MARKET SQUARE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Updated 01/30/2012
Copyright © 2011 Market Square Presbyterian Church – All rights reserved
Activities & Programs
Our Mission at 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
SOUPER BOWL -- February 5
Over 20 years ago, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group: “Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat.” Since that day millions of dollars have been raise for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring. It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest celebration of giving and serving.
Once again Market Square children and youth are collecting food and money for International Service Center’s food pantry on Sunday, February 5.
Your support of this mission helps them learn what it’s like to make a positive difference in the world. You are asked to bring donations of food to the 11 a.m. worship and/or give a dollar (or more) after worship to feed hungry people.
The children will be distributing bags and they ask you to: remember that half of the people International Service Center serves do not have cooking facilities, think nutrition, and please do not bring items in glass containers or baby food or formula.
We will have people in the garage on that Sunday ready to help transport the food directly from your car to the sanctuary.
Cindy Sproat
LENT: A Time to Prepare
The deadline to sign up for the 2012 Lenten Table Gatherings is fast approaching. Please register by February 19 if you would like to participate in small group gatherings during Lent. Groups will meet up to four times between February 26 and April 1 to share meals, fellowship, reflection and discussion centered on material from Delia Halverson’s book Side by Side: Families Learning & Living the Faith Together.
Registration forms are available in the worship bulletins and in the Atrium, or you may register using a form available here (PRINT the form, fill out and return to Cindy Sproat at the church) or contact Cindy Sproat in the church office (257-1270 X13 OR /sproat@marketsquarechurch.org). If you aren’t able to be part of a group, but would like copies of the material to use at home, please contact Cindy Sproat.
Trudy Mumper
Alternate Worship Services in February
The next Alternative Worship Experience is Sunday, February 12: A special poetry reading, "Unexpected Love Poems from God," at Breads n’ Spreads café in Midtown Harrisburg, 1419 North Third Street, 6 p.m. A $10 suggested donation is recommended toward the venue and an included reception.
Beth Hager
Join Us at the Table:
Next Lunch--on April 22nd
We're began our celebration of foods in season with a cozy winter lunch following worship on January 22. The second in our series, “JUST Eating? Practicing our Faith at the Table” will be Spring…April 22, Earth Day Mark the final date for this celebration: Summer…June 17, Father’s Day.
To make sure we have enough food for everyone, we ask that you make a reservation in advance, either by calling the church office (257-1270) or filling out the tear-off form provided in the Sunday bulletin.
Being at table together is as important to those of us at Market Square Church as it was to Jesus and his followers, and provides a special opportunity for us to explore the ways in which our food choices reflect our faith.
Market Square's Eco-Team and Peacemaking Committee look forward to being your hosts.
Margee Kooistra
The Board of Deacons - An Introduction
Market Square Church is often seen as a large congregation - much like a university. The Board of Deacons reshapes the university image into one of many small colleges.
Soon after new and returning Deacons have been ordained and installed, each person will be assigned a specific zone of eight to fourteen members of the congregation. You will receive a letter of introduction from your Deacon with contact information. We want to know each of you, and hope you will feel free to contact us with special concerns or celebrations.
The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church states that “The office of Deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ.” To that end, our responsibilities include visiting and helping in appropriate ways when a zone member is hospitalized, shut-in, or suffers a loss; sharing information with the pastors regarding special needs of members; delivering flowers to shut-ins; serving as a greeter; preparing and serving at coffee hour.
During 2011 the work of the Deacons in the community has been highlighted. Our monetary contributions to various programs in Harrisburg are possible because of our congregation’s generosity. We thank you, and pray that your support for the Deacons’ Fund will continue in 2012.
Ellen Hunt
