The Lord’s Day
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| Next week nearly five thousand Presbyterian women from around the world gather together as they do once each triennium to worship, educate, challenge, and celebrate. The theme of the 2006 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women, which this year takes place July 7–11 in Louisville, Kentucky, is “Creation! Celebration! God’s Word—Light for the Journey.”
Presbyterian Women (PW) works alongside the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in ways that are complementary and supplementary to the church’s mission throughout the world. There is much to celebrate. PW produces an annual, award-winning Bible study, the most widely used study of its kind in the PC(USA). Additionally, PW provides leadership training materials and mission interpretation and support, all at no cost to the denomination. Most of PW’s budget is given to the church, undesignated, for use in its mission. In addition, two special offerings are received each year for answering needs beyond the denomination’s mission budgets. A Global Exchange takes place once during a triennium. The 2005 Global Exchange to Brazil has motivated women to take action on worldwide issues of justice and peace. Women from Brazil are attending the 2006 Churchwide Gathering, completing the woman-to-woman exchange. The PW network provides an information highway from the international to the congregational and back, keeping leaders connected with one another and with the work of the church. Presbyterian women serve on sessions and on every other governing body of the PC(USA). Many members of the General Assembly Council began their service to the church through their involvement in Presbyterian Women’s groups. Presbyterian women nurture, nourish, and sustain the PC(USA), the church worldwide, and one another. There is much to celebrate. Thanks be to God! —Elder Kathryn Baker, vice moderator for Mission Relationships, Churchwide Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women |
 2 Sam. 1:1, 17–27 O God, What You Ordain Is Right PH 284, HB 366 Ps. 130 Out of the Depths PH 240 Lord, from the Depths to Thee I Cried HB 277 2 Cor. 8:7–15 God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending PH 422 Mark 5:21–43 O Savior, in This Quiet Place PH 390 Immortal Love, Forever Full HB 229 |
 Loving and gracious God, you have blessed us with abundance and opportunities to serve as women and men of your church. Use our gifts in ways pleasing to you—not for our own good, but for the greater good of all your people. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. |
