Join the Book Talk Around the Barb-B: Over the summer CPC folks and friends will be reading Marcus Borg's book The Heart of Christianity and discussing it between bites of burgers, dogs, coleslaw and other yummy picnic favorites. If you would like to join in the fellowship, here is the schedule of picnic dates and chapters under discussion. (If you need a copy of the book, contact Bob Springer at or (908)625-8149)

Wednesdays evenings at 6:30

Please bring a picnic side dish to share and whet your appetite for stimulating conversation.

RSVP to Pastor Susan for each date at or (732)648-6325.

While Susan is away, August 11-17, the Rev. Kathleen Roney will be on call for pastoral assistance as needed. Call her cell phone, 732-404-7662

Dear friends in Christ,

As you may recall from last week's Good News Letter, there are 5 themes that characterize the Emerging Church movement into which Christ Presbyterian Church is leaning. Emergent Churches are Postmodern, Prophetic, Praxis-oriented, Post-evangelical and Political. This week let's consider the Prophetic character of Emergent Churches.

The emerging movement is consciously and deliberately provocative. Emergent Christian rhetoric engages in overstatement in order to make a point. This, especially if done tactlessly, can raise hostility much as the Old Testament prophets' hyperbolic speeches did. For example if some guy named Amos walked into a church at Christmas and spouted forth;

"God hates, God despises your festivals
and takes no delight in your fancy worship services.
Even though you trim your Christmas trees and gooses with care,
God will not accept them as an offering.
God plugs his ears at the sound of your holiday oratorios
and cringes at the flourishes of your special hired musicians.
God says, 'Let justice roll down like waters
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.'
Now that would please God more than Christmas presents."
(compare Amos 5:21-24)

An outburst like that would really torque the Minister of Music and the Worship Committee, but it would also raise some important questions about how their ministry and budgets relate to the Mission Committee's ministry and budget. What might happen if separate committees in a church got together to reflect on the theology implied by the way they do business? What if God's justice was the criteria for all activities and spending?

It is important to note that the purpose of the Emergent Church's provocative tendency is not to simply lob bombs at the traditional church or to throw a wet blanket on celebrating God's blessing. Rather provocative rhetoric is meant to instigate change; to be fired up by the Spirit to move the church out of her comfortable complacency and unquestioned complicity within systems of injustice.

Emergent Christians believe that the church needs to change and consciously try to live into the change they seek. In fact, they even begin to behave as if the change has already occurred in order to incarnate the vision for the church they believe God has given them. Of course, this is a risky business, prodding the sacred cows, but if it is in line with God's vision, God will certainly realize it in Christ's Church. This willingness to risk has been emerging among us at Christ Presbyterian Church. We have only to discern what prophet word God wants to speak to the church and the world through our emerging Christian community.

Pastor Susan

Prayers for Peace:

For peace around the world.
For the leaders of our country, as they make decisions on Iraq.
In our world, and respect between Islamic and western nations.

Prayers for Protection for:

Christ Presbyterian Church that it may flourish in Christ's Spirit
All members of our armed services

Prayers of Praise and Thanksgiving for:

A new home for Pastor Jason where the Catalina Bible Church can gather
The prospect of a ministry partnership with the Elizabeth Korean Presbyterian Church

Prayers of healing and comfort for:

The Robb family
Baby Jusius
Douglas parson Rev. Ken Macari
Alex and Danielle Tavarex and their newborn daughter, Bekah
Rev. David Krotchko
Marilyn Larson
The Rev. Howard Bryant family

Presbytery weekly prayer concerns: Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church, North Plainfield, and specialized ministers, the Rev. Douglas Grote, and the Rev. Linda E. Owens.

If you have a prayer request, please fill out the prayer request form and put it in the prayer box by the sanctuary door. Or requests can be emailed to . Please be sensitive to the privacy and desires of those for whom we pray. Prayers will be left on the list for three weeks unless otherwise indicated.

Carol-Ann Krueger
Administrative Assistant
Christ Presbyterian Church
1600 Washington Valley Road
Martinsville, NJ 08836
 
PH: 908-722-2080
Fax: 908-722-2135
email:
Web Site: www.CPCMNJ.org

Your comments/questions are welcome. Please send them to
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