The Pisgah Post
Pisgah Presbyterian Church
Woodford County, Kentucky
January 2010
Journeying with God
The best I could wish for each one of you as we
begin 2010 is that the year ahead
may become a fresh and exciting
experience of the Presence of
God in your daily life.
How dare we presume that
the Creator and Lord of the
Universe is interested in meeting
with us? Perhaps this passage from Lord, Teach Us, by
Willimon and Hauerwas can help us get the right
perspective:
“Some people are offended that we are taught to
address God as Father. The greater offense may be the
little word Our. When we say “Our,” we are not being
possessive. This God will not be our property. Many a
person has come to grief attempting to domesticate God
as a cheerleader for the American way or as a cosmic
Federal Express. We say “Our” because of the
astounding recognition that this God, the one who
created the universe and flung the planets into their
courses, the great God of heaven and earth, has willed to
become our God. Before we reached out to God, God
reached out to us and claimed us, promised to be our
God, promised to make us God’s people. Thus, not
because of who we are or what we have done, but rather
because of what God in Jesus Christ has done, we are
privileged to say, “Our Father.”
I encourage you to approach God boldly and openly
as you would a dear and trusted friend! He is waiting
eagerly to hear from you. Remember, Jesus said “You
did not choose me, I chose you…You are my friends.”
“We can relax, safe in the knowledge that this whole
thing between us and God was God’s idea before it was
ours. The journey with God is not a test to see if we can
make the grade with God and be good enough to be
friends with God. The journey begins with God in
Christ calling us friends, inviting us to go because God
wants us to be part of the journey. Friendship with God
is the name of the journey rather than its destination.”
Faithfully,
Vic Priebe
The Session and the
Congregation would like to
express their appreciation to
the retiring officers of the
Class of 2009 for their
service to Pisgah. Elders:
Bob James and Lesley Kindred, both of whom stepped
in to fill vacancies and Lindsey McHatton and Pam Stilz.
Our Mission: to worship God,
study the Scripture, practice the
teachings of Jesus.
Deacons: Jan Botkin and Tom Cope. Trustees: Joe
Graddy and Robbie Stilz.
We would also welcome to the Class of 2012; Anne
Davis, Hank Graddy, David Prater and Linda Scott to
the Session. Tessa Dole, Ann Hayes, Melissa Scott and
Dani Upton to the Board of Deacons and Warley Harper
and Laura Mancuso to the Board of Trustees.
Under the able leadership of Interim Pastor, Vic
Priebe, and these new officers we look forward to
entering Pisgah’s 226th Year.
Installation of Officers
On Sunday, January 3, we will be
ordaining and installing the officers
that were elected at the December 6,
2009 congregational meeting.
Please come and support these
fellow members as they assume the
positions to which you have elected
them.
Greetings from Mission and
Evangelism
In my avocation I run across people and actions that
inspire me to pause in my busy day and look around and
see what perhaps, God sees. If only I reacted in a
manner that this Metro Denver Hospice Physician did.
If I would open my eyes, look around these
opportunities are abound. I believe God gives all of us
the opportunity to help him, help others.
Joe Johnson
From the communication of a Metro Denver
Hospice Physician:
“I was driving home from a meeting this evening
about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car
started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed
to coast into a gas station, glad only that I would not be
blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot
to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over.
Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out
of the quickie mart building, and it looked like she
slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got
out to see if she was okay. When I got there, it looked
more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she
had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really
haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped
something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give
it to her. It was a nickel.”
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“At that moment, everything came into focus for
me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed
full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and
the gas pump reading $4.95.”
“I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help,
and she just kept saying 'I don't want my kids to see me
crying,' so we stood on the other side of the pump from
her car. She said she was driving to California and that
things were very hard for her right now. So I asked,
'And you were praying?' That made her back away from
me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and
said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'” Dear Pisgah Presbyterian Church,
“I took out my card and swiped it through the card Jeannette and I want to thank you for your generous
reader on the pump so she could fill up her car Christmas gift. Thanks also to the Mary Shepherd circle
completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next for the gift certificate.
door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some We are deeply grateful for all your love and support.
gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She Pisgah is truly a loving and giving congregation.
gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like
Sincerely,
wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and
talking a little.” Vic and Jeannette
“She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas
City. Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not Dear Pisgah Presbyterian Church,
been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't
I just wanted to thank each of you for the very
have money to pay rent Jan. 1, and finally, in
generous Christmas gift. Thanks for everyone’s support
desperation, had called her parents, with whom she had
throughout this past year. How blessed I am to be able
not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California
to combine a great job and wonderful church family!
and said she could come live with them and try to get on
her feet there.” Sincerely,
“So she packed up everything she owned in the car. Lynn
She told the kids they were going to California for
Christmas, but not that they were going to live there. I
Dear Pisgah Church,
gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer
with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over I would like to thank the Church for the generous
to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or Christmas gift. But to me the most important gift you
something?' give is all the love, support and very kind words you
“This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this share throughout the whole year. I am truly blessed to
time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God serve such a wonderful congregation!
uses regular people.' Thanks again,
“It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's Linda
miracle.”
Psalms 55:22: Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He
shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Dear Pisgah Church Members,
Thank you for your most generous gift. Your
kindness and generosity is very much appreciated. May
all your wishes and dreams come true in the coming
Volunteers for Gift Shop New Year. You are always remembered in my prayers.
The Hope Ministries Gift Shop is in need of Ted Bendis
volunteers. The gift shop is open 5 days a week between
the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Volunteers usually
work a two hour shift and may sign up for the dates and
times that fit in their schedules. Anyone interested in The Board of Deacons wishes
volunteering in the gift shop at Bluegrass Community to thank all those who contributed
Hospital may contact Sharon Hardin at 859-873-5525. food for the reception following the
Volunteers are not required to join the Bluegrass Christmas program on December
Community Hospital Auxiliary to work in the gift shop. 13. It was a wonderful evening of
Proceeds from the gift shop are used in the Ministerial worship and fellowship.
Association benevolence fund.
Jan Botkin and Becky Wilder
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Happy Birthday to You in January

1 Louise Lagrew, Herb Marting

4 Todd Graddy
8 Jac Britton
Our dear friends at Pisgah Church,
9 Jamie MacLeod
Thank you for sharing Jack’s final journey home to 10 Cathy Johnson
Kentucky. A humble man completely unaware of how 11 David Shropshire
many knew, respected and loved him. Jack would be 13 Linda Scott, Smith Mitchell
deeply touched by your kindness. Once again, the 14 Lindsey McHatton, Sam Welling
church of my childhood and those who worship within 15 Whitney Dunlap, M. Judson Mackby
its hallowed walls offered peace in the midst of my 18 Morris Mitchell
sorrow. 19 Ruben Kadamyan
Whenever Jack’s loss overwhelms me, I seek 24 Madeleine Clark
comfort in Romans 8:38-39, convinced that death shall 25 Ann Ortenburger, Terry Johnson
not separate us from the love of God – or each other. 27 Daniell Hill
Jack really is Home for Christmas this year and we 28 Zack Wilder, Lillie Broadbent
are blessed by that assurance… 29 Kendall Johnson, Martin Fister, Bryce Baker
Lovingly,
Pegi Ivancevich And in early February…
1 Debbie Martie, Steve Cox
Dear Pisgah, 2 Patrick Hayes
3 Coley Stilz
Thank you very much for the scholarship. I used 5 Kelly Hill, Tara Lewis
the money to purchase books and other school supplies. 6 Jesse Wilder
I really appreciate the support from everyone in the 7 Constantine Budovsky
congregation. 8 Catherine Davidson, Curt Welling
Chad Scott 9 Bob Keller

Please help us keep this list up to date!

The Pisgah Post is published monthly by the Pisgah

Presbyterian Church, 710 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY
40383. The deadline for the February 2010 issue of
the newsletter is January 29. Please submit signed
articles to the church office or email them to
office@pisgahchurch.org.
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Sundays at Pisgah Church

9:45a.m. Sunday School
11:00a.m. Morning Worship

The Staff Email

Vic: pastor@pisgahchurch.org
Lynn: office@pisgahchurch.org

Presbyterian Web Sites:

Presbyterian Church (USA): pcusa.org
Transylvania Presbytery: transypby.org
Synod: synodoflivingwaters.org
Montreat: http://montreat.org
Presbyterians Today: pcusa.org/pcusa/today

Pisgah Church Staff

Vic Priebe, Interim Pastor
Linda Jones, Organist
Lynn Davis, Secretary
Ted Bendis, Bookkeeper
Bob Keller, Groundskeeper
Rhonda Ball, Nursery Worker

The Pisgah Post

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January 2010
Pisgah Presbyterian Church
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Versailles, KY 40383

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Web: www.pisgahchurch.org, Voice and fax: (859) 873-4161, email: office@pisgahchurch.org