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February 01, 2008
February Newsletter
Pastor's Pen
"Can anything Be too Difficult for the Lord?"
by Pastor Ron
On Sunday I preached on II Corinthians 4:7-11 where Paul makes this bold assertion: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
Since then, I could hardly stop thinking about a trial Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Hudson encountered in one province which tested the limits of Paul's statement . To offer you an idea of the extremity of their experience I am, in this brief article, offering just a synopsis of the more lengthy account found in his biography,
Taylor, who founded the China Inland Mission in 1860, had the immense vision of placing missionaries in every province in inland China. Up to that time, only a few coastal missionaries existed. In his accounts, despite routine trials, disease, summer heat, and lack of adequate resources, their reception was in general favorable. Since the Gospel had never been presented there, you can imagine the gratitude of the thousands who eagerly embraced Christ.
One exception was in the inland town of Yang-chow where they faced fierce opposition from the powers of evil. It began with local, governmental resistance to the final purchase of a home which would serve as a missionary center. Later the cultured and educated classes conspired to prevent drive out them out. To do so they began distributing hand-bills which "attributed the most revolting and unnatural crimes to foreigners, especially those whose business it was to propagate 'the religion of Jesus'. "
On the following Saturday, Hudson, who had just got up from a sick-bed, received an anonymous letter advising him that on the following day there was to be a riot. Later he learned his house would soon be in a state of siege. Overnight, workers were able to close off many of their entrances even though they knew strong walls weren't the answer. They chose instead to seek shelter "under the shadow of His wings".
News also came not only were they to be attacked, but torched. Yet on that Sunday God himself deterred the rioters sending thunder and threats of rain which, as Hudson wrote, "did more than any army of soldiers for the Chinese shun rain and often postpone even the most urgent of matters because of it.
After a couple days of deluge, tensions seemed to eased. But by week's end, a couple of foreigners came into town, not wearing native clothing as did the Taylor's, and to those looking for a chance to remove all foreigners this was too much of an opportunity to be lost. Soon reports began to be circulated that "twenty four children were missing in all directions, entrapped by the 'foreign devils' ". At the same time the Hudson family had agreed to store in their home some of the goods the new missionaries had brought, including a printing press. It was at this time the appeal of plundering came to mind. All of this on a day were the intense heat seemed only to increase local unrest.
With that, rioters stormed and sacked the Hudson home. During those hours of anguish, the children and women fled the onslaught, room by room until finally they huddled upstairs in the innermost room in total darkness Later, Mr. Taylor wrote this about his wife that when the little children were in danger of massacre at any moment, Maria "was a calm as in her own parlor in London." She went through those terrible hours, more than once saving the life of a fellow-worker by her presence of mind and perfect command of the language.
Seeking escape, one of the missionaries, Mr. Reid, was struck in the eye with a brick-bat while standing ready to catch Mrs. Taylor who was preparing to jump down from the verandah roof over the front of the reception hall. With Mr. Reid, down and injured, Mrs. Taylor had no one to break her fall and badly cut her leg. Mrs. Blatchley, one of their missionary companions, also jumped, only to fall flat on her back on stones. Later she wrote "It is only by God's great loving-kindness that I [did] not break my spine or skull. I [had] only a few wound on my arm."
Once escaped, the Taylor's ran for the civil authorities. Once again they found God protected them. This time not by rain but by the cover of darkness. Taylor later remarked, "But for the protection afforded us by the darkness we should scarcely have reached the [government offices]." However, as they neared those offices they were aghast to see the authorities, instead of going to help end the riot, were locking down their gates for their own protection. Hudson and several others barely made the gate before it closed, with the rioters behind them in close pursuit.
Once inside they ran to the judgment hall crying "Kui-ming, Kui-ming! ["Save life! Save life"], a cry the Chinese Mandarin was bound to attend to at any hour of the day or night. What followed was an agonizing wait of three-quarters of an hour for a hearing "all the time listening to the yells of the mob a mile or more off, destroying, for aught we knew, not only the property, but possibly the lives of those so dear to us."
As far as we're told the conversation that followed with the Prefect consisted of his asking Taylor, with utmost composure "What have you really done with those babies?" At last Taylor, speaking boldly told His Excellency "that the real cause of all the trouble was your own neglect in not taking measures when the matter was small and manageable." No doubt by the secret influence of God's Spirit, the Prefect finally responded favorably to Taylor's suggestion that he quell the thousands of rioters before he sought to make sense of it. With that he abruptly left, to take care of this matter.
Meanwhile the Taylor's stayed in the government offices for two hours of torturous suspense until the Prefect returned with 3,000 soldiers to quell the violence. That done he posted guards at the Hudson gates, seized the plunderers and promised they would be punished.
The Hudson's, being escorted back to their homes on chairs, began to view a scene that defied description. In one place there was a pile of half-burned reeds which had been used to attempt to ignite their home. There was debris of a broken-down wall. Strewn everywhere were the remains of boxes and furniture, scattered papers and letters, broken work boxes, scattered surgical instrument and the smoldering remains of valuable books.
On their way, rumors came to them that everyone in their home had been killed, or had fled, yet in faith the Taylor's refused to believe it. Once home, after a long and agonizing search it was with unspeakable thankfulness they learned that some of the party were hiding in a neighbor's house having found the darkness also favored their escape from the burning premises. Mrs. Reid reported to them that though the kids wanted to sleep next door, "We dared not let them, as at any moment we might have to flee again." It was only then Mrs. Taylor admitted her own strength was rapidly ebbing away from loss of blood. She didn't mentioned it until the danger had past. Others too were bruised and bleeding.
When the soldiers had finally driven the rioters out, the Hudson's ventured back to their own home and rooms (which had not been burned) to rest, being assured a guard was set around the premises. The remainder of the night was calm.
Not for long, though, for early in the morning when the guards retired from their duty-- the plunderer 's returned. This prompted Hudson once again to rush off to the City Offices for seek further protection. This again commenced a season of anxiety similar to the night before. Once more the missionaries were trapped. Finally when the alarm was given that the Mandarin had come, the soldiers dispersed the rioters.
Miss Blatchley, who made it through the ordeal, was later to write to a friend asking him to rejoice with them: "Please join us in praise to God for saving our lives and limbs, and our most valuable property. The rioters sacked every room excepting mine, in which were all our most important papers and the bulk of our money—a considerable sum, three hundred dollars, having reached us only an hour before the breaking into the house."
The scene closes with an official escort being provided as the missionaries left this town which had treated them so badly, without cause. As they were leaving they found time to thanked God for this escort was composed of many of the same people who were recently trying to kill them. In true missionary form they left vowing to return.
Sure, they were are hard pressed on every side, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, but yet they were not crushed, not in despair, not abandoned, not destroyed. Their house, their money, their valuable papers, their children and the lives of all the missionaries were gracious preserved. And by what means? By the peace God stilling the heart, by a horrendous rainstorm, by darkness, by confusing the rioters, by neighbors and by a hostile local government.
Can anything be too difficult for the Lord?
Worship Information
Sunday, February 3 Sermon: “I Must have: the Christian Character Colors”
Matthew 5: 1 – 12
Communion
Sunday, February 10 Sermon: “The Devil made Me Do It”
Genesis 3: 1 – 24 Romans 7: 14 – 8: 2
Sunday, February 17 Sermon: “Becoming Great in the Kingdom”
Matthew 16: 21 – 28
Sunday, February 24 Sermon: Series “Why did Jesus Have to Die”
#1 “Judas”
Matthew 26: 14 – 15
John 12: 1 - 8
Clerk's Corner
At its January 8, 2008 Session meeting the following individuals were installed as officers of the church for the year 2008, after being nominated, seconded, and approved unanimously by voice vote:
Jurgen Honig as Clerk of Session
Carol Gentry as Treasurer
John Miller as Auditor
Elders Grieke Toebes and David McKinnis as Commissioners
Pastor Green’s suggestion that The Reverend Ray Fancher, Interim General Presbyter, Presbytery of Wabash Valley, be invited to preach at Faith Church, was approved by Session by unanimous consent. More information will be published in the Sunday Bulletin at a later date.
A training class for deacons and elders was held as two consecutive sessions at on January 13, 2008.
The Commission on Ministry (COM) of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley has accepted the Church Information Form (CIF) that had been submitted in December. The Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC) is now allowed to receive Personal Information Forms (PIF) from the Church Referral Service (CRS) and from others who may be interested in the open position at Faith Presbyterian Church (FPC). This allows the PNC to initiate the pastoral search.
At the January 20, 2008 Sunday morning service Carol Gentry was ordained and installed as an Elder and Carol Graefnitz was ordained and installed as a Deacon. Also, Elders Jane Stewart and David Stith were installed as members of Session, while Katherine Bowker, Barbara Knox, Donna Lofgren, and Polly Tyler were installed on the Board of Deacons.
The Annual Report to the Congregation for 2007 will shortly become available; copies will be placed at the entranceway to the sanctuary and in the narthex.
Elder Jane Stewart has graciously consented to be the Interim Clerk of Session during my absence in the month of February.
Stephanie Cardwell continues to provide dedicated, cheerful, and efficient service to the Faith Community in her capacity as Administrative Assistant. She completes three years in this capacity on January 15, 2008.
J.M. Honig
Clerk of Session
Thank You-Margaret Rogler has decided not to continue serving the congregation as the person counting the offering each week. On behalf of a grateful church we would like to thank her for her service to all of us and wish her God's blessings.
Dennis Dunn has agreed to count the offering each Sunday.
Carol Gentry, Treasurer
Valentine Cookie Project
Yes, it is that time of year again: Faith Women bake, fill pizza boxes, hand out the sweet stuff to our local students, and sent the rest to wherever the others may be.
There will be a sign up sheet in the Narthex on Sunday, January 27 and February 3. Please sign up if you are willing to bake cookies, and also if you can help stuff the boxes. A GOOD TIP: put 3 or 4 cookies in a small plastic bag. That makes the work of assembly easy and fast.
We will put the boxes together on Saturday, February 9 at 9:00am. Please have your cookies at the church by that time.
Faith Women Fellowship Tuesday Bible Study
Contrary to earlier reports, we are studying the book of Esther. Come join us for prayer, study and fellowship. The bulletin will tell you where we meet.
Attention! Youth Group Bulletin!!
We wish to report both a joy and a concern. The joy: our intrepid leaders, Ross & Melissa Tanner, have just received a call to El Salvador in answer to many prayers. The concern: they will be leaving at the end of February to embark on their new adventure. We ask one and all to be praying for wisdom and guidance as we seek new leadership. Ross & Melissa, the prayers of your new faith family go with you in your new endeavor.
Kids' Club Returns
Kid's Club returns the month of February, beginning Sunday, February 3rd, to more stories, more songs, more crafts, more games, and the music maker skill award. Kid's club will be Sunday afternoons from 4:30 - 6 pm for elementary school aged children. Get revved for the super bowl with some great fun at church.
Pastoral Nominating Committee Update
The Faith Presbyterian Church Pastor Nominating Committee has moved to the search and screen level of the search for a new pastor. The announcement for candidates has been posted on the PC(USA)) web page. Members and friends of Faith Presbyterian can help identify potential candidates. Please recommend names of individuals that you or your family know that might meet our needs. Give the name and contact information to any committee member and the committee will contact the individual to determine their
interest in the position. You do not need to contact the individual and all recommendations will be held in confidence. Please refer names to: email faithchurchpnc@hotmail.com or to Don Gentry, Jan Hem, Steve Varys, Glenn Sparks, Elizabeth Goodrich, Lois Wark or Grieke Toebes
A special thanks should go to Amber and Mickey for the passion that they
show when any emergency arises and for the way that they allow us to get
involved. They provide information and then organize the effort to make
it easy for us. Thank you both!
Worldwide Discipleship Association
My friend Mary McKeever is on the staff with Worldwide Discipleship Association (WDA) at Purdue. She has been on several mission trips to Kenya and knows people there that have been affected terribly by the uprisings and fighting brought on by the recent elections. Many have been displaced from their homes and many people have migrated to the Bungoma Baptist Church, Kenya for shelter. They need money for food, medication, clothing, tents for those displaced. The pastor there is Clapperton Muchanga. More on him and WDA below. To send contributions for the Kenya Relief Fund through WDA - contact Mary McKeever at marywda@hotmail.com or call her at 497-0519. Clapperton Muchanga is the pastor of Bungoma Baptist church. He was educated at the Baptist Bible college in Nairobi but their church doesn't get any Baptist support. WDA has had contact with that church since '94. I was there in 2000 and 2006. Leo Watenya, the pastor in '96-2003 died of a brain tumor. Clapperton got the vote of confidence by the church leadership as his successor. Clapperton, although still under 30, is exemplary in his character, compassionate and humble. I attached the original project vision for what came to be called Bungoma Eleanor McKeever Organization (B.E.M.O.). They have always battled for adequate funds but the unrest and displacement of people and deaths from violence has escalated the numbers of people/children they are caring for. They have the organizational structures in place to take care of children, with accountability, etc. and have a clear goal of giving each child/person an experience of the love of Jesus and an opportunity to know the gospel message. Clapperton is an associate staff with Worldwide Discipleship Association. WDA is an ECFA organization (independently audited for financial accountability). For this humanitarian purpose, NO administrative fee will be taken out. All funds will be sent to Clapperton's account in Bungoma. Hopefully, this will give adequate information for any interested in giving. If you would like to send funds for them, the correct Account code is: KENY100231, Worldwide Discipleship Assoc. , 110 Carnegie Place, Fayetteville GA 30412. NO fees will be subtracted, all will go to their accounts (most to Clapperton) in Kenya. Thank you, Becky Chapman
Mark Your Calendar
Sunday, February 17 - Chili Supper
Sunday, March 2 – Faith Fellowship “Luncheon” for Eight
Sunday, March 23 – Easter Brunch
Solving the Present World Crisis
"Among the different ways of helping in the present world crisis, there is none which will compare in vital importance with that of wielding the force of prayer. More import than the most earnest thinking upon a problem, more important than a personal interview to influence an individual, more important than addressing and swaying an audience--far more important than these and all other forms of activity is the act of coming into vital communion with God. Those who spend enough time in actual communion with God to become really conscious of their absolute dependence on Him, shall change the mere energy of the flesh for the power of God,...
"It is indeed true that he who saves his time from prayer shall lose it. and he who loses his time, for communion with God, shall find it again in added blessings and power and fruitfulness".
John R. Mott
Birthdays
February 2 Stuart Robertson
February 2 Pat Short
February 4 LouAnn Johnston
February 4 Margaret Parker
February 4 Cari Van Tuinen
February 5 Nathasha Landolt
February 6 Erin Sparks
February 8 Amy Clinton
February 9 Kyle Van Horn
February 11 Markus Hess
February 12 Kevin Corbett
February 13 Ben Johnston
February 14 Alexander Corbett
February 14 Kayla Evers
February 16 Nathaniel Corbett
February 19 Polly Tyler
February 22 Thomas Housley
February 24 Emma Parker
February 24 Megan Corbett
February 26 Jo Honig
Anniversaries
February 1 Jim & Jan Milligan
February 27 David & Kris Stith
Community Worship Services
• Sun., Feb. 3 St. Mary’s Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., Feb. 10 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., Feb. 10 Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., Feb. 17 No Davis Manor
• Sun., Feb. 24 Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm
The Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministry
Schedule Information
For those wishing to visit with Pastor Green his office hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 10:15am – 2:30 pm (lunch 12:30pm – 1:00pm), Wednesday 8:30am – 1:00pm, and Friday 10:15am – 1:00pm or by appointment.
Worship With Us
We invite you to join in the worship of God each Sunday morning at 9:30am and each Wednesday morning at 7:00am. We also invite you to participate in the prayers, fellowship, work and activities of this church.
For more information about this opportunity to be involved at Faith Presbyterian Church, please call or talk to any member of Session, Pastor Green or call the church office at 743-3683.
Posted by faithpres at February 1, 2008 12:32 PM