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Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church |
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Easter Our History Activities
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GO, GO, GO! As we enter Advent, we will pick up on the theme of the coming Cantata by our Senior Choir and consider how we can prepare to "Go, Tell It!" (The title of the Cantata). With our devotionals to guide us daily, and our weekly worship, may this Christmas be full of opportunities to notice, point out, and witness to the glorious work of God through Jesus Christ in our lives. Join in this preparation by being attentive to daily devotions in "Good News! Great Joy!" and these Sunday sermon passages, as well as worship events:
19 – 29, with our service offering the Giving Tree and a family receiving baptism The third Sunday of Advent, December 14th: Go Say It! from Luke 1: 46 – 56, with the children presenting their Christmas Program, the Deacon Lunch, and a Christmas visitor for the children The fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21st: Go Tell It! with the Senior Choir singing their Cantata Christmas Eve, December 24th, 7:30 pm: Go Embrace It! from Luke 2: 1 – 11, with our family service ending in candlelight
Clearly, December is rich with opportunities to see God at work in ours and others’ lives! Go, go, go!
Grace and Peace in this Advent and Christmas,
NOTE: If this newsletter has been passed to you by one of our membersas 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 a.m., 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.
Conlee and Dottie Isaacson Brooke Klinefelter
Morrisdale, PA 16858 Julian, PA 16844 (814) 345-5488 (814) 933-9426 brookealex99@mail.com
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, WEDNESDAY SEWING GROUP After the November Windy Hill Bazaar, the group of women who have faithfully been sewing for about 30 years have decided to disband their weekly sewing and meeting time. Some will continue sewing for the Bazaar at home, while others will see their season of service come to a close. What an accomplishment for this Wednesday sewing group of Helen Gill, Dot Davidsen, Barb Springer, Shirley Turner, and Theresa Martha! Plus, there were several other women through the years who sewed for the group. Thank you for your lasting contribution to the Windy Hill Home. We are grateful for your service.
NOVEMBER IS INDEED THE MONTH FOR THANKS In a month of giving thanks, we give thanks for: Handymen Dick Kithcart, Don Blake, Ed Storck, Butch Kitko, and Dan Nelson for taking care of small repair jobs around the church that had piled up…thanks! The many helping hands at the Presbyterian Homes Bazaar, who made items, spread joy, and worked at the Bazaar…thanks! Darrell Hollis, for faithfully serving as Presbytery commissioner…thanks! Jeff Eyet, for writing the Minutes for our church that were approved without exception…thanks! Gary Barnett, for working above and beyond duty in keeping up with the leaves, the floors, and the polishing…thanks! The meal servers at the November 20th free meal for our community…thanks! Joy Branstetter, for finding the Peebles coupon fundraiser and implementing it…thanks! The quartet of Lisa Holden, Steve Kardohely, Dan Nelson, and Karen Wood, for singing in the Fuel Aid Concert…thanks! Carol Moore and the 22 shawl knitters, who are knitting prayer shawls and love for others…thanks! All those who prepare and set up for communion so regularly and quietly…thanks! Darrell and Helen Hollis, who helped with Fuel Aid Concert finances…thanks! All who supported the Fuel Aid Concert that raised over $3,000.00…thanks! The Deacons for arranging the Christmas shoeboxes and the 45 Christmas shoebox fillers…thanks!
The Presbyterian Homes Auxiliary of the Windy Hill Village in Philipsburg would like to give a special thank you to your congregation for helping to make our Holiday Bazaar a success again this year. The time and talents your members contribute have a special meaning to the residents. All monies made by the Bazaar go back to the Home for the needs and comforts of the residents.
This year our pledge of $12,000.00 for a new patio and furniture was paid off as well as smaller assistance for personal needs such as eyeglasses, dentures, etc. I am sure a new project will be chosen soon for the next year. Each of us has so many blessings that it is good that we pass these blessings on to others.
If you have never attended one of our bazaars, remember us next Fall and come and share some time with us and the residents. Sincerely, Gertie Clyde, Bazaar Chairman
ANTICIPATING EVERY DAY The Advent Quarter cards, enclosed with this newsletter, are a way to anticipate the coming of Jesus on a daily basis. Using the cards to mark the days, and to set aside space and time in each day to be grateful for the coming gift of Jesus, is a wonderful way to remember the purpose of Advent. Make it a family time, a prayerful time, a celebratory time.
GIVING TREE The opportunity to share our riches with those who have less will be given again to the church community on Sunday, December 7th, when we offer the Giving Tree ornaments. Each ornament represents a gift needed by a local resident in one of three local elderly ministries: Philipsburg’s Windy Hill Village of the Presbyterian Homes, Decatur Village, or the Philipsburg Towers. During the offertory time, those in worship will be invited to come to the Giving Tree to select an ornament, then go shopping for the gift designated, wrap it with the ornament placed on it, and return it to the church for delivery. Please plan to select an ornament and return the gift to the church by Sunday, December 21st. CHRISTMAS FEAST Our wonderful meal team is again cooking a free Christmas Feast to those in our community who may be alone for the holiday or may not have the means to enjoy a holiday feast. Please note that those who are lonely may be able to buy a meal somewhere, but they would still be alone. This meal seeks to meet both the needs of loneliness and financial challenges.
Through the generous gift of an anonymous donor, and the creative efforts of the planning team of Gigi Sayers, Holly Kithcart, Angie Dixon, and Barbara Little, the Christmas Feast has been set for Sunday, December 7th, at 5:00 p.m. Children of the church will sing, and there is a need for adult servers, set-up people, and clean-up people. If you know of anyone who you’d like to see invited, please contact Pastor Tracie (342-0812). Invitations are being distributed with a requirement of a reservation. The meal will serve 100 people.
WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS DINNER The Annual Women’s Christmas dinner will be Friday, December 12th at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $8.00 per person, payable at the door, but please sign up in advance. The entertainment is a "white elephant gift" sharing, where each person brings a used-but-useable wrapped gift. Guests will select gifts one-at-a-time and open them. Other guests may choose to steal a gift or open a wrapped one.
CHURCH FAMILY CHRISTMAS GREETINGS Instead of mailing out a number of cards to individual families, you are invited to send or bring one card to the church to hang on the Bulletin Board at the Fifth Street Entrance. We can all gather around and read the letters and well wishes, enjoying the news of God’s work in one another’s lives. And the generosity and joy doesn’t stop there. With the money you save from reducing the number of cards you send out, consider making a gift to the Christmas Joy Offering, or the Christmas Eve Offering, which will be designated this year to the Deacons to distribute to a variety of local needs.
Of course, you can send out cards to whomever you choose. But putting up a card at church assures that everyone receives your warm greetings. If you can put it up by December 14th, many will see the board as we go to Westminster Hall for our Soup and Sandwich lunch.
quoting Mr. Schrader: "the Christmas story is really the essence of the gospel, the good news, the best news imaginable. It is the story of the Son of God becoming the Son of Man, the second person of the triune God humbling himself to become like us, one of us, so he could be our eternal Savior. Therefore, the focus of this cantata is rightfully Jesus Christ, the Messiah. After hearing the good news, this ‘best news imaginable,’ it is only natural to expect a response. May the hope of the Remnant be your hope. May the joy of the shepherds be your joy. May the wonder of Mary and Joseph be real to you this Christmas. And, may you overflow with anticipation at the prospect of telling others about the Savior. Go Tell It!"
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES In the evening of December 24th, the church will worship jointly with our sister Church in Osceola Mills. The family service, with the candle ceremony and many musical presentations, will be held at 7:30 p.m. at our church. The communion and candlelight service will be held at 10:00 p.m. at the Osceola Mills Presbyterian Church. The meditation at both services will be the same, so each family can select the worship service most meaningful to them. So that all families can sit and enjoy the services together, nursery care will not be offered.
CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING The tradition of inviting people to give to the Deacon’s Fund for 2009 will continue at our Christmas Eve service offering time. The gifts from the Green offering envelopes, as well as the funds collected on Christmas Eve are used by our Deacons to fund the many community services we support, such as Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, Relay for Life, Shoe Bank, Special Olympics, service projects, Homebound gifts, emergency needs, and ministries to our children. Please consider a gift to their efforts beyond your regular giving this Christmas.
Our Church Kitchen Renovation………………….………..$15.00 a gift Holt Memorial Library Building Fund…………….……...$25.00 a gift Philipsburg Shoe Bank…………………………………………..$10.00 a gift Camp Krislund Covered Wagon Refurbishment…...$20.00 a gift Thailand Children’s School Supplies…………………....$10.00 a gift CORT FAREWELL Friends of Steve and Robin Cort gathered at Krislund on Sunday, November 9th, to laugh, cry, celebrate, and give glory to God for the ministry of these two fine people. Our church children sent cards of well wishes, our Session contributed to buying an acre to honor the Corts, and 10 folks from our congregation made the trip out to say farewell.
What’s next for the Corts? Steve is in the process of interviewing with a couple of churches to be a temporary supply pastor, while Robin will finish her nursing degree in May, 2009. Steve’s last day in the office at Krislund will be November 30th, with December taken as vacation time.
THE TRANSITION OF OFFICERS On Sunday, November 2nd, at the Congregational Meeting, the following officers were elected to serve: Session – Bob Branstetter will serve another 3 year term,
Deacons – Barb Hubler, Ann Rishel, Jamie Wagner, and
Trustees – Dan Nelson will serve a second term, joined by
In electing the new officers, we give our thanks to those who have faithfully served in the last term. For Session, we thank Tracy Branthoover and Joyce Kitko. For Deacons, we thank Jill Blake and Mary and Harold Shirey. For Trustees, we thank Barb Little and Shirley Turner. What a gift to have so many people who are equipped to be called to leadership in our congregation!
OFFERING ENVELOPES Anyone not currently receiving giving envelopes who would like to for 2009, please let Edie Good know.
HIGHLIGHTS – NOVEMBER DEACON MEETING
from Old St. Nick.
NOVEMBER SESSION REPORT Session was pleased to welcome three new members into First Presbyterian Church of Philipsburg: Dottie and Conlee Isaacson and Brooke Klinefelter. We are enriched by their membership.
Session also set the dates for two upcoming meetings: The Annual Congregational/Corporation Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 8th, following the worship service, and the Annual Leadership Retreat will be held on Saturday morning, February 28th, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to routine business such as receiving updates on Deacon and Trustee activities; hearing reports of the Worship, Music, Employee Relations, and Minutes Review Committees; attending to updates in "old business" dealing with the Lilly Grant, the upcoming book launch, and AED maintenance; and considering "new business" – reviewing a program designed to encourage the reading of the Bible.
In the spirit of the season, Session wishes to thank all of you for the valuable contributions you all make, large and small, to our church family in our efforts to serve our Lord and bring glory and praise to His name.
FOR OCTOBER 2008: Total Offering and Income to the General Fund: $ 6,551.65 Total Expenses from the General Fund: $ 8,732.32 Shortfall for October: $(2,180.67)
3rd – Dave Dixon 19th – Tom Sayers 5th – Ben Jeffries 25th – Joe Turner 5th – Amy Butler 27th – Lora Storck 9th – Dottie Fenton 28th – Barbara Herman 9th – Jennifer Jones 28th – Julie Jo Johnston 10th – Susan Test 29th – Perry Richmond 11th – Larry J. Ammerman 30th – Dede Coleman
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 19th – Paul and JoAnn Springer – 10 years 27th – Darrell and Helen Hollis – 50 years 28th – Allen and Joyce Kitko – 7 years 29th – Adam and Bethany Coursen – 7 years
DECEMBER 2008
SABBATICAL GRANT NEWS The article below is the official press release for our receipt of the Lilly Foundation Clergy Renewal Grant. We have agreed to put in print only their press releases. For our local congregation, work on the grant has begun through Session. Advertisements for a summer intern have been sent to seminaries, a Lay Support Committee has been formed to support the intern over the summer, and preliminary plans for the Bullis Family’s trip are being made. As we work on all the details, please pray for God’s leading, with thanksgiving for this extraordinary opportunity!
FROM THE LILLY ENDOWMENT INCORPORATED:
First Presbyterian Church of Philipsburg has received a grant of $45,000 to enable its pastor, Tracie Bullis, to participate in the 2008 National Clergy Renewal Program funded by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. The church is one of 133 congregations across the country that will support their pastors in the program, which allows pastors to step back from their busy lives and renew their spirits for the benefit of their ongoing ministry. Now in its ninth year, the program invites congregations and pastors to consider and plan a period of intentional reflection and renewal. The grant provides a time for pastors to take a break from the daily obligations and gain the fresh perspective and renewed energy that a carefully considered "Sabbath time" of travel, study, rest and prayer can provide.
Each congregation is eligible to apply for a grant of up to $45,000. Up to $15,000 of that amount can be used to fulfill pastoral duties during the minister’s absence and for expenses related to the congregation’s own renewal. The 133 grants this year total nearly $5,000,000.00 and represent 20 denominations in 36 states. First Presbyterian Church of Philipsburg plans to use the grant to send their pastor and her family on renewing travel trips. Pastor Tracie Bullis will spend a week on retreat, followed by three weeks for the family in Greece learning more about the Apostle Paul’s church plantings from the New Testament. The family will then visit Pastor Tracie’s relatives in Oregon, attend a pastor’s conference, and take a retreat in Montana. From the West Coast, the family will next travel to Thailand to visit the small but growing Christian churches there with which Presbyterian churches in central Pennsylvania have formed a partnership of support and mutual learning. When the family returns in late August, Pastor Tracie will close her sabbatical time with a final week on retreat.
The church has no intention of sitting idle in the absence of the Bullis family. They will have a seminary intern or recent graduate for the summer to provide an educational experience in small church ministry. The summer intern will be actively seeking opportunities to listen and learn from the many faithful members of the church about being a pastor. "We have heard wonderful stories from the pastors who already have experienced these sabbaticals," said Craig Dykstra, Endowment Senior Vice President for Religion. "Their time away has freed them up to pursue personal interests and needs in ways that have given them new energy for ministry – and their congregations have discovered that they didn’t fall apart without their pastor around. Indeed, they too experience refreshment and a new-found sense of their own strengths."
The Endowment’s larger goal is to bolster the good work that America’s pastors and congregations accomplish day in and day out and to reinforce and build upon important work being done on both sides of the pulpit. "In our religion grant-making, we hope to strengthen the efforts of today’s excellent pastors because it is no secret that pastors who have reconnected themselves to the passions that led them to the ministry in the first place are more likely to lead healthy and vibrant congregrations," Dykstra said.
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