Ron Gilreath was with us again today.  I don't know what else to say about Ron's continued service to our church but the Lord is truly looking out for us.  Ron has blessed us with his presence time and again over the last few months and we can't thank him enough.  Today's entire service including Ron's " The Compassion of Christ " message from today is on our youtube channel if you missed it.

Happy Birthday to Pat Slaughter .  Happy Anniversary to Harrison & Sandra McDonald and also to Ken & Stacy McDonald, may you all have many more.

Congratulations and best wishes for all the children and youth this school year.  Especially for our Seniors, Ava Marquess, Emma Gamble and Tristan McDonald.  Have a wonderful school year!

Church Picnic:  Don't' forget, Sunday afternoon, August 16th we'll be getting together at Hurricane Shoals Park.  Gather at 3 PM and eat around 5 PM.  See sign up sheet in the Narthex.

Session:  During this time, the Session is tasked with completing a Mission Study Report.  The purpose of this report is to "write a summary of the work your congregation has done to take stock of who you are, where you have been, and where God is leading you".  It gives the Committee on Ministry, the Pastor Nominating Committee, and the prospective pastors a clear picture of the congregation's identity and direction.  We will be using Lifelines classes, church suppers, and other means to gather this information.  Input from all our family of faith is essential.  We ask for your continued support, patience, and participation in this effort.

As Ron mentioned, the "feeding of the 5000" is the only miracle(aside from the resurrection I think?) that is included in all four of the gospels(Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and it was an act of compassion.  Seems important doesn't it.  We can all probably be a little more compassionate, I know I can. 

Have a great week.  Your friends at JPC.

Sunday we welcomed Rev. Michael Erwin back to lead our service.  The entire service including the " There's Good in Him " message is on our youtube channel if you missed it.  If "Star Wars" is of interest to you or your kids, check it out. 

Happy Birthday to Candy Evans and Austin Gamble !

Church Picnic:  Mark your calendars, Sunday afternoon, August 16th we'll be having a church picnic at Hurricane Shoals Park,  Pavillion 1 ,  We'll gather at 3 pm for some fellowship and plan to eat around 5 pm.  You are welcome to come before 3 to swim and play if you like.  There is a $5 entrance fee per vehicle for the park.  We plan to have grilled hamburgers and hotdogs provided.  Please take a minute to sign up on the sheet in the Narthex for what you plan to bring.  Drinks, ice, condiments, side dishes, desserts, or anything else you'd like to bring.  There is some seating but we'd suggest bringing a lawn chair if you have one.   Come enjoy fun, food and fellowship with us.  Thanks to Robert and others for making this happen.

Please continue keeping the Session and the church in your prayers.  

We welcomed Ron Gilreath back today.  He truly is a servant of the Lord and a godsend to our congregation.  Another thank you to Ron.  Today's entire service including Ron's " Staying Close to Jesus " message from today is on our youtube channel if you missed it.

Don't' forget, Sunday afternoon, August 16th we'll be having a church picnic at Hurricane Shoals Park.  Specifics of time and pavilion number, along with a sign up sheet will be available soon.  

As previously mentioned, the process in preparing to call our next pastor was shared by Rev Barnes at the last session meeting.  This process is not an "instant fix" to our pastor vacancy.  It does involve an opportunity to reflect on our church, past, present, and future to gain a clearer picture of what our hopes and goals are in the years to come.  Input from each of us is important to the "process".  As the session develops a plan for the work to come more information will be shared.  In the meantime, please continue keeping the Session and the church in your prayers.

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  -  John 14:27 NIV

"Staying Close to Jesus"  heart, mind and soul will bring you peace and alleviate your fears.  It's not always easy but we can do it, the Lord is in control!  Your friends at JPC.

Today we were blessed by having guest Rev. Michael Erwin with us.  Today's entire service including the " Won't You Be My Neighbor " message from today is on our youtube channel if you missed it.

Happy Anniversary to Marcia and Alex !

Ladies Lunch and Bible Study: Ladies are meeting at The Carriage House at noon(12:00) on July 15th for a time together.  Some fellowship and a discussion about the concept of discipleship.

Mark your calendars, Sunday afternoon, August 16th we'll be having a church picnic at Hurricane Shoals Park.  Specifics of time and pavilion number, along with a sign up sheet will be available soon.

Session:  Our session met with Rev. Steven Barnes(chair of the Presbytery's Committee on Ministry) this past week.  Our discussion was extremely helpful and gave us a clearer understanding of what's next and steps to take.  In the days and weeks to come we will be working together as a family of faith in the completion of a mission study.  That in turn will help us in creating a Ministry Discernment Profile which is essential in the search for our next pastor.  We know that together, with the Lord's help, we are moving forward into the future towards the pastor God intends for us.  Please continue keeping the Session and the church in your prayers.  Specifically for wisdom, patience, and guidance in following the Lord's will for our congregation.  Lifelines plans are still being formulated and will be shared as soon as possible.

Today's scripture readings were Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 , 1 John 4: 7-21 .  Some snippets from that and from the message today(in my humble opinion)...It tells us several things.  That God is love.  That God loves us.  To love one another.  We are not meant to be alone.  To share God's love with each other and all you meet.  From all of JPC, won't you be our neighbor?  

We welcomed Ron Gilreath back today.  Ron has been and is a blessing to have amongst us.  Thank you Ron.  We are truly grateful for you!  Today's entire service including Ron's " The Ministry of Reconciliation " message from today is on our youtube channel if you missed it.

Women of the Church:  Women of the church are meeting at The Carriage House at noon(12:00) on July 15th for a time together.(Thank you Margaret)

Please continue keeping the Session and the church in your prayers.  Specifically for wisdom, patience, and guidance in following the Lord's will for our congregation.  Session meets this week for normal business and in addition will have Rev. Steven Barnes(chair of North Georgia Presbytery Committee on Ministry) to continue the guidance on what is next for our church.  As mentioned previously, there will be opportunities for each of us to share our thoughts, hopes, and prayers for the future during this time of transition.   Lifelines plans are still being formulated and will be shared as soon as new information is available.

Take this Sunday's theme and apply it where you can.  2 Corinthians 5:16-21(NIV) - "16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.  The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin(a sin offering) for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."   ​As Christians we are called to be reconcilers.  All of us at JPC wish you the best this week.

A huge thank you to Garry Glenn, who was with us today.  Garry and Jill have spent several Sundays with us for which we are truly grateful.  Their presence, fellowship and Garry's meaningful messages have been truly wonderful.  Today's entire service including Garry's " You've God a Friend " message from today is on our youtube channel if you missed it.

The Session appreciates your prayers and support during this time of transition.  We are continually praying for God's direction, wisdom, and discernment.  Humans are not happy waiting, even more true today than years ago.  Pray for patience for the Session and even yourself, sometimes our timeline is not God's timeline.  As we say many times "His will be done" and we are all certain it will.  Some tidbits....The Session will be meeting with the Chair of the Committee on Ministry to help continue to lead us in this process.  Part of moving forward is to do some reflecting on where we've been, where we are, and where we want to go(past/present/future).  In this spirit, it's important to get feedback and ideas of what is important from everyone, so we can express who we are as we move forward.  Plans are being formed to use "Lifelines"(Sunday school) as a way to get deeper into who we are and what the Lord wants us to do.  We also intend on taking a minute during the church service to provide any updates when warranted.  Some other get-togethers, such as a church supper may also be involved.  When Lifelines or another event is announced, please join us, your input is invaluable.   

Begin or continue your walk with God this week.  Take a moment(quiet is good if you can find it) and listen.  He's always there.  This writer is sometimes guilty of not listening often enough.  God will lead you if you will follow.  May God bless you and speak to you this week.  

Happy Fathers Day !  At JPC we have some of the best Fathers and Grandfathers and Uncles anywhere around.  We pray each one knows how loved, respected, and appreciated each of you are.

Garry Glenn was with us today.  Garry and Jill will be with us again next Sunday.  Thanks to Garry for serving the Lord, we are blessed.  The entire service including his " Fathers , and Sons , and Daughters " message from today is on our youtube channel if you missed it.

Prayers, blessings and best wishes from your friends at JPC.  God loves you !

We welcomed back Garry Glenn today.  He will also be with us June 21st and 28th.  A big thank you to Garry for his willingness to lead worship.  The entire service including his " Why? " message from today is on our youtube channel if you missed it.

Ladies Lunch: June 18th noon at the Carriage House restaurant.  Please join in if you can.
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June 19:  Friday night JPC goes to Gwinnett Stripers game.  It's a Faith, Family, and Fireworks night.  Thank you once again to Tim and Connie for coordinating this event.

May God bless you today and always.  From your friends at JPC.

We welcomed Ron Gilreath as our guest preacher 6/7.  Check out our Youtube channel for the service and Ron's message.   "A Religion For Losers" .  Thank you Ron!

A big thank you to our youth ! for the wonderful 5/31 service and blessing of your willingness.  We recognize the thought and effort you all put into each part of the service.  We are proud of each of you for your love of the Lord and contributions to our family of faith - not just on youth Sunday - but every Sunday.
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June 19:  JPC goes to Gwinnett Stripers game.  Tickets will be distributed June 14th.  Thank you to Tim and Connie for coordinating this event.

May God bless you today and always.  From your friends at JPC.

Today was a special Sunday as our youth were in charge of our service.  What a blessing to have such a wonderful group leading us in worshipping our Lord..  They did a fantastic job.  Here's a link to the service if you like but you might want to keep your finger on the volume, we had some technical difficulties(our apologies).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=96DFXdBOrrc

June 19:  JPC goes to Gwinnett Stripers game.  See the May 10th blog for details or see info on the Narthex table.  Money for tickets is due June 7th.  Tickets will be distributed June 14th.

May God bless you today and always.  From your friends at JPC.