MSPC

To proclaim & live the Good News of Jesus Christ by welcoming friend & stranger alike into our diverse & inclusive family of faith regardless of race or class or national origin or sexual orientation or worldly condition of any kind as we celebrate our gifts, work for justice & peace, reach out in mission & witness to God's transforming love

Children's Education at MSPC

(Adult education listed below)

Our children's education program for children integrates three important aspects of faith: worship, learning and mission/service/outreach, using "Seasons of the Spirit" curriculum. Church school meets Sunday mornings year-round at 9:30 sharp:

Preschool (for children 3 years old through kindergarten) in Room 104 on Level 1.
Elementary children (grades 1-5) a multi-age class in Room 315 on Level 3.

Nursery care (infants through age 2) is available EACH WEEK in Room 106, Level 1 with a paid caregiver who is the familiar face for our youngest ones . Our caregiver is present also during the 11 a.m. service and is joined by volunteer church members.

Other learning options for children include:

Our Children’s Library in the elementary classroom

Joint Vacation Bible School with Christ P. C. in Camp Hill

Market Square Kids’ Paper – distributed following A Time with Children – during the eleven o’clock service each Sunday

Krislund Camp & Conference Center – Summer camp in Madisonburg, PA - go to www.krislund.org - Grand and Family and K-12 opportunities

Sacrament Education – scheduled periodically

Service in the community - gleaning, going to a nursing home, etc.

Special and Seasonal Events – picnics, swimming, bowling, parties, etc.

Parents Night Out – moms and dads take turns watching one another’s children once a month most months during the school year

For youth program information, go here.

Feb. 5 - “Black Women and the Word of God: African-American Preachers and Sermons” - This presentation will explore the lives of three African-American preachers, from slavery to the present, and their focus on social change and justice in America. Dr. Dorothy King, leader

Feb. 12 - “How the Church Helps Young People Choose to Belong” - As young people leave home, they need the community of faith more than ever in this time when many important trajectories are set: education, career, spouse, core friendships, etc. What we do with and for them before they leave home effects the strength of their faith commitment and the likelihood of their seeking a community of faith when it is their choice. This session will review empirical research on youth and formational practices that correlate with high levels of commitment at high school graduation. Dr. Carol E. Lytch, leader, is president of Lancaster Theological Seminary and author of Choosing Church: What Makes a Difference to Teens.

Feb. 19 - “Marriage and Original Sin…” - Most of us accept the notion that we are flawed beings. And, most of us believe marriage to be a difficult but potentially rewarding experience. This class will be an occasion to discuss the convergence of Reformed Theology and marriage as they related to overcoming personal and relational challenges. Dr. Jake Thiessen, leader, is a member of Market Square and maintains a private practice in marriage and family therapy.

Feb. 26 - “Reading to Deepen Your Spirituality” - Lent can be a time to deepen your spirituality and understanding of faith in God. Come and learn about books in our Church Library that you can use to help deepen your spiritual and faith life during the Lenten season. Jonelle Darr, leader

Mar. 4 - "Our Ecumenical Avenues of Mission through Christian Churches United" - Ponder the question, "Why engage in mission?" Learn about the many different programs and ministries of CCU which our church supports including: HELP, Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven, the overnight winter shelter, the prison ministry (Chaplain, mentoring, work-release family worship, job training for women, and transitional support), the Bridge Food Pantry, and Armistad Hispanic services. Dr. Tom Johnston, leader

Mar. 11 - “Whatever Happened to the Sweet and Gentle Jesus?” - Chances are very good that the Jesus you think you know is not the Jesus found in the New Testament. We will look at selected passages together to see what Jesus we find. Rev. Bob Hotchkiss, leader

Mar. 18 - “The Labyrinth, an Ancient Tool for Prayer and Meditation” - A labyrinth consists of a circular, winding path, which leads to a center space and then out again by the same path. In addition to studying the background and use of labyrinths, we will experience this Christian spiritual tool by using table top patterns, or by walking a full size labyrinth. Please join us as we explore this way of deepening our prayer life. Rev. Lois Nell Richwine, leader, is a minister in the Presbytery of Carlisle, where she serves as spiritual director to individuals of various denominations. She has also served as a Taizé Worship leader and consultant.

Mar. 25 - "True Costs: A Look at Environmental, Human, and Social Costs of Energy Consumption in the United States" - John C. Dernbach, Distinguished Professor of Law and Director, Environmental Law Center, Widener University will focus on costs related to drilling in the Marcellus Shale, developing the Trans Canadian Tar Sands Pipeline, and coal mining. His research focuses on sustainable development, climate change, and environmental law.

Apr. 1 - “Presbyterian World Mission” - Take an up close, intimate look at the way our Presbyterian World Mission reaches out to the world today. Using the new missionary position with the Presbyterian Church of Honduras as an example, we will explore the core convictions of Presbyterian World Mission today: invitation, partnership and networking. Presbyterian World Mission works at the invitation of and in partnership with churches, schools and mission agencies in nations all around the world. This class is intended to explain, celebrate and raise support for our work today in Presbyterian World Mission. Dr. Mark Englund-Krieger, Executive Presbyter of Carlisle Presbytery, leader

Apr. 8 - No Class

Apr. 15 - “Religion: Violence, Conflict and Peacemaking.” – Leader Shalom Staub is Associate Provost of Dickinson College, Director of the Conflict Resolution Resource Center and Co-founder of the Institute for Cultural Partnerships.

April 22 - “Climate Change and the World” - Donald A. Brown, Associate Professor Environmental Ethics, Science and Law and Director, Collaborative Program on Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change, Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State University will report on his recent trips to China, Brazil, and South Africa.

Apr. 29 - “Rembrandt and His Faces of Christ” - The 17^th Century Dutch Master, Rembrandt van Rijn, “put a different face” on Jesus…other than on the typical, Apollo-like, Roman image popular in his day. Based on her book, Coming Home, Elaine Wilson’s lecture includes an overview of the artist’s life and close-up studies of his portraits of Christ as well as other artworks in which the artist included himself as one of the figures in scenes of Jesus’ life. Rembrandt created more religious-based artwork than any artist. Come to learn and leave understanding “why.”

May 6 - “How to Listen to a Sermon” - It takes more than staying awake! Dr. Steve Lytch will discuss the listener’s part in making a sermon effective. He’ll also reveal some trade secrets of the sermon writing craft.

May 13 - “Is your continuo organ a portative?” - The church owns a new, little “continuo” organ. In this “hands on” class, we will examine the instrument up close and talk about its design and the kind of music that it was created to play. Eric Riley, leader

May 20 - “Spiritual Growth at End of Life: a Hospice Chaplain’s Perspective” - The word “hospice” is most often associated with terminal illness, finality and dying. Through her experience as a hospice chaplain, leader Rev. Sandy Morris has come to understand that God brings opportunities for healing, growth and living during our final days. This class will explore how the hospice philosophy of care supports the view of hope, connection, and transformation through living with dying. Rev. Sandy Morris is Director of Spiritual Care at Hospice of Lancaster County.