The Visitor January 2020

TO BE HIS LIGHT THAT TRANSFORMS LIVES Volume 103 Issue 1

A publication of St. John’s United Church of Christ

A Message from the Intentional Interim Minister: Rev. D. Houston Hall Journey Groups Begin Again Our Journey group will begin again on Monday, January 6th at 6:00pm. (Bring a meal if needed) We will do a brief review over the lessons from chapters 14-18 and focus on Chapter 19 (page 86- 90). Even if you were not in the fall group, we would welcome you to join in this conversation of scripture and our spiritual life.

Worship in January Jan 5 – We will celebrate the feast of the Epiphany Jan 12 – “Baptism of our Lord” Jan 19 – “Behold the Lamb of God” Jan 26 -- “See a Great Light”

Thank you

Thank you to our musical and office staff for all the hard work to make our Advent and Christmas season a wonderful experience. Thank you to the people who helped with the gift bags for our shut-ins. As I was making my visits and handing them their “goodie bag” from their friends at St. John’s – they expressed thanks for your remembrances. Thank you to all who extended gifts and cards to me during the season. I’m truly thankful.

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Our Pastoral Search Committee

Thanks to the following who have accepted the call to be on our PSC: Tim Barber Pat Goins Laura Hass Dave Stamm Kyle Taylor

Hospitality “Unlike almost every other contested idea in the early Christianity, including the nature of Christ and the doctrine of the trinity, the unanimous witness of the ancient fathers and mothers was that hospitality was the primary Christian virtue.” p. 62 Diane Butler Bass’ A people’s history of Christianity I would like our congregation to focus this year around the issue of Hospitality – looking deeper into what it means to be a welcoming place – making room for God’s creation that may not be like us. What kind of thinking needs to transpire within ourselves to be an open congregation? Pastor D. Houston Hall

Congregational Meeting

The annual congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020, immediately after the church service in Fellowship Hall. The agenda will include annual reports, 2020 budget approval and the election of 2020 Leadership Team. The privilege to vote is for members of St. John’s UCC only. We look forward to seeing you there. With Love & Friendship, Flo M. Grey, Secretary

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A Message from our Music Ministry

A big THANK YOU to everyone who made our Christmas concert on December 15th such a HUGE success. A full church (a little snow didn’t scare anyone) enjoyed the beautiful music as our Chancel Choir, the Korean Central Presbyterian Church Choir, the Children’s Choir, the narrators and the wonderful orchestra all joined together to sing praises to the Newborn King!! Thanks to all of the musicians for their dedication in preparing and presenting this program to a most appreciative congregation!! It was truly a spiritual experience!!! A special thank you goes to Fred and Betty Jo Haas, and to Mrs. Connie Haas for their generous support of our music ministry. Thanks to our Chancel Choir, our Choral Scholars, our Children’s Choir, and our instrumentalists who all joined together to make beautiful music. Thanks to Robert Pettus for all his hard work in making us sound good. Thanks to Carolyn Garriott for producing a beautiful concert program. Thanks to all of our ushers and greeters who made everyone feel welcome. And thanks to Carol Haas and Carol Fickenscher for a splendid after concert reception! And last but not least, thanks to our wonderful director Dobin Park who worked so hard in creating and directing this wonderful program. Thanks to everyone who came and supported us. We value your support!! A very Happy New Year to all, Michael

Thank you to everyone who participated in “Gifts to the Manger”

Dear Members and Friends of St. John’s Your gift giving to the Washington UCC was outstanding and we delivered 100 gift items. All were items that they had requested. They support 95 families plus 305 children at this time of the year. Thank you for your generosity!! Judy Slater

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Food Pantry Update

The Food Pantry just completed another successful year. We were able to give 123 red Christmas bags with our popular sugar glazed ham. A total of 1191 families visited the pantry this year with a total of 3303 family members. Thanks to all our volunteers and the congregation for their support!! Wanda Quinn

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Thank You St. John’s Members

Kathy Bere and the Gray family would like to thank everyone who ordered peanut brittle this holiday season. With your help, the family raised $60.00 for the food pantry. Kathy and the Gray family appreciate all of the support given by St. John’s members.

The family will continue this tradition again next year so look for an announcement around the holiday season to place your order again. Thank you to everyone!

A Thank You Note from Steve & Debbie Hecky

Dear Friends, May you know how thankful Steve and I have been for all of the love and concern you have shown us this past year. Your prayers, cards, phone calls and messages gave us great support and comfort in the difficult times of my diagnosis and treatments. Your prayer and support gave us strength and encouraged our positive attitude. At this time, we celebrate that I am in remission of my cancer. My doctors will continue to monitor for the next 5 years. Once more our friends at St. John’s have blessed our lives. Thanks be to God, Debbie Hecky

A Thank You Note from the East Row Garden Club

I am delighted to send you this note! We wish to thank you for your open arms and generous hospitality supporting our tree planting of 2014, 2016 and 2019, and our recent 2019 Garden Market. Having our Garden Market on your lovely, shaded lawn made our 2019 Garden Walk very special. Sincerely, Chris Conte, President, East Row Garden Club

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Journey Book Group to Resume in January

Beginning the week of January 6th, the Monday night Journey Book Group will resume with their discussion group. The Monday group will meet at 6:00 p.m. and you are welcome to bring something to eat with you if you would like. It is not too late to join this group so stop by the church office to purchase a copy of the book and join today. We look forward to seeing everyone again!

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Welcome Baby Greyson and Baby Blakely!!

Congratulations to Brandon & Kirstie Rice on the birth of their twins. Greyson Phillip and Blakely Nicole were born on Thursday, December 5, 2019. They join big sisters Peytan and Kinleigh. The proud great-

grandparents are Roy and Shirley Rice. Congratulations to everyone!!

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution to help people and to give something back to the community? You could fulfill that resolution by becoming a tutor for the HEARTS tutoring program. It is not too late to become a tutor for this school year and you will not only be helping a deserving student, you will also be giving back to the community with your time and talents. We meet every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Newport Primary School on the corner of 11th and York Streets in Newport. We tutor kids in grades kindergarten through second grade. No experience is needed and we would love for you to join us. If you cannot come every Tuesday, that is just fine. Any help or time that you could give would be greatly appreciated. Not sure if you want to commit or not quite sure what this program is about? Stop by any Tuesday to check us out and see if this is something that might fulfill that New Year’s Resolutions. If you have any questions about the program, you can speak with one of our tutors (Bonnie Hoffmann, Chuck Hawkins and Houston Hall) to see if this is something that interests you. Fulfill that New Year’s Resolution today!

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January Illumination Meeting

Illumination Youth Ministries, LLC calls all members and friends of St. John’s UCC to its 2020 Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 16 from 7pm to 8pm at St. John United Church of Christ, 520 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, KY in Room 102. Light Desserts will be offered. Please join us for this important meeting of Illumination.

NEXT VISITOR DEADLINE: Monday, January 27, 2020 If you would like to submit an article or receive The Visitor via email please contact StJohnsUCC@StJohnsUCCNewport.org. You may also visit the CONTACT US heading on our website and fill out the appropriate form. A digital copy of The Visitor can be accessed at our website: StJohnsUCCNewport.org under “Current Happenings.”

In Loving Memory of, and In Honor of... Food Pantry In Loving Memory of Sue Wagner ~ Diane Wendeln In Loving Memory of Annette Hazeres ~ Ralph & Carol Schoulthies In Loving Memory of Sue Wagner ~ Gary Wagner In Loving Memory of John & Virginia Duckworth ~ Lois Almoslechner In Loving Memory of Norb & Catherine Duckworth ~ Lois Almoslechner In Loving Memory of Carolyn Wagner ~ Judy Eads In Loving Memory of Carolyn Wagner ~ Ruby Niehaus Poinsettias In Loving Memory of Roy Tuerpe ~ Roy & Shirley Rice In Honor of the Rice Family ~ Roy & Shirley Rice

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SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS The invitation to participate in Holy Communion is available to members who are unable to attend church to receive the sacraments. Jesus said “Come to this sacred table not because you must, but because you may. Come not because you are fulfilled, but because in your emptiness you stand in need of God’s mercy and assurance. Come not to express an opinion, but to seek a presence and to pray for a spirit. Come to this table, then, as you are.” If you would like to have Holy Communion shared with you by our Home Communion Teams please notify the office at 859-431-1818. If you feel the need to be a communion server you are welcome to join the teams. Communion is served monthly to those not able to worship with us on Communion Sunday.

ST. JOHNS PRAYER MINISTRY January 2020

PRAYERS FOR MEMBERS Dan Grey Flo Grey Mary Haas Ed Von Strohe Phil Hamilton Bonnie Walter Marilyn Hanson

PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS Anna Bythewood Janet Grant Betty Webster Bruce Stormer Gwyneth Ziegler

THOSE BEREAVED Family of Grant Dibert *Denotes St John’s Member

UPCOMNG CHURCH BUSINESS MEETINGS Sunday, January 12, 2020: Leadership Team Meeting 11:15 a.m. The congregation is welcome to attend Sunday, January 26, 2020: Annual Congregational Meeting 11:15 a.m. Election of Officers

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PRAYERS FOR MEMBERS IN ASSISTED LIVING AND NURSING HOMES

ATRIA HIGHLAND CROSSING Walt Dauzenberg

BARRINGTON CARMEL MANOR Katherine Daley Marjorie Fuldner Dorothy Gabbard Joe Loy

EMERALD TRACE, ELSMERE Marcia Schmidt

PARKSIDE MANOR, CYNTHIANA, KY Pam Maloney

COLD SPRING TRANSITIONAL CARE Beverly Bill

VILLAGE AT ERLANGER, MUNRO HOUSE Judy Adams Norma Biery

PRAYERS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS Guy & Wendy Bauer per L. Haas Karlie Berkemeyer per J. Berkemeyer Beverly Bill per B. Bill Bill Breyer per L. Haas Bruce per J. Eads Jessica East per J. Watts Sally Franzen per M. Malone Walt Garriott per C. Garriott Debbie Good per Office Debra Grover per B. Runge Kenneth Hammons per M. Heeg Hong Kong -Andrew Hon Chloe Hoskins per H. Rolf Benjamin Jones per A. Jones Betty Kiddy per J. Eads Larry Kidney per J. Knepshield Marlene Knecht per J. Berkemeyer Angela Kremer per J. Ginter Ann Krentz per O. Krentz Delores Lovell per M. Malone Paige Martin per H. Rolf Jean McCord per C. Thompson Laura McGlinchy per B. Runge Hunter Melton per J. Ginter Matt Neace per J. Watts

Ruby Niehaus per J. Eads Harley Parker per F. Grey Mary Peterman per B. Runge Bruce Poinsett, Sr. per C. Garriott Mary Kay Prendergast per D. Knepshield Angie Roseberry per C. Fickenscher Christine Sexton & baby Olivia per B. Walter Joyce Shelton per J. Berkemeyer Ryan Soder per M. Hanson Margaret Stenger per C. Haas Mary Jo Stimic per P. Maloney Scott Taylor per D. Knepshield Neil Van Outer per D. Hamilton Alison Montoya Warken per B. Coppage Sheila Warner per J. Watts Phyllis Weber per B. Bolmer Beth Yutze per B. Webster Ricky Yutze per B. Webster Donna Zieses des Plantes per D. Knepshield Linda Zigos per D. Hamilton

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PRAYERS FOR ST. JOHN’S God’s grace and guidance as our church looks onward and upward to the

future.

Our Intentional Interim Minister, Rev. D. Houston Hall

Our church staff and lay leaders.

Strengthening our church ministries, Christian education, and grief support

programs.

Stronger involvement in youth and young adult programming.

The Pastoral Search Committee: Tim Barber, Pat Goins, Laura Haas, David

Stamm & Kyle Taylor

OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS IN THE MILITARY Melanie & Jake Adams Susie Adams C.J. Allen South Korea Jeremy Allen Brandon Bailey Josef Bazhaw Middle Eastern Countries/Army Natl Guard Patrick Gonzaliz Special Operations /Camp Lejeune Gevin Helf Brian Huffmann Afghanistan Randy Johnson Jason Lewis Andy Powell Ron Rice Ashley Roberts Nicholas Schierberg Chris Spurrier Michael Sullivan Afghanistan Cody Taylor Griffin Thompson Army Brian Trinkle Afghanistan Rob Wickelhaus Spec. Service Bernie Zmurk Families of those killed in service and members of the military who have

returned home physically wounded or suffering PTSD.

If there is someone in the Armed Forces you would like us to pray

for, please call the office at 431-1818.