"We are new creations in Christ."
~ 2 Cor. 5:17
Summer Worship Schedule
(through Sept. 5)
Sundays
Worship: 10:00am
Coffee Hour: 11:00am
Regular Program Year Worship Schedule
(beginning Sept. 12)
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
2012 Church Finances -- Stewardship Report
Thank you to those of you who have responded and turned in your 2012 pledge card. If you have not already done so, please return your pledge card as soon as possible. Pledge cards are available in the back of the sanctuary and in the church office.
Pictorial Directories are Here!
Come and get them -- There are a fiew Directories left that have not yet been picked up. Please see the bookshelf outside the Church Office (right next to the Welcome Desk) and look for the one with your name on it - they are in alphabetical order. We hope you enjoy them!
SCPC Parking Lot Changes Started in September
No Overnight Parking and No Parking in Fire Lane
The Building and Property Ministry Unit wishes to remind the congregation that cars are NOT to be parked overnight in the church parking lot. Vehicles parked overnight in the lot from Saturday night through Sunday have obstructed the Sunday-only handicapped parking spaces, and cars parked overnight have prohibited snow removal from portions of the lot. "No Overnight Parking -- Violators will be Towed" signs will be posted to remind members and guests that cars cannot be parked in the church lot overnight. Beginning September 15, cars parked overnight (11:00 pm - 6:30 am) in the church lot will be towed. So, please do not leave a car parked overnight in the church lot. Groups responsible for activities such as overnight lock-ins who need exceptions for overnight parking can arrange that through the church office and the towing company.
There is also no parking in the church parking lot's lane along the yellow curb next to the church. That lane is designated as a fire lane and must be kept clear of vehicles at all times (daytime, evening, Sundays). Keeping the fire lane clear will enable vehicles to back out of marked parking spaces safely. This has never been handicapped parking.
The parking lot will be painted to indicate the fire lane restriction, and signs will be posted. Also the small sign with the arrow and handicapped parking symbol near the parking lot entrance directs attention to the handicapped entrance under the bridge. It is not a sign indicating parking can occur along that curb. There are 2 handicapped parking spaces on the church side of the Beaver Ave. end of the parking lot near the bridge entrance. There are also 4 spaces at the Beaver Ave. end of the parking lot that are designated as handicapped parking spaces for SUNDAYS ONLY.
Please do not park in the fire lane at any time. As of September 15, cars parked in the fire lane at any time (including during Sunday services) will be subject to being towed. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our church safe and assessable.
Other Parking Reminders:
First National Bank -- First National Bank has graciously agreed to allow our congregation to park in their parking lot (lot behind the S. Allen St. Drive-Thru Branch) on SUNDAYS ONLY (17 spots are available -- please park only in the designated parking spaces and do not park in the drive-thru lanes, anywhere that is not a designated parking space, or alongside the Bank building). The rest of the week, Monday - Saturday must be reserved for their employees as this is their only parking for both of their downtown locations (this is not bank customer parking). 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. Let's be good neighbors and observe their parking regulations.
State College Post Office -- Please remember 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 Sunday mornings for church goers in the Beaver Avenue Parking Garage (and Fraser Street 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 in the Beaver Avenue Garage (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.
SCPC Staff Email Addresses
SCPC Staff e-mail addresses can be found on our staff page.
Current Month's Activities and News
Taize Service Schedule
The Taizé service has moved to a new day and time,once a month on the first Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm in the Martin Room. We hope this will accommodate more schedules and give you a chance to pray and worship mid-week with others from the community. Taizé is an ecumenical monastic community in the French Alps. Started in the early 1940's by Brother Roger as a contemplative community of peace and social justice following World War II, Taizé is now an internationally known pilgrimage site and source of healing and reconciliation around the world. In 2002, the Blunks visited during Joel's first sabbatical. In 2004, our church sent a delegation of young people for a visit. Shortly thereafter, Brother John, originally from the Philadelphia area, came as our Henszey Lecture Speaker. We're now beginning our tenth year of offering a regular prayer service for our congregation and wider community. The service s about 40 minutes long and includes original Taizé music, contemplative silence, and prayers and readings from Taizé. If you've never had a Taizé experience, please join us for prayer on the first Thursday evening of each month.. The scheduled 2012 Taizé services are: January 5, February 2, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1 and December 6..
The Final Report of the Self-Study Committee is Complete!
The Self-Study Committee is pleased to present our final report which has been approved by our Session and by the Committee on Ministry of Huntingdon Presbytery. As we say in the introduction to the report, we were charged to listen widely and deeply and we spent nine months following that charge. Our report faithfully reflects what we heard and the themes we discerned about the areas of strength that characterize who we are, the most commonly stated ideas about the future direction of our church, and the desired characteristics of the person who will lead us into that future. The next step is for the church's Nominating Committee to nominate folks to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). That PNC will fill out all the necessary forms and search for the next installed pastor for this congregation. We look forward to the next steps in this transition time.
Click here to view a pdf version of the final report
The following links remain active for you to view
Click here to view the answers to additional questions designed for our congregation in particular (from the insert sheet included in the survey) -- hard copies available on the back tables in the sanctuary.
Click here for an executive summary of the congregational survey, prepared by the Self Study Committee (This document discusses overall strengths and areas for improvement as highlighted in the survey; provides a summary of other survey questions; and presents survey responses on several special items for the future regarding pastoral characteristics and duties, and congregational topics of interest.)
Souper Bowl Helps Community
Join WPF in tackling hunger with this year's Souper Bowl of Caring. You can drop a donation in the soup pots held by WPF folks at church doors on Souper Bowl Sunday, (February 5). All of the money collected here at SCPC will be donated in our own community. Please support the college-folks of our church in this effort on Sunday, February 5.
Upcoming Women's Spirituality Events
Please mark your calendars to share time with other women at the following events:
2nd Women, Wisdom and Wonder: Experiencing God's Love -- February 4, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm (snacks provided/donations welcomed)
We will be spending time together exploring different BIblical ways that today's women experience and love God. In particular, we will talk about and take part in activities from the contemplative, creative and service pathways of knowing ourselves in God.
RSVP: Please RSVP by contacting the Church Office (238-2422)
Women's Spirituality Planning Meeting -- February 13 at 4:30 pm
If you are interested in helping to plan our upcoming "A Day Away: A True Intergenerational Gathering" please join us in this planning meeting.
Women Wandering -- February 18, at 9:00 am
Join Diana Malcom and others as they wander on a nearby trail and wonder about God's word to us. The time will include conversation about the scripture text that day,as well as a lovely walk in God's beautiful creation. To be included in the email list (which tells us where to meet each time), get in touch with Diana Malcom (238-2422).
A Day Away: A True Intergenerational Gathering
May 12, 9:00 am to 50:00 pm
Females of every age, 0-100+ are invited to come together on this day for a special time together. Watch for more details.
Stay and Play Open House
Monday, February 6, 5:30 - 7::30 pm will be an opportunity for people to come see the school, meet the teachers and see if Stay and Play Preschool is a good fit for their child/their family.
If your family or anyone you know may be interested in enrolling their child for the 2012-2013 school year, please invite them to attend our Open House. Application forms will be available that evening.
We will begin accepting applications for the 2012-2013 school year on Monday, February 13 at 9:30 am. We do accept subsidy payments and we also offer tuition assistance to those in need.
Presbyterian Women News --
February Circle Meetings
Wednesday, February 8 at 1:30 pm -- Board Meeting in the Church Library
Sunday, February 12 at 12:30 pm -- Rahab Circle in the Fireside Room
Monday, February 20 at 1;00 pm -- Esther Circle in the Martin Room
Tuesday, February 21 at 9:30 am -- Rebecca Circle at the home of Kay McGeary, 3291-740 Shellers Bend (234-5060)
Explore the River of Hope (Psalm 46:4-5) at the 2012 Church Wide Gathering of Presbyterian women in Orlando, FL, July 18-22. Experience the Gathering all under one roof at the air conditioned Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. Check the bulletin board across from the Martin Room for more details about registration. You will feel a deep sense of community as you worship with more than 2,000 Christian women, attend forums and workshops on a variety of topics, and meet international participants. Registration for the full event includes five meals, all programs, tote bag and program book.
Please see our PW page for all the PW activities.
Give From Your Heart
For Valentine's Day, give blood from your heart at St. Andrew's on Monday February 13th. SCPC ant St. Andrew's Episcopal Church have teamed up this year to cosponsor 4 blood drives for the Red Cross. Please contact Kim Hunziker if you would like to volunteer to work (escorting, checking in or canteen) at the drive, or to make snacks. We will have sign-ups available during Coffee Hour on February 5th and 12th. You can also go to www.givelife.org and search for the date/location and sign up online.
2012 Confirmation Class
Our 2012 Confirmation Class begins this month and will run through May and Confirmation Sunday. Each young person in the class is paired with an adult mentor we refer to as their Covenant Partner. They covenant together to complete class assignments, share in faith development, and partner, one another on the journey. As in the past, the course will be team taught drawing upon a variety of voices and stories introducing the participants to church polity, navigating the Bible, understanding worship, and an introduction to a number of spiritual disciplines intended to nurture our relationship with God in Christ. At the end of the course the young people will write a faith statement, attend a 24 hour rite of passage retreat at Krislund, present a Faith Project, and meet with Session to determine their readiness to join the church as adult members. If you're interested, we invite you to attend a class as a visitor. We meet on designated Sunday afternoons from 2-5, February 19 and 26. In the meantime, please keep the youth in your prayers!
Don't Miss the Deacons Western Trail Ride Adventure -- OGHS Dinner and Auction February 18
Dinner: 5:30 - 6:30 pm; Live Auction: 7:00 pm
On Saturday, February 18, 2012, all you city-slickers are invited to channel your inner cowboy/cowgirl for a classic western trail ride adventure! Don't be a namby- pamby and miss out on this hoedown! Find yourself a pair of boots, a cowboy hat, a good set of spurs and saddle up with the Deacon buckaroos for this evening adventure.
The Deacons will be workin' the ranch and y'all will have a mighty good time at this year's One Great Hour of Sharing Dinner and Auction. It's a fun evening for a great cause featuring some authentic chuck-wagon chow in the Social Hall, followed by a live auction in Westminster Hall.
Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God's love with people experiencing need. Your generous bids will assist those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and help build strong communities. Half of our auction proceeds will go to the national One Great Hour of Sharing and the other half will stay in our church to support missions and the work of the State College Presbyterian Church Deacons.
This is a wonderful opportunity to bring a friend from outside the church to share in great fellowship, delicious food, and good times all for a great cause.
Before we can hit the trail:
- The Deacons are looking for donation items to make this event work. Donation forms are available at the church, and Deacons will be staffing a table in the Social Hall between services where they can answer questions and help you with your donation form. Only new or "like new" items, please.
- The silent auction will open on Saturday evening and close at 11:00 am on Sunday, February 19. But be careful: some auction items will have a "buy it now" price; so don't count on waiting until Sunday morning to bid on your favorites.
- Childcare will be offered for "young uns" up to age four, from 6:00 pm until the end of the live auction. There will be a movie for older children.
- For more information about the dinner and auction, please ask any Deacon or contact Sharon Ambrose (814-238-1871).
Lent Begins
The Season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012. We will mark the beginning of Lent with a service of Communion and Imposition of Ashes at 7:30 pm that evening. The season will continue through the five Sundays of Lent, followed by Palm Sunday, April 1; Holy Week, and Easter, April 8.
Following Upward
Get it? It's a follow-up gathering for folks who attended the Falling Upward retreat with Richard Rohr and/or read his book. We will gather at Millbrook Marsh on Saturday, February 25th from 8:30 - noon (yummy snacks provided). Join Joel Blunk, Kim Hunziker and Jackie Naginey Hook as we revisit and then dive deep into the questions of "so what?:' We will explore what it means to live into second half of life spirituality in the context of your personal life, and more importantly, how it can inform, guide, and inspire our congregational life. We are requesting a $10 donation to help cover the rental expense of the Marsh facility. Please contact Joel Blunk for more information (238-2422).
Community Volunteer Day
On Saturday, February 25 we invite you again this year to participate in a Community Volunteer Day, to be a sober presence in the community during the hours that "State Patty's Day" is in high gear. Borough staff are currently creating Neighborhood Dialogues for that day. Stay tuned for sign-up information for these events. Since so much of the participation in this event is folks from outside the community, it is even more important that those visitors get the message that this is a community that cares about the well-being of all who live and visit here. If you would like more information about how to participate and/or support the program, please contact Borough Staff, Kate Doe, or Diana Malcom or Kim Hunziker at the church (238-2422).
Lenten Small Groups
The Spiritual Formation Ministry Unit (SFMU) is offering an exciting Lenten practice opportunity for everyone - participate in a small group. Individuals asked for more small groups in our Church Self Study and here is a chance to connect with others with the purpose of spiritual formation. The groups will use "A Spiritual Formation Workbook" by James Bryan Smith with Lynda L. Graybeal as their guide. Joel Blunk and members of SFMU will kick off this program during Adult Ed on February 26 and then the small groups will meet for the next six Monday evenings; February 27, March 5, March 12, March 19, March 26 and April 2. We will end with a celebration during Adult Ed on Easter Sunday, April 8. We hope many of you will adopt this Lenten practice!
March
PDA Mission Trip -- Tornado Recovery -- CANCELLED
This Spring Break Mission Trip has been cancelled due to low participation.
Watch for Holy Week Activities: April 1 (Palm Sunday) - Easter Sunday (April 8)
Women's News
See our Spiritual Formation Page for upcoming women's opportunities you won't want to miss.
Our New Hybrid Organ
Have you noticed any difference in our Pipe Organ? First, it is now correctly called a hybrid organ. In addition to the 1800+ pipes that we have had since 1967, many new digital sounds have been added to the organ. This qualifies it to be a "hybrid." You've probably noticed that the console (keyboards) is on the floor. This is to enable the organ technicians to move the console to the center of the room to better hear the sounds as they "voice" the entire organ. The console will be moved back to the platform when all the voicing is compete. Voicing gives each organ sound its unique qualities, balances each organ sound with the other organ sounds, makes the sounds fit the room, and gives the organ character. If you are around the church while the organ technicians are working - stop and say "Hi!" They love to talk about pipe organs and may give you a short course on organ building before you leave. At this writing the state of the art console is working , all the digital sounds are working, and about a third of the pipes have been cleaned and revoiced. Many pipes must still be cleaned and voiced and all of the "releathering" remains.
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 from 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!
College-Age Ministries Needs You!
We can all agree that it's great to be a congregation where college students not only feel comfortable, but are nurtured and supported during this stage in their journey. There are many things your CAM Committee does to nurture that energy of love and connection with our students both here at PSU and those who have grown up in the congregation and are away at college, Remember when they were babies and we took those baptismal vows to help them grow in faith and know themselves as children of God? Our College Age Ministries (CAM) enable us, as a congregation, to continue honoring those vows. The vows we made with our own children and those vows others have made in our sister congregations. The CAM Committee has three opportunities for YOU to help us in this good work:
1. Be a CHURCH MOUSE. These folks care for one student, who grew up at SCPC and is now in college. It's a simple ministry of connection. That's all you have to do -- a few times over the year, connect with them - send a note or a care package to remind this student that SCPC cares for them and holds them in our prayers during their time away from us.
2. Prepare and serve a MEAL. Students love to eat. As Jesus did, we gather around table and food often with the students here: on Thursday nights for Dinner & Fellowship, and, on a few Sundays for College Lunches. Would you be wiling to serve on a team of folks to provide a meal (or more, if you like) during the semester?
3. Come to the CAM Committee and participate in this ministry. We meet every other month for no more than 90 minutes. This committee ensures that welcoming and caring ministries are provided through Westminster Presbyterian Fellowship, Wandering Well, Church Mouse Ministry, and SCPC's Young Adult Ministry.
Contact Diana Malcom to learn more and/or get in on this good work!
Mediation Garden and Columbarium
While SCPC might lack vast expanses of grassy knolls and playgrounds for our young children, we DO have a wonderful courtyard (just outside the Social Hall) and a beautiful meditation garden outside of the parking lot entrance. This meditation garden was built to accommodate a most important feature of the church, the columbarium, which is a wall of niches that can be purchased much like a plot in a cemetery to hold "cremains" (the ashes of a cremation). The garden area provides a quiet place for reflection. The columbarium and the meditation garden were set up with the vision and direction provided by Jim and Sue Powers. The price for each niche provides resources for both the upkeep of the garden and for the establishment of funds to support the mission efforts of the church. It is a thoughtful way to support both the good work of SCPC and to resolve at least one difficult question about where to be buried. Please contact Martha Trout or Kim Hunziker for more information.
Deacon Caregiving
The Caregiving Committee of the SCPC Deacons is compiling a list of people who are willing to give a ride to neighbor on occasion. We need your name, what neighborhood/town you live in, email/phone number, which service you usually attend and if you attend Sunday School.
An example would be:
Mary Smith
Park Forest Area
555-5555, msmith@email.com
Attend: Sunday School and 2nd service.
Please send your information to Vivian Noll and the Deacons will you to our list. Thank You!
Keep Wearing Those Nametags!
Interim Pastor Susan Reisinger has appreciated everyone wearing nametags to Church -- it has made it easier for her to remember names. It will also make it easier for our new Sr. Pastor (when he/she gets here) to get to know everyone. Lets keep up the habit and wear those nametags every Sunday - then we won't even have to remember to put them on when the time comes for our new Pastor.
If yours has been misplaced it is easy to order a new one. Name tag order envelopes are available in each pew or in the racks on the tables in the back of the Sanctuary. The cost is small, $6.00 for a choice of a pin, clip, or magnet tag. The completed envelopes should be placed in the wooden box on the table on the Tower Entrance side of the Sanctuary. You will receive your new name tag in the mail in approximately 3 weeks. We hope you all will join us in warmly welcoming Susan to SCPC and help make it easier for her to learn our names!
Greeter Sign-Up
It is easy to overlook those around us, to fail to really see people, so we invite you to join a simple ministry of welcoming people into our community here at the church. We have greeters at each entrance, every Sunday, in the hope that no one will feel invisible within our walls. This means we need approximately 165 greeters a year! There is a new sign-up sheet in the hall near the church office. Please consider greeting a few times a year. This simple gesture has no age limits, costs no money and woiuld be a uniquely special gift from you. Just pick a few Sundays and write your name and phone number down at the entrance where you would like to greet. If you have any questions, please call Brenda Lucas (867-7867) or Wendy Huffard (238-5304).
Praying Hands Prayer Shawl Group
Praying Hands will be taking a new format and ALL are invited to take part. Prayer shawls are hanging in the tower entrance of the church. They are available for anyone to take, to keep or to give. They were made with the intent that they will surround the recipient in prayers and love for times of celebration or comfort.
If you would like to be part of the giving of shawls, there are two ways to participate. The first is to make a shawl. They can be knitted, crocheted, woven, sewn or made by any other creative method. Bring the shawls to the tower entrance on the last Sunday of the month between services, at 10:30 am. We will gather in a circle of prayer to bless the shawls and the lives of the recipients that they will eventually touch - this is the second way to take part. All are welcome to this prayer circle, even if you did not make a shawl but would like to offer a prayer.
Watch for dates of upcoming prayer gatherings. If you have any questions, contact Maura McConnell (360-4153).
"Simple Living" Blog!
Simple Living isn't just a concept to help us save money and time, it's also a practice that can help us be more aware of God's presence in our lives, and in the world. You are invited to join this on-line conversation, as a listener and/or sharing your own thoughts, as we explore the ways that God is calling us to practice simplicity - with our time, energy, resources, money, eating, etc! It's a simple process - go to the website, "follow the conversation" and then you will receive an email each time a new post is created (2-4/month). You can "comment" on the post so that we can learn from one another, asking questions and sharing your ideas. Let's help each other simplify our living!
http://scpcsimpleliving.blogspot.com/
Medical Personnel
We are blessed in our congregation to have many members that are in the medical field. For the benefit of those ushering and in case there is an emergency, if you are a doctor or nurse would you please identify yourself to an usher upon entering the Sanctuary.
Consider Your Caffeine (and Decaf)
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). Chocolate bars return this month!
Prayer Shawls Available
Prayer Shawls are available in the Tower Room Entrance Prayer Space. The shawls are made by Praying Hands, the prayer shawl group, that meets monthly on Saturdays in the Church Library. The shawls are for anyone to take to give to those they feel would be comforted by a shawl in a time of need or celebration. There are information sheets about the Prayer Shawl Ministry in the room as well to be given along with the shawls. The group will continue to make shawls and add to the collection, so stop by often to see the current collection of shawls. If you have any questions about the shawls or the group contact Maura McConnell (867-5544). The shawls are stitched with the hope that the shawls will bring comfort, love and prayers to the recipients.
Audio Sermons Available Here on SCPC Website
Sermons from 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.