UNITED CHURCH NEWS                                             November 2006

“A community of faith providing nurture, strength, & direction for living today in God’s world.”

From the Interim Pastor’s Pen:

 

Those of us who attended the Gratitude Luncheon last month will recall with delight the wonderful musical piece led by our Cherub Choir, “One Basket, Two fish, Five Loaves of Barley Bread.”  The words were taken from the sixth chapter of Mark’s gospel which tells the story of God providing food for a hungry multitude.

 

The story recalls that Jesus spent the day teaching over 5,000 people and the disciples were ready to dismiss the crowd so that they could go to their farms and villages to buy something to eat. Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said, “You give them something to eat.”  Startled by such a suggestion, they sarcastically responded, “Shall we go and buy 200 denarii worth of bread?”  Jesus was insistent. “How many loaves of bread do you have?”  They came back and reported that they had five loaves of bread and two fish.  Jesus then blessed the bread and fish that was provided and directed the disciples to feed the crowd until all were satisfied.  And as the story concludes, not only was there enough for all, there were leftovers.  Yes, the disciple gathered up twelve baskets of leftovers!

 

Each Sunday morning as we, present-day disciples, gather for worship, we are asked to place contributions in the offering plates, to give from what we have received, our bread and our fish.  And in an astonishing manner, God multiples these gifts, and commissions us to distribute these gifts to our world.  Each Sunday morning we follow the pattern of the disciples and give what we have, receive God’s blessing, and distribute God’s blessing to others. 

 

In September, members of your Church Board spent time together recalling the ways that God has faithfully blessed them individually and the United Church over the last 25 years.  The sharing was incredible.  We were reminded that God has consistently provided for the United Church even when the “loaves and fishes” were few.  That same God will provide in the future. 

 

During this season of Thanksgiving we can appreciate afresh all that we have as a faith community.  To see God’s abundance and blessings not only in our present, but in our past also.  As we do this, we are able to be the distributors of blessings that God calls us to be. 

 

May I suggest that this season of thanksgiving we remember the prayer of Peter Marshall:

 

O help us to appreciate all that we have,

to be content with it,

to be grateful for it,

to be proud of it;

not in an arrogant pride that boast,

but in a grateful pride that strives to be more worthy. 

In Thy name, to whose bounty we own these blessings spread before us. 

To Thee we give our gratitude. Amen. 

Pastoral Care: The pastor works with our Congregational Care Committee and can be reached through the church office (637-3186), elders of the month, or home phone.

Elders of the Month for November:  Beth Krauss and Norm Hatt

Purpose of Elders of the Month: For those members with a crisis, emergency situation, a particular concern or need for care, the elders of the month are available to assist the pastor, when a pastor is unavailable, or when the church office is closed.  Procedure for calling:  please call the church office weekdays between 9 AM – 3 PM; otherwise call either the elders of the month or the pastoral caregiver.

Worship for November 2006

Worship at 10:25 AM, Child Care 9 AM - Noon

Before worship coffee fellowship with Adult Ed groups 9 AM

Fellowship Time each week after worship in Fellowship Hall

 

Nov. 5            All Saints’ Sunday/Stewardship of Treasures             31st Sunday, Ordinary Time

10:25 AM       “Give, and It Shall be given to you”         Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters, Rev. Frank Woolever

                        Scriptures: Psalm 146 and Mark 12:28-34

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (“come forward”)

Liturgist: Fred Davey

Moment for Stewardship:  Brenda Hines

All Saints’ Sunday - Dedication of Memorial Gifts for 2006

                        A Time of Remembrance for those who died this past year   

           

Nov. 12          Service for the Lord’s Day                                                32nd Sunday, Ordinary Time

10:25 AM       Sermon: “A Widow that Might”                                             Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

Scriptures: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Psalm 127; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

Liturgist: Lorraine Dimon

Moment for Stewardship:  Dedication of our gifts of Time, Talents and Treasures

Word to the Children by Rev. Waters

 

Nov. 19          Musical Drama “Lost and Found”                                  33rd Sunday, Ordinary Time

10:25 AM       Scriptures: Psalm 32; Luke 15:11-32; 2 Cor. 5:16-21      Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

                        The parable of the prodigal son will be presented by children, youth & adults

Worship will be held in the Fellowship Hall

 

Nov. 26          Thanksgiving/Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday                                                

10:25 AM       Reflection:  “How Not to Speak About God”                                       Dr. Peter Rollins

Scriptures: John 18:33-37, Revelation 1:4b-8

Liturgist: Rev. Kathleen Waters

 

About our Guest Preachers

 

Rev. Frank Woolever will be our guest preacher and Adult Forum speaker on November 5th. Rev. Woolever, a former Catholic priest, is retired, has worked as the executive director of L’Arche community, a local organization that serves people with disabilities. He previously worked as a counselor at the Onondaga Pastoral Counseling Center, and was a member of Syracuse’s Citizen Review Board. Woolever is a longtime member of Pax Christi, a national Catholic organization, and has visited Nicaragua several times. He has regularly taken stands against war and the death penalty. On November 20, 2005, he was arrested at the 16th annual protest known as “The Crossing,” a nonviolent protest against the U.S. Army training facility formerly known as the School of the Americas. He was recently released from prison for this offense.

 

Dr. Peter Rollins will be our guest preacher and Adult Forum speaker on November 26th.  Dr. Rollins, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, has a B.A. in Scholastic philosophy, an M.A. in political theory and criticism, and a Ph.D. in postmodern theory. He is the founder of the Ikon community in Northern Ireland and is a working philosopher who has come to believe that the emerging church presents a singular, unprecedented opportunity to transform the theological and moral architecture of the Christian community.  Dr. Rollins is the author of the recently published book, How (not) to Speak about God.

 

 

Worship, Music & Spiritual Life

 

All Saints’ Sunday - Nov. 5th

On this first Sunday in November we come to the Table and celebrate the Lord’s Supper where we proclaim our belief in “the communion of saints” (Apostle’s Creed).  We are aware that a “great cloud of witnesses surrounds us.”  Most of us look to someone in our past - a teacher, friend, parent or relative - who served as mentor or midwife of our faith, and who has now left this life to feast with Christ in the Kingdom of heaven.  “Saints are persons who make it easier for others to believe in God.”  These “holy ones” of God are not just the heroes of the Church, but every Christian who seeks to follow the Gospel message.  We remember this cloud of witnesses on All Saints’ Sunday. The service will include the dedication of memorial gifts received since last November’s service.

 

Mid-week worship: Tuesdays 11:30 AM

This is a brief, quiet time of worship and prayer.  You may find this a center of calm in the middle of an otherwise hectic or even lonely week.  Rev. Waters will be in the sanctuary for a simple service of midday prayer, including the lighting of a Christ candle of peace, the reading of a Psalm, and prayers.   Join us for midday prayer.

Musical Drama “Lost and Found” for Worship Nov. 19th

On Nov. 19 we will gather at 10:25 AM in Fellowship Hall for an informal worship service.  Through music and drama, the service will focus on the parable of the prodigal son.  Of Jesus’ many parables, one of the most enduring favorites is the story of the prodigal son.  Contained in Luke 15:11-32, it is a reminder of the unfailing, forgiving nature of God’s love for every one of us. “Lost and Found” by Stan Graner, places the traditional Prodigal Son story within a 40 minute framework of twelve delightful and inspirational songs.  Several narrators will guide us on a journey back to Biblical days and introduce us to the three characters, a father and two sons, played by Andy Baxter, Tom Parmenter, and John Price, supported by narrators and a chorus of children, youth and adults. At the story’s end we might ponder what role we take and how we, prodigal or faithful, respond to God’s love and mercy.  In one of the closing songs, sung by the father, the key message of God’s mercy and love is made clear:

“The kind of love I give isn’t because you work so hard.

The kind of love I give is just because you’re my son.

Son, turn around and see, son, the love I give is free,

Ask and I will guarantee a home, because you’re my son.”

(From “Because You’re My Son” in “Lost and Found”)

The worship service will have many of the elements of our regular worship service, prayers, scripture, hymns like “Amazing Grace,” along with the musical drama as the sermon. Join us for an uplifting and inspirational worship celebration.  Bring a friend too.

 

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

The music at Christmas is always a joy to sing and we’d like to expand the choir for our December services.  All Seekers and High School youth and adults who like to sing are invited to join our Senior Choir for Advent and Christmas services. November is a good time to start rehearsing for our Lessons and Carols service in December.  We can work out a rehearsal schedule to suit your needs.  For further information, contact Alice Hatt. 


Handbell Ringing a visual and aural offering

Recently, you may have noticed our two handbell choirs have played using the front Amen pews for their location.  Thanks to ringer Jim Gutelius for making four wooden racks that fit over the pews to hold the new foam pads for the bells.  This makes playing in front easier than it has been with a previous system using duck tape to secure other racks.  Quite often people have commented that handbell ringing is both an aural and a visual experience, and we hope you enjoy seeing the many different handbell techniques and variety of sounds from our handbell musical offerings.  Your handbell choirs will play in both locations, front or balcony loft, from time to time and for the “Brass and Bells” concert, they play across the front of the sanctuary (which is not available for regular worship).

 

St. Nicholas Festival Events planned

This year, the annual F-M churches St. Nicholas Festival is in transition with an offering of two special events which continue from recent years.  The F-M combined choirs “Lessons and Carols” service will be given on Sunday, December 10th at 7 pm at Immaculate Conception Church.  This inspiring ecumenical Advent choral service, with a choir of over 150 voices, is a joyous way to celebrate the season. Advent and Christmas anthems will be sung by the choirs individually and combined, along with the traditional scriptures read by area clergy.  The choirs will rehearse on Thursday Dec. 7th, youth choir (grades 3-12) at 6 pm, adults at 7 pm at IC.   UCF will host the annual St. Nicholas Festival “Brass and Bells” concert, on Sunday, Dec. 17th at 4 PM (note the new time this year), when the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, directed by Jim Spencer, and our two handbell choirs, directed by Alice Hatt, for a program of classics and holiday music.  

 

Christmas Music Gifts:  A gift of $10 (or more) given in memory or in honor of a loved one will help to defray the cost of special music for Advent and Christmas services. An acknowledgment will be placed in the Christmas Eve bulletin along with the Poinsettia listings when the information is given by the donor.  Checks should be made out to United Church and marked for Christmas music and accompanied by a note given in memory of (or in honor or)....... by ....... Thank you.

 

Children’s Activity Sheets & Pads

Children are an essential part of the church family! They learn to worship by worshiping.  As they participate, they come to understand that to worship God means to offer ourselves to God.  Children approach worship on a feeling and sensing level.  Remind your children that they are an important part of God’s family and the whole congregation is glad to have them here! 

Children are naturally active. Materials for doodling and activity sheets related to each Sunday’s worship theme are available in the front narthex desk.  We suggest that parents or caregivers in worship seek to involve their child in the early parts of worship as much as possible, finding hymn and Bible pages, holding the hymnal, following in the worship order.  Activity sheets can be given during the sermon. The focus of the sheets is often the same scripture reading as the sermon.  We ask that parents and ushers help the children find these materials in the front entrance area drawer and return them after the service.  (please help guests find them)  Share your art work!  Leave your drawings in the office so we can post them on the bulletin board!  Book Basket  By the pulpit entrance area there is a book basket with children’s Bible stories that may be taken into worship and used during the sermon time as needed.        

                                                                                       Alice Dickerson Hatt, Minister of Music and Worship

Adult Education

Forums and Bible Study

 

Sundays 9:00 - 10:15 AM

Join us for coffee, fellowship & discussion

 

I.  Forums in Beard Lounge

Forums are presentations and discussions which focus on timely topics of Christian social concern, personal and spiritual development, Bible study, or explorations of our Christian heritage and world religions.  Through Forums we seek to provide a place for understanding special topics or current issues of our Christian presence in the community and world.

 

The following topics are scheduled for Adult Forum during November and December.

 

November 5: Rev. Frank Woolever, a former Roman Catholic priest and a counselor at Onondaga Pastoral Counseling, will report on his civil disobedience at the School of the Americas in fall 2005 and experience in federal prison.  Rev. Woolever will also preach during the morning worship to follow Adult Forum.

 

November 12: Linda Wright, Executive Director of the Syracuse Salvation Army, on the work and mission of Salvation Army.

 

November 19:  Video & discussion: “Thirty Days” – a documentary of a Christian man’s experience living in the home of devote Muslims for 30 days.

 

November 26:  Peter Rollins from Belfast, Northern Ireland, author of “How (not) to speak of God” will be with us to talk about the “Emerging Church” in Northern Ireland.  This movement consists of individuals on the edge of, or completely outside, the traditional church.

 

December 3:  (Advent 1) Jason Larson, Bible study, Part 1.  Jason is member of UCF and a doctoral student at SU Dept. of Religion.

 

December 10: (Advent 2): Jason Larson, Bible study, Part 2.

 

II. Bible Study in Women’s Lounge

9:00 AM. The Sunday morning Bible study group reads and studies scripture.  Fred Davey will lead the group in discussion on the Book of Hebrews. 

 

III.  A Parents’ Place  [Downstairs in Room 5]

9:15 AM.  Informal, unstructured conversation; coffee available.

 

“Living the Questions” is a 12 week, DVD based discussion series on contemporary issues of faith.  Each DVD session includes conversations with leading theologians, church leaders, sociologists and biblical scholars; sermons and lecture clips, digital stories illustrating aspects of an evolving faith; concrete spiritual practices; suggestions for engagement in acts of social justice plus original jazz interpretations of classic hymns.  Groups meet on Sunday evenings from 7-9 PM and Wednesday mornings from 10 AM – noon in Beard Lounge.

 

Suggestions for future Adult Forums or topics for Bible study.   Please speak with Chairperson Norm Hatt or a member of the committee:  Lois Coleman, Shirley DeHority, Dorothy Harrold, Jason Larson, Dick Lang, Jackie Meyer, Carol Reinsmith, Lois Spitzer, Joe Steiner.

 

Submitted by Norman Hatt, chair.

Text Box: Here’s What’s Going On!

 

 

Oct. 29th         9:30 AM: Joint Seeker & Youth meeting

           5-7:30 PM: Sunday Night Meetings/Potluck

Nov. 10-11     9 AM to 9 AM: Service Day & Lock-In

Nov. 12th        Deadline for Reach Workcamp registration

Nov. 19th        Lost & Found Musical in Worship

Nov. 26th        9:30 AM: Joint Seeker & Youth meeting

 

 

BOWLED OVER: The lock-in scheduled for October 6th was rescheduled for November 10th. Instead of having the lock-in during October, seventeen youth went to Mattydale to bowl on

Oct. 8th. All seemed to have a great time knocking the pins over – or not.

 

CROPWALK: On Sunday, Oct. 15th, several youth participated with others from the church in raising money to fight hunger. Money was raised, legs were stretched, stories were told, and spirits were lifted.

 

FOOD & FUN: October 29th will involve eating with your family. Senior High and Seekers will have separate activities and then a joint time of worship.

 

DAY OF SERVICE & NIGHT OF FUN: THE LOCK-IN!!! Come to the church on Friday, Nov. 10th at 9 AM for a day of service or a night of fun. Tentatively, we will be headed out to South Presbyterian Church in the AM to do some clean-up and take a tour, and we hope to find some interesting cuisine for lunch. We then plan to come back to church to do some cleanup here. Alternatively, we might rake and run. After more food, we’ll then retire to the church for more leisurely activities throughout the night. Pick up time is at 9 AM Saturday morning.

 

ARE YOU REGISTERED? Please submit your registration forms and $50 deposit to Tom Parmenter or Tracey Kuhns by Sunday, Nov. 12th. We are planning to attend the work camp in Niagara Falls, NY from July 22 to July 28, 2007. If you have any questions ask check out the website at http://www.reachwc.org/pages/07nny.shtml, or ask Tom who went last year.

 

LOST AND FOUND: Performance on Sunday morning, November 19th. Come participate either on stage or in the congregation. You may see your Director of Youth Ministries in a new light.

 

IN THE ATTIC: Sunday school meetings will continue to focus on stewardship, particularly as related to identifying and sharing your God given gifts. Please come share the gift your presence on Sunday mornings. Seekers will join senior high on Oct. 29th and Nov. 26th.

 

NOTE TO SEEKERS: A journey is made up of many small steps. Homework is a drag, but journey entails adventure and exploration. Don’t look at your assignments as homework, but rather the first step toward the journey of spiritual discovery. Take a step every day.

 

Thomas I. Parmenter

Director of Youth Ministries

 

 

 

        What’s Up from Down Under

 

Sharing and Caring by the Young People

                    of United Church

 

See you at these upcoming events !

 

Fri. Nov. 3 &   Sat. Nov. 4 “Lost and Found” rehearsals

Sun. Nov. 5  Turn in UNICEF boxes

Sun. Nov. 5-12 Candy Collection

Sun. Nov. 12 “Lost and Found” rehearsal

                        Enrichment kids bag candy

Fri. Nov. 17 & Sat. Nov. 18 “Lost and Found” rehearsals

Sun. Nov. 19 “Lost and Found” musical in worship

     Sun. Nov. 26 Combined Sunday School

 

 

QUESTIONS FLEW THICK AND FAST !!!.  Parents and teachers were full of eager questions for Zan Currin during her Sept. 24 presentation on teaching diverse learners.  She shared many of her own teaching experiences to illustrate that being aware of each child’s abilities and a reaching out creatively to them through their strengths is a good foundation for teaching.  Zan is an experienced teacher-educator of many years and currently a full-time graduate student in Teaching and Leadership at SU.  We hope to see her again soon!!!

 

TAKE TIME TO TEACH STEWARDSHIP  Children have many wonderful gifts to give.  Help your children to see the blessings that God has given them and teach them to be grateful.  Create opportunities for your children to experience the joy that comes from being a good steward and help them understand that stewardship is a way to live every day.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL SNAPSHOT !!  As they