Dr. Russell Sullivan, Pastor
One of my favorite writers who connects spirituality with the Christian calendar is Robert Webber. He divides the Christian year into two major cycles. Advent through Epiphany he calls the cycle of light. In this cycle we dwell on the incarnation of Christ and his manifestation to the world. Beginning with Lent and continuing through Pentecost, we enter into another cycle, the cycle of life. The central motif here is death and resurrection. While the cycle of light focuses on the coming of Christ among us, the cycle of life recalls the purpose for which he came: the gift and sacrifice of his life to defeat the powers of sin and death that hold us in bondage and to give us the gift of forgiveness, healing, and new life.
Holy Week Services
Maundy Thursday March 28, 6:30 pm
Good Friday March 29, 7:30 pm
Easter Sunday March 31 8:30 & 11:00 am
The most significant time in the calendar of the Christian year falls within the cycle of life, and that time is Holy Week. It begins on the sixth Sunday in Lent, known as “Palm” Sunday. But don’t think of Palm Sunday simply as a day to remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. It is certainly that, but it is more. It is your day too, your our own entry into a very solemn and glorious experience of spirituality. For Jesus Palm Sunday was his gateway into the culmination of his life and ministry. On Palm Sunday, we enter that gate with him and discover that our spiritual lives are being ordered around the most sacred moment in the history of the world, the church, and of our own experience of human existence.
See Holy Week on page 2
World Day of Prayer 2013
By Cheryl A. Goode
As we come into the season of Lent it is a time of penitence, or reflection and prayer. But, why prayer? And should we pray every day? Prayer is the way we communicate with God. It is of such importance that it is mentioned in the Bible over 250 times. Daily prayer gives us the opportunity to share all aspects of our lives with God and to express our gratitude for our many blessings. It provides us a time to confess our sinfulness, and it is an act of worship and obedience. Through prayer we acknowledge that God is in control of our lives.
See Prayer on page 4
Bagels & Belief
March 3
Why Evolution Won’t Go Away
Dr. Ted Davis
April 7
The Culture of Disbelief
Dr. Ted Davis
May 5
It’s the Economy (again), Stupid!
Pastor Sullivan
June 2
Is it the End of Marriage as We Know It?
Pastor Sullivan
All forums are held at 9:40 am in Fellowship Hall
HOLY WEEK
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For Monday through Wednesday of Holy Week, we do not have services at the church, but I suggest that you spend time in personal devotion and prayer, using the Lenten devotionals prepared by Pine Streeters to gather your thoughts and prayers for your journey to cross and Easter. On Thursday, known as Maundy Thursday because of Jesus’ new commandment (mandatum) that we are to love one another, we will celebrate Maundy Thursday at 6:30pm at Pine Street In previous years we worshipped at Market Square Presbyterian Church, but changes in their leadership prompted a desire on their part to lead their own worship service. This gives us an opportunity to create a new worship experience for our congregation.
On Good Friday, at 7:30pm, we gather in our sanctuary to hear the Passion story in the Service of Tenebrae. This is a dramatic service that reminds us of the cost to which God will go to liberate us from our sin. And then Easter Sunday, the Day of Resurrection, the most important Sunday of the year, we celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead, his victory over death and evil, and the renewal of all creation.
I want to encourage you to think about Holy Week not as an opportunity only to remember something that happened to Jesus. Think of it as your journey, from sin and death to newness of life. See yourself in the story. Paul the Apostle says, “If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” (Romans 6:5) It is so, and may you know in your lives and hearts this year. Bless you on your journey into Holy Week!
Be a Greeter
The Greeter Team is a new opportunity for you to serve Pine Street on Sunday mornings. If you come to the 11:00am service at least 80% of the time and enjoy greeting people when they arrive, then you should think about join the Greeter Team. As a Greeter, you will greet people a the door, pass out bulletins, and welcome visitors to our church. There will be two meetings a year to set up the schedule. We will plan six months in advance, so if you plan to be away, we can easily find you a substitute. You can sign up for the Greeter Team at the Welcome Center and if you have any questions, plase speak with Rev. Lang.
Session Notes for February
The Boards of Deacons and Trustees met with Session for the annual joint meeting as required by the Presbyterian Book of Order.
Treasurer reported that the preliminary final 2013 financial report shows a deficit of only $12,188 which is better than anticipated and is the result of careful spending plus greater than expected pledge income as well as other factors. Investment income in 2013 is expected to be stronger than 2012. Trustee Chair reported that the overall condition of the Church is very positive. Deacon Moderator noted that the reduced number of Deacons is requiring some adjustment of what can be done and how best to accomplish their ministries.
For 2013, Dr Sullivan plans to lead Session into spending less time on administration and more time in discernment, visioning, and confronting the vital issues affecting future directions for Pine Street. Other priorities include providing pastoral care for our downtown and older congregation and further developing the prayer and study life of the congregation.
Thank you to Loretta Smith, Margaret Mielke, and Marna Holt for their creation of adorable teddy bears which they sell as a fundraiser for DDB. At the East Pennsboro Pumpkin Fest in Oct. 2012, the ladies set up their tent for two days and sold over $1,000 of bears. This donation, in turn, bought 500 meals for hungry DDB clients. Thank you ladies!
Thanks to Cheryl Goode and the Senior High Youth for collection of $300 on “Souper Bowl” Sunday. This collection fed 150 people on a Sunday afternoon.
Each of these efforts on behalf of Pine Street Presbyterian Church members and groups represents a commitment to Pine Street’s mission of feeding the hungry and providing for the homeless through Downtown Daily Bread.
Celebrating Three Decades of Feeding
the Hungry
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Downtown Daily Bread (DDB) serving the needs of the hungry in downtown Harrisburg. A luncheon on Sunday, March 10, 2013, at 12:30pm will be the “kick off” to several events throughout the year to “celebrate and educate” about DDB and its 30 years of progress in serving the needs of the hungry in downtown Harrisburg.
At the luncheon, Brenda Ervin, DDB Kitchen Manager, will be preparing the main entrée. The Pine Street Congregational Life and Mission Committees will also be lending a hand in the preparation and service of the meal.
Please come and join us for lunch on March 10, and invite your friends. There will also be a presentation about DDB and its programs. There is no charge for this lunch, but you are encouraged to make a contribution to Downtown Daily Bread in gratitude and appreciation for its mission in our community. Please sign up at the Welcome Center.
Octopi Harrisburg Great Success: 117 to be Fed by
Margaret Mielke
Octopi Harrisburg, accompanied by their valentine friends from Bears for Bread, took over part of the Gathering Place on Sunday, February 10. Having been denied their chance to grace the Cabaret, due to poor weather conditions, they happily accepted the opportunity to bring joy to various church members and provide meals for 117 clients of Downtown Daily Bread. When available stock was depleted, Loretta Smith and Marna Holt gladly accepted orders for more octopi and one pony, the proceeds from which will feed an additional 75 DDB clients.
Asked to comment on the proceedings, Octavius Octopus, the leader of the invertebrates, proclaimed, “We are thrilled to wrap our arms around hunger in such an all-encompassing fashion. We look forward to more opportunities to provide meals for Harrisburg’s hungry.”
Trustees Notes for January
The Property Committee continues at a fast pace:
APPROVED $6500 for the repair of the tower at 3rd and South to stop water leakage.
NOTED: The hot water heater in the kitchen has been replaced.
APPROVED: New door locks for the door at the corner of 3rd and South.
APPROVED: Security lighting for DDB.
DISCUSSED: The comparison between the 2012 and 2013 budgets
DISCUSSED: Insurance coverage for the church and the probable end to any further payments for repairs to the organ.
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On the first Friday in March each year “The World Day of Prayer” is celebrated across the globe in over 170 countries. This movement aims to bring together women of various races, cultures and traditions in a common day of prayer so that they might be closer in fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.
It started as The Women’s World Day of Prayer in the United States in 1884, but soon became a worldwide movement that was led by women. Mary Ellen James the wife of a Presbyterian minister in New York, the mother of seven children, knew all too well the problems that were faced by women and new immigrants to America. She saw first hand the poverty, unemployment, poor housing, and lack of health and educational facilities. She knew something had to be done and so she called for a day of prayer.
A few years later two Baptist women called for a day of prayer for World Mission, which expanded to neighboring countries, Europe and other continents. In 1927 this day became known as Women’s World Day of Prayer and today we know it as World Day of Prayer.
Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world. Every year, worship services focus on a different country and a specific theme. World Day of Prayer National/Regional Committees of that country prepare the order of worship on these themes to be used on the next World Day of Prayer. On the first Friday of March, then, in services all over the world that country becomes the focus of prayer and understanding. World Day of Prayer in 2013 will take place on March 1. The host country, France, has developed the theme “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Through preparation and participation in worship services, all persons who participate worldwide may learn how their brothers and sisters of other countries, languages, and cultures understand the Biblical passages in their context. They may learn of the concerns and needs of others and to empathize and feel in solidarity with them.
The question remains, should we pray every day? Yes, even if you are not in a worship service on Friday, March 1, 2013 your prayers are still heard across the globe. God’s invitation in II Chronicles 7:14 tells us to
Follow the Cross
by Ron Poorman
During the liturgical season of Lent we are particularly aware of the cross as a symbol. When we speak of its symbolism, though, we must be aware that its symbolic meaning may change from culture to culture or from denomination to denomination. Even the presence of a cross in a sanctuary is open to discussion, with many Presbyterian churches not having a permanent cross on display in their sanctuaries. At Pine Street Church for example, we do not have a permanent cross on display. Rather, the cross is carried into the sanctuary by a “crucifer” as part of a procession at the beginning of a service.
The cross used in Reformed churches is almost always an empty cross, while Catholic churches display a crucifix, a cross with the body of Christ fixed upon it. The empty cross would tend to symbolize the resurrected Jesus, while the crucifix presents Jesus the crucified Christ. It has been a long-standing tradition at Pine Street to display a sculpture in the transept (the open area to the right of the chancel). The sculpture is the work of Pine Street member and sculptor, John Hertzler. The cross is made from the wood of a fallen tree found on John’s farm. On the cross hangs a stainless steel representation of the crucified Christ. If you examine it you can see the nails and wounds our savior suffered. Jesus himself said: “Take up your cross and follow me,” implying for us modern day Christians that the cross, for each of us, may take a different form or path.
Another tradition at Pine Street is to display our collection of crosses from around the world. The collection was assembled by Dick Wechter, a Presbyterian missionary, teacher, volunteer and world traveler. In his travels Mr. Wechter observed that crosses definitely reflected the culture of which it was a part.
Most of us are aware of some of the variety found in crosses: the familiar t-shaped Latin cross, the square Greek cross, the Celtic cross with its braided interlace, Byzantine and Russian Crosses. Less familiar are crosses using repetitive patterns seen in tiles and
humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, then he will hear our prayers, forgive our sin and heal our land. See Cross on page 5
CROSS
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fabric designs (reflecting the influence of Islam), the ornate heraldry crosses of Europe reminiscent of the swirls and flourishes of the Baroque and Victorian crosses associated with orders of knights who were active during the middle ages, a Nestorian budded cross set among lotus leaves (showing perhaps Buddhist influence).*
Two particularly interesting crosses are the Nala crosses from Chiapas, Mexico which illustrate through metalwork or creative work with clay, the combination of the cross with traditional faith symbols of the natural world – sun, moon and stars. It is likely that these crosses reflect the early struggle to integrate their past objects of worship into their new-found Christian faith.*
The cross collection will be on display in the Gathering Place from early March until Easter. Take a moment to examine these powerful expressions of faith and think about what the cross means to you as we journey together toward Jerusalem.
LILIES ORDER FORM – 2013
If you would like to purchase a lily that will be used for decorating the sanctuary for Easter, please complete the form below. The form can be either mailed or put in the offering plate along with your check made payable to Pine Street Presbyterian Church (please specify in the memo that this is for lilies). The cost of the lilies is $8.00 each. Deadline for orders is March 22, 2013.
WORDING OF DEDICATION:
* Background information about the crosses and Mr. Wechter are found in an article for Pine Street Life (Vol 25, No 3) by Joanne Alwine and Barbara Taylor, 2005,
You are encouraged to take your plant following the 11:00 am worship service.
*Payment is due when order form is submitted.
Mailing address is: Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
WE MUST HAVE THE ABOVE FORM FILLED OUT AND GIVEN TO THE CHURCH OFFICE. IF YOU DO NOT FILL OUT THIS FORM, YOU WILL NOT HAVE YOUR MEMORIAL LISTED IN THE EASTER BULLETIN, EVEN IF YOU HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE IT DONE AUTOMATICALLY FROM YEAR TO YEAR.
8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Church School - all ages 11:00 AM Worship –Sanctuary 12:30 PM Teachers Meeting–Room
4:15 PM Youth Handbell Choir
5:00 PM SYF - Fellowship Hall & Boyd
3 3rd Sunday in
8:30 AM Worship -
10 4th Sunday in Lent
8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Church School - all ages 11:00 AM Worship –Sanctuary 12:30
17 5th Sunday in
AM
March, 2013
Friday March 1
Psalms 22; 148
Jeremiah 5:1–9
Romans 2:25—3:18
John 5:30–47
Saturday March 2
Psalms 43; 149
Jeremiah 5:20–31
Romans 3:19–31
John 7:1–13
Sunday March 3
Third Sunday in Lent
Psalms 84; 150
Jeremiah 6:9–15
1 Corinthians 6:12–20
Mark 5:1–20
Monday March 4
Psalms 119:73–80; 145
Jeremiah 7:1–15
Romans 4:1–12
John 7:14–36
Tuesday March 5
Psalms 34; 146
Jeremiah 7:21–34
Romans 4:13–25
John 7:37–52
Wednesday March 6
Psalms 5; 147:1–11
Jeremiah 8:4–7, 18—9:6
Romans 5:1–11
John 8:12–20
Thursday March 7
Psalms 27; 147:12–20
Jeremiah 10:11–24
Romans 5:12–21
John 8:21–32
