Have You Seen?

Have You Seen? Next time you're at Roxborough Presbyterian, Look UP! The steeple has a fresh look to it. A nice fresh coat of paint. And in the next few weeks there'll be some roofing and other painting going on as well. Keep an eye open. 

If you see Greg G and Kelly G out and about (or at re:Fresh 7pm Wednesday Nites) Give 'em a big Congrats, they got engaged last weekend.

Our next Outing can be in a new van! RPC Session approved the purchase of a 12 passenger Ford Van. Ducted rear air and heat, double swinging entry doors, and even an input jack for an MP3 player. 

Speaking of Outing, what's next for the RPC YA Group? Trip downtown, out bowling, or to Morris Arboretum to enjoy a spring picnic? Give us some Ideas.

In two Saturdays, it's First Saturday Again! Come out and be Fed In Body and Spirit! Hope to See YA Out.

We leave you with the Comedy Genius (or is it Madness?) of Dave and Brian, a Comedy Duo out of Glenside and Philly. Check out their latest rockin' music video called "The Dork Anthem" on YouTube. There's a possibility they may be coming to RPC in the near future - watch for more info.

Peace to Your House!
Mike & Amy K.

rpcya.rpcnet.org

ya.at.rpc@gmail.com

Needin' a Weedin' This Saturday - and other Stuff

  

This Saturday, come out to the garden for some fun in the sun! Help out, Have Fun, And support the Community Garden This Saturday, from 9:30am to 2:30pm. There will be teams working on new plots, rain-barrel, and mulching projects, plus fun, food, kids activities, and music from local bands.

Kiss of the sun for pardon. 

Song of the birds for mirth.

You're closer to God's heart in a garden,

Than any place else on earth.

 -- Dorothy Frances Gurney

Hope to see YA Out!

OTHER UPDATES - Megan Terry is still in Jefferson Hospital.  Please continue to keep her and family in prayer. 

Heather Miller is soon heading to Alaska! (Heather is employed by the National Park Service and comes out to re:Fresh some nights) Pray she has safe travels and is able to transition well to the new environs.

Speaking of re:Fresh....

re:Fresh Wednesday Night @ 7:30pm - Come out and be re:Freshed - Mid-week!  Depending on the weather, perhaps we'll be doing an "Open Air" version of re:Fresh soon. 

Have Questions?

Let us be your Stepping Stone!

Peace to Your House,

Mike & Amy K.

rpcya.rpcnet.org

ya.at.rpc@gmail.com

Maimonides Ladder of Charity

Maimonides was known as a great twelfth-century philosopher and an expert in Jewish law. He organized the tradition's many insights and directives into a graded hierarchy of tzedakah (Charity) -  8 steps - from the most sublime to the barely acceptable, taking into account the effects on recipient and donor alike. 

From Maimonides writings, in  the 12th century:

There are eight degrees or steps in the duty of charity. 

• The first and lowest degree is to give, but with reluctance or regret. This is the gift of the hand, but not of the heart.
• The second is, to give cheerfully, but not proportionately to the distress of the sufferer.
• The third is, to give cheerfully and proportionately, but not until solicited.
• The fourth is, to give cheerfully, proportionately, and even unsolicited; but to put it in the poor man's hand, thereby exciting in him the painful emotion of shame.
• The fifth is, to give charity in such a way that the distressed may receive the bounty, and know their benefactor, without their being known to him. Such was the conduct of some of our ancestors, who used to tie up money in the corners of their cloaks, so that the poor might take it unperceived.
• The sixth, which rises still higher is to know the objects of our bounty, but remain unknown to them. Such was the conduct of those of our ancestors, who used to convey their charitable gifts into poor people's dwellings; taking care that their own persons and names should remain unknown.
• The seventh is still more meritorious, namely to bestow charity in such a way that the benefactor many not know the relieved persons, nor they the name of their benefactors, as was done by our charitable forefathers during the existence of the Temple. For there was in that holy building a place called the Chamber of the Silent, wherein the good deposited secretly whatever their generous hearts suggested, and from which the poor were maintained with equal secrecy.
• Lastly, the eighth, and the most meritorious of all, is to anticipate charity, by preventing poverty; namely, to assist the reduced fellowman, either by a considerable gift, or a loan of money, or by teaching him a trade, or by putting him in the way of business, so that he may earn an honest livelihood; and not be forced to the dreadful alternative of holding out his hand for charity. To this Scripture alludes when it says: and if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him; yea, though he be a stranger or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. This is the highest step and the summit of charity's golden ladder.

Charity is not just about money, or donating goods. When we "do" Charity, we make changes not to just our community neighbors, but to our own hearts and minds as well. As a young adult, it might be time to self-assess where your heart is, and in what manner you wish to be involved in what Jesus has commanded us all to do.

Peace to Your House,

Mike & Amy K

For RPC YA Group

rpcya.rpcnet.org

ya.at.rpc@gmail.com

Remember Nicodemus?

Remember Nicodemus?

During the burial of Jesus, something unusual happened — an underrated gesture from an "outsider" named Nicodemus. You will remember Nicodemus if you re-read the scene in John 3 in which he asked, "How can anyone get back in his mother's womb?" in response to Jesus' talk about being born again.

Nicodemus' question drew a reply from Jesus that's become perhaps the most evangelistically successful verse of all time — John 3:16. So what happened to the guy who heard those words from Jesus Himself? At first glance, not much!

In his Gospel, John concluded this scene with a nonchalant "After this," giving no indication of heart change in Nicodemus. In John 7, Nicodemus showed up again,  defending Jesus before some noisy Pharisees hell-bent on arresting Jesus — still, no concrete evidence of conversion.

In John 19 we find Nicodemus' third and final appearance, at Jesus' burial. Read this scene; and, if you have a pen & paper handy, mark down on paper every mention of Nicodemus. Underline any details you learn about him.

Did you catch the amount of spices Nicodemus brought to the burial? Seventy-five pounds! Normal Jewish burials called for five pounds of spices — an amount typically on hand in a Jewish household. Seventy-five pounds was an extraordinary amount — the quantity used to bury royalty. 

Sound like Nicodemus got it - Jesus as his King  - if a bit late.

Nicodemus showed up in broad daylight, declaring allegiance — in stark contrast with his first encounter with Jesus. What's more, you can't hide 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes. Picture 15 five-pound bags of  sugar, or the biggest dog-food bag at Pet Smart! Imagine a quantity that "makes a statement" — and that's what Nicodemus brought.

It was a bold move, but it came late. By waiting until Jesus' death to experience his King, Nicodemus missed a once-in-creation opportunity. Never again would Jesus walk the Earth exactly as He had then. Nicodemus could have  witnessed the miracles. He could have laughed with Jesus. Cried with Jesus. 

In Jesus' day, many believing Jews dialed down their commitment to Him for fear of the authorities. Perhaps that's what kept Nicodemus from all-out discipleship. What fears keep us dialed down in our relationships with Jesus?

To experience His mercy requires that we honestly admit the failures that His mercy can cover. Could fear of admitting we've blown it keep us from basking in all the mercy we can get? Temptation can be boiled down to a fear of missing out. Might this fear throw to the curb our ability to receive Jesus' strength to overcome temptation?

Or maybe we've thought our current spiritual plateau is as good as it gets. Does fear of asking a new set of questions keep us from experiencing a level of spiritual existence that's better than we could ask for or imagine?

Who knows what fears Nicodemus overcame to take that bold step alongside Joseph of Arimathea, another stealth disciple. What fears can you boldly step through in order to know Jesus now? Take a moment and think about your fears and weaknesses, and then look at each, asking something like, "How can I fully experience Jesus through this fear?" or "What once-in-creation characteristic of Jesus will help me in this weakness?"

icodemus wore the moniker "the man who visited Jesus at night" throughout John's Gospel. Now we can see him as the man who publicly crowned Jesus in the light of day. It took the duration of Jesus' ministry for him to make that change. We can start now.

If you need a tangible step, buy a five-pound bag of sugar and have yourself a coronation. When a someone asks why there's a bag of sugar in your office or car, explain away — holding nothing back. You're living a once-in creation opportunity.

-----

Study condensed from YouthWorker.com

Last Nights Maundy Thursday Service with the performance by 180 Dance Company was Moving, even with tech glitches. Did you get to experience it?

Hope to see you out for the Easter Egg Hunt, First Saturday, or Easter Services - How bout all three!

Peace to Your House!

Mike & Amy K.

ya.at.rpc@gmail.com

rpcya.rpcnet.org