FAITHFUL follower. J a n u a r y 2017

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1 FITHFUL fllwer 1 FITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST O P E N & F F I R M I N G J a n u a r y 2017 The Faithful Fllwer is published mnthly by Faith United Church f Christ. Editr: Faith uici and Dnna Rusch created ur feature page 4 f this issue IN THIS ISSUE Frm Yur Mderatr Frm Yur Mderatr pg 1 Frm the Pastr s Desk pg 2 Church Happenings pg 3 Faith Chat Rm pg 4 Spiritual Exercise pg 5 New Member Prfiles pg 6 Church Event Phts pg 7 Cuncil Meeting Minutes pg 8 In less than tw weeks we will be beginning a new year, I wuld like t thank all f yu fr the privilege f serving yu as yur mderatr fr the last tw years. Thank yu t everyne wh has vlunteered t help with all ur activities. December has been a very busy mnth with sme wnderful attendance and many vlunteers t help make each event a success. We had three new members jin us during December. We are s happy t have them. We als welcme ur members wh have returned frm the Ptluck Change nrth. It is nice t see ur attendance increase. special thank yu t Rev. Ellen King fr filling the pulpit when Rev. Judy and Brian were ut f twn fr Thanksgiving. Please remember t check the bulletin bard in the Narthex every Sunday s yu knw what activities are cming up. If yu wuld like t vlunteer t hst r help, please sign up. Last but nt least, it has been a pleasure t wrk with Pastrs Brian and Judy and the church cuncil. Thanks t all f yu fr yur help. Peace be with yu! Marge Hie Cntact Page pg 9 January Calendar pg 9 nnual Meeting Sunday, Jan 22, after a shrtened service. SPECIL THNKS: Thank yu t all wh participated in and cntributed t the Christmas Tea and/ r the Hliday Ptluck. Special thanks t Marge H., Judy W., Earleen N., Drathy G., Jan S., Fred D., Jeff F., and Margrie S. Here s t an event filled 2017! BRUNCH POTLUCK: On January 29 th we will have a winter Brrr unch after the service. sign-up sheet is n the bulletin bard. Sme suggestin f what t bring are: quiche, egg casserles, sausage, ham, ptat dishes, fruit, r breakfast pastries. Wh knws? Maybe a surprise mimsa r tw will make an appearance, nn-alchlic f curse! See Sheryl Overheidt- Smith with questins r if yu wuld like t help ut. Sheryl Overheidt- Smith O N E C O F L O R I S T /// When rdering flwers thrugh the church, please sign up n the Flwer Chart. Flwers rders are $25. Yu are encuraged t take yur flwers hme with yu after service; but if yu leave them, they will be taken t a shut-in. If yu want t purchase flwers n yur wn, Onec Flrist is ffering Church members $5 ff their first arrangement. Just mentin this article. S O C I L C T I O N & M I S S I O N S In January, we are cllecting Pet Fd fr the fd bank.

2 T H E P S T O R S D E S K R e v. B r i a n a n d R e v. J u d y B a g l e y - B n n e r Really? few days ag I fund a pad f ld checks hidden away in a strage bx. Hw did I knw they were ld? They had "19 " n the dateline. Is it really ging t be 17 years since the panic abut Y2k when the wrld was ging t fall apart? Sixteen years since 9/11; an event which changed ur lives frever? nd can it als be 20 years since Ellen DeGeneres came ut n Netwrk Televisin, 14 years since the UCC Synd's statement "ffirming the Participatin and Ministry f Transgender Peple within the United Church f Christ and Supprting their Civil and Human Rights," and 2 years since Marriage Equality has been the law f the land? This is the nature f things: sme things that frighten us t panic, turn ut t be nthing at all; whereas sme things we never even dreamed culd happen, change the curse f histry. But, as the psitive changes f the last decades shw us, Gd is always, always, always at wrk transfrming the wrld. nd we are called t jin Gd in that wrk. The New Year gives us a whle new pprtunity. May 2017 be a year f fearless and faithful discipleship. We d nt knw what challenges and jys lie ahead, but we d knw that Gd will guide and direct and be right beside us thrugh it all. Blessings, Pastr Brian I n M e m r i a l We remember Rev. David Studer, Debrah Peters father. If yu need addresses t send cards, we have new directries in the church ffice. D i n n e r & D e s s e r t M e m r i e s Here are a few phts frm ur last Dinner and Dessert f Thank yu Judy, Denny and Richard fr hsting. We are lking fr a hst fr ur January Dinner and Dessert. Left t Right Tp Rw: Helen, Jay, and Marge Bttm Rw: Pete, Janis, Earleen and Sheryl W O R S H I P VOLUNTEERS 2 If yu are interested in signing up t be a greeter, usher r scripture reader, please cntact ur Wrship Team Leader, Richard Dilts, r simply sign up n the bulletin bard. Yu can sign up as; ne-time help, n a part time basis r get regularly invlved in ur Sunday mrning wrship activities. It s easy and we have s much fun helping ut. JOIN US WEEKEND SCHEDULE January 1, 2017 Flwers: Greeters: Scripture: Ushers: Nursery: Sunday schl: Marge Hie Cuncil Marge Hie Cuncil my Testa Hatti Damians January 8, 2017 Flwers: Greeters: Scripture: Ushers: Nursery: Sunday schl: Pete and Janis Grth Babs Brwnell Hatti Damians January 1 5, 2017 Flwers: Greeters: Scripture: Ushers: Nursery: Sunday schl: Linda ndersn Hatti Damians January 22, 2017 Flwers: Greeters: Scripture: Ushers: Nursery: Sunday schl: Jan Sheehan Marge Hie Hatti Damians January 29, 2017 Flwers: Greeters: Scripture: Ushers: Nursery: Sunday schl: Babs Brwnell Hatti Damians 2

3 Mark Yur Calendars C h u r c h W m e n U n i t e d 1 0 a m, F R I. J N. 6 nnual Meeting at Lngbat Chapel, 6200 Gulf f Mexic Drive Lngbat Key, FL See Marge Hie if interested. M e n s B R E K F S T 9 a m S T. J N. 7 Nrma Rae s in Palmett. See Pastr Brian if interested. W m e n s B R E K F S T 9 a m F R I., J N. 7 KeKe's Breakfast Cafe 1121 Crtez ve West Bradentn, FL (941) (In the mall next t Burlingtn cat factry). Please sign up n the bulletin bard if yu wuld like t attend. HOST D I N N E R N D D E S S E R T 6 p m, F R I., J N. 2 0 Wuld yu like yu t hst? Please ntify the church ffice by December 28 if yu wuld like t be ur hst in January. We will explain hw easy it is, and we lk frward t a fun time. P O T L U C K B R U N C H f t e r s e r v i c e, S U N. J N. 2 9 In 2017 we are having the ptluck n the 5 th Sunday f each mnth that has 5 Sundays. We will have five ptlucks this year. Please sign up t bring a brunch dish t share after service as we are als remembering the Gerlachs n this day. CHURCH HPPENINGS 2 Lecti Divina Jan week dult Study n the scripture prayer discipline f Lecti Divina will start at 9am n January 8. Lecti is a way t read scripture in a deep and meditative way. Peple wh are lng experienced and flks wh have never dne it are all invited t attend. nnual Meeting Due t events n January 29, we are ging t have ur nnual Meeting n Sunday, January 22. We will have a shrtened service fllwed by vting n new fficers and the budget fr Please cme t share yur thughts and be a part f Faith's grwth and directin! Histry Sunday/Remembering the Gerlachs On January 29, we are ging t celebrate the histry f Faith UCC. We will recgnize lng time members, hear abut the histry f ur cngregatin and remember Gerry and Dris Gerlach (the first preacher and rganist f the church). The Gerlach family will be present, and after the service we will mve t ur memrial Garden fr a service f scattering ashes. Fllwing that, we will jin in a Ptluck Brunch t cntinue t remember the Gerlachs and celebrate Faith UCC and all it has meant t many. Is Yur 2016 Giving Pledge In? Just a reminder, if yu haven't yet turned in yur 2016 Giving Pledge, please d s sn as pssible s the Church Cuncil can prepare the budget fr ur annual meeting. Thanks s much fr all yur supprt f Faith UCC. Winter-Spring Bk Study: Putting way Childish Things by Marcus Brg In Putting way Childish Things, Marcus Brg weaves his prgressive, Christian thelgy int a new frm fictin. In this cmpelling tale, we meet Kate a ppular religin prfessr at a liberal arts cllege wh thinks her life is right n track. She lves her jb, is happy with her persnal and spiritual life, and her guilty pleasure cnsists f sneaking int the lcal pub fr an ccasinal pint f Guinness. Life is gd. In the classrm, students ask fr her views n Jesus, the Bible, and hmsexuality, cntrversial tpics that Kate candidly addresses until utraged parents start campaigning fr the schl t get rid f her. Thrugh it all, Kate als faces unreslved issues frm her past, including a rmance gne wrng. Putting way Childish Things is an engaging way fr readers t learn abut the imprtant issues dividing Christians tday. lng the way, we jin with the characters t ask the hard questins such as what des the Bible really teach? Wh is Jesus? What is the nature f faith tday? This bk tells a great stry, while teaching prgressive thelgy in a user friendly way. There will be tw studies: Sundays at 9.M. Feb 5-March 12 and Tuesdays 6:30 P.M Feb 7-March 14. Please sign up fr ne r the ther times, n the bard at church, r call the church ffice grup bk rder will be placed n Jan 16. Please indicate if yu wuld like t be part f the grup rder when yu sign up. uestins can be addressed t Judy r Brian, as we will be c-leading this study. 3

4 4 4 Faith Chat Rm Share yur family phts, stries and cmments with us: faithchurchucc@verizn.net New Year Funnies 1. New Years Eve is just a hliday created by cmpanies wh dn't want yu reusing last year's calendar. 2. Dear Gd: My prayer fr 2017 is a FT bank accunt and a THIN bdy. Please dn't mix them up like yu did last year. THNKS! Let's give urselves a "pat-nthe-back" fr leading Faith Church thrugh anther year f spiritual grwth and experience. Prmise yurself t "shw up" in Keep Faith a lving and safe huse f wrship. Did yu knw? rtificial Christmas Trees have utsld real nes every year since Earth is the nly planet nt named after a gd. Shrimp are all brn male, but slwly grw int females. ( perfect wrld?) 8.5 millin tns f water evaprates frm the Dead Sea every day. There s n sund in space. Wmen blink twice as much as men. On yur birthday, yu share it with 9 millin thers. Keep the smile, leave the tear, hld the laugh, leave the pain, lve anther, and frget the fear. Be jyus, because it s a new year!

5 S p i ritual Exercise 5 Uuggghhh! NOTHER year. Is there n rest fr the weary? It s enugh just t remember t keep breathing. Still, I will try t begin 2017 with much energy and enthusiasm. Why? Well, this past Sunday, Pastr Brian preached that Gd lves regular peple. Gd thing, cause I'm abut as regular as prune juice. I will aim t cntinue t be just a regular persn. I m ging fr lw-impact actins that will help grw my spirit, benefit the church, and still allw time fr naps (yeah!). This year, I ll leave any miraclemaking r earth-shaking t thers. s a regular persn I plan t be a gd steward f all Gd has blessed me with; and, He has been very gd t me. Therefre, this New Year I have chsen t pledge mre than the regular amunt that I have in the past. I will be prud t say my cllectin envelpe will nw actually lk like it cntains smething. Yup, the ushers will need t be using heavy-lifting equipment during cllectins (k, nt really). I understand that t keep what yu have, yu must give it away. S, with a renewed sense f prmise fr the future, I will give mre. nd, I believe I ll sleep a little better. Since fferings can be time and/r talents, this is my great pprtunity t display my regular -ness. While sme peple have cup(s) that runneth-ver with talent, I d nt. It might be said I have a talent fr spending time. Nw sme might say,... but she s NEVER n time, and it s mre like she wastes time. Well, t that I wuld say nt true! Hwever, then I wuld be lying (and THT wuld be cnsidered a character defect which is a whle ther tpic). nyway, I will try t be a better steward f the time Gd has given me n this earth. I will add t the regular amunt f hurs I give t my church and/r cmmunity in service wrk. Truly, my hurs will really becme thers urs. Clever, yes? Finally, I can always chse t elevate my regular status anytime. I culd perfrm a miracle, give mre time in service wrk r spend mre time in prayer and meditatin. Hwever, I believe there are lts f regular peple in heaven. I think they gt there by just shwing-up fr life. By ding s, they made a difference in the wrld. Gd uses regular peple but encurages us t grw als. Minimal effrt required t be regular. I can d that. Hwever, right nw, I must take a nap. In Peace and Prayer, DONN RUSCH (Bransn s Nana) Climb t new spiritual heights in 2017 FITH PRESCHOOL Wendi Steinbach, Directr The preschl had a successful Christmas perfrmance n December 20. We had s many parents and relatives shw up that there was standing rm nly. Every child sang their best and made it ur best shw yet. We are lking frward t a nice Christmas break and will be back in the swing f things in the New Year starting January 9. Children s Ministry If yu have a heart fr children, then cnsider jining the Children s Ministry Team. We need help in the nursery and Sunday schl. Please cntact Babs Brwnell if yu wuld like mre infrmatin Call:

6 New Member Prfiles 6 Marge Kirchner Hw lng have yu lived in the Bradentn area? 11 years. We als have a hme n Lng Island, N.Y. Where did yu live prir? We live in each hme 6 mnths at a time, June- Nv. in New Yrk and Nv- late May in Flrida re yu retired? Yes What was yur ccupatin prir t retirement? I taught intermediate schl fr 23 years and fr 13 years I wrked as a therapeutic cunselr fr children in grades 1-5. N.Y. What was the name f yur hme church? Sayville Cngregatinal UCC in Sayville, Why did yu pick Faith UCC? I felt welcmed frm the first time I came t service. The cngregants and the minister are very warm and caring. The services are spirit filled. Hbbies, special interests, r anything else abut yu? Pat and I are a same sex cuple fr ver 20 years. We were legally married in Trnt and in N.Y. Sukie, is ur 15 and half year ld Shih Tzu wh gives us great jy. Richard (Dick) Card Hw lng have yu lived in the Bradentn area? Winter since 2014 Where did yu live prir? Casc, Maine (and still d s in the summer) re yu retired? Yes What was yur ccupatin prir t retirement? Educatr (teacher, principal, superintendent, University prfessr), Cnsultant (management and leadership), and Cmmunity ctin. What was the name f yur hme church? Casc Village Church UCC Why did yu pick Faith UCC? UCC affiliatin and just lve the friendly cngregatin and inspiring services lead by Brian and Judy. Faith UCC, has the balance f spiritual and cmmunity rientatin that I am seeking. Hbbies, special interests, r anything else abut yu? Family: 3 daughters, 9 grandchildren and Maine, glf, petry and literature, acustic guitar Susan Card Hw lng have yu lived in the Bradentn area? Winter since 2014 Where did yu live prir? Casc, Maine (and still d s in the summer) re yu retired? Yes What was yur ccupatin prir t retirement? Public Educatin as a teacher, curriculum crdinatr, wrked fr 20 years as an Educatinal Cnsultant in 2 nn-prfits. What was the name f yur hme church? Casc Village Church UCC Why did yu pick Faith UCC? In large part because f Judy and Brian. I appreciate a well-cnnected service and sermns that I think abut after the service. I als appreciate the friendliness f the faith cmmunity. I believe that this envirnment will supprt my faith jurney. Hbbies, special interests, r anything else abut yu? Family, glf, several craft activities (knitting, sewing, crss-stich), and cking.

7 Last Stands f Wmen s Christmas Tea It was Tea-riffic Christmas Ptluck Hw many peple can yu identify? Where were yu? What did yu bring? Wh went up fr secnds? Can yu spt the gentleman amng us? Hpe yu can make the next Ptluck n Jan, 29.

8 CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 8 Faith United Church f Christ /// December 12, 2016 Present: Pastr Brian, Marge Hie, Linda ndersn, Barbara Brwnell, Richard Dilts, Rbin Wentz, Denny Wetter and Judy Wetter. Meeting was called t rder at 7:05 by Marge Hie. Opening prayer was led by Pastr Brian. mtin was made t accept the minutes frm the Nvember meeting by Rbin Wentz and secnd by Barbara Brwnell. The mtin was carried unanimusly. Financial Secretary Reprt: Judy Wetter reprted a ttal depsit f $15, was made t the Bank f merica perating accunt in the mnth f Nvember and $ was depsited t the Bank f the Ozarks building fr the future accunt fr a ttal depsit f $15, fr the mnth f Nvember. She als reprted that there have been pledges cllected s far fr a ttal f $50, Treasurer s Reprt: Pastr Brian presented the reprt and stated that we are ahead f ur prjected deficit by just ver $ and we have $6, in the checking accunt as f Nvember 30. Pastr s Reprt: Faith may be ut fr a while due t her cncussin. Three peple jined the church Sunday, Dick and Sue Card as assciate members and Marge Kershner. The adult study has been ging well. We are still getting visitrs n ccasin. We nw have 2 shut-ins, Carl Chamberlain and Lwell Petersn. Pete appreciates phne calls but Carl is better with visits. The meldy chir will be wrapping up n Christmas Eve. Pastr Jude will be gne December 22 thrugh the 29 th. Due t the first Sunday f January falling n New Year s Day we will mve cmmunin t January 8 th s that mre peple can participate. January 29 th is the annual meeting and the Chili ck-ff is February 12, Richard, Denny and Pastr Brian went t the safety fr area churches lecture. Old Business: Next year s cuncil will be cmprised f Mderatr and Deputy Mderatr will be Richard Dilts and Judy Wetter, Secretary Rbin Wentz, Financial Secretary Dnna Blakey, Treasurer Marge Critelli alng with rlene Smith, SM Barbara Brwnell, Building and Grunds Denny Wetter, Church Events Sheryl Smith, Faith Care Team Marge Hie, and Cmmunity Outreach Debra D ngel. nnual reprts are due January 9, The damaged playgrund equipment has been purchased and paid fr. New Business: Ptlucks will be every 5 th Sunday in 2017 unless Sheryl Smith chses t d therwise. The January ptluck will be the 29 th which is the same day the Gerlachs will be here t g t the memrial garden. It was suggested because f this, we shuld mve the annual meeting t the 22 nd. Departments and Cmmittee Reprt: Building and Grunds; Denny reprted that they cleaned up the memrial garden and repainted the picnic tables. They will finish pressure washing the sidewalks and get a few ther things dne. The 5 year fire prtectin inspectin is cmplete and paid. Pastral relatins; cunsel has t appint ne new member and s des the pastr. SM; Christmas fund ffering (fka; sldiers f the crss) is in December. Pet fd is January s fd item. Wrship team; pinsettias will be delivered the 23 rd. Undecrate the church n January 10, Clsing prayer was given by Pastr Brian. Meeting was adjurned at 8:43. Respectfully submitted by Linda ndersn. Un Deck the Halls: We are undecrating the church n Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 10am. We culd use yur help. Please see Richard Dilts if yu are interested in giving us a hand.

9 Yur Staff Pastrs Rev. Brian and Rev. Judy Bagley-Bnner Prayer Team If yu r smene yu knw is in need f prayer, call ne f the fllwing: 9 Cell: (with Janie) PSTORS OFFICE HOURS Mnday 10 am - 1 pm Tuesday 9am - nn Wednesday 8:30 am - *nn Thursday 8:30 am - 9:30 am Other times by appintment *3 rd Thursday at UCC meetings Office Hurs MONDY-FRIDY 9:00 M - 12:00 PM Fax Janis Grth Marge Hie Helen Nutting Sheryl Overheidt- Smith (winter) (summer) Dnna Rusch Members f the Prayer Team want t keep the prayer list current. Please advise us when yu wuld like a name remved frm the list. SUBMIT PRYER REUEST Jan Sheehan If yu, a member f yur family, r smene yu knw is ill r hspitalized, please let the ffice knw as sn as pssible. member f Faith Church wuld like t make a visit t bring Gd s wrd f cmfrt. The church ffice telephne number is r at faithchurchucc@verizn.net Secretary Faith uici Faith UCC faithchurchucc@verizn.net Faith Website: faithchurchucc.cm 2017 Church Cuncil We will be vting n new church cuncil nminees at ur annual meeting n January 22. If yu are interested in an pen psitin, please see Babs Brwnell. REMINDER t current cuncil members, annual reprts are due January 9 at the next cuncil meeting. 8 Just search fr: Faith United Church f Christ, Bradentn,FL W

10 January 2017 SUNDY MONDY TUESDY WEDNESDY THURSDY FRIDY STURDY 1 10:30am Service 1:30pm BC N 7:15pm 2 Church ffice 3 4 7:00pm BC 5 7pm Chir clsed fr the New Year hliday 7:15pm N 7:15pm Nar- nn 6 Church Wmen United Meeting 7:15pm N 7:30pm BC 7 9am Men s Breakfast- Nrma Rae s 9am Wmen s Breakfast 10am N & Nar- nn am dult Study Lecti Divina 10:30am Service Cmmunin 1:30pm BC N 7:15pm 9 Preschl Resumes 7pm Church Cuncil Mtg nnual Reprts Due 10 Building and Grunds Wrk Day 4pm Undecrate the Church 11 7:00pm BC 12 7pm Chir 7:15pm N 7:15pm Nar- nn 13 7:15pm N 7:30pm BC Fllwer Reminder 14 10am N & Nar- nn 15 9am dult Study Lecti Divina 10:30am Service 1:30pm BC N 7:15pm 16 N Preschl fr Martin Luther King s Birthday Fllwer Deadline 7pm BR HO 17 11:30am Prayer Mtg 18 7:00pm BC 19 7pm Chir 7:15pm N 7:15pm Nar- nn 20 6pm Dinner and Dessert 7:15pm N 7:30pm BC 21 10am N & Nar- nn 22 9am dult Study Lecti Divina 10:30am Shrtened Service nnual Meeting after service 23 7pm INT HO :00pm BC 26 7pm Chir 7:15pm N 7:15pm Nar- nn 27 7:30pm BC 7:15pm N 28 10am N & Nar- nn 1:30pm BC N 7:15pm 29 10:30am Celebratin f Histry / Gerlach Remembrance Ptluck Brunch 1:30pm BC N 7:15pm :00pm BC 7:30pm BC Secretary Off 7:15pm N HPPY BIRTHDY 1/1 Marge 7:15pm Critelli N 1/6 Jeffery 7:15pm William Nar-Hunter Felix 1/7 Rse Smith nn 1/18 Hatti Damians 1/28 Sctt Duncan 10am N & Nar- nn BC: Bradentn pstlic Church Narctics nnymus (N) and Nar- nn, N htline at (HO s) Hme Owner ssciatins

11 11 FITHFUL FOLLOWER Faith United Church f Christ 4850 SR 64E Bradentn, FL The Visin f Faith United Church f Christ In ur wrship, we are an inclusive cmmunity, a family f faith, which thrugh prayer, sng, the sacraments and liturgy seeks t feel clser t Gd, t praise Gd, t give thanks t Gd, and t seek frgiveness frm Gd in rder t grw in discipleship. In ur Christian Educatin, we seek t develp a cmmunity f peple with a mature Christian faith; meaning a faith which leads us t care fr thers, that pens ur hearts t service, an evlving faith that is the prduct f critical thinking and questining. Our educatin is fr all ages and is cnducted in places inside the church and ut. In ur missins, we seek t share the excitement f ur Christian faith withut judging thers. In ur missins, we seek t take ur faith and beliefs frm the inside ut, and knw that ur missins require that we must als bring the utside in. We take Christ s admnitin t g frth and share the gd news as ur wn, which we strive t d in wrd and deed bth lcally and glbally. Visit Faith s website at