First Presbyterian Church — Arlington Heights, Illinois What do you do with your rising fifth graders during Vacation Bible School? They tend to be bored with regular VBS. So, how about a week of mission activities for this group? We decided to experiment with this idea in the summer of 2016. It was such a huge success that the 20 students begged us to expand it to include rising sixth graders so they could do it all over again in 2017. We spent our VBS mornings playing cards with some new friends at a local retirement community, sewing pillow cases out of bright fabric to send to an orphanage in Mexico, selling lemonade to raise money for a local school district support center and painting caring rocks with inspirational messages. We are awed by the work of the Spirit in our lives and the lives of these children. Thanks be to God! — Judy Hockenberry, associate pastor (fpcah.org) … [Read more...]
What’s right about The Open Table?
The Open Table — Kansas City, Missouri The Open Table is a two-year-old dinner church in Kansas City, Missouri – a community of peace and reconciliation in a city divided. Our twice-monthly gatherings include a meal, music and conversation led by local speakers. The dialogical format ensures diverse voices are heard, and similar to the early church, our meal is Communion. Our partners include Second Presbyterian Church (our parent congregation), Heartland Presbytery and 1001 New Worshipping Communities. Last fall, following a divisive election cycle and an increase in hate crimes, we responded by hosting a gathering on the topic of “Disrupting Racism.” Over 150 people came to the meal and skill-building workshops. A couple of young adults who attended said, “If this is church, I’m in!” We were one of five organizations to receive a $50,000 Leadership Development Grant from Duke Divinity School this summer. The funds will be used on a project in collaboration with local … [Read more...]
What’s right about Aspinwall Presbyterian Church?
Aspinwall Presbyterian Church – Aspinwall, Pennsylvania In today's rapidly changing secular world, there are many important institutions. One of these institutions is the local church. As we know, a church is much more than a set of buildings. A church is people called and gifted – called in the sense that God has called them to do a task within God’s Kingdom; gifted in the sense that God has given them the necessary gifts to do the task. Thus, all have been called and gifted. Aspinwall Presbyterian Church worships and praises God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit; nurtures and builds up its members and friends to do the Lord's ministry; educates and teaches God's Word to all generations; does mission work on a local, national and global basis; gives freely and with much love its gifts of time, talents and treasure to the Lord; shares the good news of the gospel with a hungry world; serves as a spiritual beacon to the nearby communities; and continually seeks God's will and purpose for … [Read more...]
What’s right about Church of the Savior?
Church of the Savior — Oklahoma City We are small, but we can be a mighty force! “Mission-minded” — that’s Church of the Savior, a yoked church of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and United Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We take worship and mission outside the doors of the sanctuary whenever a month has five Sundays (there are four this year). On these Sundays, there is no worship inside the sanctuary; instead we worship in a nearby care center, the park or at a home where residents are recovering from addictions. We are the hands, the feet, the voice as well as the face of Jesus when we share in worship where those most needing the touch of the Savior are! — Barbara Harden, elder Share your 150-word story of “what’s right” with the Outlook by emailing it to us. … [Read more...]
What’s right about First Presbyterian Church?
First Presbyterian Church — Hendersonville, Tennessee Church members have shared with me the value of having the pastor present during the tragedies of life. However, I never really understood the importance of this presence until I walked through my own valley. It all started with my wife’s brother dying of COPD. At his funeral, her sister was receiving unexpected news of cancer. Eight days later she died. My own sister, after a three-month battle with cancer, died five weeks later. Three siblings in six weeks. The valley of the shadow of death. First Presbyterian Church walked with us through the valley. Their love filled our cups with stacks of cards containing heartfelt notes of love, phone calls and visits of concern and support. There were hugs – lots of hugs – that nurtured our aching hearts. Through their loving presence, God comforted us. Walking through the valley with hurting people is what Christ followers do. — Michael Davis, … [Read more...]
What’s right about St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church?
St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church - Hemingway, South Carolina At St. Paul’s, we like to describe ourselves as “a church without walls.” We are a small church, but our ministry extends far beyond our 22 members. Finding ourselves childless, four years ago we began to pray for children. God pointed us to Genesis 15:5, “Count the stars if you are able to count them ... so shall your descendants be.” Now, in 2017, we are planning our fifth community VBS and expect over 60 children. We also partner with a neighborhood school and have 23 youth for Bible study and recreation on Wednesday afternoons during the school year. These students have led Youth Sunday worship and use a portion of their snack money to support two children in Haiti. They also volunteer at a Samaritan’s Purse warehouse for Operation Christmas Child, and serve as the youth leaders for our community VBS. We recently began a ministry for preschoolers. Each Thursday morning, we have 8-10 preschoolers who light … [Read more...]
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