THE SPIRE. Love God! Love Others! JANUARY 2015

Transcription

1 THE SPIRE Love God! Love Others! JANUARY 2015 Upland Baptist Church 325 Main Street, Upland, PA Website: Rev. Brenda A. B. Shaw, Pastor

2 How to Build a Snowman and your Faith Step 1: Choose the right snow. Snowman snow must be packable. Packable snow has more moisture than the dry, flaky stuff. That s what helps hold it together. Fresh snow that falls just above or just below freezing temperatures usually works best. To test if your snow is packable, pack it into your hands and make a ball. If it sticks together, you are good to go. If the snow seems too dry, spray it with a little water to add moisture. Step 2: Take a handful of snow and shape it into a ball. Pack the ball with snow until it s too large for you to hold in your hands. Step 3: Roll the ball across the lawn away from you. As you do this, your ball will gain girth. This is your first ball and should be largest as it will serve as the base for your snowman. Step 4: Repeat steps 1-3, twice. Your second ball should be a bit smaller and will serve for as the midsection. Your third ball will be slightly smaller than your middle ball and serve as the head. Step 5: Stack your snowballs from largest to smallest. Use a shovel to lift the midsection and head in place. Pack additional snow between the balls to help hold them together.

3 Step 6: Bring your snowman to life. Add eyes, a nose and a mouth. Use sticks for arms. Dress him up with a hat and scarf to reflect your personal style and taste. If packing and rolling seems like too much work, consider using the less traditional method of snowman making. To do so, pile up a large mound of snow and carve out the shape of a snowman. Read more: How to Build the Perfect Snowman - Momtastic As you know my family and I just returned from a week in Indiana. We had a good visit with my family, though if you ask Stephen something was missing. There was no snow. Not a flake stuck to the ground the entire time we were there. They only reason the boys used their snow boots was because the ground was so muddy when they went out to play. Building a snowman was on our list of things to do during vacation, but we did not have the right tools to make it happen. Sometimes having the right tool is all you need. You can t build a snowman without snow and you can t build a relationship with God without faith. Sometimes we need to intentionally nurture our faith. Let me encourage you to nurture your faith in Join us for Small Group beginning February 3 and meeting the first and third Tuesdays through May 5. We will be reading Attitude is Your Paintbrush: It Colors Every Situation by James. W. Moore. The groups really enjoyed the last book by James Moore and are looking forward to this one. The groups meet during the day or in the evening. Join us to nurture you faith. Sunday School continues to meet on Sunday mornings for adults and preschool through elementary children. We would love to have you join us to learn more about the Bible and to grow in your faith.

4 Bible Study meets on Thursdays at 10am. This group has lively discussions and is currently working through the book on Exodus. Come experience the joys of learning our faith history as it nurtures our faith today. Worship happens every Sunday morning and on special occasions. During worship there is time to express your faith and to grow your faith. It is a good way to connect with others and with God. Personal Prayer time is another way to commit to nurturing your faith. Spending time with God, reading his word and praying is an important part of our relationship with God. We cannot control when snow falls. You have to take advantage of it when it happens to build a snowman. We can control how we nurture our faith. We can make time for God. We can be intentional about joining a group to learn and grow together. Don t wait for something to happen make it happen. And if you need some encouragement or some direction, give me a call and let s talk. Pastor Brenda PRAISE CARDS We haven t forgotten! Starting in January, members of the congregation are being asked to complete a Praise Card on the third Sunday of every month. We have much to be thankful for at Upland Baptist Church, and it is good to share that with each other and celebrate everything good that is going on in our Church. Think ahead and complete on the third Sunday, I have seen God at work at Upland Baptist Church. I give God praise for LEGAL CORPORATION AND MINISTRY COUNCIL Discussed the Stewardship Campaign with an update on the pledges and the total pledged to date; Reviewed the budget for 2015 and made adjustments; Discussed our snow removal contract; Discussed the exterminator and approved getting a quote from another company; Discussed and approved financial reports;

5 Discussed funds transferred from Vanguard to Wells Fargo so all funds are located at the same bank; Discussed the need to find someone to fix the gate that opens into the new part of the cemetery; Discussed the donation of a new office computer; Still working on replacing the sink in the side room of the Church; Reviewed squirrel problems; and Renewed Butch s contract for the cemetery. PLEDGE UPDATE The Operating Budget for 2015 is enclosed with this month s Spire. The total amount of pledges needed to meet our 2015 budget is $158, As of Saturday, December 13, 2014, we have received 41 pledges for a total of $95, Thank you to all who have pledged. If you haven t turned in your pledge yet, you can place it in the offering basket or mail it to: Dawn Rafalski, c/o Upland Baptist Church, 325 Main Street, Upland, PA ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Meeting of the Church and of the Legal Corporation will be held in the Chapel on Sunday, January 25, 2015 after the Worship Service. Lunch will be provided. PROPERTY TEAM LEADER ~ Diane Lord Ogram We hired Dave Miskowic to do our snow plowing this year. He has been a great help and especially in keeping our golf cart working. We also will be changing our Pest Control Company; they were not doing a satisfactory job. We are looking for a new contractor. Our communion room is looking very shabby. Dan worked very hard on making the sink presentable, but we are thinking of at least a new sink. I am checking prices now. THANK YOU FROM THE COOK FAMILY

6 Linda, along with the rest of the Cook family, thanks everyone in the congregation for their many kindnesses shown to Jack Cook over the years. Your cards, prayers, phone calls, visits, meals, and goodies meant a great deal to Jack and to the family. You didn t forget him! A big thank you goes to those who brought him home communion and to the Church for broadcasting the Worship Service every Sunday. Jack really felt like he was still part of the congregation. The many visits from Pastor Brenda and Stephen and Matthew were always enjoyed by Jack. They put a smile on his face! It s wonderful to be a part of such a caring Church family. Ministry to Members ~ Dawn Rafalski Members News Make sure you pick up your offering envelopes for 2015 in the back of the church. Notice that there are now envelopes in your box for Fellowship offering every month. Home communion is being served to our members that are not able to come to church on a monthly basis. There is also a live webcast of the weekly worship service at 10:45 am Sundays. You can view it by going to the church website ~ and click on Live Broadcast ~ then click on Live. Or you can view it at a later time by clicking On-Demand. Men s News The next Riverside Men s Breakfast will be held on February 21 st at 8:15 am at Upland Baptist. Worship Team Leader Pat Irace Our Bells, Carols and Cupcakes night on December 21, was a wonderful evening filled with Christmas music and warm fellowship - as well as delicious cupcakes! There were solos by Sarah Powers on trumpet, Casey Klimek on violin and Robbie Colson on cello. We enjoyed vocal selections by Patty McGrouty from Resurrection Life Church and Brigid Culloty. Our own Joyful Noise played several numbers which really got us into the holiday spirit. I would like to thank all who attended and especially those who gave a helping hand. The Christmas Program on December 21, was organized by Linda Cook who did her

7 usual great job of making everything run smoothly. Our thanks to her for another great program and to all who participated. Christmas Eve is always a joyful and reverent time for our congregation and this year was no exception. Thank you to Pastor Brenda for leading us in another meaningful service. Looking ahead to the new year, I'll be asking people to fill the worship service helper positions. Most are scheduled, but there are a few openings. I also urge you to volunteer for helping in the nursery if you are able. There is a sign-up sheet on the table at the rear of the sanctuary. ALL CHURCH CHRISTMAS PROGRAM The All Church Christmas Program, Good News, was held during the worship service on Sunday, December 21, The Christmas story was told through Scripture readings, poems, music, and the perspectives of an angel, a sheep, and the shepherds. It was a wonderful way to celebrate and remember the reason we celebrate the Christmas season. Thank you to everyone who participated in the program, and did such a terrific job! Thanks to our readers Normajean Colby, Linda Cook, Joan Decker, David Geveke, Hans Geveke, Pat Irace, Casey Klimek, Courtney Klimek, Jane Kofroth, Frank Kulp, Sue Kulp, Cindy Leber, Ray Leber, Kyle Lord, Sara Mason, Brenda Shaw, and Stephen Shaw. Thanks to the Joyful Noise - John Shaw, John Kofroth, Tom Geveke, Jackie Wright, Diane Ogram, Linda Cook, Brenda Shaw, Denise Fallin Sweeney, Dawn Rafalski, Sara Boyer Mason, Sandy Kushner, Iris Messick, and Brigid Culloty (substituting for Sarah Powers). LOOKING AHEAD... Plan to attend the February Breakfast sponsored by the Sunday School on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 9:30 AM. Snow Date is February 15, The Breakfast is FREE and it s a wonderful time to fellowship with other members of the congregation. Look for the sign-up sheet in the back of the Church towards the end of January.

8 SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Katie Boyer-Mason, Tom Geveke, and Sarah Powers continue to play with the Joyful Noise. Casey Klimek is in 5th grade and is playing the violin. She shared her music with us at the Night of Music in December. Anna Geveke, an 11 th grader at Sun Valley High School, is a member of the Sun Valley Chorus and sang in the Winter Concert. Tom Geveke played saxophone in the Sun Valley Winter Concert. Also, after school, Tom played Petanque, a form of lawn bowling originating in France. Sarah Powers is in 5th grade and is playing the trumpet. She shared her music with us at the Night of Music in December. Matthew Shaw was in his Pre-School Christmas Program the week before Christmas and enjoyed participating. Stephen Shaw had a very good report card. Stephen was in his school Christmas program, Christmas Around the World, the week before Christmas. SUNDAY SCHOOL REMINDER There will be NO Sunday School classes on December 28, 2014 or January 4, Classes will resume on Sunday, January 11, Outreach Team Leader ~ Joan Decker A big thank you to all of the elf s who took Christmas tree tags. There where sixty one tags that were made up. A list came from Belvedere as to what the residents wanted. Thank you to Betty Vandergrift who helped with writing up the tags. The gifts were delivered on December 18, and the activity staff at Belvedere will give the gifts to the residents on Christmas day. January 25, Pastor Brenda and some church members will be going to Belvedere to lead worship at 2:30 pm. You are welcome to come participate in this ministry. Food Bank News The Food Bank is always in need of food items paper bags and plastic bags. You can place these items in the box at the back of the church. City Team News

9 We will be going sometime in February, but the time will change and we will need to be at City Team from approximately 3:00 until 8:00 pm. We will be preparing, serving, and cleaning up and also running the Chapel service. To participate, we need 20 volunteers. We would really like to be a part of this program, so we hope that we can get enough volunteers, all ages are welcome, to participate. City Team hopes to make Saturday evenings special for those who come and eat, similar to a restaurant experience. Thank you to everyone who has donated to our City Team fund. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! Grocery Bingo Is scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 1-4pm. Donations of grocery items or knickknacks for prizes can be brought to the church office. If you d like to help with Bingo get in touch with Denise Sweeney. MONDAY NIGHT VBS We have anywhere from 5 to 12 children attending on Monday evenings. They are an active group, but it is wonderful to see this group learning and growing. Everyone who attends listens to a Bible story, completes a craft, learns a Bible verse, and has dinner. Our one wish is that we would have consistent attendance so it would be easier to plan each week. For the month of December, we have been sharing the Christmas story, starting with Isaiah, Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, Jesus birth and the angels and the shepherds, and we will finish the first week of January with the wise men. For some of our children in the group, this is the first time they have heard the Christmas story! Our VBS Night program has an amazing group of volunteers. We are blessed to have so many caring and dedicated members of our congregation helping with VBS Night. Thank you to Brenda Shaw, Linda Cook, Jane Kofroth, John Kofroth, Rob Powers, Pat Irace, Hans Geveke, Charlene Miller, Betty Vandergrift, Joan Decker, Dawn Rafalski, and Angela Nieves. Whether you volunteer every week or once a month, or donate food, we could not run the VBS program without you! A BIG THANK YOU to everyone in the congregation who has supported the program with monetary donations. We could not afford the program without your support! There will be NO VBS Night on December 22, 2014 or December 29, We will meet again on January 5 and 12, There will be NO VBS Night on January 19, VBS Night will be held on January 26, 2015.

10 UPLAND BAPTIST AT CITYTEAM Upland Baptist was not at CityTeam in December. CityTeam is revamping their program and outside groups will only be needed on Saturday evenings. We will be going sometime in February, but the time will change and we will need to be at CityTeam from approximately 3:00 until 8:00 pm. We will be preparing, serving, and cleaning up and also running the Chapel service. To participate, we need 20 volunteers. We would really like to be a part of this program, so we hope that we can get enough volunteers, all ages are welcome, to participate. CityTeam hopes to make Saturday evenings special for those who come and eat, similar to a restaurant experience. Thank you to everyone who has donated to our CityTeam fund. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! ITEMS NEEDED FOR CITYTEAM City Team is in need of toothbrushes, razors, toothpaste, bars of soap, shampoo, towels and wash cloths for the men s shelter. In the kitchen, CityTeam is in need of peanut butter, cans of tuna, jelly, flour, spices, napkins, plastic silverware, and creamora. If you d like to donate any of these items, you can give them to Linda Cook Thank you to everyone who supports this outreach ministry through your prayers and donations of money, needed items, and time. Disbursements:

11 Benevolences: Unified Mission Budget ABC* $8, $8, Baptist Home / White Cross - UBC Women's Union $ $ City Team of Chester $ $ Riverside Association $ Local Ministries $ $ Upland Fire Company $ $ Total Benevolences $8, $8, *The Unified Mission Budget ABC is 10% of pledges - this number will be adjusted after the Stewardship Campaign is completed Personnel / Salaries: Pastor's Salary $32, $34, Pastor's Housing / Utilities $21, $22, Pastor's M & M (Retirement) $8, $8, Pastor's Medical Benefits $10, $0.00 Pastor's SS / Medicare Offset $2, $2, Assistant Pastor $0.00 Secretary $12, $12, Financial Team Leader $3, $4, Controller Financial Secretary $1, $1, Sexton / Cleaner $13, $13, Music - Vocalist $5, Social Security Expenses $2, $2, Pastor's Vacation Subsitute $ $ ADP Fees $2, $2, Total Personnel / Salaries $110, $110, Educational / Organizational: Board of Christian Education Outreach Ministry $2, $1, discipleship $ $ VBS (summer only) $ $ Sunday School $ $ Board of Deacons & Worship Supplies Ministry to Members $ $ Worship team $ $ Church Baby Nursery $ $ Music & Musical Programs $ $ Organist $10, $11, Total Educational / Organizational $17, $17,100.00

12 Disbursements (cont.): Property Fuel Oil (Heating) $21, $21, Gas, Water, Electric, Sewer $7, $7, Telephone / Internet $3, $3, Repairs & Maintenance $7, $10, Insurance $8, $9, Alarm Services $2, $2, Office Supplies, Contracts and Janitorial Supplies $9, $9, Organ & Piano Maintenance $1, $1, Bell Maintenance $2, $2, Total Building Services / Maintenance $62, $65, General Program: Pastor's Car & Cell Phone Allowance $1, $1, Continuing Education $ $ Convention Expenses $ $ Book Allowance $ $ Church Envelopes / Folders $ $ Auditing Expenses $8, $8, Miscellaneous Staff Expenses $ Total General Program $12, $12, Total Dispursements $210, $214, Income: Other Income: Plate Collections $1, $1, Non-pledged giving through envelopes $4, $4, Special Offerings (Holiday envelopes) $1, $1, Envelope Reimbursement $ $75.00 Interest & Dividends $36, $34, Property Fund $14, $14, Total Other Income $57, $55, Total amount of pledges needed to meet our 2015 budget: Women s Union $153, $158,925.00

13 Home and International Missionary birthdays for January & February Rev. Ann Borquist 1/11 Convencao Batista Nacional SDS. Ed. Venancio Junior, Bloco M, Entrada 14 Brasilia, DF Mrs. Nancy James 2/17 c/o Agape Flights, Cap Airport Ave. Venice, FL Rev. Paul Sandusky 2/24 Rankin Christian Center 230 Third Ave. Braddock, PA Mrs. Barbara Bolick 2/29 Casilla 9 Temuco, Chile Barbara.bolick@internationalministries.org JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 2 Jane Kofroth 6 Casey Klimek 14 Theresa Reeder 27 Andrew Harman Herb Osborne JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES 28 Doris & John Fraim FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 11 Frank Kulp 13 Stephanie Pysher Frances White 14 Katelyn DeVecchis Megan DeVecchis 15 Jean Nuttal 16 Ray Leber 20 Joan Decker Mary Lowe 21 Janet Peterson 24 IrisMessick 27 Sue Kulp FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES 17 Dave & Kathy Geveke