the Cornerstone ST. PAUL S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST // MAY 2018 MISSING THE INCARNATION The church is at the heart of my faith life and spirituality. To some this might sound sacrilegious as one would be right to quote any of a number of different scriptures in John s Gospel about salvation coming through belief in Jesus alone or possibly from Acts 16:31, which states: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved Yet the reality is that it is the church who first brought me into a living, loving relationship with Jesus, with the Spirit, and with God. When my faith was failing, and I was floundering in all things related to God, it is the prayers of the church that saw me through the darkest hours of my life lifting me into the presence of Christ when I could not stand myself. It is no wonder then that I believe in God s calling of the church to be at the core of the life and redemptive power God is pouring out into the world. If it wasn t so, why on earth would God have called forth the church on the day of Pentecost? If it wasn t so, why did Paul go to such lengths to nurture and tend to whole communities of Christians whose fellowship was part of the revelation of God s reign? If it wasn t so, why is it that nations and oppressors have so feared the church that they have sought for its destruction and undermining? And yet to so many Christians the church is seen as a nonessential component of their faith. Often times, at the top of the list of criticism, is a declaration of the humanity that is inherently woven into the church. The church is a human institution, goes the criticism, as though humanity is something that God abhors, despises, or otherwise seeks to distance God s self from. And to be fair, let it be known that the church has done enough evil in this world to give ample ground for such an assault. But the problem with such an argument is Jesus, as witnessed to in the Bible. All of our creedal statements declare that in Jesus God entered into the fullness of our humanity. God did this not to destroy, persecute, or otherwise condemn all things human. Instead, God entered fully into our humanity, or Continued on page 2... Church Events May 6 CE Play It s Cool In the Furnace Man May 11 & 12 Hoagie Sale May 13 May 15 May 20 May 27 May 28 June 3 June 17 June 24-28 Duck Derby Mother s Day MTB Assistance Application Deadline Pentecost Last Day of Christian Education Memorial Day Congregational Meeting Father s Day VBS
Missing the Incarnation Continued from page 1... become incarnate enfleshed, to free us from the power of sin and evil that had bound us away from the true beauty God had intended to be an inherent part of our individual and communal humanity. There is no greater act of affirmation of God s solidarity with humanity, in our full humanity, than the gift of Jesus. If God disdained and refused to be engaged in the works and means of humans, then we never would have had Jesus in the first place. But God did come to us in Jesus. And in coming to us in Jesus, God called and invited us into true community with one another and with God. There is a reason that Jesus gives us a two-fold command: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39). He gives this command because the salvation we have been won to is one that is between us and God and us and the rest of humanity. It is in the physical relationships, and struggles, of a human church that we live out and witness to this truth on earth as it is in heaven. As such, God has gifted us with the ministry of being the church and its role of physically living out the incarnation of God s salvation of humanity to one another and to God. No wonder we call it the body of Christ. And for people like me, it is the community where we invite a broken and lost world to discover that God truly has come to be among us as we share of hope, blessing, and strength in ways that continue to give flesh to Jesus love. Thankfully In Christ, Pastor Joe St. Paul s Celebrates! Back in March, we celebrated Curtis Hafer's 70th anniversary as a member of St. Paul's. Other notable membership anniversary are happening this spring, too: 40 years: (April 23, 1978) Eric Dragan 10 years: (April 27, 2008) Dawn Fear, Dyck Fear, Janeen Adil 10 years: (May 11, 2008) Jonathan Audette, Derrick Dragan, Zachary Dragan, Emily Fister, Ryan Stone Let's give thanks for these saints of the church! Worship Schedule May 6 th, 9:30am 6 th Sunday of Easter: Children s Musical Communion by Intinction Reception to follow the worship service May 13 th, 9:30am 7 th Sunday of Easter: Mother s Day Youth Education Classes (0-9 th grade) May 20 th, 9:30am Pentecost: Communion by Intinction Youth Education Classes (0-9 th grade) May 27 th, 9:30am Trinity Sunday: Memorial Day Weekend Last Youth Education Classes (0-9 th grade) till September Ales & Nails With great excitement we are launching the second Ales and Nails series this May. From May 15 June 5 th come with your friends each Tuesday night, 6:30-7:45pm at Island Pizza, 3060 Limekiln Rd, Birdsboro, PA 19508. The series will focus on the four Gospels and how their different telling of the crucifixion and resurrection create different theologies and meaning of that event. Each week we will focus on a different Gospel, with Mark being the first. Come with your Bible having read Mark 11-16 for a full understanding of Mark s approach to the crucifixion and resurrection. All are welcome! 1
Final Installation of a 3-Part Series: 50 Ways To Take Church To the Community From the Lewis Center for Church Leadership Reach out through community events 26. Plan bridge events designed explicitly to draw people from the community by providing for them something they need or enjoy block parties, free concerts, seasonal events, parenting classes, sports camps, or school supply giveaways, etc. Source: Get Their Name by Bob Farr, Doug Anderson, and Kay Kotan (Abingdon Press, 2013) 27. Hold these events off church property or outside the church walls in venues where people feel comfortable and naturally congregate. 28. Get the word out through a well-planned publicity campaign. 29. Encourage church members to invite their friends and neighbors. It is less threatening for them to invite someone to a community event than to worship. 30. Avoid explicitly religious themes: no preaching, prayers, pressure, or financial appeals that might turn people off or reinforce negative stereotypes about church. 31. Remember, the event itself is not the purpose. The purpose is to meet people where they are and build relationships. Mingle. Get to know people. 32. Have a well-trained hospitality team. Make sure guests are enjoying themselves and know their attendance is appreciated. 33. Gathering people s names and information about them will permit follow up to those for whom it is appropriate. 34. Invite those who attend community events to another event sometimes called a hand off event planned to draw them into a deeper relationship. Extend your congregation s spiritual presence beyond church walls 35. Recognize that many unchurched people are spiritually inclined but apprehensive about attending church because they feel unwelcome, distrust institutions, or have been hurt in the past. 36. Pay attention to the heightened receptiveness to spiritual engagement around religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas. 37. Offer offsite worship services on special days, such as Christmas Eve, Palm Sunday, and Easter. Select familiar venues where people feel comfortable parks, restaurants, parking lots, coffee houses. 38. Offer imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday in public places. 39. Partner with other institutions (such as nursing homes, hospitals, or prisons) or commercial establishments (restaurants, bars, shopping centers, or sports facilities) to offer worship services to their constituents or clientele on special days. 40. Plan creative outdoor events, such as live nativities or blessing of the animals services, to help make your church visibly present to the community in creative ways. 41. Hold your Vacation Bible School in a local park or recreation center. Canvas nearby neighborhoods to invite families. 42. Reach out to local media. Community outreach is often newsworthy, and reporters are often looking for religiously themed stories around the holidays. Connect spiritual outreach to community service 43. Acknowledge that many served through feeding and clothing ministries, justice ministries, weekday children s services, and other ministries of community service have no other connections with our churches. 44. Ask if these ministries inadvertently convey an us and them attitude or communicate that you are not worthy of joining us. 45. Identify aspects of church life, such as character-istics of the building or how people dress, that may make some feel unwelcome. Are there alternatives that may reduce barriers for some to enter? 46. Treat everyone as a person of dignity who deserves respect. 47. Extend genuine hospitality to those you serve. 48. Focus first on building relationships of understanding and trust. 49. Consider adding a spiritual or discipleship element to community service activities but without any sense of expectation or requirement. For example, have a service or study following ESL classes for any interested. 50. Seek to conduct each activity in a way that connects people to God and the church.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Summer Camp Scholarships Last Call To ensure that families can afford this opportunity, St. Paul s provides scholarship assistance (up to half tuition) for any member/member s child interested in attending a Christian camp. Applications for the scholarship are available through the church office. Summer camp doesn t need to be just about teens and youth, but can be about your family or grandparents as well. Check out the amazing opportunities provided at the Hartman Center in Milroy PA www.hartmancenter.com an ACA accredited UCC camp, Bear Creek in Wilkes- Barre www.bearcreekcamp.org an ACA accredited Lutheran, or any of a number of other amazing Christian Summer Camps. Box Tops Thank you for collecting and bringing your Box Tops. We have been collecting a lot of Box Tops since we asked for your help. This last month we collected $19.60 to help our school. We love all that you are doing! Keep on collecting. -Natalie and Olivia Motz Prayer Around the Cross The next gathering will be on Wed. May 30, from 7-7:30 pm in St. Paul's sanctuary. This night our prayers will focus on the familiar and beloved imagery of Psalm 23, as we find ourselves within the Shepherd's care. Everyone is very welcome to join in a time of special readings coupled with peaceful silence! Official Call Spring Congregational Meeting Our mid-year congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, June 3 rd following the 9:30am worship service. This is the time to hear about our congregation s ministries, discuss the future directions God is calling us to, and lift one another up in our common call share in being the living Body of Christ. Tentative meeting topics include: Congregational Coach Update Highlights from the Mission: Birdsboro 5K Updates on the 2018 Mission Trip Birdsboro Presentations from the VBS Team Consistory Elections Financial Update If you would like to make a verbal presentation or submit a written report, please contact the church office by May 14 th so that your information may be included. Did You Know... The most recent Facebook review of St. Paul s has us rated as 1 star. Plus of the 5 other reviews posted for our church are generally at least a year old. This is your church, and you have an ability to right reviews and give ratings to our congregation. Therefore, this week, take the time to let others know why you value this congregation. Because the reviews matter! Consistory Corner February 2018 Discussed January s Congregational Meeting. What was learned and feedback. Reviewed December and January s financial reports. Discussed Treasurer search. Elders recommended reinstating Donny Fister and Lacey Spitler as full members of the Congregation. Approved. Questions reviewed and discussed regarding inactive members and re-engaging them in the ministry of the Church. All members of Consistory to take Leadership Training Program from PSEC. Approved Grace Griffith s installation on April 8, 2018. March 2018 Reviewed two documents recently released, Covenant Association Bylaws and Policies and Legal Issues Housing Allowance and Public Funds to Religious Institutions. No real discussion to be noted around the Covenant Association document. Housing Allowance issue discussed, could put a real strain on us as a church if passed, wait to see the outcome. Grants for improvements also discussed. All Consistory members should complete at least one leadership modules by April s meeting Discussing and reviewing nominating individuals for Spring Election Separate meeting to be held to review Consistory roles and expectations Consistory to man a Church display table at 5k race on April 21 st. Approval for Pastor Joe to present a 6 minute camp video during worship on April 29 th.
Memorial Gift Donations Thank you to the following people who generously gave donations in memory of Jane J. Mountz to St. Paul s Memorial Fund. Della & Barry Drey William & Ethel Hughes Rev. Joseph Motz Esther Umstead Worship Leadership May Worship Date Worship Stewards Acolytes Ushers Nursery May 6 Steve Flanagan Natalie Motz Stuart Wells & Dane Dierwechter May 13 Johnny Hunter Olivia Motz May 20 Janeen Adil Victoria Nuss Wanda Druzba & Anna Oister Pat Babel & Carole Audette May 27 Mary Motz William Manney Judy Reeser & TBD Ministers of the Gospel of Christ All Members Consistory Stuart Wells, President Sherry Hunter, Vice President Dawn Fear, Secretary Richard Wolf, Treasurer Jeff Baker Bonnie Frankhouser Carole Audette John Hunter III Steve Flanagan Ministry Team Leaders Anna Oister, Helping Hands Sherry Hunter, Personnel, Hoagies John Hunter Jr, Buildings & Grounds Dee Christman, Special Events Rev. Joseph Motz, Touching 1,000 Lives, Mission Trip Birdsboro Rachel Flanagan, Christian Education Holly Bretzius, Mission:Birdsboro 5K Eloise Stevens, VBS Janeen Adil, Elders Supporting Ministers Rev. Joseph Motz, Pastor Janeen Adil, Minister of Christian Spirituality Grace Griffith, Organist Luwaina Baker, Administrative Assistant Barbara Kerper, Sexton Richard Wolf, Treasurer Rachel Flanagan, Bookkeeper To become more actively involved in the life and ministry of St. Paul s United Church of Christ in our mission to celebrate the living presence of our Lord, contact a ministry team leader or contact Pastor Motz to see where you might begin.