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Scottsdale Presbyterian Church The Messenger
May, 2019 Vol. 39 Issue 5 Since 1958
Acts 2:46-47
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Pastor's Column
As our church prepares for the Flourishing Disciple retreat on May 31st and June 1st, those attending the retreat have been assigned some homework. This includes reading an article prepared by the Navigators organization entitled, “Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture.” One of the main goals of the Flourishing Disciples process is to change the culture of our congregation. Cultural change can be nurtured and focused, but it takes time. I encourage everyone to read the introduction below to God-driven culture. Also, please be praying for the Flourishing Disciple retreat, that God would use it to help us all grow closer to Christ.
“Do you know what’s the most important part of my job?” a ministry leader asked. A lot of answers come to mind, but here’s the one he was fishing for: “Managing the culture in our church is the most important thing I do. If I don’t lead and manage the culture, our focus and values will slowly disappear.”
Disciple-making in a church doesn’t happen by osmosis. Pastors and leaders must be committed to planting, cultivating, nourishing and sustaining a culture of life-on-life disciple-making. What we teach, model and talk about sets the culture for our congregations. Effective leaders do not take existing cultures for granted, rather they intentionally shape and build them. Life-on-life disciple-making doesn’t just emerge, but is intentionally cultivated and nourished in a local church.
Why think about cultivating a culture? If a leader does not intentionally cultivate a culture, someone or something else will. Like nature, culture abhors a vacuum. If we don’t cultivate a culture, our churches will be infested with weeds of half-hearted choices, the latest ministry fad, or the competing agendas of dominant people. When culture building is neglected, leaders find themselves managing problems in a three-ring circus where we focus on events rather than essentials. This busyness of a circus-like church captures a line from a T. S. Eliot poem: “Where is the Life we have lost in the living?”
Culture building is part of God’s heartbeat. In the book, Culture Making, author Andy Crouch writes, “Transformed culture is at the heart of God’s mission in the world, and it is the call of God’s redeemed people.” Crouch advocates that culture creation is rooted in the “cultural mandate” of Genesis 1:26-28. We are all called to create culture as God’s “gardeners and artists, cultivators and creators.” The gardener cultivates what already exists, so that it can flourish and multiply. The artist looks at the same canvas and imagines what could be made new. Cultivators “tend to nourish what is best in human culture,” writes Crouch, and creators are “people who dare to think and do something that has never been thought or done before.” Each of these roles have a posture of purposeful work, effort, and partnership. Our roles as partners with God are anchored in Genesis (1:26-28, 2:15), expressed in the Great Commission (Matthew 9:36- 38, 28:18-20), and are essential to the growth of the church (I Corinthians 3:5; Ephesians 4:16).
Acting as cultivators is at the heart of building a disciple-making culture. Leaders must quietly and methodically help men and women live as Jesus’ disciples. Relationships, not programs, are the vehicle for disciple-making in the church. Building a disciple-making culture means that we partner with God, starting small, going slow and establishing deep roots. A gardener does not plant a seed and expect instant fruit overnight. Culture building takes time.
In His service,Pastor Bruce
"Therefore go and make disciples . . ." Matthew 28:19 Page 1
Dear SPC Family,
As I write this newsletter article today, it is the day before Easter. We have recently come through a blessed week with services observing the days before Jesus’ death on the cross.
The music of this sacred season is some of the richest in the history of music. Composers such as J. S. Bach and George Frederick Handel have memorialized the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus in profound ways. The music team at SPC is blessed to participate in the sharing of the passion as well as the joyful celebrations as written in historic and contemporary music.
You may remember on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, as a congregation we sang “In Christ Alone”. Intentionally on Easter Sunday, we will again sing “In Christ Alone” serving as a sort of book-end between the beginning and end of the observance of Lent leading up to Jesus’ resurrection.
Our thanks to all who through song helped to create an environment of praise, sorrow, worship and joyful celebration. Our guest instrumentalists, as always, contributed so much and the faithful musicians of the choir, handbells and praise band contribute their offerings in meaningful ways to honor the risen Lord.
May you glow in the after-glow of Easter just as that amazing black light caused Pastor Bruce’s grandmother’s lamp to glow as demonstrated in his Palm Sunday message!
Blessed peace to all!
Carol Petersen, Director of Music
"Therefore go and make disciples . . ." Matthew 28:19 Page 2
Prayer Requests
Our prayer chain consists of people who would be happy to pray for you, your loved ones, and for any other praises or concerns you may have.
Please call the church office 480-946-4207 or email [email protected] to have your requests added to the prayer chain.
Preaching Schedule
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May 5 Psalm 1 Intimacy with God: Our PathfinderMay 12 Psalm 19 Intimacy with God: Our CreatorMay 19 Psalm 26 Intimacy with God: Majestic Majesty May 26 Psalm 46 Intimacy with God: Unparalleled Ruler
Friday, May 31 Begins with Dinner at 5:30 PMLasts till 9:00 PM
Saturday, June 1Begins with Breakfast at 8:30 AMIncludes lunchEnds at till 2:30 PM
Flourishing Disciples Retreat Schedule
Current Small Group Bible Studies:
•Sundays 11:00 AM Sunday School
•Thursday 7:00 PM Women’s Study
•Saturday 1:00 PM Christian Foundations
All small group Bible studies meet in the church lounge.
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"Therefore go and make disciples . . ." Matthew 28:19 Page 3
New Members Class Forming Soon
Do you want to know more about Scottsdale Presbyterian Church? A New Member’s class is forming this month for those who would like an overview of what it means to be a follower of Christ as part of our congregation. If you would like to hear more, please contact Pastor Bruce directly or use a “Prayer Request” or “Welcome” card to let us know.
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COMMUNITY CONCERT: Ocotillo
“Like therapy you didn't know you needed.”That's how one music blogger described Ocotillo's music. Robert & Cindy Leger charm the senses and soothe the soul with their unconventional combination of cello with mandolin or guitar. The final program in this season’s Community Concert Series is the duo Ocotillo and is scheduled for Sunday, May 5th at 3:00 PM in our sanctuary. The program will include selections from both popular and classical music. The Community Concert Series is jointing sponsored by SPC and MusicaNova Orchestra. The concert is free. Donations will be accepted.
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New Air Conditioners Installed for the Sanctuary and Chapel.
Thanks to all those who have contributed to SPC’s Capital Fund both recently and over the last few years. The Capital Fund enabled us to install three new air conditioning units in the days leading up to Easter.
"Therefore go and make disciples . . ." Matthew 28:19 Page 4
Scottsdale Presybertian ChurchTREASURERS REPORT YTD 2019
Bal 1/1/2019 Income Expense 3/31/2019CASH
Checking 130,862.47$ 46,875.37$ 60,888.66$ 116,849.18$ Savings 502.93$ 151,506.64$ -$ 152,009.57$ Petty Cash 18.30$ -$ -$ 18.30$
TOTAL 131,383.70$ 198,382.01$ 60,888.66$ 268,877.05$ LIABILITIES
Credit Card Balance at end of last year 123.44$ Credit Card accrued (425.80)$ Payroll taxes paid 4,049.06$ Payroll taxes accrued (4,722.77)$
TOTAL -$ (976.07)$ RESTRICTED FUNDS
Camp 3,941.35$ -$ -$ 3,941.35$ Capital 24,982.29$ 1,820.00$ 250.00$ 26,552.29$ Deacon 3,732.39$ 630.00$ 400.00$ 3,962.39$ Memorial .
Organ - Carrillion 1,100.00$ 1,100.00$ - Regular 5,422.80$ -$ 5,422.80$
Undesiginated 3,109.58$ 20.00$ -$ 3,129.58$ Community Navigators 1,344.16$ -$ -$ 1,344.16$ Pastors Retreat -$ -$ -$ -$ C.S. Lewis 1,481.39$ 180.00$ 1,005.70$ 655.69$
TOTAL 45,113.96$ 2,650.00$ 1,655.70$ 46,108.26$ IN & OUT
Flowers -$ 250.00$ -$ 250.00$ Wedding/Funerals -$ 800.00$ 375.00$ 425.00$ Just Coffee -$ 71.00$ 75.45$ (4.45)$ Misc 50.00$ -$ -$ 50.00$ Missions Specific
International -$ 602.00$ 602.00$ -$ Local 500.00$ 592.25$ 1,092.25$ -$
TOTAL 550.00$ 2,315.25$ 2,144.70$ 720.55$ OPERATIONS
loan balance $162,969.56 1,970.46$ $160,999.10
TOTAL 85,719.74$ $193,416.76 56,093.87$ 223,042.63$
GRAND TOTAL 131,383.70$ 198,382.01$ 60,888.66$ 268,877.05$
"Therefore go and make disciples . . ." Matthew 28:19 Page 5
GreenStone MinistryAnnual Memorial Day Picnic
Monday, May 27, 2019
Friends + Family + Fellowship+ Free Food
7700 E. Roosevelt in Scottsdale Vista del Camino Park
Ramada #1 10AM - 2PM
(west of Hayden) Offering for Bible Distribution Free Ethiopian Flags
"Therefore go and make disciples . . ." Matthew 28:19 Page 6
Please keep the following people in your prayers this month:
President Donald Trump, Governor Doug Ducey and Mayor Jim Lane.
Prayers that our Youth will be filled with the Holy Spirit and God will do mighty things in their lives. For our church: That we will love God, one another and our neighborhood. Pastor, Staff, Elders, Family Focus Team and Vision Team.
For those receiving medical care and for homebound/long-term care.
For Our Family Focus Team: Gail Widner, Pat Reynolds, Heather George, Sherry Blanchard, Pat Cook and Natallie Day.
For Our Elders: Jeffrey Barton, Bob Howard, Tina Sedlock, Eric Palumbo, Brett RecenJim Myers and Paul Stirnaman.
Pastor Bruce Johnson, Carol Petersen, Bob Howard, Rick Widner For our Vision Team: and Jeff Barton
Be in prayer for our troops, as well as their families, who are serving abroad for our freedom. Please be in additional prayer for Missionaries Carolyn Kurtz, Dorothy Hanson, and Pastor Tazera Belachew.
……… and Give a Prayer and Praise…
Thursday Prayer gathering is at 3 pm in the Church office. See Craig Reynolds for more information.
3 Vista del Camino needs our help. Donation items for May are: Peanut Butter and Jelly. These items may be dropped off in the Narthex on Sunday morning or in the Church Office during the week.
And last but not least: 1
2.
Thursday night Women's Bible study : Reading "The Shack" by William P. Young. See Theresa Wibur for more information.
"Therefore go and make disciples . . ." Matthew 28:19 Page 7
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat1
11
Men’s PrayerBreakfast
8:00—9:00 amRandy’s Café
Chaparral & Hayden
Newsletter articles due
2
13
May, 2019
8
Praise Band 8am Worship 9:30 am
Adult Bible Study 10:45 am
8
43
5 10
12 15
20
18
21 22 25
28
14
24
26 27
17
19
16
96 7
Session 7 pm
Adult Choir
Adult Choir
Handbell Choir
Adult Choir
Praise Band 8am
Handbell Choir
6pm
6pm
7pm
7pm
23
Prayer 3pm
Women's Bible Study
7 pm
Prayer 3pm Women's Bible Study
7 pm
29 30
Worship 9:30 am
Adult Bible Study
10:45 am
Prayer 3pm
Women's Study 7 pmAdult Choir
Handbell Choir
6pm
Handbell Choir 6pm
31
Prayer 3pm
Women's Bible Study
7 pm
Prayer 3pm
Women's Bible Study
7 pmHandbell Choirnd
6pm
Adult Choir 7pm
Praise Band 8am
Worship 9:30 am
Adult Bible Study
10:45 am
Praise Band 8am
Worship 9:30 am
Adult Bible Study
10:45 am
Flourishing Disciples Retreat
5:30 pm
"Therefore go and make disciples . . ." Matthew 28:19 Page 8
Scottsdale Presbyterian Church
Vol 39 IIssue 55May, 2019Since 1958The Messenger is published monthly by Scottsdale Presbyterian Church —USPS 4860000
Periodical postage paid at Scottsdale, AZ. Postmaster send address changes to:
3421 N. Hayden Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 946-4207 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.scottsdalechurch.com
Our r r r Mision Statement
Scottsdale Presbyterian Church joyfully follows the Lord Jesus Christ. Moved by His power, Motivated by His love, Equipped for His
ministry, So that our community and our world, Will know His grace.
CHURCHH STAFF
Pastor Bruce Johnson
Director of Music Carol Petersen
Manager Jane Cicinelli
Church Office Hours Monday-Friday
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Church e-mail [email protected]
Website www.scottsdalechurch.com
Newsletter Editor Liz Hill
Our Purpose"Then Jesus came to them and said. 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.'" Matthew 28:18-20
"Therefore go and make disciples . . ." Matthew 28:19 Page 9
