The Newsletter of The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney - 106 E. Union St., Punxsutawney, PA 15767

The Highlander September

2017

Tuesday, Sept. 5

Community Meal

5-7 PM

Thursday, Sept. 7

Choir Kick-Off Picnic

6 PM

Sunday, Sept. 10th

Rally Day 2017

featuring Deacon’s

Picnic Lunch

and Youth Sale

After Worship

How to Console

a Loved One

Page

2

Worship

& Music

Page

3

Giving &

Generosity

Page

4

Fellowship

& More

Page

5

Discipleship

& Education

Page

6

September

Calendar

Page

7

Get Involved

Opportunities

Page

8

Volunteers

& Prayer List

Page

9

Rally Day Lunch

and Youth Sale

Back

Page

August 14th Kitchen Clean-Up THANK YOU

Thank You: 2 Words and 8 Letters. That just doesn’t seem to be enough to show the appreciation and gratitude

that I have for those who were able to “answer the call” on such short request. It was apparent that we

desperately needed some house cleaning to finish off the completion of the beautiful dining room floor. This

side of vacations or physical impairment every one contacted came out to help.

Many hands make light work and that’s exactly what took place from 9-11:30 on Monday, August 14. In that

short window of time, ceilings, walls, floors, window blinds, wood work, cabinets, counter tops and appliances

were washed, dried and polished. Closets and cupboards were reorganized for better use. Dated items that are

no longer used were set aside for a Youth Group sale/fund raiser. The dining room, kitchen, restrooms and

hallway received a good cleaning. Work zones were divided up and the conversations, laughter and fellowship

were ringing up the stairway and onto the streets!

Thanks to the following who “earned their wings”:

Lee and Dee Blose, Barb Burkett, Laura Craig, Jean Deeley, Debbie Dinsmore, Bev Divelbiss, Richard Fetterman,

Diane Forsythe, Donna Grabany, Barb Hanley, Dana Hartman, Jean Hughes, Donna Kengersky, Dona Larimer,

Laurie Lettie, Janey and Grayson London, Nancy Pearce, and Julie and Max Roberts.

With my gratitude, Donna Anderson

“What can I say?” As a pastor, people ask me what to say when a loved one is hurting more than any other

question. The below article is taken from Whitworth Today, the alumni magazine from my undergraduate

alma mater. I hope you find this advice as helpful as I have.

“What do I say to someone who is upset?” We want to help, but

we often struggle with how to console our loved ones who are

in emotional pain.

As a counseling psychologist devoted to researching, practicing,

and educating others about helping, I have a simple answer:

If you really want to help, stop talking!

Talking makes us feel better, so let your tearful loved ones do

the talking. Console them by being an active listener, which

involves two parts:

1 - Hearing what they say.

2 - Communicating back that you accurately see their point of

view, feel their world as they experience it, and are eager for

them to talk in more detail.

Here is how to communicate that

you are actively listening:

Convey nonverbally that you are wholly

present and attentive. Show your support by

making eye contact, using a soft and soothing

tone of voice, and leaning forward.

Briefly and nonjudgmentally repeat to your

loved ones the essence of what you heard

them say to you. Use your own words and then

allow space for your loved one to confirm or

disconfirm your accuracy.

Briefly and nonjudgmentally repeat back to

your loved one the emotions they seem to be

feeling. Show your ability to

understand what is being said

beyond the words used.

P a g e 3

T h e H i g h l a n d e r

Our September 2017 Worship Calendar Worship Begins at 11:00 a.m. - Nursery Available

September 3rd 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

& the Lord’s Supper

The Future Needs Today Luke 1:46-55

& Ruth 4:1-22

Sunday, September 10th 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

All Good Things are Wild and Free Genesis 1:1 - 2:3

September 17th 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Fathers and Mothers Genesis 21:1-3

& Genesis 22:1-14

September 24th 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Jacob’s Ladder John 1:43-51

& Genesis 28:10-17

A preview of a few of

September’s Hymns

This is My Father’s World

Called as Partners in

Christ’s Service

Blessed Assurance,

Jesus is Mine!

Be Thou My Vision

WORSHIP & MUSIC

Would your

School-Age

Child like to

Become an

Acolyte? Please see

Rev. Brett Swanson

for details and training

GIVING & GENEROSITY

Points for Education

Campbell UPC

Aluminum Can Tabs

for Students and Shriners Hospital.

*** Please See Ann Mumper for Details ***

P a g e 5 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 7

FELLOWSHIP & MORE

Sep

September 3rd

Richard Fetterman

September 5th

Barry Eyler

September 7th

Emma White

September 10th

Andy Phillber

September 16th

Emily Eyler

September 20th

Patty Chambers

September 21st

Dee Blose

Chris Fezell

September 26th

Doug Harrold

Gabriella Suntheimer

September 27th

Kellan Cessna

September 28th

Ann Mumper

September 30th

Roberta Dinsmore

Guy Lester

Saturday Friends Out

Saturday, September 16th at 12:00

at Gimmick’s Restaurant

(unless otherwise noted)

See Ann Mumper More Information

Men’s

Breakfast

Saturday, September 23 @ 8 AM

P a g e 6 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 7

DISCIPLESHIP & EDUCATION

T h e H i g h l a n d e r

Being Sent to the

PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE:

Who God is NOT

in the Old Testament

Beginning Rally Day

Sunday, September 10th

“I never actually spoke with our principal, but I had seen

those bullet-like eyes freeze a student, and I had heard

that chainsaw voice cut down students wrestling in the

hallway. As I sat in the stiff wooden chair

next to her office, I wondered if my life,

as I had know it, was about to end.”

Many people imagine God as such a principal.

Come explore who God IS and who God IS NOT

in the Old Testament.

It Seemed Like

SUCH A GOOD IDEA

at the Time: Character Flaws in the Bible

& God’s Redemption

Adam passed the buck

Abraham took the easy way out

Jacob was a cheat and a liar

Joseph was an annoying brat

Moses was a world-class complainer

David was selfish and these are just a few

of the men and women God used in the divine plan

TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM EVIL.

Get some GOOD IDEAS starting Tuesday, September 12th

September 10th

Rally Day

God made the world

and us for a reason

September 17th God can work even when

things seem impossible

September 24th God loves us and works with

us even when we don’t

deserve it

Children’s In-Worship Sunday School

Sunday School Begins September 10th

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

“All good things are wild and free”

The theme for Rally Day 2017 is taken from an essay entitled Walking

written by author Henry David Thoreau in 1851.

1 2

3

Sunday School

9:45 AM

Worship

11 AM

4

5

Community Meal

5-7 PM

6

7

Choir Kick-Off

Picnic

7 PM

8 9

10

RALLY DAY 2017

Sunday School

9:45 AM

Worship

11 AM

Lunch After Worship

11

12

Tuesdays at Ten

10 AM

13

14

Choir Practice

7 PM

15 16

Saturday

Friends Out

12 Noon

17

Sunday School

9:45 AM

Worship

11 AM

18

Crosstown

Food Pantry

5:30 PM

19

Tuesdays at Ten

10 AM

20

21

Choir Practice

7 PM

22

23

Men's

Breakfast

8 AM

24

Sunday School

9:45 AM

Worship

11 AM

25

26

27 28

Choir Practice

7 PM

29 30

Rev. Swanson: Out of the Office (9/25-30)

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 7

GET INVOLVED OPPORTUNITIES!

P a g e 8

PCOP GREEN TEAM Week Watering Mowing

Sept. 3-9 Joel Anderson

** OPEN **

Please consider signing up

to water our plants

Sept. 10-16 Joel Anderson

Sept. 17-23 ** OPEN **

Sept. 24-30 ** OPEN **

PCOP Lawnmower is located in the stairwell outside the PCOP Office. Hose is located outside

double-doors off church office parking lot. Report any issues with lawnmower to Keri in PCOP Office.

Crosstown Food Pantry Distribution Volunteer Opportunities

Monday, September 18th

at 5:30 p.m.

Help Fight Hunger

by Donating Items

or by Lending a Hand

5:00 TO 7:00 P.M.

HURRICANE HARVEY & HOUSTON

GIVE • ACT • PRAY

Give financially to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance by

writing Henry on memo line and turning into PCOP Office

Act by assembling Hygiene and Clean Up Kits

Go to http://pda.pcusa.org/page/kits/ for more information

God, our Shelter, be a strong presence in the lives of those who

have survived the winds and rains of Harvey and now face grief,

uncertainty, and weary days. Amen.

T h e H i g h l a n d e r

September 2017 Worship Leaders

September 3rd Communion Sunday

George Momyer Screen

& Sound

Liturgist Lee Blose

September 10th Rally Day with

Deacon’s Lunch

and Youth Sale

to follow

Screen

& Sound

George Momyer

Liturgist Kathi Cessna

Acolytes Ben & Jackson Fezell

September 17th

Screen

& Sound

Nick Suntheimer

Liturgist Debra Dinsmore

Acolyte TBD

September 24th

Screen

& Sound

George Momyer

Liturgist Bev Divelbiss

Acolyte TBD

106 E. Union St.

Punxsutawney, PA 15767

Office: (814) 938-5560

Visit Us Online at punxsypc.net

Use your smartphone to scan

this code for online giving!

Fun, Food, and Fellowship After Worship on September 10th

Deacon’s Rally Day Picnic-Style Lunch

Bring the Family! Youth’s Kitchen Clean-Out Sale

Kitchen Items for Donation Benefiting Youth Group