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Worship
& Sunday School
10:00 a.m.
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May Newsletter Deadline:
April 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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Blessed (almost) Holy Week, everyone!
While Christmas will always be my favorite holiday, Holy Week is my favorite part of the Church calendar. There is so much that actually happened during Jesus’s final week in his earthly life, culminating in two of the most beautiful and heart-rending days full of events that quite literally changed the world.
Growing up, I only ever remember Easter celebrations. And boy could my family throw a party! It was a welcome table where our family and friends gathered to enjoy all the traditional dishes (cough, from the ‘70s) and fellowship that bonded so many of us together through the years. I remember egg hunts and baskets. I remember the Bunny. All amazing and wonderful things.
However, it was not until I was a teenager that I learned about Holy Week. And I was all in from the get-go.
Our culture, as a general rule, prefers not to focus much on death. Nor to talk much about difficult or troubling things. Let alone messy or complex ones.
The great irony is that is what life literally is. Maybe not constant death for most of us. But there is far more of the troublesome, the chaotic and the complicated in this world and our lives than many of us would like to admit.
In his final days, Jesus enters his beloved Jerusalem triumphantly, then turns around and clears the temple with whip in hand. He teaches extensively, in the gospel we are studying this year, about what the Kingdom of Heaven is meant to be like – this included both the Greatest Commandment and the parable of the Sheep and Goats in these final days. If you’re not sure which parable that is, it’s the one where he gives us the go-to list of how we are supposed to continue following him: by physically caring for the least of these that are God’s children. He upsets a whole lot of people, many of whom are plotting to kill him, when he lets a woman wash his feet with her unbound hair (and they aren’t even married), telling us she is preparing him for his burial. All the while, his disciples won’t even let themselves believe Friday is coming. And that’s just the first four days.
Holy Week is messy and complicated. It is filled with contradictions and miracles. When we give ourselves space to truly enter into it, we will find that there is no way to leave unchanged.
One final thought: in his final sermon in John, Jesus tells his disciples that there is only one way the world will know we are Christ’s disciples. Given all that we are experiencing in our midst as we head into this coming week, there is no better fast or greater practice than to love with everything you’ve got. Radically. Recklessly. Standing with the tormented and comforting the hurting.
Imitate our Crucified God.
And remember to lift up your eyes, because we already know where our help is coming from.
Blessings,
Pastor Janie
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Holy Communion
This month we will celebrate the Lord's Supper three times during Holy Week: on the first Sunday of the month, Palm Sunday, April 2; on Maundy Thursday, April 6, and on Easter Sunday, April 9.
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Did you know?
Easter is actually a season. Eastertide begins with Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday and runs the seven weeks until Pentecost with the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The practice of celebrating the Paschal (borrowed from the Jewish word for Passover) holiday dates all the way back to the Second Century of the Common Era. However, the length of Eastertide has changed over the years. Originally, it was only forty days (plus Sundays), which was the span of time from Easter Sunday to the remembrance of Jesus’s Ascension into heaven. However, in the Twentieth Century, there was an ecumenical push to include the full fifty days into the season between Christ’s resurrection and his promise fulfilled with the Holy Spirit descending.
There are many different traditions that surround the season of Easter. For example, a large white Paschal or Christ candle is often used to represent the light that will not be conquered from John 1 and the empty tomb – a practice that dates back as far as the late Fourth Century. Eating lamb ties back to the remembrance that Christ died in the midst of the Jewish feast of Passover, acting as the Lamb for all of us. The practice of decorating Easter Eggs dates back to the Thirteenth Century, when the faithful were forbidden to eat eggs during Holy Week. As such, they would end up with an abundance of eggs from their chickens that had kept on laying. An egg’s symbolism of new life emerging from the shell was taken as a sign for Christians of the Empty Tomb as early as the First Century. The Easter Bunny first emerged from our Protestant forebears in Germany around the Seventeenth Century, as the Easter Hare who would only distribute eggs to the “good children.” However, the rabbit had already been a symbol within Christianity since the Medieval period, when it was associated with not only Mary and Jesus, but also the Holy Trinity.
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Sunday, April 2 -
Palm & Passion Sunday
10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Palms, Communion, Band, Choir, and beloved hymns as we move from the grand processional into the holy city of Jerusalem to the hill at Golgotha.
Artwork: "Power Play" by the Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity
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Thursday, April 6 -
Maundy Thursday
6:00 p.m.
Join us for a service like no other as we join in Communion together around a common supper table in our Chapel before moving to our Sanctuary for our traditional service of Tenebrae, the Latin word for "shadows," as we come closer to Christ's final hours on earth.
Artwork: "Re-Member Me" by the Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity
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Friday, April 7 - Good Friday
12:00 p.m. Hollidaysburg Ministerium
Lenten Lunch Series
Join us as we begin with a time of fellowship and food with our siblings in Christ in Smith Hall, followed by a short worship service in our Chapel based upon the Seven Last Words of Christ.
7:00 p.m. Hollidaysburg-Altoona Area Presbyterian Churches Worship Service
Join us for a traditional Good Friday Worship service led by the pastors of our area Presbyterian Churches and a joint choir under the direction of our very own Music Director, Walt Yatta.
Artwork: "Why Have You Forsaken Me" by the Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman
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Sunday, April 9 - Easter Sunday
10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Join us for Easter Sunday worship with choir, handbells, trumpet, organ, flowers, and Communion as we make a joyful noise to celebrate the resurrection of our Risen Lord!
Artwork: "A New Creation" by Hannah Garrity.
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Worship Space for the Spring
Following Easter Sunday, we will be moving back into the Chapel for regular worship on Sundays to maintain the spirit of fellowship and family we have found there over these past few months. However, we all miss our gorgeous Organ and hearing Walt's artistry upon it. So, on the very last Sunday of every month, we will be having our worship service in the Sanctuary to enjoy the gifts that our forebears have given us in this campus. This will begin in April. See you soon!
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Annual Easter Egg Hunt
This coming Sunday, April 2, following worship, we will have our Annual Easter Egg Hunt either on the Walnut Lawn or in Smith Hall, depending on weather. Children 0-fifth grade are encouraged to participate. And you never know where our Bunny's Helpers are going to hide those eggs (last year some were on the ceiling).
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Thanks to everyone for a great Lenten JAM Season! | |
One Great Hour of Sharing
During Holy Week, we will participate in one of the four annual special offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): One Great Hour of Sharing. For over 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided Presbyterians a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. You can learn more about OGHS by clicking here!
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We still have spaces available for our upcoming CPR & AED Training on Monday, April 17 at 5:00 p.m. Jay Reilly of Hollidaysburg Ambulance Service will be with us to do our training in Smith Hall, which will last approximately three to four hours. Minimum age is 12. Cost is $35 per person to be paid via cash or check on the day of training. We will have twelve spots that will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Please contact the Church Office if you would like to join in on this great opportunity!
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Please hold in prayer members of our church family and friends who are in special need: Reggie Arford, Marlene Aurandt, Ann & Laird Benton, Julia Benton, Nancy Buchanan, Eleanor Carson, Anne Forsht, James Hammonds, Rodger & Sally Hammond, Paula Heim, Ticky Hendricks, Bobbi Hill, Ron Kennedy, Mary Lee, Norma McPhee, Betty Meyer, Tristan Meyers, Binky Moxin, Eleanor Myers, Sarah Ocker, Ray Overdorff, Pat Parnell, Ed Pratt, Jill Reigh, Aleta & Brad Reist, June Slep, Doug Soisson, Carol Stultz, John & Diane Stultz, Bill & Deb Wandersee, Bonnie Ward, 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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What does FPCH mean to you? | |
Four of our young people will become full members during Holy Week. Over the course of their Confirmation Class this year, what has become apparent is that they come to our Church Family seeking a place that will welcome their questions, teach and encourage them to dive deeper into the Scriptures, history, and wonder of faith, and most importantly be a home in God's body that fully embraces them as they are. These are young people who care immensely about serving others and continuing to grow their relationships in God through the years to come. This is just a snapshot of one of the essential ministries that are a part of FPCH. | |
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Every year, we take part in the mission of the larger church by paying a portion of the budgets for our Presbytery (local region), our Synod (larger region), and General Assembly's Mission Efforts. The reason is that we are these governing bodies and they are us - we take part and are able to send commissioners to every level. The portion we pay is called "per capita," which means per full member (adults and confirmed youth members). This year we are paying $39.24 per person, most of which will stay within our very own Huntingdon Presbytery. Click on the emboldened words above to learn more about our higher governing bodies. We encourage you to consider paying your own portion as we take part in Christ's larger mission in the world!
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Our Session met on Tuesday, March 21 for its stated meeting. During their meeting they heavily discussed Holy Week and all the activities that will be happening. They hired our previous Childcare Worker, Taylor Thompson, to work the Nursery for Easter Sunday morning, so that all of our Sunday School staff can be present in worship for Confirmation. The major topic up for conversation during the meeting was where to worship following Easter Sunday. After sharing their experiences of these past months, the Session unanimously chose to remain in the Chapel for regular worship to continue spirit of fellowship and community that has been building. In addition, it was agreed that the final Sunday of each month would be spent in the Sanctuary for worship in order that we can enjoy the beauty of our Organ and the wonder of Walt’s talents upon it.
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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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