Get your UCC T-Shirts! 
Get your Emmanuel UCC tshirt or Polo/Golf Shirt HERE! |
Whew!! Four weeks down and four to go. I knew Pastor Penny did a lot of the background work for services and handled some other issues, great and small, but I really didn’t know how time-consuming her job is. That said – I think I’ll be taking a sabbatical when she gets back. Just joking… But then again? Just getting the bulletin finalized is sometimes a challenge. There are many resources for the liturgy, some on the web and some in print. But to get the right call to worship, prayers and such, that will really compliment the Preacher’s message is sometimes very daunting. It’s been a real learning experience and one that I will happily give back when Pastor returns.
I also want to say how proud I am of everyone in our church. I realize that some people might question why any pastor, not just Pastor Penny, would need a sabbatical. I’ll leave that up to her to explain. My focus is that while she is away, we are continuing to be a true fellowship of believers. We have supported the people who have taken their time to participate in our services over the past month and I know we will be just as supportive for the next month. When these people come into our church, you can see the welcoming attitude from everyone in attendance. I want you to know that I really appreciated everyone who complimented me about the sermon on May 14. I think it was a great Sunday with the “ladies” of all ages contributing. Brooke did very well with her part of the liturgy and I am hoping that she has volunteered to continue reading. And I would like to thank Sharon, Camille and Janice for their part in leading the prayers and scriptures. It was very rewarding for me to be part of this experience and I love the way everything worked out (even though I did forget to print out my notes and had to use my laptop – hi-tech to the rescue). I felt a genuine response of warmth and encouragement which I relied on several times during the following weeks. Thank you for your support, not for me, but for your church and this community of believers. It’s this kind of support that counts – the people who will be there for the church when “the cat’s away”.
Our Turkey Supper was successful because of all of you, too. I really love being in the hall, and running around like a crazy lady. It’s all for a good cause, too. Not only do we prepare a great meal for a lot of people, but they see who we are and what we are like. That kind of talk always gets around. Our reputation is not only what we deliberately put out to the community to see, but also what they see at these functions when we’re working together. People can tell when there’s something behind the scenes. So, it’s great that they’re seeing us in a good light – could that be God’s light? Yes!
Next up is the 300 Club on June 15 from 12 noon to 6 pm (or so). There are 300 Club posters and donation letters for the Silent Auction on the table in the narthex. Just take some posters and put them around wherever you see other events publicized. As for Silent Auction donations, please fill in the blanks with the name of person/business donating, the item donated and the value of the item on the donation letter. Also, please make a note of the value of the item and keep it with the item so that we know how much to put on the bid sheets. Then give the letter to the donor for their tax records. The more items, the more we will be able to make to help our church and its missions.
“300 Club” means there are 300 tickets up for grabs which cost $35 each. The ticket grants you and a guest access to the grounds, with all the food and entertainment included in the ticket price. Plus ticketholders are entered into hourly drawings beginning at 1 pm. There are five drawings each hour: 2 for $50 and 3 for $25. Then the main drawing is at 6 pm. There are five each for $25, $50 and $100; one for $250; one for $500; and the last drawing is for a whopping $1,000. If you don’t care about being included in the drawings, you can still come and just hang out and enjoy all the food and entertainment, too, for a donation of just $15 per person.
Please promote the 300 Club as much as possible. It’s a great way to spend a day (6 hours of food and entertainment for $17.50/person with a ticket or $15/person without – where else can you get a deal like that?)
Again, thanks for all your support. It really means a lot to me and it shows the love and concern you have for your church and it’s mission work. No, Pastor Penny is not here at the moment, but we are. And we are Emmanuel United Church of Christ.
See you in Church!!!
PS – can you hear the cheer? WE ARE – - EMMANUEL! WE ARE – - EMMANUEL!
 Share on Facebook
 Tweet This Post
Anna Mae Koons wishes to thank everyone for the get-well cards, prayers and concerns during her recovery.
The Easter Breakfast was a wonderful time for us to joyfully celebrate with each other. Thanks to everyone who helped prepare it and those who came to enjoy the fellowship. Jim Rinehimer
Thanks to everyone who helped out in any and every way with our Turkey Supper. It’s great to see the members and our Scouts working together and having fun. Yes, you can do both at the same time – just ask anyone who was there!! So, let’s hear it for the food prep crew, cooks, wait staff, clean up crew and diners. We couldn’t have this event without YOU!
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
Hurry up and get your tickets
for our 4th Annual 300 Club fundraiser!
Mark your calendars and get ready for a great day of fun, food and prizes. On Saturday, June 15, we will hold our annual 300 Club. For tickets or to help out, please see Allen Dennis and Jim Rinehimer.
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
Bernie Baluta at McKinney Clinic has contacted us regarding a need for the people served by the clinic. She asks if we would collect white crew socks (only this kind, please – it makes it easier to pass out only one style) and deodorant. The box at the front of the church is where you can deposit these items. Thanks for your continuing generosity for those who are in need.
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
Several members have taken advantage of this method to ensure their offering is given as they planned. While there are those who use the service regularly, others like to just have it for a specific circumstance, such as while they are on vacation, and then go back to their usual offering practice. If you overlook making out your check or if you’re not here, the bills still come and those businesses expect, and rightly so, to be paid on time. Your offering ensures that funds are available when needed. Automatic contributions are processed the same way as any other automatic withdrawal from your account, such as car payments, insurance premiums, or mortgage payments. You set up with your bank when and how much is forwarded to the church. A check arrives in our mail and is counted with the offering on Sunday mornings. It’s that simple.
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
Thanks to everyone who buys Weis or Carone’s cards. You are really helping to build up our account so we can go on the mission trip. See Marc or let a Youth Group member know if you want some more!
We have a terrific opportunity to really serve others “right in our own backyard”. Our trip to Lakewood Township will give us a chance to interact with people from an area that we are already familiar with. How many people go to the beaches in Jersey? Sandy had a terrible impact on that area and we can do something about it. The only thing is that it costs money to help others. Each youth needs $289 just to get to Lakewood and there are six of us going. That equals $1,734 just for us (the adults have to find their own way). That doesn’t include any spending money – just the mission trip cost. So please help us pay for our trip by supporting our fundraisers. We really appreciate all our church family does for us. We realize we couldn’t be able to make such a difference if it wasn’t for you. Thanks.
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
Stairville UMC’s spring craft sale is May 4 from 9 am to 2 pm.
A Chicken and Waffle Dinner to benefit Cindy (Hontz) Williams will be served Saturday, May 4, from 4 to 7 pm at St James Lutheran Church. Cindy had a brain aneurism with numerous complications and is now recovering at home. Tickets are: $9.00 for Adults; $5.00 for children 6-12; children under 5 are free; and $9.00 for take outs. Call 379-3372 or 379-3885 for tickets or more information.
The Kiwanis Breakfast will be on May 5 from 8 am to 1 pm.
Community Concert – St. Martin’s in the Field will host We Three, a trio comprised of a tuba player and two trombonists, on Sunday evening, May 5, at 7:30 pm. Refreshments will be served after the concert. The concert is free and open to everyone in the community.
If you know about a community event, please let me know the details, or better yet, get me a poster to put up.
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
Yum, Yum – Looks like breakfast at the Sunday School Easter Party was finger-lickin’ good. Leah and Rowan Dietrich took some time out from games and crafts to enjoy their painted toast and other breakfast goodies.
Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up. Remember the purple dinosaur’s song? Well, plenty of people took that song to heart on Sunday, April 21. There were groups all over Mountain Top giving our area a good spring cleaning. Among the groups was our own Adopt-a-Highway crew and pictured picking up the trash (literally) is Brooke Rinehimer. Thanks to everyone who cared enough about our communities to take the time to make it more beautiful.
Our Turkey Dinner was featured in a picture with Robert and Janet Gaudio of Drums sampling the delicious food. People come from all over our area and we are constantly told we have the best Turkey Supper. Thanks to everyone’s hard work and to the people who come out to enjoy it.
We have a published author in our area. Janet Van Gorden is a member of Stairville UMC and regularly teaches our joint VBS program. Janet wrote a novel which is available electronically on the web and is soon to be available in print. Her creation is titled His Second Chance is a romantic novel.
Boy Scouts of Troop 434 participated in their first Boy Scout Challenge on April 6 at Nescopeck State Park. They were tested on ten scout skills along a three mile trial. Pictured among the attendees are Aaron Kleger, Hunter Rinehimer and Asst. Scoutmaster Ron Rinehimer. Sandy Kleger also attended but is not pictured.
Ethel Fine has someone to be really proud of. Her great-grandson, Richard Supkowski, is among the students of Crestwood High School who won awards at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science regional meeting held at King’s College on March 2. He was awarded the Junior High Excellence Award in Earth and Space Science and also earned a PERFECT SCORE. Talk about brains!! The guy’s got it!
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
Dave Myers was told by the recycling center that only aluminum CANS are accepted for recycling. Please do not put aluminum foil or foil pans in the collection bins as these are not recyclable by the center. Thanks for all your support of this project. The money from recycling is used to help people in our area as part of our local mission work.
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
Busy, busy, busy week – with all the services this week and trying to get ready to leave on Monday. I’m sure all of you have had plenty to do as well. Everyone seems to be so “on the run” these days. Hopefully you are all taking a bit of time out to spend with God in prayer and devotion. Peter Kreeft has written, We have time and prayer backwards. We think time determines prayer, but prayer determines time. We think our lack of time is the cause of our lack of prayer, but our lack of prayer is the cause of our lack of time. Keep that in mind when you think you’re too busy to pray.
Some of our travel plans have changed since the death of my cousin in Alabama. The reunion has been postponed until August. But we still have plans to visit other relatives. Archie has fishing in mind and I have lots of reading to do and I may get in a little recreational shopping! There are so many books sitting on my shelf that I haven’t even opened yet. I’ll pack them up and hopefully get through some of them while I’m away – while Archie is fishing.
You will all be missed for the next couple of months and I know when Archie and I return we will start right back in to having plenty to do – like graduate Sunday followed soon after by the 300 Club. Don’t forget to get items for the silent auction when you are out. I already have several things. I know it’s going to be a busy summer.
Thanks again for all you do. I know that while I’m away everything will run smoothly. There are many capable folks at Emmanuel. I’m sorry I’ll miss the turkey supper and visiting with all the attendees but there’s always another one in October.
You have very good people filling the pulpit while I’m away. Please come out and support them. Maybe when I get back the weather will be warm enough to have outside services. People seemed to enjoy the outdoors last summer – I know I did. God seems so close in the outdoors.
I do thank God everyday that you are such a wonderful congregation. While I’m gone be good to each other continually praying for each other. I would covet your prayers as well that I will experience a wonderful sabbatical and return “rarin’ to go” as they say in the south. Hopefully you will still be able to understand me when I return from the land of cotton.
I’m looking forward to Easter and all that it brings with sunrise and breakfast and the flowered cross and the jubilant hymns. (I dare to say there won’t be lots of sundresses this year) It will be a wonderful way to go off on a high note. I won’t say good‐bye, I’ll simply say God bless and see you soon (in two months).
Blessings to All!
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
We offer our sympathy and care to Sharryl Kastreva and her family on the passing of her husband, Frank, on March 5, 2013. We pray for God’s strength and support for you and your children and grandchildren.
It is with sadness that we mark the passing of George Taney on March 29, 2013. We will remember George, a long-time member of our church, and his many contributions to our community. We send our prayers and love to Fern, Randy, Gloria, Lisa and their families. May God grant you peace in your time of grief.
Our condolences are given to Gary and Linda (Cybulski) Gittens on the passing of Gary’s Mom, Jean Gittens. May God’s peace and solace be with you and all of Jean’s children and their families.
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
Several members have taken advantage of this method to ensure their offering is given as they planned. While there are those who use the service regularly, others like to just have it for a specific circumstance, such as while they are on vacation, and then go back to their usual offering practice. If you overlook making out your check or if you’re not here, the bills still come and those businesses expect, and rightly so, to be paid on time. Your offering ensures that funds are available when needed. It is processed the same way as any other automatic withdrawal from your account, such as car payments, insurance premiums, or mortgage payments. You set up with your bank when and how much is forwarded to the church. A check arrives in our mail and is counted with the offering on Sunday mornings. It’s that simple.
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
Hey – what’s in the water these days? Hope it’s not contagious!!! We just got visited by the stork – three times. Two for our immediate members and one for our extended family.
On February 16, 2013, Aidan Joanne McFann was born to Lauren (Cadwalader) and Austin McFann. Aidan was 8 lb. 5 oz. and 21” at birth. She and her big sister, Layla, are great-granddaughters of Mary and Don Eroh. Aidan and her Mommy and sister will be living with her grandparents, Darla (Eroh) and Kevin Cadwalader, while Daddy is deployed to Japan for the next couple of months. The rest of us will have to wait to see her, hopefully sometime this summer.
March 4, 2013, was the day Mikayla Elizabeth Walck made her grand entrance. Her parents are Eric and Kristina (Baker) Walck and grandparents are John and Donna Walck and Roy and Betty Baker, her big brother is Clayton, and her great-grandparents are Don and Mary Eroh. Mikayla was 9 lb 10 oz and 20½” when born (and she’s so cuuuute). (So, OK, I’m a great-aunt again! Denise)
(So maybe it was in the genes, not the water. But that doesn’t explain the next one which is not related to the Eroh tribe.)
Grayson Edward Bunnell was born on March 27, 2013. His parents are Brad and Jennis Bunnell who also have Sabian (the one who likes to help Pastor Penny with the children’s messages – thank goodness someone took over for Glynis… Matt … Mike … David … Danny… etc.). Grayson weighed in at 7 lb 4 oz and was 20½”.
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
THURSDAY, APRIL 18
On Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m., tables are set up, and the vegetables are cleaned and cut up for the pickled cabbage.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19
Early Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. we start making the pickled cabbage and stuffing. (Some foods are just better when their flavors can mingle – just watch the cooking shows, you’ll see.)
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. we start cleaning the meat off the turkeys, which is easier if the turkeys are warm. Those of you who clean your own turkeys and then deliver them really help to speed up this process. Final food preparations are made at 2:30 p.m. – making potatoes and gravy, and heating up the turkey, vegetables and stuffing so that everything is hot and ready for 3:00 p.m. Actually serving the supper begins at 3:00 and goes to about 7:00 p.m. We can always use lots of hands for serving food, working in the kitchen, busing tables, and waiting on tables. By 7 pm it’s nice to have a clean-up crew come in. The tables need to be cleared, tablecloths and chairs wiped down, Sunday School rooms put back into order and the walls put back up. The roasters and pots are washed and put away until the next supper. The kitchen cleaned and floors washed and vacuumed.
Come out and lend a hand. This is a great way to support our church and its missions and have fun while doing it!!
Share on Facebook Tweet This Post
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. — Romans 15:2 (NIV)
|
Upcoming:
Emmanuel UCC Calendar
- Sunday, May 26, 2013
-
- Sunday, June 2, 2013
-
- Sunday, June 9, 2013
-
- Sunday, June 16, 2013
-
|
