Charles Town Presbyterian Church

Golden Rule

This Sunday I am introducing a small, simple idea that Christians all over the country are going to be part of for the next year: Golden Rule 2020.

Most of us know the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In other words, treat people the way you want to be treated. That seems like something we’ve lost, especially when it comes to discussions about politics.

Not long ago, we could disagree about something and still be friends. Now, it seems, that if we disagree with someone, it’s okay to trash them and their reputation, all because we don’t like what they say or believe. That is not okay, especially if we are Christians trying to shine the light of Christ in the world. We seem to have lost the ability to be respectful of those with whom we are not aligned. We are not following the golden rule.

Sunday, November 3, is exactly one year from the 2020 general election. Churches across the country are taking the opportunity to launch what’s come to be known as the “Golden Rule Initiative 2020.” You can learn more about the initiative here.

The idea is straightforward and simple. In the year leading up to the general election, the initiative invites Christians to commit to prayer for our leaders (even those we do not like), prayer for the election, and the commitment to share our ideas (including social media posts) in way that remembers the golden rule. Christians should always seek to be a light in the world, even in discussions about the leadership of our nation. No matter the topic, idea, or person (even elected officials) should cause any of us to abandon the golden rule.

The political climate is toxic. Those of us committed to this type of respectful discourse are seeking a better way. We are not waiting on our leaders, our political parties or anyone else. We are, rather, turning to the words and example of our Lord Jesus, who told us how to best to treat all people: Do to others what you want done to you.

Let us pray…

Blessings,

Pastor John

So many people seem anxious. Have you noticed?

In the last couple of years, people in general seem really wound up. A whole laundry list of reasons is contributing to this anxiety – politics, social media, societal changes, the economy, the Redskins. Everything.

When we get anxious, it is very easy and very natural to respond to that anxiety in all kinds of unhealthy ways. For the Christian, though, this is an opportunity to see God work in and through oneself.

When you feel that anxiety coming, remember these words of Jesus:

“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:25-33).

In addition to trusting God, I want to suggest a couple other techniques. First, only worry about what you can control. Essentially that comes down to one thing – how you respond to any given situation. None of us can control outcomes or people, but we most certainly know the One who does! So, let go of any notion of trying to change others.

Second, know what problems and challenges actually belong to you. When people are anxious, they will attempt to “hand off” their anxiety to others. Have you ever been sitting quietly at home when suddenly, the door opens and one of your family members starts yelling and fussing? You find out through snippets of conversation that something happened earlier in the day that has made them anxious, and now they are spreading the joy! Learn how to let go of the problems that truly do not belong to you.

That doesn’t mean we are insensitive to the problems of others. An empathetic word may go a long way to helping them get calmer. Instead of trying to fix them or their problem, try saying something like, “Sounds like you are having a tough day!” The other person will feel heard, and you will not become more anxious.

Worry chokes out joy, and we have so much to be thankful for, even when life is challenging. Seek God first, and don’t try to control other people or other situations. You’ll find a great deal more peace!

Blessings,
Pastor John

Greetings Church family! This past week, the session met on Tuesday evening and made two very important decisions. Earlier this spring, the elders decided to change the Sunday morning schedule. As you know we tried a single-service schedule with worship at 9:45 and Sunday School classes meeting at 8:30am and 11:00am.

We did this for several months, and then held a town hall meeting on September 10 so that the session could hear the concerns of the congregation (and because of my sabbatical, I was not present). The result of that feedback led to one of the important decisions on Tuesday evening. Beginning December 1, we will follow this schedule:

• Sunday School 9am-10am,
• Fellowship time, choir rehearsals, coffee 10am-10:30, and
• Worship at 10:30am.

A letter to the congregation detailing this decision will be sent to the congregation next week.

The second big decision was about music staffing. The music staff search committee recommended that Penny Liston serve as Music Director and the session agreed. Penny has been filling in on a temporary basis since summer, 2018, and has grown up in this congregation. During this interim period, in addition to accompanying the services and the choir, picking music and helping to plan music, Penny has started a children’s music program, introducing the children to bells and vocal singing, and started a bell choir for senior ringers aptly named, “Silver Bells.”

In this more permanent role, Penny will continue to assist with planning service music, direct the bell and vocal choirs, work with children, and she will also accompany worship services until the search committee secures an organist/accompanist. Penny has great plans for our music ministry, and we are excited for her work!

As you can see, we have plenty of exciting changes ahead. I hope to see you in worship as we continue to know Christ, grow in God’s love, and serve as the Holy Spirit leads.

Blessings,

Pastor John

Pastor John has prepared brief devotions for the newsletter during each week of his sabbatical (July 1-September 30). Each passage is a favorite of Pastor John.

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

A couple years ago, I came across a wonderful book series about food. The first book is Eat This, Not That, which was followed by Drink This, Not That. Both books explain the calories and chemicals (yes, chemicals) found in the foods and drinks we eat. What is great about both books is that they don’t only say “Stop eating/drinking X,” but they give alternatives.

Once in a while, we come across something in scripture that is lucid, practical and hard to question. 2 Timothy 2:22 is one such verse. Like the books mentioned above, the verse tells us what not to do while also telling us what will be beneficial for us.

Timothy was a young pastor who Paul had left in Ephesus to deal with some false teaching that had taken hold of the Christians in that community. Timothy was mentored by Paul, and Paul was in prison awaiting execution when he wrote two letters to his young charge. The second letter has more of a “last words” kind of feel, as if Paul knows his time is short and he has important things to tell Timothy.

Now, you may be wondering what is so evil about youth? The verse begins with “Flee the evil desires of youth.” I still remember what it was like when I was young. I was arrogant, self-centered, and I was convinced I was right about every issue. And not only so, I was willing to take a hard stand on anything and everything. There were no grey areas. Additionally, most of the dumb mistakes of my youth outshine most of the mistakes I made later in life. Paul is instructing Timothy to be careful not to be led by passion and feelings alone, for they may lead to some really big and bad mistakes.

Instead, Paul encourages Timothy to, “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” In other words, pursue what is good along with the people of God.

This is a good word for all of us for one simple reason. Focusing on doing good is so much easier than focusing on what is bad. To try and stop a bad behavior without replacing it with a good behavior is going to leave us focusing on the bad.

If you are trying to stop certain bad behaviors in your life, I encourage you to find good ones with which to replace it. You will be happier and enjoy greater success!

Blessings,

Pastor John

Pastor John has prepared brief devotions for the newsletter during each week of his sabbatical (July 1-September 30). Each passage is a favorite of Pastor John.
August 30

Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

When I was in the process of becoming an ordained Presbyterian minister, one of the requirements was writing an exegesis paper on a predetermined passage. This was considered an ordination exam, and the passage we were assigned that year was Hebrews 12:1-3. Through the process of writing that paper, I fell in love with this passage.

I don’t think there are any Christians who, at some time or another, haven’t felt like giving up. The pressures of this life and our struggles with sin can make it seem and feel as if God is far off; that God is no longer there for us. That desperation is what these three verses are speaking to. They are defined in the second verse as, “every weight” and, “sin which clings so closely.”

Put simply, what this passage is speaking to is willfully letting sin into your life, and the burden of trying to accomplish on your own what Christ has done for you. And the two often go hand in hand. We get caught up in some sin, and once convicted, rather than simply seek forgiveness and grace, we start looking to our own efforts to redeem us. We promise God we’ll stop sinning; we try to do more good things to offset the sin, and on and on the cycle goes until we can no longer stand the pressure. Everything comes crashing down.

As followers of Christ, we dare not stay in that low position. We are reminded that we are not in this alone (surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses), that we are not the first Christian to struggle with sin. The way out is quite simple: Look to Jesus. Other versions translate verse two, “Fix your eyes on Jesus.” Look to him and realize he has gone to the cross for your sin. Look to him and see that he was traded his glory for our shame. Look to him and find the One who bore up under tremendous suffering and punishment. We look at him and we remember he died for us, he saves us, he calls us, and he has forgiven us. His suffering and shame gives us the example and the encouragement we need to help us to press on in the marathon that is this life.

Blessings,

Pastor John

The church mission trip team had a spectacular mission trip to Nicholas County, WV, during the week of 12-16 August. Team members were Russell Low, Steve Bossung, Jeannette Tabb and George Tabb. We were a small team but extremely effective and efficient. Russell Low brought his much in demand skills as an electrician to the table and the rest of us brought our strong backs and enthusiasm.

There is so much need in Nicholas County that it is difficult to know where to start. We worked on three locations.

1. The first location was located outside of Cragsville. Residents needed to have their electrical service upgraded. Russell’s skills came in quite handy there. A new service cable was run from the meter box to a new panel box on the inside of the house. This was not an easy task, but Russell made it look easy. While he was doing that, the rest of us insulated their attic and did major repairs on their deck. Willy helped and suggested ideas that were instrumental in the successful completion of the deck work. We spent the better part of two day there with them. At the end, the group decided to give the family the $600 that the church gave to us to use where needed. It was the right place to put the money as one had just found out that he has colon cancer and had to travel to Morgantown for tests and treatment. They both cried and he said, “I love you guys.”
   
2. The second place we went was a newly installed trailer on Crupper Neck, also near Craigsville. Another group had visited there earlier and had installed a handicapped ramp for access to the home. Our job was to install a metal roof over the porch area of the ramp. Our, work leader, Tim Stewart, did a great job in sharing his vision of how the roof should be constructed and helping us to get the job done in the right way. We spent less than a day there getting the work done.
   
3. The last place we visited was a trailer near Mt. Nebo. The resident had lived there since April without electricity, without water, and with dangerous holes in his flooring. Again, Russell’s skills were greatly needed. He and Greg Flannigan (our work leader) ran a new service cable from the meter box, under the trailer, and to the panel box on the inside. It was a big job that took lots of effort and again Russell’s talents came through. While Russell was involved in his work, Steve repaired the water line into the trailer. Again, it took lots of effort, but Steve did a great job and got the water service restored to the bathroom. While these two jobs were going on, Jeannette and I added new flooring to the hallway and the kitchen area where the floor had fallen through. The resident now has power, water and hot water, and his floors have been repaired. We left it better than we found it. Lots more needs to be done to the place but that will be taken care of in September when another group comes in to tackle the job. After Russell completed his work at the trailer, he also completed some electrical upgrades at the Summersville Presbyterian Church.

I believe we all had a great time except for Steve who got stung by a hornet on his eye on the first day and Jeannette who ended up with poison ivy. Steve got his revenge on the hornets and Jeannette is well on her way to healing up from her poison ivy. Seriously, it was a good time for all of us and I believe we all came away with a sense of just how lucky we all are. It was a pleasure to get to know our fellow church members a little better. Doing something for others that they cannot do for themselves is a significant and positive thing. We all came away tired and dirty but glad we went.

In my opinion, the church should continue our work in the Nicholas and Webster County area next year. Even though we had a small group, we accomplished some significant things and made a positive difference in people’s lives. God be praised for the accomplishments and the differences made.

George E. Tabb, Jr.
Mission Team Member