Spreading Branches - Lansdale Presbyterian Church

Spreading
“I am the Vine, you are the branches;
Branches
he who abides in Me bears much fruit...”
John 15:5
April 2014
www.lansdalepres.org
The Newsletter of Lansdale Presbyterian Church
215-368-1119
e-mail: [email protected]
Global Missions Conference
Joy Ohanian & Megan Pennington
“As the Spirit Moves” - This was the reigning theme of the Global Missions Conference hosted by
MTW in November 2013. Through-out the conference, “As the Spirit Moves” permeated each group
session, breakout session, and many of the interactions we had with various MTW missionaries –
those from Japan to Germany to those working in Jackson, Mississippi. We were utterly blessed by
the genuine desires of so many missionaries that the Spirit touches people all over the world.
The conference consisted of four group sessions, each starting and ending with glory-filled music
brought by the band, Indelible Grace. The speakers from the conference included Paul Kooistra,
coordinator of MTW; Giotis Kantartzis, Pastor of First Greek Evangelical Church in Athens, Greece;
Rod Mays, National Coordinator of RUF Ministries; and Ravi Zacharias. Each brought personal
struggles and joys to the pulpit as they shared unique stories of the faithfulness of God. In his own
way, each man was able to clearly communicate the truths of Scripture to the audience and to
bring to life the joy that the Spirit does indeed lead every one of us.
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By Kooistra we’re reminded to “fight the good fight” with humility.
By Kantartzis we learned that our God is the God of the agora (marketplace) as well as
the God of the synagogue, and that “missions is ordinary people doing ordinary things
with gospel intentionality.”
From Mays we learned that we are here because God is at work and though we will be
unclean, Jesus absorbs our uncleanness and pollution, transforming us from outsiders
to insiders. He stressed that we must come recognizing that we are all sinners, yet
acknowledging that the gospel is so great that we are incapable of
polluting it.
From Zacharias we were inspired to ask ourselves what a true follower
looks like, and to learn from Daniel, who knew when to draw the line
against dependence upon himself and to ask for wisdom from God.
We wish we could share each and every thing that happened at this
conference, but we will let it suffice to say that the Spirit moved in each of us.
We would both be overjoyed to share with you some more specific things we
learned at this conference, so please ask either of us about it!
Thank you, Missions Committee, for supporting us in this endeavor, and thank you, body of LPC,
for helping to raise us in the Word of God.
In Him, Megan and Joy
Joy Ohanian’s Mission Trip to Cyprus - this June 2014
From June 1-30, I will be serving as an MTW missionary in Nicosia, Cyprus. With Turkish
Muslim and Greek Orthodox cultures, Cyprus is the meeting place of both Europe and the
Middle East. My activities will include working at the Mercy Center and in the local
community, directly encouraging the Cypriot believers. Should you desire to financially
support me as I seek to raise $2700 due May 15, checks can made directly to Lansdale
Presbyterian Church writing “Cyprus Project” on the memo line. - In His Grace, Joy Ohanian
(*If you would like to see a copy of Joy’s support letter, there are copies available in the church lobby.
*You may support her through your giving envelopes – just indicate on the envelope.)
Men’s Breakfast Saturday, April 5
Please join us at the Henning’s Market Food
Court at 7:30am for a great all you can eat
breakfast buffet followed by a presentation by
teaching elder Dave Brewer who will talk about
caring for our parents in their senior years. As
our congregation matures, more and more of
us need to have help in deciding what kind of
care is best for them. (And some of us are old
enough to check this out for our own care!) Dave
has some helpful insights to share with us.
S.L.I.C.
The Seniors Living In Christ were treated to a
lovely luncheon following the worship service
on Sunday, March 9th. Charlie Miller greeted
everyone and shared an inspirational message
on the Trinity and/or Triune God. Everyone is
still raving about the delicious food that was
served: salad, chicken pot pie, green beans,
and to top it off a warm apple crisp and ice
cream. The tables were beautifully decorated
with flowers and candy treats for each guest.
The message, meal and fellowship made for a
truly delightful afternoon. All the seniors would
like to thank the WIC Committee along with
their husbands----the C. Millers, the Foxes,
and Janet Younathan. Everyone was touched
by their hospitality and thoughtfulness. May
God bless you all as you continue to serve Him.
On Wednesday, March 19, twenty-two seniors
met in the church library for "Everybody's
Birthday".
Everyone contributed to the
delicious lunch complete with cupcakes and
ice cream, after which we held our Pound
Auction. Each person brought a wrapped item
weighing about a pound, and these were
auctioned off by our very capable, Tom Woloski
which caused some tense moments during the
bidding wars - all in fun. The proceeds will be
used to offset SLIC expenses.
All seniors are invited to a trip to Bryn Athyn
Cathedral and Cairnwood Mansion on April 23.
We will have guided tours and learn the history
of these beautiful buildings. Lunch will be in
their garden house. Bring your own lunch;
meet at the church at 10 a.m. Bottled water
will be provided; cost is $10. Please see the
sign-up sheet in the lobby. Questions, please
call Martha (215-368-4936) or Dottie (215-855-8087).
April 2014
The No Longer, INRI
In Concert - Friday, April 11, 7PM
Easter is a time to worship and praise the Lord
for his gift of Salvation. Come support the LPC
youth mission trip at The No Longer benefit
concert! The No Longer will be performing their
new rock opera, INRI. This album narrates the
life and death of Jesus Christ. The band
features our own LPC member Benj Giffone
playing bass! The concert will be held on
Friday, April 11, from 7-9pm. All proceeds
from YOUR donations will go to the LPC youth
missions fund for our trip to Belize! We hope
that you can share in God’s Glory
with us and come worship at The
No Longer concert! If you have any
questions concerning the event,
please contact Abbey Greene at
215.855.0106.
International Spring Festival
The International Spring Festival celebrates
cultural diversity in the North Penn area
through food, family fun and the performing
arts. This year's festival will be held on
Saturday, April 26th, 11am - 5pm at the North
Penn High School. Admission and parking is
free.
Our church has a presence at the festival, with
a table and lots of materials offered to the
guests to introduce & invite them to our
church. We welcome you to stop by and visit!
If you are interested in helping LPC at the
festival, please contact Craig Schwartz.
Spreading Branches
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Ministry Update:
Benj and Corrie Giffone
Mission Conference 2014
The Giffones have exciting news to share with
the church family. Benj has accepted a position
as assistant professor of theology at LCC
International
University,
an
evangelical
university in Klaipėda, Lithuania. Starting in
August, Benj will be teaching classes in Old and
New Testament, Hebrew, and worship. Corrie
will be involved in evangelism and discipleship
on campus.
The Giffones' ministry at LCC will require them
to raise missionary support of roughly $32,000
annually, as the school can only provide
housing. Please pray for them as they transition
out of ministry and jobs here in Lansdale and
prepare to move to Eastern Europe. Pray also
that God would provide the funds to allow them
to carry out this ministry to students in a region
that desperately needs the gospel of Jesus
Christ.
On Sunday, March 23rd, we reunited with longtime friends Jeff and Esther Talley. Our church
has supported the Talleys for 34 years. For the
last eight years they have labored in Slovakia in
the work of evangelism and church planting.
During their visit with us they enjoyed a French
dinner on Friday evening with our Missions
Committee
and hosted
by
the
Gray
family.
They also
enjoyed
breakfast on Saturday with one of our small
groups at the home of the Wilsons.
On Sunday
during
Sunday
School
we
heard from
Jeff
and
Esther
about their
ministry of building relationships with local
people to open opportunities to speak about
Jesus and invite people to Bible studies and
church activities.
Later Jeff preached from Mark 5 about the
powerful work of God to save. Jeff reminded us
that like the demon possessed man who was
delivered by Jesus and who spread the news
about it, we who have experienced this same
saving power also have something to tell others.
From the Giffones: "We are so grateful for all the
love and support from our church family here at
Lansdale. You have been our church home for
nearly four years, and we have grown and
experienced so much of God's grace through you
all. We are sad to think of leaving, but we are
excited to pass on that grace and love you have
shown to us, as you send us forth into this
mission that God has prepared for us."
The Giffones will continue to minister at LPC
until June 15, and will worship with us until
they leave in early August. You can find out
more about the Giffones' ministry here:
http://thinkhardthinkwell.wordpress.com/cate
gory/giffones-in-lithuania/
April 2014
On Sunday evening we enjoyed all sorts of hors
d'oeuvres that allowed us to sample favorite
Slovakian foods. This was followed by an always
tasty covered dish dinner. The Talleys ended with
a presentation on Slovakian culture.
Many thanks go to Faline Gray, the Missions
Committee, and the many volunteers who made
the Talleys feel at home, and who made the
conference an enjoyable, informative, and
encouraging experience for all who attended.
Jeff and Esther plan to return to Slovakia and
rejoin their team at the end of this summer.
Please pray for God to provide for their support
needs and to bring together the many details
concerning family, government regulations, and
housing that need to be in place for a smooth
return.
Spreading Branches
3
Coming Events at LPC
Birthdays & Anniversaries
April
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April Birthdays
6:30pm Cantabile Choir rehearsal (wkly)
6am Men’s Fraternity (wkly)
6:30pm Choir Rehearsal (wkly)
7:30pm Band Rehearsal (wkly)
9am Ladies’ Bible Study (wkly)
6:30pm Session Meeting
7pm Ladies’ Evening Bible Study (wkly)
10:30am Fri Small Group (wkly)
Ladies WIC Retreat - Doylestown
7:30 am Men’s Breakfast – Hennings’
8:45 & 11:15 am Worship (wkly)
10:00 am Christian Education
4:15 pm Youth Handbell Choir Reh.
5:30 pm Kid’s Quest
Jr. & Sr. High Youth Grp (wkly)
Small Groups
9:00 am MOPS
7-9:00 pm “The No Longer” Concert
8:00 am LPC Work Day
2:00 pm Meadowood Ministry
4:15 pm Youth Handbell Reh.
7:30 pm Evangelism Comm. Meeting
7:00 pm Session Planning Comm. Mtg.
9:00 am Christian Ed. Planning Mtg
7:00 pm Good Friday Service at Covenant
Easter - 8:45 & 11 am Worship Services
10 am Easter Breakfast (No Sunday School)
No Evening meetings or groups
7:00 pm Deacons’ Meeting
7:00 pm Ladies A Time to Pray
9:00am MOPS Steering Comm. Mtg.
Bertuccis’ Missions Trip Fundraiser
Session Planning Retreat
1:00 pm Food From the Heart Dinner
7:30 pm Finance Comm. Meeting
May 8 – Mother-Daughter Banquet! (Save the
date!)
Good Friday Worship at
Covenant Presbyterian in Harleysville
Friday, April 18th at 7:00 pm
Easter Worship Services
Sunday, April 20th
Breakfast at 10:00am
We would like some of you to sign up to
bring a breakfast casserole or a coffee cake.
(no Sunday School)
April 2014
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Jonathan K
Wendy F
Tom G
Lori D
Michelle G
Glenn S
Jamie B
Mary H
Thomas P
Bea K
Julie Z
Richard Z
Kaelyn M
Dottie K
Matthew H
Erica W
Carla B
Nick H
Michael S
Martine W (MTW)
Christopher G
Easter L
Katelyn G
Tammy S
Dottie F
Diane P
Nell E
April Anniversaries:
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10
11
19
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Bob & Tammy S
Michael & Kay K
Tom & Chris G
Dean & Cindy M
Bill & Barbara E
Volunteer Schedules
April Greeters:
4/6
4/13
4/20
4/27
8:45 am
11:15 am
8:45 am
11:15 am
8:45 am
11:15 am
8:45 am
11:15 am
Bob & Michelle W
Rick & Lori D
Tammy S
Carol P
Charlie & Phyllis M
Craig & Anita S
Tom & Chris G
Sparky & Carla B
April Ushers
8:45 am Tom G, Lowell N, Dave H, Justin P
11:15 am Tom S, Sparky B, Rick D, Chuck F
8:45 & 11:15am
No evening meetings or groups
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April Counters:
4/6
4/13
4/20
4/27
Spreading Branches
Mike
Mike
Mike
Mike
S,
S,
S,
S,
Cathy S, Lynda C
Cathy S, Lynda C
Tom & Floss W
Tom & Floss W, Craig S
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