Pine Cone Press
Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 5340
1805 Pine Tree Road
Longview, Texas 75608
(903) 759-2685
Rev. Cindy Barton, Pastor
(442) 235-1393
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.gmail.com
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From the Pastor’s Desk:
Lifting Prayers of Hope for the Community of Christ
Psalm 91:2 says, “You are my refuge and my hope, my God, in whom I trust.” The word of God assures us that He is always with us, guiding, protecting, and providing. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16) God has a plan and a purpose for every person on earth and for every church he has brought into existence. Individually and collectively, our purpose is to glorify God. He made us to live in Holy Community with Him and with each other. Psalm 91 is God’s promise of hope to sustain us through times of trial. In these days, we may find ourselves – as individuals and as churches -- struggling to make ends meet, to find our purpose, and to be thriving and growing in Christ. Let us understand that in this season of time, we are not forgotten by God. His promises are new each morning. Together, all Christ-believing churches are the hands and feet of Christ on earth. In this season of time, we are called to carry on the ministry of Jesus, which was to draw all people to God through sacrificial love. Jesus has called us into relationship with himself, with God, and with each other. If we understand that God has a personal plan for each human life, why do we question that he also has a plan for each Christ-believing church?
In this season, let us be in prayer for the will of God and the passion of Christ in our lives and in the ministries of our churches. We are unique individuals, drawn together in Christ for the glory and purpose of God. We are challenged to open our hearts to relationship with others that we may all be drawn into God’s Holy Community. As our churches struggle to thrive, we must turn fervently to humble prayer, seeking God’s will. What is he calling you to do? What is he calling us to do together? Pray for God’s vision to be revealed to us. Pray for open and humble hearts and minds that we may receive God’s direction. Pray and wait for God’s response. Lamentations 3:22-24 reminds us, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.’” To God we say, “Good morning, God! Hear our prayers!”
All Saints Day Observance
Pine Tree CP Church will observe a traditional service of worship honoring believers who passed before us on Sunday, November 2, at 10:30 A.M. Please contact the church office to add the names of loved ones who have passed away in the last year to our service of remembrance, and plan to join us for this special worship service. We will also dedicate the new paraments the church received through memorial gifts honoring past member William Everrett.
Important Dates to Remember
Sunday, October 5 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Communion
World Communion Sunday
Thursday, October 9 Session Meeting 1:00 P.M.
Sunday, October 12 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Noon Meal
Pastor Appreciation Sunday
Monday, October 13 Columbus Day
Saturday, October 18 CPWM – 10:30 A.M.
Sunday, October 19 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Sunday, October 26 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Native American Sunday
Friday, October 31 Halloween
Activities of the Pine Tree CPWM
Members of Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry will gather on October 18, 2025, at the church. Helen Nunn will present the program. Refreshments will be provided by guest Brad Karl. Throughout this month we are collecting candy donations to be distributed to residents at Pine Tree Lodge at Halloween.
Angela Merritt’s Obituary
Angela Michele Merritt was called back to the Lord on the morning of August 25, 2025 at the age of 51. She was a beloved mother, daughter and sister as well as a friend and supporter of many others. No matter what challenges she faced in life, she gave it all she had and never gave up. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and her son, Joshua Merritt Perez. She is survived by her parents, Larry and Jackie Merritt of Liberty City, Texas and her sister and brother-in-law Stephanie and Joseph Hoffman of White Oak, Texas, her sons Samuel Perez of Liberty City, Texas and Connor Perez of California. Angela was a blessing to all who knew her and will be greatly missed.
Trinity North CPWM
The Fall meeting of the Trinity North Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry was held at Elmira Chapel CP Church on Saturday, September 6. The theme of “Bind Us Together”, based on Colossians 3:14, was displayed in the day’s events. Guest speaker, Jackie Hayden, brought a message of hope as we persevere through times of waiting for God. As we wait for him to respond to our prayers, we listen to hear his call on our lives. Representatives of each local CPWM unit gave a brief presentation of ministry activities through which individuals and groups are actively sharing the love of Christ in our local communities. We were amazed to hear of the broad spectrum of activities that are accomplished by members of Trinity North CPWM. We enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Elmira Chapel CPC. The afternoon meeting closed with Communion.
Fall Meeting of Trinity Presbytery
The Trinity Presbytery Fall Meeting was hosted by New Journey CP Church on September 26, 2025. Business of the meeting included sharing of reports from working committees and from entities responsible for enacting ministry activities. We approved amendments to the CPC Constitution, approved the presbyterial budget for the coming year, and approved various grants to assist congregations in property and maintenance needs and meeting insurance costs. We were honored to meet Rev. Jhony Montaño, Moderator of General Assembly and his wife, who are from Colombia. Pastoral messages of the meeting were challenging and meaningful. Licentiate David Montoya brought a devotional entitled “Are We Praying As We Should?”, based on Matthew 6:6. Rev. Moderator Jhony Montaño provided the sermon during evening worship. Entitled “Running to Avoid Disqualification”, based on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, his words challenged us to evaluate our ministry efforts for Christ and to realign our work with the will of Almighty God, lest we be disqualified from the “race” God has set before us. Both messages encouraged us to work harder to prayerfully discern God’s call upon our lives and our church ministries, and to persevere in obedience to his direction. The hospitality of New Journey CP Church included a beautifully decorated setting, delicious food, and wonderful fellowship. A Summary of Actions of the meeting, provided by our Stated Clerk, is available at the church or on our website. We are thankful for this blessed meeting of Trinity Presbytery.
