At First - First Presbyterian Church Bloomsburg

At First
January 2015
A Monthly Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church, Bloomsburg
Happy New Year!
From the Staff at FPC: Steve, Helen, Lisa, Holly, Harry, and Joyce
I N S I D E
T H I S
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING ON February 1
I S S U E :
Happenings at First
1
From Pastor Steve
2
From the Nominating
Committee
3
Church Calendar
4
Mission News
5
Presbyterian Women
6
Staff and Church Duties
7
Birthdays and
Anniversaries
8
There will be a congregational meeting immediately after worship on Sunday,
February 1, 2015, for the purpose of: receiving the 2014 Annual Report; receiving the
2015 budget; hearing an update from the Temporary Supply Pastor and the Pastor
Nominating Committee; election of deacons to fill unexpired terms and any other
business for the good of the congregation and corporation. Please be sure to attend.
Thank you.
WINTER BLUES?
ATTENTION
ALL MINISTRY
CHAIRPERSONS!
ANNUAL
REPORTS ARE
DUE BY
JANUARY 8.
THANK YOU!
Looking for a fun night out in January to beat those
winter blues? Then please come join us on Saturday,
January 24, at 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for some soup,
sandwiches and a few games of Candy Bar Bingo. In
addition, a member of the Pastor Nominating Committee
will be there to give us a brief update. Soup and
sandwiches will be provided by the Fellowship Ministry.
To play bingo you will need to bring a canned/packaged food item to donate to
the local food cupboard. Each food item can be exchanged for a bingo card.
The more food items you bring, the more cards you can play. Hope to see you
there!
“WANT NEWSY EMAIL UPDATES?
From time to time the FPC office sends out news
of soon-coming events or new prayer concerns. If
you do not receive these currently and would like to,
please send Joyce Rex your email address and request to
fpcbloom@verizon.net. Additionally, if you receive your At First in
standard mail but would prefer to get it emailed to you, please also let
her know that. Also, if you have a new phone number please include
that too as we update our files. Thank you for your help!
Remember to turn your pledge forms in for the 2015 Stewardship Campaign.
Pledge cards are in the back of the sanctuary and in the Fellowship Hall.
Thank you!
Page 2—January 2015
Newsletter Article
January 2015
congregation informed on where they are,
what they are doing, and what the next
steps will be.
2015 has arrived! We are leaving
Also, later this month, we will begin
behind a year of ups and downs, highs
the process of forming a new
and lows, events that took us by surprise
Confirmation Class for those teenagers
and others that were a bit more
14 through 18 years old who wish to
predictable. Losing Pastor David so soon
begin the journey of confirming their
after his arrival was hard for the congregation, baptismal vows, joining the church and
but I have been truly impressed by the many
exploring where they are in their own faith
individuals who have volunteered to serve and
journey. I hope and pray this will be a very
fill in the gaps. Thank you all for your service
rewarding and growth-filled experience for all
and dedication this past year.
involved.
As we look ahead, I’d like to share what is in
Looking down the 2015 road, we will have
the works for the coming year. First, the work
more exciting worship experiences, education
of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC)
classes, fellowship events, and spiritual growth
continues. While we move through this inopportunities.
between time of searching for a new pastor, I am
I look forward to sharing this all with you.
very excited about the members of the PNC –
they are very capable and dedicated and I have Blessings,
full confidence that they will do an outstanding
job. Throughout this process, they will keep the Pastor Steve, Temporary Supply Pastor
Christmas Eve Service with Harry
Lighting the Candles
Christmas Eve Service
Christmas At First Presbyterian Church
Patrick Krupp lighting the Happy Birthday
Jesus Cake
A Beautiful Service
Page 3– January 2015
FROM THE ALL-CHURCH NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The All Church Nominating Committee is seeking suggestions for nominees
to the officer of Elder or Deacon and to the role of Trustee, Auditor, and AtLarge Nominating Committee Members to be elected in 2014. Any nominee
must already be a member of First Presbyterian Church or have become a
member by the time of their installation.
Nominees ought to exhibit an active faith that seeks to grow in God’s word,
that prays with and for others, and that serves others by sharing in their
sufferings and joys.
Nominees should be regular, active attenders at First and be able to express love for our heritage
and hope for our future. Nominees must be team players with a cooperative spirit, openness to new
ideas, ability to follow-through on commitments, and wisdom in judgment. For specifics regarding the
different roles being filled see below.
To make a nomination, simply fill out the bottom of this form and place it in the offering plate by
January 11, 2015. Nominations may also be placed in Marilyn Witherup’s mailbox in the Fellowship
Hall or given to any member of the Nominating Committee. Thank you for your prayerful enthusiastic
recommendations!
Kathy Baker, Jim Burrows, Michael Fritz, Christine Fuller, Judy Hunchar, Jim Lapinski, and
Marilyn Witherup.
**********************************************8*********
Suggested Name of Nominee: _________________________________________________________________
To be nominated as: Elder ________ Deacon ________ Trustee ________ Auditor ________
At-Large Nominating Committee Member ________
Elders are called to provide for and to nurture the congregation in carrying out our mission to the
Gospel. To this end, elders often lead the specific ministries of the church as related to discipleship,
evangelism, missions, fellowship and stewardship. Elders are responsible for the operating budget and,
along with the Trustees, make financial decisions for the future health of the church.
Deacons serve in the ministry of compassion and service by helping to provide for the needs of our
congregation and local community.
Trustees oversee the endowment fund and make recommendations for long-term growth and financial
stability.
Auditors review our yearly financials and must have an understanding of spreadsheets and budgets.
At-Large Nominating Committee members are responsible for discerning those who might serve in
these various leadership roles.
MEMORIAL FLOWERS
Thank you to all who continue to donate Sanctuary flowers in memory of, honor of, and to the Glory
of God. After each Sunday service, the flowers are delivered to shut-ins, hospital patients, and people
with birthdays and anniversaries. It helps to brighten their day.
As of January 1, 2015, the price of the flowers will increase from $24.00 to $26.00. Please help us
continue this ministry to so many of our church family. Thank you!
Page 4 - January 2015
January 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
Friday
Saturday
2
3
9
10
16
17
Church office
Closed
4
5
9:15 AM Sunday
School
10:30 AM Worship
followed by
Fellowship
18
6:30 PM Bell Choir
7:30 PM Sanctuary Choir
12
13
14
4:30 PM Public
Worship
9:30 AM Quilters
6:30 PM Bell Choir
6:00 PM
Fellowship
Ministry
19
9:30 AM - Grace
Circle Meeting
4:30 PM - Eve
Circle Meeting
15
Presbytery Meeting
in Watsontown
7:00 PM Womens
Civic Club
7:30 PM Meeting
Sanctuary Choir
20
21
22
23
6:30 PM Bell Choir
7:00 PM
Seasoned Sounds 7:30 PM Sanctuary Choir
24
5:00 p.m. Bingo
sponsored by
Spiritual Life and
Fellowship - Soup
and Sandwiches
6:00 PM Deacons
Meeting
25
26
9:15 AM 4th Sunday
Breakfast
6:00 PM Session
Meeting
10:30 AM Worship
followed by
Fellowship
8
ANNUAL REPORTS
are due
7:00 PM Ministry
Meeting Night
9:15 AM Sunday
School
10:30 AM Worship
followed by
Fellowship
7
11:30 AM—Staff
Meeting
7:00 PM
Seasoned Sounds 6:00 PM Trustees
Meeting
10:30 AM Worship
Service of Hymns and
Readings followed by
Fellowship
11
Communion Intinction
9:15 AM Sunday
School
6
27
28
29
30
31
6:30 PM Bell Choir
7:30 PM Sanctuary Choir
The February At First Newsletter Deadline is Monday, January 26, at noon. It will
be mailed out on Friday, January 30.
Page 5 – January 2015
GATEHOUSE REQUESTS FROM
THOMAS DOUGHER
Thank you for your interest in contributing to the
Gate House Shelter. Your support for our mission
has been very much appreciated.
Our primary needs at this time are paper
products:
 Toilet paper
 Paper towels
 Napkins
 Tissues
Cleaning supplies
 Floor cleaner
 Toilet bowl cleaner
 Comet cleanser
 Tub cleaner
 Laundry detergent and bleach
Any assistance with this would be greatly
appreciated.
Thomas M. Dougher Jr.
Executive Director, The Gate House
Hall. Watch your bulletin for information about
the menu. This is a great time to visit with church
family and enjoy a good breakfast too!
4TH SUNDAY BREAKFAST
Come join us for 4th Sunday breakfast on
January 25, at 9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship
PASTOR NOMINATING UPDATE
Here is a quick update on what the Pastoral
Nominating Committee (PNC) has been doing.


We met with Rev. Bill Knudsen from the
Presbytery to get information on the search
process and elected officers for our committee.
Officers are: Co-chairs - Gene Alwood and
Bonnie Crawford, Secretary & Internet Liaison Beth Larson, Chaplain - John Polhill.
We had 2 meetings in December where we
SNOW POLICY
When the weather outside gets frightful,
here is what we’ll do. When Sunday activities
need to be cancelled or delayed tune in to one of the
following for information.
 WHLM – Radio 930 AM
Salvation Army Service Unit volunteers pack boxes in the
church gym with Christmas gifts for needy families.

discussed the qualities we would like in a Pastor
and worked on completing the Ministry
Information Form (MIF). The MIF is used to
describe our church to potential candidates. It is
similar to the CIF that was used in the past.
We took a break for the holiday but will resume
meetings in January.
We will try to keep the congregation updated
with our progress as time goes by. If you have any
questions please feel free to talk with any of us Gene Alwood, Kathy Baker, Bruce Bowman, Bonnie
Crawford, Beth Kline, Beth Larson and John Polhill.
WFYY – Radio 106.5 FM
WBRE 28 – Television
WYOU 22 – Television
You can also call the church office and check
the church website for updates. Hopefully, we



will not have to use these services. Enjoy the
winter season!
Salvation Army Service Unit volunteers from Benton
High School for the Christmas Distribution
Page 6 - January 2015
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN NEWS
By Christine Fuller, Moderator
Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ and
empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit
ourselves:
to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible
study,
to support the mission of the church worldwide,
to work for justice and peace, and
to build an inclusive, caring community of
women that strengthens the Presbyterian
Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise
of God’s kingdom.
For more information, speak to a member of the
Coordinating Team: Martha Manning, Ruth
Bennett, Janet Locke, Carolyn Baillie, Aileen
Sorber, Arline Johnson, Emma Ross, or Kathy
Baker.
KEEFER TRUST FUND
By: Martha Manning
First Presbyterian Church received a bequest
from the Keefer Trust Fund when the estate was
distributed due to some changes in its
management. Elinor R. Keefer specified three
areas of importance: the work of the deacons, the
care of the building and the women of the church
serving the poor and the elderly. Session
Presbyterian Women always keep this
statement of purpose in their sights, wherever they distributed a third of the funds ($9,848.93) to
are found. Recently, the Coordinating Team voted
each of those areas. Elinor Keefer was a librarian
to send $600 to support a transition home for girls at the University working in the children's
at risk, The Foyer de Dibindi in East Kasai, Congo. library. She served as the treasurer of
Dr. Frank Dimmock showed slides and described
Presbyterian Women for years and although she
the ministry of The Foyer. PW responded. You
did not encourage free spending her legacy
can read more about The Foyer on the bulletin
speaks to a generous spirit for those in need.
board in Fellowship Hall.
Elinor was an active circle member and is
La Iglesia, a Presbyterian church for Hispanics remembered as a very prim and proper lady.
near Toughkenamon in Donegal Presbytery,
Presbyterian Women have been considering
minsters to children of workers in the mushroom
how we might share this wonderful gift while
farms. Rev. Nering Huete works to unite
honoring Elinor's request. After hearing Frank
immigrant children with their parents and to
Dimmock, PCUSA World Mission Catalyst speak
assure that the children have access to schooling
about the home for girls at risk sponsored by the
and the necessities of life. PW has responded to
Presbyterian Church in Congo, "The Foyer de
the needs of this ministry by giving $100.
Dibindi " home became our first recipient.
The microwave in the kitchen here at First is
Presbyterian Women have been standing against
weak and small. Various cooks and users of the
kitchen complained about the inefficient microwave human trafficking and this effort to provide
education, good nutrition and a safe haven meets
and wished for a new one. PW responded and
that goal. Our second recipient is a project closer
Session accepted the offer of a gift of a new
to home. The Presbyterian Church for Hispanics
appliance.
known as La Iglesia in Toughkenamon, PA is
Women from all over the world will gather in
Minneapolis in June for the triennial Churchwide
helping immigrant children who are coming to
Gathering to worship, attend workshops, learn
the U.S. to connect with their parents who are
about mission, and build relationships. PW is
working in the mushroom farms. The Pastor and
responding by budgeting money to help women
small congregation have struggled financially to
from our church and/or presbytery to attend the
support this effort but they are hearing God's call
gathering.
in this ministry. For more information check out
We take our purpose seriously. Don’t you
the Synod of the Trinity website and the PCUSA
want to be a part of the action? Circles meet
Mission for information on the Congo project. We
for fellowship and Bible study on the second
are so grateful to Elinor Keefer for remembering
Tuesday of each month. The next meetings
those who are less fortunate in her will as well as
will be here at the church on January 8 at
those of us at the corner of 4th and Market in
9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. You will find not only
Bloomsburg. Praise God for her faithful giving
friends and information but also inspiration
and legacy.
for new ways to serve our Lord and grow in
faith. Join us!
Page 7 - January 2015
First Presbyterian Mission Statement:
“Proclaim the grace of God; Share the Word of God; Serve the Children of God.”
CHURCH STAFF JOB TITLE
NAME
EMAIL ADDRESS
Temporary Supply Pastor
Administrative Assistant
Financial Secretary
Director of Music
Organist
Sexton
Rev. Steve Cureton
Joyce Rex
Lisa Padner
Holly Lapinski
Harry Martenas
Helen Fester
sdcureton@msn.com
fpcbloom@verizon.net
rlpadner@epix.net
hollypiece@hotmail.com
harry.martenas@gmail.com
fpcbloom@verizon.net
SUNDAY SCHEDULE - See Calendar Insert for more details
January 4 9:15 Sunday
School
10:30 Morning Worship
Service of Hymns and
Readings followed by
Fellowship
Morning Worship
followed by Fellowship
January 18
9:15 Sunday School
10:30 Morning Worship
followed by Fellowship
January 25
9:15 4th Sunday Breakfast
10:30 Morning Worship
followed by Fellowship
Moderator,
Rev. Steve Cureton
Millard Manning,
Clerk
Jason Bombard
Velma Burrows
Brian Johnson
Bob Koval
Jim Lapinski
Martha Manning
John Polhill
Megan Prezioso
Brenda Rupert
Marilyn Witherup
Debra Yablonski
Craig Young
Trustees
William Baillie
Bruce Bowman
David Boyd
Larry Mack
January 11 Communion
9:15 Sunday School 10:30
Dave Yablonski
Deacons
Mod. Jan
Rynhart
Gene Alwood
Jim Burrows
Joan Cole
Lillian Fields
Kim Hill
Judy Hunchar
James Lapinski
Carol Laudermilch
Chuck Laudermilch
Larry McGurl
Lisa Padner
Jim Patterson
Helen Patterson
Terry Rynhart
Albert Schutz
Karen Thrasher
Church Duties
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
Liturgist (s)
Beth Kline
Ruth Bennett
Virgie Bryan
Janet Locke
Greeters
Jim and Helen Patterson
Dave and Janet Boyd
Susan Webster and Richard
Smith
Jan and Terry Rynhart
Flower
Delivery
Susan Webster and
Rob Woodley
Tom Davies and
Jean Underwood
John and Jeananne
Scrimgeour
Emma and Robert Ross
Deacons
Lisa Padner and
Judy Hunchar
Helen and Jim Patterson
Chuck and
Carol Laudermilch
Lillian Fields and
Joan Cole
Worship
Workshop
Noah Crawford
Mac Seidel
Madeline Polhill
Jonah Crawford
M4YD
Diane Baker Dennis
Pastor Steve
Christine Fuller
Velma Burrows
Nursery
Jonah Crawford and
Kathy Lincoln
Madeline Polhill and Adult
Needed
Olivia McGaw and Bonnie
Crawford
Nathan Lincoln and Lydia
Acolyte
Joseph Polhill
Hope Lapinski
Levi Fritz
Brian Prezioso
Fellowship Hour
Patterson/Baker
Fellowship Ministry
TBD
TBD
Ushers
January – David and Janet Boyd, Lillian Fields, Bill Hunchar, David and Diane Lackner, and Diane Baker Dennis
February - Christine Dotterer, Dick Butcher, Chuck Laudermilch, Larry Mack, Sue Lewis, Karen and Wayne
Creasy.
Page 8 - January 2015
First Presbyterian Church
345 Market Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-2322
www.fpcbloom.org
fpcbloom@verizon.net
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Worship Hours
Sunday School 9:15 a.m.
Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. followed
by Fellowship
Bloomsburg
Presbyterian Church
hosts several AA/NA
Meetings on its property
every week.
For Information on area
Alcoholics Anonymous
meetings, Please call (570)
387-4940, 24 hours a day.
For Information on area
Narcotics Anonymous
meetings, Please call (877)
501-1246, 24 hours a day.
10TH ANNUAL MARTIN - LUTHER KING, JR. COMMUNITY PROGRAM AND DINNER
AT THE CALDWELL CONSISTORY
Sunday, February 8, 2015, at 4:00 p.m.
Watch your church bulletin for more information
Sponsored by: The MLK
Planning Committee
THE 25TH OF EVERY MONTH IS ORANGE DAY!
The Presbyterian USA Mission Agency is asking people to wear orange on the 25th of each month to
take a stand on ending violence against women and girls. Orange ribbons are located in the back of the
church sanctuary and in the Fellowship Hall. So that you can respond factually to questions about your
ribbon, please go to the PC USA website and go to the Mission Agency page.
Happy January Birthday to: Kim Hill, Randall Presswood, Deb Zollmann,
Gabriel Bennett, Erick Lewis, Clara DeRose, Randy Bond, Jean Underwood,
Cindy McBryan, Lois Barral, Martha Johnson, Paige Dwyer, Sandy Davis,
Tara Varner, Jeff Davis, Diane Lackner, David Yablonski, Mary Ridgway,
Brooke Keister, and Carrie Broadt.
Happy
January
Anniversary
to: Jeanie and
Mark Golden