UNITED
CHURCH NEWS September
2006
“A community of faith providing nurture, strength,
& direction for living today in God’s world.”
From the Interim Pastor’s Pen:
“Open For Prayer” will be the sign posted outside the United Church
each Tuesday morning from 11:30 to noon.
This time will be set aside from the busyness of our daily living in
order to stop and listen for the voice of God and to lift your voice to
God.
I encourage you to
experiment and make prayer a part of your weekly routine. Perhaps you will become aware of God at a
depth you have never known before. Perhaps you will become aware of the needs
of our church and community that will transform your life. Perhaps you will come to better understand
what Jesus meant when he said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you
will find; knock and the door will be opened to you?” (Matthew 7:7). Perhaps you will believe the words of James
5:16 that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” If you are unable to join with us I invite
you to set aside a portion of that time to connect with us in prayer from your
place of work or home. (see the Worship
and Spiritual Life page of this newsletter for more details.)
Also coming this
Fall, Living the Question,
a 12-week DVD and web based small group study exploring beyond the traditions
and rote theologies. Living
the Questions will help seekers and “church alumni/ae” alike in
discovering the significance of Christianity in the 21st Century and
what a meaningful faith can look like in today’s world.
Each session will
include: 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 (e.g., lectio divina, journaling; spiritual
disciplines (centering, openness); suggestions for engagement in acts of social
justice. Plus, fresh, original jazz
interpretations of classic hymns arranged by Barb Catlin. Other internet resources (including a
glossary of traditional theological ideas reinterpreted for the 21st
Century).
Contributers
include: Nancy Ammerman, Marcus Borg,
John Cobb, Minerva Carcano, Lloyd Geering, Leslie Griffiths, Stanley Haverwas,
Culver “Bill” Nelson,
I hope you will
plan now to participate. More details to
come.
Pastoral Care coverage in September
Elders for the
month of September are Gloria Manuel
and
Worship
for September 2006
September 3 & 10 at 9:25 AM, Child Care 9 -11 AM
September 17 & 24 at
Beginning Sept. 17th:
Before worship coffee fellowship with Adult Ed groups 9 AM
Fellowship Time each week
after worship in Fellowship Hall
Sept.
3 Sacrament of Communion (come forward) 22nd
Sunday, Ordinary Time
9:25 AM Meditation:
“The Worthlessness of Religious Work” Rev.
Dr.
Scriptures:
James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Liturgist:
Scott Manuel
Community Moment – speaker from Central New York Labor-Religion Coalition
Sept.
10 “Welcome Back” Sunday 23rd Sunday, Ordinary Time
9:25 AM Sermon:
“Living Faith Among Us” Rev. Dr.
Scriptures:
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; James 2:1-10, 14-17
Liturgist:
Curtis Wenke; Senior Choir anthem
Word to the Children by Rev. Waters: “Blessing of the Backpacks” –
Children:
bring your school bags to church this Sunday!
Affirmation of Ministry - Tom Parmenter,
Director of Youth Ministries
Brunch following worship in Fellowship Hall
Sept.
17 Ministry Sunday 24th Sunday,
Ordinary Time
10:25 AM Sermon:
“Teachers, Watch Your Tongue!” Rev.
Dr.
Scriptures:
Psalm 19:7-11; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38
Liturgist:
Greg Ketcham
Word to the Children – Dedication of Church
School teachers and choir leaders
Update from the Pastor Search and Nominating
Committee – Jim Watts
Sunday choirs,
Sept.
24 Worship for the Lord’s Day 25th Sunday, Ordinary
Time
10:25 AM Sermon:
“Word to the Wise” Rev.
Dr.
Scriptures:
Psalm 1; James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark
Liturgist:
Matt Craft
Ordination and Installation of Church
Officers
October
1 World Communion Sunday 26th Sunday, Ordinary
Time
10:25 AM Sermon:
“
Scriptures:
Matthew 5-7
Liturgist:
Sacrament
of Communion (served); Peacemaking Offering received
Welcome International
Peacemaker, October 1
We welcome the Rev. Dr.
Maqsood Kamil as our guest preacher on October 1, World Communion Sunday. Rev. Kamil is from
Adult Education
Forums and Bible Study
Sundays
Join us for coffee, fellowship & discussion
Beginning on September
17, the
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.
We have scheduled the
following topics for Adult Forum over the next four weeks:
September 17: Ambassador Goodwin Cooke will discuss a topic
of current interest in American foreign policy.
Ambassador Cooke teaches International Relations at the Maxwell School
of Syracuse University and is a member of the Council on Foreign
Relations. He has served as a U.S.
Marine and has held appointments at embassies throughout the world, including
September 24:
Margaret (“Marci”) Henderson, Executive Director of the Syracuse Chapter of the
American Red Cross will give an overview of the work of the Red Cross under the
title “125 Years of Service.”
October 1: Dr. Maqsood
Kamil, an International Peacemaker from
October 8: Dr.
October 15: Dr.
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. Come and be welcomed.
III. A Parents’ Place [Downstairs
in Room 5]
Suggestions for future Adult Forums –
please speak with Chairperson Norman Hatt or a member of the committee: Lois Coleman, Shirley DeHority, Dorothy
Harrold, Jason Larson, Dick Lang, Jackie Meyer, Carol Reinsmith,
Worship and Spiritual Life
Weekly
Tuesday
The UCF sanctuary doors will be open
for a time of
Lead Usher – Join our “Ministry of hospitality!”
Bob
Boland is our new lead
usher and is coordinating usher recruitment. Youth, adults and family groupings
are invited to contact him to sign up. Ushers offer that important first greeting to members
and guests! The ushers act as hosts for God, not only expressing the church’s
welcome, but also looking after the comforts and needs of all
worshippers—parents with babies and young children, those who may become ill,
and those who request hearing-assist devices and large-print bulletins.
Sept. 10th“Welcome
Back” Sunday
Worship at
Thanks to summer musicians!
To our youth and adults who provided
musical offerings during July and August including: Richard Blumenthal, David
DeHority, Andrea Doto & Emily Soule, Jennifer Greene,
Fall Musical
“Lost and Found” planned!
An All-Church musical titled “Lost
and Found,” by Stan Graner, will be presented in worship Nov. 19th. Of Jesus’ many parables, one of the most
enduring favorites is the story of the Prodigal Son. Contained in Luke 15, it is a wonderful
reminder of the unfailing, forgiving nature of God’s love for every one of us. You don’t have to be a member of any choir at
church to participate, just enjoy singing and acting. There are chorus and dancing pieces (a
ragtime song for dancing pigs, a rock n’ roll song right out of “Grease”) as
well as narrating and acting roles.
Speak to one of the choir directors and sign up for your part in the
musical (on stage or back stage)!
Join us at
Worship & Spiritual Life Committee on Tuesday, Sept. 12th,
Fall Start-up dates for our choirs
We look forward to seeing
YOU in one of the choirs! Choir
registrations will be Sunday Sept. 10th ~ contact one of the choir
directors noted below for more information.
Please note these start-up dates!
SENIOR CHOIR Thursdays,
Join us this fall -
adults and youth – 9th grade to 90+!
The Choir sings for worship Sept. 10th for “Welcome Back“
Sunday (meet 9/10 at
YOUTH CHOIR/YOUTH HANDBELL CHOIR Sundays,
Choir Room – Grades 8-12
CHERUB CHOIR - Sundays,
CHILDREN'S/CHIMES CHOIR - Sundays,
Sept. 17th The Choir sings anthems
in worship and often joins in musicals which provide a fun way of understanding
the biblical story. They also play handchimes our 3 octave set of Suzuki
Tone Chimes. ~ Led by Jim Spencer and Sarah Vonhof. Room 10 Grades 4-7
CHILDREN’S GATHERING WORSHIP -
begins Sept. 18th! Children come together to
praise God through song and story, collect an offering for mission, and take
turns serving as readers and acolytes in worship.
ADULT HANDBELL CHOIR - Thursday,
Members use our three
octave set of Schulmerich handbells.
Their repertoire includes works based on hymn tunes, carols and
others. ~ Led by Alice Hatt, Choir Room.
JOYFUL SIGN CHOIR - Wednesdays,
(occasional Mondays)
Members use American Sign Language to interpret hymns and anthems for
worship. Their ministry of “making a
joyful sign to the Lord” gives our worship another spiritual
dimension while providing a ministry to the hearing impaired. Led by Barbara
Morison, Beard Lounge.
Kid’s Signing Choir start-up TBA – Sundays, after
worship!
What’s Up
from Down Under
Sharing and Caring by the Young People
Of United Church
See you at these upcoming events !
Sept.10 9:25
a.m. Welcome Back Sunday Worship Service
followed by brunch Register for Choirs and Sunday
School
Sign
up for Family Ushering
11:30 a.m. Teacher “Meet and Greet”
Sept. 17 8:50 a.m. Choirs/Sunday School begins
Teacher Dedication
during worship
WELCOME BACK SUNDAY !!! We are gearing up for a new Sunday School year and can’t wait to see everyone again! Join us at church on September 10th for the Welcome Back Sunday’s 9:25 a.m. service and Sunday School/choir registration, followed by a delicious brunch. Meet our new Director of Youth Ministries, Tom Parmenter and his family.
TEACHER “MEET AND GREET” AND ABUSE PREVENTION
REFRESHER will follow the brunch on
Welcome Back Sunday at 11:30 a.m. If you need childcare for the
orientation/training, please contact Judy Spencer.
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CHOIR KICK-OFF/ICE CREAM SUNDAY PART II !!!! Be there for opening day, September 17th, and enjoy a sweet treat thanks to Mr. Stu Bruce. Cherub and Children’s Choirs start at 8:50 a.m. sharp! Sunday school classes for Pre-K through 5th gather for opening worship in Room 10 at 9:25 a.m. Sunday School classes for 6th grade and up meet in their classrooms at 9:30 a.m.
TEACHER/CHOIR LEADER
DEDICATION Teachers and
choir leaders will be dedicated for a new year of service during worship on
Sept. 17th, Ministry Sunday.
USHERS WANTED !! The second Sunday of every month is reserved for Sunday School families. Sign up for this very important ministry during Welcome Back Sunday. Families are also invited to participate as liturgists and may call the church office to volunteer.
SERVE CHRIST WITH JOY THROUGH CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES !!!! Children’s Ministries Committee invites you to become involved- whether by joining our committee, helping to plan an event or volunteering as a teacher- on a regular basis or as a substitute. You need not have children in the program to join us - just a desire to mentor and help the kids of UCF. Contact Martha or Greg at 637-7709/mketcham@twcny.rr.com or see Judy Spencer.
THANK YOU !! Thanks to all who volunteered to cover the
nursery in July while the Denic’s enjoyed their trip home to
NEW LEADER !! Leanne Larson has kindly stepped up to the plate to head a Nursery sub-committee. They are getting organized this fall - look for more details in coming newsletters.
Judy
Spencer – Director of Children’s Ministries
SETTIN' SAIL
SEEKERS
ON
A JOURNEY OF FAITH
Upcoming Seeker Events:
Sept. 9 4 - 8 p.m. Youth Kick-Off Pool Party
Sept. 10 9:25 a.m. Welcome Back Sunday Worship Service and Brunch Sunday
School and Choir Registration
Sept. 17 8:50 a.m. Begin Seeker
Class and Choirs
5 - 7:30 p.m.
Fall Seeker Meeting and supper
Sept 23 Visit to
Sept. 29 7 p.m. International
Peacemaker
YOUTH KICK-OFF POOL PARTY !! It’s
a party with a purpose for 8th -12th graders and their
parents.
It’s a potluck, it’s a planning meeting, it’s a time to meet Tom Parmenter, our new Director of Youth Ministries
and a last chance to perfect that cannonball.
Location TBA.
WELCOME BACK !!! Join us at church on
September 10th for the Welcome Back Sunday’s 9:25 a.m. service and Sunday
School/Choir registration, followed by brunch.
FALL SEEKER MEETING !!
Seekers will get into the
groove for an exciting new year at the Seeker Meeting and dinner on Sun., Sept. 17 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the
church. Led by Rev. Waters and Tom “Potato”
Parmenter (It’s a good story. Ask him!!)
YAHOO !! For
the full Seeker experience, join the crowd of religious rowdies every Sunday
morning at 9:30 a.m. in Room 12 for some seriously fascinating exploration.
Classes with Mrs. Hines and Mr. Sweder begin Sunday, September 17th, opening
day of another fantastic year of Seekers at