PCJH Quarterly Pinnacle Newsletter Spring 2020

PINNACLE

Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole ~ Quarterly Newsletter I VolUME no 7

spring 2020

RENEWAL + REST REMEMBER + REFRESH REJOICE + RECREATION to be a c o m m u n i ty, Rooted in Christ, reaching out in love

Table of Contents Volume NO 7 I SPRING 2020

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Stories of Re surrection life

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Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life!” uJohn 11:25

Inside are stories from our congregation about resurrection life in Jesus Christ. We asked people to write articles inspired by a word that starts with “re”. Not only does the word “resurrection” start with “re,” but there are so many more! Spring is a great time to reflect on new life in Jesus Christ as we celebrate our Risen Lord and as we watch our valley transform from the cold desolate winter to the vibrant colors of spring. He is Risen!!

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renewal: A daily Discipline

rest in every season

remember our lives are rooted in Christ

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~ Re v. Ben Pascal

Whoever refreshes will be refreshed

~ Deb Keenan

~ Amanda Lack rejoice in the lord

~ Kathy Robertson

cover: the view from New Camaldoli monastery, above the Pacific Ocean along the rugged California coast.

Photo: Ben Pascal

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~ Re v. Tammy Mitchell

recreation as a spiritual practice

~ Liz Collins

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get to know us

~ calendar@pcjh.org/events

April

march 1~ 8~ ST

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Little Lambs 20/21 Registration opens Daylight Savings Time

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SMALL GROUPS DISCIPLESHIP

FELLOWSHIP

MINISTRY

15 ~

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RD

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Maundy Thursday service @ Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church 7pm Good Friday

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12TH

Spring Break (No Church Programming)

EASTER SUNDAY SERVICES

THRU APR.

10 ~ th

Palm Sunday 7pm @ PCJH

Winter Session Small Group Celebration

MAR.

23 ~

5~ 9~ th

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8:30 AM & 10:15 am

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17 ~ 19 ~

Sabbatical Send-Off for Pastor Tammy

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Belong Class 5:30-8pm

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Parents’ Night Out! 5:30-8pm TH

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EASTER SUNRISE

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MAY

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10 ~ 15 ~ 17 27 ~ TH

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THRU

Mother's Day Men’s Retreat in Tetonia, ID

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28 ~ TH

Music Academy Spring Recital 4:00-5:30pm Little Lambs Pre-K Graduation

EASTER Sunrise service at the summit of the Bridger Gondola

pcjh.org

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r e R n e w a l

A Daily Discipline

~ Rev. Ben Pascal

enewal was the theme for my life in 2019. I was fortunate to be able to have a three-month sabbatical thanks to the generosity of PCJH and the Lilly Endowment’s Clergy Renewal Program. Sabbaticals are indeed times of renewal. While traveling internationally to Ethiopia, Rwanda, Croatia and Greece were renewing experiences for Addie, the kids and I, perhaps one of the most profound renewal experiences for me this past summer was my time living with Benedictine monks for 10 days at New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California.

The Camaldoli monastic tradition has its origins in Benedictine monasticism, which began with St. Benedict in the 5th century near Rome. A few centuries later, the Camaldoli tradition was founded by St. Romuald, a Benedictine monk, in the late 10th century just outside Tuscany, Italy.

New Camaldoli Hermitage was later founded in California in 1957. I have been inspired by St. Romuald’s simple yet profound rule for life:

St. Romuald’s Brief Rule

One of many benches at New Camaldoli Hermitage overlooking the Pacific Ocean along the Big Sur coast of California.

Photo Ben Pascal

Sit in your cell as in paradise. Put the whole world behind you and forget it. Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish. The path you must follow is in the Psalms; never leave it. If you have just come to the monastery, and in spite of your good will you cannot accomplish what you want, then take every opportunity to sing the Psalms in your heart and to understand them with your mind. And if your mind wanders as you read, do not give up; hurry back and apply your mind to the words once more. Realize above all that you are in God’s presence, and stand there with the attitude of one who stands before the emperor. Empty yourself completely and sit waiting, content with the grace of God, like the chick who tastes nothing and eats nothing but what his mother gives him. �

p cpjchj .ho. o rg rg

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New Camaldoli is a monastery that sits about one thousand feet above the Pacific Ocean in the middle of the remote stretch of Highway One along the rugged California coast known as Big Sur. The monks at New Camaldoli run a retreat center for guests with private rooms and hermitages for the sole purpose of contemplation. The monastery is a place of silence and community in the midst of wilderness. It sits above the marine layer and seems to be perpetually in the sunshine by day and the starlit sky by night.

The grounds are absolutely beautiful, with several benches scattered throughout the property, all with stunning views of the California coast. There are places to walk and hike, and it is a quick trip down to the Pacific Ocean, where there are plenty of beaches to explore and little pockets of solitude to be found.

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he monks gather four times a day in the church at the monastery: early in the morning while it is still dark, after the sun rises, at noon, and in the evening. Anyone is invited to pray with them during these times. They sing and read Scripture as part of their liturgy; they read through the entire book of Psalms each week; they pray for others and the world; they occasionally provide a homily and celebrate Holy Communion. In the evening they invite visitors to practice thirty minutes of silent meditation together in the church. They provide a basic room for their guests with simple yet delicious food. The monks make holy granola and honey at the

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monastery. Their bookstore is like walking into a spiritual spa as you are delighted by the sounds and smells of soothing holy music and the aroma of wonderfully scented candles. New Camaldoli is a sacred place where God’s presence is felt by everyone who visits. It was a deeply renewing experience for me.

I met with one of the monks for spiritual direction while I was there. I told him how meaningful my experience had been and how I wanted to take it with me while on sabbatical and into my daily life. He encouraged me to do so and reminded me that I don’t have to be at a monastery to practice these daily disciplines of silence, solitude, simplicity and prayer. I remembered that I had a Book of Daily Prayer based on St. Benedict’s daily office and published by the Presbyterian denomination, and so I began using that daily prayer book as my tool for daily renewal throughout the sabbatical. It provided structure for my prayer life; it was my reminder to pray with my monk friends from afar at the appointed times throughout the day; it gave me thoughtful words for my prayers based on God’s word; it gave me a framework to feast on Scripture; it provided opportunities to pray for others and the world in ways that encompass all of life.

I found myself using this little daily prayer book early in the morning before the rest of my family awoke; while we were traveling by car or plane; in the middle of the day before or after lunch; and in the darkness of evening before laying myself down to sleep. It was such a gift to have the monastic experience go with me on sabbatical.

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It has now been over seven months since my sabbatical ended and I am back into the fullness of life in Jackson Hole. I have often dreamt of going back to New Camaldoli. Some days when I have the house to myself, I listen to the monks’ songs on Spotify and imagine myself there with them, praying through the psalms, and centering my heart, mind and soul in the presence of Jesus our Lord.

I long to go back to New Camaldoli some day soon.

But in the meantime I’ve learned that I can have a similar kind of renewal experience everyday of life no matter where I am; whether I am in the remote lands of Ethiopia, the beaches of Croatia, or at home in the mountains of Jackson Hole, the Lord is with me and longs to spend time with me as I enter into His presence; read His word; and have space to encounter our God in the silence and stillness that we all so

desperately need and desire in the midst of our busy lives. I have clung to my daily prayer book as my portable little monastery on wheels. I can take it with me wherever I go. The ultimate reality is that the Lord is with me wherever I go and I can find renewal in His loving presence each and every day.

For me, what’s important is not that I make it back to New Camaldoli or have another three months of sabbatical (although both of those would be a gift and a delight), but what’s important to me is to take what I learned and experienced this summer of renewal and make it part of my everyday life. I want and need to be renewed every day.

At the very end of the Bible in the Book of Revelation, Jesus says, “Behold, I am making everything new.” ~ Rev 21:5, Jesus also says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” ~ Rev 3:20. I believe Christ is standing at my door knocking each and every day because he wants me to invite him into my daily life so that I may experience his love and grace which renews the soul. This is my aim and my joy. This is not just for me, but as a renewed person, that I may be an agent of renewal in our world.

How about you? How are you finding renewal in your life today? I would like to challenge you to carve out some quiet time in your day to be still and silent, to read from God’s word, pray, journal and ref lect. Do these things and experience renewal today, and be an agent of renewal in our world. ✝ If you’d like to learn more about New Camaldoli Hermitage go to www.contemplation.com To learn more about the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship, Daily Prayer leather-bound book or the app, go to… pcusastore.com/Products/0664503527/book-of-commonworship-daily-prayer.aspx

“... I had a Book of Daily Prayer based on St. Benedict’s daily office and published by the Presbyterian denomination and so I began using that daily prayer book as my tool for daily renewal throughout the sabbatical."

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r e s t in every season… ~ Amanda Lack

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ounds nice, doesn’t it? is it possible?

The Bible says it is. There may be as many definitions of rest as there are people to have it. If you were to poll 100 individuals and ask, “What does it mean to rest?” I’d bet that most of them would say “to get more sleep” or “go on a vacation” or something similar. That’s what I would have said a couple months ago too. I am studying rest this year and have been humbled by what I’ve learned so far.

My initial thought on what rest was is “yeah, yeah, life is busy, technology is taking over and everybody in the whole world needs more rest.” But God has so, so much more to say on this subject. Once I accepted that it would, in fact, be my word for the year, I grabbed my bible, journal and a pen and told the Lord I was ready for what He had to show me. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29 that the key to finding rest is to “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Wait! [insert record scratch here] Read that

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again… Jesus asked to take His yoke to put upon ourselves.

Yokes represent hard work! Do you mean to tell me Jesus won’t just magically take all the hard stuff away? This is simple, yet profound to me. I think the world’s distorted view of the Christian life is that we should be happy all the time because we don’t have any problems, and nothing could be further from the truth. Now the encouraging part in this that does set us apart is that we might still have the problems in this world, but we have Someone to anchor our hope into that helps us through the tough stuff! Praise the Lord for His endless grace and love for us!

Back to rest and yokes; so first let’s take a look at what it is and does: a yoke is just a harness that connects to oxen (or other working farm animals) together to even out or share the heavy load and burden of pulling the plow or cart or whatever piece of equipment is being used for the task at hand. When I read Matthew 11:29, I see two things: (1) A gentle rebuke from a loving Heavenly Father to us for

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“... God has a continual open invitation to be with Him and leave with His rest." taking on burdens or heavy loads (in life) that we’re not meant to carry alone. And (2) He offers Himself as the One to be yoked together with. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords offers to come along side us, offering all of Himself to partner with us and help as we plow through whatever hard stuff life brings our way. This is very comforting to me.

Remember John 16:33 when Jesus said, “… in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world.” That tells me to stop being frustrated that in this life we have hardships that come and go, but rather to focus on the tool that we’ve been given, which are the promises of hope found in the Bible!

One of those promises is rest. God has always had rest available for His people. Psalm 91:1 talks about finding rest in the shadow of The Almighty when we live under His shelter. In Isaiah 28:12 God is promising His weary people rest, but they chose not to listen. God called the Promised land “a place of rest” in Hebrews 4:6-11. Leviticus 19:30 speaks of keeping the sabbath (which is deserved of a whole article in and of itself). King Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was given rest “from all sides” according to 2 Chronicles 20:30 because he obeyed God with his battle plan. Let us not forget in Genesis that God Himself rested on the 7th day after the very creation of all that we know to exist!

Psalm 116: 7 mentions your soul being at rest. This brings me to an interesting point- there is more than one type of rest. We can do our part to steward these bodies we live in and God’s promises are always there for us to be obedient to and take a hold of.

Have you ever actually gone to bed early and been so proud of yourself only to wake up not feeling rested? I have and it’s very frustrating! One study says that the reason behind that is because our bodies have seven energy pools it pulls from. A “good night’s sleep” may just describe length in hours, but if you have something heavy on your heart or a big deadline at work, the physical part alone doesn’t fully mend the mental component of your brain.

According to a study done by Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith, a physician from Alabama who also is a published author, speaker and wellness advocate, there are seven types of rest: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory and creative. The study is fascinating and really resonated with me since I’m studying as many aspects of rest that I can find.

The last reference I’d like to make before we talk about practical application is from David’s writings Psalm 23,

particularly the first part of verse 5 that says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…” Wow! I see God preparing a table for us as an invitation to spend time with Him regardless of what’s pounding at the door of our life. He invites us to come sit at His table no matter what else is going on. This is our quiet time, this is intentional “sitting” and being still before Him, no matter what kind of to do list needs checking. It’s frankly an invitation that we can’t afford to skip out on. And when the verse says “in the presence of our enemies,” I believe it’s the familiar enemies that are always looming, simply because we live in a fallen world, such as: doubt, fear, anxiety, worry, sickness, deadlines, sleeplessness, division, temptation, and sin. No matter where we find ourselves in life, no matter how great it’s going or how messed up we think we are, God has a continual open invitation to be with Him and leave with His rest. No amount of sleep or vacations (while they certainly do have their place) can equate to what He offers us.

Finally, let’s end with some practical application. This is just a starting point; I encourage you to spend time praying about what kind of rest is needed in your own life. Here are 7 rest suggestions: (1) Physical rest: allow time to let your body be restored and muscle tension to decrease. (2) Mental rest: quiet cerebral chatter and focus on things that matter. (3) Spiritual rest: Increase your capacity to experience God and spend time in His Word. (4) Emotional rest: Eliminate people-pleasing behaviors and find freedom to authentically express feelings. (5) Social rest: Differentiate between relationships that revive and ones that exhaust; limit exposure to toxic people. (6) Sensory rest: downgrade the endless onslaught of sensory input received from electronics, fragrances and even background noise. (7) Creative rest: allow beauty around you to inspire awe and liberate wonder. Shift your perspective! Stop allowing negative stuff to take up so much room; think about all the 100’s of good stuff all around you—a heart postured with thankfulness can be quite impactful.

As we continue to trust God with our time, thoughts and energy, our strength remains renewed—just like a smart runner will continue to drink water before they ever feel thirsty! When we incorporate rest into the daily hum of our lives, instead of saving it for when we’re worn out, I truly believe that we’ll be able to live out our callings in strength and rest and joyfully fulfill what we have been put on this earth to do. May you trust Him fully and find the rest you need today! ✝

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~ Re v. Tammy Mitchell

r e Mb ee mR I

f our lives are roo ted in Christ, our lives bear fruit. Much of our spiritual journey is related to remembering.

Holy Communion, one of the most sacred acts of the church, is based on Jesus' instruction to “do this in remembrance of me.” ~ Luke 22:19 “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy”

~ Exodus 20:8

“Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.” ~ Deuteronomy 11:2 “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is none like me.”

~ Isaiah 46:9 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.” ~ Malachi 4:4 “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:8 We cannot ignore or dismiss the significance of remembering, particularly with regards to our walk with God. There are over 200 Bible verses that mention the word "remember". CS Lewis once remarked, “People need to be reminded more than instructed.”

Remembering is a powerful way to grow in Christ, in three key ways.

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First, remembering helps us discover whose we are. We so often become so immersed in the business of our days; getting kids to practices, traveling, meeting deadlines, relationship issues, and so on. We easily become preoccupied and occupied with whatever is going on now; whether it's in sorrowful or joyful times. We feel like we have to do it all, it's up to us to make it or break it.

However, by remembering God's providence and faithfulness, we are reminded to trust God, not ourselves. Remembering helps us realize that whatever the circumstance, it is temporary. We remember that we are sustained by God's grace and mercy - that we are not our own, "but belong - body and soul, in life and death to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ" (Heidelberg Catechism).

Second, remembering helps us discover healing. Not all memories are happy ones and often need to be healed. Many memories are damaging, painful and injurious. Even recalling them can affect our relationship with God. I have gleaned a great deal from Miroslav Volf's book, The End of Memory. Miroslav Volf grew up among ethnic tensions in Communist Yugoslavia. In the early 1990s after the breakup of Communism, competing religious histories and identities incited in a bloody civil war. Croats historically are predominantly Catholic, Serbs Eastern Orthodox, and Bosnians Muslim. Miroslav Volf belonged to the Protestant minority. He watched in horror as nearly a quarter of a million people died in Bosnia and Croatia and two million were left exiled or displaced. Having been persecuted for his own faith, Volf addresses the role of memory, particularly as it relates to violence and cruelty. He argues that there are many ways to remember wrongly, perpetuating the evil committed rather than guarding against it. He states that remembering rightly has healing implications not only for the individual but also for the wrongdoer and the larger community. He states, “I can view myself primarily as a person who was terrorized by powerful people against whom I was helpless and whose intentions I could not discern. Or I can see myself primarily as a person who, after some suffering, has been delivered by God and given new life, somewhat like the ancient Israelites who in their sacred writings saw themselves not primarily as those who suffered in Egypt but as those who were delivered by Yahweh. I can be angry about suffering. I can be thankful for deliverance. I can be both.” Healing occurs when we can interpret the memory in a different way. Remembering Christ's sacrifice helps us understand that there is great horror and sin in our world. Remembering the cross also helps us know that Jesus is the conqueror of sin and shame. He intimately knows our pain. He gives strength and power to walk through the valleys of the shadow of death. Remember, we can always seek Jesus for healing.

Third, remembering helps us discover God's presence. The last words of Jesus in Matthew were a call to remember that “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” What did Jesus want them to remember? His teachings? His miracles?

No: the most important thing he wanted for his followers was to be assured of his presence with them. Let us “remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast” ~ Revelation 3:3 ✝

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r E FResh Whoever refreshes will be refreshed

~ Deb Keenan

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ow the Word tells us to “ask, seek, and knock,” and God will give us wisdom. And He promises not just a ‘lil or “enough to get by.” Nope. That’s not His heart.

He is so generous. Romans 8:32 reminds me that “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him for us all – how will He not …. graciously give us all things?” The Book of Proverbs is known to be brimming over with wisdom, and so, a simple girl from Georgia decides to start there. And guess what? There are 31 chapters – one for each day of the month! This is my kinda reading plan.

So, on January 11th, I pour my morning coffee before my alarm clock sounds (aka a crying one-year old named Noah). I sip and read Proverbs 11. Verse 25 leaps off the page “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” My heart does a happy dance. This word “refresh” resonates. In this season of life, I want, no, yearn for refreshment. Refreshment feels very different, and superior, to what I often settle for: a reprieve.

Often, I cry out to The Lord for just a break – a rest – a reprieve – from all my tasks. I don’t dare ask for refreshment. But here it is: right there on the pages of my Bible – an audacious invitation to consider that “refreshment” is possible.

And so, my Monday unfolds. This promise from Proverbs rattles around my head and settles into my soul. How odd – how countercultural to think that, to receive the very blessing my soul craves – refreshment – I need to refresh others. I remember a phrase Pastor Ben used: the “upside down kingdom of God.” This feels “upside down” indeed.

It was another mundane Monday. We’ve all had those.

A comfortable day of expected tasks – a blend of this, that, and the other. I was transporting three young souls for school carpool: Sally, age 5 ½, Penny McGaugh age 10, and her brother Travers, age 7. From the outside, it looks very

ordinary, but God was about to do something extraordinary through a stack of sticky notes.

It’s 3:30pm, and this crew of kids accompanies me to Smith’s grocery store. As we pull into a parking spot, I explain to them “Did you know some grown-ups forget that God loves them?” These three were speechless for a minute. “What? How do grownups forget something that important?” one asks with a baffled look. I go on, “I know, right? But it’s true. We just, forget. Plain ‘n simple. So, what if we reminded people today that God loves them?”

My audience is intrigued.

I pull out a pad of sticky notes from my car console and some markers, and we head inside. At the tables by the Starbucks’s coffee shop, these three kids get busy. They are on a mission to remind people of His awesome love. They write messages. They draw rainbows. “God loves you!” is proclaimed in the precious handwriting of them elementary-aged darlings.

And then, the fun continues. Sally, Penny and Travers dash down aisles as they “hide” their notes throughout the store, giggling all the way. Travers tucks a sticky note on some granola bars. Sally slides hers inside a carton of eggs.

Penny decides to tuck her note of encouragement near the frozen waffles.

And so, I watched God’s wisdom unfold before my eyes in the aisles of Smith’s. “Those who refresh others will be refreshed,” indeed. These three children decorated the aisles with divine wisdom. Their little hands proclaimed God’s big promise of forever love for all people. As we drove home, we giggled and wondered aloud who would find the notes: another kid their age who loves granola bars? A mom picking up eggs for breakfast? A granddad hunting for his favorite ice cream flavor?! Who knew! Only God. So, there you have it. A mundane Monday, three kids, a handful of markers, and the heart of God all wrapped up into one trip to the grocery store. May we refresh others and relish in the refreshment He returns to us – one sticky note at a time.

Have a story of God’s Word coming alive in your life?

Please share it! 307-690-6867 debkeenan@jhrea.com ✝

p cpjchj .ho. o rg rg

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in the lord

~ Kathy Robertson

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In the beginning of 2019 I Felt the Lord give me a word for the, year and it was JOY. I am sure you, as I, was excited figuring I would be blessed with a year full of joy.

Then life happens and I found that I still got frustrated, disappointed, and life did not always go as I thought it should. A common pattern of thinking is when we are in control and life is grand, we celebrate how well we did.

When we believe others are in control, we celebrate how well they did. That also goes the other way. If we are frustrated, disappointed, angry, etc, we beat ourselves up or blame others, because it must be our fault or theirs.

But then God….

Did you know that we believe in the one true God that speaks to us? “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” ~ John 10:27. I was learning that “Joy” does not just happen, I had to learn throughout the year how

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PHOTOS: beth ricciardi

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to recognize it. And what I learned was the source of this “Joy” the Bible talks about, is Jesus. If I truly believe not just in Him, but believe Him, I can surrender all control to Him. Because God loves me and wants what is best for me, I can truly trust Him in the midst of anything.

So as the year unfolded, I was learning to “Roll with it,” regularly experiencing and recognizing joy with consistency like never before. Throughout the year I would wake up in the morning with the verse: “This is the day the Lord has made, let me rejoice and be glad in it” as the first thought in my mind. I wrote it at the top of my daily journal each morning and found myself being grateful and speaking out God’s goodness more often.

In December I asked the Lord what He wanted me to remember about what He taught me this year and the word “Rejoice” came to me. To understand better I looked up the meaning of these words: Rick Warren defines Joy: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”

Rejoice: Feel or show great joy or delight.

He had been teaching me to express the joy I was being blessed with over and over.

The real truth is, it was always there, but often I missed it. Now I was recognizing it. What a confirmation. The result was the ability to “Roll with it” no matter what the “it” was.

In prayer as I was preparing for this article and what to share these words came to mind, “Rejoice, I will say it again rejoice”. I have learned to always look up the verse as I remember it. As I did, I found the full verse: ~ Phil 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord Always, I will say it again rejoice.” I had left out the focus, object of our rejoicing, which is everything. Knowing that God is in control, He who is all powerful, all knowing, and dearly loves us, we can rejoice, in Him, because as ~ Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” We don’t rejoice for our circumstances, we rejoice in God, and his provision, in the midst of our circumstances.

So, I will encourage you to bravely ask our Lord to give you eyes to see the thread of His hand throughout your lives in all circumstances. You can be assured, He is there. “Rejoice in the Lord Always, I will say it again rejoice.” ~ Phil 4:4 ✝

r e c r e A T ion

as a Spiritual Practice

~ Liz Collins

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ecreation as a word has the Latin root ‘recreare,’ meaning to ‘create again, renew.’ Later the Old French ‘recreacion’ was used to mean “refreshment or curing of a person, refreshment by eating.” I found it interesting that the idea to "refresh oneself by some amusement" is first recorded circa 1400. Today’s definition of recreation is ‘activity done for enjoyment when one is not working.’ What’s your favorite activity to do while not working? In Jackson we think of our favorites: skiing, hunting, fishing, camping, biking and hiking. But

even more broadly the definition encompasses making art, gardening, leisure studies, reading, travel and really any type of hobby – activities in which we all participate!

Knowing that the root ‘recreare’ means to renew, is there room to argue that in our recreating we are, in fact, somehow renewing ourselves, creating ourselves again?

If so, then it’s certainly worthwhile for us Jackson-ites to consider. Recreational opportunities are vital to our economy and our lifestyle, and help define the very fabric of this community. You might even be reading this in your ski pants... So, the question then is, why do you recreate?

Scripture has something to say about the need to renew ourselves, specifically in Jesus Christ. Pastor Ben & Pastor Tammy preach these hopeful words of assurance to us every Sunday: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come! The old has gone, the new is here!” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17. Amanda Lack, Little Lambs Director, often shares the call to renew our minds daily, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” ~ Romans 12:2.

From ~1 Peter 1:3, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...”

God renews us. It is a gift, not earned, but given to us through grace. How can we live into the reality of this gift? How do we experience this eternal gift, now?

I believe one answer is by renewing ourselves through the spiritual disciplines. A friend recently shared with me her definition of a spiritual discipline. It is any habit or activity or posture that brings you closer to God—or to feeling the mystery of your life—or a deepening sense of the numinous.

Sound familiar? Anything that is a portal to you feeling the presence of God, she says, is a spiritual disciple.

So, again, why do you recreate? Does gaining solitude while camping or hiking help bring you closer to God? Does stargazing or a painting deepen your sense of the numinous? Could it be that traveling allows you to feel the mystery of life? My friends, my challenge is that we be intentional in our recreating. Let us posture ourselves in a way that our activities can bring us closer to God, that God might re-new us through them. I don’t think this is a given, to be taken for granted, but by being purposeful in our activities, I truly believe we can grow closer to God. As you’re casting a line, lift up a prayer, set an intention, listen to what the spirit is stirring in you–God will speak, this is God’s gift to us.

“My father was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him all good thingstrout as well as eternal salvation-come by grace and grace comes by art and art does not come easy.”

Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It ✝

p cpjchj .ho. o rg rg

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~ PCJ h B i r t h d ay s / a n n i v e r s a r i e s march

april

may

01 Mike Jorgenson Tena Webb

01 Julie Matzke Nancy Schneider

01 Randy & Robyn Reedy(38)

02 Scott O'Hare

Kae & Kay Brockermeyer (53)

05 Jason Snider 06 Steve & Debbie Iobst (43)

05 Mary Gridley Tom Thompson

02 Foster Friess

07 Julie Huot

07

Brenda Russell

04

Don & Fran Harger (56)

Greg & Deborah Buckingham (36)

05

Rev Paul Hayden

09 Don Cushman Pamela Stockton 10 Karen Brennan Bill Long Grace Pike Maggie Valiante 12 Caryn Haman 13 Neil & Gemma Ford (27) 15 Julie Birrer Jeanne Hudelson 16

Robyn Reedy

Mike & Robyn Jones (46) 17 Sam and James Hayden Paul Piper 19 Elizabeth Hennessy

Mike & Marcia Taylor (26)

06 Jeff Dahlin 07

Ryan Allen

09 Peter Ordway 11 Alan Bybee 12 Stan Zaist Amy Scott 13 Cathy Ward 15 Steven Friess Ally Kiefer 16

Steve & Carol Poole (32)

17 Brett Franz 18 Brian Bultema 19 Karen Fox Andi Keenan Dornan Bob Snider

23 Scott McGee Jan Segerstrom

20 Martin Kokol

24 Alison Kyle

21 Caroline Ryan

25 Carol Pugmire

22 Mike Marshall Jim Miller

Ben & Addie Pascal (14) 26 Carol Marshall Kris Thomspon 28 Judy Weikle 30 Sally Byrne 31 Jerry Tapp

Stan & Joy Steiner (37)

Stan & Carol Pugmire (41)

23 Peter Keenan John Simms

Merrill & Carole Seggerman (65) 08

09 Mike & Darla Jackson (33) 10 Jim Byrne Kenny Hadden

Aaron & Leah Nydam (12) 11 Wes Womack 12 Scott Zabriskie Tina Korpi 13 Christine Windey 14 Vickie Atwater Terri Hayden 16 Carol Lewis John Valiante 17 Kraig Kobert Larry North

Dave & Liz Sparks (40) 18

Mike & Mils Halpin (12)

26 Joe Whitlock 27 Sarah Hanson 28 Liz Jorgenson Jan Larimer Jacquie Montgomery

Suzanne Kemmerer

19 Tom Segerstrom Barb Simms Ken Taylor

Larry & Barb Huhn (41) 20 Ken Blount Maddie Remlinger 22 Kent & Diane Nicholas (44) 23 Bob Lerch

Peter & Betsy Forester (56) Ron & Laura Miller(38)

Brian & Sandra Bultema (4) 25

Becky Kimmel

27 Jim & Nancy Stockhouse (43) 28 Laura Miller 29 John & Maggie Valiante (44) 30 Mike & Louisa Deland (33)

29 Gregg & Cathy Ward (18) 30 Ed Opler

14

Stories of Resurrection Life

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Pastoral Staff Rev. Ben Pascal Senior Pastor

bpascal@pcjh.org x 101

Rev. Tammy Mitchell Associate Pastor

tmitchell@pcjh.org x 104

Office Staff Cindy Dahlin cdahlin@pcjh.org Church Administrator

x109 Ally Kiefer Communications Coordinator

akiefer@pcjh.org x102

Program Staff Karee Miller Jaeger Praise Band Coordinator

kmjaeger@pcjh.org x123

Laura Huckins Choir Director

huckin@silverstar.net

x123

Amanda Lack Little Lambs Director

Dylan Wade Children’s Ministry Coordinator

alack@pcjh.org x111 dwade@pcjh.org x103

Liz Collins lcollins@pcjh.org Youth & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator x124

Ruling Elders Class of 2020

2021

2022

Kathy Robertson Vision

Steve Iobst Buildings & Grounds

Laura Soltau* Mission

Caryn Haman Personnel

Cathy Ward Worship

Ryan Allen Children’s Ministry

Ken Blount* Clerk of Session Adult Ministries

Wes Lucas Stewardship

Susan Conner Congregational Life

Tom Segerstrom Nominating & Assimilation

Barb Andrews* Youth Ministry

John Scott Finance

Class of 2021 Jen Baki* Erin Rosenberg* Jim Byrne Brad Herman Joy Steiner Lori Dodd Ed Scott

Class of 2022 Bill Klyn* Dorothy Neckels Catherine Wade Sierra Fulton

Deacons Class of 2020 Nancy Brumsted* Jackie Montgomery* Carol Poole* Michael Schrotz Claudia Schrotz George Scarlett

*Serving second term

SP R ING 2 0 2 0

~ get to know US Darla JAckSON / NURSERY Darla Jackson has been involved at PCJH for over 20 years. She and her husband, Mike, moved to Jackson in 1986, bringing their sign shop “Jackson Signs” with them. 10 years later they sold it. Mike is now a professional photographer and Darla is a personal assistant. They have two sons, Tyler (30) and Corey (27). Both boys were very involved in the PCJH youth activities. Tyler was even lucky enough to have Ben Pascal as his youth leader! As a family they participated in many volunteer opportunities, plays, hay rides, sleepovers, Fear Factor, Upward basketball, talent shows, mission trips, and after school programs.

In HER words Lucky for me, the past 20 years I’ve been having a party every Sunday as the nursery director in the church nursery. I spend four hours with some very active, loving and beautiful little people. Ages 0-3 mainly, (except for the ones who seem to linger into the teens!). It’s a pleasure for me to help start your child’s journey loving and getting to know our Lord here at PCJH.

TOM Segerstrom / ELDER Assimilation Since November of 2018, Tom Segerstrom has served as a PCJH Elder and chair of the Nominations and Assimilation Committee. Although Tom grew up in the Minneapolis suburbs, he dreamed of being a wildlife biologist and headed west. Landing in Bozeman, MT, Tom earned his B.S from MSU and studied pronghorn antelope in Wyoming for his Masters. After working for multiple wildlife agencies, including Wyoming Game & Fish, Tom left to pioneer wildlife–centered tourism. In 1987 he created Great Plains Wildlife Expeditions, the first wildlife safari company in Wyoming, and moved to Jackson. Soon after he met his future wife, Jan, on an airplane and they were married in 1992. Tom continued to operate Wildlife Expeditions for 15 years until he sold to Teton Science Schools in 1999. He worked 15 more years as the Jackson Hole Land Trust staff biologist, and currently serves as Director of Teton Conservation District.

In his words It is the wonder of creation that confirms to me that there is nothing in the universes that doesn’t belong to God. As a professional steward of His non-human world, the concept of taking care of what does not belong to me for the benefit of those I may never know, brings me to Christ. But neither creation nor His church is fulfilled without people. Given this, my prayer is, “What am I to do?” Serving as Nominations and Assimilation Elder gives me the opportunity to see people grow in their faith simply by inviting them to worship God through their service and encouraging their engagement with PCJH.

sierra fulton / Deacon Sierra Fulton is a new Deacon for PCJH this year. Originally from Clayton, North Carolina, Sierra first came to Jackson, WY as an employee for Mill Valley Sheepskin and Leather as a shearling coat designer. She has worked with many creatives in the valley since and most recently started Stitch Upholstery in Jackson and sold that business in 2017. Now with having more free time on her hands, she has been active in volunteer roles, such as Current Event Hour at the Living Center and Teton Co. Library Book Nook. Sierra is married to Greg Fulton, who started Astoria Fine Art their family business, and has 2 sons, Oliver (10) and Riley (9).

In her words I love being a part of a wonderful church family and in this chapter in my life I am excited to be able to use my time to spread my love of Christ within the church and out in my community.

I want to prepare for action and be useful in a way that will help others by showing love, respect, and diligence to the need that is at hand.

pcjh.org

~

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Address Service Requested Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit # 189 Jackson, WY 83002

1251 South Park Loop Road, P.O. Box 7530, Jackson, WY 83002 I pcjh.org I 307 - 734 - 0388

S P iRiT sightings

He is not here; he has risen!

Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ u Luke 24:6-7