News Archive

October 2009

A Note from Pastor Joyce Smothers:
The Bible — Witness and Word

When a woman or man is ordained to serve as an elder or deacon in our church, one of the questions the pastor asks that person is: “Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s Word to you?” Book of Order G-14.0405

It’s important for us to remember how important the Bible is for Presbyterians. The Bible records the encounters of the community of faith with Almighty God. Most of it was first shared as spoken tradition — stories, prayers and sermons — because the common people did not read or write. Then it was recorded in Hebrew or Greek manuscript form.

In the Protestant tradition, there are 66 books in the Bible — 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. I usually preach on gospel passages because the story of Jesus’ ministry is of foremost importance to us. But we wouldn’t have the gospels, if we did not also inherit the wonderful words of Genesis, and the recorded testimony of God in the Jewish tradition.

Our evening Bible study group will read and discuss the book of Genesis, beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17th. We will meet every other week. Free workbooks for the series will be available beginning next Sunday, October 11th. Let me know if you’d like to come!

Weekly Confirmation classes will begin on Sunday, October 25th, 2009, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. for seventh through ninth graders. The classes will cover our Presbyterian beliefs and the governing bodies that enable our church to function. At the end of this school year students who complete the program satisfactorily will be able to join our church as full-fledged members.

One Sunday night every month, we will host a youth group gathering with the Catasauqua Presbyterian Church. The first event in our monthly youth series will be held on Sunday, October 11th at 6:15 until 9:00 p.m. It’s a bowling trip to Hampton Lanes. See me, the Morans, or Valerie Mack for details.

Warmly,
Pastor Joyce

Pastor Joyce's Sermons

Choir Rehearsal

Choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Rehearsals generally last about 1 hour. We are always interested in having new voices join our already wonderful choir. New members are always welcome. Choir Director—Joanne Matthews.

Chime Choir Rehearsal

Chime choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 6:15. You don’t need to read music or sing to ding! New members are always welcome. Chime Choir Director—Barbara Haberern.

Presbyterian Women Basket Social and Bake Sale
Saturday October 17th, 9 am - 12 pm

The Presbyterian Women need your help to make this event a success! Donations of baked goods / gift cards / gift baskets as well as monetary gifts will be greatly appreciated. If you have items to donate and need help creating the basket please contact Donna Fink. Baskets will be accepted any Sunday and are due October 14th. Baked goods will be accepted during the ticket sales on October 16th.

Tickets: $5.00 each. Available from any member of the P. W. Circles.
October 16th from 3 -7 pm: Tickets on sale and baked goods may be dropped off.
October 17th: Drawing will be held at 12:15 pm.

With these economic times, we accept that it might be a burden to some of our members to donate at this time. If you would like to contact a business that you patronize to ask for a donation please call Janet Ward at 610-264-7691 to receive a letter which requests donations.

Pork and Sauerkraut Supper

The Fellowship/Group Life Committee will be holding a Happy Halloween Pork & Sauerkraut Supper on Saturday, Oct. 31st at 6:00 p.m. The Cost will be $10. per person. This will include a pork & sauerkraut platter including meat, potatoes and applesauce; rolls & butter; dessert and a beverage. Tickets will be on sale prior to the dinner and also at the Women’s Assn. Basket Social. They will also be available at the door.

Greeters and Ushers

If you are interested in becoming a greeter or usher, please contact Lila Bowman at 610-264-2482. It is a great way to get o meet people that come to our church.

A Friendly Reminder

Please remember to make sure all doors are locked and all lights are turned out when leaving the Church. Thanks!

From the Treasurer

Our year to date Actual Income compared to our budget for January thru August 2009. Actual total Income: $ 68,965.83. Budget: $59,819.00

October Birthdays

John Tremblay; (2) Jeffrey Stauffer III; (6) Dennis Shelanick; (7) Lois Yudt; (9) Melody Faisetty; Ben Mullikin; (11) Cheyenne Dougherty, Thomas Gross; (13) Mark Scherer, Jeff Stauffer; Holly Hodes; (15) James Shedlauskas; (16) Margie Arehart; (17) Alice Wall, Kyle Worman; Sharon McFetridge; (21) Valerie Mack; (22) Heather Miller; (23) Bruce Linton, Janelle Sentiwany, Evelyn Unangst; (24) Melissa Lorah, Lauren Sammak (31) Walter R. Hertzog Jr.

November Birthdays

Colleen George; (2) Cora Apgar; (3) Brad Bloszinsky; (4) Keven Lorah, Shelby Fenstermaker, Michael Jernegan; (5) Nancy Hamm; (6) Kelly Rusnock; (7) Jonathan Linton, Tom Waters; Dorothy Somers, Jakob Huffman; (11) Scott Gilbert; (12) Julie Berk; (13) Taylor Geiger; Carl Moran, Kyle Rusnock; (15) Althea Lychak, Kelly Ward; (16) David Fehnel; (18) June Linton, Kathleen Rowland; (20) William Geiger III; (21) Michael Lorah; (22) Tom Heffner; Doug Barriner; (25) Laura Wheeler-Cassavell, Jack Wall; (26) Tim Faisetty, Kelly Hawes, Robert Lychak, Pat Dolgos; (27) Deborah Bendekovits; (30) Charles Kerewich, Steven Haberern.

Greeters and Ushers

Turning Point

We are still collecting used cell phones and empty printer cartridges for Turning Point. Please place your phones and cartridges in the box on the table in front of Fellowship Hall. Turning Point can receive up to $3.50 for each phone or cartridge. Thank you.

Food Collection

Session and Sunday School will be collecting non-perishable food items to go to our local Food bank. Please place any donations in the boxes in the main hallway and in the sanctuary. Thank you.

Deacons Prayer List

Armed Services Personnel
Teachers & Pupils
Church Ministries
Teens and young adults
Caregivers
Church Family Past & Present
World Peace
Ministers of the word & sacrament who are dealing with significant health issues

Additional Prayer Concerns:

Family and Friends of Paul Hodes
Family and Friends of Ernest Brungard & Olga Helman
Matthew Faisetty
Faisetty Family
Marjorie Hein
Bruce Kunkle
Ben Sammak
Melissa Harth
Peggy Lalik
Julia Scavo
Dan Gulini
Peggy Sobroski
Kailynn Poplawski
Maria Schedler
Monica & Mario Vasquez
Chris Jones
Nicholas Leotti
Barbara Johns
Rev. Ray & Sue Brubaker
Rev. Diane Kareha upon the death of her mother

If you have any changes or additions to the prayer lists please contact the church office (610-264-9693) or Lila Bowman.

REMEMBER ALSO THOSE MEMBERS OF OUR CONGREGATION WHO, BECAUSE OF HEALTH PROBLEMS, FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PHYSICALLY WORSHIP WITH US EVERY SUNDAY MORNING

Mr. Ray Bottazzi - Traditions of Hanover, 5300 N. Gate Dr. , Bethlehem, PA. 18017

Mr./Mrs. James DeWalt 3108 N. 3rd St., Whitehall, PA 18052

Ms. Kathryn Fogel - Phoebe Terrace, Apt. 201, 1940 Turner St., Allentown, PA. 18104

Mrs. Evelyn Groller - Westminster Village, Rm. 101B, 803 N. Wahneta Street
Allentown, PA 18109-2491

Mrs. Mary Lorah - Phoebe Home Rm. 280B, 1925 W. Turner St., Allentown, PA 18104

Mr. William J. Marks, Sr. - Cedarbrook Nursing Home, B-3, 350 S. Cedarbrook Rd.,
Allentown, PA 18104

Mr. Harry Millen - 3004 N. Third Street, Whitehall, PA 18052

Mrs. Norma O'Connor - 212 Orchard Drive #1, Whitehall, PA. 18052

Mr. Titus Ruch Sr. - 160 Oley Furnace Road, Fleetwood, PA 19522

Mrs. Catherine Woodley - Eastern Comfort III 206 Diamond Street, Slatington, PA 18080

Mr. and Mrs. Grace and Robert Young - Apt. 2204 Kirkland Village, One Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem, PA 18017

(Cards and prayers are some ways we can show our love for those in need within our church family.)

Schedule

WORSHIP TIME 10:00 A.M.
SUNDAY SCHOOL 8:30 - 9:30 A.M.

Oct. 11—6:15 to 9 p.m. Youth Bowling Trip to Hampton Lanes with Catasauqua PC Youth. Bring $15 and a parental permission slip!

Oct. 17—Basket Social & Bake Sale 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Oct. 31—Pork & Sauerkraut Supper 6:00 pm

Nov. 13—6 to 7:30 p.m. Adult Bible Study group begins its semi-weekly study of the book of Genesis with Chapter One, "The Creation" (Full study books available now from Pastor)

Nov. 21—9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Presbytery meeting at Summit Hill, PA.

News Archive