"The Light" Newsletter - April 2016 Edition

Transcription

1 "The Light" Newsletter - April 2016 Edition

2 What's Next? By: Pastor Chad So, Easter has arrived, Jesus has risen from the dead, and this reality begs a lingering question for the disciples: So, what is next? The period in between Jesus' death and resurrection was likely one filled with grief and wrestling with this same question. Do we go home to be with our families? Do we start a movement? What now? But, then they experience Jesus alive and their entire world is changed. Yet, even in resurrection there are questions of what the future holds. When I think of the post-resurrection period I immediately think of Peter. He returns to his nets where things are safe, familiar, and where he feels at home. Jesus, however, had other plans. The "next" that Jesus had in mind for his disciples was not one of returning to the normal and everyday safe havens of life. He had in mind going to the ends of the earth to share the love and compassion of God. Jesus shows up on the beach with Peter to inquire about whether or not he loves him and his request of Peter was to "Feed my sheep," or as he told him earlier in the Gospel, "I will make you fish for people." It was unclear to Peter what was to come next, until Jesus showed up on the beach. And so, now that Jesus has risen and is revealed to those with eyes to see and ears to hear, what is our "next?" One of the images I like to draw upon in the Hebrew Testament is the places in the book of Exodus where it says that "God guided them on their journey in stages." I believe there to be stages to our lives and when we reach the end of one part of that journey we trust God to be the one to lead us into whatever the next stage of our journey brings. For each of us this looks different. We might be moving from being a parent with kids in the house to being an empty nester. We might be

3 moving from working to a time of retirement. We might be moving from losing a loved one to a life without them. I know for many of us here at St. Paul's, that having Melinda retire from her position is a new stage in our journey. We know that in each of these cases we can ask that question: So, what's next? I am not entirely convinced that there is a direct answer to this question. As I am fond of saying in my Wednesday night class, "It depends." It seems to me that this is why we have faith. It is a faith matter because we are crossing over into some unknowns. The resurrection narratives are stories of great hope, but they don't leave us without questions or uncertainties about the future. So, thank God we are not alone. The disciples went through moments of uncertainty and we will no doubt go through them, if we haven't already. The great comfort that I take in these moments of uncertainty and transition is in the fact that the very Presence of Christ that visited Peter on that beach is also the very Presence that can be experienced in our lives. Christ is alive and moving in our lives, even when we may not be aware of it. So, I encourage us to trust in that Presence with us. No matter where it has brought us from or where it will take us into the future, it is a Presence that no doubt can be trusted to bring us towards God's purposes for our lives. So, what's next? I have no idea. But, I know God will be there and that is a source of strength and comfort. God go with each of you.

4 CHURCH TIDBITS St. Paul's Nursery St. Paul's has child care for children ages infants to kindergarten during the worship service in the Nursery on the Lower Level. There is no adult supervision for children first grade and older. It is requested that these children remain with their parents/guardian in the sanctuary during the worship service. Thanks, Church Council Mother s Room, We now have a private space available for nursing mothers. It is located on the lower level next to the restroom Recycle Pill Bottles! In developing countries, medications (when actually obtainable) are often dispensed into hands, pockets, leaves or any other available container. We can help improve healthcare quality in developing nations by donating clean pill bottles to help the poor: medicine can be distributed in sterile containers. Please bring your empty pill containers [prescription bottles, large & small, with and without child resistant caps, and over-the-counter pill bottles] for recycling to help others and keep thousands of bottles out of landfills each year! And, by placing a nickel, dime or quarter in each bottle helps with shipping costs. You can drop them in the collection box by the front door of the church. Thank you! WOMEN'S GUILD The Women's Guild will meet for lunch on Monday, April 4, 2016 at the El Rio Bravo Mexican Restaurant in the Village Green Plaza. If you want a ride, be at the church parking lot by 11:30 a.m.

5 New Membership Class We will be offering a three week new membership class to be held May1, 8, and 15. We will bring in new members on the 15th on Pentecost Sunday. If you or anyone you know is interested, please just show up in the sanctuary for classes beginning at 9am. Talk to Pastor Chad if there are any questions. Missions Moment The Missions Board is still collecting travel size toiletry items for RMH. We have bins located in the church hall and the entry way to the sanctuary. Please see the directions for ouch buddies, located elsewhere in this newsletter. We will collect these throughout the year too. We have pieces of material available for making them. Please see Kathy VonStrohe if you are interested in material. If you make any, please put them in a plastic Ziploc bag and place in our RMH bins. The Missions Board also donates to OCWM and Washington UCC through SONKA on a regular basis Sign ups for the Mission Trip are in the entry way to the sanctuary or in the church office. Should you have any questions about going on the trip please contact Pastor Chad.

6 Join us for St. Paul s UCC VBS June 27-July1 9am noon Kids will experience the hope, courage, direction, love, and power Jesus gives us! VBS June 27-July1 9-noon

7 Kids will experience the hope, courage, direction, love, and power Jesus gives us! Donation List: *paper towel cardboard tubes *wrapping paper cardboard tubes *paper towels *battery powered tea lights *glow sticks *heart stickers *old, clean, long white socks *large boxes or large pieces of cardboard Any donations would be greatly appreciated! Bins will be located upstairs and downstairs.

8

9 On Sunday, April 10th we will continue our tradition of the Second Sunday Feast immediately following worship. This will be a potluck luncheon shared by all members of the congregation. If you would like to bring a side dish, main dish, or a dessert to share with others, come get to know newer members, enjoy laughs with friends, and share some of your best recipes with one another. Each month we will always meet down in the fellowship hall for a potluck feast on the Second Sunday. See you then!

10 THOSE WHO SERVE IN APRIL Liturgist Coffee Apr. 3 Karey Thomas Apr. 3 Cherie Haas 10 Debbie Fowee 10 Amy Meyer 17 Amity Kukla 17 Sally McNichols 24 Roger VonStrohe 24 Tim Ash Acolyte Apr. 3 Dylan Haas 10 Ethan Schamer 17 Brenna Losey 24 Logan Hayslette Communion Set-up: April 3 - Sally McNichols & Audrey Thomas Ushers: Apr. 3 10:30 Asbury Turner, Cameron McDonald, Kayla McDonald and Jessica McDonald Apr :30 Cammy Bihl and Leah McDonlad Apr :30 Shawn Hayslette and Pat Schuchter Apr :30 Rick Carr and Sue Hatfield IF YOU CANNOT MAKE YOUR ASSIGNED DATE, PLEASE TRADE WITH SOMEONE ELSE AND LET THE CHURCH OFFICE KNOW. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE. THANK YOU!

11 Do we have your address? St. Paul's is continuing to work on our communication and social media outlets so that we can best communicate with as many of you as possible. If you are not receiving our weekly Constant Contact s about events and the sermon preview, please write your on the line below and return it to the office or put it in the offering plate. Thank you!

12 The Church Office

13 APRIL BIRTHDAYS April 1 Janie Haddix 2 Cindy Schneider 3 Samantha Gunning 3 Mitchel Haddix 3 Logan Hayslette 7 Betty Bihl 8 Betty Lou Pfeiffer 9 Brady Coplen 9 Frank Santee 10 Keaton Ballart 10 Dorothy Gosney 10 Melinda Schamer 13 Olivia Davis 13 Scott Dawson 14 William Vogt 15 Austin Jones 16 Jim Fausz 17 Jean Baker 17 Sue Hatfield 17 Eileen Smith 17 Anna Wheeler 18 Kathy VonStrohe 23 Beekee Hayslette 24 Michael Franzen 24 Susan Geiman 25 Byron Santee 27 Shannon Abbott 29 Diana Mote

14 Campbell County Relay for Life St. Paul s will be having a team in the Campbell County Relay for Life again this year. This annual event raises money for the American Cancer Society. As a fundraiser before the actual event, our team is having a vendors show. This fundraiser will be held in our Fellowship Hall on Saturday, April 16 th from 1 to 4 PM. We have scheduled several vendors who will have products to sell. Each vendor will donate a percentage of that day s sales to our Relay Team. Some of the vendors/products that will be available include: Thirty-One Beekee s Bubbly Bee Judy Munninghoff Quilts, Etc. Massages by Shannon Abbott Wildtree Nerium Pampered Chef Hairbows There are a few other vendors who may be there but have not committed yet. We are also going to have a bake sale that day. Please let Jackie Baker know if you are willing to bake something. Please help us spread the word about this fundraiser. The Campbell County Relay for Life will be held at Ft. Thomas Tower Park. The event begins on Friday, May 13 th at 6 PM and ends on Saturday, May 14 th at 6 AM. So far our team members are Jackie Baker, Rick and Mary Beth Carr, Debbie Yeager, Barb Fausz, Helen McAlpin, Teddy Fausz, Debbie Fowee, Fred and Lilla Losey, and Michael and Janet VanNevel. We welcome anyone who wants to join our team. You can sponsor any of these members by donating to them directly or going to Be sure to mention our team, St. Paul s U.C.C. Even if you don t want to be part of the team, plan on coming to the relay. Mindy and the St. Paul s Lawn Chair Drill Team will be performing. The night includes entertainment, fundraising, and lots of fun as we Scare Away Cancer on Friday the 13 th of May!

15 A big THANK YOU to everyone who is making this fight against cancer a team effort. Please contact Jackie Baker at with any questions about these events Search Committee for the Music Director Position is Formed In light of the recent retirement of Melinda from St. Paul's, our Church Council has designed a Search Committee that will be meeting in April to formulate our plan for the search for a new Music Director. We will share updates on our progress as we work through the process. Melinda's final Sunday with us will be on June 5th, which will be a day Council plans to offer a wonderful send off for her. As we prepare for this time of transition, if anyone knows an organist/pianist interested in working at St. Paul s until the position is filled or someone who is interested in the position on a permanent basis, please let one of the committee members know. The temporary position will run from early June till roughly the end of August or until the position is filled. We are grateful for your patience with us as we go on this new journey. The Search Committee consists of the current Staff Parish Committee, whose members are: Debbie Fowee, Karen Zimmerman, Rich Mason, Evelyn Dietz, Connie Ballinger and Pastor Chad. Joining this group as Search Committee members are Lilla Losey, Jeanne Greiser, Sally McNichols, and Daryl Knauer. The Committee will also be consulting with Jeff Enyart on Council for analyzing the financial package and giving us insight into how this plays into our financial future. Friends, the Search Committee covets your prayers as we move into this time of transition. Thank you!

16