Castile United Church of Christ P.O. Box 512 Castile, NY Church

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1 Castile United Church of Christ P.O. Box 512 Castile, NY Church Minister: Rev. Harrison Putnam Cell: Home: United Flyer Editor: Marlene Loomis February 2018 United Flyer

2 Pastor s Page On February 14 we celebrate Valentine s Day. However, this same date is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is a time when we look deeply inside ourselves to see the ways we hurt one another and our world by not living as God intends; a time when we commit ourselves to changes and to new beginnings. And opening ourselves up to be renewed through Christ. Ashes have long since been used as a symbol of grief and sorrow for sin all those things in ourselves and in society of which we are apart that causes hurt and sadness in our world. Sin is what happens when we become separated from God, each other and our true calling as human beings. Ashes remind us of our mortality: the fact we are born, we live our lives and then we die. Ashes remind us that we are made of the same stuff as the earth and all its creatures. We remember we are dust and to dust we shall return. Finally, ashes are also a sign of new life emerging from the past of forgiveness, blessing, and transformation. Our Ash Wednesday, February 14 lunch will be at 12:30 PM and a brief Worship Service at 1:15 PM. Welcome to this special worship service. We invite you to participate in song, in prayer, in meditation, in confession and in openness to change and transformation. February 2018 Preaching Schedule February 4, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany & Holy Communion Scripture: Isiah 40:21-31 & Mark 1:29-39 Sermon: Source of Strength February 11, 2018 Transfiguration Sunday Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12 & Mark 9:2-9 Sermon: Compassionate Community February 14 Ash Wednesday 1:15 PM Scripture: Joel 2:1-2, & Matthew 6:16, Message: Ashes to Ashes February 18, 2018 First Sunday in Lent Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17 & Mark 1:9-15 Sermon: God s Loving Paths February 25, 2018 Second Sunday in Lent Scripture: Genesis 17:1-7, & Mark 8:31 Sermon: Always Close Brown Bag Sermons Would you be interested in sharing part of your faith journey with our congregation?? You will have an opportunity through our BROWN BAG SERMONS. February 11, 2018 Lynn McNamara March 11, 2018 No Matter Where You are on Your Faith Journey, You are Welcome Here! Yours in Christ Jesus Rev. Harrison Putnam Offering Envelopes There are some boxed sets of offering envelopes available for If you would like one, please see our Financial Secretary, Cindy Feroleto or Marlene Loomis in the church office.

3 Castile United Church of Christ 4 Washington Street Castile, NY No matter where you are on your faith journey, You are welcome HERE. Lent Begins: Our Ash Wednesday Service will be held on Wed., February 14 beginning with a Soup and Sandwich Luncheon at 12:30 PM, with our Ash Wednesday Service held at 1:15 PM. Minister: Rev. Harrison Putnam Cell: Office: Home: Church Castile_UCC@yahoo.com Website: Rev. Putnam s Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM-3:00 PM Church Building Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Administrative Coord. Office Hours: Tuesday Friday 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM Church Moderator: Lenten Soup & Scripture Lessons: (Soup and sandwiches will be provided.) Wed., Feb :00-1:00 PM Wed., Feb :00-1:00 PM Wed., March 7 12:00 1:00 PM Wed., March 14 12:00 1:00 PM Wed., March 21 12:00 1:00 PM Palm Sunday Sun., March 25 Maundy Thursday - Thurs., March 29 6:30 PM. Larry Rogers Vice-Moderator: Charles Miller Administrative Coordinator Marlene Loomis Custodian: Beverly Edwards Organist: Timothy Neel Supt. of Buildings & Grounds Greg VanSlyke Annual Church Meeting Board of Elders Chairperson Tim McMullen Board of Trustees Chairperson: Mark Barber

4 Child Care February, Tracy Miller 11- Marlene Loomis 18- Barbara Bellamy 25- Michelle Chamberlain Adoration Flowers February Jen Griesbaum (In memory Patrick Griesbaum) 11- Marcy VanZandt 18- Carol Becker (In memory of Ruth Yates) 25- Jody Skinner Sunday Brunch Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018 Memorial Fund Committee, Jenifer Bannister & Sue Barber Christian Education News Opportunity to Contribute Please consider becoming a teacher for Bible Adventure Time. Currently we are looking for people interested in a one-month commitment to work with our young people. Curriculum is very easy to follow. See Heidi Lockwood if interested. Upcoming Events for Christian Ed.: NEXT Movie Night Tues., February 20 at 6:30 PM The movie will be Disney s UP. Come watch a movie inside tents and we will be serving Smores & Popcorn!!! Newsletter Deadlines All newsletter articles for the United Flyer are due by the 15 of each month and are at the TH discretion of the church office. New Church Rental Fees: As of January 1, 2018, the church s Embling Dining Hall fee will increase from $40.00 to $ Wedding fees (for the building use only) will remain the same: $ for members $ for non-members (A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is due at time of initial reservation.) Youth News Youth Group Bible Study We are moving on to a new curriculum with our Youth. The book is titled Nothing Short of the Truth. This book begins a lesson with a Disney short movie. The movie is a kick off point for great conversation and learning. Board of Trustees News St. Pauly s Used Clothing Drop-off Box What to Donate: Used clothing, shoes, belts, purses, linens, blankets, curtains, and stuffed animals. What Not to Donate: Furniture, electronics, household items, books, toys, rags, pillows or fabric scraps. Our latest check was for $89.12.

5 Thank you s To Nunda Farm Service, Inc. for our beautiful Christmas Poinsettias and for delivering them. To Carney s Market for the excellent pizza for our Birthday Party for Jesus and for donating a cheese sheet pizza!! To Maurice Edwards for turning in another $95.70 in pop cans and water BOTTLES. To Tom & Mary Reagan, Dawn Miller & Sandy Sickles for the use of some of their Nativity s to decorate our sanctuary. February Birthdays 1 - Chase Lewis 1 - Stephen Balmas 3 - Rev. Harrison Putnam 4 - Jessica Seymour 5 - Steven Meyer 6 - Jeff VanValkenburg 7 - Hattie Schroeder 7 - Clair (Dub) Swyers 9 - Erwin (Buzz) Rugg 11 - Jacob Klein 13 - Carol Wilson 15 - Cliff Scott 15 - Daniel Cooley 15 - Emma Totsline (1 Birthday!) st 16 - David Brown 17- Maya Bellamy 19 - Audrey Embling 19 - Karin Rice 22 - Alex James Swarthout (1 Birthday!) st 24 - Emily Reagan 26 - Casey VanZandt 26 - Kathryn Connolly February Anniversaries 10 - Clair & Sarah Swyers 71 YEARS!!! If you would like to send them a card, here is the ADDRESS: Mr. & Mrs. Clair Swyers 5455 Upper Reservation Rd. Castile, NY Adult Coloring & Coffee Night On Wed., February 28, :00 5:30 PM Bring your friends and family!! This is a FREE Community EVENT! Chocolate in the Stacks Wednesday, February 14 At the Cordelia A. Greene Library in Castile, NY Doors open at 5:00 PM Drawings begin at 6:00 PM You do not need to be present to win Chinese Auction baskets, but you must be PRESENT to win Door Prizes. Christian World Mission News Scrap Metal Mission cast iron copper stainless steel pots steel aluminum lawn mowers electric motors brass old machinery power tools hand tools Please, NO: T.V. s, computers, air conditioners, freezer, refrigerators (or anything with Freon in it.) Contact Chuck Klein at for pick up.

6 SERRV Update SERRV made an impact on the world in With the help of our SERRV sales the following happened: 25 countries had craft & food orders 31,000 artisans, farmers, and their families benefited from SERRV partnerships 500,000 fairly traded handcrafts & food items were sold in North America 120 persons received craft tools, or grants, through SERRV Thank you for supporting this Mission Project which reaches out across the world to help make lives better! Secretary: Susan Ferris Correspondence: Marlene Loomis Next Women s Fellowship meeting: Mon., February 12, at 11:00 AM Next Meals & Memories Thur., February 8, 2018 at 12:00 PM Mark your calendars: Rummage Sale set-up begins Sunday, April 15!! Rummage Sale dates are: Thursday, April 19 6:00-8:00 PM Friday April 20 12:00-4:00 PM Saturday, April 21 9:00-11:00 AM SNACKPAK Updates: The Snackpak for Kids program continues to use programs from the Arc of Livingston- Wyoming to help pack the bags and bring them up to school. We are presently helping out 11 families which includes 27 kids, and we have the ability to add families when identified by the school. Thanks to St. Mary s and the Castile UCC for the many donations that help keep this program available to families in the Letchworth Central School District. Marcy VanZandt Women s Fellowship Our Mission Statement: Through the belief in our Living God, our mission is to reach out and support families and individuals in need, by sharing ideas and creativity, using our time and talents to strengthen ties in the community. Chairperson: Dawn Miller Co-Chairs: Bonnie Miller & Judy Goodenow 125 th Annual May Breakfast is Tuesday, May 1 st New for 2018: Meals & Missions (formerly Meals & Memories ) A FREE monthly community luncheon held on the 2 nd Thursday of each month. Meal & Devotion at 12:00 PM Mission Project Outreach following meal (This project will vary from month to month) (We ask that you bring a dish to pass if possible.) This is a community outreach of the Castile UCC Women s Fellowship and open to ALL. Castile United Church of Christ Castile, NY

7 January, 2018 Meals & Missions Focus: Seeds of Kindness And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 As we take a look at kindness we need to realize that it is something that comes from within that we manifest outward in what we say and what we do. When we say that someone is kind, we don't usually mean they are kind to themselves but that they are kind to others. So, what we see is that kindness involves our relationships. Reflect for a minute on all the people that you have in your life--your spouse, your kids, your in-laws, your friends, strangers, anyone you come in contact with. How are your relationships with these people? Do we sometimes treat a stranger better than the people that we love? If they were asked, would they say you are a kind person? Christ wants us to be different. He wants us to show kindness in all manners and ways. We should be a light to lost souls. You may only cross someone s path once and it may be your only chance to shine God s light and show forth kindness. Follow Christ's Example. Jesus "went about doing good". Following Christ is a big part of the Christian life. We as Christians want to follow His example in certain areas of our life such as, in our prayer life and witnessing, but we forget sometimes about all the good deeds Christ portrayed. Christ said, that "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35) How can we show our love without being kind and doing good deeds? Begin One Kind Deed at a Time Look around you. In this New Year who could use a simple act of kindness? There are hurting people all about us. Maybe you know someone who is just lonely. If you aren't in the habit of sowing seeds of kindness, start with something simple. How about a smile and a kind word to someone? Send a note of encouragement to someone who is going through a hard time. Anything nice you do for someone can be considered an act of kindness. Determine to do at least one kind thing a week and pretty soon it will come naturally to you. Here are some Seeds of Kindness ideas: Give someone a smile Say a Kind word to someone Send a card Greet someone you haven t greeted in a while Call or visit someone Cook someone a meal Tell someone you will pray for them & do it Share Christ s love thru your testimony Give someone a hug Tell someone that you love them Give someone your time Clean someone s house Tell a child Jesus loves them Give a compliment Take time to be a friend Say thank you for a kind deed done to you Have patience with someone difficult