O P C News from the Crossroads
December 2015
Overbrook Presbyterian Church Mall Time Is Christmas Time would be a true blessing if the is a welcoming and diverse intended spirit of Christmas did last Chris an community that seeks I was at the Willow Grove Mall a the year through. It is a poignant ac vely to love and serve God, month ago or so, which was at the irony that the merchants of our world each other, and the world. me over a full week before are doing a be er job of extending —Mission Statement Halloween. I went there to pick up a their Christmas season than are the spatula or something for the kitchen believers who call themselves Overbrook Church Staff and to get a hands‐free earpiece for Chris ans. Merchants are busily at Rev. Dr. Andrew H. Mann, Jr. my cell phone. As I walked from the work extending the season; believers Interim Minister parking lot into the mall, I entered pull Christmas out of the a c boxes Rev. David K. McMillan through Bloomingdale’s. My mind later and later and rush them away Pastor Emeritus was off somewhere else and so it was again sooner and sooner. Dennis Elwell not un l I was well into the store that I Minister of Music The economics of Christmas seems saw them. I saw the Christmas Sharon Parker to intrude earlier every year. The decora ons. Over a full week before Director of Chris an Educa on Spirit of Christmas endures fewer and Margene Biedermann Halloween! fewer days. Junior Choir Director I stopped short in front of a line of Might I suggest that we re‐channel Jane Rozmiarek white and gli ery Christmas trees, our concern, away from the Carol Rozmiarek emblazoned with lights and festooned Interim Office Staff decora ons in our malls and stores, so with products on display. It was just a Earlene Ford we can focus upon the a tudes of our Financial Secretary bit disorien ng; I was in a short own hearts and spirits? It is inevitably Leonard Robbins sleeved shirt, a er all. My mind took true that if Christmas is to last all year Custodian a few moments to register what it saw round anyplace else but the malls of and then to react. As I looked at the our land, we surely are the ones display, I think I shook my head ever responsible to make it happen. Church Office Hours so slightly. From just behind me, from Tuesday—Friday over my right hand shoulder, came a May it be said someday that 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM woman’s voice. “Pre y soon because of us, “Pre y soon, Christmas Christmas will be all year long,” it said. will be all year long.” Inside this issue: I turned and nodded at the woman Drew Worship & Music 2 and made some comment in wis ul agreement. The two of us went our Mission & Outreach 3 PLEASE let the Financial several ways. Secretary, Earlene Ford, know if Stewardship 3 It was not un l I had moved on you would like to have pledge several dozen steps that what she said Congrega onal Life 4‐5 envelopes for 2016. The set struck me again. “Pre y soon, provides a numbered and dated Deacons 4 Christmas will be all year long.” envelope for each Sunday of the Chris an Educa on 6 We should be so blessed. year. You can reach Earlene at Oh, we would not be blessed to Advent & Christmas 7 [email protected] or have the selling points of Christmas 215‐877‐2744. Calendar 8 last all year long, of course, but it Worship & Music Sundays in December Music Notes from the Choral Room December 6, 2015 The 2nd Sunday in Advent Communion From Dennis Elwell— Preaching: Rev. Drew Mann I want to thank the Overbrook Staff, Deacons, church Lay Leader: Lori Mason members, and friends, who have provided meals, Acolyte: Anna Lemley transporta on, and other needs during this me of Communion Servers: Lori Mason, Lynn recovery from a broken foot. It has been overwhelming to Pompa, John Baker, Nicole Stokes‐ receive the generosity, support, and care from so many, Robinson, Bob DeCray, Sabrina Johnson, and I am truly grateful. Healing is taking place, and in Caroline Skinner, Rev. Drew Mann good me, hopefully, all will return to normal. Thank you. Flowers given by: Charles Brown & Kate Shackelford C Y C P A December 13, 2015 F O C F The 3rd Sunday in Advent Preaching: Rev. Drew Mann On February 21, at 3:00, the Children’s and Youth Choirs Lay Leader: TBA from Ardmore Presbyterian Church, St, Paul’s Lutheran Acolyte: Maya Subramanian Church, in Wynnewood, and Overbrook Church, are going to Flowers given by: Joyce Bridges present a fes val in the Sanctuary of Overbrook Church. The fes val will celebrate the life of Helen Kemp, one of the December 20, 2015 giants of the children's choir milieu who passed away The 4th Sunday in Advent recently, and present a newly commissioned piece by Preaching: Rev. Drew Mann composer, Wayne Wold. More informa on will be Lay Leader: Robert Harden, Jr. forthcoming in future issues of News from the Crossroads. Acolyte: Maya Subramanian Plan to mark your 2016 calendars to enjoy Flowers given by: Gail Kaercher P A F December 27, 2015 Overbrook Church is privileged to present concerts and The 1st Sunday of Christmas recitals during the course of each season, such as the 21st Preaching: Rev. Drew Mann Annual Messiah Sing, on November 29th. These musical Lay Leader: TBA opportuni es are made possible through gi s to the Acolyte: Joanna Scherluebbe Performing Arts Fund and the West/Lampe Endowment Flowers given by: Laurie Geers Fund. Though offerings are usually also received at each event, o en they do not cover the expenses. If you would like to financially support all the wonderful musical events, your generous gi s are welcomed at any me of the year. They can be forwarded to the church marked specifically for the “Performing Arts Fund.” Please speak with the Minister of Music if you have any ques ons. Thank you for your generous spirit.
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Mission & Outreach Important Reminder: Your Day For Christian Service Adopt-a-Family gifts are due in the “And whoever would be first among you must be servant of all. For even church office by Wed., Dec. 9 the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve…” Mark 10; 44‐45. The Mission and Outreach Commi ee of Overbrook Presbyterian Church is enthusias c about a 2016 Agenda to encourage Days of Women’s Dining Circle Service among the broader congrega on. The goal of this M & O ini a ve is provide OPC members the opportunity and rewards of engaging in mission work themselves. Many of us already do, of course, helping with the Ma hew 25 Project’s Thursday Meal; serving a meal at the Life Center Homeless Shelter; making soup or dona ng clothing for Broad Street Ministry; preparing food for Aid to Friends; erec ng and dismantling the Heeding God’s Call T‐shirt Memorial, etcetera. Yet many of us have not had the resources, the support or the me to personally engage in service. M & O would like to facilitate individual involvement in mission by offering those resources and support as well as help you to structure something that fits your me constraints. In other words, the M & O Commi ee seeks to empower, you, OPC Matthew 25:35 Project Meal congregants to iden fy a service project or a needy en ty you would wish to help; or join up with a member that has decided on a service project. Here is how we see it working: Rather than having one day set aside for the en re church as had been considered for last year, we hope to have a series of smaller efforts occurring over the calendar year. In effect the M & O commi ee is delega ng you to ini ate or join in on a project in which you could Every Thursday, 10:00 AM at Calvin engage. You can speak to a member of the M & O commi ee, or be er Presbyterian Church, 60th and Master yet, you can bring your proposal to the commi ee at its monthly Streets, in Philadelphia. To help prepare mee ng. Assuming the ini a ve is consistent with the work and the meal, come at 10:30 AM with your con nued on page 7 cooking skills. We can always use servers from 11:15 AM to 1:00 PM. To learn more, contact Elizabeth Cosgriff at Regre ully, due to me and space constraints, the Mission & Outreach elizabethcosgriff@gmail.com. commi ee is unable to sponsor a Fair Trade Gi Market this year. We promise to be back next November with all of your Fair Trade favorites.
Stewardship Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who turned in It’s not done yet, though. Pledges are s ll being 2016 pledge cards on dedica on Sunday. We had a accepted! If you were not able to turn in a modern day record number of pledges turned in that day. card on the 15th, please drop one in the The finance commi ee will move forward to create a 2016 mail or the collec on plate. Any ques ons church budget which reflects the warmth of your blessed or concerns can be sent to the stewardship generosity. commi ee at [email protected]. Blessed are the givers. Will Schick, Stewardship Chair
December 2015 Page 3 Congregational Life ConversaƟons at the Crossroads Beginning our search for a new pastor, the Overbrook community will be diving into a mission study process we have called Conversa ons at the Crossroads. We hope this tle indicates that there will be a lot of listening, and, a lot of ideas expressed by a number of different folks. The mission study process is a kind of journey where we come from different places, meet at the Crossroads, and stop to talk to each other. We will reflect on where we have been, where we currently are, and where we are going. The feedback received from this process will be like signposts ‐ poin ng us in the right direc on for the future. The overall goal of this process is to decide as a congrega on what is truly essen al for our journey forward and what can be added to make the church experience even more enjoyable and welcoming. We open this opportunity up to the whole Overbrook community, as we would love to hear everyone's input in this process. We are planning to hold gatherings in January and February, some in small groups at people's homes, some at the church, some during the day and some in the evenings, so everyone will be able to a end at least one. These mee ngs will allow everyone a chance to share their thoughts and listen to others, and provide a way to strengthen our connec ons to each other. The pace to come is FAST! We want to be able to deliver our Mission Study Report to Session before Easter, which is March 27. If you would like to join this group please contact Drew Mann or Kate Shackelford. We would love to have someone who likes compiling sta s cs about our city and neighborhoods, and about our church and who can work FAST and with colleagues to make this happen. If you have any ques ons or comments feel free to contact any of the facilitators of this process: Kate Shackelford, chair, Edelene Carroll, recorder, and members, Bob Harden Jr., Deb Ro nger, Kate Shackelford, and Sarah Stephens. Deacons Prayer List December Birthdays For our homebound members and friends 12/2 Allison Kothari 12/15 Charmaine Bratcher Mary VandenBerge, Binnie Savage, Be e Caroline Kothari Ann Johnston, Judith Swartz, and Madelon 12/16 KayCee Byrd Cogdill. 12/3 Olive Davidson 12/18 Maya Mendoza For those recently hospitalized or facing Jim Stephens health challenges 12/6 Rachel Byrd 12/20 Bob Kaercher Laura Toy; Marita Treat; Geers Family Sue Graydon Gary Schwinn Please contact one of our Deacons 12/7 Peg Papsch 12/23 Florence Kelley to add names or concerns to this list. 12/8 Margaret Mason 12/27 Annie Bezbatchenko We can be reached by Rebecca Ro nger email from the church 12/29 Sheri Bevan Comisac website, by leaving a 12/9 Adzo Gasonu ZeeAnn Mason message in the Church Chanel Young Christopher Swartz Office, or by speaking 12/10 Margene Biedermann with one of the Deacons 12/30 John M. Ga one in person. 12/11 Alyce C. Marsh 12/31 Max Mason 12/13 Chris ne Gray
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Congregational Life
DECEMBER COFFEE Urban/Suburban Book Club HOUR HOSTS Mee ng: Tuesday Jan. 19, 2016, 7:00 PM Loca on: Overbrook Presbyterian Church Dec. 6 The Shah Family Dec. 13: The Skipper/Nkwen ’s/ We do not meet in December. Davorka Our book for January 2016 is: Deep Down Dark, by Hector Tober Dec. 20: Sign up now! Dec. 27: Sign up now! This is a book club of diverse membership involving members of several Presbyterian churches, including Overbrook. All are welcome to a end. For Please look for the 2015 sign‐up more informa on, contact Alyce Marsh at 215‐472‐7886. binder in the Wistar Morris Room, —Edelene Carroll and contact Amarilis S cker at 484‐343‐0679 Gingerbread Houses with coffee hour A me‐honored Christmas tradi on at Overbrook is the decora ng of ques ons. gingerbread houses. For the past twenty years, genera ons of families have created wonderful Christmas Eve memories in the Wistar Morris Room. This special tradi on will con nue following the Christmas Eve Congrega onal Overbrook Book Club Dinner. To assure that we have a sufficient supply of gingerbread houses, Here is the upcoming schedule: please make a reserva on in the Wistar Morris Room following worship, or Tuesday, December 15 at 7:30 PM email Sharon Parker ([email protected]). Book: Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee Host: Estalene Ferrillo, 610‐664‐3746 OPC Tradi onal Christmas Eve Dinner and Address: 77 Academy Road, Gingerbread House Decora ng Bala Cynwyd, PA Everyone is invited to enjoy a simple meal served between the Family Wednesday, January 13 at 7:30 PM Service and Service of Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve. A sign‐up sheet Book: Sweetness in the Belly will be posted in the Wistar Morris Room so we can plan for an approximate by Camilla Gibb number of a endees. This is one night during the hec c Host: TBD season that you don't have to cook dinner! Gingerbread Thursday, February 11 at 7:30 PM houses will be ready to be decorated a er dinner. Book: The Inven on of Wings There is no charge for the meal but we do take a free by Sue Monk Kidd will offering to cover expenses.Volunteers are needed to Host: TBD set‐up, serve, shop and clean‐up and/or contribute Tuesday, March 8 at 7:30 PM cookies for dessert. An online sign up sheet will also be Book: Jamrach’s Menagerie sent via OPC Listserve. For ques ons, please contact by Carol Birch Raelyn Harman at [email protected] or 610‐331‐8972. Host: TBD Thank you.
MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
SEPTEMBE 2015 ACTUAL BUDGET YTD ACTUAL YTD BUDGET Total Revenue $ 29,041.61 $ 43,720.77 $ 442,176.64 $ 393,486.93 Total Expenses $ 33,426.39 $ 43,532.60 $ 362,430.31 $ 391,793.40 Net $ (4,384.78) $ 188.17 $ 79,746.33 $ 1,693.53
December 2015 Page 5 Christian Education
BIBLE STUDY ADULT FORUM Wednesday mornings Sunday mornings 10:00 to 11:30 AM 9:15 to 10:15 AM McMillan Chapel McMillan Chapel Rev. Drew Mann Adult Forum Meets Charles welcomes all OPC Dickens! Please join the enlightening members and friends to par cipate in a discussion in Adult Forum, as we study of the Gospel of Luke. Adult Bible reflect on the ethical and spiritual Study meets each Wednesday morning from themes in Charles Dickens', A 10:00‐11:30 in the Chapel. Christmas Carol. Elizabeth Mendoza will share the work of Paul Mack Somers, author of the framework for a similar series in the Quaker community. Adult Forum meets each Sunday morning in the Chapel from 9:15‐10:15. All are welcome. Sunday School Schedule Sunday School and Confirma on Class will not be in session on Sunday, December Costumers Needed 27. Although all children are welcome to As we look ahead to this year's Christmas Pageant, we want to remain in worship, worship‐ me nursery assure that the shepherds, residents of Bethlehem, and the wise services will be available for young children visitors from the East are properly a red. A few more costumes are through Grade 1. needed and only simple s tchery is required. Please volunteer to help with this project...it will be "sew" much fun. Sign up in the Wistar Morris Room following worship, or contact Sharon Parker CE Kids' Cafe ([email protected]). Calling all OPC children, Pre‐K through grade 5! The CE Kids' Cafe will be open from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on OPC Talks...and Walks Sunday, December 6. Come for a great Join noted ar st and OPC member, Peter Seidel on December 6, meal, games and a "churchical" video. from 1:30‐3:00 PM, for "The Art of Advent: Seven Centuries of Great Each child will be able to chose a (free) Sacred Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. " The tour will begin book from the Cafe Store. Parents, feel at 1:30 PM on the second floor balcony of the Great Hall. comfortable enjoying a couple free December 6 is a "pay what wish" day at the museum. Great hours, as you children enjoy a "night out" apprecia on goes to Peter for offering us this wonderful Advent with their church friends. opportunity.
College Homecoming Lunch The Chris an Educa on Commi ee invites all OPC college students to a Holiday Homecoming Lunch on December 27, at noon in the Chapel. Let’s catch up...share the stories...and enjoy a great lunch. RSVP: [email protected]
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Advent & Christmas at Overbrook
con nued from page 3 November 29: 10:30 AM Sunday Worship principles of Overbrook Presbyterian Church, the 3:00 PM Messiah Sing M & O Commi ee will assist you with December 6: 10:30 AM Sunday Worship and Communion communica ng your proposed project to the 1:30‐3:00 PM Museum tour with Peter Seidel congrega ng and providing financial assistance if Art of Advent: Seven Centuries of Great Art at needed. For example, someone might iden fy a the Philadelphia Museum of Art work project like those offered by Habitat for Humanity. The commi ee would then help you December 13: 10:30 AM Worship to communicates and seek other members to 3:00 PM Hanging of the Greens and Family join in on the effort. Other examples could Cra Making for Shut‐ins include helping a school or a facility for older 5:00 PM Buffet Dinner for Greeners and people. “In House” projects are welcomed as well Carolers like one already proposed to prepare book plates 6:00 PM Christmas Caroling at Saunders for bibles that we would send to the Lutheran House Seminary in Papua New Guinea; or projects people can do while they're at church, like December 20: 10:30 AM Christmas Sunday Morning Worship preparing personal hygiene kits for homeless December 21: 7:30 PM The Service of the Longest Night people during coffee hour. Some projects serving the OPC physical plant may be among the December 24: Christmas Eve Worship offerings. 5:00 PM Family Service with Pageant 6:00 PM Christmas Eve Dinner The Mission and Outreach Commi ee is enthused by the idea and trust you, the 7:00 PM Gingerbread House Decora ng congrega on, will be as well. Thank you. 9:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service FIRST OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE All are warmly welcome. JANUARY 2016 Soup Making for Broad Street Ministry’s Winter Shelter for Homeless People Service of the Longest Night Help Wanted: Join Deb Ro nger and Nancy Gilhool need your assistance in A different Service of Worship for Christmas preparing soup for 100 people that will find shelter on cold winter evenings at Broad Overbrook Presbyterian Church Street Ministry. Come chop, peal, mix and Monday, December 21, 2015 at 7:30pm s r with friends and family (yes children are welcomed) on the First and Third Sundays of The holidays can be difficult for us all: the stresses and the months: January through March. strains of trying to offer a me of celebra on take their toll. Many people find they have trouble feeling "in the spirit" of T‐Shirt Prepara on things, whether because of the recent (or an cipated) death Heeding God’s Call Memorial of a family member or friend, the end of a marriage, the loss Again this year, children, youth and of work, or other trying change. adults from Overbrook Presbyterian Church will prepare the T‐Shirts to be used through the 2016 in the Heeding God’s Call’s moving “Memorial to the Lost” that hallows the names of area Philadelphia killed by illegal guns. Sort, print and fold T‐shirts with your Overbrook church community.
December 2015 Page 7 December Calendar December Tues. 12/1 ...... 1:00 PM ...... Worship & Music Commi ee 7:00 PM ...... Finance Commi ee Weekly Events Wed. 12/2 ...... 4:30 PM ...... Property Commi ee Sun. 12/6 ...... 1:30 PM ...... Art Museum Tour Sundays 9:15 AM Junior Choir 5:00 PM ...... CE Kids’ Café 9:15 AM Adult Forum Tues. 12/8 ...... 7:30 PM ...... Session 10:30 AM Worship Sun. 12/13 ...... 12:00 PM ...... Deacon’s Mee ng 11:30 AM Coffee Hour 3:00 PM ...... Hanging of the Greens 6:00 PM ...... Caroling Wednesdays 10:00 AM Bible Study Tues. 12/15 ...... 7:00 PM ...... Urban/Suburban Book Club Sun. 12/20 ...... 12:00 PM ...... Chris an Ed Commi ee Thursdays 12:00 PM ...... Mission & Outreach Commi ee Mon. 12/21 ...... 7:30 PM ...... Longest Night Worship Service 6:30 PM Bell Choir Thurs. 12/24 ..... Christmas Eve Worship (see inside for details) 8:00 PM Choir Sun. 12/27 ...... 12:00 PM ...... College Homecoming Lunch
It might look a li le different, but this is your monthly News from the Crossroads!
What do you think about the new format? Let us know at offi[email protected].
How Do You Want Your Newsletter? As you might have figured out by now, you’re on the mailing list for this monthly newsle er. Do you like ge ng it in the mail? Would you rather read it online? You might not know that this newsle er is available on the church’s website each month (www.overbrookpresb.org). If you’d rather “save a tree” and read the newsle er online, please let the office know by emailing offi[email protected] or calling 215‐877‐2744 and we’ll take you off the “snail mail” mailing list. And be sure your email is on the OPC Listserve, because we’ll be sending out reminders each month with a link to the newsle er online. Not on the Listserve? Just email the office and we’ll get you on—it’s a great place for up‐to‐the‐minute news about what’s going on at OPC. If you’d like to keep ge ng this in the mail, that’s great! We’d be happy to keep sending you the news every month. And please keep us updated if there are any changes to your address. Thanks! Page 8 Overbrook Presbyterian Church