The Pisgah Post

Pisgah Presbyterian Church Our Mission: to worship God,

Woodford County, Kentucky study the Scripture, practice the
January 2008 teachings of Jesus.

Thoughts from Ground Level ow concerning love of the brothers and sisters,
Do you ever make New Year resolutions? I do, but
not every year. Some years I make one or two, other
years not a one. I know the change from December to
N you do not need to have anyone write to you,
for you yourselves have been taught by God to
love one another. 1 Thessalonians 4:9
ach of us must please our neighbor for the good

E
January is a page turn on the calendar, but there is
purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did
something about beginning a new year that makes it
not please himself; but, as it is written, ‘The insults
more than a flipping to a new calendar page. January
of those who insult you have fallen on me.’ For
feels different from December. Do you know what I
whatever was written in former days was written for our
mean? There is an invitation woven into the days of
instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the
January that offers us a time to start afresh. What a gift!
encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.
How will you, how will we, make use of that gift in
Romans 15:2-4
2008?
elcome one another, therefore, just as Christ

W
At the beginning of this new year, I want to offer
has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For
twelve possible resolutions for you. Twelve, that’s a nice
I tell you that Christ has become a servant of
biblical number…
the circumcised on behalf of the truth of
old fast to what is good; love one another with

H
God in order that he might confirm the promises given
mutual affection; outdo one another in showing
to the patriarchs, and in order that the
honor. Do not lag in zeal, be
Gentiles might glorify God for his
ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
mercy.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in
Romans 15:7-9
suffering, persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints;
ou have put gladness in my

Y
extend hospitality to strangers. Romans
heart more than when their
12:9-13
grain and wine abound. I will
ct with justice and

A
both lie down and sleep in
righteousness, and deliver
peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me
from the hand of the
lie down in safety. Psalm 4:7-8
oppressor anyone who has
been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien,
the orphan, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in
ncourage one another and build up each other, as

E
this place. Jeremiah 22:3
indeed you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
ray then in this way: Our Father in heaven,

P hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.

Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a
us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our
debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not
bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil
A setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an
ornament of gold is a wise rebuke to a listening
ear. Proverbs 25:11-12
one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not ejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses. Matthew 6:9-15
raise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD; give
R Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The
Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with

P praise, O servants of the LORD, you that stand in
the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house
of our God. Praise the LORD, for the LORD is
good; sing to his name, for he is gracious. Psalm 135:1-3
ou must understand this, my beloved: let everyone
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
Whatever you resolve in this new year, remember

Y be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; that in Christ all things are already new. New life is ours,
for your anger does not produce God’s not by our resolve, but by God’s love made visible in
righteousness. James 1:19-20 Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace, Jon
 2
Mary Shepherd Circle
The January meeting of the Mary Shepherd Circle
will be on the second Tuesday of the month, January 8,
at 10:00a.m., since our regular meeting date falls on New
Year’s Day. We hope to see everyone there ready to start
the new year with lots of energy and new ideas.
The circle is continuing its support of the Spouse
Abuse Center with donations of gently used clothing for
the women and children, twin bed sheets, toiletries, toys
in good condition. A large blue container in the
Academy labeled “Spouse Abuse” is ready to receive
your donations.
Thank Yous
The staff would like to thank all of you for the care
you expressed in your Christmas gift to us. As always,
your generosity is amazing.
Jon Martin, Pastor
Sue Henry, Director of Christian Education
Linda Jones, Organist
Lynn Davis, Secretary
Ted Bendis, Bookkeeper
Rhonda Ball, Nursery Worker
Bob Keller, Groundskeeper
Pisgah Members,
Having served as one of your elected deacons for
the past three years, I express my gratitude and
appreciation to you. It has been an honor and a privilege
to serve. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Emma Mitchell
New Adult Sunday School Class
Beginning January 6, the Reformation Class will
begin a study of one of the Wisdom Books of the Bible.
The Book of Proverbs, although
compiled during the postexilic period
(500-600 B.C.) has many of its roots in
the stories of the Near East
Mesopotamian and Egyptian literature.
Extremely varied in literary form this
book should provide insight into the thoughts and
understanding of the nature of God to the people of
ancient times. Hopefully, it will encourage us to expand
and focus our thoughts as well.
Bible Studies for Women
Thursday nights will offer some inspiring options for
the women of Pisgah.
At the end of the 3:16 Numbers of Hope study,
some of the women asked if we could move into a
Lenten Study. There were also some who expressed an
interest in having a Beth Moore study and so, beginning
on January 17, there will be two choices for women.
At 5:45p.m. the “traditional” dinner and study group
will begin a 9-week Bible study titled, Preparing My
Heart for Easter: A Woman's Journey to the Cross
and Beyond. This study focuses on the lives of 11
women who intersected the life of Jesus and who played
important roles as eyewitnesses in the story of his
resurrection. The study is designed so that we discuss
“What is Lent?” in the first weeks, look at 11 women
touched by Him, have an overview of Jesus entering
Jerusalem, look at the increasing tension and last days of
Passion week and learn more about the significance of
the Lord's Supper, Maundy Thursday, the Ascension and
Pentecost. In addition, the Lenten season will be
enriched discovering the meanings behind many Easter
hymns.
Sue Henry will lead this Lenten study and it will end
just before Holy Week. The cost for each participant’s
book is $12.00.
Starting promptly at 7:00p.m., a second offering for
women will be an 11-week Beth Moore bible study, A
Heart Like His. Becky Prater and Peggy Graddy will
lead this in-depth study that will take the participants
through virtually every twist and turn of David’s life as a
shepherd, a refugee and a king. Each week contains five
daily lessons, each of which will require about 45
minutes to complete. As Beth states in her introduction,
Getting prepared for a study of David is somewhat like getting
ready for a tornado. Gather the necessary supplies (a Bible, a
workbook, and a pen), and hold on for dear life!
Becky and Peggy will be gathering the workbooks as
well as the video tapes for their class and therefore it is
imperative that you sign up with them. Please call Becky,
253-1474 or Peggy, 230-9858 if you have questions.
The cost of each workbook will be $25.00. The
additional $10.00 will help to defray the cost of the video
tapes. A copy of Beth’s introduction will be placed on
the bulletin board in the kitchen if you would like more
information.
We are excited about these studies and hope it will
be a real blessing for all who come.
 3

DCE Notes
last minute and I appreciated his willingness to step in
on short notice.
“Afterglow”. That is the term used after a
Highlights also included:
performance when people reflect on the highlights of the
Sarah Kindred was the narrator and held the story
experience they have just been through. So in this article
together. In the OPENING SCENE, we saw the
I would like to share some of my Christmas Windows
animated and comical side of Kelly Hill as she was able
afterglow moments.
to “address” her stage husband and make two syllables
Firstly, it could not have happened without the
out of his name, “Eh-ed!” (Ed Clark).
commitment from YOU. There were 44 people who
WINDOW ONE Toy Store: Missy Hill was a
participated in this production and about a dozen more
wonderful “Jill in the Box” and Bryce Baker made a
who worked “behind the scenes”. Pisgah FAMILY
beautiful Barbie Doll. Curt Welling was a delightful
Christmas truly did become a family event. There were
Santa while daughter Molly was his helper elf.
18 children, 11 youth, and 15 adults involved! It was
Chauncey Hill did a good job reminding every parent
exciting to have so many people take part. Letters went
in the audience of a time when their child ran ahead of
out to children and youth just before the Stewardship
them and then stood and yelled for them to “hurry up”
Fair in November and the response was wonderful!
as he waited to see Santa. Olivia Hines had her hands
The story was simple. A young child wants to find
full as the bell ringer who tried to stop him!
the real meaning of Christmas. Not receiving the answer
WINDOW TWO Carolers Christmas Party: This
he wants after talking with his parents, he wanders
scene was delightful as five members of the Choir
through town and looks at how people are celebrating
caroled down the aisle. Sam followed behind listening
through various windows. I am grateful to John Baston
and questioning Abe Fosson about the words of their
who was able to listen to an idea I had in my head and
songs. Dottie Schmidt made a wonderful hostess.
perfectly construct our set—a free-standing picture
WINDOW THREE Hectic Family: Michele
window frame, behind which most of the scenes were
Welling was the frazzled mother inside the house
played.
baking cookies, wrapping gifts and writing last minute
Incredibly, each “window” rehearsed their scene for
cards while the father, Daniell Hill, was outside hanging
only an hour two times before the entire play was put
lights on the house. Poor Dana Brooks was the
together on the Friday before the performance. Sam
frustrated daughter who had to “run” errands for her
Welling was the lead child and so he and his family were
mother while teen age daughter, Hannah Kindred
the only ones who were at all of the rehearsals.
assisted inside. The scene ended when Nicole Lake
Although I wrote this piece and had an idea of how
brought over the annual fruitcake!
it would be -- I was pleasantly surprised by the “life” it
WINDOW FOUR The Church: The only window
took on as others began to make the roles their own.
the young child Sam is invited into. He sees all the
Given the short amount of rehearsal time, I never
people he met at the other windows in worship. Olivia
asked anyone to memorize their lines. However, both
Hines greets him at the door as the usher and Grant
Sam and Grant memorized all of their lines. I don’t
Welling is the preacher who recites the story from the
know if that was a challenge to the others, but all of the
Gospel of Luke (from memory) while the Nativity Story
children had their lines memorized! I noticed that by
is staged for the congregation. Seven Angels declare
performance time, several of the youth and adults did
“Glory to God in the highest” as silver stars wave above
also. That was a nice surprise.
their heads. Shepherds enter with sheep who “baa” the
Someone who had a non-speaking role, but stole the
entire way up the aisle. First timer and our youngest
show was four-month old Brody Mancuso, who
little lamb was Olivia Cassidy who made it up the aisle
portrayed the baby Jesus. His parents, Laura and Brad,
with no problem and then promptly turned around and
played Mary and Joseph. Katherine Martin was the
walked back down the aisle to her mother! The
angel who carried Brody down the aisle and placed him
Wisemen presented their gifts as the baby looked on.
in Mary’s arms when the scripture read, “While they
Our character then realizes and declares that Christmas
were there, the time came for the baby to be born…”
is not parties or toys or decorations but all about Jesus
Brody was “wise beyond his months” and looked
and the congregation ends the play by singing “Joy to the
directly at the audience as he came down the aisle and
World.”
was very alert and interested when the Wisemen brought
Although the weather was not great that day, our
their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Brody
audience turnout was decent, but I think I have to say
reached for a couple of the gifts as they were passed to
that the fellowship in the Academy Building afterward
Joseph. Cute, as well as touching.
had a great feeling to it. Deacons and a few Education
The audience participated by singing secular and
members organized the appetizers and desserts—but
non-secular Christmas carols while the scenes behind the
people just seemed to enjoy being together afterward and
windows were quickly changed by Robbie Craycraft.
stayed for quite awhile just talking and laughing together.
As a personal note, I have to say that Robbie was the
It was a fun evening. Thank you.
only person I actually “called” and asked to help at the
Sue
 4
In a large bowl, mix vinegar, hot sauce, oil, garlic
and pepper. Peel, pit and cut avocado into ½ inch cubes.
Add to vinegar mixture and mix gently to coat.
Drain and rinse peas and corn. Add peas, corn,
onions, cilantro and tomatoes to avocado; mix gently to
coat. Add salt to taste. Serve pea mixture with chips as
an appetizer.

Life in the Church

New Members:
On December 16 we welcomed Dr. Michael Brooks and
Window Four: Mary and Joseph with Sheep and Angels his wife Rachael into Pisgah’s Church family.

Baptisms:
On December 23 Greg and Donna Lawrence’s son,
Jackson Dwight, was baptized.

Sympathy was extended to:

Bruce and Maggie Howard on the death of Maggie’s
father on December 1.
Tessa Dole on the death of her grandson on December
2.
Morris and Emma Mitchell on the death of Morris’ sister
on December 7.
Daniell and Kelly Hill on the death of Kelly’s father on
December 23.

Window Four: Wisemen Andrew Brooks, Mason Hill and

Hunter Baker presenting their gifts
Recipe Request
Those of you who were at the Christmas program
were treated to a delicious appetizer from Sue Fosson for Snippets
which the recipe has been requested. It is as follows: o If you came to the Sip and Sing on Sunday,
December 23, you had a special “treat.” Tom and
Cowboy Caviar Lynda Clark sent Pisgah’s Plate Ministry special
holiday cookies from Germany! The cookies arrived
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar in and were served from a beautiful tin. Thank you
½ tsp. hot sauce (or more to taste) Clark family.
1½ tsp. salad oil o Congratulations to Rachael Brooks who completed
1 clove garlic, minced her last class at Liberty Theological Seminary on
1/8 tsp. pepper December 15. She will walk in the Spring
1 firm-ripe avocado (about 10 oz.) Commencement.
1 can (15 oz.) black-eyed peas o Congratulations to Jennifer Chandler who has
1 can (11 oz.) corn kernels completed training for the Commonwealth Institute
2/3 c. thinly sliced green onions for Parent Leadership. This is a nationally
2/3 c. chopped fresh cilantro recognized program to help parents become more
½ lb. Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped effective advocates for their children’s education.
Salt We are always on the lookout for more “Snippets.” Help
1 bag (6 oz.) tortilla chips us keep this column going by sending in any interesting
little tidbits you hear!
 5

Happy Birthday to You in January

1 Louise Lagrew, Herb Marting
3 Charlotte Easley, Willa Thomas
4 Todd Graddy
8 Jac Fey
9 Jamie MacLeod
10 Cathy Johnson
11 David Shropshire
13 Linda Scott, Smith Mitchell
14 Lindsey McHatton, Sam Welling
15 Whitney Dunlap, M. Judson Mackby
18 Morris Mitchell
19 Ruben Kadamyan, John Walker, Jr.
21 Ben Easley
24 Madeleine Clark
25 Ann Ortenburger, Terry Johnson, Jeannie Walker
27 Daniell Hill
28 Zack Wilder, Lillie Broadbent
29 Kendall Johnson, Martin Fister, Bryce Baker

And in early February…

1 Debbie Martie, Steve Cox
2 Patrick Hayes
3 Coley Stilz
5 Erika Clark, Kelly Hill, Tara Humphreys
6 Jesse Wilder, Ramsey Easley
7 Constantine Budovsky
8 Catherine Davidson, Curt Welling
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 2008 issue of the
newsletter is January 25. Please submit signed articles to
the church office or email them to
office@pisgahpresbyterian.org.
 6

Sundays at Pisgah Church

8:45a.m. Early Worship
9:45a.m. Sunday School
11:00a.m. Morning Worship

The Staff Email

Jon: pastor@pisgahpresbyterian.org
Sue: dce@pisgahpresbyterian.org
Lynn: office@pisgahpresbyterian.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

Jon Martin, Pastor
Linda Jones, Organist
Sue Henry, Director of Christian Education
Lynn Davis, Secretary
Ted Bendis, Bookkeeper
Bob Keller, Groundskeeper
Rhonda Ball, Nursery Worker

The Pisgah Post

January 2008
Pisgah Presbyterian Church
710 Pisgah Pike
Versailles, KY 40383

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