No images? Click here November 17, 2023 Thankfulness in Plenty and WantMost often when we consider thankfulness it's for those things we enjoy; at least that’s how my mind works. And so I was convicted in reading Rev. Al Tricarico’s helpful article in the November 2023 issue of New Horizons on the circumstances under which the author of one of my favorite Thanksgiving hymns, “Now thank we all our God” wrote that hymn. I'll try not to divulge too much, but I will at least say that the author of the hymn had very little to be thankful for, humanly speaking. And yet he had learned what it is to be thankful and content in times of plenty and times of want. As we gather with friends, family, and loved ones to give thanks to God this year, may He enable all of us to find joy and thankfulness in all our circumstances, whatever they may be; whether in plenty or in need. For we serve the One who gave it all up, that we might, in time, have it all, into all eternity. Thank you for the opportunity to partner together in lifting up the name of Jesus through short-term missions, through disaster response, and through a manifold ministry of mercy in 2023. Deacons Jack Frahm and Jim Lucas helping back in the summer. More Help Needed in Vermont!Covenant OPC, Barre, VT Deacon Craig Comstock has recently learned that many homeowners continue to need help to repair their homes in preparation for the cold months ahead. The need continues as a result of the historic flooding that hit Central Vermont back in July. Craig desires to organize individuals and teams to participate once again in a disaster response effort. OPC Disaster Response would like to come alongside Covenant in this effort and we need your help! If you think you may be interested in helping, please contact Craig by following the "find out more" link. Please prayerfully consider how you can show mercy to those in need! Christ OPC, Marietta, Georgia invited their youth group to pack crates and enjoy food and a bonfire. What a great idea! More Opportunities with Crates for Ukraine 3.0 Registration is officially closed for the Crates for Ukraine 3.0 effort. If you have registered, please be sure to get your crates to a local drop point by Tuesday, November 21. Thank you to all who took the time to join in this effort! Although registration is closed, there's still time for you to provide aid through the Crates for Ukraine's "Click & Ship" opportunity. This method allows your congregation to purchase items via Amazon to be sent directly to CFU warehouses where supplies will be added to crates en route to those in need in Ukraine. Be sure to check out this page for more information about that: https://www.cratesforukraine.com/click-ship.html. There is also an option on that page to make a monetary donation. Final Counts for Crates for Ukraine 3.0The goal of Crates for Ukraine is, at the request of the Ukrainian Church and our national partners, to provide personal and humanitarian aid from the hands of churches in the U.S. to the hands of churches and displaced communities in Ukraine. This aid is presented with a Bible verse and the website of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine's publishing house. For this iteration, the OPC added 109 crates to the 611 total crates. Thirty-two OP Churches participated along alongside 107 PCA, URCNA, EPC and other congregations to send aid. Thank you to those of you who were able to show love and mercy to those suffering so far way! Why Consider OPC Short-Term Missions 2024? The following is an article that appeared in the February 2019 issue of New Horizons. We share it in the hopes that it may help you to consider joining OPC Short-Term Missions 2024. The Case for Short-Term Missions Opportunities and Updates
The Reformed Deacon: Releasing December 1: Elders and deacons working in conjunction for the good of their flock is of great importance to the health of any local church but the way to go about that is not always well-defined. In this episode, Rev. Stephen Tracey talks with David Nakhla and Jeffrey Roach, a deacon at Resurrection Presbyterian Church in Matthews, North Carolina, about thoughts on best practices for the two offices: good communication, having joint meetings, using discretion, and practicing joint visitation. This episode has been graciously provided by the Committee on Christian Education's OPC Ruling Elder podcast, where it aired in September of this year. Episodes can be found on your favorite podcast player or by going to thereformeddeacon.org. Distribute the S.T.O.R.M. Report to your church! Get the PDF summary of this STORM Report as a bulletin insert or poster! Contact us! DAVID NAKHLA TRISH DUGGAN
ALLISON GROOT For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
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