Parkway Courier Volume 52, No. 8 September 2017

We're All in the Boat Together By Pastor Kathy Itzin

Recently, during a church service, we read the story of the disciples in a boat on the stormy seas. (Matthew 15: 22-33) In doing my sermon research, I discovered that a ship or boat is a very ancient symbol for the Christian Church. Going back even as far as the second century, Jesus’ followers used it as code at a time when it was illegal to be a Christian. It was even used to mark graves in the catacombs.

Why do we care? What difference does it make?

The deeper I dug into this image, the more I think it speaks to us.

First and foremost, none of the crew joins on their own. They are picked out, and hired by the captain. In the scriptures, the idea of ‘my deciding to join a church’ is never addressed. I doubt if the concept was ever considered. In the scriptures, we are chosen by God, not the other way around. “You have not chosen me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last…” (John 15: 16)

In the story of Jesus calming the seas, “he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side.” (Matthew 14: 22) Not only does Jesus tell them to get in the boat, but he also says they have to sail or row to the other side of the lake at night, when a bad storm is approaching. This clearly is not a pleasure cruise.

This story tells us a lot, if we think of the Church as a ship. We are chosen for it. We are told to get on board. Then we are pushed off into stormy seas. The stormy seas could be happening in our personal lives, or in this phase of our life as a church. Maybe it’s involving the whole Christian Church, or we could think of our own Parkway. The perilous seas can be all around us, and we could be afraid.

Here’s where more of that ship image comes into play. We’re not in the ship by ourselves. We are surrounded by other good-hearted people just like us, people that want the same things in life, and people trying their best to follow Jesus’ Way. We can ask each other for help. We support each other. We all have different jobs to do, and we bring different personalities to meet other’s needs.

But by far, the most important thing is that Jesus came when they needed him, and it wasn’t just Jesus. Raging waters had always been a symbol of uncontrollable chaos, fear, and death. In the Creation story, God creates land to hem in the uncontrollable waters. In the story of Noah’s Ark, waters threatened all life. In the Exodus story, the Red Sea closed back on the Egyptians when they were trying to take the Hebrews captive, and the Egyptians drowned. For these Jewish men in Jesus’ time, it was very clear that only God could control the waters.

Then, when the boat was threatened with the raging water, Jesus came walking on the waves. He not only controlled them, he stepped on them. He crushed evil underfoot.

We can worry about the stormy seas in our lives. We can be concerned about the future of our church. We can even be afraid of what will happen to us. But, we also know that we are in the boat together, and that God has the ship well in hand.

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September Scriptures

September 3 Proper 17 Romans 12: 9-21 (Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.) Matthew 16: 21-28 (From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering...and be killed, and on the third day be raised) September 10 Proper 18 Rally Sunday Psalm 119: 33-40 (Teach me, God, the way of your statutes...See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life) Matthew 1: 15-20 (If two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them) September 17 Proper 19 Youth Hiefer Mission Trip Presentation Psalm 103: 1-13 (Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me, bless God's holy name) Romans 15: 1-2 (Let us be willing and able to help others) September 24 Proper 20 Jonah 3: 10-4: 11 (Story of Jonah. He warned the Isaraelites to repent or God would slam them, they repented, and now he's feeling like an idiot because God won't kill them all) Romans 14: 1-12 (In the lectionary, this scripture was assigned to last week, but I'm using it now). (Don't pass judgement on the weak, or on any other people. They are for the Lord, so are you)

Out to Lunch Bunch

The Out to Lunch Bunch will gather at Broadway Pizza in Crystal, 5632 W. Broadway Ave., on September 14, at 11:30 a.m. They have a wonderful lunch buffet or you can order from the menu. Please call the church office if you plan on going so we can make reservations.

Parkway Courier Charlene Merz, Editor The deadline for the October Courier is September 20. Please bring your articles to the church office or email them to Parkwayucc@gmail.com All articles are appreciated!

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CHOIR

is terrific therapy,

is more fun than working out,

creates great spirit and teamwork,

and...

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US!!!

Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 6 at 7:00 p.m.

Come a little early to pick up your music,

and we'll sing on September 10!

Talk to Bonnie McClain if you have any questions.

Bell Choir Bell Choir practice begins September 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Never played handbells before? Can't read music? That's okay! No problem. Come and have fun with the bell choir and make beautiful music too! Once you try it you'll want to keep coming back! If you have questions, see our bell choir director, Carolyn Hendel.

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Parkway Youth

Join us during worship on September 17 as the youth talk about their experiences and what they learned during their Mission Trip to the Heifer Project Ranch in Arkansas in July. They have a lot to tell and share. Come early and see the ranch brought to life in the narthex! You don't want to miss this!

September 10

Join us for Rally Day on September 10 as we kick off the new programming year! Games! Fun! And of course, our annual picnic. The church will provide hamburgers, hotdogs, and drinks. Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share! See you then!

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Neighbors in Need Special Offering by Ann Jarvimaki for the Board of Community Outreach

The Neighbors in Need offering, which we will receive on October 1, supports the UCC's ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. Through ucc.org/justice, our national Justice and Witness Ministries office offers resources, news updates, and action alerts on a broad spectrum of justice issues. Working with members of the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network (a network of thousands of UCC justice and peace advocates), Justice and Witness continues its strong policy advocacy work on issues such as the federal budget, voting rights, immigration, health care, hate crimes, civil liberties, and environmental justice. Nieghbors in Need also supports our American Indian Ministries (CAIM). Historically, forebears of the UCC established churches and worked with Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arickara, and Hocak in North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and northern Nebraska. Today there are 20 UCC congregations on reservations and one urban, multi-tribal UCC congregation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These churches and their pastors are supported by CAIM. CAIM is also an invaluable resource for more than 1,000 indivduals from dozens of other tribes and nations who are members of other UCC congregations in the U.S.

Neighbors in Need helps make another world possible. It needs your support.

September Coffee Hour: Volunteers September Drivers Flowers 3 Dave Hendel 3 Open 10 David Goettsch 10 Open 17 Brad Jones 17 Open 24 Dave Hendel 24 Open

E-mail address: parkwayucc@gmail.com Rev. Kathy's e-mail: parkwayuccpastor@gmail.com Web Site: www.parkwayucc.com

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Please Remember in Your Prayers

Gerry Hartley Bob Freeman - (Cancer surgery) Rose Marie Lund – (Durand’s daughter) Donelle Arkley - (Michael Snitker's sister) Jim Leerssen Grace Ashley-(Ro Shanklin's sister-in-law) Marlene Mars Maxine Rogers - (Lonnie Rose's sister) Harriet Thompson Pam Eckert - (Friend of Dawn Stroschein) Parkway Church Alan Johnston - (Alice Johnston's son) Eunice Shore Judy Oelkers - (Pat Durand's cousin) Brett Sprague John Tinsley - (Greg Tinsley's father) Laura Mylan - (Friend of Janet Zahn) Lu Butler Jan Schwarz A.J. Houle - (Dick and Nancy Larson's son-in-law) Karen Anderson Alan Johnston - (Alice Johnston's son) Andy Benjamin - (Friend of Silverness) Ron Moore - (Carolyn Hendel's brother-in-law) Terri Lipelt - (Todd's brother) Sheryl Griefe - (Friend of Dick and Nancy) Steven, Shawn and Jessie - (Terri's family, for their well being) Veralyn and Dennis Bash - (sister and brother-in-law of Lester Boerger) Percy Ross - (Extensive bladder cancer) Sandy Thompson - (Bob and Evie Thompson's daughter-in-law)

We are open and affirming.

We are Spiritually Progressive. We take the Bible seriously, not literally. No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!

Happy Birthday to all our Parkway members and friends who have birthdays in September. Our membership program has now been converted to files we can access, but we are still in the process of getting it all set up. Our apologies to those names we are unable to list, but we send Birthday Wishes to all of you!

HAPPY/THANKFUL OFFERINGS

We are offering this gift because we are happy and/or thankful for:

August 13, 2017 Happy Birthday to Trygve's beautiful music Bob Thompson's B-day Bob Thompson! today and throughout today and Terri's on -Lester and Dianne the summer. August 17. -Bonnie and Phil -Carol and Kathy Percy's smile looking me in the eyes, and Celebrating 30 years of his hug. wedded bliss on the 15th. -Emily Braun -Char and Greg

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Parkway Courier An Open and Affirming Church Telephone: 612-522-2982 Fax Number: 612-522-1439 E-mail: parkwayucc@gmail.com

Worship Service: Sunday, 10 a.m. Office Hours: 9 a.m. − 4 p.m. Monday − Thursday

Rev. Kathy Itzin, Senior Minister Charlene Merz, Administrative Assistant Bonnie McClain, Director of Music Daniel Ritter, Organist Carolyn Hendel, Bell Choir Director Molly Merz, Custodian

Published by and for members and friends of

PARKWAY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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10 a.m. Worship 7 p.m. Victory AA 10 a.m. Bible Sudy 7 p.m. Choir

10:15 Sunday School

11 a.m. Coffee Hour 5:30-7 Truth in Spirit

12:30 CWOW

Rally Day 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

10 a.m. Worship 7 p.m. Victory AA 10 a.m. Bible Study 6 p.m. Bell Choir 11:30 a.m. Out to

10:15 Rally Day Fun! 7 p.m. Choir Lunch Bunch 7 p.m. Council

11 a.m. Picnic 5:30-7 Truth in Spirit

12:30 CWOW

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10 a.m. Worship 7 p.m. Victory AA 10 a.m. Bible Study 6 p.m. Bell Choir Social Hall reserved

Mission Trip Memories 7 p.m. Choir 12:00-5:30 p.m.

11 a.m. Coffee Hour 5:30-7 Truth in Spirit

12:30 CWOW Courier Deadline

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10 a.m. Worship 7 p.m. Victory AA 10 a.m. Bible Study

10:15 Sunday School

11 a.m. Coffee Hour 5:30-7 Truth in Spirit

12:30 CWOW

Parkway United Church of Christ

September 2017