GLADE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST. Our Lives Together for February 2018

Transcription

1 GLADE TIDINGS GLADE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Our Lives Together for February 2018 A Devotional for Lent (As found in Lovers and Fools: 2018 Lent Devotional ) The Choice to Rejoice Philippians 4: 4 by Matt Laney Rejoice? Seriously, Paul? Obviously you didn t live in a time where people get mowed down at worship or at a concert or at a march for peace; a time when our leader flaunts bullying, racism and environmental rollbacks; a time when executives and stock holders get richer while workers are left further behind; a time when a child dies from hunger every ten seconds. Rejoice? Don t be naive, Pastor Paul. Reading this cheery ancient scripture next to dreary current headlines, we have to remind ourselves that Paul s world was awash in despots, destruction and despair, far more than ours. He knew all about hardship. Maybe that s why Paul tells the Philippian church to rejoice twice. When I repeat myself, it s usually because I want to emphasize my point... or because I can t think of anything else to say. Never short of something to say, Paul repeated himself to emphasize the discipline of rejoicing as an act of resistance when injustices and struggles pile up. In fact, Paul uses the words joy and rejoice 15 times in this letter. Did I mention Paul was in prison when he wrote it? That s leading by example. He said if he should be sentenced to death, he would still rejoice. I m reminded of young people singing joyfully in jail during the civil rights movement and of a friend who battled cancer with laugher and levity until it took her life. ( The Choice to Rejoice Continued on page 3).

2 Ponder with the Pastor Second Chronicles 7: 14 When I was a boy, and WHAG was still WHAG, and for reasons still a great mystery to me, they would air, and I would sometimes watch, The Old Time Gospel Hour with Jerry Falwell. I think I occasionally watched that show for the same reason I watched Ernest Angley; remember him? Actually, he is still alive, website and all. But, back in the day, when I was a teenager, I did impersonations of these two guys. My Uncle Ray always pleaded with me to do my impersonations. Whenever I saw him, he would say, Neal, do your Ernest Angley. Wanting to hear him laugh, I would pull my shoulders up and push my head down, and begin with what some might say was an "altar call." I know there s somebody out there watching tonight who needs Jeeeeeeeeeeeezzzusssssssss! I would say. It was good for a laugh or two. My grandmother, however, didn t think it was the least bit funny, and she tried to make me feel bad for doing it, but it was worth it to me to hear Uncle Ray laugh. Falwell, as you might recall, always asked at the end of every sermon something like, If you die tonight, do you know if you are going to heaven? And, the other thing I remember about him is how he used II Chronicles 7: 14 to talk about how bad he thought our country was and how awful he thought some people to be. His words were inflammatory and corrosive, and they were aimed at turning us against each other. When this verse, (II Chronicles 7: 14), if my people who are called by name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land is understood in its proper context, we realize the author is speaking about how the two kingdoms of Israel (Northern and Southern) would become one. As we move toward Lent, this particular verse of scripture is picking at me. As a person who affirms the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ, I am mindful that there are some who are seeking to divide us from one another, and families are being torn apart. Did you happen to see the 2

3 news story about Jorge Garcia being deported to Mexico? He is thirty-nine years old, and used to live in Detroit with his wife and two children. Jorge was a landscaper, and lived in the Untied States for thirty years before being kicked out in mid-january. Simple subtraction means he was brought here by his parents when he was eight or nine years old. One day last month, our government ripped that family apart because they said he was here "illegally." Call it what you want, but what was done to Jorge and his family is a result of the sin of racism and white nationalism that is plaguing our country. So afraid of losing power, many are willing to go to any lengths, including de-humanizing others, in order to hold on to their privileged positions. We are living in troubling times, and the only way it is going to get better is if repentance occurs, and those in high places turn from their wicked ways in order for God to extend forgiveness. It is unsettling to think about where this animosity toward others goes if repentance does not occur. Jim Wallis, a leader in the evangelical wing of the Christian family, rightly points out that racism is "America's original sin." He's written a book by that title, and if you are looking for a good read on the topic, I recommend it. Praying for our nation, The Choice to Rejoice (continued from page 1) This sort of rejoicing isn t a form of denial. neither is it an exercise in the power of positive thinking. It is an expression of holy resistance, refusing to let hardships rob us of our joy in the Lord. If we do that much, we triumph, even if we die. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 Prayer: Just for today, Lord of all, let me rejoice in you always. Again I say, rejoice! 3

4 February Assistants Ushers Ruth Ann Keyser & Kathy Angleberger Acolytes Feb. 4 Ellie Stevens Feb. 11 Mason Saylor Feb. 18 Lydia Mollet Feb. 25 Mia Ogg Nursery Workers Feb. 4 Patty Green & Jessica Saylor Feb. 11 Kevin & Kate Saylor Feb. 18 Jenny & Danny Ogg Feb. 25 Shelby & Kirsten Saylor Greeters Patty Green & Rhonda Trail Lay Readers Feb. 4 Nancy Sweet Feb. 11 Shannon Jordre Feb. 18 Cole Stevens Feb. 25 Patty Green Communion Servers Lorijean Turner Ray Hummer Ellen Garst Shannon Jordre Adam Frederick General Fund Financial Report December 31, 2017 Beginning Balance: $38, Total Income: $25, Worship Offering: $23, Sunday School Offering: $ Rental Income: $ Building Use $ Second mile Giving $ Altar Flower Fund $ Music Fund $ Christmas Poinsettias $ Veterans of the Cross $ Interest: $.36 Total Expenses: $25, Ending Balance: $39,

5 Consistory Report Minutes of Glade UCC Consistory Meeting Tuesday, November 7:00 PM Consistory Activities Adam Frederick chaired the meeting, the Opening devotional was offered by Becky Hommer. The approval of the Consistory minutes from the August meeting were deferred until the next meeting. Pastor s Report Phil presented his pastoral report. There was a general discussion about church security issues and possible risk mitigation approaches. Property Bob Watson gave a presentations on a proposed portable ramp for altar and choir access for wheelchair bound persons. He volunteered to provide a prototype for evaluation. The rental house porch steps near the driveway have been installed. Brush and weeds have been removed from around the rental house, a leak under the kitchen tub floor drain put water in the 1st floor bathroom, sealant was added and further repair will be investigated. The holly bush at the front of the church has been trimmed. John Poole is arranging setup of the church-front Nativity. Finance A continuation of the discussion of OCWM from last month, Connie Rough will be asked about available funds. The treasurer s monthly expense and finance statement was received. Mission and Social Action On December 10th there will be a multi-church youth gathering for the Syrian refugee project. In January, the Frederick Islamic Temple will be visiting the Glade Youth Group. Marketing and Social Media Tammie Shumaker and Becky Hommer are providing Facebook content. Minutes of Glade UCC Consistory Meeting Tuesday, December 7:00 PM Consistory Activities Adam Frederick chaired the meeting, the Opening devotional was offered by Ellen Garst. The approval of the Consistory minutes from the August meeting were deferred until the next meeting. Pastor s Report Phil presented his pastoral report. Security Issues Discussion of security issues continued from last month a working committee on security was formed including Shannon Jordre, Lorijean Turner and Adam Frederick. Christmas Collection It was proposed that the loose cash component of the Christmas Eve service offering be used to support retired clergy in need. 5

6 Consistory Report Continued Finance In continuation of the discussion of OCWM from last month Connie Rough reported that the OCWM budget of $5k will be met. The general fund was estimated to have a $2k surplus for the year. Shannon reported that the Stewarship Campaign is wrapping up with a good result compared to last year. The new annual budget for 2018 is being developed. The treasurer s monthly expense and finance statement was received. Property The rental house basement ssteps installation is being arranged. Bob Watson presented a prototype of a portable ramp proposed for altar and choir access for wheelchair bound persons. The ramp appears workable, but ramp carpeting was desired and will be included in the final design. John Poole arranged the setup of the church-front nativity scene and lights. Further repair of the kitchen tub floor drain is still being investigated. Mission and Social Action On December 10th there was a multi-church youth gathering for the Syrian Refugee project. A youth meeting is planned for December 17th to go Christmas caroling and prepare luminaries. In January, the Frederick Islamic Temple will be visiting the Glade Youth Group. Ash Wednesday On Wednesday evening, February 14th, we will gather at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary for an Ash Wednesday worship experience that will include the imposition of ashes for those who wish to have them placed either on their forehead or the back of their hand. Ash Wednesday, of course, begins the Lenten season of forty days (excluding Sundays) prior to Easter Sunday. It is a time to reflect on who we are, and who, by God s grace, we might become. Please consider taking advantage of this worship experience to tend to your spiritual life. 6

7 Birth Announcements Congratulations to Kevin & Lacy Uebel on the birth of their son, Barrett Daniel Uebel. He was born 2 months early on Thursday, January 4, 2018 and weighed 3 pounds and 3 ounces. Proud grandma is Chris Torbeck. Please keep Barrett and family in your prayers. Baptisms Carter Lev Frederick November 26, 2017 Son of Christopher Frederick & Annie Durnell Grandson of Adam & Lisa Frederick Savannah Lea Howell January 7, 2018 Daughter of Stephanie & Greg Howell Granddaughter of John & Shirley Poole Jeffrey & Melissa Howell Randy Lewis Sister Hadley Howell 7

8 Prayer Shawl The Prayer Shawl will meet on Saturday, February 10th at 10:00 a.m. at Connie Rough's home. All members please attend. Anyone interested in joining our ministry, please join us on Feb. 10th. Care Givers As I write this from Myrtle Beach, with the ocean as my 'front yard,' I recalled a hymn that is one of my favorites. The lyrics are appropriate to this month of February when the focus is on L - O - V - E. The words to the second verse are: Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man, a scribe by trade To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry Nor could the scroll contain the whole tho' stretched from sky to sky! When you think about God's great love for you, may you be inspired to share that love with others to show them how much you care. What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than to 'take ink to paper' and send a personal, hand-written note, telling someone, "I care about you! You are loved!" Be a loving care-giver... make someone's day special! Blessings! Becky D, Care Givers Team Ministry 8

9 Fried Oysters Ham and Roast Turkey! March 2 nd and 3 rd 2018 Walkersville Fire Hall We re getting ready for Glade Church s largest fund raiser The Spring Dinner and Bazaar! On Friday the 2 nd, dinners are served from 4-7 pm. Saturday the 3 rd, dinners are served from 12-5 pm. All dinners are served buffet style including lots of side dishes. We need YOU to make the dinners a success! Donations of crafts and baked goods (no cream fillings or butter cream frostings) are needed for the craft and bake table. Purchased frostings or those made with Crisco are allowed. No butter based frostings are allowed by the Frederick County Health Department. The craft table can sell seasonally decorated wreaths, knitted, sewn items, hand crafted greeting cards, jewelry, or ornaments, for example. Baked goods to sell will be labeled identifying allergens, such as milk, eggs, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybean, and fish. Rice Krispy treats, popcorn, and chocolate covered pretzels are now allowed. Fudge and caramel are considered to promote rapid growth of bacteria and are not allowed. We also are in need of sugar for the slaw and 9x13 cakes for dessert (no butter cream or cream cheese icing, please). Sign up at church in February, or call Cathy Widder ( ) or Ron Rough ( ) to volunteer. There is a lot to organize. If you can sign-up early, it helps tremendously! Food handlers are required to wear head coverings, such as hairnets or caps, and gloves. No wrist jewelry is to be worn in the kitchen or dining hall, and long hair must be worn up, or tied back securely. Hands should be washed with soap before working. Slaw makers & meat carvers are needed a few days before the dinners. We set up the fire hall after bingo Thursday night. Lots of opportunities for all! Thanks in advance! We appreciate your help with one of the very best dinners in the area! 9

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12 February Second Mile Giving Our Second Mile Giving recipient for February is the Interfaith Housing Alliance. For over twenty years, IHA has maintained a clear vision to create and preserve quality affordable housing to meet the needs of the residents of the communities they serve. IHA is the region s leading nonprofit affordable housing developer. Thousands of low to moderate income seniors, working families and individuals have benefited from their programs and services. IHA relies on the generous donations it receives annually from individuals, businesses, foundations and the faith community. There are a variety of ways to donate and they gladly accept gifts of property, goods and services, as well as time and talent. Food Bank for February Let s help our neighbors chase away the chill of winter with donations of coffee, low-fat /low-sugar instant creamers, hot chocolate, tea bags, canned soups, and oatmeal. In addition to food items, disposable diapers and wipes (along with laundry supplies) are always needed by GVCS. Cash donations are also accepted by the Glade Valley Community Services at P. O. Box 655, Walkersville, MD. Thanks for supporting this project! Most Needed Food Items: Cereal Canned Fruit Canned Pasta (Spaghetti-O s, ravioli) Peanut Butter Canned Peas Boxed Potatoes (mashed, scalloped, etc.) Rice Baked Beans Toilet Paper Easter Flower Orders Due By March 4th With Easter being early this year, we need to submit our order for the Easter flowers earlier than usual. Please submit your order by March 4th. The order form is provided on page 19 of this newsletter. The flowers look so beautiful on the altar at Easter, please consider placing an order. 12

13 Glade Youth Cabin Fever Party with the Seniors Sunday, February 18th at 5:30 p.m. The Fireside Room. SNOW TUBING!!! The youth group is going Snow Tubing on Sunday, February 25th at 4:00 p.m. THE FREDERICK SCHOOL OF RELIGION Learning for Life The Frederick School of Religion begin their classes on, February 12, It is a six-week series of eight classes which includes a wide range of religious topics and spiritual studies. The classes are offered on Mondays and Tuesdays in the afternoons or evenings. The 2018 classes will be held at Brook Hill United Methodist Church. For additional information: or call: or

14 Mission & Social Many thanks from the Soup Kitchen. Last Sunday evening went like clockwork. We have developed a well-honed machine over the years. We had plenty of food, volunteers and diners. What was not machine-like, however, what was very human and gratifying was the real pleasure in the eyes of our guests when they saw the homemade mac & cheese. The embarrassed requests for seconds. The luxury of being able to reply, Of course, there s Plenty. The conversations over sports with our youth and the immediate connection. The insistence of one young woman that her friend in the wheelchair got his rolls and butter. We are blessed and privileged to serve in this way and we thank you for the opportunity to do so. On Sunday evening, January 28 th, Glade welcomed Catoctin Association youth and youth from the Islamic Society of Frederick to gather for an evening of getting to know each other, sharing a meal and gaining a better understanding of each other s faith and culture. We hope to continue this effort as a part of our work with the Lebanese schools for Syrian refugees. These refugees are from varied faiths, and to best communicate with them and understand what they need, we need a cultural context. We are still exploring ways to inject a personal connection into the refugee program. It is a journey. We hope you will join us. 14

15 Special Thanks The Catoctin Association would like to thank the ladies of the Glade Guild for their donation of $222. Your support of the Association is greatly appreciated and will be used to support the projects of the Association. The Religion Coalition says Thanks to our Heroes The compassionate individuals, faithful houses of worship and caring businesses and community partners who support our work. You made all this possible in 2017: 100% of families received case management services, 21,611 safe bed nights were provided at the Alan P. Linton, Jr., emergency Shelter, 4,587 homeless and low income clients were helped by our programs in 2017, 636 heads of households were provided assistance to stay in their homes, 33 families were provided emergency family shelter, totaling 3,675 safe-bed nights of shelter, 50% success rate of emergency shelter families moving into their own home. The Mental Health Association of Frederick County (MHA) thanked us for our gift of $90 as a result of our Second Mile Giving Program. Our donation helps maintain the excellence of MHA s programs, and is an investment in their vision of a community where people of all ages know when and how to seek help for emotional or family problems without shame. The Frederick County Department of Aging Meals on Wheels program thanks us for our generous donation of $125 from our Second Mile Giving program. This will go along way to helping them serve seniors in Frederick County. The Lancaster Theological Seminary sent an acknowledgement of our support to their mission to educate and nurture leaders to Join God s redemptive and liberating work so that all creation may flourish. The support that we provide with our prayers and gifts opens doors to their student s education, opens their minds to learning, and opens their hearts to serving. Homewood Foundation sent an acknowledgement of our donation of $ for the Benevolent Endowment Fund to benefit their residents in need. Church World Services thanks us for our donation of $355 to their blanket program through our Second Mile Giving program here at Glade UCC. Our commitment helps families and communities around the world recover from emergencies and struggle in the face of challenges, your are standing with them. Your are providing relief and hope. 15

16 February Birthdays 2/01 Ralph Whitmore Tom England Rebecca Strawsburg 2/02 Justin Clarke Mike Powers Andre Cornelis 2/04 Ellen Garst 2/06 Tammie Shumaker 2/07 Lisa Byrd Liam Powell Hadley Howell 2/08 Kara Caprarola Scott Borison 2/10 Brady Nusbaum 2/11 Paul Yingling James Harrison 2/12 Stuart Clark 2/14 Jennifer Ogg Bryan Saylor 2/15 Terri Grimm 2/16 Betty Baggett Mary Scheele 2/17 Blake Ambrose 2/18 Logan DiPaolo 2/19 Craig Davie Ken Grim Raegan Smith Billy Veith 2/21 Dorothy Shober Pat Turner 2/22 Linda Powers 2/23 Daniel Ogg 2/24 Frances Cecil Stacey Wachter 2/27 Tiffany Kauffman 2/28 Leo Duncan February Anniversaries 2/21 Bonnie & David Ogg 16

17 Fri., Feb. 2 Sun., Feb. 11 GROUNDHOG DAY Congregational Meeting after worship Potluck Lunch after congregational meeting Mon., Feb. 12 Frederick School of Religion Classes begin Tue., Feb 13 Wed., Feb 14 Sun., Feb 18 Mon., Feb 19 Tues., Feb 20 Sun., Feb 25 Consistory Meeting HAPPY VALENTINES DAY Ash Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m. GYG Cabin Fever Party with Seniors 5:30 p.m. President s Day Church Office Closed Glade Tiding s Articles Due in the Office GYG Snow Tubing 4:00 p.m. Around The Community The Walkersville United Methodist Church Blood Drive is scheduled for: Monday, February 12, :00 7:30 p.m. in the Georgetown Building Fellowship Hall. Please call Donna, or visit redcrosssblood.org and enter Walkersville UMC Walkersville to schedule your life saving donation. 17

18 The sign up sheet for providing altar flowers for a Sunday in 2018 is up on the bulletin board. Please consider signing up to provide them for a Sunday or two in the new year. You may place them in honor or memory of someone who is special to you. Consider selecting a Sunday that coincides with their birthday or another special day. You may wish to give a donation to the altar flower fund instead. Make the check out to Glade UCC and on the memo line, write Altar Flower Fund. Inclement Weather Policy In the event of inclement weather, Glade Church will hold church services unless cancellation announcements are issued on our web site at on our Facebook page, or on these local radio stations, WFMD (AM 930), WFRE (FM 99.9), or WAFY (FM Key 103.1). Sunday School will be cancelled when the snow emergency plan is in effect at 8:00 a.m. in Frederick County. 18

19 Easter Flower Order Form Please complete this form if you would like to place flowers in the church on Easter Sunday. Please complete a separate line for each person you wish to honor or memorialize. Attach your check (made payable to Glade UCC - with "Easter Flowers" in the memo line). Please indicate the number of flowers you wish to purchase and place in the box at the rear of the Sanctuary, or mail to the church office no later than March 4th. For additional information, contact Terri Grimm ( ) or dtmstempire@aol.com Lilies: 9.50 Qty: Tulips: $9.00 Qty: Pink Yellow Red White Flowers are given by: In Memory of: or In Honor of: Flowers are given by: In Memory of: or In Honor of: 19