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SoundingsJuly/August 2010
SUMMER GUEST PREACHERS
Bishop István Csüry, leader of the King's Pass Church District of Transylvania, Romania, will be our guest preacher on Sunday, July 4. On Sundays, July 11 (Easton Heritage Day) and July 18 (Christmas in July) Rev. Sam Huffard will be the guest preacher and on Sunday, July 25 seminary student Ryan Landino will preach.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, August 1 and the Rev. Dr. Harry Freebairn will preach and lead worship. Sue Bennetch will be the guest preacher on Sundays, August 8, 15, 22 and 29.
During the summer our worship time remains at 10:30 AM in our air conditioned sanctuary.
We welcome Bishop István Csüry and Janos Antal to service on July 4.
Leaders from the Hungarian Reformed Church in Romania will be visiting churches in the Lehigh Presbytery from June 28th to July 6th. Bishop István Csüry, leader of the King’s Pass Church District of Transylvania, will be visiting our church on July 4th and will be our guest preacher. Janos Antol, a visitor to our congregation on several previous occasions, will also attend. Antol, whose book,“Coping with the Past”, tells of the troubled life and stormy history of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Romania during the communist era under the cruel dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu.
The Lehigh Presbytery recently signed a covenant agreement with the Hungarian Reformed Church in Romania. First Presbyterian Church of Easton has maintained a church-to-church partnership since 2003 with the Nagyvarad-Ret congregation located in Oradea, Romania.
Please join us after the service for a light lunch and an opportunity to meet and greet our international visitors. Everyone is invited to attend.
We hope you will join us in extending our First Presbyterian welcome to our Romanian brothers in Christ. Let us share America’s observance of Independence Day with our visitors from Romania. Let freedom ring!
MISSION STUDY TASK FORCE BEGINS WORK
We commenced our work on Sunday, June 6 at 9 AM in the Millheim Room. Session appointed Rodney Bridges, Art Charlton, Don Follett, Elaine Rutherford, Pat Stanek, Nan Udut, Deana Washburn, with Harry A. Freebairn as the Moderator. As of this writing we have met three times. After taking some time to introduce one another, we determined that we would participate in the US Congregations Survey to get a snapshot of our congregation compared with 5000 others in the country. We also talked about getting input from community leaders through interviews. Our purpose for them is to get their assessment of the health of the community, what they see as future developments, and where they see the community’s churches helping to address community issues. We have developed a list of seven leaders we want to meet.
We have also spent time on what we consider the congregation’s assets. For example, the church building’s physical location is seen to be as asset due to its central address, the ease by which one can get to it, and opportunities for good parking. Our exercise also calls for us to look at weaknesses, opportunities and threats. We spent time on the difference between purpose and strategy, and how important it is to be concrete in planning so accomplishment can be measured and critiqued. Another consideration has dealt with how we are intentional in our mission participation. In other words, how do people outside the church know that the things we do, such as serve Meals on Wheels or prepare meals for Safe Harbor, are responses to Jesus’ life-giving work, and our way to spread the good news? Suggestions were made to address that concern.
The Committee will not meet on June 27 and July 4, but will resume its every week schedule on July 11. During the next two weeks members will be completing their interviews.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
A “Christmas in July” Celebration will be held during the 10:30 AM service on Sunday, July 18. There will be special Christmas music, Christmas hymns will be sung. Christmas scripture readings will be featured and the sermon will have a Christmas theme. Nursery/child care and Church School are provided during the worship hour. Invite a friend or two to join us in worship on July 18 for our “Christmas in July” Celebration!
CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING TO BE RECEIVED
For several years now, during the month of July, First Presbyterian Church of Easton has received the Christmas Joy Offering. The funds from this annual offering of our General Assembly are distributed equally to the Board of Pensions and to the Presbyterian racial and ethnic colleges.
Through Board of Pensions’ Financial Assistance Programs, the Christmas Joy Offering recognizes the faithfulness of current and retired church workers by providing funds to help them through difficult times. The offering helps retired church workers and their surviving spouses to raise incomes to a level where retirees can live modestly and continue to maintain their independence.
The Presbyterian Church has long-supported education through reestablishing and supporting racial ethnic schools. The Christmas Joy Offering funds provide scholarships to deserving students as well as help with basic operating costs. These institutions develop leaders in the church and in society, and they enable students to discover and pursue their professional goals.
We will receive the Christmas Joy Offering on Sunday, July 18, during the 10:30 AM service. There is an offering envelope in this issue of Soundings. Offering envelopes also will be available in the July 18 bulletin.
SPECIAL MUSIC
Many people have asked when they would have an opportunity to hear Mary Fahl sing again. On Sunday, July 11, Mary will sing “Amazing Grace” for the anthem during the worship service. She also will be singing In Concert on Saturday, July 10, at 8:00 PM at Godfrey Daniels, 7 East Fourth Street, Bethlehem. For tickets contact 610-867-2390 or www.godfreydaniels.org.
REMEMBER YOUR CHURCH THIS SUMMER!
Vacations are great! We look forward to them all year long. We plan for them, we pack, we cancel the mail delivery. We secure our home, somehow fit everyone into the overstuffed car, and finally we're off! But wait! BEFORE YOU GO... Remember our congregation's mission and various ministries continue while you are away. That means that the expenses go on as well.
So, before you pack and head out on vacation, remember your church! You may either mail your offering to the church, or place it in the offering plate before you go. Have a great time!
ADULT EDUCATION
Worship...praise...thanksgiving. We know all those words relate to God. But what about 'relationship'? Do you know that God invites us into relationship? A relationship like the one we have with our best friend, or spouse, our children. This fall we will explore an intimate and real relationship with God as we journey through “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby. We will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM beginning September 19. Sue Bennetch will be the facilitator. Student workbooks can be purchased on Amazon.com.
Discover the Hidden Treasures of Scotland
Travel Information Night Planned for July 26 Have you ever thought about taking a trip to Scotland? Are you intrigued by the land of kilts and castles, golf and whiskey, bagpipes, Robert the Bruce and Robert Burns? Then you’ll want to attend a fun-filled information night on July 26 to learn more about a trip to Scotland that First Presbyterian Church of Easton is planning for next summer. Everyone is invited to attend, whether or not they think they will be on the trip, but reservations are a must for this program. Our church, as part of its bicentennial celebration next year, is planning a trip to the land where Presbyterianism took root with a trip from August 31 to September 9, 2011 entitled “Discover the Hidden Treasures of Scotland.” You’ll have a chance to meet our tour escort on July 26, and find out about the many fascinating features of this trip. A detailed itinerary, pricing and reservation form will be available. Refreshments and other surprises are planned. Discover the Hidden Treasures of Scotland has an itinerary different from anything offered elsewhere. This trip was put together with the help of two Scots who will show you their home from a native’s perspective. Having a personal contact at your tour destination goes a long way to ensuring that you will have a more intimate and in-depth experience, and not just a tourist overview. Paul - a writer and tour guide - lives in Edinburgh. His amazing depth of knowledge of Scotland, his charm and sense of humor, will make every moment of your tour special. Lilian - born and raised in Scotland, now a Vermont Tour Director - will be making sure every step of the trip goes smoothly with the famous Bieber Tours attention to detail. Together, they will share with you their love of Scotland with its history, culture and sometimes quirky traditions, as you travel through Highlands and Lowlands, mountains and glens. Tour highlights include: Edinburgh, with Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Red Coat Café, Clarinda’s Tea Room, the Scottish Mining Museum, Rossyln Chapel, Arniston House, Royal Yacht Britannia, Saint Giles Cathedral, Greyfriar’s Churchyard, and Tea at Dorothy’s House; the Firth of Forth and Fife, with visits to the Scottish Fishery Museum, Anstruther and Saint Andrews; the Scottish Highlands, with Green Welly Stop, Glencoe Visitors’ Centre, Dingwall rail ride, Kyle of Lochalsh, Portree, Edinbane Pottery, Dunvegan Castle, Cairngorm Mountains National Park, Highland Folk Museum, Pitlochry and Edradour. The package being offered includes services of Paul and Lilian, 8 nights lodging, 9 breakfasts, 8 dinners, 2 special teas, all touring and admissions, motor coach transportation for the entire tour, baggage handling, escort, guide, driver gratuities, and round trip transportation to local airport with gratuity included. A limited number of spaces are available for the tour, and reservation deposits can be made on July 26. Again, the July 26 program is open to anyone, whether you think you want to take next year’s trip, or if you just want to know more about Scotland. But reservations are required for the program. Register by calling the Church Office at 610-253-3579 or by contacting Noralee Manzek at 610-868-9521.
BRUNCH BUNCH
The Brunch Bunch continues to gather during the summer. On Sunday, July 18, they will go to The Olive Garden Restaurant in Palmer Township and on Sunday, August 8, they will go to Charlie Brown's Restaurant in Alpha. 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.
HELP NEEDED!
A mission project is a major part of VBS. In the past First Presbyterian Church has done international or local projects. There are many parts of the world that have experienced disasters this year, but in light of the fact that schools are just beginning to reopen in Haiti following the earthquake in January, it seems that Gift of the Heart School Kits would be a project to which children can relate. Children will be given a list of school items to bring each day. At the end of the week the items will be placed in a cloth bag.
The Education Team would like to involve the entire congregation in this project, both by members bringing school items, and by making the cloth bags for the VBS participants to fill. Each school kit contains the following: 1 - pair of blunt scissors 3 - 70 count spiral notebooks with 200-210 sheets of ruled paper 1 - 30 centimeter ruler (12”) 1 - hand held pencil sharpener 6 - new pencils with erasers 1 - large eraser 1 - box of 24 crayons 1 - cloth bag with handles (pattern available)
If you are interested in being a part of the project please contact Gwen Johnson, 610-559-9252 or the church office, 610-253-3579. Patterns for the cloth bags will be in the church office. It will be a fun project for the children of our church, but more importantly it will bring smiles to the school children of Haiti.
BOOK CLUB - Summer 2010
The Book Club will meet on the following dates to discuss these selections. The group meets in the Brainerd Gathering Area at 1:00 PM. Everyone is welcome. Questions – call Cathy Burnet at 610 588-6738,
July 12 – Making Rounds with Oscar by David Dosa, M.D. Dr. Dosa is a geriatrician, who tells the story of Oscar the Cat - a resident of a nursing home who only spends time with those who are about to die. Dr. Dosa gives his perspective on death and dying, insights on family love, companionship without question, and life lessons only the old can provide.
Aug. 9 Amish Grace: How forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Donald Kraybill An Amish community in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania responds with graciousness, patience, love and forgiveness after 10 of their young girls are shot at a school.
Sept. 13 A World Without Complaint: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted by Will Bowen Take the challenge of going 21 days without complaint.
SHAWL MINISTRY
No Meeting in July
August Meeting – Monday, August 2 Brainerd Gathering Area, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Our visit and tour of Care Net of the Lehigh Valley on Northampton Street on June 8 was very informative. This organization works with local pregnant girls from age 12 to 18 to educate them on health, nutrition and family decisions. Baby bucks are given as an incentive to take care of themselves and their babies. These reward points allow the girls to shop in their own Baby Boutique where our knitted and crocheted items are available. We took about 40 blankets with some hats, a sweater, and booties attached. We would like to schedule Donna Ruggiero to speak at an Adult Education Seminar.
Cathy Burnet and Pauline Johnson took approximately 40 lap robes to give to patients at Gracedale Nursing Home. Cathy leads a class entitled “Life Story Circle” once a month. Each member of the group received a lap robe.
In September we will attend the annual Lehigh Valley Shawl Ministry Gathering. I believe Central Moravian Church will host. Stay tuned for more information.
All friends, neighbors and the community at large are urged to join us in our mission of providing love, warmth and comfort to those in need and to those celebrating a special event. Knitting and crocheting for others is a gift from the heart. Call Fran Dean, 610-838-7779, if you have questions. All supplies are furnished.
SAFE HARBOR MEAL SIGN-UP
What is Safe Harbor? Safe Harbor is an Easton Facility for helping those that are unable to temporarily provide for themselves. Lunch and dinner is provided daily by area communities and our congregation is one of those communities.
First Presbyterian Church has taken on the mission of provided dinner to the residents the first Monday of each month. We have provided these meals for many years and want to continue to do so this coming year. It has been a satisfying and enduring mission for all of us over the years. It is especially rewarding as we sit down to eat with the residents and have come to know the employees of Safe Harbor.
Do you have one of the first Mondays of the month free? Maybe you, family members, and/or some friends would be interested in participating in this mission. Please contact Nancy Udut (610.253.5455) to select a date, OR sign up on the schedule that is posted on the bulletin board located on the landing as you enter the Church House via the parking lot.
Thank you and even if you are unable to provide or help with a meal, please keep Safe Harbor and its recipients in your prayers.
SUMMER MUSIC
While the Chancel Choir is on vacation volunteers are needed to fill in. Sundays, August 15, 22, 29, and September 5 are still open. See the sign-up sheet in Legacy Hall during Fellowship Time or contact Harold Redline, 610-262-8613, for more information.
SANCTUARY FLOWERS
We are working with a new florist for sanctuary flowers. For two arrangements the cost will be $35, $40, $45 or more depending on how ornate an arrangement is desired. Call Rose Marie Leone, 610-258-3063, to donate flowers for a Sunday or for more information. July 11, August 8, 15, 22, and 29, as well as dates later in the year are available. The flowers enhance the beauty of our worship and are then delivered by the Deacons to the sick and shut-ins.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
The deadline for the September “Soundings” is Monday, August 16. Articles can be mailed, dropped off or e-mailed to the church office, office@eastonfpc.org
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.
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 call Nancy Pruitt, 610-258-1677.
PRAYER REQUESTS
You are welcome to put the name of a loved one, friend or neighbor on the Prayer List. If you would like to pray for people each week, there are prayer lists on the table in the back of the sanctuary and in Legacy Hall. To put a name on the list or to receive the weekly prayer list by email, contact Nancy Penman at the church office, 610-253-3579. Prayers do make a difference!
THANK YOU NOTES
Dear Friends, Thank you very much for all the prayers, cards, church flowers and the exceptional support which I received during my hospitalization and recuperation at home. I feel truly blessed to have such a supportive church family. - LeRoy Cooper --------------------------
A heartfelt “Thank you” to our church friends for their prayers and calls during our daughter's (Esther Conard) long fight with cancer. We are sure they helped her and us. The cards we have received, the Memorial Funds in her name, the friends who attended her memorial at Orchard Road School are deeply appreciated by us and our family. - Naomi and Wendell Smith -------------------------
We extend a heartfelt thank you to this congregation for the outpouring of prayers, cards and concern during Brad's illness and hospitalization. We are happy to say that he is on the mend. May God's blessings be upon each and every one of you. Thank you. Brad and Sue Bennetch ---------------------------
Dear Friends, Again I have found myself to be on the receiving end of your generous love and prayers. My recent hospitalization and recovery has been buoyed by your concern, and Harry and I have been most blessed. Thank you for the many cards, visits, phone calls, and delicious meals. We are most appreciative and deeply grateful. Fondly, Carol Freebairn ---------------------------- Dear Church Members, Thank you so much for all the cards you have sent and also for the lovely flowers. Most especially, thank you for all your prayers. I truly believe they have helped me so much. God bless you all. Natalia Hubscher
“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. June monetary gifts were received by the church as follows:
Memorial Fund - In memory of Esther Conard, given by: Mibs and Don Follett Ann-Marie Panella - In memory of Carolyn Vollmer, given by: Linda, John, Zack and Rachel Gilmore
Organ Fund - In memory of Esther Conard, given by: Kathy and John Ramey
John H. Lehr Helping Hand Fund - In memory of Esther Conard, given by: Jane and Les Hulsizer
Capital Fund - In memory of Esther Conard, given by: Jim and Shirley Van Norman Fran Dean Rose Marie Leone Boris and Eileen Bloshuk Barry and Lorraine Fugere - In memory of Martin Puffpaff, given by: Wendell and Naomi Smith - In memory of Donald Hoff, given by: Joyce Schurz - In memory of Carolyn Vollmer, given by: Barry and Lorraine Fugere
July Birthdays
1 Charles Bradbury, Mason Knight 2 Solomon Akpor-Mensah, Shane Linzey, Chloe Washburn 3 Noralee Manzek 4 Thomas Dold 6 Ryan Canfield 8 Shirley Van Norman 10 Glenn Elder, John Ewadinger 13 Harold Banghart, Thomas Bartholomew, Jr, Gary Evans, Alexa Hughes 15 Emily Canfield, Alyssa Fulmer, Chauncey Howell 17 Thomas Class, Ann Spindler 18 Mibs Follett, Claire Ruschman 22 Anna Marie Fehr, Sheila Murray 23 Glenn Dennis II 25 Mary Berkenstock 26 Richard Ellis 29 Darcel Bridges, Michael Muthoka 30 Art Charlton, Nicholas Hill, Tess Ruschman 31 Erik Hjorth
August Birthdays
2 Ann Keim 3 John Charlton, Dominique Miccio 4 Katelyn Bartholomew 6 Ih Chin Kim 8 Brooke Fulmer 10 Christopher Lalonde 12 Lori Schumann 14 Sue Oliva 15 Joshua Charlton 16 Joseph Manzek 17 Lisa Mohammed 19 Diane Meyers 20 John Ramey 22 Scott Betts, Carl McGloughlin 23 Alexis Causa 25 Paige Cullinan, Michael Udut 26 Lee Nyffenegger 27 Rodney Bridges, Connor Cafferty 30 Christa Linzey 31 Richard Mohammed, Carolyn Rutt, Naomi Smith, Bailey Washburn
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First Presbyterian Church, Easton, PA
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