The Adult Education and Spiritual Formation Committee has worked over the summer to plan educational events for adults to experience in their continuing spiritual journey. Here is a sketch of some of the planned events.
BAGELS AND BELIEF
will continue this year beginning on October 2, 2010, at 9:40 a.m. It will continue on the first Sunday of each month, except for December. This year we will take a fresh look at some of Jesus’ key parables using J. Ellsworth Kalas’ book Parables from the Backside. A listing of topics and presenters is on page 2. You may want to order a copy of the book in October. You may also order your own copy at www.cokesbury.com for $9.25.
LUNCH AND LEARN
with Mark Englund-Krieger on Sunday, October 9th at 12:30 p.m. will consider the new changes to the Book of Order. The Book of Order is the governing document of the Presbyterian Church(USA), and amendments to the Book
of Order were approved by the General Assembly in 2010. Those amendments were then voted on by all Presbyteries of the denomination. Of particular interest are Amendment 10-1, which proposed a new form of government for the church; and Amendment 10- A, which removed the language about ordination “…live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and woman…or chastity in singleness.” As you might guess, this latter amendment is a hot topic of conversation in many of our churches. Following a light lunch, our Executive Presbyter will talk about the implications of these amendments for local churches.
BIBLE STUDY IN HOMES DURING LENT A Lenten study of
Encounter: a New Adult Education Experience
By Pastors Russell Sullivan and Alex Lang
Interested in an encounter with the Christian faith that helps you grow in knowledge and belief? Or maybe you are seeking a fresh encounter with the Christian faith? Pastors Alex and Russell want to invite you to a new Sunday morning class and an experience that will help to foster that kind of encounter.
Bagels & Belief
October 2
“When the Good Samaritan is Bad News”
Rev. Russell Sullivan
November 7
“God Called a Party, but Nobody Came”
Rev. Heather Sigler
January 8
“The Timid Soul”
Rev. Alex Lang
February 5
“Seasons of the Soil”
Rev. Russell Sullivan
March 4
“The Sad Story of the Embarrassed Farmers”
Rev. Alex Lang
April 1
“Loves Always Wins . . . Sometimes”
Rev. Heather Sigler
May 6
“Why Doesn’t God Like Religious People”
Rev. Alex Lang
June 3
“Pardon My Insistence”
Rev. Russell Sullivan
Al forums are held in Fellowship Hall at 9:40 a.m.
ENCOUNTER
Continued from page 1
Together we are planning to team-teach on Sunday mornings a new class, Encounter. On Sundays, September 18 and 25, we’ll gather in the Boyd Building at 9:40 a.m. for a light continental breakfast and to spend time getting acquainted. And then on Friday evening, September 30, plan to join the class at Alex’s home for dinner and a movie. During the course of this year, Alex will show a film on an evening and then teach on Sundays about how we encounter questions of faith and God in films. When Russell teaches, he will focus on the Bible, theology, and the encounter between faith and contemporary issues.
Please sign up for the class at the Welcome Center in the Gathering place on Sunday morning, or you can e-mail us at rsullivan@pinestreet. org or alang@ pinestreet. org . We are both looking forward to leading you in a new experience in faith and fellowship, life and learning!
EDUCATION
Continued from page 1
the “Lord’s Prayer” will take place in homes of the congregation. Look for details in the program guide as we continue our in home study groups.
Session Notes
The Session does not meet in July or August.
WEDNESDAY EVENING STUDY:
A study group will consider the implications of Confessing the Beatitudes, a Horizons Bible Study. Starting September 21 it will be held the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Room 309. The leader for this study will be Rev. Heather Sigler.
This year’s study will challenge participants to see Jesus’ beloved Beatitudes in a whole new light. The study will examine each beatitude in its historical context and then guide learners to consider the impact of that beatitude in our day. For instance, lesson one focuses on the first beatitude which we know as "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The author, Dr. Maraget Aymer, translates the first beatitude as “Greatly Honored are the Poor” and invites students to consider how we do or do not honor the poor around us.
Sign up sheets will be available at the Welcome Center and study guides may also be ordered there. The cost of the study guide is $8.00.
Pine Street has always taken education in the faith very seriously. In Matthew, Jesus says: Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Notice that Jesus is not satisfied with simply accepting him as Saviour. He asks us to “learn from him.” Come, and learn.
New Building Supervisor Arrives
by Diana Robertson
Please join me in welcoming our new building supervisor Brad Wise. Brad graduated from Palmyra Area High School and continued his education at Williamsport Area Community College. He has an extensive background in construction and maintenance, most recently working for Pennrose Property Management in Hershey. Brad lives in Hershey with his wife Lois. They enjoy the outdoors, gardening, camping and fishing. Brad also loves a good game of golf, so you golfers out there can give him a call anytime.
Family Retreat
by Cheryl Goode
Last year we had our first ever Family Retreat with kids. It was a success with nine families in attendance. This year the family retreat will be held at Camp Hebron on Friday, November 4 through Saturday, November 5, 2011. Our theme is “Disciples of Christ.” If you want to learn more about Jesus’ disciples, learn about your gifts and how you can be a Disciple of Christ, join us for a weekend filled with learning, fellowship, and fun!
We invite all families to come. Some of you may even have grandchildren you would like to bring! We will be staying at the Hillside Villa, a hotel style building complete with a kitchen, linens and towels. Meals are provided for us in the Sylvan Dining Hall: All the amenities of home!
On Friday evening the camp does not provide a meal for us, but this year we will provide a Subway® sub, chips and a drink to anyone who would like to join us at the camp by 6:00 p.m. When signing up just indicate yes or no on the sheet. We will take a free will offering for this meal.
The cost for the weekend is $75.00 per adult and $25.00 per child. Sign-ups at the Welcome Center begin on September 4, 2011 and will conclude October 16, 2011. Please consider joining us for this wonderful weekend of being in community with fellow Christians.
Your retreat committee, Cheryl A. Goode, Stevi Sharp, Barb Conklin
The Homeless Never Have It Easy
By Elaine Strokoff
The homeless in Harrisburg never have it easy. In winter, the temperatures drop and the people have to worry about snow, sleet and keeping warm and dry. Frostbite is cruel to someone sleeping on the streets in the winter and many of our clients have foot-related problems. DDB gives out extra blankets, mittens, scarves and hats in the winter, along with winter coats and boots.
Then comes summer; should be easier, right? Not so. Summer brings hot, sweltering sun, high humidity, and sometimes terrible storms. This summer was one of the hottest on record. DDB offered cool showers, clean clothes, water, juices, fruits with lunch, and cold water bottles "to go." The DDB counselor describes what we are doing to make the lives a little easier for those living in the elements.
Sharing the Harvest Friday, October 14, 2011 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Historic Harrisburg Association
Keeping our clients cool...
by Christine Patrick, DDB Counselor
With the temperatures this summer reaching the triple digits DDB opened early and handed out bottled water to our clients. We have the coldest water fountain in the city according to our regular homeless clients.
We put cups beside the water fountian for those who wanted a nice cold cup of water. We also made available hand towels for clients to wet and put on their heads to help cool down their bodies. Our clients are at risk for heat-related illness if they have to stay outside too long. It helps to get breaks in the air conditioning and get drinks of water. We do what we can.
Peace, Chris
News From Our Church Family
Master Gardiner Mary Lundeen and husband, Paul, have been busy at home planting and filling in areas with native plants where they removed nearly 40 invasive Norway maples last fall. Their home landscape recently received the Manada Conservancy "Habitat for All" certification. Next up is Penn State's "Pollinator Garden" certification.
Deaths
Tab Hunter
January 19, 1956 –August 3, 2011
Baby B O O
A few of Pine Street's new arrivals (L-R): Kameron Gerst with mom Cindi; Hector Vides with mom Megan; Isaac Bruce with mom Lauren; Elijah Lang with mom Courtney Pine Street has welcomed 9 babies to its church family within the past year. . .and there are more on the way!
Join us after Rally Day on Sunday, September 11, 2011 for an All Church Picnic at Lower Allen Park’s upper pavilion. We will gather at 1:00 p.m.for a picnic lunch, Please bring a side dish to share. There will be games for the children and the young at heart. Join us for food, fun, and fellowship. Sign-up at the Welcome Center.
The Rev. David Rich will present an all-day workshop on Saturday, November 5, 2011 entitled Rethinking Retirement
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8:30 A M Worship - S anctuary 9:40 A M C hurc h School - All Ages 9:40 A M A dult For um – Fellowship H all
00 AM Worship –Sanctuary 4:00 P M Y outh Handbells
5:00 P M S YF – Fellows hip Hall & B oyd
8:30 A M Worship - S anctuary 9:40 A M C hurc h School - All Ages
9:40 A M A dult For um – Fellowship H all 11: 00 AM Worship –Sanctuary
4:00 P M Y outh Handbells
5:00
September, 2011
P M D eac ons Meeting 21 6:00 P M KO ALA 6:00 P M JYF – Boy d 6:00 P M B ible Study Room 309 6:30 P M S tephen Ministry Training 7:30 P M A dult Handbell Choir 22
P M C hamber
Singers R ehearsal 7:30 P M C hancel Choir R ehearsal
