Winter 2014 Debi Clare, Distribution Judy Pursley, Graphics & Design WARD AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH www.wardavepreby.org Preacher s Prints... By: Rev. Bob Boyar and You shall be as White as Snow The clouds have finally heralded the coming of a new season, and pretty soon, we will be overwhelmed by the dancing drops of snow as they come and settle on our grounds. As with our church as we prepare for coming of the Advent, we pondered on the incomprehensible grace of forgiveness, that leaves us forever in gratitude and thanksgiving. True enough, what God had allowed us gave us the real meaning of the Advent. At Ward Ave. Presbyterian Church the preparations for the season of Advent and Christmas have already begun. The deacons are planning for the Christmas dinner on December 7 th at 5:00 pm. Because of the need for more tables at the last Christmas dinner the deacons, with help from the session, have arranged for new tables. They are light weight and we are in the process of getting more. The Sunday School children are practicing for the play that evening with Patricia Jimenez. It will be an enjoyable time for all as we prepare for the coming of our Lord on Christmas. November 23 after worship service, the Christmas family project gets started with the distributing of the cards that determine who you might buy for. Contact Judy Pursley for more information. Also on that afternoon the sanctuary will be filled with activity as we hang the Christmas decorations in preparation for the First Sunday of Advent on November 30 th. We are looking for volunteers to help decorate. We also are looking for volunteers to help light the Advent wreath each Sunday of Advent and on Christmas Eve. Speaking of Christmas Eve, I am hearing from Patricia Jimenez some exciting things being planned in the way of music for that blessed evening. Be sure to come early as we usher in the birth of our Lord and Savior, the baby born in Bethlehem. Our church has been blessed with a new member, Dan Resko. Dan is the husband of Kitty Resko (formerly Wilson). Some new and exciting things for us include a Bell Choir led by Roberta Goss and a Ski Club organized by Doug Meyers. As Thanksgiving Day draws near, we cannot help but reflect on the immensity of God s mercy and grace to us. But unlike the Pilgrims who celebrated thanksgiving for three days after their first harvest, we, on our part, will always have a thanksgiving feast everyday in our hearts. We thank God for a smile freely given to us by someone we probably do not know; we thank God for friends, who became God s instruments in our moments of need and sorrow, we thank God when the fires of trials came because we knew that even in these moments, He goes through it with us, making sure that those fires will not engulf us; but more importantly we should thank God, for that one moment, one agonizing moment long ago, in a place called Calvary, a place where He allowed His son to die a humiliating death not even for the righteous.. but for sinners like you and
me! What a love, what a thanksgiving item Any winter may be bleak and cold but at the Ward Presbyterian Church we continue to feel the warmth given by such caring fellowship as we await yet another rebirth in the coming spring.. We will study The Bible From Scratch: The Old Testament for Beginners by Don Griggs. Well-known educator Don Griggs has written an accessible, easy-tounderstand overview of the Bible for adults who have--or fear they have-- little or no Bible knowledge. In two volumes, one each for the Old and New Testaments, Griggs guides us through the Bible and introduces basic tools and skills for Bible study. Please join us. Women's Bible Study Intentional Faith Development Congregational Meeting The 109 th Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation of Ward Ave. Presbyterian Church will be held Sunday, January 18, 2015 after the morning worship service. All members are encouraged to attend. The Annual Report for 2014, the proposed budget for 2015 and the slate of officers for the coming year will be presented to the congregation at that time. Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee for 2015 will be meeting Sunday, November 23, after the worship service to select 4 church members for the position of Elder, 3 church members for the position of Deacon, and 4 church members to represent the congregation on the 2016 Nominating Committee. Bible Study Led by Rev. Bob Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm. A women s Bible study meets monthly on the second Thursday, September to May, at 1:00pm in the fellowship hall. The current focus is on Job, a unique book in the Bible that is valued and studied as Scripture because of its exploration of some of the profound questions of human existence. The Book of Job is thought to be the oldest book in the Bible and contains the longest account of God speaking to man. Christian Education Committee Sunday school is exciting each week with many willing and able volunteers engaged in passing on the Christian faith. We have more than twenty children and youth ages 4 through senior in high school attending every Sunday at 9: 30 am. The youngest group is taught by Julie Findley, the elementary class is taught by Nancy Wonderly, the junior/senior high is taught by Joyce Seely and Brian Johnson. Rev. Bob rotates teaching. All the children start at 9:30 am with breakfast coordinated by Jennifer Parris. We then move to group singing of contemporary Christian music. During November, however, Patti Jimenez is working with the kids as they practice their songs and parts for the December 7th evening Christmas play. Please look for your child to bring home a letter with more information about their role in the play. Patricia Jimenez will teach the children the Melody Bells when the order arrives. Exciting things are happening. God is good.
Ray Pursely leads the adult class each Sunday. They meet in the sanctuary. Consider joining in on the discussions at 9: 30 am on Sundays. During worship the children that are over five years old and some that are younger participate with everybody for the first part of the worship service. The children add a lot of good energy during the children s chat. Then for the last portion of the worship service the children are brought downstairs for children s church under the leadership of Jennifer Parris with assistance from Morgan and Paige Parris. Consider volunteering to help with Children s church. We are encouraging children to attend Krislund camp during the summer. We are planning to host the traveling day camp the week of June 22. More information will follow. Advent Worship This year the season of Advent begins on November 30. Our Sunday School classes will be participating in the lighting of the Advent wreath each of the four Sundays during Advent. Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. We will be decorating our church for Advent on Sunday, November 23, at 2:00 p.m. Please plan to come and help with the decorations and then enjoy hot chocolate and homemade cookies and other goodies. Christmas Eve Service We will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion at a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Tuesday, December 24 at 7:00 PM. A nursery will be provided. Poinsettias The Sanctuary will be decorated with poinsettias for the Sunday service on December 21. You may order poinsettias in memory or in honor of loved ones by filling out the order form enclosed in the bulletin. Your order may be given directly to Ray Pursley or dropped in the offering plate. The cost of a poinsettia is $6.50. The last day to order poinsettias is December 7. Checks may be made out to Ward Ave. Presbyterian Church. There s a song in the air Spirit. Advent and Christmas offer wonderful opportunities for beautiful music and marvelous expressions of the Holy Our children are using part of their November Sunday School times to prepare for the Christmas play, Our God is an Awesome God. This drama will be presented on Sunday, December 7 th at 6:15 p.m. in the sanctuary. The prelude will offer a time for all to participate in the trimming of the Christmas tree. Some ornaments will be provided. You are invited to bring an ornament or two that your family may wish to share. Our Christmas Eve candlelight worship service will be enhanced by the sweet sounds of a string ensemble and trumpets. Echoes of favorite carols and traditional songs will fill the rafters as we ponder and rejoice in the readings of the scriptures, and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Have you been thinking about sharing your musical talent in worship? There is always a place in the choir for you. We practice on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. If you can count to four and hold a bell at the same
time, the Handbell Choir rehearses on Sundays right after worship service under the direction of Roberta Goss. Or, if you wish to perform on an instrument, please share your information with Patti Jimenez. Patti s contact information: pjimenez10@hotmail.com or telephone: 317-7673. gift baskets prepared by members and local merchants. There are single serve blenders, coffepots, gift cards for area restaurants, even a cordless drill. There is something for anyone on your list and the money goes to buy things for the residents such as a wheelchair swing for the garden. Flower Chart The Flower chart for 2015 is now posted in the foyer. The cost for flowers is $30.00 each week. When paying for the flowers, please indicate on your check or envelope that it is for the Flower Fund. Checks should be made out to Ward Ave. Presbyterian Church. Placing flowers in the sanctuary is a wonderful way to honor loved ones and family members, celebrate an anniversary or birthday or announce a birth or other joyous event. Handicap Accessibility Members of the congregation joined the members of the session and deacons on Wednesday, November 12 th to hear architect Judy Coutts present options for handicap access to the building. The presentation was received well. The options were narrowed down to one. A poster picturing the option is available to be viewed. It is in the basement. Rick Wonderly has found that there are grants, for which we can apply, to help defray the cost of this project. The session will vote in the near future. Mission and Service BASKET RAFFLE Please support the auxiliary of the Presbyterian Village while doing your Christmas shopping. After Thanksgiving, stop by the main lobby of the Village and bid on the beautiful Christmas Families Once again Catholic Charities has asked us to sponsor four families for Christmas. Information about the families will be given out on Sunday, November 23 after worship. Your gifts and donations are due Sunday, December 14. Direct questions to Judy Pursley, 942-0204. Deacons What are the deacons up to? Currently the deacons are preparing for the annual Christmas dinner on December 7th. Please join us for fun, good food, and fellowship. Details are in the church flyer. The deacons plan and host the monthly coffee hours, four regular (brunch) coffee hours and eight lighter ones with beverages and donuts/bagels. Donations of food, drink, and help setting up and cleaning up are always welcomed. Please contact Joyce Seely, Cindy Skebeck or Sandy Hite for further details. The Flower Committee oversees the sanctuary flowers and posts the signup calendar in the entrance (narthex). The hope is to have flowers donated for each Sunday. The cost is $30.00 which may be paid by check to Ward Ave. Presbyterian Church and placed in the offering plate. Debi Clare, our church secretary, calls each sponsor in order to verify information for the
bulletin. Roberta Goss and Luis Moore are the contact people. The deacons' Nursery Committee manages the nursery as directed by the Session. The goal is to provide a safe, nurturing, clean and efficient, positive experience for kindergarten age and younger. Currently during this cold/flu season, toys are being disinfected after use. Nursery volunteers are needed. If you feel a calling to help with this special ministry, please contact Gerri McGee or Barbara Johnson. The deacons' Worship Committee prepares the sanctuary for worship. Some of their responsibilities include placing the correct hymn numbers on the board, turning on the sound system, maintaining the candles, and providing the pastor with a fresh glass of water on the pulpit. The Board of Deacons offers to host a meal to any family after a funeral or memorial service. The family supplies the food, and the deacons set up and clean up the fellowship hall. As you can see, the deacons have a variety of responsibilities. If you have never served as a deacon, please consider it. To be a deacon is an opportunity to serve God, help the church, to grow spiritually, and to deepen friendships as you work together. Christmas Dinner Hospitality Generosity Hoss Community Night Please spread the word! Another opportunity to enjoy a wonderful meal and help the residents of the Presbyterian Village on December 10. You may use the eticket in this newsletter. Thanks for helping. Hope to see you at Hoss' in Duncansville. Offering Envelopes Next year s offerings envelopes will soon be available in the rear of the Sanctuary. The per capita for each member for 2015 is $31.00. Finances Financial status as of October 31, 2014 Giving $75,250.35 Expenditures $92,039.92 Deficit ($16,789.57) Wishing you a very Blessed Christmas The Deacons invite you to celebrate the season with the annual Christmas Dinner, Sunday, December 7 at 5:00 PM. The signup sheets for the dinner will be in the foyer and downstairs by the nursery. The Deacons are providing the meat, rolls and drinks, and you are encouraged to bring a dish to share (see the sign-up sheet). Please bring your own table settings. The Sunday School children invite you to stay for their Christmas program in the sanctuary, immediately following the dinner.
Dear Friend of Friends of the Presbyterian Village Auxiliary: We are excited to team up with Hoss's Steak and Sea House to raise money for a very worthy cause. Please consider visiting the Hoss's location(s) listed below on 6/14/2013 to aid us in raising money to benefit Friends of the Presbyterian Village Auxiliary. Print this email and present it on 12/10/2014 at Hoss's in Duncansville Hoss's will then donate 20%* or 25%** of your total check paid to Friends of the Presbyterian Village Auxiliary *To qualify for the 20% payout, our group must have a minimum of $300.00 in total pre-tax food and beverage sales. **To qualify for the 25% payout, our group must have a minimum of $1,200.00 in total pre-tax food and beverage sales. This applies to a one-day, single location, pre-scheduled event. The purchase of gift cards is not included as part of your organization s community fundraising totals. DISTRIBUTING INVITATIONS ON HOSS S PROPERTY IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND WILL DISQUALIFY OUR ORGANIZATION! Thank you for your cooperation! Group #23727 Please present this when ordering. Dear Friend of Friends of the Presbyterian Village Auxiliary: We are excited to team up with Hoss's Steak and Sea House to raise money for a very worthy cause. Please consider visiting the Hoss's location(s) listed below on 6/14/2013 to aid us in raising money to benefit Friends of the Presbyterian Village Auxiliary. Print this email and present it on 12/10/2014 at Hoss's in Duncansville Hoss's will then donate 20%* or 25%** of your total check paid to Friends of the Presbyterian Village Auxiliary *To qualify for the 20% payout, our group must have a minimum of $300.00 in total pre-tax food and beverage sales. **To qualify for the 25% payout, our group must have a minimum of $1,200.00 in total pre-tax food and beverage sales. This applies to a one-day, single location, pre-scheduled event. The purchase of gift cards is not included as part of your organization s community fundraising totals. DISTRIBUTING INVITATIONS ON HOSS S PROPERTY IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND WILL DISQUALIFY OUR ORGANIZATION! Thank you for your cooperation! Group #23727 Please present this when ordering.
Our God Is An Awesome God a traditional Christmas play Ward Avenue Presbyterian Church Sunday, December 7, 2014 featuring our children in scripture, drama, and song, and the traditional decorating of the tree (please bring ornaments that you wish to hang and share; some ornaments will be provided) Family Dinner at 5:00 p.m. All are invited to share in the meal; please bring a side dish or dessert as you are able. Please tell us that you are coming by signing up at church Please bring your own place settings. Rides are available. Call Barb at 942-1312 Other questions? Call Cindy Skebeck at 935-0566 or Sandy Hite at 949-2303 Christmas Music at 6:15 p.m. Christmas play at 6:30 p.m.