March The Ides of March. Volume 42 No. 3. This phrase became well known, thanks. Tragedy of Julius Caesar.

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1 T H E P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H O F P R O S P E C T T I I I D I I I N G S Volume 42 No. 3 March 2017 The Ides of March This phrase became well known, thanks to William Shakespeare s play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. According to legend, a fortuneteller warned Caesar about danger on the 15 th day of the month. Beware the Ides of March, he said. But Caesar ignored the prophecy as foolishness. The warning came to pass when on the 15th day in 44 BC, Caesar died at the hands of assassins. Before Caesar s brutal betrayal, the 15 th of March was just another day on the Roman calendar. But since the Emperor s death, The Ides of March have been used to describe fear of something in the future and calamity. The Ides of March stand for tragic events and harmful powers beyond our control that bring despair and destruction. Many people live in fear, as though the Ides of March were among us right now. Lent is very much different! By the time most of you read this article in the church s newsletter, the Church s season of Lent will be underway. Beginning on April 1 st this year, Lent covers the forty days before Easter (Sundays are omitted from the calculation). Lent is not observed by all Christian believers, but traditionally it has been observed as a time of preparation leading up to our remembrance of the death and resurrection of our Lord. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent. Continued on Page 5

2 Page 2 T I D I N G S TPCP s MISSION As ambassadors of Jesus Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit, through Biblical instruction, we will continue to nurture, equip and educate our members of all ages. We will partner with local churches and community organizations to journey towards believing that God is in control. We will help one another witness their faith by striving to grow in unity through regular listening, dwelling in the word, prayer, and Bible studies, so we may help people see God s work in daily social issues. The Presbyterian Church Of Prospect Church Directory ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Office, FAX, , tpcp@zoominternet.net Website: tpcp.net Rev. Steve Cort, Pastor Cathy Johnson, Office Administrator Beverly O Hara, Clerk of Session The Presbyterian Church of Prospect is a Confessing Church. What is a Confessing Presbyterian Church? It is a church which announces to the world that it believes in: 1. Jesus Christ as the Lord of all and the only way of salvation. 2. The Bible as the only certain guide to faith and life. 3. God s call to his people to live a holy life in every aspect, as the Bible defines that life. TPCP Church Leaders Elders Deacons Trustees Mary Fisher Ann Curtis Bob Fisher Lisa Holland Carrie Chapman Dave Lotz Mark Johnson Sandy Duncan Jerry Osborne Leslie Raisley Betty Herold Jack Sigmund Beverly O Hara Beverly Lotz Al Timms Don Weaver Ginny Osborne Please continue to pray for our country, the world and for those in desperate situations. Financial Summary At end of January 2017 Income $ 10,342. Expenses. $ 9,531.

3 T I D I N G S Page 3 Session NOTICE: Anyone is welcome to attend our monthly session meetings. Highlights Opened - The moderator, Rev. Steve Cort opened with prayer. Feb. 9, 2017 Devotions Rev. Steve Cort led a discussion from Colossians 3:12-17 Deacon s Report Monthly report received. Trustees Report Voted and approved to replace entry carpet. Clerk Report Read a letter of thanks from Frontier Girls. Pastors Report Received report. Voted and approved Lenten Hour Bible Study. Voted and approved Pastor s vacation 6/10/2017 6/17/2017 Voted and approved Letter to the Catholic Diocese in reference to St. Christopher Parish Stewardship Committee Financial Report Received and Filed for audit. Outreach Committee Communion report 70 were served communion 2/517. Nurture Committee Preschool Lisa Holland is the new session representative. Missional Church 8 attended Feb. 7th Prayer Walk at Emmanuel Lutheran. Next Prayer Walk is 3/7/17 at St. Christopher s at the Lake Church Fund Raising Committee No report. Presbytery Lisa Holland reported on the Jan. 28th meeting at W. Sunbury Presbyterian Church. Leslie Raisley was appointed delegate for Mar. 28th meeting in Darlington, Pa. Old Business None New Business None Consent Agenda None Cup Of Friendship First Wednesday of every month. 10 am Men s Breakfast March 11, am Good food, Good Study and Discussion Plan to join with us. Pastor Steve leads our study.

4 Page 4 T I D I N G S Prayer Concerns Please call the Prayer Chain Team Captains with your Prayer Requests. Remember, if you place someone on the Prayer Chain, please call the Team Captains with updates of conditions and situations. Team Captains: Diane Kemper Dolly Hays Mary Harmon Mary Fisher The Prayer Walk (Sit in) is scheduled for Tuesday, Mar. 7th at 6:30 pm at St. Christopher s at the Lake Church. Mark your calendar and plan to join with us in prayer. Lenten Sermon Series Giving It Up Many of us grew up with the tradition of sacrificing something for Lent. I ve known people who gave up chocolate, coffee, and television. Giving up these things may develop discipline and a greater appreciation for more important things. Jesus invites us to give up things that don t help, that hold us back, and that limit our love of God and neighbor. This series of sermons will look at the deeper things that we don t need and the deeper things that he offers to those who follow him. March 5 Pride John 13:1-14 March 12 Anxiety John 14: 1-7 March 19 Self Sufficiency John 15:1-11 March 26 Loneliness John 16:4-15

5 T I D I N G S Page 5 Continued from Page 1 The idea of ashes comes from the Old Testament practice of displaying grief with sackcloth and ashes. Fasting and making personal sacrifices were also common in Lenten practices. Many Christians have seen Jesus as an example in his forty-day wilderness experience in which he went without food and normal comforts. Understandably, some people find Lent to be dark and dreary, filled with practices and attitudes that contradict the victory we have in Christ. Although Lent can be misunderstood and turned into something negative and joyless, it can also be a time of renewed devotion, deep gratitude, and quiet dependence upon God s grace. It was not that long ago that most people accepted hardship and struggle as a part of life; something that taught deeper values and appreciation for simple things and goodness. But now we are part of a society that believes discomfort of any sort is evil and unfair. But suffering has not always been the opposite of joy and gratitude. Rev. Tim Keller, in his book, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, writes Life for our ancestors was filled with far more suffering than ours is. And yet we have innumerable diaries, journals, and historical documents that reveal how they took that hardship and grief in far better stride than do we. One scholar of ancient northern European history observed how unnerving it is for modern readers to see how much more unafraid people fifteen hundred years ago were in the face of loss, violence, suffering, and death. Another said that while we are taken aback by the cruelty we see in our ancestors, they would, if they could see us, be equally shocked by our softness, worldliness, and timidity. (pp ) Lent is not intended to toughen us up or make us yearn for the good ole days. Rather, Lent is a time set aside to slow us down, focus our thoughts, face our inadequacies, consider afresh the cost of our salvation, and to relish in the Savior s mercy and victory made possible through his own suffering. Unlike the Ides of March, the season of Lent is not meant to make us anxious or depressed. The true meaning of Lent leads us to praise and to follow the God who makes it possible to walk through the valley of the shadow of death and yet fear no evil. May your Lent be filled with humble honesty, joyful for forgiveness, and renewed desires to know and serve the amazing God of grace. Pastor Steve

6 Page 6 T I D I N G S EXPLORER S CLASS Join with us to explore the basics of Christian faith and church membership. There are five classes, each one meeting on Sunday, from 12:30-2:00. The first session meets on Sunday, March 12 th at Mt. Nebo and the last session is Sunday, April 9 th. The church will never be perfect in this life, but by God s grace and mercy the church continues, and through the Holy Spirit, grows inwardly and outwardly. In a series of seminars we will explore- *the building blocks of life in Christ, *the foundations of God s Church, and *what it means to be a member of a Presbyterian church in general and a member of either The Prospect or Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Churches. Mt. Nebo and the Prospect Presbyterian Churches take turns hosting the classes. It s informal, practical, and friendly. There s no obligation and all are welcome. For more information call the church office: Each meeting includes lunch, a meaningful time of getting to know each other, and an interesting presentation and discussion about the topics above. If you would like to explore becoming a member of this congregation this seminar is for you. Pastor Steve will be leading each time together. Here s the Explorers Seminar schedule: Sunday, March 12, 19, 26, April 2, and 9 12:30-2:00 Alternating between Mt. Nebo and Prospect Presbyterian Churches (For more details call the church office.)

7 T I D I N G S Page 7 Ash Wednesday Service, March 1 Ash Wednesday is not a biblical requirement, but it has been honored by Christians for well over ten centuries, falling at the beginning of Lent, a six-week season of preparation for Easter. Scripture abounds with examples of those who confessed their need for God s mercy with ashes. Around the tenth century, believers began to signify their need for repentance by having ashes placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross Ash Wednesday is not some depressing holy day because it symbolically anticipates Good Friday and Easter. (Rev. Mark D. Roberts blog) The congregations of Prospect and Mount Nebo Presbyterian Churches will gather together at 115 Church Street to begin our spiritual preparation for Easter The service will be filled with hymns and times of prayer, in addition to a brief message and the offer of ashes to those who wish to receive them. (This part is completely voluntary.) Because Ash Wednesday falls at the very beginning of March, we wanted to mention it in this month s newsletter. Americans do not have to observe the 4th of July to be American, but there's no doubt that doing so can encourage patriotism, appreciation for "the American story," civic virtues, a sense of belonging, etc. In the same way, but much more deeply, the church s seasons of the year (including Ash Wednesday) forms in us a Christian identity, a greater sense of our history, stronger bonds of fellowship, and deeper awe and gratitude for God s Amazing Grace in Christ. (Joe Thacker)

8 Page 8 T I D I N G S M A R C H S U N M O N TUE W E D 1 10 am C F 7 Ash W S 5 1st Sunday in Lent 9:30 am Sunday School 11 am - Worship Fellowship Meal Communion Sunday 6 7 6:30 Prayer Walk at St. Christopher s 8 Chimes 12 2nd Sunday in Lent 9:30 am S. School 11 am - Worship 12:30 Explorer s at Mt. Nebo Daylight Savings Time begins :30 pm Deacon s Mtg. 15 Chimes 19 3rd Sunday in Lent 9:30 am S. School 11 am - Worship Fellowship Meal 12:30-Explorer s at TPCP Chimes 26 4th Sunday in Lent 9:30 am S. School 11 am - Worship 12:30 Explorer s at Mt. Nebo pm Presbytery Mtg. 29 Chimes

9 T I D I N G S Page 9 H E D T H U F R I SAT m Cup of Friendship 7 pm sh Wednesday Service mes & Choir 9 7 pm Session Mtg am Men s Breakfast mes & Choir mes & Choir mes & Choir

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11 T I D I N G S Page 11 Operation Christmas Child Christmas Shoebox collection Let s get started early!! We will have a collection box available in the Fellowship Hall for donations. As you see below every month has a different collection item. We will store the items throughout the year and come October we will have a packing party!! The March collection will be small crafts projects. Also, start saving your shoe boxes. By starting now we are sure to have a great Packing Party and lots of Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Cooking for Crowds If you or your organization would like to learn more about preparing food for large crowds, then this is for you! This is a free seminar provided by Penn State Extension and hosted by The Presbyterian Church of Prospect. When: Saturday, April 1, :00 am 12: pm Where: Presbyterian Church of Prospect 115 Church St. Prospect, Pa. Training Topics Foodborne illness, Why you need to know about food safety? Causes of foodborne illness Time-temperature abuse Cross contamination Poor personal hygiene Safe purchasing, preparation, storage and service Cleaning & sanitizing Safe menu planning General guidelines Registration & Fees Individual: $25. Group: $50 (Up to 4 people, additional registrants per organization: $5. each. Ways to Register: Phone: Right side click on Courses & Worships Go to Cooking for Crowds Volunteer Food Safety Upcoming classes are in date order to register Monday Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

12 Page Church Directory Spelling Correction Poknam (JoJo) Dublin T I D I N G S Programs for Seniors Portersville Keenagers Keenagers meet monthly at the Portersville Presbyterian Church for lunch and program. The group is lead by Joan Courtney. A $5. donation is requested per person. Their 2017 schedule is posted on the bulletin board in our Fellowship Hall. If you are looking for some good fun and fellowship, check them out! Special thanks to the Deacons of TPCP and all who sent love and prayers. - Family of Janet English Our Dear Reverend Thank you for all you have done for us, and for the beautiful flowers. Thank you to Kathy Gallagher for playing the organ so beautifully. Also, thanks to the congregation for their generous gift for our dinner. My sister is greatly missed and please pray for my family as we are grieving so very much. When I am ready I hope to return to church. Lylia, Chuck and Barb family of Mary Jo Riggins Thank you so much for your participation in Operation Christmas Child. WE are pleased to report that our newly formed Butler/Armstrong Area collected 13,477 Gospel Opportunity Shoe Boxes. The USA total was 9,121,799 and world total was 11, all record breaking numbers. We are praising GOD and asking for safe delivery to all the children as they hear about the Greatest Gift, Jesus, and complete a 12 lesson discipleship program called the Greatest Journey. Learn more at samaritanspurse.org/occ Thank you and God s blessings! Don & Verneita Simmons, St. John s Reformed Chruch

13 T I D I N G S Page 13 Easter Flowers We plan to decorate the sanctuary again this year for Easter. Deadline for orders is Sunday April 9th, 2017 All orders and money are to be given directly to Carrie Chapman. Checks are to be made payable to the Deacons. Carrie will be available in the Fellowship Hall prior to worship and immediately following our morning service. Lillies (white) Tulips (Ass. Colors) Lillies (Yellow & Pink) Hyacinths (Ass. Colors) Hyacinths (Ass. Colors) Daffodils (Yellow) Daffodils (Yellow) Hydrangea (Pink/Blue) Florist Pot Mums (Ass. Colors) Gerbera Daisy (Ass. Colors) $8.00 (4 6 flowers) $7.00 (6 in pot) $8.00 (6 in pot) $3.00 (4 in pot) $6.75 (6 in pot) $4.00 (4 in pot) $4.00 (6 in pot) $13.25 (6 in pot) $8.00 (6 1/2 in pot) $4.50 (4 in pot) Flowers are given in Memory of Honor of Celebration of the Season (Signature)

14 Page 14 T I D I N G S T H E P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U RCH O F P R O S P E C T C H U R C H S T. P R O S P E C T, P A. Good Friday Brunch Buffet April 14, am Cost: $20 per couple $12 per person $5. Children age 4-8 Under 3 Free Reservations are requested: Call the church office to make your reservation today. Menu Assorted Danish & Muffins Fruit Salad Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole Farmer s Breakfast Casserole French Toast Casserole Cheese & Egg Casserole Bacon Toast Juice & Coffee

15 T I D I N G S Page 15 March will be an exciting month blooming with growth both in our students and in our theme. Our theme will be Nature. We will learn about the miracles of nature and weather, while continuing to focus on our ABC s and 123 s. We will also have an all school field trip this month to the Butler Gymnastics Club. We always have a good time making memories there and getting some wiggles out while trying some new activities. We anticipate a visit from a leprechaun this month, he usually brings us a treat if we follow his rainbow path! Daylight Savings time will send us springing into the last third of our year. It is amazing how quickly it is going and how far we have all come. Happy March! Heather & Christina MARCH BIRTHDAYS 2 Susan English 21 Carol Johnson 14 Dale Gibson 22 Star O Hara 17 Shirley Gibson 24 Brendan Hurd 17 Kamden Nulph ANNIVERSARIES 8 Dave & Cathy Johnson 13 Dale & Shirley Gibson Should your Birthday or Anniversary be listed above?? Notify the church office and we will add it to our list.

16 9:45 am Sunday 11 am Worship The Presbyterian Church of Prospect 115 Church Street Prospect, Pennsylvania RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NON PROFIT ORG. U S POSTAGE P A I D BUTLER, PA. PERMIT NO. 123 Worship & Grow with us! School us at tpcp@zoominternet.net New Website: tpcp.net Check us out!