JUST TOO BUSY

Rev. John Calvin Rhoad Jr.

                “A man named Jairus arrived; he was an official in the local synagogue. He threw himself down at Jesus' feet and begged him to go to his home, because his only daughter, who was twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went along, the people were crowding him from every side. Among them was a woman who had suffered from severe bleeding for twelve years; she had spent all she had on doctors, but no one had been able to cure her. She came up in the crowd behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak, and her bleeding stopped at once. Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" Everyone denied it, and Peter said, "Master, the people are all around you and crowding in on you." But Jesus said, "Someone touched me, for I knew it when power went out of me." The woman saw that she had been found out, so she came trembling and threw herself at Jesus' feet. There in front of everybody, she told him why she had touched him and how she had been healed at once. Jesus said to her, "My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace."

                While Jesus was saying this, a messenger came from the official's house. "Your daughter has died," he told Jairus; "don't bother the Teacher any longer." But Jesus heard it and said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; only believe, and she will be well." When he arrived at the house, he would not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, and James, and the child's father and mother. Everyone there was crying and mourning for the child. Jesus said, "Don't cry; the child is not dead---she is only sleeping!" They all made fun of him, because they knew that she was dead. But Jesus took her by the hand and called out, "Get up, child!" Her life returned, and she got up at once, and Jesus ordered them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astounded, but Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what had happened. “

 Luke 8:41-56 (Good News Bible)

            Jesus in this story is confronted by a man named Jarius that is “an official” - quite likely meaning that he is wealthy and a very important person in their culture. Even still, Jarius falls at Jesus’ feet and informs Jesus that his daughter is terminal. It is apparent, and I believe obvious, that this important and influential man, Jarius, personally believes that Jesus can heal his daughter despite the severity of her condition.

            The story continues, with Jesus, appearing to have “celebrity like interest” as the crowd gathering around Jesus is nearly crushing Him. Jesus is suddenly touched by a woman that was sick, had been sick for a long time, and that had run out of options. I believe the point is, this woman had tried everything within her power to be healed. The sickness the woman had would have meant that she was forced to live as an outcast probably even among her own family. Her social life was non-existent, her family life was non-existent, she couldn’t go to Church, or the market and if in public she was probably forced to proclaim herself unclean verbally anytime she got near another person. She was at her end, Jesus was her last hope, and she got close enough to simply touch the “edge of his cloak“. This woman, as a result, was healed instantly because, as Jesus relates, “her faith healed her”.

            From this story we appreciate just how busy Jesus was. So many people clamoured for His attention. Yet, Jesus was readily available. He was there both for the influential and important, just as He was for the downtrodden and disenfranchised.

            Are you just too “busy” these days with “important” things that you forget about others who may be needing your help and attention?

            It is rather straightforward to have time available, and to take care of those people that we look up to or respect, but are you able to move outside of your comfort zones and really touch the stranger, the outcast, the un-loveable, those people living “on the edge” of society?  It is hard. But may we seek Jesus lead. May you personally touch those that God gives you an opportunity for - regardless of that persons status within society.

            And an awesome, final point for our consideration from this Gospel story, is how it ends: Jesus didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention upon Himself for what He did. Jesus was simply satisfied living and doing the will of God.

            What a tremendous challenge for all of us! Go and do, in faith.

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March Birthdays March 1 Daniel Cahill  March 11 Kelley Bechtold     March 11 Ram Rhoad         March 14 Sandy Nelson March 22 Cindy Droppers        March 27 Vicky Tipton

Secret Sister Tea Sunday, March 9th  at 2 p.m.

2008 Communion Servers	Lent and Easter Ecumenical Schedule Lenten IV Service Wednesday, Mar 5 @ Resurrection Lutheran 5:30 p.m. – soup supper and 6:15 p.m. worship Lenten V Service Wednesday, Mar 12 @ First Baptist 5:30 p.m. – soup supper and 6:15 p.m. worship Maundy Thursday Service Thursday, Mar 20 @ Oahe Presbyterian 6:30 p.m. worship and communion Good Friday Ecumenical Service Friday, Mar 21 @ Oahe Presbyterian 12:15 p.m. – 12:55 p.m. Easter Sunrise Service Sunday, Mar 23 @ Resurrection Lutheran Lenten & Holy Week Services  will be based on Gregory L. Tolle’s book “Experiencing Easter”, The Lenten Journey from Death to Life, CCS Publishing Co. 2007 If you are interested in your own copy of the book please let the office know.
DATE CUBED BREAD JUICE ASSIST 03/02/08 Duane Jenner Lee Baron Mary Jenner Joe Nadenicek 03/20/08 MdyThurs  Candy Sowers Cindy Droppers   04/06/08 Renee Sears Lloyd Kannegieter Sandy Nelson Ruth Smith 05/04/08 Glenda Woodburn Monty Bechtold Ron Woodburn Peggy echtold 06/01/08 Ken Meyer Shirleen Fugitt Peggy Meyer Mike Fugitt 07/06/08 Shirley Eisnach Mary Sherman   08/03/08 Candy Sowers Kay Johnson Renee Sears Lloyd Kannegieter 09/06/08 Larry Nelson Mike Fugitt Sandy Nelson Marijean Petersen 10/05/08 Paula Vockrodt John Ellefson Shirley Eisnach Margaret Ellefson 11/02/08 Mary Jenner Ron Woodburn Duane Jenner Glenda Woodburn 12/07/08 Meleta DeJong Ken Meyer Larry DeJong Peggy Meyer 01/04/09 Kay Johnson Peggy Bechtold Monty Bechtold Candy Sowers 02/01/09 Joe Nadenicek Marijean Petersen Pat Henderson Lee Baron   “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.”  --Oswald Chambers

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OAHE PW - STILL DOING GOD’S WORK WITH A "PR0GRESSIVE" FLARE
By Cindy Droppers, PW Moderator

Twenty some years ago when Oahe PW members headed west to their very first Retreat at Camp Rimrock we were anticipating a weekend of Bible study, fellowship, food and fun. That happened all right.  But not as we had planned it.

Due to a late snow storm the week before we got there the electricity was out at the camp. What to do? Find some place warm until they had things back up and running at the camp. So we packed up the food and headed back to Rapid City to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at Westminster Presbyterian Church. We weren't going to let a little lack of electricity stop us from having a fun and rewarding Retreat.

We would come back to the camp later when they had the heat going. And that is exactly what we did. And a fun weekend was had by all who attended. Until, that is, we got a call on Sunday saying that there was another snow storm coming. So we packed up earlier than planned and headed for home. It was a VERY LONG trip home which included one of our vehicles performing a rather interesting double spin around in the middle of the road.

Once we got back to Pierre we gathered together to calm down, talk about our trip home and to have an evening meal made up of the food we had hauled out to camp, then to Rapid City, then back to the camp and then back to Pierre. Ever since then that weekend has been referred to as our Progressive Retreat.

It seems that we haven't changed much in all of the years since. We still tend to do things "progressively" from time to time. Take for example our plans for our January meeting which Shirleen had graciously volunteered to host. For Shirleen that morning brought along with it a severe case of vertigo and an unexpected trip to the doctor’s office. When notified that there was no place for PW to meet that night an email went out to the group saying that due to Shirleen being sick we would be having our meeting at the church. Something we never do but better than expecting someone to come home from work and then try to quick clean house and throw together a dessert before 7:00. So location number two it would be.

Later that day Peggy and Mary having heard the news of the change of location volunteered their home to be the place where we could gather. They even volunteered to get a dessert ready in time. Once again an email went out to various computers around town stating that once again the location of our PW meeting had been changed. Location number three would be the place where we would gather that evening.....providing another email didn't arrive stating differently. It didn't. So, being the flexible group that we have become, we all showed up that night at location number three ready for a fun evening together studying Gods Word and enjoying each others company.

The Presbyterian Women meetings are a time for mission, study and fellowship. The Bible study that we have been using for 2007 and 2008 is called "Above and Beyond Hearing God's Call in Jonah and Ruth". We began the study of Ruth at our January meeting by reading and discussing Ruth.

The key idea for our first lesson in Ruth is that "Ruth refused to let Naomi go. God's love will not let us go, either". Many of us are familiar with Ruth's comment in Ruth 1:16, "...Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God...." We have heard that at many weddings but Candy mentioned that it was especially touching to her as she thought of a daughter-in-law saying that to her mother-in-law. Her mother just moved in with her daughter-in-law in Tucson, AZ. They are both  widows.

The similarities of this current situation and the account of Ruth are touching and remind us that the Bible is still a living, relevant book that can and should impact our lives. During the study we uncovered so many things that we may not have considered before. The next three chapters of Ruth beckon. Hopefully we will be challenged to put some of the principals into action so that our lives reflect God's love and give hope to people who are discouraged.

PW is for all women in the congregation. Please feel free to come join us as we study the book of Ruth, discuss the work of Presbyterian Women and enjoy dessert and fellowship! If you would like to attend the meetings but would feel more comfortable going along with someone from the group call Cindy Droppers, 224-6668, and she will make arrangements for someone to pick you up.

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New Orleans Update
As the night darkens the earth and morning brightens the sky so is the city of New Orleans divided.  The tourist areas [French Quarter, Downtown, Uptown and the Garden District] are alive and well and bustling with traffic and visitors.  The outlying neighborhoods, particularly those close to Lake Pontchartrain lie dark, vacant and falling into disrepair.  In the Lakeview neighborhood where the OPC crew worked last summer the houses are either abandoned or have been bulldozed to the concrete slab on which they once stood.  Green space now appears where once family homes stood; where once families held barbeques and children rode bikes and played ball.  Malls and restaurants have been abandoned with owners no longer wishing to rebuild where residents are unlikely to return.  Churches are being abandoned as congregations having fled the city during the storm settled elsewhere during the interim. As time goes by the fear brought on by Katrina increases.  Shock is gone; replaced by uncertainty of the future, fear of the present, and mental and physical illnesses caused by the stress of being “Katrinaized”.  Even those who held positive attitudes a year ago are now beginning to think of selling their property and finding other areas in which to settle and start again. Alcoholism, divorce and crime have increased two-fold since August, 2005.  The city has, in the past year, averaged a murder a week with no particular reason as to why the crimes are occurring except the instigators think it’s their “right”.	2008 -  typical home in the Lakeview neighborhood   Yolanda’s house, now completed..Lakeview..Feb, 2008
One gentleman whose home was repaired thanks to Presbyterian volunteers refuses to leave his FEMA trailer…afraid to move back into the home in which he “rode” out the hurricane.  Comfort for him is his tiny trailer.  That comfort will be short-lived as the city wants the FEMA trailers removed from the properties. Along the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to the Alabama state line (Pass Christian, Gulf Port, Biloxi, etc.) the homes, the businesses are totally nonexistent.  There again, where only three years ago there were cities full of life and people there is now only sand and weeds.  Anything recognizable has disappeared. Prayers for the survivors and the communities are needed, perhaps now more than ever. ---Meleta DeJong Chair, Mission Outreach Committee

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I WAS WONDERING?

Why do you wear a black cape for Sunday service? 

       Well, your pastor, John Rhoad does not do it because he really thinks he is a superhero ready to jump into action. Wouldn’t that be something? He also doesn’t wear it to make our worship seem too serious or heavy-handed.

            The black cape is called a Geneva gown. The black Geneva gown has a long tradition in our church denomination that dates back to the Reformation in the 1500’s. It was a gown worn by all the academic teachers of the universities and colleges and quickly became worn as the proper attire for disseminating God’s Word during worship services in the Churches by all the preachers of the day. The actual intent of the black gown is to relate to the congregation how we believe the Word of God, our Bible, is the most central and important thing in our worship to God and that we need to study from it.

            The Reformation taught, and we still believe today, that the Bible should be accessible to every person and it should be regularly read and studied. During the Reformation, this was a novel idea. The church, prior to that time, did everything it could to keep the Bible away from people. This was done because many church leaders had a superstitious worry that people reading God’s Word could be harmed. The Reformers knew this was nonsense, and so they did everything they could to educate people on the Word of God as well as having their own personal copy. The black Geneva gown when worn, further impressed upon the congregation the sincere dedication and devotion of the clergy and also the congregation to understanding and relating to God’s written Word.

            John will be happy to come to your home for a visit, if invited; but don’t worry, he won’t be wearing the “cape”.

Why do we not do lectionary readings?

        Lectionary readings are a very old innovation within the church where the Gospels were broken down into a yearly reading along with Scripture from the Epistles (Letters), Wisdom Literature (i.e. Psalms, Proverbs…) and Old Testament prophecy and history books. The lectionary functions to try and relate Old Testament with New Testament readings and show its relevance and unity of discourse and doctrine.

            In Scotland, during the Second-Reformation of the 1600’s the Church of England attempted to force the English Prayer Book (Lectionary) on the Scottish National Kirk (Church) - which we know as the Presbyterian Church. A few brave clergy and parishioners said - NO - as they resented a formula to be used in worship that would rigidly proscribe their Scripture and prayers and worship service, in general. They believed in freedom to preach over God’s Word as they were lead by the Holy Ghost.

        In contemporary times, over the last few decades, lectionary usage has increased over many different denominations, including the Presbyterian Church USA.

            Lectionary readings can be helpful through a guided reading of the Bible; but this can also present an inflexibility for worship. Without the lectionary readings we have more freedom to see the leading of God by the Holy Spirit and relate and uncover passages of Scripture that may have more current relevance to our own congregations’ circumstance. This is mainly why pastor John Rhoad chooses not to use the lectionary readings.

            Lectionary readings, you may find, can be excellent for personal devotions and study, as Pastor John does on a weekly basis ecumenically with other local pastors. You too, are strongly encouraged and recommended to use the lection in a similar way.

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The job description for the Christian Education
did not appear in the February newsletter. 

Here it is in its entirety...

Christian Education Committee 2008

Purpose: 

To provide for the growth of its members and to equip them for ministry through personal and pastoral care,

To provide educational programs including the church school, sharing in fellowship and mutual support, and opportunities for witness and service to the world.

To develop and supervise the church school and educational program of the church.

            --Book of Order G10.0102

Meetings

• Meetings of the Christian Education committee shall be held no less than quarterly
• Meetings shall include the pastor as the pastor’s schedule allows with the pastor’s knowledge of the meeting and agenda if pastor is unable to attend

Responsibilities

• Provide an educational program that is consistent with Reformed teaching about the Scriptures and presents the good news of Christ in the most innovative and engaging ways possible

• Supervise the church school and educational program for children and youth by providing appropriate curriculum and calendar of activities
• Provide learning opportunities for adults so their faith and knowledge can grow, be challenged and stretched
• Train adults as they grow in personal faith and prepare to bear witness to the world
• Provide training for new church officers
• Provide Vacation Bible School opportunities
• Promote and support camping opportunities to members and friends
• Be responsible for the development and maintenance of the Church library—to provide materials of importance, relevance and interest
• Work in conjunction with the Worship committee, to provide a Christmas program involving the youth of the church

RELATIONSHIPS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The committee is accountable to the session.  It will present a written report to the session following each committee meeting.

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Cowboy in Church
(Anonymous)

       One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged.

     In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out Bible. The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories.

As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him;.  They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it. 

As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor.  “Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship.”

The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.

The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots and hat.  Once again he was completely shunned and ignored.  

The preacher approached the man and said, “I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church.”

“I did,” replied the old cowboy.  “If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?” asked the preacher.

“Well, Reverend,”, the old cowboy responded, “God told me that he didn’t have a clue what I should wear.  He said, He’d never been in this church.”

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Highlights from Presbytery Meeting

By Duane Jenner, Elder Commissioner to Presbytery.

On Friday February 22, 2008 Pastor John and I traveled to the First Presbyterian Church located in Lake Andes. The meeting started with a wonderful worship service. As part of the worship service, a recognition of retirement was conducted to honor the Rev. Dr. Bart Brenner, Interim Executive Presbyter, the Rev. James Clarke from the 1^st Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen, and the Rev. Nancy Kapp from the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Andes. All three were moved to the Honorably retired status by a vote of the Presbytery later in the day. 

Highlights from the business meeting include the following:

A presentation was made by Elaine Miller who represents the Yankton School of Theology. They have been in operation for 12 years and are sponsored by the United Church of Christ. They provide training through out the state at various sites. They are an approved Presbytery of South Dakota program for individuals to attend in order to become Commissioned as a Lay Pastor.

Reports were received from various commissions, i.e. Sudanese Commission, Korean Commission, and the Roscoe Commission. The Sudanese worship community continues to operate in Sioux Falls, have their own pastor who is involved in doing much community work with the Sudanese immigrants. The Korean worship community is doing well and continues to grow in the Sioux Falls area however have just recently added some new members who come from outside of the City of Sioux Falls. The Roscoe Commission was established to dispose of the Roscoe Presbyterian church property. It was reported that is nearly completed and the funds (about $10,000.00) will be given to the Camping Committee.

Doug Hoffman, Associate for Camping reported that the Summer camp schedule has been sent out to all churches in the Presbytery. There are 14 different camps scheduled, the first beginning on May 16^th with a fishing weekend and ending with a teen camp on August 1^st. Doug also indicated that volunteers are needed (Bus Chaperones, Cooks, and Counselors). If you know of any one who might be interested, contact should be made with Doug at 605-343-6171 or 605-595-2280 or by email at doug.hoffman@camprimrock.org  . He also indicated three very specific facility needs. The septic system is in need of repair (approximate cost $4000.), need for a new double door refrigerator, and roof repair (part of the funds have already been pledged for the roof repair however another $2000 is needed).

Upon the recommendation of Council, the Presbytery approved a revised 2008 budget for the Presbytery with income of $396,000 and expenses of $404,611. The difference is made up with carry over from this past year. The budget includes POSD staff but does not include the Camp Committee’s camp budget.

The body also approved several recommendations form the Administrative Review Committee in regards to the Child Protection Policy. The changes put into the manual of Administrative Operations who is responsible for background checks for any staff  who will be in contact with children or youth in carrying out such activities of the Presbytery.

Many more items of business were conducted of great importance to our Presbytery however the details of it all is beyond my reporting abilities.

The next Presbytery meeting will be held June 6 & 7 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls.

One other exciting thing occurred separate from the meeting. A number of Elders only briefly met over the lunch hour and made a commitment to Pray daily for every minister, and Church in the Presbytery. Praying began on Friday February 22 and is to continue until the next Presbytery meeting on June 6^th. Index cards with the name of a Pastor or Church, if vacant, were passed around to the Elders. The list also included honorably retired members of this Presbytery. I would invite each of you to join me in praying for the following pastors that I have agreed to pray daily for. They are: Rev. John Rhoad, Rev. Allen Sager from Wessington and Rose Hill, Rev. Kenneth Newell, founding pastor of our church, now living in Sioux Falls, and Rev. Howard “Skip” Smith, former pastor of Oahe,  who lives in Sturgis. Just think of the possibilities with all this prayer.

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