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Pastor's Perspective
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The Pastor's Perspective:
In the past week or so, Mr. Franklin Graham has expounded some pretty toxic statements to counter President Carter's interview in which he stated his belief Jesus would marry a same gender couple. Mr. Graham then launched into a Levitical Law death threat of LGBTQ individuals, and how the law could rain death upon them. First, Mr. Graham, we are no longer under that Levitical Law, period! Jesus' blood satisfied that broken covenant, with the grace of God, period! Ephesians
2:14-16
,
For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.
Second, Mr. Graham, I'll take the word of a ancient Jewish prophet over your hateful banter, any and every time. As pointed out to me by a Jewish professor at seminary, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of the absolute lack of hospitality, not homosexuality, as pointed out by Ezekiel, even while the old blood covenant was still part of our relationship with God. Ezekiel
16:49-50
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This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it.
The prof then continued by pointing out sodomy is not about consensual homosexual relationships, but male on male rape. Bam! What an eye opener from what I had always been told.
As for Paul, what was he addressing in Romans 1? A fairly frequent practice by
Rom
an philosophers, the exchange of knowledge for sex. For Paul, that was a direct result of idolatry, and was not the way Church catechism would take place. As for using the law to proclaim death upon those Paul mentioned in the first chapter, maybe Mr. Graham should read Romans 2 more intently. Paul's writing to the Judeo-Christians who had just returned to Rome.
Rom
ans
2:17-23
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But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
So, where's the hope? That's why Paul lifts up justification by grace through faith in chapter three. It is our only hope, for we all fall short of the law. He reminded us of his struggles in Rom.
7:15-19, 24-25
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I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do... Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So, Mr. Graham, I respectfully disagree with your deadly hateful interpretive hermeneutics. I will enter my understanding of scripture through God's grace known as Jesus Christ. I will seek to be Christ-like.
Peace,
Pastor Tim
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Prayers of the Church
Our sick and homebound
: Tetia Garren, Tracy Hamiter, Louise Meetze, Katie Westbrook, Dot Perry, Julia Prater's niece Marsha, Christine White; Hank & Barbara Prosser & Bobbie Black,
Emmy Reeves; Landon Derrick; Dot Swing; James Dekle; Joyce & Charles Steele (aunt & uncle of Gloria Preslar); Darryl Thompson, Gary Smith (brother of Gloria Preslar); Paul Swing & Carrie Rachel Dean's Hip Replacement Surgery (member and daughter of Julia & Jim Prater)
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August 2 - 4.
If you are planning for your child to attend, please call the church office or email your child's name and age. A light dinner will be served at 5:30pm each night, and VBS will start at 6:15 in the sanctuary. Volunteers and Donations are needed. The theme is "Renew", and the Bible story about the sower and the seeds. Join us.
Guest teacher for adult study during VBS Vacation Bible School has something for everyone -- all ages -- with a special guest teacher during the three sessions. Former pastor of Reformation, Pastor Jim Nichols, will teach the adult class. Here is a description provided by Pastor Nichols who says, " I look forward to being the presenter and discussion leader."
Guided by a book, Christian Faith For Our Time, by retired professor at Southern Seminary, Paul Jersild, the class will focus on issues of "progressive Christianity." Reflect and learn as the group explores: Has your faith-understanding changed in recent times? Are you satisfied? Do you have questions?
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The end of the first six months of the year is always a good place to stop and examine where we stand financially. Exactly half of a year is more meaningful than just the snapshot of one month. It is also the time we are easily distracted into our "summer routine" that may not include being in church as often as other times of the year.
By the end of the summer we will be preparing next year's budget and looking for a fall boost in giving to get us through to the end of this year. Last year we ended with a deficit of -$22,625.00. This year we headed in that same direction.
Council has done a great job of working with the budget to keep expenses down. We have a wonderful (but aging) building that can be expensive to maintain and heat/cool sometimes. Fortunately we have no mortgage.
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We are also in the process of selling the parsonage in order to fund 2017/2018 deficits and to prepare for remedying some deferred building maintenance in the future. This sale is not being made to take the place of increased regular giving and is not a permanent solution to operating deficits. FYI, the amount of increased giving needed to eliminate the deficit is about 13%. This will be a difficult but doable goal.
If you have already made a personal decision to financially support the work here at Reformation, please also look at the way you are giving.
- Does your giving depend on your being at church each Sunday?
- Do you have a deliberate defined giving goal?
- Do you have a clear picture of Reformation's financial needs?
Many of our members give online with a regular recurring amount. Some use their bank's "bill pay" feature. Some receive a monthly packet of envelopes as a reminder. Whatever helps you to be regular in your giving helps us in meeting our monthly expenses.
We here at Reformation must deal with money issues just like you do in your home. Paying bills is just a fact of life. Unfortunately, bills do not go away just because it is summer.
Thank you for your continuing generosity and please consider some of these suggestions.
Sam Ruff, Treasurer
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Offerings needed to cover actual June expenses
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$12,859.00
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Offerings actually received
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$12,752.00
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June Deficit
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- $107.00
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Offerings needed to cover year to date actual expenses
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$99,075.00
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Offerings actually received year to date
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$80,659.00
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Year to Date Deficit
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- $18,416.00
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AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
1, Joseph Cerniglia
3, Sterling Hasinger
5, Frosty (Forrest) Lohr
6, Joanna Zaleski
9, Cynthia Richey
10, Wendell Gulledge
12, Clayton King
13, Chandler Elle Babusiak
13, Laura Hein
17, Mary Patricia - Pat Meetze
27, Patrick P. Miles
29, Carla Ray
30, Lee Amick
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AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES
John Small & Luther (Bobby) Brittian - August13
Kelly Reed-Huff & Anastasia Reed-Huff - August 25
Beth & Scott Bandy- August 29
Marilyn Potts & Jim Potts - August 9
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We need your help. Lighthouse for Life is closer than ever to opening its doors to serve female survivors of human trafficking ages 12 to 21. As a part of our final steps we need to hire a few more staff.
Attached are the three job descriptions for the positions we are looking for. What we are looking for are 2 Weekend Caregivers, 2 Weekend Night Shift Supervisors, 1 Weekday Night Shift Supervisor = 5 positions total.
Would you please pray and ask the Lord who He might bring to your mind that could share these job descriptions with? We know that He knows who our staff will be and where they are. We are just on the adventure of discovering who they are. We really appreciate your help in getting this info out!
For more information please contact [email protected].
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School Supply Drive
This year's school supply drive will be collecting supplies for Lutheran Family Services and Logan Elementary. This list is a combination of requirements for the various grade levels and organizations. Before distribution events/deadlines (which as of July 17 we have not been given a date) RLC volunteers will categorize the supplies. So if you are donating supplies, just go by this list and we will take care of the rest. Items need to be placed in the cardboard box labels "SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE" in the Fellowship Hall by August 12, but the sooner the better.
- Boxes 8-count crayons
- Boxes 16-count crayons
- Boxes 24-count crayons
- Wooden #2 pencils
- Colored pencils
- Glue sticks
- Eraser tops
- Flat erasers
- Round tipped scissors
- Composition notebooks (black and white)
- Pencil boxes (blue)
- Canvas bags
- Dry erase markers
- Black sharpies
- Flash drives
- Gallon Ziploc bags
- Sandwich Ziploc bags
- Tissue boxes
- Boxes of antibacterial wipes
- Bottle liquid hand soap (unscented)
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How Can I Help?
There is much excitement among a few of our members about how Reformation members can reach out to others. All these ideas take time and money. If you are a Thrivent Member you are eligible for two Action Team Grants a year. If you are a Thrivent member please give your name to Gloria Preslar at [email protected], so that we can use this free money.
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Children's Sunday School
For children's Sunday School, since Jill is out for foot surgery, the parents have split up the teaching until Jill returns in September. The children's Sunday school schedule is:
- July 22: Tiffanie Reeves
- July 29: Tiffanie Reeves
- August 5: Ronn Young-Black
- August 12: Amanda and Jesse Inman
- August 19: Pam Wise
- August 26: Pam Wise
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Adult Sunday School
August 5th: Environment Advocacy Training. The Congaree River Keepers will be sharing their story at 9:00 a.m.
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Beach Retreat
Isle of Palms, September 3-9
Get your reservations in now!
Plenty of rooms available at this time. If you decide at the last minute, that's fine as long as there is availability. Cost is $90 per room and $10 per person per day for meals. Kids under 10 are free.
Contact Kathy Bupp at 724-355-4623 or [email protected] with any questions.
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Lutheran Services of the Carolinas Needs
From Gloria Preslar - I have a summary of the Sunday School Lesson that was done on June 29 by Breigh, Circle of Welsome Coordinator, of Lutheran Services of the Carolinas Her office is at RLC. She spoke to us about the process that leads up to welcoming a new family to the United States. LSC depends on volunteers to help these families to set up their apartment, grocery shopping, acquiring necessary materials in preparation for a family's arrival and welcoming them at the airport.
Lutheran Services of the Carolinas have a need for acceptable donations for the refugee families. Furniture: dressers/chest of drawers, couches, recliners, dining tables and chairs, lamps, coffee tables and end tables. they have a great need for freshly washed bath and kitchen towels. They need freshly washed bed sheets (any size) and pillow cases, freshly washed blankets and comforters. Alarm clocks and vacuum cleaners. Cleaning supplies are needed - dish detergents, sponges, multipurpose bathroom cleaners, laundry detergents, paper towels, waste baskets and trash bags, mops and brooms. Kitchen supplies include silverware and utensils, dishes (plates, bowls and cups), pots and pans and mixing/serving bowls. Another big need is toiletries. Toilet paper, shampoos and soaps, tooth brushes and tooth paste and personal hygiene items. Some families come with babies and there is a need for diapers, baby wipes, cribs and mattresses, infant and child car seats. LSC has more than 200 children and young adults who attend public school and an afternoon tutoring program here in Columbia so there is a great need for school supplies - back packs, notebooks, pens/pencils, crayons and colored pencils, paper and binders.
Lutheran Services of the Carolinas has been housed at Reformation for about 9 years. Rarely have they asked our congregation to make contributions. This is a great opportunity for us to be in partnership with the folks at LSC. Won't you look around your house to see if you have items that could be used by the new refugee families that will be arriving soon? If you have or wish to purchase some of the items, please place them on one of the back tables in the fellowship hall. LSC and the new families would certainly appreciate your help.
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Hand Bells
Would you like to join the hand bell choir? Rehearsals will be August 11 and 25 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
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