Notes and News - October 2025

Bible Study continues in October

Blu Glavin is leading a weekly Bible study on Thursdays through October 23rd. The group meets in the Pastor’s office from 3:15-4:30. The study is called The Bible’s Greatest Hits. Each week the group is looking at an important scripture that thematically shapes our faith and practice. The group will also look at the scripture for the upcoming Sunday.

It is not mandatory to attend every week so even if you have yet to attend, you may still join the study in October as you are available. Bring your own Bible and an open mind. If you don't have a Bible don’t worry, we have plenty available for your use. No particular biblical knowledge is expected or required! Blu is the contact, should you have questions. Her number is (207) 318-6976.

Find out what God's Word has to say to you!!

Community Garden News

The revitalization of the Community Garden continues.  The next Volunteer Workday is Saturday October 11th starting at 8 AM and ending at 11 AM.  With the Florida sun and heat, it is not expected that you work a full 3 hours.  Please just come and work for as long as you are comfortable.  If you have some garden tools and gloves, bring them along.  If not, there will be some available at the garden.  As before, some “healthy” snacks will be provided.

ALSO, be sure to take a look at the garden.  There have been some big improvements over the last couple of weeks to get ready for the fall planting season.  A big thank you to Joan and Jeff Bryden, Brian and Debbie Voye and Karen LaJoie (the Community Garden manager) for all their hard work and labor to get the garden in shape.  Also, thank you to Dale and Barbara Harrell for donating a weed eater and a mower, and thank you to Larry Russell, a neighbor, for tuning up this equipment so it can be used.

If you would like to have a garden plot, there are some available.  If you are interested, please call the church office at (941) 722-3513.  The church office hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 11AM to 4 PM.  If you get voice mail, please leave a message with your name, phone number and that you are calling about the garden and we will get back to you.

Peace and Global Witness Offering

This coming Sunday, October 5th, is World Communion Sunday and the final Sunday to give to the Peace and Global Witness special offering.

The Peace and Global Witness Offering draws us together by providing education and exposure to those who show us how to do peacemaking well.  This offering enables the church to promote the peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice in our own communities and across the world.  25% of the offering stays with our church to support those in our own community who are struggling with oppression and injustice.  There will be a pamphlet available at the entrance to the sanctuary, along with a special offering envelope, that provides more information on this mission.  Please prayerfully consider contributing to this special offering.

Thrift Store Deals for October

This month all clothing with orange tags is 50% off.  Also, all Halloween items and fall décor items are 50% off.  Come on in for these great deals and please pass this on to your neighbors and friends!!!

Lunch and Learn Series continues

The Lunch and Learn series will begin again this fall.  The current plan is to start the Lunch and Learn series in late October as our winter residents return.  Keep an eye out for more details.  Please reach out to Nicole Jordan with questions and/or suggested topics.

PPC Facebook page

Here is the link to our new Facebook page.  Be sure to click on the link below and "Like" the new page, as well as click "Follow" so you are notified on Facebook each time a new post is added.

Palmetto Presbyterian Church | Palmetto FL | Facebook

And be sure to share the link with your neighbors and friends!!!

Notes and News - September 2025

From Palmetto Presbyterian Church – September Announcements and upcoming events!!

 New Bible Study to start in September

Blu Glavin will lead a Bible study beginning Thursday, September 11th through the last Thursday of October.  The group will meet in the Pastor’s office from 3:15-4:30. The study is called The Bible’s Greatest Hits.  Each week the group will be looking at an important scripture that thematically shapes our faith and practice.  The group will also look at the scripture for the upcoming Sunday. 

It isn’t mandatory to attend every week so you may attend as you are available. Bring your own Bible and an open mind. If you don't have a Bible don’t worry, we have plenty available for your use. No particular biblical knowledge expected or required! There are sign-up sheets at the main sanctuary entrance and in the annex by the kitchen door. Blu is the contact, should you have questions. 

Find out what God's Word has to say to you!!

Lunch and Learn Series continues

The Lunch and Learn series will begin again this fall.  Nicole is still accepting suggestions of topics for the series.  The current plan is to start the Lunch and Learn series in late October as our winter residents return.  Please keep an eye out for more information.  Please reach out to Nicole Jordan with questions and/or suggested topics.

Thrift Store Deals for September

This month all clothing with yellow tags is 50% off.  Also, all lamps are $5.00 each.  Come on in for these great deals and please pass this on to your neighbors and friends!!!

Peace and Global Witness Offering

The Peace and Global Witness Offering draws us together by providing education and exposure to those who show us how to do peacemaking well.  It allows us to create resources for dealing with conflict and provide nurturing reconciliation, and stand in support of our global brothers and sisters, because the peace of Christ belongs to people everywhere.

This Sunday, September 7th, is the beginning of A Season of Peace.  In a few weeks, there will be an informational pamphlet and offering envelope available with the bulletin.  The final day for this special offering is October 5th, which is World Communion Sunday.

Pastor Nominating Committee members

As you may recall, we had a Congregational Meeting on August 10th to elect 3 new members to the Pastor Nominating Committee.  The 3 new members, joined 2 original members of the committee that agreed to continue to serve. 

So, the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) are now:

Jan Baxter, Brian Voye, Joan Bryden, Tamera Cummings, Barbara Harrell

The committee is meeting on a regular basis and will give an update during the worship service next week.

PPC Facebook page

Here is the link to our new Facebook page.  Be sure to click on the link below and "Like" the new page, as well as click "Follow" so you are notified on Facebook each time a new post is added.

 Palmetto Presbyterian Church | Palmetto FL | Facebook

And be sure to share the link with your neighbors and friends!!!

Notes and News - 09/21/24

2024 School Supply Drive a BIG Success

Thank you to our amazing congregation for the tremendous support of our school supply drive for James Tillman Elementary School here in Palmetto!  They were very appreciative and said it's an amazing help to the teachers, children and their families.

In the past we have also supplied them with much needed supplies in January as well and their exact words were, " Your church saved us going into the spring months!".

More updates to come...

Peace and Global Witness Special Offering

We are joining with Presbyterians around the county in the Peace & Global Witness special offering. Formerly known as the Peacekeeping Offering, the goal is to provide a financial base to meet God's mission of reconciliation to those around us and around the world.

We will collect the offering on World Communion Sunday, October 6. 25% will stay with Palmetto Presbyterian Church, 25% will remain in Peace River Presbytery, and the rest will go to programs of the National Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness.

We will be providing additional information over the next couple of weeks and hope you will prayerfully consider this special offering.

Fellowship Dinner Sunday, October 6th!!

Mark your calendars!!!  Our “Kitchen Angels 😇” are hosting a Fellowship Dinner Sunday, October 6th, immediately following our service.  The menu includes Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Waldorf Salad, Macaroni + Cheese, Desserts, and Beverages.  Please plan to attend for good food and, more importantly, fellowship together.

Head Start Christmas Present Wrapping – Saturday October 19th

Thanks to the Marine Corps supplying toys last year, we already have more than enough toys to cover the children at the East Coast Migrant Head Start Program this year BUT they still need to be wrapped!!

On Saturday, October 19th, beginning at 10 am, anyone interested in sorting and wrapping the toys for Christmas presents, please come join us for a lovely lunch  and wrapping party.  RSVP to our office if you're available to join us.

P.S. watch for more information about this year’s children’s Christmas mission to provide school supplies for the winter/spring semester.

Use of the Kitchen

Please remember to ALWAYS clean up the kitchen after fixing any food or drinks.  It is very important items are washed and put away and counters are wiped clean.  Otherwise, we will find an ant brigade in the kitchen.  Also, please be careful when using the microwave or stove/oven.  Please remember to make sure everything is turned off before you leave.  If you are part of a group that meets in the church, please pass on this reminder.  Thank you!! 🙏

Other News/Updates

Our Guest Minister tomorrow (9/22) is Rev. Norman Pritchard.  Our guest minister the following week (9/29) is Rev. Marilyn Lewis.

This coming week, the church office will be open on Tuesday (9/24) and Thursday (9/26) instead of Wednesday and Thursday.  This is to accommodate maintenance of our A/C systems.  Hours will return to Wednesday and Thursday the following week (week of 9/30). 

Notes and News – 05/25/22

I Give Thanks to God for You

Upon graduating from Seminary, I was appointed to the Caledonia Memorial UMC in Caledonia, Ohio. For my first sermon, I chose 1 Corinthians 1:4 as my text. It reads as follows, “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus”. My sermon title was, “I Give Thanks to God for You”.

And now as I am on the verge of retirement that text and sermon title seem once again, incredibly timely and appropriate. Over the years I have been blessed to serve a variety of churches in various settings. I have enjoyed every one of them. But there is something about our church here in Palmetto that stands out in a unique way in my mind and heart.

You are an incredible congregation! The things you have made possible, the lives you have touched, the spirit with which you have taken on challenges is clear evidence that God is working through you in many ways. Our numbers may not be “large” but the size of your hearts is off the charts. The Pandemic took a toll on our worship attendance, but your generosity and faithfulness remained stronger than ever. You have met and exceeded challenges to reach out. You have come through again and again to support special projects. You know how to laugh and play and are genuinely welcoming. Over and over, you have met challenges and stood tall above them.

The opportunity to serve as your pastor has been the most fun and greatest joy of my ministry.

It will soon be time to begin a new chapter. In a few days I will no longer be your pastor. I will cherish you in my heart and be a friend but not your pastor. We can remain friends socially but any talk about the church is off limits. Just as I have grieved leaving other churches, I will grieve leaving you. This simply goes with the calling. We only grieve those we love.

For your benefit, your new pastor’s, and mine as well, I ask the following of you:

1.    Please do not compare any new pastor to me. I’ve been on the other end of this before and I can tell you it is painful, stressful and keeps a church stuck in the past – which is a terrible place to be. We’ll never find God by trying to go back in the past, because God is always out in front of us creating a new future.

2.    Appreciate the gifts and strengths all your new pastor(s) will bring.

3.    Love the pastors who follow me as you have loved me.

4.    Do not ask or expect me to break my covenantal responsibility as a Teaching Elder in the Peace River Presbytery by asking me to perform pastoral tasks. The only way I would even consider the possibility of such a request is by the direct invitation of the pastor and with written approval of the Session. These are Presbytery rules and I have every intention of abiding by them. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this.

Lastly, I will continue, what has been my practice throughout my ministry, to give my full support and affirmation to whomever follows me. I know and respect the pastor who is coming as your Stated Supply Pastor. I am thrilled you will be in such good pastoral hands. He will be a blessing to you and you will be a blessing to him.

I am excited about the next chapter of our church here in Palmetto. I firmly believe God has very special things in store for you.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 05/21/22

A Brief History of Our Church

I was asked by our Session to do this for another project being undertaken. I thought you might enjoy this as did our Session.

Palmetto Presbyterian Church: A Brief History

The Palmetto Presbyterian Church was founded in 1898. The present church structure was begun in the late 1940’s and completed in the early 1950’s. It includes a sanctuary, annex that serves as a place for overflow seating, fellowship events, and as a community outreach home to 12-step and service groups. This annex structure also includes office, meeting rooms, and storage. In addition there is a modest kitchen which gets used for a wide variety of things such as preparing meals for our homeless neighbors, meals for fellowship events, regular Sunday morning fellowship, and serving families when Memorial services are held in the Sanctuary. 

A separate building, the “Fellowship Hall” building, was built in the mid 1950’s and presently houses an outreach ministry known as The 10th Avenue Thrift Store.  Both buildings have been debt free for many decades, probably since the late 50’s or early 60’s.

Over the past 12 years, the church has undergone several capital improvement projects including a major refurbishing of the Sanctuary, Annex and office spaces along with replacing lighting in both church and thrift store buildings with efficient LED bulbs.  Also, the church upgraded and replaced all 5 air-conditioning units with new, more efficient ones; replaced the shingle roofs on both buildings, and upgraded the sound system in the Sanctuary.  Outside, sidewalks and entrances to the church were replaced, to make them handicap-accessible and improve general safety.  The 10th Avenue Thrift Store was renovated and re-imagined and it is now considered by many to be the finest in Palmetto as well as one of the best in Manatee County.

During this time, the congregation has also developed a vibrant and significant outreach ministry, seeking to intentionally be the hands and feet of God in the community and beyond. As a result, our congregation has:

• Given over 3600 sweatshirts between 2 local Title I Elementary schools and provided for 250 uniforms in the last ten years.

• Provided, over the same 10-year period, approximately $1000 worth of school supplies each summer.

• Helped kids with reading.

• Given 40-50 home-made Prayer Shawls each year to individuals, mobile home communities and the local Hospice Houses.

• Supported the local East Coast Migrant Center/Head Start Program with food, clothing, toiletries, and books as well as Angel Tree Christmas gifts (65 kids/families reached in 2021 alone).

• Supported the North River Care Pregnancy Center with special offerings, fundraisers and other support.

• Raised and forwarded over $4000 in the last two months for our Ukraine Appeal.

All these activities and more are in keeping with Community Outreach as one of our core congregational values.

Pastoral leadership has been stable. Since the mid 1950’s there have been 4 pastors called to serve our congregation. Our present pastor is retiring soon after serving for over 12 years. A respected, well qualified, retired pastor will be leading our congregation in the transition toward a new called pastor.

Like many churches, our congregation of retired folks and senior citizens has been hard hit by the COVID-19 Pandemic. We have used the adversity to create a new streaming of our worship service on Zoom. In addition, we have developed a webpage, www.ppcfl.org which gives a more complete picture of our church. 

Because of the pandemic we had to close our all-volunteer Thrift Store for a year. But, since late March of 2021, we have reopened, first on a 2-day a week basis and now a 3-day a week basis. The thrift store's all-volunteer staff was hit hard by the pandemic, and we have been forced to cut back our one-time 6 hour/day, 5 day a week operation to a 3 hour/day, 3 day a week operation as noted above. This appears to be the schedule for the foreseeable future.

Although the official church membership roll stands at 43, there are another 40-45 people who are active in the life of the congregation as “Friends of the Congregation” (many keep their membership in churches up north because they will often go back there to be near family if health issues arise as they get older). There are 76 individuals and families who have offering envelope numbers. As one person in our congregation noted, “We think of ourselves in terms of the size of our heart – not the number of people.”  The faithfulness and generosity of the congregation bears out the truth of that statement.

It has been my privilege to serve churches in different settings and in a variety of positions from Seminary Intern to staff member to Senior Pastor and Pastor. There are some churches that jump out in my memory with a special sense of joy and gratitude for the chance to serve them. Palmetto is at the top of that list. You are a tremendous congregation which I will always cherish and remember with great fondness and joy.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 05/14/22

A Very Significant Little Word

This week’s petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” as well as next week’s petition, “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” both begin with the word, “And”. This is not by accident. This little 3 letter word is very significant and important.

The word “kai” in Greek which is translated “and” in English is used to begin a new thought and signify that new thought is connected in meaning and importance to the thought preceding it. In other words, to understand what follows you need to link it to what precedes it. When it comes to forgiveness, we need to understand it is as essential to our daily lives as is bread. The word “and” does not mean forgiveness is not just another thought added to the Lord’s Prayer as if it were going through a checklist of what to ask God for. Instead, it is like a flashing light signaling, pay attention – just like we can’t live without bread, we can’t live without forgiveness. And as the petition indicates, that means both being forgiven and forgiving. We all need to be forgiven and we all need to be forgiving people. It is like breathing in and breathing out – both are necessary for life.

I’ll have more to say about this and other parts of this petition in tomorrow’s sermon.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 05/07/22

More Reflections on The Lord’s Prayer

In preparing for this Sunday’s sermon, I was reminded of this old joke as well as a time in the first year of my ministry as a pastor on my own, that has shaped and continues to shape my understanding and praying of the Lord's prayer.

First, the old joke. A republican candidate and a democratic candidate are waiting in the green room to be called to go out on stage and in front of the TV cameras for their debate. (You know it’s an old joke because they’re in the same room and talking to each other!). The Republican pulls out a bill and says to the Democrat, “I'll bet you $20 you don’t even know the words to the Lord’s Prayer.” The Democrat says, “You’re on” and begins to say, “Now I lay me down to sleep and pray the Lord my soul to keep.” In exasperation, the Republican says, “Stop! Stop! I’ve heard enough! Here’s your $20.

The simple truth is many people know the words to The Lord’s Prayer. It is, perhaps, the most widely known and recited prayer in churches today. I would contend it is also the most misunderstood and least prayed prayer in churches across all denominations. We often say the words but how often do we pray the words. And how often do we take the time to really understand what Jesus was teaching his disciples?

Second, a nearly 45-year-old memory, that is as vivid to me as if it just happened. I was concluding a visit to a shut in, having just served her Communion. I thought an easy way to bring this visit to a close was with The Lord's Prayer. I started to say the words that were so familiar to me, however, I could only get as far as the opening phrase, “Our Father who art in heaven” before I drew a blank and could not remember any words that followed. Embarrassed I faked a cough saying, “I must have choked a little bit, let me start again”. The same result! Only this time I heard a very distinct message (to this day I'm not sure if I actually heard the message spoken, but I do know with certainty, the message was clearly received. The message was this, “Lena does not need to hear you recite the Lord's prayer she needs you to pray with her”. I stopped trying to say the Lord's prayer and instead took the time to really pray with her.

I learned two very important lessons that day, long ago. First, never use the saying of the words of the Lord's prayer as a substitute for actually praying with someone. The second, never simply say The Lord's Prayer - always pray The Lord’s Prayer.

At the very least, to pray The Lord’s Prayer means to ponder the words of each of the petitions. There is so much packed into this brief prayer. In and through The Lord’s Prayer we can discover the very heart of what it means to pray. 

I look forward to examining the petition, Give us this day our daily bread” tomorrow. It is also intentional that we will be sharing in the Lord’s Supper the same day we examine this petition.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 04/30/22

Why Do We Pray

The following is the recent article I wrote for the North River News. 

The two verses that immediately precede The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew’s Gospel are: “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Emphasis mine) Matthew 6:7,8 NRSV.

One might ask if God already knows my need, why do I need to pray? This is a legitimate question deserving an answer. The shortest answer is we don’t pray to inform God but for God to form us. The fact The Lord’s Prayer immediately follows these two verses certainly points in this direction.

We pray because we trust God is listening. Over the years I’ve had many opportunities to pray with people: in hospital rooms, funeral homes, homes, restaurants, churches and elsewhere. I’ve prayed in person, over the phone, via letters, notes, cards, email and more. Never once did I think I was giving God a heads up about the situation or person(s) I was praying for. But in every moment of prayer, I, and the people I was praying with or for, at some level, trusted God was listening. This act of trusting helps form us and develops our capacity for faith.

We also pray because God answers our prayers. Sometimes the answer is “yes”, sometimes “no”, and sometimes “not yet”. I have come to understand there is also a fourth way God answers our prayers – and that is: “not in the way you’re expecting.” Prayer helps form us as we learn to listen for God’s answer to our prayer. In this process of learning to listen, we often begin to see things from a different perspective or have our eyes (and hearts and minds) opened to new possibilities.

We also pray because it is essential in discovering, integrating, and implementing in our daily lives what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Many people can recite The Lord’s Prayer. There is, however, a big difference between reciting or saying it and praying it. An early church document used to teach would be converts, instructs them to pray this prayer three times a day. Of course, this has to do with developing the discipline of prayer, but it also helps us understand what following Jesus Christ means. In fact, the two cannot really be separated – they must be together – prayer and following.

For example, the pronouns are our and us, not my and me. They are inclusive not possessive. They lift us beyond ourselves. Also, the end of the first petition, “hallowed by Thy name” is not so much a request for God to do something for God, but a challenge for us, as those praying, to live our lives – our actions, thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, and priorities in ways that glorify and honor God. We quickly realize we cannot meet this challenge on our own, must have God’s help.

Why do we pray – to ultimately become who God intends us to be.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 04/23/22

The Lord’s Prayer

My final sermon series as your pastor will be on the Lord’s Prayer.  Both Matthew (6:9-13) and Luke (11:2-4) include this prayer in their gospels. I will be using Matthew 6:7-13 for this sermon series. The Didache, (“The Teaching”) which was used in the early church to help teach people about following Jesus Christ, includes the doxology, “for thine is the power and the glory forever.” In addition, it offers these words of wisdom (also in bold in the early text): Pray thus three times a day.

Working on this sermon series over the past several weeks I have come to realize The Lord’s Prayer teaches us not only how to pray but also how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. There is a great deal for all of us to learn on both counts.

Does Matthew 6:7-8 help us better understand the Lord’s Prayer or lead us to ask the question, why pray if God knows before we ask? The word Father is for some a painful word. Would it be better to just substitute another word like Parent? Or one might ask, is it sins, trespasses, or debts Jesus is referring to Matthew 6:12? Could it be it’s all 3? And what about the doxology that we protestants include in the Lord’s Prayer. Should we or shouldn’t we pray this? The list could go on.

Anyone who has been part of a church or raised in a Sunday school class can no doubt recite the Lord’s Prayer. But there is a big difference between saying or reciting the Lord’s Prayer and praying it. And hearing it as a prayer that calls us to a deeper understanding of who we are as disciples and what it means to be followers of Jesus Christ, opens new horizons. I look forward to exploring these with you.

April 24      Our Father…Hallowed Be Thy Name”                  Mathew 6:9

May 1         Your Will Be Done                                             Matthew 6:10

May 8         Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread                       Matthew 6:11

May 15       Forgive Us Our Debts                                         Matthew 6:12

May 22       And Lead Us Not Into Temptation                        Matthew 6:13

May 29       For Thine Is The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory Forever

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 04/16/22

Easter Sunday 2022

Do you remember your first Easter? Quite honestly, I do not. However, I vividly remember the first time the reality and power of Easter burst into my heart and life. Cinda and I were living in Downingtown Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia. We were actively involved in the church where I had experienced my call into the ministry.

After a powerful Tenebrae service of darkness and shadows where we all left in solemn silence, we went home to reflect on the crucifixion in preparation for Easter. That Saturday was cold and dreary. I found myself longing for the sunrise and the joy of Easter. And it came, bursting into my heart like never before.

I have many other wonderful Easter memories since that Easter in 1975. I will always remember sitting with Cinda on the front porch of our seminary apartment waiting for the sunrise before our boys were up and the need to get off to the church where I was serving as a seminary intern.  There are many, many Easter memories I have enjoyed over years.

This year will also be a special memory. I look forward to the great Easter Hymns and music, the flowering of the Cross and more.

My friends and colleagues, Jerry Voye and Arthur Harvey would greet me every Easter Sunday with the traditional Easter greeting:

He Is Risen!

And I would respond with the traditional Easter response:  

He Is Risen Indeed!

Grace and Peace, John