May, 2017 LETTER FROM THE DONIGIANS

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1 May, 2017 LETTER FROM THE DONIGIANS Much of what we do in the office is planning and preparation for the work of the church. That is not to say that our work is without spontaneity, laughter, stories, and caring words for one another. But often each staff member is working on his or her own projects, and so we do not have common experiences. That was not the case recently. We (all of us Lisa Jorgensen, Linda Friday, Steve Filko, Jon Bauman, and the pastors) were invited to read a story to the Head Start children. We were all a bit apprehensive, not knowing what to expect. We each took a day and chose our own book to share. What a fun time that was! The children greeted us with true enthusiasm, listened well to the stories, and, when we left, gave us waves and goodbyes. The teacher, Miss Carol, and her helpers were welcoming and hospitable. Each of us left with a little regret that we would not be returning the next day that it would be someone else s turn. We often think of service as something we do outside of our building or at least with those whom we invite in. This is true of our Mission trips, our Community Dinners, VBS, and even our Lawn Fete and Christmas in Quakertown. This showed us that other, unplanned opportunities can appear on our doorstep, so to speak. Head Start is right here. In the past we have been asked to give out toys provided by Toys for Tots at Christmastime, and we have periodically given them small gifts to share with their families. Often these families also take home some of the extra bread that we get from the Giant on Thursdays. But much of the time we are not closely involved with these children. This is in part due to the separation of church and state; we do not want to jeopardize Head Start s charter in any way. So we have avoided direct outreach. That made their invitation doubly positive. They invited us and we accepted their invitation gladly. It was a terrific experience for each one of us to be a part of these children s lives if only for a short period of time. Kids are great! Blessings and peace, Pastors Doug and Joyce Donigian LETTER FROM PASTOR DON A famous preacher once recalled how when he was a young boy and he recited the Apostles Creed, he was always getting his directions turned around. It seems that he would always want to say, He ascended into hell and He descended into heaven. His confusion was natural, but it took a long time to get it straight that descended was down and that ascended was up. In today s world, this idea of ascension is even more confusing since we know through space exploration that up is really out. When a space shuttle goes up it really goes out into space.

2 Jesus had the same idea concerning His ascension. Although He was going up and returning to the Father, nevertheless His going up meant that it was time for the disciples to be going out. They were to take the message of repentance and the forgiveness of sins from where they were in Jerusalem to all the nations of the world. Although Jesus was going up, they were to go out into the world as witnesses of these things. They would not have to go alone either. They would be clothed with power from on high. They would be given the thrust they would need from the power of Pentecost (only ten days from this Ascension Day on Thursday, May 25 th ). What we need to ask ourselves on this Ascension Day is this: Are we any less empowered to go out, since Jesus has gone up than those Apostles? Are we any less witnesses to the mighty acts of God than were those Apostles? Are we clothed with any less power from on high than were those Apostles? The answers seem obvious: No! No! No! The truth is that Ascension Day reminds us that Jesus returned to the Father as victorious Lord, and seated at the right hand the hand of power this Jesus now presides over all things. He has gone up in order that He might continue to send His witnesses of every age out into the world and among all nations. These present day witnesses you and I are clothed with the same power as those Pentecost Apostles, since by Baptism and Eucharist (Holy Communion) we receive the same thrust that moves us out into the world. Just as in space flight up is really out, so also in witness to the Risen and ascended Lord His going up sends us out on His behalf to bring the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are called and sent out so that others might be called back and brought in to this special relationship with Christ called the Church, the Body of Christ. This Ascension Day reminds us that the Body of Christ gathers to be nourished. As the Body of Christ, we are empowered anew to go out to tell others of what we have witnessed in our lives how this ascended Lord has been with us how this Christ who went up continues to come down to us to lift us up and to send us out to serve in the world. Our ascended Lord goes with us out into the world and we are able always to trust and count on His being up there, down here, and everywhere with us. Ascension means not only that Jesus has gone up, but that we are up and out of here in order to serve Him in our daily lives out in the world. Thus, ascension means extension extension of the reign of God s love to all nations everywhere. The ascension calls us to extend ourselves wherever we might go to serve the One who literally is above all others. Blessings on you and yours! Grace and Peace! With You in Christ s Service! The Reverend Dr. Donald E. Moyer Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation ANNOUNCEMENTS IT S A CELEBRATION! Join us for worship on Sunday, May 7 as we celebrate with thanksgiving and appreciation to Marilyn Moll and Barbara Stoneback for over 100 YEARS (combined) of musical leadership with the children of our First UCC family! That is definitely something worth celebrating! May 7 is also Children s Music Sunday. EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP - Come out at 5:15 p.m. for our Sunday Evening service in the Chapel for a time of music, teaching, and discussion. Holy Communion is served on the first Sunday of every month. GIANT GIFT CARDS will be on sale on the first Sunday of every month in the Narthex after the service. YouthWorx has a limited supply of gift cards in stock, ready for you. Thank you. Thursday, May 4 Upper Bucks Forum on Aging at First UCC from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Learn about aging services and resources in our community at this FREE educational event for individuals 55 years and older. This year s event will include new, exciting topics and speakers. A complimentary lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to ensure adequate seating for this FREE event by calling or dskrapits@phoebe.org to reserve your spot.

3 Valley Choral Concerts of John Rutter's Requiem with sixteen-piece orchestra and guest singers from Trinity Lutheran Church: Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 pm Sunday, May 7 at 4:00 pm St. John's Lutheran Church Trinity Lutheran Church 3104 Main Street 19 South 5th Street Sumneytown, PA Perkasie, PA These are free will offering performances. See poster on bulletin board in our hallway. INSTALLATION OF PASTOR DEB SCHWARTZ - The Ursinus Association and the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference invite you to attend the service of installation of Rev. Deborah P. Schwartz as Pastor of Friedens Reformed UCC, 1011 Church Rd, Sumneytown, PA on May 21 at 3:00. A dinner reception will follow. If staying for dinner, please RSVP by May 12 to the Friedens Church Office at Rev. Schwartz is the daughter of Suzanne Parker, and sister/aunt of Frank, Denise, and Natalie. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - Come and join the fun as we take an adventure to Rome and learn about Paul and the Underground Church. We will be welcoming 120 children for the week of July and need about 70 volunteers. Please consider this week of service. We have many people that have already let me know that they are not available, and that of course means we need you. Family leaders, assistant leaders and crafters are all needed. If your children/grandchildren have completed 7th grade and would like to assist, please sign them up, I would be happy to keep them busy too. Sign-up opens on May 1, logon to firstucc.net and add your name to the list! Thank you in advance. Sunday School is wrapping up a great year. Our children have been very dedicated in attending and I thank you for bringing them. Our final rotation is titled 'Following our Service'. This is intended to explain what and why we do things at the Sunday Morning service. Our first week proved to fascinate the children! They enjoyed learning some of the mysteries of the service. How does that cross get lit? The pastors preach from the pulpit and the scripture readings are read at the lectern. There is a room behind the cross? Interesting things are being learned! Thank you for your support of the Sunday School program throughout this year. Thank you for supporting the Sunday School during the One Great Hour of Sharing campaign. When all the quarters (and additional donations) were counted, $ was collected and donated to The Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia. Thank you for helping us almost double our goal! You are appreciated! Adults in the Chapel "Same kind of different as me" finishes up on May 7 with the session, Blessing Versus Service. Adults in the Chapel will return in the fall. May 17 - LIVE LOVED Bible Study Girlfriends, do you ever feel left out, lonely, or less than? Do friends, family, past hurts, or even social media ever make you feel like you don t measure up? Join us on a journey that will remind us that we are truly destined for a love than can never be diminished, tarnished, shaken, or taken by the world? With Jesus, we are invited into receiving an unconditional love that never rejects. We invite you to attend the Wednesday morning Ladies Bible Study summer session (10:00-12:00) as we dig deep into a powerful study by Lysa TerKeurst. Sign-up today in the Narthex or by communicating with Lisa in the church office (info@firstucc.net) if you want to attend. Materials (approximately $24) will need to be purchased prior to May 17. You may attend this class without the materials by gathering on Wednesdays to view the DVD and participate in the group discussions, if you cannot to commit to every week. NOTES FROM JON BAUMAN ReFocus on Easter When we hear a story over and over again, it is easy to forgot how interesting or important that story was. Including the story about Christ rising from the tomb. But as Christians, this story is not just a story to make us happy, or just to convey a symbolic or moral lesson. The story of the resurrection is the foundation of our faith. If Christ didn t rise from the grave, it would prove his own predictions about his resurrection to be false, and

4 suddenly...this Jesus whom we call God becomes just another human. Just like the rest of us. So, let s revisit the Resurrection story, even though Easter Sunday has passed because it s important that we see the big picture of it all. Please read John 20:1-18 before you read any further. We know this story well, but can I talk for a minute about some interesting things about this story? 1. The first person to see Jesus was a woman. A Woman, who had followed Jesus in his ministry for a long while. What we think we know about Mary is that she was a former prostitute...but no Gospel writer ever called her this, so let's move past that. What we know of Mary was that she was formerly possessed by Demons, according to the Gospel of Luke in Chapter 8. So here we have a woman who had been tainted by demons being the carrier of the news of Christ s resurrection to a culture that viewed women as inferior to men... If the Resurrection was a made up story.these writers just kicked the validity of their message IN with this ROUGH start. Who, in the first century would believe this? 2. Another interesting point is that, in John s Gospel, 2 Angels are in the tomb as Mary peeks in Besides the birth of Christ, angelic beings had not been a part of the Jesus story until this point. And I am beginning to think that maybe these angels being a part of this story is significant. Both of these points speak to the radical way in which Christ changed some things up. In the first instance, we see Christ using a woman to tell the others about his Resurrection, but this isn't the first time Christ changed some things up - he let another woman wash his feet with her hair, he revealed himself as the Messiah to the Samaritan woman at the well - a woman who was looked down upon in her own community, and since she was a Samaritan was seen as an other to the Jews. In addition, Christ healed the child of a roman official when some of his own followers used to be a part of a radical group of Jews who sought to KILL roman officials. Behind Jesus actions was a desire to establish and teach the will of God to a world that needed it, and to open up the message of God to as far as his followers could take it. He certainly intended to improve the social norms of the day, but his main Goal was to bring a message to the most amount of people. So, what is that message? In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, after Christ died on the cross, the curtain in the temple was torn apart. This curtain separated the Holy of Holies, where God s presence was said to dwell on earth, from the rest of the temple, and from all people, besides the High priest who entered this place once a year on Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur was known as the Day of Atonement - a day where the priests would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifices for the people of God on the Ark of the Covenant in the space between two angel statues, on a place called the mercy seat. When this was done, God s presence was said to dwell on this mercy seat in an act of forgiveness to his people who gave their sacrifices. When Christ s blood was spilled, after he died, the curtain that separated the presence of God from the people of God was torn in two. When Christ was raised, two angels were sitting on either ends of where his body had been laid, but like the curtain, the stone that separated the risen Christ from the people, was rolled away. And what was left was an open seat between two angels. Did you catch that? I think that John may be intentionally pointing to the mercy seat here, as John often points to Old Testament stories in connection to Christ, with the exodus being a main theme, as well as the creation story. And if this wasn t intentional, the implication of this thought still rings true. The implication for this is that the forgiving presence of God that was contained between two angels and behind a curtain and later a stone, is now released into the world - through Christ s physical body then, and through the Holy Spirit at Pentecost until now. If that didn t make you go whoa, can I put that in perspective for you? For thousands of years since humanity s interaction with the God the Bible, this is the closest humanity has gotten back to the way it was in the Garden of Eden BEFORE Adam and Eve ate that fruit.. Back When the presence of God walked with humanity in a Garden of Perfection. But Still, John knows what he s doing...for in John s Gospel, Christ was betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, like God was let down by the fallenness of humanity in the Garden of Eden. But John gave a reversal to the story because when Christ s Body was laid in a Tomb that he said was in a garden, when humanity s relationship with God had been broken,

5 God raises from the dead and walks out of the tomb, into the Garden, and even goes out of the Garden to seek out his People. So, when Mary mistakenly confuses Jesus as a Gardener in the John 20 text...she wasn t that far off, because Christ, being the ultimate Gardener, was restoring humanity s interaction with God - getting us closer and closer to the way it was in Eden. The Mercy and Presence of God is no longer limited to a select few, and it no longer has the restraints that humanity placed on it either...it is free. It shows no partiality of Gender, Race, or past mistakes. The relationship between God and Humanity was COMPLETELY changed by Jesus, and His resurrection was a HUGE part of that. The mercy seat, once comprising of a small place between two statues of angels, moved to a living God rising between two angels, and making the world his mercy seat. Application: The Gardener planted a seed that took over the world. A Seed that was once contained in the Temple. A Seed that was once contained in a Tomb. HE IS RISEN HE IS RISEN INDEED! For this message would not have made it past the disciples if it were not true because Jesus chose women to share the news first, and that would have been laughable in those days. HE IS RISEN HE IS RISEN INDEED! Yes, the presence of God is set loose upon the world, changing the hearts of men, women, and children. HE IS RISEN HE IS RISEN INDEED! Yes, the presence of God, through the Holy Spirit, has changed your life; making you like a whole new person. HE IS RISEN HE IS RISEN INDEED! And so, because of what you know, because of what I know, and because of what is true, let us be able to say together, with inflection and enthusiasm: HE IS RISEN HE IS RISEN INDEED! Go Forth and tell the world what Christ has done for your family, what Christ has done for you, and tell them why the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is WORTH celebrating today and every single day of the Year! Amen. Need Help? Just ask me at church, or call or me! Office Phone: , jbauman@firstucc.net COMMUNION Holy Communion will be celebrated on the following Sundays at 9:15 am (unless otherwise noted) Pentecost Sunday, June 4 9:15 am Summer Communion Sunday, August 13 9:15 am World Wide Communion Sunday, Oct 1 9:15 am CHURCH DEVELOPMENT TEAM Advent Sunday, December 3 9:15 am Holy Communion will also be celebrated on the following Sunday evenings at 5:15 May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, and December 3 Although you have not heard much from us recently, rest assured that we have been busy at work. Lots of discussions, sorting out options, making decisions and developing final plans. All of this was related to the two initiatives we undertook based on congregational input for the Narthex to be a space that felt more worshipful and more welcoming. That led us to explore creating the one missing banner from the set of six that represent the seasons of the church calendar and church holidays. We are extremely happy to report that after much detailed coordination, planning, and

6 project management the missing green Trinity banner is now being produced. We have also been blessed by the donation of memorial gifts that are covering the cost of this project. We hope to have a dedication of that banner on Trinity Sunday, June 11. Look for more about that in next month s newsletter. Sometime closely following that, we expect to install soft lighting for all of the banners on display in the Narthex. The other good news is that we have been working on a new, primary location for volunteers to sign-up and that is now ready for use. The objective has been to establish a location and physical arrangement that would be both more visible, attractive and more accessible than the often crowded tables and congested area in the Narthex. Look for this new sign-up station mounted on the bulletin board just outside of the church office. There may be additional sign-up locations from time to time when needed for major events. However, the plan is for this to be the central location for you to volunteer your time, talent and sometime financial support for the various activities in the life of First Church. COUNCIL NEWS At the regular meeting of the church council on April 10, the following matters of business were attended to: The minutes of the regular meeting of council in February were approved. The minutes of the annual congregational meeting in January were approved. The bills of the month were presented and approved to be paid. Council members were supportive of the August event in the Park. Property reported that the removal of the spire continues to move forward. Safe Church reported that background checks are being completed on council members. Staff Committee is meeting in early May. Care Committee reported that Knit One, Pray Too needs more knitters and they need more drivers for Brian. Christian Ed reported that VBS will open for registration on May 1. Volunteers are needed. Church Development Team reported that new sign-up system is moving forward. Women s Guild reported that the April meeting guest speaker was very interesting. The next meeting of council is scheduled for May 8. HAPPY BIRTHDAY May 6 Kathryn Leister is turning 91! Please join us in celebrating with her by sending cards to her at home or through the Church Office. KITCHEN MINISTRIES Oh what a night! We served 111 guests a ham dinner. Tim Luma donated all the hams. There were many helpers on hand. Thanks to the Blue Team who did an amazing job as well as the WOW kids. There are always so many thanks for the great dinner comments. It is truly appreciated. May 18 will be the next dinner. It s Cinco de Mayo! - MAY FOOD PANTRY Items of the Month are: Rice, Salsa, Canned Beans, Taco Shells (Food Pantry Items of the Month are coordinated with predictable sales cycle for each calendar month.) MISSIONS HOAGIE SALE - The Mission Team is holding their final Hoagie Sale for this fundraising season. Tuesday, May 9 will be delivery/pickup date. $6 per hoagie. Turkey, Italian, and Veggie are available for order. Please take note, the delivery date is on a Tuesday for this sale. Thank you for your support. ONE DREAM MISSION TEAM 4TH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING is being held on June 9, We are looking to fill the course again this year! Please take a pamphlet from the hallway and join us and share with your friends. If you are looking to support the Mission Team we are also collecting sponsorship. You can sponsor a hole or cart for just $75.00.

7 We would be happy to put an encouraging note for the team or your business information, on your sign! Please take a pamphlet and see the ways that you can help out. Thank you! MUSIC NEWS CHILDREN'S MUSIC SUNDAY May 7 and YOUTH AND ADULT MUSIC SUNDAY - May 14. Come to church and show your appreciation for all of our choir members and directors as they wrap up their year with us! SAFE FAMILIES SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN at First UCC update - One of our First UCC families has gone through the screening process to become a Host Family in the Safe Families program. We want to make sure those who are interested in being Family Friends, Coaches, and other support network for them have all the training and instructions they need to help in all the ways possible. There is an Info Night scheduled at East Swamp Church on May 9 at 7:00 p.m. for those who have not yet heard enough about Safe Families, or those who heard about it so long ago, you feel you need a refresher. Our church coordinator, Elaine Ely, will be there. The NEXT STEP is to make sure everyone who is willing to be a Family Friend completes their application and gets the 8 hours of training completed. This can be done online for you tech-savvy folks or at a training session (or 2) to be held very soon. We want SFFC as operational as possible for the summer months in Quakertown. We continue to look for more host families, so call Elaine or Emma through the Church Office, if you want to know more or do more. 63 rd STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL AND LAWN FETE Join us on Saturday, June 10 from 4:30 to 8:30 for our Strawberry Festival. We will be serving hamburger BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, baked beans, strawberries, ice cream, and homemade cakes and pies at a reasonable price. We will have a silent auction and games and the Quakertown Band will entertain us with their wonderful music. Please join us for the fun and fellowship that this evening brings. The evening s proceeds will go to our Church School and Christian Education program. VOLUNTEERS are needed on Saturday to help set up, clean strawberries, serve at the food stands, help in the kitchen, waitress, cut cakes, wash dishes and trays, help with the games, clean up, and many other duties. If you can help as a volunteer, please sign up on the list in the Narthex or call the Church Office. We will again have an early and late shift. The strawberry festival is only possible because of the many caring people who pitch in to help and also because of those who attend and support our church. Thank you! BAND CONCERT PATRONS NEEDED FOR STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL Each year, we enjoy the music of the Quakertown Band during our annual Strawberry Festival Lawn Fete. Our goal is to cover the entire cost of $ with contributions. If you would like to be a patron, please bring or mail your check (made payable to First UCC Church School Association, marked Quakertown Band Patron) to the Church Office Yes, I want to be a Patron to help with the cost of the Quakertown Band at our Strawberry Festival and Lawn Fete. NAME: PHONE: AMOUNT: $ SILENT AUCTION AT STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL - The Committee is busy soliciting donations for gift cards, etc. But we also need the participation of the congregation! Please consider donations for the Silent Auction. This can include gently used items, new items, gift certificates, or gift baskets. Please bring your donations to the church before June 1, if at all possible. Come in from the parking lot, turn left into the Sunday School hall, and go to the first door on the left past the large closet (sign on the door). Place your donations in this room. Thank you for your support.

8 SYMPATHY It has been a sad month in our church family: We extend our condolences to Edith Leister, at the passing of her husband, Eugene, on April 2 Lenora Walker at the passing of her husband, Bob, on April 25 Dorothy Maurer at the passing of her husband, Russell Jr., on April 25 THANK YOU Hello! Thank you all so much for the thoughtful box of treats you sent down! I appreciate the kind thoughts and I hope all is well. Thanks, Chet Friday Dear Women s Guild, Thank you so much for the care package! It made me smile and happy since I was missing church! Thank you again! Love, Miranda Yeakel Dear First UCC Women s Guild, Thank you for the Valentine s Day package. It made my day to open it and see all the goodies inside. The snacks will be a big treat during the next couple of weeks. Thank you for thinking of me. Sincerely, Sara Hunsicker To the members of the women s Guild - the Girl Scouts of Troop 2020 and myself would like to thank you for the donation you generously provided to us. It was appreciated. Chris Cole, leader, and girls: Hannah, Jordan, Emma, Julia, Jessica, and Kelly To my family at First UCC, I want to thank you for your support during my six years of college education. Your prayers, well wishes, and lovely care packages were a sweet, lovely reminder of the dear friends I have at home. I am eager to earn my Master s degree in a few short weeks, and I am excited to say that I have been offered a full-time position as a speech therapist at the Colonial Intermediate Unit in Easton beginning this summer! Thank you for being such a wonderful presence in my life. All my love, Kasey Jones First UCC Women s Guild, I would like at thank you for thinking of me and sending a care package. It is always such a nice surprise! I will keep all in my prayers! Best, Luke Jorgensen WOMEN S GUILD AND WOMEN S MINISTRIES JUNE 7 WOMEN S GUILD - Our final guild meeting for this season is June 6 and will be held in the Parlor at 7:00 p.m. The program will be With Bold Knife and Fork. Diane Stoneback, retired food and travel writer for The Morning Call, shares stories of her nearly 40 years on the culinary trail. Join her and you will get a taste of some of the best and worst experiences she encountered in kitchens and dining rooms along the way. All are welcome! WORSHIP SCHEDULE EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP - Come out at 5:15 p.m. for our Sunday Evening service in the Chapel for a time of music, teaching, and discussion. Acolytes Women s Guild, Barbara Stoneback, chair 5/7 Jake Wooden, Jacob MacCauley, alt. Lay Readers 5/14 Nathan Amey, Beth Melton, alt. 5/7 Kelly Charlton 5/21 Jacob MacCauley, Simon Fletcher, alt. 5/14 Virginia Servas 5/28 Beth Melton, Hannah Federsel, alt. 5/21 Gwyn Clark Greeters 5/28 Butch Felix Nadine and Bill Nagurny, Audrey Fletcher Ushers First Fellowship Shirley Pike, Audrey Carper, Ken Hoffman, Ray Miller

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10 First United Church of Christ 151 S Fourth St Quakertown, PA TIME VALUE DO NOT DELAY ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID QUAKERTOWN PA Permit No. 115 MAY 2017 NEWSLETTER