wfn.org | Worshipers are encouraged to evaluate themselves spiritually

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

01-July-1996 
 
GA96033 
 
 
 Worshipers are encouraged to evaluate themselves spiritually at Assembly 
 
ALBUQUERQUE--Those attending daily worship July 1 were treated to a medley 
of soul-stirring hymns and were encouraged to evaluate themselves 
spiritually during the 208th General Assembly. 
 
    Fiona Squares, song leader and cantor during worship, is from the 
Community of Iona, Scotland, a Christian community devoted to living the 
gospel. Squires, a member of the Iona worship group, was joined by harpist 
Donese Mayfield, organist/harpist for Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian 
Church in Albuquerque. 
 
    They were joined by musicians Marshall and Melissa Henrie, also of 
Albuquerque. Melissa is a Cibola High School student and her father, 
Marshall, is employed by Honeywell. Liturgist during the service was elder 
Elsie Ortega Miranda, a 75-year-old retired nurse who has been a member of 
El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church in Chimayo, N.M. since 1937. 
 
    The Rev. Frank Harrington, senior pastor of Peachtree Presbyterian 
Church in Atlanta, spoke on the topic "Have You Had Your Annual Spiritual?" 
Harrington, a candidate for moderator of the 204th General Assembly (1992), 
took his text from Luke 11:37-54 in which Jesus criticized the Pharisees, 
the spiritual and religious leaders of that time, for their hypocritical 
treatment of others and for their shallow spirituality. 
 
    "It seems to me that one of the functions of the General Assembly is 
for us to have an annual spiritual," Harrington said. "A chance for us to 
evaluate our spiritual health and take whatever steps are needed for us to 
continue our well-being." 
 
    Harrington said the church should be careful in the way that it treats 
people since this is a very important aspect of its witness to the world. 
He said the denomination must also endeavor to "never become a burden to 
the people," it is committed to serve. 
 
    He encouraged his audience to take the Bible both "literally and 
seriously" and called upon Presbyterians to "love one another" in the body 
of Jesus Christ. 
 
    "I want this church and this Assembly...to realize who we are," 
Harrington said. "We are the children of God and we need to go forth and 
claim our [spiritual] inheritance." 
 
Julian Shipp 

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