April, 2012
The Beacon
A PUBLICATION OF ERIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 200 Lockett Rd. — Knoxville, TN 37919 — (865) 588-5350 — www.ErinPresbyterian.org
PASTOR Rev. John Stuart
pastor@erinpresbyterian.org
SESSION Vacant
Clerk of Session session@erinpresbyterian.org
CONVENERS Kim Pennington, Fellowship fellowship@erinpresbyterian.org
Charles Snodgrass, Discipleship discipleship@erinpresbyterian.org
Rickey McCallum, Stewardship stewardship@erinpresbyterian.org
Mike Pierce, Outreach
outreach@erinpresbyterian.org
Susan Miller, Creative Expressions cex@erinpresbyterian.org
David Stinnett, Property property@erinpresbyterian.org
STAFF
Nancy Berry, Organist oliveberry@aol.com
Michele Meer, Administrator admin@erinpresbyterian.org
Cindi Stooksbury, Nursery info@erinpresbyterian.org
Joe Jaynes, Choir Director jtj@abacusarts.com
Joy Bornhoeft, Family Ministry cec@erinpresbyterian.org
Elizabeth Snodgrass, Youth Director, youth@erinpresbyterian.org
A Message From The Pastor Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John 21:25 Dear Friends, Rev. John Stuart
As most of you know, I’ve been writing regular devotions for several years, which I send out by email and post on the Internet. Members at Erin and people from all over the world often read what I have written. Sometimes I get feedback from our church folks and international emails from people that I have never met. Recently, I received an email about a devotional which I had written years ago called “God Will Find You.” The concluding remarks on the email both humbled and amazed me: “After reading the story and even though I am a Muslim, I loved Jesus more than even before.” –HB, Saudi Arabia.
I had no idea that Muslims near Mecca were actually reading my devotions. God works in mysterious ways and the Internet is now providing wonderful opportunities to communicate Christ’s words and His Gospel to people all across this planet. What began as a small spiritual growth devotional message to our staff and elders has now blossomed into a life changing ministry around the world. Our church may be small in Knoxville, but our work is being felt around the world! At the end of last month, I electronically published my fifth book of devotions and called it “God Will Find You.” I dedicated it to HB and other God-seekers all over the planet. I think it’s my best e-book of devotions so far, and I hope that many people will find it and use it for their own faith journey with Christ. Thank you, Erin, for allowing me to do this. In years to come, other people will get to read the messages that I write from my study at Erin Church and hopefully it will bring them closer to God. Perhaps like HB from Saudi Arabia, they will also be able to say: “I loved Jesus more than even before.” God bless us all,