2011Newsletter

ST. JOHN’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRISTThe Reverend Linda Lennon – Pastor

4 North Main Street, P.O. Box 356Richlandtown, PA 18955

215-538-0875stjuccrichtown@enter.net

WWW.STJOHNSUCC.ORG

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calendar

ST. JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRISTThe Reverend Linda Lennon…………………….(home) 610-691-5769Pastor Linda’s E-Mail……………………………….pastorlinda@juno.com

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David King - Council President……………………………..215-536-5351Larry Benner - Organist / Choir Director………………215-536-2791David Williams -Custodian……………………………..…….267-377-5610Office Telephone Brenda Kucharik, Secretary……..215-538-0875Church E-Mail …………………………………….stjuccrichtown@enter.netChurch Website……………………………………………www.stjohnsucc.org

Church Office Hours10:00 am to 3:00 pm -- Monday through Thursday

October 2 World Communion SundaySocial Hour—Activities CommitteeSetup for the Rummage Sale

6-7 Rummage Sale—Benner Hall9 1:00 PM Crop Walk10 7:00 PM Worship Meeting

7:00 PM WOW Craft Night12 7:00 PM Council Meeting19 7:30 PM WOW Meeting24 Newsletter Articles/Dates Due27 Quakertown Food Pantry29 4-6 PM King Halloween Party

Weekly ScheduleSUNDAY: Sunday School – 9:00 AM Worship Service – 10:15 AMFIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH: Girl Scouts – 6:00 – 8:00 PMTUESDAY: Women For Sobriety – 9:00 AM

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WEDNESDAY: Women’s Guild (Quilting) – 9:00 AM Senior Choir Rehearsal – 7:00 to 8:30PM

THURSDAY: Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meeting – 6:30 – 9:30 PM

LECTIONARY SELECTIONSThe following is this month’s selection of scripture passages taken from The Common Lectionary. This three year rotation of texts takes us through the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

October 2 Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

World Communion Sunday/Social Hour

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20Psalm 19Philippians 3:4b-14Matthew 21:33-46

October 9 Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Exodus 32:1-14Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23Philippians 4:1-9Matthew 22:1-14

October 16 Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Exodus 33:12-23Psalm 991 Thessalonians 1:1-10Matthew 22:15-22

October 23 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary TimeDeuteronomy 34:1-12Psalm 90:1-6, 13-171 Thessalonians 2:1-8Matthew 22:34-46

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October 30 Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Joshua 3:7-17Psalm 107:1-7, 33-371 Thessalonians 2-9-13Matthew 23:1-12

Dear Friends,

Cooler night air, the comfort of a flannel shirt, the magnificent changing leaves, and the taste of some fresh apple cider describe some favorite things about October.

St. John’s UCC is back into the full swing of fall activities, one of which is collecting for Heifer International. Recently their magazine had a quote, “If you want to change the world, don’t give. Invest.” What a great thought for us to embrace as we consider our giving both to Heifer and to the ministry and mission of St. John’s UCC.

As we consider the best use of our time, talent, and treasure, we could ask ourselves if we are investing in a better world. It begins in small ways. It is investing in a better community each time we buy an extra item for our neighbors who use the food pantry. It’s investing in the future, as we help someone who is out of work. As Mother Theresa once said “If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one”.

St John’s UCC is investing in the future, as our St. John’s community seeks to know Christ, grow in Christ, and go into the world in Christ’s name. One man, with tears of gratitude in his eyes, thanked our group of volunteers at the food pantry and responded “When I’m back to work, I’ll never forget this”. That felt like investment in the future. It is Investing in the future to know Jesus more fully, and that is the purpose of what we do here

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St. John’s UCC, because we believe it is investing in life that is really LIFE!

In these coming weeks, as you consider the wise stewardship of our time, talent, and treasure, to God’s work at St. John’s UCC. Don’t give. Invest. You might just find generosity has an unexpected pay off too, It feels good to give. Try it and see.

See you in Church, Pastor Linda

We have successfully completed and paid for the bathroom renovations.  The next project that we have undertaken is to repair the

walls on either side of the steps leading from the street to the church front doors.  We have started on the project, both with donations, as well as, the start of the demolition.  Our goal is to complete the work prior to this winter.  As always, your help is greatly appreciated. Dave King, Council PresidentThe wall restoration has begun! Thank you to those who donated funds for the restoration of the stone caps needed on the front church steps. As of today, $1857.00 has been received for the repair. St. John’s property committee was hoping to raise $2500.00 from the congregation and use $2500.00 from our savings to complete the project. Therefore, the property committee is hoping to raise an additional $653.00, in contributions. Your continued support is appreciated, and what we receive above this amount, means less we need to use from our current savings account.

Come out and join us at the King Halloween Party October 29th from 4-6.  This year we are mixing it up a bit, and holding the festivities in

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our "haunted barn".  There will be good food, games, a pumpkin walk, and of course some really great costumes.  Michael Jackson, Wilma and Fred Flintstone, and Batman have made appearances in previous years.  Who knows who might show up this year!!  A Sign up sheet will be in the back of church-please bring something to snack on and a painted or carved pumpkin.

And don't forget about the haunted tractor ride! Have you remembered

St. John’s U.C.C. in your will?

Use of the Church and/or Church PropertyAny activities that need to be ‘booked’ at St. John’s or

borrowing of Church Property i.e. tables, chairs, or other itemsmust go through the Church Office –

this is so that we have no conflict of interest. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

St. John’s Social HoursAll committees have been scheduled for their Social Hours during the upcoming year.

Nov 6th-Budget and Finance and CouncilDec-no social hour

Jan 8th-Worship and choirFeb 5th or 12th (TBA)-Spiritual Life and Caring Church

March 4th-WOWApril-Youth

May 13th-Men of the ChurchJune 17th-Christian Ed

The Quakertown Food PantryServing God by serving those in need

(215) 536-0240quakertownfoodpantry@gmail.com

Join the St. John’s Food Pantry Team

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Every fourth Thursday of the month we will be volunteering at the Pantry from 6:00 - 8:00PM. If you would like to join the ‘FOOD PANTRY TEAM’ speak with Pastor Linda.Please note needed foods are: cold cereal, saltines, tooth brushes, tooth paste, canned chicken, beef stew, canned fruit, canned peas, and spam.

Thank you to all who helped and/or volunteer to give blood for the Red Cross Blood Drive. We increased to 30 units this

year!Mary Musselman and Mary Hardcastle

The Crop Walk will be October 9th

at 1:00PM.Please see Karen Bilger or Marcella Kulp for packets

St. John’s WebsitePlease take a look at the new website at:

www.stjohnsucc.orgwith current church information; as well as, current pictures of Vacation Bible School, the Heifer Trip and Rummage Sale.

Cash Register Tape FundraiserThe WOW group collects cash register tapes from Redner’s Warehouse Markets. Please register for a Shopper’s Card at the courtesy counter and tell them it is for St. John’s UCC. With the closing of Boyer’s we can use all the tapes we can get, so please try to remember when you grocery shop. Thank you.

Prayer

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Prayer is not a trial balloon we send up to see if God is there. It is an opportunity He has given us to communicate with Him. Please allow our Prayer Chain to join you in prayer. The information you give will be kept confidential. For prayer needs or for membership, please contact Marcella Kulp at 215-536-5625.

Start saving your pennies! It’s time to kick off our Heifer project once again!  The Sunday School class will again be heading up the Heifer Project which helps purchase and donate

animals to people around the world.  Please remember your pennies on Sunday morning and place them in the goat at the front of the church.  We will be collecting until Thank offering in November.  Any questions please see Katie Yerger.

The Adult Class will study the Sermon on the Mount series “Examining Your Life” Sunday mornings at 9:00AM.You are invited whether you know a little or a lot about the Bible!

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS2 Nicholas Lapinski3 Mark Fournier

Lori Carney4 Gerald Freed13 Erica Spotts14 Carla Spotts16 George Spotts17 Cheryl Farber19 Shalon Lane20 Stefanie Heimbach22 Katie Yerger

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25 Susan funk28 Harriette Smith30 Bruce Funk31 Linford Haas, Jr.

Is your birthday missing from the list, please call the church office at 215-538-0875 or email at stjuccrichtown@enter.net. We will be glad to add it to the birthday list.

2011 Fall Rummage SaleBenner Hall—October 6 and 7

9:00AM to 6:00PM

Now that the hot, humid days of summer are nearly over and autumn is right around the corner, it’s time to start planning for the Fall Rummage Sale. This year’s sale will be held at Benner Hall on October 6 & 7.

Donations of saleable used clothing, furniture, household items, etc. will be accepted at Benner Hall on Sunday, October 2nd from noon until 5:00PM, and Monday and Tuesday from 8:00AM to 8:00PM. We will no longer be able to sell baby cribs due to liability reasons.

As you all know, much help is needed throughout the week, including men to set up tables, pick up rummage on Sunday, and pack up the remaining rummage on

Friday evening; workers to sort and price rummage during the week and staff the sale on Thursday and Friday; kitchen help for both days, and

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donations for baked goods. Please mark your calendars and plan to be a part of our “Rummage Sale Team”. Any help offered will be appreciated.Any questions, please callEleanor Fly at 215- 536-8250 or Bev Kuhn at 215-536-0418.

Scheduled to ServeLectorsOctober2 Dorothy Ewer

9 Karen King16 Shannon King23 Jerry Lennon30 Marcella Kulp

GreetersOctober2 David & Karen King

9 Carol Horton & Jason Horton16 Ronald & Patricia Lapinski23 Jennifer Kramer & Edith Krigor30 John & Ruth Moyer

Ushers October2 LuAnn Kramer & Linda Lindsay

9 Joe Horton & Aaron Scholl16 Kerry Thompson & Steven Sechriest23 Jade Scholl & Emily Scholl30 Sue Benner & David King

AcolytesOctober2 Trent Carney

9 Shannon King16 Jason Horton23 Daryn Fournier30 Aaron Scholl

NurseryOctober2 Dorothy Ewer & Judy Roberts

9 Sarena Landes & Kathy Landes16 Carol Leiter & Mary Hardcastle

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23 Shannon Plunkett & Gail Jancsics30 Linda Lindsay & LuAnn Kramer

Offering ProcessingOctober2 Marcella Kulp, Courtney Weeks, John Moyer

9 Marge Schaffer, Don Deily, Judy Guise16 Don Edmonds, Dave King, Marcella Kulp23 Courtney Weeks, John Moyer, Marge Schaffer30 Don Deily, Judy Guise, Don Edmonds

Visitation Committee October: Mary Hardcastle and LuAnn Kramer

Altar Guild October: LuAnn Kramer and Ruth Moyer

COMMUNION ARRANGEMENTSOctober 2 DottiAnne Edmonds, Karen King, Shannon

King, Courtney Weeks

COMMUNION SCHEDULEOctober 2 Altar Server: Marcella Kulp

Pew Communion Servers: John Moyer, Jeanette Shurow, Judy Guise, Dave King

WOW is asking for Chinese Auction basket donations for the Christmas Bazaar on November 19th. Theme baskets ideas: food, games, pets, car or house cleaning, holidays, movies, etc. Questions please see LuAnn Kramer. Thank you.Our next WOW Meeting is October

19th at 7:30PM.Join us for Craft Night on October 10th at 7:00PM.

St. John's Lutheran Church, Richlandtown, PA is holding their annual Ham & Roast Beef   Dinner on October 22 from

4 pm until 7pm.  Cost is $ 9 adults and $5 youth. Children under 5

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are free.  Dinner will be held at the Activity Center behind the church on First Ave.

Please come and enjoy good food and good fellowship!

O Pioneers!, Willa Cather's second novel, tells the story of an immigrant family's struggle to save their Nebraska farm. Cather's placement of a strong and capable woman at the center of the story, her realistic depiction of life on the midwestern prairie, and her vivid portrayal of the immigrant experience at the turn of the century make O Pioneers! a true American classic.

Join the Book Discussion November 7th at 7:00PM of O Pioneers by Willa Cathers.

Meeting: Wednesdays November

2 until December 14

Time: 5:00 until 6:30PM

For all kids agesKindergarten to Grade 5

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An adventure in fun and friendship complete with:

GAMESSTORIES

CRAFTSDINNER

INCLUDED!

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