View From the Manse 2.0

 

As many of you know, we just wrapped up our VBS 2024 (Breaker Rock Beach Program). I want to share with you a story I heard that deeply moved me.

          In one of our classes the teacher was talking with the children about the story of the rich young ruler who wanted to go to heaven but was told he would have to give away all his riches. The teacher asked would it be hard to give away the things that you love; video games, Legos, stuffed animals, dolls, etc. And one young man responded, “If some random person asked me for my Legos, I would not give them to him. But if Jesus asked me for them- I’d give them to Jesus.” Isn’t that the most wonderful, moving response? I’d give the thing I love the most to Jesus. Oh, for a heart like that young man.

          There are more stories and other gifts on top of this one. The kids brought in a truck full of clothes to donate to those in need. They cheered for each other, made new friends. Every night they were given a nurturing meal by our kitchen staff and, most importantly, they were told over and over of a God who loves them. On the last night we had parents come early to pick up. They saw their children dancing and singing and they listened to the messages that their children had heard throughout the week. We concluded the week by celebrating with popcorn and cookies for everyone. It was absolute chaos. It was absolutely wonderful. If you aren’t able to volunteer next year, at least make it a point to join us for Friday night.

          Turning the page a moment, allow me a minute to describe to you our plans for adult Sunday School this fall. I think this is a very exciting idea, but it will look different than normal. After we are through with our sermon series on the Lord’s prayer at the end of August, I am planning, Lord willing, to begin a series through the book of Proverbs. It is the hope that the Adult Sunday School classes will coincide with this series. We would like to offer two very normal classes; a DVD class and a Bible study.

          But we would also like to offer two different classes each week for 6 or 7 weeks (a total of 12-14 classes). The sermon series is focused on Biblical wisdom of God for daily living. These 12-14 Sunday school classes will focus on the skills acquired from diligence and time by individuals in our congregation. For example: week 1 might be a class on automobile maintenance and a class on baking a favorite family recipe. We hope that these classes will be led by members of our congregation and that all ages will be welcome. If you are in junior high or high school, we want you to participate in these classes.

What do we need to pull this off? We need a 12-14 of you with skills to volunteer to teach a class on 1 topic for 45-55 minutes. Do you know something about investing? Do you want to teach an introduction to mental health? Do you know something about baking that you can share? Do you know something about woodworking or welding or gardening? We would love for you to teach us.

The Bible is full of wisdom. Some of it was imported from other cultures and communities. All truth is God’s truth. We can learn a lot of things by looking up videos on YouTube, but what if we shared our know-how with each other? What if instruction came via relationships?

Bryan Fitzgerald, Pastor (bryan@argylepresbyterian.org)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

VIEW FROM THE MANSE 2.0 - April 2025

  Recently, on a Saturday morning, APC hosted a new members’ class. This class has taken different forms in recent years. It was once offered on 6 consecutive Sundays during the Sunday school hour (and we may go back to doing that in the future). But, more recently, we have been taking a Saturday morning to cover all that material in a single day. It sounds daunting, but we take breaks and conclude with lunch from the Argyle Variety. I enjoy teaching this class immensely and I am usually assisted by a ruling elder (this past time I was assisted by Wes Clark).           The class is structured around the membership questions. There are 5 of them and they can be grouped into 3 categories; what does it mean to be a Christian, how do we live as Christians, and what is the Evangelical Presbyterian denomination of which APC is a part? Here are the membership questions: 1.   Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of G...
Read more

Session Notes - Feb 2025

  The Session met on 12/19. We made adjustments to increase the budget for the Deacons and Women’s Ministry programs in the proposed 2024 budget to more accurately reflect what they are spending. We talked about the impromptu Children’s Christmas Pageant. Everyone seemed to love it. JoyAnn Stimpson is stepping down as the person who prepares the communion table each month. If that is something you’d be interested in helping out with, please let us know. We have a Children’s Ministry Committee that is working on improving our Nursery, Children’s Church and Sunday School programs. As always, more volunteers are needed in these important areas. Bob Black, Deb Randles and Deb Bailey are finishing their time on Session. We are all grateful for their years of faithful service. Thank you!!! As always, if you have any comments or concerns, please let a Session member know. For the Session – Karen Lohret
Read more

VIEW FROM THE MANSE 2.0 - AUGUST 2025

            As I write this month’s entry, we are part way through VBS. The energy of VBS is such a wonderful thing to be a part of. It is a delight to see volunteers from high school and senior saints working together to share the story of Jesus with our young people. Our opening and closing sessions are being led by Brian Wells Jr. He is doing a tremendous job getting us started on the right foot. His skits with his dad are playful and goofy and the kids love it. All the hours that were given to decorating the church have really made it a special place to be. Our kitchen team is crafting simple, delicious meals and no one leaves McLean Hall hungry.           It is hard to believe we are entering August already. The summer has, once again, flown by. In the month of August, we are going to be looking at “On The Incarnation” together on Thursday nights at 7pm. You can join us via livestream...
Read more