Big News! Brian McLaren talks with our Stated Clerk Grady Parsons!

From the Pastor’s Desk - September 2010

Dear Beloved Saints,

While some of us are ending our time of pilgrimage and settling into the routines of the school year, some of us are just setting off on new travels and adventures. Some of us will travel far in the Spirit, while we stay rooted in the familiar!

Speaking of travels, please join me in welcoming home our Young Adult Volunteer in Mission, Willem Grizzly Stockton. We are so blessed to have him in our midst, to hear him preach and lead our Youth Fellowship partnership with St. John’s on August 29^th. Please join us for this special day and plan to join us at our Fellowship Pot Luck Luncheon immediately following worship. We will have a brief program during the luncheon to introduce new “Reflection” or study opportunities this fall.

Speaking of adventures, the Presbyterian Women are setting off on the study of the book of Revelation. Although the first meeting of PW isn’t until September 21^st, we will begin the study of Revelation before then. There is so much to discover about this little-known book and so little time! Please join me in beginning our study by starting at the end, reading chapters 21 and 22 first. If we can keep our focus on these two last chapters through out the study, we will always know the hope God has for us. To aid the PW in their study, once a month I will preach from an Old or New Testament passage that is referenced in the book of Revelation.

Make plans now to join us for Lunch Bunch after worship on Sunday, September 19. We are a lively group who enjoy this time of study, reflection and conversation. If you have a suggestion for study material, please email me at rebecca.foxnuelle@gmail.com or call my cell phone. If you are on Face Book, you can “like” my page at “Rev. Rebecca”. I’ve posted a few updates on my blog at http://revrebecca.blogspot.com/. 

God is doing wonderful work among us. Signs of Christ’s Reign abound. We are small, but we are mighty in the Lord. I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to minister with you in this ‘in-between time.’

In Christ’s name,


Rev. Rebecca

Celebrating Twenty Years Ago Today

Where were you Twenty Years Ago Today ...? Jon and I and our families were at First Presbyterian Church, Dowtown Dallas, Texas. We sang "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" and "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" among others. My favorite may have been John Rutter's "A Gaelic Blessing."

Deep peace of the running wave to you.

Deep peace of the flowing air to you.

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.

Deep peace of the shining stars to you.

Deep peace of the gentle night to you.

Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.

Deep peace of Christ,

of Christ the light of the world to you.

Deep peace of Christ to you.

Amazing Grace

I remain amazed at the love and care the people of First Presbyterian Church, Rockdale, Texas extend to one another. Although pastors are teachers, I learn from the saints in Rockdale everyday! What a blessing it is to be part of this community.

Grattitude

I am thankful for many, many blessings:

• my call as the interim pastor to the saints at First Presbyterian in Rockdale, Texas; 
• my husband's employment for the past 9 months; 
• our two healthy and energetic daughters, one starting high school and the other middle school in a week;
• two cars that run but do not require a car payment; 
• a mortgage that is reasonable, and the ability to pay it; 
• fresh fruits and vegetables; 
• quiet nights without fear.  

I'm not perfect, but I am thankful, and in thanksgiving, I approach joy!

A Visit from the Middlebury Trinity

See the interview here: http://vimeo.com/13608443

To "Facebook" or Not to "Facebook"

In recent days, Facebook and Facebook privacy policies have been in the news. All in all, I'm sure the owners of Facebook reacted to it much like any political figure, saying to themselves something like, "as long as they spell my name right..."

Some say the new privacy policies are grand and sufficient to address any reasonable concerns. Some say it is just more of the same; stick around and it will change.

Whatever your personal views are about Facebook, I now have a Facebook "page" giving us another way to connect. If you would like to view the "page" you can do so by clicking on the FB icon to the right. Be sure to "like" it to add it to your FB profile and receive updates as I post them.

See you in Facebook land!

Rev. Rebecca

From the Pastor’s Desk - June 2010

Dear Saints,

Summer is upon us, and with it comes the fire of the Holy Spirit!

Rather than shift into the rhythm of Ordinary Time, we are going to stay with Pentecost just a while longer and celebrate the Spirit with us. In honor of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples at Pentecost and the birthing of the church, the session and I have agreed to an adventure in departing from the lectionary, at least for June, July and August. Instead we will journey through a set of ‘faith practices’ as set out in Diana Butler Bass’ book Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith and Practicing Our Faith: A Way of Life for a Searching People, edited by Dorothy C. Bass.

We will begin by exploring Butler Bass’ ten "Signposts of Renewal," many of which appear in Dorothy Bass’ book as well. The ten faith practices are: Hospitality; Discernment; Healing; Contemplation; Testimony; Diversity; Justice; Worship; Reflection; and Beauty.

Please join us as we journey together with the Holy Spirit this summer. May this be a time of refreshment for all of us.

Traveling mercies for all during this time of pilgrimage!

Blessings,
Rebecca

From the Pastor’s Desk - May 2010

Dear Saints,

The Good News of Resurrection Day is still with us! God is good and continues to bless us as we move from Easter toward Pentecost and beyond.

Please plan to be with us for our “Happy Birthday, Church!” celebration on Pentecost, May 23. We will celebrate the sacrament of baptism and reaffirm our baptismal vows. We will gather after worship for a true ‘bring a dish’ feast, complete with Birthday cake. We will recall our history as a church and appreciate all the good gifts we have shared together over the years as we look forward to the good gifts yet to come.

May can be a very busy month, and we will be just as busy here at church, so please plan to join us for all the fun.

I’m looking forward to being your pastor for another year as we journey together toward a bright future for First Presbyterian Church of Rockdale.

Please feel free to contact me at any time on my cell phone at 512-689-7984.

Blessings!

Rev. Rebecca

From the Pastor’s Desk - Eastertide 2010

Dear Saints,



Grace and Peace to you as we enter the Holy Season of Eastertide. We rejoice in fifty days of feasting and together we celebrate the power of Love to conquer all things dark and to turn us toward God’s light.



How will you celebrate this season of Rejoicing?



Perhaps a new discipline of prayer, study, or hospitality? A promise to see the world through God’s lens of love? A renewed commitment to celebrating the Holy Spirit within and around us?



The world rejoices with us as we celebrate God’s victory over anything that keeps us from God’s purposes for us. Christ, our Passover has risen; therefore, let us keep the feast!



Rev. Rebecca

Lenten Study After Worship

Dear Saints!

We will have a Lenten Study beginning after worship this Sunday and ending after worship on Palm/Passion Sunday. I will bring a light soup and salad this Sunday to kick us off. We will study the new book by Michael Lindvall, titled Knowing God's Triune Story. Michael Lindvall is a Presbyterian pastor and also an accomplished author, perhaps best known for his book, The Good News From North Haven: A Year in the Life of a Small Town.

Lindvall's new book, Knowing God's Triune Story, is our PC(USA) Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow's choice for Lenten Study for 2010.

Please pass this information on to those who do not have email or who you know do not check their email regularly.

I look forward to seeing everyone in worship on Sunday, and seeing those who are able to join us in our Lenten Study after worship.

All God's Good Gifts!

Rebecca

More Information about Our Lenten Study

Hi Again,

Here is more information about the Lenten Study book we will be using. Hope you can join us.

Rev. Rebecca


Join the many Presbyterian churches across the country participating in the Moderator’s 2010 Lenten Study. Knowing God’s Triune Story, by Michael Lindvall, tells the story of our Maker. It examines why the Trinity consists of three persons and reflects on how true knowledge of the Trinity affects our relationship with God.


Praise for Knowing God’s Triune Story from Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow

218th General Assembly Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow says: "What a wonderful read from Michael Lindvall this Lenten season! Knowing God’s Triune Story: The Moderator’s 2010 Lenten Study unlocks the Trinity from the church’s abstractions by interpreting it as a short-hand symbol for the long narrative of God. Lindvall examines how the three persons of the Trinity form the unity of God’s embrace of humanity. This 2010 Lenten devotional builds a strong foundation in knowing the story of God and I would recommend it be part of your congregation’s spiritual discipline in preparation for Resurrection Day."

— Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow

Good Mourning

The grief hit me yesterday and hit me hard. It took the form of an ache in my neck and shoulder. Although the physical pain is gone today, the emotional residue is still present. I'm feeling very "serious" and vaguely disappointed, without a known cause. And I am preoccupied, distracted, forgetful.

I need to pay attention to my grief, to engage in "good mourning" as my friend, Allan Cole, professor at Austin Seminary puts it. I've ordered a couple of extra copies of his book by the same name for us to pass around during this time of loss.

One of the most powerful things Professor Cole says in his book is that whenever someone we love dies, it brings back to us all the other losses we have suffered in our life. I think this is where that sense of preoccupation comes for me. I know I've lost, more than once, and I become, literally, scattered.

We all need time to collect ourselves after we lose someone we love. How long will this take? I don't know, but I am going to make an effort to listen extra closely to myself and to God during this time and to you all. I encourage you to listen and talk with one another, too.

Viewing and Services for Betty Guldi

Dear Friends,

I just spoke with Art and Betty's son, Dick. He told me that the viewing will be on Monday, February 1st, from 5-8 pm at the Funeral Home. The services for Betty will be on Tuesday, February 2, at 2 pm at the Funeral Home. The Internment will follow at the Cemetery. Following the Internment, there will be a reception at the Guldi's home.

See you tomorrow, as we Celebrate the Resurrection on the Lord's Day.

With love,

Rebecca

Prayers, Prayers, Prayers

Dear Friends

Please pray for our dear Art and Betty. Please pray for their children, Dick and Susan, and for their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Please pray for God's good grace in all things, in Jesus name.

Rebecca

Art is back in Rockdale and doing well

I just spoke with Art's nurse at the hospital in Rockdale. She said Art just got back from his procedure in Temple. He's a little groggy right now, but will be ready for phone calls and visitors later this evening and tomorrow.

God is Good; All the Time. Thanks be to God!

In Prayer

It looks like Art will be transported from Rockdale to Temple tomorrow to have an arthroscopic procedure on his back. We expect that he will be transported back to Rockdale tomorrow.

Art, you are in our prayers tonight and tomorrow, as always. We pray for you and for Betty and for the doctors and nurses who will attend you. Traveling Mercies, friend. God is good.

The Season of Epiphany

Epiphany is a oft-forgotten season, but it has a rich heritage and you can read more about it here: http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/12/31/epiphany-blessing-the-house/

Greetings!

Thank Goodness for the TWELVE days of Christmas. I need every one of them!

On Thanksgiving Day, my dear husband insisted that we grab a quick family photo for cards. I'm glad he did. Some years we send cards, some years we don't. Some years we send them electronically! It just depends on how busy we are. One year I sent a electronic version of the Mother and Child. This year, we ran down to the park at the Marketplatz in Fredericksburg and my dad snapped this photo. Later, an old friend sent me a note: "What have you done with your baby girls, and who are those teen models you've hired to replace them!" I wonder that myself sometimes...

I've posted this one on the bulletin board outside the church office as well, for your enjoyment! We are, from left to right, Kate 11, Jon the dad, me the mom, Carolyn 14 and of course, our fearless (ahem...) golden retriever, Scout.

Much love to all,

Rev. Rebecca

From the Pastor’s Desk January 2010

Grace and Peace to you in the New Year and in this season of Epiphany!

We all enjoy our New Year’s traditions: sparklers, black-eyed peas for good luck, football games and parades. One of my favorite New Year’s Day traditions is the tradition of pastors praying for each member of their congregations by name.

As I prayed for each of you this New Year’s Day, I gave thanks to God for you, saying:

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servant _____ as s/he begins another year with you. Grant that s/he may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen her/his trust in your goodness all the days of her/his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I also prayed for this congregation as a whole, for our life together as children of God, for our elders, our session, and for myself as your pastor, saying:

O God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, by your grace you have called us to be a family of faith. Bless me as the pastor, bless our elders, our session, our people and bless our life together. By your Spirit, grant that we may show the power of your love to all; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray for one another this year, rejoicing in the gift of presence that each of us brings to our part of the body of Christ, knowing that we are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other, clothed in love and bound together in perfect harmony, with the peace of Christ in our hearts, the word of Christ dwelling richly in us, and giving thanks to God in all things. from Colossians 3:12-17

In gratitude,

Rev. Rebecca