 "Like A Mighty Army"
By Rev. Dr. Philip Makari
Recorded May 23, 2010
Scripture lessons:
Joel 2:28-32
Acts 2:1-12
Click here to listen
June 2010
Dear Starkdale Family,
I continue to envision Starkdale all-member-participation in ministry. Can you imagine what it would be like if all talents and convictions of our congregation are put to a good ministerial use?
We have six commissions (Administration, Evangelism, Fellowship, Nurture, Outreach, and Worship). Each of these commissions is in great need for workers. A list of the responsibilities of each commission, which may be copied and sent to you, is available at the church office.
Here is an idea: If you haven’t yet been asked to serve in any capacity, read the list, see where your talents may be used effectively, and contact the elder or deacon in charge; let them know that you would like to be part of their team.
There is a saying that I heard once or twice in America, which I never forgot and which I have often experienced it to be true: “If the followers lead, the leaders will follow.” This is true of any church. When a church congregation is enthused about ministry and is willing to give of themselves selflessly to the work of the church, church leaders have no choice but to follow in their lead.
I urge you then to help Starkdale acquire the fire of the early Pentecost, to let it fuel us with the power of God’s Spirit and energize us to do things we never thought possible. Let us permit this fire of Pentecost to spread wildly into our communities. Let us let the wind of God’s Spirit carry its flames to every home and every street in our area. Let this fire of God’s Spirit keep us from “taking the back seat” and falling into to sleep, especially in a time when all the forces of evil are fully awake. In other words, let us become on fire for our Lord, become spiritually contagious, so community people can experience the need for God’s life-giving Spirit and desire the saving grace of our Savior. Let us receive anew the flames of the first Pentecost, which not even Rome with its might, could put out.
Among the major priorities of our elders and deacons for this year are intentional efforts for more evangelism, a wider range of Christian fellowship, home visitation by officers and church members, increased financial support, more wonderful opportunities for biblical knowledge and understanding, and a community youth ministry that would bring many youths to the Lord.
I have to admit that since I became a pastor in 1975, I haven’t seen the excitement and joy about Christ’s ministry that I see here. It is becoming more appealing to some of us to invite non church goers to our church. The friendship and the warmth you share every Sunday is a big plus for our fellowship and for meeting new people. The midweek Bible study, to which many of you keep bringing friends, has grown beyond my expectations.
It is amazing how God has graciously gathered a group of Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians … etc. to meet weekly for fellowship in the Word.
Thank you for fanning the flame of faith. Thank you for being the type of faithful witnesses that you are. Thank you for being an invaluable part of the Starkdale team.
Sincerely,
Philip
May 2010
Dear Starkdale Family,
Without a doubt you are the greatest!
Five years have gone by since Vickey and I were called to be part of the Starkdale ministry (with Sunday, May 15, 2005 as our first Sunday). What amazes me is that it seems like yesterday that we came on board. Either I am getting old, since the years are fleeting like weeks, or maybe it is because “good times go fast.” I like to believe the latter. I am so blessed to be part of your genuine faith, deep devotion, sincere convictions, and selfless love. It is because of your hard work and your full support to the vision of our church and to my hopes as pastor that Starkdale continues to grow in the Spirit as well as in numbers.
The month of May is no exception. It reflects congregational qualities I have already mentioned above. During this month, the church will be as busy as ever preparing for three annual events:
The first is our “Trash-to-Treasure Sale”, which will be held on Saturday May 1, and which will demand a great deal of time and energy, not to mention the many of us who will contribute generously to the sale. Thank God for Sharon Petrilla, who agreed to plan and co-ordinate this event and who has done a wonderful job with it for many years.
The second is our “Annual Chicken Grill”, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 15. This has become a popular day for our community (equal to the Greek Orthodox Festival and the Serbian Picnic). Many community people look forward to this great feasting (at a reasonable price) and to the wonderful fellowship it provides.
The third is our “Annual Corporation Meeting”, which will take place on Sunday, May 23 following the second worship service. In that meeting, we will answer any questions pertaining to our ministry together. Commission chairs were asked to write about what they and their commission members achieved during the year of 2009 and about what they hope to accomplish by the end of the year. You will be given a summary-booklet in advance that will include those reports for your study and discussion on that Sunday.
In addition to these extras, we will continue to meet for Prayer Time (on Monday evenings at 7:00), Bible studies (Tuesdays at 10:00 A.M. and Wednesdays at 6:00 P.M.), Dart Base Ball (Tuesdays at 6:00), Men’s Prayer breakfast (Tuesday, May 11 at 7:30 A.M.), Presbyterian Women (Evening Circle on Thursday, May 13 at 6:30; Day Circle on Tuesday, May 25 at 12:00.) The Youth Fellowship will also will be busy during May in preparation for a Youth service in July.
Moreover, May 2 is Communion Sunday, May 5 community pastors will meet at Starkdale, May 9 is Mother’s Day; May 13 is Ascension Day; May 23 is Pentecost Sunday; May 30 is Trinity Sunday. Planning for each of these special days should not only involve the majority of us, but also should, with God’s help, serve as great opportunities for inviting others to join us.
What a great joy, then, it is for Vicky and me to be included as part of your ever-growing team for this most demanding, yet most rewarding of all earthly tasks!
A community man, whom I met once and to whom I introduced myself as pastor of the Starkdale Church, said to me “Oh! You mean that you are pastor of the church that never sleeps?” “Thank you,” for lifting the name of Jesus so high. I pray that together we may remain faithful, stay alert and keep watch until the day Christ returns.
Sincerely,
Philip
April 2010
Dear Starkdale Family,
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 tells us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: … a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance …”
Several of us have expressed that we have just had the coldest winter in decades. What a reminder this is for us to joyfully welcome spring, embrace it, give thanks for each of its days, and never take its beauty and warmth for granted!
From our Christian perspective, we may liken the winter months to the time when we were spiritually cold, alienated from God, and lifeless because of the thick and dark clouds of our sins and evil. Likewise, we may liken spring to the time when we came to Christ whose light has shone on us, and whose love and warmth have blossomed in and through our lives.
Spring is a welcome season. Spring spells hope. Spiritually speaking, the soul’s winter is a time for weeping and mourning because of the bad news of sin. I pray that none of us is still captive to such a winter. The soul’s spring no doubt is a time for laughing and dancing because of the Good News of salvation by grace. Is it by accident then that Easter is a major spring celebration? Not at all; spring and Easter have always belonged to each other.
Spring and Easter are in every sense of the phrase a union of divine origin. They both confirm that there is more to our earthly life than that which we judge as dying or dead. Spring speaks of newness in nature; Easter speaks of newness in God’s Spirit. Both spring and Easter introduce beauty as a sure fact of life and proclaim that there is more to the reality of human life than what we are able to experience by the senses. Both spring and Easter call us to believe in “what shall be”. Spring affirms that though winter may bring things to a halt, the time will come when the sky will be blue again, the birds will sing to the melody of fresh air, and flowers will bloom in harmony with nature's colors. Easter believes that the shadow of the valley of death may make an end to the breath of life, but the time is coming when heaven will show forth, and souls will be revived incorruptible, singing and dancing to the melody of God's glorious presence. Spring and Easter are indeed a marriage made in heaven. They are intimately united as one.
On their anniversary each year, spring and Easter remind us to keep on believing, to keep on hoping, and to keep on affirming the promise that he who gives beauty and life to dry and dead things will do the same for us. Life's crosses may be torturous and deadly, but the resurrection will recreate us for eternity. The darkness of Good Friday may seem as the end of the story, but Easter Sunday is God's unfailing promise for a new and unending chapter in glory.
May God bless each of you and grant you the warmth and beauty of an inner spring and the promise of a fruitful Easter life.
Sincerely,
Philip Makari
March 2010
Dear Starkdale Family,
By the time this issue of the Chimes reaches our homes, we are already into the third week of Lent. Can you believe it?
"Lent" is from Latin. Initially, during the early part of the first century, it was a word that stood for that time in spring when the days were “lengthened” or grew longer. Later, believers began to use the word in connection to the time Christ suffered and died. The original Lent period was 40 hours; it was spent in prayer and fasting to commemorate the suffering of Christ and the 40 hours He spent in the tomb. In the early part of the third century, Lent was lengthened to 6 days; the seventh day was the Lord’s Day, a day of celebrating and feasting. It wasn’t until 800 AD that Lent was changed to 40 days. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, which fell this year on February 17, exactly 40 days before Easter (April 4); Sundays are not included. The 40 days correspond with Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness when he was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. Thus, Lent becomes a time of self-examination, of reflection, of frequent opportunities for prayers and fasting, and of making serious and bold efforts toward repentance in the hope that repentance would grow more and more permanent in a person’s life.
You may also be wondering about the origin of other traditions relating to Lent. I, too, find those traditions interesting. Of those I mention:
“Shrove Tuesday”, which is also known as “Fat Tuesday.” This is the day before Ash Wednesday. It is celebrated in many parts of the world with feasting. The French call it "Mardi Gras". The Germans call it "Fausching". The feasting comes from the custom of using up household fats prior to the 40 days of the Lenten fasting, when no fat is used. Shrove Tuesday takes its name from "shriving" or forgiving sins. This is rooted in the Old Testament burned offerings when the entire sacrifice (meat and fats) were consumed in celebration of forgiveness.
The word "carnival", in relation to “Mardi Gras”, means "good-bye to meat". After the meat and its fats are consumed on Tuesday of “Mardi Gras”, most traditional churches stay away from meat and its products (milk, eggs, cheese …etc.) for forty days.
During Bach’s day, often the organ and choirs were silent during Lent.
In early England, women of the parish traditionally spent Holy Week (the last week in the Lent Season) scrubbing the church, so it would sparkle for the Festival of Easter.
Lent then is the forty day period, during which Christians remember their sinfulness, ask God's forgiveness, repent and recognize that God's forgiveness comes at an infinite price -- the death of Christ on the cross on our behalf and in our place. We must remember that Lent is not meant as a time of false humility or prideful self-sacrifice. Lent reminds us that our sin separates us from God, who "demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). May God give us all the desire and the will to use the Lent season wisely and productively, making important decisions geared toward enhancing our walk in Christ and our commitment to his will and ways for our lives. Amen.
Sincerely,
Philip Makari
February 2010
Dear Members and Friends of Starkdale,
This letter explains a very special emphasis for our ministry together. It contains important information about three new opportunities for our spiritual growth. I know this competes with many enjoyable activities in our lives. However, it is the stuff that we do in Christ’s name and for his sake that would matter most to any serious Christian.
You heard me speak of the TRUTH PROJECT that meets every Sunday evening at 7:00 P.M. It is never too late to join this video series. It is convincing, bold, and reliable truth designed to get you deeply rooted in biblical knowledge, and best of all, make biblical understanding trust worthy. I have attended two meetings so far. I can honestly say that I have never seen or heard anything like it. The type of learning I am getting from the Truth Project surpasses any courses I have ever taken at seminary or out of seminary. I invite you to come and try it for yourself. With prayer and openness, these presentations promise to overcome any doubts you may be experiencing regarding the faith.
The second opportunity before us for spiritual growth is our annual LENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLET. Many of you submitted articles for the Advent Devotional Booklet which were well received by everyone.
Sharing our own stories of faith is one of the most rewarding tools of encouraging one another in the Lord. You will not believe how many positive comments people made as they reflected on what you said in your Advent articles.
Please help us complete this booklet by February 10 so we can use it during our Lent reflections. You may write one page on any spiritual subject-matter (a Bible verse, a personal faith experience, a poem, a prayer, a hymn that speaks to your heart … etc.) These devotions will draw us closer, strengthen our faith and bring glory to God.
The third opportunity I wish to highlight is the EVANGELISM EVENTS that will take place on Sunday, February 28 (8:30 and 11:00 A.M.) and the workshop at 5:00 P.M. Bill Fay, our guest coordinator will share with us his faith story and will train us in sharing our faith without fear. Mr. Fay’s transformation is an amazing miracle in itself. Having rebelled against the teachings of the scriptures, and having lived a severely ungodly life, now he is a national Christian figure, a dynamic speaker, a faithful evangelist, and a man of deep passion for sharing the gospel with others. Please join us as we learn about the urgency for evangelism and ways by which we may share the faith without fear.
Thanks to the spiritual wealth within our church family, these events are made possible and are seen as a sample of what God can do in us and through us when we are obedient to his will for our lives. Please don’t miss any part of such opportunities. You will be richly blessed. And even better, by your participation, others will be blessed as well.
Thanks for a life of faith and commitment to our Savior and Lord.
Sincerely,
Philip Makari
December 2009
Dear Starkdale Family,
Greetings in the name of the One who was born to save us; may this time of the year fill you with God’s inner peace and remind you of the living hope promised to God’s children. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I wish to begin this letter by expressing my thanks for your continued love and support for Vickey and me. We consider it a great joy to be part of the Starkdale family. From the very beginning, you have embraced us as part of your social fellowships and as members of your families. In addition, you continue to pray for us as we serve you in Christ’s name, attend and participate enthusiastically our sharing of the scriptures with you, and most of all, stand fully behind us as we team up with you to implement new ways to impact the community and the entire Upper Ohio Valley. Everything you do brings heaven a great joy. The lost are saved, the hungry are fed, the sick are visited, the sorrowful are comforted, the weak are strengthened, and THE LORD IS GLORIFIED because of what you do. THANK YOU!
In addition to making it rewarding to serve by your side, you continue to touch our hearts with warm and friendly calls, encourage us when we are challenged by difficulties, pray for us at our time of need, and invite us to be part of your fun activities.
At their last joined meeting, the elders and the deacons agreed to embark (by faith) on doing even more (something beyond our walls).
They agreed to begin the search and possibly sponsor a Community Youth Director. This person will be theologically educated and skilled in sharing sound doctrine with youth, will be a staff position that has an access to the school system and is qualified and willing to meet with school children daily while school is in session and during the summer months.
A part of his/her ministry will be leading them in prayers and Bible studies, introducing them to the church, interacting with them during sport events, developing programs and activities that speak to their growing needs, inviting them to church, leading them in weekly spiritual lessons, and traveling with them on mission and fun trips, in addition to his or her involvement in the Children’s Home ministry and ministry to troubled children in the community (children from broken homes, or addicted to drugs… etc.) WOW!
Moreover, the combined meeting of elders and deacons approved of helping send two members of our church to serve (for a brief time) as missionaries overseas to areas that need desperate help (Malawi, Africa, and Port Said, Egypt).
The vision of Starkdale is big, so are the people behind it, they are great; they make things happen; they follow the Spirit’s lead. God loves Starkdale.
In conclusion I say, please keep up the good work and have a wonderful blessed Christmas.
Sincerely,
Philip
November 2009
Dear Starkdale Members and Friends,
The month of November ushers us into a new season of the church. It is the time of the year in which we celebrate Thanksgiving and begin the season of Advent, which in turn brings us to Christmas.
Both Thanksgiving and Christmas commemorate God’s special graces to us. Thanksgiving commemorates God’s daily blessings of shelter and harvest. Christmas commemorates God’s ultimate gift of Jesus Christ to redeem us from sin and death.
But November also takes those two celebrations and uses them to inspire us to reflect on how we may bless God in return. This is the time of the year we begin to think about our giving as God has given us. We all have heard, more often than we can remember, that “it is possible to give without love, but it is impossible to love without giving.” If we claim to love God, we are to show our love through our generosity toward his work among us.
Thus, our acts of giving become the projection of hearts that are filled with gratitude for the daily blessings that sustain life and for God’s gift of eternal life through Christ. Both are priceless graces that we often take for granted.
In addition to viewing our contributions as a projection of hearts that are filled with gratitude, they are also the expression of true worship. The highlight of worship in ancient times, which is still true in many parts of our world among millions of Christians, was (and is) offering time. True believers of every age are not only filled with gratitude when they offer their gifts to God, but also with inner joy. They consider it an honor and a joyous privilege to play a role in the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth as the gospel is preached, the poor are fed, and the nonbelievers are evangelized. Here, our money becomes an invaluable tool for the purposes of God. In other words, the money we share toward ministry in Christ’s name is the only investment we make that has rewarding eternal benefits.
With this biblical understanding in mind, can anyone afford not to give generously, cheerfully and sacrificially?
It should be the goal of each of us this year to increase our giving to the highest possible degree, or to a level that corresponds with God’s gift to us in Christ. How do you say thanks to God for food and shelter, for rescuing you from eternal death and hell, and for granting you salvation from sin and the gift of eternal life? This is what we should prayerfully keep in mind while filling out our pledge cards for 2010.
What is a good pledge? A good pledge is the one that is seen as a sacrifice of praise. A good pledge is one that ponders the cross of Christ and celebrates its benefits. A good pledge is one that demands my soul, my life, my all.
Sincerely,
Philip Makari
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