of St. Paul s United Church of Christ, Village of Attica

Transcription

1 of St. Paul s United Church of Christ, Village of Attica The God Particle (adapted from Rick Hocker, author of Four in the Garden) Do you not know that you are God s temple and that God s Spirit dwells in you? -1 Corinthians 3:16 High in the atmosphere, water drops are created when water vapor condenses on tiny particles of dust. At the center of each water drop is a dust particle. This is a great metaphor for God s indwelling presence. Our Bible assures us that God s Spirit dwells in us. Our very soul forms around a God particle. Our bodies make that invisible reality visible. But it s not just that God dwells inside us. God is at the center of our spiritual makeup, as well. God is an integral and enduring part of who we are. God is not added to us. We are added to God. God is our foundation. Teresa of Ávila ( ) describes the soul as a castle with a series of mansions through which we journey. She wrote that God s mansion is the center of the soul itself. If we were to plunge into our innermost center, we would find God. When we practice contemplation or when we center ourselves, we reconnect with God who is at our center. So then, how do we encounter God when God is found at our center? First, we must believe that our connection to God already exists. This creates the connection from our side. It also helps to admit that we are always connected to God. For we are never not connected to God. Next, we quiet our minds and peer inward with our heart s eyes. We place our consciousness at our innermost center as best we can. This inward gazing is like diving into a well that is full of debris. When we encounter debris, we grab onto it, bring it to the surface, and deal with it courageously. Otherwise, it blocks our way. As we persevere in clearing our clutter, we discover that this inner well is filled with the water of God. We find ourselves floating in God and surrounded by God. We become filled with and encompassed by the greatest love we ve ever known or felt. God continues to fill us and flow through us. Our souls become so full, they overflow. This is described in John 7:38: Out of the believers heart shall flow rivers of living water. Through us, God spills out into our world and into the lives of those we encounter. The other truth of this is- that everyone we meet is also a God-particle wrapped in a soul and surrounded by a body. And so, when we encounter another, we are to acknowledge that. This is the basis of the Sanskrit word, Namaste, i.e. the God in me sees the God in you. God is in us. God is among us. God is at our center. God flows through us. God is the great I am.

2 Welcome to the St. Paul s Family Briella & Margaret! Congratulations to the Breedlove Family who welcomed Briella Florence on Fri. Nov. 9th at 4:18am. Briella weighed 5lbs 11oz & was 18 long. In addition to her parents, Briella was welcomed home by big brothers Carter, Evan & Lucas. Photo curtesy of Nicole Breedlove. Congratulations to the Mest Family who welcomed Margaret Eileen on Sun. Nov. 11th at 9:34am. Margaret weighed 7lbs 13oz & was 20 long. In addition to her parents, Margaret was welcomed home by big brother Jonathan & big sister Evelyn. Photo curtesy of Liz Mest. Sunday Bible readings: The first reading is italicized; the message text is bold. Bible Studies meet 7pm in the St. Paul s lounge & 10am in the MPR December 2: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-10 Luke 21: Thessalonians 3:9-13 December 9: Baruch 5:1-9 or Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 1:68-79 (canticle) Luke 3:1-6 Philippians 1:3-11 December 16: Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah Luke 3:7-18 Philippians 4:4-7 December 23: Micah 5:2-5a Psalm 80:1-7 or Luke 1:47-55 [Magnificat] Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) Hebrews 10:5-10 Christmas Eve: Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) Titus 2:11-14 December 30: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Psalm 148 Luke 2:41-52 Colossians 3:12-17

3 Please make sure all newsletter submissions are in by this date. In the green folder on the office window or ed to: Betty Watson Carol Shreder Bev West...and others who are physically unable to join us. Why not call or visit, to let them know they are missed? Attica Food Link Distribution: Dec. 4th 10am-12pm St. Vincent s School Aud. Bring your own bags Food Pantry statistics: PANTRY 4156 MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION (Food Link) 5204 TOTAL 9360 The Annual Meeting is scheduled for January 20th. Please send your 2018 end of year reports to the church office (electronically if possible) by Jan. 3rd for printing in the annual reports booklet. Booklets will be available for pickup on Jan. 13th. Please consider organizing with some friends or family to host a monthly coffee hour so that we can all enjoy that time of fellowship. THANK YOU for supporting the UNICEF collection this year. $ was collected. THANK YOU to everyone that supporting the CE basket raffle & bake sale. $598 was made to help the Dunkirk campers! THANK YOU to everyone who helped out with the sauerkraut supper in any way! $3079 was made to benefit St. Paul s.

4 DECEMBER NOTES December is a busy month and time of giving. During this time we often cause ourselves stress attempting to do too much. Here are some suggestions to ease this stress. Try to fit at least 30 minutes of exercise into your day- focus on what makes the holidays special- connecting with family and friends. -Break it up- Split 30 minutes of exercise into 10 minute blocks- take a short walk before starting your errands, job or other activities - Holiday wonderland- Take a walk around the neighborhood to view holiday decorations and lights, or go to the mall for inside walking and decoration viewing - Get outside with the kids- Play a game outside or just build a snowman- remember to bundle up! - Fun and active- Schedule holiday get togethers at a community or fitness center that offers a variety of activities December is Safe Toys and Gifts month- go to preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist. Safety experts have rated toys and gifts age appropriate- please follow these guidelines Remember it is cold and flu season- please make sure to get your flu shot. The vaccine is not 100% effective, but will protect you from hospitalization. Remember to wash your hands frequently, drink plenty of liquids and get enough sleep. Avoid crowds if you are sick. Special days in December -Dec 7th- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day -Dec 21st- First day of Winter -Dec 22nd- Chanukah begins -Dec 25th- Christmas day- the day of the most special gift of all Dec 1st- Eat a red apple day- Apples are delicious. Apples are nutritious. That's a great combination. Apples date back to the garden of Eden. In that garden, the Bible tells us it was the "Forbidden fruit". It is really easy to participate in this special day. There are thousands of varieties of apples grown all over the planet. Your mission today, is to pick an apple among all of these varieties, and eat it. A little apple trivia: The science of growing apples is called pomology. Celebrate this special day. Select a juicy piece of the "Forbidden fruit" - happy Eat a Red Apple Day Dec 3rd- National Roof Over Your Head Day. It is a day of appreciation for the things we have, starting with the roof over our heads. For most of us, a roof over our head signifies living in a house that protects us from the elements, keeping us warm, dry, and cozy. Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky as you and I. There are many homeless people right here in our country. Some people live in a cardboard box on the street... literally. There are millions of people around the world who live in poverty or disaster areas, and do not have a home to keep them comfortable and safe. Spend a few minutes being thankful that you are not homeless, and appreciating your roof and home today. Also make a contribution to a homeless shelter, so others can come in out of the rain. Dec 8th- National Brownie Day celebrates chocolatey, chewy brownies. Brownie lovers, love chocolate. Conversely, chocolate lovers, love brownies. Therefore, its only natural, that we have a special day to celebrate brownies. It's fun and easy to enjoy this special day. First, select your favorite brownie recipe, and bake a batch of brownies. You can add nuts, if you prefer. Topping the brownies with chocolate frosting is a good thing, too. Finally, eat them! You can have them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack..ps Don't forget the glass of milk!

5 Dec 12th- National Ding-a-Ling Day, a very special day to "Ring your Bell". Nope, we're not talking about the Salvation Army Bell Ringers, standing with their bells and kettles, outside of every store in the country. On National Ding-a-Ling Day, you should brace yourself for bizarre and crazy behavior, from all of the people you encounter today. Even normally conservative people have been known to go a little crazy on this day. Some people say this is a day for wackos, lunatics, and others who are off their rocker. We say, it is simply a day to cut loose, act a little weird. What do you do to celebrate this day? Be ever vigilant to the ding-a-lings that will come out of the woodwork. Dinga-Lings will be everywhere: on the road, on the street, in stores, and even in your house! We suggest you get into the holiday spirit, and become a ding-a-ling yourself...but, please do so for just one day. Join the Handbell choir. For the record: Ding-a-Lings and Ding Bats are not quite the same thing. Dec 20th- Go Caroling Day is a wonderful, rewarding, and memory filled day. By far more popular decades ago, Christmas holiday caroling is a great opportunity to enjoy the holiday and appreciate its meaning. Christmas caroling remains popular in many area and among many groups. Scouts and youth groups often partake in this special musical event. Even family parties and business parties sometimes produce an impromptu caroling event. Christian Education Meeting Oct. 21, 2018 Our meeting was called to order and led in prayer by Mary. All members were in attendance. Halloween Party Susan, Danielle, and Tom will set up and decorate. Games: donuts on string, ghost bowling, beanbag pumpkin toss, cat ring toss, pin the face on skeleton, ghost balloon darts, and ladling for apples. We will have cookies, donuts, cider, apple juice, and warm cider. Unicef boxes will be collected on Nov. 4 th. Sauerkraut Supper Basket raffle and bake sale, Nov. 6 th. We will wrap baskets and set up on Sunday, Nov. 4 th. Tom, Chris, and Lauren will sell tickets. Advent workshop is set for Nov. 25 th. We will finish our plans at our next meeting. Christmas Play we discussed the kind of play we would like to perform. We will enlist children to perform. High School students will also be asked to help. Our next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 4 th Meeting was adjourned with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Ruth Hopfinger Wed. Dec. 12th, 6:30 7:30pm Middle School and High School Youth who have completed Confirmation Class are welcome.

6 Advent Workshop 2018

7 Photos curtesy of Eric Lovell & Chris Kipfer.

8 Celebrating Christmas at St. Paul s 12/13 6pm Cookie Swap Bring 1 dozen, take 1 dozen bring 2, take 2 etc 12/16 after worship Youth Play practice followed by lunch & Caroling with Sisters in Faith 12/23 10am Youth Christmas Play followed by a Birthday Party for Jesus 12/24 11pm Christmas Eve by Candlelight Traditional Christmas Eve worship & Communion Salvation Army Bell Ringing is Sponsored by the Attica Lions Club. Enlist a friend to help for a 2 hour TOPS. Fridays: Saturdays: Dec. 7th, 14th, & 21st Dec. 8th, 15th, & 22nd Questions: see Charles Williman Thank You! The Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been a tangible expression of God s love and light in the world for over 115 years. One of the four Special Mission Offerings of the United Church of Christ, the Christmas Fund provides UCC congregations and members an opportunity to reach out to those who have faithfully shepherded our Church and who now find themselves facing worrisome financial needs. The Pension Boards, on behalf of the whole church, passes on 100% of this direct support so that real needs may be met and support may be felt. Through your gifts to the Christmas Fund, you can help ensure that The Light is Surely Coming.

9 2 Hanging of the Greens Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Worship w/ Communion 10am 9 Worship 10am Lynne Jacoby 16 Worship 10am Play practice/ lunch/ Caroling Levi Perry 23 Worship 10am 30 Worship 10am 3 Bible Study 7pm Megan Simonsen 10 Bible Study 7pm 17 Bible Study 7pm Jean & Ralph Wirth 24 Christmas Eve Worship by Candlelight 11pm 31 December Food Link St. Vincent s Aud. 10am-12pm Lorraine Wolf 11 Sharon Bey 5 Bible Study 10am 12 Bible Study 10am Dennis Turton Evan Breedlove Bible Study 10am Diane Brown 6 Bell Choir 6pm Chancel Choir 7:15pm Mike West 13 Sisters in Faith /Cookie Swap 6pm Chancel Choir 7:15pm 20 Bell Choir 6pm Chancel Choir 7:15pm George Knab Hans Moeller

10 St. Paul s United Church of Christ 11 Washington Street Attica, NY of St. Paul s United Church of Christ, Village of Attica St. Paul s UCC, 11 Washington Street Just around the corner, first block down from Main Street. Join us for Sunday Worship at 10:00 am Sunday School for children K-7th Grade - Nursery always open! No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome at St. Paul s. Reverend Lauran Heidenreich Call the church at ( ), stpaulunited@verizon.net or pastorucc@verizon.net Website: atticaucc.org 2 Hanging of the Greens, Communion, Coffee Hour 4 Food Link- St Vincent s Aud. 10am- 12noon 13 Sisters-In-Faith 6pm 16 Play Practice after worship, Caroling 18 Deacons, Trustees 6:30pm; Council 7pm 23 Christmas Play, Newsletter Deadline 24 Christmas Eve Worship with Communion 11pm Upcoming dates to remember 25 Merry Christmas- Office Closed 30 Pastor Laurie on vacation, Rev. Williman preaching Jan Annual Reports due