friedens united church of christ february 2018 … kiss your sweethearts and then go to receive the...
TRANSCRIPT
Friedens United Church Of Christ
February 2018 Newsletter
From the Pastor’s Desk
As we draw near to the end of Epiphany, it is interesting to see how Christ has been made
known to us. Have we allowed Jesus to enter our hearts more fully? As people with free will,
the journey of faith is not always so simple, for we battle God’s will with our own selfish desires
and wild ideas. Look around and you will see the many crazy things we do!
Dr. Tucker Montgomery spent fifteen years as an Emergency Room doctor at the
University of Tennessee Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. Dr. Montgomery has
seen a multitude of injuries . . . He tells the story of one man who was brought in
to the ER with serious injuries to his face and teeth. Dr. Montgomery was
appalled to learn how the man had injured himself.
While drunk, this man had been driving around the neighborhood
lighting firecrackers off his cigarette and then throwing the firecrackers out the
window. He was having a grand old time until he accidentally threw his cigarette
out the window and stuck the firecracker in his mouth. Ooh, that smarts.1
This kind of behavior springs from our flawed nature and it disappoints our loving Creator God.
Yet, God loves us, warts and all. Whenever we do those things which show our lowest nature,
God never gives up hope. When our wild side appears, let’s seek to temper it and listen to the
Good News of Jesus Christ. In Christ, we can become a new person.
On February 14, Valentine’s Day, the church begins the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday.
So, kiss your sweethearts and then go to receive the ashes of repentance as you begin the
Lenten journey. We will be sharing our Wednesday evening Lenten services with Salem
U.C.C. again this year. Soup at 6 pm and worship at 7 pm. See page 3 for the Lenten
Schedule.
See you in church real soon!
Rejoicing in the Light of Christ,
The Rev. Dr. Tyson L. Frey
1King Duncan, “Noah and he Robots,” Dynamic Preaching, January-March, 2018, 52.
YOUTH GROUP SLEEP-OVER
Our annual sleepover, which includes making soup for the Souper Bowl, will take
place Friday, February 2 from 6pm until 10 am Saturday morning. In addition to the
youth making the soup, they will be making their own pizzas for dinner Friday night.
Saturday morning we will be making breakfast for the kids. We will be having
pancakes, eggs and bacon. There is always lots of fun! Feel free to bring a friend
or two!
YOUTH GROUP “SOUPER” BOWL
The Youth Group will be serving the soup they made at their sleepover following the
worship service on Sunday, February 4 in Weidner Hall. There will be chicken
noodle, chicken corn noodle and vegetable soup for all to enjoy. Take-out will also be
available. There is no charge for this event, but donations are welcome. Sit, eat and
join in fellowship with your Friedens family.
READING ROYALS NIGHT
Join us for Faith and Family Night at the Reading Royals on Sunday, February 18 at 4
pm. Bring your family and friends! Tickets are $13 each and the first 1,000 kids ages
14 and under get free t-shirts! We already have great seats reserved, so contact
Tonya Fisher, Lynn Boyer or the church office by February 5 if you would like to
attend.
FASCHNACHT COMMITTEE
Fasnacht / Fastnacht / Faschnacht is a fried doughnut served traditionally on the
day before Lent starts. These donuts were made as a way to empty the pantry
of lard, sugar, fat and butter, which were traditionally fasted from during Lent.
The word Faschtnacht originates from the German words "fast" which means to
fast, and "nacht" which means night, indicating the eve of the traditional Lenten fasting period
observed by many Christian denominations. It is the equivalent celebration to Mardi Gras or
Carnevale.
The Faschnacht Team is taking orders now! If you would like to place an order, please use the
sign-up sheet in the Narthex or call the church office at 610-987-3536. Faschnachts are $4/half-
dozen and will be available for pick up in Weidner Hall on Sunday, February 11 following the
worship service until 2 pm.
WOMEN’S GUILD
The Friedens Women’s Guild will hold their next meeting on Monday, February 12
at 7 pm in Weidner Hall. A Bazaar Re-Cap meeting will be held on 6 pm, prior to
the Women’s Guild meeting. All are welcome and new thoughts and ideas are
encouraged!
2018 SHARED LENTEN SERVICES
2018 Shared Lenten Services—Friedens and Salem United Church of Christ Churches
All meals at 6 pm - All worship services at 7 pm
Services and suppers at Friedens will be in Weidner Hall
(except for Maundy Thursday worship)
Wednesday, February 14 Salem UCC: Ash Wednesday - Holy Communion
“Reengaging in the Journey of Faith”
Isaiah 55:6-7
Wednesday, February 21 Friedens UCC
“Responding with Sanity”
Genesis 9:12-15
Wednesday, February 28 Salem UCC
“Neighbor Religion”
Isaiah 58:6-9
Wednesday, March 7 Friedens UCC
“Like Eagles Renewed
Isaiah 40:31
Wednesday, Mach 14 Salem UCC
“Boundary-Crossing Generosity”
Romans 10:9
Wednesday, March 21 Salem UCC
“The Drama of Lent”
Jeremiah 31:31
Thursday, March 29 Friedens UCC: Maundy Thursday - Holy Communion
“A Non-Anxious Community”
John 13:14-15
Friday, March 30 Friedens UCC: Good Friday - Tenebrae Service (no meal)
“Penultimate Honesty”
Psalm 69:30-33
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Berks County Community Foundation was founded in 1994 to help individuals, families,
organizations and businesses achieve their charitable objectives and improve the quality of life
for the residents of Berks County. Since that time, the Community Foundation has grown to
manage hundreds of charitable funds. Each year, those funds distribute scholarships and grants
to support local students and assist a variety of nonprofit organizations and causes.
The DJ Wetzel Fund was established at Berks County Community Foundation in 2017
to provide scholarships to members of Berks County UCC churches. Scholarships will
be awarded to members of Berks County UCC churches who are continuing their
education after high school at a college or university, graduate school, vocational
school or in a life enrichment program. To be considered for this scholarship, apply at
www.bccf.org before March 15.
MISSION TEAM
VETERANS MAKING A DIFFERENCE, which has been supported by your donations of
hoagies and clothing, has now opened its new Social Center, and your Mission Team plans to
start preparing and serving meals there on a monthly basis. Our first meal will be prepared
and served on Saturday, March 17. Volunteers are need. We will begin preparing lunch at 8
am at the church, then deliver it to the Veterans Social Quarters at the Hope
Rescue Mission in Reading. If you are interested in helping, please contact Betty
Hoffman at 610-301-4500. If you would like to make a monetary donation toward
the cost of the meal, please indicate this on your offering envelope.
RECYCLING in our church will be re-energized in the next couple of months. The
Mission Team is looking into acquiring more identifiable recycling bins and other
ways to make this easier for all of us to make Friedens a “greener”
organization. Your cooperation is heartily appreciated!
Please continue to bring in your new and used clothing which will now be donated
to NEW JOURNEY COMMUNITY OUTREACH, a non-profit organization in
Reading that provides food and clothing for low income persons. Items are
needed for all ages and sizes for men, women, and children. Please label your clothing
donations for New Journey and place them under the stairs in the Narthex.
New ideas for ways to help our congregation, community and the wider world are the
topics of discussion at Mission Team meetings, and we would like to enlarge our
“think tank”. Please consider JOINING our group and adding your suggestions.
The Mission Team is also looking for new members for the CARING CONNECTIONS
TEAM. If you would be willing to occasionally make some phone calls, make a
casserole, give a ride to a doctor’s appointment or to church, or maybe even rake
some leaves (your choose the way to help), please let Barbara Covey know of your
interest or sign up on the yellow sheet in the Narthex. You can help as often or as seldom as
you want in any way that suits you. Any help you give a fellow congregation member is more
appreciated than you can imagine.
The FOOD PANTRY item for February is canned soups. Please place your
donations in the boxes in the Narthex by February 18. In March we will be collecting
spaghetti sauce and pasta in case you see any sales!
Thank you for your continued support of the COUPON PROJECT for our
military stationed in Guam. In addition to coupons, we are collecting General
Mills Box Tops for Education to help their schools obtain supplies. Simply add
your Box Tops to the collection box in the Narthex along with your coupons.
Please continue to support our ONGOING PROJECTS including (but not limited
to): recycling (both at Friedens and in your homes), coupons for the military
stationed on Guam, Oley Valley Food Pantry, Veterans Making a Difference,
Caring Connections, Church Library, Giving Tree, Bethany Children’s Home,
Safe Berks, Disaster Relief, Local Families in Need, Phoebe Home, Backpacks for School
Children, Oley Valley Fire Company, Oley Valley Library, and Hope Rescue Mission.
Any and all questions and suggestions about these and our other projects are always welcome.
Can we do more? What could we do differently? Let us know. These undertakings are how
your generous donations are used, so you should have a say in what Mission Team does.
Please attend our next Mission Team Meeting on Monday, March 5 at 7 pm.
ENVIRONMENTAL TIP: BYOB! Last year Americans used about 50 billion* plastic
water bottles. Fill up a reusable water bottle at home and carry it with you. If you
don’t like the taste of your tap water, buy a filter! Much of bottled water sold today
is just filtered tap water anyway. *statistic from World Wildlife Fund
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Come out for some Bible Study, fellowship, laughter, and a cup of coffee. The
ongoing study is on the Gospel of Mark which will be the scripture focus in our
2018 worship services. Drop in whenever your schedule allows it. We look
forward to seeing you. Pastor Frey is the presenter. We meet every Sunday at 9
am in the Conference Room on the lower level.
CONDOLENCES
Our sincere wishes of sympathy go to the family and friends of Bernice Sayer who
passed away on January 2, 2018. Bernice was the wife of Carl Sayer and the
mother of Donna Lorah. A memorial service was held on Friday, January 5.
Our sincere wishes of sympathy go out to the family and friends of Shirley Fox who
passed away on January 14, 2018. A graveside service was held on Wednesday, January 17 in
Friedens Cemetery and a memorial service was held on Saturday, January 27 at Friedens UCC.
PRAYER LIST
Please keep the following members and friends in your prayers:
Please keep the following members and friends in your prayers: Bill Angstadt,
Frank Arters, the Blew Family, Sara Dengler, Rev. Tyson Frey, Vicky Heffner,
Diane Seidel Bagenstose, David Derr, Judy Hubert, Abe Keller, Irene Keller,
Sylvia Leach, Herbert McMaster (brother in-law of Sara McMaster), Carl
Sayer, Harper Rose Seyfert (great granddaughter of Alice Shirey), Sandra
Smith (mother of Denise Bucciaglia), Lexi Thomas, and Kelly Zerbe (niece of
Judy Boyer).
Please keep those serving to protect our country, especially:
Ethan Fox, Jimmy Gresh, Josh Gresh, Emily Hain, Ryan Kardoley, Sam
McMaster, and H.R. McMaster.
LOST & FOUND
A digital camera was recently found in Weidner Hall. If it belongs to you, please
contact the church office at 610-987-3536 or see a Consistory member to make
arrangements to pick it up.
CONSISTORY MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - December 12, 2017
IN ATTENDANCE: Craig Conrad, Eleanor Henne, Sue Henne, Pastor Frey, Diane Cappa,
Russell Leach, Lee Miller, Mark Hoch, Brian Ott, Dave Wolfe, Cindy Conrad (Treasurer) and
Shirley Riegel-Ferreri
OLD BUSINESS
Air Conditioning: Manny Reichert presented two air conditioning quotes for the Sanctuary. He
may request more quotes from other companies in the near future.
AED Device: Policy and Procedure was distributed. Training will be made available in
January. The training will include a CPR component and will be held at the Oley Ambulance
house. Mark Hoch will take the lead.
TREASURER’S REPORT: A discussion has held regarding fundraising efforts. There will be
redistribution of funds from the hoagie money profits. Going forward, the distribution will be
more in line with the mission of the church.
1/2 of the funds will go to Mission Team Ministry
$5,000 each will go to Sunday School and Youth Ministry
$1,000 each will go to the music program and Young at Heart
This proposal came as an addendum to the budget, rolling the hoagie money into the Master
Budget. A motion was carried. The church will be paid 60 cents per sandwich for expenses
incurred.
NEW BUSINESS
The 2018 Budget will be available to the congregation two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.
There continues to be open positions on the Consistory for 2018. Sue Henne will remain for
another year. Kerri Hipple, Dave Wolfe and Jay Estep were thanked for their valuable service
to the church. Three slots remain to be filled on the Consistory. Officers will be determined at
the January 9, 2018 Consistory Meeting for the 2018 calendar year.
PASTOR’S REPORT: Rev. Frey reviewed and submitted his report for November 2017. In
addition he requested the opportunity to attend “Winter Pastor School” which is a continuing
educational event and will include exposure to excellent seminary speakers. This event will
take place the end of January through the beginning of February 2018. A motion was carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Personnel Committee: Employee gift cards were approved for December 2017. A lengthy
discussion ensued regarding final review and adoption of the Weidner Hall Policy. No definitive
action was taken.
Music & Worship Committee: Things are going well and the choir is growing. Holiday
programs are planned. The Cantata was well received.
Property Committee: The air conditioning idea will be introduced at the Congregational Meeting
in order for this to be ready for summer 2018. There will be a study to determine the
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impact on the physical structure. Also, due to the growth of the choir and the music program,
the plan is to reconfigure the Choir Room. The expense should be nominal. Motion was
carried to accept the proposed redesign and move forward.
Christian Education: Working on the Christmas Program.
Faschnacht Committee: The committee will provide free samples for taste testing on January
7, 2018 following the worship service. The creation of the donuts will take place prior to the
sale.
NEXT MEETING: January 9, 2018 at 7 pm.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Income & Expense by Month - January through December 2017
Expense Summary - January through December 2017
CARING & SHARING
Friedens UCC receives a rebate of 1% from purchases made at Boyer’s grocery
stores. Simply present a tag you carry on your key ring before the cashier rings
up your order. Boyer’s will electronically accumulate purchases and rebate 1% of
purchases (excluding tax, milk and cigarettes) twice yearly. Tags are available in
a container on the shelf in the Narthex. Take one for yourself and take a few for
your family and friends. There is no limit to the amount of money we can earn, so
start shopping!
The deadline to submit articles for the March 2018 Newsletter is February 15.
Friedens United Church of Christ 337 Main Street Oley, PA 19547
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Friedens
United Church of Christ
337 Main Street
Oley, PA 19547
610-987-3536
www.friedensuccoley.com
Church Office Hours
Monday thru Thursday
9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Rev. Dr. Tyson Frey
Denise Bucciaglia
Office Administrator
Worship Service
10:15 a.m.
Sunday School
9:00 a.m.