What the Seed Already Knows

On small offerings, hidden grace, and the loaf that keeps rising

For five weeks this autumn, we have been sitting together at the feet of Jesus the storyteller — slowing down to notice what we might otherwise rush past. We have practiced the habit of paying closer attention, and that practice has been quietly reshaping us. It seems right, then, that our stewardship season should grow directly from that ground.

When we bring our gifts — whatever their size, whatever the season of our own lives — we are not offering finished things. We are offering beginnings. And the Spirit knows what to do with beginnings.

Our giving, in the end, is not a transaction and not a performance. We do not give to prove our devotion or to establish our standing. We give because we have been met by mercy — because the Divine has been extravagantly generous with us, with life, with community, with grace beyond what we could ask or imagine — and generosity, received, wants to move. It leavens the whole loaf: the pastoral care offered in a moment of grief, the child whose faith is shaped here, the family in our city who receives a meal or a utility bill paid. None of that makes headlines. It rises unseen, and yet it feeds people.

Enclosed in your stewardship mailing you will find a commitment card and a return envelope. We invite you to hold them gently — not as a form to fill out, but as a prompt for prayer. Your financial gifts, alongside your time, your presence, and your compassion in ordinary moments, sustain this congregation's worship, pastoral care, discipleship, and outreach, and strengthen our capacity to extend justice and mercy beyond our own walls. No gift is too small. No gift is too great. Each one is a seed placed into the keeping of the One who knows exactly what seeds can become.

On Commitment Sunday, October 25 — the last Sunday of this month — we invite you to bring your completed pledge card forward during the offertory as a collective, embodied act of intention. Cards may also be placed in the offering plate, or you may give digitally using the QR code printed on the card or mailed in using the self-addressed envelope. Whichever way you offer it, the gesture is the same: an open hand, a willing heart, a seed entrusted to God. We look forward to making that offering together. For those who feel called to think beyond the immediate, more information about legacy giving will follow later in 2027.

Two Events at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary on Christian Zionism

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (LPTS) and Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) are hosting two major events on the theme of Christian Zionism on Friday October 30 and Saturday October 31 at the Seminary. Here are some basic details:

Christian Zionism and Its Victims -- a talk with Dr. Mark Taylor -- Friday, October 30 from 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

• This talk will focus on the urgency for Christian engagement to end the violence in the Holy Land. 

When Theology Kills: Tools for Understanding Christian Zionism-- Saturday, October 31 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

• Organized by the Mid-Kentucky Presbytery, this session will be interactive seeking to answer questions about Christian Zionism. It is particularly geared for people in congregations wanting to understand and discussing ways of engaging our congregations. Questions that will be considered: What is Zionism? Is there a difference between Christian Zionism and Jewish Zionism? Is anti-Zionism antisemitic? Why did the 2026 PCUSA General Assembly "reject all forms of Christian Zionism? Why might all this matter? (a graphic is attached)

The events are free. For registration and further information click this link: https://cmep.org/cmep-events/louisville-presbyterian-advisory-council/

Creation in Just a Few Words

A Collection of Haiku

Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) invites individuals to participate in the growing earth care movement within PC(USA) and beyond. We will be sharing a Haiku Collection made possible by members and friends of PEC each week. Each week will feature 3 different Haikus. This week centers on Creation.

Delicate balance

Dark and light and warm and cold

Synergy and peace

by Bill McConnell

This world is God's gift

Our task is to care for it

We must do our job

by Nancy Jones

We are called to care

for all of God's Creation

We have failed our task

by Nancy Jones

Mahjong Group

Our Mahjong Group is growing! If you'd like to learn something new, or if you're an experienced player, please come and check it out! All are welcome. Come and join the fun!

Our next meet-up is Tuesday, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Prayer Group for the Middle East

Feel free to join us Thursdays on Zoom, in-person, or both. This group has enabled such support for one another as we all struggle to cope with the tragedies in the Middle East and the on and off cease fires and prisoner releases. The first Thursday of each month the group will meet in person. Please reach out to Soni for locations.

We would be grateful to have others join us. Email Soni at soni.castleberry@gmail.com to get the Zoom link and be added to the group email list for regular communication.

Did You Know? What Presbyterians Believe

about the Scots Confession - Part 2

CHAPTER 1  God 3.01

We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone we put our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. By whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by his inscrutable providence for such end as his eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice have appointed, and to the manifestation of his own glory.

CHAPTER II The Creation of Man 3.02

We confess and acknowledge that our God has created man, i.e., our first father, Adam, after his own image and likeness, to whom he gave wisdom, lordship, justice, free will, and self-consciousness, so that in the whole nature of man no imperfection could be found. From this dignity and perfection man and woman both fell; the woman being deceived by the serpent and man obeying the voice of the woman, both conspiring against the sovereign majesty of God, who in clear words had previously threatened death if they presumed to eat of the forbidden tree.

CHAPTER III Original Sin 3.03

By this transgression, generally known as original sin, the image of God was utterly defaced in man, and he and his children became by nature hostile to God, slaves to Satan, and servants to sin. And thus everlasting death has had, and shall have, power and dominion over all who have not been, are not, or shall not be reborn from above. This rebirth is wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost creating in the hearts of God’s chosen ones an assured faith in the promise of God revealed to us in his Word; by this faith we grasp Christ Jesus with the graces and blessings promised in him.

(from https://pcusa.org/sites/default/files/boc2016.pdf p49-50)

October 2026 Birthdays



October 1 - Ben Langley

October 2 - Richard Recob

October 3 - Jack Marcum

October 5 - Ivy Paliewcz-Wahlang, Lucy D. Steiberg

October 8 - Martha Gee

October 12 - Perry Chang

October 19 - Ginny Brown

October 23 - Brad Castleberry

October 27 - Luiz Kemmerle, David Wilding

To double-check your listing, contact the office at office@crescenthill.church or call 502-893-5381.

Deacon of the Month

October’s Deacon of the month will be Anita Cary. Anita can be reached at 502-220-1420 or at 4anitacary@gmail.com

Elder of the Month

October’s Elder of the Month will be Soni Castleberry. Soni can be reached at 502-417-6481 or at Soni.castleberry@gmail.com.