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ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRISTARENDTSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018
EMBODYING THE LOVE OF GOD IN WORD AND ACTION
REVEREND DR. KIM BLOCHER, PASTOR DONNA MILLER, CONSISTORY PRESIDENT
Between SeasonsSince our newsletter is bimonthly, at this time of year spanning November and December I am never sure if I should be writing about Thanksgiving or Christmas. Gratitude or Giving? Christ the King or Jesus the Baby? “We Gather Together” or “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” All Saint’s or Advent? Frost on the pumpkin or fruitcake? I could go on, and I suspect you could supply your own contrasting highlights of the next two months. Suffice to say, it’s a loaded, and emotionally pitched time of year. The beauty of our liturgical calendar is that the life of Christ and the life of the Church are considered against the backdrop of our everyday lives. And gives us a way to measure our lives against the seasons of the church year. The world rushes by, but we take our time to reflect on the power of God at work in our lives.As the long season of Pentecost, which begins 50 days after Easter, winds down in November, we say farewell to loved ones at All Saint’s Sunday. It is a quiet time to reflect on and observe both the frailty of life and the gift of lives well-lived. Thanksgiving is not part of the church calendar, but we often mark it in worship with praise for the beauty of God’s creation and gratitude for our blessings. The church year ends with Christ the King Sunday when we celebrate the coming reign of Jesus Christ. Then the wheel turns to Advent, New Year’s Day for the Church. We begin the ancient ordering of our days again, in worship. In observing the Christian Year, the church celebrates the central mystery of our faith: the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—and the growth of His bride, the Church.The idea of the church year is not just repetition and doing something just because we have always done it this way. The cycles we observe make the life of Christ more real and contemporary, so that we can relive the faith story in a new year of our own life. We are offered ways to awaken our senses with things to do, touch, taste, hear, and see. A living faith engages our whole being and sends us out to serve the world that God loves so much.After nearly 25 years of ordained ministry I have acquired a lot of stoles for the different seasons of the church year. My Advent stole depicts 4 candles on a backdrop of midnight blue to reflect the color of the night sky just before dawn. A wonderful gold stole for Epiphany reminds me of the light of the star leading the Magi. The Lent stole is a pastiche of somber purples woven together to represent the passion of our Lord. A stole with a butterfly proclaims the new life of resurrection, and a green stole with the tree of life shares the good news that the Church is always growing and renewing itself. A handwoven stole from Guatemala in rainbow hues proclaims the diversity of God’s people. I bet I have at least a dozen stoles that anchor me in the church year.
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So you can see that it’s easy for pastors to observe the church year as we wear a symbol every Sunday! I treasure our liturgical roots and it gives definition to my ministry. How about you? Do you note the changing colors of the paraments season by season? Does it help to anchor you in the life of Christ and give you a way to slow down and consider carefully how your life reflects the life of Christ? My prayer is that worship this time of year is a priority for you. And I pray that in worship, you find the peace that passes all understanding. See you in church,
Pastor Kim
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WORSHIP IN NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, AND JANUARYWorship: 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School: 10:15 a.m. Worship is the best way to praise God for all your blessings.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 SUNDAY, JANUARY 6Holy Communion; All Saints Sunday
Advent begins Epiphany
Mark 12: 28-34 Holy Communion Holy CommunionDylan Eiker’s Eagle Scout Ceremony 2 pm
Luke 21: 25-36 Consumed by the Fire of a Star
Holiday Home Bureau Toys Matthew 2: 1-12SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1125th Sunday after Pentecost SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 SUNDAY, JANUARY 13Veteran’s Day Remembrance 2nd Sunday of Advent 1st Sunday after EpiphanyMark 12: 38-44 Peace Remembering God’s Promises
Luke 1: 68-79 Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Annual Meeting26th Sunday after Pentecost SUNDAY, JANUARY 20Mark 13: 1-8 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
3rd Sunday of Advent Witnessing God’s New Way in the World
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Joy John 2: 1-11Reign of Christ Luke 3: 7-18John 18: 33-37 SUNDAY, JANUARY 27
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 3rd Sunday after Epiphany4th Sunday of Advent Shaped by God’s WordHoly Communion Luke 4: 14-21LoveLuke 1: 39-45 (46-55)Christmas Social
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE—7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30First Sunday after ChristmasLuke 2: 41-52
LOOKING AHEAD ▪ On November 4, we will observe All Saint’s Sunday, and remember those who have died in
the past year. We will have Holy Communion as part of that observance. Please feel free to bring pictures of any loved ones who have passed on to the Church Triumphant – as we commune among all the Saints.
▪ On November 11, we will include in our worship a veteran’s day observance. Please consider asking a veteran to join you in worship that day.
▪ December 9 is the date for the annual congregational meeting.
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►WORSHIP CDS◄We are set up to provide CDs of Sunday worship services. Just call the office, and we will mail
one to you.
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NOVEMBER 11 VETERAN’S DAY WORSHIP OBSERVANCE Our members are encouraged to invite veterans from the community to be with us for this special event. Veterans will, as always be recognized for their service during worship.
Zion’s living veterans are as follows:Michael Althoff Thomas Deloe Matthew Leedy Michael ShafferKen Baltzley Gary Diveley John Matthews Lyle SlaybaughBen Battersby Carey Ehly Daryl Miller Richard SniderMatt Battersby Wayne Gantz Gerald Pitzer Ralph SpenceKim Blocher Richard Hartman Robert Prosperi Gregory
SumburyPurcell Bohrer Donald Hartzel Neil Rothhaupt Harold TuckeyTamara Brodbeck Loy Hoke Kenneth Sell Robert VinesJeff Davis Logan Howell
VIETNAM MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEKEND Gettysburg College: November 9 – 10, 2018
Highlights of the weekend will include:
Friday• Panel Discussion moderated by Michael Birkner, professor of history
• Welcome Reception
Saturday• Vietnam Remembrance Ceremony
• Vietnam Memorial Dedication• Buffet Lunch
• Gettysburg vs. F&M Football Game – Veteran recognition at the game.• Reception and Dinner
On Saturday the College will dedicate a memorial to alumni who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces during the 1965-1973 period of the
Vietnam War. Those fellow Gettysburgians being remembered are Ronald Thomson ’60, Edgar Burchell ’62, Joseph Murphy ’63, John Colestock ’65, James
Ewing ’65, Andrew Muns ’65, George Callan ’66, Robert Morris ’66, Charles Richardson ’66, J. Andrew Marsh ’67, Stephen Warner ’68, Daniel Whipps ’69, and Stephen Doane
’70. In addition to these alumni, ROTC instructor Millard Valerius will be included.Please visit the Vietnam Memorial Dedication Weekend website for more information.
Registration will open September 1, 2018.If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Tammie Brush-Campbell at 717-
337-6509 or [email protected].
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UACT (UPPER ADAMS CHRISTIANS TOGETHER) Our Fall Banquet is November 4 at 5 p.m. at Biglerville Fire Hall. UACT has received grants totaling $15,000 from Community Aid and the Robert Hoffman Charitable Endowment Trust – for the Youth Coordinator position and for John’s Meals. On October 28 our joint confirmation class visited Hoffman Homes for Youth to learn about this local mission partner.
JOHN’S MEALS John's Meals is busy weekly delivering approximately 125 bags of weekend meals for students and their families in food insecure homes in the Upper Adams School District elementary schools. Volunteers are always needed to help with staging teams, packing/delivery teams, food item pick-up, and volunteers for the John's Meals Board. Mac-n-cheese is served biweekly in the food bags, therefore all of Zion's donations help to keep costs down. John's Meals greatly appreciates the donations of mac-n-cheese individual packs/cups from Zion UCC members. Monetary donations are always appreciated. Checks may be made payable to UACT-John's Meals (not Zion), and either mailed to UACT, PO Box 593, Arendtsville, PA 17303, or placed in the collection plate on Sundays. Please contact Angie Vines at 717-677-9654 (home), 717-253-8624 (cell), or [email protected] to volunteer or with any questions. Thank you for your continued support.
BOOK GROUP MEETING The Book Group will meet on Tuesday, November 13, in the Mustard Seed room at 7:00 p.m., to
discuss The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni.Synopsis of November’s selection
Sam Hill always saw the world through different eyes. Born with red pupils, he was called “Devil Boy” or Sam “Hell” by his classmates; “God’s will” is what his mother called his ocular albinism. Her words were of little comfort, but Sam persevered, buoyed by his mother’s devout faith, his father’s practical wisdom, and his two other misfit friends.Sam believed it was God who sent Ernie Cantwell, the only African American kid in his class, to be the friend he so desperately needed. And that it was God’s idea for Mickie Kennedy to storm into Our Lady of Mercy like a tornado, uprooting every rule Sam had been taught about boys and girls.Forty years later, Sam, a small-town eye doctor, is no longer certain anything was by design—especially not the tragedy that caused him to turn his back on his friends, his hometown, and the life he’d always known. Running from the pain, eyes closed, served little purpose. Now, as he looks back on his life, Sam embarks on a journey that will take him halfway around the world. This time, his eyes are wide open—bringing into clear view what changed him, defined him, and made him so afraid, until he can finally see what truly matters.
∞ ∞ ∞
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The December meeting will be on the 11th at 7:00 p.m. in at the residence of Eddie and Peggy Diveley. A Gentleman in Moscow by American novelist Amor Towles will be discussed.Synopsis of December’s selectionA Gentleman in Moscow is a 2016 novel by American novelist Amor Towles. It centers on Count Alexander Rostov, a Russian aristocrat who, in 1922, is hauled before a Bolshevik tribunal and sentenced to confinement within the attic of a luxury hotel. His confinement sends him into a spiral of emotional discovery, and gives him a unique first-hand look at some of the most significant events of Russian history, as they unfold outside his window. Exploring themes of justice, the psychology of the imprisoned, and finding one’s purpose in life, this novel was released to critical acclaim and was praised for its in-depth portrayal of the lead character and its detailed depiction of post-revolution Russia.
ADULT CHRISTIAN GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WINTER Adult Sunday School - 10:15 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
Snacks! Coffee Wednesday evening prayer and study – 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Mustard Seed room
STAINED GLASS PANEL FOR ZION UCC I was asked to design and create a stained-glass panel for a fund raiser at Zion UCC, my home church. That was a broad request, trying to determine a design that is interesting and engaging to a church community. So, exploring the resources before me (namely our own church windows), I took inspiration. Stained glass has a rich history and our windows are no different.The stained-glass panel shares the same contour as the windows along the sides of our church. That is by design. You may notice that the border glass in the panel is very similar to the border glass in our own stained-glass windows in both color and texture. That is by design.The cross and rainbow are a visual reminder of Christ and the fact that God keeps his promises to us. The rainbow positioned under the cross is a direct connection between God and his promise to us to never forsake us, no matter what comes. It is a direct visual reminder.The clear glass at the terminal end of the rainbow on either side permits the colors of the rainbow to flow. The clear glass that surrounds the cross encourages your eye to be drawn to the cross and rainbow and not be bothered by color in the background.The blue thin glass border at the perimeter holds an interesting story. That glass was salvaged from panels that originally hung in a church in France during WWII. As the story was told via the nun who was present, to her friend, the stained-glass windows
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were removed from churches all around Europe to prevent them from damage during WWII. Several of these windows made their way back to the US with this nun, rather than be replaced at the end of the war. The panels were eventually displayed in a church in Emmitsburg, MD until they were removed and given back to the nun. This particular nun was getting her affairs in order with a friend of hers at the Convent and gave them to my stained-glass instructor to repair portions of the panel. There were several smaller panels that were more heavily damaged, and the nun and her friend asked that they not be repaired but be used in other panels. My stained-glass instructor knew that I was working on this panel for my church and offered this glass to me. The glass is much thicker than the other glass in the panel and has the presence of hand rolled marks, air bubbles, and varying thickness within the glass, as would be present in hand-made glass, as opposed to commercially made glass.The glass is soldered together using the copper-foil technique and finished with lead came around the border to be similar to our own stained-glass windows AND maximize the stability of the panel. Finally, the lead came has a small profile, leading the viewer’s eye away from the border, toward the cross and rainbow design.I hope that you enjoy this panel as much as I’ve enjoyed creating the stained-glass panel!
Chris Parker Parker Stained Glass Studio 717-965-6614
CHRISTMAS NEWSOUR TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS SOCIAL will follow worship on December 16. Homemade cookies, punch, coffee, and fellowship will all be in abundance. If
you wish to bring homemade cookies, please sign up on the clipboard at the rear of the sanctuary. See you there for this favorite Zion tradition! CHRISTMAS FUND SPECIAL MISSION OFFERING. The Christmas Fund Offering is a means by which members of the United Church of Christ and its predecessor denominations reflect the light of God in the world, individually and in the community. The Christmas Fund is a beacon of light for many who have served, and who continue to serve, our church. This mission offering will be received on December 23. Please give generously. HOMEWOOD AUXILIARY 2019 MEMBERSHIP DUES. Now being accepted until the end of December are 2019 membership dues. The form to check off your name and confirm your address along with the envelope for the $3 single/$5 including spouse dues will be on the credenza at the rear of the Church. Please make checks payable to Homewood Auxiliary. Calendars for 2019 are available as well. Please contact Angie Vines 677-9654 with any questions about becoming a supporting member of the Homewood Auxiliary.
HOLIDAY HOME BUREAU TOYS. As it has in previous years, Zion is contributing to the Holiday Home Bureau Toy program. We will be collecting NEW LEGO sets for ages 6-12. (We ARE NOT collecting the younger aged DUPLOS. Holiday Home Bureau does not need us to donate these.) The LEGOs can be for either girls or boys or unisex…small sets to large sets to starter sets. We are also collecting NEW hats, gloves,
scarves for those 12 and under. There will be a display in church to offer some samples. We (and the United Way) DO NOT want the GENERIC Legos. In addition, the program is seeking
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monetary donations to support its food certificate program (they provide $25 food certificates). Please bring the donations to the church no later than 12/2/18. We will bring the items forward during the children's message on that Sunday. Any questions, please ask Gina Bushey or Chris Parker.CHRISTMAS CARDS PROJECT. Christmas Cards will be given to Homewood. Bring a card/s with your handwritten messages for the residents. Please let the front of the envelope blank, and Homewood will address it with a resident's name. Cards will be hand-delivered and read to residents by volunteers. A card collection box will be in the back of church from November 5 - 25. Card collection deadline is December 2. Any questions, please contact Angie Vines (677-9654). THE CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING this year will benefit the families at the Adams County Homeless Shelter. Remember that our Lord Jesus was homeless as a baby! Give generously in response to the gift of His birth into our world and our lives. ZION’S CHRISTMAS CHOIR has begun rehearsals on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. If you wish to sing for the Christmas season, please let Sharon know.
ZION’S NON-CHRISTMAS NEWSLADIES BREAKFAST AT THE APPLE BIN The Ladies Breakfast Group will be having a White Elephant Sale at their regular breakfast gathering on November12. Please come to enjoy the fellowship and bring an item to sell. The item should be worth at least $20. It can be an item from your home you no longer want or use. It can be a craft item, a gift card, or a book you have enjoyed; use your imagination. Please wrap the item. The bidding will go by $5 increments. Come one and all. Even if you don't normally come for breakfast, please come for this event. Questions? See Sally.
The December breakfast will be held on the 10th, at 9:00 a.m. at the Apple Bin. Feel free to invite your neighbor.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER EVENT AND BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY CALENDARS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE
CREDENZA
To Meet the Budget 2018Annual Budget = $191,192.00
Weekly Offering Needed = $3,668.50Offering Needed Offering Received
Needed to Date
Received to Date
January $14,674.00 $13,608.00 $14,674.00 $13,608.00Februar $14,674.00 $11,791.00 $29,348.00 $25,399.00
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yMarch $14,674.00 $17,069.23 $44,022.00 $42,468.23April $18,342.50 $14,349.67 $62,364.50 $56,817.90May $14,674.00 $13,413.00 $77,038.50 $70,230.90June $14,674.00 $15,530.00 $91,712.50 $85,760.90July $18,342.50 $13,290.00 $110,055.00 $99,050.90August $14,674.00 $13,977.06 $124,729.00 $113,027.96September $18,342.50 $16,348.02 $143,071.50 $129,375.98October $14,674.00 $19,686.00 $157,745.50 $149,061.98
MATTHEW 25 UPDATE Our Matthew 25 fund is set up to provide assistance to families in need, whether members or non-members. It is not designated for general mission or relief work. The current balance in the Matthew 25 account is approximately $2,217.10.
Date Amount and Referral From Type of Assistance9-10-18 $450 Pastor/mission committee Motel stay for homeless veteran
CONSISTORY NEWS FROM. . .Consistory President, Personnel (Donna Miller) 717- 334-5118
We are still looking for a Christian Education Coordinator to take over upon Jess Parker’s departure in May.
Consistory Vice President, Fellowship, Mission (Debra Scarborough, 717-259-3005)
The Christmas social is December 16. Please sign up to bring your favorite cookies.
Consistory Secretary, Membership (Kim Johnson, 717-677-8985)
Please support our stained glass artwork fund raiser that will benefit our general fund.
Finance (Dan White, 717- 334-5051)
We will vote on our budget at the December 9 annual meeting.
Mission, Stewardship (Wayne Bushey, 717-486-5122)
The next Mission Committee meeting will be November 14 at 6:30 at Zion House.
Property (Kevin Cooley, 717-677-6073 and Bob Vines, 717-677-9654)
Property has established a five-year strategic plan for property issues.
MACARONI AND CHEESE TO BENEFIT JOHN’S MEALS
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We are collecting single serve, microwaveable cups of macaroni and cheese to benefit John’s Meals. The cups need not be a brand name (like Kraft); store brand is fine. We are aiming to provide 200 cups each month and they may be placed in the cupboard in the rear of the church (just like before). The 18-pkg boxes of single-serve Mac and Cheese is also a good donation. It is cheaper and easier to store (boxes). Any questions, please see Chris Parker. As always, thank you so much for your faithful support of this ministry.
KNITTING/CROCHETING Autumn has finally arrived, and Christmas is right around the corner! Zion's Knitting and Crocheting Group will hold its Stocking Stuffer Items Sale in early December. Give unique, handcrafted gifts for Christmas this year. Profits help support Zion U.C.C.'s ministries. Anyone interested in donating items for sale, please contact one of the club members or come to our meetings on the last Wednesday of the month.
COMMUNITY AID DONATION BIN Please consider donating items to the Community Aid donation bin located in the Zion parking lot near Zion House. Funds received quarterly based upon the weight of items deposited are used toward the Mission Budget. For the second quarter of 2018, Zion received $400. Acceptable items include clothing, shoes, purses, belts, linens, curtains and draperies. Please place your donations in plastic bags before dropping them into the bin.
CONGRATULATIONS TO . . . Carly Stoner who set a new Biglerville soccer record for career goals thus etching her name into her school’s record books!Mr. and Mrs. Joel and Sarah Redding who were united in marriage on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at Zion.
THANKS FROM OUR COMMUNITY . . . We are so grateful to you. . . Thank you for seizing the worthwhile opportunity to help our children in care! Your in-kind donation of school supplies to include markers, pencils, crayons, notebooks, tissues, poster board, and so much more supports us in our mission to offer hope, healing, and brighter futures to kids who are struggling as the result of crippling trauma, abuse, neglect, and loss. ~Alicia Stanley, VP of Development, Hoffman Homes for YouthThank you for your $200 contribution to the Adams County Office for Aging, Inc. Your contribution is used to provide additional services for our older citizens.
~Vicki Huffaker, Executive Director
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You are a great example of the significant impact donors can have on students’ lives, and through them, on the community and the world. Your September gift of $1,000 to the Community Endowed Gettysburg Campus Nursing Scholarship indicates your generosity.
~John Sygielski, President, HACCAdams County Habitat for Humanity received your kind donation of $1,000. Thank you very much! We invite you to stay in touch with Adams County Habitat’s progress by checking our website, HabitatAdamsPA.org, for updates and/or following us on Facebook (search for Adams County Habitat for Humanity). ~Sincerely, Lori Wright. Board Secretary
What’s Cookin’Preschoolers through 6th Graders are invited to join us at Trinity Lutheran Church (38 North High Street, Arendtsville) for our monthly What’s Cookin’ program! On the third Wednesday of each month from 6:00-7:30 p.m., we will gather for a light meal together, then we will break into three age groups and have a lesson/activity! The curriculum for 2018-2019 takes us through Dinnertime Stories of Jesus! Each month, children will delve into a new parable, learning what it means and how we can relate to it in our world today.
Mark your calendars now,So you don’t miss out on the fun!
November 14* - The Parable of the Friend at MidnightDecember 19 – The Parable of Hidden Treasure, Fine Pearls, and Net
January 16 – The Parable of the Wedding*Note the November date is NOT the third Wednesday; date adjusted due to Thanksgiving.
February – May dates and themes will be confirmed at a later day.Pencil in the third Wednesday of each month, but check back for absolute details!
Contact Ellie Vranich if you would like to volunteer to help, teach,or if your family/organization/committee would like to provide the meal
for one of our monthly gatherings ([email protected] or 717-677-4431).Teacher volunteers need to have volunteer clearances completed.
All local kids are WELCOME! Bring a friend!!
HOSS’S COMMUNITY NIGHT The next Hoss’s Night is scheduled for Monday, December 10. Our September 17 community fundraiser proceeds totaled $105.32.
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