Volume 16, Issue 7 Trinity Fellowship Church (PCA) July 2015

Our Mission Our Vision

Trinity Fellowship Church desires to glorify Trinity Fellowship Church desires to be a God by equipping a community of believers Bible-believing, Christ-centered, -filled, to worship God and be witnesses of Him in and gospel-driven community where every Central Arkansas and to the ends of the member is equipped and encouraged to earth. minister and witness according to their God- given talents.

The Pastor’s Column In This Issue

The Pastor’s Column Page 1

Missionary of the Month Page 2

Training Tidbits Page 3 The Rule of Threes: Remembering the Long View Fellowship Focus Page 3 A lot has happened in the news over the last several weeks. Soon after my family and I returned from General Assembly where racial reconciliation was one of the main Women in the Church talking points, chaos erupted during a Bible Study at the Emanuel African Methodist Page 3 Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Dylan Roof allegedly open fired, killing nine people, including the pastor. “Mother Emanuel” is largely and African Student’s Spotlight American church, and Dylan Roof was there “to shoot black people,” as many Page 4 witnesses claim. Recently, news broke out of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale To the Ends of the Earth that their pastor, Tullian Tchividjian, was stepping down from his position because of Page 6 an inappropriate relationship. Tchividjian, who is the grandson of , was called by Coral Ridge to be their pastor after Dr. James Kennedy passed away Missions Conference several years ago. Tchividjian joins a long list of pastors who have resigned for “moral Page 6 failures.” Finally, who has not heard about the recent Supreme Court Decision in the case Session Update of Obergefell v. Hodges? In this case, the Supreme Court declared that states can not Page 7 ban same-sex marriage. This decision essentially made same-sex marriage legal in all fifty states. As Christians, how do we handle these things? On Easter, I preached a sermon entitled The Long View. As we looked at the impact of the resurrection in our lives, we came to see that we have a problem of perspective. Our perspective on life is often short-sighted. We look at the world around us and think that everything is just falling apart. Our nation that was founded on Christian principles is drifting further and further away from God’s truth. Respected Christian leaders appear to be falling all around us, and racial tension appears to be growing rather than subsiding.

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!1 Volume 16, Issue 7 Trinity Fellowship Church (PCA) July 2015

Missionary of the Month

Del Farris

“It is a great honor and privilege to serve my fellow civilian chaplains as the Associate Director for Civilian Chaplaincy with the PRCC and MNA Chaplain Ministries, and to assist as needed with serving our military chaplains. Here is my vision in its simplest form: A minimum of three teaching elders, in paid civilian chaplain positions, endorsed by the PRCC, in every presbytery. With 122 presbyteries currently in the PCA, OPC, ARPC, RPCNA, and URCNA, the goal would be 366 paid civilian chaplains. As of this spring, they are close to 10 percent of that goal. Considering the number of hospitals, hospices, prisons/jails, retirement communities, businesses, sports teams, etc., that employ chaplains in every city, every county, and every state, it is easy to conclude there are more than enough opportunities to reach this goal. Please join me in asking the Lord’s blessing on this vision!” Civilian Chaplains typically provide pastoral support through prayer, encouragement, pastoral counseling and presence to people involved in traumatic events, experiencing crisis situations, or as they deal with ongoing chronic needs. They also minister to care providers, such as first responders, nurses, doctors and many others. PCA/PRCC Civilian Chaplains face unique challenges, often needing to discover and develop ways to provide biblically-based pastoral support in secular contexts. Del shepherds the Chaplains, equipping and encouraging them in their ministries, and in their personal relationships with Christ. He is a resource for them when the challenges of ministering in pluralistic and secular contexts arise. Del received his Master of Divinity degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi in 1985. He served as an assistant pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Little Rock before becoming the solo pastor of a church in North Carolina. His chaplaincy experience began in September of 1991 after his family (wife Hazel, son Loddrick, and daughter Hannah) needed to return to Arkansas. He began as an on-call chaplain at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) in Little Rock. By the spring of 1992, two other chaplain positions became available, one as a fee-basis (on call) chaplain for the Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Hospital System and the other as a hospice chaplain. He continued as a chaplain for all three until he became the Director of the Pastoral Care Department at ACH in May 1995. Del has preached many times at Trinity since moving back to Arkansas. He has been involved in the national leadership of the Pediatric Chaplains Network (PCN) since 1998 and served as President from 2003-2005. Del was the Project Coordinator for the PCN’s development of a national training curriculum specific to pediatric chaplaincy. The Pediatric Chaplains Institute (PCI) was founded in 2007 as a week-long intensive training using the new curriculum. He has served as the Dean of the PCI since its beginning. He has been a member of the ACH Bioethics Advisory Committee for 18 years, and received a Certificate in Clinical Bioethics in 2001 from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He was elected the first non-physican co-chairman of the Bioethics Committee. He served on the faculty at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in the Medical Humanities Department for 10 years assisting with teaching Medical Ethics to second year medical students. In 1998 he began ACH’s palliative care program (PalCare) and served as Director of PalCare until 2006 while continuing to be the Director of Pastoral Care. Del and Hazel are excited to be the grandparents of two!

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Training Tidbits Fellowship Focus Christian Education Committee: Fellowship Committee: Bill Dempsey (Chair), Janet Gilchrist, Greg Fox, Michelle Irby, Sharon Hawk, Boyd Irby, Heath Warbritton Ron Plate (Chair), Heath Warbritton

GCP Training Church Pool Party

Dan Boulton will return November 13th-15th for Join us Sunday, August 2nd from 6:30-8:30 pm at the teacher and parent training. Dan is the field Dowell Naylor Aquatic Center in Maumelle (1100 representative for Great Commission Publications, a Edgewood Dr.) for our end-of-summer Pool Party. joint venture between the PCA and the OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) that publishes our Sunday School curriculum. Dan has served as a church educator for over 28 years.

Women in the Church

Ladies’ Committee: Suzie Aich, Bernadette Dempsey, Jennifer Fox, Beth Ward

Summer is commonly thought of as a time to rest might have to serve the church and our community. and enjoy God’s wonderful creation, and it is! We do, During this time, we’ll be introducing our newest however, need to remember where to get that rest. With ministry: the Titus 2 Discipleship Ministry, which is also our bible studies on hold, it’s easy to fall out of the habit known as “Spiritual Mothering.” This ministry is designed of reading His Word, so we encourage you to use your to encourage and equip women to live their lives for time off to dive into scripture and study a topic or book God’s glory. The mandate for this ministry can be found that will fill you up and enable you to enjoy this summer in Titus 2:3-5 which states: “Older women likewise are to even more. A few suggestions: meditate on the Psalms be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to or Proverbs; study the topic of food or celebration; study much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the women of the Bible, or any other topic you find the young women to love their husbands and children, yourself called to. to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and This month, we have the privilege of celebrating the submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God upcoming birth of John and Tamara Hensley’s newest may not be reviled.” Please pray that God will prepare baby. Join us on July 11th at the Fennema’s house our hearts for this new ministry. Our relationship with beginning at 10 a.m. to shower them with freezer meals. God will grow stronger as we strengthen our We’re also preparing for our next girls’ night out! If you relationships with each other and learn from the have daughters who are kindergarteners and up, bring experiences of our spiritual mothers. them to the church on July 28th for a fun night of crafting! They will be making cards, thanks to the “Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; guidance of Sharon Plate and Bernadette Dempsey. let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Looking forward to August, we have set a date for Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding our fall kickoff brunch. On August 22nd beginning at 10 joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” a.m., join us for a brunch and time of fellowship. We will Psalm 43:3-4 discuss the women’s ministry and any opportunities you

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Student’s Spotlight Greeters and Ushers Fayetteville Retreat July 5th Glenn VanEnk Covenant Church in Fayetteville is hosting a free weekend retreat for students Rick Aich grades 9-12 beginning Friday, July 31st. Students will be housed with families from July 12th Covenant for the weekend. On Friday night, there will be games for everyone Ed Sartain followed by a worship service. After a quick breakfast on Saturday, our group will Ken Hawk head out to explore the vast Northwest Arkansas wilderness. The second large group worship will be held on Saturday evening. The third talk of the weekend will be July 19th Sunday morning during Covenant’s Sunday School hour. We will stay for worship Nick Sartain with Covenant then head back after a quick lunch. Aiden Sartain This is a free retreat, but space is limited. Please see Heath to sign up as soon as you’re able. July 26th Glenn VanEnk RYM Summer Conference AJ VanEnk Our students and chaperons had a great week at RYM Summer Conference in Panama City Beach, FL. Look for a full recap in our August newsletter! Nursery Volunteers

July 5th Joy Denley

July 12th “I look forward, not to what lies ahead of me in this life and will surely Tamara Hensley pass away, but to my eternal goal. I am intent upon this one purpose, July 19th not distracted by other aims, and with this goal in view I press on, eager Diane Buck for the prize, God's heavenly summons. Then I shall listen to the sound of Your praises and gaze at Your beauty ever present, never future, never July 26th past. But now my years are but sighs. You, O Lord, are my only solace. Beth Ward You, my Father, are eternal. But I am divided between time gone by and time to come, and its course is a mystery to me. My thoughts, the intimate life of my soul, are torn this way and that in the havoc of Liturgist change. And so it will be until I am purified and melted by the fire of Your love and fused into one with You.” RE Ron Plate — Augustine of Hippo

Financial Report January February March YTD Average Attendance Income $24,015 $12,891 $17,808 $54,714 March: 104 Expenses $13,918 $14,195 $19,881 $47,994 TOTAL $10,097 -$1,304 -$2,073 $6,720 !4 Volume 16, Issue 7 Trinity Fellowship Church (PCA) July 2015

The Pastor’s Column Birthdays

(continued from page 1) July 7th Nathan Fox When we have the Long View, God converts the frustration of the current Audrey Lukas circumstances into hope. Because of the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection, AJ Mirabella we have a living hope, despite our current circumstances. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we know what the future will look like in the Kingdom of God. Racial July 14th tension and divides will cease because people from all races and cultures will stand Gabe Hensley before the throne of God, washed by the blood of the Lamb, and adopted into God’s family as brothers and sisters in Christ (Revelation 7:9-17). “Moral failures” and July 21st “inappropriate relationships” will cease because there will be no more sin. (Revelation Lee VanEnk 21:5) God’s design for marriage—and for all of creation for that matter—will stand forever, because God will make all things new! (Revelation 21:27) July 27th Mary Keene Because of the resurrection we are standing on the edge of something so amazing and glorious that if we knew the truth, we wouldn’t be able to stand it! But instead of July 29th focusing on the truth of the gospel and the hope that it brings us, our vision becomes Leah Lukas clouded with the present reality. Let us heed the words of Paul: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right July 30th hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Stephanie Fennema For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4 ESV) July 31st Elliot Fennema

Anniversaries

Missionary of the Month July 5th Greg and Jennifer (continued from page 2) Fox

Prayer Requests: • Hazel and I believe the Lord is leading us to move to St. Louis for personal and professional reasons. Pray for the Lord’s guidance and provision. • We are thankful that we continue to be able to care for Hazel’s mother in our home, but it does take a toll on us and we need God’s strength and wisdom. • With all of the challenges we have been and are facing, it is easy for me to slip into feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. Pray that the Lord will help me be focused, energetic, and productive.” • I want you to know that I deeply appreciate your prayers, support, and encouragement more than I can tell you. Thank you for helping me with the ministry the Lord has given me. I praise God for how He has provided thus far and believe He will provide going forward. The need for financial support is still significant, please pray.

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To the Ends of the Earth

Missions Committee: Rick Aich, Suzie Aich, Darrel Croswell (Chair), Amber Sartain, Nick Sartain, Rae Belle Sartain

The missions committee at Trinity Fellowship Church desires to glorify God by equipping believers to worship God through missions by actively supporting and encouraging fellow believers to be engaged in acts of service to both the community in central Arkansas and to the ends of the earth.

2015 Missions Conference

Schedule of Events

Friday 5:30 pm Missions Conference Picnic (Please bring a side dish to share) 6:45 pm Worship 7:00 pm Missions Presentation: Kelly Walter 7:30 pm Missions Presentation: Del Farris

Saturday 9:00 am Breakfast 9:45 am Children’s Missions Conference (Activities for ages 5-10; childcare for ages 4 and under) Missions Presentation: Mike Ford and Bradford Green 10:50 am Missions Presentation: Union Rescue Mission

6:00 pm Worship and Testimonies 6:15 pm Missions Presentation: Ted Wenger 6:45 pm Central Arkansas Church Planting Presentation: Kevin Hale (Pastor of Christ Church Conway) 7:15 pm Missions Presentation: Video Updates from Missionaries Unable to Attend 7:30 pm Dessert Reception

Sunday 9:30 am Missions Presentation: Fred Klett 10:00 am Missions Presentation: Steve Sanford 10:45 am Worship featuring Steve Sanford and Fred Klett 12:00 pm Catered Lunch and Dessert Auction**

**Does your mouth water at the thought of a freshly baked chocolate cake or a warm, freshly baked pie? Then don’t miss our silent dessert auction! The event will take place at the catered lunch Sunday afternoon in the Fellowship Hall. We will be auctioning off cookies, cakes, pies, and many other delicious treats. Make sure to bring cash or your checkbook (and fighting spirit) to win your favorite dessert. All proceeds will be distributed amongst the missionaries.

Thank you to those who have volunteered for the Missions Conference! A member of the Missions Committee will be in touch with you soon. If you have not yet signed up, but might be interested in helping in some way, please sign up online or see one of the members of the committee.

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Session Update

Church Planting Update

Several weeks ago, we held a congregational meeting regarding our calling to plant new churches. The Session believes that God is calling Trinity to deal with our recent expansion by planting new churches, rather than expand our current facilities. Since that meeting, several people have asked for an update on what was happening with church planting. On the outside, it may appear that not much progress has been made in terms of church planting. We don’t have any candidates that we are considering, and we don’t have a sight picked out. Church planting costs money, and we don’t have a sizable nest egg put aside for the efforts. This may sound like nothing has happened over the last several weeks. However, we are confident that God is moving whether we see things happening or not. During General Assembly, Mike was able to meet with some denominational leaders to help navigate a path forward. The PCA has an abundance of resources for churches who fueled called to plant other churches. We will be using those resources as much as possible because we do not want to navigate this process on our own. We would ask that you continually pray for Trinity and for our desire to plant churches. Pray that God would clearly show us that path forward. Pray for the efforts to be sustained financial, and that even now, God would be preparing the right man for this calling. If you have any questions regarding church planting, please don’t hesitate to talk to Mike or any of the elders.

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Trinity Fellowship Church 398 Bear Paw Road Sherwood, AR 72120 trinityfellowshippca.org 501-834-0907

PASTOR: REV. MIKE FENNEMA Cell: 501-612-1331 Home: 501-982-0280 [email protected]

DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP AND STUDENT MINISTRIES: HEATH WARBRITTON Cell: 870-636-0788 [email protected]

ELDERS Darrel Croswell: 501-681-4114 Bill Dempsey: 707-338-3489 Ron Plate: 501-258-0753 Bob Beatty (Emeritus): 501-580-7149

DEACONS Boyd Irby: 501-920-5615 Nick Sartain: 501-812-6168

MISSIONS SUPPORTED Union Rescue Mission; Little Rock Steve Sanford — Evangelical Alliance for Immigration Services; Little Rock Del Farris — MNA Chaplain Ministries; Little Rock Fred Klett — CHAIM (Reformed Ministry to Jewish People); Philadelphia Kelly Mitchell Walter — Wycliff Bible Translators/GIAL Tom and Karen Mirabella — MTW; Chiba, Japan Seima and Naoko Aoyagi — MTW; Tokyo, Japan Mike and Eli Sabin — MTW; Guam Rev. Ted Wenger — Redeemer Presbyterian Church; Siloam Springs Rev. Mike Ford— RUF at the University of Arkansas; Fayetteville Rev. Bradford Green — RUF at UCA/Hendrix; Conway

Trinity Fellowship Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)

Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith and Obedient to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ 1700 North Brown Road Lawrenceville, GA 30043 pcanet.org

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