WITNESS: February 1, 2013 by Park Cities Presbyterian Church

FEBRUARY 2013 Vol. XXIII, No. 1

Pa r k C ities P r esby ter i an C hur ch

(Presbyterian Church in America)

SERVE365

Being a missionary around the block

New missions leader tells us more

Really... you are an artist 8 Piper outlines the value of Old Testament study

Reflecting and being restored in the quiet

Preparing to hear the message of the angels

SERVE3

ESL students say thank you

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Below, Eager workers gather outside Interfaith Housing Coalition apartments in 2011.

BANMIN

Hands and feet of the God who provides

SERVE 365 will consist of two main components: 1) A yearly celebration every April, and 2) Project Work Days (PWDs) throughout

ing support of the Session and our pastors, SERVE 365 will kick off Saturday, April 20, 2013, and God willing, will last into the ages.

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Walking in the works prepared for us

arly on in the formation of PCPC, powerful seeds of service and giving were planted. Seeds in West Dallas and all around this city. God has continued to water and feed those seeds and the Lord has been faithful. The Urban Ministries committee is proud to announce that God has transformed Beyond Ourselves to SERVE 365. Due to the overwhelming response of volunteers and hearts eager to serve, one day of service no longer meets this needs of this body. Therefore, with overwhelm-

“Know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. ” —Deuteronomy 4:39

God’s transformation of Beyond Ourselves

PCPC will have open registration online for SERVE365 PWDs— meaning, you do not need to be a PCPC member to sign up, and once a particular project is full, registration closes. But there will be more opportunities!

Going city-wide

SERVE365

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the year. The yearly celebration in April will be an all-day event with food, communion, recognition, a history of our work together, prayer for future projects, singing, fellowship, and a time for ministry partners and church congregations to gather and celebrate God’s work. SERVE365 Project Work Days (SERVE365 PWD’s) will replace one big work day, as in Beyond Ourselves. Instead, we will have ministry-specific project work days all throughout the year. For SERVE365 PWDs, ministry partners will make known their needs and get on the SERVE365 PWD calendar. This workday calendar will be available to the church body so we can all coordinate our calendars as well as allowing us to meet more needs throughout the year. For instance, West Dallas Community School may need back-to-school help, Voice of Hope may need summer help, Restoration Outreach of Dallas may need help painting houses in the spring, and so on. Therefore, the SERVE365 PWD calendar will be strategic for the ministry partners as well as allow for more opportunities for PCPC members and attenders to serve throughout the year. 2

While PCPC may be the initial host of SERVE365, it is the committee’s vision to see it become a Kingdom event. We will invite all those friends we serve with in this city to join us—very special people from churches like Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, West Dallas Community Church, Highland Park Presbyterian, Progressive Baptist, Golden Gate Baptist Church, Watermark, and others. We stand at an exciting time in the Kingdom of God. I am so proud of our church body, more so now than ever before, because through all the trials and tribulation the people of this church have endured, we have done so honestly and boldly through the power of the Holy Spirit. We have been led by fallible men who have

shared their failures—and we have grown as a body because of it. They have chosen to lead through repentance and obedience, and out of the hurt, pain, and struggles of life, God has brought joy, glory, and healing beyond what our human minds can comprehend. Man makes his plans, but God orders his steps, and all things work to the good for those who are called according to His purpose. This church has been walking evidence of those godly principles—what a witness that is and exactly what the early leaders of this church prayed for—that we would be a light to this city and to the world! Join us and be in prayer that the Lord would be glorified in and through SERVE365 in ways we couldn’t even imagine. —Kelly Macatee

Above, Elder Bill Thomas is accompanied by Paul Galahity from Union Gospel Mission at a Beyond Ourselves opening fellowship breakfast. Left, happiness is a clean window for Mary Jayne Fogarty at Dallas Pregnancy Resource Center. Below, Barrett Ball hands Emma Ruth a stuffed egg while dad David prepares more at Mercy Street during the 2011 Beyond Ourselves.

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hat a marvelous showing of the hands of God’s people! This year’s Boxes of Blessing event was a remarkable example of God working to extend His Kingdom through His people, to the city of Dallas and beyond! By 9:00 am on Saturday, December 8, over 3,000 volunteers of all ages

Joshua Clark

arrived at BCW Food Products Warehouse to pack Christmas food boxes, with over 35 items per box—enough food for a family of four for a week. PCPC families served alongside volunteers from 17 of our Urban Ministry partners and six new churches and organizations: Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, Iglesia Luterana San Miguel, Santa Maria de Guadalupe, House of Prayer Word Outreach, Awakening of the Day Ministry, and Bethlehem Pentecostal Church. Volunteers were greeted by the sight of four neatly prepared assembly lines, with pallets of food stacked on both sides, from rice to sugar to canned foods donated by PCPC’s Cans for the Kingdom drive. Tables were equipped for children and adults to make candy canes to carry a message in each of the boxes. In the background, our PCPC choir sung songs of praise, declaring God’s goodness and the joy of our Savior Jesus’ birth. We also had an inspirational

Boxes and boxes of blessing Bible message from Julian Russell and a special time of prayer with Mark Davis.

PCPC ESL, Cristo Rey, Young Life West Dallas, West Dallas Community Church, Union Gospel Mission,

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” —Ephesians 2:10

Imelda Martinez (center) with Jeanne and Les Wyatt

Mark prays with some of our Urban Ministry partners

In total, 7,000 boxes were packed in less than four hours! Glory to God! They were delivered to Voice of Hope, Salvation Army, Dallas Leadership Foundation, Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church, Mercy Street, Interfaith Housing Coalition, Advocates for Community Transformation, PCPC Seniors,

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the Salesmanship Club, Holy Trinity Center, Exodus Ministry, and the new churches and organizations that served alongside. The distribution began that very afternoon and continued into the following week. Many of those who delivered the boxes shared photos and notes of thanksgiving and praises to the Lord. It is only what we do for the sake of Christ and His glory, as we give ourselves away in serving others, that we ourselves are blessed. —Imelda Ottmers 3

Equip Ministry

Jehovah Jireh cuts the red tape

Maribel Martinez and her daughter Vivihanna are EQUIP mentees.

felt like you were on that altar about to get stabbed as Isaac was with Abraham? Mine has. And God has always provided—even when everything my physical eyes could see went against the possibility of funds coming through on time. And it hasn’t been bare minimum provision either—it has been abundance. Time and time again, when my faith is tested and I see God’s hand moving, my fleshly mind goes to all the resources I have at my disposal. I get to work at problem solving. I have at least 10 people I can go to for money before I ever reach a place of true financial desperation. The people who to come to PCPC through the EQUIP program do not have the same insulation against poverty and homelessness I have. They see God meet their needs in extraordinary ways every day. They are at the risk of losing their house or apartment, delinquent bills are piling up, there is no money for childcare, and they risk losing their job. Or their car breaks down and they make just enough per month to cover the necessities, not a dead battery or kaput carburetor. Or they have had a good job for years, but they get diagnosed with breast cancer and have to go through treatment—the job is still there, but they aren’t on paid leave. The hole gets deeper and deeper, darker and darker. There are many programs out there that do wonderful things to help those in need, but many of them battle red tape, bureaucracy, and an inability to do something as simple as pay an electric bill. EQUIP can do what other programs cannot. The EQUIP program through PCPC seeks to prevent financial despair that leads to homelessness by not only meeting the immediate monetary need, such as rent, childcare, grocery money, but also we provide weekly mentoring and spiritual and emotional support to those who have nowhere else to turn. EQUIP has a 90% success rate. In the last year, we have prevented 28 families from homelessness on as little as $1,600 per month, per family. And many families don’t need that much to sustain them, while some need a little more. The return on the investment from a financial standpoint is low risk with high yields. The return on the investment from an eternal perspective is treasures in heaven for sure. You should see the look on their faces when they realize God has provided for them in a way they never thought possible. It will fill your soul in a way that nothing else does.

ave you ever wondered where your next mortgage payment was coming from? I have. Have you ever wondered how you’d pay for your child’s school next month? I have. Have you ever stared at the gas pump in disbelief and thought, “But I used my rewards!”? I have. Has your faith ever been tested to where God was clearly telling you, “I AM JEHOVAH JIREH,” the God who provides, and yet you 4 4

We ask for your prayers for the EQUIP program and the families, by God’s grace, we seek to serve. Join us as we call upon the name of the Lord—Jehovah Jireh—the God who provides! To learn more about the various ways you can be involved, please contact Linda Wells, 214-632-2088 or lwells2145@gmail. com. Be on the lookout for our upcoming EQUIP information video! And help us spread the Word. —Kelli Macatee FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 2013 2013 • • PCPC PCPC WITNESS WITNESSS

Energy and Encouragement Testimonies from a teacher and students from Level 4

uliana is a student in my Level 4 ESL class. She said something to me last fall that has really stuck with me. “When I come here, “she said, “I feel so energized and encouraged.” Though I immediately returned the sentiment, I’m not sure Juliana really understands how deeply the ESL ministry energizes and encourages me. I am energized when I see Magali’s discipline and dedication in class and her commitment to volunteering in her children’s school. I am encouraged to work as unto the Lord when I greet Jose each Wednesday—Jose, who works two jobs six days a week and still comes to class on his one morning off. I am humbled when I hear Blanca utilizing a newly discovered nuance of English as she shares her personal stories of gospel transformation. And, of course, Juliana: I hope you, too, will be energized and encouraged by these stories. —Monica Sargent, Level 4 teacher MAGALI The first time I heard about this ESL program in this was in church three years ago. The classes were on Tuesday and Thursday in those days. It was hard for me to attend because there was no childcare for my kids, so I came to just a few classes. Now in this year I feel blessed to attend in the company of my husband. I am very grateful to the Presbyterian Church to give us the opportunity to learn the language that gives me more confidence to speak to anyone—like my kid’s teacher. Thank you

for the opportunity to share my feelings in class, especially my teacher. I ask God in the name of Jesus Christ to bless all the volunteers in this church. JOSE I want to give thanks to this English program. I want to give thanks to the church for this valuable ESL class. Thanks to the people who are making this possible for us. I really appreciate what they are doing for me. I want to give special thanks to Ms. Monica, my special teacher. Thanks for spending all this time for us. I wish that God continues blessing the church to make this possible for us. God bless you all. JULIANA My life has been blessed since I first heard from a friend that PCPC offers an ESL program. At the beginning, I wasn’t sure if it was going to work, but I took the chance and I began to trust, to believe. The unprejudiced service of the teachers is invaluable, their kindness and will showed me that this was going to become something more. Immediately I felt that this was my place, I could

Jose, Magali, and Juliana PCPC WITNESS WITNESS • • FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 2013 2013 PCPC

definitely be a part of the program…it feels like home. How can you refuse something that has everything? It’s free, great staff, childcare, coffee, cookies, and a peaceful environment. As always, good things have no price! Once more, our Lord shows His love and care for me. I could not finish my first course because I was diagnosed with some cells in my body that could lead to cancer. I had two surgeries and finally left that chapter behind. Thanks to GOD for all the special prayers of my friends and family. So I came back renovated, healthy, and ready to start all over again, and it worked. I met more people, new teachers, some of my old fellows were here, and it felt great to be missed. That shows that people here really care about you. This place really changed my life, because I can tell now that I’m becoming a bilingual person, better prepared for life, ready to achieve my goals and face life with another perspective…with FAITH. Every single day people who know me since I first came tell me that my English has been improving a lot, they even ask me if I want to work with them, Isn’t that great? For this, and so many reasons more, I have to thank the ESL program, its teachers and all who help for giving us this great opportunity to become a part of this country. Right now I can tell you I fell a call from inside to return a little part of what I have been given, there’s no other way I can show my gratitude.

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Are you a “wanna be” missionary? You might want to look close to home

ack in November, PCPC experienced an amazing act of God when we prayed for the International Student Thanksgiving meal and concert, expecting maybe a total of 80 to 100 PCPC members and SMU students to attend, but God sent over 185! The students were from China, Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South America—all over. They kept coming, to the surprise and delight of all of us who helped organize the event. They enjoyed a typical American meal of turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, and all the fixings, then they heard the part of the history of our nation with the declaration of our President for a special day to give thanks to God. The students had eager ears and minds, because they want to learn more about America, which is hosting them for their education. And learning English is a requirement, so the students love to take advantage of opportunities to hear it and chat with friendly, loving people as well.

Going global here in Dallas

Last spring Colin Howland asked our family to work with music students at SMU, so we invited a group from the Covenant class to attend the senior concert of one of the students, Russian pianist Elizaveta Ivleva. Following the concert, we sponsored an informal reception. With no family support in the U.S. Elizaveta was extremely grateful and appreciative. She came back to SMU this fall as a graduate student and was one of the three musicians to perform in the concert for PCPC. When we became missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators, we had to pack or sell all of our belongings, spend a year in language school, and adjust with our family to a new culture. Was it worth it? By all means! But when God brings the mission field here, right into our neighborhood, why not take advantage and become involved? These students are

the cream of the crop from their countries and will be going back home someday after finishing their studies, and they will be able to influence many in their leadership roles. We at PCPC have a golden opportunity to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to people within a few miles of our homes who will then take His truth with them all over the world. Is it easy? No! How strong are your knees? —Carol and Oran West

Friendly faces at the international Thanksgiving dinner.

(l to r) Aleksandra Pereverzeva, cellist; Jiah Kyun, violinist; Elizaveta Ivleva, pianist

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Jerry Gibson assumes new role Recently staff writer JD Lemming interviewed Jerry Gibson, PCPC’s newly named Senior Director of Missions and Church Planting (M&CP) who has been serving as Director of World Missions. What was the process (prayer, listening, counsel) in accepting this call? Part of what I do at PCPC is help people discern calling. Many people sit in my office wondering if they are called to missions. I’ve had to study what the Bible says about calling and learn to walk with people through whether they are called to missions or not. I talk about four parts to calling (desire, gifting, open door(s), affirmation from the body). Each of these elements is present in my calling to this role. The Lord is the Caller. Our first and highest calling is to be His child, not to be in full-time ministry. Sometimes we mix that up and place our highest identity in the calling, not in the Caller. The year-long search process forced me to practice what I preach, trusting in the Caller, that if I am called, it will be affirmed. Like everyone else, I can do that only by abiding in Christ and in community with His children. What excites you the most about this new opportunity? I am most excited about the Lord working in and through PCPC members to make the name of Christ known where it is not known. Period.

Trusting the Caller

eternal purposes. It might be comparable to someone born with a skill in the arts or in business. They probably had a passion for art or business before they were saved, but when they were saved they began learning to use that skill for the glory for Christ. When the Lord saves us, He redeems all of us and calls us to offer who we are as a living act of worship (Rom 12:1). My passion for Christ-centered missions was initially sparked in Bible college as I came to understand that the Bible is one magnificent story about God redeeming a people for Himself from every tribe, tongue, and nation. We American gentiles are beneficiaries of God’s mission to every tribe, tongue, and nation. His story is still playing out to the uttermost parts of the earth, and we get a sneak peak at its culmination in Revelation 7:9. Besides scripture, what one book or author has shaped your understanding of missions the most? I believe 200 years from now seminarians will still be reading John Piper’s Let the Nations be Glad. I can’t think of any other book that has impacted the modern evangelical Church (and me) more. Close second and third places would be Hudson Taylor and the Perspectives course.

What is your dream for M&CP at PCPC? Jerry emcees Mike Stachura of the international student dinner. Operation Mobilization said it well: “The mark of a great church is not When did your passion for its seating capacity, but its sending missions spark? capacity.” This may sound weird, but I have to say my passion for missions existed What do you see as PCPC’s greatest before I was a Christian. The Lord advantage in doing missions well? made me with a deep sense of comIt’s important for us to be continually passion for the marginalized. Since reminded that PCPC is not an institubecoming a Christian, the Lord has tion or a building on Oak Lawn; it is been redeeming that bent and bringher members—the greatest asset and ing it in line with His Word and His PCPC WITNESS • FEBRUARY 2013

advantage she has. They are our missions force with untold gifts that God wants to use in the harvest fields. Its other strength is our leaders who have made a serious and unwavering commitment to support missions through the tithes of our members. PCPC is known worldwide as a church that makes serious and long-term commitments to engage with the global church in ways that few churches can or do. As missionary Dan Iverson said, “PCPC is a valuable partner…because they have a view of the long-haul. PCPC seeks to help sow oak trees, not crabgrass, in Japan’s hard soil.” What will be your first steps as the new Senior Director? We’re already in the midst of restructuring the ministry staff a bit. Once that’s in place we will begin to cast vision for the years ahead and seek to mobilize PCPC members to use their gifts for God’s Kingdom. Do you have any fears in this new venture? I hope to avoid some things—like the idea that missions is for super-spiritual Christians or that we do missions out of guilt. We go (or follow) in response to being overwhelmed by God’s love for us. I also hope to avoid missions being seen as a segregated activity at PCPC, but seen as an integral part of our life together as a body. Says current Senior Director Curt Dobbs: I am blessed to have known Jerry and Kerry for over 12 years. Jerry is perfect for his new role. He has the experience, knowledge, and gifts to lead us into new and expanded missions efforts while continuing key ongoing ministries. Jerry understands the strategies developed by PCPC to reach hard, strategic places utilizing strong relationships with missionaries and indigenous leaders, all the while mobilizing PCPC folks to get involved. Jerry has demonstrated a heart to share the Gospel around the world and to guide PCPC’s missions efforts to grow God’s Kingdom. I am truly pleased to see him take over this large and vital part of PCPC’s overall ministry! 7

Feed Your Inner Artist at Art+Spirit You are an artist. I mean you, dear reader. “Oh,” you say, “but you’ve not seen my shaky hand with a pencil, nor heard the howling cackles of my Sunday hymns, nor read my bumbling words of consolation to a hurting friend.” No, you object, “Neither painter, nor singer, nor poet am I.” It’s true that your particular bumblings are beyond my acquaintance, yet still I hold my claim, and I know my own bumblings well enough. Have you said, “That’s beautiful!” upon seeing a rose? It’s a work of art—the handiwork of the Great Artist. Were we to behold the deep red color and soft, fibrous texture of one petal, would we not say that here, too, is a work of art? Have you paused in the morning to consider the color and texture of clothing you might wear for the day? Perhaps you were simply considering suitability to the occasion, but even so, what is such suitability but harmony with the spirit of the circumstance? Either way, with your clothing the paint and your pondering the brush, you craft your dress as a thread in the tapestry of the day. Have you hung a picture on your wall or set a knick knack on your shelf, raising the significance of your surroundings? Have you selected a certain song, just the right tune for the moment? Have you stood long before endless rows of greeting cards, searching for the one, apt and timely, that resonates with meaning beyond its mere words? Then, inasmuch as you have carefully considered choices of color and texture, created significance through visual arrangements, and sought sounds and words to enrich life’s moments, you have become my fellow artist. Perhaps you still object and say that “real art” is made by specialists with special skills and training who fashion special materials into special artifacts. Not so, says American painter, Robert Henri, who has “no sympathy with the belief that art is the restricted province of those who paint, sculpt, make music and verse...the material used is only incidental...there is artist in every [person].” Henri is in good company. The overwhelming focus of the Bible’s first 25 verses is God’s powerful creativity. In these verses, as He speaks forth the deep red rose petals and all the artful world around us, His creativity is nearly all we learn of His character. Thus, in verse 26, creating us after His likeness, we gain a likeness of His creativity. We are each an artist, after the Great Artist.

Now that you realize you are an artist, what joy lies in wait for you as you embrace your newfound vocation? Realize first that, “The goal is not making art. It is living a life” (Henri). Jesus says He came for us to “have life, and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10). In a glory-filled life, as Henri continues, “Art is a result. It is the trace of those who have led [full] lives.” And it is particularly so for those who are apprentices to the Great Artist.

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At PCPC, one lively meeting place of artists is Art+Spirit, a periodic gathering, open to all, where we seek how art might help us, as both observers and creators, to better understand God’s character and ways. From painting and music, to sculpture and architecture, to photography, sometimes literature, and more, Art+Spirit connects the artist’s vocation to life found through the Spirit. Drawing speakers from PCPC and from local and national art communities, each Art+Spirit session begins with a talk touching on art and spirituality. Many say the best part is the optional small-group discussion afterward, with its deeper exploration of the speaker’s perspectives and the chance to connect with and learn from other participants. Recently at Art+Spirit, Carlos Cázares, who teaches art at Christ for the Nations Institute here in Dallas, described how a work of art is a seed from which the Spirit can grow life and insight. Just as we hide Easter eggs for the joy of a child’s discovery, art can set us searching for something previously hidden to us about God’s ways.

Edith Baker, speaker at the October 30 Art+Spirit, receives flowers from Pete Deison.

Gregory Wolfe, founder and publisher of the national art and literary journal Image, described how art can “say it without saying it.” Art touches us differently than do sermons and Sunday school lessons. Indirectly and artistically, Jesus taught through parables. In like manner, art speaks most powerfully when it speaks indirectly, encouraging us to seek hard for the “solid food” and deeper joy that lie beyond spiritual milk. Francis Schaeffer ends his book Art and the Bible by saying, “No work of art is more important than the Christian’s own life…[for which] each [of us] has the gift of creativity in terms of the way [we live our lives].” At Art+Spirit, we aim to learn our vocations as co-creators in His image and to realize our potential as God’s works of art. —Randy Heffner FEBRUARY FEBRUARY2013 2013 •• PCPC PCPCWITNESS WITNESS

Why do we still study the Old Testament? Jesus came...

That the Scriptures Might Be Fulfilled by John Piper

he glory of Jesus Christ shines more clearly when we see Him in His proper relation to the Old Testament. He has a magnificent relation to all that was written. It is not surprising that this is the case, because He is called the Word of God incarnate ( John 1:14). Would not the Word of God incarnate be the sum and consummation of the Word of God written? Consider these summary statements and the texts that support them. 1. All the Scriptures bear witness to Christ. Moses wrote about Christ ( John 5:39, 46). 2. All the Scriptures are about Jesus Christ, even where there is no explicit prediction. That is, there is a fullness of implication in all Scripture that points to Christ and is satisfied only when He has come and done His work. Graeme Goldsworthy explains: “The meaning of all the Scriptures is unlocked by the death and resurrection of Jesus” (see Luke 24:27). 3. Jesus came to fulfill all that was written in the Law and the Prophets. All of it was pointing to Him even where it was not explicitly prophetic. He accomplished what the law required (Matt. 5:17–18). 4. All the promises of God in the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. That is, when you have Christ, sooner or later you will have both Christ Himself and all else that God promised through Christ (2 Cor. 1:20).

5. The law was kept perfectly by Christ. And all its penalties against God’s sinful people were poured out on Christ. Therefore, the Law is manifestly not the path to righteousness, Christ is. The ultimate goal of the Law is that we would look to Christ, not law-keeping, for our righteousness (Rom. 10:4). Therefore with the coming of Christ virtually everything has changed: 1. The blood sacrifices ceased because Christ fulfilled all that they were pointing toward. He was the final, unrepeatable sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 9:12: “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” 2. The priesthood that stood between worshipper and God has ceased. Hebrews 7:23–24: “The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but He holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever.” 3. The physical temple has ceased to be the geographic center of worship. Now Christ Himself is the center of worship. He is the “place,” the “tent,” and the “temple” where we meet God. Therefore, Christianity has no geographic center, no Mecca, no Jerusalem. John 4:21–23: “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jeru-

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salem will you worship the Father… But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.’” John 2:19–21: “‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ … He was speaking about the temple of His body.” Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.” 4. The food laws that set Israel apart from the nations have been fulfilled and ended in Christ. Mark 7:18–19: “[Jesus] said to them, ‘Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him…?’ (Thus He declared all foods clean).” 5. The establishment of civil law on the basis of an ethnically rooted people, who are ruled directly by God, has ceased. The people of God are no longer a unified political body, an ethnic group, or a nation-state, but are exiles and sojourners among all ethnic groups and all states. Therefore, God’s will for states is not taken directly from the Old Testament theocratic order, but should now be reestablished from place to place and from time to time by means that correspond to God’s sovereign rule over all peoples, and that correspond to the fact that genuine obedience, rooted as it is in faith in Christ, cannot be coerced by law. The state is therefore grounded in God, but not expressive of God’s immediate rule. Romans 13:1: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authorit y except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” John 18:36: “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting.” Let us worship the wonder of Christ, who unleashed these massive changes in the world. From Ligonier Ministries and R.C. Sproul. © Tabletalk magazine. Website: www.ligonier.org/ tabletalk. Email: tabletalk@ligonier.org. Toll free: 1-800-435-4343

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s I enter the driveway of the Montserrat Retreat Center, I take a deep breath. It’s as if I leave reality. As I move through a tunnel of large oak trees, Dallas becomes a distant memory. I’m dreaming of the 20 hours of silence and time with the Lord that is coming. As I park the car and get out, that dream becomes reality. Silence. God speaking. I’m reflecting. It’s glorious! Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of attending the Women’s Ministry Restore Retreat in the fall and spring. Words cannot really describe what this time has meant for me! I think I partly love it because I have three little children and so look forward to one morning when I wake up without having to change a diaper, make breakfast (and possibly get a little extra sleep). But the even bigger reason why I love it is because God always works on my heart. Kari Stainback and Elizabeth Robinson prayerfully pick a topic

for the retreat. They spend many Spirit- filled hours preparing what God desires them to share to the group. The topic that impacted me the most was a couple of years ago when the emphasis was on stewardship. I remember thinking as we sat down for the first talk, “Here we go. I’m going to learn all about how to start budgeting for God’s glory.” Ha! Amazingly, God revealed very little to me about money; instead He revealed much more about stewardship of my children, my own body and mind, and my witness of Jesus to the world. He used a number of ways: scripture, prepared devotions by Elizabeth and Kari, as well as a run through the little town of Lake Dallas. Now, as I have tried to recruit people through the years, many women say, “I cannot stay quiet that long,” “I cannot sit in one room that long,” or “My schedule is too busy.” We actually have plenty of time to chat and get to know other ladies on the retreat. We are allowed to talk during meals and before and after the group

meetings. The past few retreats have provided very special prayer times for one another at our final meeting. Relationships are definitely formed among the groups. Secondly, we have many places to roam as we reflect. You just do what the Spirit is leading you to do. You can walk, study in the library or chapel, take a nap, or sit on the dock of the beautiful lake. Of course, if you want to sit in your room, you can do that too! And, in my opinion, the retreat is too short. We arrive around 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday night and leave by 4:00 pm on Saturday. How much more could I grow by staying there longer? So clear your calendar and rearrange your schedule for a day. Young moms, rope your husband into staying with your children for 20 short hours (my husband just told me he might be cashing in his eight days of my retreat time to go to a beach somewhere). Attend Restore this spring, May 10-11. You will not regret it! —Emily Leonard

FEBRUARY 2013 • PCPC WITNESS

he words below opened our Christmas concert on December 16, A Festival of Lessons and Carols, and brought to bear the gravity and joy of renewal in such events—ceremonies which call us to remember the mysterious and encompassing nature of the Incarnation, and forge into our understanding a path of life-lived response. The Chapel, Covenant, High School, and Chancel choirs along with symphony orchestra presented this annual concert. A full sanctuary greeted the evening’s presentation. (Our able ushers were still trying to seat people twenty minutes into the program.) To open, the Chancel Choir sang from the aisles, “Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee…” as its candlelit presence illuminated the darkness. The choir also helped set the story’s stage by singing the haunting Finnish folk tune and hymn, translated by Olav Lee, “Lost in the Night.” Lost in the night do the people yet languish, longing for morning the darkness to vanquish, Plaintively heaving a sigh full of anguish. Will not day come soon? Must we be vainly awaiting the morrow? Shall those who have light no light let us borrow, Giving no heed to our burden of sorrow? Will you help us soon? Sorrowing wanderers, in darkness yet dwelling, dawned has the day of a radiance excelling, Death’s dreaded darkness forever dispelling. Christ is coming soon! The readings, by various members of the congregation, progressed through the story, accentuated by choral pieces and congregational singing. The youth and children joined the adults on the sublime, “All is Well,” to introduce the melody and sing the soaring descant—a soothing reminder of God’s sovereignty in the midst of the Newtown tragedy which occurred just two days earlier. Robert Southwell’s text, sung by the ladies of the Chancel Choir took us to the core, the essence of this Babe in the manger. (Here is the first and last stanza.) This little Babe so few days old, Is come to rifle Satan’s fold; All hell doth at His presence quake, Though He Himself for cold do shake; For in this weak unarmèd wise The gates of hell He will surprise. continued on last page

PCPC WITNESS • FEBRUARY 2013

eloved in Christ, be it this Christmas our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels: in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and with the Magi adore Incarnate God lying in His mother’s arms. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the events of God’s decree from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious redemption brought us by this Holy Child; and let us make this house of worship, dedicated to the adoration and worship of God, glad with our carols of praise. 11

Lessons and Carols

continued from page 11

My soul, with Christ join thou in fight; Stick to the tents that He hath pight. Within His crib is surest ward: This little Babe will be thy guard. If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy, Then flit not from this heavenly Boy. Oddly enough, Christmas provides a rare occasion where the music of the culture and music of the church overlap. From Northpark to neighborhood carolers, from sporting events to muzak in public spaces, and to the church, we all know and sing “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.” Because of this, we are afforded a unique avenue of outreach. The outward effect will be felt for some time—in the hearts of attendees and beyond, as the generous offering of $13,808.44 will directly benefit the 17 urban ministries that PCPC supports.

pcpc Vol. XXIII, No. 1 • FEBRUARY 2013 Park Cities Presbyterian Church 4124 Oak Lawn Avenue Dallas, Texas 75219 www.pcpc.org

Periodical Postage Paid at Dallas, Texas

What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give Him: Give my heart. —J. Marty Cope Ed. note: As always, we are grateful for the photography of members Larry and Terri Sengbush, who regularly give of their time and talents to photograph our concerts. Scripture readers, Left, Emma Jennings Below, Jose Chavez