Hope, Peace, Love & Joy. The dictionary definitions of these words are:

Transcription

1 Something to think about. Hope, Peace, Love & Joy These are the themes for each Sunday in Advent. Take a moment to think about each of these words and what they mean in your life this season? The dictionary definitions of these words are: Hope - To desire with expectation of fulfillment, trust, reliance. Something that gives promise for the future. Peace - State of calm, freedom from disturbing thoughts or emotions. Joy - Feeling of happiness that comes from success, good fortune or a sense of wellbeing. A source of happiness. Love - To feel a passion, devotion or tenderness. To take pleasure in, a strong affection, a beloved person. In the Bible we find: Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) - for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future. John 16:33 (NIV) - I have told you these things, so that in me you may have PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 15:11 (NIV) - I have told you this so that my JOY may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 3:16 (NIV) - For God so LOVED the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. It is my sincere prayer that each and eveyone of you have these wonderful feelings of hope, peace, love and joy in your lives each day. I sincerely wish you all a happy and blessed holiday season. Pastor Linda Kibler

2 December Birthdays 2 Lori Hillegass 3 Croix Picoriello 4 Madison Defibaugh 5 Jeffrey Felten 9 Zachariah Dishong 9 Austin Darrow 10 Justin Coolbaugh 10 Drew Clark 12 Mae Nave 12 Christopher Ansell 14 Evan Pahl 19 Michele Beaver 20 Mitzie Berkey 20 Brandyn Beaver 24 Luke Celtruda 29 Connie Miller 30 Olivia Knoster 30 Pansy Miller Search Committee We are well underway with getting things prepared to start finding a minister. The onepage summary is complete, and we are now working on the Church Profile. We hope to have this complete and submitted to the Penn West Happy Anniversary 7 Sandy & Dale Faupel 28 Jeramy and Stephanie Bender Christmas Outreach We are once again providing meals for families through Bedford County Children & Youth Services. The signup sheets will be available in kitchen area for our four families: Family 1 2 Adults, 5 Children (1, 3, 7, 8 & 10) Family 2 5 Adults, 2 Children (1 & 3) Family 3 2 Adults, 2 Children (7 & 12) Family 4 4 Adults, 3 Children (9, 13, & 16) The freezer in the Kitchen Area is on and ready for turkeys! We also provide gravy, real potatoes, cans of green beans, stuffing mix, canned yams/sweet potatoes, Jello, canned fruit, milk, butter/margarine, a dessert item (prepared or the ingredients to make something), and bags of candy for each family. All items MUST be at the church not later than worship Sunday December 18 th. Your gift can help a family in crisis have moments of joy in the midst of very hard times. Bear Season Opens November 27 Be on the lookout for new and gently used stuffed critters for our annual collection to benefit children s agencies in Bedford County. We have a few to get us started, but there s always more of a need than we can ever meet. Yarn crafters are invited to make prayer scarves for our critters; the minimum length is 15 inches, minimum width 1 inch, though we can always use longer and wider donations, too! Our Boy Scout Troop #4490 is selling Pie Shoppe holiday pies as a fund raiser this holiday season. Order form is the kitchen area with payment with order by December 4 th and delivery December 21 st.

3 Saturday, December 24 7:00 pm at the United Church of Schellsburg UCC, Candlelight Christmas Eve Service with readings, carols, special music, and dance 11:30 pm at the Old Log Church Christmas Eve Celebration hosted by the Schellsburg Old Log Church Historical Society. CALL TO CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, December 11, 2016 Immediately following the 9:30 Sunday worship service to approve the 2017 budget. Veterans of the Cross Christmas Fund For 115 years the Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been a tangible expression of God s love. One of the four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ, the Christmas Fund provides UCC congregations and members an opportunity to reach out in loving compassion, providing assistance to those who have faithfully served our church and who now find themselves facing unexpected financial needs. On behalf of the hundreds of clergy and lay employees and their families whose lives were touched by your support of last year s fund, we offer our sincere thanks for your generosity. United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance Pension Boards, UCC, Inc.

4 December 2016 Newsletter United Church of Schellsburg United Church of Christ, Preschool through grade 6 dismissed from Sanctuary for Church School Fellowship Time following Sunday service Linda Cooper, Secretary, unitedchurch@centurylink.net Church Office Hours are Tuesday Thru Thursday 9:00 To 1:00 Phone Bad Weather Policy Reminder: The church building is closed if Chestnut Ridge Schools are closed due to weather. Please use common sense at all other times and call before you make a trip in questionable conditions. Thank you! Christmas Eve Services 7:00pm Candlelight Christmas Eve service at the United Church of Schellsburg 11:30pm Christmas Eve service at the Old Log Church. Please bring flashlights and wear appropriate Shoes & Clothes for the weather conditions.

5 December 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :00pm Cub 7:00pm Boy with Communion & Youth Education Rev. Robert McKie :00am Wizards 6:00pm Women s Society Christmas Denny s 11:00 am Fidelis Room 6:00pm Cub 7:00pm Boy with Youth Education Linda Kibler 2017 Budget Meeting after worship with Youth Education Linda Kibler Christmas Service :00 am FidelisRoom :00 Fidelis Room 7:00pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Service 11:30pm Christmas Eve Old Log Church :00 am Fidelis Room Happy New Year