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EMBRACING THE TIME-GIFT OF LENT
Lent began with Ash Wednesday, February 25.
Perhaps it snuck up on you, as it
did for me. Just wait until next year, when it
starts on February 6!
Whether you were surprised or not, it is not too
late to accept, even embrace, the time-gift of Lent. Pick up a
copy of The Passionate Journey and spend 5 minutes a day in
reflection. Create space each day to be still – pray – hug
someone – read a good book. Chew slowly on the words in the
Gospel of John – no more than half a chapter a day – to have a
context for the sermon series outlined below. Take a friend to
lunch and catch up.
Make a date with your spouse or your children or
your best friend. Put Holy Week on your calendar NOW, so you are
free to worship – Thursday, April 6 at 7:30 PM and Easter Sunday
at 7 AM or 10:30 AM. Take a lunch hour to be at the Lenten
Lunches. Best of all – choose only two or three of the above
suggestions, or make up your own time-gift. Lent is the cocoon
time to rest, renew, rejuvenate … for resurrection living!
Looking ahead to Easter, here is our preaching
series:
February 25 John 2:13-22 This Is the Sign
March 4 John 3:1-17 This Is Life
March 11 John 3:25-36 This Is Our Witness
March 18 John 5:2-18 This Is Our Work
March 25 John 7:25-31 This Is the Christ
April 1 Cantata This Is the King!
April 5 Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service at 7:30 PM
April 8, 7 a.m. Sunrise Service The Stones Speak, by
our youth
April 8, 10:30 John 20:1-18 This Is Our Lord
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.
MONTHLY THANKS
Thank you for the many ways
you work behind the scenes for the
church community. In the last month, we
especially say to: Tom Holden, who volunteered
to be our "interim custodian" and did so with energy,
imagination, and love … Thanks! Jen and Steve Starner,
who chaperoned our Slinky’s trip – overnight … Thanks!
All
who lent a hand to the Bullis family in Tracie’s absence …
Thanks!
Shannon Johnson, who has taken the lead on the Free Meals,
Agape Meal,
Christian Women’s Meal, and Deacon Meals – WOW! What a cook
…Thanks!
Holly Kithcart, who kept the reader board updated, even in the
cold … Thanks!
Joyce Kitko, Colleen Viehdorfer, and Paul Springer, who
assisted in worship … Thanks!
CHURCH FAMILY THANKS
We wish to extend a sincere thank you to
each
person who called, sent a card, prayed,
or in any
way helped us through these past months
during
the illness and subsequent death of
our beloved
mother and grandmother, Marie DeAngelo
Smith.
We miss her terribly, but your individual
kindnesses, the certain knowledge of
her being at peace, and our heavenly reunion
to come are all a great comfort to
us at this difficult time. God bless
you all.
---Bonnie, Fred and
families
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
2 – Judy Gearhart 22 – Will Rishel
5 – Don Blake 24 – Alice Houser
5 – Ann Rishel 24 – Sue Blythe
9 – Denise Gearhart 25 – Jason Rishel
11 – Annabel Richmond 25 – Paige Johnson
14 – Isaiah Dixon 26 – Payton Guelich
18 – Alice Schreffler 27 – Virginia Colley
18 – Morgan Coleman 27 – Andrew Gearhart
20 – Sarah McCliment 28 – Ethel Cippolini
21 – Brad Wood 28 – Fred Herman
22 – George Lute 29 – Katie Gearhart
22 – Jeff Gearhart
MARCH ANNIVERSARIES
2nd – Ed and Edie Good – 22 years
16th – Jim and Ilo Warg – 45
years
OFFICER MEETINGS for MARCH (in the parlor)
Deacons: Tuesday, March 6th @ 7:00 p.m.
Session: Monday, March 12th @ 7:00 p.m.
Trustees: Tuesday, March 20th @ 7:00 p.m.
PW: Thursday, March 22nd @ 7:00 p.m.
DEACONS HIGHLIGHTS
The Board decided not to participate
directly in the Relay for Life this summer.
Our church, however, will give a donation of
$100 to the Relay for Life organization.
The next Soup/Sandwich Luncheon will be
held March 18. We didn’t have a huge
turn-out for the Feb. 4 dinner, but those who
attended enjoyed Steve Cort’s presentation (Krislund
Camp).
The Board purchased 5 Lenten books written by
Marty Bullis and will donate those to less
fortunate individuals who cannot afford to buy a
copy of their own.
Daffodil Day is March 25.
FEBRUARY SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
The weather was cold an blustery outside, but the feeling was
warm inside as we welcomed Pastor Tracie back from her two-week
study leave. She presented an effective summary of her trip.
Other business attended to included finalizing plans for Lent,
approving the 2006 annual statistical report to Presbytery, and
receiving updates on Deacon and Trustee activities. Darrell Hollis
volunteered to serve as permanent Presbytery Commissioner during
2007. Session also gave consideration to ideas generated about the
Gray Memorial and about the upcoming centennial anniversary of our
building in two years and the sesquicentennial anniversary of our
congregation in 2012.
The meeting ended with a practice run-through of communion
procedures for our new members. Although a person may have
witnessed and received communion for years, it’s still a little
different actually serving communion, and dealing with the
butterflies of that first time.
Session wishes you a peaceful and enlightening Lenten season.
TRUSTEE HIGHLIGHTS
- The Church Work Day will be Saturday, April 21, from 9 AM
to Noon. Please
reserve this day to lend a hand at the church. Items
for work so far are cleaning the heaters in the sanctuary,
refinishing the sanctuary floor, and cleaning the Nursery.
Lunch will be included in the day, plus great fellowship!
2. The annual manse inspection with action items was reviewed.
3. Quotes for a parking lot sign are being considered.
4. Discussed and approved the purchase of an attractive brass
candle lighter for the
sanctuary and offering plate inserts, to be purchased from
the Memorial Fund.
QUARTER COLLECTIONS
If you would like to collect
quarters during Lent as part of your
Easter offering, folders are available
in the church foyer, or you can call
the church office and have one mailed
to you.
LENT BOOKS
A 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. Even
though Lent started on February 25,
the church still has a few copies left if you
want to get in on the reading or buy a copy as a gift for someone
next year. The cost is $14 each (list price is $17.99), with $2
going directly
to the Benevolent Fund. To purchase, contact
Pastor Tracie.
FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH CLASS
All 5th and 6th
graders have been invited to spend Ash
Wednesday through Pentecost in study
with Pastor Tracie to learn about 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 started with attendance at
the Ash Wednesday meal and communion on Wednesday,
February 21. The class then began in earnest during
Sunday School on Sunday, February 25. Please pray for
these young people as they explore their own faith
commitments!
FREE TRIP TO CAMP
Early Krislund Camp registrations
may lead you to win a free trip!
All registration forms and deposit
checks will be received until worship
begins on Sunday, March 4. During the Children’s Story,
Pastor Tracie
will draw 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!
FELLOWSHIP LUNCHES AND FRIENDS
The Deacon’s Fellowship Lunches
are good opportunities to invite a
friend to church and then enjoy a
meal together. The casual lunch
gives you an opportunity to
introduce them to other members of
the congregation. Why not invite a
friend on Sunday, March 18, to
worship and then the Fellowship
lunch?
END OF MONTH FREE MEALS
The first FREE meal during the winter months
took place on Sunday, January 28,
with 43 people enjoying our offer and fellowship
together. The second meal took
place on Sunday, February 25, and the third will
happen Sunday, March 25.
This is a joyful effort to meet needs in our
community. If you would like to
join in the effort by being a 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.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
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 26, 7-8:30 PM
Monday, April 30, 7-8:30 PM
CORPORATE PRAYING
One of the gifts of doing the preaching series on the Lord’s
Prayer
in January and February is the return to the theology behind
corporate
prayer. Jesus set up the prayer so that we could pray together,
as a body,
with and for each other. It is not the individual cry of a
single soul, but the
one voice of God’s people.
In the same vein, then, Pastor Tracie has realized that
printing our Confessional Prayer as an individual prayer loses the
power of the gathered community of faith. The prayer is designed
to lead us all into confession – as individuals and as a body,
whether we feel repentant or not, whether we can muster the
courage to pray the words or not. In confession, we pray for and
with each other. Then, we set aside time for the Lord to stir our
individual hearts. By reviewing this core theology, our worship
prayers will return to the corporate voice, so we can pray
together as the confessing community of faith God intends for us
to be.
CHILDREN'S CHURCH
Are you looking for ways to support our church?
Please consider giving the gift of time and guidance. Children's
Church needs members of the congregation to help care for the
pre-school children during Sunday Worship. The curriculum is
easily laid out with little advance preparation. There are always
at least two adults to help with the children. We promise
children, when they are baptized, to help nurture their faith
through word and deed. Children's Church is a wonderful
opportunity to fulfill your promise to the children of God. Share
your time, gifts and guidance. Let us care for one another
together. Please contact Susan Harris to serve and to make
arrangements to read through our policies on providing child
education. Susan Harris, Children's Church Coordinator,
KRISLUND ADOPT-A-WEEK
One of the results of Steve and Robin Cort’s
visit with our church on February 4, is that many
in our church felt called to volunteer at the Camp
for a week together this summer. This is
Krislund’s opportunity to "Adopt A
Week" in volunteer service. If you are
interested in joining this effort, please speak to
those who have expressed an interest in serving:
Darrell and Helen Hollis, Holly Kithcart, Gertie
Clyde, Mary and Harold Shirey, and Colleen
Viehdorfer. Once a core group of volunteers is
established, we will identify the best week to go.
SPECIAL KRISLUND GIFT CHANCE
As part of our church’s $10,000 Krislund Funding the
Future Campaign pledge, the congregation was invited
for the month of February to make a special gift to the
camp pledge. The goal of the special offering was to raise
$1,000. If you didn’t get a chance to give a gift to this
effort, it is not too late! Simply send in a check with
"Krislund Camp Pledge" in the memo field, and we will
credit
it towards our $1,000 effort.
DIRECTORY PHONE NUMBER CORRECTION:
The phone number for Jason and Krystal
Mcmillen is in error in our 2007 Directory. It
should be 342-0360. The number printed is
actually for Eric and Danielle Schwarz, so be
sure to say hello if you call the wrong
number!
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Income and Expenses for the General Fund for January,
2007:
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Total Offering and Income to General Fund, January 2007
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$7,495.08
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Total Expenses from General Fund, January 2007
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$9,543.46
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-$2,048.38
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MARCH 2007
CHURCH CALENDAR
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Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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1
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2
World Day of Prayer
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3
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4
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5
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6
Deacons @ 7:00 p.m.
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7
Lenten Lunch @ Noon
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8
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9
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10
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11
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12
Session @ 7:00 p.m.
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13
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14
Lenten Lunch @ Noon
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15
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16
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17
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18
Fellowship Lunch right after worship
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19
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20
Trustees @ 7:00 p.m.
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21
Lenten Lunch @ Noon
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22
P.W. @ 7:00 p.m.
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23
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24
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25
Daffodil Sunday
FREE Meal,
4:30–6:00 p.m.
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26
Women’s Bible Study from 7:00-8:30
p.m.
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27
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28
Lenten Lunch @ Noon
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29
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30
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31
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