Dear Friends,

As we head towards the end of our program year, we are looking forward to recognizing our Sunday school teachers and students, distributing third grade Bibles, and enjoying each other’s fellowship at our all-church picnic. Let’s celebrate our family of faith on June 11!

Just two weeks later, we begin a fun week at Vacation Bible School. Under Sara Boninu’s leadership, we are fully staffed with adult and youth volunteers. We are expecting a full house that week, and are all looking forward to becoming part of God’s “Maker-Fun Factory.” This creative program is designed to help children appreciate their individuality and become all that God has created them to be.

During the summer months, we will also learn about the unique characteristics of who we are as followers of Jesus Christ. Our summer sermon series will follow the journey of the Apostle Paul as he established churches and spread the Gospel. The life of the early church holds much wisdom for us as we continue to navigate changes in our life and ministry here at NSPC. What compelled Barnabas, Stephen, Lydia, and a host of others to give up everything to witness to their faith? What caused the early church members to band together to follow Christ—no matter what?

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From Your Pastor I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

From Your

Pastor 1-2

June

Sermons 1

Memorial Day

Prayer 2

All-Church Picnic

“All Hands on

Deck!”

Thank you from

Ginni Condo

3

Church School

Chatter 4

Vacation Bible

School 2017 5

Youth & Family

Ministry 6-7

Backpack project 7

Congrats

Graduates! 8

June Circle

Meetings

PW Board

PW Combined

Potluck Lunch

June Birthdays

9

Calendar 10

Staff 11

N E W T O W N S Q U A R E

P R E S B Y T E R I A N

NSPC Connections 3 6 0 0 G O S H E N R O A D

N E W T O W N S Q U A R E , P A 1 9 0 7 3

O F F I C E : 6 1 0 . 3 5 6 . 8 0 6 3

W W W . N E W T O W N S Q U A R E P R E S . O R G

R E V . D R . J E A N N E T H O M A S — P A S T O R

S U M M E R 2 0 1 7

Sermons for the Month of June

6/4 Pentecost John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 “He’s Not Going Anywhere” Rev. Jeanne Thomas, Preaching Holy Communion

Summer Series: Lessons from the Book of Acts 6/11 Acts 6:1-5, 7:51-8:1 “Learning to Embrace Our Limitations” Rev. Jeanne Thomas, Preaching Student/Teacher Recognition & Dress Down Sunday Church Picnic...Bring a bathing suit & towel!

6/18 Acts 9:1-9 “Learning to Embrace Life’s Interruptions” Rev. Jeanne Thomas, Preaching Summer Sunday School Begins

6/25 Acts 9:9b-25, “Learning to Face Failure” Rev. Jeanne Thomas, Preaching

Worship Service—10 AM... Join Us!

P A G E 2

(continued from page 1)

As we explore Paul’s missionary journeys, we will learn about discipleship: how to embrace life’s interruptions and our own limitations; how to face failure and lean on others for support; how to be generous; and how to become more courageous in our faith and discipleship.

So come onboard for a summer of opportunities to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. And ask a friend to join you!

Blessings,

Jeanne

Lessons from

the Acts

of the Apostles

P A G E 3

ANNUAL ALL-CHURCH PICNIC

In just two short weeks, the Annual NSPC Picnic will be held immediately following worship on Sunday, June 11, in the social hall, rain or shine. Sponsored by the Fellowship Commission, our picnic is a popular event for all ages. Come and enjoy great food and fellowship. You can sign up for the event via the Sign-up Genius sent to your email or by filling out the yellow insert in your Sunday bulletin. PLEASE sign up by June 1 so we can set up enough places.

We need volunteers to help set up the Social Hall on June 4. In addition, we need volunteers to help on June 11, setting up the food and the games, monitoring the moon bounce, and cleaning up the social hall and kitchen. While the picnic will be held inside, people are welcome to bring blankets or lawn chairs or use folding chairs from the church if they would rather eat outside. In addition to eating and socializing, there will be games for children and the young at heart. The ever-popular moon bounce with a water slide will be back. Our June 11 picnic offers us the opportunity to relax with old friends and meet new ones before summer begins and our congregation members head out of town for vacations. This will also be our “Dress Down Sunday” when we are welcome to come to church dressed in our favorite picnic clothes. Do plan to come to the picnic and enjoy this wonderful intergenerational event. Fellowship Commission

I want to thank the members and friends of NSPC for

your caring and support during Al's long fight against

dementia and for your sympathy on his recent death.

It is truly a blessing for me to be part of this

community of faith.

Ginni Condo

“All Hands on Deck”

Tuesday, July 11 at 9 a.m.

PW needs help cleaning and rejuvenating our church’s

kitchen!

Please join us and bring your cleaning rags, gloves,

mops, and buckets.

Summer Sunday School

The Summer Sunday School program will begin June 18 and

continue through September 3. The class will be offered to children

in pre-school through 4th grade.

Note: We ask that children in fifth grade and above attend the

regular worship service with their parents.

**We still need teachers to teach these

summer classes. Even if you don’t have children in the Church School,

we would welcome you. Please volunteer for just one Sunday. Lessons

will be provided, and you will need very little preparation time.

Student & Teacher Attendance Recognition

June 11th will be a very special day for our church school family. Teachers and nursery

volunteers will be recognized for their time and talents given to the children of the church.

Children will be recognized for attending church school classes throughout the 2016-17

church school year. Children ending their third grade year will also be receiving their Bibles.

Please plan to be with us in worship to thank all of our dedicated volunteers and students for

a job well done.

The following have given of their time and talents to help in the nursery, to teach, or in the

church school office:

Allison Adgate, Brooke Andrewson, Flossie Barnes, Catherine Bennett, Kim Biddle, Morgan

Boninu, Sara Boninu, Lauren Bross, Barb Corsi, Bernice Eder, Nancy Gingras, Jennifer Gries,

Meghan Kazanjian, Jennifer Kelly, Brad Kohlhepp, Stacey Kucera, Ann Lewis, Jessica Servano,

Karen Shea, Lauren Snyder, Debbie Villano, and Marissa Villano.

A special thanks goes out to Mary Beth Gray for her dedicated and talented direction of our

youth choirs.

P A G E 4

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2017 The Brightest Week of the Summer!

Sound Wave Sing & Play ~ Bible Discovery

Game Makers ~Snack Factory

Imagination Station ~ Funshop Finale

General Information:

Join us for an over-the-top adventure with Group Publishing’s Vacation Bible School Program: Maker Fun Factory: Created by God; Built for a Purpose. Vacation Bible School will take place Monday, June 26th – Thursday, June 29th. Each day, our program will begin promptly at 9:15 AM and conclude at 12:00 PM (a light snack is included). Join us for Sound Wave Sing & Play, Bible Discovery, Imagination Station, Game Makers, Snack Factory, and Funshop Finale. Children in Preschool through 5th Grade are welcome to participate. Children must have completed one year of pre-school, must be 4 by November 1, 2017 and must be potty trained. On Wednesday, June 28th at 6:30 PM, there will be an Ice Cream Social in the Social Hall. Parents and family members will have the opportunity to hear a few VBS songs and watch a slideshow featuring pictures from the entire week!

Registration: Registration is open! The cost is $30 per child; $25 per child for 2 or more children (completed preschool-4th grade). Registration forms will be available in the Church Office and online at www.newtownsquarepres.org. One registration form per child, please.

Volunteer Information: We need Jr. Crew (6th Grade and above) to guide the children from various locations. If you or someone you know would be interested in helping, please contact the Church Office. If you love kids and are looking for a way to get involved in the church community this summer, then this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Check Out These Fun Photos from Cave Quest VBS 2016:

P A G E 5

P A G E 6

First Sunday Night Social on May 7th was met with fun, comradery,

and laughter as 12 students played mini golf at Grand Slam USA. The

5th-8th graders enjoyed each other’s company during a fun indoor

activity. New faces were welcomed with hugs and smiles during their

first time with the NSPC Youth Group. Once mini golf concluded, the

students broke off into groups and played arcade games.

The next First Sunday Night Social is Sunday, June 4th from 5:00-6:00 P.M. The 5th

graders and youth will have a pizza party in the youth lounge, watch a slideshow of their

activities this year, and play outdoor games that encourage teambuilding. Don’t miss it!

Youth Group was held on May 21st. The students played games

that showed the positivity of differences, finished the last Bible

study of Pure Praise for Youth, and ate ice cream at The Sugaree.

This was the final youth group meeting of the school year, and

the 8 middle schoolers learned the importance of worshiping

with others and serving God. While there are many different

styles of worship, Philippians 2:3-4 teaches that it is not what we sing

to God, but how we sing, that matters. They also understood that

serving others through encouragement and respect are ways to

worship God every day.

Youth Group will reconvene in the fall. Fun activities, including

mission projects, camping trips, and games, will be held throughout

the summer.

Kids’ Night Out is Saturday, June 10th from 5:00-6:00 P.M. Kindergarten-5th

graders will meet in the youth lounge for an evening of fun activities! The

children will enjoy a healthy snack, personalize a mug for Father’s Day, and play

a Bible trivia game to compete for bragging rights! Does your child know their

Bible trivia? Bring them to Kids’ Night Out!

(Continued on page 7)

P A G E 7

(Continued from page 6)

Sunday, June 25th at 5:00 P.M. is the meeting for Vacation Bible School. If you are a

volunteer, please join us to receive information about the week.

Sunday School students in the 5th-8th grade class have been challenged to memorize

scripture verses in exchange for prizes. The students who memorize verses will win the following prizes:

1-4: Hershey kiss, lollipop, or small jar of candy

5-8: Brownie, donut, or popcorn

9-12: $10 gift card to Rita’s

13-17: $15 gift card of your choice

The challenge ends June 4th. Two children are tied for the lead with

12 verses memorized! Encourage YOUR children to memorize God’s

word!

BACKPACK DONATIONS

It is time to start thinking of school supplies for the 2017-2018 school year! The Village is one of our church charities, and they sponsor a backpack collection every summer.

There are backpacks in the coatroom area for you to fill with school supplies. In the event you cannot fill a backpack PLEASE just donate school supplies. They will be delivered on Aug 1 to the Village. They in turn then distribute them to children that they help.

The children love receiving these gifts. Please help out again this year. Hopefully the box will be overflowing by Aug 1! If you cannot shop, Sue Bechtold will be happy to shop for you. Call Sue at 610-353-2682 to discuss a shopping plan.

NSPC is represented at the Village by Ginny Berman and Sue Bechtold. We are happy to answer all questions.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING GRADUATES & THEIR FAMILIES!

Sarah Hitchens graduated from the University of North Carolina with a BA in Communications with a concentration focused on Media and Production and a BA in English. She was a 7-time All American for Swimming and was an ACC academic honor roll member twice. Sarah is moving to D.C. and hopes to hear back from a company about a job this week.

Alexa Laird Moore graduated Cum Laude from East Stroudsburg University, with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Business & Management, majoring in Hotel Restaurant & Tourism Management. Alexa is currently looking at returning to East Stroudsburg University to pursue a Graduate Degree in Management & Leadership or to seek employment.

Mike Talento graduated Cum Laude from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Jazz performance. Mike was a recipient of the Mike Falcone scholarship in jazz studies and performed with the Criterion Jazz Ensemble at WCU. He will be participating in the Boise-Lowry residency program in jazz studies and composition this summer and will be starting a master’s program at New England Conservatory in jazz performance in the fall. Mike performs locally with the Lion’s Paw Reggae band, Rhythm and Blondes, the Mike Frank trio, and other groups in the Philadelphia area.

Megan Shea graduated Cum Laude from College of Charleston with two degrees, Hospitality & Tourism Management and Business Administration, with a minor in Health. She is interning in Amsterdam this summer at a Marriott hotel in the events department. Megan plans to move back to Charleston, SC in September to find a job in the hospitality industry after spending a week in Israel visiting a friend in rabbinical school!

Brad Villano graduated from Villanova University in December, 2016. He earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a minor in International Business. He is currently working at Ransome Cat, a construction equipment supplier in New Castle County, Delaware.

We also congratulate Kelsey McGlade on her graduation from the Philadelphia College

of Osteopathic Medicine! Kelsey's next step will be a family medicine residency

program at Crozer-Keystone

P A G E 8

6/17 — Mary Jean Clark

6/17 — Abbey Biddle

6/17 — Kira Hetzner

6/19 — Jeff Edwards

6/21 — Grace McCarry

6/24 — William Hewes

6/08 — Patti Rich

6/08 — Kai Schultz

6/09 — Elizabeth Bennett

6/09 — Stacey Kucera

6/15 — Emilia Falcon

6/15 — Sienna Landrum

June Circle Meetings

Phoebe Circle— Salad Luncheon Date: Monday, June 5th Time: 12:00 PM (Meet at the church at 11:30 to carpool to Buff’s home)

Hostess: Buff Biddle (please let Buff know if you cannot attend) 1257 Oakmont Lane West Chester, PA 484-947-5678 Bring your own salad to share Devotions: Ginni Condo Study Facilitator: Ellen Jackson Lesson: Horizon’s Bible Study: Chapter 8 Who is Jesus? According to the Other Abrahamic Faiths Mission Project: You can bring a food donation to the church.

Miriam Circle— Annual Spring Luncheon Date: Monday, June 12th Time: 12:15 PM Location: Church Lounge If you haven't signed up for an Entree, Salad or Dessert, please call or e-mail me at Tezcuco13@gmail.com/484-420-4923. For our Secret Pal gift this year, we have decided on contributing to our own VBS and Canine Partners. An envelope will be available for your contribution. AND, please don't forget a card for your Secret Pal letting them know who has been "taking" care of them this year. I look forward to seeing you all. ~Ginny M. Berman Miriam Circle Leader

P A G E 9

Presbyterian Women

Board Meeting

The PW Board will meet Tuesday, June 20th at 11:30 in the Church conference room. Don't forget to bring a beverage ... lunch will be served!

See you then!

SAVE THE DATE

Presbyterian Women

Fall Potluck Lunch &

Combined Circle Meetings

September 11, 2017

12 p.m.

Church Social Hall

6/25 — Jack Kelly Jr.

6/26 — Ed Arraya

6/26 — Rich Digby

6/27 — Ethan Law

6/30 — Robert Barndt

6/30 — Sara Ronsvalle

All women of the church are welcome!

P A G E 1 0

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

SS

P A G E 1 1

In Ministry Together at Newtown Square Presbyterian Church:

Pastor ................................................................................................... The Rev. Dr. Jeanne Thomas Director of Youth and Family Ministry .............................................................................. Sara Boninu Church Office Associate ....................................................................................... Brooke Andrewson Accountant ................................................................................................................. Julie Bergstrom Director, Newtown Square Presbyterian Church Nursery School .............................. .Jane Fioravanti Clerk of Session ................................................................................................................ Buff Biddle President, Board of Trustees ............................................................................................... Jim Shea Treasurer .................................................................................................................... Dave Sampson Head Usher ................................................................................................................... Grant Snyder The Sacristy Guild of St. Martha ................................................................................ Pam Lounsbury Presbyterian Women .................................................................................................... Ginny Berman

Plus...all the members of NSPC

Church Officers:

SESSION/BOARD OF TRUSTEES Moderator: The Rev. Dr. Jeanne Thomas

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

Micki Digby Buff Biddle Jim Hitchens

Dot Gauntlett Jim Shea Meghan Kazanjian

Lois Peck Rick Weiss James Kucera

Lindy Rustam Joe Falcon Dan Schultz

BOARD OF DEACONS Moderator: Sue Bechtold

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

Rich Digby Lynne Corle Mary Burgess

Sue Bechtold Karen Shea Marg MacDonald

Betsy Bender Beth Snyder Jerry Schauer

Diane Dowlin Debbie Weiss Jim Thomas

Church Contact Information: Church Phone: ........................................................................................................... 610-356-8063 Rev. Thomas (cell): ................................................................................................. 610-368-1637 Rev. Thomas (home): ................................................................................................ 610-565-9788 Sara Boninu (cell): ..................................................................................................... 757-814-5097 Rev. Thomas e-mail:........................................................................... jeannethomas@comcast.net Sara Boninu e-mail: .................................................................................. sara.nspc16@gmail.com