Brothers and Sisters, The Presbyterian Church of Llanerch 211 Lansdowne Road,, Havertown, PA 19083 610-789 789-1639; www.llanerchpres.org JUNE 2014 News and Notes This month, we celebrate Pentecost. No, it isn t the penultimate cost. No, it s not a secret code for 5 or 50 times as much cost. No, it s not some kind of trick observance of strange symbols. Pentecost is a Greek word that refers to the fiftieth day, and it s also the Greek title given to the ancient, pre-christian, Hebrew observance Festival of Weeks. This Hebrew festival was a celebration of the gift of the Law at Mt. Sinai. That festival Pentecost in Greek happens 50 days after Passover, which gives its reference point post-easter in our liturgical calendar. So today, 50 days after Easter, the Church observes Pentecost. Pentecost. But it s not about an ancient Hebrew holiday for us! No. Pentecost is about another gift the gift of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who is with us as Jesus is no longer with us in the flesh. Pentecost is the unwavering reminder that God is loosed in the world, and loosed in and through all of us. Our Pentecost story is built around the gift of the Holy Spirit that comes upon the disciples and believers in Jerusalem in that famous story about tongues of fire resting on believers heads and the disciples speaking in many different languages that they didn t know. Pentecost is the arrival of the Holy Spirit that has ever since been associated with strange things and strange forms of worship and devotion. And as such, we Presbyterians are hardly known for being Pentecost-y! The Directory for Worship in our Book of Order declares that the language we use in worship builds ardor and order. But truth be told, we Presbyterians are known far more for our ORDER than our ARDOR. Ardor is a word I often associate with the Holy Spirit; it s synonymous with words like: passion, love, enthusiasm, zeal, fervor, eagerness, devotion, dedication. And while we often covet these feelings, we Presbyterians more often keep a lid on them and the Spirit. For example, when was the last time you attended a Presbyterian worship service where there was speaking in tongues? Or, a service where raised hands and dancing in the aisles was ordinary? We don t often grant room for the Holy Spirit to disrupt the ORDER we give to our gatherings and worship services. And it s too bad! Yet without the Holy Spirit s ardor, how much love can we really give to God, or how much worshipful devotion to Jesus Christ? Minus the Holy Spirit, we re rather bland and ordinary folks, who sit neatly in our rows of pews facing the same direction, stuck for an hour waiting for the end of the service when we can get on with our weekend s activities. Without the Spirit, it s hard to imagine getting fired up about social justice or hope for God s reign. Without the companionship of the unpredictable Holy Spirit, how can God declare a new thing and we perceive it? Pentecost isn t about what happened to some other people 50 days after the first Easter. No. Pentecost is the reminder that what happened to them is also what s happened to us. We, too, are infused with the Holy Spirit. We, too, are granted the companionship of the Advocate who teaches us and keeps us in everything that Jesus commands us to do and be. Pentecost is both promise and fulfillment. And it s supposed to set our hair on fire perhaps not so much literally as figuratively. Pentecost is about what happens to us when we are caught up in a moment of faith-filled joy. Maybe it s a hymn that brings tears to your eyes or puts a spring in your step; a piece of music that makes your heart sing, or a favorite verse that moves you to ministry; or a line in a sermon that compels you to change your ways and act. It doesn t have to be a flaming tongue of fire dancing on your head but it probably makes you want to dance with such a thing anyway! So come into the life of our congregation where the Spirit sets your hair on fire or at least makes you feel like it!
Worship & Music News Worship in JUNE June is a 5-Sunday month. We ll begin still in the season of Easter; then we ll celebrate two liturgical observances and begin the season after Pentecost. Quickly, here are the highlights. June 1 st, last Sunday of Easter, remembering Jesus instructions and gifts to believers. June 8 th, Pentecost, special service away from church at Merry Place Park; we ll feel the wind in our faces in the out-of-doors, remembering that the wind is an apt metaphor for the Holy Spirit. June 15 th is Trinity Sunday and Father s Day. June 22 nd and 29 th are the first Sundays noted by after Pentecost. Mark your calendar especially for June 8 th for the special worship TIME and PLACE and be sure and don t miss the good stuff! DATE: CELEBRATION: FIRST READING: GOSPEL: June 1 st June 8 th June 15 th 7 th Sunday of Easter PENTECOST (Communion) At Merry Place Park in Havertown TRINITY SUNDAY Acts 1: 6-14 Luke 24: 44-53 Acts 2: 1-21 John 7: 37-39 Genesis 1:1-2:4a Matthew 28: 16-20 June 22 nd 2 nd Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 21: 8-21 Matthew 10: 24-39 June 29 th 3 rd Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 22: 1-14 Matthew 10: 40-42 Church News & Events Update on One Great Hour of Sharing: Our One Great Hour of Sharing appeal concluded on Eastern Sunday with the dedication of offering envelopes and "fish". The ecumenical OGHS appeal supports three separate aspects of mission: disaster assistance, hunger relief, and community development both in the U.S. and around the world. During our "hour of sharing" we raised $1407 for the appeal. Thanks to all for their generosity.
JUNE S Regularly Scheduled Events EVENT DAY/DATE LOCATION Thursday, June 12th The Abigail Circle Time - TBD TBD The Lydia Circle Tuesday, June 10th 12 noon at Audrey Mahler's home HELPING AND GETTING HELP Do you need a ride to church or know someone who does? Monthly Care Closet Offering: If you need a ride to church, the Deacons are happy to help! Or, if you or someone you know needs a meal, a well-wishing card, or a visit, please contact our Deacons. Will be received this month on Sunday, June 1st. Please see or call Joan Sheppard (610.449.7325) or Vicki Murphy (610.446.0637) or any member of the Deacons. If you know someone in need, please speak with Rev. Stipp-Bethune or Vicki Murphy SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS FOR MAY: SERVICE DATE ASSIGNMENT Communion Preparation June 8 th Phyllis Gibson Lay Leaders June 1 st : June 8 th : June 15 th : June 22 nd :
Ushers June 29 th : June 1 st : June 8 th : June 15 th : June 22 nd : June 29 th : Mission Calling for Donations for Chester Eastside! You may have noticed that the church calendar notes when the offerings for Chester Eastside Ministries are received on the third Sunday of the month, but you may not have understood what is involved. Chester Eastside is a ministry and social service outreach agency in Chester and Llanerch Presbyterian has been a supporter for many years with donations of money and of donations of household goods and food. Chester Eastside recently moved to a smaller space and has discontinued their collection and distribution of clothing and household goods for the time being, but they would very much appreciate donations of food for their food bank. The food bank offers assistance to more than 350 families, and can use donations of groceries in cans, boxes, and unbreakable jars. If you can add one item to your list each shopping trip and include it in our offering, it will make a difference in the lives of vulnerable families and children. Boy Scout News The Boy Scouts of Troop 434 had a great month of spring weather and enjoyed working on their outdoor skills. Starting out at the church during a regular meeting, a group of boys worked on knife and ax skills in the side yard under the watchful eye of leader Rick Miller. Many of the younger scouts are busy mastering basic physical fitness, first aid and knot-tying, but everyone was on their game as they participated in in the District Camporee at Ridley Creek State Park. Six troops camped together and competed in traditional scout events like lashing and fire-building. The troop did well in the competition and also enjoyed working on cooking outdoors. We are also looking forward to summer camping season. A group of more than 30 boys will be on their way to summer camp this summer, and a pair of Troop 434 new Eagle Scouts will be attending the Philmont Scout Reservation. At the end of the month (on Sunday June 1), everyone can greet the scouts and patronize their wares as they set up their funnel cake booth at the Karakung Heritage Festival. We look forward to seeing you at this event along Karakung drive from 11 to 4.
Generosity Live Forward, Give Forward Winston Churchill once asked: "What is the use of living, if it not be to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?" This forward-living attitude is at the heart of our faith and practice. more at www.liveforwardgiveforward.com. Live Forward, Give Forward is the new wills program from the Presbyterian Foundation, designed to help Presbyterians and their congregations build legacies of faithfulness for future generations. Learn Living Richly - A Story of Generosity March 20, 2014 Inky Inscoe and his wife Harriet were very involved with their church community at the First Presbyterian Church of Morganton, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. After his wife s passing, Inky continued his commitment at the church of Morganton until his death last summer. At Inky s funeral we recalled his wonderful sense of humor, his positive attitude and sense of adventure, his service to his country as a WWII pilot, and his dedication to good works in our community, shared Morganton s pastor, Michael Bailey. For Inky and Harriet, the church was their life, pure and simple. They did everything here, held every position at this church and even sang in the choir together, remembered Bailey. Dedication to their faith and to their church was a hallmark of the lives of both Inky and Harriet. The Inscoes were not necessarily thought of as rich people during their lives, but after Inky s passing last summer, the richness of their lives was made manifest. After his death, the church s Clerk of Session received a letter along with a check, for $92,000. And, on that same day another letter was received, at Converse College, and another check, for $5,500. The same thing happened at Salem College, and Union Presbyterian Seminary, and at the Grandfather Home for Children, Habitat for Humanity, and the Burke County Hospice and Palliative Care. We might not have thought of the Inscoes as rich people, but as we look back and reflect, it becomes all too apparent just how richly they lived, shared Bailey. Theirs were lives of generosity and dedication, sharing and good works. An emphasis on planned giving is a regular part of the worship life at First Presbyterian Church of Morganton. Every three-five years a major emphasis is made on planned giving. The possibility and importance of planned giving is also communicated from the pulpit twothree times per year. When gifts such as the Inscoe s are received, they are celebrated in the worship life of the congregation. In this way Pastor Michael Bailey hopes to allow the gifts themselves to continue to generate more momentum for giving. - See more at: http://www.presbyterianfoundation.org
A Prayer in Response to Gun Violence God, our souls ache as another shooting is lifted into our view. We know You weep with us in times of sadness, despair and anger, so we join our spirits with Yours and come to you in prayer. As difficult as it might be, God, grant us the faith to pray for the shooter, the killer, our enemy may we not repay evil with evil As political as it may seem, God, grant us the patience to pray for the politicians, the lobbyist, the system may wisdom beyond our imagination prevail As much as it hurts our hearts to remember, grant us the strength to pray for the dead, their families, their friends and their community may we hear their wailing in heart, body and soul As distant as it may feel, God give us the perspective to pray for the shootings that do not grab headlines individuals who suffer, grieve and mourn in silence communities where gun violence is always a possibility may we be the Body of Christ for all your children God, be with each of us as You see fit, giving us the the space to know grief that is real, to express anger that is righteous and to embody hope that we trust is in the midst of it all. In Your healing and hopeful name we pray. Amen. --by Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Teaching Elder and Moderator of the 218 th General Assembly