From the

Pastor

Page

2

Worship &

Music

Page

3

PCOP

Initiatives

Page

4

Fellowship

& More

Page

5

Education

& Discipleship

Page

6

February

Calendar

Page

7

Missions

& Outreach

Page

8

Volunteer

Schedule

Page

9

For Valentine’s

Day

Page

10

The Newsletter of The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney - 106 E. Union St., Punxsutawney, PA 15767

The Highlander February

2014

Mark Your

Calendars

February 4th

1st Tuesday

Community Meal

February 9th

Outreach

Committee

Meeting

February 15th

Saturday

Friends Out

Parking on Groundhog Day

Sunday, February 2nd

Consider parking in...

Fairman Center IUP Parking Lot

Pantall Parking Lot

Along Union & Findley Streets

***Please reserve the PCOP Parking Lot on

Union Street for those who need it***

First Tuesday Community Outreach Meal Cooks, Servers, Clean-Up, Food & Monetary Donations

Tuesday, February 4th 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. - Dining Hall

The Community Outreach

Committee is set to offer our monthly First Tuesday Community Meal on

Tuesday, February 4th and they need your HELP! Sign-Up sheets are

located outside the Church Parlor or contact Jessica Suntheimer

at (814) 249-5955.

Exciting News!

Local Non-PCOP Family donates

$2000 to help support Community Meals

A reprinting of the “2013 Pastor’s Annual Report” from the 2013 PCOP Annual Report*

In moments like these when we are called upon to be nostalgic, we benefit greatly by trying to look past our accomplishments and ask: What really happened in 2013? These are my thoughts. We became more outwardly focused. One of the true blessings of the year was the energy behind our outreach ministries. Serving Punxsutawney and beyond became a “no-brainer” for many of our members and friends. Both new and existing ministries placed reaching out and service in the forefront in 2013. We accepted that finances will be an ongoing concern. Watching the monthly figures rise and fall, trends started to develop early in 2013. Spending was constant and within budget but giving was not. The finances of the church are closely monitored by our Finance Committee Chair, the Church Treasurer, myself, and the Session. Attention and creativity is being put towards how we can be both faithful to the Spirit’s call and be fiscally responsible in 2014 and beyond. We were reminded that PCOP is a relational church. This congregation thrives when relationships are at the center of what we do and how we do it. Homebound Communion, special times of fellowship, caring for members & friends during hard times, and inversely, laughing and having fund together; this congregation is a family and the relationships formed and strengthened here are incredibly important to all of us. This truth is also a constant area of growth and improvement. What is being “left out” of this PCOP family? We acknowledged our blessings and limitations. 2013 brought on many transitions; some good and some devastating. Beloved members were lost , and new members joined our family of faith. Some programs were successful, and others were not. The facility crumbled in places and was strengthened in others. The ebb and flow of life here at PCOP provided another opportunity to acknowledge that we are blessed and called by a loving God in whom we move and have our being. Much was outside our control, and running into our limitations had its familiar sting, but we remained thankful. The call and blessings of God were not lost on PCOP in 2013 * copies of the complete 2013 PCOP Annual Report are available in the narthex or by calling the PCOP Office at (814) 938-5560

Note:

Due to frigid

weather on

Sunday, January

26th, just over a

quorum was

present for our

Annual

Congregational

Meeting. Since

many missed out

on the

presentation, I’ve

elected to reprint

my “2013 Pastor’s

Annual Report”

P a g e 3

Our February 2014 Worship Calendar ***Worship Begins at 11:00 a.m.***

February 2nd

Groundhog Day featuring a Celebration of

the Lord’s Supper

The Gospel According to

Groundhog Day

Micah 6: 1-8

& Matthew 5: 1-12

February 9th 5th Sunday after Epiphany

Saltiness

Psalm 121: 1-10

& Mark 9:38-50

Worship in the month of

February begins with worship

on Groundhog Day, February

2nd. We will not have Sunday

School on the 2nd. Worship

will begin at 11:00 a.m. as

usual. Parking may be a

challenge so please plan

accordingly.

After Groundhog Day, our

attention turns towards the

intersection of our faith, and

our everyday lives. We believe

that the Spirit is at work

shaping and molding us in the

image of Christ. Such work is

often challenging and

stretching. Join Us!

February 16th 6th Sunday after Epiphany

Plain Spoken

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

& Matthew 5: 37

February 23rd 7th Sunday after Epiphany

Love Your Enemies

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18

& Matthew 5: 38-48

Worship & Music

Officers of the Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney

ELDERS

CLASS OF 2014 CLASS OF 2015 CLASS OF 2016

Doug Chambers (Clerk) Barb Hanley Janey London

Richard Fetterman Nick Suntheimer Ben Fitzgerald-Fye

Barb Burkett George West Wick Divelbiss

(Vacant) (Vacant) Susan Wydra

BOARD OF DEACONS

CLASS OF 2014 CLASS OF 2015 CLASS OF 2016

Lee Blose Diane Ewing (Chair) Jessica Suntheimer

Richard Cessna Jack Haire Kay Nesbitt

Laurie Craig Debbie Himes Lynz Bowers

Debra Dinsmore Jean Hughes Kerrin Roberts

PCOP Initiatives & Projects

New Recycling Bins for Bulletins & Paper Please make sure to use our NEW Blue Recycling Bins for

Your Sunday Worship Bulletins & Other Paper Recyclables

As part of our PCOP Recycles initiative, blue Paper Recycling bins have

been placed by the exits to our sanctuary. Located in the parlor hallway,

by the main entrance, and by the Findley St. double-doors, these bins are

ready to collect all your paper recyclables. Please no trash.

Questions about PCOP Recycles or would like to help? See Rev. Brett

Help Save a Life

Contribute

toward the

purchase of an

AED Machine During any given week PCOP hosts between 100 to 200

total individuals for worship, meeting, or meals. Many of

these individuals are within classic age ranges for

increased risk of a cardiac event. Outfitting PCOP with an

AED machine is a goal of this year. Thanks to a generous

member gift, 50% of the AED cost has been paid. Help

cover the remaining balance by making a donation to

PCOP. Write AED in the memo line on checks.

What is an AED?

The automated external defibrillator (AED) is a computerized medical device. An AED can check a person’s heart rhythm. It can recognize a rhythm that requires a shock. And it can advise the rescuer when a shock is needed. The AED uses voice prompts,

lights and text messages to tell the rescuer the steps to take. AEDs are very accurate and easy to use. With a few hours of training,

anyone can learn to operate an AED safely

7,500 Hours Together

January 19th & 26th 2014 Final Tally

219.5 Hours

Our 2014 Congregation

Project, 7,500 Hours

Together, launched on

Sunday, January 19th, and

over two weeks, PCOP

Members and Friends have

given 219.5 hours of service.

Some Great Opportunities to Serve in February

1st Tuesday Community Meal

on February 4th

Crosstown Food Pantry

on February 17th

Removal & Drop-Off of Old

Rotation Station Computers

Creating Worship Slide

Presentation

P a g e 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 4

Fellowship & More! Saturday Friends Out for February

SATURDAY FRIENDS OUT WILL MEET AT

Gimmick’s

466 Harmony Road in Punxsutawney

12:00 p.m. Lunch on Saturday, February15th

Please call the church office to make your reservation

by February 14th

Celebrate our

February birthdays!

2nd

Donna Anderson

3rd

Laurie Craig

John Hodgson

7th

Bob Barrett

15th

Evelyn Lettie

18th

Max Roberts

20th

Loni Studebaker

24th

Rick Nesbitt

27th

Flo West

Forgetting Anyone? Call the PCOP Office

will not meet in February. The next

gathering will be in March 2014. Marriage Seminar is open to everyone and

regularly at the homes of Marriage Seminar

members. Questions? See Ginger Momyer

Seminar

Outreach

Committee

Called

Meeting

Sunday, February 9th

following worship

The Outreach Committee, the group responsible for the

First Tuesday Community Meals, will be meeting Sunday,

February 9th immediately following worship in the

Lester Seminar Room. All Are Welcome!

Summer 2014

Yard Sale

in the works! Looking for

Good Quality,

Working Order

Donations

Please No Clothes!

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 4

Education & Discipleship

T h e H i g h l a n d e r P a g e 6

Adult Education for February

February’s Tuesdays at Ten

11 INDISPENSABLE RELATIONSHIPS

YOU CAN’T BE WITHOUT

February 4th, 11th, & 18th

Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. - Lester Seminar Room

On this journey of life

You are going to need ...

an Editor

a True Friend

a Butt-Kicker

a Protégé

an Encourager

a Yoda

a Back-Coverer

a Reject

a “Little One”

A few VIPs and a Place

The real meaning of life

is not a journey question

or an arrival question.

Your journey and your

destination are both

important, but neither is

possible without an

answer to this prior

question: Who are you

taking with you on this

journey toward your

destination?

Children’s Rotation Sunday School

Exploring

Life in

Bible

Times

All Children are Welcome!

Sundays at

9:45 a.m.

angels

Angels are often mentioned in the Bible. They

have played important roles in Christian

spirituality down through the centuries, and

today are featured prominently in movies,

television shows, books, and art. In this study,

we will explore what is said about angels

(both in the Bible and today), and also

compare that to what Christians affirm about

Christ.

February 9, 16, & 23

at 9:45 a.m. Lester Seminar Room

Reminder:

No

Sunday

School

on Groundhog Day ** Sunday School resumes Feb. 9th **

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 February 2014 Meetings:

February 9th: Outreach Committee (after worship)

February 16th: Deacons (9:30 a.m.)

February 24th: Session (6:00 p.m.)

2

Groundhog Day

No Sunday School

11:00 a.m.

Worship

3

3

Tuesdays at Ten

10:00 a.m.

Community

Meal

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

5 6

Bell Choir

6:00 p.m.

Choir Practice

7:00 p.m.

7 8

9

9:45 a.m.

Sunday School

11:00 a.m.

Worship

Outreach Mtg.

After Worship

10

11

Tuesdays at Ten

10:00 a.m.

12 13

Bell Choir

6:00 p.m.

Choir Practice

7:00 p.m.

14

Valentine’s Day

15

Saturday

Friends Out

12 Noon

16

Deacons

Meeting

9:30 a.m.

Sunday School

9:45 a.m.

Worship

11 AM

17

Crosstown

Food Pantry

5:30 p.m.

18

Tuesdays at Ten

10:00 a.m.

19 20

Bell Choir

6:00 p.m.

Choir Practice

7:00 p.m.

21 22

23

Sunday School

9:45 a.m.

Worship

11 AM

24

Session Meeting

6:00 p.m.

25

Tuesdays at Ten

10:00 a.m.

26 27

Bell Choir

6:00 p.m.

Choir Practice

7:00 p.m.

28

FEBRUARY 2014

P a g e 8 F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 4

Mission & Outreach

Crosstown Food Pantry Monthly Food Distribution

Monday, February 17th begins at 5:30 p.m.

Help Fight Hunger by Donating

Canned Fruit, Tuna, Hygiene Items,

Cereal, Spaghetti, & Laundry Detergent

Souper Bowl of Caring 2014

Get Your Donations in on February 2nd

Due to the frigid and snowy weather, we have extended our

SOUPER BOWL of CARING donation opportunity

to February 2nd after worship.

*** 100% of all Donations go to Crosstown Food Pantry ***

Mission Committee Annual Report

Knitters in the congregation contributed some two dozen mittens and hats to

Community Action for children in Jefferson County. This yearly project is an

on-going effort to keep little hands warm. Yarn is made available for those who

want to continue the effort for next Christmas. Members also made a worthwhile

effort to make the church's Toys for Tots drive a success. The donor box was

completely filled with toys.

Although little was done this year with the Rwanda project, it is still a viable outlet for

monetary contributions. The Presbytery will accept any amount to purchase

children's shoes and goats for our neighbor congregation in Rwanda.

Submitted by Roberta Dinsmore, Lynn Bennett, co-chairs

NOTE:

The 2013 Mission

Committee Annual

Report was mistakenly

left out of the Annual

Report Packet.

T h e H i g h l a n d e r P a g e 9

Thank You to our February 2014 Volunteers

February 2nd

Groundhog Day

& the Lord’s Supper

Screen George Momyer

Sound Barb Hanley

Liturgist Debbie Dinsmore

Acolyte Kally & Kassidy

Graham

February 9th 5th Sunday after

Epiphany

Screen TBD

Sound Bruce Willams

Liturgist Kathy Dinsmore

Acolyte Holly Hartman

February 16th 6th Sunday after

Epiphany

Screen Nick Suntheimer

Sound

Liturgist Roberta Dinsmore

Acolyte Jackson & Ben Fezell

February 23rd 7th Sunday after

Epiphany

Screen Ben Fitzgerld-Fye

Sound Barb Hanley

Liturgist Bev Divelbiss

Acolyte Madelyn Fye

& Mackenzie Reiter

Those Needing Our Prayers Betty Brumbaugh Otto Grube

Ed Craig Lois Leksell

Kathy Kopp Joe Karetski

Nancy Lazorchak Glenn McMillen

Annie Laurie Williams Debbie Wright

Jane Wineberg Evelyn Lettie

Betty Cessna Janet Starr

Bill Ward Gillen Geary

Lynn Bennett Avanell Bennett

Randy Nesbitt Jason Wineberg

Our Christian Sympathies

to The Deeley Family at the passing of Bill

Deeley’s mother, Dorothy “Dot” Deeley

on January 22, 2014

Best of Luck

to all our

Inner Circle

Members

& Friends

Bill Deeley, Bob Roberts,

Butch Philliber, Keith Shields,

Bill Cooper, Bob Chambers,

& Mike Johnston

Groundhog Day 2014

FINANCIAL STATEMENT: December 2013

CURRENT YEAR

TO DATE

BUDGETED

Receipts $16, 340.67 $202,019.42

Disbursements $13,983.03 $217,033.20 $184,039.00

Excess (-Deficiency)

of Revenues over Expenditures

$2,357.64 ($15,013.78)

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who

live in it ~ Psalm 24:1

The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney

106 E. Union St.

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania 15767

Office: (814) 938-5560

Visit Us Online at punxsypc.net

Reminder

Deadline for

March 2014’s

Highlander Articles

is Monday,

February 17th

For Valentine’s Day

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or

arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not

irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears

all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. - 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a