Dybvig took over the minis-try and is carrying it for-ward with every bit as much enthusiasm as its founders. Monte would like to en-courage especially FPC members to take advantage of these musical evenings. He also is in need of folks to help usher, set up chairs, and count offerings. The work is not hard as the con-certs pretty much run themselves. But the help is needed and important. Please consider making yourself available.

All groups come on a love offering basis. FPC receives nothing of the proceeds. Concerts last about a hour and a half. The concert schedule is on the back page of this newsletter.

The summer Southern Gos-pel music venue will open its 18th season on Saturday, June 3rd, at 6:30 PM with the Mystery Mountain Boys from Cambridge, MN. Concert coordinator and host, Monte Dybvig is ex-tending a warm welcome to guests near and far to join us for any and all concerts offered this summer 2017.

It’s easy to remember. Each

Saturday evening at 6:30 PM, June, July, and August, a different group has been invited for the encourage-ment and entertainment of God’s people. Concerts are held in FPC’s comfortable air-conditioned sanctuary. It is a great way to meet new friends, greet neighbors, invite guests, fellowship with the extended body of Christ, and rejoice in the Lord. Thirteen groups in all will come from as near as Braham, MN and as far as Berea, KY, and Oklahoma City, OK.

The concert ministry was the vision of Larry and the late Judy Sederstrom when they brought their love of Southern Gospel music to FPC. Two years ago, Monte

SUMMER CONCERT SEASON BEGINS IN JUNE

GLBC F IRST SUPPER AND CAMPING SEASON BEGINS IN JUNE

The 2017 camping season will soon begin at Grind-stone Lake Bible Camp. Saturday, May 27th was the camp’s designated work day. FPC was represented with a crew of eleven (Pastor Kevin and Kathy, the Wieners, Nancy Beck-man, and Arlene Vayder

and Landis. Their task was to clean and prepare the dining hall and camp office for the summer season. Mission accomplished!

The camp’s kick off fund-raiser First Supper will be held on Saturday, June 17th, with dinner at 5:30

PM and program and wor-ship at 7:00 PM in the new camp chapel. Camp begins the next day.

Scholarships and registra-tion forms are available for children and youth from our church’s ministries. Contact the church office for these.

F IRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA)

JUNE 2017 VOLUME 38, ISSUE 5

F IRST PRESS

SPECIAL POINTS OF IN-

TEREST:

The General Assembly of the PCA will be held this year during the week of June 12-16 in Greensboro, NC.

The Rev. Brandon Haan with Reformed University Fellowship will be preaching on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18th.

Mr. Mike Johnson from City Life PCA will be preaching on Sunday, June 25th.

There will be a bridal shower held for Emily Sikkink on Saturday, June 24th, at 2:00 PM. Emily and her fiancé, Peter Syzmanski, plan an August 12th wedding at FPC.

There will be an open house in honor of Timothy Smith’s high school graduation on Saturday, June 17th, from 2-6 PM at the Smith home on 404 Park Ave., Frederick, WI.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE :

JUNE CALENDAR 2

BIBLCIAL WISDOM 2

CONGRATULATIONS

TO OUR GRADUATES

3

ROCKENSOCKS WEL-

COME ANOTHER SON

3

WHAT IS MAN?

ETERNAL L IFE

4

PRESBYTERY REPORT

FROM STURGIS

5

MOTHER ’S DAY SPE-

CIAL

5

tion, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Pro. 16:18; cf. 11:2).

The second, a lying tongue, concerns integ-rity. Can a person be taken at their word? Our greatest treasure will not be found among our possessions, but with our truth telling. “Lying lips are a abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight” (Pro. 12:22). Protect your words at all cost!

The third concerns the six commandment—”you shall not murder” (Ex. 20:13). Those who wantonly shed innocent blood are a menace to a just and peaceable society. The Scriptures regard their forfeit (Gen. 9:6).

The fourth is closely related. Those whose hearts devise wicked plans are schemers and connivers at the expense of the unwary and innocent. They too are a menace to society. “My son if sinners entice you, do not con-sent. If they say, ‘Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason...do not walk in the way with them” (Pro. 1:10-15).

The fifth concerns those who carry out their devilish plans. They possess feet that make haste to run to evil (cf. Pro. 1:16). Wisdom speaks, “These men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives” (Pro. 1:18). Here is the incorrigible person who is to be removed from the land of the living (cf. Deut. 21:18-21).

Lists are part and parcel to sound biblical teaching. Jesus made use of lists to describe the corruption of the human heart (Mark 7:20-23). Paul used lists to contrast the works of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:19-23). Lists organize ideas around a theme and provide thoughts upon which to expand.

Biblical wisdom is also communicated well through lists. The list of the so-called Seven Deadly Sins is one of the classic statements regarding those behaviors to be avoided. Proverbs makes much of the contrast be-tween the foolish and the wise. Along with the many counsels to be embraced for wise and godly living, many others serve as warn-ing regarding what should be shunned. The Seven Deadly Sins are the lot of the foolish man. Accordingly, Proverbs 6:16-19 says:

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

The first, haughty eyes, concerns pride. The proud are always right in their own eyes. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart” (Pro. 21:2; cf. 16:2). Some regard pride as the root sin of all others. Perhaps! The Scriptures never-theless teach, “Pride goes before destruc-

The sixth concerns truth-telling in matters of legality—“a false witness” who cannot be trusted.

The seventh, the sower of dis-cord, concerns the those who breed disunity in both society and church. These in particular should be warned, then shunned (Titus 3:10).

This is the legacy of the fool. Such sins diminish life at best and shorten it at worst. Yet, as lists can be used to warn the ungodly, they can also be used to provide hope for the sinner caught in sin’s deadly snare. Paul presents a list of sinful behaviors but says, “And such were some of you” (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Yes, there is life-changing power in redeeming grace. Seek Christ and live!

B IBLICAL W ISDOM : SEVEN DEADLY SINS

PAGE 2 F IRST PRESS

SCHEDULE OF

EVENTS

3—Gospel Concert: Mystery Mountain Boys, 6:30 PM

4—Communion Sunday

5—Session Meeting, 7 PM

10—Gospel Concert: Blake Bolerjack, 6:30 PM

12-16—PCA General Assembly in Greensboro, NC

17—Open House for Tim Smith in Frederic, WI; Gospel Con-cert: Kingery Family, 6:30 PM; First Supper at GLBC, 5:30 PM

18—Guest Speaker, Rev. Bran-don Haan, RUF; GLBC season begins

24—Bridal Shower for Emily Sikkink, 2 PM at FPC; Gospel Concert: Higher Call, 6:30 PM

25—Guest Speaker, Mr. Mike Johnson, City Life PCA

JUNE 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

28 29 30 31 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 1

The FPC family honored three of its graduates on Sun-day, May 28th.

Robert Shogren graduated with High Honors from Font du Lac Tribal and Community College in Clouque, MN with his Associates of Applied Sci-ence in Geo-special Technol-ogy. Robert is a 911 dis-patcher with Isanti County and has had a long term inter-est in mapping systems. Robert has served as a Ruling Elder at FPC since 2006. He is pictured (above) with is daughter Abbie and wife Shannon.

Timothy Smith (right), son of Randy and Wendy Smith of Frederic, WI, is a home school graduate. In due time,

he would like to pursue studies in architecture. Timothy is an accom-plished vocalist and pian-ist having taken lessons for 4 years and 10 years respectively. During his high school years, he has worked with Child Evan-gelism Fellowship,

played basketball, served with the ALERT Cadet Unit, and taken Improv classes. Timo-thy has chosen 1 Corinthians 10:31 as his theme verse: “So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Josh Nuckols graduated from the University of St. Thomas, School of Law on May 13

with his Juris Doctor Degree. He is a home school graduate with a bachelor degree in business from Thomas Edison College in New Jersey. Josh will be working through the summer for the MN Family Council doing research in public policy. He also has an interest in journalism. Josh is expecting to take his bar ex-ams in July, and would appre-ciate prayer for direction after that.

We extend a hearty congratu-lations to these who have worked hard to accomplish their goals. May the Lord be with each in their future pur-suits!

sock at the arrival of Joseph Philip born at home on Thursday, May 18th, at 7:37 AM. Mother and son are do-ing well. Joseph weighed in at 8 pounds 6 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. He is also welcomed by his four older siblings Kyle (12), Travis (10), Sam (8), and Colter (3).

Ronn and Carrie run a hobby Congratulations are in order for Ronn and Carrie Rocken-

farm south of Hinckley where they raise goats, sheep, free range broiler and egg laying chickens. Carrie is a home schooling stay-at-home mom who worked with our Cove-nant Kids for the 2016-2017 season. Ronn also breeds dogs for hunting and serves as a Trustee at FPC.

FPC HONORS ITS GRADUATES

ROCKENSOCKS WELCOME BABY BOY

“DO YOUR BEST TO

PRESENT YOURSELF

TO GOD AS ONE

APPROVED , A

WORKER WHO HAS

NO NEED TO BE

ASHAMED , RIGHTLY

HANDLING THE

WORD OF TRUTH . ”

2 T IMOTHY 2:15

PAGE 3 VOLUME 38, ISSUE 5

There will be an open house in

honor of Timothy Smith’s gradua-tion from High School held at the home of his

parents, Randy and Wendy

Smith on Satur-day, June 17th, from 2 –6 PM.

Their home is located at 404 Park Avenue

North in Freder-ick, WI.

Bridal shower for Emily Sikkink at

FPC on Saturday,

June 24, at 2:00 PM.

What is Man? Life Everlasting

The Bible ends were it begins—in Para-dise. It begins with Paradise lost and ends with Paradise regained. Genesis says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). Revelation con-cludes, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first was passed away” (Rev. 21:1). Isaiah saw this re-creation (Isa. 65:17; 66:22) as did Peter when he said, “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:16).

For our purposes, we notice that the na-ture of true humanity changes with the passage of time. I do not mean that it evolves in any bio-chemical sense. If any-thing, it “devolves” from pristine inno-cence to moral corruption. Rather, the Bible presents the human story of crea-tion, fall, redemption, and consummation. At each stage, the nature of true humanity is different than before. It is these changes that we have been considering.

Perhaps the most notable feature in the Garden of Eden is the tree of life. The tree of life represents the promise of life of-fered to those who have access to it. How-ever, it is absent from Genesis 3 onward, only reappearing in Revelation 22 when the Lord has made all things new. In be-tween these two bookends lies the story of God’s overtures of life to those who have willfully forfeited it. It is a story anticipat-ing the perfect man—the Son of Man. It unfolds the “appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10).

The story begins in Genesis where life was promised to Adam in the Garden. Al-though death was threatened for eating from the forbidden tree (Gen. 2:17), the opposite was also implied—life for obedi-ence. But Adam ate and subsequently lost what he might have enjoyed. From Gene-sis 3 on, the Scriptures are about how that life might be regained, acquired not by personal obedience or meritorious works, but by faith in Jesus Christ. When Adam

fell into sin, he lost the ability to obey God, he reaped the curse of death for his disobedience, and he forfeited the hope of life everlasting. He did this not only for himself, but for all of us as well (cf. Rom. 5:12). The gospel on the other hand teaches us that Jesus’ obedience was per-fect, his death was sufficient as a substi-tute, and his resurrection life acquires for us what we cannot achieve for ourselves. He did this for all who would be found in him (cf. Rom 5:18-19). When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (cf. Matthew 4:10-11), he accomplished eve-rything the first Adam failed to do. He resisted the temptation to eat food that was forbidden. He rejected the vision of worldly kingdoms at Satan’s hand. He repelled the idea of gaining acclaim though human spectacle. In other words, unlike the first Adam, the second Adam did not succumb to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). In Christ the curse of the fall would be reversed.

The gospel doesn’t merely offer a differ-ent life, a better life, or a regulated life. It offers eternal life in Jesus. John’s Gospel is explicit in this: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). What’s more, John teaches that this life is only available through faith: “Whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” He continues, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; who-ever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:16, 36). Adam was originally offered this life but failed to acquire it through disobedience. Today, we are of-fered life by the obedience of another—by the obedience of Jesus. Indeed, Jesus does say, “The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). In other words, eternal life begins the moment we put our faith in Christ as our Savior. Mak-ing this clear was the very purpose for which John wrote his gospel. He said, “These things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have

life in his name” (John 20:31). Later, in his first epistle, he says, “This is the testi-mony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11-12). What’s more, believers in Christ are to be assured of these things for his first epistle was written with this in mind: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know (emphasis mine) that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

The question, “What is Man?” or “What is the Nature of True Humanity?”, requires a consideration of what state we are talking about. It is true, in all cases people are made in the image of God and intended for fellowship with their Creator—unlike any other creature. Yet, Scripture teaches that sin altered the original design and redemption makes way for its renewal. However, full and final restoration is re-served for the re-creation of all things in the new heavens and the new earth—“Behold, I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:5; cf. Rom. 8:18-23). Here is the ultimate and unalterable state of human experience we call eternal life where “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the for-mer things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). And again, “No longer will there be any-thing accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him” (Rev. 22:3).

Yet, it must be recognized that this is not the experience of all. The Psalmist says, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light” (Psa. 36:9). Sadly, not all see this light or seek the fountain of life in Christ (John 4:13-14). They remain children of the first Adam, dead in their sins (Eph. 2:1) and blind to the hope that is in Jesus (2 Cor. 4:4). In the end, their eternity is quite different. “And these will go away to eternal punish-ment but the righteous into eternal life” (Matt. 25:46).

PAGE 4 F IRST PRESS

The Presbytery of the Sioux-lands met on Thursday and Friday, April 27-28, at the Foot Hills Community Church (PCA) in Sturgis, SD. Traveling with the Carrs were Wayne and Marlys Golly, and Pastor Nathan Lee from Grace PCA in Duluth. Ruling Elder Robert Shogren and Rev. Ross Haverhals also attended but traveled sepa-rately. The FPC delegation is pictured above.

Presbytery included a season

of morning prayer and an evening communion service. Rev. Brian Carpenter (Foot Hills, Sturgis) led worship. Rev. Lee (Grace, Du-luth) ministered the Word of God. Rev. Jason Dalton (New Covenant, Spearfish, SD) served the Lord’s

Supper. The host pastor, Rev. Carpenter, is picture below with his wife, Laura.

RE’s Golly and Shogren served on the Administrative Committee reviewing session minutes and preparing Pres-bytery budgets. Pastor Kevin’s Candidates and Creden-tials Committee had a full plate examining three individuals and subsequently presenting them on the floor of Presby-tery. Mr. John St. Martin was examined for ordination to receive a call from Grace PCA in Sioux Falls, SD. Rev. Mitch Welborn was examined as a transfer candi-date from Houston Metro Presbytery to receive a call

from City Life. Mr. Ferris Bauman from Black Hills PCA in Rapid City was examined to be received under care. All were successful in their trials and approved by Presbytery.

The Carrs, the Gollys, and Pastor Lee remained in the Black Hills area over the weekend for some R&R. They were graciously hosted by Rev. Art and Janet Sartori-ous of Rapid City. Below, Pastor Kevin is pictured pre-senting his committee work to Presbytery. In the right hand column are scenes of some post–Presbytery fun and folderol.

Teresa Tarter (left) from Cincinnati, OH was in town visiting her family. She played the violin. Pianist Angela Nuckols (center) lives with her parents in Pine City and is a Senior at Bethlehem

College in Minneapolis. Melissa Jore (right) from Cambridge played the flute. The girls are the daughters of John and Rose Nuckols of

On Mother’s Day, May 14, the congregation of FPC was blessed with a special instru-mental rendition of Constantly Abiding by the Nuckols sisters.

Pine City and, with their three brothers, comprise a musical family. Teresa and her husband Adam have one toddler son. Melissa and her husband Josh are the parents of three boys and two girls.

Mother’s Day is always spe-cial at FPC. Every woman, from child to grandma, was given a flower to plant in their garden.

PRESBYTERY MEETS IN STURGIS , SD

SISTERS PRESENT MUSIC ON MOTHER ’S DAY

PAGE 5 VOLUME 38, ISSUE 5

ADDRESS SERVICES REQUESTED

Phone:: 320-384-6440

Pastor’s Email: kevincarr157@gmail.com Church’s Email: firstpreshinckley@gmail.com

June 2017

F IRST PRESBTERIAN CHURCH

(PCA)

“TRUE TO THE SCRIPTURES, THE

REFORMED FAITH, AND THE GREAT

COMMISSION”

First Presbyterian Church is a member congregation of the

Presbyterian Church in America

W E ’RE ON THE WEB :

WWW . FIRSTPRESH INCKLEY . ORG

P.O. Box 157 Hinckley, MN 55037