Chapel Chatter. December 2018 Volume 69 Issue #12

Transcription

1 1 Chapel Chatter December 2018 Volume 69 Issue #12 St John s United Methodist Church or Church stjohns_umc@comcast.net Church Facebook: Church Website: Reverend Gene Errickson g.errickson@gmail.com Cell Pastor s Musings December, 2018 Dear Friends in Christ, May Jesus Christ be praised, now and forever. Amen. We celebrated the Feast of Christ, the King on November 25 and brought to a close another Church Year. And now on Sunday, December 2, the First Sunday of Advent, we will begin a new Church Year. Our Advent/Christmas theme is, Come apart and be separate. It is taken from 2 Corinthians 6: 17, Therefore, come out from among them and be separate. During this Advent/Christmas season, I am suggesting that we use the time to draw closer to Christ. We should prepare ourselves to live in the world but not be a part of the sinfulness of it. Rather we should be Christ s representatives, modern day Apostles, sharing the wonderful teachings of Jesus to a world that needs to experience the love of Christ daily. We should be a reminder once again that the world is shaped by the teachings of Jesus and that the teachings of Jesus are not shaped by the practices of the world. The following is our Advent/Christmas Schedule: First Sunday of Advent Blessing of the new Advent Wreath and new Stoles, Lighting of the First Advent Candle, begin decorating of Sanctuary, Chapel and building for Christmas. Second Sunday of Advent Lighting of the Second Advent Candle, Complete Christmas decorating. Third Sunday of Advent Lighting of the Third Advent Candle, Children s Christmas Pageant, Erickson s Christmas Open House in the Gathering Area. Fourth Sunday of Advent Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle, Choir Christmas Music Presentation. Christmas Eve Worship Service 7:00 PM Lighting of the Christ Candle and Advent Wreath Candles, Lighting of the Altar Candles, Celebration of Holy Communion, Candle Light Singing of Silent Night. As is our custom Christmas Services begin on the Fourth Sunday of Advent at the 8:00 and 10:00 AM Services and continue through The Sunday after Christmas at the 8:00 and 10:00 AM Worship Services. There are five Christmas Services in all including Christmas Eve. January 6 Epiphany Commemoration at 8:00 and 10:00 Worship Services, Blessing of the New Year. It is my sincere prayer that the Advent/ Christmas/ Epiphany Season will be an opportunity to experience God s richest blessings in your lives, that you will grow in Christ s love, and that together we will be God s strong witnesses in the world in Let me take this opportunity for Gail and I to wish you a most Blessed and Joyful Christmas and New Year. Pray for us as we do for you. Love to you in our Infant Savior, Pastor Gene

2 2 Nursery Schedule for December December 2 Brandi Hurst-Sunday & Christine Levering December 9 Kristen Dressler & Gail Errickson December 16 Liz Maisano December 23 Jillian & Jenae Knosp December 30 Volunteers December 2 December 9 December 16 December 23 December 30 Scripture Readers for December Tom Dittoe Phyllis King Carol Dittoe Sue Mallory Nancy Pfahler Church Close-Up Schedule December ~ Bob Dressler January ~ Dave Canfield TREASURE BOX MISSION A MONTH December ~ North Star January ~ Worship Schedule for December 1 st Sunday of Advent Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25: Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21: nd Sunday of Advent Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 1:68-79 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6 3 rd Sunday of Advent Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3: th Sunday of Advent Micah 5:2-5a Luke 1:47-55 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1: st Sunday after Christmas 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Psalm 148 Colossians 3:12-17 Luke 2:1-52 DECEMBER JANUARY ALTAR FLOWER PICK UP Curt & Carol Moseng Jim Knosp Prayer Focus for December 2018 December 2 That we will respond to God s call to come apart and be separate during this Advent Season December 9 That our minds will remain open during this special Advent time apart December 16 That in our time of being separate we let God fill our hearts with his love December 23 Our time of being apart and separate is coming to a close. May God send us forth to live and share his will December 30 That Jesus will strengthen us by his presence to share his peace to a needy world

3 3 December Altar Flower Sponsors Ushers Schedule for December 10:00 am December 2 December 9 December 16 December 23 Jim & Alice Bowman In Honor Of Elaine and Choir Members Jim & Alice Bowman In Honor Of our 4 daughters Janet, Carol, Sandy, Donna Ralph Worst In Loving Memory Of my wife May Ruth Worst Eileen Feister In Loving Memory Of my husband, Ron & son, Joe December 2~ Team #1 December 9~ Team #2 Dean Seese ~ Head Usher Jim Bowman ~ Head Usher Brian Gregg Volunteer Wanda Gregg Dean Seese Jim Knosp Ben Pickel Louise Knosp Bob Dressler December 16~ Team #3 December 23~ Team #4 Volunteer ~ Head Usher Jon King ~ Head Usher Volunteer Lamar Sensenig Russ Groff Sue Sensenig Mike Worst Curt Moseng Volunteer Russ Groff December 30~ Team #5 Volunteer ~ Head Usher Volunteers December 30 Sue Dell In Loving Memory Of my husband Edwin Dell 8:00 am Service Nelson Strubel ~ Head Usher NEW BUSINESS

4 4 COOKIES FOR MEALS ON WHEELS December 5 th ~ Carol Nickel December 12 th ~ Bernice Amway December 19 th ~ Joan Simmers December 26 th ~ Karen Whitton SPECIAL CLOTHING BANK NEEDS/GIVING TREE Clothing items Coats for men and women-all sizes. Men shoes, jeans, underwear (s-xl) and socks. Women shoes, underwear (Sizes 5-8) socks. Boys and Girls Coats, Boys shoes, clothing, underwear sizes 10-16, Girls shoes, socks, and underwear sizes Place on Christmas tree or bin in Gathering Area. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRIES Prayer Shawl Ministry is still knitting and crocheting beautiful warm shawls for those in need of healing, comfort and warmth. We pray over our shawls as we make them, asking God to bless and comfort the recipient. We have given away hundreds of shawls over the years to people we know and others that we don't know. If you would like to give a shawl to someone in need, please contact Wanda Gregg at or wandaeshgregg@comcast.net. Our Prayer Shawl Ministry usually meets the 1st Wednesday of each month at St. John's United Methodist Church in the Gathering Place, at 7pm. Prayer Shawl is open to anyone who would like to help us with this ministry. Please call Wanda before coming to your first meeting to make sure there are no changes in our meeting. POTLUCK SUPPER AND MOVIE On Saturday December 8, St. John s is hosting a potluck supper and a movie from 5-7:30 pm. Bring a food dish of any kind (we ll supply drinks,) and the Mission Team will assist in the kitchen and dinning room. Following the meal, we ll watch a movie (about Noah s Ark) which was built in Kentucky a few years ago, with exact biblical dimensions. We welcome you all. ---Mark your calendars!! Dec 8 5-7:30 pm. CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Leacock Presbyterian Church invites you to their Annual Christmas Bazaar on Sat, December 1 from 8 am until 1 pm. Our theme this year is Treats N Treasures. Come for breakfast enjoy a homemade sticky bun or whoopie pie. We will have several homemade soups available for lunch along with sloppy joe sandwiches, hot dogs and yummy mac and cheese. We will start the day with at least 27 tables of items to purchase including homemade cookies and our famous peanut butter bonbons. If you wish to order yours ahead of time just call Loretta You may choose dark/milk or mixed chocolate containers. Cost is $6.50. Hope to see you there. Wishing you a Blessed Christmas! A pastor posted a question on Facebook. How have you observed pew neighbors behaving rudely in church? People shared their shock over those who remove their shoes (especially if they have smelly feet) and others who double-dip the bread during Communion. Here is the Pastor s list of the top 10: 1.Excessive talking 2. Texting, surfing the web and playing video games 3. Sleeping or snoring. Note to my father this includes YOU! 4. Clipping fingernails 5. Answering a ringing phone and having a conversation! 6. Excessive antsyness getting up and down and going in and out of the Sanctuary. 7. Leaving the service early especially during prayer. 8. Letting babies cry and kids play in the aisles. (Except Pastor Gene approves of this one!!!) 9. Snacking, especially cracking gum or crunching chips. 10. Last but not least!!! Too much lovey-doveyness such as back rubbing, thigh patting and pecks on the cheek that last more than a half-a-second!! Advent Season 2018

5 5 Advent Theme: Come apart and be separate Lectio Divina-Divine Reading Guidelines I am making a small change int the selection of verses for meditation during the Advent season. Instead of using a verse of a psalm or other part of Scripture, I am offering an antiphon for meditation. An antiphon is a verse, usually taken from Scripture, and either read or sung before the singing or reading of a psalm. In praying The Christian Prayer every day I have found the antiphons to be especially prayerful. I thought I would use these during the Advent Season for your Lectio Divina Devotion. These antiphons are taken from what was once called the Night Office and today is called the Office of Readings. Just to re-explain, Lectio Divina is basically a prayerful reading of a portion of Holy Scripture until a passage strikes one strongly enough that they then begin to meditate and pray on it. To simplify this practice somewhat, I am offering an Antiphon for meditation and prayer each day through the Advent and Christmas Season. What I would suggest is to set a five to ten minute or more time slot aside each day to slowly read and reread the passage applying it to your own life situation. Then simply pray to God in your own words or the words of a Psalm from which you find meaningful. While you only need to do this once a day you can return to it at other times during the day if you care to. I have found that selecting one verse each day, I return to it throughout the day at different times. It then becomes a springboard for prayer throughout the day. You might begin your time with the words: May the meditation of my mind and the prayer of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord. or Open my mind and heart to spend this time with you, O Lord. An ending prayer could be: Thanks for taking time to be with me, Lord. I hope this practice will add to the spiritual experience of your personal devotion during the Advent Season this year. The list of Scripture readings is attached.

6 6 Advent Season Advent Theme: Come apart and be separate Lectio Divina Readings December2018 Daily Antiphons 12/1 See how the cross of the Lord stands revealed as the tree of life 12/2 Lord, you are my protector; you have raised me up in glory 12/3 Show me your mercy, Lord, and keep me safe 12/4 The poor are not alone in their distress; God is there to help them 12/5 I will be the herald of your praises, Lord, where your people gather 12/6 The Lord is just; he will defend the poor 12/7 Lord, you know the burden of my sorrow 12/8 The words of the Lord are true 12/9 I love you, Lord, you are my strength 12/10 The Lord has saved me; he wanted me for his own 12/11 Lord, kindle a light for my guidance 12/12 The word of the Lord is a shield for all ho put their trust in him 12/13 Your strong hand upholds me. Lord 12/14 May the living God, my Savior, be praised forever 12/15 Rise up, Lord, and come to my aid 12/16 My tongue will speak of your goodness all the day long 12/17 Whoever humbles himself like a small child shall be great in heaven 12/18 With simplicity of heart I offer everything to you, my God 12/19 Lord, in splendor and majesty you are clothed 12/20 The Lord looked on all he made, and said it was very good 12/21 Bow down and hear me Lord; come to my rescue 12/22 Lord, let the light of your countenance shine on me 12/23 Blessed be the Lord who has poured out his love on me 12/24 Surrender to God and he will do everything for you 12/25 The Lord will strengthen you if you will obey him 12/26 Turn away from evil and learn to do God s will 12/27 Wait for the Lord to lead, then follow in his way 12/28 I have put all my trust in God s never-failing mercy 12/29 Hear and answer my prayer, Lord 12/30 Lord, you are our Messiah, we will raise you up forever 12/31 Rise up, Lord, and save your people for you are merciful

7 7 Daily Thoughts for December Dec. 1 Remember, God acts through us. Dec. 2 God s love surrounds us today. Dec. 3 When things are tough, rely on God. He is always there. Dec. 4 When things are God, instead of taking credit, thank God for it. Dec. 5 Remember, God s will should be our will. Dec. 6 If an obstacle gets in your way let Gpd remove it. Dec. 7 Let God be your guide today. Dec. 8 God s guidance is always best. Dec. 9 God believes in us even when we are wrong. Dec. 10 Remember, your bad decisions affect others also. Dec. 11 If God does not answer you right away, he may be listening to someone else. Dec. 12 Remember, God is in others also. Dec. 13 A star guided the Wise Men, it can guide us too. Dec. 14 Talk to God throughout the day. He ll hear you. Dec. 15 Why worry! God will tell you how to handle it. Dec. 16 When things look bad there is always someone worse off. Dec. 17 Be still and feel the presence of God. Dec. 18 Have a hopeful spirit, you are a child of God. Dec. 19 You don t have to be perfect. God is. Dec. 20 Know what you can do, then do it. Dec. 21 God speaks in many ways. Listen to him. Dec. 22 Something special is going to happen. Look for it. Dec. 23 Don t be anxious. Something good is going to happen. Dec. 24 Feel the excitement. Dec. 25 Jesus is born. God loves us Dec. 26 Thank God for Jesus. Dec. 27 Jesus is here for you. Dec. 28 A life without Jesus is a life without love. Dec. 29 Tell Jesus how much you love him. Dec. 30 Pray for those who do not know about Jesus. Dec. 31 Share Jesus with others in the coming year.

8 8 Treasurer s Report November 2018 ORDINARY INCOME JAN-OCT NOV YR TO DATE $ - Christmas/Advent $ - Communion $ $ $ Envelopes $ 86, $ 10, $ 97, Initial Offering $ $ Easter $ $ Plates $ 10, $ $ 11, Sunday School $ $ $ MISCELLANEOUS INCOME $ - Fidelity - Ray Leaman $ $ Misc. Investment Acct $ 10, $ 10, Boiler/Heat/Fuel $ - Reimburse for benches $ $ Memorials $ $ Savings Bond Redemption $ 2, $ 2, Donation $ 1, $ $ 1, Parsonage Fund $ 4, $ $ 4, Reimburse for Compt/Av System $ 2, $ 2, CD Redemption $ 10, $ 10, TOTAL OPERATING INCOME RECEIVED $ 131, $ 13, $ 145, ACTUAL YEAR TO DATE INCOME RECEIVED $ 145, EXPENSES YTD $ 160, OVERAGE/DEFICIT $ (15,728.13) OPERATING EXPENSES JAN-OCT NOV EXPENSES PAID TO DATE Utilities (Elec/Sewer/trash removal $ 4, $ $ 5, Salaries and Employment Expenses $ 65, $ 8, $ 74, Maintenance & Maintenance Supplies $ 3, $ 1, $ 4, Conference Obligations $ 21, $ 2, $ 23, Fuel Oil $ 7, $ $ 8, Snow Removal $ $ $ Office expenses $ 6, $ $ 7, Lawn Care/Mowing $ 8, $ 1, $ 10, Phone/Internet/Cable $ 2, $ $ 3, Service contracts $ 1, $ 1, Training/Education/Small groups $ 1, $ $ 1, Local Ministry/Charitable Request/Missions $ $ Music Ministry $ $ Exterior Repairs $ 8, $ 8, Church Envelopes/statements $ $ Worship Committee $ - Advertising $ $ Mid Atlantic Foundation $ 8, $ 8, TOTAL YEAR TO DATE EXPENSES PAID $ 143, $ 17, $ 160,956.27

9 9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Breakfast 8:00 Bird In Hand 2 8:00 & 10:00 am Worship Service 9 8:00 & 10:00 am Worship Services 3 Emma Canfield 10 Bernice Amway 4 5 Pat Strubel Jody Bradley 6 Choir Practice th Birthday Glenda Worst 7 Pearl Harbor 14 Sue Sensenig 8 Birthday Vicki Worst Potluck dinner and Movie 5-7: :00 & 10:00 am Worship Service Kid s Christmas 10:00 am Worship Servive 17 Birthday Beulah Hershey Birthday Christine Levering Choir Practice Choir Practice Anniversary Ken & Barbie Cummings 23 8:00 & 10:00 am Worship Service Tom Dittoe MERRY CHRISTMAS Birthday Ralph Worst Choir Practice Birthday Liz Maisano 30 8:00 & 10:00 am Worship Service 31 New Year s Eve Anniversary Glenn & Cheri Reinhart Events Anniversaries Birthdays Choir Practice Worship Services Holidays

10 10 St. Johns United Methodist Church 3001 Lincoln Hwy E. PO Box 86 Paradise, PA Pastor: Reverend Gene Errickson Administrative Assistant: Vicki Worst Church Facebook: Church Website: ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Mission Statement: ~St. John s UMC is a warm, welcoming church where all are invited to build relationships with Christ and each other. ~ Vision Statement: ~To be a growing, giving, praying church that responds to the needs of our congregation and community. ~ Worship Services 8:00 am & 10:00 am Praise Singing Nursery Provided Handicap Accessible Join Our Journey!!