THE EAGLE AUARY. St. John's United Church of Christ, Lewisburg PA

Transcription

1 VOLUME XLII, Issue No. 01 JAN., 2013 THE EAGLE St. John's United Church of Christ, Lewisburg PA AUARY They followed the star! We often throw the three kings into the Christmas story. Of course, they didn t really arrive while Jesus was an infant, but we like to think that s true and it makes a much easier Christmas play to have it all at the same manger. Epiphany comes between the Christmas and Lenten seasons of the church. Epiphany is a Greek word which was in common use before Jesus birth. It meant appearance or manifestation. It could mean an appearance of dawn or an enemy in war. In religious terms, it refers to a manifestation of the gods to a worshiper, or seeing the power of a god in action. In the first Greek version of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, epiphany was used to refer to a manifestation of the God of Israel. In the secular meaning, it refers to a sudden intuitive insight-- I had an epiphany! Whenever the light switches on in your head or your heart and you have a new understanding, you might say you have had an epiphany. The Greeks believed that all creativity flowed from divine insight. Do we take time to gain some insight during this season of Epiphany and be creative? Where do you need the light to help you through the new challenges you may be experiencing? When was the last epiphany you had that brought you the insight you needed to draw closer to God? The lectionary texts for each Sunday in January reveal the nature of God s epiphanies in our lives. I invite you to read and think about each passage that will bring you closer to the God who brought us the most important light that we know in our lives. Come and celebrate Epiphany this year in worship. Pastor Paula

2 Page 2 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLII, January Worship Opportunities Sunday School: 09:00 a.m. Worship: 10:30 a.m. January 6, 2013 Matthew 2:1-12 A Different Way The wise men who came to Jesus, left a different way because they believed in him, not in King Herod. Our lives may take a different twist if we believe in Jesus. January 13, 2013 Isaiah 43:1-7, Luke 3:15-17, Expectations Cloud Our View People were expecting to find John as the Messiah and are not sure what to do with Jesus after his baptism. Sometimes we forget to seek out the truth that comes in Christ because we are too busy just doing what we expect is the right thing. We have to look for Jesus in all of our life. The baptism of Jesus awakens us to the reality of Jesus and his needs and lessons that although he is the son of God, he is human. Do we let Jesus in to our entire life? January 20, 2013 Guest Preacher:Rev. Dr. Thom Webster, Conference minister of congregational life and pastor January 27, 2013 Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Luke 4:14-21 The Gift in the Church We find the importance of the church when we are spiritually growing alone. The gifts of faith are for our own individual lives as well as for the community of faith. The Hebrews are hearing the Scriptures, but it is like hearing them for the first time. God gave us the church as a gift. October Consistory Highlights 1. Approved placement of shed by Buffalo Valley Singers with ground and stone preparation. 2. Approved power washing of bricks, removal of dead trees and cleaning of the spouting at the parsonage. 3. Approved advertisement for Christmas services in the Standard-Journal. 4. Did first review of proposed 2013 budget. 5. Approved membership in SJUCC for Dodie Noyce. Current Account Receipts $ 12, Current Account Disbursements $ 13, Less Crow Estate Monies $-50, Current Account Balance $ -44,078.89

3 THE EAGLE PRAYERS FR THE PEPE VOLUME XLII, Page 3 Prayer List Loren Adams, Lucille Barchet, Ann Beasom, Sid & Jean Bowersox, Alverda Brouse, Carrie Brouse, Ruth & Fred Brouse, Gladys Falck, Leona Fertig, Pearl Fisher, Ethel Foor, Bill & Lola Fuller, John Geyer, Faylene Groover, Betty and Gary Hackenberg, Ethel Moser, Donald & Mary Lee Murray, Shirley Olive, George Pardoe, Jr., Lauren & Rick Rautzahn, Esther Rein, Dorothy Reish, Christine Sartwell, Steve Shaffer, Mary Stover, Carl Troutman, Merdyth Updegraff, Shirley Ulrich, Ken & Chris Whitebread, Logan Williams, Ella Wise. Contact the church office with updates regarding the prayer list. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT SNOWS? Will we have to cancel church this winter? If the weather is bad, listen to WKOK1070 AM radio station to hear if St. John s has cancelled services. Will the office be closed? If the weather is inclement, call first. CHURCH RECORD: NEW ADDRESS Alverda Brouse Riverwoods NCC, Rm. # River Road Lewisburg, Pa Please notify the church office or Pastor Gustafson when you are ADMITTED TO or DISCHARGED FROM the hospital or a nursing care facility. Due to current privacy laws, health facilities are not permitted to share information on your location unless you have given permission to do so. This law also pertains to health care workers, that they may not notify the church that you are a patient without your permission. Visitations by the Pastor or the Lay Ministry Team members are difficult if we don t know where you are! Please designate someone, either a family member or a friend to let us know when your location changes. Your Church family wants to be of assistance in your time of need. THANK YOU!

4 Page 4 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLII, AUARY VUTEERS Ushers: Mark Brouse, Art Bower, Ashley Griffith, Nicholas Fisher, Kelly Gessner, Samantha Stover Lock-up Person: Bob Brouse Lay-Reader: Sue Baish Preparation of Communion Elements: Ruth Richard & Barb Snyder January Children's Church Nursery Sound Video 6 Mike Catherman/Randy Tanner Liz & Chris DeSantis Jim Baish 13 Amy Harris Anna Brouse Linda Sartwell 20 Angie Donlin Holly Barbella Peg Brouse 27 Jim & Sue Baish Linda Williams Russ Richard January Flower Sponsors Acolyte Drivers Route 1* Drivers Route 2* 6 Alex Catherman Bowersox Brouse 13 Bryanna Harris Spickler Williams 20 Sydney Hoffman Baish Brouse 27 Maddy Barbella Seaman Moser If you need a ride to church, please contact Ron Zug ( ) who schedules the drivers January Greeters 6 Jim & Elva Johnson 13 Jim & Elva Johnson 20 Anna & Bob Brouse 27 Anna & Bob Brouse

5 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLII, SPECIA DAYS I AUARY Page 5 01/04 Charlotte Hufnagle 01/04 Karin Knisely 01/04 Tonya Miller 01/06 Margaret Brouse 01/09 Gina Funk 01/09 Bryanna Harris 01/10 Rebecca Montufar 01/13 Pacey Klinger 01/15 Mary Stover 01/17 Joseph Gutelius 01/24 Pamela Mabus 01/25 Debra Drasher 01/25 Rita Griffith 01/27 Craig Swineford 01/27 Louise Bly 01/31 George Pardoe, Jr. 01/04 Sue & Jim Baish 01/21 Carol & Richard Berry 01/24 Joanne & William Stahley 01/30 Brenda & Bill Hoban, Jr. 01/31 Ruth & Fred Brouse

6 THE EAGLE Newsletter Title VOLUME XLII, VOLUME I ssue No. XLII, 01 Page 6 Page 6 A very heartfelt thank you to all those who helped to provide meals and treats for Shirley Olive and Pastor Paula after their hospital stays. A project such as this responds to the teaching of our Lord when we remember those who have a particular need. I know that all the foods were appreciated and were delivered with love. Much appreciation to all who participated. Norma Schutter Dear Friends, thank you for the turkeys and boxes of food you provided for our low income families for thanksgiving. The food was much appreciated, and I m sure they were able to have nice family meals because of your kindness. Sincerely, Jamie Batman Foster Care Coordinator, Children & Youth Services, Union County Dear Church Friends, My sincere thank you for the lovely flowers on Sunday, brought by Linda Sartwell. You all are so kind & thoughtful. Blessings to all! Lucille Barchet Dear Missions Committee Members, and Congregation of St. John s UCC, Thank you so very much for your continued support of the Donald Heiter Community Center. Your contributions will help the general operation of the Center and facilitates scholarships to local families who cannot afford to participate. Sincerely, Andrea Tufo FLOWER CHART FOR 2013 The 2013 flower chart is now posted on the bulletin board across from the church office. To buy both, the price is $40.00, or $20.00 per bouquet. The flower chart has room for two names. If you decide to buy both bouquets, put your name on both spaces. If you have any questions, please call the church office. Worship Committee

7 Page 7 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLII, Gettig t w ur Seirs Alda Wagner Alda Wagner was born in 1917 on a 100 acre farm south of Lewisburg where Colonial Candle Crafters now stands. She had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. She is very proud of her sister who joined the Army and served during World War II. She and her brothers helped run the farm. Alda enjoyed working in the fields with the horses and mules and also helped in the house as her mother had a heart condition. The children went to the one room school house near their home until 8 th grade. Then they would walk into Lewisburg to the high school. Alda says the Bechtel s milk man would pick her up when it was really cold even though he was not supposed to; he had a big heart. After graduation, Alda went to work at Larry Hunt s garage and restaurant on the site of the present Burger King. She then worked at the Ordinance near Watsontown during the war. Her sister bought a car and Alda would take her to work for the week and pick her up on the weekends. She remembers one time that she couldn t get through because the road had caved into the coal mine beneath it. During the week Alda used the car to go to work at the Ordinance. There she met her husband Horace Jake Wagner. Alda and Jake had 2 girls. Donna Robbins lives near Mifflinburg and has 3 girls: Katrina, a biology teacher at Selinsgrove; Gretchen, a teacher at Millersburg; and Heidi, a physical therapist. She also has a stepson, 1 great grandchild and one great, great grandchild. Her other daughter, Karen, works for the bank. Alda grew up working hard and spent her married life working hard. Jake would work during the day and come home to watch the girls while she went to work at Donehowers Sporting Goods at night. She worked there 13 years. Then she went to work at Rea &Dericks for over 30 years. She enjoys people, reading, search a word and embroidery. She and her daughter Karen live on 11 th St. They will join their family in Woodward on Christmas Day to preserve a tradition of Christmas at her nephew s house. SECRET PAL DINNER: SECRET PAL REVEAL The Secret Pal Dinner will be held in our Fellowship Hall on Friday evening, February 1, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. The cost of the evening will be $ Following the meal, we will meet in the chapel/parlor area where the identities of our Secret Pals will be revealed. Don't forget to bring a gift for your Secret Pal (around $15). If you cannot make it to the dinner, please see that your gift is at the church by that evening. Sue Gemberling, Deb Hettinger, and Kelly Gessner are the committee for this year s event. You can make reservations by filling out the Secret Pal form enclosed with December s mailing. Please pay your $11.00 to Anna Brouse by Sunday, January 20th, We will draw for a new Secret Pal name for the coming year at this time. If you cannot make it to the dinner, but would like to be in the exchange, please see Anna Brouse for a form to fill out by January 20th.

8 Page 8 WORSHIP HOURS SundaySchool: 09:00 a.m. Worship: 10:30 a.m. Visit us on the Web! St. John s United Church of Christ 1050 Buffalo Road Lewisburg, PA Phone: Fax: stjohns@dejazzd.com No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here! The Communion offering for January 6th, is dedicated to St. John s LEAF fund. The goal is $ Thanks for your continued support of St. John s missions! The Communion offering for February 3rd is dedicated to the Church Vocation fund. The goal is $ Unfortunately, the beautiful Christmas decorations and lights must be taken down after Christmas. We will be removing the decorations in the sanctuary after the worship service on Sunday, January 6, Please consider helping with this task. January 27, 2013 (snow date: February 3, 2013) Our Annual Congregational meeting will be following worship on January 27, 2013 with a dinner. The Consistory members will provide the meat and dessert. You are asked to bring a salad, vegetable or covered dish. This will be a time for hearing additional reports from committees, assess where we are, and talk about where we might like to go. Please join us for this gathering.