“Body and Soul” documentary

Sunday, October 17, at 4:00 pm

at Buffalo Hart Presbyterian Church

            Donna Ingersoll recently brought a famous person to worship with us at Buffalo Hart Church.  Diana Braun is the star of an award winning documentary shown on Public Television stations last year.

            The PBS website says “The film Body and Soul:  Diana and Kathy chronicles the lives of two of the country’s most remarkable advocates for people with disabilities.  Diana Braun, who has Down syndrome, and Kathy Conour, who has cerebral palsy, met three decades ago and vowed to fight to live independent lives.  Fearful of being shut away in a nursing home or forced into a state-run institution, Diana and Kathy broke the rules, escaped the system, and modeled a grand experiment in independent living.”

            Kathy passed away shortly after the film was released.  But her friend and caretaker of 42 years, Diana, continues to advocate for people with disabilities.  The documentary will be shown at Buffalo Hart Church on Sunday, October 17, at 4:00 and Diana Braun will be present to share her story and address our questions.

Forms of Protestant Christianity

Tuesday evenings, July 6 and 13, 7:00 – 8:30 pm

at Buffalo Hart Presbyterian Church

            In Robert Redford’s film A River Runs Through It, a joke is told.  “A Methodist is a Baptist who can read.”  That’s funny to Presbyterians.  Jokes and rivalry between Protestant denominations used to abound.  Now people are mostly confused about the differences between the various groups.  In two classes this July, we’ll take a look at the history of the Christian movement known as Protestantism which is not yet 500 years old. 

First Class (July 6):  The Early Days of Protestantism

            We’ll review the reasons for the break with Catholicism and address the distinctiveness of Protestant beliefs and practices.  A look at the Lutheran and Episcopal churches will demonstrate forms that early Protestantism took.

Second Class (July 13):  Protestant Denominations

            By exploring the Baptists, Presbyterians, United Methodists, Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ, we’ll address what is different and what is similar within these major Protestant denominations found in our area.  We’ll conclude by discussing the decline in denominational loyalty and what has replaced it.

           At a Glance:

July 6 and 13:  Tuesday evenings, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, “Forms of Protestantism” study

July 25 – 29:  Sunday – Thursday evenings, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, Vacation Bible School

August 1:  Sunday following worship, V.B.S. Cook-out and Potluck

September 4:  Saturday, 2:00 pm, “A Sense of Place” program

September 5:  Sunday, 9:30 am, “A Sense of Place” worship, potluck and cemetery walk

September 12:  Sunday, 4:00 pm, Potluck Picnic and Vespers at Funk’s Grove

October 17:  Sunday, 4:00 pm, Body and Soul documentary

October 23:  Saturday, 6:00 pm, Weiner Roast at Doug and Guyla Stevens’ home

            Church News:

Weddings:  Our church celebrated two weddings in May. 

Abby Johnson and John Bybee were married on Saturday, May 15, at Third Presbyterian Church in Springfield.  Abby and John joined our church at Christmas.  They reside at 917 S. First Street in Sherman.

Carrie Edwards and Gary Bailey were married at our church on Saturday, May 29.  Carrie and Gary and daughters Karesa and Morgan have a new home at 450 Timber Ridge Road in Mechanicsburg.

Births:  Bill and Robyn Powell are the proud parents of twins, Elizabeth Leigh Anne and Luke Charles, born on April 9.  Bill and Robyn joined our church at Christmas and have a new (larger) home at 213 Middleburg in Sherman.  The babies were baptized on Sunday, June 13.

Graduation:  Sam Hughes graduated summa cum laude on Saturday, May 15, from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a major in physiology, and minors in chemistry and psychology.  Sam is working this summer at United Methodist camps as a medic. 

Funeral:   A funeral service for Janet Burrus, wife of J.W., mother of Todd and Chad, and grandmother of Miles, Ethan and Dane, was held at our church on Sunday, May 2.  Burial followed at Constant Cemetery.   Please keep the family in your prayers.

New addresses:  Mary Moody, 425 Thrush, Sherman, IL  62684,  phone, 496-2628.

            Mary and Jim Johnson, 1270 Red Bud Run, Sherman, IL 62684, phone, 496-2054

           Women’s Association News:

The upcoming meetings for Women’s Association are as follows.  All women of the church are encouraged to attend the meetings.  They are held on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm.  The Bible lessons this year are based on the book of Joshua.

June 21:  Hostess, Judy Shutt,  Lesson # 4 “The Land of Promise, or the Promised Land?”

July 19:  Hostess, Mary Beth Young,  Lesson # 5 “Can War Be Holy?”

August 16:  Hostess, Mary Jessup, Lesson # 6 “Outsiders Become Insiders:  Rahab and the Gibeonites”

September 20:  Hostess, Karla Cosand, Lesson # 7 “God’s Concern for Justice:  The Cities of Refuge”

Church Women United News:

Ellen Ingersoll, Judy Shutt, Mary Moody, Guyla Stevens and Mary Jessup attended the annual meeting of Church Women United in Springfield held at First United Methodist on Friday, May 28.  The women were present for the installation of Ann Hughes as the new president for C.W.U. of Springfield.  This is quite an undertaking for Ann and we are proud to have Buffalo Hart represented in this way. 

Book Group News:

A group of readers from the community gathers every third Sunday afternoon at 4:00 at the church.  This group offers a wonderful opportunity to discuss a book or topic with others who have shared the reading experience.  At each meeting, the book for the following month is chosen. 

On June 20, the group will try something a bit different.  We’ll meet at the home of Bill and Judy Shutt at 4:00 to watch the film A River Runs Though It which is based on the book of the same title by Norman Maclean. 

Presbyterian Today, our denominational magazine, recently featured a story about the unveiling of a stone memorial at the Presbyterian Church in Missoula, Montana to honor the author’s father who served as pastor of that church.  The monument reads “In memory of Dr. John Norman Maclean, pastor of First Presbyterian Church from 1901 – 1925, whose love of God, family and creation inspired the story A River Runs Though It.

Summer Worship Services:

The Gospel of Luke will be the focus of sermons during this summer.  Luke is the only Gospel that gives us the stories of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son.  Luke also tells the stories of Jesus befriending the outcasts of his day.  Make use of the Daily Bible Reading Guide that is available to pick up at the church.

Funk’s Grove Potluck Picnic and Vespers

Sunday, September 12, beginning at 4:00 pm

The picnic pavilion and the Chapel in the Trees have been reserved for our use on Sunday, September 12, beginning at 4:00.   Buffalo Hart folk have traveled north to Funk’s Grove for many years to enjoy the beauty and history of that place. 

Plan to gather around 4; after enjoying the grounds, we’ll eat a potluck picnic together at 5.  After the meal we’ll move down a trail in the woods to the Chapel in the Trees for a Vesper service of music and scripture.

Funk’s Grove is just south of Bloomington off Interstate 55. 

           Vacation Bible School

           Sunday – Thursday evenings, July 25-29, 6:00 – 7:30 pm

          Ages 3 and older

“Professions in the Bible”

This will be the tenth year we have had Vacation Bible School on the last full week in July.  Several years ago we had the theme “Professions in the Bible” and it was so much fun that we’re doing it again.  The Bible hasn’t changed, but the kids have!  So, by exploring the work of shepherds and fisherman, potters and carpenters, the world of the Bible will come to life.

Children age three and older are encouraged to attend.  There will songs, crafts, Bible stories, memory verses, games and refreshments.

Help us get the word out.  Invite children to attend and assist them with transportation.

Thanks to Mary Johnson for serving as the director of VBS. 

VBS Cook-out and Potluck

Sunday, August 1, following worship

            Weber Grill-master Bill Dragoo has agreed to cook hamburgers and hot dogs for a cook-out following worship on Sunday, August 1.  This will be a time to celebrate the conclusion of another Vacation Bible School.  The meat, condiments, drinks and table service will be provided.  Plan to bring a dish to share and lawn chairs. 

A Sense of Place

Saturday, September 4, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

The third and final event in our Sense of Place series celebrating the rich history of Buffalo Hart is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, September 4 and 5.  At the first two programs we learned about the geology of this area and about the Native American population that called this home.  Now we will learn about the very early settlers, concentrating on those who came in the years before the Big Snow of 1830-1831.

A renowned Lincoln scholar from Springfield, Collum Davis, will serve as the moderator of the Saturday program.  Information about pioneer families, early schools and churches and agricultural practices will be interspersed with music, readings and projected visuals.  Special recognition will be made of Centennial and Sesquicentennial farms in Buffalo Hart Township. A reception will follow the program.

The history of Buffalo Hart compiled by Arnott and Elsie Smith for the 1974 Sesquicentennial is being republished and copies will be available.

Sunday, September 5, 9:30 am

The Worship Service on September 5 will celebrate God’s work in the life of the Buffalo Hart Presbyterian Church.  Recognizing that forefathers and foremothers did Christ’s work in this place long before we came upon the scene, it is a fitting time to acknowledge their vision and dedication.  Through scripture, song, sermon and communion we’ll give praise for the gift of this place.

A picnic potluck will follow worship.  Those living close by are encouraged to “think big” when cooking for this event as we’re hoping to provide for out of town guests.

The weekend celebration will conclude with a walk of Constant Cemetery.  The Sangamon County Historical Society is providing a historical interpreter who will walk us through the cemetery and reflect on some of the early settlers buried there.

Working in the Name of Jesus:

The needs of people continue during the summer months, so our service projects are ongoing.  Think of how you are blessed and how you might in turn bless others in Jesus’ name.

--Bring nonperishable food items to worship on the next Fifth Sunday, August 29.  Donated items will be delivered to Mechanicsburg’s Christian Church for their Food Pantry.

--Go with others from the church to take a short worship service and communion to the residents at Mary Lou’s Country Abode.

--Prepare and deliver a Wednesday lunch to our shut-ins.  See the sign-up sheet.

--Plan to walk and/or sponsor a walker in the upcoming October 3, CROP Walk. Twenty-five percent of the money raised goes to help local food pantries.  The rest of the proceeds is used for national and international food aid.

--Work with the Youth as they prepare and serve a meal to those staying at the Helping Hands Homeless Shelter on Fifth Sunday, August 29.

--Do your part in filling another blue bin which holds our items collected for those staying at the Helping Hands Homeless Shelter.