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Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church |
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Easter Our History Activities
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LEADER RETREAT REVIEW
On Saturday, January 20, the current installed Deacons, Elders
and Trustees met for the morning to work on two large questions facing
our church. First we
discussed the areas of: Where
are we going as a church? What
do we what to become? How
are we going to get there? Next,
we talked about specific ministry needs in the congregation, and decided
to develop working task forces that would address the ministry
opportunities of the congregation by an age/stage division.
To this end, the Children/Youth (0-18 years) Task Force was
begun, with Dan Nelson acting as initial convener; the Seniors (65+
years) Task Force was begun, with Harold and Mary Shirey acting as
initial conveners; and the “Middle Group” (18-65 years) Task Force
was begun, with Bob Branstetter acting as initial convener.
What does this mean for you?
It means our leadership is exploring prayerfully and
intentionally our future. It
means the possibility of growth and new ministries is on our horizon,
which means meeting the needs we have, as well as seeing some changes.
It means listening for God’s call in your own life as you learn
where you might step into ministry.
It means I as your pastor will not limit the church’s growth by
being involved in every ministry and therefore only allowing growth to
go as far as I can stretch. It
means God has exciting, challenging, learning-curve, meaningful work
ahead for us all!
Be in prayer for the work this year.
Talk with your leadership and lend your perspective to them.
Listen for where you might be involved.
Praise God for his challenges and equipping of us to meet them!
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. WORSHIP LITURGIST INVITATIONLeading
in worship is not limited to officers of the church.
If you would like to share in this ministry, please contact
Pastor Tracie. We
love to have people sharing their gifts in worship! MONTHLY THANKSYou have started the year off
with many forms of gracious
service, so our thanks goes to: Babs
Herman, Ethel Cipollini, Gary
Barnett and Jim Gearhart, who took down all those lovely Christmas
decorations … Thanks! Jennifer
Johnston, who took on the added work of the Annual Report … Thanks!
The Presbyterian Women who fed
our hungry, joyful congregation
at the Annual Meeting with loving care … Thanks! The Alternative
Christmas team, led by Carol Moore … Thanks!
The new officers, who started the year
with energy, imagination, and love … Thanks!
The entire leadership team,
who spent their Saturday morning prayerfully digging into where
God is leading us …
Thanks! The many
folks who called to help with Gary’s
work while he is recovering … Thanks!
Tom Holden, who volunteered to be our “interim
custodian” … Thanks! EXPRESSION OF THANKSGary and I
wish to thank our church friends for the
cards, calls and offers of support.
But mostly, for your prayers. Pastor
Tracie's presence and encouragement has been a blessing. We are
thankful.
Laura and Gary Barnett FEBRUARY
BIRTHDAYS
6 – Barb Goss
23 – Tyler Good 9 – Holly Kithcart
25 – Jeff Eyet 9 – Garrett Broberg
26 – Harold Shirey 12 – Taylor Guelich
26 – Julie Milsom 16 – Ketura Jones
27 – Arlayne Corman 21 – Barbara Little
27 – Jackie Jones 21 – Tracy Branthoover
28 – Nancy Fetters 21 – Billy Test
FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES 5th – Bill and
Kathy Richmond – 30 years 10th – Andy and
Amy Bordas – 11 years JANUARY 2007 DEACON’S HIGHLIGHTS¨
Pastor
Tracie shared the foreword of her husband’s newly published book, The Passionate Journey. The
foreword was written by Eugene Peterson. ¨ The Board of Deacons unanimously approved the following officers for 2007: Moderator, Dave Dixon; Treasurer, Jill Blake; Secretary, Jill Reed; and Nominating Committee Representative, Amy Rodgers. ¨
Pastor
Tracie received a very nice “thank-you” card from one of the Angel
Tree families we helped over the Christmas holiday which she read to us.
The family is grateful for the Angel Tree mission. ¨
The Board
discussed this year’s Relay for Life.
It will be a Disney-theme held the weekend of June 23 and 24. Last year we donated luminaries but did not sponsor a booth.
At this time we are looking for possible ways to help, but have
not made a decision yet. ¨
We are
sponsoring a family through the Angel Food Ministries for 6 months at
$25.00 per month. We
also have a commitment to give Krislund Camp $1,000 per year for 3
years. ¨
Dick and
Karen Wood graciously gave the Deacons a donation of $500.00. ¨
February 4
will be Krislund Sunday with a guest speaker, Steve Cort, from Krislund
Camp. There will be a
covered dish lunch after church that day. The Deacons will supply the
drinks and the meat. Church
members will be asked to bring a side dish, salad, or a dessert. JANUARY TRUSTEES NOTES
is receiving the best coverage at the lowest price.
to the bell tower last
year—to make the following repairs: a)
repoint masonry above the 5th
street entrance, b) repoint
church chimney, c) repoint parts of the garage.
The cost will be approximately $3700 and work will be done in the
spring.
Group dinner that was held in
January. The group will be holding dinners on February 13 and
March 13.
TRUSTEES NOTES - continued
will be providing lunch for
any workers. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend!
during January and February
while Gary recovers from surgery.
annual maintenance inspection
of the manse. The inspection is required by the Presbytery of
Huntingdon.
lenten lunches by the
ministerium.
OFFICER MEETINGS for
DECEMBER (in the parlor)
Deacons:
Tuesday, February 6th @ 7:00 p.m.
Session: Monday,
February 12th @ 7:00 p.m.
Trustees:
Tuesday, February 20th @ 7:00 p.m. PW: Thursday, February 22nd @ 7:00 p.m. END OF MONTH FREE MEALSThe meal team who pulled
together the Christmas Feast in December are back
with the desire to serve our community through
end-of-the-month FREE meals. To this end, Session approved
the work of Barb Little, Shannon Johnson, Holly
Kithcart, and Gigi Sayers to oversee meals on the Sundays
of January 28, February 25 and March 25.
Pastor
Tracie asked for $100 gifts from the congregation for each meal, and
within minutes after the service, 8 gifts for the 3 meals were offered! The only other need is for some helping hands on the meal
dates. If you would like to
volunteer, please speak with Barb Little (342-3567). The
meals and sponsorships are: January 28: Turkey soup, salad and
rolls, sponsored by Tom and Barbara Little in memory of Barbara’s Aunt
Laura Scott. February
25: Chicken
breasts, baked potatoes and salad, sponsored by Dan, Kirsten, Taylor
and Payton Guelich in memory of Dan's Grandmother, Charlotte Albright,
who passed away in November. March 25:
Ham boiled supper and applesauce, sponsored by all the Music
Groups of the Westminster Bell Choir, Senior Choir, Sonshine Choir,
Sonshine Bells, and Instrumental Group in honor of our Music Director,
Sally Laux. APPALACHIAN TRAIL SUNDAY SCHOOLAll
adults and youth are invited to a special Sunday School (whether you
regularly attend a class or not) with Steve and Robin Cort, who will be
sharing their experiences of hiking the Appalachian Trail last summer.
Come for a delightful time of insight into how God is at work at
even the most remote places! Sunday School will be held in Westminster Hall at 9:30 to
10:15 AM to accommodate the expected number of participants. KRISLUND SUNDAYSteve Cort will be our Guest
Preacher on Sunday, February 4, as we celebrate together Krislund
Sunday. The worship service
will include a celebration of God’s work in our congregation through Krislund’s ministry, and a
chance to look ahead at where God is calling the camp. As part of this service, our church is being invited to prayerfully consider how each family might make a financial gift towards our church’s $10,000 Krislund Funding the Future Campaign pledge. The goal of the offering is to raise $1,000. If we raise more, that is an extra gift for Krislund! Please consider now how you might give a gift beyond your regular tithes and offerings. Special giving envelopes will be available on Sunday, February 4, for checks or cash. Then, following the service, our Deacons are planning a delicious POTLUCK lunch! The Deacons are providing ham slices, rolls and drinks, and ask members of the congregation to bring a side dish, salad or dessert. The fellowship will be fun, as well as the combination of delicious foods! Steve and Robin Cort will also join us for lunch to offer more information on the Campaign as well as their Appalachian Trail trip last summer. FEBRUARY FREE TRIP TO CAMPKrislund Sunday will be the
FIRST Sunday
to sign up for Krislund Camp! All
registration forms and deposit checks will
be received and held during the whole month
of February for an exciting drawing on
Sunday, March 4, for a FREE scholarship to
camp for the full amount over the deposit!
Wow!
Get your camp registration form today at
the 5th Street Bulletin Board! HISTORY COMMITTEEThe Session
is forming a History Committee
to be attentive to all God is doing
among us. Since the 125th
anniversary in 1987,
our history keeping has been sparse, so the committee
will seek to record the history of the “Moore years”, the Interim
period, and Pastor Tracie’s beginning.
In addition, they will begin
plans for the 100th anniversary of our sanctuary, as well as
look ahead to
our 150th anniversary in 2012!
If you would like to be part of this committee, or give
input to the first meeting, please join in on Sunday, February 11, at
9:30 AM in the parlor. SLINKY’S TRIPOur
Slinky’s Trip, open to 5th through 9th graders,
will be Friday, February 16 at 9:30 PM to Saturday, February 17, 8 AM.
The trip costs $15 per person, and is limited to 15 students.
Ilo Warg has the permission slips, so get yours in today! PREVIEW OF LENTThe Gospel of John will be our
Lenten sermon series book. If
you want to get a jump on your Sunday listening, you
are invited to start reading through the Gospel in preparation.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday
on February 21, followed by Communion on Sunday, February 25. During Holy Week, our choir will present their Cantata,
“This Is the King” on Sunday, April 1.
Maundy Thursday services will be held at 7:30 PM on April 5, and Easter Sunday will hold a 7 AM
Sunrise Service followed by breakfast, a Sunday School Egg Hunt, and
Worship celebrating our Risen Lord at 10:30 AM. AGAPE MEALIn keeping
with the tradition of beginning Lent together on
Ash Wednesday, the Session will be hosting an
Agape Meal on Wednesday, February 21, at 6 PM in
Westminster Hall. This
year, the meal is offered as
a gift from your Elders – inviting you to start Lent
peacefully by having no dinner to cook or dish to
bring. Please make time in
your schedule to begin this season with our faith community.
A short service with communion will follow our meal together.
Since you need not bring anything, why not begin Lent with this
simple reminder of God’s many gifts to you?
This is a wonderful way to mark Jesus’ journey to the cross,
and to invite others to explore the fellowship of our church. LENT SMALL GROUPSThe
church Lenten book, The Passionate
Journey¸ has a guide for small groups in the back.
If you are interested in trying to do a small group,
please sign up on the sheet in the church foyer listing possible meeting
times. Once we have taken
names, we will try to pull together groups based on when they can meet
and teach the group how to facilitate using the Lenten book guide. LENT BOOKSA Passionate Journey is the title of our Lenten
study this year. The book
of daily devotions is written by Marty Bullis, and our church will offer
signed copies to all purchasers. The
study takes us through the four
Gospels in 40 days – 10 days in Matthew, 10 days in Mark, 10 days in Luke and 10 days in John.
This gives us a full view of Jesus’ passionate journey to the cross from every Gospel
perspective. Plan to buy
one for each person in the family, or use it as a family devotion
together! The Session is also offering a
chance to raise our benevolent giving by offering the books for $14 each
(list price is $17.99). The
$2 profit above Marty Bullis’ author price of $12 will go directly to
the Benevolent Fund. So,
not only will we grow through this challenging, insightful study, we
will be giving to important needs, too!
Plan on purchasing gift copies for family members, non-church
friends, and special Valentines in your life!
If you would like your copies personalized by Marty Bullis, he
will be signing at the lunches after worship on Sunday, February 4. FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH CLASS STARTINGAll 5th
and 6th graders are invited to spend Ash Wednesday through
Pentecost in study with Pastor Tracie to consider the Foundations
of the Christian Faith and consider making a public proclamation
of their own faith in order to join the church.
Our time
together starts with attendance at the Ash Wednesday meal and
communion on Wednesday, February 21.
The class will then begin in
earnest during Sunday School on Sunday, February 25.
Please let
Pastor Tracie know if you want to participate in this exciting
time of faith exploration and learning! FOOD BANK OFFERINGThe Communion offering for the Food Bank on February 25 will be condiments (ketchup, mayo, etc.) Our gifts go to the Philipsburg Community Action Food Bank to supplement their meal program. Thank you in advance for sharing with others on our own feast day! WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDYThe
Women’s Bible Study will be meeting three more times
during the school year, doing a study on the book
of Genesis. Our times
together consist of
relationship building, study and prayer.
We’d love to have
more women join us! Monday,
February 26, 7-8:30 PM Monday,
March 26, 7-8:30 PM Monday,
April 30, 7-8:30 PM FLOWER CHART DATESThe
2007 Flower Chart for Worship Flowers is up in the foyer.
If you would like to sponsor one of the 12 open Sundays, please
contact Laura Barnett (342-3476) to hear about open dates.
INCOME AND EXPENSES FORTHE GENERAL FUND FOR
THE YEAR 2006: Total
Offering and Income to General Fund
$121,096.00
Total Expenses from General Fund
$120,059.00
Surplus for 2006:
$
1,037.00 Congratulations on ending the year in the black for the first time in years!Your faithfulness in
stewardship opens many doors to ministry! PER CAPITAEach year,
as part of our denominational responsibility, the church
is asked to pay a certain amount for each active member. This amount
is decided based on denominational needs and is voted on by
Presbytery. It is what
helps to pay for Presbytery and national ministries
and expenses. For 2006, the
denominational support for our church is
$25.65 per active member. While
the church is prepared to pay this
amount, you are welcome to contribute your family’s portion in the enclosed
per capita envelope. The
family portion is only necessary for active members.
Baptized children are not assessed, but youth who are confirmed are
considered active members. Thus,
a family of 4 with two confirmed youth could offer
$102.60, or 4 times $25.65.
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