The Carillon United Church of Christ, Congregational (585) 492-4530 Editor: Kathy May

December 2016/January 2017

Advent and Christmas, perhaps more than any other Jesus’ birth, the shepherds, the angels, and wise men. seasons of the year, are just jam packed with symbols - We sing a few carols and think we've celebrated things like candles, wreaths, holly, lights, trees, and Christmas. That's because we're not moving away from don’t forget the mistletoe (and surely the list goes on the past. and on) that have different meanings for different The Incarnation is also a mystery of the present people. For instance, a Christmas tree all magically because we believe that God is with us right now decorated with colorful balls, shimmering lights and through the Holy Spirit. This is a mystery indeed! We tinsel reminds me of family and friends, and of gifts to are a Trinitarian Church, believing (though we cannot in give and to receive. For some folk, though, a Christmas any way prove) that God is of three essences, Father, tree has a different meaning. One of the first funerals I Son and Holy Spirit - or Creator, Redeemer and ever conducted was for a man who died on Christmas Sustainer. We believe the words of Jesus as he tells us Eve. Even now, his son probably sees a Christmas tree in John’s Gospel that we will never be left alone – that and remembers his Dad. And the Christmas tree all God will send God’s Spirit to us as an advocate in the adorned becomes a reminder of loss. The wide array of here and now of our lives. the symbols of Advent and Christmas remind us (for the The Incarnation is also a mystery of the future. We most part) of the events surrounding Jesus' one-of-a- remember the first coming of God in human form kind birth and point us to a mystery: the mystery of the (Jesus) so that we can anticipate the second coming. Incarnation; the mystery that God became a human We believe that God-in-the-flesh will someday come being and lived among us. again and bring all of creation together, and for we who As if that mystery is not enough to make us step believe, that will be a great time. back and ponder, even the word "mystery" has a Advent is not Christmas - it is a time of preparation. different meaning in Christianity than in our secular The church sets aside the four weeks before Christmas usage. When we say mystery, we think about solving a so that we can prepare ourselves for the puzzle or a crime. Those of us who like mystery novels commemoration of the Christ’s coming and to think try to figure out "who dunnit." But in the Bible, a about the mystery we call the Incarnation. This Christian mystery is something that we can see, but don't time of preparation isn't intended to give us time to buy understand and will probably never fully understand. gifts and decorate the tree, or go to a variety of parties The event (that is the birth of a baby, even though it is and over-indulge ourselves in gastronomic recorded as a spectacular birth) is clear enough to us, extravaganzas, although we don't frown on those but the meaning is not. The Incarnation (that is, God activities. The Christian time of preparation is not about taking on human form) is such a mystery. We can read doing and being incessantly busy; it’s about stopping— about it and experience it in our hearts, but we don't stopping our often times hectic lives long enough to see fully understand it nor make it reasonable in our minds. what Christmas is really about; it’s a time to think Why did God become human? What does that mean to about our lives and open our hearts to receive the Lord us? Those are questions that we can never fully Jesus Christ; it’s about waiting for the Lord, waiting and answer. watching for what the Lord is doing all around us; it’s As we have begun this 2016 season of Advent and about being quiet to hear God's voice still speaking to Christmas, it’s important to remember that the us in prayer, scripture, and familiar carols. Incarnation is a mystery in three different aspects. We remember, first, the Incarnation in the past as described in the Bible. Unfortunately, that's too often (Continued on next page) the only thing we celebrate in Christmas. We remember (Continued from first page) December Worship Coordinators

The symbols of Advent and Christmas are important 4 Bev Giles 18 Wally Lowth because they point us toward truths that we see, but 11 Shirley Kriedeman 25 Nathan Tillinghast will never fully understand: the truths that God so loved the world that he gave his only son; the truth that God December Birthdays became human and lived among us; the truth that Christ taught us about God and about a way of living 3 Randy Lutz 16 Sheila Vrenna that he called, "the Kingdom of God;" the truth that the 6 Diana Stiles 17 Stacey Lund Holy Spirit is present with us right now; the truth that 11 George Norton 22 Davis Garlapo the earth doesn't just run out of gas someday, but that God created it for a purpose and toward an end. And in the end, God wins over evil, sin, and death. The great story of Christmas is not about us, but it is for us. Christ came into the world for us. Christ is present for us. Christ will someday redeem all creation for us. And the truth of the Christmas story is the Incarnation – God personified in Jesus the Christ!

Shalom,

Pastor Bob

December Bible Readings If you or someone you know would like to receive the 4 Isa 11:1-10 18 Isa 7:10-16 Sacrament of Holy Communion at Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 home, please let Kathy in the Rom 15:4-13 Rom 1:1-17 church office know. You may reach Matt 3:1-12 Matt 1:18-25 the church office at 585-492-4530

or via email at [email protected]. 11 Isa 35:1-10 25 Isa 9:2-7 Psalm 146:5-10 Psalm 96 Anyone from 9th grade up is invited James 5:7-10 Titus 2:11-14 to share with us in our music Matt 11:2-11 Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) ministry. Rehearsal is at 8:45am on Sunday mornings and Wednesday WORSHIP IN DECEMBER: evenings at 6:00pm. Dec ember 4: 2nd Sunday of Advent December Greeters Scripture: Luke 1:39-45 Sermon: The Touch of Christmas 4 Jim & Sheila Vrenna 18 Randy & Debi Lutz December 11: 3rd Sunday of Advent 11 Sharon Koch & 25 John & Carol Abel Youth Christmas Program Molly Holland December 18: 4th Sunday of Advent

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18 December Readers Sermon: The Sounds of Christmas December 24: Christmas Eve 4 Lary Schaefer 18 Jeff Mason December 25: Christmas Day 11 Children’s Program 25 Debi Lutz Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 A Birthday Party for Jesus! December Nursery Schedule

4 Shannon King 18 Denielle Romance 11 Children’s Program 25 Pastor’s Discretionary Fund January Birthdays 1 Karen Czesak 24 Dirk Norwich During the month of November contributions for the 8 Katelyn Rogers 24 Sharon Hawley Pastor’s Discretionary Fund have been given by: Martha 9 Jim Vrenna 26 Mike Pokigo and Gary Bray, Bill Hall, Ken and Grace Lingenfelter and 17 Paul Sanio 27 Gordon Comstock Pastor Bob. 18 Sue Kasprzyk 29 Lloyd Knose This fund is used in helping area folk in times of 19 Aaron Czesak 31 Shirley Kriedeman need. Your donations are greatly appreciated and may 23 Marilyn Pirdy be given to Pastor or mailed to the church, indicated for the Pastor’s Fund. January Bible Readings: Bell Ringers Needed! 1 Eccl 3:1-13 22 Isa 9:1-4 It is that time of year once again when we look Psalm 8 Psalm 27:1, 4-9 ahead to Advent and Christmas. We are searching for Rev 21:1-6a 1 Cor 1:10-18 Eager Bell Ringers for the Annual Salvation Army Bell Matt 25:31-46 Matt 4:12-23 Ringing Campaign. Help us spread the word and look for volunteers to 8 Isa 42:1-9 29 Micah 6:1-8 assist us in our efforts this upcoming season and then Psalm 29 Psalm 15 give your name(s) to Pastor Bob and he will forward Acts 10:34-43 1 Cor 1:18-31 them to the appropriate person for scheduling. Thank you! Matt 3:13-17 Matt 5:1-12

15 Isa 49:1-7 January Greeters Psalm 40:1-11 1 Margaret Homan & 22 The Tillinghast Family 1 Cor 1:1-9 Shirley Kriedeman John 1:29-42 8 Mike Tanner & 29 Harv Roll & Dirk Norwich Penny Rutledge WORSHIP IN JANUARY: 15 Suzanne Norton & Helen Knose January 1: New Year’s Day The Sacrament of Holy Communion January Readers Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18 1 Bev Giles 22 Mike Tanner Matthew 2:13-23 8 Rich Vogt 29 Tom Scott Sermon: Let’s Keep Herod in Christmas! 15 Skip Tillinghast January 8: 1st Sunday after Epiphany The Baptism of Christ Sunday Scripture: Acts 10:34-43 January Nursery Schedule Matthew 3:13-17 1 Kathy May 22 Shannon King Sermon: Wonder Water 8 Amy Tillinghast 29 Denielle Romance January 15: 2nd Sunday after Epiphany 15 Sheila Vrenna Scripture: Psalm 40:1-11 John 1:35-42 January Worship Coordinators Sermon: The Happiness of Being Dirty 1 Ryan Bechdel 22 Wally Lowth January 22: 3rd Sunday after Epiphany 8 Bev Giles 29 Jo Sixt Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 15 Shirley Kriedeman Matthew 4:12-23 Sermon: The Run Flat Church January Anniversaries January 29: 4th Sunday after Epiphany 1 Lary & Barbara Schaefer – 34 yrs. Scripture: Micah 6:1-8 3 Bill & Karen Schaper – 47 yrs. Matthew 5:1-12 Sermon: From Great to Good!

$25,000.00 $20,000.00 OLD DIRECTORIES FOR SALE $15,000.00 Our new pictorial directory isn't ready yet, but if $10,000.00 you'd like to see how our church family looked back in $5,000.00 the '90s, here is your chance. We have multiple copies of the 1993 and 1999 directories on hand, and we don't Series1 $0.00 have to keep all of them. If you'd like to have one, they are available for $10 each. Please see Jeff Mason during coffee hour to make your purchase, or contact the church office if you can't come to coffee hour.

PAC ADVENT WORSHIP

FINANCIAL NEWS Everyone is welcomed to share with our sisters and Our non-pass-through expenditures in November brothers throughout our area for PAC Advent Worship. included $4,905.32 pastor’s salary and benefits; On Wednesdays, November 30, December 7, 14 and 21 $2,407.34 other salaries; $800 support to the state and we will gather at Hope Lutheran Church, 2 E. Main St. in national United Church of Christ; $575.99 insurance; Arcade for worship each week at 11am. Many of the $281 village utilities; $166.50 cleaning; $138 gas bill; PAC Pastors will participate in these services. $129.75 office supplies; $85.84 phone bills; $77.48 Following worship each week, there will be a Sunday School supplies; $37.60 postage; and $39 online luncheon hosted by various churches. Arcade UCC will service. host the December 7 luncheon. Please, mark your We traditionally choose a worthy cause to receive 10 calendars and set aside time to join in Advent Worship percent of the profit from our annual Fall Festival. This and lunch on these dates. year’s recipient was the Pioneer Middle School, for use in its anti-bullying program. The 10 percent amounted Advent Bible Study to $375. Two payments for special offerings were sent to the Bible Study meets each Wednesday evening at New York Conference of the UCC in November. We 7:00pm in the Great Room and everyone is invited to raised $469 for Neighbors in Need and $368 for join us! Hurricane Matthew relief. We will begin our Advent study on Wednesday, November 30 and continue with the Advent series on PURCHASES FROM THE MEMORIAL FUND December 7, 14 and 21. This study is for everyone – young and not-so-young Many people who were in worship on November 27 alike. Bring your friends, your neighbors, your relatives. were pleasantly surprised to see our choir wearing new We have a great time of fellowship and we even learn blue robes. These have replaced the maroon robes, something along the way!! How much better can it which had been showing their age. The robes were get??? See you there! purchased from money donated to the Memorial Fund this summer and fall in memory of Cathy Dievendorf. Christmas Eve Worship We have beautiful new window decorations for the Advent Season, thanks to the creative talents and hard Everyone (you, your family and friends) is invited to work of Wyn and Debbie Roll and Deb and Bob Wood. join with us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and The materials for the windows were purchased with Savior Jesus, the Christ, during our Christmas Eve money from the Memorial Fund. Worship Service, on Saturday, December 24. Our worship will be at 7pm - a time that will allow the entire family to worship together. This service will Youth Lead Worship be focused on being together as family and will include familiar Christmas carols, scripture and special candle On Sunday, December 11, our youth will present lighting. their Christmas Program during our morning worship. Make note and plan on being with us as we The Christmas Program will be creative and focus on the celebrate the coming of God’s greatest gift to theme: The Smells of Christmas. humankind – Jesus Christ! You are ALL invited and encouraged to come along with your friends, family and neighbors as we support our youth in this presentation!! Christmas Day Worship IN MEMORIAM

This year, Christmas Day falls on a Sunday and we Our church suffered the loss of our senior member will be celebrating in high style!! For worship that day in terms of membership and our oldest member in we will have a Birthday Party for Jesus!! We will sing terms of age in mid-November. We extend our deepest carols, hear God’s Word, play a game or two, have some sympathy to the families of Charles Newman and Doris “goodies” and have an opportunity to give our gifts to Grenchon. Jesus. Please plan on joining us for this special worship Charlie joined our church on March 24, 1940. He and party. served in the Army during much of World War II and was the Commander of the Wyoming County American Christmas Fund Gifts Legion in the 1950s. He attended college and law school after the war, and was known and respected in the area Provided... for his extensive community involvement and his wise counsel as a local attorney and Wyoming County Judge. The generous gifts of all UCC He was an inactive member of the church for a number congregations and individuals to the of years before being restored to active membership in Christmas Fund enabled the Pension Boards’ Ministerial 2012. Charlie recently completed a three-year term on Assistance program to provide some form of assistance the Church Council, and on Veterans Day, November 11, to approximately 1,700 persons during the past year. Congressman Chris Collins came to Arcade to honor • Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks were sent th to approximately 900 persons in 2015. Of those who Charlie as the Veteran of the Month for the 27 received checks, 20 are over 100 years of age. The Congressional District. He passed away at his home the oldest person is 107. One person has received following day at the age of 91. Rev. Dievendorf Christmas checks continuously since 1976. The 900 gifts officiated at his memorial service on November 26. total more than $270,000. For many years, our altar flowers were often gladioli • Monthly Pension Supplementation is being from the garden of Doris Grenchon. These were typical provided to 373 persons. These gifts total $102,899.50 of her generous gifts to the church of her time, talent per month. A significant part of the annual total of and treasure from the time she became a member on $1,255,885.20 comes from the Christmas Fund (2015 February 14, 1986. Until she moved to be closer to her data). family several years ago, Doris was active in several • Quarterly Health Premium Supplementation is church organizations and committees, including her being provided to 250 families, totaling more than valuable service as one of the original members of the $146,840.30 per quarter. All of the funding for Health Endowment Committee. After she moved closer to Premium Supplementation is derived from the Buffalo, Doris enjoyed coming back with members of Christmas Fund (2014 data). her family to church dinners for as long as she was able. • Emergency Grants totaling $27,177.62 were She passed away on November 15 at the age of 98. provided to 26 individuals and families from

January 1 through June 30, 2016. These statistics reflect annualized projections as of THANK YOU! June 30, 2016. The numbers of persons receiving A very hearty and heart-felt thank you GOES TO Deb assistance and the totals of assistance payments and Bob Wood, Wyn and Debi Roll, Vanessa Adams and fluctuate on a monthly basis. everyone who had a part in putting together our Please give generously to this worthwhile fund. BEAUTIFUL windows for Thanksgiving and Advent/Christmas. That’s My Pan! A lot of hours of labor and planning went into these windows. Please take a moment to thank those who Once again, our church is sponsoring a That’s My labored so diligently. Pan fundraiser. Brochures are available in the back of the sanctuary or from Pastor Bob. In order to Looking Ahead: On Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, we guarantee Christmas delivery, orders must be received will sponsor another Roast Pork Dinner as a church by December 10. fund-raiser. Please watch for more details as they are Please pick up a brochure and consider making an forged. Your help will be greatly appreciated. order to help support our church, while receiving some really neat merchandise! Your order should go to Pastor Bob OR you may order online. Thank you! Mary Hosford Fisher Women’s Fellowship

Mary Hosford Fisher Women’s Fellowship met on Monday, November 7 in the annex at 1pm. Ten members were present. Co-chairman Suzanne Norton welcomed all. Following cares and concerns, Gwen St. John had a devotional reading and asked for prayers for the family of the 7 year old girl killed in Springville. Minutes were approved as read. Treasurer’s report was accepted as presented. Correspondence included the Heifer program and NY/HELP. Money was approved for the purchase of two turkeys for the PAC Food Pantry for distribution for Thanksgiving. Our fellowship signed up to host the luncheon following the December 7 Advent Service at Hope Lutheran Church. All were reminded of the Thanksgiving Service at Arcade UCC on November 20 at 7pm. A Cantata presented by We will fill 80 gift bags for children to give to the Food Pantry to distribute. A sum of $250 was approved Arcade UCC Choir & Friends for this project. These bags will be put together at our December meeting. A candy making day has been Sunday, December 18 scheduled for November 29. All 103 bags made for the Fall Festival were sold. A Christmas luncheon is 3:00pm scheduled for December 12 at Chanderson’s. A sign-up sheet will be placed in the back of the sanctuary. Angel United Church of Christ, Cong. Action will be sending information for a family in need Corner of Church & Main St. of sponsorship for Christmas. We were reminded that cookies are needed for the annual visit from the Arcade Elementary students on their Christmas walk December WORKERS UNION 1 and 2. Our next meeting will be held on December 5 and Workers Union met November 9 in the church annex we will be decorating Wetzel Hall at that time. with Pastor Bob as our special guest. After cake and coffee, Shirley Kriedeman opened the Margaret Homan, Secretary meeting with cares and concerns. Minutes and treasurer’s reports were read and approved. Monies A Friendly Reminder were allocated to missions with a special gift to NY/HELP in Charlie Hobbs name. Prayers were given for It’s painless and it’s so easy – no strings, no fuss, no his contentment in his new residence in Florida. muss!! It’s the continuing opportunity YOU have to give The Christmas party hosted by Workers Union is to the church. scheduled for December 14 at 1pm in Wetzel Hall. A You know those refundable bottles and cans you special program will be presented by Mike Giles on he accumulate and aren’t quite sure what to do with or and Bev’s trip to Peru and the Amazon. ALL are invited! how to dispose of them? All you have to do is take Please sign up on the sheet provided in the back of the them to Isaac’s Redemption Center at 34 Liberty Street, church. Arcade, NY (bagged and rinsed clean and counted, if Pastor Bob gave a wonderful presentation and you can). When you take them to Isaac’s, just tell them discussion on The Gospel of Mary Magdalene. This you wish for your refund to go to the UCC Church. incomplete document was discovered in 1896 and gave Instead of getting a refund for your cans/bottles, our rise to questions about her association with Jesus and church will get the monies periodically AND our Church the disciples. Pastor always give us something new to Council is considering matching these monies in some contemplate. fashion. All these funds will be used for Ministries at Our next meeting will be January 11, 2017 and all Arcade UCC. And, if you are unable to get your women of the church are welcome to join us. Happy cans/bottles to Isaac’s yourself, if you call the church New Year! office, we will make arrangements to pick them up once Gwen St. John, Secretary a month and take them for you! How much easier could this be?? The following was submitted by Kim Common: December Gatherings

It is clear that the righteous one will live on the basis of 5 Women’s Fellowship – 1pm faith. – Galatians 3:11 6 Worship/Music – 6:30pm 7, 14, 21 – PAC Advent Services – 11am @ Hope Do you remember the old game show Name That Lutheran Church with luncheon following. Tune? Contestants would try to predict how few notes 7, 14, 21 – Choir Rehearsal – 6pm they would need to hear in order to correctly identify 7, 14, 21 – Bible Study – 7pm 12 Women’s Fellowship Christmas Luncheon – the song being played: “I can name that tune in four Chanderson’s – noon notes!” 12 Community Band Christmas Concert – Sardinia Well, I hardly ever do things briefly. I have lots to Town Hall – 7pm say and it’s all important! Until I was challenged by a 13 Outreach – 7pm project one of my students was doing in her church: 14 Workers Union – 1pm – in Wetzel Hall – summarize your faith in six words. Christmas Party – sign-up sheet in back of Impossible! I thought, until I started wrestling with sanctuary – Mike Giles to present program what I might actually say in six words. What, amid all I 14 Building & Grounds – 7pm know and talked about, really mattered to me? 17 Community Dinner - 4-6:00pm 17 Southern Tier Saxophones – Christmas Concert I’ll tell you in a minute what I finally came up with 7pm – St. Mary’s Church after literally hours of struggle and false starts. But 18 “Morning Star” – Christmas Cantata – 3pm perhaps more important than the six words has been Arcade UCC the impact of them on my life. They have served as a 24 Christmas Eve Worship – 7pm touchstone against which I now measure the thousands 27 Council Meeting – 7pm of words I say and hear every day. Not because those six words are so right or are the full essence of my faith, January Gatherings but because they have helped me more consistently live 2 Women’s Fellowship – 1pm what I say I believe. 3 Worship/Music – 6:30pm My six words? God’s grace invites me to serve. 4, 11, 18, 25 – Choir Rehearsal – 6pm What might your six words be? What impact might 10 Outreach – 7pm 11 Building & Grounds – 7pm they have? 11, 18, 25 – Bible Study – 7pm 24 Council – 7pm Sometimes we make faith so complicated, God. 28 Community Dinner – 4-6pm Might You help me find a few words that will focus My witness for You today and every day? - Jeff Japinga The Carillon is being compiled, printed and mailed by a committee of four – Audrey Erick, Margaret Homan, Kathy May and Sheila Vrenna. Please continue to watch for the deadline date for your articles and reports and give them to any of the above members. We hope to produce a quality newsletter. Any suggestions are welcomed. The deadline for the February issue is January 22, 2017.

The Carillon Published 10 times per year by the United Church of Christ, Congregational, 297 Main St., Arcade, NY 14009. Pastor: Rev. Robert C. Dievendorf Office Phone: (585)492-4530 Office E-mail: [email protected] Website: arcadeucc.org Office Hours: 9:00am – 3:00pm (T-Th) Worship Schedule: 8:45am – Sunday School 9:00am Choir Rehearsal 10:30am Worship