First Presbyterian Church

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

April 2011
There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the
roaring of the sea and waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the
powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great
glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is
drawing near. Luke 21:25-29

Dear Friends,

We've been watching the pictures and wondering how this could have happened. Could a whole village of people
have been swept into the ocean? The earthquake in Japan measured 8.9 on the scale and hit with the multiplied
confusion of a ferocious tsunami. It is the largest earthquake in the history of Japan . Not long ago at Christchurch,
New Zealand, people were ravaged with much of the same.

The verses above are Jesus' words about destruction that was coming - the crushing of Jerusalem by the Roman
armies in the first century. Yet, as in so much of scripture, Jesus' words are meant not only for His day, but for
those in the generations to come. Some have asked in today's world ~ could it be that these are "signs of the times?"
The "signs" that Jesus is coming again, I believe they are.

According to the U.S. Geological Society, earthquakes are increasing. Not just minor ones, but "killer quakes." Add
to this the tinder box we call the Middle East and the fury of people challenging the authorities in Egypt , Libya and
Bahrain - to mention a few. Or the Israeli warship that recently intercepted a massive arms shipment to the Gaza
strip. Or consider the worldwide fragility of our economic crises.

Signs of the times? I believe they are. Here is some good news ~ Jesus tells us He is like a Shepherd (John 10) and
He will care for us no matter what happens in this broken world longing to be healed. That's good enough for me in a
culture where people so often miss the priority of their lives. For example, can you imagine if parents gave 10 % of
the time they spend getting their kids to sporting and musical events - only 10% of all their running around time - to
nurture, pray with and teach their children personally about a faith that is very counter-cultural to the world we live
in? What a difference that would make. Don't count on a youth program or youth leader to keep your child stable and
healthy spiritually. They are simply your helpers. The real job is yours. How are you doing?

If these are the "signs of the times" then we need to pay attention to the teaching of Jesus. I think it's a matter of life
or death, what do you think?

Thankful for the community of faith that reminds us of the faithfulness of God!

Jonathan Miller, Pastor

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April 2011 Sermon Schedule

SUNDAY MORNINGS SUNDAY EVENINGS

8am in Fellowship Hall
8:30am in the Sanctuary 5pm New Creation in the Commons
11 am in the Sanctuary

APRIL 3
APRIL 3
THANK YOU FATHER
I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE
Matthew 11:25-39
John 14:1-7
Jonathan Miller
Richard Herman

APRIL 10
APRIL 10
BY HIMSELF TO PRAY
TEACHER AND LORD
Matthew 14:22-33
John 13:12-20
Jonathan Miller
Martha Jordan

APRIL 17
APRIL 17
PALM SUNDAY
PALM SUNDAY
HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID
THE KING OF ISRAEL
Matthew 21:1-11
John 12:1-19
Martha Jordan
Jonathan Miller

APRIL 24
MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 21
EASTER SUNDAY
Holy Communion
GREETINGS!
THE HOUR HAS COME
Matthew 28:1-10
John 12:20-36
Martha Jordan
Jonathan Miller

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 22 Upcoming Adult Education

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
7 LAST WORDS FROM THE CROSS
Martha Jordan
April 24 EASTER SUNDAY
I AM THE RESURRECTION
John 11:25-27, 12:37-43, 20:1-11a
6:30am, 8:30am, 9:45am, 11:15am
Jonathan Miller
WORSHIP—Every Sunday we come to worship, but have you ever
wondered why we do what we do?
Come learn about worship from Andrew Dickinson, one of our
seminary interns from Princeton. Beginning April 3rd, Andrew will
share in three weeks information about the importance of worship
for Presbyterians. Andrew will be teaching in Fellowship Hall B.
IN MAY, Rev. Paul M. Asciutto Jr. will be leading an Adult Sunday
School class on The Blessings of the Victorious Christian Life.
Come and join Paul for four encouraging lessons that will explore
prayer, but also finding strength and victory in times of
discouragement.
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From Our Executive Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

Maybe I should call this “Now what?”—part two. Although that’s the question that drove what I wrote about last month, it’s not
gone away with the simple turning of a calendar page. I am still musing on Now what? What’s the “end” … goal … “purpose” for
which I live and strive?

Among my preliminary conclusion last month was a desire “to proclaim Christ with the intent, to the best of my ability, of presenting
to our Lord as many people as possible who are mature and complete in Christ.” I saw that desire supported by “a vision of lives
changed by proclaiming Christ through any means possible—teaching, preaching, men-toring, small groups, discipleship, on-hands
mission, compassionate caring … and more”; … “a vision of enabling people of all ages and kind to know Jesus Christ intimately, per-
sonally and not just knowing some things about Him”; and … “a vision of helping people each day become a little more like Jesus today
more than they/we were the day before; of encouraging people to walk with Him moment-by-moment.”

That’s where I left off in last month’s reflections.

Since then, the waters of my heart and mind continue to stir at various times. One such occasion was the last Session meeting
during which I was challenged to think again about vision. Sitting in that meeting, something clicked for me and I scribbled two
thoughts that have stuck with me since then. Those two ideas then drew a third one into their orbit. Here are the first two:

1) I have a dream that every person within a ten-mile radius of the intersection of Bridgeboro Road, Riverton Road and
Chester Avenue would have a chance to hear the gospel in a way they can truly understand and respond to with
the heart, mind and will; and
2) I have a dream that every person who “says yes to Jesus” will have an opportunity each day to become more like
Jesus in their thinking and acting, their feeling and choosing.

Then, I recognized a third dream emerging out of who we are as a people and how I’ve both experienced and witnessed us being the
Body of Christ. Remembering my own weakness, woundedness and pain at times, and how many of you come alongside me and oth-
ers in such times, I saw another dream take shape:

3) I have a dream that anyone who is wounded in spirit and soul could find healing through the love of Jesus Christ in the
midst of and expressed by this community of faith.

If you want just one or two words for each dream they roughly translate into—the Proclamation of Christ … Spiritual Formation
(or discipleship) in Christ … and the Compassion of Christ. And if it helps you (it does me) I also see them in the images of three
places: an airport (going out), a gymnasium (building up) and a hospital (healing in).

So, my wonderings continue; and I invite you along the rambling road of listening for the voice of the Good Shepherd
and of following wherever the Lord leads.

So, I ask it again: “How do you answer … now what?”

I remain, as always, yours in Christ’s Service …

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From Our Associate Pastor for Families

Dear Friends,
What makes Christmas so special? ("Martha why are you talking about Christmas as we prepare for Easter?") I believe that it’s so
special because there is a build up to celebrate Christmas. We spend months preparing for it. There are many expectations for Christ-
mas. If we think about it, we do a great deal of preparing for Christmas that we don't do for other holidays. We decorate our homes
inside and out, put up trees, send cards, bake cookies, buy gifts, plan family gatherings, celebrate traditions, attend parties and much
more. All of that combine to make Christmas something special. We could do the same for Arbor Day or Groundhog Day or Earth Day,
but we don’t.
Somehow we just don’t pay that kind of special attention to Easter, but I think maybe we should. You may not realize that scripture
never told us to celebrate Jesus' birth, but Jesus’ word is to go and tell about the resurrection. In fact the early Christians moved their
day of worship from Saturday, (the Jewish Sabbath), to Sunday to honor the resurrection of Christ. Every Sunday is to be a celebration
of the resurrection!
So let's make Easter special by taking some steps of preparation for that most important day of the Christian year. Allow God to
guide you in your preparations, but let me make some suggestions on how to make the weeks leading up to Easter special and mean-
ingful. These should draw us closer to God and ready us to truly celebrate Jesus on Easter, April 24th.

Spend time in prayer thanking God for the power of Jesus' resurrection in your life and asking Him to draw you closer to Him.
During the week between Palm Sunday and Easter watch one of the films about the life of Jesus with your family.
Use the film to make Jesus come to life for your family.
On Saturday April 16th, there is an Easter celebration at church starting at 10:30 am. See Children’s Ministry (page 6)
for more details.
The Children’s Ministry department has a Palm Sunday event (April 17th) during the Sunday School hour in the Fellowship Hall.
This is open to everyone of all ages to stop by the marketplace.
Share family devotions with the Easter Scriptures. For those of you who have small children, a good tool is the "Resurrection
Eggs." They provide 12 symbols of Easter with the story and scriptures that go with each symbol. It is a good hands-on-tool.

Perhaps you can think of other ways to make Easter special. Be creative and then share them with me.
The Easter season should provide some important opportunities to connect with God, our families, our church family, and the lost. Let's
focus ourselves on God so we will be ready to take full advantage of those opportunities.
Blessings,

PS—If you are looking for suggestions of films to watch there are some standards: The King of Kings (1927) Jesus of Nazareth (1988),
and The Passion of the Christ (2004). Some films that have a unique perspective that maybe helpful to you this Easter season: The
Robe (1953), Barabbas (1962), and Jesus of Montreal (1989).

Rev. Mark Cable has been ministering full-time

LOVEBIRDS… through music since 1981. An accomplished acoustic
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! guitarist and songwriter, Mark has released 17 CDs and
has played on Christian stations across the country.
Many of his concerts are “Great Date Night” events for
Great Date Night! couples. This is a fun and encouraging evening of music
Friday, April 29th at 7pm-9pm and laughter.
Come and enjoy a “night out” with your spouse!
$20 per Couple
Childcare is available if requested by April 16th
To purchase tickets please see Pastor Martha.
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Children’s Ministry Youth Ministry

Visit Youth Ministries online for more information
or to register for an event:
www.fpcmoorestown.org

Weekly Youth Breakfast

Tuesdays at 6:30am - 7am
(May 24 will be the last gathering until the fall)
Looking for Host Houses—call Jen: 235-1688
or email: jgould@fpcmoorestown.org

ATTENTION ALL JUNIOR HIGHERS:

FLOCK HAS BEEN MOVED TO WEDNESDAYS

Children’s Easter Celebration Almost Christian Seminar

Saturday, April 16 Saturday, April 9th
10:30am—11:30am 6pm—8:30pm FREE Family Event
Don’t forget to bring a basket!
Junior and Senior High Lock-In
Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16
6:30pm—9am $20/person
Register by April 4

Youth Pancake Breakfast

Easter Sunday, April 24th
Palm Sunday Marketplace Stay tuned for more details on this event to raise money
Sunday, April 17 for upcoming mission trips

9:30am—10:30am
30 Hour Famine
Friday, April 29
Register by April 8
“Lift up your heads, O you gates;
Be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory? June 26—July 1, 2011
The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates;
Lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory? Adirondack Mountains—Youth Mission
The Lord Almighty—He is the King of glory.
for students in grades 9 thru 12 $400/person
To contribute or sponsor the trip please visit: fpcmoorestown.org
Psalm 24:7-10
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Stepping Stones
Sharing the News from our Preschool

Welcome Spring! We are thrilled with all the signs of spring

Barnes & Noble
around us and the children are learning all about it. We are
also learning more about Jesus and the many miracles he
Bookfair
performed as we ready ourselves for the approach of Easter.
Saturday, April 9, 9am—11am
Fun Field Trip...Our PreK students learned about making 1311 Nixon Drive, Moorestown
pasta from our favorite Chef Georgetti with a trip to his
(behind the Moorestown Mall)
market.
Don’t Miss the Story Time with the Teachers
Thank you to all the people who came out on a very rainy from 10am—11am
evening to support us during our Chick-Fil-A Fundraiser on
in the Children’s Books Section
March 10. We had a terrific evening!
BRING A FRIEND!
Save the Date…Sat., April 9 Barnes and Noble Bookfair!
Details inside this Weathervane.
Can’t attend our bookfair
at Barnes & Noble?
March Open House...We had a lovely turnout at our Open Visit BN.COM/bookfairs to support us online from 4/9/11
House and are happy to enroll seven new students as a to 4/14/11 by entering Bookfair ID 10439933
result into our program for the 2011-12 school year.
at the checkout. THANK YOU!

Preschool Registration Update... registration continues for

2011-2012 classes. More classes are filling up but we still
have openings in the 2½ year old W/F class and 3 year old
PM class. Please continue to spread the word about our
wonderful preschool here at 1st Pres.! Contact Amy Agger at
aagger@fpcmoorestown.org or 856-235-7105 with any
questions or to schedule a tour.
Children are
a gift of the Lord
Psalms 127:3
Barnes & Noble Bookfair
Supporting
Step by Step Christian Preschool
Saturday, April 9, 9:00am-11:00am
Barnes & Noble
1311 Nixon Drive, Moorestown
Bookfair ID 10439933
Please present the voucher prior to making your purchase. A percentage
of the net sale will be contributed to your school organization.*
*The purchase of gift cards, Barnes & Noble memberships, textbooks, magazine
subscriptions, video games, purchases made at Cafes owned and operated by
Starbucks, and other items Barnes & Noble may exclude from time to time in its
sole discretion are not eligible for bookfair sales.
Institutional discounts may not be applied.
See BN>COM/bookfairs for more details and to shop online.
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Missions

The 3rd Annual Benefit Evening on March 5th was outstanding! Thank you to everyone who supported
the Deacons and Mission teams by dining in Fellowship Hall and participating in the Silent Auction in the Commons.
Your involvement helped over 50 servers, kitchen helpers, hostesses and clean-up workers reach their goals.

During April two mission teams will depart for destinations to Kenya and Haiti
The Kenya Team departs on April 14 and will be focused on finishing projects at Hekima Place. Girls who are orphaned by
HIV/AIDS live at Hekima Place and are nurtured and educated in a loving, Christian home. The team will worship at the PCEA Kerwa
Church, a sanctuary that was rebuilt with assistance from the Send the Light Mission component and they will meet Gladwel, an FPC
scholarship student at the Presbyterian University in Kikuyu. The team includes:
Dick Herman Griffin Hanson-Moses Erin Londres Donna Culbertson
Katie Londres Nancy Londres Riley Londres Lauren Culbertson
Carol McWilliams Ruth Stotsenburg Sara Culbertson

On April 16, a 10 member team will depart for Haiti where they will work with Haiti Out-
reach Ministries to continue to restore lives through home construction. Over a million people lost their
homes in the earthquake and countless thousands are still living in tent cities.
Serving on the team are:
Your prayers for the teams’ safety and health
Doug Derry Steve DiBartolo Joanne Hankins
David Hess David Hughes David Mann are important as they travel and labor as
ambassadors from First Church.
Mike Moser Neal Stephens Ethel Waltrip
Al Wenzke

The Latest News from Presbyterian Women

Spring is here and we are ready to enjoy the beauty that unfolds with each passing day. The bulbs are peeking out of the soil after a
long....winter.
The book of Revelation continues to be a study full of imagination. It is thought provoking as we are lured in to the message of Hope.
We just had our Hunger Soup Supper and I pray you were all blessed on Ash Wednesday. Your donations will be sent to the Pres-
byterian Church Hunger Fund, Many people helped to prepare the soup. PW Circles providing the ingredients as well as arranging
and covering the tables with brown paper and adding dried beans to remind us of the sparse meals that the third world countries are
grateful to have. Our youth generously gave their time to serve the soups. Their energy is to be applauded and we are grateful.
Soon it will be time for the Rummage Sale. It will be in May this year so start collecting the things in your home that you would like
to pass on to others that may find a new use for the item. We still are in need of male volunteers who can answer electronic or home
repair questions and carry the heavy loads. Please contact Annette Emerson or Debbie Walker, Co-Chairs of the Rummage Sale, if
you can volunteer. See above.
Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God… Revelation12:10
Debbie Heller, Moderator
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One Great Hour of Sharing
For more than 50 years, Presbyterians have joined with Chris-
tians throughout the nation in supporting One Great Hour of
Sharing, responding to Christ's love for all people.
Offerings are distributed in 3 programs as follows:
 Presbyterian Hunger Program (36%) — ministries that
work locally and around the world to alleviate hunger and
its causes, as well as ministries that address homeless-
ness and affordable housing.
 Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (32%) — disaster
response and ministries with refugees. We have first
hand experience with PDA through the multiple outreach
teams that have assisted recovery and rebuilding efforts
in the Gulf States region following hurricanes.
Self Development of People (32%) — for partnerships
with groups of people who are oppressed by poverty or
social systems and have determined what they need to
do to produce long-term benefits to improve their lives
and situations.
The tradition at First Church is to receive the One Great
Hour of Sharing Offering on Palm Sunday (April 17).
OGHS offering envelopes are included with stewardship
supplies and they are also available in the pew racks in
the sanctuary.
We’re Sprucing Up the Church!
Join us on Saturday, April 9th
8am—1pm
On Saturday, April 9th a church-wide work day is planned
throughout the church facilities. Volunteers are needed to help
us give several areas of the church a good cleaning and to
spruce up the grounds.
We’ll begin at 8am and end by 1pm—but if you can only come for
a portion of that time, that’s fine!
Can we count on your help?
Some of the projects planned for the day:
Clean out and add mulch to flower beds
Pick up twigs and branches from the grounds
A complete cleaning of the church kitchen
Construct storage “bins” for mulch and topsoil
Spruce-up work on Mission House
Continued sealing and patching of parking lot
To help us plan for the day, please take a moment to fill out the
form below and put it in the offering plate or send it to the church.
You can also email Matt Dijohn: mdijohn@fpcmoorestown.org
Questions? Call Matt at 235-1688 ext. 108
COUNT ME IN! I can help with one or more of the following jobs:
____Clean out and add mulch to flower beds
____Pick up twigs and branches from the grounds
____Cleaning of the church kitchen
____Construction of storage “bins” for mulch and topsoil
____Spruce-up work on Mission House
____Continued sealing and patching of parking lot
____Wherever you need me!
Name________________________________________
Phone______________ Email_____________________________
Times I can be there____________________________
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The 93rd Annual

Knitting Network
Saturday, April 30
10am to 12pm at the church
Stop in for a brief visit or spend the whole two hours
Wednesday, May 11 6pm-9pm depending on your weekend schedule!
Thursday, May 12 10am-12pm For more information call Betsy Gildehaus:
(856) 234-5414
Contact Debbie Walker (856) 234-6404
or Annette Emerson (856) 234-0717 Upcoming gatherings:
June 4 (note date change from May 21)
If you would like to help out!

CROP Walk MARK

Sunday Afternoon May 1st YOUR
Please join in this years’ CROP Walk CALENDARS!
(Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty).
We walk to demonstrate our concern for the hungry and
thirsty people around the world and seek contributions that
Strawberry Festival
will be given to them. Again this year we register at 1pm Friday, June 3rd
and start at 1:30pm in the First Methodist Church of
6pm—9pm
Moorestown parking lot.
Call Joyce Wenzke to find out how you can help:
You can select a one, three or five mile walk.
235-8413
We’ll be signing up walkers and handing our walker enve-
lopes on Sunday, April 10th in the Commons of First Pres
between 9am and 11am. Non walkers can make their
pledges or contributions to specific walkers at that time. Or
you can also register to walk, receive pledges, and make Men’s Breakfast
contributions over the internet.
Just visit www.cropwalk.org Saturday, April 16, 2011
Moorestown CROP walk forms will be available in the 8am
church office after April 16th until May 1st.
Please open your heart to the less fortunate, get some of “Every Man’s Battle…”
your friends and family to sponsor you. Let’s demonstrate to Sexual Addiction and the Hope of the Gospel
our global brothers and sisters that we care about them.
Speaker: Rick Sara
Questions? Call Tom Hottenstein (866-0827)
Please call the church office to RSVP: 235-1688
Kathy Stone (273-8082) or Joe Scheideler (461-5475)
April 2011 List of Events
 The Weathervane
First Presbyterian Church
101 Bridgeboro Road
Moorestown, NJ 08057

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Easter Flower Order

Time to order your Easter flowers in honor or memory of a loved one
to be displayed in the sanctuary on Easter day.
Fill out this form and enclose $10 for each flower. Thank you!
Name_____________________________________________________
Phone_____________________
Number of plants__________
In memory/honor (circle one) of:_________________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Check one: ____Donate ____Pick up

DROP IN THE OFFERING PLATE OR BRING TO THE CHURCH OFFICE. Thanks!