THIS WEEK'S UP-DATES
This Sunday, May 11, is Pentecost** and Mother’s Day. The 8:30 a.m. service will be held in the sanctuary. The introit will be provided by the Cherub and Pre-school choirs. The confirmation class will be publicly welcomed. The scripture reading is Hebrews 10:19-25 and the communion meditation is, “Making Promises,” by the Reverend Dr. Richard W. Reifsnyder.
The 11:00 a.m. service will be held in Fellowship Hall. The confirmation class will be introduced. The scripture reading is I Kings 18:20-39. As is traditional at First Church on Mother’s Day, the children’s choirs will present a musical. This year’s musical is “Elijah – God’s Faithful Prophet,” presented by the Cherub, Carol, and Middle School Choirs. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at all services.
** Pentecost is one of the three major celebrations of the Christian Church (Christmas and Easter being the other two). It marks the coming of the Holy Spirit in power to create the Christian Church, and thus is often viewed as the “birthday” of the church. Acts 2 records that on the Jewish festival of Pentecost (the day on which law was given according to Jewish tradition) disciples gathered in Jerusalem experienced the Spirit’s coming like a mighty rush of wind and tongues as of fire. The liturgical color for Pentecost is red.
WELCOME TO THE 2008 CONFIRMATION CLASS commissioned to ministry in Christ’s church today. Members of the class are Kaitlyn Bleth, Alex Brannon, David Burke, Courtlin Crosen, Matt Fazenbaker, Arman Fisher, Patrick Lawall, Blake Parkes, Melanie Pumphrey, Emily Rizzetta, Mark Sfeir and Kaye Whitacre.
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
God in the Public Arena – An Exploration of Separation of Church & State, presidential faith in an election year, and other “hot button” topics will be taught by Warren Hofstra, Stewart Bell Professor of American History at Shenandoah University and Rich Reifsnyder, whose Ph.D. is in American Religious History. The class meets in Graham Room (the old kitchen) and runs through June 1.
The Thoughtful Christian – Now studying Galatians. Leader: Dan McCoig - Donegal House – North.
McFaden Men’s Bible Class – “God, the People, and the Covenant” (1&2 Chronicles; Ezra; Nehemiah; Daniel; Haggai). Leader: Alan Morrison - Room 223 (upstairs).
Sycamore Class – Studying the life and journeys of St. Paul and will be following the book by William M. Ramsey, “St. Paul: the Traveler and Roman Citizen.” This book includes some of the history and archeology of the places visited by Paul as well as over 100 color photographs of what can be seen at those places today. Donegal House – South.
The Kent Room Class has concluded and is joining the “God in the Public Arena” class.
STEPHEN MINISTRY TRAINING Fall 2008 - Information meetings will take place in Loudoun Hall on May 11 and May 18 during Sunday School hour (10:00am) for persons who feel a call to explore the possibility of applying for Stephen Ministry training for the Fall 2008 class. Please come or encourage others who you feel may have the gifts for this one-on-one Christian care giving ministry.
HOLY GROUNDS FELLOWSHIP: A new volunteer sign-up sheet for June, July and August, has been posted in the kitchen on the cupboard beside the coffee pots. There are slots available for after the 11:00 a.m. services on May 18 and 25, as no one has signed up.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CIRCLE MEETINGS:
- Dorcas Circle meets Monday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. - Lydia Circle meets Tuesday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. with Nancy Johnston.
- Mary-Martha Circle meets Monday, May 12, 1:30 p.m. with Retha Crosen.
- Phoebe Circle meets Monday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. with Nellie Shaw - Ruth Circle meets Monday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. with Nancy Law
- Hope Circle meets Tuesday, May 13, 9:30 a.m.
DISCIPLE I CLASS: This Wednesday, May 14, the Disciple I Class will be meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Greg and Brooke Herndon’s home.
A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: All women are invited to a covered dish brunch on Thursday, May 15, at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will celebrate Presbyterian Women’s Birthday, present the mission projects we support and give an Honorary Life Membership to a deserving lady. Please call Retha Crosen (662-1427) or Patty Cather (667-2851) for reservations or information.
CHOIR PARENTS: Please let Roger or Jenny know by this Tuesday if your choir member(s) and your family will be coming to the Choir Picnic this Wednesday. We hope to see you “out in the country.”
MASSANETTA MUSIC CONFERENCE: All who want to go with us this year for the music conference at Massanetta Springs the week of August 3-8, need to get your registration to Roger no later than next Thursday, May 15. If you have questions or concerns, or if you need a registration form, just contact Roger or Jenny Callis.
MEN’S BREAKFAST – Men of the church are invited to enjoy a time of fellowship this Saturday, May 17, from 8-9 a.m. at Perkins’ Restaurant (Best Western). The format is simple – lots of conversation and fellowship, breakfast ordered from the menu, and a brief 20-minute program. During 2008 the program portion will focus on the 12 disciples, using John MacArthur’s book Twelve Ordinary Men. How the Master shaped his disciples for greatness and what he wants to do with you. No reservations required, just come! The men meet each 3rd Saturday of the month.
TASTE OF THE FAITH STORIES PROJECT: Presbyterian Women and Looking for Lilith Theatre Company are planning an exciting one-day preview workshop of the Faith Stories Project on Saturday, May 17 from 9:00 – 5:00. The Faith Stories Project (FSP) grew out of the experiences of Looking for Lilith artist Jennifer Thalman Kepler during her year serving there as a Presbyterian Young Adult Volunteer. This project gives Guatemalan women the chance to share their stories and explore them together through drama. This fall LFL will initiate the FSP-USA. Now women in the United States are being offered the opportunity to learn these same skills and tell their faith stories in the same way. Join us as we begin to explore new ways to tell our stories. The cost of the workshop is $75, which pays covers the cost of the workshop, lunch and supports the Faith Stories Project-Guatemala. Flyers and registration information are available on the information tables near the office and at the PW Coffee sales location in the gathering area. For more information contact Carolyn Thalman at 540-723-0433 or cjthalman@comcast.net.
MEMORIAL DAY SUNDAY – MAY 25. As in the past, First Presbyterian Church will honor deceased military veterans on this last Sunday in May. A list of recently deceased veterans – those who have died since Memorial Day 2007 – having ties to FPC will be published in the bulletin. If you know of someone whose name should be on this list, please inform the church office by Monday, May 19.
IT’S BASEBALL TIME!!! The Men’s Group is sponsoring a baseball trip to the new National’s Stadium on Saturday, June 28. The Nationals will be playing the Baltimore Orioles at a 7:05 p.m. game. A chartered bus will leave the parking lot about 3:30 p.m. and return immediately after the game. The cost is $65 per person (this includes ticket & bus). If interested, contact Pat Snapp at the church office.
AUDIO-VISUAL TECH TRAINEES NEEDED: Your congregation needs persons who are capable of providing light, sound, and video support for programs in Fellowship Hall. Training sessions are held on Sundays at 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. in the Control Room of Fellowship Hall. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Register with Shaun Galang at galangs@comcast.net . Once trained, A/V Techs agree to make themselves available for church programs in Fellowship Hall.
PEACEMAKING & YOUTH MISSION COMBINED! Here’s a way you can support Peacemaking and Mission at the same time. Habitat for Humanity is collecting and recycling aluminum soda cans to raise money for their home construction in our community. There’s a special bin marked “Cans for Habitat” in 12 E. Cork. Bring your rinsed out soda cans and put them in the specially marked bins and the youth group will get them to Habitat. Thanks for being good stewards of God’s creation and helping one of our mission partners in the process.
YOUTH NEWS
NO Drop In at 12 E. Cork next week!
Youth Sunday School Classes:
NEXT – Our new and fabulous 5-6th grade ministry will meet for their Faith4Life Sunday school in the NEXT Room in the new basement (B08). Breakfast snacks are provided.
8th GRADERS are meeting in the far classroom on the 2nd floor of 12 E. Cork.
7th GRADERS are delving into new curriculum, the Student Life Bible Study! They meet on the first floor of 12 E. Cork.
BREAKFAST CLUB is at the beginning of Sunday school at 12 E. Cork.
This Sunday:
There will be Sunday school following the reception for the confirmation students in Fellowship Hall – high schoolers, however, will gather at the Daily Grind for a fellowship Sunday school time from 10:00-10:45 a.m. There is no Crossroads & Seekers tonight! Celebrate with your moms!
Upcoming:
END OF YEAR PARTIES ON SUNDAY, MAY 18!
High schoolers – you’ll be going out to the Whitacre lake house – meet in the church parking lot at 12:30 p.m. – please bring a snack to share (drinks and burgers and dogs will be provided), your bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, change of clothes (if you want), games to play, any sports equipment you want – we will return to the church parking lot at 4:00 p.m. – kids who can drive are welcome to and students can be picked up at the lake.
Seekers (7th-8th grade) – Your end of year extravaganza begins at 4:00 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. at 12 East Cork – there will be a massive digital scavenger hunt, games, prizes, dinner, and a movie (all rolled into one crazy fun afternoon) – please bring a digital camera (if you have one) and $5 for dinner.
Celebrating Seniors: In preparation for Senior Recognition Sunday on June 1st, please let Maren (maren@firstchurch-winchester.org) know if you know of a student from our midst graduating from college or a graduate program whom we can recognize.
