I remember a particular meeting during Bethel Bible Teacher’s Training course that the class viewed a panel discussion with Rev. Tom Wright, Westminster Abbey Canon Theologian, on the book of Romans. Thinking that I had a pretty good overall concept of this popular letter, most of what he shared came as no surprise to me. But something that he said struck me like a Mack truck up side the head when he said, “Salvation is not only about going to heaven when you die, but living a life of salvation every day.”

From the discussion that followed, I came to realize three distinct views of salvation in modern Christology.

1. I AM saved.
2. I am BEING saved.
3. I Will be saved.

While many doctrines and theologies center merely on one of these components, I believe it is more in line with the Gospel and Jesus’ teachings to think of salvation as a constant application of ALL these views.

To believe that I AM saved is to believe that Christ overcame sin and death and that when I surrendered my life to His sovereignty, I became a new creation.

To believe that I am BEING saved is to believe that in this process we call life, God is constantly rescuing me, forgiving me, having mercy upon me, and that by acknowledging such a gift, there is a sense of joy and peace that penetrates all that I do.

To believe that I WILL be saved is to believe that when my time on earth is over, I will be saved from eternal damnation and behold the throne of heaven in all its glory, becoming reunited with all those saints who have preceded me.

Therefore, what concept of salvation do I believe in? Well, quite simply, all of the above

Thoughts along the way by Glen Miller

4th Sunday in Lent
1 Sam. 16:1-13; Ps. 23; Eph. 5:8-14
John 9:1-41

5th Sunday in Lent
Ezek. 37:1-14; Ps. 130;Rom. 8:6-11
John 11:1-45

Passion/Palm Sunday
Matt. 21:1-11; PS.118 1-2, 19-29;Isa. 50:4-9a; Ps. 31:9-16;
Phil. 2:5-11;Matt. 26:14—27:66 or Matt. 72:11-54

Easter/Resurrection of the Lord
Acts 10:34-43 or Jer. 31:1-6; Ps. 118:1-2,14-24; Col. 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18 or Matt. 28:1-10; Isa. 25:6-9; Ps. 114; 1 Cor. 5:6b-8; Luke 24:13-49

2nd Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Ps. 16; 1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31

Christ the King
Jer. 23:1-6; Luke 1:68-79; Col. 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43

March 2
First, Harrison
First, North Little Rock

March 9
Mt.Comfort, Fayetteville
First, Dardanelle

March 16
Good Shepherd, Greenwood
P.C. of Bella Vista

March 23
Central, Fort Smith
Korean Min. Fellowship, Fort Smith

March 30
Alpine Church, Amity
Clayburne Ave., W. Helena

 

 

Presbyterian Women are studying the book of Ruth.  Our able leader is Elaine Toney.  This study brings out some new insights.  Come join us!  

The PW Spring Gathering will be on Saturday, April 5 at the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista.  Registrations must be in by March 31, so let Rose Ann know if you would like to go.

Rose Ann Scheiderer

 

On Wednesday, February 6th, the MOC met for their annual breakfast/supper meeting. We all enjoyed a great meal of scrambled eggs, country ham, hot grits and red-eye gravy.

The March meeting will be on Wednesday, March 5th and we already know that we’ll have a big pot of chicken and dumplings, several pans of cornbread and a really good program from Mr. T.C. Outlaw who is the Warden of our Federal Prison here in Forrest City.

We’re hoping he’ll have good news for us on the possibilities of Forrest City securing the final stage of our Federal Correctional Institution Complex. We’ve heard that would bring lots more families, good jobs and good salaries to our area.

We hope to see everyone at Pettus Hall about 6:00 pm on Wednesday the 5th. (And we will be home in time for the game at 7:00 pm.)

See you there, John Burks

 

Sunday , 2nd
Communion at Table
Pot Luck
Session meeting - 1:30 PM

Wednesday, 5th
MOC - 6:00 PM
Choir - 7:00 PM

Friday, 7th
World Day of Prayer

Sunday, 9th
DBS - 7:00 PM
Daylight Savings Time Begins

Wednesday, 12th
Worship Com. - 6:00 PM
Choir - 7:00 PM

Sunday, 16th
Palm Sunday

Wednesday, 19th
Choir - 7:00 PM

Thursday, 20th
Maundy Thursday

Friday, 21st
Good Friday
Office Closed

Sunday, 23rd
Easter Day
DBS - 7:00 PM

Wednesday, 26th
Choir 7:00 PM

 

13– Mr. & Mrs. King Casbeer
14– Mr. & Mrs. Fred McMurry
31– Mr. & Mrs. Troy Holamon

Good news for Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church. The Worship Committee proposed and the Session voted to form a covenant with MWS Tiffany McClung to be our Temporary Pulpit Supply Minister. She will begin serving our church on the first Sunday in March. Tiffany and her husband have both filled our pulpit in the past. We look forward to having Tiffany here.

Our Pastor Nominating Committee is meeting and working to fill out our Church Information Form. The church needs to be in constant prayer for this committee as they search for a minister for our church.

The Backpack Ministry is a joint mission of the Episcopal Church and our church. They currently supply much needed food to 72 children in our school district.

Ladles of Love is in full swing. This ministry targets some of our church members who are not able to come to church very often. A team of cooks prepares soup which is then delivered to the recipients. You can sign up on the bulletin board to be a cook or a delivery person. Everyone wins in this project. There is fellowship while cooking the soup. And the delivery person has the blessing of a brief visit with the recipients of the soup. What can make you feel better on a cold February day than a hot bowl of soup?????

You may have noticed that our aging pipe organ has some issues of wear and tear. Humidity (or lack of it) has been an enemy of the inner workings of our wonderful instrument. The past few Sundays we have not been able to use the organ in our worship services. The session is prayerfully looking at all sides of this issue. The property and grounds committee is working to find out the options for repairing or replacing our organ. Please be in prayer for them.

As we look forward to Spring and the upcoming Easter season, please be in prayer for our church and the new opportunities that will come our way.

Blessings,

Nancy Dunaway aka “Miss Nancy”

Palm branches are mentioned in only one of the four Gospels (see John 12:12-15). So why do we call the first day of Holy Week Palm Sunday? Tradition plays an important part in church history. During Jesus’ time, Rome was the world’s leading power. Whenever the Romans were victorious in battle, citizens traditionally threw palm branches in the returning heroes’ path. This was the accepted custom of reception. So when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, it was appropriate that he receive a hero’s welcome. One week later, he would be victorious over death.

 

There’s a legend that the dogwood was once the size of the oak and other forest trees. It was so strong and firm that it was chosen as the timber for Christ’s cross. This greatly distressed the tree. Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed the tree’s regret and told it: “Because of your sorrow for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood grow large enough to be used as a cross. It shall be slender, bent and twisted. Its blossoms shall form a cross – two long and two short petals. And at the outer edge of each petal will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red. In the center of the flower shall be a crown of thorns. And all who see it will remember ….”

Chicken Taco Soup

1 pd. Chicken breasts, skinned
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 Tblsps. olive oil
1 ( 8 ounce) jar green chili salsa
1 onion, chopped
1 can great northern beans
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can jalapeno pinto beans, undrained
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1/4 tsp. cumin
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 tsp. chili powder
1 (4 ounce) can green chilies, chopped
Corn chips and shredded cheese

Cover chicken in water and season to taste. Boil chicken and reserve broth. Pull chicken apart into bite size pieces. Sauté` onions and garlic In olive oil then add taco seasoning. Add chicken and next six ingredients. Additional chicken broth can be added if needed. Heat thoroughly. Top with corn chips and cheese before serving. Serves 4.

Rose Ann Scheiderer tags Mary Jane Wilson

We would like to thank Billy Rauscher Hodges for the good job he did as acolyte during the month of February.

Our Acolyte for the month of march is Sam Harris.

The Gospels tell us that after Jesus died, his body was placed in a rich man’s tomb. This man wasn’t a disciple but apparently believed in Jesus and followed his message. He came from a small town not in existence today.
What was the man’s name, and what was his hometown?

A. Joseph of Arimathea
B. Aristarchus from Thessalonica
C. Ariel of Moab

The answer is in Matthew 27:57-60.

Presbytery of Arkansas Disaster Response Effort Underway.

At a meeting yesterday in Atkins, plans were begun that will within days be able to link Arkansas Presbyterians with tornado relief efforts underway in our state. In coordination with Kathy Montgomery, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance staff member who has been traveling the state assessing tornado damage and who spoke at the Feb. 16 presbytery meeting in Batesville, a group of persons from around the state met to organize a Presbytery of Arkansas’ Disaster Response Team (DRT) to coordinate Presbyterian disaster relief efforts in our state. (cont. next column)

Currently operating under the umbrella of presbytery’s Mission Committee, the Disaster Response Team will at some point formulate a “response plan” to be regularly updated so that it will be in place to help the presbytery mobilize its resources to help with future “disasters” of different kinds. The immediate priority of the Disaster Response Team (DRT) is to assess relief needs in the various areas of Arkansas hit by recent tornadoes, and to create a communication network to connect Arkansas ’ Presbyterians wanting to offer help of different kinds with the various types of needs in the state.

Beginning Monday, February 25, a central phone line will be available to receive calls from congregations or individuals who wish to contribute volunteer labor, physical items needed for cleanup efforts or for families or individuals impacted by the tornadoes, as well as financial gifts. That central number, to be effective, again, on February 25, will be 501-821-3094 and, toll-free, 866-732-6121.Watch for future e-mails to update relief efforts and plans.

Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church
402 Dillard
Forrest City, AR 72335

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