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Newsletter Presbyterian Disciples Church Newsletter Presbyterian Disciples Church Pastor John Swisher January 2015 Pastor’s Page I was reading the latest issue of the Department of Correction's newsletter called “The Horizon”, which featured an article about children of offenders which were the focus of a recent Reentry Conference. They were making the point that the best way to prepare people for reentry to society after prison is to never have to send them to prison in the first place, in other words, work on the next generation in order to prevent future incarceration just as much or more than we are working with incarcerated individuals to keep them from coming back. The conference featured the former mayor of Philadelphia,The Rev. Dr. Wilson Goode, and founder of the Amichi program, a mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents. So, what are we doing to help in our community? And what could we be doing here that we're not already doing? First, preschool programs help in very effective ways, and with the Discovery Room, we're providing a place for that. What about actual mentoring programs? Big Brothers/Big Sisters is active in the KC area, I know, but I don't know how much we're doing with that in Lafayette County. Foster Grandparents offers opportunities for Seniors to provide mentoring and other support services for youngsters from an experienced, stable, positive person in the community (and they even have a small stipend available, I'm told). Anyway, we are all in this together, it does take a village to raise a child, and as Jesus said, “Suffer the little ones to come unto me”. Pray for our outreach to the next generation. Chapel Chuckle: The parents of several small children were determined to explain the true meaning of Christmas to them all. But they were especially concerned about their littlest, a little girl of five or so, so they pulled her aside, sat her down and gave it their best shot. Af- ter the holiday was over, all the presents were opened, and the huge meal was eaten, they heard her telling her older brothers and sisters, "That was the greatest. I sure hope Mary and Joseph have another baby." John Swisher 1064 Redman, Marshall, Missouri 660-202-3318 [email protected] 1 As members of the Christian Church, Upcoming Community Events We confess that Jesus is the Christ, “SAXsational!” featuring Rob Verdi to Perform in the Son of the living God, Lexington, Mo. January 22, 2015 and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the World. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (December 18, 2014) – In Christ’s name and by his grace “SAXsational” is a unique concert event combining the we accept our mission of witness deft of a seasoned jazz artist with student and community and service to all people. bands. Lexington High School and members of surround- We rejoice in God, ing school bands will join Verdi for a program of popular maker of heaven and earth, jazz standards and movie and television favorites at Went- and in the covenant of love worth Military Academy, 1880 Washington Avenue, on which binds us to God and one another. Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Single adult Through baptism into Christ we enter tickets for this performance are $25. Special ticket pricing into newness of life and are made one of $5 is being offered to all students attending schools that with the whole people of God. are participating in the performance. In the communion of the Holy Spirit we are joined together in discipleship For more information please call (660) 259-2215, visit the and in obedience to Christ. association’s website at www.liveinlexington.org or follow At the table of the Lord we celebrate the latest news from the association on Facebook. with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ. LIVE! In Lexington has been presenting internationally Within the universal church we receive acclaimed artists to the community since 2003. This all- the gift of ministry volunteer nonprofit organization is committed to enriching and the light of scripture. the cultural life of the Lexington community by fostering a In the bonds of Christian faith we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One Pastor John will be participating in a whose kingdom has no end. Mission Trip to Jamaca the first of Janu- Blessing, glory and honor ary. We will welcome quest pasters, Joe be to God forever. Aull to the pulpit on Sunday, January 4th Amen. and Pastor Jane Bartlett on Sunday, Jan- Preamble to the bylaws of the Christian uary 11th. I look forward to worship- Church (Disciples of Christ) of Mid- ping with our quest Pastors and wish America Pastor John a safe and life altering expe- rience as he ministers the word of God. Peace & Justice The Lexington Ministerial Happy New Year. Hope everyone has a wonderful and hap- Alliance will host their an- py 2015!! Let God guide your steps and you will not fall!! nual Community Peace & Justice Service Sunday, Jan- uary 18, 7:00 pm at the First Lexington’s Biggest Loser Board will Baptist Church. All the Pas- The next 12-week round of Lexington’s Biggest Loser starts meet again on tors associated with the Min- January 7 at the United Methodist Church. The cost is $25 Sunday, Janu- isterial Alliance will share in ($5 goes to the United Methodist Church). Weigh-ins are ary 18th this service. All are wel- Wednesdays 5:30 am - 6:30 am or 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Contact following come to attend. Jacki Worthington to join, or contact the Methodist church of- worship. fice for additional information. Lectionary Readings for January: 04– Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:10-18 11 – Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11 18 – 1 Samuel 3:1-10 ; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51 25 — Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:5-12 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 2 JANUARY BIRTHDAYS We Pray for: 01 – Shawn Spencer Mary Williams, Anne Brubeck, Alma Richter, Betty 05 – Stephanie Chapman Swisher, Vonnie Farlow, Linda & John Larry 07 – Shelley Maze Marchetti, Lela Bryant, Doris Bradley, Beryl Myatt, 08 – Tom Bell Irene Bunner, Paula Bunner, Jerry Westcott, Maria 12 – Greg Morgan Our Servicemen: Lappert, Mary Ann & Ronnie Barker, Heidi Lynn, 15 – Dustin Shaner Nathan Wrisinger, Lois Wood, Kathy Neil, Claudine Trent, Jake 16 – Shawna Shovald Bobby Maze, Brittany Means, Beth Maxwell Burk, Robert Smith, Chris 21 – Derek Osman, Ian Swisher Maze, Bo Maze, Christenson, Ruth Cook, Getty Miller, Steve & Wil- 25 – Bill Blass Derek Morgan, Eric ma Sellers, Chris & Stephanie Christenson, Disaster 28 – Mary Williams Morgan, MJ Myers, Victims, & Future of our church 30 – Jim Mayfield Mark Brubeck, Aaron Families of Gary Moore, Kendal Whitney, Pappy Bryant, Ryland Sims, O’Dell, Caroline Ratcliff, Bertha Westerman, Ed JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES Johnathan Lefholz, Luerhman, Leon Jordan 01 – Candy & MJ Myers Jimmy Register Please be in prayer for beloved members who have Al-Anon meetings are held at the gone home: Patricia Cox passed away on Decem- United Methodist Church every ber 11, 2014 nd Bettie Mussattoo passed away on Saturday at 10am . December 7, 2014. You Will Be Missed!! A big thank you to everyone that helped with the Mark Your Calendars for family funeral dinner for Patricia Cox. As usual, Embracing Hope on everyone did a wonderful job, the family was very Saturday January 24, 2015 pleased and appreciative and Patricia would have from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM been overjoyed by all the love and memories. Trinity Presbyterian Church 1400 W Sheley Rd Independence, MO 64052 To keep up to date on current events and to see —register by January 21 what visitors are seeing when they check out our town on the internet, go to the following websites: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy www.lexingtonmo.com and peace as you trust in him, so that you www.historiclexington.com may overflow with hope by the power of the www.visitlexingtonmo.com Holy Spirit.”- Romans 15:13 www.lafayettecountymo.com Tentative Schedule To keep connected with the Northwest Area Dis- 7:30 registration opens/continental breakfast ciples of Christ, please contact Rev. Bill Rose- 8:30 gathering Heim at [email protected] or (816) 632-2237. 9:00 workshop 1 10:15 workshop 2 11:15 lunch and conversation options We will ordain and install our new elders for the 12:30 workshop 3 Class of 2015 on Sunday, January 18th during 1:30 snack/dessert worship services. They will serve on their first 1:45 keynote and worship board meeting that same day following worship. 3:15 Take hope back to your church! Fellowship Meal Participant costs are $30 per person, but if Please join us for a fellowship meal on Sunday, your church registers five people by Thurs- January 25th following worship. Cris Starke day, January 15, a sixth person can attend will have a group visiting with us from Brazil free. and we will worship and fellowship with them. CMD will offer child care during the three workshops. You must, however, register Lexington R-V School District will start back to the child(ren) by Wednesday, January school on Monday, January 5th. Discovery Room 14. The cost will be $15. Preschool starts back to school Tuesday, January 6th. 3 A Well-Balanced Church Resolve to Listen The owner of a new puppy got a good laugh when Christian philosopher Paul Tillich said, “The first re- the little dog, out for a walk, had an itch.
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