The Pastor s Ponderings... January 2019

Transcription

1 1 P a g e J a n u a r y The Pastor s Ponderings... January 2019 What Is Your Word of the Year for 2019? As 2018 drew to a close, publishers of various dictionaries revealed words they considered significant enough to warrant the title "Word of the Year" (WOTY) because of increased usage, a rise in online searches for the terms and cultural importance. And as 2019 begins we each have the opportunity to choose the word we wish to characterize our lives in the year ahead. In this regard, Katie Nathey owner of Mountain Modern Life offers Tips for Choosing Your Word of the Year. In brief, here are Nathey s tips: Step 1: Reflect on this past year and ask yourself: What could I use more of in my life? What could I use less of in my life? What characteristics would I like to have? By the end of the day I want to feel (fill in the blank). In what direction would I like to go? Step 2: Visualize what the perfect day would feel like. What word do I want to focus on in 2019? Step 3: Spend 10 minutes brainstorming a list of possible words. Step 4: Narrow down your list to three favorites. Let the words pick you. Step 5: Which words ignite your passion? To which word would you be willing to commit yourself? Step 6: Post your 2019 "Word of the Year" in prominent places where you can see and reflect on it daily. In other words, hold yourself accountable. So doing will most certainly take a bit of your time at the beginning of the year. But on the other hand it will also help you to get the most out of your time; throughout 2019, and far beyond! As a bumper sticker from my own days in youth group read: Only one life will soon be past; only what s done for Christ will last. Dave Lovelace

2 2 P a g e J a n u a r y /16 Molly Kenton LECTIONARY READINGS FOR JANUARY Year C JANUARY Epiphany of the Lord January 6 Isaiah 60:1 6 Psalm 72:1 7, Ephesians 3:1 12 Matthew 2:1 12 Baptism of the Lord January 13 Isaiah 43:1 7 Psalm 29 Acts 8:14 17 Luke 3:15 17, Adrienne Underwood 01/18 Susan Latimer 01/21 Janis Kumpf 01/22 Dennis Witmer 01/24 Hunter Firment Hanna Firment 01/26 Xande Robertson George Salmons 01/27 Paul Haldeman Jack Vander Laan 01/28 Carey Kaiser 01/29 Carolyn Hooper Second Sunday after Epiphany January 20 Isaiah 62:1 5 Psalm 36: Corinthians 12:1 11 John 2:1 11 Third Sunday after Epiphany January 27 Nehemiah 8:1 3, 5 6, 8 10 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 12:12 31a Luke 4:14 21 JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES 01/01 Barbara & Jonathan Sypher 01/14 William & Martha Marsey 01/29 David & Barbara Heckman BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 01/02 Jacob Jury 01/03 Kristin Armstrong Erin Walther 01/04 Paul Kenton 01/06 Melvin Harkins Alex Schwendeman 01/07 Hunter Witmer 01/09 Dirk Vander Laan Dara Main

3 3 P a g e T H E M E S S E N G E R J a n u a r y Sunday School for Grades K 5 (Barbara Sypher) Meets every Sunday except Communion Sunday at 9:15 AM in rooms 4 & 5. LIFT for Grades 6-12 (Becky and Sean Kennedy) Living in Faith Together Brown Bag Bible Study (Pastor Dave) Studying: Lectionary Readings We meet Thursdays at 11:30 AM. Lunch starts at 11:30 a.m., which may be truly brown bagged or ordered from our wonderful caterer, Betsy Coons. Indeed, many of us have a standing order with Betsy to enjoy her specialty of the day! Book Club (Susan Latimer) Reading: Outlander, Diana Gabaldon We will meet Tuesday, January 8 at 6:00 PM at Station 52. Come a little early to enjoy drinks and conversation! Sunday Morning Bible Study (Dave Robertson) Studying: Paul s Letter to the Corinthians We meet Sundays at 8:45 AM in the Library. All are welcome! Sunday Morning Topical Study (Don Coats) Watching: Myth with a Thousand Faces Interviews with Joseph Campbell Reading: How Jesus Became God by Bart Ehrman We meet Sundays at 9:00 AM in the Social Hall meeting area. All are welcome! We will meet most Sundays at 5:00 PM. A detailed calendar will be provided. You DO NOT have to be a member of LBPC to participate. EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Women s Group (Joan Wysham) Meets the second Tuesday of the month at Noon. Just Desserts Meets monthly. This month s gathering is on Friday, January 18 th at 7:30 PM at the home of Joanna Kelly. All are welcome! Spiritual Pairings (Sandra Borror) Meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 PM. A series of explorations to rediscover early saints, philosophers, theologians, and teachers who influenced the development of the Christian Church. While some had ideas that may seem archaic, you may be surprised to find wisdom nuggets and inspiration that are still relevant today. At each meeting, we ll explore a pair of teachers and their common themes. Jan 15 - Bonaventure and Dante s Divine Comedy Feb 26 - Martin Luther and Ignatius of Loyola Mar 26 - Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross Apr 23 - Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal May 28 - TBD

4 4 P a g e T H E M E S S E N G E R J a n u a r y Epiphany Epiphany is the celebration of God s manifestation or self-revelation to the world in Jesus Christ. In particular, we celebrate the revelation of God s promise and purpose to the nations of the world, as the magi came from the East to worship to the Christ child, and God s covenant of grace is extended to all who believe the good news of Christ Jesus. The symbolism of light is important: not only because of the star that guided the magi, but as it relates to the bright dawning of God s self-revelation in Christ. An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, 94-95) Annual Congregational Meeting January 27, 2019 Annual LBPC Birthday Party immediately following! The word epiphany (from the Greek epiphaneia or theophaneia) means appearance or manifestation of God, and has roots in the word for sunrise or dawn. In ancient times, an epiphany meant either a visible manifestation of a god or the solemn visit of a ruler venerated as a god. For Christians, Christmas marks the coming of God to us; Epiphany celebrates the appearance of the Lord in the midst of humanity. The Christmas stories of the birth of Immanuel declare the divine entry; Epiphany extols the revelation of God to the world in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. In our celebrations of Christmas and Epiphany we rejoice in the dawning and the arising of Light in darkness. Epiphany not only discloses the Savior to the world but also calls the world to show forth Christ, to be witnesses to God s true Light. The timeless mystery of the incarnation, God in flesh, leads us forth to show and tell of Christ as God s gift of grace and salvation for all persons. Some call this ongoing epiphany the work of Christmas. Look for these sign-up sheets posted in the Social Hall! 2019 Flower Donations LBPC Birthday Cake Baking for 01/27/2019 A reminder that LBPC is scheduled to deliver Meals on Wheels January Mark your calendar! from: painting: Adoration of the Magi by Spanish painter Luis Tristán de Escamilla ( )

5 5 P a g e T H E M E S S E N G E R J a n u a r y New Small Group/Class! Parenting with Love and Logic Come join us for this amazing class! Signing up on line helps us plan but is not necessary. Starts on Thursday, January 10 at 6:30.

6 6 P a g e T H E M E S S E N G E R J a n u a r y Sr. Choir schedule for January is as follows: Wed., Jan NO REHEARSAL Sun., Jan NO CHOIR Wed., Jan NO REHEARSAL Sun., Jan Be robed and ready to sing by 9:15 A.M We would like to say a special THANK YOU to all who gave flowers, and the gift of their time in decorating the sanctuary for Christmas! FLOWERS DONATED BY: The Beech Family The Brendle Family The Brendle Family Lisa S. Chase Lisa S. Chase The Day Family John & Diane Danzeisen The Firment Family Betsy & Steve Ernst Paul & Janet Haldeman Robert & Marian Hartman Bill & Christa Kaiser Hal & Molly Kenton Joanna, Paul & Stephen Kelly Becky, Sean & Padraig Kennedy Dave & Mimi Lovelace The Major Family The Measley Family Bill and Lisa McNett Joyce & Larry Murphy Enzo & Linda Natali Herbert F. Oettgen Harriet Spayth Speck, Eric George & Judy Thorpe Elizabeth VanLeeuwen Dennis Witmer Joan Wysham DEDICATION: In loving memory of our son and brother Jonathan In loving memory of Dale Brendle In loving memory of Dale Brendle, William & Agnes Cannon & Ruby & Grace Brendle In honor and thanksgiving for Dave & Mimi Lovelace with love In Honor & thanksgiving for Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church with love To the Glory of God In loving memory of Molly & Sandy In loving memory of our grandparents In loving memory of Fran VanLeeuwen In loving memory of loved ones In loving memory of Gerald Hartman & Nancy Flood McCaughrean In loving memory of our dear Kaiser and Albright family members To the Glory of God In loving memory of Rev. Gustaf & Eve Lindstrom & Robert L. Kelly In loving memory of Joseph R. Kennedy, Charles P. Ridens & grandparents To the Glory of God In loving memory of Jackson Major In loving memory of parents and grandparents In loving memory of William McNett Jr. In loving memory of parents Hansi & Tex Kenton & Ed & Louisa Murphy & Toni & Peter Narath In memory of loved ones & to the Glory of God In loving memory of Trudi Oettgen In memory of loved ones In loving memory of Stanley & Esther Speck In loving memory of parents & loved ones In loving memory of Frances & Tom Pearce, & Ann & Tom Pearce, Jr. In loving memory of Richard Witmer In loving of Miriam Witmer In loving memory of The Rev. Stuart Wysham

7 7 P a g e J a n u a r y Start Date Start Time Subject 01/01/ :00 AM **Church Office Closed** 01/02/ :00 PM Al-Anon (Sunday School Room 4) 01/03/ :30 PM Brown Bag Bible Study 01/06/2019 Epiphany of the Lord 10:00 AM Single Worship Service MFM LBPC Cooks 11:00 AM Nth Day of Christmas Potluck 5:00 PM LIFT 01/07/2019 Meals on Wheels 7:00 PM Alateen (Teen & Tween Rm.) 7:00 PM Al-Anon (Sunday School Room 4) 01/08/2019 Meals on Wheels 12:00 PM Women's Group 6:00 PM Book Club 01/09/2019 Meals on Wheels 11:30 AM Mission Committee Meeting 12:00 PM Al-Anon (Sunday School Room 4) 01/10/2019 Meals on Wheels 11:30 AM Brown Bag Bible Study 6:30 PM Love & Logic 01/11/2019 Annual Reports Due to Church Office Meals on Wheels 01/12/ :00 AM NCP Limestone Presbyterian 01/13/2019 Baptism of the Lord 10:00 AM Single Worship Service Ira Wagler, Growing Up Amish 11:00 AM Fellowship: Coffee & Conversation 5:00 PM LIFT 01/14/2019 7:00 PM Finance & Administration 7:00 PM Alateen (Teen & Tween Rm.) 7:00 PM Al-Anon (Sunday School Room 4) 01/15/2019 7:00 PM Spiritual Pairings - A sampling of early Christian spiritual teachers 01/16/ :00 PM Al-Anon (Sunday School Room 4) 7:30 PM Music Rehearsal 01/17/ :30 AM Brown Bag Bible Study 6:30 PM LBPC Cooks 01/18/2019 7:30 PM Just Kelly 01/20/2019 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:00 AM Single Worship Service: Cathedral Choir School of Delaware 11:00 AM Fellowship: Coffee & Conversation 12:00 PM LIFT Day of Service and Dinner Out (Tentative) 01/21/2019 7:00 PM Alateen (Teen & Tween Rm.)

8 8 P a g e T H E M E S S E N G E R J a n u a r y :00 PM Al-Anon (Sunday School Room 4) 01/22/2019 7:00 PM Session Meeting 01/23/ :00 PM Al-Anon (Sunday School Room 4) 7:30 PM Music Rehearsal 01/24/ :30 AM Brown Bag Bible Study 6:30 PM Love & Logic 01/27/2019 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:00 AM Single Worship Service 11:00 AM Annual Congregational Meeting 11:30 AM Congregational Birthday Celebration 01/28/2019 7:00 PM Alateen (Teen & Tween Rm.) 7:00 PM Al-Anon (Sunday School Room 4) 01/30/ :00 PM Al-Anon (Sunday School Room 4) 7:30 PM Music Rehearsal 01/31/ :30 AM Brown Bag Bible Study Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church 101 Old Kennett Road ~ Wilmington Delaware Rev. David E. Lovelace, D. Min., Pastor Revdel@comcast.net Linda Natali, Church & Cemetery Manager Linda.natali@comcast.net Dr. Donna Beech, Music Director Beechmartin@msn.com Phil Calabrese, Contemporary Music Director Philip.calabrese@gmail.com Barbara Sypher, Dir., Children & Youth Ministries Barbarasypher@live.com Becky Kennedy, Office Assistant Lbpc@comcast.net Becky and Sean Kennedy, LIFT Volunteers lbpc@comcast.net