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Worship
10:00 a.m.
Sanctuary
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July Newsletter Deadline:
June 26th
Please send submissions via email
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To see our worship up close at home, click one of the links below! | |
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I recently had the chance to discuss what makes humans tick with a friend of mine. And after wandering around in circles of debate, we did wind up at this common conclusion: at the heart of every major world religion is a version of the golden rule. Treat others as you yourself would wish to be treated. Jesus put it this way – love your neighbors as you love yourself.
While that may be the starting point, it is usually not enough, which is certainly true for our God. It goes beyond simply loving like we love ourselves to actually loving as God has loved us. And that is a love beyond all imagining. A love that moves mountains. A love that walks alongside us through even the greatest trials and deepest valleys. A love that can give us courage to change the world.
Because the truth is, as Robert F. Kennedy said, the purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better. All of us have some way we can lend a hand to our neighbors and make a difference in the world around us. Some choose a specific form of giving their lives to serve something greater than themselves. Others follow Mother Teresa’s mantra of little acts of love every day. Nevertheless, being God’s children on this earth, we are called to live for more than just ourselves.
As we give thanks for and celebrate these people in our lives, our church, and our world, let us also be ever mindful of the ways we ourselves are being invited to share God’s remarkable love in new and creative ways.
Blessings,
Pastor Janie
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Sunday, June 6: We will be recognizing all of our High School Graduates, Sunday School Teachers, Choir & Band Members, Committee Members & Chairs, Deacons, and Elders as this school year comes to a close. We hope that you will join us as we celebrate you and all the wonderful ways God continues to work through your life and in our family of faith!
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Holy Communion
In June we will celebrate Communion on Pentecost Sunday, May 28.
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Did you know?
Why we say so much in worship?
We are doing something called liturgy, from a Greek word that literally means “work of the people.” In ancient Greece, the work was a part of their worship that included everything from words to financial donations to literal sacrifices and offerings of animals. However, when the Christian church adopted and adapted the word for its own use, they chose to focus solely on the words.
Specifically, we believe that the words we say in response to one another are an important part of our communication with God. As Presbyterians are a part of the “liturgical tradition” (churches that like responsive liturgy), we are often known to include a good bit of call and response and collective prayers in our order. We believe that God joins in and is present in the community as it is doing this work of praise and prayer.
There are also usually two leaders for worship. One is the pastor who preaches, gives the benediction, and usually leads the prayers of the people. The other is known as the liturgist, the one who leads the liturgy and the work that the people are doing.
One final note about our liturgy: if you have ever been to Catholic or Episcopal or Lutheran service, you will notice that their words rarely change much. However, ours do. And the reason is that while we have a specific form, we have a great deal of freedom within it. Even better, we have a group of very wise and erudite people who spent years studying the Scriptures and our liturgical forms and created resources for us that are based on not only the seasons of the church year, but also the Scripture readings we are doing. Quite often, those resources are where our liturgy is coming from.
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Summer Sermon Series: Starting June 4th...
Join us in worship as we spend the summer studying the original soap opera: the Book of Genesis!
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Sunday, June 4: Trinity Sunday
Creation in Genesis 1:
Good Movement
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Sunday, June 11:
Adam & Eve: Genesis 2 & 3
Something Completely Different
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Sunday, June 18:
Cain & Abel: Genesis 4
The Second Sin
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Sunday, June 25:
Noah: Genesis 5-9
Promises, Priomises
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Sunday, July 2:
(Communion)
The Tower of Babel: Genesis 11
Wondrous Variety
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Sunday, July 23:
Abraham & Sarah:
Genesis 12-22
Beauty & the Warlord
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Sunday, July 30:
Ishmael & Hagar:
Genesis 16 & 21
The Redheaded Firstborn
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Sunday, August 6:
(Communion)
Lot & Sodom:
Genesis 14, 18-19
Stories We Do Not Name
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Sunday, August 13:
Isaac & Rebekah:
Genesis 24
A Cool Drink of Water
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Sunday, August 20:
Jacob & Esau:
Genesis 25, 27-28, 32-33
Hot on His Heel
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Sunday, August 27:
Jacob & Rachel:
Genesis 29-30, 32-33
A Seven Year Kind of Love
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Sunday, September 3:
(Communion)
Joseph:
Genesis 37, 39-50
The Baby Went Down to Egypt
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Help Usher This Summer!
We need all hands on deck as we return to the Sanctuary for the warmer months of the year. If you would like to be an usher for a specific Sunday, please choose your dates on the sign-up sheet outside the Church Office or call our Church Administrator, Angela Koelle. Thank you!
P.S. We will have worship on Sunday, July 9 & July 16, while Pastor Janie is away on the Youth Mission Trip. Our Guest Preachers will be CLP Ken Lynch and our very own Dr. Patricia Jebbah-Wesley - so get excited!
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VBS Registration Open...
Until Wednesday, June 7th!
VBS Dates: June 11-15, 2023
Change the world this year in Operation Restoration! At VBS 2023 our kids will learn how they can become menders of God's world in their everyday lives through storytelling, action-oriented activities, music, games, dancing, and so much more!
To register now, click the button below!!!
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Summer Childcare - Nursery
Starting on Sunday, June 4, our Sunday School teachers will officially be off for the summer (getting that break they all deserve!). That means that we will need all hands on deck keeping the "nursery," which in the summertime includes all children Kindergarten and down through worship. It is true that everyone who works with our children need background checks and clearances, but we will be happy to assist you in attaining them. So, if you love kids, please consider helping us out one or two Sundays this summer. Sign-up sheets are next to the Church Office. Thank you!
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VBS Donations Needed!
We need your help getting ready for VBS in a couple of weeks. Below is a list of supplies we need to gather for our kids to create, to learn, and to grow. Some of them will allow us all to reuse and recycle. Others are fresh supplies from the grocery store. Any help you can provide is much appreciated!
45 empty 20oz bottles
Approx. 50 latex balloons
1 Loaf of white bread
1 Large set of Ziploc baggies (quart size)
1 container Borax
1 container Cornstarch
1 set Nitrile gloves (size small)
1 set Nitrile gloves (size large)
15 ace bandages (preferably 3” or larger)
15 empty soup-sized cans (no lids please)
Flat stepping stones (approx. 12x18”)
Large Set of multicolored 9mm pony beads
3 cans cheap shaving cream
3 cheap ponchos
15 flower pots
Potting soil
3 packages of heavy-duty aluminum foil
1 regular size package of bread flour
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First Nights @ the Park are back!
On the 2nd and 4th Sunday evenings of the month we will be out in the park with fun, food, and fellowship from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.! Bring your friends and join us as we enjoy some time together on the first night of the week with our First Pres family!
This Sunday, May 28, we will be at Highland Park in Altoona. In
June, we will be at Chimney Rocks Park in Hollidaysburg on Sunday, June 11, which will include the start of VBS, and in Martinsburg, location TBA on Sunday, June 25.
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Pentecost Offering
On Pentecost Sunday, May 28, we will participate in one of the four annual special offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): The Pentecost Offering unites us in a church-wide effort to support young people and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world. A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pentecost offering will be retained by our congregation to support at-risk youth in our community through our mission partner, Evolution Expressions. The remaining 60% is used to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adults through ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
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Please hold in prayer members of our church family and friends who are in special need: Reggie Arford, the Atherton-Lingafelt Family, Marlene Aurandt, Ann & Laird Benton, Julia Benton, Nancy Buchanan, Eleanor Carson, Anne Forsht, James Hammonds, Rodger & Sally Hammond, Paula Heim, Ticky Hendricks, Bobbi Hill, Jim Hines, Ron Kennedy, Norma McPhee, Betty Meyer, Tristan Meyers, Ellie Morgan, Nancy Musselman, Eleanor Myers, Sarah Ocker, Diane Osgood & Family, Ray Overdorff, Pat Parnell, Ed Pratt, Jill Reigh, Aleta & Brad Reist, Tony Romano, Rhonda & Mark Shawley & Family, June Slep, Doug Soisson, Carol Stultz, John & Diane Stultz, Bill & Deb Wandersee, Patricia Jebbah-Wesley, Phil & Stacey Willis and Family, Avery Marie Wineland.
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Please also hold our troops in your prayers, including Trent Sipes, Kyle Gardner, Andrew Rosamilia, Cameron Sellers, and Harrison Heim, who are directly related to our congregation. Pray for our leaders and the leaders around the world as they are making decisions in the coming days. And please pray for all those who find themselves in harm's way that they may know God's presence and that they will have what they need.
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Many Thanks!!
Thank you so much for the letter. I looked at every signature and thought of each of you and where you usually sat. There were a few names that were not familiar I hope they are new members.
One of these days I just might be able to get back and worship with you again. Until then–keep up the good work and I will continue to worship with the many churches on TV with broadcast services
Thanks and my prayers are with you.
Norma McPhee
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Our Prayer Chain:
Collective Hope
As our newly reconstituted prayer chain continues to evolve, we are pleased to announce that one of our leaders has volunteered to be our main point of contact. So, if you have an immediate prayer request for our prayer chain, Collective Hope, please contact Diane Zink at 814.381.5340 via text or call and she will be sure to get our prayers praying as soon as possible!
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Thank you for the lovely care letter after my shoulder surgery. It truly meant a lot to me that so
many of you took the time to read and sign my letter. It adds to my feeling of having found the
church family that I lost when we had to leave the Baptist church. That is an awesome feeling. I
enjoy doing things to help and care for things in this church. The people here care about others.
That is important to a church. Thank you for letting me be part of this family and caring for me and my family.
With love and sincerity,
Julia Benton
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What does FPCH mean to you? | |
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Where would you be if FPCH had not been a part of your life?
Was not a part of your life today?
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Our Session met for its stated meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. They approved three weddings for the coming year in 2024 in April, May, and June. In addition, extensive time was spent discussing the budget and financial realities of our church and some early decisions were made to save money where we can, including through protecting our HVAC resources throughout the year. To that end, worship is being moved to the Sanctuary for the summer to make our congregation as comfortable as possible. The Session also approved the three additional at-large members of the Congregational Officer Nominating Committee, per the congregation’s request. They are Bill Edwards, Sandy Nycum, and Linda Snider. They join Katie Chestney, who was elected at our Annual Congregational Meeting, Binky Moxin (Deacons), and Alan Musselman (Session) to create the full committee this year.
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Change to Pastor's Office Hours for the Summer...
With the arrival of the hotter months also comes the joy of the end of school, which means that, like everybody else, Pastor Janie's kids will be home for the summer. In light of this, her "Drop-In" Office Hours - those times when she is just hanging out in her office and hoping you might pop by - will be shifting a little bit. Those hours will be Mondays & Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., beginning on Thursday, June 8. In addition, she will have time for kid-free appointments and non-emergency visitations on Sunday and Thursday afternoons. Of course, Janie remains on-call 24/7 and if you have need of her, simply call the Church Office (814.695.9019). Thank you for your loving support of both her and especially of her sons, two of our baptized church members, as they continue to find their way in her husband's absence.
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Presbyterian Cemetery Lots For Sale
Want to be laid to rest near the site of our church's founding? Contact John Stultz of Stultz Real Estate for more information, 814.695.4463.
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Our Leadership Team
Session
Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith, Moderator
Jessica Stanek, Clerk
Alan Musselman ('25), Assistant Clerk
Sally Unger, Treasurer
Gail Allen, Brandon Burns, Shannon Carper, Kathryn Gardner, Joel Seelye, Diane Zink
Deacons - Pastoral Care & Mission
Nancy, Michael, Moderator
Joe Carper, Vice Moderator
Kathy Draskoczy, Barb Evans, Molly Goldstein, Binky Moxin, Carroll Osgood, Pat Parnell
Administrative Committee
Dorothy Moore Liller & John Stultz, Co-Chairs
Gail Allen, Susan Musselman, Joel Seelye, Linda Snider
Christian Education Committee
Becky Burns & Amanda Seelye, Co-Chairs
Kathy Draskoczy, Diane McClanahan, Nancy Michael, Ashtyn Whyte
Fellowship & Outreach Committee
Leigh Casey & Brenna Tatusko, Co-Chairs
Sue Ann Hess, Lynette Luke, Alan Musselman
Property Committee
Brandon Burns, Chair
Bill Edwards, Barb Huff, Kathryn Gardner, Carroll Osgood, Dennis Zink
Worship Committee
Julia Benton & Diane Zink, Co-Chairs
Catherine Cone, Janet Hines, Bonnie Ward
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Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith, Pastor
Email: revjaniefpch@gmail.com
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Walter Yatta, Music Director
Email: walyatta@verizon.net
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Angela Koelle,
Church Administrator
Email: churchmouse10@gmail.com
Phone: 814.695.9019
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