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Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church |
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Easter Our History Activities
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SUMMER
2006 WHAT
WOULD YOU LOVE TO DO … IN CHURCH?
This
newsletter marks three years of ministry with you as your pastor. I continue to be grateful for this call and for you as a
dynamic, faithful community. A
wise General Presbyter once told me that he believed ministry really
started after a pastor was in her call for three years.
So … what do
you want to do first? I know it
sounds kind of crazy, as we’ve done a good bit together already –
stabilized worship, seen the “Young at Heart” ministry start,
baptized a number of infants and adults, paved a parking lot, received
new members, contributed to Relay for Life, refurbished our stained
glass windows, sent a team to Thailand, started summer fellowship times,
explored a drama team in worship, built on strong music and drama
traditions, caught up on building maintenance, opened our church for
more meals together … and that’s not the complete list!
But as we
continue to seek together what it means to love God and love others,
which is essentially our vision, where might we need to turn our
attention next? And, more
to the point, where would you love to be involved in ministry?
If we’ve learned anything together, it is that ministry flows
naturally out of how God has called and equipped us, with the inner urge
making the most difference in how a ministry springs to life.
So, what is God nudging you about in our life together?
Think about
this over the summer, as it will be a recurring discussion in the fall
as we look ahead with joy and anticipation as a community of faith
together. 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. MAKE
A NOTE! Summer Worship begins at 9:30 AM from Sunday, July 2, through Sunday, August 27!
Following our Summer Worship Service, we will enjoy
Fellowship time in front of the church, provided by
a generous church family. INCOME
AND EXPENSES FOR THE GENERAL FUND FOR MAY, 2006:
Total
Offering and Income to General Fund, May 2006
$7,553.50
Total Expenses from General Fund, May 2006
$7,319.27
Balance for May
$ 234.23 A
REMINDER ON FINANCES AND A “HALF YEAR REPORT” Please
remember that the General Fund represents our Income and Expenses on a
yearly basis. It is our
Annual Budget. Each month,
the Trustees are giving a report of the General Fund to help us focus on
regular monthly giving, and go our best to see a balanced budget (income
meeting expenses) for the year. The
Reserve and Investment Fund is our fund for taking care of one-time
expenses, especially related to building needs.
In early June, a prisoner work team came to our church to seal,
prime and paint our stained glass window frames – saving us $6,600 in
contractor estimates. In
addition, several hundred dollars were saved in sealing our parking lot
and beginning painting the black frames of the education building. For
2006, our giving envelopes do not have a designated line item for the
building fund. Anyone is
welcome to make a donation to the Reserve and Investment Fund, which
cares for facility needs. By
streamlining the giving to our General Fund or Benevolences, we are
seeking to see those budgets hold their own. CHILDREN'S
CHURCH CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER Children's Church, also known as the
nursery, will be available for children during worship services this
summer. All children, birth through kindergarten age, are welcome and
invited to attend. All activities will revolve around the theme,"
God Loves his world and his people and "me"!" A special thank you to the following
people who dedicate themselves to teaching and nurturing our pre-school
children throughout the year: Amy Bainey, Jerilin Pritchard, Laura
Warner, Mary Beth Eyet, Amy Bordas, Andy Bordas, Sue Millward, Jennifer
Johnston, Jill Reed, Karen Wood, Jill Blake, Casey Blake, Tracy
Branthoover, Angie Dixon, Jennifer Starner, Andrea Starner, Lisa Chorle,
Walt Chorle, Marty Bullis, Edie Good and Ed Good. Susan
Harris Children's
Church Coordinator JULY
BIRTHDAYS
1ST – Ray Millward
15th – Lindsay Genesi 24th
– Tom Johnston 2nd – Richard Wood
16th – Noah Jeffries
24th – Casey Blake 3rd – Jill Blake
17th – Sarah Holden
27th – Megan Eyet 4th – Mary Whitehead Gilham
18th – Gary Broberg
28th – Jamison Warg 8th – Karen Wood
19th – Jerilin Pritchard
28th – Gene Broberg 9th – Beth Calvin
19th – Jackie Houser
28th – Eliot Reed 9th – Sally Laux
22nd – Ryan Good
31st – Brian Wood 12th – Claranelle Harkins
23rd – Bill Richmond JULY ANNIVERSARIES July
1st – Gary and Susan Broberg – 28 years July
4th – Erik and Shannon Johnson – 3 years July
9th – Rodger and Judy Pleskonko – 30 years OFFICER MEETINGS for JULY Please
note there will be no Officer Meetings during
the month of July! DEACON
HIGHLIGHTS ·
Meeter/greeter training was conducted
during the June Deacon's meeting. ·
An information card for visitor's was
discussed and a schedule was developed for the summer months. ·
It was also decided to donate $100 for
five women visiting from Thailand. SESSION HIGHLIGHTS,
JUNE 12 Contrary to what we find in Mother Nature’s World,
where some life forms enter a period of dormancy in the winter, in our church world
summer is the season where some of the activities slow down a bit.
That gave Session a perfect opportunity to look forward with some short range and long range planning in June. In
the short term, plans were made for serving homebound communion while
Pastor Tracie is away in July, and plans continued for the summer after
worship socials. Issues
that are likely to arise at this summer’s General Assembly continued
to be discussed. In
the somewhat more distant future, plans were discussed for our
pastor’s professional development in the areas of spiritual formation
and growth, and for sabbatical plans three years down the road. The blessing of having so many of our youth attending
Krislund was also discussed, along with the necessity to develop plans
to meet the ever increasing scholarship money demands. We
engaged in some “what-ifs.” What
would be our church’s and pastor’s role in a health pandemic?
What accommodations should we make for a possible health
emergency at a church activity? CPR preparedness and/or the availability of a defibrillator
were a couple of items discussed. Should
we try to make, or can we even predict, preparations that would be
necessary for a health emergency or other crisis confronting one of our
congregants? These were
questions that generated thoughtful discussion and the realization that
further research was needed to continue the discussions in the future. Finally,
we sincerely wish to keep the lines of communication open with the
congregation. Ideas and
suggestions don’t necessarily slow down in the summer.
If you have some thoughts that you would like Session to discuss,
you have a few avenues to express them.
Please make use of the suggestion box in the narthex of the
church. Also, you may
contact Pastor Tracie, Clerk Jeff, or any of the members of Session –
we would all be glad to bring your ideas or concerns before the Board. Have a
relaxing summer! Jeff TRUSTEE
NOTES—MAY AND JUNE
·
New blue and white paraments are being
ordered for use during the Advent and Easter seasons.
$700 will be used from the Memorial Fund to pay for these items. ·
Prisoners from SCI-Houtzdale worked at
the church from June 5-9 and completed the following projects: 1)
painting and sealing the exterior of the sanctuary windows, 2) cleaning
of the sanctuary heating registers, 3) changing the sanctuary
floodlights and cleaning the beams at the front of the church, 4)
sealing the church parking lot, 5) painting the bottom windows of the
educational wing. The prisoner’s work saved our congregation about
$8,000 in contractor costs. Our thanks to Darrell Hollis, Jim Gearhart,
Shirley Turner, Steve Starner, Tom Sayers, Dan and Ralph Nelson, Marty
Bullis, and Gary Barnett for contributions to this project. ·
The trustees are working to place signs
throughout the building in order to help visitors as they use our
facility. The signs will be
in place by the September Presbytery meeting, which our church is
hosting. ·
The trustees approved the replacement of
the ceiling fan nearest the sanctuary balcony, which is malfunctioning. OFFICER MEETINGS for AUGUST
(in the parlor)
Deacons:
Tuesday, August 1st @ 7:00 p.m.
Session:
Tuesday, August 8th @ 7:00 p.m.
Trustees:
Tuesday, August 15th @ 7:00 p.m.
Presbyterian Women:
No Meeting
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 2nd
– Becky Houser
20th – Shannon Johnson 2nd
– Hannah Holden
22nd – Joy McCliment 9th
– Cristen Blake
23rd – Amy Rodgers 10th
– Dot Davidsen
25th – Todd Askey 15th
– Colton Harris
25th – Dionne Phillips 16th
– Racquel Branthoover
25th – Tyler Walter 18th
– Ivy Reed
28th – Bernhard Warg 19th
– Abby Rummel
30th – Lisa Holden
19th – Megan Rummel AUGUST
ANNIVERSARIES 7th – John and Ruth
Kashella – 58 years 8th – Reverend Bill and
Carol Moore – 47 years 16th – Jim and Judy
Gearhart – 37 years 19th – Nikki and Chris
Rohrback – 6 years 25th – Ernest and Dede
Coleman – 22 years SUNDAY
SCHOOL THANKS
As
another school year comes to a close, I would like to express my
appreciation to all the adults who led our youth in Sunday School this
year. I’ve recently read that a sign of a healthy church is a healthy
Sunday School program. It is because of all of you and your commitment
to the youth of this church, that ours is a healthy and growing program. Thanks to:
Junior/Senior High School
Class – Dan Nelson
Grades 4-6 – Ilo
Warg and Babs Herman
Grades 1-3 – Jim
Warg, Harold Shirey and Mary Shirey
Pre-school class – Karen Wood, Jill Blake, Gigi Sayers, Tom Sayers
Barb Little,
Tom Little, Jill Reed, Jenn Johnston, Paul
Springer, Hannah Holden, Mary Beth Eyet, Jeff Eyet,
Judy Gearhart, Jim Gearhart, Lora Storck, Tracie Bullis,
Marty Bullis, Amy Rodgers, and Bonnie Rodgers So
when you see these adults in church this summer, thank them. It is
because of
them that the children of our church are learning and growing God’s
Word. Jennifer
Starner THANKS
OF THE MONTH
As
we move into the summer months, many have wound up the school year
projects with
joy and generosity. The
first week after school was out, we hosted a Prison Work team,
who did about $8,000 worth of labor work under the direction of the
Trustees. Marty
Bullis, Steve Starner, Ralph and Dan Nelson, and Tom Sayers were
invaluable in preparatory work for this week … thanks!
Day hosts of Jim Gearhart, Marty Bullis, Shirley
Turner, Darrell Hollis, and Gary Barnett helped the week to go smoothly
… thanks! The next week,
our church oversaw the Hospitality for 275 high school work campers at
the Jr. High. The Deacons,
particularly Jill Blake, Sally Nelson, Lora Storck, and Karen
Wood helped to make welcome bags … thanks!
Bob Branstetter and Dan Nelson pitched in with boxes and
transportation … thanks! The
Vaux family, of Dairy Queen, donated 275 dilly bars … thanks!
Eleven bakers made 100 cookies each … thanks! Sheetz
donated 12 cases of water, along with a couple of church families …
thanks! Educating our
children wound up a year in Sunday School, with much credit going to Jen
Starner, our Sunday School Superintendent … thanks!
Susan Harris has graciously extended the Children’s Church
ministry to a full year offering … thanks!
The annual Yard Sale was pulled off, headed by Ethel Cipollini as
overseer of this event, with a host of helpers … thanks!
Plus, to all of you who brought items in, bought items, and
advertised the sale … thanks! The
Deacons tried offering lunch on Saturday of the sale this year …
thanks! Gary Barnett
patiently restored the Westminster Hall and hauled the trash out …
thanks! Bill Moore and
Barbara Mosch stepped in as Pulpit Supply in Pastor Tracie’s absences
… thanks! The parking lot
lines were painted by Don Blake and Marty Bullis … thanks! Ethel Cipollini and Joy McCliment planted our beautiful
planters … thanks! MaryBeth
Eyet sewed a new ordinary time (green) communion table cloth … thanks! A NOTE OF
THANKS!
"Thanks once again for all the prayers, calls, cards and anything else you may have done during and after my most recent hospitalization.
I am blessed by a strong and caring church family."
--Marie De Angelo Smith OFFICE
TEAM
Pastor Tracie
is developing an “office team” of 4-5 helpful folks who would give
one morning per
month on a regular basis to helping out with some of the administrative needs
beyond the regular secretarial duties.
If you would like to donate some time to this effort, please
speak with Pastor Tracie. BLOODMOBILE
SUCCESS!
A HUGE thanks goes out to all who provided supplies, work, and blood for the May 23 blood drive. We took in 90 pints – 15 more than our goal!
Thank you. YARD
SALE SUCCESS!
The Yard Sale
was another successful boost to connecting with our town, creating
fellowship around a project, and raising over $1,000 for our General Fund during the typical
"summer slump." Many, many thanks goes out to all those who
helped: Ethel Cipollini, Shirley Turner, Dot and Ray Davidsen, Jim and
Judy Gearhart, Theresa Martha and daughter Mary Jane, Shannon and Erik
Johnson, Bonnie Rodgers, Mary and Harold Shirey, Jill Blake, Gigi
Sayers, Pat Foley, Virginia Colley with Christopher, Helen Hollis, Sue
Holdren, Paul Springer, Pat Milsom, and Babs Herman. SUMMER
GIVING NOTE
With summer freeing up our travel time, please remember that the expenses of the church do not change much during the summer months.
Your regular giving is important
to
the health of our General Budget. COMMUNITY
PRAYER GROUP
The Philipsburg-Osceola Ministerium has decided praying together as a
community is one of the first steps towards a
healthy, whole community. Tuesdays
at noon have been set aside as a time for all who are interested to come
to pray for a half hour at Trinity United Methodist Church, in the room
just off the stairs by the door to their parking lot. KRISLUND
CAMPERS – PRAYING THEM THROUGH!
This
year, we have the tremendous pleasure of seeing 16 kids go to Camp
Krislund for a week of challenge, fun and renewal in Jesus Christ.
What
a delight to see the power of time at camp returning to our kids!
We
also have four adult volunteers who are going to help with camp!
Pray
for the children and adults as they head into their weeks: Morgan
Coble, Climb/Canoe Base Camp 6/18-24 Jordan
Harris, Climb/Canoe Base Camp 6/18-24 Cody
Ammerman, Main Camp, 7/16-7/22 Evan
Eggers, Main Camp, 7/16-7/22 Matt
Starner, Main Camp, 7/16-7/22 Ben Jeffries,
Mini Camp, 7/24-26
Ryker Bullis, Mini Camp, 7/27-29 Noah Jeffries,
Mini Camp, 7/24-26
Matty Bullis, Mini Camp, 7/27-29 Skylar Moore,
Mini Camp, 7/24-26
Taylor Guelich, Mini Camp, 7/27-29 Eliot Reed,
Mini Camp, 7/24-26
Payton Guelich, Mini Camp, 7-27-29 Ethan Reed,
Mini Camp, 7/24-26 Todd Reed,
Mini Camp, 7/24-26
Isaiah Dixon, Mini Camp, 8/10-12 Email
your camper with camper’s FULL name as the subject line and email to camper@krislund.org
during the camper’s stay. COMMUNION
OFFERING
July 9 is our Summer Communion Date, and our Presbyterian Women who oversee the Food Bank giving are asking for
Cereal donations on that date. Please bring them to the church foyer with you. SUMMER
FELLOWSHIP TIME
Starting July
9, our church will be continuing our community building time after the
summer worship service. We
will be setting up a canopy tent in front of the church and offering
light refreshments in hopes of encouraging some lingering and conversation after
church. It will also remind
the Philipsburg community that “something is going on” at First
Presbyterian Church. Perhaps
someone driving by will decide to stop and visit, too! THE
BULLIS FAMILY VACATION
The
Bullis Family will be on vacation July 6-21 to see family on the West
Coast and
attend a pastor’s conference. Please
pray for travel mercies as they go.
If
there is a pastoral need, Jeff Eyet (342-0317) is available to make
referrals. On
Sunday, July 9, we will have the good fortune of Rev. Bill Moore
preaching and
officiating at communion. On
Sunday, July 16, Barbara Mosch will be joining
us after her graduation from Seminary. HERITAGE DAYS
HAPPENINGS AT CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church is supportive
of Philipsburg’s Heritage Days in a variety of ways.
Below is a listing of activities – but check local advertising as the dates
draw nearer for the specifics. Plus, much more is going on that we
don’t even know about! Tuesday, July
11, 7 PM:
Community Vespers Service at Trinity United
Methodist Church. Wednesday,
July 12:
*Dinner Theatre at our church Thursday,
July 13, 7:30 PM: Valley
Voices Concert at the Rowland, $5 Sunday,
July 16, 9:30 AM:
Worship Service *MURDER MYSTERY DESSERT THEATRE JULY 12 IN
WESTMINSTER HALL (Two
performances at 6 and 8 PM presented by the P-O Drama Club.) This
year there will again be two plays performed in each showing; 1.
Sherlock
Holmes Mystery/Comedy--Holmes must deal with that
confounded, nefarious Professor Moriarity
(At the conclusion of this segment, dessert will be served.) 2.
"Murder
Most Fowl" -- set in the hills of West Virginny-- what is happenin'
to all the chickens???
(At the end of this show, there will be drawings for door prizes
donated by area businesses and individuals.)
This is the 5th year for these highly successful shows. This year
about
20 P-O students ranging from kindergarten to recently-graduated
seniors
will perform under the direction of volunteer coach Shirley
Shore. CONGRATULATIONS
to Eric and
Danielle Schwarz
Eric and Danielle Schwarz were united in
marriage on December 18, 2005, but have waited
until after their college commitments were finished
to hold a wedding celebration with their families.
Extend your congratulations to them around
their Wedding Celebration and Renewal of Wedding Vows
held on July 22, 2006. COME
BUILD YOUR FAITH THIS SUMMER!
Our church
will once again offer Vacation Bible School to children ages 3 through 2nd
grade on August 7-10 from 9-11 AM.
Pre-registration forms will be available in mid-July.
Contact Marty Bullis or Karen Wood for more information, or ways
you can volunteer to help! CHURCH
PICNIC
To
wind up the summer well, we’re having our Church Picnic at the Cold
Stream Dam Park on Sunday, August 20, at noon, with our sister Presbyterian
Church in Osceola Mills. Everyone
brings a dish to share and
we enjoy time together and time playing! JULY
2006 CHURCH CALENDAR
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