October Newsletter 2026

1805 Pine Tree Road                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Longview, Texas 75608

From the Pastor’s Desk: 

Words of Gratitude and Encouragement

October is a special month for me because the date of my biological birthday is also the anniversary of my ordination into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. I was ordained into God’s service on October 5, 2019. I was installed as the minister in charge of Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church on October 18, 2020. As I celebrate these anniversaries this month, I am so grateful for God’s grace in allowing me to serve Pine Tree CP Church in the role of pastor. I am thankful for the church family God has entrusted to my care, and I am thankful for the care that I in turn have received from my local church family and from the larger community of Trinity Presbytery and its member churches. In the seven years since my ordination, I have been richly blessed by God’s provision and presence. I feel that Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is being answered in us – church and pastor alike – as we continue to learn, grow, and work together. Ephesians 1:17-19 says, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you (us) the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you (we) may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your (our) hearts may be enlightened in order that you (we) may know the hope to which He has called you (us), the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”  I am so thankful for the growing depth of faith in Christ and for the work that God will do in and through us in the coming years. I encourage each of you to know that you are important to the life and work of the church as we carry on Christ’s gospel ministry. Philippians 3:12-14 calls us to persevere together: We “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us... forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, we press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.” We remember Paul’s instruction to the church as we go forward: “Rejoice in the Lord always… Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Trinity North CPWM

The Fall meeting of the Trinity North Region CPWM was held on September 12, 2026, at New Journey Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Longview. A devotional by Dr. Mary Anderson of the Marshall CP Church focused on the meeting theme from Colossians 3:14, “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us together in perfect unity.” We explored what love in action looks like through Matthew 25:35-40, and were challenged to be watching and listening for opportunities God gives us to serve others.  A program prepared by Cumberland Youth and Family Services shared with us the important work accomplished by that Denton-based ministry of the church on behalf of foster children, single parents, and young adults aging out of foster care.  New officers elected were President, Mary Anderson (Marshall CPC), Vice President Nancy Abernathy (Pine Tree CPC), Secretary Sherry Poteet (Elmira Chapel CPC), and Treasurer Lynne Benedict (New Journey CPC). We ended the meeting with the service of holy communion. We are thankful for the warm hospitality, good food, and beautiful setting provided by the women of New Journey CPC.

Important Dates to Remember

Thursday, October 1        Outreach Meal – 5:30 P.M.

Saturday, October 3         Cindy Rogers Memorial   

                                         2:00 P.M.

Sunday, October 4           Bible Study – 9:30 A.M.   

                                         Worship – 10:30 A.M.

                                         World Communion Sunday

Wednesday, October 7     Music Studies – 5:00 P.M.

Thursday, October 8        Session Meeting 1:00 P.M.

                                         Outreach Meal – 5:30 P.M.

Saturday, October 10       CPWM – 1:00 P.M.

Sunday, October 11         Bible Study – 9:30 A.M.   

                                         Worship – 10:30 A.M.

                                         Noon Meal

                                         Pastor Appreciation Sunday

Monday, October 12        Columbus Day   

Wednesday, October 14   Music Studies – 5:00 P.M.

Thursday, October 15       Outreach Meal – 5:30 P.M.

Sunday, October 18          Bible Study – 9:30 A.M.   

                                          Worship – 10:30 A.M.

Wednesday, October 21   Music Studies – 5:00 P.M.

Thursday, October 22       Outreach Meal – 5:30 P.M.

Sunday, October 25          Bible Study – 9:30 A.M.   

                                          Worship – 10:30 A.M.

                                          Native American Sunday

Wednesday, October 28   Music Studies – 5:00 P.M.

Thursday, October 29      Outreach Meal – 5:30 P.M.

Saturday, October 31       Halloween

Activities of the Pine Tree CPWM 

Members of Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry will gather on October 10, 2026, at 1:00 P.M., at the church. Brad Karl will present the program. Refreshments will be provided by Nancy Abernathy. Throughout this month we are collecting candy donations to be distributed to residents at Pine Tree Lodge at Halloween.

All Saints Day Observance 

Pine Tree CP Church will observe a traditional All Saints Day service of worship honoring believers who passed before us on Sunday, November 1, at 10:30 A.M. Please contact the church office to add the names of loved ones who have passed away in the last year to our service of remembrance, and plan to worship with us. 

Jackie Marie Johnson Merritt

Jackie Marie Johnson Merritt, age 74, passed away on September 4, 2026, in Houston, Texas. She was born on August 3, 1952, in Longview, Texas.

Jackie was the beloved wife of Larry Merritt, whom she married on February 2, 1973. She is survived by daughter, Stephanie Hoffman (Joseph), sister, Neva Gail Tanner, brothers, sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews, and a wide circle of dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack Nesbitt Johnson and Wilma Williams Johnson, daughter Angela Merritt and grandson, Joshua Perez. Jackie was a member of Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church and will be remembered as a woman of faith, creativity and devotion. Her presence enriched the lives of many, and her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. 

Fall Meeting of Trinity Presbytery 

Minister and elder delegates of Trinity Presbytery met for the Fall business meeting on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Marshall Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Denominational visitors included Edith Old, Director of the CP Ministry Council, and Rev. Jeff McMichael of Our United Outreach. We received updates on CP churches struggling to recover from the recent earthquake in Colombia. The evening worship offering was directed to that recovery effort. A highlight of the meeting was the examination and approval of a new candidate for ministry, Bill Black. We were blessed to experience bilingual worship in both the devotional, presented by Rev. Dr. Fredy Diaz with translation by candidate Diana Quintero, and in the evening worship sermon by Rev. David Montoya. During worship, our Presbyterial Pastors Rev. Dr. Gloria Villa Diaz and Rev. William Rusty Rustenhaven III were officially installed with charge. We are thankful to Rev. Chris Anderson and his congregation for the wonderful hospitality, excellent food, and meaningful worship they provided.

Fellowship Meal on Pastor Appreciation Sunday 

The October Noon Meal will be held on October 11 following worship. Plan to join us for this special time of good food and Christian fellowship as we celebrate Pastor Appreciation Sunday together.

Prayer List