God’s Little Devotional Book, 1996
Submitted by Nancy Matthews
Mary Smith went to church one Sunday morning and winced when she heard the organist miss a note. She
noticed a teenager talking while everybody was supposed to be in prayer. She couldn’t help but notice that several
blooms in the altar flowers were wilted. She counted at least five grammatical errors made by the pastor. As she left
the church through the side door she thought, what a careless group of people!
Amy Jones went to church one Sunday morning and was thrilled at the arrangement she heard of “A Mighty
Fortress”. Her heart was touched at hearing a teenager read the morning scripture. The pastor’s sermon answered a
question that had bothered her for some time. She left by the front door thinking, what a wonderful place to worship
God!
Mary and Amy went to the same church on the same Sunday morning.
Laugh Again and Experience Outrageous Joy
Dr. Charles Swindall, 1992; Submitted by Nancy Matthews
Let’s hang tough together and love it. Dr. Swindall refers to the Apostle Paul for our example. If a man as
capable as Paul who freely admitted he had not arrived, we should have little difficulty saying the same. Some of the
unhappiest people you and I know are living their lives looking over their shoulder. What a waste! By recalling those
inglorious, ineffective events of yesterday, our energy is sapped for facing the demands of today. There are few joy
stealers more insidious than past memories that haunt our minds. Paul tells us to reach for the future! In this race
called life, we are to face forward, anticipating what lies ahead, ever stretching and reaching, making life a passionate,
adventurous quest.
Let us never shift into neutral and take whatever comes our way.
Attitude is such a vital ingredient in the life of anyone who plans to hang tough.
(Nancy’s thoughts) The older I get, I find such comfort in pulling up closely alongside a few like-minded
friends. I feel it is practical and biblical to make time for cultivating meaningful relationships. These relationships
remind us we are not alone. I believe so strongly that we should declare our commitment to maintain a high standard.
As a young girl growing up in a small town two hours south of Wellsboro, I fondly recall playing the piano for church
services and singing:
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day,
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Mike Bowen Update
Joe and Pam Davis
On behalf of Mike and Sara Bowen's families, we would like to thank the congregation for their cards and prayers
while Mike was stationed in Iraq. He has returned home safely and they will soon be moving to Travis Air Force Base
in California.
PNC Update
Peggi Yacovissi
I suspect that when we volunteered to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee, most members had no idea of the
time and work involved! We’ve been at this for six months now. Some days it feels like we just started, and some
days it seems like we’ve been together forever. We certainly know one another better now than we did in January!
On each Pastor Information Form (PIF) that we examine, there is a statement of the church characteristics desired by
that candidate. They want the kind of church that fits them while we want the pastor that fits us. Below are some of
those statements. Read them and see if you think First Presbyterian Church Wellsboro meets these expectations.
“I would like to serve in a church where I can preach the Word of God, which is the Bible. I also would like to serve in
a church where people enjoy teaching and preaching along with fellowshipping with God and His children. The
church I seek is a caring, loving and friendly congregation that desires to grow in their belief, faith and knowledge of
our Lord Jesus Christ. “
“The church will have a well established, 150-400 member rural congregation, a historically strong commitment to
both local outreach and international mission, a strong financial base, and adult leadership that is highly committed
to the faith.”
“I am eager to assist congregations in transition as they discover their distinct identity and mission. The congregation
I seek will be willing to risk the weekly encounter with God in worship whereby, hearing the Word read, proclaimed,
and encountered in the Sacraments, disciples are empowered to participate in the congregation’s life, make a
difference in their community and become involved in world-transforming issues.”
“The church’s vision should move outward as a missional church. The members would view ministry as shared and
be willing to grow in discipleship in the Lord Jesus Christ. The work of the church would be bathed in prayer.”
“As they worship and grow in Christ together, they are sent out to join God’s mission for his church by proclaiming
Christ in word and deed, locally, nationally, and throughout the world.”
As the PNC continues its work, we ask for you to continue to pray for guidance for our task. I believe that we have
each become increasingly aware of the responsibility that is part of the privilege of serving in this work. Maybe we’ll
be able to report more exciting news in the near future!
Updated FPC Prayer Chain
Ethel Day – (570) 376-4291
Nan Bowser - (570) 724-1735
Craig Devenport – (570) 724-3365
Louise Williams – (570) 724-3733
Becky Webster – (570) 724-4056
Laura Rose – (570) 724-1836
Lois Shearer – (570) 724-3175
Heather Mee - (570) 724-2145
Nancy Luke – (570) 724-1357
Sandy Foust – (570) 724-5089
Helen Putnam – (570) 724-2923
Amy DeCamp – (570) 724-3440
Marian Miller – (570) 724-5245
Please call the church office (570) 724-3431 to request your need be placed on the Prayer Chain.
Ushers Needed
Angie Cole
Ushers are needed for the worship services during July and August. If you would like to volunteer to usher for any
Sunday during these months, please contact me at 724-3106 or coleam31@mounties.mansfield.edu. Thank you!
VBS Report
WOW! We had a wonderful time Visiting Jerusalem for Vacation Bible School June 23-27th! We had 141
children and about 65 volunteers!
The children raised money throughout the week for Heifer International by taking home banks. We had a great
time at our food auction on Friday, led by Auctioneer Reverend Wagner, where even more Heifer funds were raised.
There are so many people to thank for this outstanding year of VBS, including:
-Laurel Health for setting up and letting us use the two large tents!
-Terry's Hoagies for providing the bread used during tribe time
-Todd for donating and delivering fresh rolls and bread for dinner each night
-The amazing kitchen staff, led by Lynne Coolidge, who fed about 200 people each day!
-Gene and Betty Hockemeyer, who bought pizza to feed 200 people!
-Our Registration team who smiled their way through the sign-in of 141 children!
-Our nursery staff who provided excellent care for our youngest VBS attendees
-All our wonderful tribe leaders and helpers, who lead our children on their spiritual walk throughout the week
-Dick Becker who led our dedicated adult class
-Our fabulous music team led by Dr. Larry Miller who made our hearts sing!
-Our sound team operated by the very efficient Vineyard guys
-The crafty folks who led the Marketplace shops, and Celia Finestone for playing her harp!
-Our drama team, led by Rodney Mee, who brought the bible stories to life each day!
-Todd Fitch and Ron Brought, who helped the children burn off energy in the game activities
-Our resident "rabbi" Pastor Carl, who led us in learning at the synagogue school
-Amy Coolidge- our Heifer Coordinator, who has led us in support of Heifer International
-Our photographers who captured all the happy faces on camera
-Our set up and clean up crew, and Rocky, who helped keep things in order!
-ALL OF YOU WHO MADE DONATIONS AND GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS - YOU HELPED MAKE THIS
POSSIBLE
Through VBS, we are able to lead children to Christ, and to have an enormous amount of fun doing it! Thank
you for your support, love, and prayers. Together, we can do amazing work for His Kingdom!
In His Love,
Heather Mee
CHURCH PICNIC
Connie Gettle
Mark your calendars and plan on joining us on Sunday, August 17, for an outdoor church service at 10:00
AM at Nessmuk Lake picnic pavilion, followed by a picnic.
Church service that day WILL NOT be held in the sanctuary but will be conducted at Nessmuk Lake.
We hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to worship in God’s glorious out-of-doors and then
to fellowship with one another during the picnic. Everyone who attends is asked to bring a dish to pass. Hamburgers
and hotdogs will be provided.
If you need a ride to this service, please contact Connie Gettle at 376-2313, and arrangements will be made to
take you to and from Nessmuk.
THANK YOU
Connie Gettle
On behalf of the Christian Education Committee, I would like to thank Heather Mee for another excellent and
extremely successful Vacation Bible School. Heather has been working on this year’s VBS since early 2008 when
the new programs came out and she had to decide on which one we would use this year. She has spent many hours
making decisions, gathering helpers, registering children, etc., etc. We do not really give the director of VBS enough
praise and recognition, so please, when you see Heather, tell her how thankful we all are for all of “herself” that she
puts into this wonderful program which reached over 130 children this year!!!
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