Our Vision: Connecting People with God and Each Other Volume 56 Issue 1 January 11, 2017

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1 The Crest Our Vision: Connecting People with God and Each Other Volume 56 Issue 1 January 11, 2017 JANUARY 15, 2017 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY OVERWHELMED SERMON SERIES #1 - CRAZY BUSY PSALM 46 LUKE 10:38-42 REV. KORY WILCOXSON WORSHIP 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Sunday School In This Issue A Word from Kory...page 2 Prayer Concerns...page 2 Trish Talk page 3 DWM January Service Project...page 3 JOIN US FOR AN ALL-CHURCH SKIING/TUBING TRIP TO PERFECT NORTH On Saturday, Feb. 11, we ll be loading up the Crestwood Caravan and heading to Perfect North Slopes near Cincinnati for a day of skiing, tubing, and hanging around the lodge! Everyone is welcome and invited to join us. Here are the costs: Ski Lift Ticket - $29 (includes tubing) Ski Rental - $17 Ski Helmet Rental - $5 Tubing Only Ticket - $25 Lounging around the Lodge Drinking Hot Chocolate - Free! We need to know if you re going by Friday, Feb. 3. You can call the church office or RSVP to Kory at kory@crestwoodchristian.org. We ll leave the church at 9 a.m. and return in the late afternoon. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We hope you can join us for what promises to be a fun and memorable day! THE NEW SOUTH WING IS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS! DWM January Circle Meetings...page 4 Reconciliation Ministry? What Is It?...page 4 January S.R.O. Events...page 4 What is the Mathew 25:40 Fund...page 5 Attendance Figures, Stewardship, & Visitors.... page 6 Thank You Notes...pages 7-8 DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT CREST IS NOON, ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

2 Joys and Concerns Members Jim Barton, *Karen Billings and family, Cheryl Arnold Brown, *Kirk Knott and family, *Susan May, *Family of Janet Stapleton, *Ellen Williams and family Family of Members Family of Cynthia Dunn (of the McDonalds), Cheryl Lewis (cousin of Libby Wachtel), James May (father of Lucy Nall and Betsy May), *John McCoy (uncle of Leigh Wilcoxson) Friends of Members *Family of Joe Anderson (of Harvey Thompson), *Bill and Joan Duff (of Monte LaFrana and Minva Hodgins), *Family of Ned Lovingood (of Georgia Meece), *The Mulligan family (of Heather Arrasmith), *Family of John Newton (of Crestwood), *Sue Toth (of Linda Williams), *Rev. Bill Turner (of Crestwood) Armed Forces Paul Baird (grandson-in-law of Minva Hodgins), Blake and Jill Chambers and family (grandson of Joe & Karen Billings), Travis Cramer (of Doug and Gayle Hutcherson), Bud DeLacey (nephew of Matt and Michelle DeLacey), James Derrick (nephew of Joyce Leininger); Isaiah Holguin (grandson of Joe & Karen Billings), Andrew Lynn (grandson of Joe & Karen Billings), Patrick Ritter (great-nephew of Betty Tester), David Schloesser (of Matt Staggs), Rocky Shapla (friend of Jane Johnson), Justin Witt (nephew of Jack Witt) Heart-to-Heart Members Jean Aspley, Neva Bailey, Virginia Bohanan, Dottie Bransom, Jim Brown, Margaret Buchanan, Mildred Cox, Isabel Goff, Dee Gudgell, Nettie Sue Hughbanks, Jean Mitchell, Tommy and Peggy Lyne, Jerry Reece, Ann Smith, Henry Spencer, Nellie Stapleton, Marshall Wall, John and Jean Walters, Jerry Wells Our World Community We pray for the inmates of the Fayette County Detention Center and God s presence and peace in the areas of turmoil and suffering around the world. *Names added this week. Names included on the prayer list for one month. If a name has been removed that you would like added back on, please contact the church office. A WORD FROM KORY Last March, I started a journal. This is not earth-shattering news. I ve started lots of journals in my life. I have a collection of partially-written-in journals littered around my house and office. As a former journalist, you would think keeping a journal would be easy for me. But history has shown that after about 10 pages or so, I lose interest in my latest attempt at a spiritual discipline and move on to something else. On Tuesday, January 3, I did something I ve never done before. I finished a journal, the one started in March of last year. Every single page of the journal is filled. That time period encompasses the lead-up to my sabbatical, the sabbatical itself, and my attempt to reintegrate after my time away. Most of them are just day-to-day ruminations. It s nothing Pulitzer-worthy. But I finished. Why this one? What was it about this journaling experience that kept me going past the first 10 pages? Was it the very cool Marvel comic book cover? Probably not, but it sure didn t hurt. Was it that I had something urgently important to say over the course of the 152 pages? I highly doubt it. No, the one singular reason that I made it all the way to the end was commitment. When I started the journal, I committed to finishing it. We re asked to make a lot of commitments in our lives. Some are small and fairly inconsequential. You make a commitment each time you enter into a cell phone contract. Whenever you sign up for something online and check that box saying you ve read over the legal agreement (which I m pretty sure no one ever does), you re making a commitment. We commit ourselves all the time. Of course, some of those commitments are much bigger. We commit our lives to someone else. We commit a large portion of our income to paying for a house or a car. We commit to use our gifts to provide a service for someone and they commit to pay us. When we sign our names on the dotted line of a marriage license or terms of employment, we are committing ourselves. Most of our commitments are far less official, but they are no less important. We commit to taking care of ourselves, so we give up alcohol or join a gym. We commit to taking better care of the earth, so we buy reusable bags or ramp up our recycling. We commit to taking better care of each other, so we try to be more patient and understanding and inclusive. None of these commitments require us to sign on the bottom line, but in some ways they have greater consequences than the work we do or the homes we own. And then there s our spiritual commitment. This one is harder to quantify, because you can t weigh it on a scale or monitor it through an online account. That s because our spiritual commitment is qualitative, not quantitative, so it is more frustrating to maintain and easier to forsake. After all, there s no personal trainer or financial manager or spouse holding you accountable to this commitment. Nope, this one is between you and God. Maybe you re happy with where you are spiritually. If so, that s great! But if you re feeling restless, wanting to growing, wondering how to take the next step on your journey of faith, then maybe it s time to make a commitment. Not a resolution. Not an experiment. A commitment. Commit to making your worship attendance more regular. Commit to joining a Sunday School class. Commit to giving a little bit more this year than you did last year. Commit to start (and finishing!) a journal. And then tell someone you ve made this commitment and ask them to hold you accountable. No one is going to force us to grow our faith or deepen our relationship with God. It s not going to happen by osmosis. It takes intentionality, persistence, and commitment. Will you join me in committing to make 2017 the year that we grow closer to God?

3 CARING AND SHARING The Giving Lane The Giving Lane is a centrally located area of the church dedicated for individuals to drop off the many items being collected for our Outreach Ministries. The hallway leading into the Administrative Wing has been set-up as our Giving Lane. From ink cartridges, to items for DWM, to items for KY Refugee Ministries, to World and Local Outreach donations, the Giving Lane has bins for you to place your donations. DWM JANUARY SERVICE PROJECT: RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE During the month of January, DWM Circles will be collecting donations for the Ronald McDonald House. The mission of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass is to create and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and to strengthen families by keeping them together in times of medical need. The House provides services to families whose children are hospitalized or receiving treatment through any medical facility in Central and South-Eastern Kentucky. Currently, the House has lodging for 21 families. Items needed: Cleaning Supplies: window cleaner, bleach wetwipes, Kaboom bathroom cleaner, disinfectant spray, liquid dish-detergent, pocket-size hand sanitizer. Snacks: any individually wrapped foods like chips, cakes, granola bars, etc. Please place contributions in the Giving Lane in the DWM section. Thank you! ~Patsy Anderson, Board Service Chair Dear Friends, TRISH TALK Welcome to 2017! I pray this past Advent and Christmas season have given you much to reflect on and some guidance for responding to "God with us!". Things are different. God breaks into humanity in the midst of life and heralds "good news of great joy." Joy, even when the "Herods" of this world try to oppress God's people. Joy, even in the midst of struggle and grief. Joy that God, creator of the universe, entered flesh and blood to teach us, love us, and redeem us. If taken to heart, this reality has to move us. So, as we leave Bethlehem, are we ready to follow the wise ones and take another road home? We are planning to start new Bible studies. We are going to offer an extra worship and fellowship opportunity during Lent. We are planning a women's retreat. I am going to start teaching a new Sunday School class. We continue to have DWM groups, on-going Sunday School classes, SRO (seniors, retirees and others) events, Man Power, Sermon TalkBack, and a men's group. If you need something different or if you want help finding your place, talk to Kory or me. These groups help us to find our way. We study and share together to find our path that helps us experience the Joy and live in such a way that others can see "God with them." 2017 is here. Challenges will come. But so will opportunities to be the embodiment of Jesus Christ! We will laugh together and weep together. We will shine the Light together. Make a commitment to equip yourself for being a disciple of Jesus and to spending the rest of this year figuring out what that means. Blessed to share the journey. Trish

4 JANUARY DISCIPLES WOMEN S CIRCLE MEETINGS Mary Martha Circle will meet on Monday, January 16, at 6:30 p.m., in Chalice Hall. Mary Taylor will be leading the Bible Study on Matthew 10: Not Welcome? Phyllis Warren will be the hostess. Naomi Circle will have a meeting on Tuesday, January 17, at 9:45 a.m., in the Bradford Room. Patsy Anderson will serve as hostess and Sue Ann Cowgill will present the lesson, Shake off the dust from your feet. Dorcas Circle will meet on Wednesday, January 18, at 10 a.m., in the Mary and Joseph Room. Virginia Long will present the program, Shake off the dust from your feet. Priscilla Circle will meet on Wednesday, January 25, at 6 p.m. Place: TBA. Check the Facebook page for updates. RECONCILIATION MINISTRY? WHAT IS IT? A HUGE THANK YOU!!! You may have noticed the absolutely stunning Chalice sculpture installed outside of the entrance to the new Buckley Wing. This work of art was created by Crestwood s own Mitchell Smith. Mitchell created a work of art that will be enjoyed by everyone entering the Buckley Wing. It will serve to enhance and beautify our space. Thank you, so very much, Mitch, for sharing your gifts will all of us! JANUARY SERMON SERIES: OVERWHELMED Over-worked. Over-stressed. Over-needed. Overscheduled. We are expected to live a certain kind of lifestyle, own the right things, have it all together. At some point, it s just too much. We get overwhelmed. How do we step back from these demands? How do we ground ourselves in something other than society s expectations? Starting January 15, we ll take a step back and see what the Bible tells us about living an authentic life centered on Christ s love. Feeling overwhelmed? See you in January! In 1996, the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) approved the formation of a church-wide process to discern the nature of racism in North America, and to develop ways of helping congregations address racism. Each year, we at Crestwood donate money toward this initiative. In the spirit of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are celebrating Reconciliation Sunday on January 15, the birthday of this remarkable civil rights leader. Please carefully and prayerfully consider your donation to this fund. JANUARY S.R.O. EVENTS There will be no S.R.O. event on January 11. FUNCH will meet on the last Friday of the month, January 27, at 11:30 a.m., for fun + lunch. Coming soon, there will be an adult Bible study that will meet weekly. The focus of this class will be to build relationships with one another, to study the scriptures and discern how to be faithful in our day-to-day lives. Watch the Weekly for more information. If you have ideas for activities for our Seniors, Retirees and others, please talk to Trish! Let s work together to grow in our faith and our connection to one another. SRO = Seniors, Retirees, and Others!

5 WHAT IS THE MATTHEW 25:40 FUND? HOW CAN I HELP? HISTORY OF THE MATTHEW 25:40 FUND In the late 1980s the Matthew 25:40 fund was established by the anonymous gift of $10,000 to Crestwood for the use and benefit of needy persons in Central and Eastern Kentucky. The fund was named Matthew 25:40 by the donors, and the Seekers Sunday School Class was designated to serve as an ad-hoc committee to fulfill the responsibilities as trustee of the fund. It was the desire of the donors that this gift will encourage personal involvement by the congregation...in meeting the needs of the poor, the homeless & the hungry. Further, the donors hoped that the Seekers and other members of Crestwood will see fit to continue their admirable efforts with direct involvement and support this program by working directly with the poor and financially supporting the continuation of the Trust Fund. A copy of the original Trust Agreement is available in the church records. Since the establishment of the Matthew 25:40 Fund, numerous individuals have received assistance, including funds for rent, utilities, gasoline, medicine, and other needed help. The use of the funds has been expanded when deemed appropriate by the Seekers class beyond Central and Eastern Kentucky. The original intent of the donors has remained constant in that funds are used to assist individuals or families in need with whom a member of the congregation has a personal involvement. Any member of the congregation who is working with an individual in need can bring that need to the attention of the Seekers class. The amount of help is typically no more than $500. In the past we have helped individuals by paying a month's rent or a deposit on an apartment. We have helped with transportation costs for needed trips, the purchase of child car seats and medication not covered by insurance. Most recently we have paired with Mission Beyond Bars to assist a young woman with the purchase of badly needed dentures. The assistance is typically one-time assistance. The Seekers class is renewing our fundraising efforts to increase the balance for funds in the Matt 25:40 fund. The Finance Ministry team has approved our plan to collect an offering the first of each month in the Adult and Children s Sunday school classes. Members of the Seekers class are also continuing the tradition started by Genevieve Baxter. Prior to her death, Genevieve was an active member of Crestwood and the Seekers class and started the tradition of making a donation in the amount of her age on the occasion of her birthday. We hope you will help us support this Crestwood ministry. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Libby Wachtel at erwachtel@twc.com or or any member of the Seekers class.

6 STEWARDSHIP & ATTENDANCE December 24, January 1, 2017 Contributions: Pledges & Offering $49, Capital Campaign $80, Attendance: 12/24 5 p.m. Worship /24 7 p.m. Worship 12/24 11 p.m. Worship /25 Worship 160 1/1 Worship 145 STEWARDSHIP & ATTENDANCE Contributions: January 8, 2017 Pledges & Offering $7, Capital Campaign $2, Attendance: Detention Center 71 8:30 a.m. Worship 39 10:45 a.m. Worship 262 Total Worship 301 MEMORIAL GIFTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN MEMORY OF: Bob Allen These gifts allow us to cherish the memory of these individuals by furthering our different ministries here at Crestwood. The Church Office will be closed Monday, January 16, in observance of the Martin Luther King Day holiday. The office will re-open on Tuesday, January 17, at 8:30 a.m. WORSHIP VISITORS DECEMBER 25, 2016 Ann Pennington, Kate Buckley; Ben Cowgill; Brad and Margaret Cowgill; the Embry family; Willis and Tommie Faust; Gerard Gerhard; Sandy Keith; Kathy and Cameron King; Betty Metzmeier; William and Ann Morris; Ron and ; Shelby Riner; Bob Rhoads; Elizabeth Slone; Nancy Lou Slone; JANUARY 1, 2017 Terri DeYong; Sally Fordham; the Holwerda family; the Hounshell family; George and Marty Krestik; Skip Redmond; Betty Shanklin; Elizabeth Slone; Nancy Lou Slone; Barbara Stephenson January 8, 2017 The Adamson family; Paula Beebe; Laura Carby; Melissa Embry; Alan and Elizabeth Hounshell; Cindy Logan; Summer Perry; Betty Shanklin; Nancy Lou Slone; Sharon Stahl; Bob and Kellie Swezey; Ada Thompson; Luke and Sarah Watts; the Webster family; Melissa West GEORGIA MEECE S 90TH BIRTHDAY! We are celebrating Georgia Meece s 90th birthday on Sunday, January 15, and are extending an invitation to all our friends at Crestwood to join us. It will be from 3-5 p.m. in Chalice Hall. This is being given in her honor by her three daughters; Judy Rhodus, Jeannie May, and Jackie Summers. NO GIFTS PLEASE! ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD MEETING The Administrative Board will meet on Wednesday, January 18, at 7 p.m., in Chalice Hall. All ministry team reports are due into Laura by noon, this Thursday, January 12. We hope everyone is able to attend. STEPHEN MINISTERS Stephen Ministers provide a listening ear and Christian companionship for those going through difficult times. If you have questions about the Stephen Ministers, or know of someone who may benefit from them, please contact Trish at: trish@crestwoodchristian.org MANPOWER Our next ManPower gathering will be Saturday, February 4, at 8:30 a.m. All men of the church are encouraged to participate. This is a great way to connect with each other and make a difference in the life of the church! If you are planning on attending, please Tim Letcher and let know (timletcher14@gmail.com).

7 Dear Jane and Frank, Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful organ and sanctuary with the Lexington American Guild of Organists and POE students, July Your generosity will hopefully inspire a couple of teens to begin or continue to take organ lessons. Most importantly, your facilities might encourage them to some day glorify God as they play the organ at church services, funerals, and weddings. Please pass our thanks along to the church staff and members. ~Gratefully, Tina B. Wagoner, CAGO POE Facilities Coordinator Dear Friends, Thank you for your generous gift to Heifer International. Your desire to help others will build for future generations. Families in countries where we work like Bangladesh, Guatemala, and Malawi, who once struggles with hunger and poverty, now have the livestock and training they need to improve their farms. With your commitment and their hard work, they are on their way to building lives of self-reliance and dignity, uplifting entire communities in the process. Thank you for choosing Heifer International and helping us make a better world, one family at a time. ~Sincerely, Pierre U. Ferrari, President and CEO Dear Crestwood Christian Church, On behalf of Nathaniel Mission, I would like to thank you for your donation of $ received on December 8, As Christians we are directed to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. It s generous people like you who are helping us to meet that directive. Your generous donation ensures that some than 200 families per month will not go to bed hungry or be without clothes and have a safe place to retreat. As you continue to give, God will continue to bless. ~In His Service, Harvey Cozart, Director of Operations, Nathaniel Mission Dear Members of Crestwood Christian Church, Thank you for your generous donation of a check in the amount of $ for care package postage. We are honored that you chose our organization as your partner to show support for our troops. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Military Missions is staffed entirely by volunteers and is 100% donation-funded. Our organization reaches Beyond the Yellow Ribbon in our community! As our military personnel serve, providing protection and safety for all of us, we work to give something back to our troops and veterans. Military Missions exists to support and honor deployed military personnel by sending care packages year-round as an expression of appreciation and gratitude. Packages are sent out to individuals as well as deployed military units. Our goal is to provide a touch of home during long deployments. Your donations make it possible to send these care packages. On behalf of the heroes who will touched by your gift, we are grateful. Thank you for partnering with Military Missions to support and encourage those that ensure freedoms known only to Americans. ~Sincerely, Linda Cummins, Military Missions, Inc. Dear Crestwood Christian Church, Thank you for the $ donation to the Central Music Academy from the Alternative Christmas Faire. The donation will directly benefit our students, who would not have access to quality musical training without the contributions of people like you. We expect to teach more than 150 students in private and group lessons, after-school programs, and camps this year. Your contribution will insure that CMA will be able to continue to enrich the lives of many children for years to come. On behalf of all Central Music Academy students and educators, thank you again for your support of our program. ~Sincerely, Erin Walker Bliss Dear Friends of Crestwood Christian Church, Edith Sitwell once said, Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand a for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. This winter, many adults and children will Continued on page 8

8 1882 Bellefonte Drive Lexington, Kentucky (859) Fax: (859) THE CREST Crestwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Return Service Requested Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage-Paid Lexington, KY Permit No. #695 Continued from page 7 find comfort and a safe home thanks to your support. Thank you for your gift of $315. from your wonderful Alternative Christmas Faire event. Your gift truly matters. Your donation supports 24-hour crisis intervention services, healing programs that honor the survivor journey, and nature-based job training in a safe, supportive environment to encourage self-sufficiency. Your support reminds survivors that our community cares about their wellbeing. Last year one resident wrote, Thank you! This is the first year in my whole life that I ve ever received the gift I asked for ~Most Sincerely, Darlene Thomas, M.S.S.W., Executive Director Dear Crestwood Christian Church, Thank you for your recent donation of $1, to God s Pantry Food Bank. We are pleased that you have chosen to give hope to thousands of your neighbors! You have helped make the season a little brighter for someone in need. With increased cost of food and bitterly cold winter months ahead, a warm dinner every night becomes a luxury for some. For every $10.00 donated to the Food Bank last year, we provide $ worth of food. Your donation really does make a difference to the thousands we reach across Central and Eastern Kentucky. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your continued and much needed support. ~Warmest holiday wishes, Ame Sweetall God s Pantry Food Bank Interim Chief Executive Officer Dear Crestwood family, Many to all who have called or sent notes during our extended bout with upper respiratory infection. Your thoughtfulness was uplifting and most appreciated. ~Joe & Karen Billings CRESTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH Church School 9:30 a.m. Worship 8:30 & 10:45 a.m. Youth Programs 4 p.m. CHURCH STAFF Rev. Kory Wilcoxson, Senior Minister Rev. Trish Standifur, Associate Minister Laura Kaczmarek, Church Administrator Peggy King, Children s Coordinator Casey McDonald, Middle School Coordinator Patrick Lakin, High School Coordinator Frank Spragens, Music Director Dr. Noemi Lugo, Children and Youth Music Director Martha Duttlinger, Cherub Choir Director Jane Johnson, Organist Maureen Howell, Pianist Michelle Mayes, Child Care Director Lynn West, Facilities Manager Laura Kaczmarek: Kory Wilcoxson: Trish Standifur Peggy King Casey McDonald Patrick Lakin Frank Spragens: Lynn West ADDRESSES Laura@crestwoodchristian.org Kory@crestwoodchristian.org trish@crestwoodchristian.org peggy@crestwoodchristian.org casey@crestwoodchristian.org Patrick@crestwoodchristian.org fspragens@yahoo.com Custodian@crestwoodchristian.org WEBSITE: