Orlando, Fla., RPC

Nathan Eshelman, pastor

Orlando RPC celebrated three special wedding anniversaries:

Jim and Ruth Pennington celebrated their 50th anniversary on Sept. 30. The church marked their special day with an intimate dinner with the elders, followed by a social dessert buffet at the Eshelmans’ home. Jim and Ruth’s daughter, Amy, entertained the gathering with her amazing viola playing.

Ray and Louise Turmenne celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 29 with a vow renewal in the church sanctuary. A dinner followed in the fellowship hall.

Glenn and Jean McFarland celebrated their 60th anniversary on June 29. The church marked their special occasion with a cake at the monthly church luncheon.

Two new families were welcomed into our congregation: Jason and Jen Mercado and Pablo and Adriana Valenzuela. On Oct. 30, we welcomed four folks into communicant membership: Justin and Sarah Cardoza, Joseph Hernandez Jr., Emily Schultz, along with one baptized child, Lydia Cardoza.

Two of our newlywed couples have shared their happy news that they are expecting—Karl and Bashia Schaefer and Joe and Jayna Johnson. Please keep these families, and particularly the ladies, in your prayers.

On Oct. 9, the associate pastor-elect of Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church in Port Orange, Fla., Rev. Robert Rothwell, was our guest preacher. His sermon, “God Is Covenant Lord: Reformed Vocation,” offered Genesis 9:1–7 and Matthew 28:18–20 as his text.

When severe weather conditions assault Central Florida, bringing sizable rain totals, the church basement floods (something about a natural artesian well located in our proximity). Our church basement flooded so severely when Hurricane Ian came through that we couldn’t hold our adult Sunday school class there for two weeks. Again it flooded during another rainfall. Undaunted, the class was held in the upstairs sanctuary, at least making the transition from Sunday school to worship service effortless. We thank the deacon board for their excellent work and all their efforts on behalf of the congregation.

Sunday, Nov. 13, was a happy day for our congregation. It was the day Kevin Duffey and Alejandro “Alex” Ramirez were ordained and installed as elders during the morning worship service.

—Louise M. Turmenne, correspondent

Scottish Reformation Tours

Scottish Reformation Tours, a ministry of the Scottish RP Church, has seen participation in their program significantly increase since the pandemic, with 30 tours for over 125 people in 2022.

Their aim is to provide Christ-centered and Christian-led tours of Scotland to encourage people in their walk of faith. Any proceeds remaining after tour costs are paid goes to support church-planting efforts in Scotland.

In 2023, Scottish Reformation Tours has open tours on June 24–July 1 and September 9–16. Visit reformationtours.org for more information.