June 2013 Issue (Father's Day/Graduation)
Pastors Message- Being a Father
What does it mean to be a father? When you hear that word, or think about it, what thoughts or feelings are stirred in you? What emotions do you feel? These questions can bring forth either positive or negative feelings. Even though earthly fathers sometimes fail or hurt us, we have a Heavenly Father who never fails.
If you are a father, or have fathered a child, (by the way, there is a difference) do you ever consider what kind of father you are?
As a way of comparison, I set before you several of the meanings of the Names which the ultimate Father gives Himself in the Bible:
-The God Who Sees – do we watch over our children?
-The All Sufficient One – we as humans cannot attain that level but do we try to be what our children need us to be?
-The Lord our Provider – do we provide our children’s basic needs including love and training?
-The Lord Who Heals – do we bring hurt or healing?
- The Lord our Banner – do we go before them, are we a leader?
-The Lord Who Sanctifies – sanctify means to set apart. Do we strive to make them special for God?
-The Lord is Peace – do we bring peace or strife?
-The Lord our Shepherd – do we nurture and protect them?
-The Lord our Righteousness – what example are we setting for them?
-The Lord is There – do they know that as long as we are able we will be there for them?
That’s quite a list, but with God’s help we can do it one day at a time. Wishing you a happy and blessed Father’s Day!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim
If you are a father, or have fathered a child, (by the way, there is a difference) do you ever consider what kind of father you are?
As a way of comparison, I set before you several of the meanings of the Names which the ultimate Father gives Himself in the Bible:
-The God Who Sees – do we watch over our children?
-The All Sufficient One – we as humans cannot attain that level but do we try to be what our children need us to be?
-The Lord our Provider – do we provide our children’s basic needs including love and training?
-The Lord Who Heals – do we bring hurt or healing?
- The Lord our Banner – do we go before them, are we a leader?
-The Lord Who Sanctifies – sanctify means to set apart. Do we strive to make them special for God?
-The Lord is Peace – do we bring peace or strife?
-The Lord our Shepherd – do we nurture and protect them?
-The Lord our Righteousness – what example are we setting for them?
-The Lord is There – do they know that as long as we are able we will be there for them?
That’s quite a list, but with God’s help we can do it one day at a time. Wishing you a happy and blessed Father’s Day!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim
A Father's Gift
Author Unknown:
Provided By: Ruthie Henigin
A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As his Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name engraved in gold.
Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and had willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible in his father’s study, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages.
His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matthew 7:11, “and if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words…”PAID IN FULL”.
How many times do we miss God’s blessings
Because they are not packaged as we expected?
Provided By: Ruthie Henigin
A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As his Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name engraved in gold.
Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and had willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible in his father’s study, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages.
His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matthew 7:11, “and if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words…”PAID IN FULL”.
How many times do we miss God’s blessings
Because they are not packaged as we expected?
Children's Church Summer Agenda
Written By: Holly Woodley- Children's Church Department Chairperson/ Teacher
Gilbert Woodley- Children's Church Teacher
During the summer months, our Sunday School class will be learning many lessons involving fish and water. Our first lesson was about giving what we have to God so that He can bless it. We learned about the boy who shared his lunch of five loaves of bread and two fish, and about how Jesus used it to feed the 5,000 having twelve baskets left over. I shared a modern day story of how God still blesses our sacrificial giving. Then we made baskets with 5 paper loaves of bread and 2 fish. On each one the children wrote down one small thing that they could give in order for God to bless others. Last week we learned about oysters and pearls. Our key verse was Romans 8:28- about all things working out for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. A pearl is unique in that it comes from a living creature. An oyster does not just produce pearls on it's own, but must first endure the great discomfort. A pearl is formed when a piece of foreign matter enters the oyster and becomes an irritant. The substance that the oyster produces because of the irritation, actually becomes something of great beauty and worth- a pearl. We learned about how Joseph was sold into slavery, wrongfully accused, and thrown into jail. However, it didn't matter where Joseph went. He always had God's favor! If it wasn't for God using Joseph to interpret dreams, many people would have went hungry during the 7 years of famine! Even if we are in a place where we would rather not be, God has a bigger plan in mind! Some other lessons I have planned for the summer include: Jesus walking on water, the wind and waves obey Jesus, a coin in a fish's mouth, becoming fishers of men, and many more!
Gilbert Woodley- Children's Church Teacher
During the summer months, our Sunday School class will be learning many lessons involving fish and water. Our first lesson was about giving what we have to God so that He can bless it. We learned about the boy who shared his lunch of five loaves of bread and two fish, and about how Jesus used it to feed the 5,000 having twelve baskets left over. I shared a modern day story of how God still blesses our sacrificial giving. Then we made baskets with 5 paper loaves of bread and 2 fish. On each one the children wrote down one small thing that they could give in order for God to bless others. Last week we learned about oysters and pearls. Our key verse was Romans 8:28- about all things working out for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. A pearl is unique in that it comes from a living creature. An oyster does not just produce pearls on it's own, but must first endure the great discomfort. A pearl is formed when a piece of foreign matter enters the oyster and becomes an irritant. The substance that the oyster produces because of the irritation, actually becomes something of great beauty and worth- a pearl. We learned about how Joseph was sold into slavery, wrongfully accused, and thrown into jail. However, it didn't matter where Joseph went. He always had God's favor! If it wasn't for God using Joseph to interpret dreams, many people would have went hungry during the 7 years of famine! Even if we are in a place where we would rather not be, God has a bigger plan in mind! Some other lessons I have planned for the summer include: Jesus walking on water, the wind and waves obey Jesus, a coin in a fish's mouth, becoming fishers of men, and many more!
A Godly Father
Author Unknown:
Provided By: Ruthie Henigin
God had something special in mind when He made the first father. He assigned him a specific role in life. All of a father’s activities are measured against that standard.
A little boy needs a father. He needs someone to teach him how to be a man, to take him by the hand and lead him through the maze of life, to teach him to be strong, gentle, loving, and to be a defender of the right.
A little girl needs a father too. She needs a father to protect her, to love her, to lead her, to counsel her on life’s problems, and to teach her how to be a woman.
The home needs a father to serve as provider, protector, spiritual leader, and counselor. While the world seldom hears what a father says to his children, the effects of his counsel will be felt by the next generation, and the next, and the next.
The Bible has these words of instruction for fathers:
-“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church…” Ephesians 5:25
- “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
Provided By: Ruthie Henigin
God had something special in mind when He made the first father. He assigned him a specific role in life. All of a father’s activities are measured against that standard.
A little boy needs a father. He needs someone to teach him how to be a man, to take him by the hand and lead him through the maze of life, to teach him to be strong, gentle, loving, and to be a defender of the right.
A little girl needs a father too. She needs a father to protect her, to love her, to lead her, to counsel her on life’s problems, and to teach her how to be a woman.
The home needs a father to serve as provider, protector, spiritual leader, and counselor. While the world seldom hears what a father says to his children, the effects of his counsel will be felt by the next generation, and the next, and the next.
The Bible has these words of instruction for fathers:
-“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church…” Ephesians 5:25
- “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
Portrait of a Father
Author Unknown:
Provided By: Ruthie Henigin
A father’s voice is good for calling kids home for supper, reading the part of Papa Bear, laying down the law, fussing about the budget, and for saying “I love you” to mother and the children.
A father’s arms are good for throwing footballs, baiting fishhooks, repairing vacuum cleaners, swatting the dog with a newspaper, waxing the car, helping a neighbor, opening ketchup bottles, moving the furniture and hugging his children.
Father’s drive cars, trucks, airplanes, lawnmowers, bowling balls, golf clubs – and their wives crazy by watching sports on TV.
A father likes to growl sometimes about inflation, missing buttons, no clean clothes, cereal on his chair, bicycles in the driveway, the town council, fancy casseroles, the empty gas tank, and candlelight dinners. But his growl is usually worse than his bite.
A father likes steak, roast beef, fried chicken, anything that goes “varoom”, wrestling with his son, his daughter’s laughter, wilderness vacations, and the dress that Mother wore on their honeymoon.
The best time for Father is when returning home from an outing, some member of the family says, “That was a super day, Dad! Thanks for taking us!”
Being a father is a wonderful experience. Being a good father is an even greater joy. But being a Christian father who honors God by the way he cares for his family is the greatest honor and joy of all.
Provided By: Ruthie Henigin
A father’s voice is good for calling kids home for supper, reading the part of Papa Bear, laying down the law, fussing about the budget, and for saying “I love you” to mother and the children.
A father’s arms are good for throwing footballs, baiting fishhooks, repairing vacuum cleaners, swatting the dog with a newspaper, waxing the car, helping a neighbor, opening ketchup bottles, moving the furniture and hugging his children.
Father’s drive cars, trucks, airplanes, lawnmowers, bowling balls, golf clubs – and their wives crazy by watching sports on TV.
A father likes to growl sometimes about inflation, missing buttons, no clean clothes, cereal on his chair, bicycles in the driveway, the town council, fancy casseroles, the empty gas tank, and candlelight dinners. But his growl is usually worse than his bite.
A father likes steak, roast beef, fried chicken, anything that goes “varoom”, wrestling with his son, his daughter’s laughter, wilderness vacations, and the dress that Mother wore on their honeymoon.
The best time for Father is when returning home from an outing, some member of the family says, “That was a super day, Dad! Thanks for taking us!”
Being a father is a wonderful experience. Being a good father is an even greater joy. But being a Christian father who honors God by the way he cares for his family is the greatest honor and joy of all.
Directions for a God Pleasing Life
Author Unknown:
Provided By: Ruthie Henigin
Here is a little advice for all you Class of 2013 Graduates out there! When you need to make an important decision in your life, it is vital to turn to God for direction. You can use the points of the compass to help you remember that the Lord’s answers to your questions can take several forms. He may say:
N—Now! (Go forward with God’s blessings! Make His will your own as you move out in faith right away.)
S—Stop! (The action you are contemplating defies God’s will for you. Turn around; don’t consider it.)
E—Easy! (Proceed with caution; you have not yet fully discerned the path your Father would have you take. Nonetheless, He goes with you, so watch for more cues along the way.)
W—Wait! (The timing is wrong. Don’t charge ahead. The Lord will reveal more down the road, as you keep on seeking His direction.)
Go STRAIGHT to God’s Word. Your heavenly Father guides you through His Word and His Son, Jesus Christ. Sins should be LEFT at the cross. As you seek God’s will, He will show you your sins in His law. His Gospel then invites you to the cross of Christ, where you find Jesus has taken your sins upon Himself. From there you can move on, forgiven and empowered by His grace. Take a RIGHT turn to the empty tomb of your living Savior, and follow Him down the right road, wherever He leads! That road passed through Christ’s empty tomb and leads to heaven—our final destination! There’s only one right path; Jesus said, “ I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). Until you arrive in the presence of Christ in glory, remember He stays right beside you as your Guide. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He wants the best for you. He invites you to come and follow Him into that best.
Provided By: Ruthie Henigin
Here is a little advice for all you Class of 2013 Graduates out there! When you need to make an important decision in your life, it is vital to turn to God for direction. You can use the points of the compass to help you remember that the Lord’s answers to your questions can take several forms. He may say:
N—Now! (Go forward with God’s blessings! Make His will your own as you move out in faith right away.)
S—Stop! (The action you are contemplating defies God’s will for you. Turn around; don’t consider it.)
E—Easy! (Proceed with caution; you have not yet fully discerned the path your Father would have you take. Nonetheless, He goes with you, so watch for more cues along the way.)
W—Wait! (The timing is wrong. Don’t charge ahead. The Lord will reveal more down the road, as you keep on seeking His direction.)
Go STRAIGHT to God’s Word. Your heavenly Father guides you through His Word and His Son, Jesus Christ. Sins should be LEFT at the cross. As you seek God’s will, He will show you your sins in His law. His Gospel then invites you to the cross of Christ, where you find Jesus has taken your sins upon Himself. From there you can move on, forgiven and empowered by His grace. Take a RIGHT turn to the empty tomb of your living Savior, and follow Him down the right road, wherever He leads! That road passed through Christ’s empty tomb and leads to heaven—our final destination! There’s only one right path; Jesus said, “ I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). Until you arrive in the presence of Christ in glory, remember He stays right beside you as your Guide. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He wants the best for you. He invites you to come and follow Him into that best.
Information on High School Graduate
Congrajulation's go out to Joshua Jones for Graduating from PHAA with a 3.85 Cumulative GPA.
About Joshes High School Experience:
Joshua has been homeschooled for 6 years. His elementary years were completed at Derry Christian Academy. Joshua has enjoyed a full and varied high school career. Amongst his athletic pursuits, Joshua played ice hockey for Derry Area Hockey Association; earning his letter and pin, he was twice honored with the Best Defenseman Award . Joshua was a member of the Youth In-line Hockey League in Mount Pleasant in 2011 and 2012 and he also played on the Indiana Eagles Volleyball team for two seasons. Josh has been part of the FIRST Steel City Robotics Program for two years, working on mechanical robotic systems. He also enjoyed participating in the Electro-Optics IUP Northpointe Summer Camp. Joshua has been part of the MCHH 4-H program in Indiana County and has served as a Regional Camp Counselor and Day Camp Counselor for several years. Joshua played bass guitar in the DAHS Indoor drumline this past winter. He has enjoyed four years at the Learning Tree co-op and was Editor for the Learning Tree's Yearbook Staff. Joshua won first place last year in the Indiana Gazette “Newspaper in Education opinion column” writing contest. He was blessed this Spring with a Sutton Scholarship from IUP and placed as one of the top 35 seniors in the Westmoreland Region's Trib Total Media Outstanding Young Citizen Award. Very close to Joshua's heart has been his volunteer service. He has volunteered over 323 hours during his High School years. He has served at Gray Station Community Church as a youth leader for VBS and as part of the worship band. He greatly enjoyed visiting the elderly at Saint Andrew's Nursing Home, contributing to Boy Scout Troop #352 and serving in the community at large. Joshua currently works part-time at Blairsville Dairy Queen and is sponsoring a young boy in India through Gospel For Asia's Bridge of Hope. Joshua will be attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania as an Applied Computer Science major with plans to minor in Criminology, desiring to possibly work in the realm of data and systems security.
Graduate was given form to fill out about high school experience. Credit given to form applicant.
About Joshes High School Experience:
Joshua has been homeschooled for 6 years. His elementary years were completed at Derry Christian Academy. Joshua has enjoyed a full and varied high school career. Amongst his athletic pursuits, Joshua played ice hockey for Derry Area Hockey Association; earning his letter and pin, he was twice honored with the Best Defenseman Award . Joshua was a member of the Youth In-line Hockey League in Mount Pleasant in 2011 and 2012 and he also played on the Indiana Eagles Volleyball team for two seasons. Josh has been part of the FIRST Steel City Robotics Program for two years, working on mechanical robotic systems. He also enjoyed participating in the Electro-Optics IUP Northpointe Summer Camp. Joshua has been part of the MCHH 4-H program in Indiana County and has served as a Regional Camp Counselor and Day Camp Counselor for several years. Joshua played bass guitar in the DAHS Indoor drumline this past winter. He has enjoyed four years at the Learning Tree co-op and was Editor for the Learning Tree's Yearbook Staff. Joshua won first place last year in the Indiana Gazette “Newspaper in Education opinion column” writing contest. He was blessed this Spring with a Sutton Scholarship from IUP and placed as one of the top 35 seniors in the Westmoreland Region's Trib Total Media Outstanding Young Citizen Award. Very close to Joshua's heart has been his volunteer service. He has volunteered over 323 hours during his High School years. He has served at Gray Station Community Church as a youth leader for VBS and as part of the worship band. He greatly enjoyed visiting the elderly at Saint Andrew's Nursing Home, contributing to Boy Scout Troop #352 and serving in the community at large. Joshua currently works part-time at Blairsville Dairy Queen and is sponsoring a young boy in India through Gospel For Asia's Bridge of Hope. Joshua will be attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania as an Applied Computer Science major with plans to minor in Criminology, desiring to possibly work in the realm of data and systems security.
Graduate was given form to fill out about high school experience. Credit given to form applicant.
Editors Message
I would first like to wish a Happy Father's Day to each Father or any man who is like a Father to someone. For all of the Fathers I would like to share this Bible Verse with you: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him" -Psalm 103:13. I would also like to congratulate all of the graduates from the Class of 2013. I would like to wish you good luck in your future and all you do. I have this Bible Verse for all the graduates: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."- Jeremiah 29:11. Bellow I have provided the music video of Find Your Wings by Mark Harris. I think this fits the Father's Day theme and will go along with Graduation. This is a new integration of Google Apps on our website. I look forward to the next church newsletter which the deadline for submissions will be July 28th 2013. As always if you have any comments or suggestions please feel free to send them to me by email: [email protected]. I would also like to encourage you to check out my monthly report at: http://graystationcc.weebly.com/whats-new.html. I would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer.
God Bless,
Zachary Murphy
Website Manager/Newsletter Editor/ Technology Consultant
God Bless,
Zachary Murphy
Website Manager/Newsletter Editor/ Technology Consultant
Video for Father's Day/Graduation
Due to the publisher of this video you may not be able to view it on this webpage. You will be able to click watch on YouTube.
Let us know what you think
As a Website Manager, Newsletter Editor, and Technology Consultant I strive to be very open minded when it comes to trying new technology items or anything new or different to make our church website and newsletter not just the best but very distinguished. To help me do that I would request you take 5-10minutes to complete the following survey about what you thought of the newsletter, whether you are a member of our church or not still take the time to complete it.
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Thanks,
Zachary Murphy
Website Manager/ Newsletter Editor/ Technology Consultant
Link to Survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VPSYWHY
Thanks,
Zachary Murphy
Website Manager/ Newsletter Editor/ Technology Consultant