Gettysburg Presbyterian Church. The Pastor s Page. Evil in the World

Transcription

1 Gettysburg Presbyterian Church The Pastor s Page Evil in the World If you follow Matthew s gospel immediately after the story of the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi, you find the horrifying story of Herod s slaughter of innocent children in Bethlehem, as he attempted to wipe out a perceived threat to his power (Matt. 2:13-18). It is a stark reminder that although Jesus entrance into the world made a huge difference, the reign of sin and evil did not end with his coming. Later this month, we ll begin a sermon series outlining God s work of salvation in which we ll learn about God s plan to overcome sin and evil in the world, and in our personal lives. In the meantime, let s remember that we still have work to do to advocate for peace instead of retaliation and violence, to advocate for justice for those who are poor and vulnerable, and to be engaged in ministries of compassion for all who suffer. January 4, 2016 Inside All-Church Luncheon & Congregational Meeting Mission Trip Informational Meetings Exploring Membership Class Adult Sunday School Classes Lenten Bible Series PW Circles Habitat for Humanity C.A.R.E.S. Volunteer Training Dinner for 7 or 8 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all Galatians 6:10a Dave

2 Page 2 If you are home on Sunday and would like to watch the worship services, we are beginning to stream the 9:30 and 11:00 services on-line each week! Just go to the link here and you can watch. The services will also be archived for future viewing! gettysburgpresbyterianchurch THANK YOU to Patti & Ray Schwartz for leading the Birthday Party for Jesus for me. I truly appreciate your stepping up and doing this so I could be with Mom. Thanks so much. Cheryl 2017 Contribution Envelopes Please pick up your 2017 contribution envelopes on the table in Fellowship Hall. This will save the church time and money since those not picked up are mailed out individually. Thank you! CONDOLENCES Our thoughts and prayers are with: Lloyd Schaeffer on the recent of his father. Richard Pierson on the recent death of his cousin. Evelyn Small on the recent death of her brother. All-Church Luncheon & Congregational Meeting - January 29th The meeting begins with lunch at 12 Noon, followed by the Congregational Meeting at 12:30 for the purpose of reviewing the annual report, approving the terms of call for the pastors, and electing a Deacon. Please do the Fellowship Team a favor and let us know how many will be attending from your family so we have enough food for lunch. You can let us know by leaving a message in the church office ( , ext 4), returning the slip below via offering plate, snail mail, or to Rev. Lou Nyiri (gpclou@gettysburgpresbyterian.org) Suggested donation of $3 per person is requested. **** Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, January 25, 2017 **** Tear off All Church Lunch & Congregational Meeting Name will be attending the lunch and meeting. I will have in my party.

3 Page 3 HIGH SCHOOL FELLOWSHIP January January Music Schedule Jan. 8 8:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Early Choir Adult Choir Jan. 15 8:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Youth Bell Choir Adult Bell Choir Jan. 22 8:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Early Choir Adult Choir 8:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Early Choir Adult Choir Jan. 29 January 8 January 15 January 22 January 29 MidSHIP Schedule January January 8 Board Game Night January 15 January 18 2:45-5:00 Small Group January 22 12:00-3:30 Pizza & Rollerskating January 25 2:45-5:00 Small Group January 29 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY NEEDS WILLING WORKERS When: Saturday Jan 28th 8 am to Noon Where: Franklin St in Biglerville No special skills required just a willingness to help a family in need Sign-up and information in Fellowship Hall Questions? Call Barry Simon ( ) or Mike Strausner ( ) NEW ADULT ELECTIVE SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES SOUL KEEPING Grace: What s So Amazing? Beginning Sunday, January 8th there will be a new adult elective Sunday School class at 9:30 facilitated by Andy Miner. Anxiety. Depression. Fear. Loneliness. These are all symptoms of a soul that has lost touch with its source of life. Like a flower snipped from the vine, the soul that is not turned toward God can only wither away. In Soul Keeping, bestselling author John Ortberg sheds light on the most overlooked, underrated, and least-understood part of your being. With a workable and relevant approach, he shows how living the "with God" life isn't just a good idea--it's the only way to find lasting peace and satisfaction. Please join us at 9:30 in the MacAskill Room. Hardback books are available for $14.50 or paperbacks from $6.50 at the Christian Education table. All are welcome. Jesus died for it. People ached for it. It s often the hardest part of the gospel to accept. Grace. How can the love of God be offered to the worst of us and best of us in the same great measure and for the same free price? Explore God s scandalous gift of grace by studying Phillip Yancey s classic book, What s So Amazing About Grace? this winter in an elective Sunday School class. We will begin on Sunday, Jan. 8 during the 9:30AM Sunday School hour in the small classroom in the music wing, and Bonnie Wright will be the discussion leader. Order a book on your own or ask Cheryl to order one for you, but order now because we ll discuss chapters 1-3 in the first class! Amazing!!

4 Page 4 S. Carolina Mission Trip Meeting Sunday, January 15 12:00 noon in Fellowship Hall For many years GPC has sent a mission team to Johns Island, SC to assist Habitat for Humanity in building homes. This is a great opportunity to get the jump on Spring and help those in need. The 7 days (April 23-29) include the one day drive down and back. Volunteers 18 and older will work on-site, or at the Restore resale establishment. We will also have the opportunity to be a tourist and take in some of the charm of Charleston. The church van provides our transportation and our lodging and food are provided by Habitat. A donation of $175 per person is requested to cover the cost of building materials and lodging while we are there. Please call Jerry for any additional details. Mexico Mission Trip Meeting There will be a meeting for all those interested in this year s trip on Sunday, January 7:00 p.m. in the MacAskill Room. Come and learn more about this exciting adventure in mission! The trip will be held in July. Dates TBD Honduras Mission Trip Meeting There will be an informational meeting on Thursday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall All individuals who are planning to go on the Honduras mission in June , or who are considering going on this mission are highly encouraged to attend. South Dakota Mission Trip Meeting January 29, 2:00 p.m. A meeting for all those interested in this year s South Dakota Mission Trip will be held on Sunday, January 29 at 2:00 p.m. in the MacAskill Room. Come join us whether you want to sign up or just get information about our trip to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation from July 13-23, If you have any questions, please contact Penny in the church office Hope to see you January 29! REACH Workcamp Meeting February 12, 2017 p.m. in the MacAskill Room Plan on joining us at this meeting if you are a highschooler having completed ninth grade and are interested in going to Stanton, Kentucky June 23 - July 1, 2017

5 Page 5 Are You Caring for a Loved One??? Do You Have Health-Related Concerns? If you answered yes to either of those questions, a Parish Nurse may be able to help. GPC is beginning the process of discerning if a Parish Nurse would be useful to our congregation. What is a Parish Nurse (PN)? A PN is a nurse with an active Christian faith who is comfortable practicing independently, is knowledgeable about community resources, is aware of general health information and can communicate clearly with a variety of individuals. A PN can bridge the gap between physical and spiritual concerns. A PN can identify problems. The PN may not necessarily remedy the problem him/herself but can make the necessary referrals. What may be the functions of a PN? Health Counselor. The PN can listen and speak with persons regarding their health issues and problems. Advocate. The PN can identify problems and offer possible solutions. The PN can speak-up for an individual's needs, when necessary. Health Educator. The PN can provide health information and health awareness. Link to Resources. The PN can link persons to community and/ or spiritual resources. Support Groups. The PN can facilitate support groups based on common needs, interest and concerns. Spiritual Presence. The PN can spend time with individuals. S/ he can listen, pray, support, encourage. If you have thoughts you want to share about a possible GPC PN, please contact Mary Miner, RN. is preferred (mminer120@yahoo.com). Phone calls are also welcome Chancel Flowers The new calendar is available on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall to sign up for the Chancel flowers in C.A.R.E.S. New Volunteer Training: Jan. 9, 2017; Feb. 13, 2017; & Mar. 13, 6:30 PM at St. James Lutheran Church. Open to all interested in helping with the church emergency shelter. New volunteers welcome to attend a 1-hour training session to learn more about what is entailed. No commitment. Contact Rachel Parmentier at or Rasong@aol.com to select date and location. There are still 3 months left for this winter's schedule, and we can help at any church location, not just the weeks here at GPC. To our current GPC Team of Greeters and Overnight Hosts and Cooks: Thank you all for caring and sharing your time to make this worthwhile mission possible of providing warmth and shelter. Next Exploring Membership Class will be held on Feb. 12 following the 11AM worship service. More details to follow! YOUTH CLUB SPRING TERM Youth Club will resume for Spring Term on January 4 th. Spring term fees are due by Jan.1 st. Any youth in Grades 3 5 are welcome at Youth Club on Wednesday afternoons immediately following school. See Cheryl if you have questions or are unsure if all fees are paid or not. NEED A RIDE? If you are having trouble attending church services and/or church functions due to not having transportation, let the Deacons help you. We are only a phone call away. The transportation Deacon for Dec Jan. 8 is Marion Lambert and Jan. 9 - Feb. 12 is Pat Lowe at

6 Page 6 PW CIRCLES Elizabeth Circle Monday, January 16, 1:00 p.m. Paideia House - 1st floor Lesson 4 Mary Martha Circle Monday, January 16, 7:00 p.m. Paideia House - 1st floor NEEDED: MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 start between 7:00-8:30 AM CARES completes their stay at GPC, and will move on to the next church. However, we need 1-2 volunteers to take the blankets to the laundramat to be washed. Laundry soap and quarters for machines are provided. Esther Circle Thursday, January 19, 9:30 a.m. Eisenhower Lounge at GPC Lesson 5 Prescription help available! Did you know that one-time vouchers for prescriptions are available for those in need through the Ministerium? Contact Pastor Dave for more information. ( ) SAVE THE DATES Contact Rachel ASAP at or Rasong@aol.com if you can help. Women s Retreat - Calling all women in the church. We are having a one day women's retreat on April 1st at Hickory Bridge Farm. Mark your calendars now to join us. More info to come. Thanks for your help! Stephen Ministry Create an Atmosphere of Acceptance Reassurance (of God's love) and Encouragement. If you would like to talk to a Stephen Minister who "caares," please contact Lou at the church office Lenten Small Group registration will begin on January 22nd. The book is He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado. Books will be available beginning January 22nd for $9.00. Group meetings begin week of February 27th. Calendar of Giving The Calendar of Giving is an opportunity for our congregation to support numerous local organizations. Through this program, we identify local organizations that are in need of smaller donations. Each month, we will be collecting specific items for the identified organization. For the month of: January We will be collecting items for The Gettysburg Soup Kitchen: Chef s knives, LARGE serving trays (from a Kitchen Supply Store), reams of printer paper, Mr. Clean floor cleaner, Dawn dish detergent, V-8 or similar vegetable juice (NOT tomato juice), deodorant, paper napkins, pot holders, dish towels, gift cards for Kennie s or Giant, and gas cards (bring gift cards to the church office).

7 Page 7 A Different Way of Donating We offer the use of ACH technology for members who desire to make their contributions to Gettysburg Presbyterian Church via an electronic method other than BillPay, which many of you already do. ACH stands for Automated Clearing House and the system operates by the member authorizing GPC to make an automatic draw from their bank account, similar to having your electric, gas or phone bill automatically debited from your account. The real advantage to the members of the church is that once you authorize an amount and frequency, it will become an automatic debit for whatever length of time you specify. You do not have to write a check or put it in an envelope or bring it to church. If interested, please contact Penny ( or gpcadmin@gettysburgpresbyterian.org) if you are ready to switch to the system. If you have any questions about this method of giving, please feel free to contact the church treasurer, George Marguglio, at or on his cell phone at or at gmarguglio@acnb.com. We hope this will be an added benefit that will allow our members more flexibility and greater ease in donating to the church. Dinners for Seven or Eight The Dinners for 7 or 8 Program provides an opportunity for sharing a meal and fellowship with your fellow church members, in the relaxed atmosphere of individual homes. Three casual, adults-only dinners will be held in March, April and May. We particularly encourage new members to participate as an easy way to get to know your new church family. Although the option is offered to only substitute if needed, we encourage everyone to be a regular participant as groups are often full and substitutes are not called. Those agreeing to host a dinner at their home are asked to prepare the main dish, and notify the other participants in their group of 7-8 so they may bring an appropriate vegetable, salad or dessert, as assigned on the schedule. Rather than have all participants meet on a fixed date, the host for each month is asked to coordinate the best date in the month for their group. Participants are requested to sign up for the program by 22 February 2017, and Group Schedules will be sent out by 27 February. You are encouraged to send your information via to the Dinner Coordinator, but you may also fill out the paper Registration Form and leave it at the church office, or call the Dinner Coordinator with your information. Coordinator: Randy Smith (717) rksmith71@comcast.net ****************************************************** Dinners for Seven or Eight Registration Form 2017 NAME : ADDRESS : TOWN: PHONE: Service normally attended: 8:15 9:30 11:00 I WISH TO BE A: Regular Substitute Only I WISH TO HOST: March April May Place a 1/2/3 to prioritize the month you prefer. I can host more than one month, if needed: Yes No

8 Gettysburg Presbyterian Church 208 Baltimore Street Gettysburg, PA Office: (717) Fax: (717) Page 8 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Gettysburg, PA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Gettysburg Presbyterian Church Mission Statement Gettysburg Presbyterian Church believes that God calls us to invite people to faith in Jesus Christ, and equip them to grow as His fully devoted followers. As disciples we: * study regularly * pray daily * witness boldly * live faithfully * serve passionately * give generously * worship weekly *********************** Next Newsletter Deadline: Noon, Thursday, January 19, 2017 January 2017 GPC WORSHIP SCHEDULE Traditional 8:15 & 11:00 a.m. Contemporary 9:30 a.m. January 8 January 15 January 22 January 29 Let s Mix Things Up 2017 Star Selection Mission Emphasis Life: I Want a Refund! Sin