to encourage...to inspire...to inform...
BEACON
SAFE HARBOR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
November 2014
Love and Grace not Law and Judgment
In my sermon series on Revelation, and
again in this current series when speaking of
holding a biblical world and life view and
the conflict that such a view inevitably engenders, I mentioned the obvious trajectory
of our society away from God and all things
godly and how that can clearly be an indicator of either the coming judgment of God
against our current society, or persecution of
those who are in disagreement with currently accepted values, or both. I used an illustration of someone who shared comments
about recent laws enacted in our state, one
concerning abortion the other about gender
issues and pointed to those comments as
evidence of the changing world in which we
live. There is no doubt our world is changing, but what I didn’t have time to address
on Sunday is the bigger question: How do
we as Christians confront the changing tide
of public opinion about morality, sexuality
and issues like the rights of the unborn?
There are several knee jerk reactions that we
may struggle with. One is to bemoan the
change and long for the way things used to
be, burying our heads in the sand or surrounding ourselves with those who think
like we do and join together with them to
reminisce about the old days when marriage
was for life, men were men, women were
women, and children were loved and safe in
their homes, neighborhoods and their mother’s wombs. Another reaction is to view the
changes as attacks against God and Christianity and fight those attacks with aggression,
anger, judgment and condemnation. Still
another reaction is to go with the flow and
pretend all is well as we try to be current and
keep up with our contemporary culture with
its changing standards and practices.
I believe all these reactions are wrong. We
have to take a step back and recognize that
since the fall, humanity has been driven by a
natural instinct that is in rebellion to God.
By nature people are going to choose to do
things that are contrary to God’s will, and
fail to fulfill the creation mandate of being
God’s image bearers in this world reflecting
his nature and character to the universe. We
shouldn’t be surprised, nor should we panic
nor get nasty when sinners act like sinners.
If we examine our own lives with any degree
of honesty we can clearly see we too are
sinners, and have less of an excuse for our
sins, since, as Christians, we have God’s
Holy Spirit to help keep our actions in
check. We should be living faithfully, yet we
still fail. There is a sad irony in getting frustrated with those who lack God’s Holy Spirit, when they act in perfect harmony with
the sin nature that we all possess. So should
we say and do nothing about the changing
morality around us? That would be a mistake; to either hide our heads in the sand, or
just go with the flow. There is a strategic
work given to the church to help our society. We are to be salt and light in the world:
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has
lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?
It is no longer good for anything except to be
thrown out and trampled under people's
feet.14 “You are the light of the world. A city
set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people
light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on
a stand, and it gives light to all in the
house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine
before others, so that they may see your good
works and give glory to your Father who is in
heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
Speaking the Truth in Love
Through sermons, classes, seminars and
small groups, the understanding of the
nature of God and his revealed will
through His Word is one of the greatest
tools we have to address the views in
our society. In the matter of human
sexuality we need to be able to lovingly
demonstrate from a biblical perspective
that God’s image in us is the groundwork of understanding for how God
intended us to relate and interact with
each other: emotionally, relationally and
sexually. Church members can also
learn how to relate in a constructive,
caring way toward those who believe
they have a minority sexual orientation.
The “love” part of our speech is absolutely paramount. To really do this well
I believe many, if not most of us, need
to seek out friendships with and truly
love those, who are at the center of
these issues. Those seeking answers to
their sexuality should be able to openly
ask questions. We should be able to
host loving, thoughtful and safe
conversations about faith, gender, reproductive issues and
sexuality; partnering with other ministries to establish trust,
reduce fear, and inspire hope for those who are looking to be
loved. We can help others move toward godly wholeness
through caring, teaching, discussion, but most of all, loving
interaction.
Intercession
The value and place of prayer cannot be overstated. Combined with education, friendship and healing resources, prayer declares to all involved that the risen Lord has power to
redirect individual lives and to heal personal images and provide clarity and peace. Both prayer with individuals and private intercessory prayer for individuals function in the mysFriendship
tery of the work of God, through us, to free, redeem and
The incarnation of God in Christ is our constant reminder of heal. As we intercede we demonstrate love, and regardless of
the absolute necessity of a genuine identification with those the choices that ultimately come, whether faithful or unfaithwe try to reach. Women with unwanted pregnancies, teenag- ful, our response needs to continue to be love and grace
ers with confusion about their sexuality, ardent Homosexuals demonstrated though caring prayer. We all make bad choiclooking for affirmation need to know a loving acceptance of es. We all struggle with choosing the right over the wrong,
their personhood can be found in the church and that we
how awful would it be if we set our hearts on judging and
welcome them and see beyond their reproductive and sexual punishing those who we felt were making bad choices. We
concerns they bring with them, and that the church views
never have the right not to forgive, and so we share love, we
these things as only a part of their total being. The basis for extend grace, we demonstrate forgiveness, and as we do, we
friendship must be recognition of our common need of the are the hands and heart of Christ to bring healing to this brograce of God. Hope, healing, love and acceptance of individ- ken world and confront the changing society with the reality
uals is part of the grace of God that should be reverberating of God’s power and the hope of God’s Fatherly affection.
around the church and her ministries. A test of this love and
grace can be found when those we are trying to reach act in
~ Pastor Todd
ways that are contrary to God’s word - that is where love,
patience, forgiveness and true friendship find the power of
the cross to bring future transformation.
Healing Resources
Healing from the harm sin brings is part of the mandate of
the church. In the area of sexual identity and behavior, healing comes through a number of channels which individual
Christians and local churches can offer. These include worship, small group and one-to-one relationships, pastoral
counseling, prayer, and the services of committed Christian
psychologists. In the area of unwanted pregnancies healing
comes from the loving interaction of Christians who provide
counseling, support, prayer and friendship in the midst of a
battle against fear, pressure, selfishness, and isolation. Loving and faithful ministries like Choices Crisis Pregnancy center provide programs and support that we should be behind
in the hopes of reaching these young women with the Love
of Christ and the support of the church. Local church programs can draw on the resources of other groups which focus on this area of ministry as they seek to establish ministries to hurting people. As individuals seek to move away
from selfishness and toward faithfulness in thought and act,
they need the regular availability of caring and supportive
Christians who can be trained by the local church for such
ministries.
SAFE HARBOR WEBSITE: If you would like to have a church related ministry, activity, or announcement placed on the church website
(www.safeharborpca.org), please sent the text and documents to: [email protected]. Begin the email subject line with "Safe Harbor"
so that it will be directed properly. Questions and constructive suggestions regarding the website are always welcomed.
The Second Annual Lighthouse
Christian Academy Holiday
Showcase
Attention all Visitors
Saturday, November 22nd
Our next visitors luncheon will be on
from 9am-3pm in the Safe Harbor
gym.
Sunday, November 23rd at noon
We welcome all recent visitors to come and fellowship with us. Please call the church office if you
would like to attend.
Free Admission, Talented Crafters, Wonderful Vendors, Food and
Raffles
From one pumpkin to another!
A woman was asked by a co-worker, “What
is it like to be a Christian?” The coworker
replied, “It is like being a pumpkin.” God
picks you from the patch, bring you in and
washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts
off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.
He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and
greed. The He carves you a new smiling face
and puts His light inside of you to shine for
all the world to see”
Holiday Hours
The church office will
be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday,
November 28th.
Take a moment, next time you see Denise Perdue, to
thank her for her ministry to the deaf at Safe Harbor.
She faithfully attend the first service where she signs the
songs, readings, and sermon to those who are hearingimpaired in our church family. Without her, those family
would be able to participate on Sunday mornings.
Thank you Denise!
We are able to embrace good when we recognize
evil. Lighthouse Christian Academy invites you to attend
the LCA Players' production of “Macbeth”, the story of
man who rises and falls through prophecy and his own
devious means. Performance schedule is: Wednesday,
November 12th with a matinee at 1pm and evening performance at 7pm and Thursday, November 13th at 7pm.
Cost is $5 per person, with a cap of $20 per family.
6547, or Liz Bazzell at 410-353-0455.
November 2014
Pantry Food: All items on the
pantry list
...to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly
with our LORD.
Micah 6:8
Volunteer training for the shelter is on Thursday,
November 11th at 6pm at KI United Methodist Church
Fellowship hall. Even if you’ve volunteered before, it’s
beneficial to refresh yourself and to hear the changes
that have been made for this coming shelter season Also if you’re not sure about volunteering please come
anyway for the training and we will have sign up tables
set-up.
We do need prayer warriors to keep the shelter guests,
staff, and volunteers in their prayers. Please pray that
Check out the fall trips for the
GOD’S love shine though us all when were serving at middle and high school:
the shelter.
The QACCA Our Haven Shelter staff are holding a
Christmas Bazaar to help raise funds for the shelter. “Crazy in the Country” - Middle school reThe Bazaar will be held at St. Christopher’s Church on treat to Skycroft
November 22nd, from 9am to 2pm. If you’d like to do- November 21-23—sign up today!! Cost: $138.00.
nate a cake for our bake table stop by the Faith with
feet table after church to sign up.
Now is the time to sign up if you would like to help us
by donating one of the 32 turkeys we will be delivering
to the Baltimore Christian Community for Thanksgiving and Christmas. See Sandi after church if you can
help.
“Life’s Better at the Beach” High school
trip to Ocean City!
November 14-16th—first come first served! Cost
$45.00.
Locally, the FEED-A-FAMILY Community Thanks- REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE
giving Program has started. Stop by the Faith With Feet IN THE CHURCH OFFICE DURING THE
table on Sunday to pick up a Turkey Tag with a sugWEEK: 8AM-3:30PM.
gested shopping list for a family. The drop off time and
all directions are on the back of tag. What a blessing to
shop and feed another family as well as your own!
Bountiful Blessings is in need of some donations of
non-food items. There help us provide for the needs of
families less fortunate. Please stop by our table in the
narthex for a list of those items.
We are very thankful to Kangaroo Storage for continuing their donation of a storage space for our furniture
outreach for families in our community.
Praise GOD for our caring church family and how
beautifully He works though us all. If you need more
information on any of the out reaches mentioned above
please call Sandi Wiscott at 410-643-3325 or 410-570-
High School Youth Group Ski Trip
January 16-19, 2015
Location: Timberline.
Cost: $280 (prior to 12/21)
$300 after 12/21.
Open to adults and other church members too. Pick up
a flyer and sign up! Makes a good Christmas present
for your child too!
From our MTW Missionary on the ground in Turkey:
Turkish Missions Report, 30 Oct 2014
Doing ministry in Turkey takes a huge toll on our Turkish pastors. Our pastor ministering in the south of Turkey is battling external persecution, financial and social pressures, and a terrible family crisis. The lack of other believing women
and adults in his close proximity to adequately provide emotional and relational support for his wife, has left her feeling
desperate to leave the ministry. This has placed a huge burden on their family and a great dilemma before this pastor who
feels called to love and shepherd his family and at the same time bring the truth of God’s word and the message of salvation in Christ Jesus to his neighbors, community and nation.
The incredible stress on the pastor and his family and how this impacts possible future ministry has been a topic of great
concern and prayer in the partnership and they are consulting with two national pastors and their wives about how to proceed in giving encouragement and direction as well as pinpointing exactly what is actually going on in their ministry, marriage and family. There is a desperate request that we continue to devote ourselves to prayer for wisdom and God’s work
in their lives.
As this pastor endeavors to minister to his family and devote himself to ministry he continues to disciple new believers,
write and translate commentaries and works on basic Christian doctrine. He is currently working on several key books,
and now his translation and study guide for Philip Ryken’s The Message of Salvation is finally hot off the press. Several other
books are nearing completion and we trust will soon be published.
Ankara Presbyterian Church / Ankara Protestant Church
Many serious inquirers have come asking questions in the past two months. Some are Islamic theological students with
projects doing research. Some have been prayed over, evangelized and discipled and now want to be members of the
church, but still know next to nothing and are eager to learn. Others have heard something of Jesus and want to know
more. Pray with us that the Gospel would go forth and he Great Shepherd would draw His sheep to Himself! Many inquirers typically get cold feet after the first inquiry. Pray that fear would not keep people away.
Others are believers who have moved to our area recently. Many know next to nothing about the Bible. Pray for growth
and discipleship. Pray that God might use Pastor Y’s sermon series on Colossians in a powerful way. Even some of the
plain clothes “visitors” show real interest!
The visit from Grace DC, a few days ago, brought great encouragement to us here. Pray for future trips and growth in
relationships in the partnership. There is no substitute for these trips.
The pastors ask for grace as their families face financial challenges because of the flat level of support in an inflationary
environment. Pray for more adequate support on a regular basis and for the long term future.
The Pastor in Ankara is asking for prayer as he endeavors by God’s grace to develop more video and internet ministry
beyond what he has yet accomplished. This will likely involve keeping on the pastoral intern beyond his original plans and
amount of support raised. Keep this request for added support and extended tenure in your prayers as well.
Please Join Lighthouse Chris an Academy for our
Veterans Day
Ceremony
Join us as we honor and celebrate the
veterans in our Community
Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church Sanctuary
10 – 11:15 AM
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
931 Love Point Road Stevensville w www.lcacademy.org
Michael Hoxter ~ USAF
Here are our veterans at Safe Harbor and within
their families
Ed Keen ~ US Army
Thank you for serving!
Rick Mellinger ~ USAF
****
Jim Monger ~ USN Seabees
Fred Koch ~ USAF
Pierre Pyle ~ USMC
Bill Almy ~USAF
Robert Reed ~ USN
William Charles Atwell ~ USN Submarine
Ron Rozell ~ Army
Helen Bennett ~ USMC
Jon Shaffer ~ USAF
Wayne Brobst ~ USN
Terry Siciliano ~ USAF
Bill Bullis ~ USAF
David Siciliano ~ USAF
Dale Burns ~ USN
Doug Tribull ~ USN-Air
Mickey Burns ~ USN
Sam Whiting ~ USMC
James Catoe ~ USAF
Jim Fleisher ~ US Army
Winn Frank ~ USN
Lou Glasgow ~ USMC
Keith Hastedt ~US Army