120 WEST MAIN STREET, NEW HOLLAND, PA 17557 Church Phone: 717-354-0226 Church Fax: 717-354-7942 Website: www.nhumc.us Pastor: Susan D. Sliker
JANUARY 2011 We are soon into a new year and new decade. It is hard to believe that 2010 is almost over. I hope it was a great year for you, and you experienced God’s presence in new ways. I know I did. And I see Him moving in amazing ways in the life of the Body of Christ at NHUMC. Praise be to God!
Jonathan Edwards was one of the greatest preachers of his time. In 1722, he drew up a list of seventy resolutions, dedicating himself to live in harmony with God and others. The following resolutions give a picture of the serious purpose with which Edwards approached his relationship with God. He resolved: To do whatever is most to God’s glory To do my duty, for the good of mankind in general Never to do anything which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life To study the Scriptures steadily, constantly, and frequently To ask myself at the end of every day, week, month, and year if I could possibly have done better Until I die, not to act as I were on my own, but entirely and altogether God’s Nehemiah 10:29 says, “They entered into ... an oath to walk in God’s Law ... and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord.” We read that God’s people made an oath, vowing to follow all the commands, laws, and regulations of the Lord. This oath was so serious that they were willing to accept the curse of God if they failed to keep these commands. Our resolutions need not be as serious as that, but any resolution to follow God is not a casual promise. Rather, it is a solemn and serious declaration that – with the help of the Holy Spirit – we can renew every day. So what needs to change in this upcoming year for you? What promises, oaths, vows have gone by the wayside in your life? Words are cheap and the Body needs to continue to act on our resolutions. We can only wait to see the surprises God has for each of us. I can’t wait ... He has been so good this past year and has moved in surprising ways ... Praise be to God!! Happy New Year! -- Pastor Susan
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A Phone Call Away If you have any pastoral needs, please do not hesitate to call the pastor (354-8306). Your needs are her needs – go out to lunch, dinner, spend time talking, go shopping, a phone call, a prayer, etc. Please know that God loves you. The pastor always strives to be a phone call away, but she needs to know your needs. Please call and leave a message if no one is home! Love to all! -- Pastor Susan
Our Worship Service starts at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday. Sunday School is at 10:15 a.m. Calling All High School Students January 2 Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 “God’s Guiding Spirit” Epiphany Sunday Installation of Officers Holy Communion January 9 Isaiah 42:1-9 Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 “God’s Favoring Spirit” January 16 Isaiah 49:1-7 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 “God’s Inviting Spirit” Human Relations Day January 23 Isaiah 9:1-4 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23 “God’s Liberating Spirit” January 30 Micah 6:1-8 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 “God’s Spirit of Humility” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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We are in the early stages of planning this year’s high school confirmation class. This gathering is open to everyone from ninth grade and up. The title of the program is Making Disciples and has been very successful and meaningful. It is an adventure that will allow one to be both a servant of the church and a growing disciple as well. The class will work together and also individually with a mentor. A mentor in this process is not one who knows all the answers, or one who can cite vast numbers of scripture references from memory. A mentor is one who has a genuine faith and who is involved in trying to grow in that faith from day to day. A mentor is one who is willing to share his or her journey of faith with another person. The confirmands will lean more heavily on genuine interaction with a member of the church. This 13 week course will allow for flexibility between student and mentor. The different sessions address particular topics and activities that they will share together. If you are interested and/or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Pastor Susan at 354-8306. More information will be available for the class as it forms. A kick-ff gathering will be planned. I hope to hear from our senior high youth. Love to all, and hope you are having a great school year. -- Pastor Susan
New Challenge In 2011 The worship committee, working with the pastor, has decided to preach from the Lectionary in 2011. The Lectionary is the list or table of Scripture lessons or passages to be read in Sunday worship services and on other specific occasions. The list is in a three-year cycle (A, B, and C cycle), starting the first Sunday of Advent (the start of the new church year). There will be three lessons read each Sunday – one from the Old Testament, one from the Epistles and one from the Gospels. There will also be a Psalter reading, and they might point to a unifying theme. Here are a few compelling reasons for Lectionary preaching: 1. It keeps us in continuity with a tradition of the church that dates back centuries. Also, we are united with sister churches by meditating on essentially the same scriptures. 2. It forces us to struggle with the questions of what God is trying to tell us. This prevents us from mounting our theological “soap box,” where we seek to find a pretext for what we most enjoy “harping” about. Without the lectionary, how many preachers would choose to preach on the texts that contain controversy or conflict – they would stay away from them and only preach from texts to make the congregation feel good. 3. It allows us to view the Bible as a unit and helps us see how the gospel grows out of the Old Testament tradition and gives us a greater appreciation of our Jewish roots. 4. It makes clear that we Christians live in the world, but are not of the world. The liturgical calendar, on which the 3
3 lectionary is based, focuses on the qualitative dimension of time rather than merely marking chronological time. Our whole concept of time and eternity revolves around the Incarnate Word, Jesus, the Christ. Our lives are ordered by His life, death and resurrection. Without the discipline of the Lectionary, it becomes easy to focus on this world’s agenda. The liturgical calendar makes plain that we are passing through time, but we live in the realm of God’s eternal purpose. So once again the body of Christ starts on a new adventure together as we move in God’s way – trusting and obeying His Word and acting in ways to glorify Him. Are you excited? Are you seeing the Spirit moving? He is ... let’s await the surprises He has in store for us in the new year ... together in worship and service to ignite the LIGHT in our lives and in the lives we touch for Him. -- Pastor Susan
Come ... Join Us! On January 11, the 2011 Administrative Council will join for their first meeting at 7:00 p.m. Please join us in Chapel Hall as our external consultant, Kip Wolf, will be here to present the strategic road map that has been completed. He will also discuss goals and objectives we have begun to align with “Ignite the LIGHT”. Come out and see how God is moving in our church! -- Sandi Rapp P.S. We are calling “prayer warriors” to the sanctuary at 6:45 (before Ad Council) to pray for our church.
The Truth Project Will Start on January 13 Please remember to sign the enrollment sheet at the back of the sanctuary or call Pastor Susan with questions. Do you really believe that what you believe is really real? The focal point of Focus on the Family’s The Truth Project is the concept of truth itself. What is truth? Why is it important? What role does it play in God’s purposes in the world, our purpose as humans and God’s plan for salvation through Jesus Christ? This study also demonstrates how truth frames the nature of the cosmic battle that rages all around us between the truth claims of God and the lies of the world, the flesh and the devil. From this starting point, The Truth Project launches into a systematic and comprehensive tour of looking at all of life from God’s perspective. Whether we are talking about philosophy and ethics, anthropology, sociology, history or science, God has given to us a standard and a plan for seeing all of life the way He sees it. And ultimately, because of this, we are called to impact culture by being deeply involved in the world. The Truth Project was birthed to see a radical transformation occur throughout the Body of Christ. The vision for this study is simple – “that we may see the Lord a little more clearly, that we may hear His truth claims with more clarity, and that we might be conformed more and more to His likeness” (2 Corinthians 3:18). This study is for believers and will cure spiritual anemia. It will also equip and disciple believers. Wait for more information about the formation of these classes to start in the near future. Also there will be a promo shown before worship in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Susan at 3548306. Start praying about your involvement and the transformation of the Body of Christ at NHUMC.
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4 This year’s classes will start on Thursday, January 13, from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the parsonage. – Pastor Susan
Server Schedules for This Month Nursery Jan. 2 Jane Keene & Neika Boisrond Jan. 9 Larry & Pat Knepper & Ben Wagner Jan. 16 Barb Mask & Nick Boisrond & Arentz Menard Jan. 23 Donna Sandoe & Elizabeth Wagner Jan. 30 Toby Wagner & Beatrice Gauthier
Greeters Jan. 30 Gordon and Betty Heal
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES -- NOW ITEMS – This is the last article I will be writing as co-chairperson of the NOW Committee. It has been a great run, and Norece and I want to thank everyone on the committee and beyond who have helped to make the past two and ½ years a wonderful success. We have continued with some tried and true activities and also instituted some new ones. We are both looking forward to some new challenges in our work with the church. We want to take this opportunity to wish Vicki Gannon, as new chairperson of the NOW committee, the best of luck and pledge our support. – Betty Hostetter Thanks to many: We want to thank Cathy Williams for chairing the food bank collections. She has done a fantastic job. To that same end, we wish to thank the volunteers who have worked tirelessly at the food bank over the years – Peg Cessna, Bob McLean, Harry and Charlotte Maclay. Also, many thanks go to Yvonne Stoltzfoos for chairing the annual backpack project with St. Stephens. Also thanks to Jane Webster and her husband, Graham, who have put together a very successful book sale in the spring. Thanks to everyone who helped make the Christmas on Main/Christmas Tea event a huge success. Once again we had standing room only in the sanctuary for the Marini Harps. Tea, punch, coffee and cookies and other Christmas goodies were served in Fellowship Hall following the concert. Everyone appreciated the decorations put together once again by our own decorator extraordinaire, Norece Richwine. The kids’ activities were well attended. Pat Williams and her crew put together a lot of projects for the kids, and they were enjoyed by all. We would be remiss if we did not mention our other co-chairperson, Cindy White. She helped with some projects, 5
5 but because of health issues could not attend meetings or participate in some of our other projects. Thanks Cindy. If we have missed anybody, please accept our apology. Best wishes to you all! -- Betty Hostetter & Norece Richwine Blankets and Tools: Once again this year, our Mothers Day and Fathers Day projects, purchasing blankets and tools in honor of and in memory of our Mothers and Fathers, was a wonderful success. We have again received a patch from Church World Services to add to our banner which is displayed at the rear of the sanctuary near the double doors. The patch is to recognize our contributions of $1,000 for the BLANKETS+ program. Contributions to this program help Church World Services be there for families recovering from a disaster by providing blankets, tools, and other necessities. Thank you for supporting this worthwhile project and at the same time honoring your loved ones. Bazaar Item: To date we have a profit of $3,171.34 from our annual Bazaar: Lunch $413.30 Baked Goods $483.00 Books $110.50 Attic $206.37 Silent Auction $623.00 Crafts $1,331.17 Thanks to all who helped make this Bazaar a wonderful success, especially our special co-chairs – Jane Frybarger and Judy Trost (crafts), Karen Miller (baskets), Selma Wells and Ginny Meck (books), Jane Keene and Dottie Baer (Attic Treasures and Christmas Room), Norece Richwine (baked goods), Fred Naval (luncheon). Once again proving it takes all of us to make an event successful. Thanks! Loretta Zimmerman & Betty Hostetter, Bazaar 2010 co-chairs
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Attic Treasure Sales Good News! John and Barbara Mask’s granddaughter, Heather Parmer, recently graduated with honors from Berk Tech Institute in Reading. She is now working as a medical assistant at Welsh Mountain Medical and Dental Center. New Address: Cameron Corrie’s address at college is as follows: York College of Pennsylvania Penn Hall Box 37 York, PA 17403-3651
At UMC Church in Lancaster The Otterbein United Methodist Church at North Queen and Clay Streets in Lancaster are scheduling Attic Treasure Sales every second Saturday of the month, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Visit the Attic Treasure Sale to get lower than garage sale prices. Future dates are January 8, February 12, March 12, and April 9 (all the second Saturday). -- Office
Attention former and current Boy Scouts: If you have any Boy Scout memorabilia (hats, badges, photos, pine wood derby cars, etc) that you would be willing to have on display on Boy Scout Sunday, please see or call Norece Richwine (656-2509). Knitting-Crocheting Group will not meet again until January 8, 2011, according to the leader, Jane Frybarger.
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‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ PRAYER AND PRAISE Ken Beears family on the death of grandson, Dupree Beears, 17, in motorcycle accident Kathleen, granddaughter of Gordon and Betty Heal, in hospital with kidney infection Nora Johnson, health concerns Ashley Holloway, friend of Cindi White, cancer John Rinier, brother of Dolly Blessing, complications of lung cancer Sarah Martin, friend of Shirley Givler, brain tumor, stage 2 cancer, radiation treatments Ron Hammons, Karen Miller’s step dad, health concerns Servicemen and women who are on duty far from families.
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Free Community Meals 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of every month Ranck’s United Methodist Church at the New Holland United Methodist Church Dinner is served with all ages welcome. -- Dee Kopicz, Outreach Chair at Ranck’s United Methodist Church (610-223-8207)
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Cheers to Larry Knepper, Ray Neyman and Hank Wells for helping to put up the Christmas decorations in the sanctuary. – Fred Naval I would like to thank everyone for their cards, calls, and prayers during my recent surgery. Everything went well and I am back to normal. – John Mask Thank you to all who contributed food to the New Holland Food Bank during the months of November and December. Our 30-some bags of items helped to stock the shelves and assure enough food for the first part of the winter. The Food Bank volunteers also send their thanks. – Cathy Williams Thank you for the visits, cards, prayers, and phone calls during my surgery, hospitalization, and stay at skilled nursing at Garden Spot Village. – Pat Knepper Cheers to Patty Good, Bill Middleton, Mark Lennon, and Ray Neyman for helping to move furniture in the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall for the Christmas Tea event. – Fred Naval
Thanks to all who ordered Harting’s Bakery pies. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving desserts whether at home or if you took your pie as a special surprise to your Thanksgiving host or hostess. I am sure it was appreciated. Because you were so gracious in ordering (and enjoying!) pies, I am happy to announce that the proceeds of $162 have been deposited in the general fund. Many pie thank you’s! -- Norece Richwine, Pie Sale Chair Thank you for the plethora of mittens, gloves, hats and scarves you so willingly contributed to our “mitten tree.” In January the items will be given to the Welsh Mountain Medical and Dental Center for distribution to their young patients. – Cathy Williams Thanks to all who serve our church in so many ways. Your faithfulness is appreciated. -- Pastor Susan
Birthdays: January 1 Roy Schroll January 2 Patti Good January 4 Cameron Corrie January 4 Yvonne Stoltzfoos January 6 Patrick Corrie January 8 Sharon Heisley January 14 James Trostle January 17 Harry Maclay January 18 Dana Neyman January 24 Elliott Thomas January 30 John Baxter January 31 Fran Baxter Anniversaries: January 8 Joe and Julie Mitton January 9 Jim and Regina Boose Please forgive us if your birthday or anniversary was not listed. We want to have it recorded, so please call the church office (354-0226) so we can update our records.
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Contributed by Shawna Lewis-Beauchamp
Pizza Dip ½ cup finely chopped onion ¼ cup finely chopped green pepper 1 tablespoon of butter 2 ½ cups pizza sauce 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ½ cup finely chopped pepperoni ½ cup grated parmesan cheese 1 tsp. Italian seasoning Bread sticks ... or something to dip in. In sauce pan sauté onion and green pepper in butter until tender. Stir in pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Cook and stir over medium heat until dip is heated through and cheese is melted. Pour into bowl or crock pot. Serve with breadsticks.
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