Volume XXXII, Issue 8

April 17, 2013

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Pastor’s Corner 2 & 3

Congregational Care 3 & 4

PYC Youth 4

Stephen Ministry 5

Christian Formation 6

Calendars 8

Inside this issue:

EARTH DAY EVENT

FREE SHRED DAY!

FNB INVESTMENT SERVICES

MONDAY April 29th 306 West Main Street

And

Tuesday, April 30th 1000 Colton Drive

Page 7 for more details.

HANDS TO WORK, HEARTS TO GOD

Our church has two services each Sunday. The congregation at the 8:30 service might be smaller, but they bring the church to life each week. Early on Sunday morning volunteers begin preparing for worship and fellowship.

Each month a different pair of ushers from the early service is there by 8:00 to unlock the doors. They turn on lights throughout the building, start the coffee pots in Fellowship Hall and check to see that everything is in order. Two other members of the first congre-gation prepare the weekly communion, which is served by various elders. Three liturgists volunteer three Sundays a month and an usher lights the Christ candle.

Whether we attend the 8:30 service or come later for the 11:00 service, we are thankful for these early birds who get us started in the morning and help us prepare to worship God.

The Salt Shaker

On April 21, your choir joins with each of you in the pews as we celebrate Camp Burnamwood. No formal music from the loft, just lots of fun “camp like” singing from our youth with guitar accompaniment by Megan Dove and Phillip Jones.

April 28 features an introit titled “Spirit of the Living God” by Daniel Iverson an ordained Presbyterian Minister who established 7 new congregations in Florida. The Anthem “If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments” as written by Thomas Tallis, a prolific composer from England in the mid 1500’s, is taken from John 14:15.

Dr. Wesley Roberts continues to assist the Choir on organ and we thank Joan Stansbury for all her efforts in leadership. All those who wish to lift their voice in praise and song are welcome to participate in the choir. Summer music providers are being solicited from the Congregation….add your unique music and talents to our praise and worship and contact Joan to volunteer at: jtsmuslovr@aol.com

Practices are Wednesday evening from 7 to 8:00 and warm ups usually at 10:30 in the loft.

P A G E 2

Dear Friends,

Unless you’re Rumpelstiltskin you are aware of the debate over guns that is going on in our country that was sparked by the killing of 20 elementary children in Newtown, CT. I don’t know the answer, but I’ve been thinking about the issue, and believe that there has to be some kind of common sense solution that will reduce gun violence that should be agreeable to both sides.

Some say the church shouldn’t engage in the debate. Some ministers avoid the issue like the plague because it is so polarizing. On the other hand, 30,000 people die of gunshot wounds every year in our country, most of them self inflicted. Gunshot wounds are the leading cause of death of young black men. We do have a problem that needs to be addressed, and the church can and should engage in the debate, hopefully helping people to understand the issues and to seek solutions. As Presbyterians we have formalized our commitment to reconciliation with the adoption of the Confession of 1967 where we state that work of the church is to call people to be reconciled to God and with one another. We are also committed to peacemaking. To some that may mean being ardently anti-gun, but if we are true to the principles of peacemaking in this case it also means listening to both sides in this debate to seek a peaceable agreement.

Just so you know, I am a gun owner. I have a couple of shotguns. One was my dad’s. Growing up like I did pretty much every farm had a shotgun and maybe a .22, and every farm boy grew up plinking at tin cans or shooting various varmints, or hunting birds. (In all fairness, there may have been girls doing the same thing. I do know that my grandmother used to tell stories about hunting rabbits when she was a young girl in the early part of the 20th century, and my sister-in-law, she of the English garden and English tea tradition, has been known to take some pot shots with her .410 at the rabbits that have invaded her garden. Her war on those “waskly wabbits” is worse than Mr. MacGregor’s.) While I prefer fishing, I grew up doing some hunting, and remain a “social” hunter. I’ll go along with others. Being outdoors on a crisp, sunny fall afternoon, tramping through a field trying to scare up some birds is enjoyable. So I understand hunters. Having had three cars destroyed by close encounters with deer, I don’t have a problem with hunters shooting deer. (I did hear that Disney is going to make a sequel to Bambi in which Bambi gets revenge. It’s going to be called “Bambo.”)

I understand people’s attachment to guns. Some guns have been passed down from father to son. Some see them as works of art. I had a member of the first church I served who was a gunsmith, who made beautiful rifles. He’d sculpt the stocks out of beautiful pieces of wood and finish them to a satin finish. They were prized by those that bought them. He was an elder, a volunteer, and a strong supporter of the church. Others collect guns. I knew of an acquaintance that had a gun collection valued at over $5 million. They continue to appreciate in value. And then there is just the fact that shooting a gun can be fun. It’s fun to shoot at clay targets, and it requires some skill.

Responsible gun owners, hunters and collectors are not the problem and neither are their guns. The basic problem seems to be that guns get into the hands of irresponsible people, people with mental illnesses, and people who are bent on violence. One of the strangest tasks I’ve had in ministry, and one for which nothing in my seminary education prepared me, were the two times I was called upon to remove guns from the homes of church members where there was conflict. In both cases some of the guns were loaded. So the real question is how do we limit access to guns to these people without infringing on the rights of those that are responsible? How do we go beyond merely putting a band-aid on the problem to addressing the underlying issue? Politicians and law enforcement people can address the nuts and bolts of what should or shouldn’t be done - to ban assault weapons, to limit magazines, expanding gun registration, etc., and maybe out of the sausage making process that is legislating something good will emerge.

Maybe these proposals will help, and they’ll be able to reduce gun violence, I don’t know. I do know that there is a larger issue that goes beyond controlling gun ownership. It is very much a legitimate topic for the church to address. The real issue is that we live in a “broken and fearful world.” The Bible is obviously silent about gun ownership, but the Bible is pretty clear that violence begets more violence. It’s pretty clear that one of the main messages that is repeated over and over and over again in the Bible is, Do not be afraid!

Continued on Page 3

Pastor’s Corner continued from Page 2

Some own guns to hunt. Some own them because they enjoy collecting them. Some own guns because they enjoy shooting at targets. But many own guns because they’ve been told that there is danger lurking out there. The message has been, “Be afraid! Be afraid of dangerous people. Be afraid of those that are different than you. Be afraid of those with guns. Be afraid of those who want to legislate control of guns.” This flies in the face of the gospel message that we have nothing to fear because nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The promotion of guns as a means of protecting ourselves is nothing less than a form of idolatry. It is saying that we don’t trust God to protect us, or that we don’t need God to protect us, that we can rely on ourselves. But so is our belief and total reliance on government for protection. Both are a product and a textbook definition of original sin - the promotion or reliance of self over God. Now, I doubt that I can convince many with that argument, because there will always be those who will say, “God helps those who help themselves,” or “How do you know that God doesn’t want us to use a gun to protect ourselves? Maybe that’s the way God protects us,” or “I don’t care. I just feel better knowing I’ve got a gun. God might be busy when I’m in trouble,” or “You can preach that until you’re blue in the face, but the fact remains we live in the real world where there is danger.” Theology does not always win the day, even if it is right. The people did not always heed the cry of the prophets. Fear is a powerful, motivating force that can drive a lot of otherwise sane people to do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do. It can overwhelm us, and it will win some battles. There are times when we give into fear. Just saying, “Do not be afraid,” isn’t enough. Sometimes bad things happen to faithful people. Nonetheless, hearing God’s assurance is an important step in overcoming our brokenness. Theology provides the ideal towards which we strive.

A second perspective for Christians to consider is grounded in our theology of baptism. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” We have promised to care and nurture our children. That includes keeping them safe. The deaths of twenty elementary children at Sandy Hook Elementary School touched a lot of people. Those could have been our children. At the same time there are over 500 gun deaths each year in Chicago, with a large percentage totaling over 100 of those killed being children 18 and younger, most of whom are African-American or Latino. While the deaths of the 20 children at Sandy Hook are tragic, and may serve as the catalyst for change, the ongoing and unnoticed slaughter of young people in cities across the country should also make us feel outraged.

I don’t know the answer, and I admit that I could be wrong, but I think there is a better way, and that the church can play a role in reducing violence. What do you think? Is there a reasonable solution to our problem? Can we have a civil discourse on this topic? Can those who are fearful of government control and meddling hear those who are fearful of the unbridled proliferation of guns? Can those who want more gun control hear the fears of those who lawfully and responsibly own guns and fear the loss of that right? Can we tone down the rhetoric and bridge the gap that divides us to come up with common sense solutions? What should Christians believe and do about this issue?

Like Jacob, let us wrestle mightily with God’s call to faithfulness.

Grace & peace,

Jim

Joe Amburgey, Margaret Copple, Lydia Ellis, Mary Jo Joseph, Pierce Lively, Wanda Medaris, Susan Murphy, Bill Peachy, Bev Schlegel, Hazel Venezie, and Lucy Williams

P A G E 3

April 21, 2013 Fourth Sunday Of Easter

Acts 9:36-43; Ps. 23 Rev. 7:9-17; John 10:22-30

April 28, 2013 Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 11:1-18; Ps. 148

Rev. 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

May 5, 2013 Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 16:9-15; Ps. 67; Rev. 21:10, 21:22-22:5 John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9

May 9, 2013 Ascension of the Lord

Acts 1:1-11, Ps.47 or Ps. 93 Eph. 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53

May 12, 2013 7th Sunday of Easter

Mother’s Day Acts 16:16-34; Ps. 97;

Rev. 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26

May 19, 2013 Day of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-21 or Gen. 11:1-9 Ps. 104:24-34, 35b; Rom. 8:14-17 or

Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17 (25-27)

May 26, 2013 Trinity Sunday

Prov. 8:1-4, 22-31; Ps. 8 Rom. 5:1-5; John 16:12-15

P A G E 4

If you would like to join us for worship on Sunday mornings, or for any of our other special services or events, but have no way to get here, please call the church office at 236-6692. We will be happy to make transportation arrangements for you. We would love to have you join us.

PYC Nights 4/21 Amy “Director of Burnamwood” will be leading PYC. 4/28 “TBA” Theme / Go to Baskin Robbins after the lesson. 5/5 Trivia night 5/12 Senior Final night / Games PYC Events 4/27 Day Hike at Red River Gorge 5/3 Youth Rally at First Baptist Church (TBA) Chad Varga is the guest speaker for the Rally. 5/12 Senior Recognition at 11am Service 5/18 PYC Road Rules (A day of community service and fun.) Mountain Tops Training Classes for Participants 4/21 2:30 — 4:30pm Sunday afternoon 4/28 2:30 — 4:30pm Sunday afternoon 5/5 2:30 — 4:30pm Sunday afternoon Fourth class will be announce soon

Check out our Youth Facebook page! WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PYCDANVILLE

P A G E 5

For some, the reason for becoming a Stephen Minister is simple: “I wanted,” wrote one Stephen Minister, “To help people with the difficulties of life.”

For others, it is more complex: “I wanted to be more active in church activities, and Stephen Ministry seemed to reach out to me. I have been blessed by my participation.”

For some, their experiences in life are a motivating factor: “I enjoyed listening to people’s stories and helping them find the best ways to deal with their situations,” said a Stephen Minister. “This was my career, and I hated to give it up.”

Whatever their reasons, Stephen Ministers define their commitment to the ministry as a calling and as a chance to share God’s comfort and blessings with others who are going through challenges of life.

Have you heard the same call?

The church’s Stephen Ministry is looking for men and women who are willing to take part in this unique, one-on-one, Christian, and confidential ministry. After an application and interview, Stephen Ministers attend 50 hours of initial training and, after commissioning, take part in bimonthly continuing education and supervision sessions.

We are seeking applications this month for a training class that will begin in the fall. Applications are available online at www.presbydan.org, in the church office, or at our information table in Fellowship Hall. We invite you to contact a Stephen Leader if you have questions or want to talk about a calling to Stephen Ministry.

As those who are or have been Stephen Ministers can affirm, journeying with someone can be a life-changing experience….for both caregiver and care receiver:

The most rewarding thing about his service as a Stephen Minister, said one, is “knowing that God was working with me as I walked with my care partner.”

Stephen Leaders

Alice Davis 859-583-5995

Don Porter 859-324-5020

Evie Smith 859-238-7682

Peggy Tudor 859-548-2540

Why I Became A Stephen Minister

P A G E 6

Generation Faith Fellowship Hall

Convener: Liz Erwin

This is an ongoing class that meets all year for coffee, fellowship and discussion on issues of faith and daily life - from parenting and relationships to spiritual growth. If you haven't participated in Sunday School before, or are looking for more of a casual atmosphere, this class may be for you!

April 7th—28th

The Church in Africa Room 120

Led by Dr. Jonathon Earle (Centre College)

These four sessions will explore the richness and diversity of Christian experience in Africa. It begins by exploring Africa’s pre-colonial Christian traditions in northern and central Africa. Following, we will look at Protestant and Catholic missionary Christianity, respectively, focusing on the social processes through which Africans made Christianity their own. Finally, we will look at Pentecostalism, the fastest growing religion in Africa.

Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering – Saturday, April 27th 9:30am at Maxwell Street Presbyterian in Lexington. The theme is “Living Simple.” Worship leader is Rev. Wanda Olive, and the guest speaker is Nancy Sleeth, author of Almost Amish. If you are interested in attending, you must email Jillian by April 19th.

Parents Night Out – Friday May 3rd, 5:30-9:30 p.m.. Parents can enjoy a night out on the town while kids have a blast at church celebrating the Kentucky Derby! We’ll have Derby-themed food, build our own horses to run a mock Derby in the gym, and watch the movie, “Dreamer.” Nursery will be open for children 3 and under. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall, or if you can help out by volunteering that evening, there is a sign-up sheet for you as well.

Christian

Formation

Corner

Save the Date! Vacation Bible School

June 24-27 Ages 3—12

P A G E 7

Monday, April 29 Tuesday, April 30 Wednesday, May 1 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Thursday, May 2 10:30 am Thursday Morning Bible Study Friday, May 3 5:30 pm Parent’s Night Out Saturday, May 4 Kentucky Derby Sunday, May 5 8:30 am Worship with Eucharist 9:30 am Church School 11:00 am Worship 12:00 pm 2nd Sunday Centre College Lunch 2:30 pm Mountain T.O.P. Training Class 5:00 pm PYC Youth 5:00 pm Sunday Fellowship 10:00 pm Get Centred Monday, May 6 6:00 pm Worldwide Mission Meeting 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry

Sunday, April 21 Burnamwood Worship Service with Amy Carpenter 8:30 am Worship with Eucharist 9:30 am Church School 11:00 am Worship 2:30 pm Mountain T.O.P. Training Class 5:00 pm PYC Youth 5:00 pm Sunday Fellowship 10:00 pm Get Centred Monday, April 22 Tuesday, April 23 Wednesday, April 24 10:00 am Presbytery Christian Formation 7:00 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal Thursday, April 25 10:30 am Thursday Morning Bible Study 12:00 pm Salt Shaker Deadline 6:30 pm Worship and Music Committee Friday, April 26 Saturday, April 27 Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering - Maxwell Street Presbyterian, Lexington PYC/Hiking Sunday, April 28 8:30 am Worship with Eucharist 9:30 am Church School 11:00 am Worship 2:30 pm Mountain T.O.P. Training Class 5:00 pm PYC Youth 5:00 pm Sunday Fellowship 10:00 pm Get Centred

Tuesday, May 7 Wednesday, May 8 7:00 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal Thursday, May 9 Ascension of the Lord 10:30 am Thursday Morning Bible Study 12:00 pm Salt Shaker Deadline Friday, May 10 Saturday, May 11 9:00 am Soups On Us Sunday, May 12 MOTHER’S DAY Cents-Ability Offering Godly Play Celebration Senior Recognition 8:30 am Worship with Eucharist 9:30 am Church School 11:00 am Worship 3:00 pm Worship at McDowell Place 5:00 pm PYC Youth 5:00 pm Sunday Fellowship Monday, May 13 6:00 pm Budget and Finance Meeting 7:30 pm DEACON’S MEETING Tuesday, May 14 10:00 am Pastoral Visitation Committee 7:00 pm SESSION MEETING Wednesday, May 15 Thursday, May 16 10:30 am Thursday Morning Bible Study 12:00 pm Communications and Outreach Friday, May 17 Saturday, May 18 PYC Road Rules Sunday, May 19 PENTECOST 8:30 am Worship with Eucharist 10:30 am Centre Baccalaureate

Ushers for the 8:30 am Worship Service: April: Dr. Hankla and Nancy Gower May: Gary and Nancy Lindsay

Ushers for the 11:00 am Worship Services: April: *Bill and Mary Beth Garriott,

Scott Johnson, and Judith Jia May: *Scott and Nita Reisinger and Jim and Patty Gibson

*Indicates Head Usher

Lay Readers for 8:30 am Worship Service 1st Sunday Hannah Green 2nd Sunday 3rd Sunday Dale Kihlman 4th Sunday Becky Gash 5th Sunday

Lay Readers for 11:00 am Worship Service April 21: Phil Richardson April 28: Joanie Lukins May 5: Joanie Lukins May 12: YOUTH May 19: Scott Scutchfield May 26: LeeAnne McCann

Acolytes April 21: Kylin Jia April 28: Doug Brown May 5: Emma Erwin May 12: Olivia Corman May 19: Eli Goggin May 26: Gabriel Harper

Nursery Volunteers April 21: Lynn Preston April 28: Katie Kneisley May 5: Clay and Megan Albright May 12: Mary Rodelius May 19: Don and Nancy Porter May 26: Cris Harper

Greeters April: Liz Orndorff

Communion Schedule for 8:30 am:

April 21st Jane Snowden April 28th Shan Kihlman May 5th Nancy Porter May 12th Don Porter May 19th Jane Snowden May 26th Joe W. Schultz June 2nd Shan Kihlman June 9th (no church) June 16th Joe W. Schultz June 23rd Scott Johnson June 30th Shan Kihlman.

Communion Schedule for May 5, 2013 (Tray) Preparers: *Gay McGuire and Nancy Lindsay Servers: * Kim Ragland, Melanie Clark, Bill Nelson, Lucy Williams, Roger Hartner, Megan Shelton, Jon Ricker, and Tom Quilligan

P A G E 8

April 25, 2013 (12:00 noon) May 9, 2013 (12:00 noon)

500 West Main Street Danville, KY 40422 Email: church@presbydan.org

Church: 859-236-6692 Fax: 859-236-6360

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

We’re on the Web

www.presbydan.org

Jim Stewart: jstewart@presbydan.org Jillian Embrey: jillian@presbydan.org Kyle Clifton: kyle@presbydan.org Tim Noel: tnoel@presbydan.org Ginger Arth: church@presbydan.org Lynn Taylor Tye: tye@presbydan.org Tim Shelton: shelton@presbydan.org

SESSION MODERATOR: REV. JIM STEWART

CLERK: JEAN S. HARNEY ASSISTANT CLERK: BILL GARRIOTT

DIACONATE MODERATOR: DON PORTER

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

CLASS OF 2014 LOIS QUILLIGAN

BRENDA MITCHELL

CLASS OF 2015 ROGER HARTNER

BILL NELSON

CLASS OF 2016 MARTHA BOYD

ERIC SMITH

CLASS OF 2014 MELANIE CLARK

BILL NELSON KIM RAGLAND

JON RICKER LUCY WILLIAMS

CLASS OF 2015 CLAY ALBRIGHT BILL GARRIOTT JOANIE LUKINS SUSAN NEALE JULIE RODES

CLASS OF 2016 KARL BENSON

MAUREEN BETO JOHN DAVIS

CHRIS GLIDEWELL

SHANE WILSON

CLASS OF 2014 ROGER HARTNER

DON PORTER TOM QUILLIGAN

MEGAN SHELTON

CLASS OF 2015 ANASTASIA KNIGHT JANNIE NALLINGER

LYNN PRESTON AMY WILSON

CLASS OF 2016 CLAIRE CAUDILL STEVE GOGGIN

PAULA HILL

GAYLE WADDELL

Pastor Jim Stewart

RETURN THEM TO THEIR HOME

There is a large number of plastic containers, plates, mugs, serving pieces and what have you in the church kitchen. Please look and see if any of them belong in your kitchen. (Look in the coat closet at the Walnut Street entrance too.) Things in the church kitchen and the coat closet will be donated to a good cause in May!