September ember 2018 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 The Reverend Jon A. Black, Pastor Emeritus Arthur Thompson, Organist Susan Shuey, Choir Director Avis Allen, Administrative Secretary Michael Stamey, Sexton Chuck Adler, Janitor Administrative Office Hours M, W, F: 9AM 2PM Phone (717) 243-4612 Pastor s Phone Number (C) (717) 609-3780 Office 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
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 8 P a g e 2 Pastor s Corner Table of Contents Pastor s Corner 2 Choir Resumes 3 Upcoming Children s Activities 3 Sunday School 3 Potluck Luncheon 3 Children s Church 3 Finance Update 3 Communion Dates 3 Adult Education this Fall 4 Weeknight Offerings 4 Children/Youth Education 5 Church Officers 6 September Birthdays 6 Worship Helpers 6 September Calendar 7 Dear Members and Friends of First Presbyterian Church, Like many of you, I am surprised by how quickly the summer has passed. Actually the last six months or so have been a bit of a whirl-wind from my perspective. Right after Easter I went with a team from Carlisle Presbytery on a mission trip to Honduras. Then in June I was privileged to attend the Presbyterian Church s General Assembly in St. Louis. And at the end of July and beginning of August I had time off for vacation and spent it in Ohio with my family. Now we re getting ready for the start of the school year and a return to our regular schedule here at church. We are busy people. It seems like there s always something to do and something grabbing for our attention. We re tempted by the quick fix or the easy way out. One of the things I m most excited about this fall is the return of Bible Study. This year we re going to be looking at the parables of Jesus. I have to confess that sometimes I find the parables hard to understand. Jesus tells this enigmatic stories that have lots of possible interpretations. So what do they mean? Well, I think that s kind of the point. Rarely is there one single way to interpret the parables. Indeed, rarely is there one single way to interpret all of scripture. That s kind of the point of Bible Study. We get together and read together and pray together and discuss together and learn from one another. FAITH CIRCLE resumes monthly meetings on Monday, Sep. 24, at 2 PM, in Fellowship Hall. You are welcome! In Matthew s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about wise and foolish builders. The wise man builds his house on a rock, while the foolish man builds his house on the sand. When the storm comes along the predictable happens: the first house stands strong, while the house on the sand collapses. I ve thought about that parable many times over the years and how important it is to build a house with a strong foundation. But building on the rock takes time. It s much easier and faster to build on the sand. And, like the house built on a rock everything is okay, until the storms set in. Sometimes in our busy lives we re tempted to take shortcuts, to build the house on the sand because we can move in faster. But Jesus invites us to build with a strong foundation, on the rock. It might take a lot longer, but with a good foundation we can weather the storms of life. Can t be in church? Listen to weekly sermons or the full service, plus keep abreast of all church events at: www.firstprescarlisle.org Yours very truly in Christ, Pastor Tony Lorenz
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 8 P a g e 3 The Adult Choir will hold its first rehearsal of the fall season on Wednesday, September 5, at 7 PM in the choir room (2nd floor, elevator-accessible). New singers are always welcome! Come to a rehearsal.you ll be glad you did. Upcoming Children s Activities The Educa on Commi ee is offering an end-of-summer program called. It is similar to the Toddler Time format, but is designed for children from age 2 to those entering 2nd grade. (Note: For children under age 3, we ask that a parent, grandparent or guardian remains with the child.) Sunday School Resumes September 9th Our 9:30 AM education hour resumes on September 9th with an inter-generational Sunday School class. A Welcome Back luncheon follows worship. Details are below. The dates of these six programs will be a er most older children will have started school: August 28 & 30 (Tue. & Thu.), 5:30-6:30 PM September 4 & 6 (Tue. & Thu.), 5:30-6:30 PM September 1 & 8 (Sat.), 10:30-11:30 AM The classes will center on animal stories from the Bible. Each lesson is an individuallycontained event, so even if a child can t a end every class, they will understand every lesson. Please let Debby Madden if you are interested and think you might a end any or all of these programs. Children s Church Begins September 16th Q: What is Children s Church? A: It is a special children s me during the 10:45 AM worship hour when they leave the sanctuary a er the children s sermon, accompanied by an adult teacher, to go to the children s worship area (lower level) where they will consider that day s topic from a child s perspec ve. (Note: There is no Children s Church on Communion Sundays.) The Parish Life Commi ee will host a Welcome Back Potluck Luncheon a er worship on September 9th. They will provide chicken & beverages. You are asked to bring your favorite salad, side dish, or dessert to share. Come enjoy this me of fellowship, fun and of course, great food! Please sign up. Hope to see you there! FINANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE May June Yr to Date General Fund $16,703 $18,131 $126,505 Invest. Income $ - $ 7,243 $ 9,026 Other $ 1,181 $ 16 $ 3,225 Expenses ($23,277) ($26,562) ($156,854) Communion Dates Remaining in 2018 September 9 October 7 November 4 December 2 December 24
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 8 P a g e 4 What s New in Adult Education this Fall? ~ ~ ~ SUNDAY MORNINGS, 9:30 AM ~ ~ ~ September 16, 23 & 30 Theme: Mission & Chris an Educa on A Study September 16: How Studying the Bible Leads Us to Mission & Ministry in the World (LEADER: Kathy Wells, Cer fied Chris an Educator) September 23: Lend A Hand s Mission Work Locally & Na onally (LEADERS: Jim & Deb Davis, Coordinator/Volunteers) September 30: Mission Work in Pakistan (LEADER: Debbie Hough, Cer fied Chris an Educator & Board Member of Friends of PEB, Pakistan Ed. Board) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ October 7, 14, 21 & 28 Theme: Faith & Science Leader: Prof. Joe Shane October 7: Beyond Conflict: Thinking About Science & Religion October 14: Going Deeper into Ongoing Evolu on Conflict October 21: Where Do We Go from Here in the 21st Century? October 28: Panel Discussion ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ November 4, 11 & 18 Theme: Knowing Jesus Leader: Rev. Bill Beck ~ SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY EVENINGS ~ SUNDAYS (Every other Sunday, 5:30-6:30 PM, beginning Sep. 16th) Fall Prayer Study Theme: Lord, Teach Us to Pray Leader: Debby Madden MONDAYS (2nd & 4th Mondays, 7-8 PM, beginning Sep. 10th) Space for God This group considers theological & spiritual topics. Our study book is Recapturing the Wonder (Cosper). TUESDAYS (2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 7-8 PM, beginning Sep. 11th) Bible Study Theme: the Parables of Jesus.
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 8 P a g e 5 What s New in Children/Youth Education this Fall? ~ ~ ~ SEPTEMBER 16 thru NOVEMBER 25, 9:30 AM ~ ~ ~ Class: Age 3 thru Grade 5 Teachers: Barb Crum & Lynne Hofferica Theme: Great Stories of the Bible Loca on: Children s Lower Level Children will experience God s great love story thru use of illustra ons and text. Numerous pivotal great Bible stories will be brought to life with a simple message that helps children apply what they ve learned. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Class: Grade 6+ (those not yet confirmed) Teacher: Debby Madden Theme: Big God, Big Ques ons Loca on: 2nd Floor This study will help equip our youth with knowledge and understanding of their own faith in prepara on for their confirma on on June 9, 2019. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Class: Youth (already confirmed) Teacher: Pastor Tony Theme: Faith Ques ons Loca on: 2nd Floor This class encourages searching, ques oning, wrestling and living with the awareness that God is doing something, right here, right now, and anybody can be a part of it.
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 8 P a g e 6 OUR CHURCH OFFICERS WORSHIP HELPERS SEPTEMBER DEACONS ELDERS Class of 2018 Class of 2018 Mary Jane Blosser Trudy Bailey Deb Richcreek Peg Owen Melissa Sheperd Ray Thomas Tracy Sommers Nancy Tritt Sep. 2: Ray Thomas Sep. 9: Barb Allen Sep. 16: Molly Shane Sep. 23: Ray Thomas Sep. 30: Mike Gogoj READERS Class of 2019 Class of 2019 Ellen Darr Barbara Allen Terry Shull Lynda Mann Sue Shuey Tom Sheperd Alice Zimmerman Richard Sommers Charlie Thompson Class of 2020 Class of 2020 Anita Ashbaugh Richard Darr Rita Beck Lois Lloyd Bob Read Frank Meehan Judie Read Deb Ryerson Fred Seltzer SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Deb Richcreek Barb Allen 3 Bonnie Deardorff Barbara Rebert 4 Rev. Tony Lorenz JJ Patterson 7 Peggy McKeehen 10 Sue Hammann Joan Line 12 Kara Fetter 14 Jack Augustine Ruby Cameron 15 Ron Richcreek 18 Jamey Dennison Sue Dennison Julia Gottlieb 19 Tom McKinnon 21 Marita Neslund Samantha Gilbert Earl Zimmerman 23 Alex Henry Carlton Walker 25 Jarl Uilkema Joe Shane 26 Jessica Wenner 27 Jack Martin 29 Art Thompson 30 Jessica Ellis Judie Read USHERS Sep. 2: Tom & Melissa Sheperd; Vicki McLaughlin; Pat Grabey Sep. 9: Ryan & Laura Crim; Earl & Alice Zimmerman Sep. 16: Joe Shane; Rick Line; Kari Kornish; Bob Read Sep. 23: Heather, Camryn & Rebert Thompson; Mary Jane Blosser Sep. 30: Bruce & Anita Ashbaugh; Mike & Lou Anne Stamey COUNTERS Sep. 2: Ron & Deb Richcreek; Mary Jane Blosser Sep. 9: Frank Meehan; Fred Seltzer; Lynn Hofferica Sep. 16: Bruce & Kathy Mulvey; Barb Allen Sep. 23: Bob & Judie Read; Earlene Heckendorn Sep. 30: Joe & Molly Shane; Lynda Mann COMMUNION Sep. 9 Preparers: Peggy McKeehen; Alice Zimmerman; Terry Shull Servers: Deb Ryerson; Nancy Tritt; Ann Gottlieb FELLOWSHIP HOSTS Sep. 2: XX Sep. 9: NONE NEEDED (Luncheon) Sep. 16: XX Sep. 23: Carlton & Steve Walker Sep. 30: XX SERVICE RECORDER Ray Thomas FLOWERS Mary Jane Blosser (Chair); Barb Rebert; Elizabeth Valle +++++++++ If you cannot serve as scheduled, please find a replacement and provide the substitute s name to the office as soon as known. Thank you.
SEPTEMBER 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 28 Aug 30 Aug 1 5:30-6:30 PM 5:30-6:30 PM 10:30-11:30 AM: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Last 10 AM Worship LABOR DAY HOLIDAY (office closed) 5:30-6:30 PM: 7 PM: First Choir Rehearsal 5:30-6:30 PM: 10:30-11:30 AM: 9 (Begin Fall Schedule) 10:45: Worship w/ Communion After worship: Welcome Back Potluck 10 6:30 PM: Deacons (NOTE new date/time) 7 PM: Space for God 11 7 PM: Bible Study 12 7 PM: Choir 13 1 PM: Property 7 PM: Book Club 14 15 5 PM: My Bros Table 16 10:45: Worship After worship: Fellowship Time & Prayer Community 17 7-9 PM: Fell. Hall in use (Cantate Bd.) 18 7 PM: Session 19 7 PM: Choir 20 7:30 AM: Men s Breafkast (Farmer s Market Restaurant, Old York Rd) 21 22 9AM Refresh Education Seminar, hosted by Carlisle Presbytery, at Second Pres., Garland Dr, 5:30: Prayer Study 23 10:45: Worship After Worship: Fellowship Time 24 2 PM: Faith Circle 7 PM: Space for God 25 7 PM: Bible Study 26 7 PM: Choir 27 28 29 30 10:45: Worship After Worship: Fellowship Time 5:30 PM: Prayer Study Oct. 7: World Communion Sunday Oct. 21: Mission Sunday