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.
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.
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 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 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.
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
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
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
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!!!