From the Desk of the Pastor

Grace to you and Peace in the

name of the Risen Lord.

It seems odd to write this

today because of all that is

happening in our world, but

remember that when Jesus first met his disciples

after his resurrection, he first and foremost offered

them Peace because that is what they needed.

Because of the Coronavirus, we are forced to shelter

in place, unable to attend church and gather as we

want and need to. While this will likely last through

the end of April, please do not allow this virus to

steal your happiness or diminish Easter in any way.

It is true that we will not be able to gather and

worship in person, but always remember what the

song says: We are one in the Spirit, we are one in

the Lord. Regardless where we are, we are all

united in the Spirit of the Living God and there is

nothing that can take that from us. God assures us

that He is with us and if you doubt it, read Psalm 23

again. This assures us that even though we walk

through the valley of death, God is always with us.

I fully realize how difficult it is to remain isolated –

unable to see those with whom you share such a

strong bond. What we need to remember is that

even though we isolate ourselves, we do so not in a

spirit of fear, but in a spirit of responsibility and

concern for others. We have nothing to fear,

because we know whose we are and know with

certainty that our future is secure.

As you know, before the governor decreed that

everyone should shelter in place, your Session had

voted to continue services because it is important to

gather together and worship God. Again, being

responsible citizens, they chose to honor the

governor’s decree and remain isolated -

not out of fear, but out of respect for our leaders

and a sense of social responsibility.

Unfortunately, we also know that a large number of

people in our society do not have the hope that we

share because they do not have that personal

relationship with Jesus that we share. Because they

do not have that hope, we must isolate ourselves so

that the pandemic does not spread unduly in our

sphere of influence – so that when this is over, we

can witness to them in the hopes they too can find

the hope we have secured through our faith.

While we may not be able to gather in person, we

will continue to worship on Sunday mornings at

11:00 a.m. virtually through Zoom. Our first

attempt was cut short because of technical

difficulties, but we have upgraded our Zoom

account to prevent that from happening in the

future. Sunday is Palm Sunday and we will still

rejoice in Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and

we will, in somber reflection, continue to consider

the sacrifice made on our behalf by Jesus. We will

also have an online Maundy Thursday worship to

allow us to maintain our spiritual discipline as much

as possible.

In the meantime, if you know someone who lacks

hope and is fearful for their life, reach out – via

phone or email and let them know why you are not

afraid – why your faith helps you remain calm and

full of hope in such troubled times. If they need to

find that hope, share the link to join us and invite

them to join us on Sunday for virtual worship (until

we can come together again).

Yes, the virus is bad, and we need a vaccine, but

perhaps what we really need is to take this time of

isolation from the distractions of the world and

have a personal revival where we focus on the

ONLY thing in the world that really matters. Jesus.

Burnet Presbyterian Church Newsletter for April, 2020

P. O. Box 126

Burnet, Texas 78611 E-mail: burnetpres@gmail.com

Phone: 512-756- 4366 Website: www.bpcburnet.org

Remain secure in the knowledge that you are loved

and that God is with you always. If you need help,

or any physical thing, call me or the office and

we will see to your needs.

Go in Peace,

Pastor Josyph

** Pastor’s Report

Miles Driven Last month -- 124 Miles driven month to date – 170 YTD Miles driven to date – 600 Visits - 3

Home – 1 Hospital Visits – 1 Nursing Home – 1

** Burnet Presbyterian Women

March 9, 2020 Present: Alice Anglin, Laura Atkison, Martha Dunagan, Jean Andrews, Linda Weaver, Hilda Smith, Jamie Horn, Karen Brock, Cleo Dulls, Evelyn Baker, JoAnn Holt, Armour Shin, Sue Hosterman, Danielle McDonald and her niece, Gwen, Bette Roberts, Marilyn Petrick, Pat Collins, Mary Richmond, Cindy Grant, Peggy Hammond, Cissy Butler, Marsha Spinner, and Janie Howell. Twenty four ladies gathered in the parlor for fellowship and refreshments prior to the PW meeting on Monday, March 9. We were delighted to welcome Sue back in the fold! At 1:30 PM Moderator Alice Anglin opened the meeting with prayer. Armour Shin led us in our Horizon Bible Study, Love Carved in Stone by Eugenia Anne Gamble. This lesson was about the Seventh Commandment and prompted interesting discussion. Alice opened the business meeting with jocularity. Kathy sent the treasurer’s report which indicated our balance is $2577.02. Correspondence included the bank statement and a flyer for the Women of Joy Conference which will be held in San Antonio in September. Details about the conference are on the PW bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.

Old Business: None New Business: We tentatively set the date for our PW Pot Luck Birthday Luncheon for Sunday, May 17 after worship, pending Session approval. In addition to receiving the birthday offering, we will be recognizing members who have joined since November as well as our graduate, Delaney Dawson! Details about the offering and the luncheon will be forthcoming. The Fellowship of Church Women will meet on March 30 at 2:00 at First Methodist Church, Burnet. There being no further business, Alice closed the meeting with our Friendship Circle and prayer.

Submitted by Janie Howell, Secretary

** Session Review February, 2020

The Burnet Presbyterian Church State Session Meeting took place on March 17, 2020 at 4:25 p.m. at the library of Burnet Presbyterian Church. Present: Jamie Horn, Armour Shin, Carl Spinner, Treasurer, Billy Don Weaver, Rev. Josyph Andrews, Moderator, and Marsha Spinner, Clerk. A quorum was present. Pastor Josyph opened the meeting with a prayer. After a time for “Sharing and Caring,” Pastor Josyph gave an opening devotional based on John 9:1-41. Josyph gave the Session his Pastor’s Report. The following motion was made: To call a Congregational Meeting on March 29 for the purpose of the elections of officers.

While other issues were discussed, no other decisions were made. The meeting was duly adjourned and Josyph closed with a prayer.

Respectfully

submitted,

Marsha

Spinner

** LACare Update

LACare served 906 individuals and 307 families during the month of February. The greatest needs are for donations of canned tomatoes and dried pinto beans. Thank you for the continued to support of this ministry.

Submitted by Hap Zimmerman

**MOC Minutes for March, 2020

March 1, 2020

Five fellows, (Carl, Dick, Jack, Josyph and Hap)

met for Men of the Church at Storm’s on March 1,

2020. Jack reported a balance of $508.00 in the

treasury.

Dick Spinner gave a devotional based on Psalm

92. Each day, we all grow older. Each day, as we

grow older, we realize that we also gain new

insights and a new kind of strength. The Bible says

that gray hair is a crown of glory. We are still able

to do the work of the Lord. With age comes

spiritual maturity. In all times of life, we can be

mindful of God’s blessings. Every season of our life

has a purpose. God does not cast us off in our old

age, just because our strength is failing; God can use

all people for the work of the kingdom. Let us all

remember that we can serve regardless of our age.

Next meeting will be April 5, 2020.

Submitted by Hap Zimmerman

The BB's meet Thursday April 23rd at 9:30am to

review the novel, A Rising Man, by Abir Mukherjee.

Mukherjee has spent the last twenty years working

in finance. A Rising Man is his debut novel for which

he won the Harvill Seeker/Daily Telegraph crime

writing competition and the prestigious Crime

Writer's Association Endeavour Historical Dagger

Award. Suffice it to say, this book is well worth the

reading time!

Martha Dunagan is test cooking Indian breakfast

dishes and will prepare something delicious and

exotic for us, right in Cissy's classroom! Please come

join in this, what looks to be, a rather exciting

review. But then, we think nearly every review is

exciting.

Submitted by Pat Collins

** Respite News

The First Methodist Church of Burnet has

suspended the Respite Program until further notice.

As soon as the danger from the Coronavirus has

passed, they will let us know. Please pray for the

caregivers and their patients during this difficult

time. Thank you.

Submitted by Janie Howell

Burnet

Bookmarks

Read

Again!

** February Financial Report

The February 2020 Financial Report, as

approved by session, is attached at the back of

this newsletter.

For those receiving the newsletter via email,

it will be attached as a separate document.

** PRAYER LIST

Members: Doris McBride; Billy

and Kathy Frankum; Dianne

Davis and family; Bette

Roberts; Dorothy Beauchamp;

Karen Brock; John and Marjorie

Brown; and Sue Hosterman and

family.

Military: Active – Tyler and Serra Burns;

Vincent Morana; William Butler, Jr.; Kerry

Hensell-King; Lt Col Breck Hale; Steve McCoy;

Retired and Veterans.

World: Mission co-workers in Sudan: Lynn and Sharon Kandel, and Nancy McGaughey; Mission co-

worker in Ghana Ruth Brown; victims of natural

disasters; First Responders; victims of domestic

terrorism; Persecuted Christians in Afghanistan;

clean water for everyone; and coronavirus crisis.

Family & Friends: Keith Knobloch; John Davis’

brother Bill, and his wife Norma; Helen Pierson;

Rain; Charles Holt III; Bill Stewart’s friend Alzina;

Marsha’s brother-in-law Chris Beheim; Nancy

Allen’s daughter Diane; Ray Trammell; the Glazener

family; Lynne’s step-grandson Steve Taylor, and

Joyce Bronaugh and family.

** Persecuted Christians

Please continue to pray for the persecuted Christians in Afghanistan during the month of April. After the Coronavirus situation has passed and we are back to our normal schedule, we will post the details of a different country on the Mission Bulletin Board in the Norris Building. Thank you for your continued prayers during this time.

Submitted by Janie Howell

April Calendar is attached.

At this point, we are not

in control of the calendar. We will resume normal

activities when safe.

Just in time for Easter, a reminder of

God’s glorious creation to brighten

our days, right at our doorstep.