Friendly Fire
During the Civil War, the Confederacy experienced
an irreplaceable military loss when General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was
killed - by his
own men! Reviewing the battle scene at Chancellor Ville at dusk one night by
horseback, he was shot by Confederate troops who could not identify him as
friend or foe. He died several days
later from his wounds.
This is
not the first or last time friendly fire took the life of one’s own troops. It
was common in ancient warfare when hand-to-hand combat took place with sword
and spear. European armies adopted brightly colored uniforms—remember
“redcoats” and “bluecoats”—to distinguish one army from another. Yet, even
then, friendly fire took place. The
British victory against Napoleon was almost turned into defeat when Prussian
artillery accidentally fired on British troops—the Prussians and British were
allies! The charge up
Today, with even more remote
weapons fired from high flying aircraft or distance bases, friendly fire
happens all too often.
Friendly fire exists not only on the battlefield, but in
the church as well. Gossip and slander
are common ways we kill off our own. Judgementalism and legalism are
others. Friendly fire can be ignoring
the real or expressed needs of individual or group within the church. We think we are taking aim at the right
enemy—in reality we are killing off our own. Friendly fire can deplete a church
of its vitality, creativity and growth. People become afraid to volunteer,
share, or suggest new ideas for fear of friendly fire. It’s hard to venture out on new paths when
you are unsure of support. No one wants to get shot from behind.
I can
find no better commentary on this than from the words of the Apostle Paul:
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and
beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing
one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving
each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above
all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And
let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in
the one body.” Colossians 3: 12 - 15
Pastor Larry Emery
Page 2:
Donation from Sunday
Supper Club added to the Great Summer
Camp at
Westminster Woods was a big success this summer! A total of 23 children
attended different camps available throughout the summer. The children came
home sharing stories about all the exciting activities they did, and new songs
and stories that they learned. Our church also sent one counselor.
A variety of fundraisers helped pay for children who attended.
Also a special gift from the Sunday Supper Club and Sandy & Darrell
Ferreira totaling $800 helped support campers with special financial needs. The
Sunday Supper Club stopped meeting last year, and left-over funds were donated
to the summer camp program. Only a part of the special gift was spent, which
makes it available for families who would like to attend next year but need a
little “extra” help. Much thanks to the
Sunday Supper Club, and Sandy and Darrell for all their support to our youth!
Tuesday Morning Breakfast to End
For two years,
the Tuesday morning breakfast was an important part of our ministry to young
people. The group met at 7 a.m. for food, fun, and fellowship, and then climbed
on the bus for school. Many
parents and church members volunteered to cook and clean up. The
breakfast, however, will be discontinued because of our new T.N.T. and W.O.W.
programs and the changing bus schedule. We wish to thank all who made the
program a big success, and especially to Mary Lou Hudson who spent much time
coordinating volunteers and getting supplies.
Once, when a
cook didn’t show up, the group walked to Alma’s, and another time when the
bridge was out, a parent “walked” breakfast over from the east side of the
river, then the kids walked to school! Thanks, everyone, for all the great
memories.
Youth News!
T.N.T. News
Tuesday Nights Together begins again on
Tuesday, Oct. 4. All Kindergarten - 4th grade children are invited to a fun and
exciting program of singing, games, crafts and stories from the Bible. Parent
volunteers are always welcome, so come on down and join us for a fun-filled
time! It’s going to be a real blast. **Note: Due to the special
election on November 8, there will be no meeting on that date.
WOW Upcoming Events:
Way-Out-Wednesdays will begin on Oct. 5, from 6 - 8:30 p.m. for all 5th
through 8th grade children with a barbecue dinner and special games and
activities. We will meet each week after that for recreation, service projects,
Bible lesson, discussion groups and more! Each week will be different. Don’t
forget to invite a friend.
Skate
Party:
An all-church skate party is set for Wednesday, Oct. 19. We’ll meet at the
church at 6 p.m. and return by 9:30 p.m. The cost is $6, which includes
admission and pizza dinner. Fourth grade and younger must be accompanied by an
adult.
New Youth Choir to start up on Tuesdays, Oct. 5 from 6:30 -7:30 p.m.
A new youth choir and musical ensemble will
be starting this fall. All interested 4 - 12 grade youth are invited to share
their musical talents with the church. We will meet on Tuesday evenings,
—beginning Oct. 4.— from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the
church. **Note: Due to the special election on November 8, there will be no meeting
on that date.
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“I Believe!”
Fall Women’s
Retreat at Zephyr Point
October 14 - 16,
Friday dinner
through Sunday Lunch.
The Rev. Linda Regan will lead the group in examining some key points of
the Christian faith, and look at ways that faith can grow and change through
stages. Join us for a fun-filled weekend of cultivating your own faith in the
fellowship of women from all over northern
The Cost
is $140 for
Helping
Others Through Grief
A One-night Seminar
Dr. Jim Reed
6:30 - 9:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16
Peace Presbyterian Church (916) 684-8100
Here’s another great opportunity to attend the Grief Seminar that was so
well-received last year at our church. Topics that will be discussed
include:
How and why grief
makes helpers helpless, grief’s relationship to other emotions, different types
of relationship losses, different needs for different ages, when more trained
help is needed, and what NOT to do. The
format will be lecture, open discussion, case histories and hands-on
re-enactments. There is no cost for this event.
Presbyterian
Saturday, September 24, 9:30 a.m.
Westminster Presbyterian Church
(in connection with Presbytery meeting.)
1300 N. Street,
· Exhibits from GA &
local churches
· Rick Ufford-Chase,
Presbyterian Church Moderator
· Marian McClure, Director
of Presbyterian Church Worldwide Ministries
· Afternoon workshops
Globalization Conference
9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Sat. Oct. 29
1300 N. Street,
Registration & lunch - $15
Anuradha Mittal, Founder & Director of the Oakland
Institute, speaking on “Food, Faith & Globalization.” Also
Elizabeth Sholes, CA Council of
Churches, leading a workshop on working with the legislature on hunger issues
& globalization.
For more information about these and other events,
contact Tom or Joanne Haller @ (530) 756-5794 or email haller@omsoft.com
Ethnic Concerns Conference
of
“Today’s
Sign up today for the 3-day Zephyr Cove
conference, Oct. 7 - 9, that focuses on the challenges & opportunities for
the church’s ministry to ethnic minorities. The cost is $70 for adults, $35 for
youth, and $10 for 12 and under. Brochures are available in the narthex or the
church office.
Page 4:
Thursday Night
Bible Study
“The
Lord’s Prayer”
The disciples asked Jesus, “Teach us to pray…” We
ask the same thing today. Join us for a special 12-week series on the Lord’s
Prayer, beginning with our “Welcome Back” barbecue on Sept 15 at 6 p.m. Hope
you can come!
When you look at the
front of our church and enjoy the beauty of the banners and floral
arrangements, or when the lovely music and worshipful messages carry you along
to an uplifting worship experience, do you ever consider how many people
working together it takes to make this possible?
Basically, the
Worship and Music Committee is in charge of making this happen. Although
we do not meet as a group very often, individuals are always busy preparing the
communion table, planning flower arrangements, changing banners and paraments,
calling readers and ushers and communion servers, and planning and practicing
music. We also evaluate the service and make changes when they seem to be
needed.
We always welcome
your input, and love to have volunteers to help in any aspect of our
work. We will also be planning and making a new set of our
cut-and-iron-on banners. Let Audrey Mondeel know if you are
interested....777-5759.
We’ll miss you, Jim...
Jim Reed, a faithful Sunday morning worshipper with us over the past couple of years, moved to Elk Grove in early summer and is now attending Peace Presbyterian Church in that community. He relocated his private counseling practice from Rio Vista at the same time. We'll miss his participation with our youth in W.O.W., his services as an usher (where he filled many a gap when the assigned member failed to appear), and the outrageous sense of humor he often displayed over a cup of tea during Sunday morning fellowship. However, it's always rewarding to attend church in the community where we live and work, as most of us can attest. So we say good-bye to Jim reluctantly, thank him with full hearts for all that he did for us, and wish him many blessings and rewards in his new home. Page 5:Fellowship Activities In the Life of the Church
KICKOFF PICNIC
Sunday, September 11th, we'll be starting off the new church year with our traditional Kick-Off Picnic after morning worship. As usual, there will be hot dogs, beverages, and fixin's provided by the Fellowship Committee. The rest is up to you -- People whose surnames begin with letters A through 0, please bring a salad or plate of sandwiches. If your name starts with P through Z, bring a dessert to share. And remember, calories don't count on Kick-Off Sunday!! This year, the picnic coincides with observance of Grandparents' Day, so why not bring the grandkids to help us start the year off right? In fact, invite a friend -- invite a FEW friends -- to share the day. Remember to mark your calendars: September 11, food and fun.
AUTUMN OPEN HOUSE
It's now traditional for the church to open its doors on October 31st to welcome tired trick-or-treaters and their even more tired adult companions for a spot of warmth, a chance to bob for apples, and a sip or two of coffee or cider. If you would like to help with this outreach, there'll be a chance to sign up to bake cookies or be on hand to greet visitors and supervise games. Listen for further announcements at Sunday services, and plan to join us at twilight in Koinonia on the 31st.
SAVE THE DATE -- NOVEMBER 12TH
The church will hold its annual Harvest Dinner in
November on the second Saturday. Once again, talented grill chefs will
prepare delicious steaks for your enjoyment -- or, if you prefer, you may
choose baked salmon. The usual delicious accompaniments will be
available, as well as complementary wine or another beverage of your
choice. Last on the menu (but not in our sweet-lovin' hearts) will be an
assortment of homemade desserts. (If you bake and would like to donate
one of your special goodies, I would be eternally grateful. Please let me
know.)
Only 80 tickets will be available
for the dinner this year, so make your plans early and get your tickets from
Gail Morris or me. They will be available around mid-October every Sunday
morning after worship services. The price -- $30 per person,
or $50 per couple, $5 for children under 10.
- Shirley Hobart, Fellowship Chair
Wake Up! Summer’s about over
and it’s time for school. Time to head back to lessons,
routines, and yes, your friends. No doubt, the excitement of summer
vacation paled in comparison to getting back to our friends.
I am reminded of a poem by Robert
Fulghum regarding the insights derived from Kindergarten, and how the world
would be a better place if we just carried out some basic concepts. He writes,
"Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and
how to be, I learned in kindergarten...Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit
people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't
take things that aren't yours. Say you are sorry when you hurt somebody... Live
a balanced life. Learn some and think some and draw some and paint and sing and
dance and play and work everyday."
At times, in the rush of our daily
routines and quite unintentionally, we may overlook some of these basic
lessons. We get out of balance. More often than not, it is our relationships
which suffer - relationships with family, friends, and yes, God. Perhaps this
September we should head back to the fold for a refresher course with the hope
of fully being the individuals God intends us to be. From there, we can strive
to be the community of faith God desires because, as Mr. Fulghum continued,
"it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the
world, it is best to hold hands and stick together."
_____________________
A reminder to the Choir... Practices will resume on Wednesday,
September 7 at 7:30 p.m. with preparations for Kick-Off Sunday on September 11.
We hope to see all returning members "back in your places with bright
shiny faces." Persons interested in joining the Choir for the first
time should contact Debbie Phulps at 916-776-1351 prior to the September 7
rehearsal date.
Fall Sermon Series:
Re-Discovering Jesus:
Explorations in the Gospel of Mark
Church tradition, the mass media,
vague childhood memories from Sunday School, and those
political social agendas have all influenced our understanding of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, many people
have very different ideas about Jesus Christ.
Over the course of the next several months—through fall and until
Easter—we will explore the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” not just as a
historical figure, or religious leader, but as our personal Savior and
Lord. Join us as we re-discover
Jesus together as a church and as individuals.
Back Page:
Mark your calendars:
Communion Sunday,
Sept. 4 at the 9:30 Service
(and every 1st Sunday of the month)
Choir Practice Begins Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Kick-off Sunday Sunday,
Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Annual Kick-off Sunday,
Sept. 11 following the
Barbecue Worship
Service
Personnel Meeting: Monday,
Sept. 12 at 5 p.m.
Session Meeting Monday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
T.N.T. Begins Tuesday,
Oct. 4 at 6:30
p.m.
W.O.W.
W.O.W. Barbecue Wednesday,
Oct. 5 at 6:00
p.m.
All-Church Skate Party Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Office
Hours:
Monday
through Thursday from
8:30 a.m. to
1 p.m.