July 25 th to August 1 st

Transcription

1 July 25 th to August 1 st This year 46 people (36 teens and 10 adults) will travel to The Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem, West Virginia to help renovate the homes of people in need. In the evenings we will discuss our faith, and our theme this year will be Glimpses of the Kingdom. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek and hopefully be a part of God s Kingdom.

2 Pastor s Pen Dear Friends, At precisely 12:38 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 21, summer arrived! And for most of us, that s a good thing. Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward seem to have gotten it right when they wrote the line, Summertime and the livin is easy. School s out and the kids can sleep in. Amusement parks are open again, attracting customers like moths to a light bulb on a warm summer night. Swimming pools and beaches overflow with people looking to get a nice tan and stay cool. Ice cream trucks can be heard cruising the streets of our neighborhoods, and the Dairy Queen on Delmorr Avenue is busier than ever. Golf fanatics, tennis players and bicycling enthusiasts find their way to the course, the court or the trail. Vacations, visits with relatives, daytrips to the shore and family picnics dot most of our calendars. And even a losing major league baseball team attracts enough customers to stay in business. Yes, summer is the season of relaxation and recreation. And in the rhythm of life, we need relaxation and recreation if we are to avoid burnout and remain physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy. My hope is that all of us might have an enjoyable summer. But I also hope we will remain attentive to the spiritual disciplines that will help keep us spiritually fit. If you re going to the shore, why not grab a book from our church library to take with you? If nothing in the library appeals to you, allow me to suggest Christ of the Celts The Healing of Creation by J. Philip Newell (available on Amazon for $15.20). Or why not make prayer a bigger part of your spiritual life this summer by joining the Weekly Prayer Meeting in Room 200 at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays? Or perhaps you can incorporate additional prayer into your summer routine by praying as you go for walks or as you work in your garden. Why not get up a few minutes early, go outside and read your Bible? If you read one chapter a day in Matthew and Luke, you can finish reading these two gospels in July and August with a few days to spare. Last but not least, let s be sure to make participation in worship a priority this summer. I realize that sometimes we need to be away on vacation or perhaps to visit relatives or attend a reunion. But if we make it a point to be in worship each Sunday when we re home, most of us shouldn t miss too many Sundays. Let s keep in mind that in worship we re-center our lives in Christ as we confess our sin and hear the promise of forgiveness, as we offer our prayers and songs of praise, and as we listen to God s Word as it is read and proclaimed. In Sunday morning worship we receive direction and guidance, encouragement and hope which sustain us throughout the week. Therefore, in the words of Hebrews 10:25: Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing... See you Sunday at 10:30! Grace and peace, Remembering our Identity The fish represents the first disciples, who were fishermen, and the feeding of the 5,000 with a boy s lunch of five loaves and two fishes. It serves as a reminder of the mission opportunities that are continually available to MPC members and staff. 2

3 OUR CHURCH FAMILY Sacrament of the Lord s Supper The Sacrament of the Lord s Supper will be celebrated on Sunday, July 5, 2015 and again on Sunday, August 2, 2015 at the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Sacrament of Baptism Adults wishing to be baptized or parents requesting baptism for their child are asked to call the church office at In Celebration Lauren and Jon Logan are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Mackensie Lynn on May 23. The proud grandparents are Gretchen and Thomas Phillips. In Loving Memory Our sympathy goes out to the family of Ralph Thompson, who passed away on May 5, Our sympathy goes out to the family of Jean Gardner, who passed away on May 21, Our sympathy goes out to the family of William Bill Mershon, who passed away on May 27, Our sympathy goes out to the family of Alice Olafson, who passed away on June 1, MISSION STUDY TEAM Mission Study Team Begins Working In the Presbyterian Church (USA) it is standard practice to conduct a mission study prior to calling a new pastor. We are pleased that the MPC Mission Study Team is up and running. Members of the team are Suzanne Barletto, Emily Bausher, Elizabeth Dugan, J Ann Ellis, Lynn Evans, Bill Hughes, Ken Junkins and Travis Keys. Interim Pastors Bruce Ballantine and Debbie Heffernan are serving as resources to the team. In addition to providing valuable information for the Pastor Nominating Committee, the mission study process will help us to understand the congregation s history and how it affects current and future possibilities; to discover the congregation s core values and purpose; to identify the congregation s hopes and dreams for the future; and to formulate clear expressions of the congregation s mission and vision. Please keep Mission Study Team members in your prayers as they begin this important endeavor. Pastoral Care Reminder Members of the staff truly want to be attentive when members or friends of MPC are experiencing health difficulties. If you (or a family member) have been admitted to a hospital, please let us know by contacting the church office, and one of the pastors will be pleased to visit. You may also reach the pastors on their mobile phones: Bruce Ballantine Debbie Heffernan Thank you for your assistance. The members of the MPC choirs would like to express our thanks and appreciation to Steve McBride for his leadership during the past year. His skill is obvious and his energy and enthusiasm are contagious. In addition to the sense of accomplishment we've enjoyed, it has been fun working under his direction. We will look forward to another good year ahead. Submitted by Nancy Powers, Worship Chair 3

4 YOUTH NEWS CHILDREN and FAMILY "In God we live, move, and exist." Acts 17:28 Vacation Bible School Ages 4 years 5 th grade Youth Club Happenings Another year of Youth Club came to an end on May 6th at our Graduation Ceremony. We said good-bye to five seniors this year. The evening began with a special dinner in their honor, followed by our communion chapel service. MPC Youth Club registration for next year will be held in September. Keep watch for more announcements and come see what we are all about. Have a great summer!! Youth Club Contacts: Elizabeth Dugan rdugan01@comcast.net Lisa Zazzu lzazzu@verizon.net MPC is joining Morrisville United Methodist Church to offer a cooperative Vacation Bible School (VBS). Students and teachers from both churches will meet together to learn how to walk humbly with God and to follow Christ. The evening's activities will center on Bible stories which the children will experience through games, science, music and crafts. All children, youth and adults are encouraged to participate in order to experience G FORCE, God's love in action. Will be held at: Morrisville United Methodist Church 501 W. Maple Ave. Morrisville PA Sunday July 19 through Thursday July 23 6:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. $5.00 suggested Donation Registration form is available on line at A new child protection law has gone into effect in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of July 1, 2015, any volunteer responsible for the welfare of a child or having direct contact with children will need clearances submitted prior to the commencement of service. We have detailed information for you, including links to obtain clearances and Frequently Asked Questions. Look for the "Child Safe Pink Link" on the MPCUSA.NET web page. 4

5 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS The Youth Ministry is pleased to announce the 2015 scholarship recipients. The scholarship awards were presented on June 7, 2015 during the worship service. Congratulations to our scholarship recipients as they pursue their higher education. The Patti-Jane Reeves Scholarship was established in memory of Patti-Jane Reeves in It is presented to the high school graduate who best exemplifies academic excellence, service to the community, and commitment to and participation in the life of the church. The Patti- Jane Reeves Scholarship was presented to Ryan McHenry, a musically gifted scholar graduating from Pennsbury High School. Ryan will attend Northwestern University in Evanston, IL for music performance and composition. Emily Zazzu and Sarah Zazzu are recipients of the Campbell scholarship. They will attend Villanova in the fall. Emily enjoys math and is interested in applying that to business. Sarah likes to solve problems and finds working with others to solve business and economic problems interesting. Jacqueline Moruzzi received the Campbell scholarship. She is a student at Washington and Lee with a double major in English and Medieval Renaissance studies with a minor in French. Sonya Jacobsen, has also received the Campbell Scholarship and will attend Ursinus in the fall as a biology major. Nick Dugan who recently completed his freshman year as a Broadcast Journalism major at Syracuse University has received the McClanen Scholarship. He is working this summer as a broadcast intern for the Outer Banks Daredevils baseball team in Kitty Hawk, NC. Nick s sister, Riley, accepted the scholarship on his behalf. Anja Kinasczuk is attending Kansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience working toward a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine. She is the recipient of the McClanen award. Troy Becker is attending McDaniel College with a major in Communications and Sports Management. He has contributed an article on the Youth in mission trip to a recent issue of Currents and the MPC youth in mission webpage. Troy has received the McClanen Scholarship. Shea Smith is attending Eastern University majoring in early childhood education to become a teacher. Shea has also received the McClanen Scholoarship. Hana Kita attends Norwich University with a major in nursing. Hana received the Roberts Scholarship. Her mother, Lyn, accepted the scholarship on her behalf. CONFIRMATION CLASS Wesley Dearolf, Melanie Nolan, and Evan Wadley, Confirmands Jeannie Alexander, Drew Hunger, and Patrick Gilbride, Mentors Congratulations to our newest members of MPC! You are a blessing to MPC and we look forward to sharing in ministry together. Many thanks to the parents and members of the congregation who fulfill the vows taken at baptisms for being willing to take responsibility for those who are baptized. Thank you to your teachers: Tom Evans, AK Rosenbaum and Wes Gardner for leading invigorating discussions. Thanks to the confirmation class coordinator, Annette Dearolf, who kept everyone on track. Mentors are also an important part of confirmation. They get to know the students and are there as someone to talk to about faith and provide insight for the statement of faith. Thank you. 5

6 Ryan McHenry is another Pennsbury High School graduate. His summer plans include attending Tanglewood Music Festival in Massachussetts for 6 weeks and lifeguarding. He will attend Northwestern University in Evanston, IL for Music Performance and Composition. Congratulations to our graduating seniors. You have worked hard and dreamed. You have served God. Your MPC family will continue to pray for you. Remember to check your for messages about what is going on at MPC. We look forward to seeing you at church and being in ministry together over the summer and during college breaks. We are so proud of you. Cara Evans graduated from Pennsbury High School. In the fall she will be attending her dream school, The Fashion Institute in Manhattan, NY where she will be studying Fashion Merchandizing. The day after graduation she and her Dad left for Canada to see the Women's World Cup (soccer) games. Overall this summer, they will travel to Canada three times to see various games and get back in time to go on the mission trip. Sonya Jacobsen Sonya also graduated from Pennsbury High School. She will be attending Ursinus College, in Collegeville, PA in the fall to study biology. This summer she will be a nanny, volunteer at St Mary's, and she will be going on the Mission Trip for the 5th year in a row! 6 Christopher Romano - Christopher graduated from Holy Ghost Preparatory School. He will be working this summer and attending Temple University in the fall. Chris Ward Chris is graduating from Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, NJ. He is an umpire for Pennsbury Athletic Association. He has been an umpire for that organization for the past 5 years. He umpires games for 8-11 year olds during the spring baseball/ softball season. Chris has worked at Sesame Place for the past 3 summers and will return to Sesame again this summer. Chris will attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania next fall. He will enter the Eberly College of Business as a Management Information Systems major. This past winter Chris discovered a passion for snowboarding and hopes to find a ski/snowboarding club at IUP. Emily and Sarah Zazzu are graduating from Pennsbury High School and are in the Top Scholars in the class of Plans for the summer include working at Sesame Place in merchandising, and going on the Mission Trip to West Virginia. They will both attend Villanova University in the fall to study business. Sarah is considering a double major Business and Math.

7 VISITATION MINISTRY Visitation Ministry Seeking Volunteers TRENTON BREAKFAST You may remember Parish Callers in the past (Coats Callers from as many as 20 years ago!). The Deacons are now sponsoring a revival of the program open to all members of the congregation. We seek to bring MPC-style fellowship and compassion to the senior and other homebound members of our church family. We seek volunteer visitors this summer to get the program up and running. The commitment of your time is small about 2 hours per month and flexible. We will provide support, encouragement and a partner to join you for the visit. An orientation will be held at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 28, in the Conference Room; and we will continue visitor support meetings on the last Sunday of each month. Our next meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sunday, July 26. Prayerfully consider your participation in this ministry visiting or being visited. Let us know of your interest by contacting the church office or Deacon coordinators Ann Clements (aclements3@versizonn.com; ) o r S h e l l i e S t o d d a r d (stoddardjacobsen@gmail.com; ). We will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Coming Dates: July 18, August 15 and September 19. Become a part of the Breakfast Club. Each month members and friends of MPC go to prepare and serve breakfast at the First Presbyterian Church in Trenton. We mix dozens of eggs for scrambled eggs and French toast. We serve 150 to 200 hungry people with additional breakfast food such as sausage, home fries and hot oatmeal. Coffee, milk and juice are also available. We hear plenty of thank yous and God bless you. Ask a young person, members of youth ministry, personnel and trustees about their experience at Trenton. Once you go you are hooked! To find out more contact Pastor Debbie at DebbieHeffernan@MPCUSA.net. Thank you, Linda Seaman, for 19 years of faithful, loving, and dedicated service to MPC. We wish you all of the best as you begin the next phase in your ministry and life. 7

8 MORRISVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 771 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Morrisville, PA Phone: web: Staff MPC Currents (USPS# ), is published monthly. Periodical mail postage paid at Levittown, PA POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Morrisville Presbyterian Church, 771 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Morrisville, PA The Evangelism & Communications Committee is committed to keeping church news up to date. It is our goal to print and distribute Currents by the 3 rd Sunday of the Month. Therefore we ask that you please submit articles for the September 2015 Currents by August1 st. Currents@MPCusa.net JUNE JULY 28 10:30 a.m. Worship Ordination/Installation of Officers 11:30 a.m. All-Church Picnic 5 10:30 a.m. Worship Sacrament of the Lord s Supper 12 10:30 a.m. Worship 19 10:30 a.m. Worship Commissioning of Youth in Mission Team 19 Vacation Bible School Begins (through July 23) 25 Youth in Mission Trip (through August 1) 26 10:30 a.m. Worship AUGUST C OMING EVENTS 2 10:30 a.m. Worship 2:00 p.m. Children & Family Outing at Howell Living History Farm 9 10:30 a.m. Worship 16 10:30 a.m. Worship 23 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Antless Picnic 30 10:30 a.m. Worship