THE UNITED CHURCH of CLINTON

February Newsletter 2017

Faith, Hope,

Love

February 2017

LAY LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES Please be there by 9:45 to pass out bulletins & greet Read as specified Arrange for yourself or someone else to take the offering Stand at the door with the Pastor as everyone is leaving If you have volunteered to be a “Deacon at the Door:/ Lay Reader and can’t make it please call or e-mail the Church Office or try to get a replacement. Thank you, hopefully this will work and give everyone a chance to participate in the life of our church.

When Life “Just isn’t Fair”

“Life isn't fair.” “You aren't being fair.” “I just want what’s fair.” “That is such a double standard.” If you have lived with a teenager, you've definitely heard these battle cries a number of times. Maybe we've even used them ourselves. There is a human viewpoint in which we are looking out for “number one.” We want to make sure someone doesn’t get more benefits than we do. We want to make sure everyone experiences at least as much pain as we do. Both of these perspectives ignore the fairness concept when someone has fewer blessings than we have, or is experiencing more hardship than we are. This approach never leads to peace or contentment. In fact, the outcome is that we become covetous, cynical, bitter, and even hostile. However, there is the divine viewpoint. God misses absolutely nothing. God is completely aware of what we think, say, and do. 1 Peter 3:12-14 tells us, people who do the right thing usually don’t suffer harmful conse-quences. For example, if we pay our debts, we get to stay in our house and can usually avoid financial trouble. If we lead a healthy lifestyle, we usually live longer and with better quality. This verse shows us that when you live the right way, the odds are in your favor. Still, there are times when we do suffer and life is not fair even though our conduct and decisions are good. The next verse (14) promises that we can consider ourselves “blessed” if we suffer for righteous reasons. Obvi-ously, we can experience unpleasant consequences when we make decisions that violate God’s principles. James 1:2 gives us comfort: “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your life, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!”

Here are some insightful techniques that can help you deal with suffering and life’s unfairness. First, you are called to patiently endure unfairness, so that you can know you are fulfilling God’s plan. Second, one day you’ll be rewarded for enduring these undeserved trials (James 1:12). Third, don’t panic and don’t worry (1 Peter 3:14). Fear comes from the Greek word “phobos” which means being seized with terror and running to take flight. The instinct is to run away, but God wants to give you calmness in your spirit. Finally, acknowledge Christ as Lord over this event. “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to live at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7

Dr. Scott Stewart Best Fishes <‘}}}>< John 21:1‐14

Lay Readers are needed for Sundays in February and March. Contact Pam

Dobeck if you are interested in participating.

FEED MY SHEEP

Thanks, everyone, for filling the huge box in the Sanctuary with Winter Togs (hats, scarves, glove) that we sent to the Sioux YMCA in Dupree South Dakota. Thanks, too, for refilling the huge box with winter coats that were delivered to the local Thomas J. Serewicz Sr. Foundation to be distributed to local shelters and individuals. Reminder: If you still have your Advent baggies labelled “Feed My Sheep”, please drop them in the

collection plate during worship. The baggies are in support of our Community Café meal of pizza, salad, and ice cream which we continue to deliver on the third Monday of each month. (See also the place setting in the Sanctuary on Com-munion Sunday, the first Sunday of each month, for donations toward our Café meal.) The cost of the meal each month is around $130.00. Our Lenten Spare Change Collection: Abby’s House: During Lent, our Spare Change jars will be back in the Sanctuary. As we did last year, we’ll be supporting the work of Abby’s House in Worcester that provides both emergency shelter and affordable housing for women and their children. Learn more about Abby’s House at www.abbyshouse.org. Although winter is still with us, the days are noticeably lengthening. Soon be time to prepare our growing boxes for our mission! Growing for Others As we greet each day, may we “seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with [our] God.” (Chalice Hymn #661: What Does the Lord Require of You?) Peace and blessings, Gloria

Gloria Parkinson on behalf of Mission and Social Justice Committee members: Dianne Mather, Madeline McTague, Gloria Popp, and Pastor Scott (ex officio)

Missions & Social Justice Committee

Hello everyone! Did you know…February is the shortest month of the year? (Easy one!) February is the third month of winter. (Not too hard!) In the southern hemisphere February is our equivalent of August. (mmmmm…) The Latin word for February – Februum means purification. This seems appropriate, the cold and crisp days of mid- winter when the sun is sparking like diamonds on the snow is indeed purifying! When you are housebound, just look out the window and think how lucky we are to have a warm house, food, family and friends and the love of God. The United Church of Clinton celebrated the season of Advent with many wonderful services. Our little “Hidden Gem” knows the true meaning of Christmas and we celebrated with style! We enjoyed all of the Advent services and are so proud of our youth – they presented us with a Christmas Pageant to remember. The German Christmas Market was once again a tremendous success, we are looking forward to next year. Because there was no Deacons report in January we would like to take this opportunity to thank Gertrud and Markus Finkbeiner for all of their hard work on various committees and wish them the best of luck with their new adventure in California!

Lent is just around the corner…mark your calendars!

Shrove Tuesday – February 28th Ash Wednesday – March 1st Palm Sunday – April 9th Easter Sunday – April 16th

If you or anyone you know is in need of a visit or home communion please contact Pastor Scott, any one of the

Deacons or the church office.

Submitted for the Deacons by Pam Dobeck

DEACONS UPDATE

The Stewardship Committee would like to align the pledge year with the calendar year. This will make our pledges match our budgeting year and our tax year reporting. If you did not reply to the special fund raising letter that was sent out in late October, please make your pledge with the form in your year end pledge state-ment or use one of the forms you can find at the church.

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

Request for pledge forms:

Youth News FEBRUARY

If you are interested in volunteering in the Sunday School please contact

Heather McNamara – heather.mcnamara@uelcontractors.com

or Chrissy Dobeck – cddbeck@comcast.net

at your earliest convenience

Dates to Remember ----

February 5 - SOUPER BOWL of CARING February 19 - NO SUNDAY SCHOOL February 28 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper & Talent Show/ 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Servants in Faith Join us for our next meeting on Sunday, February 12 during coffee hour in Memorial Hall (downstairs).

Prayer Shawls and Chemo Caps: More prayer shaw ls have been added to our inventory so please feel free to take one to someone who needs a “hug” from our congregation. Please remember to write down who received it so we won’t duplicate the favor. Hugs by Mail: Thank you to Gloria Parkinson for being an angel for Fred Duncanson.

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 03 - Michael Khanoyan, Jr 03 - Bob Norwood 03 - Bryan Titus 05 - Laura Golas Facendola 06 - Jacob Chetwynd 10 - Janet Lamy 11 - Susie Hoag 13 - Sydney Furman 13 - Jon Sidney Sawyer 15 - Melissa Braconnier 16 - Jacqueline Wuth 16 - Colton Bradbury 17 - Dorothy Martinath 17 - Natalie Burgos 18 - Kevin Wuth 19 - Connor Gilchrest 22 - Justin O’Toole 24 - Bob McTague 25 - James Erickson 26 - Steven Jacobson 27 - Christine Dobeck 27 - John Lewis

FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES 05 - SOUPER BOWL of CARING /Collection during worship 06 - Deacons/ 7:00 pm 07 - Missions & Social Justice/ 7:00 pm 08 - Council/ 7:30 pm 12 - Human Trafficking Awareness Sunday 19 - No Sunday School 26 - Worship Planning/ 8:00 am 28 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper / Talent Show/ 5:00-7:00 pm

AND, THOSE IN THE MILITARY Mike Clark (Mary & Joe’s son) S/SGT Frank R. Heron (Marge Sheridan’s grandson) Captain Aubrey Sontag 1st Lt Tiffany Sontag S/A Jill Milewski Pvt. Alex Apell All who are deployed

CHURCH FAMILY PRAYER LIST The Arpano Family Jim Porcella Billie Jean Dotson Sara Houghton Jim Garceau Amanda Howe The Duncanson Family Yvonne Quinn Larry Gilman Chad Kay Don Davis

In an effort to update our Prayer List in the new year, we have removed all names that have been

on the list for longer than two months. If you would like someone’s name returned to the list

please notify the Church Office by e-mail or telephone. In the future, we will be removing

names after two months unless we receive notification.

Thank you

ALSO, REMEMBER OUR HOME WORSHIPERS Mary Bisson, Herman Schultz, Marge Sheridan, Corinne Dobeck, Marilyn Center, Tina Norwood Eunice Salmon, Gloria Nillson, Ruth Baer & Corinne Gebhardt

PLEASE NOTE Kelly Turcotte will now be handling the Altar Flower Orders.

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES 14 - Grace & Alan Baer 17 - Betty & Michael Khanoyan 26 - Heidi & Eric Furman 26 - Donna & Allan Mueller

SYMPATHIES AND PRAYERS are extended to the family and friends of Fred Duncanson who passed away last month on January 14.

ALTAR FLOWERS May be purchased for the altar in celebra-tion, honor or memory of Loved Ones or an occasion by using the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in Marquardt Hall. The full selection---two side pieces, center and bul-

letins is $50, center is $15, two sides are $30 and bul-letins are $5. The arrangements are being made by Country Garden Florists. For additional information and payment contact Kelly Turcotte or the Church Office.

COFFEE HOUR DONATIONS

The kitchen ladies are still looking for donations of baked goods for Sunday Coffee Hour.

(Please, if you are purchasing ready made baked goods, be sure to check the expiration dates.)

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CLINTON 109 Haskell Avenue Clinton Massachusetts 01510 Contact Information: The Rev. Dr. Scott Stewart…………..978-598-7142 Church Office Hours……….……...Mon -Thu 9:00-12:30 (Closed on Fridays) Office Telephone ………………………….978-365-9232 E-Mail……………………...cu@clintonunitedchurch.org Website…………………...www.clintonunitedchurch.org Committee Chairs: Council Moderator……….Bob Lidstone (978-368-7747) Deacons…………………...Pam Dobeck (978-368-1632) Missions&SocialJustice…..Gloria Parkinson(978-368-7308); Worship Planning Team…Gloria Parkinson (978-368-7308), MusicMinistryCoordinator…GloriaParkinson(978-368-7308) Youth Council Sunday School……….Christine Dobeck (978-365-3105) Heather McNamara (978-838-9963) Year I Confirmation……....Bob Lidstone (978-368-7747) Youth Council…………Cynthia Stewart (978-598-7142) Property………………......Fred Sontag (978-365-5669 ) Servants in Faith... Mary Ellen Matthew (978-870-9145)

CHURCH E-MAIL & PHONE LIST If you have recently changed e-mail addresses, telephone or cell phone numbers or are new to our Church Family and haven’t completed a member information form, please do so as soon as possible and return it to the office. The Church Family e-mail and phone list is an important part of our contact network for announcements and updates. WEBSITE The Newsletter section is updated every month …...the next updates are scheduled for the beginning of February…you can find us at www.clintonunitedchurch.org. We now also post the weekly bulletins, weekly sermons and information on upcoming and ongoing events. MARCH NEWSLETTER DEADLINE Any articles, photos, announcements, calendar events, etc. that need to be in the March 2017 Newsletter must be in the Church Office by no later than Wednesday, February 15 at 9:00 am.

UPCOMING

LENT

begins on ASH WEDNESDAY

March 1