Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian

Must Do Christmas Events at SHPC

mlampley — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:58:42 +0000

Come participate with friends and neighbors at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church. You’ll be glad you came.

Sunday, Dec. 5 at 8:30 and 11:00 Worship including Communion and at 6:00pm Sequoyah Hills Neighborhood Christmas Tree Lighting with Joyful Noise Singers

Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7:00 pm Christmas Concert with Knoxville Synphony and SHPC Adult Choir

Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 pm Joyful Noise and Joyful Praise Children’s Concert

Friday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Worship at 5:00 and 9:00 pm. (Infant care available at 5 only)

Sunday, Dec. 26 at 11:00 am (combined worship service)

Sunday, Jan. 2 at 11:00 am (combined worship service)

Sundays Jan. 23 and 30 inquirers / visitors classes offered at 9:30 am

mlampley — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 21:12:23 +0000

Dear Friends,
How easily we can easily forget God’s miracles or lose the sense of wonder and awe of Jesus’ teaching in His simple yet profound parables. We can sometimes lose our ability to use our imagination and yawn through the mighty acts of God. Sometimes, we even calculate the wonders of science as merely man-made discoveries as if we don’t know who gave us this knowledge and revealed His truth to us in the first place.
As we change into the Fall, when mountains and rolling hills are explodes in a brilliance of colorful trees, lets pause and think on the things that are higher than these mountains, that are above earthly things.
God is working in our midst and our prayer should be to invite Him to use us and to give us a vital role be a part of His plan. Let God have His way with you. Imagine with a child. Dream about being on the mountain with Moses by the burning bush, or with James and John at Christ’s Transfiguration. Let’s not lose our sense of wonder and be amazed at God’s incredible handiwork and give thanks!
Grace and Peace,
Mark

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.”

YOUNG ADULT GATHERING
Singles, married, families, and youth are invited to join us for a potluck dinner (church will provides entree) next Sunday, Sept. 26 from 4-7pm Youth will have their own programming on site. RSVP to Mark (522-9804) by September 24.

YOUNG ADULT
Sunday School Options
(Begins at 9:30 a.m. in Spitzer Bldg.)

Young Couples study Luke 1 by Richard Smith
Foundations Class
The Bible and You`led by Bruce Lancaster

IT’S TRADITION… and this fall is no different. Join us for as we head back to Big South Fork in Oneida, Tennessee for camping on Friday, October 8. We’ll return on Sunday, October 1o (early afternoon). Sharing the Lord’s Supper outdoors is something I look forward to all year. The brochure is available by click HERE and offers details about activities, volunteer opportunities, costs for lodging/campsite, t-shirt and more information. RSVP directly by completing the registration form and turning in your check to Mark (MLampley@SequoyahChurch.org) or to Sonya & Mike Ewell (Sewell@SequoyahChurch.org).

Waiting Purposefully

mlampley — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:07:38 +0000

Dear Friends,
Waiting. We do it more than we like. With each passing moment our mind calculates the productive things we could be doing. After all, time is money, right? We don’t have time to wait. We gotta get going! What good can come out of waiting?
If we examine the Scriptures, God has plenty of wisdom about waiting – in fact a lot more than it does being productive! As I considered the importance of waiting, it also made me wonder why we are called to wait. Some of the justification seems to be because God works even in the times in between our “frantic, productive business”. It’s as though God, who sees all that we say and do, is saying, “I am with you – even in the midst of the present time and well into your next task at hand. Look for me – yes, even there!”
What are you in between? Is God there? Do you see Him at work? The Old Testament has numerous references and most of them involve us waiting on God. In the New Testament, Jesus told His disciples to “wait” for the promise of the Holy Spirit. And, of course, God was faithful to His Word; He delivered.
Our next question to ponder might be, “Should we try to create situations that allow us to wait on God, or is it only made known to us as a result of challenges where we feel ourselves spiritually being poured out, that we are becoming an offering for Christ and we are often unwilling to undertake?
I’ll be realistic. I don’t go out of my way to create scenarios that cause me to wait. Scripture though seems to point to that as being what Sabbath is all about. It is a time for us to reflect. Unfortunately, I do not take time regularly to count my blessings; to consider the needs of others above my own; or to wonder about the will of God in all of my hectic “racing around”. On the other hand, when I rest and take a day off, ironically, I have a higher chance of being renewed in my waiting.
All this to say that last weekend, our family did some creative loafing. With little on the agenda, it was a very nice “Sabbath”. It went against the grain of being productive. We also had to be very creative and purposeful about this and the result was that it was more fun than we have had in a long time.
Next time you find yourself waiting (intentionally or unintentionally) forget being productive, strike up conversation, and “consider things not on earth, but heavenly things.”

Grace and Peace,
Mark

Ps. 40 verse 1 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me
and heard my cry.”

CHURCHWIDE CAMPING TRIP
@ Big South Fork / October 8 – 10

COME TO THE PLANNING MEETING
ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
at 5:00 p.m. in Room 232

Please pray for our Pastor Nominating Committee who are waiting on the Lord’s direction; and for the pastor who is awaiting the call from our Session.

YOUNG ADULT
Sunday School Options
(Begins at 9:30 a.m. in Spitzer Bldg.) Young Couples Foundations Class studying Colossians 4 with Dr. Richard Smith and in the Foundations Class we study “From Books to Scripture” led by Dr. Bruce Lancaster

End of Aug blessing!

mlampley — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:21:27 +0000

Dear Friends,
Recently, I was getting my minivan repaired. As I told one of church members while I was waiting on the repair, cars are a blessing and a curse. It’s a huge blessing to have reliable transportation, but it is a curse when you try to repair something you think ought to cost about a certain amount – only to find it that it is going to cost four times that amount!
Praying for patience while I was lining up at the Customer Service Center, I was reminded that all this material stuff I take advantage of (and curse) is temporal. Physical things will not last forever. In fact, on my deathbed, what I had, what I learned, and things I thought that I knew, will be even more insignificant. In fact, we have to frequently remind ourselves that, “We can’t take it with us.” Whatever it is – a great job, a reliable car, a huge house, an impressive worn Bible, or a long row of trophies – we can’t take it with us
This is what the Teacher in Ecclesiastes 2 says, too.
10 I gave myself everything my eyes wanted.
      There wasn’t any pleasure that I refused to give myself.
   I took delight in everything I did.
      And that was what I got for all of my work.
11 But then I looked over everything my hands had done.
      I saw what I had worked so hard to get.
   And nothing had any meaning.
      It was like chasing the wind.
      Nothing was gained on this earth.
May God bless us with just enough trouble and opportunities to “do without” so that we can empathize with those around us and remind us all of the “stuff” pales in comparison to our inheritance from Christ.
Challenged,
Mark

“Only these three things
remain: faith, hope, and love and the greatest of these is love.”
1 Cor. 13

Foundations Class Party
Sunday Aug 29 @ 7:00-8:30 PM
Mark and Karen Lampley’s
1200 Park Glen Road (37919)

Bring you favorite party appetizer
Children welcome

RSVP to KarenLampley@comcast.net

Sunday School for Young Adults
Sundays, 9:30 am, Spitzer Building

Young Couples ~ Col. 2 with Mark Lampley and Foundations Class
OT Books of the Bible
with Bruce Lancaster

Sunday is Rally Day!

mlampley — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:04:17 +0000

Dear Friends,
This week, for some, is an anxious time. We know Scripture teaches, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and intercession, with thanksgiving let your request be known to God.” Applying this can be a challenge, so let’s intercede for each other and be God’s vessels for good to one another.
If you’re a college student, you probably have “syllabus shock”. If you’re a teacher, your summer has come to screeching halt with a couple dozen children who are “in your face constantly”. If you’re a parent and your child has started school or will soon start preschool, you have mixed feelings. Commonly, it is both thankfulness (your children are out of your hair) and sadness (because your kids are gone for a good part of the day). As we say during baptisms, we are but custodians of our children since they are a gift from God. We are here to shepherd them with love, nurture and lots of prayer!
This may be a season in your life where you will need more Scriptural support and biblical application in your life. Don’t wait! Get plugged in now. We have numerous opportunities to get involved in fellowship and studying the Word together. Join us this Rally Day Sunday (August 22) at our 8:30 and 11:00 services. Sunday school classes for children/youth and adult are offered. See the Christian Education Brochure HERE with detailed information about where to go and who your teachers are.
Peace,
Mark

STILLL NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR MISSIONS
IN NASHVILLE, a “Team of Volunteers” is preparing to help folks effected by recent floods.

Who?    Adults (8th grade and older (must be accompanied by parents)
What?   Nashville Flood Victim Mission Trip to Rebuild
Where? Westminster Presbyterian Church
When? (Wednesday – Saturday) September 22-25*
How?    Church bus roundtrip transportation provided
Cost?    $20 per person per day incl. meals except supper
Deadline? Register by August 29th at main office 522-9804
Questions? Call me or Ginny Lyon (523-1232)
*if you can go earlier they will accept help beginning Sept. 19

IN KNOXVILLE, we still need people to help at tables during the Rummage Sale at Pond Gap Elementary on Saturday, August 21 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.). See PondGapSale.com for details.

Prayers in celebration and intercession:
TORI AND SPADE ROSE announce the arrival of their daughter ANNA GREER on August 18th.
JENNY AND RYAN GREER announce the arrival of their daughter AMELIA RYAN on August 17th
JEN AND CORY BEILHARZ announce the arrival of their daughter MOLLY CLARK on August 6th.
BENNETT AND JULIE KIZER announce the arrival of their son WILLIAM BENNETT on July 29.
MARTY HAYS family with his grandfather’s death recently.
Taylor Hamilton’s mother, JANE, who is still recovering from heart problems.

JOIN US FOR RALLY DAY
Sunday, August 22
Worship Services at 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.

“CHILDREN AND WORSHIP” RESUMES
(after Children’s Time) THIS SUNDAY!!

Save the Date!
CHURCHWIDE
CAMPING TRIP
@ Big South Fork
October 8 – 10

“Continue to live your lives in Christ,
rooted and built up in Him
and established in the faith,
just as you were taught,
abounding in thanksgiving.”
COLOSSIANS 2:6

General Assembly of the PC(USA) brief summary

mlampley — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:51:07 +0000

Dear Friends,
Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church is one of 10,751 congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) which, as you may already know, is categorized into four parts. The Sessions are at the local level, Presbyteries at the regional level, Synods which encompasses multiple states, and General Assembly that covers the entire United States.

Our denominational meetings of the G.A. are held every other year so we can be good stewards of funds. The G.A. is going on this week in Minneapolis and the following includes some of the updates that I thought you would be interested in.

Cynthia Bolbach, an elder and lawyer from National Capital Presbytery, was elected Moderator of the 219th General Assembly beating out 5 other candidates. She will serve for two years in this Moderator capacity.
The group that examined over a three year period Christian marriage and civil unions has reported to a committee. That report with minor changes will be voted on at the end of the week. Among other things it discusses Scriptural understandings of Christian marriages and our role of compassion and unity in God’s church for all unions.

There was a paper that addressed relations with Christians and Jews. The body debated two hours whether to receive it or not, and as the body determined the will of God, they ended that debate with a negative vote, sighting that it needs further study and that we ought to work together with more people in order that everyone is adequately heard.

We now have an addition to our Book of Confessions which is called the Belhar Confession.
Jane Dempsey Douglas, Princeton Seminary professor and a member of the special committee that studied and offered the proposal to the G.A., urged the confession’s adoption. “Adoption of the Belhar Confession will give witness to the new reality of our unity with churches in the global south,” she declared.

Additionally, there has been a recommendation to the assembly to retranslate from the original German the Heidelberg Catechism.
Certainly, there are many more items to report on than there is space here. Please feel free to obtain reliable, relevant information about our denominational G.A. meeting at www.pcusa.org Please join me in praying for our church to continue to do God’s will.
Blessings, Mark

Sunday School this week (July 11th) will be on “Practical Ways to Fulfill
God’s Purpose in Your Relationships”
E P H E S I A N S 6

“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Eph. 3:16

READING OF THE GOSPEL OF MARK
Listen to a reading of the Gospel of Mark like a first century listener!
Join us for a reading of the Mark’s Gospel this Sunday, July 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Room 318 (Spitzer Bldg). Dessert and discussion to follow!
No reservations are needed. Please bring a pen and paper to take notes. This is sponsored by the Mark’s Gospel from Scratch Bible study. All are welcome.

Good Times in NC

mlampley — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:52:33 +0000

Dear Friends,
Last week was very special to me for many reasons. First, I was able to spend time with my extended family. Since I wasn’t going to be with them over the holiday weekend, we shared a meaningful supper together. Secondly, I was blessed to be at Montreat Conference Center. It is one of my favorite places. We attended the Worship and Music Conference (one of over 30 conferences that offered there).
We shared creative worship ideas and participated in educational and stimulating Old and New Testament studies. The feeling of renewal is very vivid in the western mountains of North Carolina. We found renewal in activities that varied from hikes, walking along creeks, and through reading. Each activity added to me literally breathing deeply and being in awe of our Creator. Finally, the Lord challenged me to think more about the sacraments in everyday living. I am still learning about the mysteries of grace and hope that you’ll join me in considering their significance to your spiritual journey.
Peace, Mark

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time
we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up.”
Gal. 6:9

Adult Sunday School, July 4 at 9, Spitzer 322
“Practical Ways to Fulfill
God’s Purpose in
Your Relationships”
E P H E S I A N S 6

Remember Worship is at 10 and we celebrate Communion in our combined worship!

mlampley — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:54:57 +0000

Please pray for Riley Landers who is recovering from a car accident.

mlampley — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:49:48 +0000

Thanks so much to all the volunteers for Vacation Bible School this week. It’s been a great success. We had about 130 children, many of whom are from other churches and some do not have a place to call their church home. Thanks to all who helped!

“Because of God’s great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead to sin- it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:4

We’ve been adopted!

mlampley — Fri, 28 May 2010 20:55:38 +0000

Dear Friends,
There are two families that I know of in our congregation that are in the process of adopting children. Joining them in prayer and waiting has been a lesson in patience and hope. Ephesians 1 describes our spiritual blessings in Christ, and among other things, the author encourages us to realize the blessing of being adopted by God. It states:
“God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in God’s sign. In love, God predestined us to be adopted as His children through Jesus Christ.”
At a recent adoption ceremony, where the family invites friends and family for both an intentional recognition of the handing over the newborn and a celebration of the love and anticipation that the receiving family is offering the child is a great image of how much the child is loved. It is, to me, a picture of God’s grace. If you consider grace to mean undeserved goodness, then it is similar because this child did not do anything to earn the family and friends who stand over him in prayer for his future wellbeing. It is this same ceremony that gives us a picture of the grace extended to the child whose life is received with gratitude and great rejoicing.
God looks at us this way ie. lovingly and admiringly because of Christ’s work. We have not done anything to deserve adoption from such a wonderful heavenly parent, yet God chose us to be His beloved children. We have been given new and eternal life and upon accepting Christ, have been engrafted into a family of faith, and offered immeasurable grace. What blessings! Let us respond by living as thankful people!
Assured,
Mark

“Let your light so SHINE before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.”
Matthew 5:16

We celebrate with Hayes into the household of faith.
JABO AND ANNE EMERY’S son, HENRY HAYES EMERY, was baptized on May 23.

in our thoughts prayers . . .
SHANNON HARPER and his family who are mourning the loss of his uncle.
DAVID CASSADA’S father who is recovering from a recent illness.

A SPECIAL
THANK YOU
to all of our volunteers and our youth families
for making our
end of the year cookout so much fun!

Remember new summer schedule SS and worship times! Bring a friend, too.
JUNE 6—AUGUST 15
SUNDAY SCHOOL
@ 9:00 a.m. (Spitzer Bldg.)

ONE WORSHIP SERVICE
@ 10 a.m. (Sanctuary)

YOUNG COUPLES’ CLASS & FOUNDATIONS CLASS
Room 319 (Spitzer Building) This Sunday at 9:30 (June time changes)
Led by Mark Lampley this Sunday

Ephesians: Building The Body of Christ

May 30 God’s Purpose & Our Prayer (Ch. 1)
June 6 Fulfilling God’s Purpose Part 1 (Ch. 2)
June 13 Fulfilling God’s Purpose Part 2 (Ch. 3)
June 20 Practical Ways to Serve God in the Church (Ch. 5)
June 27 Practical Ways to Serve God in Relationships (Ch. 6)