FROM THE PASTOR: Rev. Larry Hoffmann

There is a story of an early aviator who was the first to fly from Australia to New Zealand across the Tasmanian Sea. The half-way point for refueling was Falkland Island. High winds and dark clouds drove the small plane off course. The pilot was able to see a clear break in the clouds, fly toward it, use his sextant to regain his bearings, and continue his journey. He needed to follow this maneuver many times before he was able to reach his destination safely.

What a parable for our journey with God! The high winds and dark clouds often move us off course. We focus on the storm we are experiencing and lose our bearings. In the life of faith, it is important to look for those clear openings and regain our direction. Our focus is the good God is accomplishing in the midst of the storm.

God’s peace be with you,

Larry

FROM THE CLERK EMERITUS: D. Dee Mowry

Did you ever wonder why Rev Larry doesn't "Lay down the law" for us?????? A very simple reason......God has a plan for each of us. The plan for you is not necessarily the plan for me. For example, if you drink a glass of beer, you will go straight to Hades and not even pass North Berne. Maybe it is God's plan for you to be a beer taster!!! The Presbyterian Theology is that no one plan fits everyone in the same way....The plan that God has for us needs to be calculated for each individual. It is our job to figure out what that plan is for us.

After spending many years on 'The Preparation for Ministry' committee for Scioto Valley Presbytery, I watched many of our candidates wrestle with this question. Quite often they were asked (or grilled) this same question not only in the committee meetings but also on the floor of a Presbytery meeting. How would you answer this question about being a Presbyterian???? Looking at the forms of government from many churches, we Presbyterians have the best (that is in my candid, but accurate, opinion.) Presbyterian ministers put on their pants or skirt the same way you do. I had an incident many years ago while on a cruise ship where the Kiwanians, Rotarians and Masons met. We were asked to say a few words about ourselves and backgrounds. I commented that I was a past Master of a Masonic Lodge, past Commander in the Scottish Rite, past Potentate of Aladdin Shriners and had received the honorary 33rd degree in 1997. One fellow approached me and asked if he could shake my hand and said that he had never met a 33rd degree Mason. I said sure you can shake my hand, but be assured that I put my pants on one leg at a time like everyone else. We became friends with this one gesture.

What is God's plan for you???????

Calendar of Events

Oct 11^th – Zeta Alpha will meet at 9:30 am in the church basement. All women are welcome. The new Bible study is called “United Through Christ, Bound to Each Other”.
Oct 25^th - Session Meeting after worship

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Oct 7^th – Kayla McCandlish
Oct 13^th – Larry and Susan Hoffmann
Oct 14^th – Ila Bergreen
Oct 21^st – Dee Mowry
Oct 23^rd – Brenda Winegardner
Oct 24^th – Linda Embrey
Oct 27^th – David and Brenda Winegardner

Anyone wanting to add a birthday or anniversary to the list, please send an email or call the church office.

Lay Readers, Communion Servers and Ushers

Oct 4^th – Ron Cullumber: Lay Reader, Communion Server and Usher
Cindy Cullumber: Communion Server and Usher
Oct 11^th – Judy Turner: Lay Reader
George and Linda Shreyer: Ushers
Oct 18^th – Cinda Keller: Lay Reader
Mark and Tracy Embrey: Ushers
Oct 25^th – Dee Mowry: Lay Reader and Usher
Kathy Mowry: Usher

Kids’ Section

This section of the printed newsletter is a page of children’s pictures and puzzles. It is available in the original PDF.

Newsletter October 2026