Pastor’s Note 6/24/21

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of
mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree
planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in
the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to
destruction. Psalm 1:1-6
 
NEW SERIES
Last Sunday we started a new sermon series entitled, “God’s Greatest Hits” as we take a deep dive into the Psalms, the spiritual
songs, poems, and sayings of the Hebrew people. It has sometimes been called “God’s Hymn Book” and down through the
ages, in both Jewish synagogues and Christian churches, the words from the Psalms have been used as aids to worship God.
The great thing about the Psalms is that they provided words that allow us to praise God, to adore God, to give thanks to God, to complain to God, and to lament to God. So whether we are ready to praise God because of His creation or ready to complain to Him because of our circumstances, the Psalms give us words (and permission) to do so.
 
JOIN US
I will admit though, reading the Psalms can be difficult. It takes time and effort (at least for me it takes time and effort) to study the Psalms and glean insights from them. Sometimes the words can be difficult to understand, especially without the context from which they were written. So let me invite you join us as we work our way through the “hits” from God’s songbook.
 
PS If you missed last week’s sermon you can watch it on our website, our LCPC Church APP, or YouTube channel (here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUTg1MH260M&t=948s) and if you aren’t a subscriber to our YouTube channel, be sure to sign up.


Pastor’s Note 06/11/2021

Adjusting

So I was asked, “How it is going without Silvia in the office?” Well, it has been just a few days without a secretary and for the
most part, it has been fine. The phones are getting answered and things have been organized. It did take us 20 minutes to figure out how to make one page of labels so there is a big learning curve ahead!
 

Next Steps

The plan moving forward for the next two-weeks is to have volunteers that are answering the phones and managing the office
when we are open (The office will be open, Monday – Friday, from 9am – 12pm). Silvia has graciously offered to continue to
work on the Worship Orders for Sundays until we find a more permanent solution so that is a big help. If any of you can help with some of the volunteering during the day let me know and we will see if there is a job that you can fulfill.

 

The Search

We also will begin a search for a replacement in the next two weeks. Currently, the Executive Committee of the church (this
consists of the chairs of each of the church’s 4 committees along with the Clerk of Session and the Pastor) is reviewing the job
description of the secretary and seeing how it should be changed or adjusted to meet our needs as a church. I suspect that we will make some changes to the job and to the scope of the position. You can be praying for this search because this person plays a key role in the life of our church. He or she is more than just an administrator and secretary. They also are the first face of the church that many people meet, so finding the right person is important.

Know that I am praying for all of you and for our church. I will see you on Sunday!



Pastor’s Note 6/4/2021

“There were also with Him other little ships.” – Mark 4:36
 
Jesus is always in Control
Jesus was the Lord High Admiral of the sea that night and His presence preserved the whole convoy. It is well to sail with Jesus, even though it be in a little ship. When we sail in Christ’s company, we may not make sure of fair weather, for great storms may toss the vessel which carries the Lord Himself, and we must not expect to find the sea less boisterous around our little boat. 
 
If we  go with Jesus we must be content to fare as He fares; and when the waves are rough to Him they will be rough to us. It is by tempest and tossing that we shall come to land, as He did before us. When the storm swept over Galilee’s dark lake all faces gathered blackness, and the hearts dreaded shipwreck.
 
 
The Calm
When all creature help was useless, the slumbering Savior arose, and with a word, transformed the riot of the tempest into the deep quiet of a calm; then were the little vessels at rest as well as that which carried the Lord. Jesus is the star of the sea; and though there be sorrow upon the sea, when Jesus is on it there is joy too. May our hearts make Jesus their anchor, their rudder, their lighthouse, their life-boat, and their harbor.
 
His Church is the Admiral’s flagship; let us attend her movements, and cheer her officers with our presence. He Himself is the great attraction; let us follow ever in His wake, mark His signals, steer by His chart, and never fear while He is within hail. Not one ship in the convoy shall suffer wreck; the great Commodore will steer every barge in safety to the desired haven.
 
By faith we will slip our cable for another day’s cruise, and sail forth with Jesus into a sea of tribulation. Winds and waves will not spare us, but they all obey Him; and, therefore, whatever squalls may occur without, faith shall feel a blessed calm within. He is ever in the center of the weather-beaten company: let us rejoice in Him. His vessel has reached the haven, and so shall ours. (From Charles Haddon Spurgeon Morning & Evening.)
 
 
LCPC
Brothers and Sisters, I have observed how our Father in Heaven has seen LCPC through some rough waters; nevertheless He was and is with us still. It pleases the Father to stir us up to keep us from being self-sufficient and leaning on our own plans.
 
I am praying for you and for all of the souls with whom we share the gospel of Jesus that all of our little ships arrive at the Lord’s Haven.
 
Grateful Heart
Thank you for the most lovely lunch, prayer quilts, cards, gifts, and your priceless love in Christ – my heart is full.
 
May the Lord continue to bless and keep you in His tender loving care now and always. I will miss you dearly; Bye for now. With love and thankfulness, your fellow-servant, Silvia


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