FELLOWSHIP MESSENGER

Transcription

1 FELLOWSHIP MESSENGER Dave s Devotional For some of us thinking about the subject of time may be uncomfortable. However at the beginning of a New Year it is worth examining. As we look into 2019 that has just begun, we look at a block of time. We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds. All this time is a gift from God. We have done nothing to deserve, earn, or purchased this time. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life. Yet the gift of time is not ours alone. It is given equally to each person. Rich and poor, educated and ignorant, strong and weak every man, woman and child has the same twenty-four hours every day. Another important thing about time is that we cannot stop it. There is no way to slow it down, turn it off, or adjust because time marches on. As much as we would like to, we cannot bring back time either. Once it is gone, it is gone. Yesterday is lost forever. If yesterday is lost, tomorrow is uncertain. We may look ahead at a full year s block of time, but we really have no guarantee that we will experience any of it. Obviously, time is one of our most precious possessions. We can waste it. We can worry over it. We can spend it on ourselves. Or, as good stewards, we can invest our time in serving the kingdom of God. The New Year is full of time. As the seconds tick away, will we be tossing time out the window, or will you make every minute count? Together, let s devote time to serving God and growing God s Kingdom in NEW BIBLE STUDY FOR JANUARY Pastor Marcus resumes his Tuesday morning Bible Study in January of We will once again be meeting in the Fellowship Building for this gathering. We will continue exploring some of the parables of Jesus. As our first session focused upon the how the Kingdom of God is present with us, our series of parables this session will focus upon how the Kingdom of God comes alive within us. Below are the dates and passages we plan to explore together. We hope you will make plans to attend. There is a sign up sheet located on the Church Family Life Bulletin Board. Jan. 8 The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21 & Luke 12:22-34) Jan. 15 Jan. 22 The Watchful Servants and The Absent Homeowner (Mark 13:33-37 & Luke 12:35-40) The Faithful Servant and the Wicked Servant (Matthew 24:45-51 & Luke 12:41-48) Jan. 29 The Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13) Feb. 5 Feb. 12 The Talents and The Ten Minas (Matthew 25:14-30 & Luke 19:11-27) The Wedding Feast and The Great Banquet (Luke 14:7-24) With the joy of serving Christ together, The Rev. Dr. David A. Marcus, Jr. Feb. 19 Feb. 26 The Prince s Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14) The Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) All items to be included in the newsletter must be submitted to the church office by the 20 th of the month.

2 News From the Leadership Board The Leadership Board did not meet in December due to inclement weather. We did, however, have a problem with the water heater at the Fellowship Building that had to be addressed and required that we replace the water heater. The water heater was replaced and additional finish work is necessary to bring it up to code. Our next meeting will be Monday, January 14 th at 7 PM in the Church Office. Women s Fellowship News The Women s Fellowship Executive Board will meet on Saturday, January 19, at 10 AM in the Fellowship Building. The Women s Fellowship General Meeting will be Sunday, January 20, after worship in the Fellowship Building. Women s Fellowship Quarterly Circle #3 will meet on Monday, January 21, at 7 PM in the Fellowship Building. Please continue to bring in Salemtowne bingo prizes as often as possible. There is a box in the hall behind the sanctuary. Regional Conference of Churches (RCC) Update The Petersbrook RCC will meet on Tuesday, January 8, at 7 PM in the Christ Moravian Church Office UNITY PRAYER WATCH The Moravian Church has experienced spiritual renewal and strength through a covenant of prayer. In 1727, the church in Herrnhut, Germany covenanted for an hourly intercession: which continued for 100 years with great blessing to the entire Moravian Church. As we prepare for observing the prayer watch across our province, please consider opportunities for members and friends to pray at home or coming to the church to pray during the assigned period of prayer. Christ Church has been assigned the date of Saturday, January 5, 2019 from Midnight 8 AM as our local observance. A complete list of 2019 Unity Prayer Watch Topics are on the counter outside the sanctuary. =============================================== NOTES FROM THE LOFT As we begin the New Year, I find myself looking back over the past year and the things for which I am thankful. I think you do this more as you grow older! My thankful list is too numerous to put in this letter, but close to the top of this list would be my Church Family. You are always receptive of the music we sing in Services, and are so gracious to tell us when we do well. As you know, nothing of worth comes without work, and so we do work hard to give our best to our Savior and our congregation. My utmost thanks goes to all who have made another year a success: the Youth and Adult choirs, organists, bell team, instrumentalists, and guest musicians. We always need additional choir members. If you like to sing and are able to attend choir rehearsals on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m., we need you!! Come willing to have fun, to work hard, to be a part of a loving family, and to praise God through music. Yours in the joy of music, Jeanie 2

3 Calendar of Events 1/1 ALL DAY NEW YEAR S HOLIDAY CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 1/2 8:00 am 1/5 Midnight Christ Church Unity Prayer Watch (Midnight to 8 AM) 1/6 9:45 am Worship: Epiphany of the Lord//Communion CE Committee Meeting (Church Office) 1/8 Bible Study (Fellowship Building) Petersbrook RCC Meeting (Church Office) 1/9 8:00 am 1/13 9:45 am Worship: First Sunday after the Epiphany Youth Lunch (Fellowship Building) 1/14 Leadership Board Meeting (Church Office) 1/15 Bible Study (Fellowship Building) Mission Society Meeting (Fellowship Building) 1/16 8:00 am 1/19 Women s Fellowship Executive Board Meeting (Fellowship Building) 1/20 9:45 am 1/21 ALL DAY Worship: Second Sunday after the Epiphany Women s Fellowship General Meeting (Fellowship Building) CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY Women s Fellowship Quarterly Circle #3 Meeting (Fellowship Building) 1/22 Bible Study (Fellowship Building) 1/23 8:00 am Fellowship Building Reserved 1/26 5:00 pm Youth Game Night (Fellowship Building Basement) 1/27 9:45 am Worship: Third Sunday after the Epiphany 1/29 19:00 am Bible Study (Fellowship Building) 1/30 8:00 am Birthdays in January 1 Jake Davis 2 Jann Holderman, Sawyer Phillips, Rebecca Rath & N.T.Russell 6 Jonathan Keller 7 Stephen Farmer 10 Herman Critz 12 Aimee Sheppard 16 Lynn Swaim 17 Alexis McCarn 18 Page Crater, Aaron Rothrock & Karen Stevens 20 Elise Adams & Karleigh Bitancor 22 Terri Dyson 23 Matthew Walker 25 Amanda Edden & Diane Holleman 29 Jennifer Riddle 31 Laura Reid FOOD COLLECTION FOR SUNNYSIDE MINISTRY Please continue to bring your food donations for Sunnyside Ministry to each church service and place it in the collection bins. The need is great. Also, please check expiration dates on food you bring to donate. 3

4 MEMORIALS (November 21, 2018 December 30, 2018) CE Committee Report: The CE Committee did not meet in December. The next CE meeting will be Sunday, January 6, following the service in the Church Office. Youth Fellowship: There are a few activities on the schedule for 2019: Youth Lunch on Sunday, January 13, after the service. Game Night in the Youth Hut n Saturday, January 26, from 5 PM 8 PM. Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday, February 3, following the service. The Youth will be at the doors with pots collecting donations for Samaritan Ministry. Youth Lunch on Sunday, February 10 menu TBD; followed by Youth Fellowship (activity TBD). Youth Lunch: The next Youth Lunch will be on Sunday, January 13, 2019, following the service. The menu will be homemade soups. A love offering will be collected to help the youth with their programs. In Memory of Mary Thomas Virginia Boggs Beverly Brown Phil & Pat Kane Jeanie Rothrock Stephen & Debra Dolezar Donald & Carole Thompson Mike & Linda Hastings In Memory of Herbert Fredrick Anderson Beth Bayless & Ruth Bayless Bailey In Memory of Elizabeth Anderson Bayless Beth Bayless & Ruth Bayless Bailey In Memory of Patricia Walker Archie Walker In Memory of Theresa Ball Patrcia Labbe In Memory of Roger Kimball Ann Frye Phil & Pat Kane In Memory of Michael Critz Kristy Beroth In Memory of Etta Tatum Anderson Beth Bayless & Ruth Bayless Bailey In Memory of Tom Skowronski Jo Brown In Memory of Robert Hoffman Annie Fry In Memory of Jean Barber Patricia Labbe =============================================== LUMINARY LISTS If you did not pick up a Luminary List during the Christmas Eve Services, they are available on the ledge outside the Sanctuary for pick up. Game Night: The Youth extend an invitation to the congregation to join them for a Game Night on Saturday, January 26 from 5 PM 8 PM in the Youth Hut (Fellowship Building Basement). Refreshments will be provided. There are puzzles, board games and activities for all. There is a Ping Pong table and at least one youth who will challenge anyone to a game. Please join us. Bring your friends and family. This is a great time of food, fun and fellowship for kids of ALL ages. 4

5 Treasurer s Report Year-to-Date November 30, 2018: Actual Budget Difference Offerings/Plate* 166, , (25,714.63) Expenses 218, , (7,452.51) Net Income/(Loss) (52,282.73) (34,020.61) (18,26212) *Does not include memorials Transfers to cover expenses: $14,000 from Money Market Fund for the year Account Balances (Actual Cash in bank or Investments): 10/31/18 11/30/18 ACCOUNTS FOR CHURCH OPERATIONS: Operating Account 3, , Ameriprise Investment Account 244, , Money Market Account at Capital Bank 143, , TOTAL 391, , Less: Restrictions * (183,176.78) (183,933.41) Use/Non-restricted 208, , ACCOUNTS OF OTHER GROUPS (not in Operating Budget): Outreach (Pastor s Discretionary) Account Mission Account 1, , M Tesh Mission Account 1, , Christian Education Account (includes Band/Orchestra fund of $3,773.78) 4, , Youth Account 1, , RESTRICTIONS *: Capital Improvement Fund of $156, is spread among the Operating Account, Ameriprise Account ($23,545.28) and Money Market Account ($12,000) (NOT affected by any monies from parsonage sale or office construction) Organ Fund of $26, in Money Market Fund Smaller Funds totaling $1, in Operating Account (Choir, Lovefeast, Labyrinth) IMPORTANT NOTE: If you give a cash donation (even if just a couple dollars), please put it in an offering envelope (located in the pews) with your name on the outside in order to receive credit for the contribution. The Leadership Board periodically reviews membership status which includes all 3 types of stewardship: time, talent and treasure. Respectfully submitted Sabrina L. Maksi Treasurer 5

6 STEWARDSHIP OF SERVICE Date Opening Greeter Ushers Nursery Children s Church January 6, 2019 Doug Conrad Joey Gray Page Crater Kathy Conrad NONE Annie Fry Avis Gray Trish Gray Nancy Reid Lou Saunders Jennifer Pace January 13, 2019 Jo Brown Sam Dixon Bradley Conrad Phil Kane Bob Peddycord N.T. Russell Kenny Wright Kay Butner Mary Ferguson Donna Tesh Rebecca Rath January 20, 2019 Angie Conrad Ann Frye Mark Crater Skip Johnson Joey Gray Lee Wilmoth January 27, 2019 Donna Tesh Diane Holleman Herman Critz Sam Dixon Jeff Glance Jim Hill Carol Wade Elizabeth Peddycord Jo Brown Avis Gray Matt Pace Sarah Pace Donna Tesh Debbie Jones Dear Christ Church Family I would like to thank you for all the cards, letters and prayers. I have finished my chemo and waiting the next round of treatments. Thank you, Eileen Johnson LOOKING AHEAD IN WORSHIP January 6, 2019 January 13, 2019 January 20, 2019 January 27, 2019 EPIPHANY COMMUNION (Matthew 2:1-12) WATER, WORD AND WITNESS (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22) THE MIRACLE OF HOPE (John 2:1-11) REAL REVIVAL AND CHANGE (Nehemiah 8:1-10)