THE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF LAMBERTVILLE

First Presbyterian Church

From the Heart:

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I could never understand the hype and hard sell of Valentine’s Day. I confess I am not the most

romantic person that ever lived. But I could never make sense of one day of the year for chocolate,

flowers, kisses and hugs. Any more than I can make sense of those endless Hallmark movies of the

single mom finding her man or the other way around. My perspective is that if you do not show

or demonstrate your love, commitment, or exude romance 364 days of the year and just on Valen-

tine’s Day, I doubt very much a single day of the year will get out of the doghouse or make things

right with the love of your life.

What is true in life is true in faith. If the only thing Jesus ever did for us was on one single day

of his life show up to Jerusalem and take up his Cross, would that have been enough? Or if the

only thing he ever did was show up one day out of life, preach the beatitudes, raise Lazarus, and

maybe some other healings and then retire to the Galilee for the rest of his life would that have

been enough?

The totality of the life of Christ, is just that. His totality. From creation to the manger, from the

manger to the Cross, from the Cross to all eternity Jesus walked the walked the walk and talked the

talk all and every day of his earthly life and that with His Father. He needed no special day to

demonstrate his love because every day was Valentine’s Day for him to us.

And that my friends is the best love story ever told.

Blessings,

Peter

Many voices with one faith, one heart.

One family under God.

February 2016

Ask the Pastor….

Pastor, I am bi-polar depressive with a history of suicide attempts, my meds just make me more crazy, can faith in Jesus Christ alone heal me?

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The most direct, most brief and simple answer to your question is yes. Healing miracles, both Old

and New Testament have over 200 episodes of “miraculous” faith based healings, almost equally be-

tween straight physical and emotional or psychological based conditions. Nor does Scripture ever say

about itself that the day or “age of miracles” is over. Healing miracles happens in 2016, as they did in

400BC or when Christ walked the earth.

That said, another wise counsel is faith is to consider the whole counsel of the Saints and Scripture.

Paul in his Epistles, never once told his churches to forsake the medical services or doctors of his day.

Jesus Christ never told the disciples to go sell everything, forsake the world, turn their backs on life and

go live on some high mountain and just commune with God. In fact he rebuked Peter when such a

suggestion was made at the Transfiguration. Nor does Scripture ever once say that human knowledge

or wisdom is bad evil in and of itself. It is only bad or wrong when we put such human knowledge

alone, in place of God, and pretend that we know everything. Human knowledge is limited, God is

not. Proverbs is an entire book on that counsel. The modern sect “Christian Scientists” are based on

the premise to shun modern medicine and only seek faith based healing strategies.

In my background in mental health, counseling and therapy I have met and dealt with so many sin-

cere and suffering Christians with serious mental health conditions, who become non-compliant with

their treatment programs and maintenance meds. Only to re-hospitalized or re-institutionalized with

relapses and far worse outcomes. Is their faith insufficient? Are they bad Christians? I think not.

I believe that the Good Lord provided healing in many, many, many ways and forms. At times those

are indeed what we would call “miraculous”, but more times than not, God in his eternal wisdom

blesses a Jonah Salk who cured the curse of Polio. A surgeon who can fix a broken bone or a heart

doctor have can save a life. We never once it seem to question the value of modern medical practice

with a physical problem, but seem to treat those with emotional or mental issues as something less than

creations of God, we are all.

In essence my counsel remains, seek the Lord and His Healing. But be open that His response to that

prayer may be 35 mg of a modern mood inhibitor given by a caring medical professional. When we

pray for God to do something great and wonderful for us we always assume that package will always be

in a certain way, but maybe, just maybe when God throws us that lifesaving rope it comes in a way we

need to open too. I think that was true in 28AD as it is today.

Lenten Season-2016 in the Delaware Valley

Once again we will be joining with our sister churches this Lenten Season

for our annual Holy days and Wednesday night devotionals.

Come let us worship the Lord and Praise Him for His Resurrection Grace.

Ash Wednesday and all Wednesday Devotionals are at 7:00 PM unless otherwise noted.

February 10th

(Ash Wednesday) Grace EPC- Titusville

February 17th Lambertville

February 24th Stockton

March 2nd Kirkpatrick

March 9th Mt. Airy

March 16th Titusville

March 25th Two Services

(Good Friday) 12:00 PM Lambertville

7:00 PM Kirkpatrick

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March Scriptures and Sermons

A Year in the Bible 2015

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March Scriptures and Sermons

A Year in the Bible 2015

Scripture and Sermons for February

Scripture Sermon

7 Feb. Scout Sunday Psalm 101: 1-3 Scouts Honor

10 Feb. Ash Wednesday Grace EPC- Titusville

14 Feb. Annual Meeting Lent 1

& Pot Luck Matt 5: 1-10 Blessed?

1 7 Feb. Wednesday Devotional Lambertville

21 Feb. Lent 2 You Are So Busted!

John 4: 7-26

24 Feb. Wednesday Devotional Stockton

Lent 3

28 Feb. John 11: 20-45 The Ladies in the Kitchen

Please e-mail or call me at the church with anything you would like in the upcoming Bul-letins or Newsletters. The information for the Newsletters are due, the 20th of the month. The Children will be playing the Kristal Bells on Sunday Feb. 14 in church. The Office will be closed on Monday Feb. 15th, due to President’s Day.

Blessings to you !

Sue

Church News:

Women’s Bible Study is on Wednesday evenings @ FPCL-7:00 pm- Westminster House.

There is going to be a Soup Sale on Saturday February 6, from 10 am-4 pm. The proceeds

will benefit the Women’s Fellowship.

On Friday’s in February there is Roller Skating for the youth at 6:00 pm and

Friday Night Hang starting at 8:00 pm.

“From the Office”

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February Birthdays:

1 Josh Serlenga

3 Julia Grace Armano

4 John Zambella

9 Peter Gregory

26 Joel Thatcher

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Minute for Mission ~ February Please Check out the Missions Team Bulletin Board in the Back of the Church!

Our Deacons– The Deacons are looking forward to another year of serving our congre-

gation and community families in need. We will be planning on our Easter Breakfast in March and the Shad Fest in April. The Fisherman’s Mark and the Food Pantry plan to merge together and will be moving into the Hibernia Firs House. The Food Pantry should open it’s space sometime in March.

Matthew 25: 35-For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink,

I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

Ministry and Outreach:

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February Assisting and Greeting Schedule:

Elders:

February 7– Communion

February 14-Joanne DiBlasi

February 21-Pat Durborow

February 28-Russ Topping

If you are in need of pastoral care after office hours, please phone the

Elder on Call– Russ Topping 609-397-4865

Deacons:

February 7- Communion *Grace Reading, Carol Griffiths

*Indicates Stair Glide Duty.

February 14-Mark Dudick

February 21-Heather Pursell

February 28-Debbie Crow

Greeters:

February 7-Cub & Boy Scouts

February 14-Heather Pursell

February 21-Joanne DiBlasi

February 28-Chris & Dana Garrenger

*If you unable to serve your scheduled dates, please find

a replacement and contact the church office. Thank you!

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Care and Share Schedule-2016-Think Healthy

February ~ LaNelle Gallagher, Ginny Moraski, Desre Pidcock, Pat Warford

March ~ Jessica Cummings, Carol Griffiths, Danielle Griffiths, Heather Pursell

April ~ Karen Armano, Heidi Danberry, Terry Peck, Joan Yannarella

May ~ Pat Durborow, Kris Gregory, Dalia Hoffman, Heather McIntyre

June ~ Music Ministry

**If you are unable to participate, please find a replacement and let the church office know**

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