Seldom do churches plug other churches. In fact, most of the time we are in competition with each other -- especially for that much coveted 5- to 50-year-old age group. Well, I have good news. There's a new church in town, and I am trying to plug it.
The Episcopal Church of Pea Ridge is now up and running and waiting for you. While they are "temporarily nested" for the time being in the Presbyterian Church, they are busy making plans for their future. The Presbyterian Church is very fortunate to have this opportunity to help the Episcopalians. We are both learning from each other, accommodating each other, and finding out how close we are to each other in Christ.
This new congregation is blessed with dedicated and capable leadership. Jason Maloy (lay eucharistic minister, Eureka Springs) and James Crews (lay worship leader/ eucharistic minister, St. Andrews, Rogers) are the lay ministers. Oversight is being given by Father David Benham Ph.D., priest in charge, St. Andrews, and Father Ben Helmer, Vvicar of St. James, Eureka Springs. The church is already growing, and has some wonderful opportunities planned for the future.
Several of these opportunities coming up very quickly will take place during Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services will be held at St. Andrews in Rogers, and the Great Easter Vigil will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Mt. Vernon Church in Pea Ridge. All are welcome to attend. If you are looking for a new church experience, consider trying out the Episcopal Church of Pea Ridge. You will be blessed.
•••
Editor's note: John Gibson is the pastor of Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, Pea Ridge. He can be contacted through this newspaper at [email protected].
Religion on 04/02/2014