The Profile
                                                                                                The Presbyterian Church

Music Director:  Susan Farris                                     241 W Court St, Paris IL 61944

Administrative Assistant: Jeanette Levellie          217-465-5118; FAX 463-1471

Custodian:  Dale Thomas                                             Web: www.parispresbyterian.org

Email: office@parispresbyterian.org

 
May/

June

2026

The Uncritical Temper

By Oswald Chambers,

My Utmost for his highest

 

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. — Matthew 7:1

 

Jesus says one simple thing about judging: Don’t. The average Christian is the most sharply critical individual. The human mind has a natural tendency to criticize, but spiritually nothing is accomplished by criticism. Only the Holy Spirit is in a position to point out what is wrong in someone, because only the Holy Spirit can do so without causing pain. When humans criticize, they only succeed in weakening and wounding.

It is impossible to enter into communion with God when we are in a critical mood. A critical mindset makes us hard and vindictive and cruel. It leaves us with the flattering idea that we are better than others. Jesus tells his disciples to cultivate the uncritical temper. This cultivation must happen repeatedly; we can’t do it once and be done with it.

There is no getting away from the penetrating gaze of Jesus. He tells us that if we see a speck in another’s eye, it means we have a plank in our own. Every wrong we see in another Jesus finds in us. Every time we judge another, we condemn ourselves (Romans 2:17–21). We must stop using a measuring stick for other people. There is always one fact more, in every person’s case, about which we know nothing.

When we decide to commit ourselves entirely to Jesus, the first thing God does is give us a spiritual spring-cleaning, showing us what we would be if it weren’t for his grace. After that, there is no possibility of pride left, nothing that allows us to go on criticizing others from a place of superiority. Once I realize what God has done for me, it is impossible to despair of anyone else.

 

                 

 

    

The lovely Easter flowers were given in Memory or Honor of:

 

  • In Honor of Tony Anthony and In Memory of Bill Anthony and Pauline Coffman from Ruth Anthony

 

  • In Memory of Reva & Harry Benefiel; George, Glenna, Rick, & Jim Veith from Steve and Debbie Benefiel

 

  • In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Donald R. Ewart, Sue Ann Ewart Peters, Mr. Glen Brower, & Mrs. Arthur Benson,

Mr. & Mrs. Dwight Parkinson, Rosalee Swim, and Annika Boerema  from Jerry and Mabel Benson

 

  • In Memory of Lloyd & Frances Lindsey, J. David Lindsey, Lehre´ Lindsey Fuller, and Elmer & Alice Bergdolt

from Barbara & Terry Bergdolt

 

  • In Memory of our parents and family who have gone before from Jane & Steve Blair

 

  • In Memory of Lehre´ Lindsey Fuller, Lloyd & Frances Lindsey,  David Lindsey, and Russell & Genevieve Gough from Ken & Liz Gough and family

 

  • In Memory of Charles & Genevieve Willis and Gloria & Bill Hebermehl from Tom and Joanna Hebermehl

 

  • In Memory of Hugh & Lois Cross and Wayne & Lois Jones from Carol Jones

 

  • In Memory of my husband, Alvin, our daughters Stephanie & Melany, our parents, and In Honor of my sister and brother from Juanita Kimball

 

  • In Honor of Susan Farris and her lovely music from Jeanette Levellie

 

  • In Memory of Rosemary & Kenneth Stephens, Walter Kimble, and Virginia Collier from Mary Anna Ludington

 

  • In Honor of the Helping Hands soup kitchen for what they do for the community from Lisa McCollough

 

  • In Memory of Pam Piper-Griffiths, Bob Rhodes, Mary McCloud, and Charles & Veda Gore from Betty Piper

 

  • In Memory of Paul Ruff and In Honor of my kids and grandkids from Beth Ruff

 

  • In Memory of Dr. Jim Acklin      from Sally Acklin

 

 

SUNDAY, MAY 10:

Mother’s Day/Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday. We will have a gift for each lady present.

 

SANCTUARY CHOIR NEWS

     Already we are a month past Easter, the focus of our last newsletter. Our Maundy Thursday service was very meaningful; the music and Scripture readings told the dramatic story very effectively. Several from New Providence joined us for the service, and a few of us attended their Good Friday service the following evening.

        Our joyous Easter service included the traditional “Hallelujah Chorus” from MESSIAH, but in a different format this year: a piano/organ duet performed by Steven Schneider and Susan Farris. It was glorious and uplifting! Steve and Susan also combined their talents on the prelude and postlude that day.  

        We are still in the season of Easter, and we look forward to celebrating Pentecost, the “birthday” of the church.

        Our choir members range from four on a low day to seven on a good day. We welcome Robert Howrey back from Florida and we are glad to have Mabel Benson singing again. We miss our sweet Juanita (Kimball) and send our continued prayers and good thoughts as she recovers from surgery.

     The choir will continue to sing through June. Please support us and worship with us. “Blest be the tie that binds” us together as a church family.

                                                —Susan

 THE  CHRISTIAN CALENDAR

 

May 24, Pentecost According to Acts 2, it was fifty days after Good Friday (or May 24 this year) that God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower the witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. This same Spirit is offered to all his disciples, giving us visions of hope, freeing us to serve our neighbors, setting us to love one another. Therefore, on the Day of Pentecost, we celebrate God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, which enables us to observe and proclaim all that God has done and is doing for us, and all people. The first Pentecost is sometimes called “the birthday of the Christian Church.” Some people celebrate by wearing red, symbolizing the tongues of fire mentioned in Acts 2. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of the

Lord’s Supper on May 24.  

 

Trinity Sunday, May 31 – The Sunday after Pentecost each year is Trinity Sunday. It is an annual reminder of the threefold nature of God, so that we will not neglect any of the three persons – Father, Son, or Holy Spirit – or focus on one to the exclusion of the others.

Sunday, June 21

   We will expand the “Father’s Day” holiday a little, and also celebrate

“Men of the Church Day,” expressing our appreciation for all the gifts that all men bring to the church.

 

Susan Hiddle’s memorial service is on Saturday, May 16 at 11 a.m. at the First Methodist Church. If you are interested in singing in a choir that day to honor Susie, the final rehearsal is this coming Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the church.

 

Vacation Bible School

After discussion, the Session agreed that we will not participate in community VBS as a church, due to lack of children and the absence of a minister.  Individuals are encouraged to participate on their own if they’d like. The dates are Sun., July 12 to Thurs. July 16, 5-8 p.m. at the Paris Methodist Church. For more information, call 217-466-4215

 

        

MAKE SOMEONE’S DAY!  SEND A GREETING:

 

Jane Bittner, 222 S. 25th St, # 212, Terre Haute, IN 47803

 

Mary Anna Ludington, 520 E. Madison, Paris

 

Alice Sprague, 721 E. Court St, #124, Paris

 

Jerry Benson, Twin Lakes Rehab, 310 S. Eads Ave., Room #10, Paris

 

Juanita Kimball, Twin Lakes Rehab 310 S. Eads Ave., Room #6, Paris

FAITH IN ACTION BENEFIT

    A “Drive-Thru Pork Burger Sandwich” event (pork burger prepared by Farm Credit, chips, cookies, & water) to benefit Faith in Action

  • Day and time: Friday May 15, from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Place: First Christian Church parking lot, on the corner of Main and Washington Streets.
  • Price: donation
  • All proceeds benefit Faith in Action, who helps those who cannot help themselves

 

In the coming weeks, please pray for:

  • The pastor search committee,
  • Alice Sprague,
  • Juanita Kimball,
  • Jerry Benson,
  • Dale Thomas,
  • Marti Sturmer,
  • Mary Anna Ludington,
  • Alice Sprague,
  • Government officials,
  • Worldwide revival

 

 

 MAY BIRTHDAYS

 2 Barbara Palmer    

   Jane Bittner

 4 James Feutz

   Jennifer Martin

10 Jared Trogdon

11 Brianna Blair Hasler

12 Larry Jones

14 Mary Anna Ludington

15 Betty Piper

16 Sara McCrocklin

19 Sam Roberts

    Jenni Trogdon McKay

24 Scott Lindsey

27 Ross Penczek

 

MAY ANNIVERSARIES ©©

19 Ken & Liz Gough

25 Jeff & Sarah Penczek

29 Brian & Tami O’Bannon

   

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

 2    Gareth Blair

 4    Scott Blair

 7    Susan Farris

14    Debra Jipp  

17    Amber Farris

19    Mabel Benson

21    Beth Ruff

       Zach Gough

23    Stephanie Benefiel

25    Steve Benefiel

26    Barbara Bergdolt

27    Marti Sturmer

 

JUNE ANNIVERSARIES

15    Tom & Joanna Hebermehl

18    Terry & Barbara Bergdolt

19    Alan & Christie Russell

23    Steve & Debbie Benefiel

28    Steve & Jane Blair

30    Brian & Jessica Blair