June-July 2017 Tidings

Transcription

1 1st Presbyterian Church of Towanda June-July 2017 Tidings From Pastor Rachel My schedule for this summer is a full slate of promising church, family, and community activities. Here s what I will be up to in the coming months. From June 5-12, I will be taking study leave. During this time, I will explore more ways we can use the internet to promote our ministries in the community. This will involve critiquing how our current web site can improve, whether it is doing what we need it to do to be most effective, and whether our web hosting company is adequate to optimize this kind of technology for us. (Meredith Guffey has kindly offered to share her expertise in this! Thank you!) I will also research the accessibility of our web site on mobile devices (phones, tablets), and the possibility of posting our sermons/ worship services on YouTube. I will also learn how to create PowerPoint presentations that include music and animated features, and create music videos like the ones we use in worship. I also intend to read Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church, and Beyond the Screen: Youth Ministry for the Connected but Alone Generation. If there is time, I hope to start reading Blur: A New Paradigm for Understanding Youth Culture. In the latter part of June, I will be taking part in the Hezekiah s Hands work week for two days, and in the community VBS program we are hosting. Both of these are ministries YOU can be involved with. Please see Nancy Hughey and Deb Fuller to volunteer. In early July, I will be volunteering at Camp FLEA (see related article in this newsletter). You can join me as a volunteer, and carpool with me down to Camp Brule. Meanwhile, I will be taking part in youth group activities and preparing for our mission trip to Pittsburgh (another related article in this newsletter). In late July, I will head to York County for my 30 th high school reunion, which happens to fall on the weekend of my Mom s birthday. When I return, I ll pack for our mission trip the following week. When I return from Pittsburgh, I will be on vacation from August During part of that time, I will join family and friends in the Thousand Islands region of New York, where I will kayak, cycle, swim, and veg. Later in August, I may travel to York to attend my cousin Jessica s wedding reception. (continued on next page)

2 Throughout the summer, I will be continuing my play in the local women s tennis league, and practicing my cello. Like you, I ll be keeping up with the gardening at my home, and enjoying fellowship time. But as you know, busyness is no excuse for skipping worship or neglecting our time with God, reading His Word, and sharing our hearts with Him in prayer. There s no vacation from our walk with the Lord! My prayer is that all of us will use this summer to serve Jesus, grow closer to Him, and praise Him with gratitude for all He s doing in our lives. May our faith in Christ blossom and grow more than our summer gardens! Prayer Items for Days of Prayer on June 7 and July 5 For the Holy Spirit to stir in us a passion to know Him, serve Him, love Him, and follow His ways every day this summer. May we not rest until we rest in Him. For the Lord to bless our many summer ministries and activities, that His Word goes forth clearly, that hearts are touched, and that His name is glorified in all we say and do. For our graduates to draw close to the Lord and grow in faith as He leads them into the next phase of their lives. Congratulations, again! For our government leaders at all levels to seek the Lord and His wisdom for their own lives, and for their leadership decisions. For the leadership of our church to grow in faith, wisdom, and joy. May this summer be a time of spiritual growth and refreshment for all of us. Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center We recently participated in the Baby Bottle Campaign in support of EMPCC. Here is a list of some of the client needs: Diapers (all sizes most often they are in need of size 4 6) month boys and girls clothing (NEW) 24 month boys and girls clothing (NEW) Infant car seats Toddler car seats Pack-n-play The Towanda office is located at 13 State St. and is open Tuesday 9-6 and Thursday 9-4.

3 Relay for Life on June 10 If you re reading this in late May or early June, it s not too late for you to join the Relay for Life team our local churches are collaborating for. To join this fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, go to relayforlife.org, find the Bradford County Walk, and join our Kingdom for a Cure team. You can also call If you opt not to walk, you can also still support Pastor Rachel in her walk. As of May 24, she d raised over $800! Just give her your check, made out to the American Cancer Society. Please be in prayer for her and other walkers as they take part. Thank you! It s not too late for you to join the Relay for Life team Get Involved With Camp FLEA! Applications are now being accepted for children ages 9-12 to take part in the free, 20 th annual Camp FLEA (Family Life Enrichment Adventure) to be held July 5-8 at Camp Brule, Sullivan County. As she did last year, Pastor Rachel will be helping as a camp counselor. She had a great time and was very impressed with the quality of the program and the Christian influence that was obvious. There are plenty of great recreational activities, music, and healthy living segments. If you or someone you know would enjoy taking part, please have them contact Bradford County CYS at by June 16.

4 News About Our 2017 Graduates This year, we have quite a few graduates who have been part of our congregation. We will be hosting a graduation reception for them after worship on June 18. Here s what s up with them. Congrats to all! We re proud of you! Meredith Guffey graduated magna cum laude from Houghton College with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Applied Design and Visual Communications. She is looking for a position as a graphic designer, perhaps in an educational setting. Brock Horton is graduating from Athens High School. He is attending Wilkes University, where he will major in computer science. He is also committed to wrestling for their team. Shane Martin is graduating from Towanda High School. He is enrolling at Penn State-Altoona to major in business and minor in accounting. He also plans to play baseball and cheer on the Nittany Lions at as many home football games as possible. Ashley Mount completed her 2-year degree in agribusiness at Morrisville State College, which is southeast of Syracuse. She is staying on to complete her Bachelor s degree in the same field, though she expects it will only take her one more year to finish. This summer, she is busy with an internship with livestock, and is settling into her first apartment. Clayton Mount is graduating from Troy High School. This summer, he will continue to be active in the youth hunting competitions he s been so successful with. Did you know that last year, Clayton was ranked #8 overall in the nation in shooting for his age group? When not doing this, he ll be working on the Gore farm. In the future, Clayton is considering welding, the military, or eventually college. For his senior project at the vo-tech, he is building a trailer that is large enough to haul a car. It is the biggest project ever completed at the school. Josh Pavey is graduating from Towanda High School. He will join his sister Jessica at Susquehanna University, where he plans to major in economics. Nate Pitcher is graduating from North Rome Christian School. He is taking a year off to work. After that, he hopes to study criminal justice or law. Ben Seymour is graduating from high school in Norfolk, Virginia. Larry and Peg Putnam will be traveling to take part in the event. His plans are not confirmed at this time.

5 On Sunday, June 4 th, come and join us in celebrating our faith through music as the Chancel Choir sings a collection of songs entitled In Christ Alone. The Celtic-styled music is by the writing team of Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townsend. These writers have an ever-increasing treasury of hymns and sacred songs that have enhanced the worship of many Christians throughout the world. This team s music has contributed to the growth of modern hymnody. The Choir hopes that all will join in praise and worship through the message and music of this collection of songs! Church Picnic - June 11 The annual church picnic will take place on June 11 immediately following worship. We will once again gather at the Riverfront Park to enjoy fellowship and fun. Hot dogs and buns will be provided by the Fellowship Team. Please bring your own table service, beverage and a dish to pass. If you have a favorite lawn game bring that along also. June Birthdays 1 - Marge Pierce 2 - Henry Dunn, Kiersten Horton 5 - Wanda Stahl 9 - Stacy Mount 10 - Peg Durnin 12 - Reg Douglas 16 - Cathy Guffey 22 - Ken Parmenter 28 - Bill McConnell Sr Evelyn Jones July Birthdays 1 - David McLaud 3 - Shane Martin 8 - Meredith Guffey 9 - Josh Pavey 13 - Emily Carr 14 - Brooks Greenland 15 - Joan Gormley 21 - Matt Pavey 25 - James Guffey, Alexia Kinney 27 - Saige Greenland 28 - Christopher Horton

6 PANCAKES FOR SUPPER Our Outreach Team is planning a Pancake Supper for Saturday, June 3, from 5-7 PM. While we would love for you to come and enjoy, this is your opportunity to invite family, neighbors, coworkers and friends to come and see what this congregation is about. Come and bring a guest or two, and enjoy terrific food, and warm fellowship. We will have pancakes, fruit, breakfast meats, eggs, OJ, coffee and toppings. Cost is a donation. Youth Group Gearing Up for Summer Our Knight Life Youth Group will be relaxing from its weekly meeting schedule this summer. Even so, we will have fun things to do, and will take part in a terrific mission trip to Pittsburgh. We will be going bowling, playing bocce, swimming, grabbing a movie together sometime, and doing a pre-mission trip team building/prep session. For our mission trip, we will depart at 1 PM on Sunday, July 30, and return Friday, August 4. We are staying for free at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Mt. Lebanon, just south of Pittsburgh. During our evenings, we will help with a VBS program at a church in McKeesport, which is a depressed area east of downtown. During our afternoons, we will serve the disadvantaged through the McKeesport church and another local mission. One day, we will take off for fun. Weather permitting, we will go to Kennywood Theme Park; if not, we will go to the Science Center. We will also have devotions, ministry discussions, and reflection time. Please pray for our trip. Pastor Rachel and Pastor Bill Klees expect 6 youth to take part. Thank you for your support of our youth group. We will need adult volunteers this fall. PLEASE pray about volunteering one Sunday evening per month. This is a great group of teens and you WILL be blessed by joining in as a mentor.

7 Pastor Rachel and Judy Douglas attended the Northeast Presbytery meeting held in Liberty Corner, NJ, on May 5-6. This was an inspiring time of worship, fellowship, and encouragement that blessed both of them greatly. There are a few news items to inform you of. First, this was the last official meeting of Northeast Presbytery because as of July, it will multiply into 3 Presbyteries. This multiplication has become necessary because so many churches are joining. Since we joined ECO last fall, over 100 more churches nationwide have also joined. ECO s goal is to keep the number of churches in a Presbytery small so they can meaningfully know each other and work together in practical ministry. Our Presbytery is now called Cornerstone. The other two are Heritage, and the Presbytery of the Northeast Coast. Second, the Theological Task Force is busy on a local and national level to define which historic confessions of faith should be part of our polity. If you would like more info about this, please contact Pastor Rachel. Third, we will not have a Presbytery office as was true in the PC(USA). The Presbyteries will be administrated according to who is serving as the Moderator in any given year. Currently, our Moderators are Revs. Tim and Jan Devine of Endicott. Our Presbytery mailing address is the home of the Stated Clerk, who is Bob Bryden (Honesdale). Next year, Pastor Rachel will be the Moderator. Fourth, our Cornerstone Presbytery expects to receive a new member church soon. Elysburg Presbyterian Church will join us when it is officially dismissed by the PC(USA). This will bring the number of churches in our Presbytery to 15. Fifth, Cornerstone Presbytery will continue with these 2 Presbyteries to support a new church plant in Boston. Brice Williams and Ken Liu have been led by God to start Garden City Church in Jamaica Plain. The Lord is doing a great work in this city, as this church plant is one of hundreds that have begun in metro Boston in the past few years. New England is largely spiritually dead, so this is a very exciting work for us to be involved with. Please be in prayer for this marvelous ministry! (continued on next page)

8 (continued from Presbytery May Meeting) Last but not least, our congregation will host the next Cornerstone Presbytery meeting on October This will be a fantastic way for you to see firsthand what this new ECO adventure is all about I promise you will be inspired and pleased. Look for more info about how you can join in! And as always, if you have any questions, please contact Pastor Rachel or our Clerk of Session, Judy Douglas. A Cornerstone Presbytery web site is also in the works. June Elders on Call 4 - Danise Fairchild 11 - Art Richards 18 - Dave Guffey 25 - Craig Wollenberg July Elders on Call 2 - Danise Fairchild 9 - Julie O Donnell 16 - Tom Neilson 23 - Dick Walsh 30 - Judy Douglas VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL HOW CAN YOU HELP? JUNE :00 8:00pm Mighty Fortress In Jesus, the Victory is Won! Preschool through 6th graders are invited to join us for the celebration! PRAY for many children to come, for sufficient staffing, for the glory and love of Jesus to be shared and received. PHOTOGRAPHER Needed. VOLUNTEER to assist with a small group as they rotate through the learning centers. DONATE to the mission project for Hezekiah s Hands or to offset expenses.

9 The Divine Conspiracy, for You Let s not allow our faith in Christ to become flabby during the summer months. Make a point to attend the Sunday school class Pastor Rachel will offer from July 2-August 6. We will use the program The Divine Conspiracy: Jesus Master Class for Life by Dallas Willard with Kevin and Sherry Harney. This is a timely and challenging call about the true meaning of Christian discipleship. Gracefully weaving Biblical teaching, popular culture, science, scholarship, and spiritual practice into one study, Willard shows you the necessity of making profound changes in how you view your life and live out your faith. It captures the core of Christ s teachings in a fresh, relevant light, revealing a way to know God as an essential part of your here and now. Based on Jesus Sermon on the Mount, Willard calls you to a deeper, more authentic faith, and then offers a practical plan so you can answer the call. Mark your calendar! Financial Peace University To Be Offered Approximately 76% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, regardless of their income, Broke has become the new normal in our nation, but this doesn t have to be true for you. Taking control of you money starts with a plan, and Financial Peace University is that plan! Financial Peace University is financial expert Dave Ramsey s nine-week money class. You ll learn practical ways to pay off debt, overcome your fear of budgeting, and create a savings plan to replace retirement worries with financial peace. More than 4.5 million people have changed their futures with Financial Peace University. You can too! Begins June 21, :00 PM First Presbyterian Church Towanda To sign up, please call Dave Guffey at

10 What is Hezekiah s Hands? HEZEKIAH S HANDS WORK WEEK June 19 - June 23 It is a nonprofit Christian community dedicated to loving our neighbors as Christ has called us to do. Our purpose includes upholding the dignity of vulnerable homeowners who live in Bradford County. During the week of June 19 June 23 we will send out crews of youth and adult volunteers who give freely of their time and energy to perform free home repairs for homeowners. There is still time to sign up as a volunteer for this year s mission week. Matters not if you have one day or 5 days to offer, workers are very much needed. Also, if you know of anyone who needs work done, please contact Nancy Hughey at nancy.hughey@gmail.com or call You may also call the church office at Having this information is vital to a successful week and helps plan accordingly. ALSO, our church is preparing the volunteer dinner for the first day of work. If you can help with serving or clean-up (food has been taken care of) it would be much appreciated. Please contact the church office if you can help. SOME HUMOR FOR THE DAY Perfect Timing On vacation in Hawaii, my step-mom, Sandy, called a café to make reservations for 7 p.m. Checking her book, the cheery young hostess said, "I m sorry, all we have is 6:45. Would you like that?" "That s fine," Sandy said. Life Guards vs. Life Coaches "Okay," the woman confirmed. Then she added, "Just be advised you may have to wait 15 minutes for your table." L.A. public pools don t have lifeguards [they] have life coaches. If they see you struggling in the water, they say, Are you happy with the decisions you re making? and give you a pamphlet for a yoga studio. Golf in Heaven A cleric found himself wondering whether there were any golf courses in Heaven. He even began to ask the question in his prayers. One day, in answer to his prayers, he received a direct answer from on high. "Yes," said the Heavenly messenger, "There are many excellent golf courses in Heaven. The greens are always in first class condition, the weather is always perfect and you always get to play with the very nicest people." Oh, thank you," said the cleric, "That really is marvelous news." Yes, isn't it?" replied the messenger, "And we've got you down for a foursome next Saturday."

11 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. -Psalm 34:8 (NIV) Thoughts from Deb Fuller, CEC THANK YOU to those who generously shopped for the KIDS CLUB Family Night meal. SUMMER KIDS CLUB DATES: JUNE: 7th & 21st JULY: Date still to be determined. AUGUST: Pool Party on the 16th from 5:30 7:00 p.m.

12 June 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday` Saturday PM Pancake Supper in Patterson Hall 4 PENTECOST Communion Chancel Choir Cantata 11:30AM S.S. Class 5 5PM Trustees 6 at the 7 Day of Prayer 8AM Hezekiah s Hands 5:30PM Kid s Club 8 7PM High School Graduation 9 1PM Fellowship Team Last Day of School 10 Bradford County Relay for Life at Wyalusing H.S. 10AM 10PM 6PM Youth Group 11AM C.E. Team 3PM Bocce Ball Tournament at Community Alliance - Picnic at 5 7PM High School Baccalaureate 11 Trinity Sunday Flag Day AM Church picnic at Riverfront Park at the 6PM Stewardship Team 1PM Worship Team 18 Father s Day Summer Begins TACO Sunday 11AM Graduate Reception in the Welcome Center 5:30PM Outreach Team at the 5:30PM Finance Team 1PM Prayer Group at Richards Home 5:30PM Kid s Club 6PM Financial Peace HEZEKIAH S HANDS WORK WEEK at the 6PM Financial Peace VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT 1ST PRESBYTERIAN

13 July 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Communion Day of Prayer :30AM Sunday School 5PM Trustees Church office closed Independence Day Office Closed 8AM Hezekiah s Hands 6PM Financial Peace :30AM Sunday School 5:30PM Outreach Team at the 6PM Financial Peace Youth Group Swim Party 1PM Fellowship Team 6PM SESSION 16 TACO Sunday :30AM Sunday School at the 1PM Prayer Group at Richards Home 6PM Financial Peace 6PM Stewardship Team :30AM Sunday School Community Day of Service with picnic to follow - Details T/B/A at the 6PM Financial Peace AM Crumbs on the Carpet - Welcome Center