Pastor's Page July & August 2025

According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity.

Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, “Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bow implies.”

The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, “If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.”  (Our Daily Bread, June 6, 1994)

Not only is that a good Greek proverb, but it is also a great word for all of us. Actually, it is quite Biblical. We all need to take time to rest. If Jesus pulled away and took quiet time with our Heavenly Father, why do we think we should do anything less? We all need time to rest.  

Summer is a wonderful time for rest and relaxation…it is a different pace!   

During the summer months I will be preaching a sermon series entitled, “Summertime, Summertime, PSALM, PSALM, Summertime.” The series will be on various psalms. I have created a sermon study guide for you to use while in worship or if you are watching online. If you are away and unable to connect to Facebook, the guide can be used as a personal devotion individually or with family.

Summer months are usually low attendance months in the church as people are in a variety of places with vacations, reunions, ball games, camping, weddings, etc. If you are away from home, I encourage you to follow along with us, take time for personal devotions, or find a church where you can worship the Lord. Remember not to take a vacation from worship.

Hope you have lots of rest and relaxation!!

Love being your pastor! Love and Blessings in Jesus! 

Pastor Alice

Pastor's Page 06-01-2025

From Our Pastor

Dear Church Family,

This month on June 8th, we have a great day to celebrate as a congregation. Pentecost is on June 8th, and we are going to celebrate! Pentecost is the birthday of the church when the Holy Spirit descended on the believers.

An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, 117-119): According to the Day of Pentecost story in Acts 2:1-13, God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower witnesses to the resurrection. Sounds from heaven, cosmic language, the rush of a might ruach (wind, spirit, breath) invaded the house in which the apostles gathered, and appeared to them as a burning fire. Tongues of fire touched their nerve centers. A power -   the unseen power of God -  moved among them and gripped them. The Holy Spirit is unseen, like the wind, which is why the Old Testament call it ruach YHWH, “the wind, or breath, of God” (cf. John 3:8). The Spirit is the unseenness of God” working among us.

According to Joel (2:28-29) the ruach is to open everybody to God’s future. People young and old will dream and will have visions of hope; they will be able to loose themselves from the way things are now, because God is establishing a whole new economy of creation. The Holy Spirit breaks us out of our preoccupation with ourselves and frees us to serve neighbors, loosens our grasp on possessions, and sets us to loving people. New creation is what Joel is talking about. Pentecost is new creation.

The book of Acts tells the story of the outcome of Pentecost’s new creation: people witness in word and in deed to the risen Christ. At the outset, the newborn church immediately tumbled out into the streets to witness to God’s mighty works in the languages of people all over the world. By the end of the story, a tiny, Spirit-filled community of faith that broke from its present order has spread across the continents with incredible power to bring new things into being. With the gift of the Spirit, all things are possible... 

 Therefore, on the Day of Pentecost, we celebrate God’s gift of the Holy Spirit which draws us together as one people, helps us comprehend what God is doing in the world, and empowers us to  proclaim, in word and in deed, God’s plan of reconciling all people in the name of Christ (Ephesians 1:10).

 Without the gift of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s church dries up and withers away, and we are left with only our broken selves. With the gift of the Spirit, all things are possible. A spirit-filled community of faith opens eyes to needs in the world and sees its missing as God’s new people. The Day of Pentecost is the climax of the Great Fifty Days of Easter, celebrating as it does the gift of the Spirit to the body of Christ -  the church.

On Pentecost , our church will receive into church membership two individuals: Micah Dadbeh and Kathy Cool.

So… HOW WILL WE CELEBRATE??

            1.         All are encouraged to wear RED!!

            2.         We will have red balloons decorating the sanctuary as we celebrate the birthday.

            3.         We will have a potluck after Worship. A birthday cake will be provided.

Please make every effort to be present in Worship on this very special day and welcome our newest members!

Love being your pastor!

Love and Blessings in Jesus!

Pastor Alice

pastor's Page 05-01-2025

Dear Church Family,

Warmer temperatures, budding trees, and flowers popping up in the ground, tell us Spring is on the way! It is my favorite time of year! When I drive into the development where my condo is, the beautiful white flowering trees make me thankful once again for this time of year!

This time of year also reminds us it is just about time to plant flowers or gardens. For farmers,

it is planting season of their crops.

So I share the following with you as food for thought...

Love being your pastor!

Love and Blessings in Jesus!

Pastor's Page 04-01-2025

Dear Church Family, 

This month we will be celebrating Holy Week. I hope you are as excited as I am. I love Holy Week. Children waving palms and singing joyously as we celebrate Palm Sunday, stopping on Maundy Thursday to remember the Last Supper with Jesus and His disciples and celebrating communion together as a church family, stopping at the cross on Good Friday as we worship and reflect upon the crucifixion and all that means to us, and ending with the exhilarating time of worship on Easter morning.

Lloyd Ogilvie writes it so beautifully…The purpose of Easter is not to tell us we should live better lives. It is not a time for moralizing or compulsive improvement programs. Easter is the celebration of victory---Christ’s and ours. So often we come to church to get insight, wisdom, and strength for our preconceived direction. We usually leave disappointed and unchanged because we want His guidance or sanction on our lives so we can be more religious. That’s not Easter. The resurrection happens when people can do nothing for themselves or for God. It is when our knowledge of Jesus’ life and message has driven us to cry out, “Lord, I can’t do it, I can’t change, I can’t love, I can’t forgive, I can’t take it any longer!” This is when it happens. Only then can we hear Him say, “Because I live, you shall live also!” Then we can join the magnificent procession of the Christ-encountered, Christ-liberated, Christ-healed, Christ-changed, Christ-filled people who shout the Easter refrain: Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord! 

Over the years as a pastor, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are usually poorly attended. It saddens my heart! Could we make a difference this year? We celebrate the victory of Jesus over the cross and the grave. That same resurrection power is available to you and me as we say YES to Jesus in our lives. I would encourage you to set the time aside right now. In so doing, may we each be able to focus upon ALL that Jesus has done and will continue to do in our lives…Come be part of that great procession…for the victory is ours!

Love being your pastor! 

Love and Blessings in Jesus!

Pastor Alice

PASTOR'S PAGE 03-01-2025

Dear Church Family, 

How can I ever begin to thank you for your wonderful, warm welcome for me as your pastor!!  I feel greatly blessed to be called as your pastor. You are an incredible church family demonstrating the love of Christ, a mission mindedness, a devotion to share the Gospel, and so much outreach to children and youth. Thanks so much to all the members of the PNC. They were more than gracious to me through the process!! In addition, what a wonderful staff that I work alongside: Cheri, Gina, Cheryl, Andrea, Ken, and Dan are tops!!

Looking forward to spending the time ahead with all of you as we run the race before us keeping our eyes on Jesus!

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. We encourage you to join us for the Ash Wednesday Service at 6:30 P.M. which will be held this year in the sanctuary. This year we will also have a Good Friday Service in addition to Maundy Thursday. I would encourage you to mark your calendars now for Holy  Week and make it a priority to be in worship throughout that week. It is a small sacrifice when we consider all that Jesus has done for us!

During Lent, my sermon series will be “Dining with Jesus.”

3/9 – The Guest List – Luke 5:27-31

3/16 – Seating Arrangements – Luke 14:1-14

3/23 – Meal Interruptions – Luke 7:36-50

3/30 – Getting Out of the Kitchen – Luke 10:38-42

4/6 – Preparing for a Crowd – Luke 9:10-17

4/13 - The Appetizer Before the Meal (Palm Sunday) – John 12:12-19

4/17 – The Last Supper (Maundy Thursday) – Luke 22:7-38

4/18 – The Drink of Death (Good Friday) – John 19:28-30

4/20 – Taste and See (Easter) – Luke 24:1-33

Below are some items I would like to call to your attention:

Visits - I would love to visit with members of the congregation. I am willing to meet you in your homes, at the church, or if you would like to meet for lunch. I put a sign-up sheet outside the sanctuary. Please sign up!! Otherwise, I will be calling you on the phone to try to set up a time to visit. Spending time visiting with you helps us to get to know one another better.

Nametags - Thank you for your willingness to wear nametags on Sunday mornings. It has been helpful to me. I have also had people comment that they would like to see the nametags continue. Some have said it is helpful in remembering names even if they have been members here. It is also helpful for visitors to get to know people.

Bible Study - I would like to start a Bible Study in March on Wednesdays at 1:30pm in person at the church and Wednesdays at 6:30pm on Zoom. At both times we will be studying the same material. Having a Zoom evening Bible Study allows a time for people not to have to rush out to the church in the evening and can enjoy it from their homes, it allows for a continued study when bad weather comes, and it allows those who might miss the afternoon session at the church to be able to catch up in the evening. More information will be forthcoming.

Installation Service - My Installation Service will be March 2, 2025, at 3:00pm. A catered dinner will follow the service. There is no charge for you to attend the dinner. Please join us! A dear friend of mine, Rev. Kurt Landerholm, will preach at the Installation Service. An offering will be received for Eastminster Committee on Preparation for Ministry to help support those candidates under care.

Ash Wednesday - Service will be on March 5, 2025, in the Sanctuary at 6:30pm. Join us for this special worship service as we begin the Lenten season.

Lenten Cross - A Lenten Cross with candles (similar to an Advent wreath during Advent) will be used during worship throughout Lent and on Easter. Various individuals will provide the readings and light the candles. Thanks so very much to Rob Knowlton who made the beautiful cross! 

Prayer Chain - If you are interested in a text message prayer chain to pray for immediate concerns, please sign up at the church. The text message with the prayer concern will go out to everyone at the same time.

Let us continue to be Champions for Jesus as we seek, reach, and teach the world for Jesus!

Love being your pastor!  Love and Blessings in Jesus!  Pastor Alice

PASTOR'S PAGE 04-01-2024

From Our Pastor

“I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers

for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in 

the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who

began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” 

Philippians 1:3-6

 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As Brenda and I come to the end of our time with you, we too thank God every time we remember you. During the past seven years you opened up your hearts and expressed your love, compassion and care toward us in many ways. You welcomed our children and grandchildren into the life and activities of the congregation. Throughout our time together, we’ve gotten to know you and become your friends. And you have supported and ministered to us through times of sicknesses and the deaths of our family members. 

We will also give thanks for our partnership with you as we served together in the gospel of Jesus Christ. You encouraged my preaching, supported my ministry and expressed your appreciation for my pastoral care. Whenever Brenda needed assistance with Vacation Bible School, you were quick to bring in a wide variety of materials as well as cut PVC pipe or mix 

cement so she could provide quality crafts for the children and youth of VBS.  

And I am confident the work of Christ is not done. Our leaving Champion Presbyterian Church is not the end of the story. It is merely the end of one chapter. I know God, who began a good work in you 192 years ago, will carry it on to completion. God has already chosen your next pastor who will lead you to continue God’s work within your community. 

There is a quote “All endings are also beginnings.” For Brenda and myself, the end of our pastoral ministry is the beginning of new ministries and new opportunities in our retirement. For all of you, our leaving is the beginning of a future with a new pastor for you to love and support; as well as new opportunities for you to better serve the Lord, Jesus, in His World.

In Christ’s Love, Pastor Steve and Brenda

PASTOR'S PAGE 03-01-2024

From Our Pastor

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it…. The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 

He is not here, He has risen, just as He said.”  

Matthew 28:2, 5

             President Abraham Lincoln died on April 15, 1865 after being shot by John Wilkes Booth the previous evening. Lincoln was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield Illinois. Since then, Lincoln’s coffin was moved 17 times and his coffin was opened on five occasions.

            That’s because there were many attempts to steal the President’s body. The most famous attempt occurred in 1874 when Chicago crime boss, James “Big Jim” Kennally tried to steal Lincoln’s body in exchange for a $200,000 ransom and the release of an associate serving a prison sentence at the Illinois state penitentiary. Fortunately, police arrived to thwart the robbery.

In September of 1901 – the coffin was opened for the last time and 23 people verified once again that the President’s body was still there. Eyewitness accounts say the President was easily recognizable over thirty years after his death.      

So much time and effort went into confirming that Lincoln’s body is in his tomb!

How wonderfully different on the first Easter morning. For all the evidence points to just the opposite fact – that the body of Jesus wasn’t in the grave. That morning those women fully expected to see the body of Jesus lying in the tomb but to their surprise the tomb was empty.  And the angel gave the reason why, “Jesus is not here He is risen, just like he said.”   

And if you go to the garden tomb in Jerusalem, Jesus body is still not there. Unlike everyone else whose bodies do remain in their graves; on the third day Jesus rose form the dead with his resurrected body. And because of other words he spoke, we know that by believing in Jesus as our Savior, then one day our own body will also be raised from the grave. Because of Jesus, death no longer has any power over us. That is the grand and glorious message of Easter, all because of the empty tomb!

In Christ’s Love, Pastor Steve

pASTOR'S PAGE FEBRUARY 2024

God’s Gifts

^“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

            One walk through the stores and you realize Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.   And if you are tired of giving your loved one that same old box of chocolates, bouquet of flowers or a pair of slippers, then here are just a few of the novel gifts available to you this holiday season:

            A Romantic Scavenger Hunt Kit - This boxed kit comes filled with different hints, clues, and activities for you and your loved one to spend a great date night together.

            A Heart Shaped Mini Waffle Iron – This gift shapes your breakfast into a heart to start off each day with a little taste of love. 

            The First Date Lyrics – Pick the day and time of your first date. The center of this print will present an image of the night sky of that special night. Printed around this image are the lyrics to “your song.” 

            Kissing Mugs – These matching cups each portray a face. When the two cups are aligned properly, they appear to be kissing.

            Morse Code Bracelet - Choose a phrase which describes your love for your spouse.  The bracelet is handmade with beads in the shapes of dots and dashes that will spell out your message in morse code.  

            We live in a modern world where there are so many amazing ways to express your love to another person. But don’t ever forget a very old method God used to express his love for you.  God’s wonderful gift of His son, come to be your Savior, is far more amazing than anything else you can find in our world.  

In Christ’s love, Pastor Steve  

PASTOR'S PAGE JANUARY 2024

“The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Moses, my servant is dead. 

Now then you and all these people get ready to cross the Jordan River 

into the land I am about to give them… 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-2 and 9

 “Happy New Year!” You’ve probably been hearing that phrase quite a bit. They are words we say to one another as we enter 2024. However, as we begin a New Year, we need more than a hopeful greeting from the people around us. We need to hear what God told Joshua over 3,000 years ago. As Joshua prepared to lead God’s people into the Promised Land, he had every reason to be afraid. He faced an enormous task, and was well aware of the dangers he and the people would soon encounter as they entered this new land filled with their enemies. So he needed God’s encouragement.

 You also need God’s encouragement because unlike Joshua you have no clue about what dangers you may face throughout this New Year: Will your health remain good? Will you be able to hang onto your job? Will you get into the right school? Will you live to see the end of this year? Will there be a terrorist attack or some natural disaster that affects you or your loved ones?

 As you face an uncertain future, the Creator of the universe also comes to you and says: “Don't be terrified, don’t be discouraged.” What happens in this coming year is not left to chance. God is in charge and He promises to stay close to you. “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Many years later, the Lord Jesus made the very same promise to you when he said, “Lo, I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20) It is because of God’s promise to us that we are able to wish each other a Happy New Year!

In Christ’s Love, Pastor Steve

PASTOR'S PAGE DECEMBER 2023

The Messenger

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; 

proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Psalm 96:1-3

Steve Martin is a comedian with a successful television and movie career. He is also a very talented musician. He plays the banjo and sings in a band called, The Steep Canyon Rangers. I recently heard a song they perform entitled, “Atheists Don’t Got No Songs.” It goes like this:

 “Christians have their hymns and pages, Hava Nagila’s for the Jews.

 Baptists have the Rock of Ages; Atheists just sing the blues.

 Romantics play Claire de Lune. Born again’s sing He is risen.

 But no one ever wrote a tune For godless existentialism.

 For atheists, there’s no good news, They’ll never sing a song of faith.

 In their songs, they have a rule, The “he” is always lowercase.”

It’s a funny song and a sad one. People who don’t know God really do not have the Good News of His great love and grace. Yet the song is correct, one of the unique things about our Christian faith is its music. As Dr. Bruce Thielemann, former Dean of Chapel at Grove City College put it: “Christianity is the one faith that puts a song in your heart. Confucianism has no chorales. Shintoism has no songs. Islam no glorias...atheism no anthems.”

Of course, the thing that gives us something to sing about is not a thing, but the person of Jesus, the Son of God, born to save us from our sins. This Advent we shall examine His birth by looking at the very first songs that His coming inspired. Recorded in the Gospel of Luke are four songs that form the “First Christmas Carols” of our faith. They are:

December 3 —”Zechariah’s Song”

December 10 —” Mary’s Song”

December 24 - “The Angel’s Song”

December 31 - “Simeon’s Song”

I hope you will join us each Sunday to hear God’s truth proclaimed in these songs.

                                                      In Christ’s love,  Pastor Steve 

pASTOR'S PAGE NOVEMBER 2023

                                                In Christ’s love,  Pastor Steve  

pASTOR'S PAGE OCTOBER 2023 MESSENGER

From Our Pastor

²⁴ “Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the

tent of meeting, ²⁵ but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service

(at God’s temple) and work no longer. ²⁶ They may assist their brothers in performing 

their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work.” 

Numbers 8:24-26

 At the Session meeting of Tuesday, September 12^th, I announced my decision to retire as your pastor in April or May of 2024. This was not an easy decision to make but after much prayer and discussion with my wife, we feel this is the appropriate choice to make. I have served the Lord for over forty years in full time ministry and I look forward to serving Him in new ways during retirement. I also hope to devote more time to my wife, our children and our grandchildren.

Brenda and I love you all very much.   You have been a warm, caring and supportive congregation throughout our seven years of ministry here. You’ve been wonderful to us in so many ways and we could not have asked for a better congregation to serve in my final years of ministry. We cherish the friendships we have made with you and it will be difficult to say goodbye in the spring of 2024.

At a future Session meeting, a member of the Committee on Ministry from our Eastminster Presbytery will outline the process for the Session to move forward.  The Committee on Ministry will give directions on hiring an interim pastor and discuss the formation of a Pastor Nominating Committee to begin the process of searching for your next installed pastor here at Champion Presbyterian Church.

Brenda and I look forward to serving you throughout the coming Advent and Easter seasons as we continue to do the Lord’s work within our congregation and our community.  

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Steve and Brenda

PASTOR'S PAGE SEPTEMBER 2023 MESSENGER

From Our Pastor

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

            On June 2, 2023, three trains collided in eastern India. The Coromandel Express, a passenger train, entered a passing loop instead of staying on the main line and crashed into a parked freight train. Due to the high speed, 21 coaches derailed and three of these cars hit an oncoming train on an adjacent track. 294 people were killed and 1,175 were injured in the accident, making it India’s deadliest railway crash since 1995. India’s Commissioner of Railway Safety reported the triple train collision was the result of faulty signals at the Bahanaga Bazaar Station. The signal error sent the Coromandel Express on the wrong track.  

            Obviously, faulty signals on a railroad are dangerous and deadly. But in reality, defective signals are dangerous and deadly wherever they occur. Unfortunately, you live in a world filled with faulty signals. Our American culture constantly gives you erroneous directions that sends people onto the wrong path. The internet, television, movies, news channels and even schools give faulty signals regarding the track you should take in life.   

            Therefore, it is important for you to know God’s teaching to correct the flawed messages of this culture.  My sermon series, “Faulty Signals” will expose some of the false teachings proclaimed in our secular world and provide God’s truth regarding those faulty signals. Please join us in worship each Sunday so you know the true signals to stay on the right track.  

My sermons this fall will be:

                                    Sept 10            “Faulty Signals” 

                                    Sept 17            “Truth or Consequences” 

                                    Sept 24            “Identity Crisis” 

                                    Oct 1                “The Reality of Heaven”                     

                                    Oct 8                “H E Double Toothpicks”

                                    Oct 15              “The Evolution Myth”

                                    Oct 22              “No Lone Rangers”

In Christ’s Love, Pastor Steve

pASTOR'S PAGE AUGUST 2023 MESSENGER

From Our Pastor

  “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12

Gunmen wielding AK-47s and machetes killed 42 Christians and burned dozens of houses near Mangu in the African country of Nigeria. The attackers raided at least 11 towns from midnight to dawn early Tuesday, May 16^th, 2023 in this region 55 miles north of the capital city. Local authorities described the attacks as “ethnic cleansing.” Radical Islamic Fulani (an African tribe) nomadic herders have targeted these Christian farming communities for the past 20 years. Witnesses say the Fulani nomads usually get away with their attacks because most government and military leaders are connected to the Fulani people.

Sadly, this is just one example of the many forms of persecution Christians face around the world. For us, these atrocities seem unimaginable because of our nation’s history of religious freedom. However, if you are aware of current events, then you know the persecution of Christians is becoming more and more common in the United States. Consequently, I believe Stephen, the first person killed for his Christian faith, has much to teach us. His example reveals how to face challenges to our faith and how to respond to the people who mock and attack us in our society.

            This will be a four-week sermon series on “Stephen – the First Christian Martyr”.

The messages for this series are:

                                    July 30^th    - “An Obituary to Die For”

                                    August 6th - “Stephen – Preacher and Bible Scholar”

                                    August 13th – “Dealing with Death in the Prime of Life”

                                    August 20^th – “Choosing to Forgive”

            I hope you can be with us each Sunday, as we discover how Stephen’s life serves as an example to us in the 21^st century.  

In Christ’s Love, Pastor Steve

PASTOR'S PAGE jULY 2023 MESSENGER

“Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body” Ecclesiastes 12:12

                Although my vacation in July will center around my son’s wedding, I normally like to sit on a balcony overlooking the ocean and curl up with a “good book” to relax and enjoy my time away.  At a bookstore, there are so many good books to choose from for your reading. But I would like to suggest five “good books” that have stood the test of time for your reading list this summer.  I shared these Christian Classic years ago but with so many new people within our congregation I thought I would list them again since these works remain relevant and have pointed many people to Christ.

Knowing God, by J. I. Packer —               J. I. Packer was one of the most influential theologians of the 20^th century. This book is an introduction to who God is and what a life of knowing him looks like. It is both theologically rich but also easy to understand for the believer and unbeliever alike.

The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom—A powerful biographical work, it tells the story of Corrie’s life and of her sacrifice to hide and protect Jews in the Netherlands during WW2. Few books have displayed courageous Christian character in a more inspiring and convicting fashion than this one.

In His Steps, What Would Jesus Do, by Charles Sheldon — Long before the WWJD bracelets of the 1990’s, Rev. Charles Sheldon preached a sermon series about various people who applied the question “What Would Jesus Do?” to their lives. After preaching to packed crowds, he turned his sermons into the novel “In His Steps” which became a best seller and continues to inspire Christians all around the world.

The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan — Although published in 1678, this allegory for the Christian life has never been out of print. The main character, Christian travels to the Celestial City and his journey is more than just an entertaining adventure. Each element of the tale – down to the character’s name – is meant to serve as a powerful metaphor in the lives of followers of Christ.

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer - In this book, Bonhoeffer wrestles with the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and argues that though grace is the free gift of God, it is not cheap. In fact, grace is costly, to the point that discipleship can cost us everything. Bonhoeffer’s own discipleship cost him dearly for the Nazi’s executed him due to his faith in Jesus. 

I hope you pick up and enjoy one of these “good books” this summer.

In Christ’s love, Pastor Steve 

PASTOR'S PAGE JUNE 2023 MESSENGER

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.

Impress them upon your children.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have an interesting piece of furniture in my living room. It’s called a secretary and is a combination curio cabinet and desk. The curio cabinet is on the left side and has a rounded glass door. The right side has a beveled mirror on top, then a drop leaf door in the middle that opens flat to create a desk top and three small drawers below. It’s quite lovely but I’ve never used it as a desk because even the smallest amount of weight might break the door off its hinges. But I’m not getting rid of it either as this was the very first piece of furniture my dad bought back in 1926 for his sixteenth birthday. For me, this piece of furniture has a rich history and someday I will pass it on to one of my sons.

What will you pass on to the next generation? Like me, it may be a piece of family furniture or your mom’s wedding ring, or your grandfather’s military uniform. Whatever it is, you look forward to passing this cherished item on to your children. However, the most important item to pass on to your children and grandchildren is your faith and trust in Jesus. As a Christian you are to share your faith with the world and your world begins at home. You are to read the bible to them, pray for them and say grace with them at meals. You are to talk to them about who Jesus is and what He’s done for you. You are to pass on your faith to the next generation.

And one way to do this is to send your children to our Vacation Bible School during the week of Monday, June 12th through Friday, June 16th from 9:30am to12:00 noon. I would encourage you to bring your children and grandchildren as well as the children of your friends and neighbors. For some kids in the community, Vacation Bible School is one of the few ways they can hear the wonderful message of God’s great love for them and how He sent His son to be their Savior. So seek out these children and even offer to pick them up and bring them to VBS where they can hear the gospel. Help us to pass on our faith to the next generation.

In Christ’s service, Pastor Steve

PASTOR'S PAGE MAY 2023 MESSENGER

May 1, 2023  The Messenger – From Our Pastor

 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.”   James 1:19 

            There is an old familiar story about a man who told something terrible about his neighbor.   The rumor spread around town as one person told another and the neighbor’s reputation was ruined.   Eventually the rumor was proved to be untrue. The man who started the rumor felt terrible for spreading false gossip. So he visited his priest and the priest gave him these odd instructions: “Take a bag filled with feathers to the top of the church bell tower and let them go. Then come back to me.”  When the man returned with the empty bag, the priest told him. “Now take your bag outside and collect all the feathers.”  The man replied, “But that is impossible, the wind blew the feathers all over the town and I will never be able to find them all.”  The priest said, “My son, that’s how it is with careless words. Once spoken, they cannot be taken back. Jesus will forgive what you said, but the damage has already been done.”

            That’s how it is with every rumor or juicy piece of gossip. “Have you heard what Tom did?”  “I hear Britany and Jeremy are separating, can you believe it?” “Did you know Ashley is losing her kids?” And on it goes. Sometimes, the story is a total lie. At other times, we only know half the narrative and the complete story changes the whole picture. Occasionally we add our own little twist to the story. But regardless of how you repeat it, the damage is done and another person’s reputation was harmed.  

But there’s an easy cure; James challenges you to be slow to speak. One way to do that is to THINK before you speak. And there’s a great little acronym which gives you questions to ask before you pass on any story: 

T –       Is it True? 

H –       Is it Helpful?

 I –       Is it Inspiring?

N –       Is it Necessary? 

K –       Is it Kind? 

If you can’t answer all five questions with a yes, then the story isn’t worth repeating.  So, the next time you hear a story, be slow to speak and think because once you say your words, they cannot be taken back. 

In Christ’s Love, Pastor Steve

PASTOR'S PAGE APRIL 2023 MESSENGER

In November of 1982, Vice President, George H. Bush, represented the U.S. at the funeral of former Soviet leader, Leonid Brezhnev. Brezhnev’s widow, Viktoria, performed an act that deeply moved the President. She stood quietly beside the coffin. Then, as the soldiers closed the lid, she reached in and made the sign of the cross on her husband’s chest. In a communistic country that promoted atheism as the law of the land, this wife of the man who ran the nation, committed this deed of civil disobedience. In the midst of her despair,  she hoped her husband was wrong and that there was another life after death. And to her, that eternal life came from Jesus who died on the cross.

            Although, atheism is not the law of our land, misery and despair are still felt by the homeless of the urban city, by people addicted to drugs and alcohol and by non-Christians who stand beside the coffins of their loved ones.

            But as Christians we have the answer to the world’s hopelessness and despair. The Apostle, Peter, who went through his own time of despair on Good Friday wrote in

1 Peter 1:3: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

In His great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through 

the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

            The resurrection of Jesus gives us a living hope. Jesus, the Son of God, is alive and risen from the dead. He is our Savior and through Him we have the hope and assurance that all our mistakes and sins are forgiven. Through Him there is the hope that the addictive chains  of alcohol and drugs can be broken. In Jesus, we have the hope of eternal life after our death and on this earth.

            I pray you will join us for all our Sunday services this month and for our special worship service on Maundy Thursday as we celebrate the power of the cross. What Mrs. Brezhnev desperately wanted to believe, we know to be true! There is hope in this world of despair. And that hope is the resurrection of Jesus which we celebrate at Easter. 

                                                                        In Christ’s Love, Pastor Steve

pASTOR'S PAGE MARCH 2023 MESSENGER

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.

Psalm 55:22 NLT

The following article, “You’re Not Meant to Carry All That,” is from Carrie Marrs’ devotional book entitled: Calm Your Anxious Mind. I contemplated using her illustration but realized I couldn’t explain her point any better than she already does.

Have you ever gone backpacking? Those giant packs are no joke - some people walk around with sixty pounds on their back! Can you imagine going through your daily routine with one of those strapped to you? You wouldn’t feel free to do all you were meant to do with that beast constantly aggravating you and wearing you down.

Aren’t we all sort of like that when we drudge through our days feeling miserably burdened?

God says, “I see you’ve got a heavy-duty burden going there. Will you let Me take some weight off?” If we say yes, He’ll choose a way to do that in His wisdom. Sometimes He takes burdens away. Sometimes He sends helpers. Other times He makes the hard things feel lighter and doable. His powerful presence changes our experience of them.

It’s a bit like when I call my sister and say, “Here’s what’s weighing on me.” I can’t explain why, but simply talking it out and having her listen makes me feel lighter. Or like when I’m carrying ten grocery bags and my husband says, “I can take some of those,” with an outstretched hand.

Listen, you need to remove something you’ve been carrying alone on your shoulders. I’m betting all that is not meant for one human. Surrender it into God’s able hands.

 In Christ’s Love,

 Pastor Steve

PASTOR’S PAGE FEBRUARY 2023 MESSENGER

 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.   Your sons and daughters will prophesy, 

your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. “   Joel 2:28

            An Arab, named Hussein, told how he had been a Muslim his whole life and extremely anti-Christian. But one year, during the week of Easter, Hussein saw a Christian preacher on the television talking all about Jesus. He could not take his eyes off the broadcast. And then something supernatural happened to him. “Suddenly, the Holy Spirit fell on me!  I looked up and Jesus was there in front of me. I’d been a devout Muslim but as soon as I saw Him it was like seeing an old friend that I knew before. And I knew it was Jesus. And I knew something else, I knew that He was the Son of God!”

            Hussein is one of many former Muslims who converted to Christianity because God spoke to them through a vision. Of course, this is not a new phenomenon. The Bible is filled with visions God gave to his people. During Lent, I will preach a sermon series entitled, “Visions.” I will examine a variety of visions in scripture to show how God worked in the lives of those people and explain how God still speaks to us through these Biblical visions.

My sermons during Lent will be:

Feb. 26^th          “Blazing Torches” - Genesis 15

Mar. 5^th           “World Wrestling Entertainment” – Genesis 32:22-31

Mar. 12^th         “Chariots of Fire” - 2 Kings 6:8-23

Mar. 19^th         “Holy Ground” – Exodus 3:1-10

Mar. 26^th         “Merry Christmas!”  - Luke 2:8-11

April 2^nd           “On Top of Old Mount Hermon” – Matthew 17:1-9

April 9^th           “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” - Matthew 28:1-10

Come join us this Lent and let God speak to you through His “Visions.”   

In Christ’s love, Pastor Steve

PASTOR’S PAGE DECEMBER 2022 MESSENGER

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  Matthew 2:4-5

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There’s a familiar Christmas song made popular by Perry Como:

                                                Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays

                                                ‘Cause no matter how far away you roam

                                                If you want to be happy in a million ways

                                                For the holidays, you can’t beat home sweet home

Christmas is traditionally a time people associate with being at home:  images of a wreath on the front door, gifts under a richly decorated tree, animated chatter around a food-laden table while Christmas carols play softly in the background.  Returning to the home of your parents to catch up with family you seldom see, or opening your home to those who are far away are all a part of Christmas. This all makes perfect sense, since the birth of Jesus began with Joseph and Mary returning to their ancestral home of Bethlehem, the city of David.

Home is God’s idea right from the start. When He brought Adam and Eve together in marriage it was for them to create a home. And in forming the church, God intended for all of His people to have a home where they feel loved and secure. Due to health concerns, the pandemic kept many believers from being able to gather together in worship at their home church. However, this fall, the Covid variants have dropped down to a normal winter flu season. Therefore, it is once again safe for everyone to come back to your church home here at Champion Presbyterian Church.  

So during this Advent season, I hope everyone from our congregation will return to worship because “there’s no place like home for the holidays.”

In Christ’s love,                                                          

Pastor Steve 

 Pastor's Page 11-01-2022

“After Paul urged the men on the boat to eat, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all.” Then he broke it, and began to eat. They were all encouraged.”

Acts 27:35-36

            A Russian man recalled his youth saying, “As a teenager, I enjoyed going to our neighborhood grocery store. There my friends and I would get a roll of bread and a few slices of cheese for a snack. An elderly lady who worked at the store would always say some kind and encouraging words to us, as she carefully sliced our cheese.

            A few years later, the USSA collapsed. Because of major economic disruptions, all cheese disappeared from the grocery stores. Most other food items became scarce too.  The store was still open, but it sold only bread. My memories of a kind lady who sliced cheese for us seemed almost unreal, but they still warmed my heart in those difficult times.”

            Similarly, the men on Paul’s ship faced a very difficult situation. In the middle of a terrible storm, their boat running aground, unsure where they were, they faced the possibility of drowning at sea. Yet in the midst of their terrifying circumstances, Paul took what little food they had, lifted it toward heaven and thanked God for it. And his words brought encouragement to everyone on the ship.  

            We all face difficult circumstances, such as an impending surgery, loss of job, or a lingering disease. Yet Paul’s act reminds us that when we pause to give thanks for what we have (even when it’s little) our gratitude brings encouragement. This month, most people will celebrate Thanksgiving to thank God for the feast they eat, for their families gathered around the table and their many other blessings. Yet even if this has been a hard year for you, be sure to thank God for your blessings as an encouragement to others.

In Christ’s Love, 

Pastor Steve

Pastor's Page 09-01-2022

          Survivor is a very successful television reality series for CBS that is hosted by Jeff Probst.   Millions of people have watched the 42 seasons since it began. The program places a group of strangers in an isolated location, where they must provide food, fire, and shelter for themselves. The contestants compete in challenges that test the contestants' physical abilities such as running and swimming as well as their mental abilities with puzzles. These challenges offer rewards or immunity from elimination. The contestants are progressively voted off the show by their fellow contestants until only one remains as the "Sole Survivor" and wins one million dollars.

             One reason for the show’s success is that it parallels our lives. Although you were never stranded on an island, your life is filled with a variety of challenges as you seek to provide food, warmth and shelter for yourself and your family. And although you may never win a million dollars, each of you does want to survive the problems, tests, and trials you encounter all through your life. And God’s Word offers guidance and direction so you don’t get eliminated from the competition. My fall sermon series: “Survivor” will examine some of your common challenges and offer God’s wisdom for your lives. 

My sermons this fall will be:

 Sept 11            How to Survive in a Hostile Workplace 

 Sept 18            How to Survive Parenthood 

 Sept 25            How to Survive When Bad Things Happen to God’s People

 Oct 2                How to Survive Failure

 Oct 9                How to Survive Criticism

 Oct 16              How to Survive Conflict

             I hope you can join us each week for worship this fall.

 Inside your Messenger is a Flyer highlighting my Fall Sermon Series. Please share it with a friend or neighbor and invite them to worship with you. There are more flyers outside the sanctuary so you can invite your whole neighborhood.

             In Christ’s love, Pastor Steve