March 2011 Weathervane

8/7/2019 March 2011 Weathervane

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Weathervane

THEFirst Presbyterian Church

101 Bridgeboro Road, Moorestown, New Jersey (856

March 2011

Jonathan Miller, Pastor

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is notyour own doing; it is thegift of God not the result of works so

that no one may boast. Galatians 2:8Dear Friends,Isnt it interesting how so many of us have difficulty receiving simply receiving a gift? I suppose some of ourhesitation is because we want to pull our share of the load. Some dont want to be beholden to anyone ~every man for himself. Recently I watched as two men waged a minor battle over who would pay for thelunch that was just enjoyed. Neither wanted the other to pay and the poor waitress may have been the mostdistraught. How do you please two fighting customers? Of course, there are many hands that are very slow topick up the tab ~ slow motion if any motion at all. But those are usually situations in which we really dont caremuch about the relationship. If we really care about that relationship we want to cover the cost if we can.When I see a little transaction like that taking place, I am reminded of a community where this happens all thetime. Its the community where God reigns. Very often it takes a while before I can humble myself and takewhat God is giving. And what does God give is not only life itself, but beyond this life something we calleternal life? What amazing gifts, but how stubborn I can be in letting God pick up the tab. I mean ~ do youwant to be beholden to God.

I remember listening to a sermon by Bob Schuller (The Hour of PowerTV program) at FPC inOrlando ,Florida . As many of you know, this Southern California TV evangelist rubbed shoulders with many inHolly-wood . John Wayne became of friend of Schullers. In the course of that friendship, Schuller on multiple occa-sions encouraged this bigger than life personality to open his heart to Jesus. Wayne was always polite, andthe answer was always the same ~ no. After Wayne died his daughter called Schuller and said, I know youused to bug dad about Jesus a lot, and I want you to tell you how everything ended. One Sunday morning justbefore dad died, you did something we had never heard you do on TV. You said, `Some of you listeningought to get out of your bed or out of your chair and get on your knees you ought to put your head in yourhands and simply say, Jesus, I need a savior help me! My father was so weak he could hardly sit up in thebed. When you made that statement he leaned over to me and said, `Grace, I dont know about you, but Ineed to get on my knees. Would you help me? I thought you might want to know that Dr. Schuller.

Have you received the gift of eternal life? Have you ever moved to your knees and opened your heart to thetransforming power and grace and true gift that alone comes from Him? If not, I hope you dont wait muchlonger. Why is it we find it so hard to receive the gifts that are born out of love! Hope youll be joining a Lenten small group in the next few weeks.


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SUNDAY MORNINGS

8am in Fellowship Hall

8:30am in the Sanctuary

11 am in the Sanctuary

MARCH 6

THE PROMISE OF LIVING FOREVER

John 11:17-27

Dick Herman

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9

ASH WEDNESDAY

LENTEN SERIES BEGINSTHE GREAT I AM

I AMTHE TRUE VINE

John 15:1-11

Jonathan Miller

MARCH 13

I AMTHE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

John 8:12-20

Jonathan Miller

MARCH 20

I AMTHE GATE

John 10:1-10

Princeton Seminarian

MARCH 27

I AMTHE GOOD SHEPHERD

John 10:11-21

Jonathan Miller

SUNDAY EVENINGS

5pm New Creationin the Commons

MARCH 6

MOCKED AND CLOTHED IN PURPLE

Mark 15:1-20

Martha Jordan

MARCH 13

WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?

Mark 15:33-47

Wes Allen

MARCH 20

GO INTO THE WORLD

March 16:1-20

Jonathan Miller

MARCH 27

PRAYERMatthew 6:5-15

Martha Jordan

March 2011 Sermon Schedule

The Weathervane

LOVEBIRDS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Great Date Night !

Friday, April 29th at 7pm-9pm

$20 per Couple

Dessert will be served

Mark Cable has been ministering full-time throughmusic since 1981. An accomplished acoustic guitarist

and songwriter, Mark has released 17 CDs and has

played on Christian stations across the country.

Many of his concerts are Great Date Night events

for couples. This is a fun and encouraging evening

of music and laughter.

Come and enjoy a night out with your spouse!

Childcare is available if requested by April 16th


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From Our Executive Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

Now what?That question has been on my mind a lot recently.

With the last two years focused on planning and preparing for, experiencing and, then, reflecting on the sabbatical with theLife As Its Meant to Be Renewal Weekend in our memories and five weeks ofSabbatical Reflections during Sunday School

complete now what?Furthermore, as I write this, in a day or two I will pass my sixtieth birthday and start into my seventh decade. Such milestones

also provide times to look back with thanks for blessings received and lessons learned; and to look ahead with faith and in anticipationof Gods grace opening up wonderful and unexpected things. This, too, is a natural time to asknow what?

At such a crossroad moment in his life, imprisoned at Rome, the Apostle penned a letter to his dear friends at Colossae. Afterdoing and experiencing so much, what vision or purpose could propel him forward? Not knowing what lay ahead, he must have askedhimself: What could be worth living for and worth giving himself to in ministry for the rest of his life going forward what was his visionor purpose?

Heres what he concluded:

We proclaim Christ, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect

[mature, full-grown, fully initiated, complete] in Him. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so power-fully works in me.

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of com-plete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treas-

ures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col. 1:27-29; 2:2-3)

Furthermore, he reminded the Ephesians that Christ gave the church

some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare Gods people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may bebuilt up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole

measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-13)

Now what?Whats the end goal purpose? Its to proclaim Christ with the intent, to the best of my/our ability, of present

ing to our Lord as many people as possible who are mature and complete in Christ.And whats that maturity look like? Thats where Pauls note to the Ephesians helps. There he says the measure of Christian

maturity is the whole measure of the fullness of Christ or, as in the poetic language of the King James Version, the measure of thestature of the fullness of Christ.

Friends, thats a vision or purpose big enough to propel me, you and us collectively with energy, patience, persistence and pur-pose into what the Lord has for us ahead. Its not a vision of a particular new program or technology that becomes obsolete in a yearor-two and archaic by the end of a decade. Programs and methods are short-lived tools. The vision must be bigger, longer. Its avision oflives changed by proclaiming Christ through any means possibleteaching, preaching, mentoring, small groups, discipleship,on-hands mission, compassionate caring and more. Its a vision of peoplebeing transformed into the likeness of Christ with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18).

Its a vision of enabling people of all ages and kind to knowJesus Christ intimately, personally and not just knowing some things

about Him. Its a vision of helping people each daybecome 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 not a purpose undertaken lightly or half-heartedly. As Paul says; its an end toward which we are to labor, struggling withall his energy, which so powerfully works in us whether we are six, sixteen, thirty-six, sixty or eighty-six.

So, how do you answer now what?

I remain, as always, yours in Christs Service


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From Our Associate Pastor for Families

Study of Ezekiel begins February 20th

Ezekiel was a 6th century prophet. The name Ezekiel means God strengthens or May God Strengthen, which is ap-propriate for a prophet called to proclaim a message of uncompromising judgment and later a message of a restoration forGods sake, not Israels. The Lord strengthened Ezekiel in the face of cynicism and rejection by his fellow Jews.

Come learn about Ezekiel from Kelly Hernandez, one of our seminary interns from Princeton. Beginning February 20th,Kelly will share in six weeks information about this prophet but also help us to understand some prophetic words.

Kelly will be teaching the class in Room 3/4 during the Church School hour9:30am to 10:30am

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary lifeyour sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walk-ing-around lifeand place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don'tbecome so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed

from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always

dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.(Romans 12:1-2 The Message)

Dear Friends,

In February I attended the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) conference in Albuquerque New Mexico.Elder Rick Ufford-Chase, moderator of the 216th General Assembly (2004) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was the keynote

speaker who shared his reflections on the Romans passage.

Rick told stories of faith communities who together have stood against the world. He spoke about Christians in our country

standing with Christians around the world whose lives are at risk for standing up for their faith. As Christians we are called not to be

conformed to this world, but to stand with those who are oppressed. We are called to help change the world to being what God cre-

ated.

Being in Albuquerque, gave me a new way to think about balance in my life. It was easy to get dehydrated and easy to getwinded walking one block because of the altitude. It reminded me that there needs to be a balance in my life even in the ordinaryevents. God and church should not be the last thing we put on our calendar. Every day we should schedule time for God first, to

read the scripture and take time to pray. It should not be something we do if we have time.

We should not live by the standards of the world, but by Gods standards. As a parent, I dont allow my children to have

candy at 5pm because I know that we will sit down as a family for dinner shortly. I cant live by the standards of my children wanting

candy. As parents we are called to living to raise our children not according to the worlds standards but according to what is best fo

them. We need to remember to have that balance with our faith. It should not be something that is last minute or an after thought,

but should be first in our lives.

Theology for the Troubled Believer

It is unfortunate that at this time Dr. Diogenes Allens health is prohibiting him from coming to our church in March. Please keep him in

your prayers that he is able to fight the infection which he has had since the fall. Copies of his recent book, Theology for the Troubled

Believerare available in the church office for $15. The book addresses issues and questions that emerge in a daily life. If you are in-

terested in gathering in a small group to discuss the book after Easter, please speak to Pastor Martha


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The Ministry of Music


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Childrens Ministry Youth MinistryVisit Youth Ministries online for more information:

www.fpcmoorestown.org

March 4-6Junior High Lake ChampionWinter Retreat

For those in grades 7-8. $135/person

4pm Friday3pm Sunday

Experience a life changing event in the beautiful mountains

of New York State. Be challenged in your walk with God

while having fun in the company of good friends.

March 25-27

IMPACTSenior High Retreat

For those in grades 9-12

Ocean City, Maryland

$150/person

Register online by March 4th

Attention all High School Seniors:

Applications fro First Presbyterians Scholarship areavailable from Wes or the church office.

Applications are due back by April 1st to give the committee

time to renew the essays. Thank you!

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

Weekly Youth BreakfastTuesdays at 6:30am

Looking for Host Housescall Jen: 235-1688

or email: [email protected]

Wednesday, March 9th...

...is ASH WEDNESDAY

NO Kingdom Kids Family Dinner

or Crossing Zone

The Annual Ash Wednesday Soup Supper

will be served from 5:30pm6:15pm

Worship in the Sanctuary from 6:30pm7:15pm

Childrens Easter Celebration

Saturday, April 16

10:30am11:30am

Dont forget to bring a basket!

Credo at Broad Street Minist ries

Wednesday, March 30

5pm8pm

No Barriers Community Dinner in Center City.

There are few places where such a divergent group of people

gather at table for conversation, sharing of experiences

and to explore commonalities and distinctiveness.

Come join us!


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Stepping Stones

Sharing the News from our Preschool

We still have a few spots avail-

able in our program thisschool

year. To get more information,

call Amy Agger at the

Preschool Office,

856-235-7105.

Snow, Snow, go away...We are especially looking forward

to Spring this year. The wintry weather has kept us inside for

too long!

We are looking for ward to some fun events this month!Many preschool friends are attending the Burlington County

Footlighters production of The Adventures of Peter Rabbit

at the beginning of the month. We are having a Chick-Fil-AFundraiser the evening of Thursday, March 10 from 5pm-

8:30pm at the Centerton location. Stop by anytime (drive-thru

or inside) and mention Step By Step and a percentage of

what you spend will go to the preschool!

March Open House ~ Youre Invited

Stop by the preschool Saturday morning, March 12, between

9:00am and 10:30am. Meet the teachers and learn about theprograms we offer. Invite anyone you know looking fora preschool.

Preschool Registration Update... registration is in full swing

for the 2011-2012 classes. Some classes are filling up but

we still have openings in the 2 year old classes, 3 year old

classes and one more spot left in the 4 year old (PreK)

Tu/We/Th afternoon class. Please continue to spread the

word about our wonderful preschool here at 1st Pres.! Con-

tact Amy Agger at [email protected] or856-235-7105 with any questions or to schedule a tour.

Stephen Ministers:

Rivers of Living Water

During Januarys weekend of renewal, Christian Andrews

asked us, Do you know what it is like to have a thirsty soul?He shared with us Jesus promise to make each of us a river

of living water that becomes deeper, and transforms the world

from a dead desert to a living place.

Many people feel that their hearts have become like a desert.

They wonder when water will be poured on their souls. The

life-giving water which will satisfy their thirst will not come from

a special weekend or a study group. It will come when broth-

ers and sisters in Christ are willing to be used by God, bringing

light to dark places and streams to the desert. Hurting peopl

do not need lofty teaching, new programs, or even good inten-

tions. They need other people to touch their lives, to connec

with them in love, to listen, to offer hope.

During our small group times at the Renewal Weekend, many,

many needs were expressed with astonishing frankness.

Many people were just waiting for someone to listen to them.

Our congregation must hold a great many more people who

have unexpressed needs. Rev Andrews encouraged us to

follow the nudges of the Holy Spirit within us in reaching out to

people around us. When the Holy Spirit hints to you thatsomeone has a burden he or she is carrying, ask if you can

help; put hands and feet to your faith. If you know that some

one is dealing with an issue that makes life difficultjob prob-

lems, chronic illness, caring for aging parents, a new baby, a

hundred different possibilitiesask if they would like a brother

or sister to walk alongside them.

Stephen Ministers are waiting to bring hope and light to dark

places. They do not do it on the strength of good intentions,

but ask Gods Holy Spirit to flow through them, like rivers of

living water. Reach out to those around you; follow the hints

of Gods Spirit to speak to a friend, or call an acquaintance.

And if you, or someone you know, could benefit from the con-

sistent support and encouragement of a Stephen Minister,

please call the church office and ask Pastor Herman or Jan

Amos to give you a call.


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ISG Womens RetreatApril 1-3 , 2011

St. Marys Providence in Elverson, PATheme: Lo, the Winter is past

Featuring Carol Morgan,

Flower and Gardening Specialist.

Cost: $150 before 3/15

Contact Ruth Stotsenburg:

On the web: [email protected]

or call (856) 220-1602

TheWeathervane

All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, March 12th, 8:30am10:30am

Palmyra Moravian Church

1921 Cinnaminson Ave., Cinnaminson, NJ

(856) 829-2886

Pancakes, Sausage, Fruit, Breakfast Cake,

Coffee, Tea, Milk and Juice!

Adult: $7.00 Child (6-12): $3.00

Child (Under 6): Free!

MARK

YOURCALENDARS!

Strawberry Festival

Friday, June 3rd

6pm9pm

Call Joyce Wenzke to find out how you can help:

235-8413

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.


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churchisavoluntary,cove-

nantbasedgatheringof3-

12peopleregularlymeeting

togetherwiththeshared

goalofmutualChristian

edificationand

fellowship

TheWeathervane

SAVE THE DATE

for the 93rd Annual

May 812, 2011

PUT THIS WEEK

ON YOUR CALENDAR !

We hope to have a large turnoutof volunteers since it takes many hands

to prepare/execute/clean-up this event.

We have positions for:

Receivers, Schleppers, Un-packers,

Sorters, Pricers, Sign Makers, Check-outers,

Cashiers and Packer-uppers!

Contact Debbie Walker (856) 234-6404

or Annette Emerson (856) 234-0717

CLEAN OUT THOSE CLOSETS, ATTICS

AND BASEMENTS!

Knitting Network

Saturday, March 26

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:

April 30 and June 4 (note date change from May 21)

If youve attended one of our Lenten book study groups orbeen involved in other kinds of small groups, you know how

valuable they are for building relationships and for challeng-ing members to live out their faith. In order to share the

many benefits of small groups with more people, the Ses-sion Membership Committee has approved the formation of

an ongoing Small Group ministry. The number of groupsoffered will depend on the number of trained leaders avail-

able. The steering committee for small groups will hold aninformational meeting on April 11, 2011 at 7PM in the

Hayes Room for anyone interested in exploring the leader-ship of small groups. Watch the bulletin for more informa-

tion regarding the Small Groups Ministry. Or, contact ElderJohn Pierce at 856 429 8683 or by email to

[email protected].

Small Group Ministry


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March 2011 List of Events


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CINNAMINSON, NJ

PERMIT No. 130

The Wea t herva ne

101 Bridgeboro Road

Moorestown, NJ 08057

First Presbyterian Church

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Ash Wednesday Hunger Supper

March 9, 2011

Come join us for a simple supper of soup and bread prior to the Lenten service.

Soup will be served at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall and take out containers will be

available for purchase. Donations from a Free will Offering will be sent to the

Presbyterian Hunger Program.

March 2011 Weathervane

Documents

Transcript of March 2011 Weathervane