greenstone gazette
TRANSCRIPT
GREENSTONE GAZETTE ”With God, all things are possible”
Nottingham Presbyterian Church PC (USA)
497 W. Christine Road
Nottingham, PA 19362-9760
Phone: 610-932-0556
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www. nottinghampc.org
Bringing the love of Jesus to our community by fostering an accepting, nurturing and compassionate environ-
ment.
Expanding our missions, infrastructure and worship experiences to meet the
community’s needs.
Passionately and enthusias-tically developing opportuni-ties for personal and spiri-
tual growth.
Seeking partnerships with local organizations in pur-suit of God’s vision for the
greater Nottingham area.
Label
Ash Wednesday and Lent
The Lenten journey from the ashes of death to resurrected life begins on the first day of Lent, Ash
Wednesday, which signifies a time to turn around, to change directions, to repent. This first day of
Lent reminds us that unless we are willing to die to our old selves, we cannot be raised to new life
with Christ. The first step of this journey calls us to acknowledge and confront our mortality, indi-
vidually and corporately. In many traditions, this is symbolized through the imposition of ashes —
placing a cross on one’s forehead. During the imposition of ashes the words: “You are dust, and to
dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19) are repeated again and again. We are to remember that we are
but temporary creatures, always on the edge of death. On Ash Wednesday, we begin our Lenten trek
through the desert toward Easter.
Ashes on the forehead is a sign of our humanity and a reminder of our mortality. Lent is not a matter
of being good, and wearing ashes is not to show off one’s faith. The ashes are a reminder to us and
our communities of our finite creatureliness. The ashes we wear on our Lenten journey symbolize the dust and broken debris of our
lives as well as the reality that eventually each of us will die.
Trusting in the “accomplished fact” of Christ’s resurrection, however, we listen for the Word of God in the time-honored stories of
the church’s Lenten journey. We follow Jesus into the wilderness, resist temptation, fast, and proceed “on the way” to Jerusalem and
the cross. Our Lenten journey is one of metanoia (“turning around”), of changing directions from self-serving toward the self-giving
way of the cross.
An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, 109-110)
Thank you, gracious God, for the gift of life. Thank you for Christ and his indwelling Spirit among us. Help us
discipline ourselves to walk in the Way of the Lord, that we might serve all of creation in love, to the glory of
God, Christ, and Holy Spirit. Amen
February
Volunteers
Readers;
2/4 Ruth Ann Sumner
2/11 Cindy Sudikovich
2/18 Brooke Glover
2/25 Becky Conner
Head Usher:
Mark Roney
Deacon of the month:
Alice Witmer
Communion Servers:
February 4:
Donna Davis
Gerry Davis
Brian Dewees
Jerry Jackson
Communion Server
February 14:
Becky Reiber
Nursery Helper:
2/4 TBD
2/11 TBD
2/18 TBD
2/25 TBD
March
Volunteers
Readers;
3/4 Dar Gray
3/11 Tenille Dewees
3/18 Gerry Davis
3/25 Nina Hansen
Head Usher:
Roger Moran
Deacon of the month:
Dar Gray
Communion Servers:
March 4:
TBD
Nursery Helper:
3/4 TBD
3/11 TBD
3/18 TBD
3/25 TBD
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13) Eternal life came to June Kent on the evening of Monday, January 8, as she sprouted her wings and flew up to heaven. Throughout her lengthy illness, June always believed she was a child of God and now she is with her Lord and Savior. While we mourn the passing of our Sister in Christ, and fellow church member, we are all comforted by knowing that her faith kept her strong in the darkest of hours and that she now resides in heaven where we will see her again.
Rest in Peace, June.
Thank you! Thank you so much for your donation
of $360. It was given to a family who
had a great need, due to an accident
that caused the loss of a father’s leg. He
is bed bound, waiting on a fitting of a
leg. His daughter lost her job trying to
take care of her father. She also has a
young son.
So, with your help, the need was met,
food and gifts provided. Thank you for
your donations and support to this food
cupboard. You are a blessing!
— Divine Sent Food Cupboard
Can you help in the case of a disaster? Chester
County Health Department is in need of volun-
teers to add in the distribution of life saving medi-
cation to the 30,000 Oxford region residents.
Point of Dispensing is Penns Grove Middle
School. One hundred fifty volunteers are needed
in positions from key leaders to assistants and
requires a semi-annual meeting as well as a short
training session. This need is critical to the health
of the community in case of a severe disease out-
break. Contact Steve Roberts at
[email protected] if interested in learning
more.
Help police, fire and EMS locate and
help you and/or your family in an emergency by signing up for Smart 911 at Smart911.com. This
Welcome Carol
We are delighted to announce the hir-
ing of Carol Rifon as our new Church
Administrator. She has worked in the
Medical Field for 25 years at many
different positions. She lives in Ox-
ford, moving here from N. Wilming-
ton DE 17 years ago. She has 2 chil-
dren, a daughter 28, Irina, and a son
Nick 27. Her husband is also retired
and working part time.
Volume 3, Issue 35 GREENSTONE GAZETTE
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Acts 1:21 February 2018
Pastor’s Corner
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
What a crazy winter this has already been (and we still
have several months to go!). Ten days ago the temperature was
below zero, then we had a day when it was in the 60’s. Today
light snow is falling. Two days from now the prediction is for
the 50’s. My nephew in Florida commented that his children
now have had more “snow” days than hurricane days!
Each year I am surprised (you would think I would
learn) about how quickly our body adapts to the change of tem-
perature. When temperatures start to fall, I pull out my coat as
soon as it dips below 55. Mid-winter I figure I don’t need my
coat if the temperature is above 30. By the time spring arrives 60
feels downright balmy.
It occurs to me that these observations could also apply to our feelings of love, espe-
cially our feelings of love for God and for one another. At times our feelings of love are intense,
almost painful. Then there are times when they subside to a pleasant comfort. How about those
times when they seem to turn on a dime – when we feel abandoned by God due to illness, trag-
edy, or loss? Or when we feel betrayed by our community of faith – when misconduct occurs or
simply when the leadership decides something with which we disagree? And when we drop out
of fellowship, or neglect our prayer life, how quickly do we adapt to the new situation? One
week away, one week without prayer, leads to another and another until it seems quite normal
not to address the spiritual needs of our existence.
How grateful I am that God’s love is constant and abiding! Oh, we may not be able to
feel it all the time, but it is there. God develops communities of faith so that when we struggle,
there will be others who can hold us up (and so that we can hold others up!). God sent Jesus
Christ (who freely gave up glory) so that we could know the depth, extent, and reality of God’s
great love.
As we enter the time of Lent this month, let us consider and appreciate this great and
constant love. We often think of Lent as a time of repentance, which for many of us conjures
painful visions of remembering what wretched sinners we are. That may be one aspect of Lent
and of repentance, but repentance means turning. Specifically we are called to turn toward our
righteous and gracious God in humility and obedience, in hope and in love.
Let us celebrate Lent as a gift from our loving Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer. In this
month of love, let us embrace and be embrace by the greatest love of all which comes from God
and proceeds through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, no matter what the temperature
of our lives, we will have hope.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Merritt
"Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.” - Bruce Lee
Winter Closing Procedure: A decision will be made by the Pastor by 8AM the morning of the
service. A message will be sent via e-mail. If you wish to be notified by telephone, please
place your name and telephone number in the “Suggestion Box” located on the small table as
Upcoming Meetings/Events:
Thursday, February 1—NA, 7 pm
Monday, February 5—Scouts, 6 pm
Thursday, February 8 —NA, 7 pm
Friday, February 9—Oxford Date Night 7pm
Monday, February 12 —Scouts, 6 pm
Wednesday, February 14—Church Dinner, 6pm
—Ash Wednesday Service, 7 pm
Thursday, February 15-Worship Team meeting, 1 pm
—Stewardship Team meeting, 7 pm
—NA, 7 pm
Saturday, February 17—Men’s Breakfast, 8:30 am,
Post House
Monday, February 19 —Scouts, 6 pm
Tuesday, February 20—Presbytery, 9 am
--Lenten Study, 7pm
Wednesday February 21—Lenten Study 10am
Deacons, 6:30pm
Thursday, February 22 —NA, 7 pm
Monday, February 26 —Scouts, 6 pm
Tuesday, February 27—Lenten Study, 10am
—Lenten Study, 7pm
Saturday, February 17, 8:30 am at Post House. Invite your
neighbors and friends to join NPC’s men as they share a
time of fellowship and prayer.
We will begin Ash Wednesday February 14th with a
dinner at 6pm. Join us for Ash Wednesday Service
with imposition of ashes on at 7 pm. Bring your fam-
ily and friends as we begin the process to celebrate
Lent.
Lenten Bible Study— Join us for a 6 week
study led by Pastor Merritt “Illuminating Lent”
Tuesdays February 20 to March 27 at 10am or
7pm. Please let Pastor Merritt know if you are
interested so books can be ordered Invite friend
and come as we explore how God reaches out to
us—and calls us to reach out—through the Bible
Bible Study
Oxford Date Night
February 9, 2018—7 pm
Penns Grove School Auditorium
(change in venue)
Come out and enjoy a great evening of entertain-
ment with a bounty of laughs as Mark brings his
unique take on relationships in his off-the-wall
style that’s sure to be talked about for weeks!
Tickets are $20 a couple and can be obtained by
contacting Wy McCartney at 610-932-8113. They
will also be available at the door.
Sponsored by Oxford Ministerium
Scout Sunday February 11 The Boy Scouts that meet at Nottingham Presby-
terian Church will join us Sunday February 11
for Worship. Join us as we celebrate helping
each other!
During the
month of February, Deacons will be collecting
food for The Devine Sent Food Cupboard. This is
the first of four food drives for the year. Dona-
tions needed include:
Soup Stews Canned Meat Beans
Mac&Cheese Rice(1 lb bags) Fruit Juice
Canned Fruit Instant potatoes Pasta
Spaghetti sauce Cereal Condiments
Stuffing mix Salad dressings
Tissues Toilet paper Tooth Paste Tooth Paste
Tooth Brushes Shampoo Deodorants
Paper Towels Disposable razors
Collection boxes are in the back Narthex and
Installation of Elders and Deacons Pictured left to right: Becky Reiber and Donna Davis
were installed as Elders with Alice Witmer and Dar
Gray installed as Deacons. Pastor Merritt Schatz on
the right.
Our Choir Singing on Jan 28
Our Choir is growing! They sang during our Wor-
ship service January 28. New Members are always
welcome.
Welcome to the family of God at Nottingham! If
you are interested in becoming a member of NPC,
please let Pastor Merritt know. Whether you are a
returning member, someone new to our fellowship,
or someone new to Christian faith, we would like
to visit with you and explore this opportunity.
Once we know who all is interested, we will find a
time for us to visit with one another about the
meaning of membership. Call the church office or
send an email to let us know of your interest.
We are excited about our life together as we look
to the future!
Pictures Wanted We are looking for current pictures to include in
the newsletter and website. Send pictures to the
office or Nina Hansen:
Not on Face Book? No Problem!
Our website is now linked to our Face Book page.
During Lent you can see the daily devotions on
our home page. Visit our website at:
www.nottinghampc.org
WHAT IS PER CAPITA?
Per capita is part of the glue that holds Presbyterians together
by supporting various ministries in our church. Per capita
exists to allow the whole church to share equitably in those
things that make us Presbyterian—our connectedness, our
system of councils that allow ruling elders and teaching eld-
ers together to discern the mind of Christ, our core structures
that keep us together as a church, and our call to work for full
participation in decision-making
Further, per capita allows us to work with other churches to
further the witness and mission of Jesus Christ in the world.
To this end, per capita is a form of stewardship at the presby-
tery, synod, and General Assembly levels allowing us to use
our gifts, talents, and resources to promote the mission of the
triune God.
Further, per capita allows us to work with other churches to
further the witness and mission of Jesus Christ in the world.7
To this end, per capita is a form of stewardship at the presby-
tery, synod, and General Assembly levels allowing us to use
our gifts, talents, and resources to promote the mission of the
triune God.
Through their sessions, congregations pay an annual amount
of money per church member—per capita apportionment—to
their respective presbyteries. The per capita amount re-
quested from a congregation is a combined total of requests
from that congregation’s presbytery, the synod in which the
presbytery is located and the General Assembly—based on
their respective budgets for the coming year(s).
This year’s Per Capita:
$24.75 - Donegal Presbytery
$ 2.30 - The Trinity Synod
$34.78 - Total Per Capita
$ 7.73 - General Assembly
Aluminum Recycling This is what 100 lbs of aluminum cans for scrap
recycling looks like! We recycle aluminum cans
and put the money in the general fund.
Help us by saving soda cans, beer cans, cat food
cans (NO DOG FOOD OR HUMAN FOOD
CANS)
The collection can (pictured below) is by the ga-
rage behind the scout trailor