Men's Ministry Update- Tunch Ilkin in March

Hey Guys check it out. The Band of Brothers Men's Ministry is coming together. We have speakers scheduled for January and March. Pastor Dean Weaver from Memorial Park Church will be with us in January and Pittsburgh Steeler Tunch Ilkin will be with us in March. March will be a Father/Son breakfast. I will get the exact dates out to you soon. Still working on booking our guests for December and February. If you have some ideas of someone you would like to have come and speak please let me know.

New Update Coming Soon

I promise to update the blog soon...things have been crazy busy...

Check It Out

NEW MINISTRY
Band of Brothers
Men’s Ministry
Starting Saturday December 6th, 2008

Calling all Men…on Saturday December 6th, 2008 we will kickoff our new Men’s Ministry “Band of Brothers”. The plan is to meet the first Saturday of every month for breakfast, fellowship and a devotional for us to wrestle with as we walk with God. We will meet in Hinman Hall from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00a.m.. We will have a special guest speaker on the 6th as we kick things off.

The slogan for the Band of Brothers is three words: Courage-Humility-Unity.
In this ministry of the Band of Brothers, we will strive to live and relate to each other with the Courage of the Father who was willing to sacrifice his Son, the Humility of the Son who was willing to die for us, and the Unity of the Spirit - currently residing in all believers. Be sure to mark your calendars now and plan on inviting a friend or two as we get together to launch this new ministry.

The Big "11"

Are you serious? Makenzie is really 11? I can't believe how quickly time flys. It seems like yesterday she was crawling around getting into everything. She is such a little lady now. She got an MP3 player for her birthday. She was so excited to be like the youth group kids. She wanted me to load it with all the Saturday night worship music. She asked if I could put the "drummer" guy on there.

I can't believe she will be officially in youth group next year. Thank you Lord for another good year. Thank you for shaping Makenzie into the strong little lady she has become.

50's Night Is Coming

Yo...check it out... Sunday November 9th is 50's night. Be sure to dress up in your best 50's outfit and get ready for a malt, shake or any other drive in food item. We'll figure the menu out later. We will have prizes for the best outfit. We're gonna rock around the clock that night. Happy Days....

Israel 2009??

It's been almost 10 years since I was last in Israel. I'm thinking about trying to arrange another trip back with some of our church members and friends. February or March are the best times to go when prices are low. It's a little chilly but not all that bad. I have a good relationship with some friends at Ed Hill Tours based out of West Palm Beach, Florida. No one, and I mean no one does a better job than the folks at Ed Hill Tours.

The trip is usually an 8-10 day tour and is absolutely incredible. They cover all the major sites and the food and lodging are top notch. You travel by private coach once in Israel. It was certainly a trip that I've never forgotten and I can't wait to get back. Perhaps now is a good time to head back over.

The cost including flight, deluxe lodging, food, transportation and all entry fees to the sites is around $2000. This is definitely a trip of a lifetime.

If you are interested please let me know. It's open to anyone and we will travel as a group. If I have enough folks who are interested I will go ahead and put everything in motion. Leave me a message.

Fall Is Here

So...I'm sitting outside on my deck overlooking the beautiful fall foliage. The trees are red, yellow, orange, green and many, many variation thereof. The birds are singing and the occasional trolley comes by. As it begins to get dark the crickets are chirping and for a brief moment...everything is just fine.

I love fall. It is probably my favorite time of the year. With all the chaos going on in the world with elections and the economy and work etc...it's just nice to step out away from it all and relax in His presence in His creation. No distractions, just me and Him. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Thank you Lord for loving us and sending your son to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. I can't wait to meet you face to face someday. Thank you.

The Challenge

We're all faced with different challenges in life. Some easier than others. Tonight our Teen Leadership team was challenged to step up and provide better care for their peers. We to often get caught up in ourselves and our friends and we forget about those who are standing outside our holy huddle. We challenged one another to do a better job of reaching out and caring for those around us. I love our leaders and leadership team. What a blessing it is to work with those who have such a passion and love for the Lord....it's my prayer that we can spread that same love and passion to the rest of the church. Thank you Jesus...

Staff Lunch

Who would have thought that something as simple as a staff lunch would be so meaningful? I love the times that we get together as a staff to hang out and talk. We put all work aside and just share what's going on in our lives and laugh a lot. I love spending time with the staff, what a blessing. Praise God for the simple times in life when we can just enjoy each others company.

The food was pretty sweet too. Thanks guys for a great time.

Doris, Gina, Hal, Beverly, Barb, Bob, Maureen, Brian

Stay Strong

One of my all time favorite songs by the Newsboys:

Stay Strong

You're in the moment now
A bitter root
A wandering eye and then
The ties that bind start wearing thin, thin

You're in the moment now
When all you've been blessed with
Is not enough
Here's where the ground gets loose
Here's where the devils call your bluff

Stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There's a new dawn to light our day, our day
You've gotta stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

We've seen the tragic flaws
The tortured souls
The saints with feet of clay
Here's where sin becomes cliche'

We've come through wilderness and watched
The cloud by day
The burning sky into dawn
Have you forgotten who you are?
Did you forget whose trip you're on?

Stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There's a new dawn to light our day, our day
We've gotta stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

Get up, there's further to go
Get up, there's more to be done
Get up, this witness is sure
Get up, this race can be won
This race can be won

We've gotta stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
Our Father's dawn will light our day, our day
Come on and stay strong
His grip is sure
And His patience still endures
There'll be no letting go today, no way

Come on, and stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

Hunting Season

Hunting season is just around the corner and I'm thinking about heading out for the first time in a few years. I have my trusty 12 gauge but I'm looking for a good deer rifle. Anyone know where I can get a good one at a reasonable price? Anyone up for hitting the woods this fall? Let me know.

"Comfortably Uncomfortable"

God has called us to be "Comfortably Uncomfortable". He wants us to be comfortable in Him but uncomfortable enough to share the Good News with others. God has called us to be Fishers of Men and also to scatter seed (His Word). Who are you going to invite to church next week? Who will you take time to share your story with? Who's life will you build into this month? Take time to pray about who it is God wants you to build into this month. Leave me a note about who I can be praying for, for you.

A Season of Change

To the members and family of Peters Creek Church,

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

It is with a mix of sadness, thankfulness and celebration that we write to you today. As you all know, for the last 12 years, Rev. Dr. L Rus Howard has done an incredible job as our Pastor. During that time, he and Rori have been exceptional spiritual leaders, great teachers and dear friends.

The last two years have been incredibly difficult and trying times, and have taken a toll on all of us. After much prayer, discernment and discussion, Rus feels that God is leading him in a new direction. As of October 19, 2008, Rus and Rori will be moving on to the next phase of their ministry and their lives. We as a Session are in agreement that this is truly the best for them and for us as a congregation.

We are very thankful for the unbelievable sacrifices that Rus and Rori have made for us over the last 12 years. Their supreme efforts have brought much joy and glory to our church and for that we are eternally grateful.

In accordance with the E.P.C. Book of Order, the Session of Peters Creek UPC hereby calls a meeting of the congregation on October 12, 2008 at 12:00 pm (immediately following the 11:00 service). At this meeting we will vote on accepting Rus’ resignation and act on the terms of the Dissolution of the Pastoral Relationship.

The Session has looked forward to, and is excited with, all the great programs that are up and running to grow the faith of all of us here at Peters Creek! We are also working with the EPC to be sure our ministry does not miss a beat after Rus leaves. Jeff and the rest of the staff are ready to step up and do everything needed to ensure that our worship continues to please our Lord! We will be also counting on all of our members to rise to the challenge and do all that we can to serve our church and community.

Again, please join us in extending your thankfulness and appreciation for all that Rus and Rori (and Jeff, Matt and Carmel) have given to our church!

We are planning a Farewell Celebration for Rus and Rori, immediately after the 11:00 am service on October 19, 2008. Please be sure to mark your calendar and be there in person.

While we are sad to see Rus and Rori move on, we are looking forward to God continuing to reveal his plan for Peters Creek and to lead us into the next exciting part of our journey with Him.

In His service,


The members of Session

The People Pleaser

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.”- Proverbs 29:25

For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4

If I've learned one thing this year so far it is this..."Our purpose is to please God, not people."

Can we ever really please people anyway? Because of our sinfulness we constantly want more or something different and we can never be pleased. I don't know if you've noticed but we can be pretty selfish and pretty hard to please. We pretty much spend the majority of our life trying to please somebody. It can be pretty exhausting and frankly you'll never accomplish it.

If we decided to follow the Word of God and try and please God we would be a whole lot better off. After all He is our creator and the one with whom we will spend eternity. Perhaps we ought to get to know Him a little bit better...I don't know ...Just a thought.

These ramblings spun out of a guys Bible Study I had last night with some pretty cool guys (Sean Toohey and Doug Maronde). The Wednesday night Bible Study is definitely one of the highlights of my week. It's a great time to sit and share what's going on in our lives and work through things together.

Take time this week to work on pleasing God and not people. Let me know how things begin to change in your life as you make this adjustment this week. Let me know what you think.