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Elders Class of 2009 Jeff Wylie Robert Glunt Kathy Gabin Lanny Pifer Paul Manke Class of 2010 Marge Baker Mildred Grossman Dorothy Kurylo Deb Lehew Ron SheetzClass of 2011 Rich Artman Darlene Artman Kathy Kemp Delphine Maurer Ed Heintz DeaconsClass of 2009 Ray Kerr Phyllis Crawford Eric Crum Phil Grove Joan Gourley Class of 2010 Jon Bouchat Mark Duncan Dana Duncan Mark Hanby Bill PorterClass of 2011 Mark Brenner Amy Brenner Marcy Korb Mike Lassinger Deb Gourley
OPEN LETTER TO THE CONGREGATION Dear Friends,
We have been noticing that we live in the richest, most materialistic culture the world has ever known. Yet many people in this congregation worry about debt and financial insecurity. While we claim to worship the Creator of the entire universe, we often worry about not having enough resources to carry out the ministry to which God has called us. We wonder why we often feel poor in the midst of the material abundance all around us. We are concerned that we accumulate more and more possessions while two thirds of the world struggles to survive. What is wrong with this picture?
We believe that God has called us to a time of prayerful study of the whole issue of faith and money. We are discovering that Jesus himself has more to say about money than about practically anything else. In the next several months, we have asked Rev. Malcolm to help us understand the complex subject of money and faith through sermons and classes. We understand that some people feel uncomfortable hearing about money in church. After all, money sounds like such an unspiritual subject. However, we believe that we live in a time when the world’s message of selfish materialism threatens to overshadow God’s message of abundance. We believe that God is calling us to live more generous, &uitful lives.
The Session members agreed on May 26, 2004 to consider the call to tithe, working toward committing one tenth of our income to the work of God through this congregation. For many of us, this would be quite a stretch, and we know we can’t do it without God’s help. We ask you to pray for us as we consider this new step of faithfulness in our lives. We believe that God is calling us to a time of spiritual growth. However, it is not easy to think about the sacrifices that this may involve.
We invite you to join us on the journey by reading the following scripture passages: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 1 Chronicles 29:1-20 Malachi 3:8-12 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 To learn more about this new faith adventure we are calling Generous Congregations, we invite you to join us in worship, prayer, and education over the next three years. We will keep you informed of special events and seminars as we pursue the study of this subject.
Faithfully, Session of Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church
Session Reaffirms Confessional Standards
On Wednesday, April 25, 2001 the Session unanimously adopted the CONFESSING CHURCH resolution reaffirming our allegiance as a congregation to Solus
Christus; that Christ alone is the source and norm of the Church's proclamation,
Sola Scriptura, that Holy Scripture alone is the rule and standard of the
theology and polity of the Church, and Sola Gratia, that we live by grace alone
and believe in the justification of sinners by grace, not the justification of
sins by nature.
The Session has signed a document confessing the following: That Jesus Christ
alone is Lord of all and the way of salvation. That Holy Scripture is the Triune
God's revealed Word, the Church's only infallible rule of faith and life. That
God's people are called to holiness in all aspects of life. This includes
honoring the sanctity of marriage between man and woman, the only relationship
within which sexual activity is appropriate.
This action which is sweeping our denomination is in reaction to the Defeat
of Amendment O which would have banned gay union ceremonies, the assault on Amendment
B by the religious left, statements and actions by denominational officials who
have questioned the person and role of Jesus Christ, and the assault on Scripture
alone as our rule of faith and authority.
For additional information on the Confessing Church movement and other
contemporary topics in the Presbyterian denomination please visit the PRESBYTERIAN LAYMAN web site.
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