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Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church |
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Easter Our History Activities
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MARCH 2008
ANYONE THINKING OF SUMMER 2009?
If you find the title question rather bewildering, you might take solace in knowing that the Sabbatical Committee, made up of Laura Bordas, Laura Barnett, Bob Brantstetter and Jeff Eyet, are thinking that far ahead. That’s because I am scheduled, as part of my terms of call, for a sabbatical in the summer of 2009 from June 1 through August 30.
If this is news to you, you probably missed the February 17 Deacon lunch where the slideshow was shown. So here’s a brief summary. The Sabbatical Team is putting together a grant application for funding to take me and my family away for those three months, as well as give the congregation the opportunity to teach a seminary intern the wonders of small church ministry. For the Bullis family, the time will consist of time in Greece, the West Coast, and Thailand with a week on each end of the sabbatical for me to take time for renewal at a retreat center.
For the congregation, however, this is a wonderful opportunity to teach a young pastor about solo ministry. Our church is a stable, gifted, thoughtful, and faithful congregation that has much to offer not only Philipsburg, but the larger church. In giving this time to a young pastor, you are helping serve the larger church. Bill Moore will be a mentor to the intern, and you will be companions in that journey.
And, if the grant is not received, I will be taking the sabbatical time anyway, but on a much lower budget. The church will still get the gracious pastoral care of Bill Moore, and the Bullis family will likely be packing our car and taking a tour of the US, staying with kind friends along the way.
Our hope and prayer is for the grant opportunity, but either way will be a learning experience of God’s grace. May we all be avid learners!
Grace and Peace,
2 – Judy Gearhart 22 – Jeff Gearhart 5 – Don Blake 22 – Will Rishel 5 – Ann Rishel 24 – Alice Houser 6 – Barbara Hubler 24 – Susan Blythe 9 – Denise Gearhart 25 – Jason Rishel 14 – Isaiah Dixon 26 – Payton Guelich 18 – Alice Schreffler 27 – Virginia Colley 18 – Morgan Coleman 27 – Andrew Gearhart
20 – Sarah McCliment 28 – Fred Herman 21 – Brad Wood 29 – Katie Gearhart 22 – George Lute
ANNIVERSARIES 2nd – Ed and Edie Good – 23 years 16th – Jamison and Ilo Warg – 46 years
The Session for feeding the masses at the Agape Meal … Thanks! Angie Dixon, Gigi Sayers, Barb Little, and Holly Kithcart for cooking and serving at the Agape Meal … Thanks! The assorted "snow removal volunteers" – you know who you are! … Thanks! Joyce Kitko who assisted in worship with Steve Cort and Paul Springer and Colleen Viehdorfer who were helpful with Sunday School … Thanks! Jim Gearhart and Jill Blake, for getting our sanctuary ready for Lent … Thanks! Jenn Johnston, for fixing the copier jam … Thanks!
OFFICER MEETINGS for MARCH (in the parlor) Deacons: Tuesday, March 4th @ 7:00 p.m. Session: Monday, March 10th @ 7:00 p.m. Trustees: Tuesday, Marc 18th @ 7:00 p.m. PW: To Be Announced
DEACONS HIGHLIGHTS
March 23-Easter sunrise breakfast April 27-Our Centennial Celebration Meal May 18-Youth Sunday (pizza) June 8-church picnic at Woody World (Karen & Dick Wood’s house/pool)
EASTER PUMPKIN ROLL SALE Orders are now being taken for the sale of Pumpkin Cake Rolls. The prepay cost is $10 for a whole roll and $5 for a half roll. Order forms are in the narthex and on the Fifth Street Bulletin board. They should be turned in to Holly Kithcart no later than March 9. Please take extra if you wish to sell at your place of work or to family and friends. Proceeds will benefit the kitchen fund. Sign up sheets for the baking of the rolls are on the bulletin boards at both entrances. If you are able to give time to this project, please sign your name to one or more of the days listed.
LENTEN LUNCHES The Lenten lunches are excellent times for the gathering community to affirm our faith together and learn more about God’s work through Seasons of 40. Attend one or more, if you can!
March 5, Sponsored by First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 342-5073 with Rev. Gerald Krum speaking on Elijah March 12, Sponsored by Trinity United Methodist Church, 342-1820 with Rev. Brenda Leigey speaking on the 40 years in the Wilderness March 19, Sponsored by Osceola United Methodist Church, 339-6139 with Pastor Mark Thumma speaking on 40 days with the Risen Christ
Please note: Lenten lunches are not held when school is closed, but ARE held if there is a school delay.
WOMEN’S COOKING NIGHTS Intergenerational women’s cooking nights are continuing with joy and great fellowship. Put these last two dates on your calendar to come! Monday, March 3, 7-8:30 PM – Laura Barnett, with crunched top sweet potato casserole Monday, April 7, 7-8:30 PM – Bonnie Rodgers leads the cooking
The Women’s Bible Study will be meeting two 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, March 31, 7-8:30 PM Monday, April 21, 7-8:30 PM
HOLY WEEK PLANS AND SERVICES: Palm Sunday, March 16 – passing out the palms Maundy Thursday, March 20 – Communion and Tennebrae service at 7:30 PM Good Friday Service with Trinity United Methodist Church, March 21 at NOON Easter Sunday, March 23 with: 7 AM Sunrise Service followed by breakfast
EASTER CANTATA, 2008 The Holy Week journey is foundational to the Christian faith. In the experiences of that week, we see the breadth of human emotion – from joy to bitter hatred; from desolation to jubilation. We see humanity at its worst and God at His best. Without the events of Holy Week, we have no foundation to our faith, for it is in the power of a sovereign God demonstrated as never before. The impact of the long-awaited Messiah appears doomed as His followers succumb to the intense pressure of those seeking to end the life of this Prophet. But from the ashes of crucifixion emerges the light of eternal life as God overcomes death. And with that triumph comes the promise that all who believe and accept the message of Jesus will, too, overcome death! Thanks be to God! - Lloyd Larson
Hosanna to Jesus, the King! Karen Wood, Soloist In the Garden He Prayed Dan Nelson and Holly Kithcart, Soloists I Stand Amazed Jill Reed and Jim Gearhart, Soloists Alleluia, Christ Arose! Narrated by Dick Kithcart
LET’S GO TO KRISLUND CAMP! Krislund Camp registrations need to be turned in to reserve your place and request sponsorship from the church. If your child I s planning to attend Krislund, please let Pastor Tracie know the dates and camp of their choice. This will help to connect other campers and clarify sponsorship needs. Please get this information to Pastor Tracie by Easter Sunday, March 23. Get your camp registration form today at the 5th Street Bulletin Board!
EXTENDING INVITATIONS TO THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Plans are underway for the April 27, 2008, Centennial Celebration of our Sanctuary. In order to extend invitations as widely as possible, please send, email or call in addresses of those members who have attended in the last 50 years, but may not be on our present newsletter list. This would include childhood friends who have moved away, children and grandchildren of members, and others who have relocated. To give us an address, you can mail it (509 E. Presqueisle Street, Philipsburg, PA, 16866), email it (1stprespburg@verizon.net), or call it in (814-342-0812). Thank you!
APRIL 27, 2008 Keep holding this date for the Centennial Celebration of our Sanctuary and the Dedication of the Carl and Betty Gray Memorial Parlor and Patio at the Manse!
PER CAPITA Each 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 2008, the denominational support for our church is $27.39 per active member. While the church is prepared to pay this amount, you are welcome to contribute your family’s portion as a donation. 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 $109.56, or 4 times $27.39.
MARCH 2008 CHURCH CALENDAR
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