1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

PresbyterianPress
October 2014
A Publication of First Presbyterian Church, Clarksburg WV
It’s Pastor
Appreciation
Month!!
What’s a Christian to do with
Halloween?
Many churches
observe October as Pastor
Apprectiation Month. Given
the reluctance of many
pastors to call attention to
themselves, it’s not likely they will mention
anything about being appreciated. Were
someone to ask a pastor, however, what
might be done to show apprectiation to him
or her, the answer would likely be, “Pray
for me.”
Saint Paul never asked for anything for
himself except that others pray for him. To
the church at Rome, he wrote, “I appeal to
you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus
Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join
me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf,
that I may be rescued from the unbelievers
in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerulsalem
may be acceptable to the saints, so that by
God’s will I may come to you with joy and
be refreshed in your company”
(Romans 15:30-32, NRSV).
Encourage Pastor John by assuring him of
your prayers and love as we celebrate
Pastor Appreciation on Sunday, October
19th after worship.
In This Issue…
John’s Jottings
pg. 3
Session Notes
pg. 4
Schedule of Volunteers
pg. 5
Fall Festival
pg. 7
Nominating Committee
pg. 8
Sunday
Worship
Church
School
9:30 a.m.
Worship
10:45 a.m.
These days, children associate Halloween with trickor-treating and candy. But centuries ago, Christians
named the night before All Hallows’ Day (All Saints
Day) “All Hallows’ Eve”. As faithful prepared to
remember people who were entrusted with the resurrection life, They adopted various traditions to poke fun at
death.
Around the world, Christians observe Halloween
differently: In Poland, kids pray aloud while walking
through forests to comfort souls of the dead. In Spain,
tolling church bells remind people to remember the
saints. In Finland, so many people light candles in
cemeteries that the observance is called, “the sea of
light.” Although some Christians steer clear of
Halloween, others use it as an evangelsim oppprtunity
and provide entertainment alternatives such as harvest
parties.
No matter your views, you can remind children that
though it is fun to pretens, we can always be ourselves
with God, Whatever our features and flaws, we need
not and cannot hide from God behid masks.
God made us in his holy image and loves us as his
holy - hallowed! - children.
Office Hours
Worship in October
Monday - Friday
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
OCT 5: 17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY)
SCRIPTURES: Exodus 20:1-17; *Matthew 21:33-46
SERMON: “The Parable of the Wicked Tenants”
THEME: Jesus warns the leadership of his day, that they work for God. They are
not free to substitute what they want for what God wants.
OCT 12: 18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
PASTOR ON CONTINUING EDUCATION LEAVE. MARY BETH PALETTA WILL BE PREACHING.
OCT 19: 19TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
SCRIPTURES: Exodus 33:12-23; *Matthew 22:1-14
SERMON: “The Parable of the Wedding Banquet”
THEME: God loves us just as we are. However. God cares too much about us to
leave us in our sin. God insists that we cast off our old clothing of sin and put on
the new clothing of righteousness.
OCT 26: 20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
SCRIPTURES: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; *Matthew 22:15-22
SERMON: “Rendering to Caesar and to God”
THEME: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that
are God’s.” That is one of the most famous quotes of Jesus. How does it apply to
our lives especially in the light of the fact that we have to pay taxes, but giving to
God is voluntary?
(* Indicates main scripture referenced in sermon.)
Our Sunday Morning
(10:45) service
is broadcast on:
Church Staff
P ASTOR
Rev. John F. Koerner
209 Ohio Avenue
Nutter Fort, WV 26301
Phone: 304-534-2324
[email protected]
SESSION
Beckie Alvaro, Clerk
Mary Beth Paletta, Asst. Clerk
PARISH ASSOCIATE
Rev. Charla Waters Koerner
CHURCH SECRETARY
Sara Hatcher Jones
[email protected]
OFFICE VOLUNTEER
Kathleen Berry
[email protected]
E DUCATION C OORDINATOR
Terra M. Burnett
[email protected]
MINISTER OF MUSIC
Marjorie Faris
ORGANIST
Mary Kay Devono
WGIE 92.7 FM - Clarksburg
102.7 - Fairmont / 103.7 - Morgantown
Activities & Meetings
Phone: 304-622-6831
Fax: 304-623-1611
Web: www.clarksburgfpc.org
Newsletter Deadline is
Friday, October 24
NURSERY ATTENDANT
Isabella Keller
SEXTON
Gary Scheuvront
DEACONS – Tuesday, October 14 at 5:00 pm
TRUSTEES – Tuesday, October 12 at Noon
SESSION – Tuesday, October 12 at 5:30 pm
C.E. COMMITTEE – Tuesday, October 21 at 6:30 pm
WORSHIP & MUSIC – Thursday, October 16 at 4:00 pm
PRAYER GROUP & BIBLE STUDY – Monday at 10:30 am
P.W. BOARD – Monday, October 6 at Noon
BIBLE STUDY – Wednesday evening at 6:30 (Social 6:00)
Book Group – Monday, October 20 at 3:30
COMFORT MAKERS – Wednesday, October 29 at 1:00 p.m.
CHURCH TREASURERS
Wayne J. Northey / Bill Pulling
Richard Riddle / Dave Allman
NET CASH FLOW - AUGUST
2013
2014
INCOME
131,462
117,988
EXPENSES
151,487
140,917
NET INCOME
-20,024
-22,929
Pastor John’s Jottings . . .
“Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty...” thus go the words of the old hymn. What does it
mean to say that God is holy? The word holy is usually associated with God and things that
are divine or sacred. It’s simplest meaning is “different”. There is “the ordinary” and “the
different” or holy.
When Moses stood before the burning brush (Exodus 3), he asked God, “What is your name?”
God replied, “I am who I am.” God further said to Moses, “ You shall say to the Israelites, “I Am” has sent me to
you.” In Hebrew, God’s proper name then, is written as YHWH which might be pronounced as Yahweh. It is
connected with the Hebrew verb hayah, “to be.”
The Jews believe to this day that the proper name of God is too holy to be spoken aloud. Instead, they substitute
Adonai (LORD) for God. In the Old Testament we ofter find references, especially in the Psalms, to the LORD.
When “LORD” stands for the proper name of God, it is written in all capitals. “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall
not want.” (Psalms 23:1)
Modern Christians have placed less of an emphasis on the holiness of God. Instead, we have talked about how
aproachable God is. “Seek God out,” we say, “God wants to spend time with you. God loves you.” While these
things are true and good, we run the risk of losing the sense that God is also holy. God is far different than us. God is
all powerful. God is all knowing. God is everywhere present. God is worthy of our worship, our praise, and our
obedience.
Toning down God’s holiness may make God seem more like us and thus more approachable, but it may also lead to
empty religion. If God is just a good old boy like me, then God has no power to save or trnasform me. A god that is
just like me is not worthy of worship or obedience.
Our god is a holy God, nothing is impossible for God. Our God is a holy God, worthy of our worship and our
obedience. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.” (Psalms 103:1)
Hope and Confidence,
Pastor John
Pastor’s Discretionary Fund Low on Funds
On behalf of the 113 families that we have been able to help with rent or utilities, I thank you all. It is a
wonderful ministry of First Church that we are able to demonstrate the love of Christ in such a caring and
concrete way. Any and all donations to this ministry will be wisely used and greatly appreciated.
First Presbyterian Church
Session Highlights
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 5:30 p.m.
-Approved request of Amy Strange for use of building on Friday, Sept. 12th from 4 to 7 pm for
distributing food for spaghetti dinner fund raiser for RCB band.
-Approved allowing Mascaro Construction to place a camera on our flat roof top to monitor the site next
door.
-Our Ice maker in the kitchen is broken. We are looking into getting a new one.
Session agreed to ask the congregation for help in buying a new machine. ($2,000)
-Instead of the usual fall festival, this year we are going to do something in conjunction with
the Clarksburg downtown Trick or Trick on Oct. 29th. Details are still being worked out.
-Stewardship dedication Sunday will be Nov. 9th.
- Pastor has requested study leave for the week of Oct. 6-12. Mary Beth Paletta will fill the pulpit for
Sunday, Oct. 12th.
-set the date for congregational meetings: Oct. 19 for the election of officers and Feb. 15 for the annual
meeting
Pastor’s Report:
hospital visits:
4
baptisms:
none
wedding:
none
funerals:
8-30-14
Other significant Pastoral visits: 32
Leroy F. Perry, Bridgeport Cemetery
Sacrament of Communion:
Was celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 7
Deacons report 58 served.
Home Communion was served in July to 2 individuals at Maplewood and with the help of Elders
Wayne and Harriett Northy and in the home with the help of elder Connie Leuliette to 2 more.
Pastor’s Discretionary Fund 2014 - As of August 31, 2014
MONTH # OF REQUESTS #COMPLETED
AMT PLEDGED
June
6
12
895.39
July
na
na
0.00
August
31
23
TOTALS
113
AMT DISBURSED
685.39
0.00
1,715.54
1,315.69
$9,031.81
$7,775.43
NEW ICE MAKER NEEDED
CHILDRENS’ MOMENTS
Oct. 5 12 19 26 -
Janet Wilson
Dawn Woodburn
Maria Morrison
Terra Burnett
WORSHIP LEADER
Oct 5 12 19 26 -
Jim Wilson
Pam Mitchell
Adam King
Bryon Delawder
ELDER GREETERS
Oct. 5 12 - Denver Atkinson
19 26 - Beckie Alvaro
DEACON GREETERS
Oct 5 12 19 26 -
Sally Gray
Connie Leuliette
Beth Allen-Goff
Judy McQuaid
Our kitchen ice-maker has failed and we will need to get a new one.
The estimated cost of the new and bigger machine is $2,000. If you
would like to help with the cost of a new ice-maker, please mark your
gift, “ice-maker”, and place it in the offering plate or mail it to the
church office. Thank you!
Did You Know.......
In 1933, a Pittsburgh pastor, Hugh Thompson
Kerr had a unique idea. What if churches all
around the world celebrated Holy Communion
on the same Sunday? He contacted leaders of
various denominations worldwide. His idea
was met with such warm enthusiasm that
celebrating the sacrament on the first Sunday
of October is now an annual affair. It unites
Christians throughout the world, or in the
words of the popular hymn:
In Christ there is no east or west,
In Him no north or south;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.
ACOLYTES
Oct 5 - Ashleigh Brunett
Abby Schorr
12 - Maddison Stout
Isabella and
Rebekah Rinehart
19 - Cassie Delawder
Megan Strange
26 - Matthew Strange
Brdaley Burnett
The following dates are still available:
November 2, 9, 23 and 30
and
December 14
Wednesday Night Bible Study
Join us for Wednesday Night Bible Study with Pastor John.
We gather at 6 pm for social time, then the lesson begins at 6:30.
We are currently studying the book of Acts.
McClelland - Parlor Class
The McClelland/Parlor Class invites you to join them as they gather at 9:30 am
on Sunday morning. We spend a little time visiting and “catching up,” then the
lesson starts at 9:45 and continues until 10:30. If you don’t already have a
Sunday School home, we welcome you to join us!
Young Adult Bible Study!
Meet with Pastor John in Westminster Hall at 9:30 for fellowship, and
class at 10 a.m.
IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS...
BIRTHDAYS
1 - Jennifer Wetzel
2 - Jackson L. Anderson
2 - Patricia Glaser
Johnson
3 - Donna Smith
3 - Karen Nickerson
4 - Joshua Weist
6 - Joyce King
IN SPECIAL CARE FACILITIES:
Amy Garrett; Rex Kuhens; Roberta Davis
SPECIAL CONCERNS:
ANDERSON, Jack & Sandy **
ARTHUR, Rev. Bill ***
ATKINSON, Denver ***
BANEY, Pam **
BERRY, Kathleen ***
CANTARELLI, Helen *
CLARK, Peggy **
FARIS, Marj **
FORSYTHE, Cal **
FORTE, Amy *
HOOD, Robbie *
GLOSS, Cleo ***
GOODWIN, Fred & Betty **
GRAEBER, Steve **
KENNEDY, Betty **
MEDINA, Rose **
POLLACK, Dan **
RADCLIFF, Kenny **
SHIFFRA, Everett & Donna *
SMITH, Missy ***
TETRICK, Jo **
THOMPSON, Mariah ***
WARNE, Jerry **
WHEELER, Zach ***
8 - Karoline Colucci
8 - Braden Tustin
9 - Cameron Mann
9 - Sally Ogden
10 - Steve Maxwell
***REMINDER: Names with 3 astericks will be taken off the list
the following month unless someone calls to put them back on. To
place someone on the list please call the church office or email Sara
at [email protected]. Thank you for your help!
13 - Sam Weaver
13 - Amy Garrett
13 - Jeremy Troyer
19 - Jeanne Unger
20 - Matthew Strange
21 - Jan Williams
21 - Sean Langley
21 - Judy Kennedy
22 - Kristy Vander
Decker
22 - Bryanna Moore
26 - Bob Faris
26 - Linda Faust
26 - Brian Tustin
28 - Suzie Heger
29 - Sandi Nuzum
(Call the Church Office and let us know when your
birthday is so we can add it to the list!)
F.Y.I. -Fair Trade Coffee & More!
Presbyterian Women continue to offer Fair Trade
Products for sale in Westminster Hall on the first
Sunday of the month after the worship service, or you
may call or stop in the church office to pick up some!
COFFEE - $7.00 bag
TEA - $4.00 box
CHOCOLATE BARS - $2.50 each
DRIED CRANBERRIES - $4.00 bg
SALE! all tall blue & gold (12 oz.) bags of coffee,
regularly $7.00 – NOW $5.00!!!
-ANDCookbooks Still Available!
You may purchase your cookbook(s) for $20 per book.
Stop in the church office to get your copy. (Checks
payable to First Presbyterian Church and include
“Cookbook” in memo line.)
First Presbyterian Church presents it’s eighth annual . . .
Fall
Festival
Schedule for the event:
u 10:45 a.m. - Doors Open!
u 11:00 to 12:00 - Activities...
a kids crafts!
a face painting!
a cookies!
a Trunk or Treat!
a and more!
u 12:00 - FREE HOT DOG LUNCH!
u 12:30 - Singing & Cake Walk
The First Presbyterian Church, located at 175 West Main
Street in Clarksburg, invites the community to our
Annual Fall Festival! This event is . . .
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Everyone Welcome!
For more information, call the church office at 304-622-6831.
Saturday, October 25, 2014 ~ 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
FREE HOT DOG LUNCH!
Congratulations to our nominating committee on a job well done. Our slate of candidates to be nominated at the
October congregational meeting is complete. This is an impressive list of spiritually deep and very capable
individuals. Our church will benefit greatly by their service!
Nominations For Church Officers 2014
Those elected will be ordained/install to office January 2015
Ruling Elders, Class of 2016
1. Jenna Bennett
2. Dick Ogden
3. Susan Tustin
4. Dianne Keller
Deacons, Class of 2016
1. Susie Heger
2. Ashley & Chad Montgomery
3. Maria & Micah Morrison
4. Sandy & Courtney Nuzum
Trustees, Class of 2016
1. Sally Gray
2. Bryon Delawder
Youth Delegates class of 2015
To deacons: Cassie Delawder
To C.E.: Danielle Rinehart
Congregational Nominating Committee class of 2015
1. Mark Freeman
2. Jackie Corsini
3. Kris Pulling
4. Ginger Delawder
5. Kandy Atkinson