News Archive

December 2009

We Still Need Your Input!
Survey Regarding One or Two Sunday Church Services

It has been brought to Session’s attention that some of the congregation may be interested in reinstating our two church services. Due to the costs associated with holding two services, we have decided to take a survey to find out if there is enough interest to support two Sunday Services.

Please consider the choices below.

— Continue as we are with One service at 10:00 am

— Reinstate two services: 8:30 a.m. First service (to coincide with the Sunday School Classes) AND 10:15 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Second service

There are several ways to respond.

1. Mail the form (included in this month's printed newsletter) to The First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua, 3005 S. Front Street, Whitehall, PA 18052.

2. There will also be a form drop off box in the downstairs vestibule of our church.

3. You may also respond via email: hokeypres@verizon.net

4. Call the church office at 610-264-9693 and leave a message.

This is your church; we are interested in our members responses. Thank you!

Dear Friends in Christ;

In many homes Christmas ends soon after the last gift is opened on Christmas Day. Why not extend the celebration of Christ’s coming through the full 12 days of Christmas with some of these ideas?

Potluck Christmas — Tired of the Christmas leftovers? Invite families to your home for a Christmas potluck. You could have a cookie exchange. Play board games, Christmas carol charades, and share the memories of Christmas with friends. Finish the evening with simple Christmas worship and carols.

Recycle toys — Now that children have received new toys for Christmas, invite them to donate some of the old, but still good, ones to a community shelter.

Prayers for family and friends — Encourage families to take time in the days of Christmas to read through the cards and greetings they have received, pausing each day to remember the senders with a special prayer.

Come to church on December 27 — The Sunday School will present their annual Christmas play during worship at 10:00 a.m.

Have a Blessed Christmas!
Pastor Joyce and the Smothers Family

Barbara Quigg Appointed to the Board of Whitehall Food Bank

Barbara Quigg, Clerk of Session, has been appointed to the Board of the Whitehall Food Bank.

The Food Bank is located at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. It provides both perishable and canned food for qualified local residents, on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Our church is part of a consortium of Whitehall churches that donates food for its users. The Food Bank is supported by grants and contributions from Harvest Food Bank, a national charity, as well as churches like ours. For many years, St. Stephen’s Church managed the operation alone, but they are now asking for volunteer help from local churches.

Karen Schell, the Executive Director of the Whitehall Food Bank, commends our church for its many contributions. The Food Bank always in need of food, she says. They have a freezer, and will gratefully accept fresh frozen foods such as turkeys. Clothing is not being accepted at this time, however.

Volunteers will be needed on Monday and Tuesday evenings to distribute food to qualified recipients, on an occasional basis. Also, on occasional Monday mornings, the Food Bank needs able-bodied volunteers to unload and organize food from delivery trucks for distribution. If you’d like to help, please let Barb Quigg know of your interest and availability.

I am so pleased that we now have a vital personal connection with this important local mission effort. We thank you, Barb for your service to the residents of Whitehall Township.

Pastor Joyce

End of Year Giving

The holidays are fast approaching and so is the end of the fiscal year. We have all felt the tightening of our budgets throughout the past year, and the church appreciates your continued generosity even in tough financial times. However, as we saw reported in the church budget at our congregational meeting on Sunday, November 22, our current balance is “in the red.” While there is no need to panic, we would ask that you do review your giving so far this year and consider making an additional contribution before year’s end. It will be a Happy New Year for all knowing that our church’s needs are being well cared for. Thank you for your generous support!

Stumped for a Gift Idea?

Have someone on your shopping list who “has it all”? Consider a gift to our Building Fund in their name. It’s a thoughtful way to honor someone special and an opportunity to support our church at the same time. Merry Christmas and Thank you!

The Advent Wreath

For Christians, the Advent wreath provides a visual way to move through the four Sundays of the season. As early as the Middle Ages, Christians used fire/light symbolism to represent Christ’s coming into the world. The Advent wreath had its roots in the pagan religions of northern Europe, a solstice practice calling for the return of the sun in the dark time of the year by lighting candles placed on a cartwheel decorated with evergreens. Christians living in sixteenth-century Eastern Europe took this earlier custom for their own. So it became a sign of the waiting and hopeful expectation of Christ’s return.

The Advent wreath is circular, symbolizing God’s love that has no beginning or ending. The evergreens are a sign of the faithfulness of God, and the lighted candles a reminder of the light of Christ. Traditionally, the Advent wreath contains four blue candles, or three blue (or light purple) and one pink candle. Blue symbolizes hope and anticipation. Purple symbolizes penitence and is the color of royalty. Pink symbolizes joy.

PER CAPITA

In January, members of the congregation should expect a letter from the church stating the per capita requirement for each member for 2010.

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.

Anniversary Book

The Church 150th Anniversary Books will be on sale for Christmas. The cost is $35.00 each. For those of you interested, please sign the order form located in the downstairs vestibule of our church. The deadline for orders has been extended. Reserve your copy now!

A Friendly Reminder

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

December Birthdays

Shannon McNeill; (3) Tori Snyder, Michael Woodling; (5) Amy Keller; (6) Jack Wheeler; Walter Bloszinsky, Andrew Snyder; (8) Mae Hart, Matthew Jernegan, Karen Sentiwany; Wilson Paul Scheirer, Bryant Autrey, Bryan Dannecker; (10) Barbara Johns; (12) Dave Micio; Cody Storm; (15) Kathleen Fenstermaker; (16) Robert Schlosser, Kathy Kovalchick; Katie Dyer, Kyle Worman; (18) Tiffany Bennett; (20) Randy Walters; (22) Alexis Adams; Mike Wiehl; (27) Carol Steigerwalt, Janet Ward, David Apgar; (29) Mackenzie Fehnel; (30) Erin Matthews, (31) Dotty Derrico

January Birthdays

Dave Linton, Robert Wasson; (2) Deborah Hartman, David Hertzog; (3) Evelyn Groller, David Sentiwany; (5) Carol Snyder; (9) Kathy Waters; (10) Margaret Fink, Joshua Scherer Kathy Morusan; Monica Kern, Edward Santana-Grace; (13) Jennifer Strohl, Gavin Rusnock; (14) Tom Steigerwalt; (17) Brian Hart; (21) Stefanie Mondschein; (22) Robert Young; (24) Deborah Gilbert, Dunstan Linton; (25) Catherine Woodley;(26) Jean Krall, Alison Waters; (27) Jennifer Hartman, Amy Ruch, Lisa Rouch; (28) Sue Bode; (29) Matthew Mohr, David Wheeler; (30) Cory Juretus

Greeters and Ushers

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.

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 the Whitehall Food bank. Please place any donations in the cart located in the church foyer. 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:

Ava Linton
Marjorie Hein
Nicholas Leotti
Bruce Kunkle
Ben Sammak
Melissa Harth
Julia Scavo
Dan Gulini
Chris Jones
Maria Schedler
Joshua Scoble
Rev. Ray & Sue Brubaker
Jim & Maryann McFetridge Jr. and sons

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 Home, Rm. 1135, 1925 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.)

Thank You!

The Presbyterian Women are grateful to all those who helped make the October Basket Social a great success. Thanks to all the Volunteers, Baskets, Baked Goods,
Donations and Tickets Sales which gave us a profit of $1,600. We could not have done it without you.

Christmas Eve Services

The Candlelight Services on Christmas Eve will be at 5:30 and 7:30 pm.

Bluegrass Workship Service was a Success!

Many thanks to the choir and to the Jordan Spring Band, and to the 101 people who attended!

KITCHEN USE

A reminder: If you use the church kitchen, please empty the dishwasher. Do not leave food in the refrigerator, unless it is marked with a name. Please treat the church kitchen the same as yours at home. Thank you! — The Presbyterian Women

Schedule

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

Dec. 12 — Youth Group movie outing—time to be announced
Dec. 17 — Session Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 20 — Chime Choir plays during Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.
Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve Services 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 27 — Sunday School Christmas Program at 10:00 a.m.
Jan. 10 — Epiphany Dinner at 6:00 p.m.
Jan. 24 — Congregational meeting—annual report is presented
at 10:50 a.m.

News Archive