FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Transcription
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church 300 South Main Street, P. O. Box 1038 Greensburg, Pennsylvania 15601-5038 Phone: 724.832.0150 fax: 724.832.0152 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fpcgreensburg.com NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID GREENSBURG, PA PERMIT NO. 428 SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Nursery Care provided ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED DEADLINE FOR JULY ISSUE: MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 Email submissions to [email protected] or mail to church office. The Coulter Society asks that you please consider remembering our church in your will! CHURCH STAFF Rev. Martin R. Ankrum, Pastor / Head of Staff Rev. Nicole C. Brodeur, Associate Pastor for Youth and Educational Ministries Rev. Bobbie Hineline, Minister of Visitation Edgar B. Highberger, Minister of Music and Organist Taylor R. Barner, Seminary Assistant for Campus Ministry Lu Ann Peters, Financial Secretary Kimberly A. Stoner, Executive Secretary Keith L. Huey, Sexton Stacy A. Somers, FPC Preschool Supervisor Wendy H. Matchett, FPC Preschool Teacher Joan L. McGinley, FPC Preschool Teacher Anita M. Garr, Director of Elementary Music Michelle Stefl Harbaugh, Assistant to the Minister of Music Carol A. Scherff, Housekeeper Richard P. Fabery and Charles L. Diorio, Assistant Sextons Katie Morella, Nursery Care June 2015 FIRST NEWS: A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER A Spirit-Filled Life Having just passed the celebration of Pentecost, I was asked by someone (not a member of the church) about a “spirit-filled.” He asked me something like: “Do the folks in your church “got” the spirit?” I assured him that you do … and then related something like the following: It is the Holy Spirit who is with us in our journey through life. As Christians, we believe that at baptism, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Whether we have been baptized as an infant or an adolescent or as an adult, we have received the Holy Spirit. We are assured in scripture and good theological interpretation through the history of the church, that as the baptized, we enjoy the presence of the very same Spirit that filled Peter and those first disciples on that first Pentecost. It is the Holy Spirit who, in essence, carries us, not just through the difficult times of life, but in all times of life. I like what the Study Catechism of our church says about the Holy Spirit: What do you believe when you confess your faith in the Holy Spirit? Apart from the Holy Spirit, our Lord can neither be loved, nor known, nor served. The Holy Spirit is the personal bond by which Jesus Christ unites us to himself, the teacher who opens our hearts to Christ, and the comforter who leads us to repentance, empowering us to live in Christ's service. As the work of the one Holy Spirit, our love, knowledge and service of Christ are all inseparably related. It is the Holy Spirit who aids us in our faithful development as followers of Jesus Christ. The Spirit is our teacher who opens our eyes to scripture AND to the experience of our everyday life to see God with us and for us in this world. It is by the Spirit that we are ever able to claim that Jesus Christ is Lord and it is by this Spirit that we are enabled to live our lives with that central truth before us always. It is then, this Holy Spirit, you might say, who moves us from theory to practice, emboldening us to live out the truth of our faith in all that we do. A “spirit-filled life” is not about how one feels on this or that day; it is about our trust that God is truly with us as his son Jesus Christ has promised. It is by the Holy Spirit that we can and do know that we are not alone in this life … we travel with the very presence of God. Grace and peace, -Martin OUR CHURCH FAMILY NEWS PRAYER LIST: Virginia Abraham, Linda Anderson, Nelda Ashbaugh, Ann (Gillingham) Beard, Sue Brown, Gail Bupp, Dorothy Casteel, Tom Connelly, Edna Mary Cox, Michelle King Cushey, Elaine Davis, Greg Dolan, Joann Doyle, Richard Enterline, Albert Essey, Shelley Fazi, Elizabeth Fedele, Robert Folino, Janet Glover, Tammy Gray, Shirley Hawk, Francis Helen, Ruth Hershey, Cheryl Highberger, Grace Howard, Charlotte Jinkner, Bob Kemerer, Ray and Reta Kuyat, Cheryl Lipko and family, George Maser, Lila May, David McNair, Alex Noel, Bill and Trish Noel, Leslie Pelzer, Victoria Piekut, Kay Powers, Pam Reinhardt, Bonnie Rosenthal, Ron Russell, Pat Salathe, John Sember, Liz Sember, Ellen Sheehan, Liam Sherman, Janet Sutherland, Monika Tart, Tom Taylor, Lynda Turin, Elsie Vanetta, Anh Vu, Cheryl Woods and Marilyn Zielinski. BIRTHDAYS: Each month we observe the VIP and fourscore or more birthdays: If you are 80 or older, and would like to be listed in the monthly newsletter, please contact the church. June birthdays are: Eralda Newbaker, 565 Waterbury Dr, Gbg (01) Wilma Anthony, 245 Kenneth St., Gbg (05) Gerry Pricer, 423 Culbertson Ave., Apt. 1D, Gbg (11) Jean Blice, 421 Oxford Dr., Gbg (17) Janet Glover, 191 East Side Drive, Gbg (23) BAPTISMS Sean Fassnacht, February 22; Evelyn Runco, March 8; Charles Saunders, March 22; Lilly & Michael Vavrock, April 12, 2015; Taiman Hines, April 26; Charles Smolenski, May 10; Andrew Hutchinson, May 17 Stewardship Report Total Disbursements through 4/30/15 Total Receipts through 4/30/15 Total Income over/under Expense $237,917.05 $203,227.77 ($34,689.28) If you would rather receive an electronic version of the First News, please let us know at [email protected] and we’ll add you to our email list and remove you from the paper copy list. Then you will receive the First News through your computer rather than the mail box, but you’ll have to let us know!! A copy of the latest First News can also be found at our website: www.fpcgreensburg.com Photo Directory Volunteers Needed….. Its Photo Directory time and we need your help! To make this task more manageable, we need volunteers for each of our committees; Publicity, Appointment Sign-ups, Telephone Reminders, Directory Lay-out and Photo Day Greeters. We are working with Lifetouch again and they do most of the work for us, then we set everything into motion. We need 1 person to chair each committee and attend an informational meeting with our Lifetouch consultant on Monday June 22nd from 6:00pm-7:30pm. Participation in the meeting is not necessary for volunteering. If you are interested in being a chair or helping on any of the committees, please contact Erin Hresko @ 724-547-7373 / [email protected] or Linda Wagner @ 724-837-7618 /[email protected]. A NEW ARRIVAL in the family is amazing, exciting and can be overwhelming. The Deacons are offering a meal for the family on a busy day with appointments, etc. The new mother, or a family member, can contact Peggy Taylor (724-547-6851), Marjorie Pershing (724-837-3614) or the church office. We do not have a formal network to know of births at the regional hospitals; however, the church office will forward information as received. Anyone wishing to provide a meal may also contact Peggy or Marjorie. Thank you for your help with this ministry. THE PASTORAL CARE COMMITTEE of the Board of Deacons is asking church members with family or friends who are hospitalized, have health conditions that have changed, and/or have other concerns that you wish the church to know about, to please inform Kim Stoner at the church office at 724-832-0150 and your concern(s) will be directed to the proper person(s). HAVE YOU CONSIDERED SPONSORING A COFFEE HOUR? Provide your own cookies, muffins or pastries or underwrite the refreshments for $35. Use the sign-up sheet on the Dining Room bulletin board. Your contributions and participation are greatly appreciated. CAN YOU SPARE 2 - 3 HOURS OF YOUR TIME to help the Food Pantry? We are looking for volunteers to help distribute food for the Food Pantry on July 11, 2015 at 8:45 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Parish, Greensburg. There will be a sign-up sheet at coffee hour or you can contact Greg Martinko at 412-916-5062 for more information. Mission Committee News Continuing our education as Christians is vital to an active and informed faith! Here at First Presbyterian, there are many groups and classes that you can join in order to increase your understanding of our faith …. THE FAITH & FAMILY GROUP meets in the Fletcher Room at 9 a.m. every Sunday to discuss topics related to our faith and family relationships. ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE is a class that discusses the influence of theologians and leaders of the Christian church on the faith. This year we are discussing the life and work of the great German theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The class meets in the PW Lounge every Sunday morning at 9:00 and is led by Rev. Ankrum. THE MEN’S BREAKFAST & BIBLE STUDY meets at Eat’n Park on Rt. 30 E. each Wednesday morning at 7:45 a.m. for a time of fellowship, study and, of course, breakfast. We are now studying the Book of Genesis under the leadership of Rev. Ankrum. THE BIBLICAL BOOK OF THE MONTH CLASS gathers on the final Monday evening of each month at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the church. Rev. Ankrum teaches the class and covers a single book of the Bible each month. Class will resume in September. THE LAST TUESDAY BOOK CLUB gathers on the final Tuesday of every month to discuss a particular novel. Class will resume in September. SECOND SUNDAY SUPPER - Did you know that men can cook?!! Watching Vance Booher prepare the meal was liberating; no measuring spoons allowed as he covered the potatoes with oil and various herbs for roasting. The pan of fresh vegetables got sprinkled too! The pork loins even had assorted fruit on top. Fifty guests even raved about the warm rolls! Bundt cake for dessert completed the culinary experience. All left-overs were taken home for later. Yes, men can cook with joy and herbal abandon! Thanks to the ten helpers who kept very busy. See you on June 14th. ****************************************************************************** HOMETOWN NAZARETH VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL…is almost here! Join us the week of June 8th-12th from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Kids will be immersed in the story of Jesus, told by his mom, Mary. There will be some great snacks, a marketplace where kids can make crafts from clay, wood, and stone, and learning some fun music to sing! Registration is open! Print a form from our website or get one at church. Cost is only $5 per child…contact Niki if you’re interested in helping out! PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS The new preschool website is live!!! Check us out at www.fpcgpreschool.weebly.com The website contains lots of information about our preschool. We are excited to spread the word about our school. Be sure to check us out! Registration for 2015/2016 opened on January 5, 2015. Space fills up quickly so please register early. You can print a form directly from the website. THE FLOWER GARDEN ….. June’s flower garden is a trip to Longwood and Chanticleer Gardens on June 11 & 12. This trip is by reservation only and all spots have been filled. CORNERSTONE GATHERING: ALL ARE INVITED! SATURDAY, JUNE 13 – 6:30 P.M. GRILLE 31 – MOUNT PLEASANT Cornerstone is a gathering of folks from FPC on a monthly basis for dinner and conversation on the second Saturday evening. Please join us if you’re available! Contact Sandy Beauregard or the church office to reserve your spot. Grille 31 is located in downtown Mt. Pleasant. We would like to thank Ed & Joanne Highberger for their yearly contribution of the geraniums around the church property. For the past 29 years, Ed and Joanne have contributed these flowers and planted them with the help of John & Carol Henry, Arlene Kendra and Keith Huey. They plant 200 flowers every year and this year planted 250. We would also like to thank Arlene Kendra and Lois Ann Watson for taking care of the Chapel Garden. Thank you all so much for all you do at First Presbyterian Church. Y-Fi* Connections in June *Youth of First Pres. I MISSED THE LAST Y-Fi?!?! Well, the school year is over. But don’t worry! We’ll be back with more awesome times at youth group on September 13th! In the meantime, check out some cool things coming up below! From the Stewardship Committee THE E-GIVING SWITCH IS ON The switch to regular, scheduled e-Giving is gaining momentum at FPC. You’ve probably noticed the growing number of green “I Give Electronically” cards in the offering plates each Sunday. Two suggestions that will assure that your e-Donations have the most impact on the church: 1) Credit card companies charge the church a 2-3/4% fee for each transaction. Consider direct transfer from your checking account. 2) Consolidate your weekly giving into one “Monthly” contribution to keep FPC’s transaction costs down and to simplify your records. Come in to the church office if you need help getting started. It’s easy! A Pastoral View of the Budget: Bit-by-Bit At the March meeting of the Session, I presented the budget status as part of the opening devotions. Typically, the pastor does not present the budget report, but due to the usual folks who do so being absent, it fell to me. After the meeting, I was encouraged to share my thoughts with the congregation. ARE YOU EXCITED FOR SUMMER? YOU SHOULD BE! Here’s what we’ve got planned for you so far… June 7th @ 2pm – Meet at church for our first Ice Cream Crusade! We’ll meet here and head over to Tastyland. Bring $ for ice cream. Pick up is at church at 4pm. June 14th @ 11:30am – Meet at church for our second Ice Cream Crusade! We’ll head over to Dairy Queen for lunch & ice cream, then come back to church for a movie. Bring $ for ice cream. Pick up is at 3pm. June 30th @ 7pm – Ice Cream Crusade #3! Meet at church and we’ll head over to the Meadows! (If you’d like to meet us there, that’s cool too!) Bring $ for ice cream. Pick up from church at 9pm. We’re also looking at a Kennywood outing in July or August…stay tuned! Originally printed in the April edition of First News, the Stewardship Committee has requested that this be re-printed in “installments” during the coming months. Oftentimes, a church is tempted to view the budget as a line-item, deficit versus surplus, assessment of institutional health. Though much can be said in favor of this approach, I believe that there is something more profound, much deeper to be found here. A budget is an organized explanation of just where a congregation invests the gifts of the people of God. What is given by the congregation is utilized by the leadership to help fulfill the calling that God, in Jesus Christ, has placed upon our lives. In such a consideration, I, as the pastor, look at the budget in terms of six items: (1) Personnel Expenses: Since the church is a deeply person-oriented institution, the cost of supporting the personal ministry of a congregation is oftentimes the greatest expense. It is here that we see the support that the whole congregation grants to those who are called and employed to carry on the day-in, day-out work of Christ’s church. People are called, trained and approved to serve as pastors, teachers and shepherds of a congregation. Others are hired to fulfill particular roles of care for a church. Their work must be compensated. Areas to be covered in upcoming issues: (2) Maintenance of Divine Worship; (3) Building Costs; (4) Education Costs; (5) Compassionate Care; (6) All of this is Mission Grace and Peace, -Martin Ankrum COMMUNION WITH CHILDREN -From Rev. Nicole C. Brodeur One of the most common questions I hear from parents is this: “When do I allow my child to have communion?” This, of course, leads into more questions about how to explain communion, what it means, age of understanding, and others. Here are some helpful suggestions and questions to guide you through the sacrament of communion with your child. At the bottom is a list of great resources as well, including a phenomenal devotional for parents and kids to help prepare for taking communion. -Contemplate & Connect Symbols Kids are very good at using their imagination and discovering meaning in the ordinary. Ask your child what bread and wine/grape juice makes them think of. Ask him/her to talk about a favorite meal or a special meal (ex. Thanksgiving, birthday, etc.) and what makes it memorable. Continue by asking about special meals or mentions of food in the Bible. Tie this into the Lord’s Supper; what makes it so special at our church? What do we do differently on those days? How is our celebration of the Lord’s Supper similar to the special meals you talked about? -Different levels of participation One of the things I love about working with kids is that they want to be in the midst of whatever you’re doing. Sure, this can get frustrating when you’re trying to make dinner or teach at Children’s Church. But this is great when teaching your kids about communion. Start by doing something called “peripheral participation.” Kids start to learn about communion by watching you partake in it. They witness you bowing your head, praying quietly, how you eat the bread and drink the cup. Quietly tell them what you are doing and why you are doing it. Why do you talk to God before eating the bread? Why do you wait to drink the cup with everyone else? Once you feel your child is ready, you can move to “guided participation.” Children learn in this way by “helping” you to take communion. When you receive the plate, allow your child to choose a piece of bread for you. Have your child help you to pass the plate to the next person in the pew. As you pray or contemplate while waiting to drink from the cup, allow your child to cup his/her hands around your own as you hold the cup. Ask them to pray quietly with you. -Note that no ages are mentioned here. This is because you, as your child’s parent, are the best one to know when he/she is ready to fully participate in this sacrament. Some kids have taken it as early as 3 years old, others as old as 13 years (some wait until confirmation.) The above practices, as well as some of the ones you’ll find in the resources below, will help your family to keep the dialogue going about the significance of celebrating the Lord’s Supper. THE COULTER SOCIETY The purpose of the Coulter Society is to encourage and recognize planned gifts to the church through wills and bequests, as a way of investing in the future of FPC Gbg. Why is this being called the Coulter Society? The name is in honor of a family that goes back to the founding of this congregation in 1788. To put that date in perspective, the following year on April 30 in NYC, GW was sworn in as the first President of our country. From the beginning, the Coulters were a family intent on leaving a legacy. The family played a very active role in the life of this church for almost 150 years, as well as in the community, county, and state. The first church building was constructed in what is now St. Clair Park. In 1847, this plot of ground, on the corner of Third and Main, was purchased by Mss. Margaret and Rebecca Coulter and three other women and the title was turned over to the church trustees. In 1848 a church was built on this site. The congregation continued to grow and in 1882 it was decided that a new building was needed. General Richard Coulter made the lead pledge to fund that building. The congregation continued its growth and in 1913 it was decided again to replace that building with a new structure, which is this church. General Coulter’s widow, Emma Coulter, stepped forward and donated almost 1/2 of the cost of this building. The building was completed in 1917. In 1921 the first stained glass window, the War Memorial Window, was installed and dedicated. This was a gift of Col. Henry Coulter and is the window over the balcony. This window is in honor of the 98 men from this congregation that served in WW 1, five of whom did not make it home. In 1928, Emma Coulter, the General’s widow, donated the Passion Windows, over the choir loft. The family continued to make benevolent gifts to the church, including the Richard Coulter Trust in 1937 which has continued to provide some income for the operating budget every year for the last 75 years. They were not the only family or individuals to generously support this church over the years but they certainly set a good example. The Coulter legacy is with us today 224 years after our founding. We have this beautiful place of worship today because of their generosity and the generosity of others like them. I doubt that any of us can do things on the scale that the Coulters did but we can do small things, and many small things add up. Let us leave a legacy as well so that this congregation can continue its ministry in the future in this place. We ask that you consider naming the church in your will, any amount, small, medium, or large. Over the coming months you will hear more about what others have already done and what opportunities are available to us. If you have already made arrangements through estate planning to leave something to the church or if you have questions or are considering doing this please let us know. You can do this through the church office and either Martin or I will respond, or you can contact us directly. Let’s all become members of the Coulter Society. -Art Caramella A Progressive Dinner? The Membership & Evangelism Committee will hold a Progressive Dinner in September of this year … From Wikipedia: “A Progressive Dinner is a dinner party with successive courses prepared and eaten at the residences of different hosts. Usually this involves the consumption of one course at each location. Involving travel, it is a variant on a potluck dinner and is sometimes known as a round-robin.” For reservations or information, please call the Church office at 724-832-0150 Your $100 deposit must be received by June 14 or you relinguish your spot. More information to come, but if you like what you read and want to participate, please see Rev. Ankrum or watch for the sign-ups in Coffee Hour!