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Compiled by the Faith Newsletter editor: Burt Pearson
Contents:
Confession Of Belhar
About Corlie's E-bay Missions Ministry
Ain't
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School - Appreciation
Vacation Bible School... Editor's note:
You Took My Place
How to Survive A Heart Attack when Alone
One Flaw In Women
A Broken Chrysalis
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Confession Of Belhar |
I thought that many, like myself, may not be familiar with this confession and that perhaps it would be of some interest.
1. We believe in the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who gathers, protects and cares for the church through Word and Spirit. This, God has done since the beginning of the world and will do to the end.
2. We believe in one holy, universal Christian church, the communion of saints called from the entire human family.
We believe
that Christ's work of reconciliation is made manifest in the church as the community of believers who have been reconciled with God and with one another;
that unity is, therefore, both a gift and an obligation for the church of Jesus Christ; that through the working of God's Spirit it is a binding force, yet simultaneously a reality which must be earnestly pursued and sought: one which the people of God must continually be built up to attain;
that this unity must become visible so that the world may believe that separation, enmity and hatred between people and groups is sin which
Christ has already conquered, and accordingly that anything which threatens this unity may have no place in the church and must be resisted;
that this unity of the people of God must be manifested and be active in a variety of ways: in that we love one another; that we experience, practice and pursue community with one another; that we are obligated to give ourselves willingly and joyfully to be of benefit and blessing to one
another; that we share one faith, have one calling, are of one soul and one mind; have one God and Father, are filled with one Spirit, are baptized
with one baptism, eat of one bread and drink of one cup, confess one name, are obedient to one Lord, work for one cause, and share one hope;
together come to know the height and the breadth and the depth of the love of Christ; together are built up to the stature of Christ, to the new
humanity; together know and bear one another's burdens, thereby fulfilling the law of Christ that we need one another and upbuild one another,
admonishing and comforting one another; that we suffer with one another for the sake of righteous-ness; pray together; together serve God in this
world; and together fight against all which may threaten or hinder this unity;
that this unity can be established only in freedom and not under constraint; that the variety of spiritual gifts, opportunities, backgrounds, convictions, as well as the various languages and cultures, are by virtue of the reconciliation in Christ, opportunities for mutual service and enrichment within the one visible people of God;
that true faith in Jesus Christ is the only condition for membership of this church;
Therefore, we reject any doctrine
which absolutizes either natural diversity or the sinful separation of people in such a way that this absolutization hinders or breaks the visible and
active unity of the church, or even leads to the establishment of a separate church formation;
which professes that this spiritual unity is truly being maintained in the bond of peace while believers of the same confession are in effect
alienated from one another for the sake of diversity and in despair of reconciliation;
which denies that a refusal earnestly to pursue this visible unity as a priceless gift is sin;
which explicitly or implicitly maintains that descent or any other human or social factor should be a consideration in determining member-ship of thechurch.
3. We believe
that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ; that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, that the church is called blessed because it is a peace-maker, that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells.
that God’s lifegiving Word and Spirit has conquered the powers of sin and death, and therefore also of irreconciliation and hatred, bitterness and enmity, that God’s lifegiving Word and Spirit will enable the church to live in a new obedience which can open new possibilities of life for society and the world;
that the credibility of this message is seriously affected and its beneficial work obstructed when it is proclaimed in a land which professes to be
Christian, but in which the enforced separation of people on a racial basis promotes and perpetuates alienation, hatred and enmity;
that any teaching which attempts to legitimate such forced separation by appeal to the gospel, and is not prepared to venture on the road of
obedience and reconciliation, but rather, out of prejudice, fear, selfishness and unbelief, denies in advance the reconciling power of the gospel, must
be considered ideology and false doctrine.
Therefore, we reject any doctrine
which, in such a situation sanctions in the name of the gospel or of the will of God the forced separation of people on the grounds of race and color and thereby in advance obstructs and weakens the ministry and experience of reconciliation in Christ.
4. We believe
that God has revealed himself as the one who wishes to bring about justice and true peace among people;
that God, in a world full of injustice and enmity, is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor and the wronged
that God calls the church to follow him in this; for God brings justice to the oppressed and gives bread to the hungry;
that God frees the prisoner and restores sight to the blind;
that God supports the downtrodden, protects the stranger, helps orphans and widows and blocks the path of the ungodly;
that for God pure and undefiled religion is to visit the orphans and the widows in their suffering;
that God wishes to teach the church to do what is good and to seek the right;
that the church must therefore stand by people in any form of suffering and need, which implies, among other things, that the church must witness
against and strive against any form of injustice, so that justice may roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream;
that the church as the possession of God must stand where the Lord stands, namely against injustice and with the wronged; that in following Christ the church must witness against all the powerful and privileged who selfishly seek their own interests and thus control and harm others.
Therefore, we reject any ideology
which would legitimate forms of injustice and any doctrine which is unwilling to resist such an ideology in the name of the gospel.
5. We believe that, in obedience to Jesus Christ, its only head, the church is called to confess and to do all these things, even though the authorities and human laws might forbid them and punishment and suffering be the consequence.
Jesus is Lord.
To the one and only God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be the honor and the glory
for ever and ever.
Note: This is a translation of the original Afrikaans text of the confession as it was adopted by the synod of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in South Africa in 1986. In 1994 the Dutch Reformed Mission Church and the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa united to form the Uniting Reformed Church in South Africa (URCSA). This inclusive language text was prepared by the Office of Theology and Worship, Presbyterian Church (USA)
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About Corlie's E-bay Missions Ministry |
Ebay Shoppers - an invitation to browse & shop in my eBay Store as a FUND RAISER for CHRISTIAN MISSIONS
I have been selling on eBay for 5 years. When the Lord brings it to mind please pray that the little seeds of my **evangelistic follow-up notes** would fall on fertile hearts prepared by the Spirit. The Lord has really blessed this business & set up His divine appointments to 50 USA States & 49 foreign countries! Unless our Lord gives the increase what is sent to the Missions will not amount to anything!
It is the LOVE of the Lord that motivates me ... as our Lord said she who has been forgiven much will love much! May you continue to SHINE in your patch with our Lord's LIGHT & LOVE!
After I receive Feedback I send a **follow-up note** giving Christians the opportunity to choose to direct the money they already paid to Mission of their choice. The list of Missions I send includes our ARP Mission:
World Witness A.R.P.
Center One Cleveland Street,
Suite 220,
Greenville, SC 29601
http://www.worldwitness.org/
You could direct the funds from what you buy form me to World Witness! I take the mention of a particular Mission as a nudge from the LORD - not that many ask - so that much more than just the money you spent on the item you already bought goes to the Mission.
My items all ship FREE, the mailing cost is given in each listing so I would accept less if I don't ship! I would like to sell through eBay ... it's the honest thing to do, that way they get their commission. It Is very easy to sign up as a member at www.ebay.com. If you do not want to open a PayPal account, I do accept checks! money orders and mark it as PAYMENT RECEIVED.
I have around 2,000 items listed in more than 70 Categories and I list new items frequently!
**Note** The following is a note that I include with the merchandise customers purchase...
We all love a BARGAIN and SPECIAL DEALS! So I wonder what you would think of me, if you found out one day I knew of Someone Who LOVES you and wants to GIVE you a FABULOUS FREE GIFT, that is out of this world...and I never passed on the GOOD NEWS to you?
Perhaps you are smiling, because you have received this LOVE gift and it is in SAFE STORAGE, where it cannot be lost or spoilt?
This most precious GIFT came from heaven, when God sent His Son to bring us PEACE with God and True Peace in our own hearts and minds. God so loved us, that He gave this GIFT, because no one can possibly buy it. The price is too costly - a perfect life lived in the place of those like you and me who are far from perfect. Jesus took the rap for us with His death. By His death and blood, His resurrection from the dead, He truly sets us free from God’s judgment, and gives us the GIFT of Eternal Life, as God’s beloved children.
A GIFT only becomes ours when we accept it. Won’t you also accept this FREE GIFT from God? Accepting Jesus as the one who paid the price for all the wrongs we have done and the good intentions we never got around to. This is something no one else can do for you!
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable GIFT!”
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
The profit from my eBay sales is used to spread this GOOD NEWS of God's LOVE GIFT Jesus.
Let me know if spreading this GOOD NEWS is a priority with you as well, & I'll send you a list of the Missions I support. You can choose & direct the money you already paid for the XX to the Mission of your choice.
PS This is a onetime contact! Unless you respond to my note I will NOT send you any further emails…you are NOT on a Mailing list! CG
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Sincerely,
Corlie/ beadseeds |
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Ain't |
He was just a little boy,
On a week's first day ..
Wandering home from Bible school,
And dawdling on the way.
He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
And blew out all the 'filler.'
A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
So wisely placed up so high
Was just another wonder,
That caught his eager eye.
A neighbor watched his zig zag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day
And what was going on.
'I've been to Bible School
He said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
'I've learned a lot about God.'
'M'm very fine way,' the neighbor said,
'for a boy to spend his time.'
'If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime.'
Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
'I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain’t!
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Submitted by
Dan Acker |
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Vacation Bible School |
About 100 adults and children attended each evening
A special thank you to all of the volunteers who made Vacation Bible School such a great success! We had as many volunteers as we had children.
Our children's Vacation Bible School emphasized The Gospel using a space theme.
The children participated in the Bible lesson time, small group, music, crafts, games, and snack. The children had a great time.
On average, we had 35 children each night. Eleven children were visitors to the church for vbs, and four children were visiting family members of Faith.
The children worked very hard on memorizing Scripture this week. Several children were able to memorize Scripture in order to present The Gospel to others. These children deserve special recognition: Karissa Burckhart, Abigail Scott, McGregor Scott, and Ryan Syms. Several children also learned an age appropriate Bible passage: Bobby Adams, Karissa Burckhart, Abigail Scott, and Annalise Scott. Congratulations to your great accomplishment!
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Submitted by
Carol Chambers |
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Vacation Bible School - Appreciation |
Dear Faith Presbyterian Church Family,
I sit down with a grateful heart.
I am grateful for the workers who served in our In-reach / Outreach Extravaganza – Vacation Bible School: From Greeting to Vacuuming, from Kitchen to Crafts, from Leading to Listening, from Sound Room to Snack room, from Teaching to Enabling, from Décor to Game Floor. Together, Christ’s Church declared God-Creator-Saviour, “Mighty to Save.”
I am grateful for the children: For those who worked overtime in the memorization of Scripture to those who just enjoyed the participation. They learned of our God-Creator who created us in His Image to have a relationship with Him. They learned how our Creator provided a means for that relationship through Faith in the Saviour. Whether or not the children were reminded once again and treasured it more, or whether they were hearing it for the very first time; I am grateful for the Truths Instilled and the Seeds Planted.
My grateful heart radiates, “To God Be the Glory, Great Things He has Done”.
Thank you God - Thank you Church.
Great is Your Faithfulness O Lord.
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In Christ,
Penni Burckhart |
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Vacation Bible School... Editor's note: |
Reverend Frank Van Dalen, who is director of World Witness, which is the missions arm of the Associate Reformed Church, presented a clear picture of the book of “Revelation of Jesus Christ”, showing how it is indeed all about the Church's mission to the world. He emphasized that numbers as used in the book, have meanings. The number seven , for example, refers to God's plan. He emphasized at each session. that the phrase “Every tribe , language, people and nation” occurs seven times in the book, evidencing God's plan of salvation, which is, of course, to present the gospel to the whole world, after which the Lord Jesus will return. He also emphasized that we don't know when Jesus will return and we need to be sure we are ready.
Many of the adults who were not serving in the children's program returned night after night to hear Reverend Van Dalen's messages and, if my own experience is any example, they were greatly blessed.
The offerings taken Monday through Thursday evenings totaled about six hundred sixty dollars. That will be matched and $1360 will go to support the Sunday Schools in Pakistan, where there are 100,000 members of the ARP church. (There are only about 30,000 members in the USA).
If you would like to read about the Sunday Schools in Pakistan and about other ARP mission fields, you may pick up in the narthex, a copy of “Lovelines”, which is World Witness' monthly newsletter, and, if you are interested in regularly receiving “Lovelines”, there will be information on how to request your own regular copy in that issue.
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You Took My Place |
One day, a man went to visit a church, He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, "I always park there! You took my place!"
The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit! You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing.
Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, "I took your place.."
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Submitted by
Brenda Blanchard |
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How to Survive A Heart Attack when Alone |
Let's say it's 6:15 p.m. and you're driving home (alone of course), after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset and frustrated. Suddenly you start experiencing severe chest pain that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw.. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home; unfortunately you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. What can you do? You've been trained in CPR but the guy that taught the course neglected to tell you how to perform it on yourself.
HOW TO SURVIVE A HART ATTACK WHEN ALONE. Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, this seemed to be in order.
Without help, the person whose heart stops beating properly and who begins to feel faint, has only about seconds left before losing consciousness.
However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. Deep breaths and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating.. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.
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From “Health Cares”, Rochester General Hospital
as provided by Brenda Crooker |
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One Flaw In Women |
Women have strengths that amaze men ..... They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in .. They stand up to injustice. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss Can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They’ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you To show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what Makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas. They give moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.
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Submitted by
Brenda Crooker |
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A Broken Chrysalis |
by Dr. Ralph E Wilson
It's truly amazing what a girl will do for love ...
My wife, Jean and I lived next door to each other for ten years before we were married. My sophomore interest in high school biology had sparked a live caterpillar collection. Their home was a shoe box, covered with screen wire .
When I went on vacation, Jean fed" them faithfully with leaves from her willow tree. She hated it. Finallyl the caterpillars stopped their incessant crawling and chewing, Iattached their tails firmly to a stick and lay still, sheathed with a shin! leather-like case. For weeks they seemed to be dead, unmoving in their tiny gray wrappings. I removed the screen and waited. One by one, the gray cases began to twist and turn violently and suddenly split open. A beautiful butterfly emerged. It stood for hours \ gently moving its wings, pumping fluids into them to extend them \ fully. Then the butterfly soared gracefully away on the breezes of summer, leaving nothing behind but a broken chrysalis to indicate its former bondage. The chrysalis and butterfly suggest the empty grave clothes of our risen Lord. When Peter and John heard the news that the Lord's body I was gone from the garden tomb, they ran all the way from their \ lodging. Peter entered the tomb and "he saw the strips of linen lying \ there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen II (John 20:6-7, NIV). The grave clothes once wrapped continuously around the body now lay collapsed, mute testimony that the corpse they had once shrouded had now emerged in life. The bondage of death is broken. Christ is risen! We can face tomorrow with the assurance that Jesus is in fact alive to help us, to guide us, to give us hope for the future. And since He is living, our problems are ,not insolvable. The broken chrysalis of His grave clothes proclaims that Christ is Victor even over death. Because He lives, nothing is impossible. Why do Christians gather on Easter morning? To show off their fine clothes or give a ritual tip of the hat to religion? God forbid! Rather we gather to celebrate Jesus’ victory over death itself. For since He is our Lord and our Savior, His victory is our victory. In celebrating His resurrection we celebrate our own assurance of J. ultimate triumph over death. !
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Submitted by
Ann Pusar |
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