Rochester, N.Y., RPC, John Sawtelle, pastor

At White Lake, during the family camp last summer. I was asked to address the young people and adults and give them an update on the situation in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Rochester. Quickly I found two elders from the Rochester session who were attending family camp, and asked them what they thought I should say.

One elder said, “Tell them about God’s faithfulness in providing for His people.” The other elder said, “Tell them about our theme verse, Galatians 6:9, ‘Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in clue time we will reap if we do not grow weary.’” For the reader who is unaware of the struggle the Rochester RPC has endured the past several years, these comments won’t be terribly illuminating; but for those who are aware of Rochester RPC’s struggle for existence without a full-time pastor they take on a new level of meaning. Of course, the implication of these remarks from the elders of Rochester RPC is that God is indeed now providing for His people here and He is blessing His church, and that is exactly the case. In what follows I would like to take a moment to relate the kind of growth that is going on here in Rochester and how the Lord is blessing this work.

First, there has been growth in numbers over the past year. Not long after my wife and family arrived and I began to minister in the church, a new family, Anthony and Michelle Selvaggio, joined the church. Since that time the Lord has continued to bring visitors and increased the number of adherents. On the first Lord’s Day of the new millennium, the Lord added another family to our church, Anthony and Julie Alberti, and their baby, Christian Alberti, was baptized. We are very thankful to the Lord for these two new families and we look forward to receiving new families in 2001.

Second, the Rochester RPC has increased its community profile. This past summer the church purchased a sign to advertise our place of worship. About two weeks after it went up, a gentleman was brought in by that sign to worship with us. We also secured an ad in the Greater Rochester Area Yellow Pages, and we trust the Lord will use that to enable people to find us with greater ease. Last fall we took an additional measure to increase our visibility and accessibility by putting up a web site, <www.rochesterrpc.org>. For the time being it is scaled clown, but it does advertise us on the web and provide information on how to contact us and locate our place of worship.

Another development is the weekly half-hour radio show on a secular radio station that a local pastor has graciously invited me to participate in. Along with that, the radio station has extended Rochester RPC an opportunity to run spots advertising our church for free. We see the Lord’s guidance in all this, and it is our prayer that He will use these things for the advancement of His church and for His glory.

Third, the Lord is raising up men from our midst to serve as officers of his church. On Dec. 17, the congregation held an ordination service to ordain and install its first-ever deacon, Steven Robson. Beyond that, the Lord has raised up Anthony Selvaggio to prepare for the ministry. Anthony and his wife Michelle are living in Pittsburgh as he studies for the ministry at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. We are truly thankful that the Lord has raised up Anthony to serve, and we pray the Lord’s blessings upon his studies and long to see him hack here in Rochester serving the Lord in the ministry of the Word.

Fourth. the Lord has blessed Rochester RPC with a clear sense of vision and purpose. Over the past year the session and the congregation have put together plans and goals for the building up of the church which include: the establishment of a financially self supporting church, the planting of the other RP churches in the greater Rochester area (an area which has a population of over one million souls), and the re-establishment of the Rochester Presbytery, which the Lord in Hiss providence disbanded during the depression years of the 1920s and 30s. We realize these are big goals, but we believe we serve a great and sovereign God who will provide the abundant supply of His grace and Spirit to enable us to achieve them.

In closing, there is one specific request that I would ask you to commit to prayer, and that is that the Lord give Rochester RPC a single-minded focus on seeking the lost and making disciples for Christ. To make that request even a hit more tangible and concrete, please pray with us that the Lord would bring five new souls to Christ in 2001 through the ministry of Rochester RPC. When I consider the goodness, grace, and power of God and rule of King Christ over the uttermost parts of the earth, I admit to being a bit embarrassed that we should ask for just five souls in 2001, but given the numbers of our church, about 45 souls, we believe that we could not assimilate and disciple much more than five new converts in a year.

Please pray for us we seek to serve Christ and he used as instruments to build up His glorious kingdom here in Rochester.

—John Sawtelle

Ridgefield Park, N.J., RPC, Bruce Martine, pastor

A friendship lunkch was held Feb. 11 after the worship service to honor Mary Jane Park, who recently stepped down as treasurer of the congregation after many years of service. Francis Chao is the new treasurer.

—Joan Hammond, correspondent

College Hill (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC

In January the congregation welcomed Rev. John Tweed as Pastoral Associate along with his wife. Alta. They came to occupy the manse and serve the congregation for six months. John Tweed will work among the congregation, chiefly as a pastor/counselor. In addition he will he partially responsible for conducting the Sabbath evening services.

In this connection the church school classes that have been held in the evening for some time will he returning to the traditional morning hour, and the morning worship will be reduced from two services to one, for the present. The session continues to develop a plan for the congregation’s pastoral search.

The Young At Heart fellowship met over a noon potluck luncheon for their January meeting. Their hosts were Dr. and Mrs. Stan Reyle, who shared with them an account, complete with many photos, of their recent trip to the Copper Canyon area in the state of Chihuahua in Mexico.

On Jan. 20, at precisely the time of the inauguration of President George W. Bush. another inauguration took place at the College Hill Church. A new Christian family was born, with the marriage of Paul Schaefer and Brenda Buccitelli. Despite the inclement weather, the church was filled to overflowing with guests from the Geneva, Eastvale and College Hill RP Churches, together with many friends and family who came from as far away as Florida and New York.

At the evening service Feb. 4, Mr. Leo Salgado was installed as a deacon of the congregation. Mr. Salgado had previously been ordained in a PCA congregation in Florida. Rev. John Tweed preached the installation sermon. Cliff Glovier gave the charge to the congregation, and Dr. John Stahl, whose friendship with Mr. Salgaclo goes back nearly 20 years to their days with the new work at State College, gave the charge to Mr. Salgado. The congregation honored Mr. Salgado and his family at a reception following the service.

—Norman Carson, correspondent

Lisbon, N.Y., RPC, Wade Mann, pastor

The church library has been updated with the addition of over 100 new books and tapes.

A vacation Bible school was held jointly with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in August. The congregation also joined with them in a Thanksgiving Eve service.

Dec. 22 the congregation enjoyed a program of psalms entitled “An Everlasting Covenant,” led by a choir of young people directed by Gwen Smith.

Three Bible study groups continue to meet every two weeks.

The congregation has had various activities: picnics, pig roast, ballgame, volley ball, progressive dinner, and a “white elephant” party.

—Shirley Smith, correspondent

Walton, N.Y., RPC, Scott Wilkinson, pastor

The Walton RPC has been blessed by the preaching of their pastor, Scott Wilkinson. In their morning preaching they have been studying different books, such as Ephesians, Ecclesiastes, Jonah, and now 1 Corinthians. For the last several months during the evening service the congregation has been going through the Heidelberg Catechism.

In November a junior youth group was started for grades 1-5. This group meets after school on Fridays for a time of Bible study followed by a fun activity. The congregation also holds Release Time classes which meet on Wednesday afternoon from 1:30 to 2:15 for grades 1-5. We wish this time were longer, but we are only allowed this set time to take the students from the school. We have about 35- 40 students from the com munity during this time and are thankful that the state allows them to be released. These children are also encouraged to attend White Lake Camp in the summer.

The congregation has many elderly members who are no longer able to attend services. Pastor Wilkinson is faithful in visiting them, as are many members of the congregation. Church services are also on tape for those who wish to listen to them.

The congregation rejoices in receiving Elwood and Joy Heddon as members. joy has been a faithful teacher in the Release Time pro gram.

The church sanctuary took on a new and attractive look last fall when it was repainted. It is wonderful to see how the building used by God’s people has been kept up both inside and out as a witness to God’s people serving Him.

At the annual meeting the following officers were voted into office: chairman. Hartley Russell; clerk, Nancy LaTourette; treasurer, Renwick Russell.

—Marilyn Russell, correspondent

Oakdale, Ill., RPC, Ray Morton, pastor

Dr. James Carson was to be the communion assistant the first of November, but due to illness he could not be present. Pastor Ray Morton conducted the communion services, with the Sparta RPC joining the congregation in the evening.

Pastor Morton attended presbytery in Indianapolis, and the following Lord’s Day, Nov. 19, held the WMF fall thankoffering service.

Those from a distance visiting relatives and friends this fall were Jim Morton from Canada, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Houseman of Phoenix. and Charlene Gillespie Deutch of Fillppin, Ark., who had attended a reunion and was hunting genealogy information.

Our church was listed on a fall tour sponsored by Washington County Tourism. Lloyd Patton and Charles Auld were present to give handouts on the history of the church and to answer questions.

The deacons of the church oversaw the installation of a much-needed chair lift in the church. It is used regularly.

Through the generosity of Mrs. William Auld and her family, in memory of William Auld, an attractive new black and gold sign was erected in front of the church.

—Pearl Auld, correspondent

Syracuse, N.Y., RPC, Kenneth Smith, pastor, Brian Coombs, associate pastor**

On Jan. 14 the congregation ordained and installed three new officers. Jonathan Wright was ordained as an elder, and Christopher Huggins and Margaret McNaughton as deacons. Recently, Julie Charlton and .Jason Goldsmith publicly professed their faith.

Pastor Smith has continued his series in Matthew. He has also taught a Revitalization Workshop in the Pittsburgh area. He collabo— rated with Associate Pastor Coombs in leading an evangelism seminar in Oswego. Pastor Coombs is continuing his series on Revelation at the worship assembly north of Syracuse.

Several activities the congregation participated in include a North Syracuse Clean-Up Day, the Prayer Sisters Brunch, and the Christmas Party organized by Donna Trexler for the children of the church and neighborhood. The youth had their fall retreat at The Braes, led by Pastor Kiernan Stringer. The youth also enjoyed snow tubing later in the year.

The congregation observed a day of fasting and prayer for the youth on Nov. 16-17, which was called by Kate Terpening, and joined with the Hope Presbyterian and Central Baptist congregations for Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve services. Members and friends participated in a famous Persons Party given by John and Jody Scipione as well as the white elephant gift exchange at the home of Jeff and Joyce Bulow.

—Paul Keeley, correspondent

New Alexandria, Pa., RPC, Wayne Duffield, pastor, Thomas Gray, associate pastor

“Are they going to open this church again?”

“It looks so different; had driven right past it!”

These were just a couple of the comments received after an ambitious project to do some much-needed landscaping around the church building last year, Volunteers gave a whole new meaning to the idea of “church planting.” The maple trees which had stood along the Street in front of the church for nearly a century needed to be removed to protect people and cars from dripping sap and falling branches.

Tree removal was just the first step. In their place now stand 15 flowering pear trees. Pastor Duffield, who grew up on a farm, still knows how to handle a shovel. After tilling the ground directly in front of the building and entry walks, holly, rhododendron, yew, and myrtle were planted, totaling 40 shrubs in all. The final touch was one ton of red mulch. The results are dramatic and beautiful.

Work continues inside the building also. Facing a membership crisis (33 communicant members. average attendance 11), the congregation has been searching for ways to add members. Each Lord’s Day worship is opened with a prayer for revitalization and growth. The search committee continued to search for a candidate to serve as an evangelist for the congregation. A mailing was made to all homes in the church’s zip code. A video course entitled Becoming a Contagious Christian was held at the church Sunday evenings. A study of the book Outgrowing the Ingrown church is being held in the adult Sunday school class.

The congregation has been selected to participate in Synod’s revitalization program. The first conference was held in September. Three representatives participated in prayer, singing, study, and fellowship, and returned renewed and encouraged.

Pastor Duffield had the opportunity to give the invocation at the Westmoreland County Commissioners meeting in September.

The congregation was especially proud to host a concert of gospel music sung by Pam Scheffler Clawson and the church in May and again in October. Pam, wife of member Randy Clawson, was formerly with the Conemaugh Valley Quartet. Many from the community were in attendance.

Last seen at the RP International Conference at Calvin College, the “Joke Doctor” (John Vincze) made an appearance at the Christmas program. Follow ing an evening of readings, games. crafts, skits, and songs, each family of the church was presented with an original wood sculpture made by member of The Wooden Empire Jim Pierce. The tree and suspended star were made from wood from Keystone State Park, which is near the church, and from maple trees cut down as part of the landscaping project.

Thomas Gray accepted a call from the congregation to become the associate pastor for Outreach and Evangelism. Pastor Gray was installed in January.

—Laura Pierce Ament, correspondent