The Heartbeat. Saint Andrew United Church of Christ. Say it Again

Transcription

1 Saint Andrew United Church of Christ The Heartbeat January Browns Lane Louisville, Kentucky Website: Phone: (502) Sunday School for all ages 9:15 AM; Sanctuary Worship 10:30 AM Say it Again By Mary Luti reprinted from the UCC Daily Devotional "For God is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; God will sit and refine them until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness." - Malachi 3:3-4 Every Advent, the prophets remind us that God is disgusted by piety divorced from justice. But because we keep divorcing them, God has to sit down (because it's going to take a lot of time and patience), fire up the furnace, and burn away our dross. And God has to scrub us with harsh soap until we carry out, without separation, right worship in church and right action in the world. Year after year, it's the same message if you're indifferent to your neighbor, you sing, sacrifice, and pray at your peril. We know that. We've heard it before. And we're trying, Lord, we're trying. So why does the church keep saying it year after year? For the same reason you tell family stories over and over so that you'll memorize what matters most, so that you'll remember who you are, so that your children will know who they are. And because if the church doesn't say it, fewer and fewer people will say it, until there's only silence. Ask someone struggling for justice about the terror of that silence, the awful things that happen when no one utters a word. And because there's knowing, and then there's knowing. One kind fills your head with interesting ideas. The other penetrates, aims for your fault lines, and leaves you so shattered you require divine rearrangement. You could hope for nothing more than to find yourself in shards like that; for Scripture also says that God will not pass by a broken heart. Prayer Say them over and over to me, wonderful words of life. Let this be the year they break my heart. Amen. From the Pastor Rev. Lori Miller-Price Dear Friends, What a wonderful first advent and Christmas season I had with you all! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support, words of affirmation, enthusiasm and interest! We celebrated God s dream for the world, we heard again and again that, like Mary, we are favored by God, and we welcomed the babe in the manger. In the season of Epiphany, our worship theme will be Be the Church and each week will focus on one of the headings that is on the UCC banner Be the Church that will hang behind the altar. The other thing that is happening in January besides Epiphany is that I will have my one year anniversary as pastor of St. Andrew (I started on Jan. 17, 2016) and what a meaningful, wonderful year it has been. Now that I have been here for a year and for each season and each special event that happens, I want to do some reflection and dreaming and planning and visioning and imagining. The president does a state of the union address, so think of this as a sort of State of the Church address followed by some planning for our future together. This is going to happen on Saturday January 28 from 10:00 1:00 and Sunday, January 29 from 11:30 2:00 (lunch served first!) I want as many people as possible to come to both of these sessions so please mark your calendars now and plan to attend. This is for EVERYONE from the very involved to the not very involved. The input and participation from all of you is so very important! Please plan to come! Look for more information to come soon. I am looking forward to a very Happy New Year and hope that you are too! Peace, Lori Inside this issue: Page 2 Coming Events, Uspiritus Auxiliary, Parish Health Page 3 Poinsettias, Library, Shelby School Page 4 Birthdays & Anniversaries, Thanks, Page 5 Women of St Andrew, Coffee Shop, Nurture Page 6 Message from the Patchwork Lady Page 7 Daily Lectionary Page 8 Next Heartbeat Deadline

2 HEARTBEAT Page 2 January Events: Congregational Meeting January 8 after worship! Louise Grant s birthday lunch after church on January 15 Visit to Diersen House (a halfway prison for women). We will worship with them on January 31. All are welcome and encouraged to come! USPIRITUS AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIPS Now is the time to join the Uspiritus Auxiliary for You don't have to attend meetings but we do need more St. Andrew members when possible. Your $5.00 will help to support the Auxiliary and its activities for the year. Please place your donation in an envelope with your name, See Betty Boeschel for further details and dates of meetings. CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS 2016 Renée Lage - President John Wicker - Vice President Teresa Aikens - Secretary Elaine Caldwell Judy Johnson Mike Jones Rose Mills David Sickbert 2016 Parish Health Ministry Here are our top 5 tips for winter safety. 1. Carbon Monoxide. This is a great time to make sure your home has a carbon monoxide alarm on every level, especially near sleeping areas, and keep them at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances. If you re warming up a vehicle, don t forget to remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. It s extremely dangerous to leave a car, SUV or motorcycle engine running inside a garage. More CO tips. 2. Car Seats and Winter Coats. We know you want your little ones to be warm, but please don t buckle your child into a car seat while wearing a bulky coat. The coat can compress in a crash and create a loose car seat harness, putting your child at greater risk of injury in the event of a crash. Instead, lay the jacket over your children like a blanket once they re safely secured. 3. Sleep Safety. Extra blankets can seem so cozy in a baby s crib but soft bedding can block a baby s airway during sleep. A firm mattress covered with a tight-fitting crib sheet is all you need for your baby to sleep well. If you re worried about keeping your baby warm on those cold winter nights, try using a sleepsack (wearable blanket). They re pretty cozy, too. 4. Winter Sports. Kids love to push the limits when they re skiing or snowboarding. Make sure they wear helmets and other proper gear to keep them safe if they fall on the slopes. Kids also might not be inclined to drink as much water when they re playing in cold weather because they don t get as hot. Remind them to stay properly hydrated. 5. Fire Safety. Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of your house in case of a fire. This can be a fun activity for the whole family. And remember to keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Have a fun and safe winter.

3 HEARTBEAT Page 3 Christmas Poinsettias 2016 In memory of Mike Eringer, by Mike and Cindy Jones Tom Schwartz, by Bill & Suzanne Schwartz Bill Mathison, by David Sickbert Grant Sickbert, by David Sickbert Helen Mathison, by David Sickbert Forts & Woerners, by Judy Johnson Ross Sherer, by Linda Sherer Jody & Paul Bloom, Stephanie & Joseph Slusarcyk, by Kim Bloom & Barb Tuttle Loved Ones, by Harlan & Ann Beckemeyer Loved Ones, by Barbara Voll & Debbie Clover Loved Ones, by Mary Jane Glaser Loved Ones, by Jack & Betty Boeschel In honor of Ruth Sickbert, by David Sickbert JR Cannaday, Mary Rose Linker, Joe Louden, in gratitude, by Rev. Lori Miller- Price Loved Ones, by Barbara Voll & Debbie Clover Loved Ones, by Harlan & Ann Beckemeyer From the Library Something new is happening in the library. The top drawer of the large cabinet is full of interesting material; and copies of all are being made into scrapbooks. Two scrapbooks are ready to be borrowed one about jesus and one about mary. Soon a scrapbook will be made that contains materials about Christmas, which can be shared. Watch for further information. Soon they will be available for borrowing. Shelby School Update

4 HEARTBEAT Page 4 Thank you! 1st 3rd 5th 6th 11th 15th 17th 19th 20th 24th 25th Howard Hardin Anna Walker Marsha Leistner Judy Johnson Marilyn Gasaway Jane Thomas Rachel Littrell Susan Poppe Mark Lage Louise Grant Jim Glaser Jean Grubbs Betsy Blocker Mary Rose Linker 27th Renee Lage 30th Campbell Childers Orin Fultz Dear Members of St. Andrew, Thank you for your support and generosity at the Derby City Brass Band Christmas Concert on Monday, December 19 th. Special thanks to J. R. Cannaday, Rev. Lori Miller Price, John Wicker, and all the members that brought goodies for the reception. It is all appreciated! We had great attendance and all seemed to appreciate the music. Thanks again from the Derby City Brass Band. Quentin Sharpenstein, President Derby City Brass Band 3rd 10th Ken and Mary Lou Bischof George and Mary Dare If we have inadvertently left you off this list, please contact the office so we may update our records. If you are new to St. Andrew, please share your birthday with us so that we may recognize you!

5 HEARTBEAT Page 5 Women of St. Andrew Business Meeting: Monday, January 16, Noon Conference Room All Women Are Welcome Bring a Sandwich: Drinks Are Provided The Ladies Day Out JCPS Outreach Project Has Not Been Selected But Will Be Discussed and You are Invited to help make the decision. NURTURE TEAM

6 HEARTBEAT From the Patchwork Lady A message from 2011 Page 6

7 HEARTBEAT Daily Lectionary January 2016 Page 7

8 January 2017 Heartbeat Issue 58 No Browns Lane Louisville, KY No matter who you are, you are welcome here! St. Andrew United Church of Christ 2608 Browns Lane Louisville, Kentucky Phone: (502) Fax: (call first) Website: Sunday School 9:15 AM Worship Service 10:30 AM Office Hours: 9 AM 1 PM, Monday Friday Church Staff Rev. Lori Miller-Price Senior Pastor J.R. Cannaday Minister of Music Mary Rose Linker Church Secretary/Editor Joe Louden Custodian Monday, January 16th