The Bond of Love

Vol. 66, August, September, October 2007 

God Bless America!

Alpine Community Presbyterian Church

Rev. Laura Joost-Kuhn

P.O. Box 658, Alpine, AZ, Phone: (928) 339-1867

e-mail address – www.alpinepres.org

11:00 a.m. Worship Service – 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study

 

 

GOD’S BOUQUET

 

You must bloom where you are planted

In the garden we call life,

And bring some special beauty to

Each corner where there’s strife.

 

Perhaps you’re but a dandelion,

Wishing you were a rose,

Yet in this place of growing things,

You’re the one God chose.

 

It’s up to you to finish what

The Good Lord has begun,

By growing just the way you should

And face the rising sun.

 

There’s room for you, if you but choose,

In a glorious array

Of beauty from God’s garden, that

He’ll add to his bouquet.

                                     Sister Miriam Barker, C.D.S.

 

 

 

 

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

                                                                                Ecclesiastes 3: 11

 

 

You alone are the LORD.  You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that

is on it, the seas and all that is in them.  You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

                                                                      Nehemiah 9: 6

 

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

God bless you on your birthday! 

                August                                              September  

   1       Joan Hitchcock                       15        Deanna Wynd

   5       Gloria Folsom                         20        Mike Hitchcock

 15       Mary Janezic                           21        Margaret Maurer

 15       Jerry McCasland                     21        Lucille Rastad

 18       Marlene Guy                            22        Madalynne

 23       Dan Allyn                                                  Henderson                                                October

                                      4        Lorraine Carr

                                     12       Dick Wynd

                                     13       Charles Fowler

                                     13       John Janezic

                                     14       Steve Bingham         

                                     18       Grace Cokeley

                                     

Praying that the Lord will bless your day with

happiness and may this birthday be the

beginning of a truly beautiful year.

 

   DATES TO REMEMBER

 

August 5                      Holy Communion

August 9                      Presbyterian Women, 1:00 p.m.

August 11                    Dinner Theater at which we do the meal

August 19                    Session & Board of Deacons meetings

August 23                    Presbyterian Women, 1:00 p.m.

August 26                    Potluck after worship service

August 26                    Community Hymn Sing – 6:30 p.m.

                                               

September 2               Holy Communion

September 13             Presbyterian Women, 1:00 p.m.

September16              Session & Board of Deacons meetings

September 23             Potluck after worship service

September 27             Presbyterian Women, 1:00 p.m.

September 30             Community Hymn Sing – 6:30 p.m.

               

October 7                    Holy Communion

October 21                  Session & Board of Deacons meetings

October 28                  Potluck after worship service

October 28                 Community Hymn Sing – 6:30 p.m.

CHURCH/COMMUNITY NEWS

 

WELCOME BACK TO OUR SUMMER FRIENDS

            We sincerely welcome our summer friends back to the White Mountains and the Alpine Community Presbyterian Church.  We have missed you and are pleased you are back with us once more.  Our church family is now complete.

 

IN LOVING MEMORY

            We are sad to report that Julia Jenks from Tucson, Arizona and Luna, New Mexico passed away on April 20.  She and her husband “Pat” had celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on September 2 of last year.  A memorial service was held April 27 at the Northwest Community Friends Church in Tucson.  Our condolences go to Pat and the family.

 

NORTON’S HAVE MOVED

            Shilow, Sarah, Tanner, and Kreeden Norton have moved to Snowflake, Arizona; Shilow received a promotion resulting in a transfer to the Heber Forestry location.  Though they will be sorely missed, we wish them well. 

 

ANOTHER MOVE

            For those of you who knew Madalynne Henderson, she is now living in Florida with her daughter and son-in-law, due to ill health.  Her address is:  514 Georgene Rd., Haines City, FL 33844.  She didn’t attend church very often, but did support us with a monthly contribution.  She’d be delighted to hear from you.

 

COMMUNITY HYMN SING

            Our church hosted the latest hymn sing on June 24th.  Ken Thompson led the group and Linda Sonive played the piano. Betty Youse accompanied her with the guitar on one of the numbers. The Alpine Baptist Church hosted the July hymn sing; the Nutrioso Bible Church will be the host church in August.  Do join the group for an evening of good old-fashioned hymn singing, good eats, and warm Christian fellowship.

 

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

            The Women’s Presbyterian Bible Study group began their meetings Thursday, June 14th.  The group meets the second and fourth Thursday at 1:00 p.m. through September.  The topic for study this year is “In the Beginning” Perspectives on Genesis.  All women are welcome and encouraged to attend.  August meetings will be on the 10th and 24th; September meetings will be on the 14th and the 28th.  Do join us.

 

HIGHWAY CLEAN UP

            Our first highway clean up of the summer was held on June 5th.  Those helping were Chuck Corey, Jack and Karen Kuhrt, Tom White and Gay Aguirre-White, Mike Thiry, Laura Kuhn, Burt and Norma Miller, and Dick Wynd – a tip of the hat to each of you!  (See a related article later in the newsletter.)

 

PAT JENKS VISITS

            We were especially pleased to welcome Pat Jenks back to our church when he visited three different times in June and July.  He even sang his very special song, “It Took a Miracle“, for us on his first visit. On his third visit he had part of his family with him and a special friend.  This friend, Vicki Ligon, a former opera singer, sang for us a beautiful rendition of a song to which Pat had written the words.  Thank you, Pat; you are a true inspiration to all of us.

                        It took a miracle to put the stars in place;

It took a miracle to hang the world in space,

But when He saved my soul, cleansed and made me whole,

It took a miracle of love and grace!       Peterson

 

LADIES LUNCH-OUT

            The first ladies lunch-out was held in May at the Bluebird Café in Springerville, on June 15th at the Java Blues Restaurant’s new addition (though not complete yet), also in Springerville, and on July 20 at the Adobe Café on the turn-off to Reserve, New Mexico.  We have invited any ladies in the area to join us and several have, which pleased us.  As of now, the August luncheon place and date have not been announced.

 

ADULT BIBLE STUDY – Linda Sonive

            You know the Christmas story as recorded in Luke.  You’ve heard it every year since you were a child.  You probably even played the part of a shepherd, or Mary, or Joseph in a play.  And you know that Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room in the inn.  Well – guess what we have learned in our Adult Study?  Luke wrote in Greek (not English) and the Greek word ‘kataluma’ is used in the birth story as well as in the Passover story when Jesus instructed a couple of his disciples to go and ask for the ‘upper room’.  Kataluma means, basically, the guest room.  Isn’t that an interesting insight?  I find this type of learning exciting, and so do those who attend our church’s adult Bible study on Sunday mornings.  We Christians need to worship with others on a regular basis.  We also need to keep our minds open and learning.

            Years ago, when Dorothy Harris (our teacher) died, I said I would take the class, but I would not prepare lessons.  Instead, I thought we could use videos and such to encourage learning and discussion.  So – when you come the chances are pretty great that we will be watching or listening to someone who is an expert in the Bible, or related subjects, and then spending time in discussing, sharing, listening to each other.

            We are not alone on this journey here on earth; we need each other.  I encourage you to come and join others at 9:30 Sunday mornings.

 

DINNER THEATER

            Our church will be preparing and serving the dinner on Saturday, August 11th for the dinner theater melodrama production given by the Alpine Community Theater. It will be held at the Alpine Community Center.  We will be serving barbecued beef, beans, coleslaw, drinks, and a dessert.  The cost of a ticket is $20.00; we will receive $15.00 of that cost.  This will be a money-making event for us so please, if you are in the area, offer to help.  Contact either Deanna Wynd or Penny Corey, as they are co-chairpersons.  This is in place of the fashion show luncheon; we will not have that this year.

 

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER

            The date for our annual community Thanksgiving dinner will be Saturday, November 3rd.  If you are in the area, do plan to attend and help us with the food and serving.  More information will be announced in church as we approach November.

 

MISSION REPORT  - Betty Youse

            In the middle of the summer each year we take an offering on Blanket Sunday.  We aren’t cold; we’re just sending blankets and tools around the world to help people in need recover from disasters.  Our offering this year was $244.70.  It is sent to Church World Service to continue their assistance to the needy.  Blankets have been sent to the earthquake victims in Pakistan, tools went to returned farmers in the Balkans, wells have bee drilled to provide safe water for families in Malawi, and health and spiritual works are helping children in India recover from the trauma of the tsunami.  There is so much need.  We are thankful that we can be part of the work to assist God’s children everywhere.  Thanks for your help.

 

              It is more blessed to give than to receive.   Acts 20: 35

               

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

            Our Adopt-a-Highway chairman thought it might be good if these requirements were made known to all, so here they are:

              1.  a safety briefing should be held prior to the clean up

              2.  car pool to the designated area

              3.  all participants must wear safety vests

              4.  supervisors must be assigned to each group

              5.  only perform clean up during day and good weather

              6.  face oncoming traffic at all times

              7. do not cross highway unnecessarily; remain with                  group

              8.  litter pick up should not be performed within 6 feet of

                   roadway, upon bridges, culverts, or structures of any

                   kind

              9.  do not pick up hazardous materials

            10.  avoid overexertion and dehydration

            11.  know what you’re picking up

            12.  do not distract motorists with horseplay

            13.  anyone under influence of alcohol, narcotics, or

                   medications must be asked to leave worksite

            14.  keep away from any highway construction or

                   maintenance

            15.  stay out of any utility projects, culverts, and drainage

                   structures

            16.  use correct lifting techniques; do not lift heavy items

            17.  use caution when encountering the following: cactus,

                   steep slopes, sharp rocks, insects, barbed wire,

                   traffic, and other unusual circumstances

            18.  assure that appropriate beverages are available

            19.  wear appropriate clothes, gloves, hats, boots, or

                   hard-soled shoes

            20.  place filled liter bags 8 feet from roadway

 

DEACONS

            In this issue we will discuss the role of deacons in the Presbyterian Church, as described in the Book of Order. 

            The deacons shall be under the session’s supervision and authority.  The session may void or amend any action of the board of deacons or direct them to reconsider such action.  It is the duty of deacons to minister to those in need, to the sick, to the friendless, to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the church.

            They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the session.  A deacon shall report to ecclesiastical and civil legal authorities knowledge, gained in the course of service to the church, of harm, or risk of harm, related to physical abuse, neglect, and/or sexual molestation or abuse of a minor or adult who lacks mental capacity when such information is gained outside of privileged communication or he or she reasonably believes that there is risk of future physical harm or abuse.

            In our church deacons send get well, sympathy, and other cards to our members and friends, arrange for meals for the sick, do the bulletins and other needed materials, arrange for worship leaders and greeters, and other such jobs that need to be done.

 

Remember the Tooth Fairy Fund.  Please put your loose change in “the can” as we do need your help for special dentistry work we support with this fund.

Reminder from the Session – Any special church activity needs prior approval & a report and evaluation after the activity to be given to the Session.

Prayer Chain –If you have a prayer request, please let someone from the church know. We will send it along on our telephone prayer chain.

 

CALENDAR OF AREA EVENTS

AUGUST

   4       Quilt Show

 11       Alpine Community Theater – Dinner Theater (melodrama)

            Our church will be preparing and serving the meal.

 18       Alpine Chili Society Chili Cook-off – Alpine Rodeo     grounds

 18       Melodrama – Alpine Community Center – 6 p.m.

 30       Cowboy Poets Gathering & BBQ – Alpine Rodeo grounds

 31       Mountain Madness Motor Cycle Run – Rodeo grounds

 

SEPTEMBER

 1 & 2   Bush Valley Craft Club Christmas Bazaar – Alpine

            Community Center – hand-crafted and unique Christmas

            items.  (Many of our church members and friends belong

            to the club and help make the numerous craft items and

            baked goods that will be on sale.)

 

OCTOBER

To be announced – Chamber Spaghetti dinner fund raiser

31        Main Street Halloween

       PRAYER

Whenever I am troubled and lost in deep despair,

I bundle all my troubles up and go to God in prayer.

I tell Him I am heartsick and lost and lonely too,

That I am deeply burdened and don’t know what to do.

But I know He stilled the tempest and calmed the angry sea,

And I humbly ask if in His love, He’ll do the same for me.

Then I just keep quiet and think on thoughts of peace,

And as I sit in stillness, my restless murmurings cease.

                                                                           Helen Steiner Rice

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee.

                                                                    Psalm 55: 22

 

SUMMER and AUTUMN  IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS

 

I know it’s been dry……but……really!!!

 

It’s been so dry here lately that

the Baptists have started sprinkling.

The Methodists are using a wet wash cloth.

The Presbyterians are giving rain checks and,

the Catholics are trying to turn wine back into water.

                                          (This came from Carolyn McCasland)

 

            That was true, but now the monsoon rains have started and for that we are thankful. 

 

  THE GREAT ARTIST

                                                                 Susan Walter

His canvas is the whole wide world,

The brush, His mighty hand,

His palette made up beautifully –

He’s the Teacher in command.

His clouds are white and billowy

With a hint of pink and gray,

He paints each slender blade of grass

To make a perfect day.

The flowers are carefully tinted

In shades of red and blue.

The water added, so to match

The sky of azure hue.

Surely such a picture

Could only have been planned

And brought before our very eyes

By God’s artistic hand!

                How true, how true!  Each day we should give thanks to our Creator for all that he’s done.

            And here is a very special poem about our beautiful White Mountains written by Eagar’s Milo Wiltbank in a book of poems published in 1957.  We are truly blessed to be living or spending the summers in this glorious location.

 

WHITE MOUNTAINS OF ARIZONA

 

                        I’ve wandered here and traveled there.

              Yes, traveled around most everywhere.

                        I’ve found a place that sure suits me,

                             It’s as near to heaven as earth can be,

                        Just travel the trails of the Old Southwest

                             Up to this place I love the best,

                        Up to the old White Mountains.

 

                        Why don’t you come up here with me,

                             Camp in the shade of an old pine tree,

                        Pitch your tent by a gurgling steam,

                             Sit in the sun and rest and dream?

                        You’ll enjoy your idle hours

                             Here in the land of grass and flowers,

                        Here in the old White Mountains.

 

                        You’ll enjoy this land, I know

                             Where cool summer breezes blow

                        Come up and try the mountain air,

                             Bring along your trouble and care,

                        Then cut yourself a willow pole,

                             And drown those cares in a fishing hole,

                        Atop the old White Mountains.

 

            And this editor knows for a fact that Mike Hitchcock and Fred Winkler already have found the old fishing holes!

           

            Our Holy Humor comes from Jack Kuhrt with this amusing “conversation” between God and St. Francis:

 

GOD:  Frank, you know all about gardens and nature.  What in the world is going on down there on the planet?  What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle, and stuff I started eons ago?  I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan.  Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon.  The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honeybees and flocks of songbirds.  I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now.  But, all I see are these green rectangles.

ST. FRANCIS:   It’s the tribes that settled there, Lord.  The Suburbanites.  They started calling your flowers “weeds” and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

GOD:   But, it’s so boring.  It’s not colorful.  It doesn’t attract birds, butterflies, and bees; only grubs and sod worms.  It’s sensitive to temperatures.  Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?

ST. FRANCIS:   Apparently so, Lord.  They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green.  They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.

GOD:   The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast.  That must make the Suburbanites happy.

ST. FRANCIS:   Apparently not, Lord.  As soon as it grows a little, they cut it – sometimes twice a week.

GOD:   They cut it?  Do they then bale it like hay?

ST. FRANCIS:   No, sir, just the opposite.  They pay to throw it away.

GOD:   Now, let me get this straight.  They fertilize grass so it will grow.  And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

ST. FRANCIS:  Yes, sir.

GOD:   These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on rain and turn up the heat.  That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.

ST. FRANCIS:   You aren’t going to believe this, Lord.  When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

GOD:   What nonsense.  At least they kept some of the trees.  That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself.  The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer.  In the autumn, they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes.  It’s a natural cycle of life.

ST. FRANCIS: You better sit down, Lord.  The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle.  As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.

GOD:   No.  What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?

ST. FRANCIS:  After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch.

GOD:   And where do they get this mulch?

ST. FRANCIS:   They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.

GOD:   Enough!  I don’t want to think about this anymore.  St. Catherine, you’re in charge of the arts.  What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?

ST. CATHERINE:   “Dumb and Dumber”, Lord.  It’s a story about….

GOD:   Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.

 

            This may have been amusing, but also consider how true it all is.  When you think of our actions as described above, it all seems rather foolish.  Maybe that’s why living here in the White Mountains we just take nature as it is. 

            Come September our countryside will be bursting with the beginning of our autumn colors – a sea of yellow as the flowers and shrubs burst into bloom.  September also brings fresh cool air and the elk bugling in the distance. Then a few weeks later the oak and aspen will begin to turn in their brilliant fall colors.  Picture in October the nearby mountains ablaze in gold; the aspen in their fall finery.  What a magnificent painting that would be, all painted by God’s artistic hand.  We are truly blessed to live in the White Mountains where we are a part of God’s wondrous world.                                           

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

                                                      Ecclesiastes 3: 11

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 

All Lines to Heaven are open 24 by 7.

Feed your Faith, and Doubt will starve to death.

 

We want God to grow us as tomatoes—

fast, pretty, but easily destroyed.

He wishes to grow us as oak trees—

slowly, patiently, sturdily, with long roots.

                                                 Dr. William Owens

 

Enjoy the rest of the summer and autumn.  For those of you who will be returning to your winter homes, have a good winter, and we will be looking forward to your return next spring.

 

            Meet you in the next newsletter or in person,

until then . . .

Goodbye and God bless