THE

First Presbyterian Church

Weathervane
101 Bridgeboro Road, Moorestown, New Jersey (856) 235-1688

July/August 2011
Dear Friends,

This is My commandment that you love one another ~ as I have loved you.
John 15:12

As we approach the summer months I ask you to pray for our church and our denomination. Many of you are up to date with regard to significant changes our Presbyterian family has chosen to adopt. Specifically, our denomination has voted to remove from the Book of Order language which has sought to clarify our position on qualifications for those who will serve as ordained leaders (Deacons, Elders, Pastors). The language removed is the call to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness. Removing this provision potentially allows (does not mandate) churches to ordain leaders who are in a same sex or unmarried relationship. Part of the complexity of this matter has to do with men and women we know who are homosexual and whom we love deeply. The increasing commitment of men and women to live together without the commitment of marriage is also a growing concern for your pastors and session. Many believe these to be justice issues. If debate on the role of women in leadership, the wearing of pearls, or the validity of slavery can be argued from either side of the Biblical witness (yes or no), so too, is the demand that gay men and women be afforded the same freedom in biblical interpretation along with those who choose to live together outside of marriage. Not only is there a biblical interpretation dilemma that divides many in our church and the larger church, there is also the reality that men and women in our own families carry very different positions on these matters. Additionally, more than a few of us have family members who are gay or who have chosen to live together prior to marriage. What do we do ~ as a family and as a church family? The crux of the matter, for me, is not personal experience, or scientific debate, or the movement of todays culture, or sister denominations, or the encouragement of our government and market place ~ for me the center of this conversation focuses on the witness and authority of scripture. The Bible is univocal in the matter of sexuality in and outside of marriage. The challenge I believe we face is to relate to our contemporary culture and denomination with a commitment to respect the other in the midst of our differences. Paul's charge in Romans 12 is helpful: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God (Romans 12:2). My hope is that we can all be transformed by the renewing of our minds and thereby discern God's will. Many questions are before us as a church. How do we speak the truth as we understand it in love? How do we discern our "next steps" as we move together as Christ-followers? What do we do as members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) ~ and members of FPC Moorestown? What financial implications are involved? What property issues? Your Session has taken two steps in response to this action of the larger church at its last meeting. First, we are looking to investigate (and support) those Presbyterian pastors and churches who are united in their concerns (Google `The Gathering-- PCUSA. That group will be meeting in Minneapolis , August 25-26, 2011. Many things are being worked out within this organization so we are wanting to move more slowly to gain a greater understanding as to what is at stake. Secondly, the Session has encouraged every member of the church to determine whether they choose to support the per-capita offering that we pay annually to support our Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly. More will be communicated about this in the days to come. Check out our website for more information: www.fpcmoorestown.org So here are three things you can do now: 1) pray; 2) attend one or both of our summer Community Conversations ~ Sunday, July 10 at 11:10am and Wednesday, August 31 at 7pm; 3) read the report our session approved in 2006 called "Essential Tenets and Reformed Distinctives" (copies here at the church and on the website). The tentative schedule to our summer conversations will be the following: 30 minutes formal presentation by pastors/elders, 30 minutes question and answer, 15 minutes closing time in prayer. We anticipate continuing these forums in the fall to keep the congregation as current as possible in these matters. Let me conclude with a very interesting quote from a godly man. Herbert Butterfield, Professor Emeritus of History at Cambridge University, concludes his book, Christianity and History, with these words: We can do worse than remember a principle that both gives us a firm rock for our faith and a maximum elasticity to our minds, and that principle is this ~ Hold fast to Christ, and for all the rest remain totally uncommitted. The idea is to place Christ in the middle of all we do period. May God bless, hold and draw us even closer to Himself and each other in the days to come

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July and August 2011 Sermon Schedule

SUNDAY MORNINGS
8am in Fellowship Hall 10 am in the Sanctuary JULY 3 Series: Jesus ~ Storyteller Americas Treasure Matthew 13 Jonathan Miller JULY 10 Priorities Matthew 13:44 Jonathan Miller JULY 17 Store Up Your Treasure Luke 12:13-21 Martha Jordan JULY 24 Mercy, Not Sacrifice Matthew 12:1-14 and Hosea 6:6 Dick Herman JULY 31 Gods Story in My Life Renee Colson-Hudson AUGUST 7 Time to Harvest Mark 4:26-35 Martha Jordan AUGUST 14 As We Are Forgiven Matthew 18:21-35 Dick Herman AUGUST 21 Facing Impossible Battles 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 Paul Asciutto AUGUST 28 Camels in Heaven Matthew 19:23-26 Jonathan Miller

SUNDAY EVENINGS
5pm New Creation in the Commons
JULY 3 Assurance of Gods Protection Psalm 91 Wes Allen JULY 10 Love 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Jonathan Miller JULY 17 Joy Romans 15:7-13 Dick Herman JULY 24 Peace Romans 5:1-5 Martha Jordan JULY 31 Patience 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Wes Allen AUGUST 7 Kindness and Goodness Galatians 5:22-23 Dick Herman AUGUST 14 Faithfulness Hebrews 11:1-7 Martha Jordan AUGUST 21 Gentleness Colossians 3:12-17 Jonathan Miller AUGUST 28 Self-Control 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Dick Herman

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From Our Executive Pastor

Dear Friends, On Memorial Day my dear sister Ellen sent me a photograph of our parents grave plot with flowers that she and my brother-in-law placed in honor of them. Its hard for me to imagine that since they graduated into the Lords presence its been eleven years since mom died and nine since dad died. I was blessed by my kind sister; and I was set to remembering which is one of the things that memorial day is for. It seems appropriate that Memorial Day leads us into summer which is often considered a time to reconnect: to reconnect with family on shared vacations or at family reunions, to reconnect with friends now that college classes are done til fall, to reconnect with Gods creation at the shore or in the mountains, and sometimes to even reconnect with our own selves as we rest, renew energy and do some of the things that bring us joy. Summer is a great time to reconnect with our roots (whatever and wherever they may be) since re-connecting is a kind of remembering becoming a member of someone elses life again. How about summer also being a time to reconnect with or to re-member our Savior and our God, Jesus Christ? One of the recurring problems for Old Testament Israel was their penchant to forget to not remember and so become disconnected from their God. In Deuteronomy 32, Moses says to Israel in poetic fashion, remember

Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you. When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided all mankind, He set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel. For the LORDs portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance. In a desert land He found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. The LORD alone led him; no foreign god was with him.
What Id like for myself this summer is to reconnect, to re-member the Lord. Will you join me? Rather than allowing summer to become a time to disconnect from the Lord while we go off to do other things that are out of the routine, as we usually say, why not make it actually a season to reconnect with our roots in the Lord? Why not allow summer to be a time to grow deeper spiritual roots, like a tree does? As Paul reminds the Colossian Christians: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col. 2:6-7) How? you might ask. How about reading slowly through one of the Gospels? Take Matthew, for instance. Or how about beginning a brief daily rhythm (or habit) of reading Scripture and praying that takes just seven minutes a day as a place to begin? In order to help make this a reality, Ive included something called HELPS FOR A SUMMER TO RECONNECT OR REMEMBER OUR GOD that you can use or adapt for your use in July and August. May the God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit make this a summer to remembernot once its over, but as it goes on. I remain, Yours in Christs Service

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DISCIPLE Information Meetings Announced

For the Group that Begins in September
If you make my word your home, you will be my disciples Jesus in John 8:31 (The New Jerusalem Bible) Information meetings for anyone interested in being part of small groups of the First Presbyterian Church DISCIPLE Bible Study ministry have been scheduled for 8 PM evenings of Wednesday, July 20 and 27 and Tuesday August 16, as well as at 9 AM on Sunday mornings, July 31 and August 7 (during what is usually the Sunday School hour)! These Information meetings, hosted by Pastor Dick Herman and the DISCIPLE leadership team are for those interested in discovering more about this great opportunity for spiritual nurture, growth and training. But what is DISCIPLE? DISCIPLE is a Bible Study ministry designed to grow stronger, more confident followers of Jesus Christ through the in-depth study of Scripture. Each participant in a DISCIPLE Bible study small group will have their faith built-up and they also will find guidance for practical ways to put their Christian convictions into action each day. When you take part in the DISCIPLE Bible Study, you can expect to become more biblically alert, spiritually encouraged, and practically equipped to live effectively at a follower of Jesus Christ each day. The DISCIPLE ministry assumes the Bible is essential to personal spiritual growth and genuine renewal in the church. It affirms that God gave the Scripture in order for Him to clearly speak to us. Giving equal time to both the Old and New Testaments, the study emphasizes the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation of God while drawing on the work of Biblical scholars to aid understanding of the Bible. The DISCIPLE program of disciplined Bible study aims to develop strong Christian disciples who are learners, believers, followers, proclaimers, and servantsand it does so in the fellowship of a small group for study, prayer, preparation, support, and servanthood. Since this is a small group based ministry, there will be a limited number of openings in order to keep the group(s) to an optimal size (8-14 people). Soif you are interested in this chance to push your spiritual life to the next level, dont delay in expressing your interest. Be at one of the informational meetings pray about what you hear and let us know call the church office or speak with Pastor Herman. For, as the Bible says, He who hesitates is lost or at least left out of this chance to get in on DISCIPLE!

We are a Church

DEVELOPING Christ-like Disciples

--from The Mission Statement of First Presbyterian Church

Wow! God is SOooo GOOD! He provided a beautiful evening for the Strawberry Festival. And you provided the Smiles!...the Hands to Serve!...the Giggles!...the Hulling of Berries!...the Joy!...the Cakes! ...the Friendship!...the Happy Faces!...the Willingness to Help! THANK YOU! The festival is for everyone to enjoy each year and we are all honored to serve. God Loves You! The Strawberry Festival Committee

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HELPS FOR A SUMMER TO RECONNECT OR REMEMBER OUR GOD

Seven Minutes Seven Minutes With God With God

In 1882, a Cambridge University student was so determined to pray and read his Bible every morning that he rigged a contraption In 1882, get out of bed. The vibration of an alarm clock to pray and read his Bible every morning that he rigged ato the line, moved into the him a Cambridge University student was so determined set fishing tackle in motion and the sheets, clipped contraption to help himwas out of bed. The who wanted to get up to meet his God! in motion and the sheets, clipped to the line, moved into the air. Here get a young man vibration of an alarm clock set fishing tackle was a young man who wanted to get up to meet his God! If you need help getting a quiet time established in your life, consider the following outline for spending seven minutes with Go If you need helplong-timequiet time established in your life, consider the following outline for spending sevento the habit, God. Bob Savior. D Foster, the getting a Navigator who originally wrote this outline, said, Do not become devoted minutes with but to the Foster, the long-time Navigator whoitnot aswrote this outline, said, Do not become devoted to the habit, but to the Savior. Do itGod has grante because other men are doing originally a spiritless duty every morning, not merely as an end in itself, but because not because other men are doing itnot aswith Himself. every morning, not merely as an end in itself, but because God has granted the priceless privilege of fellowship a spiritless duty priceless privilege of fellowship with Himself. How do you spend these seven minutes? How do you spend these seven minutes? Minute Minute the first 30 seconds preparing your heart. You might pray, Lord, cleanse my heart so You can speak to me through the Sc Invest MakeInvest the first 30 seconds preparing your heart. You might pray, Lord, cleanse my heart so You can duringto metime. my mind alert, my soul active, and my heart responsive. Surround me with Your presence speak this through 4 Minutes the Scriptures. Make my mind alert, my soul active, and my heart responsive. Surround me with Your presence during this time. Take the next four minutes to read the Bible. Your greatest need is to hear a word from God. Allow the Word to strike fire in you 4 Minutes Meet the Author! Take the next four minutes to read the Bible. Your greatest need is to hear a word from God. Allow the Word to strike fire 2 Minutes After in your heart. Meetthrough His Book, then speak to Him in prayer. One method is to incorporate four areas of prayer that you God has spoken the Author! 2member with the word ACTS. Minutes After God has spoken through His Book, then speak to Him in prayer. One method is to incorporate four areas of prayer that you A Adoration. This is the purest kind of prayer because its all for God. Tell the Lord that you love Him. Reflect on His greatn can remember with the word ACTS. C Confession. Having seen Him, you now want to be sure every sin is cleansed and forsaken. Confession comes from a ro A Adoration. agree together with.of prayer because thisall for God. Tellmeans we agree with Him. Reflect on His of what weve done. meaning to This is the purest kind When we apply its to prayer, it the Lord that you love Gods estimation greatness.

C T Thanksgiving. Think of several specific be sureto thank Him for: your family, your business,comeschurcheven thank Him Confession. Having seen Him, you now want to things every sin is cleansed and forsaken. Confession your from a root word

hardships. to agree together with. When we apply this to prayer, it means we agree with Gods estimation of what weve done. meaning S Supplication. This means to ask for, earnestly and humbly. Ask for others, then ask for yourself. Include people around t T Thanksgiving. Think of several specific things to thank Him for: your family, your business, your church missionaries, friends, and those who have yet to hear about Jesus. even thank Him for hardships. It all adds up to seven minutes. This is simply a guide, Bob emphasized. Very soon you will discover that it is impossible to sp S Supplication.with the Lord.ask amazing thing happensseven others, then ask for yourself. Include people around the world, seven minutes This means to An for, earnestly and humbly. Ask for minutes become 20, and its not long before youre spending 30 missionaries, friends, and those who have yet to hear about Jesus. It all adds up to seven minutes. This is simply a guide, Bob emphasized. Very soon you will discover that it is impossible to spend only seven minutes with the Lord. An amazing thing happensseven minutes become 20, and its not long before youre spending 30 precious minutes with Him.

60 Days Through the Gospel of MATTHEW

1. 1:1-25 2. 2:1-12 3. 5:27-48 4. 6:1-18 5. 6:19-34 6. 7:1-14 7. 7:15-29
8.
5:1-26

15. 8:18-34 16. 9:1-17 17. 9:18-38 18. 10:1-20 19. 10:21-42 20. 11:1-19 21. 11:20-30

22. 12:1-21 23. 12:22-37 24. 12:38-50 25. 13:1-23 26. 13:24-43 27. 13:44-58 28. 14:1-21

9. 5:27-48 10. 6:1-18 11. 6:19-34 12. 7:1-14 13. 7:15-29 14. 8:1-17

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29. 14:22-36 30. 15:1-20 31. 15:21-39 32. 16:1-12 33. 16:13-28 34
17:1-13

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37. 18:15-35 38. 19:1-15 39. 19:16-30 40. 20:1-16 41. 20:17-34 42. 21:1-22 43. 21:23-46 44. 22:1-14 45. 22:15-33 46. 22:34-46 47. 23:1-12 48. 23:13-39 49. 24:1-35 50. 24:36-51 51. 25:1-30 52. 25:31-46 53. 26:1-30 54. 26:31-56 55. 26:57-75 56. 27:1-26 57. 27:27-44 58. 27:45-66 59. 28:1-10 60. 28:11-20

35. 17:14-27 36. 18:1-14

Both Seven Minutes with God and the 60 Days Through the Gospel of Matthew are adapted from resources available through the ministry of The Navigators (http://www.navigators.org/us )
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A Way to Prayerfully Read the Scripture if you want to do MORE THAN Seven Minutes a day: 1. Decide how long you will spend in prayerfully reading Scripture. 2. Select a Scripture passage events in a Gospel book (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) work well for this. Keep it to a manageable length
of about seven or ten verses unless it makes sense to continue with a few more verses.

3. Start with a short prayer asking the Holy Spirit for grace to be truly attentive and open to what God wants to say to you through
His Word.

4. Read the text slowly and meditatively. Be attentive to it and make sure that you intellectually understand the story line or the message
being conveyed. If your Bible has any notes or commentary, read them.

5. After the first reading of the passage, simply sit with the text for a little while and notice your reaction to the message or event in the text.
How does it move you? Does it remind you of any other portions of Scripture? How and why is this text personally addressed to you?

6. Read the text a second time. This time, read it deliberately word by word, phrase by phrase, verse by verse; reading it aloud can be
helpful. When a word or phrase or verse jumps off the page at you or moves you, then stop. Sit with that word, phrase or verse. Meditate on it ... reflect on it ... let it interact with you challenging, molding, or enlarging your heart.

7. Once youve completely milked the word, phrase or verse for all that it has to offer you in this particular moment, then offer a prayer.
You have not authentically encountered Scripture unless you are moved to praya prayer of intercession for someone who comes to mind as you ponder the word, phrase or verse; a prayer of gratitude for a grace received in this reading of Gods Word; a prayer of forgiveness as you are challenged or convicted by it; a prayer of praise for Gods generosity to you as seen in this part of Scripture.

8. Sit in silence for a little while, after your prayer, to remain in the afterglow of Gods Word and your encounter with the Lord in prayer. 9. Before you conclude, commit a word, phrase or verse from the text youve read to memory, which you can repeat throughout the day to
keep your focus on the Lord and His Word for you. 10. Conclude with a prayer of thanks to God for His Word to you; of praise for the gift of Christthe Word made fleshand for your salvation; and/or of petition asking God the Holy Spirit to lead you in living out His word in your actions and words.
This pattern of prayerfully reading Scripture is adapted from chapter nine of the book This Sacred Moment by Albert Haase, (Inter-Varsity Press, 2010)

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Fourth Friday Film Festival M U N I C H

The last movie of the 2011 Summer Fourth Friday Film Festival Friday Night, August 26, beginning at 6:30 PM Host and discussion leader: Pastor Dick Herman For the director of action films such as the four Indiana Jones flicks and three Jurassic Park movies, and also of dramatic movies with significant messages like Schindlers List, Saving Private Ryan and Amistad, historically-based MUNICH may be Steven Spielbergs most challenging film yet. "We're supposed to be righteous," a toymaker-turned-bomb maker laments as he talks about Israel in the wake of 1972's Palestinian terror attack that resulted in the deaths of eleven Israeli Olympians. A team of covert agents is out to kill the eleven men responsible for planning those attacks. The mission seemed like a gesture of righteous anger at first. But the violence is taking a heavy toll on him and his teammates. Bodies are piling up on both sides. Has he lost his innocence? He pleads with the team leader, "That's my soul. If I lose that, I lose everything." NOTICE: Munich is rated R for strong graphic violence, some sexual content, nudity and language. The violence is pretty graphic, including a man stabbed in the head, many shootings, and several scenes of exploding helicopters, apartments and hotel rooms. The only onscreen sexual activity is between a husband and wife, though there is also some nudity when a man and a woman are killed and their naked bodies exposed. THIS IS NOT A FILM FOR CHILDREN.

The questions at the heart of this film echo those that drive David Cronenberg's A History of Violence and Michael Haneke's Cach. Is it possible for a man to carry out From: Focus on the Family violence and remain blameless? What is he to do if his loved ones are victims? Retaliate? Or refuse to employ the same tactics as their enemies? How can peace be achieved when the enemy refuses to put down their arms? And what provoked such hatred in the first place? It because brings up those questionsand more that Munich has been called Steven Spielberg's most challenging film yet. Such questions as this film raises are not historical but also very contemporary as they surface again in light of actions by our own country toward its enemies, actions dashed across news headlines from the middle east. Munich is a soul-searching film that offers no easy answers. In preparation for this evenings discussion, Id like to recommend the reading of a short little book by Walter Wink called Jesus and Non-Violence: A Third Way (Augsburg Press, 2003, 96 pages). A discussion guide will be provided as well as popcorn and soft drinks. This is a continuation of the summer film festival tradition in which we view feature films with an eye toward discovering what cinema has to say about life and faith and what Christian Scripture has to say about how faith, life and truth is portrayed on the silver screen.

-- Pastor Dick Herman

Peter Chattaway says in his review for Christianity Today says that Munich, which takes place about 40 years ago, may be the most urgent film Steven Spielberg has ever made. While Spielberg has made a few historical movies before, so far they have all concerned events that took place well before he was born, and it doesn't exactly require a whole lot of courage these days to say that slavery and the Holocaust were wrong. Munich, on the other hand, is the first to depict an event that occurred during Spielberg's own lifetime, the ramifications of which are still being felt, and debated, today.

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From Our Associate Pastor for Families

In my first church, one of my favorite places to sit in a church is the church library. It was a tiny space, but it was a wonderful place to go and enjoy the quiet. I could read and be inspired. There was a woman named Billie Ann who had a passion for books. She was passionate to make sure the library wasnt overlooked or ignored. A church library can be a dusty collection of hand-me-down books, or it can be a vital resource for the congregation. Billie Ann chose to make it a vital resource. She knew that books and resource material was important to learning. Paul wrote to Timothy, "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all, the parchments." 2 Timothy 4:13. Paul had need of books: how much more the growing Christian of today needs the stimulus of books for reference, for Bible study, for inspiration in Christian living. Paul was inspired, and yet he wants books! He had been preaching for years and yet he wanted books. He witnessed first hand the Lord, and yet he wants books! Paul who wrote a large portion of the New Testament wanted books. Maybe we should take a lesson from him. We can always learn something from books. This summer, a small group will be working on the library. It may have a different look by the end of the summer. The intent is to make it a place people want to stop by and find a book. Our library books shouldnt be a collection that just sits on the shelves, instead the books should be teaching tools that are important for study both individually and as a class or congregation. Our library books should support the mission and the ministry of the church. If we truly value our Reformed Heritage, we should value Christian Education and all that it implies.including reading good books to inspire us, make us think about our faith and even help us see scripture in a new light. Let me share with you a few highlights of books that are new to the church that may help you in your faith journey. For the Presbyterian Womens Bible Study on Beatitudes we have two new books

Children of a Compassionate God A Theological Exegesis of Luke 6:20-40 by L. John Topel Children of a
Compassionate God is a detailed theological examination of Luke's "Sermon on the Plain," the counterpart in Luke's Gospel to Matthew's "Sermon on the Mount." Utilizing composition criticism, L. John Topel, S.J., explains what Luke meant Jesus' words to say to Luke's late first-century community and what such a message might mean to contemporary Christians. By inquiring into the theological intent of the evangelist, Topel helps us see how it is possible to undertake the Sermon's extraordinary commands. (Product description from amazon.com)

The Roman Empire and the New Testament: An Essential Guide by Warren Carter An indispensable introduction
to Roman society, culture, law, politics, religion, and daily life as they relate to the study of the New Testament. This book will help the reader see how social structures and daily practices in the Roman world illumine so much of the content of the New Testament message. (Product description from amazon.com) For Parents we have two new books

Home Grown: Handbook for Christian Parenting by Karen DeBoer This practical parent handbook answers questions all Christian parents face. Organized by topic and filled with humor and sound advice, it s a great resource for adult classes and a thoughtful gift for new parents. (product description from amazon.com)

Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church by Kenda Casey Dean
Kenda Creasy Dean argues passionately that the faith of the average American Christian teen is only a pale, watereddown version of the robust faith it could be. Drawing on extensive research and impressive analysis, Dean offers a smart how-to guide for Christian youth ministers and parents who hope to transform that watered-down faith into something much more." Review by Donna Freitas, author of Sex and the Soul: Juggling Sexuality, Spirituality, Romance, and Religion on America's College Campus This summer the church library will get a make-over. I would love to hear from you this summer about what book has inspired you. Is there a book that has shaped your Christian faith?

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Christian Education on Sunday Morning

In Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible, this fall Dr. Chip Dobbs-Alsopp,
Associate Professor of Old Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary, will lead a five week Adult Sunday school class exploring a historical overview of the translation of the Bible into English, highlighting the original work of William Tyndale and culminating with the story of the translation and publication of the King James Bible in 1611.

Sunday September 18th, The Bible Before Tyndale

An overview of what constituted the Bible and in how it was preserved in writing prior to the sixteenth century. A visual survey of biblical texts dating as far back as Qumran and culminating with the Vulgate (the Bible of the church for the first thousand plus years of its existence), the Old English glosses, and the Wycliffite translations (end of 14th c.).

Sunday September 25th William Tyndale

Tyndale is the true genius behind the KJB as well as the first to translate the Bible into English from the original Greek and Hebrew. Emphasis will be on Tyndales biography and the leading characteristics of his translation technique, which set the pattern for all later translations into English.

Sunday October 2nd After Tyndale

A pictorial survey of the major English translations of the Bible between Tyndale and the KJB: Coverdale, Matthews Bible, the Great Bible, the Geneva Bible, and the Bishops Bible. Attention is paid in particular to formatting, as we watch the customary formats that most are familiar with today in the Bibles that we read.

Sunday October 9th The King James Bible

A brief account of the story of the King James Bible.

Sunday October 16th An American Prose Style Poetically Deflected: Walt Whitman and the King James Bible
Robert Alter (in Pen of Iron) has identified what he describes as an American prose style that ultimately is rooted the King James Bible. Writers who develop this style include Melville, Hemingway, Cormac McCarthy, and Saul Bellow. Walt Whitman as it turns out was heavily influenced by the KJB as well, and in fact he may well be the best exemplar of Alters biblical prose style. A brief survey of Whitmans debt to the KJB. If you would like to prepare for the class this fall, you may want to read this summer David Norton, The King James Bible: A Short History from Tyndale to Today. Cambridge: Cambridge University, 2011. 232 pp. Copies of the book are available from the church office for $20.

SAVE THE DATE Sunday, September 11th ~ First Presbyterian Church Fall Kick-Off!
Join us as we look to our Future: Worship at 8am, 8:30am, and 11am ~ Jonathan Miller preaching Church School for all ages at 9:30am As we Remember: New Creation Remembrance Service ~ 10th Anniversary of 9/11 at 5pm A Walk Through Pictorial Display: Remembering September 11, 2001 Bible Sunday Commissioning of Teachers Ministry Fair Parish Picnic

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Stephen Ministry
It was our turn to have an overnight retreat and we were treated to the lovely setting of the Mariawald Retreat Center near Reading, PA. Our theme was: REMEMBER Dick Herman guided our remembering based on Deuteronomy 8:1-5 where Moses reminded the Israelites of Gods providential care during the wilderness years in preparation for their entrance into the Promised Land. The Lords care for them can be summed up by many verbs: God taught you; God clothed you (their clothes did not wear out); and God disciplined you. There were 3 points to our own remembering: 1) Remember the Lord 2) Remember who you are: A child of God in Christ 3) Remember your journey where youve been We learned the importance of each other through the sweet spirit that arose from our honest and open sharing with each other. This kind of support, in a shortened form, is offered/required twice monthly where we Stephen Ministers are renewed, strengthened and encouraged in order to serve you more effectively. Stephen Ministry exists to be the hand, the voice, and the heart that God can use to comfort and strengthen those who are experiencing challenging times.

Alpha
This summer we are doing something new with Alpha.
Currently we are offering programs for Seniors graduating from High School and the College Students returning home for the summer. This Alpha young adult program started June 1st but you are welcome to join us! Come and enjoy each others company, thoughts and experiences. The program will be based on Adults Ages 19- 30 Single or Married This fall there will be For Middle Adults Ages 31- 40 Single or Married similar programs: For Mature Adults Ages 41- xx Single or Married Alpha I: Meals at 6:00 Program 6:45 Complete by 8:30

For those who would like to do Alpha II ( A Life Worth Living ) after doing other Alpha Programs I, II or III a program will be offered for all ages. If you are new to the Alpha programs and would like to do additional Bible study, Alpha II is a good program for your studies and to meet other Christian friends over a meal and discussion. What is needed: Please invite your friends, family, acquaintances to join the ALPHA Groups. It does not matter if the person is acquainted with Christianity, searching for meaning in their life or wants to find out what Christianity is, and does; they are welcome. No one becomes a Christian without someone inviting them to know Christ. So every Christian has a part in the kingdom Go into all the world and bring others to Christ.

Application for ALPHA fall or ALPHA summer program ( Please return form to church office) Name: _____________________________________ Address____________________________________ Email Address_______________________________ Phone Number___________________ Age Group ____________________________ Please check the program requested ___Fall Program ___Summer Program( Alpha I only) ___Alpha I (10 Weeks and retreat weekend) ___Alpha II (8 Week Study and an invitation to retreat weekend) ___Alpha III ( 18 Week Study )

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Childrens Ministry
Childrens Summer Church School
9am10am thru July 31st (NO school on July 3)

Youth Ministry

Vacation Bible School

(for kids entering K thru entering 7th grade) July 11-15 from 9am-12pm**
Registration due by July 1 www.fpcmoorestown.org/vbs ** Cookies and Juice donations needed for July 15th Visit our VBS page to see openings for volunteers THANK YOU!

Wednesday, July 6
$60/person
For students entering 7th grade thru departing 12th grade

Register Online: www.fpcmoorestown.org

Weekly Pool Parties and Bible Study

Wednesdays 6pm8pm
July 13, July 20, July 27, August 10, August 17, August 24

Wild Water Rafting Family Trip

August 19 from 8am to 7:30pm $40/person For youth and children ages 5 and up For more info visit: www.fpcmoorestown.org/youth

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Missions
Mission Field Reflections
From Honduras:
Some of the most powerful and joyful memories I have are of singing..from Palm Sunday at the Kerwa Church, to singing with the Hekima girls before dinner, at the Resurrection party around a bonfire and on Easter - song and praising God united two very different groups of people. I could feel the joy emanating from each person in the room. It was in these moments that God's presence was most noticeable and palpable. Sara Culbertson On Easter Sunday, every girl, mama, and uncle gathered in the dinning hall at Hekima Place for an Easter dinner. We had a huge feast of ham, vegetables and potatoes. Everyone was also treated to a bottle of soda and a little cake for this special occasion. When the dishes were cleared away, some of the girls began to sing. Most of the songs sung in Kenya were in a call-and-response style. So, the older girls took the leads of the songs, and then the rest of us would sing the response. Some of the girls kept the lively beat of the songs by banging on the tables or clapping their hands. Others would occasionally let out a "whoop!" or chochochocho!. In no time, a few girls began to stand up and dance around the room, pulling people out of their chairs as they went, until practically everyone was up, forming a train of people marching around the room. Even though their voices were casual and free, to me the girls sounded like a choir. They all sang with such passion, completely overcome with rejoicing.

I was called a "woman" by a girl younger than me--I think I'll own it now that I'm 25. I'm a woman. I'm trying my best to follow Jesus and see where he wants me to be, what he wants me to do, and see how that fits in the big scheme--the big scheme that's so much bigger than me. Taking life one day at a time, I'm thankful for what is in my past and look forward to what lies ahead. working for an amazing faith-based non-profit - UrbanPromise Honduras. Cafe Yat B'alam - On a semi-regular basis, the electricity in Copan Ruinas goes. Sometimes it's due to rain and storms, sometimes it's due to scheduled maintenance, sometimes no one has any clue as to why we don't have electricity for days at a time. Today is one of those days. On work days this causes a bit of a hardship. Most of the staff packs up and goes to Caf Yat B'alam where they have a generator (so we can plug in our computers, and their router works, so there's internet capabilities) and, just as important, their internet company has a generator (which means they are able to transmit the internet here... to the router here... to my computer here...). Its amazing how many things need to come together in order for internet to work. ~ Kourtneys blog entry: prayformexico.blogspot.com

From Kenya:
Many of us dream about making a difference in the world, Kate Fletcher has actually made her vision a reality. God is most definitely at work with the children of Hekima Place where lives of young girls are being saved from a world of despair. It is evident in the love Kate gives to her children and the love they return to her. I would highly recommend participating in a mission trip if possible. There are no words or pictures that can capture the experience of being a part of a different culture. In sharing time together you make human connections that touch the heart. It allows you the opportunity to understand anothers way of life with deeper compassion. Donna Culbertson When I suddenly remembered that these girls had no mother or father, that this was their family Easter celebration, the entire day took on a whole new meaning, and I felt extremely honored to be a part of it. No matter how far you travel, any mission trip holds the power to really open up your eyes and allow you to see just how big this world is. It is amazing how much is out there that we cannot see every day. Yet, God constantly sees it all, and is alive there just as much as he is in your life. Lauren Culbertson

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Missions
From Malawi:
A beautiful flowering jacaranda tree, strikingly purple, was the first reminder I was back in Africa and worlds away from home. After that, and for much of the rest of the 10 day journey, there wasnt much that stood out in the way of natural beauty. As we drove from ministry to ministry, the repetitive barrenness of the countryside became an eyesore. But, I was not tourist on a photo safari, I was there to see firsthand the Lords work through the seeding, planting and nurturing of five ministries under the aegis of Urban Promise Intl. Visiting and interacting with hundreds of children (under the tutelage of a handful of Spirither to remove her scarf to examine her. The woman stroked the feet of Leela to thank her for coming. Leela responded that it was God that brought us to care for her. The following day, husband and wife arrived at the hospital for a comprehensive evaluation. The woman was dressed in a clean sari and shared that her family had eaten a huge meal the night before supplies we carried on our visit. Her eyes were bright and she was smiling through her disfigurement. That day we observed Matthew 25:35-36 in the flesh! The hope and compassion of Christ delivered through a personal visit, food, medical care and clean clothes. Carol McWilliams

From Haiti:
The joy of the journey for me was to see how the faithful people of Haiti would not let any circumstance in their life interfere with their relationship with God. They are dealing with crippling circumstances - earthquake, poverty, disease, nonexistent infrastructure and political unrest. Besides being one of the most rewarding commitments I ever made, it is one great way to let God be in charge of our relationship, instead of the way I usually live my life. Steve DiBartolo Arrival in Haiti: Our host left the airport after waiting several hours for our late flight luggage was lost we were besieged by tap-tap (taxi) drivers. Searching for our contact in the masses produced nothing, but we were recognized by a young man who said.. I know you you were here last yearI know your friend Nathanyou come to Haiti to do mission. He insisted we use his cell phone to call our contact (ours did not work) because he was concerned for our safety. I think about this one touch of Christ, I see the Emmaus story, Mary at the resurrection, and even the fishermen on the beach with our Lord. Jesus in person. Even in Haiti. Al Wenzke I knew about the history and conditions in Haiti, but until you are actually at ground zero you can never appreciate it. My senses were blown away by the sounds, the smells, the feel (heat & humidity), and there is a feel of the place that is indescribable... If I was to speak to someone about going on a short term mission, I would implore them to take a leap! By this I mean that I think many of us love the idea of going on a trip, but much like me before I went to Mississippi, you dont know what to expect and there are fears as to whether you will fit in with the group, whether you are spiritual enough, whether you have the technical skills required for a working trip. After most of us go on our first trip, we go on more. It is contagious; the key is to take a leap! Dave Mann Rather than latch onto despair, many people we encountered in Haiti had God in their hearts and a smile on their faces. We placed a good roof on 5 houses where there was no plumbing or electricity and little for the occupants to fill the home with. But you would have thought these folks had won the lottery. Take away everything the world might offer and God was still there...our group had an amazing sense of God and fellowship that was as strong as I have ever experienced on a trip. Would I go again? In a heartbeat Dave Hughes

filled leaders) was in wonderful contrast to the sparse landscapes all around. Every ministry we visited, we saw the nurturing only Gods grace can explain in the midst of abject poverty. Classrooms filled everyday with joyful kids for afterschool programs (and dozens more peering in through doorways because the programs were at capacity). Children with no shoes, but wearing a clean school uniformchildren who may not have had anything to eat that day except for the rice, beans and greens supplied by the ministry. Children who were focused on learning as much as they could before they reached 8th grade, when free education ended and many would not be able to afford tuition for secondary school (i.e. high school). So the first time I visited Africa, nearly four decades ago, my most precious memories were of flora and fauna, as if the whole continent was one huge arboretum and zoo rolled together. The second time I visited Africa, my most precious memories are smiling and grateful boys and girls, overjoyed with a simple craft or game that we shared with them. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Peter Balch

From India:
A vivid recollection for me was at the Harriet Benson Memorial Hospital in Lalitpur. As part of understanding the impact of the Palliative Care ministry we were invited on a trip to a rural area to visit a woman who was very sick. When we arrived she was outside her mud brick hut (devoid of any furnishings) with her husband and children. Her clothes were filthy and she was rail thin. As she tried to cover the massive tumor on her face, Dr. Ann and nurse Leela softly encouraged

July 2011 List of Events

August 2011 List of Events

The Weathervane
First Presbyterian Church 101 Bridgeboro Road Moorestown, NJ 08057

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An Important Update from the Small Group Steering Committee

Earlier this year, you may have noticed inserts in the bulletin, including a survey on the small group ministry of FPC Moorestown. A number of you attended the informational meeting in April and some participated in a 4-week training program. The Steering Committee is making plans to launch new small groups in September and is looking for more potential leaders in order to respond to the clear needs of the congregation, as expressed in the survey responses. The training program developed by the Steering Committee (video/ PowerPoint) will be available during the summer. There are also opportunities for those who wish to host groups in their homes or businesses. As indicated in earlier articles, the number of groups offered depends on the number of trained leaders available. The Committee believes that with small groups if you build it, they will come. The Session is also committed to this ministry and will be fully supportive of everyone who dedicates their time to leading. The Lenten series groups show the value of small groups during 6 weeks each spring; we believe this model should be expanded throughout the year to enable more participation. If you feel called to explore leadership opportunities with the small group ministry, please contact Elder John Pierce at (856) 429-8683 or by email to ja-pierce@verizon.net at your earliest opportunity.