April 2024 Newsletter

Chairs to Malawi

After Margi McConnaha finished the renovation of the church library (through all the hassles and head-aches with Ashley Furniture), the old chairs which were in the library and in the basement were donated on Saturday, March 2nd to the Malawi project to be shipped in a container box along with other donations. Two of the chairs were donated previously to the Home Instead in Lebanon.

Lenten Community Meal

On Wednesday, March 6th, we hosted the Lenten Wednesday Community Soup & Supper. It was good to see that the Christians in the community came together to eat together and to worship together. Thanks to Dennis and Teresa Brannon for overseeing and doing a lot of things, and thanks to all wonderful Presbyterians who brought soups and other foods.

Blessings to Gretel

It is with a mix of joy and sadness that we announce the resignation of our much-loved church secretary, Gretel Magnuson. Gretel has been a beacon of warmth, efficiency, and unwavering support in our church office, touching the lives of many within our congregation through her kindness and dedication.

After several years of faithful service, Gretel has decided to embark on a new chapter in her career. She has accepted a position as the afternoon shop manager at Titus Bakery. Her last working day with us was Thursday, March 14th, marking the end of an era and the beginning of an exciting journey for her. We are immensely grateful for the time Gretel has spent with us, during which she contributed significantly to our church community’s life and spirit. Her smile, her willingness to help, and her deep commitment to our congregation’s well-being have left an indelible mark on our hearts.

Please join us in thanking Gretel for her outstanding service and in wishing her all the best in her new role. We pray for God’s blessings on her path ahead, confident that she will continue to spread kindness and joy wherever she goes.

Guess Who

Above photo is from 1979. Can you name who’s there? Test your memory.

Photo Contest

The first annual photo contest begins from April with the theme of Spring Flower. One rule is that the photo must be taken by you personally, which means you cannot submit a photo which you down-loaded from the internet. You can submit your digital photo via email, or drop off the printed photo at pastor Je’s office. The photos will be displayed on the church website. After the Worship in the Park in late June, it will be voted and the winner will get a prize.

New Secretary

We are currently in the process of searching for a new church secretary to fill the big shoes Gretel has left behind. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and support as we transition through this period of change. If you know a good candidate for church secretary, please let the Personnel committee know.

Maundy Thursday Dinner

Maundy Thursday Dinner was Thursday, March 28th, 6PM at the fellowship hall. It was commemorating the Last Supper of our Lord.

Wabash Avenue PC

Pastor Je will moderate the session meetings of Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church in Crawfordsville from this month as Rev. John Van Nuys retired at the end of March. Pastor Je has no other responsibilities beside moderating the session meeting once a month until they find either an interim or permanent pastor. Pray for their pastor search.

Faith Circle

A women’s fellowship circle of the church (Faith Circle) will begin a new Bible study on Wednesday, April 10, at 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the church library.  Any woman of the church is invited and welcome to attend.  We will meet on the second Wednesday of each month from now through October. 

The book we will use for discussion is a Women of Faith Bible study called Experiencing Contagious Joy ($8).  Come and enjoy the fellowship as we read and study Scripture.  Questions?  Call Phyllis Duff at 765-482-1485.

Good Friday Service

The Good Friday service was observed on Friday, March 29th, 7PM at the sanctuary. After the service, pastor Je burnt the sticky notes on the cross in the courtyard.

Son-Rise Service

The Son-Rise service was observed in the fellowship hall due to rain.

Bud Hunter Played the Organ

Our former organist, Bud Hunter, came and played the organ on Easter Sunday, March 31st.

Cleaner Church

The glasses of the front doors were cleaned on Monday, March 25th. Now it is clean and if you leave a mark on it, we can find who did it with the fingerprints on the door glass. The pews were also cleaned on Tuesday, March 26th. Thanks to Jennie Woods who paid for both services.

Easter Craft

During the Easter Breakfast after the Son-Rise Service, people were invited to make an empty tomb with doughnuts and doughnut holes.

Pack a Baby Pack

We are excited to announce that we will be delivering baby packs to expecting mothers in Malawi. These packs contain essential hygienic supplies, which are crucial for clean and healthy baby deliveries. Unfortunately, due to the lack of these items, many newborn babies and mothers face serious risks.

Date: Saturday, April 27th

How You Can Help: Until the packing event, you have two ways to contribute: Donating Necessary Items or Financial Gifts. You write “Baby Pack” on the memo line of your cheque.

The sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office for those who will come to the packing event. The sign-up sheet on the refreshment table in the back of the sanctuary is for the needed items. Please sign up by Saturday, April 20th. If you have any questions about this initiative, feel free to contact Debbie Crouse, the chair of the Mission & Outreach committee. Let’s come together to make a difference for these mothers and their precious babies!

Easter Service

Easter Sunday Morning Worship Service was observed with Communion and Children’s story.

Annual Meeting

Our annual meeting is swiftly approaching and is scheduled for the second Sunday in April, the 14th. Following the worship service, we will hold the annual meeting in the fellowship hall during our Communal Quarterly Luncheon. This crucial Presbyterian gathering offers an overview of our church’s activities over the past twelve months through reports from the committees and clusters. Additionally, it provides a glimpse into our plans for the upcoming year, including the budget for the next fiscal year.

Kiwanis Club Pancake

70th Annual Kiwanis Pancake Fundraiser is Thursday, April 11th, 5-8PM at Farm Bureau Community Building Boone County 4H. $8 per ticket. Kids 5 and under eat free. 

Saturday Bible to Resume

Due to the illness of some Saturday Bible Study attendees, as well as the observance of Holy Week and Pastor Je’s Study Leave, our regular Saturday Bible Study will be on hiatus. However, we have exciting plans for our next gathering!

Date/Time: Saturday, April 13th, 11:30 AM

Agenda:

1. Movie Screening: We had previously planned to watch ‘The Mission,’ and now we have the opportunity to do so. Join us for this thought-provoking film.
2. Discussion: Following the movie, we’ll engage in a discussion. Feel free to share your insights and reflections.
3. Next Book Selection: Let’s decide together on the next book we’ll study as a group.

We look forward to seeing you there! If you have any questions or need further details, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Pastor Je’s Study Leave

Pastor Je will be on his one week of Study Leave from the day after Easter, Monday, April 1st through Sunday, April 7th. Consequently, pastor Je will not preach on Sunday, April 7th, on which day Ben Piper will be our pulpit supply and the regular Communion on first Sundays of each month will be postponed by one week.

Eclipse Day Advice

The total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th, is expected to bring a significant influx of people to Lebanon, with many passing through. Traffic conditions will be extremely challenging, compounded by numerous road closures downtown. For a more enjoyable and safe experience, we recommend watching this awe-inspiring cosmic event from the comfort of your own backyard rather than venturing into the downtown area. Stay safe and enjoy the spectacle!

Easter Egg Hunt

After the Easter Morning Worship Service, children of the church enjoyed the Easter Egg Hunt in the fellowship hall and in the church library.

Voice Actor Needed

If you’d like to participate in dramatising the Sunday morning Scripture reading, please let pastor Je know before the worship service of each Sunday.

Visiting Team

If you’d like to help pastor Je visiting our home-bound members and friends, you may sign your name up on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the church office.

Party Boom Box

The church bought a party boom box to use at church anywhere beside the sanctuary. It was first used on the Maundy Thursday Dinner and the Son-Rise Service. It will give us better sound from now on in the fellowship hall or other places. Members are welcome to come and sing karaoke when the PPM is off session.

Pastor Je on Paper

Pastor Je was on the front page of the Lebanon Reporter on Saturday, March 30th. Spread it to your friends and neighbours so that they may want to check out our church.

PPM Sunday

Sunday, April 21st will be PPM Sunday.

Gourmet Seekers Meeting

March Gourmet Seekers met at the Moontown in Whitestown on Friday, March 22nd. The April meeting will be on Friday, April 26th at the Stookey’s in Thorntown (125 E Main St, Thorntown, IN 46071). Meeting at church 11:30AM or at restaurant at noon.

April Church Calendar

Mon. 1—Sun. 7: Pastor Je’s Study Leave.

Wed. 3: Arlene Quinn’s birthday.

Sun. 7: Carmen Donaldson’s birthday.

Mon. 8: Kathy Flanary’s birthday.

Eclipse Day.

Thu. 11: Hank Walters’ birthday.

Kiwanis Club Pancake Fundraiser.

Fri. 12: 11:30AM. BYOB.

Sat. 13: Craig Reynolds’ birthday.

11:30AM Bible Study Resumes.

Sun. 14: Communion. Annual Meeting.

Quarterly Communal Luncheon.

Live for Life Sunday.

Mon. 15: Cyndy Gibbs’ birthday.

Tue. 16: Kitty Hill & McKenna Reynolds’ birthday.

11:30AM Time for Tea.

6:30PM Session Meeting.

Thu. 18: Nancy Turner’s birthday.

Sun. 21: PPM Sunday.

Fri. 26: 11:30AM Gourmet Seekers Meeting.

Sat. 27: 2PM. Pack a Baby Pack.

Sun. 28: Caring Sunday.

Tue. 30: Nancy Turner & Steve MacPherson’s 

anniversary.

6PM: PPM Block Party.