Sermon

As some of you may know by now, Thomas is doing a one year internship at our church, Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Glenside, PA. Following this internship, he will resume his studies at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Lord-willing graduate in May 2015. Below is a link to Thomas' sermon from this past Sunday morning... his first one! (... not given on the mission field, that is.) As always, your prayers are so greatly appreciated!

http://www.calvaryopcglenside.org/2013/06/psalm-19-god-revealed-in-sky-scripture-and-son/


In Christ,
Erin

News

I'm sorry I don't update this more often. Here is some recent news:

I participated in an OPC readiness for ministry seminar this past weekend. I got to give a 10-minute exhortation, participate in mock-ministry problem solving, and get feedback on both of the above. We also heard a few lectures on the OPC, becoming a pastor in the OPC, and life as a pastor. I got some good feedback and also learned a lot.

Along those lines, I have been all but officially granted a summer internship at my home church. This is really exciting news, because I really like our church, I will get some great experience which I'm sure will humble me and shape me into a better man for the ministry, and will be paid some amount of money, which will be of great help in making tuition payments next year.

That said, I have some prayer requests. Pray that I would work hard and do well this semester. The classes I have now are many of the hardest classes here all at once. From those who have done the three-year track already, I have heard this is the hardest semester. Also pray that I will be able to get a one-year internship at a nearby church. Since I got the summer internship at my home church, I will not get another one there again (there are other students in the congregation). There is another church nearby (~20 minutes away) who participates in the internship program, so pray that we could get this internship. This way, Erin could keep her job, and we wouldn't have to move for one year, just to move again at the end of it when (Lord willing), I take a call to a church.

Also pray that God would continue to shape me into a fit minister of His Gospel. I know I am not ready yet.

Thanks for all your prayers!

Final Stretch

I'm in the final stretch. I have four papers to finish, lots of reading to do, and five final exams to take. I am also a bit sick, so please pray for me to feel better and persevere in my work despite miy stuffy head.

The good news is that I just got back my midterm grade for Doctrine of Man: a 96!

Hebrew Exam

Yesterday I passed my Hebrew Examination for licensure in the Philadelphia Presbytery of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Thanks for those who prayed and for the God who has so taught me!

A Busy New Year Begins

There has been a lot going on recently. First, Erin and I expressed interest in volunteering with the youth group this academic year at Calvary. We will be leading along with the O'Learys and Dan (all friends from seminary and church). The youth group meets after evening worship twice a month (it met only once a month last year). We will also be leading the 7th-12th grade Sunday School class with the O'Learys. Erin and I are very excited about these opportunities to serve and minister as we have been served and ministered to by Calvary in the past year!

Furthermore, I am in the process of coming under the care of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church's presbytery of Philadelphia as a candidate for eventual licensure and ordination. (The presbytery is a ruling body consisting of pastors and elders [presbyters] from all the OPC churches in the area which provides accountability and oversight to those churches.) Last night I met with the session (elder board) of Calvary to discuss my calling to ministry, and they have recommended me to the presbyter for care! Then, I met this morning with the presbytery's Committee on Candidates and Credentials which discussed some similar things with me. I was questioned on how I came to faith, why I desire to serve with the OPC, what service I think God is calling me to render, my wife's opinion of my seeking ministry, etc. The committee also decided to recommend me to the presbytery, so I will attend the next meeting of the presbytery on September 15th where I will be questioned in a similar manner for the benefit of the entire presbytery, who will then decide whether to extend such care.

If I do come under care, I will then have opportunities for internships next summer, a sizable scholarship from the presbytery, and further guidance in seeking God's calling and ordination. I will then prepare for and take several exams and submit papers for licensure which will test my preaching ability and knowledge of Greek, Hebrew, theology, and the OPC's doctrinal standards. Finally, I will be examined before the presbytery again so that they may question me on the above topics.I believe that I may submit papers from school for several of the requirements, and my seminary education will obviously be preparing me for much of the above examinations, but please pray for me in this busy time with so much on my plate. Pray that God would work through this process to mold and shape me into the minister and believer he would want me to be.

Classes begin tomorrow, and I will be taking 18 hours this semester. We will be busy indeed!

A letter from Guy de Bres

I came across this letter written by Guy de Bres to his wife shortly before his martyrdom. I found it very encouraging.

One Year Down!

Two weeks ago Thomas and I returned from a one week visit to Beaufort with his family. We hadn’t seen them since last summer—it was SO GREAT to all be together again. There was a lot of activity during that week as Thomas’ youngest brother Frederick was graduating from high school, and his youngest sister, Arianna was preparing to head off on a mission trip to Ukraine. But we had plenty of time to relax with everyone in the midst of it. Thomas’ mom spoiled us with lots of delicious food, and Catan was definitely settled more than once. We also got to spend some time with our dear friends, Mac and Stephanie Fowler. Needless to say, the week passed much too quickly for all of us, but we enjoyed every minute of it! (Above, is our very impromptu family picture. The one and only one we managed to get the entire week!)

It is hard to believe that it has been almost a year since we made our move from Beaufort, SC to Philadelphia, PA. During that long drive on I-95 I remember feeling both excitement and anxiety over what the coming three years would hold for us. Any fears I had at the time, the Lord has completely put to rest by demonstrating, yet again, that He is our Faithful Provider. He has provided us with a comfortable, affordable apartment, a church family, great friends, a job that I love, and a wonderful education for Thomas at WTS. This past year I have witnessed firsthand the challenging, rigorous, and sometimes overwhelming journey that Thomas has gone through in his studies. We have been so encouraged by other seminary couples who have either just completed this journey or who are still making it along with us. A couple of weeks ago, Thomas received all of his final grades for the Spring semester: several A’s, A-‘s, and one B+. We give all the praise to God for this! Thomas and I are so grateful for what the Lord is teaching him about Himself and His Word through this time at WTS. (And even I am getting a seminary education of sorts as Thomas shares with me the things that he is studying in class!) Thank you to those who prayed so faithfully for Thomas this semester, and especially the latter part of it as he was completing assignments and taking finals. We are so blessed to have you making this journey with us!

In addition to seminary, another special aspect of our time here in Philadelphia has been my work with Julia. Over the past 10 months she has become a very loved and precious person in our lives. I am thankful for the relationship the Lord has given Thomas and me with this family. I could not have asked for two more gracious and easy-to-work-for individuals that Julia’s parents. In May, they decided to become home-owners and moved into a beautiful house that happens to be across the street from Westminster, next to our church, and just a 12 minute drive from our home. When the fall semester starts, Julia and I are looking forward to sharing more lunches with Thomas (“Tah-mah”, as Julia says). Erin was a tough name for Julia to tackle in her early talking days, so she came up with something easier to say. My name eventually evolved into “Rah-rah”. Caring for Julia has been a sweet and rewarding experience, along with all of the other adventures of seminary life here in Philadelphia. It has been a great first year, and just as we needed your prayers then, we will continue to need them now. If there are special ways in which Thomas and I can be praying for any of you, please don’t hesitate to let us know if you haven’t already.

With Much Love and Thanks,
Erin