IPC Messenger 2017 February 2017 | Page 3

Bluffton Presbyterian Mission Church

Children ’ s Ministry

Children ’ s Church Many thanks to our volunteers who lead our children each Sunday in Children ’ s Church . This is a program for our four and five-year-olds that helps them prepare for their participation in morning and evening worship . If you are interested in helping in this ministry ( you only serve once a year !) please contact Amy Martin at amartin @ icpsav . org or 897-2214 .
A Fond Farewell
Mrs . Flo , who was the elementary Sunday School teacher at our small church , was a lovely , smallish woman who wore a hat with style and always smelled of peppermints when she hugged me . She also had eyes in the back of her head , which came in mighty handy teaching the four Reeder siblings . She was faithful and made an impact on our lives . At Thanksgiving each year we remember her fondly as one of our greatest childhood blessings .
The impact a Sunday School teacher has on the life of a child is immeasurable . For that brief time each week , there is a faithful servant giving the awesome and powerful truths of salvation , a Christian witness , and encouragement . That person is not easily forgotten .
Our third and fourth grade students have
had the blessing of being taught by Bev VanGrow . Bev has joyfully and faithfully taught our covenant children on the first floor of the Whitaker Building for several years now . She has taught through cancer , surgery , chemotherapy , and her firstborn leaving for college . Her students have loved her , and we will miss her and her smiles and laughter . Bev and Jim will be leaving to be a part of the core group that is planting a new church in Bluffton . Our deepest appreciation and love go with her for what she has meant to the Kingdom on behalf of our covenant children .
Amy R . Martin

Bluffton Presbyterian Mission Church

On behalf of my family and the members of Bluffton Mission Presbyterian Church , I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for the installation service on January 15 , 2017 ! Many commented on what a very meaningful spiritual time the service was for them . Your warmth and expressions of kindness and welcome remain quite meaningful to our family . Thank you !

We have begun just some of the many requirements that accompany church planting . Our former home church in California planted three churches , which are all now particularized and being blessed and being a blessing . Church planting is most definitely not for the faint of heart , but our sovereign God is faithful and trustworthy , and it is to Him that we look for everything .
We are in the throes of getting a Facebook page up and running , and we hope that a web site will also quickly follow . Even though it is not official yet , you can find the small beginnings of our Facebook page here : https :// www . facebook . com / Bluffton-Presbyterian-Mission-Church-368536336844468 .
As we move forward under God ’ s guidance and guardianship , we would greatly appreciate your daily prayers . If you know of friends and relatives in the Bluffton area , we ask you to make them aware of the plant . Also , if you have items that are appropriate for nursery-aged children , we would welcome clean and usable toys .
Bluffton Presbyterian Mission Church is a project of I . P . C . I am an Assistant Pastor of the congregation assigned to lead the Bluffton work . We rejoice to be connected with you in this important endeavor . Again , thank you for your support . It is good to be “ home ” again in the South . May our Lord ’ s richest blessings and abundant grace rest upon you !
Pastor Ron Gleason
MESSENGER FEBRUARY 2017 PAGE 3