Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
February 2018 NEWSLETTER
CONTACT THE CHURCH
321 South Limerick Rd. Limerick, PA 19468 610-489-0990 www.stjames-ucc.org
Pastor: Anne Cormier [email protected]
Minister of Music: Donna Pinto [email protected] (610) 792-1679
Office Assistant: Sandy Chang Mon. & Thurs. 10am-2pm [email protected]
for Newsletters: [email protected]
2018 CONSISTORY
Nancy Ewing, President Ellie Wellman, V. President Laura Walters, Secretary Bob Walters Rugene Caldwell Jay Smith Charlotte Fiedler Anita Rogers
officers: Tom Mogel, Financial Sec. Ruth Borneman, Historian Jay Smith, Treasurer
“Like” us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/stjamesucc
Three Great Loves
As we celebrate the gift of LOVE on Valentine’s Day,
let us take the whole month of February to be
intentional in pondering and meditating on how deeply
we are loved by God. No matter what family we were
born into, we were first created in love by God. As the
psalmist writes we are “fearfully and wonderfully
made”, -- conceived in the heart and mind of God, and
intricately woven together by the One who knew our
unformed substance. (Ps. 139). It is from this
knowledge of love - God as the truest, deepest source
of our being, that we say “Yes” to the call to follow Christ right into the very
heart of God – our soul’s true home.
The church makes claim to this love at our baptism. As we learn to trust this
foundation of Love that undergirds all of life, we step out in faith into
discipleship, enacting our faith which enables us to grow in our love of God and
our love of others. God’s love is a boundless love, which means there is no end to
the depth or breath of love we can experience if we choose to follow Christ. It is
in following Jesus that God’s love for us and God’s plan/path/rule of Love is
most visible and accessible to us. Following Jesus requires us to live our faith and
reach beyond ourselves to the place where God is most visible and tangible – in
relationship with and service to others.
Love by its very nature requires it to be shared, otherwise it turns into some kind
of narcissistic vortex, repelling genuine relationships and diminishing life in its
wake. As I have lifted up to you before, the United Church of Christ is in the
midst of a two year initiative called “Three Great Loves”, inviting us as a
congregation to enact our faith through demonstrating our love of God, through
our Love of Children, Love of Neighbor, Love of Creation. We are encouraged to
share our stories of these loving experiences on the national website to celebrate
and inspire one another to our great call to Love. So let us follow Jesus and
deepen our discipleship. Let us make this coming Lent not so much about giving
up something, but rather, giving into expressions of Love in tangible service to
others. In doing so we just might transform lives, and may find ourselves with
transformed hearts.
May Love abound,
Pastor Anne
WHAT’S UP
▪ Cong’l Life………...3
▪ Birthdays……….….3
▪ Prayer Concerns..4
▪ Household
Prayers….…........5
▪ Calendar…….……..6
PAGE 2 February 2018 NEWSLETTER
Lectionary for February
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
SCOUTS SUNDAY
Every Monday night, Boy Scouts meets at
our church. On Feb 11, scouts will
participate in worship, meet the
congregation, & share about their
activities. Please be sure to welcome them as we
celebrate our sponsorship & our mutual stewardship of
the church.
SEEDS FOR MORINGA
We will be running the ingathering of seeds for the
month of February. The children will be leading this
effort. They can be any variety of vegetable
seeds. Squash of any kind, tomatoes of any kind,
cucumbers, peppers, beans of all kinds are just a few
suggestions that you might want to buy.
Presentation of the Lord February 2, 2018
Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 84 or Psalm 24:7-10
Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany February 4, 2018 Rev. Dave Ackers
Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39
Transfiguration Sunday February 11, 2018
2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9
Ash Wednesday February 14, 2018
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12
Psalm 51:1-17 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
First Sunday in Lent February 18, 2018
Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-10 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15
Second Sunday in Lent February 25, 2018
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:23-31 Romans 4:13-25 Mark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9
THANK YOU for Making Our Christmas, Bethany Children’s Home
During this holiday season, we thank
you for your supporting our local youth through their
process of healing. The gifts you have donated have
provided many smiling faces throughout the holiday
season and beyond. Thank you for thinking of our
youth during this time of year. Your ongoing support
will help them to continue to heal and take back their
lives.
Sincerely, Kevin Snyder Chief Executive Officer
“SOUPER” BOWL SUNDAY FEB 4TH
Put on you team colors and bring canned goods to
church on Sunday, February 4th. We will have two
boxes representing the teams in the Super Bowl - the
New England Patriots and our very own Philadelphia
Eagles. Support your your favorite team by placing
your food items in the appropriate bin. Let's see who
is the favored team of our church! A soup cauldron
will also be in the narthex for monetary donations.
Proceeds benefit Project Outreach's Royersford Food
Pantry.
“OUR YES TO GOD” Lenten Study
During the season of Lent, you are invited to explore
what it is like to be in Jesus’ inner. We will journey
with Jesus and his disciples and explore what we
encounter on our own journey of discipleship. Four
UCC churches are participating in the study (with
each church taking turns hosting and each pastor
taking turns facilitating). We will meet each week
from 9:30 – 10:30am.
All are welcome!
Feb 22nd: Linfield UCC, 25 Reformed Rd, Linfield,
March 1st: St. Luke’s UCC, 200 W. Main St, Trappe,
March 8th: St. James UCC, 321 S. Limerick Rd,
March 15th: First UCC, 367 Washington St,
Royersford,
March 22nd: St. Luke’s UCC, 200 W. Main St,
Trappe,
Contact St. Luke’s UCC, Trappe with questions
(610) 489-4933.
PAGE 3 February 2018 NEWSLETTER
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE CON’T
FEBRUARY
Birthday
5….Donald Grisdale
5….Joan Rosen
8….Marion Hentz
10…Jim Cossaboon
12....Anna Rebecca Hendricks
19….Steve Lightcap
20….Edward Myers
20….Joy Rubeo
24….Jack Bosi
25….Katelyn Gelwicks
25….Adrien Cibulsky
25….Samantha McConnell
26….Philip Levering
28….Eleanor Donofrio
28….Sandra Koenig
28….Carl Mogel
Anniversary
15….Robert & Rugene
Caldwell
16….Jerry & Darlene Brunk
Congratulations and best
wishes from your church
family!
CONSISTORY MEETING NOTES
Meeting was opened with devotions followed by
secretary’s minutes and financial reports for
December. Pastor’s report listed the many hospital
visits, funeral services, and church services included
in December. Also, Pastor Anne included a response
from Daybreak to our inquiry about how their
congregation felt about the church and the rental
agreement. Their response was very positive and
they offered to continue to assist as needed whenever
possible.
Old Business: Personnel reviews were scheduled for
Jan.11th for Sandy Chang, Donna Pinto, and Sue
Swinehart with Pastor Anne and Nancy Ewing.
Charlotte Fiedler agreed to continue to fill the
sexton’s duties until Tom Mogel is able to resume
the job. Mission committee requested that the Ash
Wednesday offering be designated to the Agape
Fund and consistory agreed. Scouts are working on
taking down the old playground equipment in
preparation to replace it.
New Business: Meeting was set for Feb. 4th after the
morning service to organize a chicken barbeque
committee. It was agreed that we will try to keep
this as a St. James activity if we can find the people
to fill all the jobs. The dumpster for recycled paper
has been full for a few weeks and we have had no
success in getting the company here to empty it. As
this has been a continual problem, consistory voted
to notify them to empty the dumpster and remove it.
FELLOWSHIP DINNER
All are welcome to the Fellowship Dinner Wednesday February 21st at 5:30pm!
Come join us if you have never attended before. It's a good way to get to know
other church members, we have a good fellowship time together, and it's a night
you don't have to do the cooking.
PRAYER CONCERNS
For our friends Pearl Reinhart, Janice Moore, Betty Wines, Doris Frain, Pauline
Ebersole, Heather Yates, Frances Major, Melissa Moore, Ellie Donofrio, George
and Mary Banyai, Frank Miller and others who are in long term care or unable to
leave their homes. We pray for comfort, peace, healing and companionship for
each of them.
For our friends Dave S, Tom M, Jim V, Dave S, Christalbel B, Sharon P, Barbara
B, Margret, Don M, Frank D, Catherine, Brian M, Kristen S, Oscar, Mark L,
Baby Taum C, Dawn and others with ongoing health concerns and challenging
life of God's presence through the support of our congregation.
For our friends Michele J, John H, Arlene C, Rich M, Danny, Jay, Michelle, Gail V, John J, Tammy, Brad L,
Stacy S, Warren D, Don B, David N, Lisa T, Mildred Z, Ruth, Christine, Walt M, Carolyn and all cancer
survivors, we pray for treatment where it is possible and release from suffering where it is needed.
Prayers for all veterans that are still suffering from PTSD and all other side effects from their service in the
military.
For the friends and family of Chris Hall and for all who grieve at the deaths of those they deeply love and
dearly miss, we ask that they might know the comfort God offers through the community of faith as we
surround them with our prayers.
Lord we thank you for all your blessings you give us each day. We know you hear us as we lift up to you
prayers for healing, physical and mental, and all other needs that we become aware of. Thank you for the
healing that you have given to so many of your children. We pray during this cold weather, that you be with
those that are struggling to find a place of warmth. Lord grant us wholeness of mind, body and spirit, so that
we may serve you. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
We ask that any prayer requests during our church service be put on the cards at the end of the pew and
placed in the offering plate.
Please note that we will remove names on the prayer list after one month, except for homebound and
hospitalized members. Let us know if you would like to add or renew a request by office phone or email.
Initiated by St. James Prayer Team, each Sunday two
church families are being included in the Sunday
worship prayer time. You are invited to include these
members and their families in your prayers throughout
that week.
PAGE 4 February 2018 NEWSLETTER
PRAYING FOR ST. JAMES MEMBERS
February
4 Charles Grisdale
Donald Grisdale
11 Ben, Lisa, Carter, Anna & Emily
Hendricks
Charles and Marion Hentz
18 Hillegass Craig
Margaret Hillegass
25 Betty Himes
Charles and Sandra Koenig
DAILY PRAYERS FOR THE MONTH
PAGE 5 February 2018 NEWSLETTER
MORNING PRAYER
Loving God, no matter what I am facing today, help
me to focus on you throughout it all.
In the light of your new day, I rise to greet You, who
are always on the path in front of me.
Let me follow with integrity where you will lead.
Give me courage and teach me to love my neighbor
as you love me. Then bring me home safely to you.
Amen.
EVENING PRAYER
Loving God, thank you for guiding me throughout this
day, and for the assurance that I live forgiven and loved
by you.
As I face this night, help me to pour out my heart to you
and then rest in your peace.
You are the power above all powers, the healer who
knows our every need.
Now give me sleep to renew my tired body and mind.
Guard me and keep me in your care.
Amen.
THE PRAYER TEAM
I Believe © Valerie Steblein
I believe in a child's laughter
and in happily ever after.
I believe in hugs and kisses
and making wishes.
I believe in reaching for a star
and in loving who you are.
I believe in emotional feelings
and in spiritual healing.
I believe in "let go and let God."
He knows the plan, no matter how odd.
I believe that a forgiving heart
will never break apart.
I believe in leading the way,
taking along all those who stray.
I believe in sharing treasures
gives back so many pleasures.
I believe in prayer
even when life doesn't seem fair...
“Our
Yes
To G
od”
@
Lin
fiel
d U
CC
1/2
2 9
:30 a
m
SU
N
MO
N
TU
E
WE
D
TH
U
FR
I S
AT
1 Ch
oir
7:0
0 p
m
2
3
M
en’s
Bre
ak
fast
8
:30
am
4 F
ifth
Su
nd
ay
aft
er
Ep
iph
an
y
Bib
le S
tud
y 9
:00
am
W
ors
hip
Tea
m 4
5
Bo
y S
cou
ts
7:0
0 p
m
6
Da
yB
rea
k
7:0
0 p
m
7
Pra
yer
Sh
aw
l 6
:30
pm
8
Ch
oir
7:0
0 p
m
9
10
11 S
ixth
Su
nd
ay
aft
er
Ep
iph
an
y
(Sco
ut
Su
nd
ay
) B
ible
Stu
dy
9:0
0 a
m
Wo
rsh
ip T
eam
5
12
Bo
y S
cou
ts
7:0
0 p
m
13
Co
nsi
sto
ry
7:0
0 p
m
Da
yB
rea
k
7:0
0 p
m
14
15
Ch
oir
7:0
0 p
m
16
17
18 F
irst
Su
nd
ay
in
Len
t B
ible
Stu
dy
9:0
0 a
m
Wo
rsh
ip T
eam
6
19
Bo
y S
cou
ts
7:0
0 p
m
20
W
elco
me
10:0
0 a
m
Da
yB
rea
k
7:0
0 p
m
21
Fel
low
ship
D
inn
er 5
:30
pm
22
C
ho
ir 7
:00
pm
U
rsin
us
7
:00
pm
E
nd
ow
men
t 7
:00
pm
23
24
W
om
en’s
F
ello
wsh
ip
10:3
0 a
m
25
Sec
on
d S
un
da
y i
n
Len
t B
ible
Stu
dy
9:0
0 a
m
Wo
rsh
ip T
eam
1
26
B
oy
Sco
uts
7
:00
pm
27
D
istr
ict
AA
2
8
Da
yB
rea
k
7:0
0 p
m
CALENDAR February 2018
Rev
. D
ave
Ak
ers
Bo
y S
cou
t S
leep
ov
er #
10
PAGE 7 February 2018 NEWSLETTER
CONFERENCE & LOCAL NEWS
QUIET DAYS
Members of the Spiritual Life Mission Team invite
all who desire a ‘time apart’ to join them for Quiet
Days at New Goshenhoppen UCC, 1070 Church
Road, East Greenville, PA 18041. Quiet Days are
held on the first Tuesday of each month from 9:30 am
-1:00 pm, as a time for spiritual retreat, reflection and
renewal. The day begins gently with food for thought.
This is followed by a time for individual reflection
and solitude. Participants have the opportunity to
re-gather around the lunch table for fellowship,
sharing and prayer. Quiet Days are designed to open
new avenues of communing with God, and to give
opportunity for sharing faith journeys and stories.
They allow for Sabbath time in the midst of our busy
world. Some come to Quiet Days as a regular
discipline of renewal and stress reduction. Others
come just to enjoy the peace and beauty of nature in
all its seasons. Why not set aside one weekday a
month to regroup with God. Each participant is asked
to bring a Bible, journal, pen and bag lunch. No
formal registration is necessary; just come and see
what God has in store for you!
THE 3 GREAT LOVES INITIATIVE
3 Great Loves is a denomination wide story telling
initiative. Over the span of two years, we will collect
and lift up the stories of our local churches and
affiliates. We want to hear about the knitting clubs,
the food pantries, the community meals, protest, letter
writing campaigns and anything else your church or
organization may be doing to create a just world for
all. NOTHING IS TOO SMALL. The work that is
already being done is significant and greatly needed.
Our hope is that this initiative, we will tell the story of
how we are impacting and transforming the world as
covenantal partners united in common purpose,
vision, and mission.
“For just as the body is one and has many members,
and all the members of the body, though many, are
one body, so it is with Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Participation in the initiative is simply to pass along
the story of the good work your church and/or
community is already doing to create a just world for
all. Share your stories at
http://3greatloves.uccpages.org/.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers---
That perches in the soul ---
And sings the tune without the words ---
and never stops--at all ---
Emily Dickenson
February 2018 NEWSLETTER
Notes & Reminders
Materials for the March Newsletter are due on February 18, 2017.
St. James United Church of Christ 321 South Limerick Road Limerick, PA 19468
NURSERY
February Schedule
February 4 - Nancy Ewing
February 11 - Maryann Lopardo
February 18 - Amy Friemann
February 25 - Sandie Fetterman
If you would like to volunteer to help with the
nursery, please contact Nancy Ewing at
CHICKEN BBQ COMMITTEE
A Chicken BBQ committee is
being created to carry on the
amazing leadership of Bob and
Cora Smith. The committee will
share in organizing the tasks and
different areas/stations of the BBQ
experience. So whether you are an
experienced Chicken BBQer or are new to the game,
come and be part of the BBQ committee. We will
meet in the parlor Sunday, February 4th
immediately following worship. Let us keep this
wonderful tradition alive!
![[Paul R. Raabe] Psalm Structures a Study of Psalm(BookFi.org)](https://img.pdfslide.us/doc/110x75/55cf9730550346d033902bb9/paul-r-raabe-psalm-structures-a-study-of-psalmbookfiorg.jpg)
