Welcome to Central Schwenkfelder Church

Central Schwenkfelder Church Yellow Pages Directory

Click HERE to go to our Yellow Pages Directory.

Christmas in August Sunday, Aug. 2nd

This year Christmas in August will benefit Idamay Church, a small Bible-based church in Beattyville, KY. The church was founded in the 1960's and is currently led by Pastor Mark Coburn. Several years ago a group of men from Central helped to expand the church facility. Funds raised during Christmas in August will, in part, be used to repair some recent storm damage to the picnic area at Idamay. Mark is also a pastoral candidate at Kentucky Mountain Mission, and he serves as chaplain in the Three Forks Regional Jail, also providing counseling and support to drug and alcohol addict recovery groups in that region. Donations in support of this ministry will be much appreciated

Summer Reading Contest 2009 May 31st to August 30th For All Ages

Whoever reads the most books during the summer will receive a gift certificate to the Berean Christian Book Store.

When you arrive in our library for the first book of your summer reading adventure --- Pick Up a Reading Record --- located on the desk in our library. The Record is a great way to keep your own record of reading selections.
All books must be returned by August 31st to be counted as read.

Be sure to sign cards legibly with your FIRST and LAST Name.

Recognition of the person reading the most books and presentation of the gift certificate will be on Rally Day, Sunday, 13th of September.

The library staff encourages you to use our computer database to search for title, author, subject, and/or keywords for books for all ages. There are close to 4,000 books on many topics, biographies, reference, and fiction. Directions on how to use the database are posted at the desk.

If you have overdue books borrowed from our library, please return them so that others may enjoy reading them – especially during this summer reading contest.

Central Schwenkfelder Church
YELLOW PAGES DIRECTORY

Under the direction of the Board of Deacons, Central is compiling information for a directory of members who would care to make the church aware of their skills and/or occupation for hire. Upon completion, this directory will be made available to all members in electronic format (via PDF file) on the church website. Members not accustomed to using the Internet can request a printed copy from the church office.

To be included in the directory we are asking for an annual donation of $20 per submission, which this year will help defray costs of a “Welcome Center,” a facility to be positioned in the Narthex with materials provided for guests that visit with us. Additionally, objectives of this project are to provide an avenue for enhancing fellowship and acknowledging the gifts of many in our church family. Click HERE for the form and return it to the church office.

Central's Community Center Update

The Community Center Committee, chaired by Ken Clemens and Harris Gramm, continues to make progress in many aspects of this project.
At the March Board of Trustees meeting, the committee got approval to engage the firm ACI to prepare full architectural drawings for the facility, and to pursue site development plans with the engineering firm Woodrow Associates. Landscape architect Jim Faber of McCloskey and Faber has offered to donate his services on the project, for which we are grateful. The committee expects to have a workshop meeting with Worcester Township in early April to obtain feedback needed to pursue the land development plans for the pursuit of approvals.

The committee is also further defining the potential uses for the Community Center facility. Some of the ideas for our congregation’s use of the Community Center include expanded CE programs, a new venue for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School programs, a place to host Christian concerts and coffeehouses, and Church Fair activities. The committee also envisions the gym being utilized for youth and adult sports leagues, and the multi-purpose rooms serving the needs of many different community groups, all of which would serve as excellent ways for our church to gain additional exposure within the community. Don Casey is heading up a group who is researching the use of area community centers by outside groups, to get an understanding of the demands for various types of uses, as well as the financial impact of facility rentals from outside groups. If you have information that may be helpful in this area, please contact Don Casey.

The overall timeframe for the development of the Youth and Community Center will be dependent upon the availability of funding for the project, since funds must be raised in addition to the regular giving that is necessary to support our church’s operating budget. The Finance Subcommittee for this project is chaired by Pat McGinnis, and he should be contacted by anyone interested in discussing the fundraising aspects of this project.

Any questions about this project should be directed to Ken Clemens or Harris Gramm.

Honoring Dr Peter C Erb on April 26th 2009

You are invited to a reception honoring the career of Dr. Peter C. Erb, recently retired from Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada, on Sunday, April 26, 2009, at the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, 105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg, beginning immediately following his presentation - about 3:00 pm.

Peter has had a long and rewarding relationship with the Schwenkfelders - continuing even now as the Associate Director of Theology for the Heritage Center - beginning in the early 1970s. He has provided an important connection with Schwenkfelder theological scholarship around the world as well as helping us to better understand and appreciate our own Schwenkfelder theological heritage. Light refreshments will be served with the opportunity to personally show your appreciation to Peter and wish him the very best in his retirement. At 2:00 pm that day, he will present a talk intended for our Schwenkfelder community entitled: "Schwenckfeld, Pietists, and Modern Evangelicals: Is there a Connection?"

Join us for a uniquely entertaining as well edifying event as only Dr. Peter Erb can present it.

Vacation Bible School News

Yes, it is the middle of winter, and we are indeed sneaking in a VBS announcement. Bible School will be held Sunday, July 26th, through Thursday, July 30th, (in the evenings) this year. Please mark your calendar and stay tuned for more news in the spring.
We are also looking to recruit a new Bible School Director(s). This year would be an excellent chance to "learn the ropes" alongside us, as we plan for 2009. Please call Linda James at 610-584-6561 to ask any and all questions about this wonderful opportunity to serve, in a fun ministry!
Of course, Bible School is always in need of teachers and helpers too. Please prayerfully consider joining us; we would be so glad to hear from you. (See phone # above or email lrjames@verizon.net or lindamckinley@verizon.net.)
In His Service, Linda James & Linda McKinley

LENTEN LUNCHEON BIBLE STUDIES

Please come to Fellowship Hall each Wednesday during Lent starting on February 25 and running through April 1st. We will begin at noon with prayer and lunch. After a few minutes, we will study the prayer life of Jesus, followed by a time of question and answer. We will conclude by 12:50 for those who are commuting to work. Please come and bring a sandwich to share. Soup and drink are provided.
Studies are led by pastors.
All are welcome.
Sign-ups for soup and dessert are in the narthex.

New Members’ Class Starts in April.

On Sunday, April 12, a New Members’ Class will begin.
This class will introduce visitors to Central Schwenkfelder Church and basic Christianity.

If you’ve been visiting our worship services for a while and are thinking of making Central your church home, we encourage you to attend.We will meet in the New Members’ classroom, second floor of the education wing.

Happy Days Pre-School Center announces Limited Openings for 3 and 4 year olds.

Happy days offers a quality program for 3 and 4 year olds. The classes are small, the atmosphere is warm and friendly. The staff is professionally degreed. 3 Day classes M-W-F for three year olds, and 3-4 Day classes for four year olds with extended sessions (until 1:30pm) is available. For further information, please contact Happy Days at 610-584-4480 at the church Office. Please see our new informational video by clicking HERE.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Here we are at the beginning of another New Year. Are you ready to cuddle up with a prayer shawl you are knitting or crocheting during the cold winter evenings? We are nearing a milestone. When the next shawl blessing occurs we will have passed the 100 mark thanks to 20+ busy sets of hands. This is a rewarding activity when you read the "thank you" notes from the many recipients. Instructions and yarn are available for you to work at home as you are able. We continue to work during LAMPS on Wed mornings but will NOT be meeting on Wed evenings. For more information contact Wilma Werley (610-275-1676).

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Did you know?
Total blood transfusions in a given year are: 14 million plus.
The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints.
The average adult has about 10-12 pints of blood in his body.
Roughly 1 pint of blood is given during a donation.

Please help save a life? Make an appointment to donate blood.

Schwenckfeld's Catechism

Dr. Drake Williams, Christian Williams, Grant Gebbie, and Dr. Peter Erb have spent the past couple of years translating Schwenckfeld’s catechism and confessions from German into English. The publication is ready for printing by Pandora Press of Canada.

Pandora Press is a recognized press within Anabaptist and Radical Reformation studies. Having Pandora publish the volume would also circulate the catechism project among a broader audience, a way of promoting Schwenkfelder studies.

This is rare opportunity to discover what Caspar Schwenckfeld believed and taught. Please consider contacting the office of Central Schwenkfelder Church with your vote of interest in purchasing a copy and passing this along to anyone that may be interested.

Adults Should be READING and STUDYING the Bible at Central Schwenkfelder Church

Our Sunday Church School has many offerings for this school year. Please make sure you are availing yourself of these offerings. It will help your daily life in many ways - spiritually, intellectually and socially.

The Garden of Memories

Within fifteen (15) days following these events, such items will be removed. The one exception to this rule is cut flowers which can be placed at any time.

The time of grief and loss for some can be challenging, lonely and full of change. The Center for Loss and Bereavement in Skippack provides a place where the grieving of our community can find connection, solace and hope. In addition to professional counseling and educational outreach, the Center offers six-week support groups for specified losses and ages. Please call contact the church office for registration or further information about the Center's support group program.