Coming Up Next . . .
Dear Friends,
When I was young I used to think things in life were static. The impression I had was the folks who lived on your block were going to live there always. Then I realized folks move in and out of the houses – things change. When I got out of seminary and went to my first church, I thought the members who were there would always be there. Then I realized folks move to other churches – things change. So eventually, I came to realize things in life that seem static are often fluid. Two items I talked about in last month’s newsletter that I thought were static, were in fact, fluid.
First, I was sure the Committee on Ministry (COM) of the Presbytery of Grand Canyon would approve our mission study and we could move to electing a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) on September 15th. Well what I thought was ‘static’ was in fact ‘fluid’ and the COM asked us to submit our study in a more narrative form. We did submit our study in the requested form and have been approved to elect a PNC. On Sunday, October 6th following worship, the Session has called a congregational meeting for this purpose.
Second, I had worked on planning my sermons for the Fall season (‘static’, I thought), but then the CHAT mission study showed a strong interest in learning more about the traditional Spiritual Practices. Thus my sermon plans suddenly became ‘fluid’! So for the Fall until Advent we will be exploring Spiritual Practices. The series is entitled “Interacting with God’s Spirit” and is based information shared in the book ‘Celebration of Disciplines’ by Richard Foster. Below is the listing of revised (fluid) sermon topics for October:
- October 6: World Communion Sunday – Corporate Practices: Celebration
- October 13: Corporate Practices: Worship
- October 20: Corporate Practices: Guidance
- October 27: Yet to be determined
So what do we learned from these changes? Well, it is a good reminder to be open to the Holy Spirit’s movement in our lives. God’s Spirit is ‘fluid’, not ‘static’.
Grace and Peace, Bob
Food Drive for Veterans
For a number of years, the deacons of the church have taken on the mission of organizing holiday food boxes for veterans in need in our community. We have been working with three organizations: the Pinetop VFW, Fishers of Men for Veterans, and Walking Down Ranch. Last year we donated 45 food boxes at Thanksgiving and another 45 for Christmas.
It is time to begin the process of planning and then collecting food for this project. We typically collect a different non-perishable food item each week from September through October, as well as donations by check for the later purchase of perishable food items.
We can also use other nonperishable food items, besides those on our list. So if you're cleaning out your pantry in preparation for returning to a warmer climate, we'll be happy to make use of those items. Below is our planned schedule for collecting food.
October 6 Instant potatoes
October 13 Stuffing mix
October 20 Jello and/or instant pudding
October 27 Spaghetti and spaghetti sauce
Calendar / Events / Newsletters
Youth Summer Camp Fundraisers
Thanks so much to the congregation for your generous support of the summer camp fund-raisers. We raised enough money to pay for all of our young people attend camp this summer (less the registration paid by the families). At this time we have 8 folks going to camp and we are also sending 2 counselors. One more item about camp – we will be praying during worship for our campers the Sunday that their camp starts, however, please remember to continue in prayer for them while they are at camp! May God use this opportunity to strengthen their faith.
On-going Weekly Events
Monday Morning Coffee! This informal group is meeting at 9:00 on Mondays during the summer. Come and join us ~ have a cup of ‘Joe’ and some fun to start the week!
Mondays 9:00 am - Monday Morning Coffee at Eddie's Country Store
Tuesdays 10-11:30 am - Presbyterian Women's Group (May - September only)
Wednesdays 8:00 am - Sonrisers (Men's Group)
Wednesdays 5:45 pm - Choir Rehearsal
Sundays 9:30 am - Choir Rehearsal
Sundays 10:30 am - Worship Service
About Us
Interim Pastor Bob Leivers
Welcome to the Community Presbyterian Church of Pinetop. I am very glad you took the time to find our website. Currently I am serving as the Interim Pastor while the congregation engages in a search process to secure a new Installed Pastor. As you view our website and learn more about our ministry, I hope the fact that we are in a transition time doesn't cause you to stay away. As interim, I am very impressed with the vitality of this congregation and know you will receive a warm welcome. Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions or would like to stop by for some coffee and conversation! God's blessings upon you, Bob
Sharing God's Love
MEN'S GROUP
“Sonrisers” is a men’s group that studies Christian books and includes a time of fellowship. It meets every Wednesday at 8:00 am. It gives men a special time to be together.
WOMEN'S GROUP
Presbyterian Women's Group meets from May through September each year on Tuesday mornings in the church fellowship hall from 10-11:30 am. We dedicate some of the meeting times to a Bible Study, to crafting, and the second Tuesday of each month we have our business meeting followed by a potluck. We have three fund raisers each summer which allow us to raise funds for a number of missions that we support, most of which are here in the White Mountains. We are a group of ladies who are dedicated to caring for others and offer support for one another. We also have a "PW and Friends' Day Out" on the fourth Thursday of the month, where we visit interesting historical museums or such. We would love and encourage anyone to join us during those summer months. For more information contact Georgia Merrick, PW Moderator at (928) 358-1020.
Meet Our Choir
Worship through Song. Enjoy our wonderful choir. Or better yet . . . join in! For more information, please call Judi Bee at (928) 242-0526.
. . . .
ALL ARE WELCOME
We invite all people to participation and membership, regardless of social, economic, ethnic, political, sexual or other categories that are used elsewhere as a basis for discrimination.
. . . .
Communion is shared the 1st Sunday of each month.
. . . .
Packing food boxes for our friends in need
Working Together
