Meeting House News First Presbyterian Church On the Square 2A North Hanover Street Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 The Reverend Anthony D. Lorenz, Pastor Debby Madden, Director of Educational Ministry Arthur Thompson, Organist Susan Shuey, Choir Director Avis Allen, Administrative Secretary Michael Stamey, Sexton Church Administrative Office s M, W, F; 9AM 2PM Phone (717) 243-4612 Rev. Lorenz s phone number (C) (740) 502-7951 Church E-mail fpcarl@pa.net Pastor s E-mail alorenz.fpcarl@pa.net Educator s E-Mail dmadden.fpcarl@pa.net Website www.firstprescarlisle.org
Page 2 Pastor s Corner CONTENTS Pastor s Corner 2 New Officers 2 Meetings 3 Book Club 3 Saturday Seminar 3 Facilities Use 3 Thank You Note 3 Epiphany of the Lord 3 Mission Trip, Honduras 3 Project SHARE Needs 3 Session Meeting Highlights 3 Special Offerings 3 Birthdays 4 Worship Helpers 4 Calendar 5 NEW CHURCH OFFICERS DEACONS Mary Jane Blosser Deb Richcreek Melissa Sheperd Tracy Sommers ELDERS Trudy Bailey Elizabeth Martin Peg Owen Ray Thomas Nancy Tritt Listen to sermons and keep abreast of the news of the church at our website: www.firstprescarlisle.org THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED DONATIONS OF SOUP FOR PROJECT SHARE!! IT IS MUCH NEEDED! Dear Members and Friends of First Presbyterian Church, There s something about turning the page on the calendar that always fills me with a bit of excitement and hope. To see all of those empty squares and know that they will soon be filled with all sorts of events and activities reminds me that a pastor s life is rarely dull! During that last few weeks of each December and the first few weeks of each January I live with two calendars: one for the year just ending and one for the year just beginning. It usually takes me a few weeks to make sure everything gets transferred to the new calendar. But it is also a chance for me to review the year that has just passed. As we come to the end of 2015, I look back at my calendar and say, What a year it was! Early this year I was aware that you were searching for a pastor. By early March I was in contact with the PNC and after numerous interviews, calls, and conversations it quickly became apparent that this might be a match. In mid-may the Presbytery s Committee on Ministry gave their approval and on June 7th by your voice God called me to be your next installed pastor. Then the whirlwind began! Now that I have settled in and as I m still getting to know the lay of the land, I am reminded every day just how good God really is. The calendar says I have been here a little over five months and already I can see how you have blessed me and faithfully proclaimed the Gospel. I live with two calendars right now, and as I look back at what was I m grateful. But there s always a temptation to live in the past, to look backwards rather than forwards. Maybe you feel this temptation too. But God doesn t want us to dwell in the past, God has given us a future and a hope and a calling to follow Him! So how can we honor the past and move forward at the same time? That s the tricky part. I love this congregation s history and I know you do too. It is an important part of who we are. But I often tell people that even though First Church has an old building we are not a museum. We are a living, active community of faith. We are called by God to worship, connect, educate, and equip the people of God to serve God and one another in Christ s name. As the calendar pages turn and I review what was, I plan to stop looking backward so much and start looking forward more. I invite you to do the same as we continue to see all the exciting ways God is working in and through First Church for His glory. Yours very truly in Christ, Pastor Tony Lorenz
J a n u a r y 2 0 1 6 P a g e 3 Jan. 4, 7 PM Jan. 6, 5:30 PM Jan. 11, 7 PM Jan. 14, 7 PM Jan. 17, after worship Jan. 19, 7 PM Jan. 21, 7:30 AM Jan. 24, after worship Jan. 25, 2 PM Jan. 25, 7 PM In the Life of the Church JANUARY MEETINGS Deacons Worship Committee Space for God Book Club Prayer Community Session Men s Breakfast Mission Committee Faith Circle Space for God FACILITIES USE IN JANUARY Jan. 20, 6-8:30 PM: The Farmers Market vendors will hold their organizational dinner in Fellowship Hall. To Members & Friends of First Church: Words are inadequate to express gratitude to leaders, members and friends for prayers, cards and support during Janet s long recuperation from pancreatic surgery on Oct. 15. As we write this note, she continues to recuperate at Cumberland Crossing s Care Center. We are looking forward to returning home soon. Rev. Crea and Janet Clark EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Epiphany is the celebration of God s manifestation or self-revelation to the world in Jesus Christ. In particular, we celebrate the revelation of God s promise and purpose to the nations of the world, as the magi came from the East to worship to the Christ child, and God s covenant of grace is extended to all who believe the good news of Christ Jesus. The symbolism of light is important not only because of the star that guided the magi, but as it relates to the bright dawning of God s self-revelation in Christ. In 2016, Epiphany of the Lord is Wednesday, Jan. 6. We will observe it on Sunday, Jan. 3. PROJECT SHARE S CRITICAL NEED ITEMS Ham Canned Chicken Chicken Broth Juice Spaghetti Sauce SPECIAL OFFERINGS PW Thank Offering: $1,273 Christmas Eve Offerings: $1,215 (Honduras Home- Building & Habitat for Humanity) Thanks for your generosity! BOOK CLUB The first meeting of 2016 will be held at the church on Thursday, Jan. 14, 7 PM. New readers are always welcome. Need more details? Contact Debby Madden. A brochure giving the 2016 selections is in the literature rack in Fellowship Hall, and is also available on the church website ( Opportunities ). CARLISLE PRESBYTERY S SATURDAY SEMINAR The Presbytery s Education Committee is hosting a Saturday Seminar this year at Second Presbyterian, Garland Drive, Carlisle. The date is Jan. 23; time is 8:30 AM (register) 1 PM. (Snow date is Jan. 30.) There are opportunities for EVERYONE. Here are a few workshops highlights: Elder Training (Rev. Mark Englund-Krieger) Deacon Training (Rev. Janice Tiedeck) Clerk of Session Training (Jim Speedy) Healthy Congregations (Rev. Bill Beck) Recalculating Christian Ed (Elder Debbie Hough) Welcoming Children of Differing Abilities (Eli Cappel) Practicing God s Radical Hospitality (Destini Hodges & Rev. Heather Sigler) This free event includes a light lunch at 12:15 PM. You can register online at: www.carlislepby.org by Jan. 15. MISSION TRIP TO HONDURAS A mission trip to Honduras is planned for April 11-18. There will be work for all skill levels. Anyone with an open heart, a spirit of discovery, and a desire to meet God in a new place is welcome to join us. Speak with Pastor Lorenz for more info. Debby Madden will attend a meeting of APCE (Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators) Jan. 25 Jan. 30. HIGHLIGHTS OF DEC. 8, 2015 SESSION MEETING A New Members class will be held in January. Many budget items were discussed. New Officer installation/ordination will be held Jan. 10. Officer training will be held Sat., Jan. 16. Session meetings are moved to the 3rd Tues. of the month.
January Birthdays 1 Heather Metzger 3 Mary Reneker 5 Millard Ilgenfritz Frances Michael 6 Jane Thompson 7 Jennifer Koishal 8 Ruth Ann Shoenfelt 9 Edwin Rice 11 Judy Gottlieb 12 Ray Thomas Noah Weiser 13 Bruce Mulvey 14 Lou Anne Stamey 15 Tess Naylor 16 Gerald Light 18 Steve Elsier 19 Erik Thompson 23 Clairissa Crum 25 Delaney Crim 28 Ann Lynes 31 Sandy Ilgenfritz Bo Koishal January Worship Helpers READERS Jan. 3: Trevor Shull Jan. 10: Delaney Crim Jan. 17: Joe Shane Jan. 24: Barb Allen Jan. 31: Peg Owen USHERS Jan. 3: Ray & Katie Thomas; Patterson family Jan. 10: The Sheperd family Jan. 17: Bob Dowell; Bob Read; Dennis Rydberg; Joe Shane Jan. 24: Heather Thompson family; Rick Line Jan. 31: Bruce & Kathy Mulvey; FELLOWSHIP HOSTS Jan. 3: Bob Davis & Peggy McKeehen Jan. 10: XX Jan. 17: XX Jan. 24: XX Jan. 31: XX COUNTERS Jan. 3: Joe & Molly Shane Jan. 10: Megan, Barb & Jim Crum Jan. 17: Dick & Tracy Sommers; Charlie Thompson Jan. 24: Laura Crim & Lynne Hofferica Jan. 31: Barb & Jim Crum CHILDREN S CHURCH: Jan. 3: None (Communion) Jan. 10: XX Jan. 17: XX Jan. 24: XX Jan. 31: XX COMMUNION HELPERS: Jan. 3: Deb Ryerson; Ron Richcreek; Dick & Tracy Sommers; Laura Crim; Lou Anne Stamey; Peggy McKeehen FLOWERS: Nancy Augustine (chair) & Clare Hamm SERVICE RECORDER Ray Thomas + + + + + + + If you cannot serve as scheduled, please find a substitute and notify the office so that proper notice can be given in the worship bulletin.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 31 1 2 First Night Carlisle (Fellowship Hall in use) 3 ; Star Gifts 4 7 PM: Deacons 5 6 (Epiphany of the Lord) 5:30 PM: Worship Committee 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ; Installation/ Ordination of New Officers 7 PM: Space for God 7 PM: Property Committee 7 PM: Book Club 9 AM-1 PM: Officers Training at the church 17 After: Prayer Community 18 19 7 PM: Session 20 6-8:30 PM: Farmers Mkt Vendors Dinner (Fell. Hall) February newsletter items due to office 21 7:30 AM: Men s B-Fast (Fairground Diner) 22 23 8:30 AM 1 PM: Saturday Seminar (Second PC) (snow date: Jan. 30) 24 After: Mission Comte 31 25 2 PM: Faith Circle 7 PM: Space for God 26 27 28 29 30 COMING IN FEBRUARY Feb. 1: Deacons Feb. 7: Annual Congregational Meeting Feb. 10: Ash Wednesday Feb. 14: Communion Feb. 16: Session Feb. 18: Men s B-fast & Book Club