LETTER FROM PASTOR DON

Transcription

1 December, 2017 LETTER FROM THE DONIGIANS We are into the home stretch of 2017 Thanksgiving is a memory and Christmas shopping has become our national pastime. If you are like most of us, you have some people on your shopping list who are hard to buy for. They don t need anything, but you want to honor them by giving them something meaningful, something that will show them how much you care for them. Have you ever thought of giving your church a Christmas present? If you have, there are three things the church would like to have as a sign of care your time, your talents, and your treasure. So many of you have given so much, but if you are still thinking about giving something to the church, we have a couple of ideas, especially about giving financially. At the January congregational meeting, we as a dedicated group of believers challenged ourselves to do more in 2017 than in This would mean we would challenge ourselves to increase our financial giving. We have this goal in mind it is one we can reach with the continued dedicated support from all of us. Here are a few suggestions: If you contribute to the church through envelope giving, check to see if there are any Sundays you might have missed due to vacations or other reasons for not being at church. Even if people are not present, we still have vital missions to accomplish. If you have not been able to support the church financially this year, please think about giving a small gift (think about the importance of the widow s mite). No gift is too small and each gift will help the church to do more. If you have given to the church on a regular basis, please consider giving an additional gift think of it as a Christmas gift a birthday present to Jesus. As we all work together, we can make First Church a place where God s work can be done with the support of all of God s people. Blessings to all of you this Advent season, Pastors Doug and Joyce Donigian LETTER FROM PASTOR DON A Merry Christmas to you! We spell that word M-E-R-R-Y. May I suggest that we spell it a different way because of what happened to Mary as recorded in Luke 1:26-38? As such, M-E-R-R-Y changes to M-A-R-Y, and so we can say: Have a Mary Christmas! In other words, may Christmas have for you and me the same basic elements that it had for Mary. If so, then it will be a true Christmas celebration.

2 From the Luke 1:26-38 passage come the words about Jesus in the Apostles Creed: He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. The angel, Gabriel, appeared to a peasant girl named Mary, who was engaged to Joseph. Mary was a fifteen year old girl of junior high age from a peasant family. God had chosen this unlikely girl to be the mother of the Son of God. Gabriel, an archangel, said to Mary: Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you Do not be afraid for you have found favor with God. The initiative was all on God s part. And that is what Christmas is all about God in action, in mercy, in Jesus. The archangel told Mary that she was to be the mother of the Messiah. Yet, Mary was confused: how could this be? Mary asked Gabriel: How shall this be since I have no husband? But the angel answered Mary: The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will over-shadow you; therefore the child to be born of you will be called holy, the Son of God. The angel s reply was the description of a mystery. Namely, the infinite God would compact Himself into a single human being named Jesus. It was a medical doctor who wrote this annunciation story the physician, Luke who told of the incredible might and mystery of God. The Annunciation Story points us to a number of vital lessons concerning Christmas. One lesson is to marvel that God has chosen us to receive Jesus in our hearts through faith. God s choice of us is sealed in our baptism. God is always coming to us, always choosing us, always wanting to be with us and in us. That is what Christmas is all about. Another lesson is to keep Christ central in our preparation for Christmas. You can well believe that Mary kept Christ central in her nine months of expectation. Still another lesson is to believe that God can do the impossible when it is His will. Gabriel told Mary, With God nothing will be impossible. And, finally, we can learn from Mary how to accept God s will. Mary said: Let it be to me according to Your word, which is the same as according to Your will. Christmas is not our activity. It is God s activity. It is not our words. It is God s Word made flesh. A Merry Christmas to you and yours! That s spelled M-E-R-R-Y. But also, A Mary Christmas to you and yours! That s spelled M-A-R-Y. If you and I catch her spirit, her faith in God, her centrality of Christ, then we will indeed have a Merry Christmas all year long. Merry Christmas! Grace! Peace! Hope! Love! With You in Christ s Service! The Reverend Dr. Donald E. Moyer Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation ANNOUNCEMENTS STAYING CONNECTED with First Church has never been easier. Weekly s are sent with all the latest news, announcements, electronic versions of this newsletter days ahead of the mail. Simply Lisa at info@firstucc.net and she will add you to the ing! Also, if you are on Facebook, we offer event announcements and reminders, Bible lessons, videos, and pictures at our Facebook pages. Simply like First United Church of Christ Quakertown and/or Youth Worx and you ll always have the latest news! Don't forget to invite your Facebook friends to also like the Church's Facebook pages.

3 FLOWER DELIVERY HELPERS After worship every week, we have volunteers that deliver our altar flowers to folks who could use a visit and some cheering up. If you would like to join this meaningful ministry team to deliver flowers, please see Shirley on Sunday mornings, sign up on the sheet in the Narthex, or let the Church Office know. Thank you! FELLOWSHIP HALL IS A HAPPENING PLACE after the worship service! Grab a cup of coffee and some goodies before you to to a class or decide to sit and chat with friends! Many thanks to everyone who places surprise baked goods, cheese, and assorted snacks on the table for all to share. Each month various committees are in charge of set up and clean up. Ask any Council or committee member today how you can be involved for 15 minutes before worship or after fellowship. If you d be willing to help with this work, we can train in a jiff! IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER - Call the church telephone answering machine, which will be updated with the latest information ( ) or you can check Channel 69 website at (click on school closings, click on church/worship/ libraries. ) December 5 - CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS DEADLINE - Christmas poinsettias are placed in the church every year In Memory of or In Honor of family members or friends. If you would like to sponsor a poinsettia and you are not currently on the list, you may call the Church Office and give us your name and how you want the tribute to read in the Christmas Eve bulletin insert. The cost for each poinsettia is $6.50. The deadline for ordering plant(s) will be December 5. EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP - Come out at 5:15 p.m. for our Sunday Evening service in the Chapel for a time of music, teaching, and discussion. Holy Communion is served on the first Sunday of every month. GIANT GIFT CARDS will be on sale on the first Sunday of every month in the Narthex after the service. YouthWorx has a limited supply of gift cards in stock, ready for you. Thank you. GIRL SCOUTS AT FIRST CHURCH Did you know that we have five Girl Scout troops that meet at First Church? If you have a little girl that is interested in making new friends, in learning to lead with confidence, and planning adventures, contact the Richland Service Unit 615 rsu@yahoo.com for more information. TUESDAY NIGHTS AT FIRST CHURCH Zumba instructor, Karen Sylsberry, from Quakertown YMCA and former Work-Out Plus, lead an hour-long class of this energetic dance fitness program to Latin-inspired music. First UCC members are $5! Non-members and walk-ins are $8. Punch cards are available for an even greater value! Every Tuesday night in Fellowship Hall from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Typically, classes have at least 20 persons and about half of them are from First Church so come and join the fun! VOLUNTEERS FOR HEAD START Are you interested in helping young children? Do you have a skill that you could share with young children? The Head Start preschool program which uses our building during the week is seeking volunteers to help in their classroom. Reading to children, helping with art projects or other activities would be one way you could help. Another great way to help is to could come into the classroom on a one-time basis with the purpose of sharing a skill or a talent or a job that you can demonstrate. Contact Lisa in the Church Office for more information. SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN NEEDS HELP - First UCC has been asked to assist with SFFC in Quakertown by providing transportation for a little guy (3 yr old) who needs to get back to Levittown each weekend to see his family. Typically, we need to pick him up in Trumbauersville and get him to Levittown on Saturday (timing varies based on Dad's work schedule) and then on Sunday, (about 5:30) we need to meet him and his Dad in Doylestown and get him back to his host family. He has his own car seat, and clearances are not needed to transport. If we can create a transportation team, no one driver is going to feel burdened and it is a huge help to the host family. Contact our SFFC church coordinator, Elaine, through the Church Office to offer your support or learn more.

4 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DECEMBER 3 CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP at 3:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. See sign-up sheets for crafters, helpers, bakers and participants at the S.I.G.N. Board. Help is still needed for this fun afternoon! Contact Linda Friday at dce@firstucc.net DONATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP 1. Please bring your new or gently-used Silent Auction items to the Church Office Now! 2. Cupcakes for dessert (with icing) 3. Quart-size mason jars with lids OR glass jars about that size with no labels 4. Cookie cutters - metal or plastic, new or gently used (will be used as a photo frame and will not be returned) ADULTS IN THE CHAPEL Sundays during Advent 10:30-11:30 - Join us on November 26, December 10, and December 17, while we cozy up to the DVD with our fellowship goodies and hot chocolate, and prepare for Advent in Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. With the study, The Redemption of Scrooge: Connecting Christ and Culture by Matt Rawle. "Is redemption possible for Ebenezer Scrooge? Pastor and author Matt Rawle believes so as he discovers the teachings of Jesus in the words of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Rawle dives deep into the dark, sad, greedy world of Scrooge and discovers a man in dire need of a second chance. Along with Scrooge, we meet the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future and in the process learn about living with and for others in a world blessed by Jesus. Rediscover and reinvigorate your Christian faith this Advent and Christmas season and look at this familiar classic through the lens of faith." Note: there will be No Adults in the Chapel Class on December 3 due to Christmas in Quakertown and Advent Workshop. 1. Bah! Humbug! 2. The Remembrance of Christmas Past 3. The Life of Christmas Present 4. The Hope of Christmas Future Go from "Bah! Humbug!" to a Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas. NOTES FROM JON BAUMAN December Events January 5-7 Sunday 12/3 - Fun & Games Night Sunday 12/10 - YouthWorx Night (fun & games + lesson) *12/ Winter LOCK-IN - 6pm - 8am *Friday 12/22 - Christmas Caroling Winter Retreat - Details Location: Camp Men-O-Lan in Landis Hall Cost: $50 per person (*Further details are on the next page) CSA raises money from your support of the Strawberry Festival every year, and on top of assisting the Sunday school program, they also designate money to go towards church youth going to camps or retreats. It is because of their extension of your generous donations that the YouthWorx retreat can remain highly affordable. YouthWorx thanks the Church School Association (CSA) and YOU for keeping our costs so low! We would love your help for the retreat in the following ways: Food Donation - We are asking for food donations, and possibly some volunteer chefs to oversee the meals since we are so close (though we could take care of cooking as well). A sign-up sheet will be available. Saturday Breakfast

5 o Saturday Lunch o Saturday Dinner o Breakfast Casseroles, Breakfast items, Cereal, Oatmeal, Fruit, Milk Crockpots of Soups, Sliced Cheese, White/Italian Loaf Bread (for Grilled Cheese) Trays of Lasagna, Ziti, or Other Dinner Casseroles Sunday Breakfast o Cereal, Oatmeal, Fruit Share Your Story of Faith - On Saturday morning, we are desiring any mentors of our youth that would be going, as well as any other adults who want to, to come to our morning meeting time and share the story of how you came to your belief in Jesus and offer some words of encouragement. This is your open invitation to get to know these awesome youth more and share your unique story! We want to hear it! In Christ's Service, Jon Bauman Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

6 BABY, IT S COLD OUTSIDE IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER - Call the church telephone answering machine, which will be updated with the latest information ( ) or you can check Channel 69 website at (click on school closings, click on church/worship/ libraries. ) UPPER BUCKS CODE BLUE SHELTER If you know someone who is lacking inside shelter in Upper Bucks County during periods of extreme, life-threatening weather (temperature or wind chill of 26 degrees F or below) between November 15 and April 15, room is available at the Upper Bucks Code Blue Shelter located at the Quakertown Masonic Lodge, 501 W Broad ST, Quakertown, PA from 9:00 pm to 7:00 am the following morning. A hot meal and hot breakfast will be provided. Transporation is available from Turkey at 8:20 pm and Perkasie Square Shopping Center at 8:30 p.m. To find out if the shelter is open or to arrange for a ride, please call after 1:00 p.m. The Upper Bucks Code Blue Shelter is a ministry of Advocates for the Homeless of Upper Bucks (AHUB) THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY PROGRAM (LIHEAP) may be able to help keep families safe and healthy. You can call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project for more information. This is a free service providing information on where you can apply for LIHEAP. Call LIHEAP brochures are also available in the Church Office. CHURCH DEVELOPMENT TEAM LIGHTING FOR THE CHURCH BANNERS - Many of you already will know that we have completed the church banner project. That has meant developing the final design of the green Trinity banner and coordinating its production (Lorraine) to complete our set of 7 banners. It also means that lighting for the banners in the Narthex has now been developed, installed, and is operational. We hope you appreciate this effective and appropriate attention directed to these works of art. They depict the liturgical seasons of the Christian church year and the key church holidays, while also telling the story of the life of Christ. We also hope that this enhances the transition from the hectic outside world to a place of welcome and worship. These were our goals as we undertook this project. We hope you will all agree that those goals have been achieved. We are thankful that gifts in memory of Kathleen Walp and Helen Ely, as previously announced, more than covered to cost of this total project. It is gratifying that the beautiful results of this team effort also were due to the skills and hands-on help of Joe, Phil, Dean and the ideas offered by many interested members of First Church during discussion and planning sessions. This project clearly demonstrates what wonderful results happen when members of our church family work together committed to a common goal. Many thanks to everyone who made this possible. Bests wishes for blessed Christmas holidays from: The Church Development Team Pastors Joyce & Doug, Bruce & Judy, Alyse Jocelyn, Lisa, Ray & Ryan and Kate

7 COMMUNION Holy Communion will be celebrated on Advent Sunday, December 3 at 9:15 a.m. and on Sunday evening at 5:15 p.m. on December 3 CONVECTION OVEN Thanks to a fund begun by Art and Cheryl in memory of Cheryl s parents, we have installed a new convection oven in the kitchen. With a lot of help from the Property Committee, we had the new oven operational for Sunday School cookie baking, the November Community Dinner, and cooking turkeys for the Community Thanksgiving dinner. The oven is easy to use and it cooks nearly twice as fast as the gas oven. Thanks, Art and Cheryl!

8 COUNCIL NEWS At the regular meeting of the church council on October 9, the following matters of business were attended to: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and the bills of the month were presented and approved to be paid. The next meeting of council is scheduled for December 11. Christian Ed reported that the Parables have finished up and the lesson on the Nativity will begin. Harvest Home collection of canned goods is underway. Live Nativity and Children s Candlelight service is scheduled for December 17. Church Development Team has their next meeting in November. The lighting project continues to be underway. Kitchen Ministry thanks the Blue Team for helping with the pork and sauerkraut meal in October. Five Trays of Wawa frozen food was given away. The Red Team will help with the November meal of chicken and rice. Blessing Bag ministry is underway. Thank you to Art and Cheryl who gave a great portion of the funds for the new convection oven in memory of her parents. The fryer has been relocated to the kitchen annex/storage and can be brought into the kitchen as needed. Missions: There is a soup sale on the November 19. The team will travel to Camden, NY on July 21. Property reported that with regard to the sanctuary lighting, replacement bulbs will be purchased in bulk. The bracket for re-mounting the carillon bells continues to be looked into. Sacraments: Advent Communion will be taken on December 3. Safe Church: AED kits are being purchased and mounted on the wall. Women s Guild: The next meeting will be on December 5. Youth/Youth Council: The next meeting will be on December 13. The October events had to be cancelled due to weather. NOMINATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED for 2018 Church Council. If you are interested in serving, or if you have questions about serving on Church Council, please speak to the Pastors or any Council member. FINANCE COMMITTEE 2018 budget requests are due now. Please forward any information and/or requests to the Church Office or to a member of Church Council or the finance committee as soon as possible. HURRICANE RELIEF HURRICANE RELIEF AT FIRST CHURCH As we continue to see the effects of hurricane damage on the news, First Church is committed to offering aid to those victims in a variety of ways. Pastor Don has coordinated a group looking for options for disaster relief. You may contribute to these efforts by marking contributions to Disaster Relief, checks may be made payable to First UCC and placed in the offering plate or sent to the Church Office. KITCHEN MINISTRIES THROUGH DECEMBER 11 - BLESSING BAGS - Please consider filling one or more blessing bags for our Community Dinner guests. These items must be full size and individually packaged. Shampoo Toothpaste Toothbrush Bath soap 1 bar (not Irish Spring)

9 No loose items accepted this year. Must be in by Sunday, December 11. Pick-up and then return filled Bags to the S.I.G.N. board by the office. DECEMBER FOOD PANTRY Items of the Month are: Potatoes (instant mashed, scalloped), Gravy, Canned Pasta, Canned Soups, Hot Cereal, Boxed Macaroni and Cheese, Pasta Meals/Hamburger Helper. Over 90 guests enjoyed a chicken dinner on Thursday, November 16. Steve and Clare helped out to make the night go smoothly! Hoping all of you will take a Blessing Bag or two to fill for the dinner on December 15. The bags can be found and returned to the S.I.G.N. table. A short list is attached to each bag. Thanks for your support! 2018 MISSION TRIP Where: Camden New York When: Saturday, July 21 through Saturday, July 28 Who: Current 9th graders and older Fundraising efforts are beginning in November, all members should plan to participate in these efforts. Based on 2017 numbers, estimated cost per person is $400. When you participate in the fundraisers, most of costs can be offset. MUSIC NEWS CHRISTMAS IN QUAKERTOWN - Saturday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m., featuring the Festival Choir, The Quakertown Band, Sanctuary Bells, and First Voice. It's a great way to begin the Christmas season, so be sure to join us, and tell your friends! SPONSORS NEEDED - To help defray the costs of Christmas in Quakertown, please use the First UCC Music Series coupon below and place in the offering plate, drop off or mail to the Church Office. Thank you for your support FIRST UCC MUSIC SERIES PATRON Yes, I/we want to give support to the First United Church of Christ Music Series and help underwrite the cost of Christmas in Quakertown as a patron. (Please fill in this form and return it with your contribution to First United Church of Christ.) Benefactor for $ Donor for $25.00 Sponsor for $50.00 Friend for $10.00 Please make your tax deductible check payable to First United Church of Christ and mail it to us at 151 S Fourth St, Quakertown, PA Thank you for your support! Name: STEWARDSHIP We are making progress toward accomplishing our many missions in 2017 without incurring debt. Our goal is to increase our giving by 10% over Please keep our missions in mind in December as you celebrate God s gifts during this Christmas season. THANK YOU S A big thank you to Evelyn and Jeanette; they stopped by Sunday (10/29) with a lovely bouquet of flowers and stayed to visit. Thank you, too, to church family members who sent me Halloween greetings and to the staff for sending weekly programs. I certainly know I m part of the First Church family. Janice

10 The Edge/Cressman family would like to thank the wonderful, caring people of First Church for all the kindness and love shown to our family after the sudden passing of our mother. The support and warmth you gave us made a difficult time turn into a celebration of her life. Thank you so much for your graciousness for allowing us to park in your facility. Thanks again! The Bucks County Senior Center Dear First Church Family, Thank you so very much for the beautiful and thoughtful card given me in honor of Pastor/Clergy Appreciation Month. I was over-whelmed by all of your signatures and words of thankfulness. The plant and floral arrangement was gorgeous and adorns our home. My wife, Sue, is giving the arrangement of plants all the TLC she has at her finger tips! Again, thank you for your grateful spirit! What a special family you are! Sue and Pastor Don WOMEN S GUILD The next meeting of the Women s Guild will be on Tuesday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor. The program will be Cherished Memories Create Nostalgic Noels. Though not required, we are asking those attending to bring a special Christmas item that provokes nostalgia to share with the group. This can be a cherished family heirloom or perhaps something handmade something that makes you think fondly of Christmas seasons past. We will distribute the shut-in gifts and take our special offering for the Bethany Children s Home Christmas and end the meeting with our traditional Christmas Communion led by Rev. Elaine Ely (subbing for Pastor Joyce). BETHANY CHRISTMAS At their December meeting, the Women s Guild will take a special Christmas offering to benefit the children at Bethany Children s Home. If you can t attend the meeting but wish to contribute to this project, please give your offering to Barbara, Judy, or leave it in the church office. If making your donation by check, please make it payable to First UCC Women s Guild earmarked Bethany Christmas. The deadline is December 10. WOOFI IS AN ADORABLE STUFFED PUPPY. Woofi shares God s love with children around the world. Embroidered on the underside of the ears are the words Precious are the feet who bring the Good News and Jesus loves you. Woofis are a project of the Women s Guild and are available at a cost of $20. This makes a very meaningful gift for any occasion and would be a great Christmas gift idea. There is a sample in the narthex. To purchase a Woofi, please contact Barbara or the church office. REDNER S SAVE A TAPE - The Guild sincerely appreciates the congregation s assistance in saving register tapes from Redner s. Aside from donations, this is our only source of income and it helps us to do projects such as our Love Packages and gifts for our shut in members at Christmas and Easter. However, please do not cut off the bottom of the receipt - we have been told by Redner s that the ENTIRE receipt must be turned in. Redner s is very forgiving on the length of time we have for submitting the receipts. We have plenty of time so if you prefer, you can hold the receipt until after you have used your gas points and then turn it in but please don t cut it off. Any partial receipts need to be discarded as Redner s won t accept them. Thank you for your help!

11 First United Church of Christ 151 S Fourth St Quakertown, PA TIME VALUE DO NOT DELAY ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID QUAKERTOWN PA Permit No. 115 DECEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER