The Longswamp UCC BeaCon

january 2013 CALLING YOU HOME

Dear Church Members & Friends, Our 2013 Stewardship Year will begin in February and it is aptly titled, Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5. What better month to start stewardship than the month when we all think about love. Of course God loves us for 12 months of the year and we love God in return all year round. But in order to release our full stewardship creativity our church will have 12 stewardship teams, each working on stewardship for one month of the year. Everyone will be on a stewardship team and everyone will be encouraged to use their creative ideas to show how much they love God. Our financial commitment certainly shows how much we love God. But we also show love by participating in worship, receiving communion, engaging in Bible study, dedicating devotion to prayer, engaging in mission service, supplying leadership in the wider church, hosting fellowship hospitality and serving on church committees. If a person wants to do nothing to show that they love God, then it is really time to rethink their spiritual relationship with God. Valentines Day would be a failure if people in love didnt want to show their love in some way. Our church will certainly fail if people do not want to show their love for God. Lets see how much love we can show. I am making up the list of 12 teams. What month do you wish to sign up for? Let me know. Best wishes, Pastor Kathy

January Worship Schedule

10:15 AM Worship Jan 6th Scripture Isaiah 60:1-6 & Matthew 2:13-33 Herod kills innocent children. Worship Notes Installation of 2013 Consistory Our Churchs Wider Mission Offering supporting the work of the Penn North East Conference recruiting, training and supervising new people to become parish pastors. Blessing of Prayer Shawls Food Bank Items Needed Whole grain elbow pasta, canned pears, snacks, salad dressing, cake mix, tea

Jan 13th Jan 20th

Isaiah 43:1-7 & Luke 3: 15- 18 & 21-22 The Baptism of Jesus Isaiah 62:1-5 & John 2:111 Jesus turns water into wine.

Jan 27th Feb 3rd

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 & Luke 4:14-21 Jesus is rejected in Nazareth. Jeremiah 1:4-10 & Luke 10:25-37 The story of the Good Samaritan

HOLY COMMUNION Faith World Christian Education for Ages 3- 11 during worship hour. Bring a friend to share this great experience. Confirmation Students lead worship. Boy Scout Sunday. Souperbowl of Caring. Bring a can of soup to support your team. Page 1 of 12.

Boxed cereal, canned beets, crackers, tissues, coffee. Crackers, spam, Chef Boyardee products, canned apricots, toilet paper, toiletries Canned ham, ketchup, canned fruit, cake mix, dog/cat food Canned meat, cookies, popcorn, pancake syrup, canned pumpkin, paper towels

Consistory Corner
Happy New Year from your Consistory! And for the majority of you reading this electronically, welcome to a new era in church communication. Please remember, if you would prefer to receive a hard copy of the Newsletter in the mail, please make your request with the Dawn in the church office @ 610-682-6230. Otherwise, significant savings will be experienced by the church in paper, copying expenses, postage and secretarial time. Consistory met on December 17th in the parsonage and covered some year-end issues. Property Committee has been working diligently to address the many repairs and maintenance issues that have been neglected for so long. Hurricane Sandy caused some roofing issues throughout the campus (not the new sanctuary roof!), but insurance claims have been made, and that revenue will help as we prepare to replace the roof on the parsonage to prevent any further water damage. Repairs and maintenance to the bell tower were brought to Consistorys attention this month. With the bell tower screening in disrepair, pigeons and other wild animals and fowl have found a home up there. Bids are being procured to repair the steps up to the bell tower, repair/replace the screening and remove the animal debris left behind. This is a significant health and safety issue, and needs to be attended to before the spring thaw. Consistory is planning a Leadership Retreat to be held on Saturday, January 26th at the Topton Lutheran Home, for all interested members involved in leadership roles throughout the church, or any members who are interested in taking on a more active role in the life of the church. We will be gathering data and opinions from members for about an hour that day in focus groups, so be prepared to be asked for your participation in a brief Q & A session to help our leadership better determine the needs of the congregation as we move forward. Rev. Marchetto will be coming to conduct some workshops for us, and we will be exploring some new ideas for stewardship. The book, Springs of Living Water: Christ-Centered Church Renewal by Young will be used throughout the retreat for inspiration and guidance. We anticipate a wonderful time of fun, fellowship and learningif you are interested in attending, please let Dawn know. The response to our Congregational Survey has been overwhelming! So many good ideas and suggestions have been submitted! The collection and evaluation of the responses will occur in the early part of this month, so stay tuned for the results. This information will be invaluable as we move forward in developing a comprehensive 3-5 year plan for Longswamps Ministry and Mission, thereby assisting the Consistory and Property Committee in where to concentrate their efforts and the churches funds. The development of this 3-5 year plan is an on-going process, and cannot be made solely at a Consistory level, but, rather through the collective efforts of the congregation and Consistory over time. Your patience is appreciated as we move through this very organic and complicated process. Your survey responses indicate that you believe the future looks bright for your church. We, as a Consistory, couldnt agree more. There has never been a better time to get involved. The New Year beckons! In Christ, Kim Jenkins

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Have You Remembered the Church In Your Estate Planning??

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Holy Communion:

The Sacrament of Holy Communion will

be celebrated on Sunday, January 20th. If you wish to receive private Holy Communion or if you have a family member who cannot come to church for Communion please notify the Pastor.
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Mark your calendar and plan to attend: Longswamp UCC Leadership Retreat At The Henry Health Care Center, Lutheran Home, Topton

Saturday January 26th 2013 from 8:30 am 3 pm (Lunch Provided) Speaker: Rev Joanne Marchetto (St. Johns UCC, Fogelsville)
Rev. Marchetto is a participant in Target 2030: Next Generation Leadership Initiative, a 20-year focus by The United Church Board of Ministerial Assistance (UCBMA), on energizing and sustaining younger, emerging United Church of Christ local church pastors, believing that healthy, catalytic pastors lead to healthy, vibrant congregations. We will be working with Rev. Marchetto on how to be an energetic and spiritually dynamic congregation. More information about Target 2030 may be found at www.pbucc.org. Watch out for more retreat details. Registration is required so we can prepare enough materials. Please sign up on the sheet outside the church office.

Ann Mabry Miller

CHOIR REHEARSALS - Our LOFT CHOIR will be enjoying a week of vacation to start the New Year! There will be NO CHOIR REHEARSAL on the Loft on THURSDAY, JANUARY 3rd, 2013. Scheduled LOFT CHOIR rehearsals will begin on Thursday, January 10th, at 7:30 on the LOFT and will be held for the remaining Thursdays in January. NEXT SCHEDULED SUNDAYS TO SING January 13th - Offertory - "Bring What You Have" January 20th - (early in service) January 27th THANK YOU - Thank you to musicians who provided us with music during the Christmas season! The Loft Choir, The Handbell Choir, Kim Jenkins, Jenna Masenheimer, Tim Masenheimer, Amy Riovo, Linda Sterner, Barbara Weaknecht and Mary Beth Weidman all provided us with one or more musical presentations! Thank you for making our Advent and Christmas season filled with the music of Christmas! We appreciate you! DO YOU KNOW YOUR HYMNS? - The Doctor's Hymn..........."The Great Physician" NEW ANTHEMS - The LOFT CHOIR sang a new choir anthem on Sunday, December 23rd, titled "How Far Is It to Bethlehem" by Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi. We hope you enjoyed hearing about the little Child in the stable room, and also about the creatures seeing Jesus asleep. Another new anthem, "Bring What You Have" by Cindy Berry, will be our first anthem for the New Year of 2013! We hope you won't miss it! COMING IN FEBRUARY.......Music about love!

Friendship Discussion Hour:

(from 9-10am on a Sunday morning) Join us in January as we begin a new study titled 'The Jesus Creed': Explore what it means to love God and love others. When an expert in the law asked Jesus for the greatest commandment, Jesus responded with the Shema, the ancient Jewish creed that commands Israel to love God with heart, soul, mind and strength. But the next part of Jesus' answer would change the course of history. Jesus amended the Shema, giving his followers a new creed for life, the Jesus Creed: loving God with heart, soul, mind and strength, but also loving others as themselves. Page 3 of 12.

Church Family Notes

The sacrament of baptism for Collin Elijah Kowalchuk (born 10-03-04) and Alexander Nikolai Kowalchuk (born 9-7-02) took place on Dec. 16, 2012. Collin and Alexander are the sons of Christopher and Dana Kowalchuk and younger brothers of Tyler Santoro. Alexandra and Brian Burns are their godparents. Congratulations and Gods Blessings as they live and grow in the exciting years to come. Appreciation and thanks: Thank You to all who assisted with the beautiful decorating of the church for the Advent and Christmas season. Thank you to those families that volunteered to Light the Advent Wreath during Advent. Thank you to Don & Jayne Siegfried for the candy canes and to Pastor Kathy for the wonderful Christmas CD given on Christmas Eve. Thank you to everyone who provided special music during Advent including the Loft and Bell Choirs. Thank you to those who volunteered at Friend, Inc Food Pantry. Thank you to those who volunteered to deliver Christmas gifts to our shut-in members. Thank you to those who purchased gifts for Phoebe Home residents. Thank you to those who went to the Lutheran Home in Topton to Christmas Carol for the residents. Thank you to those who purchased Poinsettias to adorn the sanctuary for Sunday service and Christmas Eve. Thank you to the Consistory and all our committees for the wonderful work they do for our church, community, and our Lord and Savior.

Want to help people in need? In the months of January and February, the Confirmands will be hosting a fundraiser on behalf of Heifer International. There will be announcements made and signs posted on the bill board, so keep your eyes and ears open! All donations, no matter how big or small, will be accepted every little bit helps!

News:

Letters of thanks.
Dear Longswamp UCC Prayer Shawl Ministry, Thank you so much for the 3 beautiful shawls you have donated to our family. Our son, Carter, told us that when he wraps himself in his shawl, he feels like hes being hugged by God. They were/are so comforting to us all in this time of need. Thank you again so much. With Love, Maureen, Zach, Cater, & Lily Zavadel Thank you so very much for my prayer shawl. Being resigned to the couch during my recovery from back surgery was not ideal with a young family before Christmas, but your shawl brought me the comfort of prayer and the warmth of Gods love. Thank you, Mary Neuenschwander To the Prayer Shawl Ministry members: Thank you so much for the prayer shawl you gave me in September after my dad Carl Fritch died. It meant so much to me then and every time I use it. I am wrapped in it now and can feel your love coming through and it is a reminder to me of Gods constant love. Thank you. Sincerely, Lorene Hoffman Page 4 of 12.

A Message from the Treasurer The budget for 2013, passed by the congregation at the meeting on December 2, 2012, shows a deficit of $522. This means that church operating expenses are projected to exceed church operating income by $522 for 2013. Please keep in mind that included in projected income for 2013 are lease payments in the amount of $17,250 from Sprint for the use of our steeple for cell phone service, the facility usage fee of $20,395 from the Learning Center, projected earnings from the Endowment Sustaining Fund in the amount of $14,000 and transfers from the Maintenance Fund in the amount of $15,000. Indeed, the amounts from the Sustaining Fund and the Maintenance Fund are needed to plug a substantial deficit that would otherwise exist. Unfortunately, transfers from the Maintenance Fund to the General Fund have also been required in the past to assist in the payment of the day to day operating expenses of the church. Income from offering is projected to be $76,000, down from the $85,000 that was projected for 2012. Income from offering only represents 50% of total income projected for 2013, down from 58% for 2012. Heating oil for the church is one of the larger expenses. It is projected to cost $23,463 for 2013, based on the monthly budget payments. Another large expense is insurance premiums for fire, casualty and liability insurance. The total premiums to be paid for 2013 are projected to be $11,076. In addition, the budgeted expenses for 2013 include compensation and benefits for Pastor Brearley at time compensation. While the generosity of members is greatly appreciated, the funds received through offering fall short of covering the operating expenses of the church. Please give prayerful consideration to your giving for 2013. With everyones prayers and generosity, the church can be in a much improved financial situation in the future. Copies of the 2013 budget are available in the church office. Your servant in Christ, Bob Friedly, Treasurer

Church Envelopes: Your 2013 Church Envelopes are available to be picked up. Please notify the church office if you wish to have your envelopes mailed to you. If you would like a home visit from the Pastor and/or Elders please let us know. Someone will be glad to come to your home.

LONGSWAMP UCC WEB PRESENCE: Church website: www.longswampucc.org. Church Facebook page: If you have a Facebook profile, search for Longswamp UCC and feel free to join the group. Contact Ellie Long at eloiselong@gmail.com or Andrew Thomas at awthomas@ptd.net Please note that in case of inclement weather, weather cancellations will be announced and/or posted on WFMZ-TV (Channel 69 News) and wfmz.com at least one hour before church school and/or services. UPPER ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE: These books are available in the church Narthex for a $1 contribution. Large Print is also available.

Absolute Deadline for Newsletter Articles for the February issue are due in the Church Office by Tuesday, January 8th! We appreciate them being sent to us by email or in typed format. Thank you! Page 5 of 12.

The 2013 Altar Flower and Bulletin Sponsor Charts are hung up on the bulletin board on the left side when exiting the sanctuary. If no one is signed up for a Sunday then a silk floral arrangement will be used. This arrangement has been purchased by Fern Fritz, Laurie Heagy and Shirley Solt in memory of Loved Ones.

Please remember to contact Dawn in the church office in advance to inform us of your change of address to help save us additional postage cost. Each time a piece of mail is returned to the church, we have to pay the corrected address and return of that mail.

Genealogical Help: Ellie Long has graciously offered to handle any genealogical inquiries. Please contact Ellie at eloiselong@gmail.com.

SAVE THOSE REGISTER TAPES! (Very easy way to assist your church) If you shop at Radcliffes market, please consider saving your register tapes and bringing them to us for a rebate earmarked for our General Fund as we continue to participate in the Save a Tape program. Be sure to drop off your receipts in the vestibule (papered box marked Radcliffe). If you shop at Redners, you need to obtain a Save a Tape Card from the store and use it every time you shop, then simply collect your receipts and deposit them in the designated box found in the side vestibule (papered box marked Redners).

2012 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: There will be a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for those who want a
2012 Financial Statement [record of your giving to the church]. For cost control and saving on paper for copying reasons, statements will be printed only for those making request by adding your name to this listing, or by contacting the church office to do so. The statements will then be available the end of Jan. 2013. In years past many financial statements were discarded for not being picked even by Easter. Annual Report Information: Our next Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 3rd following the worship service. Since this is the time when all organizational and statistical reports are presented to the congregation, it is important that those responsible for submitting information to be included do so in a timely fashion. It is almost impossible for the church office to print, assemble and have the report for 2012 ready if everyone waits until the last moment. Your staff also appreciates the efforts of so many in getting us articles and information that needs to get out in newsletters and such efforts, in a printed and copy-ready format. Please have this information to the church office by Feb. 17th. Thank you! Wreaths of live greens found on the exterior of the sanctuarys main entrance doors have been presented by the Family Ministries Group in memory of the following members of our church family who entered into eternal rest this past year: Ida A. Gehringer Ralph S. Riovo Anita N. Hartline
Congratulations to newly elected Richard Conrad & Fran Zettlemoyer, and re-elected Tina Cirafesi & Kyle Koller who were elected to serve on the 2013 Consistory. Also, to George Unger for being re-elected to the Cemetery Board, to Jennifer Kressley for being elected to LLC Board and to Tammy Moyer, Jill Weaknecht, Vern Shade, Christine Freudig, Jeff Walbert, and Don Siegfried for being elected to the Pastoral-Congregational Relations Committee.

LOAVES & FISHES Free Fellowship & Pork & Sauerkraut Meal: Tuesday, January 15th from 6-7:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, Topton. All are Welcome! Desserts are greatly appreciated. Page 6 of 12.

Assisting In Our Worship...

*Communion Sunday

HEAD USHERS:
Jan. 6 Tina Cirafesi Jan. 13 TBD *Jan. 20 TBD Jan. 27 - TBD

Please drop a note or call the church office or sign up on the charts in the Narthex if you would be interested in sponsoring altar flowers and/or bulletins for any of the open dates for 2012.

READERS:

GREETERS:
Jan. 6 Still Available Jan. 13 Cindy Conrad & Sue McElrea *Jan. 20 Still Available Jan. 27 - Still Available

Jan. 6 Jayne Siegfried Jan. 13 Fran Zettlemoyer *Jan. 20 Dana Kowalchuk Jan. 27 Confirmation students

NURSERY HOSTS:
Jan. 6 Erica Fredericks Jan. 13 Carla Hengst & Valerie Jenkins *Jan. 20 Dawn & Keegan Weller Jan. 27 - TBD

ATTENTION:
We are still in need of greeters for January 6, 20, (Communion) & 27 & fellowship hosts for January 6, 13, 27. Please contact Barbara Weaknecht by phone (610-682-2406) if youre willing to greet or host fellowship on any of the above listed dates. Your dedication to serving as greeters and/or hosting fellowship is greatly appreciated. Thank you for serving your church in this way!

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:
Jan. 6 Still Available Jan. 13 Still Available *Jan. 20 Friendship Discussion Hour Jan. 27 - Still Available

ALTAR GUILD:
January Cindy Masenheimer & Chris Freudig

A SPECIAL NOTE ON HOSTING FELLOWSHIP

If anyone is interested in donating food, beverages, or financial donation for fellowship on a specific Sunday, but not wanting to host it, please call the church office or talk to the Pastor.

ACOLYTES:
Jan. 6 Dale Loch, Jr Jan. 13 Mackenzie Gross *Jan. 20 Mary Beth Weidman Jan. 27 Kaitlyn Gross

FLOWER & BULLETIN SPONSORS:

Jan. 6 Eloise Long Jan. 13 Still Available *Jan. 20 Still Available Jan. 27 Fern Shade
Cost: Altar Flowers

Just a Reminder
Anyone hosting fellowship or after church activities, please make sure that the church or Christian Ed building is locked, windows are closed, and lights turned off before leaving. Thank you.

Bulletins Total:

$35.00 $10.00 $45.00

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01/02/2005 Cynthia & Edward Howze 01/11/1975 Cindy & Neil Conrad 01/24/1959 Wilma & Winfield Lease

Jan. 2 - Carl Epting Jan. 4 - Barry Seidel, Jamie Greiss Jan. 5 - Bonita Lesher, Betty Hemphill, Cindy Conrad Jan. 6 - David Snyder, Jr., Michael Shupp, Adam Fredericks Jan. 8 - Joseph Neuman, Ellen Quier, Jan. 9 - Fern Shade, Christine Freudig Jan. 11 - Reynolds Jenkins, Jr Jan. 13 - Corbin Teeters Jan. 15 - Elizabeth Isamoyer Jan. 16 - Caleb Teeters Jan. 18 - Cheryl Bleiler, Doris Largent Jan. 19 - Dale Loch, Sr., Erika Delong Jan. 22 - George Unger, Kyle Koller, Rick George Jan. 25 - Morgan Hersh, Megan Hersh Jan. 26 - Maggie Isamoyer Jan. 28 - Dennis Bower Jan. 29 - Jenna Freudig Jan. 30 - Dolores Isamoyer, Lauren Koller Jan. 31 - Annie Bleiler

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY & MANY MORE!

Members and Friends Prayer List:

[As of newsletter preparation time]
Hospitalized: Ann Reppert [LVH CC] Active Military Members: PFC Michael Xiques Long-term Needs: Amy Roth, Alayna Biltcliff, Olivia Radcliffe, Niki Ferrizzi, Hope Distasio Rev. William Thomas, Mark Grim, JoAnn Jones December Prayer Needs: Carter Zavadel [5yr old who is having spinal surgery], Kevin Thomas [local man in a medically-induced coma], John Cullen [Sarah Reeds dad], Benjamin Conrad [Premature baby], Mary Neuenschwander [having back surgery], Erica & Megan Evans [Tammy Moyers nieces who were involved in accident], Betty Fairchild, Joyce & Ed Sturtevant, Tina Guthrie [cancer], Nancy Mory [Donna Seidels mother -hip surgery], Gracie Reed [tonsils removed], & Anna Reppert [problems with toe] Shut-ins: Mary Conrad [Kutztown Manor], Ruth Hertzog & Corinne Reppert [Lutheran Home, Topton], Jean Rhode & Ruth Romig [Lewisburg], Webster Heffner [Carlisle, PA], Helen Schuler [Oakhurst, NJ], Anna Delong, Caroline Delong, Catherine Miller, Anna Reppert, & Doris Weller [home] [Please give the Pastor a note with any special prayer needs]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY & MANY MORE!

For Your Information

For parents with children up to and including age five, or at parents discretion, a NURSERY is available in our Christian Education Building. There are BUSY BOXES available for use by the young and the restless located in the bookcase in the narthex. Please replace them after the worship service. WIRELESS HEARING DEVICES are available upon request from the Greeters.

Hospital ID Number:

Our hospital identification number for Lehigh Valley Area is #451 and for Reading Hospital is Always sign PEW PADS when in attendance and #802. Please use this number when entering the ESPECIALLY when you have communed hospital. Also, make sure that a family member or friend contacts the church office to let us know Please use OFFERING ENVELOPES OR put when you are hospitalized. offering envelope number on check. Page 8 of 12.

Church Staff and Information: Rev. Dr. Katherine Brearley, Pastor Dawn Strunk, Church Secretary Ann Mabry Miller, Organist Vern Shade, Bell Choir Director Ronald Newhard, Sexton Also contact for Longswamp Union Cemetery Beverly Thomas, Director of Longswamp U.C.C. Learning Center Robert Friedly, Treasurer

2013 Consistory Members: Kimberly Jenkins, President Donald Siegfried, Vice-President Barbara Weaknecht, Secretary Francis Zettlemoyer, Deacon & Elder Tina Cirafesi, Deacon G. Kyle Koller, Deacon Shirley Solt, Deacon Dylan Weaknecht, Deacon

Church Website: www.longswampucc.org Contact Person - Eloise Long 610 682-0696

E-mail Contacts: Church Pastor

longswampucc@windstream.net longswamppastor@windstream.net

Longswamp United Church of Christ 200 Clay Road Mertztown, PA 19539-8902 Address Service Requested

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID
Kutztown, PA Permit No. 40

Sent With A Prayer To:

January 2013 Newsletter

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