` 120 WEST MAIN STREET, NEW HOLLAND, PA 17557 Church Phone: 717-354-0226 Website: http://nhumc.us/ Pastor: Ray Voran Pastor Email: revoran@gmail.com
FEBRUARY 2017 When we come to February we might think of Valentine’s Day (folks in Pennsylvania might also think about Groundhog’s Day or maybe Fasnacht Day but we will stick with Valentine’s Day. When Sara went to college she discovered that Groundhog’s Day is not such a big deal in some parts of the country. Her roommate, who was from Connecticut wandered why Gus, the lottery groundhog, is considered the second most famous groundhog in the state. “How is there a more famous groundhog?” she asked. … but back to Valentine’s Day). Valentine’s Day is, of course, the day when we especially think of those we love. One of God’s gifts is the people with whom we share our lives. Spouses, children, grandchildren, other family members and friends all help experience and display the presence of God. In John 13:35, Jesus says, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." Throughout the Bible, we are told what God is like and the one thing that comes out again and again is that God is a God of love. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Romans 5:8 “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I John 4:10 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” God loves us so much that, before we had in any way reached out to Him, while we were sinners ignoring Him, when we deserved nothing but wrath and judgment, He reached out in love. That is the type of favor that is impossible to repay. We can never do anything that would make us deserve the salvation offered to us but we can respond to the love of God by loving others. In fact, that is how we will be recognized. Quite simply, those who recognize that God loves them will spend their time loving others (this does not mean having mushy feelings for everyone, but it does mean unselfishly caring for others without expecting any reward or recognition). May we demonstrate this love at Valentine’s Day and throughout the year. -- Pastor Ray
Our Worship Service starts at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday. 10:00 a.m. Time of Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Sunday School
service will begin at 7 PM on March 1st. We hope to see you there!
Contacting Pastor Ray ~ email: revoran@gmail.com Cell: (717)333-6939 Look for me on Facebook: Ray Voran
Regular Events Knepper Care Group – Second and Fourth Mondays, 7:00 p.m. Naval Care Group – Second and Fourth Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m.
Community Senior Center – Second Thursday, 10:00 a.m. Community Meal – Third Thursday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Bazaar Workshops – Every Tuesday at 1 p.m.
Tidbits …. In 2016 our church contributed 445 pounds of food to the New Holland Food Pantry. Thank you your generosity. We collected 9 scarves, 12 hats, 26 pairs of gloves, and 2 pairs of mittens for the children who are the patients at the Welsh Mountain Medical and Dental Center. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SERVER SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY Nursery Feb. 5 Feb. 12 Feb. 19 Feb. 26
Pat Williams, Paula Gauthier Heather Bressi Barb Mask Loretta Zimmerman
Feb. 5 Feb. 12 Feb. 19 Feb. 26
Pat Williams Joyce Wilbur Hank Wells John Mask
Feb. 5 Feb. 12 Feb. 19 Feb. 26
Tim Hess & Win Hall Julie Mitton & Betsy Loguidice Tim Hess & Selma Wells Sandi Rapp & Cathy Williams
Lay Readers Ash Wednesday is March 1, 2017. We will be participating in a combined worship service along with Ranck’s UMC and New Holland Evangelical UMC (Honey Brook UMC will also be invited). This years the service will be at Ranck’s UMC, 700 Ranck Rd, New Holland PA. The 2
Tellers
We are in need of church-time
nursery helpers. Contact the church office if you are willing to help. 354-0226
I want to thank you, my Church family, for the Christmas basket and cards that were delivered to me. May you have a happy and healthy New Year. – Ethel Ludwig
Free Community Meals at NHUMC 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. February 16, 2017 Third Thursday of every month Ranck’s United Methodist Church and 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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Thank you for all the cards, kind words, support and prayers at the recent passing of Ray’s father, Willis Voran. We appreciate being part of such a loving church family! -- Pastor Ray and Val My friends, The basket was so kind and it came at the right time. I was having self-pity feelings for a long time, and the church family thought of me. It made me feel loved – someone knew me. Thanks again. God bless. –Eileen McComas Thank you to those who contributed to the Mitten Tree during the month of December. We collected 9 scarves, 12 hats, 26 pairs of gloves, and 2 pairs of mittens for the children who are the patients at the Welsh Mountain Medical and Dental Center. – Cathy Williams We sincerely thank the New Holland United Methodist Church and the folks on the committee that provided the Christmas Basket for us. It is much appreciated, as is the visit from the Zimmermans who delivered it to us. God’s blessing for thinking of us. – Bert and Roy Schroll
Prayer and Praise
Tom Frybarger, son of Jane Frybarger, dealing with health issue AnnMarie Lennon, as she adjusts to her situation Cosmo Loguidice is home from hospital Our sympathies to the Voran family with the home-going of Pastor Ray’s father, Willis Voran, on January 15 Rev. Dorcas Kamanda, who will be starting an orphanage in Sierra Leone Eileen McComas, congestive heart failure Unity of the U.S. government
Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.
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Graham Webster Carolyn Middleton Judy Trost Travis Arment Gary Trostle Mark Lennon Beatrice Gauthier
February Anniversaries No anniversaries this month * If you don’t think the office has your birthday or anniversary, please put a note in the secretary’s mailbox with this information. We wish to honor you with your name in the LAMPLIGHTER on your special day.
NOW IS THE TIME TO START BRINGING IN YOUR GENTLY USED BOOKS FOR OUR ANNUAL SALE TO BE HELD IN MAY. -- NO MAGAZINES, ENCYCLOPEDIAS, OR TEXTBOOKS –
GETTING YOUR BOOKS IN EARLY WILL HELP THE LADIES TO GET THEM ORGANIZED BEFORE THE LAST MINUTE!
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February Birthdays Taylor Boone Jim Boose Pat Knepper Paula Gauthier Norece Richwine
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