Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Good Newsletter 1
The Good Newsletter St. Thomas United Church of Christ
Volume MMXVII, Issue 8 August 2017
Dear Church Family and Friends,
As I write this, an early morning near the end of July, the sun is blazing in all its glory, the sky is blue and cloudless with barely a whisper of a breeze. The news I hear from the other room declares that this is the first heat wave recorded in the month of July. At the moment I collected all this information in my brain, I realize I have not buried one toe in the sand yet this summer! Oh my!
It has been hot and humid. The piece of scripture that comes to mind is from Psalm 121: 5-6: “The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.”
For many, the summer heat and humidity will seem unbearable. We know there are things we can do to stay cool and to protect ourselves from the heat. Sometimes, it seems that the ‘heat’ of the world can also beat down on us. In these instances, we also need to stay cool and protected.
How can we beat the heat?
We can find shade and there, we will find an opportunity to rest and spend time with God, our protector. We can read a devotional or our bible; or we can just sit in quiet prayer and praise with our Creator. We need to stay hydrated; to drink plenty of water. With the summer heat and the heat of the world beating down on us, it takes a lot
out of us; zaps our energy. As Christians, we could take this time to quench our thirst by reading a devotional or study God’s word. In doing these things, our spirits will be lifted up and our thirst satisfied.
Absolutely, we should slow down. Heat drains us. Even when we have hectic schedules and a heavy-laden to-do list, when the temperatures rise, we need to take a step back, pace and breathe. We also need to think before we speak, so we do not become hot-headed. Losing our cool when waiting in line, is not going to make the line move any faster.
Admit it. We always feel cooler when there is a breeze. The slightest bit of air revives us when it is hot. When we make room for the Holy Spirit to work in us, we can feel revived, too. When the heat is turned up, the Spirit’s strength will give us that extra boost of energy we need.
When the sun is blazing, it is probably not the best time to mow the grass, clean gutters, work in the garden or pull weeds. We need to avoid those activities in the extreme heat. When it is hot and humid, our bodies become weak and dehydrated and we cannot work at our full potential. These tasks can wait until another day.
Take a moment to think, as Christians, what might dehydrate us? What things zap our energy and prevent us from serving Christ with our full potential?
I hope these suggestions help you to beat the heat this summer. For me, I know I need that cooling off and lifting up that only Christ can give.
Gentle Blessings ~
Debra
The Good Newsletter 2
MEMBER INFORMATION Please consider calling or sending a card to someone who
is celebrating a birthday or anniversary.
Ryleigh Elizabeth Takacs, daughter of Kristie and Jason Takacs, was baptized on July 9, 2017.
WEDDING
Shelby Middleton & Bryton Danner were united in
marriage on Saturday, July 22, 2017. Congratulations Shelby & Bryton!
SPONSORS The flower and bulletin sponsor sheet is posted for the rest of 2017. 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.
3rd Matthew Ford & Jeffrey Jaindl 12th Mary Lou Anderson 18th Kenneth Hay & Mesha Lyons 19th Dean Rohrbach 20th Roger Porter 21st Lucille Urban 22nd Jarrod Bond, Jr. 27th David Peters 29th Stephen Senft & Jessica Wagner
1st Barbara & Rich Hoyle 11th Ulvia & Michael Shay 16th Karen & Adam Shook 17th Gail & Joseph Malocheski
The Good Newsletter 3
AUGUST
WORSHIP FOCUS August 6 – Scripture: Proverbs 1 & 2
Message: “A Prudent Life” August 13 – Service of Prayer and Healing
with Holy Communion August 20 – Scripture: Hosea 4: 1-6
Message: “HELP!” August 27 – Joyful Noise Offering
Scripture: Job 29: 20, Hebrews 4:12-16
Message: “On Target”
CHILDREN’S TIME FOCUS
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK THE HOPE BAGS SCHEDULE at TRINITY!
August 6 – “What’s in Your First Aid Kit?” August 13 – “The Meaning of Church” August 20 – “Seashells” August 27 – “Staying Within the Lines”
SERVING IN WORSHIP
AUGUST 6 GREETER .................................................... Cindy Hay USHERS ........................................ Carol & Matt Ford,
Kim & Rachel Hartzell FLOWER SPONSOR ............................ Jennifer Koplin COUNTING TEAM .................. Elaine Taylor, Bob Wilt
AUGUST 13
GREETER ....................................... Linda Wintergrass USHERS ........................... Shirley Hein, Gloria Hurley,
Jean Stauffenberg, Linda Wintergrass FLOWER SPONSOR .................. Ulvia & Michael Shay COUNTING TEAM ............................... Larry Hillegass
AUGUST 20 GREETER ................................................Elaine Taylor USHERS .................................... Cindy Hay, Dave Hay,
Lucille & Gary Urban FLOWER SPONSOR ............................. Beverly Porter COUNTING TEAM .................................. Karen Shook
AUGUST 27
GREETER .................................................. Keith Jaindl USHERS ................................. Brenda & Kenny Miller,
Karen & Dave Peters FLOWER SPONSOR ....................... Jean Stauffenberg COUNTING TEAM .... Nancy Musgnung, Dana Reaser
The Good Newsletter 4
SUMMER WORSHIP….A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES
This summer, the focus passages in sermons and children’s messages continue to focus on the Old Testament. The Old Testament sets up the categories for how we see Jesus. It shows how God calls us to live in our religious, economic, and political realities today. Come, journey with us!
MUSIC MINISTRY CHOIR REHEARSALS
Sundays .................................................................................................................................. 10:15 a.m.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS The Start of Sunday School is Right Around the Corner! – Watch for a postcard in the mail! Sunday School is available to youth age 3 through sixth grade. We are also looking for Sunday School Teachers. Teaching is done on a sign-up – rotating schedule. Please contact Amy Rohrbach ([email protected]) if you are interested in teaching.
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 email the church office. If you know someone who is in need of prayer, contact one of the persons listed.
Pastor Debra, 610-739-4926 Diane Wilt, 610-691-3841 Laurene Blair, 610-691-3652 Donna Hoffman, 610-868-5509 Kenny Miller, 610-868-7182 Karen Peters, 610-866-0583
Prayer List Since Our Last Newsletter: Homebound/Care Facility Bound: Walter Frey, Annabel Huth, Mae Michael
The Good Newsletter 5
The Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. Thomas meets the fifth Sunday of the month following worship at St. Thomas. The next prayer shawl gatherings will be held following worship on July 30 & October 29, 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.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a prayer shawl, please contact Pastor Debra or the church office.
SUMMER VACATIONS Summer is here. Unfortunately, when we take summer vacation, church expenses do not. Please give prayerful consideration to your church giving over the summer. Some care and consideration of meeting this financial need to support our ongoing ministry is paramount. Remember, you can mail your offering to the church office or bring the envelope to church before you go!
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 September newsletter by August 15th.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday thru Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Fridays
The Good Newsletter 6
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
John 15:12 …To all those who volunteer to serve as ushers, greeters and acolytes. …To all those who serve on & help with the various teams.
CARD RACK ~ CARDS 50¢ each We have all occasion cards for sale on our card rack.
The Good Newsletter 7
TRINITY UCC DART TEAM needs you! Games are played on Monday evenings
from 7 - 9 pm at various churches during the league season beginning in September. No experience necessary. Will provide training.
Needed - a desire to have a fun night out, a competitive spirit, and a willingness to commit your time and effort.
For information, call Annmarie at 610-759-7375.
HOPE Bags HOPE bags are paper bags decorated with love and then filled with crayons, a tablet and a small toy. They are made with the HOPE of giving a smile to a child. These HOPE bags are then taken to St. Luke’s Pediatrics. Children and youth of all ages are invited to help create these HOPE Bags for children in the hospital.
St. Thomas is collecting small non-gender toys that would fit in a paper lunch bag. If you’d like to contribute to this mission
project please place your toy(s) in the bin outside the church office. Any member of our church who knows of a child in any other hospital may pick up a HOPE bag for them. If you’d like to help put together the HOPE bags the work schedule is listed below.
SCHEDULE for working on HOPE bags @ Trinity UCC 8/6 - NO HOPE bags 8/13 – Week #4, 9 am 8/20 – Week #5, 9 am 8/27 - NO HOPE bags
The Good Newsletter 8
Source: newsletternewsletter.com
The Good Newsletter 9
Sunday, August 13, 2017 10:45 a.m. worship service
MUSIKFEST PARKING
Planning on going to Musikfest? Park at Trinity UCC’s parking lot
for only $5! August 4 – 13 from 2 – 10 p.m.
Benefits: Trinity UCC & Emmanuel E.C.
Churches
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: 610-868-9167 Cell: 610-739-4926 Church Office
Karen Jaindl – 610-868-9167 Governing Board
President: David Hay Vice President: Bob Wilt Treasurer: Matt Erdman Recording Secretary: Karen Jaindl Financial Secretary: Karen Peters 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 – 610-868-9167 or 570-709-9474
Prayer Resource Person Diane Wilt – 610-691-3841
Christian Education Amy Rohrbach
Email Address St. Thomas UCC ~
[email protected] Web Sites
St. Thomas ~ stthomasuccbeth.com Penn Northeast Conference of the U.C.C. ~ www.pnec.org United Church of Christ, Cleveland, Ohio ~ www.ucc.org
Pastoral Care Please call the staff through the church office, 610-868-9167, or contact Pastor Debra, 610-739-4926, if you or family members are in need of Pastoral Care.
The Good Newsletter 10
LOOKING AHEAD…
FUNDRAISER Cub Scout Pack 329 from Trinity UCC will have a car wash in
St. Thomas’ parking lot on Saturday, August 26 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
$5 a Car! Stop by and get your car(s) wash!
PEACH FESTIVAL & BASKET RAFFLE
Saturday, August 19 - 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Rain date Sunday, August 20 - 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Sign-up sheets are posted! Volunteer your time and /or donate items.
Peach Festival Basket Raffle Sign-Ups 1. Sign up for a basket of your choice.(sign-up sheet on bulletin board)
2. Purchase the items and fill a basket/container of your choice or request items from local businesses/organizations.
3. Return the basket to the church by Sunday, August 13th.
Thank you for your support.
For questions, contact Kim Hartzell at 610-739-4921.
PEACH FESTIVAL PEACH PIE SALE Saturday, August 19, 2017 ~ 12 – 4 p.m.
To Order: Place your order on the message board next to the church office, or call the church office at 610-868-9167
Cost: $9.00 each Please place your order by Wednesday, August 9!! Thank you.
Rain Date August 20 ~ 12 – 4 p.m.
The Good Newsletter 11
JOINT WORSHIP & PICNIC On Sunday, September 10, we will be sharing worship at Catasauqua Park with Trinity UCC from 10 – 11 a.m., followed by food and fellowship. Please watch for more information and a sign up sheet to see who will be attending.
JOIN US - FALL BIBLE STUDY
At Trinity UCC
@ NOON on MONDAYS
Beginning September 18
Room 105
“Lord, I Want to Know You” by Kay Arthur
This is an opportunity to get to know God more fully by studying God’s names - Creator, Healer, Protector, Provider, and many others. God will meet us where we are along the way. Bring a bag lunch
SEPTEMBER *Phoebe Ministries Offering the entire month *Joyful Noise Offering - last Sunday of the
month September 4 – Church Office Closed/Labor Day September 10 – Shared Worship & Picnic September 12 – Congregational Care, 7 p.m. September 17 – Sunday School starts,
Breakfast, Teacher Recognition & Installation
September 18 – Governing Board, 6:30 p.m. September 23 – CROP Walk Fund Raiser September 24 – Joyful Noise Offering, Backpack
Blessing
OCTOBER *Neighbors In Need Offering the entire month *Joyful Noise Offering - last Sunday of the
month October 1 – World Communion, Animal
Blessing October 8 – CROP Walk October 10 – Congregational Care, 7 p.m. October 16 – Governing Board, 6:30 p.m. October 22 – Joint worship at St. Thomas October 25 – Pumpkin Carving October 28 – Craft Fair October 29 – Joyful Noise
NOTE: Regular Sunday Events: 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!
The Good Newsletter 12
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 4 5
Church Office
Closed
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 10:15 am – Choir
Rehearsal
10:45 am – Worship –
Offering for the Band
6:30 pm –
Peach Festival
Food Making
9 am – Pie
Shell Rolling
Church Office
Closed
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
10:15 am – Choir
Rehearsal
10:45 am – Worship –
Communion, Offering
for the Band
6 pm – Joint
Church Meeting
– Potluck Dinner
6:30 pm –
Peach Peeling
9 an – Bake for
the Peach
Festival
9 am – Bake for
the Peach Festival
6:30 pm –
Shared Ministry
Meeting @ St.
Thomas
Church Office
Closed
9 am – Peach
Festival Set-up
& Prep
12-4 pm –
Peach Festival
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
10:15 am – Choir
Rehearsal
10:45 am – Worship
(Rain Date for Peach
Festival)
6:30 pm –
Governing
Board
Church Office
Closed
10 am – 1 pm –
Cub Pack 329 Car Wash Fund Raiser
27 28 29 30 31
10:15 am – Choir
Rehearsal
10:45 am – Worship -
Joyful Noise Offering
Following Worship –
Staff Meeting
August 2017
St. Thomas United Church of Christ 902 East Macada Road, Bethlehem, PA 18107
Church Office ~ 610-868-9167 [email protected]
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 Worship ~ 10:45 a.m.
