KNOX ABOUT
John Knox Presbyterian Church
“A neighborhood church where the Story is told.”
August, 2016
LOOKING FOR ANOTHER WORD
Words sometimes have a life of their own. with suspicion or worse. In short, we refuse
There is, of course, the denotation captured (or are incapable) to apply the most comin the dictionary, the accepted definition(s); mon-sense differentiation to strangers and
but then there is the connotation, the emo- outsiders that we insist upon for ourselves.
tional baggage attached to a word. A word For instance, when the Murrah Federal
like “Fundamentalist” was once a description Building in Oklahoma City was bombed,
of a person (including many Presbyterians) headlines did not scream “radical Christian
who believed that there were many things terrorist.” When Centennial Olympic Park
that good and faithful people could agree to was bombed, commentators did not exdisagree on, but that there must be a core to plore the whys and wherefores of radical
which all believers might assent, a common Christian terrorists. When abortion clinics
foundation of basic beliefs and practices that and medical personnel have been targeted,
mark the common Lordship of Jesus Christ. there has been no citizen or political outcry
Fundamentalists sought a place to stand in against radical Christian terrorism. We
an increasingly complex and diverse world. simply (and rightly) do not impugn our
It didn’t take long for the word faith based on the perverse actions of a
“fundamentalist” to acquire a wholly
few.
negative connotation: a fundamentallike
Perhaps we modern “ R a d i c a l , ”
ist is a rigid, narrow-minded, often big“Fundamentalist,” has an
day Christians
oted, extremist who uses the Bible as a
interesting, if largely negawould be much
sledgehammer to bludgeon oppomore credible if we tive arc. In the Eighteenth
nents into submission. A fundamentalCentury, radical meant
were much more
ist, in popular parlance, is now one
basic, essential, foundaradical.
who is anti-intellectual and antitional (from the Latin radix,
progress.
meaning root). So for instance, in our Book
The phrase “radical Islamic terrorism” has
become an identity-shaping slogan in recent
years. Proponents use it freely to label both
the enemy and the ignorant or sympathetic
fellow-travelers who refrain from using the
phrase. “Terrorism” should be the loadbearing term here, but the emotional freight
is carried by “Islamic”. It is Muslims that terrify
us with their senseless and unpredictable
violence. And while there is some awareness
of an extremist element to be distinguished
from ordinary Islam – that is, “radical” Muslims – we can’t really tell the difference. The
presence of “radical Islamic terrorism” makes
us suspect and fear all Muslims – and therefore to suggest policies that treat all Muslims
of Order we have the “radical principles of
church order” – i.e., the essentials of our
polity. But over time the word has become
increasingly pejorative, meaning extreme,
subversive, or drastic. Radicals are those
who challenge, subvert, and overthrow the
established order; they are revolutionaries
(another word that is positive if applied to
our Founding Fathers, but roundly negative if referring to Bolsheviks or Iranian
imams). Most of us are so heavily invested
in the way things are that we encounter
the radical as a grave threat to be resisted
at all costs.
The problem for us is how do we talk
about Jesus and the movement he in-
Inside this issue:
Session
Synopsis
2
Prayer
Requests
3
Worship
Volunteers
3
CASA
4&5
Presbyterian
Women
6
Musical
Musings
7
Worship
Schedule
8
PLEASE NOTE:
Following worship, the
first Sunday of each
month will be a “Finger
Food Fest” aka Potluck Finger food. JKPC
will provide the coffee.
Looking for another Word (continued)
spired: was not Jesus a radical, a revolutionary, even a fundamentalist, in the best sense of those words?
Jesus, after all, took on the central political and religious institution of his own Judaism and in an act of startling defiance, actually shut down the Temple for a time (leading directly to his rejection and crucifixion).
He also confronted the pious laity of his day, the Pharisees, who believed that honoring God was an everyday way of life and not just a Sabbath obligation, fiercely challenging their commitment to holiness with
the prophetic demands for justice. Jesus insisted on recovering the Deuteronomic code that required care
for the marginal: widows, orphans, and sojourners. He refused to allow social barriers to obstruct his ministry, bridging the enforced separation of women, Gentiles, and “sinners” (that is, those who were not scrupulously Torah-observant). Jesus denied the theology which made God Israel’s possession, and instead reminded Temple and people that they were called as servants of God. The early followers of Jesus across the
empire charted a path that sometimes led to conflict with the powers-that-be, even enduring the charge of
atheism for refusing to worship the gods of the polis.
I can’t help but think that we modern day Christians would be much more credible if we were much more
radical. Much of the New Testament makes a distinction between the values of the world and the way of
faith. Instead of propping up the status quo, we Christians might better incarnate the way of Jesus as an
alternative to the way world. Perhaps “radical” cannot be rehabilitated as a description of who we are and
who we aspire to be – but then we need another word.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up
in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)
Fritz
SESSION SYNOPSIS
The Session met for its monthly stated meeting July 18, 2016.
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The Session continued its devotional reading of the Heidelberg Catechism with Questions
65 – 74.
Finances continue to be strong through June with over $70,000 in cash in our operating
fund (although $21,000 is remainder from the playground loan). We are in the black by
$46 for the year. Consistent giving has been a hallmark of the congregation, which is a
blessing much appreciated by the Session.
A number of building projects have been authorized: (1) painting the exterior of the CE
building and the fascia of the Admin building(about $4500); (2) Changing over from fluorescent to LED in the classrooms A & B (about $1200); (3) replacing our defunct wireless
microphone system in the sanctuary(about $3000).
The Session authorized a CASA scholarship fund to help support children in the program
who encounter family emergencies (often health-related) that limit their ability to pay.
The regular weekly fee for CASA is $60. Envelopes will be available in the Pews.
The “Under This Roof” campaign is now within $55,000 of completion (less than 1/3 of
the original cost).
Erma Jones and Kay Reeve will represent JKPC at the Evangelism and Church Growth
Conference in St. Petersburg in August (with generous registration funding from Light of
Hope Church).
The Session will be reading and discussing the book Facing Decline, Finding Hope: New
Possibilities for Faithful Churches by Jeffrey Jones.
At the Congregational Meeting July 24th Mary Jane Guzman, Mary Lapp, and Larry Ramsey were elected as the class of 2019. They will be ordained and installed in worship September 18th.
Next stated Session meeting: August 15th.
Our condolences to the family of Sam Owens who
died on July 22nd.
Arrangements will be announced in the Fall.
WE NEED YOU!
Liturgists
07—
14 — Kay Reeve
21 — Steve Bennett
Oversight Officers
07 — Floyd Bushey
14 —
21 — Shelby Robert
28 — Bev Spangler
Communion Preparation
Bev Spangler
Communion Servers
Thanks to the amazing
Bev Spangler, Floyd Bushey
and Shelby Robert
Knox About Newsletter Volunteer
Team:
Who faithfully and efficiently
each month fold, address, and mail
all the newsletters.
Ted & Nancy Campbell, Mary
Lapp, Betty & J.D. Romine and
Evelyn Samples
We appreciate you!
Our At-Home Members:
Ongoing Concerns:
Janelle Bridges, Dick Coe,
Richie Ehrman, Hope Hanson,
Louise Fahrenkopf, Betty Grove,
Madeleine Moseley, Bryan
Chris & Marty Lindeman, John
Stern and our soldiers in
Mackey, Carl McCallum, and
harm’s way.
Jackie Shirley
John Knox Presbyterian Church
Recent Concerns:
Charlise Black, Dick
Glymph, Mardi Hoofnagle,
Pat Peterson, Betty Romine, and Camille Slayton
PAGE 3
CASA CONNECTION
When I am a kid again, I want to attend CASA’s summer camp! What fun! The kids spent
8 weeks this summer learning, doing and playing! We went to the World of Coke, Tellus
Museum, Xdrenaline (trampoline place), the movies, Sewell Park pool and had a fantastic
water day with waterslide and sprinklers to end a great week of VBS. We averaged close
to 40 kids each week. We made 800 sack lunches for MUST ministries – thank you PW for
the help with the sandwiches, and church members for the donations! We added a new
component this summer called skill classes in which the kids chose two activities that they
went to each afternoon for that entire week. Choices of classes included: woodworking,
tennis, golf, soccer (of course!), painting, world geography, math, science, tumbling, cooking and much more! I heard more than once, “Mom, I don’t want to miss math!” if parents
came to pick up their kids early! Thank you to our AWESOME summer camp staff: Davida
Dyer, Shatoya Anderson (co-Directors), Caroline Cahill, Taneka Mason, Deborah Inabinet,
Christian Ruiz (yes, he’s old enough to be on staff now!), Marsha Williams, Mitzi Thomas,
Lesli Taylor, Matt Taylor, Lisette Chapman and Courtni Frits.
School starts August 1! We always appreciate it when you hit the school supply sales for
us as paper, pencils, glue sticks, erasers, markers and pocket folders get depleted throughout the year and summer! Donations can be put on the back table of the sanctuary. Mr.
Lavert, Ms. Beverly and Ms. Esther are getting lonely being the only JKPC volunteers at
CASA, so if you can spare an afternoon, we have a place for you!
We are staffed for the school year and have a solid, experienced team! I do need some
people to lead our art, music and computer lab classes. If you know of someone who has
experience working with children in any of these area, give them my contact information. It is only a 1 day per week commitment from 3-6 pm. This can be a volunteer or
contract position.
The kids have really enjoyed our new playground this summer! Thanks to the generous
contributions of our CASA families, we are right on track for our payment commitments
for this year.
Please see the box below regarding our new Scholarship Fund. This will be an ongoing,
year round program and I will be happy to offer any further details needed.
Prayers for a successful, safe school year are always coveted and appreciated!
Staci
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KNOX ABOUT
SUMMER CAMP—2016
John Knox Presbyterian Church
PAGE 5
MUST Summer Lunch Program
Thank you to everyone who made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches this summer, including Priscilla Bennett, Dee Allison and her grandchildren, Erma Jones, the Ramsey
family, Alice Allen, Bev Spangler, Judy Harris, Ellen Golliver (with an arm in a cast!),
and Serving Sisters! Special thanks to all of the anonymous people who donated lunch
bags, juice “boxes”, snack items and all of the extra items needed to complete the lunches. And many thanks to our John Knox kids and youth and to Staci Bushey and the
CASA Summer Camp kids, for decorating and assembling the lunch bags.
Our contributions, along with many other churches across the community, helped feed
6,000 to 7,000 children, daily, who rely on the free and reduced lunch programs during
the school year. Volunteers distribute the lunches weekdays, throughout the summer,
across 7 counties. You can learn more about the program, and view a video of a young
girl’s testimony to the difference that the program made in her life, at
www.mustministries.org/summer-lunch .
Fellowship Circle and Seeker’s Circle
Fellowship Circle and Seeker’s Circle invite you to our summer brunch on
Saturday, August 20 at 11:00 AM at J. Christopher, 1245 Powers Ferry Road
in the Micro Center Shopping Center. Please phone Priscilla Bennett (770
971-2897) if you wish to attend. Reservations must by in by August 18th.
CHANGE FOR HELPING HAND
School is in session and with that comes additional needs for families;
school supplies, uniforms, and afterschool care. Supporting CHANGE
FOR HELPING HAND with a little change each week will help to have
funds available when a person comes to John Knox in need. If you’re
looking for a new idea to give, why not give because it’s National
Back to School Month, Family Meals Month and Family Meals Month?
August 27th is Just Because Day; let’s give all month just because. It’s
Happiness Happens Month! Thanks for supporting Change for Helping Hand and making happiness happen.
Thank you for making a difference!
Page 6
KNOX ABOUT
MUSICAL
MUSINGS . . .
Religious music has greatly influenced by life from Gospel Hymns, Southern Gospel,
Spirituals, great hymns and great choral music. Phrases often come to mind.
Below are 5 from hymns that have been sung frequently in Presbyterian Churches
as well as other denominations.
Can you recall the hymn from these phrases?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
O what peace we often forfeit all because we do not carry everything
to God in prayer.
Who from our Mother's arms has bless us on our way.
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
I ask no dream. No prophet ecstasies
Through many dangers toils and snares I have already come.
In case you couldn't here are the answers.
1. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
2. Now Thanks We All Our God
3. How Firm A Foundation
4. Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart
5. Amazing Grace
Hope you are having a good summer and again thanks for letting me have this time off.
See you August 14th.
Jerry
John Knox Presbyterian Church
Page 7
John Knox Presbyterian Church
505 Powers Ferry Road
Marietta, GA 30067
Phone: 770-973-5050
Fax: 770-973-0238
E-mail:
Rev. Fritz Bogar
[email protected]
Kathy Kestin - Office Manager
[email protected]
Karen Otto - Preschool Director
[email protected]
Staci Bushey - C.A.S.A. Director
[email protected]
11:00 AM Traditional Service— Sanctuary
10:30 AM Brazilian Christian Service - Fellowship Hall
As disciples of Jesus Christ, together we
seek to grow spiritually and to
demonstrate God’s love by serving others.
We’re on the web!
WWW.JOHNKNOXPCMARIETTA.ORG
7 August 2016
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 17:9-10
Luke 12: 32-34
Heart Follows Treasure
Communion
21 August 2016
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Micah 7:18-20
Luke 13:10-17
Rejoice in the Good
14 August 2016
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
John Spangler Preaching
28 August 2016
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
I Samuel 2:1-10
Luke 14:7-11
Seating Assignments
Adult Sunday School
Spares & Pairs - A delightful little,
new book is next-up for Spares &
Pairs Adult Sunday School class:
Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker
A Humble Stumble Toward Simplicity and Grace
by J. Brent Bill
Church Office Hours
Monday—Friday
9 AM — Noon