__ May 2015 __

A VIEW FROM THE PEW

On May 14th in the church calendar it

will be 40 days since Jesus’ resurrection. During this time Jesus appeared to His followers on various occasions. On the 40th day, Ascension Day, He returned to heaven. The disciples continued to wait. They waited in Jerusalem. They waited in Jerusalem because Jesus told them not to leave until they received His promised gift – baptism with the Holy Spirit. They had time to process events that had occurred. They had seen the awesome power of God bring Jesus back to life. They saw the reality of Divine power in the resurrection life of Jesus. They had exchanged fearsome dread and sorrow from His death to exuberant joy for His life. What was the meaning of all this? Did they recall His declaration, “the Kingdom of God is at hand?” Did they remember His parable illustrations about the kingdom of heaven? They were focused on the kingdom. But the Kingdom of Israel no longer existed. The Romans then dominated the government. It had been several hundred years since Israel had enjoyed the successful prominence of self-rule and governance. The disciples asked Jesus if He was at that “time going to restore the Kingdom to Israel?” Surely He had the power to do it. Their patriotic desire for

national independence compelled them to ask. Jesus replied that they would receive power; it was power to be His witnesses when the Holy Spirit came upon them. They would proclaim the gospel in Jerusalem and even “to the ends of the earth.” They stood at the beginning of a momentous change in the hearts of men and in the destiny of nations. The movement, in which all peoples on earth will be ruled by the Lord Himself began to germinate. The disciples would continue His work of building His church empowered by His Spirit. Ten more days would elapse and the promised gift of the Spirit would be given. He would come in the form of the “sound of a violet wind.” There also appeared “tongues like fire” which rested upon them. It was now Pentecost (Greek derivation for 50th day). It was 50 days since the resurrection. Pentecost in the Old Testament is known as the Feast of Weeks or of the First Fruits or of the Harvest. As the Spirit came upon them, the disciples began to speak in different languages. They preached first to the diverse population visiting at that time in Jerusalem. Now, during the Feast of Harvest celebration, the harvest of men’s souls for God’s Kingdom had begun. The church had been born. The process of changing the world took the next step forward. Little did they know how they would be used to change the world. Let the fire of their devotion light our way; let it inspire us today.

Elder Dr. David Ciliberto

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The Adult Sunday School Class is meeting from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. For the month of May lessons will cover the following topics: May 03 Co-Workers With the Truth (3 John: 1-15) May 10 Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) May 17 The Spirit Creates One Body

(1 Corinthians 12:14-31) May 24 Gifts of Languages (Acts 2:1-7, 12) (1 Corinthians 14:13-19) May 30 The Greatest Gift is Love

(1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

Come to participate.

Dr. David Ciliberto, Chairman Christian Education Committee **************************************************************************

Session Corner Highlights from Stated Meeting held April 21, 2015

Administration Committee – reported that painting of the exterior of the church and repair of the steeple was in progress. Roof repair/replacement of the sanctuary is pending, awaiting a favorable change in the weather.

Worship Committee – reported that the preaching schedule for the next two months was completed.

Dr. David Ciliberto Vice Clerk of Session

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May Day is here! Did you have May Poles at school? Well, we all have lots of inspiration in God's beautiful world these days to make us want to dance around a ribbon pole.

Beginning with the opportunity of Homecoming Sunday on the 3rd of May to celebrate the "communion of saints" gathered in our newly refurbished sanctuary and to break bread with old friends and relations at lunch following service. Can't wait to see what our delicious dishes will be set out. A good opportunity to bring a friend or neighbor. You can introduce them at the Outreach Committee gathering at 9:30 that morning.

And speaking of gathering, Sunshine Circle will be welcoming all of our Buffalo Gals to the PW 2015 Birthday gathering in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00 PM, Monday, May 8th. Along with the good times and good food, a PW Birthday Offering will collected to celebrate the blessings in the lives of Presbyterian Women. No giving guidelines are suggested other than “give as you are blessed.”

The offering funds up to five projects that are not included in ongoing General Assembly mission support, such as agricultural development, child care, community organization, criminal justice, drug counseling, economic justice, elderly care, employment training, homelessness, literacy, violence and women’s concerns. Gifts to the 2015 Birthday Offering will allow theses ministries to support women in Memphis, Tennessee, and Barranquilla, Colombia, who are overcoming oppressive, violent situations. The actual grant amounts for these worthwhile programs will depend on gifts received in 2015. Hope to see many new

faces that night. Our thanks to Buddy McNeill who set up the

Cross of Flowers on Easter Sunday. And thanks to those kind folks who got into their yards (or to a local shop) early that day to gather the few blossoms braving the nippy temperatures so early in the year. This was the third year of preparing the cross, and it looked lovely.

Circle lessons will resume regular schedules in June on the second Monday. Drop-ins always welcome.

Betty Robinson, PW CT Moderator

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Greetings from the Evangelism and Outreach Committee. We have been continuing the good work of Buffalo's Food Ministry by making food deliveries to the CUOC. From January 2015 to present the church has donated 342 pounds of food items to help feed the hungry of our community. On top of that, Buffalo has donated $900. On April 5th, 2015 we kicked off our "Bruch at Buffalo" event. On the first Sunday of every month through the remainder of 2015 we will provide a continental breakfast from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Our goal is to encourage church members to invite a guest so we can hopefully add new members to our Buffalo Family. Also, we encourage current church members who haven't attended church in a while to get back in the groove. Please invite a friend to enjoy some good food and fellowship. Our next "Bruch at Buffalo" will be May 3, 2015. I have been in touch with the City of Sanford concerning their National Night Out program. The committees' hope is to host the event at Buffalo. Our residential nearby neighbors will be invited to our church to enjoy a night of fun, food, and fellowship. The event will be held sometime in August of 2015.

Jeff Cashion, Chairman Evangelism/Growth/Communications

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Remember with love and prayer:

CHURCH MEMBERS: Vialee Cashion, Nellie Cox, Roy Cox, Greg Deck, Barbara Jo Glass, Clay Ingram, Sandie Lemons, and Lisa C. Moore FAMILY OF CHURCH MEMBERS: David Brown, Linda Crompton, MacKenzie

Deck, Marcus Freeman, Michael Holt, Edna Johnson, Terry Johnson, Taylor Jones, David Key, Elaine McBryde, Sam McClearen, Jacob Monson, Carson Setzer, Jim Siess, Louise Stewart, Hazel Wicker, and Jan Thomas FRIENDS OF CHURCH MEMBERS: Jennifer Avent, Frank Foushee, Frank Gaddy, Carol Haines, Will Kirkland, Lynda Lohr, Rebecca Mansfield, Melissa Miles, Megan Nelson, Parker Normann, Dr. Michele Roberson, Lisa Rubinosky, Steven Schackne, Allison Upchurch Smith, Tracy Spivey, and Frank Tibbett

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WEEKLY OFFERING TOTALS April 05, 2015 – $3386.00 April 12, 2015 – $1257.00 April 19, 2015 – $1682.00 April 26, 2015 – $1619.00

5 Cents A Meal Offering – $ 89.52 BackPack Kids Offering – $123.00

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The newsletter staff welcomes comments and suggestions. We hope there will be something of interest to all and maybe a

laugh or just a smile from the contents of each issue.

Deadline for articles to be included in the next issue of the newsletter will be Friday, May 22, 2015.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY May 03rd – Libby Ragland May 16th – Caitlyn Bridges

May 07th – James Tart May 25th – Lee Setzer

May 11th – Patrick Kelly May 26th – Kathy Jolly

May 13th – Helen Martindale May 30th – John Bridges

May 31st – Carlton Davis

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WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

May 16th Brooks and Pat Kelly

May 21st Daniel and Amy Hart

May 22nd J. W. and Mary Bailes

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Greeting Elders for May May 03rd – Pat Setzer May 10th – J. W. Bailes May 17th – Jeff Cashion May 24th – David Ciliberto May 31st – Larry Collins

Congregational Greeter’s for May May 03rd – Kay Davis May 10th – Geri Hales May 17th – Kathy Jolly May 24th – Karen Johnson May 31st – Pat Setzer

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May Leaders

May 03rd – Jan Tart (Lesson A-40) May 10th – Jean Wilberg (Lesson A-41) May 17th – Jackie Frie (Lesson A-42) May 24th – Kathy Jolly (Lesson A-43) May 31st – Anna Renwick (Lesson A-44)

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Meeting held Monday, April 20, 2015

Members Present: J. W. Bailes, Mary Bailes, Pam McDonald, and Geri Hales.

Plans were made to take a meal to a couple and a goodie basket for another. Cards will continue to be sent to those on the prayer list. As we closed the meeting, we prayed for each person on the prayer list. J.W. Bailes, Chairman Congregational Care & Fellowship

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The preacher’s 5-year-old daughter

noticed that her father always

paused and bowed his head for a

moment before starting his sermon.

One day she asked him why. “Well,

honey,” he began, proud that his daughter was so

observant of his messages, “I’m asking the Lord to

help me preach a good sermon.” “Then how come He

doesn’t do it?” she asked. **************************************************************************

A NEW FLOWER CHART FOR 2015 HAS

BEEN PLACED ON THE BULLETIN BOARD

FOR MEMBERS TO SIGN-UP FOR PLACING

FLOWERS IN THE SANCTUARY.

MAY 05/03/15 – by WOC – HOMECOMING SUNDY

05/10/15 – by WOC – MOTHER’S DAY (Carnations)

05/17/15 – OPEN

05/24/15 – by WOC – MEMORIAL DAY

05/31/15 – OPEN

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KIDS IN

CHURCH

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons,

Kevin 5, and Ryan 3. The boys began to argue over

who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw

the opportunity for a moral lesson. 'If Jesus were

sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have

the first pancake, I can wait.' Kevin turned to his

younger brother and said, 'Ryan, you be Jesus!' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A father was at the beach with his children when

the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his

hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay

dead in the sand. 'Daddy, what happened to him?'

the son asked. 'He died and went to Heaven,' the

Dad replied. The boy thought a moment and then

said, 'Did God throw him back down?' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table,

she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,

'Would you like to say the blessing?' 'I wouldn't

know what to say,' the girl replied. 'Just say what

you hear Mommy say,' the wife answered. The

daughter bowed her head and said, 'Lord, why on

earth did I invite all these people to dinner?' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Sunday school teacher asked her children as

they were on the way to church service, 'And why

is it necessary to be quiet in church?' One bright

little girl replied, 'Because people are sleeping.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A little boy was overheard praying: 'Lord, if you

can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.

I'm having a real good time like I am.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I showered and shaved, I adjusted my tie. I got there and sat in a pew just in time, bowing my head in prayer as I closed my eyes. I saw the shoe of the man next to me touching my own. I sighed. With plenty of room on either side I thought, "Why must our soles touch?" It bothered me, his shoe touching mine. But it didn't bother him much. A prayer began: "Our Father" I thought, "This man with the shoes has no pride. They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!" "Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on. The shoe man said a quiet "Amen." I tried to focus on the prayer but my thoughts were on his shoes again. Aren't we supposed to look our best when walking through that door? "Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, glancing toward the floor. Then the prayer was ended and the songs of praise began. The shoe man was certainly loud sounding proud as he sang. His voice lifted the rafters his hands were raised high. The Lord could surely hear the shoe man's voice from the sky. It was time for the offering and what I threw in was steep. I watched as the shoe man reached into his pockets so

deep. I saw what was pulled out what the shoe man put in. Then I heard a soft "clink”, as when silver hits tin. The sermon really bored me to tears, and that's no lie. It was the same for the shoe man for tears fell from his eyes. At the end of the service as is the custom here, we must greet new visitors, and show them all good cheer. But I felt moved somehow and wanted to meet the shoe man. So after the closing prayer I reached over and shook his hand. He was old and his skin was dark and his hair was truly a mess. But I thanked him for coming for being our guest. He said, "My names' Charlie I'm glad to meet you, my friend." There were tears in his eyes but he had a large, wide grin. "Let me explain," he said wiping tears from his eyes. "I've been coming here for months and you're the first to say 'Hi’”. "I know that my appearance is not like all the rest, but I really do try to always look my best." "I always clean and polish my shoes before my very long walk, but by the time I get here they're dirty and dusty, like chalk." My heart filled with pain and I swallowed to hide my tears, as he continued to apologize for daring to sit so near. He said, "When I get here I know I must look a sight but I thought if I could touch you then maybe our souls might unite." I was silent for a moment knowing whatever was said would pale in comparison; I spoke from my heart, not my head. "Oh, you've touched me," I said “and taught me, in part; that the best of any man is what is found in his heart." The rest, I thought, this shoe man will never know. Like just how thankful I really am that his dirty old shoe touched my soul. You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life. I respect you, and truly cherish you. No matter how often you talk, or how close you are, let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will. Remember, everyone needs a friend. Someday you might feel like you have no friends at all. Just remember this article and take comfort in knowing that someone out there cares about you and always will.

SHOES IN CHURCH

BUFFALO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1333 Carthage Street Sanford, NC 27330

919-776-7313

buffalochurch@windstream.net

www.buffalopres.org

is May 10th!

You may purchase a

carnation “In Honor Of” or “In Memory

Of” your mother or loved one. Please fill

out below and return this to the church

office as soon as possible. If you wish to

have your name published in the Carnation

Brochure, please ensure the order form

is in the office by Wednesday morning,

May 6th. Otherwise, you may purchase a

flower until Mother’s Day. The carnations

will be $1.00 each and you may take them

home with you following Worship Service. ********************************************** In Honor Of: (One name only please)

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In Memory Of: (One name only please)

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Given By:

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EASTER LILIES Sunday, April 5, 2015

IN LOVING HONOR

IN HONOR OF: GIVEN BY:

Angela Deck…..............Greg, MacKenzie, and Kolby Deck

Inez Holt………............................................Darlene McNeill

Bob and Jeanne Jolly……..Kathy and Nelson Jolly/Burke

Kathy Jolly………………...................Bob and Jeanne Jolly

Jim and Sarah Monson………...Kevin and Pam McDonald

IN LOVING MEMORY

IN MEMORY OF: GIVEN BY:

Jean and Gene Chester……….Karen Chester, Holly Baker,

Chet Chester, and Dee Anne Chester

E. P. and Clara Lee Dowdy…………..J. W. and Mary Bailes

Dennis Foushee……………………………..Frances Foushee

Pressly Foushee………………...…………..Frances Foushee

Leonard Holt…………………………………...Darlene McNeill

Malcolm and Inez Jackson…….…......Brooks and Pat Kelly

Shack and Treva Kelly…….………..…Brooks and Pat Kelly

Mr. and Mrs. Dallas McNeill…………………..Buddy McNeill

Ann Seymore…………………Shelby Futrell and Her Family

Ann Seymore……………………………………...Jean Wilberg

Peter Wilberg…………..………………………….Jean Wilberg

Our Loved Ones…………….............Larry and Anne Collins

Our Parents………….…......……...Floyd and Virginia Brown

Our Parents………….…......…….Bill and Elizabeth Shermer