545 Church Drive, Palmerton, PA 18071 (Trachsville)

www.jerusalemucc.org / (610)-681-4412

Follow Us on Facebook: Jerusalem Trachsville UCC

JERUSALEM UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

T he Traveler

The Vision of our Church is to increase

Faith, Hope, Love, Community and Belonging

Pastor: Rev. Kathryn Foster (H): (610) 261-9015 Office Hours: By Appointment (M) (610) 554-7364 Email: juccpast@ptd.net Church Secretary: Jillian Kuntzman Office: (610) 681-4412 Office Hours: not available right now Email: juccsecy@ptd.net (hours subject to change) Director of Music: Shelba Scheffner shelba.scheffner@gmail.com Director of Christian Ed: Marcia Heinick mheinick@ptd.net Treasurer: Steph Anderson (610) 681-3878 / stephand@ptd.net Financial Secretary: Debbie Cope (610) 681-5033 Sexton: Barry George

CHURCH CONSISTORY

President: Ed Brader 484-357-3551 braderwoodcraft@gmail.com

Vice-President: Rick Anderson 610-681-3878 Randerson@serviceteam.com

Secretary: Lorrie Nothstein 610-442-7437 loke4evr@hotmail.com

Additional Members

Barry George Marcia Heinick Bob Buck Lyn Summers

Duane Hawk Saralyn Sarandis Jaclyn Wonderly Kelli George

JUNE 2020

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Dear Members and Friends,

I think it has been a long, strange month for us all. It is hard to believe that this kind of thing

can happen here. A microbe, not even considered alive, can cause such devastation. Sadly,

many have died from this virus and many more will die. Even more will carry some difficult

long-term effects from it. If you are anything like me, that is hard to wrap your mind around.

Last month I wrote to you about the book of Revelation and the message of overcoming. If

scripture accounts are any indication that overcoming takes a while, then overcoming takes a

while. We do not know why God has allowed certain things in this world. Can we still trust God

for the things we cannot know?

In the book of Job, a similar situation takes place: the devil has challenged God to a contest that

involves the devil and Job. Consenting, God “allows” the devil to plague Job. The challenge is

to see if Job, while having not done anything wrong to deserve such plagues but is nevertheless

the victim of this unequal contest, will lose faith in God over it. Job suffers much and, sadly, his

three friends are not much help. In fact, those friends become a hindrance to Job’s management

of the suffering. Just “Curse God and die,” they say. Job knows, deep down, that God is not the

cause of this suffering because God would not do that. Nevertheless, God is certainly allowing

it and Job does not understand that part. What is the answer?

The last part of the book recounts Job challenging God to explain. God will not; maybe for

reasons of disclosure to Job of celestial forces that are God’s problem. However, God’s

presence speaks to Job. (Do you find it comforting to know God is at least seeing and hearing

us?) God asks Job how he knows so much as to accuse God. “Do you know how the earth is

measured? Do you give the horse its strength? Do you understand lightning?” Job, of course,

must admit he does not. Ultimately, we are but human with only the divine image to our credit.

We are not the divine. We must trust God with our future… Or not, and pay the consequences.

Can we trust God’s good character to know what is best? Can we trust our own goodness and

knowledge (if we have any real knowledge) to trust God? That is the question put to Job in this

test of suffering and, by proxy, to us. Can we well run the race and pass that test? I hope so.

Stay Strong; Stay well; Serve people; the church was created for such a time as this.

Pastor Kathryn

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MESSAGE FROM THE CONSISTORY PRESIDENT JUNE 2020

Hello Fellow Members and Friends of JUCC, I hope and pray you are all safe and well. We certainly continue to face a challenging time in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic. Gradually, we are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Carbon Country has not passed from the red to the yellow zone and we are noticing an easing of restrictions. That being said, the Consistory is working diligently at designing a plan for how we will be worshipping in the weeks and months ahead. Everyone’s safety is a top priority and we will be challenged to make wise decisions to protect ourselves and our Church Family. We ask for you continued patience and understanding as we work through this process. I personally want to thank everyone on Consistory for coming together and putting in the time that is necessary to get this job done. We will hopefully be able to announce the plan in the near future. We all want to thank Steph Anderson for her work in securing a grant in the amount of $22,800.00 thru the Payroll Protection Program offered by the Federal Government’s Cares Act. This is not a loan but a grant, which means we do not have to repay any monies back to the government. This will be a tremendous benefit toward supporting our church budget. Also, a big thank you to all our church members who continue to mail in or use PayPal to make your weekly contributions. To date, we have been able to meet all our financial obligations. Finally another BIG THANK YOU, to Pastor Kathryn, Bob, and Shelba for livestreaming our Sunday morning services on Facebook. Stay Strong and put your trust in the Lord. Peace be with you, Ed Brader Consistory President

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“LIVE!” WORSHIP ONLINE EVERY SUNDAY ON FACEBOOK!! Pastor Kathryn is providing Sunday worship services, every Sunday at 11:00 am, Shelba and Bob

providing musical skills! If you can access Facebook you can view while the service takes place. If you

cannot view at that time, the recordings are available afterward to view on our website homepage,

www.jerusalemucc.org, or on Facebook: Jerusalem UCC Trachsville or Jerusalem United Church of

Christ, Palmerton. Either way, you will be blessed with songs, hymns, scriptures, prayers and message!

ONLINE ONLY SERVICES CONTINUE UNTIL WE CAN OPEN THE CHURCH BUILDING

SAFELY FOR EVERYONE. Watch for updates.

BIBLE STUDY!! JOIN ANYTIME!!

Bible study is held Tuesdays from 7pm until 9pm with Pastor Kathryn on a WEB Platform. Contact the pastor for the

connection link. The group is studying the book of Acts. The Bible study will continue indefinitely!

SUNDAY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION PROGRAMS **Let us know if you are not getting info on this but would like to!**

Nursery (infant to pre-K): Marcia is emailing recordings of bible stories for the nursery children Children (ages 5-12) Marcia is holding Sunday School on Zoom for this age group at 10am. Youth Group (ages 13-17): Will resume when the church building is open. Adult Sunday School: Will resume when the church building is open Bible Study Video/Audio Conference: Tuesday evenings 7pm to 9pm, call, text, email pastor for the connection link

Pastor's Note: If any church member has any basic needs that are unmet and we at the

church might help, please call me on my cell phone. I am available for phone calls, video

conferencing, and some people can respond for deliveries. This is a difficult time for

everyone, but God is still helping and guiding us. Reach out to those in your network/circle to

make sure we care for others as we would want to be cared for. Many Thanks.

Also, if anyone needs help with accessing the online services or groups, please let me know.

I can try to walk you through it by phone call. ~Pastor Kathryn~

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Shorter term prayer concerns: Anna Bowman Jessie Walters Mark Stetler

Timothy Henning Joanne Frable Bill & Delores Scheffner

Duane Hawk Helen Smale Kalli Sarandis

Betty Nothstein Jean Edgecomb Pearl Fauzio

Doug Hawk Wanda Pettit Tony & Gloria Medalgia

Ed & Leann Wesler Blanche Strausberger Tammy Held (Hawk)

Tim Zalik Paul Klein Shari Jacobs Family of Lorraine Ziegler upon her passing. (Shirene George’s sister) Longer term prayer concerns: Jim Buck Kayla Johnson Bonnie O’Brien

Bob Buck Dalton Fredericks Dean Serfass

Barry Smale Linda Mackes Jim Fritz

Ada Frederick Anne Jenkins Brenda Nothstein-Bunting

Jeff Eckhart Elizabeth Krause

“…pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” (James 5:13)

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing…” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

As disciples of Jesus, we seek to pray daily.

Below is a list of those who need our prayers.

Christian Education News - June 2020

Boy these are strange times but our Sunday School and Nursery kiddos are covered. I continue to

Zoom with the Sunday School and I read and post a story for the Little ones. We will continue with

that format indefinitely. I can’t wait to see those beautiful faces live and not through a rectangle

(screen.)

Unfortunately, we are canceling VBS for the Summer. This program is so interactive and hands-on

that Social Distancing would be very difficult. Hopefully things will change by next Summer and

we will celebrate with each other.

If you know of any child that would benefit from Zoom classes or a story please contact Marcia

Heinick at 610-681-7222 or mheinick@ptd.net.

Blessings and stay safe!

Marcia Heinick

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JUCC Food Distribution for people in need. The Tuesday, May 5th and May 12th from 6-8pm free food distribution for those hard

hit by the public health emergency was a great success! Many members pitched in to

help and many in need were served.

If you are fortunate enough to not be in need, we are also accepting donations for this

ongoing ministry. Thanks to God for allowing us to manage well right now and all

who contributed to this mission.

FAMILY CARE GIVER GROUP DID NOT MEET IN MAY… HOWEVER…. Family Care Giver Support Group is scheduled for the second Thursday of each month. In order to serve all potential needs, alternating times of evenings at 6pm and mornings at 11am are offered. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 11th, 2020 @ 6:00 p.m. The group meeting is TBA (to be

announced.) Watch for details on our Facebook page. If you know of anyone who is struggling with caring for a family member, please let them know that

this support group may assist them with education and fellowship to ease their caring work. Facilitated by Jennie Serfass from Manor Care. No RSVP necessary.

JUCC QUILT & CRAFTS GROUP! Interested in crafting, sewing or quilting? JUCC Quilt & Craft Group IS NOT CURRENTLY MEETING, however, it is scheduled the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The meetings will continue to be held when the church is opened. See (or call) Shelba for more info (610)704-3756. There will definitely be quilting going on, but this group also involves other crafts/classes as well, depending upon your interests. It could also just be "open sew" where everyone works on their own projects. Bring your friends and enjoy some fun and fellowship!

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Due to current public health concerns, we are asking that people follow CDC and PA Health Guidelines. Check our website and Facebook pages for info.

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JUNE FLOWERS & BULLETIN SPONSORS

June 07 – June Easterday in honor of all loved ones

June 14 – Tod and Barb Kreger in honor of their 36th Wedding Anniversary on June 16th

June 21 - Strausberger Family in memory of PFC David R. Bartholomew who died in Vietnam

on June 19,1978

June 28 – Leon and Danielle George in memory of Leon & Esther George

SPECIAL SUNDAY SERVICES

CONFIRMATION SUNDAY IS CURRENTLY IN PLANNING.

STAY TUNED!

MONTHLY GRIEF & LOSS SUPPORT GROUP The Monthly Grief and Loss Support Group at JUCC now meets twice a month – on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm, and on the 4th Thursday @

6:30 p.m. The group is presently be held on a web platform. Directed

by professional counselor, Sue Featro, M.E.D., E.D.D., M.S. Counseling, this group is for people experiencing grief due to trauma, loss or death. It is an effort to assist people in the surrounding community to heal and find peace. Please contact the pastor for the link, or check for the invitation link on our Facebook page. People are managing to find and make us of this important ministry. Thanks to God and to the members of JUCC who make it possible!

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CANCELED COMMUNITY EVENT

FREE CHICKEN BAR-B-QUE Is unfortunately canceled for 2020. See

you next year and plan to bring the whole family & lawn chairs and Enjoy

an evening of good food and fellowship!

For more information call our office at 610-681-4412

Rescheduled 2-Day Flea Market! August 14 t h from 9am to 3 pm

& August 15 t h from 8am to 1 pm

In the Church Grove. Something for Everyone! Great Prices! Everything Must Go!

What a Year! WATCH FOR FURTHER DETAILS!

2020 Annual Events Schedule:

Annual Church Picnic - August 1st

Flea Market – August 14th & 15th

Palmerton Festival “Happy Bowl” Food Stand – September 11th – 13th

Apple Fest - October 3rd

Holiday Bazaar/Basket Social – November 7th

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HOMECOMING OFFERING

Thank you to all who contributed to Homecoming in 2019. The 2020 mowing season is

underway (Virus doesn’t make the grass stop growing!) and we are once again asking for

donations to cover the lawn care expenses of the Union Cemetery. Make your checks payable

to: Jerusalem Union Cemetery Association. Checks may be mailed to me at the address below.

Thanking you in advance for your 2020 contribution.

Deborah Cope, Treasurer

Jerusalem Union Cemetery Association

545 Church Road

Palmerton, PA 18071

Please note: Scripture readers for the 10:30am service will be contacted when services resume at the church building

Just a reminder! Our beverage can shed is looking for your empty aluminum beverage cans. There are two deposit slots: one for crushed cans and one for uncrushed

cans.

Check TV Channel 69 (WFMZ), BR13, Facebook or website for JUCC closings for updates on closings,

changes, delays or postponements.

ESTHER SIGHT AND SOUND BUS TRIP JUNE 5TH is CANCELED.

Please stay tuned for reschedule dates!

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REGISTER RECEIPTS

Please continue to save your register receipts from Kinsley’s Shop Rite in Brodheadsville, Weis Markets and Redners. Last year, receipts were down from prior years, so consider requesting receipts from your neighbors and friends. Bring or mail them to the church to the attention of Lana Kuehner.

Receipts that will not be accepted include:

--- Kinsley’s receipts with the senior discounts, prescriptions, cigarettes, and beer, wine, lottery purchases or payouts. --- Weis Markets receipts with prescriptions, cigarettes, wine and beer, lottery purchases or payouts

Do You Know?

The JUCC sanctuary is equipped with a hearing assistance system?

You can ask an usher for a receiver to help you to hear during the service.

Jerusalem UCC CCLI license number 2745745

Jerusalem United Church of Christ

545 Church Drive, Palmerton, Pennsylvania 18071

Church office: (610) 681-4412

www.jerusalemucc.org

Facebook: Jerusalem Trachsville UCC

Rev. Kathryn Foster, Pastor

Home: (610) 261-9015 ~ cell: (610) 554-7364