Note From The Pastor - Ivyland Presbyterian Church

HJUNE, 2015
Note From The Pastor
Growing up in California, summer meant freedom from the constraints of the rest
of the year. When June arrived, we would burst from the classrooms and swarm
towards the season of endless barbeques, swimming pools and birthday parties. My
parents live on 11 acres comprised of deeply wooded ravines and golden hillsides
dotted with the live oak trees that dominate the Northern California landscape.
My sister and I would spend whole summers out in the foothills of San Jose, replacing
our education in the school with the classroom of creation. We knew every nook and
cranny – where to find the best wild blackberry bushes, and how to identify the poison
oak that loved to grow beside it. We discovered an endless supply of cast-off antlers,
mysterious animal skeletons, and owl pellets in the hills that we called home. After a
morning of hunting, we would gather these wild treasures up and take them home for
further exploration.
Of course, eventually we had to grow up, and our summers in the wild were replaced
with summer jobs, internships and extracurricular activities. Playing in the ravines
seemed like “wasted time,” so I stopped going out. Instead, I spent hot summer days in
air-conditioned rooms, gaining a different sort of knowledge, the kind that promised
to make me into a responsible adult capable of thriving in the “real world.” I no longer
had time to explore the hills of my childhood. As a result, I think that I spent less time
marveling in the glory of God’s creation, and my sense of the awe for the world in
which we live and dwell was lost.
I’m sure you have stories like that too. Perhaps you spent your childhood fishing in
the Fire Dam, sledding down Gough Avenue, or biking through the countryside. Maybe
you grew up tramping through mountains, or bodysurfing on the shore. Whatever it
was, do you still make time to “waste time” out in creation? Because what I came to
realize as an adult was that, so often, the work I do is for someone else, but the time
I “waste” in the garden, in the woods, or at the beach is time for myself. Which means
it isn’t wasted, but rather a treasure to hold fast to. But I can only “waste time” if
I make it a priority—nobody else will make that time for me.
Perhaps it is this instinct—that we as people tend to be quick to throw away the
treasure of time for ourselves—that inspired the people of Israel to enshrine the
Sabbath into their practices. “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you
shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest” (Exodus 34:21).
According to the Word of God, we need time away from our labor, unscheduled time
for rest and for seemingly “wasteful” indulgences of our time that bring us back to the
sense of gratitude and awe that we naturally enjoyed as children. For when we make
time for aimless recreation, we open ourselves to the opportunity to be re-created,
brought back to the knowledge that we and everything around us is made and loved
by God.
My prayer for you is that you might find time this summer to “waste” on pursuits
that make your soul sing. And that you might encourage your loved ones, be they 9 or
99, to do the same. Because it is never to early or too late to discover that the world
around us can be a source of life and rest. It is never too late to experience re-creation.
Shalom, Pastor Sarah (preachsarah@gmail.com)
The Mission of
Ivyland Presbyterian
Church
•To Share the Love of
Jesus Christ.
•To Worship God
•To Grow in Faith
•To Care for One Another
•To Reach Out to People
in Need.
Inside This Mouse
Pastor’s Note
1
Deacon’s Notes
2
Session Report
2
Christian Education
3
Acolytes3
Confirmation Class
3
Pub Theology
3
Vacation Bible School 4
Women’s Bible Study
4
Summer Book Club
4
Birthdays 4
Dinner Club
4
Calendar5
…is published monthly (except
in summer), it is sent to our
church’s email list, posted on our
web site, and linked to the Ivyland
Church Facebook page.
Printed copies may be placed in
the church mailbox slots. If you
want your copy there, or sent by
U.S. Mail, let the office know.
If you have articles, family news,
or other notes for The Mouse,
email them by the 21st of the
previous month to Bob Severn at:
rsevern@severnet.com.
Please put the word “Mouse” in
the subject line to help prevent
us from missing it
Help us to provide care
for vulnerable, open
hearts to others, and
to be aware of needs
which are great or small
The deacons thank you for your continued
financial support. Because of your generous gift we
are able to do our work to support those in need. This
month the Deacons allocations are as follows:
Gift Cards to community friends of church $ 200
Warminster Coordinating Council $500
BE STRONG (CHOP toiletries baskets) $200
Cystic Fibrosis $200
Presbyterian Relief $ 500
Swaziland Bridge Community Church $200
IPC Arts initiative $1,000
Total from budget: $ 2600
The deacons would like to thank Ginny Ferry for sharing her talents and insight while serving on the Deacons
as the Moderator. We appreciate the service of Madison
McAllister as well. Please keep the deacons in prayer. We
will continue to be in prayer and support of them both as
they step away from leadership on the board of deacons.
If you are aware of any needs that require our deacon’s
attention, please contact any Deacon, Cyndi DiChiara,
Maria DiChiara, Ann Hotham, Krista DiPaolo, Lorraine
Zulpko, Miriam Warfield, or Dottie Rose Brennan.
Session Report
Ivyland Church will be hosting the Northeast Regional
Presbytery Meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 7:00 pm.
Elders Sal DiPaolo and Bob Severn were elected the commissioners to the meeting from Ivyland Church.
The Session approved having Maria DiChiara preach the
sermon on Sunday, June 21, 2015 with assistance from
Rev. Weisiger to prepare her message.
The Session approved the adoption of the changes which
have been made to the Church By-Laws.
The Session approved asking any ordained Elder to
assist Rev. Weisiger in serving communion to shut-ins on
communion Sundays.
Ivyland Presbyterian Church
51 Gough Avenue,
Ivyland, PA 18974
Remembering
Gwen:
On Saturday, May
30th, The Ivyland
Presbyterian Church
celebrated the life and legacy of the irreplaceable
Gwendolyn Gutekunst. What words can describe a
person like Gwen? Many of us remember her as the
one who was always willing to pitch in and help with
what needed doing. Her infectious optimism, open
spirit, and warm hospitality led her to give generously of herself, whether the task was raising her
family, fostering 23 children, baking furiously for
church Peach Festivals and potlucks, or playing the
bells and singing in choir. She was always smiling,
always quick with a kind word, always filled with
hope for what the future might bring. As we remembered Gwen together, there were many laughs, a
few tears, but also a sense that though we will miss
her terribly, she would want us to be the sort of
church family that aspires to live as loudly, brightly,
and generously as we can. We honor Gwen’s legacy
when we live as she did: hopefully, joyfully, and
brimming with hospitality. The church lost a saint,
but we will never forget her.
Ivyland Presbyterian Church
51 Gough Avenue, Ivyland, PA 18974
215-672-2266 • www.ivylandchurch.org
Office Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ministers of The Church
All the Members of the IPC Family
The Reverend Sarah Weisiger, Minister
Phone: 408-772-6216 email: sarah.weisiger@gmail.com
The Session
Gary Krout, ‘15
Ruth Kurtz, “17
Sara Peleggi, ‘16
Ellen Bergamasco, ‘15
Fred DiChiara, Jr., ‘15
Robert Severn, ‘17
Paul Faranda, ‘17 Dolly Mcginn, ‘16
Sal DiPaolo, ‘16
Cyndi DiChiara, ‘16
Lorraine Zlupko, ‘14
Maria DiChiara, ‘16 Krista DiPaolo, ‘16 Anne Hotham, ‘15
Miriam Warfield, ‘17
Dottie Rose-Brennan, ‘17
Deacons
Dolly Maginn, Clerk of Session
Susan den Outer, Minister of Music
David DeKorte, Treasurer
Paul Faranda, President of the Corporation
Dolly Maginn, Secretary of the Corporation
2
Christian Education
Confirmation Class
Sunday at 7pm, June 7 at IPC
Our confirmation class has been such a wonderful opportunity to learn an grow in fellowship with
our younger folks. Please be in prayer for them.
On May 31st, our kids appeared before the sessions to present statements of faith. This was their
opportunity to share what they love best about the
church, what matters to them, and why they would like to
join us. Please also be in prayer (and in worship!) on June
14th, as they officially join our membership as full, active
participants in the life of the local congregation. We are
so proud of them! Congratulations to Emma Jones, Nolan
Pope, Hannah Stone, and Robby Yotko! We can’t wait to
see what God has in store for your lives!
End of the Class Party – June 14
Acolytes
Sharing the
light of Christ as
we grow and learn
together at IPC
Sundays at 9:15 am
It is hard to believe it is already June! Acolytes Class will
continue through the month of June; please let us know if
you plan on being away, so that we can plan accordingly.
Our kids will continue to meet for fellowship, community,
and exploration of worship themes.
DateAcolyte
Reader
6/7 Alexa DiPaolo
6/14 Leila El Gharaffi
6/21 Emelia Yotko
6/28 Peter Yotko
7/5 Lauren Jones
Leila El Gharaffi Pastor Sarah
Lauren Jones
open- sign up Alexa DiPaolo Pastor Sarah
Emelia Yotko
Pat Lyons Addie DiPaolo Pastor Sarah
Breakfast
At the Pope’s House (Kirk Road)
Adult Education
Seekers Class
Sundays following worship in the library
Interested in learning more about the Bible? Consider
joining our long-running Seeker’s Class, led by friend
of the church Skip Gaffga. The Seekers class works its
way through various books of the bible and subjects of
Christian Faith. If you have questions about the class,
please speak with Anne Hotham, Nancy or Bill Garrett, or
Linda and John Koch.
Pub Theology
…conversations
that matter
Wednesday, June 24, 8 - 9:30
pm at the DeKorte House
THEOLOGY
Join us for an evening of
fellowship, good food and
drink, and deep conversation about stuff that matters.
Sunday School
Sundays during worship (there is no Sunday School on
Communion Sundays) Sunday School classes officially
break for the summer on June 14th!
Sunday School was a great success this year – we had a
great group of kids! But none of it would have been possible without the efforts of our wonderful Sunday School
Teachers! Many thanks to all of the adults who gave so
generously shared their love of God and learning with our
Sunday School this fall:
Kathy Bagwell Al Bumford, Jr. Krista DiPaolo
Paul Faranda
Lauren Layer Dolly Maginn
Steffany McGee Patrick McGee Renee Pope
Alex Weisiger
Ginny Ferry
Sunday School will be celebrating our teachers during
and after worship on June 14th. Please join us, and let us
give thanks, for God is Good and God has blessed us with
loving adults and children to learn together!
Mission Learning
Broad Street Ministry
June 20th, 9:30am-2:30pm
Shoprite Receipts!
ALERT! Please remember that receipts you put into the
red collection box in Fellowship Hall must be from the
Warminster ShopRite. They will not accept receipts from
any other store but their own, and pharmacy receipts
are also excluded. Reimbursements to our church are
based on a percentage, so all receipts help us get a bigger
refund. The amount of receipts submitted has recently
declined, Please remember to bring them to church each
3 week. Thank you.
Join us for a trip to the city to serve some of our regions
most vulnerable population. We will serve a meal and be in
fellowship with staff and guests of Broad Street Ministry’s
Saturday Lunch. We only have ten slots so register soon!
Ivyland’s Biggest Sporting Event!
The Hatboro Federal Ivyland 5K
and 1 Mile Fun Run returns on August 22th.
Save The Date! Start Training!
Mark your calendars!
Vbs Is Coming!
Vacation Bible School at IPC will be July 27-31
It will start with Dinner at 6 pm and the program is from
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, designed for kids between 6 and 12.
The Theme is “Taking Care” Each day will focus on “taking care” of a different aspect
of our lives – caring for creation, for ourselves and our
bodies, our neighbors, and our gifts. Friday night we
will “take care” of our community with a talent show
celebration.
We will provide a simple dinner at 6 pm, followed by time
for music, a lesson, and a craft or activity that reinforces
the lesson, ending by 8:30. Right now we are looking for
volunteers to help, especially teens who would like to
help with set-up and support for games and activities,
as well as possibly providing babysitting, so that younger
kids and their parents could also be involved. Pat Lyons is also planning to organize a separate
but related late afternoon program through Ivyland
Community Arts that would lead directly into VBS.
Please let us know if you are interested in helping with planning, teaching, or if you would like to
register your children for VBS. To get more information please see Renee Pope, or contact Alex Weisiger –
weisiger@sas.upenn.edu
Summer
Book Club
First Gathering:
Tuesday, June 30th at 7pm
Are you the sort of person who likes to read books and
talk about them with your friends? Consider joining us
for summer book club! We will read a book for June, July,
and August, and then gather together to talk, reflect, and
explore the themes of the book together. A light meal will
be included.
The book for June is “Tattoos on the Heart” by Gregory
Boyle. There are copies available in the Bucks County
Library system. It can also be purchased from Amazon
or Pastor Sarah.
To RSVP, please email Pastor Sarah at:
preachsarah@gmail.com
Aluminum Can Tabs Collection
4
An on-going fund raiser for Ronald McDonald House. A
container these tabs is on the table near the mailboxes in
Fellowship Hall.
Annual
Women’s Picnic
Tuesday, June 16, at 7 pm
Please consider attending our annual end-of-year Women’s
Picnic on Tuesday, June 16, at 12 noon, sponsored by the
Women’s Bible Study. All women are invited. You need
not be a participant of the Bible study to attend – just
come on out and enjoy some great fellowship and food.
This is also the time we say “goodbye” to our past year’s
secret pals and pick a new pal for 2015-2016. If you’re not
in this group but want to know all about it, see Martha
Labonoski or Nancy Garrett for more information.
Birthdays
June
1
11
14
15
16
18
19
21
29
27
Skip Gaffga
Stacy Wertman
Joy Merrick
Beth Voelker
McKenzie Merrick
Dottie Rose-Brennan
Peg Crouthamel
Tony Pileggi
Brandon Layer
18 Dave DeKorte
Patrick McGee
19 Brandon Coffman
July
Bryan Coffman
3 Maria DiChiara
Gavin McCoy
8 Michael DiChiara
22 Sean Pope
Debie Pileggi
Miriam Warfield
12 Adeline DiPaolo
24 Jacob Finch
Joe Miller
25 Catherine Ferdinand
13 Jon Severn
26 Mary Parks
24 Anne Hotham
September
27 Lydia Grace Pope
1 Michelle Cass
28 Erin Cass
Paul Parks
Hannah Stone
2 Mike McAllister
31 Debbie Bumford
August 3 Alyssa Hillman
Tyler Voelker
2 Bill Garrett
5 Janet Fischer
6 Christine Anderson
Emma Severn
Sophia Layer
9 Jim Wertman
7 Gerri Ruggero
10 Susan Hoy
10 Emma Jones
11 David Cass
11 Kevin Voelker
17 Daniel Garrett Hillman
13 Bruce Duncan
20 Ellwood Allen
Betty Sykes
26 Jim Maginn
16 RJ Merrick
27 Dot Wiest
Ruth Kurtz
28 Leila El Gharrafi
Robby Yotko
30 Mason Wertman
June 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
9:00 T.O.P.S
Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
Adults 6:30
to 8:30 pm
7 pm Steward.
2
3
Arts Initiative 7:00 pm
Kids 4-6 pm
AA Big Book
6:30 Woman’s
Step
7:30 pm Session
4
Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
6:30 pm AA
7 pm Choir
5
6
7
9 am Acolytes
10:00 am
Worship
Communion
After worship:
Seekers
7 pm Confirm.
Class, IPC
8
9:00 T.O.P.S
Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
Adults 6:30
to 8:30 pm
7 pm Christian
Education
9
Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
6:30 Woman’s
Step
10
7:00 pm
AA Big Book
11
Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
6:30 pm AA
7 pm Choir
12
13
14
9:00 Acolytes
10:00 Worship
Christian Ed
Sunday
After worship:
Deacons, Seekers
3 pm Girl Scouts
7 pm Conform.
Popes house
15
9:00 T.O.P.S
Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
Adults 6:30
to 8:30 pm
16
Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
6:30 W. Step
17
7:00 pm
AA Big Book
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
9:00 Acolytes
9:00 a.m.
10:00 Worship T.O.P.S
3 pm Girl Scouts Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
Adults 6:30
to 8:30 pm
Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
6:30 W. Step
7:00 pm
AA Big Book
Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
6:30 pm AA
7 pm Choir
28
30
29
9:00 a.m.
9:00 Acolytes
10:00 Worship T.O.P.S
Arts Initiative
After worship: Kids 4-6 pm
Seekers
Adults 6:30
3 pm Girl Scouts to 8:30 pm
Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
6:30 Woman’s
Step
7 pm Book Club
8 pm
Pub Theology
DeKorte house
Arts Initiative
Kids 4-6 pm
6:30 pm AA
7 pm Choir
9:00 am
Men’s Breakfast
9:30am - 2:30 pm
Broad Street
Mission trip
26
27