In 1954, it was assumed by a number of people that running a mile in less than 4:00 was a physical impossibility. Twelve years earlier, the record had been set at 4:02, and in the decade after that, popular assumption accepted that the human athlete had largely reached the physical limit in this area. Athletes tried their best in the mile over the years, but no one could break the 4:00 barrier. It was even said that anyone who did run that fast would have his heart explode. But then Roger Bannister, a doctor and gifted runner from England, shocked the world in May of 1954 by running the mile in 3:59.6 seconds. Only six weeks later John Landy from Australia ran it in 3:57.9, and over the next three years 16 other runners cracked the 4:00 barrier. Today the mile record is about 17 seconds under 4:00.
It is interesting to note that for 12 years, as people doubted a 4:00 mile could be done, the record remained unchanged. Yet relatively soon after it was broken, a number of people began to break it regularly. The power of our assumptions, of what we think is possible or impossible, is a significant factor in how we perform our lives. It shapes not only what we can do, but even what we will try to do. No one for 12 years ran a 4:00 mile, then in the next 3 years, 16 runners did it. That is the power of assumption. Once something is believed as a possibility, it has a much greater chance of happening. To be sure, possibilities should also be realistic-Roger Bannister started out with a gift for running which he developed in training. I could not simply believe in the possibility of running a 4:00 mile for myself and head across the street to the high school track to do it this afternoon (talk about an exploding heart!). But my point is, how many times do we assume impossibilities in our lives before we ever even explore them?
There is one time recorded in the gospels in which Jesus uses the word "impossible." He is talking with his disciples about how hard it is for some people to give up the unnecessary weights (riches) in their lives and find God's purposes. His disciples were distressed by this and wondered if it is possible at all to find God's purposes. To which Jesus replied: "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible." What does it mean to believe "for God all things are possible?" Some people have claimed this in a general way to mean that whatever they can conceive and believe for God will happen. But obviously, this is not realistic, and losing touch with reality, it amounts to little more than a belief in magic. Other people have debated the abstract notion of whether God can do all things, such as moving the furniture of the world around this way or that. Yet, I don't think this affirmation was intended to be an abstract claim about what God can theoretically do. I think it starts closer to home for all of us, in the realm of our personal assumptions about what is possible or impossible in our living. When we are tempted to assume so many impossibilities and shrink back from so much in life, then we need to hear the words of Jesus afresh: "with God all things are possible." This affirmation can get us looking at and questioning our assumptions about our lives, about what we just might be able to do that we previously dismissed as impossible. Over the years, our church has been the place where a lot of possibilities were born. I invite you to join us in this Fall season and find out about this adventure we call the journey of faith.
|
Our Church Family
 Lynett Anderson, is grieving the recent loss of her grandmother.
Barbara Carver,continues to make progress with physical therapy.
Carroll Matthews, is continuing rehab treatment at home and is dealing with a blood clot in his leg.
Donna Self,is grieving the loss of her sister.
Peg Sherman,dislocated her shoulder after suffering a fall recently.
Wally Wilson, is being tested for episodes of feeling lightheaded.
|
GLADYS EDWARDS MEMORIAL
We give thanks for the life and memory of Gladys Edwards here among us at TBC. Following her death earlier this year, money was donated in her memory to the church. With that memorial money, we have purchased a new cross and candles to be used on the communion table, as well as two new offering plates to be used during worship. Also, a new memorial plate has been attached to a pew in her memory by her family. It is on the same pew in which Gladys dedicated a memorial plate for her late husband years ago. It is a fitting reminder, not only of Gladys' place in our church, but of her shared love with her husband. On Sunday, Sept. 9th, we will take a few moments to give thanks for Gladys and the new worship items given in her memory.
|
NEWSLETER BY EMAIL
If you are receiving the newsletter by regular mail only, and would like to get it by email (which means that it gets to you faster!), or if you know of someone who would like to get it be email, let us know in the church office, and we will add your name to the newsletter email list. Office email: tbc1001@aol.com.
|
BIKEPATH ON TBC PROPERTY
In talking with city officials, we have been made aware that there will definitely be new construction planning and work along the church's property with Old Baltimore Road in the next year. This means that the city will be seeking some of our space along the treeline and bottom of the hill that runs along the road. The bikepath itself will most likely run alongside the road, instead of along our parking lot as previously thought (In fact, it will have no direct impact on our parking lot). At this point, the city is seeking any suggestions we might offer as to how we might want the land and greenery developed around this new space, and they are open to considering other trade-offs for the donation of a fraction of our property along the road. If you are interested in being part of a small group discussion about how we might approach the city (plans which we will want the whole congregation to eventually approve), then contact us in the church office or let John Harris know.
|
UPCOMING DATES
Oct. 7 - Youth Sunday
Oct. 17 - Wed. Night Dinner
Nov. 4 - All Saints Sunday
Nov. 11 - Pledge Sunday
Nov. 14 - Thanksgiving Dinner
Nov. 18 - Thanksgiving Sunday
Dec. 2 -1st Sunday in Advent
|
PAINTING OUR CHURCH DOORS
After a discussion in our last council meeting, we have decided to repaint the church doors with the color red. Not only are we doing this because the paint is beginning to fade and chip, we are also doing it because the color red is a powerful symbol of the fire of God's living presence. At Pentecost, we remember the fire of God's empowering presence which came upon those first followers of Jesus. Thus, in painting the doors red, we hope to provide a visible reminder each Sunday to all who walk through them. Doors are points of access, portals through which we are carried to a new place. May the red church doors ever remind us of the possibilities of God's presence in this place and in our lives. If you are interested in helping to paint the doors on an upcoming day, please let Mark Smith know.
[We are reprinting this note from our last newsletter to see if there is any interest.]
|
THANKS FOR A GOOD MONTH OF AUGUST
Before we get too far into September and the Fall season, let's take a moment to give thanks for August at our church. It started off on Sunday, August 5, with the leadership of Bob Tiller and Michelle Beadle in worship, along with our servers and communion preparation person, Mary Honigsberg. Lois and John Harris showed sensitivity to pastoral concerns in the pastor's absence. Mark Smith coordinated the installation of new windows and framework for the church building. On Aug. 19, we had a special Habitat celebration on our worship service, with an outstanding video presentation from Chuck and Carol Lee. We also heard some personal reflections from Camy Clough and Abel Debilogo. We have been blessed with special music in worship from Hannah Carter, Bob Dargel, Carla Ingram, and Judy and Carroll Matthews. Most weeks, usually on Thursday mornings, Chuck Russ was mowing the church yard faithfully. On Sept. 26, we benefited from cooler, overcast weather as we enjoyed a church picnic at Lake Needwood, thanks to the coordination of people like Lois Harris and Gladys Donoghue and others. All in all, it was a good month, and we give thanks for the chances to share our lives together.
|
Upcoming Events/Dates
SEPT. 6 - CHOIR REHEARSAL BEGINS
On this Thursday, Sept. 6, at 7:30p.m., we will hold our first choir rehearsal of the Fall season. Our interim choir director, Carla Ingram, will be leading rehearsals. If you like to sing and would like to give it a try, come join us for an hour of music and fun. No experience is necessary!
SEPT. 7 - M & Ms
The M&Ms will have lunch at O' Donnell's Restaurant on Friday, Sept. 7. (Note the new day & week). Please let Marge Haire know by Wed., Sept. 5 if you will be going. We will meet in the church parking lot at 11:00a.m. as usual. Can you say "cinnamon rum bun"?
SEPT. 9 - FALL SUNDAY SCHEDULE
This Sunday, Sept. 9, we will return to our usual schedule for the Fall season. Small group classes will be meeting at 9:45 a.m., and worship will begin promptly at 11:00. Our Sanctuary Choir will once again be leading us in music during worship. Following the worship service, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for refreshments and visiting. Make a fresh start this Sunday and plan to be here for classes and worship.
SEPT. 11 - BOOK CLUB
The book club will be discussing The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls on Tuesday, September 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the multi-purpose room. Come join this group as they discuss this book and consider other upcoming books for the Fall.
SEPT. 13 - HANDBELL REHEARSAL BEGINS
Handbell practice will begin Thursday, Sept. 13th at 6:45pm. However, there will be a handbell cleaning session on this Thursday, Sept. 6th at 6:45pm. Come if you would like to help out with the cleaning and polishing. We hope you will consider playing handbells this Fall. It is a fun undertaking to share with others, and you do not need any previous experience to play.
SEPT. 19 - WED. NIGHT DINNER AND PROGRAM
A Wed. night church potluck dinner will be held on Sept. 19 at 6:30pm. in the Fellowship Hall. After a time of food and fellowship, the pastor will lead us in a consideration of faith and ministry by looking at and reflecting upon four slides of classic art. The themes for the slides are: a world disclosed, a landscape for faith, the space of love, the flow of joy. If you want to know the paintings, you must come and find out! Mark this date down and join us for a good time of food and reflection. And don't forget to sign up on the sheet in the main hallway.
OCT. 7 - YOUTH SUNDAY
What would it be like if our youth were in charge of the worship service and gave leadership in it? Circle Oct. 7th on your calendars and stay tuned for more details.
|
Birthdays
SEPTEMBER
06 Linda McNish
08 Peter Puglia
09 John Laney
10 Mary(Ryeom) Sailor
12 Nettie Lawrey, Patti Strade
14 Hilda Alpaugh
19 Ethel Ladany
21 George Chang
23 Dorette Makembe
25 Manfred Makembe
26 Emmanuel Harawa
27 Mun Ryeom
30 John Puglia
|
OCTOBER
01 Jim Fenton,Amy Lindinha
02 Yotamu Gondwe
03 Cynthia Cabaņas, James Parris
05 Mike Russ
6 Henri Makembe
15 Mae Parsons
19 Kay Fenton
24 Hannah Carter
26 Lois Frick
29 Win Puglia
|
|
Anniversaries
|
SEPTEMBER
05 John and Lois Harris, Bob and Elaine Tiller
06 Hank and Arlene Hawksford
08 Ken and Julie Phifer
10 Dick and Hilda Alpaugh
20 George and Jade Chang
|
OCTOBER
02 Peter and Susan Puglia
12 Bill and Cheryl Shores
14 Yung and Mun Ryeom
26 Don and Sandi Reed
|
|
|
Archives
 April 2008
(Download pdf)
February 2008
(Download pdf)
January 2008
(Download pdf)
December 2007
(Download pdf)
November 2007
(Download pdf)
October 2007
(Download pdf)
September 2007
July-August 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
Home
Upcoming Events
|
