The Chalice
Monthly Newsletter of
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
MARCH 2014
SUNDAY SERVICES
Winter Schedule
Sunday after Labor Day through Last Sunday of May
Divine Worship–10:45 am
Office Hours
Monday through Friday – 9 am-1 pm
Reverend Hwang’s Office Hours
Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday-Friday
9 am – 3 pm
Church Phone: 570-326-3706
Church E-mail: 1presby@comcast.net
Reverend Hwang
awunhwang@gmail.com
Cell-570-220-5993
Chalice Online: http://1presby.net
Email Prayer Requests to: 1presby@comcast.net
MISSION STATEMENT
Taken from our church information form, 2003.
We seek for our congregation, as disciples of Christ, to make God’s
grace known to all people. We are committed to serving our community
spiritually, educationally and financially. We desire to grow in our
understanding of his message through scripture. We wish to:
Provide a peaceful and reassuring place of worship
Encourage spiritual growth
Develop a diverse congregation full of love and faith
Embrace the community as servants of God.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

PRAYER SERVICES
Tuesday’s Lunch and Prayers
Noon
Thursday’s Breakfast and Prayers
September through May – 7 am

DEADLINE FOR APRIL CHALICE
TUESDAY, MARCH 18
CHALICE EMAIL
1presby@comcast.net
SESSION MEETING
Tuesday, March 18 at 7 pm
(Session meets on the third Tuesday of the month.)
DIACONATE MEETING
Monday, March 10 at 7 pm
(Diaconate meets on the second Monday every other month.)


We’re on Facebook!!!
You can find us at
First Presbyterian Church, Williamsport, PA.
“Like” us for continued updates and event notifications.
IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
Ray FisherJohn Rich
Janet BuckleJohn Martucci

DIAL – A – DEVOTION
The number is 570-322-5762.
It's available 24 hours a day.
Devotions are three minutes or less,
change weekdays and once on the weekend,
and are designed to lift your spirits
and help you to have "A Closer Walk with God."

MARCH BIRTHDAYS
9
13
21
25
28
31
Sue German
Greta MacPhail
Rachel Emig
Judith Stanley
James Schneider
Sam Hwang
MARCH ANNIVERSARIES
31
31
Victor & Joyce Wise
Mark & Melissa Kurtz
COMMUNION
Our next Holy Communion will be Ash Wednesday, March 5
and Sunday, March 9.
LECTIONARY FOR SUNDAYS OF MARCH 2014
From the Lectionary at PCUSA
March 2
Transfiguration of the Lord
Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 99
II Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
March 23
3rd Sunday in Lent
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42
March 9
1st Sunday in Lent
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
March 30
4th Sunday in Lent
I Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
March 16
2nd Sunday in Lent
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5; 13-17
John 3:1-17
PASTOR’S CORNER
Observing Lent
Many Christians fast during Lent. Fasting includes any personal ritual or
habit that might pull us away from centering on God. Some people, for
instance, go on a hiatus from social media. Good for them! I'm not a
heavy social media user, but for those who are -- and there are many -the thought of ignoring all notifications (a social media term) for over a
month has got to be downright scary; to experience it might be
comparable to being in the hole (solitary confinement in a correctional
facility).
For some, the thought of parting ways with social media, though only
temporary, might be enough to cause visceral pain. So, if one could
muster enough courage to lessen the hold social media has on one's life,
or abstain from it all together, then that might be a better choice
compared to the traditional approach of fasting from meat or sweets.
There is another option; it's a better, more biblically sound alternative.
For example, the kind of fast that God desires from us is laid out in
unequivocal terms:
“This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
What I’m interested in seeing you do is:
sharing your food with the hungry,
inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families.
(Isaiah 58:6-7, The Message)
It's a laundry list of acts that empower the weak. At least God doesn't
beat around the bush. God wants His people to do these things, not so
much abstain (fast) from certain food or things -- though, in my view,
abstaining from electronic devices or even reducing screen time merits a
mention.
Like the RSS feed -- to use another social media example -- which
routinely sends us fresh materials from the subscribed sites (a wonderful
tool), we are routinely tasked with feeding the hungry. Broadly speaking
God commissions us to "fight the good fight" in behalf of those with
fewer resources and connections. That, in effect, is fasting. And that’s
worship. God, through the prophets, rebukes and disciplines the
Israelites for their habit of separating (ignoring) righteous living from
worship.
I am therefore thankful to the deacons of our church for the recently
initiated food drive. Some might wonder whether a food drive, or other
similarly worthy effort that hopes to reach a large number of people, is
better left to the pros: big donors who have learned to effectively channel
their surplus resources toward charities. But it's helpful for us to
remember that, at times, five loaves and two fish are what God demands
of us. As the Parable of the Talents teaches, we do what we can. That's
faithfulness. That's obedience. And whenever we're tempted to heed the
utilitarian thought that says, "Let the pros handle it," let us remember
what Jesus said in response to the disciples' wise advice suggesting that
he disperse the crowd so that the people could go get something to eat.
To that, Jesus said, “Why don't you give them something to eat?” (Matt.
14:15-16, CEV)
When it comes to feeding the hungry or advocating for the vulnerable
people, none of us are pros. Thus deferring such tasks to others who
could do a better job might not seem like a bad idea. But Jesus refuses to
take that as an excuse: “Why don't you feed them?” Why don't you do
something to counter injustice, exploitation, and oppression?
So I think it's great that we are doing what we can to bring food to those
in need. The Central PA Food Bank, through their Fresh Express
Program, started to offer nutritious food (or "real food" as some might
call it) -- fresh produce, dairy and deli products -- to those who lack
access to enough nutritious food. And that’s great news because,
according to the Central PA Food Bank, "the transportation
barriers...sometimes make it difficult for low-income people to access the
adequate nutrition they need, especially in the rural areas.” This explains
why, ironically, poverty and obesity are close cousins, an unfortunate
result of relying on cheap, processed food; nowhere is this better
illustrated than in the documentary, A Place at the Table. (Watch it on
Netflix or Amazon Prime. It's a great film to watch for Lent.)
So here are a few worthy goals for Lent: Abstain from heavy use of
electronic devices (unless you’re using it mostly to feed your soul);
abstain from consuming sweets or processed food as much as you can
(sabotage against the “temple of the Holy Spirit” isn’t recommended
either); abstain from any habit that might be considered a contaminant to
your soul. Or better yet, do something that would feed your soul. For
instance, take Isaiah's advice and contribute to a just cause; take the
advice of our deacons and contribute to the food drive -- nutritious nonperishable items, that is.
-Sam Hwang
REMINDER – Turn your clocks one hour ahead
on Saturday evening, March 8
TIME WITH YOUNG DISCIPLES
Some very faithful young disciples settle on the
chancel steps to hear the children’s sermon each
month, and we’d love to have even more.
Perhaps you know of a child who would like to
join us. If so, our next Time with Young
Disciples is scheduled for March 16 when we
will talk about doing God’s will.
-Susan Kemnitz
DEACONS’ DOIN’S
Grab a can along with your keys when you leave the house for church on
Sunday mornings!
The deacons are continuing to collect non-perishables, which we will
deliver to the Food Pantry and Family Promise. It’s easy to participate in
this ongoing project. Simply drop your donations in one of the baskets in
the lounge, and we’ll take care of the rest.
The brown grocery bags next to the baskets of food in the lounge are for
you to take home and fill as another way to support the deacons’ food
drive. The attached sample menus offer suggestions for your nonperishable donations.
Together, the members of our congregation can make a difference in our
community!
-Susan Kemnitz
A MOMENT FOR MUSIC
“Conference can be a scary word”. Just what you thought would be a
fun time at the end of June! But wait a minute! Did you take a look at
the pics on the Bulletin Board outside of the Music Room? Hardly looks
like a boring time. And if you go to the web site at www.pcusa.org under
“Montreat” you might be surprised to find that the word Conference
surrounds singing and playing Handbells and a plethora of other
instruments by all ages, ice cream cones at The Huckleberry Cafe, hiking
up Bluebeards Trail, hymns played antiphonally (what!) across the lake
at Sunset, great and worldly lectures by great and worldly theologians,
making tapestries, etc. for the Worship place and “throwing pots on a
wheel” in the art center. If all that bores you, make a break- for- it and
have lunch at The Veranda or tour the hardware store in Black Mountain.
And for teenagers, there is a place called “The Barn”. Can’t tell you
what is there because I haven’t been there!
IMPORTANT: Registration remains open, but Scholarship deadlines are
March 15. In general these cover Registration, are often multi-racial
and/or a seminary student. And lastly “Housing” takes some research. I
can help with that, if needed, and there is an “Insider’s List” for available
cottages, etc. by calling the Assembly Inn in Montreat, N.C. Remember:
PAM@pcusa.org.
-Jean Brown-Straley
WOMEN OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Our Ash Wednesday Lenten dinner will be on
Wednesday March at 6:00 pm. Please bring a dish to
share and join us in the fellowship hall. Our Lenten
worship service is at 7:00 pm.
The sun is shining brighter each day and spring is coming! So are the
Palm Sunday Tea, Easter flowers, and the Jumble Sale. Look for more
information about these events in the April Chalice and the weekly
church bulletins.
-Mimi Petts
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING – UPDATE
As of Saturday, February 15, 2014, approximately 5,700 churches and
other organizations of nearly 10,000 who pre-registered have reported
their total food and cash donations dedicated to the SOUPer Bowl of
Caring collected on the day of the big game for an estimated $7.2 million
and counting. In the coming weeks this amount will continue to grow as
more results are tallied to surpass last year’s $7,477,285. Watch the
reporting results add up at tacklehunger.org or souperbowl.org.
During this year’s collection, the SOUPer Bowl of Caring hit its $100
million mark since its inception in 1990. They feel “incredibly blessed
to have such dedicated supporters who have helped us reach this
milestone”.
The local charities that benefited by our food donations are the United
Churches Food Pantry on Park Avenue and the Family Promise Day
Center.
Two darling sisters, aged two and four years old at Family Promise,
shared great excitement over our selection of food as they helped unload
the bags. They couldn’t wait for snack time.
Thank you for participating in this modern day miracle of caring for
those who hunger.
-Victor Recchi
MOLTZ MUSINGS
A month ago the NY Times had an article on the OP Ed page by Tom
Friedman, one of a few NYT writers I enjoy reading on a regular basis.
In this piece he discusses the sorry state of the US education system, not
by criticizing the teachers, the Teacher’s Union, administrators, school
boards, or teacher colleges, but rather blaming the parents and the pupils
themselves. Can you imagine criticizing students and their parents?
His reasoning makes good sense laying the blame on parents and kids
that do not take education seriously enough and neither group is willing
to put in the hard work needed to excel in today’s competitive world. He
asks, is this the root cause of income inequality and persistent poverty?
No, but it is part of their solutions. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan
brought this subject to light in a speech he gave recently.
An example of this attitude was in a letter from a veteran language arts
teacher published by the Washington Post who explained why she no
longer wanted to teach. She was called by her principal to explain why
she gave 10 students, out of 120 in her classes, D’s or F’s. She walked
the principal through her grade sheets which showed not low scores but a
total failure to turn in any work; homework or class work. Eventually
the meeting ended with her remembering two slogans which she said
defines public education: ‘They are not allowed to fail’. ‘If they have
D’s or F’s there is something you are not doing for them’.
Another letter from a high school teacher from Oregon told Secretary
Duncan almost the same story. This teacher recalled that “Until about
1992, I would have at least one kid in every class who simply wouldn’t
do anything. A bad class might have two; today I have 10 to 15”. This
teacher also recalled that in years past the exams were tough,
comprehensive without the benefit of notes and few would pass them
today. The difference is that back then, although they didn’t want so,
they would do the work. Today they won’t.
Secretary Duncan continues “In 2009 President Obama met with
President Lee of South Korea and asked him about his biggest challenge
in education. President Lee answered without hesitation: “Parents in
South Korea were ‘too demanding’. Even his poorest parents demanded
a world-class education for their children and he was having to spend
millions of dollars each year to teach English to students in the first
grade because his parents won’t let him wait until the second grade.”
Duncan’s question to the audience, “Does a child in South Korea deserve
a better education than your child?” He continues, “If your answer is no
. . . then your work is cut out for you because right now South Korea—
and quite a few other countries—are offering students more and
demanding more, than many American districts and schools do.”
Duncan said that our parents are involved in schools in the wrong way.
They are willing to show up at sports events and at schools to protest a
bad grade and quoting Amanda Ripley from her book, “The Smartest
Kids in the World, and How They Got That Way” “Parents did not tend
to show up at schools demanding that their kids be assigned more
challenging reading or that their kindergartners learn math while they
still love numbers. To really help our kids, we have to change
expectations about how hard kids should work. And we have to work
with teachers and leaders to create schools that demand more from our
kids.”
I wonder if any Lycoming County School Board members read this
article and if they have any interest in challenging their students with this
philosophy?
Yours in Christ,
Frank
CRANKY OLD MAN
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an
Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any
value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meager
possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed
the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the
hospital.
One nurse took her copy to Melbourne. The old man’s sole bequest to
posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines
around the country and appearing in magazines for mental health. A
slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent
poem.
And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the
author of this ‘anonymous’ poem winging across the Internet.
Cranky Old Man
What so you see nurses? . . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . when you’re looking at me?
A cranky old man, . . . not very wise,
Uncertain of habit . . . with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food . . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . ‘I do wish you’d try!’
Who seems not to notice . . . the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . The long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking? . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . you’re not looking at me.
I’ll tell you who I am . . . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of Ten . . . with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . . who love one another
A young boy of Sixteen . . . with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . . a lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . . . that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . . With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons . . . have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . . to see I don’t mourn.
At Fifty, once more, . . . Babies play’round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . And the love that I’ve known.
I’m now an old man . . . and nature is cruel.
It’s jest to make old age . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . . . A young man still dwells,
And now and again . . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . . . I remember the pain.
And I’m loving and living . . . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . . gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people . . . open and see.
Not a cranky old man.
Look closer . . . see . . . ME!!
Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you
might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. We will all,
one day, be there, too!
The best and most beautiful things of this world can’t be seen or touched.
They must be felt by the heart!
-submitted by Frank Moltz
WEDESDAY NOON ECUMENICAL LUNCHES
The
lunch line opens about 11:45am and you are
always assured of a tasty $6 lunch, warm ecumenical
fellowship and a thoughtful program designed to
enrich your life mentally, physically, spiritually and
socially. The parking is free in the Pine Street lot
north of the church from 11am to 1:30pm. No
reservations are necessary, but a call to Gwen, Office-570-322-1110 if
you are not a regular attender will help the caterer, Heidi Potter, know
how much food to prepare. Laity, clergy and people of all ages are
welcome! Speakers for March are:
3/5
3/12
3/19
3/26
Pastor Ann Runnels
Rev. Kenneth Weiss
Ms. Barbara Dromazos
Ms. Carolyn Hawk
Nisbet UM Church
Caring Outreach
North Central PA Dialysis Clinic
Lycoming Co. United Way
Save the date! March 23, 2014
St. Mark’s Lutheran’s 6th Annual Iron Chef. Pastor Elkin and team from
St. Mark’s are warming up for this year’s challengers, Faith United
Methodist Church of Montoursville. Gary Crisman returns as MC and
we have host, Mike Cashera, who will interview audience members at
our competition which benefits Family Promise of Lycoming County.
Call St. Mark’s at 570-323-4619 for reservations.
New Day Center Update
As of February 13, we are unable to get into the former MD rectory
because it is zoned residential. We have to file for a variance and go
before the City Planning Commission and the Zoning Board. This must
be posted for up to 14 days so the next meeting we can attend will be
March 20.
This means that we have to find a temporary home since we must be out
on March 1. We can’t take new families until this is resolved. Please
pray for our current family as this has thrown them back into transition
and crisis as we have no home.
Meetings & Trainings
Please RSVP at 570-567-7103. No one should be volunteering without
attending training. Additional trainings can be provided on location.
This is at least a 2-hour training. Feel free to bring food and drinks.
Everyone is welcome.
SHEPHERD OF THE STREETS
We have openings during the week for volunteers to
receive clients. If you are available to help, please give Toni a call at
570-323-6538, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 12:00 to schedule
an appointment.
There is a continuing need for family hygiene items, baby care hygiene
items, all sizes of diapers and bedding.
UNITED CHURCHES FOOD PANTRY
Gail Burkhart, Coordinator
570-322-1657
Our new pantry is located at 320 Park Avenue, thanks
to St. Joseph the Worker Parish. Donations are
accepted on Mondays, 9:30 am to 12:00 noon. Food services for clients
are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Current needs are:
Pasta
Pasta sauce
Cereal & pop tarts
Chunky soups
Canned fruits
Tuna fish
Popcorn
Canned vegetables
Bisquick
Cake mixes
Cornbread mixes
Canned frostings
UNITED CAMPUS MINISTRY
Tammey Aichner, Coordinator:
ucm@uclc.org or 570-419-5376
United Campus Ministry is having a soup sale,
March 15-30. A variety of frozen soups are
available for pick up or delivery at $6 a quart. Contact Tammey to place
an order. Soups available are:
Beef Vegetable
Minestrone
Chicken and Cheese Ravioli
Potato
Chicken Corn Chowder
Sausage and Potato
Chicken Noodle
Spinach Tortelini
Hot Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo
32nd ANNUAL ECUMENICAL PRE-LENTEN SERVICE
This service will be held at New Covenant United Church of Christ,
202 East Third Street on Sunday, March 2 at 7:30 pm. Speaker will be
The Rev. Brian VanFossen, Pastor at St. Joseph the Worker Parish.
SOME WORDS TO TRY TO LIVE BY . . .
Isn't it strange that Princes and Kings,
And clown that caper in sawdust rings,
And common folks like you and me,
Are builders for eternity.
Each is given a set of rules,
A shapeless mass and a bag of tools
And each must build ere life has flown,
A shapeless mass or a stepping stone.
-submitted by Jim Bryden
RECIPES OF THE MONTH
This month we are including salad recipes in preparation for our Lenten
sacrifices.
BROCCOLI SALAD
1 head broccoli
1 T. chopped onion
½ lb. bacon
1 C. shredded sharp cheese
1/3 C. sugar
1 C. mayonnaise
2 T. vinegar
Cut only flowerets very small, wash and drain well. Fry bacon. Add
onion, crumbled bacon and cheese.
Mix mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar together and pour over broccoli
mixture but not more than ½ to 1 hour before serving.
MARINATED VEGETABLE SALAD
1 can French cut green beans
1 can yellow waxed beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 can carrots – or cook raw carrots
1 sm bag frozen lima beans-cooked
1 green pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
¾ C. oil
1 1/8 C. vinegar
1 1/8 C. sugar
1 ½ t. salt
¾ t. pepper
¾ t. garlic powder
Sweet basil
Parsley flakes
Drain all vegetables. Mix oil, vinegar, sugar and spices together. Pour
over vegetables. Best to make a day before serving. Stir every couple of
hours to make sure vegetables are marinating in dressing.
ONE THIRD OF THE WAY!
MOVING AHEAD TO A NEW ORGAN CONSOLE
Thanks to all for their recent contributions or pledges to the new
organ console, including a recent contribution from Maud
Thiebaud in memory of John Youngman and a contribution
from Al Di Censo. We are up to $22,315.00 collected or pledged toward
our goal of $59,300.00.
1st Year $_________
2nd Year $________
3rd Year $ ________
Total Pledge $ _________
Please remind me
Yearly ____
Twice Yearly____
Quarterly____
Name ____________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________
Phone ______________________ Email ______________________
Please mail to:
1st Presbyterian Church
102 East 3rd Street
Williamsport, Pa. 17701
Or email to 1presby@comcast.net
Church Staff
Reverend Sam (Awun) Hwang
The Reverend David L. Phillips
Jean Brown-Straley
Philip Krepps
Pastor
Pastor Emeritus
Director of Music
Organist
Directory
Reverend Sam (Awun) Hwang
A. James Bryden
Frank Moltz
Fred Hauser
Richard Petts
Mimi Petts
Session Moderator
Clerk of Session
Treasurer
Associate Treasurer
Associate Treasurer
Presbyterian Women Moderator
Session
Class of 2015
Evelyn Landis
Maggie Little
Judith Youngman
Class of 2016
A. James Bryden
Charles Kemnitz
Class of 2017
Richard Straley
Frank Moltz
Victor Recchi
Diaconate
Class of 2015
Sally Craig
Judy Kolb
Jean Brown-Straley
Class of 2016
Susan Kemnitz
Melissa Kurtz
Class of 2017
Thad Meckley
Ann Recchi
Denotes 2nd Term
Stated Meetings
The Session meets on the third Tuesday of the month.
The Deacons meet on the second Monday of every other month.
Our Website: http://1presby.net
E-mail: 1presby@comcast.net
Phone: 570-326-3706
102 East Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH