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Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church |
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Easter Our History Activities
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MARCH
2005 ENTERING INTO HOLY
WEEK Holy
Week starts on Palm Sunday, where this year we will hear the
gifted music in our Cantata, called What
a Morning! We will
start worship remembering Palm Sunday, waving our branches and watching
the children celebrate. But
the joy is not intended to last into the week, as the story of the
Cantata will remind us. We
will pause midweek and remember that Jesus died for us, in our very
place. Thus,
Maundy Thursday at 7:30 PM is a critical time of worship, with a
Tenebrae (“darkness”) service that leaves us acutely aware of the
severe price paid for our souls. Good
Friday
holds a community service at Noon in the Trinity United Methodist Church
where we face the reality of Christ dying and forgiving us, even in the
midst of his death. Holy
Saturday
reminds us of the time in between, where the disciples waited in fear,
but where we wait in hope, for Christ’s return.
And
then, only then, can we enter into the joy of Easter morning –
taking in the Sunrise service at 7 AM, the breakfast following, the
children’s egg hunt during Sunday School, and the thrill of worship
together at the 10:30 Easter service.
Taking in the Christ, alive and risen!
Grace and Peace,
OFFICER MEETINGS for MARCH
(in the parlor) Deacons:
Tuesday, March 1st @ 7:00 p.m.
Session:
Tuesday, March 8th @ 7:00 p.m. Trustees:
Tuesday, March 15th @ 7:00 p.m. Presbyterian Women:
Monday, March 28th @ 7:00 p.m.
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
2nd – Judy Gearhart
22nd – George Lute
5th – Don Blake
22nd – Jeff Gearhart
11th – Annabelle Richmond
24th – Alice Houser
14th – Isaiah Dixon
24th – Sue Genesi
18th – Alice Schreffler
27th – Virginia Colley
18th – Morgan Coleman
27th – Andrew Gearhart 20th
– Sarah McCliment
28th – Ethel Cipollini 21st
– Brad Wood
28th – Fred Herman
MARCH ANNIVERSARIES March
2nd – Ed and Edie Good – 20 years March
16th – Jamison and Ilse-Rosa Warg – 43 years CONFIRMATION Please
be in prayer for Austin Eggers, our Confirmand, as
he embarks with his parent-mentors on the journey through
Lent and Easter to Pentecost Sunday.
As we keep
our promises to the children who are baptized in the
church, we are grateful for this time when they explore
their faith life more closely.
WELCOME TO
OUR NEW MEMBERS Over
the last few months, the Session has met with and
received the following individuals into our membership: BARB
GOSS,
by letter of transfer ERIK
AND SHANNON JOHNSON,
with their children DIONNE,
MORGAN,
and WILLIAM,
and one due in April,
by profession of faith and letter of transfer. HEARTFELT
THANKS
The month of February had Lent come early,
so much activity kicked off that season.
For the new banners and wreath of Lenten candles, plus covering
custodial duties in Gary’s absence, thanks go to Jim Gearhart! For overseeing an early supper for Peg Swoope’s
family and for creating small flower arrangements for our homebound,
thanks go to Ethel Cipollini! For
taking on the adventure of 62 kids (15 from our church) and staying up
all night, thanks goes to Jen Starner and Susan Harris!
For making the bread and soup for a simpler (though rainy) Agape
Meal on Ash Wednesday, thanks go to the Session! SOUPER BOWL RESULTS The
generous donations of our church for the Community Food Bank equaled
$123.61 from the Youth’s Souper Bowl of Caring.
We
logged onto the national total and found that 9,001 organizations
have given $3,169,417, as of February 16, 2005! OPERATION
STARFISH UPDATE Families
and Adults are gathering quarters and change to
help to feed the poor over the season of Lent.
Families with
change boxes can return those on Easter morning as we
gather our small resources to make a big difference for the
hungry of the world! Adults
can pick up a quarter card at
worship, or write a check with “Operation Starfish” in the memo
field, to contribute to our drive.
Funds will be divided evenly between Community Action
Food Bank and Food for the Poor (a worldwide hunger relief effort). THAILAND MISSION
TRIP NEWS! Well,
the countdown is on! As of
March 1, only 15 weeks to go until Tom
and Hannah Holden depart for Thailand on June 14.
That sounds like
a long time, but there are many details that need to be tended to
in preparation for a trip to the other side of the world.
Special
immunizations need to be arranged; passports need to be Obtained;
and funds need to be raised. Costs
for the trip are approximately $2,000 per person, which the Trustees have
agreed to
cover in advance, with repayment through fundraisers.
The
first fundraiser for the trip was a candle sale, held at the time
of the Congregational Meeting in January.
The sale generated
a profit of $450, and thanks go out to all whom
supported the effort. Future
fundraisers are in the works, including an up and coming Marianna
hoagie sale; so be on the lookout for information concerning
that. In addition, a March 6th, Minute for Mission about
the trip, and then, members of the congregation will be afforded
the opportunity to give a financial gift toward this trip at
the Soup and Sandwich luncheon scheduled for March 13. Please
consider donating a small personal gift to assist with the
funding of this important mission work.
Thank you for your
continued support. HOAGIES
FOR DINNER! Place
your order now for Marianna's hoagies.
Order sheets
are posted in the narthex and on the bulletin board
inside the Fifth Street door. In
addition, orders can
be placed through any Deacon or member of the
fundraising committee (Pat Milson, Ed and Lora Storck, Sally Nelson, and
Amy Rogers). Delivery of
the subs will be April 7, and purchasers can
pick up their orders in Westminster Hall that day after 8 a.m. Subs will be
refrigerated until pickup. If
you are unable to pick up your order, arrangements
can be made for personal delivery. All proceeds will benefit the
Thailand mission trip. Thank you for your support! CHURCH
WORK DAY
March
5, from 9 AM through Lunch (which is provided) is a great way to join
with others in serving our lovely church building.
Sign-ups are
available at the 5th Street entrance for jobs, or contact
Pastor Tracie to see how you can help.
We have cleaning, handyperson work, sort records, and more! SENIOR CHOIR EASTER
CANTATA presented on Palm
Sunday, March 20th WHAT A MORNING! written and
arranged by Jay Althouse and Sally K. Albrecht narrated by Pastor
Tracie, Intern Barbara Mosch, and Paul Springer Seven choruses and seven readings trace
Jesus’ journey from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to the Last
Supper with His disciples, from His struggle and betrayal in the garden
of Gethsemane, to His trial and conviction in Pilate’s hall, and His
agonized crucifixion and death, to His victorious resurrection.
“Hosanna, Loud
Hosanna” – Jill Reed, Soloist “Come Follow
Me” “I Will Remember
Thee” “My Soul Cries
Out to the Lord” “And the Crowd
Cried Out” “Christ
Is Risen, Alleluia!” “Benediction” ONE
GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
The
Easter Hour of Worship is One Great Hour of Sharing in
the Presbyterian Church, where we take our Easter gifts and
give them to those in need. The
offering is a denominational
offering which is divided as follows: 36%:
The Presbyterian Hunger
Program 32%:
Self-Development of People
32%:
Presbyterian Disaster
Assistance Offering
envelopes will be available on Palm Sunday for you to
prayerfully consider your gift during Holy Week and bring to
Easter services on March 27. 3W: WOMEN WHO WORK The
3W Bible Study will be continuing for the remainder of the school
year, with an eye towards the meeting dates, times, and themes
below. We’d love to have more women learn with us! Monday,
March 21, 7-8:30 PM, Studying Evangelism from Mary Magdelene Monday,
April 18, 7-8:30 PM, Studying Honesty from Sapphira Monday,
May 16, 7-8:30 PM, Studying Faithfulness from Ruth and Naomi
MARCH
CALANDER OF EVENTS
*March
28th through April 4th:
Pastor Tracie and family will be on vacation!
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