Good News First United Presbyterian Church

115 Exeter Avenue West Pittston, PA 18643

Rev. James E. Thyren, Pastor Office: 570.654.8121 Manse: 570.654.4961

Email address: office@presbywp.org pastor@presbywp.org Website: www.presbywp.org

During the month of March Let us remember in prayer:

March 1. Donna Fortuna, Ashley 2. Joe Francoeur

3. John and Katie Getzie, John, Max 4. Jan Godown

5. Carol Golecki 6. John Golecki and Family

7. David Gravell, Marisa, Erica 8. Peg Gravell 9. Wayne and Mickie Gravell 10. Robert and Shannon Hagenbaugh, Carter, Nolan 11. April Harding, Logan, Eli 12. Ken and Sharon Harding 13. Walter Harding and Melissa Salerno, Logan, Eli 14. Ed and Debbie Hensley and Family 15. Mitchell Higley 16. Janet Holmes, Loren 17. John and Vicki Hood, JJ 18. Barry and Marci Hosier, Morgan, Aiden 19. Jeffrey Hosier and Family 20. Linda Houck, Tommy

21. Robert Howe 22. John and Nancy Janczewski 23. Tom and Mindy Jenkins, Afina, Simon 24. Earl and Marta Jones, Nathan 25. Ian and Alysia Jones, Ryan, ALex 26. Kris and Christina Kester, Gavin, Ella 27. Dan and Michelle Klaproth, Hannah, Ben 28. Dorothy Klaproth, Daria 29. Fern Klaproth 30. David Kuchta, Kaitlynn 31. Joseph and Diane Kuchta

April 1. Andy and Elaine Kuffa, Megan 2. Patrick and Jillian, Lavelle 3. Tara Malampy, Gavin, Ryleigh 4. Hugh and Debbie Malone, Jessica 5. Hugh Malone, Sr.

Our Life at St. Cecilia’s Church Wyoming Avenue, Exeter PA

Returning this year the Holy Notes Youth Choir, practice is at 9:30 AM. Sunday School will begin at 10:00 AM. Worship: 11:00 AM – Parking is available on Wyoming Avenue and in the large parking lot behind the church. The Worship space may be accessed from either side. We are grateful to the pastor and people of St. Barbara’s Parish for allowing us to meet in St. Cecilia’s Church.

Joys to Celebrate & Burdens to Share We fulfill scriptural instruction when we pray for those we know and those who are known to others who ask us to lift their concerns to God in prayer, the names below are the most recent additions to our prayer list. We need not know the specifics of their situation, trusting that God will know what is needed. Please let us know when it is time to remove a name thanks to answered prayer, crisis passed, or entry into “the heavenly host.”

Maurice Dionne, Bonnie Houpt, Dan Kopen, Casen Lear, Sue Landes, Jim Williams, Jim Coolbaugh, Mary Ann O’Boyle, Peter Terlesky, Don Black, Ryan & Ashley Pollard, Hugh Malone, Jr., David Lutz, Joan Tilley, Barry Hosier, Mary Dahlgard, Nancy B., Florence Lombardo, Barbara Greene, Ann Alaimo, Fulvio Ranalli, Jim Riddle, Brian Volinski, Frank Rugh, Sr., Fern Klaproth, Dan Christ, Marsha Thyren, Paul Brace, Jr., Sally Willoughby, Loretta Anderson, Delores Williams, Henrietta Timinski, Kelly Wynder, Jessica Malone, Victoria Everett, Cheryl Scott, Barbara Krohmer, William Sommerville, Sally, Dennis Dalrymple, Jennifer Williams, Robert Martini, Julia & Claire Emmert, Michelle Klaproth, Edith Todd, Kyle & Corey Loftus, Ron Hagenbaugh, John Jr., Frank, Hugh H. Malone, Sr., Garth Grey, Bernice Ashford, Cassidy Palamieri, Jennifer Beard, Barb & David Fairbrother, Irene Amato, Marilyn Carichner, Dennis, Claude Collins, Elaine Evans, Brenda, Raymond & Bonnie Banaszek, Robert Fellows, Sr., Alberta Simonson, Ron Rogers, Eleanor Danks, Linda Godown Eisele. We learn to pray by praying the prayers others have written. These prayers are from The Book of Common

Worship, published by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 1993.

For Hope A Prayer of the Chippewa

We pray that someday the arrow will be broken,

not in something or someone,

but by each of humankind,

to indicate peace, not violence.

Someday, oneness with creation,

rather than dominion over creation,

will be the goal to be respected.

Someday fearlessness to love and make a difference

will be experienced by all people.

Then the eagle will carry our prayer for peace and love,

and the people of the red, white, yellow, brown,

and black communities

can sit in the same circle together to communicate in love

and experience the presence of the Great Mystery in our midst.

Someday can be today for you and me. Amen.

For Racial Peace For Church Unity A prayer from Zaire

Great God over us all, O God, you are the giver of life.

destroy prejudice that turns us against one another. We pray for the church in the whole world.

Teach us that we are all children of your love, Sanctify her life, renew her worship,

no matter what shade our skin is colored. give power to her witnessing,

Encourage us to live together, restore her unity.

loving one another in peace, Give strength to those who are searching together

giving praise to Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. for that kind of obedience which creates unity.

Heal the divisions separating your children

When Your Spirit is Moved so that they will make fast, with bonds of peace,

Praise the Lord! the unity which the Spirit gives. Amen.

Updates and Information Latest developments: The Session and Trustees are working on contingency plans for a place to worship when St. Cecilia’s is no longer available to us. Various options are being explored. Meanwhile, pray for a buyer to purchase 115 Exeter Avenue!

FYI: Please send all correspondence for the church to: First United Presbyterian Church c/o Rev. James Thyren 326 Warren Street West Pittston, PA 18643 From the Session…21st Century Stewardship! Information and a request. The Information: As of January 1st First United Presbyterian Church will be joining other churches throughout the Presbytery of Lackawanna in submitting our per capita and General Mission payments via electronic transfer on a monthly basis. This helps the Presbytery by evening out cash flow throughout the year, and will result in a discount on per capita (which will help us cover the per capita payments we make whether or not members pay their own way.) The Request: Do you pay your bills online…or have an arrangement whereby your bank automatically sends checks out to a list of recurring obligations? We have several members who have already made arrangements with their bank to send their gifts to the church on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. As with the Presbytery program above, the benefit is a more consistent cash flow. In our case, it will lessen our need to transfer funds from the Endowment during “Lean times” when attendance (and therefore the amount received in the offering) falls off. We respectfully request that you consider adding the church to the list of payments your bank forwards automatically. A little more information. In keeping up with societal trends and current spending patterns the Session is looking into programs being used by many churches which would allow stewardship commitments and other gifts to be paid via credit cards. Stay tuned. And thanks for your help. 2015: Please submit your per capita gift of $31.00. We remit $31 per member to the Presbytery, which passes along a percentage to the General Assembly and the Synod of the Trinity.

Around the world, people lack access to food, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. Each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) serves to help change the lives of people who are in these challenging situations. The Offering provides us a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need. One Great Hour of Sharing, received in the season of Lent, makes a difference in the world through three impactful programs: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People. Started in 1949, One Great Hour of Sharing is a long-standing ecumenical effort aimed at raising the funds necessary to provide relief and reconstruction for communities in the aftermath of disaster. What started as an hour-long radio appeal has evolved over the years, varying from eight to 29 participating communions, and has grown to be the most participated-in Offering in the PC(USA). Today, projects supported by One Great Hour of Sharing are underway in more than 100 countries. We will receive the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on Palm Sunday.

MEMORIAL PLANTS If you wish to place a Lily or Tulip in the sanctuary for the Easter season, please fill out the form below and give it to Sharon Harding or mail it to the church office, 326 Warren St., W. Pittston, by March 15, 2015. Any questions give Sharon a call at the church office, 654-4961. Please make your check out to the First United Presbyterian Church. Thank you! Name__________________________________________________________ In Memory of____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ In Honor of______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Lily $6.00_______________ Tulip $6.00_______________

SCRIPTURE READINGS for March 2015 from The Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

God of mercy, grant that the Word you speak this day

may take root in our hearts, and bear fruit to your honor and glory, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

3/1 Psalm 84, 150, 42, 32 Jeremiah 1.1-10 1 Corinthians 3.11-23 Mark 3.31-4.9 3/2 Psalm 119.73-80, 145, 121, 6 Jeremiah 1.11-19 Romans 1.1-15 John 4.27-42 3/3 Psalm 34, 146, 25, 91 Jeremiah 2.1-13, 29-32 Romans 1.16-25 John 4.43-54 3/04 Psalm 5; 147.1-11; 27; 51 Jeremiah 3.6-18 Rom. 1.(26-27) 28.2-11 John 5.1-18 3/5 Psalm 27, 147.12-20, 126, 102 Jeremiah 4.9-10, 19-28 Romans 2.12-24 John 5.19-29 3/6 Psalm 22, 148, 105, 130 Jeremiah 5.1-9 Romans 2.25-3.18 John 5.30-47 3/7 Psalm 43, 149, 31, 143 Jeremiah 5.20-31 Romans 3.19-31 John 7.1-13 3/8 Psalm 84, 150, 42, 32 Jeremiah 6.9-15 I Corinthians 6.12-20 Mark 5.1-20 3/9 Psalm 119.73-80, 145, 121, 6 Jeremiah 7.1-15 Romans 4.1-12 John 7.14-36 3/10 Psalm 34, 146, 25, 91 Jeremiah 7.21-34 Romans4.13-25 John 7.37-52 3/11 Psalm 5, 147.1-11, 27, 51 Jeremiah 8.4-7, 18- 9.6 Romans 5.1-11 John 8.12-20 3/12 Psalm 27, 147.12-20, 126, 102 Jeremiah 10.11-24 Romans 5.12-21 John 8.21-32 3/13 Psalm 22, 148, 105, 130 Jeremiah 11.1-8, 14-17 Romans 6.1-11 John 8.33-47 3/14 Psalm 43, 149, 31, 143 Jeremiah 13.1-11 Romans 6.12-23 John 8.47-59 3/15 Psalm 84, 150, 42, 32 Jer. 14.1-9 (10-16)17-22 Galatians 4.21-5.1 Mark 8.11-21 3/16 Psalm 119.73-80, 145, 121, 6 Jer. 16. (1-9) 10-21 Romans 7.1-12 John 6.1-15 3/17 Psalm 34, 146, 25, 91 Jeremiah 17.19-27 Romans 7.13-25 John 6.16-27 3/18 Psalm 5, 147.1-11, 27, 51 Jeremiah 18.1-11 Romans 8.1-11 John 6.27-40 3/19 Psalm 27, 147.12-20, 126, 102 Jeremiah 22.13-23 Romans 8.12-27 John 6.41-51 3/20 Psalm 22, 148, 105, 130 Jeremiah 23.1-8 Romans 8.28-39 John 6.52-59 3/21 Psalm 43, 149, 31, 143 Jeremiah 23.9-15 Romans 9.1-18 John 6.60-71 3/22 Psalm 84, 150, 42, 32 Jeremiah 23.16-32 I Corinthians 9.19-27 Mark 8.31-9.1 3/23 Psalm 119.73-80, 145, 121, 6 Jeremiah 24.1-10 Romans 9.19-33 John 9.1-17 3/24 Psalm 34, 146, 25, 91 Jeremiah 25.8-17 Romans 10.1-13 John 9.18-41 3/25 Psalm 5, 147.1-11, 27, 51 Jeremiah 25.30-38 Romans 10.14-21 John 10.1-18 3/26 Psalm 27, 147.12-20, 126, 102 Jeremiah 26.1-16 (17-24) Romans 11.1-12 John 10.19-42 3/27 Psalm 22, 148, 105, 130 Jer. 29.1 (2-3) 4-14 Romans 11.13-24 John 1.1-27 or

John 12.1-10 3/28 Psalm 43, 149, 31, 143 Jeremiah 31.27-34 Romans 11.25-36 John 11.28-44 or John 12.37-50 3/29 Psalm 84, 150, 42, 32 Zech. 9.9-12, I Tim. 6.12-16 Zech. 12.9-11; 13.1, 7-9 Matthew 21.12-17 3/30 Psalm 119.73-80, 145, 121, 6 Jer. 11.18-20; 12.1-16(17) Philippians 3.1-14 John 12.9-19 3/31 Psalm 34, 146, 25, 91 Jer. 15.10-21 Philippians 3.15-21 John 12.20-26 4/1 Psalm 5, 147.1-11, 27, 51 Jer. 17.5-10, 14-17 (18) Philippians 4.1-13 John 12.27-36 4/2 Psalm 27, 147.12-20, 126, 102 Jer. 20.7-11(12-13)14-18 I Cor. 10.14-17; 11.27-32 John 17.1-11 (12-26) Psalm 116.1-2, 12-19 Exodus 12.1-4(5-10) 11-14 I Corinthians 11.23-26 John 13.1-17, 31b-35 4/3 Psalm 22, 148, 105, 130 Genesis 22.1-14 I Peter 1.10-20 John 13.36-38, John 19.38-42 Psalm 22 Isaiah 52.13-53.12 Hebrews 10.16-25 or Hebrews 4.14-16; 5.7-9 John 18.1-19.42 4/4 Psalm 43, 149, 31, 143 Job 19.21-27a Hebrews 4.1-16 Romans 8.1-11 4/5 Psalm 93, 150, 136, 117 Exodus 12.1-14 John1.1-18 Luke 24.13-35 Isaiah 51.9-11 John 20.19-23

DEACON’S RIDES TO CHURCH

SUNDAY MORNING CALLS OKAY! Need a ride to church on Sunday?

Aren’t sure if you’re up to it until you take inventory on Sunday morning and check the weather?

Sunday morning is not too late to call for a ride sponsored by the Deacons. Several individuals have volunteered to be ready to pick you

up on their way to church. All you have to do is call Erin Viglione at 570-954-1338 or Katie Orlando 570-881-8088

DID YOU KNOW… That the loose offering on Communion Sundays goes to the Deacon’s Fund? Do you know what they do with it? They provide meals for VISION when the homeless shelter visits one of our neighboring churches. They meet emergency needs for food and transportation and shelter. In addition they host fellowship dinners for the congregation, prepare the elements for Communion, and prepare baskets at Easter and Christmas for members and friends of the congregation on the Deacon’s visitation list. FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT The Board of Deacons has placed a container by the back table to receive canned goods and non-perishable food items which are distributed through the food pantry’s run by The Salvation Army Citadel and First United Methodist Church. Your gifts will help address the needs of hungry families throughout the surrounding communities. The needs of our neighbors are great. One of the food pantries reported a four-fold increase in requests for help. PREFERRED ITEMS FOR THE SALVATION ARMY & METHODIST CHURCH FOOD PANTRY Jelly, peanut butter, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, rice, boxed or bag rice with sauces, cereal crackers, boxed macaroni & cheese, tuna fish, canned ravioli & spaghetti o’s, pork & beans, canned fruit, canned vegetables, powdered milk packets, instant mashed potatoes, pancake mix, pancake syrup, bag noodles, tuna helper or hamburger helper, toilet paper.

Please remember: Simple items high in nutritional value are best. Those who turn to the food pantry for help often do not have the “other ingredients” or the variety of pots, pans, etc. required for complicated dishes. WOMENS ASSOCIATION NEWS: Morning Circle will be held at the home Elaine Kuffa, 155 Philadelphia Ave., W. Pittston on Wednesday, March 11 at 9:00 AM. The Women’s Association will hold their Annual Spring Luncheon on Thursday, March 19th at 12:30 PM in the dining room of St. Cecilia’s. Our speaker will be Elaine Kuffa.

Scripture Study, Soup & Sandwich – 2015 Thursdays, March 5, 12, 19, 26 11:00 AM at Second Presbyterian Church 6:30 PM at the Manse

“Will You Come and Follow Me? Join us for an interesting time of reflection as we read (or sing) our way through the Lenten season using a study called “Will You Come and Follow Me?” from the good folks at thethoughtfulchristian.com. Written by Mary Louise (Mel) Bringle and Beverly Howard, this six-session adult study takes a look at the text of various Lenten Hymns. The following hymns are examined, one each session: “Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days,” “Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons),” “I Danced in the Morning (Lord of the Dance),” “To God Be the Glory,” “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.” Each session will challenge participants to work through the meaning of the text and learn more about the hymn writers. Together we will discover how the lyrics of these great hymns relate to us today. MARCH BIRTHDAYS 1 Eli Harding 12 Jim Thyren 23 Katie Orlando 9 Nick Prokopchak 14 Kathryn Golecki Avery Wynder 10 Chad McGinnis 16 Sadie Kasper 26 Jack Burke Hannah Shelley 17 Beth Christ 27 Ben Klaproth Alexandra Traglia Marissa Traglia 29 Jennifer Rogers 11 Dan Christ 21 Megan Kuffa 30 Robert Bullions Nora Sofa 22 David Todd 21 Larry Holmes, Jr. CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR MARCH

Sundays: 9:30 AM – Holy Notes Choir 10:00 AM – Church School 11:00 AM – Worship

Sunday, March 1 12:30 PM – Marge’s NB Group Tuesday, March 3 7:00 PM – Trustees at CPST Sunday, March 8 12:30 PM – Marge & Dan’s NB Group Tuesday, March 10 7:00 PM – Deacons at CPST Wednesday, March 11 9:00 AM – Morning Circle at Elaine Kuffa’s Thursday, March 5, 12, 19, 26 11:00 AM – Scripture Study at 2nd Presbyterian Church 6:30 PM – at the Manse Thursday, March 19 12:30 PM – Women’s Association Luncheon

SAVE THE DATE: March 22, 2015 Final New Beginnings Meeting Details to be Announced

Free Printable Word Search Puzzles

Restaurant

Find and circle all of the Restaurant words that are hidden in the grid.

The remaining letters spell an additional word.

APERITIF APPETIZER BILL BUSBOY CASHIER

CHAIRS CHEF

COFFEE COOKS

CUPS CUSTOMER DESSERT DISHWASHERS DRINKS

ENTREE FORK

GLASSES KNIFE

MANAGER MEAL MENU NAPKINS ORDER

PLATES SALAD

SAUCERS SERVERS

SPOON TABLECLOTH TABLES TEA TIP

WAITER WAITRESS

WATER WINE

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