Pathfinder

  Have you ever had a dream that was laden with anxiety? I recently had a dream that a service which I was responsible for was a disaster. Everything was going wrong. It was a disaster. And it felt so real. I woke up with relief. None of what I had just dreamed had happened. But my mind was working on my worries while I slept. Maybe you have had similar dreams? An interview where you show up unprepared. A surprise test you didn’t know was happening. Sometimes these dreams are windows into our minds and hearts. They are revealing to us our anxieties. I was recently reminded of two quotes that I would like to think about together in light of this: “If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate” Jim Berg “Worry is praying to yourself.” Andrew Wilson           In his book, A Heart Aflame for God, Matthew Bingham discusses our branch of the Christian tradition, the reformed branch, and the tools central to growing in Christlikeness...

  Session met on May 21 and spent meaningful time in prayer, lifting up the needs of our congregation and community. Our discipleship discussion centered on emotionally healthy discipleship—encouraging greater vulnerability, listening well, and prayer that points people toward Christ. Several areas of church life were discussed, including preparation for a New Member Class on June 6 and plans to receive new members in June. Elders also began discussing how to better support ministry areas through clearer points of contact and shared responsibility. In missions, Session approved sending $2,200 to support a church plant in Burlington, Vermont, and will continue discussion next month on additional support for Young Lives volunteers. Looking ahead, we noted upcoming events including VBS the week of July 20 and the next communion service on June 7. We are grateful for God’s continued work in our church and look forward to how He will guide us in the weeks ahead. Ray Jenks fo...

  The Trustees successfully purchased and installed a new stove Kitchen stove. The Kucht Professional grade stove is 48-in wide, has 8 burners with two ovens one 4.2-cu ft and one 2.5-cu ft . There is a removeable grill plate that can cover two burners. We put a thermometer in the oven so you can verify the temperature. The old stove was donated to the Argyle Fire Department who helped us remove the old one and install the new one. Directions to the new stove are on the Kitchen counter or you can search the model number Kucht CNG481. During a trial run we noted an approx. 15 minute pre-heat with favorable cooking results. We had a few pop-up projects. Jim replaced a cellar window at the Manse. Joe responded to an upset with water from a Dehumidifier. During the last storm we had to pick up from the damage it left behind. The repair of the AC unit in the office area was completed in April but was put to the test in June during a hot spell and it appears to be operating fine. ...

  Winston Churchill once said , “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” I see the “making a life” portion of that quote as actually referring to two distinct lives. Obviously, the attribute of generosity is a positive reflection of the type of people we are as individuals, and as such contributes to the spiritual enrichment of our own lives.   However, sometimes the life that is “made” is that of the recipient of the spontaneous generosity. It is this particular aspect that is the standout in the Deacons' highly successful Hawaiian Shirt fundraiser on June 21. The multicolored, island shirt motif added a festive atmosphere to the annual APC strawberry shortcake social in honor of our amazing music leaders. The result was the raising of exactly $1,000 that will go to the transportation of Young Life Campers to and from camp in Lake Placid. Which brings me to that second “made” life. Each of you who donated to reach that amazing total have made...