Calvary News

SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY 101
Have you done your homework?
The first study sessions for the Science and Theology Notes and Readings have been scheduled for the second week of February.  Even the scheduling is scientific!  Since research shows that people’s brains have “inner clocks,” we are offering three time slots, to suit the larks (early birds), the night owls, and the hummingbirds – the people in between.  Groups will meet in the Dining Room for discussions lasting approximately one hour.  The first sessions will be based on Readings 2 and 5 in the Notes and Readings binder.  Please review the questions associated with those selections, and select the ones you found most engaging or provocative.  The questions for David Hanna’s article, Reading 2, are found on Page 11 in your notebook.  Questions for Reading 5 appear at the end of that article, on pages 57-58.

Watch for sign-up sheets in the Chalice Room for the following time slots:

Tuesday, February 7, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 8, 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 9, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

If you know you will not be available to sign up on Sunday mornings, please call or email the Church Office to choose a group.
Other reminders/details:

  • If you wish, you may bring a brown bag breakfast, lunch, or snack.  Coffee, water for tea, and ice water will be available.
  • We hope that study groups will meet once a month, and you are not bound to a single time slot. 
  • There will be no tests, quizzes, or grades.
  • There are no Cliff Notes.

 

Bella Notte
Our Italian Bistro will be open for our “Bella Notte” Sunday February 12.  Bring your friends and neighbors and join your church family.  The warm and festive atmosphere of music and laughter, candlelight and checkered tablecloths, in addition to our delicious food and great wait staff, make it a wonderful way to spend a mid-winter evening.

The monies raised from the Free Will Offering will be given to the Deacon’s Fund for their work and mission.  If you are unable to join us, monetary donations toward the event will be gratefully accepted.

Reservations are not required but would be helpful to assist as we plan and so you won’t have to wait too long to be seated.  Contact Brenda Brock in the church office (724-463-9197 or adminassistant@calvarychurchpa.com) or Brenda Hanna to make reservations.


Wednesdays in Lent
Meditations on the Cross
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22, with our traditional Ash Wednesday worship including imposition of ashes. The service, at 7:00 p.m., will be led by David Hanna and the Chancel Choir.

On the succeeding five Wednesdays, February 29 through March 28, there will be services of evening prayer to focus our attention on the cross in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. Each week there will be prayers, scripture readings, hymns, and music from our choir soloists or small ensembles. As a special feature this year, several members of the congregation will share brief meditations on what the cross means to them. These worship services will begin at 7:00 p.m. weekly. Plan to join your friends for these meaningful times of preparation. Mark your calendar now, and watch the church bulletin for more details during February.

                                      When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
                                      On which the Prince of Glory died...
                                      Love so amazing, so divine,
                                      Demands my soul, my life, my all.


Men's Thistle Club
SPECIAL MEETING JUST FOR YOU!  Our meeting is on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 8:15 am in the dining room.  We will be having a Waffle Breakfast and we invite all the men, young and "older," to come.  If you haven't been able to attend a Thistle Club meeting, you should join us for this one!  We promise a great breakfast and "man-ship" (manly fellowship). We continue with UNCOMMON by Tony Dungy and the challenges for us to be that UNCOMMON man and live your faith.  If you need a copy of the book, it is available in the church office at no cost.  We are on Part 4 and you can join anytime.  This is a great series and it's helping all of us to grow our faith!

~Tim Earhart    

 

Presbyterian Women
Lydia Circle will meet in the church dining room on February 9th at 12:30 p.m. for a brown bag lunch.  The Bible study will begin at 1:00 p.m.

Circle 6 will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13th in the Chalice Room.

Spirited Women of Faith will meet on February 28th at 7:00 p.m.


Saturday Nite Club
The Saturday Nite Club will meet in the church dining room on Saturday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m.  The program will be presented by Samantha Wood who will be recognized as one of our IUP student choir members.  Samantha spend the summer months of 2011 in Florence, Italy, continuing her studies in the field of opera.  This is another program that should not be missed.
~Bruce Jenkins  


Newsletter Deadline
The deadline for the March newsletter will be Friday, February 17, 2012.


Library Notes
The library has been blessed recently with donations.  Thanks to Ken Leasure, Heidi Earhart, and Linda Jane Double as well as some anonymous members.  There are new devotional books, the "Left Behind" series, a Koran, and other Titles that might interest you.  The new materials are on the Featured Books table.  If you haven't been to the library recently, please stop in, borrow a book, and enjoy the new Bill Double art display.

~Karen Ross    


Memorial Flowers
The following dates are open for placement of memorial flowers: February 12, April 29, August 5, September 30, and December 30.  Please call Joanne Dilts at 724-349-8621 or the Church Office if you wish to make a donation for memorial  flowers for any of these dates.


Great Ends of the Church Banners

The Great Ends of the Church Banners are on display in the Sanctuary.

“The proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind”
Banner One shows a dove rising from the Scriptures, indicating the source of both the original witness and our present understanding.  The same Spirit that inspired the original writers must work in us if we are to receive the gospel.  The cross behind the Bible and dove reminds us that the heart of the gospel is Jesus Christ, God with and for us.

“The shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God”
Banner Two: The hands represent all the children of God.  The dove’s wings are tipped downward as the dove hovers protectively over God’s people.  The triangle of light links the dove to the people.

“The maintenance of divine worship”
Banner Three: The cup represents the Lord’s Supper, and the three drops of water baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.  The dove reminds us that the same Spirit is present in the Sacraments as in the proclamation of the gospel.  The raised arms signify our praise, thanksgiving, and worship of the living God.

“The preservation of the truth”
Banner Four represents the light of truth shining in the darkness.  The dove reminds us that the truth we proclaim to the world is the gospel of Jesus Christ, God with and for us.  “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

“The promotion of social righteousness”
Banner Five represents Amos 5:24: “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.”     

“The exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world”
Banner Six: The dove is in flight over the globe.  In her mouth is an olive branch, echoing Genesis 8:11, “and lo, in her mouth a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth.”  This represents the eighth day of creation, God’s grace coming into the world, the reign of God proclaimed by Jesus Christ.  The light behind the globe represents dawn, the dawning of God’s kingdom.

 

Breaking News on the Music Front!
Our Director of Music Ministry, Dr. Joe Baunoch, has again been selected to sing in an opera production in New York City.  He is playing the part of a secret  police agent in the opera, The Consul, by Gian Carlo Menotti, with the  Dicapo Opera Theater.  Several years ago he was an apprentice at this theater and  they liked his work then and called him to take on this role.  The theater is on 79th Street at Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, and performances are scheduled for January 26th, 28th, and February 3rd and 5th.  During his absence from Calvary, our Associate Director, Roberta Jones, is leading the choir.

 

On January 22nd and 29th Randy Frye will be the guest organist.  Randy  recently graduated from IUP with multiple majors, including organ performance.  This term he is an accompanist "in residence" at IUP, playing for the musical  theater production (rehearsals and performances) and accompanying students for vocal and instrumental solos and lessons. He is also auditioning for graduate schools.