Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) Jonesville, LA ......In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus used a parable or a story to help the people in his earthly ministry to explain how the Kingdom

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Searching for … Have you tried to search for something recently? Maybe it was something you lost, forgot about,

or something new that came up but you were sure about so you went looking for answers,

somewhere else. I’ve spent a couple weeks now searching off and on for something I just can

seem to find. I know I’ve seen it recently but just can’t seem to find it when I need it.

In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus used a parable or a story to help the people in his earthly ministry to

explain how the Kingdom of Heaven relates to the responsibility for the caring for the light

entrusted to ten bridesmaids. You see, each of these bridesmaids was waiting for the groom to

escort them to the wedding celebration. They obviously had gathered together at one location

during the daylight hours and each had brought with them their oil lamps knowing that they

would likely need them after dark. Imagine with me for a moment, the bridesmaids have gathered at a location and

being ready for quite some time the groom has yet to arrive. As darkness falls, they light their lamps and use them

as a light where they have been waiting for the groom’s arrival. Time has passed. They get word that the groom’s

party is approaching to escort them to the festivities.

Immediately, they gather their things to make ready for the groom arrival. The bridesmaids trim their lamps. That is

to say they added oil to them to ensure their light will carry them on the journey to the wedding gathering. A problem

arises for five of them as they realize they have used more oil that they expected and did not bring any extra. They

beg of the others to share oil with them and are told that they have no extra. They encourage them to go out and ask

the dealers for more. To hear that would be like saying go to the store and buy batteries for a flashlight when the

store is already closed. It was not going to happen. So the foolish bridesmaids scattered, banging on doors looking

for anyone who would sell them the extra oil they needed to light the way. By the time they arrive at the festivities,

the door has been closed and they are told that the groom does not recognize them and that he is accepting no other

guests.

This parable helps paint a broad picture of what the Kingdom of Heaven is to be like. We can view Christ as the

groom, and when we do, we come to understand the importance of keeping our lamps trimmed. If we view ourselves

as one of the bridesmaids, we quickly recognize that our spiritual relationship with God through Christ is

representative of the oil available to us to trim our lamp. Are we like the wise bridesmaid that fills our lives with that

which strengthens our spiritual relationship with God? Or, are we like one of the foolish ones who are satisfied with

just doing enough to keep ourselves happy and expecting to do a little more later on when it might be more convenient?

The reality of this is that God desires our total commitment, not just when we feel like it or when it might work better

for our plans. Hence the footnote to the parable Jesus taught supplied to us in verse 13; “Keep awake therefore, for

you know neither the day nor the hour.”

As we begin a new year together in Christ, let us strive to be one of the wise bridesmaids so that His light might shine

forth in us as we live our lives faithfully to the call that God has set before each of us.

See you at church! – Pastor John

Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) Jonesville, LA

January 2016

Trinity News

Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856

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Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service Join us this Christmas Eve at 5 PM for a special evening worship service. We will share the Lessons and Carols of Christmas. Together we will receive Communion and receive the Light of Christ. We welcome you to bring your family and friends and join us as we prepare to receive Christ our King. 1st Sunday After Christmas Continue to celebrate Christmas on Sunday December 27th with a service that will include the singing of Christmas carols by the congregation. Martha Brallier will be our lay leader, Allan Bean will take care of the special effects, and Dot Lazarus will give the sermon, entitled “Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht! You will have to come to learn the meaning of these German words. Congregation & Corporation Dinner and Meeting On December 6th, following worship we held our annual business meeting combined with our church dinner. Business of the congregation and the corporation included:

Election of Ruling Elders to the class of 2018 - Martha Brallier 2nd consecutive term - Mike Wilson 1st term

Elected Mickie Brown, Catherine Jones and Margaret Hill to 2016 Nomination Committee.

Approval of pastor’s terms of call for 2016

Notified the congregation that the Articles of Incorporation are under review for updating and will be presented at an upcoming Called Corporation meeting for approval.

December 6th Session Meeting

Quorum was determined & agenda approved.

Approved Angel Tree project for Christmas.

Approved Budget for 2016

Approved registration of participant to attend Presbytery workshop on December 12th.

Approved Agenda for Congregational and Corporation Meeting.

- Elder Donna Tiser, Clerk of Session

Advent Readers & Candle Lighters We thank the families that assisted with the Advent readings and in lighting the candles in our Advent wreath during worship from November 29th through Christmas Eve: 11-29 Faithfulness – R. L. Swayze Family 12- 6 Hope – Beth and Paul Parish Family 12-13 Joy – Alma Womack 12-20 Love – Allan and Charlie Bean 12-24 Christ – Allan Bean Family

Bible Study Opportunity The Lunch Bunch Bible Study meets on Thursday at 12 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We resume on January 7th as we study the parables of Jesus. Bring a bite to eat and a bible and join us in fellowship and in God’s Word. Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at Catahoula’s Calling all men. We are meeting for breakfast at 7 AM on Monday January 11th. Join us at the Catahoula’s Café for a time of Men’s Fellowship. Theology in Movies - Afternoon Matinees Join us as we ponder questions of faith as they play out in the movies we see at our 2nd and 4thThursday afternoon matinees at 1:15 PM. Just come and join in. We will have popcorn & plenty of iced tea ready to go.

The Angel Tree The Angel Tree placed in the sanctuary this year was a mission project authorized by the Session to support the needs of individuals and groups in our community at Christmas this year. Each paper angel included on the tree was an unmet need identified by the elders of Trinity. We thank you for your support of this mission outreach opportunity to help meet the needs of other in our community this Christmas. We thank Yadira and Valeria Ornelas for placing the angels on the tree. We thank the efforts of our elders led by Martha Brallier, Gail Bean, Donna Tiser and Beth Parish in organizing the Angel tree and the needs to be filled within our community.

Thanksgiving Service On Sunday, November 22nd at 11 AM we worshiped together and collected food for needy families here in our community. We thank Beth Parrish for distributing the food baskets to the families. We thank Donna and Glen Tiser for the festive fall arrangement on the communion table during our Thanksgiving service.

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2015 Poinsettias

Catherine Jones placed a poinsettia in honor of her great

granddaughter Olivia Elizabeth Smith.

Margaret Hill placed a poinsettia in honor of Pastor John, Debra and Gregory Scott

Margaret Hill placed a poinsettia in honor of Verda Mophett

Margaret Hill and Marth Brallier placed a poinsettia in memory of

Arvel and Elizabeth Barnes Margaret Hill placed a poinsettia in honor of

Catherine Jones Margaret Hill placed a poinsettia in honor of

Dot Lazarus Margaret Hill placed a poinsettia in honor of

Al Pilson In Memoriam To the glory of God and in loving memory of H. A. Taliaferro, Trevor Reeves, & Gloria Krause Given by Pam and Ronnie Swayze

Please notice the beautiful tapestries that had been received by Trinity Presbyterian Church that are now installed on the wall behind the Sanctuary Chancel. They were given by the Brown Family in memorial of D. E. Brown, Jr.

We thank Pastor John for hanging the tapestries on each side of the painting on the wall near the choir entrance, and we thank Willie Lazarus for providing the tools to complete the work.

Catherine Jones has a new great-granddaughter Olivia Elizabeth, born on December 10th to parents Curtis and Lyndsey Smith

January Birthdays:

7 – Robbie Wilson 19 – Judy Sanson 19 – Myrtle Ann Collins 20 – Ann Krahn 22 – Ronnie Swayze

Presbyterian Women (PW) Presbyterian Women will next meet on Tuesday, January 12th, at 10:00 AM at the church. Martha Brallier will moderate Lesson #3 in the new study book, “Come to the Waters” from PW Horizons Bible Study.

Presbyterian Women met on Tuesday, December 15th, at the church. Present were Judy Sanson, Martha Brallier, Verda Mophett, Catherine Jones, and Dot Lazarus. A donation of $22.84 for the “Least Coin” offering was sent to Presbytery of the Pines. Judy reported that she had purchased the Christmas gifts for our CARC “adoptee,” Robin Crocker. It was decided to purchase a gas card to hang on the Angel Tree for a recipient. Following the business meeting, the ladies read together the Prayer of the Fellowship of the Least Coin.

Circle President Martha Brallier narrated the 2nd lesson in the year book entitled ”Life-Giving Waters – Baptism.” During the lesson, Martha gave each lady a small crystal bowl filled with water and a clear, crystal rock. The ladies dropped the rock into the water in order to remember their own baptism. The Mispah was recited by those present at the conclusion of the meeting. - Dot L.

Trinity Prayer Concerns: Amy Alexander; William Atkins; Charlie Bean; Pat Bearden; Nell Blevins; Guy Campbell; Susan Chisum; Brenda Dellostritto; Barry Hamilton Jr., Jeddy Hamilton; Susan Hammett; Emma Hatten; Jan Heintzman; Cub Hudnall; Norma Hudnall; Garrett Jones; Bobby King; Wedon King; Rick Krahn; P.D. & Whitney Lazarus and Baby Lily Beth; Willie Lazarus; Stacy Love; Kinsley Mason; Tommy Mayo; Melba Neal; Allison Riggs; Debra Scott; Lyndsey Jones Smith and Olivia Elizabeth Smith; Aiden Taunton; Kristen Upchurch; Lauren Upchurch; Thompson Lee White; Jan Womack; Nan Wood; Roger Young

We pray for the family of Gloria Krause and all that have had a loved one pass from this life in the past month.

PRAY FOR: We pray for our country and our leaders.

We pray for peace in the world, especially for the

areas of the West Bank, Israel, Palestine, Syria, Iraq,

Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, and Libya.

We pray for our men & women in harms’ way.

IN THE SERVICE Matthew Bean, Rusty Bean, Scott Bean, Matt Begnaud, Kacie King Dunn, Joe Hamilton, Justin Lacroix, Eric Little, Nicholas Parish, Ray Santillano, Crystal Smith

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Church Dinner in December Christmas decorations of greenery and colorful balls draped in beads were in abundance at the Trinity’s annual Christmas dinner on Sunday, December 6th. The Fellowship Hall was decorated by Robbie Wilson, and we thank her for her artistry. Pastor John was presented with a monetary gift from the congregation by Allan Bean, a tradition every Christmas at Trinity Church.

The Chrismon Tree There are many people to thank for this yearly endeavor: Craig Edwards for setting up the tree which is no small task; the Ornelas Family; Rocio (mom) and daughters Selene Silva, Yadira, Valeria, and Yailin. Gail Bean, Donna and Glen Tiser added all of the lights and additional Christian ornaments.

The Nativity We thank Yadira and Valeria Ornelas for adding and arranging the figures to the manger scene which is placed on the floor in front of the communion table.

Notes of Love and Thanks We thank Gail Bean and Martha Brallier for their dedication to the children and youth ministry at Trinity. We are so very happy to see children participating in Sunday School on Sunday mornings!

Church Family, Thank you for extending the terms of my ministry call into 2016 and the special gift that I received from you during the Congregational Dinner on December 6th. I am so very thankful for your generosity and support of my family and me. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Pastor John

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Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) 401 Third Street, Jonesville, LA 71343

Distribution: Dot Lazarus, Catherine Jones Editing: Adrian White, Dot Lazarus, Rev. John Scott

Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856

For more information related to articles and submissions in the church newsletter please contact: Mrs. Dot Lazarus 318-339-9842 Email: [email protected] Pastor John Scott 318-403-9512 Email: [email protected]

Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) Jonesville, LA

July - August 2015

Trinity News

Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856

Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) 401 Third Street, Jonesville, LA 71343

Distribution: Dot Lazarus, Catherine Jones Editing: Adrian White, Dot Lazarus, Rev. John Scott

Address Label

Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856

For more information related to articles and submissions in the church newsletter please contact: Mrs. Dot Lazarus 318-339-9842 Email: [email protected] Pastor John Scott 318-403-9512 Email: [email protected]

Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) Jonesville, LA

February 2016

Trinity News

Tradition in the Four Rivers Region since 1856