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| The Derry Presbyterian Church |
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September 2010 Newsletter |
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Rally Day Sunday, Sept. 12th With Communion/Potluck Luncheon 11:00 a.m. Worship With Children’s Church during Worship |
| From the Pastor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.” Jeremiah 18:3-4
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Our Old Testament readings for the past few weeks and for all of September come from the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah is a prophet with the unenviable job of telling the people of Israel that God is unhappy with them and that God is going to reshape them. Then he must walk with the people through the anguish of God’s judgment and reformation of God’s people. It is always easier to be a prophet that preaches gloom and doom and then goes home to a nice warm bed somewhere far from God’s wrath. Real prophets speak the harsh words of judgment and then walk with the people through the wilderness and then back to God. In many ways the church of the twenty-first century needs to hear the words of Jeremiah as God’s word to the church and society today. We have strayed far from the ideals of the early church. The early church was about spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone. The modern church often acts as though the Good News in only for the chosen few that live up to some code of behavior. The early church was concerned with people. They wanted to care for the widow and the orphan, for those who were poor or imprisoned or sick. Often today the concern of the church seems to be for maintaining the building. The early church met in homes of members and used its resources for ministry. Today’s church too often meet in big buildings and uses its resources to keep the building in repair. In the early church every member was expected to worship, to contribute of his/her material belongings and to lead others to Jesus Christ. Today our churches have long lists of people who think that attending worship once or twice a year and putting a few dollars in the collection plate makes them a member. Leading others to Jesus is seen as the job of the paid staff. In some ways the Session and I are Jeremiah calling our congregation to repentance and rebirth. It is our call to listen for God leading us in this time and place. In many areas we need to learn a new way of being God’s people. It is painful and uncomfortable. But it is incredibly rewarding. Within these pages you will find opportunities to be members of Derry Presbyterian Church by giving of your time and your talents in doing God’s work in this place. Blessings and Peace, Helen Weekly Scripture Readings for the Months of September Sunday, August 29th - Sept. 4th: Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14: 25-33 Sept. 5th - 11th: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14; I Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10 Sept. 12th - 18th: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1; Psalm 79:1-9; I Timothy2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13 Sept. 19th - 25th: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15; Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; I Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31 If anyone is interested in receiving their newsletter by e-mail instead, please call the church office with your e-mail address and we will send it as you requested.
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Prayer List for September
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Ron Durika-seminarian Mark Bush - sign-language interpreter Barb Johnson Chris Johnes - Military Nathan & Elizabeth Durika-Military MSgt Alan Mewherter-Military Tom Miller Mary Hutchinson When you or a loved one is hospitalized, please be sure to have someone contact the church. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires that you give permission to the hospital to release information related to your stay. Giving permission will allow the hospital to notify clergy of your name and hospital room number so that they may visit you. If you do not agree to release such information, the hospital is not allowed to share it. Helen wants you to know, “If you know anyone sick or hospitalized, please let me know. I would rather five people call me about the same person, than I miss someone because everyone thinks I know.”
Please Remember Our Shut-ins
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Louise Swartz
Evelyn Roach Requests have been made to publish a list of addresses and telephone numbers of all our shut-ins. Please contact the church office secretary to obtain the address and telephone numbers of the shut-ins if you care to send a card, note or make a phone call. A card, note or phone call would be greatly appreciated by those members who are unable to attend worship services. Also remember to keep each one in your prayers.
Worship At Barne’s House
Led by Rev. Kester Rev. Kester leads worship at 2:00 p.m. on the last Monday of each month for the residents and families living at the Barne’s House located at 2021 James Street,
Latrobe, PA. On Sept. 27th, all are invited to join Louise Swartz , a member of the church and who is also a resident at Barne’s House, for a time of worship, hymn singing, Bible study and fellowship.
Our Church Elders and Deacons
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Head Elder Schedule for September
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Sept. 5th - Susan Young
Sept. 12th - Dennis Dablock Sept. 19th - Linda Miller Sept. 26th - John Walkinshaw
Here's What's Happening
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Sunday, Sept. 5th - last Sunday of Summer Schedule 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9th - 4-5 p.m. - Kid’s Kingdom schedule begins Saturday, Sept. 11th - 8:30 a.m. - Men’s Ministry Breakfast Sunday, Sept. 12th - return to 11:00 a.m. Worship w/Communion/Potluck Luncheon to follow/Bible Study schedule begins a 7:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17th - Youth Fun Night - Jr. High - 7:30 - 9:00 p.m./Sr. High - 9:00 - 10:30 p.m.
J.U.L.I.E.T. Ladies to Meet
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"Just Us Ladies Independently Eating Together”, the JULIET Ladies will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 28th at noon at Pie Cucina in Blairsville. Please see Irene Kean if you would like to carpool. The next meeting place will be discussed at that time.
Women's News
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The Ladies Night Out Group will meet on Friday, September 10th from 6-7:30 p.m. for a time of fellowship, devotions, and Bible Study at the Coffee Beanery in Latrobe.
Fall Worship Hours
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Sunday, September 5th will be the last
Sunday of the summer worship 9:30 a.m. service.
We will return to the regular worship schedule on Sunday, September 12th with 11:00 a.m. worship and Children’s Church during the Worship service. A Potluck Luncheon will follow worship. A sign-up sheet is in the Fellowship Hall.
Bell and Vocal Choir Practice
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The Bell and Vocal Choirs will begin regular practices early in September. The Bell Choir will begin practice on Sunday, September 12th at 9:00 a.m. and the Vocal Choir will begin on Thursday, September 9th at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to participate in either of these choirs, or of you have any questions, please see Gary Newhouse, Church Organist.
Men’s Ministry Breakfast
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The Men’s Ministry will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 11th in the basement hall for breakfast and a time of fellowship. The cost is $5.00 per person and breakfast will be prepared by the Youth Group. Please contact Joe Bracken if you have any questions.
Local Missions
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You are invited to help with mission projects above your regular giving. There are a number of opportunities for second mile giving this month. Second Mile giving is money that you give over and above your weekly tithe. It is not simply a matter of moving money from one category to another but actually giving over and above your regular offering. The Session has set up the Dean Sheffler Emergency Benevolence Fund to help people in need of funds because of medical or other emergencies. Your financial love has meant much to families in times of transition. If you would like to give to this fund just put your check in the collection plate or put money in an envelope and mark it Emergency Fund. We have helped with food, rent, and utility service for local residents in need. This month we helped families with food and gasoline cards. The “Coins for Camp” Fund continues. The last Sunday of each month we will take a separate offering of loose coins for camp. The children will pass through the congregation collecting all of your loose change. That change will be used to send our children to any PC (USA) camp or youth event. Enclosed with this Newsletter you will find a Peacemaking Offering envelope. This is one of the four Presbyterian Church U.S.A. General Assembly outreaches we invited our members to participate in each year. We will be collecting these envelopes on World Wide Communion Sunday, October 3rd during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. The offerings are used to support peace-making initiatives and peace education throughout the churches.
Wedding Vows
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God’s blessings and best wishes to
Kirsten Stoffer and Johnathan Haase
as they exchanged wedding vows on
Saturday, Aug. 21st.
Happy Birthday
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Cebastian Beam 9/16
Chris Dempsey 9/23 Dom DeLuca, Jr. 9/15 Hal Kester 9/14 Deana Mauro 9/16 Lee Mewherter 9/3 Bill O’Hara 9/24 Stewart Ross 9/30 Nicole Ross 9/10 Lisa Roth 9/17 Collette Smith 9/9 Sabrina Williams 9/13 If we have missed your birthday, please contact the Church Office. Thank you.
Happy Anniversary
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John & Rachel Duff 9/3
If we have missed your anniversary, please contact the Church Office. Thank you.Jeff & Deana Mauro 9/20 Howard & Evelyn Reynolds 9/1 Larry & Nancy Woitkowiak 9/16
Baptized Unto the Lord
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We celebrate with the Duff family as Rachel Duff became a member of the church and her daughter Madison Grace became a member of the household of God through infant baptism.
Committee Chairs
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Church Operations
John Walkinshaw Memorial, Church Life and Restoration Linda Miller Worship and Sacrament Larry Shean Mission, Interpretation, and Stewardship (MIS) Larry Kean Emergency Mission Team Rev. Helen M. Kester Vision Team Dee Gamble, Secretary Ways & Means Team Lila Hughes-Gularski Evangelism & Outreach Coordinator Heidi Bracken
Worship Service Includes Interpreter for the Deaf/Amplifiers Available
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In an attempt to be open to all of God’s children, we now have an interpreter for the deaf for Sunday morning worship. If you have friends or neighbors who don’t go to worship because there is no one to interpret for them, please invite them to join us for worship. If you have friends or neighbors who don’t go to worship because there is no one to interpret for them, please invite them to join us for worship. There are personal amplifiers available in the vestibule closest to the Fellowship Hall for any one who would like to hear better.
Garage and Bake Sale a Success!!
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A special thank you goes out to Lila Hughes-Gularski and all those who donated garage sale items, food and bake sale items, and those who helped with set-up and clean-up for the Derry’s Great Garage sale. Approximately $990.00 was collected. All proceeds benefited the Youth Group. We sent nine youth and two leaders to camp this summer. Thanks to all who helped or donated.
Kid’s Kingdom Begins Sept. 9th
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The Kid’s Kingdom will begin meeting again on Thursday, September 9th from 4-5 p.m. and will continue each Thursday afternoon. All children ages Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to come for a time of Bible stories, games, crafts and fun!!
Fund Raiser |
The Youth Group will be hosting a Breakfast Fundraiser on Saturday, September 11th from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. with Egg Casseroles with sausage or bacon at the cost of $5.00 each. All proceeds will benefit the children and youth.
Just 4 youth
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Youth Fun Night
Friday, Aug. 17th Jr. High - 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Sr. High - 9:00 - 10:30 p.m.
Join Us for Bible Study
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The Revelation of John is one of the most discussed and misunderstood books of the Bible. It is full of compelling imagery of God’s might and power and moving words of hope. If you would like to explore this book, come for a five week workshop exploring the use and misuse of John’s vision. We will meet September 12th, 19th, 26th and October 17th and 24th from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. on Sunday evenings at the J&P Pit Stop - Sunoco.
DPC Funnel Cake Sale
at Derry Railroad Days
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The Church will be participating in Derry Railroad Days with a Funnel Cake Sale. Sign-up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall. The sale will take place Saturday, September 25th. We are looking for volunteers to work the booth, make batter, set-up and clean-up. Proceeds will be shared among the Youth Group, Deacons and Session.
Elder/Deacon Training
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The Elders and Deacons will meet for a training session on Saturday, Sept. 11th at 10:00 a.m. to become familiar with the worship service functions and responsibilities of Head Elder.
VBS/Camp Sunday a Big Success!!
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Vacation Bible School was a great success this year, thanks to Heidi Bracken, and all those who helped in cooking, teaching, assisting in crafts, singing, picture taking, and food donations. Thanks to Gary Newhouse, for musical accompaniment. Approximately 24 children attended the evening VBS and had a wonderful time eating, singing, learning and playing. On Sunday, Aug. 15th, the congregation viewed a wonderful power-point presentation filled with pictures of the children’s Bible stories that includedRuth, Elisha and other scripture. The children also sang two songs. Dinner was prepared by Janet Ressler and Dee Gamble with various helpers. We thank Kirsten Haase, Diana Tinkey, Hal Kester, Joe Bracken, Greg Sunderlin, and Helen Kester for teaching classes. Thank you to everyone who donated food and supplies. A special thanks to Vern & Peggy Ressler, Judy Skoloda, and the Youth Group for shepherding the children among the activities.
Join Us on Sept. 12th for
Communion and Luncheon
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On Sunday, September 12th we will begin our Fall/Winter schedule with worship beginning at 11:00 a.m. The Sunday School teachers for the Infant/Toddler and Elementary classes will be commissioned in that service. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of Communion. Everyone is invited to bring a covered dish to share and stay for lunch and fellowship after the worship service. |