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July 2007Head Usher... Frank Barnes Nursery Volunteers
NOTE: If the Sunday assigned to you is not convenient, please exchange Sundays with someone else. If you notice any supplies needing to be replaced, please let me know. Thank you for your assistance and suggestions. Donna TePoel, Nursery Volunteer Coordinator
From the Pastor...Dr. James H. Grant, Jr. It is hard for me to believe that it is going to be the last time that I write for the “Lamplighter”. In fact, many last things are happening, as the time for my retirement fast approaches. It all began with you on Sunday, August 7th, 1994, and what a privilege it has been for me to have been called your minister during these past nearly thirteen years. I thank you for all that you have meant to me, to Charlotte, and to our family. We have been together through many very happy times and many sad and difficult times, but God has been our refuge and strength through each one of those times. As you begin the search for a new minister, I hope you will be in prayer for God to lead you to the person who will appreciate the privilege that you have given me, so that, together, you and your new minister will grow in faith and in service to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May God continue to bless each one of you! On Sunday, June 24th, at 4:00 P.M., the choir will be presenting a special Music Program. As a member of the choir, I know how much we have been practicing, learning how to pronounce the words and to sing the right notes. Pat McPherson wants us to do our best every week and we know how much we try. The Music Program is supposed to be in honor of Charlotte and me, but it really is in honor of everyone who has used their God-given talents to bring to our Worship Services the high quality of music Sunday after Sunday. Some of our former choir members are coming back to sing on June 24th, and Dr. Joseph Trivette will be accompanying us, bringing with him some of his students to play their particular instruments. It will be a glorious time of celebration that I hope you will not miss. The church is planning a reception following the program. Black’s Chapel is planning a special covered-dish lunch, also in our honor, on Sunday, July 1st. It has been a real blessing to have felt the love of the wonderful people who worship at Black’s Chapel. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be observed on Sunday, July 1st, at Black’s Chapel and the Town Church. The Sacrament of Baptism will be observed on Sunday, June 24th, when Terrie and Daniel McPherson will present their infant son, Patrick Inman, for Baptism. Joan Flynn will represent the Session. Our love and sympathy are extended to the family of Bruce Clifton. Bruce died, suddenly, on May 29th. Bruce served our church as a Deacon and an Elder and in many other ways. Our love and sympathy are also extended to the family of Jeff Lowrance. Jeff and Anne faithfully served this church as Minister and Director of Christian Education from 1986 until 1993. Jeff died, after a long battle with cancer, on May 28th. Don’t miss VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL! Be a part of this exciting time beginning on Monday, June 25th, at 9:00 A.M. Bible School will continue until Friday, June 29th. Congratulations to Lonnie Quesenberry, who was recently inducted into the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America Hall of Fame. Thanks to: David Pruitt for heading up the Summer Mission Program at Camp Joy. Please sign up to help. Thanks to Eunice Jones-Lester who keep the church sign up-dated every week; Stanley Stevenson for painting the nursery bathroom; Jerry Cromer for coordinating the installation of new windows in the back addition to the church; Heather and Vicky Rinehart, Phyllis and Oakie O’Quin, and everyone who cleaned the church yard and provided the food and hospitality for Bruce Clifton’s family. The deadline for signing up for Abingdon Presbytery’s Mississippi Mission Trip in October and November is June 21st. Please find applications in the chapel. This year’s Nominating Committee will need you to suggest names of church members to be considered for Elders, Class of 2010, and to serve on next year’s Nominating Committee. Please use the guide below to turn in your suggestions at the church office.
For Elder:______________________, _____________________, _________________ Nom. Comm. ___________________, _____________________, _________________ The Book of Order states: “Elders are called by God to exercise leadership, government, and discipline in the local church. 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 the world.” When making suggestions for Elders, consider how involved the person is in church activities: Sunday School, Presbyterian Women, Choir, Committees, Worship, Bible Study, Volunteer work, etc.
“No Excuse Sunday” We are serving notice that this coming Sunday will be “No Excuse Sunday”. There is absolutely no excuse for you not to be here, because we have:
From the Presbyterian Children’s Home of the Highlands, Inc. Dear Friends: Thank you for your gift of $1,000 to the Presbyterian Children’s Home of the Highlands. Your support provides our children with the opportunity to bring positive changes into their lives. Spring has sprung, and everyone here is making the most of it! Our campus is filled with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Our basketball court gets lots of activity, and it is not unusual to see a softball game pop up in the late afternoon. Our circular sidewalk makes for a wonderful walking track, with the added advantage of being able to look at the beautiful flowers that have bloomed all over the campus. Some of our more adventurous children and staff hike and fish in our woods and streams that border our main campus. Our swimming pool, always a popular warm weather hangout, will open on Memorial day weekend. We are also getting our ropes course ready for the activities our children will participate in this summer. God has blessed us with a beautiful campus, and we encourage our children to seek out all the wonderful opportunities He has provided for us. We work very hard at taking the proper care of our campus. Your support helps to ensure that it will remain beautiful and be enjoyed by our children for years to come. Thanks again for your support of the Presbyterian Children’s Home of the Highlands. Your generosity helps make our mission, “giving children hope and purpose for the future”, a reality. May God’s blessings be with you always. The love and generosity of your congregation continues to make a major difference in the lives of our children. God bless you. With hope,
Community Outreach Our Community Outreach for July will be on Wednesday, July 25th, at 11:00 A.M. at the Historic Crab Orchard Museum during “Pioneer Week”. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy a lunch of sandwiches, baked beans, chips, cheese/crackers, pickles and desserts. Everyone welcome! Dora Barnes, Coordinator
CHILDREN’S HOME MISSION PROJECT Our Sunday School classes and the Presbyterian Women’s Circles did a great job with our Spring Mission Project. It was brought to our attention that the Children’s Home of the Highlands in Wytheville needed twin sheet sets, towels, and game balls. Our Sunday School classes donated balls and funds to buy balls. The Circles donated sheet and towel sets. On Sunday, May 27th, nine of us took 10 sheet sets, 2 towel sets, 8 basketballs, 5 soccer balls, 1 volley ball, 3 footballs, 2 softballs, 1 bat, 2 basketball nets and 2 net ball bags to the Children’s Home. They were very excited to get all this “stuff. One of the house parents said, “This is just like Christmas. We were having to share balls back and forth between all the cabins; now we have enough for everyone.” Thanks to all who helped with this project. It was much needed and appreciated. Sometimes, we who have so much, fail to remember there are others who have little. We will announce another mission project when the Fall Sunday School classes begin in September. Christian Education Committee
Letter from the Children’s Home dated May 29th, 2007: Dear Friends, “Thank you for the donation of recreation equipment which a group from Tazewell brought to the Presbyterian Children’s Home of the Highlands on Sunday. Your support provides our children with the opportunity to bring positive changes into their lives...May God’s blessings be with you always.” With Hope, P.S. We are so grateful for your love and generosity. The children will really enjoy the equipment. God bless you. Billy July, 2007 Lamplighter Tazewell Presbyterian Church
ATTENTION ! Middle & High School Church Members A fresh twist to an old favorite waits for you next month when the ICY will begin an all-new year of service and fun. We will begin with a car wash on August 25th to raise money for our Resurrection trip. On August 26th, come, bring a friend, and cook-out at the church at 5:00 P.M. to help plan the best year yet! Cards will be sent but post this on your refrigerator or bulletin board as a reminder. Kim McGraw
Session Meeting Digest - - Meeting June 19th, 2007 1. The Session of the Tazewell Presbyterian Church met on June 19th, 2007, in the Fellowship Hall. Jerry Cromer asked to be excused. The meeting was opened with a devotion given by Howie Mitchell. The May 15th minutes were approved. The treasurer’s reports were received as information. 2. The following officers of the Presbyterian Women were approved for 2007-2008: Moderator Pam Irvin Vice-Moderator Martha Massie Secretary Dolores Pruitt Treasurer Pam Irvin Issues Dora Barnes Historian Barbara Gillespie Spiritual Growth Joan Flynn and Kim McGraw Missions Donna TePoel 3. Donna TePoel had previously been elected to represent the Session at the June 21st meeting of Abingdon Presbytery. 4. The Women’s Birthday Offering was $503.00. 5. Vacation Bible School will be held June 25th - 29th. 6. Kevin Campbell, Executive Presbyter, and Tim Bird, Chairman of the Committee on Ministry, will meet with the Session on Tuesday, June 26th, at 6:30 P.M. 7. David Pruitt was thanked for heading the Camp Joy mission project; volunteers needed to sign up. 8. The Session approved the Baptism of Patrick Inman McPherson, infant son of Daniel and Terrie McPherson, on Sunday, June 24th. Joan Flynn will represent the Session. 9. The choir program, honoring the Grants, will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 24th, with a reception to follow. July, 2007 Lamplighter Tazewell Presbyterian Church Session Digest....continued... 10. Stanley Stevenson was thanked for painting the nursery bathroom, and everyone, who helped with Bruce Clifton’s funeral, was thanked. 11. Randall Cooper, Chairman, and Karen Ray were elected to serve as Elders on this year’s Nominating Committee with Bernard Beavers, Estella Catron, and Peggy Riley, who were elected last year. 12. A list of up-coming events was distributed with the Agenda, along with a list of Head Ushers and Session Devotion/Prayer leaders for the rest of 2007. 13. Donna TePoel, Christian Education Committee chairman, reported that sports equipment has been delivered to the Children’s Home in Wytheville with much appreciation expressed. Sunday School teachers were honored on June 3rd. Our two high school seniors, Leslie Mitchell and Jarrod Thomas, were also honored on June 3rd and presented gifts. Rally Day will be held on August 26th. A teacher is needed for next year’s high school Sunday School class. Anyone wishing to substitute for Sunday School classes, please let Pam Irvin know. 14. Ward Lester reported that new windows have been installed in the back part of the church. The cost of replacing the windows is $11,729.00. 15. Anne Sergent, Worship Committee Chairman, circulated a list of preachers for July and August - asking Session members to volunteer to be liturgists and to entertain (for lunch) those preachers from out of town. 16. The Boy Scouts, Pack 93, Troop 93, and Crew 93, who were meeting in the other side of the Fellowship Hall, came to present Jim Grant a plaque “In recognition of outstanding service to the youth of Tazewell.” Dr. Grant thanked them so very much for this recognition. 17. The following were brought to the Session for prayer and concern: The Bruce Clifton and the Jeff Lowrance families; Bryan Flynn, Doug Oatley, Matthew Kanne, and Justin Kanne (all serving in Iraq); Anne Bishop, Charles Asbury, Grace Barnes, Elizabeth Lockhart, Susan Altizer, Bill Osborne, Mildred Witten, Kelly Necessary, T. C. Bowen, Carol Fournier, Henry Kincer, Ellen Yost, and Shirley Melton. 18. The meeting was closed with prayer by Howie Mitchell.
June 18th, 2007 The words “thank you” hardly seem enough; but they’re coming from our hearts - hearts lifted up by your kindness. We will always remember and appreciate the love and fellowship given to us. Thank you so much to the members of the choir who sang and the delicious meal that was prepared for us. Bruce loved this church. All our love,
Graduates are not the only ones currently commencing. Our church and community lives have been recently filled with deaths of loved ones. Those left behind are experiencing grief and sadness. Soon they will be “commencing” a different life. Others are retiring from years of service to the public. Still others are beginning new careers. In fact each of us has the opportunity of a new beginning every day. How are we going to meet the challenge? Care for those around us
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." - Ecclesiastes 9:10. Our Father, Be with all of us in our commencement times. Care for those who have lost and encourage all of us to begin each day with you in our hearts. In your name we pray. Amen Joan Flynn |
