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First
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SoundingsMarch 2010
MAUNDY THURSDAY THE SUPPER OF LOVE APRIL 1
On the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus demonstrated how much he loved his disciples by disrobing and assuming the posture and dress of the servant. At his Last Supper he washed his disciples’ feet, something that only a servant did. The Maundy in Maundy Thursday reminds us of his command to “Love one another as I have loved you.” As we come together on that Holy Thursday, April 1, we recall the divine mandate, the word from which Maundy comes.
Our Maundy Thursday observance begins in a similar manner to that first Holy Communion. The Presbyterian version of Passover will be a 6:00 PM Congregational Covered-dish Supper in Legacy Hall. For last names that start with A-I, please bring a salad or vegetable dish. Last names J-R should bring a main dish, and last names S-Z should bring a dessert. Beverages and rolls will be provided.
After supper around the same tables we will conduct a service of worship and communion. Dr. Harry Freebairn and Seminarian Sue Bennetch will lead. Baptized children are welcome to participate with their parent’s permission and guidance. Nursery and child care in the first floor nursery will also be provided during the service.
NEW COORDINATOR OF EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES
The Coordinator of Educational Ministries Search Team is pleased to announce that Gwen Ellen Johnson will become the church's new Coordinator of Educational Ministries effective March 15, 2010.
Gwen is a graduate of Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and Social Studies. Also, she has completed graduate work in elementary education at the University of Pittsburgh.
Previously Gwen served as Director of Christian Education at Easton's College Hill Presbyterian Church, and as Coordinator of Children's and Youth Ministries for Lutheran Disaster Response. She was an active participant in Lehigh Presbytery's reconstruction trips to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. She lives in Easton – on College Hill.
We welcome Gwen to ministry at the First Presbyterian Church of Easton.
PREACHING SCHEDULE
Dr. Harry Freebairn will be preaching on March 7, 14, and 21. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated on March 14. Seminarian/ Assistant Sue Bennetch will preach on March 28, Palm Sunday.
ADULT SEMINAR
On Sunday, March 14, the Mission Team has invited Janice Komisor, the Executive Director of ProJeCt of Easton to present a program after worship.
Janice Komisor is an enthusiastic and dedicated leader of this very important mission in Easton. She plans to elaborate on the many valuable services ProJeCt offers. But she would like to expand her remarks to include the effects of poverty. Poverty does not just concern the impoverished; it reaches out and affects society as a whole. Our congregation has supported ProJeCt programs for many years. We collect funds monthly to supplement the many programs of this organization. And there are several members of our congregation who are active members of the Board of Directors of ProJeCt as well.
Save the date, Sunday, March 14, 11:45 AM, in Ridgway Lounge, for an informative presentation of how our support affects not only individuals, but our community too.
Pat Stanek - Mission Team
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING “Do you love me? Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-19)
One Great Hour of Sharing has been a part of the mission of First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years! That's pretty remarkable. It would be impossible to count the lives that have been touched and changed by the gifts we have made to this world-wide, multi-denominational effort.
As children, many of us remember putting coins into our “fish” banks. Our children continue that tradition by giving to others in need. Their gifts along with ours, as adults, and combined with those of millions of church goers around the world have been a source of life, health and relief to disenfranchised and needy people around the world.
Remember that although we only give to One Great Hour of Sharing once a year, the witness we give through it resonates all year wherever disaster strikes or need arises (such as the Haiti and Chile earthquakes), not only around the world, but in our own country as well. Our generosity continues long past the time when the need is making headlines, whether it is in Asia, South America, Europe, Africa or the U.S.
Your gifts are crucial to keep our witness of love, hope and compassion alive and vibrant rather than dull or silenced. With them our church can continue to lend a hand to people when it makes the greatest difference in their lives. If is the gifts we give that determine how brightly this witness to the healing love of Jesus Christ shines on people all over the world. People of faith believe that our gracious God will provide for those in need. That faith calls out to us now.
This year our goal for One Great Hour of Sharing is $4,500. Gifts may be given at any time beginning February 21, through Easter Sunday, April 4.
With your generous gifts, we join Christians across the country and around the world in witnessing to the love of Jesus Christ.
INQUIRERS SEMINAR
Interested in learning more about the Christian faith in general, the Presbyterian Church, or First Presbyterian Church, Easton? Have you been thinking about making First Presbyterian Church your home? These are all good reasons to attend our next Inquirers Seminar on Saturday, March 20, when we will address all those questions and more. We will begin at 9:30 AM with coffee, juice and light refreshments. The seminar concludes at Noon. Dress is casual. Professional nursery and child care is available but needs to be arranged in advance by calling the Church Office, 610-253-3579. Please call the Church Office and let us know you will attend the March 20th get-together.
CHURCH REGISTER
Baptism February 21, 2010, Sarah Njoki Moki, daughter of Anthony and Susan Moki
Deaths/Funerals Howard Hill (member) d. January 25, 2010, Rev. Charles Holm, officiating Virginia Marr (member) d. February 1, 2010
THIRD STREET ALLIANCE - Mission Opportunity
“Excitement! Excitement! Excitement” Yes the Mission Committee asked and you responded…we have gotten enough volunteers to read “Bible Stories” to pre-school classes on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 9:30-10:30 A.M. The Alliance provides a craft to go with the story
The Bible Story we are reading is about Noah’s Ark and comes from our church library. Readings take place on Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30 AM at Third Street Alliance, but it would be nice to have more volunteers (we have four as of now). Our next opening is April. We will need a minimum of two volunteers a reading and you may sign up for a regular reading (ex. once a month, twice a month or even just once a year). If you are wondering what or how it occurs, just call me and we’ll set up a time for you to watch one of the readings.
Please contact Nancy Udut, 610-253-5455 or nudut@ptd.net.
REMEMBER….when was the last time a community organization asked us to read BIBLE stories to their children….THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CAN’T IGNORE.
PROJECT OF EASTON
Every second Sunday of the month envelopes are in the bulletin for contributions to ProJeCt of Easton. These monetary gifts benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry ($1.00 allows ProJeCt to distribute $15.00 worth of food). ProJeCt of Easton also offers comprehensive emergency assistance and language and literacy services. Please continue to give generously to this local mission.
NEW MEMBERS TO BE RECEIVED
New members will be received into the life and fellowship of First Presbyterian Church, Easton, on Sunday, March 28, during the 10:30 AM service.
PALM SUNDAY AND EASTER FLOWERS
Our sanctuary will be beautifully decorated for Palm Sunday and Easter. If you would like to contribute toward the Palm Sunday decorations and Easter flowers, please complete the form below and return to the church office by Sunday, March 21. You may have a listing in the bulletin in memory or honor of a loved one. The cost of one listing is $9.00.
------- PALM SUNDAY AND EASTER FLOWERS
In memory of _____________________In honor of ____________________________________
Name_____________________________________Phone _________________________
No. of Listings ________Amount Enclosed $___________
“A LEGACY OF FAITH”
A meaningful way to remember/honor loved ones and friends is to make contributions to the Memorial Fund, Endowment Fund, John H. Lehr Helping Hand Fund, Capital Fund and General Fund of the First Presbyterian Church. February monetary gifts were received by the church as follows:
Memorial Fund - In memory of Howard Hill, given by: Fran Dean James Kegg Virginia Hohl John and Mildred Polomchak North Star Consultants, Inc. Agatha Costanza Don and Mibs Follett
Capital Fund - In memory of Howard Hill, given by: Harry and Carol Freebairn Kathy and John Ramey a friend Wendell and Naomi Smith
SHAWL MINISTRY
Next meeting: Monday, March 1, 1:00-3:00 PM in the Brainerd Gathering Area
All members, friends and community are encouraged to join us in our mission. We knit, crochet, make prayer cards, deliver items, and have social functions together. Won't you join us?
If you have an interest in this group, please call Donna Bradbury (610-252-4324) for more information.
Shawl Ministry continues to bring God's love to those in need of comfort!
BOOK CLUB
Come join us in discussions of the following books. We meet at 1:00 PM in the Brainerd Gathering Area on the following dates:
March 8, 2010 - The Man with the Iron Tattoo and Other True Tales of Uncommon Wisdom: What Our Patients Have Taught Us About Love, Faith and Healing by local Lehigh Valley physicians John Castaldo, M.D. and Lawrence Levitt, M.D.
April 12, 2010 - Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.
For more information or questions please call Cathy Burnet, 610-588-6738.
PRAYER REQUESTS
First Presbyterian Church has a prayer list which is updated and printed weekly. Prayer lists are available from an usher on Sunday morning, on the back table in the sanctuary, or on the Deacons' information table in Legacy Hall. You may also receive this prayer list weekly by email just by calling the church office. Also, you may add the name of anyone for whom you have prayer concerns to this list by calling the church office. Names will be automatically removed after six weeks unless the office is notified otherwise. Please consider obtaining this list and supporting those in need of prayer.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
The deadline for the April “Soundings” is Monday, March 15. Articles can be mailed, dropped off or e-mailed to the church office, office@eastonfpc.org
CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS (Preschool – Grade 6)
Do you like to read? If yes, we'd love to have you share your thoughts on books you've read from our church library! Submit at least two reviews by May 2, and you'll be invited to a spring fling ice-cream party!
Questions? Please contact Susan Stifel or Fran Dean.
Brunch Bunch
On Sunday, March 14, the Brunch Bunch will go to New Imperial Chinese Restaurant, William Penn Plaza. Meet after worship for directions and car pooling. Everyone is welcome to join this group for a time of good food and fellowship. Contact Rose Marie Leone, 610-258-3063, for more information.
SANCTUARY FLOWERS
The beautiful flowers that grace our sanctuary on Sunday mornings add to the beauty of the church during worship and afterwards the flowers are taken by the Deacons to shut-ins, the sick, or those in the hospital. These flowers then brighten the days of those in need of cheer, and also serve as a way for the Deacons to manage their ministry of caring.
The cost for flowers is $45 for two arrangements. Dates available to donate flowers: March 7, 21, and 28, as well as dates later in 2010. If you have questions, or would like to donate flowers, please contact Rose Marie Leone, 610-258-3063.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to Pat Stanek of our congregation who was recently accepted for two-week service as a nurse on the Mercy Ship in Togo, a country in West Africa. Pat will be on the ship from June 19 to July 3, 2010.
Mercy Ships is a global charitable organization that operates the largest non-governmental hospital ship in the world. It provides free health care, community development, agricultural and water projects, mental health programs, and care to terminally ill patients in developing nations around the world, with a focus on Africa.
COFFEE HOUR
The Board of Deacons coordinates the Coffee Hour/ Fellowship Time each Sunday following worship. They also deliver sanctuary flowers to hospitalized, sick and shut-in members and friends. If you would like to sign-up to help, please speak to a Deacon.
STEWARDSHIP REMINDER
Stewardship is part of belonging to a church. Regular, systematic giving to a church community is a strong statement about faith and beliefs. The pledges we make are vitally important to the mission that our church undertakes. A solid financial commitment from our members helps First Presbyterian Church grow and thrive. Please remember to return your 2010 pledge card to the church as soon as possible.
HOLMS’ CELEBRATION A JOYFUL SEND-OFF
Before Sunday, February 21, 2010 was ended, most everyone in Legacy Hall had shed some tears. We surprised Chuck and Gloria a number of times that day. The generous check with which the congregation expressed its gratitude for his decade of service moved them greatly. They were overwhelmed by the luncheon; they expected punch and cookies. Pauline Johnson and the Shawl Ministry’s exquisite afghan did all of us in. What a labor of love that was. The Memory Book prepared by Cathy Burnet displayed beautifully the gratitude members felt for Gloria and Chuck’s ministry. Their ministry brought out the best in First Presbyterian Church, and we sent them off to River Edge in a bath of joy and thanksgiving.
Tim Cain and Carol Freebairn spearheaded the celebration, and they deserve our thanks. They were supported by major efforts from the anonymous donor who helped fund the meal, Noralee and Joe Manzek, Elaine and Al Rutherford, Nancy Pruitt, Shirley and Jim Van Norman, Cindy, Jay, Aaron and Maddie Koch, Nancy and Bud Wilson, Eileen Bloshuk, Lorraine Fugere, and Nancy Penman. Thanks also to Leroy Cooper, Amy Minnich, AnnaMarie Fehr, Connie Cain, Art Charlton, Sue Bennetch, Carl McGloughlin, Kathy Ramey, Amy Hilliard, Beth Ann Vaughn, Harold Redline, Harry Freebairn and Ann Marie Ballentine.
Finally, thanks to all of you who came out to say farewell, and who gave so generously. The crowd of 130 exceeded expectations, but there was abundant food to take care of everyone. The dishes demonstrated that a great deal of thought and effort went into the preparation of each one.
As we enter our interim period, we hope that your supportive spirit will continue to prevail. Your commitment will make good things happen.
Harry Freebairn
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
1 Jeanne Chorpenning, Kayla Cox 3 Stacy Nganga 5 John Young 6 Scott Betts 7 Lester Hulsizer 8 Nolan Berkenstock, Carly Hill 9 Briana Gonzalez, Al Rutherford 10 Virginia Peil 12 Janet Mishkin, Charles Young 13 Jeanne Aquilante 18 Jamie Byerly, Douglas Ditmars 19 John Pappas 23 Marc Portlock 24 Clementine Akpor- Mensah 25 Scott Evans 27 Jasmine Oliva 28 Elizabeth Stifel 29 Aaron Koch, Kendall Whitehead 30 Tyler Swass 31 Glenn Dennis, Katie Minnich
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First Presbyterian Church, Easton, PA
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