April Newsletter - Newtown Square Presbyterian Church

NEWTOWN
SQUARE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
3600 Goshen Road - Newtown Square, PA 19073
Office: 610-356-8063
Fax: 610-356-3758
www. nspconline.org
Rev. Dr. Jeanne Thomas - Pastor
NSPC e-Connections
April 2014
Inside this Issue:
From your Pastor
April Sermons
Birthdays
Help Needed
Mother-Daughter
Dinner
Presbyterian Women
Lenten
Soup & Study
Mother-Daughter
Dinner
Conference Room
Memorial Gift
Church School
Chatter
Blood Drive
Aid For Friends
Easter Flowers
Snoe Removal
Welcome
Melanie Henderson
"Granny's Attic
Building & Grounds
Thank you
Ellis Athletic Center
April
Calendar
Editor:
Bob De Young
Proofreader:
Lynne Corle
Dear Family of Faith,
The season of Lent is nearing its climax:
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, April 13.
Perhaps no other day in the liturgical year
symbolizes our deep ambivalence towards
God in the same way that Palm Sunday
does. In fact, on the liturgical calendar, it is
referred to as both Palm Sunday and
Passion Sunday. Why? Because the day is
wrought with paradox. The crowd lines the
street to wave palm branches and welcome
their king, shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of
David! Blessed is He who comes in the
name of the Lord!" And yet, moments later it
disperses in fear and confusion. Jesus is not
who they want him to be, nor expect him to
be. They want a conqueror; instead, they are
given a Savior.
How about us? Where do we stand? Are we
as fickle as those who line the streets of
Jerusalem - one day ready to praise and
worship our King of Kings; the next day
turning our backs on our only hope of
salvation? On the one hand, we know that
human fulfillment is found in God alone. On
the other hand, we know that God represents
the deepest threat to many of our plans,
schemes, and dreams. Are we ready to lay
our lives before the One who comes in the
name of the Lord?
These are the questions we, too are asked
as we make the journey through Holy
Week…from our place in the parade outside
the city walls, to the Upper Room on Maundy
Thursday, to the foot of the cross at Calvary,
and ultimately to the empty tomb on Easter
morning. What are our answers?
During the week that marks the Passion of
God's only Son, God seeks our passion,
too. May we find the time and space to
walk beside our Savior as he walks towards
Sermons for the Month
April
4/6 Fifth Sunday in Lent
Rev. Jeanne Thomas
Ezekiel 37:1-14 ; John 11:1-45
"Wake Up!"
Holy Communion
4/13 Palm/Passion Sunday
Rev. Jeanne Thomas
Matthew 21:1-11
"Hosanna!"
4/17 Maundy Thursday/Service
of Tenebrae - 7:30 PM
Rev. Jeanne Thomas
John 13:1-17; 31b-35
"How About Love?"
4/20 Easter
Rev. Jeanne Thomas
Matthew 28:1-15
"When Our Plans Are
Interrupted"
4/27 Second Sunday of Easter
Rev. Jeanne Thomas
John 19:38-42
"Another Dimension of
Discipleship"
JOIN US!
Worship Service - 10:00 AM
continued on page 2
Page 1
(continued from page 1)
Calvary, not just going-through-the-motions as observers from afar,
but entering fully into the depths of despair as well as the sheer joy
in knowing "Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!"
In Christ,
Jeanne
April Birthdays
Come join us for our Holy Week services:
April 13: Palm/Passion Sunday. Children line up at 9:45 AM with palms
and enter the sanctuary to "All Glory, Laud, and Honor."
April 17: Maundy Thursday and Service of Tenebrae. "Tenebrae"
is Latin for "shadows." As the candles are extinguished,
they symbolize the fading loyalty of the disciples and
portray the waning of the light of the world as Jesus was
betrayed and crucified. Dating back to the eighth century,
the service provides a gripping experience of the darkness
of life without Christ and helps us to prepare for the full
impact of his resurrection on Easter morning.
April 20: Easter Sunday. Childcare provided for infants and younger
children. NSPC Trio; Chancel Choir; Will Gregory, trumpet;
Skip Rohrich, timpani. The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's
Messiah will conclude the service.
Calling All Men to help with the Mother-Daughter dinner
If you can help wait tables or help in the kitchen
the evening of Monday April 28th please call
Bob Bechtold at 610-353-2682 or e-mail him at
[email protected].
Thanks in advance for your consideration!
04/02
04/04
04/05
04/06
04/07
04/08
04/11
04/12
04/13
04/13
04/16
04/16
04/19
04/20
04/21
04/21
04/22
04/22
04/23
04/23
04/24
04/25
04/27
04/28
04/28
04/29
04/30
McDonald, Amy
Cooper, Liz
Kosturos, Alexi
Schauer, Jerry
Reinersmann, Bill
Park, Jackson
Wellington, Marian
Burns-Collins, Lois
Ashman, Bill
Huston, Erin
Moore, Jay
Villano, Debbie
Corle, Allen
McDavitt, Bill
Hewes, Becky
Villano, Brent
Hudson, Will
Rich, Rebekah
Sampson, Dave
Rustam, Len
Snyder, Grant
Speidel, Eva
Collins, Gordon
Speidel, John
Williar, Carroll
Peoples, Tom
Kucker, Dolores
Bob Bechtold
Miriam Circle
Phoebe Circle
Date: April 14 th
Time: 12:15 PM
Hostesses: Trudy Holden
Toni Sichel
Lesson: "Devotional for April"
Don't forget your lunch and
2 bags of individually wrapped
Easter candy for "The Village".
Date: April 14 th
Time: 7:00 PM
Hostesses: Debbie Villano
Devotions: Marge DeYoung
Lesson Six: "Becoming a Holy People"
Dolores Hart
All are welcome!
Page 2
Lenten Soup & Study
Lent is a season of adventure and discipline, of commitment and challenge.
Every year, we are invited to walk with Jesus towards the cross.
This year, once again the Adult Nurture Commission is offering soup and a
study during Lent. The purpose of the study is to contemplate the sacrifice
Jesus made for our sake, and the difference his life, death, and resurrection
have made for us now and for all eternity.
The last two sessions of our Lenten Soup & Study will take place on Monday
evening, March 31 and April 7, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Social Hall. Childcare
will be provided if you sign up in advance.
March 31: Wake Up!
Ezekiel 37:1-14 and John 11:1-45
April 7:
Hosanna!
Psalm 118 and Matthew 21:1-11
E BIG
H
T
R
E
TO
D
P
UN COME ONE, COME ALL
COME ONE, COME ALL
to the annual
Mother-Daughter dinner
All women and girls of NSPC and their female relatives and friends are invited to the annual MotherDaughter dinner to be held on Monday, April 28, 2014 at 6:15 PM in the Social Hall. Tickets will be sold
during fellowship hour following the worship services and throughout the week in the church office.
Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for girls under 12, and $3 for girls age 4 and under. NO TICKETS WILL
BE SOLD AFTER April 24th.
Come and enjoy this special evening of fun and socialization. We will be entertained by the
“Merrimaker Clown Ministry” from the Aldergate United Methodist Church of Wilmington. The
clowns will offer an interactive program with skits, songs (like "Old McDonald had a Zoo") and a few
tricks. Girls, bring your favorite stuffed animal for the parade of animals. The Khaki Krew will serve us
dinner, so just sit back and enjoy.
The mission focus for the evening is “Joy of Socks.”
You can bring new pairs of socks for children, women or men.
Lois Peck
Page 3
Thank You
Most of you have been watching the progress of our Conference Room over the last several weeks. I
got to see the progress on a daily basis since I teach at the Nursery School. Pre-project preparation,
carpentry work, supply purchase, painting, finishing, cleaning, furniture moved in and out, curtains
laundered and hung, all took place mostly on week days and evenings. From beginning to end many
people were involved. I'm sorry if I miss someone, but I think the Corles, Bob DeYoung and Paul
Holden did the lion's share of the work. Others helped but the long term efforts were from those
mentioned. Thank you, thank you to all.
Memorial Gift
For the last few years, NSPC has been attempting to display a calendar in the conference room with
weekly/monthly activities posted. Different systems have been discussed and a "makeshift" system
was developed. At the time, the system was calendar sheets covering the badly cracked wall. Now
the room is lovely with new walls and fresh paint.
Last September, Janet Neilson Adams passed away. She was one of our Charter Members. Jan raised
her family at NSPC and was an involved member, as is her daughter, Lynne Corle. Lynne and her
family decided to present a Memorial Gift in her mother's honor and that gift is now being used in the
newly renovated conference room. It is a very nice wipe off/magnetic white board. This type of calendar
management system is used in school districts, hospitals, etc.
Along with the gift of this calendar management system, the Corles installed it and Bob DeYoung and
Lynne organized the set-up. Take a peek and if you are responsible for calendar events, please use it
as directed.
Our thanks to the Neilson/Corle family for this very useful gift in honor of Jan. Many might remember
Jan as active at NSPC and part of our PW and Deacons, prior to moving to Granite Farms Estates.
Sue Bechtold
Page 4
CHURCH SCHOOL CHATTER
Christian Education
Our Spring quarter is well underway. Let's hope the cold and snowy weather is well behind us. April
truly brings new life with all the blessings the Lord has provided and what a busy month it will be
celebrating Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, and our annual Easter Egg Hunt.
Palm Sunday
Our Palm Sunday Procession by the Church School Students will take place on
Sunday, April 13. The children will meet in the coat room around 9:45 AM to line
up before worship begins. They will be dismissed to their classes with their
teachers after the children's message.
Easter Egg Hunt
Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 at 10:00
AM. Light refreshment and fun is planned for all, so tell your friends and
neighbors and bring your children or grandchildren for a really good time.
Donations of candy
We would greatly appreciate donations of wrapped candy for our Easter Egg
Hunt. The candy will be hidden in all the very colorful eggs for the children to find.
Please leave your candy donation in the church office during the week or in the
church school office on Sundays. Thank you so much for your kind generosity.
Easter Sunday
Nursery and church school will be provided for children through grade 3. We
encourage children in grades 4 and above to attend Easter worship with their parents.
Won't You Please Volunteer
The current school year is quickly coming to an end. Summer is just around the corner. Summer
Sunday School will begin on June 15. Please think about volunteering just one Sunday in June,
July or August. Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for a sign-up poster in the lounge.
Nancy Gingras
American
Red Cross
MONDAY, APRIL 14TH
SAVE THE DATE
Due to back-to-back winter storms forcing the cancellation of so many blood drives, there is a
shortage of blood, the "Gift of Life." Your blood donation is vitally important for the well-being of
someone. Please plan on being a blood donor at our upcoming blood drive on Monday, April 14.
Lindy Rustam
Page 5
AID FOR FRIENDS - SPECIAL INTERGENERATIONAL EVENT
On Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014, immediately following coffee hour and
Children's Choir practice, please plan on coming downstairs to the kitchen
and participating in the preparation of meals for Aid for Friends.
We are hoping that this will be an event (a mission within the church) that
can be shared by all generations of the church. The younger children will
be packing Breakfast Bags under the supervision of Megan Kazanjian,
Laurie Falcon and Lauren Snyder. The teenagers can help in the kitchen
and will be eligible to acquire hours for community service. There are tasks
that are suitable for all ages, whether you need to sit or can stand.
Plan on spending an extra hour to an hour and a half after coffee in the lounge, to better understand
and be a part of this commitment that NSPC has made to Aid for Friends. Aid for Friends provides
frozen meals for those people in Delaware County who are infirm, homebound and have no family
who can help them.
Please mark this date on your calendar. It would be helpful if you could RSVP to Marg MacDonald
610-353-8297 or [email protected] if you or anyone in your family will be able to help.
Easter Flowers
Orders must be received by Wednesday,
April 16th. Please return this form along
with your payment to the church office, or
place in the offering plate. Please make
checks out to NSPC, with "Easter Flowers"
in the memo section.
Tulips - $6.00
Daffodils - $7.00
Lilies - $8.00
Please include your "in memory" or "in honor" information below.
Given by:
In memory of:
OR
In honor of:
Tulips
Daffodils
Lilies
$6.00
$7.00
$8.00
Total Enclosed $
Please indicate the quantity beside your flower choice.
If you are NOT planning on picking up your flowers after the 10:00 AM
Easter service, please check the box below and plan to pick up your flowers
the following week.
I will pick up my flowers the week after Easter.
Order yours today!
Page 6
Welcome - Melanie Henderson
Session has unanimously--and enthusiastically--endorsed Melanie Henderson as our next Office
Associate AND our Children & Youth Director! Both positions are 20 hours/week and we are excited
about the gifts and energy Melanie brings to both positions. She will begin her employment on April 7.
Melanie is a 2007 graduate of Ridley High School and a 2011 graduate of Temple University's School
of Tourism and Hospitality Management. She graduated summa cum laude and was commencement
speaker for her graduating class. Melanie has been employed by the University of Pennsylvania's
Bon Appetit catering management company, where she has helped to plan events for the university.
For the past two years she has also co-led a girls ministry at Media Presbyterian Church for girls in
sixth through twelfth grades. In addition, she has taught first grade Sunday school, a "children's
church" program for preschoolers and younger elementary children, and has been involved for a
number of years with Vacation Bible School.
Melanie currently resides in Prospect Park. She and her fiancé, Jake, love taking their Black Lab Mix,
Charlee (short for Charlotte) to John Heinz Wildlife Refuge for long walks and want to try hiking this
summer. As much as she loves the outdoors, Melanie also loves reading and watching movies. She
is known to use movie quotes in daily conversation and names Forrest Gump as her favorite film.
Melanie and Jake are so excited to join the Newtown Square Presbyterian Family and thank God for
bringing them closer to Him with this opportunity!
"God has answered my prayers by
leading me to serve at NSPC. A child's
understanding of God, Jesus Christ
and Faith is honest, pure and simple. I
believe that is how all Christians should
approach their faith on a daily basis."
Melanie at desk
"I am so excited to join a growing church with enthusiastic children,
youth and adults. I respect the passion and loyalty the members of this
church possess and I look forward to developing and directing
programs that will strengthen these assets."
Jake & Charlee
Melanie
“STAY TUNED”
Limited Granny's Attic coming on September 27th.
Save your treasures
Watch for details
Page 7
A Message from Your Building and Grounds Commission
The Winter of 2013-2014 has challenged us all. Our homes and families have been hit with the emotional
and financial burden related to experiencing the 2nd snowiest winter in the history of Philadelphia. No one
has been immune to the effects of this winter's extreme weather.
Your church home has also felt the repercussions of the snow, ice, and wind. In order to keep our
parking lot safe for worship, weekly meetings, and our nursery school, it has been imperative to plow and
salt the blacktop and sidewalks, far more frequently than ever expected. As of mid-February, our parking
lot has been plowed over 25 times and over 16,500 pounds of salt have been spread to melt the ice
that threatens our safety. The cost to our church family is a staggering $17,000. Our budget for snow and
ice removal this winter is $5,000. The winter is not over, don't forget that we still have December of 2014,
and we are already $12,000 over budget.
In addition, our church grounds are riddled with excessive tree damage resulting from the numerous
ice storms. That clean-up will begin as soon as we have a thaw.This too, however, will cost our church
far more money than we budgeted for this year. It has been quite a winter!
Please help! Consider making a special gift to the church that is above and beyond your normal
giving and mark it "snow removal" in the memo portion of your check. Many thanks to Newtown
Square Presbyterian Nursery School, who has started us off with a very sizable gift of $1,000. Your
generosity will also be greatly appreciated.
THANK YOU - Ellis Athletic Center
Thanks to the generosity of the Ellis Athletic Center at the Ellis Preserve in
Newtown Square our church hosted a "Let's Get Physical Game Night" the
end of March. Everyone who attended had a great time.
CALL FOR
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
610.355.7360
Ellis Fitness Center is offering our members and guests a SEVEN DAY FREE PASS
and/or a $50 Gift Card towards the purchase of a 1-year Membership or
Personal Training Package (new clients only). If you would like a Pass and/or
Gift Card, they will be available in a basket in the West Narthex or Lounge.
Ellis Athletic Center is nestled on the grounds of Ellis Preserve Corporate Center
Membership programs are tailored to suit your needs
Short term and month to month memberships are available
Bob Bechtold
page 8
April - 2014
Monday
Sunday
Tuesday
2
1
Nest in Lounge
9-1:15
B&G
6
Jubilate Singers
Coffee/Coat Room
Worship
Sunday School
Fellowship Hour
Junior Choir
Webelos meet
13
9:15 AM
9:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
11:15 AM
7:00 PM
Palm/Passion Sunday
Jubilate Singers
Coffee/Coat Room
Worship
Sunday School
Fellowship Hour
Junior Choir
9:15 AM
9:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
11:15 AM
Aid For Friends - Intergenerational
KITCHEN (After Fellowhip)
20
Easter Sunday
Jubilate Singers
9:15 AM
Coffee/Coat Room
9:30 AM
Worship
10:00 AM
One Great Hour of Sharing
Offering Received
Sunday School
10:00 AM
Fellowship Hour
11:00 AM
Webelos meet
7:00 PM
27
Jubilate Singers
Coffee/Coat Room
Worship
Sunday School
Fellowship Hour
Junior Choir
Fellowship/Membership
Meeting
9:15 AM
9:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
11:15 AM
7
Knitting for
Peace
8
10: 00 AM
Soup & Study
Lenten Series
6:30 PM
B&G Meeting
7:00 PM
14
Knitting for
Peace
Nest in Lounge
9-1:15
Nest in Lounge
9-1:15
10: 00 AM
12:15 PM
Phoebe
7:00 PM
21
10: 00 AM
PW Board
10:00 AM
Nest in Lounge
9-1:15
29
28
9-11 AM
Yoga - in SH
6:00 PM
9
Nest in Lounge
9-11 AM
Yoga - in SH
6:00 PM
16
Nest in Lounge
9-11 AM
Yoga - in SH
6:00 PM
Session Meeting 7:00 PM
22
Knitting for
Peace
3
Nest in Lounge
AA Mtg.
Bell Choir
Chancel Choir
10
AA Mtg.
Bell Choir
Chancel Choir
Saturday
Friday
4
5
11
12
6:00 PM
6:45 PM
8:00 PM
6:00 PM
6:45 PM
8:00 PM
EASTER EGG
HUNT
10:00 AM
Deacon's Meeting
7:00 PM
15
Miriam
Lounge
Knitting for
Peace
7:00 PM
Thursday
Wednesday
23
Nest in Lounge
9-11 AM
Yoga - in SH
6:00 PM
Social Hall
6:15 PM
6:00 PM
AA Mtg.
18
19
25
26
Maundy Thursday
and
Service of Tenebrae
7:30 PM
24
AA Mtg.
Bell Choir
Chancel Choir
6:00 PM
6:45 PM
8:00 PM
Mom's Group 7:00 PM
30
GFWC NS
Board Meeting
10:00 to 12:00 PM
in Lounge
10: 00 AM
Mother-Daughter Dinner
17
Bible Study 10:00 AM
in Conference Room
11:15 AM
SESSION/BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Moderator: Rev. Dr. Jeanne Thomas
Class of 2016
Class of 2015
Class of 2014
Allen Corle
Ginni Condo
Sue Bechtold
Rick Weiss
Jim Hitchens
Joe Falcon
Marcia Heumann
James Kucera
Micki Digby
Buff Biddle
Janet Prevost
Meghan Kazanjian
CHURCH STAFF
Pastor ...................................................
Clerk of Session ...................................
President, Board of Trustees ................
Treasurer ..............................................
Head Usher ..........................................
Children and Youth Director ....................
Director of Music ..................................
Office Associate ...................................
Children's Ministry Coordinator .............
The Sacristy Guild of St. Martha ..........
Presbyterian Women ............................
Church Office and Study Phone ...........
Church Office Fax .................................
Jeanne Thomas (cell) ...........................
Jeanne Thomas (home) .......................
Jeanne Thomas (email) ........................
BOARD OF DEACONS
Moderator: Lindy Rustam
Class of 2014
Bob Bechtold
Elsie Oreski
Chosa "Molly" Whayo
Paula Landrum
The Rev. Dr. Jeanne Thomas
Sue Bechtold
Allen Corle
Dave Sampson
Grant Snyder
Melanie Henderson
Dawn C. Stevens
Melanie Henderson
Lauren Snyder
Buff Biddle
Marge De Young
610-356-8063
610-356-3758
610-368-1637
610-565-9788
[email protected]
Class of 2015
Lindy Rustam
Marg MacDonald
Flossie Barnes
Debbie Weiss
Class of 2016
Ginny Berman
Hugh Bullard
Mary Burgess
Jane Fioravanti
2014 NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Jim Shea
Buff Biddle
Grant Snyder
Lynne Corle
Fay Weeks
Cheryl Koch
Pastor Emeritus .................................... Rev. Dr. Jack M. Maxwell
Page 9