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Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church |
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Easter Our History Activities
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APRIL 2008
SETTLING IN A FAVORITE SCRIPTURE It has felt odd to me all along that Easter was so early in March. Perhaps that’s because I’m not 95 years old, to remember the last time it was that early. The early Easter has left me with a sense that April is a little off-kilter for me. Granted, we have our joyous Centennial Celebration on Sunday, April 27. The early Easter is part of why we chose that date – as if April wouldn’t be April without some kind of celebration in it. And it’s not just a celebration we need; it’s a God-centered celebration we need. God’s providence to us through the 100 years in the sanctuary will be just that.
When I find myself a little off-kilter, turning to a favorite passage often helps to right my world. Again, it is getting God-centered that makes the rest of life fall into place. So, we’ll be together on one psalm for 4 weeks – Psalm 139. This is a psalm many of us know, having the echoes fill our minds at different times when we hear "Lord, you have searched me and known me" … "Where can I go from your Spirit?" … "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" … "Search me, O God, and know my heart." See what I mean? Rich passages with rich words, straight from God’s heart.
For these four weeks between Easter Sunday and our Centennial Celebration, we’ll keep looking at God’s work in and around us – taking the passive position we are largely in as we watch with wonder God at work, and then see how we can partner with that work. Be prepared for a long look at Psalm 139, as we reflect on being known (v. 1-6), being pursued (v. 7-12), being loved (v. 13-18), and being forgiven (v. 19-24). Grace and Peace,
NOTE: If this newsletter has been passed to you by one of our members as an introduction to our church, we welcome the opportunity to get to know you better through coming to worship with us. Our Sunday worship service begins every Sunday at 10:30 AM, with Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 AM. Our church is located on Presqueisle Street between 5th and 6th Streets, with parking behind the building or on the street.
TAKE A RIDE WITH A DEACON The Deacons offer the ministry of bringing folks to church who need a ride. Please contact Dave Dixon (342-6787), moderator of Deacons, if you would like a ride to church. MANY THANKS! No one seemed to hibernate this Winter, with many volunteers working quietly for the ministry of the church. We give our thanks to: Darrell Hollis who hosted the groups providing Lenten Lunches … Thanks! Those who sponsored Daffodils for the American Cancer Society … Thanks! Todd Dixon, for taking care of our parking lot and sidewalks in the snow … Thanks! Walt Chorle who updates and improves design of our website … Thanks! Joy and Bob Branstetter, who donated the new web site picture of the pastor … Thanks! Our musicians, singers, Sally Laux, and worship readers who contributed in so many ways to our Holy Week Services … Thanks! Our youth of Cody Ammerman, Sarah Chorle, Ryan Good, Kayla McCreadie, Matt Starner and youth leader Dan Nelson, for leading our Easter Sunrise Service … Thanks! Jill Blake, Jim Gearhart, and Helen Dixon arranged the "toppled cross amidst resurrection blooms" for Easter morning … Thanks! Barry Raker designed our Centennial banner to let people passing by know of the upcoming celebration, and Gary Barnett has been hanging those banners … Thanks! And many of you continue to work behind the scenes in ways we don’t even realize … Thank you so much! PW THANKS P. W. would like to thank the congregation for
KITCHEN FUND UPDATE With the Community Day coupons and Pumpkin roll fundraisers completed, our Kitchen Fund, as of March 17, 2008, was $4,650. Many thanks goes to Barbara Little and Holly Kithcart for giving their time to sell coupons and to the kitchen cooks of Holly Kithcart, Sharon Goss, Jean Krontz, Gertie Clyde, Jim Gearhart, Darrell and Helen Hollis, and Gigi Sayers. Thanks goes to those who have made donations and sponsored name plates. We will continue to trek toward our goal of $30,000, slowly but surely!
APRIL BIRTHDAYS 2 – John Kashella 20 – Ruth Kashella 3 – Ralph Nelson 24 – Rodger Pleskonko 7 – Chelsey Henry 25 – Lois Blake 10 – Laura Warner 25 – Mary Beth Eyet 10 – Paige Rishel 27 – Rose Calvin 12 – Mikayla Henry 27 – Matthew Starner 15 – Christy Johnson 30 – Ruth Kashella 15 – Tara Storck
7th – Brian and Tina Askey – 29 years 12th – Rob and Colleen Viehdorfer – 28 years 26th – Bob and Joy Branstetter – 28 years
OFFICER MEETINGS for APRIL (in the parlor) Deacons: Tuesday, April 1st @ 7:00 p.m. Session: Monday, April 7th @ 7:00 p.m. Trustees: Tuesday, April 15th @ 7:00 p.m. PW: To Be Announced
DEACONS HIGHLIGHTS
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS At its March board meeting, Session had the pleasure of approving several baptisms. It also heard reports of the many activities of the Trustees and Deacons, as well as reports from several very active committees. It approved plans for a fund raiser from the Kitchen Remodeling Committee; heard an update from the Sabbatical committee; affirmed the plans of the Centennial Committee for the April 27 celebration; and learned from Employee Relations that our pastor’s terms of call should be amended at the April 13 congregational meeting to reflect new directives from Presbytery in the sick leave area. Session was also pleased to send a gift to former intern Barbara Mosch in honor of her ordination and installation at the Milesburg Presbyterian Church. Your Session
TRUSTEE HIGHLIGHTS The Trustee meeting in March covered the following items:
a stable cash flow for the year to date. that will prepare the church for the April 27 Centennial Celebration. Several volunteers are needed to get the church ready for this event. maintenance needs foreseen for this year.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY You are ALWAYS welcome to join in the Women’s Bible Study, even if we have just one more study left! Come and join in on Monday, April 21, 7-8:30 PM in the Parlor.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING CALLED The Session has called a Special Congregational Meeting for Sunday, April 13, following the worship service, for the three purposes of:
Congregational meetings are to be held with adequate notice of at least two Sundays and ten days, with no other business addressed other than that stated.
CHURCH WORK DAY When we hold Church Work Days, we manage to knock out about 100 hours of labor on tasks that are too much for any one person. Please make time in your schedule to join the workday on Saturday, April 19, 9 AM to noon, and be part of making our church look fabulous for our Centennial Celebration. Sign up for a specific job at the 5th Street Bulletin Board, or just come and work where needed! Lunch is served to all the workers, which is a great time of fellowship! YOUNG AT HEART LUNCHEON If you are age 50 or older and "young at heart," please plan on attending the monthly luncheon in Westminster Hall on Wednesday, April 23rd @ 12:00 p.m. The cost is a $3.00 donation, which includes lunch and some form of entertainment. Please call Gertie Clyde at 342-4371 or Darrell or Helen Hollis at 342-3376 to make your reservation!
WHAT’S A TITHE? In the church world, a tithe is taking one-tenth of a total amount received in a paycheck or tax rebate or honorarium or inheritance and giving it to ministry. It’s a way of receiving God’s provision with thanksgiving by generously giving a portion away. God doesn’t need our money, but our cheerful thanksgiving to God by supporting ministry work is a delight.
Tithing can feel overwhelming in our current economic recession, but the timing might also be an opportunity to see clearly how well God provides. If you have never tithed before, perhaps a trial run is in order by considering a tithe on the government economic stimulus checks that will arrive in most of our homes in May. Since it is unplanned income, hopefully it is not already spent!
What matters most is committing to giving away a portion of this windfall with a thankful and joyous heart. Give the gift where you see it is needed most – whether to a ministry or another worthy cause. Try it once, and see what happens.
KRISLUND DATES TO MARK! – Work Day at Krislund from 9 AM to 4 PM, with every kind of help needed to get ready for summer campers! Saturday, May 17 – Open House for Krislund, to come see the changes, have some fun, or introduce camp to someone new!
LOOKING AHEAD: KRISLUND’S SNACK SHACK For Pentecost Sunday, May 11, our communion offering will be gifts for the Krislund Snack Shack of 12-packs of soda or multi-packs of individual chip bags. The offering will be taken in May up to Saturday, May 17, when it will be delivered to Krislund.
KRISLUND CAMP SUPPORT WOW! In just one Sunday, our church had enough donors come forward to sponsor two children to go to Krislund Camp. Since there are almost 50 kids in need of a scholarship this summer, this will be a great help! Thank you to those donors, and to their "$10-a-month" commitment.
KRISLUND CAMP MAINTENANCE MANAGER POSITION AVAILABLE Krislund seeks a mature person of faith and good health for immediate hire to maintain buildings and grounds, participate in new construction, assist work groups, and provide limited hosting for overnight guests. Candidate must be a team player; skilled in construction, remodeling, plumbing, carpentry, landscaping, masonry, and electrical. Terms: $15,000 plus housing, and medical insurance; $19,500 without housing. Job description and related documents are available by calling 814.422.8878 or e-mailing info@krislund.org. Submit resumes and references to: Krislund Camp, Attn: Maintenance Manager Search, POB 116, Madisonburg, PA, 16852. Direct questions to: info@krislund.org.Thank you.
APRIL 2008 CHURCH CALENDAR
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