The Highlander - Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney · 2019-01-07 · The Highlander Our February...
Transcript of The Highlander - Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney · 2019-01-07 · The Highlander Our February...
2014 Pastor’s
Report
Page
2
2015
Per Capita
Page
3
February’s
PRAY Project
Page
4
Worship &
Music
Page
5
Fellowship
& More
Page
6
Mission
Committee
Page
7
Education
& Discipleship
Page
8
January 2015
Calendar
Page
9
Mission
& Outreach
Page
10
Volunteer
Schedule
Page
11
Groundhog
Day 2015
Page
12
The Newsletter of The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney - 106 E. Union St., Punxsutawney, PA 15767
The Highlander February
2015
Mark Your
Calendars
February 1st
Souper Bowl of
Caring Sunday
February 18th
Ash Wednesday
Service
7:00 p.m.
2015 Annual Wednesday Night Lenten Dinners & Class
A Service of Ashes
and the Celebration of
the Lord’s Supper
Wednesday, February 18th
at 7:00 p.m.
Join us in the sanctuary on Wednesday, February 18th at 7:00
p.m. for the start of the Season of Lent, and a
Service of Ashes and the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Finding Jesus:
The Gospel Showing
Up in Some Funny Places
Wednesdays in Lent
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday The Story of
February 25th Grilled Cheesus
March 4th Gladys Hardy &
The Ellen Show
March 11th 24 Hours of Christian
Television
March 18th A fire in Oklahoma
March 25th Idaho’s Next Governor
Read the news, watch TV, surf the web and
you’ll discover that the Gospel shows up in
some pretty funny places. Join us for a hot
and homemade meal served at 5:30 p.m.
and then a light-hearted look at some of the
places where Jesus “appears”, and what it
might mean when Jesus shows up in some
funny places. Classes will begin with a time
of prayer & scripture.
Pastor’s Report Reprinted from January 11th’s Annual Congregational Meeting
All I want to say about 2014 is THANK YOU
THANK YOU for serving well over 7,500 hours of service to the glory of God and the benefit of
our church, our community, and ourselves. It was an inspiring act of faith and generosity to see
the hours pile up and hear stories of all the ways you served in 2014.
THANK YOU for all the volunteers of the church who give and give in every season, and in every
circumstance. From the current and past officers who go out to serve Homebound Communion
four times a year, to the Sunday School teachers both children and adult, to the different
ministry teams that give of their time, talent, and treasure to make sure this church and its
people are well cared for, we have wonderful members and friends that make up this family of
faith. To put this giving spirit in real numbers, on an average Sunday we have over 20 members
and friends who give to make our worship service happen. Let that sink in. Choir Members,
Staff, Ushers, Screen & Sound Techs, Nursery Attendants, Liturgists, Acolytes, Property team
members who come to turn the heater on, a few more folks if we are celebrating the Lord’s
Supper, and a handful more still if the Bell Choir is playing. Thanks be to God for our generous
members and friends!
THANK YOU for making this church a focus of your giving. 2014 saw a Season of Stewardship
where members of this church prayerfully discerned their partnership with our congregation,
and they believed enough in our mission and vision that they gave of their possessions and
resources. This should never be anything that we disrespect or make light of. What you have
enabled this congregation to do is incredible, and it is my prayer that each and every day we
show ourselves to be worthy of the trust our givers have showed us.
THANK YOU for all the opportunities to celebrate the goodness of God and the wonderful gifts
of family and fellowship, I give great thanks. We went to ballgames both major and minor
league. We ate meals together in fellowship, and we rejoiced in the baptism of beautiful babies.
With heavy hearts we celebrated the well lived lives of a number of Saints for whom the race
has been run. We celebrated communion together, we celebrated the gifts of Commitment
Sunday, and when you add Saturday Friends Out, Marriage Seminar, and the meals you take
together as friends and family, we’ve been celebrating one way or another all year long.
Lastly, I want to say THANK YOU for the energy and passion that you’ve have shown as we
move into 2015. 2014 was not without its challenges and its changes but I never once saw
anyone “take their ball and go home.” I am thankful for the spirit that runs through this
congregation and the commitment to a bright future.
So as I reflect on 2014 I say, THANKS BE TO GOD.
Some Facts about Per Capita
Per Capita began in 1734 and has been
used to help fund the mission &
ministry of the PCUSA ever since.
Our Per Capita apportionment is split in
three unequal sections with the
majority of the funds staying in our
local area (aka. the Presbytery).
Per Capita is 100% voluntary and is not
connected to you annual financial
pledge or weekly giving.
Per Capita Giving Based on Members in Household
Members in Household Household Per Capita
1 Member $28.00
2 Members $55.00
3 Members $82.00
4 Members $109.00
5 Members $136.00
To each is given the manifestation of the
Spirit for the common good. I Corinthians 12:7
A Letter to all Active Members from
the Chair of the Finance Committee, Nickolas Suntheimer
and Rev. Brett Swanson.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Each year, our congregation contributes a fair share to the
mission and ministry of the presbytery, the synod, and the
denomination. This per member apportionment is called Per
Capita, and the amount our congregation provides is based on
church membership. Each church in our presbytery is asked
to pay a specific amount per active, confirmed member. Per
Capita contributions have been a part of what is means to be
Presbyterian since 1734.
This year, every active member of our congregation is asked
to prayerfully consider contributing their per capita
apportionment in the amount of $28.00 per active, confirmed
member. Please note: this is every member, not every
household. This apportionment is a regular expense payable
by our congregation at the spring meeting of our presbytery.
In order to meet our obligation to the denomination, and not
draw down our reserves or take critical monies from our
General Operating Budget, we are asking that each member
help us out by paying their per capita appointment.
We are collecting this apportionment in two ways. You may
send your per capita back to the church in the blue “Per
Capita” envelope provided , or you are invited to bring
your per capita contribution on “Per Capita Sunday”,
March 15th where we will make a special dedication of
these funds and enjoy the Deacon’s luncheon following
worship. This will make it possible for us to pay our
congregation’s apportioned share of the expenses of the
Presbytery, the synod, and the denomination in a timely
fashion.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either
Nickolas Suntheimer at 814-618-5039 or Brett Swanson at
814-938-5560. We would like to say a big “Thank You” for
helping us be fiscally responsible this year.
Sincerely, Nickolas Suntheimer & Rev. Brett Swanson Did not receive your 2015 Offering Envelopes?
Contact Sharon in the PCOP Office
2015 Per Capita
Finding The Life in Your Year PCOP’s Month-by-Month Church-Wide Project
February’s PRAY Project
The theme for February is PRAY and our
PRAY Project is an opportunity to explore prayer
both as giver and receiver
Don’t fret or worry.
Instead of worrying, pray.
Let petitions and praises shape
your worries into prayers, letting
God know your concerns. Before
you know it, a sense of God’s
wholeness, everything
coming together for good, will
come and settle you down. It’s
wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the
center of your life.
Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
For our Members and Friends
away from PCOP,
we want you to participate too!
Mail or Email or Call in
who or what you would like prayed for,
and we will give you someone’s who or
what for you to pray for.
All prayers will be kept
100% Anonymous
Starting Sunday, February 1st and throughout the entire month
you will have the opportunity to join with members and friends
of PCOP in our February PRAY Project starting February 1st.
Here is how it works: In worship on February 1st you will be given the opportunity to write a
WHO or a WHAT anonymously on a slip of blue paper found in your pew.
Consider a specific someone or something that truly could use
the kind of transformation only God can bring.
Do not use proper or identifying names, instead write things like
“My Cousin’s Health” or “Classes this Semester.”
During the morning’s offering, place your crumpled up, folded, or pristine paper with
your prayer in the offering plate when it comes around,
then as you leave worship, pick up a different prayer
and spend February personally praying for someone else’s WHO or WHAT.
If you can’t make it into worship on February 1st but would like to participate,
simply call, email, mail, or place your prayer in the offering plate sometime in
February, and you’ll be given someone else’s prayer.
Updated 2015 Church Directories
available Sunday, February 8th
in Church Parlor
Contact the church office if your information has changed
New for 2015! Digital PDF directories available
P a g e 5
T h e H i g h l a n d e r
Our February 2015 Worship Calendar ***Worship Begins at 11:00 a.m.***
February 1st Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday
and Celebrating the Lord’s Supper
with our friends from First Baptist Church
Last Supper: Don’t Believe the Lie that
You are Not Worthy of Redemption sermon by Rev. Jon Kline, pastor of First Baptist
Psalm 31: 9-16 & Mark 14: 12-26
February 8th 5th Sunday After Epiphany
Looking Up to Heaven
Introducing February’s “Finding the Life in Your
Years” PRAY Project
Psalm 147: 1-11, 20
Matthew 14: 13-21
February 15th Transfiguration Sunday
Praying for Illumination
Psalm 47 & Matthew 16:24 - 17:8
Ash Wednesday, February 18th
Worship at 7:00 p.m.
The Imposition of Ashes
and the Celebration of Communion Responsive Reading of Psalm 51
& Matthew 18:1-9
February 22nd The First Sunday of Lent
Ten Miles South of Exit Eleven
Psalm 25: 1-10 & Matthew 18: 15-35
WORSHIP & MUSIC
The Reception of New Members - Sunday, February 8th Join us in worship on Sunday, February 8th as we welcome
new members to the Presbyterian Church family.
Stay after worship for a time of fellowship and reception.
FELLOWSHIP & MORE
There is Still Time to Join!
Join Ben Fitzgerald-Fye
& Susan Wydra in reading
Discussion Gatherings usually meet on Wednesdays
Contact Ben Fitzgerald-Fye for more information
Youth Group
Ice Skating
Sunday, February 8th
After Worship
Indiana Ice Center
We are going Ice Skating on
Sunday, February 8th after
worship! Bring your skating
clothes to church on the
8th and then jump in the
car as we head out to the
Indiana Ice Center for some
ice skating fun & hot coco.
WHO Middle & High
Schoolers
WHAT Ice Skating at the
Indiana Ice Center
WHEN Sunday, February 8th
After Worship to 5 PM
BRING - $10 for Skating
- Permission Slip
- Warm Clothes
- $$ for Snacks, etc.
PCOP SERMONS
ARE ONLINE! HEAR AND SHARE
REV. BRETT SWANSON’S
SUNDAY SERMONS AT
PUNXSYPC.NET/SERMONS
2nd
Donna
Anderson
3rd
Laurie Craig
John Hodgson
7th
Bob Barrett
15th
Evelyn Lettie
18th
Max Roberts
20th
Loni Studebaker
24th
Rick Nesbitt
27th
Flo West
Celebrate our February birthdays!
Saturday Friends Out
for February 2015
Gimmick’s
Saturday, February 14th
Lunch at Noon No Reservations Required
See Ann Mumper with Questions
P a g e 7 F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5
Our beloved choir will
hold its annual Choir
Dinner on January 2nd
6:00 p.m. at Pizza Hut
Questions? Call Ginger
THE OFFICERS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PUNXSUTAWNEY
THE BOARD OF DEACONS
CLASS OF 2015 CLASS OF 2016 CLASS OF 2017
Diane Ewing Jack Haire
Debbie Himes Jean Hughes
Jessica Suntheimer Kay Nesbitt
Kerrin Roberts
Debra Dinsmore (Moderator) Richard Cessna
Sean Fitzgerald-Fye
Regularly Scheduled Meetings on 3rd Sunday of Month, 9:45 a.m. in Parlor – Questions? Contact Debra Dinsmore
THE SESSION
CLASS OF 2015 CLASS OF 2016 CLASS OF 2017
Barb Hanley (Worship Cmt.) Nick Suntheimer (Finance Cmt.) George West (Personnel Cmt.)
Keith Hughes (Fellowship/Discipleship Cmt.)
Janey London (Christian Ed. Cmt.) Ben Fitzgerald-Fye (Outreach Cmt.)
Wick Divelbiss (Property Cmt.)
Doug Chambers (Clerk of Session) Donna Kengersky (Mission Cmt.) Susan Wydra (Nominating Cmt.)
Regularly Scheduled Meetings on 4th Monday of Month, 6:00 p.m. in Seminar Room or TBD – Questions? Contact Doug Chambers
Thank you to all who serve and lead this church
In for Worship,
Out for Service: Re-Launching our
Mission Ministries at PCOP
Re As we kickoff 2015, it is my hope that we can begin a big mission push as a reflection of God’s love and as an
expression of thankfulness for all the blessings we experience on a daily basis. As mentioned in the annual
report, we are hoping to broaden our scope of outreach to address needs at these levels: in our church and
community, in our region, nationally, and internationally.
As we begin to chart our course and launch mission initiatives, we are hoping to form a mission committee/
action group to identify areas of need and to suggest projects we could undertake, based on participants’
passions and interests.
Questions and comments are welcome. Call Donna Kengersky – 938-3406.
Join Donna & Rev. Brett Swanson on Sunday, February 22nd Following Worship
for a time of discussion, organization, and dreaming about mission at PCOP
F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5
DISCIPLESHIP & EDUCATION
T h e H i g h l a n d e r P a g e 8
Children Rotation Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Sundays
Learning to Forgive
TUESDAYS AT TEN FOR FEBRUARY
THE WORK OF
JESUS CHRIST:
WHAT JESUS CAME TO DO
AND HOW HE DID IT
AS SEEN IN HIS PARABLES
TUESDAYS IN FEBRUARY
10:00 A.M. - SEMINAR RM.
February 1st Souper Bowl of Caring
February 8th Something Called Grace
(Life-Sized Art Project)
February 15th We Forgive (Video)
February 22nd Forgiving is HARD
Tuesdays at Ten - February 8 & 15 In honor of the passing of Theologian Marcus Borg
Say What?
Belief & Faith - Is There a Difference?
In honor of well-known
theologian Marcus Borg,
author of Speaking Christian,
who recently passed away,
our Adult Sunday School
class will take a look at two
important but often
misunderstood words
Belief & Faith.
Is there a difference?
Sunday,
February 8th
& 15th
at 9:45 a.m.
Lester Seminar
Room
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
Souper Bowl of
Caring Sunday
& Communion
9:45 a.m.
Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Worship
2
Groundhog
Day
**Office Closed**
3
Tuesdays at Ten
10:00 a.m.
Community
Meal
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
4 5
6 7
8
9:45 a.m.
Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Worship
Youth Ice Skating
Indiana Ice Center
12 - 5 PM
9
10
Tuesdays at Ten
10:00 a.m.
11 12
Bell Choir
6:00 p.m.
Choir Practice
7:00 p.m.
13 14
Saturday
Friends Out
12 Noon
Kiskiminetas
Presbytery Mtg.
Calvary
Presbyterian
10:00 a.m.
15
Transfiguration
Sunday
9:45 a.m.
Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Worship
Deacons Mtg.
9:45 a.m.
16
Crosstown
Food Pantry
5:30 p.m.
17
Tuesdays at Ten
10:00 a.m.
18
Ash Wednesday
Service with
Communion
and Imposition
of Ashes
7:00 p.m.
19
Bell Choir
6:00 p.m.
Choir Practice
7:00 p.m.
20 21
22
9:45 a.m.
Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Worship
Mission Committee
Meeting
following worship
23
Session Meeting
6:00 p.m.
24
Tuesdays at Ten
10:00 a.m.
25
Lenten Dinner
and Class
6:00 p.m.
26
Bell Choir
6:00 p.m.
Choir Practice
7:00 p.m.
27 28
February 2015
Ministry
Meetings
in February
Board of Deacons - Sunday, February 15th at 9:45 a.m. (Parlor)
Mission Committee Gathering - Sunday, February 22nd following worship (Seminar)
Session - Monday, February 23rd at 6:00 p.m. (Location TBA)
P a g e 1 0 F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5
MISSION & OUTREACH
Crosstown Food Pantry Monthly Food Distribution
Monday, February 16th begins
at 5:30 p.m.
Lend a Hand and Help Fight Hunger!
First Tuesday Community Meal Tuesday, February 3rd - 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Great Food • Great Company • Great Service
Join us Tuesday, February 3rd, for a hot,
homemade meal and an opportunity to serve
Volunteers & Donations are always welcome!
Questions? See Ben Fitzgerald-Fye
Join the kids of our
Sunday School in
Fighting Hunger
by donating $1 or more on
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY
February 1st
T h e H i g h l a n d e r P a g e 1 1
Thank You to our February 2015 Volunteers
February 1st
Souper Bowl of Caring
Sunday &
Communion
Screen Nick Suntheimer
Sound Barb Hanley
Liturgist Ben Fitzgerald-Fye
Acolyte K. & K. Graham
February 8th Welcoming
New Members!
Screen TBD
Sound George Momyer
Liturgist Carole Haire
Acolyte Holly Hartman
February 15th Transfiguration
Sunday
Screen George Momyer
Sound Bruce Williams
Liturgist Dana Hartman
Acolyte Mackenzie Reiter
Ash Wednesday
February 18th Imposition of Ashes
& Communion
Screen Volunteers
Needed for
Ash Wednesday’s
Service
at 7:00 p.m.
Sound
Liturgist
Acolyte
January 25th 3rd Sunday after
Epiphany
Screen Benjamin
Fitzgerald-Fye Sound
Liturgist Muriel Grube
Acolyte Madilyn Fye
Our Prayer List
Let us pray for one another
Betty Brumbaugh Norma Moore
Ed Craig Lois Leksell
Kathy Kopp Joe Karetski
Anna Mae Hiles Glenn McMillen
Avanell Bennett Debbie Wright
Jane Wineberg Naomi Harrold
The White Family Evelyn Lettie
Betty Cessna Bill Ward
Cathy Snyder Gillen Geary
Christine Stonebraker Members on Vacation
January 2015 “By the Numbers”
Epiphany, January 4th 54 in Worship $3,498.00 in Offering
January 11th 73 in Worship $3,019.00 in Offering
January 18th 79 in Worship $2,015.00 in Offering
January 25th 55 in worship $2,037.00 in Offering
Thank you for joining us in worship & supporting the mission of your congregation.
December 2014 Financial Outcomes
Current Year to Date Budgeted
Receipts $14,445.42 $184,553.84
Expenses $ 15,303.26 $198,952.89 $187,567.00
Excess
or
(Deficient)
$ (857.84) ($14,419.05 )
The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney
106 E. Union St.
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania 15767
Office: (814) 938-5560
Visit Us Online at punxsypc.net
Reminder
Deadline for
March 2015’s
Highlander Articles
is Sunday,
February 22nd
Happy
Groundhog
Day 2015! Good Luck to our
Members and Friends
in the Inner Circle
and those trekking out
to Gobbler’s Knob!
The Office will be closed
on Groundhog Day, February 2nd