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 March 2015 SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE FIRST NEWS: Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Nursery Care provided A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER A SIGNIFICANT JOURNEY: LENT 2015 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” The above quotation from scripture is a parable that Jesus offered his disciples. The truth of his words still can inspire us today in our own journeys of faith DEADLINE FOR APRIL ISSUE: MONDAY, MARCH 16, 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 There is something deep and mysterious about our journey with God. This parable from the very mouth of Christ highlights this truth: our life with God is a significant journey in which we possess no definitive map or timeline: this is all done in God’s time and in God’s ways. The farmer in Jesus’s parable plants the seed and gathers the harvest, what happens to those seeds in between those two points is mysterious even to the farmer. He knows some of the process, but not all of it. This is certainly true with our life with God. There is mystery involved in this journey. Diogenes Allen, late professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, understood something about mystery. He wrote: Mysteries to be known must be entered into. … For we do not solve mysteries; we enter into them. The deeper we enter into them, the more illumination we get. Still greater depths are revealed to us the further we go. Indeed, life with God is a mystery into which we enter and live. We cannot create a formula of just exactly how God works in our lives; we must trust the God that does. Grace and Peace -Martin OUR CHURCH FAMILY NEWS PRAYER LIST: Virginia Abraham, Linda Anderson, Nelda Ashbaugh, Sue Brown, Gail Bupp, Dorothy Casteel, Edna Mary Cox, Michelle King Cushey, Elaine Davis, Greg Dolan, 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, George Maser, Lila May, David McNair, Alex Noel, Bill Noel, Leslie Pelzer, Victoria Piekut, Kay Powers, Merle Ray, Ron Russell, Pat Salathe, the family of Greg Schwing, John Sember, Liz Sember, Ellen Sheehan, Liam Sherman, Janet Sutherland, Lance Tacik, 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. October birthdays are: Dr. Richard Morgan, 12921 Redstone Dr., Apt. 166, N. Huntingdon, (07) Joseph Pallitta, 114 Winslow Court, Greensburg (18) Dorothy Sell, 8 Garden Center Dr., Apt 315, Greensburg (19) BIRTHS: Charles Paul Smolenski, January 9, son of Lauren & Joseph Smolenski; grandson of Karen & Jay Manning (last month incorrectly listed as Charles Manning) MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS since January 19: Grace M. Miller, Michel M. Franklin Stewardship Report Total Disbursements through 1/31/15 Total Receipts through 1/31/15 Total Income over/under Expense $60,266.27 $44,861.49 ($15,404.78) 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 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. CANCER CARE LIBRARY NOW AVAILABLE ----- The Deacons have added a new Care Note assortment which addresses many of the questions and challenges that individuals and families face in dealing with cancer. The new library, which consists of nine cancer-related topics, is located in the dining room next to our current Care Notes Library. 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. VIP (VERY IMPORTANT PRESBYTERIANS) The Pastoral Care Committee of the Board of Deacons are asking church members with family or friends who are hospitalized, have health conditions that have changed, and/or have other concerns to please inform Kim Stoner at the church office at 724-832-0150. EARLY HEAD START families have sent thank you cards to all who participated in our BearyChristmas gift giving for children. Please see Judy Breon during coffee hour to receive your card. LOVE GIFT FUNDRAISER You are invited to a fundraiser to benefit Cathy Gana and her niece Abigail, age 5, in the FPC dining room on Friday, March 13 from 6 to 8 PM. Cathy arrived from Cameroon in July, 2014 to petition the Court to gain legal custody of Abigail. Due to the unprecedented duration of time required by the court system she is incurring unpredictable legal fees and attorney bills. The Gana Family graciously appreciates our support. 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. TASTE & SEE! meets at Oliver’s Pourhouse on Pennsylvania Ave. each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. Rev. Niki Brodeur facilitates this discussion group. There will be no meetings during Lent but will resume on April 8, 2015. 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. In March, we will meet on Monday, March 30. The book we will be discussing is: Micah. Please join us in the Assembly Room on the 30th at 7 p.m. THE LAST TUESDAY BOOK CLUB gathers on the final Tuesday of every month to discuss a particular novel. For March, we will meet on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. in the PW Lounge on the first floor of the CE Wing. We are reading novellas this year and our book for this month is: Animal Farm by George Orwell. Please join us! FIVE WISHES…. is a document that speaks about a person's medical, emotional and spiritual needs at a time when we feel most vulnerable, namely, when we become seriously ill. On the five Sundays in March, we will gather to consider the desires we want our families to know should we become seriously ill. This class is led by Rev. Dick Morgan and Rev. Bobbie Hineline and will meet after worship--around 11:30 in the refectory. (We may even have a little lunch...) Please let the church office know if you will be attending. THE FLOWER GARDEN ….. Like the flowers that take a break in the winter, we too have decided to “rest” until May. We will begin meeting again on May 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. and will meet on the second Monday of every month until October. We will gather in various gardens to appreciate God’s gifts to us. Watch for information on May’s meeting in a future issue of First News. Call Bobbie Hineline at 724-850-9342 with any questions. CORNERSTONE….will meet on March 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Tapped Brick Oven & Pour House, 6044 Route 30 W., Greensburg. 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. WOMEN'S RETREAT All women are invited to attend an overnight retreat at Camp Laurelville, near Mt. Pleasant on March 20-21. We will gather on Friday night and stay until around 3 on Saturday afternoon. The retreat will be led by Rev. Bobbie Hineline and will cost $60. More details will be forthcoming. PENNSYLVANIA SINGS!! Saturday, March 7th from 1-4 p.m. First Presbyterian Church Chapel, dining room and Fletcher Room. Come and join your Presbyterian friends and others for an afternoon of singing and dancing! Learn to ballroom dance with Pat and Gib Clark. Sing 'traveling songs' with George Kamerer and Cameron Pampus. Learn Pennsylvania songs with Paula Purnell. You can't have a bad time! You are asked to make a donation to Welcome Home, our local homeless shelter. Questions? Ask Bobbie Hineline at 724-850-9342. AN OPEN INVITATION to members and friends of First Presbyterian Church to join the Monday Morning Sewing Circle that meets at 9:00 a.m. Monday mornings in the Fletcher Room. You don’t have to be an expert tailor to hem the cotton flannelette baby receiving blankets or to sew the “little dresses for Africa”. If you are interested, please contact Sylvia Carlson at 724-755-2288 for information. Membership at this church is not a requirement. Everyone is welcome. HIGHLANDERS will meet on Friday, March 6. The Westmoreland County Animal Response Team will present our program. The Response Team, started in 2005, can be called by 911 dispatchers and other agencies to any emergency involving small or large animals. The Response Team provides specialized life-saving equipment used for emergencies. Everyone is welcome to attend Highlanders. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m. and the cost is $13.00. Reservations for dinner are required and can be made by contacting the church office at 724-832-0150, no later than March 3rd. If you are an animal lover, feel free to come only to the program in the church dining room. Please be there by 6:55 p.m. You do not have to be a member of Highlanders to come to the programs. If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn Falcon at 724-8374338. Y-Fi* Connections in March *Youth of First Pres. When is Y-Fi? March 1st, 15th, 29th 5:30-6:30pm – Dinner 6:30pm-8:00pm – Growing Together! (Middle School & Senior High) VARIETY SHOW AND SILENT AUCTION…Saturday, March 21st (6pm-8pm) to support our youth summer mission trips. We’re looking for talent, as well as donations for the silent auction (themed goody baskets, donation of services, etc.) If you’re interested, please contact Niki! And put this awesome event on your calendar! It will be a fun night for everyone! “What’s In Your Face and In Your Ears?” 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. UPCOMING EVENTS: GOOD FRIDAY BREAKFAST For children in preschool thru 5th grade. This year’s breakfast will be on Friday, April 3, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in the Dining Room. We’ll be doing some new activities this year, which should be a great experience for everyone! Oh, and did we mention it’s FREE!?! Download the form on our website – www.fpcgfamilyministry.weebly.com. Y-FI GROWS! During the season of Lent, we will meet together in the youth room to begin watching “The Bible” miniseries that was done by The History Channel. We will meet at 6pm to have pizza, viewing, and discussion. We will gather on Saturday, April 4th to finish the miniseries from 11am-5pm. The Wednesdays we will meet during Lent are: 2/18, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25. LAIRD MEMORIAL LIBRARY NEWS Listed here are some of the books recently added to the Laird Memorial Library. Most of them are currently on display in the library or on the book cart in the dining room. NONFICTION Lamott, Anne. Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace. Lane, Belden [editor] Backpacking with the Saints: Wilderness Hiking As Spiritual Practice. Moore, James W. Give Up Something Bad for Lent. Potts, Daniel G. [editor-in-chief] Seasons of Caring: Meditations for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers. [2 copies] Young, Sarah. Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence. CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS Milton, Joyce. Honeybees. Koda-Callan, Elizabeth. Shiny Skates. [fiction] Sutherland, T.T. Bulldog Won’t Budge. [fiction] Y-FI SERVES! Our youth will be serving Second Sunday Supper on March 8th! We’ll have lunch in the youth room after church, then cook, set up, serve, and clean up! We’ll be done by 4pm. Sign up on the sheet in the youth room or talk to Niki! GOT TALENT? Would you like to share it with others? We’re putting together a Variety Show and Silent Auction for Saturday, March 21st (6pm-8pm) to support our youth summer mission trips. We’re looking for talent, as well as donations for the silent auction (themed goody baskets, donation of services, etc.) If you’re interested, please contact Niki soon! (If you’re planning to attend the mission trip, plan to help out at this event!) Y-FI PLAYS & GROWS! Join us for our 2015 Y-Fi Retreat! The dates are Friday, April 17th to Sunday, April 19th. The cost of the retreat is $75 per person (covers lodging, transportation, and meals/snacks.) Sign up on the sheet in the youth room! Save the Date! VBS: Hometown Nazareth! June 8th-June 12th (pending snow days) Circle Meetings for Presbyterian Women Please join us! ABIGAIL CIRCLE MEETS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 @ 10:30 A.M. This year our Bible study is: “Reconciling Paul”, a contemporary study of 2 Corinthians. Our study will be presented by our own Alice Ann Morgan who will make the study come alive! We meet in the Refectory (the small dining room just off the Dining Room). If you have any questions, please see Peg Carpenter, Circle Chairperson. LOIS CIRCLE TO MEET THURSDAY, MARCH 12 @ 9:30 A.M. … We’ll gather in the Dining Room at 9:30 a.m. If you are available, please join our fellowship. We make use of the Horizons Bible Study and take active part in discussions of topics of interest. And of course, we enjoy each other’s company and the treats that are brought! If you have any questions, please contact Eleanor McCamant at 724-853-8165. REDSTONE PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN SPRING GATHERING: Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. Held at Pleasant View Presbyterian Church, 533 Royal Road, Smock, PA. 2014 LOVE GIFT recipients will share their experiences, what they learned and how these experiences have affected their lives and the lives of the people they met. We will examine mission as we know it. What type of mission projects are the churches in our presbytery undertaking? How do other churches reach out to those in need and how are we making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate in our community, across our country and throughout the world? Mission Focus: City Missions; SERRV items for sale. Pre-paid reservations are requested; look for registration forms in our church office. Registration deadline: April 4. 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! FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MUSIC SERIES YOU ARE WARMLY INVITED TO ATTEND SOME OR ALL OF THE EVENTS THE 2015 SPRING MUSIC SERIES EVENTS INCLUDE: Sunday, March 22 at 4 p.m. A MORAVIAN MUSICAL LOVEFEAST with the Westmoreland Choral Society under the direction of Thomas Octave and the Westmoreland Children’s Choir under the direction of Nancy Sheehan. Featuring the GLORIA by John Rutter and music by composers of the Moravian tradition. A simple meal is served as a symbol of unity and fellowship. Tickets available at the doors or from the Westmoreland Choral Society Website. Friday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. EVAN BELLAS, ORGANIST in a Junior Year Recital. The recital includes J. S. Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541, Cesar Franck’s Third Choral in A Minor, and the well-loved Variations on “America” by Charles Edward Ives. Evan is an organ major in the Sacred Music Degree Program at Seton Hill University. He is the accompanist for Seton Hill University’s Una Voce Singers, and serves as organist at the Graystone Presbyterian Church and the Roman Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd in Indiana, Pennsylvania. His organ and sacred music study is with Edgar Highberger. No charge. Friday, April 10 at 7:30 P.M. MANUAL MANIA!! The annual grant recital sponsored by the Seton Hill University Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Featuring JAMES P. RIGGS, a sacred music alum of Seton Hill University and Organist and Director of Music at the Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and David von Behren, sophomore organ performance major at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and church music intern at the Plymouth Church under the supervision of Mr. Riggs. Organ duets, music for organ and piano, and music for violin and organ are featured on this program. A suggested donation of $10 is appreciated but not required. The Seton Hill University Chapter of the American Guild of Organists has raised, in excess of $40,000, scholarships and grants for students in the organ studio at Seton Hill University. Friday, April 17 at 7:30 P.M. INTERESTINGLY INTERNATIONAL Seton Hill University organists, Jesse Oddis, Ryan Lynch, Evan Bellas, Xenia Yelovich, Michelle Kardos, and Sachiko Takeuchi plus Seton Hill sacred music alum, Amanda Kraeger, perform organ works from France, England, Germany, and the United States. Also included on the program is singer, Brett Cuddy, freshman voice major in the music education and sacred music certificate programs. No charge. A Significant Journey The Lenten Season is a significant journey for all Christians. The season is one of forty days that call us to contemplate the life of our Lord and Savior. It is traditional for followers of Jesus Christ to make use of this season to rededicate themselves to active discipleship of Christ. Join with the members of your congregation as we journey together, following our Lord Jesus Christ towards a deeper understanding of God’s love in Christ and a firmer faith! Sundays in Lent … Lent 2 – March 1 – 10:00 a.m. Lent 3 – March 8 – 10:00 a.m. Lent 4 – March 15 – 10:00 a.m. Lent 5 – March 22 – 10:00 a.m. “Suffered” Rev. Nicole C. Brodeur will preach “Our Purpose in God’s Light” “Both Priest AND Sacrifice” Five Wednesdays in the Chapel … Hearing the Words of Jesus: A Significant Journey through the Parables Wednesdays in Lent – 7 p.m. – The Memorial Chapel This Lenten Season, we will journey along with Christ as we listen again and afresh to the stories that Jesus taught his followers. Some of our favorite parables will be revisited and will be the focus of each of this mid-week worship services. Make it a Lenten discipline to join us in worship each Wednesday evening of Lent in the Memorial Chapel at 7 p.m. Mission Committee News SECOND SUNDAY SUPPER ….February 8th was a balmy surprise. Fifty-nine guests came to dinner. Chef Jerry had returned to share his culinary talents. The meal began with a bowl of salsa and a basket of chips. Next came a bowl of salad dressing, a bowl of salad and a basket of corn bread. Lastly, a bowl of cheese and a large bowl of wonderful chili. The dessert of ice cream and cookies was served on a plate! This meal “bowled” Louie over as he cleaned them all and put them away until March 8th when our church youth will prepare the meal. 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 SPECIAL LENTEN ADULT EDUCATION FORUM: 5 FIVE WISHES SUNDAYS, MARCH 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 11:30 A.M. REFECTORY FIVE WISHES…. is a document that speaks about a person's medical, emotional and spiritual needs at a time when we feel most vulnerable, namely, when we become seriously ill. On the five Sundays in March, we will gather to consider the desires we want our families to know should we become seriously ill. This class is led by Rev. Dick Morgan and Rev. Bobbie Hineline and will meet after worship--around 11:30 in the refectory. (We may even have a little lunch...) Please let the church office know if you will be attending. Palm Sunday – March 29 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship Service Maundy Thursday – April 2 7:30 p.m. – Communion Service “A Service of Shadows & Light” Good Friday – April 3 9:30 a.m. – Good Friday Children’s Breakfast 11:30 a.m. – “Way of the Cross” Procession 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Trinity United Church of Christ Easter Sunday – April 5 10:00 a.m. – Single Worship Service Communion Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!
© Copyright 2024