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Presbyterian
Messenger
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall
love the Lord your God with all your heart, and
with all your soul, and with all your might.
—Deuteronomy 6:4-5
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF BURLEY FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH APRIL 2021
Because Jesus Lives
The 2021 Lenten journey is now complete. On 3. We do not have to be afraid of death.
Easter Sunday, April 4th, we arrive at the Billy Graham was asked what he thought about
highpoint of the Christian year. “Christ is alive! death. He said, “Death for the righteous (the
Let Christians sing, The cross stands empty…” believer) is distinctly different from what it is for
(Hymn #108 Christ Is Alive!) the unbeliever. It is not something to be feared,
Because Jesus lives: nor is it to be shunned. It is the shadowed
threshold to the palace of God.” The Lord Jesus
1. We have a Bible with a happy ending. faced death for us. The Lord Jesus won the
Thomas Jefferson could not accept any reference victory over death. Through faith in Him we too
in Scripture to the miraculous. So he edited his will be victorious over death.
own special version of the Bible. In the Thomas
Jefferson Version (TJV) all references to the 4. We have the power through the Resurrection
supernatural were deleted. The closing words to of the Lord Jesus to be new people.
Jefferson’s Bible are these: “There laid they Scripture declares: “If anyone is in Christ, he/she
Jesus and rolled a great stone at the mouth of the is a new creation; the old has gone and the new
sepulcher and departed.” How sad! But that’s has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The story is
not the way the story really ends! Christ is risen! told of Martin Luther answering a knock at the
He is risen indeed! door. “Does Dr. Martin Luther live here?” the
man asked. “No,” Luther answered, “He died.
2. We have forgiveness of our sins. Christ lives here now.”
When God the Father raised Jesus from the dead,
he was shouting ‘Amen!’ to Jesus’ words from Everything is different because of the good news
the cross ‘Finished!’ He was declaring that that “Christ died for our sins and rose from the
humankind’s sin debt is paid in full. Jesus died dead.”
on the cross to provide forgiveness for our sins. In Jesus’ love,
Pastor John
Reflecting on Easter
A grand entrance Believing in
Sometimes we get caught up in thinking we
Decades ago, as English
need to understand God in order to have faith.
actress Gertrude Lawrence
But faith is more about trust than knowledge;
waited behind the curtain
it’s more about believing in someone than
for a play to begin, the
believing information. A child, for instance,
queen upstaged her by
doesn’t have to know the precise roads to
arriving at the royal box to
Grandma’s house; he only needs to be-
much applause. “What an
lieve in his parents and their ability and desire
entrance,” Lawrence
to get him there safely. Similarly, we need not
remarked, to which her
understand all the intricacies of how God
friend, playwright Noel Coward, replied, “What a part!”
works; we can take a cue from the disciples
Jesus certainly made a grand entrance into
and let belief in the risen Christ transform and
Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, entering to adoring
empower us.
shouts of “Hosanna!” But worldly glory and fame
In the words of Madeleine L’Engle (The Rock
weren’t his intent. Instead, our Lord knew that his
That Is Higher): “The disciples did not bother to
Father had prepared a sacrificial role for him. Jesus
try to understand the resurrection body. They
handled the adulation with dignity and poise. The
doubted, and then they believed. They
humble yet courageous Son of God knew that
believed something so wonderful that it
danger, despair and death awaited — but that he
changed this broken, fragmented, beaten-down
must endure it all to fulfill prophecy for humanity’s
little group of men and women in a moment
sake.
from depression to enthusiasm, from despair
The pageantry of Palm Sunday is a stark contrast to
to new life, vibrant and unafraid.”
the role of Suffering Servant that Jesus faced a few
short days later. Yet each event during Holy Week
represents victory — for Jesus as well as for his
beloved children. Encourage wonder
Palm Sunday is a glorious day, so let us wave
palms and shout, “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” For a new perspective on Bible accounts you’ve
The Savior has come. What an entrance! What a part! heard over and over, play “I Wonder” with children
and adults alike. Similar to “I Spy,” it encourages a
deeper dive into familiar passages. Simply explore
ideas that aren’t detailed in the Bible, starting with the
Anticipating life’s waves phrase “I wonder.” For example:
Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed • I wonder if any Roman soldier was standing in the
after a diving accident, described swimming in back not mocking Jesus (Matthew 27:27-31) - if
the ocean as a child. Because the waves looked so, what was he thinking as others threw about
so high, her first inclination was to swim away insults?
from them. That, however, just left her tossed • I wonder how long it took Joseph of Arimathea to
about and sometimes held underwater. “The cut his own tomb out of the rock (Matthew 27:57-
best thing,” she discovered, “was to swim 60). What did he think about as he worked?
fast toward [the waves] and dive under them • The day after Jesus’ ascension, I wonder which
before they had a chance to break on top of disciple spoke first at breakfast — and what he
said.
you.”
That’s true with life’s “waves of crisis or Scholars may have chimed in on some of these
difficulty” too, says Tada. “The best way to ponderings, but there’s likely no right answer. Playing
beat those waves of trials and tough challenges “I Wonder” can help you slow down to really pay
is to face them. Head-on. Almost anticipating attention and experience more of a Bible passage —
them. Sometimes I find myself literally diving especially one you seem to know by rote.
Add meaning to this year’s Easter celebration by
into the middle of a problem before it has a letting your wonder wander during Holy Week. Then
chance to crash on top of me.” When problems continue the practice whenever you’re eager to gain
are about to break on top of you, what helps new insights on the “old, old story … of Jesus and his
you face them and stand your ground? love.”
—adapted from The Wired Word —Janna Firestone
Session Highlights
Greetings from the Session, Thank you to the Fellowship treasure and talents you give so
Committee for the wonderful St. freely for the running of the church.
The Session met on Mar. 10 for the Patrick’s Day meal. Thanks to all of You all Rock!!!! One Great Hour of
regular monthly meeting. There you who stayed afterwards for the Sharing Offering will be collected on
was a quorum present with one wedding shower for Mason and Easter Sunday. Please support this
elder excused. Moderator Rev. Phil Alicia. They are a delightful couple. world mission effort by the
Price from Twin Falls opened the Presbyterian Church.
meeting with an opening devotion Please be thinking about students
from John 3:14-21 followed by an that would qualify for scholarships. Say a prayer for Barbra Moore (Sec)
opening prayer. The Christ Candle There are two offerings: one for a who is having eye surgery on Apr. 8
was lit and the meeting began. The student who is a member of the and 22nd. Pray for a great outcome
minutes for Feb 10 meeting and the congregation and one who has and perfect vision.
Feb. 28th Congregational meeting family ties to the congregation.
were read and approved. There are Applications are available from the The Boy Scouts are no longer
64 active members on the rolls of church office. meeting at the church. They are
the church. now meeting back in the Methodist
The church sign is ready for Church. Alice Long’s Bereavement
The Session congratulated Brent installation. The old sign will need class concluded the last week of
and Julie Germann on celebrating to be removed. Building and March.
40 years of marriage with the Grounds is asking for volunteers to
renewal of their vows on Mar.6th. help with the removal. Call Dale Please watch for the announcement
They celebrated with family and Martin if you can help. for outside church cleanup day.
friends. Session is looking forward Help will be needed to clean flower
to celebrating with Mason Wittman Installation of new officers will be on beds and trim shrubs. Spring
and Alicia Winkle as they begin their April 18th. Cathy Chisholm from the seems to be peaking around the
life together on April 3, 2021. Presbytery will install new officers corner and soon summer heat will
and preach from the pulpit. Pastor be upon us. Plan to help as you are
Lenten lunches will continue through John will be in Hawaii enjoying a able.
March 24th. Easter celebration will short vacation.
be on April 4th. Maundy Thursday The meeting closed at 8:10 P.M.
dinner will be on April 1st at 6:00 The tithes for February were $5419 with prayer given by Pastor John.
P.M. Communion will be served on and the expenses were $5268.
both Easter Sunday and Maundy Thank you to everyone for the Respectfully submitted,
Thursday. generous donations of time, Kathy Poulton, Clerk of Session
IT IS TIME TO BE THINKING ABOUT
SUMMER CAMP
Camp Sawtooth is a ministry of the Kendall and Boise Presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Nestled at the
foot of the Sawtooth Mountains, Camp Sawtooth has been in operation for over 75 years. Thousands of youth of
varying ages have come and spent time in God's creation and experienced the love of Jesus Christ.
Camp Sawtooth is an opportunity to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through living in a close, caring
community which studies, plays and worships together, while encouraging and caring for others. Each camp is
special! For specific information on your camp access the following link: www.campsawtooth.org
Deadline to register for Camp Sawtooth is May 20th. Camp begins June 27th and ends July 30th. Camp Sawtooth is
offering online registration: go to www.campsawtooth.org
Scholarship Applications and Health Forms are also available at church.
April Scripture Lessons
from the Lectionary
In preparation for Sunday services read the gospel account of Jesus’ resurrection.
Plan also to read April Scripture lessons from the lectionary
April 4 [Resurrection of the Lord/Easter] April 18 [3rd Sunday of Easter]
Acts 10:34-43; Ps. 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts 3:12-19; Ps. 4;
1 Cor. 15:1-11; John 20:1-18 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48
April 11 [2nd Sunday of Easter] April 25 [4th Sunday of Easter]
Acts 4:32-35; Ps. 133; Acts 4:5-12; Ps. 23:
1 John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
An Easter prayer
From the grave’s depths, Lord Jesus Christ, you emerged, break-
ing the hold of sin, death and hell, that those who trust in you
Give Satan an inch, might share in your righteousness, life and beloved community
and he’ll be a ruler. with God the Father and all God's children. We bow in awe before
your majesty, giving thanks for your grace extended so bountifully
to us. By the power of your Spirit who lives within us, may we
share the astonishing news of your resurrection with others, that
they also may know your saving grace. Amen.
Committees &
Chairpersons
Building & Grounds:
Paul Pugh
Fellowship:
Brent Germann
Finance:
Carleen Clayville
Missions & Evangelism:
April Birthdays
2021 Year to Date
Dan Wittman
03 Kathy Rios Tithes and Expenses
Personnel & Nominating: 08 Paul Wornell
Jerry Vegwert February
14 Asher Walsh Tithes $5,619.06
Worship & Christian Ed: 24 Mathias Fuelling
Dan Shockey Expenses $5,268.60
26 June Stoller
Deacons: YTD Totals
Darla Holl, Linda Smith, Julie Germann, Tithes $13,028.06
God Bless Your Special Day!
Tyson Germann, Gary Hollinger and Expenses $13,045.03
Susan McGee
2021
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3
6:00 pm
5:00 pm
Wittman / Winkle
Wedding
Communion Service &
Meal
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10:45 am Worship &
Communion
One Great Hour of Sharing
Easter Treats after worship
Deacons meet
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
10:45 am Worship 10:00 am
PW Meeting &
Worship Committee meet 7:00 pm Birthday Offering
Session
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
10:45 am Worship
Pulpit Supply: Cathy
Chisholm
Installation of New Officers
Elder/Deacon Training after
worship
25 26 27 28 29 30
10:45 am Worship
April Servers ~ We Appreciate YOU!
Head Usher: Wittman Family, Head Greeter: Dale Martin
Liturgist: 4/4 Dottie Nester, 4/11 Dan Shockey, 4/18 Gary Hollinger, 4/25 Dottie Nester
Children’s Time: 4/4 Kathy Poulton, 4/11 Kathy Poulton, 4/18 Kathy Poulton, 4/25 Kathy Poulton
Coffee Hour: 4/4 Fellowship, 4/11 _____, 4/18 _____, 4/25 _____
Anyone able to serve on the unassigned dates above, please feel free to just jump in!
Volunteers are always needed and appreciated.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
IN THE NEWS!
The following Bible Study is available to all who are
interested! It is a bible study that is published in our
PW magazine for our benefit!
Into the Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of
Lament by Lynn Miller
Suggestions for Leaders by Dee Koza. The 2020–2021
PW/Horizons Bible study, Into the Light: Finding
Hope Through Prayers of Lament, art and text by Lynn
Miller and Suggestions for Leaders by Dee Koza,
revives lament as a proper theological response to the
difficult situations of our world. One of the
foundational points of the study is that, in scripture,
lament usually leads to hope. After crying out to God,
the one who laments remembers God. And while that
doesn’t fix things in the moment—the injustice, the
loss, the wrong still exist—the one who laments is
strengthened to face the world and to hope. When we
lament, we move from suffering to faith. In our faith
there is hope. We lament in order to hope.
Discovering lament may be one of the church’s most
timely gifts to the world. Explore lament with PW!
Contact Kathy Poulton or Carleen if you are interested!
Yours in Christ’s Service
Carleen Clayville, Moderator
LOOKING AHEAD
MAY
“I cannot count the number of times I have been strengthened 01: Scholarship Application Deadline
by another woman’s heartfelt hug, appreciative note, surprise 02: Communion / Cupcake Sunday
gift, or caring questions . . . My friends are an oasis to me, 06: National Day of Prayer
09: Mother’s Day
encouraging me to go on. They are essential to my well 12: Session
being.” – Dee Brestin 18: Election Day *we are a polling place
20: Deadline to register for Camp Sawtooth
23: Day of Pentecost
23: Scholarship Presentation—TBA
23: Graduation Celebration—TBA
29: Camp Sawtooth Work Weekend (29—31)
31: Memorial Day—Office Closed
JUNE
Thank you for letting us 06: Communion / Cupcake Sunday
meet at your church. 06: Memorial Service of Remembrance
We really appreciate it! 09: Session
19: Presbytery Meeting via Zoom
20: Father’s Day
Thanks, 27: Camp Sawtooth begins
Cub Scout Pack 20 JULY
04: Independence Day
04: Communion / Cupcake Sunday
05: In Observance of Independence Day the Office
will be Closed
Committee Reports
FINANCE REPORT
The following is from the Presbyterian Church, USA,
on giving. Giving is a response to God’s call and is a IT'S ABOUT US
response that the Spirit has manifested in believers
since the Acts church. Giving for the sake of those in Matuor Dot Alier is a social worker in North
need is an essential component of congregational Dakota. A long, difficult journey — and the memory
vitality and Christian identity. In sharing the stories of of his grandfather’s words — brought him from a
those who have been assisted or helped through the childhood in Africa to his life today.
work of Special Offerings, it is our hope that the
presence of Jesus in the lives of those who have Alier fled with his brother and thousands of other
least will become visible to every Presbyterian. These youths when Sudanese soldiers attacked South
real-life stories are intended to develop a relationship Sudan. The children walked hundreds of miles with
of kinship and solidarity, as well as illuminate the little food or water to a refugee camp in Ethiopia. In
image of Jesus in those whom we meet, especially, 2006, Alier and his brother arrived in Philadelphia,
as Matthew 25 reminds us, those who have the least! where they were sponsored and supported by a
Of course, locally we need to be generous, because Lutheran church. Upon moving to Fargo some years
we have the regular expenses that we have on a day
to day basis, paying salaries to those on the payroll, later, Alier helped start a church where people who
heating and cooling our building, and our beautiful had survived war, displacement and other traumas
yard, and of course paying for upkeep on our could find healing, joy and love.
property. i.e. fixing things that break! We on the “My grandfather used to say, ‘I cannot be whole
Finance Team take very seriously our responsibilities unless everyone is whole,’” Alier shares. “I use this
to be good stewards of the Church’s money. We saying a lot to help me stay in a close relationship
appreciate all that each of you do in giving of your with others. It means that we need each other’s
time, talents and financial support, to keep our church
viable for the next 100 years! Thank you! support to survive and thrive. I don’t want to be the
only one doing well if others aren’t doing well. It’s
In Christ’s Service, not just about me — it’s about us.”
Your Finance Team
—adapted from Living Lutheran
"For I remember Easter morn, and life and love
and peace are all new born. But from this earth,
this grave, this dust, my God shall raise me up, I
trust. Where man sees but withered leaves, God
sees sweet flowers growing. He takes men out of
time and makes them feel eternity." author unknown
Tying together the Testaments
In most non-English-speaking nations, the holy
day of Easter is known by a word derived from the
Hebrew word for Passover: Pesach. In Greek,
it’s Pasch; in Latin, Pascha; in Spanish, Pascua; and
FELLOWSHIP in French, Paques.
April 4: Easter treats Each spring, Jewish people observe the Passover
Please stay after Worship for fellowship festival to commemorate how God delivered them
and Easter treats during coffee hour. from slavery in Egypt. The Christian observance of
Game Day—TBA the Lord’s Supper (the Eucharist, Holy Communion
or the Lord’s Table) originated with Jesus sharing
Hosts and goodies for coffee hour are the Passover Seder meal with his disciples the night
always appreciated. There is a sign up Judas betrayed him. Jesus connected the exodus
sheet on the kitchen door. story with his own mission: becoming a “Paschal
Lamb” to save his people from the slavery of sin and
Respectfully submitted, its consequences.
Terrie Shockey
Wedding shower for Mason Wittman and Alicia Winkle
March 14, 2021. Mason & Alicia will be married April 3rd
at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor John Ziulkowski
presiding. The Church Family Is Invited
A Word
A careless word
May kindle strife;
A cruel word
May wreck a life.
A bitter word
May hate instill;
A brutal word
May smite and kill.
A gracious word
May smooth the way;
A joyous word
May light the day.
A timely word
May lesson stress; Folks enjoying our annual Lenten
Luncheons Feb. 24—Mar. 24.
A loving word
May heal and bless.
JESUS, OUR TRUE SHEPHERD
For generations—as far back as they can trace their history—the Rebanks family has tended sheep in the Lake District of Northern England. In his remark-
able book The Shepherd’s Life, James Rebanks recounts the story of his own commitment to their land and their work. At first, their family’s property was
marginal acreage, overrun by rushes and thistles and “surrounded by fells that seemed to anchor rain clouds.” It was no place to form a sheep herd. No place
to build a life.
Given the challenging conditions, they breed Herdwick sheep, a rugged breed for a rugged place. Herdwicks, Rebanks describes, are “arguably the tough-
est mountain sheep in Britain. Snow. Rain. Hail. Sleet. Wind. Weeks of dour wet weather. No problem.” Tough as the Herdwicks are, the shepherds are far
tougher. The Rebanks keep the sheep alive through the long, dark winters when ice and cold threaten and grazing is sparse. Year round, they defend the
sheep from disease and fight off predators. Every hour and day, the care of their sheep is their central concern. They watch over the Herdwick with relentless
diligence, tender affection, and grueling tenacity. Over the decades, the Rebanks, these hardscrabble shepherds, have fought the elements and weathered
economic deprivation, endured the blight of sickness, and threats of one catastrophe or another—all to keep the Herdwick in their care healthy. The Rebanks,
like all shepherds, are doggedly generous, giving all they have again and again for their sheep.
Rebanks’ account dismantles any idyllic, romantic vision we might have. Shepherds do not spend their days merely frolicking in the lush countryside, enjoy-
ing the playful antics of cute, fluffy creatures. Shepherds stand at the brink of danger. They watch over their vulnerable herd with resolute commitment, with
courage. Shepherds pursue their sheep, love their sheep, watch over their sheep. Always. For every ewe and ram, shepherds stand in that gap between life
and death.
This hazardous reality was even more precarious in ancient times, when shepherds didn’t have modern tools or medicines or tracking devices. Imagine,
then, the world of Psalm 23, this well-known prayer many of us return to in times of anxiety or grief. We read the psalm for its comfort, as we should, but our
comfort relies on one basic truth: the Shepherd (“the Lord”) watches over us. “The Lord” (our Shepherd) stands beside us. Our good, strong Shepherd stands
for us in that murky space between life and death.
“The LORD is my shepherd,” the psalmist says, “I lack nothing” (23:1). This line provides the bedrock foundation on which the rest of the psalm—and every
moment of our lives—rests. This is no Pollyanna-like denial of the hardship of life, a refusal to reckon with the grim realities most of us will, at some point,
face. Rather, these comforting words announce a bare assertions: We have a Shepherd. And because we have this good Shepherd, we cling to bold
confidence that, even in seasons of despair or tribulation, we posses (even when all evidence points to the contrary) everything we need.
Our Shepherd guides us into verdant pastures and alongside quiet, healing waters. Our Shepherd refreshes our weary, sorrowful, and anxious souls. This
is who our Shepherd is and what He does for us.
Unfortunately, we must endure more than only tranquil waters and restful landscapes. We must, as the psalmist says, “walk through the valley of the
shadow of death” (V.4 KJV). The Scriptures honesty and grit refuses to flinch. The psalm offers no escape. It doesn’t say if we walk into the shadows—but rather
“when [we] walk through he darkest valley, [we] will not be afraid” (V. 4 NLT).
The Bible doesn’t pass along glib assurance: “Ah! Don’t worry—there’s nothing to be afraid of.” Quite the opposite, the Bible unfolds a more potent truth:
Evil is rampant in this world. Malevolent forces seek to destroy our lives. Nevertheless, do not fear … do not fear … because we have a Shepherd more
powerful than evil. In other words, we rebuff fear—not because we have everything under control but because we have encountered the Shepherd whose
reliable, faithful presence consumes every dread. “I will fear no evil,” the psalmist says, “for you are with me” (V. 4).
In the past two weeks, I received a desperate message from a friend who was rushing her husband to the hospital with a life-threatening illness. I had a
conversation with another friend who was about to lose his apartment because he couldn’t pay the rent. I watched the news, along with the rest of the world,
as COVID-19 threatened the life we knew. Each of these stories are heartbreaking, terrifying, and they each need immediate and tangible relief. And yet, into
that very space, into these valleys of shadows, the psalmist speaks: Do not be afraid. Your Shepherd is compassionate and strong and generous. And your
Shepherd is with you.
Further, this Shepherd is both kind and powerful. As the psalm tells us, it’s the shepherd’s rod and staff that comfort us (V. 4). The staff was the hook used to
gently pull a wayward sheep from the edge of a cliff or a straying sheep back into the safety of the fold. The rod was the club the shepherd would wield
skillfully to fend off a wolf or lion baring its teeth for the kill. The shepherd is at once tender and formidable. The shepherd was kind to every sheep. And the
shepherd was dangerous to every enemy. The rod and staff each provide their own kind of comfort.
The psalmist’s list goes on and on. Our Shepherd provides a feast for us in the very midst of our troubles. Our Shepherd anoints our head with oil, signaling
joy and laughter. Our Shepherd makes our cup overflow, providing abundance—not only making sure we have what we need but more than we need (V. 5).
Our Shepherd always watches out for our well-being, always pursues us with relentless care, always fends off evils. Because we have this Shepherd, we rest
in confidence and hope. “Surely [the Shepherd’s] goodness and love will follow [us] all the days of [our] life” (V. 6).
We discover a fascinating revelation, however, when we read this psalm alongside the writings of early believers in Jesus. Whether Ambrose or Augustine
or Theodoret of Cyrus, they understood the psalm to point to Jesus, the True Shepherd. Arnobius the Younger (a writer from the 5th century, likely from
Africa) went so far as to suggest that Psalm 23 (especially with the shadow of death imagery) foreshadowed Jesus’ resurrection and, in turn, the death-
conquering hope that He now announces for all of us.
Of course, we don’t have to read ancient writing to make this connection. Jesus connected the dots Himself. “I am the good shepherd,” Jesus said (JOHN
10:11). Everything the shepherd is in Psalm 23, Jesus is for us now. Because He’s our Good Shepherd, we have everything we need. Jesus brings us into rest.
He restores our broken hearts. He carries us through the middle of the valley of the shadow of death (not around it, but through it). When we go astray, Jesus
is gentle and kind and tender. When the enemy prowls, baring ravenous fangs, our Shepherd is powerful and victorious.
If we want to know what Jesus is like, one way we find out is by discovering what the psalm’s shepherd is like. Jesus is faithful, never abandoning us. He’s
generous, always providing for us. He’s wise, always knowing what we truly need. He’s tender, caring for our trembling hearts. He’s powerful, defending us
from whatever threatens us harm (even the things within us that threaten to undo us). Jesus is bold, providing for us in the very midst of our troubles. He’s
joyful, showering us with an abundance of joy that calms fears and wipes away tears. Jesus is relentless, pursuing us with love every moment of our lives,
assuring us that no matter how far we run or how big a mess we make, goodness and love will chase after us until our final breath.
If you were to visit Israel today, you’d find a number of shepherds tending to their flocks using many of the ancient practices. The shepherds often sleep
near their sheep, watching over them through the night, and possess a rod to ward off predators. Shepherds have a unique call, an intimate signal that lets
the sheep know the shepherd is near and how to follow. They lead their sheep into lush, green fields where the animals can enjoy a feast. Shepherds are
constantly on watch, always present, always loving and tending.
When I visited Israel, I watched the shepherds in wonder. Their skill, their swiftness, their knowledge of the sheep and the countryside inspired me. Their
tenderness toward their flocks and their keen readiness to jump to action at the first sight of menace were comforting. The sheep were at peace, safe in the
care of their shepherd.
And so are we. We have a true Shepherd who is, in every way, good. And we can be at peace in His care.
—Winn Collier, Our Daily Bread author
PASTOR: First Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. John L. Ziulkowski 2100 Burton Avenue
Burley ID 83318
Pastor’s office hours:
Wednesdays 9:00am—1:00pm Visit us on the web at:
(also available by appointment) www.burleypres.org
Pastor’s email: lrzski@yahoo.com
Pastor’s cell phone: 208-430-5359
Office Administrator: Barbra Moore
Office hours M—F 9am—1pm
Office phone: 678-5131
Office email: burleypc@pmt.org
Clerk of Session: Kathy Poulton
Director of Music: Paul Pugh
Pianist: Susan McGee & Susi McCall
Nursery Attendant: Bonnie Stanley Return Service Requested
Custodian: Bob Bay
Prayer Chain: Susan McGee 208-312-3864
Service Times:
Sunday School 9:30 am (hoping to resume soon)
Worship 10:45 am
The Presbyterian Messenger and
The Lord’s Day Bulletin are published by
The First Presbyterian Church of Burley, Idaho.
Please submit your Newsletter items by the
15th of the month and Bulletin items by Wednesday.
May the God of Hope fill you will all joy and
peace as you trust in him.—ROMANS 15:13
We offer up prayers for . . .
• All who are fighting cancer and those recovering from various illnesses and injuries
CORNER
•
PRAYER
Prayers of thanksgiving for God’s Son—his indescribable gift (2 Cor. 9:15)
• Prayers of support and encouragement for all our shut-ins and those in care centers
• All who have lost loved ones
• The poor, lonely, abused, or struggling with addiction
• Our church leaders
• Our military servicepersons
• Our government leaders
• All who have lost jobs
• Those facing financial uncertainties
• Wisdom for those making difficult decisions
• Our partnership ministries: Mini-Cassia Women & Children’s Shelter, Helping Hands
Christian Center, Operation Christmas Child and Angel Tree Ministry
Prayers: If you know of someone who is in need of our prayers,
please contact the church office.
Prayer Chain: If you have an emergency prayer request, or would
like to join the prayer chain, please contact Susan McGee 312-3864 April
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