MAY 2016 TIDINGS NEWSLETTER

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1 MAY 2016 TIDINGS NEWSLETTER First Presbyterian Church of Towanda 5 Court St., Towanda PA fpchurch@comcast.net Website - Facebook - Friends of First Presbyterian FROM PASTOR RACHEL We are now a few months into our effort to have everyone in our congregation take part in a prayer group. As with anything new, it usually takes a while for things to gain traction and momentum. So if you have taken part in a group, how have you seen God in your midst? How has He answered prayers? If you have not taken part yet, what are you waiting for? This is your encouragement, your urging, and your invitation. Please don t delay any longer! One of the most basic reasons that we ought to take part in prayer groups is that our Savior did so. Yes, there were times when He talked with the Father alone, but there are many times when He joined in with others, or led them. In fact, The Lord s Prayer came from just such an occasion. If Jesus prayed with others, we surely ought to as well. In The Lost Art of Praying Together, James Banks mentions a time when he visited a church in Van Nuys, California. Soon after worship began, Pastor Jack Hayford instructed everyone in the congregation to turn and join in small groups of 2 or 3, and pray for each other. They humbly bared their souls, sometimes to people they d never met before. Banks states, What followed seemed a little like heaven. I could sense that something significant was happening, something words cannot quite capture. It was the unmistakable touch of God s presence. It was a genuinely holy moment, and it caught me entirely by surprise. Some people are confused by some passages of Scripture in which Jesus criticizes religious Jews who prayed in public. His concern wasn t that they were in public, but about their motives. If we pray out of vanity to get attention for ourselves, have others think we are super-spiritual, or even display how humble we are, we have missed the point and power of praying with others. When we pray, we are not to preach, convey veiled gossip or criticism, or draw unwarranted attention to our needs. We are to confess our sin, our dependence upon the Lord for everything, and our sincere desire for the care and support of other believers. According to 19 th -century pastor Andrew Murray, As a tree has its root hidden in the ground and its stem growing up into the sunlight, so prayer needs secrecy in which the soul meets God alone, and it needs public fellowship with those who find their common meeting place in the name of Jesus Christ. Our prayers cannot remain hidden and private for us and our church to survive and thrive. Our prayers cannot remain hidden and private for us and our church to survive and thrive. (Cont d. on next page)

2 In Matthew 18:20, Jesus promises that where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them. I have often heard this quoted when a disappointing few show up for a prayer meeting. But it is actually one of the most exciting promises Jesus made. Banks notes, What happens when Christians pray together is more than just subjective experience or the warm fuzzies of human togetherness. The Spirit of God is at work in a special way that is different from His work in any other actions that Christians undertake, even individual prayer. Jesus promises that He will make His real, powerful presence known. In his book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Jim Cymbala comments, You can tell how popular a church is by who comes on Sunday morning. But you can tell how popular Jesus is by who comes to the prayer meeting. If you haven t joined a prayer group yet, this is your month. Join, keep at it, and one day you will make a marvelous discovery: Jesus is here, with us. What could be more exciting than that? Day of Prayer: May 4 For each of us to take part in a prayer group, and for the Lord to reveal Himself in wonderful ways in those gatherings For those who are graduating from high school and college, and for safety in their celebrations For our congregation as we continue to discern God s leading regarding denominational concerns For the Lord to continue to provide for our spiritual, physical, and financial needs For us to grow in confidence and boldness as we engage our neighbors, family, coworkers, and friends with the Good News of salvation in Christ Power of Prayer No prayer! No faith! No Christ in the heart. Little prayer! Little faith! Little Christ in the heart. Increasing prayer! Increasing faith! Increasing Christ in the heart!. Much prayer! Much faith! Much Christ in the heart! Praying always! Faith always! Christ always! ~ Alexander Whyte

3 May Birthdays 2 - John Smith, Scott Davenport 3 - Brenda Abbott 4 - Judy Douglas 6 - Tom Neilson, Julie O Donnell 10 - Barb Fleming 11 - Jessica Pavey 19 - Norma Bacon 20 - Lindsay Vaughn 25 - Bonnie Sullivan 30 - Mark Smith 31 - Lynn Mitchell Searching for Hats & Wigs Deb Fuller, our Christian Ed Director, is looking for hats and wigs. During the flood clean-up we have lost a few of our skit accessories. If you have any hats (no winter or baseball caps please) or wigs, please contact Deb at the church. These would be much appreciated and adds so much to our Kid s Club skits. Thank you in advance! May Elders On Call May 1 - David Guffey May 8 - Danise Fairchild May 15 - Alice Stickler May 22 - Julie O Donnell May 29 - Art Richards. Thank you to Cathy Guffey for the lovely curtains in the Welcome Center. It makes the room feel so warm and homey. Summer Berry Shortcake Ingredients 1. 2 pounds berries (raspberries, blueberries or sliced strawberries) 2. 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 3. 1 cup heavy cream 4. 8 biscuits, store-bought or made from a mix Directions 1. In a large bowl, toss the berries and 1/3 cup of the sugar. Let sit for at least 15 minutes (and up to 4 hours, refrigerated). 2. In a medium bowl, beat the cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar until soft peaks form. 3. Split the biscuits in half. Spoon the berries and whipped cream on the bottom halves and sandwich with the tops.

4 A Little Night Music? A strings recital featuring cellos, violins, and guitars will be held on Friday, May 6, at 6:30 at the Sons of Italy, 301 Desmond St., Sayre. The Sanphy Music Academy recital will include students Lynn Mitchell, Meredith Guffey, and Pastor Rachel. Admission is free. Come and enjoy! Camp Lackawanna Can you believe that summer is upon us already? After a harsh winter of complaining, It's way too cold outside, now we are ready for, It's way too hot to be outside! But instead of staying inside playing video games, why not consider Camp Lackawanna? There is no better place to meet new people, have a lot of fun, and make new and lasting memories! There is something for all kinds and ages of kids and teens from arts to sports to adventure and even a nighttime camp. Try something new this summer and check out Camp Lackawanna. Brochures are available around the church! MARK YOUR CALENDAR! On Sunday, May 1, join us in our sanctuary for a special time of praise at 6:30 PM. Our Knight Life Youth Group will be conducting the entire worship service. All are invited to come and support the youth. A goodwill offering will be taken to help with costs for our trip to Kingdom Bound in July. The kids have worked RALLIES TO BE HELD ON MAY 5 Two rallies will be held in front of the Court House on May 5, and you are encouraged to take part. At noon, the National Day of Prayer gathering will be held. Then at 6:45 PM, a drug awareness rally will draw attention to the problem of addiction in our area. Come out to show your support for these important causes. hard to put this service together, and you will be blessed!

5 POUND THE GROUND FOR ULTRASOUND 3rd Annual Race for First Look Pregnancy Center Saturday - May 28, 2016 Riverfront Park in Sayre PA Online Registration at SCHEDULE 8 AM - 10K Trail Run 9:30 AM - One Hour Loop Walk/Run 10:45 AM - Kiddie Fun Run EVENT FEES $25-10k Trail Run $25 - One Hour Loop Walk/Run (Entry fee for both events $40) $10 - Kiddie Fun Run $50 - Family of 4 (same household) (includes 2 BBQ tickets) All individual registrations (except Kiddie Fun Run) will receive 1 BBQ meal ticket IT S GRACE CONNECTION MONTH! The month of May has been designated as Grace Connection Month. Our church will be collecting donations to help this amazing outreach. Grace Connection is an ecumenical venture of the churches in the Towanda, Northeast Bradford, and Wyalusing School Districts. The aim of Grace Connection is to lovingly aid people over the hardships of life by connecting with them in the name of Jesus Christ, and to help provide assistance when and where other agencies are not available. Grace Connection provides monetary emergency assistance for shelter, transportation, emergency food, clothing, furniture, emergency prescriptions, and hygiene items. Thanks to all the loving and generous donations families and people have made in helping those less fortunate than ourselves. Grace Connection is located in the Trinity Lutheran Church at 908 S. Main Street, Towanda. Hours are Monday and Thursday 1 PM - 4 PM. Telephone is Envelopes for your donations are available at the church literature racks and in the church pews.

6 MEMORIALS RECEIVED In memory of Fran Gore - Danise & Terry Fairchild, Sally Rohrer, Beverly DeWitt, Sherman & Jeanne Warner, Ruth Squires, Karl & Zanetta Tewksbury, Catherine Wrisley, Jack & Pearl Fox, Tom & Nancy Neilson, Arlene Mills, Jim Mullendore, Kenneth & Marguerite Shaner, Donald & Carolyn Bixby, Paul & Bethea Ackley, Rhea Johnston, Paul DeWitt, William & Susan Gatliff, Noreene & Howard Carlson, Louise Bump, Joan Fiester, Phil & Margaret Durnin, Janice & Gary Larsen, Elizabeth Bishop, Jess & Norma Bacon, Daniel & Elaine Chrispell. In memory of Nancy Mullendore Susan Gatliff, Daniel & Elaine Chrispell Thank you to everyone for you memorial gifts! Fill My Cup Tea Party Join us on May 15 for the Annual Ladies Luncheon. This will be held in Patterson Hall immediately following worship service. Call the church to make a reservation by May 10. Check your weekly bulletins for more details. Hope to see you there! Stand Up to Cancer Relay On Saturday, June 11, the Bradford County Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society will be held at Wyalusing High School. We will be joining other churches in putting a team together to show our care for those who battle cancer and our support to find a cure. More information will be in our next newsletter and in future bulletins but in the meantime, plan to come and walk a few laps as a representative of our church, as your schedule allows. If you have questions, please see Pastor Rachel.

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9 May 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Communion No Sunday School 11:30AM Q&A on Denomination Change 12:15 PM Deacons 6:30 Youth Group Evening Worship at 1st Presbyterian 2 5PM Trustees 5:45PM Worship Team 6:30 Women s Bible Study 6:30 Boy Scouts 3 9AM Bible Study at 9:45AM Prayer Group at 10:30AM Probation Dept in Patterson Hall 1PM Seekers 4 Day of Prayer 8AM Hezekiah s Hands at the Cup 5:30PM Kid s Club (Parent s Dinner) 5 National Day of Prayer 6PM Stewardship Team 7PM Choir Practice :30AM Praise Practice 8 Mother s Day MFM - Grace Connection 11:30AM Sunday School No Youth Group 9AM Clergy Retreat at Standing Stone 6:30 Boy Scouts 6:30 Women s Bible Study 9AM Bible Study at 9:45AM Prayer Group at 10:30AM Probation Dept in Patterson Hall 1PM Seekers 6:15 Outreach Team 6:30 Christian Ed Team 7PM Choir Practice 1PM Fellowship Team Youth Group Camp Lackawanna Meet at First Presbyterian at 9AM to leave 15 TACO Sunday No Sunday School Ladies Tea following morning worship 6PM Youth Group 6:30 Boy Scouts 6:30 Women s Bible Study 9AM Bible Study at 9:45AM Prayer Group at 10:30AM Probation Dept in Patterson Hall 1PM Seekers 7PM Prayer Group at Wollenberg Home 7PM Prayer Group at 1st Presbyterian Church 1PM Prayer Group at Richards Home 7PM Choir Practice 10:30AM Praise Practice Infant Baptism 11:30AM Sunday School 6PM Youth Group 6:30 Boy Scouts 6:30 Women s Bible Study 9AM Bible Study at 9:45AM Prayer Group at 10:30AM Probation Dept in Patterson Hall 1PM Seekers 6:00 PM SESSION 7PM Towanda Baccalaureate 7PM Choir Practice Memorial Day 31 11:30AM Sunday School 6PM Youth Group - Game night at 1st Presbyterian Church Office Closed 7PM Towanda Graduation