Phoenix (Ariz.) RPC

Jon Maginn, pastor

In the last seven years, the First RPC in Phoenix shifted from a focus on practical theology toward the person of Christ in a mighty way. The church building has been renovated (new paint, new sign, and new windows). Jason and Holly Walsh and their four “olive plants” became members in January. Todd and Andrea McCartney (with their four “olive plants”) are in communication with the session to become members. Mark Glower became a member in 2006, and is now engaged to be married to Sharon Hemphill, a regular attendant. We have a regular pre-service prayer time, with at least one session member available to greet the visitors. Due to time (and attendance) constraints, we have cancelled our biweekly Bible study and have focused the congregation’s attention on family worship.

Pastor Jon Maginn, Bonnie Maginn, Hal Reyburn, and Linda Reyburn have attended the Church Revitalization meetings with the Pacific Coast Presbytery for the last year and a half, and our whole congregation has made significant headway on evangelism with the help of the last three RP mission teams. Hal and Dawn Reyburn have regular Bible study and training times with a neighbor, Alena, and we have all witnessed to at least one neighbor. Our 2006 team, Becky Landow and Abigail Smith, threw themselves into labor of hand (house and church projects for Pastor Jon, freeing him for the Word and prayer) and labor of soul (evangelistic surveys of the 10 commandments, leading to gospel presentations).

Some powerful images come to my mind to show this church’s shift in focus from head to heart. The first is one of many riotous Sunday school lessons of the children ages 4- 9. I had created five clues for discovering the pearl of great price (an old earring). Future engineer Jesse McCartney arranged these pink Post-it Notes in a logical line, and wandered off to gaze longingly at Legos. “Kiki” McCartney (3) was returned to her parents for disrupting the class. Madelyn and Ameliya Anseth were the only active seekers for the Pearl of Great Price. When Ameliya discovered it, she shrieked, “I see it! I see the Pearl of Great Price!” while Madelyn commented thus: (a) “You’re lucky,” (b) “Stop bragging,” (c) “My head was turned,” and (d) “My neck hurts now that I looked for the Pearl and didn’t find it.” Ameliya, undaunted, accosted everyone in sight to show her great find. “I found the Pearl! Do you see it? Isn’t it great?”

In Pastor Jon’s December sermon on “The Most Wonderful Gift,” he stated that we have the freedom, 365 days of the year, to celebrate not only His birth, not only His death,, but His resurrection. The Word does not command celebration, but it does command us to speak of what we know and have heard—on the rooftops, if necessary. “Shouldn’t He be the center of attention?” exclaimed Pastor Jon, hands thrown to the sky. “What else is of any importance?”

—Linda Reyburn, correspondent

Grace (State College, Pa.) RPC

David Hanson, pastor

The congregation received Laura Streit and Eugene Kung into membership on Nov. 12.

Daniel and Julie Woodring were received into membership on Jan. 28. Their children were baptized the same day.

—Jean Sherman, correspondent

Bloomington, Ind., RPC Bill Roberts, pastor

Bob Niichel and Sean Salyards as well as Andrew and Wendy Horning and children Erin, Jop, and Hark were all recently received into membership.

Eric Cosens was elected as elder, and Vern Timmer as deacon.

Sermons from the church are available at sermonaudio. com.

—Ed Yess, correspondent