News of upcoming events & more at Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church
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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SEE US SUNDAYS @ 11:15 a.m.!
We will be streaming video of the service on our Facebook Page and YouTube Channel at 11:15 a.m. each Sunday from now through April. The audio of the sermon will be posted on the Sermons page of our website as usual.
The church will not be open to the public. However, you are welcome to come to the church parking lot, watch the service on your device, and then participate in a drive-through prayer time that will happen immediately following the service.
NOTE: The bulletin contains the call to worship, call to confession, song lyrics, and hymns so you can participate during the service.
Here are the links to previous services. You do not need a Facebook account to view the videos:
- 3/15 service: https://www.facebook.com/1546174399019897/videos/192962528663463/.
- 3/22 service: https://www.facebook.com/1546174399019897/videos/511371746419795/
- 3/29 service: https://www.facebook.com/1546174399019897/videos/234166474398649/
Announcing Our New HVPC Blog!
For the next few weeks, as we continue dealing with COVID-19 restrictions, we will be posting inspirational and positive articles on our new HVPC Blog called Gleanings. We are aiming to post one new article twice each week on Tuesdays and Fridays. 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, please feel free to email communications@HVPC.org.
COVID-19 Precautions @ HVPC
These are challenging times and things are shifting daily. We want to provide ministry to you as well as stay within the guidelines mandated by our government officials. To that end, we have developed a basic plan offering guidance to the Staff, Elders, and other Leaders at HVPC for moving forward as we provide ministry to the congregation.
Here is a summary:
- All in-person activities are canceled through April. This includes small group meetings. However, we are encouraging small groups to meet online. Check with your leaders to learn what your group is doing. As we receive information, we will share it.
- Sunday service will be online at 11:15 a.m., streamed through Facebook and YouTube. However, the building will be closed to the public. Links to the videos will be made available on the website and in emails. We will also provide a PDF version of the bulletin prior to each service.
- Drive through prayer will be offered on Sundays. You are welcome to come to the church parking lot, watch the service on your device, and then participate in a drive-through prayer time that will happen immediately following the service.
- The church building is closed to all use through April. All events that were scheduled to take place in the building have been canceled.
- We are hoping to provide some sort of Sunday school activity online for all ages. We will share details as these roll out.
- Our Elders and Deacons will actively be reaching out to everyone as frequently as possible. Prayer and other needs will be shared with the full Session and the Deacons.
- Pastor Dan (and others) will abstain from hospital and home visits at this time unless extraordinary circumstances call for a different decision.
We will continue to investigate additional ways to stay connected and do our best to keep you updated. Please check your email, our Facebook Page, and the website for more information.
We encourage each member to reach out to one another by phone, email, and video chat. Share needs. Pray with one another. Encourage the body.
Especially reach out to those who do not have email and share this information with them.
If you have any questions, please contact the Church Office (office@HVPC.org; 215-947-5500).
Responding to the Coronavirus at HVPC & VCS
The Staff and Elders of Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church (HVPC) and Valley Christian School (VCS) are aware of what’s happening regarding the current coronavirus (Covid-19) concerns and want you to know what we’re doing at the church and school.
By order of Gov. Wolf, VCS will be closed for two at least weeks, maybe longer.
The church is closed to the public through April.
We are asking everyone to observe the common precautions that are recommended every year during the cold and flu season, and that are especially important now. For example:
- Wash your hands.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Use tissues and hand sanitizer.
- Stay home, especially if you are symptomatic.
All in-person services and other activities are canceled through April. You can take advantage of the sermons that are posted on our website (https://www.hvpc.org/sermons) and continue your giving using our online services, PayPal (https://www.hvpc.org/giving) and Kindrid (https://www.hvpc.org/giving-kindrid).
In short, we are encouraging everyone to remain calm, engage common sense, and trust that God will give us wisdom and protection during this challenging time.
While it’s important to remain vigilant and informed, we need not become fearful or anxious.
We also encourage you to be in prayer for our medical professionals who are treating patients, for those who are fighting illness, and for all of us who are concerned. We also encourage you to reach out to your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and offer any practical help that you can. After all, we are in this together, as the body of Christ.
The Staff and Session are monitoring developments and will adjust our response as needed. If additional restrictions or guidance are required, we will inform you as quickly as possible via Facebook, Email, and other means.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Church Office (office@HVPC.org; 215-947-5500).
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What follows are recommendations from the Center For Disease Control (CDC):
Steps to Prevent Illness
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself.
Take steps to protect yourself
Clean your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact - Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Take steps to protect others
Stay home if you’re sick
- Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Call ahead before going to your doctor.
Cover coughs and sneezes
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a facemask if you are sick
- If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room.
- If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
Clean and disinfect - Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
- To disinfect, Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface. (To make a bleach solution, mix: 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water, OR 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water.)
Adapted from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html
A long walk through the book of Matthew.
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CURRENT SERMON SERIES
Beginning in January 2020...
“The book of Acts tells the epic story of the origin and growth of the Christian church from the time of Christ’s ascension to Paul’s final imprisonment. The focus is not on dates or institutional history, but on the exploits of key leaders, especially Peter and Paul. The book follows an outward expansion of the early church from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to ‘the end of the earth, (Acts 1:8). The author of Acts was Luke, who had also written a Gospel on the life of Jesus. The book of Acts should be regarded as a continuation of the story of the gospel (good news) that Luke proclaimed to Theophilus in his former book (Acts 1:1-2). The opening verse of Acts claims that the earlier Gospel had ‘dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,’ suggesting that the book of Acts tells what Jesus continued to do through the apostles, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is an adventure story replete with arrests, imprisonment, beatings, riots, narrow escapes, a resurrection from death, a shipwreck, trial scenes, and rescues.”
-- From The Literary Study Bible (ESV), Leland Ryken and Philip Graham Ryken, general editors.
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 Dana Fluder or 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 Dana Fluder or 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.