The children’s song "Father Abraham" might be the first introduction to Abraham most children in

church have. More often than not, our extended knowledge of Abraham only reaches his courageous departure from the land of Ur and his faithful trust in taking his only son Isaac to the brink of sacrifice.

No wonder he has gained such religious celebrity status in three religions.

As we did with David a couple of years ago, our sermons will walk through the life of Abraham, filling in the details of story between leaving Ur and walking up the mountain to sacrifice. Much like our lives, Abraham had many experiences in between that grew his relationship with the Lord. While his departure from Ur sounds like more than we could muster, he went from the fateful casting of his lot with God through many ups and downs before he could confidently say to Isaac, "The Lord will provide a lamb."

So, Genesis 12-22 will be our text for the fall. That means if your life tends to run on a school-year schedule more than a calendar year one, September may be a great time to start reading through

the Bible in the next year. Take Genesis and Matthew in tandem, to work back and forth

between the Old and New Testaments.

As we join together in hearing the full story of "Father Abraham," we’ll see the many ways

his story is our story, all under God’s story.

Grace and Peace,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTENTION: 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 5^th and 6^th Streets, with parking

behind the building or on the street.

 

MAKE A NOTE!

Worship begins at 10:30 AM on Sunday, September 7,

with Sunday School classes for all ages starting at 9:30 AM!

The Sunday School classes for children and youth will start in the Sanctuary.

KITCHEN FUND UPDATE

The Kitchen Fund, as of August 17, 2008, was at $19,851.72.

The Kitchen Committee is meeting to plan fall fundraising and

set plans for a winter Kitchen remodel. Name Plates for the

Kitchen will be available until the end of 2008. If you would

like to purchase one as a special gift, Pastor Tracie will write

a letter to give to the recipient, if you request one.

Westminster Bells – Wednesday, September 3^rd @ 6:45 p.m.

Senior Choir – Wednesday, September 3^rd @ 7:30 p.m.

Sonshine Ringers – Sunday, September 7^th @ 9:10 a.m.

Instrumental Group – Sunday, September 7^th @ approx. 11:30 a.m.

(immediately following worship)

[The idea of changing the practice dates/times

for Westminster Bells and Senior Choir is being

passed around; however, they will start as noted above.]

As always if anyone is interested in joining any of the above-noted musical

ensembles, he/she should just show up at practice time. We welcome anyone

and everyone wanting to make a joyful noise!

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School will begin on Sunday, September 7th at 9:30 am. This fall, the elementary students will learn about Jesus' call to His 12 Disciples. We are again using the workshop rotation model. If you'd like to teach a Sunday or help by being the second adult in the class, please contact Jennifer Starner. The youth class will view videos and read articles and books that address issues pre-teens and teens encounter in their daily lives. Dan Nelson and Todd Jeffries will again lead this class. We are looking forward to another great year!

 

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

2 – Stuart D. B. Hollis 17 – Gigi Sayers

2 – Sonja (Warg) Chestnut 22 – Grace Hickson

3 – David Houser 24 – Kevin Gearhart

4 – Lauren Lesko 25 – Sally Nelson

9 – Marty Bullis 25 – Joyce Kitko

9 – Bethany Coursen 25 – Sharon Goss

10 – Helen Dixon 27 – Ed Storck

13 – Carly Gonder 27 – Erin Gearhart

Deacons: Tuesday, September 2^nd @ 7:00 p.m.

Session: Monday, September 8^th @ 7:00 p.m.

Trustees: Tuesday, September 15^th @ 7:00 p.m.

PW: Thursday, September 25^th @ 7:00 p.m.

Summer brings a change of schedule for many, and we are grateful to those who gave time

to the church in July and August. First, for those who helped supply refreshments for the

after-worship fellowship time, thanks to: Steve and Allison Kardoley, Joyce and Butch Kitko,

Mouse and Helen Dixon and Tracy Branthoover, Bonnie and Amy Rodgers and Babs Herman,

Laura, Andrew and Amy Bordas and Tom and Barb Little, Bill and Kathy Richmond,

and Don, Jill and Casey Blake. To the children and youth of our church, who served their church

and community through the lemonade and cookie stand … thanks! To Tyler Good, who stepped in

for July to take care of the church while Gary took a much deserved vacation … thanks! To Bill Moore,

who led our congregation in worship on July 13 … thanks! To Sally Laux, for overseeing a variety

of musical offerings this summer … thanks! To the many musicians and vocalists who

shared their gifts with the congregation … thanks!

What an absolute joy to see the children of First Presbyterian and her neighboring churches

celebrating service to family, friends, community and, above all, Jesus!

God is wonderful. He places just the right people in just the right spaces to make this celebration of

service in "God’s Big Backyard" truly that. Through the teachers and helpers serving during

Vacation Bible School, He has shown our children ways in which people in the Bible served Him

and others and how the children themselves might serve as well.

A thank you goes to Karen Wood, music leader and teacher, who started the children praising and worshipping the Lord as soon as they arrived each morning and ended each day the same way,

to Pastor Tracie and Barkley for continuing the enthusiasm during the opening and closing,

especially in the leading of the "Conga" in celebration as the offering for the palm project grew.

(The children collected enough money to provide 64 trees for women of the Congo who will plant

and maintain the trees as well as harvest the palm oil. The oil will then be sold to

subsidize education, hospitals and clinics.)

Thank you to teachers Jill Reed, DJ Matsko, Racquel Branthoover, Christy Johnson and Casey Blake

and helpers Eliot Reed, Sarah Chorle, Carly Gonder, Chelsey Henry, Michael Shimmel,

Hannah Shimmel, Ann and Jason Rishel, Kirsten Guelich, Laura Gilham, Sharon Goss, Gigi Sayers

and Amy Bordas for your loving and gentle ways in serving God and His children.

Thanks also to Mary Beth and Jeff Eyet for preparing the daily snacks and to those who

provided the ingredients, to Gerri Burns who planned and directed the theme-based

recreational activities, and to Gigi who, with Mary Beth’s help, staffed the registration table.

Without the dedication of so many, VBS would not happen, at least not in such a joyful and safe manner. You have all added much to the abilities our 50 children now have in serving in "God’s Big Backyard."

Many, many thanks to all of you,

Holly Kithcart, VBS Director

 

 

STUDY LEAVE

Pastor Tracie will be joining her cohort of Presbyterian

Women pastors in Lakeside, Montana, from Sept 12-19.

This is the final meeting with Eugene Peterson in the group’s

study of Spiritual Theology through a grant they won in 2007.

Please pray for Pastor Tracie’s study and conversation time,

and the family in her absence.

 

 

The recent decisions of the PC(USA) General Assembly had unclear consequences

when they were made, and what they mean for the church seems to be unclear still.

Discussion in the next year will cover changes to the Book of Confession, changes to the

Form of Government, changes to the Ordination Standards, and changes in ecumenical relationships.

How these changes will come through in actual practice still remains to be seen.

Our congregation will be engaging in discussion with other Presbyterian churches in our area, and at Presbytery meetings. Pastor Tracie is working with Session for some educational time for our congregation, and is also keeping aware of national trends and responses to communicate to our leadership.

Please continue to pray for our denomination, as we seek to find ways to live well with one

another and witness to the work of Jesus Christ in that life together.

YOUNG AT HEART
Wednesday, September 24, 2008

will kick off the season for our monthly

luncheons for food, fellowship and a program.

The committee has been busy deciding on the menu

and programs to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable time.

Come and join us at 12:00 noon.  Reservations need to be made

by Sunday, September 21, by calling 342-4371 or 342-3376.  The cost is $3.00.

WOMEN’S STUDY

The women of the church will be gathering this Fall to study the life of Ruth together. This time of learning, sharing and fellowship build our community and lives with Christ. Take a Monday night out and join us!

Monday, September 29 – Ruth Ch. 1 Study from 7-8:30 PM

Monday, October 27 – Ruth Ch. 2 Study from 7-8:30 PM

Monday, December 1 – Ruth Ch. 3 Study from 7-8:30 PM

 

As part of our Communion Sunday Celebration, the Presbyterian Women have made

recommendations for special needs at the Food Bank with Community Action.

For World Communion Sunday on October 5 we are planning to collect cereal.

Advance notice will help pay attention to sales!

Our per capita that we pay to the Presbytery is due in November.

If you haven’t contributed and would like to, your generosity is

always appreciated. If you aren’t sure if you have contributed,

please contact Edie Good. Per capita for each member is $27.39.

Thank you,

The Board of Trustees

 

 

first Fall practice immediately following worship.

The Philipsburg Presbyterian Home’s Auxiliary Christmas Bazaar will be Saturday, November 1^st,

at the Heights at Windy Hill Village in Philipsburg. The Auxiliary is grateful for the beautiful crafts,

delicious baked goods, and other items you have contributed in past years and hope that we can

count on your help again this year. We are asking that you begin now to make your crafts for this year’s

bazaar. Popular items include all quilted items, artwork, needlework, and woodwork, as well as other kinds

of hand-made crafts. Your talents and skills are needed to make this our biggest and best bazaar ever!

Please mark this date – Saturday, November 1^st, on your calendar now.

First Presbyterian Church Prayer Shawl ministry has begun with several people eager to begin knitting shawls and others looking forward to beginning. The ministry is a non-denominational outreach to church members, people in the larger community, and family members who are experiencing a difficult time in their lives. The problem may be loss of many kinds – death, divorce, job, home. Someone may be suffering from a serious illness or surgery with a long recorvery period. Or there may even be a happy event, such as the birth of a child. In all these situations a shawl with prayers "knit" into it by the maker, can be a comfort and a blessing.

The shawls are easy to knit or crochet and directions to either are printed and available for anyone who is interested. All that is needed is size 11 or 13 knitting needle set or a larger crochet hook, three 6 oz. Skeins of very soft yarn and a desire to be part of a compassionate ministry in the name of Christ.

The first informational gathering for the Prayer Shawl Ministry will be on Sunday, September 7^th following the luncheon in Westminster Hall. Directions and some yarn will be available then. If you want to participate but do not know how to knit, someone will be glad to teach you. It isn’t hard!

Anyone who is interested may become a Prayer Shawl Minister at any time. One need not be present on September 7^th. To receive directions. One also need not be a knitter to be a part of the ministry. Donations to purchase yarn are happily received. If you have questions or would like more information, call Carol Moore (342-0758).