ANNOUNCEMENTS
MAY 4th, 2008

The Sanctuary Flowers are presented today in honor of Evelyn Dellinger, Ginny’s mother; in memory of Jean Foos, John’s mother; and in memory of Lynn Beam, friend of the Foos family, from Ginny and John Foos.

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION – Did you ever wonder about the Bible of Jesus’ day?  The Old Testament is chock full of epic stories, incredible heroes and villains, and an up-close-and-personal view of God.  Many Christians avoid the Old Testament, though, perhaps overcome by the “begats”, baffled by behemoths, and offended by the violence.  But the Old Testament is God’s biography, the story of his passionate encounters with people.  Join us in the parlor at 11:00 a.m. for the next several weeks while we learn about Moses, the Psalms, the wisdom of Ecclesiastes and those wailing prophets in The Bible Jesus Read.

At 9:30 a.m. the group is continuing an in-depth study of the cross with Max Lucado, He Chose the Nails:  What God Did to Win Your Heart.  The cross is the main event of scripture; it is the main event of history.  This study will help you understand clearly what the death of Jesus means for you; identify intimately with the suffering of Jesus; experience more completely the unconditional love of God.

BLANKET SUNDAY – Next Sunday, May 11^th, is designated as “Blanket Sunday” when our Presbyterian Women, in cooperation with Church World Service, respond to the need of mothers and their families throughout the year wherever disasters occur.  Look for the donation envelope in next week’s bulletin.  The cost of a blanket is still $5.

THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE is preparing a slate of nominees to be elected to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC).  The PNC will be elected in early July and serve until a candidate has been identified, presented to the congregation and elected to serve as Pastor Head of Staff.  The PNC will be made of folks who are representative of the entire congregation: youth through seniors, those who attend South Ridge and those who attend the Traditional service.  The PNC will meet on an as needed basis which could involve a regular commitment of time. Before choosing the next Pastor, the PNC will be conducting an abbreviated mission study that describes who we are, where we have been, what we have accomplished and where we see ourselves going under the leadership of a new Pastor. From that study they will create the Church Information Form (CIF) that serves as our notice that we are seeking a new Pastor.

If you would be interested in serving on the PNC or would like to suggest someone else whom you believe would be a good member of the PNC, please contact Diane Zimmerman at  215-699-8575 or Dotsyz52@yahoo.com.

A RETIREMENT LUNCHEON honoring The Rev. William J. Kemp will be held at The Normandy Farms Hotel and Conference Center on June 8, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.  You should have received an invitation for the luncheon either in your church mailbox or through the U.S. Postal Service.  If you have not received one, we apologize for this and ask that you pick one up on the small table in the Lobby or call the church office (215-646-3030) and one will be mailed to you.  In the envelope is a response card that we ask you to complete and return.  On the response card you will indicate that you will be attending and make your meal selection.  We ask that all responses be returned no later than May 16^th.  Thank you, The Retirement Committee.

WOMEN AND GIRLS OF FIRST PRES – Please join us as we celebrate the upcoming birth of Joy and Dave Klimachefsky’s baby girl.  You know Dave as the South Ridge Music Director, and both Dave and Joy recently became members of First Pres of Ambler.  We’ll be having a baby shower in the parlor on May 18^th, after the South Ridge service.  Please join us for sandwiches, desserts and drinks as we celebrate this upcoming birth.  It’ll be a great way to welcome them both to our church family.

SHOULD YOU BE THE NEXT MAYOR OF OUR INTERFAITH VILLAGE ??!  Each January we turn our church into a home for several homeless families as part of our commitment to the Inter-Faith Hospitality Network of Ambler.  We are looking for a couple, or two individuals to join our existing leadership team to make this happen.  This ministry requires significant effort but results in families literally having a place to lay their head, and experience hope.  A major aspect of this ministry is coordinating all the volunteers from our church that make it happen.  If you are feeling called to take on a challenging role with real impact, please contact Pastor Palmer at Langdon@fpcambler.org.

SOUP KITCHEN – Help out with our soup kitchen on Saturday, May 24^th.  We need help to prepare the meal here at the church on Friday night from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  We also need folks to deliver and serve the meal in Philadelphia on Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  Sign up on the list in the lobby or contact Susie Liggett at NSusieL@comcast.net.  For more information go to www.SouthRidgeWorship.com and click on “Getting Involved”.

PRIME TIME – Join us on Tuesday, May 6^th and enjoy the talents of violin player Michael Salsburg as he performs with fellow Ferko band member Wayne Lepp, who is in the Philadelphia String Band Hall of Fame.  Reservations are not required for the program at 1:15 p.m.  If you would like to attend the luncheon at 12:30, please call the church office at 215-646-3030.

JOYFUL NOISE CHOIR – Attention all singers currently in grades 5-11.  The Joyful Noise Choir invites you to join us for the month of May.  We will be singing during the May 18^th confirmation service and would like you to be part of the celebration.  Here’s an opportunity to try choir and meet some new friends.  Rehearsals are 10:30-11:00 a.m. (between services) in the basement choir room.  Hope to see you on May 4^th, May 11^th, and of course the 18^th.

FIRST PRES BIKERS – Our first ride of the season will be a bon voyage ride for Bill Kemp.  We will meet at Spring Mill in Conshohoken at 2:00 p.m. today and will bike to Valley Forge and back.  This is a fairly easy ride on paved trails with a very short street section.  If you would like to go, please see Lisa DeNagy.

CHURCH FAMILY CAMPING – Come join us for a weekend filled with fun and fellowship!!  This is car camping, with tent site, picnic table, fire ring, and charcoal grill.  It’s only a short walk to a bathroom with electric outlets, flush toilets and hot showers.  Hiking, bike riding, badminton, fishing, s’ mores and ghost stories!  For more information and to reserve a spot, please contact Harry Heckler, Jr. at 215-542-9240 or hheckler@lumbermens.com.

INTER-FAITH HOUSING ALLIANCE 2008 GOLF TOURNAMENT:  Golfers and sponsors are needed for the 11^th Annual I-FHA Community Golf Tournament.  This year’s event will be held on Monday, June 16^th, at Old York Road Country Club.  For additional information, please contact Bob Walters (215-646-3419) or Barbara Silbert at the I-FHA office (215-628-2334).

WANTED:  The following items are needed for the  Workcamp Live/Silent Auction, Friday, May 9^th; floor lamps and white Christmas lights. Last year's Workcamp Auction was quite an elegant affair, and the subdued lighting was obtained by the sparkling white Christmas lights as well as the discrete use of floor lamps placed around Fellowship Hall rather than using the overhead fluorescent lights.  If you can lend a set of white Christmas lights or a floor lamp to be used during the night of the auction, please contact Holly Stevens by May 4^th (215-643-5452; email:  hollys66@hotmail.com).  Please be sure to tag your item(s) for easy return.

 

YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES

 

SENIOR HIGH BIBLE STUDY This Thursday night at Sarah and Andrew’s house (206A N. Bethlehem Pike, Ft. Washington) from 7:00-8:30 p.m.! Come hang out for group bonding, playing with Watson (our puppy), Bible study, and homemade goodies! 

VIDEO SCAVENGER HUNT NIGHT – Tonight from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  We’ll be meeting at church then cruising around town making team videos.  This will be a super fun event where you’ll be working with a team to create the best and funniest video!  The videos will be shown at the Youth Group Finale on June 8^th and voted on!  Come out and invite a friend to this fun night.

MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRL’S NIGHT – DINNER AND A MOVIE (Prince Caspian!) – Meet at church at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16^th.  Cost is $20.  We’ll be going to see Prince Caspian on its premiere night and dining out somewhere in Plymouth Meeting!  Sign up by May 11^th to join in on the fun!

MIDDLE SCHOOL GUY’S NIGHT – READING PHILLIES GAME!  Meet at church at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16^th.  Sign-up in the Youth Room today to come along.  Cost is $15.

YOUTH WORKCAMP AUCTION – Friday, May 9^th, at 8:00 p.m. at church.  Everyone, parents and youth, whether you are going to Workcamp or not is invited!  Come out and join us for a night of fun, and compete to win some super cool stuff like Rock Band, PSP, GPS, weekends at the shore, and loads of cool baskets!