From pastors’ desk:

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.  Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.  The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.  Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. (2 Tim 2:3-7)

As I prepare to leave for my Basic Chaplain’s School, I want to share with you all the words of the Apostle Paul to his beloved spiritual son Timothy.  It will be 6 weeks, intense training for all entering chaplains in the U.S. Air Force both active duty and guards, and I am expected to study hard, work hard, and go through hard physical trainings.  There are many reasons why I would not like this school.  It is too long.  It is too far away from home.  It will be too hot down in Montgomery, AL.  And I don’t like to be away from my family.  Yet, I am willing to go through this training because I am committed to serving the young men and women on my base as their chaplain.  Although it is just a part time, once a month basis, I am getting to know more of them, and I am making spiritual impact on these young people.  In order to do my ministry at the base, I need to go through this training, and knowing that, I am not complaining.

We are about to celebrate our Independence Day.  For many of us, it means another wonderful summer holiday for barbeque.  Of course, we know the history of how our forefathers obtained the freedom and independence several hundred years ago, but we don’t really feel the chill.  How about the people who fought in the American Revolution?  How would they have felt when they celebrated their Independence Day for the first time?  Or how about those who came to America as a political refugee, having gone through the severe oppression in their country of origin – how would they feel as they celebrate their first Independence Day?  Suppose that everyone in your room talk about what they heard about the beauty of Niagara Falls, yet you could claim, “I have been there.  I rode on the Liberty boat, and I even stood under the falls!”  How would it make you feel?

The Apostle Paul encourages Timothy, a young pastor, to stand fast like a good soldier of Christ Jesus and stay in the right course, enduring the hardships he faces. I believe this encouragement is for all believers of faith in Christ, and there are two grounds for such encouragement.  First, we have conviction that we are appointed by God to carry out the task He placed on our shoulders.  We endure the hardships and troubles because we carry on something bigger than ourselves.  And God appointed us for this great task – claiming the kingdom of God in every corner we live.  When they receive an order, soldiers don’t complain.  They just carry out the task.  This is impossible if they don’t believe that they are fighting for something greater, something better than their own lives.  If the worldly soldiers have this conviction in their cause, how much more should we, the soldiers of Christ, should be convicted for the cause of our Lord?  Second, we are a part of this great picture.  “Been there, done that.”  We know what this phrase means, but I believe Christian conviction comes from “Been there and still doing it.”  We have been there – the very hill where our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, the very place where God has so mightily revealed His conviction for each and every one of us.  Yet we are not done.  We are still doing it.  And we are called to be part of what He is still doing.  It will not be a story we hear about, but we are the story.  That is why we endure the hardships.

For next 6 weeks, my dear Bay Road family will be in my heart and prayers.  And I trust that I will be in your hearts and prayers.  I am confident in our Father’s steadfastness, and I am confident in the conviction of my brothers and sisters.  I am confident in the spiritual maturity of our leaders such as session members, and I am confident in the wisdom and faithfulness of Meg who will pastor us during my leave.  However, despite my confidence, I want to share with you the word of encouragement once again as Paul did for Timothy despite his confidence in Timothy’s ministry.  Be good soldiers of Christ, pleasing our Commanding Officer.

July/August News of the Session

The Sacrament of Holy Communion was observed on June 1, 2008.  Pastor Sung Hee Lee and Elder Debbie Collin brought communion to Frankie Waite at the Stanton’s and Bruce and Ruth Smith at the Stanton’s. Lois Stone was visiting the Smith’s and received communion with them. Pauline Sexton received communion in her home.

Communion will be observed on July 6, August 3 and September 7, 2008 at our church. Communion is provided to those not able to attend church upon request. Please contact the church office or an Elder.

 SEMINARY STUDENTS REPORT TO THE SESSSION:

Margaret Mc Dowell:

Meg McDowell reports she has had a good year. She graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary this May. Meg has passed her ordination examination and plans to return to Princeton to earn a Masters of Theology which focuses on preaching. During the year she has assisted a Taiwanese church with their English service. She has preached in combination during the Taiwanese/English service with a translator. Meg did win a preaching award and her sermon was used as an example as to how to preach.

  Pastor Sung Hee Lee explained that Meg is no longer at our church level but at the Presbytery level in her journey towards becoming an ordained minister. He stated the church will still be supporting her and Jan Kenyon will still serve as her liaison.

Meg will serve as an intern assistant pastor for five weeks with a salary of $1500.00 while Pastor Sung is away for National Air Guard duty from July 14 through August 23, 2008.

Laura Mitchell:

Laura Mitchell has completed her first year at Princeton Theological Seminary.  She viewed her first year as a challenge at Princeton. She states her faith as grown throughout this year. She will begin her CPE training at Albany Medical Center on June 9, 2008. She asked us for prayers for strength, energy and to be able to manage the expenses which go along with her chaplain training.

She did take Sung’s advice to enjoy the seminary experience. Laura attended and participated in worship services and concerts held on the campus. She also was a part of a third career support group. She got together on Tuesday’s night with other students to sing for an hour. Laura involved with a Health Fair on campus. At the campus Chapel she participated in a healing service and conducted communion.

Pastor Sung Hee Lee explained to the session Laura will enter her candidacy level this fall. She will prepare a statement of faith and read it to the Presbytery this fall.

Cleaning up the Rolls:

Pastor Sung Hee Lee and the Clerk of Session Debbie Collin will work on cleaning up the rolls to help reduce our cost to the Presbytery. Sung will write a letter to be sent out so that by September we will have our answers back from those who do not attend on a regular basis.

Baptismal:

On Sunday, June 22, 2008, Samuel Syrmin Lee, son of Pastor Sung Hee and Esther Lee

was baptized by his father. A reception was held in Anderson Hall after the service.

The Gift of Hospitality

              As I was reading this month’s Focus on the Family magazine, I came across an article entitled Reviving Hospitality. It reminded me that summer is a great time to reach out to others.  It is the relaxed time of year to entertain and fellowship with others. You can easily do “take out” and bring it to the park, the beach or your own backyard. One of my favorite things is to bring a “take out” breakfast with coffee to Hovey’s Pond (Queensbury) or Shepherd’s Park (Lake George) and watch the morning unfold as you talk with your friend.

 The article   stressed that fellowship can mean different things to each of us. It can be laughter and fun or it can be more personal like helping another through sorrow or loss. Either way we are stepping out making a Peace Offering.

I encourage you to seize the opportunity during these days of summer. Life is a bit more laid back and time with others can be more spontaneous.  Maybe it is just going for ice cream with someone you feel the Lord is calling you to reach out to.

May all you summer adventures lead you closer to our Lord.

In His Service

Debbie Collin, Clerk

DEACON’S CORNER

The Board of Deacons met Tuesday, June 10, 2008, 7 p.m. at the church.

All members were present.  Meeting started with prayer and a review of last

month’s minutes.

-  Treasurer reported balance on hand as of 6/5/08 was $1,380.36

-  Communion elements were prepared for the June 1^st service

-  Cards were sent to members to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries

-  A plant was sent to members at a nursing home

-  Visits were made to a member at home and to three members at

  nursing homes

-  Telephone calls were made to church members and one non-member

-  Meals were prepared and delivered to member at her home

-  Thank-you cards received from member and one non-member

-  Transportation is being provided to two members to come to church

and for a member to doctor appointments

-  Food collection continues – food given to non-member this month

-  Deacons requested from Session list of current members in order to

correctly send cards

-  Meeting closed with prayer at 8 p.m.

Next Deacons meeting will be Tuesday, September 8, 2008 at church

Trustee’s Newsletter

July 2008

The Trustees are continuing to gather information and formulate plans for several maintenance projects which include;

· Add more playground pebbles

· smooth and grade the upper back parking lot

· add top soil and reseed some of the grass areas

· repair and activate the existing lawn sprinkler system

new roof and siding on church steeple

We need more volunteers to mow the lawn around the church; the signup sheet is in Anderson Hall.

Ed Goddard has replaced and improved the lights for our Church signs by the road. Thank you Ed.

Chip Collin

Chairman

GULF COAST MISSION TEAM UPDATE

June 2008

Progress is being made in Pearlington, although in slow motion.  I spoke with Jeremy, the construction manager at the PDA village this afternoon.  Jeremy took over for Jane Els the end of March.  He’s probably in his late 20’s, graduated from Messiah College, is a contractor and had his own construction company in PA.  Jeremy’s engaged, and plans to get married next spring and bring his bride to Pearlington for a few months before finishing his tour of duty there next July.  What a guy!

I also spoke with our two “adopted” families this week.  Here’s where things are at:

Jamie and Tracy Bennett (In early May we sent them $3000 for building materials)—their plumbing and electric is in; framing issues are resolved; dry wall is up, and 2^nd and 3^rd coats done.  Jeremy thinks they’ll be into their new home in September.  They come to neighbor night weekly, and are a real part of the PDA family.  Jeremy says they have adopted him!  They sent us a card:  “You’re an angel: Thank heaven for wonderful people like you” and a poem:

Thank you for your acts of kindness, it has really meant a lot,

I pray in turn that you’d be blessed, by the loving hand of God.

I pray your day be filled with peace, and with God’s awesome grace.

And may you know His presence more, as you behold His face.

Terry and Rita Breshears (we sent them $6000 for building materials)—apparently they’re trying to set Jeremy up with their daughter (they don’t know he’s engaged!)  They’re starting to come to neighbor night and have met the Bennetts. It took a long time to get their electrical and plumbing inspections completed (the inspector was very nit-picky per Rita).  Since then PDA has finished their decks and railings, and rebuilt the deck stairway (wasn’t up to code); put up all the insulation and hung most of dry wall upstairs; have yet to start taping.  Terry and Rita are very grateful for our help and encouragement.  Jeremy sees their house as a big job, which will really get underway in September.  Right now he is trying to get final details done on several houses where families could get back in quickly.

The BIG PROBLEM now is the lack of volunteers—no more are scheduled to come into camp until the 2^nd week of September!! At that point 70 volunteers/week will arrive over the next 8 weeks.   I asked Jeremy what the problem is.  He thinks it’s mostly due to the heat and humidity and people vacationing during the summer but that PDA could do a better job of letting people know the need.  Virtually all of PDA camps will be empty for 2 months this summer although three camps will be having high school youth groups for a week at a time.  Jeremy, and Heather, the new village manager at Pearlington, will do camp maintenance during July and August, but would love to have anyone come down and build!  Jeremy is putting together the county building code information for electrical, plumbing and framing.  This info will be available to PDA groups as they come into camp.  It will help, but he is also aware of inspector specific code enforcement.

There is also a need for long term PDA volunteers.  PDA has 7 staff members leaving the Gulf Coast as of July 31, with no replacements.  IE.  who is called to serve as village and construction managers for 3 or more months?

Update on the 2008 families that we served:

Quentin Quinlan—he’s not back in L.  Caitlin, the PDA caseworker, spoke with him recently. He has had some health-related issues, and also seems to want to get enough money together to finish the house all at once.  Quentin had some inspection hold ups after we left (electrical) and I expect he is discouraged and maybe even depressed.  His address is 4020 Samoa Road, Pearlington, MS 39572 if you want to send him some encouraging words.

Lindsey Bolens and John Woods—Jeremy was over this week to replace a wax ring in the kid’s BR, and finish the skirt around master tub—4 pieces of tile.  They have not moved in yet, but could have.  Lindsey’s finishing up her school work, and they are waiting for their furniture to be delivered.  They seem to want to move in once Lindsey’s off for the summer, and are extremely excited about their house.

Greg Hazelwood—Jeremy sees him weekly.  Greg’s still “working” on his electric/plumbing, but Jeremy can’t see any progress.  Jeremy sees this inability to move forward as part of Greg’s trauma from Katrina.  Greg lets PDA store their insulation at his house—thus Jeremy is able to interact with him every week.

PLANS for 2009

Generally about now I put in our reservation for next year.  At the follow-up team meeting this past April we discussed some of the who, when, where type questions but I didn’t sense we had group consensus.  Therefore, let’s do an on-line survey (please send to me at my new email address—marciametu@gmail.com:

Who:  We planning on taking around 60 volunteers again.  Would you prefer to:

1.  All go the same week

2.  Take 30 each week for 2 weeks

3.  Take 20 each week for 3 weeks

4.  All go the same week, those who are available stay a second week

5.  Send two teams, one in the spring, one in the fall.

When:  Obviously there is a need for volunteers year round.  March has been a good month in the past (good weather, avoids higher airfare/airport congestion during vacation weeks). Are there people that would prefer to go at other times?

1. October

2. November

3. January

4. February

5. Other month ____________

Where:  (Camp Gautier is closed)

1. Pearlington, MS

2. Houma, LA

3. Gulfport, MS

4. New Orleans (city)

5. D’Iberville, MS

I hope you all have a great summer!  We will probably have our next planning meeting in October.  Let’s pray for:

1.  Our families in Pearlington, especially Quentin and Greg

2.   Jeremy—he ruptured a pelvic muscle lifting a generator

3.  More volunteers, both short and long term!

4.  2009 planning

God’s blessings, Marcia

Elder Share

Elder Share is a day care program for the elderly and meets every Wednesday from 10:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.    Participants in Elder Share are over 60 years  of age, ambulatory (may use a cane or walker if independent)and able to attend on a regular basis.  Elder Share offers: a nutritional noon meal, Bible study, friendship, music, games emotional support, prayer, lectures, films socialization, special trips, sharing and much more.  Elder Share is self sufficient in that the participants are encouraged to contribute $4 for the meal depending on their ability: however, no eligible person will be denied service for inability to pay.

Elder Share began in 1986 at Bay Road Presbyterian Church as a Mission Outreach.  It moved to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd a number of years ago with the involvement of Georgie Erskine.  If you or someone you know would like more information about Elder Share, please call Jacquie Clear (from the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd) at 793-5419 or Jan Kenyon (from Bay Road Presbyterian Church) at 793-7156.

Volunteers:  If you would like to help out, we would love to have your help in any way you can.  Our volunteers do transportation, help in preparing the meals, lead Bible studies or special programs or sing. The 3-4 volunteers that we have do all of that right now.

If you could only do one thing it would be helpful.  All of us started by picking the participants up and dropping them off at 10:30 A.M. and picking them up at 1 P.M.  Some volunteers just brought the food and dropped it off.  Some from the Lutheran church just left the food in the refrigerator with instructions for us to cook it the next day.  We only have 8-10 ladies who are involved now, but we could have more if we had others who could provide transportation.  If you would like to help out, give Jacquie or Jan a call.

A Letter from Danielle Bailey