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Schapville Zion Presbyterian Church.
                                                                                     September 2010 Newsletter

Dear Church Family,

    You have probably heard some one take the Lord's name in vain.  Why do you suppose Jesus' name is used in that way?  It is a sad thing to think that among a great many people Jesus Christ means nothing at all except as a curse.
    There are still thousands of people in this country who know Jesus Christ only in this way.
    But let's think a bit about the use of Jesus Christ as a curse.  Strangely the very use of Jesus Christ name acknowledges that there is no other name that can compare with it as a curse.  It would mean nothing to say in anger "O Abraham Lincoln" or "George Washington."  So in a sense the Lord's name used in this way acknowledges that no other words, no other name could be so serious or so awesome.
    There is an opera "Billie Budd," it is based on a novella by Herman Melville.  It is the story of a captain of a ship who could not stand his first mate, because the mate was good and pure in heart.  His goodness made the captain very aware of the presence of evil in his own heart.  The very presence of this first mate on his ship was like a judgment against the captain.  So the captain set out to persecute and destroy him, and he did.
   
We see in this story the evil that put Christ on the cross.  Jesus was not loved by all men.  Men hated him and cursed him because in his presence they saw the evil in themselves.  They hated him so much they could not bear his presence among them, and so they had him crucified.
    So it is with us when we do not want to let Christ into our lives.  Sometimes we reject the very one who alone can bring us new life and forgiveness of our sins.  And in spite of what we do to him, we hear Christ saying on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."

Blessings,
Pastor Dottie

Visit Pastor Dottie's Blog at: http://schapvillezion.blogspot.com/

I John 4:7; "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God."

                                         September Calendar
5 Worship with Communion
6 Labor Day
8 Adult Study begins at 7:00 PM, with our special guests the Baums
12 Worship @ Elizabeth NH 1:00 PM
     Sunday Night Small Group Study of Isaiah begins at 7:30 @ the  DuBois Farm [please contact                Connie DuBois for details]
12-18 Christian Education Week
14 Presbytery Meeting in Rockford
16 Session 6:30 at the manse
19 Theological Education Sunday
21 International Day of Peace
23 Native American Day
26 Evangelism Sunday

Men's Study on meets on Tuesdays 7:30 am
Adult Study 7:00 PM Wednesday
Choir meets on Sunday at 9:00 am in the sanctuary
Small Group meets on Sunday at 7:30 PM at the DuBois farm.

In Memorium

Our prayers and thoughts are with Gloria and the entire Winter family as they mourn the death of Glenn.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

Thank You

Thanks to Pastor Doug Hall and Eloise Menzemer for their generous gifts of books for our library.
Thank you to Roger Higgs and his grandson Zach for painting our cemetery shed
Thanks to Ty and Gail Cocagne for repairing our Schapville Church sign.
Thank you to Dorothy Waters for replacing the fire extinguishers.
Thanks to John and Irene Crandall for caring for the flowers in front of church.
I would also like to include a blanket thank you to all of you who keep our church vibrant, loving and caring.
Peace and love,
Pastor Dottie

Pastor Dottie's Schedule
Pastor Dottie plans to be in the church office located in the manse Tuesdays through Fridays at various times. She can always be reached at 815-845-2272

If you have found this newsletter we hope you find it uplifting.
We invite you to join us for worship on Sunday at 10:00 am

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