321 south limerick rd. calendar 4 limerick, pa 19468 ... · winter has been a little better than...

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February 2015 NEWSLETTER CHURCH VITALITY WORKSHOP Recently six members of St. James, Wendell & Sandy Koenig, Rich & Charlotte Fiedler, Rugene Caldwell & Jay Smith had the opportunity to attend a Church Vitality Workshop sponsored by the Pa. Southeast Conf. The Executive Director & CEO, of the Center for Progressive Renewal, Rev. Cameron Trimble, was the speaker for the event. The mission of The Center for Progressive Renewal is to renew Christianity by training leaders, supporting the birth of new congregations, and by renewing and strengthening existing churches. Rev, Trimble encouraged us to dream big, think outside our church, to think about transforming people in our community & around the world. We need to try new things, take risks, not be afraid to fail, and if we do, try something else. We should always look forward, not back; and believe that, “Our best is yet to come”. We hope that St James will remain a vital ministry in our community. As we move into the future, we will need to all work together, pray, and believe that God will guide us. CONTACT THE CHURCH 321 South Limerick Rd. Limerick, PA 19468 610-489-0990 www.stjames-ucc.org Minister of Music: Donna Pinto [email protected] (610) 792-1679 Office Assistant: Sandy Chang Mon. & Thurs. 10am-2pm [email protected] for Newsletters: [email protected] 2015 CONSISTORY Nancy Ewing, President Cindy Valerio, V. President Kristen Serina, Secretary Betty Lou Wilson, Sexton Sandie Fetterman Wendel Koenig Joan Rosen Bob Walters Ellie Wellman Jay Smith Diane Raspen officers: Tom Mogel, Financial Sec. Ruth Borneman, Historian Jay Smith, Treasurer “Like” us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/ stjamesucc WHAT’S UP Cong’l Life…….2-3 Calendar ............ 4 Anniversaries..... 7 Birthdays ........... 7 Prayer Concerns 7 ENERGY FUND Once again we will be have the "Energy Fund" envelopes available in the pews. So far this winter has been a little better than last year, but there is still a lot of cold till spring. If you can, please add a few dollars to the "Energy Fund", every little bit counts and it will be greatly appreciated. Please be sure to write your regular church envelope # on the fund envelope, to get credit for your donation. Your stewardship crew.

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Page 1: 321 South Limerick Rd. Calendar 4 Limerick, PA 19468 ... · winter has been a little better than last year, but there is still a lot of cold till spring. If you can, pleaseadd a few

February 2015 NEWSLETTER

CHURCH VITALITY WORKSHOP

Recently six members of St. James, Wendell &

Sandy Koenig, Rich & Charlotte Fiedler,

Rugene Caldwell & Jay Smith had the

opportunity to attend a Church Vitality

Workshop sponsored by the Pa. Southeast

Conf. The Executive Director & CEO, of the

Center for Progressive Renewal, Rev. Cameron Trimble, was the

speaker for the event. The mission of The Center for Progressive

Renewal is to renew Christianity by training leaders, supporting the

birth of new congregations, and by renewing and strengthening

existing churches.

Rev, Trimble encouraged us to dream big, think outside our church, to

think about transforming people in our community & around the

world. We need to try new things, take risks, not be afraid to fail, and

if we do, try something else. We should always look forward, not

back; and believe that, “Our best is yet to come”.

We hope that St James will remain a vital ministry in our community.

As we move into the future, we will need to all work together, pray,

and believe that God will guide us.

CONTACT THE CHURCH

321 South Limerick Rd. Limerick, PA 19468 610-489-0990 www.stjames-ucc.org

Minister of Music: Donna Pinto [email protected] (610) 792-1679

Office Assistant: Sandy Chang Mon. & Thurs. 10am-2pm [email protected]

for Newsletters: [email protected]

2015 CONSISTORY

Nancy Ewing, President Cindy Valerio, V. President Kristen Serina, Secretary Betty Lou Wilson, Sexton Sandie Fetterman Wendel Koenig Joan Rosen Bob Walters Ellie Wellman Jay Smith Diane Raspen

officers: Tom Mogel, Financial Sec. Ruth Borneman, Historian Jay Smith, Treasurer

“Like” us on Facebook!

www.facebook.com/stjamesucc

WHAT’S UP

▪ Cong’l Life…….2-3

▪ Calendar ............ 4

▪ Anniversaries..... 7

▪ Birthdays ........... 7

▪ Prayer Concerns 7

ENERGY FUND

Once again we will be have the "Energy Fund"

envelopes available in the pews. So far this

winter has been a little better than last year, but

there is still a lot of cold till spring. If you can,

please add a few dollars to the "Energy Fund",

every little bit counts and it will be greatly appreciated. Please be

sure to write your regular church envelope # on the fund envelope, to

get credit for your

donation. Your stewardship crew.

Page 2: 321 South Limerick Rd. Calendar 4 Limerick, PA 19468 ... · winter has been a little better than last year, but there is still a lot of cold till spring. If you can, pleaseadd a few

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

MEN’S BREAKFAST

Saturday, February 7th, the men’s breakfast

will be bowling at "Limerick Bowl"

following breakfast at the Limerick Diner".

We'll meet for breakfast at 8:30 AM, and

probably get to the bowling alley around

9:45. Please sign up on the sheet in the

narthex if you plan to join us for bowling, so

we can have an idea of the number to expect.

PROPERTY COMMITTEE

Projects for the property committee 2015

agenda are the roof, parking lot, outside

lighting and prospects for usage of the

building. The winter thus far has been better

than last, lets hope it stays on the mild side,

but like last winter there will be a special

energy fund set up. Please support this extra

effort to offset heating and plowing/salting

bills, come on Spring!!! Bob

TRANSPORTATION SHARING

I am looking for two or three people who

would be willing to share giving Frank and

Ellie Donofrio rides to church on Sunday

mornings. What we are looking for is to take

turns weekly on bringing them to church and

Rich will continue to help with the

transportation. They do like to use their own

vehicle, since it is easier for Ellie, when she

is able to attend church. This has been a very

rewarding experience and have gotten to

know Frank and Ellie a lot better. The reason

I am putting this request out is so Rich will

be able to attend the Sunday morning Bible

Study at 9:00 sometimes. If you are able

to share weeks with Rich, please let us

know. Our phone number is 610-495-2215

or speak to us at church. Charlotte Fiedler

MAIN STREET MINISTIRES

We’ll be serving a breakfast one time each

month to the following church’s for housing

the homeless in Pottstown.

February St. John's 610.323.1187

March St. Paul's 610.323.2295

PAGE 2 February 2015 NEWSLETTER

BOOKS NEEDED FOR SPIRITUAL

LIFE LIBRARY

The St. James Prayer

Team is starting a

Spiritual Life lending

library to give people the

opportunity to enhance

their prayer life and grow

their faith. We are

looking for books of prayer or about prayer,

inspirational books & books dealing with

faith & spirituality. Please do not leave text

or lesson books!

Donations may be put in the box marked

Books in the Parlor. Please but your name on

a sticky note & place on top of your books.

The books will be reviewed by the Prayer

Team & if a book is felt to be inappropriate it

will be returned to the donor.

Page 3: 321 South Limerick Rd. Calendar 4 Limerick, PA 19468 ... · winter has been a little better than last year, but there is still a lot of cold till spring. If you can, pleaseadd a few

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

PAGE 3 February 2015 NEWSLETTER

Household Prayer: Morning

In the light of your new day, O God,

I rise to greet you always on the path in

front of me. Let me follow with integrity where

you will lead. Give me courage to know the

difference between what is false and what is true.

Teach me to love my neighbor as you love me.

Amen.

Household Prayer: Evening

Heavenly Father, you are the power above all

powers, the healer who knows our every need.

You have guided me throughout this day

and now give me sleep to renew my tired

body and mind. Guard me and keep me in your

care. Amen.

FEBRUARY HOUSEHOLD PRAYERS

We are once again going to collect seed packets for the community of Moringa in Ghana as

we did last year. Below is an update of last years seeds. As you can see the plantings were

successful!

Dear Madam Sandy and Mr. Charlie

Mary Christmas and happy new year, I am hoping this find you well as we are here. You

Remember I promise to keep you update of the seeds you sent, well we have our first harvest.

The first planting didn't went well, sheep's and goats keep destroying our croups because we had

no fence to protect them from. So now we are only farming in

the middle of the land leaving the remaining land full of bushes,

that also prevent us from expanding the farm.

I have attached the photos of the farm, we still need more

seeds. Very soon it will all finish. We are now harvesting

cucumber, cabbage, tomatoes and green pepper will be ready

soon. Thank you very much for wonderful support, we really

appreciate it very much.

Have a bless weekend

Sincerely, Abu

Page 4: 321 South Limerick Rd. Calendar 4 Limerick, PA 19468 ... · winter has been a little better than last year, but there is still a lot of cold till spring. If you can, pleaseadd a few

PAGE 4 February 2015 NEWSLETTER

Calendar February 2015

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 4th Sunday after Epiphany Svc of the Word & Communion Guest pastor: Rev. Trent Williams

Bible Study 9:00 am

Worship Team # 2

Nursery - Mary Ann Lopardo

2 3 4 Prayer Team 10:00am Prayer Shawl 6:30 pm

5 Choir 7:00 pm

6 7 Men’s Breakfast 8:30 am

8 5th Sunday after Epiphany Svc of the Word Scout Sunday Guest pastor: Rev. Ann Few

Bible Study 9:00 am

Worship Team # 3

Nursery - Joanne Levering

9 10 Consistory 7:00 pm

11

12 Choir 7:00 pm Property 7:00 pm

13 14

15 Transfiguration Svc of the Word Guest pastor: Rev. Debra Timmions

Bible Study 9:00 am

Worship Team #4

Nursery - Linda Kramer

16 17 Welcome Committee 10:00 am

18 Fellowship Dinner 5:30 pm

19 Choir 7:00 pm

20

21

22 First Sunday in Lent Svc of the Word Guest pastor: Rev. Ann Few

Bible Study 9:00 am

Worship Team #5

Nursery - Sandie Fetterman

23 24 Women’s Fellowship 7:00 pm

25 26 Endow-ment Committee 7:00 pm Choir 7:00 pm

27 28

Ash Wednesday Service 7:00 pm

with Pastor Ann Few

Emergency Pastoral Care

During St. James time of pastoral transition, pastoral care will be

available. For assistance please call Rich Fiedler @ 610-495-2215 or

Rugene Caldwell @484-300-4475.

Page 5: 321 South Limerick Rd. Calendar 4 Limerick, PA 19468 ... · winter has been a little better than last year, but there is still a lot of cold till spring. If you can, pleaseadd a few

PAGE 5 February 2015 NEWSLETTER

ELDERS VISIT HOMEBOUND MEMBERS

January marked the beginning of a new ministry for Elders. Charlotte Fiedler and Sandy

Koenig visited with three of our members in Lansdale.

We met with Janice Moore who has been

living in Arbor Square Community,

Harleysville for the past 5 years. While

attending St James, Janice and family lived in

Fagleysville, originally hailing from West

Virginia. Janice and Dick raised their 5 chil-

dren there, Mark, Melanie, Matthew, Leslie

and Melissa. Dick worked for Techalloy in

Rahns. Janice was a very hard worker in

events at church, often seen pushing the

cleanup mop in Fellowship Hall after dinners!

Next visitation was made to Elizabeth Wines,

widow of Warren. They owned a small farm

on Faust Road where Warren raised some

sheep and did some farming. He was best

known for his beautiful dahlias which he grew

along the roadside of their property! They

raised four children, Nancy, Karen, Janet and

Douglas. Betty developed great skills in

painting and was in charge of the Narthex

Showcase displays for many years at St. James.

Betty is currently living at Dock Woods Community.

Our last visit was to Pat Major McFarland, daughter of Earl “Zeke” Major and Ruth. She was

a graduate of Cedar Crest College. When she was only 12, Tom Mogel’s mother, Ruth, invited

her to sing with the adult choir…an offer she accepted with joy! She and her husband, Paul,

raised two sons in Lansdale…Brad and Brian who has become her caregiver along with his

two boys. Pat is living at Elm Terrace Community, the former North Penn Hospital.

All the women appreciated the visits. They were also given communion. The anticipation is

that this will become a quarterly visit to homebound members with the help of volunteers from

the Elders.

Page 6: 321 South Limerick Rd. Calendar 4 Limerick, PA 19468 ... · winter has been a little better than last year, but there is still a lot of cold till spring. If you can, pleaseadd a few

PRAYING FOR ST. JAMES MEMBERS

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 in your prayers

throughout that week February

1 Charles and Sandra Koenig

Linda Kramer

8 Irene LaPish

Phil and Joanne Levering

15 Mary Lightcap

Stephen and Bridgett Lightcap

22 Tim Little

Mary Ann Lopardo

PAGE 6 February 2015 NEWSLETTER

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

BOY SCOUT TROOP 10

Boy Scout Troop 10 is celebrating its tenth year, but nine years ago we found

ourselves without a home. This is where St. James UCC came to the rescue.

St. James welcomed us nine years ago and gave us a place where we truly call

home. Boy Scout Troop 10 meets here at St. James on Monday nights from

7pm to 9pm. We started as a very small Troop that comprised of 7 Scouts and

have grown into a strong troop with over 50 registered Scouts. The Troop has

produced 10 Eagle Scouts in our 10 years and has quite a few current Scouts

working towards their Eagle. The Troop loves to camp and also does lots of exciting trips

including deep cave exploration, canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, PA grand canyon,

tree top zipline adventure, Cape May Coast Guard Station, Gettysburg, and many, many more.

The Troop also does the traditional Boy Scout summer camp every year, and this year we will

be doing a high adventure trip to Sea Base in the Florida Keys and a Philmont trek in New

Mexico.

Troop 10 would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to St. James UCC Church for being

such a gracious host to us over the last nine years. We would also like to thank Barry Ewing &

Bob Smith (our main Church contacts) for all of their support throughout the year. The Troop

would like to extend an offer to anyone from the Church to come out on a Monday night and

see what we are all about.

Thank You,

Ashly Marchese, Scoutmaster BSA Troop 10

Page 7: 321 South Limerick Rd. Calendar 4 Limerick, PA 19468 ... · winter has been a little better than last year, but there is still a lot of cold till spring. If you can, pleaseadd a few

PRAYER CONCERNS

For our friends Pearl Reinhart, Mary Ann Stonelake, Janice Moore, Betty

Wines, Pat McFarland, Mary and Steve Barnaik, Doris Frain, Pauline and

Bill Ebersole, George and Mary Banyai, Heather Yates, Frances Major,

Melissa Moore 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 Joe, Christine, Don, Megan, Sharon, Mozie Rose, Harold P

and others with ongoing health concerns and challenging life circumstances,

we pray for caring hands, hope to live each new day, and the reassurance of

God's presence through the support of our congregation.

For our friends Iris and all cancer survivors, we pray for treatment where it is possible and re-

lease from suffering where it is needed.

For our friend Stephen and all Active Military Personnel, Lord we ask that you be with our

military men and women as they put their lives on the line to protect us and all the foreign

lands they may be in. Keep them safe, that they may return home to their loved ones.

Lord with thank you for the healing that has taken place for all those that were sick and ask

for continue healing for those that are still struggling with health issues We pray for comfort

and release from the pain they may be in. We pray for our congregation as we seek a spiritu-

al leader, that you guide us in making our decisions. We pray for healing of mind, body and

spirit upon all your children. 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 home-

bound and hospitalized members. Let us know if you would like to add or renew a request by

office phone or email.

FELLOWSHIP DINNER

All are welcome to the

Fellowship Dinner

Wednesday February 18th at 5:30pm! Come

out and start the New Year with friends and

fellowship together enjoying a meal prepared

by our Hospitality Ministry, along with some

great conversation. We will be having soup,

chili and salad, to warm you up on a cold

winter night. Dessert donations are welcome.

Please sign up today in the narthex so we can

prepare enough food!

BIRTHDAYS

February

5….Joan Ide Rosen

5….Donald Grisdale

6….Jody Voorhees

8….Marion Hentz

10….Jim Cossaboon

10….Barbara Waltz

12....Anna Rebecca Hendricks

13….Larry Hennessy

17….Amy Baranoski

17….Jessica Mogel

19….William Earnshaw

19….Steve Lightcap

20….Edward Myers

20….Joy Rubeo

25….Katelyn Gelwicks

25….Adrien Cibulsky

26….Philip Levering

27….Kim Murphy

27….Barbara Fritz

28….Richard DeWane

28….Eleanor Donofrio

28….Sandra Koenig

28….Jodi Little

28….Pete Mogel

ANNIVERSARIES

Februay

21….Bob & Lori Stauffer

26….Jerry & Darlene Brunk

PAGE 7 February 2015 NEWSLETTER

Page 8: 321 South Limerick Rd. Calendar 4 Limerick, PA 19468 ... · winter has been a little better than last year, but there is still a lot of cold till spring. If you can, pleaseadd a few

February 2015 NEWSLETTER

Notes & Reminders

Materials for the March Newsletter are due on February 15th, 2015.

St. James United Church of Christ 321 South Limerick Road Limerick, PA 19468

NURSERY

February Schedule

February 1st Mary Ann Lopardo

February 8th Joanne Levering

February 15th Linda Kramer

February 22nd Sandie Fetterman

If you would like to volunteer to help with

the nursery, please contact Nancy Ewing at

[email protected]

PRAYER SHAWL

Prayer-shawl meeting is set for Wednesday

February 4th at 6:30pm. Come out and join

us for fellowship and bring your craft of

choice!! All are welcome.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

Women’s Fellowship will meet on Tuesday

February 24th at 7pm. Connie Lawson from

Sweet Ashleys will be our "SWEET" Speak-

er. You never know maybe there will be

samples!!!