2014-October Trinity News

8/11/2019 2014-October Trinity News

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A Peacemaking Offer ing

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.1

It seems hard to comprehend the directives given by Jesus to his disciples to be peacemakers. If we

look long and hard at the historical-critical view of the world that Jesus lived in, we see that most

people did not understand the concept of peacemaking as Jesus taught.

In looking at the Romans, the rulers that governed the lands during Jesus earthly ministry, we find

their sole interest in peacemaking was for profit. If the people they governed fell in line with the ruling

authorities priorities then there was a peaceful existence. The occupying force of the Romans that

controlled them were motivated by the money to be made in trade of goods and services. They reallydid not care about religious affairs so long as it did not disrupt the economy.

The religious leaders themselves had become callous and viewed peacemaking as they attempted to

preserve the view of the law in a vacuum. They really did not view God as a living entity, but held a

view point that was extremely narrow and limiting of God. It is almost as if they had settled on the

past and could not view God in the present or future.

Even the disciples themselves have problems with the idea of peacemaking as time and time again

they questioned Jesus as to why they should do things a certain way or to help people in need. They

continue to suggest steps to prevent peacemaking to Jesus. Time and time again, Jesus corrects

them: allow the children to come to me;ye of little faith; feed my sheep. Jesus continues to direct

them to feed, clothe, and to welcome their neighbor. He instructs them to forgive not just seven times

but seventy times seven. And despite all this on the night of his arrest in the garden, Peter takes out

his sword and defends them by taking the ear of a servant of one who came to arrest Jesus. Jesus

instructed Peter, Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword wil l perish by the

sword.2Jesus then heals the injury to the servant.

For Jesus, peacemaking was not a conditional outcome. It did not come with options or choices that

once certain criteria were met one would consider peacemaking with another. No, Jesus called the

world to a place where peacemaking was to become a part of the way of life. Not for reasons of greed

or personal benefit, but for the benefit of everyone because God desires to receive us as one of Hischildren, unconditionally. Likewise, we are called to be peacemakers in our church, our community

and in the world. We really should not look to the world to understand what it means to be a

peacemaker. We only need to look to the Word incarnate to understand what God desires of his

children. If you want to be blessed by God, consider being a peacemaker.

See you at church!Pastor John

1The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Mt 5:9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.2The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Mt 26:52). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA)Jonesville, LA

October 2014

Trinity News Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856


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Presbyterian 101 ContinuesBeginning September 7th, we began a study ofwhat we believe as Presbyterians.

Week 1History of the Presbyterian Church(Sept. 7)

Week 2The Constitution and FoundationalPrinciples of Polity Part1 (Sept. 21)

Week 3The Constitution and FoundationalPrinciples of Polity Part2 (Sept. 28)

Week 4Form of Government(FOG): TheChurch and its Membership (Oct. 5)

Week 5FOG: The Session (Oct. 12)Week 6FOG: The Presbytery and Synod

(Oct. 19)Week 7FOG: The General Assembly (Oct. 26)

This study will continue through November 16th. Ifyou have missed any of these sessions contact

Pastor John who has copies of the handoutsavailable.

Come join us as we take the journey togetherSundays at 9:45 AM in the Fellowship Hall.

Congregational Meeting, September 21On Sunday, September 21, following worship weheld a congregational meeting to discuss theactions of the 221st General Assembly this pastsummer.

The meeting was ordered by the Session as a

follow-up to the Regional Presbytery Meetingheld August 17. The meeting was solely a forumfor sharing information and allowing thecongregation to discuss these actions and howthey might affect the local church. The meetingused the 221st General Assembly In Briefnewsletter as a guide for the discussion.

Pastor John moderated the discussion sessionwith those members who were present. Thediscussion was direct and respectful despite thecontroversial nature of some the decisions.

Pastor John reported to the congregation thatchanges to the Book of Order requiringpresbytery vote for consent will be made at theFebruary 2015 presbytery meeting; changes tothe Book of Confession are planned to beconsidered at the May 2015 presbytery meeting.

A call came from a member to close thediscussion and meeting with a second; PastorJohn closed the meeting with prayer.

Special Worship Services in OctoberOctober 5World Communion Sunday

October 12Domestic Violence Awareness

October 19Childrens Sabbath

October 26Reformation Sunday

SessionThe Session is scheduled to meet Sunday, October

at 8:45 AM for its stated meeting.Presbyterian WomenPresbyterian Women met Tuesday, September 16thathe church. Present were Judy Sanson, CatherinJones, Verda Mophett, Margaret Hill, MarthBrallier, & Dot Lazarus. During the businesmeeting, the Least Coin was collected and Doannounced that a $32 check was sent to thPresbytery for the Least Coin offerings. The memberauthorized the paying of $55 to the Haiti ScholarshiFund and $25 to the Vera Lloyd Home. Dues wercollected. Martha Brallier, with the aid of a video, lethe discussion of the new circle book, Sacred Secretby Beth Moore. The introduction included thTheology of Secrets. - Dot Lazarus

Choir NewsChoir Practice now meets on the first and thirdTuesdays of each month at 5:30 PM. Practices thismonth are October 7th and 21st. We still have ourSunday morning warm-ups at 10:30 AM.

Mens Fellowship BreakfastWake up men! Join us Tuesday, October 14that 7 AMThe hot food and fellowship will be ready to help yo

start your day right.

World Communion Sunday, October 5Please plan to join us for worship as we celebrate theLords Supper with the world. Our church dinnerhosted by Catherine Jones, Gail Bean and DebraScottwill follow worship. We look forward to tastesfrom around the world and right here in our ownbackyard. Dont forget to wear international clothingto church on that day.

Gregory Scottwill host our first ever World Markettable stocked full of treasures from distant lands

Sales from the table will be used to fund ourOperation Christmas Child shoeboxes this year.

GideonsJonesville CampOn September 28th, Walter Myers from theJonesville Gideon Camp joined us in worship andshared a special Moment for Mission. He provided anupdate regarding the activities of the Gideons here inour local community. Walter extended an invitation toour church on the ways in which we can aid, supporand get involved in the work of the Gideons.


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Operation Christmas ChildCome and Go EventOn Saturday October 4th, First Baptist Church inJonesville is hosting a regional gathering ofchurches participating in the OCC Shoeboxprojects this year. The event is being held from9 AM to 12 PM in the Church Gym.

Refreshments will be served as visitors pick upresources and get additional information

regarding the Operation Christmas Childschedule this year.

Operation Christmas Child is right

around the corner

Now is a great time to help out by purchasing

those supplies we will need during our

shoebox collection

Along with the school supply items that we

have been collecting, can you help us by

picking up quantities of the following items

and place them in the bin in the

Fellowship Hall:

Bags of Hard Candy

Tooth PasteTooth Brushes

Wash ClothSoap Bars

Hair CombsHair Brushes

Individual Packs of Tissues

Thank You

October irthdays

3Ronnie Hill 8Scott Bean11Gregory Scott 12Jim Brallier25Katlyn Cotton 27Debra Scott

Prayer List:

William Atkins; Charlie Bean;Nell Blevins; Jim

Brallier; Mickie Brown; Connie Collins; Betty

Doyle; Craig Edwards; Betty Farmer; Jimmy

Farmer; Alton Griffin; Mark Hamilton; Susan

Hammett; Cullen Harris; Judy Hewitt; Willie

Lazarus; Knox Little; Melvin & Georgia Marx;

Joyce McDonald; Trenton Miller; Harvey

Mitchell; Amy Rowland; Myrtle Rushing; Joe

Sheeler; Eula Smith; Emma Tarver; Edd &

Ann Taylor; Buddy Tyler; Kristen Upchurch;

Jimmy Wade; Chasity Watson; Kyle Watson;

Cheryl Keeth White; Rodney Williams; Lucy

Wilson; Nan Wood; Betty Yarborough & Roger

Young; and Anne Womack.

In Sympathy:

Prayers for the families of JameBird and Rev. Mack Walker.

We pray for these families and all whose loved onepassed from this life during the past month.

PRAY FOR: We pray for our country and our leaders.

We pray for peace in the Ukraine

We pray for peace in Gaza, the West Bank

Israel and Palestine. We pray for an end to th

violence and for families to be reunited.

We pray for continued peace in Syria, Iraq

Iran, and Afghanistan.

We pray for our men & women in harms way

We pray for Trinity Presbyterian Church an

all churches.

IN THE SERVICE

Matthew Bean, Rusty Bean, Scott BeanMatt Begnaud, Kacie King Dunn, Joe Hamilton

Justin Lacroix, Eric Little, Nicholas Parish, RaSantillano, Crystal Smith.


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Extra News at TrinityDelta Charter School in Ferridayhas welcomed Gregory Scottinto their ninth grade class. Heenjoys his studies so far andlooks forward to participating inseveral athletic opportunities

offered at the school. The first of which will bebasketball in the coming months.

Thank you to all whopurchased a DC flagor made a donationtowards the cost ofhis sports uniform forbasketball.

We pray that Gregoryhas a successful yearin his studies, in hisfriendships, and in

the activities the heparticipates in during this school year.

The Jim Bowie BBQ State Championshipwasthis weekend and Rodney Williamsentered thecompetition. This is the shirt that he had madeup for his team this year. While the Williamsfamily was in Memphis receiving treatment forPayton Williams, they literally ate at every BBQ

restaurant. Paytontold everyone that

their BBQ was notas good as her dads.My ribs were herfavorite so that wasmy focus for thischampionship, said

Rodney Williams. With the help of Scott Beanand Jeffrey Odomhe hopes to report that theymade it to the Winners Circle.

Paul Parish is doing well in the Youth Challenge

Program of the Louisiana National Guard. Hegets one phone call a week to talk to his family.He has given us his contact information for cardsor letters only. Please address them to:

Cadet Paul ParishPlatoon #1 LAARNG Youth Challenge Program201 Louisiana Blvd.Minden, LA71055

Kyle Watson Back HomeKyle Watson finished hislast round of radiation on

August 3rd and was ableto move back home on

August 5th. Since that timehe has returned to schoolfor a few hours a day. Itwill be several monthsbefore the effects of theradiation subside.

Kyle will return to St. Judefor follow-up evaluationsto the radiation treatmentsthat he has received in early December.

Recently Kyle was baptized in his churchsurrounded by his family and friends. TheWatson family would like to thank everyone fortheir prayers, love, and support. However

Kyles journey is far from over. Please continueto keep him and his family in your prayers.


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Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA)401 Third Street, Jonesville, LA 71343

Distribution: Dot Lazarus, Catherine JonesEditing: Adrian White, Dot Lazarus, Rev. John Scott

Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856

For more information related to articles and submissions in the church newsletter please contact:Mrs. Dot Lazarus 318-339-9842 Email: [email protected] John Scott 318-403-9512 Email: [email protected]

Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA)Jonesville, LA

October 2014

Trinity News Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856

2014-October Trinity News

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