GIVING THANKS by Rev. Jerry Kramer

Transcription

1 GIVING THANKS by Rev. Jerry Kramer My old neighbor on Hilton Head Island, recently posted this on Facebook, Your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn. One of the ways to keep your mouth turning up is being thankful. On Sunday, November 19, we will have our annual Thanksgiving worship service. I love planning the worship service and preaching on this Sunday. Few attitudes produce more joy, more smiles, than living with a heart that knows it s thank yous. Giving thanks is always positive and affirms God the Giver, the Source of all our gratitude. Giving thanks is so life-changing because it would rather look at what is going well than what is not. It arises from a heart that celebrates the goodness of God and the good deeds of others. It rejoices in the positive and chooses to see the opportunities even in adversity. Abraham Maslow knew the secret of gratitude. He said that a fully mature adult is one who has the ability to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life with awe, pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy. A pediatrician, in one of my churches, gave me one of his needlepoint creations, of me, sitting as a teddy bear in a chair reading a book, with a clock next to me that has on its face Col 3:17, which, is the great text, reminding us that in whatever we do, in word or deed, we are to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. There is much to be thankful for at JPC: I give thanks for our 175 th anniversary, which recalled so many wonderful memories and blessings. I give thanks for the beautiful new choir robes; the royal blue and white trim, which so aesthetically accentuate the beautiful voices of our choir. I give thanks for the new Worship & Rejoice hymnals; we are really going to like them as they assist us to sing in a fresh, new way. I give thanks for our historic stained-glass windows and how our triune God meets us here in our deepest joys and sorrows. I give thanks for our PNC, which is working faithfully in finding our new pastor. (Continues on Page two) Page 1

2 GIVING THANKS (Continues) by Rev. Jerry Kramer I give thanks for the spirit of love and unity among the leaders and members of our church; this is a wonderful place to belong. I give thanks that this is an incomplete list, one in which you can add, that for which you are thankful. enthusiasm. Happy Thanksgiving! Rev. Jerry Kramer Giving thanks is the deepest emotion and attitude of the Christian life. We all need to find more things and more persons for which and for whom our hearts swell in gratitude to God. It will transform your life and our church. It will bring joy, hope and Family Game Night The Evangelism and Fellowship Committee invites JPC members and friends to the monthly family game night on Tuesday November 21st.. The evening begins with a tasty meal at 5:30 pm. Please bring your favorite game or join a group for cards and board games afterwards. Page 2

3 ADVENT 2017 GREETINGS FROM BARB AND MARG Be still and let there be peace on earth knowing that in God is our peace and hope. Life here at the Glenridge continues to be stimulating with concerts, plays, social functions, and weekly Fitness Center visits. We try to walk each evening, if not outside, then the halls on the four floors. This fall we took a class in World Religions- Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We continue to be Ambassadors, staffing the desk in the reception area, leading tour groups, Marg a docent for the Fish Tank rotating with another resident who is currently a real Docent at Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium on City Island. The Sandhill Cranes come daily underneath our windows, Great Egrets, Big Blue Heron, turtles and alligators appear on the pond across from us. On our nightly walks Barb counts the number of rabbits she can find. Last March that became her downfall as she stumbled, fell, ending up in hospital 3 days and 5 weeks in our Carroll Center with beautiful changing facial colors as her wounds healed. She was encouraged by the visits of her family from Michigan during that time. We continue to be active at Siesta Key Chapel, especially the choir. The annual Palm Sunday Cantata and the December Lessons and Carols. The greatly anticipated installation of the Schantz Pipe Organ and dedication concert happened on Marg's birthday, March 19 th with a great fanfare of choir, organ and Brass Quintet. In December we will celebrate Barb's 90 th birthday- born Dec. 28, 1927! Marg survived her 60 year celebrations of ordination as Minister of Word and Sacrament and on October 24, 2017 it became 61. There are now over 5800 daughters. And then there were Hurricanes. Irma did lots of damage in Florida. Our Glenridge became a shelter for the nursing staff and patients of Plymouth Harbor Senior Residence on Sarasota Bay, and our employees brought their families so they could serve us here. We prepared - putting water, food, radios, valuables and two lounge chairs in the laundry room. At height of the storm our window coverings were not moving, we ditched the laundry room for the bedroom and a good nights rest We escaped a direct hit, didn't lose power, but many were without power for weeks. There are still piles of trees and branches to be picked up. Some of our Presbytery churches, including Beth-EL and Immokalee Missions sustained great damage. Crops were ruined leaving the migrant workers stranded without employment. (Continues on page 4) Page 3

4 ADVENT 2017 GREETINGS FROM BARB AND MARG Our prayers continue for all who are suffering from loss of homes and livelihood due to Harvey, Irma and Maria and fires in West. A very challenging book to be read is: Waking Up White And Finding Myself In The Story of Race by Debby Irving. Let us pray that sanity and civility may be restored to our nation so all people regardless of race, gender, age, nationality, physical ability, religious affiliation, sexual orientation may know acceptance and have their needs fulfilled and voices heard so we may have an end to violence, hatred, racism, sexism, that Peace on Earth and Good Will To All People will rule. Blessing, Peace, Love, Lunch and Learn Friday, Nov. 10th at 12:00 we will have another Lunch & Learn with Tracy & Doug Marconnet who will be discussing Bee Keeping - honey bees, native bees, and polinator gardens. This will qualify for all you Master Gardeners and your classes. We will have lunch before the program, so please sign up in the back of the sanctuary so we will be sure to have enough food for all. Using the Phone: Using the Post: Using the Web: The church office hours are: Our Location Address is: Tuesday and Wednesday 9 am - Noon 207 W. Main St. Wales, WI Thursday 9 am 1 pm The church phone number is: 262- Our Mailing Address is: or Rev. Jerry Kramer P.O. Box or Wales, WI, glkramer56@gmail.com. To send an to the church secretary: jpcsec@jerusalempresbyterian.org Visit our website for more information: jerusalempresbyterian.org Page 4

5 Calling All Bakers We need YOUR help!! JPC s Annual Christmas Cookie Sale will be held on Saturday, December 9 th in correlation with Christmas in Wales. Many homemade Christmas cookies are needed, so now is the time to get out your cookie recipes and choose your favorite to share. Last year we sold more than 300 dozen cookies! All bakers are asked to bake 6-7 dozen cookies of the same kind, not three dozen of one kind and two dozen of another. Please sign up on the clipboard at church to bake and then take an Important Information for Cookie Bakers sheet. Everyone s participation allows us to offer a large selection of wonderful Christmas cookies to the community and send 100% of the proceeds to the Kettle Moraine Food Panty. If you have questions, or suggestions please contact Deb Bennett at or tdzfam3@yahoo.com. Let s make Jan proud! JPC Looking for Volunteers Longtime member Patti Flynn is living in a nursing home in Waukesha and would love to be able to come to church once a month. If you would be willing to pick her up, there are people who would be willing to take her home. If you could do this on occasion, please contact Pam MacArthur (262) Page 5

6 Welcoming New Members The Session is welcoming Kenny & Laura Kazubowski and their daughter Adara, and Gail Norwood into membership at JPC. Kenny has lived in southeastern Wisconsin all his life and Laura came to the US from the UK when she was 14. They live in Wales and enjoy walking to church on warm days. Laura spends her days taking care of young children in her home and Kenny is a machinist & woodworker. Kenny is interested in getting involved in some of the mission work like Habitat for Humanity. Gail lives in Dousman and came to visit JPC and never went anywhere else after her visit with us. She felt welcomed and would also like to get involved in some hands on work with the Mission Committee. You will all know her as the woman who wears the hat on Sunday mornings. We will welcome them into the JPC family on Sunday, Nov. 19th and hope you all can be there to be a part of their welcoming. FALL CLEAN UP Please come and join us at church for our fall clean-up on Saturday, November 4 at 9:30 am. Bring your yard tools and tarps. Helping hands makes less work. Hope to see you there! Page 6

7 Worship Schedule 9:30 Sunday Mornings November Birthdays Activities& Events Choral Sunday, November 5 Pastor: Jerry Kramer Musician: M. Peterson Choir Director: N. Zywicki Liturgist::Carolyn Harms Hosts: Bill & Patty Bailey Nursery: J. Schulz Choral Sunday, November 12 Pastor: Jerry. Kramer Musician: M Peterson Choir Director: N. Zywicki Liturgist: Paul Beil Hosts: Cindy Freer & Paul Muzzey Nursery: L. Schueller Choral Sunday, November 19 Pastor: Jerry Kramer Musician: M. Peterson Choir Director: N. Zywicki Liturgist: Jerry Gapinski Hosts: John & Kristen McEwing Nursery: E. Copeland Sunday, November 26 Pastor: Jerry Kramer Musician: A. Lorenz Liturgist: Hosts: Mike and Mary Bohren Nursery: J. Schulz 1 Jack Muzzey 1 Marion Rees 3 Daniel Potratz 3 Kim Cullen 5 Doris Murphy 6 Dick Meloy 16 Devon Copeland 16 Pete Peterson 18 Anne Williams 25 Janet Madden 25 Herthel Stephens 28 Margaret Hansen Weekly Attendance October October 8 55 October October October JPC BOOK CLUB JPC 2nd Monday of every month Big Little Lies by LuAnne Moriarity on Nov. 13th at 1:30 p.m No Book Club in December Bridge Join us for cards at 1:30 pm on Wednesday Sheepshead Last Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm at Three Pillars in Dousman Game Night Tuesday November 21st.. The evening begins with a tasty meal at 5:30 pm. Page 7

8 P.O. Box Main St. Wales, WI 53183