9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Join the Sunday School classes for a morning of fun and crafts in the Dining Hall.

Transcription

1 The Highlander The Newsletter of The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney E. Union St., Punxsutawney, PA March 2015 Mark Your Calendars March 8th Youth Pizza & Movie, 1-4 PM March 15th Per Capita Sunday & Deacon s Lunch March 29th Palm Sunday Festivities A Little Lent History 2 March s YOUR STORY 3 Palm Sunday at PCOP Sunday, March 29th Palm Sunday Youth Group Fundraiser Breakfast 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. - Dining Hall Bring friends and family to the Youth Group s fundraiser breakfast. Enjoy a hot and hearty homemade breakfast and help our upstart Youth Group. A Special All-Church Intergenerational Sunday School 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Join the Sunday School classes for a morning of fun and crafts in the Dining Hall. Palm Sunday Worship with the Celebration of Communion 11:00 a.m. Join us for a service of palms and promise including the Lord s Supper as we celebrate of Jesus triumphal entry and the start of Holy Week Per Capita Sunday Financial Update Worship Calendar Fellowship & More Discipleship & Education March 2015 Calendar Mission & Outreach Volunteer Schedule Youth Group Breakfast Annual Wednesday Night Lenten Dinners & Class Wednesday March 4th March 11th March 18th March 25th Finding Jesus: The Gospel Showing Up in Some Funny Places Wednesdays in Lent 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The Story of Gladys Hardy & The Ellen Show 24 Hours of Christian Television A fire in Oklahoma Idaho s Next Governor Read the news, watch TV, surf the web and you ll discover that the Gospel shows up in some pretty funny places. Join us for a hot and homemade meal served at 5:30 p.m. and then a light-hearted look at some of the places where Jesus appears, and what it might mean when Jesus shows up in some funny places. Classes will begin with a time of prayer & scripture.

2 I found this article entitled A Little Lenten History from the February 16, 2015 edition of The Presbyterian Outlook especially enlightening. I hope that you it will help you as it helped me understand Lent on a deeper and more connected level. For some Presbyterians, celebrating Lent is not intuitive it may not have been part of their family s pattern growing up. It is, however, connected to the way in which the Christian celebration of Easter evolved. What is most helpful for all Christians and Presbyterians in particular to remember is that the time of Lent came into being after Easter was decided upon as an annual celebration, said Jennifer Lord, a professor of homiletics and liturgical studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. We think early on that the Christians celebrated Easter, celebrated resurrection, weekly. The Council of Nicea, in 325, set Easter as an annual celebration tied to the timing of Passover a link to the Jewish tradition of following the lunar calendar. Easter is set for the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon after the spring equinox. The development of Lent was to prepare people to be baptized on Easter, Lord said. At that time, baptism was for adults, and Lent became 40 days of baptismal preparation counting the days from Ash Wednesday to Easter, except for the Sundays in Lent, because Sunday is always resurrection liturgically, Lord said. In the Christian tradition, the number 40 is significant, being this great number, used again and again 40 in the Old Testament is always signifying time beyond time, this extraordinary time. Here are some more facets of that Easter history: Some Protestants resist the idea of Lent seeing it too entwined with the Catholic emphasis on the passion of Christ, on sinfulness and penance, Lord said. Scholars have discovered a mistranslation in documents from the Middle Ages related to Lent, in which a word referring to the paschal mystery, the death and resurrection of Jesus, was translated as passion, with an emphasis on the suffering of Jesus. The discovery of that mistranslation was a gift ecumenically to all of us through Vatican II, Lord said as it helped Protestants reconsider Lent in light of preparation for Easter. In the Book of Common Worship, the invitation to Lent given on Ash Wednesday is to the paschal mystery a renewal of discipleship, of life in Christ. Lent can be a time of exploring the meaning of baptism, Lord said, considering What does it mean that we have been initiated into the body of Christ, into the life of the triune God, what does it mean to grow in the likeness and image of Christ? Baptism always has that sense of turning of turning from sin, of turning to the abundant way of life given to us by God through Jesus Christ, life in the spirit. Lent is not a time for us to act as though we don t know the outcome that we haven t already heard the Easter story, Lord contends. To live out our baptisms is to always attend to both our dying and rising in Christ rising even in Lent. Yes, the practices or disciplines of Lent are forms of self-emptying (Philippians 2 and Christ s own kenosis) but they are disciplines that aid us in seeing what is what is lifegiving from God and what is death-dealing in our personal lives and in the systems of which we are a part. What is the life into which we have been baptized? Lord asks. How do we keep turning to its everpresent power in our individual lives, our corporate life, the world?

3 2015 PCOP Annual Project: Finding the Life in Your Years MARCH Your Story Calendar As part of our 2015 annual PCOP Project Finding the Life in Your Years, March s theme is YOUR STORY. Rev. Brett Swanson challenged the congregation during March 1st s sermon to spend the month getting to know YOUR STORY on a deeper level by wrestling with the question-of-the-day honestly. Use this calendar to learn YOUR STORY. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Have you ever benefitted from life being UNFAIR? If so, what happened? 2 Think about your parents. What is one thing you know they passed down to you? 3 Have you ever asked someone to pray for you? Why or why not? 4 What is the one thing you do better than anything else? How do you use this gift? 5 Who has been more influential in your life than you give them credit for? 6 If you could change ONE THING about yourself, what would it be? 7 Is there a friendship that you wish didn t end? Who was that person to you? WHO comes to What was the Are there Think about your Do you think of What is What was the most mind when you BIGGEST lie you unanswered childhood. yourself as a something that adventurous thing think about ever told? questions in your What would you SPIRITUAL gives you JOY you ve ever done? gratitude? What makes that life that still tell that younger person? that you could do Why did you do it? lie the BIGGEST? bother you? version of you? Why or why not? more often? What are they? What piece of What was the If you had 10 If your house was If you had one Is there How has your advice did you toughest thing minutes to chat on fire special someone in your understanding ignore and pay you ve ever with Jesus what would be the SUPER POWER life that needs about money the price? had to do? what would you one thing you d what would it be something you changed over your Who gave you that What made it so talk about? save? and how would can give? lifetime? advice? difficult? Why? you use it? What is it? How have people Has there ever What is the What is your What piece of When was the What does the shown you love been a time that biggest obstacle biggest regret? music (song, last time you phrase over your lifetime? you felt like an you ve ever been Why? hymn, etc.) would were They ll know we How did you OUTCAST? faced with you liked played VERY ANGRY? are Christians by our respond? Why did you feel and why? at your funeral? What got you love that way? Why? that way? mean to you? 29 How important is HOPE in your life? Is there anything you hope for? 30 Is there someone who you ve missed the chance to say THANK YOU to? 31 What was one discovery brought on by these questions you ll apply to your life? Tips for Using this YOUR STORY Calendar Skip around if you want. Cross off each question you ve answered. The only right answers are honest ones. If you feel comfortable, consider sharing your answers with a loved one. Write down your answers to make them real. Lying to yourself = Cheating yourself.

4 March 15th - Per Capita Sunday Members of PCOP are asked to prayerfully consider paying their share of our congregation s 2015 Per Capita apportionment. In total, our congregation is responsible for about $5,000 of Per Capita payable to the Presbytery and split unevenly between the Presbytery, Synod, and the Denomination with the majority of the money staying in the area. Please prayerfully consider donating your Per Capita of $28.00 per member on or by Per Capita Sunday, March 15th. Questions? See Nick Suntheimer, Chair of Finance or Rev. Brett Swanson Per Capita Giving Based on Members in Household Members in Household Household Per Capita 1 Member $ Members $ Members $ Members $ Members $ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. I Corinthians 12:7 Some Facts about Per Capita Per Capita began in 1734 and has been used to help fund the mission & ministry of the PCUSA ever since. Our Per Capita apportionment is split in three unequal sections with the majority of the funds staying in our local area (aka. the Presbytery). Per Capita is 100% voluntary and is not connected to you annual financial pledge or weekly giving. Per Capita Sunday Deacon Luncheon Sunday, March 15th - Following Worship Bring the family and friends to the Per Capita Sunday Deacon Luncheon taking place after our Per Capita Sunday worship on March 15th. This St. Patrick s Day themed lunch will be a great time of food, fellowship, and celebrating the generosity of our members. Questions? Please contact the PCOP Office or Debbie Dinsmore

5 M a r c h P a g e 5 Financial Update: January & February 2015 Unavoidable cold and snowy weather, worship attendance, first of the year expenses, and a down-turn in contributions for the month of January resulted in a detrimental and trying start to As illustrated by the charts below, January 2015 resulted in a deficient of $8, which is the 3rd worst deficit for January we ve had since Thankfully February s financial outcomes show increased giving and less spending resulting in a deficit of only $1, To address the financial situation, we are doing the following: Transferring money from savings into the Current Fund as needed. Instituting a Spending Freeze on non-essential items. Finding creative and responsible uses for on-hand items in order to meet our needs. Rev. Swanson is working with a team of members on addressing our long-term financial issues. Inviting Members and Friends to contribute additional gifts to help steady our finances. We always welcome your questions - see Rev. Swanson, Doug Chambers, or Nick Suntheimer January 2015 Financial Outcomes Current Year to Date Budgeted Receipts $10, $10, Expenses $19, $19, $187, Excess or (Deficient) ($8,153.18) ($8,153.18) February 2015 Financial Outcomes Current Year to Date Budgeted Receipts $14, $25, Expenses $15, $34, $187, Excess or (Deficient) ($1,067.18) ($9,220.36)

6 P a g e 6 WORSHIP & MUSIC Our March 2015 Worship Calendar ***Worship Begins at 11:00 a.m.*** March 1st Second Sunday of Lent and Celebrating the Lord s Supper In a Nutshell Introducing March s Finding the Life in Your Years Theme of YOUR STORY Psalm 105L 16, & Matthew 20:1-16 March 15th Per Capita Sunday Forth Sunday of Lent Waiting to Party March 8th Third Sunday of Lent The Red Wedding Psalm 106: 1-6, & Matthew 22:1-14 March 22nd Fifth Sunday of Lent If We d Known It Was You Psalm 98 & Matthew 25: Psalm 70 & Matthew 25: 1-13 Psalm Sunday, March 29th including the Celebration of Communion Who Is This? Psalm 31: 9-16 & Matthew 21: 1-13 Homebound Communion Service Palm Sunday, March 20th and Monday, March 30th In celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the community we have as a congregation, the Elders and Deacons will be serving Homebound Communion to our homebound members on Palm Sunday, March 29th and Monday, March 30th for those in Brookville. T h e H i g h l a n d e r

7 FELLOWSHIP & MORE 1st Cathy Wilson 7th Dana Hartman 14th Sandra Philliber 19th Keith Hughes 25th Avanell Bennett Louise Kerr Saturday Friends Out for March 2015 Gimmick s Saturday, March 21st Lunch at Noon No Reservations Required See Ann Mumper with Questions Celebrate our March birthdays! 4th Tim Pearce 10th Peyton Petrini Jessica Suntheimer 16th Nancy Pearce 20th Keith Shields 28th Jim Cessna Forgetting anybody? Contact the PCOP Church Office! 2015 UPDATED PCOP Directories are still available in Print and in NEW Digital versions. PICK UP YOURS TODAY! Youth Group Pizza, Games, & Movie Now Showing Here Comes the Boom The funny story about a guy who tries to become a MMA Fighter so he can earn money for after-school programs. Rated PG WHO WHAT WHEN Sunday, March 8th 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Hartman s House 255 Hudock Rd., Punxsy (Hitch a ride after worship) All Middle School & High Schoolers Food, Games, Funny Movie, and Chat Sunday, March 1-4 PM Welcome New Members Rex & Laurie Lettie, Melissa Polczynski, Karina Blose, and Pam Hogan On Sunday, February 8th we welcomed Rex & Laurie Lettie, Melissa Polczynski, and Karina Blose to our congregation and family of faith. It was also our joy to welcome back Pam (Grube) Hogan whose membership was reactivated after moving back to Punxsutawney.

8 M a r c h DISCIPLESHIP & EDUCATION TUESDAYS AT TEN FOR MARCH THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST: Adult Sunday School for Lent The Lord s Prayer for Today Sundays, March 1st - 22nd at 9:45 a.m. WHAT JESUS CAME TO DO AND HOW HE DID IT AS SEEN IN HIS PARABLES TUESDAYS IN MARCH 10:00 A.M. - SEMINAR RM. Children Rotation Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Sundays The Stories of Jesus: Learning the Parables March 1st March 8th March 15th The Parable of the Good Samaritan NOTE: Class may take place in Nursery depending on weather. March 22nd T h e H i g h l a n d e r P a g e 8

9 1 Communion 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 2 3 Tuesdays at Ten 10:00 a.m. Community Meal 5:00-7:00 p.m. 4 Finding Jesus Lenten Dinner & Series 5:30-7 PM 5 6 Bell Choir World Day 6:00 p.m. of Prayer Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sharon - On Vacation (3/5-3/18) Daylight Savings Tuesdays at Ten Finding Jesus Bell Choir Saturday Time Begins 10:00 a.m. Lenten Dinner 6:00 p.m. Friends Out 3rd Sunday of Lent 9:45 a.m. & Series 5:30-7 PM Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. 12 Noon Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Sharon - On Vacation (3/5-3/18) Per Capita Sunday Crosstown St. Patrick s Day Finding Jesus Bell Choir 9:45 a.m. Food Pantry Tuesdays at Ten Lenten Dinner 6:00 p.m. Sunday School 5:30 p.m. with Special & Series Choir Practice 11:00 a.m. St. Patrick s 5:30-7 PM 7:00 p.m. Worship Treats Deacon s Luncheon 10:00 a.m. After Worship Sharon - On Vacation (3/5-3/18) :45 a.m. Session Meeting Tuesdays at Ten Finding Jesus Bell Choir Sunday School 6:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. Lenten Dinner 6:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. & Series Choir Practice Worship 5:30-7 PM 7:00 p.m April 1 April 2 April 3 April 4 Palm Sunday Tuesdays at Ten Maundy Community & Communion 10:00 a.m. Thursday Good Friday 9:00-10:00 a.m. Service Service Youth Fundraiser 7:00 p.m. 12 Noon Breakfast 9:45 a.m. Intergenerational Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship

10 M a r c h P a g e 10 MISSION & OUTREACH First Tuesday Community Meal Tuesday, March 3rd - 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Great Food Great Company Great Service Join us Tuesday, March 3rd, for a hot, homemade meal and an opportunity to serve Volunteers & Donations are NEEDED! Sign-Up Outside of Parlor Questions? See Ben Fitzgerald-Fye Crosstown Food Pantry Monthly Food Distribution Monday, March 16th begins at 5:30 p.m. Lend a Hand and Help Fight Hunger! Update from the Dreaming About Mission Gathering Sunday, February 22nd At our Dreaming About Mission brainstorming session, a number of mission possibilities were mentioned. We are hoping that our church mission endeavors won t be limited to a committee or small group. Rather, we would love for most of our congregation to be involved in some way. The needs and the possibilities are endless. To get the ball rolling, here is a list of some ideas that were mentioned at the meeting: Greater Member-to-Member Care Helping Members with Meals, Needs around the house Mission Trips, Mission Weekends, and Blitz Missions Opportunities to reach out the community youth Tutoring, Activities, Meals, Summer Programs for Youth Greater support of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous Crosstown Food Pantry & Fighting Hunger locally Growing Vegetables for First Tuesday Community Meals Being a church for our regular Community Meal attenders Restoring support and connections with Rwanda and what mission are you PASSIONATE about? Where would you like to see PCOP serve and work?

11 Thank You to our March 2015 Volunteers March 1st 2nd Sunday in Lent & Communion March 8th Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18th 1st Sunday in Lent, Feb. 22nd T h e H i g h l a n d e r Screen Nick Suntheimer Sound Barb Hanley Liturgist Ben Fitzgerald-Fye Acolyte The Fezells Screen Bill Cooper 3rd Sunday in Lent Sound George Momyer Liturgist Janey London Acolyte Madilyn Fye March 15th Per Capita Sunday 4th Sunday in Lent March 22nd Screen George Momyer Sound Bruce Williams Liturgist Flo West Acolyte K. & K. Graham Screen Ben Fitzgerald-Fye 5th Sunday in Lent Sound Ben Fitzgerald-Fye Liturgist Jessica Suntheimer Acolyte Holly Hartman March 29th Palm Sunday & Communion Screen Nick Suntheimer Sound Barb Hanley Liturgist Kathi Cessna Acolyte Mackenize Reiter February 2015 By the Numbers Sunday Worship Attendance Weekly Donations February 1st 60 $2, February 8th 83 $4, February 15th 38 $3, $2, Our Prayer List Betty Brumbaugh Ed Craig Kathy Kopp Anna Mae Hiles Avanell Bennett Jane Wineberg Cookie White Betty Cessna Gillen Geary Our Condolences To Rex & Laurie Lettie Norma Moore Lois Leksell Joe Karetski Christine Stonebraker Debbie Wright Cathy Snyder Evelyn Lettie Bill Ward Jared McFetridge and their families on the passing of Evelyn Lettie who entered into eternal rest on February 2nd, 2015 To Ed & Donna Kengersky and their family on the passing of Leocadia Lee Kengersky who entered into eternal rest on February 7th, 2015 Congratulations Christian Tyler Cessna February 24 to James & Andrea Cessna and Grandparents Richard & Kathi Cessna Pa

12 The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney 106 E. Union St. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania Office: (814) Visit Us Online at punxsypc.net Reminder Deadline for April 2015 s Highlander Articles is Sunday, March 23rd Youth Group Fundraiser Breakfast March 29th - 9 to 10 AM Dining Hall Did you know that PCOP has a YOUTH GROUP? We do and its AWESOME! Bring all your friends and invite the family (even the cousins) to PCOP s Youth Group Fundraiser Breakfast on Palm Sunday, March 29th in the downstairs Dining Hall. A hot and hearty homemade breakfast will be served from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and all donated money will go to help our Youth Group go on adventures, help our community, and have a good time. Come on out and show our youth they have your support!