WELCOME TO SUMMERLIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

When describing training for Cross Country and running some 12 to 15 miles a week, Devon Dane, one of our sophomores in youth group who runs for Centennial High School, said to me, "It's not easy, it's never easy, but it's good." That got me thinking about SPC's endurance.

In the last few months our congregation has taken a quiet magnificent turn. I can only describe the new energy as, "a congregation being led by the Spirit and willing to follow the Spirit."

Here are just a few of my experiences with many of you over the last six months:

There is renewed administrative action and wonderful growing interest in the areas of Mission, Membership, Discipleship, Nominating, Prayer, Worship and Music, Stewardship, and a delightful attitude and servant heart with our set up crew. Our fellowships set new attendance records coming into the fall (especially Deacons Ice Cream Social, and Mission Possible 007 Dinner), not to mention the relationships many of you celebrate at these ministries (Women's Fellowship with retreats and studies, a new Guy Thing, a wonderful showing at youth group and 55 Alive, Amazing Grace and mission meetings, and other commission meetings). It appears God is tightening the nets where guests and members can be caught connecting with ministries at SPC. Leadership meetings are filled with prayers and struggles and celebrations of those things that matter to Jesus, and several of the leaders have commented to me on how their faith is growing. Our bottom line no frills need is growth. Who can each of us welcome into this fellowship every month? When you come up with a name (hopefully names), pray about them and then ask them, and don't stop asking them until they come! A great time for guests and friends is always the advent season and especially Christmas Eve.

You can always tell the spiritual strength of a Christian church by how the community of faith welcomes guests, engages Jesus as the head of the church, worships together, what makes them laugh, how they handle conflict, and how they bid farewell to loved ones (either through heaven's gates opened or folk moving away). Since the Spring many of you have welcomed guests in positive ways (we can always improve in this area and build on our strengths). Many of you have prayed and acted in faith proclaiming Jesus is the head of this church (new and powerful expressions of the church being the people of God not a building, asking what more can we be doing locally and internationally in mission, struggling with how can we grow numerically at SPC and not loose our sense of family and connectedness, consistently asking if God's arms are too short for our problems, and I have been genuinely moved by the simple consistent gestures of kindness and love). Worship is a joy and an inspiration and we keep opening ourselves to being genuine and authentic before God (hear our prayer Lord for more people to fill the seats and discover Your grace). We laugh often at our own mistakes, giggle at the surprises of God in our life, taking ourselves less seriously and taking God more seriously. We have discerned and worked out a Biblical plan for living with each other when conflicts arise (nobody is perfect and there is always hope for reconciliation). Each one of us, in our own way, dies a thousand deaths when we loose members to heaven, or to moving away, or to those who leave in frustration. In these times of sadness and self reflection on our own mortality and fragile membership base, many of you gird one another up and carry on in the Spirit of God's love, proclaiming the hope of this church's great success as God wills in the ministry of Jesus Christ. SPC seems to have this focus on God's will, that no matter what, God is calling us to go and grow. In other words, we give up to God in these times of change, looking for God's direction, praying for God to use us to heal and grow and comfort, and that is a tremendous faith statement as we are persistent in allowing ourselves to be shaped by God.

Thank you Lord. It is good to be shaped by your Holy Spirit. It's not easy, it's never easy, but it sure is good. Thanks Devon.

In Christ,

Pastor Tom

>>Pastor's Blog

Gulf Coast Mission:

What does it mean to be a missionary?

To me being a missionary means that you have to be willing to open your heart up to change; because as a missionary your heart will be changed, maybe even more than once. As a missionary you see devastation, sadness, death and loss, but at the same time you see hope, joy, laughter and love. At times it can be hard for a person’s heart to handle all the emotions that are found in the mission field. As missionaries to Pearlington, Mississippi, we were able to experience these emotions and more firsthand and at times more than one emotion was being felt or shared at once.

As a missionary, it is your job to bring the people hope and joy through God’s word and that doesn’t mean that you have to recite Bible verses to everyone you encounter (Although that’s not a bad thing) it just means you have to share God’s love and tell then they are loved by God. And with God’s love there’s always hope. Sharing the love is an extremely important part to being a missionary and the next most important thing is having the ability to listen. When you listen, and really listen to the stories of the people who have risen above the storm, that’s when your heart is truly changed. So, to be a missionary means you have to have an open heart, share the love and just listen.

Jessica Lobaugh

Mission Possible:

This past June, 11 people from SPC returned to Pearlington, Mississippi to serve where we were needed. We helped a local church finish in preparing for their re-opening the following week. We built a covering for the entry to the church and did a lot of painting of the inside. We also met some beautiful people.

Ms. Sam is the widow of the originating pastor of the AME Church of Pearlington. She has had over 300 foster children through her home and she is dedicated to serving lunch for all of the missionaries who serve next door to the church. We ate some wonderful food and tried new things. Her daughter, Orealia, is a beautiful woman. She has helped in the rebuilding of the church since Katrina happened and has waited to finish the church before beginning on her own house. Her hopes are to build a children’s ministry serving the community of Pearlington and also a health clinic for young mothers. Both of these women and their family have touched our lives in many ways.

We also had the joy in reconnecting with the Bennett family from our 2006 trip to Pearlington. We had the honor and the privilege to see their finished home and have a wonderful BBQ lunch with them. It was such a wonderful experience to be welcomed into their homes and lives, as if we never left.

Our hope is to return in 2008. We are looking forward to being used by the Lord to help rebuild this community wherever we can. We are welcome to have more join us. Our motto this year was, many hands make for light work!

The Lord has blessed us with many things and we look forward to sharing those blessings with you all. We’ve each been asked to answer ‘What does it mean to be a missionary?’ In the articles to follow, we hope to answer that question from all of us.

Blessings to you and your families,

Kathy Lobaugh

AMAZING GRACE MINISTRY

I STINK

by Cayce Newton

I stink.

I ran out of deodorant, so I used Rick’s. Even though I don’t smell bad, I smell weird, not like myself. I feel kind of manly, and a little sticky.

So what’s my point? I wonder how hard it is for the homeless to stay hygienic. Deodorant is expensive. When we serve at Amazing Grace each month we get many donations of little hotel size shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soap. We don’t get donations of deodorant though, and it can be rather expensive to purchase. So if the choice is poof your pits or buy food I guess it’s kind of a no brainer.

Each month when I go to Amazing Grace I try to spend about $50 on toothpaste and deodorant. These are the two least donated items, and they are the two most requested items (after socks). So next time you’re at the store picking up a little foo foo juice for yourself, pick up an extra one for the Amazing Grace folks. It’s getting hot and they are getting stinky!

I was relating to a friend one day my experience of serving with the homeless ministry and they quipped “why don’t they all just get a job?” I know a lot of people who haven’t had the pleasure of serving the homeless may feel the same way. I didn’t know what to expect before I started working there. I was frightened to drive there by myself, what if someone jumped me? I made Rick, my husband drive down with me and drop me off. Well, big surprise, a lot of them are just like you and me. They were living paycheck to paycheck and then something happened – many of the stories are the same. Some of those guys are in there looking for a clean white shirt so they can go on job interviews. Some of them need a pair of decent pants to wear to work. They are trying to get ahead, but it’s hard. If they have no place to bathe, or deodorant or toothpaste, how long do you think it takes until they start to stink? Until they start to appear “homeless” until people don’t want to look them in they eye or give them a job. How many days of not showering or cleaning up until you look and smell bad? Probably not too many.

Please help – donate some deodorant, clean your closet – donate those old white shirts that are a little frayed, but clean, those scuffed old shoes you think nobody wants, those pants that are a little faded. While you’re cleaning your closet, count your blessings.

I’m stinky, but it will pass.

My apology to Cayce Newton for not getting this article out in July when she sent it to me but this was the only submitted article from July to October. The Editor, scott@thrasherarts.com

>> SPC Mission Projects

Rally Day

Summerlin Presbyterian Church celebrated its first ever Rally Day on September 9^th.What’s Rally Day you ask? Don’t know, but I do know it’s an annual fall event in many churches.

So not to be left out of whatever everyone else does we too planned a Rally Day. It was an opportunity for us to let all of you know about the number of activities we offer here at SPC.

An opportunity for you to get involved in activities your church elders and deacons and Christian Education committee have developed just for you.

If you missed it or were to shy to sign up here is a list with the contact person and phone number. Don’t miss out –there are many chances to refresh and renew your faith in Jesus Christ at SPC.

Word Alive: Joanna Wares, 243-1718
Life Together: teens-Carrie Ismail, 243-2435
Parenting Classes: Barbara Ludwig, 363-4162
Bible Studies:
- 9:30am Sunday -Bob Lockhart, 838-6937
- 7:00pmThursday -Pastor Tom Lobaugh, 243-0780
- 9:30am Friday –Tiffany Palumbo, 645-6582
Women’s Retreat: Robin McColley, 638-1612, Barbara Ludwig, 363-4162
It’s a Guy Thing: Pastor Tom Lobaugh, 243-0780
55 Alive: Mickie Bratschie, 240-4760 or Marion Eyer, 233-8452
Harvest Banquet: Mary Jamison, 228-0343
Prayer Partners: Barbara Ludwig, 363-4162
Amazing Grace Ministry: Steve Clark, 453-3336
Set up Team Ministry: Scott Plummer, 363-2246
Fellowship Team: Cayce Newton, 363-5172
Mission Possible: Kathy Lobaugh, 243-0780
Choir: Kathy Koch,240-7904
Praise Team: Kathy Lobaugh, 243-0780
Faith Families: Mary and BJ Jamison, 228-0343
Newsletter and Web Site: Scott Thrasher, 250-2074

Nominating Committee

Your nominating committee is meeting regularly and contacting all persons nominated through the congregation. We thank you for all the names that were submitted.

Fall Harvest Banquet

Our fall luncheon get-together will be held after church on Sunday, November 11th from noon until 4:00 p.m. in our meeting area. Come join us for food, fun, and fellowship. Details to be announced. Contact Josey Hopballe with any questions at 810-3073.

HEY! Do you have announcements, event times or scandalous photos of Pastor Tom that need to reach the congregation? Why not send them through the newsletter? In a bigger hurry? We can also send individual announcements or prayer concerns via our newsletter list. Just let me know what you'd like to have sent out and just like magic, reach everyone in the congregation via an email blast! Please send newsletter announcements, event times, prayer request or scandalous photos of Tom to scott@thrasherarts.com.


Giving Thanks by Cayce Newton I’ve been a Girl Scout Leader since 1982, 2 years before my first child was born. I was a Girl Scout in elementary school, but not for very long. So as a leader at the age of 21 it was a learning process for me and the girls I was leading. One of my favorite things about Girl Scouts is their tradition of giving thanks. Scouts always say grace before snacks and meals. In my 25 years as a leader I’ve learned so many different ways to give thanks. I know one of Ashley’s favorites is the “Adams Family Grace” I know you know the Adams Family tune – so here goes; Da Da Da Dum (snap snap) Da Da Da Dum (snap snap) Da Da Dum Da Da Dum Da Da Dum (snap snap) I’m thankful for my food Lord, My family and You Lord, And all the thin gs you do Lord, The Girl Scout Family (we substitute the Newton Family) Da Da Da Dum (snap snap) Da Da Da Dum (snap snap) Da Da Dum Da Da Dum Da Da Dum LET'S EAT! One of my favorites is one we sing (sometimes out of tune); The Johnny Appleseed Grace The Lord is good to me And so I thank the lord For giving me the things I need The sun and the rain and the apple seed, The Lord is good to me. For every seed that grows Shall grow into a tree And someday soon there’ll be apples there for everyone in the world to share. The Lord is good to me. One of my very favorites is one Ashley learned at St. Matthews Preschool in Mesa, AZ when she was 3. She would sing this too us and it always brought a tear to my eye to hear her sweet little voice sing this grace for us. Thank you Father for today For food and drink and love and play, Amen With the Holidays rushing up so quickly I hope you and your family are blessed this year and I want you to know that all of you at Summerlin Presbyterian Church are a big part of what we Newton’s are thankful for. Thank you for the blessings of your friendship and love. The Family Fireside is a new column I've included this month inspired by this first article by Cayce Newton. Family Fireside will be the place for families at SPC to share their lives, their traditions and stories. Send your submissions to Scott Thrasher at scott@thrasherarts.com.

STORIES FROM MISSIONARIES IN CHINA For the past two years we have been praying for this family who are relatives of Barbara Ludwig serving as teachers in China. Their names are withheld for protection as families have been escorted out of the country and worse for being caught preaching Christianity. They are due to come home in January. Please continue praying for this family and their ministry. Dear Friends, Well, it's that time of year again. Every year, late September or beginning October, China celebrates Mid Autumn Festival. This traditional holiday is based on the lunar calendar. Every year, Chinese people eat a big feast, go outside and view the full moon and eat Moon Cakes. Moon Cakes you ask, yes they sound delicious; but J despises them, D is afraid of them, and unfortunately, I love them! The best way to describe them is a greasy cookie with some sort of chewy filling (and no, not at all like a fried pie). Many of the flavors are fruit based, or some have fruit and nuts and oats, if you close your eyes (really tight) it could taste like a Dutch apple pie. But many other flavors are MUCH more interesting. Like barbecued pork, mutton, fish and anything else you would never put in a cookie! And of course these delicacies are given to friends, family and co-workers, ensuring a pleasant and tasty moon viewing evening! And the best news of all, they make so many moon cakes that we will be able to buy them until after Christmas! Our family decided to also celebrate Mid Autumn Festival. Except our feast turned out to be chicken salad sandwiches and Doritos (which you have to buy in another city). And my family also decided to nix the moon cakes, but definitely determined to go moon viewing. We dawned our PJ's (ok, just the kids) and trekked outside only to realize that Mid Autumn Festival also happens to coincide with the cloudiest day on earth. So, as disappointed as my son was not to howl at the moon we still enjoyed the adventure of another day living in China. So many fun and funny things happen to us here, and we often forget to share those things. We thought we would share some of the things that make this place unique. men riding scooters that have office chairs attached to it, and wearing white gloves to drive Pregnant women riding motorcycle taxis children screaming, "it's a foreigner" as we pass by McDonalds allowing patrons to "heat up" other food brought inside being told you are fat, to your face! men calling a time-out during basketball game for a smoke break stairs in front of a handicap space ballroom dancing every morning in the park government law stating one child per family metal playgrounds built on cement split pants (will explain later) friends who won't eat beef because their mother was born in the year of the bull and feel it would be disrespectful Chinese believers faithful to share EVERY day As you can see, a lot happens here that you don't see everyday. But one thing remains true around the world. He is calling more and more worshippers to himself. What a joy it is to witness something that unique. Blessings to you, Family F Where have you seen God working in your life or in the lives of those around you? Seen you articles and submissions to GOD Sightings and share your story or testimony. Scott Thrasher - scott@thrasherarts.com

Christian Pumpkin Carvings I am a Jack O' Lantern My light will shine so bright For I am a Christian pumpkin My symbols tell what's right. My nose is like the cross on which on Savior died To set us free from sin We need no longer hide. My mouth is like a fish The whole wide world to show That Christians live in this house And love their Savior so! The story starts at Christmas My eyes are like the star That shone on Baby Jesus And wise men saw from far My color it is orange Just like the big bright sun That rose on Easter Day Along with God's own Son. And so on Halloween Let's set our pumpkins out And tell the trick or treaters What God's love is all about! ~Author Unknown~

HEY HERE'S A TIP: SHARE JESUS WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS BOO! The thought of Halloween conjures up many dark images; witches, ghosts and goblins, I love it, but it's a great opportunity for a little evangelism as well. Hey, what other time of the year do people actually flock to your door and ask you for a gift. I say, turn about is fair play. Not only are there children at your door but usually a few adults just waiting for a kind word. Why not cleverly spread the Good News or invite them to our church?	(Click on thumbnail) Halloween Evangelism Card
Click on the thumbnail on this page and print some Halloween evangelism cards I've made for your convenience. Include them with the candy you hand out on Halloween night. You might also stop by Christian Family Bookstore and pick up some favors with Christian messages. What could be scarier than missing great opportunities to do God's work.
KID'S CORNER is a monthly column for SPC children. If you have ideas, submissions or would like to take this column on as a project please contact Scott Thrasher at scott@thrasherarts.com.

HEY HERE'S A TIP:

SHARE JESUS WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS