__ May 2018 __ A VIEW FROM THE PULPIT

The little boy lived just across the street from a blind, bedridden old man. He would see him on rare occasions being wheeled from his house to the car and was to the boy’s young mind a picture of hopelessness.

However, when the boy learned to type, the old man hired him for one afternoon a week after school to answer the letters that came to him from all over the country to this one-time organist and music teacher. His replies were personal — mostly words of encouragement to former students.

There was usually music playing from the old man’s huge collection of records. When the boy arrived, many times it was “Amazing Grace.”

“I want to be just like John Newton” the old man once said.

The boy was startled because the old man had just finished telling about Newton’s life as a drunkard and the captain of a slave ship. “I mean,” he added, “like Newton after he lost his sight.” Newton, he said had a tremendous conversion experience and had become a minister and hymn writer. Then the man who wrote, “I once was blind, but now I see,” became blind.

Is physical sight all there is? No! Newton may have been physically blind but his spiritual sight, grew keener than ever as he went on preaching and writing hymns. When he reached his eighties, friends urged him to retire. Newton replied that although his eyesight was gone and his memory failing “I remember two things: I am a great sinner, and Jesus is a great Savior.”

This nearly forgotten verse, that Newton added near the end of “Amazing Grace” captures the

depth of faith that grew in Newton and sustained him from his conversion to the end of life here.

“The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine: But God, who called me here below, shall be FOREVER mine.

Amazing – Amazing Grace!

Rev. George Walton Stated Supply Pastor

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* Buffalo Presbyterian Church is *

“Going Green” with its Newsletter

What does this mean for you?

• The newsletter will no longer be coming in your mailbox, with a few exceptions.

How can you continue to enjoy our monthly newsletter?

• You will be able to view the newsletter from our website, www.buffalopres.org. This way you can enjoy the newsletter and all of Sarah’s photography in color.

• The newsletter will come directly to your email address. So… if we currently have your e-mail address, you are good to go. If we do not, or you are unsure, please shoot Janet an e-mail at Buffalochurch@windstream.net.

• The newsletter will be printed and available in the back of the church for pick-up.

• For our out-of-town members, without email capabilities, we will continue to mail the newsletter to you.

Thank you in advance for helping us be good stewards!

Yours in Christ, The Administration Committee

If you have not received your new Church Directory, they are located at the back of the church. Please be sure to pick yours up. Thank you to those who worked to update and create the directory. Join us on May 6th for Homecoming. Buffalo Women will provide the meat and drinks. Please bring your favorite side dish and dessert, for this special meal, held after the Worship Service.

Homecoming is a time of celebration in the Presbyterian Church. It is a time to celebrate our church’s heritage and to visit with friends and family. It is a time to visit with former members and friends of the church. We encourage all to attend. Buffalo is the oldest Presbyterian Church in Lee County and the mother church of many other Presbyterian churches. It continues to maintain an active congregation and serves the needs of our community. We truly have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to celebrate! The Joint Circle Meeting will be held on Monday, May 14th at 6:00 p.m. and hosted by the Sunshine Circle. The Birthday Offering will be taken up at this time. All ladies are invited and encouraged to attend.

Jackie Frie Buffalo Women

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HOMECOMING

MAY 6TH

Time to tell your family and friends to attend Buffalo’s Homecoming for 2018. Rev. Walton will present our message. Please bring your favorite dish to our Pot-Luck Lunch, following the service. Let's make more good memories together as we celebrate years of continuous service to the Lord.

JACKIE GIVING THE CHILDREN SERMON

JACKIE, KOLBY, CASH, and MIKE and MISSY’S GRANDDAUGHTERS

April 1, 2018

LARRY AND ANNE STANDING BESIDE OUR BEAUTIFUL CROSS OF FLOWERS

KOLBY and MACKENZIE

VIRGINIA and SUSAN

TRINA, JOEY, DEANNA, and NATHAN

CHASE, ALLISON, CASH, JACKIE, and KEN

NELSON, KATHY, JEANNE, and BOB

EVELYN and BOBBY

CHARLOTTE, BRAD, KINSLEY RAYE,

KRISTIAN, and AUSTIN

TORI, JONATHAN, DR. CILIBERTO,

JOSEPH, and VALERIE

J. W. and MARY

JIM, SARAH, TRINA, and JOEY

MIKE, MISSY, and FAMILY

JACKIE, JIM, and JEAN

JOEY, JIM, and KEN

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During my hernia surgery and

recovery, we were blessed by our Church

family with prayers, calls

of concern, food, visits,

and cards. You folks are

so good to us and we so

appreciate it.

To God be the glory. God Bless you

all!

Lee and Pat Setzer

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Remember with love and prayer:

CHURCH MEMBERS: Family of Frances Foushee, Lynda Bowers, Sheila Brewer, Nellie Cox, Greg Deck, Barbara Jo Glass, Bobby Johnson, Karen Johnson, Sandie Lemons, Lois Martin, Shawn McNeill, Rev. George Walton, and Marc Walton

FAMILY OF CHURCH MEMBERS: Mike Frie, Robert Hardee, Inez Holt, Michael Holt, Richard Holt, Elaine McBryde, Kelly McNeill, Doug Ury, Allison Williams, and Theresa Williams

FRIENDS OF CHURCH MEMBERS: William Anderson, Jarrett Blackwell, Susan Bristow, Noah Clifton, Henry & Nancy Douglas, Billy Edwards, Brenda Godfrey, Jim Griggs, Dallas Hurley, Jerry Kemyon, Addison McDonald, Stella Smith, Sandra Ward, and Emily Hurley Wright

PLEASE GIVE NAME, CONTACT INFO, & REASON WHEN ADDING PEOPLE TO THE PRAYER LIST We want to encourage them with cards and let

them know we are praying for them. **************************************************************************

WEEKLY OFFERING TOTALS

April 01, 2018 – $1991.00 April 08, 2018 – $1538.00 April 15, 2018 – $1963.00 April 22, 2018 – $1073.00 April 29, 2018 – $1617.00

5 Cents A Meal Offering – $25.00 BackPack Kids Offering – $71.82

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Gifts to the Church

Donation for the Maintenance and Enhancement

of our Beautiful Rose Garden

in Loving Memory of Lynn and Mary Lou Campbell and

Nancy Campbell Monroe – by John S. Monroe

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY May 01st – Joe Daniel May 21st – Larry Collins

May 03rd – Libby Ragland May 25th – Lee Setzer

May 07th – James Tart May 26th – Brad Johns

May 11th – Patrick Kelly May 26th – Kathy Jolly

May 13th – Helen Martindale May 30th – John Bridges

May 16th – Caitlyn Bridges May 31st – Carlton Davis

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WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

May 01st Mike and Missy Cersosimo

May 16th Brooks and Pat Kelly

May 21st Daniel and Amy Hart

May 21st Britt and Anna Carpenter

May 22nd J. W. and Mary Bailes

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PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING - GREETER

May 06th Larry Collins May 13th Karen Johnson May 20th Kathy Jolly May 27th Buddy McNeill

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FLOWERS WILL BE PLACED IN THE

SANCTUARY DURING MAY

BY THE FOLLOWING:

05/06/18 – by WOC – Homecoming Sunday

05/13/18 – by WOC – Mother’s Day - Carnations

05/20/18 – OPEN

05/27/18 – In Honor of Presley Hales & Brianna Mokma’s Wedding on May 26th

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EMAIL: buffalochurch@windstream.net SEE THE NEWSLETTER IN COLOR AT:

www.buffalopres.org

Session Corner

Highlights from Stated Meeting held April 8, 2018

Rev. Walton doesn’t know the word “idle”. He made 5 home visits, moderated the Session meeting, attended Men of the Church, the Administration Meeting, various music practices, sang with Missy and Mike Cersosimo and made 35 telephone visits. Thank you, Rev. Walton! You keep us connected.

The Administration Committee reported that a donation in memory of Lynn and Mary Lou Campbell and Nancy Campbell Monroe has been received to maintain the rose garden and Larry and Anne Collins have graciously agree to provide the loving care. The members of the Administration Committee: Lee, Nelson, Kathy, and Larry will ensure the grounds are looking good for Homecoming on May 6th but will be glad to have more volunteers. Call Lee Setzer or Nelson Burke for information. To avoid a hefty Bulk Mail charge some changes will take place for the method of distribution of the Newsletter. Please find details elsewhere in this Newsletter. Session approved a donation to Shawn McNeill’s Go-Fund Me page to help with his hospital expenses. We are so glad to hear he is improving and thanking God for this miracle!

Sunday School, led by Anne Collins, is still growing and the engaging in fun discussions are the reason. If you are not there you are really missing out. There were 13 the Sunday after Easter. Come join us.

Fellowship/Evangelism/Outreach has scheduled the first Fifth Sunday Dinner for July 29th. Mark your calendar and plan to join us.

Next Session Meeting will be 12:05 p.m., May 13th.

Lee Setzer, Clerk of Session

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CHRISTIAN

EDUCATION

The Adult Sunday School Class meets from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. For the month of May, we will study the following lessons:

May 06st Giving from a Generous Heart Exodus 35: 20-29; 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8

May 13th Bringing First Fruits Leviticus 23: 9-14, 22

May 20th Remembering with Joy Leviticus 25: 1-12 May 27th Rejoicing in Restoration Psalm 34: 1-10; Hebrews 2: 17-18

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is May 13th!

You may purchase a carnation “In Honor

Of” or “In Memory Of” your mother or loved one. Please fill out below and return this to the church office as soon as possible. If you wish to have your name published in the Mother’s Day Insert, please ensure the order form is in the office by Wednesday morning, May 9th. Otherwise, you may purchase a flower until Mother’s Day. The carnations will be $1.00 each and you may take them home with you following Worship Service.

In Honor Of (One name only please):

_____________________________________ In Memory Of (One name only please):

_____________________________________ Given By:

_____________________________________

BUFFALO CHURCH OFFICE………….................776-7313

Email: buffalochurch@windstream.net

SUPPLY PASTOR, Rev. George Walton..............498-1467

GUEST PASTOR, Rev. Gilbert McDowell……......776-2292

SECRETARY, Janet Warner……………………....353-3568

DISBURSING TREASURERS, Kathy Jolly...........774-1997

Ken Frie…...........75-5097

RECEIVING TREASURERS, Nelson Burke..........774-1997

Lee Setzer.............775-7881

CHOIR DIRECTOR, Jim Monson..........................774-7263

ORGANIST, Pat Kelly............................................258-3908

THE SESSION

2018

J. W. Bailes Cong. Care & Fellowship 352-2017 Larry Collins Worship/Christian Ed. 776-5592 Buddy McNeill Worship/Christian Ed. 776-4844

2019

Karen Johnson Worship/Christian Ed. 770-1709 Kathy Jolly Administration Committee 774-1997 Lee Setzer Clerk of Session, Admin. Com. 775-7881

Jean Wilberg (Assistant Clerk of Session) 718-6009

TRUSTEES, Frances Foushee, Chair…………....775-7619

Bobby Johnson………...…..............776-4083

Buddy McNeill…..............................776-4844

PM PRESIDENT, Lee Setzer……………………...775-7881

PM TREASURER, J. W. Bailes……………….......352-2017

PW MODERATOR,

CO-MODERATOR,

PW SECRETARY, Jan Renwick…………….........776-7914

PW TREASURER, Jean Wilberg………………….718-6009

HISTORIAN, Sheila Brewer…………...…..............776-8091

MARY LOU CAMPBELL, Marie Macko….............774-1657

SUNSHINE CIRCLE, Anne Collins……................776-5592

FLOWER CHAIR, Geri Hales……………………...775-3770

BUFFALO WEBSITE…….................www.buffalopres.org