Htiched!

It is so difficult keeping up with LOPC members. You are always traveling. Some of you travel to celebrate anniversaries and evidently some to get married. Congratulations to Carol Vinci, who is now Mrs. Charlie Walker, and congratulations to Charlie who persevered to win his prize.

Opening the Scriptures

Luke 24:13-35                         Opening the Scriptures

4/26/15            D. Marion Clark

Introduction

Have you ever been looking for something that is unfindable? You have looked everywhere. Your wife says, “Did you look in the drawer?” “Yes! A hundred times.” But you look one more time, and there it is, right in front of your eyes. “How did I miss that?” Or, here is another. You are trying to understand what seems in-understandable – maybe a puzzle or instructions or even a math problem. A teacher or friend comes alongside you and gives the key to understanding the matter. All of a sudden it clicks, and now you understand. Indeed, you wonder how you did not see it all along. Two disciples of Jesus had such an “how did I miss that” experience in our text this morning.

There's Danger Out There!

This is an article  Rev. Marion Clark wrote for the Eatonton Messanger. It was publish in the April 9, 2015 edition.


It started humorously – just a little snake in the bathroom. With a broom I swept it into a dust pan and then dropped it outside away from the church building. The mistake was taking a picture and posting it on my blog. “Let me tell you my snake story!” There was the rattlesnake in the driveway; the copperhead by the front door; the snake at the bottom of the ladder; the snake in the living room. And then the well-intentioned cautions – do not walk on the roads at night nor, for that matter, anywhere at night; don’t go into the woods. Be careful stepping into a boat and look carefully before diving into a pool. Snakes are either sunning themselves in our driveways or hiding in our bushes. Okay, I will only drive, even to go to my mailbox. Then I will be safe – except for deer. Snake stories are only outnumbered by deer stories. “I’ve hit one deer”; “I’ve hit two deer”; “I’ve hit three!” They are everywhere – in the gated communities, in the rural areas, in the shopping areas. They are waiting for the unsuspecting driver to make their mad dash across the road. I see them early in the morning and always at night. One or two have crossed in front of me, but I saw them first. Yet I know that it is only a matter of time… Meanwhile, I will be alert for wild pigs, foxes, ’possums, raccoons, and most dangerous of all – the wild flying golf ball. Old-timers tell me that it makes a deep-throated sound, something like “fore-fore.” They are usually found near golf courses, though they avoid the open areas. Twice the wise king Solomon wrote, “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” I think I might go hide out for a while in the living room; I’m not into suffering. No, wait. That’s where one of the snakes was found! ~~~~~~~ The Rev. Marion Clark is pastor of Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church, 113 Scott Road in Putnam County.

A Little Humor For Your Day

A little silver-haired lady calls her neighbor and says, "Please come over here and help me. I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can't figure out how to get started." Her neighbor asks, "What is it supposed to be when it's finished?" The little silver-haired lady says, "According to the picture on the box, it's a rooster." Her neighbor decides to go over and help with the puzzle. She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table. He studies the pieces for a moment, then looks at the box, then turns to her and says, "First of all, no matter what we do, we're not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster." He takes her hand and says, "Secondly, I want you to relax. Let's have a nice cup of tea, and then," he said with a deep sigh ............


"Let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box."

Day of Prayer

Heads up. For the National Day of Prayer on May 7, the sanctuary doors will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for personal prayer, as in previous years. But note that I will be leading two times of corporate prayer - 9:00-10:00 a.m. and Noon-1:00 p.m. You are welcome to drop in and to leave at anytime during those two hours.

Back

I am back in the church, and, as expected, the church is in chaos.

Actually, it is my church office that is in chaos. Boxes of books (my precious beloved books) take up most of the floor space, the culmination of a whirlwind journey to Philadelphia and back. I flew out Wednesday morning (thanks to the chauffeuring services of Karol Meyer who drove me and Ginger to the Atlanta airport during rush hour traffic). I arrived at 1:00, picked up a U-Haul truck, and by 3:00 began to load. With the help of friends, packing was completed by 7:00, I hit the road at 8:30 and drove mostly through the night. Then with help here (Robbie McNeil, Harold Sowell, Russell Puppe, George Rountree, Fred Davis, John Meyer, and Ken Johnson; Barb Rountree and Ginger provided lunch) unloaded most of the belongings in a storage unit, the books in my offices, and the rest in our new home.

Now where did I put my South Carolina cap? Oh no, I left it in Texas!

Peter Pan At Nathanael Greene Academy!!

Just wanted to send out a reminder that Peter Pan is tonight and tomorrow night at Nathanael Greene Academy. Show starts at 7:00PM. The students have put in a lot of work for this performance. You will not be disappointed.. 

Helping the Boys and Girls Club

From The Boys and Girls Club:
We are about to renovate another space so we can accommodate 30 more students at the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club. The space has separate rooms and we would like to engage the kids in interviewing, video-taping, music and  community projects.

A Distinguished Four-legged Visitor

We had a very distinguished visitor in the office last week, none other than Calvin Clark.

While he was waiting for his parents to get his new home ready, he really seemed to enjoy visiting with the office staff. He particularly liked Teresa Parker's muffins. He was also offered French fries, but he turned them down. His daddy said he is on a diet. I wonder if he slept well his first night in his new home? I also wonder if he was named after John Calvin?

When Pastor Starts Preaching

I think I saw this guy in church a couple of Sundays ago.

Weeping Dispelled

John 20:1-18                           Weeping Dispelled

April 5, 2015               D. Marion Clark

Introduction

“Jesus wept” (John 11:35). He was standing in the company of others who were weeping over the death of Lazarus. There was Lazarus’ sister Mary, weeping at Jesus’ feet. There were the neighbors weeping. Deeply moved, he began to weep.

The Cross Bearer

Simon of Cyrene

I come from Cyrene. My family has lived in that great city of North Africa for many generations. They were among the first of the Diaspora, the dispersion of Jewish people around the Mediterranean. Though my ancestors were forced to settle there, they soon enough embraced their new home and even invited others of the Jewish nation to come and make the city their home. We have always been allowed to practice our religion and were faithful to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the feast days.

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

What Wondrous Love Is This

Here is a bluegrass rendition of What Wondrous Love Is This, the final hymn we will sing on Good Friday.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

For the noon Good Friday service, we will open with the familiar hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" sung to the tune used here.