The Pisgah Post

Pisgah Presbyterian Church Our Mission: to worship God,

Versailles, Kentucky study the Scripture, practice the
August 2007 teachings of Jesus

Thoughts from Ground Level

There is a very definite answer to this question: By
no means! Nothing we do can result in being separated
from God. I take that to mean—and I’m in good

T here are probably thirty signs in our

neighborhood announcing the names and
telephone numbers of roofing companies. The
signs are colorful, all about the same size, and stuck into
company here—that God never cancels out on us. Read
Paul’s amazing words on this from his letter to the
Romans: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor
yards up near the road. Anyone driving by can easily read
powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will
the information. One sign even reads, “Hail Damage
be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Specialists.”
Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
Do you remember the hail storm of June 5? Of
I read that and conclude that our baptism and life in
course that’s why the signs are there. Our neighborhood
Christ is not an insurance policy with the usual built in
was in the middle of the path of a severe hail storm that
limitations to protect the resources of the insurer, and
moved through central Kentucky that day. Many
provide specific coverage for the insured. Life in Christ
neighborhoods were hit. The evening of June 5 was also
is something else entirely. Life in Christ is a joy-filled
during Bible Camp, and all of the outdoor events that
journey growing in one’s love and knowledge of a
evening were rushed inside the Academy Building while
limitless God who is made known to
the storm passed over.
creation specifically in Jesus Christ. We
I was in California that first week
make this journey with others and
of June. I was with my family after the
together experience the infinite love
death of my dad, so I missed the
and mercy come our way.
storm, though I did talk to Susanne
What hail storm has come your
who told me how hail stones had piled
way? Has a storm caused you to
up in front of the garage door, landed
wonder whether the promises of God
on top of the minivan, and mercilessly
are perhaps limited? Expired? Not
pelted every surface of the house.
covered under your current policy? Is a
When I returned from California, our
storm in your life raging even right
neighbor came over with three hail
now?
stones in a plastic bag that he had kept
One day, the disciples and Jesus
in his freezer (see picture). He wanted to
were in a boat making their way across
show me how large the ice had been.
the Sea of Galilee. A terrible storm came up while they
And that brings me back to the roofing companies and
were on the water. Mark notes that Jesus was sleeping in
their signs in many front yards.
the back of the boat. The disciples woke him up and
The various yard signs in our neighborhood make it
they were in great distress. Jesus spoke a word of peace
look like an election is about to happen. Colorful signs
to the storm, and everything became calm. (Mark 4:35-
promote one roofing candidate after another. Vote for
41)
us! We’ll give you a brand new roof! We specialize in
Insurance policies are written to make repairs to
cleaning up after a big mess! We will protect you by
what a storms damages, but the storm has to end before
providing a secure border against the weather! Our work
an adjuster can visit. If anyone in our neighborhood had
will last thirty years!
called their insurance company during the hail storm and
A church member related this story to me. A
said can you get someone out here, the response would
neighbor was told by his local insurance agent not to file
have been to wait until the storm ends. That is certainly
a claim after the hail storm. The concern was that if he
the sensible answer. I wouldn’t want anyone on a roof in
filed a claim, the insurance company might refuse to
the middle of a hail storm.
continue insuring his home. I admit to knowing nothing
Jesus, however, acted in the midst of the storm. The
about the history behind that particular homeowner and
church can do the same. As the body of Christ in the
his insurance company, and I admit that the advice may
world, the church is called to come alongside people in
have even been good, but that story and the hail storm
the midst of their storms of war, illness, poverty,
that precipitated it, got me thinking theologically…
depression, grief, soul-searching, addiction, self-doubt,…
Would God ever drop any of us because we have
This day pray for someone in the middle of a storm.
filed too many claims? Would God tell any of us that we
Promise to walk with them however you can, and seek
have taken more than our share of God’s time, energy,
for them some peace, comfort, help, and storm-stillness.
resources, and have, therefore, reached our lifetime limit
Grace and peace, Jon
of grace?
 2
Come Talk About Your Dreams Over Lunch
You and Your Family Are Cordially Invited to Attend
Shepherd Lunches
August 19 or August 26
11:15-12:15 a.m.
Academy Building
Luncheon will be provided by the Elders and
Deacons
Join us for food, fellowship and a chance to
participate in a discussion about
Your Dreams for Pisgah
Your Elder will be contacting you soon, or you may
call the church office to get more information.
Dream Box Summary
Here is the wide-ranging report of the dreams that
were written down and placed in the dream box. The
dream box was in the narthex for eight weeks, from May
27 through July 15. Note cards were available for anyone
to add a dream to the box. On July 1, each bulletin
included a dream card.
Here’s what was submitted…
A. Dreams Related to How we care for one another
Invigorated Children’s Sunday School
Safe return of all troops overseas
Elders in their third year should preach
One service
Filling up two services
More people in the church
More contact with international mission work
Hold communion until everyone is served then take it
together
Promote scholarship fund to increase base and gifts
Increased sensitivity to the language we use for God
Weekly greeters
Passing of the peace
Congregation could be inclusive of all
Wednesday Night program with meal
Intergenerational gatherings with youth and older
adults.
Church Van
Greater involvement of the youth in the church
Establish a prayer labyrinth in the church yard
Include more lay people in leading worship when
pastor is on vacation
More classes for parents and couples
Youth plant a garden and give produce to the food
pantry
Join a community project
Have a wall full of pictures of people in the church
Restore Pisgah Church as the center of a community
Establish a scholarship fund for students entering a
church music or ministry vocation
B. Dreams Related to How we care for God’s
creation
Become more environmentally involved
Become more faithful stewards of God’s earth
Church participate in the “Green Sanctuary Program”
Recycle as much as possible
Plant more trees
C. Dreams Related to the Academy Building
Add a Fellowship Hall
Make Academy Building accessible to people with
special mobility needs
Restore Academy Chapel
Add Music Room and Music office
Big windows in the Academy Building
Library space with tables and chairs for study
Reconfigure Staff offices
More restrooms
D. Dreams Related to the church grounds
Paved Surface between buildings
Build a prayer garden/memorial garden next to the
cemetery
Provide a golf-cart shuttle between buildings
Plant a grove of trees
Plant flowers to help local bees
Paved driveway
Paved parking
Add a basketball goal behind tennis courts
Property Committee
The property committee is currently working on
plans for workday projects for this fall. We will try to
schedule a workday or two this fall when things cool
down somewhat. If you have any tasks that you think
need to be addressed please let us know. The property
committee is a dedicated group that tries to keep up with
all the problems. If you see something that needs
attention and would like to adopt a project please let us
know. This way we know who is working on it and can
check to see if funding is available to do it.
If you have any projects or would like to join us,
please contact John W. Walker, Jr. (Property Deacon) at
873-6523 or walkerjr78@windstream.net or Phil Bisbee
(Elder) at 873-7175 or philb@kuhlman.com
Session Notes
The Session met on July 24, 2007 in the Academy
Building at 7:00 pm.
• Approved Replacing the split rail farm fence
• Reflected on the opportunities and challenges that
are part of leading a diverse congregation
• Reflected on the list of dreams submitted by the
congregation
The minutes of all Session meetings are available for
anyone in the congregation to read. The Session
Committee chart and monthly financial report is posted
on the Session bulletin board in the Academy Building.
 3
Mary Shepherd Circle
The Mary Shepherd Circle, which meets the first
Tuesday of the month from September through June,
will have its first meeting of the 2007-2008 year on
Tuesday, September 4, at 10:00a.m. in the Academy
Building. The study book for the year is ABOVE AND
BEYOND: Hearing God’s Call in Jonah and Ruth. For
those who do not yet have the book it is available in the
Academy Building for $6.00. We invite all women of the
church to join the Circle.
Baby Shower Thank Yous
I would like to thank all the women of the church
and specifically everyone in the Education Committee
for the wonderful Baby Shower. It was a wonderful idea
and was an absolute success. I thank you all for your
kindness and generosity. I am proud and thankful to be
a part of Pisgah Presbyterian Church.
Laura Mancuso
I would like to thank you again for the lovely shower
and plush blanket. We were very blessed by your
thoughtfulness and generosity. I would also like to thank
all the ladies who donated toward the Babies “R” Us gift
certificate. I was a bit overwhelmed by the gesture. We
have enjoyed being at Pisgah and getting to know many
of you. Thank you again and Lord bless.
Sincerely, Heather and Faithe Jones
Pisgah Scholarship Awards
The 2007 Pisgah Scholarships were awarded at the
Sunday Service on July 29. Each student received an
award in the amount of $970.00. Below is a list of each
recipient and where they will be attending college this
fall:
Quin Broadbent – Centre College -- Freshman
Elina Budovsky – University of Kentucky -- Senior
Emily Craycraft – University of Kentucky – Senior
Amanda Howard – US Naval Academy -- Sophomore
Sarah Howard – University of Kentucky – Senior
James Lagrew – Furman University – Junior
Katie Moore – Georgetown College – Junior
Martha Prewitt – University of Kentucky – Sophomore
Melissa Scott – University of Kentucky – Senior
J.P. Stilz – Harvard University– Freshman
Zach Wilder – University of Kentucky -- Senior
The Board of Trustees
The Pisgah Post is published monthly by the Pisgah
Presbyterian Church, 710 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY
40383. The deadline for the September 2007 issue of
the newsletter is August 21. Please submit articles to
the church office or email them to
office@pisgahpresbyterian.org.
Summer Reading List Responses
In the July newsletter, church members and friends
were invited to share what they have been reading this
summer. Here’s what we received:
From Sue Henry:
My family is originally from Michigan. My brother
Tom is a newspaper reporter who met with and
interviewed Mitch Albom, a journalist turned author
who lives in the Detroit area. Tom sent us all a copy of
Tuesdays With Morrie and then I bought The Five People You
Meet in Heaven when it came out. This summer I read For
One More Day. The premise of the book is, “What would
you do if you could spend one more day with a lost
loved one?” and the main character goes through an
“ordinary” day with his mother, but sees her from a new
perspective. The book is an easy read and simply told –
but gives food for thought. Let me know what you
think!
From Dee Harper:
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See
A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini
The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay
From Jon Martin:
1776, by David McCullough
Paul: A Novel, by Walter Wangerin
Next, by Michael Crichton
Mountain Top, by Robert Withlow
From Katherine Martin:
Junie B. Jones, by Barbara Park and Denise Brunkus
Pony Pals, by Jeanne Betancourt
Magic School Bus, by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degon
Magic Tree House, Mary Pope Osborne and Sal Murdocca
Unveiling the Book of Daniel
In the Old Testament, the Book of Daniel is placed
after Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel as the fourth of the
Major Prophets. In the Hebrew Bible, Daniel is placed
not among the Prophets, but in the Writings-with such
books as Psalms and Proverbs. This tells us something
important about the Book of Daniel: the ancient scribes
considered it not strictly a prophetic book. Many
contemporary biblical scholars consider the Book of
Daniel as a book of apocalypse.
 4
Join Ed Clark and Sarah Cox beginning September
16 at 9:45a.m. in Sunday School as we explore together
this fascinating book of the Old Testament.

Happy Birthday to You in August

1 Heather Jones, W. Gay Reading, Dana Brooks,
Brody Mancuso
2 Jamie Robida
Snippets 3 Alice Schaaf, Will Smith
o Bryce Baker, age 6, will have something to share 4 Nicki Graddy
when she starts 1st Grade this year—she was one of 8 Monty Hinton, Vera Kadamyan
the Top Ten Finalists, out of 42 girls who entered 9 Tom Cope
the National American Miss Kentucky Princess Pageant. 11 Bob James
She also won third place in the talent competition. 14 Bill Adkins, Chelsea Welch
Congratulations to her! Bryce is now entered in the 15 Jamie Gilbert, Baker Martie
Kentucky American Co-ed Pageant, Princess Division, and 16 Jack Ivancevich
will be escorted by her brother, Hunter. This will 19 Grant Welling
take place over the weekend of August 11-12 in 21 Bobbie Washer
Louisville. Good Luck! 22 Carol Landry
o In July, Jim Botkin completed 50 years in the 23 Terence Collier
tobacco business. He stared with South Western 24 Laura Lilly, Lucie Chandler, Jean Sandifer
Tobacco Company in July of 1957 making 75 cents 25 Linda Kuder
an hour! Jan thinks 50 years should be enough, but 26 Dave Sweeney
the word is that Jim is going to make it 51. He 27 Thomas O’Shaughnessy, Ken Scott
presently works for Philip Morris. 28 Lucy Jones, Kitty Tonkin
o Congratulations to Brad and Laura Mancuso on 30 Amy Straub, Jill Fey
the birth of their son, Brody Thomas Lee 31 Katherine Martin, Linda Busby
Mancuso, August 1 in Lexington.
o Speaking of babies…word has it that Monty and And in early September…
Mary Hinton are expecting their first grandchild in 1 Joe Lagrew, Becky Prater, Bob Washer,
November! Chauncey Hill
2 Glenn Fister
Additional “Snippets” are posted on the Pisgah 3 Miriam Cox
Fridge in the Academy Building. 4 Kelley Hutcherson
5 Sarah Hayden Clark
Upcoming Dates in Christian Education Please help us keep this list up to date!
September 9 is Rally Day Kick Off. As we move back
into the Fall Schedule, come and hear what is available in
the area of Sunday School for all ages. Rally Day begins
at 9:45a.m. in the Academy Building.
September 16 is Presentation of Bibles to Children. The A Weekend at Pisgah Church
church gives bibles to children as they enter into either
the 2nd or 3rd Grades. Academically, this is the stage in Don’t forget these important upcoming events:
life where children begin to develop their reading skills.
By presenting a child with their own bible to use, the August 11, 6:30p.m. Picnic and Talent Show
church recognizes and supports the child by August 12, 10:00a.m. Hymn Sing and Outdoor Worship
acknowledging they are also at the point in their life to followed by the Church Family
begin reading and learning from the Good Book. The Photo and Covered Dish Brunch
bible’s messages, stories and scriptures open up new
understanding for them. If for any reason your child did
not receive a bible, please contact Sue at the church
office.
 5
Summer Sundays at Pisgah Church
9:00a.m. Sunday School
10:00a.m. Morning Worship
The Staff Email
Jon: pastor@pisgahpresbyterian.org
Sue: dce@pisgahpresbyterian.org
Laura: youthdir@pisgahpresbyterian.org
Lynn: office@pisgahpresbyterian.org
Presbyterian Web Sites:
Presbyterian Church (USA): www.pcusa.org
Transylvania Presbytery: www.transypby.org
Synod: www.synodoflivingwaters.org
Montreat: http://www.montreat.org
Presbyterians Today: www.pcusa.org/pcusa/today
Pisgah Church Staff
Jon Martin, Pastor
Linda Jones, Organist
Sue Henry, Director of Christian Education
Laura Lilly, Youth Director
Lynn Davis, Secretary
Ted Bendis, Bookkeeper
Bob Keller, Groundskeeper
Rhonda Ball, Nursery Worker

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August 2007
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Web: www.pisgahpresbyterian.org, Voice and fax: (859) 873-4161, email: office@pisgahpresbyterian.org