Pine Street Life December 2013

Pine Street VOLUME 33 | ISSUE 12

Pine Street Presbyterian Church

DECEMBER 1, 2013

Christmas Journeys

by Russell Sullivan, Pastor

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

This Christmas Eve will be one of lines, taking shoes off at checkpoints, the strangest Christmas Eves for me paying extra for luggage — all of ever. My family will be thousands of that gives us some empathy into miles away in the country of Lebanon. the plight of Mary and Joseph as On Christmas Day, they were herded I will then be flying down the road to to the Middle East Bethlehem at a Christmas Eve Services to join them. Flying very inconvenient 6:00pm on Christmas Day! time in their lives.

Family Service with I’ve never done that Can you imagine Communion and Candlelight before, and then I a modern Mary actually arrive on struggling to take 11:00pm the 26th when all her shoes off from Service of Communion the festivities have feet made swollen and Candlelight concluded. Lately, by pregnancy? the farthest I have Or Joseph Sermon by ever traveled on accidentally Dr. Russell Sullivan Christmas Day is throwing away The Choir with from the couch to the baby oil and Carols of the dinner table. Not Mary’s favorite the Holy Night much effort there hand lotion that or personal growth she had packed (except around the for the journey? girth).

Or imagine modern Mary Mary and Joseph were also and Joseph being told that they just travelers on Christmas Eve, and missed their flight and there is no travelers everywhere in every time room at the Holiday Inn? and place face the same struggles.

Ours are compounded by modernity and technology. Waiting in airport See Journeys on page 2

Communication Center

by Eileen Kunkle

Many church members attended a special church forum recently to discuss ideas to help the church boards and staff as we enter a special period of prayerful study and discernment concerning the future and direction of Pine Street. Studies and discussions like these are important when major staff changes occur.

See Communication on page 3

Session Notes. . . . . . . . . . . 2 Trustee Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . 3 December Calendar. . . . . . . 7 December Scripture . . . . . . 8

December At A Glance Advent Breakfast. . . . . . . . . . 1 Hanging of the Greens. . . . . 3 Nine Lessons & Carols. . . . 15 Christmas Eve. . . . . . . . . . . 24 College/Youth Breakfast. . . 29

PSL Deadline Articles, photos and items of interest for the January, 2014 issue of Pine Street Life are due by December 15, 2013.

Please e-mail to Sue Black at BL3COL@aol.com

JOURNEYS Continued from page 1

Bagels & Belief

It may be a tired cliché, but all of life is a travel narrative, a journey somewhere and hopefully into becoming something. I met a veteran of Afghanistan recently, maimed and injured by war. He has a tough journey ahead of him, but with the love of people and the support of his country and the surprising grace of God, he is on a journey to becoming something whole and new. It’s not easy. Just like the conversation I had with one of our Downtown Daily Bread clients.

It’s not easy being hungry or homeless, but our support of that ministry gives people the confidence that their journey will come to an end with food on the table, an apartment, and a new life. Or maybe your journey is like that of the man who told me that his faith made no sense to him anymore. His journey was going to require some re-thinking, and that is a challenge too. Like Mary and Joseph, and countless other pilgrims in life, we are trying to make our way in the world, squeezed by family demands, weary from personal and professional struggles, and hoping that somewhere along our way someone will see us as precious and beloved.

January 5, 2014 Education Crisis?

Or is Poverty the Real Problem?

Rev. Sandra Strauss

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

All journeys come to an end. Mary and Joseph’s travel ended in the birth of Christ, the source of hope, forgiveness, and all new beginnings. And if your journey is weary and heavy, know that you have a lot of pilgrims traveling with you on Christmas Eve. The longing of all of our hearts is to arrive at the place where we are welcomed, not as strangers, but as expected guests of this Christ. May your Advent journey not be too inconvenient, and may it lead you to Christ, our hope and our destination.

Session Notes for November Elected Robert Wilson as congregation treasurer for 2014.

Elected Elders Alwine and Cameron to represent Pine Street at Presbytery meeting, December 3, 2013.

Approved and forwarded to Presbytery a Covenant Agreement for Pastoral Relationships between the Presbyter, Elder Craig Kegerise, and Pine Street Church for the purpose of providing temporary, nonsalaried pastoral services beginning January 1, 2014 and in effect for three years, renewable.

Approved agreement with Rev Heather Sigler as non-salaried Parish Associate at Pine Street.

Approved budget for 2014 of Income of $790,311.00 and expenses of $827,124.00.

Add this to your Christmas List!

Women’s Retreat: March 14-16, 2014

by Eileen Kunkle

This retreat is a wonderful gift for a woman to give to themselves or a man or children to give to a wife, mother, or other woman in their life. The speaker this year will be the Rev. Deborah A. McKinley, a former Associate Pastor at Pine Street. Her topic will be Hitting the Pause Button: Sabbath Rest. It will be an inspiring, restful retreat with opportunities for learning, relaxation, and fellowship with other women.

Once again, the retreat will be held at Camp Hebron, Halifax, PA which is about a 30 minute drive from the church. The cost will be $175 for a double room. If a single room is desired there is an additional Page 2

charge of $45. This includes all presentations, five meals, and lodging for two nights in comfortable, spacious, motel-like accommodations.

Signups begin this month at the Welcome Center in the Gathering Place. If you have participated in retreats before, invite someone new to come this year.

If you have never been to a retreat, consider doing so for the first time. You will be glad you did. Your retreat committee this year is Cheryl Goode, Eileen Kunkle, Pam Bauer, Sondra Fertig, Carol Putt, Jo Dolbin, and Stevi Sharp. Please speak to one of us if you have any concerns or questions. www.pinestreet.org

COMMUNICATION Continued from page 1 In an attempt to give members a way to easily communicate ideas to the staff and boards, a communication system has been set up. There are two wooden boxes — one on a table in the narthex (back of the church) and one in the Gathering Place on a ledge near the parking ticket table. There are forms there which may be taken home, completely completed, and returned to those the locked boxes. You may also fill in this form online under the Get Involved tab on the church website.

These comments will be routed to the correct board, committee, or staff person by a group of one or two church members.

These comments will remain confidential.

Your name and other identifying information will be removed from them before they are forwarded if you request it. You will receive a response to your comment or concern.

These comments and concerns may be personal or church issues. Remember staff and board members are occupied by many things on Sunday and at church events. This will insure that your thoughts are in writing and can be considered when there is time to pay full attention to them. Please take advantage of this opportunity.

Pine Street Life

The Giving Tree

by Laura Messner

This year, remember to “branch out” to our neighbors in need by supporting Pine Street’s annual Giving Tree. You can sign up at a table in the Gathering Place where details about agencies and gifts will be displayed. Sign-ups began on November 24th and will continue on December 1st and 8th. Gifts should be returned to the table on December 8th and 15th.

Individual presents can be put in gift bags or wrapped.

All other items should be unwrapped.

All monetary contributions should be made out to individual agencies. This year’s agencies: Delta Community — strengthens families with children by providing life-skill services and transitional housing Gifts for individuals

Trustee Notes for November Bob Wilson agreed to continue to serve as Treasurer until May 2014. Would welcome volunteers.

Property Committee is continuing work to eliminate deficiencies in the building in hopes we may again get insurance.

Trustees approved funding for the construction of the Transcept Chapel less the funds needed to remove, and replace with chairs, the front three rows of pews in the main sanctuary.

HELP Ministries — provides emergency services such as shelter, rent assistance, and heating fuel Money for vouchers which are sent directly to landlords or fuel vendors Promise Place — provides housing for women who are just out of prison who are trying to turn their lives around Gifts for individuals Downtown Daily Bread — provides hot, nourishing meals for the poor and homeless in downtown Harrisburg Personal care items and cold weather accessories (socks, hats, gloves, scarves) to donate to clients Community Check-Up Center — provides compassionate and caring medical services New or gently-used books to be distributed to families to encourage reading Hansel and Gretel Early Learning Center — provides an educational and nurturing environment for a diverse population of children in the Harrisburg area New and lightly-used clothing items for young children

The Women’s Retreat Planning committee is looking for memorabilia from previous women’s retreats at Pine Street.

We would like to begin a scrapbook to record the history of this popular event. If you have photos, newsletters, mailings, or other items that might be of use please give them to Carol Putt or Eileen Kunkle. The items will be returned if you would like them to be. If you have any questions please call Eileen Kunkle at 717652-5060.

Page 3

Lay Visitation Ministry and Prayer Chain

by Heather Kegerise & Ron Poorman

It is no secret that Pine Street is experiencing some new and exciting changes. Staff, Session, the Board of Deacons and our members are doing a great job coming up with new and different ideas to reach out to each other and to the community.

You may have heard that a new Lay Visitation Ministry is being developed at Pine Street. This ministry is designed to build relationships within our congregation as well as assist There Dr. Sullivan with his visitation duties. is no The committee currently consists of five concern current or past Deacons and Elders and too small Dr. Sullivan. Heather Kegerise is the to go Chair of the committee with Christine unnoticed Ewing assisting as the Session liaison.

The intent of the committee is to work closely with the Pastor, Elders, Board of Deacons and various committees to try to assure all within our walls feel valued and cared for.

As a visitation need arises, or if you would just like to talk about something that concerns you, we encourage members to call the church office and make the need known. The message will then be given to Dr. Sullivan (of course, any confidential concerns would only be handled by Dr. Sullivan himself). If Dr. Sullivan is unable to visit in person, he will pass the need on to the chair of the committee and a member of the committee will call to schedule a visit with you within a few days. The hope of the committee is also to perform visits or phone calls after a hospital stay, illness, or simply a follow up phone call regarding a concern you may have had.

Another aspect of the initiative to care for each other is the placement of prayer cards in the pews.

Each Sunday, you may place a prayer card into the offering plate, and they will be given to Dr. Sullivan after the service. On the card, you can name a personal concern or someone who you know is in need of prayer, whether they are members or friends of Pine Street.

During the following week, the Pine Street Prayer Chain will be activated.

This means that anyone who volunteers to pray for those in need will be alerted and prayers will begin. Participants will be assigned to an Elder and a “chain” will be constructed. With confidential prayer requests being handled by the Page 4

pastor, the remaining prayer cards will be given to the lay visitation team.

The prayer chain will be activated by having the chair send an email to all Elders. Upon receipt, each Elder will contact the person assigned to him/her and communicate the information contained in the email. Those participating in the Prayer Chain will then pray for those on the list. Sign up for the prayer chain in the Gathering Place because prayer matters.

Music for Advent and Christmas

by Tom Clark-Jones

Last month’s Pine Street Life carried a full article about the Advent and Christmas music coming in December. So this is just a quick follow up to make sure you don’t forget to be with us for these special holiday events.

On December 8, the second Sunday of Advent, at the 11:00am worship hour, the Chamber Singers, present Richard Please take Shephard’s cantata advantage of these Welcome All Wonders, a wonderful opportunities work commissioned by the to share, visit, pray and choir and congregation care for each other. There in honor of Minister of is no concern too small to Music Emeritus, Donald go unnoticed. By building Clapper. This wonderful deeper relationships set of texts drawn from with each other, we can the English Mystical poets experience blessings and Henry Wadsworth beyond our imagination. Longfellow brings Praise be to God our together the joy of the Father each and every season in distinguished day for our faith, our poetry accompanied church, our world and by glorious music. each and every person Jonathan Hays is our we encounter as we travel guest soloist. There will through this life together. be a full worship service with the music serving as the proclamation of the Word with communion following.

Then, the following Sunday, December 15 at 6:30pm, the Choir and Handbell Choir join in presenting the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons See Music on page 5

www.pinestreet.org

POINSETTIAS ORDER FORM – 2013 If you would like to purchase a poinsettia that will be used for decorating the sanctuary for Christmas, please complete the form below. There will no longer be automatic renewals for ordering poinsettias.

The form can be either mailed or put in the box in the Gathering Place along with your check made payable to Pine Street Presbyterian Church (please specify in the memo that this is for poinsettias). The costs of the poinsettias are $8.00 each. Deadline for orders is December 15, 2013.

WORDING OF DEDICATION: In Memory of __________________________________________________________ In Honor of __________________________________________________________ Given by __________________________________________________________ Amount Enclosed*___________________ *Payment is due when order form is submitted.

Mailing address is: Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 WE MUST HAVE THE ABOVE FORM FILLED OUT AND PUT IN THE BOX IN THE GATHERING PLACE (BOX IS MARKED). IF YOU DO NOT FILL OUT THIS FORM, YOU WILL NOT HAVE YOUR MEMORIAL LISTED IN THE CHRISTMAS BULLETIN, EVEN IF YOU HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE IT DONE AUTOMATICALLY FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

Pine Street Life

MUSIC Continued from page 4 and Carols. The music of John Tavener, Andrew Carter, Peter Kneale, Jackson Berkey, Harold Darke and others is featured, with the assistance of Elizabeth Etters-Asmus, harpist.

The highlight of the evening is the singing of all the favorite carols by the congregation and choir. Don’t miss this extraordinary event that has become a Pine Street favorite. This is an excellent service with which to introduce your friends to the beauty of worship here at Pine Street. So set the date aside, and join us and bring your friends!

Page 5

Christmas Joy Offering The Christmas Joy Offering will be collected on December 22, 2013. Your gift to this offering will support past, present and future leaders of the Presbyterian Church through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, as well as the development of racial-ethnic church leadership. Whether providing financial assistance to current and former church workers and their families or providing opportunities for deserving students to attend Presbyterian-related racial ethnic colleges and schools, your generous gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will shine the One True Light of Christ’s Love.

Presbyterian Apartments Christmas Party You are invited!

When: Wednesday, December 4 at 12:00 noon.

Where: Top floor of the Presbyterian Apartments (take elevator to the top!!!)

What: Scripture reading, carol singing, fellowship, hot meal (meat, side dishes, desserts, coffee/tea/cold drinks), fellowship with residents of Presbyterian Apartments and other Pine Streeters.

PLEASE JOIN US as we share a lovely time with some of Pine Street’s neighbors. For more information, call Debbie Olson at 5334548 or ask any Mission Committee member.

Page 6

The Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions provides critical financial assistance to eligible workers in the PC(USA) and their families, and to qualifying retired church workers and their families. The Assistance Program also sponsors grants for vocational training of clergy. This program is nearly 300 years old and relies on voluntary gifts, legacies, endowments, and ½ of the Christmas Joy Offering.

Assistance is granted for needs that lie beyond the scope of the Benefits Plan — a safety net when financial needs exceed personal and other available resources.

Presbyterian Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges have provided quality education to people who have contributed immeasurably to the church at large and to the world. Students are educated for the professions of their choice in an environment which supports and nurtures racial and ethnic heritage. Many of the students return to their native countries and become leaders in their multicultural and multilingual communities. ½ of the Christmas Joy Offering will be used for this purpose.

PLEASE give generously to this PC(USA) Special Offering.

Gleaning At Strites Orchard Ten people, members and friends of Pine Street, gathered at 9:00am on Saturday, October 19 to glean apples at Strite’s Orchard. Within 2 hours we had gleaned more apples than on any previous gleaning outing.

Three bags of apples were delivered directly to DDB. The rest went to the Central PA Food Bank.

Thanks to Bill and Pam Bauer, John Hertzler, Cheri and Kailynn Koozer, Laura Messner, Barb and Terry Seaton, Front row: Bill Bauer, RajaTatipelli, Pam Bauer, John Hertzler, Kailynn Koozer Raja Tatipelli, and Back Row: Roger, Terry Seaton, Barb Seaton, Cheri Koozer Debbie Olson.

www.pinestreet.org

Sunday 1 First Sunday of Advent

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

2

Monday

7:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal

3

Tuesday

December, 2013

8:45 AM Staff Worship 9:15 AM Staff meeting 9:15 AM Presbytery Meeting - Paxton Church

4

Wednesday

6:00 PM KOALA 6:00 PM JYF – Boyd 6:00 PM Hanging of the Greens 7:30 PM Adult Handbell Choir

5

Thursday

6:30 PM Chamber Singers Rehearsal 7:00 PM ALC Planning meeting 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal

6

Friday

7

8 Second Sunday of Advent 9 8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Church School All Ages 9:40 AM Confirmation class 11:00 AM Worship –Sanctuary 11:00 AM Advent music 4:15 PM Youth Handbell Choir 5:00 PM SYF – Fellowship Hall & Boyd

7:00 PM Stephen Ministry 8:45 AM Staff Worship Supervision meeting 9:15 AM Staff meeting 7:00 PM ALC Volunteers Thank You

10

11

12

13

14

15 Third Sunday of Advent

16

17

18

19

20

21

22 Fourth Sunday of Advent 23

24

25

26

27

28

2

3

4

8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Church School All Ages 9:40 AM Confirmation class 11:00 AM Worship –Sanctuary 4:15 PM Youth Handbell Choir 5:00 PM SYF – Fellowship Hall & Boyd 6:30 PM Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Church School All Ages 9:40 AM Confirmation class 11:00 AM Worship –Sanctuary

8:45 AM Staff Worship 9:15 AM Staff meeting 12:00 PM Trustees meeting

8:45 AM Staff Worship 9:15 AM Staff meeting 6:00 PM Christmas Eve Family service 11:00 PM Candlelight Christmas Eve

29

8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Church School All Ages 9:40 AM Youth/College Breakfast 11:00 AM Worship –Sanctuary

30

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

Saturday

9:00 AM Set-up Poinsettias

Church & Boyd Offices Closed

31

1

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

Church & Boyd Offices Closed

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.

Periodicals Postage Paid At Harrisburg, PA 17105

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

Lectionary Readings for December Sunday December 1

Sunday December 8

Sunday December 15

Sunday December 22

Psalms 24; 150 Amos 1:1–5, 13—2:8 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 Luke 21:5–19

Psalms 24; 150 Amos 6:1–14 2 Thessalonians 1:5–12 Luke 1:57–68

Psalms 24; 150 Amos 9:11–15 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3, 13–17 John 5:30–47

Psalms 24; 150 2 Samuel 7:18–29 Galatians 3:1–14 Luke 1:57–66

First Sunday of Advent

Second Sunday of Advent

Monday December 2 Psalms 122; 145 Amos 2:6–16 2 Peter 1:1–11 Matthew 21:1–11

Monday December 9 Psalms 122; 145 Amos 7:1–9 Revelation 1:1–8 Matthew 22:23–33

Tuesday December 3 Psalms 33; 146 Amos 3:1–11 2 Peter 1:12–21 Matthew 21:12–22

Tuesday December 10 Psalms 33; 146 Amos 7:10–17 Revelation 1:9–16 Matthew 22:34–46

Wednesday December 4 Psalms 50; 147:1–11 Amos 3:12—4:5 2 Peter 3:1–10 Matthew 21:23–32

Wednesday December 11 Psalms 50; 147:1–11 Amos 8:1–14 Revelation 1:17—2:7 Matthew 23:1–12

Thursday December 5 Psalms 18:1–20; 147:12–20 Amos 4:6–13 2 Peter 3:11–18 Matthew 21:33–46

Thursday December 12 Psalms 18:1–20; 147:12–20 Amos 9:1–10 Revelation 2:8–17 Matthew 23:13–26

Friday December 6 Psalms 102; 148 Amos 5:1–17 Jude 1–16 Matthew 22:1–14

Friday December 13 Psalms 102; 148 Haggai 1:1–15 Revelation 2:18–29 Matthew 23:27–39

Saturday December 7 Psalms 90; 149 Amos 5:18–27 Jude 17–25 Matthew 22:15–22

Saturday December 14 Psalms 90; 149 Haggai 2:1–9 Revelation 3:1–6 Matthew 24:1–14

Third Sunday of Advent

Monday December 16 Psalms 122; 145 Zechariah 1:7–17 Revelation 3:7–13 Matthew 24:15–31 Tuesday December 17 Psalms 33; 146 Zechariah 2:1–13 Revelation 3:14–22 Matthew 24:32–44 Wednesday December 18 Psalms 50; 147:1–11 Genesis 3:8–15 Revelation 12:1–10 John 3:16–21 Thursday December 19 Psalms 18:1–20; 147:12–20 Zephaniah 3:14–20 Titus 1:1–16 Luke 1:1–25 Friday December 20 Psalms 102; 148 1 Samuel 2:1b–10 Titus 2:1–10 Luke 1:26–36 Saturday December 21 Psalms 90; 149 2 Samuel 7:1–17 Titus 2:11—3:8a Luke 1:39–48a (48b–56)

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Monday December 23 Psalms 122; 145 Jeremiah 31:10–14 Galatians 3:15–22 Luke 1:67–80 or Matthew1:1–17 Tuesday December 24 Christmas Eve

Psalms 33; 146 Isaiah 60:1–6 Galatians 3:23—4:7 Matthew 1:18–25

Saturday December 28 Psalms 2; 149 Isaiah 49:13–23 Isaiah 54:1–13 Matthew 18:1–14 Sunday December 29

First Sunday after Christmas

Psalms 96; 150 1 Samuel 1:1–2, 7b–28 Colossians 1:9–20 Luke 2:22–40 Monday December 30 Psalms 93; 145 1 Kings 17:17–24 3 John 1–15 John 4:46–54

Tuesday December 31 Psalms 98; 146 Wednesday December 25 1 Kings 3:5–14 Nativity of Jesus Christ / James 4:13–17, 5:7–11 Christmas Day John 5:1–15 Psalms 2; 147:1–11 Micah 4:1–5, 5:2–4 1 John 4:7–16 John 3:31–36

Thursday December 26 Psalms 116; 147:12–20 2 Chronicles 24:17–22 Acts 6:1–7 Acts 7:59—8:8 Friday December 27 Psalms 34; 148 Prov. 8:22–30 1 John 5:1–12 John 13:20–35