THE

101 Bridgeboro Road, Moorestown, New Jersey

First Presbyterian Church

Weathervane
(856) 235-1688 www.fpcmoorestown.org

March 2012
Dear Friends,

Ask and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. Matthew 7:7

We have been blessed by the superb teaching of Steve Byrd and Paul Miller during a renewal weekend in which we examined The Praying Life. We have concluded a preaching series Sunday mornings on The Lords Prayer. We have experienced a first ever ~ week of prayer and fasting ~ when we stopped all the programs of the church and committed to focus and pray as a congregation 3 times a day. And now we are well into the Lenten Season and many of us are continuing our exploration of prayer using Richard Fosters book, Prayer ~ Finding the Hearts True Home. You might wonder if all of this just happened to fall together or if there was a larger plan behind it all. There was a larger plan. Last spring, we pastors felt God directing us this year to the `conversation we all need which we call prayer. Our economy struggles our families are under many internal pressures our denomination wrangles our ability to bear witness to Gods faithfulness has its own awkwardness and sensitivities. We really need help we really need to learn how to pray. There were two things that especially seemed to hit home for me in this time of reflection on prayer. The first was the teaching that reminded us that real prayer is not accomplished through exceptional discipline. No, real prayer, is carried out through an exceptional awareness of our helplessness. It is in the broken awareness of our lives that God really has a chance to be God. Helplessness, of course, is one attribute none of us want to show to those around us. Yet prayer means its OK and even necessary to come to God in a state of helplessness. This is not the Moorestown, Mt. Laurel , Cinnaminson , Delran way is it? Helplessness? This may not be our way, but it certainly seems to be the avenue that gets us Gods full attention and care. The second thing that hit home was Paul Millers teaching that the most important aspect of the Praying Life is asking! He encouraged us to ask and keep asking. He showed us how to utilize a set of prayer cards that could help us organize our requests as we pray for individuals and circumstances that were of concern to us. Ask about the little things and the big things. Ask and keep asking. I wanted to express my thanks to our elders who led by praying in significant ways during this time. Did you know there was a 24 hour prayer vigil that began our renewal weekend and a second prayer vigil that carried us through the weekend itself? Thanks, too, to Dick and Martha for their careful preparations for us in this Lenten Season. Additionally, Joel and Neal have done superb work in supporting the spoken word through the ministry of music. We are a very blessed congregation. May our lives look more and more like a praying life!

p.s. Elder Randy Bricker and I traveled in January to Orlando -- to participate in and gain more information about The Fellowship of Presbyterians. We will be taking time through an adult education track to clarify what has happened and where we are in the midst of much change.

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March 2012 Sermon Schedule

SUNDAY MORNINGS
8am in Fellowship Hall 8:30am in the Sanctuary 11am in the Sanctuary Series ~ Prayer: Finding the Hearts True Home MARCH 4 The Prayer of Relinquishment Not My Will...but Thine Luke 22:39-44 Jonathan Miller MARCH 11 The Prayer of Rest Sabbath Prayer...Be Still and Know Matthew 11:28-29, Hebrews 4:1-11 Martha Jordan MARCH 18 The Prayer of the HeartAbba Praying Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 66:12-13, Ps. 103:13-14 Richard Herman MARCH 25 Praying the Ordinary The Sanctity of the Ordinary 1 Cor. 10:31, Colossians 3:17, Zechariah 14:20-21 Jonathan Miller

SUNDAY EVENINGS
5pm New Creation in the Commons
Series ~ Prayer: Finding the Hearts True Home MARCH 4 Covenant PrayerThe God Intoxicated Life Joshua 24:14-24 Martha Jordan MARCH 11 The Prayer of Adoration The Spontaneous Yearning Psalm 110, Revelation 5:11-14 Jonathan Miller MARCH 18 Unceasing PrayerAll the Time Praying 1 Thess. 5:16-18, Colossians 4:2, Luke 18:1ff Jonathan Miller MARCH 25 Healing PrayerBody and Soul James 5:13-18, 1 Kings 17:17-24 Richard Herman

Preaching at the New Covenant Presbyterian Church

Many of you are aware of the request of our sister church in Mount Laurel ~ that we at FPC provide a preacher on Sunday mornings and pastoral care as needed during the week. Their pastor, Rev. Katie Mulligan, concluded her ministry at the church December 31, 2011. The worshipping congregation of 15-20 meets at 11am Sunday mornings and is located at 240 Creek Road, Mount Laurel. Ms. Ruth Stotsenburg (a member and elder at New Covenant) lead a Bible Study on Wednesday afternoons. At this time both churches are in a period of discerning what God is doing in the midst of this in-between time. New covenant has extended a welcome to any from FPC who would like to worship with them or share in the ministry God has given to them. Your prayers for this community of faith and for those seeking Gods direction at FPC are most appreciated. Wes Allen has been the primary preacher in January and February ~ with assistance from Rev. Dick Ringenwald. The preaching schedule for March is the following: March 4: Dick Herman (Communion) March 11: Wes Allen March 18: Dick Ringewald March 25: Wes Allen

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From Our Executive Pastor

Dear Friends The Praying Life Renewal Weekend is now behind us. The Week of Prayer and Fasting has been completed. Lent has now begun and small groups are meeting each week to study and share together around Richard Fosters book, Prayer: Finding the Hearts True Home. Id love to have something profound or deep to share with you about all of it but I dont. The weekend introduced us to something more than saying prayers or getting prayer right. Its about an ongoing, living relationship with the God who loves us ... and loves us a lot! Its about free and freeing conversation with Jesus, like we have a free-running and un-constrained conversation with our beloved or a close friend. The praying life was called the practice of the presence of God in 1666 by the humble kitchen monk who was affectionately known as Brother Lawrence. I was reminded that The Praying Life is not a set of rules for how to say prayers the right way; instead its the underlying fabric (or matrix) that holds together all the various experiences and relationships that make up our lives. And, I was not allowed to miss the fact that the Praying Life begins and ends with my weakness not my strength, with my helplessness not my sufficiency its to be a child of God who relates to God like a child!

The Week of Prayer and Fasting allowed me to experience Gods grace, love and peace as intentional prayer in community punctuated each day for me. It didnt mean running from real life as the deaths of two dear ones rocked our congregational life during those very days. But, there was just something special about being with even a relatively small group at each pause for prayerwhen we meditated on the scripture and were led by the Spirit to pray together in praise and confession, interceding for the church, the world, the nation, one another and more. Those were holy moments! I hope you were blessedI was. [And thank you to those who told me how they found the prayer book helpful its always encouraging to know that something you do makes a difference to the people I care about.] Whats next? Hopefully for many of us hopefully for you were each in a small group that can be a community encouraging us to practice the Praying Life as well as pay attention to the daily rhythms in our lives of regular pauses for prayer when, as the psalmist says, seven times a day I praise you (Psa. 119:164). My prayer for you is that this Lenten season, you and I can both live the freedom to pray as you can, not as you cant and just start where we are with a life-giving, ongoing relationship with Jesus that includes continual conversation with Him. As always I am yours in Christs service,

Photos of Places of Prayer, all taken during 2010 Sabbatical Quiet Cornerfrom Iona Abbey, Scotland; House of PrayerAnglican Church of St. Mary, Lastingham, Yorkshire, England; Northumbria AltarThe Northumbria Community, Northumbria, England. --rhh

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From Our Associate Pastor for Families

Dear Friends, Every other year, I attend a conference for Presbyterian educators with a friend from seminary. One of my favorite things to do at the conference is to walk through the exhibit hall with Beth and stop at different displays from vendors. We catch up about our lives and where God is calling us as we look at examples of new curriculums and books or the information about great youth mission trips. In February of 2011, while wandering through the exhibit hall, I met a man named Ted Cooper Jr. He was not the typical sales person, but instead he told me his life journey. In 1999, Cooper and his wife were happy agnostics. Residing in Houston, Texas, the Coopers had a contented, successful life. Cooper was a businessman who specialized in computer consulting. The Coopers were busy raising three children, ages 11, 9 and 7. The Coopers were nice people, but didnt happen to believe in anything and didnt have time for religion. But God had other ideas. The children had a curiosity about Christ and wanted to know more. The Coopers believed their children should be able to make up their own minds about the spiritual direction of their lives. So Cooper began to take them to the Presbyterian church he had attended as a child. All went smoothly. The family attended Sunday school and worship each week. Then questions began ~questions the children brought home to their parents, questions about God, faith and life that Cooper himself began to ask. Secretly Cooper went to the Bible to find the answers. He began to read the Bible undercover. In fact, he poured through the Scriptures at a fast pace, completing 12 pages per day for 90 days. He wanted to quickly put an end to the questions swirling around his household and his own mind. Eventually Cooper shared with his wife that he was reading the Bible. Somewhere in the Old Testament, possibly Isaiah or Jeremiah, Cooper realized he was believing what he was reading. Cooper went on to read the Bible three more times in 1999. The Holy Spirit changed his life, awakened faith in Jesus Christ and transformed his family from friendly agnostics to passionate, and still friendly, believers. Cooper went on to explain that this was the start for him of a new life and a new ministry. In 2001 Cooper offered a class at his Presbyterian Church. In 2002, Cooper left his secular career and started The Bible in 90 days. Can reading the Bible through in a short time frame actually change lives? It changed Ted Coopers life. By reading 12 pages of Scripture per day, Cooper not only read the entire Bible in 90 days, he also experienced the Spirit of God transform his and his familys lives. This summer, I invite you to read the Bible in 90 days. This isnt a speed read through the Bible to say that you did it. Instead, it in an opportunity to read and have your eyes open to Gods Word. Im inviting you to pray about it. In April we will have sign-ups for the program. The Bible in 90 Days offers participant guides to follow along with the NIV version of the Bible that we will read together. The participants guide is linked to a DVD and helps group members discuss the joys and challenges of their weekly readings. It also serves as a friendly form of accountability. The participant guide provides a schedule so that individuals can keep track of their daily reading. There is also a weekly meeting that meets for one hour. This will provide additional help and encouragement as you read. If you want, you can download the participants guide to your Kindle. Not much of a reader, you can download the days Bible reading to your ipod. The DVD program will be shown several times during the week. This will allow members to gather to share insights in scripture and encourage one another. In Christ,

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Christian Education
Sunday Morning 9:30 -10:30 am
Bible Option: The Mystery and the Majesty of the Book of Job led by Ken and Joyce Peacock. Fellowship Hall A 2-1 Couples Class Option: Tim Moses and Kathryn Hanson or Ann and Tom McBride will be leading this class. Room 3/4 Elective Option: Fellowship Hall B Heidelberg Catechism through March 25th Seminarian intern Nathan Maddox will teach about the Heidelberg Catechism. The Heidelberg Catechism (1563 Germany) is a confessional document taking the form of a series of questions and answers, for use in teaching Reformed Christian doctrine. It was the first Reformed confession to appear in America. Of all the Reformed confessions, the Heidelberg Catechism is the most personal. It is directed to the individual and to the individuals needs.

Trip to Michener Art Museum to see Offerings of the Angels Tuesday, June 5th

To reserve a spot in the van contact Elizabeth: 235-1688 x 113 or email: ecaggiano@fpcmoorestown.org

Wanted: Scrabble Board Games and Mirrors

Each week at New Creation we encourage members to pray at prayer stations. These are creative ways to connect with the Lord. If you have mirrors (any size) or Scrabble board and tiles, please consider donating to New Creation.

Couples Retreat April 2022 The Inn at Cape May

Dr. Stephen Treat along with Karin and Jonathan Miller will lead. Music by Christopher Wright. Space is limited Cost: $395/couple
- Pick up a brochure in the church office -

King James Bible Movie Night Friday March 9th at 7pm.

RSVP to Elizabeth by March 7th. Acclaimed actor John Rhys-Davies hosts this extraordinary story behind the best selling book in the world - the King James Version of the Bible. The movie is a colorful and historical look at the origin of the King James Version of the Bible. John Rhys-Davies visits landmarks, explains relics and leads us back into a darker time to discover this fascinating tale of saints and sinners, power and passion, as the greatest translation of Holy Scripture emerges into a world and culture that would never be quite the same again. The movie is 94 minutes.

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Music Ministry

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Youth Ministry
SEE THE CHURCH WEBSITE FOR THE VERY LATEST
March 3...Church wide Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Auction Dinner seatings from 5pm7:30pm March 4...WAVE at 5pm March 7...FLOCK at 6:30pm March 11...WAVE at 5pm March 14...FLOCK at 6:30pm, NO Family Dinner March 18...WAVE at 5pm March 21...FLOCK at 6:30pm March 25...WAVE at 5pm March 28...FLOCK at 6:30pm

Childrens Ministry
SEE THE CHURCH WEBSITE FOR THE VERY LATEST
March 3...Church wide Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Auction Dinner seating from 5pm7:30pm March 7...Kingdom Kids at 4:45pm, Family Dinner at 6pm and Crossing Zone at 6:30pm March 14NO Kingdom Kids, NO Crossing Zone and NO Family Dinner March 21...Kingdom Kids at 4;45pm, Family Dinner at 6pm And Crossing Zone at 6:30pm March 28...Kingdom Kids at 4:45pm, Family Dinner at 6pm and Crossing Zone at 6:30pm

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Missions
Meet Missionary Denise Hoover on March 25th
Denise grew up in Medford, NJ at Faith Presbyterian Church. She joined the ministry of Wycliffe Bible Translators and spent several years in Chad, Africa. Last fall, Denise returned from Chad to begin a new chapter in ministry with Wycliffe through LEAD (Language, Education and Development). LEAD is a relatively new initiative that exists to better develop one aspect of the work that Wycliffe has been doing for years: supporting minority language communities to achieve education and development goals. Literacy, multilingual education and health awareness are already a significant part of Wycliffe field work because they are recognized to enhance the lasting impact of Bible translation. LEAD provides ways to build God's kingdom while celebrating the diversity of cultures that he has created. Denises LEAD mission home will be in the Philippines, where she is currently traveling. On March 25, Denise will visit all worship services (including New Creation) and during the Church School hour for informal conversation.

There are multiple ways your support benefits the work of the Church: The Deacons outreach to needy local children through summer camp scholarships, mission teams preparing for outreach journeys to Honduras and Brooklyn and members of past Haiti Mission Teams raising funds to build homes. The Honduras Mission Team departs on April 7 and is comprised of 10 youth and adults: Margaret Anthony Rebecca Balch Peter Balch Kathy Burris Corinne Callahan Doug Derry Dave Hess Katie McGettigan Pam McGettigan Carol McWilliams Were grateful for your support on March 3rd!

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Stepping Stones
Sharing the News from our Preschool

Meet Camden Forward School Students sponsored by FPC Partner Day March 20th
Partner Day on March 20th is a time for students, faculty and staff to show their appreciation for supporting education at the Forward School. FPC sponsors 5 children and offers the opportunity for our members to experience Partner Day with students because it is a fun experience for everyone, especially the children who look forward to shining for sponsors! We meet at the church and carpool to Camden to arrive by 10 am. The opening program includes music, dance and drama performance followed by lunch (bring a bag lunch) with students in their classroom, including individual and group activities. The program closes after lunch and we return to the church by 1:30 pm. If you have wanted to visit UrbanPromise in Camden this is an opportunity to be considered. Please contact Carol McWilliams at cmcwilliams@fpcmoorestown.org to reserve one of the 5 sponsor places on March 20th! (Pictured below is a 1st grade class activity during Partner Day)

We are looking forward to some fun events this month! Some of our preschool friends are attending the Burlington County Footlighters production of Disneys Cinderella Kids on Saturday, March 10. Please join us for dinner at Chick-Fil-A on Thursday, March 8 from 5pm-8:30pm at the Centerton location (near Costco) for our Spring Fundraiser. Stop by anytime (drivethru or inside) and mention the Step By Step Fundraiser and a percentage of what you spend will go to the preschool! Celebrating Joyce Valore and her 25 years of dedicated work at our preschool! A special luncheon was held in her honor on February 24th. Joyce has resigned her position as PreK teacher. She is one of the most caring, dedicated, and skilled teachers and has devoted her time and energy here as a PreK teacher for 25 years. Her absence will be deeply felt by us all. We will miss her so much, but wish all the best for her and her family. Preschool Registration Update... registration is in full swing for the 20122013 classes. Some classes are full but we still have some openings in a 2 year old class, 3 year old class and one more spot left in the 4 year old (PreK) Tu/We/Th afternoon class. Please continue to spread the word about our wonderful preschool here at 1st Pres.! Contact Amy Agger at 856-235-7105 or email: aagger@fpcmoorestown.org with any questions or to schedule a tour.

Hoagie Sale. March 14 Rummage Sale Day Begins at noon supports Honduras Mission Team Advance orders recommended.

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Presbyterian Women
Our Chairman for the RUMMAGE SALE, Debbie Walker, has been having wonderful luncheon meetings for all those willing to pitch in and make this years sale bigger and better than ever. It takes may hands for this annual event to raise funds for 13 different local charities. Please join the effort! Collection of all items for the sale will begin 1pm on Sunday, March 11 and continue until Tuesday afternoon. The doors open to the public on Wednesday March 14th from 6pm to 9pm. On Thursday from 10am to 12noon there will be a bag sale: $3/small bag $5/large bag Get all your gently used items ready to bring to the Commons. Call Debbie Walker to volunteer: 609-744-4630

Knitting Network
Well be meeting twice in March, due to Easter:

Saturdays, March 3 and March 31

10am to 12noon Room 8 New participants are encouraged to attend! We will supply beautiful yarn, patterns, needles and instruction, if needed. Join us for this hands on ministry which has provided prayer shawls for those in need of comfort, blankets for children under stress (The Linus Project) and hats for children in the hospital. Call Betsy Gildehaus with any questions: 856-234-5414

ALPHA
Celebration Dinner on March 21 at 6pm in room 3/4 Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend, neighbor, an acquaintance or family member. Sample the program and enjoy an evening with great people. Upcoming ALPHA dinners and programs starting at 6pm: Wednesday, March 21...Intro program:Christianity, Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant? March 28...Talk 1: Who is Jesus? April 4...Talk 2: Why Did Jesus Die? April 11...Talk 3: How Can I be Sure of My Faith? April 18...Talk 4: Why and How Should I Read the Bible? April 25...Talk 5: Why and How Do I Pray? (continues through May 30 ~ more dates listed later)

Mens Breakfast
March 17
8am9am Special guest ~ Mr. Andre Taliaferro We have invited Mr. Taliaferro to offer his reflection on the family crisis that took place when his son, Adam, suffered a spinal cord injury during the football game when Penn State played Ohio State. Come and hear another story of Gods grace and faithfulness.

The Truth Project

Using the same dinner and program format we will follow a DVD based group study designed to equip believers with a comprehensive biblical world view in daily life. March 28...What is Truth? April 4...Philosophy and Ethics: Says Who? April 11...Anthropology: Who is Man? April 18...Theology: Who is God? April 25 and May 2...Science: What is True? (two parts) (This course also continues through May 30 with more dates listed later)

Prayer Retreat
May 2225
Led by Stuart Spencer Pastor of Thompson Presbyterian Church Cost: $210/person Brochures containing registration materials are available in the Church Office and the Narthex.

March 2012 List of Events

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First Presbyterian Church 101 Bridgeboro Road Moorestown, NJ 08057

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95th Annual

MARCH 1115, 2012

We hope to have a large turnout of volunteers since it takes many hands to prepare/execute/clean-up this event.
We have positions for: Receivers, Schleppers, Un-packers, Sorters, Pricers, Sign Makers, Check-outers, Cashiers and Packer-uppers!

Contact Debbie Walker (609) 744-4630 or dwalker91@comcast.net CLEAN OUT THOSE CLOSETS, ATTICS AND BASEMENTS!