From the Editor . . . .

Hunting arrowheads is often a spiritual experience for me. It is a time to be with nature, myself and God. In the hectic life of cell phones, television, computers and noise, the time alone in a field or forest is a much needed respite from the everyday chaos. It also connects me to the past. Finding a piece of stone that was worked with human hands thousands of years ago and being the first human to touch it since then is an awesome gift to me. It is a treasurer.

   I often spend my time walking the field contemplating life and spiritual issues. Recently, in a newly plowed cotton field, I was struggling to step over the high tilled rows. The hills seemed much higher and the valleys much deeper than usual. It took more effort than before to cross the field. We are very careful to step only in the valleys so we don’t disturb the rows. It was tiring, but the trek is worth it when an arrowhead or artifact is found. The treasure is waiting to be discovered. One just has to know the area in which to look and must be willing to search with patience and perseverance.

    When it rains, stones and arrowheads are sometimes washed into the valleys between the rows. They are washed clean and lay in the open, easy to see. In life I have also found that the treasure is often found in the valleys, the low points. When life is a struggle and there seems to be nothing we can to about it, if we look for God’s presence, we will discover treasurers that cannot be found on the hills and mountain tops - no matter how great the spiritual high may be.

    The process of rowing a field is almost violent. The tractor’s blades dig into the hard packed soil and cut through the ground in order to turn it over and break it up, to make the soil workable and ready to accept the seed and the water that will one day produce an abundant crop. The soil must be made to submit to the will of the farmer. In life I have found that the treasure is often in the valleys and in the times of struggle or distress, when God is turning over the hardness of my heart to make me more pliable.

    Jacob, Issac’s son, knew about valleys. God had called him from birth to be chosen, the one through whom God would bless his family, the children of Abraham, and ultimately the whole world. His mother had whispered in his ear reminders of God’s promise that he would be a recipient of THE BLESSING. It went against tradition and against his father’s wishes for the second son to receive the inheritance, but it was God’s promise, so what was Jacob to do? He felt he had to make it happen. It was not right for Laban to trick Jacob into marrying the wrong daughter. God had revealed to Jacob that Rachel would be his wife, the one through whom the blessing would pass. He was willing to work for his treasure and that provided even more blessings (12 sons). After about twenty five years of exile from his homeland God told Jacob to return home, but that meant facing what he thought would be a still angry brother, Esau, who wanted to kill him. In Gen. 32 it has all come to a crisis. Jacob is asking God, "How can I do your will if I am dead? But I have to do your will! You said you would protect me. Now you have to prove it. Give me your blessing now." That night he struggled with God, both physically and spiritually. He came away a changed man. The next day God did provide protection, blessings, and forgiveness, and the land of promise, along with the gift of family. Jacob’s struggle turned to peace.

    In the struggle - in the valley of despair, God uncovered the treasure. Jacob just had to claim it.

    What is your struggle? Where is your valley? What treasures are awaiting your discovery? Are you searching for blessing in the midst of confusion? Will you allow God to carry you back up to the high places? It is my prayer that no matter what valley you are walking through the treasure of God’s presence will be clearly visible

Grace & Peace,

Denise

 
LOVE NOTES
 We are once again collecting Love Notes to help defray the cost of housekeeping and lawn care for the church. The annual cost is approximately $2000. Please take a Love Note and return it with $100. We ask that this be over and above your regular tithes and offerings. If you or your family can’t afford a whole Love Note, perhaps you could join with another family, or a Sunday School class could join to fulfill a note-- Or take a couple of the coupons! This provides a vital need for our congregation without putting a strain on the already tight budget.

BOOTH
Rose Hill will have an booth at Rough & Ready Days May 9 & 10 at City Park. Volunteers will greet festival goers and hand out information about our church. Volunteers are needed. Please sign the sheet on the bulletin board or contact Denise. Even if you can only work for an hour or so, that would give others a break for a meal. The booth will be set up Friday 2:00-8:00 and Saturday 9:00 to 6:00. It is a lot of fun and it is a great way to get our name and faces out to the public. We need to show the community that we have something wonderful to share.

Spring Convocation
Four youth (Beth, Frances, Dani, Autumn) and four adults (Joshua, Denise, Bryan, Jason) from Rose Hill attended Spring Convocation at Camp Peniel. It was rescheduled from the first weekend in March to the last due to snow. The retreat was well attended. The theme was, "What’s Your Game Plan," based on 2 Peter 1:5-7. God had a plan, so should we. Our plan should be to follow God’s plan. You may bring items to the church anytime from now until June 4th. If it clothing or small items and in boxes please place them in Denise's Sunday school room. If they are large items or if you need assistance moving them, please contact Denise and she will make arrangements. All proceeds will support youth activities. Youth and parents are asked to make plans now to work Saturday morning and also to help set up on Friday, June 6. Denise led the discussion groups and activities which included building towers with newspaper. 

 
Rummage Sale

    The Rose Hill youth will hold a rummage sale on Saturday, June 7, 8 a.m. until noon.

Denomination Day/Frontier Day Worship and Potluck

We had a good turnout for the special worship service celebrating Denomination Day in February. Nearly everyone dressed up in old fashion clothing. Ms. Betty made bonnets for a lot of the ladies. Bro. Jim gave an excellent history lesson that focused some on the CPC church and some on world and national history of the early 1800's. Bro. Jim had the women sit on one side of the church and the men on the other, like they would have done in the early American church. The potluck that followed had many dishes that would have been eaten by our frontier ancestors: squirrel dressing, chicken and dumplings, roast beef, buttermilk pie, peach cobbler and lots of cornbread.

Loved so much

I had the rare opportunity of eating lunch with my second grade niece in the school cafeteria this week. She didn’t know I was going to be there. She thought her grandmother was coming, but that didn’t work out, so Mom called me to fill in. When Jane’s class came into the cafeteria I was sitting near the door with her Happy Meal. When Jane saw me her eye went wide and she came running up to me with arms wide open for a big hug. She was so excited to see me! I felt more loved and accepted at that moment than I have in a long time.

    Later, I was reminded of the scripture that says that there is rejoicing in heaven when one lost sinner repents. When we accept Christ into our hearts those in Heaven rejoice. They are waiting with beaming smiles and open arms. The woman said,"Rejoice with me, for I have found that which was lost." Jesus said, "Just so, I tell you, there is joy in before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 14:9-10. Yes, God loves us that much. How wonderful it is to feel that loved and accepted. –Denise Adams 


News from the Denomination & Arkansas Presbytery

The Cumberland Presbyterian Center is moving. The 1978 Union Avenue building that has been the home of the center since the 1950s has been sold to Chick-Fil-A and will soon be a fast food restaurant. The plan was to tear it down, but due to complications and red tape, it may now be remodeled and the outside would remain pretty much intact. The new CP Center is located in the Germantown/Bartlett area of Memphis. The shells of two building , side by side, were new purchased. Completion of the buildings expected for the last week in July. The buildings will house the offices of the Stated Clerk of General Assembly, and the directors of each board and agency and the CP Archives and Historical Foundation. 

Camp Peniel Summer Camping Schedule 2008

Work days, for preparing Camp Peniel for the season, June 25-27.

Mini Camp (day camp for 3rd grade and below) is June 28.

Jr. High Camp is July 6-11 (entering grades 7-9)

Junior Camp is July 13-18 (grades 4-6)

Sr. High Camp is July 20-25 (grades 10-freshman in college)

Labor Day Retreat is Aug. 29-31 (grades 9-12)Camp Peniel

Synod of Great Rivers met in Fort Smith in April. Don Hogue was in attendance. Denise was the delegate to Presbytery in Mountain Home in March. Fall Presbytery will meeting at the Lake Hamilton CPC (former the Hot Springs CPC) in September. 

The Lake Hamilton CPC will sponsor the 11^th annual CP golf tournament on May 8 & 9 in Hot Springs. The funds raised will support new church development. 

Thank you to my many Rose Hill friends for being a part of the surprising appreciation dinner at Young’s BBQ. It was just wonderful. I appreciate the cards, gifts, your presence, and all the nice things you all said. Your love and support are a treasure to me. --Denise Adams

   Rose Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church hosted a Crib Shower for Niki Bayless. Niki is expecting a baby boy in a few weeks. The crib was set up in the fellowship hall for baby gifts. Chris & Karen will delivered the gifts to Niki. The church family offers best wishes to the whole family.

Fifth Sunday Fellowship

     Several Rose Hill members were able to attend the Fifth Sunday Fellowship at Pine Ridge CPC near Grapevine in March. The next 5^th Sunday Fellowship for the Bartholomew Area will be June 29. Rose Hill will host this time. It begins at 6:00 p.m. There will be worship, music and, of course, food and fellowship. It is a great way to meet CP’s from south Arkansas and to renew friendships from past Presbytery meetings and camps. More details will be available soon. 

The Norton Report:

We spent nine days in UAMS. Gene underwent 15 hours of surgery. He had extensive surgery on his spinal column.

After 9 days we were moved to Baptist Rehab. At the time, he could not get out of bed without the use of a hoist. He could not stand up nor walk. All of the doctors, nurses, therapists, and aides were extremely encouraging and willing to work with us to accomplish all that we have. After 5 weeks of 3 to 4 hours of work, 6 days a week, Gene was able to stand up on a walker. The day before we came home I was able to get him up out of his wheelchair and into the car with a minimum of effort on my part. He was able to walk 160 feet on a walker with some assistance in moving his feet.

We have been home now for 3 weeks, and Gene is having therapy 3 days a week for 1 hour a day. Monday of this week he walked 180 feet on the walker and very little help from the therapist. Wednesday he walked 300 feet (twice around the gym). His physical therapist, Nat, helped hold the walker a little, but Gene did all the work. This is great progress! He continues to work extremely hard and will attempt to do anything they ask of him.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of RHCP for the monetary support, the encouragement, the visits, and especially the prayers. Without all of your support I don't know how Betty and I would have gotten through. Thanks to all of you, especially Gay and Bro. Jim Bob.

– Marvin, Betty, and Gene.

TO OUR WONDERFUL CHURCH FAMILY:

Words cannot express the love we have for all of you. Thanks for your prayers, love and kindness you’ve given us during Gene’s long stay in the hospital. We sure appreciate your generous Love Offering.

Thanks for the wonderful meal from the Benny Ingram Class. It was wonderful. Who else in this whole wide world could have a better church family than we do?

Raising a special child is one of the hardest things in this world to do but it’s people like you all that makes it easier.

Thanks again, Bro. Jim, Session, and members. May God bless and keep you all the days of your life!

We love you lots,  Marvin, Betty & Gene

HolyLand Adventure: Jerusalem Marketplace-Vacation Bible School 2008

Rose Hill Cumberland Presbyterian will host the joint 2008 Vacation Bible School with First Presbyterian. Please mark your calendars now with these important dates:

June 22-28 VBS at Rose Hill CPC: meals 5:30, program begins at 6:00

June 8 Joint meeting with all VBS leaders and workers

June 21 Work day to set up for VBS (set up tents and decorate)

The theme is Jerusalem Market Place. If that sounds familiar that is because the publisher is revisiting the 2005 theme. It was fun then and will be fun again! Denise will be contacting people soon to ask for commitments to leadership roles. Please consider what you would like to do.

Wedding of Edward and Angela

They got married on March 22, 2008 at 2PM. Bro. Jim officiated the ceremony. Edward wore a white tux and Angela wore a white gown with her hair up. Friends and family came from town, around the county and the state for the special occasion. She had a white tier cake and Edward had a chocolate cake with a buck deer on it. The wedding and reception was beautifully decorated by Renee Knowles, friend of the newlyweds.  They went to a cabin on Lake Maumelle for the honeymoon.

A Solemn Journey and New Friends by Steve Gentry

I was absent from church on Sunday, Jan 6 and missed you all very much. I was in Houston at Melissa Rabb Seyer’s funeral. Melissa was Mr. Grover Rabb’s niece and Cody’s mother. The service was held in the Settegast-Kopf Funeral Home, and the chapel was full, even to standing in the aisle. Her brother-in-law, from OK City, spoke about what a good hostess she was and how welcome he and his family always felt while visiting. Cody spoke about how his mother had taught him that it doesn’t matter what other people think of you as long as you are comfortable with yourself. Cody’s Grandaddy would have been proud of him. He stood up, he spoke, he sat down! Cody was well controlled throughout.

The service contained sadness, remembrance, reflection, humor, and perhaps some understanding. I’m glad I could spend the time with Cody.

I left Sunday morning coming home. Traveling on Hwy. 59 about 10:40 A.M., just north of Nacogdoches, TX, I came upon a small white frame church on the east side of the road. Time for church, I pulled over. Going into an unfamiliar church is always a little uncomfortable, but the people were kind, friendly, and warm. They made me feel as though I belonged. I enjoyed a fine, spirit-filled worship service with a loving family of Christians. I met these new friends at Appleby Baptist Church.

If you’re even traveling on Hwy. 59 on a Sunday morning, I recommend you stop and worship with the folks at Appleby Baptist. They followed the Lord’s words in Matthew 25:35-40. They took me in. I am grateful.

Steve Gentry 


Around Our Rose Hill Family 

Don Hogue worked really hard and got the Rose Bed in front of the church looking great! He replaced the landscape timbers with a another frame and planted new rose bushes. Thanks!

Edward Schenk and former RH member Paul Smith worked really hard and got the old speaker covers removed from the front wall in the sanctuary. They repaired the empty spots and it looks good as new - no more blank frames. Thanks!

Gary Newton has a new job with Life Share Blood Services. He has been in training the week.

Joshua is preaching weekly at Shell Chapel CPC near Pine Bluff. He will be taking a 10 day trip to England (Europe) in May as part of a seminary class.

Michael Qualls and Rhonda Hughes announce their engagement and upcoming wedding on May 31^st. An announcement is in the mail and so details should arrive at the church very soon.

Janiece & Beth Fleming are headed to Memphis for a wedding. Janiece’s brother Jim will marry a family friend, Nancy.

New tables in fellowship hall

 New lightweight dining tables were purchased for the fellowship hall. We dined on them for the first time at the annual Easter Homecoming. The tables not only look nice and neat, they are also easy to set-up and move.