St. John's Reformed Church

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7

 

I am still gratefully nurturing the precious insights shared during our all-church retreat. Our presenters each shared their faith and key truths from Scripture. The topic that generated the most discussion, as I recall, was fellowship. Our congregation gets rave reviews for being welcoming to visitors and caring for one another. Not every church is like that. There is something special about the warmth of our fellowship that has led many visitors to stay and become members, enriching our fellowship still further. I know that is true for PeggyAnne and me.

 

There are many layers to fellowship. Many people in churches never get beyond a superficial level, such as talk about sports, weather and current events. However, sharing deep heart issues with others is risky, and in a small community, if mishandled, can become fodder for gossip.

 

This verse speaks to how we as the church are distinct from the world. We learn that fellowship comes from walking in the light. Christ is the world's true light (John 1:9). Walking in the light includes living our lives in the light of Christ's truth and holiness. We live in obedience to Jesus' teaching.

 

However, in my experience I have encountered some rather holy Christians where I didn't feel safe to share anything deep about a hard time I was going through. These believers were strong on truth, but weak on grace. That's key to this text, for we are called to not only walk in the light of Christ, but to do so as He is in the light. Jesus lived a completely sinless life. That is out of reach for me, in fact, for all of us. However, Jesus came into the world "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Jesus was called a "friend of sinners" yet never compromised His holiness. Children were drawn to Him. Kids have a knack for sniffing out who is for real. Jesus invited Himself to lunch at Zacchaeus' house and that experience of grace utterly changed his life – and he was saved! Zacchaeus publicly demonstrated how his heart had been changed by acknowledging his past offenses and his plan to amend his ways and more than compensate those he cheated.

 

Now an introvert like me is not going to make such a public display. However, sharing one's deep heart with a trusted friend creates a bond like none other. It is a holy moment when someone trusts us with such vulnerability. When we walk in the light as He is in the light, we extend grace and truth to this Christian confidant. Our prayer life deepens; we search Scripture with a new hunger and earnestness, and examine our own walk with Christ with a new openness. Sharing from the deep heart becomes a two-way street, as we recognize how important it is to spur one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).

 

This is a deeper fellowship than many Christians ever experience, yet, it is the essence of our discipleship! Christ transforms hearts and lives, His Word renews our thinking. Yet, we all have those days – or seasons – where doubt or temptation or apathy hound us – or even gets the upper hand. Rather than suffer in silence or become lukewarm in our faith, Christ has placed us in a Body of believers who are walking in the light – as He is in the light, a safe place, where we can speak in candor and find God's grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:16).

 

Because He lives,

Dave Meckley, Pastor

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Pastor Dave and PeggyAnne will be away on vacation October 6-12. Elder Matt Nelson will be preaching on October 6.

 

Sunday, October 27 Reformation Service at Christ Church in Roaring Spring begins with a meal at 5 pm followed by the service at 6 pm. Please sign up on welcome table so we can have an accurate count for the meal. This service is held jointly with sister CCCC congregations St John's Reformed in Hollidaysburg and Christ Reformed Church in Roaring Spring.

 

A Bible study/Prayer meeting is being planned to start the week of October 13. There is a sign up sheet on the welcome table to discern best time to meet. In October we will be meeting Wednesdays at 5:30 PM in the Sunday school room by the kitchen starting Wednesday October 16. Please join us!            

 

 

Religious Release Time for NBC elementary students will be held on Thursday afternoons from October 17 through November 14. Your prayer for this ministry to Kindergarten through second graders is much appreciated!

​

​

St John's Reformed Church Family Retreat 2024

 

Our church joined together for a family retreat at Camp Mantowagan in Saxton, PA on the weekend of September 13-15, 2024. Throughout the weekend approximately 30 adults and 25 kids were present at any given moment. Around 30 of those attending spent the night in one of the camp’s cabins or lodge.

The weekend centered around four different chapel services (although some would say it was centered around delicious food). The topics discussed at these services were

Worship (speaker: Christopher Kurtz),
Fellowship (speaker: Josh Gunnett),

Discipleship (speaker: Ryan Salyards), and

Ministry (speaker: Matt Nelson).

During and after the messages, much encouraging and uplifting discussion took place. Many tears were shed. Both happy and sad. Happy because of how amazing it is to be a part of such a wonderful church family, and sad at the thought and discussion of Pastor Dave’s retirement. To start and close each
chapel service, worship was led by Pastor Dave, Jordan Rhoat, and Jack Styer. The worship music had a distinct “camp” feeling with Pastor Dave and Jack playing guitar, and Jordan leading us in song. Some songs included As the Deer, How Beautiful, and In Christ Alone.
 

No one was allowed to go hungry at any point during the weekend. Many people pitched in to help with the meals, but the stalwarts of the kitchen were John and Barb Thomas, Steve and Kim Rogers, Linda Henderhan, Sandy Styer, and Laurie Stiles. Friday evening’s meal was a simple one of hot dogs and
s’mores around the campfire. Saturday morning featured a delicious breakfast of pancakes and bacon. Lunch consisted of some amazing homemade soups provided by the Women’s Guild and lunch meat sandwiches. Dinner was headlined by Korean bulgogi, lamb chorizo, and seasoned steak tips. Many
wonderful desserts were enjoyed throughout the weekend as well. Sunday morning’s breakfast was quick, practical, and scrumptious before our church service.

The kids enjoyed many and various activities, mostly outside. Israeli dodgeball (Ga Ga) was a hit amongst many of the younger generation. Rousing games of sharks and minnows and capture the flag were played at the ballfield. Many kids enjoyed the rock-climbing wall most of all. Lots of games of basketball and four square took place in the gym. Peggy Anne also gathered all the children together for an hour-long session of organized games and a lesson. No children were injured during any of these activities. However, two adults did sustain minor injuries. They would surely be happy to tell you about what happened if you ask them. It was most definitely a blessing to have Julie Russell in attendance to
care for the missing fingertip.

The weekend was most definitely one to remember for many of those in attendance. A deep sense of spiritual renewal and hope was present throughout the time spent together. The love of Christ truly compelled everyone there and brought us together as no other commonality could. While each one came
from very different circumstances and backgrounds, everyone left knowing they were and continue to be a part of the Body of Christ. We truly are a part of a vibrant and growing church community whose best days are yet to come, and we are loved and known by a loving and holy Creator who is worthy to be
worshiped, followed, and served with our entire lives.

​​

​​

From our Consistory President: 

 

The Consistory met on September 12 in the basement of the church. There was not much on the agenda for this night, however, the board approved the Pastor’s vacation between October 6 and the 12. Matt will serve in the pulpit in the Pastor’s absence on
October 6. Another issue brought to the Consistory was whether we wanted to store Joint Consistory minutes in the church from the days we belonged to the Hickory Bottom Charge. That was rejected for now for two reasons; first we don’t have the
space for storage at this time and second, Mount Pleasant church who was also part of the Charge has not been consulted and could be interested in keeping the paperwork.

The Consistory approved a motion to accept a bid of just over $4000.00 to upgrade the electrical panel that serves the kitchen. For those of us who have tried to plug in crock pots, coffee makers and other items at the same time there have been issues with some
of the outlets not working. This will eliminate that problem. However in order to do the work we will have to remove the kitchen cabinets that have been there forever (or so it seems).

We are awaiting a bid to replace them. All this work will be done this winter.

Because we got off track with the Sunday School elections and Rally Day during COVID a motion was made and approved to move Rally Day next year so it does not fall over the Labor Day weekend. The plan now is to have a Rally Day celebration that includes a going back to school party with a picnic and children’s activities, in addition to the normal Rally Day events. Because we haven’t had elections for the Superintendent and Secretary in two years it was approved to have an election for an interim
Superintendent and Secretary during the Congregational meeting in February. Those elected will serve until Rally Day when we again have a two year election for both positions.

Of course, the big news at the meeting was the impending retirement of Pastor Dave. We know this is a shock to all of us, however, we must all be grateful to the Pastor for the time he has given us and to God for bringing Pastor Dave to our church in Loysburg at a time when we needed someone like him to guide us. God’s wisdom and timing never ceases to amaze. And that is what we need to remember. In spite of the shock and disbelief we must remember that God’s wisdom and timing is always perfect.

There is, though, much work to be done as we prepare for the transition to a new pastor. We are blessed to have a church conference that is willing to work with us. In fact, Joel Ritchey is meeting with the CCCC regional pastor on October 1st with a whole list of questions to help make our change easier. We on the Consistory know we cannot do this alone and are counting on your help. If you are asked to serve in some respect, to use the gifts that God has so generously given you, please before you say no, pray
on the request. During this whole process the church will need prayers so when you leave today, kindly take some time to say a prayer, for your Pastor, the Consistory and your brothers and sisters here at St. John’s. Do not lose faith but allow our coming
challenges to grow your faith, that we may be a stronger family than ever before. 

God Bless each and everyone of you.

​

​

​

​

​