Pastor's Pen: Salt in the Street

Michael Palin, the Monty Python alum, has been traveling the world lately. Since 1998, he has been making documentaries of his wanderings. The travelogues are very human, highlighting the many characters that Palin meets on his trips. A few years ago, Palin shared the story of someone he met in Japan where he met a Mr. Watanabe.

Mr. Watanabe is the proprietor of a restaurant in Tokyo. Every morning, the man places three piles of salt in the street in front of his restaurant. Apparently, the practice dates back over a hundred years. When farmers would bring their cows to town, the cows would stop to lick the salt. The farmer, having extra time on his hands, would notice the restaurant. Thus, sales were increased. One hundred years ago, it was a clever marketing tool.

Today, in hyper-urban Tokyo, it is merely habit or a tradition. Call me crazy, but I think such traditions are a good thing. Traditions help us maintain connections to people and places long gone. They suggest that life is more than our moment in time. Most Americans don’t think much about tradition. We are wired to focus on the “new and improved.” Still, for one time a year, our minds turn to habits and patterns long established. During the Christmas season, we don’t mind sharing our lives with the past.

One tradition prevalent at this time of the year is attending worship. Some, who rarely come to a church service, will take the time to be here during the holidays. We hear ancient stories and sing old songs. We take comfort that our worship services look the same as the ones we attended when we were children. I would never trade the tradition of the holidays, but I wonder if we are missing something. Is it possible that we have fallen in love with the things of God, rather than God himself? In the poetry of Luke’s gospel, in the familiarity of Silent Night, and in the pageantry of the candlelight service, we sometimes forget the real purpose. God entered history, and nothing, not even death, could stop him. Our worship does not venerate the dead who remain safely dead. In fact, we worship a living God who claims our very lives. Discipleship is more than putting salt on the streets.

Pastor's Pen: We Gather Together

On January 24, 1597, the Dutch defeated Spanish occupiers at the Battle of Turnhout. With the victory Dutch Protestants could worship more openly, and they celebrated their religious freedom by borrowing a folk tune and adding new words: “We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing.” Years later Dutch immigrants would bring the favorite song to America, but it wasn’t until 1903 that it appeared in church hymnals. With the themes of gratitude and God’s protection, the hymn became associated with our holiday of Thanksgiving. Today, most Americans associate it with that November day. In fact, it is rare that we sing it in any other season.

Although the hymn has no specific scriptural reference, the first words, “we gather together,” reminds me of Psalm 133:1: “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” Gathering together in worship is one of the most important acts of the community of faith. In times of stress, persecution or even illness, we learn what a blessing it is to gather together. It’s a blessing that too often we take for granted.

On November 24, 2009, the Presbytery of Philadelphia will be gathering together hosted by the Ardmore Presbyterian Church. That date is two days before Thanksgiving which has inspired some good-natured grumbling. Nonetheless, we are blessed to host. We have a wonderful opportunity to gather together. It is the easiest occasion that many of us will have to participate with the 137 congregations of our presbytery. We will worship, enjoy a meal, share stories, and be a church about God’s mission in the world. We will also gather together to present Nan Clarke for ordination as a minister of Word and Sacrament for our congregation. We will also welcome Sara Hodsden as minister in the Philadelphia Presbytery.

This Thanksgiving, we have been blessed to gather together. If you would like to participate in the presbytery meeting, contact Catherine Schreiner, Anne Foote, or the church office. Let’s give God thanks, and let’s not let an opportunity slip away.

Movie Night at APC: Nov 13

Save Friday night, November 13 to gather with others in the church family for a pizza supper (Fellowship Hall) and to view the movies “Horton Hears a Who” (9 yrs. and under) or “Holes” (10 yrs. and up). “Holes” is based on the teen adventure novel by Louis Sachar and stars Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight and Patricia Arquette. The movie teaches valuable lessons about respect, team work and honesty.

KEENAGERS: "A Man Named Pearl"

KEENAGERS/DOUBLES & SINGLES LUNCHEON
& “A MAN NAMED PEARL”
Friday, October 23 at 12:15 pm (Fellowship Hall)

Enjoy lunch prepared by Jim Moore and a delightful 2008, highly acclaimed short film, “A Man Called Pearl” – a compelling documentary focusing on one genial man who reshaped his yard and unexpectedly reshaped the lives of hundreds of people. Pearl Fryar and his wife sought to buy a house in an all-white neighborhood in South Carolina where he eventually transformed his ordinary yard into a horticultural wonderland and this sharecropper’s son then became an internationally acclaimed artist and a celebrated cultural and spiritual icon of his impoverished town. This film is delightful, inspiring and totally irresistible. A free-will donation will be requested for the lunch.

RSVP to the church office. Friends welcome!

Pastor's Pen: Ministry to God's People

E. Stanley Ott is a part-time teaching pastor of the Vienna Presbyterian Church in Virginia and, he also founded the Vital Churches Institute to develop church leaders. He writes a devotional entitled Building One Another. Recently, he wrote a devotional entitled, "People," which is included at the end of this post.

On the one hand, Ott's father gives us a valuable lesson in humility. Our work and our efforts will not last. Someone will come behind us to continue our ministry. Programs will be fleeting. We should not think too greatly of ourselves. Only God's permanence lasts.

On the other hand, Rev. Ott does raise a wonderful point. Ministry is not about programs. We share God's love and grace with people. We teach and study the Scriptures with people. We share the cup and bread with people. God transforms us into a community of faith. We do not build institutions. By God's grace, we build up the body of Christ.

James

October 13, 2009
Vol. 8, No. 38 People

Dear Friend,

I remember vividly the time years ago when I proudly told my father of a number of successful programs I was leading. He said to me, “You do realize your programs won’t outlast you!”

I asked what he meant. He explained that one day other people would replace me as the leaders of the various endeavors I was now leading. They would have their own sense of priorities and vision and things would change.

For awhile that bothered me! Why put effort into something that the next person would change? Then I realized two things. First, as I moved on to lead other organizations I would bring my own vision to bear and it would be different from whomever I replaced.

More significantly, I realized that while the programs might not outlast me, the people would! The people whom I had encouraged in Christian faith and practice, the friendships of the heart that had emerged among us, the things that really count would endure.

I have been greatly encouraged by people in organizations I have led who were developed in Christian faith and leadership by my predecessors - and even more encouraged by the people of faith who were with me at some point in time who continue to love and serve our good Lord.

“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed you are our glory and our joy.” I Thessalonians 2:19-20*

In the midst of all you are doing, are you developing people? Are you growing friendships? They will outlast everything else!

With joy - E. Stanley Ott
Copyright 2009 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the NIV

BIBLE BUDDIES ARE BACK

Calling All 2nd Graders to be part of this fun learning event!

Sunday, October 25th from 5 to 7 p.m.

If you are a parent of a 2nd grader please mark your calendars for Sunday, October 25th. This is the day our 2nd graders receive their Bibles in worship. Prior to that day your child will receive an invitation from their high school “Bible Buddy” who will pair up with him/her for crafts, games, dinner and most importantly an individualized introduction to their new Bible on Sunday evening. (If you are new to APC and have a 2nd grader you’d like to have included, please contact Anne Foote at 610-642-6650, Ext. 13.)

Pastor's Pen: Ducks in a Row

Recently, I was reminded of an old friend of the family who passed away many years ago. He was a wonderful pastor. He became a mentor for Sara and a wonderful example for me. He was organized, and he believed in following process and procedures. Our friend had a phrase that he used all the time --“get all your ducks in a row.” In fact, I was thinking of him because someone had used those words.

Although the origin of the phrase is somewhat obscure, many believe that “ducks in a row” comes from the world of bowling. In one variation of the game, the pins are known as duckpins. Before each bowl, the players must ensure that the pins are set up appropriately - “ducks in a row.” The words have come to mean paying attention to detail and ensuring that things are in their proper place.

In the church, we have a word for “getting your ducks in a row.” We call it “stewardship.” As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. We have God to thank for our talents, our time, our money and our relationships. We should pay attention to God's priorities as we try to get the details right. Instead of hoarding our talents, we use them for the love of God and of neighbor. We spend time with those in need. We build good relationships. We use our money to support the church's worship and ministry. We plan and prepare.

Sometimes in my life, “getting your ducks in a row” seems more like “herding cats.” If we aren't careful, our stewardship can devolve into a chore or a stressful burden. We should take the time to realize that God is not dependent on our imperfect efforts. Instead, every opportunity to serve and to give is a loving response to the love given to us by God (1 John 4:19). We care about the details, “getting our ducks in a row,” because God has cared about us.

All Church Hayride, RSVP by Oct 5

ALL-CHURCH HAYRIDE AND HOT DOG AND S’MORES BONFIRE

• Saturday, October 17^th from 5 to 7 p.m.
• At Sugartown Farms in Malvern
• Cost: $5 per person

So that wagons can be reserved, we’ve been asked to give Sugartown a head count by Monday, October 5^th.

Please RSVP via e-mail or phone the Church Office at 610-642-6650

2009 Harvey Cedars Youth Retreat

It's time to think about the high school retreat at Harvey Cedars. The dates are December 4-6, and we have received an e-mail which tells a bit about this year's program. If you are interested in going, contact the Ardmore Presbyterian Church office, and we will make the arrangements.

Hello wonderful youth leaders,

It's once again time to think about our annual trip to LBI for High School Harvey Cedars which is December 4-6, 2009. I'm pleased to announce that this year my Sr. Pastor Rev. Bill Borror will be our keynote speaker, and our theme will be "Encounter." Bill was in youth ministry for about 15 years prior to his Ordination, and then even worked with youth ministries for the following 5 years. He was an Area Director with Young Life as well, and has an amazing passion for youth and young adults. He has been at Media Presbyterian for 15 years now, and is an Affiliate Professor of Church History and Pastoral Ministry at Palmer Theological Seminary. I'm also pleased to announce we'll have 4th Man Furnace back again this year as our worship team.

The cost for this year has increased a bit, but hopefully not enough to make it painful. The cost for the whole weekend per person is $125; $5 more than last year. I'll need your final numbers for the retreat Monday November 9th, but I need your guesses and deposit of $100 by October 1st. Please make your deposit check payable to Media Presbyterian Church, with the memo "HSHC Retreat."

I'd love to hear back from you prior to October 1st even if it's just to say, "Yes we're in," or "Sorry we can't make it." I'd also love to hear back from you if you're interested in helping with one of several areas, namely, the Prayer Room, and group games. We've scrapped the movie time this year which will add to some fellowship time for your ministries, and hopefully some mingling between groups as well. So the biggest change to our schedule is organized chaos, errr, organized games from 1-3 Saturday afternoon in the gym, and free time from 3-4:30ish in the pool and football field thereafter.

There will be far more to come in the next several weeks but please know that I have begun praying for this event long before now, and will continue to do so as our time together approaches. I hope and trust you'll do the same.

Blessings,
Mark Boyd
Director Youth and Outreach Ministries
Media Presbyterian Church

Moment for Ministry: Associate Pastor Nominating Committee Update

(Given in worship Sunday, September 13 by Elaine Giese)

I am speaking to you this morning on behalf of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. First I would like to reintroduce the members of the committee: Jim Dormond and Christian Terwiesch are co-moderators, Carol Shih is our clerk, and the other members are Will Wolverton, Curt Wilson, Barbara Simons and myself.

We have been meeting regularly this summer beginning in July and, thanks to the miracle of modern technology, we have been able to keep in touch even when some of us were on vacation. Our goal was to rewrite the Church Study and then to prepare information for the Church Information Form that is used to advertise the position of Associate Pastor for our church. The fact that a church study had been done very recently was of invaluable assistance and we
owe a debt of thanks to the PNC which called James Hodsden. Our work on that form included updating information and evaluating programs in light of the desires and talents of our new senior pastor. One of our meetings was devoted to having James share with us his interests and dreams for the church.

Both of these documents were presented to the Session at the August meeting. Their corrections and revisions have been included and the documents were approved as edited. The next step was to ask the Committee on Ministry of the Philadelphia Presbytery to approve both forms. That was accomplished in early September. We are now posting the Church Information Form on the national Presbyterian website, our website and have placed ads in Presbyterian Outlook and Presbyterians Today. The committee has devised a system for evaluating the resumes we will receive. If you would like to check out the documents, you can look at the church website or ask one of us for a copy.

We appreciate your prayers. We are also praying that we will feel God guiding us through this process to find the right person to call as our Associate Pastor.

The Other Carpenter: RSVP by Sept 24

Earlier this year, the Philadelphia Inquirer ran an editorial* about the poor condition of housing in the City of Philadelphia. The editorial cited the results of two studies that concluded that maintaining livable, low income housing for residents was possible simply by implementing the skills of “your average handyman”. Although the editorial’s focus was mainly on abandoned houses in the city and how to avoid those circumstances, a subtext of the editorial was that by applying basic maintenance skills, homeowners can prevent the conditions that lead to homes being abandoned and avoid conditions that cause health problems. (For example, in 2006, a survey showed that 8000 households in the city had no working kitchen or bathroom.)

During these difficult financial times, building new affordable housing is not feasible. However, by helping local homeowners apply basic maintenance skills, we can prevent health issues and keep homes from being abandoned. By preserving neighborhoods and strengthening our communities we all benefit. As a hands-on ministry, The Other Carpenter is part of the solution to the housing problem. Volunteers help with maintenance and home improvements for low-income and elderly families. By participating in Saturday sessions with The Other Carpenter (TOC), YOU CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

The Mission Committee is sponsoring another event with The Other Carpenter (TOC) on Saturday, October 3, 2009. Everyone is welcome to participate, whether you have skills or not. David Heaton, the Executive Director, and one of his technicians will coach and supervise the group.

If you are interested in participating, please contact the church office by Thursday, September 24, 2009 at ardpres@verizon.net or phone 610-642-6650.

*Editorial, “Falling Homes: Fixer-uppers”, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Friday, February 2, 2009.

Shine-Up Saturdays Announced

In the late 1980s, a church trustee, George Sargent, organized volunteers on a Saturday to help make repairs to the church property. Since that time, "Shine-up Saturdays" have provided several thousands of dollars of savings to the church. Also, the time together has been a wonderful way to build friendships and bonds within the church.

Since Ardmore Presbyterian Church will be hosting the Philadelphia Presbytery in November 2009, we need your help to get the church property "looking great." We have four opportunities in the coming weeks.

Shine-Up Saturdays scheduled for the Fall of 2009 are: September 26, October 3, October 31, November 7, and November 21.

Please email, ardpres@verizon.net, or phone, 610-642-6650, for your possible dates as soon as you can.

Oct 18: CROP Walk

Join others in the church family and larger community in support of the 31st annual Main Line CROP Walk for World Hunger on Sunday, October 18th. Leave from the Suburban Square Parking Lot at 1:00 pm. Last year $2,970 was raised at Ardmore Presbyterian Church to alleviate hunger worldwide and to provide disaster relief. Both walkers and sponsors are needed. For more information contact the church office.

Ardmore Community Food Cupboard

More and more folks are stopping by the Ardmore Community Food Cupboard housed at APC.

Currently needed: canned potatoes (white/sweet), Progresso soups, pork & beans, jellies or jams.

However, all non-perishable goods are welcome. Please leave items in the narthex on Sundays or in the church office. Our food cupboard is open to any in the surrounding area who for whatever reason are not able to get through the month on the resources they have. Some folks who come to the food cupboard are referred to us by ElderNet or other social service agencies.

New Class: "Galatians"

When people ask me what my favorite Epistle is I never hesitate to answer that it is the letter from Paul to the Galatians. It seems an unusual choice to some. In Galatians, Paul often writes in an angry tone, even grabbing the pen from his scribe at one point and writing in enormous letters. He rarely has anything kind to say to the subject of his letter.

What interests me about Galatians is the deep passion with which Paul writes to defend his own integrity as an apostle, his teachings on Christian freedom, his interpretation of the story of Abraham and Sarah, his insistence upon equality of people regardless of background, gender, or economic status, and his description of "The Fruit of the Spirit". I hope you can join me as we study the "wheres, whens, and whats" of Galatians this fall!

DATES: Weekly, Sunday, September 20 - Sunday, October 25
TEACHER: Sara Hodsden

New Class: "How to Spell Presbyterian"

Ask three Presbyterians for their opinion, and invariably you will get four or five perspectives. Sometimes it gets confusing as to what we believe and do. Every once in a while, it's nice to have a reminder of our foundations. A new Sunday School class will be starting on September 20 to explore what it means to be a Christian, a Presbyterian, and a member of the Ardmore Presbyterian Church. It's designed for people considering to join the congregation, but life-long Presbyterians might enjoy the conversation. We will be studying Scripture, reviewing our traditions, and asking lots of questions. The class will be six weeks long, and we will be meeting in the William Faulds Library starting at 9am. Please contact Pastor James for more information. Join us as we learn “How to Spell Presbyterian”.

DATES: Weekly, Sunday, September 20 - Sunday, October 25
TEACHER: James Hodsden

The Build-it Bus

The Build-it Bus web site: www.builditbus.com

The Build-it Bus is a traveling, creative workshop that operates out of a refitted SEPTA para-transit bus. The Bus is supported by Ardmore Presbyterian Church and run by APC volunteers. The bus travels to city school yards teaching skilled handicrafts to urban children. Students work on the bus itself, which is equipped with workbenches and manual tools re-engineered for use by children.
Urban children have very little opportunity to work with their hands. We are looking for volunteers to help students learn important and rewarding life skills. Last year students made drums and chess sets (and learned to play chess). This year the kids will take a basic woodworking course. A silk screen shop, a magic trick shop (designed to give kids practice with reading comprehension), learning how to use a sewing machine and learning needle work are also planned. This year the Bus will be traveling regularly to Rhoads Elementary and possibly Leidy Elementary, both in West Philly. Short term projects are planned for the John Gloucester House, the Barry School and other locations.


The Build-it Bus works with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children. Volunteers go through WePAC’s volunteer training process (not difficult). WePACs’ training sessions are scheduled for September 23 or September 24.

Contact Sherina Poorman through the church office 610 642 6650

Sushi and Mission

Often when we think of Church, we are limited to the institutional church. We forget that the people are the Church. When we think of mission or ministry we focus too often on the structures of the church. This is the wrong approach. We should instead begin with the basics—love of God and the love of our neighbor. Our ministry should flow from those basic commitments. In a recent article for the Presbyterian News Service, Rev. Mark Lau Branson, a professor at Fuller Seminary, gives an example from his own church of mission which doesn’t begin with structures.

A woman at his church noticed that many people were homebound and in need of meals. His church is largely Japanese-American, but Meals on Wheels does not serve Japanese food. The woman got a group together to deliver sushi, not only providing cultural food but time for conversation. The church has no budget for this, but the women didn’t let that stop them — they just did it.

If you are a Christian, you are the Church. If you are the Church, you are involved in mission. This can be at your workplace, in your family, and with your neighbors.

Youth Triennium 2010

Please mark your calendar July 20-24, 2010. We will be joining over 7,000 youth and adults from around the world at the National Presbyterian Youth Triennium. Youth from the ages of 15-19 will gather at Purdue University for a time of fellowship, faith and fun. We will be traveling with other members of Philadelphia Presbytery. Since it only happens once every three years, every senior high youth will definitely want to consider it.

Check out these links...

• http://www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/
• http://www.facebook.com/Triennium

Wednesday Bible Studies

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY/LUNCH
WEDNESDAYS BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 16 AT NOON (Fellowship Hall)

Every week, we enjoy some home-cooking as we wrestle with the Scriptures. Good conversation, laughter and questions are always welcome. This fall we are turning to the Old Testament, specifically to the Book of Job. In our survey we will explore God's sovereignty, the limits of our theology and the problem of suffering in the world. That's a lot for lunch, but our men like challenges. Still, don't let the subject matter overwhelm. A desire to learn is all that our participants need. If you would like to join us, please contact Pastor James or just show up. Meetings end at 1:30 pm. Leader: James Hodsden

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
WEDNESDAYS BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 16 AT NOON (Library)

During the first half hour we eat a brown-bag lunch, catch up on each others’ lives and share the Hugs List. Bible study begins at 12:30 with prayer. Currently we are reading the book of Acts. Members of the group take turns reading a portion of the scripture. Since many of us have different translations of the Bible, we often begin our discussion by talking about what words may be different or where emphasis varies. We also share commentary that may be included
in our various Bibles. The historical context of scripture is often helpful in understanding passages that may seem strange to us in our modern world. We usually end the discussion of a passage by looking at the ways in which what has been read relates to our lives today. Although we read through the books from beginning to end, occasional visitors would have no difficulty dropping in on the group and sharing in that day’s discussion. We end our meetings at 1:30 pm. Leader: Elaine Giese

Helping the Homeless

BEING GOD’S HANDS...SHOWING GOD’S LOVE
CAN BE DONE RIGHT HERE IN ARDMORE BY HELPING WITH
THE INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK

Volunteers needed on Saturday evening, September 12, 2009 to:

1. Prepare* and serve dinner (5:00 to 6:30 pm) at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
2. Host guests and/or children from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

A sign-up sheet is in the narthex or talk with Anne Foote, IHN Coordinator

*If it is not possible for you to serve dinner, food can be prepared and brought to APC beforehand and others can do the serving.

Pastor's Pen: We Get to Carry Each Other

In the U2 song, “One”, Bono croons “We get to carry each other.” In other words, we have the privilege and the honor to carry each other’s burdens. That’s not a bad vision for who we are as the Church. According to the Scriptures, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). With our various abilities, talents, and perspectives, we still are united in our faith.

In a way, every conflict or disagreement is an opportunity for the church. We can show the world a different way to treat each other. We get to love as God loves.


Grace & Peace,
James

-------------------------------


“One” by U2

Is it getting better?
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you now?
You got someone to blame
You say

One love
One life
When it's one need
In the night
One love
We get to share it
Leaves you baby if you
Don't care for it

Did I disappoint you?
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well it's

Too late
Tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other
One

Have you come here for forgiveness?
Have you come to raise the dead?
Have you come here to play Jesus?
To the lepers in your head

Did I ask too much?
More than a lot.
You gave me nothing,
Now it's all I got
We're one
But we're not the same
Well we
Hurt each other
Then we do it again
You say
Love is a temple
Love a higher law
Love is a temple
Love the higher law
You ask me to enter
But then you make me crawl
And I can't be holding on
To what you got
When all you got is hurt

One love
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should
One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers
One life
But we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other

Youth Kick off Party!

On September 12, from 5pm to 7pm, we are kicking off the year with dinner and games at Carol Poorman Shih’s house. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call.

DATE: September 12, 2009 5-7 pm
RSVP by calling the church at 610-642-6650

New Plans for the Youth Fellowship

The Youth Leaders are excited to get to know your children as we all grow in relationship with each other and with Jesus Christ.

We have set some new goals for this year.

• to love God;
• to love neighbor;
• to build up the body of Christ;
• and to provide pastoral care to our youth.

We will try to accomplish these goals in a variety of ways. Youth Fellowship will consist of three components: a weekly meeting, monthly missions, and special events. Youth are invited to join us for any and all of these as they are able. As you can tell, some details are still being worked out. We want your input as well as your youth. We hope to finalize a calendar in the next few weeks. Below is a brief outline of this year’s program.

Weekly Meetings
This year our Wednesday night meetings will have two parts. Part One begins at 5 pm in the Parish House till 5:45 pm and will consist of games and other fellowship activities. Part Two begins around 6:15 pm, and we end at 7 pm. This component will consist of a Bible study or an exploration of an issue of our faith.

In between, we will share a meal together. Like last year, we need your help to make this possible. We are asking that each week a different youth and his/her family bring dinner for everyone (approximately 15 people). Please contact us to let us know when you can help.

Monthly Mission
In addition to our weekly get-together, we will be joining some local mission projects. We are hoping to do this approximately once a month, on a Saturday or a school holiday. We will meet at the church and travel together to the mission site.

Special Events
In past years, the youth have participated in a variety of activities, including Ski Trips to the Poconos, skating at Penn's Landing, and senior high retreats. We will continue to organize special events, and are open to suggestions for new events. This fall we are planning to partner again with other Presbyterian churches for retreats – one for middle high and one for senior high – at Harvey Cedars. Details are coming.

Homecoming Picnic

September 13, 2009 - 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at South Ardmore Park

Greet old friends and meet new friends – Delicious food – Fun for all ages
Volleyball, Softball, Frisbee, Tennis and more - Playground for young children adjacent to picnic area
Please bring picnic dishes to share: hearty appetizers, salads, casseroles, desserts
RSVP: Covenant of Friendship pads or phone the Church Office
In case of rain picnic will be held in Fellowship Hall

New Sunday School Curriculum

Dear Families:

At the baptism of our children, we promise that we will raise them in the knowledge of the Lord. At Ardmore Presbyterian Church, Sunday School is just one way we live out that promise. A new, exciting year begins on Sunday, September 13^th in the Mill Creek Room.

Last year, the staff and volunteers worked hard to provide a great experience for our children. This year, the Christian Education committee again has diligently prepared for the coming year. The committee has been meeting in order to pray, think, and plan for the future of our Sunday School program.

One difference for this year is the stated goal that our children become better participants in worship. They will be given the opportunities to pray, sing, and study the Bible in a fun way. Our new curriculum is lectionary-based, which means that the lessons will cover the same Bible passages as the adults study in worship. We hope that this will better connect your children and youth to the worship service so that you can all discuss the Bible lessons each week.

Grade level groupings are a little different from last year. The groupings are as follows: 2-3 year-olds, 4-5 year olds, 1^st-2^nd grades, 3^rd-4^th grades, 5^th-6^th grades, and 7^th-8^th grades. The 2-3 year-old class will begin at 10:30 a.m., while the 4 year olds and up will begin in the worship service and be dismissed to their classes following the Children's Moment.

While 2-3 year olds will be dismissed at the conclusion of the worship service, all others will remain in their classes for an additional 15 minutes, until 11:45 a.m. This will provide teachers with needed instructional time. You may pick up your children in the Mill Creek Room.

Since we are starting with a new curriculum this year, Pastor Hodsden and I would like to meet with you all after church on Sunday, September 20^th. We hope to explain further our goals for the Sunday School program. We want to hear your thoughts, and we would like to share our expectations for your children.

I hope our Sunday School program will be an important part of this coming school year for you and your family.

In Christ,

Kristen Thomas Clarke

Director of Christian Education

Vacation Bible School 2009

"Crocodile Dock" was the theme of our Vacation Bible School for 2009. We were learning about God's love down on the bayou. It certainly was a pleasure to work with our youth and children. We would like to give a big thanks to Kristen as Christian Education Director and all of the volunteers.

Pastor's Pen: An Invitation to Prayer

Last weekend Ardmore Presbyterian Church had its first annual spiritual retreat. Around sixty adults and children came to learn and discuss our life in prayer. I personally would like to thank those who worked so hard to make the weekend such a great success. It was a wonderful beginning to our life together.

Our speaker, Bob Allums, brought several lessons over the weekend, but for me, the greatest was the invitation to keep praying. Too often our prayer lives wait for perfect conditions. We wait for the right time and the right settings for prayer. We wait for the right words and the right feelings. There is nothing wrong with trying to enrich our prayer life, but when our patterns and plans silence us, we get prayer wrong.

We postpone and delay prayer for a variety of reasons. Sometimes we fail to pray because we are disappointed in ourselves. Perhaps, we are overwhelmed with our own mistakes or sins. We promise that we will come back to God when we finally work out all those problems. At other times, we are disappointed in God. Perhaps, God appears capricious or even cruel. We stop the prayers because we hurt so much. In doing so, we cut off one of our best means of reconciliation.

In Jesus Christ, we have been adopted into God's family. We are the children of God, and God desires for us to share everything with him. I am told that in ancient times, sailors would tie themselves to the mast of their ships as they entered a storm. To survive, they had to hold tightly to the security of the boat. In prayer, we need to hold onto God just as securely. We need not to be afraid of our anger and shame. We can bring our doubts and mangled words before God. In fact, he can use those very encounters to shape us into the people he desires.

Keep praying.

Grace & Peace,
James