Carmel Courier 1 April 2015 Carmel Presbyterian Church of Glenside, PA 19038-3099 Carmel Retirees are on a mission Where to Look Anniversaries Birthdays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Boards Congregational Meeting . . . . Courier Deadline Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Death Evangelism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hospitalized Kids Korner . . . . . . . . Insert Lectionary Readings Library . . . . . . . . . .14, 15 & Nursery School Pastoral Message . . . . . . . . . Property Reflections by Judith . . . . . . ROAM Stewardship . . . . . . . . . .6 & Thank You 13 9 4 7 9 11 6 11 17 17 20 12 2 11 3 1 10 8 ROAM will meet on Wednesday, April 1, beginning at 12:30 PM in the Fellowship Lounge. Please bring a covered dish to serve 4. Following lunch, we will be entertained by The Gents, a quartet from the Bucks County Gentlemen Barbershop Chorus. Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of good music, food and fellowship. For more information, contact Karen Bogle or Gene Morris. ROAM ‘S Outreach Project for this year is going to be a collection for Freedom Steps, a small non-profit group made up of folks who have family members who are currently deployed overseas. Freedom Steps encourages church groups, scout troops, etc. to help with this project. We have decided to collect power bars, protein bars, breakfast bars as well as foot spray. These are items they have difficulty getting while there. Starting April 12 and through the 26th, please bring your contributions to the church lobby. Thanks in advance for your support of this worthy project. 2 2 A Pastoral Message THE CENTER OF JESUS’ TEACHING: A five week study on the Kingdom of God There is a question that Christians don’t ask nearly enough: What was the central message of Jesus? When asked this question, most people would answer it by saying something about love or faith, because we rightly associate Jesus with love and faith. But, as it turns out, these ideas were not the core of his message, though they are certainly related to and essential to that core. What Jesus actually proclaimed, first and foremost, was not that we should love, or what we should believe, but something else. We find a succinct summary of this “something else” in the first description of our Lord’s ministry in the Gospel of Mark: Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news’” (Mark 1:14-15). Here is Mark’s summary of the core of Jesus’ message. It is, in a nutshell: The kingdom of God has come near. The phrase “kingdom of God” appears 53 times in the New Testament Gospels, almost always on the lips of Jesus. The synonymous phrase, “kingdom of heaven,” appears 32 times in the Gospel of Matthew. Throughout the accounts of our Lord’s ministry, he is always talking about the kingdom of God. Many of his parables explain something about this kingdom: it is like mustard seed, a treasure, a merchant looking for pearls, and a king who gave a banquet (Matt 13:4447; 22:2). Jesus even defines his purpose in light of the kingdom: “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose” (Luke 4:43). Given the centrality of the kingdom of God to the preaching, teaching and actions of Jesus, it’s strange that many Christians are relatively unfamiliar with what this phrase means. But if we want to understand the message of Jesus, not to mention his whole ministry, including his death and resurrection, then we must grapple with what he says about the kingdom of God. Dr. Gordon Fee, one of my New Testament professors in seminary, once said in a lecture on Jesus: “You cannot know anything about Jesus, anything, if you miss the kingdom of God … You are zero on See JIM page 7 3 Refl ectio ns by Jud i th I recently concluded a sermon, inspired by the words of scripture 1 Kings 17:2-16, with these words: “There is a startling Christian joy in the realization that we are invited into God’s story. There is a Christian kind of excitement in accepting the imaginative love of the Living Christ. There is a uniquely Christian foolishness in trusting Christ before we have proof. That’s our life in Christ! Foolishness. Excitement. Joy. All bound up together and given for us, a feast, from God. Amen.” The word “feast” was chosen to contrast with the famine that was taking place in the narrative from 1 Kings. The metaphor of our life in Christ being a feast is one I have witnessed as certainly true here at Carmel. Many of you have happily explained, “We love to eat here,” or “We do food really well. There is always something to eat and enough for everyone!” And as your pastor for over four months, I can attest to your claim that food is frequently offered and generously served. Whether a rowdy Wednesday evening Refuge dinner, after church fellowship, or one of our many potluck buffets, there is tangible evidence of experiencing God’s abundance and provision in this faith community. When we gather for a meal, we are practicing a way of being together, a way of giving of ourselves, and way of praising the One from whom all good things flow. How we invite, prepare, share, pass, offer, laugh, and tidy up, are a reflection of who we are, in Christ, at table together. Remembering that all tables are an extension of Christ’s table, we rejoice in our shared meals, where all are invited, all have a place, and all are fed. In this spirit, may we both attend to and cherish, our Christ centered communion with one another. Pastor Judith 4 Board Updates Session Notes By Nancy Pinkowicz The following items were among the reports and business conducted during the Regular March Meeting of the Session: Session welcomed Deacon Representative Becky Rose to the meeting and approved the Deacons' proposed Mission Interpretation disbursements in the amount of $7,500. Session approved a special collection sponsored by R.O.A.M. for Freedom Steps (a small non-profit collecting for sons/daughters/family deployed overseas). And, Session approved the following fund raising activities: Car Wash on Saturday May 30 (rain date June 13); and bread baking on Saturday April 4 We extend a very warm welcome to our new members John Francis O’Hara and Dawn Marie O’Hara who joined Carmel on March 1 and Carmel celebrated the baptism of their daughter, Ashley Marie O’Hara on the same Sunday. Session approved to hold a special Congregational Meeting for Sunday, March 15 after Corporate Worship to approve the following members to serve on the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC): Bill Miller, Bob Lohoefer, Heidi Lindsay, Jessica Tolton, Taylor Tolton and Nancy O’Brien. Christian Education reported that the vacation bible school curriculum for 2015 is Everest. For more information, please be sure to read the related article included in this edition of the Courier. Deacons Notes By Heidi Lindsay with significant contribution by Sue Lohoefer It is all about the ministry this month and how we directly serve the congregation, assist the congregation in ministering to each other and support the broader community. Let’s take a closer look at two of the organizations financially supported via 5 Deacons’ Funds: Bethanna and Face to Face. Bethanna, which has offices in Southampton, Center City and Lancaster, advocates in a Christ-like manner on behalf of families and children to ensure permanency through adoption and foster care while offering much needed outpatient mental health support. They also provide parenting classes, after-school programs and summer camp opportunities. Not very far away from Carmel, Face to Face focuses on struggling families, individuals and the homeless. At their facility in Germantown, those in need can find a hot meal, clothing, health care, legal services, showers, social services, summer camps and after school programs. Both Bethanna and Face to Face received $1000.00 to further work in strengthening our communities and changing lives. Funds garnered via Trust Fund B interest were distributed to organizations with strong ties to the Presbytery of Philadelphia: John Gloucester House, Chester Eastside Ministries and The Village ($1500.00 each). Parents – looking for summer camp opportunities? We are excited to provide partial scholarships to Carmel youth to attend overnight camp at Kirkwood Brainard in Stroudsburg, PA. The Presbytery of Philadelphia and Lehigh Presbytery have joined together in offering amazing camp experiences. Many of us have wonderful memories of Kirkwood, either through youth group, summer camp or family retreats. The Deacons have allocated up to four $250 scholarships (which cover approximately one half of the cost) and additional discounts are available if you register prior to May 1. For more information about Kirkwood Brainard, go to www.kirkwoodcamp.org. Please join us in working with R.O.A.M. as they collect power bars, protein bars, breakfast bars, etc., and foot spray to support the fundraising efforts of Freedom Steps. Additional information about Freedom Steps and their work in supporting deployed troops can be found elsewhere in this edition of the Courier. Do you need transportation to our Sunday service or other Carmel events, even occasionally? Do you know someone who is missing worship because of not being able to safely get to church? The Deacons strive to provide rides to and from Carmel events for members in need. Please call Bob Lohoefer or the church office if you would like more information or to schedule a ride. 6 Carmel members support our Prayer Community in several ways. Do you have a new or updated prayer request for the list? Or, are you called to help in God’s work by becoming a member of the group? Sue Lohoefer is interested in hearing from you! Please contact her. Do you feel called to do hands on mission work? Not sure, but want to learn more about it? The Deacons are exploring opportunities for our congregation to get out of the building and directly serve in the community. Keep an eye on our bulletin board in the lobby or contact Cassie Paulk if you have ideas or would like to be involved in these early stages. Report Your Board of Deacons is always glad to join members of Session in serving Communion each month and at special services. Deacons assisted throughout the Lenten season and during Holy Week. The Board of Deacons wants to stay in contact with our college students. Understanding that students are “on the move” literally and figuratively, please email the church office with the name and current address of college students in your family. We’d like to keep records updated. Please let us know of any recent accomplishments we might mention and pray about such as internships, special awards, team/club activities, graduate school applications, job interviews, etc. As of March 15, 2015 Anticipated $51,568.42 Received $39,442.15 Difference ($12,126.27) Now with her Lord We have been informed that Betty Hahn, a longtime member of Carmel, passed away January 13. She was formerly of North Hills and living at Dock Woods Community. She was the loving wife of the late William Hahn, Sr. and mother of William Hahn, Jr. 7 JIM from page 2 Jesus if you don’t understand this term. I’m sorry to say it that strongly, but this is the great failure of … Christianity. We have had Jesus without the kingdom of God, and therefore have literally done Jesus in.” If you’ve read the article this far, I’m guessing that you don’t want to be “zero on Jesus,” and that you don’t want to “do him in,” either. Neither do I. So let’s work together to figure out what Jesus meant when he said “the kingdom of God has come near.” Here are just some of the questions we will discuss together: · What is the kingdom of God? · How did Jesus proclaim the message of the kingdom? · Where is the kingdom of God? · When is the kingdom of God coming? · How is the kingdom of God coming? This class begins on Sunday, April 19 at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Lounge and runs five consecutive Sundays through May 17. Don’t be zero on Jesus! Join us to learn. It may end up being the basis of what you believe as a Christian. Dr. James W. Thornton The Congregational Meeting on March 15 elected the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. They are Bill Miller, Bob Lohoefer, Heidi Lindsay, Jessica Tolton and Nancy O’Brien.Nancy O”Brien, 8 Thank You To the Carmel Presbyterian Congregation, Dear Carmel Friends: When you feel so down and lost and alone along comes a letter that pulls you up. … for your kind expression of sympathy. On behalf of my Dad, my brothers and our families, I wanted to thank you all so much for the many kindnesses extended to us following Mom’s passing. We were overwhelmed by the many beautiful cards, letters, prayers, phone calls and words of sympathy that were so meaningful coming from our Carmel family. Carmel was a huge part of Mom’s life and all of you meant so much to her. To those of you who joined us for Mom’s Celebration of Life Service we extend our special thanks for sharing in our time of remembrance. We would like to thank Rev. Thornton for both his leadership throughout the service and his beautiful Meditation. A special thank you goes to Abby and the Sanctuary Choir for their gift of music. The choir was an enormous part of Mom’s life for over 60 years and your participation was especially meaningful. We all felt very fortunate to be able to share our remembrances and celebration of Mom’s life with such a loving and caring church family. You prayed for my son for the duration of John’s illness and death. God love you all. Thank you, Sue Wilson and Family Carmel Friends, We want to thank everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers! We truly appreciate that my brother John was on your prayer list these last eight months, and all of the support and sympathy after his passing this past week. Knowing others were thinking of him and praying for him, and his family, was a tremendous comfort and help for us! The flowers that were delivered were beautiful and helped to brighten our house! We are grateful for all of us! Our love and thanks to all of you. Love, Lynne Coulter for the Brecht/Coulter families Dan, Kelly, Danny, Sheamus, Kellan, Broghan, Madlyn Sweeney 9 Dear Carmel Congregation, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful expression of sympathy. Your beautiful letter with all of the signatures meant a great deal to our family. The flowers were also very much appreciated. Warm regards, Daniel and Sandy Sweeney A big thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers after my surgery. I really appreciated the letter along with the beautiful flowers from the congregation. Thanks again, Nancy O’Brien We wish a very happy birthday to our Carmel youth. Samantha Beil – April 29 Kayla Duncan – April 1 Bailey Longstreth – April 25 Phoebe Longstreth – April 21 Thomas Longstreth – April 21 Maddy Manzinger – April 5 Mark Manzinger – April 5 Matthew Reynolds – April 6 Aidan Rose – April 19 Kevin Rumsey – April 27 This month edited by Doris Golingan Next Courier Deadline — Second Sunday April 12, 2015 Editor of the month — Heidi Lindsay [email protected] 10 Carmel Family Activities Stewardship By Joyce Kornfeld Per Capita Thank you to everyone who returned your per capita contribution this year. It is a critical part of our funding for the year. weigh more than 30 pounds per bag. -Free Shredding Event April 11 at the highway yard on Florey Lane from 9:00 AM —12:00 noon: bring up to four boxes/bags per car. Montgomery County - Household Hazardous Waste collection April 18 from 9:00 AM—3:00 PM at Indian Valley Middle School Harleysville, PA One Great Hour of Sharing Sharing Resources...Changing Lives Thank you for your generous contributions to the OGHS offering. Your gifts will be distributed to those in need through one of three programs— Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP), Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (ODA) and Self-Development of People (SDOP). Stewards of the Earth Earth Day is April 22 and it’s the 45th anniversary year! This month you can have a positive impact by recycling at one of these events. Abington Township - Trash Clean-out week April 6—10: you can put out as much normal household trash as they want. Surplus trash must be in plastic garbage bags and cannot Announcing the engagement of Peter F. Heckman, Jr. (PJ) to Rev. Bailey Ann Pruner. PJ is the Director of Music and Bailey is the Associate Pastor at Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church in New Hope. Bailey is the daughter of Rev. James and Rev. Victoria Pruner of Toms River, New Jersey. PJ is the son of Peter and Jan Heckman and grandson of Patricia Newman. A 2016 wedding is planned. 11 Property notes from the winter winds and summer sun. Please stop up and check them out. By Lynne Schutt There is no need to tell all of you that it has been a long cold winter and Carmel has again incurred extraordinary costs for snow and ice removal. We don’t yet know the final cost, but it will exceed our budget. Thankfully the worst of the winter is behind us. The sign company is in possession of our corner sign. The post holes have been dug, and the sign will be installed as soon as the weather permits. We have been using Father and Son Exterminators for about a year. They have been inspecting and treating for mice and insects on a monthly basis. We have not had any reports of mouse activity lately. Please continue to do your best to keep snacks and other food items in plastic containers. It helps! If you see any signs of mouse activity, please tell Karen Bogle or Dick Thomas. We have hung new curtains on the second floor of the education building. They make the rooms more attractive and clean looking, and, most of all, provide insulation Communicate with the congregation By Margie Reath The Evangelism Committee met on March 8 and discussed better communication with the congregation. Plans for coffee hour socials to get to know the new members and for them to know the congregation. Another plan is to communicate our caring via letters to those who do not attend regularly. Better communication with the congregation is important. Carmel hires new custodian Carmel hired Rick Biase as our new custodian last month after receiving nearly fifty applicants. His starting date was March 16. Rick has extensive custodial experience and is a local Glenside resident. He will be working daytime hours Monday through Friday and a few hours on Sunday. We welcome Rick Biase to the Carmel Presbyterian Church staff. 12 This and That Carmel Nursery School News By Leslie Rupp, Director In April, Carmel students learn some interesting things about farm animals, insects, and some projects for Earth Day. On Wednesday, May 27, we are inviting anyone who is interested to come to the Nursery School to see Quiver Farms traveling farm. They will be bringing farm animals to our back parking lot for the children to pet and feed and interact with. Bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors, or just yourself to enjoy the day with our children. They should be set up and ready for visitors by 9:30. Before long, summer camp will be here. This summer we have chosen to vamp up our summer camp up with new and exciting themes. There will be a different holiday theme each week as children embark on egg hunts, make sombreros and Mardi gras masks, make and taste holiday foods and many other exciting activities. We would like to put a few things on our wish list this month. We would like some wooden trains, Barbie house furniture, doll house furniture, doll house people, matchbox cars, action figures, and big wheels! We would like to thank everyone for their wonderful support both in our program and in our candy fundraising. We hope to surpass our sales of last year and be able to pay for our visit from Quiver Farms traveling farm. Registration is underway for the fall. Carmel Nursery School offers programs for children aged two to five. Each program is geared toward that age group while catering to the needs of the individual child. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in any of the programs that Carmel has to offer, call the nursery school office at 215 -886-7677. Better yet, schedule a tour and see why amazing things happen here! 13 Sunday Lectionary Readings April 2 Maundy Thursday Exodus 12:1–4 (5–10) 11–14 Communion Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 John 13:1–17, 31b–35 April 3 Good Friday Isaiah 52:13–53:12 Psalm 22:1–31 Hebrews 10:16–25 or Hebrews 4:14–16, 5:7–9 John 18:1–19:42 April 5 Resurrection of the Lord / Easter Acts 10:34–43 or Isaiah 25:6–9 Communion Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 or Acts 10:34–43 John 20:1–18 or Mark 16:1–8 April 12 Acts 4:32–35 Psalm 133 1 John 1:1–2:2 John 20:19–31 2nd Sunday of Easter April 19 Acts 3:12–19 Psalm 4 1 John 3:1–7 Luke 24:36b–48 3rd Sunday of Easter April 26 Acts 4:5–12 Psalm 23 1 John 3:16–24 John 10:11–18 4th Sunday of Easter James Thompson, Sr. was cared for at Abington Memorial Hospital. The Thompson triplets are now home with mom and dad, Scott and Terri Thompson. Continue to pray for Everett Robichaux. He has returned home and he continues to need special care. Grandmother, Sue Brooks, continues traveling to Georgia to assist with his care. Special anniversary wishes to Floss and Harry Gutekunst and Joan and Jim Haley. Floss and Harry Gutekunst will be celebrating 66 years of caring and sharing on April 2. Joan and Jim Haley will have 57 years of togetherness on April 26. 14 Carmel Memorial Library By Gail Warburton, Librarian GRAY MOUNTAIN: For John Grisham fans his latest book is about Samantha Kofer a third year associate at New York City's largest law firm. As a result of the 2008 recession, Samantha lost her job, her security, and her future. A week later she was working as an unpaid intern in a legal aid clinic deep in small town Appalachia. There, for the first time in her career, she was confronted with real clients with real problems. She also stumbled across secrets that should have remained buried deep in the mountains forever. (F Gr) BETRAYED: A Rosato and Associates Novel. Maverick lawyer Judy Carrier takes the lead in a case that's more personal than ever. When Iris, the housekeeper and best friend of Judy's beloved Aunt Barb, is found dead of an apparent heart attack, Judy suspects foul play. So she begins an investigation of Iris's death and finds herself plunged into a shadowy world of people who are so desperate that they cannot go to the police, and where others are so ruthless that they prey on vulnerability. Judy finds strength within herself to try to get justice for Iris and her aunt -- but it comes at a terrible price. By Lisa Scottoline. (F Sc) . ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE: A novel about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. Marie Laure lives with her father in Paris within walking distance of the Museum of Natural History where he works as the master of the locks. When she is six, she goes blind, and her father builds a perfect miniature of their neighborhood so she can memorize it by touch and navigate her way home. When she is twelve the Germans occupy Paris, father and daughter flee to SaintMalo where Marie-Laure's reclusive great-uncle lives in a tall house by the sea. In a mining town in Germany, an orphan boy, Werner, grows up with his younger sister, both enchanted by a crude radio they find. He becomes a master at building and fixing radios, a talent that wins him a place at an elite and brutal military academy and, ultimately, makes him a highly specialized tracker of the Resistance. Werner travels through the heart of Hitler Youth to the far-flung outskirts of Russia, and finally into Saint-Malo, where his path converges with Marie-Laure. By Anthony Doerr. (F Do) 15 The following two books by Elizabeth Berg were donated by Nancy Rose. TAPESTRY OF FORTUNES: An incredibly uplifting and life-affirming story… Berg explores the themes of change and personal reinvention with exquisite phrasing, sharply-focused attention to detail, and boundless joy and heart. (F Be) ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS YOU: Sharing nothing in common except their 16-year-old daughter, divorced parents John and Irene reconnect in the wake of a devastating tragedy and discover things about each other that they had not revealed during their marriage. (F Be) An additional two books donated by Nancy Rose. WILD: From lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail. A powerful, blazingly honest, inspiring memoir: the story of a 1,100 mile solo hike that broke down a young woman reeling from catastrophe --and built her back up again. By Cheryl Strayed. (813.6 St) WHEN IN DOUBT, ADD BUTTER: Dedicating herself to her culinary patrons, private chef Gemma Craig goes home every night to boxed cereals. An unexpected event compels a confronta- tion with the past-- and an unexpected romance. By Beth Harbison. (F Ha) Three James Patterson books donated by Linda MacFarland. PRIVATE DOWN UNDER: With the best detectives in the business, there is no investigation company quite like Private. Now, at a glittering launch party overlooking the iconic Opera House, Private Sydney and his newly formed team have barely raised their glasses, when a young Asian man, blood-soaked and bulletridden, staggers into the party, and what looks like a botched kidnapping turns out to be a whole lot more. (F Pa) SECOND HONEYMOON: FBI agent John O'Hara and Special Agent Sarah Brubaker hunt an ingenious pair of serial killers whose victims all have one chilling thing in common-they're newlyweds. (F Pa) GONE: A crime lord has declared war on America. Only Detective Michael Bennett knows why. A charismatic and ruthless leader, Michael Perrine slaughters rivals as effortlessly as he wears his trademark white linen suit. Detective Michael Bennett once managed to put Perrine behind bars. But now Perrine is out, and he has sworn to find and kill Bennett and everyone dear to him. (F Pa) 16 For Younger Readers MAX AND THE WON’T GO TO BED SHOW: Join Max and his dazzling show! But in the end, even great magicians need to go to sleep. He can make cookies disappear, make animals appear, and even tame savage beasts! Will he be able to accomplish the most difficult trick and put off bedtime? By Mark Sperring. (JF Sp) The Berenstain Bears “I Can Read Books” will provide young readers with valuable reading skills and guide your child’s spiritual development with biblical values. The following books are Level 1….Short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts for children eager to read on their own. By Stan and Jan Berenstain. (JF Be) By unknown donors MIGHTY MACHINES is a fascinating question and answer book about the most powerful and exciting machinery ever invented. Find out about different types of machines, from steam trains to space shuttles, dragsters to diggers, superbikes to submarines. By Adam Hibbert, Chris Oxlade, James Pickering. (j621.8 Hi) GOOD QUESTION! Did It All Start with a Snowball Fight? And other questions about the American Revolution. By Mary Kay Carson. (j973.3 Ca) When you receive this issue of the Courier Easter is just a few days away. So, if you haven’t already done so, come in and check out a few Easter books. DO NOT FEAR, GOD IS NEAR. GOD MADE THE SEASONS. .
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