Pastor's Pen: Stewardship: Investment in the Future

The Ardmore Presbyterian Church is committed to growing in faith, building community and expanding our witness in the world.  We live by God’s grace, and God often uses the generosity of others to extend that grace to the Church and to the world. 

We are thankful for your generosity in 2011.  In the midst of an ailing economy, you gave.  Because you gave, Ardmore Presbyterian Church continues to provide preaching and teaching, excellent music, wonderful opportunities for children, and support for missions both far and near.  Through your gifts, we maintain a beautiful presence on the corner of Montgomery and Mill Creek which benefits both us and a number of neighborhood groups.

Clearly our church struggles financially as everyone has these past few years.  In 2010 and 2011, the session adopted deficit budgets.  That was a hard decision.  At the same time, the church froze salaries for one year and overall has greatly reduced administrative costs.  Thanks to cost cutting and additional giving, 2010 was better than anticipated, and 2011 could be better as well.  However, deficits are not sustainable.  In coming years if the financial situation does not change, deep cuts in ministry will be required. 

This seems a strange time to discuss expanding our ministries.  However, stewardship is not about timidity.  We must live within our means, but we also put our resources where they can make the greatest impact for God’s mission.  In September 2011, the session decided to expand the position of Director of Youth and Children Ministry.  This will cost the church an additional $10,000.  However, we see this as an investment in our existing programs, Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, and Wednesday PLUS.  In addition, we see expanded opportunities for our youth and children in worship, fellowship and mission.  The exodus of young people away from the church later in life is not inevitable.  Nonetheless, if APC cannot increase revenues to match this commitment, the session understands that there will need to be cuts elsewhere. 

We know that these are challenging times.  Nonetheless, we ask for your continued investment in the future of APC.  Consider your commitment as the 2012 Stewardship Campaign begins.

Grace and Peace,

James Hodsden

FROM MATT TAYLOR, MODERATOR OF THE STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE…

The Stewardship Campaign is beginning at Ardmore Presbyterian Church.  This is a time when we, as members of APC reflect on the meaning of stewardship, our relationship to God and to the church community especially as it relates to our money.   For our Session, and the Stewardship & Finance Committee, it is a time plan projects for the coming year and to prioritize the many opportunities this congregation has to further God’s word here in Ardmore and throughout the world. 

Mitten Tree begins on November 27

 

Mittens, hats and scarves are needed for our annual Mitten Tree to be in the narthex beginning Sunday, November 27 (first Sunday in Advent).  Both hand knit and purchased items are most welcome.  These items will be given to our local Maternity Care Coalition to be distributed to families in their program.  These are always greatly appreciated! 

Toys for Glouchester House

When you are Christmas shopping, please remember to pick up items for The John Gloucester House "Happy Birthday, Jesus" Party.  Especially needed:  educational toys, sports/recreational items for children from 1^st to 8^th grades.  Gifts cards are also appropriate.  Please leave unwrapped items in the church office or bring them with you to the Sunday, December 4^th Advent Family Night.

APC Advent Special Events for Advent and Christmastide 2011

ARDMORE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMASTIDE 2011

Sunday, November 27, 2011 – First Sunday of Advent

10:30 a.m. – Lord’s Day Worship

Sunday, December 4, 2011 – Second Sunday of Advent

            10:30 a.m. – Lord’s Day Worship – Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

                                   Deacons’ Fund Offering Received

5 p.m. - All Church Advent Family Night: Cherub, Children’s, Youth and Handbell Choirs present Advent and Christmas music (Sanctuary). Please bring an ornament for our Christmas tree (from another country, if possible) for a festive international Christmas tree!

                         Then come to Fellowship Hall for our traditional wassail bowl, seasonal crafts, music, festive potluck buffet.  Please bring plentiful quantities of finger foods to share at the potluck buffet. (Suggested ideas: appetizers, chicken, sandwiches, veggies, desserts, etc.)

Sunday, December 11, 2011 – Third Sunday of Advent

                10:30 a.m. – Worship – Nativity Tableau

                       Cherub, Children’s and Youth Choirs participating. Children leave from worship for a Christmas Carol Sing (Mill Creek Room).

Sunday, December 18, 2011 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

            10:30 a.m. – Worship – Chancel Choir presents:

           K. Lee Scott’s The Incarnation

           Christmas Joy Offering received

Saturday, December, 24, 2011 – Christmas Eve

             7 p.m. – Family Service of Carols and Candle Lighting

                            Chancel, Youth and Children’s Choirs participating

            11 p.m. – Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols

                            Chancel Choir and Quartet participating

    Christmas Joy Offering received

Sunday, December 25, 2011 – Nativity of Jesus Christ/Christmas Day

10:15 a.m. – Carol Sing Prelude

10:30 a.m. – Lord’s Day Worship – Young Adult Choir participating

Pastor's Pen: Songs of the Season

‘Tis the season, and the music of the season is already in the air.  You certainly hear it in worship, but you might also hear it on the radio and in the mall.  The Christian carols compete these days with Frosty and Rudolf, but if you listen carefully, you still can hear what happened in Bethlehem so long ago. 

Interestingly, those carols shape how we hear the story even more than the Scriptures do.  According to the gospel of Luke, the angels responded to Jesus’ birth by proclaiming their praise of God.  However, most of us, remembering the carol, believe that the herald angels did not only speak but sang their announcement.  According to the gospel of Matthew, an unspecified number of magi came from the East to offer presents to the newborn.  From the carol, we know that there were three, and moreover, they were kings.  I am not personally bothered by such discrepancies.  For the most part, they are trivia that you can share at your next Christmas party.  However, there is one carol that I sing under protest or at least with a caveat.

In the third verse of “Away in a Manger,” we sing

“The cattle are lowing

The poor Baby wakes

But little Lord Jesus

No crying He makes”

The gospels do not mention whether or not Jesus as a baby cried.  I assume that the author of the carol wanted to emphasize that Jesus was somehow different from other babies, and the assumption is that “good” little babies don’t cry.

Unfortunately, I disagree.  I believe that Jesus was fully divine.  However, Jesus was not like Clark Kent waiting for the right moment to become Superman.  He was fully human.  He got hungry like other babies.  He wet himself like other babies.  He cried like other babies.  The Scriptures say that Jesus “did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself…” (Philippians 2:6-7). 

Frankly, I am grateful that Jesus knows my humanity in its fullness, especially my weakness.  At the death of his friend Lazarus, we read, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).  In order to face the challenges that come, I want to know that even my hunger, pain, and sorrow has been redeemed by what Jesus Christ has done.

Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, love divine;

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and angels gave the sign.

Merry Christmas,

James Hodsden

Young Adults and Families Provide Thanksgiving Dinner to Those in Need

Dear Friends;

This past Sunday, the Ardmore Presbyterian Church Young Adult and Young Family Group met to help assemble Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner boxes for families in need in the Philadelphia area. We were able to complete 8 turkey dinners—8 frozen turkeys plus a box full of fixings! The children made Thanksgiving cards to go with the boxes.

Rev. Luis Sanchez of True Vine Church Community in the lower northeast of Philadelphia came to pick up the dinners for distribution. I know and work with Luis, through Project HOME and the distribution of Welcome Home Kits (which our congregation has also helped to put together, at times). This was a large contribution to his efforts of outreach.

Thank you to all who were able to help! I look forward to working with everyone on such a project next year, once again! Thank you so much!
Sincerely,

Schaunel Steinnagel

ADVENT FAMILY NIGHT FESTIVITIES AND ALTERNATIVE GIFT FAIR

ADVENT FAMILY NIGHT FESTIVITIES

and ALTERNATIVE GIFT FAIR

Sunday, December 4

Beginning at 5:00 pm (sanctuary)

All are welcome!! 

Plan to invite extended family and friends

Children’s and Youth Choirs present

“Around the World It’s Christmas” with music from

Spain, France, England, Poland and the USA

Also music by the Cherub and Handbell Choirs

Look forward to hearing

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” by the Handbell Choir

There will also be time for congregational carol singing

AFTERWARD, MEET IN FELLOWSHIP HALL FOR

Advent Crafts

Wassail and Fellowship

Decorating of the Fellowship Hall Christmas Tree

Our theme is Christmas Around the World

PLEASE BRING AN ORNAMENT FOR OUR CHRITMAS TREE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY

 IF YOU CAN FOR A FESTIVE INTERNATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE!

Music by the Mansfield brass, coordinated by APC member Chuck Reeder

Alternative Giving Opportunities (Fellowship Hall alcove) (please turn over for details)

SHARE TOGETHER IN A FINGER FOOD POTLUCK SUPPER

AND CONVERSATION

Please bring plentiful quantities of finger foods to share:

appetizers, chicken, sandwiches, pizza, veggies, desserts, etc.

THE JOY OF GIVING. . .

2011 Alternative Giving Opportunities

through Ardmore Presbyterian Church

Items listed under Give and Donate will be available for purchase at Advent Family Night and, if supplies last, following worship on Sundays, December 11^th and 18^th.

GIVE. . . in the name of a loved one or friend and make a difference.

Appropriate gift cards will be available to explain gift to recipient.

PROJECT NEEDS FOR CARING HANDS MINISTRY, INDIA

ARUN & SHOBA MASSEY, Directors

To be given in Christ’s name to the children of the Devadasi (temple prostitute) community

$10 = school supplies;  $15 = food supplement;  $15 = saree;  $5 = Christmas gifts

SOLE (Shoe Gift Care Program)

Sole provides Payless gift cards for people who need assistance to buy shoes.  The Philadelphia Presbytery provides these cards to Care Closets, churches and organizations with which they partner. 

$15 = children’s shoes; $18 = women’s shoes; $20 = men’s shoes)

HEIFER PROJECT – “Give the World a Present” (A tradition at APC)

Instead of material gifts, choose to honor your friends, family or business associates with gifts that help struggling families lift themselves out of poverty.

Rabbits, honeybees, tree seedlings and more (Gifts available from $10 to $500)

PURCHASE with a purpose - gifts that help create a sustainable life for others.

FAIR TRADE ITEMS

Fair trade shares the bounty of trade with those who grow the crops.

Olive Oil (750 and 500 ml bottles), organic hot cocoa mix, coffee, candy bars

DONATE. . . gifts allowing your shopping to have a meaningful purpose.

THE MITTEN TREE

Items will be given to Maternity Care Coalition of Philadelphia –

Strengthening families, one baby at a time.

Bring hand-knit or purchased mittens, hats and scarves to decorate the tree in the church entry beginning Sunday, November 27^th (1^st Sunday in Advent). 

JOHN GLOUCESTER HOUSE “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS” GIFT ITEMS

Provide gifts for children in the Point Breeze community of Philadelphia

Needed: Educational, sports/recreational toys or gift cards for children from 1^st – 8^th grades

Bring unwrapped gifts to Advent Family Night or to the church office by

Monday, December 12^th.

APC Preschool Openings

Hear Yea, Hear Yea,  

Friends and Neighbors, Spread the Word...

APC PRESCHOOL OPENINGS

Spaces available for:

Young Threes

(turning 3 years old between Sept. & Dec.)

2 days: Monday & Friday

and

Pre-K

(turning 4 yrs. old before Sept.)

5 days: M-F

 For information call:

APC Weekday Preschool

610-642-6650

preschool@ardmorepres.org

Job Opening: Director of Youth and Children Ministry

Please pass this information to those who might be interested.

The Ardmore Presbyterian Church in Ardmore, Pennsylvania is seeking a part-time Director of Youth and Children Ministry. The Director reports to the Senior Pastor and maintains key relationships with staff and lay leaders. The Director oversees and develops ministry to our children and youth. In addition, the Director provides for the recruitment and training of all volunteers in these ministries. The part-time position assumes 20 hours a week. For a job description, click here.

Apply by sending a resume to admin@ardmorepres.org.

APC now has its own listserve

What is a listserv? The APC listserv is for the use of Ardmore Presbyterian Church and Weekday Preschool members and friends. This is NOT the official communication of the church.  Instead, it is an online community bulletin board to share information, resources and news. 

How do I become a subscriber? Send an email request to the listserve Administrator at admin@ardmorepres.org.
 

How do I send a message to APC listserv members? You must already be a subscriber then simply type ardmorepres@listserve.com in the "To" line of your message.

Who can I ask if I have questions about the listserv? Church Administrator, Raelyn Harman will oversee the administration of the listserv and will do her best to answer your questions. Either email her at admin@ardmorepres.org or call her at 610-642-6650x10.

What kinds of things are appropriate for posting to the APC listserv community? Announcements, news, information, resource sharing, or a need you'd like to make known and that is of general interest to the APC community (which includes the Weekday Preschool parents). Remember, that putting something on the listserv is equivalent to standing before the entire community and saying it aloud. Be sensitive to the impact of your words. Remember "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Luke 6:31)

The APC listserv is not a forum for political or topical debates or for that matter serious discussion. These debates and discussions are important, but they are outside the purpose of this listserv. We hope the listserv will facilitate face to face conversations. It is inappropriate to post negative comments about specific community members (known as flaming).

What happens if I answer a listserv message by hitting "Reply"? Your reply will go only to the person who sent the original message. If you wish to reply publicly to the list, be sure to change the address to ardmorepres@listserv.com. The list is set up this way because it is preferable to say something privately that you meant to say publicly (easily corrected) than to say something publicly that you meant to say privately (not always so easily corrected).

How can I tell when an email message came from the listserv? Each list message will have [ArdmorePres] at the beginning of the subject line. It is crucial that your subject line be succinct and accurate in describing your message. If your subject line is clear, individuals only have to read through messages that pertain to them or they are interested in.

I don't check my e-mail very often, but I'd like to be able to read listserv messages. If you check your e-mail infrequently, it makes the most sense for you to receive your listserv messages in "digest" form (messages will be sent in one bundle when a batch accumulates or at the end of each day, whichever comes first.) You can select this option by clicking on the link that appears at the bottom of each list message, logging into your account, and selecting "On" in the box that says "Set Digest Mode."

How do I unsubscribe from the listserv? Please unsubscribe yourself by going to the address at the bottom of each message. If you use Outlook, the Unsubscribe option is converted to an attachment. You can either open the attachment or request that the Administrator unsubscribe your email address.