First Presbyterian Church of Phoenixville

Weekly Schedule: May 19 & 26, 2013

admin — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:28 +0000

This Week in the Life of the Church

Sunday, May 19th – Communion (*child care provided)
9:00 a.m. *Church School for all ages.
10:30 a.m. *WORSHIP SERVICE – Rev. Bill Elliott, guest pastor
11:45 a.m. Deacons meeting (parlor)
7:00 p.m. Brass rehearsal (sanctuary)
Monday, May 20th
6:30 p.m. Firebird Kids rehearsal (fellowsihp hall)
7:00 p.m. Transition Team
Tuesday, May 21st
10:00 a.m. Counseling sessions (library)
6:30 p.m. Firebird Kids rehearsal (fellowship hall)
7:00 p.m. Bell Choir rehearsal
7:00 p.m. MAC meeting (library)
Wednesday, May 22nd
10:00 a.m. AARP meeting (library)
7:00 p.m. Sacred Movement Group rehearsal (sanctuary)
7:30 p.m. Praise Team rehearsal (sanctuary)
Thursday, May 23rd
9:00 a.m. People to People (fellowship hall)
6:30 p.m. Firebird Kids rehearsal (fellowship hall)
7:30 p.m. Sr. Choir rehearsal (choir room)
Friday, May 24th
3:00 p.m. Wedding rehearsal (sanctuary)
Saturday, May 25th
2:30 p.m. Wedding service (sanctuary)
Sunday, May 26th (*child care provided)
10:30 a.m. *WORSHIP SERVICE – Rev. Bill Elliott, guest pastor
7:00 p.m. Brass quartet rehearsal (sanctuary)
Monday, May 27th – Memorial Day
Church office closed.
6:30 p.m. Firebird Kids rehearsal (fellowship hall)
Tuesday, May 28th
10:00 a.m. Counseling sessions (parlor)
6:30 p.m. Firebird Kids rehearsal (fellowship hall)
7:00 p.m. Bell choir rehearsal (choir room)
Wednesday, May 29th
7:00 p.m. Sacred Movement Group rehearsal
7:30 p.m. Praise Team rehearsal (sanctuary)
Thursday, May 30th
9:00 a.m. People to People (fellowship hall)
6:30 p.m. Firebird Kids rehearsal (fellowship hall)
Saturday, June 1st
11:30 a.m. Memorial Service for Richard Valenteen @ Devlin-Ramos-Kepp Funeral Home
Sunday, June 2nd – Graduate Sunday (*child care available)
10:30 a.m. *Worship Service – Rev. Dr. Nicole Duran, guest pastor
11:45 a.m. Congregational meeting (sanctuary)
12:00 n. Graduate reception on the lawn.
12:00 n. Worship & Music Committee meeting (fellowship hall)
2:00 p.m. Street People (kitchen)
7:00 p.m. Brass rehearsal (sanctuary)

Upcoming Youth Activities

Janet Port — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:31:32 +0000

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YOUTH GROUP ORIENTERING EVENT

The youth group is sponsoring an orientering event on Sunday, May 5th.

Bring a bag lunch to eat in the van as we make our way to

FRENCH CREEK STATE PARK

We will leave after the worship service.

This event is FREE and is open to all youth group and church members and friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Sinapius and Nicholas who are experienced with this will be organizing us for the event.

We will work in teams and need to know who is planning to attend ASAP. Please email Peg Russell at christianed1stpres@comcast.net

or call the church office at 610-933-8816.

We will be leaving the park around 3:30 which will get everyone home in time for Sunday dinner

and to finish any homework that wasn’t done on Friday after school. (lol)

Attached is a registration (permission) form that must be turned in before getting in the van or car if your family is not joining you for the fun of this event.

Let us know you are coming so we will have enough transportation and maps.

Thanks!

Event for the Samaritan Shelter

The youth church school class is participating in a evening to benefit the shelter on April 20th.

See Mr. Osterhoudt or Mrs. Goodman for all the details and be a part of this great event.

YOUTH GROUP MEETING

The youth are meeting on Sunday, April 21st from 7 pm to 8:15 in the youth room.

After games, etc. we will be making plans for the rest of the spring, the summer and early next fall.

Be sure to come out and hear about some of the things we could do. Bring your own ideas as well.

Have a say in the direction of our group.

See you there! Peg

The Humble Servant

Rev. Dave McCabe — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:09:52 +0000

One day a humble servant of the Lord lost a very dear friend to the scourge cancer. The humble servant felt great sorrow and prayed that he would someday see his friend again. After much time in prayer, the humble servant was confronted by a demon. The demon said to him, “Why do you waste your time in prayer? There is no proof that God exists.”The humble servant answered him, “I have faith and that is why I pray.”The demon then said to him with disdain, “Faith is no more than superstition. On what do you base this ‘faith?’”The humble servant answered, “I base this faith on trust.”"Trust in whom?” the demon retorted. “In whom do you have such trust that you would ignore the laws of probability and the laws of science?”"I trust in Christ,” the humble servant replied.”In Christ!” the demon exclaimed. “In Christ! Name one thing Christ has done to earn your trust. Tell me please, what has He ever done to earn your prayers? I dare you to name one miracle He has ever performed that has been proven by science to be true. Name it! Name it!” he taunted with glee.The humble servant stood with patience, and then answered with three simple words: “The Church exists.”"What?” the demon declared in confusion. “What!” he said again with vexation. “What do you mean ‘the Church exists?’ Please tell me how this relates to trust. Please tell me how this justifies your wasted time in prayer?”The humble servant calmly explained his answer. “Jesus Christ made a promise–the simple promise ‘Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.’ And now after 2000 years the Church still endures. It endures despite a history of heresies and persecutions. It endures despite the tyranny of despots. It endures despite the laws of probability and the laws of science. What greater miracle is there than this—that the son of a simple carpenter, who lived a life of poverty, and dwelled with the lowly, who never ventured more than a hundred miles from the town of his birth, and who died a criminal’s death on a cross, would establish a great and holy Church, and that the teachings of this Church would be spread throughout the world by twelve simple men–men who hid in fear after the crucifixion? Yet in a mere three days after this lowly criminal’s death, these twelve sprang forth and proclaimed His word and gave up their lives so that His promise would ring true. And over the centuries thousands of others gave their lives also, so that the Church would go on. The most powerful kings and most menacing armies stood against her, but the Church did not falter. For 2000 years this Church has withstood the test of time, overcoming the greatest of odds again and again. It surmounted the insurmountable. It beat the unbeatable foe. It prevailed through the harshest of storms. I say to you, this Church has shattered the very laws that you exalt. It defied that laws of probability, and it humbled the laws of science.”The humble servant continued on, “The existence of this Church is not a myth. The existence of this Church is not a legend. That this Church exists is an undeniable fact. That Christ’s promise was kept is an undeniable fact. And if He kept this promise, then how can there be any doubt that He will keep His greatest promise—the promise that was central to His ministry, the promise that said ‘If you believe in me, and eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, you shall live forever.’ So when you ask ‘why do I have faith,’ I tell you, it is because I have trust, and nothing that your fair science can offer can break that trust. This is why I pray, so that someday I will enjoy that most sacred covenant of all”–the humble servant paused briefly and then added with solemnity and conviction–”together with my friend!” He then looked the demon right in the eye. “What good can your science and probability offer that is greater than this?”With those words, the demon turned away, never to bother the humble servant again.

Flea Market

Janet Port — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:25:59 +0000

It’s time for the flea market again!

Mark your calendars for April 13, 8am – 1pm.

All proceeds benefit People to People. Please come and shop, bring your friends!

Palm Sunday

Janet Port — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:53:18 +0000

Palm Sunday Festivities

Palm Sunday will be an extremely busy day for our church family, so the Worship and Music Committee wants to give you a heads up in advance in order for you to plan accordingly, The Bell Choir is working on a very special piece of music for the prelude and it is a little longer than usual. Barb Giebler will have the choir begin playing a little early, so please come about 10:20 AM on Palm Sunday so you can prepare for worship by listening to this wonderful music. This is also the week that a reception will be held for the McCabes in Fellowship Hall following the worship service. As a result of this, the Coffee Hour between Church School and Worship will be held in the “Glass Cafe” overlooking Fellowship Hall. We hope to see you at church on Palm Sunday, March 24, to be a part of all that is going on!

Maundy Thursday service

Janet Port — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:50:27 +0000

Maundy Thursday, March 28, at 7:30 PM we will have a communion service featuring the scripture, liturgy and music from “Harvest of Sorrows” . Please plan to attend; this is a very moving and meaningful service as we prepare for the time through Good Friday and into Easter Sunday.

Guest speaker! March 18

Janet Port — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:48:22 +0000

GUEST SPEAKER REV. DOUG BAKER

Challenges in the Northern Ireland Peace Process

On Monday, March 18th, at 7 PM in the Sanctuary, Rev. Doug Baker is scheduled as a guest speaker. He is a Presbyterian Church USA Mission-Co-Worker who has been engaged in ministries of reconciliation in Northern Ireland since 1979.One of his primary responsibilities is serving as a resource to the Irish Churches – both Catholic and Protestant -as they develop their own capacity to contribute to peace-building in wider society. The Northern Ireland ‘Peace Process’ and the 1998 Belfast Agreement have been hailed as models for the resolution of other civil and ethnic conflicts around our world. However, news coming out of Northern Ireland in recent months has often been of renewed protests and riots. This will be a very interesting presentation so mark your calendars and plan to attend!

There will be a reception in the Parlor following Rev. Baker’s presentation.

For further information please go to:http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/baker-doug-and-elaine/

Organ concerts in February

Janet Port — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:00:59 +0000

The much anticipated organ concerts start this week!FPC is hosting the AGO noon recital series for the month of February!

Please join us on Tuesdays at 12:00 noon for a FREE half-hour program on our Kegg organ.

The February series will feature:

Feb. 4 – Susanna Faust

Feb.12 – Anthony Ciucci

Feb.19 – Mib Campbell

Feb.26 – Anita Greenlee

The series will feature a variety of literature, chosen by the performers, and presented on our lovely Kegg organ. Please join us and bring your friends and co-workers.

WE Event, January 27th

Sue Smith — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:09:52 +0000

WE is a series of intergenerational events that will bring our whole church together for a great meal and a rich learning celebration that will bring unity to our community as we nurture our faith.

January 27th – Fellowship Hall – Doors open at 4:45 pm.

Pot-Luck Supper at 5:00 pm Sharp. If you are able, please bring a main dish, side dish, salad or dessert to share.
Program runs from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Nursery childcare provided for infants thru 3 years of age.

The Light of Christ

Rev. Dave McCabe — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 13:19:55 +0000

Last night I spoke to a group of children and their parents at the Valley Forge V.F.D. Tree Lighting Ceremony. I used a flashlight to show how even a small light can make a difference in a dark place. I told everyone there, children and adults, that the light of Christ can abide in our hearts and provide that light–not just for ourselves, but to others whose lives are in darkness. Today, in prayer, let us open ourselves to God’s Light for the World in Christ, keeping all who mourn the loss of a loved one in our hearts.