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Subscribe to MPC This Week

For the week of May 17, 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.

Our normal Sunday morning worship services are at
8:15, 9:30 and 11:00.
Learn more

Who Are the Saints?
When our Session gathers each month, we begin with a brief time of worship to prepare for the issues and decisions coming up later in the meeting. I usually offer some “gathering thoughts” for members to ponder before worship, and I’d like to share the opening words from this month’s Session meeting (Tuesday, May 12):

As often as the Bible mentions saints, never do the Scriptures identify any individual as “a saint.” The word is always plural. Throughout Paul’s letters, we read about “the saints in Jerusalem” (by which he means members of the Jerusalem church). He also mentions gatherings of “saints” in other places — but rarely does Paul even hint that any individual is a saint, for sure.

For Paul, saints are not distant, ethereal figures who loom over the top of Byzantine domes in gold mosaic tile. Neither do they stare down, with glowing eyes, from the mysterious purple of Gothic stained glass. Rather, saints are the company of living, breathing, faithful Christians. “The saints” are us.

The Saints Have Spoken
In our past few weekly newsletters, we encouraged you to share your thoughts about Sunday mornings at MPC. Five church committees hosted an open forum on April 28th, to which everyone was invited; and last week we asked you to complete a simple survey about worship times and preferences. We received written input from 125 members in addition to nearly 200 voices that were heard in the Noah gatherings last summer, and another 40+ on April 28. Considering the views of all the “saints” who participated so graciously in this process, Session approved a slight variation on the Noah Team’s recommended schedule for Sunday mornings.

In the fall, starting September 13, we’ll offer…
    8:15 a.m. – Adult Education led by pastors
    9:15 a.m. – Sunday School for Children, Youth & Adults
    9:30 a.m. – Worship (mostly traditional)
   10:30 a.m. – Fellowship
   11:00 a.m. – Worship (more contemporary)

This is a broad overview. Some details may be adjusted as plans are refined, but we wanted to share a glimpse of what’s in store for the fall, and to thank everyone who shared your thoughts with such passion and generosity.

Meanwhile, do you remember how wonderful it was to see our whole church family together last summer? In a few weeks (May 31) our summer schedule begins again, with an old-fashioned Hymn-Sing at 9:30 and Worship at 10:00 a.m. Don’t miss the smiles at our summer-long Family Reunion!

Thank you for your faithfulness.

THIS WEEK!

MPC CHILDREN
will sing for the last time
until fall this
Sunday, May 17th
during the 11:00 service. 
 

We hope you will join us at this service as we reveal this year's VBS theme with the always-anticipated VBS Promo Video!!!

Sunday, May 24 is the Last Day of Sunday School.  Thank you for a wonderful year of sharing God's powerful love!  

There is NO BLOC on Sunday, May 31st.  Please join us for ONE service at 10:00. There will be a Children's Message and Nursery Care.

EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN MAY
VBS Decorating Sessions-all ages welcome!

7:00 - 8:30 p.m., downstairs in Room 202

COME JOIN THE FUN! 


VBS 2015
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
AUGUST 10-14
FUN DETAILS TO FOLLOW!


 

End of Year Youth Group Party is on Sunday May 17
at Judy and David Sharbaugh's house (29 Dartmouth Circle, Media) from 5:30-8:00 pm for middle and high school youth.  We'll be going on a hike to Linvilla Orchards, having dinner, and hanging out around a fire pit with s'mores.  Please bring a snack, drink or dessert to share and a change of shoes (the trail can get muddy).  Join us for our last youth group of the school year before the Great Staycation of 2015!

The Great Staycation of 2015
The Youth Committee is busy planning a wonderful summer for you! Come enjoy a day in God’s creation. Bring your friends! We need to hear from you about these upcoming events:

  • June 23: Middle School, Day hike led by Deborah Krabbendam.
  • July 18: High School/YABS, Rock Climbing and cookout with Valley to Summit Guided Wilderness at Chickies Rock in Lancaster

Click HERE for the entire 2015 Staycation Summer Schedule!     
If you have any questions about Youth Group, please contact us at
youth@mediapresbyterian.org.

Stephen Ministry: Christ Caring for People Through People
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God…
(I John:4-7) There are many ways to do this: give someone a ride to church, volunteer at the food bank, invite someone to a Bible study, provide a meal for a shut-in. Stephen Ministry is another important, tangible way to show God’s love to others.

To find out how you can make a difference in someone’s life
and be part of MPC’s new Stephen Ministry, contact stephenministry@mediapresbyterian.org today.
PRAYER WITH THE PNC 
All are Welcome!
The PNC wants to be guided by prayer in the selection process of our next Senior Pastor. We are all invited to be a part this process by joining members of the PNC each Sunday in May to pray for God’s wisdom and discernment and to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us.

We will meet in Room 102 this Sunday from 10:35 - 10:55 am.

UPCOMING EVENTS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an Interim Director of Youth Ministry. 

The details of the position are available here.

MPC MINISTRY NEWS

 
Join us for prayer in the Prayer Room every Sunday after the 9:30 and 11:00 services. On the first Sunday of each month, join us during the 11 a.m. service.  

Click here to learn more about our prayer ministry and prayer room.

This week's prayer:


Here is a prayer that an Iranian refugee, a new friend, posted on his Facebook page.  It seems to cover just about all the desires of our hearts as well.
 
 
Heavenly Father,
 
We come to You in the Name that is above every name—Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Our hearts cry out to You.
 
Knowing that You are a prayer-answering, faithful God—the One we trust in times like these—we ask that You renew our spirits, revive our churches, and heal our land.
 
We repent of our sins and ask for Your grace and power to save us. Hear our cry, oh God, and pour out Your Spirit upon us that we may walk in obedience to Your Word.
 
We are desperate for Your tender mercies. We are broken and humbled before You.
Forgive us, and in the power of Your great love, lift us up to live in Your righteousness.
 
We pray for our beloved nation. May we repent and return to You and be a light to the nations. And we pray for our leaders and ask that You give them wisdom and faith to follow You.
 
Preserve and protect us, for You are our refuge and only hope.
Deliver us from all fears except to fear You, and may we courageously stand in the Truth that sets us free.
 
We pray with expectant faith and grateful hearts.
 
In Jesus’ name, our Savior.
 
Amen.
NEW!
Announcing MPC Single Women’s Fellowship
(widowed, divorced, never married)
 
The Member Care Committee is pleased to announce the creation of the MPC Single Women’s Fellowship.  This new initiative will bring together single women in the church for fellowship and will have the following goals:
  • To get to know other single women at MPC
  • To network with and enjoy fellowship with each other
  • And, most important, to have fun with other Christian women
For more information, please fill out the questionnaire by clicking on the above graphic.

For the month of May, we are collecting "PET PACKS" which could include a bag with any pet-related items such as dog/cat food, treats, toys, etc. Please leave them near the bin in the kitchen marked "Food Bank". Our next volunteer day is the fourth Saturday of the month, May 23 at 9:30 a.m. at First UMC of Media, 350 W. State Street, Media. 
 
The food bank is always in need of items that food stamps do not cover such as clothing, dish detergent, toothpaste, diapers, baby wipes, feminine products, toilet paper.   Cans of fruit and rice are also really needed.

SPECIAL VOLUNTEER REQUESTS:


Volunteers needed to deliver fresh produce from Produce Junction to the Food Bank on a regular basis. For more information Call Betty Luzier (610)357-1523 or email or Holly Gaffney (610) 761-2814 or email.

 

Volunteers needed to manage or assist in managing the Clothes Closet which is part of the Food Bank.  This person is needed to make sure there are volunteers in the store during open hours and to help with the sorting and straightening of donated items. Sorting is usually on Fridays, but this is flexible. The store is open every Thursday evening and Saturday morning.  If you are interested, please contact Robin Beaver of the Food Bank at (267) 847-3911 or by email. 

CONNECT ON WEDNESDAYS 

YOGA AT MPC

Mondays in Dale Hall

Chair Yoga: 6:15-7:05 pm
Hatha Yoga: 7:15-8:15 pm,
Current session: April 6, 13, 20, 27 May 4, 11, 18 (no class May 25)
7 classes for $35

Thursdays in The Post

Relaxing Flow Yoga: 6:30 pm
Hatha Yoga (Intermediate): 7:30 pm
Current session: April 9 (make up for snow day)
New session: April 16, 23, 30 May 7, 14, 21, 28
7 classes for $35

Cash or checks made out to "Media Presbyterian Church." If interested, please email Lisa Dombroski.
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.

Upcoming topic:
-Essential Tips to Know before Your Next Interview

useful links:

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