Charles Town Presbyterian Church

Once again, we come to Holy Week.

There is a wonderful rhythm to the liturgical calendar. Advent prepares us for Christmas, Lent prepares us for Holy Week. And in between those seasons we celebrate special days like Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, and Christ the King Sunday.

This weekend Lent comes to end, and Holy Week begins and there is a particular rhythm to Holy Week. Palm Sunday celebrates the coming of Jesus to Jerusalem. It is celebratory; Jesus is rightfully worshiped as a king, though the people worshiping are not completely clear on why Jesus is to be worshiped. On this side of the cross, we also know he is going to Jerusalem to make atonement for our sins. This we also celebrate.

A few days pass and then it’s Maundy Thursday. This is a challenging and dark day. On this day we remember that Jesus is going to be betrayed by one of his disciples. When he is arrested, his friends will scatter. One of his best friends will deny he even knows Jesus, just to save his own skin. Jesus is utterly alone.

Between Thursday and Friday, Jesus is tried and questioned, and eventually he is brought before the people. The people, incited by their leaders, call for Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate orders Jesus’ punishment and execution, and soon our Lord is hung between two thieves on Golgotha. His death comes but a few hours later.

Holy Week ends with the Great Easter Vigil, which many traditions make more of than Presbyterians typically do. The Vigil is a time for reflecting on the death of Jesus and his promise of Resurrection.

Holy Week can be an amazingly meaningful time. I encourage all who read this to make diligent effort to make the week more meaningful. This might mean attending special worship services. It could mean engaging in spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting. Holy Week is a great time to become reacquainted with the gospels, especially the events of the week Jesus gave his life.

There are many ways to honor Christ’s sacrifice in the week ahead. Don’t let the rhythm of the coming days go so quickly that you miss out on a greater and deeper experience of Christ and his sufferings.

Blessings,

Pastor John

I’m exhausted.

Last weekend was an awesome time in the life of the church. The day started with a church work day. Church members began showing up at 8:00am. All told, we had about twenty people show up to help with a variety of activities. We were able to trim trees, weed the flower beds in front of the sanctuary, trim the bushes along Mildred Street, and we put down mulch.

Mulching was the largest job. We put down about twenty yards of mulch, the bulk of it going to the playground. We were also able to dress the Mildred Street beds, and many of the beds in front of and around the sanctuary. Many thanks to the property committee, led by David Weil and Gary Scott for coordinating this important work day.

After all that hard work, it was time for fun! In the evening, Marsha Dibbern and Diane Mayhew hosted a “Bible Challenge Game Night.” Using Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune formats, the two-dozen people who showed up were challenged by categories such as OT, NT, Hymns, Names, Who Said It, Who Is It, and Places. We even learned who pays attention on Sunday mornings in the “Recent Sermons” category!

We worked together and we played together. This exactly what it means to be the Church. When we are functioning well, we are able to do both of those things. As you can see from the pictures located later in the newsletter, the hard work was worth it, and it was great fun! What a blessing to be able do both work and play together!

As this Lenten season begins to wind down and our sights turn to Holy Week, I am so thankful for this congregation, and their commitment to one another and to Christ. 2019 is shaping up to be an exciting and busy time for Charles Town Presbyterian Church.

There are two things coming up in the immediate future. This Sunday, April 7, there is a mission trip informational meeting for anyone interested in the mission trip. The meeting is not mandatory, but if you are interested in participating, this is an important meeting to be part of.

Also, next Saturday, April 13, is Paint Nite, and this is going to also be a fun night that will be a combination outreach event and Save the Steeple fundraiser. Please see the additional information in the newsletter about this event.

Blessings,

Pastor John

Dear Church Family,

This past Tuesday evening, at the stated session meeting, the elders made an important decision that impacts the whole congregation. We are moving to one service beginning June 2. We will worship at 9:45am and have Sunday School at 11am. The session realizes this is big change for everyone. This change is not “summer only.”

This decision might seem out of the blue, but we’ve been discussing this for some time. Every summer when we combine services, many in the congregation enjoy that people from both services are together, and there is genuine disappointment expressed when the two-service schedule is resumed. “Why can’t we do one service year-round?” was a common refrain every fall. In addition, attendance at the early service reached a point where, on aver-age, between 15-20 people were in attendance. That’s a hard sell for a new person. Every time a first-time visitor comes to the early service it’s usually the last time we see them.

There are a number of other reasons which are explained in the letter, which was sent out this week. Those persons with concerns about this change are encouraged to review the letter and to share their concerns with session members.

The driving reason for this change is mission and outreach. The session is well aware that, as much as none of us likes it, the world is much different in 2019, and older paradigms for ministry don’t work like they used to. We all agree that we’d like to see our church grow, and for that to happen, we need to change. You can’t change without change.

The session recognizes that this is going to create some anxiety. We will have some bumps in the road. We will survive this change. When this congregation comes together – whether it’s for a capital campaign, learning new music in worship, or taking on a new mission endeavor, we always manage to rise to the challenge and end up working well together.

Before we decide that this change won’t work, let’s give it a chance. Let’s pray for one another, be patient with one another, and most of all, seek to be a strong witness to the world for Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor John

Mission always excites me!

At the February session meeting, the elders approved a recommendation from the mission committee to hold a mission trip August 10-17. We will be organizing a group to head to Webster Springs, WV, in Webster County. Two years ago, we sent two teams to that area – a youth trip and an adult trip. Webster County was hard hit two years ago by horrible storms that flooded the rivers very dramatically and devastated the communities of that region. Recovery work will be ongoing for years to come.

Mission is important in the life of a church. When we do mission trips, we are engaging in something unfamiliar, usually in an area of the world we aren’t normally a part of. By design, it causes us to rely on Christ. And then there is the work – serving others and helping people who would be unable to have the work done were it not for Christians heeding God’s call. It allows us an opportunity to share the love of Christ by helping others, people who are often total strangers. And most of the time, mission trips are lifechanging, not only for those who are served, but for those who are serving.

In the coming weeks, the Mission and Outreach committee will be sharing more about the upcoming trip. I want to encourage you to be in prayer about this. Perhaps the Lord is leading you to participate. That might be a scary proposition but remember – answering Christ’s call always requires faith and trust in him, and it can be challenging. Just because he calls us to something new and different doesn’t mean we should be quick to say, “No!” Even if going on the mission trip is the farthest thing from your mind, please be in prayer for those who are going and for the planning of the trip.

This is an exciting time for our church. The leaders of the church believe God is calling us to help others and go into the world. Please continue to pray for the church as we follow where Christ is leading!

Blessings, Pastor John

Greetings!

There are two activities I want to highlight as we begin the month of March:

1. Panera Night

Last Friday, the missions and outreach committee coordinated a fundraiser through Panera Bread in Ranson. We held a “Spirit Night” to benefit our Save the Steeple campaign. When this was first scheduled, we told Panera management that 50-75 attendees was a realistic expectation. By the end of the night, the manager informed me that 200 people had turned in the spirit night form in support of the event!

It’s likely about one third of that 200 were people who are not connected to CTPC but graciously agreed to support our event. But that means well over 100 people were there either from our church or because they know someone in our church! Well done! We want to be sure to highlight the hard work of Allen Peacher and Barb Greene (a friend of Allen’s), who put many hours into the success of this event! We haven’t heard yet how much money we raised, but
based on attendance alone, we know the event was a success!

2. Ash Wednesday

The season of Lent is upon us, beginning with Ash Wednesday worship this Wednesday, March 6, at 7pm. This service will be very introspective and feature the imposition of ashes. The season of Lent is my favorite season of the Christian calendar. The season of Lent affords us six weeks to consider our own devotion to Christ as we prepare to celebrate his passion and resurrection during Holy Week. I encourage you to join us for worship on Wednesday.

This winter has been busier than usual for us. In addition to the activities mentioned above, we have the music ministry workshop next Saturday, church family bowling next Sunday, Spring Fling after-church luncheon Sunday, March 24th (no early worship service), a church work day (9-Noon) and Bible Challenge game night (6pm) on Saturday, March 30, Paint night on Saturday, April 13, Maundy Thursday Service April 18 (7pm), Spring Concert on Friday, April 26 (7pm, refreshments at 6pm) and the Yokefellows barbecue on Saturday, April 27 (4:30-7pm). And that’s just the next two months! In the summer we have Vacation Bible School and the mission trip to look forward to.

As you can see, there is quite a bit going on. May the Lord bless us as we seek to glorify him in everything we do.

Blessings,

Pastor John

Everyone has a song in their heart that’s just wanting to get out and be heard! Join us for an afternoon of music fun on Saturday, March 9th, 1-3pm at Charles Town Presbyterian Church.

What’s your interest:

• Singing?
• Handbells?
• Learning to read music?
• Guitar or Woodwinds (please bring your own instrument)?

RSVP or for more information on this free event:
Jessy Allowatt 304.579.9053 OR
Penny Liston 304.886.2471 penfvfarm@aol.com