Father’s Day b-fast / Disc Golf
This Saturday – June 15th – 8:30am
Back to the Fifties restaurant in Furlong at 8:30 AM for breakfast, and then Tyler State Park for disc golf, starting around 10 AM. This is open to fathers, sons, and daughters. Contact Ryan, rkelly1777@gmail.com.

Futbol Match with Iglesia de Dios
July 7- 2pm
We have been challenged to a Futbol (soccer!) match by our friends in Bensalem. Start getting in shape now!

Guatemala Trip 2013
We have a team of people preparing to go to La Limonada, Guatemala City to serve with Lemonade International. Please pray for them as they prepare to serve there. If you would like to give towards this trip, you may do so online.

Like us on facebook:
www.facebook.com/thewellpa

Online Giving
http://give.thewellpa.com

Community meal this Sunday after church
Bring a meal to share!

This Week we are studying Daniel 4
Daniel 4 is the culmination of Nebuchadnezzar’s story. Once again, the king has a dream (cf. ch. 2) and calls his magicians to give the interpretation, but only Daniel is able. The dream, says Daniel, means that the king would “lose his mind” and become like a wild beast, and that he would lose control of his kingdom until he came to recognize the Most High God as sovereign over all earthly kingdoms. Daniel calls Nebuchadnezzar to repent and to show mercy to the oppressed. About a year later, Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the parapet of his palace, and looking out over his kingdom, he said, “‘Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?’” (Notice all the “my”s.) Immediately, the king was struck with the madness, and became like a wild animal. The great king had lost his kingdom. After a time, Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses, and came to recognize Daniel’s God as the Most High, the King of Heaven, the one who establishes and removes kings and kingdoms.

The most prominent themes in this week’s passage are the king’s pride and humility. Also consider how Nebuchadnezzar’s episode functions as Israel’s exile in miniature. For his pride, he loses his kingdom; recognizing the gracious sovereignty of God, he is restored. Also notice how this gentile king fulfills Israel’s mission by becoming a witness to the nations, which Daniel, who stands in for all of Israel, observes firsthand. Daniel also fulfills part of Israel’s mission with the care he has shown this gentile king throughout these first 4 chapters of Daniel, which has gradually culminated in this passage with the king’s worship of the Most High God.

Other News

Nomination Team
We are in the process of nominating new leadership team members. Please see the website: http://thewellpa.com/nomination-team or the back table for more information and the means of nominating someone. Contact: nominations@thewellpa.com

Father’s Day b-fast / Disc Golf
June 15th – 8:30am
We will meet at Back to the Fifties restaurant in Furlong at 8:30 AM for breakfast, and then we will head to Tyler State Park for disc golf, starting around 10 AM. This is open to fathers, sons, and daughters. If you are interested in attending all or part of this event, contact Ryan Kelly rkelly1777@gmail.com.

Unity Service with Iglesia de Dios
June 9 – 6pm
Todd Hiestand will be preaching at the 6pm service at Iglesia de Dios in Bensalem. Join him as we worship with this community!

Futbol Match with Iglesia de Dios
July 7- 2pm
We have been challenged to a Futbol (soccer!) match by our friends in Bensalem. Start getting in shape now!

Wednesday night book study small group
Wednesday Nights for 7 weeks starting May 22 – 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Whether you’re someone who is trying to get a handle on the basics of the faith or someone who’s been a Christian for years but are looking for a fresh new look at the old, old story, this book group is for you! Contact: scott@thewellpa.com

Our Passage this week is Daniel 3:1-30 – Who doesn’t love the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? All of us probably know it well, but this week, pay special attention to the literary complexity of this story. Look especially for “parrot words,” or repeated phrases throughout the narrative. Also, notice the liturgical (and sacrificial) nature of the worship prescribed by Nebuchadnezzar. Ask yourself, “What is Nebuchadnezzar trying to say or achieve with this statue,” especially in light of his dream of the statue in chapter 2. Think about how this story fits into the overarching story of Nebuchadnezzar’s belief in the Most High God; it’s a step along the way from including Israel’s God in the pantheon (Dan. 1), to recognizing Israel’s God as the King of Heaven (Dan. 4). Notice the contrast between “the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up” and the image of the son of god in the “burning fiery furnace.” Finally, consider the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the midst of their pagan, pluralistic culture. Why do they not bow to the statue? They have much to teach us.

Catechism:

21. What is the Church?
Just as the Father sent Christ the Son into the world, Christ sends His Church into the world as well, to participate in the Mission of God. The Church exists in mission as a fire exists in its flames. The Church is the particular people who, called into being by the Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit, announces, embodies, celebrates and anticipates the reality of God’s new creation in the midst of a broken world. It does so through confessing that Jesus is Lord, by participating through the Spirit in Christ’s death and resurrection, and by being Christ’s sent witnesses in the world. The Church calls the world to faith and repentance, inviting those who would accept that call into fellowship with God’s people that they too might be healed by God’s grace and share in God’s Mission.
John 17:15-19; John 20:21; Colossians 1:24-29; 1 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:11-15

Upcoming:

Online Giving
Our normal online giving link is currently not working, you can give at this URL: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/?key=MRLAWTBYC758YCSAU2G6

Theological Foundations For Seeking Justice in the World
Taught by Dr. Rob Arner
This Sunday after church / Bring your own Lunch
Check out the Event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/197310553751926/

Wednesday Night Book Study
at Patti Pearson’s house, hosted and taught by Scott Jones.
More info here: http://thewellpa.com/summer-book-study/

Community Meal
June 2nd after church.
Bring some food to share.

Passage Summary:
We are studying Daniel 2:24-49. Last week, we saw King Nebuchadnezzar scrambling to understand his dream. His magicians could not tell the dream, nor interpret it, so Nebuchadnezzar sentenced them all to death, including Daniel. So Daniel and his friends prayed to the Most High God, who revealed to them the dream and its meaning.

This week, in Daniel 2:24-49, Daniel will tell the king his dream, and then give the interpretation. The dream included a statue made of various metals, descending in value from head to toe. Daniel tells the king that the golden head represents Nebuchadnezzar, the king of kings, and that the subsequent metals represent inferior kingdoms that will follow in the wake of Nebuchadnezzar’s empire. Finally, Daniel says that God will set up a kingdom that will never fade, one that will pulverize the other kingdoms. Upon hearing this, Nebuchadnezzar praises the God who revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel, and then he elevated Daniel and his friends to high positions within the kingdom.

Themes from this passage include God’s sovereignty over all the kingdoms of the earth and world history, that God is the giver of understanding and wisdom, and finally, the worship of the Most High God by both Jew and Gentile and the Kingdom of God.

Gatherings and Other Stuff

Community Meals
June 2 and July 14
Right After church. Let’s eat together. Bring a meal to share and an appetite.

The Theological Foundations for Seeking Justice in the World
May 26 – 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Join us as we explore the “why” and the “how” of hungering and thirsting for justice from a Christian perspective. Bring your own lunch.
Facilitator: Rob Arner

Wednesday Night Book Study
Wednesday Nights for 7 weeks starting May 22 – 7:30pm – 9:00pm
2000 Years of Amazing Grace: The Story and Meaning of the Christian Faith – Paul Zaul
At the heart of the Christian faith is the story of grace triumphing over the law, the gospel breaking the bonds of institutional religion, and weakness overcoming strength. Whether you’re someone who is trying to get a handle on the basics of the faith or someone who’s been a Christian for years but are looking for a fresh new look at the old, old story, this book group is for you! Contact: scott@thewellpa.com

Sunday Morning Class
Sunday Mornings – 9:00am-9:45am.
John Oliff is teaching a class on reading the scriptures. The aim is to understand the texts that shaped the Apostles’ imaginations. Drop-ins very welcome! john.oliff@gmail.com

2000 Years of Amazing Grace is an accessible and easy-reading history of Christianity that focuses on the essentials of the Christian message. At the heart of the Christian faith is the story of grace triumphing over the law, the gospel breaking the bonds of institutional religion, and weakness overcoming strength. Zahl presents an engaging and broad summary of core Christian beliefs and an account of how Christianity evolved from Jesus to the present. It also features biographical sketches of key figures, extensive citation from founding documents, and discusses Christianity’s relationship to other world religions today. Whether you’re someone who is trying to get a handle on the basics of the faith or someone who’s been a Christian for years but are looking for a fresh new look at the old, old story, this book group is for you!

Details:

Starting Wednesday, May 22

At Scott Jones’ place in Bensalem

RSVP required to order books. Contact: scottkentjones@gmail.com

Liturgy this Weekend
This Weekend our liturgy is based on John 21:1-14
This is our second to last Sunday with the Gospel of John. Our passage is John 21:1-14. In this passage, a few disciples decide to go fishing, but they catch nothing all night. Then, a stranger tells them to cast the net on the other side of the boat. They do, and they catch many fish, 153 to be exact. Some themes to focus on this week are the profiles of the disciples in the boat. Why do they decide to go fishing? What is it that lets them know that the stranger is Jesus? And finally, why don’t the disciples ask Jesus who he is? I think that this passage is a wonderful picture of the church, which is a boat full of broken individuals who are ever in need of their Lord.

Our Catechism for the week:

What makes Jesus the Lord?
For the sake of the world He loves, the Son set aside the privileges that come with being the Creator and became like a servant. He became human, and he stayed human, forever identifying with us for our redemption. Because of his obedience, God lifted Jesus high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth will bow in worship before Jesus Christ, praising him as Master of all.
-Romans 1:3-5; John 3:13-16; John 13:13; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:17-20; Hebrews 2:8-11; Revelation 5:9-10

Announcements

Welcome lunch
This Sunday after church
You are invited if you are new to the community in the last few months. Join us for a “get to know you” session with the pastors and leaders. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Contact Todd Hiestand (todd@thewellpa.com)

Town Hall Meeting
April 29 after church
We will share some impotant updates and as have discussion/feedback regarding maturing our leadership structure.
Educational Opportunities

The Theological Foundations for Seeking Justice in the World
May 12 – 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Join us as we explore the “why” and the “how” of hungering and thirsting for justice from a Christian perspective. Bring your own lunch. Facilitator: Rob Arner

• This Week: Genesis 19:30-38
• Next Week: Genesis 20:1-18

The Gospel According to Abraham: Two thirds of the world’s population are either Christians, Jews or Muslims. All three traditions in some way look to Abraham as a father in faith. Bill Moyer in a PBS special on the book of Genesis remarks: “[In the Abraham story] God is founding a dynasty…One might expect the storyteller to paint the First Family ten feet tall with several coats of whitewash. But the picture we get of these men and women is uncomfortably human. There is so much marital conflict and sibling intrigue they almost forfeit the call and fumble the promise. Yet the storyteller refuses to clean up their act. This is the amazing thing about the people of Genesis. The more we talk about them, the more they look like people we know–faces in the mirror.” For the next several months we’ll journey together through Abraham’s story, a story of calling, adventure, frustration, promise, waiting, sadness and joy. But most of all its a story of grace and faith, because it’s Gospel story, a story about the God who still calls ordinary people to the adventure of living in the Kingdom.

PRE-THANKSGIVING DINNER THIS SUNDAY
Rob and Shanna Cummings are hosting a pre-thanksgiving dinner on Sunday afternoon. Have Thanksgiving dinner with your church family before you have dinner with your normal family. If you are coming, you must contact Shanna Cummings! (splatt20@hotmail.com)

COMMUNITY DINNERS
These dinners are where we share a meal and share conversation. Get to know people or grow your friendships. Come ready to eat and talk. Bring your food to share. Perfect time to clean out your fridge of leftovers!
Southampton – 2nd / 4th Sunday of the month at 5:00pm the Hiestands. (384 Lower Holland Rd. Southampton, PA 18966 – 267-994-3824 – meljayh@gmail.com)
Bensalem- 3rd Sunday of the month at 2:30pm the Cummings. (1845 Hulmeville Rd. Bensalem Pa 19020 – 267-614-6145 – splatt20@hotmail.com)

2013 JUSTICE CONFERENCE
We are hoping to get a group of 8 or more to go together to the Justice Conference in Philadelphia. It is February 22-23 and the cost is approx. $150. If you are interested in learning more visit: http://thejusticeconference.com/ or contact Todd (toddh@thewellpa.com)

KNITTING NIGHT
Twice a month on Wednesday nights at the Gallagher’s home. Contact Melanie meljayh@gmail.com / 267-994-3824 for the schedule.

SUNDAY MORNING DISCIPLESHIP CLASS
Sunday Mornings – 9:00am-9:45am – John Oliff is teaching a class on the Apocrypha. The aim is to understand the texts that shaped the Apostles’ imaginations. Drop-ins very welcome! john.oliff@gmail.com

MONTHLY LITURGY CLASS
First Sunday of the month @ 9am. For everyone on the liturgy team, and those interested in joining the team or in learning more about our liturgy. Contact: matthewwarren28@gmail.com

HELP NEEDED IN NURSERY & SUNDAY SCHOOL
We have a lot of adorable little babies and toddlers running around our building on Sunday mornings. Please consider serving by helping out in our nursery. Please contact Sara DiDonato sara.m.didonato@gmail.com Background clearances are required.

COFFEE AND BREAKFASTCOFFEE AND BREAKFAST
If you would like to help set up coffee and breakfast on a regular basis, please contact Matt Warren (matthewwarren28@gmail.com)

OFFERING / GIVING
We take an offering each week to share together financially in our mission together. You can give during our offering time, in the white box in the back, or online: http://give.thewellpa.com

Two thirds of the world’s population are either Christians, Jews or Muslims. All three traditions in some way look to Abraham as a father in faith. The impact of this one man’s life and story on world history is impossible to overestimate.  Bill Moyer in a PBS special on the book of Genesis remarks: “[In the Abraham story] God is founding a dynasty…One might expect the storyteller to paint the First Family ten feet tall with several coats of whitewash. But the picture we get of these men and women is uncomfortably human. There is so much marital conflict and sibling intrigue they almost forfeit the call and fumble the promise. Yet the storyteller refuses to clean up their act. This is the amazing thing about the people of Genesis. The more we talk about them, the more they look like people we know–faces in the mirror.” For the next several months we’ll journey together through Abraham’s story, a story of calling, adventure, frustration, promise, waiting, sadness and joy. But most of all its a story of grace and faith, because it’s Gospel story, a story about the God who still calls ordinary people to the adventure of living in the Kingdom, blessing them to be a blessing.

September 9
Genesis 11:27-12:9
The Qualifying Call and The Pilgrim Road

September 16
Genesis 12:10-20
Strangers in a Strange Land

September 23
Genesis 13:1-18
Parting Ways

September 30
Genesis 14:1-24
Eating with the King of Peace

October 7
Genesis 15:1-21
Certain Signs

October 14
Genesis 16:1-16
Broken Home, Broken Hearts

October 21
Genesis 17:1-26
Name Calling

October 28
Genesis 18:1-15
Mysterious Guests and the Mother of Laughter

November 4
Genesis 18:16-23
Everyone needs a Priest

November 11
Genesis 19:1-29
Sin City

November 18
Genesis 19:30-38
Head for the Hills

November 25
Genesis 20:1-18
There and Back Again?

December 2
Genesis 21:1-7
The Birth of Laughter

December 9
Genesis 21:8-21
The One Who Hears

December 16
Genesis 21:22-34
Trouble at the Border

December 23
Genesis 22:1-24
The Gift of the Son

The total cost of the project will be about $8,400. In order to ensure that we are approaching this cost with wisdom, we are breaking the project into two phases. Phase 1, happening this week, is moving the coffee bar. Phase 2 is the building of the classroom.

As you are considering your giving for the next few months, I’d love to invite you to consider supporting this project financially. I’m excited about the changes because we will not only have a more usable kitchen space but we will be creating more space for our growing children’s ministry! You can give to this project specifically online at: http://give.thewellpa.com – Select: Children’s Rooms Renovations from the “Please Direct My Donation To” option.

THE BOOK OF PSALMS CLASS
Sunday Mornings – 9:00am – 9:45am
John Oliff is teaching a class on the book of Psalms. Drop-ins very welcome! Contact: john.oliff@gmail.com

MONTHLY LITURGY CLASS
First Sunday of Every Month @ 9am
For anyone who is on the liturgy team, interested in joining the team or anyone interested in learning more about liturgy.
Contact: matthewwarren28@gmail.com

GATHERINGS

MONDAY COMMUNITY DINNER
Monday’s at the Hiestand’s House
384 Lower Holland Road, Holland, PA 18966. Anyone is invited. Bring friends. Be sure to bring something to share. Starts at 6pm Questions? Call or e-mail Melanie: 267-994-3824 / meljayh@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY MEN’S BREAKFAST
Wednesday mornings at 6:45am
A weekly men’s breakfast at the Great American Diner & Pub in Langhorne. Questions: toddh@thewellpa.com

TABLE TENNIS CLUB
Thursday nights at The Well. 8:00pm – 11:00pm Contact: toddh@thewellpa.com

MONTHLY WOMEN’S NIGHT
Natalie Wood hosts a woman’s night on the Fourth Friday of each month. 7:00pm at The Well. Babysitting available.

KNITTING NIGHT
Twice a month on Wednesday nights at the Gallagher’s home. Contact Melanie meljayh@gmail.com / 267-994-3824 for the Schedule.

PINTS AND PONDERINGS
Tuesday May 29th at 7:30pm at Chow 284 on Street road (across from Arby’s). Contact Alex DeMarco for a copy/topic of the reading: alexander.j.demarco@gmail.com

BAPTISM
Interested in Baptism? We’re starting classes for Adults and children. See Todd Hiestand. toddh@thewellpa.com

WAYS TO SERVE

BUILDING CLEANING
We need some people to come in and clean the building during the week or on the weekend. Contact: Todd / toddh@thewellpa.com

GUATEMALA TRIP 2012
We will be going May 27th – June 2nd and the cost will be approximately $1000 per person (minus any fundraising we do). If you would like to donate to this trip, please mark your check “Guatemala Trip 2012” in the memo line.

COFFEE / BREAKFAST SIGNUPS
Alex and Jenna DeMarco are recruiting new people to help out with breakfast. We need people to bring Panera as well as help with setup and coffee. See Jenna and Alex:alexander.j.demarco@gmail.com

OFFERING / GIVING
We take an offering each week to share together financially in our mission together. You can give during our offering time, in the white box in the back or online: http://give.thewellpa.com