The Good Newsletter. St. Thomas United Church of Christ. Debra

Transcription

1 The Good Newsletter St. Thomas United Church of Christ Volume MMXVII, Issue 4 April 2017 Dear Church Family and Friends ~ I do like to watch a good baseball game now and then. especially the New York Mets! Perhaps you do, too - the Yankees or Phillies or even the Iron Pigs. Spring Training is underway, a sure sign that baseball season will arrive soon! I utilized a devotional years ago using some baseball terms. I re-created it and added more terms, in an effort to offer some devotional thoughts as we continue our Lenten journey to the cross and the tomb this spring. Single - Jesus predicts his death. Read John 12: Double - Jesus is crucified with two others, one who would reject him and one who would accept him as Savior through the power of the Holy Spirit. Read Matthew 27:38. Triple - Three days after Jesus death, he would rise. He is our living Savior. Read Mark 8:31. Walk - Jesus walked to his own death on the cross. His walk encourages us as we follow in his steps. Read John 19:17. Steal - The leaders feared Jesus followers would steal his body from the grave. Rather, Jesus stole our hearts and stole us from Satan s grip by rising from the dead for our salvation. As we look toward home plate (heaven), we know we have an abundant, forgiven, and eternal life through him. Read Matthew 27:64, John 10:10. Home Run - Jesus made our run toward our heavenly home possible by his grace, through faith, and he is the only way home! Read John 14:1 6. Victory Celebration - Victory over sin and death is ours through Jesus death and resurrection. Read 1 Corinthians 15: Sacrifice - Jesus sacrificed his life for our salvation. His sacrifice was motivated by love. Read 1 John 4:9 11. The Bible directs us to the sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, for our sins and salvation. Because of his sacrifice, we can live victoriously, knowing he went to bat for us, making sure we d be safe at home! This devotion serves as a reminder that a new season of life comes with Jesus death and resurrection. May each of you find these words to be a blessing on your journey. Gentle Blessings Debra My family and I would like to extend our grateful hearts for all of your care and support since my diagnosis. May we continue to find ways to move forward together, with God s love and grace and mercy. Pastor Debra The Good Newsletter 1

2 MEMBER INFORMATION Please consider calling or sending a card to someone who is celebrating a birthday or anniversary. 2 nd Carol Ford 4 th Barbara Hoyle 17 th Elda Bruch 19 th Keith Jaindl 21 st Richard Graber 22 nd Shelby Middleton 25 th Joyce Graber 26 th Walter Frey & Amy Rohrbach 27 th Connor Morro 29 th Jessica Rasich 2 nd Amy & Dean Rohrbach 5 th Nancy Musgnung & James Harhart 6 th Debra & Ray Hess 18 th Patricia & William Musgnung, Jr. 22 nd Beverly & Roger Porter 26 th Joyce & Richard Graber Carol & Ralph Sadowski 29 th Brenda & Kenny Miller WELCOME NEW MEMBERS New members Mary Lou Anderson, Nikki & David Anthony, Dolly Cope, Terri Csaszar, Carole Csaszar & Cindy Hay were welcomed into the fellowship of St. Thomas church on March 12, DIRECTORY UPDATES Mary Lou Anderson, 3830 DeWalt St., Bethlehem, PA Nikki & David Anthony, 329 Carver Dr., Bethlehem, PA Dolly Cope, 7032 Rotterdam Square, Bethlehem, PA Carole & Terri Csaszar, 701 Frederick St., Bethlehem, PA Cindy Hay, 3710 Country Club Rd., Easton, PA 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. 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. 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. The Good Newsletter 2

3 APRIL WORSHIP FOCUS April 2 Easter Cantata April 9 6 th Sunday in Lent, Palm Sunday Scripture: Psalm 118: , Isaiah 50: 4-9a, Matthew 21: 1-11 Message: The Crowd and the Cross April 13 Maundy Thursday Seder Meal 6pm April 14 Good Friday Stations of the Cross Trinity April 16 Easter Sunday, Sacrament of Communion Scripture: Acts 10: 34-43, Matthew 28: 1-10 Message: Looking Into the Tomb April 23 Joyful Noise Offering Scripture: 1 Peter 1: 3-9, John 20: Message: Unlocking the Door April 30 Joint Worship CHILDREN S TIME FOCUS April 9 Clocks, Superheroes and Jesus April 16 Easter Butterflies April 23 Sticky Things April 30 Joint Trinity SERVING IN WORSHIP APRIL 2 GREETER... Gloria Hurley USHERS... Joyce & Richard Graber FLOWER SPONSOR... the Congregation APRIL 9 GREETER... Keith Jaindl USHERS... Jim Harhart, Cindy Hay, Amy & Dean Rohrbach ACOLYTE... Rachel Hartzell FLOWER SPONSOR... Sponsor Needed COUNTING TEAM... Kyle Hess, Dana Reaser APRIL 13 6 p.m.... Maundy Thursday Seder Meal Sign-up if you plan to attend APRIL 14 7 p.m.... Good Friday Trinity UCC APRIL 16 GREETER...Amy Rohrbach USHERS... Karen Jaindl, Brenda & Kenny Miller, Karen & Dave Peters ACOLYTE... Volunteer Needed FLOWER SPONSOR... Karen & Dave Peters COUNTING TEAM... Jason Dutt, Jeff & Eric Jaindl APRIL 23 GREETER... Gloria Hurley USHERS... Nikki Anthony, Gloria Hurley, Jean Stauffenberg, Elaine Taylor ACOLYTE... Ethan Reaser FLOWER SPONSOR... Beverly & Roger Porter COUNTING TEAM... Keith & Karen Jaindl, Karen Shook APRIL a.m.... Joint Trinity UCC The Good Newsletter 3

4 MUSIC MINISTRY CHOIR REHEARSALS Tuesdays... 7:15 p.m. Sundays... 10:15 a.m. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS Sunday, April 9 An Easter Egg Hunt will be held during Sunday School. Sunday, April 16 No Sunday School Classes Sunday, April 30 No Sunday School Classes due to 10 a.m. joint Trinity UCC 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 REQUESTS: For the Morning Prayer in Sunday worship, we will no longer be collecting prayer requests and reading them. Instead, there will be an invitation to speak aloud the situation or name on your heart and mind at that time. However, if you would a joy or concern to be lifted up in prayer and published in the bulletin for Sunday, please notify the church office by the Wednesday before that Sunday. There will be prayer slips available on the bulletin board for you to use also. Just place them in the offering plate to be printed in the next Sunday bulletin. As always, special prayer requests and needs may be brought to the attention of the pastor. Prayer List Since Our Last Newsletter: Homebound/Care Facility Bound: Mae Michael, Walter Frey, Annabel Huth GUATEMALA TRIP THANK YOU I would like to thank everyone for their donations to the Mayan family elderly program. My sister, niece and myself will be serving them lunch on Monday, April 10 th, or Tuesday April 11 th. During this time we will be presenting them with their gift bag of personal care items. Your kindness is greatly appreciated. I will be sure to take plenty of pictures so you can see the people that you have helped. Elaine Taylor The Good Newsletter 4

5 JOYFUL NOISE OFFERING Please Note! The April Joyful Noise Offering will be received during worship on Sunday, April 23 due to the joint worship service at Trinity UCC on April 30 th. 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 May newsletter by April 15 th. "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 volunteered with BES. 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. The Good Newsletter 5

6 Noon Bible Study at Trinity UCC Mondays in April Lenten Bible Study at St. Thomas UCC Life Attitudes: the Beatitudes Join us at 7 p.m. on April 3 & 10 CARD RACK We have all occasion cards for sale on our card rack. Cost: 50 each CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday thru Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Fridays The Good Newsletter 6

7 LOOKING AHEAD EASTER FLOWERS Please use the sponsor sheet located on the bulletin board to order Easter Flowers. Lilies - $9 ~ Daffodils, Tulips, & Hyacinths - $7 each The last day to order flowers is Sunday, April 2. EASTER FRUIT CRUMB PIE SALE Wednesday, April 12 ~ 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Crumb Pie Choices: Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, & Peach Crumb To Order: Place your order on the message board next to the church office, or call the church office at Cost: $9.00 each Please place your order by Wednesday April 5! Thank you. Easter Pie Baking Work Schedule Wednesday, April 5: 9 a.m. - Pie Shell Rolling (if needed) Tuesday, April 11: 9 a.m. - Easter Pie Baking Wednesday, April 12: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Easter Pie Sales TRINITY UCC SPAGHETTI DINNER Saturday, April 22 nd 4:00 7:00 p.m. The Good Newsletter 7

8 Everybody s Birthday Party April 23 rd (following worship) Food * Fun * Games Sign-up if you plan to attend Glimpses of God Prayer Walk! & Joint Worship April 30th Plan to meet in Trinity s parking lot at 9:15 and walk around the neighborhood to see where God is and pray for the people and businesses we come across. If the weather is poor, we will be doing an alternative event inside the church. This walk is part of the Joint Worship Service April 30 th at 10am where Glimpses of God is the theme of our gathering time. The confirmation class from St. Thomas & Trinity UCC churches will offer a presentation. Join us! Come in search of Glimpses of God! FLEA MARKET & BAKE SALE Saturday, May 6 th, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Spring is here clean out your basement and attic donate items (no clothing please) to the St. Thomas Table or donate something for our bake sale. Reserve your own space for $10. Call the church office to reserve your space. Proceeds benefit Christian Ed. (Rain date May 13) The Good Newsletter 8

9 Easter Sunday April 16, :45 a.m. worship service Holy Week Worship Schedule April 9 Palm/Passion Sunday 9am Trinity UCC 10:45am St. Thomas UCC April 13 Maundy Thursday 2pm Trinity UCC 6pm Seder St. Thomas UCC Sign-up if you plan to attend the meal. April 14 Good Friday Trinity UCC April 16 - Easter Sunday 9am Trinity UCC 10:45am - St. Thomas UCC 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 9

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12 MAY *Confirmation 6pm on 5/7, 5/21 *Joyful Noise Offering - last Sunday of the month May 6 Flea Market & Bake Sale May 9 Congregational Care, 7pm May 13 Rain Date/Flea Market May 15 Governing Board, 6:30pm May 21 Last Sunday School Classes May 28 - Memorial Day cemetery service May 30 Church Office Closed Memorial Day JUNE *Joyful Noise Offering - last Sunday of the month June 4 Pentecost, Confirmation, Communion June 11 - Honor graduates June 13 Congregational Care Team, 7pm June 19 Governing Board, 6:30pm NOTE: Regular Sunday Events: 9:30 a.m. All Sunday School Classes through May 21 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 April 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 9 am Shoo Fly Pie Baking 2 9 am Choir Rehearsal 9:30 am Sunday School 10:45 am Worship Easter Cantata Following Worship Refreshments 3 7 pm Lent Bible Study 10 7 pm Lent Bible Study 9 am Bake Easter Pies 11 7 pm Care Team am Pie Shell Rolling am 1 pm Easter Pie Sale Pick-Up 2 pm Trinity UCC 6 pm Seder St. Thomas UCC :30 pm Governing Board Maundy Thursday :15 pm Choir Rehearsal 9 am Pie Shell Rolling & crumb Making am Pie Shell Rolling & Crumb Making 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal Church Office Closed 7 pm Trinity UCC Good Friday 21 Church Office Closed Easter 22 Sparing Wedding 4-7 pm Spaghetti Trinity UCC Earth Day 23 9:30 am Sunday School 10:15 am Choir Rehearsal 10:45 am Worship Joyful Noise Offering Following Worship Everybody s Birthday 6 pm- Confirmation Class 10 am Joint Worship Trinity UCC 6 pm- Confirmation Class 8 Church Office Closed 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal Palm/Passion Sunday 9:30 am No Sunday School 10:15 am Choir Rehearsal 10:45 am Worship Communion 4 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal 9 9:30 am Sunday School 10:15 am Choir Rehearsal 10:45 am Worship 6 pm Confirmation Class 9 am - 1 pm Shoo Fly Pie Sale Pick-up Church Office Closed 30 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 29