Presbyterian Press
March 2015
A Publication of First Presbyterian
Church, Clarksburg WV
Palm Sunday,
this year, falls on
March 29, 2015.
Why do we call it Palm
Sunday?
“Palm branches are
mentioned in only one
of the four Gospels
(see John 12:12-15).
So why do we call the first day of Holy Week Palm
Sunday?
Schedule of Soup & Speakers
March 4, 2015
Soup: Bean
Speaker: Rev. Marybeth Chien, Duff St. Church
Special Music: Emily Aman
March 11, 2015
Soup: Chili
Speaker: Rev. Rick Sales, First United Methodist Church
Special Music: Elsa Davis and Dawn Woodburn
March 18, 2015
Soup: Chicken Rice
Speaker: Rev. David Hulme, Clarksburg Baptist Church
Special Music: Jeff and Megan Strange
March 25, 2015
Soup: White Chili
Speaker: Rev. John F. Koerner, First Presbyterian Church
Special Music: First Presby Bells
Tradition plays an important part in church history. During
the time of Jesus , Rome was the world’s leading power.
Whenever the Romans were victorious in battle, citizens
traditionally threw palm branches in the path of the
returning heroes.
This was the accepted custom of reception. So when Jesus
rode into Jerusalem, it was appropriate that he receive a
hero’s welcome. One week later, he would be victorious
over death.”
Published in: Newsletter Newsletter in March 2008
On Palm Sunday will be the Music Department’s breakfast
and Canata, as well as the Lenten Happening. The Lenten
Happening will be following the worship service and will
include lunch, an Easter egg hunt and crafts!
April 1, 2015
Soup: Italian Tomato
Speaker: Rev. Rahsann Armand, Mt. Zion Baptist
Special Music: Jim Harris
Join us for a lovely lunch and brief service each
Wednesday during Lent. See you There!
In This Issue…
John’s Jottings
pg. 3
Session Notes
pg. 4
Gainer Anniversary
pg. 5
Schedule of Volunteers
pg. 6
Sunday
Worship
Church
School
9:30 a.m.
Worship
10:45 a.m.
Fun Fridays
Join us Friday, March 13, 2015 to celebrate faith,
family and fellowship together.
Pizza Dinner - 5:30 to 6:00
Craft Project - 6:00 to 6:20
Lesson & Activity - 6:20 to 6:40
Games - 6:40 to 7:00
(featuring Minute to Win It and Gooey & Gross!)
Fellowship - 7 to 7:30
Office Hours
Worship in March
Monday - Friday
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
MAR 1: 2ND SUNDAY IN LENT - SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
SCRIPTURES: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 *Luke 6:12-19
SERMON TITLE: “The Way of the Cross”
THEME: Each year during Lent we are confronted with the question, “Why
did Jesus have to die?” One answer is that he was not willing to ask anything
of his followers that he was not willing to do first himself.
MAR 8: 3RD SUNDAY IN LENT
SCRIPTURES: *Exodus 20:1-17 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
SERMON TITLE: “Because I Said So”
THEME: Little children don’t want to be told what to do. They are always asking,
“why?” For adults the feeling of not wanting to be commanded is even stronger.
We ask, “Why did it have to be Ten Commandments? Why couldn’t it have been
the Ten Suggestions or the Ten Voluntary Initiatives?” Our Heavenly Father is not
trying to take the fun out of our lives, God is protecting and guiding us.
MAR15:4TH SUNDAY IN LENT
SCRIPTURES: Numbers 21:4-9 *John 3:14-21
SERMON TITLE: “Not to Condemn the World, but to Save It”
THEME: This passage contains the heart of the gospel. Jesus came not to
condemn us, but to save us. If Jesus does not condemn us, then we can stop
condemning ourselves. If Jesus does not condemn us, how can we condemn
someone else?
MAR22:5TH SUNDAY IN LENT
SCRIPTURE: *Jeremiah 31:31-34 John 12:20-36
SERMON TITLE: “God Declared a Mulligan”
THEME: In informal golf, a “mulligan” is what you do when you mess up so
badly on a hole, that you just go back to the tee and start again. In
professional golf there are no mulligans. Fortunately, God has declared a
new covenant in our lives, a mulligan, or do-over if you will. In Christ we
are forgiven and get to start over fresh.
MAR29:PASSION/PALM SUNDAY
Church Staff
P ASTOR
Rev. John F. Koerner
209 Ohio Avenue
Nutter Fort, WV 26301
Phone: 304-534-2324
[email protected]
SESSION
Beckie Alvaro, Clerk
Mary Beth Paletta, Asst. Clerk
PARISH ASSOCIATE
Rev. Charla Waters Koerner
CHURCH SECRETARY
Sara Hatcher Jones
[email protected]
OFFICE VOLUNTEER
Kathleen Berry
[email protected]
E DUCATION C OORDINATOR
Terra M. Burnett
[email protected]
MINISTER OF MUSIC
Marjorie Faris
ORGANIST
Mary Kay Devono
CHURCH TREASURERS
Wayne J. Northey / Bill Pulling
Richard Riddle / Dave Allman
MUSIC DEPT. CHORAL CANTATA
Activities & Meetings
Phone: 304-622-6831
Fax: 304-623-1611
Web: www.clarksburgfpc.org
(* Indicates main scripture referenced in sermon.)
SEXTON
Gary Scheuvront
DEACONS – Tuesday, March 10 at 5:30 pm
TRUSTEES – Tuesday, March 17 at Noon
SESSION – Tuesday, March 17 at 5:30 pm
C.E. COMMITTEE – Monday, March 9 at 7:00 pm
WORSHIP & MUSIC – Tuesday, March 10 at 4:00 pm
PRAYER GROUP – Monday at 10:30 am
P.W. BOARD – Monday, March 2 at Noon
BIBLE STUDY – Wednesday evening at 6:30 (Social 6:00)
Book Group – Monday, March 16 at 3:30 pm
COMFORT MAKERS – Wednesday, March 25 at 3 pm
NURSERY ATTENDANT
Isabella Keller
NET CASH FLOW - JAN
2014
2015
INCOME
37,836
11,500.29
EXPENSES
33,247
15,792.61
NET INCOME
-4,589
-4,292.32
Pastor John’s Jottings . . .
(Jesus said,) “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my
family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Those who are young and in good health probably don’t even notice the number of steps into and out of
various parts of our church building. As we get older that changes, steps become more and more of a challenge.
This is especially true for those who are confined to a wheelchair - young or old. For some years we have been
looking into getting an elevator, but the cost ($250,000) is prohibitive. Plus an elevator would require major
changes to the building’s structure.
In the meantime, we have installed chairlifts on the stairs. These have been a great help to a number of our
members, friends, and guests. Still, these chairlifts do not help someone who is confined to a wheelchair. That
is especially true for those who use a motorized chair.
Lately it has been brought to our attention that for a much more modest cost than an elevator we could get a
platform lift for our front stairs. As you can see from the pictures below, this would accommodate someone in
a wheelchair and it has a fold down seat for someone who has trouble with stairs, but is not in a wheelchair.
The platform is 31 ½ x 49 1/4 inches and has a rated load of up to 495 pounds. That is big enough for
most motorized scooters or wheel chairs. (It might not accommodate someone who weighed over 300 pounds
on a heavy scooter). This platform would be on the steps by the office and would access from street level to
Westminister Hall and the Sanctuary level. It will be possible for us to install an additional lift to the parlor
level at some future date. The first estimate we received for the installed XPRESS II system from Garaventa
Lift is $23, 216.00.
We will continue to investigate possibilities and obtain other estimates. In the meantime, the session has
opened a special fund for this project. Anyone wishing to make a contribution to this fund is encouraged to do
so. Simply mark your donation, “Platform wheelchair lift” and send it to the office or put it in the collection
plate. We will keep careful track of the donations and evaluate our progress toward the $23,216 at the end of
one year. If significant process has not be made, the contributions will not be stuck in a dead end fund. They
could be returned to the donors or designated by the donors for other uses.
Hope and Confidence,
Pastor John
First Presbyterian Church
Session Highlights
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
5:30 p.m.
-Update on providing office space for intake coordinator for Homes for Harrison. The office is ready and as soon as we get
an agreement with them drawn up and signed, Stephanie Sumpter will be able to start working out of this office.
-We have received and accepted an offer to build a book shelve /display case for Scottish Heritage books and memorabilia.
It is going to be beautiful and a lasting asset to our church.
-Request from LongValley Presbyterian Church, N.J. to do a sleepover on Saturday night, July 11th. There will be about 40 in
the group. They are heading to Seth, WV. They will be arriving about 6 p.m on the 11th and leaving about 8:30 a.m. on the 12th.
-Approved starting a special fund to install a platform lift on our stairs. This lift would be able to carry someone in a wheel
chair up the stairs. Total cost of the project is $23, 216.00.
-Scheduled work camps include:
-Hopewell, N.J. July 12-17
-June 21 -27
-We will honor graduating seniors this year on April 26
-VBS this year will be July 5-9
Goals for 2015
1. Increase our efforts to let the community know about our service programs by creating a publicity team to notify the media
of each program.
2. Coordinate with the Clarksburg Mission to provide activities for youth four times
in the next year.
3. Offer a tutoring service once per week, to be evaluated for participation and effectiveness in 12 weeks.
4. Host a health fair, perhaps in conjunction with the Fall Festival.
5. Increase average attendance for Sunday morning worship by at least 5%.
Pastor’s Report:
Hospital Visits: 0
Other significant Pastoral visits:19
Baptisms: none
Wedding: none
Funerals:
None
Sacrament of Communion: Was celebrated on February 1. Deacons report 65 served.
Home Communion was served in February to 2 individuals at Maplewood with the help of Elders Wayne and Harriett
Northy and in the home to 6 more with the help of Elder Connie Leuiette.
Pastor’s Discretionary Fund 2015
MONTH
# OF REQUESTS
January
14
TOTALS
#COMPLETED
12
AMT PLEDGED
773.95
$773.95
AMT DISBURSED
663.95
$663.95
On Behalf of
Hugh and Michael Ann Gainer
CHILDREN’S MOMENTS
Mar 1 Mar 8 Mar15 Mar22 -
Dawn Woodburn
Mary Beth Paletta
Mary Beth Paletta
Mary Beth Paletta
WORSHIP LEADER
Mar 1 Mar 8 Mar15 Mar22 -
Suzi Heger
Jeff Mitchell
Virginia Delawder
Anthony Paletta
On March 14, 1965 the Rev. Samuel Glass united
Hugh and Michael Ann Gainer in marriage. Please
come and celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary
with us Saturday, March 14, 2015 from 4:00 pm
to 8:00 pm at the Best Western Plus on Lodgeville
Road in Bridgeport, WV.
Please RSVP by March 10 to 304-842-2044
The only presents we want, is your presence.
ELDER GREETERS
Mar 1 Mar 8 Mar15 Mar22 Mar29 -
Dick Ogden
Jenna Bennett
Diane Keller
David Allman
Susan Tustin
DEACON GREETERS
Mar 1 Mar 8 Mar15 Mar22 Mar29 -
Judy McQuaid/Dottie Rinehart
Harriett Northey
Beth Allen
Sandi and Courtney Nuzum
Ashley and Chad Montgomery
Newsletter Deadline is
Thursday, March 19
ACOLYTES
Mar 1 - Madison Stout; Isabella and
Rebekah Rinehart
Mar 8 - Edna Merriott
Danielle Rinehart
Mar15 - Zach Keller; Matthew Strange
Anthony Corsini
Mar22 - Cassie Delawder
Megan Strange
Mar29 - Ashleigh Burnett
Abby Schorr
Start your week with prayer
We invite you to join us on Monday mornings at 10:30 a.m. in the parlor for
prayer. Our group is informal, relaxed and friendly. We voice our praises,
requests for healing and comfort, concerns for church, community and the
world. Please join us for prayer any Monday morning. There is no better way to
start your week!
Wednesday Night Bible Study
Dates still available for this
month and next:
Mar 1st & 8th
Join us for Wednesday Night Bible Study with Pastor John.
We gather at 6 pm for social time, then the lesson begins at 6:30.
We are currently studying the Book of Acts.
IN OUR THOUGHTS
& PRAYERS...
IN SPECIAL CARE FACILITIES:
Amy Garrett; Rex Kuhens; Roberta Davis
SPECIAL CONCERNS:
2 - Nanette Lafferty
2 - Kay Devono
2 - Radetta McQuaid
5 - Jeff Northey
7 - Connie Leuliette
8 - Hank Lawrence
14 - Ralph Graves
14 - Sancie Smallwood
17 - Rev. Susan McGhee
BERRY, Kathleen ***
CANTARELLI, Helen ***
DUDLEY, Brian **
GOODWIN, Fred ***
HOOD, Robbie ***
KAUFMAN, Lisa *
KING, Joyce *
LAWRENCE, Audrey *
MOORE, Family **
MORRIS, Barbie*
OGDEN, Sally ***
PACK, Glenna & Christian *
PARKER, Bea **
RORICK, Kate **
ROSENSTEELE, Dan *
RUDD, Dianne ***
SHIFFRA, Everett ***
SHIFFRA, Donna ***
WARNE, Jerry ***
WETZEL, Jennifer **
** Barbie Morris is not Barbara Morris**
***REMINDER: Names with 3 asterisks will be taken off the list
the following month unless someone calls to put them back on. To
place someone on the list please call the church office or email Sara
at [email protected]. Thank you for your help!
19 - Dakota Sabo
21 - Guy Davis
21 - Missie Kaull
21 - Kim Sabo
22 - Mark Alvaro
22 - Casey Nuzum
23 - Casey King
23 - Jim McQuaid
26 - Barbara Morris
26 - Joel Sabo
30 - Jane Simmerman
(Call the Church Office and let us know when your
birthday is so we can add it to the list!)
GOOD ST. PATRICK
On March 17, many churches, especially those with a large Irish
population, will celebrate the life of St. Patrick. He grew up in a
Christian home in Britain, but wasn’t very religous until a major event
changed his life. As a teen, he was captured and sold into slavery in
Ireland, but escaped to Gaul(France) after six years. The years of
enslavement strengthened his faith. He later wrote, “In that strange
land(Ireland), the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes.” He was led by
God’s voice to return to Ireland where he converted people to
Christianity tribe by tribe.
Because Ireland is called the Emerald Isle, those who celebrate St.
Patrick’s Day will wear something green. Some Christians will even
color food or drink green. Many Christians will also eat corned beef
and cabbage and decorate tables with shamrocks. Shamrocks are
actually three-leaf (not four-leaf) clover plants. Legend has it that St.
Patrick used the three leaves to teach about the Holy Trinity: Father,
Son and Holy Spirit.
Published in Newsletter Newsletter in March 2007