CALLING ALL 2 ND TO 5 TH GRADERS

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1 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 356 Summit Road, Springfield, Pennsylvania , fpcspringfield.org to show and share Christ s love. Dear Church, The good news is Sometimes, in everyday conversation, you might hear someone trying to put a good spin on a bad situation. The car has a flat, the cat is sick, but the good news is It s a part of normal speech. We talk about the silver lining, the good news in the middle of so much yuck. Perhaps it is my inner smart-aleck coming through, but each time January 2014 Volume 49-Number 5 I hear The good news is, I want to say, Jesus Christ. The car has a flat, the cat is sick, but the good news is that Jesus Christ is still on the throne of reality. The check is late, the roof leaks, but the good news is that Jesus Christ died for us and our salvation. The kids are screaming, dinner is burned, but the good news is a first century Jew who claimed to be God. It s snarky, but true. No matter what happens, in the grand scheme of things, we have extraordinarily good news. January is a time for resolutions. I am challenging myself, and I will challenge all of you, to have a bigger perspective. Come what may the good news is As always, thank you all for your ministry. You are ministers within the church: elders, deacons, committee members, teachers, volunteers, you name it. You are also ministers at home, at work, and at school. Thank you for your faithful service to God. For what it s worth, I m proud of you. See you in church, Jeff CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, January 26, 2014 (following worship) To review annual report, etc CALLING ALL 2 ND TO 5 TH GRADERS Kreative Kids will be meeting Tuesdays, January 14 and 28 from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM in Lambert Hall Come along and bring a friend! OUR CHURCH STAFF Jeffrey E. Bryan, Teaching Elder Megan Prescott-Ezickson, Music Director Noha T. Khoury, Director of Children and Ministries Janet Fonash, Office Manager Anne Branton, Office Assistant Bruce Esbensen, Custodian Darla McNulty, Director of Rabbit Hill Nursery School Katherine E. Doyle, Clerk of Session Jim Orlando, Financial Secretary Nancy Hartrum, Treasurer FROM THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE SIGNING IN ON SUNDAY To maintain accurate records regarding your church attendance, please sign the blue pew pad each Sunday that you attend Worship. UNDER THE STEEPLE JANUARY 2014 PAGE 1

2 FROM THE OFFICE JANUARY BIRTHDAYS OFFICE HOURS 8:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday 8:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday (closed on Friday) INCLEMENT WEATHER In case of bad weather, the church office follows Springfield District s closing or delay schedule. ANNUAL REPORTS All committees/ministries of the church are required to submit their annual report. The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 26 th, therefore, these reports are due by January 10 th to be available for the congregation to look over on the 19 th and 26 th. Thank you. OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO: The Khoury family on the death of Noha s grandmother, Salma Moussa. The Hawley family on the death of Michelle s dad, John F. Ottaviano, Sr., age 91 who died peacefully on December 5. Survived by spouse of 52 years, Ginny, son John (wife, Kris), daughter Michelle Hawley (husband, Michael) grandchildren, Lyssa and Brooke Hawley, Justin Ottaviano (spouse, Tiara), Ryan Ottaviano, and Lauren Ottaviano, and two great-grandchildren. He was a US Army veteran of WWII who served in the Pacific Theater, retired as a foreman after 30 years from Haverford Township Public Works Department. The Hine family on the death of Ruth on December 10. Ruth was recently recognized as a 50 year member here at First Presbyterian Church. Donations can be made to the Deacon Fund in her memory. Sympathy cards can be sent to Dorothy Callahan, (Ruth s daughter) at 366 Radford Ct., Glen Mills, PA REGISTER FOR RABBIT HILL Rabbit Hill Nursery School will be accepting registrations the middle of January. A child must be three by November 1 to enter. We offer 2, 3, and 4 day programs. A weekly Toddler Time for two year olds will meet on Friday mornings. Please drop by Rabbit Hill any morning, visit our website at rabbithillnurseryschool.org, or call Darla McNulty at UNDER THE STEEPLE JANUARY 2014 PAGE 2

3 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS FROM KATHY DOYLE, CLERK OF SESSION At the November meeting of Session the following items were discussed: This was a joint meeting with the Deacons, scheduled because of the Thanksgiving holiday. A congregational meeting is scheduled for December 15 th following the worship service to review the Pastor s terms of call and elect Deacons, Elders and Nominating Committee for Approval was given for having the Presbytery meeting here on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 from 1 4 p.m. We will need lots of volunteers to greet, meet and assist our guests. This is a wonderful opportunity for our congregation to host the meeting and we look forward to a super day. Check your calendar and see if you are available to help out. More information will be coming. Approval was given for Noha Khoury and Hollie Smith to share the Tower position until a new permanent Director of Children and Ministries is hired. More efforts and advertising for the position are being made. Several inactive members have been moved to the Other roll of membership with their permission. They will still receive the newsletter, be a part of the congregation, just unable to vote or hold office. The next meeting of Session will also be a joint one with the Deacons on December 18 th at 7:00 in Fellowship Hall. We send Christmas blessings to one and all from the elected board members of our church. We pray that you will feel God s love, grace and mercy at this special time of the year. As always, if you have a question or concern let us know. MISSION OF THE MONTH THE SALVATION ARMY. The Mission Committee would like to once again thank the congregation for supporting the City Team Angel Tree gifts this year. Over one hundred new toys and clothes were collected and provided to City Team to support their Adopt-A-Child program which provides gifts to families in Chester and the surrounding area. Thank you for your generosity. FROM HOUSE AND GROUNDS Bill Winans HAPPY NEW YEAR,"2014" To the younger set this is just another year. To us "old folks" it's where did all those years go? Time does really fly. When I was a little kid I couldn't even think of this year ever coming: it was too far away to comprehend. Guess what, it's here. It's that time of the year when some of us make resolutions and never keep them. I personally don't make any resolutions, I try to make promises. This way I feel more earnest about them. First of all I promise myself to be a better Christian and a better person, and I would like to think that I accomplished that. I owe that to God's grace is gone and never to return again. To some people who suffered hardships, I hope the new year will be much better. To those who had a good year, I hope it continues. We never know what God has in store for us. Our job is to pray to Him and ask Him to guide and direct us. This year was a good year for House and Grounds as well. We didn't accomplish as much as we liked. But how can we top last year with the new heater and air conditioning. As you all know the Narthex is now complete except for some touch up painting. We stopped that because of the Christmas decorations, but we will continue shortly. I think the Narthex looks great. I would like to take this time to thank the volunteers who painted, put in new baseboards and chair rails. If we had to hire that work outside the cost would have been astronomical. As it turned out it just cost us the materials. Plus let s not forget the items that were donated like the TV, benches, pictures, and paint. This church never ceases to amaze me, the volunteers and the donors are awesome. Just another reason to love this church. Looking forward to the new year and the challenges that face House and Grounds. I know with your help and God's guidance we will persevere. Until next month, God Bless. CONNECT BY Riverview Presbyterian Church SUNDAY, JANUARY 19. More info to come. UNDER THE STEEPLE JANUARY 2014 PAGE 3

4 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 5 9:15 am SS for All 6 7 pm 10:30 am Membership Communion Committee (LO) Worship INSTALLATION AND ORDINATION 12 9:15 am SS for 13 6:30 pm Del. All County Early 10:30 am BAPTISM Childhood SUNDAY Educators 19 9:15 am SS for All 10:30 am Worship (guest organist) (Connect By Night) 26 9:15 am SS for All 10:30 am Worship 20 MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY Office Closed! 7 9:30 am Circle Diane Harrington s 12 pm Circle # pm Staff Meeting 4:30 pm Kreative Kids 7 pm Administrative Committee Meeting (CR) 21 6:30 pm Christian Ed Committee (CR) 7 pm House and Grounds (LO) pm Hosting Presbytery 4:30 pm Kreative Kids 1 NEW YEAR S DAY 8 6 pm Circle #2 (LO) 7 pm Rabbit Hill 2 6:30 pm AA 9 5 pm Girl Scouts 6:30 pm AA 7 pm Mission Board the Harding s 7 pm Del. Valley Committee (LO) Chorus (FH) 15 7 pm Board 16 6:30 pm of Deacons Handbells 6:30 pm AA 7 pm Del. Valley Chorus (FH) 7 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal 22 7 pm Session 23 5 pm Girl Scouts 7 pm Del. Valley 6:30 pm Chorus (FH) Handbells 6:30 pm AA 7 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal 29 7 pm Del. Valley Chorus (FH) 3 6:30 pm Al Anon 10 NL Deadline & Annual Reports due 6:30 pm Al Anon 17 6:30 pm Al Anon 24 9:15 Mom 2 Mom 6:30 pm Al Anon 6:30 pm Candy Bingo (FH) 30 6:30 pm 31 Handbells 6:30 pm Al Anon 6:30 pm AA 7 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal pm City Team Upcoming: February. 2 Souperbowl of Caring Sunday 9 Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser 28 PJ and Movie night Room Assignment Key, Floor CO Church Office, 2 nd Fassitt Hall LO Lounge, 2 nd SN Sunday School Noah Room, 3 rd CR Conference Room, 2 nd Fassitt Hall MR Music Room, 2 nd Rear SS Sunday School Office, 2 nd Fassitt Hall CS Church Sanctuary, 2nd PO Pastor s Office, 2 nd Fassitt Hall ST Sunday School Tent Room, 3 rd FH Fellowship Hall, 1 st Lower Rear RN Rabbit Hill/Nursery, 1 st YD Director s Office, 2 nd Fassitt Hall LH Lambert Hall, 1 st RW Rabbit Hill West Room, 2 nd YT Tower Room, 3rd LI Library, 2 nd SM Sunday School Moses Room 3rd THOSE SERVING FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY Date Liturgist Ushers Greeters 1/5 Debbie Rhodes Jane Arimoto, Guy Richards, Bill Winans, Rich West Jim and Diane Harrington 1/12 Jeanne Richards Jane Arimoto, Guy Richards, Bill Winans, Rich West Aletha Sciubba 1/19 Lynne Hartzell, John Reed, Nanci Petroski, Alan Blake Bob and Eileen Simons 1/26 Ed Clapper Lynne Hartzell, John Reed, Nanci Petroski, Alan Blake Gussie Logue UNDER THE STEEPLE JANUARY 2014 PAGE 4

5 Candy Bingo Friday, January 24, :30 p.m. (Fellowship Hall) If you love bingo and you love candy, You ll love to play candy bingo! Join Christa, kim, and Cathy on Friday, January 24, 2014 at 6:30 pm in fellowship hall for a fun-filled evening of candy bingo. Just bring a full size candy bar to play and when you win you get to choose any of the candy! Candy bingo is great fun for older children but younger children can play with adult Supervision. So bring your friends, because more people means more candy! Don t forget your full size candy bar to play! UNDER THE STEEPLE JANUARY 2014 PAGE 5

6 First Presbyterian Church 356 Summit Road Springfield, PA USPS Periodicals POSTAGE PAID Media, PA FROM YOUR DEACONS Tracy Doyle November 24 was the annual Deacons Dinner. The Deacons changed things up this year with the addition of Hanging of the Greens. We had a great turnout and lots of help to make the church beautiful for Christmas. Thanks to all for making it a wonderful evening of fellowship. We also wanted to thank everyone for making the Deacon Mission of the month so successful. It is such a blessing to be able to continue to help others. On a personal note, I want to thank all the deacons who served this past year. It was an honor to work with each of them helping others. A big THANK YOU to Alan Blake for all the work he has been doing for the church and its members. Alan is a true blessing and hard worker and is always willing to A Note from Sue Tweedy (Outgoing Deacon), I just wanted to say thank you to all of the congregation for the wonderful help you gave me during my flower "reign". I wanted to let everyone know that the yearly sign-up sheet will go back into the Narthex. I wanted to try and simplify things for the incoming deacon who will take over this project. Thank you again for all your generosity! SUNDAY 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for All 10:30 a.m. Worship Service (Nursery care is provided throughout the morning) WOW (Worship Our Way) Kindergarten through Fourth Grades (Children leave the worship service) 6:30 p.m. Tower NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: January 10 firstpresby.newsletter@comcast.net ANNUAL REPORTS: January 10 UNDER THE STEEPLE JANUARY 2014 PAGE 6