[Members] FW: Friday Messenger

Fri Jul 13 10:25:54 PDT 2007

>From Paul, our Executive Presbyter.

From: Paul Reiter [mailto:preiter at glpby.org] 
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 10:24 AM
To: Paul T Reiter
Subject: Friday Messenger

Dear Colleagues in Ministry:

I am writing you today from Tulsa, OK where I have just finished doing flood
relief for PDA (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance) as part of the National
Response Team. I came to KS last Monday and have visited the communities of
Coffeyville, Independence, Erie, Ft. Scott, Iola, Chanute, Osawatomie and
Miami, OK and helped local church pastors and church leaders get in touch
with the resources that are available from the Presbyterian Church.  Folk
have been grateful for the church, and have especially expressed
appreciation for the funds made available for emergency grants made possible
by the One Great Hour of Sharing. Nearly 1,500 families have been impacted
by the flooding and rain is forecast into tomorrow. There have been
forgotten communities and places that have not made the news like
Coffeyville where 70,000 gallons of unrefined oil have permeated homes and
businesses. Please continue to pray for these folk as they rebuild their
lives.  Many of these communities will benefit from the giving of
Presbyterians to PDA over the long term, as agencies like the Red Cross,
Salvation Army, and FEMA shut down their efforts over the next several
months.  Tell the story this week in your church about the good that is
being done through the Presbyterian Church and the ministry of PDA.

Last Sunday I preached at First Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, where Rev.
Kelly Allen had just left to go and begin a year of studies in England.  It
is my practice to try and be in the pulpit on the first Sunday after a
pastor leaves.  The first Sunday in July I did the same thing, preaching at
Grace Church in Crystal City.  I then joined in the celebration of the
Potosi Presbyterian Church’s celebration of its 175th anniversary. This week
I will be preaching at United Presbyterian Church in Granite City, IL. That
afternoon I will be attending the recognition of the ministry of Rev. Pam
Laing, and then will head to Cuba, MO to moderate the Session meeting at
Trinity Chapel.  It promises to be another full weekend of diverse ministry!
Next week I will be in the office with the exception of Wednesday when I
will be in Kansas City for the meeting of the Executive Forum where I will
meet with my executive colleagues and our synod executive. The Church
Development Committee will also be meeting in St. Louis on Thursday and
Friday morning.

This next week Susan Niesen and Amy Fowler will be away on vacation, and our
Stated Clerk Terry Epling will return from vacation next Monday.

As you continue through the days of summer remember to keep the many mission
trips in your prayers that are going on in the life of the presbytery.
Also, remember Youth Triennium which will be held in Indiana from July
17-20.  Nearly 35 young people are attending from our presbytery along with
several leaders and it will be a wonderful time of spiritual renewal and
fellowship for our young people.

Please remember there is still time to register for the Evangelism
Conference and Elder Conference. Learn more on our web page at www.glpby.org
<http://www.glpby.org/> .

PRAYER JOYS and CONCERNS:

Nathan Vits, son of Rev. Christi Vits, continues to need our prayer support.
NAte has had a good week and brings much joy to his family. Drop them a note
and let them know you are thinking of them and keeping them in your prayers.
A special fund to assist with Nate’s health cost has been set up at the
presbytery.

Yolanda Merle, Rev. Lori Shafer’s stepmother, who has been battling cancer
for 5 years and has been bed ridden for 2 ½ years. She is in pain and needs
our prayers for relief of her suffering. 

Doris Michel is resting at home waiting for a leg injury to heal so that she
can hopefully attend a family reunion in Iowa on July 28.  Please keep her
in your prayers.

Rev. Ann Pitman’s brother John and mother Lorraine continue to need our
prayers.

Lois Keating, mother of Rev. Chris Keating has had several setbacks and is
in need of our prayers as well.

Please remember Rev. Wil Mason’s mother in your prayers.

Elder Barbara Stupp, of Glendale is doing well following surgery. Please
remember Barb and Ed in your prayers.

Glen Houston, Elder from New Horizons who continues to cope with ALS.

Please let me know of other prayer concerns you might like to share.

CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPENINGS

+          Installation of Rev. Alex Hendrickson as Associate Pastor at
First United in Belleville, IL will be held at 3:00 p.m, Sunday, July 15.

+          Celebration of 10th Anniversary of Ordination will be held for
Rev. Pam Laing at United Presbyterian Church in Wood River, IL from 4:00
p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 15.

+          Youth Triennium will be held from July 17-20 in Perdue, Indiana.
Please remember all of the young people and their leaders who will be
gathering from across the United States.

+          1st annual Metro St. Louis CROP Walk - October 14th at Forrest
Park.  Registration begins at 1:00pm and the walk begins at 2:00p.m..
Congregations interested in participating need to contact Karen
Bradshaw-Miller at hunger at glpby.org or 314-772-2395 ext. 104.  We are
planning for a strong Presbyterian representation and every metro area
congregation is invited to participate!!!

+          PARTNERSHIP FOR JUST TRADE!  There is still time for all
Giddings-Lovejoy congregations to order their PJT Partnership Box for their
fall/Christmas sales and events!  Each congregation has been mailed an order
form and forms are due by June 10th!  Help support our Peruvian artisans.
Any questions please contact Carrie Hawthorne at
mailto:partnersforjusttrade at yahoo.com or call 314-773-7358.

+          THE SHELTERING SPACE AT THE GOOD EARTH VILLAGE IN HOUMA,
LOUISIANA is COMPLETE.

Watch for information on Dedication Services which will be held in Houma, LA
in August and local Dedication Services which will be held in St. Louis.

+ + + +

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, the co-pastor of the Limestone Presbyterian Church
in Wilmington, Delaware  and author of Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today’s
Worship (Geneva Press, 2000) has made several of her hymns available for
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to share with congregations in their
response for various disasters including Hurricane Katrina, Asia tsunami,
and September 11.  Her hymns can be found on the PDA web site
http://www.pcusa.org/pda/tools/resources-worshipresources.htm.

Gillette has just written a new hymn "Who is My Neighbor?"  This hymn is
inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan which is the Gospel lesson for
this Sunday, July 15, 2007.  

Who Is My Neighbor?

LOBE DEN HERREN 14.14.4.7.8

("Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty" PH #482)

“Who is my neighbor?” A lawyer asked Jesus, to test him.

So Jesus told him a story to answer his question:

Lonely the way

Lonely the traveler one day

Robbers attacked him and left him.

First down the road came a priest who just chose to ignore him.

Next came a Levite who wouldn’t do anything for him.

Then one despised,

Hated in everyone’s eyes,

Knelt down to heal and restore him.

Tending the wounds of the man, the Samaritan labored.

He was the one with compassion, the one in God’s favor.

Not by a creed

But by responding to need,

He proved to be the good neighbor.

Luke 10:25-37

Tune: Straisund Ernewerten Gesangbuch, 1665. Harm. The Chorale Book for
England, 1863

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you engage in your
ministry!

Summer blessings, 

Paul

Paul T. Reiter, D. Min

Executive Presbyter

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

2236 Tower Grove Avenue

St, Louis, MO  63110

(314) 772-2395 x 110

"Serving the churches of the Greater St. Louis area, Southeast Missouri, and
West Central Illinois

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