PNN 4.30.09

Pastor’s News and Notes

April 30, 2009

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ John 1:29, 30, NLT

PRAYER FOCUS

Church for this week: (4/27/09) Greenville, First – Steve and Kimi Stanley

Church for next week: (5/04/09) Greenwood – Kenny and Cheryl Smith

Church for the next week: (5/11/09) Healing Waters – Brenda and Jeff Singleton

• Rev. James Ramsay is continuing to recuperate from his blood clot condition.
• The cancer of Gladys Spearman, mother of Mrs. Ken Addis (Winnsboro), has returned.
• Mrs. Marshall Rampey (Ruth), mother of Buddy Rampey, began a non-chemo treatment regimen for a low-grade lymphoma this week that will continue for four weeks for lymphoma (low grade).
• Mrs. Bob Cooley (Norma) has begun chemotherapy for treatment of her breast cancer.
• Rev. Ray Lewis (Retired) is now in rehabilitation following surgery for a broken hip.
• Rev. Michael Stepp (Carlisle) is back in the pulpit following his back surgery.
• Mrs. Herbert Taylor (Carolyn) continues her struggle with cancer.
• Continue to pray for the physical needs of Rev. Darlene Teague.
• Pray for Mrs. Chet Rowan (Kathy) whose treatment for MS continues.
• The families of Vergie Milstead and Saul Rodriguez.
• South Coastal DS Dan Berry and his wife, Shelley http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/danshelleyberry.

Mrs. Virgie Milstead, mother of Rev. Don Milstead (Trinity) and grandmother of Mrs. Bobby Brayerton (Mt. Olivet), went to be with the Lord on Monday morning at the age of 94. Mrs. Milstead was a faithful Wesleyan pastor’s wife and gracious servant of our Lord who leaves a marvelous Christian family as her legacy. We extend our sympathy to this wonderful family in their time of loss. The funeral and celebration of her victorious life was conducted on Wednesday, April 29, at Firestone Wesleyan in Gastonia, NC and the burial was at Shady Grove Wesleyan Cemetery in Colfax, NC. Thank you for your support of the Milstead family with your prayers.

What’s Been Happening

There is beauty most everywhere I look these days. The trees are green, some azaleas and a few dogwoods and other shrubs are still blooming, and don’t forget the beautiful mountains that we see where we live and as we travel in and out of TR. Have I mentioned lately that we live in incredibly beautiful and “therapeutic” surroundings? Last Wednesday my day alone with God included a rather long walk/hike through the woods and around and over the mountain streams that are filled with water for the first time in quite a while. The wild flowers are simply beautiful and abundant. We have been observing some species I have never seen before that are plentiful on the way up to “the falls.” There is just one single blossom on each plant. One variety has three leaves and a purple flower and the other has seven leaves and a white blossom. I have been told by those who do landscaping and those who love the designing/decorating field that odd numbers are much more aesthetically appealing. I guess that includes setting out plants or arranging throw pillows on your bed or sofa (not that I would really know about the latter). I am sure that you know that the “four-leaf clover” is an aberration from the norm. Interestingly, God must have known that! Or perhaps landscapers/decorators see the beauty and appeal already built into God’s handiwork! Even in a fallen state, the world is unbelievably beautiful. While I could not be classified as a “tree hugger,” it is clear from Scripture that we are to be good stewards of His creation. My day away is indeed a highlight of the month and makes me want to set aside more time for those things that enrich my life . . . the beauty of God’s world being one of them.

Last week also included some meetings with pastors and a TRRCC (formerly TR-CMA) meeting. While we have always faced the challenges of owning and operating our own retreat and conference center, there are some unique challenges in these days, challenges which this group is facing with passion and intentionality. We are glad to report another operational year in the black while also looking to the future with the hopes of even greater strength and viability.

On Thursday evening, I enjoyed attending the event at SWU featuring Dr. Theo Lehmann as he shared his spiritual journey as a survivor of the Nazi bombing of Dresden and as an evangelist ministering within communist-ruled East Germany. Translating for Lehmann was Ed Arnold, retired professor of German at Clemson, longtime friend of Dr. Lehmann and member of FWC/ALIVE. Along with Lehmann was Joerg Swoboda, who performed Christian songs in German. The author of more than 20 books and composer of numerous songs widely sung in churches and evangelical gatherings, Lehmann today is his country’s foremost evangelist. This was a fascinating story that deserves some additional study.

The men’s retreat was the focus for the weekend. I look forward to this event each year and would encourage you to check out the report of District Wesleyan Men Director Bryan Stepp in the News and Information section, along with some pictures. Thanks Bryan and Tony for your planning and sharing for this special time with some great guys. There was really a wonderful spirit in the sessions and the fellowship was outstanding.

As I traveled home on Sunday afternoon, I stopped along the way to conduct a pastoral review in the afternoon and then participated in the Local Church Conference at CenterPoint on Sunday evening. I was also able to find a truly “dead” church–with its accompanying tombstone–in Fairfield that I had heard about from someone in Whitmire. Here’s the picture. I have a feeling that this will not be the last time you see this photo.

April 30 marks the end of the 2008-09 district year. It’s the time of year when pastors begin preparing their end-of-the-year statistical reports and annual service reports. It’s the time for election, training, and installation of local officers. Hopefully, it is also a time of review and reflection . . . a time to take an honest and productive look at how well your local church has done in fulfilling its mission in–and responsibility for–your community. It’s the greatest mission on earth and it shapes the face of heaven! (This may well be worth a second read!)

Believing in each other,

Pastor Buddy

News and Information

Congratulations to Bryan Stepp, son of Rev. and Mrs. Michael Stepp (Carlisle) and District Wesleyan Men Director, on being selected Boiling Springs Middle School Teacher of the Year and Regional Tennis Coach of the Year! Way to go, Bryan!

Work Week at Table Rock – May 18-23. Come for a day, a few days or the week . . . our treat!   Landscaping, repairs, painting and more are waiting for you and it will be great fellowship working together. Pastors, please announce this and make plans now to bring a group with you.  If these dates do not work due to other schedules at your churches, you may make arrangements to bring a group at other times by calling Greg Hayes, Camp Manager, at 864-878-2792.

2009 Men’s Retreat

The weekend of April 24-26, 2009 was a great time of fellowship for our SC Wesleyan men. Our annual beach retreat was held at Myrtle Beach, SC. Tim Jones was the speaker for the weekend. Some topics covered were: turning your weakness into strength, becoming healthy in Christ, walking with God, and the troublemakers in a Christian’s life. The men were challenged and encouraged with each session to become stronger in their walk with Christ. Fellowship included: fishing, putt-putt, golf, pier conversations, beach walks, and overall relaxation. We are very optimistic about next year and the possibility of higher attendance. We serve an awesome God!!! – Bryan Stepp, District Wesleyan Men Director

Opening Session

Bryan Stepp and Tim Jones

2009 Family Camp Information – July 14-19

Evangelists: Kerry Willis, Senior Pastor, First Church of the Nazarene, Harrisonburg, VA

Jim Dunn, Director, Department of Spiritual Formation, The Wesleyan Church

Children’s Worker: David Duncan

Church/Pastor Relations

CenterPoint – Open

Golden Grove – Voting on a candidate in May

Walhalla – Open

DS Schedule for May

Quote for the Week – “The person searching for God needs a Jesus large enough to transcend all the individual stories represented by followers who know, like John, that they only prepare the way.”

– Earl Creps, Off-Road Disciplines

Humor for the Week – In response to a man pointing at church building plans, the following caption was chosen as a winner in Leadership Magazine:

“We’ll pay for phase one with cash on hand, phase two with a subprime mortgage, and phase three with a government bailout.”