Pine Street Life February 2013

Pine Street Pine Street Presbyterian Church

VOLUME 33 | ISSUE 2

Lenten FAQs

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

By The Rev. Russell C. Sullivan, Jr., pastor

I love perusing websites, and one thing I have noticed is the frequency of a link on these sites called FAQ, or Frequently Asked Questions. We begin the very central liturgical season of Lent shortly with Ash Wednesday worship on February 13. I thought I would share with you some FAQ’s and answers about Lent.

What is the Lenten season, and why is it set apart?

Lent is a period of six weeks preceding the anniversary of Christ’s death, and is set apart as a special season of fasting, penitence, and prayer.

Why is it called Lent? Remember that the season in which Lent occurs every year is spring. The word “lent” comes from the Old Saxon word which means “spring.”

With what remarkable event in Jesus’ life does the Lenten season correspond? The forty days which Christ spent fasting in the wilderness.

FEBRUARY 1, 2013

Why is the first day of Lent called Ash Wednesday? It is called that because of the custom of the early church of sprinkling ashes on the heads of penitents the first day of Lent in token of sorrow for sin. The ashes also remind us of our mortality and dependence upon God. If Lent is only of forty days’ duration, why does it begin forty-six days before Easter? Well, there are six Sundays in Lent. Every Sunday is a festival day in honor of the Resurrection, and so those Sundays don’t count in the 40 day total for Lent. Begin your count with Ash Wednesday, exclude the Sundays, and conclude the count with Saturday before Easter, and you come up with 40 days.

How should the Lenten season be observed by Christians? As a special season for drawing near to God by acts of penitence, charity, See Lent on page 2

Celebrating Three Decades of Feeding the Hungry at DDB

by John Jewett

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Downtown Daily Bread (DDB) serving the needs of the hungry in downtown Harrisburg. A luncheon marking the occasion will be held at Pine Street on Sunday, March 10, 2013, at 12:30pm for members of all 19 religious congregations that are the core of DDB. See Luncheon on page 5

Session Notes. . . . . . . . . . . 2 Trustee Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . 3 DDB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 February Calendar. . . . . . . . 7 February Scripture . . . . . . . 8

February At A Glance Spiritual Gifts Seminar. . Feb 2 Bagels & Belief . . . . . . . . Feb 3 MAPS Event. . . . . . . . . . . Feb 8 Men’s Breakfast. . . . . . . . Feb 9 Drowsy Chaparone. . . . . Feb 10 Ash Wednesday. . . . . . . . Feb 13 Lenten Breakfast. . . . . . . Feb 17

PSL Deadline Articles, photos and items of interest for the March, 2013 issue of Pine Street Life are due by February 15, 2013. Please e-mail to Sue Black at BL3COL@aol.com

LENT Continued from page 1

Bagels & Belief February 3 Human Trafficking: The Modern Slave Trade Pastor Lang

March 3 Why Evolution Won’t Go Away Dr. Ted Davis

April 7 The Culture of Disbelief Dr. Ted Davis

May 5 It’s the Economy (again), Stupid!

Pastor Sullivan

June 2 Is it the End of Marriage as We Know It? Pastor Sullivan

All forums are held at 9:40 am in Fellowship Hall

and religious devotion, and by fasting and abstinence from all things that tend to draw our hearts from God. The purpose of Lent then is to deepen the religious life, to purify the heart, and to unite us more closely to Christ.

Fasting? Isn’t that a superstitious practice? Not at all! Jesus and his disciples fasted. (Matthew 6:17) Fasting reveals the things that control and dominate our minds. We cover up those things with food, activity, and busyness, but in fasting these things come to the surface. The main point of fasting is a voluntary denial of an otherwise normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity. By fasting, we create a space in our hearts and minds for God to occupy. Imagine giving up talk shows, especially the political chatter? Try avoiding the television, radio, the internet, newspaper, anything that interrupts our concentration. That gives us the opportunity to re-focus on the things of God and fill the emptiness fasting creates with prayer.

What are some other practices in Lent? Plan to worship on Ash Wednesday, every Sunday, and Good Friday. Read your Bible more. A good idea is to read through an entire Gospel, such as Luke, which is featured in the Sunday lectionary for Lent this year.

Pray more. Read books of a spiritual nature. Find a person from whom you are estranged and seek reconciliation. Exercise more, and pay attention to your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. And practice some solitude. The Adult Education and Spiritual Formation Committee will also offer in-home, small group studies for all who are interested.

Session Notes for January Heard the report of Cheryl Goode on jump in Wonder of Worship participation.

Noted the hiring of Elizabeth Anderson to complete the Choir Quartet.

Elected Elders Alwine and Poorman as Commissioners to February 26, 2013 Presbytery.

Initiated planning for a Session Retreat in 2013.

As your pastor, I look forward to our journey together in Lent towards Cross and Resurrection. Have a blessed and meaningful Lent!

The choir is back after their post-Christmas break and it’s a great time to come and join the group. All you need is a good singng voice and the willingness to give your time and talent to this ministry. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings 7:30 – 9:45. Child care is provided. If you wish to join, please speak to Tom Clark-Jones so he can set aside some music for you.

We’re please to welcome new members to our choir, and hopeyou will consider this ministry. Besides. . .we have a lot of fun, too!

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www.pinestreet.org

Better Late Than Never Elaine Strokoff, Executive Director

December 12, 2012 I love receiving cards and letters this time of the year. Yesterday, I received a contribution along with a thank you note from the grandmother of a young man who was raised in northern Pennsylvania. She wanted to thank DDB for “feeding her grandson when he was down on his luck” and for “caring for him” when she could not. The young man’s grandmother referred to his eating at Downtown Daily Bread for three months, receiving clothing, and using DDB lockers and showers.

She wrote us that “he is now back on his feet and doing much better.” She sent us her “blessings.”

Mission Lab Mission Lab is an opportunity for you to help our church grow and flourish. Have you ever wanted to invite somebody to church, but didn’t know how or what to say? Mission Lab can provide you with the tools you need to initiate the type of relationships that will also open doors to discipleship. Mission Lab was created by Dan and Alison Siewert, pastors for the New Church Development in Harrisburg. Mission Lab runs for three Saturdays (March 9th, April 6th, and May 4th) from 8:45am – 12:45pm and if we can get at least 12 people from our congregation to sign up, Dan and Alison will run Mission Lab at Pine Street. The cost for the three session is $125 and you can sign up at the Welcome Center.

Pine Street Life

Another card came from the father of a bi-polar son, “Alan,” who was helped by Downtown Daily Bread. He wanted to thank the counselor who took the time to get to know Alan and to help him receive the mental health counseling he needed. The father told us that Alan “is doing much better, has an apartment, and may go back to school next year.” He ended his note “without you, I don’t know where my son would be sleeping nights.”

One of the most meaningful notes we received came from a DDB client in the form of a poem. It was entitled, “New Beginnings.” The last two stanzas of the poem read as follows: “It does not take a new year to make a brand new start, it only takes a deep desire to try with all your heart.”

So never give up in despair and think that you are through for there’s always a tomorrow and a chance to start anew.”

A “New Beginning” is something that Downtown Daily Bread would like to offer everyone. In this season of hope, please help us bring hope to the hungry, poor, and homeless of Harrisburg. The men, women and children who come to us depend upon your generosity.

Please send your tax deductible donation payable to Downtown Daily Bread to help us feed the hungry for $2 a meal ($10 for 5 meals; $20 for 10 meals, etc.) and to provide our Lunch Plus services to the homeless.

DDB sends warm regards to you and yours and warm wishes for a Happy Healthy 2013.

Trustees Notes for December Concurred with the budget already approved by Session. The planning deficit for 2013 is $23,000.

Noted that the 2013 budget does not include the $75,000 annual investment in to the fund for capital repairs.

Discussed the rusting of the hot water heater in the kitchen, a need for a replacement soon and whether a heating element at each faucet might be a better option.

Love Songs for Valentines Tickets are on sale at the Welcome Center for the Love Songs for Valentines Broadway and Hollywood Revue to take place on Friday, February 8 at 7:30pm in Fellowship Hall. Join fellow Pine Streeters as we enjoy music from our choir and soloists celebrating Valentines Day and benefitting DDB. Tickets are limited, so get yours early. Great desserts and coffee, plus an evening of great music await your $15 ticket, $10 of which is a donation directly to DDB.

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Giving Tree 2012 Report

Lenten Food Drive Don’t give something up this Lent — unless it’s non-perishable items for the Ecumenical Food Pantry!!! Mission committee will again gather food and other items during the Lenten season. A list of needed items will be on the Mission Table in the Gathering Place. Please take a list with you and use it when you are shopping for groceries. Place items on the Mission Table throughout Lent. They will be taken frequently to the Ecumenical Food Pantry.

Thanks to everyone on the Mission Committee who supported this year’s Giving Tree Project, especially to those on the subcommittee who helped with sign-ups, decorations and collection, AND also to those who delivered gifts to Delta, Promise Place and Community Check-Up Center, AND finally, to those who handed out gifts to DDB clients. Summary of Gifts: Monetary: DDB: $435 CCC: $75 HELP:$800 Delta: $100(2 gift cards) TOTAL: $ 1,410 Items: Delta: Gifts for 16 individuals/ families Promise Place: Gifts for 16 individuals CCC: @ 100 books DDB: various gifts including 25 gloves, hats and scarves, 120 pairs of socks, over 40 T-shirts, over 70 razors.

Top: Marilyn Miller bringing in gift for Delta Housing Above: Barb Seaton, Norriene Koozer, and Pam Bauer sorting socks for DDB

Fair Trade Coffee We have been serving Fair Trade coffee during premium that is calculated in accordance with every coffee hours on Sunday for several years. Many pound produced. members of Pine Street were not aware of this. Some The Fair Trade Certification label allows farmers don’t know what Fair Trade coffee is. Hence this short and farm workers to escape poverty by providing them article. Information was taken from Wikipedia. the skills and the means to compete in the global “Fair Trade coffee refers to the purchasing of coffee market of agriculture products. This label assures from the growers with better conditions for workers at consumers that strict social, environmental, and a higher price than standard coffee. The purpose of economic measures are taken when the production fair trade is to promote healthier working conditions and trade of an agriculture product occurs. Fair Trade and greater economic incentives for producers, since standards require that farmers receive fair wholesale in many parts of the world there are no restrictions or prices for their crops. labor standards.

Using Fair Trade coffee during coffee hour is Coffee farmers producing fair trade-certified coffee another mission of Pine Street. It costs a little more than are required to be part of a ‘co-op (co-operative) with other coffee, but at Session’s approval several years other local growers. The co-ops determine how the ago we started this practice. If anybody is interested in premiums from fair trade coffee will be spent. Growers financially supporting this mission, please make your are guaranteed a minimum price for the coffee, and check payable to Pine Street Church and place ‘Fair if market prices exceed the minimum, they receive a Trade’ in the memo section.

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www.pinestreet.org

LUNCHEON Continued from page 1 The luncheon will be the “kick off” to several events throughout the year to “celebrate and educate” about DDB and its 30 years of progress in serving the needs of the hungry in downtown Harrisburg.

Words from the book of Isaiah offer a strong light onto our path: … if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. - Isaiah 58:10-11

At the luncheon on March 10, Brenda Ervin, DDB Kitchen Manager, will be preparing the main entrée. The Pine Street Congregational Life and Mission Committees will also be lending a hand in the preparation and service of the meal.

DDB is a pivotal part of Pine Street and our faith. It has been, still remains and is an active and essential component of our faith as a positive agent in Harrisburg and in the world. Words found in the epistle of James explain its true significance: What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. - James 20:17

For three decades, DDB has provided daily meals at noon time in the Boyd Center. Over the years, its services have grown and diversified to include counseling, showers, job search assistance, lockers, mail and more.

In the beginning, only a handful of local congregations were a part of the effort.

During the past three decades, the list of involved groups has grown beyond Pine Street to include: • Baughman United Methodist Church

• Halifax United Methodist Church

• Beth El Temple

• Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church

• Camp Hill Presbyterian Church

• Paxton Presbyterian Church

• Cathedral Church of St. Stephens

• Perry Valley Presbyterian Church

• Christ Presbyterian Church

• Progress Immanuel Presbyterian Church

• Colonial Park United Church of Christ

• Silver Spring Presbyterian Church

• Derry Presbyterian Church

• Temple Ohev Sholom

• Ebenezer United Methodist Church

• Trinity United Methodist Church

• Faith Presbyterian Church

• Zion Lutheran Church

Let’s Go To A Show!

On February 10, Pine Street is offering tickets to Theatre Harrisburg’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone. This 2006 Tony Award winner pays homage to American musicals of the Jazz Age. It is set in the dngy apartment of Man in Chair who, to cure his sadness, plays a recording of a fictional 1928 musical comedy – The Drowsy Chaparone. As he listens he is transported into the show and his apartment is transformed into an impressive Broadway production filled with zany characters, glitzy costumes, and amazing sets. Tickets are $15.00 and are available in the Gathering Place. A light lunch is also available for $5.00 at Pine Street before the show. Please sign-up for the lunch at the Welcome Center so we know how many to expect.

Please come and join us for lunch on March 10, and invite your friends.

There will also be a presentation about DDB and its programs. There is no charge for this lunch, but you are encouraged to make a contribution to Downtown Daily Bread in gratitude and appreciation for its mission in our community. Please sign up at the Welcome Center beginning on Sunday, February 10, 2013.

Pine Street Life

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Pine Street Book Club

Deaths

February 10, 2013

Jack S. Brenizer, Sr.

Folly Beach

February 20, 1925 – January 10, 2013

by Dorothea Benton Frank Pam Bauer, hostess Reviewed by Pam Bauer

March 10, 2013

If You Ask Me

by Betty White

Sondra Fertig, hostess Reviewed by Rita Falk & Barb Taylor

April 14, 2013

KOALA Club kids enjoying movie night.

Sitting (L to R): Marshall, Ian, Maggie, Sydney, Austin & Paula Standing: Zoe, Noelle, Alex, Sydney & Miranda

Men’s Breakfast

Rich Boy

Youth Mission Fundraiser

Barb Taylor, hostess Reviewed by Eileen Kunkle & Estelle Hartranft

To offset the costs involved in the youth mission trip to Haiti, we will be holding a “pick-a-prize” auction over the course of four Sundays starting March 17 and need donations of items for the auction. Do you make crafts? Are you a great cook? a skilled handyman? an expert harmonica player? Be creative with the time, talents, and treasure that you can share to make this a life-changing experience for our youth.

by Sharon Pomerantz

May 19, 2013

Violet’s Secret

by Lori Rill

Doris Coyne, hostess Reviewed by Betty Rader & Lori Rill

Book Club always meets at 7:00 pm. Sign-up at the Welcome Center.

If you, or your friends, family or employer, would like to donate an item or service, please contact Deb Anderson, Sue Black, or Stevi Sharp. All donations will be due at the church by March 3. And mark your calendars for the final drawing and light lunch after church on April 7.

You are invited to join the Pine Street Men for “the best breakfast in town” on Saturday, February 9. This will be a time of fellowship and discussion. What a great way to start the day. Breakfast at 8am in Fellowship Hall.

2012 Veterans Day Breakfast L-R John Hertzler, Bill Mader, Charles Falk, Arletta Gregg, Dick Gregg, Larry Pearce Pine Street Life (USPS 574-510) is published monthly by Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

Periodicals Postage paid at Harrisburg, PA 17105. Postmaster: Send address changes to Pine Street Life, Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

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www.pinestreet.org

February, 2013 27

Sunday

8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Church School - all ages 11:00 AM Worship –Sanctuary 4:15 PM Youth Handbell Choir 5:00 PM SYF - Fellowship Hall & Boyd

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Monday

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Tuesday

8:45 AM Staff Worship 9:15 AM Staff Meeting

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Wednesday

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Thursday

6:00 PM KOALA 6:30 PM Chamber Singers 6:00 PM JYF – Boyd rehearsal 7:30 PM Adult Handbell Choir 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal

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Friday

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8:30 AM Spiritual Gifts seminar

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13 ASH WEDNESDAY

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17 1st Sunday in Lent

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8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Bagels & Belief- Fellowship Hall 9:40 AM Church School - all ages 11:00 AM Worship –Sanctuary 4:15 PM Youth Handbell Choir 5:00 PM SYF - Super Bowl party - Lang’s house

8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Church School - all ages 11:00 AM Worship –Sanctuary 4:15 PM Youth Handbell Choir 5:00 PM SYF - Fellowship Hall & Boyd

8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Lenten Breakfast 11:00 AM Worship –Sanctuary 4:15 PM Youth Handbell Choir 5:00 PM SYF - Fellowship Hall & Boyd

24 2nd Sunday in Lent

8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Church School - all ages 11:00 AM Worship –Sanctuary 4:15 PM Youth Handbell Choir 5:00 PM SYF - Fellowship Hall & Boyd

7:00 PM Stephen Ministry Supervision

Church & Boyd Offices Closed

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8:45 AM Staff Worship 9:15 AM Staff meeting 6:30 PM Joint Board Meeting

8:45 AM Staff Worship 9:15 AM Staff Meeting 7:00 PM Program Committee Meetings

6:00 PM KOALA 6:30 PM Chamber Singers 6:00 PM JYF – Boyd rehearsal 7:30 PM Adult Handbell Choir 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal

12:10 PM Ash Wednesday Service 6:00 PM KOALA 6:00 PM JYF – Boyd 7:30 PM Adult Handbell Choir 7:30 PM Ash Wednesday Service

8:45 AM Staff Worship 12:10 PM Lenten Noonhour 9:15 AM Staff Meeting Recital 12:00 PM Trustees meeting 12:35 PM Soup & Bread Luncheon 6:00 PM KOALA 6:00 PM JYF – Boyd 7:30 PM Adult Handbell Choir

8:45 AM Staff Worship 9:15 AM Staff Meeting 9:30 AM Presbytery Meeting - Derry Presby.

1:00 PM Stephen Ministry Supervision 7:00 PM Admin & Finance meeting

12:10 PM Lenten Noonhour Recital 12:35 PM Soup & Bread Luncheon 6:00 PM KOALA 6:00 PM JYF – Boyd 7:00 PM Adult Ed/Spiritual Formation 7:30 PM Adult Handbell Choir

6:30 PM Chamber Singers rehearsal 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal

6:30 PM Chamber Singers rehearsal 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal

6:30 PM Chamber Singers rehearsal 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM Personnel Committee meeting

7:30 PM MAPS Event

Saturday

8:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 9:30 AM Kitchen Maintenance cleaning 10:00 AM Shawl Ministry

9:00 AM Set-up Lenten Breakfast

Periodicals Postage Paid At Harrisburg, PA 17105

Pine Street Presbyterian Church 310 North Third Street Harrisburg, PA 17101 www.pinestreet.org

Lectionary Readings for February Friday February 1 Psalms 88; 148 Isaiah 50:1–11 Galatians 3:15–22 Mark 6:47–56

Friday February 8 Psalms 84; 148 Isaiah 55:1–13 Galatians 5:16–24 Mark 9:2–13

Friday February 15 Psalms 22; 148 Deuteronomy 7:12–16 Titus 2:1–15 John 1:35–42

Friday February 22 Psalms 22; 148 Deuteronomy 10:12–22 Hebrews 4:11–16 John 3:22–36

Saturday February 2 Psalms 122; 149 Isaiah 51:1–8 Galatians 3:23–29 Mark 7:1–23

Saturday February 9 Psalms 63; 149 Isaiah 56:1–8 Galatians 5:25—6:10 Mark 9:14–29

Saturday February 16 Psalms 43; 149 Deuteronomy 7:17–26 Titus 3:1–15 John 1:43–51

Saturday February 23 Psalms 43; 149 Deuteronomy 11:18–28 Hebrews 5:1–10 John 4:1–26

Sunday February 3 Psalms 108; 150 Isaiah 51:9–16 Hebrews 11:8–16 John 7:14–31

Sunday February 10

Sunday February 17

Sunday February 24

Psalms 84; 150 Jeremiah 9:23–24 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 Mark 2:18–22

Psalms 84; 150 Jeremiah 1:1–10 1 Corinthians 3:11–23 Mark 3:31—4:9

Monday February 4 Psalms 62; 145 Isaiah 51:17–23 Galatians 4:1–11 Mark 7:24–37 Tuesday February 5 Psalms 12; 146 Isaiah 52:1–12 Galatians 4:12–20 Mark 8:1–10

Transfiguration of the Lord

Psalms 103; 150 Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14 2 Corinthians 3:1–9 John 12:27–36a Monday February 11 Psalms 5; 145 Deuteronomy 6:1–15 Hebrews 1:1–14 John 1:1–18

Tuesday February 12 Psalms 42; 146 Deuteronomy 6:16–25 Hebrews 2:1–10 Wednesday February 6 John 1:19–28 Psalms 96; 147:1–11 Wednesday February 13 Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Ash Wednesday Galatians 4:21–31 Psalms 5; 147:1–11 Mark 8:11–26 Jonah 3:1—4:11 Thursday February 7 Psalms 116; 147:12–20 Isaiah 54:1–10 (11–17) Galatians 5:1–15 Mark 8:27—9:1

Hebrews 12:1–14 Luke 18:9–14

Thursday February 14 Psalms 27; 147:12–20 Deuteronomy 7:6–11 Titus 1:1–16 John 1:29–34

First Sunday in Lent

Monday February 18 Psalms 119:73–80; 145 Deuteronomy 8:1–20 Hebrews 2:11–18 John 2:1–12

Second Sunday in Lent

Monday February 25 Psalms 119:73–80; 145 Jeremiah 1:11–19 Romans 1:1–15 John 4:27–42

Tuesday February 26 Tuesday February 19 Psalms 34; 146 Psalms 34; 146 Deuteronomy 9:(1–3) 4–12 Jeremiah 2:1–13, 29–32 Romans 1:16–25 Hebrews 3:1–11 John 4:43–54 John 2:13–22 Wednesday February 20 Psalms 5; 147:1–11 Deuteronomy 9:13–21 Hebrews 3:12–19 John 2:23—3:15 Thursday February 21 Psalms 27; 147:12–20 Deuteronomy 9:23—10:5 Hebrews 4:1–10 John 3:16–21

Wednesday February 27 Psalms 5; 147:1–11 Jeremiah 3:6–18 Romans 1:(26–27) 28—2:11 John 5:1–18 Thursday February 28 Psalms 27; 147:12–20 Jeremiah 4:9–10, 19–28 Romans 2:12–24 John 5:19–29