12 Church Road, Carlisle, PA 17015 717-776-3461 www.dickinsonchurch.org [email protected] October 2014 Inside this edition: Kids of the Kingdom PW, Fall Fun Night pg. 2 Adult SS, Bible Study pg. 3 Stewardship, Presbyterian Men, Gleaning pg. 4 Bluegrass, Ways to love, Youth Group pg. 5 Church Family Praise pg. 6 Three Peas in a Pod pg. 7 Hunger in Honduras pg. 8 Session pg. 9 Volunteers pg. 12 Calendar pg. 11 The Reverend Jeanette E. Mater Pastor Carol Walter Administrative Assistant Michele Noyes Sexton Office Hours Closed Monday Tuesday Friday 8:00 -1:00 November newsletter info Due by October 17 Thank you. Dickinson Doings Dickinson Presbyterian Church Led by the Holy Spirit , Growing Christ’s Church Deep and Wide Dear Friends in Christ Jesus, I was reading a church newsletter when I noticed an article entitled “God’s Work, Our Hands.” That’s it, isn’t it? That’s what we are all about. We pray, we hope, we desire to let God use our hands to do the work which God is certainly already doing through the power of the Holy Spirit. God is always preparing and leading the way for us to use our hands in service to Jesus Christ. As stewards we give our precious gift of time. We give a variety of talents; working on buildings and grounds, singing or bell ringing in choir, teaching, visiting, mission in the garden. We raise money for our kids to go to camp, and serve on teams or church boards. We also give out of our financial resources. We give our money - our treasure. God has blessed us so that we can be a blessing. When we open our hands as stewards of God’s mysteries, (I Corinthians 4:1), we pray that God’s grace will be known and God’s name will be praised. To God be the glory. As you reflect on your stewardship of time, talents and treasure consider this story written by John Van Nuys. The session has not asked us to fill out any pledge cards, yet this story challenges us to make our own financial commitment, and to strive to fulfill it. It is always our prayer that God will show us the joy of giving in Christ’s name: “Last Sunday after worship, an usher handed me a pledge card to pass along to our stewardship chair. I was about to routinely file it in her mailbox when I noticed the handwriting. I immediately got a lump in my throat. The pledge card was from a child. The scrawled name read “Tyler Brunty.” Tyler is a bright-eyed eight-year-old who loves baseball and singing in our youth choir. Then the lump in my throat got bigger and several tears welled up when I saw that Tyler had pledged to give to God through the church one dollar per week. I called his folks Sunday evening to ask them if they knew about this. Tyler’s mom, Jennifer, said, “Oh, yes. Tyler asked us to please get him a pledge card.” His parents explained to Tyler that their giving as a family included Tyler; that Tyler’s gift was already a part of their pledge. Tyler replied: “I know that you give for us, but I want to give God something from me. I don’t give anything now, but if I do next year, just think of all the good things God will do through my gift! That is why I want to pledge.” Jennifer said, “On the way home after church, Tyler kept talking and talking about his pledge, asking his dad and me about the chores he could do to earn his dollar a week to give to God.” Hearing this story Sunday night completely humbled me—and encouraged me.” May we also be humbled and encouraged. Pastor Jeanette Presbyterian Women October 21st 6:30 pm Calling all women, it is that time of the year again! We will be meeting in the church parking lot at 6:30 pm to car pool to our shut-ins. Our shut-ins are so appreciative when they get visits from members of the church. To see a smiling face standing at their door lets them know that they are not alone and there is someone who is thinking about them. Come, be a part of this fulfilling evening! Not only will the shut-ins be smiling, but so will you. :-) Fall Fun Night Fall Fun Night is planned for Saturday October 25, at 6:00 pm at the Parish Hall. There will be a bonfire for roasting hot dogs and making mountain pies, and a hay ride at 7:00 pm. There will be guessing games and a PUMPKIN JUDGING CONTEST. If you want to participate bring your pumpkin all ready to be judged. They can be painted, carved, dressed up - be creative! When we return from the hayride we will have s’mores and hot chocolate. Come out and join us for the fun! Kids of the Kingdom It’s time to praise God together! All kids age 4 – 11 are invited to be a part of the fellowship and singing of Kids of the Kingdom. Choir will be meeting from 6:15 to 7 PM on Tuesday evenings beginning on October 21st. You don’t have to be Super-singer! Just come to “make a joyful noise to the Lord,” (Psalm 100) Giant Gift Cards The Christmas season is approaching. Are you looking for a gift for the person who has everything? Are you planning a Christmas Party? Or do you need a little thank you gift for someone who has done a service for you? Even if you haven’t started to think about Christmas remember we have Giant Gift cards available for you. Buying the gift cards helps earn money for the church. Denominations are $25, $50, $100. If you would like to purchase a card or two, please see Cheri Way 2 Adult Sunday School - Animate Faith: Those who enjoyed the animate Bible series will again enjoy these brief videos followed by intriguing questions for all to discuss. Don’t put off your Christian education – Join us! October 5 - Salvation | Abundant Life Now | Shane Hipps: The cross of Christ stands as a symbol of God’s saving work. But what, exactly, does it mean to be saved? From what? For what? Is salvation a reward we claim at death or something meant to change our lives right now? For Shane Hipps, these are the questions we need to answer if we are to truly receive the release that comes with salvation in the here and now. October 12 - Cross | Where God Is | Nadia Bolz-Weber: The cross sits at the center of our faith, and yet our understanding of what exactly happened on that cross remains conflicted and confusing. Was Jesus our proxy? The payment? The only way to appease an angry God? Nadia Bolz-Weber reminds us that our theories about the cross tell us as much about ourselves and our view of God as they do about Jesus and October 19 - Bible | A Book Like No Other| Lauren Winner: Why read the Bible? For Lauren, an avid reader, there remains something odd about the way Christians read the Bible. Why do we keep turning to the same stories in search of some new revelation? What is it about the Bible that makes it worth repeated reading? What gets in our way as we read the Bible and try to make sense of it? These are issues the church has wrestled with for centuries and yet we keep at it. We keep coming back to this book and its strange narrative full of plagues and miracles and destruction and rebirth. So why do we do it? October 26 - Church| An Imperfect Family | Bruce Reyes-Chow: Bruce Reyes-Chow suggests we take our changing notions about what it means to be a family and let them seep into our understanding of the church. For Bruce, it’s the messiness, the dysfunction, and the joy that comes from complex relationships that make church worth hanging on to. So how do we stay connected to this sometimes-broken family system? What does it mean to commit ourselves to the church family, for better or for worse? GALATIANS Written: @50 AD ~ Author: Paul, the apostle Tim Keller begins his commentary on the book of Galatians with these words, “The book of Galatians is dynamite. It is an explosion of joy and freedom which leaves us enjoying a deep significance, security and satisfaction…” This is the joy and freedom of the gospel! It is the focus of the book of Galatians which we are now studying at Tuesday morning and evening Bible Study. We have already met twice and will resume our study on October 6th - 7 pm and 7th - 9 am.(This Monday meeting is only for October 6th due to the Pastor’s schedule) If you have not been a part of Bible Study – please consider joining us. No one knows too little or too much to be a part of the class. We appreciate the faith journey of each person who comes to the table. 3 Uh-oh – Is it Stewardship time again? What is a steward and what are we really the stewards of? On Sunday, September 14th Pastor Jeanette began a sermon series based on lectionary readings and entitled: “Stewards of the mysteries of God” I Corinthians 4:1 “Think of us as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.” Don’t miss these opportunities to think about your faith, and your stewardship. God is still speaking to us! September 14 – Stewards of Forgiveness “Forgive us our debts as…..” Matthew 18:21-25 September 28 – Stewards of the Way “Final Answer?” Matthew 21:23-32 October 5 – Stewards of the Power “Christ is bigger than Jesus” Philippians 3:4b-12 October 12 – Stewards of Peace “Beyond All Understanding” Philippians 4:1-9 October 19 – Stewards of what is God’s “Leftovers?” Matthew 22:15-22 October 26 – Stewards of Caring “Lessons of a Nursing Mother” I Thessalonians 2:1-8 Gleaning Saturday, October 18 Presbyterian Men The Presbyterian men will start holding their men’s breakfast for the year on Sunday October 5 at 8 :00 am. All men are invited to join us for breakfast and a time of fellowship. Hope to see you there! The caring farmers in the area allow Project Share to glean from the crops. If you would like to help with gleaning please meet at 8:30 am in the Project Share parking lot. This is an opportunity for you to help those who are in need and will benefit from the loving work of you hands. 4 Walter Crider and The Old Time Way Sunday, October 19 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm If you’ve missed our bluegrass concerts on the lawn here is an opportunity for you. Come join us for a night of music and fellowship in the Parish Hall. Walt Crider and The Old Time Way will be here to entertain us with an evening of bluegrass gospel and family music. There will be no admission for this concert. Donations to the band will be accepted. 10 ways to love Listen without interrupting – Proverbs 18:13 Speak without accusing – James 1:19 Give without sparing – Proverbs 21:26 Pray without ceasing – Colossians 1:9 Answer without arguing – Proverbs 17:1 Share without pretending – Eph. 4:15 Enjoy without complaint – Phil. 2:14 Trust without wavering – I Cor. 13:7 Forgive without punishing – Colossians 3:13 Promise without forgetting – Proverbs 13:12 Join us for a beautiful night hanging out by the bonfire here at Dickinson. We will host the Fall Fun Night for the Youth Group, which begins with a pot luck dinner, ends with s’mores and is filled with fellowship (and manhunt for the kids) in between. We ask that all youth group parents and families please plan on attending. Fall Fun Night runs from 6 PM until 9 PM. 5 Survey Results Thank you to all who took the time to share their thoughts on the experience of Church Family Praise. We had a total of 20 surveys returned to us and received a positive response from 16 out of the 20 surveys. Most who feel that this type of worship is not their style, nevertheless have agreed that if many others appreciate periodic opportunities for Church Family Praise, they will accommodate their fellow members. With this information in hand, the session decided to conduct our fourth Church Family Praise service on Nov. 2nd, All Saints Sunday. In addition the session has agreed to offer Church Family Praise Sunday five times in 2015. d Me e r i p s In Church Family Praise November 2, 2014 All Saints Sunday Guid ed M e Who has been important in your faith journey? Who has helped point you toward a relationship with God? Who has modeled the life of faith for you? None of us are alone on the journey of faith. Each of us has people we can point to who have inspired us, guided us, and shown us God’s love and grace. Someone once said that faith is not taught – it is caught! On All Saints Sunday we will give thanks and be remembering these “saints” of God who have touched our lives. WHO HAS BEEN OR CONTINUES TO BE AN IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR FAITH JOURNEY? Do you have a photo of one who has been such a witness to you? Maybe it has been a teacher, a parent, a coach, a grandparent, a pastor or a friend...it can be someone who is a living saint or someone who is now a heavenly saint! We would like to gather photos of these important people. PLEASE SHARE YOUR PHOTO WITH US! We would like to share our thankfulness together in worship. We will create a video of the saints of our lives. Share a sentence or two about this person. Submit your photo no later than OCTOBER 20th. Bring it to the church office or send it by email to [email protected]. Help us to make our worship especially meaningful as we gather in gratitude for the saints of God who have blessed our lives. 6 Three Peas in a Pod a community garden project at Dickinson Presbyterian Church PRODUCE PREPARE PRESERVE Last fall our Adult Sunday School class studied “Food Issues in the 21st century.” The problems with hunger and nutritious foods right in our own area were disheartening. A class discussion raised the possibility of a community garden at DPC. It wasn’t the first time we had floated the idea. This time the Holy Spirit moved us into step by step action, and the garden is now a reality and a blessing! Do you know the history of our garden? First we recruited two coordinators, who themselves were skilled and experienced gardeners. Lindsey Bradshaw and Scott Penner were called to be our leaders for this new ministry venture. Next we formed a Task Force to focus some expectations and goals. By now it was February and we went to the Big Spring Food Bank distribution day to spread the news about “Three Peas in a Pod”, inviting people there to join us in learning and working to produce the vegetables we all need for nourishment and health. Some folks then came to a homemade soup supper at our church and five families joined us as participants. Our own congregation committed mission funds for the garden and so did our Presbytery. We have been very grateful for the grant we received from the Creative Ministry Fund managed by SOCC which has made this garden the Presbytery of Carlisle’s garden too. At “Three Peas in a Pod” each participant has worked to plant our raised beds, install our irrigation system, and maintain and harvest with us. Everyone has committed about 2 hours each week to the garden. The harvest has included lettuce, peas, green beans and wax beans, broccoli, cabbage, onions, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, red beets, cucumbers, eggplant, cantaloupe, and herbs. In addition, we have canned beets, pickles and relish, and made tomato sauce too! Soon the lima beans will be ready, the potatoes will be raised and the sweet potatoes too. Delicious! And just as wonderful has been the friendship developing between the participants and us. Stories have been shared and prayers offered one participant and her grandson enjoyed our church outdoor worship and picnic too. Now the Task Force is back to evaluate the garden and plan for the future. If you are interested in this exciting ministry, please speak with one of our leaders, and join us for the next meeting. DPC is privileged to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ in this new ministry. We are thankful to work in God’s garden, known here as “Three Peas in a Pod!” Note: Three Peas in a Pod was featured in the “Connection” Carlisle Presbytery e-news. “You are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.” I Corinthians 12:27 “Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion is to look out to the world; yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; yours are the hands with which God is to bless people now.” --Teresa of Avila 7 Hunger in Honduras Mark Wright, a missionary in Honduras, wrote a letter about the drought in Honduras which was affecting the food supply. He asked for help. The cry of help was heard and the loving congregation that you are, came to the rescue. The Connection Ministry Team took $400 out their Discretionary Mission and asked the congregation to add to it. $238 was collected, so we sent a total of $638 to help. During the Intergenerational Sunday School on September 7th, children and adults wrote prayers for the people of Honduras. Here are those prayers: Evan prays for your corn crops. I pray for you to get rain and food. Prayers for rain to come and for enough food to be provided. May God bless you and keep you! We are thinking of the people who are without food. We are praying for rain and hope that it will be soon. As you wait, remember God loves you. We pray that you are fed through God’s spirit and that he blesses you! You are all God’s children and he loves you. We are praying for you and believe God will provide for your needs. I hope your food grows. Pray for rain. I hope you get corn soon. I pray for you guys to get rain and I will also pray for you guys to not lose faith even in this time in great need just remember the Lord will guide you through this. Don’t forget to pray and I will definitely keep you all in my prayers. May the Lord give you hope and encouragement during this difficult time. We are thinking and praying for you. Dear People: I am sorry for your loss. Pray to Jesus and he is always with you. Just believe he will never leave you or forsake you. I pray that you have rain and food and so you do not go hungry. Amen. Marissa is praying for a rain. We hope that you keep your faith and get rain and food. I hope you recover from the drought. Honduras Hunger Appeal - Presbytery Update Our Presbytery has received and wired $5,500 in donations thus far. Our donation is a part of this. This money is being used by the Presbytery there to purchase packets of food in the city, and distribute them though the Presbyterian Churches in the rural communities. As more funds are available, there is a need to supplement next year’s supply of seeds in the rural areas, since the drought in their area has destroyed the most recent crop. Latest update: The offering for Honduras Food Aid at the September 23 Presbytery meeting was $1,196. 8 September 25, 2014 Session Meeting The Session met in the Christian Education Building beginning at 7 PM. The next called meeting of the Session is scheduled for October 23, 2014 beginning at 7 PM, in the Christian Education Building. Copies of all Session Minutes can be obtained through the Church Office. Action Taken by the Session 1. The Session approved use of the memorial gift given in memory of Lloyd Hair to be used to replace the north sidewalk leading into the Sanctuary, with the remaining funds to be used for future music and children’s programming. Pastor’s Report… Rev. Mater requested future vacation and Spiritual Renewal Days. The Session granted this request. Rev. Mater reported on her communications with members who are not regularly attending church. Rev. Mater reported on the Confirmation Class and requested a meeting to examine the students. 2. The Session approved one more Family Praise Service for 2014 and five services for 2015. 3. The Session approved installing snow breakers on the south side of the Sanctuary. 4. The Session approved the replacement of the north sidewalk with a new, wider concrete sidewalk. What are our Ministry Teams Doing? The Connection Ministry Team is looking into hosting next year a traveling church camp from Camp Krislund. The Dickinson Resource Team has prepared numerous maintenance and property projects that need to be addressed. The Spiritual Growth Team reported on their review of the Church Family Praise surveys, which were overwhelmingly positive. 5. The Session approved temporarily removing a panel of the cemetery fence (in the southwest corner) to provide access. Carol Walter shared the financial report with the Session. Carol Walter shared that operating income is just under $6000 behind budget. She also noted expenses appear to be pretty close to what was budgeted. The church is currently about $6000 income above expenses. A $5000 gift was given to the Cemetery Fund in memory of Mary Kelso. Income as of 7/31/14 Expenses as of 7/31/14 Endowments as of 7/31/14 $102,903 $96,443 $286,362 9 1 2 3 4 6 8 9 13 14 20 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 31 OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS OCTOBER ACOLYTES Evelyn Reese Dick Dunham Deb Ege Kristin King Jane Eberts Lois Hoch Dr. Marvin Randolph Carrie Orndorff Jeanette Mater Kelly Roberts Janet Houston Emily Conaway Haley Lenker Ed Franklin Charlotte Raymond Ed Bourne, Jr. Cletus Benjamin Joseph Ege 5 12 19 26 OCTOBER SOUND TECHNICIAN 5 12 19 26 5 Tim and Carol Walter in memory of Gwen Trafford 12 Celebration of Brit and Jayce 19 Andy Green in memory of Elinor and Joseph Green 26 The Heusner’s in honor of Charlotte Raymond’s Birthday Charlynn and Terry McCleary OCTOBER NURSERY CARE SCHEDULE 5 12 19 26 OCTOBER GREETERS & USHERS 5 12 19 26 Carl and Bonnie Davis/Mattea Penner Carl and Bonnie Davis/ Haley Lenker Dave and Cheri Way/Alexis Conaway Dave and Cheri Way/Ava Orndorff Audrey Coulson/Carrie Orndorff Charity Franklin/Joan Bream Brittany Marol/Alyse McDowell Autumn Weist/Emily Conaway OCTOBER COFFEE FELLOWSHIP 5 12 19 26 OCTOBER WORSHIP ASSISTANTS 5 12 19 26 Joe McDowell Jackson Penner Alyssa Bourne Ed Bourne, Sr. OCTOBER ALTAR FLOWERS OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES 5 Mattea Penner Haley Lenker Alexis Conaway Ava Orndorff Scott Penner Kevin Mater Cheri Way Dick Dunham Linda Smith Cara Rhone Heather Lenker Elizabeth Richwine Reminder! If you are unable to fill your position, please find a replacement and inform the church office of the change. Thank you! 10 DICKINSON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – October 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 1 2 Sat 3 7:00 pm - Choir Practice 5 6 World Communion 9:15 am - Sunday 7: 00 pm - Bible School Study- Galatians 10:30 am - Worship with Holy Communion 11:30 am Nominating Committee 12 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Worship Pastor Jeanette on Study leave till the 16th 20 7:00 pm - SGT 26 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Worship 6:00 pm - Youth Fall Fun 8 9: 00 am - Bible Study - Galatians 7:00 pm - Choir Practice 6:00 pm Gardening at 3 Peas in a Pod 7:00 pm - Bell Choir 13 19 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 11:30 am Congregational Meeting Noon - Deacons 7:00 pm - Walt Crider and the Old Time Way concert 7 14 6:00 pm Gardening at 3 Peas in a Pod 7:00 pm - Bell Choir 11 9:00 am Gardening at 3 Peas in a Pod 16 7:00 pm - Choir Practice 17 18 NEWSLETTER 8:30 am DEADLINE Gleaning 22 28 10 7:00 pm - DRT 9: 00 am - Bible 7:00 pm - Choir Study - Galatians Practice 6:15 pm - Kids of the Kingdome 6:30 pm - PW visiting Shut-ins 7:00 pm - Bells 7: 00 pm - Bible Study- Galatians 27 9 15 21 4 9:00 am Garden 2:00 pm Wedding of Brittany Klinger and Jayce Marol 23 6:00 pm Church Fall Fun Night— Pumpkin Contest, Hayride 7:00 pm Session 29 25 24 30 31 9: 00 am - Bible Study - Galatians 7:00 pm - Choir 6:15 pm - Kids of Practice the Kingdome 7:00 pm - Bells 7: 00 pm - Bible Study- Galatians Did you know that this is a copy of the calendar you can find online at our website? The online calendar also includes details and maps to offsite events: http://www.dickinsonchurch.org/calendar.html 11 Dickinson Presbyterian Church 12 Church Road Carlisle, PA 17015 717-776-3461 “The friendly church in the country” 12
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