Newsletter

We invite you to join us on Sunday morning at Church School
and for one of our Worship Services.
Informal Worship Service at 8:30 a.m.
Church School at 9:45 a.m.
Traditional Worship Service at 11:00 a.m.
Child care is available throughout the morning.
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Summer Worship Schedule: for the month of August there will be one worship service at 9:30 a.m., with a reception following the service.

Summer Office Hours (July-August): Monday & Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m.; Tuesday, 8-3:45 p.m.; Wednesday, 8-4:15 p.m. and Friday, 8-12:45 p.m.

Cathy Kehler will be on vacation from August 8-19, Rev. Roach and Bonnie Kilgore will be in the office as their schedules allow. The office will be closed on Friday, August 8th & 15th. All information for the September “Connections” must be in the office by 8/15/08. Thank you.

All children completing grades K through five are invited to attend our Summer Sunday Classroom after the children’s message. Our summer lessons, “Consider the Lilies,” help us recognize the many places in which we sense God’s presence.

Church School teachers for age three through senior high: please come to an orientation meeting at 10:45 a.m. on August 24 in Room 11. We hope to set up teaching schedules and look at the themes and plans for the ’08-’09 church school year. A half hour should do it!

Attention All Men: The survey sheet for the men’s fellowship group is on the table across from the office. Please complete and return it to the office or to Georgia Mazzolla. We would love to have you join in the fun and fellowship. All are welcome.

Bring Toppings: CPC members please bring your favorite ice cream topping to church on Sunday, August 10th for the ice cream social.

Landscaping Supplies Needed: Please contact Ken Weller at 652-4058 if you (or anybody you know) has scalloped edging, old paver bricks, landscape stone or other block edging that you no longer need. These items can be used around the nursery school playground area. Thank you.

Interested in helping out with the Summer Receptions by donating your favorite finger food? Sign up sheet is on the table across from the office. Thank you. ~ The Deacons

Summer receptions: Please contact Rebecca Storts at 645-6353 if you are able to volunteer for any Sunday.

Volunteer drivers are needed: We the deacons are in the process of updating a list of folks who would be willing to drive Church members to and from church services, other church activities, medical appointments and other errands. If you would be interested in helping with this service please let one of us know either by phone or e-mail. It is important that we serve our members in need of this service. In addition we need the folks that could use this service to let us know so we can coordinate the service. Thank you! Please contact Betty Butler at 737-3062 or Bogybetz@aol.com or Marcy Irvin at 737-9009 or queenmarcy@ verizon.net.

Fellowship Committee: Donations of prize items for upcoming bingo games are being accepted by the fellowship commission. Donate your unwanted treasures (in good condition) for the prize box. Call Marcy Irvin with any questions. Thank you.

The Summer Greeter, Usher & Acolyte schedule has been mailed/emailed and an updated list is also posted on the bulletin board across from the office. If you are unable to serve on your date, please find a substitute and call the office at 737-0051 with any changes. Thank you.

2008 Flowers: The Calendar is posted on the kitchenette door in the lounge. We have openings throughout the year. Please sign up for the Sunday you would like to donate the flowers, (the cost will remain at $28) and send payment in the same month you have donated the flowers. Thank you.

A service to receive the Sunday bulletin by email is available. To receive the CPC Sunday bulletin via email, just email the church office requesting it.

Mark your calendars for fun and fellowship: August 10 – Ice Cream Social, October 31 – Halloween Party, November 9 – Thanksgiving is more than food ?, December 14 – Christmas Carol Sing-a-long. Thank you! ~ Deacon Fellowship Committee

The Mission Trip Committee is offering an opportunity for September 14-20, 2008. We are organizing this trip through SWAP (Sharing With Appalachian People). The mission of this organization is to provide home repair ministry for low income families. We will travel approximately six hours to Elkhorn, WV to do work ranging from painting, repairing porches to replacing leaky roofs, adding rooms and basic renovations. Construction experience is not required. All you need is a willingness to learn and help. The total cost is $300 per person and includes lodging, food, building materials and tools. Ask any of the committee members for more information. Committee: Galen Martin, Deb Davis, Karen Robbins, Dave Duke, Candy Gallaher and Bridget Abbott.

Attention all who love to knit or crochet: The Esther Circle Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet in the Library at the church at 1:00 on the first and third Monday of each month. The next meeting will be held on Monday, August 18 at 1:00 p.m. The patterns used are very simple and easy. Please join us and if you have questions call Betty Butler (737-3062).

There are shawls available for distribution. Please speak to any knitter if you know of someone who would benefit by having one. The recipient doesn't need to be a church member, only someone in need of some comfort and care.

This ministry was started by a group of women who participated in the first Women’s Institute at Hartford Seminary, Hartford, Connecticut in 1998. They started knitting shawls for women who were undergoing treatment for breast cancer or other illnesses. Many groups also knit for new mothers and for people who just need a shawl. Our hope is that we, too, can become part of this outreach program.

Ruth Circle: If you've not attended a Ruth Circle meeting - what are you waiting for? The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 13 at 6:00 p.m. at Isaac’s Restaurant in the West Shore Plaza. ALL WOMEN OF THE CHURCH ARE WELCOME! Please RSVP Jean Dankosky Don't miss the great food, fun and fellowship.

Esther Circle: the next meeting will be held on September 11, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. in room 4 at the church. Please bring a bag lunch. The hostesses provide dessert and coffee. You are invited to join them.

Attention all gardeners and landscapers (and anybody else): the Trustee Commission is recruiting volunteers in its effort to continue beautifying the church grounds. Join Arley Miller and Ken Weller for an hour or two at 8:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursday of the month in various trimming and weeding jobs around the property. Some of us may also be eating breakfast at the Summit Restaurant on Gettysburg Road (next to Fager’s) at 7:30 a.m. and then going to the church. The meetings in August are on the 7th & 21st. Call Ken at 652-4058 with any questions.

CPC Book Club We meet in Room 6 the third Wednesday of every month at 6:45 p.m., unless otherwise specified. Join us on August 20 in the library to discuss “The Book of Bright Ideas” by Sandra Kring and on September 17 to discuss "North River" by Pete Hamill. Contact Suzanne Quigley with questions at 770-2283 or The4quigs@verizon.net.

Thank you for your generosity with our YOUTH FUND RAISERS. Your donations went towards a high school retreat to Spruce Lake from June 13-15, 2008. Any “extra” money raised will go towards a high school trip to Montreat in 2009. For more information about Spruce Lake, check out their website: http://sprucelake.org/index.htm

CPC Members: Our tellers, church treasurer, and financial secretary need your help! If you write a check to the church for any reason, please designate the intention of the check in the memo line so it will be credited to the proper account. To simplify the teller’s job please use a separate check for each category (i.e. pledge, flowers, special offering, bake sale, memorial, gifts, etc.) Thanks for helping us keep our records straight, it is appreciated by all!

Camp Krislund needs volunteers the weeks of July 27-August 2 and August 3-9 to assist in the kitchen or help with maintenance and support work. If available contact Camp Krislund at 814-422-8878 or Brian Zimmerman at 938-4335.

Kathy Zimmerman is going to Krislund to volunteer the week of August 3-9. This is the last week of summer camp for Krislund. If anyone is interested in going along or coming for a few days to help where needed they can contact Kathy at 938-4335 for details.Thank you.

FOOD PANTRY
What else can we do for the hungry in our community? How about when the supermarket has a “Buy one, get one free” bring in the “free” item and place it in the food barrel in the hallway near the office. Or just buy a few extra items when you are shopping to donate. We send volunteers to the Ecumenical Food Pantry at Messiah Lutheran Church in Harrisburg and they will take the donations with them for distribution to those in need. Canned goods, cereal, pasta, etc. are used to fill the bags. Also needed are personal care items such as toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc. Please be generous and remember to bring in items and place in the barrel.

Downtown Daily Bread Volunteers –The updated volunteer schedule for 2008 and substitute lists are on the bulletin board across from the office. Good news! DDB volunteers can park in 3 parking garages in the City: Walnut St. Parking Garage; Locust Street Parking Garage; and Now SOUTH STREET PARKING GARAGE (RIGHT BESIDE DDB). Of course, we ask that you car pool and use the DDB space beside the church as your first option, ( to save DDB money.) Thank you all for your time and willingness to serve! Call Jeannie Bilunas at 763-4976 with any questions or concerns.

Thank You for Agreeing to Serve as ushers, greeters, and acolytes. If you cannot serve on your scheduled Sunday, please trade dates with someone for a different date. Please contact the Church office (737- 0051) with schedule changes.

Common Lectionary readings (a list of scripture readings based on the church year) are accepted by many denominations as a starting point for the preparation and direction of a worship service.

August:
3      Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17: 1-7, 15; Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21
10    Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33
17    Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
24   Exodus 1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20
31    Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28

From the SE & A Commission: Offered in the hope the world will heal, and we will all learn to live in peace.

Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity.
Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech.
Be a lamp unto those who walk in darkness, and a home to the stranger.
Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring.
Be a breath of life to the body of humankind, a dew to the soil of the human heart,
and a fruit upon the tree of humility.

A Call to Advocacy
God calls us to be full participants in civil society, to make a difference for the common good in the public square. If you would like to be informed of issues before the legislature, sign up for the email publication, Ecu-advocate, and “Alerts” from the PA Council of Churches. These emails will give you background information on bills and links to further information as well as suggested actions. If you are interested, please give your email information to the church office, or email Jean Dankosky at jwd56@verizon.net, or call Jean at 774-6642.

Other ways to keep informed and make your opinions known include attending the town meetings held by our elected officials, and emailing, calling, or writing your legislator. The legislators also have web sites which are a good source of information. Information for contacting your legislator is available in the hallway outside the office. Visits to legislators
will be planned as issues of concern arise.

LEND A HAND SCHEDULE & UPDATE: Lend-A-Hand needs YOU!!!
(See Social Education & Action for more details)