September is upon us! Whether driven by weather or school calendars, the slide into Fall is one that leads us easily into routines and rituals. For some this may bring tailgating, for others homework, or maybe both. But all these things flow well into the concepts of harvest time, gathering in from the joys of Summer and preparing the soil for next things.

Gregory Norbert offers these words to describe the season of harvest.

“A time for kneading love’s leaven well, to open up and go beyond ourselves; and as we reach for this moment, we know that love is a gift born in care.”

This is a time to open ourselves and discover new things or uncover things in places that we haven’t explored before even though they are familiar. For children and youth it is the very tangible forming of new community in their class groupings and schedule patterns. For others of us, it may be engaging in a new small group or fresh volunteer commitment. Or it may simply be viewing the comfort of long-standing community in the light of a new season and the projects of that time together.

Fall Education Sunday Kick-Off
On September 13, Education Sunday, we will celebrate some of our many opportunities to grow in the fertile soil of community this year. Throughout September, consider what might offer you fresh bread
in this harvest season and get involved in some of these opportunities.

For Children and Youth on September 13:
9am & 11:10am Worship – Celebrate our 1st graders as they receive their Bibles in Worship.

4-5:30pm – New Philly Kids, for children Kindergarten through 5th grade, is a place to explore the Bible, serve others and have fun! Our Church has Talent! is our theme for the year ahead, join us in the Picnic Shelter as we begin discovering and learning to use our individual talents to serve the Lord.

5-5:30pm – Children’s Ministry Parent Meeting, a brief conversation for parents about the year ahead. Do you want your child to grow into a resilient adult faith? How can we support your family this year? Join us at the Picnic Shelter to discuss focus for this year and opportunities for an upcoming parent topic series with Ellen Fox.

5:30-6pm – Fellowship Kick-off Dinner for all New Philly Kids and Youth families! All children, youth and their parents are invited to come and share in this meal together. Plan to bring a side dish or dessert.

5:30-7pm – Youth Fellowship, for 6th-12th grade youth, is a time filled with service opportunities, hands-on exploring of faith and support of one another. Join our leaders, Erin and Ross, as they share about the
year ahead.

3:30pm Children’s Choir & 5pm Youth Choir, are opportunities for young people to be active leaders in our worship throughout the year. Join in these groups as they get started on this year’s music in the
Sanctuary!

Sunday School Groups for Children & Youth – 10am:
• Nursery – Room 211, Infants – 24 months
• 2-4’s – Room 214
• PreK/Kindergarten – Room 108
• 1st & 2nd Grades – Room 118
• 3rd – 5th Grades – Room 303
• Middle Highs – Youth Building Classroom
• Senior Highs – Youth Building Main Room

Adult Groups for Sunday Morning – 10am:
2nd/Main Floor
• New Beginnings – Topical Small Group
• Inklings – Small Group Book Study
• Reflections – Small Group Bible Study
• Mary Martha – Women’s Small Group Book & Bible Study
• Bona Vita – Lecture-based Bible Study

1st Floor
• David Jones – Lecture-based Bible Study
• Discipleship – Mid-sized Group Book & Bible Study
• Discovery – Large Lecture-based Bible Study 3rd Floor
• Advent – Large Lecture-based Bible Study
• New Friendship – Mid-sized Group Book & Bible Study