The Bible does not explain the origin of angels-it simply presumes their existence. Scripture indicates that angels are an order of immortal, heavenly beings. Nothing in scripture indicates that angels are humans who have “graduated to a new level.” There are 108 references to angels in the Old Testament and 165 in the New Testament.**

From Genesis through Revelation angels do God’s bidding. Primarily, they deliver God’s messages, but they also perform other tasks.

The word “angel" is from Latin word angelus, which means messenger or courier. Most of the Bible’s angels appear to deliver a message from God.

An angel tells Zechariah that he and Elizabeth will have a son named John (Luke 1:11-20)

An angel tells Mary that she will have a son to be named Jesus (vs. 26-38)

God set an angel as guardian of the tree of life (Gen. 3:24)

“For he (the Lord) will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

On Their hands they will bear you up,
So that you will not dash your foot against a stone” (Ps. 91:11-12)

Satan quotes this scripture to Jesus during his temptation in the wilderness (Matt. 4:6, Luke 4:10-11)

An angel announces the birth is Ishmael, Gen. 16:11-12

An angel announces the birth of Isaac, Gen. 18:1-10

Angels assume human form. Sometimes they have an amazing brilliance about them, but not always. Sometimes they sing, but usually they simply speak-always in a language that those who hear them can understand.

The Bible tells us the names of only two angels, both called archangels (chief angels):

Michael, who name means “who is as God,” appears in Jude v.9 and in Rev. 12:7-12

Gabriel, whose names means “God is my strength,” appears in Daniels’s vision (Daniel 8:16;921-27). He also announces the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38)

Since 1927, the Historical Foundation of the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches, Inc., located at Montreat, has been the primary archive of Presbyterianism in the southeastern and southern United States. It has been highly respected as an institution and much loved by the thousands of visitors and researchers who came to its state-of-the-art facilities each year. Nevertheless, the Department of History in Philadelphia and the Stated Clerk of our denomination are determined that the Historical Foundation shall be closed and its research collections dispersed.

Proposals to maintain the Historical Foundation were presented as overtures to the 2004 General Assembly and were referred for study to a task force appointed by the Stated Clerk, with a report required to the 2006 General Assembly. Meanwhile, however, the Department of History has completely shut down the research facility at Montreat and dismissed all the permanent staff who knew the collection so well. If the 2006 General Assembly allows the closure of the Historical Foundation, some records and personal papers will go to Philadelphia, some to the Columbia Theological Seminary library, and some will be returned to donors all over the country. The purpose-built archives and museum building will be sold.

This year twenty-one presbyteries have sent overtures to the General Assembly to stop the closure of the Historical Foundation. Many have written letters of protest, including former moderators Albert C. Winn and Marj Carpenter. The Friends of the Historical Foundation at Montreat (www.historicalfoundation.org) are asking for conditional pledges to the endowment fund, to be paid only if the Historical Foundation remains at Montreat. There is also a threatened lawsuit. As a very concerned professional archivist and an Overture Advocate from New Hope Presbytery, I will be attending the meeting of the General Assembly in June. For more information or a Friends brochure and pledge card, please call me at 919-782-0944 or email btcain@nc.rr.com. I earnestly ask for your prayers and support.

Barbara Cain

The pioneers' yard sale was a great success.  We would like to thank the congregation for supporting us through donations for the sale and allowing us to hold the sale at the church.  Also, special thanks to Bill Brown, Sally Ray Warren, David McDonald, and Phyllis Hayes for helping out the day of the sale.  The pioneers raised $406 through this sale, half of which went to our budget and the other half went to our charity for the year--Halifax County Humane Society.

The pioneers held a lockin on May 5th.  We had a big crowd at La Tolteca for Cinco de Mayo dinner and had fourteen youth spend the night at the church.  Everyone had a great time, even though there were many droopy eyes the next morning.  Many thanks to all the parents who sent snacks.

We will continue to collect items for Project Christmas Child (shoeboxes) over the summer break.  We are still in need of more plastic shoeboxes, and toothbrushes and tooth paste.   We will take any new items that can be packed in these boxes, such as:  hard candy, brushes and combs, socks, underwear, flip-flops, small toys, etc.

The pioneers have one last event planned for this school year.  They have all worked hard to raise money so that we could spend a day at WaterCountry USA.  This trip is planned for June 8th, the day after school lets out.  All pioneers that plan to attend this fun day needs to contact Fred or Karen Silva at  410-0007.