KEMPTON NEW CHURCH NEWSLETTER - May 2015 Page 1

KEMPTON NEW CHURCH NEWSLETTER - May 2015 page 1

MEMORIAL DAY

This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his soul for his friends.You are My friends, if you do whatever I command you. John 15:12-14

Men ought to do good to their country from a love for it according to its needs, some of which are natural and some spiritual. Natural needs relate to civil life and order, and spiritual needs to spiritual life and order. That one’s country should be loved, not as one loves himself, but more than himself, is a law inscribed on the human heart; from which has come the well-known principle, which every true man endorses, that if the country is threatened with ruin from an enemy or any other source, it is noble to die for it, and glorious for a soldier to shed his blood for it. This is said because so great should be one's love for it. It should be known that those who love their country and render good service to it from good will, after death love the Lord's kingdom, for then that is their country; and those who love the Lord’s kingdom love the Lord Himself, because the Lord is the all in all things of His kingdom. True Christian Religion 414

FROM THE PASTOR

Memorial Day began as a celebration of the end of World War II. Today it reminds us of the love of country displayed by our soldiers in all wars.

Our country is at peace from foreign wars today. That is largely because of our armed forces who stand on guard for us all the time.

A country has spiritual needs, relating to its spiritual life and order, as well as natural needs relating to its civil life and order. What if we perceive our country’s spiritual and civil life weakening and falling into disorder, and being threatened with ruin from sources within the country? How do we love our country and do good to it in that situation?

Here is a passage that gives us some clues:

“For example: if I had been born in Venice or in Rome [a Catholic country], and if I were a Reformed Christian [or Protestant], am I to love my country, or the country where I was born, because of its spiritual good? I cannot. Nor with respect to its moral and civil good, so far as this depends for existence on its spiritual good. But so far as it does not depend on this I can love my country, even if that country hates me. Thus I must not in hatred regard it as an enemy nor as an adversary, but must still love it, doing it no injury, but taking thought for its good, so far as it is good for it, not caring for it in such a way that I confirm it in its falsity and evil.” Charity 86

We can still love the moral and civil good that remains in our country and all the good people of our country, even if our country should seem to hate us. We must not hate our country or regard it as an enemy, but love it and do it no injury. We can take thought and act for its good in ways that do not confirm the falsities and evils in it. This fits with the doctrine that the first of charity is to shun evils as sins.

This does not tell us how to render good service to our country in such a state, but it provides the framework within which we can think and act. We hope and pray that our country’s natural and spiritual life and order may become healthier again.If we truly love our country, the Lord will guide us in what we may do to care for her.

Pastor’s Council on May 19 will include a review of the society meetings and of our progress toward new space for the school; plans for New Church Day celebrations; and how to help and encourage families to read the Word at home.

A Special Society Meeting will be held tomorrow night, Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. to hear a progress report from the building committee toward more space for the school. This meeting may, if things go well, prepare for a vote at the semi-annual meeting on May 14.

We believe we need about 4500 square feet. We have thought of three possible locations for an addition.We will ask an architect about the comparative usefulness and costs of the three locations. Please come and ask questions atthe special meeting tomorrow night.

Board of Trustees Meeting: We approved $5000 to begin consultation with Spillman Farmer architect Russ Pecala. Questions included what code compliance costs we would run into, and whether one or another of the proposed locations for adding space would work better or cost a lot more than another. We decided to set up a building fund-raising committee. We also examined the budget for next year. It looks doable, though the costs are rising with new grades in our school. Maintenance needs include repainting the halls and reconfiguring the 5th and 6th grade classroom for a larger group.

Society Doctrinal Class—The New Church: May 27. The topic will be the promises concerning the NewChurch given by the Lord, and what we can do to let Him fulfill them among us.

EVENTS STILL TO COME IN APRIL

Thursday, April 30, 7:30 P.M. Special Society meeting to hear about the Building Committee’s progress with new school space considerations.

MAYWORSHIP

Sunday, May 3, 10:00 A.M. Sunday School Service. Usher: Thos Powell

Sunday, May 10, 10:00 A.M.,Family Service. Usher: Sal Tuccio

Sunday, May 17,10:00 A.M. Sunday School Service. Usher: Curtis McQueen

Sunday, May 24, 10:00 A.M. Family Service. Usher: Jordan Cooper

Sunday, May 31, 10:00 A.M. Family Service. Usher: John Robertson

MAY CLASSES

Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 P.M.Arcana Class at Jeremy and Judy Synnestvedt’s. Reading: AC 7255 to7302 (the doctrine of charity and the first plague)

Wednesday, May 27, 7:30 P.M.Society Doctrinal Class: Promises Concerning the New Church. At Gale and Emily Smith’s

NOTICE OF SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING

The Semi-Annual Meeting of the KemptonNewChurch will be held on Thursday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. There will be reports from the pastor, the business manager about next year’s budget, and from the building committee about progress toward new space for the school. A vote may be taken to authorize detailed planning to go forward and possibly even for construction to begin over the summer. – Bengt Boyesen, Secretary

MAYMEETINGS

Monday, May 11, 7:30 P.M. Board meeting

Thursday, May 14, 7:30 P.M. Semi-Annual Society Meeting

Tuesday, May 19, 7:30 P.M. Pastor’s Council Meeting at Judsons’

MAY EVENTS

Fri.-Sat., May 1-3, KNCS Fathers and Sons trip to Meadowridge

Wednesday, May 13, 12:00-12:30 P.M. Visiting day at the kindergarten for next year’s kindergarteners (see announcements).

Monday, May 18, 7:00 P.M.ASPIRE Pennsylvania History Speech Night at Seth and Heather King’s. Rain location: society room (see announcements).

Thursday, May 21, 11:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M.Whole-school musical – The Music Man

Thursday, May 21, Last day of kindergarten

Monday, May 25, NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day

Friday, May 29, 7:30 P.M. ASPIRE Graduation in the society room

Sunday, May 31, After church, a brief concert by Malachi Ahlert (violin) and Jason Braurer (piano). See announcements for details.

LOOKING AHEAD TO JUNE

Wednesday, June 3, 11:30 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. Grades 5 and 6 Colonial Fair. See the students demonstrate colonial crafts. Society room.

Friday, June 5, 10:00 A.M. KNCS School Closing

Sunday, June 7, 10:00 A.M.Sunday School Service. Usher: Roger Schrock

Tuesday, June 9, 10:00 A.M. Daniel 5 Doctrinal Class at Nancy Odhner’s

ANNOUNCEMENTS

More Trouble Right Here in RiverCity! Looking for an old-style suitcase....like a large briefcase shape (no roller bags!), for Professor Hill. Anyone out there have such a relic? Please call Judy Synnestvedt if willing to lend (756-4021). The Music Man is coming – May 21!

Family Soccer begins this Sunday! (May 3) You and yours are welcome to play all or part of the game, which begins at 4:00 (ish) and usually ends about 5:15, but you don't have to be on the field to enjoy Family Soccer; conscientious objectors always start a sedentary social event, while younger childrentend to play hide-and-seek and other games on or around the small lower field. I will host every Sunday through at least Autumn Weekends next year, though I may take some of the summer off.

– Jordan Cooper

Kindergarten Visiting Day: Do you have a child who will turn 5 by June 1st and will thus be ready to start kindergarten in the fall? The kindergarten class and I would like to invite him or her to come visit us on Wednesday, May 13th from 12 – 12:30 p.m. at the manse. There is a nice area outside our door for parents and smaller children to visit quietly and play. If you are interested, please let us know so that we can be ready for you. Thank you – Suzanne King (610-756-6140 Ext 207)

ASPIRE Pennsylvania History Speech Night: Come hear about Mary Cassatt, FortPitt, and the company Zippo/Case, from the three ASPIRE students. This event happens Monday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Seth and Heather King’s house. (Event will happen in the society room if rainy.) All are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served afterwards.

You are invited to attend ASPIRE Graduation on Friday, May 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the society room. The three graduates are Maia Wyncoll, Matthew King and Owen King. Please bring a refreshment to share afterward as we celebrate the graduates.

From the Library:

Thursday, May 14: This will be the last borrowing day of the season. You can take books out for one week.

Thursday, May 21: This is the due date for final return of all books, and the last day open to the community.

Thursday, May 28: Reading to the students only.

Thanks for patronizing the library this year. It’s a delight to see it get used. Have a great summer!

– The Librarians

Congratulations to Adam King – son of Brad and Suzanne, son-in-law of Paul and Nina, husband to Aven, and a KNCS alumnus. He is graduating from TempleUniversity on May 8 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Congratulations to Abby Synnestvedt – daughter of Jeremy and Judy, and a KNCS alumnus. She is graduating on May 15 with a BFA from the PennsylvaniaAcademy of the Fine Arts.

An Invitation—and Congratulations to Malachi Ahlert: Malachi was recently awarded the Plymouth Hill Foundation Scholarship, which will help him attend Elizabeth Pitcairn’s prestigious music camp (Luzerne Music Camp) this summer. Please join us after church on Sunday May 31 for a mini concert by Malachi, who will be accompanied by his piano-playing contemporary, Jason Braurer. Our purpose is to help raise funds for the remaining tuition for this music camp. Whether or not you are able to donate, however, we would love to have you enjoy the concert and support Malachi with your presence. If you would like to make an anonymous contribution at any time, please feel free to send it to Kate Pitcairn. (Checks can be made out to Kate.)

Automatic External Defibrillator: A collection has been started to buy an AED for the church and school building. Seth King is collecting the donations and would be glad to answer any questions (484-256-1532).

Laurel Camp – A Spiritual Retreat (in its 46th year),July 19-25. This year’s theme is Balance. Programs for youngsters and teens make Laurel ideal for families and adults alike. Please join us for fellowship, worship, and song in the lovely Appalachian Mountains. We expect a full camp, so register early at Contact registrar Cyd Knoble with questions – or 267-718-5465.

Change of Venue for Maple Leaf Camp – June 25-July 1: This is aNewChurch camp held in Ontario for teenagers who have completed at least one year of high school. This year’s theme is Living in Harmony: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for people to dwell together in harmony” (Ps 133:1). Please note that the venue has changed since the last time we advertised this.Camp will be held at the Ecology Retreat Centre in Mono. (See the website for how cool it is - You will find new registration forms and a flyer on the church bulletin board. You can also contact Stephanie Kuhl, CampDirector, for registration forms—or questions—at or 519-895-1891.

The Berks County Scholarship Tax Credit Fund provides scholarships to financially needy residents of BerksCounty who pay tuition to attend grades K-12 in public or private schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Berks County Community Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships on-line only, from May 1 to May 15. Paper applications will not be accepted. Go to:

Poetry Salon: Barbara Crooker launches her two new books with readings from—Small Rain (Amazon link is and Barbara Crooker: Selected Poems (Amazon link is Sunday, May 3, at 3 p.m. Tea, cake, and other goodies at Barbara Starr’s – 9532 Kistler Valley Road (purple barn), Kempton., PA19529 (610-756-3737). – Penny Rhodes

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

That married partners enjoy similar intercourse as in the world, is because, after death, the male is a male and the female a female, and in both, an inclination to conjunction is implanted from creation. This inclination is an inclination of the spirit and thence of the body. Therefore, after death, when man becomes a spirit, the same mutual inclination continues, and this cannot exist without similar intercourse.

Conjugial Love 51

Congratulations and Best Wishes to:

Tom and Sandie Capparell

on the 1st - 23 years

Cade and Caelwen Cole

on the 1st - 16 years

Michael and Gail Short

on the 4th – 24 years

Peter and Roxanne Genzlinger

on the 6th – 14 years

Paul and Nina Schorran

on the 9th – 28 years

Elijah and Amanda Heiter

on the 14th – 4 years

Penn and Leesa Cooper

on the 15th – 33 years

Arne and Emily Bau-Madsen

on the 17th – 45 years

Hugh and Janina Brown

on the 20th – 43 years

Eyvind and Marcia Boyesen

on the 22nd – 52 years

Roger and Kathy Schrock

on the 25th – 41 years

Ariel and Erin Powell

on the 25th – 2 year

Tyler and Katrina Long

on the 30th – 6 years

* * * * * * *

FROM THE CONTRIBUTIONS COMMITTEE

Amazing Thought

According to the Lord:

A person is reformed and regenerated by means of charity towards the neighbor and love to the Lord. (AC 3207.4)
When someone is in a state of regeneration, there are countless, indeed an endless number of hidden ways by which they are at that time being led by the Lord. Knowing merely one of these hidden ways, would leave them dumbfounded. (AC 3179)

– The Contributions Committee