Author: ctpressADMIN

I want you to mark a date on your calendar: Sunday, July 24. That morning, we are hosting one of the missionaries we support, Dr. Drake Williams. Drake is a professor at Tyndale Seminary in the Netherlands. Drake is part of the administrative team for the seminary, and a professor of New Testament. Drake and his colleagues train students from all over Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe. Upon graduation, most of these students return to their home countries to continue spreading the gospel. Because most of the student population of the seminary is from relatively poor countries, the seminary chooses to shift as much of the financial burden away from the students as possible. Each professor must raise half of his salary in support from other churches and individuals in order to keep serving at Tyndale.

On Sunday, July 24, Drake and his family will host a Sunday School class for adults and older children in the fellowship hall, where Drake will share in greater detail about what is happening at the seminary. Drake will also be preaching at the morning service. I do hope you are able to join us for what will be an encouraging time, hearing about what God is doing in other parts of the world!

Blessings,

Pastor John

A couple weeks ago, the south central part of our great state endured unprecedented flooding due to a freak rain storm. As things have settled down, relief agencies have stepped in to assess, and restoration efforts are beginning to take shape.

Two of our members, George and Jeanette Tabb, have family in some of the worst-hit areas, and would like to take a team in late summer to Webster or Nichols County. They have tentatively scheduled the trip for August 26 through the Labor Day weekend. Each participant will be expected to cover all their own expenses. If there is enough interest, we will invite the congregation to provide some financial support.

An informational meeting is scheduled immediately following worship on Sunday, July 17, and will meet in the Sydnor-Lewis Reading Room/Library. Anyone interested in going or supporting this trip is invited to participate.

As we head into the middle of July, we are also gearing up for participation in the annual book bag ministry, where local congregations provide school supplies for kids in need. Obviously, the need this year extends beyond Jefferson County. We are encouraging people who are able to provide either extra school supplies or even two whole book bags as listed below. We will give half of these book bags to the team heading south at the end of the summer to give to schools hit hard by the floods.

I am so pleased to pastor a congregation with such large hearts!

Blessings,

Pastor John

It’s officially July!

By the time you read this online, our youth mission team will be on their way home! They have spent the week helping people affected by the floods, and doing some tutoring and working with children. Later this summer we will hear about their experience, and when those details are firmed up, we will let the congregation know.

Our next big event is Vacation Bible School. July 10-14 we will be hosting our annual outreach to children. This year there will be a special track for parents who want to learn more about what their children are learning, and some hands on parenting tools will be discussed. This year there seems to be more buzz than usual about Vacation Bible School. There is more detailed information in the newsletter about VBS.

Our final big moment for July will be Sunday, July 24. One of our missionaries, Drake Williams, will be with us, along with his family. There will be a combined Sunday School class in the fellowship hall that morning, with Drake leading a class beginning at 9:15. Drake will also be preaching during worship that morning. Drake is a professor at Tyndale Seminary in the Netherlands, and he helps prepare men and women for ministry in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

July is a busy month for Charles Town Presbyterian Church. I invite you to join me in prayer as we work together in our continued mission to Know Christ, Grow in God’s love, and serve as the Holy Spirit leads.

Blessings,

Pastor John