Charles Town Presbyterian Church

This week’s newsletter is for two weeks, since next week is a short week, with an additional worship service and the beginning of advent. I want to highlight three very important events coming up in the next few days.

1. Thanksgiving Eve Worship – This is one of my favorite worship services of the year. It is unique from all our other services, and it is a wonderful way to get prepared for the days ahead. With Black Friday endlessly creeping into Thanksgiving year after year, this worship service helps us get the right mindset, so that we are worshiping and putting our focus on Christ for Thanksgiving, and the advent season that is fast approaching! I hope you are able to join this Wednesday evening at 7pm.
2. Schedule Change – By now, all of us should be aware of the schedule change that begins next Sunday, December 1.:
   • Sunday School begins at 9am and ends at 10am.
   • From 10-10:30 we have time to visit and talk, and it gives musicians participating in worship and Sunday School and opportunity to practice without interrupting any of the classes. I have it on good authority that there will be coffee in the kitchen! If you have young children in Sunday School, be sure to pick them at the end of Sunday School at 10am. As with any change, there will no doubt be some bumps in the road, but I’m sure we can all be patient with each other as navigate this change.
   • Worship begins at 10:30am.
3. Deck the Halls – On the first Sunday of advent, December 1, following worship, we are going to “green” the sanctuary. Our sanctuary always looks spectacular every advent and Christmas. It takes many people to make this happen. We are going to be ready to switch gears after the worship service and take about an hour to hang the greenery. What a fun way to start the advent season. We hope you can stay and help us “deck the halls!”

We have so much more going on in the coming weeks than just these events, and I am very excited for what this advent and Christmas season.

Blessings,

Pastor John

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