News of upcoming events & more at Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church
Send your HVPC News items to News@HVPC.org.
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SEE US SUNDAYS ONLINE & IN-PERSON @ 9:00 a.m., & IN-PERSON @ 11:15 a.m.
NOTE: Due to COVID-19 we are masking and social distancing.
We are streaming the early 9:00 a.m. service on our YouTube Channel each Sunday. The audio of the sermon will be posted on the Sermons page of our website as usual.
The bulletin contains the song lyrics and hymns so you can participate during the service.
You may attend the service in person (see guidelines below), watch it on your device from home (or anywhere), or come to the parking lot of the church and listen on FM 96.7.
In-Person Activities @ HVPC
Please note that these guidelines are subject to change.
Please check back for updates. Updated: 5/3/21
We are holding in-person worship services at HVPC with the following guidelines for the Contemporary service at 9:00 a.m. and the Traditional service at 11:15 a.m. and for Sunday school at 10:15 a.m. For other events and ministries, please scroll down this page for the current list.
The surge in COVID-19 cases in our area requires us to urgently reconsider our current policies. While awaiting a final policy approved by the Session, we are instituting the following interim rules. We will continue to meet in-person at HVPC with some modifications to our current COVID-19 guidelines.
We have developed a policy for all who are involved in ministry. Please click here to read it (PDF).
You will be asked a series of screening questions: Have you had contact with anyone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days? Have you had any COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days? Have you traveled outside the state or country in the last 14 days? Have you been tested for COVID-19 in the last 14 days? If so, have you received a negative result? Have you been diagnosed with COVID-19? If so, have you received the clearance to be out in public again?
If there is any doubt, we will walk you through an online CDC self-test to determine what steps you should take.
- Everyone is required to wear a face mask at all times in the building. Those who cannot wear a mask for a medical reason must wear a face shield.
- All individuals who are on the worship team, including readers and preachers, will be masked when on the chancel and when using the microphones, and at all other times.
- We will continue to social distance, including before and after the services. When entering, please move directly to your seat.
- At the end of the service, please go directly to Sunday school or outside in the parking lot. Do not congregate in the entrance way, the hallways, or sanctuary before or after the service.
- If you are not feeling well or have been exposed to someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19, or you are high risk, please stay home or in your car and participate in the service remotely.
We stream our 9:00 a.m. service online and the videos remain available for you to watch any time on YouTube. You may also come to the parking lot of the church for the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services and tune into 96.7 FM to listen to the service. We always post the sermons online on our website as soon as possible following the services.
If you have any questions, please contact the Church Office (office@HVPC.org; 215-947-5500), Pastor Dan (pastor@HVPC.org; 267-847-0766) or any Elder.
Additional Guidelines For In-Person, In-The-Building Activities at HVPC
Here are additional detailed guidelines for HVPC Sunday morning in-person, in-the-building worship. Please read them carefully:
No hugging, handshaking, or passing of the peace. Please maintain social distance at all times of at least 6 feet.- Bulletins will be made available. Please take a copy from the music stand just inside the sanctuary.
- In-person Sunday school for adults is happening from 10:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on the kitchen side of the Boyer Fellowship Hall. An online option is available. Contact Dan Bramer or the Church Office for more information.
- In-person Sunday school for children is happening from 10:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on the stage side of the Boyer Fellowship Hall and in room 308. An online option for K-6 is available. Contact Naomi Trask or the Church Office for more information.
- High-risk individuals are advised to stay at home or in their cars in the parking lot and watch or listen to the online service at 9:00 a.m.
- If you're not feeling well, please stay home.
- Entry will be via the normal doors.
- Communion will be offered on the first Sunday of each month via self-serve individual disposable cups for each of the elements. Please pick up your communion elements before sitting down.
- Hand sanitizer is available at the door and other key locations in the building. Please help yourself. There are two touch-free dispensing stations.
- Bathrooms are open to only one person at a time. Children may be accompanied by a parent.
- Coffee service will not be available. You may bring your own coffee in a cup with a lid.
- Cleaning of high-touch areas will occur before, between each service.
- Webcasting is availble on YouTube along with FM narrowcasting to the parking lot on 96.7 FM, but only of the early 9:00 a.m. service. The webcast video may be viewed any time after it airs.
- The playground may be used under parental supervision and parents assume all risks for their children.
- Small Groups may meet face-to-face. Leaders are encouraged to provide and promote online availability and when possible meet outdoors. Social distancing should be maintained whether indoors or outdoors. Face coverings are strongly encouraged. Check with your small group leader for details.
- Meetings may take place in the building. The above guidelines must be observed by all participants. You must contact the Church Office to schedule your meeting.
- Zoom Meetings. The church has a Zoom account for use by HVPC. You must contact the Church Office to schedule your meeting.
If you have any questions about these guidelines please contact the Church Office (office@HVPC.org; 215-947-5500).
NOTE: Much of the building is now being treated with UV disinfection.
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What's Happening @ HVPC
Lots of things are happening at HVPC! In-person gatherings will follow our guidelines that include masking, social distancing, and so forth.
Here are the activities and ministries that are happening or starting up again soon:
- Sunday morning worship, every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., in-person at church. Contact the Church Office (office@HVPC.org). The 9:00 a.m. service is streamed live on YouTube.
- Kid's Sunday school (PreK-12),
(Pre-K - K) in-person every Sunday at 10:15 a.m in room 106, Laura Haines and Rebekah Bramer Gerardi teaching.
(Grades 1-3) in-person every Sunday at 10:15 a.m on the stage side of the Boyer, Jennie Gerardi teaching.
(Grades 4-6) in-person & online every Sunday at 10:15 a.m in room 308, BethAnn Clark teaching.
(Grades 7-12) in-person every Sunday at 10:15 a.m in the Church Office. Becca Jo Yourko teaching.
Nursery, for ages birth - 2, every Sunday only for all services and Sunday school. Contact Naomi Trask (children@HVPC.org). - Adult Sunday school, every Sunday in-person at 10:15 a.m. on the kitchen side of the Boyer, Stephen Clark facilitating. Online, contact Dan Bramer (thatdanielbramer@gmail.com).
- Seeker's Bible Study, 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at 7:00 p.m. online via Zoom. Contact Deb Jack (jackfam5@comcast.net).
- Presbyterian Stogie Society, Every other Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in-person at church. Contact Seth Fluder (seth.fluder@gmail.com).
- Men's Bible Study in the Boyer, Every other Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in-person at church. Contact Dan Morrison (pastor@HVPC.org).
- Praise Band Rehearsal, every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in-person at church. Contact Jon Haines (praise@HVPC.org).
- Adult Choir Practice, every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in-person at church. Contact Bernie McGorrey (worship@HVPC.org).
- Administration Commission, 1st Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in-person at church. Contact Dan Morrison (pastor@HVPC.org).
- Deacons, 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. online via Zoom. Contact Dave Hamalian (dhamalian2000@yahoo.com; 215-837-8019).
- Missions Committee, 2nd Tuesday of every other month at 7:00 p.m. in-person. Contact Stephen Clark (office@HVPC.org).
- Session, 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., in-person at church. Contact Dan Morrison (pastor@HVPC.org).
Always check our website's Events page (click on Calendar View) for the latest listings. You will also want to reach out to the Contact for the ministry you are interested in and verify times and locations since everything is subject to change.
Lament Resources
Learn more about lament, download a 5-part study guide, and access additional resources here: www.HVPC.org/lament.
We Have A Blog!
Check out more than 60 inspirational and encouraging articles on our HVPC Blog called Gleanings. We post new articles periodically. Our goal is to provide one more point of contact with you, our HVPC family, as well as offer encouragement and spiritual nourishment. If you have questions about the blog or any post, want to see a specific topic addressed, or would like to submit a post for consideration, please feel free to email communications@HVPC.org.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOLOur new Adult Sunday school study on Proverbs begins April 11th. We will be using the LifeChange Bible study guide from NavPress.
Copies are available at church, or you can obtain a copy by clicking here: https://www.navpress.com/p/proverbs/9780891093480.
You can preview the study guide by downloading a PDF by clicking here: https://www.csmedia1.com/hvpc.org/proverbs-peek.pdf.
See what a God-shaped life looks like when it gets lived out. Using memorable images and poetic turns of phrase, Proverbs describes what our everyday lives look like when we’ve put our spiritual lives in order. Find help for every decision, and apply life-giving insights to the broad range of challenges you experience in your life—family, friendships, injustice, desire, goodness, conflict, and more.
Here are the topics we will be looking at over the next several weeks:
- The Book of Proverbs (Introduction)
- Wisdom’s Benefits
- Wisdom’s Benefits Continued
- The Futility of Folly
- God and Man
- The Family
- Friendship
- Sexual Purity
- The Blessings of Righteousness
- Humility Versus Pride
- Hard Work Versus Laziness
- Proper Speech
- Emotions
- Wealth and Poverty
- Life and Death
- Looking Back (Challenge and Review)
The Adult class meets each Sunday from 10:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on the kitchen side of the Boyer Auditorium. You can join the online class via Zoom at the same time using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82340638133.
If you have questions regarding Adult Sunday school, please contact Dan Bramer (thatdanielbramer@gmail.com; 215-316-8356) or the Church Office.
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GO Project Information Links:
- Click here for GO Project documents.
- Click here for the Four Leadership Dynamics for Greater Church Vitality (4LDV) Training.
THE POINT OF THE GO PROJECT @ HVPC
The GO Center Project at HVPC is not another program. It’s not some snazzy new method of evangelism. It’s not a 3 or 5 or 7 or 12 step program to generate greater attendance or bigger offerings.
It’s more and deeper.
A program alone won’t advance the kingdom of God in and around Huntingdon Valley.
Another program won’t bring the power of the Holy Spirit.
A program won’t change you and me the way we need to be changed.
Just another program is exactly what Satan would love to see implemented. And if that’s all we did, he wouldn’t give us a second thought.
But this -- the GO Center Project at HVPC -- is more and deeper.
Programs are almost always nothing more than formulaic, entirely man-centered efforts driven to build numbers, sometimes strategic but often not. Frequently programs are developed around what worked once upon a time in another place. Programs often don’t fit the culture and location where they’re implemented. And they seldom address the heart of the matter.
Real revitalization is more and deeper.
Revitalization, the goal of the GO Center Project, involves both Spiritual Renewal and Strategic Initiative.
The Spiritual Renewal part is essential to success. And it’s the spiritual renewal aspect that really gets Satan’s hackles up.
Why?
Because it means we are seeking the face and will of God to determine what and how to proceed. And that we are leaning on Him and the power of His Holy Spirit to drive the change that’s needed.
The first changes that are needed will happen inside us. To us.
It involves a change of thinking and a renewed faith.
It means putting our beliefs and testimony on the line.
It’s about falling in love with Jesus all over again.
It’s about reigniting passion for the gospel and fueling a sense of urgency for the lost.
Of course, we don’t want to just run out the doors helter-skelter, into the streets screaming, “Jesus loves you! Turn or burn!” That’s why we need to apply the Strategic Initiative part.
But, in reality, a little Spirit-filled bold-and-holy mayhem wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
In fact, that’s exactly the kind of thing that will get Satan’s attention and draw his ire. Which makes revitalization risky.
After all, revitalization is all about spiritual warfare. It’s about battling against the darkness that clouds our own hearts, dulls our own senses, and that brings defeat in the community around us.
It’s about saying to Satan, “No! We serve the king of kings and we’re not going to let you have the hearts and minds of those in our community!”
It’s about recognizing that what we have -- the pearl of great price -- is what the world needs. It’s about not hiding our light under a bushel, but rather shining the gospel all around to push back the darkness. To dispel the darkness. To bring Christ into our community to overcome the darkness with the one true soul-cleansing heart-transforming mind-changing gospel. The good news. Emmanuel -- God with us!
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DEADLINES
Sunday Bulletin Deadline. Need to get something in the bulletin? All information for each bulletin must be received by noon the Wednesday prior. Email submissions to news@HVPC.org. No email? Then type or write your information legibly and give it to Stephen Clark.
HVPC News Email Newsletter Deadline. HVPC News emails are sent on the first and third Wednesday of each month. If you have items to be included, please email them to news@HVPC.org by the Wednesday prior to the issue date. If you have any questions, contact Stephen R. Clark (communications@HVPC.org, 216-333-3172). No email? Then type or write your information legibly and give it to Stephen Clark.
PRAYER LIST
If you have a request you would like added to the prayer list, please call the church office at (215) 947-5500.
PAYPAL & KINDRID ONLINE GIVING
When giving money to HVPC using the online payment service, please note that PayPal & Kindrid deducts a per-transaction fee to the church. If you wish to give online and avoid using PayPal or Kindrid, please check with your bank. Most provide free online payment services, both one-time and recurring.
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Send your HVPC News items to News@HVPC.org.
You can subscribe to our News emails by clicking here and completing the online form.
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GIVE AS YOU SHOP!
Do you already use Amazon.com? Great! By taking a couple of simple steps, you can ensure that 0.5% of every purchase goes to Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church.
Simply go to www.smile.amazon.com and login to your account as you would normally.
Search for and select “Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church” as your preferred charity.
Shop! It’s that easy.
You’ll know you’re at the right place when you see the Amazon Smile info in your browser’s tab, and see the message “Supporting Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church” under the Amazon search window.
Going forward, all you need to do is always start your shopping at www.smile.amazon.com.
Still have questions? Simply go to www.smile.amazon.com/about for complete details.
And, yes, there are apps for your phone and other devices. Complete information on these apps and more can be found at www.smile.amazon.com/about.