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The Centinel - October 1998, Issue 3
An Update from Your Session
by Ron Scates and Jess Gardner
In years past the summer has been a time to reflect, to plan for the
start of the new program year in September, and a time to rest. Well,
that was not the case in 1998! God's hand was clearly at work at Central
this summer calling all of us to new and great things in His service.
Earlier this year your Session set forth the foundational values that
Central Church is built on and stands for. The final result is the
Core Values which will be a visible part
of Central going forward.
Then God challenged us to grow as a Session and as a congregation.
Change, change and more change! During the summer God called Leo
Wanenchak, our Music Director, and Linda Shaw,
our Office Manager, to new ministries outside of Central. While we were
all sad to see Leo and Linda leave we also saw that God was calling us
to prepare for the future and that these changes were part of His plan.
Following standard Presbyterian operating procedure, we formed two
committees to handle the tasks of filling these positions. We determined
that finding a permanent replacement for the Music Director position
would take a year or more. Therefore, we formed the Interim Music
Director Search Committee, whose efforts have been reported in The
Centinel. However, it is important to realize that we had to find
several people to replace Leo! The Permanent Music Director Search
Committee is being formed now under the chair of Richard Ames-Ledbetter.
Please pray for this committee.
The Office Manager Search Committee was actually a joint effort between
the Trustees and the Personnel Committee (now a full standing committee
with regular meetings). This search committee was led by Robert W.
Summers (a.k.a. Bob, Sr.), and we interviewed three candidates. Two
candidates came from a placement agency, and the third, a member of
Central, applied directly for the job. After much discussion and another
round of interviews we hired Janice Chubski as our new Office Manager.
As you may know, Janice has been Central's Treasurer for several years
and she is very familiar with Central's office needs. Please pray for
Janice in her new job and don't forget to offer to help! Also, if you
know someone who could be our new Treasurer, let us know.
We also hired a new building maintenance supervisor, Wayne Parrish, late
this summer. Please welcome him when you see him. As we said it was a
very busy summer.
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by Carol Corey
The Interim Music Director Search Committee is very happy to introduce
Tom Brantigan as our interim organist. By the time you read this, you
all will have been thrilled by his prowess on the organ, but we would
like to describe who he is and how he came to play so excellently.
Tom's formal musical education is from Northwestern University where he
earned his bachelor's and master's degrees and ultimately his Doctor of
Music degree in 1975. He was the Minister of Music at Dundee
Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska, for the following 13 years,
directed the Voices of Omaha for nine years, and was founder and music
director of the Nebraska Choral Arts Society from 1978 - 1987. His
transition to music as an avocation began in the mid-70's at the
University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he switched from teaching music
theory and keyboard harmony to computer programming. In 1990 he received
a Master of Management from Northwestern University's L.J. Kellogg
School of Management. Today he is Senior Vice-president of
TMA/Resources, Inc., a consulting and software development company in
McLean, Virginia.
Tom is married to Dr. Jeannie Ogborn, who is the Assistant Director of
the Pediatric Emergency Department at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Jeannie
(who is singing in the choir) and Tom are the parents of a 14 month old
daughter, Anne Elizabeth. They live in Homeland.
We are delighted that we found Tom and that he has agreed to work with
us. Welcome!!
The Interim Music Director Search Committee (Carol Corey, Niles
Ellingson, Dottie Jones, Carolyn Smoes, Gaill Thompson) continues to
finalize the leadership of the children's choral program. Thank you for
your continued prayers.
fyi . . . There's a New Support Group For Moms
If you're a mom of young children, struggling to live a life
pleasing to God in the midst of (at times) chaos, please join us each Wednesday
(9:15a - 11:15a) for a time of renewal, worship, prayer and fellowship as we
seek to become mothers and wives after God's own heart. Childcare provided.
by Denise Simms
Central offers a "Halloween alternative," known as the annual All
Saints' Party. This will be the first all-church event in our new
building, and a great opportunity to invite friends who haven't been to
Central before! The family fun night is on Saturday 31 October from 4 -
8p and will include outside games, a treasure hunt, square dancing, a
pizza dinner with make your own sundaes, live music, singing, drama, a
road rally and "sardines" game for the youth, and, of course, lots of
candy for all!
So why come to an All Saints' Party, anyway? Did you know that as early
as the fourth century, Christian people chose to celebrate this season
in a different way? All Saints' Day was designed to remember the lives
of well-known believers and "to follow them in all virtuous and godly
living." Down through the ages, Christians have risked their lives for
the Truth: the Truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. As God
looks at the intentions of our hearts, let's take an aggressive step to
reclaim this holiday! And, by the way, this is going to be one great
party!
by Heidi Bertaux
"If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is
honored, all the members rejoice with it." - 1 Corinthians 12:26
The following is excerpted from the book Christian Caregiving, A Way of
Life by Kenneth Haugk:
Through His church, Jesus continues to extend His ministry of love and
care for people. The love of Christ is powerful and dynamic. It is not
just a good feeling; it is the basic motivation for all Christian
caring. This is summarized in 1 John 4:19: 'We love because He first
loved us.' The distinctiveness of Christian care then lies not only in
what we do, but in why we do it. As the message of God's love grips
Christians, we are filled by the Holy Spirit, who moves clay-footed
Christians to use our God-given gifts for others. He makes cared-for
Christians into caring Christians.
According to this and to Scripture, we are all called to care for one
another within the Body of Christ. If you see someone weeping on a
Sunday morning, don't turn away; love them with a hug and a tissue, with
the love of Jesus. It is He that will empower you to reach out to
others. Let us learn to suffer with one another, to rejoice with one
another, and so be One in Him!
If you are interested in learning how to be a better Christian
caregiver, no matter where you are serving, consider taking the
Paraclete training to begin in October. You will learn how to be a
better listener, how to be assertive, and how better to serve your
fellow man with the Love of Jesus Christ. Call Heidi Bertaux,
Coordinator, for questions or an application - your life will never be
the same!
Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love,
For in thee I put my trust,
Teach me the way I should go,
For to thee I lift up my soul
- Psalm 143:8
- Sentinel:
- One who watches and guards. A sentry, from a word meaning
sanctuary or watchtower.
- Centinel:
- Central's Newsletter, which relays information on the
condition and direction of the church; past events; and upcoming events.
If you have or know of information that we should pass along to
everyone, please let us know. If you have a question that you wish us to
address, let us know that as well.
We are planning a special 50th anniversary issue (50 years that Central
has been at this location on York Road) early in 1999. Please help us by
recalling and sending us information about
building history, funny events, key historical events, personnel changes,
and any other memories you feel would be of interest for this issue. Thanks!
by Jeff Wilkinson
Did you know...
...Central's website is 2 years old! It first came online in September
'96 and has been growing and evolving ever since. Currently, the site is
seeing over 200 pages read per day. Are you one of our visitors?
Remember, it's not just an online brochure, it's there to give you
current information about all that's going on at Central.
...that our site has helped us recruit some of our staff. We've posted
details of 3 different jobs, and the site has been critical in
recruiting both our youth director and this summer's youth intern.
In the last newsletter we highlighted
our FIRST CORE VALUE : that each
of us have a personal relationship with Jesus as Savior, Lord, and God.
Deuteronomy 6:5 reads, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength." This is evident
through our own prayer and Bible study, our everyday trust in God, our
love of the Lord and our neighbor, our striving to live Christ-like
lives in the power of the Holy Spirit, and our sharing of God's love and
truth with others.
Our SECOND CORE VALUE is
"Commitment to the Truth of God's Revealed Word."
This means that we believe that the Truth is found in the Word of God.
We regularly read, study, and meditate on the words of the Bible, both
individually and with others. We listen to Biblical preaching. We know
our way around the Bible. We know what we believe and why, and we live
by it. Psalm 119:105
says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
Of course this is a very high standard we set for ourselves, and we
cannot attain it. We sin, we fall short, we are lax. We compare
ourselves to others and say, "How can I say this is a Core Value
for me?" The key is in our commitment. Do I have a desire to know
the Word of God? Am I in a Bible study of any kind? Am I living out
what I know to be true, and repenting and trying to change when I fail?
If you desire more of God's Word and are not in a Bible study, there are
many opportunities for you. May your study of God's word show you the
beauty and magnificence of God, and guide and sustain you throughout all
aspects of life.
- A Personal Relationship with Jesus as Savior, Lord, and God
- Commitment to the Truth of God's Revealed Word
- Worship as the Center of Church Life
- The Great Commission - Near and Far in Word and Deed
- A Biblical World View that Speaks to Our Culture
- Kingdom Vision - We are One Part of the Whole Body of Christ
- Growing Mature, Ministering Disciples
- A Diverse, Loving Community
- The Nurture of Children and Youth
- Servanthood & Stewardship Inside and Outside of Central
- Prayer
by Dave and Jan Turnbaugh
The two weeks at Mt. View Bible Camp were truly challenging and a
blessed experience as 13 young people asked Jesus into their hearts as
their Lord and Savior. Activities included lessons from the Bible,
swimming, arts & crafts, bike riding, ball playing, fun on the
playground, hiking through the woods, a hayride, campfire, plus three
nutritious meals per day! Teen week included participating in skits, as
well as writing and performing their own songs and poems. This could
well have been the best week in the lives of these inner city children.
The first week was for campers age 5 through grade 5. The second week
was for grades 6-12. There were approximately 50 children each week, as
well as 8 "moms" who attend the Center, and more than 20 staff
members!
It takes a lot of planning and commitment on the part of many people to
make camp "happen". We saw God at work in meeting our needs
beyond our expectations and this was largely due to those who
contributed funds to sponsor kids to attend camp. MANY THANKS to all of
you who had a part in camp and for your prayers!
by Chris Ritchie
Many of you are aware of Central's mission statement: Moving people
toward Christ by being a community of faith which loves, encourages and
equips them in Christ, sending them out to serve. This mission statement
not only outlines what we are about as a church, but it also describes
the priorities of Central's youth ministry.
The end goal of the plan for
youth discipleship at Central is to stimulate the kind of faith in our
teens that can be given away. One of the ways in which we seek to meet
that goal is to encourage involvement in regular acts of Christian
service.
Community service in various forms is in vogue these days. As a matter
of fact, Baltimore County public high school students are required to
complete 75 hours of community service prior to graduation. While this
is a positive trend in our public schools, this is not the reason that
we embrace service as a vital part of our youth ministry. The very
nature of the gospel of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve,
provokes us to give ourselves away. Serving others in the name of Christ
is one of the purest expressions of love and gratitude for the grace
that the Lord has bestowed upon us.
Service is also vital in helping young people discover the talents and
spiritual gifts that God has given them. By involving themselves in
various types of service, teens can begin to uncover the abilities that
God desires for them to use to build up His kingdom. Furthermore, adults
serving together with teens can discern and affirm these talents and
gifts as they see young people exercising their spiritual muscles. The
confirmation and encouragement of our youth to faithfully use what God
has given them is a high priority in Central's youth ministry.
As a church, Central is in a prime position to disciple young people
through service. During this past
year our youth have been involved with
ministries in Baltimore such as Habitat for Humanity, Our Daily Bread,
and the Christian Community Center. Most recently, on September 13 ,
seven youth and two adults partnered with fellow believers from Huber
Memorial Church of Christ to share the gospel and bag lunches in a
street ministry on a corner in Baltimore. In the coming months and years
the youth ministry at Central will continue to partner with the Social
Action Committee to explore new ways in which we can send our young
people out to serve others in the name of Jesus.
Set for November 1, 1998
Special Worship Service (with a Brazilian Flavor) with Larry & Stephanie
K., our missionaries to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and elders at our sister
church.
Combined Adult Sunday School class to deepen understanding and give
practical ways we can get involved in God's mission to the world.
Mission Experience for Children and Adults (12-15p-2:15p), starting with
a Brazilian lunch and followed by separate activities for children and
adults. Children's program for 4 year olds through 5th grade,
babysitting for infants thru 3 year olds. Bring an appetite and a sense
of adventure. Watch for more information
The FOLD: News about our Central Family
by Kyle Powderly
This summer, our seminarian, Kyle Powderly, attended a class at
Princeton Seminary called "Theology and the Arts." His
thoughts follow:
Since the time of John Calvin, Presbyterians have been suspicious of art
and artistic expressions, particularly when it came to matters of faith.
So imagine spending a week reading about and talking about how art and
Christianity come together. That is how I spent the third week of July.
Is it really necessary for the church to be interested in the arts and
the arts to be interested in the church? There is no culture since the
dawn of civilization that has not expressed its deepest desires, its
understandings of who it is and what it wants to be, in art. But what
is art? Can Michelangelo and some contemporary shock artists like
Maplethorpe BOTH be creating art?
Think of art as that which has thickness of meaning, that which speaks a
message to us in various ways, and in various orders. So art can be a
great deal more than paintings or sculpture or music. It takes the
disorder of a broken world, and tries to make sense of it, pointing to
something other than itself, something greater than itself. That is why
the great cathedrals of Europe and the Eastern Orthodox churches of
Turkey are considered art: in their construction, in their decoration,
they tell the story of God's love for us and our redemption through
means which words sometimes cannot express.
by Rhonda Herman
We are delighted to hear you are expecting a baby. Children are a gift
from God, not only to you and your family, but also to our family of
faith here at Central. God has provided a church family who wants to
welcome your little one by offering practical help and support to you as
you prepare for and care for your baby.
Some of the ways we might help you are: hospital and/or home visits,
phone calls to keep in touch; meals brought to your house; information
and support regarding health, feeding, newborn care, breastfeeding,
development, and most of all, prayer support
If you would like more information, please contact Page Brenner. If you
can make a meal for new parents, please call Betsy Chizek.
by Jean Stuart
"Oh say can you see by the dawn's early light, a busload of Seniors
off for a day of delight!" Our tour of Baltimore via the Central
bus began with a perfect September day. Lou Koerber, affectionately
known by many as Mr. Baltimore, was our tour guide extraordinaire. As
our driver, Bob M. Summers, skillfully wove in and out of little streets
in Fells Point, Canton, Highlandtown and the Inner Harbor, we were
treated to sights and facts that were new to even the most veteran
Baltimorean.
We viewed the skyline of our great city from many different sites, and
we discovered industries and origins for which Baltimore is well known.
We visited Fort McHenry and enjoyed delicious bag lunches. Lou is a
long-time supporter of the Flag House and the man who reinstated the
Human Flag (comprised of Baltimore school children) that is celebrated
each Flag Day on June 14. He told us that Mary Pickersgill, her mother,
and her daughter sewed the first Stars and Stripes right here in
Baltimore. Betsy Ross' involvement has never been documented. How 'bout
that! After viewing the movies in the Fort's visitors' center that ended
declaring that our flag IS still there, we SAW it waving in the
September breeze. We climbed the parapets of the Fort to visualize the
British ships in the harbor. We sensed the foreboding that Francis Scott
Key must have felt, fearing that our city would fall to the British. The
poem that he penned that evening became our National Anthem in 1931. Our
excellent Ranger guide, Lou, made all of this history come alive.
Tired, hot, and happy, we returned to Central, declaring another
successful fellowship time with the Central Lights. Now we are waiting
for someone to ask us questions, so we can use all the information we
have stored away about Baltimore and the War of 1812!
Match each person with his particular tie-in with WOOD. Answers are at the very bottom.
| a. David |
b. Solomon |
c. Ezra |
d. Aaron |
e. Noah |
| f. Isaac |
g. Jacob |
h. Bezalel |
i. Jeremiah |
j. Ornan/Araunah |
- Made a tabernacle table of shittim (acacia) wood. (Ex. 37:1,10)
- Carried wood with which he was to be burned as an offering. (Gen. 22:2-3)
- Used wood to decorate a palace. (1 Kings 7:1-3)
- Wore a wooden yoke on his neck. (Jer. 27:2, 28:10)
- Stood on a wooden stand and read a scroll of Moses' law. (Neh. 8:1,4)
- Gave wooden threshing instruments to be used as fuel for a burnt offering. (1 Chron. 21: 15, 23)
- Had a wooden rod that blossomed. (Num. 17:8)
- Placed wooden rods beside watering troughs. (Gen. 30:37-38)
- Used gopher (cypress) wood to build a boat. (Gen. 6:13-14)
- Played an instrument made of fir (pine) wood. (2 Sam. 6:5 KJV)
Be sure to check the bulletin each week for meetings and details.
| October 31: |
Central's day at Our Daily Bread
All Saints Party |
| November 1: |
Missions Sunday - Brazil Celebration
New Members Received |
| November 15: |
December Centinel Deadline |
| November 25: |
Thanksgiving Eve Dinner & Service |
| November 26 & 27: |
Church Office Closed |
| November 29: |
Advent Fair |
| December 7: |
PW Christmas Gathering |
| December 13: |
Advent Songfest |
| Editorial Staff |
|---|
Nancy Nasrallah
Mary Burkey Olga Gerkens Bob Hale
Susan Hula Karen McCaffrey Denise Simms
Thus says the Lord:
"Stand at the crossroads, and look,
and ask ... where the good way lies;
and walk in it, and find rest for your souls...
Also I raised up sentinels for you;
give heed to the sound of the trumpet!"
- Jer 6:16-17 NRSV
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Submissions: Please submit articles by email, diskette or
typed copy to the newsletter mailbox. It would help greatly if articles were
submitted by e-mail or on diskette.
Note that the Our Church Family section won't be
included in the web issue of this newsletter since the information doesn't meet our
privacy policy.
Children's Nook answers: 1.h, 2.f, 3.b, 4.i, 5,c, 6.j, 7.d, 8.g, 9.e, 10.a
