~ by the Pastor and guest writers ~
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Filling The Void (May 25, 2005) (Michael A. Pullen, Chairman for the Ministry of Worship) If you felt like me, this past Monday morning arrived way too soon. There was a big hole in my heart to go along with the big void in my life. It’s still hard to swallow that Jesse and Dottie Thornton have left us for another state, another city, and eventually another church. But swallow I must – as must all of us – and we simply have to move on now. And we are. I can’t help but think of the disciples right after Jesus ascended to heaven. No, I’m not comparing Jesse to Jesus, and Jesse would be all over me like bees on a honey-lovin’ bear if I did. But what must the disciples have been pondering after being left alone for the first time in three years? However, if they really were concerned, they weren’t concerned for very long. They were filled with the Holy Spirit shortly after The Ascension and whatever worries or tribulations they were experiencing, the Spirit quickly dispelled those fears. Confidence burned through each of them. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2: 1-4). Now, call it pure coincidence or call it God’s wonderful timing, but isn’t it ironic that on Jesse’s last day, we celebrated the Day of Pentecost as well? Was God trying to tell us something? I believe He was. Our church is smack-dab in the midst of a transitional state right now and we need to have faith in our session and courage in our leaders that they will direct us to the new beginning we are destined for. Let me assure you, the Holy Spirit is at work as you read this letter. Actually, the breath of God has been blowing through the hallways of our church for the past few weeks now. The search for an interim minister is nearing completion as Wileen King, Walter Passmore and myself have narrowed our decision down to two excellent choices. If all goes well in the next couple of weeks, including a couple of one-on-one meetings, visitations and finally the approval of the session, we hope to have an interim in place by mid-July. Then, the work of finding a permanent minister can begin. Our church is in great hands. It sits on a strong foundation. A foundation that despite being rocked in the past couple of years refuses to crack. And it couldn’t be more blessed with a congregation that is pulling together to fill the huge void left by Jesse’s departure. Already, a host of members are lining up to fill the pulpit for the next few weeks while we hunt for an interim. For instance, the youth of the church will lead us in worship this Sunday (May 22) while Jan Seale is preparing a sermon for the following week (May 29). In June, Reverend Dwight West will share his wisdom and outlandish humor, plus lead us in communion, on the 5th. I plan to preach on the 12th as well as the 26th and Gwyn Kozma will grace us in the pulpit with a Father’s Day message on the Sunday in between (19th). So you see, this church couldn’t be more blessed. The Spirit is alive and burning fiercely. Along with your many prayers and words of support, we are going to turn this corner with the greatest of ease. That’s not to say there won’t be a few bumps along the way. But with God’s guidance and your patience, this church will hardly feel any of them. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
 Confirmation Is the Time When… (May 2, 2005) On this Monday morning “confirmation” has been on my mind. As I jogged north on Bicentennial it met me when I crossed Hackberry and reminded me that on May 1 we will receive four wonderful young people into active membership of the Presbyterian Church (USA). I thought I left “confirmation” on that street corner but on Monday afternoon it came in the front door with our daily mail in the form of an article in the Summer 2005 issue of the Ideas magazine for church leaders. Staring at me was the article, “Confirmation is the time when youth…” Was this not timely? Confirmation is one of the most important times in the life of our youth. The article I read pointed out several things they need to consider and I want to share some of those. First, this is a time when youth say “yes” to Jesus and the Christian life. As you know, we live in a diverse culture and there are multiple choices for the spiritual life. What it means to be a Christian is a significant challenge for our youth. Confirmation is an excellent forum for our youth to learn what is unique about being Presbyterian and how Christianity is similar to and different from other religions. Confirmation is the time when youth discover more fully the meaning of their baptism. When we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism in the Presbyterian Church members make promises on behalf of those being baptized. We promise to guide and nurture by word and deed as well as encourage the candidates to know and follow Christ and to be faithful members of Christ’s church. When youth enter into the confirmation process it is the time when they claim the promises that were made on their behalf in baptism. “Without that public profession of faith, baptism is like a gift that remains unopened” (Ideas, Summer 2005). Baptism becomes a real birth into new life when the confirmands declare by their words and their action a life of faith in Jesus Christ. And confirmation is the time when our congregation can recognize youth as full members of the church. One of the things that attracted me to this church was its ministry to our youth and electing a youth elder to serve on session. I am proud to be a part of a church that demonstrates it’s confidence in the contribution of young people to the life of the church and encourages young people to understand that their participation is crucial to the health of the faith community. Confirmation is an intentional effort by the church to fulfill its promise to all the children it has baptized to nurture them into full, personal appropriation of the faith. “Confirmation” is sitting here this afternoon in my office. It has a request. Join us for worship on May 1 when we will celebrate this important step to active membership for Sarah, Robert, Emily, and Garret. Confirmation is the time when…YOU need to be here!
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