The Good Newsletter. St. Thomas United Church of Christ. SPECIAL OFFERINGS IN JUNE Joyful Noise Offering June 24 th

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1 The Good Newsletter St. Thomas United Church of Christ Volume MMXVIII, Issue 6 June 2018 Dear Church Family and Friends: What a view! As we navigate our way through life, we do not always know what we are going to wake up to outside our window, but we know we will have some type of view. Sometimes our view includes clouds, rain or snow falling (no worries about that now at least!). Other times, there are things blocking our view and we are unable to see what's out there or to see very far. There are places in scripture where we can peek through some windows and see different views - Psalm 23, Matthew 6: for example. Just like these views in scripture, some of the views we experience in life are great views. They are beautiful and make us want to keep running to the window each morning and open it to see what's waiting for us! Other times, views can cement us in place, so much so, that we are unable to move forward. These views prevent us from seeing the beautiful view of blessings in our lives. The poem, The Weaver, by Grant Colfax Tullar, talks about how our lives are like a weaving where we may only see the underside, but the Lord sees the upperside. Only the Lord knows every color of thread used and knows each one of our needs. Our window views, no matter what they reveal, are created because God knows how each is woven together. I usually sit by the same window that overlooks our backyard (my favorite place to write my pastor letters), and while I am no longer able to see as I once did, I still do not want to miss those things outside our window - like the apple tree in bloom, the birds and butterflies flitting about, or the green of the grass. This view, though now only in my mind s eye, still brings me joy and comfort. I pray your views bring you the same. As you journey through this spring/summer month of June, take time to look out your window. Then thank God for all you see. In Christ s Love, Pastor Debra SPECIAL OFFERINGS IN JUNE Joyful Noise Offering June 24 th CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday thru Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Good Newsletter ~ 1

2 MEMBER INFORMATION Please consider calling or sending a card to someone who is celebrating a birthday or anniversary. 3 rd David Brown, Brea Pina 4 th Sterling Bruch, Jr. 5 th Kyra Cascioli 11 th Donna Hojohn, Richard Sappelli 14 th Cindy Overbeck 16 th Abigail Dieterich, Vivian Dieterich 17 th Claire Erdman 18 th Shilpa Harhart, Dorothy Kleckner, Ethan Reaser 23 rd Nancy Berger 27 th Bernadette Hay 29 th Megan Desthers 30 th Holly Erdman, Michael Shupp HOSPITAL INFORMATION If you or a member of your family is admitted to the hospital our number for all St. Luke s and Lehigh Valley Hospitals is 498 and for Easton Hospital is U21. Please have someone let the church office know about the admission since the hospitals don t usually call us. Thank you. ESTATE PLANNING Please consider St. Thomas in your estate plans. If you do, let us know. We are not concerned with the amount of the gift but would like to be able to thank you properly and make sure your wishes are honored. For more information, contact the church office. 9 th Nancy & Edward Berger 12 th Charlotte & Alan Blair Randi & Donald Schlegel 14 th Karen & Stephen Senft 19 th Heather & Jason Dutt The Good Newsletter ~ 2

3 JUNE SERVING IN WORSHIP JUNE 3 10 am... Combined Bethany UCC 600 W. Market St., Bethlehem WORSHIP FOCUS June 3 Shared Summer Worship service at 10 am at Bethany UCC - Pastor Debra preaching; light brunch to follow. June 10 Honor Graduates Scripture: Mark 3: Message: There s No Place Like Home Children s Message: We Are Family June 17 Father s Day Scripture: 1 Samuel 15: 34-16: 13, Mark 4: Message: Just a Seed. Just a Kid. Just a Church. Children s Message: Jesus and Johnny Appleseed June 24 Joyful Noise Offering Scripture: Mark 4: Message: We of Little Faith Children s Message: Who s in Your Boat? JUNE am Summer Worship Time Begins GREETER... Nancy & Ed Berger USHERS... Volunteers Needed WORSHIP LEADERS... Pastor Debra & Nancy Musgnung FLOWER SPONSOR... Nancy & Ed Berger COUNTING TEAM... Matt Erdman, Dana Reaser JUNE 17 GREETER... Volunteer Needed USHERS... Volunteers Needed WORSHIP LEADERS... Pastor Debra & Ulvia Shay FLOWER SPONSOR... Randi & Donald Schlegel COUNTING TEAM... Matt Erdman, Nancy Musgnung JUNE 24 GREETER... Gloria Hurley USHERS... Volunteers Needed WORSHIP LEADERS... Pastor Debra & Karen Jaindl FLOWER SPONSOR... Sponsor Needed COUNTING TEAM... Karen Peters, Elaine Taylor The Good Newsletter ~ 3

4 MUSIC MINISTRY CHOIR REHEARSALS 9:30 am CONFIRMATION CLASS If you have a child entering 7 th grade or above who is interested in Confirmation Class, please contact Pastor Debra. Classes will begin in September. The traditional time for the class to be confirmed is Pentecost Sunday, which is June 9, PRAYER CHAIN & PRAYER REQUESTS If you would like to be a contact person on the prayer chain, please speak with Pastor Debra, Diane Wilt or the church office. If you know someone who is in need of prayer, contact one of the persons listed. Pastor Debra, Diane Wilt, Laurene Blair, Donna Hoffman, Kenny Miller, Karen Peters, Prayer List Since Our Last Newsletter: Homebound/Care Facility Bound: Walter Frey, Annabel Huth, Mae Michael, Patricia Musgnung, Charles Reichard PRAYER BOX We have started an intentional way to pray for our St. Thomas Family. A small box has been placed on a table in the area near the card rack. Slips of paper with names of our members are in this box. As the Spirit moves you, draw a name from the prayer box and pray for that person. USHER DUTIES As a reminder for those who volunteer as ushers: Please select one of the ushers each Sunday to keep an eye on the light board in the sanctuary at the beginning of worship to let any late arrivals in. Thank you. The Good Newsletter ~ 4

5 The Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. Thomas meets the fifth Sunday of the month following worship. The next meeting will be Sunday, July 29, 2018, following worship. The group welcomes anyone who has an interest in knitting or crocheting, a novice or a veteran knitter/crocheter. If you or someone you know could benefit from a prayer shawl, please contact Pastor Debra or the church office. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 To all those who help with and/or donated to the Flea Market & Bake Sale To all those who serve on & help with the various teams. To all those who serve as ushers, greeters and acolytes. DEADLINE INFO The Good Newsletter is a collection of material submitted to the church office and is published by the church. Please also refer to the weekly worship bulletins to keep updated on what is happening at St. Thomas. Please submit information for the July newsletter is by June 15 th. CARD RACK We have all occasion cards for sale on our card rack. Cost: 50 each CARD RACK DONATIONS We do accept donations of unused greeting cards for our card rack. At this time we do not need blank cards. If you d like to donate cards for the card rack please place them in the shoe box on the credenza in the hall by the side entrance. Thank you. The Good Newsletter ~ 5

6 MISSION PROJECT Thank you to everyone who helped with the collection of clothes for Spring Garden Elementary School. This summer, we will be collecting school supplies for them. The following is a list of items needed: plain color 2-pocket folders 1-subject notebooks 1-inch 3-ring binders small packs of tissues #2 pencils yellow highlighters lunchboxes backpacks glue sticks colored pencils Lysol wipes TALENT SHOW FUN The Good Newsletter ~ 6

7 Source: newsletternewsletter.com The Good Newsletter ~ 7

8 CLASS OF 2018 Jeffrey Jaindl graduated with honors on May 24, 2018 from Northampton Community College. He earned an associate degree in radiography. He will be working as a radiography tech at St. Luke s Hospital, Allentown Campus. Sarah Shook will graduate from Northampton High School on June 2. She will attend Northampton Community College in the fall of 2018 and plans to transfer to Arcadia College in Her major will be Global Management. Graduates will be honored during worship on Sunday, June 10 th. CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES! CONTINUING MINISTRY 2018 Resource Persons We print this information so that members and friends of St. Thomas will know who to contact with questions, concerns, and ideas pertaining to the ministry of St. Thomas. The following persons serve as resource and contact persons: Pastor Rev. Debra K Hess Office: Cell: Karen Jaindl Governing Board President: David Hay Vice President: Bob Wilt Treasurer: Matt Erdman Recording Secretary: Karen Jaindl Financial Secretary: Karen Peters Members: David Anthony, Jason Dutt, David Hay, Kyle Hess, Karen Jaindl, Kenny Miller, Karen Shook, Bob Wilt Elders you may also contact Laurene Blair, Matt Erdman, Shirley Hein, Donna Hoffman, Gloria Hurley, Keith Jaindl, Brenda Miller, Nancy Musgnung, Karen Senft, Michael Shay, Elaine Taylor, Diane Wilt Music Director J. Christopher Malocheski or Prayer Resource Person Diane Wilt Christian Education Amy Rohrbach Address St. Thomas UCC ~ stthomasunited.churchofchrist@rcn.com Web Sites St. Thomas ~ stthomasuccbeth.com Penn Northeast Conference of the U.C.C. ~ United Church of Christ, Cleveland, Ohio ~ Pastoral Care Please call the staff through the church office, , or contact Pastor Debra, , if you or family members are in need of Pastoral Care. The Good Newsletter ~ 8

9 LOOKING AHEAD SUMMER WORSHIP TIME There will be a combined worship service at Bethany UCC on Sunday, June 3 beginning at 10 a.m. A light lunch will follow. The Sunday morning worship time for St. Thomas will change to 10:00 a.m. beginning Sunday, June 10 and continue through September 2. Mark your calendars! BIBLE BOY Bible Boy returns Sunday, July 22 nd! SUNDAES ON SUNDAY Following worship on July 22 we will enjoy Sundaes on Sunday. Stay for a time of fellowship and make your own sundae. Please use the sign-up sheet to volunteer to bring toppings. PEACH FESTIVAL & BASKET RAFFLE Saturday, August noon to 4 p.m. Use the sign-up sheets to volunteer your time. PEACH FESTIVAL PEACH PIE SALE Saturday, August 18, 2018 ~ 12 4 p.m. To Order: Place your order on the message board next to the church office, or call the church office at Cost: $9.00 each Please place your order by Wednesday, August 8!! Thank you. The Good Newsletter ~ 9

10 SUMMER VACATIONS Summer is here. Unfortunately, when we take summer vacation, church expenses do not. Please give prayerful consideration to your church giving over the summer. Some care and consideration of meeting this financial need to support our ongoing ministry is paramount. Remember, you can mail your offering to the church office or bring the envelope to church before you go! AUGUST JULY July 4 Closed July 10 Congregational Care, 7 p.m. July 16 Governing Board, 6:30 p.m. July 22 Sundaes on Sunday July 29 Joyful Noise Offering August 5 Communion; Elders By-Laws Workshop, following worship August 7 Pavilion Clean-up, 6:30 p.m. August 12 Mission & Vision Statement Workshop, following worship August 14 Congregational Care, 7 p.m. August 18 Set-up, 9 a.m. Peach Festival, 12 4 p.m. August 20 Governing Board, 6:30 p.m. August 26 Joyful Noise Offering NOTE: Summer Sunday Events: 9:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10 a.m. Worship Not all events/activities have been scheduled. Please check the calendars each month for updates! Remember Father s Day Sunday, June 17 th The Good Newsletter ~ 10

11 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Closed 3 10 am Combined Bethany UCC Following Worship Light Lunch 4 9 am Bake Shoo Fly Pies am 1 pm Shoo Fly Pie Pick-up 11 9:30 am Choir 10 am Worship, Graduates Honored 12 Closed pm Care Team Meeting Closed Flag Day 17 9:30 am Choir Rehearsal 10 am Worship :30 pm Governing Board Closed Father s Day :30 am Choir Rehearsal 10 am Worship Joyful Noise Offering Closed St. Thomas United Church of Christ 902 East Macada Road, Bethlehem, PA ~ stthomasunited.churchofchrist@rcn.com stthomasuccbeth.com Rev. Debra K Hess Pastor J. Christopher Malocheski Music Director Our Mission To welcome all people into a growing spiritual family dedicated to helping and serving others, inspired by the love of God and Jesus Christ working in our lives. The Good Newsletter ~ 11 Sunday Worship ~ 10:45 a.m. 30