"We are new creations in Christ."
~ 2 Cor. 5:17
Summer Worship Schedule
(through Sept. 6)
Sundays
Worship: 10:00am
Sunday School: 10:20am
Coffee Hour: 11:00am
Regular Program Year Worship Schedule
(beginning Sept. 13)
Sundays
Worship: 9:00 & 11:15am
Sunday School: 10:00am
Coffee Hour: 10:15am
Wednesdays
Taize Service: 5:00pm
Special Worship
Sunday Bulletin
News and Events
Current Month's Activities and News
Upcoming Months
Current Month's Activities and News
March
FIRST NATIONAL BANK PARKING: First National Bank has graciously agreed to allow our congregation to park in their parking lot on SUNDAYS ONLY (17 spots are available -- please DO NOT park in the drive-thru lanes). The rest of the week, Monday - Saturday must be reserved for their employees. Any vehicle without an employee sticker will be towed at the owner's expense.
Our Lenten Journey
Lent is often referred to as a journey, because of the movement in scripture of Jesus towards the cross, but also because each of us that observes Lent takes a personal journey of reflection and repentance. We begin that journey with self examination when we reflect on what needs to change in our lives. At SCPC we gather as a faith community for an Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, February 17.
Led by FISH, with Joel Blunk preaching, the service will include communion and imposition of ashes. Our journey continues through the forty days of Lent with regular opportunities to worship on Wednesday afternoons at 5:00 pm in our Taizé Prayer and a Sunday mornings. Our theme through Lent will be "Oh! David" as we look at the life of King David. On the fifth Sunday in Lent all the children and youth our LOGOS Ministry will present their annual musical "Young David" with songs, movement, and drama depicting a mature David reflecting on his life. This is an original musical with book by Chuck Curley and music by Ned Wetherald, originally presented in 2002. To assist you in your personal Lenten journey, we will have Lenten Devotionals with readings for each day of the season written by SCPC staff members. They will be available just before Ash Wednesday. Our journey continues on Palm Sunday with the excitement and chaos of Christ's entry into Jerusalem and a foreshadowing of the dramatic events of the week to come. With palms, processions, and shouts of hosanna we will remember these events. On Maundy Thursday, we remember and celebrate the Last Supper at our service on Thursday, April 1, 7:30 pm. On Good Friday, April 2, there are multiple opportunities to observe the solemnity of the day. The Community Good Friday service begins at noon and continues until 3:00 pm (watch for details in the March and April PresbyPost). Our SCPC Good Friday Service begins at 7:30 pm. We celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord on Sunday, April 4 beginning with a brief Communion service at 8:00 am and a festival service at our usual times of 9:00 and 11:15 am. We pray that our journey will be fruitful and Spirit-filled.
Spring Break Mission Trips
SCPC's Mission Ministry Unit is sponsoring two new Mission Trips this Spring Break:
1) FISH is heading to Pittsburgh, PA for inner-city outreach
2) WPF is flying to Tucson, AZ for homeless and immigrant outreach
Please Sponsor Us! Participants on these trips have never been charged a fee that covers the true cost of the mission trip, and this year is no exception. It has always been an extension of the ministry of this congregation to support, and subsidize the expense to individuals who offer their time in mission. Please consider being a mission sponsor this year for the college trip to Tucson, the FISH trip to Pittsburgh, or both! Send checks to the church office marked "mission sponsor" in the memo. Questions about the FISH trip can be directed to Joel Blunk or Kim Hunziker. Mission Trippers will be at tables in the Social Hall between worship prior to our trip to tell you more about their trips and will be thrilled to help you sponsor our trips.
During the Mission Trip, we will be writing to share our experience with you, the Sponsors. Here's a sneak peak at what we expect our trips will be about ...
FISH is going to Pittsburgh this year. We will be staying at the Community House Presbyterian Church in the Northside (right next to Allegheny General Hospital). We have contracted with Pittsburgh Cares to line up work for us within walking distance of the church and will be recreating and showering at the Northside YMCA.
WPF is heading to Tucson to work with Humane Borders and at Southside Presbyterian Church's Cross Street Ministries (where we will be staying). Humane Borders is a humanitarian organization dedicated to creating a just and humane border environment and reducing the number of migrants dying in the desert. We will do some desert fieldwork, interact with their community and explore God's creation in the desert.
Both trips promise to be enriching while we explore the controversial issues involved in our country's inner cities and at the southern border.
Presbyterian Women News
Wednesday, March 10, 1:00 pm -- PW Board meeting in the Church Library
Monday, March 15, 1:00 pm -- Esther Circle meeting in the Martin Room. We will be assembling Baby Care Kits to be sent to the Brethren Service Center of Church World Service in Windsor, MD to replenish their depleted stock. Many of these kits have been recently sent to Haiti.
Tuesday, March 16, 9:30 am -- Rebecca Circle meeting at the home of Hope Coder, 300 Lion's HIll Rd, W303.
Coming PW Events:
April 11 -- PW Sunday worship led by women of the church
May 4 -- Celebrate Spring at the PW Spring Birthday Luncheon. Location to be announced.
SCPC Habitat Work Day
Saturday, March 27
Contact Kim Hunziker to sign up! 238-2422
Lent -- Holy Week -- Easter
The old saying goes that "If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb." This year March comes in during Lent and goes out during Holy Week.
Sunday March 28 is Palm Sunday. At SCPC that means the Deacon's Palm Sunday Breakfast, worship services with processions and palms, and dedicating the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.
Just after the end of March is Maundy Thursday on April 1, Good Friday on April 2, and Easter Sunday on April 4.
Maundy Thursday Service -- Thursday, April 1 at 7:30 pm
Community Good Friday Service -- Friday, April 2 -- 1:00 - 3:00 pm
SCPC Good Friday Service -- April 2 at 7:30 pm
Easter Sunday -- April 4 with Brief Communion Service at 8:00 am and Festival Worship Services at 9:00 and 11:15 am
Annual LOGOS Musical -- Sunday, March 21st
During both worship services on Sunday, March 21st the LOGOS Ministry will present their annual LOGOS Musical, "Young David", with book by Charles Curley and music by Ned Wetherald.
Join us as the children and youth of our LOGOS Ministry bring the story of Young David alive. Hear about Samuel, Saul, how David was chosen as king, and of course, David's run in with Goliath -- through scripture, dialogue, action and song.
Oasis Ministries Events with Beldon Lane (Including Inward Bound Retreat for Men)
Save the dates, April 15-18, 2010, and join Associate Pastor Joel Blunk and Oasis Ministries for events with author and theologian Belden Lane. Belden is an ordained Presbyterian Minister and Professor of Theological Studies at St. Louis University. In recent years, he has done considerable work around the globe, inviting folks to grow spiritually through prayer and encounters with the natural world. He will be speaking at our church in an open public forum on Thursday evening, April 15, beginning at 7:00 pm. His topic will be "Landscapes of the Sacred and the Spiritual Life" -- an introduction to the power of God's presence, mediated through the particular, often ordinary, places in our lives. Friday through Sunday, April 16-18, he will be leading a men's retreat at Krislund entitled "Inward Bound: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers for Men Today." Brochures are available in the church office or for details and to register visit the following links:
http://www.oasismin.org/Author_Series.html#lane
http://www.oasismin.org/Assets/Mens_Retreat.html
Progressive Dinner 2010 -- April 17
Adults of all ages should plan to attend this year's Progressive Dinner to enjoy good food and fellowship!
The Progressive Dinner Committee invites participants to contribute an appetizer, main course, salad, or dessert. At 5:30 pm all participants will assemble for appetizers and fellowship. Following hors d'oeuvres, everyone will split into groups of 6, 8, or 10, traveling to their host's home (previously assigned) for the main course. Each couple or single participant will bring their own favorite appetizer, salad and bread, or dessert. Progressive dinner hosts will provide the main course. Following the main course, all will reassemble for dessert.
Watch for sign-up sheets to appear in the Social Hall during the month of March announcing details. You may also
call Connie DiNunzio (867-3125) with questions or to sign up in advance.
Living Waters Concert
The MIssion Ministry Unit and the Music MInistry of State College Presbyterian Church will present a concert on Sunday, APril 18, 3:30 pm to celebrate, educate, and support SCPC's Living Water Project. A Living Waters Choir begins rehearsals on Sunday, February 28, 7:0 pm and will continue Sunday evening rehearsals until the concert. They will be singing music about water and the many ways it is important in our lives. If you would like to be part of the Living Waters Choir just drop into the next rehearsal or contact Ned Wetherald, Director of Music Ministry (238-2422).
Instrumentalists will be involved as well as all sorts of ensembles and combinations prepare music from Handel's "Water Music" which was originally three suites of orchestral music (about 20 individual pieces in all) which were performed by an orchestra of about 50 musicians floating on a barge near the royal barge on the Thames River in the summer of 1717. King George 1 was so pleased with the music that the exhausted musicians had to play all three suites three times on the trip! If you are interested in playing in an ensemble, please contact Ned (238-2422).
HELP for Haiti - More Kits
Within the first week following the earthquake in Haiti, we collected over100 complete Hygiene Kits and bulk supplies for dozens more! In addition to collecting Hygiene kits, Church World Service has just recently issued a request for Baby Kits. Kim Hunziker (SCPC Mission Associate) will collect complete Baby Kits and Hygiene Kits through the middle of February. Please place your kits in the box outside of Diana and Kim's office on the ground level of the church. There is a $2/kit cost to ship the kits to Haiti from Church World Service and an additional expense to ship our batches of kits to CWS. Donations toward those expenses are welcome Please note "Haiti - kits" in the memo line of your check.
To assemble a Baby Kit you will need:
- Six cloth diapers
- Two T-shirts or undershirts (no onsies)
- Two gowns or sleepers
- Two diaper pins
- One sweater or Sweatshirt
- Two receiving blankets (one can be a hand-knitted or crocheted baby blanket)
All items should be new. Wrap items inside one of the receiving blankets and secure with both diaper pins.
To assemble a Hygiene Kit you will need:
- One hand towel measuring approximately 16" x 28" (no fingertip or bath towels)
- One washcloth
- One wide-tooth comb
- One nail clipper
- One bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
- One toothbrush (in original packaging)
- Six Band-Aids
Please do not add toothpaste to the Hygiene Kit. Toothpaste that has an extended expiration date will be added to kit shipments just prior to shipment. Seal all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure.
Krislund Launches New Websites
This past month Krislund has re-launched its primary website, www.krislund.org. The website has a new design and includes much of the same great information as before, as well as a lot of updated and reorganized information. www.krislund.org will focus on our summer camping program, our volunteer program, as well as give basic facts concerning our facilities. Parents can register their child for camp, perspective staff members can fill out an application and volunteers can also submit their information through this website. A second website was created specifically to teach people about our off-season programs and facilities. www.krislundretreats.org will help people in determining what facilities and services will best fit their needs in hosting a retreat at Krislund. This website will also have updated information on the Krislund Cabins (Adult Housing) and the Funding the Future Campaign. The final component of this website features information on our newly developing Outdoor Education Program. The third website, www.krislundcampers.org, is in development at this time. We want to create an interactive website that is safe for campers to come and be in contact with the camp and their counselors. We also want to utilize this site as a resource for campers to connect to their local Presbyterian churches and give them tools for daily biblical teaching.
News for Summer Camping at Camp Krislund
We know it's hard to think about summer in the middle of winter, but now is the time to begin to think about where to send your children and youth for summer camp! If they have never been to our Presbytery's Camp Krislund, now is a good time to give it a try. A lot of physical improvements have been made at the camp, and our church is also offering to help in a big way this year. A designated fund has been established to provide $100 towards the cost of a week of camp for all children of church members and active participants in our church's programs. What does that mean for you? If you decide to send your child to camp, you will pay $100 less than the regular cost for one week of camp per child -- what a great deal!
Watch for Camp Krislund brochures to be available in the next few months. More details will be available within the brochures. Full scholarships are also available for those who need more assistance. Please contact Deannine Shipman (238-2422) or Joel Blunk (238-2422) with questions.
Krislund is a wonderful place to grow in faith, have fun with friends and experience adventure in the beautiful mountains just 40 minutes from State College. Krislund has something for everyone. 3rd - 12th graders can enjoy weeklong "traditional" camps or several "specialty" camps including Whitewater rafting, photography or wilderness camp. Younger campers who have finished kindergarten through 2nd grade can experience a three-day mini-camp while 4-8 year olds can bring their grandparent to "Grand" camp for three days.
Learn all about the 2010 Krislund Camp offerings by reading the recently-released brochure. This information packed catalog is available by contacting the camp office at 814-422-8878, by email request at info@krislund.org, or outside the Church Office. You can view a copy online at www.krislund.org where you can also register for the camp(s) of your choice. Those who have camped with us in recent years have already been mailed a copy.
Discounts are available for families who register early, send siblings or register for multiple weeks. They apply to 6-day camps only and may not be combined. Early Birds save $15 if their registration is submitted by 2/26/10. Siblings save $25 of for each additional child after the 1st sibling has paid full price for a 6-day camp. Repeaters save $25 off additional registrations if the camper attends an earlier 6-day session in 2010.
See you at Camp!
LOGOS is Underway!
The LOGOS program for elementary (grades 1-5) and Middle School (grades 6-8) is underway -- but it's not too late to get in on the fun!
Visit our LOGOS page for more details.
If you would like more information about the program or registration, contact Pam Calkins, LOGOS Director (238-2140).
Pastor's Class
The Church -- how did we become the church we are today? The Pastor's Class this year continues to examine the history of the Christian Church. This year we enter modern times (defined as the years after the Reformation until, today). Topics covered will be, Puritans and Covenanters: the 17th Century; Evangelicals and Pietists: the 18th Century; Presbyterians in America: The Two Great Movements -- Missionary and Sunday School: the 19th Century; Fundamentalists and Modernists: the 20th Century; Mainline Sidelined: the 21st Century. This lecture format class meets from 10:00 - 11:00 am on Thursdays October 8 - December 10, reconvening January 14 - April. The place is Westminster Hall. All interested in the story of the church in our times are invited to attend.
Get a Good Hot Drink for Yourself!
Did you know that you can purchase Equal Exchange Fair Trade Coffee here at the church? The Mission Ministry Unit sponsors a coffee project, which enables us to purchase Equal Exchange Coffee through the Presbyterian Coffee Project and keep the cost very reasonable (we charge what it costs us to order it). We get a variety of organic, fair-trade coffees for $5.75-$7.00/12 oz. bag for you to purchase at cost. AND, through the Presby Coffee Project, a portion of all of our purchases is donated to PC(USA) Missions. Get some rich, feel-good coffee, tea, or chocolate in the Church Social Hall, at the back by the piano. Questions? Contact Diana Malcom (238-2422).
Audio Sermons Now Available Here on SCPC Website
Sermons from 2009 worship services are now available in mp3 format (downloadable audio file) here on the SCPC website. Sermons will be put on the website on a monthly basis. Go to the "sermons" page then scroll down until you see "Sermons -- Audio Versions", then choose (click on) the sermon you wish to listen to. As a new month of sermons is put on the website, the oldest month of sermons will be taken off.
Also, the option of worship services on CD is now available (instead of cassette tapes). Sermons from mid-2007 to present can also be put on a CD. If you are interested in having a permanent copy of a particular service or sermon or selection of sermons (1 worship service per CD; 3-4 sermons per CD) please contact Janet or Martha in the church office (238-2422). A small fee of $2.00 per CD has been established to cover costs.
Please Let us Know When You will be Away
We continue to receive returned PresbyPost newsletters from the Post Office from those of you who spend your winters (or other chunks of time) away from State College. Unfortunately, the Post Office now requires us to request return service on bulk mail and charges us 44 cents for each PresbyPost (and any bulk mail) that comes back to us marked "Temporarily Away". If you regularly spend a block of time away, we can temporarily change your address in the church database so you won't miss any news form home and we won't get your mail returned to us with a charge. When you are notifying the Post Office to hold your 1st class mail, please let us know the temporary address and the dates you plan to leave and return and we'll take it from there.
At the very least, we can avoid mailing items that will be returned to us with a fee. Thank You!
Parking Reminders
FIRST NATIONAL BANK PARKING: First National Bank has graciously agreed to allow our congregation to park in their parking lot on SUNDAYS ONLY (17 spots are available -- please DO NOT park in the drive-thru lanes). The rest of the week, Monday - Saturday must be reserved for their employees. Any vehicle without an employee sticker will be towed at the owner's expense. If you are coming to the church to drop off or pick up your child at Stay and Play or for an after school/early evening weekday program, please use the church parking lot, the municipal lot, or the Beaver Avenue parking garage.
State College Post Office -- We have also been reminded that parking is not permitted in the Post Office Parking Lot or the 15 minute parking spaces on Fraser Street that are provided for the use of postal patrons --Evenings and Sundays included (the lobby where PO Boxes are located is open 24/7). Please use the church lot, the municipal lot next to the church, the Beaver Avenue or Fraser Street Parking Garages, or any other areas designated by the Borough for public parking.
Beaver Avenue Parking Garage -- Parking is free on Sundays in the Beaver Avenue Parking Garage, except for a few special event weekends: Penn State home football game weekends, Spring Penn State Graduation weekend, and the July Arts Festival.
On these weekend Sundays you can pick up a parking voucher at the Welcome Desk which will pay for your parking (up to 3 hours). There is no charge to the church for this service. All other Sundays, when there are no special events in the community, no parking voucher is needed.
Bloomability
If you're a middle school girl and/or her mom, we hope you'll consider participating in Bloomability – a monthly book group gathering just for you. We meet in the Martin Room on Sunday afternoons. Each meeting is hosted by a different person who brings us tasty snacks and each month, someone in the group takes home the book bag to bring suggestions for our next month's read. There will be lots of great conversation and fun when we gather. If you're a middle-schooler, we hope you (and your female parent/guardian) will join us! Contact Diana Malcom (238-2422) to join our email listserv, receiving updates about the books and meetings.
Danke Schoen!
Regardless of the language, the sentiment is the same, "Thank you very much" for your words of encouragement, support and many contributions to our "Celebration of Renewal."
"The Gifts from the Heart" have been, well, heartwarming, to say the least and have supported our church and community in various ways fulfilling much needed work.
So far we have over $380,000 toward our renewal fund needs of $549,000. Even though the total funds needed have not been given or pledged, session approved the start of our rewiring of the 1941 building in order to assure the safety of our church.
Mark 10:25 tells us: Jesus looked at them and said, "with man this is impossible, but not with God, all things are possible with God."
The Celebration is scheduled to run from June of 2009 ending in June 2012, you may select the time period over which you wish to give during that three year period. We will take a break from communicating with you until Spring next year, however, should you have questions, don't hesitate to contact Sharon Kasting, Church Treasurer.
TRUST IN THE LORD AND DO GOOD!
Ned Book, Celebration Chairperson
A breakdown of how the funds will be used follows:
Celebration Gifts -- An invitation to Give $549,000
The Renewal of the Church Organ
Goal: to raise $100,000
Mission Ministry -- The Faith Fund for Mission
Goal: to raise $100,000
Building and Property and Education Ministries -- Building Renovations
Goal: to raise $219,000
Rewire Christian Education/Program Building: $100,000
Handicap Accessibility/Restroom Renovation: $87,000
Renovate/Refurbish Fireside Room for Youth and Young Adult Programs: $32,000
Celebration Works -- An Invitation to Give Time and Talent
Celebration of Renewal: Inspiration, Invitation, Giving
Spring Break '09 Mission Trip Wrap Up
Are you interested in learning about the past Spring Break Mission Trips. Click here to learn all about it.