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Worship Themes
January
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| 1 | Kim Follmer |
| 2 | Carmen Francesco |
| 3 | Judy Pentecost |
| 5 | Sharon Hector |
6 |
Rebecca Orr |
| 7 | Herbert J. Mitschele |
| 9 | Sue D. Miller |
| 10 | Timothy Everard, Jr. |
| 11 | Tracie Gelatt |
| 12 | Theresa Avery |
| 13 | Pastor Gordie |
| 15 | Troy Freiermuth |
| 16 | Kenny Deighton |
| 17 | Carrie Bryant |
| 19 | Charlie Avery, Sr. |
| 21 | William Bryant |
| 22 | Kristin Reining |
| 23 | Lee Brown |
| 24 | Karen Avery |
| 25 | Lucille Jay |
| 26 | Clayton Crum |
| 27 | Brandon Hector |
| 28 | Scott Jacobsen |
| 29 | Mel Wolff |
| 30 | Mark Dillmuth |
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The Church Office has a new copier! Anyone interested in learning the advanced features of our new copier, please let Alice know. Ken Weyandt will be training.
Please bring in any used cell phones you have at home. The UMYF is collecting them; there is a bin at the back of the sanctuary for your use. Many thanks for your participation.
MUGS and decorative PLATES adorning a sketch of our church are available! There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board if you would like to purchase a mug and/or plate. Mugs are $6.00 and plates are $10.00. There are samples of each to view on the back table. See Rose Branning with questions or payment.
Attention parents of infants to pre-schoolers:Would you like to spend time with other parents experiencing the same joys and challenges of parenthood as you in a friendly, supportive, Christian atmosphere? If your answer is a resounding “YES!” then we can offer you that opportunity with a once-a-month Sunday School class called Blessed Journeys.
The class will meet the first Sunday of each month in the nursery during the Sunday School hour (9-10 a.m.), so you can feel free to bring your infant or pre-Sunday School-age toddler with you. Both new parents, as well as those who’ve been “in the trenches” for a while, are encouraged to attend. Everyone will find positive support, helpful suggestions, and Christian affirmation in the challenging but blessed role of being parents to infants and young children.
If you are interested in joining this class, please see Trish LeClere or Beth Troop (phone numbers and email addresses are also available in the Church directory) by Sunday, January 11, 2009.
God Bless!
You will be receiving your letter and pledge cards in the mail shortly, if you have not already received them.
Please give prayerful consideration when filling out your cards of financial and personal support of the church. Without you, there is no church.
“Then Jesus told them, ‘Give the Emperor what belongs to him and give God what belongs to God.’
--Matthew 22: 21.
“If you make giving a way of life, you will find that you will be happier than you could have ever believed or imagined. Doing things for others fills you with a warmth you can never get in any other way.” --- Mary Kay Ash
Answers to December’s questions
1. Jesus and Emmanuel
2. God with us
3. Jacob and Matthan
4. Yes, Mark 6:3 asks of His sisters,
but does not give their names.
5. David
6. Nazareth
7. Gabriel
8. Simeon
9. Hosea
10. Two turtledoves or pigeons
“Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.”
...Unknown
From the Pastor's Desk *Church Meetings & Conferences *
Opportunities for Fellowship & Special Events * Missions * Christian Education
UMYF * United Methodist Women * Encouraging Words * Birthdays
Announcements * Bible Trivia Game * Fun Stuff
Thanks & Praise* Editor's Column * PA Gas Drilling
Ushers 8:00 a.m.: Michael & Mary Gilson
Ushers 10: 15 a.m.: Tom & Suzanne-Pritchard Tresslar & Ken & Darleen Weyandt
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Notice the new name of our Newsletter? Faith in Action it is, and the winning suggestion came from the Hutchison family! Congratulations! And, thank you to everyone who participated; the decision was not an easy one and the Church Council is to be congratulated for making the final decision. Hope you agree that this is a great name for our Newsletter!
GET READY FOR EPIPHANYMany Christian denominations celebrate Epiphany each year on or near January 6. “Epiphany,” which means “showing forth,” celebrates the visit of the magi, or wise men, to the baby Jesus. These men, also known as kings, saw the star that led them to Bethlehem. The fact that these wise men were Gentiles, not Jews, teaches us an important theological lesson: Their search for the Savior shows that Jesus came for all people. In 1875, Philip Bliss wrote the hymn “The Light of the World Is Jesus.” The first stanza captures the meaning of Epiphany, a season of light:
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BRING IN THE NEW YEAR TALENT SHOW Sunday, January 11, 2009 (snow date Jan 18th) $3 per adult, $2 per child donation plus bring a canned good for the pantry Join us as members & friends of our church display the gifts God has given them! Bring a friend with you and enjoy! The deadline for participation sign-ups is January 4. See the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board at the back of the Sanctuary. SILENT AUCTION COMING IN MARCH!The Sunday School Department and UMYF will be holding a silent auction in March to raise funds for the Sky Lake camperships. (This will replace the annual Memorial Day Weekend yard/bake sale.)Early in the year, we will be seeking donations of items for auction, so if you have new items or creative ideas for items that could be auctioned off (such as gift certificates or gift baskets), please see LouAnne Sheard, Beth Troop, Allison Francesco or Pam Kocher. More information will follow in future newsletters and bulletins. Friday FriendsJoin us for Friday Friends on Friday, January 8, 7 p.m. at the church. All women are welcome as we look forward to an active and purposeful new year! |
Women's Prayer BreakfastWill be held on Saturday, January 10, 9am @ BLUMC. Speaker: Linda Deighton. Please join us! Sleeping BagsWe meet every Friday form 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (depending on the weather) during the months of October, November, January, February and March. The exception is the Friday after Thanksgiving. |
WAYS TO START OFF THE NEW YEARAccording to historians, the celebration of the New Year is the oldest holiday. Ancient Babylonians first observed it in the spring about 4,000 years ago. In 153 B.C., the Roman Senate declared January 1 as New Year’s Day. The early church started to hold religious observances that coincided with pagan celebrations. Some denominations still mark Christ’s circumcision on New Year’s. The tradition of making resolutions dates back to the Babylonians, who often promised to return borrowed farm equipment. Using a baby to symbolize rebirth and the new year dates back to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. Modern-day New Year’s customs often focus on prosperity. In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at midnight, hoping to have 12 happy months to come. The Dutch eat donuts because another year has come full circle. One of the best ways to start off the New Year is by spending time in prayer. Look back on God’s many blessings during the completed year and ask for his guidance in the one to come. Also consider starting the tradition of praying for people around the world on New Year’s Day. THE INAUGURATIONWhen president-elect Abraham Lincoln headed to Washington, D.C., he called himself a “humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty.” He spoke of America’s citizenry as God’s “almost chosen people.” Wasn’t that a lovely compliment? One suspects Lincoln was speaking as a good father speaks to children, wanting them to live up to their full potential. He surely wanted the “almost chosen people” to be servants of the living God. As God’s chosen people, as well as Americans who soon will have a new leader, how can we live up to God’s expectations for us? What can we each do to make our country a better place? And how can we share the good news with others that God has chosen us to live with him forever? KING AND THE GOOD SAMARITANMany Christians will observe Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday on January 19. (His actual birth date is January 15.) King’s comments about the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37) are worth remembering:“The first question that the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But...the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?" |
Sunday SchoolThe Sunday School Department and UMYF will be holding a silent auction in March to raise funds for the Sky Lake camperships. (This will replace the annual Memorial Day Weekend yard/bake sale.) Early in the year we will be seeking donations of items for auction, so if you have new items or creative ideas for items that could be auctioned off (such as gift certificates or gift baskets), please see LouAnne Sheard, Beth Troop, Allison Francesco, or Pam Kocher. More information will follow in future newsletters and bulletins. Preschool NewsI hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. The Preschool is back in full swing beginning January 5th. Three year old class will be increasing their days, coming Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. January finds us learning about our 5 senses that God has blessed us with. We will be doing many hands-on activities to learn about each of our senses. We will also have our “Tell a Story” breakfast on Monday, January 12th. This is a special time when the parents come and share a story about how their family unit is unique and a time for fellowship with other parents. The four year old class will have a luncheon on Tuesday, January 13th. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: Brodie Cole - 1/05 - AM Winter Blessings, Miss Colleen |
UMYF NewsSunday, Jan. 4, 6-7 p.m. - Jr. UMYF and 6-7:30 p. m. - Sr. UMYF As we change our calendars and embark on a fresh year, the youth group has exciting activities ahead. The UMYF met on December 7th to discuss upcoming events and all we have to look forward to. In December, we participated in Kids’ Christmas Fun Day by organizing the games upstairs. It truly was a “fun day,” as kids, teens, and even adults enjoyed hearing the story of Jesus’ birth. We ran three games for the children: Search for the Star, Good Shepherd Roundup, and Gifts for the King. Leading up to Christmas, the youth group sold pins that read, “It’s OK to Say Merry Christmas.” We would like to thank everyone for supporting this cause throughout the Holy Season. Our church joined hundreds of other churches across America in proclaiming the real reason for the Season – Jesus — not excessive secular commercialism. As BLUMC tradition, the UMYF also participated in the Christmas Eve Service. Several of our members acted out roles in the annual play. We had a great time rehearsing and performing. Just a reminder to all members who will be attending Creation 2009: Darlene Drongoski is currently collecting deposits of $25. With inflation creeping up, it’s great to know that the ticket prices are identical to last year’s! We hope for as many people as possible to be a part of this incredible event next summer. The Ring in the New Year Talent Show will be held January 11 following the late service. Want to share your talents and gifts with the congregation? Please sign up on the bulletin board behind the sanctuary by January 7th. The youth will again organize and MC the program. Hope you can join us for a wonderful afternoon of entertainment! (Admission is $2/child or $3/adult. Food pantry donations are also appreciated, for this is event is raising funds for HEAT Charity.) Our next regular meeting is on Sunday, January 4 from 6-7 PM for the Jr. UMYF and 6-7:30 for the Sr. UMYF. Happy New Year, James Hutchison UMYF Secretary |
Missions |
Team to Palestine/Israel Looking For Team Members Team Leader: Diane Miller, WPA Mission/VIM Coordinator
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Editor's Column |
I trust your Christmas was merry, filled with thankfulness, love and good-will. Hard to believe we are now in 2009, but here we are. No, I do not make new year resolutions; however, I do make a new year prayer asking God to help me become a better person and live as Christ has shown us. Now, that’s a big prayer! I also thank God for all He has given me and continues to provide, and especially for leading me here to BLUMC where I am surrounded by such loving and caring people. What will the new year bring? For one, a new President with new ideas; this will be interesting. Hopefully, our economy will slowly improve for the better, and that we will, too. “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until the good becomes the better and the better becomes the best.” I remember that from grammar school, which is now called elementary school. Just like the coat room used to be called the cloak room. (Okay, I can hear my grandchildren now laughing their heads off. Hey, some day you’ll be in my shoes, kiddos, you just wait and see.) The very best thing about a new year is a clean slate. “New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday,” said Charles Lamb, and he was right, although today, using all-inclusive language, New Year’s Day is every person’s birthday. That’s a really great thought. What will you do with your new slate? I am wondering what I will do with mine. It will take a willingness to change, much thoughtful preparation, and a lot of hard work to grow as a Christian. It won’t be easy to rid ourselves of some nasty habits still clinging to our personalities, but isn’t it wonderful that along with a new year comes the knowledge that Christ has taken away all our sins! God wants us to be happy. He wants us to be faithful people. He wants us to make Christian decisions in all things. He wants us be joyful, maybe even a little silly at times, in His love. He wants us to be of service to others. At least that’s the way I feel about it. So, off we go into another year full of hope for the future. Let us try to give up our wills to His will, which in truth is not an easy thing. I am finding that the more I give up my own will, the easier things become; it’s almost like magic. But, I still have a way to go. Happy New Year, dear friends. It is my honor to be on this new year journey with you.
Faithfully, Alice Kahn, |
A great big Thank You to our “Energizer Bunnies” for folding our Newsletter again this month: Rose Branning, Rose Eno, Mary Flottemesch, Emily Hitty, Irene Perkin and Mary Wilcox. We couldn’t do it without you! ******************
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