The Highlander. A Service of Ashes and the Celebration of the Lord s Supper. Finding Jesus: Wednesdays in Lent 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Transcription

1 The Highlander The Newsletter of The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney E. Union St., Punxsutawney, PA February 2015 Mark Your Calendars February 1st Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday February 18th Ash Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m. A Service of Ashes and the Celebration of the Lord s Supper Wednesday, February 18th at 7:00 p.m. Join us in the sanctuary on Wednesday, February 18th at 7:00 p.m. for the start of the Season of Lent, and a Service of Ashes and the Celebration of the Lord s Supper Pastor s Report 2015 Per Capita February s PRAY Project Worship & Music Fellowship & More Mission Committee Education & Discipleship January 2015 Calendar Mission & Outreach Volunteer Schedule Groundhog Day Annual Wednesday Night Lenten Dinners & Class Wednesday February 25th March 4th March 11th March 18th March 25th The Story of Grilled Cheesus Gladys Hardy & The Ellen Show 24 Hours of Christian Television A fire in Oklahoma Idaho s Next Governor Finding Jesus: The Gospel Showing Up in Some Funny Places Wednesdays in Lent 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Read the news, watch TV, surf the web and you ll discover that the Gospel shows up in some pretty funny places. Join us for a hot and homemade meal served at 5:30 p.m. and then a light-hearted look at some of the places where Jesus appears, and what it might mean when Jesus shows up in some funny places. Classes will begin with a time of prayer & scripture.

2 Pastor s Report Reprinted from January 11th s Annual Congregational Meeting All I want to say about 2014 is THANK YOU THANK YOU for serving well over 7,500 hours of service to the glory of God and the benefit of our church, our community, and ourselves. It was an inspiring act of faith and generosity to see the hours pile up and hear stories of all the ways you served in THANK YOU for all the volunteers of the church who give and give in every season, and in every circumstance. From the current and past officers who go out to serve Homebound Communion four times a year, to the Sunday School teachers both children and adult, to the different ministry teams that give of their time, talent, and treasure to make sure this church and its people are well cared for, we have wonderful members and friends that make up this family of faith. To put this giving spirit in real numbers, on an average Sunday we have over 20 members and friends who give to make our worship service happen. Let that sink in. Choir Members, Staff, Ushers, Screen & Sound Techs, Nursery Attendants, Liturgists, Acolytes, Property team members who come to turn the heater on, a few more folks if we are celebrating the Lord s Supper, and a handful more still if the Bell Choir is playing. Thanks be to God for our generous members and friends! THANK YOU for making this church a focus of your giving saw a Season of Stewardship where members of this church prayerfully discerned their partnership with our congregation, and they believed enough in our mission and vision that they gave of their possessions and resources. This should never be anything that we disrespect or make light of. What you have enabled this congregation to do is incredible, and it is my prayer that each and every day we show ourselves to be worthy of the trust our givers have showed us. THANK YOU for all the opportunities to celebrate the goodness of God and the wonderful gifts of family and fellowship, I give great thanks. We went to ballgames both major and minor league. We ate meals together in fellowship, and we rejoiced in the baptism of beautiful babies. With heavy hearts we celebrated the well lived lives of a number of Saints for whom the race has been run. We celebrated communion together, we celebrated the gifts of Commitment Sunday, and when you add Saturday Friends Out, Marriage Seminar, and the meals you take together as friends and family, we ve been celebrating one way or another all year long. Lastly, I want to say THANK YOU for the energy and passion that you ve have shown as we move into was not without its challenges and its changes but I never once saw anyone take their ball and go home. I am thankful for the spirit that runs through this congregation and the commitment to a bright future. So as I reflect on 2014 I say, THANKS BE TO GOD.

3 2015 Per Capita A Letter to all Active Members from the Chair of the Finance Committee, Nickolas Suntheimer and Rev. Brett Swanson. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Each year, our congregation contributes a fair share to the mission and ministry of the presbytery, the synod, and the denomination. This per member apportionment is called Per Capita, and the amount our congregation provides is based on church membership. Each church in our presbytery is asked to pay a specific amount per active, confirmed member. Per Capita contributions have been a part of what is means to be Presbyterian since This year, every active member of our congregation is asked to prayerfully consider contributing their per capita apportionment in the amount of $28.00 per active, confirmed member. Please note: this is every member, not every household. This apportionment is a regular expense payable by our congregation at the spring meeting of our presbytery. In order to meet our obligation to the denomination, and not draw down our reserves or take critical monies from our General Operating Budget, we are asking that each member help us out by paying their per capita appointment. We are collecting this apportionment in two ways. You may send your per capita back to the church in the blue Per Capita envelope provided, or you are invited to bring your per capita contribution on Per Capita Sunday, March 15 th where we will make a special dedication of these funds and enjoy the Deacon s luncheon following worship. This will make it possible for us to pay our congregation s apportioned share of the expenses of the Presbytery, the synod, and the denomination in a timely fashion. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either Nickolas Suntheimer at or Brett Swanson at We would like to say a big Thank You for helping us be fiscally responsible this year. Sincerely, Nickolas Suntheimer & Rev. Brett Swanson Some Facts about Per Capita Per Capita began in 1734 and has been used to help fund the mission & ministry of the PCUSA ever since. Our Per Capita apportionment is split in three unequal sections with the majority of the funds staying in our local area (aka. the Presbytery). Per Capita is 100% voluntary and is not connected to you annual financial pledge or weekly giving. Per Capita Giving Based on Members in Household Members in Household Household Per Capita 1 Member $ Members $ Members $ Members $ Members $ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. I Corinthians 12:7 Did not receive your 2015 Offering Envelopes? Contact Sharon in the PCOP Office

4 Finding The Life in Your Year PCOP s Month-by-Month Church-Wide Project Don t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message) For our Members and Friends away from PCOP, we want you to participate too! Mail or or Call in who or what you would like prayed for, and we will give you someone s who or what for you to pray for. All prayers will be kept 100% Anonymous February s PRAY Project The theme for February is PRAY and our PRAY Project is an opportunity to explore prayer both as giver and receiver Starting Sunday, February 1st and throughout the entire month you will have the opportunity to join with members and friends of PCOP in our February PRAY Project starting February 1st. Here is how it works: In worship on February 1st you will be given the opportunity to write a WHO or a WHAT anonymously on a slip of blue paper found in your pew. Consider a specific someone or something that truly could use the kind of transformation only God can bring. Do not use proper or identifying names, instead write things like My Cousin s Health or Classes this Semester. During the morning s offering, place your crumpled up, folded, or pristine paper with your prayer in the offering plate when it comes around, then as you leave worship, pick up a different prayer and spend February personally praying for someone else s WHO or WHAT. If you can t make it into worship on February 1st but would like to participate, simply call, , mail, or place your prayer in the offering plate sometime in February, and you ll be given someone else s prayer. Updated 2015 Church Directories available Sunday, February 8th in Church Parlor Contact the church office if your information has changed New for 2015! Digital PDF directories available

5 P a g e 5 WORSHIP & MUSIC Our February 2015 Worship Calendar ***Worship Begins at 11:00 a.m.*** February 1st Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday and Celebrating the Lord s Supper with our friends from First Baptist Church Last Supper: Don t Believe the Lie that You are Not Worthy of Redemption sermon by Rev. Jon Kline, pastor of First Baptist Psalm 31: 9-16 & Mark 14: February 15th Transfiguration Sunday Praying for Illumination Psalm 47 & Matthew 16:24-17:8 February 8th 5th Sunday After Epiphany Looking Up to Heaven Introducing February s Finding the Life in Your Years PRAY Project Psalm 147: 1-11, 20 Matthew 14: Ash Wednesday, February 18th Worship at 7:00 p.m. The Imposition of Ashes and the Celebration of Communion Responsive Reading of Psalm 51 & Matthew 18:1-9 February 22nd The First Sunday of Lent Ten Miles South of Exit Eleven Psalm 25: 1-10 & Matthew 18: The Reception of New Members - Sunday, February 8th Join us in worship on Sunday, February 8th as we welcome new members to the Presbyterian Church family. Stay after worship for a time of fellowship and reception. T h e H i g h l a n d e r

6 FELLOWSHIP & MORE 2nd Donna Anderson 7th Bob Barrett 18th Max Roberts 24th Rick Nesbitt Saturday Friends Out for February 2015 Gimmick s Saturday, February 14th Lunch at Noon No Reservations Required See Ann Mumper with Questions Celebrate our February birthdays! 3rd Laurie Craig John Hodgson 15th Evelyn Lettie 20th Loni Studebaker 27th Flo West Youth Group Ice Skating Sunday, February 8th After Worship Indiana Ice Center WHO WHAT WHEN BRING Middle & High Schoolers Ice Skating at the Indiana Ice Center Sunday, February 8th After Worship to 5 PM - $10 for Skating - Permission Slip - Warm Clothes - $$ for Snacks, etc. We are going Ice Skating on Sunday, February 8th after worship! Bring your skating clothes to church on the 8th and then jump in the car as we head out to the Indiana Ice Center for some ice skating fun & hot coco. There is Still Time to Join! PCOP SERMONS ARE ONLINE! HEAR AND SHARE REV. BRETT SWANSON S SUNDAY SERMONS AT PUNXSYPC.NET/SERMONS Join Ben Fitzgerald-Fye & Susan Wydra in reading Discussion Gatherings usually meet on Wednesdays Contact Ben Fitzgerald-Fye for more information ben.fye@goodwillinc.org

7 F e b r u a r y P a g e 7 In for Worship, Out for Service: Re-Launching our Mission Ministries at PCOP As we kickoff 2015, it is my hope that we can begin a big mission push as a reflection of God s love and as an expression of thankfulness for all the blessings we experience on a daily basis. As mentioned in the annual report, we are hoping to broaden our scope of outreach to address needs at these levels: in our church and community, in our region, nationally, and internationally. As we begin to chart our course and launch mission initiatives, we are hoping to form a mission committee/ action group to identify areas of need and to suggest projects we could undertake, based on participants passions and interests. Questions and comments are welcome. Call Donna Kengersky Join Donna & Rev. Brett Swanson on Sunday, February 22nd Following Worship for a time of discussion, organization, and dreaming about mission at PCOP R THE OFFICERS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PUNXSUTAWNEY THE BOARD OF DEACONS CLASS OF 2015 CLASS OF 2016 CLASS OF 2017 Diane Ewing Jack Haire Debbie Himes Jean Hughes Jessica Suntheimer Kay Nesbitt Kerrin Roberts Debra Dinsmore (Moderator) Richard Cessna Sean Fitzgerald-Fye Regularly Scheduled Meetings on 3rd Sunday of Month, 9:45 a.m. in Parlor Questions? Contact Debra Dinsmore THE SESSION CLASS OF 2015 CLASS OF 2016 CLASS OF 2017 Barb Hanley (Worship Cmt.) Nick Suntheimer (Finance Cmt.) George West (Personnel Cmt.) Keith Hughes (Fellowship/Discipleship Cmt.) Janey London (Christian Ed. Cmt.) Ben Fitzgerald-Fye (Outreach Cmt.) Wick Divelbiss (Property Cmt.) Doug Chambers (Clerk of Session) Donna Kengersky (Mission Cmt.) Susan Wydra (Nominating Cmt.) Regularly Scheduled Meetings on 4 th Monday of Month, 6:00 p.m. in Seminar Room or TBD Questions? Contact Doug Chambers Thank you to all who serve and lead this church

8 F e b r u a r y DISCIPLESHIP & EDUCATION Tuesdays at Ten - February 8 & 15 In honor of the passing of Theologian Marcus Borg TUESDAYS AT TEN FOR FEBRUARY Say What? Belief & Faith - Is There a Difference? Sunday, February 8th & 15th at 9:45 a.m. Lester Seminar Room In honor of well-known theologian Marcus Borg, author of Speaking Christian, who recently passed away, our Adult Sunday School class will take a look at two important but often misunderstood words Belief & Faith. Is there a difference? THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST: WHAT JESUS CAME TO DO AND HOW HE DID IT AS SEEN IN HIS PARABLES TUESDAYS IN FEBRUARY 10:00 A.M. - SEMINAR RM. Children Rotation Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Sundays Learning to Forgive February 1st Souper Bowl of Caring February 8th February 15th February 22nd Something Called Grace (Life-Sized Art Project) We Forgive (Video) Forgiving is HARD T h e H i g h l a n d e r P a g e 8

9 February 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Ministry Meetings in February Board of Deacons - Sunday, February 15th at 9:45 a.m. (Parlor) Mission Committee Gathering - Sunday, February 22nd following worship (Seminar) Session - Monday, February 23rd at 6:00 p.m. (Location TBA) Souper Bowl of Groundhog Tuesdays at Ten Caring Sunday Day 10:00 a.m. & Communion 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. **Office Closed** Community Meal 5:00-7:00 p.m. Worship :45 a.m. Tuesdays at Ten Bell Choir Saturday Sunday School 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Friends Out 11:00 a.m. Choir Practice 12 Noon Worship 7:00 p.m. Kiskiminetas Youth Ice Skating Indiana Ice Center 12-5 PM Presbytery Mtg. Calvary Presbyterian 10:00 a.m Transfiguration Crosstown Tuesdays at Ten Ash Wednesday Bell Choir Sunday Food Pantry 10:00 a.m. Service with 6:00 p.m. 9:45 a.m. 5:30 p.m. Communion Choir Practice Sunday School and Imposition 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. of Ashes Worship 7:00 p.m. Deacons Mtg. 9:45 a.m :45 a.m. Session Meeting Tuesdays at Ten Lenten Dinner Bell Choir Sunday School 6:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. and Class 6:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Choir Practice Worship 7:00 p.m. Mission Committee Meeting following worship

10 F e b r u a r y P a g e 10 MISSION & OUTREACH First Tuesday Community Meal Tuesday, February 3rd - 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Great Food Great Company Great Service Join us Tuesday, February 3rd, for a hot, homemade meal and an opportunity to serve Volunteers & Donations are always welcome! Questions? See Ben Fitzgerald-Fye Crosstown Food Pantry Monthly Food Distribution Monday, February 16th begins at 5:30 p.m. Lend a Hand and Help Fight Hunger! Join the kids of our Sunday School in Fighting Hunger by donating $1 or more on SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY February 1st

11 Thank You to our February 2015 Volunteers February 1st Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday & Communion Screen Nick Suntheimer Sound Barb Hanley Liturgist Ben Fitzgerald-Fye Acolyte K. & K. Graham Our Prayer List Let us pray for one another Betty Brumbaugh Norma Moore Ed Craig Lois Leksell Kathy Kopp Joe Karetski February 8th Screen TBD Anna Mae Hiles Glenn McMillen Welcoming New Members! Sound Liturgist George Momyer Carole Haire Avanell Bennett Jane Wineberg Debbie Wright Naomi Harrold February 15th Transfiguration Sunday Acolyte Screen Sound Liturgist Holly Hartman George Momyer Bruce Williams Dana Hartman The White Family Betty Cessna Cathy Snyder Christine Stonebraker Evelyn Lettie Bill Ward Gillen Geary Members on Vacation Ash Wednesday February 18th Imposition of Ashes & Communion Acolyte Screen Sound Liturgist Acolyte Mackenzie Reiter Volunteers Needed for Ash Wednesday s Service at 7:00 p.m. December 2014 Financial Outcomes Current Year to Date Budgeted Receipts $14, $184, January 25th 3rd Sunday after Screen Sound Benjamin Fitzgerald-Fye Expenses $ 15, $198, $187, Epiphany Liturgist Acolyte Muriel Grube Madilyn Fye Excess or (Deficient) $ (857.84) ($14, ) January 2015 By the Numbers Epiphany, January 4th 54 in Worship $3, in Offering January 11th 73 in Worship $3, in Offering January 18th 79 in Worship $2, in Offering January 25th 55 in worship $2, in Offering Thank you for joining us in worship & supporting the mission of your congregation. T h e H i g h l a n d e r P a g e 11

12 The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney 106 E. Union St. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania Office: (814) Visit Us Online at punxsypc.net Reminder Deadline for March 2015 s Highlander Articles is Sunday, February 22nd Happy Groundhog Day 2015! Good Luck to our Members and Friends in the Inner Circle and those trekking out to Gobbler s Knob! The Office will be closed on Groundhog Day, February 2nd