ENSLOW PARK PRESS Rev. Chris Perkins, Pastor Vol. XX No. 5 Church Office (523-9920) Mrs. Barbara Foard, DCE www.enslowparkpresbyterianchurch.org Pastor’s Corner “I deal with temptation by yielding to it” Mark Twain If there is a God (Christians believe that there is), and this God is indeed the Singular, Almighty, Sovereign Creator of all things (more stuff Christians hold to be true), and this God has proven His/Her love and generosity for thousands of years (just read the Christian Bible for supporting evidence), then practical wisdom would suggest that people would do well to follow this God’s lead. For example, if the Almighty God were to say, “Close your windows on Thursday at 2:00 pm,” it would be foolish to leave them open on Thursday at 2:00 pm. If the Sovereign God were to say, “I don’t want you to hoard your stuff. Instead be generous with your resources, being sure to promote each other’s welfare,” (something which God has actually communicated in the past) then hoarding should probably be on our “Don’t” list and sharing should be on our “Do” list. Practically speaking, however, practical wisdom is not what many of us follow when it comes to yielding ourselves to God. Sure, God might be the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent Ruler of the Universe, but how could God possibly know better than we do about what we want, about what is truly good for us? After all God teaches us that we should love our neighbor as ourselves, but we rarely do. God says that forgiveness, kindness, self-sacrifice, and compassion are to flow out of us all the time. For our part, however, we’ve often shown a greater proclivity for things like grudges, spite, selfishness, and general indifference. It’s not that we choose these alternative behaviors all the time, but we clearly see them as viable options when we feel that the situation calls for them. Sometimes God lets us have what we want even when what we want comes as an affront to who God is. For example, 1100 years before the birth of Christ the people of God insisted that God provide them a human king. Since the time of Abraham, God had been the active and identified May 2015 leader of God’s people. He was their king, the one who provided for them in the past, protected them in the present, and promised them a future worth celebrating. Nonetheless, the people whined for an earthly king in order to be like all the other people groups of the surrounding geopolitical world. And even though the people’s demand for a king was a communal and personal slap of God’s face, God nonetheless accommodated their request. The power of prayer is indeed amazing – even scary amazing. The request of the Israelites asked God to do something that dishonored God, and God consented. Can you imagine praying against God’s better judgment for your well-being? We might do well not to be so hasty in claiming God’s support for our agendas when God has actually shown a willingness to go along with people’s requests in the past even when God considered their requests to be truly boneheaded. Thankfully, God is good enough in the role of God to ensure that even our worst prayer will never undo God’s purpose and plan for creation. God may have given the people an earthly king for a season or two or 4,400, but in the end God in the person of Jesus, once again, assumed God’s rightful role as the King of Kings. God may give us what we ask for even when what we ask for isn’t in our best interest, but in the end it’s our best interest that God is both willing and able to secure through his Son and our Lord, Jesus the Christ. God Bless Always, Chris May 10, 2015 Enslow Park Press May 2015 Congratulations Graduates! We’re so proud of you!! Meg Barber, daughter Brandi Sugonis, daughter-in-law of Ruth Sugonis, will graduate from University of Charleston School of Pharmacy on May 2nd. Kyle Sugonis, son of Ruth Sugonis, will graduate from of Scott & Melissa Barber, will graduate from Huntington High School on May 22nd. In the fall, she will attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee in the fall. St. Mary's School of Nursing/Marshall University on May 8-9 with AA in Nursing. _________________________________________ Nathan Booth, son of Darrell & Laura Booth, will graduate from Huntington High School on May 22nd. In the fall, he will attend Marshall University, majoring in Accounting or Finance. Nick Cunningham, son of Darren and Andrea Don’t miss it!! EPPC Youth Worship Service Sunday, May 10 “Oh, the Places We Will Go! …Journey On” Cunningham, will graduate from Cabell Midland High School on May 21st. Nick will attend WVU in the Fall. He is still undecided on his major but plans to go to WVU Law School after his undergraduate studies. Will Frazier, son of Mike & Sharon Frazier, will graduate from Huntington High School on May 22nd. He will be attending Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, majoring in Mathematics or Environmental Studies. Elizabeth “Libby” Goetz, daughter of Jim & Marilyn Goetz, will graduate from St. Joseph High School on May 29th. In the fall Libby will attend the University of Dayton, majoring in Exercise Physiology/Pre-med. Dylan Holland, son of J.T. & Pam Holland, is graduating from St. Joseph High School on May 29th. He has enrolled at University of Kentucky and will major in Biology. Emily & Megan Underwood, daughters of Dan & “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11 Worship, Acolyte & Graduate Recognition Luncheon following Worship to honor Graduates and all Youth All are invited!! Carrie Underwood, will graduate from Huntington High School on May 22nd. Emily is going to Marshall University in the fall to major in biology and then plans to go to medical school to become a pediatrician. Megan is going to Marshall University, majoring in Forensic Science. _________________________________________ The Enslow Park Youth are making great plans and preparations to lead worship with favorite hymns, special music, meditations, dramas, and to keep up with tradition lots of congregational participation. Emily Damron, daughter of Scott & Tammy Damron, 11:00 AM – Youth Worship Service, Acolyte & Graduate Recognition th will be graduating on May 9 from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in integrated strategic communication and minors in business and political science. Emily plans to work for a few years in marketing before applying to MBA programs. 12:10 PM - Italian Luncheon honoring our Graduates and all our Youth in Fellowship Hall. Enslow Park Press May 2015 You can help 2 of Our Finest go to Cabell-Lincoln Work Camp May 2015 Birthdays Dylan & Nathan Once again it’s time for Cabell-Lincoln Work Camp which works on homes in Cabell and Lincoln Counties to make them warm, safe and dry for winter. EPPC is fortunate to have two soon-to-be High School Graduates, Nathan Booth and Dylan Holland, who once again are participating in this worthwhile endeavor. If you are interested in helping to sponsor these two young men, please drop a check off at the church office or place it in the Sunday collection plate. Write “Work Camp” in the memo of your check. Thank you in advance for assisting in God’s work in Cabell and Lincoln counties! Together we can make a difference! The Christian Ed. Team 2- Ben Barber 3- Terri Chambers Mary Stephenson 6- Kay Wildman 7- Art Malcom 13 - Paul Foard 14 - Ann Harris 15 - Pam Holland 16 - Dru Frazier 17 - Devona Taylor 24- PENTECOST: The Birthday of the Church 26 - Marilyn Lilly 29 - Betty Foard 30 - Brett Harris 31 - Evan Goetz Ingrid Olson Marylou Pratt Come celebrate the Day of Pentecost th on May 24 Remember to wear RED ! Let us in the stillness of our hearts, pray that we may have the consciousness of His presence and listen to His voice. Let us in the stillness of our hearts, pray that God will reveal to us the things that hinder our peace. Let us in the stillness of our hearts, pray that we may be filled with the Holy Spirit, and empowered to witness fearlessly against evil. Let us in the stillness of our hearts, pray to be conscious of what it means when we say, “Thy Kingdom come!” FOOD & CLOTHING PANTRY Christian Associates’ Cridlin Food & Clothing Pantry has asked EPPC to contribute: From EPPC’s “Fellowship Café” “Recipe of the Month” ___________________ 48 Cans of “Chicken Noodle Soup” in May. Our day for volunteering at the pantry is the rd 3 Monday of each month 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Special Need: Diapers (esp. size 4 & 5) & wipes, men’s and women’s underwear, and also men and children’s clothing. This Month’s recipe has been submitted by Pam Holland. This is an easy, nutritious and delicious family recipe from her mother, Janie Peden. They just call it… “That Fruit Salad” ________________ Combine 2 containers each (your choice of size): Raspberries, Blueberries Strawberries, Blackberries Grapes quartered. ______________ ____________________________ HOPE CHEST Our Hope Chest “Item of the Month” for MAY is SIVERWARE & SERVING UTENSILS. Cream together: 8 ounces sour cream & ½ - 1 cup brown sugar. Fold in with the fruit. Waa la! You’ve got… “That Fruit Salad”!! Enjoy! ______________________________________________________________ Please leave your donations on the table in the Donaldson Room. The Hope Chest items are distributed to Huntington City Mission, Cridlin Food & Clothing Pantry, and Harmony House. It’s a Girl! ____________________________ -Baby’s-BaptismCedar Dixie-Ann Pyles, daughter of Jaclyn and Kris Pyles, sister of Hunter Whitley & Aspen Pyles and granddaughter of Rocky & Ann Harris, was baptized on April 12, 2015. Cedar - 4 months old Congratulations to Sarah Foard & Sargon de Jesus on the birth of their daughter Leuna Mazis Foard de Jesus who was born on April 10th at 4:36 p.m. weighing 7 lbs. 1 oz. The proud grandparents are Paul and Barbara Foard and Great-Grandmother Betty Foard.--------------------------------------
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