the trumpet - eastwoodstockchurch.org€¦ · blessings and curses. now choose life…”...
TRANSCRIPT
The TRUMPET
October 2018
30 Seconds to Make a Difference
A car horn blared behind me, seeming to
make my whole car shake and causing me to clench
the steering wheel even tighter. The large black truck
had been following me very closely for the last mile;
only our narrow, windy country roads prevented him
from passing me. Now that we had reached an
intersection, he was clearly fed up with my speed-
limit driving. He wanted me out of his way – fast.
The fact that two cars were approaching, making it
impossible for me to cross the busy street made no
difference to him. He expressed his frustration with
his loud horn as he rolled down and shouted words I
won’t repeat.
When it was safe, I drove across the street,
still shaken by the anger that followed me. There on
the other side of the intersection, sitting in his truck,
was a young man from our congregation. He also
rolled down the window. His interaction with me was
entirely different. He gave me a big smile and leaned
out to wave his hand. We didn’t speak, but my spirits
were lifted by his cheery greeting and obvious
goodwill.
Each encounter lasted no more than 30
seconds but the impact was powerful. It helped me
realize what a difference our words and actions can
have. Never underestimate your ability to influence
the mood or even the entire day of another human
being. Every day – and several times in each day –
we have a choice of how we will live, speak, and
interact with one another. Whether the person we
encounter is a stranger or friend, we have a choice
about what impression we will make and how we will
leave that person after we part. Will that person be
better off, lifted up, or encouraged? Or will our
words and actions leave that person hurt, angry, or
afraid? The choice is ours.
In the story of the Exodus, Moses tells the
people of Israel that they are responsible for their
actions. Moses describes the choice that they have;
“See, I set before you today life and
prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you
today to love the LORD your God, to walk in
obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees
and laws… I have set before you life and death,
blessings and curses. Now choose life…”
(Deuteronomy 30). Choose life. Choose kindness, every time.
Choose civility, choose respect, choose patience.
Choose to treat the other person as you would wish to
be treated. Don’t overlook those 30 second
encounters. They might make all the difference.
You have 30 seconds to make a difference –
now go out and share God’s love.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Dr. Susan J. Foster
A publication of the East Woodstock Congregational Church, 220 Woodstock Road, East Woodstock, CT 06244 Pastor: Rev. Dr. Susan J. Foster Interim Director of Christian Education: Louise Labbe-Fahy
Youth Group Director: Anne Sorensen Music Director/Organist: Nancy Ducharme Bell Choir Director: Andrew Tomkins Office Manager: Heidi Tucker
Office: 860-928-7449 Residence: 860-928-7145 email address: [email protected]
The Trumpet deadline is the 20th of every month!
The following are the scriptures for the month of
September:
You are invited to read them as part of your daily devotions and as preparation for worship.
October 7 October 14
Job 1:1, 2:1-10 Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Psalm 26 Psalm 22:1-15
Genesis 2:18-24 Amos 5:6-7, 10-15
Psalm 8 Psalm 90:12-17
Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 10:2-16 Mark 10:17-31
October 22 October 29
Job 38:1-7, 34-41 Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c Psalm 34:1-8, 19-22
Isaiah 53:4-12 Jeremiah 31:7-9
Psalm 91:9-16 Psalm 126
Hebrews 5:1-10 Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 10:35-45 Mark 10:46-52
Worship News
We hope that you can join us every Sunday for worship and fellowship – and bring a friend!
October 7: World Communion Sunday. Celebrate our unity with God’s children across the globe!
October 14: Sacrament of Baptism, Owen Plona
October 21:
October 28: Rev. Kent Siladi preaching. Bell Choir ringing.
World Communion Sunday Please join us on Sunday, October 7th as we celebrate World Communion Sunday. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate God’s welcoming Spirit as we gather around God’s table. As we share breads from across the globe, we remember that we are invited to pass on God’s gifts of forgiveness, healing, and new life.
Join us every Wednesday for Bible study, conversation, and
fellowship.
This informal group meets to talk about the Scriptures that will be read on Sunday and explore how
they relate to our lives.
Laughter and learning are promised – please come every
Wednesday or whenever you can drop in!
Wednesday morning
study group
10:00 a.m.
Everyone is welcome!
The TRUMPET Page 2 October 2018
It’s the Season for EWCC’s Covenant to Care Coat Drive!
The chill is in the air and the Missions committee is announcing EWCC’s annual Covenant to Care Coat drive. Each year our congregation collects donations of new and gently used winter outerwear for needy families in the Quiet Corner served by Covenant to Care, our partner social service agency.
A coat rack and bins for the winter accessories will be set up in Fellowship Hall beginning Sunday, October 14th to take your generous donations. We ask that you check your gently used coats to make sure the zippers work, no buttons are missing, and all items are washed.
Thank you so much for your generosity and caring to help make the coming months warmer for many of our neighbors in need!
CROP = Community Response on Poverty
Join our CROP Walk Team! We are the East Woodstock Walkers!
Sunday, October 7, 2018
1:00 p.m.
Fort Hill Farms, Thompson CT
We will join with several other churches from northeastern CT
to walk and raise funds and awareness about hunger.
Sign up in fellowship hall to join our team! All ages welcome.
Here is the link: https://www.crophungerwalk.org/danielsonct/
The TRUMPET Page 3 October 2018
Our church is blessed by the work of many volunteers.
Every bit of effort and caring helps the church live out
its calling to be the Body of Christ. This month we
especially would like to thank . . .
Louise Labbe-Fahy and our Sunday School
teachers and shepherds for getting our Sunday School
off to a good start.
Share your news with your church family!
Just email Heidi at [email protected] or
call the church office at 928-7449.
Wrenna Patricia Shemansky was baptized on
September 2nd. She is the daughter of William and
Venessa Shemansky and the little sister of Rylan. We
ask God to bless Wrenna and her family in their faith
journey.
Michele Integlia and Myles Connolly were
married on September 1, 2018.
Kerri Thibault and John Deorsey were married
on September 22, 2018.
May God bless these couples and fill their
marriage with peace and joy.
Ladies’ Benevolent Society News
Our October LBS meeting will be on Wed. October
17, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Our guest
speaker will be Charla Beattie, Director of the Memory
Café at Day Kimball Hospital. Please join us for this
interesting presentation, as well as refreshments and
fellowship. All are welcome. Bring a friend!
Women in Transition
Any woman who is experiencing
change and transition – brought
on by new job, loss of job, empty
nest, re-filled nest, retirement, or other life experiences – is
invited to attend our Women in Transition breakfasts. Our
next potluck breakfast will be on Sunday, October 14th at
8:00 a.m.
The men of the congregation have been enjoying gathering for breakfast at the church for good food and fellowship. Our next gathering will be on Sunday, October 21st at 8:00 a.m. All men are invited – and please invite a friend along!
Volunteer Sunday Sexton The Society committee is searching for a person or a team of people to act as our “Sunday Sexton”. The responsibilities are small, but important:
- Empty trash cans - Check paper supplies in bathrooms
- Turn off lights in hallways and classrooms
Please contact Rick Place [email protected] or Valerie Law [email protected] if you can help out.
Need a table?
We are thrilled to have brand new
tables to use in our fellowship hall. As a result, we
will be selling our old tables on
October 7th after worship. Tables
are $20/each and must be picked
up by October 14th.
Women! Save the Date!
March 29-30: Women’s retreat at Camp
Wightman. A beautiful setting with good
fellowship,delicious meals, and time for learning
and relaxing.
The TRUMPET Page 4 October 2018
It’s time to think Holly Fair
The annual Holly Fair is on Saturday, November 3, 2018!
It’s hard to believe summer is over and we are soon to be heading into the holiday season.
With that in mind, Pat Ziemba and myself, Donna Baldyga, (aka Holly and Ivy), are sending
out a shout to anyone and everyone who would like to help with this year’s Holly Fair scheduled
for November 3rd.
The basket social is our biggest draw, and we would love to see what great basket
ideas you will come up with this year. New and like new items are always a hit and
donations are greatly appreciated.
If you sew, knit, crochet, paint, woodwork, etc… we need your talents
for our craft table. The jewelry counter is always a treat, and this year
we will bring back the silent auction. Calling all chefs out there,
we need cookies and baked goods as well as jams, jellies, salsa,
pickles and any other goodies you can cook up.
As always, any and all donations are greatly appreciated as this is an important fundraiser for
our church. If you have any questions, ideas, or would like to help out, please call Pat or Donna
or our wonderful chair persons for each table below.
Co-Chairs - Pat Ziemba 508-764-7052 [email protected]
Donna Baldyga 508-665-8038 [email protected]
Basket Social - Kerstin Forrester 860-634-3635 [email protected]
Baked Goods - Taryn Tomkins 860-928-2614 [email protected]
Candy - Diane Morin 860-923-2624 [email protected]
Crafts - Amy Hiller White 860-315-7816 [email protected]
Diane Billings 860-928-2932 [email protected]
Jewelry - Lisa Gould 860-634-7670 [email protected]
New & Like
New Gifts - Val Law 860-634-4471 [email protected]
Luncheon - Jill Sherman 860-928-0129 [email protected]
Thank you for your generosity and support. (More to follow)
The TRUMPET Page 5 October 2018
More Holly Fair…
HOLLY FAIR BASKET SOCIAL
It’s that time of year again, the great Holly Fair is right around the corner. This year I have committed to chair the Basket Social – with guidance from Dot Hill. The Basket Social is a big part of the Holly Fair fund-raising event. We need your help in continuing our success – the goal this year is to have at least 70 themed baskets!
Committee Chairpersons please ask your members to create a Themed Basket. Most of our church committees have provided fantastic baskets over the past few years and we’re asking you to continue this wonderful tradition.
Individuals and teams you so graciously donated wonderful baskets the past few years. Big or small, they were all lovely! Can we count on you again this year – PLEASE!!
If you need ideas, there will be a list posted on the bulletin board in Fellowship
Hall. I have some empty baskets for you to fill and will help to arrange the baskets if needed. We also accept cash donations and Dot and I will shop for you and put the basket together!!
To all your friends and neighbors, please pass the word to
come to the Holly Fair on Saturday, November 3rd, bring a friend or two and enjoy lunch, buy candy, cookies, pies,
crafts and gifts. Of course, you’ll want to buy tickets for a chance to win a themed basket.
Contact Kerstin Forrester at 860-634-3635 (text or phone)
or email at [email protected]
The TRUMPET Page 6 October 2018
If you would like to attend, but need assistance with registration, please contact Jess Reed:
860-933-4447 or [email protected].
The TRUMPET Page 7 October 2018
“Caring Continues” Program
Our church is helping the community program called “Caring Continues”
which supplies families of Woodstock school children with basic food supplies.
Every two weeks, each family receives a bag with non-perishable foods. Churches
and school groups work together to provide the food and pack the bags.
EWCC is committed to providing jars of jelly. Please bring in PLASTIC
bottles of jelly (grape or strawberry) and place them on the Missions table in
Fellowship Hall.
If you would like to help pack the food bags on Thursday, October 18th at 6:00
p.m., please be in touch with Valerie Law at [email protected].
6th Annual Holiday Art Show and Sale
Mark your calendar…
Saturday, December 1st 10 am- 3 pm
If you know of any crafters/artists who may be interested in setting up a table, please have them
contact me as soon as possible. Space is limited!
I am also looking for help! Last year we had a very successful refreshment table set up and a
penny social table. Each of the vendors contributed an item to the penny social and names
were drawn. Please see me if you are able to help at either of these tables. I hope to find
someone who can run each of the tables and find volunteers to help. And then there is always
set up and clean up!!
Please mark the date on your calendar and pass this info on to your friends. Please call me if you
have any questions or could help organize refreshments or the penny social. For the last five years,
we have made a nice profit on this one-day show.
Let's do it again and make even more!! Thanks in advance.
Karen McFarlin [email protected] or 860-933-8667.
The TRUMPET Page 8 October 2018
We need your help!
The Youth Group is putting together Care Packages for our College Freshmen on Sunday, October 14th. Help us let them know that we are thinking about them!
Please help us gather up some fun and useful items to fill 12 boxes!
Here are some suggestions:
Handwritten Notes
Goldfish crackers or cookies, single serving size
Individual bags candy (Fruit flavor and Chocolate)
Cups of instant soup
Hot chocolate packages
Halloween Little Gifts
Pens
Pencils and erasers
Highlighters
Lip Balm
Tissues. Travel size
Cough Drops
If you would like to donate an item or write a letter, please let Anne know! 860-428-2198 or [email protected]
The TRUMPET Page 9 October 2018
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
E V E N T S
October 7 World Communion Sunday EWCC
Come to church and help with worship! We need youth to pass out bulletins, collect offering and read
scripture. Being a part of worship is a wonderful way to give back to your church family. Plus, the
children love to look up to you!
October 7 CropWalk Fort Hill Farms, Thompson, CT
CROP = Community Response on Poverty
Join our CROP Walk Team! We are the East Woodstock Walkers!
We will join with several other churches from northeastern CT to walk and raise funds and awareness
about hunger. Sign up in fellowship hall to join our team! All ages welcome!
October 14 Breakfast Club EWCC
Come to Breakfast Club after the Children’s Story. Meet in the library. We will be putting together Care
Packages our college freshmen. Put your faith into action and show our youth group alumni we care about
them. There will be light refreshments for you. Friends are welcome!
October 28 Community Service Opportunity EWCC
Grab a rake and bring a friend to help with yard clean-up for several members of our church. Meet after
church with a bag lunch! After lunch will we divide up and get to work. Your help will be greatly
appreciated! RSVP to Anne by October 22nd, 860-428-2198.
Want to know more about YOUTH GROUP?
CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM!
INSTAGRAM: WoodstockSYG Facebook: Youth Group 18-19
Call or text Anne Sorensen at 860-428-2198 or
EMAIL: [email protected]
FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!
The TRUMPET Page 10 October 2018
YOUTH GROUP EVENTS
Sunday School is in full swing! You might see a few new things going on. During this interim time,
the CE committee thought it would be a good time to try a couple of different things.
First of all, there is a new face in the nursery. Laura Looby will be working with our youngest children.
She will share a different Bible story each month with them as well as some simple crafts and coloring
activities.
Before the children all go to their classrooms we are taking a few moments for the kids to share their joys
and concerns each week. Please encourage your children to be thinking about things they would like to
share.
On the first Sunday of each month those children in grades 5 and above will stay in worship and celebrate
communion with the whole cogeneration. The children in 4th grade and under will have a special activity
together… more details on that will be coming shortly.
I’m SO EXCITTED to announce that whenever there is a 5th Sunday in the month the Missions Committee
has agreed to do a mission related activity with all the Sunday School students. I can’t wait to see what
they will be doing for others in our community.
I know I’ve given you a lot of information here but I’d just like to say lastly that the CE committee wants
to hear from all of you. We would love to hear your ideas and suggestions. Please use the following email
address for all Sunday School related issues: [email protected]
Thank you all,
Louise Labbe-Fahy, chair CE Committee
Church Chuckles
The TRUMPET Page 11 October 2018
The TRUMPET Page 12 October 2018
Children’s Page
Looking Ahead:
November 3rd – Holly Fair
November 11th – Women in Transition Pledge Sunday, Jeans Sunday November 18th – Thanksgiving Sunday Men’s Breakfast
COFFEE HOUR
The coffee hour in October will be served courtesy of: Music & Choirs
The coffee hour in November will be served courtesy of: Stewardship
October 2018
Daily Bread request: Canned Fish and Meats
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 9 am Community
Kitchen 9:30 am Music
Class
2 10:00 am Tai Chi 7 pm Sanctuary
Singers
3 10:00 Study Group 7:30 pm Al-anon
4 10:00 am Tai Chi 7:00 pm Bells
5 4:00 pm 4H Club
6
7
World Communion
Sunday 11:15 am CE 1:00 CROP Walk
8 Columbus Day
9 10:00 am Tai Chi 7 pm Sanctuary
Singers
10 10:00 Study Group 7:00 pm Missions 7:30 pm Al-anon
11 10:00 am Tai Chi 7:00 pm Bells
12 9:30 am MOMs
Group
13
14 8:00 am Women in Transition
15 9:30 am Music
Class 7:00 pm Council
16 10:00 am Tai Chi 7 pm Sanctuary
Singers
17 10:00 Study Group 1:30 pm LBS 7:30 pm Al-anon
18 10:00 am Tai Chi 7:00 pm Bells
19 Trumpet Deadline!
20 4 pm Democrat Town Comm.
21 8:00 am Men’s
Breakfast 4:00 pm MOMs
Group Trunk or Treat
22 9:30 am Music
Class 7:00 pm Society
23 10:00 am Tai Chi 7 pm Sanctuary
Singers
24 10:00 Study Group 7:30 pm Al-anon
25 10:00 am Tai Chi 7:00 pm Bells
26
27 7:00 pm
Board & Paint Fundraiser
28 Rev. Kent Siladi
29 9:30 am Music
Class
30 10:00 am Tai Chi 7 pm Sanctuary
Singers
31 Happy Halloween! 10:00 Study Group 7:30 pm Al-anon
The TRUMPET Page 13 October 2018
October Birthdays:
Bethany Noe Oct. 3
Amy Shinkiewicz Oct. 3
Audrey Noe Oct. 12
Tanner Blair Oct. 22
Sawyer Stewart Oct. 24
Dustin Chamberlin Oct. 28
Lucas Reardon Oct. 29
Today and every day let us be open to God, who promises always to be with us.
“No one finds time for prayer. You either take time for it or you don't get it.” - Joan Chittister, OSB
UCC Book of (Un)commom Prayer
The TRUMPET Page 14 October 2018
D
An Autumn Prayer
Abba, Father, the trees are ablaze with your glory. The seasons change, but you never do. You are always beautiful, in the green and freshness of spring as in the golds and reds and chills of autumn. Make me like you. Let my life reflect your beauty, season after season, as the calendar of my life turns and turns and turns.
The trees are letting go of this year's foliage. Help me let go of both blessings and burdens, and surrender them both to your loving care.
Fallen leaves pattern the ground with variety. So design my own fallings and failings into whatever design will please you most. In Jesus' name, I pray,
Amen.
