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September 2008
From
the Pastor’s Desk
Rev.
Randy Cullen
Dear
Friends,
I appreciated hearing from so many of you in response to my last
newsletter on the subject of church growth. So, this next one is a
follow-up entitled, “Under Construction: A Caring Community.”
To use both a medical and a scriptural analogy, a congregation is like
a body (Ephesians 1:12-23). And like a body, it can either be healthy
or unhealthy. All the parts, of course, contribute to the health of the
whole. Since we members all have the gifts which may be used to keep
the body healthy and growing “for the work of ministry” (Ephesians
4:12) , how we use them is essential to congregational well-being. I
realize we all rely upon God's grace in maintaining us and “equipping
the saints”, yet our actions and attitudes do make a difference in how
we reach out to those around us without a church home. According to
most researchers, 70% of new folks in worship on any given Sunday
morning are not there because of the pastor, nor the programs, nor the
beauty of the building, nor even out of guilt. Most of them are there
because you asked them to come. Never underestimate the power of an
invitation.
Here are some indicators I have compiled over the years based upon my
readings, seminars, and experience:
- Healthy churches always have parking
problems; unhealthy churches do not.
- Healthy churches are constantly changing
methodology; unhealthy churches don't have to.
- Healthy churches' expenses frequently
exceed their income; unhealthy churches always receive more than they
would ever dream of spending.
- Healthy churches grow so quickly you
forget peoples' names; in unhealthy churches you never see a new face.
- Healthy Churches support missions
enthusiastically; unhealthy churches focus on thier own problems.
- Healthy Churches are full of tithers;
unhealthy churches are filled with tippers.
- Healthy churches rely upon faith;
unhealthy churches operate totally on what is seen.
- Healthy churches share the tasks of
ministry; unhealthy churches say, “that's what we pay the minister and
staff for.”
- Healthy churches share the “Good News”;
unhealthy churches do not.
Underlying all these differences is the individual and the
contributions we make to the upbuilding of the body. Let's hope all of
us will be in the construction business - the business of building a
healthy, caring community.
Your pastor and friend, Rev. Randy Cullen Calling
all Cooks!
Church
Cookbook Entries Needed
As
part of
our celebration of our 150th birthday (summer 09), we will be
publishing a church cookbook. This will not just be a cookie
cookbook, as was done for the 100th and the 125th, but will include 8
categories of cooking: appetizers & beverages, soups and
salads, vegetables and side dishes, main dishes, breads and rolls,
desserts, cookies and candy, this and that.
There are two-sided recording sheets for recipe submissions located in
the narthex. We’re hoping to have at least 500 or more recipes in the
different categories. Don’t forget to include recipes from past or
deceased members as a remembrance of their lives and contributions to
HPC.
Our
Life Together
Please
pray...
- for the following individuals: Pat Frank,
Marilyn Hope, Ray Peters, Ardath Regan, June Green, Tim Koerber,
Harriet Striggow, Bonnie Pelton, Dorothy Pretznow, Alice Horak, Don
& Evelyn Campbell, and all of the members of the church who are
facing health problems.
- for the families of the congregation and
for those who are living alone as well. Pray that we can treat each
other with care and compassion. Pray for members of the church who face
difficult times or decisions.
- for our pastor Randy Cullen and our
Session as they continuously seek God’s leading for the life and future
of our church.
- for the leaders and peoples of
Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine. Pray for peace in those nations and
in our world. And please remember the men & women in our armed
services in your prayers.
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| September
Calendar |
Sept. 6 - Carry Nation Parade
Refreshments, 9am
Sept. 7 - Sunday School Kick Off and Potluck, 9:15am
Sept. 7 - TFC Breakfast Mtg., 9:15am
Sept. 9 - Quilt Show Comittee Mtg, 6:30 pm
Sept. 14 - TFC Lunch & Movie, 11:45am
Sept. 16 - Adult Small Groups, 7p,
Sept. 21 - TFC Breakfast Mtg., 9:15pm
Sept. 23 - Adult Small Groups, 7pm
Sept. 28 - TFC Lunch & 24/7 Experience, 11:45 am
Sept. 28 - TwFC Lunch and Meeting, 11:45am
Sept. 30 - Adult Small Groups, 7pm
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| Drivers
Needed |
| Drivers are needed Sundays for the ladies
at Holly Woodlands to and from church. They need to be picked
up in a car, rather than a van or a large SUV. If you can
provide this service, even once a month, please let Beth Dryer or Kay
Vander Kuy know. Please consider providing this valuable
service for these wonderful ladies. |
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| Fall
Women’s Bible Study |
We will be starting a women’s Bible study
this fall on the Gospel of Luke. To obtain materials or for further
information, please contact Laura Parker.
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| Office
Hours |
| Regular Office Hours are 9:00am - 3:00pm
M-F. Please note: The secretary will be on vacation Sept
7 - 14. Randy's new office hours are: 9:00am - 5:00pm Tu&Th, and Fri 12:00pm - 5:00pm. His home number
is 248-879-0507. He may also be reached through email at pastor@hollypc.org.
In order to save on gas, before he moves to Holly, Randy will be
working from home on Mondays and Wednesdays. He will be available on
these days by phone.
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| Our
Missionaries |
Please pray for our missionaries. Up to
date information on them can be found on the bulletin board in the
Fellowship Hall:
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| Mission
Statement |
Holly Presbyterian Church is a community
of faith in God that values
peaceful, loving, and just relationships in our church, families, and
the world.
Our Mission is to:
- Worship God in a faithful and
joyful manner;
- Teach the good news of the
Christian faith, share that faith with each other and reach out to
those beyond the church;
- Be a loving family dedicated to the
biblical values of peace, love, faith and justice;
- Develop a dynamic presence in our
community under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
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