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Volume 3, Number 3
September 2019
PFAFFTOWN CHRISTIAN CHURCH RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
3323 Transou Rd.
PO Box 130
Pfafftown NC 27040
Phone: 336- 924-9925:Fax: 336- 924-2501
E-mail: [email protected]
www.pfafftownchristian.org
Church Staff
The Rev. Gerald Thomas
Pastor
The Rev. Tim Shoaf
Minister of Music & Programs
Traci Canter, Office Administrator
PCC will be participating in the 2019 CROP Hunger Walk. DATE: October 20, 2019 REGISTRATION: 1:30 p.m. WALK BEGINS: 2:30 p.m. (walk distance is 1.34 miles)
All of the money raised is used to support hunger alleviation programs. Money raised is split between the following three organizations: 75% goes to Church World Services (CWS), 25% goes to Crisis Control Ministry and Sunnyside Ministry to fight against hunger locally and glob-ally. Nearly a half-million dollars has been given to support hunger pro-grams in Forsyth County.
Please see Jackie Romanello to sign up on Sunday mornings or come by and see Traci during church office hours. Upon signing up, you will be given an envelope to collect your do-nations.
Thank you in advance for opening your hearts and participating in this fun event! Please come out and join the fun as we work together as a team to fight hunger while we repre-sent Him and His holy name!
Sundays at 9:45 a.m.
Downstairs Fellowship Hall
NEW BEGINNINGS
STORIES OF STARTING OVER
A new day, new week, new year. A new job,
new school year, new Christian year. A new
way of thinking, new way of acting---a
whole new life. Our lives are filled with op-
portunities to start over, to begin again. As
we read the Bible, we find stories of starting
over. Please read the scripture chapters
listed for each Sunday and join us as we find
ourselves in these stories---together.
September 1: In the Beginning.
Groundhog Day.
Genesis 1 & 2
September 8: Noah. The Day Comes.
The Day Always Comes.
Genesis 9
September 15: The Exodus.
Can We Stand the Freedom?
Exodus 12
September 22: Return to Israel.
Can We Rebuild?
Nehemiah 1
September 29: Pentecost.
Nothing is Ever the Same?
Acts 2
Yearbooks Available
During September
Our 2019-2020 Year-
books will be available
for pick-up on Sunday
mornings late in
September. Your name will be on
your Yearbook. Please take the time
to pick up your book on a Sunday
morning. After September, books
will be mailed to households. ~ GT.
2 7
As Way Leads On To Way Life is about intention. Except when it isn’t.
When baseball season begins in the hopeful birth of
spring, I intentionally grill hot dogs and sit in front of
the television all day and re-awaken my scoring skills.
When invitations arrive for family reunions, I make
plans for my yearly checkup with Dr. Jim Short. And
yes, he opens his office just for me on a Saturday so I
can say, “I’d love to be there, but my doctor needs to
see me,” which gives family something to talk about at
the reunion. (“Did you hear Gerald is with his doctor?
And on a Saturday. It must be serious!” That’s after
they realize I’m not there to say the blessing over the
tater salad. It’s not that no one else can pray. Some of
them like to have it “professionally done.”)
Back in the days before digital recording devices, I
intentionally kept the college football schedule taped to
my forehead so if someone tried to plan my autumn
Saturdays, I could be honest, “I already have a commit-
ment that day.”
Intention can be a good thing. Except when it isn’t.
Then something else becomes a good thing.
A pastor once called and asked if I would come be the
associate in a church. Their need for pastoral care was
overwhelming. Just called out of the blue. I went and
enjoyed a wonderful season of ministry and met good
friends who journey with me to this day. Didn’t plan
for that.
Last year, I was finishing up a chaplain’s internship at
the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. My plan was
to continue as a pastor, toting with me the lessons. My
supervisor, Roz, listened as I lamented wanting to know
more about chaplaincy in the hospital setting. Her eyes
began to dance. She said, “All of those questions will
be answered if you give a year of your life to a chap-
lain’s residency.”
It had not crossed my mind. All the same, here it
was. Opportunity. My excuse to avoid this was found
in my service to Pfafftown Christian Church. The con-
gregation said, “Go do this thing.” I was out of excus-
es. Surprised again.
Now, I am out of time in this residency program.
Entrance began unintentionally. Now I must bundle up
this season and journey on.
Thank you. Thank you to all of the people who
taught me how to be intentional. My father, who taught
me how to make a plan and manage time because with-
out this skill, I would have found myself under water.
Those churches I’ve served that moved to the rhythms
of the Christian year, demanding their pastor, “Make a
plan.”
The dead tree along my driveway that screamed, “If
you don’t cut me down, I’m gonna fall on your truck
one morning.” I am grateful for the reminders to make
a plan.
Thank you. Thank you to all of the people who en-
couraged me, “You can’t plan for everything. But you
can choose to take advantage of some sweet surprises.”
For my mother, who thinks life is a gift and you have
need so very desperately to use the gift.
For Marlene and Darlene, who taught me serendipity:
“there are two things for which we can never prepare---
twins.”
For Marlene, who cast lots with Darlene and ended up
being the one to marry me. She is my best friend, and
we support one another with joyful intent when our vo-
cations surprise us with the opportunity to be something
new. Someone once told me, “Oh, you’re new at that
church. You’re in the honeymoon stage.” I shook my
head. “No sir. I’m not married to the church.” Never
will be married to a church. When I’m ninety, I hope to
be married to Marlene. Still making way together in a
surprising world.
I’m grateful for all my friends who didn’t say,
“Chaplain residency? That’s silly!” but instead walked
through the landscape of a very beautiful, terrible year.
That group of folks includes the parishioners of the
Pfafftown Christian Church. Thank you, Disciples, for
sharing me with the Baptist Hospital. Thank you for
allowing me to grow on up as a person who is also a
pastor.
Thank you to my supervisors and fellow chaplains.
Yours was a costly, steady presence in a hospital
demanding we take whatever the pager announced as
“Next!” Thank you for being a band of sisters and
brothers that I will wittingly hold for a lifetime.
Life is full of intention. Except when it isn’t. Thank
you for making that a very good thing. ~ GT
THE GATHERING is BACK!
SEPTEMBER 11, 2019/6:00 P.M.
Menu: Hamburgers, Baked Beans,
Potato Salad, Ice Cream &
Chocolate Chip Cookies
6 3
Elders’ Meeting
September 10, 2019
7:00 p.m./ DFH
The Gathering
September 11, 2019 ~ 6:00 p.m./ DFH
Pastor Relations Committee Meeting
September 19, 2019
7:00 p.m./Pastor’s Study
CWF Meeting/Dinner for Meals on Wheels
September 24, 2019
6:30 p.m./ 2630 Reynolda Road, WS
Chicken Pie Work Shop
September 26 - September 28, 2019
Church Board Meeting
September 29, 2019
2:00 p.m./ Sanctuary
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 17:8
The phrase “apple of the eye” refers to the pupil of the eye. The Psalms were originally written
in Hebrew and the Hebrew word for “apple” is “ishon” meaning “little man”. So the phrase
means “the little man of the eye”. This is because when you look someone closely in the eye,
you can see your reflection in their pupil.
The pupil of the eye is valuable; so, when we read about us being the apple of God’s eye, we
see that we are valuable to God, we are loved by Him, cherished by Him, important to Him,
precious to Him. His eye is always on us, watching over us. Not in the sense of waiting for us
to make a mistake or fail Him, but in the sense that He loves us so much that He can’t take His
eyes off us. YOU are precious to God! He has chosen us to be His sons and daughters and
He loves us in the same way he loves His son, Jesus. John 17:23
Not only does being the apple of God’s eye mean we are loved and cherished, it also means we
are protected and cared for by Him. The pupil is the most delicate part of the eye and we will
naturally protect our eyes from harm by blinking. In the same way, God protects and cares for
us. Psalm 17:8 states “Keep me (in Your affectionate care, protect me) as the apple of Your
eye; Hide me in the (protective) shadow of Your wings. As a parent, you never stop caring or
protecting your children and God our Father never stops caring or protecting us. God is our
shelter, our protector, our guard, our strength, our refuge, our safe place….
Let it soak in the depth of His love for us, strive to trust His will on our lives and know that He
gives us the strength to face whatever life throws at us because He is keeping a close watch over
us and is ever present, guarding us, protecting us and that He loves us more than we could ever,
ever imagine.
You Are The Apple of God’s Eye A HUGE THANK YOU for all
your donations of school items for
the students, teachers, and staff at
Old Richmond Elementary School.
Over 730 packages/items filled the
Chancel on Sunday, August 18.
We were especially thrilled to have School Principal
Mr. Brian Brookshire and approximately 20+ teach-
ers and staff join us in worship as we participated in
a dedication and blessing of these items that will
assist in learning, teaching, and promoting growth in
the life of these children during the coming school
year. We ask God's richest blessings on every child,
teacher, and administrator.
Thank you,
Tim Shoaf
Jackie Romanello
Outreach Coordinator Below is a list of the total items you so generously
gave:
88 packs of pencils 4 rulers
114 glue sticks/bottles 48 two-pocket folders
52 packs of notebook paper 7 scissors
14 student backpacks 12 packs of index cards
67 packs of crayons 46 boxes of Kleenex
4 boxes Band-Aids 22 packs of erasers
17 pencil cases 24 student notebooks
32 bottles of sanitizer 10 packs paper clips
18 boxes of Ziploc bags 6 pencil sharpeners
26 pencil pouches 11 packs of ink pens-teachers
8 scotch tapes 26 packs colored pencils
7 tab dividers 18 packs of construction paper
8 packs of highlighters 2- 18 gal. containers
14 packs of binder clips 8 plastic tub containers
18 packs of colored markers
“Each Family Reach A Family”
Relationships are why people come to church, they are
why they remain. Our congregation has a keen con-
cern for “bringing people into the church.” In the last
three years, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of in-
vesting relationship in and encouraging three families
who have remained in our congregation. I now invite
each of us to make such a commitment of time and
relationship with a household that needs a church, that
we might enlarge the table of fellowship for those who
need the love of this congregation. ~ GT
“Open and Affirming”
In a recent Board Meeting, a member discussed our
need to announce our desire to provide a church home
to any and all in our world. To open one’s life in com-
passion to others is a costly decision. I am excited
about this possibility and look forward to the journey
to affirm our commitment and understand what this
means as we move into a new church year. ~ GT
Our Back-to-School Project
4 5
Notes from Tim
Remembering in Prayer
Rose Tara: Vallie Cline
Brighton Gardens: Edna Williamson
Salemtowne: Sarah Ingram
Church Family: Marlene Thomas, Bud Barker,
Frank & Pat Barber, Tommy
Timmons, Garland Terry, John
Grice, Mary Ferguson, Ed &Connie
Snuffer, Julie Tilley, Jodi Saunders
Others:
Haley Burns: Skip and Jo Stanley’s friend
Doug McClay: Marlene Thomas’ uncle
Heather Stokes : Jill Robertson’s niece
Chuck Burleigh: Skip and Jo Stanley’s friend
John Davis: Ken and Vicki Davis’ friend
Jason Alexander: Jack and Mary Groffs’ friend
Jennifer Durham: Irma & Fred Muetzel’s
granddaughter
Geraldine Edwards: Ann Fletcher’s aunt
Jan Everton: Jo Stanley’s sister
June Fulton: Jill Robertson’s friend
Corinne Hedrick: John Grice
Cayden Kingsbury: Rodney Stilwell’s grandson
Chuck Kolstad: Evelyn Nifong’s son-in-law
Margaret Laudine: Ann Fletcher’s friend
Sue Miles: Jo Stanley’s friend
Daniel and Lewis Shields (infants) Jill Robertson’s
friends
Darlene Stewart: Ann Fletcher’s sister
Joy Stokes: Jill Robertson’s sister
Emory and Ella Thomas: Gerald Thomas’ parents
Judy West: Ann Fletcher’s cousin
Rhonda Hicks: Traci Canter’s friend
Dene Pitts: Traci Canter’s friend
Loved Ones in the Military:
Joshua Hughes, Norfolk, VA.
Chase Lee, Guam; USS Key West;
Major Hope Poster, NG, Texas;
Cpt. John G. Van Hoy IV, Fort Campbell, KY.
While you are doing your grocery shopping, please
remember to pick up cans of food and bring them to
church to contribute to the Crisis Control Food Pantry.
This month, the pantry most needs applesauce. If you
have any questions, please contact Jackie Romanello.
Thank you so much!!
SERVERS FOR September, 2019
If you are unable to serve, please
contact someone to switch with you
or call Lynda Bryant (336) 924-4223
or Jo Stanley (336) 813-2522
ELDERS: Lynda Bryant, Ruth Saalweachter
DEACONS: Betty Barker, Jack Bryant
Robert Flynt, Gene Saalweachter
COMMUNION: Lynda Bryant, Jack Bryant
OPENING AND CLOSING: Jack Bryant
Thank you for your part in ministry at PCC!
ANNA WILSON SCHEDULE
Sept. 8 - Vicki Davis
Sept. 22 - Betty Simpson
Thanks to the many volunteers who
came and worked at our first Chicken
Pie Workshop. We made 119 large
pies and 114 small pies. Below is the September
CWF Schedule:
CWF Meeting / Dinner for
Meals on Wheels
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
6:30 PM (Betty’s Office)
2630 Reynolda Road, Winston- Salem
Please bring a donation for Meals-on-Wheels.
RSVP by calling 336-480-1432 (Betty Kiger’s Cell)
Chicken Pie Workshop
Thursday, Sept. 26- 8:00AM - 12:00PM
Friday, Sept. 27- 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday, Sept. 28- 8:00 AM - Done
We will complete our pre-ordered pies and make pies
for the November Bazaar. Sign-up sheet for workers
will be in the Narthex.
LOOKING FORWARD:
October 12 - 10:00 AM Turketti Workshop
October 15 - 4:00 PM Chess Tarts/CWF Meeting
October 19 - 10:00 AM Twice Baked Potatoes
(need 10 helpers)
Time TBD Sweet Potato Casserole
Time TBD Chili Beans
November 11- 8:00 AM Beef Vegetable Soup
The Fall PCC Yard Sale will be held Friday, Octo-
ber 4th & Saturday, October 5th from 8:00 a.m. -
2:00 p.m. at the Picnic Shelter. Please begin clean-
ing our your closets and drawers. Donations may be
dropped off at Room 108. If anyone needs dona-
tions picked up, please call Kitty Hunt at 336-986-
5106 (H) or 336-775-8965 (C). Please mark your
calendars and tell your friends and neighbors!
CWF News
A Great Day at Camp Discovery VBS
Saturday, August 3, was a wonderful day for spiritual
education, activities and fun for 14 children from our
church and community. Our theme: “Jesus is the Light
of the World” was experienced through a “campfire
setting” of Bible Lessons, and singing This Little Light
of Mine and several other lively songs. Crafts included
stained glass window sun-catchers, a small “campfire”
nightlight craft complete with a flicker-like glow, and
paperweights with a picture of Jesus --the Shepherd
and the lost sheep. A miniature golf activity of Putt-
Putt helped the kids to better understand the meaning of
Psalm 23!
Thanks to all our church VBS volunteers who helped to
make this a spectacular VBS event! -Tim
Please remember to pick up
your Fall Secret Place
Devotional located on the
table in the Narthex.
I have vivid memories singing the verses of the hymn
“Open My Eyes, That I May See” in the early 1960’s at
Fairview United Methodist Church when I was small.
The Scriptures teach us that our faith in Christ employs
all of our God-given senses:
Sight – “Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of
the earth” - (Isaiah 45:22)
Hearing – “Hear, and your soul shall live” (Isaiah 55:3)
Smell – “Thy name is like ointment poured forth” -(Song of Solomon 1:3)
Touch – “If I may but touch His garment, I shall be
well” -(Matthew 9:21)
Taste – “O taste and see that the Lord is good” -(Psalm 34:8)
In order to receive God’s truth properly, then, we must
have our entire being alive and alert to His every
prompting. In general, most Christians do not deliber-
ately and dramatically disobey God. Instead we simply
do not heed Him by being sensitive to His leading in
the small details of our lives. How important that we
learn the lesson taught by this hymn text that we should
have seeing eyes, hearing ears, a verbal communication
of the truth, and a loving heart for sharing God’s love.
All of this is possible as we are illuminated by the Holy
Spirit during times of quiet waiting.
Clara Scott, author and composer of this hymn, taught
music in the Ladies’ Seminary at Lyons, Iowa. Mrs.
Scott was a prolific composer of vocal and instrumental
music, including a book of anthems, The Royal Anthem
Book, published in 1882. These words have since been
widely used to help believers have a greater awareness
of God’s will for their lives and a readiness to obey.
Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth
Thou hast for me; place in my hands the wonderful
key that shall unclasp and set me free.
Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth Thou
sendest clear; and while the wave-notes fall on my
ear, everything false will disappear.
Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm
truth everywhere. Open my heart and let me prepare
love with Thy children thus to share.
Ask God to activate your senses for receiving His truth
and to make you more sensitive to the needs of those who
need to hear “the warm truth” and to experience His love.
Grace to you, Tim
*(portions of this article taken from HYMNS - Ken Osbeck)
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