This Week @ CPC
October 20, 2021
Notes from the Pastor
This past Sunday, we celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism for Jacob Shealy. In the Presbyterian Church, we baptize both infants and adults. When we baptize an infant, we are rejoicing that God loves us long before we have the ability to respond to God in faith. In this respect, infant baptism is tied to grace. Grace is a gift. It is not something we earn by accumulating credits or working hard to gain God’s favor. God simply offers us grace as an act of love. God’s Love begins long before we are even able to love God back.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I dedicated you” . . . (Jeremiah 1: 5)
No infant understands the significance of the sacrament or will remember the event. But life events are still significant regardless of our capacity to remember. None of us remember our own birth but it happened and we believe God was involved (grace).
When we baptize an adult who was not previously baptized as a child, we rejoice that one can respond to Jesus’ invitation to “come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Adult baptism is a mature response to the call to follow Jesus and it is an act of obedience. The first generation of believers were all baptized as adults because they were converts.
The question is frequently asked whether Presbyterians baptize an adult who desire a second baptism because they don’t remember the first.
The answer is no. We do not re-baptize. There is one Lord, one faith and one baptism (Ephesians 4: 5). We believe God got the sacrament right the first time and its efficacy is not tied to human confession but to the act of the Holy Spirit.
The confusion about the sacrament lies in the misunderstanding that it “doesn’t count” unless the one being baptized intentionally chooses it. In this understanding, baptism is only efficacious based on our human response.
There is an old expression that “God votes for you and the devil votes against you. You cast the deciding vote.” Oh really? So say the magic words and one gets into heaven?
That makes salvation a work and by-passes the grace of God. God works in our lives when we are most vulnerable as well as when we are most capable. Baptism is supposed to be a reminder that we can’t save ourselves and that not all things are under our direct control. Grace is a gift and grace is not something we earn or even manipulate for our benefit.
The human agency part of the sacrament for those baptized as infants comes into play during confirmation. When we confirm our youth, like other Christian bodies whether they be Baptist or Methodists, Presbyterians require an intentional decision to follow Jesus.
We ask as part of the confirmation process the following question. “Who is your Lord and savior?” We do not spoon feed the answer. The one being confirmed is ask to publicly confess Jesus as Lord and savior. Confirmation in this respect, is the opposite side of the baptismal coin.
In infant baptism, the parents and the congregation do the believing for the child but promise to raise the child in the Christian faith by word, example and by actively attending worship.
Confirmation allows the one who was previously baptized to use their own voice to affirm that they are now followers of Jesus. Confirmation completes the baptismal process.
Our church will begin confirmation classes for four of our young people beginning in November. Instruction will take place during Sunday school. We will say more about the process and the ones being confirmed in our November newsletters.
For now, let us all remember our baptismal vows to help Jacob be raised in the faith. That means when we interact with him, we are to show him the love of Jesus.
Perhaps some of you will teach him during Sunday school or Vacation Bible School or come in contact with him during a fellowship event. Any act of love that we show is a fulfillment of our own vows and a fulfillment of our mission.
Thanks for reading,
Pastor John
As you pray this week, please remember:
Praise for: all our blessings.
Pray for:
Cherye Boling, who is home recovering from surgery;
Sally Mann, who is at home receiving treatment;
Carolyn Thomas, who is at home;
Joe Gordon, who is at home;
Frances Bowman, who is at Lake Wylie Assisted Living;
Joe Thomas, who is receiving care at home;
Ann Wright, who is at White Oak Manor in Rock Hill
Dorothy Sanders, who is at The Manor in Honea Path, SC.
Friends and Relatives:
Phillip Parker, dad of Trevor Parker, Shannon Quinn, friend of Jennifer Johnson, Crendell Herrin, brother of Shirley Herrin-Swanner, James Lewis Lowder brother-in-law of Shirley & Terry Swanner, Alex McLeod, grandson of Joe & Carolyn Thomas, Linda Kaser, neighbor of Tommy & Susie McLean, Judith Martin, sister of Sandra Davison, Pam Spigner, sister of Tammie Anderson, Rose Mobley Butterfield,sister of W.J. Miller, Samuel Smith, great-nephew of Brian & Cherye Boling, Ron Somich, friend of Jan Tuthill, Betty DuBose-mom of Julia Smith, Louise Smith-mother of Andy Smith, Ted Lafleur-father of Liz Zeibel, and Jake Pritchard-grandson of Bill & Pat King.
We need Trunks & Treats!
Thank you to the ones who have signed up to provide a Trunk! We are still a few Trunks short. If you can provide a trunk on Wednesday, October 27 please call Kate Legg or contact the church office. We also need candy! If you can provide candy, please drop it off in the tub located in the Atrium. Sign up below if you can provide a trunk or treat! Thank you. :
Trunk or Treat Sign Up
All Saints Sunday
Church Officer Nominations
We are beginning to search for the next group of Church Officers. If you know someone that you think would be a good session member, please call the church office or email Pam (Pamtfowler@gmail.com) with your suggestions. Our nominating committee is being formed using members of each Sunday school class and will begin working through this list. Thank you for giving careful consideration to the newest leaders of our church.
Volunteers Needed!
If you have a Facebook account and are willing to help with the recording of our church services, please get in touch with Meagan Shealy. We would like to begin a rotation of volunteers. 704-718-4096 meagan.shealy@clover.k12.sc.us. Thank you!
Weekly Volunteers for Sunday October 24
Savannah Anderson ~ Youth Sunday School
Jeff Sanders ~ Nursery
Julie Preston ~ Children's Church
Youth Fundraiser ~ Montreat Piece of the Puzzle
Youth News ~ Hotdogs & Pumpkin Carving
Dimes for Hunger
October is DIMES for Hunger month at CPC. Remember to collect a dime for every meal you eat during the month of October for hunger relief. We will receive and our Dimes for Hunger offering on Sunday, October 31.
Advent Help Needed!
October Mission Project
In October we are collecting donations for the Clover School Backpack Program. Items needed are breakfast/cereal/granola bars (chewy granola bars are particularly popular with students), individual snacks - apple sauce, cracker packs, fruit cups, pudding cups, jello cups, mac & cheese. Canned chicken, tuna, Vienna sausages, corned beef, spam. Any canned goods. Please bring donations and place in box located in the Atrium.
Lunch Out
Saints Alive (ages 55 and older)
Birthday Party for Jesus
Live Worship Service
On Sunday at 10am, click the link below to be directed to CPC's Facebook page for the live stream of Sunday's Worship.
https://www.facebook.com/Clover-Presbyterian-Church-116969738321212If you don't have a Facebook account, you can still watch live videos! You can X out of the piece that says to sign in or sign up.
Sunday Services May Be Found Here:
Worship Attendance
Financial Update
October 17 ~ $2,751
Thank you to everyone for your continued contributions. If you would like to set up automatic draft, please complete the ACH Direct Deposit Form below and email (PDF) or mail to the church office.
CPC Office Hours
Friday ~ Office Closed
Church Office, Pam Fowler - 803-222-9108
Pastor, John Muse - 803-879-0823
DCE, Kimberly Sanders 803-879-0822
Preschool, Wanda Whitesides - 803-222-3137