SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, am Service of Morning Prayer 11am Potluck Luncheon 11:45am Congregational Meeting

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1 January/February 2019 PALM FRONDS Issue From the Pastor Dear Friends, A happy and blessed and healthy new year to you all! Did you make any new year resolutions? The only resolution I ever make is to not make any resolutions it s the only one I can keep! All those otherwise good intentions just get forgotten as post-holiday life settles back into normal routines. SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, am Service of Morning Prayer 11am Potluck Luncheon 11:45am Congregational Meeting Agenda includes adoption of the 2019 Budget, Election of the 2019 Leadership Council, receiving of reports, update on New Beginnings and the Pastoral Search. Annual reports will be available at the Church on Sunday, January 13. You may also request an electronic copy by calling the Church Office. Sadly, the routine of society these days is filled with far too much vicious, degrading language, with lies, anger, fear, and hatred. It is not an atmosphere that any of us should tolerate. As people of faith, we are called to live contrary to this vitriolic culture; we are called to be respectful, caring, compassionate and loving to all yes, even to our adversaries. As the late President George H.W. Bush suggested, we need to be a kinder and gentler nation. So, let s resolve to resist the prevailing poisonous atmosphere and engage in a revolution of courtesy. The word for courtesy actually comes from the word court. Donald McCullough writes: My dictionary defines courteous as marked by polished manners, gallantry, or ceremonial usage of a court marked by respect and consideration of others. To be courteous is to adopt the manners of the court, to treat one another like royalty (in Say Please, Say Thank You: The Respect We Owe One Another). Imagine what would happen if we treated everyone we meet friends, strangers, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, conservatives, liberals like royalty? In Romans (12:16) Paul urges us to live in harmony with one another. We all have the royal DNA of God flowing through our veins; we are all beloved children of the One Creator. Why not treat everyone with regal respect and begin to change the world, one relationship at a time! In 2019, may the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant us to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus (Romans 15:15). Blessings, Pastor Brad

2 January Worship - Sundays, 10 am January 6 Epiphany- Holy Communion Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 Sermon: When the Star is Gone January 13 The Baptism of Christ Scripture: Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, Sermon: Water and Spirit January 20 Second Sunday after Epiphany Service of Morning Prayer Scripture: Amos 5:18-24 Speaker: Mark Lauzier, City Manager, Delray Beach January 27 Third Sunday after Epiphany Service of Morning Prayer Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a February Worship - Sundays, 10 am February 4 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Holy Communion Scripture: Jeremiah 4:1-10; Luke 4:21-30 Sermon: Faith on the Edge February 10 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8; Luke 5:1-11 Sermon: God Calling February 17 Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 6:17-26 Sermon: Trusting God s Blessing February 24 Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Scripture: Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Luke 6:27-28 Sermon: Love. Period. Thursdays 10:30am resumes January 10 *Peter W. Balance & Carol Lois Bryant friends of Lizz Sanders *Frank Davis & Joan Smith friends of Barbara Small *For New Beginnings of our church *Gratitude for blessings Barbara Small, Lizz Sanders *For strength; for all animals; the world Lizz Sanders *Edith Kutz *Linda Dick *Putnam and Hammett families *Lucille Rugare - Joe s mother *For my JV basketball team *William J Walsh, SJ *Claudia Charles Jeanrony Esther s aunt *Victims of sexual abuse For our shut-ins: Dot Cooper, Barbara Daum, Linda Dick, Jackie Fusco, Marlene Hambleton, Dorothy Jones, John Mann, Ellen Mason, Miriam Mabrey, Barbara Miller, John Nemire, Henrietta Smith, Harry Wagner, Lorna Zirbel TO SUBMIT A PRAYER REQUEST, fill out a form in the pew and place it on the offering plate or call the Office. GATHER FOR A TIME OF QUIET PRAYER FOR OTHERS Thursday, January 24, Thursday, February 28, 10am in the Sanctuary. Studies in the Gospel of Luke 1/10 Luke 1:1-4 1/17 Luke 3:15-17, /20 Luke 4:14-21 Bible Studies are open to anyone seeking greater understanding of Scripture and its meaning for daily life. Just bring an open mind and heart! All are welcome! Small Group Sessions Sunday, January 13, 11:30am-1pm Sunday, January 20, 11:30am-1:30pm Healthy snacks will be provided.

3 News The Leadership Council met on Monday, December 10. The Agenda included: Review of 2019 Budget and Leadership Discernment Team report; both referred to the Congregation for consideration at the Annual Meeting Action taken on the Membership Review Report of the Spiritual Life and Celebration Team to remove 17 persons from membership who have not responded regarding their status, who have moved and provided no updated no contact information, and who have not been active in any way for at least the past two years per the Constitution requirements. This puts our membership as of 12/31/18 at 88. Approval of application of Angela Rhode to the Atchison Scholarship Fund for her coming semester at Concordia College, Chicago. Discussion of what it means to be an Open and Affirming Congregation and how we can interpret this within the congregation with opportunities for education and reflection. The next meeting of the Leadership Council is Monday, January 28, 6pm. This will be a meeting of the newly elected Leadership Council members. UPDATES ADMINISTRATION With the help of volunteers from Beachway Recovery, we have painted all the uprights in the courtyard, painted the trim & doors in Fellowship Hall, power washed Fellowship Hall, and painted the trim and doors on the Library/Sunday School. FAITH FORMATION Beginning in January the Faith Formation Team will have suggested books from our Church Library available during social hour for you to borrow. I do believe something magical can happen when you read a good book. (J.K. Rowling) The next February 10! Ministry teams meet 11:30am-12:30pm with a wrap up from 12:30-12:45pm. In January, Ministry Teams will schedule individual meetings as needed to free up time for the New Beginnings small group sessions. Ushers & Greeters Communion Servers Liturgists Choir Members Office volunteers Ministry Team members Sign-up sheets are located at the back of the sanctuary or call the Church Office. Sunday, February 17 CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATION 11:30am-12:30pm Topic: We are an Open and Affirming church! What it means - What happens It has been 12 years since Church of the Palms became an Open and Affirming (ONA) church. Join us as we take time to remember what ONA is, why we became ONA, and what happens in ONA churches. This general conversation will also assist the pastor and Leadership Council plan for future education and reflection about being an ONA church. JOIN US! YOUR VOICE MATTERS! Blood Drive At Church of the Palms: Community Blood Centers is now OneBlood. The BIG RED BUS will be at the Church on Sunday, January 20 th, from 11am 1pm. For more information, check out their website at

4 Music Notes To Worship is to Sing Happy New Year to all! Thank you to all the singers, musicians and everyone who helped make all of the Christmas services and the Cantata at Church of the Palms beautiful and special. During the next few weeks the choir will begin to get ready for Lent, Holy Week and Easter. The annual Piano and Organ duet concert will be in March this year. More to come about that in the next newsletter. "The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul" Johann Sebastian Bach. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone) Ed Krynicki Birthdays January: 1 Phifie Joseph 20 Herbert Sainio 21 Daejah Putnam 31 Stu Dangler February: 5 Joycelyn Patrick 6 Rebecca McAndrews 8 Karole Volcy 10 Traci Rane 12 Jenna Volcy 13 Marlene Hambleton 14 Peter Aispuro 14 RoseMary Putnam 17 Shawn Antman 24 Colleen Putnam 24 Lisa Rugare 24 Giovanni Volcy 26 Bud Scott Women's Fellowship wishes to thank everyone who participated in our annual Christmas Luncheon. What more could we ask for than good food, good companionship and excellent entertainment by Wayne Hodsford. Have a Happy New Year! January The January Women's Fellowship meeting will be held at Elly's Diner, for lunch, at 11:30 am on January 8, February The February Women's Fellowship meeting will be February 5 th, at 11am in Fellowship Hall. Valentine s Day Tea will be on February 14 th at noon in Friendship Center. Please join us. If you have not yet made a financial pledge to support the mission and ministry of Church of the Palms for 2019, you can still do so. Pledge cards are available at the back of the church and in the office. A pledge helps us plan a more realistic budget. In 2019 we have discontinued the numbered boxes of envelopes.. Pew envelopes and envelopes provided upon request are all the same and generic. When using envelopes, please write your name clearly on the envelope to ensure proper credit for your giving. If you want envelopes, please call the church office and we will provide envelopes to meet your giving needs Other ways to give include having a bank check sent automatically to the church per your instructions. Check with your bank for details.

5 JANUARY 2019 Tuesday Friday, 9am-1pm Pastor s hours on days indicated from 9am but always call first to be sure he is available. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Office Closed EPIPHANY 10am - Communion & Sunday School 13 BAPTISM OF JESUS 10am -Worship & Sunday School 11:30am New Beginnings Small Groups meet 20 10am Morning Prayer Service & Speaker; Sunday School 11:00 am - Social 11:00 am 1pm Blood Drive 11:30 am New Beginnings Small Groups meet 27 10am Morning Prayer Service 11am Potluck Lunch 11:45am Annual Meeting am Women s Fellowship Elly s Diner 4pm Interfaith Committee for Social Services (@vst. Paul s Episcopal) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 28 Pastor Office s from 1pm 6 pm Leadership Council am Staff Meeting am Prayer Ministry

6 FEBRUARY 2019 Tuesday Friday, 9am-1pm Pastor s hours on days indicated from 9am but always call first to be sure he is available. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday am - Communion & Sunday School 10 10am -Worship & Sunday School 11:30am 17 10am -Worship & Sunday School 11:30am Congregational Conversation: ONA am Women s Fellowship Meeting Presidents Day Valentine s Day Noon Women s Fellowship Valentine s Tea am Staff Meeting an 3pm Safe Parenting Workshop 24 10am Worship & Sunday School 25 from 1pm 6 pm Leadership Council am Prayer Ministry

7 CROS Ministries In 2018, We donated pounds of food to the Delray Food Pantry. Your Donations are appreciated! Please place them in the bins in the back of the church. Big News! CROS Ministries is Bank of America's 2018 Neighborhood Builder! On Tuesday, November 27, 2018, Bank of America named CROS Ministries as its 2018 Neighborhood Builder. This honor includes $200,000 in grant funding to help us further our mission. The funds will be used to grow our gleaning program's resources and expand our food pantry program by launching a new mobile food pantry, allowing CROS to serve residents in previously unreachable communities. CARING KITCHEN MEALS SITES MONDAY - 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, Resurrection Life Fellowship 209 SW 5th Ave., Delray Beach TUESDAY - 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, Cason UMC 342 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach (Corner Lake Ida & Swinton) - Enter on south side WEDNESDAY - 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, St. Matthew's Episcopal 404 SW 3rd St, Delray Beach. - Parish Hall across street from sanctuary THURSDAY - 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, Cason UMC 342 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach (Corner Lake Ida & Swinton) - Enter on south side FRIDAY - 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, St. Matthew's Episcopal 404 SW 3rd St., Delray Beach - Parish Hall across street from sanctuary SATURDAY - 9:00 am to 9:30 am, Bag Lunches at Cason UMC 342 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach (Corner Lake Ida & Swinton) SUNDAY - 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm, Calvary Bible Alliance Church 898 SW 10th Street, Delray Beach Attendance and Offerings: December Average Attendance: 60 Total income $ 10,135 Thank you for your contributions to the Church! Your contributions in December provided support for our children s Sunday School curriculum, music for our Choir, upkeep of our buildings & grounds, Christmas decorations and pastoral care. No matter who you are, who you love, or where you are on life s journey, you re welcome at Church of the Palms United Church of Christ where faith happens and love abounds Church of the Palms United Church of Christ 1960 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, FL info@churchofthepalms.net Rev. Brad S. Lutz, Designated Pastor Joycelyn Patrick, Moderator Edward M. Krynicki, Minister of Music Bud Scott, Vice Moderator/Administration Team Elaine Reinhardt, Pianist Karin Cogswell, Clerk Theresa Baudier, Administrative Assistant Barbara Sinclair, Treasurer Elnora C. Mitchell, Bookkeeper Lizz Sanders, Mission Team Milan Charles Sunday School Teacher Faith Formation Team Shawn Antman, Jeanrony Esther, Sextons Susan Moore, Spiritual Life & Celebration Team... and many incredible volunteers!

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