IPC Messenger 2017 Summer Edition 2017 | Page 2

AUGUST 12 , 2017 @

Music Ministry

Handbell Choir is taking a break till fall .
The Sanctuary Choir will continue to sing through June . However , Wednesday , May 31 , will most likely be our last rehearsal till August .
In Christ ’ s service , Kathryn Van Eck
Collapsing Ecclesiology from page 1
revolutionaries affirm , “ I am not called to attend or join a church . I am called to be the church .” The result , he assures us , will be the robust spiritual life , ministry , and relationships that have eluded us thus far .
Common practice
The eccentricities of the highly influential Barna are matched by the commonplace practices of the growing numbers of unaffiliated and nonattending believers . Church , for many , is like the local gym , except one actually has to join the local gym and pay fees . It ’ s good to go there to exercise , but sometimes one can do just as well at home . Or maybe somewhere else ? “ Do what feels right for you ,” we hear said . “ Go where your needs are met .” Attend when it is convenient . Attend elsewhere or nowhere when it is not convenient . No doubt the church , for its part , has in no small way contributed to its perceived irrelevance . Its hypocrisy has undermined its moral voice ; its legalism has forfeited its pastoral role ; its forays into politics have diluted its mission ; and its pandering to the culture has compromised its message . No wonder scores of sincere believers are looking elsewhere . Still , the question that should be raised is this : can this dismissive outlook be squared with that of the New Testament ? Even more specifically , can it be squared with the teaching of Jesus ?
TLJ

Children ’ s Ministry

very wise friend told me that

A while weeks pass slowly , the years fly by quickly . I sat at the Senior High Graduation banquet and looked at these precious children who are moving toward adulthood . It seems like yesterday they were running down the aisle of the church to be first in line to get cookies before morning worship service !

Another school year has passed . Our covenant children are a year older and wiser , thanks to the dedicated volunteers who teach in our Sunday School classrooms . Candice Sutlive , Cindy Sutlive , Linden Helmly , Sue Hinely , and Bev Van Grouw are so faithful and bring the gospel to our children each week . Please take a moment to thank these dear servants . What an incredible team !

2017

Kirstine Flannigan , John and Tevis Garnett , Linden Helmly , Bev Van Grouw , and Julie McDougall will be manning the classrooms this summer . Thank you for spending your summer fulfilling the Great Commission .
The Lord has certainly continued to bless us in our Children ’ s Church program . Thank you to our volunteers – especially our Diaconate and their wives for ministering to our younger children . If you have any questions or would like to volunteer , please just give me a call or email . You only serve once a year !
Blessings to our dear children and their families and prayers for a wonderful summer .
THE RECOVERY OF PASTORAL CARE IN THE REFORMATION
DR . WILLIAM VANDOODEWAARD PROFESSOR OF CHURCH HISTORY | PRTS
SAVANNAH RIVER PRESBYTERY
OFFICE BEARER ’ S CONFERENCE
TRAINING ELDERS DEACONS FELLOWSHIP LEARNING
AUGUST 12 , 2017 @
KIRK O ’ THE ISLES
6500 HABERSHAM ST . | SAVANNAH
an office bearer ’ s conference for all the men of our churches FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT GEOFF GLEASON AT GEOFF . GLEASON @ CLIFFWOODPCA . COM
Amy R . Martin
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