April 2011 Weathervane

8/7/2019 April 2011 Weathervane

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Weathervane

THEFirst Presbyterian Church

101 Bridgeboro Road, Moorestown, New Jersey (856) 235-1688

April 2011

Jonathan Miller, Pastor

There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by theroaring of the sea and waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for thepowers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and greatglory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption isdrawing near. Luke 21:25-29Dear Friends,We've been watching the pictures and wondering how this could have happened. Could a whole village of peoplehave been swept into the ocean? The earthquake in Japan measured 8.9 on the scale and hit with the multipliedconfusion of a ferocious tsunami. It is the largest earthquake in the history of Japan . Not long ago at Christchurch,New Zealand, people were ravaged with much of the same.The verses above are Jesus' words about destruction that was coming - the crushing of Jerusalem by the Romanarmies in the first century. Yet, as in so much of scripture, Jesus' words are meant not only for His day, but forthose in the generations to come. Some have asked in today's world ~ could it be that these are "signs of the times?"The "signs" that Jesus is coming again, I believe they are.

According to the U.S. Geological Society, earthquakes are increasing. Not just minor ones, but "killer quakes." Addto this the tinder box we call the Middle East and the fury of people challenging the authorities in Egypt , Libya andBahrain - to mention a few. Or the Israeli warship that recently intercepted a massive arms shipment to the Gazastrip. Or consider the worldwide fragility of our economic crises.Signs of the times? I believe they are. Here is some good news ~ Jesus tells us He is like a Shepherd (John 10) andHe will care for us no matter what happens in this broken world longing to be healed. That's good enough for me in aculture where people so often miss the priority of their lives. For example, can you imagine if parents gave 10 % ofthe time they spend getting their kids to sporting and musical events - only 10% of all their running around time - tonurture, pray with and teach their children personally about a faith that is very counter-cultural to the world we livein? What a difference that would make. Don't count on a youth program or youth leader to keep your child stable andhealthy spiritually. They are simply your helpers. The real job is yours. How are you doing?If these are the "signs of the times" then we need to pay attention to the teaching of Jesus. I think it's a matter of lifeor death, what do you think?Thankful for the community of faith that reminds us of the faithfulness of God!


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SUNDAY MORNINGS

8am in Fellowship Hall

8:30am in the Sanctuary

11 am in the Sanctuary

APRIL 3

I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE

John 14:1-7

Richard Herman

APRIL 10

TEACHER AND LORD

John 13:12-20Martha Jordan

APRIL 17

PALM SUNDAY

THE KING OF ISRAEL

John 12:1-19

Jonathan Miller

MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 21Holy Communion

THE HOUR HAS COME

John 12:20-36

Jonathan Miller

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 22

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

7 LAST WORDS FROM THE CROSS

Martha Jordan

April 24 EASTER SUNDAY

I AM THE RESURRECTION

John 11:25-27, 12:37-43, 20:1-11a

6:30am, 8:30am, 9:45am, 11:15am

Jonathan Miller

SUNDAY EVENINGS

5pm New Creationin the Commons

APRIL 3

THANK YOU FATHER

Matthew 11:25-39

Jonathan Miller

APRIL 10

BY HIMSELF TO PRAY

Matthew 14:22-33

Jonathan Miller

APRIL 17

PALM SUNDAY

HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID

Matthew 21:1-11

Martha Jordan

APRIL 24

EASTER SUNDAY

GREETINGS!

Matthew 28:1-10

Martha Jordan

April 2011 Sermon Schedule

The Weathervane Page 2

Upcoming Adult Education

WORSHIPEvery Sunday we come to worship, but have you eve

wondered why we do what we do?

Come learn about worship from Andrew Dickinson, one of ourseminary interns from Princeton. Beginning April 3rd, Andrew w

share in three weeks information about the importance of worship

for Presbyterians. Andrew will be teaching in Fellowship Hall B.

IN MAY, Rev. Paul M. Asciutto Jr. will be leading an Adult Sunda

School class on The Blessings of the Victorious Christian Life

Come and join Paul for four encouraging lessons that will explore

prayer, but also finding strength and victory in times of

discouragement.


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TheWeathervane Page 3

From Our Executive Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

Maybe I should call this Now what?part two. Although thats the question that drove what I wrote about last month, its not

gone away with the simple turning of a calendar page. I am still musing onNow what? Whats the end goal purpose for

which I live and strive?

Among my preliminary conclusion last month was a desire to proclaim Christ with the intent, to the best of my ability, of presenting

to our Lord as many people as possible who are mature and complete in Christ. I saw that desire supported by a vision oflives

changed by proclaiming Christ through any means possibleteaching, preaching, men-toring, small groups, discipleship, on-hands

mission, compassionate caring and more; a vision of enabling people of all ages and kind to knowJesus Christ intimately, per-

sonally and not just knowing some things about Him; and a vision of helping people each day become a little more like Jesus today

more than they/we were the day before; of encouraging people to walk with Him moment-by-moment.

Thats where I left off in last months reflections.

Since then, the waters of my heart and mind continue to stir at various times. One such occasion was the last Session meeting

during which I was challenged to think again about vision. Sitting in that meeting, something clicked for me and I scribbled two

thoughts that have stuck with me since then. Those two ideas then drew a third one into their orbit. Here are the first two:

1) I have a dream that every person within a ten-mile radius of the intersection of Bridgeboro Road, Riverton Road and

Chester Avenue would have a chance to hear the gospel in a way they can truly understand and respond to with

the heart, mind and will; and

2) I have a dream that every person who says yes to Jesus will have an opportunity each day to become more like

Jesus in their thinking and acting, their feeling and choosing.

Then, I recognized a third dream emerging out of who we are as a people and how Ive both experienced and witnessed us being the

Body of Christ. Remembering my own weakness, woundedness and pain at times, and how many of you come alongside me and oth-

ers in such times, I saw another dream take shape:

3) I have a dream that anyone who is wounded in spirit and soul could find healing through the love of Jesus Christ in the

midst of and expressed by this community of faith.

If you want just one or two words for each dream they roughly translate intothe Proclamation of Christ Spiritual Formation

(or discipleship) in Christ and the Compassion of Christ. And if it helps you (it does me) I also see them in the images of three

places: an airport (going out), a gymnasium (building up) and a hospital (healing in).

So, my wonderings continue; and I invite you along the rambling road of listening for the voice of the Good Shepherd

and of following wherever the Lord leads.

So, I ask it again: How do you answer now what?

I remain, as always, yours in Christs Service


4/12


From Our Associate Pastor for Families

LOVEBIRDS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Great Date Night !

Friday, April 29th at 7pm-9pm

$20 per Couple

Rev. Mark Cable has been ministering full-timethrough music since 1981. An accomplished acousticguitarist and songwriter, Mark has released 17 CDs andhas played on Christian stations across the country.

Many of his concerts are Great Date Night events forcouples. This is a fun and encouraging evening of musiand laughter.

Come and enjoy a night out with your spouse!

Childcare is available if requested by April 16th

To purchase tickets p lease see Pastor Martha.

Dear Friends,

What makes Christmas so special? ("Martha why are you talking about Christmas as we prepare for Easter?") I believe that its sspecial because there is a build up to celebrate Christmas. We spend months preparing for it. There are many expectations for Christmas. If we think about it, we do a great deal of preparing for Christmas that we don't do for other holidays. We decorate our homes

inside and out, put up trees, send cards, bake cookies, buy gifts, plan family gatherings, celebrate traditions, attend parties and muchmore. All of that combine to make Christmas something special. We could do the same for Arbor Day or Groundhog Day or Earth Dabut we dont.

Somehow we just dont pay that kind of special attention to Easter, but I think maybe we should. You may not realize that scripturnever told us to celebrate Jesus' birth, but Jesus word is to go and tell about the resurrection. In fact the early Christians moved theirday of worship from Saturday, (the Jewish Sabbath), to Sunday to honor the resurrection of Christ. Every Sunday is to be a celebratioof the resurrection!

So let's make Easter special by taking some steps of preparation for that most important day of the Christian year. Allow God toguide you in your preparations, but let me make some suggestions on how to make the weeks leading up to Easter special and mean-ingful. These should draw us closer to God and ready us to truly celebrate Jesus on Easter, April 24th.

Spend time in prayer thanking God for the power of Jesus' resurrection in your life and asking Him to draw you closer to Him.

During the week between Palm Sunday and Easter watch one of the films about the life of Jesus with your family.

Use the film to make Jesus come to life for your family.

On Saturday April 16th, there is an Easter celebration at church starting at 10:30 am. See Childrens Ministry (page 6)for more details.

The Childrens Ministry department has a Palm Sunday event (April 17th) during the Sunday School hour in the Fellowship Hall

This is open to everyone of all ages to stop by the marketplace.

Share family devotions with the Easter Scriptures. For those of you who have small children, a good tool is the "Resurrection

Eggs." They provide 12 symbols of Easter with the story and scriptures that go with each symbol. It is a good hands-on-tool.

Perhaps you can think of other ways to make Easter special. Be creative and then share them with me.

The Easter season should provide some important opportunities to connect with God, our families, our church family, and the lost. Letfocus ourselves on God so we will be ready to take full advantage of those opportunities.

Blessings,

PSIf you are looking for suggestions of films to watch there are some standards: The King of Kings (1927) Jesus of Nazareth (1988and The Passion of the Christ (2004). Some films that have a unique perspective that maybe helpful to you this Easter season: TheRobe (1953), Barabbas (1962), and Jesus of Montreal (1989).


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Childrens Ministry Youth MinistryVisit Youth Ministries online for more information

or to register for an event:

www.fpcmoorestown.org

Weekly Youth BreakfastTuesdays at 6:30am - 7am

(May 24 will be the last gathering until the fall)

Looking for Host Housescall Jen: 235-1688

or email: [email protected]

ATTENTION ALL JUNIOR HIGHERS:

FLOCK HAS BEEN MOVED TO WEDNESDAYS

Almost Christian Seminar

Saturday, April 9th

6pm8:30pm FREE Family Event

Junior and Senior High Lock-In

Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16

6:30pm9am $20/person

Register by April 4

Youth Pancake Breakfast

Easter Sunday, April 24th

Stay tuned for more details on this event to raise moneyfor upcoming mission trips

30 Hour Famine

Friday, April 29

Register by April 8

June 26July 1, 2011

Adirondack MountainsYouth Mission

for students in grades 9 thru 12 $400/person

To contribute or sponsor the trip please visit: fpcmoorestown.org

Childrens Easter Celebration

Saturday, April 16

10:30am11:30am

Dont forget to bring a basket!

Palm Sunday Marketplace

Sunday, April 17

9:30am10:30am

Lift up your heads, O you gates;

Be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates;

Lift them up, you ancient doo rs, that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory?

The Lord AlmightyHe is the King of glory.

Psalm 24:7-10


7/12


Stepping Stones

Sharing the News from our Preschool

Welcome Spring! We are thrilled with all the signs of spring

around us and the children are learning all about it. We are

also learning more about Jesus and the many miracles he

performed as we ready ourselves for the approach of Easter.

Fun Field Trip ...Our PreK students learned about makingpasta from our favorite Chef Georgetti with a trip to hismarket.

Thank you to all the people who came out on a very rainyevening to support us during our Chick-Fil-A Fundraiser on

March 10. We had a terrific evening!

Save the DateSat., April 9 Barnes and Noble Bookfair!

Details inside this Weathervane.

March Open House...We had a lovely turnout at our Open

House and are happy to enroll seven new students as a

result into our program for the 2011-12 school year.

Preschool Registration Update... registration continues for

2011-2012 classes. More classes are filling up but we still

have openings in the 2 year old W/F class and 3 year old

PM class. Please continue to spread the word about our

wonderful preschool here at 1st Pres.! Contact Amy Agger at

[email protected] or 856-235-7105 with anyquestions or to schedule a tour.

Children are

a gift of the Lord

Psalms 127:3

Barnes & Nob le

Bookfair

Saturday, April 9, 9am11am

1311 Nixon Drive, Moorestown(behind the Moorestown Mall)

Dont Miss the Story Time with the Teachers

from 10am11am

in the Childrens Books Section

BRING A FRIEND!

Cant a t t end our bo okfair

at Barnes & No b le?

Visit BN.COM/bookfairs to support us online from 4/9/11

to 4/14/11 by entering Bookfair ID 10439933

at the checkout. THANK YOU!

Barnes & Nob le Bookfa ir

Supporting

Step by Step Christian PreschoolSaturday, April 9, 9:00am-11:00am

Barnes & Noble

1311 Nixon Drive, Moorestown

Bookfair ID 10439933

Please present the voucher prior to making your purchase. A percentageof the net sale will be contributed to your school organization.*

*The purchase of gift cards, Barnes & Noble memberships, textbooks, magazinesubscriptions, video games, purchases made at Cafes owned and operated byStarbucks, and other items Barnes & Noble may exclude from time to time in its

sole discretion are not eligible for bookfair sales.Institutional discounts may not be applied.

See BN>COM/bookfairs for more details and to shop online.


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Missions

On April 16, a 10 member team will depart for Haiti where they will work with Haiti Out-reach Ministries to continue to restore lives through home construction. Over a million people lost theirhomes in the earthquake and countless thousands are still living in tent cities.

Serving on the team are:

Doug Derry Steve DiBartolo Joanne Hankins

David Hess David Hughes David Mann

Mike Moser Neal Stephens Ethel Waltrip

Al Wenzke

During April two mission teams will depart for destinations to Kenya and Haiti

The Kenya Team departs on Apri l 14 and will be focused on finishing projects at Hekima Place. Girls who are orphaned byHIV/AIDS live at Hekima Place and are nurtured and educated in a loving, Christian home. The team will worship at the PCEA KerwaChurch, a sanctuary that was rebuilt with assistance from the Send the Light Mission component and they will meet Gladwel, an FPCscholarship student at the Presbyterian University in Kikuyu. The team includes:

Dick Herman Griffin Hanson-Moses Erin Londres Donna Culbertson

Katie Londres Nancy Londres Riley Londres Lauren Culbertson

Carol McWilliams Ruth Stotsenburg Sara Culbertson

The 3rd Annual Benefit Evening on March 5thwas outstanding! Thank you to everyone who supportedthe Deacons and Mission teams by dining in Fellowship Hall and participating in the Silent Auction in the Commons.Your involvement helped over 50 servers, kitchen helpers, hostesses and clean-up workers reach their goals.

Your prayers for the teams safety and health

are important as they travel and labor asambassadors from First Church.

Spring is here and we are ready to enjoy the beauty that unfolds with each passing day. The bulbs are peeking out of the soil after along....winter.

The book ofRevelationcontinues to be a study full of imagination. It is thought provoking as we are lured in to the message of Hope.

We just had ourHunger Soup Supperand I pray you were all blessed on Ash Wednesday. Your donations will be sent to thePres-byterian Church Hunger Fund, Many people helped to prepare the soup. PW Circles providing the ingredients as well as arrangingand covering the tables with brown paper and adding dried beans to remind us of the sparse meals that the third world countries aregrateful to have. Our youth generously gave their time to serve the soups. Their energy is to be applauded and we are grateful.

Soon it w ill be time for the Rummage Sale. It will be in May this year so start collecting the things in your home that you would liketo pass on to others that may find a new use for the item. We still are in need of male volunteers who can answer electronic or homerepair questions and carry the heavy loads. Please contact Annette Emerson or Debbie Walker, Co-Chairs of the Rummage Sale, ifyou can volunteer. See above.

Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God Revelation12:10

Debbie Heller, Moderator

The Latest News from Presbyterian Women


9/12


One Great Hour of Sharing

For more than 50 years, Presbyterians have joined with Chris-tians throughout the nation in supporting One Great Hour ofSharing, responding to Christ's love for all people.

Offerings are distributed in 3 programs as follows:

Presbyterian Hunger Program (36%) ministries thatwork locally and around the world to alleviate hunger and

its causes, as well as ministries that address homeless-

ness and affordable housing.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (32%) disaster

response and ministries with refugees. We have first

hand experience with PDA through the multiple outreach

teams that have assisted recovery and rebuilding efforts

in the Gulf States region following hurricanes.

Self Development of People (32%) for partnershipswith groups of people who are oppressed by poverty or

social systems and have determined what they need to

do to produce long-term benefits to improve their lives

and situations.

The tradition at First Church is to receive the One Great

Hour of Sharing Offering on Palm Sunday (April 17).

OGHS offering envelopes are included with stewardshipsupplies and they are also available in the pew racks in

the sanctuary.

Were Sprucing Up the Church!

Join us on Saturday, April 9th

8am1pm

On Saturday, Apr il 9th a church-wide work day is plannedthroughout the church facilities. Volunteers are needed to help

us give several areas of the church a good cleaning and to

spruce up the grounds.

Well begin at 8am and end by 1pmbut if you can only come fora portion of that time, thats fine!

Can we count on your help?

Some of the projects planned for the day:

Clean out and add mulch to flower beds

Pick up twigs and branches from the grounds

A complete cleaning of the church kitchen

Construct storage bins for mulch and topsoil

Spruce-up work on Mission House

Continued sealing and patching of parking lot

To help us plan for the day, please take a moment to fill out theform below and put it in the offering plate or send it to the church.You can also email Matt Dijohn: [email protected]

Questions? Call Matt at 235-1688 ext. 108

COUNT ME IN! I can help with one or more of the following jo

____Clean out and add mulch to flower beds

____Pick up twigs and branches from the grounds

____Cleaning of the church kitchen

____Construction of storage bins for mulch and topsoil

____Spruce-up work on Mission House

____Continued sealing and patching of parking lot

____Wherever you need me!

Name________________________________________

Phone______________ Email___________________________

Times I can be there____________________________


10/12


The 93rd Annual

Wednesday, May 11 6pm-9pm

Thursday, May 12 10am-12pm

Contact Debbie Walker (856) 234-6404

or Annette Emerson (856) 234-0717

If you would like to help out!

Knitting Network

Saturday, April 30

10am to 12pm at the churchStop in for a brief visit or spend the whole two hours

depending on your weekend schedule!

For more information call Betsy Gildehaus:

(856) 234-5414

Upcoming gatherings:

June 4 (note date change from May 21)

MARK

YOUR

CALENDARS!

Strawberry Festival

Friday, June 3rd

6pm9pm

Call Joyce Wenzke to find out how you can help:

235-8413

CROP Walk

Sunday Afternoon May 1stPlease join in this years CROP Walk

(Communities Responding toOvercomePoverty).

We walk to demonstrate our concern for the hungry andthirsty people around the world and seek contributions that

will be given to them. Again this year we regist er at 1pm

and start at 1:30pm in t he First Methodist Church ofMoorestown parking lot.

You can select a one, three or five mile walk.

Well be signing up walkers and handing our walker enve-

lopes on Sunday, April 10th in the Commons of First Pres

between 9am and 11am. Non walkers can make theirpledges or contributions to specific walkers at that time. Or

you can also register to walk, receive pledges, and make

contributions over the internet.

Just visit www.cropwalk.org

Moorestown CROP walk forms will be available in the

church office after April 16th until May 1st.

Please open your heart to the less fortunate, get some of

your friends and family to sponsor you. Lets demonstrate to

our global brothers and sisters that we care about them.

Questions? Call Tom Hottenstein (866-0827)

Kathy Stone (273-8082) or Joe Scheideler (461-5475)

Mens Breakfast

Saturday, April 16, 2011

8am

Every Mans Battle

Sexual Addiction and the Hope of the Gospel

Speaker: Rick Sara

Please call the church office to RSVP: 235-1688


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April 2011 List of Events


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The Wea t herva ne

101 Bridgeboro Road

Moorestown, NJ 08057

First Presbyterian Church

Do you want to help the church

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Call the church office to let us knowyou would like to read the Weathervane

online each month.

Give us your email address and we will send

you a reminder to log on each month rather

than receive a paper copy of the newsletter.

To read the Weathervane online:

Go to fpcmoorestown.org/weathervane

Click on Weathervane

Return Receipt Requested

Easter Flower Order

Time to order your Easter flowers in honor or memory of a loved one

to be displayed in the sanctuary on Easter day.

Fill out this form and enclose $10 for each flower. Thank you!

Name_____________________________________________________

Phone_____________________

Number of plants__________

In memory/honor (circle one) of:_________________________________

___________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Check one: ____Donate ____Pick up

DROPINTHEOFFERINGPLATEORBRINGTOTHECHURCHOFFICE Th k !

April 2011 Weathervane

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