ST. JOHN’S WORD
ST. JOHN’S UCC ORWIGSBURG - HTTP://STJOHNORWIGSBURG.ORG/
NOVEMBER 2004
St. John’s Word is
published by and for the
members and friends of St.
John’s UCC, Orwigsburg,
Pennsylvania. If ever you
read this newsletter and
notice an error or oversight,
please notify the church
office. Comments, articles,
drawings and photos for
inclusion in future issues
may be sent to:
Susan McCartney
33 Little Mt Rd
New Ringgold, PA 17960
pathais@earthlink.net
The Mission Statement of
St. John’s United Church of Christ
As a Christ centered congregation we strive:
To reach out with unconditional love and selflessness using our God
given gifts to provide a nurturing shelter for those seeking a
Christian home.
To provide opportunities for spiritual growth through worship,
education, fellowship, prayer and Christian action through out our
community and the world.
November 2004
Altar Guild
Kathryn Heinbaugh
Head Usher
Mike Nye
Pastor
Rev. Barbara Kershner
(570) 366-3876
pastorb4@infionline.net
Communion Assignments
November 28th
Prepare - Barbara Skelding and Jamie Barton
Element Bearers - Toni Groff and John Foster
Servers- Mike Nye, Barbara Skelding, Tom Kramer,
John Jones, Jamie Barton
President of Consistory
Tom Kramer
Health Minister
Kay Jones
(570) 366-1333
kjones8022@aol.com
Church Secretary
Eva Cresswell
sjucc@pottsville.infi.net
Office (570)366-2255
Fax (570)-366-2274
Office Hours:
Monday 8am - 3pm
Thursday 8am - 3pm
Friday 8am - 12 Noon
Date
Acolyte
Altar Flowers
Nursery Att.
Nov. 7
Markea Weller
Maggie & Bud
Segl
Sue Kramer
Nov.
14
Ryan Foster
Bonni & John
Fetterolf
Wendi
Wheeler
Nov.
21
Keith Wagner
Elvena Riegel
Wendi
Wheeler
Nov.
28
Brendan Harley
Laura & Pat
Kimmel
Linda Rice
OUTREACH MINISTRY
Flu Shots Canceled
As you are aware from TV, radio, newspapers, & physician's offices the USA will have a shortage of flu
vaccine this autumn. The clinic at St John’s for Oct 21 was cancelled due to this reason. The CDC has
taken over control of all flu vaccines in the country and will decide where it is most needed .St John’s
Health Ministry is in contact with the VNA and if possible will be scheduling another clinic to give out
flu shots. Please watch the weekly bulletin to see if a date becomes possible.
Sponsor a Pantry Client
The Pantry committee is asking for 5 members of the congregation to sponsor a family for a $20.00
Thanksgiving Dinner. If you can become one of the sponsor families please give your $20.00 check to
Edna Hart, payable to the Orwigsburg Area Food Pantry before Nov.10, 2004.
Schuylkill Assoc. Meeting Feedback
On October 17, 2004 many members of the congregation attended the Schuylkill Association Meeting at
St Paul's UCC in Mahanoy City. Geneva Butz, with Wendi Wheeler as moderator, spoke to us about
becoming a welcoming church in the 'God is Still Speaking' initiative. We were reminded what the UCC
stands for, and the reasons we should be proud of our denomination. The aspects of our openness and
flexibility, characteristics of the UCC’s welcoming hospitality, are rooted in our history and in our
commitments to Jesus Christ and they stress an attitude of acceptance of others. This reminds us that the
Good News of Jesus Christ is not static---God is still speaking! And we are continually challenged to be
open to God’s call.
Edna Hart, Pastor Kershner, Tom Kramer, Bobbi Jo Foster, Susan McCartney & Paulette Peters
attended a workshop Oct 23, 2004 in Hamburg at First UCC on this very program. Ask any one of them
about it when you see them.
Thank you, Edna Hart
PROPERTY MINISTRY
 Trees and brush under power lines at the
parsonage were removed.
t
r
a
t
i
n
g
 A cassette and CD player donated by the
Boy Scouts were connected to the church
sound system for use during services and
other events.
 Church doors are be repaired and painted
in mid-October.
o
n
 We were asked to investigate getting a
handicapped parking space in front of the
church.
 Estimates for repairing the handicapped
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a
 rIf anyone has work requests, please write
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.
 A fall clean-up day is being planned,
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.
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Mike Nye, John Foster,
Tony Rice, Keith Riegel
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to God.
Let us give thanks to God Most High.
It is right to give God thanks and praise!
“It is right to give God thanks and praise.” These words of pastor and people mark the beginning of the
Communion Prayer. They are a reminder that the church gathers to offer thanks to God. November is a
special time of giving thanks with three holy days focused on thankfulness. On November 28, we will
celebrate the Lord’s Supper remembering that Jesus took bread and cup and after giving thanks he gave
them to the disciples. On Thanksgiving Eve, November 24, we will celebrate Thanksgiving as a nation
and community joining with other local congregations here at St. John’s to give thanks for the harvest,
for the gifts of freedom, for abundant resources and for life itself. And on November 14, we will
celebrate Consecration Sunday, a day when our gratitude is expressed in our generosity and our pledge
to give and live generously as disciples of Christ and members of St. John’s UCC.
Thanksgiving assumes that one is thanking another, someone outside oneself. We write thank you notes
to one who has given us a gift, not to ourselves after a day of shopping! Thanksgiving is not a time of
patting ourselves on the back, but of raising hands in prayer and reaching out to give back. In the
church we witness that it is God who has given us the gifts of life, freedom, safety, resources, talents.
The church points to God as the giver of all good things. The church witnesses by saying “thank you”
and by living grateful lives, imitating the God who has given in such abundance and generosity.
The church also helps us to see and confess our misuse and abuse of these gifts; our tendency either to
squander or to hoard, to use for our own pleasure and protection what God has freely given. The church
holds up a different model –the model of Jesus Christ–who although he had great power so as to work
miracles–he did not use those gifts of power to save, protect or promote himself. Jesus used his gifts to
reach out to the sick, to heal and comfort and accompany those suffering in mind and body, the widows,
the street people, and all those usually shut out of religious institutions. Jesus enjoyed and used the gifts
and the life he had been given, recognizing that there was only a short amount of time in that life.
May this month of Thanksgiving serve to remind us that all good gifts come from God . Let us give
thanks to God most High with glad and generous hearts, thanks for our abilities to read, to speak, to
drive, to remember, to think; thanks for all the things we take for granted, for all the things we think we
deserve, for all the things we tell ourselves we have earned. Let us thank God by striving to become
more like Jesus, not expecting to receive more, but willing to give our all.
Peace,
HEALTH MINISTRY
Flu Shots
Please see the note under the
Outreach report regarding the
cancellation of flu shots. We are
very sorry for this
inconvenience.
Buy Breast Cancer Stamps
Please
consider
purchasing
Breast Cancer stamps at 45 cents
each from the US Postal Service,
instead of the usual 37 cents. The
difference will be huge, when
funds are collected in this helpful
way, and perhaps breast cancer
research will be able to find a way to eliminate this disease.
Medical Insurance
Anyone who needs information regarding Medicare,
Medicaid, Medigap, Long-term Care insurance, and
preventive care can call APPRISE of Schuylkill Ministries of
the Dept. of the Aging at 1-800-783-7067.
Anyone who would like to volunteer for this organization
is more than welcome. To do so, contact Heidi Nangle,
Program Coordinator at either 1-800-621-6325 or 621-7303, or
email
her
at
gleh@diakon.org
If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact Jonna
Steinbrunn, who is a trained volunteer and counselor at 570366-2295.
8 ST. JOHN’S WORD
NOVEMBER 2004
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NOVEMBER 2004
PARISH LIFE
Collectibles - $20
The church block collectable with a screenprint likeness of St John's UCC on the front and history &
Mission Statement on the back is now available after church every Sunday for only $20.00. You may
also contact the church office or Barb Skelding at 366-7354. The proceeds of this project will be used
for our 175th Anniversary celebration to be held in 2006. We will be having many more fundraisers to
assure a memorable celebration.
Christmas Ornament - $15
We have received the proof for the Christmas ornament of the Gethsemane stained glass window in our
Sanctuary. It is in the shape of the window and shows all it's brilliant colors. You may preorder this
ornament for $15.00. Place your envelope marked 'stained glass ornament' in the offering plate. Or you
may stop by the church office.
Anniversary Planning Team
The 175th Anniversary Group has been working on planning events and fund raisers for our
celebration for many months. If you have any suggestions or would like to join this group, please
notify Barb Skelding or Toni Groff. Meetings are generally the first Thursday of the month or as
announced in the bulletin.
We also need to collect some history for the planned display. If you have any church related
pictures or articles, please share them with any of the planning group or take to the church office.
The planning group now includes Marie Deibert, Toni Groff, Darline Darosh, Sue Hartman, Pastor
Barbara Kershner, Donald and Lorraine Jones, Lori Moore, and Barb Skelding. There is always room
for more as we plan to have at least one event every month from April through November 2006. Many
hands and ideas are needed to make this celebration a memorable one.
Thanksgiving Filling Sale!
Please watch the weekly bulletin for details about homemade filling to be sold in time for the
Thanksgiving holiday.
10 ST. JOHN’S WORD
About a year ago we conducted a
stewardship "awareness"
program at St. John's which we
called "Step Up to the Plate".
The program was well received,
and the pledges that members of
the congregation made became
the basis for the budget prepared
by consistory and for the plans
that the various ministries made
for 2004. As 2004 has unfolded,
unfortunately, our collections
have fallen below the amount
predicted, and we are spending
more than we are taking in. We
need to do better.
Consecration Sunday
November 14th
"Step Up to the Plate", is again
the title of our program of
raising awareness and pledging
contributions to St. John's for
funding to carry out the
Church's mission. We will
hear from three of our
members about their thoughts
on St. John's and its mission.
We will then have an
inspirational guest sermon
from Reverend Nick Pence,
and again have the chance to
make pledges for our
contributions to St. John's for
the next year. This will form
an important part of our
planning for programs St.
John's will undertake. It is
also an important opportunity
for us to realize the importance
of regular, programmed contribution
As of the end of September the St. Jo
$18,000 (17%) short of the total week
expected as of last year's budget. Ex
most part been held down, with most
staying at or below their budgets. Th
taken from our savings, which are ob
It is most important that we are awa
the missions we are attempting to car
provide the money necessary for thes
contributions.
Treasurers Rep
As of the end of September the to
Wewas
will$90,925.
have another
chance. a short
This constitutes
17% compared with the income proj
"Other income" including special co
Income, Special Offerings, and such
shortfall to $8,830.
Regular expenses have been well
currently $118,489. This is $6,751 be
the year to date. Special expenses, an
building expenses from our capital im
have taken $9,460 from this.
The final result of this is we have
date of $6,166.
11 ST. JOHN’S WORD
GUILD NEWS
Covered Dish Din
and Special Prog
St. John's will be starting the Christma
evening November 28th at 6 PM wit
in the Fellowship Center, followed b
Snyder, a well-known artist from Re
beautiful picture with her art in motio
and highlighted with lights and music.
Chalk Talk is especially appropri
plan to attend with your family and
favorite covered dish.
Next Guild Meeting
Guild will meet Tuesday, Novemb
Fellowship Center.
Just a thought: As the holidays appr
'just the right gift' for that hard-to-bu
perhaps a donation to his/her favorite
their day and make the season even mo
card could be forwarded from the chari
12 ST. JOHN’S WORD
YOUTH CORNER:
Camper Comments
Thank you very much to the
Women's Guild for their camp
sponsorship for me this past
summer. I was very happy to
attend summer camp at Mensch
Mill, and I encourage other of St.
John's to try it next summer.
Rachel Foster
Join Us for Sunday School at 9
am
Are you or your children or
grandchildren a part of the
“buzz” of activity? There’s
always room for more. All ages
are welcome!
November 28
1 Sunday of Advent
st
Fund Raiser Continues Buckets for Baht
Our mission work in
Thailand continues into
November this year. We are
presently collecting money and
have a 'fill the bucket challenge'
for the Sunday school classes.
The children are also encouraged
to donate one used book of no
more than a 2nd grade level,
which will be sent to our
missionary in Chiang Mai, Meria
Jokinen.
When Jim and I lived in
Chiang Mai and volunteered
with Meria, we decided that one
of our projects would be to fill
the library shelves with as many books
provide during our time there. The shel
1999. Now they are certainly more full
children eager to read and learn on a da
become worn with time.
The 'buckets for baht' program that
promoted at St. John's will provide mo
Thailand, that are of course written in t
is the money system in Thailand, and o
approximately 42 baht. Our English bo
and the children will enjoy seeing the p
someone visits and reads the English to
translator translates into Thai. They tho
library, so any donation toward the pur
Thailand is greatly appreciated.
We strongly encourage the young p
'earn' their money to be donated by hel
and grandparents. Then when they exp
donating their earnings to our mission w
children, we ALL win!!!Many thanks f
cooperation.
Susan and Jim McC
Every Sunday is a celebration!! Come
these exciting ways as we celebrate the
us.
November 7
All Saints Day observe
Offering of Gifts and Pr
(Food Pantry Collection, Prayer with e
November 14 Consecration Sunday
Guest Steward, Rev. Ni
from St. Paul’s Summ
November 21 Christ the King Sund
Fall conference Me
Immanuel, Shillingto
November 24 Thanksgiving Eve
13 ST. JOHN’S WORD
Recent Even
at St. John’s
Community Service
Baptism
AT ST. JOHN’S 7: 30 PM
October 17 - Jared Juni
December 5
Cantata
Christmas
parents are Becky & Jar
“Night of Wonder,”
Directed by Judy Miller
Birth
October 22 - Emma Gr
parents are Sharon & I
New Members Rec
October 10 - Hope & Mark Br
Weddings
October 2 - Richelle Cass &
October 9 - Kelli Moore & Ch
MEMBERSHIP NEWS:
Thank you St. John's
I wish to thank all of you who remem
birthday. It was great to hear from y
cards. I was especially happy to hea
David Seymour.
14 ST. JOHN’S WORD
Sincerely,
Laura A. Kauffman
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16 ST. JOHN’S WORD
ALSPACH, Emma
366-2999
1000 Manor Rd
Orwigsburg, PA 17961-1303
KAUFFMAN, Laura
(610) 374-0300
Country Meadows Of
Wyomissing
1800 Tulpehocken Rd
Reading, PA 19610-1240
366-0763
218 S. Warren St.
Orwigsburg, PA 17961-2118
MILLER, Leroy
621-7200
160 Red Horse Rd Room 107
Luther Ridge
Pottsville, PA 17901-4216
BARTHOLOMEW, Emma
(610) 927-8686
9 Reading Dr. #I-011
Wernersville, PA 19565-2026
BINDLEY, Flossy (Mrs.
Florence)
366-0870
36 Applewood Circle
Orwigsburg, PA 17961-2329
DAROSH, Ady
366-0245
226 Grove St
Orwigsburg, PA 17961-1902
DIBENEDETTE, Thelma
17 ST. JOHN’S WORD
SHUTTLESWORTH,
Catherine (Kay)
385-0331
Rest Haven Unit 3A-Rm 313
401 U University Dr
Sch. Haven, PA 17972-2212
SMITH, Janet
(717) 600-1347
63 Morningside Drive
York, PA 17402-2617
SMITH, Polly (Mrs. Annetta)
366-2084
300 Second Mt Road
Orwigsburg, PA 17961-9007
SMITH, Dolly
366-0635
930 Elizabeth Drive
Orwigsburg, PA 17961-1506
WEBBER, Russell
366-2446
129 S Warren St Apt B
Orwigsburg, PA
17961-2115
WILDERMUTH,
Evelyn
345-4075
11 High St.
School Yard Square
Pine Grove, PA 17963-1007
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Poinsettias are being sold from now until December 1st for
$10 each. A special poinsettia bulletin will be published with
a list of acknowledgments. The flowers will be used to adorn
the altar during the Christmas season and then you may take
your plant home after the service on January 2nd. The small
profit from this sale goes into the “flower fund” which is used
to buy additional decorations.
2004 Poinsettia Order Form
22 ST. JOHN’S WORD
NOVEMBER 2004
ORDER DEADLINE - Wednesday - December 1st
COST - $10.00 EACH
Please use a separate order form for each poinsettia ordered
........................................................................................................................................................................
The following acknowledgment will be printed:
"Presented by
in honor of
OR
in memory of
Payment @ $10 each must be enclosed with your order
make checks payable to St. John’s UCC.
Drop your order form in a collection box
(located on the coffee table at church beginning November 7th)
or mail to:
St. John's UCC - P.O. Box 216 -Orwigsburg, PA. 17961