Tully News
Table of Contents
Summer 2015
Word from the Pastor
News of the Congregation:
Birthdays, Anniversaries
Prayer Concerns, Church
Visitors, Letters, Notes
Tully’s Tots to Teens Page
& Missionary Updates
Reporting In …
Church News
Session News, Special Events
Upcoming Events
July & August @ Tully
Independence Day Observance
Sunday, July 5h
Office Closed July 3th
Event Information
Sign-up Forms
Monthly Calendar
* * * * * * * * * *
Staff
Pastor:
Rev. Dr. Komlan E. Ezunkpe
Email: tullykomlan1@verizon.net
Organist/Choir Director:
Paula Dixon
Treasurer/Office Manager:
Mary Ann Cresta
BIG TENT 2015
JULY 30 – AUGUST 1, 2015
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE CONFERENCE CENTER
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
Sexton:
Joseph McCalla
Office Phone: 610-583-7333
Email: tullymemorial@verizon.net
Website: http://tullymemorial.org
Communion Sunday
August 2nd, 11:00am
Word from the
Pastor
Summer 2015
As we Presbyterians strive together to live out our faith, Multicultural Church Sunday
celebration at Tully Memorial Presbyterian Church was a way to reflect on the cultural and ethnic
diversity of God’s people in the world. The day allowed us to welcome everyone and learn from
others. The celebration took place on Sunday, June 7. It was a day of delight for everybody. Tully’s
members, guests, and delegations including associations and congregations from various parts of the
city were present to take part in this beautiful, well-planned and well-carried out event. It was a success
because we put everything under the control of the Lord. It was a gracious day!
The highlights were the nine flags raised in honor of all the nationalities in the church, eyecatching colorful traditional costumes, tribal music and dance, and food. On top, the worship service
was particular that day. It included ‘silver collection and auction.’ The silver collection is a celebration
of people’s week birthdays in the Presbyterian Churches in Africa. It could be found in other
churches too. Births are celebrated according to the day of the week you are born. This tradition was
introduced in the celebration of the Multicultural Sunday at Tully. The auction is based on the
response of people to God’s goodness in agricultural societies. In these societies, people don’t always
have access to currency—money; they respond to God’s blessings to them by bringing the fruit of their
hands to the church. The church exchanges these goods—harvest, artisanal products—into a currency
through auction. These two elements of the worship service, the silver collection and the auction,
were new to the American folks, but because of openness, determination, and love we have learned
from each other.
The last unforgettable aspect of the day was the message. The day was placed under the banner
of “Unity in Diversity,” and the title of the sermon was “Breaking Down the Dividing Wall." The
reading was taken from Ephesians 2:14-19. We took a look at the church at Ephesus and saw the
pattern this church left for us to follow in a Multicultural Church. In the passage, we saw that there
was a wall that set up the division between two groups: Israel and the Gentiles. The Law of Moses
protected Israel by keeping them separate from other nations and preventing the Gentiles from
having access to God, but by Christ breaking down the dividing wall One new man upsurges in place
of two, One Christian Church instead of two ethnic groups, the Jews and the Gentiles. “Consequently,
you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of
his household” (Eph. 2:19). Just as the Creator God welcomed humanity into His divine presence, we
are called to create a church where diversity is welcomed. So, we are called to cultivate and make
it comfortable for all people from all nations to join in one voice to praise their Maker.
Overall, it was a simple day on which God has made many wonders. We rejoiced in it. Thanks
be to God and thank you for your generous support.
Your Servant,
Pastor Komlan
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Summer Birthdays:
July
5 – Christine Adanlete
7 – Anna Mae MacLaughlin; Donald Blank;
Debby Campbell
11 – Glorious Dwanyen
13 – Pastor Bronc Radak
22 – Kass Young
24 – Richard S. Gayee
27 – Gabriel Dwanyen
August
5
8
11
15
25
29
–
–
–
–
–
–
Frank Morris
John & Mark Kanyi-Soukpe
Donna Boudwin
Paula Dixon
Mildred Waldt
Glenn Blank
Anniversaries:
July
5 – Lori & Nick Norbeck
10 - Agnes & Richard Gayee
August
2 - Donna & Paul Boudwin
28 - Rev Komlan & Sephora Ezunkpe
Deaths:
Felicia Alice Spaine, daughter of Roseline
Spaine, passed away at the age of 44 years on
Sunday, June 28th in her home country of Sierra
Leone. The burial took place there on Friday,
July 3nd. She was a devoted Christian and our
prayers go out to Roseline and the rest of her
family and friends who will miss her.
Farewell
We say farewell to the Makiambe family who have
been attending with us regularly for months now.
They decided to move away to join family in the midwest. Pastor Komlan provided much assistance to
them as they begin to get established here in this
country which I’m sure was greatly appreciated. Their
Tully family prays that they will find opportunities and
a good life at their new location.
Prayer Concerns
As we begin a new month, our list of “Prayer
Concerns for the Week” which is placed in the
back of our Sunday Bulletin each week, includes
the following: (Those who are underlined are
suffering with a chronic illness or various
problems that has kept them on our prayer list for
over a year – please be sure to remember them in
your prayers.)
Kadija Bamba – needs prayers
Jane Brower – breast cancer shut-in
Gabriel Dwanyen – in military reserves camp
Bill Furman – in rehab for thyroid healing before
proceeding with two heart procedures
Massa Koroma – needs prayers
Yaovi Nouledo – In need of prayers
Brian Ross – in need of continued prayers
Roseline Spaine – recovering from surgery; for the
passing of her daughter in Africa
John Wessels – needs prayers
Shut-Ins:
Bill & Ginny Dougherty – home in Lansdowne
Floss McCalla – home in Ridley Park
Dot Renz – Sterling Nursing Home, Media
Eleanor Till – Riddle Village, Media
Mildred Waldt – Holly House, Media
Removed From Prayer List:
Marilyn Bicking – passed away from cancer
Lyn & Paula Dixon – recovered from bronchitis
Mary Ann Furman – released from hospital
Kudzo Gasonu – home from military reserves camp
Justin Makiambe – recovered from surgery
Henry Senessie – successful cataract surgery
Welcome Home
We welcome home Kudzo Gasonu as he returns
from the basic training he received while in Ft.
Jackson, SC as an Army Reservist. We are proud of
his plans to protect and serve this country.
Church
Visitors
We certainly did some
celebrating this month and it
brought in some old friends
and new to worship with us. Multicultural Sunday was
celebrated on the 7th of the month and we counted 98
people who attended our celebration. 38 of those
people were guests so it will be difficult to name each
and every one. We had several families join us
including the Akpekos, Bedells, Kpanougous (who
returned on Father’s Day), Sedzros, and Toudekas.
We also welcomed Guy & Mathilda Akuesson,
Coco & Rose Kossou, Kokoegan Agbo, Richard
Amekou, Nadia Amoussou, Yona Assah, Colette
Clovis, Lydia Garnett, Paula Wall & nephew,
Nasir Shaw, Sister Mai’s brother, Joseph Stevens,
Komlan Tsiseglo, Agnes Gayee brought Andy
Walter and finally, Agnes Yohn. While starting their
attendance on the 14th, both Alexander Flomo (from
Novinyo) and Massa Koroma returned following
Sundays. Also on the 21st we celebrated Father’s Day
and joyously welcomed guests from the Bronx
Presbyterian Church including Beatrice Agboton,
S. Edem, M. Koku E. Pon, and Ben Wuli, There
were three delegates from the Novinyo Habobo in
the Delaware Valley, Bea Feddy, and Pastor James
Akrong. Our final Sunday we were pleased to see
Abby Kamara return with Sister Mai.
Welcome & please return!
Bienvenue et à bientôt!
*********************
SPC Dwanyen, Gabriel
Bravo Company
16th Ordnance Battalion
210 Edgewood Rd. –
Bldg. 18026
Ft. Lee, VA 23801
Gabriel would appreciate
Your cards and letters!
4
Multicultural Church
Sunday
Our first annual Multicultural Church Sunday on June
7th was a huge success in celebrating the diversity of
our congregation. As people arrived they were greeted
outside by the flying of flags that represented all of
the many origin countries of our congregation. We
have nine flags that we will continue to post outside
each Sunday morning including: Benin, Central
African Republic, France, Ghana, Ivory Coast,
Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo & the United States of
America. At the 11:00am service our standard order of
worship was maintained but some changes were
included. The Ewe Choir & Pastor processed and
recessed down the aisle to open and close the service.
A Special Song, “Kumbaya”, which is known
internationally, was sung in the various languages
spoken by our members. The scriptures were read in
English, French and Ewe by selected members.
Communion was served which included The Lord’s
Prayer being spoken aloud in the various languages.
The offering was collected in three different ways; the
traditional collection, a Silver Collection (Day You
Were Born competition), and finally an African
“auction” of various items donated to raise money for
the church. We thank the generous folks who
participated in our various collections in support of
the Lord’s work here at Tully. Three hymns were
selected for this service that are familiar to Christians
in most all countries: “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God
Almighty”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “Abide With
Me”.
Following worship everyone gathered in Knowlton
Hall where all our countries were represented. Each
station displayed items, music of each country was
played and food from each country was prepared for
everyone to enjoy. Our count indicated that 98 people
attended our celebration and shared in fellowship. We
were honored to have representatives from a sister
church in the Bronx, NY and delegates of Novinyo
Habobo. We are so thankful to the many people who
contributed to this day and in particular our Ewe
Women’s Circle.
6
Women’s Association
Update
THE CLERK’S CORNER
from
By Sephora Ezunkpe
Paula Dixon
THE LAST DAY OF JUNE?!! It
doesn’t seem possible but here it
is! A beautiful day, sunny skies,
nice breeze, how beautifully our Lord provides! We
had a wonderful celebration on June 7 - Multicultural
Sunday; somewhat lengthy, but nonetheless
enjoyable! It was wonderful to have so many present
for our Communion Service and Multicultural
Celebration! At our Fathers’ Day Service on June 21,
we were pleased to honor not only our earthly Fathers
and those who now reside in Heaven, but to focus
especially on our Heavenly Father and acknowledge
His love and care for us all. It was my privilege to
bring the message that day, recognizing the special
place of our Fathers in our lives, and to praise our
God for all he gives to us! He is the head of our
Church, and the head of our Church Family! Our
Tully Church Family is special and we are a truly
unique part of the Family of God! My thanks to
Pastor Komlan for affording me the opportunity to
share my message with our Church Family and
numerous special guests who were in attendance at
the service.
ELDERS PLEASE NOTE: our June Session
Meeting which was scheduled for June 21 has been
rescheduled for Sunday, July 12.
I attended the Clerks Gathering 2015 on
Saturday, June 13 - for only a half hour. On my way
to the Presbytery Office, I encountered a detour
(therefore deviating from my regular route). After
finally finding my way (I knew just enough about that
area to be dangerous!), I was very persistent and
arrived an hour past the appointed time! Kevin
Porter, Stated Clerk, has assured us that we will have
another Gathering since most of the Clerks have
requested same. So I will plan to attend that meeting
and since I now have an alternate route to the
Presbytery Office, should be able to arrive on time!
No word yet on Reading Dates for Session Records,
but that should be forthcoming.
The next meeting of the Southeast Region (A
“Summer Social”) is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21,
6:30-8:30 P.M., at the Beacon Church, 2364 East
Cumberland Street, Philadelphia. Any elder who is
interested in attending either of these meetings
please contact me if you need transportation or
further information.
As you can see, Clerk of Session
responsibilities and activities do not take a
vacation, so I will say have a safe and enjoyable
summer and
The women of Tully are really
devoted to use their gifts for the
church. Even though we are not
formerly formed yet, we are working as a team in
collaboration with the pastor for the best of the church.
The women showed hard work and LOVE for
God on our big day, Multicultural Church Sunday, and
my wish is that we will continue like that for the growth
of the church. They did all the cooking for the event,
set up, served and cleaned up after all the festivities
ended. They brought in most of the products that were
sold at the church auction.
We are planning to meet sometime in July to
revamp our activities. Anyone interested in joining us,
please look for the announcement when our next
meeting is scheduled. To God be the glory.
THE SEEDLINGS –
THE CHILDREN OF TULLY
by Sephora Ezunkpe
As Martha Daniels was unable to provide an
update for this edition of the Newsletter, I was happy
to submit this report.
The children processed in front of the Ewe Choir
to accompany the pastor in the church on Multicultural
Church Sunday. They were dressed like little princes
and princesses which were very cute to catch
everyone’s attention. First, we would like to thank our
wonderful parents who let that happened by sending
the children to rehearsal and then early on that Sunday
with all the garments that were needed. The parents are
the members of the Ewe Choir; therefore, special thanks
go to them. Every Sunday the children are working on
Bible Stories, reading, prayers, questionnaires and
coloring according to the event of the day such us
Mother's Day, Father's Day, summer or Independence
Day to post on the bulletin board.
Our class became large enough that we were
able to split the children into two age-appropriate
groups. Marti teaches the school-agers and I teach the
children from birth to kindergarten, but now we are
back together because it is summer and we are all in
Rms. J&K.
We are so pleased with our children and their
eagerness to learn about our Lord!
May Blessings and Peace be to your house
7
The Guardians
Report
SummerTime Changes!
As is our tradition,
around the 3rd Sunday of June,
depending on the weather, we move our
worship service into our air conditioned
Rms J & K. It is a great relief and we
are blessed to have this space to worship
in comfort!
Also, this is the time when you might
notice some musical changes in regard to
the Tully Choir. Instead of the choir,
there may be a solo, duet, piano solo or
any combination filling the Anthem spot
with special music. Anyone who would
like to share their musical talents,
please speak to Paula Dixon to prepare
the sharing of your gift in worship.
By Derick Ezunkpe
June was a great month for the Guardians and
for Tully. Service was great as usual, but
something was a bit different in that month.
We celebrated multicultural Sunday. The event
was a great success and I'm looking toward to
celebrating in such style at least twice a year. It
really shows the world that Tully is now a
multicultural church. We also celebrated
Father's Day and had the privilege to hear
Paula Dixon preach on that day. It was a great
sermon that personally taught me how our real
father is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the
beginning and the end. Our Lord died for us
on the cross and no father will ever do that for
us. The Guardians are also planning a movie
night in July and we are all looking to perform
again in front of the congregation as they love
to hear us on Sunday.
**********************
Sunday, June 21st
Father’s Day Service
My Verse of the month.
Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither
death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor
things present nor things to come, nor
powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything
else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord.”
This special service celebrates our earthly
fathers as well as our Heavenly Father. We had a
great deal of participation from ladies of the
church this year. We first want to thank Paula
Dixon for a very moving sermon. She prepared and
delivered the sermon in English followed by Pastor
Komlan translating it in both French and Ewe.
Paula opened the service and provided the organ
music as well.
In addition, our thanks go out to the following
ladies who took part in this service: Sephora
Ezunkpe, Mai Stevens, Raissa Amevigbe, Amivi
Gozan-Konou, Paulette Konyo, Shyanne
Washington, Ruth Conneh & Marti Daniels. All of
these ladies provided leadership and special
scripture readings. We also thank Mai Stevens &
Ruth Conneh (the trio, which includes Roseline
Spaine, is still recovering from surgery) for the
special music they provided as well as the Tully &
Ewe Choir members.
I love this verse because I just find it very
inspirational. It gives me the confidence that
nothing can separate us from God’s love. This
includes earthly or heavenly powers, angels or
rulers, nothing present today, nothing in the
future, not height (success) nor depth (dark
nights of the soul), not in this life or even our
death. In case Paul left anything out he says
“nor anything else in all creation.” That covers
everything, including ourselves. God has no
aborted children! God loves us all.
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Upcoming Events
Independence Day Celebration
Saturday July 4th
OFFICE CLOSED FRIDAY THE 3RD
********************
Return to the Sanctuary
September 13th
11:00AM –Worship Services
********************
Worldwide Communion Sunday
October 4th, 11:00AM
9
Independence
Day
July
2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
5
6
11:00 Worship, NO
communion, Food
Donations
12:15 Ewe Choir
12
13
11:00 Worship
12:15 Ewe Choir
14
20
21
15
28
7:00 AA Grp
Saturday
2
3
4
7:00 AA Grp
HOLIDAY
OFFICE CLOSED
HOLIDAY
INDEPENDENCE
DAY
9
10
11
17
18
24
25
16
7:00 AA Grp
22
7:00 AA Grp
27
Friday
7:00 AA Grp
7:00 AA Grp
11:00 Worship
12:15 Ewe Choir
26
8
7:00 AA Grp
11:00 Worship
12:15 Ewe Choir
12:15 Session Mtg
19
7
Thursday
23
6:00 Finance Mtg
7:00 AA Grp
29
30
7:00 AA Grp
31
August
2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
11:00 Worship,
communion
12:15 Ewe Choir
9
10
17
11
18
24
25
7
8
14
15
21
22
28
29
7:00 AA Grp
12
13
7:00 AA Grp
19
20
7:00 AA Grp
11:00 Worship
12:15 Ewe Choir
30
6
7:00 AA Grp
11:00 Worship
12:15 Ewe Choir
12:15 Session Mtg
23
5
7:00 AA Grp
11:00 Worship
12:15 Ewe Choir
16
4
7:00 AA Grp
26
27
7:00 AA Grp
6:00 Finance Mtg
7:00 AA Grp
31
11:00 Worship
12:15 Ewe Choir
11
Tully Memorial Presbyterian Church
100 Sharon Avenue
Sharon Hill, PA 19079
SUMMER 2015
Staff
Office Phone: 610-583-7333
Email: tullymemorial@verizon.net
Website: http://tullymemorial.org
Pastor:
Rev. Dr. Komlan E. Ezunkpe
Email: tullykomlan1@verizon.net
Organist/Choir Director:
Paula Dixon
Tully’s Mission Statement
Matthew 28:19-20
Treasurer/Office Manager:
Mary Ann Cresta
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you
always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Sexton:
Joseph McCalla
12