The Joyful Noise November 2019

Jackson Woods Presbyterian Church 10500 Stonewall Blvd Corpus Christi, 78410 Sunday School – Adults 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. Fellowship Time 10:15 – 10:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Nursery Provided

FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

ANCHORED, AND ALSO SET FREE

When talking about our Christian faith, or even life in general, today’s article title is music to the ears of many. For others, broad parameters about which direction to take at various crossroads can be a scary thing.

I mentioned in my newsletter article two months ago that many of us would probably prefer a script, or a so-called “turn-key” approach to ministries, or implementation of curriculum or change, within the life of the church. Some of that is the natural human tendency not to want too much responsibility on our shoulders, especially if we have a lot of other responsibilities in life, or are facing stiff personal, health or financial challenges.

But, being anchored in Christ should remind us that, no matter what difficulties or challenges arise, the presence of God, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, are constants in our individual and collective lives, and are unshakeable. The problem is that we may not always feel this at a deep level (for various reasons related to our sinful nature), and a further problem is that thousands of churches in our country face steeper challenges than they ever have.

Or do they?? It depends upon how we define and measure steep challenges. Older generations, at JWPC and elsewhere, can tell us all of steep challenges that they have faced in their lives. Many of these same challenges have been successfully navigated by them and their peers. As many of them are quick to tell us, their Christian faith was often a strengthening factor!

I’ve noticed over the years that many of them directly or indirectly point to teamwork as an important ingredient; and, often indirectly note a relatively lower rate of anxiety and tension present, as compared to the 21st century. And I think that it is this last point that is crucial. We live in an age today that is full of loneliness and anxiety, and thus, more decisions at all levels are driven by fear and anxiety. With these factors in the driver’s seat, more people have a heightened desire for certainty.

Even in worship today, we were reminded by Jesus (in Luke 18) of the need to place our trust in God, who transcends the limits and boundaries of this world. God does this,

MISSION STATEMENT – Jackson Woods Presbyterian Church is an inviting Christ-centered fellowship. Bringing the message of God’s grace to this community through

love, service and spiritual growth.

not to take away our many disappointments, our pain, our frequent dissatisfaction, or our uncertainty; but rather to give us a deeper peace in this life, and an everlasting joy.

That may not instantly remove our current anxiety, even after we pray about it; but, it should deepen our Hope. And speaking of Hope from God, I encourage you to take a couple of minutes right now, and prayerfully read the second half of Romans 8. These paragraphs always renew my Hope, and it is my prayer that they would do this for you, and for JWPC collectively, this very day.

Yours along the journey,

Pastor Charles

************************************************************************************************** October Outreach

Blessing of the Animals: Outreach would like to thank all of those who helped and participated in the blessing of our furry friends. There was nice turn out with approximately 10 animals being blessed and the weather was a blessing as well.

MLFLC Trick or Treat: Thank you to all who came out to hand treats to our little ghouls and goblins this holiday season. The kids sure enjoyed dressing up and scaring us.

November Outreach: We will be doing Thanksgiving Bags this year. The bags and sign-up sheet will be in the hallway starting in early November and will be collected through Nov 17. If you know of anyone that could use a bag please get with Luke on a name and contact number.

These Days Nurture your faith with a daily scripture reading, prayer and reflection. These Days quarterly devotional booklets are available in the Narthex.

Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday, Nov 24

A quick photo of the JWPC crew during a break in the action at the recent Philippians' Project Session retreat. Much to learn and share at the gathering in San Antonio! In November, we will be praying for The Search for Truth Mission. This is a men's homeless shelter located in downtown Corpus Christi. The primary mission is to provide and operate Christian, gospel based transitional housing for homeless men in the Corpus Christi area. Most of the men staying at the shelter grow in their faith, get jobs, and become self-sufficient.

-From Marie

EYE GLASS DONATIONS Ruth Einkauf, a long-time member of the Lion’s

Club has placed a box on the table to put your old and used eyeglasses in. These go to the Lion’s Club where they process them to give to

individuals in need.

MLFLC-NOVEMBER NEWS

Theme: We Give Thanks

LIBRARIAN Marlena will come out to read to the children on November 5 at 9:15 a.m.

THANKSGIVING

PROGRAM On Thursday, November 21

MLFLC presents a Thanksgiving Gathering. The Program will begin at 5:30 in the Sanctuary with refreshments to follow right after in the gym. All

children 18 months and older will sing at the program.

MLFLC WILL BE CLOSED

THURS-FRI, NOV 28 AND NOV 29 FOR THANKSGIVING!

LOOKING AHEAD

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Saturday, Dec 7

8:30-10:30 Pancake Breakfast!

MLFLC WILL BE CLOSED Tues-Wed, Dec 24 and Dec 25 for Christmas.

Tues-Wed, Dec 31 and Jan 1 for New Years.

Enrollment: 58

Sew N Social

We met October 12 and sewed on several projects. Wendy brought a new pattern – cover for a composition book. We will be making these at our meeting on November 9 at 9:30 in the Grace Room. These would be great for someone who journals or needs to keep notes in one place. We are working on some small projects to donate. Christmas decorations, baby blankets, bibs and other projects we have highlighted this year. Or you can bring your own project to work on.

Hope you will join us.

MLFLC STAFF Director Nora Pillado Admin Asst. Debbie Sanderfer Email mlflccorpus@gmail.com Phone 361 241-8408

CHURCH STAFF Pastor Rev. Charles Walden Secretary Christina Schwirtlich Organist/Pianist Josephine Kihyun Lee PowerPoint Tech Emilee Ahrens Nursery Gracie Charles Custodian Rosie Perez Office phone 361 241-3205 FAX 361 242-1829 Email jwpcoffice@gmail.com Newsletter – The Joyful Noise If you have any pictures or articles for the newsletter, please submit them to Jean Brown by the 26th of the month. jbrown@calallen.org JWPC Website www.jwpcc.org If you have any pictures or suggestions for the website, please contact the church office

JWPC Session Clerk of Session Michael Hallgarth Moderator of Session Charles Walden

Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Andy Phillips Barbara Albrecht Sandy Pinaire Marie Gray Warren Albrecht Luke Hight

Women’s Morning Circle Bible Study, Tuesday, November 19, 10:00 AM. Our Bible Study is Love Carved in Stone: A Fresh Look at the Ten Commandments, by

Eugenia Gamble. We are at Lesson #3, Words of Love: Keep Sabbath. A question: How was Sabbath observed, or not, when you were young? ALL women are invited!

At Brunch Church Service, Sept 29 Prayers and Squares presented a quilt to Barbara and Warren Albrecht.

A quilt was also presented to Vicki Brandon for their daughter Dawn.

Each family appreciates the work of those who made the quilt. They also are grateful for the love and prayers from their church family.

November 30, Saturday, 5:00 PM Hanging of the Greens followed by 6:00 PM Potluck. Join us as we decorate the Sanctuary and Fellowship Center for Advent. ALL are invited to the Potluck at 6:00.

-Prayers, Concerns and Statements of Faith- Keep Jack Jackson in your prayers, Hospitalized

Pray for Becky Taylor, recovering from a collapsed lung

Our joyous prayers are with Wendy Keach’s aunt, Sylvia Lincecum, who received the results from her latest cancer scan: no active cancer cells. How amazing is that. God is good! Keep Michelle Contreras, a friend of Mary Ahrens in your prayers, recovering from open heart surgery

Keep Barbara and Warren's daughter, Brandie Nuckolls in your prayers. She has been diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer and is under treatment

Our prayers are with Debbie & Ted’s nephew, Seth Smith, successful liver and kidney transplant.at Mayo Clinic. Keep Rian Pope, Misty Sanderfer’s brother in your prayers – Cancer.

Pray for Dawn Flores, Vicki & Lee Brandon’s daughter. Her cancer has returned and she is receiving treatment.

Keep Paul & Ellen Young’s granddaughter Amanda Surgent in your prayers (health concerns) Our prayers are with Dana Simpson, (return to kidney transplant list).

Please pray for our service people: SGT David Kanars, Army Drill Sargent Ft. Benning Georgia; Major Ivo Roaelina; CWO-4 Jessica & SFC Kyle Jasper, Ft Leonard Wood, MO.

Our prayers are with these members & friends: Amy Walker Headley, Mickey Sikes, Suzi Baker; Raymond Tague, Marie Gray's son; Lucille Karagas, Mike’s mother; Jim & Pam Immitt, Alex & Kiki’s daughter & son-in-law; Bill Burwell’s sister Cathy; Mark Frogge (Susann Whitmire); Jerane McKinstry & her great-nephew, Grant; Marie Carter’s son-in-law Billy Moore, and Nancy Burnett (Burwell & Ahrens).

Keep these students attending school in your prayers: Travis Ahrens & Michelle Hargrove; Tootsie’s granddaughter, Crosby Anderson; Chase Dickson, Ray Hallgarth, Hadleigh Hight and her boyfriend Connor Hethcoat; Nicholas Karagas (Kantralis), Casey Keach, Cori Steinagle (Dickson) and Rianna Turner (Carolyn Turner).

Pray for Mission 911 Pray for our Nominating Committee Pray for 1st Presbyterian Church, Refugio

************************************************************** Christmas Poinsettias

Order your 2019 Christmas Poinsettias for the Sanctuary in memory or honor of someone. Each poinsettia is $8.00.

Please use this order form and place it in the offering plate. (Please print clearly so that the names will be spelled

correctly on the announcement sheet.)

Orders due Monday, December 9, 2019!

Honor of ____________

Memory of

From

Office Use Only – Date Paid Amount Check # Cash