Pine Cone Press
September 2024
Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 5340
1805 Pine Tree Road
Longview, Texas 75608
(903) 759-2685
Rev. Cindy Barton, Pastor
(442) 235-1393
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: https://www.pinetreecpchurch.org
From the Pastor’s Desk: “The Work and the Blessing of Praising God”
I recently experienced a bout with Covid and found myself on a Sunday sick and unable to participate in worship with my congregation. Best-laid plans for timely healing that would allow our usual corporate worship at Pine Tree CPC did not occur. Healthy congregation members were graciously included in worship activities at Elmira Chapel CPC; we are so thankful for the sisterhood of churches that encourages us to support one another in service to God! I knew my congregation members would be well-cared for, and I turned inward to my own need to worship God. I was sick and fevered and unwell, still sitting in the same room and the same chair where I had been waiting to get better for almost a week, but I did not want Sunday morning worship time to pass unmarked. How could I honor God in this time? What did he want me to do?
Worshiping God is about seeking his face, dwelling in his presence, and giving God glory, yet in this moment, I needed help to do that. My mind began with verses from 1 Kings 8, in which King Solomon offered a prayer of dedication for the new temple. Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven, and said: “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below – you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way…Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive… hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and forgive and act…” I was not able to “stand before the assembly of all the people”, but I still could follow Solomon’s example and offer his prayer of worship.
We also have a most wonderful songbook and primer of praise in the Psalms. Of the 150 psalms provided, a good portion of them are songs of praise and adoration of God. On this day, I chose three – Psalms 46, 47, and 48 – and I prayed the phrases that stood out to me as praise to God. These words repeated to God, brought me into his presence, and I received a great blessing in God’s response to praise: When a parishioner called at the end of the “worship hour”, I was awakened gently from a time of the most refreshing, restful sleep in the presence of God… I truly felt that I had spent the time of worship resting in His presence, wrapped in his arms. The work of praising God had brought to me the unplanned blessing of rest in his presence! I encourage you, the next time you are unable to join us for corporate worship, pick up your “Praise Primer”, and lift your hands to God. He will hear from his dwelling place and draw you to rest in him!
Important Dates to Remember
Sunday, September 1 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Communion
Monday, September 2 Labor Day
Wednesday, September 4 Bible Study 4:00 P.M.
Saturday, September 7 Trinity N. Region CPWM
New Journey CP Church
9:00 A.M.
Sunday, September 8 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Noon Meal
Wednesday, September 11 Patriot Day
Bible Study 4:00 P.M.
Thursday, September 12 Session Meeting 1:00 P.M.
Sunday, September 15 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Wednesday, September 18 Bible Study 4:00 P.M.
Sunday, September 22 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Wednesday, September 25 Bible Study 4:00 P.M.
September 27 & 28 Trinity Presbytery
Concord CP Church
Troup, Texas
Sunday, September 29 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Trinity North Region CPWM
The fall meeting of Trinity North Region CPWM will meet Saturday, September 7, 2024, at New Journey CP Church, 2401 Alpine Rd. Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. Gail McBride, owner of Longview Regeneration and Wellness Center will present the program and new officers will be installed by Helen Nunn. Lunch will be served by New Journy CPWM members.
Bill Everett
On August 3rd, 2024, Wild Bill went to meet his maker. William Leslie Everett was born January 27th, 1935, in Greggton, Texas to Tom Everett and Frances Hope Fisher Everett. He graduated from Pine Tree High School in 1953 and shortly thereafter served in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1953-1955. During that time he married his high school sweetheart, Frances Lee Lipsey in January 1955. After Bill returned from the service he attended Commerce College and later graduated from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College now known as Texas A&M University. He leaves behind precious memories with his wife of 69 blessed years Frances Everett, his three children: Bob Everett and his wife Heidi Everett, Mike Everett and his wife Laurie Everett, Leah Finley and her husband Jim Finley; three grandchildren: Anela Everett, Harper Finley and Hudson Finley; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was a member of Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church of which his family founded.
In lieu of flowers the family encourages a contribution to a charity of your choice.
Fall Meeting of Trinity Presbytery
The Fall meeting of Trinity Presbytery will be held on September 27-28, 2024, at Concord CP Church in Troup, Texas. Ministers, elected elder delegates, and visitors are encouraged to attend this business of the church.