Revival: We will host a revival Oct. 26-29. That is Sunday through Wednesday. Rev. Charles Hughes will be the preacher. Rev. Hughes is a Rose Hill success story. He is the brother of Nell Johnston, grew up on the home place where Ms Nell now has her home (just south of our church) and was under the wing of Rev. Dale Gentry. Nell reports that Charles “dearly loved Rev. Dale Gentry, went with him in his teen years to revivals to lead the singing for him. After graduation from Monticello High School, he went to Bethel College (without even a car). He worked in McKenzie, TN (home of Bethel) on Saturdays. The second year of college, he caught the train to Stevenson, AL and preached every Sunday. A wonderful couple, who had a son a little older, kept him every week-end in their home. He has been preaching every since. He had a church in Camden, TN while he was in seminary. He has had churches in Tennessee and Texas--Union City, TN, Austin, TX. He retired in Estil Springs, TN. but had a small church there until this month when he retired again.”
 We look forward to a great series of sermons and worship services, as well as wonderful music and good fellowship and food. Please invite your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers. Ask them to join you for the meals and fellowship so they get to meet more members in a relaxed setting. Pray for change, for REVIVAL, for spiritual growth, for decisions about salvation and service to God. Pray for God’s Spirit to move in your life and in the lives of other.
 If you would like to offer special music, please see Gary Newton.

Fire Rescue and Law Enforcement Appreciation  When Bro. Jim suggested at a Worship Committee meeting that we set a special day to show our appreciation to local emergency first responders, the committee liked the idea, but really didn’t know what to expect since we have never done anything like this before. Well, the outcome was better than we could have anticipated. The Hospitality Committee organized a wonderful meal and Bro. Jim provided a great message for worship highlighting our guests. We had a church full of volunteer fire fighters, Monticello Police Officers, the Chief of Police, axillary sheriff’s deputies, and EMTs. What a wonderful day! And what a wonderful way to recognize the men and women who serve and protect our community. Thank you to everyone who make it such a success.
 The choir did the a beautiful special. An article was posted to Monticellolive.com about our service, and one of our guests commented on how good the choir was–something our members are very aware of!
 
Mexican Train Dominos
A group of our members and a couple of guests have been gathering regularly for fun and fellowship in the form of a game of Mexican Train Dominos.  Earl & Manon Slaughter and Jim Fisk are attending. If you are interested in joining the fun on Wednesdays, contact one of them. I don’t know the others involved. I have heard a good time is had by all.
 

The annual Thanksgiving potluck will be Sunday, Nov 23 at noon. The Worship Committee has mentioned a special service of thanksgiving. Details are in the works. We will again make fruit baskets for our shut-ins and friend of church that need to know we are thinking of them.  
 

New Doors: The Building and Grounds Committee is working to get new doors at the front entrance to the old sanctuary. This will make the entrance much more inviting.
Cemetery Clean-up: We have been making plans for the youth group to clean/clear the CP cemetery at Tillar/Florence/Pine Hill (It is called the Old Florence Cemetery, but it is basically across the road from the old Pine Hill store near Tillar.) Kenny and I drove out there today. It has been several years since I walked through the cemetery. It is probably 100 yards or more from the highway and from that distance it didn't look very big --until Kenny was standing at the tree line and the "brush" was towering over his head. It is so thick that Kenny couldn't find a way through to get into the cemetery from the front side. There is a little thinning in the back, but it is still overwhelming. It is much worse than I remembered it to be.
 There is no way the youth alone can make a dent in the project. We need adult help!
The youth have set the work date as October 11, 8:30 a.m. until ? If you and your family can possibly help, please let me know. We may not be able to get it cleared the way we hoped, but we want to do all we can to make it look better - and to preserve the graves. If we cut the brush and small trees now, perhaps it will prevent some of them from becoming huge trees in 10-20 years that will ruin the tombstones.
There are quite a few graves, including a CP minister, John Stone, who died in the 1860's (I think that's right). The land was deeded to Rose Hill CPC many years ago. We really ought to be taking care of it better and I hope this will be the first step. Our youth are willing and ready to work. They will need lots of help though.
   

See You at the Pole: See You at the Pole student prayer rally was held in September.  Nearly 80 youth gathered before school at the flag pole of MHS, 30 at MMS and dozens at DHS to pray for their schools, peers, our local, state and national leaders, families and local churches. Some of the Rose Hill youth were their. MHS students created a praise band to help with their gathering.
 Sunday evening at Saw You at the Pole at First Methodist, some of our youth sang with the Rejoice Choir as part of the worship. The worship was awesome! It showcased the youth - and they are on fire for God.  The testimonies were powerful and inspiring. The prayers were heartfelt. The music and drama gave us chills (in a good way). Youth leadership is certainly emerging. The participating youth, nearly 200, were from more than a dozen area churches.  It has to make God’s heart glow when so many of Christ’s churches can work cooperatively to pray and praise God – and raise up a new generation of leaders.


Labor Day Retreat: Rose Hill had a strong presence at Labor Day at Camp Peniel. Joshua, Denise, Bryan, Jason, Dani, Beth, Frances and Autumn, all trekked to Morrillton for the weekend, joining a good crowd form other parts of Presbytery. The theme was “Peace, Love & Camp Peniel.” Joshua taught a class on love, Denise’s class was on Camp Peniel (and CP theology), and another staff member covered peace.  The highlight of recreation was a rousing game of kickball.

November Lay Leaders


______ Past Newsletter____
July 2008


From the Editor:
For two weeks there has been a bird, a brown thrasher maybe, tapping at the windows of First Presbyterian, where I work. It has been flying in the windows as if she is trying to get in, but the glass panes have prevented her entry. Still she is persistent. I hear her tapping at another window, or hear the beating of wings at the other side of the church. I wish I could tell her go away. This has gone on for a while. I am afraid she will hurt herself.
If only people were that persistent in trying to enter the church! Or maybe they are?  I know people who flit from one church to another trying to get their foot in the door. They just don’t seem to feel like any one church fits. Maybe Rose Hill could be their nest! Do people come knocking on our church doors? Do we send them away by our actions or attitudes, or by not being prepared to meet their needs? I think we are a very friendly bunch of Christians. Is that a stranger's first impression? Or is it like knocking on a glass window, being able to see in but not being able to get in. Do we talk the talk about wanting new people, but make it difficult to really feel welcome.
How do the birds (new folks) get in? Or are we going to leave them on the outside?
The session and committee are working to answer some of these issues.
• The Worship Committee has been asked to create a list of greeters, and train those people to welcome visitors.
• The CE Committee has been asked to provide a nursery for pre-schoolers when the need arises and when parents desire it, so members and visitors can focus better during their time of worship. That is for the comfort of the parents. I think everyone would agree that the sound of children in worship is refreshing. But a family, that is struggling to keep their child quiet and still, is not able to concentrate on their own spiritual needs.
• Bro. Jim is starting a new Sunday School class of those age 18 (after high school)-30ish.
• To introduce our church to the neighborhood, a letter will be sent to people within a 2 mile radius of the church.
• There will be a church growth meeting for the congregation on July 27. There will be a potluck lunch at noon. Following lunch everyone that is interested in helping the church grow is encouraged to stay and contribute to the discussion.
Rose Hill is taking some positive steps to meet the needs of those who are seeking to join in corporate worship with us. Do you have suggestions? The Session would love to hear them. Would you like to be a greeter? Would you be willing to keep the nursery regularly, or on a part-time basis? Let the Committees know what we can do to make Rose Hill more welcoming. Come to the church growth meeting with ideas.

Duty Elder: Jim Fisk

Prayer Leader: Jim Schenk

Children’s Message: Grant Pace

Ushers: Grant Pace, Brice Pace

Communion Servers: Grant Pace, Jim Schenk, Denise Adams, John Bellott

Communion Stewards: Manon Slaughter, Brenda Newton

~~~
Jim’s Gems
I love the newsletter—I just don’t like doing an article for it. All the newsletters I’ve read with "Pastor’s Ponderings", "Preacher’s Points", etc, are all so "cheesy". Ya know? Now, I promise I CAN be professional, and serious, and straight-laced, and even stuffy. I just choose not to be. I’m not sure why I am not or choose not to be. Maybe it’s the rebel in me, or a quirk in my personality or my mother’s fault.
 The Pope, for goodness sake, sometimes issues a Papal Bull, a communication or interpretation of something really, really important. I always wanted to do a newsletter article called "Papa Bull" but have never had the nerve.
 What I want to say is that I don’t want to have to be serious until I have to be. You and I both know that sadness is around the corner for every one of us. I refuse to wait on it with wringing hangs and tears on the surface. I choose to hold it off, not dwell on it and not run out to greet it. I choose to enjoy the "now".
 There is a sub-culture in Japan where the people laugh when a friend or loved one has died and laugh exaggeratedly. I mean they look weird with this hysterical look of laughter on their faces. Of course they are as sad as you and I would be but they laugh on the outside to show that death hasn’t hurt them on the inside. It hurts them-it hurts us. I can’t laugh when Death arrives but I can laugh now and I choose to do so.
 Imagine that we were wandering in a desert with no water for two days. We stumble upon an oasis. Would we approach the water cautiously? Would we kneel down beside the pool and just look at it? Would we say, "No, I can’t drink that. I don’t have a glass." I think, rather, we’d run to it, jump in, splash it on us, dunk our head in it, laugh and shout. Maybe that’s how some view life—as that oasis that we’ve been led to. We can be cautious or we can jump in head first and laugh as loud as we can because, "WE’VE BEEN SAVED AND IT FEELS SOOOO GOOD.!"
 So, did I ever tell you the one about the preacher’s dog….
 
Note: Jim and Sharon will be at Bull Shoals on vacation July 11-18. They are at Camp Peniel this week for Jr. High Camp. They will leave from camp. They are only a cell phone call away. if needed.      

 ~~~ 
Hearing assistance equipment
Because it was brought to our attention that a few people have a difficult time hearing the worship services, and the current sound system is operating at nearly peak capacity, the Session asked Chris Bayless to look into a system for the hearing impaired that will work with our current sound system. The Session approved raising the funds to purchase a set of the hearing devices that will enhance the sound quality for people who need it. The cost is $900.00 for the basic equipment and an additional $400.00 for the charging unit. As soon as $900 is received the system will be installed. It can be used with regular batteries until the final $400 is received and the charging system is then purchased. If you would like to contribute to this system, please note on your contribution that it is for “sound improvement.” U
 
~~~

Main Street Bistro
Our friends at First Presbyterian will open the Main Bistro on July 26 at 6:30 p.m. Ward Davis is the entertainer. As a hometown artist who has moved to Nashville, he always draws a large crowd. Reservations are recommended, 367-6883. The meal will feature BBQ chicken and ice cream.   
 
~~~
Pulpit exchange
The Session approved a “pulpit swap” between Joshua Murray & Jim Fisk. Joshua has been preaching regularly at Shell Chapel CPC near Pine Bluff. He would like the opportunity to preach for his home church, and Jim would enjoy preaching for their church. This will be in the next few weeks. 

~~~
 
Rose Hill Website
The newsletter information will be posted to Rose Hill’s website. You can check out the site anytime. If you have information that you would like posted  you can contact Denise.

~~~

CHOIR NOTES . . .
The choir is on summer break, but continues to be an inspiration during Sunday services.
Here it is July though, and in just another few weeks I will be looking for this years Christmas cantata and shortly after the first of September, we will begin work once again on it. WOW....the years do pass by fast! Until next time! Keep a song in your heart and a smile on your face!
       "Sing"cerely,  Gary

~~~
 
THE KINSMEN
The Kinsmen have had a great year already and have sung 13 times so far since January. Since our last newsletter, we have been to First Baptist Church in Dardanelle, Sherrill United Methodist church, First Assembly of God in Wynne, AR., Angels Way Baptist Church in Marion, AR, and New London Baptist Church in Strong on June 29th,  where we had approximately 250 people in attendance. They, too, had a Fifth Sunday “get together” with other churches in the Strong area.
  During the month of July, we will be getting back into the studio to work on a new recording project. On July 20th, we will be at Oak Grove Assembly of God church here in Monticello at 6pm on that Sunday evening. I hope that some of you can make it to this concert.
 We are continually adding dates to our schedule. Here is our schedule for the remainder of this year as it stands now.
 July 27 (note: This was changed from the 20th to the 27th) Oak Grove Assembly of God Monticello, AR  6 p.m.
 August 17 Bigelow Baptist Church  Bigelow, AR   11 a.m.
 August 31 Fellowship Baptist Church  Snyder, AR   11a.m.
 September 7 Elliott Baptist Church  Camden, AR  10:45 a.m.
 October 12 First Baptist Church   Hampton, AR  11 a.m.
 October 12 Victory Baptist Church  Hampton, AR  5:30 p.m.
 October 25 Sulphur Springs United Methodist Pine Bluff, AR  6:30 p.m.
 November  TBA
 December 31 Jacksonville City Auditorium    Jacksonville, AR  8:00 p.m.
 December 31 New Year’s Eve singing with The Melody Boys Quartet
Until next time!
Gary 
     
~~~

Fifth Sunday Gathering
Rose Hill hosted the Fifth Sunday Gathering for the former Bartholomew area. It was well attended, by aprox. 60 people from Pine Ridge, First CPC of Pine Bluff, Camp Ground near Hampton, and many folks from Rose Hill. We started the evening homemade ice cream and a light meal. Janiece Fleming led the music. She also sang a couple of beautiful specials. She was amazing. The RH choir also performed a beautiful special. And Katelyn and Chris were very entertaining singing, “I’ll Fly Away” Veggie Tales style. The choir from Pine Ridge, and a couple of their members also, performed special music for us. It was fun and meaningful fellowship. Thank you to all who helped prepare food (especially the homemade ice cream!). A special thank you to Janiece, to Chris for running the sound equipment, and to Angie for playing the piano. We are so blessed to have such talented and dedicated musicians who will do whatever we need at a moment’s notice. 

~~~

Youth Group Rummage Sale
A family very generously donated an entire house full of items for our youth group rummage sale. It was a little overwhelming at first. It took 11 truck and trailer loads to get it all to the church. We had to have the sale in phases, a couple of “members only” nights and two weekend sales. More items were brought in from other families for the final day. All the hard work paid off, literally. We raised $3,607.81 as of 7-1-08. The youth (and parents) worked really hard. We are all very proud of them.
 The funds raised will support RH youth activities. The youth have tithed from the funds. $100.00 is going to the Drew County Humane Society. All of our youth enjoy animals and felt it was a very worthy cause. $260 has been contributed to Camp Peniel for the new multi purpose building. Most of our youth have had wonderful experiences at camp and wanted to help others “meet God face to face” there. Some of the funds are being used to pay a portion of camp fees for our youth. This summer the youth will take a trip using some -but not all- of the funds. 

~~~

Piggly Wiggly stamps
Easiest fund-raiser around. If you have extra Piggly Wiggly stamps you can help the youth raise a little extra money. We are on the community board the Pig. You can put your Penny Saver bonus stamps on the large “Powered By the Son” card, or you can turn them in to Denise. When the card is full the youth get $15.00. We have received $45 this year and $75.00 last year. It is better if they are loose stamps (not on the Penny Saver cards) because they must be attached to the large card at the store. But we will take them either way. We have taped the small cards down to the large card a few times and it works. Thanks.  

~~~

Camping Season    
In July, Rose Hill will have students and staff attend each camp at Camp Peniel (junior, jr. high and high school). At Junior High Camp, Rose Hill sent 6 youth (Scott, Beth, Frances, Dani, Autumn, and Sarah), plus 2 adults (Jim & Sharon). At Junior Camp it was Katelyn going as a camper and Jason, Bryan and Chris (part time) going as staff. At Sr. High Camp it will be Jason going as a camper, and Bryan, Denise and Joshua on staff. In case you lost count, that is 15 people involved in camp this summer. Wow! Jim also helped during work week. Please pray for the remaining camps and for the impact all these camps will have on the youth and adults and the people in their lives. 

~~~
 
Birth Announcement
Aaron Matthew Bayless was born to Niki Bayless on May 3, 2008. He
weighed 9 lbs. Chris and Katelyn are going to visit with Niki and Aaron
Springdale following Katelyn’s church camp on July 18. 

~~~
 
Reception for Mrs. Fran
Fran Millen turned 98 years old on July 4th. Rose Hill hosted a reception for her on Sunday, July 6 between Sunday School and worship. Punch, cake and goodies were served. Family and friends were present. Ms. Fran received many cards and well wishes. She sincerely appreciated the recognition. 

~~~

Tables for sale/Classrooms reorganized
Since we now have wonderful new lightweight tables for the fellowship hall, we need to sell a few of the older table. Some of them are not functioning properly, but may be repairable. They will be cheap, probably $5.00 each. If you would like to purchase a table, please contact Bro. Jim, Grant or  another elder so arrangements can be made.
 There will be some changes in the Sunday School rooms soon. The old library, the “Closer Walk” classroom uses (Janiece & Jim S.), will be turned into a storage area. Several pieces of unused  furniture will be removed. It is hoped that this will alleviate clutter and help us organize the classroom area better. There is an organ that will be sold or given away. If someone knows of anyone that wants it, please let the building and grounds committee know. 

~~~
 
Finance Committee
A finance committee has been established to oversee the financial health of the session and to help alleviate some of the work of the session at meetings. Three persons will serve, including the treasurer and at least one active elder serving on the Session. Those elected were Don Hogue, Grant Pace and Karen Bayless.
 "There is strong evidence that the churches with the fewest financial worries are those churches where virtually no one ever sees a balance sheet. Budgets are well used by the leadership of the local church, but only as a starting point, never an end" (page 89). – from Beyond Money: Becoming Good and Faithful Stewards by Dan R. Dick (Discipleship Resources, 2005).    

~~~

The Norton Report: Surprise Birthday party for Gene Norton
Gene Norton turned 40 years old on June 23. Gay Pace and Bennie Henderson coordinated a big surprise party on Friday, June 20th. The fellowship hall was beautiful. The cake was decorated with casino items. The table had an awesome sunflower centerpiece. The church was full, with nearly 80 people from the church and community. Gene turning 40 is a miracle in its self, but the fact that he WALKED into the fellowship hall (with the help of a walker) was an amazing gift from God, considering his recent surgery. His rehab is going well. Gene was very surprised and very pleased to see everyone.         
 Marvin said he had 5 birthday parties. The Nortons were overwhelmed with the outpouring of love from the whole community. Betty took an opportunity during worship one week to thank folks - especially the Paces- and praise God for both the wonderful blessings God sends to the Norton’s through others, and the blessing that Gene is to people in his life. As his church family, we are all witnesses to what a blessing he is to our church and our lives. 

~~~
          
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
We would like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to each and every one of our extended church family that made Gene's birthday party
a huge success.

A big THANK YOU to the ladies that prepared the delicious food.
An especially big thank you to Gay Pace and Benny Henderson. They did the decorations, the preparation, the planning, and are responsible for the total success of the whole thing.
Again THANK YOU to every one who came.
Marvin, Betty, and Gene Norton

~~~

July Lay Leaders
Duty Elder: Mary Bellott 
Prayer Leader: Jim Fisk
Children’s Message: Janiece Fleming
Ushers: Beth Fleming, Dani West
Communion Servers: Don Hogue, Grant Pace, Steve Gentry, Jim Schenk
Communion Stewards: Brenda Newton,Deborah Yount

August Lay Leaders
Duty Elder: Chris Bayless 
Prayer Leader: Steve Gentry
Children’s Message: Denise Adams
Ushers: Frances Bellott, Cathy Bellott
Communion Servers: Gary Newton, John Bellott, Chris Bayless, Steve Gentry
Communion Stewards: Betty Norton, Murle Pennington

~~~

RH had a booth at the annual Rough & Ready Days festival in May. Friday evening there were about a dozen workers at our booth. Thanks for all the help. Saturday brought out about 5 others. We gave out material to introduce people to the church, invitation s to VBS, and brochures about what CP’s believe. We also gave away really nice Christians books, thank to the family who gave us all the rummage sale items. Several people were very excited to get the book. One of those was a teenager who was working another booth. The bookshelf and books in her room had burned. She was eager to get a few devotional books to replace the ones she lost. We meet and talked with many people in our community. We gave away a gift basket and a couple of stuffed animal chickens as door prizes. Those folks received, and others who check the box on their registration slip, received more information about Rose Hill. Vacation Bible School excitement really started in earnest Saturday morning, June 21,  when more than a dozen people converged at Rose Hill to set up tents and decorate for VBS. And we already had people who had been working behind the scenes for weeks, cutting out wood work projects, preparing for the meals, studying lessons, practicing crafts, gathering materials, and preparing decorations. It looked awesome! The fellowship hall became the village marketplace and the old sanctuary became the gathering area with a well.
 The church was full of people We had 20-25 kids each night and 39-45 workers. In total 29 kids and more than 60 adults/teens participated at least one night. It is wonderful how so many can come together to make such an impact. I love the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Well, it takes 2 churches, plus other folks, to make a great VBS. Sixty thank you cards were mailed out. That’s how many people were recognized for their help. I hope noone was missed. Our special thanks to everyone. The teenagers were great leaders and helpers in all areas!
The offering this year was collected for Arkansas Children’s Hospital, to purchase Isolation Activity Kits for kids who are not able to be with other kids in the play areas. They may have compromised immune systems or they a contagious disease. The kids raised $297.00. Grant and Gay matched the funds, rounding it up to $600.00. Awesome! Thank you Paces, kids and parents.
 My personal favorite for the week was when, during a tribe time lesson on prayer, one of the girls asked, “What happens when you don’t pray?” Wow! What a thought provoking question! I first said, “Maybe nothing.” We usually pray for something to happen, so if we don’t pray then I guess whatever we should be praying for may not happen. But the next morning I changed my mind. So I reminded the kids that our parents do many things for us that we don’t ask them to do. They do them whether we ask or not. We don’t have to ask  for their protection, love, or caring acts (washing our clothes, working so we have what we need, putting food on the table, etc.). So, perhaps what happens when we don’t pray is that we miss out on seeing (recognizing) what God is doing for us. Prayer makes us more aware of what God is doing for us, because when we get our prayer answered we know it was God who provided the answer. It was a great VBS! Thanks to everyone all who helped.