If you were at JCPC yesterday morning you witnessed the Presbyterian Church at its best. The essence of what it means to be Presbyterian was on display for visitors and members alike. Here at JCPC we blend two mottos that highlight what it means to be a Christian.

Worship is the most important thing we do and
Not for us alone!  These are modern phrases that mirror Jesus' teaching of the great commandment; "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul...and love your neighbor as yourself."

The narthex was lined with tables representing the various missions that we support through our Outreach Ministry. Clearly our mission embodies our creed, not for us alone.
 
During worship, we welcomed new members and said thank you to ruling elders who have rotated off of the session. Christie DiPietro, Render Freeman, Karen Jordan, Steve Simpson, and Terri MacDonald deserve our appreciation for their service to JCPC. Presbyterian Church government honors God's call to men and women to serve in leadership roles in the Body of Christ. These elders embody the Presbyterian Church at its best.
 
Gray preached a powerful sermon identifying the leadership attributes of Moses and then we ordained and installed a new class of elders. Julia DeKold, Ross Johnston, David Lee, Connie Overby, and Tom Traylor experienced the laying on of hands as they received their blessing to serve as ruling elders on our session.
 
I was awed when all ruling or teaching elders in attendance were invited forward to bless these new elders. I'm not sure how many elders came forward but it surrounded the new elders like a cloud of witnesses.

I found myself wondering about the rich history that each of these elders brought with them, mostly unspoken, but there none the less. How many different churches had they served, when did they receive their call to serve and how had they grown in their faith over the years as they served as leaders in the church? Please pray for our newest class of ruling elders and lets grow together in our faith through our worship of God and service to neighbor.

Prayer for Today 

Help us to hear your call, O God of Covenant, and ready our souls stretch and grow in the discipleship of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.