nancy and David Sallee. They will be officially installed on June 2 at the 9:30 a.m. service. They are looking forward to helping and serving the members of this church and the community. The Deacons also want to thank you for your generous support each month by donating to the Deacon's Fund. The pink envelopes inserted in the bulletin are for this fund. It enables the Deacons to help those that might need assistance. FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS There are a number of folk in our congregation who need our prayers. Some of them that we know about are: Edith Austin, Edith Hablitzel, Rosemary Rhude (Len Traina's sister), Dorothy Eskelson's mother, Judy Glover's mother, Joy Aker's sister, Richard "DOC" Preator, Chuck Mathews, Thelma Graham, Glenda( Ruth Ann's Hubbard's friend), Robbie LaFrance (friend of Marlene Ham), Heidi Chambers (Ron & Judy Pinnick's daughter), the grandson of Hope & Bill Newhouse, Ronald St. John (Bob St. John's father), Richard Walton ( Betty St. John's brother), Fred Davis Sr., Florencio Espinosa (Tom & Brian Bullard's uncle) & Eddie Tabet who will be having knee surgery. If you know of others, please call the church office. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FINANCIAL CRUNCH AT NORTHMINSTER As your new Treasurer, I must announce my concern at what appears to be a rapidly-developing crisis in the financial affairs of our church. This usually happens during the summer months, but it has arrived early this year! Little did I realize the truly precarious position we are in when I wrote the checks on Saturday, April 27, for staff salaries and the check for our monthly electric bill of approximately $450. These, of course, must be paid. These paychecks were written in no particular order, but after completing the check for our pastor's salary, the balance in the bank account was $0.72 and after the rest of all the checks mentioned above, we were about $750 overdrawn. These checks will not bounce because the collection for Sunday the 28th had not yet been taken. Considering all the bills coming in for payment early in May, it could be rather touch-and -go whether we will have the resources to pay them all. I believe we can and should do better with our Christian commitments to our church. I fervently ask that all of us who have made pledges keep them paid up to date. Also if you will be away long enough to miss a Sunday, then please contribute enough before you leave to cover your pledge while you are gone. I humbly ask those who contribute without pledging prayerfully to consider a somewhat larger regular contribution or even to try just half a tithe, (5%). No one will complain for pledgers nudge their contributions upward a bit. All this is especially important during the coming summer season, when church contributions usually fall off because of absences. If contributions pick up noticeably, it will not only enable our church to fulfill its mission better but will make my job a little easier. Vic Kemper Our budget obligations total roughly $16,000 per month. Our contributions for the Month of April were $10,313. BAPTISMAL SERVICE There will be a Baptismal Service on Sunday, May 12, immediately following the 10:45 a.m. service, at the home of Gary & Janet Hudson. This will be an immersion Baptism for those who requested it. If you have never been Baptized and would like to be, in this manner, please see Pastor Davis. APRIL RESIDENT OF THE MONTH Congratulations to Edith Austin, selected as resident of the month at Good Samaritan Village. (See note on bulletin board in the church lobby.) Edith is making progress daily , and doing very well. Ladies from our church are helping her in speech therapy as well as playing cards and games each week, and enjoying every minute of it.. EVANGELISM NEWS Taking a Thirsty Land By Storm - is the theme for a Synod wide "Celebration of Evangelism". Mark October 23 - 26 on your calenders now for 3 days of inspiration, new ideas and fellowship with other Presbyterians who are excited about Evangelism. 208TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) Dates June 29 & 30 ALBUQUERQUE, NM Be a part of the excitement and inspiration of this national event! It is happening in our own state! John Poling, the pastor of First church is a candidate for moderator! This is an important occasion in the life of our congregation and the denomination. Significant theological and biblical issues will be brought before this Assembly. You don't want to miss this opportunity and a chance to support the Presbyterian Church (USA) and John. Rooms are available at the Plaza Inn. You must call in your own reservation @ this hotel. Bus will make two trips per day. Other possible lodging RV @ Menaul School. More information available in the church office, or call Nora at 1st Church at 526-5559. KEY BOARD PLAYER & DRUMMER A Key Board Player, and drummer are needed for the first service. If you or anyone you know would like to fill this service, please contact Pastor Davis. VOLUNTEERS Volunteers are needed at Jardin de Los Ninos, the new day care for children of the Homeless. If you can help at any time or would like more information, please call Sister Beth at 522-2111. VOLUNTEERS The Wonderland Store, really needs singles or couples to work 3 1/2 hours, one day each month. Wonderland Store sells recycled clothes, and items such as appliances and furniture. The store supports Christian Day Nursery, which is a nursery for lower income families. It gives preschool Children an opportunity for learning. If interested, please call Mary Lou Smith at 524-1709. CASO POR CRISTO NOTE Andy Bell, was chosen as Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year by the El Paso Center for Volunteerism and Nonprofit Management. It was primarily for his leadership and hard work on the Sparks Community project. Needless to say, like all major awards, recognition also goes to the supporting cast, the rest of the staff who worked extra long hours during that difficult eight-week period. Congratulations Andy! ADULT MINISTRY PROMISE KEEPERS The Men's Group meets every Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. at The Mesilla Valley Kitchen. This week we are continuing in our study of I Samuel, and The Life of David. Please read I Samuel Chapter 17, ("What happens when we reject God's Word?"), in preparation for this week. Call Earl Lance, 521-3417 or Mark Wallin, 521-3785 for more information. ADULT STUDY GROUPS 9:45 - 10:30. As follows: Faith Matters for Young Adults - Back Corner Sunday School Room. The Holy Spirit - Fellowship Hall The Practice of Godliness - Choir Room.. NORTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Are you interested in what our money we give to help others goes for? Come to our congregational women's gathering on Sunday, May 19th at 3:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. (Baby sitting is available.) This is the time we take our Birthday Offering which began in 1922. This year it celebrates five exciting ministries, one of which is close to home - a Demonstration Day Care Center at Project Vida in El Paso, Texas. We are fortunate to have as our guest speaker, Ms. Monica Cordova, a staff member at Project Vida. She has the responsibility of constructing and teaching the program of "The Demonstration Day Care Center" for 30 children to which family caregivers and in home day care providers can come for training. MARY MARTHA CIRCLE The ladies from the Mary Martha Bible Study invite you to join in on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the church at 9:30 a.m. This is a special time of Bible Study and fellowship. For more information call Betty St. John at 521-3418 WOMEN'S MONDAY NIGHT GROUP will meet May 13 @ 7:00 p.m. at the church to discuss "belief affects Attitudes". You are welcome to join us! (Child Care is available) CHOIR PRACTICE The Chancel Choir rehearses every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m, at the church. New people are always welcome to join in. CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES A FIELD TRIP A Field Trip is in the planning stages for Sunday, May 19 for Kid's Fun Club. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a visit to ... (hint: it involves a hike). Details next week! YOUTH MINISTRIES CAMP CHIMNEY SPRING There is a poster of camp schedules and brochures are available in the church lobby for registration of upcoming camps. MID HI CHALLENGE Will be meeting Friday night at 6:00 p.m. at the church, for fun, food and fellowship. HIGH SCHOOL GROUP Will be meeting at Hieberts Restaurant on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. CAMPUS CORNER PCM ENJOYS BEST YEAR YET (1995-96) . (12% increase over previous school year) 71 Participants in the PCM Fellowship Activities including: 11 @ "I want to go to Seminary Dinner 30+ @ Super Bowl Party 8 men who won the NMSU Basketball Intramural Final 6 members of the PCM Praise Team 4 joining church and several getting baptized 25+ Ski Retreat 173 Participants in Evangelism & Outreach 17 Habitat for Humanity Student Chapter members 41 receiving Chaplaincy of Counseling services 7 Student interns working at the PCM with David 13 "Adopted Students" 72 participation in our phone calls and visitations 244 Total Participants in our programs, plus 1,008 in Audience for Presentations for Campus/Community and our proudest achievement, for 32 of the 36 weeks of the school year we had new students visiting us on our Wed. night program. A special thanks to all the board members and student officers who worked so hard this year. We will continue to meet for fellowship and special outings this summer as we have a lot of students staying. Contact David Sallee or Taylor Gardner at 522-6404 and watch for a special summer edition of the PRISM newsletter. Sermon - NPC 050596 THE FURNACE OF RENEWAL I PETER 1:17 - 2:3 INTRODUCTION When Judy and I were living in Denver and I was attending Seminary, Judy had the opportunity to take Pottery lessons from the wife of one of my classmates. It was a neat opportunity because it gave her the opportunity to get out of the house and get a break from two toddlers. It also gave her the chance to work out whatever anxieties and frustrations she might have had by working that clay on the wheel. She actually became quite good at throwing pots on that wheel. And it was always fun to see her work. She would show me a pot after she had thrown it and then a week or so later she would bring it home. It didn’t look ;like the same pot at all. In the time since I had seen it she had glazed it and fired it in the kiln. What went in as a plain brown clay pot that was not really usable, came out as a beautifully colored and hardened pot that could hold food or flowers or water without leaking. It was not until it went into the furnace and underwent the intense heat that it became useful and beautiful. So it is with your Christian life. You are in the furnace of God’s renewing purposes. For God’s desire is that you be molded into beautiful useful pots that can be used for his service. God shapes you, reshapes you, molds you, melts you, pounds you back down and then reshapes again because he is the potter and you are the clay. It is God’s prerogative to do this for we are his workmanship. God’s desire is that we be renewed into the image of Jesus Christ. God wants us to receive the inheritance that has been saved for us. But in order for that to fully happen we must go through the process of refining and purification. As you recall from our first sermon in this series, Peter is delivering a clarion call to Christians to live holy lives. Part of that process is outlined in verse 7 says that the grief in all kinds of trials that we may have had to suffer is so that our faith my be proved genuine. In order to make gold and silver pure, they must be put through the refiners fire. Your faith is more precious than that for it will last for all eternity. Therefore we ought not to be surprised at the process of refinement and purification that God allows us to endure. It is the furnace of Renewal. One day, from that furnace, at the end of your earthly life will come a marvelous and beautiful vessel fit for heaven. WHAT ARE THE PROCESSES THAT GOD USES TO REFINE US FROM OUR BASE, HUMAN AND SINFUL NATURES INTO THE RENEWED AND RESTORED IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST? 1. Christ’s redeeming sacrifice(vss 18,19)- A person cannot buy God’s favor or earn it through any good work. God’s favor cannot be secured through following religious tradition. It was purchased for you with the blood of the precious lamb Jesus Christ. It is the most valuable thing in the world because it was paid for with human life. More importantly, it was not just the life of another human being but the eternal son of God, chosen before the creation of the world, revealed in human flesh, risen from the dead and glorified. 2. New life in Christ (verse 23)- It is one thing to talk about Christ’s sacrifice and the forgiveness of sins. But that would not be nearly as meaningful if there were not also some new ability, some new way of living a better life. Many people today use the phrase born again in a glib and superficial way. But you as a Christian have indeed been born again. And Peter says that it is not of perishable seed but imperishable. Our human birth is also of human origination and is perishable. Peter’s argument is that human life is like grass. It flourishes for a time but soon withers and loses its glory. But our Spiritual birth is of divine origin. It was spoken into reality by the enduring word of God which stands forever. It is irrevocable and irrefutable. Your salvation and renewal, once established by the new birth cannot be nullified for the God who has called you is faithful and will surely do it. 3. Obedience to the truth (verse 22) Obedience, especially when you don’t feel like it is perhaps the most difficult thing to do in the world. But obedience in this case doesn’t have to do with blindly following a set of rules and laws. It has to do with the love of the Christian community. Obey the truth so that you love the brothers and sisters within the body. In turn, there is love that returns to you for we are called to love one another. That love for one another, though sometimes difficult is purifying and cleansing. It renews us into the image of Jesus because he was love and showed his love to us while we were yet sinners. He purified himself by letting his love for us take him to the cross. In verse 2:1,2 we see that when we have this love of Christ developing and being exercised through us, it results in the disappearance of rage, malice, deceit and hypocrisy. WHY/ Because there is no room in one’s heart for such things if Christ’s love for others is there. That is why John is able to say that God is love and those who abide in love abide in God and God’s love abides in them. This week, Judy and I have received a number of calls and cards from you. These have meant so much to us for they remind us that you love us and it caused our love for you to grow as well. Of special meaning to us was a card from Charles and MaryAnn Mathews. There in the midst of their own serious health crisis, they took time out to send us a note, telling us of their prayers and love for us in this time when Judy’s mother and my father are ill. That is deep and sincere love. And it is purifying. It is part of the process that God uses to strengthen and renew us. Sometimes theological truth and the promises of Scripture are helpful and good. But at other times there is no substitute for Christian love shared among the saints as God gives them love for one another. 4. Adversity -Nobody likes adversity and hardship. Few of us would choose it if given a clear choice between a life of ease and one filled with trials. We don’t tend to think in terms of the positive effects of adversity or trials. When we have a bad day we write it off as a loss and hope it will soon pass. You know you are having a bad day when: · YOU SEE A SIXTY MINUTES NEWS TEAM COMING TOWARD YOUR OFFICE · YOU CALL THE SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTELMEN AND ARE PUT ON HOLD · YOU TURN ON THE TV NEWS AND THEY ARE SHOWING EMERGENCY EVACUATION ROUTES OUT OF THE CITY · YOUR TWIN SISTER FORGOT YOUR BIRTHDAY · YOUR CAR HORN GOES OFF ACCIDENTALLY AND STICKS ON WHILE YOU ARE FOLLOWING A GROUP OF HELL’S ANGELS · YOUR BOSS TELLS YOU NOT TO BOTHER TAKING OFF YOUR COAT WHEN YOU ARRIVE FOR WORK · YOUR INCOME TAX CHECK BOUNCES The truth is that these trials serve to refine, renew and strengthen our faith in a way nothing else can. It is amazing to see how a person’s faith and life grow when they are challenged and face opposition. When life serves them lemons, they make up lemonade. How is that possible. Because through those trials a God who is greater than any problem walks with us and gives us strength so that we can do all things through him. That same God lovingly desires that those problems not defeat us but harden and strengthen us. Like a artful and skilled potter, he shapes us, reshapes us and then coats us with a glaze and then allows us to spend time in the furnace to harden and beautify. I would not choose to go through some of the tough times of facing death and making difficult choices that we have had to go through this winter. But I can confidently say that having done so, I would not turn back or trade those because God has made my faith stronger through them all. Isaiah 43:1 says that when you go through the furnace, the flames will n ot consume you. Like Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego we area not alone when we stand in that furnace. There is one who stands with us to keep us from harm and to make sure that we only are strengthened in the process 5. Pure spiritual milk (verse 2:2) - This is a metaphor for spiritual growth through proper spiritual nutrition. And it is mentioned here because it stands in direct opposition to the things the world offers; deceit, rage, malice etc. Just as a baby will grow and develop strength for survival if properly fed with mothers milk , so the believer will only grow with the proper spiritual food. This proper food is more than likely meant here to be the enduring word of God. Somehow many believers think that once they have made a profession of faith, once they are church members, once they have received their salvation, there is no longer any need to grow and develop. But our renewal is a gradual thing and it doesn’t take place overnight. It is a process of growth and we cannot grow if we are being nourished on the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word. God wants us to have a ravenous appetite for the Word he has given us. God wants us to hunger and thirst after righteousness; to not be content with simply a superficial kind of spirituality that only exhibits itself on Sundays or when we are at a church gathering. CONCLUSION There are times when I am so consciously aware of my own spiritual inadequacies and failures. Whenever I come to the communion table, I am so painfully aware that I am an undeserving sinner who has no right to be there. I know how much I want to be like Christ and yet I also know how far short I have fallen from that. And I long to be renewed and purified. I long to be more like Christ. And that is what the Lord wants in your heart and life. A simple desire which the Lord can then use to begin the process of renewal. This morning as you come to this table, you do so accepting not only Christ’s sacrifice on your behalf and your new life, But you come accepting his call to be a disciple. To accept the challenge to be obedient and loving; to be faithful in the midst of adversity and to continue the process of growth by hiding Gods word in your heart. That is the furnace of renewal. Sometimes it is difficult and challenging. Sometimes there are adversities and hardships that you must face. But God is at work in you to will and to do His good pleasure. To conform you to the image of his own dear son.