The Challenger - Heidelberg United Church of Christ

February 2015
The Challenger
Heidelberg United Church of Christ
… A Faith Community with a Place for YOU
1101 Cowpath Road, Hatfield, PA 19440
Website: www.heidelbergucc.org
the downstairs part of the house. I soon realized it
was my own heart beating, amplified in my ear as I
lay sleeping with my head resting on my hands – and
yet, this heartbeat was exquisitely articulated. It was
as though I was listening with an amplifier that could
differentiate the most minute detail of each
component of my beating heart. The beautiful
articulation of that sound was so profound that I
entered an almost ecstatic state of joy listening to the
miraculous sound of my own heart, the hearing of
which was clearly a gift of God.
From Pastor Adil’s Desk
Dear Friends and Family at Heidelberg,
Some days, don’t you just sit at your kitchen table,
put your chin in your palms, and say to yourself: “Oh
Lord, I need a miracle!” We’ve all been there – times
when we’ve tried everything but nothing works;
times when our powers are all but spent. “Maybe
giving up is my best option” we start to think.
But then, after we’re done blowing off steam and
we’re a little sick of listening to ourselves complain,
and even though we think no one is listening, there
can be a dawning awareness: God is listening. God is
right there. And that is the start of our miracle.
Several weeks ago as I was recuperating from illness,
I experienced this miracle of God’s providence. This
was a vulnerable time of my life. Though I had taken
some time off from work, I apparently had come back
to work too fast, and so I had a relapse. It was
unusual for me to ever be sick for more than one day,
so I wondered how this had happened. Usually I can
just rest a day and come back fine, but not this time.
Two things happened: First, while trying to mend and
as I lay fast asleep one night, I woke up suddenly. I
was suddenly not feeling well. This provoked me to
have some anxiety which (fortunately, because I
realized there was probably nothing else I could do!) I
soon gave to God and went back to sleep.
After this, as I was sleeping, I started to realize that I
was hearing a strange noise - It seemed like a
heartbeat. At first, it sounded like it emanated from
Telephone: (215) 368-0442
For several days, I could feel jubilant whenever I
recollected the sound of my heart beating in all its
complexity and mystery. Each and every heartbeat, I
realized, is a miracle – a gift from our Maker and a
sign of the one who made us and sustains us.
The second thing that happened was hearing a
podcast by Breneè Brown, a doctor of social work.
Brown has done incredible work on the power of
vulnerability and our ability to deepen our
connections with other human beings by allowing
ourselves to be vulnerable. Her message is this:
People who have a strong sense of love and
belonging believe they are worthy of love and
belonging. People who fear that we are not worthy
prevent themselves from getting connected – with
others, with God, with life.
All we really have to do to experience a miracle every
day, I think, is to say “I love you” first. To be a person
who has a rewarding life, we have to believe that
what makes us vulnerable also makes us beautiful.
We have to take risks in life, which is not to trust in
ourselves, but to trust in a God who made us and is
present with us in every beat of our heart throughout
our whole lives.
Warmest regards,
Pastor Tom, Interim
Make note of our new office e-mail address:
[email protected]
Page 1 of 10
Stewardship Activities
Sunday School
—Roger Freidinger
Your generous contributions to Haven of Hope and
the Food Cupboard (given to Manna on Main Street)
were recently delivered. Thank you for these
contributions as well as those to the Souper Bowl,
which will also go to Manna.
—Judy Stimson
On February 8, Carol taught a class about the Apostle
Paul meeting with Priscilla and Aquila. The children
were dressed in costume as Carol invited them into
her tent for a visit. More Sunday School news on
Page 8.
The next UCC special mission offering will be One
Great Hour of Sharing on March 15.
The Stewardship Committee is organizing a local
mission trip to Old First Church in Philadelphia on
Monday, March 16. We will arrive there at 5:30 PM
to prepare and serve dinner to homeless men. We
will also be accepting donations of gently used winter
coats to take with us. There is a sign-up sheet in the
narthex if you would like to participate. You may also
contact any member of the Stewardship Committee.
Women’s Fellowship News
—Bev Lersch
The Women’s Fellowship will be meeting at 6:00 on
Tuesday, March 3 to make soup for our Maundy
Thursday service. All of the ladies are invited to
attend and share in this time of fellowship!
Thanks, Diane!
—Sue Camuso
At our
Congregational
Meeting on
January 25th, we
recognized
Diane Yarbrough
for her almost 30
years of service
as our church
secretary. We
surprised her
with a cake, a
gift, and the best
wishes for a
happy
retirement from
the entire
congregation.
Thanks, Diane, for all you have done for our church,
and have a wonderful retirement!
SPRING is COMING...
—Fund Raising Golf Committee
That means it is time to take out
the golf clubs, clean them up and
get them ready for the
Heidelberg-Grace Open Golf
Tournament.
When: Saturday May 9th 2015
Where: Mainland Golf Course
Save this date and get your team together for our
annual Vacation Bible School fund raiser. We will
provide dinner and prizes for everyone who plays in
the tournament. Sponsors are a valued part of our
team so you can sponsor a hole - or more if desired during our tournament.
We have enjoyed winter but now it is time to look
forward to some heat and sun. More details and
signup sheets will be coming in the near future.
Loosen up and get ready!
Page 2 of 10
Search Committee Update
Bible Jeopardy
—Judy Stimson
Angels and Demons
1. In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel
appeared to this young woman,
saying “Do not be afraid for you
have found favor with God.”
2. The only people in the Bible
known to have seen a multitude
of heavenly hosts, singing and
praising God were these men in
Luke 2. The angels were
announcing that Jesus had been
born.
3. In 2 Corinthians 11:14, this Biblical
bad guy is said to disguise himself
as an “angel of light.”
4. In 1 Peter 5, Peter encourages the
faithful to be alert and soberminded, because their adversary
the Devil roams about like this
sort of animal.
5. This archangel appeared to
Zechariah in Luke 1 to tell him
that he would be the father of
John the Baptist.
(Answers on Page 5)
—Glenn Snyder
Our church profile has been completed and
Rev. Sharon Morris at the Conference Office
has signed off on it. Our committee met with
Rev. Morris after our worship service on
Sunday, February 8, to begin familiarizing
ourselves with the next steps in the process.
As of February 11th, the opening for a full-time pastor has been
posted on the “Ministry Opportunities” section of the national UCC
website (http://www.ucc.org/) where it can be viewed by pastors
who are searching for a new position. Some information about our
church, as well as a link to our website, is available as part of that
posting. Any pastors who would be interested in more information
about our church and potentially meeting with our committee, will
contact Rev. Morris, who will assist in the process.
As Rev. Morris said when she was here on the eighth, we’re entering
an exciting time!
What Goes into a Worship Service?
—Pastor Adil
Article 4: – About Lent
Lent is the forty-day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter (not
counting the Sundays!). The word, Lent, comes from the Anglo-Saxon
lencten, which is to lengthen, and has to do with the lengthening of
the days in springtime. The number forty can be said to correspond
with the number of weeks it takes for a baby to gestate…in fact, all
of the Bible’s stories that include the number 40 are stories about
birth (in one form or another - as a nation of God’s people, as a
prophet, as God’s Son), rebirth, or second birth (service, ministry).
When Lent rolls around each year, Heidelberg participates in an
inter-community program of worship that includes Ash Wednesday,
followed by five weeks of Wednesday worship, and culminating in
Holy Week, with no Wednesday service, but worship on Maundy
Thursday and Good Friday. Some churches add a holy vigil on
Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This conjoined
worship helps us to remember our connectedness with the church
universal, and reminds us that God’s plan of salvation will emerge in
the church yet again as surely as Easter will return.
The Sunday before Ash Wednesday is often a significant time to
prepare for Lent. As part of its liturgy, the church often removes its
“Alleluia” banner as a symbolic way to connote the loss the church
will endure before our Savior is completely restored to us on Easter
Sunday.
Page 3 of 10
Recipe Corner
—Judy Stimson
If you ever take out your Heidelberg’s Family Favorites cookbook, you may find that the very
first recipe is submitted by Diane Yarbrough. In 1987, just a couple of years after starting
work as Heidelberg’s church secretary, Diane made the time to share one of her special
recipes, Stuffed Bacon Balls. Mmmmmm. Reading the recipe, I can’t help but think of
winter football games, family gatherings, or….. maybe, appetizers for the church’s
Progressive Dinner. Whatever the reason, Diane’s recipe is worth sharing with everyone.
Give it a try; I know I will.
Stuffed Bacon Balls
by
Diane Yarbrough
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 1/2 c. herb seasoned stuffing
1/2 c. water
1/4 to 1/2 lb. pork breakfast sausage with skins removed
1 egg
10 -12 strips bacon
toothpicks
Put butter in mixing bowl. Boil water and pour over butter; stir until butter melts. Add egg and beat slightly. Add
stuffing and sausage; stir thoroughly. Cover bowl with wrap and refrigerate until mixture is firm enough to roll into
small balls (about 20 minutes). Stuffing balls should be approximately 3/4 inch in diameter. Cut bacon strips into
thirds and wrap pieces around stuffing balls; secure with toothpicks. Arrange in a shallow pan and set on a rack
and bake until bacon is golden brown (for approximately 35 minutes). Serve hot. Makes about 36 bacon balls.
Community Lenten Schedule
-
Sue Camuso
Join us for The Parables of Lent, a special series of services
for the season of Lent. Each service in this series focuses on a
biblical parable that connects to Lenten themes. We will host
on March 18th, so watch for a sign-up sheet for refreshments
closer to that date. This year, the services will begin at 7:30
PM once again.
Ash Wednesday, February 18 (Heidelberg)
Wednesday, February 25 - Grace Lutheran Church, Pastor
Glenn Lambert preaching
Wednesday, March 4 – Emmanuel EC Church, Clay Moyer
preaching
Wednesday, March 11 – St. Maria Goretti., Rev. David C
Lutcher preaching
Wednesday, March 18 – Heidelberg UCC, Father Brownholtz preaching
Wednesday, March 25 – Hatfield Church of the Brethren, Pastor Tom Adil preaching
Please plan to attend these weekly services where we join with others in our community to worship, learn, grow, and
enjoy fellowship time together. Light refreshments are served after each Wednesday service except Ash Wednesday.
Make note of our new office e-mail address: [email protected]
Page 4 of 10
Please confirm committee meeting dates and times with your chairperson.
Sunday
15
Food Cupboard
Alternative
Worship
Challenger
Distributed
Communion
22
Monday
16
Tuesday
Christian Ed
7:00 PM
23
February 2015
17
24
Worship
Committee 7:30
PM
Wednesday
18
Ash Wednesday
Service @ 7:30
Altar Communion
Al Stimson, Elder
Choir Rehearsal
after service
25
Community Lenten
Service @Grace
Lutheran 7:30 PM
Glenn Lambert
Preaching
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
26
27
28
Upper Room
Bible Study
7:00 PM
Choir Rehearsal
7:30 PM
Please confirm committee meeting dates and times with your chairperson.
Sunday
1
Monday
2
Prayer Breakfast
Children’s
Message
Membership &
Stewardship
Committees
7:00 PM
8
9
DAYLIGHT
SAVINGS TIME
BEGINS!
15
Food Cupboard
Alternative
Worship
22
Challenger News
Due
Tentative
Worship
Committee at
Noon
March 2015
Tuesday
Women’s
Fellowship
3
10
Consistory
7:00 PM
16
17
23
24
Christian Ed
7:00 PM
Wednesday
4
Thursday
5
Community Lenten
Service @Emmanuel
EC 7:30 PM
Clay Moyer
Preaching
Choir Rehearsal
7:30 PM
Property
Committee 7:30
PM
Community Lenten
Service @St Maria
Goretti
7:30 PM
David Lutcher
Preaching
Choir Rehearsal
7:30 PM
11
18
Community Lenten
Service
@HEIDELBERG
7:30 PM
Father Brownholtz
Preaching
25
Community Lenten
Service @Church of
the Brethren
7:30 PM
Pastor Adil Preaching
Make note of our new office e-mail address: [email protected]
Page 5 of 10
6
Saturday
7
12
13
14
19
20
21
26
27
28
EASTER EGG
HUNT
10:00 AM
Upper Room
Bible Study
7:00 PM
Choir Rehearsal
7:30 PM
The Challenger will be distributed on PALM SUNDAY, March 29.
Friday
Answers to Bible Jeopardy:
An Update from the Williams Family
January 2015
Dear Friends in Christ,
We hope that this finds you enjoying your January. Ours has been a good one, and we can hardly believe that we
are almost in February as I write.
We have seen some fruit from our labors this January that we are pleased to pass along to you. As you know,
Andrea has been teaching students English in Tyndale’s Preadmission English Program. We received news that all
four students have passed government standards for English competency and can now officially enter into
Tyndale’s master program.
Here are Abby and Sam with two of the students in the program
and one of their friends. From left to right are: Vladimir Larushko
(Ukraine), Paul Schoeneveld (USA), San Atoo (Myanmaar), Abigail,
and Sam. Vladimir and San have now successfully completed the
program. Congratulations Vlad and San! Please pray for these
gentlemen as they begin their program of study at Tyndale.
This January I also received good news that my friend in India,
Daniel Kamaraj has finished the translation of my book Making
Sense of the Bible: ten key themes traced through the Scriptures
from English into Hindi, what many consider the national language of India.
Last April I preached at Daniel’s church, “Logos Faith Foundation” in Ambale Cate, India. Following the message at
the church on a 100 degree Fahrenheit day, Daniel took me to lunch. I gave him a copy of Making Sense, and he felt
that it should be translated into Hindi for the growing first generation Christian church in India. I was flattered that
he offered to do this, but I also feel this is an important thing for helping those without Christian resources.
Hindi is one of the top five languages spoken worldwide. There are 310 million Hindi speakers in the world which is
over 4.5% of the world’s population. It is also a strategic and influential language since it is used in many
governmental affairs. It is fair to say that Hindi is the most influential language in India, which is also the second
most populous nation in the world.
You may know that Christianity is growing in many places in India. Much of Christian literature, though, is in the
languages of English, German, French, and Spanish. Very few books are in Hindi. There is a great need to get
Christian resources in the hands of believers in India. Some in India even resist growing in the faith because
resources are not in their language.
I am thankful for brothers in the faith like Daniel who want to
share the good news of Jesus Christ with others and also want to
distribute Christian literature. Please join me in praying for Daniel
and his family as they reach out to those in northern India.
This picture was taken 26 April at the Logos Faith Foundation.
From left to right are Mercy and Daniel Kamaraj. I am in the
middle. Their daughter Grace and son Franklin are on the right.
Their other son Jeremiah was taking the picture.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
With Christian Greetings,
Drake, Andrea, Henry, Abby, and Sam Williams
(You’ll find contact information for the Williams Family at the top of page 7.)
Page 6 of 10
Williams Family Contact Information:
Contributions can be made out to the mission and
sent to our mission address with “Drake and Andrea
Williams” on the memo line.
Home address:
The Williams Family
Prunuslaan 113``
1829 HV Oudorp
The Netherlands
email: [email protected],
[email protected]
Mission agency address:
European Christian Mission
PO Box 1006
Point Roberts, WA 98281
USA
Website for Tyndale Theological Seminary:
www.tyndale-europe.edu
Website for European Christian Mission:
http://www.ecmna.org/
News from Our Scout Troop 141
-
Michael DiBerardino
My name is Michael Collins. I am in 11th grade at
North Penn High School. For my Eagle Project I will
be building a split rail fence around the flower garden
at the Morgan Log House. It will better isolate the
area. I plan to start in late March to early April as
soon as it gets warmer outside. I am also fundraising
and would gladly accept donations. Check can be
paid to Troop 141 or the Morgan Log House and say
"Michael Collins" in the memo line.
Scout Troop 141 current has 42 scouts and 14
leaders. We are proud of the young men who have
pursued or are pursuing the designation of Eagle
Scout. Seamus Hanrahan earned his Eagle Scout
Rank in 2014. Evan Peters and Cody Paxton
completed their Eagle projects in 2014 and are
finishing merit badges. We have two other scouts
who are working on their Eagle projects, and we’d
like to share with you what they are working on:
My name is Matt Stark. I am in 11th grade at North
Penn High School. My Eagle project will be supporting
Montgomery Township Historical Society. This
spring, I will be refurbishing the historic Knapp Farm
‘milk house’. This building was used to store the milk
after milking the cows until the dairy came to pick it
up. The Farm is located on the corner of DeKalb Pike
(202) and Knapp Road (131 Montclair Drive, North
Wales, PA). The project will involve the cleaning out
the building of debris and unwanted items, tearing
down the old ceiling, repairing the doors and a
window, as well as painting both the interior and
exterior of the building and cleaning up the
immediate grounds. This will allow the historical
society to use the building as storage, as well as
preserving a part of our township’s history.
Page 7 of 10
Make note of our new office e-mail address:
[email protected]
FLOWER, BULLETIN, AND GREETER CHARTS
ARE UP! SIGN UP NOW!
MORE Sunday School NEWS
—Judy Stimson
GIVE UP TO GIVE BACK
FLOWERS GIVEN BY:
Mar 1 – Doris Gerges in loving memory of her
husband, Jim
Mar 8 – Barb Clipsham and Gwen Heinel in loving
memory of their Father
Mar 22 – Joan Baack in honor of Anthony and
Christine’s wedding
Our Sunday School has been very dedicated to
mission projects as part of our giving. Over the years,
we have donated to Heifer International, purchased
Bibles for crisis centers, made donations to have
Bibles translated into other languages, and we are
now sending our offerings to World Vision. Many
children in our country do not have proper clothing,
particularly during these cold winter months. With
the help of corporation partners of World Vision, our
gift is multiplied 8 times. As Lent approaches, our
Sunday School will be sending a donation to World
Vision and extending our giving to Heifer
International.
- GIVE UP TO GIVE BACK. - 40 DAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE During Lent, Sunday School will be dedicating our
mission offering to Heifer by using “Ark Banks”. By
giving up something important in our lives daily, we
can fill the Ark Banks. If you would also like an Ark
Bank, please see Judy Stimson or Carla Cunningham.
A sincere thank you to
our Sunday School
members who have
generous hearts.
BULLETINS GIVEN BY:
Mar 8 – Barb Clipsham and Gwen Heinel
Mar 15 – Mary Adams in memory of Doyle Adams
GREETERS:
Feb 15 – Jan and Ed Kachinsky
All other dates open!!
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
In order to keep the Nursery open during worship
services, we need more volunteers to staff the
nursery. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the
Narthex, or speak to Laura Viveros or Kristin Currie
for more information.
Membership Committee – Save the Date!
—Jerry Yarbrough
As this issue is going to press, the Membership
Committee is working on some very interesting plans
for the next Friends Club dinner, scheduled for April
18th. Stay tuned, watch your bulletin for more
information.
Page 8 of 10
For Kids of All Ages
LENTEN CRISS-CROSS
Lenten Maze
(Words in the Criss-Cross: ATONE, CROSS,
EASTER, FORTY, PRAYER, PURPLE,
WEDNESDAY)
Can you find your way to the Cross at the center of the maze?
Page 9 of 10
Heidelberg United Church of Christ
Rev. Thomas Adil, Interim Pastor
February 2015
Heidelberg United Church of Christ
1101 Cowpath Road
Hatfield, PA 19440
Phone:
215-368-0442
Website:
www.heidelbergucc.org
Interim Pastor:
[email protected]
Secretary:
[email protected]
Don’t forget:
Communion on Ash Wednesday (2/18/15)
and on Sunday, 2/22/15
Make note of our new office e-mail address:
[email protected]
Inside:
From Pastor Adil’s Desk .................................................................. Page 1
Stewardship Activities, Women’s Fellowship, Thanks, Diane!
Sunday School, Spring is Coming: GOLF! .................................. Page 2
Bible Jeopardy, Sponsors,
Search Committee Update, What Goes into Worship?............ Page 3
Recipe Corner, Community Lenten Schedule .................................. Page 4
Calendar, Bible Jeopardy Answers................................................... Page 5
Williams Family Update .................................................................. Page 6
Williams Family Contact Info, Scout Troop 141 News .................... Page 7
More Sunday School News, Flowers/Bulletins/Greeters
Membership Committee SAVE THE DATE ............................... Page 8
For Kids of All Ages ......................................................................... Page 9
Page 10 of 10
Our Mission Statement
The mission of Heidelberg United
Church of Christ is to know our Savior
and to let Him work through us as we
reach out in worship, service, and
witness to all.
Our Vision Statement
As Heidelberg United Church of Christ,
we hear God calling us to accomplish
the vision He has provided through:
broadening the base of His church’s
membership within our own
congregation; communicating His
gospel more effectively; serving the
local community with greater
commitment; to grow and strengthen
in the faith with which God has
entrusted us; and, in obedience to His
command and call, ministering in
those ways that will assure the growth
and enrichment of congregational
identity and Christian discipleship.