VBS a big hit with our youth!

It's All About POWER!

Rev. Kimberly McCoy
July 26, 2009

Preparation reading:
Samuel 11: 1-15 & Ephesians 3: 14-21

It is probably a basic instinct of survival to be competitive. An individual develops intellectually as well as physically, from early childhood. The results is a degree of achieved excellence with the benefits of power, security and a more bountiful life. Sometimes we assign power to other individuals who we feel will reward our choice with great promises of superior leadership.

This sermon teaches us that we should not channel our power to simply satisfy our own desires. Nor should we allow the powers of the world to totally control us. We should instead recognize, that by humbly allowing God to use us and our talents to bring glory to himself, he will effect our lives in amazing ways. We can best serve him by not only attending, but actively participating in the support of our community of faith.

To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library

Ron's Last Ride

My first introduction to a Vespa was a small die cast model about 2 inches long that my daughter had bought for her son, Eli. She said they were quite popular, but I wasn't sure why. Several years later, my wife and I visited Italy, where Vespa motor scooters were everywhere. They seemed to be a great way to get around cities like Rome, where they weaved in between traffic jams and to the head of each line.

Some time later, I decided that I would like to own one. My reasoning was that I should get one before I got so old that I would, perhaps, be lamenting from a disability scooter. I eventually discovered a nice choice on Ebay, put in a bid and won the auction. The seller was a dealer in Chicago, who had taken the scooter as a trade in on a BMW motorcycle. Luckily, he was making a trip to Indianapolis and arranged a pick-up point there where I transferred it to my son's pickup truck.

I cautiously learned to drive with confidence, but decided to take a safety training course at Diamond Oaks. Four or five 4-hour sessions with 20 other students was great fun and well worth the time. The course helped tremendously in acquiring the required motorcycle endorsement.

I really enjoyed riding some 4000 miles these past three years over back roads of this area. There is something special about riding a scooter. You can cruise neighborhoods without offending anyone. You can wave at folks raking, ... smell the burning leaves, all while enjoying a nice breeze even on the hottest day. You can sometimes find an opportunity to pull over to the curb and strike up a conversation. Generally, I have come to know a much larger neighborhood than the two block radius around my home.

For example, one day while riding out Thompson road, I happened upon this machine shop located in a barn. This might be a solution to a problem. My son and I had been looking for someone to repair a Tecumseh motor on a mulcher we own. I cruised around the barn, found someone working on a big bus and made arrangements to have the work done. Later that afternoon my son and I returned with the mulcher. As we were discussing the repair with the young man at the shop, I noticed a man, more near my age, making an adjustment on a tractor. Later that evening, I was surprised to see the same gentleman at a spaghetti supper at the Salem Presbyterian Church. This gentleman happened to be Dave Suder. We had never met, although I had made purchases at Suder's Art Supply Store several times over the past 30 years. Suders is perhaps the oldest art supply store in Cincinnati, and has always had a reputation for providing quality materials such as canvas, oils and brushes for fine artists. Other art stores carry these materials, but seem to be more specialized toward providing illustration board, drafting supplies, and markers for commercial artists. And so, as my bike enabled me to ramble around the whole northwest area of Hamilton County, it also enabled me to know more about the people, such as Dave, who live in this area.

It is difficult to explain the pleasure of riding. The machine somehow becomes an extension of one's self. As you ride, you become less conscious of the bike and simply will yourself to move freely and almost effortlessly across the landscape. Turns in the road are especially exciting as you lean into the line of gravity creating an experience similar to the sensation of flying. I also like riding my Schwinn peddle bike, but that is limited to around 8 miles and a lot more work; especially up hills.

I am now giving up my Vespa. It will soon belong to a younger man living in Mt. Adams who is excited about using it to commute to his job in an accounting office downtown. He is engaged to be married this September, and his fiancée is delighted with the purchase as well. My wife, Clare, is considerate of the fact that I will be missing the fun of riding, but we both agree that there comes a time when one must face realities in life and adapt to them. I don't intend to be lamenting from a disability scooter any time soon... probably never. In fact, I am sure that I will be smiling at these memories I shall always recall.

Ron Lowry

Other Northwest Community Church members who either ride or have owned bikes in the past include Tim Nolan, Ben Lane, John Koebbe, Tom Lucas, Welles Woodley, Steve Carlson and Jim Frazier. Ralph Williams has a young grandson who currently competes in offroad biking events.

Rest Interrupted

Rev. Barbara Tesorero
July 19, 2009

Everyone looks forward to a time of rest and relaxation... at the end of a day, an exciting vacation, or a long awaited retirement. But often we find these times interrupted by too hectic a schedule, unexpected expenses, or a loss in the value of our hard earned nest egg. In todays demanding world, we need, more than ever, to learn to find time to be at peace with ourselves and God while we recharge physically, emotionally and spiritually. This sermon examines this issue as it explains, through scripture, how Jesus generously responded to similar demands for his time while still reserving quiet time for himself. Jesus is always there for us. We can pray that he will recharge our lives and inspire us to face the challenges of each new day with enthusiasm.

To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library

Never To Be Separated

Sermon by Rev. Alice Petersen
July 12, 2009

This sermon explores the basic need of all people to not be totally isolated and alone. We experience this early in life as a child who desperately needs the care of its mother, and later in life as we face the unknown problems that may confront us each waking day. She points out that we must learn to balance our journey with a belief in the SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD (whatever will be will be) on the one hand ~ and ~ OUR OWN CHOICES (I did it my way) on the other hand, while always remembering that we are precious in God's sight. With Jesus in your life, you are never separated or alone.

To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library

WHAT'S FREE?

Sermon by David Denny
July 5, 2009

This sermon examines the issues of FREEDOM ... what it means in terms of benefits, and what it means in terms of costs in terms of blood, sweat, tears and conditions of responsibility as experienced in the realities of life as well as being taught to us in the earliest chapter of the bible. An appropriate message to consider as we celebrate our countries FREEDOM as a nation each July 4th.

To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library