"The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. – Psalm 68:11"
If you find yourself at home Sunday morning due to illness or cancellation of worship services, I encourage you to join one of these live-streaming services. If your church has a service online please email me so I can add it to the list. You can find the updated list on arpchurch.org.
Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
First Presbyterian Church Columbia has a daily video devotional from Dr. Derek Thomas. Click here for the link. This would be a great devotional to distribute to your church or to model for your own devotions. If your churches have online services, please contact Susan Tanner, stanner@arpsynod.org so she can keep the list updated on arpchurch.org.
I am hearing of several churches cancelling services for a week to two weeks. If you find yourself at home Sunday morning due to illness or cancellation of services, I encourage you to join one of these live-streaming services. If your church has a service online please email me so I can add it to the list. You can find the updated list on arpchurch.org.
First ARP Lancaster
First Presbyterian Church Columbia
Due West ARP Church
Highlands ARP Church
Trinity Chapel Charlotte
Brighton Presbyterian Church
Crossings Community Church
Trinity Reformed Presbyterian Church
Hopewell ARP Church in Culleoka, TN
Christ Reformed Church
Centennial ARP Church
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ,
As many of you have been made aware, in our highly globalized and fast moving world, we are in the throes of what the World Health Organization has officially deemed a “pandemic”. While we trust the Lord in these times, clinging to His promises and seeking ways to serve our neighbors during this season, we also seek to use as much caution and care in such instances.
As a result, the Christian Education Committees of First, Second, and Grace Presbyteries have decided that, out of concern for the health and well being of all attendees of the seasonal retreats, it would be best to cancel the Middle School retreat that is scheduled for March 20-22nd, 2020. We understand that this news will be disappointing to many people, as it was a hard decision to reach. We do not view this as succumbing to fear, rather we wish to serve our churches and communities best by adhering to the guidelines of the Center for Disease and Control whereas groups of 50 or more are discouraged from gathering together.
We ask that you continue to pray for this situation, as you already have, and that by God’s mercy this situation would enable us as God’s people to present the Good News of Jesus Christ. Churches who have already made a deposit will receive a full reimbursement. We thank you for your understanding in this manner and look forward to serving you and your church in the near future,
In Christ,
The Middle School Retreat Planning Committee
Rev. Matt Mantooth
backcreekyouth@gmail.com
We know that Scripture tells us that “God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). As Christians, we know that fear is not a proper response to the Coronavirus pandemic but a healthy respect for this international health crisis is very appropriate. We have an opportunity to exercise, “self-control.”
ARPs are intelligent people and I hereby call on us all to exercise all due caution when it comes to public gatherings. Let us resolve to spend additional time in focused prayer both in whatever public forums they feel appropriate to attend and especially in our homes. Local church leaders will, no doubt, choose different strategies for how they will respond in their communities to this pandemic but the one thing in which we can all unite is a strong spirit of looking after each other as much as possible and in our unified prayers that this international health crisis can be resolved quickly with God’s help.
Thank you to Virginia Presbytery for being the first Presbytery to have all statistical reports turned in! If you have not turned your report in, please get that in soon. Synod’s agencies and boards rely on these statistics. You may email arpc@arpsynod.org with any questions.
Bethany ARP Church in Clover, SC will be holding another 5th Sunday Psalm sing this coming March 29th. We ask that you to bring a covered dish to share! Beverages will be provided by the ladies of the Bethany Church. Singing will begin at 5pm with fellowship and supper to follow at 6pm. If you have any questions or have a particular Bible Song request please send an e-mail to pastor.glaser@bethanyarp.
Early Registration ends May 15! Register now ARPCEM.org
“Finishing Strong: How the Gospel Enriches Our Later Years”
Friday, March 13, 2020
First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia SC 29201
9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Seminar Choices:
Covenant Grandparenting OR
Medical & End of Life Ethics
Dr. D. Ralph Davis, Keynote Speaker
Please register your church group by calling Janet at 803-799- 9062 Ext. 550. A single check for lunches is requested from each church. Please RSVP with number attending by Friday, March 6. Checks may be brought day of. Click here to read the flyer.
Click here to read the latest ARP Magazine.
I am so excited for another magazine issue to share how God is at work in the ARP denomination. The Moderator’s Challenge is on page 4 followed by the Synod Emphasis article by Neil Stewart on page 6. The new series on Denomination Ministry Allocation is on page 21. The editor of The Witness, RPCNA’s denominational magazine, shared an article on page 24.
Click here to read the latest ARP Magazine.
I am so excited for another magazine issue to share how God is at work in the ARP denomination. The Moderator’s Challenge is on page 4 followed by the Synod Emphasis article by Neil Stewart on page 6. The new series on Denomination Ministry Allocation is on page 21. The editor of The Witness, RPCNA’s denominational magazine, shared an article on page 24.
Moderator Leslie Holmes asks for prayer for Matthew Coker, age 8, who is in urgent need of a heart transplant. Matthew is on the heart transplant list at Boston Children’s Hospital. He is the grandson of Dr. Jay Coker, a retired PCUSA minister in Fayetteville, NC.
“Finishing Strong: How the Gospel Enriches Our Later Years”
Friday, March 13, 2020
First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia SC 29201
9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Seminar Choices:
Covenant Grandparenting OR
Medical & End of Life Ethics
Dr. D. Ralph Davis, Keynote Speaker
Please register your church group by calling Janet at 803-799- 9062 Ext. 550. A single check for lunches is requested from each church. Please RSVP with number attending by Friday, March 6. Checks may be brought day of. Click here to read the flyer.
Erskine Seminary has produced its first quarterly e-news digital magazine called Grace and Truth (link below). We are also producing podcasts regularly as tools for Ministers; these are messages to our Flock from Provost Dr. Michael Milton.
Please take a moment to “Like” us and “Follow” us on our Facebook and Twitter feeds and help us to share the good news of the Gospel.
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Retired ARP minister, Kenneth Fitzhugh Morris, 94, of Madison, GA. died Friday January 31, 2020. A native of the Tucker community in DeKalb County, Georgia, he was the son of Charles Emory Morris, Sr. and Mary Ida Medlock Morris. The deceased is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, the former Betty Jean Hoff of Tucker and six children and their spouses, Deborah (William) Tisdale of Woodstock, Ga., David (Lucie) Morris of Bogart, Ga., Paul (Robin) of Madison, Ga., John (Diane) Morris of Swainsboro, Ga., James (Catherine) Morris of Newnan, Ga., and Mary Morris of Newton, Ma.; thirteen grandchildren and their spouses, W. Benjamin (Rachael) Tisdale, Kenneth (Kimberly) Morris, Daniel (Michele) Morris, Michael (Emily) Morris, Mark Morris and Elizabeth Morris, Livia (Rhett) Daniel, Vanessa Morris, Kirstyn Morris, Matthew Morris, David Sabatini, Emory Sabatini, and Lucas Sabatini; and three great grandchildren, Caroline and Callie Tisdale, and Dawson Morris.
Kenneth was a graduate of Tucker High School, Erskine College and Seminary, Princeton Seminary and Union Theological Seminary. He is a veteran of World War II, during which he served in the 10th Air Force as an aerial gunner in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. Having completed the required number of combat hours and awaiting return to the United States, he suffered an injury to one of his arms. Kenneth served for forty years in the ministry of the Christian gospel as a missionary in Pakistan, as a pastor of congregations in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Arkansas, and as a seminary teacher and author of New Testament study books. He was blessed with a full and joyous life, a life highlighted with evidence of God’s gracious Providence. He felt that his wife and family were a special blessing. A memorial service will be held on February 6th at 1:00 p.m. at Madison Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Caring Place, 1140 Monticello Rd. Ste. 400, Madison, GA 30650.
Save the DateErskine College welcomes internationally-known concert pianist Mac Frampton back to his alma mater, February 13th at 7:30 PM in Memorial Hall. Mac’s inimitable style has been described by critics as “Dynamite!” and “Colossal!” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says, “Think of Horowitz mixed with Liberace and an ounce of Victor Borge, and you’ve got the picture.” Admission is free, but seating is limited. Make reservations via Facebook or by phone.
President and Mrs. Gustafson cordially invite members of the audience to a reception in Mac’s honor, immediately following the, Memorial Hall Atrium.
Christian Education Ministries is accepting applications for Work Crew 2020 for Horizon and Quest!
Apply today to join an amazing team working either one or both weeks of our denomination’s High School and Middle School conferences. Aid hundreds of students in worshiping their Lord and Savior and growing closer to Jesus by assisting the directors, speakers, leaders, and staff throughout the week.
Only 8-10 college aged students are chosen for Work Crew! There are 2 spots available to work the Quest week for 2 students who have finished their junior year of High School. So get your application in today!
EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE is March 15th. **Bonus pay available.
APPLICATIONS are accepted as space allows up until June 1st.
Learn more at http://bit.ly/HQ-WorkCrew2020
