Reformed Presbyterian Reformed Presbyterian Theological SeminaryTheological Seminary

Annual Support DinnerMarch 12, 2021

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ProgramIntroduction

Invocation

Psalm 44A:1-4

Seminary Update

A Word From our Students

Presentation of Faithful Servant Award Rev. Robert H. McFarland

Response

An Invitation to Participate

Special Music

Benediction

Dr. Barry YorkPresident

Dr. Jeffrey A. StivasonProfessor of New Testament Studies

Mr. Mark SampsonDirector of Institutional Advancement

Rev. Edwin BlackwoodDirector of Admissions

Mr. Allen BlackwoodMr. John Fennell

Miss Victoria Mann

Dr. Barry York

Rev. McFarland

Dr. York

Barbershop Singers

Dr. David G. WhitlaProfessor of Church History

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PSALM 44: 1-8 44A PINNEO. C.M.O.

1 0 God, we with our ears have heard, Our 3They by their sword gained not the land, Nor save, We through Thy name will tram- pie those Who ad - ver - sar- ies be.

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The work that Thou didst in their days, Those hon -ored days of olu. But Thy right hand, Thine arm, Thy face, To them Thy fa- vor gave.

6 For in my bow I will not trust, Nor will my sword save me.

2 Thou didst the hea - then 4Thou art my King! For 7 But Thou hast saved us

dis -pos - sess, Then plant them byThyhand; Ja - cob, God, Sal - va-tion now com-mand. from our foes, Our ha -ters put to shame.

Thou didst af - flict the peo-ples all, Then spread them through the land. 5 Through Thee we shall push back the foes That now a - gainst us stand. 8 In God we boast - ed all the day; We'll ev - er thank Thy name.

Taken from The Book of Psalms for Singing © 1973 Crown & Covenant Publications. Used by permission.

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and they were blessed with three children: Rick, Allison and Nancy.

Opportunities for pastoral ministry in the Reformed Presbyterian Church have included congregations in Rose Point, Pennsylvania; Quinter, Kansas; and Topeka, Kansas. He has been privileged to provide temporary pastoral supply, for varying periods of time, at five congregations in the U.S. , including Wichita, Kansas; Evansville, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois; Shawnee, Kansas; and Topeka, Kansas. He exchanged pulpits at Ballylaggan, Coleraine, N. Ireland; and was interim pastor at five other Irish congregations, and in Frankston, Australia. He was the co-ordinator of session internship pastoral training for 13 seminary students. Bob served as the Regional Home Missionary for the Midwest Presbytery from 2003-2015. He alsoserved on various Boards and Committees of the RPCNA Synod, Geneva College Board of Corporators and Trustees, and was Moderator of Synod in 2003.

Faithful Servant Award

This evening, we honor Rev. Robert H. McFarland, who graduated from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) in 1958. The Lord has used Bob in many ways to build His church.

He was born on July 25, 1933, to Pastor A. J. and Sylvia McFarland at Superior, Nebraska. Bob graduated from Sterling High School in Sterling, Kansas, in 1951, and Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, in 1955. In 1958 he was married to Georgia Ann Wilson,

“Well done, good and faithful servant”Matthew 25:21

Robert H. McFarland

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Previous Faithful Servant Award Recipients:Rev. Bassam Madany (2008), Dr. Roy Blackwood (2009),

Dr. Bruce Stewart (2010), Rev. Maurice Doss (2011) posthumously, Dr. Gene Spear (2012), Dr. Kenneth G. Smith (2013), Dr. Young J. Son (2014), Rev. John H. Tweed (2015),

Capt. Bryan Weaver (2016), Mr. John S. Wilkey (2017), Dr. Edward Donnelly (2018), Dr. John H. White (2019),

and Rev. Robert B. McCracken (2020)

Bob and his wife, Georgia, reside in Topeka, Kansas, where for six years he served as that congregation’s pastor from 1987 to 1998. They presently enjoy seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Rev. McFarland attended RPTS from 1955-1958 and was a member of the first class to occupy the “new” Durbin Horne mansion. Bob’s father, A. J., also attended RPTS from 1924-27, and they both had Dr. R. J. G. McKnight as a professor.

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Ways You Can Support RPTS

• Pray – This is the most important thing you can do! Each month a short prayer list is posted in our E-News so you can stay current with the praises and petitions of the Seminary community.

• Send us students – Do you know someone who should be more intentionally studying God’s Word? Point them to RPTS. Both degree seekers and auditors are always welcome.

• Volunteer – Volunteers helped with this dinner tonight. Some assist in the Library and some work remotely via their computers. Call the Development Office to see how your gifts might serve the Seminary.

• Chapel – Stop by campus most Tuesdays through Fridays at 9:45 am to hear faculty and students preach in chapel.

• Finances – Of course, ministry takes money. Here are some ways you can help:

• Gift Matching – Many employers match employee’s donations to charities. Check with your HR Department for details. Last year, RPTS received almost $10,000 this way.

• Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) – Some IRAs require an annual withdrawal. You may be able to do this, tax free, as a gift to RPTS. Check with your tax professional.

• Life Insurance – The Seminary can be named as the primary or secondary beneficiary on a policy.

• Gifts of Stock – Check with the Development Office on how to donate stock.

• Last Act of Stewardship – Remember RPTS in your estate plan or will by joining the Shepherd’s Circle. Please see the blue or green folder on your table for more details.

• Gifts of cash or checks are always appreciated. Credit card donations may be made at mkt.com/rpts or on the Seminary webpage under the ‘Give’ tab.

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Independent Living

Supportive Housing for the Elderly

Personal Care

Skilled Nursing

Reformed Presbyterian Home is a Continuum of Care Retirement Community serving older adults since 1897 in a manner consistent with the affection, honor, and

care that the Bible teaches us to give our parents.

Faith Hope Love

2344 Perrysville Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15214

412.321.4139 RPHome.org

We who are strong ought to bear with

the failings of the weak and not to

please ourselves. Each of us should

please our neighbors for their good, to

build them up. Romans 15:1-2

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“Would you like to know Christ as your food, light, shelter, shepherd, and much more? Here is sound doctrine for heartfelt devotion in daily life.”JOEL R. BEEKE, president, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids

Portraits of Christ

www.crownandcovenant.com

by Gordon J. Keddie and David G. Whitla

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Geneva College at the

Center for Urban Biblical Ministry at a convenient Pittsburgh location

The Center for Urban Biblical Ministry (CUBM) in partnership with Geneva College, Beaver Falls, offers

accredited Bible-based degree programs granted by the college in Christian Ministry and Leadership.

CUBM is not affiliated with any one denomination. TheCUBM student body consists of students from diversebackgrounds and ages, and represents many different

Christian congregations found within the greaterPittsburgh area. As a partner of Geneva College,CUBM shares the Conduct Code and CommunityStandards of Geneva College intended to promotea healthy community and the personal characterdevelopment of community members. By holdingclasses at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Point Breeze, CUBM offers affordable

evening and Saturday classes on an urban campus.

CUBM • 7418 Penn Avenue 15208412.247.9010 • www.cubm.org

Serving the greater Pittsburgh area since 1988

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in a

A FIRM FOUNDATION

Changing WorldGeneva College stands

on a firm foundation of God’s truth in the

Holy Bible, integrating Christian faith into all academics, activities

and athletics, as we have since

1848.

Our Christian liberal arts core curriculum, experienced faculty, and robust focus on calling ensure that our graduates are ready to serve God and neighbor.

Copyright 2021 Geneva College. Geneva College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, disability and national or ethnic origin.

Geneva.edu/firmfoundation

N:\Ben\2021\Ads - Print - 2021\RPTS_Ad_8x5_ChristiantyToday_FEB2021.indd 02/19/21

HIGH-DEMAND Classroom and Online

Graduate Degree ProgramsUNDERGRADUATE

MAJORS & PROGRAMS

9393%% GRADUATES

EMPLOYED OR IN GRAD SCHOOL WITHIN 6 MONTHS

93%

F R O M G E N E V A C O L L E G E

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Find the Journal under Resources at rpts.edu

The Reformed Presbyterian ArchivesWe are committed to making old things “new”, accessible, and preserved for posterity.

The Reformed Presbyterian Archives are administered by the Church History Committee of the Reformed Presbyterian Church and, with appreciation, housed on the second floor of

the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

www.rparchives.org archives@rpts.edu

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Upcoming Events for RPTS:

May 22 - Commencement

September 8 - Fall classes begin at RPTS

September 10-11 - Westminster Conference

October 11 – 16 - Strike the Match Giving Campaign

RPTS Faculty

Front: Dr. David Whitla, Dr. Richard Gamble, Rev. Keith EvansBack: Dr. C. J. Williams, Dr. Barry York, Dr. Jeff Stivason

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HISTORYRPTS is the fourth oldest seminary in the nation, founded in 1810. Faithful preparation of kingdom servants is characterized through a unique teaching environment that is both academically rigorous and immensely practical. Seminary professors have extensive “Field Experience” taking classroom theory to the real world of ministry in the local church context.

The following are some highlights of the Seminary’s history:

• Over the first forty-six years, RPTS shifted to at least five different locations over several states, wherever its professors moved to pastor churches, which was common in those days.

• In 1856, the Seminary relocated to the North Side of Pittsburgh and then settled in its current brick mansion on Pittsburgh’s East End in 1923, in what was before the home of Durban Horne of Horne’s Department Store fame.

• While it began with a Scotch-Irish heritage over 200 years ago, RPTS reaches a much broader mix of the body of Christ’s church and the communities in which they live and serve. Many other Reformed and Bible-believing students from different denominations study here.

• RPTS operates a Distance Learning Program that allows students to complete up to one third of the Master of Divinity coursework The Master of Theological Studies is available fully online (Biblical Counseling requiring residency). Students from many different countries and multiple states study online.

• A concentration in Biblical Counseling is offered in all of the Seminary’s degree programs, providing needed training to future pastors and servants of the church. Much of the training is “hands on” work with people who face real life challenges.

• RPTS hosts several events and seminars annually, including Theological Foundations for Youth and the Westminster Confession into the 21st Century, an international conference on the work of the Westminster Assembly.

• Fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, RPTS offers the Master of Divinity, the Master of Theological Studies, and several certificate programs. Auditors are always welcome to participate in courses.

• A Doctor of Ministry program is also available at RPTS. We offer two concentrations (Strengthening Pastoral Ministry & Strengthening Counseling Ministry), with students from around the world.

DONATIONS

Thank you for partnering with RPTS!

For your convenience, you can make an online donation here: rpts.edu/give.html

Checks can be made payable to RPTS, noting “Support Dinner” on the memo line and sent to:

Development OfficeReformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

7418 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15208

If you have any questions, please contact Mark Sampsonmsampson@rpts.edu

412-731-6000

Mission

To educate students who love the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word, equipping pastors for the ministry of the gospel and preparing others in the church for effective service in His kingdom, all within the framework of the historic Reformed faith.

Thank You!Thank you for joining us this evening to learn more about

how God is working through the Gospel ministry of RPTS.

We are grateful for your partnership with us as we train stu-

dents who will have such a great impact on the churches and

communities they serve. We know that this ministry could

not possibly continue without the prayers and financial sup-

port of God’s people who give so generously to strengthen it.

By God’s grace and power, you make this ministry happen.

You send out laborers for the harvest. You show your love for

Christ by feeding His sheep. Thank you!

The Board, Faculty, Staff, and Students of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

S T U D Y U N D E R P A S T O R S