The Journey Continues at MPC This Week!

This email looks better with images. If you can't see them, click here!
Subscribe to MPC This Week

For the week of November 15, 2015

MPC This Week
is a weekly publication of The Media Presbyterian Church

Our Mission
is to love God and love our neighbor.
Our Vision
is to be a Christian Community that worships together,
serves together, and grows together in faith.

SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES
9:15 a.m. Traditional, Weekly Communion
11:00 a.m. Non-traditional, Weekly Communion
Learn more

The Journey Continues

“The time has come,” the Walrus said,
“To talk of many things:
Of shoes – and ships – and sealing-wax —
Of cabbages – and kings —
And why the sea is boiling hot —
And whether pigs have wings.”
– Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass, 1871

I’ve come to think of this weekly newsletter column as part of an ongoing conversation. While some of us have come to know each other very well, I haven’t had the pleasure of in-depth conversations with every one of you. So this column has given me an opportunity to share some thoughts about God, the church, and the challenges of life, mixed in with “information” about what’s happening at MPC… hoping someone might “talk back.” And you have! Through emails, letters and phone calls, I’ve enjoyed a rewarding dialog with many of MPC’s members and friends.

The Walrus was right! There are so many things to talk about — but in our case, the time has come… not to begin a conversation, but to bring it to a close. The shoes and ships and sealing wax will have to wait for someone else to take up their cause. And if you’d like to speculate on the flight of pigs or the temperature of the sea, I can only echo the immortal words of Linda Richman (for those who remember the early years of Saturday Night Live): Please continue to “talk among yourselves.”

The only thing left for me to say — or at least the only thing that really matters — is THANK YOU!

Terry and I were happy to come to Media; and when tragedy struck, you surrounded me with your love and support, for which I will always be grateful.

It’s been a privilege to serve with you, and a joy to be part of your lives. I have felt the presence of God’s Holy Spirit in this place — shining through your smiles, lingering in your tears, and dancing among your children and youth. The nature of interim ministry is a constant cycle of arrivals and departures; but when it’s time to leave, I’m not just leaving a church, I’m saying goodbye to a family of brothers and sisters in Christ.

I pray that you will always treat one another that way — remembering that you are more than a congregation; you are family. Don’t ever take that for granted.

Grace and peace,
and thank you for living your faith at MPC!

The Congregational Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the upcoming class of Elders and Deacons. Click here for the form that includes information to guide you.

The form may be returned to the Nominating Committee via the church office OR placed in the box in Hassler Chapel.

THANK YOU,
The Nominating Committee
Belle Patton, Chair
Jim Gastner, Sue Hare, Betty Luzier, Louise Naismith, Ed Schaal

SUNDAYS AT MPC

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
8:15 & 9:15 a.m. in the Stephen Ministry Room (back of Dale Hall)

Discovering your spiritual gifts is an enriching experience, not only for you but also for those to whom you minister. Your gifts are a reflection of God’s creative power. Using your gifts strengthens you spiritually and emotionally, which equips you to better serve others. The Stephen Ministry is offering “Discovering God’s Vision for Your Life: Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts” during the 8:15 and 9:15 hours.

Participants in Discovering God’s Vision for Your Life will . . .

Deepen their relationship with God
Understand and celebrate the spiritual gifts God has given them
Understand God’s call for their lives and ministries
Use their spiritual gifts to help meet the needs of others

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
9:15 a.m. in Hassler Chapel

To Run and Not Grow Tired

The 12 lessons of this Bible study will help you see how God cares about every problem as you grow in endurance, patience, and perseverance.

NOVEMBER 15: JOSEPH – Victim or Victor?
NOVEMBER 22: JESUS – Facing the Death of Someone You Love
NOVEMBER 29: THE HOLY SPIRIT – A Misunderstood “Counselor”?

Click here for the entire SYLLABUS.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LAST CHANCE FOR PIE ORDERS!

ADVENT SEASON

MPC Alternative Gift Program

HOPE ~ PEACE ~ JOY ~ LOVE

Looking to simplify Christmas shopping, avoid the crowds at the mall, or find thoughtful gift ideas for those who don’t want any more stuff? Our Alternative Gift Program allows you to purchase meaningful gifts by making small or larger donations to some of the vital mission organizations we support.

Alternative gift cards will be on sale in Hassler Chapel beginning this Sunday, November 29. We are supporting Media Food Bank and Conexion Mosaico.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Matthew 25:35

2015 ANGEL TREE

The Angel Tree is a popular Christmas tradition organized by the Deacons to support children in need in our community. This year we will once again be supporting the Second Time Around Parents (STAP) and the Rose Tree Media School District.

Angels can be found on the Angel Tree located at the front of the Sanctuary on November 29 and December 6. Each Angel lists the Christmas wish of a grandparent, grandchild, or a child in our community. MPC members and friends can take an Angel from the tree, shop for the gift, then attach the Angel to the gift and return the gift to the tree.

All Angels and gifts will need to be returned to the Angel Tree no later than Sunday, December 13. The grandchildren will receive their gifts as families gather in Dale Hall for the STAP Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 16.

Many thanks to the MPC church family for their overwhelming support of this wonderful tradition. We appreciate your generosity and desire to make children happy during this miraculous season. It is a wonderful way to show our love and compassion. Last year, we were able to fulfill over 200 gift wishes for local families. Thank you for sharing and caring!

MISSION SUPPORT

Enjoy delicious coffee at home as well as at church.*

Cup of Compassion is a unique enterprise that gives indigenous coffee farmers in Africa a fair price, a renewed hope, and a promise for the future. This ministry is sponsored by MPC mission partner Compassion Corps. We contract directly with farmers in Liberia and Uganda who grow, pick, and sort coffee beans. The green beans are shipped to the USA where we continue the hand-processing in Chester, PA until the final product is ready for you.

You may purchase either whole bean or ground coffee in 12-ounce bags for $10.00 at MPC or on the web. The following blends are available: Liberia Light (Light/Medium Roast); Pearl of Africa (Medium Roast); Justice Java (Medium/Dark Roast); and Promise Perk (Dark Roast).

For more information, visit their website or contact Chris Blidan by email or call
610-566-0937.

*The regular coffee on Sundays in Dale Hall is Justice Java.

COFFEE MAKES A GREAT CHIRSTMAS GIFT, TOO!

MPC MINISTRY NEWS

Click here for this week's Youth Ministry newsletter.

Our next volunteer day is November 21 at 9:30 a.m., the third Saturday of this month (normally fourth).
Help distribute food for Thanksgiving!

This month, create a Thanksgiving bag! Grab the items listed below and put them in a reusable handle bag. Drop them off by November 19. You can also pick up a list and/or a reusable bag to use in the church kitchen.

No turkeys needed, but we are collecting instant mashed potatoes, chicken broth, canned sweet potatoes, Stove Top stuffing, canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, French fried onion (for green bean casserole), turkey gravy, corn bread mix, cranberry sauce.

Please contact Holly Gaffney at (610) 761-2814 or by email with questions.

Thank you to all who continue to support the food bank with time and donations! The Deacons.

Sewing Sessions to Make Pillowcase Dresses

We need your help with sewing pillowcase dresses for Compassion Corps to take to Liberia in January, when four new orphanages will be visited.

Our sewing sessions are on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Betty Luzier’s home. The next session is December 10. For more information, contact Betty Luzier at (610)357-1523 or email her at betluzier@verizon.net.

Join the choir for the holiday season!

What do you love about the holidays? There are so many wonderful traditions and opportunities to anticipate celebrating the birth of Jesus. One of the best ways to mark the season is to herald His arrival with our beautiful music written about the Savior coming into the world. With joy, the choir welcomes all who would like to praise God through song – no previous experience required!

The holiday season is a great time to join our ranks and enjoy leading the congregation through song. We rehearse Thursday evenings starting at 7:30pm in the sanctuary. Please call Choir Director Lisa VanHeldorf at 610-290-6368 with any questions you may have – or speak with any members of the choir.

Click here to learn more about our prayer ministry.

This week's prayer:
One of my favorite prayer stories in the Bible is recounted in Acts 12:6 - 17. I like it, not only because it demonstrates the amazing power and love of God, but also because it is so funny. James the brother of John had just been killed by Herod, and Peter was next on the list for execution. He was already in jail. The night before the trail the church was mobilized for an all night prayer meeting to plead for Peter's release. Peter was sleeping!! (that in itself is a point to ponder) An angel woke Peter and escorted him right out of the prison, no one the wiser. At first Peter thought he might have been dreaming, but when he realized that he was outside the prison, he knew he had indeed been rescued and went immediately to tell his brothers and sisters. That was easier said than done. He walked to the house where the church was praying, but in their fervency, they didn't even hear Peter's knock. When someone finally did hear, the maid who answered was so shocked to hear Peter's voice that she didn't even open the door. Instead she ran to tell the church prayers, but they didn't believe her! Finally, after Peter continued to knock persistently, others opened the door and let him in. How they praised the Lord for Peter's release. But isn't it odd that it took them so long to believe? Or maybe it isn't odd at all. I like this story so much that I once turned it into a song. Here is the last verse:

You say you've been praying for a long, long time

Asking for a blessing from the Lord sublime.

Well, have you happened to look lately right outside your door?

Perhaps the thing is waiting you've been praying for.

Think about it.

S.O.S FROM THE LIBRARY

We are fortunate that our members have always been so generous in donating books to our library without hesitation. However, our shelves are bursting and we face a dilemma: limited space!

So, we have a designated bookcase with the sign, “Free to Good Home,” that holds books and CDs that you may feel free to take UNTIL NOVEMBER 29; then, all that remains will be donated to the Media-Upper Providence Free Library. Come check it out!

Also, if you are skilled with upholstery, we need help re-upholstering the chair in our library. After many years of service, it is in need of repair. Please contact Chris Hannemann at 610-627-5870. Thank you!

YOGA AT MPC

Mondays in Dale Hall

Chair Yoga: 6:15-7:05 p.m.
Hatha Yoga: 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Current session: October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
9 classes for $45.

Thursdays in The Post (Room 206):

Relaxing Flow Yoga: 6:30 p.m.
Hatha Yoga (Intermediate): 7:30 p.m.
Current session: October 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 19 (No class 10/1)
6 classes for $30.

Cash or checks made out to "Media Presbyterian Church"
Email Lisa Dombroski, RYT.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Joseph's People Central Delco (formerly GetWorks) is a program of Media Presbyterian Church that provides information, guidance and emotional support to job seekers and those who want to change careers, without regard to religious affiliation. Click the logo for details.

useful links:

our website
our calendar
our staff and contact information
our ruling elders
our board of deacons

DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS IS ON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THE NEXT WEEK'S PUBLICATION. EMAIL CATHY BROD FOR MORE INFORMATION.