Pathfinder

  Our church session makes a point of spending some extra time together at the beginning of each year. We call it a retreat, but the last few years we have been using the church building as our meeting place. During this time, we study important passages on the work of an elder (usually 1 Peter 5), we list the joys and disappointments of the previous year, we pray together, we eat together, we play a game together, and we talk about the work of discipleship. APC’s motto is, “Making disciples who make a difference,” and I want to start our year talking about that task. The book that we have been leaning into for many of our meetings as we think about discipleship over the past year is Pete Scazzero’s, Emotionally Healthy Discipleship.           Almost every Sunday I begin our worship service by referencing Jesus ’ invitation from Matthew 11, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you,...

  The session met in December for our annual Christmas Dinner with our spouses. We had an abbreviated meeting due to illness. In January we had our Session Retreat. It was a great time to reflect on 2023 and to prepare for 2024. We spent lot of time reading scripture and praying for our congregation. We read Chapter 5 of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, learning about limits and what that may look like for us. We discussed programs that might go on hold for a time, or go away completely. What does that look like? How do we ‘rest’ properly? What resources can we offer to aid in that? We also spent time listing our Praises and Disappointments of the year. Praises: Sabbatical, preaching during sabbatical, music program, VBS, SS, Screwtape Letter study, Zoom bible study, sermon series, improved finances, new faces, new members, men’s and women’s ministries, PrimeTimers, GriefShare, playground, manse completion and occupancy, the Deacons, the Trustees, Argyle Community Christmas, m...

  As a congregation we are connected through the precious blood of Christ, and together we will journey into a new year fraught with economic and social uncertainties that could have an impact on our community or even each of our daily lives. Be that as it may, 2024 also presents a new, challenging and busy year for the Deacons; one that we are prepared for and eager to accept. At our annual planning meeting on January 4th, we laid out a number of fund raising and other events to meet anticipated and unknown needs within the church. A February bake sale fundraiser has been set for the 11th and will benefit Code Blue. In April look forward to getting a head start on ACP's annual Christmas change jars as well as making sure we have your military or college student children's addresses so that they will be on our mailing list to receive encouraging cards and communication from the Deacons. We'll revisit some of these as they get closer and add others as they approach or ar...

  Winter weather arrived in January bringing some storms with gusty winds which led to yard cleanup of branches and sticks. Time was also spent with an insurance inspector and reviewing the terms of our policy.   Some minor maintenance and repair jobs were also completed.           At our January meeting, we welcomed Scott Lufkin back as a Trustee. He brings a variety of skills, talents and experiences to our board. We look forward to serving with him.           As always, if you see a need or concern, please contact a Trustee.                                                    In His Service, Mary Ellen Bain & Carl Johnson for the...

 During December, mostly routine jobs were completed by our Trustees, such as replacing lights, touching up paint and prepping for winter. Fortunately, we were blessed by a mild month, so we did not encounter any heating issues. However, in order to keep our heating expenses at a minimum, it is important to keep the office, nursery and stairwell doors closed for heating efficiency. Your help with this is greatly appreciated. As the new year begins, we need to say goodbye to Wilson Chapman as he completes his second term on the board. He has been a willing and dedicated worker with a heart for service, and was always ready to help where needed, whether it was replacing lights, sealing the foyer floor, getting the septic pumped, removing bird droppings from the attic and many other jobs. Thank you so much, Wilson! We appreciate all you have accomplished, and have enjoyed working with you! As always, if you have a concern or see a need, please contact a Trustee. In His Service, Mary E...

                       “There’s no place like home.”                “ Home is where the heart is.”           All of us have heard these words. Perhaps we have even said them. We love where we live. We love the people who fill a building with warmth and memories and transform it into a home. We love the fields where we pour out our sweat and blood. But sometimes these words about home don ’t sit right with us. A place we love can become haunted by a faded memory and a past forgotten. The people who filled our homes with laughter are gone. The job we loved and the co-workers we spent so much time with are lost to us. All of a sudden, we may not feel at home in this world.           When I was growing up, we used to sing, “This world is n...

            Greetings to all our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. As we begin a new year, let's bring our hearts and minds closer to Jesus. Be on the lookout for a February super bowl bake sale. All donations go to the Open Door and Code Blue mission. Sheryl and I and many other volunteers from our church have volunteered serving meals there with great satisfaction in serving others. If anyone is interested in volunteering, please contact Lisa White or Kelsey Tuttle. Thanks to all the volunteers who took part in Argyle Country Christmas. Cookie painting, caroling, hot cocoa and fellowship with the community. Despite the rain we had a pretty good turnout. Again, thanks to all. As Deacons we are asked to do a three-year term of service, once approved by Session and voted in by church members. Judy Liddle, Bonnie Wells and I have completed a six-year term. I am blessed to have served with all of the Deacons as well as our co...