the PRES
May 2018 EVERYTHING HAPPENS I’ve just finished reading Kate Bowler’s new book Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved. She also has a podcast out called “Everything Happens.” I commend both to you. Bowler explores how her faith has changed, particularly since she was diagnosed with incurable cancer. Much of that comes from a loss of a sense of certainty. She writes that she used to believe “anything would do if hardships were only detours on my long life’s journey…God would make a way.” (page xiv) Not anymore. Now she asks, “What would it mean for Christians to give up that little piece of the American Dream that says, ‘You are limitless’? …What if being people of ‘the gospel’ meant that we are simply people with good news? God is here. We are loved. It is enough.” (page 21) How has your faith changed as you’ve grown? What events have most shaped your faith? What about your faith has remained constant? Reverend Kari A. Olson GLORIA PATRI A number of people have been asking about why we moved the Gloria Patri to after the Passing of the Peace (rather than before) in our order of worship. Worship committee discussed the idea and, after trying it out, decided to stick with it because it seems to help the flow of the service. It is very appropriate to go from hearing that we are forgiven to extending peace and forgiveness to one another. Singing the Gloria Patri after the Passing of the Peace gives us a musical cue to help us return to our pews and let the choir get in place for the anthem. Reverend Kari A. Olson WORSHIP COMMITTEE
May 20th Pentecost/communion June 1st & 2nd Kirkwood. We will be sharing communion both in East Falls (Rev Michele Ward) and at Kirkwood (Pastor Kari) on Sunday June 2nd. June 17th Fathers Day and Youth Sunday EASTER SUNDAY THANKS to all who prepared dishes for Easter morning breakfast. The Easter Egg hunt was popular as always. Worship and Pastor Kari’s sermon coupled with Easter Hymns, accomp-anied by Brenda Browne and our guest Trumpeter. NEWS FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT Many thanks to Sean Duffin and T J Storm for the rousing trumpet prelude on Sunday, April 17th. Their performance of Nun Danket Alle Gott (Now Thank We All Our God) by Sigfrid Karg-Elert was perfect for this joyous Easter Season. On Mother’s Day, May 13th, we are inviting all our older youth and children to sing “Oh Christ Surround You” our traditional response for that Sunday. This will be sung after the Benediction and is dedicated to all the moms, grand-moms, aunts and women who all care for us. We will have the same sung on Father’s Day, June 17th. Attention Choir members: Choir rehearsal will be held on the Monday following Mother’s Day May 14th instead of our usual Tuesday (May 15th). Save the Date: Strawberry Festival “Sing It!” will be held on Friday, June 8, 2018. We will feature a medley from “West Side Story” in honor of the 100th Birthday of Leonard Bernstein. Hope to see you there! Anyone interested in joining our Chancel Choir, please let Brenda know. We are seeking to grow the choir for the upcoming church season. Come and make joyful music with us! Submitted by Brenda Browne MISSION COMMITTEE The Mission Committee has been busy and the following are just a few of the projects they have completed OR planned for the future. Our Mission Committee needs the support of everyone at East Falls Presbyterian Church. ASK HOW YOU MAY BE ABLE TO HELP! * On Saturday, April 28th, the MISSION COMMITTEE collected food in support of the SUNDAY LOVE Project in feeding the homeless * On June 23rd, EFPC MISSION COMMITTEE will be doing a day of service for the URDC * August 5th, we have volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House on Front and Erie. As future projects approach, more information will be available. REQUEST FROM B'DEKAN Our Mission Trip to B'Dekan, Spring Lake, North Dakota, was enjoyed by many members of our Church. B'Dekan recently wrote to us, requesting a contribution to help them complete a small addition to their church. The request has been forwarded to the Mission Committee for consideration. BENEVOLENCE FUND DISBUREMENTS 2017 Cynthia Jickling *Cynthia praying in Holy Sepulcher On a spontaneous whim, my father and I travelled to Israel in the midst of Holy Week. We explored many beautiful natural and historical sites, one of the most touching being the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, this church was consecrated and completed in the year 335. Inside is a world of wonder and faith, filled with people from diverse places and religious backgrounds- all honoring and awing in the history of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When I entered, the impact was immense and overwhelming; to have the opportunity to be in such a sacred place was unbelievable and blessed. The silence and earnest in each hall and room induced a deeper connection and importance for me to every being that had ever walked those same floors. The peaceful collection of different religions in one holy space also showed me a greater purpose and affinity shared between all humans and children of God- to be able to respect one another and forget any disputes or dissimilarities, and just worship our Lord is God’s good grace. I witnessed the place where Jesus was crucified and buried, and I was completely mesmerized. There is no other way for me to explain the impact it had on me, other than to say it really happened! Of course we all know and believe the Bible to be true, but to see these spots in their genuine existence fortifies the insurmountable truths of Jesus and God’s miracles (I hope I don’t sound like a doubting Thomas). I am so grateful to have been in such a powerful and divine place, and pray that all God’s children can truly praise and awe God’s greatness and miracles.
WOW, Zach, pretty DAPPER don't you think ?
ELDERS & DEACONS RETREAT The deacons and elders met at Cliveden House Saturday April 14th for a five hour retreat. Prior to our meeting, each member reviewed our Mission Report. Our discussions focused on the spirituality of our church and we as spiritual leaders. Since it was our first meeting together, we spent the time on discussion and not change. There will be future meetings together. The elders prepared both a delicious breakfast and lunch. Photo below: Retreat at Cliveden House Saturday April 14th HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAYS Bill Harrison 1-May Mike Davis 9-May Dozen Brezner 13-May Doug Cowley 18-May Kate Adair 21-May Lorelei Baker 22-May Marianne Tolbert 25-May Billy Harrison 26-May Emily Nichols 29-May Joe Spedding, Jr. 29-May John Liddick 29-May Michael Dahlberg 30-May Anne Duane 31-May INGER HARRISON by Dave McClenahan In tribute to Inger Harrison, I will start out by giving her a title that she strongly did not want. To many of us in this church, some of which had previously lost their own mothers, Inger seemed to fit the role of “MOTHER” perfectly. When our dad died suddenly, 36 years ago or when our mother was so sick with Alzheimer’s and was taken out of our home on a stretcher never to return to that home, it was Inger that we called. It was Inger that opened her home and her heart to us. She helped us hold our lives together. She helped us get through those most difficult of times. She supported us in so many ways. For that we are eternally grateful. She was the ultimate hostess as she celebrated birthdays, church milestone events, pastoral candidates, church picnics and dinners. Inger could throw a delicious dinner together in record time. For the last many years she hosted some of us in a day after Thanksgiving feast. Inger joined the church on the 1st of April 1945. Her influence over this church has been great. Among her contributions of time to the church are: being a Trustee, being a Deacon, being Secretary of The Trustees, serving as Church Financial Secretary, and being a Sunday School teacher. She was the weekly Sanctuary flowers Coordinator for over 40 years, Moderator of the Deacons, coordinator/designer of church decorations, and collector of special donations. Unofficially but faithfully, she kept in touch with decades of members and friends of Falls Presbyterian. She was a woman of strong beliefs who had a sense of what was right and what was wrong. That strength was evident in her abiding faith, in her character, in her love of those around her. She often said what was on her mind. Okay, some of us had some hurt feelings over the years, but we all knew where we stood with her. I believe that I, for one, am a better man for what I learned from Inger Harrison. As I grew up in this church, there were times that I was a little afraid of her, or more so of what she said. But it was easy to realize that everything she said was out of love and out of her love of this church. Inger’s faith in our Savior was strong and constant. She is, without doubt, getting things in order in heaven as we speak. We’re sure she won’t need her “Inger’s Word”. We will miss her beyond belief. But she and her faith have prepared us. And all will be alright. CHURCH ATTENDANCE During the first three months of this year average Church attendance was 60.33 JANUARY average attendance 66 FEBRUARY average attendance 55 MARCH average attendance 60 More photo's appear on the Bulletin Board at Church and in "the PRES" |