Stop, look and listen

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of St. Paul s United Church of Christ, Village of Attica Stop, look and listen This year, the Lenten season begins on Valentine s Day and ends on April Fool s Day.

1 of St. Paul s United Church of Christ, Village of Attica Stop, look and listen This year, the Lenten season begins on Valentine s Day and ends on April Fool s Day. The word Lent comes from old German and English words for Spring. While it may be too soon for actual Spring cleaning, it is the ideal time for some spiritual cleaning. Lenten cleaning helps the Holy Spirit freshen our faith. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. It gives us the chance to repent which is short for We re sorry, God, for some of the things we do. We re also sorry that we don t always do what we should. We d like you to forgive us, so we can start anew. We really want to follow you more nearly and love you more dearly. Some people do this by giving up something for Lent. Others prepare for Easter through adding special Bible devotions or other spiritual practices. Either way, we are seeking to more clearly see God s ways. We are striving to live more Godly lives. This seeking is a spiritual journey rather than a means to an end, because God isn't a reward, a prize at the finish line of striving. God isn't waiting to be found in a hiding place we haven't stumbled on yet. God wishes to be found and seeks a continuing relationship with us. During Lent, we are to make time for God. We are to stop listening to sales pitches for the latest and greatest technique of well-being. We are to sit with ourselves for a while and be found by the One who has always known exactly who we are and where we are. Our God has loved us from even before we were born! Lent asks us to STOP. It says, Stop and rest a while, as well as Stop doing wrong. t tells us to LOOK. Look inward for an honest self-examination. Look upward to see the cross of Christ offering healing and love. Look forward to the hope of the Resurrection. It tells us to LISTEN. Listen to the words of Christ. Listen for the voice of God. Listen to the blowing winds of the Holy Spirit. Maybe it will help our heart's seeking to know that we are not the seekers. We are the sought after. If we let ourselves be found, we will find God. We will also discover more about ourselves. Stop, look and listen. These three words help us on our journey through the 40 days of Lent. A prayer for Lent: Seeking God, let me stay put long enough to know that you have found me.

Funeral Luncheon Ministry We are currently revising our funeral luncheon list & looking for volunteers (you, with a friend or relative) to take turns chairing this.

2 NEEDED Please make sure all newsletter submissions are in by this date. In the green folder on the office window or ed to: Ushers, Greeters, Layleaders, & Acolytes! Please consider signing up to serve the church one Sunday a month! Funeral Luncheon Ministry We are currently revising our funeral luncheon list & looking for volunteers (you, with a friend or relative) to take turns chairing this. Pastor Laurie informs the family about our funeral luncheon policy. The volunteers are responsible for getting a few people to help, calling for donations of food, setting up, serving, and cleaning up. There are lists of menus in the kitchen explaining amounts of food needed for the number of people expected. Please consider doing this ministry. Call Bev West Or Diane Storch Betty Watson Carol Shreder Terry Schroeder...and others who are physically unable to join us. Why not call or visit, to let them know they are missed? Attica Food Link Distribution: Feb. 6th 10am-12pm St. Vincent s School Aud. Bring your own bags. WNYACIC Mid-Winter Learning Event- February 24 Once again, the Western Association is offering a Mid- Winter Learning Event. It will be held at Amherst Community Church from 9:30am-3:30pm. You are invited to attend. Please tell Pastor Laurie that you will be attending so she can let the Association know how many will be there for lunch. We will car pool from here. Installation Invitation- Sunday, February 18 You are invited to join with New Life Fellowship Church on Sunday afternoon, February 18 for the Installation of Pastor Jon. The service will begin at 3pm at New Life Fellowship Church. Please join the Church in Attica in welcoming our newest pastor to town! Sunday Bible readings: The first reading is italicized; the message text is bold. Bible Studies meet 7pm in the St. Paul s lounge & 10am in the MPR March 4: Exodus 20:1-17 Psalm 19 John Corinthians March 11: Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 107:1-3,17-22 John Ephesians 2:1-10 March 18: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51:1-12 John 12:20-32 Hebrews 5:5-10 March 25: Palm Sunday Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 118:1,19-29 Mark 11:1-11 Philippians 2:5-11

On February 4, our youth will use cans to collect money which will be given to the

3 February 4 The Souper Bowl of Caring empowers youth and unites communities around the time of the Big Game to help those in need. On February 4, our youth will use cans to collect money which will be given to the Attica Food Pantry. You may also donate food items. Thank you for supporting our youth and food pantry on Super Bowl Sunday.

February 14th, 7pm St. Paul s You are invited to join the Church in Attica for Lenten Lunches to be held at St.

A short meditation will be given. Plan to attend- and bring a friend or neighbor with you!

Paul s Good Friday Worship March 30th, 12noon St.

Its purpose is to provide an additional source of revenue to support the ministries of the United Church of Christ in New York. St.

4 February 14th, 7pm St. Paul s You are invited to join the Church in Attica for Lenten Lunches to be held at St. Luke s Episcopal Church; Wednesdays at Noon, one congregation will provide several soup selections. The Food Pantry will supply a selection of bread. A short meditation will be given. Plan to attend- and bring a friend or neighbor with you! February 21st St Paul s February 28th Catholic Church March 7th First Presbyterian Church March 14th Methodist Church March 21st New Life Fellowship March 29th, 7pm St. Paul s Good Friday Worship March 30th, 12noon St. Luke s Lenten Offering- New York Conference Covenant Share At the 2013 Annual Meeting, the New York Conference approved a special offering called Covenant Share. Its purpose is to provide an additional source of revenue to support the ministries of the United Church of Christ in New York. St. Paul s UCC agreed to collect this offering each year during Lent. The Conferences asks each church member to contribute a $10 annual Covenant Share gift. Your gift will be used for Leadership Development (25%), Wider Church Ministries (18%), Ecumenism and Interfaith Ministry (6%), Search and Call (22%), Church Growth and Revitalization (14%), Youth Ministry (8%), and Justice and Witness Ministry (6%). For further information, please see Bulletin-Insert.pdf ;

5 St. Paul s UCC Christian Education Committee Sunday, January 7, 2018 The meeting was opened with prayer by Tom. Unofficial new members, Susan McPherson and Christine Kipfer, joined the meeting. Pre-School Report: Deb Bender presented a request by pre-school s treasurer, Becki Peters, to increase tuition and hourly wage of employees. Motion was made by Ruth, seconded by Tom, motion approved. New tuition for 3 year olds is $75/month, 4 year olds is $90/month. (This is comparable to other local pre-schools.) Aides will make $10.75/hour and teachers pay was increased to $17/hour. There are currently 17 three year olds, 8 morning four year olds, and 10 afternoon four year olds. Registration is Saturday, March 3rd for the school year. The pre-school would like to continue to be invited to church events. Eye scanning for the preschool is scheduled again for this year. Heifer Project There will be a hot cocoa and cookie sale after church on Feb 25th. Sunday School students will make posters to advertise. Dunkirk Camp on Feb. 4th we will host a souper bowl brunch following worship. Tom will contact previous campers to provide soups and breads. February 4th - Souper Bowl of Caring a collection will be taken up during worship for the food pantry. Youth Ministry the group will help the SPCA with a Founder s Day booth. There will be child care for children under 10 during the Annual Meeting on Jan. 21st. Discussion was held for a winter party. We discussed having a sleepover on March 9th. More discussion will take place at our next meeting. The committee would like to thank Lisa Knerr and Laurie Bellucci for their dedication and service the past three years. The committee reorganized with the following positions: chairperson Mary West, secretary Ruth Hopfinger, Sunday School Danielle Harvey, Pre-School Christine Kipfer, Heifer Project- Susan McPherson, Dunkirk Tom Baker. Our next meeting is Sunday, February 18th, following worship. Our meeting was adjourned with The Lord s Prayer. UCC Scholarship Applications are now Open The United Church of Christ offers scholarship and grant awards to a large, diverse pool of applicants. Apply online today! Applicants for the Virginia Kryer or Harold Wilke Scholarships should visit and click on the graphic labeled Ministry Education Scholarships.

Sisters in Faith Join us on February 8th @ 6pm (new time) as we make treat pouches to give out. If you have a ministry idea, we d love to hear it!

From the Church Historians Dan Rather, in his book What Unites Us, writes: Libraries and books are important to society, to our culture as a free people under God. It got us to thinking about St.

6 Sisters in Faith Join us on February 6pm (new time) as we make treat pouches to give out. If you have a ministry idea, we d love to hear it! If you can t make the meeting, share your suggestions with any member of SIF & we will discuss it at our meeting. From the Church Historians Dan Rather, in his book What Unites Us, writes: Libraries and books are important to society, to our culture as a free people under God. It got us to thinking about St. Paul s library did you realize there is one? The next time you go down to the fellowship hall for a 1st Sunday coffee hour, pause in the lounge and LOOK! There it is St. Paul s library. It is a treasure trove of religious spiritual how to books. History: The library is The Elon Werner Memorial Library, named after Elon, who was one of the hostages killed in the Attica Prison Riot in Memorials were designated to St. Paul s and after deliberation by the Memorial Committee and the wishes of Elon s wife, Ruth, the library was established. In these winter months when folks are sequestered at home, reading a book is a mind-growing exercise! The Elon Memorial Library books are there for your reading pleasure on the honor system (no check-out slips). You can take a book and deepen your spiritual life in your favorite chair with a cup of hot chocolate don t forget the marshmallows! So, explore The Elon Memorial Library and enjoy the spiritual power of a book. Your Church Historians, Floss & Charles

10am-12pm David Valtin Ardyth Van Valkenburg 13 Kirstin Barber 20 Deacons/ Trustees 6:30pm Council 7pm 7 Bible Study 10am Bible Study 10am Ash Wednesday, 7pm, @ St.

7 14 Happy Valentine s Day! Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 Worship w/ Communion 10am Souper Bowl of Caring, coffee hour, Think Tank Meeting Confirmation 11am 12noon 11 Worship 10am Confirmation 11am 12noon 18 Worship 10am March newsletter deadline Confirmation 11am 12noon CE meeting 25 Worship 10am Confirmation 11am 12noon Cocoa & Cookies fundraiser for Heifer Flo Nolan 5 Bible Study 7pm 12 Bible Study 7pm 19 Bible Study 7pm Dylan Kipfer 26 Bible Study 7pm 6 Food Link St. Vincent s Aud. 10am-12pm David Valtin Ardyth Van Valkenburg 13 Kirstin Barber 20 Deacons/ Trustees 6:30pm Council 7pm 7 Bible Study 10am Bible Study 10am Ash Wednesday, St. Paul s Susan & Dave McPherson 21 Bible Study 10am Lenten Lunch, St. Luke s Bible Study 10:30am Lenten Lunch, St. Luke s 1 Bell Choir 6pm Chancel Choir 7:15pm 8 Sisters in Faith 6pm Chancel Choir 7:15pm 15 Bell Choir 6pm Chancel Choir 7:15pm 22 Bell Choir 6pm Chancel Choir 7:15pm 2 Happy Ground Hog s Day! 3 9 Justin Kipfer Danielle Harvey Brian Farnsworth

8 St. Paul s United Church of Christ 11 Washington Street Attica, NY of St. Paul s United Church of Christ, Village of Attica St. Paul s UCC, 11 Washington Street Just around the corner, first block down from Main Street. Join us for Sunday Worship at 10:00 am Sunday School for children K-7th Grade - Nursery always open! No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome at St. Paul s. Reverend Lauran Heidenreich Call the church at ( ), stpaulunited@verizon.net or pastorucc@verizon.net Website: atticaucc.org 4 Souper Bowl Sunday, Communion, Coffee Hour, Confirmation 6 Food Link- St Vincent s Aud. 10am-12noon 8 Sisters In Faith 6pm 14 Ash Wednesday Worship 7pm 18 March newsletter deadline 20 Deacons, Trustees 6:30pm; Council 7pm 21 Lenten St. Luke s, Noon; St. Paul s UCC hosting Upcoming dates to remember 24 WNYACIC Mid-Winter Learning Event 25 Cookies & Cocoa Fundraiser 28 Lenten Luke s, Noon Save the Dates: Lenten Luke s, Noon: March 7,14,21 March 29 Maundy Thursday Worship 7pm March 30 Good Friday Luke s, Noon

of St. Paul s United Church of Christ, Village of Attica

of St. Paul s United Church of Christ, Village of Attica Customarily When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. -Luke 4:16