We've Moved!

The PFC blog has moved!  All future posts can be accessed at:

www.parkerfordchurch.com/blog

Make a note of this new address, and include it in your favorites!

Visit the new blog and check out all of the awesome features and resources.

Don't forget to submit your email address on the new blog so that you'll receive a daily update whenever there is new content posted.  (No new content, no email!)

Questions?  Contact Dave Willauer.

New Members to Be Welcomed on Sunday

Parker Ford Church will be welcoming new members as part of the congregation on Sunday, October 23 during Sunday services, (8:45 traditional worship service & 11:00 contemporary praise service).  All have completed the introductory PFC-101 membership class with Pastor Josh Bytwerk.  A carry-in covered dish luncheon to welcome the church’s newest members will be held following the 11:00 service.

PFC to Roll Out New Blog This Sunday

As a means of promoting enhanced communication, Parker Ford Church is initiating a blog tailored to those who are connected to the church.  Included will be announcements, reminders, and news stories related to the life of the congregation.  Most posts will be limited to a paragraph or two and will focus on the pertinent information needed by congregants.  Links to the church calendar, sermon audio, weekly bulletin announcements, and a map of the church floor plan will be some of the resources located on the blog's main page.  Posts published on the blog will be connected to PFC's Facebook page and Twitter account.  In addition, anyone will be able to sign up for a daily email that will only be sent when there is new content posted.

The blog will be connected to Parker Ford Church's website, which will continue to be the main portal for those new to the church and who wish to learn about the congregation.  The blog will provide more specific information about activities, programs and events at the church.  Visitors to the blog will have the opportunity to comment on any post, and all comments will be moderated.

Suggestions or questions about the blog can be directed to blog administrator, Dave Willauer.

DownPour Announces Categories to be Used at Costume Party

DownPour has announced the categories that will be used for judging costumes at this Friday's Halloween party.  The party will be held on Friday, October 21 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at 155 Knoll Drive, Collegeville.  The following categories will be used for awarding prizes:
Funniest
Most Creative
Ugliest
Cutest
Most Unique
Least Recognizable


All members of DownPour are invited and are encouraged to bring a friend.  DownPour will meet at its regularly scheduled time this Wednesday, October 19 at Buckman's Inc., Airport Road, Limerick.  Contact Matt Willauer with questions.

Fifth Sunday Breakfast - Save the Date!

Parker Ford Church will hold a Fifth Sunday Breakfast on October 30 at 10:00 a.m.  This is the first time in six months that the Fifth Sunday Breakfast will actually be held on the fifth Sunday!

Men of the congregation will serve French toast, sausage, and assorted juices.  Everyone is asked to bring breakfast baked goods or fruit to share.

The Fifth Sunday Breakfast are activities designed to bring together those who attend the two worship services each Sunday.  The 8:45 a.m. (traditional) and 11:00 a.m. (praise) worship service will operate on schedule.  However, there will be no Sunday School or nursery during the breakfast.

For more information, call the church office (610) 327-2266, or email info@parkerfordchurch.com.

Last Day for Genesis Baby Shower

Response, so far, has been wonderful!

Sunday, October 16 is the last day to drop off baby shower items to benefit the Genesis Pregnancy Care Center.  The baby shower is a project of PFC’s Women’s Fellowship.

An Autumn Blessing Tree is set up in the lobby.  Each of the tree’s leaves suggests an item needed by the center.  You are invited to take as many leaves as possible and return the donated items by Sunday, October 16.  Please support this Christ-centered ministry for mothers in need.

There are still a few leaves on the tree.

For additional information, contact Leona Yeager.

DownPour Costume Party

Click for flyer

Save the Date!
DownPour is holding a costume party on Friday, October 21 from 7:00-10:0 p.m.  There will be food, games, and prizes!  Middle and high school youth are invited to come in costume and bring a friend.  There is no theme.  Be as creative as possible!

The party will be held at 155 Knoll Drive, Collegeville.  For more information, details, or directions, contact Youth Director, Matt Willauer.

Check back.  More details coming....

Reminder for this Sunday

Change in Schedule for Camp Swatara Sunday

Due to the fact that a number of congregants will be participating in the family retreat at Camp Swatara this weekend, the following schedule changes will be in effect for Sunday, October 16:

- There will be one combined worship service at 10:00 a.m.

- There will be no Sunday School.

If you have a question, please email it to info@parkerfordchurch.com.

Be praying for a meaningful retreat experience for those attending the family weekend.

It's Not Too Late to Attend Alpha or Journey Kids!

Alpha & Journey Kids are Still Open

If you haven't been able to attend The Alpha Course, or your kids, (age 4 to Gr. 5), haven't attended Journey Kids, it's not too late to start.  Both meet on Tuesday nights through November 29.

ALPHA:  Combines discipleship, discussion, and dinner.  Alpha provides a place for people to discuss the Christian faith in a relaxed environment.

JOURNEY KIDS is PFC's midweek children's ministry.  Kids have a great time with music, games, and fun while growing strong in their faith.

A meal is served at 5:30 p.m., and both programs start at 6:00 p.m.  Alpha and Journey Kids are both held on site at PFC.

For more information, contact Scott Logan (Journey Kids), or Pastor Josh, (Alpha).

Volunteers Needed

Project Outreach of the Spring-Ford Area provides a food pantry for area needy families.  Parker Ford Church supports the Spring City Food Pantry, located at Spring City United Church of Christ, 145 Chestnut Street.  Volunteers are needed for PFC's scheduled turn at the food pantry on Thursday, October 13 from 9:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon.

Please email Becky Elliott for additional information, or call (610) 327-2266.

Video from Project Outreach Food Pantry in Royersford

Deadline Approaching

Final opportunity to register for Family Weekend at Camp Swatara!

Registrations for PFC's family retreat weekend are due Sunday, October 9.

Click here for additional information, or contact Josh and Cristina Hostetter or Becky Elliott.

New Sermon Series

What is Church? Starts Sunday, Oct. 9
What is Church? - We've all seen the Church reveal both beauty and devastation. Preferences and convictions about what church should be are about as diverse and wearisome as channels on a fully loaded TV Dish network. In this series we will explore the book of Ephesians in hopes of discovering God's perspective on what Church is meant to be. 


Let's experience it together.


Traditional Service - Sundays, 8:45 a.m.
Casual Praise Service - Sundays, 11:00 a.m.
Parker Ford Church
20 Rinehart Road (East Coventry)
Pottstown, PA  19465
(610) 327-2266
info@parkerfordchurch.com

Operation Christmas Child

PFC Kicks Off Outreach Project

For more than ten years, Parker Ford Church has supported Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse International Relief.  Shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, and other items that will delight a child are packed and shipped all over the world.  Participants are asked to contribute $7 for each shoebox to cover shipping and related costs.

Additional information, including empty shoeboxes and directions for filling them are available at Parker Ford Church.  Deadline for drop off at PFC is Sunday, November 13.  For additional information, contact Harry Yeager.

Attention Ladies

Women's Fellowship Set to Meet This Thursday

The next meeting of PFC's Women's Fellowship will be held this Thursday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m.  The purpose of the meeting will be to plan events for the year.

Everyone attending is asked to bring an "Attic Treasure" or two to trade with other ladies.  Now is the time to clean out your attic or basement.  Remember:  One person's trash is another person's treasure!  Refreshments will also be served.

For additional information, contact Brandi Russell.

Deadline Extended

Baby Shower for Genesis Pregnancy Care Center

PFC's Women's Fellowship is collecting items to support the Genesis Pregnancy Care Center in Pottstown.  The deadline has been extended several weeks to allow for more participation.  An Autumn Blessing Tree is set up in the lobby.  Each of the tree's leaves suggests an item needed by the center.  You are invited to take as many leaves as possible and return the donated items by Sunday, October 16.  Please support this Christ-centered ministry for mothers in need.

For additional information, contact Leona Yeager.

Christian Education Opportunities

New Adult Sunday School Classes

Beginning Sunday, October 2, two new classes will be offered during the Sunday School hour at 10:00 a.m.

SEARCHING ISSUES - Discussion of faith, including seven of the most often asked questions about the Christian life.  Pastor Josh Bytwerk will lead this class.

GREAT CHARACTERS OF THE FAITH - Each week, the class will discover God's glorious work in shaping his Kingdom through the lives of people just like us.  The class will be led by Scott Logan.

Classes will be located in the TFC rooms and will run from 10:00-10:45 a.m. for the next seven weeks.

For more information, email the leader of the class by clicking on his name, above, or call the church office, (610) 327-2266.

DownPour Starting on Sept. 28

DownPour is a youth ministry for middle and high school youth.  It will meet on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. and everyone is invited to come early to hang out.  DownPour is held at Buckman's, Inc., 105 Airport Road, Pottstown, PA  19464.

For more information, contact Matt Willauer, Youth Director at matt@parkerfordchurch.com or (610) 322-8180.
DownPour is sponsored jointly by Parker Ford Church and Abundant Life Bible Church.

Rally Days Continue at PFC

This year's Rally Day is so good, we're doing it twice!

Join us for "Part II" of Rally Days 2011 on Sunday, October 2.  The teaching is:  "Get to Work," and will be a great follow-up to last week's:  "Swapping His Stories."  (How about those stories?  Inspiring.  God is good...all the time!)  DJ Martin and band will be guest worship leaders this week.  There will be several motivational multi-media presentations.

And don't forget, it's World Communion Sunday.  Love Feast and Holy Communion will be observed at 5:00 p.m., starting with a light meal.  Everyone is welcome!  Feel free to come and participate or just observe.  Childcare will be provided.

ALPHA COURSE

It's here!  PFC is hosting a ten-week Alpha Course starting Tuesday, September 27.  Alpha combines discipleship, discussion, and dinner. Alpha provides a place for people to discuss the Christian faith in a relaxed environment.  Dinner will be available starting at 5:30 p.m. and the program starts at 6:00 p.m.

For more information on Alpha, click here.

To RSVP, contact Pastor Josh.  Or call the PFC office, (610-327-2266).

Family Weekend Retreat

It's time to register for PFC's annual family weekend at Camp Swatara.


The Camp Swatara Family Retreat is a fun-filled weekend that gives families an opportunity to have a blast with other PFC families in a beautiful retreat setting in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania.  The weekend’s schedule includes planned, as well as informal activities for fellowship, fun, food, and faith building.  Families from PFC have been taking part in this annual retreat, scheduled at the peak of Pennsylvania’s fall foliage, for more than 50 years.  (Camp Swatara is located in Bethel, Pennsylvania, just off the Frystown exit on I-78.)

For more information:

Brochure for Family Weekend

Family Weekend Registration Form

Contact Josh and Cristina Hostetter (jdhostetter@gmail.com) or Becky Elliott (rme67@juno.com).