ST.

PAULS REFORMED
CHURCH
1070 PARK AVENUE
MEADVILLE, PA 16335

September 2016

A Publication of
St. Pauls Reformed Church
1070 Park Avenue, Meadville PA 16335

Christian Perspective on LGBTQ #2

Prayerfully prepared for:

A Publication of
St. Pauls Reformed Church
1070 Park Avenue, Meadville, PA 16335
Church Phone: 814-336-5188
e-mail: sprc@zoominternet.net
Website: www.stpaulsmeadville.org
Facebook: St. Pauls Reformed Church Meadville
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-1:00 p.m.
CHURCH STAFF & OFFICERS
Pastor: Brian Hasenkopf336-5188/573-1576
Consistory President: James Henry336-5188
Consistory Vice-President: Joe Kerr333-2658
Consistory Secretary: Linda Hild382--2059
General Fund Treasurer: Shirley Reeger333-1383
Admin. Assistant: Valerie McCracken336-5188
Music Director: Betsy McClellan814-282-7507

In recent news, the United Methodist Church ual behavior is acceptable or unacceptable to God, we
(UMC) appointed its first openly gay bishop The must understand what He has said on the matter.
Rev. Karen Oliveto, senior pastor of Glide Memorial
Before we look at what the Bible says, it is imChurch in San Francisco, has been elected as the first portant to recognize that there is no conclusion that
openly lesbian United Methodist bishop by delegates justifies the awful hatred by some (if not many) in the
at the Western Jurisdictional Conference. (http:// Christian community toward the LGBTQ community.
www.umc.org/news-and-media/western-jurisdictionThe atrocious behavior against those made in the imelects-openly-gay-united-methodist-bishop) The UMC age of God by some who call themselves Christian
is not the first Christian denomination or church to brings shame upon the Body of Christ. On the other
wrestle with such matters. In fact, there is a growing hand, for the LGBTQ community to broad brush all
movement in Christendom that believes and teaches who disagree with them as homophobic or intolerant
that the practice of homosexual behavior is not a sin. is not exactly reasonable either. Needless to say, the
Groups such as Evangelicals Concerned list
emotions on both sides have reached a fever
orthodox statements like, We trust Jesus The Bible is a pitch, which is why it is vital that to the best
Christ, Savior and Lord; We believe the Bi- book about God, of our abilities, we set the emotions aside.
ble, Gods inspired Word; It is our infallible man, and creation Our focus needs to be on the biblical words
guide for faith and conduct, yet are practic- in relationship to and their meanings.
one another
ing homosexuals. Are they right in their unAs both time and space expire for this
derstanding and belief? Has the traditional
article, I will reserve Octobers article for
position of the Church, i.e., homosexual belooking at a few of the most relevant New
havior is a sin, been wrong all these years? Is this new Testament verses that deal with homosexuality. Well
movement a violation of Gods command or a mile- be looking at Romans 1:26-27, 1 Cor. 6:9, and 1 Tim.
stone toward a more inclusive Christianity? One thing 1:10.
is certain It cannot be both.
In preparation for the next article and by way of
There is only one place to find the answer to these closing this one, it is important to say something about
questions. The starting point for such a discussion the beginning, i.e., Genesis 1, 2. As you may know,
may be different if we were addressing someone out- Gods Word is progressive in its revelation, i.e., as it
side the core beliefs of Christianity. In that case, we moves from start to finish, more and more about the
would need to appeal to humanitys inherent sense of details of God, man, creation, and Gods plan of salvaright and wrong, and show how that sense reveals a tion are revealed to the reader. The greatest revelation
moral law and therefore a moral law giver, i.e., God. It comes in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. For this
may be needed to reason how any other basis for the reason, I want to focus on the New Testament passagmoral law other than God, reduces it to mere opinion.
es, yet it does not mean that the Old Testament is no
But, that is not the situation here. No, in this longer relevant. The Old Testament provides us the
case, there is common consent in a decision-making ever important context of the New.
authority, i.e., the Word of God. Both sides agree at
In Genesis 1 and 2 God, through narrative prose,
least in appearance and by public profession, that there establishes principles, patterns, and types that shape
is a triune God, that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, His creation. In these early chapters, we see that the
and that Gods Word is the inspired and infallible rule Bible is a book about God, man, and creation in relaof faith and conduct. To determine whether homosex- tionship to one another. God creates man
(contd)

male and female and commands them to be fruitful and

multiply and fill the earth. By nature of design, man
and woman are to live in sexual union with one another
and populate the earth. And, it is here that we learn
about sin and the disruption it causes in the natural order of creation and relationships. We also learn of our
need at least in seminal form, of salvation, which in
its fullest form and in the fullness of time arrives in
Jesus of Nazareth. In Jesus the disruption of sin is
overcome and the newness of setting the world right
begins.
Take a look at those New Testament passages and
well talk in October!

Pastor Brian Hasenkopf

9/4
9/11
9/18
9/25

September Ushers
Joe Kerr; Jim Henry
Open
David Valesky; Alex Valesky
Charlotte Shorts; Louise Greleski

9/4
9/11
9/18
9/25

September Opening
Jim Henry
Gary McClellan
Garth Valesky
Open

4
11
18
25

September Birthdays & Anniversaries

3
14
16
19
20
21
27
28
29

Wilma Deissler
Dan & Sharon Shilling
Scott Setta
Linda Hild
Art Theuret
Rick Phillips
Rick & Linda Hild
Earl & Shirley Reeger (60 years)
Susie Burkhardt

Sincere thanks to my church family at

St. Pauls for all the birthday cards and well
wishes.
~Betty Reichel
A BIG Thank You for all your prayers,
cards & calls and to Pastor Brian & Tonya
for your kindness, prayers & visits.
Larry & Elaine Phillips & Family
Save the Date: Friday, September 16th is
Movie Night at St. Pauls!
Choir practice will resume on
Thursday, September 8th at 6:00
pm and well always accept any
person with the desire to sing in
service for the Lord. This is a
ministry of music. Please contact
Betsy (814-282-7507) if interested.

SEPTEMBER ALTAR FLOWERS

Flowers are $30 per set and may be purchased by contacting
the church office at 336-5188

In loving memory of Ralph & Mildred Miller from Elaine Barnes

In loving memory of Stan Greleski from wife Louise, children, Doug, Karine, Matthew & Families
In loving memory of Frank Shorts, Sr. & Frank Shorts, Jr. from Charlotte Shorts
In loving memory of Olive & John Wyant our grandparents; Jean, Jane and Jerry Wyant our aunts
and uncle from Susanne Wyant Heibel and Marty Wyant Jr.

Update from the Consistory President

YOUTH NIGHT: St. Pauls Reformed
Church was active this month with an exciting external outreach activity. It has been
exciting to see and experience the various
outreach projects. With the help of numerous
congregational members, a Youth Night was
held in follow up to this past summers Vacation Bible School. Comments after the event
left me wondering who had the most fun the
children and families that attended or the
members who structured and supervised the
evening games and entertainment. That debate may go on until the next anticipated
Youth Night. A special thank you and job
well done goes out to all of the congregational members who worked very hard to ensure
the success of this outreach project.
FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON: After a hiatus of several months, Fellowship Dinners/
Luncheons has reappeared. This internal
church outreach activity brings back the
theme of congregational fellowship, building
congregational strength, support, compassion
and relationship. This activity was intended to
be relaxing, interactive and uplifting. It was
all of that plus more. The luncheon itself was
casual and reemphasized the quality baking
and cooking skills of our members as they
shared their favorite dishes and desserts. No
one left the luncheon hungry. We were able to
have a little entertainment with trivial pursuit
that included both Biblical and general information. Feedback has been positive and everyone seemed to have a good time. Lots of
conversation, loads of laughter, and tons of
quality fellowship. This event will be continued on a monthly basis. Again a big thank
you to everyone that attended and especially
to all of you who contributed fabulous side
dishes and desserts. Hope to see you all again
in September!
SAFETY ISSUES:
After considerable
thought and discussion, as recommended by
the Property Committee and approved by the

Consistory, St. Pauls Reformed Church will

be addressing two long-standing safety related concerns. 1.) A security camera will be
installed in the entrance from the parking lot.
This will provide improved security during
the day regarding entrance to the church. 2.)
To better restrict the propensity of cars speeding through our parking lot to bypass the red
light, the Consistory has approved installing a
temporary chain across the parking lot from
the glass doors to the telephone pole. This
will not restrict access to the parking lot but
will hopefully stop cars from speeding
through the lot, eliminating a safety issue.
OTHER COMMITTEE and CONSISTORY ACTIVITIES: All r estr ooms have
been repaired, new water softener system installed, fire safety inspection was positive,
parking lot resealed, clean-up day scheduled
for September (specific date will be posted),
several minor changes in the Order of Worship have begun, numerous old/unused items
have been discarded, laminator was donated,
budgeting process has begun, new copier purchased, enhanced fiscal software being tested,
UPCOMING: 2016 is r apidly coming to an
end. St. Pauls Reformed Church has had a
successful year. We are doing fine. Membership still remains a priority. As we close 2016
we must prepare a budget for 2017. More importantly we need to address the governance
i.e. the Consistory membership for the next
years. Please give some thought as to Consistory membership and who should govern the
church as we begin 2017.