McCloud Community Presbyterian Church
Serving the Community of McCloud Since 1904 
P.O. Box 610
McCloud, CA 96057
(530) 964-2381 Voice
(530) 964-2158 Fax
Sunday Worship Services 11:00 a.m.
Adult Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
Email to: Edie Adams at mcpc@snowcrest.net
 revision April 6, 2008
Mission Statement
We are a biblically based church called to glorify
God through Jesus Christ both locally and globally.
 
Pastor
Reverend Dr. James Howe
Office Hours:
Wednesday & Friday
8:00 to 12:00
Schedule for Lay People
Grace Presbyterian Church - Weed, CA
National Presbyterian Website

 

ABOUT OUR NEW PASTOR
Reverend Dr. James Howe began his ministry in the Parish of the Siskiyous on March 1, 2008.
 
Jim is a 1977 graduate of California State University, Chico. He attended Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA by extension from 1985 through 1989. He received his Masters of Divinity from Regent College in Vancouver, B.C., Canada in 1990 and a Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological seminary in 2002.
 
Both Jim and his wife, Kerry, are very familiar with Siskiyou county. Kerry was born and raised on a cattle ranch near Granada. Jim worked at the Scott Valley Berean Church and Weed Berean Church as Youth Director. He also was the area director for Siskiyou County Young Life.
 
Jim served as Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Bickelton, WA, from 1990 to 1995. In 1995 he was called to be pastor at Community Presbyterian Church in Waldport, OR where he served until February 2008.
 
Both Jim and Kerry eagerly anticipate the opportunity to serve the Parish of the Siskiyous.
Pastor's Message
Why Are We Here?
June 2008
Why are we here? The answer that Presbyterians have offered since the 17th century is, “To glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” This is the first question from the Westminster Shorter Catechism which is our primary confession in our Book of Confessions. It reflects the biblical narrative of God who created us out of overflowing love so that in entering into life in Christ we might live to the praise of God’s glory. It is important to remember our point for living. When we live prayerfully and thankfully, life is transformed from meaninglessness to purpose.
 
One of the questions we need to reconsider today is why does the Church exist? If we turn to the beginning of the Church in Acts we find that to live for glory and enjoyment of God is also part and parcel of what it means to be the Church. "They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home; every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved." (Acts 2:42-47, The Message) Worship, fellowship, apostolic teaching and evangelism (the increase of the Church) are the fourfold purpose of the church. We gather for fellowship, hearing Scripture proclaimed and to worship God but we go out to share our faith.
 
Jesus said “go make disciples” in his great commission which Dale Bruner translates, “move out.” One of the problems that the church has faced over the centuries is a tendency to what people have called the “if you build it they will come” mentality. This was never in the mind of Jesus or the apostles and even Abraham the father of our faith was to be a blessing to all nations not just the chosen people of Israel. Our God is a missionary God. Mission is not just on the other side of the world; it is in our back yard when we are sharing both the compassion and message of Jesus. Social justice and evangelism cannot be separated. They are one in the good news of Jesus.
 
When Charles and John Wesley began to think about reaching England and the Americas with the gospel as Anglican ministers they rediscovered the missional focus of the Church. One important aspect they understood was the need to take the gospel outside the buildings where the Church met. This meant open-air preaching, jail ministry, work in the sweatshops, education of students at the university and so much more that took the message to the people. Presbyterians today are learning that if we are to grow we need to recapture the missional focus of the Church. We need to move out. What programs can we develop that are outside the four walls of our churches? Where can we go to meet people on their own turf while being transparently and openly Christian? Bowling alleys, school, work, restaurants, golf courses, pubs, grocery stores; these are all examples of where Jesus may be calling you to go to meet the people God is bringing into your life. Be prepared to learn from them as they learn from you. We are just beggars who have found a feast in the presence of God who are showing other beggars where to find food in Christ.

 

- Blessings, Jim Howe

 
Passage of the Season

"Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again;

but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst..."
John 4: 13-14
 
ELDERS
DEACONS
Sybil Stewart - Clerk of Session
Annette Spitsen - Moderator
Edie Adams - Treasurer
Mary Selby - Vice Moderator
Greta Jones
Betty Gray - Secretary
Wilma Claro
Marilyn Black - Treasurer
Dan Selby
Laurie Zanni
Raymond Zanni
Fran Martin
Sandie Fantel
Margaret Stoner
Steve Jones

 
Services and Events for 2008
 July 
 
July 6
Sermon: Blessing the World Together as One People
Eph. 4: 1-6
 
July 13
Sermon: Blessed with Gifted People
Scripture: Eph. 4: 7-13
 
July 20
10:00 a.m. - Combined Worship Service in McCloud's Hoo Hoo Park
 
July 27
Message from James Tyhurst
 
August
 
Aug. 3
Sermon: Blessed with Gifted People Part II
Scripture: Eph. 4: 7-13