St. Thomas United Church of Christ Volume MMXVII, Issue 2 February 2017 The Good Newsletter 1

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1 The Good Newsletter St. Thomas United Church of Christ Volume MMXVII, Issue 2 February 2017 Dear Church Family and Friends ~ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 Everyone knows I am not a big fan of winter or snow, yet that is what I am writing about to you! Though longing for the warmth and greenery of spring, I do miss how beautiful the trees look with snow clinging to their limbs and how beautiful the world is with the sunshine creating glistening snow diamonds after a snowstorm! Crazy I would miss these things, right? So far, our winter experience has been mild, compared to recent winter weather conditions in other parts of our country. We have not had to prepare for a big snow event where we need to prepare for it by stocking up with non-perishable food items, spare batteries and operable emergency lights, blankets, and drinking water. Each of us, experiences a variety of seasons in our lives, including winters, times when our spiritual selves are low on energy and we may feel discouraged; when our world may seem lifeless grey. Choosing how we deal and prepare for this season makes a lot of difference. As Christians, here are some things we should have on hand, a winter spiritual survival kit of sorts: 1. Non Perishable Food Scripture: a Bible or a devotional. Just a phrase of scripture to hold on to in the dead of our winter can bring us comfort. 2. Extra Blankets and Warm Clothing Fellowship: During a winter, we may not feel much like attending church and sharing fellowship with other Christians. Yet, we should make an intentional effort during this season to do so. Sharing fellowship with others strengthens us. We need their love, support, and prayers. Fellowship with one offers real warmth to us. 3. Drinking Water - Christ the Living Water: Bottled water in a winter emergency is a must. We need it to survive just like we need the Living Water. We need Christ and Christ s Word to live. Relying on Christ will keep us refreshed. Looking to Christ in the face of our circumstances will help us through our winter. 4. Emergency Candles or Flashlights God s Guidance: The electricity may go out because of the weight of snow and ice on the power lines, so we always need a light source available. God s guidance is our light source. We cannot journey through our daily lives, let alone our winters, without following God s direction and leading. Being open to what God is speaking to us and how God is guiding us, will keep us on the right path. Use this spiritual emergency kit outlined for you as you need this season. In addition, take advantage of this season to regroup and to rest. Go for a walk; breathe in the fresh, crisp air. Look up and around at the winter world around you and give God thanks. Winter Blessings Debra The Good Newsletter 1

2 MEMBER INFORMATION Please consider calling or sending a card to someone who is celebrating a birthday or anniversary. 1 st Beverly Porter 2 nd Albert Bruch 10 th Barbara Thomas, Forrest Voytko 21 st Gloria Hurley 26 th Nancy Mangold 11 th Elda and Sterling Bruch, Jr. 22 nd Dana & Jeremy Reaser ESTATE PLANNING Please consider St. Thomas in your estate plans. If you do, let us know. We are not concerned with the amount of the gift but would like to be able to thank you properly and make sure your wishes are honored. For more information, contact the church office. HOSPITAL INFORMATION Please remember to let the hospital know our church number if you or a member of your family is admitted to the hospital. Our number for all St. Luke s and Lehigh Valley Hospitals is 498. Easton Hospital is U21. SPONSORS The flower and bulletin sponsor sheet is posted for the first quarter of The cost is $35 and you may use the signup sheet or call the church office to sponsor the flowers and bulletins. Consider sharing the flowers with someone who is in the hospital or unable to attend worship. FOOD OFFERING Thank you for contributing to our on-going food offering. Your generosity is truly appreciated. The food offering is received during the entire month and distributed to St. Thomas families in need and area food banks. DEADLINE INFO The Good Newsletter is a collection of material submitted to the church office and is published by the church. Please also refer to the weekly worship bulletins to keep updated on what is happening at St. Thomas. Please submit information for the March newsletter by February 15 th. The Good Newsletter 2

3 SERVING IN WORSHIP FEBRUARY WORSHIP FOCUS Feb. 5 Scripture: Isaiah 58: 1-12, 1 Corinthians 2: 1-16, Matthew 5: Message: Salty Luminescence Feb. 12 Scripture: TBA Message: TBA Feb. 19 Joint Worship Service at Christ Snow Date: Feb. 26 Feb. 26 Children Sing/Bells, Joyful Noise Offering, Transfiguration Sunday Scripture: Matthew 17: 1-9 Message: Take the Story with You CHILDREN S TIME FOCUS Feb. 5 Shake that Salt! Feb. 12 TBA Feb. 26 A Bat, a Ball and the Transfiguration FEBRUARY 5 GREETER... Jean Stauffenberg USHERS... Shirley Hein, Mesha Lyons, Jean Stauffenberg, Elaine Taylor ACOLYTE... Asha Harhart FLOWER SPONSOR... Harriet Leibinger COUNTING TEAM... Brenda & Kenny Miller, Dana Reaser FEBRUARY 12 GREETER... Rebecca & David Brown USHERS...Larry Hillegass, Dana Reaser, Amy Rohrbach, Bob Wilt ACOLYTE... Sarah Shook FLOWER SPONSOR... Nancy Musgnung COUNTING TEAM... Jason Dutt, Jeff Jaindl FEBRUARY 19 JOINT WORSHIP SERVICE AT CHRIST UCC@10:30 am FEBRUARY 26 GREETER... Kim Hartzell USHERS... Karen & Dave Peters, 2 Volunteers Needed ACOLYTE... Rachel Hartzell FLOWER SPONSOR... Jennifer Koplin COUNTING TEAM... Nancy Musgnung, Karen Shook MUSIC MINISTRY CHOIR REHEARSALS Tuesdays... 7:15 p.m. Sundays... 10:15 a.m. The Good Newsletter 3

4 GUATEMALA TRIP I will be traveling to Guatemala on April 8 th and staying until April 19 th. I will be going with my sister Diane and her daughter Deanna. Deanna was adopted from Guatemala 9 years ago. My sister takes her back occasionally so she can learn about the culture she came from. I promised my sister that when Deanna turns 10, I would go back with them. Since Deanna turns 10 on February 15 th of this year I will be traveling to Guatemala with them in April. Part of our travel will be a vacation for us, but part will also be some mission work. We will be working with Mayan Families during our first week. We will be helping them with their Easter food baskets which have all the food needed for a family to enjoy a healthy meal for the holiday. There will be hundreds a people that line up in hopes of receiving a food basket. We will also be serving lunch to those in the Mayan Family elderly program. It is during this luncheon that we will be distributing some essential personal care items. My dentist has already offered to supply toothbrushes. We would also like to have bars of soap, travel size shampoo and conditioner (3 oz. or less), socks and reading glasses. If you d like to donate any of these items please bring them to church by March 26th and place them in the bin by the church office. We will also be building a stove for one Mayan family. Most families in Guatemala cook over an open fire in their home. Please note that their homes are made of cement blocks and have dirt floors. The cooking fires produce lots of unhealthy smoke in their home, so a stove is much appreciated. It will consist of cement blocks with a grill on top and a stove pipe to vent out the smoke. I m looking forward to my trip and helping out Mayan families. Your donations towards our mission work will be very much appreciated. Elaine Taylor PRAYER CHAIN & PRAYER REQUESTS If you would like to be a contact person on the prayer chain, please speak with Pastor Debra, Diane Wilt or the church office. If you know someone who is in need of prayer, contact one of the persons listed. Pastor Debra, Diane Wilt, Laurene Blair, Donna Hoffman, Kenny Miller, Karen Peters, Prayer List Since Our Last Newsletter: Homebound/Care Facility Bound: Mae Michael, Walter Frey, Annabel Huth PLEASE NOTE: Pastor Debra will be away on vacation February 6-13! Please call the church office for emergency pastoral care if needed FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The 2016 financial statements are available for you to pick up. See Brenda Miller before or after worship. You may stop by the church office Monday thru Thursday from 9 to 1 to pick them up also. The Good Newsletter 4

5 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 To all those who help fold bulletins and newsletters. To all those who volunteer to serve as ushers, greeters and acolytes. To all those who volunteer with BES. To all those who helped with the Baked Potato Warm-Up luncheon. CELEBRATING THE SEASON OF EPIPHANY Our 14 th Annual Epiphany Celebration begins continues through Sunday, February 26. Gifts will be dedicated during worship on February 26, followed by a luncheon in the fellowship hall. The gifts will be received in the name of Christ during worship. The gifts will be for use in our church building. SUGGESTED GIFT LIST: Heavy duty (like Dixie) 7 & 8 paper plates Soup bowls Cold and hot disposable cups Napkins White or clear plastic forks Gallon & sandwich zip lock bags Slow cooker liners Ketchup Mustard Crystal Light lemonade & iced tea Coffee creamers Decaffeinated coffee Arm & Hammer baking soda Table salt Toilet paper Paper towels Facial tissues Liquid hand soap Dawn dish soap 13 and 39 gallon garbage bags Stick lighters Toilet bowl cleaner Spray deodorizer Canning jar lids & rings Jelly size canning jars White vinegar White granulated sugar (4 lb. bags or larger only White address labels 1" x 2 5/8 30 per page, Scotch magic 3/4" tape Swiffer dusters & sweepers Standard size and business size envelopes Packages (reams) or cases of white copy paper 81/2 x11 Packages (reams) of colored copy paper STAR ITEMS: There are still Star items left. If you d like to donate the item on the star, remove the star and bring the item to church. Still Left: Needle Nose Pliers, Pedestal Fan, Printing Calculator, House Dust Mop, Ice Melt/Rock Salt, $ for banners & paraments. Star Envelopes for Monetary Donations to purchase items are posted on the bulletin board in the information hallway. Thank you. The Good Newsletter 5

6 The Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. Thomas meets the fifth Sunday of the month following worship at St. Thomas. The next prayer shawl gathering will be held following worship on July 30, 2017 in fellowship hall. Bring whatever shawl you are working on and join us for a time of stitching! The group welcomes anyone who has an interest in knitting or crocheting, a novice or a veteran knitter/crocheter. The prayer shawls will be blessed in worship on March 5. If you or someone you know could benefit from a prayer shawl, please contact Pastor Debra or the church office. CARD RACK We have all occasion cards for sale on our card rack. Cost: 50 cents each CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday thru Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Fridays HAPPENINGS!!!!!! FEBRUARY SHOO FLY PIE SALE Tuesday, February 14, a.m. - 1 p.m. To Order: Place your order on the message board next to the church office, or call the church office at Cost: $8.00 each (Note Price Change) Please place your order by Wednesday, February 8! February Pie Baking Work Schedule Wednesday, February 1: 9 a.m. Pie Shell Rolling & Crumb Making Monday, February 6: 9 a.m. Pie Shell Rolling & Crumb Making Saturday, February 11: 9 a.m. Pie Baking Tuesday, February 14: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pie Pick-up We need your help!! There are jobs for all ages regardless of your baking experience. Please find time to help. Your efforts will be greatly appreciated! The Good Newsletter 6

7 Noon Bible Study at Trinity UCC Trinity s Bible Study on Mondays will resume at noon on February 20 th and 27 th. We will be studying the lectionary text for these two sessions. Lenten Bible Study at St. Thomas UCC Join us at 7 p.m. on Mondays March 6, 13, 27, April 3 & 10 BLACK DIAMOND RAILROAD DAYS February 11, 12 from 1 5 p.m. Donation $5 per person, ages 12 & under free. The Good Newsletter 7

8 Snow Date: February 26 th at 10:30 am Valentine s Day ~ February 14 th President s Day is February 20 th The Good Newsletter 8

9 Source: newsletternewsletter.com The Good Newsletter 9

10 Ash Wednesday, March 1, Trinity UCC 7 St. Thomas UCC First Sunday in Lent March 5, :45 a.m. worship service NEW MEMBER SUNDAY St. Thomas will be receiving new members into its church family on Sunday, March 12. Membership information forms are available in the church office. For questions, contact Pastor Debra. CONTINUING MINISTRY 2017 Resource Persons We print this information so that members and friends of St. Thomas will know who to contact with questions, concerns, and ideas pertaining to the ministry of St. Thomas. The following persons serve as resource and contact persons: Pastor Rev. Debra K Hess Office: Cell: Church Office Karen Jaindl Governing Board President: David Hay Vice President: Bob Wilt Treasurer: Karen Shook Recording Secretary: Karen Jaindl Financial Secretary: Matt Erdman Members: Jason Dutt, David Hay, Kyle Hess, Karen Jaindl, Joseph Malocheski, Kenny Miller, Karen Shook, Bob Wilt Elders you may also contact Laurene Blair, Matt Erdman, Shirley Hein, Donna Hoffman, Gloria Hurley, Keith Jaindl, Brenda Miller, Nancy Musgnung, Karen Senft, Michael Shay, Elaine Taylor, Diane Wilt Music Director J. Christopher Malocheski or Prayer Resource Person Diane Wilt Christian Education Amy Rohrbach Address St. Thomas UCC ~ stthomasunited.churchofchrist@rcn.com Web Sites St. Thomas ~ stthomasuccbeth.com Penn Northeast Conference of the U.C.C. ~ United Church of Christ, Cleveland, Ohio ~ Pastoral Care Please call the staff through the church office, , or contact Pastor Debra, , if you or family members are in need of Pastoral Care. The Good Newsletter 10

11 ST. THOMAS LEADERSHIP & TEAMS Each of these teams/groups/committees plays an important role in the life of St. Thomas for If you have any questions, suggestions or need information, please see a member of one of the teams/groups/committees below. Governing Board - The governing body of the church. President: David Hay, Vice President: Bob Wilt, Treasurer: Karen Shook, Recording Secretary: Karen Jaindl, Financial Secretary: Matt Erdman, Members: Jason Dutt, David Hay, Kyle Hess, Karen Jaindl, Joseph Malocheski, Kenny Miller, Karen Shook, Bob Wilt Elders - The elders have responsibility for the oversight of the church body and the shepherding of its members. Elders you may contact: Laurene Blair, Matt Erdman, Dave Hay, Shirley Hein, Kyle Hess, Donna Hoffman, Gloria Hurley, Karen & Keith Jaindl, Brenda & Kenny Miller, Nancy Musgnung, Yvonne Piscanio, Karen Senft, Michael Shay, Elaine Taylor, Diane Wilt Shared Ministry - A group of representatives from both Trinity and St. Thomas to oversee the Shared Ministry effort. Members: Jeff Carlton (T), Cecelia Moll (T), Nancy Musgnung (ST), Dana Reaser (ST), Jim Reph (T), Diane Wilt (ST) Human Resources Committee (HRC) - The primary responsibility of the HRC is to create policies and procedures that both support the church employees and secure good services for our church. HRC serves as a single point of contact for all workplace matters and advises the Pastor accordingly. Responsibilities include: monitoring the policies and procedures governing employees; creation and approval of job descriptions; coordinating and conducting annual employee evaluations. Members: Kristina DeFiore, Kenny Miller, Nancy Musgnung, Beverly Porter Pastoral Council - The chief consultative body for the pastor. Members: Nancy Musgnung, Dave Peters, Ulvia Shay, Bob Wilt Congregational Care Team (including Prayer Shawl Ministry) (Care Team) - This team is responsible to care for the individual needs of members of the congregation and to provide for fellowship and small social groups within the congregation. Members: Laurene Blair, Carol Ford (Chairperson), Kim Hartzell, Shirley Hein, Gloria Hurley, Karen Jaindl, Brenda Miller, Karen Peters, Elaine Tayler, Diane Wilt Administrative Team (including Finance Team) (A-Team) Oversees building and property concerns and to dos. Members: Jason Dutt, Matt Erdman, Dave Hay, Karen Jaindl, Chris Malocheski, Kenny Miller, Nancy Musgnung (Chairperson), Karen Peters, Roger Porter Christian Education - A group of adult teachers who help our children, youth and adults to deepen their learning in biblical knowledge and spiritual formation. Youth Teachers: Heather Dutt, Holly Erdman, David Hay, Karen Jaindl, Mesha Lyons, Dana Reaser, Amy Rohrbach (Chairperson). Members of the adult class take turns teaching. LOOKING AHEAD SPAGHETTI BUFFET DINNER Saturday, March 4 th 4:30 7:00 p.m. $10.00 Adults $ Children 5-12 Pay at the Door For Info Call: The Good Newsletter 11

12 MARCH (weather permitting) *Confirmation 6pm on 3/12, 3/19, 3/26 *Lent Bible 7pm on 3/6, 3/13 3/27 *Joyful Noise Offering - last Sunday of the month March 1 Ash Wednesday service, 7pm March 4 Spaghetti Dinner, 4:30 7 pm March 5 Shelter meeting March 14 Congregational Care, 7pm March 20 Governing Board, 6:30pm APRIL *Confirmation 6pm on 4/9. 4/23, 4/30 *Lent Bible 7pm on 4/3, 4/10 *Joyful Noise Offering - last Sunday of the month April 8 Easter Egg Hunt & Breakfast April 9 Palm Sunday April 11 Congregational Care, 7pm April 13 Maundy Thursday service, 6pm Seder Meal April 14 Good Friday service, Trinity April 16 Easter w communion April 23 Everybody s Birthday April 30 Joint Trinity UCC NOTE: Regular Sunday Events: 9:30 a.m. All Sunday School Classes 10:15 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10:45 a.m. Worship Not all events/activities have been scheduled. Please check the calendars each month for updates! INCLEMENT WEATHER Snow, sleet or severe weather in the forecast? Call the church office or visit to find out if a worship service or church activity is cancelled. The Good Newsletter 12

13 February 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 9 am Pie Shell Rolling & crumb Making 5:30 pm Women s Shelter am Soup Making Church Office Closed 9 am noon Souper Bowl of Caring Soup Pick-Up :30 am Sunday School 10:15 am Choir Rehearsal 10:45 am Worship Following Worship Shelter Meeting 9 am Pie Shell Rolling & Crumb Making 6:45 pm A-Team Meeting 7 pm Care Team Meeting 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal 5:30 pm Women s Shelter Church Office Closed 9 am Shoo Fly Pie Baking am - 1 pm 9:30 am Sunday School Shoo Fly Pie 5:30 pm 4:15 pm 10:15 am Choir Sale Pick-up Women s Church Office Rehearsal 7:15 PM Choir Shelter Closed Trinity UCC 10:45 am Worship Rehearsal Valentine s Day No Sunday School Classes 10:30 am Joint Christ UCC 6 pm- Confirmation Class 9:30 am Sunday School 10:15 am Choir Rehearsal 10:45 am Worship - Joyful Noise Offering Following Worship Epiphany Luncheon 6 pm- Confirmation Class :30 pm Governing 7:15 pm Board Choir Rehearsal :15 pm Choir Rehearsal 5:30 pm Women s Shelter Church Office Closed St. Thomas United Church of Christ 902 East Macada Road, Bethlehem, PA Church Office ~ stthomasunited.churchofchrist@rcn.com stthomasuccbeth.com Rev. Debra K Hess Pastor J. Christopher Malocheski Music Director Our Mission To welcome all people into a growing spiritual family dedicated to helping and serving others, inspired by the love of God and Jesus Christ working in our lives. Sunday School Classes ~ 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship ~ 10:45 a.m. The Good Newsletter 13