M Usic Cel E Bra Tion Sund
May 2019 Vol. 37 No. 5
The monthly newsletter of Christ Church United Church of Christ Music celebration Music Sunday
“Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart” -Eph. 5:18-19
The arrival of May ushers in nature’s full flush of flowers and trees, and the A very special worship service designed and earth rejoices with the bursting forth of new life. led by Christ Church’s high school youth. Creation is humming again with the joyous Experience worship unlike anything you’ve sound of the season! What better way to experienced before! celebrate than through music! As the birds sing their joy-filled songs, we offer our praises to God Youth Sunday is a one worship Sunday at with song during Music 10:00 a.m. Faith Formation hour from Celebration Sunday!
9 - 9:45 a.m. Join all the wonderful musical ensembles of Christ Church Sunday, May 5th for Music Celebration Sunday!
1 The NET Monthly Newsletter of Christ Church United Church of Christ
FAITH FORMATION & YOUTH
Older Youth
Summer Book Study is coming! We will be reading Lysa TerKeurst’s book
Uninvited. Stay tuned for MAY 17-18 more information! Sign-up on the Youth Board BRING YOUR FRIENDS!
May 12th, 11:00 a.m. BAKE SALE hosted by our Middle School youth is set after Youth Sunday, on May 12th. Proceeds benefit our Youth Fund. Parents interested in do-
nating a baked good should call or text Amy Addams (717) 371-6105 or email [email protected]. May 19th, 1-4p.m. Younger Youth Picnic at Wolgemuth Park
Saturday, The Pastors would like the June 8th parents and children entering grades 4-8 to attend a brief Acolyte Church Training immediately Yard following the 9:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, May 19th. Sale, Each child will be assigned one Sunday throughout the summer months to serve as an Vendor Sale, Bake Sale acolyte.
and...Chicken BBQ!!! Serving as an acolyte is one of the your child’s earliest introductions to what it means Don’t miss this great event! to serve the church. The training program is brief, so grab a cookie from Cookie Time Spring Cleaning? If you are interested and meet one of the pastors in the Sanctuary! Parents, plan on joining your child to go over in selling your stuff, it costs just $25 parental supervision when your child will be for the space, and you keep the money serving as an acolyte so that you may assist you make. Sign up on the Dock or the and support them. Note - if you are unable to attend on May bulletin board if you are interested! 19th, or you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Laura!
2 Christ Church UCC 247 S. Market St. Elizabethtown, PA 17022 (717) 367-1208 Email: [email protected] Web: etownucc.org
A Divergent Path “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom. 8: 19).
In March, a Muslim mosque was Reconciliation, renewal, and restoration. bombed in Christchurch, New Zealand. These are characteristics of a very All of us groaned under the weight of different, divergent pathway, one that Jesus the news because—here we go again. taught. One that leads to life. On Easter Sunday—a date Shouldn’t it be a no-brainer to choose deliberately the path of life? chosen—churches Yet, it’s clear what path and hotels were much of the world is on. bombed in Pastor Galen Russell retaliation for New I think the revenge, Zealand’s bombing. One bombing led to retaliation, retribution, eye for an eye pathway is eight more. slowly killing us. It’s a slow painful demise, insidiously creeping into our way of thinking and You disrespect me, I disrespect you. being. All of creation is groaning under this slow You kill my friend, I kill five of death. All of creation is waiting for us. yours. We don’t need a new teaching. It’s time A synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh for faithful, practicing Christians to step six months ago inspired another hate up. The children of God need to reveal crime just days ago. the divergent path of Christ. The path of “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a forgiveness and mercy. The path that tooth.” That’s the way it seems people role models trust and love. The path that around our nation and world, many of whom practices reconciliation, renewal, and restoration claim to be Christians, treat each other. so much that those values become the norm. They become part of our lifestyle, part of the way The violence just doesn’t stop. we live, move, and have our being. Where does it end? All of creation is waiting with eager longing for When will it end? the children of God to reveal this path. Revenge, retaliation, retribution. These are Because the time is now to stop the violence. characteristics of a specific pathway of living Help us reveal your path we are on, Holy One. that leads to destruction and death, a path All of creation is waiting for us to do so. Amen. taken all too frequently, it seems.
Can You Help Pastor Galen Find Goldie?
It was late in the afternoon and Pastor Galen had just finished cleaning out his fish tank. While his back was turned he heard a commotion and then a loud splash! Turning around quickly, he spotted Goldie, the littlest gold- fish, flapping around on the carpet! “Goldie!” he scolded. “Get back in the tank!” He scooped Goldie up and placed her safely in the water. The next morning when Pastor Galen came into the office, he noticed that little rascal had done it again - but this time she was no where to be found! We think Goldie may be hiding some- where in this NET. Can you find her? She can be anywhere! If you spot Goldie, let Tracey know the page number and where you found her - we will draw a winner from all correct entries to receive a prize! The dead- line for this month is May 15th! (Above is a picture of Goldie - but watch out! She can be any color, any size, anywhere.) Email [email protected]
3 The NET Monthly Newsletter of Christ Church United Church of Christ
News from the Pews
NOTES
To all those who helped make Peanut Butter and Coconut Eggs in April - a great big 5/2 Geri Hart 5/19 Fred Bender Jr. thank you for your help in the Kevin Shorner-Johnson kitchen! Your time and 5/20 Joseph Spayd willingness to help is greatly 5/3 Christine Wells appreciated. Also, many thanks 5/23 Jill Funk to those who lent us their mixers, 5/4 Amy Addams as well as those who supported LiFT by purchasing your Ginny Shenberger 5/24 Craig Miller candy eggs! We’ve made and sold nearly 1,000 eggs!!!! Next year, candy eggs will be made by the newly formed 5/7 Wendy Cain 5/25 Carol Hunter Social Activities Group, so stay tuned in 2020! 5/12 Ryan Best 5/28 Maddie Nagel Sean Reading Tana Parrett About Expense Vouchers and Sales Tax!! Remember, Christ Church is tax exempt - if you 5/13 Diane DeArment 5/30 Angel Hook are purchasing items for a church-related program or activity, pick up a tax exempt form with you and present it 5/15 Scott MacDerment when making your purchases. Attach your receipts to a voucher and fill out completely. Both forms are located in the hall pocket outside Nadinne’s office door. Kids Having a Birthday
5/10 Ailah Boxler 5/27 Miles Ressler PLEASE KEEP IN PRAYER 5/30 Isaac MacDerment 5/31 JD Ziegler After a follow-up surgery on her knee, Carol Bender is at home recovering. Please keep in prayer Our Summer Courtney Drew who is Schedule starts once again recovering from abdominal surgery. Molly Duffy had a scary bout with an infection that Sunday, May 26th! put her in the hospital on a couple of occasions. Worship at 9:30 a.m. Jane Hoffman is at Juniper Village for rehab after her car accident. Please keep in prayer Deb Ansalvich’s mother “Dutch” after falling and suffering a broken hip at 97 years old. Thank you for praying for Barb Shenigo as she recovers from a painful abdominal surgery. She is doing better. Sage Ramsey has several medical concerns—but is improving. Pastor Laura and Jesse are grateful for your prayers. Scripture invites us to pray for one another—so we pray for people near and far suffering through life’s difficulties.
4 Christ Church UCC 247 S. Market St. Elizabethtown, PA 17022 (717) 367-1208 Email: [email protected] Web: etownucc.org
Events, Opportunities, &
LiFT POSTS UPCOMING EVENTS! POTLUCK LUNCHEON SLATED FOR Back by popular demand! Bring a picnic supper, a SUNDAY, MAY 5TH! beverage of your choice (wine permitted) and comfortable All are invited to a very shoes as we dine alfresco and special potluck luncheon to tour the incredible gardens at celebrate the large number of the Conestoga House! new participating members who Thursday, June 6th at 6:00 have joined our church family in p.m. the past year and a half. Along
This “hidden” Lancaster with the Fellowship Committee, gem is the former estate of we ask those planning to attend James and Louise Steinman, bring a dish to share. Come enjoy a delicious meal and and was built beginning in a wonderful time together as a church family. Meet 1815. new participating members and their families better! Carpool with friends or meet us there! LiFT will provide dessert. Sign up via The DOCK, or on the Events Board! Sign up on the Events Board or through The DOCK! Friends welcome. This event begins immediately after 10:30 a.m. worship. The Conestoga House is located at 1608 Marietta Ave. in Lancaster (between Church of the Apostles UCC and the Wheatland mansion.) OTHER NOTEWORTHY TIDBITS!
Sign up to sponsor altar flowers - There are a number “God’s Blue Ribbon Women: of vacant Sundays remaining. The flower chart is posted in the main floor hallway. A Fruit of the Spirit Expo” Retirees Breakfast Group - Meets monthly at Gus’s at Vacation Bible School 8:45 a.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The Church Picnic is Sunday, June 2nd. Sign ups are August 12-14 now underway! 5:30 -8:30 PM 2019 High School & Graduates of Higher Learning - Christ Church UCC Please contact the church office with your info! We Dinner Provided Nightly Games need to know where you are graduating from, your Prizes plans for the fall, and degree if applicable. Bible Study Dinner-Go-Round - The Social Activity Group would like to remind you that anyone is welcome to participate VBS with a country fair at any time! Dinner-Go-Rounds are the 2nd Saturday evening of the month. New participants must fill out a theme illustrating that in God’s eyes, we all have form (located beside the Events Board) and return to the potential to be Blue Nadinne in the office. Ribbon women! Widow/Widower Breakfast Group meets the 4th Friday of each month at Park City Diner. Please With the ladies of Maytown UCC contact Nadinne for more information. 5 The NET Monthly Newsletter of Christ Church United Church of Christ
May 2019
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 May Fellowship 10/Viewing for Church Office 12/AA Anna Mae Ever- Closed sole 12/AA 9/Garden Group 5/7 - Ministry Committee 6/Cherub 11/Service fol- 6:30/Carol lowed by lunch- 5/UCC Homes 5/19 - HS Youth Class 7:30/Credo eon for Anna Mae Helping Hands 7:30/Chancel Ebersole Dinner & Auc- 7/CollectiveSpirit tion
5 Music Celebration 6 7 8 9 10 11 Sunday! 8:45/Retirees 9/FF & Worship 10/Staff Mtg Breakfast Church Office 10/Fellowship 12/AA Closed 10:30/Worship 12/AA 11:30/New Participant 12/AA 6/Dinner-Go- Potluck Lunch 6:30/Youth Round 11:30/Confirmation Choir Pizza Party 6:30/Property 6:30/Boy Scouts 6:45/Sp. Council 7/P Outreach 7/Bell Choir 7:30/Chancel 7:30/Consistory 12 Youth Sunday 13 14 15 16 17 18 ONE WORSHIP AT Church Office 10:00 A.M.! 10/Staff Mtg Closed 8a/Older Youth 12/AA 12/AA Lock-In Ends 9/FF (abbreviated) 12/AA 8p/Older 10:00/Worship Chancel Choir Youth Lock- 11:00/A Youth Bake 6:30/Boy Scouts End of Year In Sale 7/Imagine the Gathering at Future Dream the Heilner’s - Team Time TBA
19 Mission Sunday 20 21 22 23 24 25 9/FF 10/Staff Mtg 10/Fellowship 12/AA Church Office 10/Acolyte Training 12/AA Closed 10:30/Worship/ 9/Widow/ Reception of New Widower Members Breakfast 11:30/Confirmation Grp. Guss’ 1/Younger Youth 12/AA Picnic 6:30/Boy Scouts 6:30/P Finance Committee Pastor Galen on vacation until May 28 26 Summer 27 28 29 30 31 1 Worship Begins! Closed for 10/ Staff mtg. Memorial Day 12/AA Church Office 9:30/Worship Holiday Closed 10:30/Fellowship 12/AA
6/Worship Team B Pastor Galen on vacation until May 28
6 Christ Church UCC 247 S. Market St. Elizabethtown, PA 17022 (717) 367-1208 Email: [email protected] Web: etownucc.org
Did you know that there are multiple ways to help Christ Church Use ShopwithScrip to purchase gift cards to your favorite stores and with funds over and above member restaurants! See giving??? Nadinne to find out Purchase your how - it’s easy! grocery cards to Giant, Weis, Use your yellow Stouffers of Kissel Sharing Our Hill and Groff Success card at Meats from the Park City Diner, or church office, or Knight & Day on Sunday Diner. mornings!
Find us on Amazon Smiles! Make Together, we can all make a Christ Church your designated charity. difference!
Treasurer’s Report Capital Improvement Fund (CIF) Contributions to our Capital Improvement Fund are The numbers for March are in! Ministry continues Over and Above your regular “Pledged” giving (see left column). Thank you!!! thanks to your support via regular giving. Balance on January 1, 2019 $23,110.64 On the income side… even though for March we were Total contributions as of March 31st +$5,512.00 $1,829 less than our monthly budget, overall, we were Total expenditures as of March 31st -$0.00 $5,931 more than budget for the year! And year to date, Balance as of March 31st $28,622.64 giving for our pledges is $10,543 more than compared to However, we have an outstanding this time last year! This is tremendous! Your giving loan from our own Endowment fund: -$85,000.00 strengthens our ministry. Balance including loan obligation: (-$56,377.36) On the expense side... when comparing actual expenses with budgeted expenses, we realized a savings of $5,580 during March. The reason for this is as before; we budg- The next Finance Committee is meeting on Tues- eted for a full-time Associate Pastor but are really paying day, May 21st at 6:30 p.m. (meets every other month). for our part-time Acting Associate Pastor. Timing of Endowment Fund realized a gain of $25,532.65 staff benefit expenses, lower com- during the first quarter of the year! The bull market mittee expenses offset by higher has its benefits! Every month ~4% from the Endow- snow removal expenses also im- ment fund is income for our ministry. pact the overall savings. USE YOUR GREEN ENVELOPES for the Capi- At the end of March, the Gen- tal Improvement Fund! Our two BIG capital improve- eral Fund unallocated balance is ment projects (roofing and HVAC) approved by our just over $37,500. congregation are underway! Both are using money 2019 Roots and Foundation from our Endowment Fund, however, we are paying Month Actual Budget ourselves back for the HVAC project. June May ONLINE GIVING - USE “ENGAGE” April Our web site (www.etownnucc.org ) has the com- March $84,681 $78,750 February $56,221 $48,462 plete details on how to use “Engage.” Thank you. January $28,035 $24,231 7 The NET Monthly Newsletter of Christ Church United Church of Christ
Save the date for the Church Picnic
Sunday, June 2nd Immediately following 9:30 worship!
Fellowship Committee will provide hamburgers, hotdogs and beverages. Please sign up and bring something to share!
Summer Fellowship Time Is in Need of Hosts!
Couples, families, friends, men, women, youth - please consider hosting a Sunday this summer. A sign up sheet is posted on the Events Board. Without hosts, we will be unable to hold Fellowship Time after church. For each Sunday, we will need a minimum of two hosts to pro- vide 6 dozen cookies or treats and serve, and two other helpers to provide only.
Mission Trip to Volusia County, Florida!
July 14-20, 2019!
We still have room for a few more!
Come make our Travel by motor church gardens coach with little to welcoming! Join no cost for mission the Garden Group team participants at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 4th! See Steve Stouffer for more information.
8 Christ Church UCC 247 S. Market St. Elizabethtown, PA 17022 (717) 367-1208 Email: [email protected] Web: etownucc.org