A Publication of
The Presbyterian Congregation
Union and Water Streets
Middletown, PA 17057
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sundays at 9:15am
WORSHIP SERVICE
Sundays at 10:30am
May/June 2015
Nursery Duty
Inside this issue:
- Deacons news and notes
- Newsletter submission info
- Planning for the Future
- Listening Bags reminder
2
“From the Pastor’s Desk…”
3
Parish Nurse article:
Reasons You’re Losing Sleep
4
- Mary’s Circle News
- A Unique Spiritual Opportunity
- Adult Forum schedule
5
- Birthdays and anniversaries
- “A New Look at the Gospels”
6
- Fellowship Committee update
7
- Pray for our church leadership
- May Community Dinners
- 165th Anniversary plans
8
Christian Education news
9
May
May
May
May
May
3
10
17
24
31
Linda Hickoff & Erika Lauffer
Carol Waple & Linda Eppley
Judy & Abigail Packheiser
Stephany & John Davidson
Brian & Noah Yeich
June
June
June
June
7
14
21
28
Kelly & Tom Rotondo
Carol Wilsbach & Carol Waple
Gloria Agate & Alison Dixon
Mary Leisey & Joanne Harter
Ushers:
May - Nick Albert, Diana Baldwin, Joanne Harter, Carol Waple
Acolytes
Contact us
phone:
(717) 944-4322
fax:
(717) 944-3350
e-mail:
[email protected]
website:
www.pcmdt.org
May
May
May
May
May
3
10
17
24
31
Kylie Dixon
Sara Yeich
Josh Luther
Communion - no acolyte
Olivia Yeich
**no acolytes for June
Bulletin Dedications
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
June 7
June 14
June 21
June 28
In honor of Matt and Lauren, by Linda & Keith Eppley
In loving memory of our mothers,
by Carol & Frank Waple
OPEN
In honor of the staff, by Pastor Potter
OPEN
In honor of our daughter, Abigail’s graduation
from high school, by Judy & Don Packheiser
In loving memory of my parents, Edith & Dale Drake,
by Fae Mower
In honor of our grandchildren: Alison Gilg, Brett Waple,
Matt and Lauren Eppley, and our great-granddaughter,
Emilie Gilg, by Carol & Frank Waple
OPEN
Chancel Flowers
May 3
May 10
Rev. Donald E. Potter, Minister
May 17
Rev. and Mrs. Caleb Johnson
Kykotsmovi, Arizona
Personal Interest Partnership
May 24
May 31
In loving memory of our grandmothers: Elizabeth Teleky
and Gladys John, by Sherry & Frank Waple
In loving memory of our father, Oliver D. Strouse,
by Rita Strouse and Marcy & Bernie Shire
In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Paul Shank, Kenneth Shank,
Mr. & Mrs. Russell K. Patterson, and Russell K.
Patterson, III, by Nancy & Gary Shank
In loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. George Elberti, Sr.,
by Nancy Johnson and family
In honor of Matt and Lauren, by Linda & Keith Eppley
Please place your newsletter
articles or information in the
offering
plate
(marked
“newsletter”), in the church
office
mailbox
marked
“newsletter”, or e-mail to the
church: [email protected]
Chancel Flowers
The Deacons will send a reminder
postcard to each Chancel Flower sponsor at
the time of the order.
Chancel Flowers cost $22.50 per order. Please
make checks payable to Presbyterian
Congregation with “Chancel Flowers” and the
date of the Sunday sponsored in the memo
section of the check to assist Michelle with
recording the payment. Checks can be mailed
to the church or placed in the offering plate.
If you would like to add a
Centerpiece or have any questions,
please call the office.
The Presbyterian Congregation of
Middletown is truly blessed to have a caring
and giving church family. Because of your
generous financial support to the Deacon
Lenten Appeal, as of Sunday, April 12th, we
have raised $1,272. This enables the Deacons
to reach out in Christian service to church
members and our community.
THANK YOU very much!
Also, our church family gave freely of their
TIME by volunteering to deliver Meals-OnWheels during the month of April. We
would like to personally thank Carol Heiser,
Carol Waple, Nancy & Gary Shank, Gloria &
Jim Agate, Bob Mathias, Judy Packheiser,
Reverend Potter, Carol & Jay Wilsbach,
Gloria Elberti and Suson Akakpo-Martin.
This worthwhile ministry depends on you!
Our next delivery month is October. Please
consider volunteering. New volunteers are
always welcome. Together, we can do great
things in Christ’s name.
Newsletter Deadlines for 2015
Month
July/August
September
October
November
December
Deadline
6/18/15
8/13/15
9/17/15
10/15/15
11/12/15
Mail out
6/25/15
8/20/15
9/24/15
10/22/15
11/19/15
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
We are always thankful for
the generosity and thoughtfulness of
members of the church as they
envisioned the future ministry of this
church. Their legacy is known through
gifts left in their wills. This has helped
enable our mission in the name of Jesus
Christ. We, too, can plan for the future
of providing vital ministries of reaching
out with Christ’s love. Please consider
including Presbyterian Congregation of
Middletown in your will.
A reminder from the
Worship Committee:
Listening Bags are to be
checked and replenished by:
Brenda Fry for May
Linda Eppley for June
2
YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE...NEWS and NOTES
Service For Wholeness
During worship on May 3rd, we will share in a time of individual prayer and anointing for healing.
Persons coming forward may request prayer and anointing for themselves, or on behalf of someone
else. This was a practice of the early church as we read in the Letter of James 5:13-15. Invite a
friend and join us.
Middletown CROP Hunger Walk
May 3rd is the local CROP Hunger Walk, at 1pm at the Food Pantry (201 Wyoming Street). This annual event raises
funds to help feed the hungry locally, across the USA and beyond. Walkers get sponsors to pay so much a mile for every
mile they walk. Church World Service, an ecumenical Christian agency, sponsors walks all across our nation and 25%
of the money raised on May 3rd returns to our local Food Pantry. If you can’t walk, please sponsor a walker. Participant
walkers leave the Food Pantry and walk to Frey Village and around the building once and back to the Food Pantry. Or, if
someone is unable to walk that far, they may walk as far as they can. Thank you for caring to participate!
Mother’s Day
May 10th is Mother’s Day and we hope you will remember your mother on this special day. Bring mom to worship and
then treat her to lunch…let her know you love her!!
Pentecost – May 24th
The Christian church was born on Pentecost – the day the Holy Spirit descended on the waiting disciples as we read in
Acts 2. As Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit was poured-out upon believers after he ascended back to the father. The
Holy Spirit is the life-force enabling followers to go into the world proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. The
Lord’s Supper will be celebrated May 24th and we invite you to gather with us. Wear something red, symbolizing the
flames of fire that alighted upon believers in Jerusalem.
The annual Pentecost Offering will also be taken. This appeal funds programs supporting at-risk children, youth and
young adults, with 40% of our offering to be used at the discretion of the Mission and Evangelism Committee. $597 was
received in 2014. Let’s try for $600 this year. Please use the enclosed envelope. Thank you for your support.
Guest Preacher – May 31st
Dr. Eric and Rebecca Hinderliter will be with us May 31st for the Christian Education breakfast. They serve as
Presbyterian mission workers at LCC International University, Klaipeda, Lithuania. The Hinderliter’s have served as
educators at the University and will share information about their ministry. Eric will preach during worship and we hope
you will come to welcome them and hear their story. They will be state-side for a few months before returning to
Lithuania.
PYC
Calling all 6th-12th graders! We are planning a fun trip to Adventure Sports in Hershey on Sunday, May 17 th. Please be
at the church by 2pm to carpool; we will return to the church by 4pm. Bring some $$ as mini golf and bumper boats cost
$8 each; the snack bar will be open as well. This will be the last ‘official’ event for the spring. Bring a friend and let’s
have some fun!!
FYI…
-The Worship Committee is pleased to report that we have found a ‘home’ for the used Chancel, and Children’s Choir
robes that have been in storage, as well as two used preaching robes of Pastor Potter. A program, called Robe Gifting
International based in Highspire, picked up the used robes; all donated robes are mended and cleaned. Churches and
Pastors in need of robes can contact the program and arrange for shipment.
-The Property/Maintenance Committee reports that repairs to the front right side south wall of the sanctuary and to the
east wall in the Pastor’s study have been recently completed. The winter snows and ice resulted in some leaking
problems in both locations. Exterior roof repairs have been completed, as have new plastering and re-painting.
-News from the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) indicates that in 2014 some 1,200 grants totaling
nearly $5.3 million dollars were issued to retired pastors, and other church workers with urgent financial needs. These
grants were made possible through the annual Christmas Joy Offering received during Advent and Christmas. The total
received from our congregation for the Christmas Joy Offering was $566. Thank you for your generosity.
3
From the Parish Nurse
8 Reasons You’re Losing Sleep by Sheryl Kraft (Grandparents.com)
Avoid these culprits to get a better night’s rest
E-readers
Using short-wave, blue light-emitting e-readers, like the iPad, iPhone,
Nook Color, Kindle and Kindle Fire before bedtime can make it harder to
fall asleep, according to a December 2014 study at Brigham and Women’s
Hospital in Boston. "When blue light hits the optic nerve, it tells the brain
to stop producing melatonin," which is "the key that starts the engine for
sleep," says Michael Breus, diplomat of the American Board of Sleep
Medicine and fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. "This
is especially problematic, since as you get older, the ability to produce
melatonin becomes even more compromised."
Fixes: Open up a r eal book instead. (Remember those?) If giving up
your e-reader is impossible, look for screens and glasses that can block the
sleep-stealing blue light on websites like Lowbluelights.com.
Being Overweight
Carry extra pounds, especially in the neck and trunk section, and it’s more
likely you’ll suffer from sleep apnea, which causes your airway to become
blocked or obstructed during sleep, robbing you of quality deep sleep. The
condition affects 90% of obese men, though it's not purely a man's disease.
The Cleveland Clinic reports that after menopause, it’s just as likely to
affect women. Even more disturbing, it goes undiagnosed in as many as
80% of those who get a lousy night’s sleep.
Sleep Apnea
"Sleep apnea can mask itself as fatigue, trouble with concentration, dry
mouth or even depression," Breus states. Unfortunately, the relationship
between sleep apnea and obesity is a bit of a chicken-egg scenario. Do
sufferers have problems because they’re obese, or is their obesity stoked
by compromised sleep? No one knows for sure, however, poor sleep
makes people less motivated to increase physical activity, which can lead
to more weight gain. Additionally, reduced sleep is associated with
elevated levels of the hormone leptin, which helps regulate appetite.
Fixes: Among the var ious tr eatments for sleep apnea is a continuous
positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which delivers air pressure via
a mask that sits over your nose or mouth while you sleep. Other treatment
options include losing weight, oral appliances (that resemble mouth
guards), and Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy, a new
FDA-approved implantable device.
Medications
Many popular over-the-counter pain medications, like Excedrin and Bayer
Back and Body, may contain caffeine, which helps the medication get
absorbed more quickly, but can cut into your sleep, according to Breus
(who suggests always checking the label first). If you’re feeling under the
weather, beware of nasal decongestants and daytime cold or flu medicines,
which can contain pseudoephedrine; you’ll feel jittery instead of tired.
Diuretics, water pills for heart disease and high blood pressure, and ADD
medications, like Adderall and Ritalin, can also disrupt sleep, says Dr.
Attarian, a neurologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
Other culprits include steroids and some medications for depression or
asthma. "As with any new medication, always check with your doctor
first," Attarian says.
Fixes: If your meds ar e causing sleep pr oblems, " Fir st, I’d suggest
talking to your physician to see if your medication can be changed or the
dose adjusted," Attarian says. "If that doesn’t work, you can go to a sleep
clinic to discuss treatment options that may or may not include sleep aids.
Taking a sleeping pill is not always the right thing right away, especially if
you are taking other medications to manage health conditions."
A Warm Bath
Body temperature naturally begins to drop before bedtime, preparing us
for sleep. Although a warm bath can relax and calm you, taking one too
close to bedtime will not give your body enough of a chance to cool
sufficiently to bring on slumber.
Fixes: To r eap the full benefits of your bath, the National Sleep
Foundation recommends finishing up your soak at least an hour before
climbing into bed. While you’re at it, keep your room cool. "We sleep
better in cool rooms," says Dr. Patrick D. Lyden, chairman of the
Department of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The Wrong Foods
If you like to snack before bed, watch what you eat. Loading up on foods
that contain excessive salt or fat can stimulate brain waves, bringing on
nightmares instead of sweet dreams, says the National Sleep Foundation.
Choose foods that contain tryptophan (an amino acid linked to sleep
quality), whole-grain carbs (which help boost serotonin production) and
certain minerals (like calcium and magnesium, which can have a calming
effect). Examples include half a banana and a handful of almonds, wholegrain crackers and peanut butter, a mug of warm milk, or half a turkey
sandwich on whole-wheat bread.
Fix: In gener al, stick to a r outine of eating ear ly in the evening and
try to avoid sugar at night. "Late meals are more likely to make it harder
to sleep; snacking in the middle of the night can worsen insomnia," says
Dr. Andrew J. Westwood, a member of the American Academy of
Neurology and American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Additionally,
eating too much can make you feel physically uncomfortable when you lie
down, and may cause heartburn, contributing to wakefulness.
Clutter
The ideal bedroom should be simply furnished and decorated, so there’s
not much to distract you from the primary reason you’re in there – to
sleep. Excess clutter and mess can often cause anxiety, and remind you of
all your unfinished business, making it harder to fall, and remain, asleep.
Exercise
Being physically active can make you tired, promote sleep and improve
the quality of your rest, but exercising vigorously too close to bedtime can
rev you up instead. "Aerobic exercise can raise your core body temp long
after you’ve finished," says sleep specialist Rubin Naiman.
Fixes: Naiman suggests completing exer cise at least thr ee hour s pr ior
to bedtime. However, gentle exercise like yoga, he says, can be helpful to
promote relaxation and sleepiness.
Stress
When you’re stressed, your body secretes cortisol, a hormone produced by
the adrenal gland. This can disrupt the body’s natural rhythm, says
Naiman. "Cortisol is naturally produced in the morning. It peaks at
around 8am, when it can be helpful to naturally energize us,” he explains.
"But at the wrong time – like nighttime – it can make us hyper-aroused
and disrupt our sleep."
Fixes: In addition to yoga for r elaxation, a new study in adults over 55
finds that practicing a popular form of meditation known as mindfulness
meditation can reap improvements in sleep quality and reduce insomnia
and fatigue. Mindfulness meditation can also help reduce stress, according
to a 2009 Massachusetts General Hospital study.
Visit Mindful.org to learn some basics.
If meditation is not your thing, there’s always a good old-fashioned belly
laugh; laughter actually induces physical changes in your body, says the
Mayo Clinic. It cools your stress response and can increase positive
thoughts, which, in turn, causes your body to release neuropeptides to help
fight stress.
Are you getting enough sleep?
by Colleen Shalby The Huffington Post
Hours of sleep recommended by the National Sleep Foundation:
 Newborns (0-3 months)
14-17 hours
 Infants (4-11 months)
12-15 hours
 Toddlers (1-2 years)
11-14 hours
 Preschoolers (3-5 years)
10-13 hours
 School-age (6-13 years)
9-11 hours
 Teenagers (14-17 years)
8-10 hours
 Young adults (18-25 years) 7-9 hours
 Adults (26-64 years)
7-9 hours
 Older adults (65 & older ) 7-8 hours
4
Mary's Circle/Presbyterian Women News
Many thanks to all who helped with the Spring Indoor Yard & Bake Sale!
Looking ahead to Sunday, May 3rd, Mary's Circle will provide a complimentary light lunch for the
congregation immediately following the church service in Fellowship Hall. This is a time of
fellowship and celebrating Spring!!
Mary's Circle will meet at the home of Vivian Kilroy on May 12th at 10am. Her address is 1980 Mountainview
Road, Middletown. We will be continuing the study of “Reconciling Paul” in II Corinthians.
A Unique Spiritual Opportunity
Are you interested in having a more meaningful prayer life? Would you like to feel that you are listening to God as
well as asking for things when you pray. At Adult Forum, some of us talked about finding ways to do just that. You
are welcome to explore ways to meditate and pray that are less formal than Sunday morning worship.
Our first meeting will be on Monday, May 4th at 6:30pm in the garden of the Mateers (1408 Farmhouse Lane,
Middletown). Just come or contact Norma at (717) 939-0047 or [email protected] for more information or
with questions.
ADULT FORUM - May 2015
You are invited!
Sunday mornings before worship in Fellowship Hall 9:15-10:15am
If nursery is needed, please call Erika Lauffer at (717) 944-4713 a week in advance.
May 3rd – Living Contemplatively
Concluding this two week series is Richard Gordon, United Church of
Christ minister who has a long-standing relationship with Oasis Ministries
for Spiritual Development. We will take a look at such things as:
 How we look at things
 How to move beyond the mind to the heart
 How to be increasingly present to the Presence
 How to pray with our eyes open
 How to see beneath the surface of things to the heart of Reality itself
 How to move beyond the illusion of our separateness to the inherent hidden wholeness
 How to deepen our relationships with ourselves, God, others, nature
This is a wonderful series. Come even if you missed the first class!
May 10th – Our Par ish Nur se Jane Neff will lead as we focus on the change in Pennsylvania’s Child Pr otective Ser vices
Law and its effects on our church. The discussion will include a definition of child abuse, acts which constitute child abuse,
reporting child abuse and background checks.
May 17th – Come and learn about a day in the life of a self-sufficiency case-worker! Avis McIver, Case Manager for the
Community Action Commission of our tri-state area with an office in the Food Pantry, will fill us in on this needed and
important work.
May 24th – Reconnecting with the Unconscious
Phil Susemihl will lead as we lear n mor e about Carl Jung, founder of analytical psychology and per haps the gr eatest
modern prophet of the unconscious, and his belief that we find wellness “through an integration of the unconscious into
consciousness”. This will finally conclude our Lenten series, delayed by snow and ice, on The Rebirthing of God.
Christianity’s Struggle for New Beginnings!!
May 31st – The annual CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BREAKFAST will take place in Fellowship Hall at 9:15am for all
children and adults who have been involved in any way with Sunday School and Adult Forum this year.
**Sunday School teachers and staff, please tell Linda Eppley if you plan to come.
5
A very Happy Birthday to these members and friends
May
Tom Rotondo
Nancy Sours
Atah Akakpo-Martin
Mikel Coble
Mary Lou Lewis
Marie Leinbach
Richard Baer
Virginia Olsen
Sherry Waple
Ann Susemihl
Romaine Gardner
Alton Akakpo-Martin
Charles Wynn
Ashley Heiser
Courtney Heiser
Mary Leisey
Terry Basehore
Brett Waple
5/1
5/1
5/6
5/6
5/7
5/7
5/9
5/10
5/10
5/14
5/15
5/18
5/23
5/23
5/28
5/29
5/30
5/30
June
John Wilsbach
Frank Waple, Sr.
Sally Snook
Elizabeth Kane
Madison Sweigert
Macy Appleby
Kelly Rotondo
Scott Moore
Carol Waple
Carly Heindel
Joseph B. Mateer
Don Packheiser
Norma Mateer
Cindy Reinhart
Tim Swartz
6/1
6/2
6/2
6/4
6/6
6/7
6/9
6/12
6/13
6/15
6/16
6/19
6/20
6/27
6/30
...and a very Happy Anniversary to these members and friends
May
Tom and Kelly Rotondo
Susan and Dan Carter
5/6
5/15
June
Joan and Charles Wynn
Nate and Julie Matter
6/1
6/4
Linda and Steve Hickoff
Alison and Chris Dixon
Christine and Jamie Eberhard
Robert and Elizabeth Kane
James and Helen Thompson
Myrna and Bob Matesevac
Jody and Mikel Coble
6/10
6/12
6/15
6/17
6/19
6/25
6/28
“A New Look at the Gospels”
“A New Look at the Gospels” is a six session study that explores some major issues related to the four Gospels
with insights from contemporary biblical scholarship. This study began in April and continues through the
middle of May. We will meet on Tuesdays from 7-8pm and on Wednesdays from 10-11am. You can attend on
EITHER Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The discussion will be led by D. Darrell Woomer, our organist/choir
director, who is also a United Methodist Minister.
The remaining sessions are:
May 5th and 6th – The Parables of Jesus – What is the meaning of the parables and why did Jesus use them?
May 12th and 13th – The Miracles of Jesus – Do we know what really happened?
May 19th and 20th – The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ
You can attend any or all of the sessions. There is no registration or sign-up, so you can just come. If you have
any questions, you can contact Darrell at [email protected] or 717-838-3938.
6
Fellowship Committee Activities ~ Spring 2015
Easter Egg Project
From Mid-January through late March over 40 church
members and friends of the church were busy mixing,
weighing, rolling, dipping, wrapping, delivering, and
selling chocolate covered Easter eggs. During this time
period we made and sold over 22,000 eggs and expect to
have a profit of over $17,000. Our busy kitchen elves
enjoyed wonderful fellowship, lively conversations and
music from the 50’s and 60’s as they worked diligently
for the Glory of God. The following local businesses
graciously sold our eggs and helped to ensure the success
of our fundraiser: Tony’s Restaurant, 230 Café, Sunoco
(Highspire), 7-11 Middletown), Excelon, The Middletown Pharmacy, Sharp
Shopper, J D Junction, Joe Dailey’s Gulf, Indian Echo Caverns, The Plaza Style
Salon, Head Quarter’s Hair Salon (Hummelstown), TE Connectivity, Phoenix
Contact, Mt. Joy Feed Mill, The Loft Eatery (New Cumberland), Frey Village
Store, and Super Foods. We can show our gratitude by supporting these local
businesses. Eggs were also delivered and sold at the following locations:
PennDot, Dauphin County 911, DNRC, Department of General Services,
Department of Education, and Reid Elementary School. Sincere thanks and
appreciation is extended to every individual and business that helped to make this
project a resounding success!
Upcoming Events
Mother’s Day Luncheon – Sunday, May 3 – A light meal of sandwiches, salads and homemade desser ts will be
served following the service on the first Sunday in May. Bring your Mother to the luncheon and give her a “day off” from
meal preparation!
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast – Sunday, May 31st – All Sunday School teacher s, students and member s of the Adult
Forum will be thanked for their faithful attendance and service to the church. Please plan on joining us for a delicious
homemade breakfast and time of fellowship.
Community Dinners – These meals ar e held fr om 4:30-6:30pm the first Monday of alternating months. The cost is $8 for
adults and $3 for children. Come, eat and enjoy the fellowship of friends and a delicious home-cooked meal.
 June 1st - Choir Chicken, Parsley Potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Cole Slaw, Roll, Dessert
 August 3rd - Bar-B-Q Ribs, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Watermelon Cubes, Roll, Dessert
After being postponed for over two months due to snow, a delicious ham loaf and scalloped potato dinner was finally served.
We sold 90 people and realized a profit of about $340.
Community Restaurant Fundraisers:
 Hoss’s - J oin us on Monday, May 18th at Hoss’s Restaurant in Hummelstown. The restaurant has graciously agreed to
support The Presbyterian Congregation of Middletown by donating 20% of the proceeds to the church. Participants need
to pick up a Community Fundraiser Card from the back of the sanctuary or the church office and present it to their server
when ordering. This fundraiser is in effect from 11am through 9pm so you can enjoy lunch or dinner. Call a friend and
enjoy a delicious meal while supporting the ongoing mission of the church.
 Isaac’s (Techpor t) – Wednesday, July 22nd – 5-9pm. This delightful r estaur ant featur ing unique sandwiches, tasty
soups and refreshing salads will graciously donate 25% of the evening’s proceeds to our church for every diner that
presents a promotional flyer when ordering. Pick up a flyer from church, invite a friend and get out of the hot kitchen to
enjoy a delicious meal.
rd
7
Please keep our church leadership in your prayers
MAY COMMUNITY DINNERS ~ 4:30-6:30pm
May 11th
St. Peters Lutheran Church (Union & Spring Streets, Middletown)
Menu: Swiss steak
$8 adults; $3 for children under 12
May 18th
Evangelical United Methodist Church (157 East Water Street, Middletown)
Menu: Roast beef
$8 adults; $3 for children under 12
165th Anniversary Planning is Underway
This October is the 165th birthday of our congregation being created. A committee is meeting to
plan some events to celebrate that event.
Be on the lookout for :

Tidbits of history printed in the bulletin each Sunday beginning May 3rd.

A special Concert by “Bell Amis” an elite group of handbell ringers from Philadelphia. Our own
Marcus Mateer and his wife Rebekah are members of this semi-professional troupe. The concert will be on Saturday, October 17th at 3pm followed by an ice cream social.

Recognition of our 50+ year members on All Saints Day, November 1st, followed by a luncheon.
Mark your calendars now. We’d love to see you all at these events.
8
Christian Education Committee News
Recently our State Legislator passed PA House Bill 435. This law requires all persons over the age of 18, who
work with children in activities and programs must have two background clearances, updated every 36 months, and
will be required to provide FBI fingerprint record checks for those who have not lived in PA for 10 years and must
complete a free online course approved by the PA Department of Human Services.
This includes, but is not limited to, all children’s Sunday school teachers, nursery attendants, VBS volunteers,
youth group workers, mentors, clergy, musicians, and others who have direct contact with children. We have until
July 1, 2015 to obtain these clearances.
The three background checks include:
-child abuse history clearance
-PA State police check
-FBI check which requires fingerprinting (for those who have not lived in PA for 10 years)
There is a monetary expense with these clearances. We are willing to reimburse the fees if you would like us to.
VBS on Water Street
June 28
th
to July 1
st
Registration forms are available at the back of the sanctuary or in the church office
...don’t forget Mother’s Day
on May 10th...
...and Father’s Day
on June 21st
9
THE PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION
UNION AND WATER STREETS
MIDDLETOWN, PA 17057
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #41
Elizabethtown, PA
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
May/June
2015
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The Presbyterian Congregation is...
A body of Christian people who reach out to
others by sharing God's Word, love and fellowship
10