Stop Hunger Now packing event
August 30, 2016
More than a decade had passed, but church members throughout the presbytery remembered the Pentecost Event. “Remember all those people? We filled the gym at Rhodes College!” “Remember that choir? Magnificent!” “I got to catch up with so many old friends!” “It was the best thing our presbytery has ever done!”
That nostalgia shaped a new event that brought our 42 churches together to celebrate Pentecost. Before a flowing red backdrop, Rodger Nishioka challenged the congregation to do what they could to make a difference in their corners of the world. Nishioka, who recently became director of adult educational ministries at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas, after teaching at Columbia Theological Seminary for 15 years, invigorated the gathered, delivering new hope. Attendees also found inspiration in the choir, which was just shy of 100 members strong. Children delivered light, the word, and the bread. Communion served, hymns sung, prayers prayed, the contingent filled over 10,000 meal bags for Stop Hunger Now. Then, another table was laid. As they broke bread together, old friends caught up, and many forged new relationships. Many departing folks called for making the event an annual gathering. Plans for future events started a month after cleanup finished. The new Pentecost Celebration brought new life.
Lucy Cummings, Associate Executive Presbyter for Outdoor Ministries, Presbytery of the Mid-South
Today’s Focus: Presbytery of the Mid-South
Let us join in prayer for:
Presbytery Staff:
C.V. ‘Bo’ Scarborough, Interim Executive Presbyter
Lucy Cummings, Associate Executive Presbyter for Outdoor Ministries
Audrey Toombs, Administrative Associate and Stated Clerk
Carmen Simmons, Resident Manager, Pinecrest Camp and Retreat Center
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Clayton Cobb, BOP
Deborah Coe, PMA
Let us pray
O God, who was, is, and will always be, we thank you for warm memories that wrap themselves around us. Don’t stop us there. Give us power to see visions and to dream dreams of what your kingdom can be. Then give us all we need—voice, breath, hands, hearts—to go out and spread your good news in the strong name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 12; 146
First Reading Job 12:1, 13:3-17, 21-27
Second Reading Acts 12:1-17
Gospel Reading John 8:33-47
Evening Psalms 36; 7
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Categories: Mission Yearbook
Tags: connections, friends, mid-south presbytery, mission yearbook, nostalgia, pentecost, relationships, rhodes college