I am proud to be a 14th Generation American.  My first ancestor to arrive in this land was Raleigh Crowshaw, who came on the second ship from England to Jamestown. His wife, Temperence Flowerdew joined him later.  Another ancestor, John West, Jr., son of Governor John West and Anne Knoylles, was the first child of European descent born in Jamestown.  I also can trace my pedigree back to William Brewster, who came to Plymouth on the Mayflower.  It is a rich heritage.

But it pales compared to my Christian heritage.  I have found 10 saints in my family tree: Gondolfus of Aquitaine (545-607), Itta de Nivelles (581-653), Arnuf II of Metz (582-640) Doda Clothilde (584-639), Clodulphe (596-690), Begga Landen (615-693), Lievin Leutwinus (665-713), Irmina (d. 708), St. Margaret (1045-1093), and Saint David Mac Mail (1083-1153).  I have to admit, my favorite is Saint Arnuf II, the Patron Saint of Brewers!  I must note, however, that with over 10,000 known members in my family tree, it is rather disappointing that only 10 of them are saints.  I'm going to have to work on that!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July, and I look forward to our outing to the Trenton Thunder game on July 20, when our choir will sing "God Bless America" and Chris Neuman will perform the National Anthem.  Nevertheless, I hope none of us put our country before our God.  Our temporal life is spent on earth that is politically divided into countries, but our eternal life is spent in heaven, where all that separates us is gone and we are united in Christ.  I love my country.  I love my God more.

I would like to leave you with the lyrics of a song, God of All Nations, by the Newsboys that expresses my faith in a God who transcends all borders:

God of all nations, Lord of creation,

It's in the bonds of love we meet.

We come together at Your feet.

Equal in Your sight, made one by Your might,

You've called us to restore Your lands

And place them back within Your hands.

God of all nations, Lord of creation

Your purpose is our hope, our bread,

All You've planned and all You've said.

Lord of the heavens, Lord of the ages

The church You build shall never fail.

No gate or border will prevail.

Vacation Bible School takes place this SATURDAY, JUNE 29, FROM 10 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M. Even if you have not yet registered your children, bring them!  Bring their friends as well.  We will have a blast Surfin' Through the Scriptures, with music, crafts, discovery, snacks and games.  We will learn BE-ATTITUDES that will enrich our lives.  Call the church office (585-5770) to register. Thanks to Megan Gadsby, Terry Wagner, Noah Pinto, Peggy Ayres, and Marilyn Machmer for making VBS possible!

 

For healing: Carolyn LaCrosse's daughter Briana (pain and concern about test results); Jean Setzer, Rhea Mucha's Aunt Reba Smith (very ill); Chuck Tipton; and Bob Efaw (surgery for cancer); Doris Thorn (home from the hospital with pneumonia); Susan Anthony (surgery); Sam Midilli; Nancy Hall (cancer); Spike English; Mary Rittenhouse (broken bone in neck); Jim and Richard; Mr. Kirkland; Marilyn Stebbins (open heart surgery on 6/20); Margaret Dean (health issues); Jean & Rick Pinto's brother-in-law Paul Danco (esophageal cancer); Sue Lanning (surgery on 6/20); Susan Anthony (surgery pending); Ken DePew (test results); Dan Rose (surgery pending for neck discs); Glenn (TEE - heart on 6/18); Ann (recovering from heart transplant); Cyndy (breast cancer); Tina (broken collar bone); Heidi (auto-immune disorder); Lyn (eye issues); Jenn (fibromyalgia); Emma; and Amy (awaiting brain MRI results).

nephew's foundation.

Traveling mercies for David and Nicole.

 

 

   1    Gracie Roberts

   4    Gloria Hanewald, Carol Heberling, Rita Peterson, Justin Scharnitz

   5    Steven Bernhard, Paul McHugh, Holly Rowand 10    Bob Mathieson

 11    Scott Cass

 12    Madison Leigh Cruser, Seth Miller, Alline Scharnitz

 13    Gail Fouse, Barbara Kavalek

 14    David Machin, Steven Wyrwas

 15    Megan Gadsby, Don LaCrosse, John Milne, Gene Rittman

 16    Stacey Regen

 17    Jacob Yost

 22    Brianna Dickson

 24    Karin Casole

 26    Marietta Burnett, Ellie Rittman

 27    William Guld

 28    Michelle Gravatt,  Michael McHugh, Joseph Scharnitz  

 29    Richard Gomez, Tyler Gravatt

 30    Patricia Anthony, Vanessa Rudziewicz

 31    Doris Worob

 

The Outreach Ministry Team selected the Presbytery of Monmouth to be our Mission Spotlight for the month of July.  All mission moneys received during the month will go to support the ministry of Monmouth Presbytery.

In particular, we have decided to "adopt" the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church.  Point Pleasant is one of many churches along the shore whose members were hit hard by the impact of Hurricane Sandy.  While the church itself only suffered minor damage, many of the congregation lost their homes and livelihoods.  As a result, Point Pleasant has been unable to remit to Presbytery their per capita assessment, even though they are firm believers in and faithful supporters of the Presbytery.

Each $35 gift to mission this month will pay the per capita for one member of the Point Pleasant Church.  We are not the only inland church who is making a pledge to help their sister churches in need.  The Allentown Presbyterian Church adopted Tuckerton and raised the majority of their per capita assessment.

Why is this important?  Because these churches are relying heavily on the help of the Presbytery and the denomination to help them get back on their feet, and they have no way of paying for the service.  Our connectional church is like a body, and when one part of the body suffers, the whole suffers.  On the other hand, when one part of the body helps to bring healing to another part, the whole body gets stronger.  Despite its own financial crisis, the Point Pleasant Church is hosting dozens of volunteer Sandy relief workers, and could not do so without the support of her sister Presbyterian churches like us.

I hope you will consider giving a special gift to Mission this month.  The impact from Hurricane Sandy will be with us for many years, but its effects do not have to be all negative.  Together we can be more committed to serving one another and spreading the love of Christ in our actions as well as our words.

 

 

God Be With You,