January 2011 Mosaic. Table of Contents

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1 January 2011 Mosaic Table of Contents For those receiving the e-mosaic: the table of contents allows you to click on any item below and go directly to that portion of the Mosaic. You can still browse the Mosaic by scrolling through it; this feature has been added to make finding specific items more convenient. Worship Themes in January 2 The Silent Sermon 2 Christmas Begins 3 Get Church Information Directly from Your Mailbox 3 Stewardship Moment 3 Human Relations Day to be observed Sunday, January 23 3 How to Contact the Pastor 4 Writing an Icon: St. Nicholas of Myra 4 Book Club in Campus Ministries Children s Christmas Pageant & Jesus Birthday 5 Rwanda Well Fundraiser: Goal Achieved! 6 St. Andrews Medical Aid Fund 6-7 Thank You, Meyer Dairy Bell Ringers 7 January Church & Society Emphasis 8 Thank You, Gift Card Clients 8 Upcoming Events & Worship Service Participants 8-9 1

2 January 2011 Mosaic January Worship Services January 2, Epiphany of the Lord; God of the Snowflakes, Psalm 27:1, 4-9; Holy Communion served at the altar railing. Like snowflakes each of us is a miracle of beauty but also vulnerable to meltdowns. Aware of our limitations, we begin the New Year acknowledging our need for God s help to follow through with our good intentions. January 9, 1 st Sunday after the Epiphany; Civil Servants, Isaiah 42:1-9. Exactly 150 years ago, the United States Civil War broke out, and everyone in both the North and the South believed God was on their side. In our civil wars today, are we on God s side? Church and Society Moment guest: Ruth Donahue, Director, Interfaith Mission. January 16, 2 nd Sunday after the Epiphany; Retirement? John 1: This year, the first wave of baby boomers reaches retirement age, which poses the question: Is there a retirement age for disciples? Church and Society Moment guest: Sarah Malone, Interfaith Initiative Centre County. January 23, 3 rd Sunday after the Epiphany; God s Tent Rules, Psalm 15. Tents are ideal training grounds for right living. We will look at answers to the psalmist s question, O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Church and Society Moment guest: Regina Diller, Director, Bridge of Hope. January 30, 4 th Sunday after the Epiphany; Matthew 4: The Church and Society emphasis on understanding different socio-economic and cultural groups will culminate with Nickie Askov s recounting of attending the United Nations Seminar on Mexico and Central America last October with Warren. THE SILENT SERMON A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preacher's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday. We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken. 2

Christmas Begins When the song of the angels is stilled when the star in the sky is gone when the kings and the princes are home when the shepherds are back with their flocks the work of Christmas

3 Christmas Begins When the song of the angels is stilled when the star in the sky is gone when the kings and the princes are home when the shepherds are back with their flocks the work of Christmas begins to find the lost to heal the broken to feed the hungry to release the prisoner to rebuild the nations to bring peace among the people to make music in the heart. --Howard Thurman, from a Fellowship of Reconciliation Christmas Card Get Church Information Directly from you Inbox If you haven t signed up yet but would like to get the Mosaic, Church Directory, General Information, or Sunday School and Prayer Chain information via , please send an to pfvumc@juno.com and indicate which information you d like to receive electronically. Stewardship Moment First Things First If we give first to God with our time (daily devotions and weekly worship), with our income, and with our relationships, there's a better chance that we'll stick to our intended priorities. Human Relations Day to be observed Sunday, January 23 rd This special offering occurs during Epiphany, the season of manifesting God s light to the world. Human Relations Day calls the Church to recognize the right of all God s children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with each other. The purpose of the day is to further the development of better human relations. (Par , The Book of Discipline 2008.) The 1972 General Conference established Human Relations Day to promote support for Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Services and Police-Community Relations programs. Begun in 1968, the three programs had received support from the church-wide Bishop s Fund for Reconciliation. In 1989, the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program replaced the Police-Community Relations Program to respond to the growing population of youth offenders and their need for creative redirection. An informative insert with a tear-away offering envelope will be in the worship bulletin on January 23 rd. 3

How to Contact the Pastor I will be happy to meet anyone who desires to see me. Please call ahead so we can arrange the best time to get together at a coffee shop, church or home.

4 How to Contact the Pastor I will be happy to meet anyone who desires to see me. Please call ahead so we can arrange the best time to get together at a coffee shop, church or home. As a rule, I am in the church s Pastor s Study, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, except for lunch time. If no one answers the office phone during those hours, please leave a message on the answering machine with your name and telephone number. I may be making a pastoral call, holding a counseling session, or attending a meeting. Phone messages will be returned as soon as possible. For emergencies during the pastor s office hours on Tuesday through Friday, call the church office, If no one answers, please leave a message. For emergencies after hours, call the parsonage, If no one answers, leave message. Again, messages will be returned as soon as possible. --Pastor Lee Ellenberger Writing an Icon: St. Nicholas of Myra With Dr. Russell M. Hart Friday, January 21 from 6:30 PM till 9:30 PM Saturday, January 22 from 8:30 AM till 4:00 PM Park Forest Village United Methodist Church 1833 Park Forest Avenue, State College, PA $75.00 includes tuition, art supplies and 1.4 ceus Please bring your own bag lunch St. Nicholas is remembered and revered because of the many miracles attributed to his intersession. He is also known as St. Nicholas the Wonder Worker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins on the shoes of children who left them out for him. Thus, he became the model for Santa Claus. He is also the patron saint of sailors, merchants, thieves and children. Immerse yourself in his story as you write his icon, and include it in next years Christmas celebrations. Book Club in 2011 Book Club will kick off the new year by reading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Nickie Askov will lead the discussion on Thursday evening, January 20 th, at 7:00 at Liz Brooks' house (548 Brittany Dr.). Please join us for any or all of the books that you want to read and discuss. We meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7 PM. February's selection is Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver (Feb. 17). The books are available at Schlow Library, from stores, or from online book sellers, such as Better World Books ( Make a New Year's resolution to read a book and join us! --Charlotte Taylor and Nickie Askov 4

CAMPUS MINISTRIES The Susquehanna Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry supports campus ministries at the following colleges: - Albright College -Lycoming College - Bloomsburg

5 CAMPUS MINISTRIES The Susquehanna Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry supports campus ministries at the following colleges: - Albright College -Lycoming College - Bloomsburg University -Mansfield University - Dickinson College -Penn College - Williamsport - Keystone College -Penn State - Hazleton - Lackawanna College -Penn State Main Campus - Lebanon Valley College -Penn State Wilkes-Barre Campus - Lock Haven University -Penn State Worthington Scranton Campus - Luzerne County Community College -Shippensburg University -Wilkes University The Board encourages churches in college towns to reach out to the students. If you would like to learn more on how to effectively reach college students, contact Rev. Tom Jacobs at tjacobs@susumc.org or call Children s Christmas Pageant & Jesus Birthday Celebration 5

6 Rwanda Well Fundraiser: Goal Achieved! In preparation for Arlene Brown's visit at the end of July, the Missions/Church & Society Commission asked her what the Urukundo Home for Children needed. She told us that access to fresh water is a real problem, especially during the long dry season. (During the rainy season the Home captures rain water in large tanks. When the captured rain water runs dry, the Home has to rent a truck and gather water in buckets from a neighboring well.) The cost of constructing a well was estimated to be $10,000; therefore, PFVUMC began a series of fundraising events. As we entered fall it became clear that we needed to enlist the help of some other churches. Thanks to the efforts of many people in various churches, it looks as though we will reach our goal of raising $10,000 in 2010 for construction of a well near the Urukundo Home for Children in Rwanda! The next effort in 2011 will be conducted primarily in other churches, namely, to raise an additional $5,000 for the pipes that would bring the water from the well into the Home. Donations may still be made to the Rwanda well if you wish to contribute. As of Dec. 15, the well construction fund had reached $8, (This includes $2,000 from our friends at St. Paul's and $250 from Runville UMC in Bellefonte, plus individual gifts from non-church members who wanted to support the project.) Tony Lentz had the Elk Creek Cafe donate its collection ($223) from his presentation of A Christmas Carol on Dec. 12. The Church Council supported the motion from the Missions/Church & Society Commission to dedicate the interest ($250.94) from the Roger Boop fund to the well fundraiser. Our Hoss's benefit on Nov. 7 raised $438.65, and on Dec. 12 raised $ (soon to be received). Hoss's paid 25% of their receipts toward the fundraiser for both dates! Thanks to all who dined out at Hoss's and contributed to the fundraiser! Pastor Renee Ford from Woodycrest/Houserville churches confirmed that the well fundraiser will receive $1,000 from Woodycrest UMC and the Advent collections from both Woodycrest and Houserville. Trinity UMC in Jersey Shore is also donating its entire Christmas Eve collection to the well. Charlotte Vinson's Sunday School in Houston has also collected $150 toward the well fundraiser. A dedication ceremony for the $10,000 well construction is planned for mid-january. A work group of area church members may be traveling to Rwanda in the future. Anyone from our congregation who might like to be part of the work group is encouraged to express interest to Pastor Lee. --Missions/Church & Society Commission St. Andrews Medical Aid Fund The offering to be taken in our February 20 worship service for the St. Andrews Medical Aid Fund is a practical expression of our desire to maintain a vital Sister Church relationship that had its origin in our November 1994 observance of "Mission Month", for which the theme was "Africa". As a follow up to this program the Missions Commission decided to explore the possibility of establishing a sister church relationship with an African congregation as a continuing missions experience that would be beneficial to both churches. This exploration, in which we were aided by our Bishop Felton May and Zimbabwe's Bishop Christopher Jokomo resulted in an exchange of letters between our Commission and the 6

pastor of the St. Andrews UMC in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, a church identified for us by Bishop Jokomo as being a possible partner in an association. When the St.

7 pastor of the St. Andrews UMC in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, a church identified for us by Bishop Jokomo as being a possible partner in an association. When the St. Andrews pastor, Grace Zimondi, expressed a strong interest in a tie with us, our Missions Commission recommended that a Sister Church relationship be established with St. Andrews, and this recommendation was accepted by our Council on Ministries and Administrative Board. The action taken by these bodies in June 1995 created a link between our two churches that is strengthened by such programs as the burden-sharing Medical Aid Fund, to which our members will be able to contribute in our February 20 worship service. --Glenn Mower Thank you, Meyer Dairy Bell Ringers The Rusca Family: Libby, Michael, Nickie, and Poppy rang bells for Interfaith Mission at Meyer s Dairy on December 9 th. They were among the 20 volunteers from our congregation who filled 90-minute shifts on December 9 and 10. The Wishing Well appeal is the major annual fundraiser for Interfaith Mission. Volunteers ring at four area locations from the day after Thanksgiving until December 23. PFVUMC is one of 23 other churches and faith communities who have joined together to try to provide a social and economic safety net for the area residents. They provide help with fuel and heating, budget management, rental assistance, short-term loans, and donated furniture and appliances at their furniture warehouse. Thank you to all the volunteers who braved the cold to help. By the way, Poppy recommends the raspberry ice cream. Warren Askov and John Knedler Representatives to Interfatih Mission 7

January Church & Society Emphasis January is our Church & Society month in which we emphasize a social issue usually through invitations to guest speakers.

8 January Church & Society Emphasis January is our Church & Society month in which we emphasize a social issue usually through invitations to guest speakers. Last year our focus on environmental conservation led to a survey of home and church conservation practices. The construction of a board for hanging our own coffee cups was one tangible result. This year we will focus on understanding across different socio-economic and cultural groups in our community. The first three speakers will speak for about 5 minutes during the service followed by discussion in the Adult Sunday School. The following speakers are planned: January 9: Ruth Donahue, Interfaith Mission (new director) January 16: Sarah Malone, Interfaith Initiative Centre County (organizer) January 23: Regina Diller, Bridge of Hope (executive director) January 30: Nickie Askov, UN Seminar on Mexico and Central America during the message time; Nickie and Warren will lead the Adult Sunday School. We hope that this emphasis will broaden our perspectives on our community. --Missions/Church & Society Commission Thank You, Gift Card Clients We set a new annual record for the sale of Weis and Giant gift cards this year. We purchased $32,110 worth of cards this year from which we earned a record $1, for the Church Improvement Fund for church repairs. The stores sell us the cards at a 5% discount. The cards come in $10, $20, $25, $50, and $100 amounts. You receive full face value for your food and pharmacy purchases. You select gift card at checkout. Any unused portion remains on the card for future purchases. Cards are available for sale during the coffee fellowship following church. See Warren Askov or John or JoAnn Knedler. Upcoming Events Worship Service Participants for January Ushers 2 nd Judy Kennedy & Nancy Hommel 9 th Kirk & Elizabeth Lauver 16 th Ralph & Carol Mumma 23 rd John & JoAnn Knedler 30 th Earl & Alberta Mann 8

9 The Season of Epiphany Pork & Sauerkraut Meal Our annual Pork and Sauerkraut Meal will be held on Sunday, January 2 at 11:45 A.M. in the Prism. Pork (and hotdogs), sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes will be provided along with rolls, applesauce and green beans. The Family Life Commission members will provide desserts and beverages. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway to attend. Donations will be accepted to help cover costs. Any donations beyond costs will go towards the State College Area Food Bank. Sit & Stitch Please join us on Thursday, January 13 at 1:00 p.m. for Sit and Stitch at the home of Ellen Trumbo, 750 Devonshire Drive. United Methodist Women We will be meeting at the home of Kathy Seymour (552 Brittany Dr.) on Tuesday, January 18 at 7:30 p.m. The 12th Annual Girls Gathering for God Overnight Retreat February 4 & 5, 2011 Fishing Creek Salem, UMC, Etters, PA 402 Valley Rd., Etters, PA (on I-83 about 10 miles south of Harrisburg) For Teen Girls 7th through 12th grade See bulletin board for registration information. Contact person ~ Flo Waybright at waybright5@comcast.net Sponsored by: Susquehanna Conference United Methodist Women In western Christian tradition, January 6 is celebrated as Epiphany. Epiphany is the climax of the Advent/Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are usually counted from the evening of December 25th until the morning of January 6th, which is the Twelfth Day. The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." As with most aspects of the Christian liturgical calendar, Epiphany has theological significance as a teaching tool in the church. The Wise Men or Magi who brought gifts to the child Jesus were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as "King" and so were the first to "show" or "reveal" Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ. This act of worship by the Magi, which corresponded to Simeon s blessing that this child Jesus would be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32), was one of the first indications that Jesus came for all people, of all nations, of all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to only a few. The day is now observed as a time of focusing on the mission of the church in reaching others by "showing" Jesus as the Savior of all people. It is also a time of focusing on Christian brotherhood and fellowship, especially in healing the divisions of prejudice and bigotry that we all too often create between God s children. Accordingly, in the United Methodist Church, January 23 rd, the 4 th Sunday after the Epiphany, is observed as Human Relations Day. See related article on page 3. CRI/Voice, Institute; Dennis Bratcher; Copyright CRI/Voice, Institute. Used with permission. 9

July 2011 Mosaic. Table of Contents

July 2011 Mosaic. Table of Contents July 2011 Mosaic Table of Contents The table of contents allows you to click on any item below and go directly to that portion of the Mosaic. You can still browse the Mosaic by scrolling through it; this