A Joint Newsletter of St. John s Episcopal Church and Union Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ

Transcription

1 A Joint Newsletter of St. John s Episcopal Church and Union Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ Churches Inc. News We had Vaughn s service our furnaces and they had to red tag the furnace for the office/fellowship area due to heat exchanger corrosion and holes in the exchange. We must buy a new industrial heater. Terry and Tom have installed some space heaters. A furnace will have to be ordered so we will be using the space heaters for now. Big Thank You To: Terry Wiekhorst for fixing the waterline that broke due to cold weather and lack of heat. Tom Jacobsen for spearing heading the new furnace project. Doug Smith and Gene Carmody for installing the stain glass panels.

2 HANGING OF THE GREENS Ready or not, Christmas is coming. Sunday, November 30th, is our joint worship with St. John s to decorate our sanctuary for Advent and Christmas. Worship will be at 10:00 a.m. This is a child friendly worship so bring your kids and grandkids to help deck the halls. Potluck lunch will follow. CREATE-A- CHRISTMAS AND COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES We are currently collecting offerings for both of these joint projects. Envelopes for each are on the secretary s desk in the office. Create-A-Christmas offerings provide gifts and Smith s gift cards for families in our community who do not have the means for all the extras of Christmas. These gifts need to be in by December 7th. We ll let you know mid-december when our gift wrapping day will be. The Care Packages has become an annual way of both wishing our college students a Merry Christmas and encouraging them as they go through finals. We send Subway gift cards so they can eat healthy. These gifts need to be in by November 30th. Checks can be written to UCC or St. John s. Please put on the memo line which offering you re contributing to. Thank you for blessing others. POINSETTIA ORDER FORMS One of the beautiful holiday traditions of Mansface Church is poinsettias in the sanctuary as memorials/honorariums for loved ones. The flowers will decorate the sanctuary during the Advent & Christmas seasons, and on Christmas Eve there will be an insert in the bulletins listing all those remembered in this way. To support this program, please fill out this form (or get one at church) and put it in the Poinsettia envelope on the Secretary s desk with $15.00 per plant. Orders and checks may also be mailed to: Mansface Church - P.O. Box Green River, WY Plants may also be brought from home, but be sure to label them so they can be re-turned... POINSETTIA ORDER FORM (please circle whether this is in memory or honor of someone) No. of Poinsettias In Memory/Honor Of From: In Memory/Honor Of From: Amount enclosed: $

3 PASTORAL PONDERINGS Well it should come as no surprise, but Christmas is just around the corner, and there seems to be a big rush to get to it as quickly as possible. Christmas music is already playing 24/7 on some of the satellite radio stations; several restaurants are already decorated for the holiday and the commercials for Christmas shopping are already redundantly annoying. AND we haven t even enjoyed Thanksgiving yet! What s the rush? More and more, we live in a consumer driven world. The Christmas being pushed by radio, restaurants and Wal-Mart really have nothing to do with the real holy day. In fact if we re not careful, we ll lose the true holiday to some Hallmark version of a happily ever after where everyone gets what they want (even if it means carrying big credit card debt into the next year). What s the fuss? Now don t get me wrong, I love the holiday season leading into Christmas, but it has its own time and meaning. Christmas actually starts with Advent, which means arrival or coming of someone or something long awaited. This year, Advent begins November 30 th and as is our tradition here at Mansface, we ll have our joint Hanging of the Greens worship on that day. That s the day we officially begin the season of getting ready to celebrate once again God s coming into our world through the birth of a humble infant. That s the day we intentionally prepare our hearts and our homes for God s unexpected gift of arrival. And yes, there is much to rush and fuss about in the advent of Christmas! As we get ready and prepare the way for the arrival of the Christ child, we will sing carols and songs that remind us of God s most amazing grace. We will indeed decorate our halls with light and life. There will be celebrations to attend and we will definitively think about gifts - the gifts God gives to us as well as the gifts we can offer to others in God s name. My hope is that in the midst of the consumer driven holiday rush and fuss, we would rush and fuss in different ways. Let us rush to make time when we can stop and listen for the angels song of peace. Instead of rushing from party to party to school concert to office holiday mixers, wouldn t it be great if we could rush off to Bethlehem, even if only for a moment, to witness for ourselves how God interacts and engages with all kinds of people, from humble laborers to wealthy scholars and leaders? And I keep hoping and praying that maybe, just maybe, we could quit the angry fussing between nations and families and political ideologies and even religions just long enough to make a fuss over each other in the most positive of ways so we could truly experience peace on earth, good will towards all. Blessed Advent, as we await the arrival of Bethlehem s Babe Pastor Jenny

4 THE ANIMALS AT THE MANGER Hey kids! (both young in years and young at heart). Come join Pastor Jenny each Sunday during Advent worship to meet some of the animals at the manger. We have a hands-on nativity set as well as some furry friends to tell wonderful stories of lions, pigs and turkeys. Oh my! LAS POSADAS Sunday, December 14 th is our final Faith Formation event for 2014 and we re having a party! Las Posadas is a traditional celebration in Spain, Mexico and Central/South America that involves a parade that enacts Joseph and Mary seeking shelter in Bethlehem. Young and old will process out of worship with candles and costumes and song. After a few closed doors we will arrive in the fellowship hall for a party that includes a piñata, crafts and treats. All are welcomed and encouraged to come join the fun! If you d like to be one of the characters in the parade, let Pastor Jenny know. We need several inn keepers, Mary, and Joseph and even a donkey! FAITH FORMATION IN 2015 Thank you so much to teachers, helpers, kids and families for making Fall Faith Formation a good learning experience. We will continue in the spring of 2015 with Faith Practices: Playing and Living Joyfully. During the Lenten Season we will focus on Praying and Making Ritual. Check out the bulletin board in the fellowship hall to sign up for a week or two as a guide or assistant. WOMEN S RETREAT 2015 After last year s success, we are already planning for our next retreat with the UCC women of Pinedale and Rock Springs as well as the women of Mount of Olive Lutheran. We are booked at Lakeside Lodge on Fremont Lake, March 20 22, Plan now to attend!

5 NATIVITY THE GIFT Come join the churches of Rock Springs on Saturday, December 6, 2014 between noon and 5:00 p.m. at the SCM Parish Center at 624 Bridger Ave. to get you in the Christmas spirit. There will be entertainment, children s crafts and a display of various nativity sets. Soup will be served as well, with proceeds going to Local Salvation Army and International Mary s Meals. There are some forms on the bulletin board by the office if you would like to have your nativity set displayed at this ecumenical event FLOWER CHART If you would like to have flowers on a particular Sunday to honor or remember a significant person or event; you can sign up on the Flower Chart outside the church office. We will make sure these names are transferred to the Here, I Am Lord book as well. Flowers are $15. You can pick up your bunch following St. John s worship. CALENDAR Sat. 11/30 10:00 a.m. HANGING OF THE GREENS WORSHIP Potluck Lunch Mon. 12/1: 7:00 p.m. Community Christmas Concert, GR High School Sat. 12/6: noon SCM Parish Center, Rock Springs Sun. 12/7 9:00 a.m. Worship & Communion Mon. 12/8 6:00/7:00 p.m. Diaconate/Trustees Sun. 12/14 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Las Posadas All Church event 11:00 p.m. Council Wed. 12/24 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Sun. 12/28 10:00 a.m. Lessons of the Carols WEEKLY CHURCH EVENTS: Sundays 9:00 a.m. Worship Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. Craft Group Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. Evening Craft Group Check office calendar for scouts and other events

6 Moderator Message To begin, a thank you from the Board of Trustees to those of you who participated in our pledge drive on November 9. We don t have any final figures yet, and there are some who have not yet turned in their pledges. Hopefully our total pledged for 2015 will be in line with the figures from If you weren t with us on the 9 th, we encourage you to return a pledge card to the church office. We ll let you know some preliminary figures soon. We all had a chance to feel Winter s approach these past couple weeks. Not many folks around the country were left out of the cold snap. If you pay attention to local and national news programs, you managed to hear lots of complaints about the cold, as if someone were to blame and could actually do something to alleviate it. We may not always be happy with the weather we get, but if we think about where it comes from, and who is really responsible, maybe we won t complain quite as much. Pam and I had a chance to attend a small group bible study and later a worship service with our son s church this past week. It gave us a chance to see how Christian attitudes and services aren t always identical from one congregation to another. We don t all pray or worship alike. But it also pointed out things that are the same God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are, or should be, active in our lives. It also reminded us how important fellowship is to us. Even if we grumble to God about the cold weather, we should remember that if some of us need some warmth, particularly on Sundays, you know where we are. Hope to see you for worship and fellowship. Duane Kerr THANK YOU It seems like a long time since we were enjoying our time at the Pumpkin Patch, but really it s only been about a month. Jeanne Beery and I would like to thank again all those who helped unload the truck, signed up to sell pumpkin's, assisted with the kindergarten classes who came to visit, and cleaned up the yard. Oh yes, and thanks to those who showed up faithfully to cover and uncover each day. We sold $12,675 worth of pumpkins our most successful year ever. In addition, I want to thank all those who baked for our bake sale on October 25th, with a special thanks going out to our craft gals who sold the goodies. We are so very blessed to be part of such a giving community. -Pam Kerr

7 Harvest Dinner Harvest Dinner was a success!!!! Thanks to so many of you who participated either in the dining or the supplying. Special thanks go to the Hoyts, Kerrs, Charlene Miller and Margie Penner for the financial support towards purchasing the food!! This was a great help; as well as Hoyts, Wiekhorsts, Braithwaites, Maddoxs, and Smarts who purchased turkeys. Thanks to Susie Hermansen and Heidi Finn, for the extra special help with food and serving on Saturday night! Lois Beard again shared her talents by creating cute pilgrim couples which adorned the tables and could be purchased for $ We are so lucky to have talented people in our midst. Speaking of talent..special, special thanks to Don t Quit Your Day Job for their fantastic singing accompanying our dinner!!!!! The cans of food received were very welcome and will be presented on Thursday to the Green River Food Bank; along with a check of $ which is 1/3 the profit from the dinner in additions to donations received. We are hoping our outreach into the community, as well as having fun together. will be a welcome memory as the upcoming holidays approach. Thanks again for all your help and participation!!!! Birthdays Linda Malone 1 Jessica Burke 8 Bonnie Cargile 16 Pam Burke 19 Janelle Strampe 21 Mike Smart 21 David Maxam 27 Norma Jean Paxton 27 Laura Hart 27 Anniversaries Gene & Barbra Bates 7 Janet & Bill Hoyt 18 Lucille & Bill Fleming 21 Mike & Sherry Held 24 Jackie & Rodger Sanchez 30

8 St John s Episcopal Church 350 Mansface / P.O. Box 400 Green River, WY mansfacechurch@sweetwaterhsa.com Services at 11:00am St. John s Worship Schedule December December 7 11:00 Second Sunday of Advent Morning Prayer Service Leader: Ruth Lauritzen Reader: Kurt Allen December 14 11:00 Third Sunday of Advent Holy Eucharist Service Leader: Rev. Walt Seeley Reader: Thane Yennie December 21 11:00 Fourth Sunday of Advent Morning Prayer Service Leader: Terry Warren Reader: Victoria Allen December 24 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist Service Leader: Rev. Roy Walworth Reader: Ruth Lauritzen December 31 10:00 am Lessons and Carols Joint Service

9 Please remember these families in your prayers: Lee Lev, Laura and Dean Makie, Evie Grace Huebner, Sarah, Jack, Juel Farnsworth, Tim, Kasyn, Marion, Kenny, and Kyle. Our prayers are with Lee Lev and family - George passed away in November. This month Lee and George would have been married for 63 years. They have three children, Andy, David and Trice. Tim and Terry Warren Tim s mother passed away in Minnesota. The family of Natalie Grace. Natalie is the four year old girl who drowned in Flaming Gorge Reservoir in November. Birthdays Carly King 3 Debi King 3 Debi Doney 11 George and Lee Lev Marion Deichmueller 18 David and Mary Ortega Rick Wagner 20 Bradley Morrison 31 Anniversaries Thrift Shop December Donations The Thrift Shop normally makes its donations to charities and organization in April except for these two that are always made in December. A money gift will be given to Create a Christmas and USO phone cards will be purchase for service men and women. It s nice to see all the hard work of our volunteers put to worthwhile activities. 10% OFF COUPON St. John s Thrift Shop During the month of December, use this coupon to get an extra 10% off of our already great prices. Must bring this coupon in for the discount 21st 28th

10 General Comvention 2015 The Episcopal General Convention will be in Salt Lake City next year, June 25 29, The Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming will be sponsoring a Youth Event. Any young persons entering grades 9 through 12 are eligible to participate. Information will be posted on a bulletin board at church or you can visit the Diocesan Website, www. diowy.org Men s Breakfast Men s Breakfast will be the second Wednesday of the month. All you fellows need to meet at Buckaroo s Restaurant at 9:00am on December 10 th. Thursday Night Book Study Book study continues on Thursday nights with Rev. Walt Seeley at 6:00. Currently the group is covering the book of Philippians. Reading, discussion, a light supper, and good fellowship what a great way to spend an winter evening. Anyone is welcome to join.

11 Message from the Senior Warden Grace and Peace to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Advent The beginning of the church calendar. In a secular sense the start of Advent signals the last 25 days of shopping before Christmas. The heightened anticipation, and sometimes modified behavior, of children as they await the coming of Santa Claus. The significant amounts of time spent in selecting just the right gifts and wrapping for our loved ones and the thoughtful planning of our Christmas meals. We, as Christians, should enter the season of Advent with this same youthful anticipation, preparation and, if needed, behavior modification, as we await God s gift to the world. For God invested His time in selecting just the right gift for His loved ones. The gift of Himself wrapped in the body of a baby and presented to the world on a cold December night. The gift of His son to become for us the only meal that will satisfy the hunger in our hearts and souls. The gift of His love to be shared with others, not just this advent season but every day, as God shares His love with you every day. So with God s help let us prepare ourselves heart, mind, soul and strength - to joyfully and gratefully receive the gift of His son, our Lord Jesus, the Christ. In Christ, Thane

12 It s amazing to me that my time in DC is wrapping up as I complete my internship at International Justice Mission (IJM) headquarters on December 4th. I have grown in so many ways both spiritually and professionally as I ve assisted our Student Mobilization team in various projects to help IJM engage with college students across the country. From helping plan our student leadership conference in October to talking with students who want to bring the movement to end slavery to their campuses, I am so grateful to be given this opportunity to partner with God in his work of justice for those who are oppressed. So what s next for me? I ll be home for the holidays, spending time with family before I leave for La Paz, Bolivia on January 14th! Shortly after I arrive, I ll begin my Government and Community Relations internship at IJM Bolivia, assisting the office in its efforts to partner with local community organizations and the Bolivian authorities to combat child sexual assault. I want to thank all of you at St. John s for not only praying for me and our work, but also for being an answer to prayer by joining with me and IJM in this work by supporting me financially. I appreciate your prayers for me during my transition to Bolivia and during the whole year I am assisting the office there. May God s tidings of great joy resound in your hearts this Christmas season. Gratefully, Daniel Daniel De Cecco, Student Mobilization Intern - College INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION