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Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church |
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Easter Our History Activities
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MAY 2008 THE BEST IN CHURCH LETTERS We have lingered for four weeks in Psalm 139 with the greater realization that God is the primary actor in our lives as we are being known, being pursued, being loved and being forgiven.
Now, on May 11, the birthday of the church, we turn to the book of Ephesians as our companion through the summer months. Eugene Peterson preached from this book at my installation nearly five years ago. He calls it the best letter to the church, and it seems the next place for our congregation to go as we study God’s word together.
Ephesians is not an easy book to digest. We’ll be looking at nearly every verse over the three months we read it. If you miss a Sunday, it will be worth going back and studying the passage on your own or getting a sermon tape. As we seek to continue as a healthy church together, we’ll want this challenging book to guide us.
Plan now to read it through at least once a month this summer, along with your other Christian reading. You’ll see that the first three chapters highlight the theology of being church in our life together in Christ, and the next three chapters give some practical application of how our theology is lived out practically. You’ll also see that there are some challenging passages that we’ll tackle together – as we seek to grow as a church.
Grace and Peace,
APRIL SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
All in all it was a very business-like, yet spiritually uplifting meeting, doing God’s work. Peace, Your Session
MAY BIRTHDAYS 1 – Joseph Millward 20 – Winnie Eckley 4 – Jennifer Johnston 20 – Jim Gearhart 5 – Lindsay Bordas 20 – Peyton Warner 6 – Ely Mantz 22 – Scott Test 6 – Jordan Harris 23 – Lisa Chorle 7 – Don Branstetter 24 – Dan Nelson 8 – Raymond Davidsen 24 – Doug Nelson 9 – Kirstin Guelich 24 – Hannah Chorle
14 – Leona Good 27 – Scott Laux 14 – Melissa Millward 30 – Bill Moore 17 – Amy Beltz
MAY ANNIVERSARIES 4th – Jeff and Mary Beth Eyet – 34 years 14th – Ed and Jackie Jones – 32 years 15th – Jeff and Amy Beltz – 15 years 21st – Doug and Sharon Goss – 14 years 23rd – Tom and Susan Harris – 21 years 27th – Tom and Barb Little – 36 years
KITCHEN FUND UPDATE As of April 21, 2008, the Kitchen Fund stands at $11,812.30. This total includes individual gifts, several honorary/memorial kitchen name plates, the Bon Ton Community Day coupon sales, the pumpkin sale, and the Presbytery grant of $5,000 received this month. Planned fundraising includes the May 22 Pasta Dinner, the April 27 loose offering, and ongoing kitchen name plate donations. The Kitchen team has also received the gift of a new microwave and new high chair and has purchased the planned prep table for the kitchen. During the summer, the team will meet to prioritize and plan kitchen remodel projects based on available funding. Thank you for your steady progress towards our $30,000 goal!
A THANK YOU NOTE: This is a special thank you to everyone for all the prayers, cards, food, visits and phone calls while I was sick. I continue to get stronger each day. Thanks again for your generosity and God bless,
Susan Test
OUR THANKS THIS MONTH GOES TO … Work Day workers for doing Spring clean-up projects at the church just in time for our Centennial Celebration … Thanks! Bloodmobile cookie bakers, blood givers, and event workers … Thanks! Westminster Bells and Sally Laux for taking a day to learn, laugh, and play at the Bell Festival … Thanks! The signature recipe cooks who shared their cooking and story with women all year long … Thanks! The History Committee, who revised our church history, told the sanctuary story, took pictures of memorials, collected and arranged wedding pictures, and passed the story of God’s faithfulness on to the next generation … Thanks! The Centennial Cooking team who gave us the elegant reception on April 27 … Thanks! All our out-of-town guests who came to celebrate 100 years in our sanctuary with us … Thanks! Carl and Jenny (Lowman) Gray, who celebrated our parlor and patio dedication with us … Thanks!
CONGRATULATIONS COLLEGE GRADUATES! Ashley Laux will graduate on May11 from Allegheny College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Psychology. She will attend the University of Kentucky in the fall in the integrated bio-medical science program, looking to earn a PhD degree. Congratulations, Ashley!
Jessica Kitko will graduate from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing on May 10th. She accepted a job at DuBois Regional Health Systems and starts in June. Congratulations, Jessica!
Mary Gilham graduates on May 9th from Bloomsburg University with a Masters of Nursing degree. Congratulations, Mary!
Colt Viehdorfer is graduating on May 11 from Allegheny College with the Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a double minor in Economics and History. He will start graduate school at Penn State University this summer, studying Applied Statistics. Congratulations, Colt!
MOTHER-CHILD BANQUET The men of the church are preparing the Mother-Child Banquet for Thursday, May 15, at 6 PM in Westminster Hall. The meal is provided, with entertainment planned. Please sign up or call the church to make a reservation.
KRISLUND CAMP OPEN HOUSE Reserve Saturday, May 17 NOW for a church trip to Krislund Camp’s SpringFest! If your child is of camping age, this is a wonderful time to join with other church families and visit the camp. This introduction will hopefully help our children to make a decision about camp this summer. The church is partnering in camp this summer as a result of Sunday School attendance, and a number of our children have earned part of their way to camp! The Open House starts at 1 PM and lasts until 5 PM, offering a camp tour, a chance to meet the staff, camp activities and a picnic dinner. The dinner costs $5 per adult, $2.50 for kids aged 6-12, and is free for kids under 6. Please RSVP to the camp (422-8878) so they have a count for dinner.
YOUTH SUNDAY A Sunday Service where our youth lead us will be held this year on May 18. Don’t miss this opportunity to come and to see how you have fulfilled your baptismal vows to the youth who have grown up in the church. You will be blessed! NO NEED TO COOK ON MAY 22 Our Ministry of Meals is stepping up to the plate again to help ease the burden of your busy month of May. Thursday, May 22, 4:30-6:30 PM will be a Kitchen Fundraiser Dinner that is also a ministry to the community by providing a delicious pasta dinner for $5 per person on a take-out or eat-in basis. Tickets will be sold in advance and limited to the number of tickets sold. Please contact the church to reserve your meal ticket today! Have a great meal and support the Kitchen Remodel, too!
YOUNG AT HEART LUNCHEON Anyone age 50 years young or better is invited to the monthly ‘Young at Heart’ Lunch! May’s luncheon will be held on Wednesday, May 28th at the Windy Hill Village beginning at 12:00 p.m. Cost is a $3.00 donation, and lunch will be followed by some form of entertainment. To make your reservation, please call Gertie Clyde at 342-4371 or Darrell or Helen Hollis at 342-3376.
SUMMER CHILDREN’S CHURCH Our Children’s Church held during the Summer Worship Service for infants to children entering kindergarten will be faithfully held all summer long. We ask for two adult volunteers to sign up for just one week over the summer to offer this ministry to families. This summer, the children will be learning in a fun way through Veggie Tale videos. Please sign up on the church bulletin board or speak with Susan Harris.
SUMMER HYMNS For 4 years now, the congregation has given the titles of favorite hymns. From this list, summer hymns will be selected so we can enjoy a variety of favorites.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW! Just a reminder to all helpers and kids – Vacation Bible School dates will be the week of August 11-14. Please note the date in your home schedules!
SABBATICAL UPDATE The Sabbatical Team of Jeff Eyet, Laura Bordas, Laura Barnett, and Bob Branstetter have completed their work in writing the Lilly Foundation Pastoral Renewal Grant for Pastor Tracie’s sabbatical planned for Summer 2009. Please note that the sabbatical is still over a year away – it’s not this summer!
The congregation graciously affirmed the team’s work and grant submission at a special congregational meeting on Sunday, April 13. Please be in prayer for the review of the grant over the summer. The team is heartily thanked for their good work!
MAY 2008 CHURCH CALENDAR
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