The Cross & Flame. Where the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit converge to change hearts and lives.

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Much More.. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Fall/Winter Worship Schedule Services are at 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM every Sunday morning.

1 The Cross & Flame Where the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit converge to change hearts and lives. Monthly Newsletter of The United Methodist Church, Branford Happy New Year! In This Issue: From Pastor Kent Worship Stewards B-Days & Anniversaries Gratitude Page Happenings Groups Learn & Play Special Messages Announcements December Calendar Just For Kids Upcoming Events So Much More Fall/Winter Worship Schedule Services are at 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM every Sunday morning. Church Office Hours Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. Revelation 21:1a On December 31st many of you will join me (or joined me) in reading the last 4 chapters of Revelations as we conclude our chronological reading of the Bible. Within those verses are the familiar words of Revelation 21:1. After all of the descriptions of judgment and destruction, a new heaven and a new earth will emerge. A new Jerusalem will descend. Everything will become new once again, a return to the paradise of Eden. Closing one calendar and opening a fresh new calendar can give us a similar sense of hope as we begin to claim the new opportunities that the new year will provide. Let us be intentional about taking time at the beginning of 2017 to seek God s will and ask Him to direct our ways each and every day. It will be my prayer that the New Year 2017 be filled with peace, hope, love & joy for each and every one of you. Blessings, Pastor Kent The Church Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Next Cross & Flame Deadline January 15 for February issue to get the Cross & Flame out on time. Weekly Sermons Now On Our Website Thanks to the technology expertise of Roger Gagné, you can go to UMC s website to see Pastor Kent s weekly sermons. Check out the videos on - follow the link.

2 Keeping God s Time Worship Stewards January 2017 Sanctuary Steward: Heather Mazzucco (Early Worship Stewards Listed in Italics) January 1 Epiphany Sunday 9 & 10:30 am Call to Worship: (Daniel Gagné) Bud Cochran Lay Readers: (Adam Jackson) Judy Loukides Communion Servers (Laurie Gagné) Anne Jackson, Adam Jackson Greeters: (Janet Viets) Don Robinson Ushers: (Rosemary Luzzi) Linda & Bill Beagle Acolyte: Hannah Jackson Prayer Partners: Ken Schneider Don Robinson Flowers: To the Glory of God Fellowship Hosts: (Ruby Lawrence) Laurie Gagné January 8-First Sunday After Epiphany 9 & 10:30 am Call to Worship: (William Gagné) Carole Viel Lay Readers: (Rosemary Luzzi) Jean Massage Greeters: (Earl Lind) Lydia Wezenski Ushers: (Daniel Gagné) Michelle & Russell Ritter Acolyte: Ellie Bowman Prayer Partners: Ken Schneider Ro Robinson Flowers: To the Glory of God Fellowship Hosts: (Ruby Lawrence) Sam Appleton January 15-Second Sunday After Epiphany 9 & 10:30 am Call to Worship: (Adam Jackson) Bill Beagle Lay Readers: (Earl Lind) Linda Beagle Greeters: (Rosemary Luzzi) Dick Roginson Ushers: (Laurie Gagné) Sam & Larry Appleton Acolyte: William Gagné Prayer Partners: Ken Schneider M.E. Solomon Flowers: To the Glory of God Fellowship Hosts: (Ruby Lawrence) TBA January 22-Third Sunday After Epiphany 9 & 10:30 am Call to Worship: (Rosemary Luzzi) Diane Komp Lay Readers: (Anne Jackson) Ro Robinson Greeters: (Laurie Gagné) Don Robinson Ushers: (William Gagné) Alice & Tom Macy Acolyte: Hannah Jackson Prayer Partners: Ken Schneider Pat Steeves Flowers: To the Glory of God Fellowship Hosts: (Ruby Lawrence) TBA January 29-Fourth Sunday After Epiphany 9 & 10:30 am Call to Worship: (Earl Lind) Anne Jackson Lay Readers: (Adam Jackson) M.E. Solomon Greeters: (Daniel Gagné) Cyrus Kapadia Ushers: (Rosemary Luzzi) Ro & Dick Robinson Acolyte: Ellie Bowman Prayer Partners: Ken Schneider Don Robinson Flowers: To the Glory of God Fellowship Hosts: (Ruby Lawrence) TBA Lectionary Readings: January 1: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 Psalm 8 Revelation 21:1-6a Matthew 25:31-46 January 8: Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17 January 15: Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 40: Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-42 January 22: Isaiah 9:1-4 Psalm 27:1, Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23 January 29: Micah 6:1-8 Psalm 15 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Matthew 5:1-12 The Cross & Flame Published 11 times a year by The United Methodist Church, Branford, 811 East Main Street, Branford, Connecticut 06405, (203) , umcbranford@snet.net, Pastor: Rev. Kent Fredric Jackson. Deadline for copy: The fifteenth day of the month prior to publication. Brenda Prunty, Editor, reserves the right to edit for content and space UMC, Branford. 2

Bekah Gerlach Michael Luzzi Bill Beagle Shina Kim Paul Dineen Shanta Kapadia Shirley Gilkerson Lydia Wezenski Haley Mazzucco Guy &

Lee Len Dunican Rick Gregoire Sue Beatty Dick Robinson Joan Dunican Lori Cartwright Raymond Nickou Charlotte Rispoli Madelyn Caruso

! John & Carolyn Flynn Ro & Dick Robinson Charlie & Pat Steeves NEXT FILL UP DATE IS: March 15th We delivered one large bag to

1 3 3 6 8 13 13 15 16 17 18 19 19 20 23 25 13 19 27 SPECIAL DATES Collecting pop tabs is a fun and easy way to support the Ronald

All of the money is used for the Ronald McDonald Houses to support families staying there while their children are undergoing

It s fun! You can involve community groups and your family in supporting the cause without a lot of effort.

3 Bekah Gerlach Michael Luzzi Bill Beagle Shina Kim Paul Dineen Shanta Kapadia Shirley Gilkerson Lydia Wezenski Haley Mazzucco Guy & Mary Marszalek Tom & Alice Macy Bob & Conny Umile Vivien & Bill Davies Jennifer Sygiel Sam Appleton Jim Lee Len Dunican Rick Gregoire Sue Beatty Dick Robinson Joan Dunican Lori Cartwright Raymond Nickou Charlotte Rispoli Madelyn Caruso Pam Johnson Paige Machnicz Anne Carpenter-Smith Heather Mazzucco LOOKING FOR YOUR TABS!! John & Carolyn Flynn Ro & Dick Robinson Charlie & Pat Steeves NEXT FILL UP DATE IS: March 15th We delivered one large bag to Ronald McDonald House on December 17th. Thank you everyone for contributing to this great charity SPECIAL DATES Collecting pop tabs is a fun and easy way to support the Ronald McDonald House New Haven. All of the money is used for the Ronald McDonald Houses to support families staying there while their children are undergoing medical treatment. It s easy! All you need to do is remove the pop tab from each can before you put the can in your recycle bin. It s fun! You can involve community groups and your family in supporting the cause without a lot of effort. Check all your cans for tabs, they add up quickly. Put a small jar on your counter and you will be surprised how fast is will fill up. New Year s Day, January 1, 2017 Epiphany, January 6, 2017 Baptism of the Lord, January 10, 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance, January 18, 2017 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25,

Dear Methodist Family, What a beautiful surprise you gave me in church. It brought tears to my eyes. It was the best birthday in many years.

Marie Donofrio I am so thankful for the warm encouragement you offered as the staff was recognized during worship on Sunday, December 18 th.

Blessings, Pastor Kent We all are so grateful to Mary Lou Woods and Bud Cochran who arrange for the publicity for events held here at UMC, Branford.

4 Dear Methodist Family, What a beautiful surprise you gave me in church. It brought tears to my eyes. It was the best birthday in many years. Pastor Kent s visits and all the get well wishes are so appreciated. Warmth from the prayer shawl continues. Blessings to you all. Marie Donofrio I am so thankful for the warm encouragement you offered as the staff was recognized during worship on Sunday, December 18 th. Thank you for the generous Christmas bonus you gave to me and my family. We are blessed to be in ministry along with each of you as we serve Christ together. Blessings, Pastor Kent We all are so grateful to Mary Lou Woods and Bud Cochran who arrange for the publicity for events held here at UMC, Branford. Thanks to their good job, we are reaching out to people in surrounding areas, and they are coming to our events. Thank you Mary Lou and Bud for all you do to help us share the love of Christ with all the people around us. Many thanks to everyone for the generous Christmas bonus. Also, many people sent, gave me or left beautiful cards and gifts on my desk during the week before Christmas. I appreciate your thoughtful comments, and I enjoyed the gifts. I must say they all were extremely creative and the edible ones, quite delicious. Again, thank you all. Brenda Prunty 4

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ANNUAL BREAKFAST Monday, January 16, 2017 8:30 a.m. St.

James Barber Proceeds to the Branford Fuel Assistance and the Shoreline Community Dining Room. Theme: Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.

All members of UMC, Branford should plan to attend this church meeting as we review the past year and look forward to a new year of ministry.

NOTE: Committee Chairpersons and Church Officers should begin preparing their reports for the Charge Conference Booklet.

5 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ANNUAL BREAKFAST Monday, January 16, :30 a.m. St. Therese Roman Catholic Church 105 Leetes Island Road, Branford Tickets: see Pastor Kent Adults $10, Children $5, under 5 years FREE Guest Speaker: Mr. James Barber Proceeds to the Branford Fuel Assistance and the Shoreline Community Dining Room. Theme: Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. Our annual Charge Conference will be held on Sunday, January 15th. Church services and Sunday School will be at the usual times. The Charge Conference will begin at 3:00 in the afternoon. All members of UMC, Branford should plan to attend this church meeting as we review the past year and look forward to a new year of ministry. We will do all of the normal business of the Charge Conference at this meeting including approving the budget and the Nominating Committee Report. NOTE: Committee Chairpersons and Church Officers should begin preparing their reports for the Charge Conference Booklet. These Reports will be due in the church office by Friday January 6th (of course earlier submissions are welcome & encouraged). Our annual Souper Bowl Supper will be on February 5th following the 10:30 service. In keeping with tradition, 2 pots will be set out in connector hall, one for each team playing in the Super Bowl in Houston, TX that night. Please put $1 in the pot of the team of your choice. There also will be a Goal Post. Please bring a can of soup to fill the goal post. If you are willing to donate a pot of soup for the event, speak to Laurie Gagné. All money raised will be donated to area women s shelters and all cans of soup will be donated to the Branford Food Bank. 5

Please consider joining one of our UMC, Branford study groups!

Bickerton quickly explains, this is not asking the question, Why are we fighting? It is instead inviting us to consider, What are we trying to accomplish?

Wondering what to do this winter? Come make (or learn how) some easy quilt tops. There are many quilts that just need binding, and that is easier than you many think to do.

Call me to setup which night to gather: Monday or Wednesday night from 4pm to 7pm. Rosemary 203-589-1620 MEN S BREAKFAST Our monthly Men s Breakfasts group will meet on January 21st at 8:00 AM.

6 Please consider joining one of our UMC, Branford study groups! SEWING FOR GOD Call to setup which night Monday or Wednesday 4pm to 7pm Beginning on January 5th & 9th we will be studying Bishop Thomas Bickerton s book titled What Are We Fighting As Bishop Bickerton quickly explains, this is not asking the question, Why are we fighting? It is instead inviting us to consider, What are we trying to accomplish? Please consider setting aside 6 Thursday mornings (10-11:15 AM) or six Monday evenings (7-815 PM) to join in the study and conversation with other members and friends of UMC, Branford. Wondering what to do this winter? Come make (or learn how) some easy quilt tops. There are many quilts that just need binding, and that is easier than you many think to do. (Yes, this pattern is easy- let me show you.) Now that the weather is cooler, we ll meet upstairs in the small conference room, sewing machines and supplies are provided. Call me to setup which night to gather: Monday or Wednesday night from 4pm to 7pm. Rosemary MEN S BREAKFAST Our monthly Men s Breakfasts group will meet on January 21st at 8:00 AM. After a time of good food and fellowship we will view a video which will (hopefully) stimulate some energetic discussion as we reflect on its meaning for our lives and our faith. Our monthly youth night is a time for fun & fellowship!!! All youth from our church (6th-12th grade) are encouraged to attend and bring their friends. We meet in the church basement from 7-9:30 PM. Snacks are being provided. Ping Pong, Air Hockey, Foosball and video games are all available and we ll continue to add other activities in the future. Unscrooging Christmas, a talk by Max Lucado will be our discussion stimulator this month. (I had originally planned to show this in Dec, but we got snowed out). All men of our church are encouraged to put this date on their calendars and to invite friends to join them each month. The date of our January Youth Night will be Friday the 27th!!! 6

Learn & Play News Happy New Year! Thank you to those who attended our Learning Station concert on December 2 nd. While we did not have a large crowd, I think those that did attend had a good time.

7 Learn & Play News Happy New Year! Thank you to those who attended our Learning Station concert on December 2 nd. While we did not have a large crowd, I think those that did attend had a good time. Kids and adults alike were up moving and singing! Special thanks to Laurie and Roger for preparing the sanctuary for us and working the sound system! During January, our Bible theme will be water stories of the Bible. We will talk about the woman at the well, how John baptized Jesus, Jesus calming the storm and Jesus and the miraculous catch of fish. Our traditional themes will be winter, snow, ice and hibernation. We will start our Soup-er Bowl collection mid month, culminating during the week of Super Bowl in February. Once again our goal will be to collect 100 cans of soup for the church s food pantry. Go Team Learn & Play! Thank-you! As we once again transition our Learn & Play Board, I would like to thank both Ro Robinson and Alice Macy for their many years of service and, more importantly, their support! Alice has been our secretary for as many years as I have been at L&P. Monthly, she accurately notes the content of our Board meeting. She has also been my go-to person when I needed help with my excel documents. Alice is always at our events willing to help out or just support us with her presence! Ro has been on the Board for many years and has served as the Board Chair this past year. Thank you Ro for all your help, support and encouragement, not only this past year but since I have been at Learn & Play (and I do apologize for all the phone calls). Both Ro and Alice truly have a heart for children as has been so obvious during their involvement at L&P. Many blessings to both of you, and I hope you will continue to be a part of L&P. Your presence, wise counsel and positive attitude will be truly missed! Robin Costa 7

Several years ago a young man came into the church in the middle of the service.

He walked down the aisle and sat in the front row in the only seat available. The Pastor stopped his sermon and looked; the whole church was mumbling.

The Pastor said, You sure can. Then they prayed together. The boy said he was living at the shelter but had not eaten for a while. The Pastor gave him some money for food.

I have a store that is just down the road, and I could use a stock boy. I also have a room in the rear with a nice bed. Would you be interested?

8 Several years ago a young man came into the church in the middle of the service. His shirt was stained, his pants were torn, his toes were sticking out of his sneakers and he had long hair to his shoulders. He walked down the aisle and sat in the front row in the only seat available. The Pastor stopped his sermon and looked; the whole church was mumbling. After the service, the Pastor went over to the young man and said, You look like you need some help. The young man said, Oh yes!. They told me I could have the spirit of God come to me here for help. The Pastor said, You sure can. Then they prayed together. The boy said he was living at the shelter but had not eaten for a while. The Pastor gave him some money for food. The next day as the boy was walking down the road towards the shelter, a well dressed business man approached him and said, I saw you in church yesterday. I have a store that is just down the road, and I could use a stock boy. I also have a room in the rear with a nice bed. Would you be interested? The boy with tears in his eyes said, Oh yes, I ll be there. Today, that boy has grown to be a great, loving Christian. He drives a good automobile, is well loved by all, attends the same church and still works at the store as a salesman. The Lord sends his spirit to us in many strange and unusual ways. It is said that, when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, the spirit of God came down and circled his head as a snow white dove. So go out and look up when you seek the Holy Spirit, and you may also see a beautiful white dove. God bless all of you. Don Robinson Oh! And a Very Happy New Year. Nursing Home Ministry Don Robinson is dedicated to providing this important ministry. He visits a number of nursing homes and would LOVE to have others join this ministry. He would be happy to talk with anyone interested and help them get started. Call Don at or see him in church. The Work of Christmas By Howard Thurman When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry to release the prisoners, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among people to make music in the heart. Join us on January 18 th as we discuss and plan to do the work that God calls us to do. Faithful Stewards 8

Because of the generous and caring people in our church, we were able to make ten

Thank you to all who donated food, and thank you to Sam and Larry Appleton who assemble

Come join us on Saturday, January 21 at 1:00pm.

9 Because of the generous and caring people in our church, we were able to make ten deliveries to the local food banks in Thank you to all who donated food, and thank you to Sam and Larry Appleton who assemble and deliver the donated food. Would you like to see who your Secret Pal has been for 2016? Come join us on Saturday, January 21 at 1:00pm. We will meet in Herr Hall with a small luncheon, (*) to celebrate our journey together. (*) please bring a dish to share. New 2017 Secret Pal forms will be available until January 29,

2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9a Early Worship 10:30a Worship 11:30a Choir Rehearsal 2 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 3 7p Power of Praise 7:30p AA Meeting 7p Devotional Bible

7p Al-Anon 6 7 9a Train Show 7p AA Meeting 8 9a Early Worship 10:30a Worship 11:30a Choir Rehearsal 9 10a Monday Morning Quarterbacking 2p Prayer Meeting 7p Monday Study Group 10 7:30p AA Meeting 7p

10 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9a Early Worship 10:30a Worship 11:30a Choir Rehearsal 2 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 3 7p Power of Praise 7:30p AA Meeting 7p Devotional Bible Study-Shoreline Cafe 4 10a L&P Chapel 10:30a Prayer Shawl Ministry 5 10a Thursday Study Grp. 7p Al-Anon 6 7 9a Train Show 7p AA Meeting 8 9a Early Worship 10:30a Worship 11:30a Choir Rehearsal 9 10a Monday Morning Quarterbacking 2p Prayer Meeting 7p Monday Study Group 10 7:30p AA Meeting 7p Devotional Bible Study-Shoreline Cafe 11 10a L&P Chapel 10:30a Prayer Shawl Ministry 7p Church Council 12 10a Thursday Study Grp. 7p Al-Anon 13 7p Jubal s Latte 14 7p AA Meeting 15 9a Early Worship 10:30a Worship 11:30a Choir Rehearsal 3p Charge Conference 16 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 7p Trustees 8:30a MLK Breakfast 17 7p Power of Praise 7p Devotional Bible Study-Shoreline Cafe 7:30p AA Meeting 18 10a L&P Chapel 10:30a Prayer Shawl Ministry 7p Faithful Stewards 19 10a Thursday Study Grp. 5:30 L&P Board 7p Al-Anon a Men s Breakfast 7p AA Meeting 22 9a Early Worship 10:30a Worship 11:30a Choir Rehearsal 23 10a Monday Morning Quarterbacking 24 7p Prayer Meeting 7p Devotional Bible Study-Shoreline Café 25 10a L&P Chapel 10:30a Prayer Shawl Ministry 26 10a Thursday Study Grp. 7p Al-Anon 27 6p Community Dinner 7p Youth Night 28 7p AA Meeting 7:30p AA Meeting 29 9a Early Worship 10:30a Worship 11:30a Choir Rehearsal 30 10a Monday Morning Quarterbacking 31 7p Devotional Bible Study-Shoreline Café 7:30p AA Meeting 10

11 JUST FOR KIDS 11

12 The United Methodist Church, Branford 811 East Main Street Branford, CT Fax January 2017 Upcoming Events - January January 7 January 13 January 27 Shoreline Train Show Jubal s Latte Open Mike Community Dinner Committee & Board Meetings January 11 Church Council January 16 Trustees January 18 Faithful Stewards January 15 Charge Conference January 19 L&P Board Regular Groups Tuesdays 7:30 pm AA Wednesdays 10:30 am Prayer Shawl Ministry By Arrangement Sewing for God Thursdays 7:30 pm Al Anon (7:00 pm new attendees) Saturdays 7 pm AA 12

The Cross & Flame. Where the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit converge to change hearts and lives.

The Cross & Flame. Where the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit converge to change hearts and lives. The Cross & Flame Where the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit converge to change hearts and lives. Monthly Newsletter of The United Methodist Church, Branford I am Zacchaeus In This