For November 7, 2010

HONGKEY CHUNG MINISTERING THIS SUNDAY AT EPC
Our missionary friend serving in Romania will be teaching Adult Sunday School and preaching in the morning service this Sunday. Please do not miss this opportunity to understand this important work that we have been supporting for almost a decade.

FELLOWSHIP MEAL THIS SUNDAY
A reminder that this Sunday after the morning worship service we will be celebrating Thanksgiving together! Please stay for a delicious turkey dinner. If you would like to help with the food, please call Janet Coskery. (978) 388-3201

“CELEBRATING FAMILY LIFE IN A MESSY WORLD”
Pastor Magee and Father Marc of St. Michael's Church will answer audience questions at the following event to be held at St. Michael's:
Friday night – November 19 in Cotter Hall, St. Michael's Church, 9 Lincoln Street, Exeter
Please come to see an exciting presentation by National Geographic entitled “The Biology of Prenatal Development.” This 40 minute video describes human prenatal development through every week of pregnancy. This video may change how you view life! The video will be followed by discussion.

MERCY MINISTRY FOR NOVEMBER – LOCAL FOOD PANTRY
Our Mercy Ministry of the Month for November is the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Exeter. This worthy organization is involved in helping the poor of our area. We will be collecting items that they very much need for their food pantry. Please bring your donations to the foyer of our church for the next four Sundays. Any questions, please ask Candy. 772-9442

Oatmeal
Tea/hot chocolate
Jellies
Ramen noodles
Canned meat
Jiffy corn muffin mixes
Brownie mixes
Stove Top Stuffing
Cans of green beans, peas, and corn
Disposable razors
Diapers
Toothpaste and Brushes

“THANK YOU” FROM NEW GENERATION
The New Generation Home in Greenland was thrilled with all the donations of paper goods that you contributed! They asked that we extend a very hearty thank you to everyone!

Announcements - 9/12/2010

The EPC Newsletter

www.epcnewsletter.blogpost.com

73 Winter Street, Exeter, NH 03833, (603) 772-7479

pastor@exeterpca.org, Church website: www.exeterpca.org

September 9, 2010

FALL 2010 MINISTRY STARTS THIS SUNDAY!

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR KIDS AT 9:30am

Jon and Yvette Couser will be leading the young people of the church this year using the theme “Christ the King.”

There will be two classes, one for the older students (generally above age 12), and one for a wide range of younger children. Both groups will explore the Biblical account of Saul and David beginning with 1 Samuel.

WEEKDAY MORNING WORSHIP – MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, 9-9:30am

Pastor Magee will begin with Genesis 1 on Monday morning.

WOMEN'S STUDY – TUESDAYS, 10am and 6:30pm

Candy Magee will lead a study of Jerry Bridges' book, The Practice of Godliness, meeting at the Magee home at 1 Butterfield Lane, #3, in Stratham.

BIBLE SURVEY CLASS – THURSDAYS, 9am and 3pm

The first year of our Bible Survey will include Genesis through Esther.

THEOLOGY CLASS – THURSDAYS, 4pm

Our topic this year: What does the Bible teach about the New Testament church and the future?

Wedding Today - Congratulations John and Kathleen!

Wedding of John and Kathleen

· Opening Music

· Wedding Procession

· Opening Prayer & Welcome

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of God and each other to publicly acknowledge the joining together of this man and this woman in holy matrimony.

Marriage is an ordinance of God from the beginning of time, that according to his direction, a "man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24) God created us male and female, and he determined in the beginning of time that it was not good for the man to be alone. His kind provision for Adam was expressed in the creation of the woman, who was a helpmate for him. One who was like him in some ways, and yet different from him in other ways, with the two forming a wonderful partnership of love and service.

Throughout the ages of human history, God has provided men and women as special lifelong partners for one and other. Together they are to pursue what is good and right and honoring to Him. A man from one family and a woman from another family are joined together to create a new household.

It has been God's good pleasure that marriage would be the building block of all human society. But it has another solemn purpose. It is to be a living illustration of the greatest spiritual reality, the special love of a Promise-Keeping God for His faithful and obedient people. As God's Love for his people is from before all time and reaches into eternity, the love of a man and a woman in marriage is to be a complete and lasting commitment, until death parts the two that have been made one.

Kathleen & John, have you h come here on this day to make a public promise and commitment to each other as husband and wife?

We have.

Let us pray:

Most holy and most merciful Father, the God of nature and of grace, creator, preserver and redeemer of mankind, fill these, your servants with a sense of the solemnity of the vows they are about to make. May they look to you for your assistance, and enter into these sacred obligations in humble dependence upon your enabling grace. Grant this, O Father, with the forgiveness of our sins, through Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen.

· Readings

Genesis 2:21-24

21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made [8] into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.” [9]

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Ephesians 5:22-33

“Awake, O sleeper,

and arise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives and Husbands

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [1] 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

...If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Other Passages...

· Message: “A New Life – A Life Together – A Life of Consecration”

· Marriage Vows

John, do you take Kathleen to be your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor and to cherish, until you are parted by death?

I do.

Kathleen, do you take John to be your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to cherish and to obey, until we are parted by death.

I do.

· The rings

John to Kathleen

This ring I give you as a symbol and pledge of constant faith and abiding love.

Kathleen to John

This ring I give you as a symbol and pledge of constant faith and abiding love.

· Prayer for John and Kathleen

· Pronouncement of Marriage

John and Kathleen, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no one break apart. John, you may kiss the bride.

Announcements - 8/15/2010

FIELD TRIP TO SANDY POINT IN STRATHAM SATURDAY, AUGUST 21ST

Steph Rohrdanz writes regarding her series of fun activities for the church:

“This month, I picked Great Bay Discovery Center/Sandy Point Trail in Stratham. It’s on the 21st, and we’ll meet in the parking lot at the center at 10:00. The trail is pretty short, so we’ll definitely be done by noon. Here’s the directions: Take Depot Road off of Route 33 in Stratham and follow it to the end. At the stop sign, there is a brown and white sign that says Disovery Center. Turn left, and the center is right after the railroad tracks.”

LADIES MEETING FOR CHURCH MEAL PLANNING

From Janet Coskery:

“There will be a meeting on Sept. 11th at 10:00 AM at the church to plan for the family meal themes for next year and for the food for the Presbytery meeting which will be at EPC in October. Hope you can make it.”

PAINTING THIS SATURDAY AT THE CHURCH

Would you like to be part of a small group of church painters gathering at the church from 10 through noon this Saturday (8/14)? We are trying to get the foyer done in time for Abby Meadows' wedding on August 21^st. Painting days are a great opportunity to spend time together and to get something practical done for the church. Thanks for all your help!

SPEAKING OF SATURDAY MORNINGS – MEN'S DISCIPLESHIP

Three of the men of the church have been meeting weekly on Saturday mornings to pray and encourage each other in the Word. If more men want to do this, we are happy to make room for you. We meet from 8am-9am on the second floor of the church. Come and join us any Saturday morning to find out more.

UNITY IN PRAYER

The new prayer books are available on the welcome table at church. Please let us know if you would like to receive the church prayer book by e-mail. Two formats are available: 1. Daily e-mails, or 2. Monthly file containing the next 28 days of prayers and petitions.

PRESBYTERY MISSIONS CONFERENCE – NOVEMBER 5-6, 2010

Mark your calendar now and be sure to attend this year's Missions Conference. It will be held at the Bedford Community Church in Bedford NH. Speakers will include Dr. Michael Milton, President of Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, Missionary Hong Key Chung serving in Bucharest Romania, and Mary Bell from Romanian Christian Enterprises (RCE).

PCA Church in Boston - CityLife Making CD

One of our PCA churches in Boston, CityLife, is putting out a CD with classic hymns set to new tunes. By the way, their drummer is Andrew DeBaun, John and Nancy's son.

Here's the link to listen to two of their songs.

Announcements - 8/8/2010

BIRTHRIGHT RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS

A New Volunteer Coffee will be held at Birthright on September 22^nd at 9:30 am. Birthright provides pro-life counseling services, pregnancy testing, and practical assistance to women in need.

In their newsletter for the Portsmouth location at 323 Islington Street, Birthright shares these words of encouragment to those who would consider volunteering:

“All you need is a willingness to listen, a commitment to life, loving the woman and her baby, and a desire to help those in need without judgment.”

EPC was mentioned in the recent newsletter for your contributions of baby clothing and diapers. Also noted were Hope Presbyterian in Portsmouth and four Catholic parishes including St. Michael's in Exeter.

COUSER MOVE AND NEW CASTLE BEACH DAY BOTH A SUCCESS

Many thanks to all those who helped with the Cousers' move last Saturday. Everything was in good order, making the efforts of our team of helpers from the church relatively swift and painless. Steph Rohrdanz also reports that the families that came out for the day at the beach had an enjoyable time together.

PAINTING NEXT TWO SATURDAYS AT THE CHURCH

Would you like to be part of a small group of church painters gathering at the church from 10 through noon for the next two Saturdays (8/7 and 8/14)? We are trying to get the foyer done in time for Abby Meadows' wedding on August 21^st. Painting days are a great opportunity to spend time together and to get something practical done for the church. Thanks for all your help!

Announcements - 8/1/2010

COME HELP THE COUSER FAMILY MOVE

Can you come to the Cousers at 8am on THIS SATURDAY, July 31^st ? We need men and women who can help us load up the truck at 53 Moharimet Drive, Madbury (their old address), and unload at 69 Newton Plains Road, Lee (their new address, only 1.3 miles away). Many hands make light work, and it also helps us to enjoy some time together. Women are especially invited to help with cleaning the house and taking care of Vivia.

FAMILY DAY AT NEW CASTLE BEACH

Reminder: Also on Saturday, July 31^st, we will have a family day at New Castle Beach beginning at 10:00 am.

FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH MEAL

We are having a “take me out to the ballgame” meal after church THIS SUNDAY, August 1^st. The church is providing the hot dogs and hamburgers.

NEW CLEANING SCHEDULE

Check the back table at church for the new cleaning schedule. Thanks for helping.

Know any surfers? Message from our own Norm MacLean

Attention SURFERS!

Christian Surfers US is in the process of forming a New Hampshire Chapter!

CS is looking to bring together a core group of 6-8 Christian surfers as co-leaders of the NH Chapter.

The core group will be made up of guys and gals of different ages and representing multiple churches but all holding to the CS doctrinal statement (seewww.christiansurfers.com).

If you have a heart for loving, serving and sharing Jesus with other surfers and wave-riders, pray about being a part of this mission to the surfing community.

For more info on the New Hampshire Chapter of Christian Surfers,

email Norm MacLean at wingatecollection@comcast.net

For more info on CSUS, visit www.christiansurfers.com

Announcements - 7/25/2010

COME HELP THE COUSER FAMILY MOVE

Can you come to the Cousers at 8am on Saturday, July 31^st ? We need people who can help us load up the truck at their old address, and unload at their new address, only 1.3 miles away. Many hands make light work, and it also helps us to enjoy some time together.

FAMILY DAY AT NEW CASTLE BEACH

Reminder: Also on Saturday, July 31^st, we will have a family day at New Castle Beach beginning at 10:00 am. Ask Steph Rohrdanz for more details.

PAINTING PARTIES ON FREE SATURDAY MORNINGS THIS SUMMER

Pastor Magee invites you to join him and others to finish up our painting projects on Saturday mornings from 9am to noon, unless we have some other events going on (like July 31^st). We are hosting a wedding reception for our friends from Calvary Baptist Church on August 21^st. Let's see how many improvement projects we can finish before then!

FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH MEAL

We are having a “take me out to the ballgame” meal after church on August 1^st. The church is providing the hot dogs and hamburgers, so bring some easy side dishes, etc. to help out. See the sign-up sheet at church this Sunday for details, and plan on staying for lunch after church on August 1^st.

UNITY IN PRAYER

Please let us know if you would like to receive the church prayer book by e-mail. Two formats are available: 1. Daily e-mails, or 2. Monthly file containing the next 28 days of prayers and petitions.

OUT AND ABOUT

Is there something you can do for a friend in need, or in service to your community? Would it help to have a friend with you, serving alongside you? Let us know, and maybe we can put the need in the EPC Newsletter, or find a service partner for you in some other way.

WONDERING ABOUT THE BIBLE?

Here's a great article by Michael Horton in “Modern Reformation” about what we mean when we say that the Bible is inerrant.
http://www.modernreformation.org/default.php?page=articledisplay&var1=ArtRead&var2=1126&var3=main

It will help to read it prior to Adult Sunday School on August 1^st.

TRAINING FOR CHOOSING AND BEING CHRISTIAN SERVANT-LEADERS

Throughout the summer we will be addressing topics in Adult Sunday School that will prepare you to serve others and to identify those in the church who should be encouraged to use their gifts of leadership. If you are not already attending Sunday School at 9:30am, would this be a good time to start? We will also be concluding our study of heaven, and our longer-term classes on questions about foundational Christian doctrine. Come join us. All ages are welcome. Youth Sunday School will start up again in the Fall. More details to come.

Announcements - 7/18/2010

FAMILY DAY AT NEW CASTLE BEACH

Thank you, Steph Rohrdanz, for taking the initiative to plan a fun summer activity! On Saturday, July 31, we will have a family day at New Castle Beach beginning at 10:00 am. Ask Steph for more details. By the way, we are planning a number of family/youth activities for the summer and into the fall. If you would like to be involved in the planning for those events, just let us know!

BIBLE SURVEY CLASSES STARTING IN THE FALL

Our three-year Bible Survey class is back again! We will start a new round in September with Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Our morning class meets at the church on Thursdays from 9-10am, and our afternoon class is from 3-4pm. The afternoon class will be followed by the third and final year of our theology class 4-5pm. All ages are welcome in any of these classes! Bring a friend who wants to study the Bible or Christian theology. Anyone can come.

THANK YOU LETTER FROM THE PARKS FAMILY

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are extremely grateful for all your help and encouragement in our move to New York. Thank you to all who helped with the move - we can't imagine trying to load the truck and clean without your help! You did a great job - everything arrived safely and the condo looked great. Thank you also for the framed picture with all the precious notes. It is a very special reminder of all the blessings of your friendship that we have enjoyed and hope to continue to enjoy. We are also very grateful for your most generous gift.

We will most certainly miss not being among you each Lord's Day, but are very glad that Christ's church extends throughout the earth - and beyond!

Every blessing,

The Parks family

WANT TO PRAY FOR THE PROGRESS OF GOD'S KINGDOM IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND?

Our Presbytery regularly produces prayer updates that are regularly available here on a special prayer blog for the Presbytery.

Update from Abe Powell

Abe Powell is the son of Luke and Donna Powell in our Laconia church. He has been teaching English in China, but is in the US now preparing for marriage, and for further service of the Lord. His update:

Friends,

I am safely back in the US. Re-adjustment to America is going pretty well, but I really miss China and my friends there. It is amazing how many things are happening right now--many major life changes. The hardest thing for me has been trusting in the Father. I either want to take control of things, or I want to sit on the couch and do nothing.

The best analogy I can think of for our life now is white water canoeing. It is like we are approaching a section of white water and the guide looks over and tells us, "trust me on this one, this rapids is intense! But the way the water moves through the rocks in this canyon, you don't need to steer, you just need to paddle hard." That's what I'm trying to do, friends. I'm trying to work hard getting things done, but I'm also trying to trust that the Father is taking us to where we need to go. It is not "hang on for the ride" it is "paddle hard and have faith."

If any of you know someone looking for a house sitter or someone having a very affordable place for rent for a few months in the fall, could you put me in touch with them? Also if anyone knows of a good used car for sale in the NH area, could you also let me know about it? I'm looking on Craig's list, etc. but if someone has some inside information, I'd be interested.

Hope you are all well!

Abe and Rachel

Announcements - 7/11/2010

MISSIONARY CONTACTS AT EPC

Would you like to be the EPC contact person for one of our missionaries or mission organizations? You can read about the people that we support here: http://exeterpca.org/missions_&_ministries.htm

Please contact Candy Magee if you would like to help with this ministry by writing an occasional letter expressing our love and care for them. All ages welcome!

OPERATION BLESSING FIELD TRIP

We are still trying to coordinate a time for our planned field trip to Operation Blessing. If you are interested in being a part of this event, please talk to Joslyn Camp or Candy Magee. Come and see what great work these servants of God are doing in serving the needy in our area.

Update from Ken Wienecke with Wycliffe

EPC has been supporting the Wieneckes for many years as they have served the cause of Bible translation. Ken is working on a special project that provides computer tools for people who translate the Bible into languages that do not use our letters. Here is a note he just sent to us:

Friends,

It's a long story that I hope to cover in the next Wienecke Wire (coming Real Soon Now), but I am flying to Denver in about 3-1/2 hours. I'll stay there for one week, and the primary purpose of the trip is to meet with a man who is very graciously willing to help mentor me as I climb a very steep learning curve. He is a Christian (even the youth pastor of his church), and quite the expert in (warning: impending geek-speak) the JavaScript programming language and use of the Yahoo User Interface (YUI) component library.

The development of the ScriptSource web application has advanced to the point of needing to use this language and these components, but I am very much an old dog learning a whole repetoire of new tricks.

Please pray for trip safety and quality time with Jacob. Pray also for Katy and the kids as they stay behind in North Carolina. Pray for Jacob's wife and baby, that God will fill the gaps for her as Jacob spends a weekend and his evenings tutoring me (since he already has a full-time job). Pray that Jacob and I will be able to build the software elements needed by ScriptSource, or at least that I come back home knowing how to do it. Praise God also for the several friends and ministry partners who are facilitating and encouraging me while I'm there.

Ken Wienecke

Parks family off to NYC

Thanks to everyone who helped with the packing and cleaning. Must have been about 20 people... Lots of fun...

We'll miss you Matt, Rachel, and kids!

Announcements - 7/4/2010

PICNIC AFTER CHURCH THIS SUNDAY

Our 1^st Sunday of the month fellowship meal after church this Sunday will be a picnic in the park down the street to the right. Come one and all. Bring your own lunch and something to share with others.

MATT AND RACHEL

We wish Matt and Rachel Parks and their children Abigail and Caleb God's greatest blessings as they begin a new chapter of their lives in New York City. Matt will be working as Assistant Provost at The King's College where he will also be teaching Political Science. Come help load up the moving van this Monday July 5^th at 8am as the Parks Family begins their move to their wonderful new apartment in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens. We thank God for this family, and look to hear great things as they continue to serve Him in a new location.

LOOKING FOR DAILY WORSHIPERS

Would you like to be a part of some or all of the EPC weekday morning worship services? Would it help if they were held at a different location or time? Please talk to Pastor Magee as we begin to make plans for the future. You can also read the Bible messages from those services at www.epcblog.blogspot.com.

WORSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – NEW PROCEDURES

In order to aid in the preparation for worship each Sunday morning, we are going to minimize the number of announcements before the service. We hope that this will allow our congregation to be seated during the playing of music, to perhaps take advantage of the devotional aids on the back of the bulletin, and then to be welcomed by our Pastor as we begin the service. If there are to be occasional announcements, they must be processed first through one of the Deacons. Thank you!

A SUMMER OF PRAYERFUL PREPARATION – OFFICER NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN

The elders have announced that they have opened up nominations for the offices of elder and deacon. The last day for nominations will be Sunday, August 22^nd. Pastor Magee will continue teaching about the requirements and duties connected to these biblical offices this Sunday in Adult Sunday School. Nominations should be given in writing to one of the current officers of the church.

What are Elders and Deacons? Elders have the special role of spiritual oversight of the members of the congregation. Nominate those men you would seek out for spiritual advice who are able to teach, and who are recognized as good men both inside and outside the congregation. Deacons are to be men of trusted character who provide leadership in service. They free up the elders from any important ministry tasks that would distract the elders from the spiritual nurture of the church. We urge you to prayerfully consider Acts 6, 1 Timothy 3, and Titus 1 before making a nomination. If you need help in this process, please do not hesitate to contact one of the elders or deacons for assistance.

Armes Update

We have been supporting Stan and Donna Armes in Port Elizabeth, South Africa for eleven years. They are with MTW, and Stan comes from an amazing heritage of missionary service for several generations. They have previously served in church planting work in Kenya, but during their time in SA, Stan has been teaching Pastors at a Bible Institute. Donna has a nursing background. Together they have been addressing issues of AIDS and divorce through their church.

They now embark on a new project – developing a church-based curriculum and ministry to address the very high divorce rate in Port Elizabeth. Current ministries are too western to work in the townships where they serve. This is a great new opportunity for them as Stan leaves his work at the seminary and they serve together, helping those who face marital challenges. Their work will be translated into the local language.

This Sunday we will be praying for the Armes that the Lord will guide and empower them:
to research and write material that will speak to the felt needs of the people,
to find competent and committed translators,
to test the material before they can move on to training,
to find pastors who are willing for them to come to their churches,
to find people who are willing to pray for them in this endeavor.

Portland Church

These just in from Pastor Doug Warren at our Portland Church:

Please join us in praising God for these answered prayers:

1.We have a new office space on a main street going into Portland that will allow our staff to have a place to work and also provide a meeting place for small groups and ministry outreach.
2.God continues to bring visitors to the worship service and we have been thrilled with some new families returning and expressing interest in serving Christ with CTR.
3.We have a group of communicants going through a class and study guide in preparation for their first communion.

Please continue to boldly ask God for the following:
1.Wisdom for our elders and deacons as they spend time this summer seeking the Lord’s guidance and clarified direction.
2.Good attendance and significant fruit from our two summer camps. Explorer Camp is July 19-23 and VBS is August 2- 6. Both are being held at Lyseth Elementary School.
3.Physical healing and relief for several in our congregation struggling with disease and sleep disorder.