On Sunday, August 28, 2011 our beloved sister in Christ and friend, Pauline Kendall was called home to be with her Savior and Lord. Over the years that she and Pastor Tom have been with us, she has been a tireless helper, an officer in our Women’s Guild, a Sunday School teacher, a choir member, an encourager, a prayer warrior and a vital part of our leadership team. She kept the brass candlesticks and offering plates sparkling and bright, and people looked for her homemade jam at our bake sales. She and Pastor Tom celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in October last year. They have been an inspiration to all of us.
We cannot help but grieve, still, we remember the statement of St. Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 that our grief should not be like that suffered by those who have no hope. We take comfort in our knowledge that Pauline is now free of all problems, health or otherwise and that we will surely meet again.
Pauline was known to wear a dove pin every Sunday. The following thoughts were offered during a recent Sunday morning service.
Psalm 55:6 Where David writes:
“And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away, and be at rest.”
Other Biblical References to the Dove
Genesis 8:6-11, after 40 days and 40 nights of rain when God flooded the earth due to man’s disobedience, God’s Word says:
And it came to pass at the end of forty days that Noah had opened the window of the ark which he had made. And he sent forth a raven which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also he sent forth a dove from him to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground. But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth; then he put forth his hand and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. And he stayed yet another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove came in to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf, so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
The dove is a symbol of peace, returning with an olive branch in its beak revealing the end of God’s judgment and the beginning of a new covenant with man.
And what I believe to be the most powerful reference to the dove is found in Matthew 3:16-17:
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went straight up out of the water and lo, the heavens were opened up unto him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lightning upon him. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
I’ve read three Bible verses with reference to the dove, with three key words: rest, peace and Holy Spirit. And these words from Jesus found in John 14:26-27 summarize these three words:
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Christ gives us his peace, it’s there for the taking. Not all people take it. Pauline Kendall took the peace of Jesus Christ, and it showed. It was real. I’ll forever look at the dove in a special way thanks to that pin she wore every Sunday.
On Aug. 28, that stormy Sunday that will not be soon forgotten by any of us, our congregation suffered a loss when Sharon Stein was lost to the Hurricane Irene flooded Onesquethaw Creek that runs next to her home in Clarksville. Sharon was our organist at one time and ever since has been a good friend and helper to our music program. Her husband, Geoffrey, was scheduled to play his oboe for our special music that morning. We offer our love, sympathy and prayerful concern to Sharon’s family and friends.
From the Altamont Enterprise: Unionville Church helps celebrate 40th anniversary of New Scotland Historical Association
The Unionville (or Union Dutch) Reformed Church at 1134 Delaware Turnpike in Delmar will help the New Scotland Historical Association celebrate its 40th Anniversary with a program open to the public.
On Saturday Sept. 17, there will be historical tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The tour will include the church, its history and the stained-glass windows. “Choose your time and learn how a stone church became two churches, and learn about its rich history during 185 years of service to God and community,” said Ethie Moak, publicist for the New Scotland Historical Association.
There are many things and events that catch our attention at this time of year. Graduates remind us of growing older, as do birthdays and anniversaries. We recognize the importance of celebrating such events, as well as the fellowship within our church family in their sharing of church suppers and our church picnic.
We cannot escape that fact that God desires that we enjoy each other. There is little question that our immediate family means a great deal to us, but the life of a Christian can find much love, too, in the family of Christ when properly lived in the Christian Church.
I have learned over the years to appreciate our young people as I have watched them grow to maturity, and have found much satisfaction in sharing life with good friends of our church family. I know that God has richly blessed us as we have learned to love God, and one another. His Spirit dwelling within us can yet do marvelous things in our midst. We need only be faithful to His calling.
Dare we yield ourselves to Him in all things, and let Him have His way in our personal and corporate lives? If we do, I believe that He will yet bless us beyond the measure of our expectations.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Tom
We are once again hosting a Strawberry Dinner on Saturday, June 18th with servings at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30pm. The menu includes chicken and gravy on homemade biscuits, mixed vegetables, our famous potato salad, coleslaw, relish tray, rolls and butter, strawberries with real whipped cream on homemade biscuits, coffee, tea, and iced tea.
Donations, $10 per adult, $4 for children 5 to 12, and free for children under 5.
Reservations are required. Please call 518-768-2184.
Takeouts will be available, also by reservation, at 5, 6, and 7pm.
Dear Friends in Christ:
Billy Graham once wrote of his grandson who while, working in a certain area of our nation devastated by a hurricane, saw this sign on the roof of a house. “Okay, God, you’ve got our attention, now what?”
Surely, all of us who have observed, and perhaps, been affected by the change of climate have asked a similar question. It may not have been this same type of inquiry, but the question may well have been, “What is happening, Lord?”
Can it be that God is allowing us to learn that man cannot control all things, least of all the weather? Is He is some manner suggesting our dependency on Him and, supporting this by the frustration of one weather forecaster, who declared, “I’m sick of it all?”
However, the dilemma of our day is more than that of a time of bad weather. It is to be seen in so many areas of our lives, and even other places in the world. Having recently seen so much destruction, killing, and devastation both in our nation and other areas of the world, it is apt to suggest that we are a people with little hope for the future. Perhaps we have come to the place where we suffer for the “loss of nerve” by which the Roman Empire was once identified. And, we know what happened to that civilization.
If it is true that “Where there is no vision the people perish..” (Proverbs 29:18) then we ought to view our present world, nation, and personal circumstances as a way God has of getting our attention. And if this be true, then the answer to the question, “What now?” is God’s strong voice declaring, “Choose you this day whom you will serve..” (Joshua 24:15) and our reply to Him, “‘I’he Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey.” (Joshua 24:24)
In the Master’s Name,
Pastor Tom
Rays from the rising sun bathe
the turbulent waters of the Sea
of Galilee with the radiance of
a new day, “I am the light of the
world; he who follows Me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall have
the light of life.” — John 8:12
Dear Friends in the Resurrection:
Ours is not to be a life of despair! We have met the Christ and He is our hope and joy in a world that knows of too little of His blessings. But we are not naive. We cannot deny or ignore the trials and troubles that confront us, but we will not yield to them, not when we hear his voice: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness.”
The Easter season reminds us that Jesus accomplished the purpose for which He came. His life, His death, and, again, His life through the power of His resurrection confirm the fact that all who belong to Him can expect, “…the joy of the Lord..” as their very own. Is this not reason enough to make us celebrate the blessings of Easter?
You are His if you want to be! He will not turn from anyone who comes to Him. He is the one who offers the Benediction of Benedictions when He declares: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you…” This is His promise to each of us. It is yours, it is mine as we believe and ask. In these days ahead, may we continue to celebrate and worship the One who is the King of Kings!
In the Master’s Name,
Pastor Tom
From the beginning, mankind has thought itself wiser than God. It began in the Garden of long ago, continued in the life of people thoughout history, and is no less a part of today’s world. Technology declares that nothing is impossible for the human species and, so, incredible advances of many kinds have led to the belief that man is invincible. He is, in fact, in the eyes of some, capable of becomimg as a god, even as God himself.
But the Easter story refutes this belief. It declares that death comes to everyone, even the One on the cross. And, so, no one can escape it, and death will have its way, that is unless…resurrection occurs. The message of the Bible is that “Jesus lives!” and so will all who acknowledge Him as Savior and Lord.
We can praise our God for the wisdom He has allowed His creation to have; the amazing things mankind has been able to accomplish, but He insists by way of the Cross, and the Ressurection that He, alone, is Master and Lord. An anonymous believer has said it well:
“The simplest meaning of Easter is that we are living in a world where God has the last word.”
Alleluia!
Pastor Tom
Dear Friends in Christ:
The season of Lent approaches, and the love of God is again made real to us in the sacrifice, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. And yet, this is difficult to comprehend when life is seemingly good and death appears to be so far from one’s personal experience.
For those who have seen the death of loved ones and others in this past year, death is very real, and the promise of God in Christ their only hope. Only the “…peace that passes understanding..” can comfort them now, only the assurance that their loved ones rest in His care can sustain them, and only the truth of the Resurrection offers the hope of eternal life.
If you are blessed to enjoy loving relationships as well as other measures of God’s grace, be sure that you do not take them lightly. Appreciate them and give thanks to God. The disciples and others who walked with Jesus did not realize that, all too soon, He would be taken from them. And when this did occur, then, in that time, they found themselves afraid and discouraged. But, His resurrection brought them joy; it offered them hope!
Be grateful, then for this coming season of Lent. Make it a time of worship and appreciation for the love of God expressed in Jesus Christ. And, when Easter Sunday arrives, let it be a special time of gladness and joy for you. In meeting Him, you have been raised to new life!
Christ has overcome death! Every kind!
Love in Him,
Pastor Tom
Dear Friends in Christ:
Here is a thought that may touch your heart as it did mine:
“Show me the way, not to fortune and fame,
Not how to win laurels or praise for my name.
But show me the way to spread ‘The Great Story’
That “Thine is the kingdom and power and glory.”
Surely, our Lord Jesus Christ lived such a life as He walked this earth. His humanity revealed a deep love for God the Father, and Jesus sought always to please Him. While He lived on this earth, He offered an example of obedience to God that all of us ought to emulate. All the world acknowledges His goodness, few people will argue with the importance of His life, and many have followed Him as an example of the good man.
But for you and me as believers, He is more than a good man. He is the One in whom we find salvation, hope, and encouragement as we face the difficulties of life. His journey to the cross, His cry of “Forgive them Father…” and His words, “It is finished” set the tone for our life to be as His. He has given us His Spirit, therefore, we, like Him, are to be bearers of the total message of God: “Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory!”
This Jesus is Savior and Lord, He is the “Lamb of God” and many in the world are still trying to destroy Him. But, they are destined to fail, for “He is risen,” He is the “King of Kings,” who lives forever, and, as believers, we share eternity with him! All glory to His name!
Love in the Master’s Name,
Pastor Tom
