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March 2026 Hilltop Highlights

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AT THE TABLE

A Lent Sermon Series

This Lent, we invite you to join us “At the Table with Jesus”, a sermon series exploring the Gospel stories that unfold around shared meals. In Scripture, tables are places of welcome, grace, challenge, and transformation where Jesus meets people exactly as they are. As we move through Lent into Easter, we’ll reflect on how Christ’s table invites us into deeper love, honest faith, and renewed hope. Wherever you find yourself this season, there is a place for you at the table.

Worship Worship

Feb. 18: Ash Wednesday Service 7:00 pm

Feb. 22: The Table of Invitation

March 1: The Table of Forgiveness

March 8: The Table of Sharing

March 15: The Table of Devotion

March 22: The Table of Humility

March 29: Palm Sunday - The Table Overturned

April 2: Maundy Thursday Service

The Table of Betrayal @ 7:00 pm

April 3: Good Friday Prayer Stations

Open from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

April 5 - Easter Sunday @ 9 am & 11 am

The Unending Table

Lent Around the Table Lent Around the Table

So many of you asked, so we’re excited to bring “Lent Around the Table” back this year! Throughout Lent, we’ll gather the way Jesus often did around a shared meal. Every Wednesday in March from 6:00–7:00 pm, all ages are invited to Williams Hall for dinner and a short, interactive devotion for both kids and adults. Come every week or whenever you’re able. An RSVP form will be sent out the week before the first dinner.

March 4 - Taco Bar

March 11 - Baked Ziti and Salad

March 18: Pizza and Salad

March 25: Chick-fil-a

At each meal, we’ll have chicken nuggets available for children who may prefer a familiar option.

Upcoming Special Events

April Senior Fellowship: April 22 at noon in Williams Hall - Seniors are invited to enjoy a potluck lunch, games, fellowship, devotional, and a celebration of Earth Day. More information is coming soon. Contact Nancy Care with questions.

Beginner’s Pickleball: Are you interested in coming out to play Pickleball but concerned because you’re not sure of the rules? Sign up for Beginners Pickleball on March 7, from 1:00-3:00pm in the Gym. Get more info at lppcmin.org/events

New Small Groups - Our February Small Group Fair was a huge success, and we are happy to announce the launch of two new small groups! Contact Tim Eisemann if you are interested in joining The Young Adult Collective - a group for those in college or just starting out in their careers In addition, we are creating a second Empty Nester’s Small Group, which will be led by Kirke and Amybeth Weaver. Stay tuned for meeting times and contact Pastor Cara if you are interested in joining. Each of our 14 small groups had a table at the fair High School Retreat: June 29-July 1 - High School students are invited to spend a few days at Lake Harmony in the Pocono Mountains.

Vacation Bible School: June 22-25, 6:30-8:00pm - For parents/ caregivers and kids in PreK - 5th Grade. This year’s VBS will be PET themed! Come early to enjoy dinner from 6:00-6:30pm.

Great Escape: July 13-17 - This trip to Refreshing Mountain Camp is

Weekly Events March Small Groups

Caregiver Support Group | March 4, 1:00-2:00pm | Rowland Parlor

Contact: Nancy Care (ncare@lppcmin org)

Moms of Young Children Small Group | March 5, 9:30-11:00am | RP

Contact: Cara Cavicchia (ccavicchia@lppcmin.org)

Men’s Breakfast | March 7, 8:00am | Atrium

Contact: Ted Mingle (tmingle@lppcmin.org)

The Esther Circle | March 9 at 7:00pm | Rowland Parlor

Contact: Jill Rule (rule3032@gmail com)

Men’s Lunch Small Group | March 12, 12:00-1:00pm | Library

Contact: Ron Jobson (jobson.ron@gmail.com)

Sisters in Spirit | March 12, Lunch offsite at 11:30am

Bible study at 1:30pm | Rowland Parlor

Contact: Vicki Rahmer (vrahmer2@gmail.com)

Mom’s Small Group | March 12 and 26, 6:30-8:00pm | Offsite

Contact: Cara Cavicchia (ccavicchia@lppcmin org)

Circle of Faith | March 13, 12:00pm | Rowland Parlor

Contact: Linda Horoho (horoho226@gmail.com)

Women’s Lunch Bunch | March 16 | Offsite

Contact: Ellen Beswick (abeellen630@aol.com)

Love and Unity | March 17, 10:30am | Rowland Parlor

Contacts: Pat Reiche (reiche patrice@gmail com)

Dad’s Small Group | March 19, 7:00pm | Offsite

Contact: Dennis Sparks (dennisbsparks@gmail.com)

Mosaic Friends | March 22, 11:00am | Rowland Parlor

Contact: Nancy Care (ncare@lppcmin.org)

Empty Nesters Small Groups One and Two | March 22, 6:30-8:00pm

Group One Contact: Cara Cavicchia (ccavicchia@lppcmin org)

Group Two Contact: Amybeth Weaver (amw823@yahoo com)

Deacon Easter Flower Fundraiser

On Easter we come together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and one of the great joys of the day is seeing the Sanctuary adorned with beautiful Easter lilies.

Many of you may not know that the Easter flowers, along with the Christmas Poinsettias, are the Deacons' largest fundraisers of the year. The money raised allows them to complete their missions and services for the church. After Easter, the Deacons distribute the flowers to those in our church family who are ill, homebound, had a death in the family, or are in need of cheering up. If you prefer, you may designate a specific recipient when placing your order.

Church members are encouraged to donate (in any amount) to sponsor flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” a loved one.

How to Order

Complete the order form and return it, along with your donation, to the church office by Sunday, March 22, 2026

Order forms are available in the atrium or by clicking here

Donations may be made by check or online at lppcmin.org (select “Giving”) or by clicking here.

Printed booklets listing dedications will be available on Easter Day, April 5, 2026.

Register for Preschool for 2026-2027

Sign your 3, 4, or 5 year old up for preschool right here at LPPC!

Check out their website for more information by clicking here or going to lppcmin.org and selecting “preschool”. Contact Director Sandy Messner at smessner@lppcmin.org with questions)

Children’s Sunday

On Children’s Sunday, LPPC truly “shined” as an intergenerational church More than 25 children joyfully took part in every aspect of the worship service greeting people as they arrived, handing out bulletins, helping to write the prayers, collecting the offering, and leading music. All of the children also participated in a closing activity, bringing leaves from the congregation forward to hang on the tree at the front of the sanctuary. MaryAnn Alderfer, Director of Children’s Ministry, taught about Jesus and Zacchaeus and invited the congregation to pay attention to others as Jesus did, reflecting on how God’s love changes hearts.

December at LPPC

Advent and Christmas

Christmas Music Sunday was a joyful celebration of the coming of Christ. Our adult and children’s choirs, adult and children’s bell choirs, along with soloists and instrumentalists, brought the season to life for the entire congregation. Through narration and drama, LPPC children and youth beautifully reminded us that Jesus is the light of the world. We are especially grateful to the many participants who were able to pivot to a new date after snow disrupted the original plans. Following the service, the Deacons hosted a brunch, offering a lovely opportunity for the congregation to connect and enjoy fellowship together.

Children in Club 45 (grades 4 and 5) enjoyed a Christmas party with games and a gift exchange. Members of the youth group played games and participated in a “hats/headwear” themed gift exchange. Mosaic Friends, our small group for adults with disabilities and their friends, celebrated the season with a party at Nancy Care’s house. It was wonderful that so many members of the group could attend. “The Longest Night” service provided and encouragement to those grieving a loss during the holiday season, and both the Children’s Christmas Eve Service and the Traditional Candlelight Service were joyful reminders of the reason for the season.

Christmas Music Sunday
Mosaic Friends
“Granny Pants” snowball catch at Club 45
Youth Group Christmas Party
“The Longest Night” was an interactive service

ChristmasontheHill

MakinganImpactonOurCommunity

In December, LPPC’s Welcome Team experimented with a new event for church members and the surrounding community, with a Live Nativity outdoors; indoors were vendors, crafts, music and roaming carolers, treats and pictures with Santa. Thanks to countless volunteers, it was a successful event attracting over 500 people, and we are already planning to repeat it again in December 2026!

One of the team’s core commitments is to offer these events free of charge to our church and wider community - unless, of course, you couldn’t resist purchasing something from one of the 20 tempting vendors! There were similar events in the area, but we believe LPPC had some special touches:

�� Did you interact with Goldman, Frank or Murray near the nativity? Did you spot Gabriel and other angels? Mary and Joseph? Did you sample the treats outside, sit by the fire, or feed the animals?

�� Did you have any of the 100's of cookies provided? How about the hot cider or the hot chocolate with peppermint bits and REAL whipped cream?

��Did you hear the beautiful roaming carolers and “flash” mob carols?

��Did your kids participate in the beautiful crafts? Or get a memorable picture with Santa?

We are blessed with a giving church and faithful volunteers. Thank you to all who made this possible! The Welcome Team

All Church Retreat

February’s All Church Retreat was a wonderful combination of fun, relaxation, connection, and spiritual impact. Each of our large group sessions began with winter Olympic themed games, where teams competed for the (plastic) gold medal

Participants of all ages enjoyed looking the “tiny Jesus” figures hidden around the retreat center in hopes of earning extra points for their team.

Retreat speaker Tracey Henry invited us to reflect on The Stories That Shape Us. On Friday evening, she encouraged us to consider the soil we grew from the people and experiences that formed us. Saturday morning focused on stories of grace, Saturday evening on welcome and belonging, and Sunday morning on service. Throughout it all, Tracey also shared parts of her own story, including what it was like growing up in Northern Ireland during “the Troubles”

During our free time, many people participated in one or more of the planned activities, which included visiting the nature center playing laser tag or glow-in-the-dark dodgeball engaging more deeply with their spiritual story through meditation and art.

Others chose to go on a walk in the snowy woods, sit by the fire with a cup of coffee, play games, or even take a nap! It was very encouraging to see people connecting over meals, sharing about their lives, and laughing together. Whether you are five years old or 85 years old, the All Church Retreat has something to offer!

Appreciation from our Community

Thank You

On behalf of the children and families served by the Montgomery County Dept. of Health & Human Services, please accept our utmost gratitude for your recent participation in our Winter Drives.

The Holiday Drive provided toys and gifts to over 2,600 individuals. This overwhelming amount of support to our neighbors in need is only possible thanks to YOUR generosity!

The wonderful toy donation from Lower Providence Presbyterian Church was received with such joy here! As you can see from our numbers, the staff work tirelessly to make sure that no Montgomery County child misses out on the magic of the season. Please know that each and every toy made its way to a child in need.

Sincerely,

Butthat’snotall...

Thank You

On behalf of the entire Royer-Greaves School for the Blind, I would like to extend our sincere "Thanks" to you, the Lower Providence Presbyterian Church for the generosity and support extended to the children and staff during the Christmas Season

Royer Greaves has been fortunate to have the support of LPPC for a number of years particularly at Christmas Our sincere best wishes to all for a Blessed New Year.

Best regards,

ThiswinterLPPChasalsoparticipatedinthefollowingcollections:

ChristmasDinnerattheCecilandGraceBeanSoupKitchen

AngelTreegiftdonationsforchildrenintheNorristownSchoolDistrict

JanuaryfoodandpersonalhygienecollectionforCommunityInterfaithin Norristown,alongwithaFebruary“SouperBowlofCaring”collectionthatincluded blanketsandwintercoatsaswell

MedicationdrivefortheLivingWatersfortheWorld&DaysforGirls’triptoCuba

MLKDayofService

Morethan80volunteersworkedtogetherinhonorof Dr. MartinLutherKingtoprepare300kitsofwashableperiod suppliesfordistributioninCubabyAlisonGershmanand EmilyMiller. Volunteerwith DFGthismonthonMarch10, 12,24,&26at11:00amand March22at12:30pm

March 1

Sandra Steinmetz

March 2

Katsuko Root

March 3

Clint Bean

Scott Boegly

Kris Sedlak

Tracy Williams

March 4

John Heyser Sr.

Marian Rebuck

March 5

Ross Dalton Jr.

Michelle Scandle

March 7

Hayden Tewell

March Birthdays

March 8

Joan Boytim

Landon Donoghue

Pat Grant

Dan Potteiger

Chris Wentz

TJ Wudarski

March 10

Chuck Horoho

Sandy Messner

Sarah Stewart

March 13

Sandra Rittenhouse

March 15

Leanne Wentz

March 16

Meghan Smith

March 17

Rusty Rahmer

Kate Schreiber

Bob Smull

March 19

Dave Beach

Bev Jones

March 20

Rick Stogdale Jr.

March 21

Rachel Rood

Lorraine Schoneker

Allison Stogdale

March 22

PJ Benesky

Melissa Hawtin

March 24

Dee Richards

March 25

Anna Klyce

Madeleine Lowery

March 26

Cole Phillabaum

Julie Stiefel

March 27

Beckie Eckert

Andy Rebuck

Mike Trabulsy

March 28

Lane Shearer

March 29

P J King

Barbara Nocton

March 30

Amy Hydock

Jeralyn Romano

March 31

Matt Dwyer

Abby Rice

Joyce Webber

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