Pine Cone Press
Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 5340
Longview, Texas 75608
(903) 759-2685
Rev. Cindy Barton, Pastor
(442) 235-1393
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From the Pastor’s Desk:
Praying for Love in Lent
Throughout the season of Epiphany, we have been led to see Jesus in new ways and to rest in God’s abiding love. Love is one of the fruits of the Spirit of God, who seals the hearts of believers in Christ. We are reminded by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 of all the qualities of love: Love is patient and kind. Love knows no envy, conceit, or pride. Love is not self-seeking but puts the concerns of others first. Love is not easily angered. Love is full of grace and keeps no record of wrongs. Love is not happy with evil but rejoices in truth. Love never gives up; love endures. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails. As we read over this list of the attributes of love as seen in God and Christ, we realize that we truly struggle to imitate this love in our daily lives and relationships with God and others.
This month we begin the season of Lent: the forty-day period of self-evaluation, penitence, and renewal that leads up to Easter. This period, which begins with Ash Wednesday, imitates Christ’s forty-day fast in the wilderness following his baptism. In the wilderness, Jesus was sorely tempted by Satan, but he set the example for us by using the word of God and obedience to God’s will over his own to resist Satan and remain sinless. During Lent, we acknowledge our own mortality, sinfulness, and need for redemption. We may choose to follow spiritual disciplines such as fasting, almsgiving, abstinence from a particular activity, increased prayer, scripture reading, and meditation on God’s word to lead us to follow Jesus more closely. Given the turmoil and chaos of the world around us, perhaps this should be a year when our Lenten prayers focus on the love of God, revealed to us in Christ, and planted in us by the Holy Spirit. Acknowledging our shortcomings, let us pray for the power of God’s love to transform us, giving us the ability to love God and others as Jesus did. This is a prayer for each of us, for our church, for our nation, and for the world.
Celebrating the Cumberland Presbyterian Birthday!
The Cumberland Presbyterian Denomination was founded on February 4, 1810, at a cabin in Dickson County, Tennessee. Reverends Samuel McAdoo, Finis Ewing, and Samuel King, and probationer Ephraim McLean met, seeking to repair five years of turmoil in the Presbyterian Church of Tennessee and Kentucky. Through fervent prayer on the night of February 3, God led the men to begin a new presbytery, which eventually became the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This year our local church celebrates Denomination Day on Sunday, February 8. In worship, we will praise God for the work of the Holy Spirit, past and present. In prayer, we will renew our dedication to extend the love, grace, and salvation of Christ to “whosoever will” hear. Following worship, we will enjoy a “covered dish” noon meal and fellowship. Please join us in celebrating the birthday of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church!
Important Dates to Remember
Sunday, February 1 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Communion
Historical Foundation
Offering
Wednesday, February 4 Denomination Day
Thursday, February 5 Outreach Meal 5:30 P.M.
Sunday, February 8 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Noon Meal
Thursday, February 12 Session Meeting - 1:00 P.M.
Outreach Meal 5:30 P.M.
Saturday, February 14 Pine Tree CPWM
10:30 A.M
Valentine’s Day
Sunday, February 15 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Monday, February 16 Presidents’ Day
Wednesday, February 18 Ash Wednesday
Thursday, February 19 Outreach Meal 5:30 P.M.
February 20 & 21 Trinity Presbytery
First CP Church
Houston, Texas
Sunday, February 22 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Thursday, February 26 Outreach Meal 5:30 P.M.
Trinity Presbytery Spring Meeting
The Spring Meeting of Trinity Presbytery will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Houston. The business meeting begins at 1:00 PM and will be followed by a meal and a worship service. Rev. Cindy Barton is honored to moderate this meeting. Please keep our church family in prayer as we meet to conduct the business of God’s church. Pastors, elder delegates, and visitors are encouraged to attend.
Pine Tree CPWM Events
The Pine Tree CP Women’s Ministry will meet on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 10:30 AM for a regular business meeting. The day’s program will be offered by Nancy Abernathy and refreshments will be provided by Marcia Ross. Please join us for a time of sharing God’s word, Christian fellowship, and outreach planning.
Ash Wednesday Observance
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which falls this year on February 18. On this day, the sanctuary of Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church will be open from noon to 6:00 p.m. for personal time of quiet reflection, prayer, scripture reading, and meditation in the presence of God. The imposition of ashes will be offered. The pastor will be present to support or assist in personal worship as needed. Come and go according to your own schedule and need.
On-Going Outreach Dinners
On Thursday nights through the month of February, we will continue to offer a free hot meal and fellowship to anyone who comes to the church between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM. This practice, which began in January, has allowed us to provide physical and spiritual nourishment to both old and new friends. We are excited to extend the warm invitation of Christ’s love to all through this continuing event. Donations of food, funds, and volunteer time are welcome and are coordinated by Elder Brad Karl through the church office.
Daily Life Skills Classes
We are getting closer to starting our classes. Possible classes include Basic Computer, Beginner and Advanced Phone Use, Arts and Crafts of all types and Cooking Classes. Scheduling classes will be determined by the interest expressed. Stop in or email to tell us what classes interest you the most.
Rodney Archambeau Our Church
Rebecca Armstrong Our Missionaries
Vincent Barton Maria Parker
Christine Blackwell Pat Parker
Mary Burns Family of Lexi Rhodes' Brother
Cade Campises Baby Ruby Mae Schnieder
Families in Crisis Betty Scott
Billy, brother of Angie Gabler Barbara Smitty
Craig Gillentine Mary Stumblingbear
Family of Teresa, Linda Jackson's sister Vernon Stumblingbear and Family
Ross Jackson Neva Gaile Tanner
Faye Lavender Preston and Anne Timmerman
Chris Lewis Andrea Turner
Ron Mehlhoff Unspoken prayer requests
Jackie Merritt All U.S. Military Personnel
Ann Morehead John Vanderslice
Freeda Nelson Wanda Windsor's Husband
Our Nation and its Leaders Jennifer Wood