The Newsletter OCTOBER 2017 VOLUME 124, ISSUE 10

VIDALIA

PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH

400 Church Street Vidalia, GA 30474 Tel: 912-537-3500 Fax: 912-537-8252

www.vidaliapres.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday

9:30 am to 3:00 pm

Pastor’s Office Hours: Wednesdays 9 am - 5 pm

or by appointment

STAFF

Rev. Ron Gilreath Interim Pastor

Jody Horton Office Manager

Beccy Champion Bookkeeper

Rebecca Smelser Director of Choir/Music

Sarah Montford Organist

The Newsletter

The Newsletter is a monthly publication of

Vidalia Presbyterian Church and is free to members and

friends of the church.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

BLESSING BOX 3 B IRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 6

DAILEY DEVOTIONAL 5 CHURCH CALENDAR 7

V IDALIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

A MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERIM PASTOR Dear VPC Brothers and Sisters,

Well, in just a few days we will begin the month of October. On October 31st (Reformation

Day) many churches will remember that five hundred years ago (1517) Martin Luther

nailed his Ninety-Five Theses or Disputations to the door of All

Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany. It was a day that changed the world, according to

church historian Martin Marty.

Every year on Reformation Day I give some thought to that

old motto of the Reformation, Ecclesia Reformata, Semper Reformanda, the church

reformed and always being reformed. Jesus Christ is always

reforming his church. How do you think Christ is reforming his church in our time? How do you

think Christ is reforming Vidalia

Presbyterian Church?

Just a brief postscript to

the sermon of September 17 which had to do with

forgiveness. On the way home from our Cuba cruise, while driving through Florida, a

religious billboard caught my eye. Most religious billboards

promote a specific church, but

this particular billboard caught my attention because of its

message. It was a religious message that I had never read before on any billboard. The

message was simple and straightforward: Real Christians Forgive as Jesus Forgives.

Then, after getting back home, I received a tweet from one of the

people I follow. Again, it was a simple and straightforward message: How many times do

we have to forgive? Do you ever remember with annoyance or

anger what someone has done after you’ve forgiven them? I do. This message reminded me that

forgiveness is sometimes not a one-and-done spiritual exercise. There are those wrongs which

are so significant, so hurtful, that they have to be forgiven

70x7 or 77, depending on the English version of the Bible you read. May Christ give us the

strength and heart to forgive, because forgiving can often be one of the hardest things in the

world to do!

In Christ’s Love,

Ron

PAGE 2 THE NEWSLETTER

OUR CHURCH

LEADERSHIP

Building & Grounds–

Glenn Goode (2017)

Christian Education–

Congregational Care & Fellowship/Witness &

Service–

Linda Page (2018)

Elizabeth Wilkes ( 2018)

Stewardship Committee–

Blythe Wilcox (2018)

Mike Walton (2019)

Worship & Music–

Communications–

Jack Downie (2019)

Clerk of Session -

Blythe Wilcox

Oaks Assisted Living: (The Oaks-Bethany, 1400 NE Main St, Vidalia, GA 30474) Leone Johnson- mother-in-law of Cissy Alderman

Oxton Place of Douglas: Irmie Rocket – 1360 W. Gordon St., Douglas, GA 31533

At Home: (all addresses are Vidalia unless otherwise noted) Martha Davis (1305 Forest Hill Circle) Don and Lynn Weber (812 Laurel Dr.) Dr. Lloyd Darby (303 Kissingbower Rd.)

Our College Students: (will update with school addresses as they become available) Anna McIntyre – Georgia Southern (P.O. Box 506, Vidalia 30475) Abbie Chesser - Kennesaw State (616 Julie Dr., Vidalia) Sarah Payne Maddox – University of Georgia (823 Center Place, Vidalia) Elizabeth Holman - Berry College (1101 Center Drive, Vidalia) Nicholas Owens – University of Georgia (1700 Irene St., Vidalia) Ashton Craft – East Georgia (5010 Hwy. 15, Vidalia) Alex Downie – Mercer University Law School (228 Amberwood Dr., Vidalia) Jansen Killian – H.S. Junior @ MCHS taking 3 classes at Brewton Parker (107 Cherrywood Dr., Vidalia) Jordan Davis—University of Georgia Meagan Millsaps—University of Georgia Bekah Hilton—Georgia Institute of Technology

Our Friends and Family: Our Church Our Community Our Schools Carol Anne Claxton Baker Dr. Ralph Claxton, Jr. Pastor Nominating Committee & the search for new pastor Bart Davis—working overseas 9/10 Those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and Irma. 9/24 Those impacted by the earthquakes in Mexico

PRAYER LIST @ VPC

Please remember the members of your Pastor

Nominating Committee in your prayers as they

begin their work: Mary Ellen Davis, Jack Downie,

Rob Hilton, Claudia Walton, and Blythe Wilcox. If

you would like to assist in the search or have

thoughts or ideas about our next pastor, please

contact a Committee member.

There will be no Congregational Dinner for the month of October. The next Congregational Dinner will be November 12th following the Morning Worship Service. Guests are always welcome.

Congregational Dinner

PAGE 3 THE NEWSLETTER

Blessing Box

Vidalia Presbyterian is changing directions in which we collect food for the less fortunate. We will now be collecting ready to eat food that will be placed in Blessing Box located near the parking lot on Jackson Street. We need items like, food with pop tops – Vienna sausages, Beanie Wienies, Lance type peanut butter crackers or other flavors, juice boxes, bottles of water, raisins and other fruit in boxes, granola/cereal bars, basically any pre-package food that a person could eat immediately without cooking. We also are in need of other items that would be helpful in a homeless situation; wet naps, germ –X, Zip Lock bags (all sizes), etc..

Bring your items to church with you and place them in the storage bins located in the hallway outside the nursery door.

Once enough items have been collected, the “Blessing Box” will be installed and advertised so that those in need can benefit from our efforts of being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Our Wednesday Night Dinner and Bible Study will

continue Andy Stanley’s How to Get What You Really

Want through October in the Ewell Nelson Classroom.

Dinner is provided at a cost of $5.00 per person beginning

at 6 P.M. and our study starts by 6:30. Come join us for

worship, food, fun, fellowship and laughter. If childcare is

needed, please call the church by Tuesday.

Dear Vidalia Presbyterian Church Session,

Thank you so much for all that you have done. Your contribution has been a great help in preparing me for the next chapter of my life. Thank you again,

Rebekah Hilton

Vidalia Presbyterian Church,

Thank you so much for my check!!! I am so happy to call Vidalia Presbyterian my home church for so many years. I am so blessed to have the church family I do!

Love,

Meagan Millsaps

PAGE 4 THE NEWSLETTER

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Sunday, October 1 World Communion Sunday Morning: Ps. 108; 150 Evening: Ps. 66; 23 2 Kings 17:1–18 Acts 9:36–43 Luke 5:1–11 Monday, October 2 Morning: Ps. 62; 145 Evening: Ps. 73; 9 2 Kings 17:24–41 1 Cor. 7:25–31 Matt. 6:25–34 Tuesday, October 3 Morning: Ps. 12; 146 Evening: Ps. 36; 7 2 Chron. 29:1–3; 30:1 (2–9) 10–27 1 Cor. 7:32–40 Matt. 7:1–12 Wednesday, October 4 Morning: Ps. 96; 147:1–11 Evening: Ps. 132; 134 2 Kings 18:9–25 1 Cor. 8:1–13 Matt. 7:13–21 Thursday, October 5 Morning: Ps. 116; 147:12–20 Evening: Ps. 26; 130 2 Kings 18:28–37 1 Cor. 9:1–15 Matt. 7:22–29 Friday, October 6 Morning: Ps. 84; 148 Evening: Ps. 25; 40 2 Kings 19:1–20 1 Cor. 9:16–27 Matt. 8:1–17 Saturday, October 7 Morning: Ps. 63; 149 Evening: Ps. 125; 90 2 Kings 19:21–36 1 Cor. 10:1–13 Matt. 8:18–27 Sunday, October 8 Morning: Ps. 103; 150 Evening: Ps. 117; 139 2 Kings 20:1–21 Acts 12:1–17 Luke 7:11–17

October 2017 Devotional Calendar

Monday, October 9 Morning: Ps. 5; 145 Evening: Ps. 82; 29 2 Kings 21:1–18 1 Cor. 10:14–11:1 Matt. 8:28–34 Tuesday, October 10 Morning: Ps. 42; 146 Evening: Ps. 102; 133 2 Kings 22:1–13 1 Cor. 11:2 (3–16) 17–22 Matt. 9:1–8 Wednesday, October 11 Morning: Ps. 89:1–18; 147:1–11 Evening: Ps. 1; 33 2 Kings 22:14–23:3 1 Cor. 11:23–34 Matt. 9:9–17 Thursday, October 12 Morning: Ps. 97; 147:12–20 Evening: Ps. 16; 62 2 Kings 23:4–25 1 Cor. 12:1–11 Matt. 9:18–26 Friday, October 13 Morning: Ps. 51; 148 Evening: Ps. 142; 65 2 Kings 23:36–24:17 1 Cor. 12:12–26 Matt. 9:27–34 Saturday, October 14 Morning: Ps. 104; 149 Evening: Ps. 138; 98 Jer. 35:1–19 1 Cor. 12:27–13:3 Matt. 9:35–10:4 Sunday, October 15 Morning: Ps. 19; 150 Evening: Ps. 81; 113 Jer. 36:1–10 Acts 14:8–18 Luke 7:36–50 Monday, October 16 Morning: Ps. 135; 145 Evening: Ps. 97; 112 Jer. 36:11–26 1 Cor. 13:(1–3) 4–13 Matt. 10:5–15

Tuesday, October 17 Morning: Ps. 123; 146 Evening: Ps. 30; 86 Jer. 36:27–37:2 1 Cor. 14:1–12 Matt. 10:16–23 Wednesday, October 18 Morning: Ps. 15; 147:1–11 Evening: Ps. 48; 4 Jer. 37:3–21 1 Cor. 14:13–25 Matt. 10:24–33 Thursday, October 19 Morning: Ps. 36; 147:12–20 Evening: Ps. 80; 27 Jer. 38:1–13 1 Cor. 14:26–33a (33b–36) 37–40 Matt. 10:34–42 Friday, October 20 Morning: Ps. 130; 148 Evening: Ps. 32; 139 Jer. 38:14–28 1 Cor. 15:1–11 Matt. 11:1–6 Saturday, October 21 Morning: Ps. 56; 149 Evening: Ps. 118; 111 Jer. 52:1–34 1 Cor. 15:12–29 Matt. 11:7–15 Sunday, October 22 Morning: Ps. 67; 150 Evening: Ps. 46; 93 Jer. 29:1, 4–14 or Jer. 39:11–40:6 Acts 16:6–15 Luke 10:1–12, 17–20 Monday, October 23 Morning: Ps. 57; 145 Evening: Ps. 85; 47 Jer. 44:1–14 or Jer. 29:1, 4–14 1 Cor. 15:30–41 Matt. 11:16–24 Tuesday, October 24 Morning: Ps. 54; 146 Evening: Ps. 28; 99 Lam. 1:1–5 (6–9) 10–12 or Jer. 40:7–41:3 1 Cor. 15:41–50 Matt. 11:25–30

Wednesday, October 25 Morning: Ps. 65; 147:1–11 Evening: Ps. 125; 91 Lam. 2:8–15 or Jer. 41:4–18 1 Cor. 15:51–58 Matt. 12:1–14 Thursday, October 26 Morning: Ps. 143; 147:12–20 Evening: Ps. 81; 116 Ezra 1:1–11 or Jer. 42:1–22 1 Cor. 16:1–9 Matt. 12:15–21 Friday, October 27 Morning: Ps. 88; 148 Evening: Ps. 6; 20 Ezra 3:1–13 or Jer. 43:1–13 1 Cor. 16:10–24 Matt. 12:22–32 Saturday, October 28 Morning: Ps. 122; 149 Evening: Ps. 100; 63 Ezra 4:7, 11–24 or Jer. 44:1–14 Philem. 1–25 Matt. 12:33–42 Sunday, October 29 Reformation Sunday Morning: Ps. 108; 150 Evening: Ps. 66; 23 Hag. 1:1–2:9 or Jer. 44:15–30 Acts 18:24–19:7 Luke 10:25–37 Monday, October 30 Morning: Ps. 62; 145 Evening: Ps. 73; 9 Zech. 1:7–17 or Jer. 45:1–5 Rev. 1:4–20 Matt. 12:43–50 Tuesday, October 31 Morning: Ps. 12; 146 Evening: Ps. 36; 7 Ezra 5:1–17 or Lam. 1:1–5 (6–9) 10–12 Rev. 4:1–11 Matt. 13:1–9

Children’s Church List

Date Name

10/01/17 Christy Davis

10/08/17 Charlie Lane

10/15/17 Garrett and Blythe Wilcox

10/22/17 Christy Davis

10/29/17 Charlie Lane

PAGE 6 THE NEWSLETTER

Publication Deadlines:

Articles for The Newsletter are due by 2:00 pm on the

Wednesday before the publication date. The next

Newsletter will be published on

October 26, 2017

Bulletin Insert information is due by 1:00 pm on

Wednesdays

Email: vpcoffice@bellsouth.net or call Jody at 537-3500

September budget needs -

$12,468.00

September budget

received - $10,682.00

Sept. 6 $ 2,524.00

Sept. 13 $ 3,802.00

Sept. 20 $ 3,002.00

Sept. 27 $ 1,419.00

Congratulations to all of you who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this month. May God bless you on your special day.

Surprise someone you may not know very well and send them a card.

If your birthday or anniversary is not listed or is incorrect, please let the church office know.

-Your Church Family

Larry & Nancy McDonald 10 53 years

Tom and Lettie McArthur 22 34 years

Allen and Nancy Rice 22 33 years

Bess Wilcox 1 Cate Wilcox 12

Stephen Sisson 1 Sarah Wilcox 13

Donna Libby 2 Chuck Bondurant 18

Barbara Hill 4 Abbey Harper 18

Beth Merritt 4 Wesley Luhn 21

Beth Benton 5 Cutter Roper 22

Mike Walton 6 Leigh Ann Beck 23

Craig Adams 6 Kendra Gilham 26

Hal Chesser 7 Jimmy Musgrove 28

Mary Frances Smith 9 Kelly Weber 28

Roseann DeJarnette 10 Presley Craft 29

Pamela Langston 10 Daniel Scott 30

Vicktor Tollison 11 Heath Mobley 30

Will Lowe III 12 Jordan Davis 31

Shirley Somers 12 Alex Downie 31

PAGE 7 VOLUME 124, ISSUE 10 Take your calendar out and place on your refrigerator

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

VIDALIA, GEORGIA

PERMIT NO. 88

400 Church Street Vidalia, Georgia 30474 Phone: 912-537-3500

Fax: 912-537-8252 E-mail:

vpcoffice@bellsouth.net Web Address:

www.vidaliapres.org

V IDALIA PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH

RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED

How many times does Jesus say we should

forgive others?

Answer: E (See Matthew 18:22.)

A cornerstone harkens back to God’s

pronouncement in Isaiah 28:16 that he “has laid

as a foundation in Zion ...a precious

cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:20 declares that Jesus

is the cornerstone of the household of God.

The letters IHC and XP are abbreviations for

“Jesus” and “Christ” in ancient Greek.

A. 7

B. 70

C. 77

D. 70 x 7

E. C or D, depending on the translation

CORNERSTONE