The Highlander The Newsletter of The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney - 106 E. Union St., Punxsutawney, PA 15767

November

2013

Mark Your

Calendars

November 3rd

Daylight Savings Time

Begins

November 5th

Community Meal

PCOP Dining Room

5-7 p.m.

November 24th

Discipleship &

Christ the King Sunday

Day to turn in 2014

Estimate of Giving

Letter from

Rev. Brett

Page

2

2013 Season of

Stewardship

Page

3

The Lord’s

Day @ PCOP

Page

4

Fun &

Fellowship

Page

5

Education &

Discipleship

Page

6

Mission &

Outreach

Page

7

PCOP

Calendar

Page

8

Volunteer

Schedule

Page

9

Financial

Information

Page

9

A Season of Stewardship Jesus taught us to pray for God’s kingdom to come

On Earth as it is in Heaven

Sunday, November 3rd through

Sunday, November 24th Members and Friends

are asked to prayerfully discern

supporting the work of this

congregation in 2014 & beyond

Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy.

For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth. ~ Psalm 47: 1-2

The theme for PCOP’s 2013 Season of Stewardship is On Earth as it is in

Heaven. For the month of November, we will journey through scripture

and experience to gain a deeper understanding of this kingdom, and the

King whose reign we pray is as real to earth as it is in heaven. How we do

know this King? What does this kingdom mean for our lives, our sense of

self, and the time, treasure, and talents given to us by God?

Our season will end on Sunday, November 24th with a celebration of

Discipleship Sunday, the day we receive our 2014 pledges, welcome new

members, partake in the Lord’s Supper, and celebrate Christ as King with

worship and a post-worship luncheon!

T h e H i g h l a n d e r

On Monday, October 28th, the Session of our church met for its monthly meeting. By the time we adjourned with prayer I could recite facts and figures from the “Year to Date” column of our budget like they were lyrics to a favorite song. Over budget in facility upkeep and repairs (You can’t NOT

fix the boiler) , under budget in Adult Education (we don’t purchase a lot of expensive curriculum) , and right where should be for most of the lines on the four page accounting handout. The black numbers on white pages objectively point out how much money comes in and how much money goes out. It is terribly easy to reduce everything to numbers. Friends of ours just bought a home. I remember that process well. Their lending bank required a lengthy mortgage application that included an accounting of income and expenses. An entire life reduced to what comes in and what goes out. Add and subtract and you get a number that tells you if you’ve made enough of a success out of life thus far. Credit scores answer the question “can you buy this car?” Points on the SATs answer the question “can I get into the college of my dreams?” There have been plenty of times when we compared pay checks and made value judgments about worth simply because someone makes more or less money than another. Numbers tell a story but not the whole story. For the year 2013 we are currently over budget and giving is down. Is there cause for concern? Yes. Have we been unfaithful to Christ’s call? No. As a congregation, we have opened our doors, turned on the lights and the heat for community groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, PAHS football 1st & 10 club, Girl Scout leaders, and many more. We have given money, time, energy, and prayer to hurting members of our community through the Out of Darkness, Into Light worship service and through donations to the Discretionary Fund. On November 5th we will undertake one of our largest endeavors in recent memory as we devote time, talent, and treasure to offering a hot and homemade meal to whoever walks through our doors. The total number of people who will dedicate a variety of gifts and resources to this one meal is both staggering and very encouraging. In all these ministries of our church, one numerical reality is constant: we could save money if we canceled. Heat is expensive and so is food. Canceling would save us the money we pay to salt the parking lot, to buy the paper towels for the bathrooms, and to offer hospitality to essentially strangers. I think it was this “numbers vs. following Christ” issue that prompted Jesus to feed the multitudes and then tell the crowds “For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?” After all, God’s ways are not the ways of the world. For all the ministries and missions I have mentioned, I give thanks and praise to God for our members and friends who make them possible. I pray that you will prayerfully consider funding the work this congregation does for our members, our friends, our community, and the Glory of God in 2014 and beyond.

Discipleship Sunday - November 24th Receiving & Consecrating Pledges

Welcoming New Members

Celebrating Christ the King Sunday & The Lord’s Supper

and Enjoy an After-Worship Luncheon

Sunday, November 24th is Discipleship Sunday, the day we celebrate our

deepening relationship with Christ and the journey we travel together.

During this special service we will receive the 2014 Estimates of Giving

Pledge, and receive a number of new members to our community.

Please Invite Friends & Family to our After-Worship Luncheon in the Dining Room

P a g e 3 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 3

Our Season of Stewardship 2013: “On Earth as it is in Heaven” On Earth as it is in Heaven means we now are approaching the time when our

Stewardship Campaign is conducted. Your financial stewardship is an opportunity

for you to do on Earth as it is done in Heaven. This is your time to not just talk the

talk but to walk the walk.

This year we will be engaging in a series of Sunday services stressing how God gives

and emphasizing how we can best grow by giving back. These services will be the

four Sundays from November 3rd through Discipleship Sunday, November 24th.

Session, the Board of Deacons and our various missions have now begun planning

for the 2014 budget. To do this, we must gather information in order to form an

idea of what our financial abilities will be for the approaching year. The critical

piece in this planning is your estimated amount of Giving. The Our Church’s Budget Estimate is based upon the

total of all the contributing households’ and contributing individuals’ estimates of what their giving will be for the

year. This total will be compared to our preliminary budget to determine that budget’s feasibility, or to see how

well we can walk the walk.

While they work on the budget, you need to consider what financial contribution you can give toward helping this

Church’s work and make your response known in this year’s stewardship campaign by responding. The more

Estimates of Giving responses which come in from our congregation the more accurately we can plan our final

budget. The greater the amount the more we will be able to do. Therefore, please return your enclosed Estimate

of Giving Card to myself, the church office or place it in the offering plate at church service on or before

November 4, 2012 to demonstrate your discipleship.

After the services of the 24th, we will have a post-worship luncheon in the church basement immediately following

worship. It is at that time the results of our stewardship campaign will be announced.

Please join me in supporting our congregation by returning the Estimate of Giving card found directly below. Thank

you for your help and for your devotion to, and your discipleship in, our church.

Sincerely,

Richard Fetterman (Chair, The Stewardship Committee)

Season of Stewardship Estimate of Giving Card

My estimate of giving to the Punxsutawney Presbyterian Church for 2014

I/We plan to give $_______________ each _________________ (week/month/quarter/year) so that others may know God’s love and I/we may have the opportunity of practicing Christian Discipleship. Name: _____________________ Address: ________________________________________________

P a g e 4

T h e H i g h l a n d e r

Our November 2013 Worship Calendar ***Worship Begins at 11:00 a.m. ***

November 3rd

On Earth as it is

in Heaven:

Kingdom Come

Psalm 47 & Mark 1: 14-15

November 10th

On Earth as it is

in Heaven:

A Royal Priesthood

Isaiah 11: 1-9,

2 Corinthians 5: 20,

& 1 Peter 2: 9

Each Sunday in November

is part of our 2013

Stewardship Season that

will come to a close on

Sunday, November 24th

when we dedicate our

giving, welcome new

members, celebrate Christ

the King, and celebrate

Holy Communion. Along

the way to the 24th, we

will look into the Kingdom

of God and how we live

into the prayer “On Earth

as it is in Heaven.”

November 17th

On Earth as it is

in Heaven:

Purse Strings

& Boot Straps

Psalm 86: 1-13, Matthew 6:25-27,

& Luke 12:32-34

November 24th

Discipleship &

Christ the King

Sunday and the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

Psalm 24 & Philippians 2: 3-11

THE LORD’S DAY AT PCOP

Help the Youth of PCOP

make this Christmas Season wonderful

for Children all across the world!

Haley Hartman and the youth of PCOP are collecting monetary donations

for Operation Christmas Child, a Christian mission that brings much

needed items to children all over the world. Donations can be turned into

the office with “Operation Christmas Child” in the memo line.

Questions? Contact Haley Hartman at (814) 938-5810

P a g e 5 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 3

Fun, Fellowship & More! Saturday Friends Out for November

SATURDAY FRIENDS OUT WILL MEET AT

Gimmick’s

466 Harmony Road in Punxsutawney

12:00 p.m. Lunch on Saturday, October 16th

Please call the church office to make your reservation

by October 15th.

A Thank You from

Ellen and Dave Rose

With grateful hearts we are so happy to share the

good news that our granddaughter, Maddie Indre is

permitted to resume all activities and is doing well

after her accident this summer. Thank you, Rev.

Swanson, and the members of this church

for your prayers and thoughts of concern

during Maddie’s recovery.

Fondly, Ellen and Dave Rose

Marriage

Seminar November 20th at 7:30 p.m.

at the home of

Ellen and Dave Rose

541 Smithhill Rd., Punxsutawney

Celebrate our

November birthdays!

6th

Barbara Hanley

8th

Arlene Shields

9th

Marge Brennan

11th

Kally Graham

John Hughes

12th

Ray Dinsmore

Ray Dinsmore, Jr.

Jay Elder

Deb Himes

14th

Joel Anderson

Madysen Ewing

15th

Kathy Henry

16th

Wick Divelbiss

17th

Sallye Barrett

Jean Hughes

26th

Nick Suntheimer

Nellie Weiss

28th

Norma Moore

Forgetting anybody?

Call the office!

2nd

Linda Fetterman

3rd

Ben Fitzgerald-Fye

Kassidy Graham

Kearney Wacob

P a g e 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 3

Education & Discipleship

T h e H i g h l a n d e r P a g e 6

November Tuesdays at Ten November Adult Education

ED’S

STORY a story of hope

NOVEMBER 3 TO NOVEMBER 24 - SUNDAYS @ 9:45 A.M.

Overwhelming Changes • Suffering & Pain

Life being Hijacked • Identity

In this 5-part video series we meet Ed, a now

retired pastor who was diagnosed with a

crippling and fatal disease a few years ago.

Ed tells his story of how he confronted the

feelings telling him to give up, accept his

fate, and lose hope. Come and hear Ed’s

Story. Sundays in November at 9:45 a.m.

11 INDISPENSABLE

RELATIONSHIPS November 5th through End of January 2014

Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. - Lester Seminar Room

On this journey of life

You are going to need ...

an Editor

a True Friend

a Butt-Kicker

a Protégé

an Encourager

a Yoda

a Back-Coverer

a Reject

a “Little One”

A few VIPs and a Place

The real meaning of life is

not a journey question or an

arrival question. Your journey

and your destination are both

important, but neither is

possible without an answer

to this prior question: Who

are you taking with you on

this journey toward

your destination?

A limited number of 11

Indispensable Relationships

You Can’t Be Without by

Leonard Sweet are available for

$6. See Rev. Brett for details.

YOU CAN’T

BE WITHOUT

Children’s

Sunday School

Exploring Life in

Bible Times Sundays at 9:45 a.m.

All Children Welcome

We’re Looking for a

Fill-In Sunday School

Teacher

The Christian Education

Committee is looking for an

adult to take a fill-in, “as

needed” teacher role for the

Children’s Sunday School

program. See Rev. Brett for more information

P a g e 7 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 3

Mission & Community Outreach

T h e H i g h l a n d e r P a g e 7

Help Out with Our Community Outreach Meal

Cooks, Servers, Clean-Up, Donations of Cookies and Brownies, Monetary Donations, and More!

Tuesday, November 5th 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. - Dining Hall

The Community Outreach Committee is set to offer our 1st Community Meal on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th and they need your HELP! Sign-Up sheets are located outside

the Church Parlor or contact Jessica Suntheimer at (814) 249-5955.

THANK YOU FOR TURNING PCOP PINK

IN SUPPORT OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO WORE YOUR PINK ON

REFORMATION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27TH

IN SUPPORT OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

“Cold Weather” Mission Opportunities

Mittens & Gloves

for Tri-County Kids

Over 600 mittens and gloves are

needed to help keep Tri-County

kids warm this winter. Yarn is

available in the church foyer for willing Knitters.

This project is year round and finished items can

be dropped off in the foyer.

Keep an eye out for the TOYS FOR TOTS

collection barrel in the church foyer!

Donations of NEW and UNWRAPPED toys

will be accepted this November.

NOVEMBER 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 Committee Meetings:

Deacons: 10/17 @ 9:30 a.m.

Session: 10/28 @ 6 pm

3

Sunday School

at 9:45 a.m.

Worship

at 11:00 a.m.

4

5

Tuesdays at Ten

at 10:00 a.m.

Community

Meal

5-7 p.m.

6

7

Bells Practice

at 6:oo p.m.

Choir Practice

at 7:00 p.m.

8

9

Kiskiminetas

Presbyterian

Meeting

Indiana, PA

10:00 a.m.

10

Sunday School

at 9:45 a.m.

Worship at

11: 00 a.m.

11

Veteran's Day

OFFICE CLOSED

12

Tuesdays at Ten

at 10:00 a.m.

13 14

Bells Practice

at 6:oo p.m.

Choir Practice

at 7:00 p.m.

15

Saturday

Friends Out

RSVP Due

16

Saturday

Friends Out

@ 12 Noon

17

Sunday School

9:45 a.m.

Worship

11:00 a.m.

-

Christmas

Flower Orders

DUE

18

Crosstown

Food Pantry

at 5:30 p.m.

19

Tuesdays at Ten

at 10:00 a.m.

20

Marriage

Seminar

7:30 p.m.

21

Bells Practice

at 6:oo p.m.

Choir Practice

at 7:00 p.m.

22 23

24

Discipleship

Sunday

Sunday School

at 9:45 a.m.

Worship

at 11:00 a.m.

25

Session

@ 6:oo p.m.

26

Tuesdays at Ten

at 10:00 a.m.

27 28

Thanksgiving

29 30

Thanksgiving Holiday—Office Closed

Sharon Kelsey - Vacation (11/4 - 11/13)

Sharon Kelsey - Vacation (11/4 - 11/13)

Brett in Chicago

T h e H i g h l a n d e r P a g e 9

Thank You to our November Volunteers

November 3rd

1st Sunday in the Season

of Stewardship

& the Celebration

of Communion

Screen Nick Suntheimer

Sound Nick Suntheimer

Liturgist Debbie Dinsmore

Acolyte Kally/Kassidy Graham

November 10th

2nd Sunday in the Season

of Stewardship

Screen Ben Fitzgerald-Fye

Sound Barb Hanley

Liturgist Kathy Dinsmore

Acolyte Holly Hartman

November 17th 3rd Sunday in the Season

of Stewardship

Screen Bill Cooper

Sound Bruce Willams

Liturgist Roberta Dinsmore

Acolyte Jackson & Ben Fezell

November 24th

Discipleship Sunday

Christ the King Sunday

& the Celebration

of Communion

Screen George Momyer

Sound Ben Fitzgerald-Fye

Liturgist Bev Divelbiss

Acolyte Madelyn Fye &

McKenzie Reiter

FINANCIAL STATEMENT - September 2013

CURRENT YEAR TO DATE BUDGETED

Receipts $12, 785.93 $121,233.41

Disbursements $13,196.79 $138,077.79 $184,039.00

Excess (-Deficiency) of Revenues over

Expenditures

$( 410.86) $(16,844.38)

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world,

and those who live in it ~ Psalm 24:1

Those Needing Our Prayers Betty Brumbaugh Otto Grube

Ed Craig Lois Leksell

Kathy Kopp Joe Kareteski

Nancy Lazorchak Glenn McMillen

Annie Laurie Williams Debbie Wright

Barb Bullers Jackie Walker

Bill Myers Evelyn Lettie

Jane Wineberg Bill Ward

Jean Deeley Gillen Geary

Betty Cessna Those Who Mourn

October was Pastor Appreciation

month and I really felt the love. I

was humbled by all the kind words

included in the many cards, notes,

and gifts I received. I feel truly

blessed to be the pastor of this church, and have such a

wonderful community who puts up with my shenanigans.

Thanks again!

The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney

106 E. Union St.

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania 15767

Office: (814) 938-5560

Visit Us Online at punxsypc.net

Reminder

Deadline for

December 2013’s

Highlander Articles

is Monday,

November 25th

2013 Christmas Flowers Orders

If you would like to help beautify our

sanctuary this Christmas season, now

is the time to order one of more

poinsettia plants at $8.95/each.

Available colors include Red, White,

and Marble.

To order,

please call the

PCOP Office

(814) 938-5560

Orders are DUE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17th