Pasadena Presbyterian Church
Announcements and Updates
Amendment 10A Passed: A letter from your Session, May 17, 2011
Amendment 10A, which removes the sexual fidelity requirements of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s ordination standard found in G-6.0106b in the Book of Order, has been approved and will become effective on July 10, 2011. Since it is an amendment to the Book of Order, the steps to its approval were, first, approval by the General Assembly in 2010 and then by a majority (>87) of the presbyteries in the nation, which happened May 10th.
For the past 30 years, the debate on ordination has centered on the issue of human sexuality and in particular, the ordination of non-celibate gay and lesbian people. Now the ordination standard changes from:
“Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament”
to:
“Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life. The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation shall determine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation. Governing bodies shall be guided by scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.”
Tampa Bay Presbytery, the presbytery to which we belong, voted in February 2011 to retain the “Fidelity/Chastity” wording as the standard. Your Session (elders) at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, and every past session at Pasadena, supported retaining the original “Fidelity/Chastity” wording. However, this year more presbyteries switched their vote; and so, after 33 years, the ordination standard will change in our denomination.
Your Session strongly disagrees with this decision and direction. We are praying about what the Lord would have us do at Pasadena PC. Please understand that our congregation will still maintain our beliefs and standards as a Confessing Church, and we will continue to elect officers for our congregation in accord with our Biblical beliefs.
We should remember that there are many PCUSA congregations and presbyteries which do not agree with changing this ordination standard. When Elijah, the prophet, in the Old Testament, bemoaned that only he was left standing for the truth, God reminded him that there were still 7,000 others who had remained faithful. He was commissioned by God to get on with his work and ministry for the Lord and not wallow in discouragement. That’s good for us to remember.
Let us continue to work together to make and mature disciples for Christ, and seek to be inwardly strong and outwardly focused and fruitful. We refuse to allow the vote on the ordination standards to sidetrack us from our primary mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ and His Gospel to the world.
We encourage you to pray for our Session, staff, presbytery, and denomination. This is a time for us all to pray for repentance for our own unfaithfulness and make wise assessments of the options we have for ministry with integrity. Let us never forget that Jesus Christ is Lord and Head of the Church. We are fallible human beings, but God is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-gracious, and our Sovereign King.
Your elders and deacons need to hear your thoughts and concerns.
We are committed to continue our work together for God’s glory.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Gal 6:9)
Yours in Christ,
The Session of Pasadena Presbyterian Church
NOTE: Letters from the Presbytery of Tampa Bay and the General Assembly regarding the 10-A vote and its impact are available upon request from our church office, or on-line at their respective web sites.
For Our Sunday Worship Services:
Children's Church
Children K-5th grade are welcomed to attend. They are dismissed prior to the sermon; parents should pick-up their children in the Chapel after the service. Children's Church is not held on communion (first) Sundays or if there are less than 3 children participating. As always, families are encouraged to worship together.
Nametags
Nametages are back-- in the back (Narthex). Please find and wear yours, and return it after the service or before you leave PPC today. If you don't have a name tag, please contact Bill Schellhaas or fill out the request sheet in the Narthex--Thanks! Your Deacons.
Ministry Activities
New Life Studies
New Life Study Sunday School class will be held in the Chapel after the 9:00 am Service--open to all!
Congregational Meeting
The Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, February 19th at 2pm in the sanctuary. The purpose of the meeting is to elect 3 members-at-large to the 2012 Nominating Committee.
Town Hall Meeting
The Session is hosting a Town Hall Meeting on February 19th following the congregational meeting to discuss the recent changes to our PCUSA Book of Order. All are invited to attend. A letter of explanation from the elders has been sent out to our PPC family. If you didn't get one, please contact the church office.
Valentine Social
Parent's Nights Out
When: Saturday, February 18, and Saturday, March 10
Time: 6-9 PM
Who: All children 1 year old through 5th grade; Children ages 1-3 will go to classroom 5. Childrens ages 4-to will go to the Fellowship Hall.
Age-appropriate activities provided for all children. Snack provided. No charge.
Contact Leslie Hughes,
, for additional information.
Prayer Team
You are invited to join the prayer team supporting Pastor Anthony and Judy Oliver on their return trip to Trinidad. If you have questions, please see Russ Cabot.
Who: Pastor Anthony and wife Judy, Phillip, and Michael
When: Leave Tuesday 1/17/2012, return Tuesday 3/6/2012
Where: Trinidad to visit the congregation and minister to them for several weeks.
Pastor Anthony and Judy Oliver will soon go to Trinidad for several weeks to minister to their congregation that they served for several years. They have requested that PPC keep them and their boys in our prayers while they are in Trinidad.
We should pray for the following:
- Safety in travel for the Oliver's
- Opportunities for discipleship classes
- Opportunities for teaching the Word
- Opportunities for prayer for individuals needs
- Opportunities for out-reach ministry
- Prayer for school ministry
- Phillip and Michael in their St Pete activities
Please lift them up in prayer each day they are gone if you are able for these and any other paryer needs.
Interested in Joining PPC, Or Need a Pastoral Visit?
If so, please give Pastor Carl a call.
Church Office Information
Vacation Leave
Pastor Carl will be on a brief vacation leave February 6-12. Pastor Bob Bellingar, H.R., will be on call for pastoral needs and will preach at both services February 12.
Office Hours
New Church office hours are Monday to Thursday, 9am—1pm. Please note: there may be no one in the office to answer calls or let you into the church during non-office hours.
Emails
Please direct email to Patti Strong or Pastor Carl. If you send an email to church staff and don't get a reply, please resend it or call the staff member to confirm its reception.Emails sent to the church staff are not always getting through. If you send an email, and don't get a timely reply/receipt, please resend it or call the staff member to confirm its reception.
Weekly Informational Flyer
Our weekly informational flyer is for your use during the week. Please take it home to help remind you of church events and for lifting up the prayer requests to the Lord during the week.We print enough for everyone in both services to have their own copy.
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