Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church

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SUMMER 2007

IN SCRIPTURE

These summer months together are marked by a different rhythm. We begin and end

our worship on Sundays earlier; we travel more over the weekends; we take our

family vacations; we linger after worship under the tent and catch up with each other.

So, our attentiveness to Scripture as we turn to sermons will take a twist in rhythm.

No summer full of studying one book; no references to the last weeks of sermons in

order to fully enter the present week; no human management of the theme of worship

as a whole, with the increased variety of soloists.

For much of July, we will look for God where God isn’t mentioned, even once. This is the

book of Esther. The themes of this story are self-contained and easily connected from

week to week, giving us good meat to chew over even in the carefree summer months.

The book is also a timely reminder that God is ever-present even when we

don’t see God in black and white.

Then, most of August will give us time to consider the whole place of rest in our lives, even

in the middle of that vacation-laden month. Sabbath stories with Jesus will guide us,

along with their Old Testament backing. We will circle the gift and renewal of resting,

in hopes of taking a long tradition and recapturing it in our current lives.

I look forward to these months together. I like getting more conversation with you

beyond the door greeting as we munch goodies in the sunshine. I like looking for

God’s nuggets to us each week rather than building on a theme. I like anchoring

our summer in worship, as a regular gathering point amidst all the activity.

Let’s join together this summer to faithfully come to these Scriptures with fresh

eyes and open hearts, that we would see what God has in store for each and all of us.

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 5^th and 6^th Streets, with parking behind the building or on the street.

Income and Expenses for the General Fund for May, 2007:

Total Offering and Income to General Fund $ 9,930.44

Total Expenses from General Fund $11,614.83

Balance for May ($ 1,684.39)

NOTE: As a result of the May deficit, $2,000 was transferred

from the Reserve and Investment Fund to cover expenses.

Please be attentive to joyfully and thankfully giving this summer.

JUNE THANKS

Summer begins for most of us in June, and many volunteers stepped up and gave time and energy behind the scenes. We are continually grateful for these folks who, like cogs in a wheel, keep ministries going. Butch Kitko and his woodworking skills continue to bless us with the refinishing of the candle and flower pedestal – thank you! The summer kick-off picnic was a glorious time of fun and fellowship, thanks to the Deacons, the Wood family, and the weather (provided by God!) – thank you! The Prisoner Work Crew came the last week of June and first week of July, which takes much preparation and oversight to use their time wisely. Marty Bullis pulled together supplies – thank you! Barbara Little scheduled volunteer overseers – thank you! Dan Nelson coordinated the work – thank you! Gary Barnett, Darrell Hollis, Bill and Carol Moore, Jerilin Pritchard, Gigi Sayers, Shirley Turner, Karen Wood, and Gertie Clyde spent days overseeing the crew – thank you! Educating our children took some new turns with Workshop Rotation Sunday School, and Jen Starner, our Sunday School Superintendent, coordinated this with grace – thank you! Susan Harris oversees the Children’s Church ministry and kept that running smoothly – even through July and August – thank you! The Sunday School kids thanked the men of the church for their faithful witness – thank you to the men and the kids! The annual Yard Sale was pulled off by Presbyterian Women, headed by Ethel Cipollini as overseer of this event – thank you! Plus, to all of you who brought items in, bought items, and advertised the sale – thank you! The Deacons offered lunch on Friday and Saturday of the sale – thank you! Gary Barnett patiently restored the Westminster Hall and hauled the trash out – thank you! Bill Moore led in worship during Pastor Tracie’s absence for vacation – thank you! Ethel Cipollini and Babs Herman planted our beautiful planters – thank you!

SUNDAY SCHOOL THANKS

Thanks to everyone who helped

this year in Sunday School; teachers,
helpers and teen helpers! A special thanks

to those who volunteered to teach in a new way

this spring with the Rotation Model. As our Sunday

School classes continue to grow, we need the experience

and talents of the adults in our congregation to help the children

of this church grow in Christ. See you in the Fall!

SUMMER WORSHIP

MAKE A NOTE! Summer Worship begins at 9:30 AM from Sunday, July 1 through Sunday, August 26! Following our Summer Worship Service, we will enjoy Fellowship time in front of the church, provided by a generous church family.

SUMMER FELLOWSHIP TIME

Starting July 1, 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!

COMMUNION OFFERING

July 1 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.

CHILDREN’S CHURCH FOR THE SUMMER

Children's church will be offered during worship

throughout the summer months. Children entering

kindergarten in the fall and younger are welcome to attend.

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.

KRISLUND CAMPERS – PRAYING THEM THROUGH!

This year, we have the tremendous pleasure of seeing 13 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 six adult volunteers who are going to help with camp! Pray for the children and adults as they head into their weeks:

Main Camp June 24-30: Emily Bush-Clark, Ben Jeffries, Kayla

McCreadie, Skylar Moore, Eliot Reed

Mini Camp July 1-3: Noah Jeffries, Quincy Moore,

Ethan Reed, Todd Reed

Mini Camp July 5-7: Ryker Bullis, Madelen Bullis,

Taylor Guelich, Payton Guelich

Volunteer Week July 22-28: Darrell and Helen Hollis,

Dick and Holly Kithcart,

Bill and Carol Moore

E-mail your camper with camper’s FULL name as the subject line and

e-mail to camper@krislund.org during the camper’s stay.

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 10, 7 PM: Community Vespers Service at First Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Thursday, July 12, 7:30 PM: Valley Voices Concert at the Rowland, $5

Sunday, July 15, 9:30 AM: Worship Service

KRISLUND VOLUNTEER WEEK – 5-6 VOLUNTEERS

July 22-28 is the Volunteer Week at Krislund Camp for some adults from our church. Darrell and Helen Hollis, along with Bill and Carol Moore, are taking their RVs up to the camp in order to volunteer during the day. Dick and Holly Kithcart will stay in lodge housing to help, too. Those interested in volunteering, even for a day, are welcome to contact Darrell Hollis for more information. Keep these folks in your prayers during that week, too!

JULY BIRTHDAYS

1 – Ray Joe Millward 19 – Jerilin Pritchard

2 – Richard Wood 19 – Jackie Houser

3 – Jill Blake 22 – Ryan Good

4 – Mary Whitehead Gilham 23 – Bill Richmond

5 – Karen Wood 24 – Tom Johnston

9 – Sally Laux 24 – Casey Blake

12 – Claranell Harkins 27 – Megan Eyet

15 – Lindsay Genesi 28 – Jamison Warg

16 – Noah Jeffries 28 – Gene Broberg

17 – Sarah Holden 28 – T. Eliot Reed

18 – Gary Broberg 31 – Brian Wood

JULY ANNIVERSARIES

1^st – Gary and Susan Broberg – 29 years

4^th – Erik and Shannon Johnson – 4 years

9^th – Rodger and Judy Pleskonko – 31 years

20^th – Jason and Ann Rishel

28^th – Gregory and Nancy Fetters

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

2 – Becky Houser 19 – Abby Rummel

2 – Hannah Holden 19 – Megan Rummel

5 – Dick Kithcart 20 – Shannon Johnson

9 – Cristen Blake 22 – Joy McCliment

10 – Dot Davidsen 23 – Amy Rodgers

11 – Cody Ammerman 25 – Todd Askey

13 – Amy Bainey 25 – Dionne Phillips

16 – Racquel Branthoover 25 – Tyler Walter

18 – Ivy Reed 28 – Bernhard Warg

30 – Lisa Holden

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

7th – John and Ruth Marie Kashella – 59 years

8^th – Bill and Carol Moore – 48 years

16^th – Jim and Judy Gearhart – 38 years

19^th – Nikki and Chris Rohrback – 7 years

25^th – Dede and Earnest Coleman – 23 years

OFFICE TEAM

Pastor Tracie is looking to rebuild

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.

COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER

The 1st Presbyterian Church in Philipsburg invites churches from the Central Pennsylvania

area to participate in a community fund raising event on Sunday August 12th.

We have outlined the general format and goals of the musical event. However, we would

like to encourage as much participation from surrounding churches as possible.

Here is a list of things that we need help with:

1.) Ideas for benefiting the community: We would like to ask patrons to bring a themed community donation with them in return for enjoying the show. Ideas we had included school supplies, filled backpacks and canned goods. Please share with us any ideas you have!

2.) A creative title. We especially welcome titles reflecting ideas for giving back to the community.

3.) Musical Talent! We would like to keep the event to about one hour in length. Unfortunately, this limits the number of musical numbers to about 10-11 numbers while allowing time for switching groups between songs. We would really like to see 1 or 2 groups / ensembles / quartets, trios, etc., from each church. The songs need not be specifically religious but should be appropriate. We also need children (or adults) to fill in the transitions between songs with short instrument solos or quick hymns. Please call Danielle at (814) 404-8627 or Allison at (814) 342-0538 to sign up for a musical number. The slots will be assigned on a first-come first-serve basis. Everyone who is interested is invited to participate in the finale number of the Hallelujah Chorus. There will be a dress rehearsal of the entire event on Sunday August 5th at 6pm.

4.) Drinks / Goodies for the Reception. We will hold a reception afterwards to allow mingling and community gathering. We are going to make the event as garbage-free as possible and will be supplying cups and plates. However, we do need some drinks and snacks or desserts. The hardest part of buying food on a budget is making it easy and healthy. Therefore, we definitely encourage people to bring foods that are fun, easy to make and most importantly healthy! If you are interested in supplying something please contact Danielle or Allison. If you are willing to provide the recipe for sharing we can make copies for you.

We look forward to hearing from you!

COME PLUNGE IN THIS SUMMER!

Our church will once again offer Vacation Bible School to children ages 3 through 3^rd grade on August 13-16 from 9-11 AM. Pre-registration forms will be available in mid-July. Contact Holly Kithcart for more information, or ways you can volunteer to help!

BUILDING USE COORDINATOR

Job Description

Essential Tasks:

· Maintain a church use calendar, including a day-to-day or week-to-week listing of events, room usage, and contact information

· Coordinate among church employees and church leadership for the scheduling of events, i.e. opening and closing church, heating/cooling, pastor and/or elder attendance

· Be a point of contact and assist in the coordinating for church employees and church leadership for special events like weddings, funeral/memorial services, and special church events, like community worship services

· Be a point-of-contact or point-of-referral to any person or organization requesting use of the church or its resources

· Capable to explaining the church use policy, building use approval process, and expectations of those who use our facilities

· Work hand-in-hand with the Pastor, Clerk of Session, Music Director, Church Custodian, and Church Secretary

This job does not require the person to be physically present at the church for a pre-set period of time.

It is only necessary that you be reachable via phone or email and be capable of responding

within 24 to 72 hours after a request has been made.

It is not anticipates that this position should take much time to perform: approximately

1 to 2 hours a week. Possibly more time around major church holiday periods.

GRAY MEMORIAL NEWS

Since the January meeting of Session, after Carl Gray died in December, the desire to honor

Rev. Gray’s ministry at First Presbyterian Church was clear. The Session generated suggestions themselves, and asked the other leadership boards (Deacons and Trustees) to consider ways to do a memorial. All quickly agreed that the memorial needed to honor both Carl and Betty Gray,

as they both ministered in Philipsburg.

In order to get a full picture of options, plus gain feedback on those generated by leadership, the

congregation was then asked for suggestions. In addition, Carl and Betty’s children,

Carl and Jennifer, were asked to give their input.

When all the options were laid before Session and discussed over three meetings, a few guidelines

came to the fore. First, the idea of remodeling something at the church felt inadequate; the Session

wanted to provide something new. Next, Carl and Jennifer made the suggestion that doing something at the manse would honor their parents’ love for the home and extension of it in their ministry. Finally, the concept of the memorial wanted to center on telling Carl and Betty’s story by memorializing something that would be meaningful to them.

After much prayer and reflection, the Session has decided to do a two-part memorial. First, the parlor in the church will be renamed the Carl and Betty Gray Memorial Parlor. The choice of the specific name was suggested by their children. Carl spent many meetings in the room, and the parlor, now used for the Bridal dressing room, has links to Betty’s ministry to brides in

offering her home. We will commission a portrait of Carl and Betty to hang in the

parlor in order to keep their story alive and well among us.

Second, the Session decided to follow the Gray children’s suggestion of a memorial at the manse. To this end, the Session and Trustees are working on building a back patio, using stone that

coordinates with the church and manse. This gift connects with Carl’s love of the outdoors

and Betty’s gifts of hospitality. It is a new and lovely way to keep Carl and Betty’s ministry

in mind for pastors who serve the church.

When Carl Gray’s son heard of our plans, his response was, “We are both pleased with the plans suggested, the dedication of the parlor in our parents’ memory, and building a back patio at the manse. We know mother and dad would approve as well.”

At this time, we have enough memorial gifts to cover the expense of these memorials.

We will be dedicating these in the presence of Carl and Jennifer on

Sunday, April 27, 2008, at our Centennial Celebration of the Sanctuary.

The Session would also like to thank the congregation for their creative ideas for memorials. The

needed maintenance suggestions will still be kept in mind for the Trustees to administer.

Our prayer is that all we do gives glory to God, who has provided so faithfully

to the congregation at First Presbyterian Church in Philipsburg.

NOTES FROM THE HISTORY COMMITTEE

As we prepare for a celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of our present church sanctuary next April, we thought you might be interested in what prompted its construction. The following is a newspaper article (assumed to be the Daily Journal) from July 1907. Many thanks to Laura Barnett for discovering the article in the Historical Foundation archives.

A COSTLY BLAZE

Presbyterian Church Furnishes Fourth of July Illumination

A quiet, uneventful Fourth of July in Philipsburg wound up with an exciting fire that at first threatened to cut a wide swath of ruin. About 10 o'clock a sky rocket was seen to fall in the vicinity of the Presbyterian church and observers watched its descent fearing it might set fire to the building, but it apparently shot off the steep pitched roof, no light following its flight. About 10:20 Master Joe Streamer, a young son of W. A. H. Streamer, living close by the church, discovered a tiny blaze in the church roof and told his father, who thinking it could be extinguished without help, hastened to draw some water for the purpose, but he was appalled to f ind that the flames were burning in sheets from the shingles when he returned with the water. The alarm was at once given and the fire department responded as only Philipsburg firemen can, and soon had several streams of water playing upon what seemed a very sea of fire. Under the able leadership of Fire Chief Weber, the fire was drowned out leaving the roof standing and the side walls not so much damaged as might have been feared, although the black rafters stand up like a charred skeleton.

The pretty little dwelling owned by C. T. Fryberger and occupied by W. A. H. Streamer and family stood so close to the burning church that it seemed it certainly would go, and the roof did catch several times, but so vigilant were the firemen that it was practically unharmed. Fortunately there was no wind and the water supply was all that could be wished; and, too, that fine new hose did excellent service, otherwise it would have needed a miracle to save the buildings around that square.

As it was, the roof of the church is destroyed, the end walls damaged and the furnishings ruined by water. The Sunday school supplies for the quarter were just in and were soaked and spoiled. Insurance amounting to $3,600 was carried on the building and contents. The church was built twenty-nine years ago, a frame building comfortable and in a convenient location, but for years a new church has been talked of which will now be a necessity.

The sister churches freely and promptly tendered their hospitality and the Sunday services were held in the Lutheran church. At a congregational meeting held in the same place last evening the offer of the use of St. Paul's parish house, was tendered by the vestry, was gratefully accepted. It was also decided to erect a new church at a cost of $20,000 complete, exclusive of the site, which will not be the present one. Committees on finance, site and building were appointed and the work will be pushed with all possible dispatch. Mrs. G. W. McGaffey has offered to contribute the final $5,000 to a new church which must be dedicated free of debt in order to secure (the donation).

# # # # # #

If you have other historical documents you would like to share, please drop them off at the church.

We are especially interested in pictures of church weddings.

MOWER NEEDED

Krislund Camp is looking for a donated

or inexpensive used riding mower for their camp property.

This will help them to mow the places that are currently hard

to reach with their tractor mower. If you have a riding mower

you'd like to discuss, please contact Pastor Tracie at 342-0812.

JULY CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
1 Worship @ 9:30 a.m. / Communion	2	3	4 Happy Fourth of July!	5	6	7
8 Worship @ 9:30 a.m.	9	10 Heritage Days Vespers @ 7:00 p.m. / Lutheran Church	11	12	13	14
15 Worship @ 9:30 a.m.	16	17	18	19	20	21
22 Worship @ 9:30 a.m. Krislund Volunteer Week	23 Krislund Volunteer Week	24 Krislund Volunteer Week	25 Krislund Volunteer Week	26 Krislund Volunteer Week	27 Krislund Volunteer Week	28 Krislund Volunteer Week
29 Worship @ 9:30 a.m.	30	31

CHRISTIAN ONE LINERS!

Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

AUGUST 2007 CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7 Deacons @ 7:00 p.m.	8	9	10	11
12	13 Vacation Bible School Session @ 7:00 p.m.	14 Vacation Bible School	15 Vacation Bible School	16 Vacation Bible School	17	18
19 Church Picnic @ Kylertown Athletic Field	20 Pastor Tracie on vacation	21 Pastor Tracie on Vacation Trustees @ 7:00 p.m.	22 Pastor Tracie on Vacation	23 Pastor Tracie on Vacation	24 Pastor Tracie on Vacation	25 Pastor Tracie on Vacation
26 Pastor Tracie on Vacation	27 Pastor Tracie on Vacation	28	29	30	31

More Christian One Liners

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

Peace starts with a smile.

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