Monthly Newsletter of the First Church of the Brethren, Carlisle, PA January 2017 From the Pastor s Pen...

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1 Monthly Newsletter of the First Church of the Brethren, Carlisle, PA January 2017 From the Pastor s Pen... Every year, around the New Year s beginning, we people tend to make resolutions. I will...i won t...i might...i never...thoughts enter our minds...maybe our lips, and even more so...our living (hopefully in a positive way). And then comes the reality of 365 days of holding true to our intents! We quickly break our resolutions and life goes on as usual. Perhaps for 2017 we not only make our faithful resolutions but examine a few biblical folks and their resolutions which usually led them to more complete faithful living in the name of the Lord! Like Paul...we forget those things which were/are behind and we press forward in faithful living. Like Abraham...whether we are in our own or a far country...we trust the leading of God and trod onward. Like David...we lift our eyes to the hills and rejoice in their being, but above all rejoice in our being within the will of God, whether in hill or valley. Like Enoch...we seek to walk in daily fellowship with our heavenly Father. Like Moses...we seek to be faithful in our speaking, and our leading forth in truthfulness as the Spirit so leads us. Like Ruth...we put a high priority on fostering stronger relationships with those around us. And God is glorified in that effort! Like Mary...who was filled with the Holy Spirit, and gave forth a Holy Son, might our holy intents bring forth holy blessedness to those around us. Like Job...might we have an extra helping of patient and faithful persistence in all realms of life. Like Andrew...might we be striving to lead others to Christ. Like...add your own hero or heroine of the faith and let their foibles, and especially faithfulness bring blessing to, in, and through you. Maybe 2017 will be the time for a revolution...when resolutions made are then followed. Like...when...like...now...like day by day. See you on the Journey, Pastor Jim

2 News Of The Congregation MUSIC AND WORSHIP On January 1 st we will offer Bread and Cup Communion. NURTURE COMMISSION January 1 st the Coffee Hour will resume and continue the first Sunday of each month during WITNESS COMMISSION We are seeking a volunteer who would be willing to be our congregation s representative for the Brethren Home at Cross Keys. This would involve keeping our church informed about activities taking place at the Brethren Home, and soliciting volunteers for some of those activities. In the past, our church has helped with their Chicken BBQ in August, the Apple Butter Festival in the Fall, and provided escorts to residents for Sunday worship in April. If you are interested or have questions about what is involved, please speak with Gloria Ramirez. The Southern PA District is trying to raise money to build a new church in Rwanda. We are asking for your spare change. We will have a plastic jar in the narthex on Sunday mornings for you to put your coins in. Every little bit adds up and can make a difference. Our November Brethren Service Offering raised $185 for the Southern PA District. Our BSO for December will be collected for the Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry counties on Sunday, December 18 th. STEWARDS District and Brotherhood Special Offering Sundays: For the last several years, we have had to use reserve funds to meet our pledges to the District and Brotherhood. For 2017, the District is assessing each church roll member a fair share of $75. Based on 130 members, this amounts to $9,750. The amount pledged to the District is also pledged to the Brotherhood. This means the Carlisle Church is expected to contribute $19,500 or $150 for each member of record in Since we cannot pay the above amounts from STEWARDS (continued) from our general budget, the Stewards and Church Board proposed and the congregation passed a budget at the October Business Meeting that included pledge amounts of $4,500 each or a total of $9,000 per year for these two organizations. This breaks down to a pledge amount of $2,250 per quarter. To highlight the importance of meeting these pledges, the Stewards Commission has designated one Sunday each quarter of 2017 to be set as District and Brotherhood Special Offering Sundays. The dates will be February 12 th, May 14 th, September 10 th, and November 12 th. All funds contributed from these special offerings will be sent directly to the District and Brotherhood. WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP Starting in January, we will no longer be collecting coupons to benefit the veterans. A representative from the Brethren Home informed your keyperson that they are just collecting the coupons to share with friends of the home. None of the coupons from January 1 st forward will benefit the veterans. If you have any questions, please check with Gloria. The Women's Birthday Breakfast will resume in January on the last Wednesday of the month at Fairground Diner. A schedule for the year will be forthcoming. MESSENGER SUBSCRIPTIONS Any person not receiving the Messenger Magazine, who would like to subscribe to it for 2017, should contact Bernie Koontz before January 3, The cost is $14.50 for one year or $27.00 for two years. If you are celebrating a 50, 55, 60, or above wedding anniversary, let Bernie Koontz ( ) know and he will have it placed in the magazine. Thanks!. CHURCH LIBRARY New Addition to the Library - Thank you to Betty Gish for donating the book "Amish Country Crossroad", which contains three

3 News Of The Congregation, Community & Letters We Get... CHURCH LIBRARY (continued) books in one volume. The first story takes you on a journey to find the owner of a long-lost postcard discovered in a desk by a tourist at a bed and breakfast in Lancaster County. The tourist becomes attracted to the daughter of the owners of the inn. She has been temporarily blinded after witnessing a tragic accident involving her family. Book two continues the story of Philip and Rachel as they discover how to handle the feelings they have for each other. The third book (not related to the first two books) involve a wife's choice she has to make to save her family from tragedy. It is a riveting story of the power of revenge and the price for freedom. This is a thick book but an easy read. Enjoy! CONGRATULATIONS Sharing our joy We would like to announce the birth of Chase Mark Naugle 11/9/2016 to Mitchell and Jackie (Thomas) Naugle, daughter of Phyllis (Shenk Thomas) Growden, and stepdaughter of Greg Growden, making us proud grandparents once again. So grateful for his safe delivery, and five. Chase has two older sisters Riley and Miranda. We are thankful for God s blessing of grandchildren. Ike and Pat Tritt welcomed their first grandchild, Kensington Aurora Tritt who was born to Alan and Leslie, on 12/7/16. Kensington weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 21 inches long. Pam and Mike Lebo welcome a new grandson, Luke who was born to Natalie and Nathan Lebo on 12/19/16. Luke weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. and 21 inches long. Congratulations to all the parents and grandparents. Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Psalm 127:3 MILLER/REMIREZ BIBLE STUDY The Miller/ Ramirez Bible Study Group will resume on January 22 nd with a new book for study and discussion - "Jesus, Jihad, and Peace" by Michael Youssef. If you would be interested in joining us for this new study, please let Dale Miller or Gloria Ramirez know and we will see that you get the book in time for this study. MILLER/REMIREZ BIBLE STUDY (continued) Our next meeting will tentatively meet at Dale Miller's home, from 2-4pm. LET S BE GRATEFUL 1. GOOD HEALTH Even if you re health isn t great, it could be worse and you would likely still have some working parts. 2. MONEY IN THE BANK Having just a few coins makes you richer than most people on Earth. 3. FREEDOM OF RELIGION Being able to worship whoever and how ever you want is something many people don t ever experience. 4. YOUR PARENTS Even if they re dysfunctional, they gave you life. 5. WEEKENDS There s something magical about week ends. 6. HAVING A PARTNER Being in a romantic relationship can teach you so much about the world and yourself. 7. PETS Pets offer one of the best examples of unconditional love. 8. LEARNING FROM MISTAKES If we never made mistakes, we wouldn t learn much so it is one of those things we should be thankful for. 9. OPPORTUNITY TO GET AN EDUCATION The opportunity to attend school is something many people don t have. 10. HAVING A HOME QUOTE FOR 2017 This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging it for a day of your life. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind. LET IT BE SOMETHING GOOD! (author unknown)

4 CROSS KEYS VILLAGE January 28 th from 9:00am-11:00am a free event will be held in the Nicarry Meetinghouse. The topic will be Memory Care: Managing Challenging Conversations. Join Jennifer Holcomb as she shares information on Alzheimer s disease and other related dementia s and the most effective ways to communicate with a parent in the early stages of the disease. Donations will be accepted for the Memory Care Programs. ADDRESS FOR SELENA MARKS RCT Marks, Selena 4RTBN,CO P,PH4008 Parris Island, SC THE SALVATION ARMY Dear Friends, Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift to The Salvation Army. Your kindness means so much to us and to those we serve. During this time of year when we celebrate Thanksgiving, your generosity has given the needy of our community something to be thankful for as well. Whether it is a hot meal, warm clothes, a good night s sleep or simply knowing that someone cares, every man, woman or child who comes through our doors receives hope for a better tomorrow. Thank you again for caring for the needs of others. May God Bless you throughout the end of this year and on into the next. Sincerely, Major John F. Riley & Lauren Sheeler CARLISLE AREA FAMILY LIFE CENTER Dear Ms. Ramirez and Church Members, Thank you for the many items of baby supplies we recently received from your Birthday for Jesus Party. The blankets are especially appreciated by our clients who have to push their children in strollers in the cold weather because they have no transportation. We are only able to help them due to the generous community support we receive, such as that from your church. Thank you for believing in our mission. May God richly bless you this Christmas season! Sincerely For Life, Lori Peters, Exec. Dir. PROJECT SHARE Thank you for your donation of 58 cans of Tune. As a team, we appreciate your generosity which helps us bring joy to the people in our community who feel desperate. Thank you for your support of the mission of Project SHARE. It is much needed and appreciated. God Bless, Elaine Livas, Exec. Dir. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Project SHARE has a new domain address, projectsharepa.org. All addresses at Project SHARE have been changed Please update your Project SHARE contact information. Thank you. With Christmas now behind us, 'tis the season for hoping to live a better, more fulfilling life in the following year. Here are 10 New Year's Resolutions Every Christian Should Make: 1. Resolve to stay faithful to Jesus Christ. He is the one Truth, Way and Life. There's no reason to look elsewhere. 2. Resolve to not let anything a career, a significant other, social media, a house become an object of worship. 3. Resolve to watch your language and not speak any destructive talk, especially involving the name of God. 4. Resolve to prevent burnout by putting aside work one day a week. Trust God to provide for your needs that day and just enjoy the time He's given you. 5. Resolve to talk to your parents on a regular basis, and show them love and respect. 6. Resolve to be angry less. Channel any feelings of rage, which Jesus said are as severe as murder, into worshiping God and serving others. 7. Resolve to honor your commitment to your spouse. Whether in thought or in deed, stay pure and loyal in the union God made. 8. Resolve to not take anything that's not yours, including stuff you can hold and put in your pocket, and plenty that you can't, like music downloads, streaming movies and hours on your timecard. 9. Resolve to speak about others only with truth and love, not gossip. 10. Resolve to be content with what you have.

5 On the Personal Side... WHERE AND HOW TO RECYCLE OR DISPOSE OF CHRISTMAS TREES: PENNSYLVANIA In many urban and suburban areas, Christmas trees are collected from curbside during the first 2 weeks in January. Be sure to remove all lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, stands, other NON-Organic decorative materials and other materials that are not part of the original tree. This includes tree stands also. Flocked trees are usually accepted, but not artificial trees. Large trees (larger than the standard 6-7 feet) may need to be cut in half to be acceptable by your garbage hauler. In most cases, the trees are chipped and made into a mulch which is usually made available, free to city or county residents. Important: Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and could cause a chimney fire. Central Pennsylvania Carlisle, PA - Christmas Tree Drop-off Event - Borough s Compost Facility Post Rd Compost Facility, Carlisle, PA Phone: (717) Program runs January 3 - January 17, 2012, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. People wishing to drop off trees must provide proof of residency in the borough of Carlisle. Mechanicsburg, PA - Christmas Tree Recycling Drop-off Event 842 W Church Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA Phone: (717) This is a 24-hour drop-off site.

6 RECIPE OF THE MONTH Broccoli Casserole Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Yield: 8-10 Servings Ingredients: 2 pkgs. Chopped Broccoli 1 egg (beaten) 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup 1 cup Grated Cheddar Cheese (sharp/mild) 1 cup Mayonnaise 2 cups Crushed Crackers 2 tbsp Butter (melted) Preparation Cook broccoli for 5 minutes and drain. In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, mayonnaise, cheese, soup and egg. Mix well. Pour into 13 x 9 buttered baking dish. Top with crushed crackers and pour the melted butter evenly over the crackers. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 25 minutes. Happy Birthday 01 Carolyn Madeira 03 Carolyn Riley 07 Austin Marks 10 Gene Roth 12 Paul Miller 14 Jonathan Myers 17 Sommar Damiter 18 Jeff Wallace 20 Selena Marks 22 Trudy Donnelly Alan Stansbury Craig Wert 25 Fred McCoy 26 Randy Billman 29 Ruth Young Happy Anniversary No Anniversaries to celebrate this month!

7 First Church of the Brethren 1340 Forge Road Carlisle, PA Address Service Requested Pastors: Jim & Marla Abe Secretary: Linda Shindledecker Church Office A Christian Community Sharing the Love of God Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship 10:15AM carlislecob.org office@carlislecob.comcastbiz.net If we pray, We will BELIEVE; If we believe, We will LOVE; If we love, We will SERVE. ~Mother Teresa