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Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church |
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Easter Our History Activities
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JANUARY 2010 MORE QUESTIONS – RESEARCHING TOGETHER THROUGH READING We took six weeks in the Fall to consider some questions in the Bible that people just like us ask about God and God’s work in the world. Now, as we turn to our Bible reading for the year, I’ll be exploring the questions that Jesus asks in Scripture, with a particular focus on the readings in Mark that we will have before Lent starts in February. So, our Bible reading each day will be helpful preparation for worship, as well as instill in us the largeness of God’s story in that of Jesus Christ. It’s just one more reason to take 5-7 minutes each day and hear God’s word to each of us. As you read, consider the questions Jesus asks each week: (Look for the listing of January Bible readings in this newsletter.)
January 3 Mark 2:18-3:6 Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking? January 10 Mark 3:19b-35 Who’s on My Side? January 17 Mark 5:1-9; 25-32 Do I Know You? January 24 Mark 6:40-44; 8:1-10 What Can You Offer? January 31 Mark 8:27-30 Who Am I to You? February 7 Mark 9:14-29 How Much Longer? February 14 Matthew 8:23-27 Why Are You Afraid?
Grace and Peace,
FEAST! The Christmas Feast on Sunday, December 6 was called the best yet by several folks! We served 98 sit-down guests, loads of volunteers, and our children’s choir. The tables were festive and lovely, the food was plentiful, hot and delicious, and the children sang like angels! Desserts from our congregation gave variety to the end of the meal. This year, our quartet added to the entertainment, which gave a good overview of the range of musical talent in our congregation. What a feast! This is our 4th annual event! The planning team of Angie Dixon, Barb Little, and Holly Kithcart, with cooking help from Dottie Isaacson, Mary Whitehead, Dick Kithcart, Helen Dixon, and Tracy Branthoover made it possible – plus a gracious donation from an anonymous donor who wanted to celebrate Christmas with us all!
THANKS FOR THE FEAST Dear Friends,
SNOW AND WORSHIP REMINDER In the case of snow on Sundays, Pastor Tracie will plan to conduct the worship service for all who can attend. While this may mean a service without an organist or choir, we will worship in the spirit of "where two or three are gathered." Each member of the congregation is encouraged to make the best individual choice they deem necessary for travel and attendance in inclement weather.
THE 2010 WORSHIP FLOWERS The flower chart for 2010 is in the narthex with weeks selected based on prior years of sponsorship. If your name is listed from prior years and you wish to make a change, please notify Laura Barnett at 342-3476. If you would like to sponsor flowers one week, please fill in any blank date on the chart or call Laura.
A NOTE OF THANKS! Thank you! The support of the church family through cards, calls and other gestures of kindness during my recent surgery and recovery is greatly appreciated. From Laura Barnett
MANY THANKS – December joy was started in the gift of Jesus for us, so we give thanks for the many who gave to our church in significant and meaningful ways. Thank you! To Karen Wood, Paul Springer, and Sally Laux, for directing and playing the music for the Kids’ Program … thanks! To Jill and Casey Blake, Christy Johnson, and Jen and Matt Starner for costuming and corralling the participants of the Program … thanks! To Don and Jill Blake and Mouse and Helen Dixon, and the other folks who decorated the church for Advent and Christmas … thanks! To the Senior Choir, for the gift of your voices for the Cantata … thanks! To Sally Laux for playing and directing the Cantata … thanks! To the many gift-givers who made sure the needy elderly in Philipsburg had gifts for Christmas … thanks! To Todd Dixon for parking lot and sidewalk plowing … thanks! To outgoing leadership (Deacons - Dave Dixon, Amy Rodgers, Jill Reed and Karen Wood; Elders - Darrell Hollis, Julie Jo Johnston, and Susan Millward; Trustees - Gary Barnett, Julie Milsom, and Ed Storck), who gave well in their years of service … thanks! To Jim and Ilo Warg, Bill and Kathy Richmond, Melissa Millward and Cory Wood, Jen and Matt Starner, and the Wagner family for lighting the Advent candles … thanks! To Carol Moore and the Alternative Christmas team for giving the chance to give gifts in two ways … thanks! To Jill Reed’s class for creating Giving Tree ornaments … thanks! To the Deacons, for the children’s Christmas lunch, complete with a gift from Santa … thanks!
We haven’t gotten very far in the study of Joshua, so it’s a good chance to come and try the women’s study on any of these days:
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING The Annual Congregational Meeting and Corporation’s Annual Report Meeting will be held Sunday, January 31, 2010, after worship and lunch together. Please plan to take time to fellowship and hear of God’s work among us in the last year.
WE CELEBRATE THE GREAT LOVE OF GOD For the fifth year our congregation has participated in an Alternative Christmas Gift ministry. This year We had eight opportunities to minister in the name of Christ. During this time of world-wide economic slowdown, you have indicated by your dollars the love you have for one another in our church, our community, and our world. Below is a list of contributions and the total amounts given to each one.
Camp Krislund scholarship for 2010.....................$275.00 Thailand child support........................................260.00 Church General Fund......................................... 545.00
Trinity United Methodist Church Shoe Bank.............320.00 Holt Memorial Library.........................................220.00
Church World Service A pair of goats..............................................125.00 500 chicks....................................................400.00 8 soccer balls................................................ 80.00
Total contributions..........................................$2,225.00
Thank you for your generosity and love.
OUR CHURCH OFFICERS
THE SESSION Class of 2010 Class of 2011 Class of 2012 Laura Bordas Jill Blake Lisa Holden Jay Milsom Bob Branstetter Ilo Warg Jim Warg Susan Harris Karen Wood
THE BOARD OF DEACONS Class of 2010 Class of 2011 Class of 2012 Nancy Fetters Barb Hubler Angie Dixon Todd Jeffries Ann Rishel Dottie Isaacson Dick Kithcart Jamie Wagner Christy Johnson Holly Kithcart Amy Yarrison Melissa Millward
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Class of 2010 Class of 2011 Class of 2012 Don Blake Dan Nelson Paul Springer Joy Branstetter Mary Whitehead Jen Starner Jerilin Pritchard Dick Wood Lora Storck
PRESBYTERIAN HOMES AUXILIARY Class of 2010 Class of 2011 Class of 2012 Life-time Member Karen Wood Gigi Sayers Fran Tepsic
CHURCH SECRETARY TREASURER FINANCIAL SECRETARIES Jennifer Johnston Edie Good Darrell Hollis, Susan Millward CHURCH MUSIC Sally Laux, Director of Choirs, Organist Karen Wood, Sunday School Choir
SUNDAY SCHOOL LEADERS AND TEACHERS SUPERINTENDENT CHILDREN’S CHURCH COORDINATOR TREASURER Jennifer Starner Casey Blake Darrell Hollis
Pre-School through 5th Grades – Teachers Vary for Workshop Rotation 6th through 12th Grades – Dan Nelson and Todd Jeffries Adults – Marty Bullis
JANUARY BIBLE READINGS
(Start early or late in the month; read more on some days than others; it doesn’t matter how you do your reading as much as that you keep at reading.) NOTE: We will be meeting Sunday, January 10, in the parlor to discuss the readings,
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DEACONS MEETING HIGHLIGHTS (December 2009) Thank you to Amy Rodgers for delivery of the Samaritan Purses (shoe boxes)
SESSION REPORT – DECEMBER MEETING We were sad to say good-bye to Darrell Hollis, Julie Jo Johnston, and Sue Millward, as this was their last meeting. Thanks so much for your faithful service and good humor. We look forward to welcoming Lisa Holden, Ilo Warg, and Karen Wood as they begin their terms next month. Jim Warg is already on Session, and Ilo tells me that she and Jim have been known to disagree on a few matters, and that neither is afraid to express his/her opinion. Perhaps I’ll have something interesting of an "Inside Edition" nature to report in future months. Stay tuned! Also, Darrell has graciously agreed to remain our elder commissioner to the Huntingdon Presbytery meetings for 2010 – a great big "thank you" to you, Darrell. Much of the meeting was routine, hearing and discussing reports – from Deacons, Trustees, Presbytery, and other ongoing projects. Several Trustees joined the Session meeting while the proposed 2010 budget was discussed, and Session passed a final draft with some minor adjustments. We feel that it is a fair budget, and, with God’s help, attainable. Thanks to all who worked so hard in researching, paring, and preparing the budget. A special thank you goes to Pastor Tracie for her leadership and guidance during the process. December is also the month where we pay special attention to making adjustments to the active and inactive church rolls. Session hopes that you had a joyous and peaceful Christmas, and that you’ll approach the New Year with a renewed sense of vigor and enthusiasm for the Word. We urge you to make a commitment to the 7 minutes-a-day Bible reading plan.
Peace,
CHURCH OFFICER MEETINGS
Deacons: Tuesday, January 5th @ 7:00 p.m. Session: Monday, January 11th @ 7:00 p.m. Trustees: Tuesday, January 19th @ 7:00 p.m.
2nd – Jay Milsom 17th – Susan Harris 7th – Kathy Richmond 18th – Ryker Bullis 8th – Carol Moore 21st – Brooke Walstrom 8th – Eric Rodgers 22nd – Gene Dixon 9th – Tom Holden 23rd – Dana Springer 11th – Laura Barnett 26th – Jennifer Starner 14th – Pastor Tracie Bullis 31st – Chalmer "Mouse" Dixon16th – Ashley Laux
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES 19th – Ed and Leona Good – 58 years 24th – Don and Beverly Holt – 51 years 28th – Tom and Julie Jo Johnston – 43 years
JANUARY 2010
FINANCIAL NOTE:
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