New Philadelphia News September is upon us! Whether driven by weather
or school calendars, the slide into Fall is one that leads us easily into routines and rituals. For some this may bring tailgating, for others homework, or maybe both. But all these things flow well into the concepts of harvest time, gathering in from the joys of Summer and preparing the soil for next things. Gregory Norbert offers these words to describe the season of harvest. “A time for kneading love’s leaven well, to open up and go beyond ourselves; and as we reach for this moment, we know that love is a gift born in care.”
This is a time to open ourselves and discover new things or uncover things in places that we haven’t explored before even though they are familiar. For children and youth it is the very tangible forming of new community in their class groupings and schedule patterns. For others of us, it may be engaging in a new small group or fresh volunteer commitment. Or it may simply be viewing the comfort of long-standing community in the light of a new season and the projects of that time together.
Fall Education SundayKick-Off On September 13, Education Sunday, we will celebrate some of our many opportunities to grow in the fertile soil of community this year. Throughout September, consider what might offer you fresh bread in this harvest season and get involved in some of these opportunities.
want your child to grow into a resilient adult faith? How can we support your family this year? Join us at the Picnic Shelter to discuss focus for this year and opportunities for an upcoming parent topic series with Ellen Fox. 5:30-6pm - Fellowship Kick-off Dinner for all New Philly Kids and Youth families! All children, youth and their parents are invited to come and share in this meal together. Plan to bring a side dish or dessert. 5:30-7pm - Youth Fellowship, for 6th-12th grade youth, is a time filled with service opportunities, hands-on exploring of faith and support of one another. Join our leaders, Erin and Ross, as they share about the year ahead. 3:30pm Children’s Choir & 5pm Youth Choir, are opportunities for young people to be active leaders in our worship throughout the year. Join in these groups as they get started on this year’s music in the Sanctuary! Sunday School Groups for Children & Youth - 10am: • Nursery - Room 211, Infants - 24 months • 2-4’s - Room 214 • PreK/Kindergarten - Room 108 • 1st & 2nd Grades - Room 118 • 3rd - 5th Grades - Room 303 • Middle Highs - Youth Building Classroom • Senior Highs - Youth Building Main Room
Adult Groups for Sunday Morning - 10am: 2nd/Main Floor • New Beginnings - Topical Small Group • Inklings - Small Group Book Study • Reflections - Small Group Bible Study • Mary Martha - Women’s Small Group Book & Bible For Children and Youth on September 13: Study 9am & 11:10am Worship - Celebrate our 1st graders as • Bona Vita - Lecture-based Bible Study they receive their Bibles in Worship. 1st Floor 4-5:30pm - New Philly Kids, for children Kindergarten • David Jones - Lecture-based Bible Study through 5th grade, is a place to explore the Bible, • Discipleship - Mid-sized Group Book & Bible Study serve others and have fun! Our Church has Talent! • Discovery - Large Lecture-based Bible Study is our theme for the year ahead, join us in the Picnic 3rd Floor Shelter as we begin discovering and learning to use our • Advent - Large Lecture-based Bible Study individual talents to serve the Lord. • New Friendship - Mid-sized Group Book & Bible Study 5-5:30pm - Children’s Ministry Parent Meeting, a brief Be sure to also check out our Stephen Ministry and Book conversation for parents about the year ahead. Do you Club opportunities on the next page...