Pine Cone Press
Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 5340
Longview, Texas 75608
(903) 759-2685
Rev. Cindy Barton, Pastor
(442) 235-1393
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From the Pastor’s Desk:
From the Pastor’s Desk:
Looking Inward, Reaching Outward During Lent
In the season of Lent, we prepare our hearts for the holy observance of Christ’s resurrection at Easter. We recognize that without Christ, we are simply dust and ashes. We confess sins, repent, and let go of what separates us from God; we seek and receive God’s forgiveness and grace; we extend the same to others. In this process, we are restored to wholeness and set free in Christ. Lent is a season full of challenges and blessings. It is a time when we look inward but also reach outward to others.
This year Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 18, and continues through Holy Saturday, April 4. Observing spiritual disciplines encourages self-examination, prompts change, and helps us maintain our focus on the cross of Christ. Activities that lead us toward God include fasting, prayer, scripture reading, meditation, and abstinence from activities that lead us away from God (worldly habits, sinful indulgences, or guilty pleasures). The inward examination of our souls leads individuals into confession, repentance, and recommitment to Christ.
Lent is also a time to engage in outward actions that demonstrate the coming kingdom of God, seeking justice, reconciliation, and service to others. Therefore, I encourage you to take one more step of self-examination. Ask yourself: How does my faith in Jesus impact my family, my church, and the community around me? How can I turn individual and introspective spiritual disciplines into outward acts of charity and community-building? Remember the words of Isaiah 58:6-7, “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin?” This Lent, consider ways to look inward but also to reach outward in imitation of Christ. May we learn to live “inside out”, letting Christ in our hearts become Christ in the world!
March 6 Is the World Day of Prayer in 2026
The 2026 World Day of Prayer will be celebrated on Friday, March 6, with the theme “I Will Give You Rest: Come”, based on Matthew 11:28-30. The World Day of Prayer is a global, ecumenical movement of informed prayer and prayerful action led by Christian women of many traditions, races, and cultures. Each year, a different country prepares the service materials; for 2026, women of Nigeria are the writers. Through prayer on this day, Christians affirm their faith in Jesus and share hopes, joys, fears, and needs. We confirm that prayer and action are inseparable, and that both have immeasurable influence on the world. We encourage you to pray through this day, sharing the burdens of other people, praying for them, and for the Kingdom of God to be established in the world.
Important Dates to Remember
Sunday, March 1 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Communion
Thursday, March 5 Outreach Meal - 5:30 P.M..
Friday, March 6 World Day of Prayer
Saturday, March 7 Trinity NR CPWM
Marshall CP Church
9:00 A.M.
Sunday, March 8 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Noon Meal
Daylight Saving Time Begins
Thursday, March 12 Session Meeting – 1:00 P.M.
Outreach meal - 5:30 P.M.
Sunday, March 15 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Tuesday, March 17 Saint Patrick’s Day
Thursday, March 19 Outreach Meal - 5:30 P.M.
Friday, March 20 First Day of Spring
Sunday, March 22 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Thursday, March 26 Outreach Meal - 5:30 P.M.
Sunday, March 29 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Palm Sunday
Spring Meeting of Trinity Presbytery
Trinity Presbytery met on February 20, 2026, in Houston, Texas at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The meeting brought many blessings of completed church business, shared ministry for Christ, and growing Christian friendships. This meeting was unique in that we were able to take part in two journeys of candidates for ministry: Diana Quintero was examined and received as a candidate for ministry; we celebrate with her the beginning of her journey. Licentiate David Montoya was examined and approved for ordination during the meeting and was ordained during the evening worship service. It is an honor and an inspiration to hear the testimonies of those who receive the call to Christ’s ministry and follow obediently the path God sets for them. Rev. Geoff Knight and the Houston First CP Church provided wonderful hospitality for the day, including a delicious soul food meal of collard greens, corn, fried and barbecued chicken, potato salad, and wonderful desserts. A complete “Summary of Actions”, published by the Stated Clerk of Trinity Presbytery, is available on our website or in paper copy from the church office.
Trinity North CPWM Spring Meeting
The spring meeting of Trinity North Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry will be held on March 7, 2026, at Marshall CP Church. Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. The devotional will be given by Samara Sartain. The day’s program will be offered by Dr. Mary Anderson, reporting on past and planned mission trips to Guatemala. New approaches to women’s ministry will be considered by LeIla Dixon and Luz Morales. The program will close with a memorial service honoring members who have passed away in the last year. Plan to join us!
Special Services During Holy Week
Pine Tree CP Church will host a Seder/Communion worship service on Maundy Thursday at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. This service highlights God’s unfolding plan to deliver his people as shown in the connected stories of the Jewish Passover and Christ’s Last Supper with his disciples. We are invited to join Elmira Chapel CP Church in worship on Good Friday at 6:00 P.M. in their sanctuary. This service will focus on the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. Pine Tree CPC will hold our traditional worship service in celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday at 10:30 A.M.
Pine Tree CPWM
The Pine Tree CPWM met on Saturday, February 14, 2026. Nancy Abernthy presented the day’s program, based on the book A Complaint Free World, by Bill Bowen. We were challenged to go 21 days without complaining! By intentionally changing our words, we can ultimately change our thoughts, becoming more positive, prayerful, and thankful in our outlook of daily life. The program was followed by a wonderful meal provided by Marcia Ross.
Prayer List for March 2026
Rodney Archambeau Our Church
Rebecca Armstrong Our Missionaries
Vincent Barton Maria Parker
Christine Blackwell Pat Parker
Mary Burns Betty Scott
Cade Campises Barbara Smitty
Families in Crisis Mary Stumblingbear
Billy, brother of Angie Gabler Vernon Stumblingbear and Family
Craig Gillentine Neva Gaile Tanner
Stephen Grainger Preston and Anne Timmerman
Ross Jackson Andrea Turner
Family & Friends of Faye Lavender Unspoken prayer requests
Ron Mehlhoff All U.S. Military Personnel
Jackie Merritt John Vanderslice
Ann Morehead Wanda Windsor's Husband
Freeda Nelson Jennifer Wood
Our Nation and its Leaders Trey & Megan Wyatt and Children
