Rev. Kathy. Page 1. November 2018

Transcription

1 Page 1 "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 The Christian Vote How should we as Christians vote? Are we to be Republicans or Democrats? Never in my lifetime can I remember a more politically charged era. Families have taken political sides against each other so strongly that some have actually cut-off all communication between them. What are we as Christians to do in this political environment? There are those who say politics have no place in the church. Think about that statement. Is it possible to separate our faith from our politics? We live in a country where the people decide the law of the land. What kind of people do you want responsible for making laws by which you must abide? Do you not want "good" people speaking for you? Christians must care about politics. Jesus says, Whoever is not with me is against me." And He tells us we cannot be 'lukewarm.' We cannot be indifferent. Politics is a topic we must care about. But how do we make informed choices? Do we just pull that "All Republic" lever in the voting box because that's what we've always done? The answer to that question is: "Not if we want our vote to stand up against scripture." Paul tells the church in Thessalonica to put the voices of the prophesiers to the test. But how do we do that in today's world - a world where billions of dollars are spent on campaign ads telling us this candidate is a liar, and that candidate is a thief? We need to be informed voters. We need to research the backgrounds and the ideals of the candidates on our ballots away from those blaring ads meant to sway our opinions. May I suggest you visit the nonpartisan website hosted by the League of Women Voters ( Find out which races will appear on your ballot. Read about the candidates from which you must chose. Do their biographies sound like a person who will speak your values? Which one will make Christ inspired laws? In addition to this resource, let me bring to your attention another website put out by the UCC denomination. Be sure to visit: ucc.org/ourfaithourvote. Let the voices of our denomination's leaders inspire you to get out make your voice heard. Then on Tuesday, November 6 go to the ballot box as an informed citizen whose political choices will speak the Word of Christ. See you at the voting booth, Rev. Kathy

2 Page 2 I m writing a November article for the newsletter and it s 80 degrees outside! Really? So how can we be talking about the Thanksgiving Music and then Advent music! Things are not what they seem! Even so, it is happening. Time marches on and things do change...seasons, and we welcome that change; friends, and most times we celebrate and welcome that change; our family units, and we usually welcome and accept those changes. How about the introduction of something new to our routine? Well...we might fight it at first because we are creatures of habit, but looking back it can turn out to be a good change. Do I hear an Amen? Such is the change we are now faced with. I am listening to all comments about our music program and trying to accommodate all concerns. The concern at the present...the continued use of Bind Us Together. I introduced this song and made a change about 15 years ago and I remember little Bailey Sherman singing her heart out as small as she was. Then Rev. Grahe introduced the holding of hands and so it went! Someone just shared that my mother was sitting alone in a pew one Sunday morning when it was time to sing Bind Us and young Billy Waltersdorff jumped up and scooted in beside her to hold her hand. How special! And I m sure there are more stories to be shared. We always have memories. So now I have comments of trying something new because some people don t like to hold hands and especially during the winter months of flu season, or some are just tired of the song. And of course others believe it s our theme song, and we need to do it. I never experience the situation because my hands are busy and my eyes are turned. I do wonder if our visitors are comfortable with this or not so much. I wonder how can they hold hands and hold the words at the same time? Is it a deterrent to their return? Just thoughts to be considered. To be honest with you, I was wondering if it is time to try a change. Are we stuck in a rut? So in order to address all apparent and disclosed issues at this time, I have decided to go down the middle of the road. Let s try singing other closing songs the 1st and 2nd Sunday of each month and continue to sing Bind Us the 3rd and 4th Sunday as well as any time there is a 5th Sunday. But it remains an individual choice if you want to hold hands or not. Please, let s try this small change and remember we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and we are always bound together in Christ. As always I still welcome your comments and suggestions about this and other matters of music format. Please talk to me or place a SIGNED note in my mailbox or offering plate. I sure would like to hear another Amen! Darlene Our Shining Star for the month of November is Olivia Godfrey! November Rehearsals Sunday, November 4 th & 18 th Joyful Singers Thursday, November 1 st, 8 th, 15 th, 29 th Chime Choir 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir & Men s Chorus November Special Music November 4 th Sanctuary Choir November 11 th Sanctuary Choir November 18 th Joyful Singers November 25 th Chime Choir & Sanctuary Choir

3 Page 3 October 28 Sunday School Worship Service 10:30 AM Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday. Friday Saturday October 29 Music & Worship 2:00 PM Cookie Baking 6:15 PM October 30 Soup Kitchen 7:00 AM Craft Group October 31 November 1 Chime Choir Sanctuary Choir 7:00 PM November 2 November 3 Rev. Kathy on vacation November 4 November 5 November 6 November 7 November 8 November 9 November 10 Sunday School Joyful Singers All Saints Worship Service 10:30 AM Cookie Baking 6:15 PM Election Day Food Sale Chime Choir Sanctuary Choir 7:00 PM November 11 November 12 November 13 November 14 November 15 November 16 November 17 Sunday School Veterans Worship Service 10:30 AM followed by Luncheon York Association Annual Meeting Faith UCC Cookie Baking 6:15 PM Council Meeting 7:00 PM Craft Group Chime Choir Sanctuary Choir 7:00 PM November 18 November 19 November 20 November 21 November 22 November 23 November 24 Sunday School Joyful Singers Worship Service 10:30 AM Prayer Team 11:00 AM Cookie Baking 6:15 PM WIMPS 7:00 PM Craft Group Happy Thanksgiving! November 25 Sunday School Worship Service 10:30 AM November 26 Cookie Baking 6:15 PM November 27 Craft Group November 28 November 29 Chime Choir Sanctuary Choir 7:00 PM November 30 December 1 Decorate Church 9:00 AM

4 Page 4 Thank you to our Volunteers! November 4, 2018 All Saints Sunday November 11, 2018 Veterans Sunday November 18, 2018 Stewardship Sunday November 25, 2018 Reign of Christ Ushers Altar Guild Jean Weidler & Larry Soangler Melisa Altland Lectionary Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 Isaiah 25:6-9 Psalm 24 Revelation 21:1-6a John 11:32-44 Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 Psalm Kings 17:8-16 Psalm 146 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12: Samuel 1: Samuel 2:1-10** Daniel 12:1-3 Psalm 16 Hebrews 10:11-25 Mark 13:1-8 2 Samuel 23:1-7 Psalm 132:1-18 Daniel 7:9-10, Psalm 93 Revelation 1:4b-8 John 18:33-37 Altar Flowers Memorial Vase Dee Hildebrand Cheryl Albright Lisa Crisamore Delphine Waltersdorff Tammy Wetzel Acolyte Joe Crisamore Ryan McKowen Sierra Godfrey Abby O Neal Worship Leader Lay Reader Sound System Jenell McKowen Dave Wiker Melisa Altland Blaine Breeden Jenell McKowen Julie White Melisa Altland Jean Gross Larry Spangler Larry Spangler Joy Spangler Joy Spangler Greeters Diane Patterson Donna Wiker Wendy Carl Jean Gross Melisa Altland Dee Hildebrand Joan Messinger Linda Pentz Nursery Beth Mensinger Children s Portion Blaine Breeden Julie White Melisa Altland Rev. Kathy Special Music Sanctuary Choir Sanctuary Choir Joyful Singers Chime Choir & Sanctuary Choir Money Counters 10 AM Lisa Crisamore Lois Nelson Sandy Lehman Tuesday, November 13 Elvin Myers Dennis Weidler Joanne Hoffman Darlene Miner Jim Messinger Lois Nelson Kim DeGroft Sandy Lehman Pat McKowen

5 Page 5 Karen Bathgate Clara Eisenhart Jeff Flickinger Kathy Flickinger Janet Hay Bev Kiser Pam Kiser John Altland Maybelle Altland Mabel Baer Bernice Becker Mary Jo Bollinger Janet Heindel Allen Hoke Alexis Albert William Ames Macie Bly Melissa Boeckel Jenn Brown LeRue Brown Shawna Cover Janet Eichelberger Terry Forry Clarence Fritz Phyllis Gingrich Tom Gingrich Florence Hamme Kurt Kay Hailey Kehoe Logan Kehoe Myke Krout Janine Logue Our Members Marie Luckabaugh Richard Myers Allison Orchowski Pat Parks Linda Pentz Betty Thomas Delphine Waltersdorff Our members at home who we want to know are missed, yet are always in our hearts Helen Klinedinst Grace Kraft Carl Lauchman Pat Lauchman Gladys Leese Treva Leese Hattie Myers Friends of the congregation Jim Love Pam Love Dexter Lucia Carissa McComas Cassie McKowen Diane Moul James Mummert Lan Nguyen Glenna Piho Cheryl Rebert Clair Rexroth Lee Sands George Smith Larry Sullivan Keyon Taylor Daria Veir Kenneth Wright Scott Yohe The men and women who are proudly serving our country Ethan Adams Jacob Neiderer Hunter Boeckel Brandon Shepard Philip Hammond Drew Tiehel Kody Lauchman Billy Waltersdorff Alex Neiderer Shane Warner Pastor... Rev. Katherine A. Seiler Office Hours: Thursdays 2 PM 6 PM Office /Cell pastorlischeysucc@gmail.com Minister of Music... Darlene Miner Secretary... Michele Hamme Office Hours: Mon/Thurs 1:30 PM -? office lischeys@gmail.com Sextons... Marley & Janet Hay Phone P.S. nature report...i m not sure what everyone else is experiencing out their windows but I m not seeing a lot of birds right now. My feeders are filled but there isn t a lot of demand! Even the blue birds aren t gobbling up the meal worms and the wood peckers aren t hanging on the suet! Is it because the fall is so extremely mild so far and there is still plenty to eat? I am seeing the squirrels and chipmunks gathering the acorns and stashing them away. So at least they are preparing for winter! The deer are still walking by and seem more at ease with us right now. They are wandering much closer to the house. And we are occasionally hearing the owls hooting at night! I guess I must also disclose about the activities of one of God s smallest creatures as well...the ants are marching in my house!! I have never been so infested with these little guys as I am right now! Is it because of extreme moisture or what? I am working hard at managing the crisis but I seem to be losing the battle! My latest concoction has been Borax and powdered sugar. I m just in the first 24 hours of trial so I can t report that result yet. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Help! They are winning! Gotta love all of God s creatures, the great and the small!

6 Page 6 LOOKING FOR A WAY to honor or remember a loved one? Is there a special occasion happening in your life? Why not try sponsorship? Weekly bulletins, choir anthems, and Newsletters can be sponsored for any occasion. Special bulletins to symbolize a specific occasion can be designed and tailored to meet any need. If you are interested in sponsoring, place your remarks in the offering plate or call Michele with any specific requests. Donations of any size are welcomed. A LITTLE THING CAN GO A LONG WAY. Did you know we are still collecting the pull tabs off of soda cans? When you pop open a can of soda, save the tab and bring it to the church. Carol Brown's daughter Lauren takes these tabs to Hershey Medical Center. The aluminum is sold to a recycling facility, and the funds are given to Hershey Medical Center's Ronald McDonald House. This charity is an important resource for keeping families who are caring for their sick children together. Won't you help make a their healing journey a little bit sweeter? OUR HEARTS GO OUT to those affected by the recent natural disasters. Hurricanes and fires and even volcanoes have caused damage and wreaked havoc among the lives of our brothers and sisters. Many of us want to help. And there are many organizations that want to separate you from your money. But how can you be certain that the money you earmark for disaster relief is being spent wisely? That the money you send to relief agencies is actually going to help those most in need? The Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ assures you that 100% of your donation will be designated for disaster relief through the United Church of Christ. If you want to donate you can go on line at: pccucc.org/ generosity/. Or you may write a check to: Penn Central Conference and clearly note in the memo field "disaster relief." Mail your donation to: 900 S. Arlington Ave, Room 227 A, Harrisburg, PA DEAR ST. PETER S LISCHEY S UCC CHURCH FAMILY, I attended your tea on Saturday and wanted to thank everyone who had a hand in that event. The food was wonderful. The transformation of your fellowship hall was amazing. Even more important were all the friendly faces of everyone there. Thank you so much for including me. Blessings, Lisa DURING A RECENT VISIT to the church to make piano repairs, Jesse Betlyon expressed his gratitude for the generous gift to the alumni chorus from our congregation. It is very much appreciated. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU for prayers, cards, and visits as I recover from my hip surgery. The love of friends is the best prescription. Delphine DEAR ST. PETER S, Thank you for your participation in the Not One More collection. You helped make a big impact in our community. We will be donating 144 kits. Looking forward to working with you again. Sue Williams

7 Page 7 1. Memorial funds were used to reimburse the cost of the silk flowers for a new altar arrangement. 2. A new taper (candle lighter) was purchased with Memorial funds. The old taper was not working safely. 3. There were 9 people at the Fellowship Dinner. The Veterans Day luncheon is being planned. 4. The Altar Guild needs someone to be responsible for ordering flowers. 5. The third Sunday School room will be painted and refurbished to function as a Sunday School room as nursery. The Sunday School has started on their Christmas program. 6. Cookie baking begins on October 22nd. 7. There will be a hymn sing on October 28th. 8. The property committee has been very busy arranging work for: fixing an incorrectly operating AC unit, for the radiators to be completed by November, for the shattered glass door to be replaced, for water proofing in the sexton's house and for the church doors to be painted and weatherproofed. Thank you to all who helped! 9. The WIMPS will donate tea profits to the cost of the radiator project and to the CROP walk. 10. The Finance Committee has been working on the budget for next year. ELECTION DAY FOOD SALE will be held on Tuesday, November 6 th. To prepare for the sale, we will work on Monday, November 5 th beginning at 8:00 AM. On Tuesday, November 6 th, help will be needed to setup at 6:00 AM; serve all day; and clean-up at 7:00 PM. Consider giving a few hours to help and let know Joan know when you are available on Election Day. Donations of baked goods will be very much appreciated. THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the Improvement Fund to replace the radiator pipes! With matching funds, we have collected a total of $10,903 to date. With all your generosity, we will be able to pay for the entire project without taking anything from our savings account and have enough left over to get us started on the next project. The work has begun and should be finished in the near future. Thank you!

8 Page 8 GUESS WHAT!?!? IT'S COOKIE TIME! That exciting time of the year when we are all thinking about lots and lots cookies! Some of us have visions of sugar plums and sand tarts dancing in our head at the sheer mention of the word, "cookies"! Some of us are dreaming that they would get there by themselves! But since we don't expect that to happen, we re soliciting for cookie elves! We bake every Monday night, beginning at 6:15 PM, until the big day. The Cookie Extravaganza will be held Saturday, December 8th in the social room. As in the past, there are many hands needed to do the many jobs that need to be done. Beginning immediately we will have a box in the overflow room for donations of flour, both white and brown sugar, eggs, butter, chocolate chips, colored sugar and sprinkles, and peanut butter. That will help get us started! Monetary donations are also appreciated to continue the replenishing of supplies needed! There will be cookie dough in the refrigerator for people to pick up on Sunday after services to be baked. It will have baking instructions attached to it. And of course we especially need many people to bake and donate their own favorite cookies and specialty items! Without our "at home" bakers doing their own cookies, we would never have enough for our cookie sale! We have set our standards high and people now expect quality and lots of quantity! Then on Friday night December 7th we will need people to help set up tables and Saturday morning the grand unpacking of cookies takes place with many hands helping! Of course don't forget everyone can help by advertising! Please tell your family and friends, and even strangers, about the Cookie Extravaganza! Please consider helping in any of the many mentioned positions! Thanking you for your help in advance! THE CRAFTING GROUP is pleased to announce that we have received enough small strings of lights. For our next project we need tissue paper. We are looking for Christmas colors/themed tissue paper. Or if it is easier, we would accept financial donations so we can go buy what we need. Thank you in advance for your help. A GRANNY S ATTIC will be held at this year's Christmas Cookie Extravaganza fundraiser to sell your second-hand, donated items. We are looking for your "good junk!" You know, the kind that fits the definition of "someone's junk is someone else's treasure." If it is true junk, please just toss it out. But if you have some things that are true "treasures" that you no longer find useful, or if you have too many trinkets, or are just tired of them, bring them to us. Things with a Christmas theme would be especially welcomed! We are asking for decorative items, books - especially children's books - knickknacks, and the like. (Please no clothing.) You may place your goodies in the handicapped lobby entranceway. Any item not sold that day will not be returned; it will be donated. For more information, see Rev. Kathy or Cheryl Albright.

9 Page 9 (* - 80 and over) 1 st Kathy Flickinger Donald Luckabaugh* 2 nd Sara Behm 4 th Brenda Maslanka 5 th Hattie Myers* 102! 6 th Christine Jones Tianna Aumen (** - married 50 years or more) November 3, 2012 Pete & Kathy Seiler November 7, 1981 Jeff & Kathye Shue November 11, 1990 Don & Cindy Elicker November 17, 1995 Jim & Linda Pentz November 18, 1967 Dale & Carolyn Krout** November 26, 1982 Donald & Dawn Senft 8 th Julie White 10 th Brenda Starner 11 th Dale Krout 13 th Josh Waltersdorff 16 th Jackie Neiderer 18 th Ruth Wagner 20 th Cindy Elicker Pete Seiler WE WILL BE DECORATING THE CHURCH for the Advent and Christmas season on Saturday, December 1st at 9:00 AM. Please come and join us if you are able. Your help would be greatly appreciated. 25 th Jenny Shrader 26 th Anne Bakner Beth Mensinger Sammy Pasmore 28 th Lisa Crisamore 29 th Nya Brown Kaleb Hamme

10 Page 10

11 Page 11

12 St. Peter s Lischey s United Church of Christ 5671 Lischeys Church Rd. Spring Grove, PA November 2018 Page 12 If you are spiritually weary and in search of rest, If you are mourning and you long for comfort; If you are struggling and you desire victory; If you recognize that you are a sinner and need a Savior - God welcomes you here in the name of Christ. To the stranger in need of fellowship, to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, And to whoever will come - This congregation opens wide her doors And welcomes all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sundays Sunday School Worship Service 10:30 AM