Worship Service
9:30 a.m.
In-Person & On-Line
July Newsletter Deadline:
June 25th
From the Pastor's Desk
The word for the month is Compassion!

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, compassion (noun) is "the feeling or emotion, when a person is moved by the suffering or distress of another, and by the desire to relieve it." It can also mean "suffering together with another." In the Greek, it literally says that we feel it in our inward parts (and names them).

In other words, compassion is a full body experience, meant to draw us out of ourselves and into the life of another in order that we might walk with them through some form of trouble. For remember, we may be in a unique position to help, nevertheless, we are followers of Christ always choosing to serve another child of God, who bears God's image as much as we do. (Important to remember, lest we forget and turn to unintended haughtiness.)

One of my sons' favorite movies right now is called Big Hero Six. I highly recommend it. And the reason you likely have never heard of it is that Disney released it at nearly the same time as Frozen. Early on in the story, the main characters are faced with a terrible tragedy - a building is on fire. Inside is the older brother, Tadashi's favorite professor. Before running off into the flames, he tells his little brother, "Someone has to help." Now, Tadashi does not make it. However, his words have a profound impact on his little brother and friends, and all of us watching, including my little boys.

The message that they have learned from this remarkable movie is that if you are in a position to do something when something is going wrong or someone is getting hurt - do it. If you are in a place where you can help to gather up supplies and support your fellow humans who are going through tough times - do it. If there is anything happening around you where you can make a difference or help make it better - do it.

And that is the message that all of our young people are going to be learning at Compassion Camp this June! Yes, our VBS is just around the corner. Its biblical stories will draw out different types of compassion that we humans can and should have for one another (and even for ourselves sometimes). And our young ones will be growing in the love that God has given them, I have no doubt - both at home and especially when we all gather every evening on the lawn.

We do need your help in collecting certain supplies so that we can teach our younglings about some of the amazing ways our congregation spreads compassion out into the world - so be sure to check out our education section below.

More than anything, though, what I hope all of us will remember, as we move into these next few months that are so often filled with much rest and recreation, is that there are always places and ways we can show compassion to others. There are always ways we can be that someone who helps. We just have to keep our eyes open and look for the opportunities that are right before our eyes.

It is always the right time to have God's compassion!

Blessings, Pastor Janie
Together In Worship
Holy Communion
This month we will celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper on Sunday, June 6, 2021.
Summer Sermon Series
This summer, we will be exploring a Summer Sermon Series on the Ten Commandments. Mark your calendars and plan to attend as we learn more of covenant that God has given to us that we might live and love well with God and one another.
Usher Sign Up
We still need your help!
As we continue to move further into the bright future that God has for us in the months ahead, we need to prepare for having more ushers helping us on Sundays. Below you will find our Summer Schedule. Please click on the button to let Angela know what dates you can help. Thank you!
Did you know?
John Calvin, one of the founders of the Reformed faith, to whom we trace back our lineage, believed that in order for church to be done "correctly," then the Word must be rightly preached and the Sacraments must be rightly administered. (Note here that he meant only two Sacraments - Baptism and Communion.) Calvin believed that these two things, preaching and the Sacraments, were the "Marks of the True Church." That's how you could tell you were looking at the real deal, so to speak.

Now, obviously, Baptism is not conducted every week, unless you happen to have someone to baptize. Yet Calvin wished to see the Lord's Supper celebrated every Sunday, even when the town elders of Geneva had previously overruled him. The Sacraments were indeed that important to him. So, he worked with the pastors at the four churches in Geneva and convinced them to hold Communion on different Sundays of the month so that everyone who was not preaching would be able to obtain the Lord's Supper four times per month. Marks for creativity, to be sure.

In more recent times, the Protestant church has realized that if we are not going to actively celebrate the Sacraments every week (again, still the two), then we must have them visibly present in our midst alongside the Word that is always being preached and is concretely in our midst through the cross. That is why a few particular things happen every week during worship:

First, you may note that the Baptismal Font and a Communion set both have prominent, visible places alongside an open Bible on the floor of the Chancel. That is so that they are there to be actively seen in worship. And if you check the Bible, it is always open to an intentionally applicable passage for the day.

Second, Pastor Janie pours water into the Font during the Assurance of Pardon every week. This is because sometimes it helps to both see and hear in order to remember something, especially something as important as our Baptism. Since it is the Sacrament that happens less often, making a special effort to keep it at the forefront of our minds is key.

And last, Pastor Janie always draws attention to our Lord Christ's Table when she is leading our Prayers of the People. For even on weekends when we do not celebrate the Lord's Supper, we are still gathering around that central place. That Table is the very heart of our worship together, always, for it is there that our Lord invites us. Every week. Even if not to share in the feast, then at least to share in the fellowship of heart that worship provides.
Learning Together
VBS is coming!!!
June 21 - 25, 2021
Join us for Vacation Bible School this year at FPC Hollidaysburg where we will find out together what it means to
"Be Loved - Be Kind - Be You" at Compassion Camp 2021. In addition to digital content sent to your family's inboxes every morning, we will gather every evening from 5:30-7:30p.m. for energizers, games, music, mission, and even more fun!
We need your help!!!
In order to help our younglings to show FPCH's compassion to the world, we need your help in gathering some very important supplies over the next three Sundays! These items will all be dedicated on Sunday, June 27th, when we will be excited to share all the amazing places that they will be going!!!
Mission Partners for Compassion Camp:
Tiger Backpacks
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
American Rescue Workers
Presbyterian Village & Homebound Members
Pet Pantry
Sunday, June 6
Please bring any or all supplies you can and drop them in the laundry baskets provided.
Thank you for supporting our community!
Individual Boxes of Cereal
Oatmeal Packs
Sandwich Crackers (PB or Cheese)
Canned Tuna or Chicken (with Pop Top Lids)
Microwavable Chef Boyardee Bowls
Microwavable Mac & Cheese Cups
Easy Mac Packs
Ramen Noodles
Applesauce Cups (100% fruit)
Fruit Cups (100% fruit juice)
Granola Bars
Individually Bagged Snacks (goldfish, cheez-its, pretzels, grahams, etc.)
Fruit Snacks
Pudding Cups
Juice Boxes
Breakfast Bars
Individual Bagged Cookies
Individually Bagged Chips
Individually Wrapped Rice Krispie Treats

Sunday, June 13
Please bring any or all supplies you can and drop them in the laundry baskets provided.
Thank you for supporting our community!
Wide Tooth Combs
Bars of Soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Bandaids
Nail Clippers
Travel Sized Shampoo
Travel Sized Conditioner
Wash Cloths
Feminine Products

Sunday, June 20
Please bring any or all supplies you can and drop them in the laundry baskets provided.
Thank you for supporting our community!
Scouring Pads
Assorted Sized Sponges
Scrub Brushes
Packages of 18 Cleaning Towels (e.g. Easy Wipes)
50 oz. or 25 oz. bottles of Liquid Laundry Detergent
Liquid Concentrated Household Cleaner (e.g. Lysol)
Liquid Disinfectant Dish Soap (e.g. Dawn)
Packages of Clothespins (48-50)
100ft. Clotheslines
Dust Masks
Heavy-Duty Water-Proof Dishwashing Gloves
Work Gloves
24-28 Count Roll Heavy-Duty Trash Bags (30-45 gallon)
Bottles of Insect Repellant (non aerosol)
Our Gift to You...
In gratitude for your prayers and gracious help in preparing for Compassion Camp, please accept this coloring page prayer from the first day of camp for your use in your own meditations!
Serving Together
Pastor Chuck's Ride
Our former Pastor, Chuck Monts, is doing a cross-country bike ride to raise awareness and money for the Bowery Mission in NYC this summer.

Ways you and your family can get involved:
  • Move this summer at times and amounts of your own discretion, by walking, jogging, biking around the block or school grounds, somewhere safe.
  • Move as much as you choose between June 1st and September 1st--there really is not set amount--could be 10 miles or 25 or whatever goal you have as a family.
  • Acquire as many sponsors/donors from your circles of friends, friends' parents, neighbors, church members, co-workers to go to your page and make a donation of any amount (every bit will make a difference and help achieve the overall goal of $200,000).
  • Get ready to tune in to and possibly contribute to the pictures, videos, posts, news media interviews and national coverage generated by myself and other Movers on my page who will be able to be a part of the Journey on various social media platforms. 
Caring Together
Together In Prayer
Please hold in prayer members of our church family and friends who are in special need: Reggie Arford, Roy Bailey, Julia Benton, Barb Beveridge, Joseph & Rebecca Bledsoe, Bill Bottenfield, Joni Brown, Nancy Buchanan, Eleanor Carson, Chris Clarke, Fred Crawford, Kathy Draskoczy, Elizabeth Klebe Dziedzic & the Dziedzic family, Anne Forsht, Joyce Gingrich, Paula Heim, Jere Hess, Barb Imming, Ron & Jane Kennedy, Dee Kissell, Barb Macek, Karrie McCall, Janie McElwee-Smith, Tom McLaughlin, Norma McPhee, Betty Meyer, Phil Miller, Eleanor Myers, Patrick Myers, T.N., John Nast, Vicki Nyland, Sarah Ocker, Ray Overdorff, Ed Pratt, Lilliandil Robledo, Arthur & Lucien Smith, Jay Smith, Doug Soisson, John & Diane Stultz, Gail Thompson, Reed & Marilyn Walker, Shirley Weyandt, Zach, Casey & Avery Marie Wineland, Norma Wyerman.

Leading Together
Office Hours
In the midst of our phased reopening, we will be reopening the office for a few specific hours each week. They are:

Tuesdays & Thursdays
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.


Both our Church Administrator, Angela Koelle, and Pastor Janie (314.283.7596) remain available for appointments at other times throughout the week. Please call the office, Pastor Janie's cell phone (above), or click one of the buttons below to email and set one up.

We look forward to seeing you soon!
Our Congregational Officer Nominating Committee is hard at work completing our Session, Deacons, and committees for the 2021-2022 year. We look forward to sharing news with you soon!
Calendar
Our Staff
Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith, Pastor
Email: revjaniefpch@gmail.com
Phone: 314.283.7596
Walter Yatta, Music Director
Email: walyatta@verizon.net

Angela Koelle, Church Administrator
Email: churchmouse10@gmail.com
Phone: 814.695.9019
Taylor Thompson, Childcare Worker
Email: taylort421@me.com
Other Ways to Connect