Providence Post. November Providence United Presbyterian Church

Transcription

1 Providence Post November 2013 Providence United Presbyterian Church

2 2 From the Pastor Then he said to them, These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you--that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:44-49 NRSV Every once in a while we are reminded or re-called to the teachings of the Lord as he opens up our minds to empowered understandings of the scriptures. Jesus encourages us to look back into the narratives, into the stories and back to the Jewish writings that we are presumed to know. He highlights in this text to see how Jesus himself, through the written texts and words of the prophets and writers of the Old Testament, predicted his passion. Jesus, however, is talking about much more (isn't he always pastor?). He tells us what the church is to be and what it is supposed to be doing. Namely, to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins. He tells us and shows us that he must rise for the dead and show us the future that awaits us. Out of that comes life...especially ours! The fulfillment of the promise that God pours out and down on the disciples the advocate, the Holy Spirit is restated. I think that is where we need the reminding. We tend to think about that only at the season of Pentecost, but doesn't it hold true to us every day? Aren't we supposed to be proclaiming the gospel to everyone every day? The proclamation of the gospel does not...does not... say you are to be standing on a street corner shouting but it does say proclaim. You can proclaim the gospel in many, many ways but always the repentance and forgiveness of sins be made known. Yup, we have the power of the Holy Spirit upon us ALL THE TIME! The power and presence of the incarnate Jesus Christ attending to us, supporting us, standing not only behind us but beside us, above us, below us and in front of us...all we have to do is to show up and in Jesus the job will get done. We can, through our words and ACTIONS show the power of Jesus Christ. We bear witness with the full power and true authority of Jesus Christ. I know I used this story in one of the sermons I preached, but I think it talks to the power of the Spirit. I don't know where I got this but I borrow the idea...

3 3 A man had not come to church in a while and the Pastor decided to visit him. After the greeting at the door it was apparent that the man was simply sitting in front of the fire that was gently glowing with ample heat bursting from it. The pastor sat on one side of the fireplace and the man the other but both were just in front. The man had always been a little tough on the pastor and the pastor had dreaded the visit wondering what he could or should say to the bitter man. Sitting in silence the pastor poked at the embers that glowed and "played" with the logs and fire. After about thirty minutes that pastor put the poker back in its spot leaning against the brick and looked up at the man. The man had tears running down his face and said to the pastor, "That was the most powerful sermon I have ever heard and felt. I will see you next Sunday to worship our Lord." We can proclaim the good news by projecting the face of Christ. Flashing a needed smile, a wanting glance into a person's eyes, perhaps a simple hello will turn a person's day around. We may never know the result of that positive act...that warm face we show...but it is the face of Jesus that people see. My what a wonderful face it is folks. We bear witness in all that we say and all that we do! Be reminded of why we do what we do...do it in the name of Jesus Christ...my oh my what you will be able to do! If you drop the ball... don't worry. Jesus' words in the text highlight the divine joy that God has when we repent, the forgiveness is already there! It is in that radical transformation that Jesus preached about, taught us, that is required for life in the kingdom of God. (Now here is a transition...)it seems like each year the Christmas shopping and music starts earlier and earlier. We are a month away from Advent and Christmas and my wish is that we practice the spirit of those seasons every month. The we carry that "face", that bestowed Spirit, with us all year long and that is why I bring Jesus' final teaching into play for this November newsletter. Without Easter and the Resurrection we have no Christmas we have no Gospel! This is what links all of us believers together regardless of our denominations. WE, the believers, turn to God who gives us life, renewing us in the Spirit, forgiving our sins and us, being so overjoyed, we just have to let folks know about it! That is what shows on our faces and comes out of our mouths! Amen. Peace, Pastor Ken

4 4 NOVEMBER WORSHIP Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov st Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:00 a.m. EarlyBirds 10:00 Communion Service / Sunday School Baptism Psalm 119: ; Luke 19:1-10 Sermon: Climbing Trees. 32 nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Psalm 98:1-3; Luke 20:27-38 Sermon: Angelic Love 33 rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:00 Worship Service Psalm 98:4-9; Luke 21:5-19 Sermon: Looking Ahead 34 th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:00 Worship Service Luke 1:68-79; Luke 23:33-43 Sermon: The Beginning and the End Welcome to Providence United Presbyterian Church

5 5 THANK YOU RECEIVED: Dearest Pastor Goodrich, Thank you to all of the members of Providence United Presbyterian Church who have extended themselves so graciously and generously to the mission of alleviating food insecurity for those living in North Scranton. Bread Basket is most grateful for your donation of $ check, which helps our ability to provide a bag or two of food to those who are in need. On behalf of the Board of Directors for the Bread Basket of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the core team of seventy-five plus volunteers, we thank you and acknowledge our friends at Providence Presbyterian for their extremely generosity. Truly yours, Sandra M. Roberts, Executive Director, Emergency Food Distribution BRUNCH IS BACK! Brunch is scheduled for Sunday, November 17th, following worship service. Plan to stay and enjoy a time of Fellowship and Food together. We have so much to be thankful for; let s take time together and remember.

6 6 HAPPY THANKSGIVING WITH GREEN BEANS! The Mission Outreach Committee sent the following members to the North Scranton Food Pantry: Chuck, Nancy, Helen, Judy, Carol Ann, and Caroline. They assembled "Green Bean Casserole Kits" to be distributed by the Bread Basket of NEPA. The following was included with each kit: Psalm 111:1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart". Happy Thanksgiving from the families of Providence United Presbyterian Church. MISSION OUTREACH NEWS Food Donations As is our usual custom on Communion Sundays, (November 3 rd ) we will be bringing in food donations for the North Scranton Food Bank. As we near Thanksgiving in the coming weeks we will be adding the following Sunday (November10 th ) as an additional collection date at which time we will dedicate the "bounty". Bill Graziano s car packed with your kindness and generosity - food! "Food for thought"-boxed mashed potatoes, canned sweet potatoes, canned corn, boxed stuffing, canned pumpkin, gravy, etc..."think Thanksgiving" Please do not bring in anything perishable as there is no room right now to store it

7 7 SERVE OTHERS AT THANKSGIVING On Saturday, November 23 rd, we have been given once again the opportunity of sending 6 representatives from Providence UPC to the St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen to help prepare and serve lunch. What a great way to be thankful on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Prayerfully consider being part of this outreach opportunity. See Nancy Donlin or call the church office if the spirit moves you in this direction; and as always give thanks with a grateful heart. Last year s volunteers to St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen ANGEL TREE MINISTRY Mission Outreach will again be participating in the Angel Tree Ministry this year. Stay tuned for further details that will be announced during church and in the bulletin each Sunday

8 Providence United Presbyterian Church November 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Communion Team: Paul Montgomery, Lori Armbrust, Gretchen McGilley, Allen Richards, Jean Thomas. Greeters: Joyce Detrick & Ann Marie Thomas Ushers: 10, 17, 24: Church & Nancy Donlin, Kathy Howell, Patti Reed 3 9 Early Birds 9 Bible Basics 10 Communion/SS Baptism Food Donations 10 9 Early Birds 10 Worship/SS 11 Mission Mtg. Food Donations Continue 17 9 Early Birds 10 Worship / Sunday School 11:05 Brunch 24 Youth Sleep- Over ends 9 am 9 Early Birds 10 Worship / Sunday School Hunger Pennies 4 6 p.m. Choir Practice 11 Veterans Day Office Closed 7 p.m. Session 18 4:30 Welsh Cookie Making 6 p.m. Choir Practice Inter-Faith Thanksgiving Prayer Service 12:10 at St. Peter's Cathedral 6 p.m. Choir 5 7 p.m. Deacons 12 Welsh Cookie order deadline (Remember no Cookies in December) 19 8:00 Welsh Cookie Making 6 9 a.m. Property Committee Work 13 9 a.m. Property Committee Work 20 9 a.m. Property Committee Work a.m. Property Committee Work 7 10:00 a.m. Quilters 14 10:00 a.m. Quilters Noon Senior Lunch 21 10:00 a.m. Quilters :30 Freedom Morgan Z s Restaurant Mission St. Francis Kitchen Office will be closed Youth Sleep- Over starts 6 pm NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Michael Potter 4 Patricia Bell 7 Kay Harris 8 Joyce Detrick 8 Amanda O Boyle 13 Eleanor Lempke 16 Jeffrey Doty 17 - Susan Lidondici 18 Sr. John Michele 19 Sara Hanlon 19 Clint Weber 22 Julie Kirk 26 Morgan Sledzinski 26 Mary Thorpe ANNIVERSARIES 24 Martin & Linda Nonnenberg 1976 For the month of November please donate your nonperishable food with the consideration of Thanksgiving maybe a box of stuffing or potatoes, yams?

9 10 Prayer Shawl Ministry, An act of kindness brightens the day! Dear Friends, I felt a connection thru Christ with those who made this beautiful shawl, prayed over it and gave it to me. Beverly Davis gave it to me and I truly appreciate it. May God bless you in your service to Him. Gratefully, Emma Jane Tyler WELSH COOKIE ~ LAST TIME TO ORDER IN 2013 November s Welsh Cookies will be prepared on the 18 th and 19 th with the order deadline on the 12 th. Cost-$4.00 Please note the cost next year may raise as the cost of all the ingredients rise. Please contact the church office or Mary Thorpe to place your orders. Christmas Poinsettias Poinsettias (3-6 blooms) will once again be available to order in memory or honor of a loved one. They will be ordered to arrive as part of the decoration for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. Colors available are: Red, White, Pink, or Marble. The cost is $8.00 each. As is our custom, if you do not wish to order a poinsettia, but honor/remember a loved one; you may make a donation. Order before November 26 th using the envelopes on the literature table.

10 11 CHRISTMAS TEA DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 TH TIME: 10:00-11:30 A.M. WHERE: PROVIDENCE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The annual Christmas Tea will be held Saturday, December 7 th. We will continue with our toy theme as in the past to bring in an unwrapped toy for a child to have a joyful Christmas holiday season. We will have a guest speaker Barbara Taylor who has written a book "Sing in The Morning Cry at Night" based on an old Welsh Proverb. Barbara is the niece of Betty Hinkley. Barbara is no stranger to our Christmas Teas. There will be a sign up sheet located in the narthex on the table for cookies or other treats you would like to share This is a great way to start your day before an afternoon of shopping. Hope to see you there. Grace Hanlon, Betty Hinkley, Sandy O Connor All are welcome! FREEDOM FRIDAY GATHERING Morgan Z Restaurant, 315 Green Ridge St Scranton at 6:30 p.m. Friday, November 15 th Reservations appreciated. Contact Carol Ann Jones ( )

11 12 GREAT TIME ~ GREAT VIEW Pictures may not tell the whole story of just how great a time we had on Sunday, October 20th, hiking with GREAT YOUTH HIKE our youth up one of the area mountains, but we hope it gives you some idea. I think the smiles on our faces and the great group of kids tells it all

12 13 YOUTH SLEEP-OVER NOVEMBER 23 RD November 23 rd from 6 p.m. thru 9 a.m. November 24 th the following morning.youth will be having a sleep over in the church. During this time we will begin to work on a holiday project for our shut ins of the church and come up with a plan for December and January and have some great activities. We need to plan ahead on this youth activity, so reservations are needed by November 20 th. Any questions regarding youth activities can be answered by calling MaryAnn at Thanks, MaryAnn Minner Our 2013 Confirmation Class. A fantastic representation of our youth here at Providence U.P.C.

13 14 GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY A cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s, the Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Because Advent and Christmas shine a light not only on our world s greatest hope but also on our world s greatest need, the PC(USA) provides this timely opportunity for congregations to support causes specifically designed to bring Good News of Great Joy to the poor in circumstance or spirit. Undesignated gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will be distributed equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to support student scholarships at Presbyterianrelated racial ethnic schools and colleges. Providence United Presbyterian Church will be collecting for the Christmas Joy Offering, starting Sunday, December 1 st until Sunday, December 22 nd, when the Offering will be dedicated. FINANCIAL NEWS: Total my offering: $100, Regular Expense: $107, Net other designated offering: $ 26, Net Total Income: $ 19, We continue to be in the process of learning who is interested in our Newsletter each month and how they would like to receive it... , mail or pick-up on Sunday. You may also find it on our web-site in color

14 15 PROVIDENCE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1145 Providence Road, Scranton, PA Phone: Fax: Sunday Worship: 10:00 A.M. Pastor: The Rev. Kenneth L. Goodrich, II Secretary: Debra Mullen Office Hours: 12:15 to 4:15 Music Director: Corey Bartell Treasurer: Mark Lesko Custodians: Nancy and Chuck Donlin Website: Check us out on Facebook too! Session Lori Armbrust, clerk Bill Graziano Christa Jennings Mark Lesko Mary Ann Minner Paul Montgomery Carolyn Otto Ruth Reim Lois Syryla Jean Thomas Deacons Judy Baer Corey Bartell, Becky Dunleavy Cathy Howell Carol Ann Jones Gretchen McGilley Sandy O Connor Allen Richards Ann Marie Thomas Jacque Thorpe Karen Zurell

15 Providence United NONPROFIT Presbyterian Church US POSTAGE PAID 1145 Providence Road PERMIT 191 Scranton, PA SCRANTON PA Address Service Requested 16