Upcoming Events at PPC
Be Sure To Save The Date – The Pinnacle Theological Center presents Fr. George Coyne, Vatican Astronomer, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in the Chapel. Fr. Coyne will be speaking on “The Heavens Declare the Glory of God.”
Footsteps Of Paul Tour Of Greece And Turkey – Join us May 2–15, 2009, as we explore the sights and sounds of Thessaloniki, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, the Greek Islands, Istanbul and more and learn of the apostle Paul’s passion and perseverance in spreading the gospel message to this region. Dr. Michael Hegeman, a recent Ph.D. graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and New Testament scholar, will guide us on our journey. For more information or to register, please contact Shelly Core at 480.488.8912 or snscore@msn.com. Space is limited.
The Thoughtful Christian – School Violence: The Real Dangers is this month’s article from The Thoughtful Christian. Public schools are not the same today as in previous decades. Various approaches are needed to address this serious public health problem. This article suggests measures to counteract school violence. Pick up a copy in the narthex or contact Shelly Core at snscore@msn.com for this or any other article from thethoughtfulchristian.com.
Register Children For Church School Today – Please stop by the Children’s Ministry Table after the 10:00 a.m. service. We are registering children for Church School, music and ringing choirs, and Club Wed! for the upcoming year. Bring your registration forms from home, download them or complete a new form at the table. We also have several volunteering opportunities for teaching classes, helping our little ones, and assisting with meals for our Fellowship Dinner on Wednesday evenings.
In Summer Church School Today – Our Nursery is open for any children 3 and under who would like to play in a nurturing and caring environment... parent pagers are provided to keep the Nursery staff in touch with you during the service. Our Preschool class is open for children between the ages of 3 and 5, and meets in the classroom just off the Sanctuary. Our Elementary class is open for kids entering 1st–6th grade, and meets in Fellowship Hall Room 1. Preschoolers will be learning about trusting God to help us with our problems, and elementary kids will be reflecting on how faith has helped them overcome challenges.
You're Invited To Join Our Children's Ministries Team – As we are completing our roster of teachers, helpers, shepherds, and volunteers, we have some opportunities for you to be a part of our Church School. Here's what we can offer you...
• Lion Pride Teachers – Work with a small group of elementary kids on Wednesdays from 6:45 – 7:15 p.m., reading a story from My First Message Bible and facilitating an activity that ties in with the story.
• Kindergarten teachers – Teach with two additional teachers as you share Bible stories, provide play time, make crafts, and share snacks with this age group twice a month.
• 2nd Grade Shepherd – Gather and greet our 2nd graders after the Children’s Message, taking them to their class, and helping the teacher as needed. It’s a great way to be involved with your child’s Christian Education.
• 1st – 4th Grade Teachers – Present the same lesson for
three weeks to different classes. This is a great opportunity to team up with
a friend, serve as a couple, or make new friends within our church family. This
commitment requires teaching on just 12 Sundays for the whole year!
Debbie would love to talk with you about your interest in our Children’s Ministries… if this sounds like a good fit for you, please call 480.585.9448 ext. 203, or dlisk@pinnaclepres.org. Thanks!
Church School Kickoff Is Sunday, Sept. 7 – We hope you'll join us as we gather together to kick off the 2008–2009 Church School year. Church School begins that day, and we'll have a celebration on The Green after the 10:00 a.m. service. If you'd like to provide input, or help with this event, contact Debbie Lisk at 480.585.9448 ext. 203, or dlisk@pinnaclepres.org. See you there!
Club Wed! Kickoff Is Wednesday, Sept. 10 – We hope you'll join us for dinner, singing, ringing, and more!
Youth Kickoff is August 24 from 5–7 p.m. Youth (grades 7–12) and their families are invited to join us for dinner in Fellowship Hall. The youth will have time to work on their hand tiles for the new youth building, we will walk through the construction site, eat dinner, play games, and talk about what is in store for next year. Don’t miss the opportunity to get to know other families and get a glance at the events we have planned for this year!
Nurture Your Faith With An Adult Education Class – Many of our classes begin in September. Find a topic and time that works for you and get to know others in our community of faith as we learn and grow and care for one another. Check out the bulletin board on the West Terrace for more details. Here is a partial listing of classes offered:
| Class | Leader | Time | Day/Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAGE | Fran Park | Noon | Wed. 9/3/08 |
| Lectio Divina | Mac Schafer | 7:00 a.m. | Thur. 9/4/08 |
| Men’s Breakfast | Fran Park | 7:30 a.m. | Thurs. 9/4/08 |
| Theology on Tap | Mac Schafer | 7:00 p.m. | Tues. (2nd/4th) 9/9/08 |
| Wed Night Bible Study | Fran Park | 6:00 p.m. | Wed. 9/10/08 |
| Mug N’ Muffin | Katy Schafer | 9:30 a.m. | Wed. (1st/3rd) 9/17/08 |
| Life & Ministry of Paul | Shelly Core | 6:00 p.m. | Wed. 9/17/08 |
| Kerygma–Bible Survey | Brandon Willett | 7:00 p.m. | Every other Mon. 9/29/08 |
S.A.G.E. (Senior Adults Gaining Enrichment) is taught by Rev. Fran Park at noon Wednesdays in the Chapel Conference Room/Library. S.A.G.E. has completed its study of the Old Testament and now moves to the New Testament starting Wednesday, Sept. 3. We’ll begin with the Gospel of Matthew as we see how God comes among us in Jesus. Under the leadership of Fran Park, this group enjoys study, fellowship, sharing, and a delicious lunch. All are welcome. Cost for the lunch is $5.
Year Of The Bible Reading Schedule – Aug. 18: Num. 5–8; Aug. 19: I Chr. 10–14; Aug. 20: Psalm 99–101; Aug. 21: Prov. 19; Aug. 22: Hos. 1–7; Aug. 23: John 7–9; August 24: I Tim. 4–6. Jump in now and read the New Testament – two chapters per day and you will finish before year–end!
Mission Opportunities at PPC
Presbytery Of Grand Canyon Mission Yearbook Of Prayer – Today’s entry is on Church of the Master: “At Northminster Presbyterian Church, we do and support mission: local, state and worldwide. We provide food and gas vouchers and bus tickets for people who show up at the church, as well as non–perishable food. We also support Downtown Urban Community for Kids (D.U.C.K.).
“Recently we collected 350 pounds of food for Saint Mary's Food Bank, and money for their roof repairs. We also gave eight Thanksgiving dinner boxes to Agua Fria Food Bank (operated by Ministry for the Rural Poor), and to needy families of a school near us in Phoenix. We again took part in Angel Tree, providing Christmas presents for 50 children of prisoners, and $20 gift cards for Angel Tree children in the Gulf area affected by the hurricanes.
“We provided support money for Montlure Church Camp, and used the proceeds from our fall barbeque to send many Northminster youth to camp. We again worked with a coalition of Presbyterian churches to build a Habitat for Humanity house in El Mirage, and will work on one in Peoria in 2008. And we've supported International Student ministries, and a student intern at Reformed University Fellowship.
“We sent funds through both Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the American Red Cross to help with in hurricane relief in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida, and to support pastors.
“We've also supported the Corrymeela peacemaking effort in Northern Ireland. And we're helping support a teacher and his family at the Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany, run by Janz Team Ministries.”
Northminster Presbyterian Church is in Phoenix, on 13001 North 35th Avenue.
Vista Del Camino Food Bank – Thank you for your contributions this summer; they are always much appreciated especially in the summer months when community donations dwindle. Please help again this month by donating your non–perishable foods, paper products and personal care items next Sunday, Aug. 24. Red wagons are located on the first and second floors of the Sanctuary for your donations.
New Social Creed Comes Out Of Presbyterian 218th General Assembly – 2008 marks the centennial of the Social Creed of Churches, a pledge to work together for a better, fairer and more faithful United States. One hundred years after Christians joined to work to ease the human costs of industrialization, the 218th General Assembly (Bill Noyes was PPC’s representative) has passed a new social creed to address the 21st century’s great challenges of globalization and sustainability. What follows is an excerpt from the new Social Creed:
“Remembering the prophetic Social Creed of the Churches of 1908, we respond to God’s call to transform our social order toward justice and peace, and address the 21st century’s great challenges of globalization and sustainability. Hearing also concerns of churches and peoples around our globe, we pledge ourselves to specific practices of personal and social responsibility that reflect our Triune God’s gracious will for all creation. We rejoice in the Biblical vision where all ‘shall long enjoy the work of their hands’ and ‘not labor in vain or bear children for calamity’ (Isa.65: 22–23).
“In faith, we celebrate the full humanity of each woman, man, and child, all created in God’s image, by working for:
• Employment for all, at a family–sustaining living wage.
• Protection of workers from dangerous occupational conditions, injuries, and death.
• Full civil, political and economic rights for all people, protected by new governance structures.
• Abolition of forced labor, human trafficking, and the exploitation of children.
• The rights of workers to organize, and to share in workplace decisions and productivity gains.
• Adequate time and resources to care for families without fear of work penalties.
• High quality public education for all, free from racial, gender, or economic disparity.
• A fair, de–racialized criminal justice system, based on restorative
justice and rehabilitation.”
The Creed can be found at www.pcusa.org/acswp/socialcreed21st.htm.
Knit Wits – The first meeting of the fall season will be Tuesday, September 16 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel Conference Room. Beginners as well as experienced knitters and crocheters are invited to attend. This is an important meeting as plans will be discussed for the fall sale that will benefit hospitalized and homeless veterans. Call Mary Brack for more information at 480.502.0118.