HOW QUICKLY THE PARADE GOES BY
Musings on New Year’s Eve
I have been thinking about the significance of this article for several days, knowing that we look back to a year past with some regret. We are inclined to look back to what we have known, more than look ahead to a future yet unknown. But, as people of faith, we are encouraged to be hopeful and filled with vigor for the opportunities that will confront us.
I remember ten years ago today when we were facing a new millennium, a new century and a new decade. There was some apprehension, thinking that the change of a significant date in human terms, might affect the future of the world and the universe. Perhaps we think too much of ourselves. The truth is that the last decade has been difficult from many points of view. There have been unique challenges, not only in our church and community, but in our nation and world. How will all these issues affect us personally in this new year to come?
A writer in one of our church magazines wrote these words. “Poverty, hatred, violence, death: is 2010 the time for another Reformation–another Martin Luther, another John Calvin–someone or something to guide us out of an ever-deepening morass? Our earth was created good. It’s hardly good anymore.”
We need not be discouraged by such comments, but encouraged to turn to our faith when the world around us becomes dark and cold. The writer is a 90 year-old layman who lives in nearby Virginia. And his point is this: In the deep chill of 2010, hope for warmth calls for a simple gospel. He offers these guidelines: 1) Overcome pride and seek forgiveness, 2) Base
our living on loving God and our neighbor, and 3) Establish a habit of daily prayer, turning our messes over to God doing what we can to clean up our own corners.
Finally, I want to thank the members of Sparta Presbyterian Church for what you do for the Kingdom of God in this place. And know that only as we go forward in faith and hope, will all our tomorrows be bright and beautiful.
Happy New Year,
Pastor Bob Matthias
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How
In this time we turn our thoughts to how we can touch and be touched,
love and be loved,
forgive and be forgiven,
heal and be healed,
so that the goodness of our lives becomes a shared blessing.
–Marta M. Flanagan (adapted)
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Sunday Morning Bible Study and Worship Service
Adult Bible study is offered each Sunday in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. The class is lead by Pastor Bob and continues to grow as our church members and friends share this time of worship and learning together.
We gather for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Our services are traditional, following the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship and the Directory of Worship. The hearing of God’s Word in Scripture, the sermon and the music are central to our worship experience.
Children are provided a special “Youth Message” and are invited to remain in the Sanctuary for the entire worship service. Child care is available for infants and toddlers in the nursery and educational building during worship service and for Sunday School.
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Session News
The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA) describes the office of elder in the following way: Elders are chosen by the people. Together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church as well as the church at large, including ecumenical relationships. Elders should be persons of faith, dedication and good judgment. Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel, both within the church and in the world. It is the duty of elders, individually and jointly, to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation that is committed to their charge. Those duties that all Christians are bound to perform by the laws of love are especially incumbent upon elders because of their calling to office and are to be fulfilled by them as official responsibilities.
At Sparta Presbyterian Church, the elders meet on the second Monday of each month, plus called meetings as needed. They discuss and make decisions about their oversight of worship, Christian education, outreach to visitors and new members, community building within the congregation and the church’s finances. These meetings are opportunities for the Session to consider our relationship with and responsibility to the wider church. At these meetings, elders also hear reports and act on recommendations from and for the Board of Trustees.
On Sunday, January 10th, a congregational meeting will be held immediately following the Worship service. During this meeting, names for the 2012 class of Elders will be presented by the Nominating Committee of Session and the congregation will be asked to submit nominations from the floor. Please consider persons you know that are willing to help with the responsibilities of Sparta Presbyterian Church and be prepared to offer names for consideration and/or to vote on the names presented by the Nominating Committee.
Current Elders are:
Class of 2010 George White, Clerk
Jane Wyatt
Class of 2011 Carolyn Sprinkle
Teresa Stolt
Class of 2012 Open
Open
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Missions of Sparta Presbyterian Church
Sparta Presbyterian Church is deeply committed to mission ministries whether denominational, non-denominational, community or world-wide. In response to God’s love, the congregation supports mission projects in various capacities, including financial gifts, volunteer hours and other numerous personal commitments.
Our local mission projects include:
Adopt-A-Highway
Alleghany Cares
Alleghany Connections
Alleghany County 4H
Alleghany County School System
Alleghany Memorial Hospital
Alleghany Wellness Center
Project-in-as-Much
Relay for Life
Scouting
Solid Rock Building Ministries
Sunbridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Mission projects of the PW include:
Alleghany County DSS
Birthday Offering
Cards and gifts to our college students
Collecting bed sheets for overseas missions
Education labels
Heifer Project
Knitting baby caps and sweaters
Sewing of baby blankets and gowns
Shoe Box Ministries
Presbyterian Church mission offerings include:
Barium Springs
Birthday Offering
Grandfather Home for Children
Joy Gift
Thank Offering
These lists do not cover the many ways our church reaches out to others but does help us to realize the positive and healing impact that the caring work of Sparta Presbyterian members and friends provides to those in need as we share our gifts and talents and God’s love.
Lord, help us
to face the realities of your world,
including the dark presence of cruelty,
prejudice and war within it.
Help us, too, to live in
the light of your presence
and to make your love real.
Amen
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Presbyterian Women’s News
Women’s groups in the Presbyterian Church have a powerful history. Since the early 1800s Presbyterian Women (PW) have organized themselves to support mission and combat social injustices nationally and internationally. While the levels of involvement and recognition from the congregations have varied, their dedication to live out God’s call through women’s organizations has remained steady. The PW of Sparta Presbyterian Church meets the second Wednesday of each month for Bible Study, fun and fellowship. This meeting is held at the church at 10:30 a.m. All women are cordially invited to join this group. The Coordinating Team of PW meets the second Wednesday of each month as well. They meet at 9:30 a.m. at the church to plan the work of their many, many mission projects and to plan the work they do for our congregation. The following is an adaptation from an article by Kim Bowers several years ago that seems to tell this story so well.
Who are PW?
God borrows from many creatures to make a Presbyterian Woman, taking the voice of a meadowlark, the stubbornness of a mule, the curiosity of a cat, the spryness of a grasshopper and the strength of a pack horse. Presbyterian Women are found everywhere, in the church choir, the church kitchen, the church office, in the Sunday school rooms, and in Session meetings. She is found in board rooms, behind cash registers or at school PTA functions. She quilts, bakes, knits and volunteers in her community and she bowls, rides horses, raises a garden and camps. A Presbyterian Woman is “comfort” with a casserole in her hand. She is “service” cleaning up after a luncheon. She is “compassion” with a pledge card in her purse. She is “friendship” with a cheerful smile on her face, and she is “hungry for knowledge”, armed with a Bible and a study book. A Presbyterian Woman is a dreamer and a worker, dreaming great dreams for her children, her church, and her country, and she is constantly working to make those dreams come true. She is a link with the past, a powerful force in the present and an investment in the future.
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Presbyterian Men’s History
In 1895 the first mandate for ministry with men came from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Presbyterian men can trace their roots back to 1906-1907 with three major men’s groups: the Presbyterian Brotherhood (UPCUSA), the Men’s Missionary League (UPNA), and the Layman’s Missionary Movement (PCUS). In 1923, Northern church men’s work began in congregations and presbyteries. In 1932, the General Assembly of the PCUS declared men’s work as “men working in the church.” In 1948, the church set up the National Council of Presbyterian Men and UPNA reorganized men’s work. Both thrived before merging in 1972 into United Presbyterian Men. In 1949, the PCUS set up a Division of Men’s Work, which thrived for twenty years. Reorganization in 1972 abolished it from the General Assembly structure. In 1982, several PCUS synods worked together to hold a convention in Atlanta, Georgia, and established the Men of the Church Council. In 1984, the Men of the Church Council and the United Presbyterian Men merged into a new National Council of Presbyterian Men, with each synod sending a representative to serve on the National Council and the National Board. The mission of this group of Presbyterian men is “To lead men into vital relationship with Christ, and to assist them in their spiritual, personal and community development.” God has blessed us with Presbyterian Men in Sparta Presbyterian Church. They work tirelessly as Elders to plan the work and the future of our church as well as doing the day-to-day chores of maintenance, worship planning, financial planning – and the list goes on and on. Please call Pastor Bob @ 372-5045/572-2325 or George White @ 372-2265/372-6244 for the opportunity to share your time and talents with Sparta Presbyterian Church.
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Join Us
How do I join Sparta Presbyterian Church?
The constitution of the Presbyterian Church (specifically, the Book of Order), provides three ways for people to become members:
• Confession of Faith – people who have not been baptized as members of a Christian church will receive the Sacrament of Baptism upon confessing their faith to Jesus Christ.
• Reaffirmation of Faith – if you have been baptized and were previously a member of a church but wish to reaffirm your faith publicly, you may join by reaffirmation of faith. You many also join by reaffirmation of faith if you are unable to obtain a certificate for transfer of membership from your previous church.
• Transfer of Certificate of Membership – you may also join the church by transfer of your certificate of membership. (We accept membership from virtually all Christian denominations.)
• Students or other people who will be in the area for a limited time may become affiliate members. In this case, you retain your membership in your previous church while serving as an affiliate member. (You may become an affiliate member even if your previous church was not Presbyterian.)
What’s the process for joining?
If you decide to join, you will meet with the session of the church. The session (the ruling elders of the church) will receive you as a member of the church. At a future worship service, you will be publicly acknowledged as a member. Persons joining by confession or reaffirmation of faith will then make their public declaration of faith; persons not yet baptized will then receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
What can I do before joining?
Non-members are welcome to participate in all the worship services. We celebrate “open communion.” All professing Christians are welcome to participate in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. The only significant restrictions on non-members is that they cannot vote or serve on church committees.
What if I have more questions?
Contact Pastor Bob Matthias at 372-5045/572-2325 and/or Clerk of Session, George White at 372-2265/372-6244.
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Choir News
Please contact Debbie Brady @ 372-4402 if you are interested in being part of the Wednesday 5:30pm Youth Choir and Youth Bible Study group.
Contact Jane Wyatt is you are interested in being part of the Adult Choir that meets every Wednesday @ 7:00 p.m.
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Our Stewardship
As the world turns- I fried my computer on Tuesday and will not have access to church financial files until Monday. (I do have an external drive and all records are saved on it.) Having said that – be assured that we are financially sound and you will be informed of our exact financial status as part of your annual contributions statement that will be mailed to you in the next few weeks. Also, the 2009 financial statements will be presented to the congregation during the congregational meeting held immediately after worship service on January 10th. Your 2009 financial support has seen us through obtaining an Interim Supply Pastor in May and much needed renovations and repairs. We are now positioned to grow in faith, in love, in joy and in numbers. In our congregation, we experience God, know Christ, follow the Spirit and love one another –no matter how you say it – it means that we each have a higher purpose in Sparta Presbyterian Church than to elect leaders and to approve a budget. Our united goal must be that every cent donated to Sparta Presbyterian Church goes to accomplish God’s work. Remember – our church does not have dues nor asks for pledges but depends completely on what is voluntarily given. At Sparta Presbyterian Church, money is not emphasized very much, but money is a big part of discipleship. Good stewardship is grown out of our desire to invest in what God is doing in the world, the community, our church and in our lives. Carolyn Sprinkle, Treasurer
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Please submit your email address, news articles, announcements and dates you want posted to sprinkle89@skybest.com. By doing this you will be assured of receiving Pastor Bob’s weekly sent to you by Laura Matthias, calendar updates, the monthly newsletter as well as weather closing announcements. The monthly newsletter is prepared during the last week of the month for the following month. Become a part of sharing your news and articles with the congregation and friends of Sparta Presbyterian Church. Also, if your Birthday and/or wedding anniversary dates are not listed below, be sure to forward that information to me also. This monthly newsletter is about you and the work of Sparta Presbyterian Church.
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January Happy Days
Birthdays:
1/1 Jane Wyatt
1/2 Amon Edwards
1/2 Ken Thomas
1/5 Ruth Kelly
1/18 Henry Thorne
1/22 Jessica Gentry
1/26 Bill Ballew
Wedding Anniversaries:
None on record
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Just the Facts:
• January’s birthstone is the garnet which represents constancy.
• Its birth flower is the Dianthus caryophyllus or Galanthus.
• January is, on average, the coldest month of the year within most of the Northern Hemisphere and the warmest month of the year within most of the Southern Hemisphere.