Horizon Highlights

Horizon Highlights Mission Statement June & July 2014 New Horizon Presbyterian Church New Horizon Presbyterian Church 30 Valley View Dr., Council Bluffs, IA 51503-5100 Phone # 712 323-7129 www.newhorizonpc.org Strives to know Christ and share God’s love. Vol. 10 No. 6 Flags red and white stripes for the original “Why do you fly the US flag above the Christian flag?” A colonies represented purity and courage, the gentleman that I had never met accosted me with this question blue field was for justice and perseverance, a few weeks ago in the parking lot. “You’ve got to be kidding!” and the white stars indicate the individual was my initial response. I then apologized for my abrupt states) helped people from all over the world response as I was late for a dental appointment. If I had time, I define themselves as Americans. In 1916, as would have pointed out that his question betrayed two World War I loomed, President Wilson fundamental misunderstandings: 1) that flags were primarily declared June 14 as Flag Day. World War I statements of loyalty and that 2) there was such a thing as a was a pivotal event in American history. It “Christian flag” in that sense of the term. Since June and July are was the first time we sent troops to fight and die in Europe, where months in which we celebrate both Flag Day and Fourth of July, I most of us came from. It catapulted the United States onto the thought I’d give you the answer that this gentleman deserved. world’s stage as what was known as a Great Power. WW I was a th Confusion over flags is not surprising. Believe it or not, there potent introduction to the 20 Century, a century that would see is no commonly accepted definition for what a flag is. Whitney American servicemen and servicewomen serve and sometimes give Smith, one of the founding fathers of modern vexillology (the their lives in places all over the globe. study of flags) proposed to the International Federation of As far as I know, no one has sacrificed their lives under a flag Vexillogical Associations this definition: A flag is the intentional originating from the Sunday School movement. There are untold combination of colors and shapes in a symbol, usually numbers of martyrs to the Christian faith. The Christian flag declares manifested on a piece of cloth or other flexible material, created who we are: the Cross points to Jesus who lived, died and rose again to serve as a political or social communication between the user to claim us as His own. One other hand, from the earliest days of the or users and one or more other individuals. And I thought revolution, Americans have been sacrificing their lives that others theologians could be pedantic! might be free. We fly the American flag, not just to identify ourselves The universal symbol for Christianity is the Cross. The as Americans or to uphold our values; we fly the flag to honor those Christian Flag itself is a result of an accident. At a Sunday School who have given their lives. We strive to live up to their example. In Rally (a large scale youth rally) held at Coney Island in 1897, that sense, the flag functions the way Hebrews suggest that the the featured speaker never showed up. Superintendent Charles assembled heroes of the faith function as an encouragement to live Overton, while looking at an American flag, ad-libbed a speech up to what we believe. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so on the spot. Talking about the need for a visual symbol in order great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the to teach the faith, he proposed a Christian flag with a field of sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race white for purity, a quadrant of blue for peace, and a cross of that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1 red, for the blood shed by Jesus. In 1907 Overton teamed up Getting back to the gentleman’s original question, why do we fly with Ralph Diffendorfer, secretary to the Methodist Young the American flag over the Christian flag? It is not, as he implied, a People's Missionary Movement, to produce and promote the statement of what demands most of our allegiance. It is not a flag. In those pre-radio, pre-TV, pre-Internet times, flags were a question of what set of values hold priority in our lives. Jesus told potent medium for mass communication. We would say that Pontius Pilate that his kingdom was not of this world, that the Gospel Overton’s idea went viral and that his flag is seen in many was not limited by the affairs or the priorities of humanity. Our faith churches today is in no way trumped by our citizenship. We are citizens of both It is not surprising then that a movement to institute Flag worlds, the Kingdom of God and the United States of America. As we Day as a 21 day salute to the Fourth of July gained traction right enter a time of national celebration, let’s do all we can to live up to around this same time. The 1890’s were a time of mass the ideals of both. immigration. A renewed interest in the meaning of the flag ( the See you in church. Paul June & July 2014 Page 1 June Small Group Meetings Go on a Wilderness Escape With VBS Circles AM’ers – Thu, Jun 12, at 10:00am in Hearth Room Get ready to go on a Wilderness Escape this summer! During July Contacts are Zelda Gutha and Vicki Holder 20 – July 24, New Horizon will be Evening – Sat, Jun 14 at 12:00pm at Famous Dave’s holding Vacation Bible School from Contact is Jan Christensen 5:30pm - 8:00pm each night. This Mary – Thu, Jun 26 at 9:30am in Hearth Rm year’s theme is called, “Wilderness Contact is Cathy Born Escape: Where God Guides and Prayer Shawl – Mon, Jun 9, at 4:00pm in Hearth Rm Provides.” Throughout the week, Tue, Jun 24, at 4:00pm in Hearth Rm children learn to trust God as they Contacts are Mary Alice Fehr and Vicki Holder join Moses on the incredible journey through the wilderness and Stephen Ministry - Wed, Jun 11, at 11:00am in Hearth Rm discover what it was like to live in the Israelite camp. Contacts are Jeff Sagert and Lois Nihsen Each night will begin at 5:30pm with a family-style dinner. The Women’s Ministry Coordinating Team - Thu, Jun 5, 10:00pm fun starts at 6:00pm with music and dance, and then each group will Women’s Ministry Luncheon - Thu, Jun 5, 12:00pm at Bethany take part in arts and crafts, recreation, Bible stories, and reflection Women’s Ministry Brunch - Wed, Jun 11, at 9:30am at Neola time, with the evening ending at 8:00pm. Contact is Cathy Born Activities are being offered for kids from preschool through 6th Attention all NHPC Members and Friends grade, but older kids and adult family members are encouraged to All of the groups welcome you to attend or be a part attend and participate as well. We invite families to bring a friend or of these activities and support the group projects, listed above. neighbor to join in the fun. A supply fee of $10 per child or $20 per family is being charged, but scholarships are available. Registration forms are available in the narthex, or you may register on the Coffee Serving Schedule - 2014 evening of July 20. Each year, the Fellowship Committee assigns the major groups of the church a month during which VBS Volunteers Needed they are responsible for serving coffee on Sunday Vacation Bible School is an important time of outreach for our mornings. church. It is open to not only New Horizon kids, but their friends and The duties of each group include providing people to serve family, neighbors and anyone who stops by. Those few days can be before and after each of the three services during the month an important time for a young child who may be getting his or her assigned, preparing and serving beverages and food, preparing first introduction to the Bible and the amazing works of God. That is the cart for the Praise Service, as well as cleaning up the coffee why it is so important that we get as many people from our church area at the end of the morning. There are instructions posted in family involved. We are in urgent need of more people to help out - the Sacristy to remind everyone of their responsibilities. for an hour, an evening, or the whole week. Please consider giving If you do not have enough people in your group, you are free of your time and talents to this important outreach to the kids of our to recruit volunteers from the congregation to assist you - let’s community. get as many people involved as possible! Please check to see We still need help in many areas of Vacation Bible School, when your groups are called to serve. including; June - Vocal & Bell Choirs group leaders food prep/serving July - Christian Education Committee recreation/games teen helpers August - Mariners Keep your eye out for the volunteer/donation board in the September - Building & Grounds Committee narthex. We will be posting a list of supplies that we need and ways you can help.

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