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The Envoy November/December 2019 Vol. 11, Issue 11/12
Church Office
Phone: 610-866-8793
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:30am-1:30pm
Website: www.edgeboromoravian.org Stay in the loop!
Visit the website to see the church calendar.
Enroll in our weekly email announcements and phone
blasts for special announcements by visiting
edgeboromoravian.org/communications.
Find us on Facebook and join our Group!
The Mission of the Edgeboro Moravian Church Family is to Love
God, Grow in Christ and Share the Holy Spirit through worship,
fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism.
Pastor: Rev. Dan Miller
Emergency Contact Phone: 7747-REVDAN
(Call, Text, Leave Message—It will be received on all
his electronic devices.)
Administrative Assistant: Mary Ann Lynn
Organist & Senior Choir Director: Gayle Justice
Custodian: Greg Clugston
Dear Edgeboro Friends & Family,
As some of you know, I help record for a podcast where I read and reflect on the Moravian Daily Text.
When I was recording in advance for the October 24th episode, I saw that the watchword was from Psalm
66, which then prompted me to read all of Psalm 66. There was a verse in that psalm that really stood
out to me. It said, “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me” (Ps.
66:16). In this case, the psalmist remembers what God has done in order to keep the faith in the present
moment. For them, remembering what God has done in the past is proof that God will continue to act in
the future. So on the podcast, I used it as an invitation to briefly talk about some of the things God has
done for me and then I invited the listeners to recall some of the things God has done for them so that
their faith may be encouraged.
I feel like we’re in a season right now that is calling us to remember what God has done for us.
First came Edgeboro’s 105th anniversary on October 25th - a day that naturally called us to think back
on the past to reflect on what’s all happened at Edgeboro Moravian Church and to think about the many
individuals and families (including ourselves) that have been touched by the people that are and that
have been a part of the congregation. This is then closely followed by All Saints Day on November 1st -
a day that honors all of those that have gone before us that have inspired us, led us, trail blazed for us,
and loved us. Later in the same month is Thanksgiving, November 28th – a day set aside for counting
one’s blessings.
Each of these days invites us to think back on what God has done for each of us.
So, what has God done for you? – The miracles, joys, gifts, callings, graces, people, opportunities,
memories, etc.
Instead of simply dwelling in the past, let’s use these memories in the same way the psalmist did. Let’s
allow these memories to serve as proof that just as God was there working for us and with us in the past,
God will do the same in the future. Let’s allow them to rekindle our faith. Let’s allow them to inspire us
to give of our gifts of time, talent, treasure, and testimony so that others may see God at work in us and
in their lives, too. Let’s allow them to be the means by which God gives us hope, joy, peace, and love for
the future - which is exactly what we will celebrate in the near future during the upcoming season of
Advent.
May God’s continued blessings be with you all in this season of remembrance, thanksgiving, and hope.
Witnessing with You,
Pastor Dan
Joyful Noise Offering The Joyful Noise Offering for September
was a gift for Rev. Paul Silwamba. The
amount was $272.66.
The Joyful Noise Offering for October was
for Family Promise. The amount was
$118.04.
Thank you for your generosity!
Upcoming Joyful Noise Offerings:
November 3rd: Shannon Swingle’s Nepal
Mission Trip
December 1st: Moravian Open Door
The Envoy Page 2
Worship In this section you will find information about special offerings, services, and
activities for the communal worship of our congregation.
New Year’s Eve Communion What better way to close out the old year
and seek to prayerfully enter the new year
than to receive Holy Communion. On
Tuesday December 31 from 4:30– 6:00 PM
the sanctuary will be open for quiet
reflection and dialogue with God. Upon
entering the Sanctuary participants will be
offered a guide for this reflection time. This
will be a time to review the past year, and
dedicate yourself anew to Christ for the new
year. Then, when ready, participants can
come forward to receive Holy Communion
from Pastor Dan. You are then welcome to
stay as long as you wish.
GREETINGS TO ALL STARMAKERS:
Christmas Eve Services The Christmas Eve Candle Services are one
of the highlights of our church year and
represent a wonderful time to invite your
family and friends to experience our church
family. Please be sure to pick up your free
tickets for the service you want to attend so
that we can manage overcrowding and
assure that you will have a seat.
Service Schedule
3:00 PM—Lovefeast and Candle Service
5:30 PM—Lovefeast and Candle Service
8:00 PM—Candlelight Vigil
Advent Candlelight
Holy Communion Service On Sunday December 1st, at 4:00 p.m. we
will hold a special Candlelight Communion
service as way of marking the beginning of
the Advent Season. This is one of the most
meaningful and beautiful services held at
Edgeboro and we invite you to join us for
this unique experience of God’s grace.
Don’t Forget!
On Sunday, November 3rd to turn
your clocks back one hour. We get
one more hour of sleep that night.
Page 3
Servants in November
Elders
3 Shannon Swingle
10 Val Hoff
17 Tom Pheiffer
24 Myra Jones
Sacristans
3 Tom & Gilda Pheiffer
10 Bob & Elley Silfies
17 Brad & Mary
Williamson
24 Craig & Tamara Baer
Ushers
3 Brent & Kyle Sergent
10 John & Rosie Bauman
17 John & Diane Knox
24 Bob & Elley Silfies Greeters 3 Jane Williamson 10 Ruth Zaun 17 Heather James 24 LaRue Jones Scripture Reader 3 Kay Gariepy 10 17 24 Kay Gariepy Sign up at the church or online!
Sunday Worship Schedule
November 3
Joyful Noise
9:15AM Sunday School
10:30AM Worship
November 10
Communion
9:15AM Sunday School
10:30AM Worship
5:00PM Confirmation Class
November 17
9:15AM Sunday School
10:30AM Worship
11:30AM Church Council
November 24
Baptism
9:15 AM Sunday School
10:30AM Worship
5:00PM Confirmation Class
Our Worship Attendance
for September
2018 2019
51(SS)
(C)
Week 1 60(SS)
(C)
108(RD) Week 2 87(RD)
94 (CL) Week 3 107 (CL)
116 Week 4 97
72 Week 5 77
AL: Anniversary
Lovefeast
C: Communion
CL: Children’s Lovefeast
RD: Rally Day
SS: Summer Service
Nursery Schedule
Date Toddler Room Infant Room
11/3/19 Jenny Minnich Carole Schachter
11/10/19 Season Pagano Karen and Woody
Werner
11/17/19 Cheryl Kindt Karen and Woody
Werner
11/24/19 Sherri Hoff Karen and Woody
Werner
Our Worship Attendance
for October
2018 2019
84(C) Week 1 84 (C)
93 Week 2 77
83 (AL) Week 3 76
88 Week 4 60 (AL)
Nursery Schedule
Date Toddler Room Infant Room
12/1/2019 Penny Sergent Carole Schachter
12/8/2019 Lisa Courtade Karen and Woody
Werner
12/15/2019 Tim & Hope
Harrell
Karen and Woody
Werner
12/22/2019 Jen & Justin Karen and Woody
Werner
12/29/2019 Gaye Eldridge Karen and Woody
Werner
Page 4 The Envoy
Servants in December
Elders
1 Robyn Balsai (10:30)
1 Myra Jones (4:00)
8 Tom Pheiffer
15 (Musicale)
22 Andrew Miller
24 Robyn Balsai (3:00)
24 Mike Long (5:30)
24 Andrew Miller (8:00)
29 (Watchwords)
Sacristans
1 John Bauman &
Peggy Leith (10:30)
1 Tom & Gilda Pheiffer
(4:00)
8 David & Sharon Bond
15 Ron & Carol Freyman
22 Michael & Myra Jones
24 David Bond & Linda
Lindemuth (3:00)
24 Tom & Gilda Pheiffer
(5:30)
24 Bob & Elley Silfies
(8:00)
29 Brad & Mary
Williamson
Ushers
1 LaRue Jones & Ruth
Zaun
8 Eric Smith & Family 15 TBD 22 TBD 24 TBD 24 TBD 24 TBD 29 TBD Greeters 1 Knox Family 8 Heath & Val Hoff 15 Nelson & Sherri Hoff 22 Jane Williamson 29 Tim & Hope Harrell Scripture Reader 1 Kay Gariepy 8 15 (Musicale) 22 29 (Watchwords) Sign up at the church or online!
Sunday Worship Schedule
December 1
1st Sunday in Advent
Joyful Noise
9:15AM Sunday School
10:30AM Worship
4:00PM Advent Vespers (Communion)
December 8
2nd Sunday in Advent
Edgeboro Ensemble in Worship
9:15AM Sunday School
10:30AM Worship
5:00PM Confirmation Class
December 15
3rd Sunday in Advent
Sunday School Pageant &
Choir Musicale
9:15AM Sunday School
10:30AM Worship
5:00PM Confirmation Class
December 22
4th Sunday in Advent
9:15AM Sunday School
10:30AM Worship
Christmas Eve
3 PM Lovefeast
5:30PM Lovefeast
8PM Candle Vigil
December 29
Choosing Watchwords for 2020
10:30AM Worship
NOVEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
1) Liza Engelbrecht
4) Bonnie Peters
Robert Silfies, Jr.
6) Jocelyn Snyder
7) Jay Engelbrecht
10) Julie Horn
Michael Horn
17) Deea Graser
Katlyn Hosterman
18) Thomas Pheiffer
20) Darryl Bacon
Rebekah Miller
Eric Sergent
Dawn Hudson
21) Stephen Moller
25) Megan Weikert
Garrett Eldridge
26) John Knox
27) John Madison
Nancy Zulli
28) Stephen Millhein
29) John Horn
30) Chris Giesler
CHILDREN’S
BIRTHDAYS
1) Alexis Beller
Hailey Beller
6) Jerrah Eldridge
8) Jacob Weikert
17) Rowan Wieller
29) Elyse Borowski
NOVEMBER
ANNIVERSARIES
1) Bradley and Rebekah Miller
George and Linda Moller
3) Joe & Susan Testa
5) Jay & Liza Engelbrecht
8) John & Marcia Madison
17) Bradley and Mary Williamson
Dan & Megan Terry
21) Jeffrey and Jennifer Minnich
28) William and Carole Schachter
29) Dan Miller & Beth Behrend
The Envoy Page 5
ATTENTION
If you have a report that you want included
in the Church Council Report, please get it
into the office by November 1st to give the
office time to get the report ready for
Church Council on November 17th.
Moravian Mints are here!
Moravian Mints will be available after November
10th in the Parlor. They are still $6.00 a box.
Fellowship In this section you will find information about fellowship events, correspondence
received during the month, and birthday and anniversary dates.
The Envoy Page 6
DECEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
2) Parker Hoff
Katherine Kendall
3) Hannah Bucchin
Joshua Testa
4) Amy Giesler
6) David Bond
7) Earl W. Kunsman IV
Rebecca Miller
8) Martha Ammon
9) Noemi Gonzalez
10) Jane Martin
13) Mary Lou Bachman
18) Melissa Hoff
20) Edward Fotta
21) Dana Grubb
Diane Talpas
Ellen Pagano
24) Barbara Burkhardt
Holly Haines
Dylan Perkins
25) Ann Amidon
27) Anthony Emig
28) Kristen Scalise
29) Alice Durner
CHILDREN’S
BIRTHDAYS
3) Joseph Miller
6) Paige Beller
14) Austin Lilly
19) Cayden Rader
21) Mika Dreisbach
25) Riley Geisler
DECEMBER
ANNIVERSARIES
2) Terry and Kathie Smyser
16) Sherwood and Karen Werner
21) Justin and Jennifer Hoff
29) Ryan and Rebecca Beller
30) Tim & Jill Jones
31) Gerald and Gaye Eldridge
Amazon Smile
Amazon Users! As you think about your
Christmas shopping, make sure to use Amazon
Smile, which donates 0.5% of the purchase price
to the organization of your choice. To support
Edgeboro, search for "Edgeboro Moravian
Congregation" as your supporting organization or
go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/24-6001634.
Unity Prayer Watch
The calendar for the Unity Prayer Watch has
come out. The day that Edgeboro is responsible for
is Monday, December 16th. There will be a
sign up sheet for covering the time slots closer to
the date. This is our chance to participate in
praying for the world. What a privilege!
Fellowship In this section you will find information about fellowship events, correspondence
received during the month, and birthday and anniversary dates.
The Envoy
Pumpkin Rolls
Pumpkin rolls are being made again
this year. They are being made on
November 23rd from 7:00AM—4PM.
The cost for the pumpkin rolls is $10.
The order and the money is due by
Sunday, November 17th. Make the
checks payable to “Edgeboro Moravian
Church”. Please return order and checks
to Sherri Hoff. In the memo line, please
indicate pumpkin roll.
You may pick up the pumpkin rolls on
Sunday, November 24th. Any rolls not
picked up by noon will be put in the
freezer.
If you have any questions, please call
Sherri Hoff at 610-759-4974 or email at
Church News
Salvation Army Lunch
The next time a group from Edgeboro
will be at The Salvation Army (521
Pembroke Rd.) making lunch will be
December 15th & 22nd, 10:00am-
2:00pm. All are welcome to help set
up, cook, prep food, serve, and greet
people as they come in. Come for all or
part of the time.
Address Changes
Gloria Hilbert (New Phone Number)
Cell # 484-225-0450
Karen Gehret
506 Delaware Ave, Apt B2
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Luminaria Night
The 21st Annual Luminaria Night is scheduled
for Saturday, December 14, 2019 and many
homes and businesses will set out white bags
with votive candles burning inside. The proceeds
from the sale of these luminaria kits provide
funds to New Bethany Ministries. New Bethany
helps the homeless, hungry, poor and mentally
ill in the Lehigh Valley.
We are looking for donations towards the bags,
candles and sand and also looking for volunteers
to help fill the bags and distribute them on
December 14th.
Please talk to Paul and Blake Messman to make
a donation. Help Edgeboro Moravian Church
show support for a great ministry and light up
our sidewalks, beautifying our neighborhood
and greet Putz visitors.
Save-the-Dates for Camp Hope!
Sr. High Retreat at Camp Hope
(Grade 9-Age 21) Jan. 10-12, 2020
Girls' Retreat at Camp Hope
(Grades 3-8) Jan. 24-26, 2020
The Envoy Page 8
Christmas Putz
PUTZ RAISING ~ Saturday, November 16
We’ll start at 10:00 am and work until we are done. We’ll order pizza for lunch at 1:00 pm.
Please bring a 2-liter bottle of soda, chips or a dessert to share. This is open to all ages! Any
questions ~Art Sergent (610-653-2730) or Robyn Balsai (610-865-1110)
DONATIONS of INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED CANDIES (Hershey Kisses, hard candies,
etc) and NEWSPAPER (NO SHINY ADS) must be labeled and placed on the stage in Fellow-
ship Hall by November 15th.
We are looking for WHITE PAPER MORAVIAN STARS strung with green or gold thread to
give to over 200 school children who visit the putz. Contact Robyn Balsai if interested.
Any HAND MADE CRAFTS have to be in church on or before November 15th. Please clearly
label your bags/boxes of items (include your name) and put them on the stage in Fellowship
Hall. Questions ~ contact Megan Weikert ([email protected] or 610-392-0910).
VOLUNTEER to be a hostess, kitchen assistant or Christmas Room assistant. We need people
for daytime, nighttime, and weekend shifts. Training will be provided. Please contact Terri
Long ([email protected] or 610-730-9347) to volunteer.
PUTZ VOLUNTEER TRAINING ~ we’ll have two opportunities for training new volunteers.
This is a good refresher for past volunteers. Join us in Fellowship Hall on one of these dates:
Sunday, November 17th from 8:15 to 9:00 am * Sunday, November 24th at 11:30 am
The Putz Committee:
Robyn Balsai, Art Sergent, Megan Weikert, Terri Long, Peggy Leith, Blake Messman, Tom
Pheiffer, Shannon Swingle
Page 9 The Envoy
Fall Church Council Meeting
Sunday, November 17, 2019
The Church Council of the Edgeboro Moravian Congregation will convene on
Sunday, November 17th after the 10:30AM Service.
Each communicant member of the congregation is a member of the Church Council
and should attend the meeting. At the meeting, we will review our ministries of
2019, review the church budget for 2020, hold elections for church board members
and representatives, and vote on updates.
Updating the church bylaws is something the Joint Board began last year. These
proposed updates would establish a quorum for Joint Board meetings, create
flexibility in scheduling Edgeboro’s regular fall and winter church council meetings,
and add a section pertaining to the ownership of church property as required by the
Provincial Elders’ Conference of the Northern Province.
At the meeting, we will be electing the leaders who will serve on the Board of Elders
(who look after the spiritual life of the congregation), the Board of Trustees (who
oversee the buildings and grounds as well as the financial management of the
congregation), delegates for Eastern District Synod (June 24-27, 2020), and a
representative to be on the Bethlehem Area Moravians Ministries Committee.
Also included with this newsletter is the proposed budget for 2020. This will be
reviewed at this council meeting, but not voted on until our January Church Council
meeting.
THE EDGEBORO ENSEMBLE
WHO WE ARE: We are a group of Edgeboro musicians who practice and perform together
during Christmas and Easter.
QUALIFICATIONS: Anyone who has had at least (1) year of instruction on their instru-
ment. Adults and students are welcome. Instrument in the closet? Dust it off and join us!
Students we need you!
UPCOMING REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
SUNDAY NOV. 24th: Choir room 12:15-1:15PM (Snacks and water are provided!)
SUNDAY DEC 1st: Choir room 12:15-1:15PM
PERFORM IN CHURCH FOR 10:30AM SERVICE
SUNDAY DEC. 8th: (10:00AM) Report to choir room to leave instrument cases and take I
nstrument to choir loft. Find seats. We begin playing preludes at 10:15AM. We will then
play along with some liturgy and hymns and play postludes at the end of the service.
PLEASE CALL or EMAIL Megan Weikert, Director (Cell. 610-392-0910 [email protected])
to inform me of your participation. I am looking forward to having some new members to
join our seasoned members! SEE YOU SOON!
Page 10
“Harvest Home” Donation Drive—Northeast Community Center (NECC) (formerly known as Northeast Ministry)
NECC recently posted about the need for food in the community. In three days (6.5 hours) of
holding signups, 94 Marvine-Pembroke neighborhood families signed up expressing the need for
assistance with a Thanksgiving meal. (An additional 26 families from surrounding
neighborhoods signed up as well.)
NECC is specifically looking for the following:
Grocery store gift cards that can be distributed for the purchase of turkeys
Items for a Thanksgiving meal that can be distributed.
Canned Yams Green beans
Cream of mushroom soup Potato flakes
Stuffing Mix French fried onions
Pumpkin Pie filling Cornbread mix
Pie crust mix Boxed Macaroni and cheese
Canned corn Cranberry Sauce
Did you know that NECC is one mile away from Edgeboro? They’re our neighbors!
You can help our neighbors by bringing these items to Edgeboro
through Sunday, November 17th.
Something to keep in mind after this:
In those same three signup days at NECC, 86 children were signed up that are in need of Christmas gifts.
(More information about how Edgeboro can help to be announced later.)
The Envoy
The Envoy
Board of Trustees’ October Meeting Highlights
Edgeboro trustees were asked to provide a night of coverage for the Bethlehem Emergency
Shelter. At joint board it was decided that we will cover February 11th. More info to come
as approximately 20 volunteers will be required.
The telephones in the parlor and the nursery are not working and will be replaced.
The elevator light is being replaced and signage for elevator room installed at requirement
of fire marshal after recent inspection.
Don’t forget to sign up for e-Giving!
Are you a faithful giver? We understand that it may not be possible to attend church
every Sunday. The work of the church continues even when you can’t be here. Thank you
for considering becoming faithful in your giving. And if you are already a faithful giver –
Thanks!
Elder Highlights for September & October
A motion was made and passed to approve Nepal Mission Trip for November 3 Joyful Noise
offering and Moravian Open Door for December 1 Joyful Noise offering.
A motion was made and passed to approve baptism request for Beau Wieller on October 13.
Beau is the son of Ariel and Dray Wieller.
Elders scheduled a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for October 26 from 4-7 p.m. in Fellowship
Hall. A free-will offering at the dinner will help Shannon Swingle, who is hoping to join a
group mission trip to Nepal in December.
Elders remembered those who celebrated birthdays and anniversaries in September and
October.
