THE RENEWAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAVRE DE GRACE 551 Franklin Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078 Church (410) 939-3611 - Fax (410) 939-3581

June 2014 From the Pastor’s desk . . .

Thoughts on the killings at Isla Vista, CA

Matthew 15: 18-1918 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 

The Bee Gees (The Brothers Gibb: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibbs) wrote a song in 1971 called “How Do You Mend a Broken Heart.” It goes:

I can think of younger days when living for my lifeWas everything a man could want to do.I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.

And how can you mend a broken heart?How can you stop the rain from falling down?How can you stop the sun from shining?What makes the world go round?How can you mend this broken man?How can a loser ever win?Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.

Written just after a time when the young men had gone through the group breaking up and a time of alienation from each other, the words capture the loneliness and hopelessness of that alienation.

It seems that more and more people are experiencing “broken” hearts. Many things can cause that: neglect, abuse, mental illness, societal influence, and, most often, alienation. For whatever reason, those who experience alienation often experience the feelings of loneliness and hopelessness. When it becomes overwhelming, bad things happen: suicide, abusing someone else, murder, and all the other things Jesus says come from the heart – a “broken” heart.

A heart that is cared for and loved and nurtured produces “gifts of the spirit” because a “right” spirit fills your heart.

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I’ve spent the last few days reading all kinds of articles on why people do the mean things they do. To me, it comes back to we don’t take care of people’s hearts. We have lost the ability to guard our words and so evil things come out and leave others feeling alone and alienated. We harbor bad feelings instead of taking the time to ask ourselves why we aren’t seeing the pain around us. If we can keep our eyes open and respond with empathy to those hurting, perhaps, just perhaps, we can pour some salve on a “broken” heart that will lead to healing. Perhaps, we won’t be tempted to allow evil to creep into our hearts and pour out more hurtful things that only make matters worse.

No one is perfect. We all have bad days and, yet, we don’t go out and kill people. Some people, however, can’t remember having a good day. As Christians, let us help “heal” hearts with the love and compassion of Christ. Let’s fill our hearts with that love so that evil has no room to live in our hearts.

Holy God,Help us to fill our hearts with your love. Teach us compassion and teach us to listen with empathy and understanding to those who are hurting. Help us reconstruct our laws so that help may be given instead of waiting for tragedy and punishment. Thanks you so much for the love you show us through your son, Jesus Christ. In his name we pray. Amen.

May everyone have a fantastic month!Pastor Susie

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Congratulations!

Jeremiah Seepersad received word that he has been accepted into the Dubuque Iowa University Seminary. He will be taking on-line classes this fall.

He goes before Presbytery on September 18 for examination to be an inquirer. More info to follow on the place and time so that the church can show their support!

Best Wishes Jeremiah and congratulations from all of us!

JUNE 2014Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

7th Sunday of Easter 1

Communion Sunday Sunday School–9:45 a.m.

Worship - 11:00 a.m.

Rural Life

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Grace Place

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1001 WorshipingCommunities

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Day of Pentecost 8

Sunday School–9:45 a.m.

Worship - 11:00 a.m.

Pentecost Offering

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Committee meetings6:30 p.m.

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Deacon’s meeting 5:30 p.m.

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General AssemblyConvenes, Detroit

Trinity Sunday 15

Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.Worship - 11:00 a.m.

Men of the Church: Father’s Day

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JulyNewsletterDeadline

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Session packetinfo due

Trusteesmeeting6:30 p.m.

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Youth Group6:30 p.m.

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General Assembly ends

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time 22

Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.Worship - 11:00 a.m.

Disability Inclusion

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Session meeting7:00 p.m.

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‘The Vine’food pantry

10–11:30 a.m.

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time 29

Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.Worship - 11:00 a.m.

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CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

06/02 – Dillon Pentz 06/12 – Carlie Hopps

06/03 – Andrew Michael Mathias 06/14 – Michael Mathias 06/07 - Jackson Transparenti 06/15 – David Redding

06/07 – Dustin Werkheiser 06/16 – Jeremiah Seepersad 06/11 - Paul Leedom

06/26 – Neil Willoughby 06/12 – Sandy Matthews 06/27 – Greg Hebding 06/12 – Sandy Matthews 06/28 – Pam Mason

06/04 – Gordon & Leola Leffler 06/07 – Dustin & Tara Werkheiser 06/07 – Ryan & Amy Weitzel 06/08 – Fred & Charlotte Gregory

06/17 – Michael & Priscilla Mathias 06/26 – Jason & Jill Hartsfield 06/28 – Mike & Sheila Smith

DUTY ROSTER Liturgist Deacons Trustees Usher-Tellers

06/01 Bill Atkinson Lew Mason Torinda Lutz Team #5 George Deibel (capt.)06/08 Logan Pentz Tara Werkheiser Ron Mathias Team #1 Ron Mathias (capt.) 06/15 Kimberly Andreen Bill Atkinson Ryan Weitzel Team #6 Eric Swanson (capt.)06/22 Ed Matthews Carol Gatto Greg Smith Team #2 Bill Kietzman (capt.)06/29 Carolyn Mathias TBA TBA Team #2 Scott Pentz (capt.)

Communion Schedule Childcare Schedule 06/01 – Adam Datesman 06/01 – Stephanie

- Tara Werkheiser 06/08 - Stephanie 4

06/15 - N/A 06/22 – Stephanie 06/29 - Stephanie

THE VINE FOOD PANTRY

The food pantry was open on Saturday, May 24, 2014 from 10-11:30 a.m. 16 families were served with food with two of these families being newly registered participants.

Ralph Redding and I express our thanks to Jackson and Mike Transparenti for their help in distributing the food. The next date for the food pantry will be Saturday, June 28, 2014.

EVERY 4TH SATURDAY FROM 10 - 11:30 AM

YOUR MONETARY OR FOOD DONATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. WHAT YOU GIVE WILL MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO REAL PEOPLE. THANK YOU!

Schedule for 2014 June 28 July 26 August 23 September 27 October 25 November 22 December 20

*In November and December, our food giveaway is on the Saturdayprior to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Respectfully submitted, Lew Mason

Mile of Pennies

May Donations - $ 7.80

Our total to date is $414.02 for our fifth Mile of Pennies which started in August 2009. It took us 23 years to complete four miles. A Mile of Pennies consists of $844.80 or 84,480 pennies. The Mile of Pennies originated in 1986.

The basket for your contributions (any loose change) is located on your left as you enter the Narthex and ‘thank-you’ for your participation in this mission of our church. The money is used by the Deacons to purchase cards and stamps for mailings to members and friends of the congregation.

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“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift”. ~2 Corinthians 9:15

George Deibel III Miles of Pennies Chairman

About Heifer InternationalHeifer International's mission is to work with communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth.

Dan West was a farmer from the American Midwest and member of the Church of the Brethren who went to the front lines of the Spanish Civil War as an aid worker. His mission was to provide relief, but he soon discovered the meager single cup of milk rationed to the weary refugees once a day was not enough.

And then he had a thought: What if they had not a cup, but a cow?

That "teach a man to fish" philosophy is what drove West to found Heifer International. And now, nearly 70 years later, that philosophy still inspires our work to end world hunger and poverty throughout the world once and for all.

HOW IT WORKSWe empower families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity – but our approach is more than just giving them a handout. Heifer links communities and helps bring sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty. Our animals provide partners with both food and reliable income, as agricultural products such as milk, eggs and honey can be traded or sold at market.

When many families gain this new sustainable income, it brings new opportunities for building schools, creating agricultural cooperatives, forming community savings and funding small businesses.

Presbyterian Church of Havre de Grace sent $970 worth of animals including:1 Heifer 1 Llama 1 Goat 1 Pig3 Shares of Rabbits 1 School of Fish and 1 Flock of Chicks

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THANKS for all your support! Ed Matthews and the Mission Committee

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Wishing our Dad’s a wonderful

‘Father’s Day’!on Sunday, June 15th

Amy Weitzel worked all day on Friday, May 23rd to get ready for our Book Sale/Exchange which is opening soon.

There is still time to donate books if you want to clean out your library :)

All proceeds go to restock the VINE Food Pantry.

THANKS AMY!

The Garden at the Presbyterian Church of HdG

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THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAVRE DE GRACE Pastor – Rev. Susie Atkinson

office@presbyterianchurchhdg.comcastbiz.net Church phone - 410-939-3611

June Newsletter

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THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF HAVRE DE GRACE

551 Franklin StreetHavre de Grace, MD 21078-2899