A Publication of The Presbyterian Congregation 290 North Union Street Middletown, PA 17057 WORSHIP SERVICE Sundays at 10:30am July/August 2018 Inside this issue: Nursery Duty - Deacons news and notes - Newsletter submission info - Bible study group - Chancel Flowers 2 - From the Pastor s Desk 3 - Parish Nurse article: Sun Safety 4-5 July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26 Alison Dixon & Linda Hickoff Tamie & Warren Dodson Jane Neff & Erika Lauffer Brenda & Jim Fry Suson Akakpo-Martin & Judy Packheiser John & Stephany Davidson Rose Ann Yeich & Brian Yeich Lindsey & Brandon Bennett Joanne Harter & Bernice Harter - God s Clothes Closet - Birthdays and anniversaries 6 - Mary s Circle News - Care-a-van Drivers Needed - Thank You From Pastor Bruce and Kate 7 Gary and Nancy Shank, Charlie Wynn, Rose Ann Yeich (Marilyn Pierce on July 15) August - Charlie Wynn, Jane Neff, Jim and Brenda Fry - July church calendar 8 Bulletin Dedications - August church calendar 9 Ushers You have fixed all the bounds of the earth; you made summer and winter Psalm 74:17 Contact us phone: (717) 944-4322 e-mail: office@pcmdt.org website: www.pcmdt.org Rev. Christian Neubaum July - July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26 In honor of our son Nathan s 3rd birthday, by Michael & Michele Harter In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Shank, Kenneth Shank, Mr. and Mrs. Russell K. Patterson, and Russ K. Patterson, III, by Gary & Nancy Shank In loving memory of our parents, Dale & Freada Biesecker and Norman & Virginia Mechley, by Marlin & Judy Biesecker OPEN OPEN In loving memory of my husband, Max, by Erika Lauffer In honor of our daughter Elizabeth s 8th birthday, by Michael & Michele Harter In loving memory of Phyllis Schneider, by the Harter and Hickoff families In loving memory of our beloved Echo, by Frank & Sherry Waple
Chancel Flowers Chancel Flowers cost $22.50 per order. Please make checks payable to Presbyterian Congregation with Chancel Flowers and the date of the Sunday sponsored in the memo section of the check to assist the secretary with recording the payment. Checks can be mailed to the church or placed in the offering plate. If you would like to add a Centerpiece or have any questions, please call the office. Deacons are in need of 18 juice cans for Chancel Flower delivery. The chancel flowers are enjoyed every Sunday, not only by the congregation in attendance, but also our homebound members. If you would like to order chancel flowers in memory of or in honor of a loved one, you may contact a Deacon or the church office. Please place newsletter articles/info in : the offering plate (marked newsletter ) the church office mailbox an e-mail to the church office@pcmdt.org Newsletter Deadlines Month Deadline September 8/21/18 October 9/20/18 November 10/18/18 December 11/15/18 January 12/13/18 February 1/23/19 March 2/20/19 April 3/20/19 Chancel Flowers July 1 In celebration of our son, Nathan by Michele & Mike Harter July 8 In loving memory of my parents, Dale & Edith Drake by Fae Mower July 15 To all Deacons & Elders past & present By Marilyn Pearce CENTERPIECE: In honor of our 55 th anniversary, by Marlin & Judy Biesecker July 22 OPEN July 29 In loving memory of my husband, Max by Erika Lauffer August 5 In celebration of our daughter, Elizabeth by Michele & Mike Harter August 12 In honor of our grandchildren by John & Stephany Davidson August 19 In celebration of birthdays this month: Gloria Elberti, Jay Pearce & Alexandra Pearce, by Marilyn Pearce August 26 In memory of my dear husband, John T. McDonald By Anna McDonald 2
To the members of the Presbyterian Congregation who are in Middletown, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:1-2). I am greatly honored, humbled, and thankful to write my first newsletter article to you from my pastor s desk. It is amazing how quickly seven Sundays have come and gone in our time together so far. All of those weeks have provided many new and wonderful opportunities in pastoring beginning with my ordination and installation. Since then I have met almost all of our members, officiated a wedding, attended a Presbytery meeting, learned about our congregation from many of you, met other pastors of the community at the Interfaith Council, participated with VBS, celebrated communion, sat in on many committee meetings, and prepared worship services. Of course, all of these things would not be possible without your grace, understanding, and generosity. My family and I are very thankful especially for they ways we feel welcomed to this congregation including food for our food pantry, cards and the many conversations. We are very much relationship-oriented people and so we value the ways you seek to welcome us as members of your family and build those relationships. Thank you! Summers are usually quiet in the life of church, which as a new pastor I welcome. It gives me space and opportunity to grow with you. One of the ways I am seeking for us to grow together is by preaching through the Gospel of Luke. The intent is to journey with Jesus and his Disciples through the Gospel Luke coinciding the end of the book with Easter next year and then we will begin the book of Acts. It may seem unusual to spend a lengthy amount of time in these books. When I studied abroad in Europe for a semester in college, I did not see many places, but learned so much about the few places I visited. Many of my peers traveled to a new city almost every weekend in attempts to see everything, however, I desired to really understand a city and a people for who they are. In the same way, I believe if we spend quality time in these two books, we will journey with Jesus through his ministry from Galilee to Jerusalem learning about the meaning of the Good News of the Gospel. Then in Acts we will journey with Paul and the early Christian church in living out the Gospel in their world. All of this I hope grows us together as we seek the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in our own world and our own town. As I mentioned before, relationships are important to me, so my goal through the summer is begin pastoral visitations. Finally, many of you have expressed interest in lay reading the scriptures for Sunday morning worship. If you are interested there is a sign-up sheet beside the communion schedule on the bulletin board between the sanctuary and conference room. It is first come first serve. Thank you again for your warm welcome to me and my family. We are very excited for what the future holds for us as we grow together in ministry! 3
From the Parish Nurse Summer Sun Safety: Protect Yourself from UV Radiation Taking steps to protect yourself from the sun is a year-round responsibility. Protect yourself and others from the sun with shade, a shirt, or sunblock (SPF 15+) all year long. Our natural source of UV radiation is the sun. Artificial sources of UV radiation include: tanning beds, mercury vapor lighting (often found in stadiums and school gyms), some halogen, fluorescent, and incandescent lights, and some types of lasers. All of the UVC and most of the UVB radiation is absorbed by the earth s ozone layer, so nearly all of the ultraviolet radiation received on Earth is UVA. UVA and UVB radiation can both affect health. Even though UVA radiation is weaker than UVB, it penetrates deeper into the skin and is more constant throughout the year. Since UVC radiation is absorbed by the earth s ozone layer, it does not pose as much of a risk. Beneficial effects of UV radiation include the production of vitamin D, a vitamin essential to human health. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from food and assists bone development. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 5 to 15 minutes of sun exposure 2 to 3 times a week. Risks include: sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer, increased risk of potentially blinding eye diseases (if eye protection is not used), and skin cancer (the most common cancer in the United States). The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. Typically, they form on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms because these body parts are the most exposed to UV radiation. Most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, are caused by exposure to UV radiation. To protect yourself from UV radiation: Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours, Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs, wear a wide brim hat to shade your face, head, ears, and neck. Wear wraparound sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays, use sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, for both UVA and UVB protection, indoor tanning is particularly dangerous for younger users; people who begin indoor tanning during adolescence or early adulthood have a higher risk of developing melanoma. How Can I Protect My Children from the Sun? Just a few serious sunburns can increase your child s risk of skin cancer later in life. Kids don t have to be at the pool, beach, or on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from the sun s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they re outdoors. (continued on page 5) 4
From the Parish Nurse Summer Sun Safety: Protect Yourself from UV Radiation (cont. from page 4) Seek shade. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it s best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it s happened. Cover up. When possible, long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts can provide protection from UV rays. Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors. Some clothing certified under international standards comes with information on its ultraviolet protection factor. Get a hat. Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears, and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Baseball caps are popular among kids, but they don t protect their ears and neck. If your child chooses a cap, be sure to protect exposed areas with sunscreen. Wear sunglasses. They protect your child s eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible. Apply sunscreen. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB (broad spectrum) protection every time your child goes outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don t forget to protect ears, noses, lips, and the tops of feet. Take sunscreen with you to reapply during the day, especially after your child swims or exercises. This applies to waterproof and water-resistant products as well. Follow the directions on the package for using a sunscreen product on babies less than 6 months old. All products do not have the same ingredients; if your or your child s skin reacts badly to one product, try another one or call a doctor. Your baby s best defense against sunburn is avoiding the sun or staying in the shade. Keep in mind, sunscreen is not meant to allow kids to spend more time in the sun than they would otherwise. Try combining sunscreen with other options to prevent UV damage. Too Much Sun Hurts Turning pink? Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure. So, if your child s skin looks a little pink today, it may be burned tomorrow morning. To prevent further burning, get your child out of the sun. Tan? There s no other way to say it tanning your skin is damaging skin. Any change in the color of your child s skin after time outside whether sunburn or suntan indicates damage from UV rays. Cool and cloudy? Children still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do not block UV rays, they filter them and sometimes only slightly. Oops! Kids often get sunburned when they are outdoors unprotected for longer than expected. Remember to plan ahead, and keep sun protection handy in your car, bag, or child s backpack. 5
God's Clothes Closet will open its doors this year on August 4 4h from 8am until 12:30pm at Evangelical United Methodist Church (157 E. Water Street, Middletown). Everyone is welcome to SHOP FOR FREE - clothing for men, women, teens, and children (slacks, jeans, shirts, sweaters, skirts, dresses), shoes, belts, hats, coats, linens and blankets. Donations of gently used clothing (clean, no rips, stains, or missing buttons) will be accepted July 8 through August 2 nd during morning office hours and after church on Sundays. They can be placed in the first room on your left as you enter the social hall downstairs. For more information, call 717-944-6181. A very Happy Birthday to these members and friends July Keith Eppley 7/2 Nathan Harter 7/4 Francis Yeich 7/6 Marcus Mateer 7/6 Michael Heindel 7/9 Ruth Dodson 7/9 Brandon Coble 7/11 Jody Coble 7/12 Harrold Bretz 7/14 Kara Dixon 7/19 Michael Dodson 7/23 Al Reinhart 7/24 Hannah Sours 7/25 James Forrester 7/25 Melanie Luther 7/26 Daniel Heiser 7/27 David Heiser 7/28 Zander Mumma 7/29 Marlin Biesecker 7/31 July Norma and Joe Mateer 7/4 Joanne and Bruce Harter 7/15 Judy and Marlin Biesecker 7/20 Melanie and Harold Luther 7/27 David and Hermine Clouser 7/28 Anniversary August Margo Mathias 8/3 Lauren Eppley 8/3 Carol Treaster 8/3 Gloria Elberti 8/13 Caylin Jo Rotondo 8/13 Elizabeth Lee Harter 8/13 Jenn Schick 8/13 Judy Biesecker 8/15 David Clouser 8/18 Macy Bennett 8/20 Joseph Forrester 8/20 August Sandra and James Snook 8/2 Heidi and Robert Appleby 8/2 Alexis and Jason Forrester 8/4 Brenda and Jim Fry 8/6 Michelle and John Wilsbach 8/14 Stephany and John Davidson 8/17 Beth and Greg Wilsbach 8/17 Mary and Richard Leisey 8/22 6
Mary's Circle/Presbyterian Women News Important Notice: No Circle meeting in July and August. Circle meetings will resume Wednesday, September 12, 2018 @ 10AM in the Memorial Lounge, then October 8 and November 14, always @ 10AM. No meeting in busy December. Thank goodness for all the church members who help with the twice a year Indoor Yard & Bake Sales because Circle was able to contribute $1500 towards the cost of the excellent catered meal, which all could enjoy after the Ordination/Installation of our new Pastor Christian Neubaum!! We are so happy to be Christian s first call along with his wife, Susan, and their son, Lewis! Circle also continues to pay for our church ad in the Press & Journal monthly. Mark your calendars the Fall Indoor Yard & Bake Sale is now scheduled for Saturday, October 20, 2018, hours 9AM-1PM. All donations are now being accepted and may be placed on the stage in Fellowship Hall. Remember no TVs or Computers. Reminder-bake sale items will be needed and can be placed in the kitchen Friday, October 19, or deliver Saturday Morning prior to the doors opening at 9AM. Many thanks once again for everyone s help! CARE-A-VAN DRIVERS NEEDED: The Middletown Area Cares committee is seeking volunteer drivers, 75-years of age and younger, for the Care-A-Van. The Care-A-Van is a community ministry that provides for the transportation needs for those who are not able to drive themselves to doctors and related medical appointments, as well as to area grocery and retail stores for household needs. The Care-A-Van operates Monday through Thursday, 8am to 4pm, and provides transportation to the Middletown Food Pantry on Fridays. Drivers can volunteer, according to their availability, either mornings or afternoons of the Care-A-Van's operational hours. Schedules are provided for volunteered shifts. If interested, please call (717) 743-0788. Thank you so much for the farewell party and retirement gift. We laughed and enjoyed the celebration lunch. As we announced in worship on Sunday, May 6, we are using it to buy annual passes to Hershey Theater. We love you and miss you. Pastor Bruce and Kate 7
29 30 31 1 2 3 4 AA 7:00pm During the summer months financial support of the church often drops. Please keep your commitment current. Before you go away, mail or drop off your envelope. Financial obligations continue year-round and your help is vital. Thank you! 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 **NO Deacons AA 7:00pm AA 7:00pm meeting this month! 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 **NO Session AA 7:00pm AA 7:00pm meeting this month! 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Communion 6:00pm Worship AA 7:00pm AA 7:00pm Committee Meeting Guest Pastor Charlie Best 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AA 7:00pm 7:00pm Property and Maintenance AA 7:00pm Office Closed for July 4th SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY July 2018 Worship Service 10:30am 8
August 2018 Worship Service 10:30am SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 AA 7:00pm 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Communion 7:00pm Property and Maintenance AA 7:00pm AA 7:00pm 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 AA 7:00pm AA 7:00pm 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 7:00pm Session AA 7:00pm AA 7:00pm 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 7:00pm Deacons AA 7:00pm 6:30 Fellowship Meeting AA 7:00pm 9