May Harbor Light 2016 - Presbyterian Church of Palm Harbor

Harbor Light
Pcph.org
Presbyterian Church of Palm Harbor
May 2016
Reflections from Pastor Penny
Dear Friends,
One night, as the famous Bible teacher F.B. Meyer stood on
the deck of a ship approaching land, he wondered how
the crew knew when and how to safely steer to the dock. It
was a stormy night, and visibility was low. Meyer, standing
on the bridge and peering through the window, asked,
“Captain, how do you know when to turn this ship into that
narrow harbor?”
“That’s an art,” replied the captain. “Do you see those three
red lights on the shore? When they’re all in a straight line I
go right in!”
Later Meyer said, “When we want to know God’s will, there
are three things which always occur: the inward impulse,
the Word of God, and the trend of circumstances…never
act until these three things agree.”
In this incredible world of ours, we encounter choices almost
daily, from choosing which brand of laundry detergent to
buy, to deciding what direction to steer our lives. And while
most of our daily choices are easy to make, the big decisions can be daunting. When faced with the challenge of a
big decision, are you that person who immediately creates
columns labeled “Pros” and “Cons”? Maybe you decide to
“sleep on it,” and take a fresh look in the morning. Or you
whip out your cell phone and call mom/dad/best friend for
opinions.
As I grow older, I find that I hear my inward impulse, as Meyer called it, more clearly and quickly. I pay attention, especially when I’m pondering a big decision. And then God
and I have a conversation about it, and I ask God to make
the right path clear to me. Sometimes scripture provides a
voice and a direction. And what are the circumstances surrounding the decision making process? Is everything going
wrong, or are things neatly falling into place?
(cont…)
Creating Connections Through Christ
A Safe Harbor where
the Light of Christ
Jesus directs all who
are adrift to anchor
themselves in Him.
Creating Connections
Through Christ
May 2016
Creating Connections Through Christ
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Reflections from Pastor Penny (cont.)
Friends, God is real, God is present, God loves us, and God has a plan for us. Often, there is not logic or reason or spreadsheet or chart. God touches us in our
hearts – both individually, and as a church family.
Session and I are listening for God’s plan for us, for PCPH. We
would love to hear your thoughts, your hearts, your inner impulses, as we make decisions about our church, about God’s
church. So talk things over with God. He’s listening…
In Christ,
Pastor Penny
Circles in the Park
Attention Ladies: Circle meeting for May is our joint meeting in Anderson
Park on Tuesday, May 24th at noon. Each Circle is responsible for bringing
the food. If you have not been involved in a Circle but would like to see
what we are all about and hear about the next Bible Study we will start in
September, please join us! For more information, or if you would like to join
us, please contact any circle member or Joan Ruddle at (727)787-5791.
On Sunday, May 8th we will be collecting for the Presbyterian Women's Birthday Offering and Bonnie VanderVegte will be giving a Minute for Mission on this
worldwide mission project. Envelopes and a flowered box will be on the center
table in the Narthex for your donations. We thank you for helping with this
very worthwhile
6:00pmproject.
- 7:00pm
May 2016
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Religious Community Services
RCS is a registered organization with four distinct, yet interwoven, programs working together
to provide basic needs to people in Pinellas county. It was established in 1967 when a group of
church congregations in Pinellas County decided to pool their resources to address the social
issues in the community. They decided that working together would accomplish more than
working individually. There are now over 80 congregations working together. PCPH has been a
member of that coalition almost as long as PCPH has been a church.
The Haven of RCS is the Domestic Violence Center
The Haven of RCS is one of the 42 certified domestic violence centers in the State of Florida. It
provides free and confidential services to survivors of domestic violence and their families
through three campuses:
1. Emergency Safe House Shelter provides 36 beds for women and children (about 400 sheltered each year) - of which 49% were children.
2. Permanent Living Program provides eleven apartments with subsidized rent for up to 2
years for survivors and their children.
3. Outreach. Approximately 20,000 people receive outreach services each year providing: individual advocacy, support groups, court advocacy, information and referrals, prevention, professional and community education, 911 cell phone program, housing assistance and teen
dating and violence prevention.
The Outreach Center was completed last summer. The new 4,300 sq. ft. building is a place
where anyone can access the resources needed to live a violence free life. The previous building was a 76 year old house beyond repair. To effectively continue the vital community services
that reach over 15,000 people every year required a new building. Last summer RCS celebrated
the completion of this project.
RCS Grace House—Emergency Family Shelter
Grace House Shelter is located in Clearwater. It accepts families facing homelessness who have
children 17 years old or younger and parents who are working or willing to work in Pinellas
County. They provide 8 weeks of apartment style shelter along with all of life’s necessities.
They have a weekly life skills class in budgeting, parenting, household management and other
helpful areas. Last year, RCS Grace House provided emergency shelter services to 173 homeless
families, equating to 556 individuals of whom 335 were children.
The RCS Food Bank and RCS Thrift Store are also programmed under RCS.
The PCPH Mission Committee, with approval of Session, decided to send our budgeted funds for
RCS earmarked for RCS Grace House and The Haven of RCS.
May 2016
Creating Connections Through Christ
2
Linda Burton
15
Deloris Hoy
2
Matthew Banas
15
Ken Hahn
2
Johnalyn Gordon
15
Suse MacKay
5
Carol Zoffke
15
Lori Smith
6
Ruth Yount
16
Betty Hilliard
6
Betsy Ross
19
JorJan Armstrong
9
Heidi Robinson
20
Eva Gaitan
11
Deborah Sawyer
21
Doris Stoops
11
Jenn Saner
21
Eloise Waugh
11
Travis Dill
21
Harris Nykamp
13
Ralph Pomrenke
21
Laura Seaver
13
Al Brady
22
Art Ruddle
13
Barbara Smith
23
Barbara Walton
14
Dorothy Middlekauff
29
Melanie Haslam
14
Kaitlyn Doukas
31
Pat Walker
1
Elizabeth & Tom Nara
22
Peggy & Tom Berge
5
JorJan & John Armstrong
23
Doris & Don Stoops
7
Judy & William Gammonley
26
Emily & Jerry Wilkinson
16
Jan & Randy Harding
30
Kaye & Charles Pollock
21
Louise & Jeff Drain
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May 2016
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We are assisting St. Andrews Presbyterian Church,
Dunedin with much needed medical supplies. They
will be conducting health clinics in rural areas of Honduras to help people obtain basic medical care. Our
own Debi Fiegle will be leading the group on her 8 th
trip. A list of needed supplies (ibuprofen, Band-Aids,
Neosporin, tums, etc...) can be found by the donation
box in the Narthex.
March Year to Date
Income and Expenses
Income:
$70,144
Expenses: $58,007
Net Profit: $12,137
Summer Programs
We are currently registering for summer programs at the
Growing Tree. A 5-day camp for children entering VPK
(4-years old) or Kindergarten in the Fall and a 3 or 5-day
Fun Play for children that are 2 or 3-years old by Sept.
1st .
Sign up information is on our website:
www.gtpreschool.org . We are also still registering for
regular classes for the 2016-2017 school year. There is
limited space in both programs so if you know of anyone
interested please spread the word!
May 2016
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Upcoming Events:
May:
Sunday May 15th
“Spring Fling”
Kid’s 12 and Under eat Free
Presbyterian Church
of Palm Harbor
Sunday May 15th
Children’s Ministry
Children’s Choir Perform
Age 4 - 5th Grade
“He’s Got the Whole World in
Weekly Sunday School
Birth-Age 3- Nursery
Ages 4-5- Sunday School Room 112
PCPH’s children’s ministry offers two Sunday school classes each week. One
for our children ages 4-7 and the second for our children ages 8-12. These classes
are run each week, and coincide with our weekly worship service on Sunday mornings at 10:15 in the sanctuary. All children begin their Sunday with their specific
families in the sanctuary for a short children’s message, and then are escorted to
Sunday school classrooms where each age group uses a specific Spark “Activate
Faith” lesson. The lessons are age appropriate, fun, and gives each child a Bible
based story that is clear and effective for their faith as they grow in Christ!
Children’s Sunday School Classes will NOT
meet on Sunday May 29th
Children may stay in worship, and the nursery is available for
children ages three and under!
Memorial Day Weekend!
May 2016
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Sunday School Teaching Schedule
Children’s Sermon Schedule
May 1st- Carrie & Lori
May 1st- Malissa Garcia
May 8th- Huiran & Malissa
May 8th- Cathy Driscoll
May 15th – Cindy & Cathy
May 15th – Children’s Choir
May 22nd- Brandy & Huiran
May 29th- Memorial Day
No Sunday School
May 22nd – Huiran Xaxni
May 29th – Noisy Bucket
May 2016
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STUDENT MINISTRY
Presbyterian Church of Palm Harbor
Southwind Summer
Camp 2016
May Calendar
Wednesday May 4th
Cost: $250.00
Who: 6th- 8th Grade
When: August 2nd- 6th
Youth Group with Wonder Wednesday 6:00
Wednesday May 11th
Be sure to register for Southwind Summer Camp 2016
spots are limited!
Contact Malissa with any questions!
Youth Group at PCPH 6:30-8:00
Sunday May 15th
Spring Fling and Senior Sunday at
PCPH 9:00AM-1:00PM
Wednesday May 18TH
Youth Group at PCPH 6:30-8:00
Water and Messy Game Night!
Middle School Ministry
Messy Game Night
Be sure to save the date for our annual
middle school messy game night!
This will be a night of dinner, fun, fellowship, and of course messy games
Middle School Ministry
See you all there, as we celebrate the
end of the school year!
6th - 8th
May 2016
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STUDENT MINISTRY
Presbyterian Church of Palm Harbor
High School Ministry
May Calendar
9th - 12th
High School Youth
1st- High School Youth Group
7:00-8:30 at PCPH
Sunday May 15th Senior Sunday
Come and celebrate our graduating
seniors on Sunday May 15th in worship
at PCPH.
Be there as we pray over them and
their families during worship, and celebrate them after at our annual spring
fling!
8th- No Youth Group Happy
Mother’s Day
15th- Spring Fling and Senior
Sunday
22nd- High School Youth Group
7:00-8:30- Dinner Out!
29th- Memorial Day
No Youth Group
Dinner Out
nd
Sunday May 22
Finals are approaching, your stress levels are high, but you
can taste summer!
Come and take a break with your friends, and some good
food on Sunday May 22nd for high school dinner out!
The restaurant is TBD!
May 2016
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Church Library News
FREE!!
There are music books in the library in a white box on
the floor on the right side of the library. We hope anyone who is interested will come in to look them over. Please take as many as you like. Any
books that are still there by the 15th of May will be donated to the Palm Harbor Library. We
would much rather our fellow congregants enjoy them rather than strangers.
New books are being shelved every month so come on in and see what is available. There are a
nice variety of books thanks to the donations of church members.
Your Library Committee
Saturday, May 7th
Mother’s Day Weekend
Check in: 8:00am
Walk Starts: 9:00am
Make your steps count.
Show that LIFE matters to you!
Visit iwalkforlife.com for more information and to register.
Harbor Light
Deadlines
May 18
June 22
Bella Grace born 12/18/15
Bulletin Deadline
Please submit your bulletin announcement by 2:00pm on Tuesday afternoon.
If not received by then, your announcement may not appear in the Sunday
bulletin.
May 2016
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