The Pisgah Post

Pisgah Presbyterian Church Our Mission: to worship God,

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

Thoughts from Ground Level

communion of saints that, from there, we walk to
the Academy Building to support all who grieve with
a ministry of care and fellowship. I regularly walk

F
or the past six years I have added my thoughts to
through the cemetery—usually around the changes
the front page of the monthly newsletter. I want to
of seasons—and think about those gatherings as I
thank you for reading them. Do you know where
linger at the different markers.
the idea to call my article, Thoughts from Ground Level,
o Each year I have been the last one to leave the
came from? It came from a comment someone shared
church after the 11:00pm Christmas Eve service, and
with me in my first month as your pastor. I was asked if
each year I have stood in the silence of the night and
I could have my office on the ground level of the
looked at the peaceful scene of the churchyard under
Academy Building to help people who couldn’t navigate
the cold December sky. Some years have included
stairs visit my office. The request stuck!
snow, but every year has been cold. It has been a
My final Sunday at Pisgah Church will be November
quiet moment for me to give thanks to God for the
16. I plan to say more about
birth of the Messiah, for the joy
what is ahead for me and my

WITH
of a season, for a community of
family as soon as I can, and in
faith, and for that sense of
recent days I have been looking,
goodness and harmony that
not only into the future, but also
Christmas brings the world.
thinking about the past. For me,

MUCH
o Participating in the Douglass
times of transition are about
Class has been a true gift for me.
much reminiscing. I expect that
In that class, an ever-changing
between now and my last
group of people has assembled
Sunday there will be much

THANKS
to discuss a wide-range of
sharing of memories over the
subjects in six years. I have
past six years. Here’s what I
gown in faith because of my
have been thinking about lately:
time with them. We have
o The children who over six years have come forward
wrestled with Christian perspective on war, the
for the children’s moment. Some of them were days
authority of scripture, the teachings of Jesus,
old when I first met them. We all watched them
intelligent design, the Ten Commandments,
make their first trip forward for the children’s
Israel/Palestine, and many other topics—always
moment. Some of them by now have grown too old
with coffee.
to come forward! I greatly enjoyed sharing this
o I remember the Sunday morning in August 2006,
ministry over the years, first with Chris Davis, who
when we learned of the Comair flight tragedy. We
admitted to being nervous about it, and then with
gathered for worship with many people still not
Sue Henry, a seasoned pro.
knowing whether friends or family were safe. We
o I have been blessed to baptize many people here.
sang a different opening hymn that morning that fit
Most of them were infants, but there were about half
with the sadness of the day. We also signed notes of
a dozen adults in six years. Did you know that I
encouragement to families. Those notes were put in
have the best view of the person being baptized? I
a notebook and placed at the make-shift memorial at
can see them right up close. What an amazing, grace-
the airport. Recently I learned that our notebook was
filled moment that is for all of us. Do you remember
included in the official Comair 5191 Memorial at the
the day Jonah was baptized? It was March 14, 2004.
aviation museum at Bluegrass Airport. I saw the
We have good memories of that joyous day.
notebook in the display case last month.
o Do you remember the day the new playground
o Every Easter Day Gathering!—even the year it was
equipment arrived in 2005? It was a terrific day. It
so dark we couldn’t see, or the two years it was so
was supposed to arrive in time for Bible Camp, but
cold we were in the sanctuary. I am nourished by the
it didn’t. Because it hadn’t arrived, we rented a large,
triumphant joy of that day.
inflatable obstacle course. That was a fun week of
Many of the memories I take with me from here
recreation.
include moments filled with Christ’s people gathered in
o When we have gathered to bear witness to the
His Church. In the time ahead remember that we remain
resurrection at a funeral, I will long remember
connected because of His…
walking from worship in the church down into the
Grace and Peace, Jon
cemetery and pausing to offer words of hope around
the graveside. It is a remarkable testimony to the
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___________________________________________

Thank you and may you have an especially Happy

Stewardship Fair
Remember the Stewardship Fair is
on Sunday, November 2. We invite you
to participate in the annual chili cook-
off. People of all ages are invited to
participate in the brownie baking
contest. Come join us!! Don’t miss the fun!!
Greetings from Mission and Evangelism
As you know from the Stewardship Fair it is time for
Operation Christmas Child! Included in the resource kit
from OCC was a letter from Franklin Graham with a
note from a child in Paraguay “I’m very
grateful for the beautiful gifts that we
received, but the most wonderful thing
was to meet Jesus through the Bible
lessons…now I keep talking to others
about Jesus, telling them how much God loves them…”
A very powerful response for so little effort!! Please take
the time to pick up a shoe box from the Academy
Building, fill it with the list provided, and return it by
mid-November! We will ship them and even wrap your
shoebox if you want us to!
The stewardship season seemed especially
meaningful this year in the face of the changing
economic climate; just as the Woodford Food Bank has
seen increasing numbers served, we are receiving more
appeals from different non-profits in the community.
Our committee, each month, selects as many as we can
to help, using specific criteria such as: Have we helped
this charity in the past calendar year? Have we helped a
similar agency? Have we served differing demographic
groups and needs? Have we validated that the agency we
are sending the money to is accountable and will our gift
be used to benefit the greatest good? Is it a local, global
or PC(USA) ministry? As we plan Pisgah Presbyterian’s
upcoming year of giving we would like your input on
missions that are important to you. Please return the
form below to church in care of Mission and
Evangelism:
Thanksgiving!
Your Mission and Evangelism Committee
From the Administration Committee
Our financial news isn’t good. This month we had
to transfer $14,000 from our roof repair CD to the
checking account to meet expenses. As of October 15th
our checking account balance was $8,350 and our
investments totaled $72,450. Through October 15th our
expenses were slightly less than budget at $175,195, but
our income from pledged offering was $112,886 or
67.1% of budget. At the point in the year we should be
at 79.2%. This is a shortfall of $19,166. Given that we
are operating on a “lean” budget it is difficult to meet
required expenses with this income shortfall. Please give
prayerful consideration to Pisgah’s financial needs and
do whatever you can to help resolve this problem.
As always, if you have budget or budgeting process
suggestions or questions about Pisgah’s finances please
talk to me or any member of the administration
committee.
Don Schmidt
The Session would like to invite you to a
luncheon in honor of
Jon Martin and his family
Sunday, November 16
in the Academy Building
immediately following the 11:00a.m. service

Name of charity/non-profit:
___________________________________________
Address of agency:
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Mission of the agency:
___________________________________________
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Christian Education Committee
The Christian Education Committee
is looking for a few good men, women
and youth volunteers to help with
Pisgah’s educational programs. Where
can you help?
Christmas program reader, actor, or singer (no age limit)
On December 14 at 6:30pm, Linda Jones and the
choir will present a holiday program that calls for nearly
two dozen volunteers to participate in various roles, both
musical and non-musical. Wouldn’t it be great if every
Pisgah family was represented in this celebration of our
Savior’s birth?!
Nursery volunteer (ages 15 and up)
A robust roster of volunteers is needed to help out
with Pisgah’s cutest population, our babies. Nursery
coordinator Rhonda Ball will appreciate your assistance.
Children’s Church leader (during Worship Hour)
Enjoy a time of sharing, praying and studying God’s
Word with a delightful group of children (preschool
through 2nd grade).
Sunday school participant or teacher
Whether it’s an in-depth Bible study or a discussion
of current issues Christians are facing, our classes are
informative and lively, and we always have room for
more participants.
Youth Council member
Pisgah’s youth program has experienced a real
growth-spurt this past year. That’s a blessing and a
challenge. Cathy Johnson and the Youth Council work
together to keep this incredible program exciting and
motivating for our kids.
Weekly meal provider
Each Sunday, volunteers prepare a meal for 10-15
youth. They’re not picky eaters and they always say
“Thank You!” If you haven’t spent time with Pisgah’s
teens, this is a fun time to hang out with them.
Bible Camp volunteer
It’s never too early to start planning! Sandi
Bromagen is already searching for ideas for next year’s
camp. Volunteers galore will be called upon to help.
Christian Education Committee member
Many hands make light work. This all-volunteer
committee oversees the coordination of every Christian
education event and program offered at Pisgah. If you’d
like to be more involved in the life of the church,
become a member of this active committee.
To serve in any of these areas, please don’t wait
to be asked. Contact Jennifer Chandler at 873-0544
or Becky Prater at 253-7926. Let us know you’re
willing to help.
Mary Shepherd Circle
The Mary Shepherd Circle will
again be hosting the traditional
Thanksgiving Dinner in the Academy
Building at Pisgah Presbyterian
Church on Sunday, November 23 following the
11:00am service.
We are asking members to bring a covered dish of
their choice to serve approximately 8-10 people. The
circle will provide the meat. This event has always been
one of wonderful fellowship with great participation.
We look forward to seeing all of you there – and please
bring anyone who may be visiting you over the holiday!
Kroger Card Program
Would you like to provide funds to the Mary
Shepherd Circle without any effort on your part -- and
even better -- one that does not impact your wallet? Join
the Kroger Debit Card Program and Kroger will
contribute 4% of every dollar you spend on groceries,
including gas and prescriptions, to the Mary Shepherd
Circle. It’s easy and convenient and it provides funds
the Circle uses to benefit the Pisgah Church community,
mission work, and many other worthwhile causes. To
obtain your card and begin helping, contact Jane Pryor at
873-8861.
Life in the Church
Sympathy was extended to:
Dave and Bobbi Sweeney on the
death of Dave’s father on
October 19 in Phoenix, AZ.
Prayer Request:
Jan and Jim Botkin would like to ask for prayers for the
safety of their nephew, Bradley Webster. Bradley has
been deployed to Iraq for one to two years. His wife
and two-year-old son live in Kansas.
Woodford Historical Society Christmas Tour
The Woodford Historical Society is including Pisgah
Church in its Historic Christmas Tour on Saturday,
December 13, 2008 from 11:00am until 5:00pm. Only
the Sanctuary will be open and we are seeking hosts
from our membership. There will be a sign up sheet at
the Stewardship Fair at the Worship Committee Table or
you may contact Missie Wood at 873-4367 to volunteer
for a time slot or for more information.
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Youth Group
This month the youth group did lots of interesting
things. Some of these include activities such as a corn
maze and a murder-mystery lock-in.
For the lock-in, some helpful volunteers managed to
transform the Academy Building into a German castle Happy Birthday to You in November
called Vold Castle. These volunteers were Renee Smith,
Lisa Johnson, Jennifer Chandler, Cathy Johnson, and 1 Mary Louise Quisenberry
Shelia Baker. 5 Sarah Cox
All of the youth dressed up as different characters. 6 Frank Snipp
We spent the night eating (mostly candy) and trying to 8 Sandy Marting, Annie Stilz
figure out who “killed” the castle owner, Baron von 9 Pam Stokes
Schnell. Some characters included actress Tico Rio 11 George Kadamyan
(Nicole Lake), Baron Ricky von Schnell (Hayden Smith), 12 Joy Hardesty, Kathy MacLeod
Tennessee Bob Turner (Hunter Baker), Irish chef 13 Emily Craycraft, Emma Mitchell, Michael Jones
Quinton McMarston (Courtland Johnson), and stylist 14 Andrew Johnson
Yanka Ivanovich (Hannah Kindred). 15 Linda Bisbee, Pegi Ivancevich, John O’Rear
After we finished the murder mystery (which was 16 Becky Nelson
based on the story of Jonathon and David), the youth 17 Wanda Rodgers, Olivia Cassidy
went on a midnight scavenger hunt in the graveyard. We 18 Lesley Kindred
had to look at gravestones and find specific dates to 20 Susan Dunlap
complete the hunt list. The team that won included 21 Lee Graddy
Albert Chandler, Jackson McKee, Hunter Baker, and 22 Vitaly Budovsky, Steve Burrier
Matthew Fister. We found out a lot of interesting details 23 Asa James, David Prater
about the people who are buried at Pisgah. 24 Bekah Davis
We would like to thank Cathy Johnson and Melissa 25 Betsy Fishback
Scott and all of the other volunteers that help make 26 Dorothy Davis, Campbell Graddy, Stephanie
youth group possible every month. We look forward to Mobley
all of the interesting activities and lessons planned for
next month! And in early December…
Lucie Chandler
1 Bill Gray, Carlee Miller
2 Joe Graddy, Chad Scott
Join with your church family as 4 Beth Straub
we carry on a long tradition with New 5 Jesse Smith
Union Christian Church for a 8 Toland Lacy, Phil Lacy
combined Thanksgiving Day service. 9 Sue Fosson, Judy Simpson
This year we are meeting at New
Union Christian Church. The service Please help us keep this list up to date!
is at 10:30am on Thanksgiving Day.

The Pisgah Post is published monthly by the Pisgah

Presbyterian Church, 710 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY
40383. The deadline for the December 2008 issue of
the newsletter is November 28. Please submit signed
articles to the church office or email them to
office@pisgahpresbyterian.org.
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Sundays at Pisgah Church

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

The Staff Email

Jon: pastor@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
Lynn Davis, Secretary
Ted Bendis, Bookkeeper
Bob Keller, Groundskeeper
Rhonda Ball, Nursery Worker

The Pisgah Post

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November 2008
Pisgah Presbyterian Church
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Web: www.pisgahpresbyterian.org, Voice and fax: (859) 873-4161, email: office@pisgahpresbyterian.org