MARCH 2016 Upcoming Events www.waynepres.org March 2, 9, 16 Lenten Dinners 6:00pm Adult Ed Classes 7:00pm March 4–6 All Church Breakaway Retreat at Sandy Cove March 6 9:00am Confirmation Brunch with Elders March 11 6:00pm Children’s Dinner & A Movie March 13 11:00am Confirmation Sunday & March 15 Easter is the most important day of the do, nurturing them by his very sub- Session Dinner 6:00pm church year. On that day, we celebrate stance. After this meal, they gather in Session Meeting 7:30pm Christ’s victory over death, Christ’s the garden to pray and Judas betrays March 19 victory over the fate that awaits us. him, bringing the authorities to arrest Dinner Drop-Off him. The celebration, however, is best 8:00–10:00am experienced if you’ve also spent time Saturday of Service In doing so, the authorities believe that 9:00am–noon at our service—or they will be silencing his voice and his New Elder/Deacon Training the community service— community for all time. His disciples 9:00–11:30am wherein we tell the story of Christ’s become scared, the very intent behind death. the authorities’ action, and disband, March 20 fleeing for safety. All seems lost. 8:30, 9:30, 11am Easter is a celebration of the great Children’s Palm reversal. When all was lost, then all This is the place that disciples need to 9:30am was won. But it’s hard to know the joy experience before Easter. When we March 24 of the good news if you haven’t spent feel like all is lost, then we are finally MOMs Group Easter Party time with the sorrow of the bad news ready to experience the unexpected joy 9:30am that it vanquishes. of discovering that our worst fears are Walking the Mourner’s Path, penultimate to God. When we are at Week One 5:30–7:00pm My invitation to you is to join us for our lowest, our Easter celebration tells Maundy Thursday Service the full story this year. Holy week us that Christ can still overcome that 7:30pm starts with Palm Sunday, the pag- which plagues us—even if it is death. Communion and eantry of the moment of ’ entry into Jerusalem, a moment where he March 25 12:00 noon Come join us for Easter. It will be a is heralded as the coming king. This Good Friday Community glorious day. The choir will dazzle us Service event, and his subsequent popularity with the Hallelujah chorus, the brass in the temple, will threaten the existing will resound in our ears with the March 27 8:30, 9:30, 11am powers to the point where they will victory of Christ, the pageantry will Easter Sunday start to plot his death. shape us for the future. But join us for March 28 the week before too. Because the week In the midst of contention and aware Church Closed before allows us to know that even in of his future, Jesus calls together his the worst of circumstances, we belong April 9 8:30am beloved group of disciples to share to a God who can overcome anything. Women’s ‘Food for the Body with them one final meal. Gathered and Soul’ Breakfast together, he institutes a ritual for them I look forward to sharing the journey April 10 4:30–6:00pm to gather around a table every week in with you. Stop Hunger Now memory of him. He tells them that he will be amongst them whenever they In Christ, ADULT EDUCATION & DISCIPLESHIP

Adult Education about discernment, creative thinking and prayer. There will be a class on and faith. Whether you’re in school, centering prayer in which you’ll learn Dr. Joe Modica continues his wonder- dreaming of a new career, an empty more about the ancient practice of si- ful class on Hebrews in March before nester, or just feeling like God may be , centering prayer as well as have a taking a break after Easter for One inviting you to change, join us! chance to practice this prayer together. Book, One Church. Join him each Or maybe you’re being called to study Sunday at 9:30am in the Knox Room. Wednesdays in Lent the Bible and will enjoy Casey’s class Speaking of One Book, One Church, on the Psalms, Aisha’s class on Elijah have you gotten your copy yet? You Don’t miss a chance to deepen your and Elisha or Jeff Frisby’s class on Jo- can purchase a book for $10 in the walk with God and enjoy some deli- nah. All promise to be thoughtful and Connector this month. Beginning cious dinners and conversation as well. faithful. Email Laurie Taylor Weicher April 3, we’ll have book club discus- Wednesdays, March 2, 9 and 16, we’ll sions, two wonderful classes, and then gather in the Chapel at 6pm for dinner with any questions about Wednesdays a visit and talk by the author. Make followed by four wonderful classes. On in Lent. plans to join us as we read Ordinary March 2, we’ll enjoy a delicious catered Grace together. meal. March 9 will bring a return of Lent Blog Janice Mack’s amazing chicken enchi- Lent can be a time of introspection, We are thrilled that James Barnes is ladas. March 16 we’ll be visited by a also teaching a class Sundays, March food truck from Philly. All are wel- repentance and prayer. If you need 6 and 13, at 9:30am in the Fireside come to join us for dinner on any or a little substance along your Lenten Room. Using great creativity and an all of these nights; adults are asked to journey, check out the WPC blog each upbeat style, James will teach a class contribute $10 per meal to help offset day during Lent. There you will find called “Faith and Innovation for Pur- the costs. a picture, prayer, video or reflection poseful Transitions.” If you’re in the to go with you on your day. The blog midst of or approaching a life or career At 7pm each week, you’ll have a chance can be found at www.waynepres.org/ transition, join him to learn more to explore your faith through study thefrontpage.

What’s New in the Library?

Adult education at the 9:30 hour on Sunday has been well attend- ed this winter, and our library has numerous books for further read- ing on topics relevant to these sessions. The parenting class on How to Raise an Adult concluded at the end of January, but a book by the same name, authored by Julie Jesus, and suggests the implications 91–102). Other additions to the Lythcott-Haims, is now in our library. of such a study to our contempo- library that are relevant to adult ed- Dr. Joe Modica, our Scholar-in-Res- rary, postmodern life and work. For ucation sessions later in the winter idence, is teaching a full-semester further exploration of the numerous and spring will be forthcoming. class on Hebrews. Our library has Old Testament quotations and allu- several books on this letter, includ- sions found in Hebrews, an intrigu- ing Hebrews for Everyone, authored ing source is John Goldingay’s book Also new in the library is a binder by N. T. Wright, which serves as the Do We Need the New Testament: containing the approved minutes of study guide for Dr. Modica’s class. Letting the Old Testament Speak for Session. Thank you, Becky and Eric Another book by N.T. Wright, The Itself. A full chapter of Goldingay’s Greenhow, co-clerks of Session, for Challenge of Jesus, presents an his- book is devoted to “How People preparing and maintaining these torical study of the life and times of Have Mis(?)Read Hebrews” (pp. documents.

2 | WAYNE PRESBYTERIAN Women’s Retreat Reflection: Praying the Psalms

What a wonderful retreat the women of the church had in early February. Women ages 23 to…well, it wouldn’t be polite to say, but women of all ages gathered for a time of study, prayer, fellowship and worship with Communion at the Daylesford Abbey.

They were treated to some wonderful leadership by the Rev. Lisa Day and explored some of the Psalms together.

Lisa reminded us all of the variety of Psalms we have in the Bible—psalms of praise and thanksgiving and psalms of lament that give voice to the trials of life and suffering of the world. She encouraged us to write our own psalms and to take our joys and concerns, celebrations and anger to God.

Please take a moment to read this Psalm by Elizabeth Lester, one of our retreat participants.

O Lord,

My voice cries out to you amidst the crashing waves of human voices raised in strife.

My eyes are flooded with the despair of your kingdom.

The burdens upon the world gather like grains of sand, eventually building up to a cascading and unrelenting weight.

The different are outcast and reviled, The weary are made low, The hungry are devastated, The lonely are rejected, New Wednesday Evening The vulnerable are violated, The weak are slaughtered, Bible Study And the righteous are slaughtered.

O God of Israel, — Seeking Biblical Archaeologists —

Where are you amidst this suffering? Why have you …to join with other “miners” to dig into the Bible for abandoned your people to lead themselves to ruin? Is this hidden gems. With Eric Schreiber and Carol Hen- not the world which was saved through Christ? gel as our trusty leaders on Wednesday nights after Lent Yet, as ceaseless as the waves, you wash over our wounds (Fireside Room, 6:30–7:30), with grace, and you heal us through your cleansing the book The Essential Bible waters. Guide by W. T. Kuniholm will serve as our map. So I shall praise your name as long as the waves crash upon grab your pick and miner’s the sand. hat and join us for a time of digging into God’s word to If you missed the retreat this year, mark your calendar now find the mother lode that for our 2017 retreat. It will be February 10 and 11, 2017. It could change your life. promises to be another powerful and wonderful weekend! MARCH 2016 | 3 DEACON MINISTRY

Stop Hunger Now

Stop Hunger Now gets food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people, and works to end global hunger in our lifetime. Estab- lished in 1998, SHN has provided over 225 million meals in 73 countries. They are based in Raleigh, NC, and op- erate throughout the USA and through affiliates in developing countries.

Stop Hunger Now volunteers at Wayne Presbyterian in 2014

We will be at Wayne Presbyterian Seventy-seven donors signed up ahead Easter Egg Tree Church for an all-church food drive on of time. A mix of cancellations and walk-ins brought us to the 75 prospec- Share your blessings this Easter season Sunday, April 10, tentatively timed for tive donor visits. We compared the and provide an Easter meal for one of 4:30–6:00pm. 2016 drive to the corresponding winter our mission partner families. Drop-off day is Saturday, March 19, 8–10am in Each participant contributes $20 to drive in 2015 when we had 98 sched- the Church parking lot. the cost of the grains and freeze-dried uled appointments with a total of 121 possible pints. Our 2015 summer drive foods and nutrients we use to create had 63 donors scheduled and yielded Our 2016 Easter Egg Tree Partners the packaged meals. Last year, partici- 50+ units. include: pants ranged from five years old to 85. Each was valuable to the process. We The pace of the January drive was very The Southwest Community De- packaged 10,000 meals last year. Can good. No donors were turned away velopment Corporation (CDC), a we do 20,000 this year? because of long waits or unavailable CityLights partner in SW Philadelphia. slots in the schedule. Most of the do- They provide a variety of services to nors arrived between 1:30 and 3:00pm. low income residents in their neigh- When school buses show up, donors borhood. go home. Then after 4:00pm we get The Salvation Army (SA), serving the solid groups per half hour until a final needs of local families in Norristown. surge comes in at 6:00pm. From this Red Cross Blood Drive perspective, it was a very comfortable, Beacon Faith Community non-stressful experience for both the (B), a child and family We couldn’t have done it without church and its congregation/commu- oriented faith-based you… nity. We had a good mix of church neighborhood program members and local residents. One in the Kensington sec- In January the Deacon Blood Drive woman asked Deacon Frank McPher- tion of Philadelphia. collected 71 units of blood from 75 son Jr. to show her the Sanctuary. They Works in collabora- donors. This included double-red viewed the stained glass windows in tion with Broad Street donations that count as two units and the Sanctuary and he encouraged her Ministry. prospective donors who were unable to to sneak in and see them and hear St. John’s AME Church donate because they were disqualified some music on Sunday. Nice. (by visits to the Dominican Republic, (AME), a local church located on Highland Avenue in Wayne. for example). We were just short of the Thank you from Frank, our Blood Red Cross goal of 80 units, but Scott, Drive Chair, to Mary Ellen Smith, Special families (SF), families iden- the Red Cross Drive supervisor, said it Mary Hodge, Lynne Eckman and all of tified by Wayne Presbyterian pastors was a good drive. the donors. and staff. 4 | WAYNE PRESBYTERIAN MISSION OUTREACH

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of perk up the hallways, which in turn led new friends. Jane Beatty disappeared Service to enthusiastic excitement when the to work down in the Library, which children walked into school after the caught the attention of Trinity, an Every age group was represented at three-day weekend. eighth grader who is interested in WPC for the Martin Luther King working as a Library Helper! As Dr. Jr. day of service. Forty enthusiastic The workload was lightened and King said, “Faith is taking the first helpers joined hands and bowed their shared by some Mitchell students too, step even when you don’t see the whole heads while being led in prayer by the which made the day more special as staircase.” Rev. Brooks-Lytle. Responsibilities volunteers were able to meet some were clear and focused…the making Replies to Your Compassion of soup to be created, transported to Letters (with the help of the newest volunteer Andy McCormick), and served at the From Ann Thyle, the Director of Broad Street Ministries 315 Café— Pain and Palliative Care, Emmanuel available in time for consumption Hospital Association (EHA), which is during the Blizzard of 2016. the largest private healthcare network in India serving mainly the poor of Another group of volunteer nurses northern India in the name of Jesus from CHOP and their families, ably Christ: led by Beth Coulter, gathered at Myers Rec to perform their magic cleaning “It was so encouraging to receive the and organizing the toys and books in letter from WPC congregation members the playroom and library used by My- this morning. What a great start to my ers Tots. Meanwhile, around the corner day to hear from the Lord through the and down the street many descended words written in Jude. You might know upon Mitchell School to help the new that care of those with terminal illnesses Principal in her quest to paint and in the neglected villages of rural north India is my main work at present. The suffering is intense and the opportuni- ties to serve are enormous.”

From John and Gwenda Fletcher, who are mission co-workers in the Demo- cratic Republic of the Congo:

“It is always a great encouragement and blessing to us to learn of Christian friends who have prayed for us. Wayne Presbyterian’s practice of weekly se- lecting mission partners to pray for is inspiring. What a wonderful model of awareness and appreciation for what God is doing locally and globally you are setting for the members and children of the WPC congregation! Thank you for partnering with us through prayer in the work God is doing in the Democrat- WPC MLK Day volunteers at Mitchell School ic Republic of the Congo.” MARCH 2016 | 5 Welcome Kits Needed for Violin Program at Mitchell list Joe Kauffman, a member of Wayne Outley House Shool Funded by WPC Concerts Presbyterian. Renowned pianist Sim- one Dinnerstein will play The Goldberg Outley House is a 250-bed men’s Next Music Transforms concert Variations by J. S. Bach at the upcom- shelter in SW Philadelphia for those Sunday, March 13, 4:00pm ing concert. A freewill offering will who have faced homelessness, ad- diction and joblessness. Kits should The three-year-old violin program be taken to support the enthusiastic, include: deodorant, soap, toothbrush, was started and funded by two WPC diligent Mitchell violinists. Mark your toothpaste, foot powder, wash cloth members and also funded by the Music calendars for this beautiful concert and and socks (2 pair). Other items (new Transforms concert series created by help children whose school, Mitchell, please) that are greatly needed are: cellist Yoni Draiblate and violinist/vio- has no music teacher. towels, t-shirts, boxers and packs of socks. Pick up a list of items needed and bring your items labeled Outley House to the CityLights display table in the Connector. Or, drop them off at the reception desk during the week. Contact Sally Hudson, 610-687-3530, [email protected].

Walking the Mourner’s Path Congregational Care Ministry

Have you recently lost a loved one? Mitchell School’s violin students playing a concert for parents Are you feeling out of sync with others? Sad? Sleepless? Do you do or say things you can’t explain? Are you Women of the Church – An Invitation to Breakfast! ‘stuck’ in your grief? FOOD FOR THE BODY AND SOUL This eight-week seminar will offer you a chance to meet with others in Saturday, April 9, 8:30–10:00am in the Chapel similar situations: those who have lost Laurie Taylor Weicher spouses, children, parents, siblings or best friends. Each week has an “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” established curriculum to help with Laurie Taylor Weicher will be sharing with us some of her own faith story; explor- healing and make mourning more ing the theme of gratitude and weaving it into the highs and lows of her own life meaningful; but each week also gives experiences. Laurie is our Pastor for Education and Discipleship at Wayne Presby- each participant a chance to bond with terian Church. Her husband, John, is also a pastor and they love chasing their two wild and wonderful kids around. Laurie went to the University of North Carolina others, sharing faith and feelings about at Chapel Hill (go heels!) where she majored in journalism. She then attended your loss. Please join us for the series, Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta and has been serving at Wayne for over which starts on Thursday, March 24, at ten years. Laurie loves to jog, wishes she read more, and is a pretty good cook. 5:30pm (after which you can join others The mission outreach for this year’s breakfast will support the Great Valley Food in the congregation for our Maundy Cupboard. Further details are forthcoming. Thursday Tenebrae Service of light and darkness). The series runs through May Please consider joining us for this popular event that delivers good food, great 12, 5:30–7:00pm each week. Please fellowship and an inspirational message. contact Dr. Carol Schreck (CSchreck@ RSVP on the church website or to the church office at 610.688.8700 Eastern.edu) or Anne Clark Duncan in (deadline Tuesday, April 5) the Church office. Childcare will be provided upon request.

6 | WAYNE PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

program. Stay tuned to learn more Pancake Breakfast Recap SAVE THE DATES about her findings and how we can incorporate some great initiatives here Congratulations to the 4th and 5th May 8 at Wayne Pres. grade class on a very successful Pan- First Grade Bible Presentations cake Breakfast. The breakfast was held May 15 Dinner & A Movie / Communion Sunday on Sunday, February 7, following the Friday, March 11, 6–8pm Fifth Grade and Kindergarten 9:30am service. The 4th and 5th grad- Bible Presentations ers were busy prepping batter, cooking Come and watch Finding Nemo on the May 29 new big screen in the Chapel. All kids sausages, waiting tables and cleaning. Last Day of Sunday School; in grades K–5 are welcome. It was a delicious time and helped to Teacher Brunch kick off the Lenten season. We also June 27 – July 1 Palm Sunday Children’s collected a voluntary offering totaling Vacation Bible School Procession $589 that will help purchase school Sunday, March 20, 9:30am supplies for the Mitchell Elementary Kids Club Returns School. Thank you to all those who Please join us the morning of Palm Wednesdays, 4–6pm helped make this event a success. Sunday to witness the annual children’s procession through the Sanctuary at Now that the holidays are over and the start of 9:30am service. It is always Kelli is back from her leave during the a blessing to see the classes walk to- month of January, Kids Club is back gether waving palms. and better than ever! We gather after school at the church for Bible stories, crafts, music, games, snacks and a crazy good time. All kids in grades 1 through 5 are invited to come and to bring your friends. There is no cost to attend the club, but you may be asked to help on various mission projects. If you loved Vacation Bible School at Wayne Pres, you’ll love Kids Club. Registration forms are currently being accepted. Please contact Kelli Masters at [email protected] or 610-688- 8700, x222 for more information. YOUTH MINISTRY Mrs. M is Back Too! you will share it with them and wel- Kelli Masters, the Director of Chil- Confirmation Sunday come them to our church afterwards. dren’s Ministry, took an extended March 13 leave during the month of January to study, observe and walk alongside All are encouraged to attend the 11am Youth Lunch and a Movie others in her position during Sunday service where the newest members of Youth, mark your calendars for morning classes and services. She our church, the Confirmation Class of travelled to Chapel Hill, NC, Nashville, 2015–2016, will be joining the church Wednesday, March 23, because we are TN, Pittsburgh, PA, and Chicago, IL, as members. Our confirmands have planning a lunch and a movie event for visiting churches, searching for ways been attending classes and working on those of you sticking around on your to improve and shape the spiritual their statements of faith all year long to school’s break. Watch for emails as we development of our thriving children’s get ready for this moment, so we hope get closer to this event for more details. MARCH 2016 | 7 YER E AY R P bring afriend welcome and encouraged to areconnection All with God. of contemplation, peace, and createwe will space for atime Aisha Brooks-Lytle, together Sanctuary. Guided by Rev. midday of time prayer inour joinPlease us for our monthly MIDDAY March 14 11:00am Monday

Office Hours: e: f: 610-688-8743 t: 610-688-8700 Wayne, PA 19087 125 EastLancaster Ave Wayne Presbyterian Church please contactusat: articles, ortoreach ourstaff, For information regarding these NON-PROFIT ORG. [email protected] U.S. POSTAGE PAID 125 East Lancaster Avenue SOUTHEASTERN, PA

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Sign up for Easter Lilies in the Chapel before and after all morning services on March 6 and 13. The cost for each plant is $10.00.

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Please make checks payable to: “Wayne Presbyterian Church” and send along with this form to: Attn. Chancel Committee 125 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087