JULY /AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

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1 JULY /AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 Pastor DiAnn s Corner Whoever welcomes you welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes God's messenger because he is God's messenger, will share in his reward. And whoever welcomes a good man because he is good, will share in his reward. You can be sure that whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of the least of these my followers because he is my follower, will certainly receive a reward. Matthew 10:40-42 Jesus taught by breaking with traditions. He challenged people s ideas and cultural practices. We want our churches to grow, but few go out into the realms and interact with the very individuals that Christ tells us we are to reach out to. We feel safe in the sanctuary of our Christian family. We tell our communities that we want them to join us, but how do we show them our sincerity and real concern? If we are to shift society, find those who are on the fringes, and bring them into Christ s fold, we can t remain in our safety zone. We must reach out with hospitality and invite them in. To Jesus, hospitality meant acceptance, even those who, in his society and in his day, were deemed to be unacceptable. This is why he put his arms around lepers, ate with tax collectors and sinners, forgave adulterers and broke Sabbath laws. Hospitality was not only important to Jesus, it was at the very heart of being God, and it didn t make any difference to him where such hospitality took place, or to whom, or on what day. When it comes to hospitality, we take turns being the host and being the guest. Sometimes we are the ones who simply need the hug or cup of water. Other times, we are the ones providing the hug or cup of water. The little ones Jesus refers to are frequently the scapegoats or victims in our society. They are the powerless, the weak, the hurting, the abused, the abandoned, the elderly or children. They need the help and compassion that Jesus offers through us. When we help them, we have the power to bring others into a relationship with God, the power to show others God s love by showing them our love, and the power to bring them face to face with God by bringing them face to face with us. These two verses in Matthew are telling us that we need to practice resurrection every day. Jesus gave everything so that we might have eternal life. In return, we must be willing to sacrifice something of ourselves; our possessions, our time, our pride, our anger, our opinions of others in order to truly be able to see the needs of those around us. And this next thing is REALLY important so listen up we must also stop putting on a brave face and be willing to recognize when we ourselves need help and not be afraid to ask for help it. When we can give and receive love and grace we will be living in the Kingdom of God. Beloved, the Kingdom of God is not something out there. It can be touched in everyday life. The Kingdom of God is here and now. We all can touch it now, with our minds and our feet. God means for us to walk in the Kingdom of God every day. And God gave us all we need to do so...legs, lungs, eyes, and mind. With a little effort and practice we can learn to live in the here and now of God s Kingdom all the time. It s like lighting a lamp. One click and the lamp turns on. One step and you touch the kingdom of God. Once you take that first step the step of turning everything over to God - the regrets of the past, the worries about tomorrow - and start focusing on the here and now, then you will be able to see the Holy Spirit showing you how to live out Jesus words of offering a cool cup of water to those in need, and also how to accept that cool cup of water when you are in need. This is living in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is ever present right here right now. Joy, peace and happiness are possible every day when living in the Kingdom of God. Jesus is telling us that living in the Kingdom of God and doing God s work is like throwing a pebble in a

2 David s Psalter Page 2 pond. When you offer help to someone in Jesus name, Jesus tells us we will receive a reward. But then, when that person you just helped turns and helps you, or turns and helps someone else because of your example of Christ s love to them, then, Jesus tells us, they too will be rewarded. If each of us offers one person even just a cool cup of water, we are living and spreading the Kingdom of God, today and forever more. Blessings on your daily journey in the Kingdom of God, Pastor DiAnn SAVE THE DATE! DAVID S TURNS 190! September 23 & 24 David s is celebrating 190 years of service to God and our community this year! To honor this occasion our Homecoming will be a 2-day celebration! Saturday, September 23: 3:00 PM - A Pig Roast and all the fixings...dessert too of course... at the Forrest Community Center. Cost is $10.00 for adults, reduced prices for children. 4:00 PM - live entertainment by Mended Heart! Sunday, September 24: 9:30 AM this is a special start time! - Sunday morning worship with special music by Joe Wise. During the service we will honor those individuals who have reached a 5-year increment anniversary in their membership at David s. We will also have historical documents and pictures for you to browse through! We hope you can join us for both days and help us celebrate this momentous occasion in David s history! If you love your kids, bring them to church. If you love your church, bring your kids. Sunday School Schedule for (dates tentative): The Youth will be doing another afternoon cooking and meal delivery for our members who aren t able to get out often the week of the August 14th. We will follow this afternoon of serving God s people with movie night and dessert! Keep watching the website, Facebook, and the bulletin for updates. Sept & 24 Oct. - 8 & 22 Nov & 26 Dec Jan & 28 Feb & 25 Mar & 25 Apr. - 8 & 22 May - 13 & 27 June - 10

3 David s Psalter Page 3 LOOK WHO IS CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY July Roxanne Laudenslager - 7/04 Jan Stutts - 7/06 Craig Troutman - 7/07 Hailey Livesay - 7/08 Ashley Lauver - 7/10 Lila Carl - 7/14 Tyler Boyer - 7/15 Elliot Anderson - 07/15 Autumn Bohner - 07/16 Katie Klinger - 7/17 Dustin Troutman - 7/19 Alexander Peay - 7/20 Jeremiah Oxenrider - 7/21 Tom Carl - 7/24 Ronald Oxenrider - 7/27 Broc Dreisbach - 7/29 Allen Maurer - 7/31 Mary Wetzel - 7/31 Nikolas Strohecker - 07/31 August Marsha Boyer - 8/02 Georgia Eure - 8/03 Evelyn Eure - 8/03 Aubrey Koppenhaver - 8/03 Gage Long - 8/04 Helen Maurer - 8/04 Carol Mace - 8/05 Charlotte Bingaman - 8/06 Cathy Kratzer-Sorrell - 8/06 Cassandra Erdman - 8/08 Diane Wiest - 8/08 Jeffrey Bingaman - 8/09 James Leader - 8/10 Jack Adams - 8/13 Helen Oxenrider - 8/13 Sharon VonBlohn - 8/16 Shanda Bohner- 8/16 Elva Gresavage - 8/22 William Bohner - 8/25 Pamela Zilinski - 8/25 Chloe Snyder - 8/26 Patsy Adams - 8/30 Jason Koppenhaver - 8/31 Gracen Reed - 8/31 September Lorraine DiCassio - 09/01 Dennis Maurer - 09/01 Ariel Hoffman - 09/02 Dillon Bohner 09/04 Arlene Kratzer - 09/05 Jimmy Adams - 09/13 Daniel Scheib - 09/13 Olivia Sims - 09/16 Missy Spatzer - 09/16 Joseph Leader - 09/18 Wes Brown - 09/20 Dennis Boyer - 09/21 Bethany Long - 09/21 Larry Boyer - 09/24 Hanna Novinger - 09/24 Kelly Eure - 09/27 Jean Strausser 09/27 Roy Hill - 09/28 LOOK WHO IS CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY THIS MONTH July Roy and Patsy Adams - 7/01 Allen and Helen Maurer - 7/01 August Dustin and Loni Troutman - 8/03 James and Chris Leader - 8/05 Michael and Katri Strohecker - 8/05 Ken and Sharon Boyer - 8/25 September Robert & Beverly Spatzer - 09/03 Terry & Carol Mace - 09/12 David & Tanya Erdman - 09/14 John & Pamela Zilinski - 09/14 Anthony & Erica Adams - 09/16 Katie & Adrian Bordner - 09/18 Robert & Anne-Marie Bieber - 09/22 Donn & Crystal Bohner - 09/28

4 David s Psalter Page 4 A Message from United Church of Christ: Green Justice Ministry Team "Earth Wise Tips" Count Your Earth Care Hours What are Earth Care Hours? Take a look at your day. If you are doing something new to protect the environment, like changing to high energy efficient light bulbs, walking to work, or shopping at your local farm stand, count those hours. If you are making time in your day to learn more about living an earth friendly lifestyle through research, prayer, or reflection, count that time spent exploring this new area of learning. Be sure to recognize the new habits, both physical and spiritual, that you are incorporating into your life. They will add up and together our efforts will represent transformed lives and a healthier planet. Below are some ideas of what you can do. UCC Outdoor Ministries Association Green Hours Ideas Service idea Instruction/Description Equivalent hours Pick up litter Recycle paper Ride a bike or walk Spend 1 hour at a city park, school or church picking up litter. Invite friends to join you. 1 hour per person. Junk mail, school papers, scrap notes, etc. 1 hour per week. If going somewhere and the distance is less than 1 or 2 miles, ride a bike or walk. Log actual time walking. Bicycle/walk Bicycle or walk to a destination at least 2 times per week. No electricity meals Plan no electricity meals. Sandwiches, salads, carrot sticks, etc. 1 hour per meal. Go outside At least once a week, turn off TV and video games, go outside and enjoy nature. Invite friends to join you for 1 hour. Laundry Wash all laundry in cold water for 50 days. Garden Garden Expand your garden to include a songbird or butterfly garden. Build your garden on a hill where we are fighting erosion and run off issues. It's a two fer! 1 hr/ person 1 hr/wk Log actual walking/biking time Log walking/ biking time 1 hr/meal 1 hour 1 hour/day 8 hour 20 hours We only have one EARTH - GOD S CREATION - Help Save It

5 David s Psalter Page 5 We will be scheduling our next movie night the week of August 14th! This will include a dessert made by our youth! Keep checking the website, Facebook, and bulletin for updates. July Special Offering - Hoffman Homes for Youth Hoffman Homes for Youth is our United Church of Christ home for troubled teenagers. The headquarters in Littlestown, PA. Through Hoffman Homes, young people are provided not only with a safe and therapeutic haven, but also vocational training an skills to prepare them for the adult world. August Special Offering - Our offering this month will go to the Local Families in Need Fund for use in responding to emergencies and crises within our local parish. September Special Offering - Cemetery Fund COMMUNION WINE UPDATE: Thanks to a donated case of 375ml bottles of Benigna s Red from Benigna's Creek Vineyard and Winery (1585 Ridge Road, Klingerstown, PA ) This award winning, sweet red wine is a top selling, customer favorite made from the Concord grape. When you see them at the auction on Fridays be sure to thank them! July Monthly Special Offering: Hoffman Homes for Youth 21 Hebe Night at Klingerstown Carnival 30 Birthday and Anniversary celebration right after worship Aug 30 Summer Bible study after the celebration Monthly Special Offering: Local Families in Need Fund Week of the 14th Youth cooking and movie night! 13 & 27 Summer Bible study right after worship 27 Birthday and Anniversary celebration right after worship Sept Monthly Special Offering: Cemetery Association 23 & th Anniversary Celebration

6 David s United Church of Christ 1907 Klingerstown Road Herndon, PA July/August/September David s United Church of Christ 1907 Klingerstown Road, Herndon, Pennsylvania Rachel Savidge, Council President DiAnn Baxley, Pastor Office Phone (570) davidsucc-hebe@tds.net Facebook: davidsucchebe