News and Announcements

Our theme for this Red Cross Blood Drive was: "The Need For Blood Is Ongoing. The Supply Isn't"

On November 24, 2008 the LVPC Blood Drive produced the following results: We had a total of 142 donors signed up with appointments. Of that number, we had 23% no-shows due to sickness or other situations. We had 109 donors presented for donations plus the extra count of our great Double Red Cell donors. The Goal set by Red Cross for this drive was 110 productive units of blood.

The bottom line is that LVPC Surpassed our Red Cross Goal and produced 113 productive units. This is the highest productive units ever achieved by Lenape Valley Church. These results were due to the efforts of many people and 113 units will save over 340 lives through out this area. On behalf of the American Red Cross, I would like to thank everyone who donated and assisted with this blood drive, especially our TEAM members who called over 500 prospective donors, many more than one time to get the appointments: Carol Ames, Jane Austin, Joan Bell, Elaine Benner, Mary Blumenfield, Kathy Bogle, Carol Brown, Ruth Bischoff, Sherrea Chadwin, Bill Kurz, Yola O'Kane, Sally Ann Sheldon, Eileen Spencer and Suzie Sergeant.

The nursery school celebrated Christmas on December 18th and 19th with their families by performing songs and plays of the Christmas Story.   They made gifts for their parents and had punch and snacks together.   Our families also collected canned goods and other non-perishable items for the Food Larder for needy families.  We thank them for their generosity.

January brings the time for enrolling for the 2009-2010 school year.   An application is enclosed.  Tuition rates will be $130 for the two day program, $145 for the three day program, and $175 for the 5 day program.   Any questions can be directed to Kathy Mock at 215-230-8747.

There’s been a lot of talk about Lenape Valley becoming a Missional Church: that it will take four to six years to get there and that everyone in the congregation will need to be involved.  But no one fully understands the concept of a Missional Church and what it means for our congregation, for each of us as individuals. 

At the direction of Doug Hood, a committee was formed to plot out a strategic plan for our church for the next 2 to 3 years.  With our improved and more functional facility, we hope to be able to address our mission more forcefully for Christ.  If you have suggestions for the committee, fill out a suggestion card and place it in the box in the narthex or you can contact Doug Hood, Marcia Telthorster or Carol Stern.  This is an exciting time for our church.  The possibilities are limitless with the power of the Holy Spirit.  With prayer and planning, we can make our mission a reality!

A heart felt thanks to Dr. Edington and all involved in a successful 2008 Distinguished Preacher Weekend.  On Saturday September 20th, Dr. Edington provided a unique, three hour, thought provoking look into the tranformation of apostles and disciples as they built a relationship with Jesus Christ and spread his word to all corners of the world.  

Dr. Edington concluded the weekend at the 9:00 and 10:45 services by delivering an in depth and dramatic look at Jesus' parable of the lost son.  Edington explains how Jesus uses every nuance in the circumstances and actions of the parable's characters to connect with each listening individual and to effectively describe the loving relationship that God has with each one of us. 

One of the responsibilities of a parent is to prepare our baptized children for participation in the Lord's Supper and to decide when they will participate in the Sacrament.

On Sunday, September 28th from 2:00PM to 4:00PM there will be an opportunity for you and your children to learn what it means to take communion.

Come learn how special this sacrament is.  We will start with the baking of bread, discuss when and how it all began, and talk about why we take communion.  At the conclusion of the class all the children will be walked through the steps to take communion in the sanctuary with the pastor.  In the following week's worship service on October 5th, the children will be specially invited to take communion.  Sign up sheets will be available in the fellowship hall. 

Since the inception of the Prayer Shawl Ministry in 1998, members of ecumenical organizations have lovingly donated their time and talents by creating hand-knitted and crocheted shawls for those in need.  The Ministry's message of caring is simple, universal and enduring.  The creation and presentation of a prayer shawl, like all acts of generosity, enriches the giver as well as the recipient.

The Lenape Valley Prayer Shawl Ministry began in January 2008 with the enthusiastic participation of over 20 dedicated members.  They include Judy Barthold, Florence Bell, Sue Brodish, Carol Brown, Walda Bush, Cyndy Clapper, Ruth Duff, Pearl Frantz, Terri Gallagher, Karen Greer, Peg Henley, Linda Hoover, B. J. Knobel, Gladys Kuhn, Lee Losse, Julia Mapes, Donna Mattes, Wendy Miller, Kathy Mock, Jayne Poole, Laura Raysbrook, Suzie Sergeant, Louise Stahl, Judy Towsey, and Melinda Wall.  We meet monthly to share tips, to teach and help the new stitchers, and to enjoy fellowship. To date, we've given over 25 prayer shawls to those grieving, to people moving, to people struggling with chronic illnesses and to people we thought needed to be reminded that God really cares about them.

September 8th begins our 15th school year!   Our staff this year eagerly awaits the children, and their energy.   Staff this year includes Kathy Mock, director and teacher; Joan Sands, teacher; Debbie Trayes, assistant; Carol Cornwell, assistant; Joy Orlando, assistant; and a new teacher, Lynn Catone.  We already have 61 students.

The Nursery School is again asking for donations of items to be used during the school year.   Our Giving Tree has apples for you to pick, and return with the items you purchased.   We appreciate the congregation's support.

The last Cross-Training meeting of the year will take place on June 24th from 7pm-8pm at the Starbucks in Chalfont.

Don't forget about youth group during the summer. We will be having pool parties throughout the summer months. Keep your eyes open for more information coming soon about the
upcoming summer and next school year.

The children have been busy these past months with Winter projects, Outer Space, Valentines, Doctors and transportation. We celebrated A.A. Milne's birthday with a Winnie the Pooh day.  Everyone made red and white hats for Dr. Seuss's birthday.  We had fun hunting for our bunny baskets.

With the beginning of April, we are preparing for the Week of the Young Child, April 13 - 19.  Our annual dessert nights showcase their projects and special songs on April 16 and 17.

Our Bible stories covered the life of Jesus until Easter.  The children look forward to singing for the congregation on April 27th at the 9:00 service.

Registration is ongoing for September 2008.  Any questions can be directed to Kathy Mock at 215-230-8747.  Visitors are welcome!

Last month we featured our music student assistant, Matt Samson.  This month we'd like to tell you about our other student assistant, Jennifer Klenk.  Jennifer came to us almost a year ago when we needed an accompanist for MESSIAH rehearsals.  She was sent to us by Scott Teschner, Choral Director at Central Bucks East, and she proved to be an outstanding musician and accompanist.  The choir fell in love with her and she brought an enthusiasm and energy to her playing that was invaluable.

After MESSIAH was performed, Jenny expressed a desire to continue working with us since she found our church to be friendly, musically challenging, and theologically sound.  We needed a keyboardist for the New Song Service and an accompanist for our growing Chancel Choir when directing from the organ became an impossibility.  We also knew Jenny, getting her Masters degree from the University of the Arts in Music Education, would be able to help us with the children and youth choirs.  With these qualifications we knew we had found a person to help our growing music program.