News from the     Crossroads

OVERBROOK   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH

6376 CITY AVENUE, PHILADELPHIA, PA  19151

215-877-2744 – 610-642-1051

Fax: 215-877-0523 www.overbrookpresb.org

 

                                             May 2008

 

 

 

Dear Friends,

 

“Overbrook Presbyterian Church is a welcoming and diverse Christian community that seeks actively to love and serve God, each other and the world.” Did you know that…

 

V                          You share the building with the Overbrook Pre-School and Kindergarten, Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Al-Anon, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,  and Overbrook Farms Club?

V                          The value of the space provided, compared to the contribution by these organizations, yields a donation of $370,000 per year by the church in support of our wider community?

 

As you look around the facility this month, you will see some changes: a new stove in the kitchen, a new roof above our heads, an air conditioned sanctuary, and a light that illuminates our beautiful memorial window at the back of the sanctuary and shines forth as a witness to City Avenue commuters. As we move forward, much-needed repairs will be made to the Moller organ, and your property committee and Session anticipate additional building repairs and renovations in the near future.

 

What a gift you are giving this community by continuing to maintain and improve this beautiful building! The sharing of our facility is central to our mission at Overbrook, and it is because of your commitment to the community that these groups are able to meet in this place and serve the wider Philadelphia area.

 

In the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew we read, “Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Mt. 25:34-35, NRSV)

 

“Well done, good and faithful servants!”

 

Blessings,

Jeanne

  

 

 

 

Sundays in May 2008

 

May 4, 2008: 7th Sunday of Easter - Communion     

            Scripture: 1 Peter 4: 7-11

            Sermon:  The Art of Hospitality, Jeanne Thomas preaching

            First Hymn #465  Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather

          Reader – Mary VandenBerge

            Refreshment hosts – Whole Foods – Demonstration  “Healthy Options”

            Flowers given by – Lois Babbitt

            Deacons delivering flowers – Vince Gilhool and Mimi Winkler

 

 

May 11, 2008: Day of Pentecost/New Members/Mother’s Day

            Scripture: Act 2: 1-21

            Sermon: Spirit Talk, Jeanne Thomas preaching

                        First Hymn #128  On Pentecost They Gathered

                        Reader –  Joe Pierce   

            Refreshment hosts – Bob Kothari

            Flowers given by –  Elsie Neely

            Deacons delivering flowers –  Miriam Harden and Stephanie Kindt

 

 

May 18, 2008: Trinity Sunday –

            Youth Cantata

            Refreshment hosts – Cherriel Gentles and Lynda Johnson

            Flowers given by –  Ellen Burr

            Deacons delivering flowers –  Artia Benjamin and Elizabeth Cosgriff

 

 

May 25, 2008: 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

            Scripture: Matthew 6: 24-34

            Sermon: Anxiety’s Antitdote, Jeanne Thomas preaching

                        First Hymn #260  A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

            Reader – Ray Johnston

            Refreshment hosts –

            Flowers given by – Joyce Bridges

            Deacons delivering flowers – Cindy Gray and Nickie Stokes

 

 

On May 18th during the worship service, the Junior Choir will be presenting Spirit. The story begins when Junior Choir members find a time machine and take a trip to the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. From there, four continents are visited and the children discover  what the Word of God sounds and looks like in different countries. The kids are enthusiastically preparing for it. We are thrilled that four adult members of the congregation will be joining us and speaking of their Christian roots in the languages of their ancestors. It promises to be a wonderful celebration of the varied musical and cultural heritage of the people of Overbrook Church.

 

A large THANK YOU to the members of the Overbrook Junior Choir for lifting up their spirits, hearts  and voices to God this year.

 

 

Music Notes from the Choral Room

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               Restoration work on the M. P. Moller Organ is set to begin the week of  April 28th.  In this first  stage, the upper Swell Division chests will be restored in Direct Electric Action; the Swell, Main and Reed Reservoirs will be releathered; the main Choir Division reservoir and two Pedal Division reservoirs will be releathered; and the organ’s swell shade actions will all receive new motors. Though some additional stops will not be playing during the work, beyond what is already not functioning, the good news is that there will always be some organ available for worship, thanks in great part to the Walker Antiphonal Division in the rear of the Sanctuary which was installed in 2000. Work on this first stage will continue into the summer, and is potentially anticipated to be completed in early fall.

 

               The next two stages of restoration call for Direct Electric Action work on the Great, Choir, and Pedal Division chests; releathering an additional Pedal Division reservoir; new stoppers in a Great Division Flute rank; new tremolos for each division; revoicing of Swell Division Reeds; and releathering the main organ bellows.

 

               Perhaps no doubt, some of the above descriptions of the restoration work may seem like

hieroglyphics, so for interpretations, or to answer any questions, or to see in person the organ chambers, please speak with or contact Minister of Music, Dennis Elwell, at the church or after worship.

 

 

   The Overbrook Westminster Handbell Choir is looking for a few new goods hands to begin ringing with it in the fall. To that end a special bell introductory orientation is planned for  Sunday morning, May 18th at 9:45 a.m. in the Bell Room on the second floor. The invitation  and orientation is open to teens (age 12 , too) and adults. There will be an opportunity to have a  hands on experience in ringing, a chance to hear about the choir, its rehearsal schedule, and level of commitment. Though music reading ability is helpful, it is not absolutely necessary to   be able to read music to come to the orientation, or to begin with the choir initially in the fall.

 

If you have any questions prior to the orientation, please speak with Minister of Music, Dennis Elwell, or simply come on May 18th to hear about the fun!        

 

 

 

News from The Village

 

On Sunday, May 4, the children using the rotation model will be starting the last rotation for the school year.  The children will meet Paul, and learn about his life through workshops in art, games, movie, and a ropes course!   Look for your children’s letter in the mail.

 

 

The Sunday School Open House will be held on Sunday, May 25

during fellowship hour.   You’ll see demonstrations of what the “rotation” curriculum looks like, as well as a look at what’s ahead for next year.  You can also take a look at your preK/K child’s lessons or what your teenager is doing at Sunday school.   It is also a chance to sign up for a teaching assignment. 

*Remember – your involvement in the church life of our OPC children has a positive and lasting impact.  Everyone is qualified for the job!!

 

  The One Great Hour of Sharing collection is set for Sunday, May 4.  Please encourage your children to contribute their pennies, nickels, and dimes for this effort.  If you need a fish,  they will be in a basket during fellowship hour this Sunday.   Thanks!!

 

 

If you aren’t familiar with Kirkwood, it is a camp and retreat center run by the Presbytery of Philadelphia.  They have a full summer camp program that is creative, faith-based, fun, and well-priced.  Please check their website for more information. 

 

 

Here’s a crazy question!  Is anyone up for taking guitar lessons during the summer?  I would love to gather a group of beginning guitar learners and see if we can get a class together here at the church.  If you’re interested, or if you know of a good teacher, please let me know!!!  This could be a lot of fun, and we have a recital location right here.

 

For more information on any of the above, please contact Lori Spadaro, Director of Christian Education for children and youth.  215/877-2744, or Spadaro@overbrookpresb.org   

 

 

 

Prayer List

 

 

Please include our members and friends in your prayers during May 

 

For Our Homebound Members and Friends

 

Lucy Clanton                            Florence Kelly                          Rena Anson

Frank and Rae Cutaiar              Bob Loder                               Myra Radziul

Ernest Strother                         Barbara V. Watson                  Bobbie Poussaint

Lambert and Suzanne Ott

 

For Those Recently  Hospitalized or Facing Health Challenges

 

Georgia Richardson                  Marie Patino                             Dick Williamson

Neil O’Leary                            Karen Taussig-Lux                   Fred Kaercher

Emily Partidge                          Bob Swartz

 

Alex Wilson, grandson of Beulah Wilson

Danielle Long’s father, Milton Delgado

Frances Louie, mother of Trudy Sheau,  prayers for recovery

 

For Strength, Healing, and Support

 

The family of Olga Hyde following her death

Becky Etting, sister of Joe Piatt

Evelyn Melvin and family

Margaret Young and her family

Ginny Biddle, Gail Kaercher’s sister

 Louise Robbins, friend of Raelyn Harman

Antonio Behrman, Amy Behrman’s niece

Arianna Regina, a student of Nickie Stokes

 

 

Celebrations/Thanksgiving

 

Thanks to the singers and Music Directors of Overbrook, Ardmore Presbyterian Church,                       

     & St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for the wonderful ‘John Rutter Evensong” on April 27th

We celebrate our young people seeking to grow in faith in the Confirmation Class.

 

Members and Friends Far Away

 

Our prayers for the safety of our young people away at school, jobs, and in the service.

 

 

Please contact a Deacon to add names, and concerns to this list.  We can be reached by e-mail from the OPC website, by message in the Deacon’s box outside the chapel or speak to one of the Deacon’s.

 

 

May Birthdays

 

 

      2         Maya Stricker

      3         Gail Kaercher, Tisha Taylor

4         Sharon Piercy

      8         Dick Williamson

     11        Robert Harden                              

     12        Jane Krumrine                                  

     19        Kendi Long, Mary VandenBerge

     20        Nancy Gilhool, Brianna Folwell      

     24        Ian Wilson, Pearl Stricker

     25        Al Mayne                        

     30        Keedra Carroll                 

 

 

 Take a moment this month to extend a word of greeting or a prayer to a member or friend celebrating a birthday. 

 

 

Red Cross Adult CPR/AED Course

May 10th  9:00 a.m. –  4:00 p.m.

$79.00 per person

 

          If assistance is needed in the cost of the course, please speak to either Miriam Harden or Pat Dillon, Moderator of the Deacons.  We must have at least eight people sign up or the Red Cross will not offer the course to us.  Please sign up during coffee hour.  Thank you.

 

 

BREAD – SECOND FRIDAY         

 

Bake Bread, eat warm bread! Talk about bread as the staff of life, as the body of Christ; How many different kinds of bread are there?   Join us on Friday, May 9 at 6:30 for dinner and an intergenerational activity based on this basic and familiar food.  Families with children will bake bread together; adults will bake bread; everyone will enjoy bread, will have fun together, and deepen our respect for this common and universal, staple. 

            Please sign up in the Wistar Morris Room on Sunday mornings so that we will be certain to have enough of the ingredients available.  There will be a $1 charge for each loaf baked.  Don’t miss this opportunity to fellowship together.

 

 

 

Adult Forum

 

            The Adult Forum continues this month with lively discussions from the book  Adventures in Missing the Point  by Tony Campolo and Brian McLarin.  WE meet in the chapel at 9:00 a.m. and while the crowd  can be large and is rowdy in a good way), there is always room at the table for more people and opinions.  Coffee is there, too.

 

 

 

                   Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

 

            What a wonderful  experience it was for me to celebrate the 30th anniversary of my Ordination.  To be surrounded by so many people whom I love, and who share my faith in our Lord was tremendous.  It almost rivaled my Ordination day, itself.  From the bottom of my heart thank you for the plaque, the recognition, the           touching notes, my plant and for the gift certificate.  Know that I treasure each part of

            the day, and more importantly I treasure you who together make up the miracle that is    Overbrook Church.

 

 

News  from the PreSchool and Kindergarten:

 

 

Good News!

 

After much hard work on the part of staff and parents, the Overbrook Church PreSchool and Kindergarten is in a financial position to begin repaying the loan the church made to them two years ago. The PreSchool Committee and the Finance Committee of Session have agreed upon a payback schedule which has already begun.

 

Thanks to the PreSchool, Fellowship Hall and the Wistar Morris Room are safer for our children. The PreSchool has arranged for childproof covers on all the electrical outlets, has secured the stacked tables and chairs so they will not accidentally fall, and has ordered radiator covers for Fellowship Hall. In addition, the PreSchool made a $500 contribution to the purchase of the new stove in the kitchen.

 

Enrollment for next year proceeds at a steady pace. At this point, there are still some openings in the Kindergarten program (5 full days), a 2-year old class (2 half days), a 3-year-old class (2 half days) and a 4-year-old class (5 half days).  If you or anyone you know are looking for an exceptionally strong program for preschool children, please contact the PreSchool at 215-877-8945.

 

There now exists a committee of church members and PreSchool staff exploring the interface between the Church and the PreSchool.  We welcome any questions and are open to any comments about this topic. Church members on this committee are Susy Brandt, Nancy Gilhool, and Leigh Partridge.

 

Look for more news from the PreSchool in future newsletters!

 

                                                Nancy Gilhool, PreSchool Committee Chair