Issue #13 - May 2007

Minister's Message

On January 9, Balloon Ascension Day was celebrated in America. January 16 was our chance to celebrate Prohibition Remembrance Day. Hold on to your socks, on October 16 of this year you have a choice. You can celebrate Boss Day, Dictionary Day, Ether Day, or National Feral Cat Day. I do not know how, but these are all real national holidays. None of them piqued my curiosity.

However, there is another national holiday that caught my attention. Around late April or early May, most major Christian denominations celebrate Rural Life Sunday. I am not really sure who invented this day or why. But, it made me start thinking.

Life is just different in a rural setting. While working as a chaplain in Mifflinburg, PA, I was reminded of this. Mifflinburg is Amish country. So, the pace of life is even slower there. Folks there are simpler (not dumber, just simpler). People are not so up tight and easily upset. The busy-ness of city life creates an environment that is markedly different from that of rural areas. Because their lives are simpler, people in a rural area often remain focused on what really matters: faith, family, friends, and helping others.

In some ways, Louisa has that rural atmosphere where the values are simpler. Life is not fancy here. People are more likely to wave and say, "Hello."

I am often asked if I am only working in Louisa until I am called to be the Senior Minister of a large urban church. I cannot help but laugh when I hear that question. So many people assume that no one would want to work in a rural area as an Associate Minister.

I could not think of many reasons to trade my position in for a big city Senior Minister job. Only here am I able to get to know all of the youth in the church. Only here do I know that people will help me if I ever need it.

Occasionally, I remember that Jesus was sort of a country boy like myself. He lived in a small town. It is possible that he may have worked in a large town, Sephorris, before beginning his ministry. Other than that, to the best of my knowledge, he spent very little time in large cities.

Unlike some people, I do not necessarily think that city life or rural life is better. But, I think that Rural Life Sunday reminds us all of the value of where we live. Let's treasure this place. It is a great place to grow our faith.

~ Matthew

The Rev. Nancy Copin

Many friends, relatives and members of Snow Creek Christian Church (DOC) in Martinsville, Va., attended a memorial service on Wednesday night to mourn the death of Disciples pastor Nancy Copin.

The popular minister was found slain in her home on April 5. Charles Vincent Cobler, 40, a Franklin County, Va., man who had visited the church on Palm Sunday, was arrested in Ohio April 8 and later charged with her murder.

Copin joined the Virginia Region of the Christian Church (DOC) two years ago and was known throughout the region for her enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to justice.

~ www.disciples.org

A Word of Thanks

At the Board meeting last month, it was mentioned that John Jerl Purcell had written the ministers' contracts for many years. One of the Board members mentioned that a formal thanks should be offered for this service that John had fulfilled for so long.

It was also noted that Harvey Fleshman had been taking care of the church lawn as a service to the church. Several people agreed that a debt of gratitude was owed to Harvey.

So many people do so much for Louisa Christian Church. Ruby Anne Madison has played the organ for worship for quite some time now. Wilson Perkins has put a ton of time into taking care of the church and parsonages. Becky Cavanaugh, a busy woman outside of church, has done a great job serving as the chair of the Board. Pat and Mary have done a lot of work out of the goodness of their hearts to keep our choir sounding sharp.

So many people do so much good in this church. Many thanks go to all of these folks.

Board News

Recent board news:

Schedules

Acolytes

May: Abbie S. - Corey S.
June: David S. - Amber W.
July: Katelyn P. - Jack P.
August: Andrew P. - Amber W.

A Great Joke

A father was reading a Bible story to his young son. He read, "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt."

His son asked, "What happened to the flea?"

Lectionary

May 6, 2007
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 148
Revelation 21:1-6
John 13:31-35

May 13, 2007
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
John 14:23-29

May 20, 2007
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 16:16-34
Psalm 97
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20
John 17:20-26

May 27, 2007
Pentecost
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:14-17
John 14:8-17, (25-27)

Take a moment and read these scriptures each week!

Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Youth Activities

Worship

Sunday School every Sunday at 10 AM
Worship Service following at 11 AM
Prayer Service each Wednesday at noon

Every Wednesday we offer a Bible Study at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM
Community Youth Night every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:15 PM

Louisa Christian Church
P.O. Box 1344
104 Elm Avenue
Louisa, VA 23093

www.louisachristianchurch.org

Rev. Burnette: 540-967-4884
Email

Rev. Ricks: 804-683-3537
Email

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