THE RENEWAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAVRE DE GRACE 551 Franklin Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078 Church (410) 939-3611 - Fax (410) 939-3581 February 2016 From the Pastor John 2:11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 20:30 31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. The writer of the Gospel of John tells us that Jesus did signs so that people would know he was from God. As Christians, we can do signs so that others will see that we follow Christ. The Season of Lent every year gives us a special opportunity to show our allegiance. Lent is a season of the Christian Year where Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. It's the forty days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little Easter. Basically, it's about one-tenth of a year (like a tithe of time). Mardi Gras is the day before Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday. This year it's from February 10 (Ash Wednesday) to March 27 (Easter), 2016. Rev. Penny Ford, the pastor of a small UMC church in Carrollton, Alabama, shares this definition and the upcoming explanation in her submission to The Upper Room at http://www.upperroom.org/lent101. Why "DO" Lent? How do I start? Are you searching for something more? Tired of running in circles, but not really living life with direction, purpose or passion? It's pretty easy to get caught up in the drama of classes, relationships, family, and work. Our lives are filled with distractions that take us away from living a life with Christ. We try to fill the emptiness inside us with mindless TV, meaningless chatter, stimulants, alcohol, too many activities or other irrelevant stuff. We run away from life and from God. 1
Lent is a great time to repent -- to return to God and re-focus our lives to be more in line with Jesus. It s a 40 day trial run in changing your lifestyle and letting God change your heart. You might try one of these practices for Lent: FASTING: Some people have been known to go without food for days. But that's not the only way to fast. You can fast by cutting out some of the things in your life that distract you from God. Some Christians use the whole 40 days to fast from candy, TV, soft drinks, cigarettes or meat as a way to purify their bodies and lives. You might skip one meal a day and use that time to pray instead. Or you can give up some activity like worry or reality TV to spend time outside enjoying God s creation. What do you need to let go of or fast from in order to focus on God? What clutters your calendar and life? How can you simplify your life in terms of what you eat, wear or do? Learn more about or design a fast. SERVICE: Some Christians take something on for Christ. You can collect food for the needy, volunteer once a week to tutor children, or work for reform and justice in your community. You can commit to help a different stranger, co-worker or friend every day of Lent. Serving others is one way we serve God. Learn how giving of yourself is prayer. PRAYER: Christians also use Lent as a time of intentional prayer. You can pray while you walk, create music or art as a prayer to God, or savor a time of quiet listening. All can be ways of becoming more in tune with God. Visit The Upper Room Living Prayer Center to request a prayer, pray for others, or learn more about prayer. Christians from many different traditions celebrate Lent. How will you use the time to grow closer to God? May God Bless you with the practices you need to draw closer to God this Lenten Season. Pastor Susie Holy God, Help us set aside some special time during February and March to review our lives and habits. Help us find ways to simplify our lives. Help us find ways to show others your Love and Grace. Renew our commitment to the Way your Son showed us to live. In His name we pray. Amen. You are richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven! 2
TOP TEN THINGS YOU CAN TRY FOR THE LENTEN SEASON: FROM: http://www.upperroom.org/lent101 10. Try an electronic fast. Give up TV, Facebook, texting, tweeting, e-mail and all things electronic for one day every week. (Or everyday of Lent!) Use the time to read & pray. Learn more about fasting. 9. Start a prayer rhythm. Each day of Lent, go to The Upper Room's prayer wall and pray for another person. 8. Go deeper into the Bible. Take an online course on the "I Am" sayings of Jesus. 7. Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it (maybe even yourself.) Study a book on forgiveness, such as Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey. 6. Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea or coffee. Give the money you save to help folks in a different part of the world who are in crisis. Pick a current global issue and help change the world. 5. Create a daily quiet time. Spend 10 minutes a day in silence and prayer. Read a daily devotional for the season of Lent. See how it can help you add spiritual practice to your daily life beyond Lent. 4. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank you letter each week and be aware of how many people have helped you along the way. Learn more about spiritual practice of gratitude. 3. Participate in a Lent Photo-a-Day practice and pray each day with your camera in your hand. Start praying. 2. Volunteer one hour or more each week with a local shelter, tutoring program, nursing home, prison ministry.learn about the global issues and how you can help. 1. Pray for others you see as you walk as you walk to and from classes or drive to and from work. Download the Nimbus Prayer app and pray as you go through your day. About the Author: Rev. Penny Ford is the pastor of a small UMC church in Carrollton, Alabama. L I F E Life is a book of volumes Three The past the present and the yet to be: The first is written and laid away. The second we are writing day by day: The next and the last of the volumes Three Is locked from sight God hold the key! 3
FEBRUARY 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 Grace Place Choir Practice 6:15 pm Transfiguration of the Lord 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Communion Sunday S.S. 9:45 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Souper Bowl of Caring; Chaplains Sunday 1 st Sunday in Lent 14 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Health Awareness and Prayer for Healing and Wholeness; Camp and Conference Ministries 2 nd Sunday in Lent 21 Committee Night 6:30 pm March Newsletter Deadline Presidents Day 15 22 Ash Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m. 16 17 Session packet info due *Lenten Bible Study Trustees meeting 6:30 p.m. 23 24 Deacon s meeting 5:30 p.m. Choir Practice 6:15 pm 18 Choir Practice 6:15 pm 25 19 20 The Vine food pantry 10 11:30 a.m. & Used Book exchange/sale 9 to noon 26 27 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Session Meeting 7:00 pm *Lenten Bible Study Choir Practice 6:15 pm Universal Day of Prayer for Students 3 rd Sunday in Lent 28 29 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. *Note: More info on the Lenten Bible Study will be announced at a later date. NOTICEABLE Without a doubt, the loudest noise in the world is the first rattle in your new car. Government is like a stomach; if it s doing its work right; you will hardly realize you ve got one. Twenty years ago lots of folks dreamed of earning the salary they can t get along on today. You ll notice that the fire department never fights fire with fire. 4
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS 02/05 - Pat Allingham 02/15 Mira Owens 02/08 Priscilla Richardson 02/18 Julian Datesman 02/11 Amy Weitzel 02/21 Abigail Transparenti 02/11 Katelynn McClaskey 02/21 Ron Stein 02/02 George & Janine McClaskey 02/15 George & Cathy Deibel DUTY ROSTER Liturgist Deacons Trustees Usher-Tellers 2/07 Larry Dobson Sandy Matthews Paul Stratton Team #3 Scott Pentz (capt.) 2/14 Adam Datesman Tara Werkheiser Ryan Andreen Team #4 Greg Smith (capt.) 2/21 Ed Matthews Bill Atkinson Torinda Lutz Team #5 George Deibel (capt.) 2/28 Logan Pentz Brett Forton Greg Smith Team #6 Eric Swanson (capt.) Communion Schedule Childcare Schedule 2/07 Pat Allingham 2/07 TBD - Brett Forton 2/14 Stephanie 2/21 - Stephanie 2/28 Stephanie Possible Revised Church Office Hours for Joyce for 2016 *Monday 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. *Tuesday 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. *Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday Office closed *With my hectic schedule outside the church, I am finding it much easier to work from 7:00am to 2:00pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; and 7:00am to 3:00pm on Wednesday. (Changes pending with Session approval). 5
THE VINE FOOD PANTRY The food pantry was scheduled to be open on Saturday, January 23 rd but due to the Blizzard of 2016, the date was changed to Saturday, January 30 th from 10-11:30 a.m. The Books for Bread Sale will be open from 9 to noon. Ralph and I wish to thank those individuals who donated food or money to purchase food. Food Pantry Schedule for 2016 February 27 March 26 April 23 May 28 June 25 July 23 August 27 September 24 October 22 November 19 December 17 YOUR MONETARY OR FOOD DONATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. WHAT YOU GIVE WILL MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO REAL PEOPLE. THANK YOU! *In November and December, our food giveaway is on the Saturday prior to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Respectfully submitted, Lew Mason **************************************************************** Miles of Pennies January & February Donation totals will be in the March newsletter! Total to date is $510.87 for our fifth Mile of Pennies. A Mile of Pennies consists of $844.80 or 84,480 pennies. The Mile of Pennies originated in 1986.The basket for your contributions (any loose change) is located on your left as you enter the Narthex and thank-you for your participation in this mission of our church. The money is used by the Deacons to purchase cards and stamps for mailings to members and friends of the congregation. George Deibel Miles of Pennies Chairman 6
What s Going On At PCHdG? TIME TO CELEBRATE! The Presbyterian Church of Havre de Grace was established in 1841 and this year we are 175 years old! Be a part of the celebration planning! See Pastor Susie or a member of Session if you would like to help. The Vine Food Pantry ALWAYS needs: Peanut Butter, Jelly/Jams, Spaghetti/Sauce, Canned meats, Mac & Cheese, and Cereals. Pick up one or two items the next time you re shopping and drop them at church on Sunday. If everyone brings 1 item, which will be 40-50 items a week. The pantry would stay full. Prayer Concerns: Leola Leffler, recovering from heart bypass surgery. Bill Atkinson continues his recovery at home from bacterial infection. Pastor Susie as she balances the jobs of pastor and caregiver for Bill. The Martin Family. Jane continues to recover from neck injury. Their master bedroom ceiling suddenly collapsed this week from the weight of snow that apparently blew in through the attic vent during the blizzard unbeknownst to them. Jane said it s a horrible mess on many fronts and appreciates your prayers for them. The Werkheiser family in the loss of their grandfather John MacAlarney. Phill Matthews (Ed s brother), induced coma with major health concerns in a Chicago hospital. Bob Wood, recovering at home. He had his hip fixed (not total replacement). Jeanne (Bulger) Wood, will be seeing a cardiologist. Mitch Shank, still in need of kidney transplant and other medical concerns. Carolyn Mathias, prayers for diagnosis of pain in her hip and legs. Katherine Mathias Shrader, fell and broke her wrist. Surgery is scheduled for 1/29/16. Lovie Jane Pierce, medical concerns. The McClaskey family in the loss of many loved ones recently. Our church families at PCHdG and DCHPC. Our country as we proceed to elect a new president for the USA this year! 7
"Six Little Stories" {1} Once all villagers decided to pray for rain; on the day of prayer all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That's FAITH {2} When you throw a baby in the air, they laugh because they know you will catch her. That's TRUST {3} Every night we go to bed, without any assurance of being alive the next morning but still we set the alarm to wake up. That's HOPE {4} We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future. That's CONFIDENCE {5} We see the world suffering, but still we get married and have children. That's LOVE {6} On an old man's shirt was written a sentence 'I am not 80 years old... I am sweet 16 with 64 years experience.' That's ATTITUDE Have a wonderful February and live your life like the six stories! It is not important that you know all the answers - it is important that you know the questions to ask. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Happy Marriage? There once was a man and a woman who had been married for more than 60 years. They talked about everything. They kept no secrets from each other... except that the old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she cautioned her husband never to open it or ask her about it. For all these years he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would never recover. In trying to sort out their affairs the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it he found 2 beautifully crocheted doilies and a stack of money totaling over $25,000. He asked her about the unusual contents. "When we were married," she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doily." The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious doilies were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with joy and happiness. "Sweetheart," he said... "That explains the doilies, but what about all this money? Where did it all come from?" Oh" she said, that s the money I made from selling the doilies." 8
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THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAVRE DE GRACE 551 Franklin Street Havre de Grace, MD 21078-2899 Happy Valentine s Day THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAVRE DE GRACE Pastor Rev. Susie Atkinson office@presbyterianchurchhdg.comcastbiz.net Church phone - 410-939-3611 February Newsletter Vision Statement God s call and our vision as we come together in the Presbyterian Church of Havre de Grace is to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ so we may be a faithful, friendly, and welcoming Christian community committed to worship, education, fellowship, and mission. Come grow with us as we adapt to these changing times! 10