This quote by Julia Kelersberger appeared in the May 1983 Presbyterian Journal, “Do not pray for more of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and is not in pieces. Every child of God has all of him, but does He have all of us?” When I first read this quote, it made me think about how often, in mu opinion, we lose sight of the Holy Spirit. We know about and can easily profess the wonders our omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient God. We, as Christians, understand that God manifests Himself to us in flesh in the body of Jesus Christ; Emmanuel: God with us. But fewer of us know what to do or think about this third part of our Triune God known as the Holy Spirit.

For most of my life, I accepted the Holy Spirit academically, but put little of my faith in His existence in my life. Part of that, perhaps, is that I live in a tangible society; a society that wants to know exactly how something works and to be able to explain things. But as I have grown older and have released some of the prescribed blinders that society has placed around my eyes, I have recognized the Holy Spirit at work in my life, as well as in others and in situations that cannot be shown or proven to the skeptical masses.

The Holy Spirit, in my opinion, will, can, and shall invade every heart that is open to receive Him. It is the Holy Spirit that can change lives and equip us with the courage to carry us through the valleys of life. It is the Holy Spirit that will give us comfort in times of distress. It is the Holy Spirit that, when we let Him, will guide us and direct us when the correct path is unseen.

One of my friends said the Holy Spirit is like a warm cloak. The warmth penetrates us. But how often do we shut out the Holy Spirit from warming us by cloaking ourselves in layer upon layer of doctrine, ecclesiastical law, rationalism and societal norms. All we have to do to receive warmth is strip ourselves of these heavy garments and let the rays of the Holy Spirit warm us, equip us, and encourage us. The Holy Spirit is not some precious gift that only certain children of God can obtain, but is given freely and willingly to all who recognize Him and accept Him. It is the Holy Spirit that empowers the world, the church, the individual, and the situation. I like what Richard Halverson said about the Holy Spirit, in the Pentecostal Evangel magazine: “If a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, his witness will not be optional or mandatory - it will be inevitable!” May this day and every day find each of us accepting the Holy Spirit in our lives as inevitable, and not just an option.

Thoughts along the Way By Glen Miller

 

Transfiguration of the Lord
Exod. 24:12-18; Ps. 2 or Ps. 99: 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matt: 17:1-9

1st Sunday in Lent
Gen. 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Ps. 32; Rom.5:12-19; Matt. 4:1-11

2nd Sunday in Lent
Gen. 12:1-4a; Ps. 121; Rom. 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17

3rd Sunday in Lent
Exod. 17:1-7; Ps. 95; Rom. 5:1-11; John 4:5-42

February 3
Woodlands, Hot Springs
Holiday Island church

February 10
Second, Little rock
First, Yellville

February 17
Walnut Grove, Farmington
First, Mena

February 24
First United, Fayetteville
W. F. Church, West fork

 

Why Ash Wednesday?

Traditionally, the Christian church has observed the seven weeks before Easter as a time of penitence and spiritual self-examination.

Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, derives its name from the ancient practice of marking the foreheads of worshipers with ashes from the unused palm branches of the previous year. Ashes historically have had a dual significance.

First, they are Old Testament symbols of sadness and humility. Job, in the midst of all his troubles, cried out to God from the ash heap.

The second symbolic meaning of ashes is as a reminder of our mortality. Each of us faces the inevitability of physical death. Our bodies and material possessions eventually will turn to dust and ashes. This is a reminder that we dare not trust in things that crumble. But Lent does not leave us on the ash heap. It begins with Ash Wednesday, but ends with Easter. And Easter proclaims that, through Christ, God resurrects us from our dust and ashes, makes us new creatures and brings life out of death!

 

The Presbyterian Women will again be sending Valentine boxes to our college students. We want these young people to know they are thought of and cared about, even though they far away. We have 6 students this year. If you would like to bring snacks or help with money for postage, both would be greatly appreciated! Please have our goodies to the church by Tues. Feb. 5th or your money to Sita by that date. We will have lunch on the 5th and then pack boxes, so come join us.

Rose Ann Scheiderer

On January 9th the MOC met and really enjoyed the hot, spicy chili that the cooks (Preston Hicky, Mike Easley, Frank Schwartz, and Larry Ross) prepared for us. We then enjoyed each others fellowship and conversation for a while and dismissed in time for everyone to get home and watch the basketball games.

Our next meeting will be our world famous (in Forrest City) Country Breakfast Supper.
The crew in charge will be Morgan Collins, Curt Patton, Johnny Alderson, and Brian Long. They’ve been doing this long enough to really know what they’re doing now and its always a wonderful time and meal.

We hope to see everyone on Wednesday, February 6th and 6:00 pm in Pettus Hall.

John Burks

 

Sunday, 3rd
Barry Preaching

Tuesday, 5th
WOC Lunch - Valentine Boxes

Wednesday, 6th - Ash Wednesday
5:30 PM - C.E.
6:00 PM MOC
7:00 PM Choir

Sunday, 10th
12:30 PM Congregational Care Meeting
7:00 PM DBS
Barry Preaching

Tuesday, 12th
7:00 PM WOC Meeting

Wednesday, 13th
6:00 PM Worship Com.
7:00 PM Choir

Sunday, 17th
Mike Easley Preaching

Monday, 18th
President's Day Holiday - Office Closed

Wednesday, 20th
7:00 PM Choir

Sunday, 24th
Pot Luck
Barry Preaching
7:00 PM DBS

Wednesday, 27th
7:00 Choir

 

3 - Mary Hoshall Hodges
6 - Berta Ann Elphingstone
8 - Kevin Lewey
9 - Cara Patterson
10 - Sarah Hudson
12 - Dodie Danehower
14 - Frank Schwartz
17 - Chris Hicky
19 - Harrison Hargraves
20 - Laura Houseal
21 - Gates White & Raiford Whittenton
22 - Brent DeVazier
25 - Chad Powell & Charlie Boyce
28 - W. Clayborn Fletcher, Jr.

9 - John & Lynn Burks
10 - John IV & Jessica Alderson

The Session of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church met Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. to conduct the business of the Church. The meeting was opened with prayer by Elder Nancy Dunaway.

The first order of business was to elect officers of the Session. The officers are as follows:

Clerk: Elder Nancy Dunaway
Assistant Clerk: Elder Kim Danehower
Treasurer: Elder Rausch Hodges
Trustee from the Class of 2010: Elder Gordon Griffith

The Congregational Care Committee reported that we will have a pot luck luncheon the last Sunday of the month. It was suggested that we collect cans of soup on Super Bowl Sunday. The Worship Committee reported that we will observe One Great Hour of Sharing on March 23rd and Joy Offering on December 13th.

We have had a busy month at GMPC. New officers were installed on January 13th with Dr. Bill Branch officiating. The next weekend Dr. Branch returned to our church to lead the new officers in a training session.

The Pastor Nominating Committee held their first meeting on January 16th. Howard (Flash) Gordon, minister at First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock joined the committee as liaison to the Committee on Ministry. We should be in constant prayer for this committee as they begin their work.

The Worship Committee seems to be very close to calling a minister to lead our church while the PNC is searching for a new pastor. Your prayers are requested as we go through this process.

The 107th meeting of the Presbytery of Arkansas will be at Lyon College in February. Elder John Burks will attend as the commissioner from Graham Memorial. Hopefully we will have a youth attend as a youth commissioner. This will be a very meaningful meeting as we say goodbye to our good friend, Dr. Branch. He will be retiring from his position as General Presbyter. We wish the best for Bill and his lovely wife, Liz.

The next meeting of the session will be February 3rd. We hope to have 100% attendance at that meeting.

In Christ,

Nancy Dunaway

 

Orphan’s Rice

1 Tbls. Butter
3/4 cups pecan halves
1/2 cup slivered almonds,
1/3 cup pine nuts
2 Tbls. veg. oil
1/2 small onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (10 oz.) package yellow rice with saffron
3 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 slices bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup finely chopped cooked ham
1 Tbls. Minced fresh parsley

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and add the pecans, almonds and pine nuts. Sauté for 3 minutes or until the almonds are light brown. Heat the oil in a saucepan over med. Heat and add the onion and garlic. Sauté for 5 min.’s or until the onion is tender. Stir in the rice and sauté for 1 min. Add the broth and cook covered for 18 min.’s, or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat and stir in pecan mixture, bacon, ham, and parsley. Let stand, covered, for 10 min.’s before serving.

Nancy Dunaway tags Rose Ann Scheiderer

We would like to thank Sam Harris for the good job he did as acolyte during the month of January.

Our acolyte for the month of February is Billy Rauscher Hodges.

Ladies of Love

This ministry delivers home made soup to members of the congregation who are ill or unable to come to church. A hot bowl of soup makes us feel warm all over. We hope that receiving a bowl of soup from the kitchens of Graham Memorial will have the same effect.

Each month a team of cooks will meet to prepare soup which will be delivered to members of our congregation.

Chairman: The chairman will decide on the recipe of the month, purchase ingredients and containers, and recruit the cooking team. They will also set the date and time for preparing the soup. The chairman also needs to coordinate with the delivery person so they know when the soup will be ready for delivery.

When the soup is prepared, it will be placed in the refrigerator for the delivery person to pick up.
Delivery person: The delivery person will pick up the soup and deliver it to the intended recipients.
Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board by the church office.

The office will have a list of suggested recipients for soup. This list will change as needs change.

Arkansas Presbyterian Cursillo

April 3-6, 2008 at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center near Little rock. Bill Branch is the Head Spiritual Advisor for Cursillo.

ARPC promises a chance to have a true spiritual infustion or even an awakening of a closer relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Pick up your application forms at the Church.

What did Jesus say about the proper way to pray? Choose the correct answer below

A. Go to a public place and witness by praying where others can hear you.
B. Go to a private place such as your room, shut the door and spend quiet time with God.
C. Diligently prepare ahead of time the words you wish to use in prayer, write them out and then read them to God.

The answer is in Matthew 6:5-6, NRSV.

Click and drag below to see the answer.

B. Go to a private place...

This window was in Memory of:
William S. Graham
September 29, 1852-April 18, 1901

The window was put in three panels and by error showed Jesus knocking at the door of the valley with the wall panel behind him. In 1948, when the Rush and Alderson’s windows were installed, the workmen corrected this error. So, since 1948 Jesus was knocking at the door of a building. The has no handle or latch.

The window was selected in memory of her husband, Mr. William S. Graham. She gave the Graham farm to the church and when it was sold it provided a large part of the cost of the church building. She asked that she be allowed to design the Sanctuary and the Session would design the rest of the church.

Mrs. Graham designed the Sanctuary after a church she had seen in Europe. She chose the window above the balcony in memory of Mr. Graham. The church, in appreciation of her gifts, sent her a monthly check for $75.00 the last years of her life.

Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church
402 Dillard
Forrest City, AR 72335

Phone: 870-633-4424
FAX: 870-633-1114
Email: gmpc@sbcglobal.net