*** March 2020 ***

A VIEW FROM THE PULPIT

The Sunday School class of fifth and sixth graders was studying the Last Supper and Christ’s betrayal. The teacher wanted them to think about the disciple Judas and what his motives might have been. The teacher also wanted them to look more closely at what had happened those last few days of Jesus’s life. Maybe a bit of role-playing would help.

“Here is the assignment,” the teacher said. “Each of you should imagine you’re Judas. You’re standing before God in heaven after the Crucifixion. What can you say for yourself? How can you justify the terrible thing you’ve done?”

“Who’s going to play God?” one student asked.“ “ Me,” the teacher replied” at least for this exercise.”

They came up with some interesting and rather sophisticated arguments. “The Crucifixion wasn’t really Judas’ fault, said one boy. Judas only betrayed Christ at Jesus urging, claimed another. After all, it was Jesus who said, “Do what you must do.” One girl went so far as to say that if Judas hadn’t done what he’d done, there might not have been a Resurrection at all.

Still none of the arguments were that convincing. Then one of the youngest boys in the class looked up a little sheepishly. “I’m really sorry,” he told his teacher.

“What for?” the teacher asked. “That’s what Judas should have said. “I’m really sorry, I had no idea what I was doing. Please forgive me. I never

would have done it if I’d really understood Who He was.”

I really don’t know how the conversation with Judas would have gone, but I do know this, that arguments may be compelling, but nothing is quite as powerful as asking for forgiveness.

Unlike Judas, we know who Jesus Christ is. Yet , when He prayed from the Cross “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” that prayer was not just for the crowd or Judas, but also for us. As we draw nearer to Good Friday we should give thanks for Jesus, who was punished for our

sins, and suffered shameful death to rescue us. We pray that God would give us gratitude and a great desire to serve our Lord, and taking our own cross following in the way of Jesus Christ our Savior.

Rev. George Walton, Stated Supply Pastor

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CHRISTIAN

EDUCATION

The Adult Sunday School Class meets from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. For this month, we will study the following lessons:

March 01st Called to Accountability Amos 5

March 08th A Prayer for Justice Habakkuk 1

March 15th Consequences for Injustice Habakkuk 2

March 22nd Corrupt Leaders Micah 3-6

March 29th Leading Justly Malachi 2-3

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PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

POWER FOR LIVING

I recently came across a book I read years ago, so I am in the process of re-reading it and infusing this powerful book into my mind. Like Children, we all have growth in our life and in our faith.

G – Go to God in prayer daily

R – Read Gods word daily

O – Obey God moment by moment

W – Witness for Christ by your life and your words

T – Trust God in every detail of your life

H – Holy Spirit. Allow God to control and empower your daily life.

Your Christian growth gives glory to GOD & allows Him to bless you with His presence and that presence brings power for living. He gives us the Holy Spirit to be our Helper; our Comforter; Advocate; Intercessor; Counselor; our Strength and our standby. “This is Jesus in Us” a new book I have been reading and nearly completed. His purity is manifested in us. Trust in His understanding and in His Prayers. Our Jesus lives within us.

If you should see me talking to myself, it may be my age, or it may just be my greatest Friend. The Holy Spirit.

Blessings and Love,

Jan Renwick Ladies of Buffalo

ANNUAL VALENTINE’S BANQUET Sunday, February 9, 2020

WONDERFUL MUSIC!

ANNUAL VALENTINE’S BANQUET Sunday, February 9, 2020

STEAKS WERE DELICIOUS! EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME!

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Remember with love and prayer: CHURCH MEMBERS: Lynda Bowers, Nellie Cox, Greg Deck, Barbara Jo Glass, Tim Johnson, Sandie Lemons, Lois Martin, and Marc Walton

FAMILY OF CHURCH MEMBERS: Tony Cersosimo, Hailey B. Chapman, Michael Holt, Richard Holt, David Key, Elaine McBryde, Matthew Skillman, Ury Family, and Georgia Jane Watson

FRIENDS OF CHURCH MEMBERS: Jarrett Blackwell, Jan Blausen, Raymond and Ayden Boggs, Noah Clifton, Henry and Nancy Douglas, Billy Edwards, Vern Foster, The Greenwold Family, Jim Griggs, Diane Harrison and Family, Dallas Hurley, Jerry Kemyon, Ted and Claudia Key, Larry Lloyd, Jackie Magee, Johnny and Clara Lee Maness, Deborah McNeill, Terry Norris, Elizabeth Shermer, Brent Sloan, Ronnie Smith, Charles Taylor and Family, Shirley Thomas, Alex Trebex, and Emily Hurley Wright

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To keep our Prayer List current, people will remain on the Prayer List for 6 weeks and then they will be removed. If you would like

to keep them on the list for another 6 weeks, please notify Janet. Thanks!

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WEEKLY OFFERINGS

Feb. 02, 2020 – $1826.00 Feb. 09, 2020 – $1360.00 Feb. 16, 2020 – $2957.00 Feb. 23, 2020 – $2671.00

5 Cents A Meal Offering – $88.25 BackPack Kids Offering – $25.00

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mar. 01st – Jan Renwick Mar. 05th – Leslie Skillman

Mar. 01st – Susan Bradley Mar. 11th – Gregory Deck

Mar. 02nd – Bobby Bowers Mar. 12th – Lori Renwick

Mar. 02nd – Carolyn Joyner Mar. 22nd – Jeff Renwick

Mar. 05th – Finleigh Braxton Mar. 29th – Anna Renwick **************************************************************************

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

March 03rd Walter & Joyce Doelp

March 12th Bob & Mattie Kelly

March 24th Tim & Karen Johnson

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PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING - GREETER

March 01st Lee Setzer March 08th Nelson Burke March 15th Ken Frie March 22nd Karen Johnson March 29th Kathy Jolly

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The deepest sympathy of the congregation is extended to:

The Family of Loretta Frie

The Family of Elizabeth Shermer

Gifts to the Church

Memory of Loretta Frie

Nelson and Kathy Jolly Burke

Made a Contribution for the Youth

Daryl and Leah Perry

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WHEN WINTER TURNS TO SPRING

When Winter’s day has ended

And Spring returns once more

How manifold the blessings

God heaps around each door,

Hyacinths and daffodils,

The tulip’s bright array,

Can’t help but cheer our hearts

Though care-filled be the day.

From lofty perch in treetops near

Birds lift glad hymns of praise

Thanking God for sun and rain

And all His caring ways.

Trees burst forth with blossoms bright,

Sweet-scented lilacs bloom

Brought indoors they add a touch

Of heaven to each room.

When Winter’s day is over

Spring sets our hearts aglow –

I think it is God telling us

That He loves us so!

~ Kay Hoffman ~ **************************************************************************

FLOWERS WILL BE PLACED IN

THE SANCTUARY THIS MONTH

BY THE FOLLOWING:

03/01/20 – by Tim & Karen Johnson in honor of their granddaughter, Finleigh’s Birthday on March 5th

03/08/20 – “ “ “ “ 03/15/20 – “ “ “ “ 03/22/20 – by Tim & Karen Johnson in honor of their

Wedding Anniversary on March 24th

03/29/20 – “ “ “ “

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BLANKET OFFERING

March 8th, we will be collecting money for Church World Service Blankets. Contributions to CWS Blankets mean Church World Service will be ready to help families around the world recover from disasters and displacement, and build viable, sustainable lives and communities.

CWS helps to provide primary health care for displaced and other families in need. In such far-flung places as Sudan, Pakistan, and Nicaragua, CWS gives comfort and care to moms and babies, and helps children get the nutrition they need to grow up strong and healthy. And here in the U.S., CWS Blankets provide comfort in many communities hit by disaster, and in shelters or agencies assisting those experiencing hard times. $50 can provide five warm blankets for a family left homeless by a tornado or other disaster. **************************************************************************

5TH SUNDAY

FELLOWSHIP MEAL Sunday, March 29th

following Worship Service The meat and drinks will be provided. Please bring your favorite dessert or side dish to share. Invite

someone to come and share a meal and fellowship!

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Lent is a time to take time to let the power

of our faith story take hold of us,

a time to let the events get up

and walk around in us,

a time to intensify our living unto Christ,

a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts,

a time to place our feet in the streets of

Jerusalem or to walk along the sea

and listen to his Word,

a time to touch his robe

and feel the healing surge through us,

a time to ponder and a time to wonder….

Lent is a time to allow

a fresh new taste of God!

Perhaps we’re afraid to have time to think,

for thoughts come unbidden.

Perhaps we’re afraid to face our future

knowing our past.

Give us courage, O God,

to hear your Word

and to read our living into it.

Give us the trust to know we’re forgiven

and give us the faith

to take up our lives and walk.

by Ann Weems

BUFFALO CHURCH OFFICE…………....................776-7313

Email: buffalochurch@windstream.net

SUPPLY PASTOR, Rev. George Walton..................498-1467

GUEST PASTOR, Rev. Gilbert McDowell….............776-2292

SECRETARY, Janet Warner…………………...........353-3568

DISBURSING TREASURERS, Kathy Jolly...............774-1997

Ken Frie…...............775-5097

RECEIVING TREASURERS, Nelson Burke.............774-1997

Lee Setzer................775-7881

CHOIR DIRECTOR, Jim Monson.............................774-7263

ORGANIST, Pat Kelly...............................................258-3908

THE SESSION

2020 Nelson Burke Admin./Worship/Christian Ed. 774-1997 Ken Frie Worship/Christian Education 775-5097 Buddy McNeill Cong. Care, Fellowship 776-4844

2021 Karen Johnson Cong. Care, Fellowship 770-1709 Kathy Jolly Administration, WOC 774-1997 Lee Setzer Clerk of Session/Admin./MOC 775-7881

TRUSTEES, Buddy McNeill…..................................776-4844

Bobby Johnson……….........................776-4083

PM PRESIDENT, Lee Setzer…………………...........775-7881

PM TREASURER, J. W. Bailes……………...............356-8764

PW MODERATOR,

CO-MODERATOR,

PW SECRETARY, Jan Renwick………….................776-7914

PW TREASURER, Jean Wilberg………………….....414-5788

HISTORIAN, Sheila Brewer………....…....................776-8091

FLOWER CHAIR, Geri Hales………………..............775-3770

MARY LOU CAMPBELL, Marie Macko….................774-1657

READER COORDINATOR, Missy Cersosimo…828-896-5672