New Philadelphia News Across the Pastor’s Desk
to learn a second spoken language. Ouch.
The Stewardship Mailing for this year is an exciting one. I think you will like the quick-read, newspaper style format. It is the brain child of Betsy Fraser, working with Clyde and other members of the staff. Boiled down, our stewardship emphasis is on volunteering, both within and without the church. In my recent study of “body evangelism,” or “total church evangelism,” I have discovered that the best way to get the church into the community is to get volunteers into community organizations. We have a heavy presence in the Sunnyside Ministry, and a presence in many other agencies. We also value volunteers within our church, for you are those who make visitors welcome. I think that New Philly is sitting on the seam of some dramatic growth, within, without, and up. In Ephesians 4, the apostle writes that we are to grow up in every day into Him who is the head of the Body, that is Christ. We are to go on growing until we reach “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” which he definies as “mature personhood.” That is a lifetime goal.
The Board of Cooperative Ministries is hosting a seminar on November 15 at New Philadelphia entitled, “Be the Church: The Followers of Hus in a New Generation.” Sounds interesting. Check NewPhilly.Org for details. Want something different? A friend of mine is enrolling for a motorcycle course at Forsyth Tech. Say, that is an idea, albeit a risky one. One of our members learned to fly an airplane when she was past 60. Is that safer? I am not sure. One member of my family who styles herself as computer challenged, just enrolled in a course that Salem College is offering on the iPad. I would, I think, sacrifice my whole library rather than give up Olive Tree Bible Reader on my iPad. The search features are so powerful that they enhance the ability to dig deeper into the text of scripture more quickly than ever before. It is available for smart phones, too. By the by, I notice that many tablets have dropped under $200, new, with used ones much less. That is something that even some seniors on a limited budget can afford. Of course, to get the most out of a tablet, you will need a Wi-Fi internet connection in your home, or, else spend lots of time in the public library, or in your favorite restaurant or coffee shop, or in our church library!
What are you doing to enhance your growth? Have you joined a new Bible study recently? I have a keen interest in doing a reprise of “The Revelation of St. John the Diving.” Are any of you interested in being a part of that? Or what about this: Have you considered learning a new language? Rosetta Stone is now offering 3 years of unlimited access to the language of your choice for less than $250 dollars. I did a trial lesson of Latin American Spanish. It occurs to me that I will not have to go far to practice, and I can make some new friends along the way. Survey’s suggest that 20 percent of all Americans past a certain age, say that one of their life’s great regrets the failure
BSA Troop 715 News Troop 715 went to Fort Bragg! 17 boys and 9 leaders converged on the US Military base for a weekend of learning and fun. The boys got to see and explore the 82nd Air Borne Museum, Special Forces Museum, An Army Surplus Store, The Eternal Flame, Statue
Why would I even mention things like this? Calvin said it best. He said Christian maturity involved a state of “perpetual adolescence.” The adolescent is teachable, pliable, and all about experimentation and growth. In Christ that growth can be exciting, whatever direction it takes. It can all be put to his service. Blessings, Worth of Iron Mike, and The Local Boy Scout “Memorial Walk” of fallen soldiers. After a full day of activities, the boys fellowshipped with rounds of bowling and hanging out. The Boy Scouts will start their annual fund raiser of selling popcorn on September, 26th 2014 through October, 31st 2014. Have any questions contact Chris Vestal. Boys can join anytime.