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The Tusculum Trumpet

The Tusculum Trumpet

 

 Picture of Church

 Ron’s Ramblins

January 6, 2009

Congratulations to those who were ordained and installed as elders to our session for the coming years.  Those ordained and installed were Joe Wallace, Eric Taylor, Terrie Gray, and Phil Hutto.  All four of them will be serving for the next three years as our elders.  This was the first time Joe had been elected as an elder; therefore he was ordained to the office during our 10:45 service.  Elders make up the session, along with the ordained pastors, who are Nathan Wheeler and I.  As your session, it is our responsibility to lead the church forward during the years ahead.  Please pray for your session and if you have any questions regarding the church’s direction, ask or discuss these with your session.

Could you help?  Ms. Arlene Christian was one of the Pee Wee Coaches during the past two years.  I talked with her yesterday morning and she is in need of financial assistance.  Both her father and step-father have died in the past two weeks, one here and the other in Detroit.  Her father had insurance coverage for his funeral, but her step-father did not.  She has asked for any assistance we might be able to give.  The cost for her step-father’s funeral is around $3,000.  This week I will announce to the different teams in this year’s league the situation and ask them to assist.  We will be taking up an offering this Saturday.  If you could help in some way, please do so.  Just let the office know.

We are off and running as 2009 has begun.  Did you make any New Year’s resolutions this year?  If you did, were any of them concerning the church?  What about your attendance and participation in the work and worship of the church?  What about a resolution to introduce someone to Christ this year?  What about a resolution to bring at least one new family into the church family?  These are good resolutions and deserve our efforts.

I look forward to the coming year with great expectation, believing that our wonderful God has something fantastic in store for us.  I don’t want to miss it.  I want to be right in the middle of it.  I hope and trust that you do also.

 

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU

AT TUSCULUM CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

 

Sunday’s sermon “A Finished Work”. 

The large and small distractions that inhabit the corners of our lives often lead to unfinished tasks.  The autumn apples sit untouched on the countertop, never becoming the cakes and pies for which they were destined.  The faulty leg on the kitchen table remains indefinitely disabled and unstable.  Socks are never mended.  The colorful yarns intended for noble creation remain unused in a basket.  God has also started a task - one of saving the world.  Fortunately, the distractions that consume our minds and devour our time are not overwhelming to the lord.  Be assured that He will finish the work that He started in you and in the world.

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember these people in your prayers:  Our Nation & its Leaders, Those in our Armed Forces & overseas; Our Church Family              

Brother Ronnie, Bill Blankenship, Bob Brabham, Elizabeth Brooks, Edna Cashion,  Randy Crick, Mattie Criswell, Kathy Fox, Jim Hamilton, Archie Hamm, Dennis Hamm, Sandra Hensley, Mildred Hickerson, John Hopwood, Jennifer Hughes, Cheryl Johnson, Mildred Jones, Austin Krech, Jeffrey Lovelady, Gladys Miodragovic, Mildred Mitchell, Anita Mullis, Nancy Phillips, Marcia Scarborough, Susie Sowell, Barbie Shelton, Hazel Thompson, Nancy Traughber,  Dot Tyree, Jim Wilson, Dempsey Wright

Ray DeVries, Woodbine CP Pastor

Brandon Brashear, Jan Payne’s fiancé’s son

Susie Gill, J. T. Freudenthal’s sister

Judy Rigsby, Betty Pitts’ niece

Kathy Wilson, Jim & Joyce Wilson’s daughter-in-law 

Joan Haden, Janet Haden’s sister-in-law

Butch Thomas, Marcia Scarborough’s nephew

Mary Uselton, Bob’s mother   

Floy Ables, Sherry Banniza’s mother      

Linda Yates, Anne Cole’s sister

Neuva Sears, Anne Cole’s sister

Warren Carr, Anne Cole’s relative       

Brandon Klein, friend of Bill Lauper

The family of Galen Cope

The family of Nagwa Alexander                                 

 

Choir practice Sunday at 4pm.

Angelic C.H.A.O.S. Sunday at 5pm.

Praise Band practice Sunday from 5:30pm till 7pm.

 

Bro. Ronnie’s Wednesday Study

January 7th “Moses and the Fig Tree” from Luke 13:6-9.  January 14th “I Wish I Could Sell You More” from Matthew 25:1-13.

Attn: Seniors!!

Coming in February – Fun, Fellowship & Food!  Stay tuned for details! 

Cindi Wall, Marcia Martin & Judy Lee

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Jan. 11th – Serve Supper at the Nashville Union Rescue Mission.  Leave 4:15pm.  Return 7:15pm.

Jan. 14th - The YA(c)K 6:30pm

Jan. 16th – Jan. 19th – Gatlinburg Retreat (No Sunday Night SODA Jan. 18th).

 

The Wednesday Evening Discussion Group will begin a very contemporary study Jan 7th, at 7:00 pm dealing with Denominationalism. The study will be drawn from Bob Shupe's latest book, "The Little Brown Church in the Vale, when did the lights go out?" The book will also cover the Tusculum Church’s journey to find God's direction in dealing with many of these same problems.  The book was co-written by Ronnie Pittenger, Terrie Grey, Gerald Tomerlin, Karen Williams, Billy Hensley, and John Wilson. Input was also drawn from Tim Baranoski. The importance of this subject is monumental and at the heart of what most Christians call the moral backbone of our nation. There is hope, but we must identify the problem and then let God show us what we can do as individuals to create this re-birth of hope.  All proceeds from the sale of this book go to "Word Made Flesh" in support of one of their missionaries.  Nothing is retained by Bob or our church.  You can obtain one of these books at the church office for $10 or from Wheatmark Publishing at www.wheatmark.com and type in Little Brown Church in the search box. If you are not attending a class on Wednesday evening please join us or the Pastor's Class for a refreshing get together at mid-week with your brothers and sisters in Christ.  You will be more than glad you made the effort.  So will those around you.  See you there!

 

January Birthday Celebrations

Since we didn’t have a newsletter for so long, I got a little carried away listing the upcoming birthdays!  These were in the last newsletter, but should really be in this one, so here they are again!

Happy birthday to Carolyn Hughes 1-12, Bill Blankenship, Lyman Cole, Chris Beggin  and Terrie Gray 1-14, Drew Gray and Lorraine Johnson 1-16, Lynda Hamm and Troy Reid 1-18!  God Bless and Happy Birthday all!!!

(Please, if your birthday isn’t recognized notify the office so we can get it in our records.  Thanks!)

 

Women’s Week-end Getaway 2009

All right, ladies!!  Start saving your pennies NOW to pay for the balance of the Women’s Week-end Getaway.  See Valerie Shupe to pay your portion before the end of January.  Thanks!

 

Thank you

Dear Bro. Ronnie, Tyler and Church Family, Thank you so much for the many expressions of love and comfort that were offered to my family during the loss of Pop.  We are blessed to be part of such a loving family.  In Christ,

Terrie, Randall, Lindsey & Drew Gray

To the person who gave the gift card to the Baranoski’s, Words cannot express how much we appreciate your kindness.  We are amazed at how God answers our prayers and your gift of a gas card was an answer to a prayer.  It is so wonderful to know that we are not on this journey alone.  We pray for God’s blessings on you.  Thank you again. 

Tim, Lisa & Sophia Baranoski

Humor from Heaven

I'll start off the New Year with one of Charlie's:  After the atheist died, a friend looked at him in the casket, shook his head, and remarked - "All dressed up and no good place to go."   Probably a good thought to remember during this coming year.

From my Children's Letters To God:
Dear God, I keep waiting for spring but it never comes yet.  Don't forget.  Mark

Dear God,  I bet it is very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it.  Nan.  Once again, out of the mouths of babes.

We read Thos. Edison made light.  But in Sun. School they said you did it.  So I bet he stoled your Idea.  Sincerely, Donna.

Now from my favorite book "Important stuff my kids have taught me."  I hope you enjoy them as much as I.  There is such deep meaning in some of them, and some are just plain fun. You've just gotta love 'em.  It's hard to measure a crooked line.  Learning how is more important than learning what.
Have a wonderful New Year and I'll see you in church Sunday.  Sue Lauper.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Jennifer Hughes who received her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in Business Administration from MTSU in December!

Upcoming Meetings

CPWM Thurs. Jan. 15th at 6:30pm

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast Sat. Jan. 17th at 7:30am

Session Sunday, Jan. 18th at 6:15pm

Shepherds Sun. Jan. 25th after 10:45 worship (with lunch)

Pastor – Ronnie Pittenger

Youth Minister – Tyler Spradling

Young Adult Minister – Nathan Wheeler

Church Office – 833-0742

www.tusculumchurch.org

e-mail sue@tusculumchurch.org

 

Sunday, January 4, 2009

8:30 Service………………..36

10:45 Service……………..172

Total Worship……………..208

 

Sunday, January 4, 2009

General Fund…………………….……$7,055.36

SOS...………………………….………....$680.00

Ball Field Memorial…………………….…$80.00

Benevolence…………………………..…..$60.00

Flower Fund……………………….……..$100.00

TOTAL………………………………….$7,975.36