The Herald. Pastor s Ponderings. Press into God s Presence. In God s Great Grace, Pastor Janet. February 2017

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1 The Herald February 2017 St. Paul s United Methodist Church 2131 Palomino Drive Warrington, PA stpaulsumcwarrington.org Janet L. Saddel, Pastor Nancy Mongelli, Office Admin. Carol Cei, Organist/Choir Director Ray Washam, Handbell Choir Director Pastor s Ponderings Prayer and meditation have an important part to play in opening up new ways and new horizons. God will act in us and through us to renew the Church by preparing, in prayer, what we cannot yet imagine or understand. ~ Thomas Merton Press into God s Presence Lent comes late this year with Ash Wednesday being the first day in March. This year God is leading us to 40 days of prayer. Isn t Lent always about prayer? Yes, it is. But this year I want us to be intentional in our prayer; I want us to be active in our prayer; I want us to join together in our prayer life. Let me begin at the beginning. The last time the Bishop came to one of our clergy gatherings she handed a book to each of us and asked us to read it and be in prayer. This book has impacted Bishop Johnson s prayer life and she wanted us to be impacted as well. I have been reading and praying this little book and finding a difference in my life, and now my desire is that our congregation be impacted and changed by prayer. We have talked at many of our council meetings about how we would love to see our church come alive; we want to see more people in our church and we want our church, St. Paul s to make a difference in the world. Time and again throughout history, revivals in the church are always preceded by prayer. The Holy Spirit came upon the church during Pentecost because they were in prayer. The church grew because they were in prayer. God is calling St. Paul s to be a people who pray. We need to pray alone to hear from God. But we also need to be in corporate prayer. This Lent, at the close of every Wednesday evening service, we are going to do something different; something new. We are going to spend a few minutes in corporate prayer. For those who are able, we are going to walk around the sanctuary and be in prayer; for those who cannot walk, the prayers can be lifted up from the pews. We hope to add more times for people to meet in corporate prayer. I am encouraging every one of us to read the same devotional book throughout Lent: Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson. This little book is designed for Lent, with 40 days of readings [Mondays through Saturdays]. I will have copies available in the church office during the week and on Sundays on the prayer table for $10.60 each. I have been reading the short devotions, after which I then walk around the sanctuary in prayer for our people, for our church, for our conference, for our denomination and for our country and the world [ever spreading outward]. I am finding it inspirational, refreshing and invigorating. I ask that you join me in this challenge and let us press into God s presence individually and as a church this Lent. Jesus said, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Let us ask, seek and knock. Let us press into God s presence and find a deeper relationship with God and become truly alive in Christ! In God s Great Grace, Pastor Janet

2 What s St. Paul s... Standing Meetings, Groups & Programs Sunday s 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 10:40 am Children s Sunday School 6:30-7:30 pm St. Paul s Youth (SPY) Check website for up-to-date information Noisy Can Collection, the second Sunday of every month Next collection: February 12. Monday s Trustees 7 9 pm February 20/Pastor s office St. Paul s Book Club...We are on our "Winter Break" but reading furiously the two titles we chose. Please remember to return the book you've read so others may read it. See you in April! Tuesday s Church Council 7 9 pm; next meeting: April 11. Wednesday s Women s Bible Study 12:30 2 pm/cozens Thursday s/sanctuary Handbell Rehearsal 6:30 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 7:30 9 pm Thursday s & Saturday s (1st & 3rd) Thanks to those from our congregation who man the Food Pantry on Wednesday nights in Doylestown and for all for the continuous contributions of food into our BOX in the Narthex! Thanks also to those among us who welcome the community on Thursdays and Saturdays and those who are spreading the word in the community that we are a DROP-OFF location for the Doylestown Food Pantry! Please take a flyer or two from the table in the Narthex to share with neighbors or friends! Saturday s Men s Bible Study 8 10 am first, third & fifth Saturday/Cozens It's Snowing...Will We Have Church Today? Our Trustees do their best to keep our facility and parking lot safe. But we can t possibly remove every bit of snow and ice, so we ask that you use your own common sense about attending during inclement weather. We have two means of finding out if our church services are cancelled (and the same for evening meetings or Bible studies). You can call this Winter Storm Emergency phone number: If services are cancelled, the message will clearly state as such. If you have a computer you can access our website and a banner will be posted on the front page: We trust that each person will use their own judgment and not risk life and limb to get to church in difficult weather conditions. Know that you will be missed and we will look forward to greeting you when you are able to come to church. Like us on Facebook St. Paul s UMC, Warrington

3 St. Paul s Preschool News February 2017 My little friends are not happy about the dearth of snow this past month! They don t like wind, rain and chilly temperatures much. They are very hopeful that February will be a better month for snowmen and sledding! Meanwhile, January passed in a flurry of activities! We returned from Christmas vacation with lots of stories about the holidays, new toys and family adventures. The 3/4 classes went on a field trip to the Buck s County Children s Museum where they had a wonderful time at the hands-on museum experiencing many new things. Dance, Lil Sports and music resumed. One highlight of the month was the dental health puppet show-tooth Buddy Tales. It is really silly and there was much laughter as the children learned about good things to eat and caring for their teeth. We ended the month of January with PreK Dad s Night and Extended Care Parent/Child Night. Each dad made a special craft with their child and they had snack together. Same was true in Extended Care only the whole family was involved. The children, adults, and staff get to be with each other for a relaxed, enjoyable hour or so and it is so much fun!! Now February is at our doorstep and, as I said before, we hope snow is on its way. Our PreK classes will keep the cold at bay on Math at the Beach Day. They will come in beachwear, spread towels on the floor for a picnic snack, count fish and play in the sand and water tables. Later in the month the same group will have a Teddy Bear Breakfast. The 3/4 classes will have a special day with dad when he gets to come to school for the entire morning and follow the regular routine. Valentine s Day is the most fun this month. Hearts and love will abound! Some classes will have pajama days, others pancake breakfasts and still others will have heart parties. In February we will also be collecting for Love is Sharing, a program to provide food store gift cards for people in need. If you came to Moe s in January, thank you! You ll have another opportunity to support your favorite preschool by going out for dinner again. February 7 th from 11 9 will be our restaurant fundraiser at Bertucci s. Hope to see you there. Hugs and kisses from Paul E Bear

4 FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS... 1: George Williams 14: Walt Weber 19: Lynne Heaton 21 : Louise Zalucki 23: Phyllis Davis 25: Betsy McCormick Help Wanted...Dedicated, reliable, honest to goodness worker, for help with weekly bread division and delivery. Must be able to count, and a car is required. Call Marj for more information. St. Paul s has a long history of being a loving and caring congregation. We need to continue that, with the current need for meals for our congregation. Some of our members need our assistance with having nutritious meals to eat. When illness, surgery, or Other incapacity occur, we can step right in, take a meal, and lift the burden of meal prep. Remember that food prepared with love helps in the healing process. If you are able to help in this small way, please contact Nancie Seeley at Remember, when opportunities occur to step outside ourselves, we are indeed doing as we are commanded. Thank you for stepping up to meet this need. Congratulations... PLEASE CONTINUE TO HELP... Missions is continuing to collect contributions toward the Mother's House in Cambodia. Please look for the House to give. We have learned that they have almost enough to purchase the house and will use other gifts for rehab work and furnishings. Soon those mothers & children will be moving in & St. Paul's has been a part of this! Our Library has taken a beating during and after the Fall Boutique but now we need to tidy it up a bit! Please remember to leave the library in neat condition following your meetings. Anyone may take a book or two from the Library at any time without any checking out. Just pass it on to someone else interested in reading it or return it to the shelf where it was found. Rosanne Vassalotti is our able Librarian! To Riley, granddaughter of Strangs and junior at CBEast, who went to Vienna, Austria to play on the USA Field Hockey Team for the European Indoor Tournament and the USA Team won the tournament!!! To Daniel Yim, whose grades were three A s and one B+ for his first semester as a freshman at Susquehanna University! 2017 Women's Retreat March 31st-April 2nd The Women of St. Paul s excitedly announce plans for our 2017 Women's Retreat. The retreat will be held at Camp Sankanac's Traber Center in Spring City, PA, approx. 1 hour from Warrington. Accommodations are single beds and bunk beds and a bath, with 4 people to a room. Dining, meeting areas, and bedrooms are all in one location. Outside area includes a fire ring and walking trails. Cost for 2 nights and 5 meals (chef on staff) is $ One night stay with 3 meal option available. Scholarships can be provided. Please speak with Gwynne Bee concerning scholarship needs. Once again, Arline Sarley and Betty Surrett will be our leaders for the weekend. Please see Betsy McCormick or Gwynne Bee, co-chairs for Women's Retreat, with any questions.

5 Dear Members, Staff and Pastoral Team of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Although I have not met you in person, I feel that I have come to know you well over the past several months as you have welcomed one of our students, Tricia Zander, into your midst. Your generosity, caring and warm embrace of Tricia has been evident over this time, and we at Drew Theological School are grateful for the ways in which you have made space for our student in your faith family. I regret to inform you that Tricia will be unable to continue with you as your seminary intern due to health concerns that have rendered her unable to complete this internship. We are monitoring Tricia's condition and can assure you that she is being well cared for. My deepest apologies on behalf of the Drew community for any inconvenience and disruption that Tricia's departure may cause in the congregational life of your church. We remain deeply grateful to you all and give thanks for Tricia's teaching committee and Rev. Janet. I pray that we remain connected with St. Paul's in the future. Blessings on your ministry as you continue to walk in the ways that lead to life. Peace--Rev. Dr. Tanya Linn Bennett Associate Dean for Vocation & Formation/Associate Professor in the Practice of Public Theology NURSE S NOTES IT'S HEART MONTH, BRING ON THE LOVE February is also the official month to recognize heart disease-related conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure. It s also our chance to show those we love through gifts of cards, flowers, dinners or candy. Have you ever wondered do I have too much sugar in my diet? A favorite daily forum I read My Fitness Pal, has the 8 warning signs: 1. You constantly crave sugary things 2. You feel sluggish throughout the day 3. Your skin won't stop breaking out 4. You're way moodier than usual 5. You've been putting on some weight 6. You've been getting more cavities 7. Your brain tends to get foggy, especially after a meal 8. Nothing tastes as sweet as it used to Here is a link for more in depth discussion: I don't want to discourage you from spreading the love...just want to help you be aware of keeping healthy & happy to spread the love as Christ gives to us as well! God Bless! Yours in health & faith, Gwynne Bee Parish Nurse

6 St. Paul s Lay Leaders Our Church has a rich tradition of couples in the position of Lay Leaders for a three year term. Scott Schwebel was the first Lay Leader under Rev. Guy Carrigan but following Scott, couples filled this position. The couples in this position have initiated and/or led many efforts over the years such as our Shepherding Program, Meals for Illness, meeting those in New Member classes, hosting District luncheons, and usually meeting regularly with the Pastor. Their primary duty is to be available to the congregation as a liaison between the congregants and the Pastor. We thank Louise and John Zalucki for their many years of lay leadership and a job well done. Now we welcome Marj and Bob Salmonsen and thank them initially for their willingness to serve us. Bob grew up in the Crescentville section of Philadelphia and graduated from Northeast High School. He is known by many of us for framing photos/pictures. Marj was reared in a small town west of Dayton, Ohio with many sisters and brothers on the family farm. She came East and met Bob through mutual friends and became a Registered Nurse after starting a family. They have three girls who are now all married: Kris, a pediatric oncology nurse living in Mt. Gretna; Xana, a private duty mental health specialist living in Jamison; and Elysa, a program director at the U. of Texas Medical School and living south of San Padre Island. How far away those two grandsons are though; however they make the trek to Texas once a year to see their 18 and 14 year olds! They have done some thinking and praying that led to this commitment to St. Paul s and have some ideas to bring to the job. The new Women s Bible Study is already in progress with Marj as the leader! Other thoughts are developing an evening couples Bible Study if there is interest, prayer groups, laity visitations, Advent/Lenten devotional booklets, being a part of new member meetings, and ways to make our Shepherding Program and our Meals for Illness more effective. Marj and Bob will be the conduit for these ideas but need others to get involved. They have begun meeting with our Pastor weekly for good communication and a mutual spiritual benefit. You ll find them standing at one of the doors leading out of the sanctuary most Sunday mornings following worship! Introduce yourself if you don t know them and wish them well! Also, keep them in prayer!