SEPTEMBER 2016 EDITION

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,[a] which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28

My husband Mike and I love to start our day out on our deck with a cup of coffee. We are usually up with, and sometimes before, the sunrise. It’s such a miraculous and quiet time of the day in our noisy neighborhood. About 3 weeks ago the geese started their fly by training sessions (that’s what I call it anyway). I’ve been observ-ing for years that the geese seem to build up their stamina for the long flight south by flying further and further each day. This year our backyard was on their training path. Anyone who has ever seen this event of the geese flying in their “V” formation overhead also knows how noisy it can be. We had 5 different groups that were flying overhead each day. We noticed though, that there was one small group of geese that did not honk but were totally silent as they flew overhead. (Interestingly there were 13 in the group counting the lead goose.) And because they were not honking we heard the most beautiful sound of a single note made by each flap of their wings as they displaced the wind. This of course got me curious as to why they were silently flying when usually there is a cacophony of sound that accompanies these magnificent creatures. So, being the curious individual I am, I started studying the details of these different groups of geese as they flew over. What I discovered was that the groups that were noisy were not in sync at all with the flapping of their wings. Once in one group, there was such a disturbance in the airflow because of their lack of timing on their wing flapping that one goose actually started to flip upside down. I was sure I was going to see it crash to the ground, but thankfully it was able to right itself. Then I noticed that the group that flew overhead silently, flapped their wings in perfect synchronicity. It was like watching a water ballet in the air. They were so in tune with each other that they had attained the perfect flight pattern making it easier for every member of the group to fly. And the note that I heard filled my soul with such peace. It was like music from God. So beautiful it actually made me cry from shear joy. So naturally that got me thinking about the dynamics in churches. Many of you who have been in church recent Sundays know that I have us on this “training mission” to grow closer to God, as individuals and as a church. It is my belief that the reason so many churches are dying is that we have become too busy with inter-ests of the world and far less focused on putting God first in our lives and serving God’s people. Like the noisy groups of geese, our lives have become focused on so many “out of church” interests that we have lost touch with the importance of community with God. We are flapping our wings frantically trying to keep up with our busy schedules rather than “being still and knowing God.”

As Christians, Jesus taught us that “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mt. 16:24). This doesn’t mean that we have to give up our family or our ex-tracurricular interests. We do though, need to remember that all we have and are as individuals is given us by the unconditional loving Grace of God. Sure, you have worked hard for all you have, but the fact that you are alive to do all you are doing is because of God. God has given you this precious life and asks in return that you be part of a community of believers who fellowship together and give service back to all God’s world. Our world is not going to get better by each of us going about our own way, flapping our individual wings, out of touch and out of sync with fellow Christians. We need to come back to church, and back to Christian fellowship. Then with love, forgiveness, good communication and our hearts, minds and spirits mutually centered on Christ, we too will hear the wonderful, peaceful song of joy that comes from being closer to God, and maybe in the process we can make the world a more peace-filled place.

Blessings on your joy filled journey, Pastor DiAnn

There will of course be yummy food and fellowship for all ages after the service!

All food will be provided by David’s.

David’s Homecoming Service is on September 25th

David’s Psalter—Page 2

Joe Wise from Mifflinburg will be

joining us to offer special music.

And, our Kids for Christ Choir will

also be offering us a special selection!

We will be honoring our long time members.

Come help us show our appreciation for the

many years that these folks have given their

hearts in service to God and our community!

We hope you will plan to join us at 10:00 AM

as we celebrate 189 years of service to our

Lord and our community!!!!!!

September

Lorraine DiCassio - 09/01

Dennis Maurer - 09/01

Ariel Hoffman - 09/02

Dillon Bohner—09/03

Arlene Kratzer - 09/05

Jimmy Adams - 09/13

Daniel Scheib - 09/13

Olivia Sims - 09/16

Missy Spatzer - 09/16

Joseph Leader - 09/18

Wes Brown - 09/20

Dennis Boyer - 09/21

Bethany Long - 09/21 Larry Boyer - 09/24

Hanna Novinger - 09/24 Arabelle Troutman - 09/26

Kelly Eure - 09/27 Jean Strausser—09/27

Roy Hill - 09/28

David’s Psalter—Page 3

LOOK WHO IS CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY

LOOK WHO IS CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY THIS MONTH

September

Robert & Beverly Spatzer - 09/03

Terry & Carol Mace - 09/12

David & Tanya Erdman - 09/14

John & Pamela Zilinski - 09/14

Anthony & Erica Adams - 09/16

Katie & Adrian Bordner - 09/18

Robert & Anne-Marie Bieber - 09/22

Donn & Crystal Bohner - 09/28

September Special Offering - Cemetery Association Trust Fund The special offering in September will be forwarded to the Cemetery Association Trust Fund for use in maintaining and improving the cemetery. This is part of our heritage and responsibility to those who have gone before us in faith. Please make checks out to “David’s UCC Cemetery Association”

Line Mountain Food Bank Reminder

Please remember to buy a few items for others whenever you shop. If you know of a local family in need, please let Pastor DiAnn or Becky Savidge know by calling the church office.

All requests for assistance remain strictly confidential.

Donations Needed for the Food Bank - A complete list of needed items can be

obtained upon request

Challenge: Buy ONE ITEM for the food bank

every time you go grocery shopping.

CALLING ALL YOUTH - GRADES 1 - 8 Growing in Faith through Mission Outreach

and with Fun & Fellowship!

We are doing something new this year that is intergenerational and mission focused. Instead of holding Vacation Bible School this summer we decided to do a Fall Craft and Fellowship sharing. This will be held on a Saturday in October (yet to be determined). We will to be traveling to Lewisburg to Riverwoods Senior Living Community where we will share the word of God, some crafts, food and fellowship with the seniors in Riverview Manor Personal Care. We will also be joined by the children of some of the staff. What a fun way to bring the Lord’s word to those who can’t always get out to share in the family of God.

Sunday School Schedule for 2016—2017 (dates tentative):

Sept. 11 & 25

Oct. 9 & 23

Nov. 13 & 27

Dec. 11 & 18

Jan. 8 & 22

Feb. 12 & 26

March. 12 & 26

April 9 & 23

May 14 & 28

If you love your kids, bring them to church.

If you love your church, bring your kids.

David’s Psalter—Page 4

Upcoming David’s Church and Wider Church Activities Sunday Worship – Please join us each Sunday at 10:00 AM as we share together in God’s Word and love in community. Sunday School : Classes for children and youth – usually on the 2nd and 4th Sun-

days of each month during worship during the school year. Monthly Special Offering for September: Cemetery Association Trust Fund September 25 - HOMECOMING Service with meal, provided by David’s, follow-

ing the service. October Special Offering: United Church of Christ Neighbors in Need offering. October 2– World Wide Communion Sunday. October 9 - Access Sunday and Disabilities Awareness Week. October 16 - Laity Sunday - A day for our lay leaders to lead us in worship.

David’s Psalter—Page 5

Have a submission for the newsletter?

Please see Pastor DiAnn or Becky Savidge before the 20th of each month…...

Aluminum Recycling Fundraiser And don’t forget – we have an ongoing fundraiser at church. Just drop off your aluminum cans (soda, beer, etc.) in the can located

behind the church. Thanks to Roy Hill for coordinating the redemp-tion of the aluminum and adding the funds to the church budget. Note: Please donate ALUMINUM CANS ONLY – no tin or steel

cans (e.g. dog food cans, soup cans, etc.)

WE ARE ONLY COLLECTING ALUMINUM.

What is Access Sunday?

Each year, one Sunday is designated on the UCC church calendar as Access Sunday. In 2016, October 9th will be the occasion that all the UCC will join to-gether in celebrating the gifts of persons with disabilities and the strides that the church has made in being more whole through being more accessible. It is also a day that we, the church, acknowledge the journey yet to be taken with our sisters and brothers with disabilities. (from: http://uccdm.org/access-sunday/)

David’s is now a fully accessible building! We recognize that we all have unique abilities and gifts from God. We invite people of all abilities to come and share in our worship service and church family. Sharing our individual gifts enriches us all as we grow closer to God and reach out to our community and world in service.

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David’s United Church of Christ

1907 Klingerstown Road

Herndon, PA 17830

September 2016

David’s United Church of Christ

1907 Klingerstown Road, Herndon,

Pennsylvania 17830

Tom Carl, Council President

DiAnn Baxley, Pastor

Office Phone (570) 425-3242

e-mail: davidsucc-hebe@tds.net

www.davidsucchebepa.weebly.com