Annual Stewardship Pledge Drive

Transcription

1 Saint Andrew United Church of Christ The Heartbeat October Browns Lane Louisville, Kentucky Website: Phone: (502) Sunday School for all ages 9:15 AM; Sanctuary Worship 10:30 AM Annual Stewardship Pledge Drive Gifts of Good News (Acts 17:16-31) In a time of intentional focus on stewardship, the story of Paul in Athens may strike us as an odd biblical story for today. Isn t this the time when we normally hear the parable of the talents; or about the foolish barn-builder; or the rich man who was shocked to hear Jesus s answer that to see the Realm of God you have to sell it all and give the proceeds to the poor? Stewardship is about money; but not only about money. Its many facets include, among other things, the sharing of our faith. This is precisely what Paul is engaged in with the Athenians. Noting their many idols as he has toured their great city, he calls attention to one particular worship space dedicated to an unknown god. The Athenians are scrupulous in not wanting to offend the deities by leaving any divinity unacknowledged. Paul seizes the opportunity to introduce them to the God made known in Jesus Christ. The One True God. This God, once unknown, has now been revealed! In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes that we are stewards of the mysteries of God. As people who know the nature of our God and the love that God has for all of creation, a love that is more powerful even than death itself, we are called to share this story. We are stewards of the Gospel and as such we do not hoard this good news, but we offer it to others. Paul was radically devoted to God and the mission to tell the world of God s loving intentions toward creation. His priority was to love and serve the God who could not be contained in any idol of wood, stone, silver, or gold. When you know this to be true, it puts everything else in its proper place. As we reflect on what it means to be a steward, we are invited to think both about our priorities and how well we have shared with others the real treasure we have in the story of our faith. How are you practicing this kind of stewardship? Who can you tell about God s unconditional love? From the Pastor Phil Gulley Book Study in October! After Phil Gulley speaks at our church on October 15, we will have a two week book study on his newest book, Unlearning God: How Unbelieving Helped Me Believe The new book is to be released on September 25 and will be for sale the evening of his talk at St. Andrew. Study Group will meet Mondays, October 22 and 29 from 5:30 7:00 p.m. Here s a little bit about the book! With his trademark humor and down-home wisdom, Philip Gulley serves as just the spiritual director a wayward pilgrim could warm to, inviting readers into his own sometimes rollicking, sometimes daunting journey of spiritual discovery. He writes about being raised by a Catholic mother and a Baptist father across the street from a family of Jehovah s Witnesses all three camps convinced the others are doomed. To nearly everyone s consternation, Philip grows up to be a Quaker and a pastor. In Unlearning God, Gulley showcases his well-loved gift as a storyteller and his acute sensibilities as a public theologian in conversations that will charm, provoke, encourage, and inspire. Inside this issue: Page 2 Philip Gulley, Mark Your Calendars, Grief & Loss Page 3 Faith & Health, Louise Grant library, Women Page 4 Nurture Team, Thank you, Coffee Shop Page 5 Birthdays & Anniversaries, SAUCC, Memorials Page 6 Good Samaritan Fund, Merom Page 7 Daily Lectionary Page 8 Next Heartbeat Deadline

2 Page 2 HEARTBEAT Pastor...Continued from page 1 A Time for Understanding Grief and Loss: Finding Hope and Healing Three Sessions offered by the Revs. Tom and Lori Miller-Price Mondays November 5, 12, 19 from 5:30 7:00 p.m. We are offering these classes because so many of our members are dealing with grief in their lives. We hope that you will come whether the loss is recent or from long ago and even if your grief feels small compared to others. We also hope you will think of people in your lives that are struggling and that you will want to invite to these classes as well. Grief is a painful process and you do not have to go through it alone. We will discuss what grief is and the many forms of grief (loss through death, loss of a relationship, loss of a life dream, loss of physical or mental health) and we will offer an in-depth look into understanding the stages and tasks of grieving. We will offer tools for finding hope and healing. Lori and Tom have both done extensive continuing education with a focus in pastoral care and grief counseling. Lori s experience has always been with people in the local church and Tom has experience both as a pastoral counselor and as a chaplain with Hosparus of Louisville. Please sign-up by October 28, so we can have an appropriate number of resources and books to give you. Refreshments will also be provided. Grief is the price we pay for love Queen Elizabeth II No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. - C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed Mark Your Calendars Now TAIZÉ WORSHIP Sundays at 7 pm October 14, November 11, December 9. ST ANDREW NIGHT AT JUST CREATIONS Friday, October 26 Profits from purchases will benefit St. Andrew s missions. This is the same night as the Fourth Friday Trolley Hop. CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS 2018 Virginia Neat - President David Aikens - Vice President Elaine Caldwell - Secretary Mike Jones Debbie Clover Judy Johnson Caroline Martinson Kim Poppe Rick Wehr

3 HEARTBEAT Page 3 Faith & Health Ministry October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! All women are at risk for breast cancer, and detecting breast cancer early is the key to survival! Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S. In 2016, more than 240,000 cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in women, and 2600 cases in men. Every 2 minutes, one case of breast cancer is diagnosed in the U.S. In 1980, the 5 year survival rate for women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer was about 74 percent. Today, that number is 99 percent. Currently, there are more than 3 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. ****1 in every 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime!**** Here are a few steps you can take: 1. Know your family history on both sides and discuss any concerns with your medical provider. 2. Starting at age 20, have a clinical breast exam by a trained medical provider at least every 3 years. Starting at age 40, have a clinical breast exam and a mammogram, every year. 3. Know how your breast look and feel; report any changes to your doctor. If you notice any of the following warning signs, see your health care provider as soon as possible: --Lump, hard knot, or thickening --Swelling, warmth, redness, or darkening --Change in the size or shape of the breast --Dimpling or puckering of the skin --Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple --Pulling in or your nipple or other parts of the breast --Nipple discharge that starts suddenly --New pain in one spot that doesn't go away As you can see, breast cancer awareness and early detection is the key. On a personal note, my Mom had breast cancer that was fairly advanced when it was discovered. Had she told someone about it, she may still be here with us. Lasr year I had my yearly mammogram, and the doctor found a small spot. I had a repeat mammogram and ultrasound. Due to my Mom's history of breast cancer, I had a Breast biopsy, and it turned out fine. I am scheduled for my yearly mammogram next week, so be diligent my friends check your own breasts, and remind your friends to check their breasts and have their yearly check ups! And don't forget to wear PINK in honor of or in memory of all those with breast cancer! In His Service, Elaine From the Louise Grant Library... I found TRAVELERS ON THE JOURNEY, a book written by Mark D. Constantine a local pastor in a church in Louisville at the time the book was written. It had been borrowed from the St. Andrew Library and returned. I had not read the book but was very impressed by the offerings of six Christian leaders. A quote from Lynn Huntley speaks to all of us church members. Students, clergy, congregations, public officials all owe it to themselves to learn from pastors who write in the book what we should be doing as people of faith. This book is encouraging and inspiring and instructive. Lynn Huntley is President of the Southern Education Foundation. We should think where we can support the direction that our church has chosen to follow. Where do we want to make a difference? What can you offer to St. Andrew? Librarians: Judy Hardin and Susan Poppe Women of St. Andrew All Women Are Welcome Monday, October am - Work Projects 12 noon - Business Meeting Bring a Sandwich, Drinks Are Provided Come give us a try. You can come at any time and leave at any time, whatever is convenient for you. It will be a good day for you and your efforts will help make someone else have a good day too!

4 HEARTBEAT NURTURE TEAM 17 Thank you! Many, many thanks to each of you who brought items to sell, who came and shopped and ate and fellowshipped with us. Our thanks to those who helped set up, who picked up and delivered, who baked fantastic desserts, and then went home and baked some more. Special thanks to Phyllis and Anna who worked each day to sort, clean, and price each item. Special thanks also to Pat Kidwell who still has treasures to sell for us on EBAY. Extra thanks to Joyce Louden who organized the Fish Fry and the food for Saturday and her sous chefs. Oh! That yummy German potato salad! To those who just came when you could and did whatever was needed, we thank you. And to all of you who put up with our mess for a couple of months and didn t complain.much. Our total at this point is over $4, and counting. With love til next year, Ye Olde Yard Sale Ladies, Elaine, Anna, and Phyllis Page 4 The following is a list of all (I hope) of those who helped: Rick, Elaine, and Kyle Caldwell, Bob Rosenbaum, Joyce and Joe Louden, Mary and Rick Wehr, Howard and Judy Hardin, Susan Poppe, Anna Walker, Phyllis Fultz, Caroline Martinson, Barbara Scherer, Julia, Beverly Jones, Lori Miller-Price, J.R. Cannaday, Cindy Jones, Linda Sherer, Marsha Liestner, Phillip Deller, David Sickbert, Joyce Volk, Janet Thomas, Sharmille Sawyer, Mary Bundy, Nance, David Aiken, Donnie and Virginia Neat, Alice Vaughn, Donna Block.

5 HEARTBEAT Page 5 SAUCC Children & Youth 3rd 6th 8th Ann Beckemeyer Bob Webb Michael Childers Barbara Voll 10th Karen Letendre 14th Raymond Block 17th Ellen Beckemeyer Rick Wehr 20th Harvey Johnson 21st Teresa Aikens 26th Sarah Goud 27th Janice Moore James Willett 28th Bob Stevens 29th John Wicker 30th Kira Wicker 31st Bob Volk 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! SAUCC regular Sunday meetings start on October 7 from 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM. Please note there is a slight time change. SAUCC's first service project Thrift N Thrive on Saturday October 13, 2018 at 10:00-12:30. Meet at church at 10:00 AM to carpool to store. Meet at church for pick-up at 1:00. Additional adults needed to attend and help supervise the youngest SAUCC kids. Thank you! Memorials In memory of Al Meier, donations were made to memorial fund by Mr & Mrs Teckentien, Mr & Mrs Brian Fingerson, David Sickbert, In memory of Quentin Sharpenstein, donations were made to the memorial fund by Janet Christiana, Colleen Moundry and to the Leona Roney Music Fund by Nancy Hoggett, Mrs & Mrs. Thomas Raderer, David Sickbert, Myron Kean, Judy Johnson In memory of Tony Schmidt, a donation was made to the Leona Roney Music Fund by Terri Schmidt. In memory of Jim Riffe, a donation was made to the Current Fund by Terri Schmidt

6 HEARTBEAT Page 6 The Good Samaritan Fund As most church members know the Good Samaritan Fund was created to help those church members who fall on hard times and need financial help. This year we have had a number of requests and our available funds have diminished. We again are asking for your help and reminding you that we collect the first Sunday of every month at the Sanctuary doors. Envelopes will also be available in the pews every Sunday and you may use those envelopes any Sunday and place them in the offering plate and they will be given to the Good Sam Fund. Fall at Merom May God bless all of you who offer good will to those in need! Harlan Beckemeyer, Chairman Good Sam For Merom, we are still collecting:

7 HEARTBEAT Daily Lectionary October 2018 Page 7

8 October 2018 Heartbeat Issue 59 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, October 15th