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Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church |
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Easter Our History Activities
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THE FUN OF HISTORY
I wasn’t much of a history student, but I am a gaining a growing
interest in history, perhaps because I am living more of it!
One of the arenas that has peeked my interest is the enthusiasm of
the History Committee as they prepare for our 100th anniversary
in the Sanctuary (to be held April 27, 2008 for those planners out there)
and then our congregation’s 150th anniversary in 2012.
At
Session this month, one of our elders summarized bits he had read in our
church’s history and invited us to look back, learn, and then look
forward. We found his
insights helpful – seeing how the church had weathered ups and down,
false starts and surges, long pastorates and empty pulpits.
It reminded us that our church really is the church of Jesus
Christ, regardless of who is pastor or who sits in the pews.
It reminded us that God is about his work, and that we get to be in
on it. It reminded us that
circumstances pale in comparison to the steadfast love of God, evident
over the years among us. And,
it reminded us that we have great stories to tell because we are part of
God’s story – HIS-story, if you will, and that is always a good read.
Keep
attentive in the next year as our History Committee asks for and listens
to your story in word and picture to celebrate God’s gracious work among
us.
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. THANKS ABOUND
May seems
to be a full month in
many of our lives, so we are
especially grateful for those who
gave of their valuable time and gifts.
Spring flower sales continue under the
able leadership of Ethel Cipollini, so thank
you to all who bought, sold and worked on flower
arrival day. The Mother-Child
banquet was another
delight, with thanks to the Presbyterian Women who planned
it and to Marty Bullis, Walt Chorle, and Erik Johnson who served
at it. The children graced us
with their talents, and thanks go to Karen
Wood and the Sonshine Choir, Ryker Bullis, Kayla McCreadie, Sarah
Chorle, the Reed boys, and Jill Reed for entertaining.
We give thanks for the
youth of our church who led worship May 20.
Many thanks to Jen Starner and the
Sunday School, who made sure every woman in church had a gift on
Mother’s Day. Warm thanks
to the Young at Heart crew, who have seen their senior lunch ministry
blossom every year. Much
gratitude goes to the anonymous donor who celebrated the Sonshine Bell
Ringers with the gift of a Curve game on May 16. CONGRATULATIONS!
Billy
Test has graduated from State College High School and received a full
scholarship to William Patterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, where he
will double major in Jazz Performance and Classical Piano. Congratulations! Our Congratulations also go out to Dana Springer and Laura Gilham who both graduated from the Pennsylvania State University this past May. We wish both of them the very best in their future endeavors! Officer Meetings for June (in the parlor)
Deacons:
Tuesday, June 5th @ 7:00 p.m.
Session:
Monday, June 11th @ 7:00 p.m.
Trustees:
Tuesday, June 19th @ 7:00 p.m. PW: To Be Announced MAY DEACONS HIGHLIGHTS
Trustees
welcomed some Philipsburg-Osceola High School students into the church for a Day of Caring activity on April 27.
They worked inside the church as it was a rainy day. Easter
Season Kudos—many people commented on how well the Easter
Sunrise Service went, and there has been a great response in keeping that
service in Westminster Hall next year.
There was positive feedback on the Easter breakfast, the many
different Easter services, music by all the choirs
and individuals and flowers. There
is talk of buying a keyboard for Westminster Hall as the downstairs piano
is in bad shape. This will
help with the Sunrise Service and other activities that take
place in Westminster Hall. Shannon
Johnson volunteered and went to a food safety class. She learned about cross-contamination, safe temperatures of food, proper hand-washing and other tips for preventing food borne illnesses. There is a book to be kept in the kitchen that contains some of this information. Also, Shannon was given a certificate for food service. It is nice for our church to have someone certified in that area. There
are sanitary tablets that can be purchased and kept in the kitchen.
Deacons decided that
it might not be a bad idea to buy a bottle for our kitchen. New policy for the kitchen:
Take home all disposable food items after any meals are served
in the kitchen. August
19 – This
date is being proposed for the joint picnic with Osceola Church.
We will
be asking Osceola if they would like to have the picnic in their town this
summer. Nothing
is confirmed yet. More
details will follow at a later time. MAY
TRUSTEES HIGHLIGHTS
The
Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, May 15, and managed the following
business: 1.
heard a report on the Bragonier trust that it is
doing very well this year 2.
planned to meet in August with Jones Insurance to
discuss the insurance coverage
for the church and
allocated money for the supplies that will be needed for the work
projects. Will
need to have volunteers for supevision for the days that they will be
working from
9:15 to 2:30. If you are available please speak to Barbara Little. 4.
discussed the Building Use Coordinator position and
will publish a job description
5.
Kitchen committee will be making a trip to Altoona
to see the showroom for
the commercial kitchens and get estimates on the appliances. June Birthdays
1 – Madelen Bullis
24 – Pat Milsom 5 – Robert Viehdorfer
24 – Todd Reed 10 – Lisa Coble
25 – Colleen Viehdorfer 13 – Nathan Lesko
26 – Todd Jeffries 18 – Susan Millward
26 – David Moore 18 – Dylan Viehdorfer
27 – Bonnie Rodgers 21 – Ed Jones
28 – Matthew Bordas
23 – John Freeman
30 – Ilo Warg
23 – Mary Shirey
24 – Edward K. Good
June Anniversaries 9th – David and
Sally Laux – 23 years 11th – Dave and
Jackie Houser – 30 years 11th – Walt and
Lisa Chorle – 19 years 17th – Lynn and
Mary Gilham – 29 years 24th – Tom and
Gigi Sayers – 34 years 29th – Richard
and Karen Wood – 33 years NEW MEMBERS
Our
Foundations of Faith Class completed their course of study, beginning
on Ash Wednesday and going into Pentecost Sunday.
The
following youth made a decision to join our church by profession
of faith, and will be welcomed in the worship service on Sunday,
June 3:
Cody Ammerman, son of Jerry and Michelle Ammerman
Sarah Chorle, daughter of Walt and Lisa Chorle
Carly Gonder, daughter of Jeff and Kim Gonder
Ryan Good, son of Ed and Edie Good
Sarah McCliment, daughter of Jim and Joy McCliment Kayla McCreadie, granddaughter of Barbara Hubler
Matthew Starner, son of Steve and Jen Starner SUMMER KICK-OFF PICNIC The Deacons are holding our
Summer Kick-Off Picnic at Dick and Karen Wood’s house in Gearhartville on
Sunday, June 10 at Noon. All
are welcome and asked to bring a covered dish.
Hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks will be provided.
Immediately following lunch, the Middler Ministry team will be
talking with folks about potential ministries in
the Fall while the Deacons do games with the kids.
After that brief meeting, the
pool and baseball fields will be open for fun and play all afternoon.
If you plan to attend, please sign up at the church or call the church
office (342-0812). THE
YARD SALE IS COMING
The
Annual Church Yard Sale will be held June 14 (for church member purchases)
and June 15-16 (for public sale). The
church sale starts at 9 AM on Friday and Saturday. Sale items can be
brought to the church basement. One
of the best items to sell is costume jewelry.
If you need items picked up, Paul Springer can make arrangements to
do so. This year, the Deacons
will be offering a lunch. Please
contact Ethel Cipollini to lend a hand in the sorting, pricing, and
selling. It’s not just about good bargains – it is a lot of fun
with friends! RELAY
FOR LIFE
While our church is not
sponsoring a Relay team this year, we are supporting the survivor dinner
by bringing macaroni salad to the meal.
Please contact Deacon Sally Nelson
(342-2509) if you would like to contribute a salad.
The Deacons also invite you to
aid the fight against cancer by supporting other Relay for Life teams and
visiting the Relay on Saturday, June 23. PRISON
WORK TEAM
During
the last week of June and the first week of July, a prisoner work team
will be at the church again working on our building needs. These many hours of labor help keep our building in good
shape, and give meaningful work to those who are serving time.
If you are
able to support this effort by being on-site for one day of the work week,
please speak with Dan Nelson, chair of Trustees.
We provide coffee and run errands for supplies that are needed.
It is a good chance to be the hands and face of Christ to another
who is in need. KRISLUND CAMPERS
As a
church, we covenant to nurture our children in the faith, and part of
that is our sponsorship to children to go to Krislund Camp. Please pray
for these children and their summer camp experience:
Main Campers for June 24-30 include Eliot Reed, Ben
Jeffries, Skylar Moore,
Kayla McCreadie, and Emily Bush-Clark.
Mini Campers for July 1-3 include Ethan Reed, Noah Jeffries,
Todd Reed, and
Quincy Moore.
Mini Campers for July 5-7 include Ryker Bullis, Madelen
Bullis, Taylor Guelich,
and Payton Guelich. SUMMER
SUNDAY SCHOOL BREAK
For July and August, Sunday
School will take a break, while our worship service time will move to 9:30
AM on Sundays. The
Children’s Church ministry during worship WILL continue
to be offered for worship ministry to our families with children
entering Kindergarten and younger.
MARK
YOUR CALENDAR NOW!
Just a reminder to all helpers
and kids – Vacation Bible School dates will be the week of August 13-16
for kids from 3 years old to those who have completed 3rd
grade. Please note the date
in your home schedules!
Income and Expenses for
the General Fund for April, 2007: Total
Offering and Income to the General Fund
$11,717.46
Total Expenses from the General Fund
$10,046.32
Surplus
$ 1,671.14
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